Updated: Wed 24 Jun 10:03:02 BST 2026

Mail Online
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'Looksmaxxing' manosphere influencer Clavicular is forced to concede he has 'no game' as he is ridiculed for being rejected by 'every girl in Paris'
Controversial influencer Clavicular has been forced to admit he has 'no game' after he failed to chat up a single girl in Paris. 

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why are there holiday delay warnings over the EU's new border system?
The EU's much-delayed Entry/Exit System will change the way UK passengers travel to 29 countries.

BBC UK News
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Calls for justice ahead of landmark maternity report
The review of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is expected to detail how failings led to deaths and avoidable harm.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Scotland primed for game of their lives against fallible Brazil
Scotland don't know what they need against Brazil to reach the World Cup knockout phase, but will know they need to improve on the previous two games, writes Tom English.

CNET News
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We've Scoured Thousands of Prime Day Deals. These Are the 97+ You'll Actually Want To Buy
Prime Day rolls into day two, and we're continuing to bring you the very best deals as we discover them.

Wired Top Stories
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129 Prime Day Deals on Gear We’ve Tested and Would Spend Our Own Money On
We've gone from A to Z to find Amazon's best Prime Day deals on the gear worth owning.

Wired Top Stories
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I Found the Very Best Prime Day Laptop Deals onMacBooks and More (2026)
From MacBooks to gaming laptops, these are the very best deals on some of my very favorite laptops for Amazon Prime Day.

Wired Top Stories
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The 16 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $100 in 2026
Times are hard in 2026. These Amazon Prime Day deals under $100 on earbuds, Kindles, and other tested products should help make life just a little bit easier.

Wired Top Stories
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Get Up to 36% Off With the Best Prime Day Kindle Deals (2026): Paperwhite, Colorsoft, Kids
There’s no better time to get a Kindle than during Amazon's own sale event.

Mail Online
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Megan Pickford finally gets to unveil her WAG World Cup wardrobe as she sports a white minidress, £6,000 Chanel handbag and vintage Chanel brooch after missing suitcase drama
Megan Pickford has finally had the chance to unveil her WAG World Cup wardrobe after being reunited with her missing suitcase. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk; oil price lowest since Iran war began – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares eat into Musk’s wealthThe oil price has dipped to its lowest level since the Iran war began.Brent crude has dropped by 1.8% today to $75.59 a barrel, as peace talks between the US and Iran continue. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Burnham likely to replace Reeves as chancellor if he becomes PM
Rachel Reeves would be offered a more junior cabinet role, the BBC understands.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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France braces for another day of sweltering heat as Europe heatwave spreads
The heatwave is expected to spread to other parts of western Europe on Wednesday, before extending eastwards over the weekend.

Sky News Home
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'We need more power', says British grid operator
The body which oversees Britain's energy network has called for more power generation as temperatures soar across the country and wider Europe.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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How to use windows, blinds and fans to keep your home cool
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe oil price has dipped to its lowest level since the Iran war began.Brent crude has dropped by 1.8% today to $75.59 a barrel, as peace talks between the US and Iran continue. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s route to power – cartoon
Discover and buy more of Ben’s cartoons hereOrder your own print of this cartoon from the Guardian Print Shop Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red heat warning as record-breaking temperatures in France bring power outages
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said the agency is forecasting 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday in the UK, most likely for somewhere in London or the south-east.“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range,” he said, according to the Press Association. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Murder investigation launched after body found at prehistoric stone circle
A murder investigation has been launched after a man's body was found at a Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District.

BBC UK News
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Donaldson trial 'struck blow' against culture that 'didn't hear women'
Sir John Gillen said changes to how the justice system handles sexual offences has "spoken" to victims in Northern Ireland.

The Register
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Explainer: Why your legacy storage is choking your expensive GPU
THE REGISTER EXPLAINER: GPUs idle? Blame your outdated storage, not the silicon sprinters.

The Register
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Ordering a trip back to 2009, with a side of nostalgia
A time when Windows 7 was Microsoft's latest and greatest

Mail Online
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Holly Valance declares that 'Britain should still be ruling the world' and endorses Pauline Hanson as the right-wing Neighbours star sits down for controversial chat with Karl Stefanovic: 'I think she's amazing'
Holly Valance has shared her views on the future of Britain - and Australia - as she sat down for a chat with The Karl Stefanovic Show. 

Mail Online
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Couple who became TikTok stars with their renovation of an abandoned 7-bedroom Victorian home have SPLIT - and there's a surprising plan for who gets to keep the mansion
A young couple whose renovation of a huge seven-bedroom Victorian home became an internet sensation have split up, they have announced.

Mail Online
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Cristiano Ronaldo storms out of interview after being asked about Lionel Messi - after opening up on 'tough' week of criticism
Ronaldo had seen his long-time rival Messi score a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match of the tournament against Algeria, before netting a brace against Austria on Monday.

Mail Online
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'Panicked' holidaymakers sprint for prime sunbeds as security guards hold back crowds before 8am in Tenerife
The latest chapter in this summer's sunbed wars saw dozens of tourists race for prime spots moments after security staff opened the pool gates.

Mail Online
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Heatwave Britain braces for 40C 'hottest ever day': Rare red 'extreme heat' warning comes into force as nearly 1,000 schools close - while train passengers are forced to walk on the tracks amid travel chaos
A rare red extreme heat warning covering a vast swathe of England and Wales came into force this morning for just the second time.

Mail Online
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Police insist officers were 'justified' after footage showed PCs 'attacking' young girls with baton and Tasers in Rotherham
South Yorkshire Police have maintained their use of force during the incident involving the teenage girls was 'proportionate, necessary and justified'.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Want to cool down in the water? Here's how to do it safely
Pick designated swimming spots, learn about riptides and don't use inflatables at the beach, experts say.

BBC UK News
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'Heat emergency' shuts more than 500 schools in Wales in red weather warning
Schools close in mid and south Wales, including all schools in Blaenau Gwent, and most in Caerphilly and Bridgend.

Mail Online
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'My husband has no friends and it's ruining my life': TRACEY COX reveals the uncomfortable reality of being with a man who makes you their whole world
TRACEY COX: Women rarely talk about feeling trapped by a husband with no meaningful relationships outside the marriage but it's happening to millions of them across the UK.

Mail Online
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Heatwave Britain braces for 40C 'hottest ever day': Rare red 'extreme heat' warning comes into force as nearly 1,000 schools close - while train passengers are forced to walk on the tracks amid travel chaos
A rare red extreme heat warning covering a vast swathe of England and Wales came into force this morning.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How hot will it get today?
Chris Fawkes has the latest forecast, with a rare red weather warning from the Met Office in place for extreme heat for parts of southern England and south Wales.

Russia Today News
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Israeli troops kill two in Lebanon, putting strain on US-Iran talks

Mail Online
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Join Kieran Gill's debate: Was Tuchel wrong to leave Palmer and Foden at home as England struggle vs Ghana?
Tell us what YOU think: Join Daily Mail's Kieran Gill to discuss the fallout after England drew 0-0 to Ghana last night.

Mail Online
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Heatwave Britain braces for 40C 'hottest ever day': Rare red 'extreme heat' warning comes into force amid dire health alerts - as nearly 1,000 schools close, trains are cancelled and workers stay at home
A rare red extreme heat warning covering a vast swathe of England and Wales came into force this morning.

Mail Online
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Katie Price claims Gareth Gates 'ghosted' her as she ponders if he's 'the one that got away' after losing his virginity to pregnant glamour model
Katie Price has claimed Gareth Gates 'ghosted' her as she pondered whether he was 'the one that got away' after their fleeting romance. 

BBC World News
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Kenya to charge students with murder over deadly school fire
Sixteen pupils, aged between 15 and 18, died when a fire broke out in a dormitory at Utumishi Girls' School last month.

The Guardian (UK)
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Kin by Tayari Jones review – a haunting tale of motherlessness
Two friends, united by their missing mothers, come of age in segregation-era America, in a cautionary tale about the limits of loveAnnie and Vernice (or Niecy, as Annie calls her) are “cradle friends”, brought up in their home town of Honeysuckle, Louisiana, in 1950s America. The protagonists are defined by their motherlessness and their diverging drives to escape their individual tragedies and pre-written destinies. In this haunting novel of motherhood and sisterhood, Tayari Jones writes into unknowability – how far we can know another person, or indeed oneself.The pair, who speak in alternating chapters, are “not the same, but still the same”. Each is tended to by mother figures – grandmothers, aunts – and gives meaning to each other’s lonely, questioning existence: “When you don’t have your mother, you don’t really know who you are.” Annie’s mother has abandoned her but is apparently alive in Memphis, and she makes it her obsession to reconcile with her; Niecy’s, on the other hand, is lost for ever, murdered by Niecy’s father. Where the former is holding out hope, the latter has none; and herein lies the fork in their futures. While Niecy chooses the sensible, stable life path – college, a traditional marriage – Annie spirals from tragedy to tragedy, consumed by thoughts of her missing mother. Call it destiny, or a kind of grieving. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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24-hour parks and alcohol bans: what cities could learn from Paris’s ‘heatwave mode’ | Helen Massy-Beresford
Following a devastating heatwave in 2003 that killed 15,000, France has adopted four alert levels to help people cope with extreme temperaturesHelen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in ParisOver the weekend, as evening fell on the hilly (and, crucially, shady) Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, one of Paris’s most popular green spaces, the joyfully chaotic Fête de la musique – a summer solstice celebration of music in all its forms – got under way, with competing DJs starting their sets in nearby cafes.It was stiflingly hot and picnickers were cooling down with water, juice or alcohol-free beer – or at least, they should have been. The Paris authorities banned the consumption of alcohol in public spaces (apart from cafe terraces) during the festival, just one of the measures they can put in place to keep citizens safe once the city reaches vigilance rouge canicule – red heatwave alert.Helen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in Paris Continue reading...

Autosport F1
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Does Red Bull’s denial that Racing Bulls is helping it on-track stack up?
The debate surrounding common ownership in Formula 1, often linked to the two Red Bull teams, was recently reignited by Mercedes and Toto Wolff's apparent interest in acquiring shares in the Alpine outfit.While that interest never materialised into a deal, it was exactly that which prompted McLaren CEO Zak Brown to write a letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem outlining his concerns ...Keep reading

Mail Online
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Escape room contestant is turned into a human fireball after organisers tie her up and set her on fire after unwittingly pouring real petrol over her during 'hardcore' experience
The victim went to the event in 2022 at a venue called Villa Amparo in Cajar, Spain, where she became engulfed in flames.

Mail Online
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Harry Styles urges concert-goers to look after each other in the scorching heatwave amid deadly weather warning
Harry Styles opened his latest Wembley Stadium gig by urging concert-goers to look after each other as temperatures soared on Tuesday night.

Digital Trends
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The Google Home Speaker is impressive, until you look at the power cable
A buyer snagged the new Google Home Speaker early and shared first impressions. The sound impresses, the setup is quick, but the fixed power cable is a real letdown for repairability.

Digital Trends
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LastPass suffers another data breach, but this time your password vault is safe
LastPass has confirmed that customer names, contact details, and support case records were exposed in a breach at Klue, though the company says password vaults remain secure.

TechRadar News
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You can save £100 on Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset if you act fast — and have a PayPal account

Mail Online
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Grab NS&I's 4.69% savings deal now as it won't last for long: SYLVIA MORRIS
National Savings & Investments  is pulling out all the stops to woo savers. Last month it announced the Premium Bond prize rate will rise.

The Guardian (UK)
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The best American LGBTQ+ books, chosen by authors
From 20th-century classics to little-known treasures, Michael Cunningham, Hilton Als, Eileen Myles and others share their favorite books about LGBTQ+ life‘Sheer outrageousness’: writers on their favourite LGBTQ+ movie charactersYou could debate what the best American LGBTQ+ book is until the cows come home, but experts at least tend to agree on the first one: 1870’s catchily titled Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania by Bayard Taylor. Compared with the well-worn classics of the British LGBTQ+ literary canon – from Oscar Wilde to Jeanette Winterson and beyond – its US counterpart feels invitingly hazy: greener and ever-evolving to reflect the spectrum of queer American life.To celebrate pride month and the upcoming 250th anniversary of America, the Guardian asked nearly two dozen leading queer writers for their favorite LGBTQ+ book from the country they call home. Read on for their choices. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dear You review – enjoyable Chinese romdram crosses generations as it tracks down a missing husband
Director Lan Hongchun’s family saga feels like a good old-fashioned novel as it goes in search of a man who has disappeared in ThailandWith a story that ranges from the 1940s to the present and, although mostly set in Bangkok, revolving largely around Teochew-speaking Chinese from Guangdong, this generations-spanning drama feels like a good old-fashioned novel. A romantic beach read, perhaps, the kind in which coincidences and random accidents cause misunderstandings that last for decades until the truth is finally revealed. It’s sentimental in places, sure, but there’s also a fair bit of salty, bawdy humour to cut the sweetness, lashings of period colour, and impressively naturalistic performances from a mostly non-professional cast. All that has helped to make this an unexpectedly large box-office hit in the People’s Republic last month; and for non-Chinese or Thai rom-dram aficionados anywhere, it’s well worth looking out for.As the story opens in the 21st century in the Chinese city of Shantou, octogenarian Shurou (Iap Sok-jiu) is celebrating her 87th birthday, surrounded by adoring friends, family and neighbours who revere the matriarch, not least for managing to raise three kids on her own in the 1940s and 50s. Her shifty grandson Xiaowei (Hiau-ui), however, is less of a solid citizen and, having got into debt, he decides to travel to Bangkok to find out if Shurou’s husband Zheng Musheng, not seen for decades, could help out since he’s reputed to have made a fortune out there, endowed schools all over Thailand, and had a second family after abandoning Shurou. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares in Airbus have dipped by 0.5% this morning after Europen regulators ordered urgent inspections of 16 Airbus A380 planes.The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency airworthiness directive, after cracks were found in a wing component on some aircraft.Segro may be the biggest fish in the UK REIT pond, but at a market cap below £10bn is a minnow compared to Prologis.It remains to be seen whether the combination will go ahead - in our view Prologis would be reluctant to increase the offer materially and take it above NAV - but the very fact that it was deemed possible given the company’s pan-European footprint and 460 employees that make it a more complex transaction than its smaller peers means that the entire sector could be back in the shop window for even larger, foreign companies. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dettol apologises after ‘toxic men’ advert sparks backlash in China
British disinfectant brand withdraws advert about a man’s efforts to find a ‘clean and untouched’ womanThe British hygiene brand Dettol has apologised after an advertisement released in China, which it said was intended to criticise “toxic men”, was widely condemned on social media as offensive to women.The five-minute advert for a multipurpose disinfectant, released across many online platforms at the end of May, features a man comparing his girlfriend with his former partner. Learning that his former girlfriend previously lived with someone else, the man likens their relationship to a “secondhand service”. He then tells his friends that he intends to find a “clean and untouched” woman for whom he can be the first sexual partner. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Soccer spent decades searching for coherence. It found something better
For years the United States sought a single soccer identity. Instead, its best team emerged from a patchwork of backgrounds, cultures and development pathsIn 1993, the United States Soccer Federation handed a contract to Rinus Michels. But the Dutch godfather of Total Football, operationalized through his on-field avatar Johan Cruyff, was not hired to coach the national team, or to coach anybody, really.By this time, Michels, who managed the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League in 1979 and 1980, had already turned down the chance to manage the US men’s national team twice. Once, in 1983, when it would be entered, disastrously, into the NASL as Team America. And once more in 1991, when Bora Milutinović was appointed instead. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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I was blindsided when my wife divorced me, then the same happened to all my male friends. Here's the real reason EVERYONE middle-aged is divorcing... and why your marriage is at risk
There is group photograph of six married couples. All friends of ours. (Friends of my then-wife and I, that is.). All six couples in the photo are now divorced.

Mail Online
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Lee Andrews' claim he has 'adopted' Katie Price's five children is branded 'yet another lie'
Lee Andrews' claim he has 'adopted' wife Katie Price's five children is 'categorically untrue'. 

Mail Online
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Katie Price claims Gareth Gates 'ghosted' her as she ponders if he's 'the one that got away' after losing his virginity to pregnant glamour model
Katie Price has claimed Gareth Gates 'ghosted' her as she pondered whether he was 'the one that got away' after their fleeting romance. 

Mail Online
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Sadiq Khan continues Donald Trump feud as he links president and his 'nativist' followers to rise in death threats against him
Upon Mr Trump's election to the White House , Mr Khan claims death threats against him soared by 2,000 per cent.

Mail Online
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Did notorious Ghanaian witch doctor CURSE Harry Kane? England captain suffers World Cup horror show with awful miss after voodoo hex - and even Uri Geller couldn't save him!
A witch doctor's boast that he had cursed Harry Kane ahead of England's World Cup clash with Ghana seemed eerily well-founded after the Three Lions captain suffered a nightmare game in Boston.

Mail Online
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Gary Neville incredibly claims England played BETTER in draw flop against Ghana than thrilling Croatia win and hails 'control' - despite chaotic defence getting lucky with red card and penalty decisions
The Three Lions were held to a goalless draw on Tuesday night, having mustered only four shots on target despite dominating possession with 78% of the ball.

Mail Online
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'We're suffocating in the streets': Europe braces for another day of unprecedented temperatures as deadly heatwave makes it 'difficult to live'
Europe is bracing for another day of an unprecedented heatwave that is making life on the continent unbearable. 

Mail Online
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Maura Higgins looks chic in a tiny Chanel dress as she attends a Spotify event in Cannes while continuing her jet-set summer of fun
The former Love Island star, 35, turned heads as she put on a leggy display in a black mini Chanel dress with a white contrast trim detailing.

Mail Online
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Kate Moss, 52, shows off her supermodel legs in leather hotpants as she's given a helping hand by security while stepping out in Paris
The supermodel, 52, put on a fashion parade as she showed off her supermodel legs in leather hotpants and killer heels as she strutted out of her five star hotel in Paris on Tuesday.

Mail Online
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As yet another heatwave strikes, here are the unconventional ways to stay cool while travelling - from a 'vein chilling' hack to cooling spray, eating watermelon and why you should keep your windows closed
As temperatures climb towards 40°C, savvy travellers are turning to everything from frozen water bottles to cooling patches to escape the sweltering heat.

Mail Online
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M&S launches strawberry and cream DIP as Wimbledon fever takes hold - and infamous dessert sandwich is back (with Dubai-style makeover!)
Ahead of National Picky Bits Day on Saturday, June 27, the retailer is introducing a Strawberry & Cream Dip and a Chocolate & Pistachio dip to add to its collection of bite-size foods.

ZeroHedge News
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Ursula von der Leyen To Visit Armenia Next Week As Pro-EU Aspirations Ramp Up
Ursula von der Leyen To Visit Armenia Next Week As Pro-EU Aspirations Ramp Up

Brussels is eyeing Armenia as the small Caucasus nation has lately made it's pro-EU aspirations known, given just earlier this month Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party won parliamentary elections, in a vote widely seen as signififying its major pro-Western shift.

Pashinyan had claimed a "historic victory that will ensure Armenia’s eternity and development" while also vowing to "continue the course of rapprochement with the West" - but while balancing the pursuit of positive relations with Russia.

And now, just days after the result was confirmed, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is preparing to travel to Armenia next week, Politico reports.
Image: Prime Minister of Armenia's Press Service

The EU delegation is expected to be high-level, given it will include Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in a high-profile show of support fo Pashinyan after his pro-European party secured the decisive victory.

"We have seen the country under intense and consistent pressure from Russia; a visit would send a strong signal of support, following on from the concrete support already delivered," said one EU official working on the prospective trip, as quoted in Politico and Armenian media.

Anonymous EU officials indicated to Politico that the visit would send the message that "Europe is here for you."

Notably this will be von der Leyen's second to Armenia in less than two months. The Commission president was in Yerevan just in May for the European Political Community summit, which took place in Yerevan, before participating in the inaugural EU-Armenia summit.

The Kremlin itself has also pounced on this theme of Armenia as the next potential ground zero for a tug of war with EU/NATO interests - a familiar theme which has also been on display in places from Georgia to Ukraine to Moldova.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova went so far as to officially allege unfair and illegal tactics unleashed by local authorities on Russia-friendly interests inside Armenia.

"On June 7, parliamentary elections were held in Armenia in an atmosphere of unprecedented pressure on the opposition and interference from the West, primarily the EU," Zakharova commented earlier this month.

Russia has been widely seen as 'disappointing' the Armenian population in the context of the Azerbaijan crisis.

Region of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Former members of the CSTO military alliance were Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan.



Recent years of war between Christian Armenia and its better-armed Muslim neighbor Azerbaijan (which is a secular Republic) has seen tensions ratchet between one-time close allies Armenia and Russia. 

Armenia has long been a key member of the regional Russian-led bloc, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). However, Armenia froze its participation since 2024, outraged over Russia's failure to protect ethnic Armenians during Azerbaijan’s 2023 takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/24/2026 - 02:45

ZeroHedge News
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German Swimming Pool Bans Visitors Who Can't Speak German, Citing Safety Concerns
German Swimming Pool Bans Visitors Who Can't Speak German, Citing Safety Concerns

Via Remix News,

A public swimming pool in Germany has introduced strict new admission rules barring entry to anyone who cannot speak German, with management insisting the policy is essential to guarantee the safety of guests.



The Heidebad natural swimming pool in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, now requires visitors to demonstrate German language skills before being allowed in. Managing Director Mathias Nobel defended the rule publicly, explaining that he is responsible for the safety of thousands of swimmers and will not compromise when it comes to protecting children and families.

The facility says that emergency alerts, water-depth warnings, and direct verbal instructions from lifeguards have repeatedly been ignored or misunderstood because of language barriers.

In one recent emergency, Nobel, while acting as a lifeguard, had to pull a young child out of deep water due to a language barrier. To reduce these risks, staff will now deny entry to any guest if they determine that essential safety communication cannot be reliably established, according to German media outlet MDR.

Pool management acknowledges that the rule has triggered considerable backlash, but says the public dissatisfaction is being “deliberately accepted in the interest of general safety.”

From the operators’ perspective, dealing with angry patrons is preferable “than an avoidable swimming accident.” The policy is already being actively enforced, and several would-be guests have been turned away at the gate.

The Heidebad is part of a wider trend of European public pools tightening entry requirements in response to regional migration shifts. Last year, an outdoor pool in Porrentruy, located in the Swiss municipality of Pruntrut, initially banned foreigners entirely due to violence, sexual harassment and constant disturbances. Swiss visitors to the pool and employees were generally happy about the move.

The ban came about after ‘French youths with a migration background’ continuously caused problems at the pool and in pool bathrooms, including the sexual harassment of young girls. The situation even sparked international headlines.

However, the Swiss paper 20 Minuten reported a surge in season ticket sales after the ban was put in place.

“It went very well. Citizens have rediscovered the bathing establishment with the peace and quiet that comes with it,” said Lionel Maître, the municipal councilor for tourism and leisure in Porrentruy.

“We have seen an increase in season ticket sales as citizens have finally regained the long-awaited sense of security. There have been no problems and no new bathing bans since then.”

The swimming pool has since changed its policy and now charges non-locals double ticket prices. The municipality has also added extra administrative steps for certain visitors. Anyone who is not a local resident and lacks a valid Swiss residence, work, or settlement permit must buy admission online in advance. Visitors without a recognized regional tourist card must also present valid identification at the entrance, and those who fail to do so are refused entry.

Mayor Philippe Eggertswyler publicly backed the new pricing and entry framework, stating that “It’s not about pitting Swiss and foreigners against each other, but about guaranteeing calm.”

The swimming pool may have backed down from its total ban on foreigners due to pressure from the federal government. The Federal Commission against Racism called the blanket exclusion “problematic and irritating.”

Read more here...

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/24/2026 - 03:30

Ian Visits
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Tickets Alert: Visit the Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair
A large ship, the Logos Hope, is visiting London for a few weeks, and you can go on board for a look around.Read more ›

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11931 Broadband (xDSL) - Emergency Maintenance - Hastings (NDHAS) -13821 (New)
We have an engineer at for a quick maintenance work, some customers will have a brief drop in connection.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 08:32

End: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 09:33

Edited: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 08:34

Status: Partial

Maintenance: Emergency

Mail Online
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Dan had just $3 in his bank account when he stumbled across an ATM glitch that gave him 'unlimited' money... then he spent $1.6million in FOUR months
Dan Saunders was a young bartender from country Victoria when he stumbled across a technical fault in National Australia Bank's ATM system.

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares in UK real estate stocks are rallying broadly, following the takeover approach for Segro.Land owner and developer Harworth are up 5.6%, while self-storage group Big Yellow has gained 4%.Segro may be the biggest fish in the UK REIT pond, but at a market cap below £10bn is a minnow compared to Prologis.It remains to be seen whether the combination will go ahead - in our view Prologis would be reluctant to increase the offer materially and take it above NAV - but the very fact that it was deemed possible given the company’s pan-European footprint and 460 employees that make it a more complex transaction than its smaller peers means that the entire sector could be back in the shop window for even larger, foreign companies. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Dettol apologises after ‘toxic men’ advert sparks backlash in China
British disinfectant brand withdraws advert about a man’s efforts to find a ‘clean and untouched’ womanThe British hygiene brand Dettol has apologised after an advertisement released in China, which it said was intended to criticise “toxic men”, was widely condemned on social media as offensive to women.The five-minute advert for a multipurpose disinfectant, released across many online platforms at the end of May, features a man comparing his girlfriend with his former partner. Learning that his former girlfriend had previously lived with someone else, the man likens their relationship to a “secondhand service”. He then tells his friends that he intends to find a “clean and untouched” woman for whom he can be the first sexual partner. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: third-place table, who has qualified and who needs what?
With the group stage hurtling towards its end we look at who needs what to make the knockout phaseTeams level on points are separated, in order, by head-to-head points; head-to-head goal difference; head-to-head goals scored; overall goal difference; overall goals scored; disciplinary points; Fifa ranking. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: England frustrated; final group games kick off as Scotland face Brazil – live
⚽ All the latest news on a day packed with six matches⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielHow do we feel about the penalty that wasn’t?I don’t really see how you can’t give it. Fatawu was in and Konsa launches into him, getting nowhere near the ball with no chance of getting at the ball – which makes it a red card too. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Darren Jones says he will not challenge Andy Burnham for Labour leadership
Chief secretary to PM says he had been ‘reassured’ about Burnham’s economic plans after conversation with himAndy Burnham has moved a step closer to becoming prime minister after Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said he would not stand in a Labour leadership contest.Jones, who had been mooted as a candidate who could put Burnham’s ideas to a test in a race, told Sky News that he had had a “reassuring conversation” with the newly elected MP for Makerfield about his economic policy plans. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Nineteen injured after bus overturns in crash near roundabout
Six people have been taken to hospital after the crash in Carmarthenshire.

Mail Online
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Lewis Hamilton's father to sell massive collection of 27 classic cars for £3million
The collection includes a 1990s XJ220 worth half a million pounds and an exciting recreation of Jaguar's ultra-rare XKSS (pictured), worth £375,000.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham's last Labour rivals wilt in the heat as Darren Jones pulls out - and ex-Marine Al Carns says he 'wants to get behind' the favourite
Allies of Darren Jones - a Starmer loyalist - had been talking up the prospect of a challenge to avoid a 'coronation'.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Misanthrope review – Sandra Oh stars in reworked classic that simpers in its satire and woos in its drama
Lyttelton theatre, LondonHeroic but imperfect modern-day version of the 17th-century classic is stuffed full of debates about how we might live differentlyMolière’s misanthrope here is a bestselling writer in a stylish trouser suit, gender-reversed as Alice and Americanised in the formidable form of Sandra Oh. When an aspiring novelist asks for literary advice, Alice tells her to always make her writing “seductive”.Is that what playwright Martin Crimp has aspired to do here? His modern-day version is certainly as high-wire an endeavour as his beat-boxing reboot of Cyrano de Bergerac, a French canonical text which he turned into something new, dangerous and yes, extremely seductive. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsA new takeover battle has begun in the City of London, where UK warehouse landlord Segro has rejected a takeover approach from its US rival Prologis.Prologis’s approach, which has been slapped down, valued Segro at £12.6bn, or almost 25% more than its value last night. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Emergency swimming and alcohol bans: what cities could learn from Paris's ‘heatwave mode’ | Helen Massy-Beresford
Following a devastating heatwave in 2003 that killed 15,000, France has adopted four alert levels to help people cope with extreme temperaturesHelen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in ParisOver the weekend, as evening fell on the hilly (and, crucially, shady) Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, one of Paris’s most popular green spaces, the joyfully chaotic Fête de la musique – a summer solstice celebration of music in all its forms – got under way, with competing DJs starting their sets in nearby cafes.It was stiflingly hot and picnickers were cooling down with water, juice or alcohol-free beer – or at least, they should have been. The Paris authorities banned the consumption of alcohol in public spaces (apart from cafe terraces) during the festival, just one of the measures they can put in place to keep citizens safe once the city reaches vigilance rouge canicule – red heatwave alert.Helen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in Paris Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: England frustrated; final group games kick off as Scotland face Brazil – live
⚽ All the latest news on a day packed with six matches⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielHere’s David Hytner’s match report.And so to England. There are some absolutely gorgeous shots here. Continue reading...

The Register
Open 
You have got to be KDDI-ng – Japanese telco exposes 14.2 million managed email credentials
Five ISPs and plenty of users await their fate

The Register
Open 
Germany went off the rails as wireless outage saw all trains cancelled
Unexplained GSM-R failure at Deutsche Bahn caused confusion and delay

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Luxury watches and £220 teapot: Police pictures reveal Peter Murrell's illicit purchases
Dozens of new images released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service now show some of the items he purchased illegally.

Mail Online
Open 
US fighter pilot shot down over Iran says 'alien' drones in 'jellyfish formation' swarmed him before crash
The US F-15 pilot shot down by Iran in April has a very strange supernatural story about his flight.

Mail Online
Open 
Urgent recall on apples and kiwi fruit sold at supermarkets across the country over Salmonella fears
An alert was issued by the Food Standards Agency stating PrepWorld has recalled several fruit packets from major grocery stores after testing identified Salmonella in apple and kiwi.

Mail Online
Open 
Dead duckling found in Reflecting Pool as Trump's Justice Department goes on the hunt for vandals following arrest of former Olympian
A dead duckling broke hearts on Sunday after it was found floating in the newly-renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Mail Online
Open 
Andy Burnham's last rivals wilt in the heat as Darren Jones pulls out - and ex-Marine Al Carns says he 'wants to get behind' the favourite
Allies of Darren Jones - a Starmer loyalist - had been talking up the prospect of a challenge to avoid a 'coronation'.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Misanthrope review – Sandra Oh stars in reworked classic that simpers in its satire and woos in its drama
Lyttelton theatre, LondonHeroic but imperfect modern-day version of the 17th-century classic is stuffed full of debates about how we might live differentlyMolière’s misanthrope here is a bestselling writer in a stylish trouser suit, gender-reversed as Alice and Americanised in the formidable form of Sandra Oh. When an aspiring novelist asks for literary advice, Alice tells her to always make her writing “seductive”.Is that what playwright Martin Crimp has aspired to do here? His modern-day version is certainly as high-wire an endeavour as his beat-boxing reboot of Cyrano de Bergerac, a French canonical text which he turned into something new, dangerous and yes, extremely seductive.At the National theatre, London, until 1 August. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsAfter a stellar run in recent months, technology stocks are under pressure amid growing expectations of interest rate rises.Those expectations were bolstered last week by the US Federal Reserve, which hinted it could raise borrowing costs before the end of the year.Congratulations if you successfully “stagged” out of the SpaceX IPO at the $225 top last week.Yesterday the reverse-rocket stock briefly broke lower than the $150 post-IPO opening price. The option market is bearish, hinting it could break $100 if the slide continues. There was clearly good money to be made playing the FOMO curve that erupted around the deal, but the secret of any good party is knowing when to bail-out. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Dettol apologises after ‘toxic men’ advert sparks backlash in China
British disinfectant brand withdraws advert about a man’s efforts to find a ‘clean and untouched’ womanThe British hygiene brand Dettol has apologised after an advertisement released in China, which it said was intended to criticise “toxic men”, was widely condemned on social media as offensive to women.The five-minute advert for a multipurpose disinfectant, released across many online platforms at the end of May, features a man comparing his girlfriend with his former partner. Learning that his former girlfriend had previously lived with someone else, the man likens their relationship to a “secondhand service”. He then tells his friends that he intends to find a “clean and untouched” woman with whom he can be the first sexual partner. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: England frustrated; final group games kick off as Scotland face Brazil – live
⚽ All the latest news on a day packed with six matches⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielThis “I’m back” situation, though; it’ll take more than bagging a brace against Uzbekistan for that to be so.Roberto Martínez has options, too. He could play a wide player up front – Pedro Neto has done it for Chelsea – or Goncalo Ramos, who’s a striker. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I’ve seen Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard 20 times – and it blossoms when tended by the British | Michael Billington
Helen Hunt and Kristin Scott Thomas are leading revivals of the Russian classic whose blend of comedy and tragedy is baked into our own dramatic heritageWhat kind of play is The Cherry Orchard? As a new production starring Helen Hunt and Kenneth Branagh beckons in Stratford, I am reminded that it is a question people have been asking since the play’s inception. Chekhov himself wrote that what had emerged in his play was “not a drama but a comedy, in places almost a farce”. Stanislavski, who directed the Moscow premiere in 1904, violently disagreed. “It is a tragedy,” he told Chekhov, “whatever prospect of a better life you hold out in the last act.”While the debate continues, I hope we shall not be told by anyone involved in the new RSC production that they are at long last restoring the play’s comedy. It is a critical cliche that the British sentimentalise the play and treat it as a lament for the decline and fall of a pseudo-Edwardian aristocracy. In my experience of the play – and I have seen about 20 productions – this is simply untrue. We generally do The Cherry Orchard very well because its blend of styles and moods is something baked into our own dramatic heritage. Eschewing the academic formality of the French, for whom tragedy and comedy are rigidly defined genres, we are used to a glorious impurity in drama: a culture that can produce Twelfth Night should have no problem in comprehending The Cherry Orchard. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK braces for record-breaking temperatures as heatwave spreads through Europe – live
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said the agency is forecasting 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday in the UK, most likely for somewhere in London or the south-east.“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range,” he said, according to the Press Association. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’ll spend it on Ferraris if I want’: how frustrated Farage squirmed over £5m gift
Whether the money was a reward for Brexit or for personal security, media interest in it has intensifed as the Reform UK leader returns to the public eyeHaving largely, and uncharacteristically, avoided media attention for much of the past couple of months – a period that has coincided with people asking some searching questions about the £5m given to him by a billionaire Reform backer – Nigel Farage returned to the airwaves on Tuesday.If he had hoped broadcasters, and their listeners, had forgotten about the issue, he was sorely mistaken. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz fawn over each other in gushing posts to mark their engagement 'anniversary' - hours after her latest 'swipe' at his estranged family
It's been six years since Brooklyn Beckham popped the question to his now wife Nicola Peltz. 

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Congress passes war powers measure for first time, breaking with Trump over Iran
The resolution passed on Tuesday was largely symbolic, but it adds to pressure on the White House to end the conflict once and for all.

Digital Trends
Open 
Prime Day cuts the Sony WH-1000XM5 to under $200, and I think it’s worth every penny
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has fallen to a record-low $198 for Prime Day, saving you more than $200 on one of the best noise-canceling headphones out there.

TechRadar News
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Forget storage anxiety with this 20TB Seagate external hard drive — it's one of our favourites and it's 32% off

Mail Online
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Monstrous boyfriend bludgeoned my daughter, 25, to death. Just two years later there's a very real possibility he could be back on the streets. How is this justice?
Not long before he murdered her, Gogoa Tape sent his girlfriend Kennedi a letter in which he wrote that he wanted to kill her.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsFinancial analyst Bill Blain of Windshift Capital sees signs that SpaceX could fall further, writing this morning:Congratulations if you successfully “stagged” out of the SpaceX IPO at the $225 top last week.Yesterday the reverse-rocket stock briefly broke lower than the $150 post-IPO opening price. The option market is bearish, hinting it could break $100 if the slide continues. There was clearly good money to be made playing the FOMO curve that erupted around the deal, but the secret of any good party is knowing when to bail-out.SpaceX might have seemed charmed after its record-breaking IPO and subsequent rally, but it’s come down to earth with a bump over the past couple of days, with shares at one point falling below the opening price on its market debut.“Post-IPO stocks often enter a period of volatility as the market gets to grips with the new entrant, some investors rush to cash out, and others assess at what price they are willing to jump in.9am BST: IFO survey of Germany’s business climate10am BST: House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee hearing on the consumer insurance market10:15am BST: Treasury Committee hearing on the Financial Services and Markets BillNoon BST: US mortgage approvals data3pm BST: US new home sales data for May Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Paris in ‘heatwave mode’ has banned alcohol at some public events. Can other cities follow its lead? | Helen Massy-Beresford
Following a devastating heatwave in 2003 that killed 15,000, France has adopted four alert levels to help people cope with extreme temperaturesHelen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in ParisOver the weekend, as evening fell on the hilly (and, crucially, shady) Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, one of Paris’s most popular green spaces, the joyfully chaotic Fête de la musique – a summer solstice celebration of music in all its forms – got under way, with competing DJs starting their sets in nearby cafes.It was stiflingly hot and picnickers were cooling down with water, juice or alcohol-free beer – or at least, they should have been. The Paris authorities banned the consumption of alcohol in public spaces (apart from cafe terraces) during the festival, just one of the measures they can put in place to keep citizens safe once the city reaches vigilance rouge canicule – red heatwave alert.Helen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in Paris Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Which footballers have refused to celebrate a goal against another country? | The Knowledge
Plus: is Dick Advocaat unique among coaches, long waits between World Cups and Dave Beasant revisionismMail us with your all of your questions and answers“Sweden’s Yasin Ayari has a Tunisian father and chose not to celebrate his first goal against Tunisia (he couldn’t resist celebrating when he scored later, though). Declan Rice did something similar after scoring against the Republic of Ireland in 2024, but what is the earliest example of a player not celebrating a goal at international level because of a connection to the opposition?” asks Michael Pilcher.“I remember Breel Embolo, the Swiss international born in Cameroon, not celebrating after scoring against Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup,” replies Filippo Varanini. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: England frustrated; final group games kick off as Scotland face Brazil – live
⚽ All the latest news on a day packed with six matches⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Danielhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/23/portugal-uzbekistan-world-cup-group-k-match-reportWe go again! We’ll begin by reflecting on the latest action – Portugal getting their competition going by thrashing Uzbekistan, England and Ghana near-enough securing passage to the knockouts, Croatia just about seeing off Panama, now eliminated, and Colombia forcing their way past DR Congo. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The American Experiment review – Tom Hanks’ history of the US is absolutely packed with big names
Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence … the heavyweight politicians stack up in this sincere biopic of the United States. It’s so pointedly wholesome it’s like drinking a kale smoothie on a wellness retreatThe Netflix homepage describes The American Experiment to potential viewers unwilling to read more than four words as “Sincere. Informative. Documentary series”. Well, my goodness, is it ever that, that and that! The five, hour-plus episodes about the creation of the United States of America to mark its 250th anniversary are as sincere and informative as you could wish. Possibly, at times, too much so.Ken Burns fans can probably sit this one out. This is not a time for flair and idiosyncrasy. This is a time for self-consciously milestone TV executive produced by Tom Hanks that is so carefully bipartisan, so cognisant of the stains on the country’s history, so balanced in every conceivable way, that it feels like the televisual equivalent of consuming a kale smoothie on a wellness retreat. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK’s seaside towns fear impact of ending coastguard callout payments
Coastguard agency to stop paying volunteers after court ruled they were classified as workers“Where would we be without them?” said Ray Wicks of his local coastguard volunteers in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. “If the coastguard weren’t in place, a lot of people would be in trouble.”He was voicing the fears of some in coastal towns over the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) decision to stop paying about £11 an hour for callouts, in response to a court ruling that the money was among the features classifying coastguard officers as workers – giving them benefits such as paid holiday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Darren Jones says he will not challenge Andy Burnham for Labour leadership
Chief secretary to PM says he had been ‘reassured’ about Burnham’s economic plans after conversation with himAndy Burnham has moved a step closer to becoming prime minister after Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said he would not stand in a Labour leadership contest.Jones, who had been mooted as a candidate who could put Burnham’s ideas to a test in a race, told Sky News that he had a “reassuring conversation” with the newly elected MP for Makerfield about his economic policy plans. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
British grid operator calls for more power generation as temperatures soar
The body which oversees Britain's energy network has called for more power generation as temperatures soar across the country and wider Europe.

EFF
Open 
Onward, Friends
After 26 years, today is my last day at EFF. It's been a terrific and wild ride — the organization has grown from a tiny band of fighty people trying to plant a flag for freedom and justice in the coming digital world into a large, established band of fighty people doing, well, much the same. The world around us has changed enormously. Our core values haven't budged.

I'm proud of what we've achieved: freeing encryption, defending coders, pushing to rein in government and corporate surveillance and ensure the right to have a private conversation online, standing up for free speech and anonymous speech, fighting for network neutrality and safe voting machines, busting stupid patents, and making sure copyright didn't become the one law that rules the internet. That's only the start. We've stopped more bad legislative, regulatory, and legal ideas than I can count, built tools that millions rely on to protect their privacy, and helped encrypt the web. I've long said EFF is the plumber of the internet — finding the clogs and barriers that prevent technology from serving freedom, justice, and innovation for everyone.  
In addition to presenting cases in courts across the land, testifying in Congress and in California, in the European Parliament and at the United Nations, I went onto the internet with Stephen Colbert and engaged in a healthy disagreement with Jon Stewart.  I wrote a lot of it down in a book, hoping to recruit others to the cause.  The work has been hard and often frustrating at times.  But looking back, the fun parts are what I remember most.   
None of it would have been possible without EFF’s stalwart members. More than 30,000 people, some with big wallets and some with small ones, give us what we need to stand up to bullies and fight for the long haul. EFF has always served as a beacon for people who know that for technology to support freedom, justice, and innovation for all the people of the world, we need a dedicated band of folks working overtime on behalf of users, innovators, and creators. 
There's still plenty left to do. We haven't killed the third-party doctrine, tamed the surveillance business model, or gotten metadata the constitutional protection it deserves. Stupid patents persist as does the overreach of DMCA section 1201 and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The government is now the largest purchaser of data from shady brokers, communities everywhere are fighting license plate readers and other street-level surveillance, and we haven't reined in NSA and FBI spying nearly enough. Meanwhile, the rise of AI is supercharging problems we've fought against for years.
But I'm proud of what we've built together. I'm grateful to every EFFer — past, present, and future — who threw in with us when the odds were long and the pay was much better elsewhere. I'm grateful to the EFF Board and especially to my mentors and friends Pam Samuelson and Shari Steele, along with my longtime partner in justice, Lee Tien, who has been working with me since the Bernstein case. Fighting for justice is easier when you have a posse: coworkers, co-counsel, coalitions, interns, volunteers, and the heroic clients who trusted us to steward their cases in ways that bent the law toward everyone's benefit. Twenty-six years later, EFF is part of a global diaspora of organizations defending internet freedom — and I'm proud of that too. 
I'm stepping down because good leaders should make way for new ones, and the time feels right. EFF is strong and full of fight. My successor Nicole Ozer — a longtime friend and collaborator — is exactly the right person for this moment. She understands EFF's role and values at a deep level and will protect them while helping the organization rise to meet what's coming. 
As for me, I'm not going far. After a few months off to reflect and walk dogs, I plan to get back into the fight for justice — likely heading back into the courtroom. And I'll be watching, cheering, donating, and wearing the merch from EFF, just like the rest of you.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
How Africa's youth wants to save democracy
Africa's young population often finds itself facing aging, autocratic rulers. Unwilling to settle for democratic rituals alone, many are searching for creative new ways to shape their future.

Mail Online
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M&S launches strawberry and cream DIP as Wimbledon fever takes hold - and infamous dessert sandwich is back (with Dubai-style makeover!)
The British retailer has added to its snacking selection with a range of sweet offerings to finish off a 'picky tea'.

Computer Weekly
Open 
CW@60: Fighting for justice - twice
On 22 September 2026, Computer Weekly turns 60. To mark the milestone, we asked some of our friends - experts, trusted contacts, IT leaders and suppliers - for their perspectives on how tech has changed their lives over six decades

BBC UK News
Open 
Scotland on 'brink of history' ahead of Brazil World Cup tie
Scotland will play their final group stage match against Brazil later, with hopes of making it to the knock-out stages.

UK Government News
Open 
Procedure guide for new local plan system published
The Planning Inspectorate has published its procedure guide for local plan examinations under the new local plan system.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Earlier and stronger heatwaves: How hot could UK summers get?
Based on current trends parts of the UK are set to see 40C summers regularly within a couple of decades.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
US: Senate vote calls for an end to Trump's Iran war in rare bipartisan rebuke
Trump criticized the largely symbolic Senate resolution as "meaningless" after several Republicans joined Democrats in a rare break with the White House.

Sky News Home
Open 
Tucker Carlson is a window into Trump's world - and he says 'there's no future of the MAGA movement'
I first saw the scale of Tucker Carlson's political power and influence up close at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in 2024.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Big players must step up as Scotland pursue history against Brazil
Scotland don't know what they need against Brazil to reach the World Cup knockout phase, but will know they need to improve on the previous two games, writes Tom English.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11880 Routing & Core Network - Planned Maintenance - Core Network (Update)
We have issues with one of the devices at the moment which is just loss of resiliency and not service impacting at all. We are working on resolving as soon as possible and further updates will be posted here when available.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 17:00

Edited: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 07:42

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Mail Online
Open 
Jennifer Aniston and dozens of other A-list stars named in Hollywood voting scandal
Top celebrities including Jennifer Aniston appear to be flouting Los Angeles County rules for voter registration, a Daily Mail data analysis reveals.

Mail Online
Open 
A woman tragically plunged to her death from a cliff 20 years ago.. now her husband is charged with MURDER after cops received a tip
David Vander Meer, 49, was arrested on Monday following the tragic death of his wife 20 years ago after a string of affairs while he was a youth pastor were revealed.

Mail Online
Open 
INSIDE THE ENGLAND CAMP: Thomas Tuchel is having NONE of the storm around Jude Bellingham's x-rated blast
Craig Hope is inside the England camp every day as the Three Lions look to end 60 years of hurt at the World Cup this summer. Watch the video to find out more.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Elon Musk’s trillionaire status at risk after drops in SpaceX and Tesla’s shares – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.Elon Musk could soon be down to his last thousand billion dollars, after the share price of his recently floated SpaceX came under pressure this week.SpaceX might have seemed charmed after its record-breaking IPO and subsequent rally, but it’s come down to earth with a bump over the past couple of days, with shares at one point falling below the opening price on its market debut.“Post-IPO stocks often enter a period of volatility as the market gets to grips with the new entrant, some investors rush to cash out, and others assess at what price they are willing to jump in.9am BST: IFO survey of Germany’s business climate10am BST: House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee hearing on the consumer insurance market10:15am BST: Treasury Committee hearing on the Financial Services and Markets BillNoon BST: US mortgage approvals data3pm BST: US new home sales data for May Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England’s gristly Ghana draw exposes limitations of Madueke and Gordon | Barney Ronay
Inverted wingers were unable to adjust their game, even when they kept running down the same dead end streetAfter the high: the comedown. You could probably have seen this coming. If only that rush after half-time in Dallas, where England surged with such alluring creative energy, hadn’t been quite so much of a buzz.It turns out, however, that this is still an England tournament team. Nothing comes easily. The world will not bend to you. We can’t have nice things. Or only some nice things sometimes. By the end watching England struggle in Boston against a gristly and indigestible Ghana was like having your will, hope, sense of fun slowly sucked out of your body through a surgical drainage catheter. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Families call for justice ahead of landmark maternity review publication
The review of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is expected to detail how failings led to deaths and avoidable harm.

Mail Online
Open 
Your expert guide to surviving the 'heat dome' - from where to park to a 5-second pet safety test... and dealing with a tetchy partner
Most of us enjoy sunny weather but with rail lines buckling, schools closing and essential services failing, this is clearly no ordinary heatwave.

Mail Online
Open 
Irish wife, 37, who groped Swedish 18-year-old in Magaluf hotel sauna while on holiday with her husband is hit with £2,300 fine
She had been warned she could face an 18-month prison sentence if convicted over the June 3, 2025 sex assault.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
What are Scotland's chances of progressing as third-place finishers?
With 32 of 48 teams advancing to the knockout rounds of the World Cup it is more difficult to be eliminated than to qualify.

Mail Online
Open 
Death row killer's whiny rants about treatment behind bars revealed in disturbing jailhouse phone calls with mom after murdering pregnant friend to steal her baby
'Womb-raider' Taylor Parker, 33, is heard in new phone calls from behind bars whining about her treatment in custody for committing 'one horrible thing.'

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England’s gristly Ghana draw exposes limitations of Madueke and Gordon | Barney Ronay
Inverted wingers were unable to adjust their game, even when they kept running down the same dead end streetAfter the high: the comedown. You could probably have seen this coming. If only that rush after half-time in Dallas, where England surged with such alluring creative energy, hadn’t been quite so much of a buzz.It turns out, however, that this is still an England tournament team. Nothing comes easily. The world will not bend to you. We can’t have nice things. Or only some nice things sometimes. By the end watching England struggle in Boston against a grisly and indigestible Ghana was like having your will, hope, sense of fun slowly sucked out of your body through a surgical drainage catheter. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe heatwave live: UK braces for record-breaking temperatures; Italy issues red alert for 16 cities
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said the agency is forecasting 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday in the UK, most likely for somewhere in London or the south-east.“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range,” he said, according to the Press Association. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
EVs take longer and cost more to repair than petrol cars
An EV's repair cost after a crash is typically 19% higher than the price of fixing an internal combustion engine car - and they spent 9% longer in workshops due to the difficulty to mend them.

Mail Online
Open 
Rude Jude's mood! Bellingham scowls and says 'I don't deserve this' at Man of the Match ceremony - after lip-reader revealed his foul-mouthed row in Ghana World Cup flop
The Three Lions endured a frustrating afternoon in Boston, where they failed to break the deadlock against the resilient Africans despite boasting almost 80 per cent possession.

Russia Today News
Open 
Canadian police warned not to use databases to look up women

Mail Online
Open 
UFC fighter gives bizarre excuse for ruthless Michelle Obama slur after sparking backlash at White House fight
Josh Hokit thought he was flattering Michelle Obama when he accused her of being a man at UFC Freedom 250, or at least that's the story he's going with.

Mail Online
Open 
Sweltering Britons are booking 'heatwave' packages at air-conditioned hotels to escape soaring temperatures
Some Britons have taken matters into their own hands amid sweltering temperatures and opted for a night in an air-conditioned hotel in a bid to avoid the heat.

Mail Online
Open 
Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony to sell massive collection of 27 classic cars in auction haul worth over £3million
The collection includes a 1990s XJ220 worth half a million pounds and an exciting recreation of Jaguar's ultra-rare XKSS (pictured), worth £375,000.

Mail Online
Open 
Plans to levy inheritance tax on pensions are unfair and too complicated, say experts
Sorting out estates is set to become far more onerous because families will have to chase up pension companies for vital information.

Mail Online
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Why has it become SO expensive to build a home? Red tape, council levies and design rules have made property cost £76k more
It costs tens of thousands more to build a home than it did during the pandemic - and that cost is being passed on to buyers.

Mail Online
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Are you a classy holidaymaker or do you break these rules? Etiquette expert William Hanson reveals what you should and shouldn't do when travelling
The UK's leading etiquette expert William Hanson has revealed the hotel rules everyone should follow - and the biggest mistakes you can make.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: England's new route through the knock-outs emerges after Ghana draw, match highlights and Luka Modric's incredible milestone - plus watch out for Scotland today!
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 14 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

Mail Online
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British toddler dies after being found in hotel pool during family holiday to the Canary Islands
The one-year-old, the third child to drown in Spain in just a week, had spent several days agonising in intensive care before passing away.

Mail Online
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Death row killer's whiny rants about treatment behind bars revealed in jailhouse phone calls with mom after murdering pregnant friend to steal her baby
'Womb-raider' Taylor Parker, 33, is heard in new phone calls from behind bars whining about her treatment in custody for committing 'one horrible thing.'

Mail Online
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David Beckham looks frustrated during England game in Boston as the Three Lions draw 0-0 with defensive Ghana
David looked hopeful at the start of the game as he cheered on the Three Lions with his pal David Gardner. But the legend put his head in his hands throughout the game as England suffered through.

Mail Online
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Gigi and Bella Hadid's mother Yolanda, 62, is engaged to real estate developer a year after breakup
Yolanda Hadid's new engagement comes in the wake of her January 2025 split from her previous fiancé and longtime boyfriend, Joseph Jingoli.

Mail Online
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While our politicians navel-gazed, something truly alarming happened last week that makes every Briton less safe: CONNOR AXIOTES
Last week, with barely a whimper of protest, Britain was cut off from the most powerful technology on the planet - and consigned, I fear, to a future as a defenceless, third-rate power.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Pistorius set to scrap warship project — media
The defense minister is planning to drop a multi-million-euro project to build F126 frigates, media say. Train services have resumed after a communications glitch overnight. DW has more.

Mail Online
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Teddy, 11, has already saved up £40,000 from modelling jobs... So would you let your child do the same?
Teddy Shelton's modelling career began at the age of two, mum Candice sent photos to a few reputable agencies after doing her research online.

Mail Online
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Sheep shearing, sausage making and skateparks - the quirky extras owners are offering to boost holiday let profits
Rob Cunningham, who runs two buy-to-lets in Shrewsbury, offers a butchering course where guests are shown how to make sausages and cure meats.

Mail Online
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Melissa Gilbert says 'goodbye' to NYC apartment amid husband Timothy Busfield's child sex indictment
Melissa Gilbert has packed up the Upper West Side apartment she called home for eight years, sharing pictures of boxes piled high and a wistful farewell to the city.

Mail Online
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Taylor Swift stuns with surprise show at Tight End University and romantic nod to fiance Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift stunned fans with a surprise performance at fiancé Travis Kelce 's Tight End University. With just days to spare ahead of the couple's wedding.

Mail Online
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Britain faces 'hottest ever day' as scorching heatwave brings temperatures of up to 40C amid dire health warnings - while hundreds of schools close and workers stay at home in 'heat-dome'
A rare red extreme heat warning covering a vast swathe of England and Wales came into force this morning.

Mail Online
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Revealed: The text that Adam Peaty sent his his mother to tell her Holly is pregnant - and why it means the rift is 'beyond healing'
Adam Peaty sent his estranged mother 'a very formal text' telling her he was expecting a baby with his new wife - as she shared the joyful event to the world on her social media.

Mail Online
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It's getting serious! Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi pictured going on a romantic walk in Byron Bay as she joins him in his native Australia to 'celebrate his birthday with family and friends'
Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner's relationship is going from strength to strength. 

The Guardian (UK)
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England’s grisy Ghana draw exposes limitations of Madueke and Gordon | Barney Ronay
Inverted wingers were unable to adjust their game, even when they kept running down the same dead end streetAfter the high: the comedown. You could probably have seen this coming. If only that rush after half-time in Dallas, where England surged with such alluring creative energy, hadn’t been quite so much of a buzz.It turns out, however, that this is still an England tournament team. Nothing comes easily. The world will not bend to you. We can’t have nice things. Or only some nice things sometimes. By the end watching England struggle in Boston against a gristly and indigestible Ghana was like having your will, hope, sense of fun slowly sucked out of your body through a surgical drainage catheter. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Darren Jones says he will not challenge Andy Burnham for Labour leadership
Chief secretary to PM says he had been ‘reassured’ about Burnham’s economic plans after conversation with himDarren Jones has ruled himself out of running for the Labour leadership after a conversation with Andy Burnham.Speaking to Sky News, the chief secretary to the prime minister said he had been “reassured” about Burnham’s economic plans after their conversation on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK braces for record-breaking temperatures; Italy issues red alert for 16 cities
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?London mayor Sadiq Khan has triggered a “high” air pollution alert for the capital on advice from forecasters at Imperial College, the third one this year.The heat has forced the army to cancel ceremonial operations in London and Windsor, to protect the “wellbeing” of its soldiers and horses. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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“I’ll spend it on Ferraris if I want”: how frustrated Farage squirmed over £5m gift
Whether the money was a reward for Brexit or for personal security, media interest in it has intensifed as the Reform UK leader returns to the public eyeHaving largely, and uncharacteristically, avoided media attention for much of the past couple of months – a period that has coincided with people asking some searching questions about the £5m given to him by a billionaire Reform backer – Nigel Farage returned to the airwaves on Tuesday.If he had hoped broadcasters, and their listeners, had forgotten about the issue, he was sorely mistaken. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Anisimova plots Wimbledon sequel with happier ending
Many wondered how long it would take Amanda Anisimova to recover from last year's Wimbledon final. About six weeks was the answer.

Department for Work and Pensions
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Driving bans for those who refuse to repay benefit debts as new DWP powers come into force
Peoplewhohavestoppedreceivingbenefitsbutstillrefuse to repay money owed totheDepartment forWork and Pensions(DWP)could be bannedfrom driving under sweeping new powers that come into force today. | Department for Work and Pensions.

Digital Trends
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The Galaxy Watch 8 at $218 is the Prime Day smartwatch deal I’d recommend to most people
The Galaxy Watch 8 has fallen to a record-low $218.49 for Prime Day, saving you more than $130 on Samsung's latest smartwatch.

TechRadar News
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Windows 11 is now 5 years old — and for the first time this decade, I think Microsoft's finally onto a winner with the OS

TechRadar News
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NATO and Ukraine launch $300,000 competition to find the best 'Spiderweb-type' tools to destroy billions of dollars of Russian planes and aerial assets

The Guardian (UK)
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The ultimate beach hike: Portugal’s Fishermen’s Trail reveals the Algarve’s wild side
This long-distance coastal trek takes in towering rock faces, isolated beaches and tasty pitstopsThe fluorescent green gaiters seemed a ridiculous suggestion, but prove a godsend as we plod across the sand. “I bet you’re glad I told you to get a pair of these bad boys now, aren’t you?” my friend Luke jokes. We’re marching across a wide, crescent-shaped, honeyed beach. The sun is high in the sky and slivers of light flicker through a thick sea fog, as 6ft waves crash and fizz, their white foam licking the towering limestone cliffs.I’m in Portugal, in the west Algarve, with two friends, hiking part of the Rota Vicentina, or Fishermen’s Trail, a 140-mile (226km) trek that runs from Lagos to São Torpes in Alentejo. Traversing cliffs that lead to wild, remote beaches like this one is part of the trail’s calling card. As the name suggests, it was originally carved out by fishers to reach otherwise inaccessible fishing spots along the Atlantic Ocean. Now it’s part of the Rota Vicentina, a hiking and cycling route spanning 466 miles across Portugal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Like a phoenix rising from its ashes’: queer Muslim life in France – in pictures
Camille Farrah Lenain’s tender photo book Made of Smokeless Fire was inspired by grief for her gay uncle Farid. ‘He left without answering the questions I had for him,’ she says Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Which 16th-century artist painted on an upside down shopping list? Find out in the Art Fund museum of the year quiz
In the fourth of five quizzes, curators at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge set 10 fiendish questions to test your knowledge of their collections Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Hold the Fort review – gory goings-on at the neighbours association get-together
A couple move from the city to a seemingly clean-cut suburb in this enjoyable comedy-horror that breezes through the grisly deaths of characters you won’t care aboutIn this short, sharp, comedy-horror-siege movie, youngish couple Jenny (Haley Leary) and Lucas (Chris Mayers) are the newcomers in a clean-cut – or is it? – suburban neighbourhood, having moved away from the big city. Lucas is a world-class red-flag-ignorer, while in contrast, Jenny is adept at spotting the signs that something is off. When the perky moustachioed head of the local homeowners’ association Jerry (Julian Smith) invites the pair to a party celebrating the equinox, he assures them “it’s to DIE for!” in the tone of voice Ned Flanders might use in a Simpsons Halloween special. Jenny immediately asks the reasonable question: “Why would you say it like that?”Roles are soon reversed at said homeowners’ association party, as an ample helping of the local moonshine blunts Jenny’s natural caution, leaving Lucas to notice that they seem to be in the early stages of a wacky horror film. Hold the Fort jumps pretty much straight into the action, with straightforwardly drawn characters essentially replacing elaborate backstory or scene setting, allowing the film to clock in at a lean 75 minutes – if you’re in the market for a movie you can start watching at 9pm and still get an early night, that’s certainly a point in its favour. On the downside, the breezily sketched characters don’t have the time to earn a place in anyone’s heart, making for a sense of weightlessness; it doesn’t feel like anything happening here massively matters, even if the ensemble cast scream in shock and surprise and meet grisly deaths on a fairly regular basis. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Deja viewing: the return of the cheapo compilation film
While movie mixtapes served a purpose in the pre-video era, Jackass, Demon Slayer, Peppa Pig and other theatrically released assemblages of old material risk looking like cynical cash grabs todayJohnny Knoxville has declared that the fifth Jackass movie, Best and Last, will mark the end of the franchise, and the trailer suggests a victory lap celebrating 25 years of broken bones, injured genitals and general stupidity you shouldn’t try at home. There are new stunts, and conversations with the cast about growing old gracelessly as they enter their 50s, but the most striking thing is how much archive footage there is. And the cast have not been hiding in interviews that it will be heavy on scenes from prior movies.In other words, it’s the cinematic equivalent of a greatest hits album that has a couple of new songs tossed on to entice fans to part with their money. Or a clip show episode of a US sitcom which is based on flashbacks to older episodes, created so that overworked writers can reach their network-mandated episode count. But in the age of YouTube and streaming, when you can watch many a fan-edited Jackass compilation featuring the same footage, it is asking a lot of audiences to leave their homes and part with their money to see it. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Family Man by James Lasdun review – the killings that shocked America
Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for the murder of his wife and son was recently overturned. Where does the truth lie?In March 2023, 54-year-old Alex Murdaugh received two life sentences for murdering his wife and younger son at the family’s hunting lodge in Colleton County, South Carolina. Since the early 20th century, three generations of his family had been elected as state prosecutors in the “Lowcountry”, a sprawling stretch of lush, rancid swampland on the southern eastern seaboard, marked by severe economic and social inequality. The Murdaughs were the people who could send you to jail or the electric chair, all the while maintaining a veneer of good ol’ southern gentility.In parallel with these public duties, the family ran a large law firm, specialising in personal injury. In a land of chronic alcoholism and rusty farm equipment, the Murdaughs conducted a brisk business in multimillion-dollar settlements for those who had lost a limb, a parent or their cognitive faculties thanks to someone else’s carelessness. But instead of passing on these life-changing wins to vulnerable clients, Alex Murdaugh used them to fund a lavish lifestyle, featuring big cars, prostitutes, opioid pills and a military-grade private arsenal. For good measure, he also embezzled many millions from his legal partners. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Former WH Smith’s small suppliers to lose at least half of debts in rescue plan
If TG Jones’s aggressive restructuring is voted through, the charity Help for Heroes and other creditors will be out of pocketSmall suppliers including the charity Help for Heroes are to lose at least half the money owed to them by the former WH Smith high street chain if a planned restructure is voted through this week.The books to paperclips retailer, which has 450 stores, was bought by the private equity firm Modella Capital last year and rebranded TG Jones. It has said it is likely that it will have to call in administrators if creditors, including shop landlords, do not approve an amended restructuring plan, seen by the Guardian, designed to cut costs in a vote on Wednesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘A real difference’: how community hubs help local people fight rising living costs
More locations are offering debt advice, health services, cafes, social activities and support under one roofShortly before lunchtime in a London community centre, older visitors are chatting over coffee and crosswords as young families drift in and out. Kitchen volunteers from the Real Junk Food Project are preparing lunch at a “pay as you feel” cafe, using food that would otherwise have ended up in the bin.Conversations inside the Victorian building at the East Twickenham Neighbourhood Association (ETNA) community centre range from financial advice to digital support, via childcare and legal services. There are counselling drop-ins and self-help groups, while down the corridor yoga is about to start. Over the course of the day, it all builds a picture of what community hubs offer local people. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK braces for record-breaking temperatures; Italy issues red alert for 16 cities
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said he expected the UK June temperature record to get “absolutely smashed”, telling the Today programme: “I think this afternoon we’re probably looking at highs reaching around 37C, maybe 38C, so by a big margin we are likely to set a new June temperature record.”Some relief from the heatwave could start to come from the west of Europe later today, which is when Spain’s national weather service said temperatures would drop in most of the country. Continue reading...

Slashdot
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US AI Stock Sell-Off Shakes Markets From Wall Street To Asia
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: A tech sell-off shook global markets on Tuesday as attention turned away from developments in the US war with Iran and toward the future of AI companies and chipmakers that have driven stock markets to record highs. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index closed 2.2% lower on Tuesday. The S&P 500 was also down by Tuesday afternoon, dropping 1.43% while the Dow remained steady. All three major US indices have hit record highs this year, riding off a rush of funding to support AI technology and infrastructure. Nasdaq is up 10% for the year, while the Dow jumped 6% so far this year, breaching past 51,000 points, and the S&P 500 is up 7.3%.

But some economists have warned that the influx of AI spending is a bubble reminiscent of the dot-com bubble that burst in the early 2000s. Seven tech companies make up 30% of the S&P 500's value. The heavy reliance on a single industry and a few key companies has some investors wondering if it's a matter of when, not if, there will be a burst. Those concerns have been heightened by signals from the Federal Reserve last week that it may increase interest rates, and therefore the cost of borrowing, in order to tackle rising inflation. Alphabet fell 5% on Monday. SpaceX plunged 16%. The selloff also spread to Asia, with South Korea's benchmark dropping 10% as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics each lost more than 12%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 3.5%.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC UK News
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Mum at school with two pupils slams 'painful' decision to close it
Both of the pupils currently enrolled at Ysgol y Garreg start secondary school in September.

Troy Hunt Blog
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Weekly Update 509
Presently sponsored by: Report URI: Guarding you from rogue JavaScript! Don’t get pwned; get real-time alerts & prevent breaches #SecureYourSiteI know enough about home cinema audiovisual to know there's a lot I don't know. It's conscious incompetence, if you like, which is different to the unconscious incompetence most people have on the topic. That's not to sound derogatory (it's

ZeroHedge News
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Can Anyone Govern Britain... Or America?
Can Anyone Govern Britain... Or America?

Authored by Daniel McCarthy via PJMedia.com,

As Britain gets ready for its seventh prime minister in just 10 years, it's time to ask whether the parliamentary system itself is broken.



That might explain not only why landslide election victories don't translate into stable leadership in Britain but also why America's Congress is so feckless. 

Is representative government an idea whose time has passed?

In Europe as well as America, leftists prefer that judges and bureaucrats wield permanent power, as supposedly impartial experts who know best how to stop the weather from changing and how many genders there are. 

Britain's Labour party started out as a vehicle for the working class, in theory.

It was closely connected to the country's major industrial unions — but Britain in the 21st century has lost most of its hard industry, and Labour is now led by the same kind of socially left-wing, technocratic wonks that make up the "inner party" of the Democrats in this country. 

Brexit, passed by the British people in a referendum 10 years ago this week, proved Labour had lost the working class -- the party elite favored remaining in the European Union, but working-class voters themselves cast their ballots for "leave."

Unfortunately, the Conservative party's elite also favored "remain" — Prime Minister David Cameron himself did, and losing the Brexit referendum compelled him to resign. 

Yet Cameron was followed by another Conservative PM, Theresa May, who had also been a remainer. 

It took a third Tory PM, Boris Johnson, to follow through on the voters' mandate, but Johnson proved to be Britain's Joe Biden where immigration was concerned, unleashing the "Boriswave" of mass migration, which flooded Britain with some 4 million newcomers from places like India, China, Pakistan and Nigeria. 

Personal scandals forced Johnson from office before the scale of the damage his policies did came to light — but bond markets didn't tolerate Johnson's successor, Liz Truss, for long. 

That left Rishi Sunak to lead the Conservatives in 2024 to their first general election defeat in 14 years. In that time, Conservatives had given Britain same-sex marriage, bigger government, deeper debt, more green-energy regulation and record-high immigration.

Labour more than doubled its number of seats in Parliament with Keir Starmer leading the party into the election, yet the landslide didn't translate into any mandate for him. 

His popularity soon slid and polls indicated the Reform party would win the next election, making Nigel Farage prime minister. 

Labour is now gambling its problems are personal, not political, and once Starmer has made way for a new PM — virtually certain to be Andy Burnham — its majority will be salvageable. 

Burnham is even more left-wing than Starmer: at least as far left on social issues and even more enthusiastic about nationalizing industry. 

Farage is wagering Starmer wasn't the millstone around Labour's neck — the party's politics are. 

But even as traditional parties of the left and right elsewhere in Europe have decayed in ways much like those of Britain's Tories and Labour, new populist parties have struggled to win and maintain power. 

Farage has to contend not only with Labour and what's left of the Conservatives, but also with a small but vociferous insurgency to his right, the Restore party. 

All this suggests Burnham or Farage can't count on enjoying a tenure longer than Starmer's or Sunak's. 

Parliamentary elections haven't produced a stable British government by anyone in the last 16 years. 

What are the odds the next election, which has to be held by August 2029, will do so?

Congressional elections here also keep producing majorities that can't govern, either because control of House and Senate is divided or the majority party in one or both chambers is itself divided and unable to legislate. 

The two parties have been rapidly alternating control as well. It's been nearly 20 years since either was able to hold onto the House or Senate for more than a decade. 

Democrats have the upper hand when Congress is weak because federal bureaucrats, and judges capable of issuing nationwide injunctions, continue advancing Democratic designs on their own. 

Fed up with this, many conservatives have come around to the idea only a brash and strong president, like Trump, wielding unitary executive power, can rein in the administrative state and activist judges — Congress can't.

Two-hundred and fifty years ago, Americans rejected the legitimacy of a British parliament that taxed us without giving us an effective say in government. 

It's another revolutionary situation if voters in Britain or America today feel unrepresented — or misrepresented — by the legislators they put in office. 

On both sides of the Atlantic, members of parliament and of Congress are going to have to work harder and listen a lot more attentively to what voters are demanding if representative government is going to survive much longer: What we're seeing now is how parliaments die.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/24/2026 - 02:00

Ian Visits
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Visiting Our Lady of the Rosary and St Patrick, Walthamstow
This bricky mass of a Catholic church has been in this part of Walthamstow ever since the very first houses were built here.Read more ›

The Guardian (UK)
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A moment that changed me: A telegram arrived – and I had to choose between my head and my heart
Should I follow the man of my dreams to work in a club in Tehran? Or take up a place at an elite university? Thankfully, my dad gave me advice I’ve lived by ever since My parents did not expect me to land a place at university. I was not considered academic enough. And anyway, I was a girl. Instead, I was being primed for marriage. My mother didn’t see anything wrong with this. Born in Britain between the two world wars, when the scarcity of men had made them precious commodities, she had left school at 14, part of a generation often brought up to believe that matrimony was the only guarantee of a secure social and financial future. While romance and indeed love were a bonus, the unwritten clause in a marital contract stipulated that a wife must play her supportive part at home while the husband went out to work. Without the necessary qualifications for the role, the entire agreement risked failure.In 1972, I was at college studying for my A-levels, but in the holidays my mother enlisted me on various “finishing” courses. Her intention was that I acquire the domestic skills to enhance my spousal eligibility, including how to cook, carve a roast and drive a Jeep to the shops, in case I landed a nice gentry farmer. Only now, almost 40 years after her death, do I realise how much she regretted the lack of educational and career opportunities open to her. Only now do I sympathise with her subconscious envy when they were offered to her daughter. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK braces for record-breaking temperatures; Italy issues red alert for 16 cities
Temperatures expected to hit 40C in parts of the UK, as extreme heatwave spreads slowly eastwards, sparking warnings in Italy and the NetherlandsFrance records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across countryTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Transport bosses in the UK have urged people to avoid travelling on Wednesday and Thursday, and warned those that do to “prepare for a disrupted journey”.National Rail warned of disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services until Friday. Continue reading...

Wired Top Stories
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French Startup Uses Special Polymers to Better Help Nerves Heal
The biodegradable material can help improve healing after surgery—or an avocado-related accident.

Mail Online
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Mercedes-Benz voted most satisfying car brand to own - is yours in the top 10?
The top 10 most satisfying brands are largely premium makers, with Tesla, Lexus and BMW and Land Rover ranked highly by owners. Now find where the manufacturer you drive places overall...

The Guardian (UK)
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Sami Tamimi’s recipes for chermoula fish with olive salsa, and spicy, Palestinian-style potatoes
The classic Moroccan marinade works brilliantly with oily fish, and is made for lazy summer dining, especially if served with chilli potatoes alongsideOn warmer days, I want to cook simpler yet bolder food. Meals become fresher, less heavy and more instinctive, using fewer ingredients but stronger flavours. Everything feels relaxed and generous, which is why I’m drawn to chermoula fish and batata harra, full of garlic, herbs, chilli, citrus, cumin and smoke. In other words, food that’s made for outdoors, slow afternoons and warm summer-night gatherings with loved ones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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TV tonight: a big finale for French crime drama Saint-Pierre
The detective duo meet their nemesis in this highly watchable cop series. Plus: an Australian drama being compared to It’s a Sin. Here’s what to watch this evening9pm, U&AlibiWhile it remains an essentially generic crime drama, Saint-Pierre has sustained itself convincingly across its first season and deserves its recently commissioned second run. As it ends, the case-of-the-week format finally dovetails with the longer storyline regarding James Purefoy’s crime boss Sean Gallagher. Arch and Fitz aren’t the only people on the island who had beef with Gallagher – and a series of violent incidents put our detective duo on a collision course with their nemesis. Phil Harrison Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scientists in Australia find ‘smoking gun’ evidence of world’s oldest meteorite strike
Curtin University researchers use innovative techniques to date three-billion-year-old impact crater in Western Australia’s Pilbara regionA meteorite that struck Earth three billion years ago left behind a “smoking gun” – evidence of the world’s oldest impact crater in a remote part of Australia.Ancient rocks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region record the event, which occurred during the Archean eon, a period 4 to 2.5 billion years ago, when tectonic plates were beginning to form and early life emerging. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer couldn’t beat the curse of Brexit – a politics poisoned by nationalism | Rafael Behr
The outgoing prime minister’s efforts to mobilise a healthier kind of patriotism fell flat. Andy Burnham may stand a better chanceBritain is not ungovernable, but the chalice of high office has been spiked with unusually fast-acting poison. Six prime ministers down in a decade. The spectacle of the lectern planted outside No 10 for a resignation speech has acquired the familiarity of ritual.Since the Brexit referendum, the average tenure in Downing Street has been less than two years. That ballot isn’t directly responsible for ending Keir Starmer’s reign. He brought deficiencies to the job that have nothing to do with the EU. He took power without a clear sense of what he wanted it for and resented the expectation that he explain himself better. But those weaknesses were more cruelly exposed in our parched post-Brexit climate, a decade into the goodwill drought.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Daniel Muñoz breaks DR Congo resistance to send Colombia into World Cup knockouts
As anybody who’s ever encountered Mexican traffic jams will know, there are times when it feels you’ll never get through the impasse. Colombia must have felt the same about the DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made an outrageous string of saves that looked like earning his side an unlikely point. But the Le Havre keeper was finally beaten, a deflection giving Colombia their second win and securing their passage to the last 32.It was Daniel Muñoz who got the goal, the Crystal Palace right-back’s second in as many games, as he cut in from the right with half the DRC side seemingly distracted by a penalty appeal at the edge of the box. His shot flicked off Steve Kapuadi, wrong-footing Mpasi and going in at the near post. “Our goalkeeper was excellent today,” said the DRC coach Sébastien Desabre. “But I’m not surprised. He has been playing well for us.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Documenting Ireland’s vanishing boglands: ‘They hold millennia in their layers’
Photographer Shane Hynan explores the tension between the central role peat bogs play in Irish life and their wider environmental impact“You can read Ireland’s history in the boglands. They hold millennia in their layers,” says photographer Shane Hynan of his project, Beofhód (meaning Beneath in English).The boglands, known as portachs in Irish, cover roughly 1.2m to 1.5m hectares or about 14% to 17% of the country’s total land area. The raised bogs of the Irish Midlands are made of peat that forms at a rate of 1mm a year (0.04in) in low-lying, poorly drained basins or former lakes. As the historical geographer Kevin Whelan observes in the Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, “the bog has been etched as deeply into the human as into the physical record in Ireland – to an extent unrivalled elsewhere.”Eddie and Con footing turf for domestic use, Knockirr Bog, County Kildare, 2022. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Who is going to pay us when we’re replaced by robots?’ The Indian factory workers told to film themselves for AI
When workers had cameras attached to them, they found it funny at first. But novelty soon turned to concernThe first time the factory supervisors handed garment worker Lalita* a head-mounted camera, she burst out laughing. “The way people mount a CCTV camera on a wall, they mounted one on us,” she says.The 32-year-old had been working at the garment factory on the outskirts of Delhi for nearly a year when management asked workers on her line to strap small cameras to their foreheads before starting their shifts. Nobody explained why. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘A total, utter nightmare’: small businesses on Brexit, 10 years on
Cheesemakers, farmers, exporters and wine merchants say red tape, lack of vision and rising costs mean they have stopped trading, sold up or retired earlyOut of pocket, out of business, retired early. These are the tales of the “sunlit uplands” experienced by small-to-medium-sized businesses across Britain after Brexit.Between 16,000 to 20,000 businesses stopped exporting to the EU altogether, but others who soldiered on complain Boris Johnson’s government catered for the “blue chips”, not the small, everyday companies when they designed the hard Brexit for Britain. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11815 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - SWLJ-Llanelli (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 05:58

Edited: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 05:58

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ZeroHedge News
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10 Points To Understand Alexandr Dugin
10 Points To Understand Alexandr Dugin

Authored by J.Michael Waller via American Greatness,

Russian theorist Alexandr Dugin offers a vision to address widespread cultural despair and the desire for a revival of national sovereignty and Christian tradition.

He offers a way out of wokeness and globalism.



His price? The end of the United States and Western civilization.

Dugin has tapped into a legitimate vein of frustration and fear about where sacred traditions have gone and what the future holds. But he is a false prophet. His traditionalism is a form of paganism and Russian imperialism.

Here are 10 reasons why any red-blooded American traditionalist would stay away from Dugin and his acolytes.

First, Dugin believes that the United States must be destroyed. He has developed a geopolitical theory premised on the U.S. as the main enemy. “Main enemy” was the Soviet term for the United States. The U.S., with Britain, leads what Dugin calls an “Atlanticist empire,” which he says must be taken down. And not just the post-Christian cultural rot of critical theory and globalism. In his early writings, Dugin argued that the U.S. should be neutralized as a sea power to “destroy the notorious ‘American myth.’” Now he calls for our whole country to be taken down, not by military force, but through subversion.

Since 1997, in Foundations of Geopolitics, Dugin has written about exploiting divisions within the United States to pit Americans against one another and tear apart the country through race riots and terrorism. Moscow and its friends should stoke “all forms of instability and separatism within the borders of the United States,” he argues. One of the softer ways to wreck a political community, he wrote in Conspirology, a rambling operations manual of sorts compiled between 1991 and 2005, is to promote conspiracy theories, which can never be proved nor disproved but which polarize and destroy.

Second, Dugin thinks that American founding principles are literally rotten—his word—built of straw spun 250 years ago from the modernist Enlightenment and Reformation. All Christian Protestantism of the American Founders, he argues, must be swept away. Not for theological reasons, but for political ones.

Third, Dugin says he’s okay with certain parts of Marxism. “The Marxism which we can accept is mythic, sociological Marxism,” he wrote in The Fourth Political Theory, or 4PT. Dugin values Marxism for its propaganda utility as demolition equipment against Western civilization while rejecting Marxist materialism as an alternative political theory, which is heavily socialist.

The Western democratic tradition and individualism, developed mainly in England and the United States, is Dugin’s “first political theory.” The second is communism. The third is fascism and national socialism. His fourth political theory, Dugin says, accepts the useful parts of the first three and rejects the errors.

He says that people must rid themselves of the “prejudice” of anti-communism. He co-founded a political party called the National Bolsheviks and built his 4PT ideology around National Bolshevism. “So we arrive at the national-bolshevism that represents socialism without materialism.” His involvement as an intellectual leader of the “red-brown” axis of communists and fascists shortly after the Soviet collapse brought him to National Bolshevism.

Which brings us to the fourth issue: As with Marxism, Dugin has a soft spot for Italian fascism and German National Socialism. His theoretical development shows how he borrowed heavily and transparently from Italian fascist Julius Evola, the Belgian convicted Nazi collaborator Jean Thiriart, and the German Nazi party member Martin Heidegger, among others. Mussolini and Hitler made positive contributions, Dugin argues, because they were traditionalists at heart. Mussolini tried to revive the traditions of pre-Christian Rome. Hitler attempted a revival of Norse traditions, runes, and Aryanism.

Fifth, Dugin is a new kind of Russian imperialist, not an advocate of national sovereignty. He envisions “Eurasia,” a Russia-centered empire of empires stretching from Ireland to Japan and from the Arctic to Iran. His “multipolar” world includes only the sub-empires within his Eurasian empire: a Europe-Moscow axis based in Germany, an Iran-Moscow axis based in Tehran, and a Japan-Moscow axis based in Tokyo. Africa and the Middle East would be placed back under European administration, subservient to Russia.

Sixth, Dugin wants to erase individual freedom. He rejects the very concept of individual freedoms as “modernist” creations of the Reformation and Enlightenment, even though this concept is firmly grounded in the heavy overlap between the Orthodox and Catholic churches, which respectively teach free will as fundamental to the dignity and moral agency of each person. Dugin places political limits on freedom, subsuming them to collective identities within his multipolar Eurasian empire of empires and ultimately to a state of “Being.” To Dugin, “the nation is everything; the individual is nothing.”

Seventh, for all his talk and pretended Orthodox mysticism, Dugin is no Christian. His 1980s embrace of the occult was not just a youthful mistake but a foundation upon which he has built his philosophy. He mines the veins of Christian theology and intellectual thought but reduces Christianity to one of many equal religions and treats them all as empty shells to be filled with 4PT ideology.

Dugin takes the open, exoteric nature of Christianity, in which truth is revealed to all the faithful, and flips it as an esoteric or secretive system of hidden meanings and symbols understood only by a chosen elite few. This page is taken straight out of the Soviet Communist Party nomenklatura.

Dugin borrows from radical particularists, those who believe that no general moral rules can reliably determine right from wrong. This extreme view rejects the foundations of Judeo-Christian tradition and morality, the Ten Commandments. Rejection of basic Judeo-Christian beliefs makes it an easy—and for him, a necessary—step to treat all “traditional” religions as equal. Dugin’s theology is not confessional but political.

This takes us to the eighth point: Political indoctrination and control. Dugin’s esoteric approach finds religions like Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam as useful empty vessels on which to build and administer his empire. Each is authoritative to its faithful. Each would be obedient to the earthly Eurasian empire.

This is why a “multipolar world” is so important to Dugin: Co-opt those religious institutions and gradually use their authority and structures to indoctrinate the faithful with 4PT ideology. Those institutions, with their own ecclesiastical or social hierarchies, would become political machines to build a multipolar global order. In return, they would preserve their traditional distinctiveness from the rest of the world, and would ensure his Eurasian empire would reign supreme.

Dugin boils the Christian church down to one universal polyreligious “being,” or Dasien, borrowing from his favorite German philosopher, Heidegger, who spent 1933–45 as a dues-paying member of the National Socialist Party.

Speaking of Nazis, we get to the ninth point, the Jewish Question. Dugin is not the crude antisemite he was in the late 1980s. His approach is esoteric. He sees Hitler’s extermination of Jews based on creed or ethnicity as excessive. He views all Jews of an Atlanticist tradition—those in Western Europe and North America, assimilated and largely Zionist—as part of the decadent system that his Eurasian empire must subdue and defeat. Zionists, he says, “are a kind of Satanic Jews” who “serve not Yahweh but Ba’al, like in so many cases in the Old Testament.” This train of thought feeds into the logic that anything Satanic must be destroyed.

Eastern European and Eurasian Jews, on the other hand, especially the Hasidim, are less noxious to Dugin because they tend to be pre-Enlightenment traditionalists who remain unassimilated from the rest of society. Jews tend to be subversive of other cultures, he argues, and historically they have been subversive of Russia. Even so, he accepts pre-modern Judaism as one of his traditional religions.

As a practical matter to destabilize targeted societies like the United States, Dugin devotes considerable attention in Conspirology to the value of promoting Jewish conspiracy theories as powerful psychological warfare devices to polarize and destroy. They can be neither proved nor disproved, and so they persist.

Tenth, Dugin seeks a pagan future of the world. Whether the gods of ancient Rome or those of the Norse who called themselves Rus’ and built what became Russia, paganism is the tradition he seeks to revive. Dugin’s trinity, which he describes in his most ambitious work to date, the multi-volume Noomakhia project (Greek for “War of the Mind”), is a strategy of subversive resistance against Western civilization, built on a triad of ancient Greek philosophy and metaphysics.

This is where traditional religions’ structure, hierarchy, and ritual again fit in, providing the architecture and transmissions of authority through which to mobilize Dugin’s ideology.

The call for his traditional religions to unite is at odds with the teachings of all of them. But for him, the goal is geopolitical, not spiritual: “We need to unite the Right, the Left and the world’s traditional religions in a common struggle against the common enemy.”

Dugin is reinstating the pagan metaphysics against which Christianity defended itself. His geopolitics are a cosmic struggle to the death. They are esoterically divine. The universal dialectic is the oppressed versus the oppressor—the “sociological Marxism” that he says he accepts.

Dugin’s ideology would subvert and neuter Christianity while pretending to restore it. He claims to fight the Antichrist without being a Christian. The United States, he believes, is the “kingdom of the Antichrist.” His context again is not supernatural but geopolitical. In March, he used another Old Testament allegory: “The Angels of Wrath will destroy America like Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.” He spoke not of the hedonism rampant in American culture. He was referring to U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which he considers part of his Eurasian empire.

He sees Russia as the biblical katechon, the divine restrainer of the Antichrist. That apocalyptic evil, in Dugin’s world, is led by the United States of America.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 23:25

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180 Students Join FIA Careers Session as Motorsport and Mobility Federation Hosts Annual Conference in Macau
FIA newsThe Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide welcomed 180 6-16 year old students from across Macau to the Federation’s Annual Conference to teach them about the wealth of opportunities and careers available across motor sport and mobility.Students from Pui Ching Middle School in Macau attended the event, accompanied by Principal Dr. Kou Kam Fair, to hear about the FIA’s varied and vital work across mobility and motor sport, as well as the work done by the FIA communications and human resources teams, with speakers at the session representing the FIA Leadership Team, the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), and departments across the FIA.Dr.  Choi Lik Hang, Director of Student Development at Pui Ching Middle School, said: “With a session like this for our students, we now all understand more about sports, more about the relationship between the track and the road, and more about future careers.”The FIA 101 initiative, now in its 5th year, forms part of the FIA’s commitment to empowering the next generation and increasing diversity in industries through education and development opportunities around the world.H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “Developing the next generation of motorsport and mobility professionals while expanding opportunities around the world are missions at the heart of the FIA. The success of the FIA 101 initiative highlights the progress we are making, with 180 young students hearing from leaders across our Federation.”Alongside the careers conversations, students had the opportunity to engage with the FIA Esports programme and learn more about the competition which is seeing significant growth in China and across APAC. The first FIA Esports Global Rally Tour has over 6,000 drivers participating from 159 countries worldwide, reflecting the increase in participation around the world as the FIA recently launched a call for proposals for future Esports championships contests and new partners.The session also explored AAMC programmes designed to increase youth participation in motorsport, such as the Macau Karting Academy and 2026 AAMC Karting Championship which is developing talented drivers in the region, with the FIA Karting Arrive & Drive Asia-Pacific Championship being hosted in Macau for the first time in September.Chong Coc Veng, Chairman of the Automobile Association Macao-China, said: “At the AAMC we are committed to ensuring young people have the opportunity to grow and develop. Macau is a location with outstanding future professionals and through our partnership with the FIA, this session is helping to inspire the next generation by showcasing the diverse and exciting career opportunities in motor sport and mobility. We thank the FIA and all speakers for joining us in sharing expertise and development advice with Pui Ching Middle School.”The FIA 101 programme forms part of the work of the FIA University, the Federation’s educational arm and a global leader in accreditation, education, and research for motor sport and mobility. Supported by the FIA Foundation, the FIA University provides the FIA network with world-class expertise to deliver pioneering research across safety, sustainability and mobility, scholarships to top universities, executive leadership programmes to support career progression, and e learning modules delivered by an international faculty. Its work informs public policy and strategy and serves as a vital resource for FIA Member Clubs around the world. ENDSFor media enquiries, please contact:Maria Zander, Corporate Communications Manager: mzander@fia.comJoseph Kidd, Presidential Communications Officer: jkidd@fia.comThe Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.The 2026 FIA Conference is hosted in association with Galaxy Entertainment Group and will be held at the International Convention Centre from 23-25 June. The Galaxy International Convention Centre is situated within the Galaxy Macay Integrated Resort which regularly plays host to world class sporting and conference events, and international exhibitions.FIA UniversityFIAFIA1FIAFIAFIA University00Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 5:12amWednesday, June 24, 2026 - 5:12am

BBC World News
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Kunal Shah: The Indian entrepreneur taking charge of WhatsApp
Kunal Shah has been a recognisable figure in India's startup ecosystem for a while but now he faces global spotlight.

BBC World News
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Clean sweep for Mamdani-backed candidates in New York's Democratic primary
Brad Lander unseats Dan Goldman in a race that laid bare the city's divisions over the Israel-Gaza war.

ZeroHedge News
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DHS Proposes To Increase Citizenship Application Fees By 80%
DHS Proposes To Increase Citizenship Application Fees By 80%

Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,

The Trump administration on June 23 proposed increasing the cost of becoming an American citizen in a move that would nearly double the price of naturalization.



The proposal would raise the government’s fee for filing an online naturalization application form, the N-400, from $710 to $1,280, an 80-percent increase, according to the proposal from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.

For paper filings of the N-400, DHS said that it wants to raise the fee from $760 to $1,330, an increase of 75 percent.

For online filings of the N-336, a form requesting a hearing on naturalization proceedings, the fee would increase from $780 to $1,425, an 83 percent increase.

The paper filing fee for Form N-336 would rise from $830 to $1,475, a 77.7-percent increase.

“Although DHS has historically limited the fees for (citizenship-related applications) to fulfill previous administrations’ priorities of encouraging naturalization, DHS no longer believes naturalization benefit requests should get lower fees at the potential expense of other immigration benefits,” DHS said in its proposed regulation.

DHS officials also said they were moving to remove some fee waivers for poorer applicants. Those waivers would be given only to people who are trying to become citizens by joining the U.S. military, it said.

Should the proposal be accepted, according to the agency, the increases in fees would bring in more than $430 million each year from prospective citizens. It added that around 1 million people seek to become naturalized citizens each year.

The decision drew some pushback from the American Immigration Council. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a fellow with the group, said in a post on X that he believes the DHS proposal is targeting people who have green cards, or permanent residency status, from becoming American citizens.

“The U.S. government for years tried to keep the costs artificially low to encourage more people with green cards to apply for citizenship,” he wrote. “No more, it seems!”

DHS will be accepting public comments until Aug. 24, 2026.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump’s administration has tightened rules around legal immigration and naturalization. In May, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it would require immigrants seeking green cards to apply from their home country.

“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said in a statement last month.

“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”

Weeks before that, DHS said that immigrants who have made statements that it deems extremist would face closer scrutiny from immigration officials, with a spokesperson saying that such comments “may raise serious concerns for USCIS personnel reviewing an applicant’s file, ​including espousing terrorist ideologies, expressing hatred for American values, advocating for the violent overthrow of the United States ​government, or providing material support to terrorist organizations.”

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 21:45

ZeroHedge News
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"We Must Act": TotalEnergies CEO Joins Calls To Rewire Gulf Energy Flows Around Hormuz
"We Must Act": TotalEnergies CEO Joins Calls To Rewire Gulf Energy Flows Around Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz was disrupted or nearly closed for roughly three and a half to four months, offering Gulf states aligned with the U.S. one clear message: energy flows - or tanker transits - must be rewired through pipeline networks that bypass the maritime chokepoint.

By creating alternative pipeline export routes through the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Oman, or Turkey, regional producers can reduce the risk that Tehran can once again use Hormuz as a leverage tool to disrupt tanker traffic through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. 

TotalEnergies SE CEO Patrick Pouyanne is the latest to signal the urgent need for Gulf producers to prioritize building pipelines that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

Speaking at an energy conference in Paris on Tuesday, Pouyanne said, "The reality is that the Strait of Hormuz represents a genuine threat, so we must act. To ensure it doesn't remain a threat, there is only one solution: we must invest in pipelines to bypass the strait, which is an absolute priority."

Pouyanne identified alternative export routes in the UAE and Iraq, as well as through Syria. He continued, "When you are in Iraq and need to reach the sea, you can go down through Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, or head towards Syria or Turkey." 

He referenced TotalEnergies' discovery of oil in Iraq in 1928, which led to an Iraq-Syria pipeline that took six years to build and allowed the French energy giant to load crude in the Mediterranean and feed refineries in southern France.

"If our predecessors did it 100 years ago, I believe we should be capable of doing it again today," he added.

Pouyanne's comments to bypass Hormuz come days after the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi told Bloomberg in an interview that "zero Hormuz dependency" is essential for survival, adding, "It's going to open and we hope that will happen quickly, but we will not stop the new plan."

The plan includes major investments in pipelines, rail, and road links from UAE ports in the Persian Gulf to Dibba, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and at least one new harbor on the Gulf of Oman coast.



Earlier this month, Sheikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah, managing director of international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum, said Kuwait is among the countries that have reportedly held talks with Saudi Arabia and the UAE about potential cross-border pipelines that could connect Gulf oil production to buyers without relying on tanker transits through Hormuz.

In the first month of the conflict, Saudi Arabia's Hormuz-bypassing East-West pipeline ramped up to its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, allowing the Kingdom to divert flows from Persian Gulf loading terminals to those at Yanbu on the Red Sea.



There is a growing consensus among Gulf producers and global energy giants that a pipeline network must be expanded at lightning speed to bypass the Hormuz chokepoint. That logic is simply because it would drastically reduce the region’s dependence on the chokepoint and simultaneously shatter Tehran’s ability to use tanker flows as a leverage tool in any future spat with Washington.

Related:

As Gulf States Plan Bypass Pipelines, US Military Is Quietly Helping Ships Cross Hormuz
Earlier today, Eurasia Group senior analyst Gregory Brew wrote on X that Iran's regional leverage is eroding: "This may be Iran's first misstep—and proof that its leverage isn't total. Iran announced the strait was closed, but it didn't *close* the strait. Without the credible threat of force, Iran's sway over the waterway has limits."

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 22:10

ZeroHedge News
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She Took Two Key Items: New Details Raise Doubts Over Los Alamos Lab Assistant's Death
She Took Two Key Items: New Details Raise Doubts Over Los Alamos Lab Assistant's Death

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,

Fresh reporting reveals that Melissa Casias, administrative assistant at the Los Alamos nuclear lab, left home with everyday possessions that suggest she intended to survive - not end her life - raising new questions in the widening pattern of mysterious deaths among nuclear and UFO-linked personnel.



Some have suggested that Casias committed suicide, yet new details about her final moments show that before walking out the door of her Ranchos de Taos home on June 26, 2025, Casias took her toothbrush and thyroid medication with her.

Los Angeles Magazine contributor Lauren Conlin, who has followed the case closely, told NewsNation that these are "things that might indicate you're planning to stay alive."


NEW DETAILS?New Mexico State Police Reveal Chilling New Details in Melissa Casias' Death Investigation: Fresh details about the Los Alamos employee's death are revealed + her husband obtains a TPO accusing a private investigator of harassment https://t.co/FqDRi9DquX
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) June 19, 2026
She also returned home to drop off both her work and personal phones - which were later found wiped clean of all data. Her skeletal remains were discovered nearly a year later next to a handgun her family has stated did not belong to her. No bullet was recovered despite reports of a gunshot wound to the head.

Investigator Morgan Wright put it plainly: "You don't get slumped up on a tree... Most of the time, in every crime scene I've worked on, there are skeletonized remains, and there's no connective tissue left. Everything's on the ground in pieces."



These elements - the survival items, the wiped phones, the unfamiliar weapon, and the scene inconsistencies - are now the focus of renewed scrutiny.


The discovery of missing New Mexico lab worker Melissa Casias' body has raised new questions after her case was linked to a broader group of U.S. scientists whose deaths or disappearances remain unexplained. Lauren Conlin joins "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" to discuss. More:... pic.twitter.com/HcAGtfQsmO
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) June 23, 2026
This latest angle on the Casias case arrives against the backdrop of a documented cluster of similar incidents involving scientists and support staff tied to sensitive programs.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, long described as a UFO "gatekeeper," vanished just days after President Trump's full disclosure order on UAP files.



A NASA nuclear propulsion expert was found charred inside a crashed Tesla.



A NASA-linked aerospace engineer and family members died in a plane crash.



Additional cases brought the total to around 11 by mid-April 2026, many sharing traits like wiped devices and abrupt departures from normal routines.











President Trump has addressed the wider string of cases directly, telling reporters it is "pretty serious stuff" and that the administration is reviewing them. He stated that while some of the individuals were "very important people," "so far we're finding that there's not much of a connection," describing many as individual matters. He pledged a full report.


Trump says string of missing and dead scientists are not connected: "There's not much of a connection." Join Share: pic.twitter.com/0VCnDSep14
— THE Q STORM (@TheQ170) May 21, 2026
Three sets of declassified UFO/UAP files have since been released under the administration's transparency directives, with more batches expected.

Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker has highlighted the risks in classified environments, noting that administrative staff in high-clearance labs "would basically be in the know on what's going on" and that it "wouldn't be the first time their administrative assistant has been targeted."

More recently, former FBI agent Ben Hansen assessed the Casias case as roughly "80 percent foul play" and raised the possibility of advanced tactics, including direct energy weapons or voice-to-skull technology, that could influence behavior without leaving conventional traces.



In an environment where America is finally forcing long-buried advanced technology files into the open, the repeated loss of personnel with access to those very secrets carries national security weight. Whether foreign actors, internal resistance to transparency, or other forces are involved, the pattern deserves unflinching examination.

The Trump administration's willingness to release the files and review these cases represents a break from past secrecy.

The public now has every right to demand the same level of transparency when it comes to why these specific individuals - and the small but telling choices they made in their final hours - keep disappearing from the picture.

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 22:35

ZeroHedge News
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Lutnick Eyes Crackdown On Chinese Humanoid Robots
Lutnick Eyes Crackdown On Chinese Humanoid Robots

One day after the House Select Committee on China sounded the alarm over China-based Unitree selling humanoid robots on Amazon to U.S. consumers, a new Politico report states Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick held a closed-door meeting with top U.S. executives and signaled that the Trump administration is considering strong action against subsidized robotics imports from China.


Unitree was recently designated as a Chinese military company and its products are a threat to our national security, yet here is @Amazon selling a Unitree robot in America.
We need Chairman @RepMoolenaar’s GUARD Act to stop this threat and support American robotics. pic.twitter.com/lKt6PBHZcV
— Select Committee on China (@ChinaSelect) June 22, 2026
Lutnick and other Trump administration officials held a roundtable with executives from SpaceX, Boston Dynamics, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Siemens, Rockwell Automation, and other firms, with discussions focused on reversing decades of manufacturing offshoring and rebuilding the industrial base needed to produce semiconductors, robotics, and other key components inside the U.S.

One focus centered around China's state-backed robotics industry as a national security threat, with fears that Beijing could use subsidies to dominate global robotics markets before U.S. manufacturers gain market share.

Chinese robot dogs and humanoids already face high U.S. tariffs, but the administration may soon deliver a stern blow to counter those inflows.


i'm literally riding a robot at @AGIBOTofficial HQ in Shanghai🎠 pic.twitter.com/c44wvXTsOv
— Lena (@dolylupec) June 22, 2026
"We don't want state-subsidized robotics attacking us in America. This is the arms [race] that is coming, robotic arms are coming," Lutnick said, according to notes from the meeting provided to Politico. "We need to make sure they're produced in America, so we're going to study those right now."

One person who was in attendance stated, "The whole idea that what we're going to end up with is an American brain with a Chinese body is a very, very bad strategic plan."


Researchers have developed Humanoid-GPT, a new AI system that helps humanoid robots perform complex movements and tasks.
Tested on the Unitree G1 robot, it enables real-time whole-body control and can perform new actions without special training.
During demonstrations, the… pic.twitter.com/Ew59YxHsTT
— Space and Technology (@spaceandtech_) June 18, 2026
The problem with the U.S. humanoid supply chain is that it relies on rare earths, actuators, and specialty parts to produce these robots - areas where the U.S. lags severely behind China.

One way for the U.S. to scale robot production - something China is already doing - is to have automakers produce these humanoids, as there is a major overlap between vehicle and humanoid components, including AI software, motors, cameras, sensors, and manufacturing processes. This is why Tesla pivoted to humanoids.

To sum up, the message is clear: the days of buying a Unitree humanoid robot or robotic dog on Amazon may be numbered.

As we have noted, the AI race is evolving from chip stacks in data centers to the physical world, and humanoid robots are the next major frontier. 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 23:00

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, June 24
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 24.

The Hill
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Another top general set to depart Pentagon
Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, submitted his paperwork to retire after a little over a year in his position, a Pentagon official told The Hill. The Pentagon official spoke on condition on anonymity to discuss internal military deliberations.  The shift follows months of exits from top military leaders since the...

The Hill
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Sen. Rick Scott previews Capitol meeting with Trump
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) previewed his Wednesday meeting with President Trump and the Senate Republican Steering Committee noting the topic of “election security” would be discussed after urging GOP colleagues to hold votes on the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act.  The Florida Republican authored a letter Monday in support of the bill’s proposal...

The Hill
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Mamdani’s big bet pays off in New York: 5 takeaways from Tuesday’s primary elections 
New York City Zohran Mamdani’s (D) gamble in a series of House primary contests on Tuesday paid off, with all three of his picks clinching wins. Democratic socialist candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, backed by Mamdani, cruised to victory, with Avila Chevalier notably ousting Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). Former mayoral candidate Brad Lander, a progressive with Mamdani’s endorsement, also handily defeated Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.).   These three races put him at odds with key...

Techdirt
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Kotaku’s Pre-Judging AI In Gaming Coverage Is Getting Very Dumb
I recognize that when we talk about AI generally, and specifically AI in the gaming industry, there are some people out there who will simply dogmatically insist that this technology doesn’t have a place in the industry and never will. This typically comes along with two chief concerns: concerns about artistic expression if AI is […]

BBC Top Stories (US)
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World's oldest football in Miami for Scotland's game against Brazil
The ball, which is believed to date from between 1540 and 1570, was discovered in Stirling in the 1970s.

Deutsche Welle
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US: Google's YouTube settles teen mental health lawsuit
A Florida teenager said YouTube's addictive design contributed to depression, anxiety and sleep loss. Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are also facing similar allegations about their impact on young users.

FlightAware Squawks
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DHS Seeks Aircraft Charter Services to Test Mass Rescue Flotation Device
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Office of Procurement Operations, released a Request for Information document on Tuesday seeking aircraft charter services to support the testing of a novel maritime life-saving prototype.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Burnham likely to replace Reeves if he becomes PM
Rachel Reeves would be offered a more junior cabinet role, the BBC understands.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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England handed reality check by Ghana but remain in strong position after 0-0 draw
England's drab goalless draw with Ghana is no cause to panic - but it does serve as a reality check, writes Phil McNulty.

Digital Trends
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Prime Day: Save Up to 31% on ESR Productivity Accessories This Prime Day
This Prime Day, ESR is spotlighting four award-winning accessories designed specifically for mobile and hybrid productivity: the ESR Shift Magnetic Case, ESR Shift Keyboard Case, ESR Geo Digital Pencil, and ESR MagMouse Wireless Mouse. While the focus remains on helping users work smarter and more efficiently, the timing also makes these upgrades particularly appealing. During […]

Mail Online
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SpaceX shares rebound after $1 trillion rout that cost founder Elon Musk $350bn
As technology stocks around the world tumbled and the Nasdaq plunged 1.5% in New York, the rocket and AI firm's shares fell as low as $147 in early trading.

Mail Online
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Grab NS&I's 4.69% savings deal now - it won't last for long: SYLVIA MORRIS
National Savings & Investments  is pulling out all the stops to woo savers. Last month it announced the Premium Bond prize rate will rise.

Mail Online
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FIFA plan last-minute World Cup penalty shootout rule change - over the issue that put Arsenal at a disadvantage against PSG before losing the Champions League final
A key ruling with penalty shootouts could be rushed through before the World Cup knockout stages start at the weekend.

Mail Online
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Madonna, 67, turns heads as she rocks a red lace minidress at Saint Laurent's star-studded show during Men's Paris Fashion Week
Madonna turned heads as she arrived at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

Mail Online
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England 0-0 Ghana - PLAYER RATINGS: Whose place is under threat after scoring just 4/10? Who was 'way below his best'? And who got a 'reality check' in sluggish draw? Now use our new tool to give YOUR verdict
CRAIG HOPE AT BOSTON STADIUM: Daily Mail Sport's Chief Football Reporter gave his verdict on the England players who will be fearing for their places after that drab draw - now give your verdicts.

Mail Online
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Mercedes-Benz voted most satisfying cars to own - is your brand in the top 10?
The top 10 most satisfying brands are largely premium makers, with Tesla, Lexus and BMW and Land Rover ranked highly by owners. Now find where the manufacturer you drive places overall...

Mail Online
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EVs take longer and cost more to repair than petrol cars
An EV's repair cost is typically 19% higher than the price of fixing an internal combustion engine car - and they spent 9% longer in workshops due to the difficulty to mend them.

Mail Online
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World's oldest known asteroid impact: Crater in Western Australia was created when a space rock smashed into Earth 3 BILLION years ago, study reveals
Scientists have identified the world's oldest recorded asteroid impact, revealing new evidence of Earth's violent history.

Mail Online
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Jack White's wife Olivia Jean files for divorce from the White Stripes artist citing 'inappropriate marital conduct'
White and Jean tied the knot in the middle of a show held at the Masonic Temple in Detroit in April of 2022.

Russia Today News
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US to set up testing ranges mimicking Ukraine battlefield

The Guardian (UK)
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Mamdani-backed candidates sweep Democratic primaries in New York City
JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg fails to advance in election to replace Jerry Nadler in Manhattan districtZohran Mamdani’s growing influence over the Democratic party was on show in New York City on Tuesday as three congressional candidates endorsed by New York’s democratic socialist mayor won closely watched primaries.Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller who also ran for mayor last year before endorsing Mamdani, won his race comfortably, defeating the Democratic representative Dan Goldman. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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AJ Dybantsa chosen by Washington Wizards with No 1 pick in NBA draft
BYU freshman tops draft after scoring spreeWizards land first No 1 pick since WallDybantsa joins rebuilding WashingtonAJ Dybantsa is on his way to Washington and ready to start working as soon as he gets there.That’s not until Wednesday. Tuesday was a night for the NBA‘s No 1 draft pick to party. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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PayPal Enhances Global Payments Platform with New Local Payment Methods via PPRO Partnership
PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has announced a major enhancement to its payments ecosystem by incorporating more than 30 additional local payment methods through its ongoing collaboration with PPRO, a specialist in local payments infrastructure. The update equips merchants with tools to better accommodate international customers who prefer... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Rippling Introduces Business Banking to Support Same-Day Payroll and Higher Returns on Cash
Rippling has launched Business Banking, a service that pairs a dedicated checking account with its payroll tools to allow companies to pay domestic employees on the same day payroll is run. The offering directly tackles common delays that force finance teams to prepare payments days... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Austria’s Banking Groups Join European Payments Initiative to Expand Wero Wallet
Two of Austria’s largest banking groups have become shareholders in the European Payments Initiative (EPI). The move will bring the Wero digital wallet — a secure, instant account-to-account (A2A) payment solution — to customers in Austria, significantly broadening its geographic reach. The announcement, issued on... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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AI Adoption Fuels Record US Venture Capital Activity During Q1 2026
PitchBook has indicated that the first half of 2026 has delivered exceptional venture capital activity in the United States, though much of the momentum remains concentrated among a handful of artificial intelligence leaders. PitchBook’s 2026 US Venture Capital Outlook Midyear Update, released in late June,... Read More

The Hill
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Former Hoyer campaign manager wins primary for his House seat in Maryland 
Maryland state Delegate Adrian Boafo (D) is projected to win the Democratic primary to fill longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (D) seat, according to Decision Desk HQ. Hoyer announced his retirement from Congress in January, bringing an end to his 45 years of service in the lower chamber. The outgoing representative backed Boafo, his former campaign...

The Hill
Open 
Lawler to face combat veteran in key toss-up House race in New York
Combat veteran Cait Conley (D) is projected to advance from Tuesday's Democratic primary to face Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) this fall, according to results from Decision Desk HQ. She will show down against the second-term incumbent in November for the sole toss-up seat in the Empire State, per the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The purple...

The Hill
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Trump-endorsed candidate wins GOP primary for Stefanik's House seat
Republican Anthony Constantino, the Trump-endorsed candidate seeking to follow Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as the representative of New York's 21st Congressional District, is projected to advance to the November general election, according to preliminary results from Decision Desk HQ. The district's Republican primary election ended with Constantino defeating New York Assemblymember Robert Smullen (R), who...

The Hill
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Espaillat ousted in New York House primary by Mamdani-backed candidate
Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier has defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D) in the Democratic primary for his House seat, Decision Desk HQ projects, notching a win for New York City’s socialist movement. TThe race for the 13th Congressional District was one of several tests of influence Tuesday for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a...

The Hill
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Former staffer set to succeed Nadler after House primary win
New York State Assemblymember Micah Lasher (D) is projected to win the Democratic primary for the Manhattan-based House seat currently held by his former boss, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), beating a crowded field of contenders, according to Decision Desk HQ.  Lasher, who once served as an aide to Nadler and held top positions under Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and former...

The Hill
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Former Utah House Democrat wins primary for redistricted seat in Utah
Former Rep. Ben McAdams is projected to win the Democratic primary for Utah’s newly redrawn 1st Congressional, according to Decision Desk HQ. McAdams, a moderate who represented Utah’s 4th District in Congress from 2019 to 2021 before losing his reelection bid to Rep. Burgess Owens (R), defeated progressive state Sen. Nate Blouin and two other...

The Right Scoop
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AWESOME VIDEO – Stephen Miller NAILS the Republican message going into November
President Trump’s Deputy Chief for Policy, Stephen Miller, absolutely nailed the Republican message going into November. I mean really, what he said is what Republicans should be saying all over the country. . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Democrat Dan Goldman just LOST his seat to a radical leftist
The disgusting Democrat Dan Goldman just lost his House seat to a radical leftist in New York tonight. Here’s the reporting via Fox News: Democrats are going full-tilt radical socialist and communist, . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Interior releases video proof that leftists are vandalizing liner on Reflecting Pool
The Department of Interior just released video to Fox News showing leftists vandalizing the liner on the Reflecting Pool. Watch below:

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Budimir rescues Croatia with winner against Panama on Modric’s landmark day
When it was all done, and Ante Budimir had rescued Croatia’s World Cup campaign with the lone goal in a tight match against Panama, 25 Croatians donned black T-shirts over their match kits and warm-up tops.“Infinite Legacy,” read the T-shirts, printed with the number 200 and an image of Luka Modric. He was the 26th man, but he had quickly taken his off after his teammates had flung him in the air a few times. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead of red heat alerts
The temperature topped 34.6 C in Wisley, England, on Tuesday while Scotland and Northern Ireland saw their hottest days of the year.

The Guardian (UK)
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New York primaries live: two Mamdani allies clinch Democratic nominations and Kennedy heir loses to self-confessed ‘nerd’
Good night for progressives in New York, with wins for Brad Lander and Claire Valdez; Micah Lasher beats Jack Schlossberg and Alex Bores in key New York House district Marco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland aim to cast off their shackles against Brazil as history beckons
As Steve Clarke and his team prepare to take on Brazil and earn a place in the last 32, debate rages about their styleIt may seem distinctly Scottish that the creation of football history could come with grumbling over the manner in which that was achieved. On Tuesday afternoon, the movable feast that is the best-third-place table at this World Cup had Scotland second and in a strong position to advance to the knockout phase for the first time. Heavy defeat against Brazil on Wednesday in Miami could damage that position but it remains perfectly feasible that the 1-0 win over Haiti and three points will take Scotland into uncharted territory. Denis Law did not emerge from a tournament group with Scotland. Neither did Kenny Dalglish. The 1974 World Cup team were unbeaten yet still on an early flight home. This has been a weight on the shoulders of Scotland teams for decades.In a rare departure from sharp analysis, Rory McIlroy stated last week that Scotland had benefited from the expansion of the World Cup by means of qualification. In fact, they topped their section so would have participated regardless of size. What is undeniable, however, is that the path towards the last 32 can be almost laughably simple for some. Victory over Haiti was rightly expected, as was defeat by Morocco and – while not a certainty – so would be another loss to Brazil. Continue reading...

F1 Technical
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Formula E: How does Formula E intend to reignite the series with an all-new calendar for 2027?
Formula E has unveiled the provisional calendar for the 2026–27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, confirming the most expansive season in the series’ history and marking the beginning of the high‑performance GEN4 era.

Digital Trends
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I wouldn’t buy most Prime Day smart glasses, but these 4 are worth shortlisting
The smart glasses market is growing quickly, but not every deal deserves your attention. Here are four Prime Day picks that balance innovation, comfort, and practical features.

Digital Trends
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I use portable chargers all year, and these are the 5 Prime Day power bank deals worth buying
Not every Prime Day power bank deal is worth buying. I shortlisted five portable chargers that offer the best mix of reliability, portability, and real-world usefulness.

Digital Trends
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You can save big with these gaming monitor deals on Prime Day right now
Prime Day brings major discounts on gaming monitors, from budget QHD panels to flagship 4K OLED displays with steep price cuts.

TechRadar News
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MSI's 'super-light, hyper-functional' portable monitor drops 32% for Prime Day — and I'm calling it now: at this price, it's the cheapest screen you can get for your tech that's actually worth it

TechRadar News
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I review video games for a living, and these are the best PS5 games of 2026 so far to buy

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Stone circle murder inquiry as man's body found
The Nine Ladies, near Darley Dale, is 4,000 years old and a focal point at the summer solstice.

Boing Boing
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Canberra's town crier recognized as world's loudest person with 122.4dB yell
Joseph McGrail-Bateup, a 58-year-old air conditioner cleaner and honorary town crier from Canberra, Australia, has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's loudest person. McGrail-Bateup yelled the word "now" at 122.4 decibels, beating the previous mark of 121.7 dB set by Northern Ireland schoolteacher Annalisa Flanagan in 1994, who shouted "quiet." — Read the rest
The post Canberra's town crier recognized as world's loudest person with 122.4dB yell appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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We Have The Herpes: Arby's worker accused of infecting customer by spitting in food
A manager at the Arbys in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, spat in a customers food, say police, an act that allegedly resulted in the victim contracting oral herpes. The Smoking Gun reports that Amanda Hendricks, 38, was charged with adulterating food, assault and battery. — Read the rest
The post We Have The Herpes: Arby's worker accused of infecting customer by spitting in food appeared first on Boing Boing.

ZeroHedge News
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The Myth Of Price Controls
The Myth Of Price Controls

Authored by Daniel Lacalle,

The Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel’s recent admission that Cuba’s generalized price caps failed to contain inflation, generated shortages, encouraged illegal markets, and reduced tax revenues is another confirmation of a much older economic lesson: price controls do not solve inflationary pressures, and they intensify the distortions they are meant to prevent.

The Cuban case is especially revealing because the criticism comes not from ideological opponents but from the regime that imposed the controls and later conceded their failure.


Cuban dictator admits that price controls never work.
Mamdani, Elizabeth Warren, Sanders and Ocasio Cortez should listen pic.twitter.com/OtEChOioL3
— Daniel Lacalle (@dlacalle_IA) June 21, 2026
According to Díaz-Canel’s own remarks, price controls in Cuba produced the opposite of their intended effect: instead of stabilizing prices, they encouraged product scarcity, illegal-market activity, higher effective prices, and falling tax revenues. The government’s decision to eliminate price controls therefore amounts to an empirical acknowledgment that administrative decrees could not keep pace with economic reality.

This episode matters beyond Cuba because it captures the core mechanism of price control failure. When official prices are fixed below levels that would clear the market, legal suppliers reduce availability, quality deteriorate, and transactions migrate to informal channels where the real market price reappears, often with a premium for risk and scarcity. Thus, inflation is not abolished by decree but only transferred from the official statistics into queues, shortages, and the underground market.

The Austrian School of Economics has long argued that prices are not arbitrary numbers but indispensable signals coordinating dispersed knowledge across an economy. Ludwig von Mises claimed that intervening against market prices does not eliminate the underlying forces of supply and demand but rather creates secondary distortions that generate demands for additional intervention. Friedrich Von Hayek reminded us that market prices transmit information that no planner can centrally aggregate in real time, making administrative price fixing structurally destructive.



From this standpoint, price controls always fail because they attack symptoms of disequilibrium rather than the causes. Inflation is caused by monetary expansion, fiscal excess, and government intervention. Capping prices cannot restore equilibrium; it only disguises the visible expression of official price measures for a short time. Every nation that implemented price controls experienced repressed inflation, scarcity, and the transfer of exchange into underground markets.

Modern empirical research is almost unanimous. A broad review of studies on price controls and limits finds near-universal evidence of shortages and persistent inflation, along with lower quality, weaker innovation, and long-run welfare losses. Historical evidence from the United States also shows that wartime price controls and the Nixon-era stabilization program only brought rationing, shortages, and renewed price surges.

The empirical literature is particularly clear on resource misallocation. Lucas Davis and Lutz Kilian estimate that residential natural gas price controls in the United States from 1954 to 1989 created shortages of almost 20 percent and widespread supply disruptions. Edward Glaeser and Erzo Luttmer find that rent control in New York generated scarcity and misallocated housing by encouraging occupancy patterns disconnected from household size, imposing substantial annual welfare losses.



Other studies show that the negative effect of controls quickly adds other costs. H. E. Frech III and William C. Lee estimate that the welfare cost of gasoline queuing during the U.S. oil crises exceeded $5 billion in California alone, illustrating how suppressed prices frequently reappear as waiting costs and widespread economic losses. Research also finds that quality tends to deteriorate under ceilings because producers attempt to remain profitable by lowering inputs when they are prevented from charging market prices.

One of the worst outcomes of price controls is the expansion of the black economy. When the legal price becomes uneconomic for suppliers, transactions disappear or go off the books, where sellers can charge prices closer to actual scarcity conditions. Even the European Commission, the World Bank, and the FMI recognize this pattern, admitting that controls drive activity toward illegal markets, reduce tax collection, and create significant distortions in the economy. Gas price controls in Spain resulted in an increase in prices for 75% of consumers when the government imposed a cap on the 25% that used the state-regulated tariff. Gasoline price controls in China led to enormous losses in refineries and a widespread ban on refined product exports that resulted in multi-billion yuan losses in tax revenue.

This fiscal effect is not irrelevant. When activity shifts into informal channels, governments lose taxable transactions even as they face stronger political pressure to subsidize shortages, police markets, and intensify enforcement. The result is a destructive cycle in which intervention reduces formal output, shrinks the tax base, and then becomes the rationale for additional intervention.

Price-control defenders believe that inflation is caused primarily by the pricing decisions of firms rather than monetary and macroeconomic imbalances, and they think that governments can set prices. However, every single instance of price controls leads to scarcity and worse results, but interventionists do not care because they blame the problems caused by intervention on the lack of enough repression. The evidence is clear. Price controls can alter the formal expression of inflation, but they do not remove price pressures or the underlying causes; instead, they convert open price increases into scarcity, rationing, lower quality, and underground-market premium.

Inflation cannot be solved by declaring prices illegal. Furthermore, price controls perpetuate high inflation by destroying the elements that can help prices normalize, competition and technology, as well as innovation. Inflation is solved through sound money, prudent fiscal policy, and a market process that allows prices to coordinate production and consumption.

Governments never reduce prices; they increase them by spending and printing. All a government can do is facilitate inflation reduction by controlling spending and opening the economy to competition. Cuba’s reversal is therefore more than just a change in domestic policy; it serves as a reminder that regimes committed to intervention will eventually clash with economic realities that price controls cannot disguise.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 20:05

ZeroHedge News
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Movie "Citizen Vigilante" Exposes Migrant Crime Issue And Triggers Outrage
Movie "Citizen Vigilante" Exposes Migrant Crime Issue And Triggers Outrage

The current political climate across the west is tumultuous and chaotic, largely due to one volatile issue causing deep divisions:  Mass immigration.  Not just mass immigration, but mass invasion from third-world countries and facilitated by liberal governments. 

Leftists, driven by an obsession with multiculturalism and Marxism, desperately want mass immigration to continue unabated.  Conservatives and centrists want immigration stopped and, ideally, reversed.  Both sides refuse to budge which has created an explosive impasse.  The debate is on the verge of becoming a civil war. 

  

In this debate, only one side is correct.  It is clear to the majority of western citizens that after a decade of migrant programs, there simply is no compatibility between European/American culture and third world cultures.  These cultures reside in regions of the world where authoritarianism and barbarism are ingrained in the public psyche; they have no conception of western ideals of individual freedom, meritocracy, high trust or "tolerance." 

They only view western empathy as a weakness that should be exploited.  Meaning, westerners and third worlders will never be able to coexist.  It's simply not possible without one side dominating the other.

In the midst of this debate the political left has had the most control over popular media and which message gets the most exposure.  Pro-immigration and multicultural movies, TV shows and commercials saturate the market.  If any project criticizing immigration makes it to the light of day, it's kind of a miracle.  Enter the independent film "Citizen Vigilante".



Produced and directed by Uwe Boll, Citizen Vigilante stars Armie Hammer as Sanders, an American businessman and former US Army officer living in Europe.  He becomes incensed by vicious migrant crimes and the corrupt two-tier  legal system that consistently helps migrants escape punishment.  He sets out on a mission to target criminals who avoid justice, along with the political officials who enable the crime. 


Here is the scene in Citizen Vigilante where he confronts a judge who let a group of migrant rapists escape jailtime after raping a 14 year old girl
"Laws are meant to protect the victims" pic.twitter.com/5BlwH1TYxZ
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) June 22, 2026
The film is reminiscent of a modern-day Death Wish, a movie which was inspired by the extreme firearms restrictions in New York City in 1974.  Restrictions that allowed violent criminals and gangs to run rampant without fear of citizen reprisal.  To this day, NYC remains a safe haven for repeat offenders and lunatics and any private citizen who steps up to prevent a crime is prosecuted.  

Needless to say, the Citizen Vigilante release has caused a stir.  Progressives and Muslim advocates are outraged by the film's brutal violence against migrant characters.  The German government has essentially banned the film from release, refusing to give it a rating or age classification which is needed for theaters to carry the movie.  All the right people seem to be angry.


I’ll be amazed if this movie doesn’t get banned. pic.twitter.com/7lh1rDOijD
— Ian Miles Cheong (@ianmiles) June 22, 2026
Leftists have attempted to run interference as the movie rises in popularity, with some claiming that Uwe Boll made the flick as a parody to mock "right wing xenophobia".  This narrative has been dismissed by Uwe Boll himself, and he states that he is quite serious about the film's message.  In response, the media has attacked Boll as a "Nazi".   

The film is inspired by real world events, such as a 2016 Hamburg gang-rape case where perpetrators received suspended sentences because of their migrant status. It ends with a dedication to "rape victims in Europe who were betrayed by our legal system."

The mainstream critics hate Citizen Vigilante, which is a badge of honor these days.  But is it really so shocking that the commentary within the popular zeitgeist is shifting to address a problem which concerns the majority of the western population?  Did the political left really believe that they could engineer a foreign invasion without the public speaking out?  Did they really think they could control the narrative forever?

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 20:30

ZeroHedge News
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How Can We Restore Trusted Elections?
How Can We Restore Trusted Elections?

Authored by Christian Milord via The Epoch Times,

It's mind-boggling that elections and election results take so long to complete, especially in a developed nation such as the United States.
A person votes in the Virginia redistricting referendum at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Alexandria, Va. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

It's inexcusable that our modern society can't establish firm timelines and expedite tabulation when many nations, both developed and developing, announce results on the same day as the election or within a day or two. Many of those countries lack the election technologies that the United States takes for granted.

In the case of very close elections similar to the George W. Bush vs. Al Gore in 2000, there was a need to proceed slowly as the razor thin election boiled down to the state of Florida. There was a recount wherein punch-card ballots were checked for chads and hanging chads to ensure the count was accurate. After five weeks, the election was finally certified by a few hundred votes in favor of Bush by Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris and the Supreme Court.

A number of reforms could be rolled out in order to speed up our election system so that results are accurate, timely, and can be trusted by the electorate. Voting is an important earned right that can't be handed out to non-citizens or be taken lightly.

First, voters should have a valid ID to vote, and a valid signature must be written, whether voting is by mail or at a polling location. More than 80 percent of voters favor a valid ID for citizens to vote, since an ID is required for many minor activities that don't rise to the level of importance as a citizen's right to vote. That is why the SAVE Act is so critical at this time as the midterms approach in November. Valid addresses, IDs, and signatures can reduce potential abuse and doubts regarding election integrity.

Second, eliminate the primary system in which a number of candidates vie for elected positions at the local, state, and national levels. It costs untold millions to campaign, mail out ballots, run polling stations, and tabulate votes. Why not have candidates compete for positions every two, four, or six years and hold the elections at specified times in the fall without the need for primaries?

Third, only mail out ballots to voters who request them. Millions of dollars are spent mailing ballots to every registered voter, even though many voters prefer to vote in person at polling locations. One can understand mailing out ballots to American voters who are working overseas. It makes sense to send it to these voters early to allow time for them to complete their ballots and return them to the United States. Unlimited mailing can result in unused ballots and could lead to some ballot harvesting.

Moreover, ballots shouldn't be mailed out so early in the election "season." Those who request ballots should receive them only a few days before an election, not weeks beforehand. Early mail-outs can lead to lost ballots, tossed ballots for those who vote at the polls, and possible ballot harvesting. Likewise, completed ballots postmarked on election day should not be accepted many days after election day. It can generate uncertainty for candidates and voters.

Fourth, make it unlawful for signature collectors or anyone else to pay folks to register to vote or sign on to potential legislation. According to The Epoch Times, this activity has occurred several times in California and elsewhere. Anyone who is concerned with the workings of government shouldn't receive compensation to vote for candidates and issues. No one, regardless of political party, should coerce or entice someone to vote in a partisan direction either. It taints fair and free elections.

Fifth, voter rolls ought to be purged regularly because people pass away, move out of the county, or move into the county as residents and register to vote. Mailing ballots to everyone can be a waste if rolls aren't kept up to date to reflect the current registered voters who still reside in a particular county. If the rolls aren't updated regularly, it can also lead to ballots being stolen or open the floodgates for people to vote twice or for someone else.

Sixth, although mandates wouldn't be effective at shortening the campaign season, they might help to make the campaign trail less drawn out. In most nations, campaign season runs for a few weeks or a month or two. In America, campaigning seems to roll on forever, and elections can feel anticlimactic. By the time one election is concluded, the next election arrives quickly on the horizon. Candidates even campaign while they are in office and constantly keep an eye out for the next election.

Prolonged political campaigning can be a distraction from carrying out the duties of representing the people and solving pressing problems that affect their lives. Media outlets can play a role in discussing critical issues more objectively instead of sensationalizing every minor action by political opponents or supporters.

Constant campaign mode can devolve into self-interest rather than the more important national interest. Americans need fewer promises from politicians and more delivery in the spheres of free markets, the protection of liberty, just laws, and national security.

Common sense informs us that in tight elections, tabulating must be checked carefully at a slower pace than when a candidate or initiative/referendum wins by a larger margin. For the most part, elections can be trusted if they are properly managed and results are released in a timely manner. If the process is lengthy, it can breed cynicism, and many voters might not bother to vote.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 20:55

ZeroHedge News
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From Bartenders To Builders: Data Centers Drive America's Blue-Collar Comeback
From Bartenders To Builders: Data Centers Drive America's Blue-Collar Comeback

A seismic shift is underway in the U.S. labor market after a quarter-century of America's industrial base being hollowed out following China's entry into the WTO, a period marked by the decline of goods-producing jobs while leisure and hospitality employment surged.

The driver of the current job shift is the data center buildout phase, which is expected to require millions of new jobs across construction, manufacturing, electrical trades, power infrastructure, and the broader industrial supply chain. Additionally, reshoring critical supply chains will require even more goods-producing jobs, which are high-paying and pay far more than low-wage jobs such as bartending and waiting.

Nancy Lazar, Piper Sandler's chief global economist and head of the firm's economics research team, published a note on Sunday showing what happened to the U.S. labor market after China joined the WTO in 2001.

The result was a long-term hollowing out of America's industrial base, marked by a sharp decline in higher-paying goods-producing jobs while lower-quality leisure and hospitality jobs surged. Education and health services jobs also continued to move up and to the right.

But there was good news around 2010, when goods-producing jobs began to reverse. Lazar's note suggests that the trend is now set to accelerate as the data center, power grid, and AI infrastructure buildout drives a new wave of demand for industrial labor.

Lazar continued:


Bullish On Goods Producing Jobs vs. Hotel & Restaurant Jobs.

When China joined the WTO in 2001, U.S. goods producing jobs began a decade of decline, while leisure & hospitality, and education & health jobs continued to rise …



… so today, goods producing jobs are less than half those of low-paying service jobs – their share was over 50% in the mid-1980s.

That employment mix shift gave us the bifurcated consumer, as lower paying jobs gained share. Goods producing jobs pay more than overall service producing jobs – and lots more than leisure & hospitality, or education & health care jobs.



Good news: That mix is now shifting the other way, as the long-running (not just tech) capex cycle raises productivity and margins, encouraging adding headcount.



Look at relative earnings growth, by sector, below.



Combine that with falling energy prices and (we believe) slowing core inflation, and we're on the lookout for narrowing bifurcation among consumers. That would indeed be good news. We're watching our Daily consumer confidence survey, non-investor component, closely.


Industrial labor demand is likely to remain a strong trend for several years, with $800 billion in hyperscaler capex being deployed for data center buildouts just this year alone - and don't worry about humanoid robots entering construction sites until the next decade.

However, college graduates, mostly burdened by insurmountable student debt, are watching in disbelief as corporate America rapidly automates white-collar jobs out of existence.

Last week, Goldman analysts led by Pierfrancesco Mei identified the 20 college majors most exposed to AI job disruption.

Most and Least AI-Exposed Jobs  



It's a boon for Main Street and blue-collar workers, rather than college-educated elites. Liberals are furious that SpaceX welders with no college degrees have been minted into instant millionaires after the latest IPO.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 21:20

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: Football fans celebrate in Ghana after draw with England
Ghana correspondent Thomas Naadi reports from Black Star Square in Accra.

Gizmodo
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Someone Is Suing the U.S. For Making Them Go Without Anthropic’s Fable 5 Model
Legion, a startup, says being denied access to Fable is damaging its business.

Gizmodo
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Google Takes Verizon’s Place in Dow Jones Industrial Average
It's the first change to the famous list of 30 companies since 2024.

The Guardian (UK)
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Scientists alarmed after two wildfires hit Greenland within a week
Researchers say it is ‘quite wild’ to see fires at such high northern latitudes happen so early in the yearScientists have expressed concern after two wildfires broke out within a week of each other on the Arctic island of Greenland earlier this month.Fires were burning close to Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest town and a popular tourism centre, on 14 and 15 June, satellite imagery has shown, while a second blaze hit Kujalleq, on the island’s southern tip, on 17 June. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US midterm primaries: two Mamdani allies clinch New York Democratic nominations in good night for progressives - live
Brad Lander, once rival of mayor, unseats moderate incumbent Dan Goldman; New York state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez defeats Brooklyn Borough president Antonio ReynosoMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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AJ Dybantsa chosen by Washington Wizards with No 1 pick in NBA draft
BYU freshman tops draft after scoring spreeWizards land first No 1 pick since WallDybantsa joins rebuilding WashingtonThe Washington Wizards selected forward AJ Dybantsa, who led the nation in scoring in his one season at BYU, with the No 1 pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night.Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, highlighted by a 43-point effort that broke BYU’s freshman scoring record. He was the first of eight straight college freshman taken to begin the draft. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell’s spending habit
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a story of a compulsive, often secretive shopaholic.The £2,400 Smythson two-person tea set, complete in a beige picnic box, was found in a cupboard, unused, as were jewellery boxes and leather-bound writing folders. There were 11 Montblanc pens, with a white gold version worth £4,225, untouched in their gleaming presentation boxes. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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It’s worth a try, according to the Red Cross – seriouslyName: Cold feet.Age: No, wait, I know this. Late 90s I think, so about 31? No, because this isn’t to do with Cold Feet, the TV comedy drama about middle-class couples living in Manchester. We’re talking lower-case cold feet. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: Crimea locks down as Putin acknowledges ‘huge stream’ of Ukrainian drones
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The Guardian (UK)
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North Korea’s ‘exponential’ nuclear program: why Kim Jong-un is racing to expand his arsenal
The heightened rhetoric from Pyongyang has left analysts asking why North Korea appears to need so many nuclear weaponsAt a ruling Workers’ party meeting that concluded this week, Kim Jong-un declared that steadily expanding North Korea’s nuclear forces was the “most correct and unique way” to cope with an increasingly unstable world, citing what he described as growing threats from the US and its allies.The remarks were just the latest in a recent stream of commentary from North Korea’s leadership that has seen Kim pledge to equip warships with nuclear missiles, double weapons grade production and expand the country’s nuclear arsenal at “an exponential rate”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Chinese supercomputer leapfrogs best US machines to be ranked world’s fastest
China’s LineShine debuts at number one in Top500 – a list sometimes viewed as a national measure of global tech prowessA supercomputer in China now outranks its US counterparts as the world’s most powerful. It is the first time since 2017 that a Chinese computer has topped a list sometimes viewed as a measure of a nation’s technological prowess.The LineShine computer in Shenzhen displaced top-ranked US computer El Capitan in the Top500 rankings released on Tuesday. It was LineShine’s debut on the list. Continue reading...

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Sydney woman wakes from induced coma more than a week after shark attack
Leah Stewart, 34, had one of her arms amputated after she was bitten while swimming at Coogee Beach.

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Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones just dropped to their lowest price yet for Amazon Prime Day
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I tried HP's $500 MacBook Neo alternative, and it's a better budget laptop in two ways
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Power your whole home for 47% off with these EcoFlow Prime Day deals
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Anthropic's New Claude Tag Acts as a Virtual Coworker in Slack
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Whoops! Microsoft Outlook Mac Update Removes Email Conversation History
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Wired Top Stories
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Best Dyson Deals for Prime Day: Vacuums, Hair Tools, and More
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The Hill
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Former IRS, DOJ officials call on judge to scrutinize Trump audit immunity deal
A group of four former officials at the IRS and Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief on Monday urging the court to rule President Trump’s audit immunity deal was unlawful.  The former officials — John Koskinen, former IRS commissioner; Kathryn Keneally, former assistant attorney general for the DOJ's tax division; Nina Olson, former...

The Hill
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Interior Department adds fencing around Reflecting Pool amid reports of vandalism
The Interior Department added fencing around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Tuesday amid reports of vandalism. “With the increase in vandalism by leftist activists, the fencing is going up earlier than originally planned to ensure no more damage is done to this historic site,” an Interior Department spokesperson told The Hill, noting that fencing is...

The Hill
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Mamdani-backed Lander ousts Goldman in New York House primary
Former New York City comptroller Brad Lander is projected to win his Democratic primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (D) in New York, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) He easily trounced the incumbent candidate, garnering almost 63 percent support with 47 percent of the total vote reported, per DDHQ. Lander, who finished a...

The Hill
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Torres easily avoids progressive upset in New York House primary
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The Hill
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Navy admiral removed by Hegseth faces off against Charleston councilwoman for Mace seat
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The Hill
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Mamdani's pick set to replace Velázquez in House after New York primary win
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The Guardian (UK)
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US midterm primaries: Brad Lander, progressive Mamdani ally, clinches Democratic primary for New York House seat – live
Lander, once rival of mayor, unseats moderate incumbent Dan Goldman in race that focused largely on their contrasting stances on Israel and its war on GazaMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Budimir rescues Croatia with winner against Panama on Modric’s landmark day
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The Guardian (UK)
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Colombia v DR Congo: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinToday’s other game was the Group I clash between England and Ghana. Thomas Tuchel’s team got a stern reality check from a dogged Ghanaian side who were happy to sit back and defend.David Hytner was at Boston Stadium:England’s idea was to maintain the momentum they had generated in the 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening Group L tie but there was no surge here. Only stodge. England laboured to create against an ultra-defensive Ghana team, their only pulse-quickening moments coming towards the very end. Continue reading...

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The Climate Question: Is climate change ruining our sleep?
How the rise in night-time temperatures is starting to disrupt our sleep and health

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Silly tackle, bad reaction - Tuchel defends Bellingham after Queiroz row
England manager Thomas Tuchel defends Jude Bellingham after the midfielder is involved in a heated row with Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz.

Mail Online
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PM and Burnham at war over defence: Starmer bid to settle military cash blueprint BEFORE No10 changeover
Sir Keir's charge to deliver his ten-year Defence Investment Plan (DIP) enraged allies of the PM-in-waiting and drew criticism from a former Civil Service chief.

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Billionaire threatens to close down Harvey Nicks after High Court battle over unpaid debt
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: They're both billionaires but their stylistic differences could scarcely be more striking.

The Guardian (UK)
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US midterm primaries: Polls close in New York as races test Mamdani’s influence; Republican Alan Wilson wins South Carolina governor runoff – live
Trump previously endorsed lieutenant governor Pamela Evette but last Friday also endorsed Wilson; Maryland and Utah also votingMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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AJ Dybantsa chosen by Washington Wizards with No 1 pick in NBA draft
BYU freshman tops draft after scoring spreeWizards land first No 1 pick since WallDybantsa joins rebuilding WashingtonThe Washington Wizards selected forward AJ Dybantsa, who led the nation in scoring in his one season at BYU, with the No 1 pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night.Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points, highlighted by a 43-point effort that broke BYU’s freshman scoring record. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Panama 0-1 Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EDT/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffEar-splitting cheers from this very pro-Croatia – Proatia? – crowd for Luka Modrić. We all know the end is near and there’s a palpable sense in the air that we might all be seeing him for the last time.Then again, I had that feeling when I saw him in Qatar. So... Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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These are the best Prime Day earbud deals I highly recommend to shoppers
These tested earbuds across every budget are seeing real Prime Day discounts, from premium AirPods and Pixel Buds to budget friendly Nothing and Beats options.

Digital Trends
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I wouldn’t buy most Prime Day smart glasses, but these 4 are worth shortlisting
Smart glasses are finally becoming more than a tech curiosity. Whether you’re looking for a portable giant screen for movies and gaming, an immersive display for work, or a pair of connected glasses that can handle calls and voice assistants, there are now several compelling options worth considering. Prime Day is also one of the […]

Digital Trends
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I use portable chargers all year, and these are the 5 Prime Day power bank deals worth buying
A good power bank isn’t exciting until your phone drops to 5% during a flight, a commute, or a long day away from an outlet. That’s when having a reliable backup battery suddenly feels essential. Prime Day is packed with portable charger deals, but many of them are generic products that look good on paper […]

TechRadar News
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The cheap headphones and earbuds actually worth buying, as picked by audio experts who really tested them

TechRadar News
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The best Amazon Prime Day TV deals this year — great discounts on OLED and mini-LED 4K TVs, from Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL, and more

Sky News Home
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Trains across Germany briefly halted after communication system issue
Germany's railway system was brought to a halt on Tuesday evening, leaving passengers stranded across the country following an IT issue.

Boing Boing
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Kodak's new Charmeras have Y2K vibes
Kodak's Charmera, the keychain-sized digital camera that became a minor cultural phenomenon last year, is back with a new look. Reto, the company that makes the camera and licenses the Kodak name, has launched the Charmera Millennium Edition, which trades the original's '80s styling for a Y2k take on tech: think shiny metallics, fussy gradients, and early pixel nostalgia. — Read the rest
The post Kodak's new Charmeras have Y2K vibes appeared first on Boing Boing.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: enable_indexscan and enable_bitmapscan
Diagnose index scan performance problems by temporarily disabling index scans or bitmap scans and measuring what the planner chooses instead.

Telegraph
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England diminish their status as a tournament favourite
England diminish their status as a tournament favourite

Mail Online
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Revealed: How Adam Peaty sent a 'very formal text' to his estranged mother to tell her his wife Holly Ramsay is pregnant - and what it means for the feud that has divided their families
Adam Peaty sent his estranged mother 'a very formal text' telling her he was expecting a baby with his new wife - as she shared the joyful event to the world on her social media.

Mail Online
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SARAH VINE: The women of the Labour Party need to beware their Burnham mania. Their 'Messiah' may be charismatic and brooding, but that doesn't mean he'll be able to run the country
Do we know if Andy Burnham is superstitious? I ask because anyone witnessing the storm that hit London might be forgiven for thinking the gods of democracy are not pleased.

Mail Online
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While the Labour Party is consumed by its own political circus, a diplomatic crisis is going unnoticed. I can't exaggerate how devastating the consequences will be for Britain's national security: CONNOR AXIOTES
Last week, with barely a whimper of protest, Britain was cut off from the most powerful technology on the planet - and consigned, I fear, to a future as a defenceless, third-rate power.

Mail Online
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LETTS: Exit the Duchess of Delusion. Yet even as the tumbril jolts her towards Burnham's guillotine, Rachel Reeves refuses to accept what a honking failure she's been
No fairy godmother ever promised that our first female Chancellor of the Exchequer would be up to the job. And so it has proved.

Mail Online
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The 10 deadly signs of skin cancer that are NOT moles. As we bask in soaring temperatures, our health experts reveal the tell-tale marks, scabs and spots you should never ignore. They're so easy to miss
Given that one in five people in the UK will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, it's in everyone's interest to know the warnings signs.

Mail Online
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Your expert guide to surviving the 'heatdome' - from where to park to a 5-second pet safety test... and dealing with a tetchy partner
Most of us enjoy sunny weather but with rail lines buckling, schools closing and essential services failing, this is clearly no ordinary heatwave.

Mail Online
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The great British bunk off: Workers and pupils stay home as 40C heatwave looms... but didn't we all cope better in 1976 hot spell?
For 15 consecutive days in 1976 the sun beat down on Britain and the temperature hovered at 32C (89.6F).

Sky News Home
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Trains across Germany halted due to problem with communication system
Germany's railway system was brought to a halt on Tuesday evening, leaving some passengers stranded across the country following an IT issue.

Russia Today News
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US eases World Cup restrictions on Iran after FIFA complaint

Mail Online
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Father was watching news about heatwave drownings when police knocked at his door and said his teenage son was missing in a lake
David-Junior Tita, 17, from Crewe, died at Pickmere Lake near Knutsford after entering the water with friends during record-breaking temperatures at the end of last month.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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No need to panic for England - but this was a reality check
England's drab goalless draw with Ghana is no cause to panic - but it does serve as a reality check, writes Phil McNulty.

ZDNet News
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I replaced Google Search with DuckDuckGo and Perplexity - my results were noticeably better
With Google now a cesspool of AI-generated answers, here's how to work smarter: DuckDuckGo and Perplexity are the best one-two punch in search today.

ZDNet News
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This tablet replaced both my iPad and Kindle, and it's 40% off on Amazon right now
If you're in the market for a tablet, you literally need look no further than the TCL Nxtpaper 11 Plus, especially at this price.

Wired Top Stories
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Microsoft Comes Through With the Best Laptop Deal of Prime Day So Far
The Surface Laptop is down to $835 for Prime Day—a killer discount on one of my favorite laptops.

The Hill
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Trump touts economy, oil prices
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} View Online Business & Economy Business & Economy   The Big Story Trump seizes drop in oil prices on campaign trail The president visited the Mack Truck facility in Macungie, a part of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, which is set to be a major battleground election...

The Hill
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House sends sweeping bipartisan housing package to Trump's desk
The House on Tuesday passed a sweeping housing package with overwhelming bipartisan support, sending the legislation to the president’s desk and delivering a major victory for congressional leaders in both parties. The lower chamber passed the bill by a vote of 358-32, with all 32 "no" votes coming from Republicans. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) brought...

The Hill
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Former IRS, DOJ officials call on judge to scrutinize Trump audit immunity deal
A group of four former officials at the IRS and Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief on Monday urging the court to rule President Trump’s audit immunity deal was unlawful. Former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, former Assistant Attorney General for DOJ’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally, former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson and former...

Ars Technica
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White House drastically shortens deadline for dropping quantum-vulnerable crypto

Mail Online
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England players are comforted in the stands by their partners after Ghana hold Three Lions to frustrating draw in the rain
Harry Kane and his squad struggled to land a decisive blow on their African opponents, who are ranked 65th in the world.

Sky News Home
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Trains across Germany halted due to problem with communication system
Germany's railway system was brought to a halt on Tuesday evening, leaving some passengers stranded across the country due to an IT issue.

Deutsche Welle
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Trains resume after radio issue resolved, Deutsche Bahn says
Train services across Germany have resumed following a technical meltdown on Tuesday night. But regional and suburban rail operators warned that continued delays were possible into Wednesday morning.

Mail Online
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EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Billionaire threatens to close down Harvey Nicks
They're both billionaires but their stylistic differences could scarcely be more striking.

Mail Online
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NIGEL FARAGE: Burnham's coup is so brazen it would make commanders of a banana republic blush
Ten years ago this week, the Brexit vote delivered an earthquake in Westminster. When the result was announced, the landscape of British politics shifted permanently.

Mail Online
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Father was watching news about heatwave drownings when the police knocked at his door and said his teenage son was missing in lake
David-Junior Tita, 17, from Crewe, died at Pickmere Lake near Knutsford after entering the water with friends during record-breaking temperatures at the end of last month.

Mail Online
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Urgent recall on apples and kiwi fruit sold at supermarkets across the country over Salmonella fears
An alert was issued by the Food Standards Agency stating PrepWorld has recalled several fruit packets from major grocery stores after testing identified Salmonella in apple and kiwi.

Mail Online
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It's not just Brits finding new ways to keep cool amid 40C 'heat dome'...
Instead of taking multiple cold showers a day like those with opposable thumbs, sweltering animals are being hosed down by zookeepers to stay cool in the blistering 'heat dome'.

Mail Online
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Religion can have same effect as taking DRUGS: Rituals trigger the release of opioids in the brain, study reveals
Religious rituals are practised all around the world - and experts may now have worked out why they're so popular.

Mail Online
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Grieving families hope for answers as the largest maternity review in the history of NHS is released today detailing widespread failures which led to baby deaths
The long-awaited review into failings at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is expected to reveal shocking examples of poor care during an 'institutional cover-up' of baby deaths.

Mail Online
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TV property expert saves her dream kitchen at her £1million home from demolition after 'serial complainant' moaned it was six INCHES too tall
A television pundit has saved her dream kitchen from demolition after an extraordinary five-year planning battle over a roof built just six inches too high amid objections from a 'serial complainant'.

Mail Online
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Moment Elizabeth line passengers rush to man's defence after he is slapped by insult-hurling stranger on busy carriage - then force attacker to apologise
Stomach-churning footage shows an unidentified man slapping another passenger on board a service from Forest Gate towards central London on Thursday.

Mail Online
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Thomas Tuchel's touchline tirade: Furious England boss rages at Djed Spence during drab World Cup draw with Ghana before substituting Tottenham star as Three Lions are handed reality check
After the high of beating Croatia last week, the Three Lions failed to breach a rigid Ghana defence as they were made to settle for a point in their second match of the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Council enforcement officer who threatened to 'knock out' member of the public issues 'waffling' apology video - and claims HE was harassed
Joseph Fernandes, 38, (right) and Umar Siddiq, 30, were branded 'thugs in uniform' after the viral encounter on May 18 saw the pair telling Alvin, 23, they would 'rip his teeth out'.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump's war with Iran
The resolution is largely symbolic, but it adds to pressure on the White House to end the conflict once and for all.

Deutsche Welle
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Trains resume after radio issue resolved, Deutsche Bahn says
Train services across the country have resumed following a technical meltdown on Tuesday night. But regional and suburban rail operators warned that continued delays were possible into Wednesday morning.

Mail Online
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Bill Gates admits to affairs with Harvard-trained doctor and Russian nuclear scientist in shocking Epstein grilling
Bill Gates told Congress he had three extramarital affairs, naming medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt and Russian nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina. He said he told his wife Melinda.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Papers: 'Heat engulfs UK' and 'Ghana be alright'
UK braces for record June heatwave and England's 0-0 draw against Ghana leads Wednesday's papers.

Mail Online
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Why I fear Andy Burnham could hit EVERY family with £13,000 death duties: RACHEL RICKARD STRAUS
Andy Burnham wants to ditch inheritance tax .From any Labour leader that would be a surprise, but it's especially so for one with his socialist credentials.

Mail Online
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Grumpy Jude Bellingham insists he does NOT deserve Man of the Match award after England's World Cup stalemate: 'It should have gone to a Ghana player'
The Three Lions endured a frustrating afternoon in Boston, where they failed to break the deadlock against the resilient Africans despite boasting almost 80 per cent possession.

Mail Online
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Bill Gates admits to multiple affairs including Russian nuclear scientist in Epstein testimony before House
Bill Gates told Congress he had three extramarital affairs, naming medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt and Russian nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina. He said he told his wife Melinda.

BBC World News
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Eight sentenced to 450 years in prison over anti-ICE riot where officer was shot
An officer was shot in the neck during the Texas disorder by "Antifa Cell operatives", prosecutors said.

Mail Online
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England vs Ghana - World Cup RECAP: All the reaction as Three Lions are frustrated by stubborn Group L rivals in Boston with Thomas Tuchel's side handed World Cup wake-up call
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

The Guardian (UK)
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England’s grizzly Ghana draw exposes limitations of Madueke and Gordon | Barney Ronay
Inverted wingers were unable to adjust their game, even when they kept running down the same dead end streetAfter the high: the comedown. You could probably have seen this coming. If only that rush after half-time in Dallas, where England surged with such alluring creative energy, hadn’t been quite so much of a buzz.It turns out, however, that this is still an England tournament team. Nothing comes easily. The world will not bend to you. We can’t have nice things. Or only some nice things sometimes. By the end watching England struggle in Boston against a gristly and indigestible Ghana was like having your will, hope, sense of fun slowly sucked out of your body through a surgical drainage catheter. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The economic challenges facing the next prime minister
Though the person in charge of the country will change, the fiscal issues remain the same.

Digital Trends
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These are the best Prime Day deals on health wearables that I’d recommend before they sell out
Prime Day has dropped prices on some of the best health wearables, including Fitbit trackers, Oura Ring 4, Apple Watch Series 11, Galaxy Watch 8, and more.

Digital Trends
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I dug through Prime Day’s smartwatch deals so you don’t have to, and these are the winners
Prime Day 2026 has real smartwatch discounts, and these seven picks cover every budget and use case.

Digital Trends
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These are the best Prime Day earbud deals I highly recommend to shoppers
Prime Day brings major discounts on earbuds from AirPods, Pixel Buds, Beats, Bose, and more.

TechRadar News
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We're tracking the best Prime Day tech deals live — 121 biggest discounts on Apple, Samsung, Kindle, Sony, and more

TechRadar News
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Amazon's answer to Samsung's Frame TV has dropped to its lowest price yet — and it has two big advantages over Samsung's option that should tempt you

TechRadar News
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I just took a Fujifilm instant camera on my Euro summer trip, and it transformed my whole approach to holiday snaps — for the better

TechRadar News
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This Intel 'server' on a PCIe card has up to 38 Xeon cores, 64GB RAM, two SSDs — and yes, it can even charge your smartphone

TechRadar News
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I've reviewed gaming headsets for nearly a decade, and these are a bunch of the ones I'd recommend right now

TechRadar News
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‘Travelers are getting better at spotting obvious scams' — but experts warn Airbnb scams are on the rise as summer arrives

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The No. 1 NBA draft pick will make nearly $70 million as TV deals keep money flowing into the NBA
There’s so much money at stake in the NBA draft that falling a few slots could cost a player $30 million.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alphabet’s stock is set to join the Dow, pivoting index’s industrial roots toward tech
As Alphabet rolls out more data centers — and borrowing money to do it — it can be argued that it is becoming more of an industrial company, says strategist

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX pulls off one of the biggest AI debt deals yet
The offering is set to close on Friday and help SpaceX pay off its existing debt

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Who failed to make an impact? England player ratings
BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell rates the players after the 0-0 draw with Ghana - plus have your say.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Germany rail network briefly halted nationwide due to IT malfunction
Rail company Deutsche Bahn had to pause train services across the country for more than two-and-a-half hours.

Mail Online
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Trump's inner circle reveal his true feeling on JD Vance... and why the succession war with Rubio is already won: MARK HALPERIN
Vance's situation may be even more complicated than is typically the case for vice presidents, as he faces the most discerning critic: President Donald Trump.

Mail Online
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Pension boost of £359 if you take care of grandkids - but only if their parents are working
Some 160,000 successful claims for annual credits were made between 2016 and 2025 by grandparents or other family members.

Mail Online
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Normal three-bedroom home in Lincolnshire hits the market... with listing showing off its office full of Nazi memorabilia
The semi-detached house appears totally conventional, featuring a spacious living area, modern bathroom, three stylish bedrooms as well as a large driveway and garden.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Weather for the week ahead
Will the extreme heat forecast for some parts of the UK last into next week? Chris Fawkes has the details.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
How to make sure your pets are cool and comfortable during periods of hot weather.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Heat pump growth stalls as government support cut, warns climate watchdog
The growth in sales has slowed significantly after a critical government grant programme was cut.

The Verge
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The Nex Playground is down to its pre-RAMageddon price during Prime Day
The Nex Playground is the family-centric, Kinect-like game console that made one Verge editor’s kids laugh, cry, and ask for more playtime, even when they were sick. The motion-based game play isn’t perfect, but it has won over plenty of parents — and it’s on sale for $239 at Amazon, down from its current MSRP […]

ZeroHedge News
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Automakers Race Into Humanoid Robots As Timeline For Blue-Collar Job Disruption Emerges
Automakers Race Into Humanoid Robots As Timeline For Blue-Collar Job Disruption Emerges

Bernstein analyst Eunice Lee is out with a fascinating note explaining why automakers are making a mad dash into the world of humanoid robotics, arguing that their manufacturing scale, supply-chain depth, and years of investment in autonomous driving give them a structural lead in the emerging physical-AI market.

Lee writes that automakers are also seeking new revenue streams beyond the core vehicle business, with humanoids poised to move from factory floors into the physical world across retail, security, public service, and eventually homes.

From Tesla and Hyundai to XPeng, Xiaomi, BYD, Geely, and Chery, automakers are quickly moving beyond EVs and into humanoids through in-house development, acquisitions, minority stakes, and strategic partnerships. Lee said this trend became visible in China, where multiple OEM-linked robots were showcased at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.



"OEMs are entering humanoid robotics to boost productivity and unlock new revenue streams," Lee wrote in the note.

She noted, "Automakers have several advantages across hardware, software, and scale. There is significant overlap between vehicle and humanoid components—motors, reducers, sensors —as well as manufacturing."



Here are the automakers in the humanoid robot lead:  

1. Tesla is developing its humanoid robot Optimus, progressing from Gen 1 (2022) to Gen 2 and Gen 2.5 prototypes by 2025, reflecting rapid iteration in hardware and software. Its strategy starts with manufacturing applications, with a long- term ambition to expand into consumer and household scenarios. Tesla targets limited commercialization in 2026 and volume shipments in 2027. A key constraint is that dexterous hand capability remains a major bottleneck, limiting real-world deployment readiness despite strong system-level progress.

2. Hyundai, the parent company of Boston Dynamics, is pursuing an aggressive humanoid roadmap, transitioning Atlas from R&D to industrial deployment. Production-ready Atlas robots are being introduced into real factory environments, with initial applications in parts sequencing and heavy-duty manufacturing tasks. The group is targeting annual production capacity of up to 30,000 units by 2028, alongside internal rollout of over 25,000 robots across Hyundai facilities. This combination of full-stack control, large-scale manufacturing plans, and clear volume targets positions Hyundai as the leading OEM in humanoid robot industrialization.

3. XPeng is one of the more ambitious OEMs in humanoid robotics, with its IRON robot evolving through multiple generations during 2024-2025. A key milestone was its 2025 AI Day debut, where IRON's natural, catwalk-like walk went viral—so lifelike that audience questioned whether a human was inside. This showcased a major breakthrough in human-like locomotion and established XPeng as a frontrunner in embodied intelligence. The company targets mass production by end-2026 and global deliveries in 2027, focusing on both industrial and retail/service use cases such as showroom assistants and patrol robots, aiming for near-term commercialization.

4. Chery is currently one of the more advanced OEMs in China on commercialization, with its humanoid robot "Moyin" achieving global delivery of 220 units in 2025 and further deployments across public service scenarios such as policing and medical guidance. Chery's humanoid robot are available for purchase for RMB 285.8k (US$41k) through e-commerce channels like JD.com (LINK). Chery stands out for delivering the first meaningful batch of products among OEMs, a diversified product ecosystem (including robot dogs and service robots), and a clear three-stage roadmap from companion robots to public service and, eventually, household applications.

5. GAC has developed the GoMate humanoid series (now at the 4th-generation GoMate Mini), targeting applications in elderly care, security, and industrial environments, with pilot production planned for 2026 and mass production in 2027. Incrementally, GAC differentiates itself through innovations such as a wheel-legged hybrid mobility structure and by spinning off a dedicated robotics subsidiary to accelerate commercialization in a more market-oriented structure.

Early industrial deployment of these bots:

1. BMW has rapidly progressed humanoid robotics from pilot testing to real production environments, building on early collaborations with Figure's robots in 2025. At its Spartanburg plant, humanoids supported the production of over 30k vehicles through tasks such as sheet-metal handling, demonstrating reliability in high-throughput settings. The company is now expanding pilots to Europe, with deployments in Leipzig targeting battery assembly, intralogistics, and component production from summer 2026. BMW's strategy emphasizes iterative scaling through live manufacturing validation, positioning humanoids as flexible co-workers rather than committing to immediate mass production.

2. Toyota is among the first OEMs to convert humanoid pilots into commercial deployment through a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model with Agility Robotics. Following a successful pilot, Toyota signed a 2026 agreement to deploy Digit humanoids in production, focusing on logistics tasks such as parts handling and line feeding. Initial deployments remain small

Emerging players:

1. Xiaomi has been developing humanoid robots since 2020, launching CyberOne in 2022 and more recently open-sourcing its Xiaomi-Robotics-0 embodied AI model in 2026. Its current focus is on manufacturing scenarios such as inspection and assembly, though no clear mass production timeline has been announced. Xiaomi has demonstrated strong technical progress, including achieving over 90% success rates in real factory tasks and advancing high-precision dexterous hand capabilities, supported by its strength in AI foundation models and embodied intelligence.

2. BYD is advancing an internally developed humanoid robot project (codename "Yao Shun Yu"), initiated in 2022 and supported by partnerships such as its embodied intelligence lab with HKUST. BYD stands out for its deep vertical integration across batteries, motors, semiconductors, and precision manufacturing, as well as its potential to leverage its global dealership network for future commercialization.

3. Li Auto is taking a differentiated approach by framing robotics under a broader "space robot" concept, incorporating wheeled robots for manufacturing and future humanoids potentially for household use. While mass production plans are not disclosed, the company has established dedicated robotics business units. Li Auto is notable for its emphasis on AI, including heavy investment in large models such as Mind GPT, and its vision of integrating robots into a wider in-car, wearable, and intelligent ecosystem.

Complete overview of the auto industry by company developing humanoids:



More color from Lee about why automakers are expanding into humanoids:

Auto OEMs are expanding into humanoid robotics for two main reasons: to raise internal productivity and to open up new revenue pools beyond the core vehicle business. They also believe they possess structural advantages in manufacturing, supply chains, and embodied AI that position them well in this emerging category.

On raising internal productivity: Humanoid robots offer a logical next step in factory and warehouse automation, especially as manufacturers face rising labour costs, an aging workforce, and persistent shortages in repetitive, physically demanding, or harsh-environment roles. While stamping, welding, and painting are already highly automated, final assembly and intralogistics remain comparatively labour-intensive. This leaves a meaningful automation gap in tasks such as material handling, precision assembly, inspection, and testing. Humanoid robots could help narrow that gap by operating in tighter spaces and more complex shop-floor environments than traditional fixed automation. Material handling is a particularly relevant use case, given its high injury incidence and recurring labour shortages during peak production periods. If execution improves and costs fall, humanoids could support both labour substitution and structurally lower manufacturing costs over time.

Opening up new external revenue streams: Some OEMs, including Tesla and XPeng, have framed the long-term total addressable market for humanoid robots as comparable to, or potentially larger than, the automotive market. In addition to manufacturing and warehouse settings, humanoids could eventually address a broad range of consumer and service applications, including patrol and security, retail guide and store operations, and, over the longer term, household assistance. For OEMs, the appeal is not only participation in a potentially large new market, but also the opportunity to extend their capabilities in high-volume manufacturing, supply chain know how, software, sensing, and control systems into a new product category.



Here are the jobs humanoids could displace in the next 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and 5 years and beyond.



We suspect the adoption curve for humanoids will be much steeper than the rollout of automobiles over a century ago.



Humanoid robot adoption should accelerate over the next several years as automakers position themselves to become key suppliers of these bots that could easily disrupt blue-collar work across factories, warehouses, logistics networks, and eventually homes.

The labor disruption theme is already unfolding across white-collar jobs, where AI-related layoffs have topped 50,000 so far this year. Goldman recently outlined the college degrees youngsters should avoid as AI begins reshaping entry-level career paths.

Professional subscribers can read more on humanoids and AI at our Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 18:50

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Next Commodity Supercycle Has Already Started
The Next Commodity Supercycle Has Already Started

Authored by Chris Macintosh via InternationalMan.com,

The world rotates between two sectors: technology and energy.



You have to turn the lights on or nothing happens. You need both the lights and the energy to power them. No lights, only energy? Nothing. Lights with no energy? Nothing.

Essentially you have to innovate or you never progress. Markets tend to rotate between those two broad sectors accordingly.

Go back to the height of the energy boom in 2013 and 2014. You couldn’t give Microsoft away. Energy, on the other hand, could do no wrong. That was the time to own tech.

Then tech took a bottle of Viagra and proceeded to shoot the lights out from 2014 through roughly 2022 while energy was decimated and left for dead. The way it works is that the last clutch of investors in any given sector go about losing their shirts and as a result are extremely reluctant to re-enter it anytime soon.

Recall that in 2001, the NASDAQ pulled back by a whopping 75%. That unleashed a commodity supercycle that ran all the way to 2014. When the NASDAQ recovered to its prior high, oil rolled over almost to the day… and the cycle reset. History suggests oil goes up seven times on average during such a cycle. Historically, the NASDAQ gets taken down 50 to 75%.

We are at the point where we think both have pretty decent probabilities. Hence our long positions on energy and short positions on NASDAQ.

What Has Changed: China Weaponises the Periodic Table

This cycle is bigger — far bigger and more structurally meaningful — than anything I’ve ever seen or researched by looking back at prior decades. The key driver is geopolitical and elemental.

China has weaponised the periodic table. The world’s two largest powers have divided the material world between them.

China dominates the periodic table, namely metals, rare earths, and critical minerals. China is, in essence, an electron state.

The United States dominates the organic chemistry version: hydrocarbons, food, fuels. The US is a molecular state.

When China restricted exports of critical minerals and rare earth magnets in October of last year, it immediately revealed how fragile Western manufacturing supply chains are. A magnet might represent 0.00001% of GDP, but remove it and you shut down an entire industry.

The same logic applies to oil. People say oil is a small share of the economy, but you pull it out and everything stops. Efficiency gains over decades have actually made oil more critical, not less. We’ve stripped out all the low-priority uses, leaving only the essential ones. You cannot substitute away from what remains. No energy, no civilisation. Simple.

This power struggle between the United States and China is the central frame for understanding commodity markets over the coming decade.

The End of the Bretton Woods Hegemon

The broader geopolitical structure underpinning commodity markets is fracturing.

The Bretton Woods world was built in 1944 when the United States had the only functioning manufacturing supply chain on earth.

The grand bargain was simple: America would take its enormous navy — inherited from the British, who inherited it from the Spanish and Portuguese before them (a 400-year accumulation of ports, bases, and sea lanes) — and protect global shipping in exchange for the world trading in US dollars.

The most important commodity flowing through those lanes was, and still is, oil.

Three things have now broken that model:


The US shale revolution made America energy independent, removing its incentive to protect global supply lanes.


Higher interest rates then exposed the fiscal impossibility of maintaining that role — Medicare and Social Security are the largest line items in the US budget, interest costs are now second, and defence is third. The US simply cannot continue to be the world’s policeman at this cost structure. Socialism combined with fiscal irresponsibility, compounding.


And China is actively resupplying and supporting its allies — Russia and Iran — making any US-led enforcement action structurally harder.

When the US protects a ship carrying Chilean copper from Santiago to Shanghai, it is paying the security bill for its primary strategic competitor. That arrangement is now ending. The problem is there is no replacement hegemon large enough to step into that role.

The world may be reverting to something resembling the Dutch East India Company era — state-sponsored sovereign entities with their own security arrangements, trading in gold, silver, and hard assets, using mercenary forces to protect supply chains.

Large corporations like Apple and Exxon are beginning to look more like sovereign entities than conventional companies.

*  *  *

The rotation from technology to energy and commodities is only one part of a much larger shift now underway. Debt, money printing, geopolitical conflict, and deep cultural changes are all colliding at the same time. That means the years ahead could bring extraordinary volatility—and extraordinary opportunity—for investors who understand what is really happening. That is why we recently prepared a free special report called Clash of the Systems: Thoughts on Investing at a Unique Point in Time. In it, contrarian money manager Chris MacIntosh explains the major economic, political, and cultural trends unfolding right now, what risks they could create for your money and personal freedom, and what you could do to stay one step ahead. You can get the full report here.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 19:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Admin Kicks Off American Nuclear Renaissance With $17.5 Billion Loan Program For Reactor Projects
Trump Admin Kicks Off American Nuclear Renaissance With $17.5 Billion Loan Program For Reactor Projects

With hyperscalers set to spend roughly $800 billion on data-center capex this year alone, alongside reshoring and broader grid electrification, baseload power demand is poised to surge.

We have made the case that intermittent solar and wind are no match for the scale and reliability requirements of the modern economy, and that nuclear power is emerging as the clean, always-on power source needed to power the AI era.

The Wall Street Journal reports Tuesday morning that the Trump administration plans to supercharge the deployment of nuclear power with a $17.5 billion low-interest loan program to help utilities finance orders for Westinghouse Electric Co.'s AP1000 reactors.

The Energy Department, under Secretary Chris Wright, plans to make five loans available for two-reactor projects, with the goal of expediting equipment orders and cutting up to three years from construction timelines.

More from the report:


Seven utilities have already signed formal letters of intent for the five available project loans, according to the Energy Department, which didn't name the utilities.


Wright said the plan to accelerate the deployment timeline of ten reactors will "unleash the next American nuclear renaissance."

Those reactors "will also help accelerate the timeline of building those large-scale reactors by up to three years, lowering construction costs and ensuring the United States is able to deliver on President Trump's bold and ambitious energy addition agenda," Wright said.

The AP1000 reactors, which produce about 1,100 megawatts of power, are slated to come online in 2035 and will generate enough electricity to power a midsize city or a large data center.



Westinghouse Electric CEO Dan Sumner stated, "It really kick-starts fleet-scale nuclear development in the United States."

The problem is that the US track record of bringing new nuclear power reactors online has been awful. The only completed domestic AP1000s are Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia, which entered commercial service in July 2023 and April 2024, and took ten years to build.

The latest nuclear reactor construction note from Goldman shows China is in the lead with 40 reactors under construction, followed by India with eight and Russia with six.



Read the latest on the nuclear reactor construction tracker (here).

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 19:40

UK Government News
Open 
Driving bans for those who refuse to repay benefit debts as new DWP powers come into force 
People who have stopped receiving benefits but still refuse to repay money owed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be banned from driving under sweeping new powers that come into force today.  

Russia Today News
Open 
Senate votes to remove US forces from conflict with Iran

Gizmodo
Open 
Anthropic’s New ID Checks for Claude Won’t Save Fable 5 From Trump’s Ban
The company has said its new age-verification measure “applies only to a small subset of users.”

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scientists find ‘smoking gun’ evidence of world’s oldest meteorite strike in Western Australia
Curtin University researchers use innovative techniques to date three-billion-year-old impact crater in Pilbara regionA meteorite that struck Earth three billion years ago left behind a “smoking gun” – evidence of the world’s oldest impact crater in a remote part of Australia.Ancient rocks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region record the event, which occurred during the Archean eon, a period 4 to 2.5 billion years ago, when tectonic plates were beginning to form and early life emerging. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US midterm primaries: Republican Alan Wilson wins South Carolina governor runoff as New York races test Mamdani’s influence - live
Trump previously endorsed lieutenant governor Pamela Evette but last Friday also endorsed Wilson; Maryland and Utah also votingMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘I’m back’: Ronaldo’s relief after double kickstarts Portugal World Cup push
41-year-old heavily criticised after DR Congo draw‘It felt like I’d already retired from football,’ he addsCristiano Ronaldo savoured the end of a “difficult, dark week” after scoring twice in Portugal’s 5-0 rout of Uzbekistan and becoming the first player to find the net in six World Cups.Ronaldo and Portugal had come under heavy criticism after a flat draw against Democratic Republic of the Congo. There had been a particular spotlight on the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had not scored in 10 major tournament games before Tuesday’s fixture. There have long been question marks over his continued ability to lead Portugal on this stage, but after the final whistle he shouted into a television camera: “I’m back, I’m back.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ingenuity absent for turgid England as they fail to break down Ghana’s yellow wall | Jacob Steinberg
Thomas Tuchel experiences an England tradition – a difficult second game at a major tournamentThere were times when this looked like the goalless draw with the USA at the 2022 World Cup, or the misshapen stalemate with Denmark in Frankfurt two years ago. For Thomas Tuchel, the worry was that the more passive patterns from the Gareth Southgate era had not quite been driven out of this team yet. The German was watching an England tradition, the difficult second tournament game, and as the hour approached it was possible to see Tuchel becoming increasingly agitated on the touchline.England were predictable and turgid for long spells against a determined Ghana side who earned their point with an exhibition of purest Queiroz-ball. There was no caustic half-time interview from Anthony Barry, no stunning second-half surge. Instead, after the freewheeling attacking play that saw off Croatia last week, this felt familiar. This felt anxious. In the cramped football and sideways passing, this felt more England. They created nothing until a late flurry of chances, and when it was over it was tempting to wonder if the reaction from the crowd would have been more negative if it had been Southgate rather than Tuchel standing in the technical area at Boston Stadium. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein ads in UK banned over ‘recycled’ clothing claims
UK regulator has increased its scrutiny of fashion retailers over potentially misleading environmental statementsAds for Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo promoting “recycled” clothing and shoes have been banned by the UK watchdog after the advertisers were unable to prove their green claims.Each of the fashion companies ran paid-for Google ads, with Adidas promoting “recycled running shoes”, Calvin Klein “recycled” tops for women, and Uniqlo advertised fleece coats and jackets made from “recycled materials”. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Should Ghana have been awarded a penalty against England?
England fans have been left frustrated by the goalless draw against Ghana, but were Thomas Tuchel's side fortunate not to have given away a penalty?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Want to feel happier at work? Take a five-minute walk
Sitting for prolonged periods is associated with health complications – but you can counteract the risks of a sedentary life.

ZDNet News
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These are the best Prime Day monitor deals live now - get them before it's too late
During Amazon Prime Day, you can save hundreds of dollars on gaming monitors, professional displays, and budget screens.

Mail Online
Open 
Donald Trump's starring role in World Cup final is revealed by gleeful FIFA President Gianni Infantino
President Donald Trump will be celebrating a World Cup victory on July 19 in New Jersey whether or not it's the United States that wins the ongoing tournament.

Mail Online
Open 
Connecticut woman is arrested for murder nearly DECADE after newborn was found dumped inside dumpster
Dominique Harrison, 28, appeared in court on Monday nearly a decade after her newborn baby boy was found inside a dumpster in Connecticut.

BBC World News
Open 
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba sues US government over defence blacklist
It is suing the US defence department after it was added to a list of firms with ties to the Chinese military.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
My Favorite Art TV Is Half-off for Amazon Prime Day
HiSense's new CanvasTV line is a better buy than the Samsung Frame, even at full price. And it's not full price right now.

Wired Top Stories
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117 Prime Day Deals on Gear We’ve Tested and Would Spend Our Own Money On
We've gone from A to Z to find Amazon's best Prime Day deals on the gear worth owning.

Wired Top Stories
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Amazon Prime Day Deal 2026: A Tushy Bidet for Under $100
A lot of American bathrooms don't have outlets near the toilet. Tushy Classic 3.0 and Wave bidets, on sale for Prime Day, solve the problem.

CNET News
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TCL's SQD Mini-LED TV Tech: What to Know Before Prime Day Shopping
The new display technology might offer the best balance between all the recent advances in color, sharpness and brightness.

The Hill
Open 
AI proxy war in NY race
{beacon} Technology Technology   The Big Story Proxy war between AI industry, in NY House race New York City voters are set to deliver their verdict Tuesday in one of the most prominent election battles between artificial intelligence companies and the nonprofits pushing for stricter rules on the new technology. © AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File...

The Hill
Open 
Appeals court pauses deadline for Interior to restore NPS displays
A federal appeals court on Tuesday temporarily halted next week’s deadline for the Trump administration to restore dozens of displays removed from national parks over the past year in a crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change material. The three-judge panel for the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously agreed to pause part...

The Hill
Open 
Wilson wins South Carolina GOP gubernatorial runoff after last-minute Trump endorsement
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) is projected to win the primary runoff for the GOP's gubernatorial nomination, according to Decision Desk HQ, putting him on a clear path to victory in November. Wilson on Tuesday defeated South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R), who finished first in the crowded June 9 primary with...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Germany rail network halted nationwide due to IT malfunction
Rail company Deutsche Bahn had to pause train services across the country for more than two-and-a-half hours.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The UK's summers are getting hotter - but how prepared are we?
Based on current trends parts of the UK are set to see 40C summers regularly within a couple of decades.

Mail Online
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Don't put economy at mercy of 'Red Ed': Growing alarm among City leaders over prospect of Burnham installing Left-wing Net Zero zealot Ed Miliband as Chancellor
Senior figures from the world of business joined forces with even Burnham-backing Labour MPs to warn that the Energy Secretary would wreak havoc if he was put in charge of the economy.

Mail Online
Open 
Lammy is facing the sack as Burnham rewards Lucy Powell - and seeks to boost number of women at top of his team
Ms Powell, a long-standing Burnham ally, will be handed the role after she helped guide the former Greater Manchester mayor to the brink of Downing Street .

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Trains resume after radio issue resolved, Deutsche Bahn says
Train services across the country have resumed following a technical meltdown on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
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The Morning Poll: Why does Britain fall apart when it gets hot?
Other countries routinely cope with higher temperatures, so why does Britain struggle so much in hot weather?

Mail Online
Open 
These intimate tales of near-death experiences make for brilliant TV, CHRISTOPHER STEVENS writes
In the last of the ten-minute episodes of It Happened To Me, Matthew Allick described how he suffered a cardiac arrest that left him clinically dead for ten minutes.

Mail Online
Open 
Revered artist is caught secretly recording kids and parents using bathroom during his birthday party at home, police say
Andrew Farago, the former curator of Cartoon Art Museum, was arrested on June 3 on 20 counts of invasion of privacy involving the use of a hidden camera.

Mail Online
Open 
Shark attack victim Leah Stewart wakes up from her coma in miraculous update - as her brother reveals her first words
Leah Stewart, 35, was mauled by a great white shark while swimming at Coogee Beach, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on June 13.

Mac Rumours
Open 
iOS 27 Weather App: All the New Features
There are no new AI features in the iOS 27 Weather app, but Apple did make improvements to the layout. It's now easier to see at-a-glance information for weather conditions.





Highlights

The top of the Weather app now has a Highlights section that shows you need-to-know weather information for the day.





Conditions

There are new views for the Conditions section of the main Weather app interface. In addition to viewing temperature and current condition on an hourly basis, you can toggle over to a precipitation or wind view.





Precipitation shows you an hour-by-hour chance of rain forecast, while wind displays a breakdown of wind speed.



10-Day View

The 10-day view also changes when you swap between the different condition options so you can see precipitation and wind overviews for the next 10 days without having to tap into a more detailed view.



Widgets

There's a new extra large size available for Home Screen widgets, which is applicable to the Weather app. You can set the Weather app to take up an entire app page.





More iOS 27 Features

There are a long list of new features in ‌iOS 27‌, with details available in our iOS 27 roundup.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'iOS 27 Weather App: All the New Features' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Trains resume after radio issue resolved, Deutsche Bahn says
A radio fault at the German rail network has now been solved and trains have resumed.

Mail Online
Open 
Notorious Liverpool gangster killed in Holland nine years after 'committing a double murder' was shot dead while trying to collect a debt
Paul Parker was killed on June 1 after a fight inside a garage in the Dutch city of Heerhugowaard.

BBC World News
Open 
Stanford was their golden ticket - could AI help or hinder that?
The BBC spoke with Stanford University graduates about what they really think about artificial intelligence.

BBC World News
Open 
E-commerce giant Alibaba sues US government over defence blacklist
The e-commerce giant is suing the US defence department after it was added to a blacklist of firms with ties to the Chinese military.

Mail Online
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PM and Burnham at war over defence: Starmer bid to settle military cash blueprint BEFORE No10 changeover
Sir Keir's charge to deliver his ten-year Defence Investment Plan (DIP) enraged allies of the PM-in-waiting and drew criticism from a former Civil Service chief.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein ads banned over ‘recycled’ clothing claims
UK regulator has increased its scrutiny of fashion retailers over potentially misleading environmental statementsAds for Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo promoting “recycled” clothing and shoes have been banned by the UK watchdog after the advertisers were unable to prove their green claims.Each of the fashion companies ran paid-for Google ads, with Adidas promoting “recycled running shoes”, Calvin Klein “recycled” tops for women, and Uniqlo advertised fleece coats and jackets made from “recycled materials”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Deaths linked to London air pollution have fallen 40%, study estimates
However, Imperial College team also find that pollution has worse health impact than previously understoodDeaths linked to air pollution fell by an estimated 40% in London over the five years from 2019, according to new analysis.The city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, welcomed what he called “overwhelming evidence” that his ultra-low emission zone was saving lives. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Trains across Germany halted due to problem with communication system
Germany's railway system was brought to a halt, leaving some passengers stranded across the country due to an IT issue.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ten years on, Brexit's economic impact is becoming clearer
A decade ago, many economists argued the UK would sustain longer-term economic damage by leaving the EU. So what did happen?

TechRadar News
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I review tech for a living, and these are the 7 essential tech buys I'd recommend for your summer travels

TechRadar News
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The LG UltraGear 5K2K is my dream ultrawide gaming monitor — but there’s one big reason why I’m holding off from upgrading

TechRadar News
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Not sure if a Kindle Colorsoft is worth the cash? Here are 4 alternative color ereaders to consider — including a 5-star standout

TechRadar News
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Prime Day mini PC deal: My daughter wanted a mini PC for school, and this is the most powerful one I could find under $500

TechRadar News
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NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #1109)

TechRadar News
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Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #1612)

TechRadar News
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NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, June 24 (game #843)

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch Colombia vs DR Congo: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

Sky News Home
Open 
Trains across Germany halted due to problem with communication system
Germany's railway system was brought to a halt leaving some passengers stranded across the country due to an IT issue.

BBC UK News
Open 
How has Northern Ireland's economy fared since Brexit?
A decade on from Brexit, BBC News NI's John Campbell looks at whether the region has benefited from having dual access to the EU and GB markets.

BBC UK News
Open 
Largest maternity review in NHS history to be published
The review of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is expected to detail how failings led to deaths and avoidable harm.

Slashdot
Open 
China Reclaims Fastest Supercomputer At 2 Exaflops
Longtime Slashdot reader hackingbear shares a report from TOP500: The 67th edition of the TOP500 list of the world's most powerful supercomputers was announced today at the ISC 2026 conference in Hamburg, Germany. LineShine, a previously unlisted system installed in China, debuts at No. 1, displacing El Capitan as the world's most powerful supercomputer as measured by the High Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark. LineShine achieved 2.198 Exaflop/s on HPL -- about 80 percent of its 2.736 Exaflop/s theoretical peak -- making it the first system on the TOP500 to exceed two exaflops of sustained double-precision performance using CPUs only.

Installed at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen (NSCS) and built by the Shenzhen Cloud Computing Center, the system is based on a custom Chinese processor and the "LingKun" platform: 13.79 million cores across 304-core LX2 processors running at 1.55 GHz, linked by the proprietary LingQi interconnect and running Kylin OS. LineShine draws approximately 42.2 megawatts of power, for an efficiency of 52.07 Gigaflops/Watt. Its debut marks the first time since 2017 that a Chinese system has led the TOP500, and it also takes over the No. 1 position on the HPCG ranking with 22.00 HPCG-Petaflop/s. On the HPL-MxP mixed-precision benchmark, LineShine reached 7.92 Exaflop/s for fourth place, a comparatively modest 3.6x speedup over its HPL score that points to a CPU-only design without dedicated low-precision accelerators. While impressive, "the results may say more about Beijing's desire to show self-sufficiency in computing systems than its standing in the global AI race," reports Reuters.

Reuters interviewed tech and policy experts who said that the results "do not mean that China has the world's fastest computer for AI work because of changes in the computing industry in recent years and the methods used to compile the list." The reports notes that LineShine "ranked fourth on a benchmark test designed to simulate computing work that is more similar to AI."

Jimmy Goodrich, a senior fellow at the University of California's Institute for Global Conflict and Cooperation, said: "If the hyperscalers submitted their systems, this 'world's fastest' would not crack the top five." Addison Snell, CEO of Intersect360 Research, a firm that focuses on supercomputers, added: "I'm not surprised it's the number one system. What I'm surprised by is that they submitted it and want recognition for it."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Slashdot
Open 
29-Year-Old Squid Proxy Bug 'Squidbleed' Can Leak Cleartext HTTP Requests
A 29-year-old bug in the Squid web proxy, dubbed Squidbleed and tracked as CVE-2026-47729, can let an authorized proxy user retrieve fragments of another user's cleartext HTTP requests, including credentials and session tokens. The security researcher who reported the flaw credited Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview for the discovery. The Hacker News reports: Squid describes this as an attack by a trusted client: someone already permitted to use the proxy, not any random host on the internet. That matches Squid's usual home, shared networks like schools, offices, and public Wi-Fi. In those setups, the attacker is just another user of the same proxy. The leak also only reaches traffic that Squid can read. Normal HTTPS rides an opaque CONNECT tunnel, so Squid never sees inside it; the exposed traffic is cleartext HTTP, plus TLS-terminating setups where Squid decrypts and inspects. The attacker also needs the proxy to reach an FTP server they control on port 21. Both FTP and that port are on by default.

[...] If you patch, verify the fix, not just the version. Confirm the guard is in FtpGateway.cc, or check your distribution's backport, since distros ship their own builds (Debian packages Squid 5.7). The public thread is still inconsistent: maintainer Amos Jeffries first said Squid 7.6 carried the fix, then corrected that to 7.7, and on June 22 Debian's Salvatore Bonaccorso noted the referenced commit looks like it is already in 7.6. The fix is small, a null-terminator check before the vulnerable strchr calls, merged to the development branch in April and v7 in May. Squid 7.6 does separately patch CVE-2026-50012, an unrelated cache_digest heap overflow.

The cleaner move is the one the researchers recommend anyway: turn FTP off. Chromium dropped FTP years ago, and most networks carry almost none of it, so disabling it removes this attack surface for free, whatever build you run. The risk is real but bounded. SUSE rates it moderate, CVSS 6.5, and the vector explains the score: the attacker needs proxy access (low privileges), and the only impact is confidentiality, nothing on integrity or availability.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegraph
Open 
England brought down to earth in frustrating stalemate with Ghana
England brought down to earth in frustrating stalemate with Ghana

Mail Online
Open 
Jude Bellingham accused of X-rated outburst by Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz after furious half-time bust-up... as lip reader reveals foul-mouthed exchange between ex-Man United assistant and Thomas Tuchel
The Three Lions endured a frustrating first period against the African side, as they failed to break down a resolute defence on the back of an impressive win over Croatia in game one last week.

Sky News Home
Open 
Trains across Germany halted due to problem with communication system
Germany's railway system has been brought to a halt leaving some passengers stranded across the country due to an IT issue.

The Verge
Open 
Hollywood is bending the knee to OpenAI
Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork have all reportedly decided to pass on picking up Artificial - director Luca Guadagnino's new biographical drama about OpenAI cofounder / CEO Sam Altman - for distribution deals. And while Neon and Mubi are still said to be interested in the film, this situation makes it seem […]

The Verge
Open 
Google Home will soon get better at recognizing you
A new update for Google Home could make it less likely your smart home cameras mistake you for someone else, just because you're facing away from the camera. Starting June 23rd, Google's expanding its facial recognition feature so that people you've tagged in your Familiar Faces library can continue to be identified when their faces […]

ZeroHedge News
Open 
UN Maritime Agency Initiates Plan To Clear Hormuz Traffic: Hundreds Of Vessels, 11K Sailors
UN Maritime Agency Initiates Plan To Clear Hormuz Traffic: Hundreds Of Vessels, 11K Sailors

The Strait of Hormuz is supposed to be 'open' now, based on the MoU framework, though things are expected to be extremely slow moving, despite signs of life in terms of an increased transit flow becoming evident only this week.

The saga of just how hundreds of ships will traverse is developing and tenuous: "The UN's International Maritime Organization says it will begin evacuating more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Gulf due to the Middle East war," per AFP.
via Bloomberg

"This large-scale operation will be carried out in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all other coastal States in the region, the United States and the maritime industry," IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez stated Tuesday.

"We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations," he adds.

Presumably this simply means UN assistance in seeing the stranded crew make safe passage with their cargo and on their ships. Reuters explains:


The evacuation process under ​the IMO plan, which has been under discussion for months, will be phased, ‌Oman's ⁠defence ministry said separately in an advisory.

"Given the elevated risk of collision in the current environment, a gradual and controlled evacuation of vessel traffic is required," it said.

The Omani ministry said ​the so-called Traffic ​Separation Scheme was "not ⁠safe for use at this time" and two temporary routes to north and south of the ​scheme could be used for evacuation.

"Vessels will be ​contacted individually ⁠and advised of their allocated transit day by the parties coordinated by IMO," the ministry advisory said.


According to a backgrounder in the NY Times:


Today, the stress on the roughly 11,000 stranded sailors in the Persian Gulf may be even greater. Seafarers now have internet access and are often watching livestreams of attacks happening around them, while also seeing explosions from their ship decks.

“The fact that they are sitting on board the ships with real-time information — it is psychologically very traumatic,” said Mr. Khanna, 55.

Three commercial vessels have been hit by U.S. forces this week. One of the strikes killed three people, bringing the number of seafarers killed since the start of the war to 14. All told, there have been 46 attacks on international ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, most by Iran and some by the United States.


Scant details have been issued by the International Maritime Organization. There's a backlog of some 500 or 600 vessels, but some are making it through this week.

Notably, lead crew members or captains have all along not abandoned their tens of millions or hundreds of millions in precious commodities/cargo - especially after already enduring the blockade for this long.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 16:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Randi Whinegarten
Randi Whinegarten

Authored by Larry Sand via American Greatness,

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, wrote a hyperbolic piece titled "America's Teachers Can't Afford to Teach," which appeared in Time magazine on June 11.



The excessively whiny article is filled with half-truths meant to make readers feel sorry for impoverished, underpaid teachers. Among other things, she asserts that the vast majority of American educators are living paycheck to paycheck, taking on debt to buy groceries, and facing other financial hardships.

She maintains that the pay gap between "teachers and other college-educated professionals - known as the 'teacher pay penalty' - has grown to 27 percent. To put it plainly, people with the same level of education and experience can make far more doing almost anything other than teaching. We cannot accept this as an unfortunate reality or an accident."

But when you look at the facts, which apparently is an alien concept to the union boss, you get a very different picture. While it is true that teacher salaries nationwide have not quite kept up with inflation, Weingarten tells only part of the story, omitting many perks afforded to educators.

Just Facts, a nonprofit dedicated to researching and publishing verifiable facts on critical public policy issues of our time, analyzes teacher salaries and reports that in the 2021-22 school year, the average U.S. teacher earned $66,397 in salary and $34,090 in benefits, including health insurance, paid leave, and pensions, for a total compensation of $100,487.

Also, full-time public school teachers work an average of 1,490 hours per year, including time spent on lesson preparation, test construction, grading, providing extra help to students, coaching, and other activities, while their counterparts in private industry work an average of 2,045 hours per year, about 37 percent more than public school teachers.

Weingarten also fallaciously claims that teachers in states with union-backed collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) earn 24 percent more than those in states without such agreements.

However, those without an agenda tell a very different story, arguing that CBAs actually hurt the bottom line for all teachers. Mike Petrilli of the Fordham Institute writes that teachers in non-collective bargaining districts earn about 12 percent more than their unionized peers. Other research by Michael Lovenheim and Andrew Coulson produced similar findings. In 2018, University of California, San Diego professor Augustina Pagalayan reported that CBAs do not improve teacher pay.

It's worth noting that union dues for teachers are quite high these days. In Los Angeles, for example, full-time educators pay about $1,500 in dues annually.

Weingarten also never explains where the bulk of union dues are spent. According to a Pew Research poll, about 58 percent of public K - 12 teachers lean Democratic and 35 percent lean Republican. But OpenSecrets reports that in 2024, the American Federation of Teachers gave $3,069,063 (99.89 percent) to Democrats and a scant $3,323 (0.11 percent) to Republicans.

Additionally, while she bemoans low teacher pay, the money she collects from them goes to pay her a hefty salary. As the Illinois Policy Institute reveals, Weingarten's current yearly income is $514,488, making her a one-percenter.

Another fraud perpetrated by Weingarten concerns a book she wrote last year, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy, which she claims will "empower us and give us hope." The problem is that every word from the union boss is nonfactual claptrap.

As Aaron Withe, Freedom Foundation CEO, writes, the book opens by comparing the Nazi occupation of Norway to the current state of American education and "argues that anyone who disagrees with the author's vision for public schools is, in some meaningful sense, a fascist."

Perhaps the biggest deception in Weingarten's book is its portrayal of her role during the pandemic. "I led the AFT in developing a concrete plan to reopen schools as quickly and safely as possible," she claims.

Bald-faced lie.

In reality, she repeatedly argued for keeping schools shuttered throughout the spring and summer of 2020, while her union aggressively lobbied the CDC to revise its school-reopening guidance. Two of her language recommendations were adopted verbatim.

Weingarten also outrageously used members' dues to pay for her fiction-laden book.

Researcher Maxford Nelsen combed through the AFT's most recent LM-2 - the annual financial disclosure unions file with the U.S. Department of Labor - and unearthed a detailed accounting of how member dues were used to produce Weingarten's book.

The AFT paid nearly $1 million to a New York law firm, and its attorney is likewise thanked in the book's acknowledgments for reviewing the manuscript. When the New York Post asked about it, an AFT spokesperson claimed the review was done pro bono, but the union LM-2 says otherwise.

There was also $6,000 for fact-checking, $5,212 for a single-author photograph by a Washington-based photographer, and $64,090 to a literary agency that lists AFT, not Weingarten, as its client.

Nearly 30 AFT staff members are thanked in the acknowledgments, prompting questions about their role in the book's creation. Meanwhile, travel costs for Weingarten's nationwide promotional tour are not itemized separately but were almost certainly substantial.

In other words, teachers paid for nearly everything. Weingarten may not have contributed a single dollar to the enterprise.

Weingarten was also one of the more strident leaders in 2025's anti-Trump "No Kings" movement. She wrote, "At every turn, this president has undermined the rule of law, weaponized the federal government against the people it should serve, and divide and silence us. And now, the same far-right groups that cheered his chaos are smearing those of us who are organizing peacefully for justice."

The hypocrisy here is glaring. This is a woman who has served as AFT president since 2008 and, before that, led the UFT, AFT's New York City branch, for 11 years. Additionally, teachers do not vote for her directly; only delegates do.

At the end of the day, Randi Weingarten is a dishonest, left-wing, hypocritical bloviator who always points the finger at others for various problems.

Other than offending the dishonorable queen, teachers have nothing to lose by saying goodbye to their union and can save a lot of cash in the process.

* * *

Larry Sand is a retired classroom teacher with 28 years of experience and served as president of the nonprofit California Teachers Empowerment Network from 2006 to 2025. He currently works to raise awareness of the shortcomings of our education system.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 17:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Cyberattack Hits Iran's Banking System, Disrupting Card Networks At Three Major Lenders
Cyberattack Hits Iran's Banking System, Disrupting Card Networks At Three Major Lenders

It seems that the United States and Israel have not completely given up on covert efforts toward regime change in Iran, or at least on sabotage efforts to weaken the government's hold over the population.

The precursor to Trump's Operation Epic Fury was of course the January economic protests, which saw serious clashes with police and security forces, and left thousands dead. Trump subsequently claimed over 30,000 were killed - a very high, dubious number - according to many independent analysts.

At the same time US Treasury Secretary Bessent openly bragged about waging economic warfare to send the Rial plunging, which was a spark and catalyst for the destabilizing protests and unrest.

On Tuesday Al Jazeera reports on what could be renewed efforts to further weaken Iran from within. "Iran's state-owned banking technology provider says attacks disrupted services at Bank Melli, Bank Saderat and Bank Tejarat," the publication reports.
EPA, via Shutterstock

One theory among Washington hawks is that economic collapse can be engineered via external means (though Israel has also long bragged about having many assets on the ground inside the Islamic Republic).

Is the prior failed 'plan A' still on? ...even as direct bombing has failed to achieve regime change?

According to more from Al Jazeera, referencing the major bank-focused cyberattacks: 


This had prompted a temporary suspension of all card-related operations at the three banks to prevent further unauthorized access, the company told state TV, with cybersecurity teams working to restore normal operations.

The company’s public relations head said ATM services, point-of-sale terminals and mobile applications linked to card systems were all affected.

Major banks, including Melli, Saderat, Tejarat and the Export Development Bank of Iran, have faced disruptions first reported on June 14 after a cyberattack targeting a shared communication infrastructure, Iran’s banking coordination council has said.


As far can be assessed, there was no unrest or protests that resulted in this latest incident, and Iranian state media has in follow-up reported that the serious issues and lack of fund access for customers took several days to resolve.

"Iranian authorities have previously blamed hostile foreign actors, such as Israel, for similar incidents. Israel has previously not commented on such allegations," the Tuesday report also noted.

Iran is bracing for more such cyber-provocations, given it is still technically at war with the US and Israel, and despite the signing of the peace MoU with the US, based on extending the ceasefire for at least 60-days, giving time for the nuclear issue to be dealt with.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 17:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Obama-Appointed Judge Dismisses Federal Government's Lawsuit Challenging Los Angeles Sanctuary City Policy
Obama-Appointed Judge Dismisses Federal Government's Lawsuit Challenging Los Angeles Sanctuary City Policy

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

A California judge has dismissed the federal government's legal challenge to Los Angeles's sanctuary city ordinance that restricts the use of city resources to assist federal immigration enforcement.
People in the audience hold up signs as the Los Angeles City Council considers a "sanctuary city" ordinance during a meeting at City Hall in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2024. Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin of the Central District of California said the federal government failed to support its claim that the city's ordinance violates the doctrine of intergovernmental immunity. But the judge stated that the government could file an amended complaint.

"The Ordinance does not directly regulate the federal government. Rather, it 'controls the actions of [the City's] own agents and agencies," the judge stated in a five-page order dated June 20.

Olguin rejected the government's argument that the ordinance was preempted by federal law because it "restricts the sending, requesting, maintaining, or exchanging of citizenship or immigration status" by prohibiting city personnel from collecting such information.

The judge said the ordinance's provision "merely restricts a City employee from inquiring into or collecting information about a person's citizenship or immigration status, and says nothing about the City's ability to maintain or share such information."

In a statement on June 22, Los Angeles city attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto praised the judge's order, saying it "reinforces the well-established principle that local governments have the authority to decide how to use their personnel and resources."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the lawsuit in June 2025, alleging that Los Angeles's sanctuary city laws are unlawful because they "interfere with and discriminate against" the federal government's immigration enforcement efforts.

The department alleged that the city's ordinance impeded federal immigration authorities from detaining illegal immigrants who are subject to removal and have been convicted of crimes.

The Trump administration said the city's refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement had led to "lawlessness, rioting, looting, and vandalism that was so severe," which prompted the deployment of the California National Guard and the U.S. Marines to restore order in the city.

The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The Trump administration also brought similar legal challenges against several other cities and states with sanctuary policies, including New York City, Minnesota, and Illinois.

In April 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security to pursue legal remedies for jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal law.

"This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government's obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States," the president said. "It is imperative that the Federal Government restore the enforcement of United States law."

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 17:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
SpaceX Builds A Regulatory Moat Around Its Starlink Empire
SpaceX Builds A Regulatory Moat Around Its Starlink Empire

Scotiabank analysts write that SpaceX is using the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) process to transform spectrum rights, service approvals, and satellite rulemaking into a regulatory moat around Starlink. This reinforces its position as the rocket and AI company moves to secure years of dominance as the leading space-based communications provider.



Scotiabank's Maher Yaghi and Joey Chan wrote in a note titled "SpaceX at the FCC: Building a Wider Regulatory Moat" that, after reviewing SpaceX's filings from October 2025 through June, there are three major takeaways regarding how the company is "reinforcing three core advantages":


1. Increasing control of scarce spectrum assets,

2. shaping a regulatory framework better suited to scaled constellation economics, and

3. broadening the authority needed to extend Starlink into mobile and supplemental-coverage use cases.


Yaghi said, "For investors, the filings point to a coordinated effort to widen SpaceX's structural lead over smaller or less integrated peers."



Here's how the coordinated push could allow Starlink to dominate the industry for years, as explained by the analysts:


The biggest file in the dockets is spectrum transfers. The Echostar related filings collectively suggest that SpaceX was not simply pursuing transfer approval, but working to ensure the asset would be usable on commercially attractive terms. That distinction matters. Spectrum only carries strategic value if the associated rights are flexible enough to support deployment, service expansion, and product monetization. Viewed through that lens, the filing record suggests SpaceX was willing to make concessions to secure an asset that could deepen service quality, broaden addressable markets, and raise the entry hurdle for competitors without comparable spectrum depth or regulatory leverage.

The second pillar is rule-shaping. SpaceX has been active in the FCC's work on NGSO/GSO coexistence, particularly docket SB 25-157, where the outcome has direct implications for how efficiently large constellations can scale. This is important because, in satellite, the rule book can be as valuable as the hardware. A sharing framework that better accommodates large, dense networks disproportionately benefits operators with the capital base, launch cadence, and vertical integration to exploit it. Read alongside GN 25-340, which relates to SpaceX's push for NGSO MSS authority and supplemental coverage from space, the broader pattern is clear: the company appears to be aligning spectrum, service authority, and operating rules around a more integrated mobile-satellite platform. If successful, that could strengthen SpaceX's cost, coverage, and time-to-market advantages.

More broadly, SpaceX's filing activity suggests it is not limiting itself to company-specific approvals. Its presence across proceedings on market access reciprocity, satellite modernization, Upper C-band, spectrum abundance, and coordination procedures indicates a wider effort to influence the regulatory architecture. For investors, that matters because competitive advantage here is not determined solely by launch capability or network footprint; it is also shaped by who helps define the operating environment. Consistent engagement across multiple proceedings suggests SpaceX is seeking to shape a framework that reinforces LEO scale economics.

Comparing SpaceX filings at the FCC to T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T, we see differences. Clearly, the three incumbents appear substantially more active at the FCC in raw filing volume. Compared with the incumbents, SpaceX appears less active in raw volume but more concentrated in a small number of strategic, platform-defining asks, whereas T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T maintain much broader filing portfolios spanning transactions, waivers, operational compliance, and policy matters. SpaceX's interventions are concentrated in the following areas: (1) spectrum acquisition and waiver relief, (2) reshaping satellite sharing constraints, (3) securing NGSO MSS and supplemental coverage authority, and (4) shaping adjacent policy frameworks such as market access reciprocity.


Those rivals include:


1. Amazon Kuiper: Amazon's planned low-earth-orbit broadband constellation and probably Starlink's most important future U.S. competitor.

2. OneWeb / Eutelsat: A LEO satellite network focused heavily on enterprise, government, aviation, maritime, and remote connectivity.

3. Telesat Lightspeed: Canada-backed LEO broadband constellation aimed at enterprise, telecom, aviation, maritime, and government markets.

4. Viasat / Inmarsat: GEO and mobility-focused satellite broadband player, strong in aviation, maritime, government, and defense.

5. HughesNet / EchoStar / Dish spectrum assets: Legacy satellite broadband and spectrum player, relevant because of SpaceX's EchoStar-related filings.

6. AST SpaceMobile: Direct-to-device satellite broadband company focused on connecting standard mobile phones from space.


The key to understanding Starlink's lead is that it is not just a satellite internet provider. It is vertically integrated with SpaceX's impressive launch machine, giving it a massive advantage no rival can currently match - not even Amazon Kuiper with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. And that advantage could widen once Starship is commercialized.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 18:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
California Residents Sue Gas Stations Alleging AI Price Fixing
California Residents Sue Gas Stations Alleging AI Price Fixing

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

Three California residents are suing a fuel pricing company and several gas station operators, alleging that they use artificial intelligence-based pricing systems to raise gasoline prices in an uncompetitive manner.
Gas prices above $6 a gallon are displayed at a Shell station in Los Angeles on on May 4, 2026. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

"Californians are being forced to pay surcharges that cannot be explained by crude oil costs, refining costs, environmental regulation, or taxes," said the June 22 class action lawsuit, filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division.

"Part of the cause of California's astronomical fuel prices is an illegal algorithmic price-fixing scheme orchestrated by the algorithmic pricing company Kalibrate and some of the state's largest fuel retailers."

The company's Kalibrate Fuel Pricing software, an algorithmic, AI-based pricing system, "connects directly to gas stations' pumps and signs. Instead of lowering prices to attract drivers, Kalibrate Fuel Pricing relies on the data of competing gas stations to coordinate high prices and wring more money from the pockets of consumers throughout the state," the lawsuit states.

This is contradictory to historical trends where gas stations have competed to secure customers by "aggressively undercutting" retail prices, the lawsuit said.

The "artificial surcharge" from the algorithmic pricing scheme inflicts a "severe, daily financial toll" on millions of Californians, the lawsuit said. For people whose livelihoods are tied to road transport, such as truck drivers, the higher gas prices eat into their incomes.

According to data from the American Automobile Association, a gallon of regular gasoline costs $5.56 on average in California as of June 23, the highest in the country.

A month ago, prices were at $6.11 per gallon amid US-Iran war tensions. A year ago, prices were still close to $5 at $4.66 per gallon.

California's current gasoline price of $5.56 per gallon is more than $1.6 higher than the $3.92 national average.

In their lawsuit, the defendants said that Kalibrate Fuel Pricing even has a feature that enables almost all gas stations in a market to raise gasoline prices simultaneously.

In addition to Kalibrate, the complaint lists 14 gas station operators and 10 unidentified gasoline fuel retail companies as defendants. Some of the major gas station operators include 7-Eleven, Walmart, Sam's Club, and BP.

The plaintiffs - Joel Casciani from Chula Vista, Paola Hartman from Homeland, and Crystal Turnbough from Marysville - allege that the gas station defendants' actions amount to a "modern, digital iteration of traditional price-fixing and combination that California law expressly forbids."

They asked the court to stop "Defendants' unlawful combination and collusion, restore competition to California's retail fuel markets, and make California drivers whole by compensating them for the substantial overcharges Defendants have extracted from them through their illegal scheme."

The Epoch Times reached out to Kalibrate, 7-Eleven, Walmart, Sam's Club, and BP for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

According to Kalibrate, its pricing software is used in more than 20 nations across five continents. The company says on its website that the Kalibrate Fuel Pricing platform delivers "competitive, profitable prices at speed," powered with AI-driven intelligence.

The software delivers 8.3 million fuel prices every month. More than 25,000 fuel sites are actively priced with Kalibrate Fuel Pricing, with the average weekly profit per site rising by $331 from AI optimization, the company said.

California's Gasoline Crisis

Meanwhile, California is experiencing an energy crisis resulting from decades of environmental regulations that stifled domestic oil production, defense and engineering expert Mike Fredenburg said in a Feb. 23 commentary published by The Epoch Times.

"Refining capacity has plummeted to about 1.3 million barrels per day today from 2.5 million barrels per day in 1982 - a drop of 48 percent," Fredenburg said.

"During this same period, oil pumped from California wells dropped to a little more than 300,000 from more than 1 million barrels per day, a 70 percent decrease."

Fredenburg attributed the huge premium paid by Californians for gasoline partly to the "general hostility" of the state to the oil and gas sector.

This has created a situation in which many oil and gas companies are moving away from the state. As such, California is left to buy crude oil from foreign nations and even pay other countries to produce the state's special gas and diesel formulation, Fredenburg said.

In May, a group of lawmakers introduced the Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act to crack down on market manipulation and protect people from price spikes at gas pumps, according to a May 5 statement from the office of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The bill seeks to create a Transportation Fuel Monitoring and Enforcement Unit within the Federal Trade Commission to "proactively monitor fuel markets for fraud, manipulation, and anti-competitive behavior that can artificially inflate prices," the statement said.

The measure "would also increase transparency across fuel markets and significantly raise penalties for bad actors," it said.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 18:25

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Merz hails pension reform proposals
Chancellor Merz says a proposed pension reform package should be fully implemented. A survey has shown that almost half of teachers in Germany find pupils' behavior stressful.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New York primaries: Mamdani-backed Democrats and Kennedy heir hope to win key races – live updates
Kennedy grandson Jack Schlossberg, anti-AI candidate Alex Bores, Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier hope to win in New York; Maryland and Utah also votes with runoffs in South CarolinaMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the golden boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark for this summer, particularly given Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to keep long-burning fires ablaze. Nor will it pass unnoticed that he has broken a record of his own. In breaching Uzbekistan twice during the opening period of what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo became the first player to score in six editions of the World Cup.It meant Portugal’s travelling fans, assuming some had snuck in among the CR7 tourists, got what they came for. They also saw a less seemly run put to rest. Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament games until facing a defence that would have struggled to handle a masters game. Uzbekistan were utterly unequipped to repel opponents of this standard and the five-goal margin felt conservative. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EDT/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffEar-splitting cheers from this very pro-Croatia – Proatia? – crowd for Luka Modrić. We all know the end is near and there’s a palpable sense in the air that we might all be seeing him for the last time.Then again, I had that feeling when I saw him in Qatar. So... Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Misanthrope review – Sandra Oh stars in reworked classic that simpers in its satire and woos in its drama
National Theatre, LondonHeroic but imperfect modern-day version of the 17th-century classic is stuffed full of debates about how we might live differentlyMolière’s misanthrope here is a bestselling writer in a stylish trouser suit, gender-reversed as Alice and Americanised in the formidable form of Sandra Oh. When an aspiring novelist asks for literary advice, Alice tells her to always make her writing “seductive”.Is that what playwright Martin Crimp has aspired to do here? His modern-day version is certainly as high-wire an endeavour as his beat-boxing reboot of Cyrano de Bergerac, a French canonical text which he turned into something new, dangerous and yes, extremely seductive.At the National theatre, London, until 1 August. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Most IVF ‘add-on’ treatments have no effect on fertility or remain unproven, study says
Review shows majority of procedures offered alongside standard IVF not backed by reliable evidence Most IVF “add-on” treatments sold to people hoping to boost their chances of having children are not backed by reliable evidence, fail to boost fertility and may be a complete waste of money, the largest study of its kind has concluded.There has been a surge in extra procedures, medicines or techniques offered to patients in addition to standard IVF with bold claims they will increase the probability of success. Take-up is widespread, with more than 70% of IVF patients in the UK, Australia and New Zealand paying for one or more add-on during IVF treatment.Acupuncture – inserting thin needles into points on the body.Corticosteroids – medication to reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity.Endometrial receptivity testing – a biopsy of the uterine lining to assess gene expression patterns.Intralipid infusion – a liquid containing fats that is administered into the blood.Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma – injecting platelet-rich plasma into the ovaries.Intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma – insertion of platelet-rich plasma into the uterus.Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy – a screening test to check whether embryos have the expected number of chromosomes.EmbryoGlue – an embryo transfer medium containing hyaluronic acid. The evidence review found it may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth; however, the effect on live birthrates was not robust.Endometrial scratching – a minor procedure undertaken to scratch or disturb the lining of the uterus. The review found this may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth.Physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) – a technique used to select sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. There was weak evidence this may lower the risk of miscarriage. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
Open 
Are British Civil Servants Merrily Playing ‘GTA Online’ at the Taxpayer’s Expense?
Scandalous waste of resources or conservative media beat-up? Oh go on, guess.

ZDNet News
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5 gadgets I'm buying this summer to grow my green thumb (and they're discounted)
Summer is the perfect time to tend to your garden, and you can get discounts on gardening gadgets during Amazon Prime Day this week.

ZDNet News
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My favorite outdoor projector is at its lowest price ever, just in time for summer movie nights
Looking for an outdoor projector this summer? My favorite projector for movies and gaming is almost $400 off during Amazon Prime Day.

BBC Technology News
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Google's YouTube settles social media addiction case with teen
The 15-year-old plaintiff's case against three other tech giants begins next month.

CNET News
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We've Been Tracking the 85+ Best Prime Day Deals You'll Actually Want To Buy
Prime Day is here, and for the next four days, we'll bring you the best deals that are live as we find them.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (Update)
Our Zen engineer has replaced the faulty hardware and customers services have been restored.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:15

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:40

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 17:30

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:45

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (Close)
Our Zen engineer has replaced the faulty hardware and customers services have been restored.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:15

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:40

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 17:30

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:46

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:46

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England held to goalless draw by Ghana
England fail to repeat their performance that overpowered Croatia in their first World Cup game as they are held to a draw by a resolute Ghana at Boston Stadium.

The Hill
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Pulte’s first days in office set off alarms with lawmakers
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The Hill
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DC funds semi-open primaries for 2028 elections
The D.C. Council voted Tuesday to allow independents to vote in district primaries starting in 2028, more than 18 months after voters in the nation’s capital passed a measure in support of the change. The council voted 9-2 to allocate $1.1 million toward semi-open primaries from 2027 through 2030. At-Large Councilwoman Christina Henderson, who is not...

The Hill
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CFTC sues Kentucky over prediction market lawsuits 
The Trump administration sued Kentucky on Tuesday over the state’s recent push to rein in prediction markets. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which argues it has exclusive jurisdiction over the platforms, brought the case after Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman (R) sued Kalshi and Polymarket last week. “Kentucky is the latest state attempting to...

The Hill
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Trump touts economy, oil prices in Pennsylvania stop
President Trump touted affordability, investments and jobs Tuesday as he hit the campaign trail once again, this time in key swing state Pennsylvania. The president visited the Mack Truck facility in Macungie, a part of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, which is set to be a major battleground election for a U.S. House seat come November....

The Hill
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Lawn care company pledges $1M repair damage to the White House South Lawn from the UFC fight
A private Ohio-based company run by a longtime supporter of President Trump has reportedly pledged $1 million to restore the South Lawn of the White House after the UFC Freedom 250 event held on Trump’s 80th birthday left it damaged. ScottsMiracle-Gro said it will donate “a combination of monetary and product support” to the National Park Service,...

The Hill
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Only 24 percent say Iran war was worth the cost: Survey
Less than a quarter of Americans ​believe President Trump's war with Iran was worth its costs, according to a new poll by Reuters/Ipsos out Tuesday. The five-day poll — which closed Monday and included responses from 1,262 U.S. adults nationwide — found that only 24 percent of Americans think the war with ​Iran was worth the...

The Hill
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Energy to loan $17.5B for nuclear supply chains
{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story Energy to loan $17.5B for nuclear supply chains The Trump administration will loan $17.5 billion out to try to speed up the process of building 10 large-scale nuclear power plants. © Greg Nash Energy Department leaders said Tuesday that they are issuing up to...

The Hill
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M&M's without artificial dyes are coming soon. These other brands are following suit
Several companies have announced plans or taken steps to remove artificial dyes from their products.

The Hill
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Court halts MAHA's SNAP junk food fight
Presented by HealthyWomen {beacon} Healthcare PRESENTED BY The Big Story Court halts MAHA's SNAP junk food fight A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to approve state efforts to ban purchases of soda, candy and other junk foods with federal food assistance benefits in a handful of states. © Photo credit The ruling...

The Hill
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Last American hantavirus cruise ship passenger released from quarantine
As of Sunday, all U.S. citizens on a cruise ship that was the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak are out of quarantine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 18 Americans onboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship have since completed their 42-day monitoring period, the CDC noted. Those individuals isolated...

The Hill
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White House bats down speculation that Trump got access to Eli Lilly obesity drug for ‘compassionate use’
White House officials on Tuesday shot down a report speculating that President Trump gained access to the retatrutide weight-loss drug under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “compassionate use program.” The retatrutide drug is manufactured by Eli Lilly and is not FDA approved, however, one person gained access to the prescription through a program that...

Techdirt
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Spain’s Internet Blocks Have A Flimsy Legal Basis, While Lacking Both Oversight & Accountability
Afew weeks ago, Walled Culture wrote about Hadopi, France’s infamous copyright enforcement mechanism. The so-called “graduated response” – aka “three strikes and you are out” – has been around for over 15 years now, has cost French taxpayers a fortune, and has never achieved any of its aims. As the Walled Culture post suggested, the latest […]

Ars Technica
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Odd police video shows drone removing knife from motionless suspect

Ars Technica
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US's climate.gov site, taken down by Trump, relaunched by nonprofit

Mail Online
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Getting up for a five-minute walk every hour may be enough to offset the harmful effects of prolonged sitting, claims new study
A five minute walk every hour can offset the harms of a sedentary lifestyle, new research suggests.

Mail Online
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Green Party spoiling for a fight in Keir Starmer's constituency if Prime Minister triggers by-election as parting gift to Andy Burnham
A string of polls have put Zack Polanksi's party ahead of Labour in Holborn and St Pancras, with a by-election potentially creating a serious headache for Andy Burnham.

Mail Online
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Angela Rayner issues desperate pitch for top job under Andy Burnham - and calls for next prime minister to keep paying Labour's sky-high benefits bill
The former deputy prime minister insisted that benefits claimants are 'not lazy people on the dole' in a clear indication of the pressures the next prime minister will face over defence spending.

Mail Online
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No wonder there's no money left! Benefit overpayment and tax shortfalls costing Britain nearly £70bn a year
Benefit overpayment and tax shortfalls are costing Britain nearly £70 billion a year - adding to the pressure on public finances as spending demands mount.

Mail Online
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Burnham told to forget rejoining the EU and instead fix Britain's sick note culture to boost economy by government employment tsar
Sir Charlie Mayfield said tackling the problem of long-term sickness absence was a major opportunity to revive the UK economy.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the golden boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark for this summer, particularly given Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to keep long-burning fires ablaze. Nor will it pass unnoticed that he has broken a record of his own. In breaching Uzbekistan twice during the opening period of what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo became the first player to score in six editions of the World Cup.It meant Portugal’s travelling fans, assuming some had snuck in among the CR7 tourists, got what they came for. They also saw a less seemly run put to rest. Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament games until facing a defence that would have struggled to handle a Masters game. Uzbekistan were utterly unequipped to repel opponents of this standard and the five-goal margin felt conservative. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EST/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffTo clarify the stakes for this contest: although a win would not secure a place in the Round of 32, defeat would eliminate either side with a game left to play.Group L standings
1. England (4 pts, +2 GD)
2. Ghana (4 pts, +1 GD)
3. Panama (0 pts, -1 GD)
4. Croatia (0 pts, -2 GD) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Misanthrope review – reworking woos in its human drama
National Theatre, LondonHeroic but imperfect modern-day version of the 17th-century classic is stuffed full of debates about how we might live differentlyMolière’s misanthrope here is a bestselling writer in a stylish trouser suit, gender-reversed as Alice and Americanised in the formidable form of Sandra Oh. When an aspiring novelist asks for literary advice, Alice tells her to always make her writing “seductive”.Is that what playwright Martin Crimp has aspired to do here? His modern-day version is certainly as high-wire an endeavour as his beat-boxing reboot of Cyrano de Bergerac, a French canonical text which he turned into something new, dangerous and yes, extremely seductive.At the National theatre, London, until 1 August. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England given reality check by stubborn Ghana to leave group in the balance
It was a talking point beforehand in the England dressing room, Harry Kane bringing it up; a message with it, too. At each of the previous three tournaments, the team had spluttered in game two. The roll call of irritation took in the draws against Scotland and Denmark at the European Championship – either side of the draw against the United States at the last World Cup. Must do better this time, was the gist of what Kane said.England did not do better. The idea was to maintain the momentum they had generated in the 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening Group L tie but there was no surge here. Only stodge. England laboured to create against an ultra-defensive Ghana team, their only pulse-quickening moments coming towards the very end. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Yes we Carn? Ex minister and former Commando says he may run against Andy Burnham for Labour leader if he does not 'buy into his vision'
Al Carns said he had still not ruled out standing against the frontrunner to become the next Labour leader - and has been backed by an influential peer.

Mail Online
Open 
Andy Burnham's team 'flapping' with panic as they scramble to prepare for government after praying Keir Starmer would give them more time before departing Downing Street
Keir Starmer's departure timetable has sparked frenzied preparations in Mr Burnham's leadership team, as they rush to assemble policies, and a government, in record time.

Mail Online
Open 
Card payments go down leaving England fans thirsty as they support the Three Lions from pubs at home
Businesses were forced to switch to cash-only payments as fans watching the Three Lions draw 0-0 to Ghana were affected by disruption to major payment processing company Worldpay.

Mail Online
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England 0-0 Ghana: Desperately flat Three Lions crash back down to earth with dismal World Cup performance as OLIVER HOLT asks... how can this team compete with France and Spain?
ENGLAND 0-0 GHANA - OLIVER HOLT AT BOSTON STADIUM: Well, that didn't last long as Thomas Tuchel's team fell to earth with a damp and dank performance.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EST/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffA historic moment for the sport as Modrić becomes the fourth man to earn 200 international caps. Still no Coco Carrasquilla in the lineup as he returns from a pre-tournament knock, though the Pumas midfielder is on the bench.Panama (3-4-3)O. Mosquera
J. Córdoba – C. Blackman – J. RamosA. Andrade – C. Harvey – C. Martínez – A. Murillo
J. Rodríguez – J. Fajardo – Y. Bárcenas (c) Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Releases Updated AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features
Apple today released updated beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is limited to developers at the current time, and it has a build number of 9A5304b.





In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface and support for custom EQ. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.



With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple added a beta firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which facilitates beta testing.



Developers can use the beta option to turn on beta downloads.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, iOS 27, iPadOS 27Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution), AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, 'Apple Releases Updated AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Russia Today News
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Canadian police chief warns officers against using databases to look up women

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Germany rail network comes to complete halt nationwide due to IT malfunction
Rail company Deutsche Bahn has paused train services across the country due to a nationwide IT disruption.

Mail Online
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Labour's growth-destroying tax grab has put Britain on road to recession, says ALEX BRUMMER
The lengthy build-ups to Rachel Reeves' two full Budgets in October 2024 and November 2025 were disastrous for business.

Mail Online
Open 
My husband died on visit to my mum's but insurer won't pay to bring his body home: SALLY SORTS IT
My husband died unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest on Christmas Eve 2025 when we were visiting my mother for the festive season.

Mail Online
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My hotel room was so hot I couldn't sleep and there was no fan. Can I claim compensation? DEAN DUNHAM KC replies
My hotel room was so hot I couldn't sleep, which meant I was badly prepared for the work conference I was due to attend the next day.

Mail Online
Open 
England 0-0 Ghana: Desperately flat Three Lions crash back down to earth with dismal World Cup performance as OLIVER HOLT asks - how can this team compete with France and Spain?
ENGLAND 0-0 GHANA - OLIVER HOLT AT BOSTON STADIUM: Well, that didn't last long as Thomas Tuchel's team fell to earth with a damp and dank performance.

Mail Online
Open 
David Beckham looks frustrated during England game in Boston as the Three Lions draw 0-0 with defensive Ghana
David Beckham looked frustrated in the stands after he watched England's Three Lions draw 0-0 with Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

Mail Online
Open 
Jude Bellingham involved in half-time bust up with Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz as lip reader reveals foul-mouthed exchange between former Man United assistant and Thomas Tuchel
The Three Lions endured a frustrating first period against the African side, as they failed to break down a resolute defence on the back of an impressive win over Croatia in game one last week.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England 0-0 Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Match gallery | Player guide | Bracketology | Golden BootAntoine Semenyo was only 10 years old when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Manchester City forward can still vividly recall the emotions that night as he watched with his family in Bexleyheath, south-east London.“I remember being at my uncle’s house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through,” he said in an interview last month. “Watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we would watch all the games together, celebrating and screaming. Ghana came in [for me] when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down.” Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11930 Broadband (xDSL) - Emergency Maintenance - Multiple Areas (New)
Our supplier is performing overnight maintenance on 25th June between 00:01 and 03:00 in Sheffield and Havant. This is service affecting work; we expect services to remain available for the duration of the maintenance window except for a 45 minute window as upgraded ONTs are rebooted.
Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Thu, 25th Jun 2026 00:01

End: Thu, 25th Jun 2026 03:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 23:11

Status: Partial

Maintenance: Emergency

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'Anxious moment for England' - should this have been Ghana penalty?
England's Ezri Konsa makes a last-ditch attempt to stop Ghana's Prince Adu during their World Cup Group L match in Boston.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Which players failed to make an impact? England player ratings
BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell rates the players after the 0-0 draw with Ghana - plus have your say.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Germany rail network comes to complete halt due to IT malfunction
Rail company Deutsche Bahn has paused train services across the country due to a nationwide IT disruption.

Apple Developer News
Open 
Design kits for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 27 are here
Apple design kits for Figma and Sketch are now available for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 27. These include:
Updates to Liquid Glass
Expanded component and state support
Naming changes to better align with code
Improved resizing
The addition of Dark Mode for macOS
Download the design kits from the Apple Design Resources

Mail Online
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England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: All the reaction as Three Lions are frustrated by stubborn Group L rivals in Boston with Thomas Tuchel's side handed World Cup wake-up call
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

BBC UK News
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Mugs in drawers and watches in cupboards: What police pictures tell us about Peter Murrell's illicit purchases
Dozens of new images released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service now show some of the items he purchased illegally.

Digital Trends
Open 
Use this code to get 47% off the wavytalk LED face mask, down to just $94.99
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with wavytalk. At-home LED face masks have gone from a curiosity to a genuinely popular skincare gadget, and the prices have started to follow. The wavytalk Glow Time LED face mask is down to $94.99 on Amazon when you apply the code OL48YCNT at checkout (from […]

Digital Trends
Open 
Use this code to get 40% off the wavytalk IPL hair removal device, down to $118.99
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with wavytalk. At-home IPL devices have quietly become one of the better-value grooming buys, since the upfront cost tends to pay for itself against a long run of razors, waxing, or salon sessions. The wavytalk Bare It IPL device is down to $118.99 on Amazon when […]

TechRadar News
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AIO coolers are now so powerful that they need a built-in tiny PC for color monitors bigger than the iPhone SE

TechRadar News
Open 
Prime Day desktop deal: Get a complete next-gen RTX 5070 workstation for under $1690 — the MSI Codex R2 drops $610

TechRadar News
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I've tested Apple's biggest products — these are the 10 Prime Day deals I'd buy

TechRadar News
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We're tracking the best Prime Day tech deals live — 101 biggest discounts on Apple, Samsung, Kindle, Sony, and more

TechRadar News
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Back to school: my pick of the 4 best ANC headphones for studying — affordable, durable noise-cancelling cans this Prime Day

TechRadar News
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From Prime Day Apple Watch deals to record discounts on Garmins, these are the 24 smartwatch deals you need to see right now

TechRadar News
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'I've never had such easy access to ice cream headaches, and I'm over the moon about it': I use the Ninja BlendBoss every day, and its ice-crushing power is a godsend right now — and it’s just received its first major discount

TechRadar News
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Quote of the day by Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'Our own information is being weaponized against us with military efficiency' — a scathing critique of the modern advertising data pipeline

TechRadar News
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Ring doorbells are going cheap for Prime Day, but these 5 subscription-free alternatives could cost you less in the long run

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Spence appears not to shake hands with Partey
Footage circulating on social media appears to show England's Djed Spence not shaking hands with Ghana's Thomas Partey before their World Cup group match in Boston.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These stocks in the S&P 500 fell the most on Tuesday as the tech sector came under pressure
Most of the day’s biggest losers were still up tremendously for 2026.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Paid in company stock? Don’t let your loyalty derail your financial future.
If your company has a bad quarter, you could potentially see your stock holdings fall and lose your job.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX succumbs to gravity as the stock briefly dips below its debut price on Nasdaq
The stock hits a new low before recovering to close in positive territory

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The No. 1 overall NBA draft pick will make nearly $70 million overnight, as historic TV deals keeping money flowing into NBA
There’s so much money at stake in the NBA draft that falling a few slots could cost a player $30 million.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX reveals pricing details for what could be one of the year’s biggest debt deals
The offering is set to close on Friday and help SpaceX pay off its existing debt

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Cerebras delivers its first earnings report — but it’s not enough to lift the stock
Despite upbeat revenue figures, Cerebras’s stock was falling in after-hours trading.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alphabet’s stock is set to join the Dow. Here’s which company is getting the boot.
Dow Industrial’s index provider hails Alphabet as ‘more representative’ of communications sector.

Boing Boing
Open 
Deal Days cuts Microsoft Office Professional 2021 from $220 to $30
TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for $29.97 (reg. $219.99) during Deal Days — no subscription required.
The easiest way to lower a software budget isn't finding a cheaper subscription. It's eliminating one altogether. That's what this deal on the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows subscription brings: one payment, then years of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more without renewal notices. — Read the rest
The post Deal Days cuts Microsoft Office Professional 2021 from $220 to $30 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
The cheating wasn't in the rider. It was in the bike
Professional cycling spent decades looking for cheating in blood, urine, and hotel mini-fridges. Then came the suspicion that the real juice was hiding in the bike.





The video follows the story from early viral accusations against Tour riders to the day scanners found a motor hidden inside a seat tube. — Read the rest
The post The cheating wasn't in the rider. It was in the bike appeared first on Boing Boing.

Telegraph
Open 
Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals live: Today’s best discounts, chosen by our experts
Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals live: Today’s best discounts, chosen by our experts

The Verge
Open 
The Meta Quest 3S is on sale for $297 — which is basically its old price
The Meta Quest 3S VR headset with 128GB of storage is $296.79 (about $53 off) at Amazon. This is Meta’s entry-level VR headset, which launched back in 2024 for $299.99 before getting a price increase this year to $349.99. So it’s not exactly the most exciting deal, but it’s about as good as you’re likely […]

The Verge
Open 
Prime Day takes $240 off Roborock’s Saros 20, one of our favorite robovacs
The best robot vacuums are the ones you barely have to think about, and the Roborock Saros 20 fits that description well. It’s why it’s one of our favorite robovac / mop hybrids, and thanks to Prime Day, you can get it on sale at Amazon and Roborock for $1,359.99 ($240 off), a new low […]

Computer Weekly
Open 
Trump directs US government focus to quantum
In an Executive Order, president Trump directed the US government to work to establish a cohesive, collaborative approach to the development of quantum technology.

Mail Online
Open 
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews 'is named as the lead defendant in newly unearthed Dubai court battle' - after being released from hell-hole prison
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews is reportedly named as the lead defendant in a newly-unearthed Dubai court battle.

Mail Online
Open 
Kate Moss, 52, goes braless in a lace vest top as she joins her chic daughter Lila, 23, at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week
Kate Moss went braless in a lace black vest top as she arrived at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the Golden Boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark for this summer, particularly given Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to keep long-burning fires ablaze. Nor will it pass unnoticed that he has broken a record of his own. In breaching Uzbekistan twice during the opening period of what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo became the first player to score in six editions of the World Cup.It meant Portugal’s travelling fans, assuming some had snuck in among the CR7 tourists, got what they came for. They also saw a less seemly run put to rest. Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament games until facing a defence that would have struggled to handle a Masters game. Uzbekistan were utterly unequipped to repel opponents of this standard and the five-goal margin felt conservative. Continue reading...

Harvard Business Review
Open 
The Strongest Teams of AI Agents Will Be Built Using Different Models
Like diversity in human workforces, agentic diversity pays significant performance dividends.

Gizmodo
Open 
One of Wikipedia’s Cofounders Banned From the Site Over Influence Campaigns
The longtime critic of the online encyclopedia is accused of trying to use his online followers to influence an internal Wikipedia debate.

Gizmodo
Open 
A Program to Expand Rural Internet Access Now Looks Like a Slush Fund for Tech Billionaires
Connecting Musk and Bezos with more cash.

Gizmodo
Open 
Meta Thinks ‘Social Learning’ Can Fix Smart Glasses’ Privacy Problems
Meta's CTO, Andrew Bosworth, suggests privacy expectations about smart glasses will be decided in the court of public opinion.

Gizmodo
Open 
The Dragonseeds of ‘House of the Dragon’ Are Excited for What Lies Ahead
It's not a spoiler to say these characters will play a major role in the Dance of the Dragons.

Gizmodo
Open 
Cate Blanchett Launches ‘Human Consent Registry’ to Help Protect Your Likeness From AI Industry Scraping
Verify yourself to Lydia Tár.

BBC World News
Open 
Temperatures hit record levels in western Europe
France, Spain and Italy, have been hardest hit by the heatwave so far.

ZDNet News
Open 
Best Buy is selling this 77-inch LG OLED TV for over 50% off - and I highly recommend it
The LG B5 is a more affordable OLED option that offers a similar signature picture quality as its flagship sibling at a fraction of the price.

ZDNet News
Open 
This portable keyboard is a must-carry for work travel (and it's 25% off)
The ProtoArc XKM01 Pro includes a collapsible backlit keyboard, mouse, and smartphone stand in a portable carrying case. Here's why it's a big upgrade from your laptop keyboard.

ZDNet News
Open 
These 7 wellness gadgets helped me become more mindful (and they're on sale)
Summer is the perfect time to focus on your overall wellness, and these devices can help. Plus, they are all discounted during Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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My favorite color e-reader is at the lowest price I've ever seen it for Prime Day
The Kindle Colorsoft brings a smooth color display to your favorite books, and it's 36% off during Amazon's Prime Day sales event.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Best Prime Day Deals on Yoto Players and Accessories
Between Prime Day deal and the screen-free technology, the Yoto Player is a great gift you can get the kids in your life without any guilt.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
The 16 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $30 We've Found
Everything is expensive. Treat yourself to one of these WIRED-tested and -approved Prime Day picks under $30.

CNET News
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I Love the Blink Outdoor 4 Even More With Its New Prime Day Discount
It's one of my favorite outdoor security cameras, and you can snag a pair for less than $25 apiece with this bundle offer.

CNET News
Open 
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 24, #639
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 24, No. 639.

The Hill
Open 
Senate votes to direct Trump to withdraw troops from Iran conflict, 4 Republicans break ranks
The Senate on Tuesday approved a House-passed resolution directing President Trump to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran after four GOP senators broke ranks and voted to undercut Trump’s authority as commander in chief. The Senate voted 50 to 48 to approve the resolution, which passed the House 215-208 earlier this month. The measure came...

The Hill
Open 
Trump to hand out World Cup championship trophy
President Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey next month and help present the championship trophy, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday. The final, to be held in the home of the New York Giants and Jets on July 19, will be the culmination of the first World Cup held on...

The Hill
Open 
Alaska Senate candidate with same name as Sullivan sues to stay on primary ballot
A man with the same first and last name as Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) that was removed from the ballot due to that similarity has sued to keep his name listed. Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who is not related to the incumbent Sullivan, filed a challenge in Alaska Superior Court on Monday arguing the state cannot legally...

The Hill
Open 
ACLU plans to monitor election certification with $50M midterms push
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced plans Tuesday to monitor election certification as a part of a $50 million investment in midterm races, citing potential threats to voters' ability to access and cast their ballots. The nonpartisan, nonprofit has already deployed thousands of staffers to battleground states including Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania...

The Hill
Open 
Ro Khanna challenges Elon Musk to debate after Musk calls for him to be jailed
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has challenged Elon Musk to a debate after the tech trillionaire called for his jailing. In a Saturday episode of the “IHIP News” podcast, a sister podcast to the notable “I’ve Had It” podcast, host Jennifer Welch pressed Khanna about how his party would operate if they win the House in...

The Hill
Open 
Live results: Republicans vye to take on Moore in Maryland governor's race
Gov. Wes Moore (D) is running for a second term leading Maryland in a Tuesday primary. Moore faces one primary challenger, but is expected to sail through to the November general election. On the other side of the aisle, a crowded field of candidates are jockeying for the GOP nod. Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale...

The Hill
Open 
Live results: Utah Democrats jockey for redrawn House seat in primary
Voters in Utah are heading to the polls Tuesday to vote in the state's House primary elections. There is one open seat up from grabs after Blake Moore opted to not seek reelection in the 1st Congressional District, which now favors Democrats following court-ordered redistricting. The move set off a heated primary as Utah Democrats...

The Hill
Open 
Live results: Evette, Wilson duke it out in South Carolina GOP gubernatorial runoff
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson are duking it out Tuesday in the Republican runoff to succeed South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R). Wilson secured a last minute endorsement from the president, who previously supported Evette ahead of the state's June 9 primary. Evette is backed by McMaster. "I can’t hurt one...

The Hill
Open 
Live results: Fiery New York House primaries test Mamdani's influence
New Yorkers are at the polls Tuesday to vote in a series of House elections. There are handful of open seats up for grabs this cycle, including the 7th, 12th and 21st Congressional Districts. Democratic Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Jerry Nadler as well as Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik's (R) exits from Capitol Hill set up...

The Hill
Open 
These four GOP senators voted for Democrats' Iran war powers resolution 
Four Republican senators broke ranks to join nearly all Democrats in supporting a war powers resolution calling on the Trump administration to withdraw U.S. troops from the war with Iran.  GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Bill Cassidy (La.) all supported the measure in a Senate floor vote on...

The Hill
Open 
Alibaba sues Pentagon over 'Chinese military company' label
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Alibaba sues Pentagon over 'Chinese military company' label Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba sued the Pentagon on Tuesday over the Defense Department's recent move to place the technology firm on a list of businesses with alleged ties...

The Hill
Open 
Matt Gaetz appointed to Florida board: ‘I am returning to public service!’
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced Tuesday that he is “returning to public service” after being tapped to serve as a board member for the nonprofit Triumph Gulf Coast. “I am returning to public service!” Gaetz wrote on the social platform X. “I look forward to the work ahead as we continue improving the lives...

Ars Technica
Open 
Oracle’s 21,000 layoffs help drive its debt-fueled AI investments

Ars Technica
Open 
Police tout using drone to disarm incapacitated person in “nationwide first”

The Right Scoop
Open 
BOOM: Supreme Court hands Trump a victory on immigration
In a ruling this morning from the highest court in the land, President Trump’s administration won a victory today regarding how they can treat lawful immigrants returning to the US from abroad, . . .

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Deutsche Bahn halts trains across Germany due to malfunctioning radio system
Trains are being held back across Germany and travelers are staying in their seats amid the disruption. It's unclear when the problem will be resolved but the company said technicians are working around the clock.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
German rail company Deutsche Bahn halts trains across Germany due to malfunctioning radio system
Trains are being held back across Germany and travelers are staying in their seats amid the disruption.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'I'm back' - record-breaking Ronaldo answers critics
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo provides the perfect response to those that doubted him as he becomes the first player to score at six World Cups.

Mail Online
Open 
Jude Bellingham involved in half-time bust up with Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz with former Man United assistant held back by players in tense exchange in Boston
The Three Lions endured a frustrating first period against the African side, as they failed to break down a resolute defence on the back of an impressive win over Croatia in game one last week.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Rate the players in England v Ghana
Rate the England and Ghana players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings.

The Register
Open 
Anthropic reimagines Claude in Slack as nosy, always-on agentic AI coworker
The Claude in Slack app is dead, long live Claude in Slack

The Register
Open 
OpenAI Codex bombards SSDs with needless write operations, costing millions
Clumsy logging implementation squirrels away data without regard for cost

Mail Online
Open 
David Beckham cheers on the Three Lions with son Cruz and his girlfriend Jackie Apostel at England's second World Cup game in Boston
David Beckham cheered on the Three Lions as he took to the stands at England's second World Cup game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EST/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffComing into the tournament, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic warned that losing an open match “can destroy everything” for a team in a major tournament. History informed this dramatic stance, with Croatia opening Euro 2024 with a 3-0 defeat to Spain and subsequently bowing out in the group stage.2018’s run to the World Cup final kicked off with a win over Nigeria; in 2022, a draw against Morocco put both teams on their paths to the semifinal. Just how destroying will that opening 4-2 loss to England prove to be? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison
Activists accused of being part of antifa get long prison terms in case seen as test of Trump’s crackdown on dissentA group of Texas protesters convicted of terrorism charges received unusually harsh sentences of at least 50 years in prison on Tuesday in a closely watched case that was widely seen as a test case of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on dissent.After a three-week jury trial, the nine activists were all found guilty of a slew of criminal charges in March, stemming from a Fourth of July protest at an immigrant detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, south of Fort Worth. The demonstrators arrived late at night with a plan to set off fireworks as part of a noise demonstration to show solidarity with those detained inside. A few of the protesters spontaneously broke off from the main group and vandalized cars in the parking lot, a guard shack, slashed the tires on a government van and broke a security camera. When a police officer arrived on the scene and drew his weapon, one of the activists fired an AR-15 from the woods, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
New defence secretary signals he's pushing for extra money for armed forces
Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, signalled he is pushing for extra money for the armed forces and aims to publish a defence investment plan but not "at any cost".

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Invites App Gets Co-Hosting
Apple updated its Invites app to add a co-hosting feature that lets two or more people plan and manage a party or event.





There are also new event background options available, and hosts have the option to make invited guests visible to all attendees. Apple's notes for the update are below:





Cohosting is now available, letting you easily plan and manage your party with others.

New event backgrounds help set the mood for your next coffee catch-up, boba run, ice cream social, and more.

Hosts can now choose to make invited guests visible to all attendees.

This update contains bug fixes and performance improvements.





Apple introduced the Invites app in early 2024, and has continued to introduce updates since then. Invites is available on the iPhone and via iCloud, so invitations can be sent to anyone. Guests are able to RSVP from the iPhone app or from the web.Tag: Apple InvitesThis article, 'Apple Invites App Gets Co-Hosting' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC World News
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'We're begging' - Savannah Guthrie pleads for help as details of her mother’s case emerge
Savannah Guthrie spoke on NBC's Today show about a note sent to the media in February regarding her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, which claimed she had died.

Mail Online
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World Cup commentator has his accreditation CANCELLED after calling FIFA 'sons of b****es' over mouth-covering red card
Paraguayan Jorge 'Chipi' Vera claims his credentials for the tournament have been revoked in response to his furious tirade aimed at FIFA and president Gianni Infantino.

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions frustrated by stubborn Group L rivals in Boston after lacklustre first half - so, will Thomas Tuchel deliver another half-time dressing down?
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Volodymyr Zelenskyy to skip postwar conference amid tensions with Poland
Ukraine’s president will not attend after sparking Polish ‘outrage’ over naming of military unitVolodymyr Zelenskyy will skip a high-level conference on the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine amid a deepening rift with Poland over his naming of a military unit after one that killed tens of thousands of Poles during the second world war.Ukraine’s president had been expected to co-host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which begins in the Polish coastal city of Gdańsk on Thursday, but the Ukrainian delegation will instead be led by the prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm EST/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffIf Luka Modrić appears today (and there’s no reason to think he won’t), he’ll become just the fourth man to log 200 international caps. To date, 30 women have played at least 200 international matches.1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (230)*
2. Bader Al-Mutawa, Kuwait (202)
3. Lionel Messi, Argentina (201)*
4. Luka Modrić, Croatia (199)*
5. Soh Chin Ann, Malaysia (195) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I Kissed a Girl review – this ridiculously fun gay dating show should never have been cancelled
It’s groundbreaking TV that’s hugely important for young queer viewers. It fizzes with the excitement of young love … and yet it’s been axed. What a bittersweet watch this isIn March, it was announced that this second series of the queer dating show I Kissed a Girl would be its last. Sibling show I Kissed a Boy would also be axed, with the BBC citing “difficult choices in light of our funding challenges”. This would perhaps feel less momentous if the two shows were not groundbreaking – the first UK dating shows to feature exclusively gay casts of men and of women.As well as being unprecedented, these shows have been a container for vital queer conversations that aren’t happening anywhere else on our screens, surely well within the remit of the national broadcaster. Plus, they are ridiculously fun. Watching series two of I Kissed a Girl knowing this is the last feels so entertaining, but so bittersweet. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chelsea close in on Palestra as Alonso's first signing
Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta defender Marco Palestra for a fee in excess of £43m.

Andrews and Arnold Status
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[PEW] Broadband: CityFibre - Filter Installation - regional.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (Update)
Our Zen engineer is having issues physically accessing the site. We are actively trying to resolve the site access issues so our engineer can investigate the problem further.
Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:15

Update: Wed, 24th Jun 2026 00:30

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 22:02

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

Atlas Obscura
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Cass County Dentzel Carrousel in Logansport, Indiana

Propublica
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Jury Finds Home Financing Scheme That Targeted Muslims in Minnesota Violated State Law
The post Jury Finds Home Financing Scheme That Targeted Muslims in Minnesota Violated State Law appeared first on ProPublica.

Digital Trends
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The Feeding Tools That Make Shared Parenting Feel More Doable
Whether it’s a 3 a.m. feeding or your first time out alone, new dads can find feeding routines tricky. With these Momcozy feeding essentials, make daily caregiving easier, so you can feel more confident and enjoy special moments with your baby.

Digital Trends
Open 
Prime Day 2026 smartphone deals are everywhere, but these are the ones I’d actually buy
Prime Day 2026 has kicked off with real discounts on flagship phones, foldables, and budget Androids. Here are the ones worth your money.

TechRadar News
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Cracks in the crypto world? This top data center provider is spending $500 million to turn former cryptomining sites into AI cloud facilities

TechRadar News
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How to watch Panama vs Croatia: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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Heading away this summer? The rugged SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSD is cheaper than ever for Amazon Prime Day

TechRadar News
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These Amazon Prime Day USB wall charger deals make powering your phone, laptop, and tablet quicker and cheaper than ever

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Oil tankers are being lured back into the Strait of Hormuz by big payouts
Big oil tankers are commanding $280,000 a day to head into the Persian Gulf to pick up cargoes, danger notwithstanding.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Job applicants who master this one skill stand out more in the age of AI
Young Americans are looking for ways to stand out from their peers.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The ‘Magnificent Seven’ correction may actually be a sign of a healthy stock market
The Big Tech grouping officially fell into correction territory on Tuesday as mounting concerns about AI spending weighed down the group.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alan Greenspan’s most important achievement is often overlooked
Social Security urgently needs another “Greenspan Commission” to save it

Slashdot
Open 
Wikipedia Cofounder Larry Sanger Banned From Site for 'Canvassing'
Wikipedia cofounder Larry Sanger has been indefinitely banned from editing the site after editors concluded that he violated its canvassing rules, "or in other words, calling on his followers off platform in order to influence Wikipedia's content," reports 404 Media. Sanger says the ban proves Wikipedia suppresses ideological diversity, while editors argue he was trying to mobilize an outside audience to influence internal decisions and had ignored an earlier warning. From the report: The discussion that led to the decision to ban Sanger concluded with what an editor called a "clear consensus" to ban Sanger. "There is general agreement among participants that he has engaged in off-wiki canvassing and is not here to constructively build the encyclopedia," the editor said in a note closing the discussion. "There is also a significant concern shared by many editors that his actions constitute calls for outing."

While Sanger has been railing about bias on Wikipedia for years, the specific issue here is around his WikiProject Intellectual Diversity. WikiProjects are group efforts among Wikipedia volunteers to deal with certain issues on the site. [...] Sanger's WikiProject Intellectual Diversity, as its name implies, aims to bring more intellectual diversity to the site, mostly meaning more right-leaning perspectives. Sanger's WikiProject Intellectual Diversity and its goals alone do not merit a ban according to Wikipedia's policies. The problem, according to Wikipedia editors, is that during the discussion about whether to allow WikiProject Intellectual Diversity to become an official WikiProject, Sanger invited his 91,000 followers on X to influence that discussion.

Discussions about potential bans are supposed to remain open for at least 72 hours. While consensus that Sanger had violated Wikipedia policies was clear, Sanger was banned at some point before that deadline. He was then briefly unbanned, and then again indefinitely banned once 72 hours had elapsed and the discussion about the ban closed. "Wikipedia has become more of a mob-rule anarchy than ever," Sanger said in a statement sent to me by a spokesperson. "In the kangaroo court in which a mob ousted me, Wikipedia's administrators showed that they don't appear to value details like formal charges, a designated prosecutor, basic decorum, distinction between prosecution and judge, dispassionate adjudication, and so forth. They have no proper system other than triggering a mob to selectively enforce their hodgepodge of vague rules."

"Now that same mob has blocked me for trying to bring an intellectually diverse group of thinkers and editors to the site," Sanger continued. "Subscribing to their groupthink is now an official requirement of being a member in good standing. Something must change, and now. I only wonder if the system as it currently stands can even allow the discourse necessary to fix the system."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegraph
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo: They said I should retire… but I am back
Cristiano Ronaldo: They said I should retire… but I am back

The Verge
Open 
Prime Day has some solid deals on Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox games
There are some some sizable discounts on new and recent hits from the last few years for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series X / S for Prime Day. Most Amazon game deals are physical copies, but every so often there’s a better or equivalent price on digital versions, as well […]

The Verge
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Xteink’s tiny e-readers are 20 percent off for Prime Day
The Xteink X4 and smaller X3 e-readers are discounted to $55.20 (regularly $69) and $63.20 (normally $79), respectively, as part of Amazon’s Prime Day promotions this week. Both e-readers are significantly smaller and more pocketable than any of the Kindle and Kobo models currently available, and feature magnetic mounts so they can be stuck to […]

Mail Online
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England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions frustrated by stubborn Group L rivals in Boston after lacklustre first half - so, will Thomas Tuchel deliver another half-time dressing down?`
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia thrash Pakistan by 113 runs –as it happened
Ellyse Perry powers Australia to their fourth World Cup win as calamitous Pakistan run outs ruin their chances at Headingley1st over: Australia 2-1 (Perry 1, Voll 1) Not the start anyone was expecting! Unbelievable worldie from Feroza off a Mooney outside edge.What a blinder from Feroza who clutches the egg almost before it has left the chicken, diving to her right at slip. Mooney out first ball of the match! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the golden boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark at this World Cup, particularly in light of Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to stoke fires that started long ago. Two first-half goals gave Houston’s public what they came for and laid an unfortunate run to rest. Until this contribution to what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament matches.Thank goodness, then, for an Uzbekistan defence that would have struggled to hold firm in a Masters game. There could have been no better opponent to help Ronaldo get his eye in, Nuno Mendes’ free-kick, an Abduvokhid Nematov own goal and Rafael Leão’s late adornment emphasising the point. Fabio Cannavaro’s players could not get near adversaries of this level. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Match gallery | Player guide | Bracketology | Golden BootAntoine Semenyo was only 10 years old when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Manchester City forward can still vividly recall the emotions that night as he watched with his family in Bexleyheath, south-east London.“I remember being at my uncle’s house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through,” he said in an interview last month. “Watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we would watch all the games together, celebrating and screaming. Ghana came in [for me] when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down.” Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN; Hormuz Tolls Still Disputed
Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN; Hormuz Tolls Still Disputed

Summary

Conflicting Claims Remain: Washington and Tehran continue to dispute whether Iran agreed to extensive IAEA nuclear inspections and the terms of sanctions relief; also, Hormuz tolls remains an issue of contention.
$12 Billion Asset Release: Iran says $12 billion in frozen assets will be released initially, with total relief potentially reaching $50 billion if a final deal is reached.
Battle Over Fund Control: The US says released funds would be restricted to humanitarian purchases, while Iran insists it will decide how to use its own money.
Oil Relief and Hormuz: Temporary sanctions relief for Iranian oil exports has begun, and both sides say the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping.
Fragile Progress & a Russian Role? Iran is considering sending enriched uranium to Russia, but regional tensions and unresolved issues still threaten the talks.
*  *  *

Fees for Transiting Hormuz? Another Switzerland Unresolved Issue

Despite Washington pressure and warnings, it appears Oman is still on board with cooperating with Iran to extract Hormuz Strait transit fees, or tolls, over and against repeat objections from the White House.

Alongside nuclear inspectors, this remains a top disputed issue, despite the MoD framework having been signed. But the two sides are likely to leave the details to be hashed out during the 60-day 'technical negotiations'.


Iran and Oman said any future arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz must respect the sovereign rights of the two coastal states, adding that they plan to charge fees for ships transiting the waterway.
Following talks in Muscat, the two sides agreed to form a joint working group… pic.twitter.com/3EAkdDFVAH
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 23, 2026
Trump Insists Iran Agreed to 'Highest Level' of Nuclear Inspections

With a number of issues still up in the air, amid claims and counter-claims coming after Switzerland - from nuclear inspectors accessing Iran to how Tehran is able to use its soon to be unfrozen funds - President Trump heightens the drama by issuing a Tuesday morning Truth Social message regarding the negotiations

Trump insists that Iran has agreed to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections, calling it a guarantee of "Nuclear Honesty" and stressing that there would have been "no further negotiations" without such a commitment. He also says the US will allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain "OPEN" and is not pursuing a naval blockade, though military assets remain in place if conditions change.

According to Trump, any sanctions relief or released Iranian funds will be held in US-controlled escrow and can only be used to purchase food and medical supplies from the United States, including "Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers."

Trump now characterizes the situation in Iran as a "humanitarian crisis" and concluded that "Talks are going well!!".


Trump says "Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future" and yet adds "If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations"
Iran has repeatedly said it has not agreed to this pic.twitter.com/SI82IXb1hf
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 23, 2026
Iran Touts $12BN in Frozen Assets to Be Released, Will Use How it Pleases

Among the biggest latest developments in the immediate wake of the Switzerland meeting is that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has announced an agreement has been reached for the United States to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

It also comes after the US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief, namely freeing up Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until August 1st. Concerning the frozen asset partial release, Tehran is now emphasizing that it alone will decide how the funds will be used.

But this may be another area where the headlines and declarations are too far out front, given Washington has sought to impose some caveats which likely remain unacceptable to the Iranians side. For example Vice President JD Vance made clear his stance Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal, describing that if there were, they must be limited in use and implementation - to purchase US agricultural goods. He has emphasized - perhaps wishing to address American domestic criticisms - that the funds would not be used to support terrorism.



Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, has already firmly rejected the soybean plan, saying at a UN press briefing, "Iran is the only country who will decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen."

In total a whopping $50 billion could eventually be released under the MoU framework - something which will drive Republican hawsk mad. Al Jazeera reports Tuesday, citing the Iranian side: 


A spokesperson said the agreement would allow Iran access to previously frozen assets, although the US says restrictions would remain in place under the arrangement.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, two separate tranches of $6bn were originally agreed in Doha, with the final signing ceremony intended to take place in Switzerland. The Iranian spokesperson now says that process has been completed.

Under the reported framework, an initial $12bn in Iranian funds would be released. During the 60-day negotiation period, a further $12bn could be unlocked. If the parties ultimately reach a final agreement, the value of sanctions relief and released funds could reportedly rise to as much as $50bn.


Official Contradiction: Vance Had Hailed Iran Will Allow IAEA Access to Nuclear Sites

Another point of disagreement remains the entry of IAEA nuclear inspectors into the Islamic Republic. Vance had hailed Tehran already agreed to this, while Iran's leaders are in effect saying not so fast. It's but one of several major contradictions in public rhetoric coming from either side in the wake of the top-level round one meeting in Switzerland.

Something interesting - which Washington may or may not be on board with - is that Tehran is now signaling openness to Russia hosting its enriched nuclear material.


Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “fully” open to commercial shipping and that large volumes of oil have been transported through the waterway in recent days, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 23, 2026
Russia to Host Enriched Uranium? 

Al Arabiya reports that Iran's aforementioned UN ambassador says "transferring enriched uranium to Russia is under consideration." This could indeed be enough to satisfy President Trump, considering it would be a 'lesser evil' option if indeed the Iranians are actually ready for such a plan (which Moscow has offered several times to facilitate over the past year).

Lebanon is another issue which could threaten to unravel all the progress made thus far, but reports cite a 'cautious calm' across the south, but with some limited, sporadic exchanges of fire.

One correspondent on the ground reports, "Here in Tyre, people driving across the city this morning are picking up bits of rubble, starting to clear things out and searching for what they can salvage among their destroyed homes and businesses. That is what people are using this moment of calm for."

However, there's been reports of at least two new Lebanese deaths. In one instance Lebanese national media indicated "A young man was killed and two others were injured” when Israeli soldiers "opened machine gun fire in their direction while they were standing near an excavator which was clearing a road" in a locality near the town of Nabatieh - per the National News Agency. Hezbollah is saying Tuesday that this violates the ceasefire agreement.

The situation on Monday was such that the Iranian delegation almost quit the Sunday-Monday talks completely, Iran's top negotiator has explained:


Iran's Ghalibaf:
In the middle of the discussions, I learned that Trump had made threatening remarks regarding our president, the negotiating team, and possible attacks on our territory.
I told Vance: “We are here engaged in talks, and according to the signed understanding,… pic.twitter.com/Oi0jKrXf19
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
More Latest Developments

Below are some latest developments on the US-Iran peace front via Middle East Eye:

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said an agreement had been reached to release $12bn in frozen Iranian assets.
The US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief allowing Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until 1 August.
Washington said the measures follow Iran’s commitment to permit international nuclear inspections after intensive talks in Switzerland.
President Donald Trump said released Iranian funds would be used to purchase food and agricultural products from US farmers.
Iran’s Central Bank rejected Trump’s comments, saying Tehran is under no obligation to spend released funds on American goods.
Iranian officials said technical negotiations with the United States have concluded and the process is entering a new phase.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the effectiveness of future talks depends on all sides fully implementing their commitments.
A US official said Centcom has launched a monitoring mechanism in Lebanon to provide American officials with assessments of fighting on the ground.
Israeli officials reiterated that military operations in Lebanon would continue despite ongoing diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran.
Markets and regional observers continued to focus on sanctions implementation, Hormuz shipping activity and the durability of the broader agreement.
And via Newsquawk summary:

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said "if the other party does not fulfill its obligations, we should not be expected to unilaterally fulfill our obligations", Iran International reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said defensive capabilities and missiles will never be a topic of discussion. US commitment regarding Lebanon is completely clear.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said quadrilateral talks were stopped early in Switzerland due to the witnessing of US threats. Thereafter, exchanges were via a mediator, Mehr reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said Iran has no plans to let IAEA inspectors visit nuclear sites targeted in the conflict.
Iranian President, ahead of trip to Pakistan, said Iran is seeking the full implementation of the clauses that have been signed within the framework of international law, Nour News reported.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Iran according to international law.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said in phone call to Turkish President Erdogan on Monday that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy as per international law.
Iran Central Bank Governor said Tehran is not obliged to purchase US agricultural goods under current agreements, and states that remaining frozen assets can be used to buy non-sanctioned goods beyond essential items, according to Tasnim.
"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Baghdad next Sunday", Al Mayadeen reported citing sources; The meeting will include a briefing on the progress of the talks in Switzerland and the preparations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry said "America has issued the necessary license for the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products", Al Jazeera reported.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said any further attacks on Lebanon would be a red line.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said Hormuz talks will be held with Oman.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said there has been good progress in negotiations with the US.
"Sources indicate that the Iranian Foreign Minister [Araghchi] will hold separate talks with Pakistani officials", Al Hadath reported.
Oman's Foreign Minister said Iranian negotiators reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to ensuring safe, toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman's Foreign Minister meets with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf, with the officials discussing regional stability and Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data cited by Al-Arabia showed at least 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
One person reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire in a southern Lebanese town, according to Lebanese Civil Defense and a security source - timing unclear.
Senior US official tells Al Jazeera that talks between Lebanon and Israel will continue to advance comprehensive peace and a security agreement between the two countries.
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said Israel must act alone against Iran's nuclear program and must maintain military freedom in Lebanon, hopes withdrawal from southern Lebanon will not happen and will do everything to convince PM Netanyahu.
Israel military shells and fires at Khan Yunis in Gaza, according to Fars News Agency.
Israel's PM, Defence Minister and Military Chief said Israeli military will continue to act to neutralise threats to soldiers and citizens, demolish terrorist infrastructure, and maintain security zone in southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement. Israel's leadership reaffirms that the security of Israeli citizens and IDF troops will remain its overriding priority, with no room for compromise.
Israeli forces reportedly violate Syrian territory, conducting house searches in southern outskirts of Quneitra governorate.
US-Iran technical talks in Burgenstock had a "breakthrough", talks proceed seemingly in a positive direction, Journalist Mallick reported.
US President Trump, on Israel and Lebanon, said "we'll take a look at it"; said he gets problems solved fast, including with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
US President Trump said if Iran doesn't stick to agreement, he will do what he has to do. As long as Iran respects us, we are not going to have any trouble. Could restart the blockade quickly if needed.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 12:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Burden Of History: Justice Jackson's Curious Call To Overturn Critical 2nd Amendment Precedent
The Burden Of History: Justice Jackson's Curious Call To Overturn Critical 2nd Amendment Precedent

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

Since her confirmation in 2022, Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson has established a legacy that is fast becoming one of the most radical in the Court’s history. Her sole dissents have drawn sharp criticism from both her conservative and liberal colleagues. However, for critics of some of these decisions, Justice Jackson continues to publish opinions that are not just, as she describes it, cathartic but chilling. Worse yet, the latest judicial jump scare was shared by her colleague, Justice Sonya Sotomayor, in her concurring opinion in United States v. Hemani..



At issue in the case was an effort to prosecute Ali Hemani for recreational use of marijuana, a prosecution that threatened up to 15 years and to strip him of his gun rights under  18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)

Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch ruled that the provision was not "consistent with the Second Amendment." Gorsuch noted that Hemani was not alleged to be a drug addict or to have used his guns in a menacing manner.

Gorsuch wrote that the "historical laws on which it relies targeted different kinds of people, did so for different reasons, and operated in different ways."

However, Jackson used the concurrence to argue for overturning NYSRPA v. Bruen, a case critical to laying the foundation for interpreting the Second Amendment based on historical precedent. Jackson lashed out at the"'history and tradition' metric" and called for the Court to "revisit" the case.

Declaring Bruen "unworkable," Jackson called for the restoration of the "means-end scrutiny - the approach courts applied before we adopted Bruen's 'history and tradition' metric - offers a more rational way of assessing the constitutionality of firearm regulations."

The reason for undoing Bruen? According to Jackson, "it imposes on judges the unfamiliar and difficult tasks of sifting through centuries-old evidence in order to answer 'contested historical questions,' and 'applying those answers to resolve contemporary problems.'"

Justice Jackson added that "Given those challenges, it is unsurprising that Bruen's test is vulnerable to inconsistent and arbitrary application, as judges draw different conclusions from the same historical evidence and reach divergent assessments of the same laws."

The burden of actually seeking to understand the intended meaning of a constitutional provision is certainly greater than the more free-style approach of Jackson who focused on how to "resolve contemporary problems" under a living Constitution. However, to suggest that her outcome-determinative approach is less inconsistent and arbitrary is only true when you control the Court with justices who have like-minded "solutions" for contemporary problems.

That is precisely what many Democrats have in mind as they openly pledge to pack the Court with an insistent liberal majority if they can retake power. Moreover, Jackson is often cited as the model of the left, a justice who is unburdened by the language and history of constitutional provisions.

Just last week, liberal Wisconsin State Supreme Court justices heralded Jackson’s approach in arguing for the restoration of race-based gerrymandering. The state jurists lamented not being able to interpret the Constitution to address the “harms this country has caused to those who are marginalized, disempowered, or disenfranchised,” including the “preference for White Americans and to burden Black Americans and those of other disadvantaged races or backgrounds.”

These federal and state Supreme Court opinions are a glimpse into what awaits the country if Democratic leaders carry out their threat to take over the Supreme Court by adding four liberal justices in the image of Justice Jackson.

It is not simply the desire to immediately overturn prior cases but to establish a largely untethered jurisprudence driven by judicial fiat and impulse. It is certainly an easier way to write opinions and would clear the way for a stated agenda on the left to maintain power indefinitely.

Before voters "unburden" these jurists, they need to seriously consider the costs of eviscerating an institution that has been vital in maintaining this Republic for the last 250 years.

Here is the opinion: United States v. Hemani

onathan Turley is a law professor and the New York Times best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 13:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
US Senate Passes Housing Bill With Four-Year Fed CBDC Ban
US Senate Passes Housing Bill With Four-Year Fed CBDC Ban

Authored by Micah Zimmerman via BitcoinMagazine.com,

The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping housing affordability bill Monday night — and tucked inside its pages is a provision that could permanently reshape America’s digital currency landscape: a formal ban on a Federal Reserve-issued central bank digital currency through the end of 2030.



The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act cleared the Senate 85-5, with Republican leaders insisting the CBDC restriction ride along with one of the most bipartisan bills in years. The House was poised to fast-track a vote as early as Tuesday, putting the measure on a direct path to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.

The bill’s language is sweeping: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any Federal Reserve bank may not issue, create, or circulate a central bank digital currency — directly or through any intermediary — through December 31, 2030. 

It explicitly shields private stablecoins, carving out any “open, permissionless, and private” dollar-denominated asset.

Trump set the political foundation for the ban in January 2025, signing an executive order barring his administration from any CBDC activity, warning it would threaten “the stability of the financial system, individual privacy, and the sovereignty of the United States”.

New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who replaced Jerome Powell, has called a U.S. CBDC a “bad policy choice” — making the Fed and the White House, for once, aligned.

The crypto market, meanwhile, isn’t celebrating. Bitcoin was trading near $62,000 Tuesday morning — down more than 3.7% on the day — as a Nasdaq tech selloff bled into digital assets. 

BTC has now lost roughly half its value since setting an all-time high above $125,000 in July 2025, and some analysts say the pain may not be over: at least one widely-followed technical indicator is pointing to a potential additional drop of 15% or more before a bottom forms.

Additional crypto Senate legislation in the works 

The CBDC ban is the latest piece in a three-part legislative puzzle the Trump-era Congress has been assembling.

In July 2025, Trump signed the GENIUS Act — the first federal stablecoin law in U.S. history — requiring issuers to hold one-to-one reserves, make monthly disclosures, and obtain federal licensing. The law essentially gave private digital dollars a legal green light at the same moment the government’s version was being blocked.

The third and most complex piece is still pending.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act — the industry’s long-sought framework for determining when a crypto token is a security versus a commodity — cleared the Senate Banking Committee 15-9 on May 14 and landed on the Senate Legislative Calendar on June 1. 

Galaxy Research has put the odds of passage this year as high as 60%, but the clock is running out.

The bill needs at least seven Democratic votes to clear the Senate floor, and senators must act before August — when the legislative calendar effectively shuts down ahead of midterm campaigning. 

Senator Bill Hagerty told Fox Business on June 18 that he hoped the Clarity Act could clear the floor in the weeks ahead. Without it, a key question — who actually regulates crypto, the SEC or the CFTC — remains unanswered heading into an election cycle.

If Trump signs the housing bill this week, it will mark the most concrete federal action against a government digital dollar yet.

The message from Washington is becoming harder to misread: private crypto has a seat at the table, and the Fed’s version of a digital dollar does not. 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 14:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Ras Laffan Explosion Threatens To Slow Qatar LNG Ramp, Goldman Says
Ras Laffan Explosion Threatens To Slow Qatar LNG Ramp, Goldman Says

A powerful explosion tore through Qatar's key natural gas plant late Sunday, killing at least 13 people and injuring 66 others. While the incident does not appear to have directly impaired LNG export capacity, it has certaintly raised the risk that Qatar may slow the restart of operations as a precaution.



The timing could not be worse. The blast at Qatar's giant Ras Laffan energy complex comes just a week or so after the US-Iran interim peace deal was signed and days after the Strait of Hormuz was reopened.



Latest maritime ship tracking data shows a notable uptick in transits of tankers and cargo vessels on the critical waterway.



Goldman Sachs energy expert Samantha Dart penned a note on Monday detailing how the explosion at Qatar’s Barzan gas plant in Ras Laffan does not appear to have directly affected the country’s LNG export capacity, but it has raised questions over whether Qatar Energy may slow the restart of export trains as a precaution, potentially tightening Europe’s winter gas balance.



Dart said the blast likely adds a one-month delay in the full ramp-up of Qatari LNG exports, relative to a base case of exports reaching 83% of capacity by the end of July, would reduce northwest Europe’s end-October storage level by about 4 percentage points to 70%, compared with a 74% base case.



Dart's four takeaways:

1. While yesterday's accident at Barzan, a Qatari natural gas supply facility that services domestic gas users, does not appear to have directly impacted the country's LNG export capacity, it has raised questions as to whether the pace of restart at Qatari LNG export trains might slow as a precautionary measure.

2. We estimate that a one-month delay in the full ramp of Qatari LNG exports (to 83% of capacity, net of the 13 mtpa under long-term damage) relative to our end-Jul26 base case would lower the NW Europe end-Oct26 gas storage fill by 4pp to 70% full (vs our 74% base case).

3. We believe such a scenario would lend only very limited (if any) incremental support to European gas prices vs our 41 EUR/MW 2H2026 forecast. This is because our implied end-Mar27 storage estimate, which would move to 28% (vs our 32% base case) under an average winter, would still be high enough to withstand a 1-2 standard-deviation colder-than-average winter

4. A scenario of a two-month delay for the ramp in Qatari LNG exports, however, to end-Sep26, would be more worrisome for winter gas availability. In this scenario, we would expect end-Mar27 storage fill 8pp lower vs our 32% base case, suggesting a risk of stock-out under a two-standard deviation colder-than-average winter. This increased risk of a NW Europe gas inventory stock-out would, in turn, likely support 4Q26 TTF closer to 50 EUR/MWh than to our 40 EUR/MWh forecast to reflect a higher probability that the market might need to rally towards 65 EUR/MWh ($22/mmBtu) to disincentivize Asia LNG demand

Any delay in Qatar’s LNG ramp-up would complicate the early stages of Hormuz normalization after being shuttered for several months due to the US-Iran conflict and would impact global gas markets, particularly the hardest-hit in Europe, where storage remains very sensitive to the pace of Qatari export recovery.

Professional subscribers can read much more on energy and the Hormuz chokepoint at our Marketdesk.ai portal.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 14:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Judge Blocks SNAP Restrictions On Sugary Drinks, Candy
Judge Blocks SNAP Restrictions On Sugary Drinks, Candy

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

A federal judge on Monday blocked the USDA from restricting the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ​Program (SNAP) to buy sugary foods or drinks in five states.
Bags of candy on shelves at a Target store in Austin, Texas, on June 4, 2025. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit by five SNAP recipients challenging the Agriculture Department's (USDA's) issuance of waivers for Colorado, Iowa, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Nebraska that allow them to restrict certain types of foods that can be purchased under the program.

According to the court documents, the states sought USDA approval between April and August 2025 to conduct pilot projects that would waive the federal definition of food and exclude soft drinks and sugary food from SNAP benefits.

The USDA approved the requests, but the plaintiffs argued the agency lacked authority to approve the food restriction waivers.

In her ruling, Jackson said the USDA lacked congressional approval to waive the federal definition of food under the program.

"Congress defined what 'food' is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted. It did not authorize the agency to cut types of food out of SNAP entirely," the judge said.

"It set out clearly the type of experimental projects that could be tested to address the unquestionably serious health issues attributed to the rise of obesity in the population in general and particularly the low-income population. But it did not invite the Secretary to ignore its directives by trying to advance those ends under the banner of 'efficiency' or administrative improvements."

The judge also said that while the federal government and states may seek to encourage healthier choices for SNAP households, they must do so through lawful steps.

Following the ruling, the USDA ⁠defended the move and signaled that it would continue pursuing restrictions on the use of SNAP benefits for certain foods.

"The idea that taxpayer funds should not be used to purchase junk food should not be controversial," a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. "USDA will not be backing down from the fight to Make America Healthy Again, including for ​families and communities reliant on ​SNAP."

Katie Deabler, senior attorney at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, which represents the plaintiffs, said the ruling marked "a major step" in restoring essential food aid to SNAP households.

"This decision makes clear that the USDA cannot bypass the legal guardrails that establish how SNAP must operate across the country. It affirms that families deserve a program that works without confusion," Deabler said in a statement.

The USDA has so far approved food restriction waivers ⁠in 23 states, allowing them to restrict SNAP participants from using their benefits to buy products such as ​soda and candy.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have supported banning food items deemed unhealthy from SNAP as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda.

In June 2025, Kennedy called on all state governors to exclude sugary drinks from the SNAP program.

"Taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic," he said at the time.

Naveen Athrappully and Reuters contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 15:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Meta Developing Prediction Market App Called "Arena" To Compete With Polymarket, Kalshi
Meta Developing Prediction Market App Called "Arena" To Compete With Polymarket, Kalshi

The company formerly known as Facebook which has yet to change its name from the terribly outdated Meta to something more AI-related, even if Meta has so far lost any hope of being a leading frontier model, is developing a new app called “Arena” that mirrors a prediction market platform to compete with the runaway success of Polymarket and Kalshi, according the New York Times.



The product - which would operate independently from Facebook and Instagram - would allow users to make forecasts about future events, ranging from politics and sports to entertainment and world affairs. However, unlike traditional prediction market platforms such as Polymarket or Kalshi, users would likely rely on a video game-like points system instead of cash, the report said, although the company has not ruled out the eventual use of real-money betting. In some ways, the product would be an extension of Meta's scuttled stablecoin project, Libra, when the company was hoping to enter the lucrative payments wallet market, however that venture proved unsuccessful and Zuckerberg pulled the plug in 2022.

The people described the product as both experimental and a top priority inside the company.

The effort comes as prediction markets have gained unprecedented popularity following Polymarket’s breakout success during the 2024 US presidential election, when traders came to the crypto-based platform to place bets on electoral outcomes, driving billions of dollars in trading volume and elevating prediction markets into the mainstream political conversation.

Meta previously launched a similar product called Forecast in 2020, which encouraged users to make predictions about current events and emerging trends during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. But as with most other new ventures by the company, Meta ultimately shut down the product in 2022.

As CoinDesk notes, Meta’s renewed interest in the sector is hardly surprising given the broader industry trend in the same direction. Nearly every major trading platform has made some effort to offer prediction market-style products or event contracts. Crypto-native companies such as Coinbase and Kraken have explored opportunities in the space, while retail brokerage Robinhood has introduced event-based contracts tied to political and economic outcomes.

Yet the rapid growth of those markets has also attracted increasing legal and regulatory scrutiny. Critics argue that contracts tied to elections, geopolitics, or other sensitive events can blur the line between financial instruments and gambling. 

Regulators have also raised concerns about market manipulation, insider information, consumer protection, and the potential for participants to profit from events they may be able to influence. In the United States, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has repeatedly grappled with whether certain event contracts serve a legitimate hedging purpose or constitute prohibited gaming activities.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 15:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Supreme Court Sides With Trump Admin On Removing Green Card Holders Accused Of Crimes
Supreme Court Sides With Trump Admin On Removing Green Card Holders Accused Of Crimes

Authored by Debra Heine via American Greatness,

In a 6-3 decision Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, holding that green card holders can be stripped of their status if they traveled abroad while facing criminal charges involving moral turpitude, finding that pending allegations are sufficient to subject them to removal proceedings.



The Court said immigration officials do not need clear and convincing evidence of a crime at the moment a green card holder reenters the U.S. to treat them as an “applicant for admission” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The case,  Blanche v. Lau, was focused on Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese national who became a U.S. resident in 2007. He was arrested in 2012 and charged in New Jersey for allegedly selling $300,000 worth of knock-off shorts.

While Lau was awaiting trial, he left the U.S. but upon his return he was deemed an “applicant for admission” by the Department of Homeland Security which sought his removal from the United States.

The majority determined that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) does not require border officers “to have clear and convincing evidence” of a disqualifying offense at the exact time of parole. Instead, they said the government can satisfy the evidentiary burden later during removal proceedings.

The Court accepted the government’s argument that requiring immediate proof at the border would be unworkable and that the statutory text (“has committed”) does not mandate a “conviction” or immediate proof before parole is granted.

The decision allows DHS to treat green card holders facing pending criminal charges as returning aliens awaiting inspection, and later removal proceedings, rather than readmitting them as residents.

The majority explained that removing a permanent resident on a charge of inadmissibility involves two steps:


At step one, only commission of the crime is required to show that the alien could be regarded as seeking to be admitted; at step two, conviction or admission is required to show that the alien seeking to be admitted is inadmissible.

Lau was correctly charged with inadmissibility. At step one, the Government regarded him as an alien seeking admission because he had committed a crime involving moral turpitude before attempting to reenter the country.

At step two, he was inadmissible and therefore removable because he had been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.


The three liberal dissenting justices argued that this ruling strips lawful permanent residents of their status based on unproven accusations, effectively allowing the government to bypass the higher burden of proof required for deportation by using the “inadmissibility” track instead.


“I worry that the Court has now handed the Government a massive blank check. With today’s decision, the Court allows the Government to return an LPR (lawful permanent resident) to the status of ‘seeking an admission’ upon his entry at the border, so long as the Government is able to show later that he was eventually convicted,” wrote liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in her dissent.

“That sequencing undermines the plain terms and basic operation of the relevant statutory scheme, which guarantees that LPRs will not be ‘regarded as seeking an admission’ at the border unless certain exceptions apply.”


James Percival, the general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, called the ruling a “big win” in a statement, Tuesday.


“Today, the Supreme Court affirmed an important tool DHS has long used to prevent criminals from entering our country. Big win!” Percival posted on X.


Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 15:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Decline Of Mainstream Media: From COVID To Capital Markets
The Decline Of Mainstream Media: From COVID To Capital Markets

Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance

Many of my subscribers first found me before the COVID narrative became mainstream, when I was ringing the alarm bells about the stock market in late 2019 and early 2020 and warning people that the virus was going to be a much bigger deal than people thought.

At the time, almost nobody cared about COVID. The consensus view was that it was a localized problem in China and that markets would continue marching higher as they always had. By January and February 2020, I was repeatedly warning that the market was dramatically underpricing the risk posed by the virus and that investors were ignoring what seemed to me like an obvious threat.

Looking back at my first major retrospective on COVID from 2021, what stands out isn’t that every prediction was correct. Many weren’t. What stands out is that I was willing to examine information that most investors, journalists, and policymakers either ignored or dismissed. Remember how hard it was to push back against the mainstream Covid narrative once it started? This is why I started asking critical questions about whether we were creating too much hysteria and reminding readers that Covid was over if they wanted it to be, all the way back in 2021.

Worse than the virus itself, I noted, was the continued incessant reminders and outright media propaganda to get vaccinated, two-faced mask requirements from hypocritical politicians, spurious and useless mandates and individuals and businesses who suffered personal or economic losses.



Months before COVID became the dominant story in America, I was warning that markets were dramatically underpricing the risk posed by the virus. I questioned China’s reported numbers. I argued that investors were assuming a best-case scenario despite mounting evidence that supply chains, travel, and economic activity could be severely disrupted. I openly criticized the World Health Organization’s handling of the crisis and questioned why obvious inconsistencies weren’t receiving more scrutiny.

I also raised questions that, at the time, were considered beyond the pale. When discussion emerged about a possible laboratory origin for the virus, now confirmed as the likely origin, I argued that simply asking questions should not be treated as misinformation. The idea that SARS-CoV-2 may have originated from research activity at the Wuhan Institute of Virology was widely dismissed as a conspiracy theory in early 2020. Today it seems to be the leading hypothesis.

The lesson I took away from that experience wasn’t that alternative explanations are automatically correct. It was that institutional consensus is often far less certain than it appears. That realization is largely why this blog exists.

Watching politicians impose restrictions that they themselves ignored, watching media organizations aggressively police discussion while frequently revising their own narratives, and watching legitimate questions become taboo convinced me that there was tremendous value in examining uncomfortable subjects that mainstream outlets either couldn’t or wouldn’t touch.



The purpose of my blog became clear: investigate the gray areas. I wrote as much in my “About” page:


Both myself and the people I read are not afraid to challenge the mainstream narrative or succumb to it when it serves the collective best interests of identifying objective truths on complex, important or fringe topics - the areas where the mainstream media and mainstream finance won’t shine lights.

I have spent years reading news that, in my opinion, often missed the point and buried the lede. Up until a couple years ago, I just thought it was because the mainstream media needed to be careful. Now, it has become clear that it is likely due to the mainstream media and financial media’s purpose to drive a narrative which serves the interests of a small minority, rather than the common citizen.


I write not because every fringe idea is true, but because some important truths begin their lives on the fringe. One of the clearest examples was ivermectin.

At the height of the pandemic, ivermectin became less of a scientific question and more of a political litmus test. A drug that had been prescribed billions of times to humans and had won its discoverers a Nobel Prize was suddenly reduced, in popular media coverage, to “horse dewormer.”

The issue to me wasn’t whether ivermectin was a miracle cure. The issue was that the public was being manipulated. Media organizations routinely blurred the distinction between veterinary formulations and human prescriptions. Public health agencies issued messaging that many interpreted as dismissing the drug outright. Anyone who questioned the prevailing narrative risked being labeled a crank, conspiracy theorist, or misinformation spreader.

I argued at the time that this wasn’t science. It was narrative management. The treatment of Joe Rogan became one of the most visible examples. Major media outlets repeatedly referred to ivermectin as horse medicine despite knowing that Rogan had been prescribed the human version by a physician. CNN’s own medical correspondent eventually acknowledged the characterization was inappropriate. I mean, look at this bullshit:



Years later, the FDA itself would acknowledge in court that physicians retain the authority to prescribe ivermectin for COVID treatment.

Whether one believes ivermectin was effective, ineffective, or somewhere in between misses the larger point. The public deserved an honest discussion. Instead, it received a coordinated campaign of ridicule, censorship, and oversimplification. That episode reinforced one of the core principles behind this blog: whenever institutions become more interested in controlling debate than encouraging it, it is worth paying attention.

Which brings us to the latest chapter in the Covid saga. The recent document release by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard may ultimately prove to be one of the most consequential COVID disclosures yet.

The newly declassified materials reveal that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory assessed a laboratory origin as a serious possibility as early as May 2020. In 2022, I published an interview with Dr. Richard Ebright of Rutgers University who claimed Covid was “much more easily explained” as a lab leak.

Contrary to the public perception that the lab-leak theory was merely a fringe internet speculation, one of America’s premier national laboratories concluded that a laboratory-modification scenario was plausible and deserving of equal consideration alongside a natural-origin explanation. The idea wasn’t nearly as batshit insane as the powers that be wanted us to think it was.

In fact, behind the scenes, many intelligent people thought it was the obvious explanation. How could you not? You could basically reach out and touch the Wuhan Institute of Virology from the Wuhan wet market.

The newly-released documents also shed additional light on the nature of U.S.-funded coronavirus research linked to EcoHealth Alliance, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and collaborating researchers. They describe research involving spike-protein modifications, receptor adaptation studies, experiments designed to evaluate human infectivity, and testing in humanized mice. These are precisely the types of activities that later became central to debates about whether SARS-CoV-2 could have emerged from laboratory work.



Perhaps most strikingly, the release includes records indicating that Anthony Fauci participated in discussions involving intelligence officials, COVID origins assessments, and related research issues while later testimony and public statements created the impression that his involvement had been minimal or nonexistent.

Whether future investigations conclude that these inconsistencies amount to intentional deception or not, the documents unquestionably raise serious questions about how much the public was told, when they were told it, and whether key officials were fully transparent.

The released also showed:


The assessment stated that conditions for an accidental release of a laboratory-modified coronavirus existed at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2019.


Documents describe NIH-funded coronavirus research through EcoHealth Alliance involving spike-protein studies, receptor-adaptation experiments, and testing in humanized mice with Wuhan collaborators.


The release highlights links to the 2018 DEFUSE proposal, which contemplated engineering bat coronaviruses and studying ways to increase their ability to infect human cells.


Internal emails show some scientists initially considered the possibility that certain features of SARS-CoV-2 could have resulted from engineering, though views evolved over time.


Government and intelligence officials debated evidence related to the Wuhan lab, the virus’s furin cleavage site, and competing lab-origin versus natural-origin explanations.


Documents include references to a 2016 Wuhan research paper describing techniques for large-scale viral genome reconstruction relevant to synthetic biology.

Equally important are the broader implications. The documents suggest that significant uncertainty existed behind closed doors while the public was presented with a far more confident narrative. They reveal that laboratory-origin scenarios were receiving serious internal consideration while public discussion of those same possibilities was often stigmatized. They demonstrate that intelligence officials, researchers, and policymakers were wrestling with questions that ordinary citizens were frequently discouraged from asking.

In other words, the fringe wasn’t inventing questions. The fringe was asking questions that powerful institutions were unwilling to answer. And that distinction matters. Because when legitimate inquiry is mislabeled as conspiracy, skepticism becomes important.

That’s the real reason this blog exists and I’ll never stop writing…because there’s tons to be skeptical about, not just in current events and Covid, but in the financial world as well: modern monetary theory, changing the inflation goalposts, solving inequality by printing money, the illusion that the stock market is indestructible, and the avoidance to talk about how things are crumbling before our eyes but we refuse to discuss it:  Read "We're In A Historic Bubble"

🔥 50% OFF FOR LIFE: Using this coupon entitles you to 50% off an annual subscription to Fringe Finance for life: Get 50% off forever

I don’t think every unconventional idea is correct, nor do I particularly enjoy being contrarian. But history repeatedly demonstrates that consensus can be wrong, institutions can be self-interested, experts can be captured, and politically inconvenient truths can remain hidden for years. And that’s why I write.

The goal is not to live on the fringe, it is to visit it often enough to make sure reality hasn’t moved there while everyone else was looking the other way. And in the investing world in particular, being early often carries with it a pecuniary reward. And while I’ve stopped actively trading, I get immense satisfaction by hopefully passing down such useful ideas and ruminations to my kind subscribers.

--

QTR’s Disclaimer: Please read my full legal disclaimer on my About page here. This post represents my opinions only. In addition, please understand I am an idiot and often get things wrong and lose money. I may own or transact in any names mentioned in this piece at any time without warning. Contributor posts and aggregated posts have been hand selected by me, have not been fact checked and are the opinions of their authors. They are either submitted to QTR by their author, reprinted under a Creative Commons license with my best effort to uphold what the license asks, or with the permission of the author.
This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks or securities, just my opinions. I often lose money on positions I trade/invest in. I may add any name mentioned in this article and sell any name mentioned in this piece at any time, without further warning. None of this is a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I may or may not own names I write about and are watching. Sometimes I’m bullish without owning things, sometimes I’m bearish and do own things. Just assume my positions could be exactly the opposite of what you think they are just in case. If I’m long I could quickly be short and vice versa. I won’t update my positions.

As of May 20, 2026 I personally no longer actively trade (read my story here). My investing/saving is done by recurring contributions mostly to sector ETFs and a few select equities, trusted third parties who oversee my accounts, and advisors. Such advisors or funds, through individual equities, options, index funds, mutual funds, ETFs, or other securities, may have positions in, exposure to, or holdings of names mentioned herein that I know nothing about. Basically, via index funds, ETFs and individual equities it is possible I could own, have exposure to, or not own anything at any point. As of the same date, May 20, 2026, in an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, I’ve also excluded myself from fantasy sports, sports betting, online and in-person casinos and prediction markets.

And all positions can change immediately as soon as I publish this, with or without notice and at any point I can be long, short or neutral on any position. You are on your own. Do not make decisions based on my blog. I exist on the fringe. If you see numbers and calculations of any sort, assume they are wrong and double check them. I failed Algebra in 8th grade and topped off my high school math accolades by getting a D- in remedial Calculus my senior year, before becoming an English major in college so I could bullshit my way through things easier.

The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this page. These are not the opinions of any of my employers, partners, or associates. I did my best to be honest about my disclosures but can’t guarantee I am right; I write these posts after a couple beers sometimes. I edit after my posts are published because I’m impatient and lazy, so if you see a typo, check back in a half hour. Also, I just straight up get shit wrong a lot. I mention it twice because it’s that important.
 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 16:20

The Aviationist
Open 
Downed U.S. F-15E Pilot Reportedly Observed Unusual Iranian Drone Swarm Moving In ‘Jellyfish’ Formation
CNN reports the pilot described a jellyfish-like swarm of interconnected drones before he ejected over Iran, raising questions about Tehran’s unmanned networking capabilities. The U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot rescued after being shot down over Iran in April 2026 reportedly described seeing an unusual swarm of Iranian drones before ejecting from his aircraft. […]

Gizmodo
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Anthropic’s New ID Checks for Claude Won’t Save Fable 5 From Trump’s Ban
The company has said its new age-verification measure "applies only to a small subset of users."

Gizmodo
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The Poop Emoji Got Gravity Right, Physicists Find
The unassuming lugworm releases gravity-defying poop—something that represents a broader theme in the shape of all poop.

Gizmodo
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Just Who Is the Mystery 79-Year-Old Patient Who Got Special Access to an Experimental Weight Loss Drug?
The White House has denied that the application was filed on behalf of President Donald Trump.

Gizmodo
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The New York primary race for the 12th district has national implications.

Gizmodo
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‘Magic School Bus’ Live-Action Movie Kicks Into Gear as Rob Letterman Hops on Board to Direct
Legendary Entertainment has acquired the rights to the film from Universal.

Gizmodo
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Meta Is Building a Prediction Markets App to Challenge Polymarket and Kalshi
The Trump family and federal prosecutors have had their eyes on the industry, too.

Gizmodo
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NASA’s Moon Plan Depends on 15 Starship Launches. There’s Just One Problem
Drastically increased launch cadence from SpaceX and NASA's other commercial partners is straining aging infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center, a new report finds.

Mail Online
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I wake up every day in an extremely low mood: DR SCURR reveals why not being a 'morning person' could be a sign of something more sinister
For years, I've suffered with extremely low mood in the mornings - even if I go to bed happy. What could be causing these overnight changes? Dr Martin Scurr replies...

Mail Online
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Card payments go down leaving England fans thirsty as they support the Three Lions from pubs at home
Payment processing company Worldpay is reporting outages at some of their card terminals, with frustrated customers online sharing experiences of being left empty-handed when they go to pay.

Crowdfund Insider
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Canada used to be a country that punched above its weight in business creation and entrepreneurship, but in recent years, this quality has declined. Even more worrying, more jobs are being created in the public sector and by non-profits/NGOs, thereby crowding out private-sector development. A... Read More

ZDNet News
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I'm heavily considering buying these gift cards on sale for Prime Day: DoorDash, Starbucks, and more
Buy free money this Prime Day with discounted gift cards on select stores and apps.

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The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is a luxury smartwatch with rugged features. ZDNET readers can't get enough of it on the first day of Prime Day.

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The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 (Gen 3) is on sale for $1,319 for Amazon Prime Day - nearly 40% off the regular price.

ZDNet News
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For Prime Day, Amazon is offering a Choose Your Game bundle for the Nintendo Switch 2, with savings of up to $30.

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I'm a health and wearables editor, and these are some of the top smartwatch, smart ring, and wellness deals I've found for Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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Valve has finally released information on the Steam Machine pricing and release timing. Here's how to get on the waitlist and why Linux users should rejoice.

CNET News
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It's one of my favorite outdoor security cameras, and you can snag it for less than $25 apiece with this bundle offer.

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Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for June 24, No. 1,831.

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Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 24 No. 843.

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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 24, No. 1,109.

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Prime Day is here, and for the next four days, we'll bring you the best deals live as we find them.

Wired Top Stories
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This Prime Day Neck Fan Deal Will Save You From Summer Sweats (2026)
This lightweight neck fan is one of my favorite summer gadgets, and it’s more than 30 percent off right now.

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Our top Apple Watch recommendation, the Apple Watch Series 11, is 30 percent off—and the lowest price we’ve seen this year.

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12 Best Prime Day Apple Deals: iPad, Cases, MacBooks, and More
Apple deals abound for Amazon Prime Day. We've rounded up the best deals on Apple Watches, iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and accessories.

The Hill
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Republicans roll out text of farm bill without Democratic priorities
Senate Republicans unveiled the text of a sweeping five-year farm bill on Tuesday afternoon that omits Democrats’s stated top priority. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a statement that this legislation would “increase investments for rural communities and foster a more resilient agriculture sector.” “I’m proud to put...

The Hill
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Federal appeals court allows Trump administration to resume fast-track deportations
A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s efforts to fast-track deportations for undocumented immigrants across the country through an expedited process that’s typically reserved for individuals who recently crossed the southern border. The Court of Appeals for ​the District of Columbia Circuit issued a 2-1 ruling, overturning a lower-court...

The Hill
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Why SNAP soda and candy bans are controversial
A federal judge on Monday blocked bans, by the Trump administration and several states, on the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy soda, candy and other foods consider unhealthy. Late last year, a push by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urged states to strip some foods...

The Hill
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What the Epstein files say about former UK ambassador to US Lord Peter Mandelson
In July 2009, Epstein wrote to Mandelson on the day he was released from jail, “Free and home.”

The Hill
Open 
Senate votes to direct Trump to withdraw troops from Iran conflict; four Republicans break ranks
The Senate on Tuesday approved a House-passed resolution directing President Trump to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran after four GOP senators broke ranks and voted to undercut Trump’s authority as commander-in-chief. The Senate voted 50 to 48 to approve the resolution, which passed the House 215-208 earlier this month. The measure came...

The Hill
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Watch live: Data Nerds track and analyze primary elections in Maryland, New York and Utah
The Hill presents one-and-a-half hours of live, real-time primary night coverage, diving deep into the 2026 primaries in Maryland, New York and Utah on Tuesday from 8:30-10 p.m. EDT. The Hill’s coverage will be anchored by Sunrise on The Hill’s Cory Smith, joined by Rising's Robby Soave, The Hill's campaign and congressional reporters, Decision Desk...

The Hill
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Murphy: Sanctions relief makes it 'harder to make a deal' with Iran
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday said that sanctions relief for Iran agreed to in the country's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. makes it "harder to make a deal" with the Islamic regime. Murphy told MS NOW's Chris Hayes on "All In" that the Obama administration "didn't release all these sanctions ahead" of...

The Hill
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Trump to hand out World Cup championship trophy
President Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey next month and help present the championship trophy, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday. The final, to be held in the home of the New York Giants and Jets on July 19, will be the culmination of the first World Cup held on...

Techdirt
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FTC Sues Transgender Health Nonprofit One Month After A Federal Court Called Its Investigation An Unconstitutional First Amendment Violation
Last week the FTC decided to file an obviously censorial, legally baseless lawsuit against an educational non-profit in an attempt to punish the organization for its speech in a manner that is clearly way outside the bounds of the FTC’s authority. The case serves no purpose other than to punish an organization for its speech… […]

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Senate votes to HALT Iran war, gets multiple Republican votes…
The US Senate just voted to halt the Iran war and got multiple Republican votes to make it happen. U.S. Senate votes to halt Iran war unless Trump receives approval from Congress. . . .

Mail Online
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Megan Pickford blows a kiss in the stands as she and Ellie Watkins lead the WAGs at England's second World Cup game against Ghana
Jordan Pickford's wife Megan blew a kiss in the stands as she led the WAGs at England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson gives away two World Cup tickets to lucky England fans ahead of Ghana clash in Boston
Clarkson, 66, who is in remission from prostate cancer, took to X on Tuesday to get rid of the tickets after upgrading to hospitality seats.

Mail Online
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Card payments go down leaving England fans thirsty as they support the Three Lions from pubs at home
Despite the midweek 9pm kickoff, fans flocked to pubs across the country, many sporting England shirts and hats.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Deschamps returns to France after death of his mother
France head coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side's final World Cup group game following the death of his mother, the French Football Federation confirms.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Senate approves war powers resolution in rare rebuke of Trump over Iran conflict – US politics live
This was the 10th time the Senate had tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, marked a stunning turnaroundUS Senate approves war powers resolution challenging Trump’s Iran war authorityMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New York eyes 2042 Winter Olympics with Lake Placid-NYC bid concept
Committee to study Lake Placid-NYC Games2042 emerges as earliest realistic targetState cites existing venues and IOC shiftThe prospect of a Winter Olympics stretching from the Adirondacks to New York City has taken its first formal step toward reality as state leaders launched a year-long review into whether the two destinations could jointly host a future Games.New York governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced the formation of the Lake Placid-New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee, a statewide group tasked with evaluating whether a future Winter Games built around existing venues and shared between the two locations could be delivered sustainably and responsibly. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia thrash Pakistan by 113 runs – live reaction
Updates as Australia seek to maintain their 100% recordStart time at Headingley is 6.30pm BST/3.30am AESTAny thoughts? Email Tanya1st over: Australia 2-1 (Perry 1, Voll 1) Not the start anyone was expecting! Unbelievable worldie from Feroza off a Mooney outside edge.What a blinder from Feroza who clutches the egg almost before it has left the chicken, diving to her right at slip. Mooney out first ball of the match! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Steve Clarke warns Scotland of threat posed by returning Brazil ‘icon’ Neymar
Forward expected to return from injury in Group C finale‘His qualities are without question … he’s a superstar’Steve Clarke believes Scotland must be prepared for the threat provided by the “icon” Neymar in Miami on Wednesday. Neymar is expected to make his bow for Brazil in this World Cup after returning from injury as Group C reaches its climax.“His qualities are without question,” Scotland’s manager said. “He’s one of the superstars of the modern era. We can expect a very dangerous opponent but I could go on about Brazil and so many dangerous opponents. Neymar is just one of them; even coming from the bench he would give them a lift because he is such an icon. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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England star REFUSES to shake hands with Thomas Partey - and fans fume as cameras cut away from exchange with player accused of rape ahead of Ghana World Cup clash
MIKE KEEGAN: Most of England's players followed FIFA protocol and greeted rape charge Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before kick-off - although it appeared that Djed Spence refused to do so.

Mail Online
Open 
England fans pile into pubs to support the Three Lions from home as they take on Ghana in second World Cup match
Despite the midweek 9pm kickoff, fans flocked to pubs across the country, many sporting England shirts and hats.

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Thomas Tuchel's side frustrated by stubborn Group L rivals as 15,000 Three Lions fans descend on Boston for second match
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

Mail Online
Open 
Megan Pickford blows a kiss in the stands as she and Ellie Watkins lead the WAGs at England's second World Cup game against Ghana
Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie led the WAGs getting ready for England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
Open 
England star REFUSES to shake hands with Thomas Partey - as fans fume at BBC for cutting away from exchange with player accused of rape ahead of Ghana World Cup clash
The former Arsenal player was making his World Cup entrance on Tuesday evening after he was denied entry to Canada for Ghana's first group stage game against Panama.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Senate approves war powers resolution for first time in rebuke of Trump’s military action against Iran – US politics live
This was the 10th time the Senate had tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, marked a stunning turnaroundUS Senate approves war powers resolution challenging Trump’s Iran war authorityMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer urge Darren Jones not to run for Labour leadership
Chief secretary to the prime minister is being encouraged by some MPs to stand against Andy BurnhamCabinet ministers loyal to Keir Starmer have said they will not back any candidate against Andy Burnham, urging the chief secretary to the prime minister not to run in a contest.Darren Jones is being urged by some MPs to run against Burnham to avoid a “coronation” of the former Greater Manchester mayor, though several backbenchers tentatively backing Jones said they were doing so to put the spotlight on Burnham’s economic policies and to warn of the prospect of Ed Miliband as chancellor. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nigel Farage: I can spend £5m gift on Ferraris or betting on horses if I want
Reform leader says it is ‘purely private matter’ and it is not hypocritical to criticise Keir Starmer for receiving glassesNigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business” as it was given unconditionally to be spent on anything from Ferraris to gambling on horses.The Reform UK leader bristled at questions about the £5m gift from the British Thai-based businessman Christopher Harborne in two radio interviews on Tuesday, saying it was “a purely private matter”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Senate approves war powers resolution challenging Trump’s Iran war authority
Four Republicans joined Democrats to back a measure seeking to limit the US president’s military authorityUS politics live – latest updatesThe US Senate on Tuesday approved a war powers resolution preventing Donald Trump from continuing the conflict with Iran, delivering the president a significant but symbolic rebuke over a conflict that has proven unpopular with the US public.The resolution passed by a 50-48 vote, with four Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky – breaking with their party to vote in favor. John Fetterman, of Pennsylvania, was the sole Democrat to vote against it. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell’s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party while he was its chief executive.Murrell stole the money over a 12-year period, splashing out on a luxury motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens and luxury watches, a set of Lalique salt and pepper grinders and 2kg of coffee granules. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the golden boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark at this World Cup, particularly in light of Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to stoke fires that started long ago. Two first-half goals gave Houston’s public what they came for and laid an unfortunate run to rest. Until this contribution to what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament matches.Thank goodness, then, for an Uzbekistan defence that would have struggled to hold firm in a Masters game. There could have been no better opponent to help Ronaldo get his eye in, Nuno Mendes’ free-kick, an Abduvohid Nematov own goal and Rafael Leão’s late adornment emphasising the point. Fabio Cannavaro’s players could not get near opponents of this level. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Donaldson labelled 'depraved' by Poots, as photos removed from Lagan Valley civic centre
All images of Donaldson have been removed from the Lagan Valley civic centre in his former constituency.

Mac Rumours
Open 
iOS 27 Wallet App Gets 7 New Features
Apple is making more of an effort to turn the iPhone into a physical wallet replacement in iOS 27, and there are several upgrades to the Wallet app.





Pass Upgrades

Apple upgraded airline boarding passes in the Wallet app with iOS 26, and in ‌iOS 27‌, upgrades are coming to additional types of passes. Memberships, gift cards, loyalty cards, and rewards cards can use a bolder "Poster Generic" card style with full background images, primary logo, header fields, footer field, primary fields, and an optional barcode.





Each pass is able to include up to two actions that can be tapped from the bottom of the pass, such as getting directions to a venue or checking a rewards point balance.



Apple is also allowing users to check the pass issuer certificate to ensure that a digital pass is legitimate (not applicable to Create a Pass), and there are four new barcode types supported, including EAN–13, Code 39, Codabar, and ITF.



There is a new Pass Designer Mac app for developers that makes it easier to create a pass using a WYSIWYG editor.

Create a Pass

There's a "Create a Pass" feature in the Wallet app for adding tickets, memberships, and more using Visual Intelligence. If you have a ticket for an event and there's not a digital version available for the Wallet app already, you can create one using the physical pass.







You can scan a pass and add it with Visual Intelligence if there's a barcode or QR code, or a pass can be added manually. Pass templates include Standard, Membership, and Event.



Each type includes relevant information like name, location, or admission type, along with a scannable code drawn from an included barcode or QR code that you take a photo of. There are 12 background colors to choose from with different texture options, or seven custom backgrounds for categories like theater, music, sports, and movies.



Fields can be added or removed as needed when creating a custom pass, with options like label, date, membership, contact, coupon code, VIN, insurance, and more, so most physical cards are able to be stored digitally.

Hotel Keys

When you add a digital hotel key from a participating hotel to the Wallet app, you can now view more details about the trip. Hotels can provide updates on booked activities and allow access to different services.

AI Bill Splitting

Using the new Siri Mode in the Camera app, or a feature in the Messages and Wallet apps, you can take a photo of a bill and use Apple Intelligence to figure out what each person owes. ‌Visual Intelligence‌ scans the receipt and makes a digital copy of everything on the list, and each person can select what they consumed. Tax and tip portions are also calculated automatically.



Payments can be made using Apple Cash, which is a U.S.-only feature.

Insights

‌iOS 27‌ includes an "Insights" feature where you can add financial accounts to the Wallet app to monitor spending.







Insights is an expansion of the Connected Accounts feature in earlier versions of iOS, and it includes spending, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. It works for financial institutions that have implemented Connected Cards support, including several UK banks.

Order Tracking

Order tracking in the Wallet app is expanding to Australia and Canada in ‌iOS 27‌. In ‌iOS 26‌, it was limited to the United States and UK.

Tap to Share

Tap to Share is an ‌iOS 27‌ feature that lets customers connect to a participating merchant's iPhone for quicker digital checkout.

Device Requirements

‌Visual Intelligence‌ is an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ feature requiring an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Many of the other features should work on all iPhones.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'iOS 27 Wallet App Gets 7 New Features' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Russia Today News
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Dutch doctors euthanize child under 12 for first time – media

Mail Online
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Sienna Miller wears bizarre fur coat in the scorching heatwave as she joins dazzling Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Maya Jama at star-studded Serpentine Gallery Summer Party
It was a star-studded affair as usual at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London on Tuesday evening.

Mail Online
Open 
Rachel Reeves to clobber Isas with tax for the first time, with a 22% charge on cash in investment accounts
Isas will be taxed for the first time in one of Rachel Reeves's final acts as Chancellor.

Mail Online
Open 
Muni Long reveals she underwent double lung transplant after doctors told her she had one week to live
Long, 37, became grievously ill with pneumonia in late 2025, forcing her to drop out of Brandy & Monica's The Boy Is Mine tour.

Mail Online
Open 
SNP FINALLY bans male lags from women's jails... although JK Rowling says they had to be dragged 'kicking and screaming' into complying with the law
SNP ministers have banned male-bodied prisoners from women's jails after being 'dragged kicking and screaming' into obeying the law.

Mail Online
Open 
France manager Didier Deschamps to MISS team's next World Cup clash against Norway following heartbreaking personal tragedy
Les Bleus, who sealed their spot in the knockout stage with a 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday night, are scheduled to face Norway and Erling Haaland on Friday in their final Group I clash.

Mail Online
Open 
Fans bemused as TV cuts away from England players shaking hands with Thomas Partey ahead of Ghana World Cup clash
The former Arsenal player was making his World Cup entrance on Tuesday evening after he was denied entry to Canada for Ghana's first group stage game against Panama.

Mail Online
Open 
'I'm BACK': Cristiano Ronaldo sends emphatic message to critics as Portugal star opens up on 'dark week' amid civil war storm - and insists he 'doesn't care about Messi'
Cristiano Ronaldo fired back at his critics on Tuesday after scoring a brace and making history during Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at the World Cup.

Mail Online
Open 
Team USA Olympics legend Bode Miller arrested on drugs charges... just days before the anniversary of his daughter's tragic drowning death
The 48-year-old, who won a gold medal for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, was charged with two misdemeanor counts following an incident on June 6.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Rory Kennedy revisits Boeing in new film sparked by whistleblower’s death: ‘We’ve got to stay at this’
Film-maker talks about her documentary on John Barnett, the Boeing whistleblower who killed himself in 2024It is widely recognized that for the Kennedys, tragedy has come often and from unexpected quarters. The film-maker Rory Kennedy, born six months after the assassination of her father Robert Kennedy, has known her share. But in 2024, it was a loss outside the political dynasty that shook her to the core.John Barnett, a quality inspector turned whistleblower at Boeing, one of the world’s biggest plane manufacturers, was found dead in his truck outside a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Swampy” because of his roots in Louisiana, Barnett had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Senate approves war powers resolution for first time in rebuke of Trump’s military action – US politics live
This was the 10th time the Senate had tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, marked a stunning turnaroundMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Rubio insists strait of Hormuz will be toll-free as he arrives for Gulf meeting
US secretary of state seeks to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain over security and US-Iran ceasefire dealThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said no country, including Iran, would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the strait of Hormuz as he sought to reassure US allies in the Gulf that Washington would take a firm line in peace negotiations with Tehran.Rubio is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran. Continue reading...

Andrews and Arnold Status
Open 
[PEW] Broadband: CityFibre: Network Maintenance - Regional.

Andrews and Arnold Status
Open 
[PEW] Broadband: CityFibre: Network Maintenance - Reading

Andrews and Arnold Status
Open 
[Minor] BT: Some BT lines dropped and reconnected AND Google connectivity impacted

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11929 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Northampton Area (New)
Our supplier is performing maintenance in the Northampton area on 24th July between 9am and 2pm and customers are expected to experience a service interruption of approximately 5 hours during the maintenance window.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Fri, 24th Jul 2026 09:00

End: Fri, 24th Jul 2026 14:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 21:06

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Mail Online
Open 
Killer personal trainer, 26, repeatedly ran over football lover after failing to defrost her windscreen - and then dismissed him as a 'smackhead' as he lay dying under her car
Megan Murphy, 26, drove over amateur footballer Darryl Tomlinson, 31, three times as he lay slumped in the road after a night out drinking with friends on January 9 last year.

BBC Technology News
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Tech Life
We're at one of Europe's biggest tech events.

Sky News Home
Open 
New defence secretary signals he's pushing for extra money for armed forces
Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, signalled he is pushing for extra money for the armed forces and said he would not publish a defence investment plan "at any cost".

Digital Trends
Open 
Roborock’s “Your Home. Your Stadium” Bridges Football Culture and Intelligent Living
The greatest football moments don't just happen inside iconic stadiums. With "Your Home. Your Stadium," Roborock brings together intelligent automation, football culture, and a broader vision for stronger community connection.

Digital Trends
Open 
I found the Prime Day TV deals that are picture-perfect, and skipped the blurry bargains
Whether you want a flagship OLED with perfect blacks or a budget Mini-LED that punches above its weight, Prime Day has a TV deal for you. Here are the five best, picked so you can skip the scrolling.

TechRadar News
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Some of the best kitchen appliances I've tested are massively discounted for Prime Day — here are 37 top picks from Ninja, Cuisinart, De'Longhi and more

TechRadar News
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Six Samsung monitor deals worth considering for your business this Prime Day

TechRadar News
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Look out Nvidia — Alibaba reveals its most powerful AI models for robots as it looks to strike ahead in agentic race

TechRadar News
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I collect 4K Blu-ray so I've picked 6 discs from my personal collection that I recommend to show what the format can really do

TechRadar News
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Corsair’s weird Xeneon Edge 14.5-inch touchscreen is sold out at Best Buy – but it’s still available and $50 off from Corsair itself

TechRadar News
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I've been saying this for months, but I think the Garmin Venu 4 is the best Garmin for most people — especially at this price point

TechRadar News
Open 
This may be the only way to beat potentially high GTA 6 prices once pre-orders are live on Thursday

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Trump regrets once selling IBM’s stock. Now he’s cheering its quantum future and dealing its shares.
IBM looks like a focal point as the U.S. further backs domestic quantum-computing initiatives.

Slashdot
Open 
Mark Zuckerberg Directed Meta To Create a Prediction Markets App
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: Mr. Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, recently dispatched a small team at his company to create a smartphone app similar to Polymarket and Kalshi, two employees with knowledge of the matter said. Users would not wager money, and the app would probably rely on a video game-like points system instead, one person said, though the company had not ruled out the eventual use of real money betting. The app is internally referred to as "Arena" and would function independently from Meta's social networking apps, which include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, said the employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential plans. Meta aims to grow the app by leveraging its large social networking audiences and directing them toward using it, they said.

The effort, which insiders characterized as experimental but a top priority, is part of a broader push by Mr. Zuckerberg to create new types of apps based on emerging social behavior online. More than 3.56 billion people visit one or more of Meta's apps every day, an amount that has raised questions about whether those platforms have reached a saturation point. Arena is one of a handful of apps that Meta is trying out. Others include one called Meta Photos, another stand-alone app which would create new types of media using artificial intelligence, the employees said. [...] Meta insiders have cautioned that Arena remains in development and may not be released. But as executives search for ways to keep the world's largest social media sites thriving, Mr. Zuckerberg appears to be relying on his well-worn product development strategy: Follow the users.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Slashdot
Open 
Walmart, In Biggest Deal In Two Years, Buys Advertising Tech Firm Vibe.co
Walmart is acquiring self-serve connected-TV ad platform Vibe.co for a reported $1.4 billion, adding it to an advertising ecosystem that already includes smart-TV maker Vizio. AdExchanger reports: On Tuesday, Walmart announced that it is buying Vibe.co, the French self-serve ad platform that specializes in helping small brands buy streaming commercials with similar ease and precision as they get from search and social. Vibe has been vying for a bigger share of the ad dollars moving to connected TV, especially in the US, as evidenced by the company's ubiquitous billboards in major cities including New York and San Francisco. Now, Vibe joins Walmart Connect's commerce ecosystem alongside the smart TV maker Vizio. And Vibe's tech is poised to help unify Walmart's growing CTV footprint with the closed-loop attribution provided by its retail sales data.

[...] Together, Walmart and Vibe.co strive to "build the best ecosystem for the performance TV market," Vibe CEO and Co-Founder Arthur Querou told AdExchanger. Performance CTV has a high ceiling for growth. The performance budgets dedicated for streaming platforms are still small potatoes compared to search and social, Querou said. Only one-quarter of CTV ad campaigns have lower-funnel objectives, and that number has been static for years, according to data from Advertiser Perceptions. Now that Walmart owns both Vibe and Vizio, advertisers should have an easier time tying streaming campaigns to shopper data. That promise stands to win Walmart more marketing dollars earmarked for retail media and streaming behemoths -- including Amazon.

Walmart is especially interested in attracting more small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) who lack the tools, budgets or teams to invest in streaming TV, a Walmart spokesperson told AdExchanger. Other ad platforms, including MNTN and Magnite, have likewise targeted SMB advertisers as a source for continued growth in the CTV market. By adding Vibe.co, Walmart can court SMBs with the pitch that its new self-serve tools will make it easier for them to execute CTV campaigns. Plus, SMBs tend to prioritize performance campaigns, since they are under more pressure to justify tighter ad budgets and thus have to be more selective about which platforms they advertise on. And Walmart is better positioned than most platforms to prove its ads drove performance thanks to its retail data foundation.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
Ancient Loops turns the Playdate's crank into a sound instrument
The Playdate's hand crank was built for games, but it keeps luring developers to go weird. Ancient Loops, a free download from the two-person French team EVB Studio, isn't a game — it has "no levels, no chapters, no fail state, and no unlockable progression." — Read the rest
The post Ancient Loops turns the Playdate's crank into a sound instrument appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Tame crow hands the brush back and demands more grooming
This video shows a tame crow perched on a person's lap in a workshop, getting its feathers brushed. When the person puts the brush down, the crow calmly demands more by hopping onto the table, taking the small wire brush in its beak, and handing it back to the person. — Read the rest
The post Tame crow hands the brush back and demands more grooming appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Cat goes full threat-mode over owner's cat-shaped slippers
In this video, a cat makes it clear that there is no way in hell it will share a home with the owner's cat-slippers. The owner walks around the corner and stands in front of their cat, wearing fuzzy slippers that resembled the feline, who immediately doesn't approve. — Read the rest
The post Cat goes full threat-mode over owner's cat-shaped slippers appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Toyo Ito's Expo Hall 'Shining Hat' looks like a portal opening in the sky
This structure called Expo Hall, or "Shining Hat", creates a stunning optical illusion in the sky. The top of the structure makes it look like a giant portal has opened in the atmosphere. Its defining feature is a vast, reflective golden underside that makes the roof appear to dissolve into the sky from certain viewpoints. — Read the rest
The post Toyo Ito's Expo Hall 'Shining Hat' looks like a portal opening in the sky appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Duplicate Content splices 1960s video art with today's TikToks
Irish artist Niall de Buitléar's eight-minute found-footage piece Duplicate Content splices video art from the mid-1960s through mid-1970s together with recent social-media clips — most of them, in his words, "people alone in a room filming themselves performing for the camera." — Read the rest
The post Duplicate Content splices 1960s video art with today's TikToks appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Grandpa Pudding Brains gets lost in a cop's muscles
Grandpa Pudding Brains tried to tell a story about a New York police officer "please, sir"ing him and somehow ended up admiring the man's muscles as if he had wandered into a weird Conan movie.

If there were muscles, the muscles were all over the place, and so was the story. — Read the rest
The post Grandpa Pudding Brains gets lost in a cop's muscles appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC World News
Open 
UN says it will evacuate sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz, as Rubio warns against tolls
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran that no country can charge fees for ships to travel through the strait.

Telegraph
Open 
US stocks plunge in global tech rout
US stocks plunge in global tech rout

Telegraph
Open 
Ronaldo the inevitable joins World Cup party in Portugal’s rout of Uzbekistan
Ronaldo the inevitable joins World Cup party in Portugal’s rout of Uzbekistan

Mail Online
Open 
Ellie Watkins suffers a wardrobe malfunction while Olivia Stones sports England crop top as they lead the WAGs getting glammed up for second World Cup game
Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie led the WAGs getting ready for England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Thomas Tuchel names new-look defence for second Group L clash as 15,000 Three Lions fans descend on Boston for second Group L match
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

The Verge
Open 
Cheap stuff that doesn’t suck and is under $25 for Prime Day
We at The Verge love a good gadget or tchotchke, especially when it’s not too expensive. But with the rising cost of just about everything these days, many once-cheap gadgets aren’t so affordable anymore. Amazon and other retailers sell all sorts of products from word salad brand names, but only some of it is handy […]

The Verge
Open 
Eufy’s Omni C28 is one of the best Prime Day deals on robot vacuums
If you’re in the market for a robot vacuum, Amazon Prime Day has brought a ton of discounts that we’re tracking, but the Eufy Omni C28 is one of the best deals we’ve spotted so far. It’s a great robot vacuum and mop hybrid that offers a number of flagship features without the flagship price. […]

The Verge
Open 
The Lenovo Legion Go S gaming handheld is $549 for Prime Day
If gaming hardware prices have you looking for less expensive alternatives, Amazon has the Windows version of the Lenovo Legion Go S on sale for $549.99 (typically around $700) for Prime Day, matching a previous low we spotted at Woot a month or so ago. What it lacks in raw performance, it makes up for […]

The Verge
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Tesla claims driver ‘manually overrode self-driving’ in deadly Texas crash
Tesla is pushing back on claims that its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system caused a fatal Texas crash, where a speeding Model 3 barreled into a home, killing a 76-year-old woman inside. In a reply on X, Tesla AI head Ashok Elluswamy says the driver "manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to […]

The Verge
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Prime Day has served up several great deals on 4K TVs
There are three times of year that are best for buying a new TV: leading up to the Super Bowl, Black Friday, and of course now, during Amazon Prime Day. Many of the new 2026 models have been released, and while some will be seeing discounts, the majority of the best deals are going to […]

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Portugal thrash Uzbekistan as Ronaldo scores twice to make history
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in six World Cups as his double helps Portugal thrash Uzbekistan.

UK Government News
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The UK is proud to have contributed to the significant progress the world has made in tackling HIV over the past decades: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on HIV/AIDS.

Gizmodo
Open 
Netflix Just Bagged an Anime Adaptation of ‘Fool Night,’ an All-Time-Great Dystopian Manga
'Fool Night' is a historic collaboration between anime studios Sunrise and Shaft.

Gizmodo
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China’s Mysterious Spaceplane Releases Unidentified Object in Orbit
Shenlong launched in February for its fourth mission, although there's still little information on the experimental vehicle.

Deutsche Welle
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Ebola in DR Congo sees record first-month caseload
The UN says the DR Congo has reported 1,000 Ebola cases, the most ever in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa. Meanwhile, Kenya's health minister says he is halting a US-backed Ebola quarantine center.

Mail Online
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Portugal vs Uzbekistan - World Cup RECAP: Redemption for Cristiano Ronaldo as veteran makes his mark after 'civil war' drama
Re-live Daily Mail Sport's live coverage of the latest updates as Portugal took on Uzbekistan in Group K.

Mail Online
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Ollie Watkins' influencer wife Ellie suffers a wardrobe malfunction as she and John Stones' partner Olivia lead the WAGs getting glammed up for England's second World Cup game
Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie led the WAGs getting ready for England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday night.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead of red heat alerts
The temperature topped 34.6 C in Wisley, England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland saw their hottest days of the year.

Crowdfund Insider
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Nubank’s NuCel Surpasses 1M Subs, Advancing Fintech Challenger’s Aim to Serve as Comprehensive Digital Platform
Nubank (NYSE: NU) announced recently that its virtual mobile network service, NuCel, has attracted more than one million customers in just 17 months since operations began in January 2025. Developed in partnership with Claro, the service integrates mobile connectivity directly into Nubank’s ecosystem, marking a... Read More

ZDNet News
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I'm heavily considering buying these gift cards on sale for Prime Day
Buy free money this Prime Day with discounted gift cards on select stores and apps.

ZDNet News
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Our readers can't stop buying Garmin watches during Amazon Prime Day - plus other top-sellers
What do a Garmin watch, smart plugs, and a streaming stick all have in common? They're all part of ZDNET's Prime Day 1 top sellers.

ZDNet News
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The best Prime Day Samsung deals: Save big on Galaxy phones, tablets, and more
Prime Day is officially here. Score record-low early prices on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, smartwatches, and 4K TVs on Amazon today.

ZDNet News
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Prime Day 2026: Live updates on Garmin, Lenovo, Apple and other tech deals
LIVE: Prime Day 2026 deals are here, but they aren't all good. Follow our live blog for real-time tracking on top-picked products like 4K TVs, M5 MacBooks, Samsung devices, SSDs, and more.

ZDNet News
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The best Prime Day headphone deals: Apple, Bose, Sony, and more deals I'd buy myself
Prime Day has arrived, and I've found the best headphone deals - many of which are recent, flagship releases from Apple, Sony, Bose, and more.

ZDNet News
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The best Costco deals to compete with Prime Day: TVs, Apple devices, and more
Skip Amazon Prime Day. Check out the best Costco deals live right now on premium electronics, smartwatches, and home essentials with bonus warranties.

ZDNet News
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My favorite Samsung OLED TV just dropped $1,100 in this rival Prime Day deal
Samsung's flagship OLED TV from last year is worth every penny, but it's even better with this anti-Prime Day deal.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $30 in 2026
Everything is expensive. Treat yourself to one of these WIRED-tested and -approved Prime Day picks under $30.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Deal 2026: Fellow Espresso Series 1 Is $200 Off
The Fellow Series 1 espresso machine has its first sale, and it’s a whopper. Other Fellow devices are 20 percent off, too.

Wired Top Stories
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The ‘Parasite of Parasites’ Has Been Discovered in the Tropical Forests of Borneo
A newly identified species of fungus attacks the famous “zombie mushrooms” that control ants.

Wired Top Stories
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Even the Internet’s Favorite Pool Guy Doesn’t Know How to Fix the Reflecting Pool
Algae blooms, peeling paint, and a host of fixes from hydrogen peroxide to nanobubblers have made it hard to diagnose what’s wrong with the Reflecting Pool—let alone how to clean up the mess.

Wired Top Stories
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The 13 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $100 in 2026
Times are hard in 2026. These Amazon Prime Day deals under $100 on earbuds, Kindles, and other tested products should help make life just a little bit easier.

Wired Top Stories
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Dialog Claims It Was Hacked. A Misconfigured Website Left Its Members Exposed
The private events group, cofounded by Peter Thiel, says a “criminal” hacker is behind a breach that exposed members’ personal details. WIRED found no evidence a break-in was needed to access the files.

Wired Top Stories
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The Prime Day MacBook Deals I Recommend (2026)
Apple has warned about MacBook prices rising, making these Prime Day deals even more worthwhile to consider.

CNET News
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Subscription Creep is Real. US Adults Spend an Average of $1,332 a Year, CNET Finds
Think twice before you sign up for that free trial. US adults waste an average of $252 a year on unused subscriptions.

CNET News
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ByteDance's New AI Video Model Can Make 30-Second Clips From a Single Prompt
Seedance 2.5 allows you to attach up to 50 references to your request, giving you more control over the video it creates.

The Hill
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Tillis: Pirro can’t be taken ‘seriously’ for prosecuting alleged reflecting pool vandalism
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) blasted U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for threatening to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to the fullest extent of the law after President Trump granted blanket pardons last year to people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. “I don’t...

The Hill
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Critics concerned GLP-1 drugs may give athletes a performance edge
Critics are debating whether GLP-1 drugs should be banned in sports for potentially being performance-enhancing drugs.

The Hill
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DOJ unveils charges for $6.5 billion in health fraud schemes
The Department of Justice (DOJ) unveiled on Tuesday charges against more than 450 defendants for alleged health care fraud totaling over $6.5 billion in false claims, as part of the Trump administration's heightened focus on stopping fraud.  It was the second largest amount ever charged in a health care fraud operation, officials said. Charges were...

The Hill
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Senate NDAA adds protections for 'political speech' by military retirees amid Hegseth-Kelly battle
The Senate’s defense authorization bill includes language that would better protect retired service members who speak out against the government in the midst of a battle between Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the lawmaker’s criticism of the Trump administration. The provision — included in the Senate Armed Service Committee’s version...

The Hill
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Live updates: Trump talks economy in remarks at Pennsylvania factory
President Trump traveled Tuesday afternoon to Pennsylvania to deliver remarks on the economy. The visit to a Mack Trucks facility in Macungie comes as his administration is negotiating with Iran and navigating economic headwinds. The Supreme Court issued five opinions on Tuesday morning as it looks to clear its docket before summer recess. The most...

The Hill
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Trump deal gives Iran access to US dollar: What to know
The Trump administration this week signaled progress in its negotiations with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reforming its nuclear program by rolling back longstanding sanctions on Iranian oil exports. Under a 60-day license issued by the Treasury Department on Monday, Iran can now sell oil in U.S. dollars, allowing dollar-denominated trade on...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump responds to his “Friends” who criticize his Iran deal
President Trump responded to Republican critics of the Iran deal, some of whom he calls friends. The question was specifically asked about the criticism from Senator Ted Cruz. Here’s what Trump said: . . .

Mail Online
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Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray recounts her harrowing experience in a psych ward after 'being possessed by a demon' at 'energy healing' cult
The 36-year-old now retired English actress - who previously recalled her psychotic breakdown - candidly discussed the events that led her to being institutionalized and the ensuing fallout.

Mail Online
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Youths inhale 'hippy crack' on Bournemouth beach as police make arrests - with 40C 'heat dome' looming over Britain
The young boys were seen passing inflated balloons - which often contain nitrous oxide - to each other on the crowded beach, where hundreds were trying to cool off from the UK's 'hottest day ever'.

Mail Online
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Shania Twain, 60, slammed for failing to dress age 'appropriate' as she hits the stage in VERY racy look
The voice behind the anthem Man! I Feel Like A Woman! has been hitting the stage in an array of racy looks - which have drawn both praise and criticism.

Sky News Home
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Plan to close small parcel tax loophole pulled forward - but retailers still unhappy
The government has brought forward plans to close a loophole on import taxes for small parcels – but major high street brands have said the timeframe is still "unacceptable".

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Ebola in DR Congo sees record first-month caseload
The DR Congo has recorded the highest confirmed number of cases in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa. Meanwhile, Kenya's health minister says he is halting a US-backed Ebola quarantine center.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Golden oldies fighting for the golden boot? Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But it will do Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego no harm that he is off the mark at this World Cup, particularly in light of Lionel Messi’s voracious appetite to stoke fires that started long ago. Two first-half goals gave Houston’s public what they came for and laid an unfortunate run to rest. Until this contribution to what quickly became a leisurely non-contest, Ronaldo had not scored in 10 major tournament matches.Thank goodness, then, for an Uzbekistan defence that would have struggled to hold firm in a Masters game. There could have been no better opponent to help Ronaldo get his eye in, Nuno Mendes’ free-kick, an Abdukodir Khusanov own goal and Rafael Leão’s late adornment emphasising the point. Fabio Cannavaro’s players could not get near opponents of this level. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison
Activists accused of being part of antifa face harsh sentences in case seen as test of Trump’s crackdown on dissentA group of Texas protesters convicted of terrorism charges received unusually harsh sentences of at least 50 years in prison on Tuesday in a closely watched case that was widely seen as a test case of the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on dissent.After a three-week jury trial, the nine activists were all found guilty of a slew of criminal charges in March, stemming from a Fourth of July protest at an immigrant detention facility in Alvarado, Texas, south of Fort Worth. The demonstrators arrived late at night with a plan to set off fireworks as part of a noise demonstration to show solidarity with those detained inside. A few of the protesters spontaneously broke off from the main group and vandalized cars in the parking lot, a guard shack, slashed the tires on a government van and broke a security camera. When a police officer arrived on the scene and drew his weapon, one of the activists fired an AR-15 from the woods, hitting the officer in the shoulder. The officer survived. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza, UN inquiry finds
Independent report says by aiming at children Israel is undermining capacity of Palestinian people to existIsrael continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, an ⁠independent UN inquiry has found.The report by the UN independent international commission of inquiry examined violations against Palestinian children since the start of the war in Gaza, and said about 30% of the people killed by Israeli forces have been children. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham and Starmer hold ‘frosty’ meeting to thrash out transition of power
With Burnham and his team potentially having only weeks before he becomes PM, Starmer has agreed to give him access to civil serviceKeir Starmer has met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Makerfield byelection in what sources said was a “frosty” meeting to thrash out a transition of power.The prime minister has agreed for his likely successor to have talks with the civil service to smooth his path, but there is deep resentment within his inner circle towards Burnham for ousting Starmer. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Brexit at 10: The divorce Britain now regrets

Mail Online
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'I'm BACK': Cristiano Ronaldo sends emphatic message to critics after brace against Uzbekistan - as Portugal star makes World Cup history after 'civil war' storm
Cristiano Ronaldo fired back at his critics on Tuesday after scoring a brace and making history during Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at the World Cup.

The Register
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Mythos discovers 'Squidbleed,' a memory leak that's gone undetected since Clinton era
Plus more blasts from the past: NetWare, FTP, and HTTP

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Ebola in DR Congo hits record number of 1,000 cases
The DR Congo has recorded the highest confirmed number of cases in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa. Meanwhile, Kenya's health minister says he is halting a US-backed Ebola quarantine center.

Mail Online
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Ricky Gervais is planning his most controversial stand-up tour ever as comedian is set to make gags about taboo topics including Jimmy Savile, suicide and Hitler
The comedian is set to make gags about a raft of shocking taboo topics, including Jimmy Savile , suicide, and Hitler. Gervais tested the new material at a special gig in London on Monday night.

Mail Online
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Nicola Peltz 'takes a swipe' at the Beckhams in cryptic post about forgiveness after claims Brooklyn was 'furious' with Victoria and David's Father's Day posts
Nicola Peltz appeared to take a 'swipe' at the Beckham family in a cryptic Instagram post on Tuesday amid their escalating feud.

Mail Online
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World Cup commentator has his accreditation CANCELLED after calling FIFA 'f***ing thieves who have killed football' over mouth-covering red card
Paraguayan Jorge 'Chipi' Vera claims his credentials for the tournament have been revoked in response to his furious tirade aimed at FIFA and president Gianni Infantino.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
South Yorkshire police cleared after video of officers appearing to shove teenage girls
Excerpts of footage of response to incident earlier described as ‘shocking’ but review finds use of force justifiedA review of video footage that appeared to show South Yorkshire police officers shoving and drawing batons and stun guns on teenage girls has found the “the use of force was proportionate, necessary, and justified to keep all involved safe”.South Yorkshire police initially described the footage as appearing “nothing short of shocking” but a review by its professional standards department found that while there “is an opportunity for learning around de-escalation” the actions were appropriate. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer urge Darren Jones not to run for Labour leadership
Chief secretary to the prime minister is being encouraged by some MPs to stand against Andy BurnhamUK politics live – latest updatesCabinet ministers loyal to Keir Starmer have said they will not back any candidate against Andy Burnham, urging the chief secretary to the prime minister not to run in a contest.Darren Jones is being urged by some MPs to run against Burnham to avoid a “coronation” of the former Greater Manchester mayor, though several backbenchers tentatively backing Jones said they were doing so to put the spotlight on Burnham’s economic policies and to warn of the prospect of Ed Miliband as chancellor. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Transfer latest: Spurs push for Fernandes and Tonali, Chelsea like Palestra
Tottenham also among clubs tracking SummervilleChelsea consider move for Como’s Jacobo RamónRoberto De Zerbi has been given significant funds and is looking to make two big moves in midfield. Tottenham are pushing to land Sandro Tonali, even though Newcastle will demand a huge fee for the Italy international, and have entered the race to sign Mateus Fernandes.West Ham need to raise funds after relegation from the Premier League and are expected to lose Fernandes. The 21-year-old impressed after joining from Southampton for £38m last summer and is a key target for Manchester United. However Tottenham are pushing for the Portuguese midfielder and prepared to beat United on the finances. Real Madrid have also considered a move for Fernandes. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahOne Ronaldo opinion is already in from Justin Kavanagh:Between Ronaldo’s endless narcissism and Bruno Fernandes’ endless narkyism, Portugal have become a hard team to like. Not to mention their coach’s lack of backbone for making a decision to drop a 41-year-old which shouldn’t be all that hard. It’s a shame, because they’re a country with a fine footballing tradition who have graced many international competitions. Still, it could be (and probably will be) worse. They’ll probably be managed by Mourinho at the next World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza, UN inquiry finds
Report says by aiming at children Israel is undermining capacity of Palestinian people to existIsrael continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, an ⁠independent UN inquiry has found.The report by the UN independent international commission of inquiry examined violations against Palestinian children since the start of the war in Gaza, and said about 30% of the people killed by Israeli forces have been children. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Quiz: Name every England World Cup goalscorer since 2014
Fifteen players who have scored for England across the past four men's World Cups. Can you name them all?

Mail Online
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River City actor Iain Robertson faces jail after being found guilty of rape and sex assaults
River City actor Iain Robertson was locked up after raping a woman and sexually assaulting two others.

Sky News Home
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Police name man stabbed to death in London
A man stabbed to death in London at the weekend has been named as Kamahl Cameron-Williams.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (Update)
The initial BT Field Engineer was unable to resolve the issue for us so we have tasked a Zen engineer to visit with replacement hardware.
Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:15

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 22:30

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 20:03

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

Mail Online
Open 
Ollie Watkins' influencer wife Ellie suffers a wardrobe malfunction as she leads the WAGs getting glammed up for England's second World Cup game
Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie led the WAGs getting ready for England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
Open 
Sienna Miller wears bizarre fur coat in the scorching heatwave as she joins dazzling Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Isla Fisher at star-studded Serpentine Gallery Summer Party
It was a star-studded affair as usual at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London on Tuesday evening.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe’s heatwave drives electricity prices to new highs as demand soars
Great Britain has paid at least six times the normal price for imported power as millions turn on air conditioning and windfarm output sagsThe heatwave has prompted a sharp rise in electricity prices across European markets as millions turn to air conditioners and electric fans to battle record high temperatures, which have also caused a string of power plant outages across the continent.Great Britain imported electricity from Europe at more than six times the normal price on Tuesday as the high-pressure heat dome has slowed wind speeds, hitting renewable energy generation, and led to outages at multiple gas plants across the country. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tiger Woods returns to introduce golf’s two-tier PGA Tour shake-up from 2028
New elite series to include promotion and relegation23-24 events spread across February to AugustThe PGA Tour has announced sweeping changes to its competitive structure, approving a two-tier system with promotion and relegation to take effect in 2028.The elite-tier PGA Tour Championship Series will run from February to August and ​feature 23-24 events with $20m (£15m) purses, while the $4m (£3m) events on the Challenger Series will provide a path for players to earn their way to the top level. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahOne Ronaldo opinion is already in from Justin Kavanagh:Between Ronaldo’s endless narcissism and Bruno Fernandes’ endless narkyism, Portugal have become a hard team to like. Not to mention their coach’s lack of backbone for making a decision to drop a 41-year-old which shouldn’t be all that hard. It’s a shame, because they’re a country with a fine footballing tradition who have graced many international competitions. Still, it could be (and probably will be) worse. They’ll probably be managed by Mourinho at the next World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Israel deliberately targeting Gaza children to commit genocide, UN inquiry finds
Report says by aiming at children Israel is undermining capacity of Palestinian people to existIsrael continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, an ⁠independent UN inquiry has found.The report by the UN independent international commission of inquiry examined violations against Palestinian children since the start of the war in Gaza, and said about 30% of those killed by Israeli forces have been children. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Searing UK heat leaves schools, hospitals and transport networks struggling to cope
Temperature on Tuesday hits high of 34.6C in Surrey, England, with heatwave forecast to get more intense on Wednesday and ThursdayEurope heatwave live – latest updatesSearing heat has swept the UK with schools, hospitals, transport networks and water companies struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures caused by climate breakdown.Temperatures hit highs of 34.6C in Wisley in Surrey, the Met Office said, with the UN chief warning that London was “cooking”.Reduced rail speeds and services.Hospital patient appointments cancelled.School closures across southern England and Wales.Hosepipe bans in south-east England. Continue reading...

Atlas Obscura
Open 
Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda

TechRadar News
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Whoa, big discount — just in time to view Instagram on a big screen, the Samsung 48-Inch Class S90F is down to a record-low Prime Day price

TechRadar News
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Workday accused of AI bias in job screening, faces California lawsuit over employment tech

TechRadar News
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Ukraine open sources Russian military hardware secrets to 'protect the entire civilized world': TrophyLab hosts specs, blueprints of more than 100 Russian equipment, and you can even request samples

TechRadar News
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The Meta Quest 3S is $50 / £50-off for Prime Day so grab it while you can — just ignore the fact the RAM crisis recently made it $50 / £50 more expensive…

TechRadar News
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To celebrate Sonic's 35th anniversary I'm rounding up all the games and official Lego sets that should be on any fan's shelf

TechRadar News
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Exclusive: Disney Store is testing an AI shopping assistant that could change how you shop

TechRadar News
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I was almost ready to ditch earbuds for good until I picked up these 5-star buds from Cambridge Audio that completely restored my faith

TechRadar News
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Did you know that the World Cup is streaming in 4K on BBC iPlayer? You could be missing out — here's how to see if your TV supports it and if not, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and PS5 have you covered

TechRadar News
Open 
I'm a camera fanatic — and this discounted Polaroid-themed Lego set is going straight into my basket

Mail Online
Open 
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley dazzles in a cut-out white gown as she leads the stars at The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party
It was a star-studded affair as usual at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London on Tuesday evening.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
This tech ‘fear gauge’ is nearing a two-decade high. Investors should worry.
Wall Street’s main ‘fear gauge,’ the ‘VIX’ might not be the best way to track this volatility in stocks

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX stock’s wild price swings since its IPO show how risky leveraged ETFs can be
The excitement around SpaceX shares has quickly faded after they soared in their market debut this month — providing a crushing reminder of just how risky it is to make leveraged bets on single stocks via the exchange-traded-fund market.

Slashdot
Open 
Digital Euro Expected To Launch By 2029 After EU Backing
The European Parliament's economic committee has backed a digital euro designed to reduce Europe's dependence on US-controlled payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard. The ECB-backed currency is targeted for launch by 2029 after a full parliamentary vote and negotiations with EU member states. Euronews reports: Under the proposal, consumers would be able to hold digital euros in a dedicated wallet, subject to a holding limit that has yet to be determined. The system would support both online and offline payments and is intended to offer a high degree of privacy, with the ECB unable to directly identify users from their payment data.

The ECB would provide the underlying infrastructure, while commercial banks and payment service providers would offer digital euro services to customers. Financial institutions are expected to be compensated for their participation in the scheme, while merchants will pay fees that are expected to be lower than those associated with current card transactions.

How that compensation should be structured remains one of the most contentious issues ahead of negotiations with EU member states, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. [...] The European Parliament is expected to formalise the committee's position during a plenary vote in Strasbourg in early July. Negotiations with the EU's 27 member states would then begin, with lawmakers aiming to reach a final agreement before the end of the year.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
Open 
Actor Iain Robertson found guilty of rape
Former River City actor Iain Robertson has been found guilty of rape following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Boing Boing
Open 
Jaws in Concert gets the shark-costumed bassist it deserves
The Oregon Symphony performed Jaws live with the movie, and one bassist understood the assignment so completely that he played the entire thing dressed as a shark.
A concertgoer praised the symphony's movie series after seeing Jaws in Concert in Portland, but gave special credit to the musician who wore the shark costume through the whole film while playing bass. — Read the rest
The post Jaws in Concert gets the shark-costumed bassist it deserves appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
A24 Films succumbs to the AI darkside
The campaign against the creative class has rustled up a surprising new foot soldier: A24 Films. It seems that the production house, known for artsy-fartsy (God, how I love them) horror and suspense flicks, has accepted a $75 million dollar investment from Google to partner up on the creation of new film making tools. — Read the rest
The post A24 Films succumbs to the AI darkside appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
The Criterion Collection's Stanley Kubrick set is coming for your wallet
Stanley Kubrick is one of those directors: One with enough vision to change the course of any film genre he touches but, enough brains to know that art has to be popular—enjoyable to the average movie going schmoe—in order to make bank. — Read the rest
The post The Criterion Collection's Stanley Kubrick set is coming for your wallet appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Cops can't stop looking at this banana car
The creator, owner, and driver of the 23-foot-long Big Banana Car, Steve Braithwaite, gets to meet a lot of curious cops.

"I would see a police car going the other way and get my documents ready," Braithwaite told Cowboy State Daily from Seattle on Thursday morning.

— Read the rest
The post Cops can't stop looking at this banana car appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Ice packs & F1 cooling vests - England ready for heat
England will use ice packs, Formula 1-style cooling vests and other methods to deal with the heat during their match against West Indies, says stand-in captain Charlie Dean.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Ebola in DR Congo hits record number of 1,000 cases
The DR Congo has hit the highest confirmed number of cases in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa. Meanwhile, Kenya's health minister says he is halting a US-backed Ebola quarantine center.

Mail Online
Open 
Diogo Jota's wife shares heartbreaking footage of his wedding speech - filmed just two weeks before Liverpool star died in a car crash aged 28
Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso heartbreakingly shared footage of his wedding speech to mark their one-year anniversary on Monday night.

Mail Online
Open 
The World Cup kids taking center stage in the US: Messi's sons bicker in the stands, Tom Brady the doting soccer dad and Shakira's awkward moment to forget
It's one of the biggest stages in all of sports but nearly two weeks into the World Cup and some of the biggest stars of soccer and beyond have been happy to share center stage with their kids.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe’s heatwave drives electricity prices to new highs as demand soars
Great Britain has paid at least six times the normal price for imported power as millions turn on air conditioning and windfarm output sagsThe heatwave has prompted a sharp rise in electricity prices across European markets as millions turn to air conditioners and electric fans to battle record high temperatures, which have also caused a string of power plant outages across the continent.Great Britain imported electricity from Europe at more than six times the normal price on Tuesday as the high pressure heat dome has slowed wind speeds, hitting renewable energy generation, and caused outages at multiple gas plants across the country. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Rubio insists strait of Hormuz will be toll-free as he arrives for Gulf meeting
US secretary of state seeks to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain over security and US-Iran ceasefire dealMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said no country, including Iran, would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the strait of Hormuz as he sought to reassure US allies in the Gulf that Washington would take a firm line in peace negotiations with Tehran.Rubio is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Marcus Smith vows England will ‘leave it all out there’ against South Africa
Squad are due to arrive in Johannesburg on ThursdaySpringboks coach Rassie Erasmus praises Henry PollockMarcus Smith says England are flying south determined to make a fast and furious start to the new Nations Championship at South Africa’s expense next week. A 36-man squad will touch down in Johannesburg on Thursday and Smith says there is a shared desire to rise to the high-altitude challenge of upsetting the world champions in their backyard.England have been training in oxygen masks in Bagshot to prepare themselves for the Highveld and, with games against Fiji and Argentina to follow, are conscious of the need to make an early impression against the Springboks. “It’s one shot,” said Smith, who has now played 50 Tests for his country. “We’ve spoken about leaving it all out there. It’s a hell of an opportunity. I don’t think England have been there since 2018 so we could create history, going down there to deliver a result. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Guide to all 1,248 players | Bracketology | Golden BootAntoine Semenyo was only 10 years old when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Manchester City forward can still vividly recall the emotions that night as he watched with his family in Bexleyheath, south-east London.“I remember being at my uncle’s house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through,” he said in an interview last month. “Watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we would watch all the games together, celebrating and screaming. Ghana came in [for me] when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Hard-right figures take aim at Ed Miliband and UK net zero policies at ‘anti-woke Davos’
Kemi Badenoch, who joined US anti-abortion activists and European far-right parties at ARC, described energy secretary as a ‘villain’Britain’s net zero policies and the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, have come under fire at a conference of conservatives, rightwing populists and wealthy US backers linked to Donald Trump.The energy policies pursued by the British government were described as a “tragic mistake” by Trump’s energy secretary, one of a number of officials from the US administration attending the event. Continue reading...

The Verge
Open 
This year’s Prime Day deals on Apple products are the best I’ve seen
Amazon’s Prime Day sale is here, and whether you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, there’s a good chance you’ll find a discount. The Apple Watch Series 11 has already dropped to a new low price, while the AirPods Pro 3 recently hit a record-low $169 at Walmart. That particular […]

The Verge
Open 
These are my favorite Prime Day deals on earbuds and headphones
I can’t think of a tech accessory I actively use more than headphones. Whether it’s for music, calls, or just to block out ambient noise so I can focus, I always have a pair close at hand. One of the best times to get some of your own with some big savings attached is during […]

The Verge
Open 
Zuckerberg reportedly wants a Polymarket clone — but without real money
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has tasked a small team at the company with making an app that works like the prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi, according to The New York Times. The app, internally called "Arena" won't let users wager real money, but instead will "probably rely" on allowing users to bet with points, the […]

Nature
Open 
Retraction Note: Sub-second periodicity in a fast radio burst

Harvard Business Review
Open 
LLMs Misunderstand Luxury Brands. Here’s How to Optimize Your Content Strategy for AI.
A playbook for translating the visual grammar, spatial logic, and cultural associations that make luxury brands coveted by consumers.

Gizmodo
Open 
Anthropic’s New ID Checks for Claude Won’t Save Fable 5 From Trump’s Ban
The company is rolling out its new age-verification requirement for the popular chatbot, but it likely won't help get Fable 5 back online.

Gizmodo
Open 
‘Mars Attacks!’ Is Ready to Attack-ack-ack Its Way Back Into Your Home
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tim Burton sci-fi comedy, a brand new 4K is on the way.

Gizmodo
Open 
Microsoft’s Revised Surface Laptop Is Cheaper—and Worse—Than Before
Windows 11 needs to get more efficient if we're supposed to go back to 8GB of RAM.

Gizmodo
Open 
These Are the Headlines That Elon Musk Says Don’t Exist
The trillionaire insists that no one has died from the destruction of USAID.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How Washington DC's Reflecting Pool became a global talking point
President Trump says the pool is probably going to be drained again, two weeks after a multi-million dollar renovation was completed.

Mail Online
Open 
Zendaya flaunts her incredible figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord as she poses with her husband Tom Holland amid their movie press tour
Zendaya flaunted her incredible figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord as she posed with her husband Tom Holland at a Rome photocall to promote their new movie on Tuesday. 

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
UK Finance Shares Insights on Key Forces Reshaping Mergers and Acquisitions in 2026
UK Finance has indicated that mergers and acquisitions have always reflected the broader state of global markets. As the second half of 2026 approaches, deal activity is recovering, but the backdrop remains intricate. Geopolitical tensions, regulatory shifts, technological change, cybersecurity demands, and evolving shareholder priorities... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Large-Scale Malware Campaign Targeting WhatsApp Users Uncovered in New Report
Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has uncovered a significant new crimeware operation that spreads malicious files through the popular messaging service WhatsApp. Researchers from the company’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) detailed the research findings in a recent update shared on June 22, 2026. The campaign... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Kraken Parent Company Receives VASP Licence in BVI
The parent company of Kraken, Payward, has been approved for a virtual asset service provider (VASP) in the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC) will enable it to provide regulated digital asset services to clients operating from or through... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Archax $GOVY Available on tZERO
tZERO will make Archax $GOVY, tokenized treasuries, available to institutional investors. Archax said the digital asset will be available for qualified purchasers via tZERO’s broker-dealer later this year. $GOVY provides access to short-term treasuries with on-chain settlement, custody, and delivery. Archax noted this builds upon... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
I'm a smart home expert, and these security camera deals are actually worth considering
It's Amazon Prime Day, and smart home deals are everywhere. But don't fall for just any deal: these are the ones worth your time and money.

ZDNet News
Open 
Forget Prime Day - Best Buy is selling this excellent LG OLED TV for over 50% off
The LG B5 is a more affordable OLED option that offers the same signature picture quality as its flagship sibling at a fraction of the price - especially with this deal.

ZDNet News
Open 
Best Buy is selling this 2TB WD Blue SSD for nearly $400 off right now - and it's a great deal
The 2TB WD Blue SN5100 SSD is equally at home in both workstations and gaming PCs - and you can save on one at Best Buy now.

ZDNet News
Open 
The iPad Pro M5 is $100 off on Amazon, and it's worth it for the battery life alone
Apple's M5 iPad Pro won ZDNET's Lab Award for the longest-lasting tablet battery, and it's on sale now during Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
Open 
This LG C5 OLED for nearly $2,000 at Best Buy is my favorite Prime Day TV deal - easily
It may be last year's model, but the LG C5 OLED TV still offers plenty of reasons to pick one up, especially at this price.

ZDNet News
Open 
Samsung will give you a free monitor when you buy the Odyssey Neo G9 on sale - how to get one
Get an instant dual-screen upgrade to your work or gaming PC, and save a fair bit of cash in the process.

ZDNet News
Open 
This tried-and-true $200 Android tablet is one of the best Prime Day deals worth buying
The TCL Tab A1 Plus is on sale at 33% off during Amazon Prime Day 2026.

Russia Today News
Open 
The end of the Polish-Ukrainian love story

CNET News
Open 
VidCon 2026: 15 Years Later, the Creator Economy Shows No Signs of Slowing
At this week's VidCon, which starts Thursday, creators and their fans will come together to celebrate and grow the art form.

CNET News
Open 
I Love This Floating Anker Speaker, and It’s on Sale for Less Than $100 This Prime Day
The rugged Boom 3I looks and sounds great, and you can snag it for $35 off right now at Amazon.

CNET News
Open 
Prime Day Starts Now, and We're Live Tracking the 75+ Best Deals Just for You
Prime Day is here, and for the next four days, we'll bring you the best deals live as we find them.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Stop Worrying About Storms With This Jackery Power Station—Half Off for Prime Day (2026)
Pick up this deal on Jackery’s whole-home backup battery and be ready for the next power outage.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Prime Day Deal 2026: Fellow Espresso Series 1 Is $200 Off
The Fellow Series 1 espresso machine has its first sale, and it's a whopper. Other Fellow devices are 20 percent off, too.

The Hill
Open 
Sheriff on using drone to disarm felon: 'Definitely the future'
Jim Cooper, the sheriff of Sacramento County, California, said Monday that drones will continue to play a major role in law enforcement, after his department disarmed a suspect using a drone earlier this month.  “The future is drones. Obviously, we use them a lot to make entry into houses, I mean, on a regular basis,”...

The Hill
Open 
NY Times reporter on access to Situation Room tapes: 'We're not going to comment'
New York Times reporters Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman on Monday declined to comment on whether they had access to audio tapes from the Situation Room for their book about President Trump’s second term. “We’re not going to comment on the tapes,” Swan, sitting next to Haberman, told MS NOW’s Lawrence O’Donnell on “The Last...

The Hill
Open 
Guinness crowns the world's loudest person at 122.4 decibels
That is in the noise range of a chain saw, a jet aircraft taking off and an ambulance siren at close range.

The Hill
Open 
Intelligence agencies warn AI models could launch crippling cyberattacks in months
A group of intelligence agencies from across the world, including the U.S., warned on Monday that artificial intelligence is "rapidly transforming" the cybersecurity risks, urging global leaders to "act swiftly" to stay ahead of malicious actors. The Five Eyes group, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand, said in a joint statement that...

The Hill
Open 
WSJ editorial board says US World Cup team shows how immigration 'can be a win
The Wall Street Journal editorial board is celebrating the U.S. men's national team, which is comprised of a number of immigrants or the children of immigrants. "The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on President Trump’s birthright citizenship order. Win — or more likely — lose, he might take note that the success of...

The Hill
Open 
Tillis: Pirro can’t be taken ‘seriously’ for prosecuting alleged reflecting pool vandalism
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is blasting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for threatening to prosecute people accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool to the fullest extent of the law after President Trump granted blanket pardons last year to people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. “I...

The Hill
Open 
GOP senator forced out by Trump pushes $1.5T investment for Social Security
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who was defeated by a Trump-backed challenger in a GOP primary earlier this year, is touting his proposal to reform Social Security before he leaves the Senate, after the Trump administration projected the entitlement program will not provide full benefits within seven years. In an interview with CNBC for a story...

Techdirt
Open 
Daily Deal: The Modern No-Code Development Bundle
The Modern No-Code Creator Bundle is an extensive online curriculum specifically developed to enable individuals to construct professional websites, applications & automated workflows without the necessity of writing any code. It has five courses, covering leading no-code platforms and tools like ChatGPT, Mendix, and Tabnine. It is ideally suited for novices and non-technical professionals, empowering […]

Techdirt
Open 
Trump Starts Arresting People Because His Reflecting Pool Makeover Is Just Algae And Peeling Paint
Yeah, that’s a shame. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy bigger asshole. It’s as if Trump asked his underlings to generate the perfect metaphor for his second administration and they fucking nailed it. Trump has tried to impose his self-gratification on an event even he can’t possibly hope to destroy: the 250th anniversary […]

Ars Technica
Open 
Early land animals skipped the tadpole phase

Ars Technica
Open 
ABC asks viewers to protest FCC attempt to "control who is allowed" on The View

Ars Technica
Open 
A curious crossover: The Toyota C-HR review

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING VIDEO – Trump refutes Iranians on IAEA comments
President Trump completely refuted the Iranians on their comments about IAEA inspectors, where they claimed they haven’t agreed to that. But Trump said that’s wrong and explains why…

Mail Online
Open 
Portugal vs Uzbekistan - World Cup LIVE: Redemption for Cristiano Ronaldo as veteran makes his mark after 'civil war' drama
It has been a tough start to the World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo - but he can put it all to bed if Portugal get into gear in their second game against Uzbekistan tonight. 

Mail Online
Open 
Zendaya flaunts her incredible figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord as she poses with her husband Tom Holland amid movie press tour
Zendaya flaunted her figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord before sharing a cute moment with her husband Tom Holland as she shared snaps from a Rome photocall.

Sky News Home
Open 
Putin says Russia 'ready for peace talks' after Ukraine refinery strikes
Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine after strikes on its infrastructure led to fuel shortages.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Marco Rubio to meet Gulf allies amid division over US-Iran ceasefire deal
US secretary of state to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain that his country remains committed to their securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said no country, including Iran, would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the strait of Hormuz as he sought to reassure US allies in the Gulf that Washington would take a firm line in peace negotiations with Tehran.Rubio is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Guide to all 1,248 players | Bracketology | Golden Boot“If I were Elastica, I would simply make a first album so great that whatever came after it didn’t matter,” writes Zach Neeley. “Obviously that’s not true, I would struggle to match the quality of Body Wishes. Hats off to Justine Frischmann, who helped make Suede, made Elastica, had an important hand in the one truly great M.I.A. album, and then most impressively, said I’m out.”Agreed. I feel like that bit gets more impressive by the year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Populist and rightwing figures take aim at Ed Miliband and UK net zero policies at ‘anti-woke Davos’
Kemi Badenoch, who joined US anti-abortion activists and European far-right parties at ARC, described energy secretary as a ‘villain’Britain’s net zero policies and energy secretary Ed Miliband have come under fire at a conference of conservatives, rightwing populists and wealthy US backers linked to Donald Trump.The energy policies pursued by the British government were described as a “tragic mistake” by Trump’s energy secretary, one of a number of officials from the US administration who are attending the event. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Searing UK heat leaves schools, hospitals and transport networks struggling to cope
Temperature on Tuesday hits high of 34.6C in Surrey, England, with heatwave forecast to get more intense on Wednesday and ThursdayEurope heatwave live – latest updatesSearing heat has swept the UK with schools, hospitals, transport networks and water companies struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures caused by climate breakdown.Temperatures hit highs of 34.6C in Wisley in Surrey, the Met Office said on Tuesday, with the UN chief warning that London was “cooking”.Reduced rail speeds and services;Hospital patient appointments cancelled;School closures across southern England and Wales;Hosepipe bans in south-east England;Spikes in sales of fans, ice-cream makers and sun cream. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Vladimir Putin says Russia 'ready for peace talks' after Ukraine refinery strikes
Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine after strikes on its infrastructure led to fuel shortages.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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No fuel for sale as Ukraine's blockade of Russian-occupied Crimea takes effect
In the biggest city Sevastopol, one resident told the BBC he had bought a back-up generator but had nothing to power it with.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Lebanon's lose-lose: Is there another way out of conflict?
The new US-Iran peace deal seems to be forcing Lebanon to choose between Israel's sphere of influence or Iran's. It wants neither. But could there be a better alternative, achieved with the help of regional diplomacy?

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Europe is spending billions to rearm, so why the delays?
European countries have been trying to scale up their military capabilities, but their current defense production and procurement model is not fit for purpose, say experts.

Mail Online
Open 
Kate Moss, 52, goes braless in a lace vest top as she joins her chic daughter Lila, 23, at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week
Kate Moss went braless in a lace black vest top as she arrived at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New Trump book’s authors detail how they pried loose White House secrets: ‘We nearly killed ourselves’
Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, the reporters behind Regime Change, were up against an administration that is ‘very good at keeping secrets’They cracked the White House Situation Room, unearthing secrets from the heart of a secretive administration. But the reporters behind Regime Change, a blockbuster new book on Donald Trump’s second term, ran up against a wall when reporting on one issue surrounding the 80-year-old US president: his fitness for office.“His health has always been a very specific lockbox for him, going back decades,” Maggie Haberman, co-author with Jonathan Swan, said in an interview. “Illness freaks him out; he perceives illness as weakness, usually, and he certainly perceives any sense that he is having an issue as a projection of weakness, and his advisers are very, very attuned to that. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni Infantino
Two men due to share trophy-presenting on 19 July‘We are together all the time’, says Fifa president Donald Trump will hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July, Gianni Infantino has said.Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the buildup to these finals, but the US president has made very few public pronouncements concerning the tournament since it began on 11 June. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Guide to all 1,248 players | Bracketology | Golden BootIn today’s first World Cup game, Cristiano Ronaldo is filling his flourescent boots against Uzbekistan.The Football Association has remained coy over what will happen when England line up for their next World Cup match, against Ghana on Tuesday, and come up against a familiar opponent in Thomas Partey. The former Arsenal midfielder played for Villarreal this season, but will be released at the end of his contract this month. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
HMRC announces 22% tax on cash interest held in stocks and shares Isas
Treasury also promises a new first-time buyer Isa with no upper age limit, as the ‘age at which a first home is bought is rising’Isa reforms announced on Tuesday promise a new first-time buyer account with no upper age limit, and a tax on interest on cash savings held in a stocks and shares wrapper.Savers and investors can currently hold up to £20,000 a year in Isas, which offer the chance to earn returns which are not subject to tax. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
The 10 Best Apple Prime Day Deals You Can Get for Under $100
As Prime Day continues, we're highlighting all of the best Apple deals you can get for under $100 on Amazon. This includes AirPods, Apple Pencil Pro, AirTag, iPhone cases, USB-C chargers, and more.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



You can find every Apple deal available during Prime Day in our dedicated post. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.



$30 Or Under



In the cheapest category, you can get Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $14.99, down from $19.00, and the AirTag 1-Pack for $24.00, down from $29.00. This sale is on the new second generation AirTag model, and it's the first notable discount we've ever seen on this device.



$4 OFF20W USB-C Power Adapter for $14.99

$5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$20 OFFMagSafe Charger (2m) for $28.00



$50 Or Under



For accessories priced between $30 and $50, there are a few sales on Amazon for Prime Day. You can get the Apple Crossbody Strap in Black for $35.99, down from $59.00, plus numerous discounts on iPhone 17 model Silicone and TechWoven Cases.



$23 OFFApple Crossbody Strap for $35.99

$9 OFFiPhone 17 Pro Silicone Case for $39.99

$20 OFF35W Dual USB-C Power Adapter for $39.00

$15 OFFFineWoven Wallet for $43.99



$100 Or Under



Lastly, we're tracking a few deals on Apple products that are just under $100 for Prime Day. You can get an AirTag 2 4-Pack for $89.00 ($10 off), an Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 ($30 off), and AirPods 4 for $99.00 ($30 off).



$10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00

$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$30 OFFApple Pencil Pro for $99.00



If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'The 10 Best Apple Prime Day Deals You Can Get for Under $100' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of watchOS 27 to developers, with the update coming two weeks after the launch of the first beta.





The beta can be downloaded through the Watch app on the iPhone with a free developer account. The Apple Watch will need to be on the charger, connected to Wi-Fi, and have a battery level of 50 percent or above for new software to be installed. The beta is available for all Apple Watch models compatible with ‌watchOS 27‌ except for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.



‌watchOS 27‌ will include Siri AI, the smarter, more capable version of ‌Siri‌. ‌Siri‌ can hold back-and-forth conversations, plus it has access to general world knowledge and your personal data to answer questions and find information. ‌Siri‌ AI on Apple Watch requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, including the iPhone 15 Pro and later.



There's a new Dynamic app grid that highlights ‌Siri‌ suggested apps, and more intuitive Smart Stack Suggestions. You can find your parked car, see pinned messages, get noise alerts, and view identity and transit cards.



Liquid Glass has been updated to improve legibility, and Workout Buddy works on the Apple Watch even when an iPhone isn't nearby. Workout Buddy also gains new metrics like progressive increases to distance, pace, or duration. Apple added a new all-in-one Find My app with support for Precision Finding, and there are performance optimizations that improve battery life.



More on what's new in ‌watchOS 27‌ is available in our watchOS 27 roundup.Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, 'Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Curacao's trailblazing doctor at the World Cup
Suzanne Huurman is the only female chief doctor at the 2026 World Cup. Her work is inspiring change in men's football.

Mail Online
Open 
Boris Becker has £5,000 watch seized by bailiffs on behalf of his ex-wife moments before public appearance - 'as Lilly's lawyer says they won't stop coming for his riches'
Boris Becker had a £5,000 watch seized from him by bailiffs on behalf of his ex-wife, moments before he was due to be interviewed on stage, Lilly Becker's lawyer has revealed. 

Mail Online
Open 
Migrant who sexually assaulted 13-year-old girl on a train after trying to talk to her using phone translator app is jailed for 12 years
Abdulmanon Aliev, 50, sat down opposite the 13-year-old on a train from Southend to London on the afternoon of June 16 last year and tried to use a translator app to speak to her.

Russia Today News
Open 
US carmakers could produce missiles – Trump

Mail Online
Open 
Ollie Watkins' influencer wife Ellie suffers a wardrobe malfunction as she leads the WAGs getting glammed up for England's second World Cup game
Ollie Watkins's wife Ellie led the WAGs getting ready for England's second World Cup game against Ghana on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
Open 
England boss Thomas Tuchel makes TWO changes to his back four for World Cup clash with Ghana after shaky first-half in win over Croatia
Thomas Tuchel has made two changes to the England team that beat Croatia in their first World Cup clash. The players drafted in have both come into the defence.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Marco Rubio to meet Gulf allies amid division over US-Iran ceasefire deal
US secretary of state to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain that his country remains committed to their securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said that no country – including Iran – would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the strait of Hormuz as he sought to reassure US allies in the Gulf that Washington would take a firm line in peace negotiations with Tehran.Rubio is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Volodymyr Zelenskyy to skip postwar conference amid tensions with Poland
Ukraine’s president will not attend after sparking Polish ‘outrage’ over naming of military unitVolodymyr Zelenskyy will skip a high-level conference on the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine amid a deepening rift with Poland over his naming of a military unit for one that killed tens of thousands of Poles during the second world war.Ukraine’s president had been expected to co-host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which begins in the Polish coastal city of Gdańsk on Thursday, but the Ukrainian delegation will instead be led by the prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Returning England captain Stokes and McCullum clear the air after ‘slight blip’
Pair had long talk before training session at Trent BridgeAtkinson, Smith and Bashir also return to starting XIBen Stokes returned to the England set-up on Tuesday following talks with Brendon McCullum before training. The past fortnight, McCullum said afterwards, was essentially a “blip” and they are still “very aligned” before a third Test against New Zealand that could decide the future of their working relationship.The fact that the head coach and captain felt the need to clear the air before nets shows how much the temperature had risen around this England team. Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and the late night after Lord’s that led to them being stood down before the 253-run defeat at the Oval, has put the leadership under pressure. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Decisive’ Dembélé joins party but could group dominance hurt France?
Norway will provide a tougher test for two-time world champions – and they are going to need it before knockoutsFrance will take on Norway in Boston on Friday for the right to top Group I, but one man thinks it’s already done. “Honestly I don’t care that much”, Erling Haaland told Fox in the US. “They’re probably going to win against us. They’re probably going to win the whole tournament.”Haaland may have been playing mind games, and you will not hear Didier Deschamps making any such argument. But the French head coach certainly took satisfaction from his team’s storm-hit but ultimately straightforward victory over Iraq. Featuring another Kylian Mbappé double and two more assists for Michael Olise, this match’s notable success was Ousmane Dembélé’s arrival at the party, scoring his first tournament goal at the 20th attempt. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni Infantino
Two men due to share trophy-presenting on 19 July‘We are together all the time’, says Fifa president Donald Trump will hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July, Gianni Infantino has said.Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the buildup to these finals, but Trump has made very few public pronouncements concerning the tournament since it began on 11 June. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Ghana: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ World Cup kick-off time: 4pm EST/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Guide to all 1,248 players | Bracketology | Golden BootSpence and Guehi set to come into England XIWe’re expecting two changes to the England team that beat Croatia last week. They come in defence, with Djed Spence set to play one of the full-back roles and Marc Guehi starting in central defence. It’s likely to be Spence over O’Reilly at left-back. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Is rejoining the EU inevitable?’ - Rafael Behr answered your questions on Brexit and more
It’s 10 years since the Brexit vote – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … you asked our political columnist questions about a Burnham government, rejoining the EU, and more – read the Q&A belowDyvimTvar asks: How do you think Burnham will deal with Trump? More of the same or will he be looking at the likely result of the midterm elections in the US?Raf: Burnham’s foreign policy is very mysterious. He very rarely talks about the world beyond British shores, and has said quite explicitly that his focus is getting things right “in this country”. That worries me slightly. Foreign affairs dominated Starmer’s diary for a reason and the world isn’t going to calm down. My guess, and it is little more than a guess, is that once he gets the defence and security briefings that explain quite how reliant UK national security is on US institutional partnership (regardless of who the president is) he will respond pretty much exactly as Starmer did. And yes, the midterms will be crucial. A lame duck Trump could become much more volatile but also much more bogged down in running battles – even impeachment proceedings – with a hostile CongressRaf: 1: The defence and security partnership with the US is extremely tight and bundled very deep. Much of the UK’s defence capacity really relies on the Pentagon. In this respect the “special relationship” is hard-wired in. That isn’t an argument for just sucking up to Trump regardless of what he does, but it does explain why Starmer had to tread very carefully indeed. There is a case for seeking much more strategic autonomy from Washington but that’s a challenge to be met over a generation. Can’t be done quickly and is very expensive.2: The fiscal rules thing is both more complex and simpler than often presented. Ultimately everyone involved, including the bond traders, know it is an artificial construct, but the rules do function as a commitment to recognise finite budget capacity, which matters. Yes, there are arguments for borrowing more to invest in the productive capacity that will generate more revenue in the future, through higher growth. By this mechanism, we should be able to loosen the reins a bit on the understanding that the benefits will accrue soon enough. Bond traders understand the macroeconomic logic of that argument but they don’t necessarily trust the politicians to really be thinking about the long term. It could too easily sound like the chancellor is saying “I want to borrow a load more money so I don’t have to make hard spending/cuts choices in the run up to an election, but I promise I’ll get it all sorted the moment after polling day.” If you don’t have credible revenue projections, the market is going to be very sceptical. As it was with Liz Truss. Ultimately the bond market is just the mechanism by which the UK government borrows money and, like any lender, it sets the terms according to how confident it is in the reliability of the borrower. The fiscal rules are a convenient badge of seriousness for a country that has, sadly, been rather too unserious in the recent past. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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DUP seeks to distance party from ‘wicked deceiver’ Jeffrey Donaldson
Denunciation comes after former Democratic Unionist leader convicted of child sexual offencesThe Democratic Unionist party has denounced Jeffrey Donaldson as a “wicked deceiver” who led a “double and duplicitous life” a day after its former leader was convicted of child sexual offences.Leaders at the Stormont assembly sought to distance the DUP from Donaldson and described him as a manipulator who had hoodwinked Northern Ireland and hid his crimes behind a facade of respectability and Christian faith. Continue reading...

RSS.app Blog
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Google News RSS vs Google Alerts: Which Is Better for News Monitoring?
Google Alerts notifies you, but Google News RSS helps teams automate monitoring, briefs, widgets, and workflows.

Propublica
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Have Your SNAP Benefits Ever Been Stolen? Help ProPublica Investigate.
The post Have Your SNAP Benefits Ever Been Stolen? Help ProPublica Investigate. appeared first on ProPublica.

Propublica
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Do You Administer SNAP or Medicaid Benefits? Help ProPublica Report on America’s Safety Net.
The post Do You Administer SNAP or Medicaid Benefits? Help ProPublica Report on America’s Safety Net. appeared first on ProPublica.

Digital Trends
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Netflix’s new horror game turns your phone into the controller, and it rings during gameplay
Starring Zoë Kravitz and Sadie Sink, Unhinged traps players inside a hurricane blackout where your phone becomes your flashlight and lifeline.

Digital Trends
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I cover gadgets for a living, and these Amazon device deals stood out
Amazon devices usually get some of the best Prime Day discounts, and these Kindle, Echo, Ring, Blink, and Fire TV deals are my top picks.

Digital Trends
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Claude can now join your Slack channels and work alongside your team
Anthropic's new Claude Tag feature brings Claude directly into Slack channels, where it can handle coding, research, data analysis, and more. Here's how it works, how to set it up, and why it could change the way teams collaborate with AI.

TechRadar News
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England vs Ghana: UK expats can stream the match on BBC iPlayer with NordVPN

TechRadar News
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Ditch laggy screen-mirroring and get app-happy – Apple TV and Fire TV VPN apps will bring smoother streams to your World Cup watching

TechRadar News
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The 3 JBL Bluetooth speakers I’d actually buy with my own money — I tested them all against their rivals, and these are the real winners for all budgets

TechRadar News
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I've always owned physical books, but Amazon's standard Kindle takes away the inconvenience of traveling with multiple novels — and it's a great way to pass the time while soaking in the sun

TechRadar News
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US healthcare AI platform Xsolis confirms data breach that affects 1.4 million individuals

TechRadar News
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The ROG Raikiri II has become my go-to controller for good reason — and this Prime Day is the perfect time to add it to your team

TechRadar News
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This affordable misting fan is making WFH days bearable in spite of a heatwave — here's why I'd buy it right now

Atlas Obscura
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CVRATED by Ryan Matthew Cohn in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Slashdot
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Meta Launches Cheaper Smart Glasses Without Ray-Ban
Meta has launched its first smart glasses without Ray-Ban branding. Starting at $299, they're cheaper than the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 while retaining EssilorLuxottica as a design and manufacturing partner. The Verge reports: As far as style and specs, the Meta Glasses aren't that different from Ray-Bans. The internal specs are the same as the recently released Ray-Ban Meta Optics Styles, with slightly longer battery life. The Adventurer models have thinner rims, while the Fury models hew a bit closer to the Meta Ray-Ban Display with a bolder, chunkier frame. You could describe the Adventurer as square, and the Fury as even more square. The Kylie glasses sport a more unique design with a distinct Y2K flavor that I'm told is meant to be worn lower on your nose. [...] While playing around with the Meta Glasses, it was hard not to notice that the camera appears smaller than in previous Ray-Ban glasses. Technically, Himel tells me, that's not new to these Meta Glasses. It was actually introduced back in March with the prescription-optimized Optics Styles.

[...] Meta is quadrupling down on AI. The new Meta Glasses will all launch with Muse Spark, the first model out of Meta's Superintelligence Labs. (It'll also be arriving on older Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses in the US and Canada via a software update.) Supposedly, that means more helpful glasses. At my hands-on, I was told that Meta AI would now be less stiff. I'd be able to talk to it more naturally and get smarter responses. The AI now supports 14 more languages, including Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Korean. Pedestrian turn-by-turn navigation is also coming to Meta's displayless glasses. Later this month, there'll be a new "dynamic photo" feature that automatically takes multiple frames and then recommends the best one.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Trump admits selling IBM’s stock was a mistake. Now he’s cheering its quantum future.
IBM looks like a focal point as the U.S. further backs domestic quantum-computing initiatives.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Your index fund is hiding a looming tech-stock risk — here is how to protect your portfolio
The S&P 500’s top 10 stocks dominate like never before. Here is a better way to invest.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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How Semenyo overcame rejection to reach World Cup with Ghana
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.

Boing Boing
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The Mouth of Moron returns to explain that pond scum is democracy
Karoline Leavitt returned to Fox News and immediately tried to convince America that the Lincoln Memorial Algae Farm is a campaign promise kept.
On FOX, Leavitt called the algae-costumed protesters "deranged leftists" and said, "Only the Democrats could hate beautifying our nation's capital and making it a symbol of pride again, but this is what the American people elected President Trump to do." — Read the rest
The post The Mouth of Moron returns to explain that pond scum is democracy appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Valve's Steam Machine will run you at least a thousand dollars
Loath as I am to admit it, I think we may all have seen this coming after Valve raised the price of their Steam Deck. Naturally, this raised questions about how much Valve's flagship Steam Machine "living room PC" would cost — questions that have now unfortunately been answered. — Read the rest
The post Valve's Steam Machine will run you at least a thousand dollars appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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So that Saul Goodman return video wasn't just a one-off
A while ago, fans of Better Call Saul (it's me, I'm fans) were surprised by a new piece of official content dropped out nowhere on an unassuming YouTube channel. Bob Odenkirk was back in full force as criminal lawyer Saul Goodman, salmon-colored suit and all, to tell you about your rights in what we all assumed was a fun one-off video to celebrate America's 250th. — Read the rest
The post So that Saul Goodman return video wasn't just a one-off appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Don't be fooled by scammer deepfakes
Don't you just love all the innovations that the advent of AI has allowed for? There's mass disinformation, the price of consumer computing going through the roof, poisoning groundwater for entire communities, but, uh… at least it's making some people's jobs easier! — Read the rest
The post Don't be fooled by scammer deepfakes appeared first on Boing Boing.

Mail Online
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Kate Garraway reveals she would let daughter Darcey, 20, sign up for Love Island - and says she'd 'love' to appear in the villa herself
It's one of the steamiest dating shows on television where contestants are forced to undergo kissing challenges, divulge secrets about their sex lives and share beds with their partners.

Mail Online
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England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Thomas Tuchel's team news 'leaked' - plus all updates from Boston as 15,000 Three Lions fans arrive
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Electricity prices jump in Europe as demand soars in the heatwave
Great Britain has paid at least six times the normal price for imported power as millions turn on air conditioning and windfarm output sagsThe heatwave has prompted a sharp rise in electricity prices across European markets as millions turn to air conditioners and electric fans to battle record high temperatures, which have also caused a string of power plant outages across the continent.Great Britain imported electricity from Europe at more than six times the normal price on Tuesday as the high pressure heat dome has slowed wind speeds, hitting renewable energy generation, and caused outages at multiple gas plants across the country. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Marcus Smith vows England will ‘leave it all out there’ against South Africa
Squad are due to arrive in Johannesburg on ThursdaySpringboks coach Rassie Erasmus praises Henry PollockMarcus Smith says England are flying south determined to make a fast and furious start to the new Nations Championship at South Africa’s expense next week. A 36-man squad will touch down in Johannesburg on Thursday and Smith says there is a shared desire to rise to the high-altitude challenge of upsetting the world champions in their backyard.England have been training in oxygen masks in Bagshot to prepare themselves for the Highveldt and, with games against Fiji and Argentina to follow, are conscious of the need to make an early impression against the Springboks. “It’s one shot,” said Smith, who has now played 50 Tests for his country. “We’ve spoken about leaving it all out there. It’s a hell of an opportunity. I don’t think England have been there since 2018 so we could create history, going down there to deliver a result. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Gary O’Neil to lead Ipswich on top-flight return as Oxford appoint Aaron Ramsey
O’Neil signs three-year deal after spell at StrasbourgOxford United hire Wales legend after relegationIpswich have unveiled Gary O’Neil as their new manager as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. The 43-year-old, who was in charge at French club Strasbourg, has signed a three-year deal which will take him up to the summer of 2029.O’Neil told the club’s website: “It is an honour to be appointed manager of this great football club. I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in need of renewal | Editorial
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney’s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political drama unfolding in London since May’s local elections, culminating on Monday in Sir Keir Starmer’s enforced resignation, has also been welcome for a more discomfiting reason. The glare of the spotlight on Labour’s internal revolution has allowed its own travails to play out in the shadows.The five-year sentence handed down on Tuesday to the former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell, brings a form of closure to one of the biggest political scandals in Britain for decades. Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, has rejected calls for an inquiry into Murrell’s embezzlement of more than £400,000 from SNP funds over a 12-year period. But unanswered questions remain regarding how Murrell got away with stealing from the SNP for so long. The party’s financial probity is also under scrutiny over the use of more than £600,000 theoretically ringfenced for an independence referendum.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on extreme heat: as risks escalate, adaptation plans are dangerously lagging | Editorial
Record-breaking temperatures should focus minds on the UK’s lack of preparedness for the climate dangers aheadAs western Europe bakes under what scientists describe as a heat dome, or “atmospheric lid”, reports of dozens of drownings, and heat-linked deaths of children and elderly people in France, are a stark reminder of the threat to life from extreme heat – and the fact that some people face higher risks than others. The red alert covering most of southern England and Wales for Wednesday and Thursday is only the second such warning to be issued.With the UK’s June record of 35.6C expected to be broken, hundreds of schools are closed. Network Rail has advised against non-essential travel. Temperatures in France and Spain are expected to be even higher, before the heat moves eastwards. But since the UK is less used to intense heat than its Mediterranean neighbours, it faces distinct challenges.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Hundreds of schools in England and Wales to close in heatwave
Unions say it is dangerous for schools to stay open in high temperatures Hundreds of schools across the south of England and Wales are expected to close or vary their hours this week, in an effort to combat the extreme heat and conditions labelled as dangerous by education unions.School leaders said they had warned parents about potential closures on Wednesday and Thursday, with many opting to end the day early to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat. Continue reading...

BBC Technology News
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Meta halts worker tracking for AI training due to privacy fears
The company had started just two months ago tracking workers’ computer usage for AI training data.

The Verge
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Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election
Hello and welcome to Regulator, the newsletter for Verge subscribers chronicling the misadventures of their favorite tech overlords and Washington swamp creatures. ("Favorite" is, of course, subjective.) Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here, especially if you want the hot scoop on quality Amazon Prime Day deals recommended by the wonderful humans of The Verge's […]

The Verge
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Laptop prices suck these days, so here are some Prime Day deals that help a little
The RAM, storage, and component crunch has come for new laptop prices. Plenty of models have gone up in price after being on the market for months, and so have those that’ve been on shelves for over a year. Plus, many new models are releasing at higher prices than the previous generation. So, it really […]

The Verge
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The Pixel 10A finally costs what it should
We can usually rely on Google to put together a compelling package in its Pixel A-series devices. The Pixel 10A was kind of a letdown, though. It added only a handful of updates, like satellite messaging and updated Gorilla Glass on the screen — but it still costs $499, like the Pixel 9A. Kind of […]

The Verge
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Formula E’s new season is starting to look more like F1
The next season of Formula E will feature a new race format and three new race locations when it starts in December to go with the new Gen4 electric cars. The schedule released today by the FIA includes the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent, and the Zandvoort circuit […]

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Trump to attend World Cup final and present trophy
United States president Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and help present the trophy, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

UK Government News
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Defence Secretary’s Dan Jarvis MBE MP speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP speech at RUSI

ZeroHedge News
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There’s A Shakespearean Tone To Current Developments
There’s A Shakespearean Tone To Current Developments

By Michael Every of Rabobank

Burnham would come to high Done-inane

There’s a Shakespearean tone to current developments: tragically, not one of his comedies.

The US has introduced a temporary waiver (until August 21) for Iranian oil sales that undoes 40 years of sanctions. Iran can sell what it likes to who it likes, including the US, and receive US dollars. Two months isn’t enough time to sell much, but if the White House wants to show Iran it’s serious about offering new opportunities that’s been achieved. Equally, Iran says an agreement has been reached to release $12bn in frozen funds, but disputes Trump's claim it will buy food exclusively from the US with it.

More importantly, VP Vance said Iran has agreed to nuclear inspections from the IAEA, a huge concession. However, Iran responded that’s not the case and it didn’t negotiate nuclear matters so far in Switzerland.

On Hormuz, the Iranian view remains it will manage the strait and charge for passage within months: Trump’s is the polar opposite. That’s as transits seem to be running at around a quarter to a third of normal levels, at best. Indeed, the squeeze in bunker fuel is still evident in rising ocean carrier freight rates.

On Lebanon, a new deconfliction mechanism is floated that excludes Israel, as PM Netanyahu, Defence Minister Katz, and IDF head Zamir reiterated a pledge to “continue to act decisively” and hold their security zone there, including the 1km-long, 25-metre deep underground Hezbollah missile and drone base in Ali Taher ridge, evidence of how much Iran has ploughed into its proxy. Separately, the Israeli and Lebanese governments will meet in Washington to discuss normalization and elusive Hezbollah disarmament; and in the background, Syria has signaled that, after Trump's suggestion, it will only engage Hezbollah if Lebanon requests it.

The Saudi paper Asharq Al-Awsat reports Hamas held a top-secret meeting with French officials to discuss a possible return to '1967 borders', which they’ve floated before as a temporary truce, that could unlock Trump’s Board of Peace and ‘Gaza-Lago’ redevelopment plans.

Yet the Jerusalem Post reports new Mossad boss Gofman is taking the agency “by storm” and is ramping up plans to topple the Islamic regime. So, what’s it to be in the Middle East, beyond the current calm?

"Something wicked this way comes"

UK PM Starmer resigned, as former Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham sealed his doom by coming to high Done-inane, swearing in as an MP in Westminster after not being one a week ago. The UK press is abuzz with discussions of who will be in his cabinet, like what’s-his-face and that-one-from-a-few-years-ago. There’s a natural market focus on who’ll be the Thane of Cawdor Chancellor: Burnham needs to reassure Gilts that fiscal rules will be adhered to and his leftwing backbenchers that he’s offering something new enough that his popularity won’t follow the same rapid downwards trajectory as that of Starmer, Sunak, Truss, Johnson, and May.

One immediate impact is that the July EU-UK summit has been postponed: nobody knows what Burnham’s view re: the EU will be, but he has previously backed rejoining.

“If you can look into the seeds of time; And say which grain will grow and which will not.”

In Asia, India launched three warships as a show of force to China in the Indian Ocean, as the US Department of War renamed its Indo-Pacific Command back to the Pacific Command, signalling a de-prioritisation of the area matching Europe re: NATO and the Middle East re: Iran and Israel. In East Asia, where the US is outsourcing its Taiwan-focused efforts to Japan and the Philippines, China says it warned off multiple Japanese ‘provocations’ during its recent aircraft carrier drills.

"Is this a dagger which I see before me?"

In related geoeconomics, China announced it’s targeting US rare earths firms in response to a Pentagon list of Chinese firms: this is largely a symbolic move, but it still underlines the tensions in this area. So does the Nikkei reporting that ‘China minerals control threatens EU rearmament, as bloc seeks new sources’: as we have long warned, even if you can afford a dagger, you can’t make it without rare earths, and Europe still hasn’t secured enough supply. More positively, the aluminium squeeze caused by the closure of Hormuz is being ameliorated by Chinese supply and dark transits from the Middle East.

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well; It were done quickly.”

In politics, besides Starmerama, another political scandal in Spain, and gridlock in choosing a new PM in Romania, the US Supreme Court looks set for three key rulings ahead:  

Trump v. Slaughter reviews the long-standing precedent that restricts a president from firing heads of independent federal agencies (like the FTC) without "good cause". A ruling for Trump could alter the structure of the US government, allowing presidents to dismiss leaders of independent regulatory and financial institutions at will – including members of the Fed.

Trump vs. Barbara addresses the constitutionality of an executive order restricting birthright citizenship, denying automatic citizenship to children born on US soil if their parents are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Watson v. Republican National Committee revolves around the constitutionality of state laws that allow mail-in ballots to be received and counted after Election Day, as long as they were officially cast or postmarked by that day. Naturally, this would shake up the mid-term, and all subsequent, US elections.

“Two truths are told; As happy prologues to the swelling act; Of th’imperial theme”

Meanwhile in markets, China introduced technical changes to bridge the gap between onshore CNY and offshore CNH in authorising six state-owned banks to conduct CNH transactions in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone as a ‘sand box’ as the PBoC expanded cross-border e-CNY agreements with 26 financial institutions. This isn’t China floating its currency; neither does this work around China’s ever-larger net trade surpluses, where earning CNH is very hard for most counterparties, limits the ability to internationalise CNH via the ‘USD’ method. Yet it speaks to a potential parallel CNH internationalisation where domestic liquidity backs that required offshore while retaining capital controls. With the US is moving ahead with plans for US dollar stablecoins, which have some similar aims, international payment systems, commodity supply chains, defence tech, and AI are going to become a stacked, contested space. Watch it; and what happens in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Over time, the FX market will grasp what it means.

“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

Markets are going for the easy option on all of the above news for now: Brent oil was at $78 at time of writing; bond yields were lower; and SpaceX looked like it was testing re-entry, having fallen around $600bn from its recent post-IPO peak.

"Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep’." That’s how I feel.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 11:55

ZeroHedge News
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This Is Only Fifth Time QQQs Gapped Down When Within 2% Of An All Time High
This Is Only Fifth Time QQQs Gapped Down When Within 2% Of An All Time High

In a day of sharp, downward pointing market moves and superlatives, we can add another: according to calculations from BTIG's Jonathan Krinsky, today's 2% gap down in the QQQs is a historic event. "Since QQQ's inception ('99), this is just the 5th time that's happened when the day prior was within 2% of a 52wk high and the VIX was below 20."



What happens next? While near-term returns are split, all four of the signals saw QQQ meaningfully lower over the next month. Hardly a shock judging by how extreme the upside moves in semis/AI have been.



Meanwhile, Krinsky continues to highlight the "screaming" divergences within the market, as the hyperscalers continue to trade poorly, and in S. Korea you had the KOSPI rally over 4% the last four days when each day had extremely negative breadth.



Whether or not we rally in the short-term, the BTIG strategist continues to see medium-term downside risk for the tech/AI trade with ~5% further to go for QQQ and 10-15% more for areas like SOXX.



The good news is so far correlations remain low and this appears to be rotational in nature, with areas like financials and biotech still looking good.

The Focus observations: 

QQQ Study. QQQ gapped down over 2% this morning. Since QQQ's inception ('99), this is just the 5th time that's happened when the day prior was within 2% of a 52wk high and the VIX was below 20. The four priors were: 5/16/19, 1/27/20, 2/24/20 and 1/27/25. While near-term returns were split,all four of the signals saw QQQ meaningfully lower over the next month.


How Much Downside? From current levels, BTIG sees ~5% more downside for QQQ and 10-15% for SOXX.
What if We Rally? Given the 'buy the dip' mentality, a further rally from today's lows would not be surprising. QQQ already up more than 1% off session lows as of 10:30et. While BTIG doesn't foresee recent highs being exceeded in the near-term, both 2020 and 2025 did see new highs before ultimately rolling over (note that those highs also were aided by COVID-19 and the 'tariff tantrum').


The Good News. As of 11:30et, S&P breadth was +84 with five sectors green. REITs, banks, and insurers continue look good, as does Biotech, although XBI is a bit extended very short-term. For now, it still appears to be a positioning unwind rather than the start of a high-correlation selloff, and that allows other areas to work while the tech/AI trade takes a much-needed breather.


Dollar Up, Gold Down. With the DXY breaking out through 100, a move towards 104 looks likely which should pressure gold down below 4k.




More in the full BTIG report available here.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 12:10

ZeroHedge News
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MP Materials' Lawsuit Against USA Rare Earth Highlights Battle For America's Future In Minerals
MP Materials' Lawsuit Against USA Rare Earth Highlights Battle For America's Future In Minerals

USA Rare Earth has dismissed a lawsuit filed by MP Materials, calling the claims "completely without merit" and arguing the case is an attempt to slow its growth. The company said it will deny all allegations that it improperly obtained confidential information from a former MP employee, according to Bloomberg.

The dispute underscores intensifying competition in the U.S. rare-earth sector, where both companies are racing to build domestic mining, processing, and magnet-production capabilities. USA Rare Earth said MP is trying to impede its progress as it develops the Round Top deposit in Texas and a magnet facility in Oklahoma.

Bloomberg writes that MP sued last month, alleging a coordinated effort by USA Rare Earth to recruit MP employees and misuse proprietary information. The lawsuit also questioned the viability of USA Rare Earth’s projects. MP declined to comment on the latest filing.



The clash comes as billions of dollars flow into the U.S. rare-earth industry amid efforts to reduce reliance on China, which continues to dominate global supply chains for the critical minerals.

Rare earth minerals have become increasingly important to the United States because they are essential components in advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, semiconductors, robotics, aerospace systems, and military equipment. Materials such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are critical for manufacturing high-performance magnets used in everything from fighter jets and missile guidance systems to wind turbines and data centers.

The strategic importance of rare earths has grown as the U.S. seeks to reduce its dependence on China, which currently dominates global rare earth mining, processing, and magnet production. Supply chain disruptions and export restrictions have heightened concerns among policymakers and industry leaders, prompting significant investments in domestic mining, processing, and manufacturing capabilities. Companies such as MP Materials and USA Rare Earth are at the forefront of efforts to establish a secure and resilient American rare earth supply chain.

Under the Trump administration, rare earth minerals have become a central component of broader efforts to strengthen U.S. energy security, industrial competitiveness, and national defense. Recent policy initiatives and government support have accelerated domestic rare earth development, reflecting a growing consensus that securing access to these critical minerals is essential for maintaining America's technological leadership and reducing strategic vulnerabilities.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 12:30

ZeroHedge News
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Kuwait Offers Gulf Oil Loadings In Ports Deep In Persian Gulf As Producers Seek Hormuz Outlet
Kuwait Offers Gulf Oil Loadings In Ports Deep In Persian Gulf As Producers Seek Hormuz Outlet

Submitted by Tsvetana Paraskova of OilPrice.com

Kuwait is offering naphtha for loading at its ports deep into the Persian Gulf in the first such tender in months, as Middle Eastern oil producers seek to raise shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

State-held Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has issued a tender to sell naphtha cargoes to be picked up at Kuwaiti ports by buyers, Bloomberg reported on Monday, quoting a tender document it had seen.



The Kuwaiti tender is a sign that the Gulf producers are hopeful that the Strait of Hormuz reopening would allow them to boost production and crude and product shipments.

In previous sales during the Hormuz crisis, Kuwait has asked potential buyers to charter their own tankers to pick up petroleum from the country’s ports, traders told Bloomberg.

But tanker traffic at the Strait of Hormuz has seen hiccups hours after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to reopen the critical oil and LNG chokepoint. Iran claimed on Saturday it closed the Strait again, due to the Israeli strikes in Lebanon, while the United States insists the waterway is open and millions of barrels of oil are flowing out of the Gulf.


Strait of Hormuz traffic through ~noon (UTC), today.
Vessels > 10,000 dwt.
Traceable traffic mostly through the Iranian lanes.
Outbound traffic includes three laden, sanctioned VLCCs.@LloydsList pic.twitter.com/wR45UVGgDr
— Tomer Raanan (@tldraanan) June 22, 2026
The situation remains volatile, but the Middle East Gulf producers, especially those relying solely on Hormuz such as Kuwait, appear to be preparing to increase output they had shut in in the early days of the war.

Last week, KPC’s deputy chairman and CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah said that Kuwait expects to raise its oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within a week, up from an average of 573,000 bpd in May, amid the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Prewar production levels could be restored within weeks once regular international commercial shipping to Kuwait ports has resumed,” Al-Sabah was quoted as saying by Kuwait News Agency.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 13:05

ZeroHedge News
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Average 2Y Auction Stops Through, Has Highest Yield Since Jan 2025
Average 2Y Auction Stops Through, Has Highest Yield Since Jan 2025

In the week's first coupon auction, moments ago the Treasury sold $69BN in 2Y notes at a high yield of 4.189%, up from 4.071% and the highest yield since January 2025; the auction also stopped through the When Issued 4.192% by 0.3bps, the biggest through since January.



The bid to cover was perfectly average at 2.643, unchanged from last month's 2.640 and right on top of the recent average of 2.61.

Internals were a bit on the weak side, with Indirects awarded 55.45%, down from 57.60% and the lowest since Dec 25. And with Directs awarded 34.3%or the highest since Oct '25, Dealers were left with 10.24%, down from 12.3% and the lowest since Feb.



Overall, this was a medicore auction which priced on the strong side but whose internals offset that strength, printing a bit weak. Not like any of that mattered for the bond market, however, with yields trading near session lows across the curve.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 13:13

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Privately Told Zelensky To Act 'More Boldly' Toward Russia: Ukrainian Media
Trump Privately Told Zelensky To Act 'More Boldly' Toward Russia: Ukrainian Media

While the globe's attention has been fixated on efforts to finally achieve US-Iran peace, based on negotiations in Switzerland, the Russia-Ukraine war has been quietly (or not so quietly) heating up, as evidenced in the increasingly brazen Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea.

A slew of Ukrainian publications on Tuesday are reporting that this is in large part due to a White House greenlight to bring the war to Russian territory, in order to finally get significant concessions from Moscow, after over four years of grinding and a largely stalemated conflict.

"Ukraine now believes it has secured White House backing for a campaign aimed at forcing Russia into meaningful negotiations, the Kyiv Independent has learned," one such prominent English-language publication says.

The key claim is that President Trump privately told President Volodymyr Zelensky to act "more boldly," a senior Ukrainian official has claimed to several outlets.



"Trump says he doesn't really believe (Vladimir) Putin will do anything without pressure," the official, said to have been briefed on a recent Trump-Zelensky meeting, added.

"President (Trump) believes in peace through strength," one US official separately added.

According to Trump, who was recently asked about lukewarm efforts to get the warring sides back to the negotiating table...


"I don't mind," the American President said. "I mean, let them deal."


Ukraine's Zelensky had just days ago proclaimed: "I will not travel to Moscow to meet with Putin. We can meet in Turkey, Switzerland, or the Middle East."

Washington has clearly taken a step back after the prior big Putin-Trump summit in Alaska failed to produce any significant or lasting results in Ukraine, other than perhaps improving Moscow-Washington relations.

If it's true that Trump did indeed tell Zelensky to act 'more boldly' - this will music to the UK, France, Germany, and Baltic states' ears... they have wanted a clearer US greenlight to impose heavy costs on Russia.

But obviously the situation remains highly dangerous, given if they poke the nuclear-armed Russian bear too much, the war could finally escalate beyond just Ukraine and Russia's borders.

The problem is that this has all been tried before, and Russia only escalates in turn, seeking to clarify its red lines to the West. It's long been a proxy war, but things can always slide into dangerous open confrontation and conflict with NATO.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 13:25

Gizmodo
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The Next ‘Blair Witch’ Movie Gets a Spooky Season Release Date
Just when you thought the woods were safe again, Dylan Clark's new take on the horror franchise will arrive September 24, 2027.

Russia Today News
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Under Starmer or Burnham, the future of UK politics looks bleak

Mail Online
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Cop who crashed into young lovers killing fiancé just weeks away from wedding was rushing to crime that had already been RESOLVED, police say
Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Glynn Wilburn, 42, was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, felony reckless driving causing serious injury and great bodily injury enhancement.

Mail Online
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Adolescence continues its winning streak as record-breaking Netflix show bags TRIC Award for Best Drama
Adolescence has bagged the Best Drama gong at the 2026 TRIC Awards on Tuesday, continuing its record-breaking winning streak.

Ministry of Defence
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Defence Secretarys Dan Jarvis MBE MP speech at the RUSI Land Warfare Conference
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP speech at RUSI | Ministry of Defence.

ZDNet News
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Anthropic rolls out Claude Tag, your new agentic AI coworker in Slack
Claude Tag could turn your Slack channels into shared spaces where an agentic coworker reads the room, joins threads, remembers context, and moves team tasks forward. Is your workplace ready?

ZDNet News
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These are the 19 best Prime Day phone deals I'd actually buy myself
Prime Day 2026 has officially started. Save hundreds right now on smartphones, including the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26.

ZDNet News
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My favorite Prime Day TV deal is the LG C5 OLED at Best Buy - nearly $2,000 off
It may be last year's model, but the LG C5 OLED TV still offers plenty of reasons to pick one up, especially at this price.

ZDNet News
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As a smart home expert, these are top security camera deals worth buying this Prime Day
It's Amazon Prime Day, and smart home deals are everywhere. But don't fall for just any deal: these are the ones worth your time and money.

ZDNet News
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I got a 50% off Fire TV Stick this Prime Day, and I'm watching these top streaming deals
With Amazon Prime Day dropping prices left and right, this is a great time to buy a streaming device, and these prices are hard to beat.

ZDNet News
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Walmart's Prime Day sale is here: Up to 50% off laptops, TVs, smart glasses, and more
It's Walmart vs. Amazon this Prime Day: Walmart's massive rival sale is here, with great deals on 4K smart TVs, Apple tech, and laptops - some of which are better than Amazon's prices.

ZDNet News
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The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is the best device for notetakers I've tested - and it's $150 off
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is the brand's most premium notetaking device, with one of the most satisfying writing experiences on the market. It's at its lowest price yet for Prime Day now.

Deutsche Welle
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Europe heat wave: France measures hottest-ever day
Monuments in Paris are working on reduced hours, and dozens of people in France have drowned during the heat wave. Britain, France, Italy and Spain have issued red alerts and health warnings. More on DW.

Deutsche Welle
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Poland, Ukraine: Dispute between two close allies deepens
Polish President Karol Nawrocki last week stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Poland's highest state honor. How did it come to this? And what has it got to do with next year's election in Poland?

Mail Online
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Tube driver was taking personal call when train pulled away with disabled passenger's boarding ramp still attached
A London Overground driver was found to be using their mobile phone while pulling out of Norwood Junction station in South London with a disabled boarding ramp still attached.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham hold 'secret talks' as PM plans to hand over power to 'King of the North' on July 17
The pair are said to have met for an hour at an 'off-site' location away from Downing Street .

CNET News
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I Was Shocked by How Good These Budget TVs Were
I tested the best budget Samsung, Roku, Amazon, and Hisense TVs and found one clear winner.

CNET News
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What Are You Reading This Summer? I've Asked the CNET Team and Many Are on Sale During Prime Day
With Prime Day here, now is a good time to think about your summer reading list for savings.

Wired Top Stories
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Pairing Time-Based Use Rates and a Whole-Home Battery Gets You Super Cheap Electricity
Power companies are pushing aggressive time-based use pricing. Here’s how a regular consumer can benefit.

The Hill
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Watch live: Trump seeks to sell economic agenda in Pennsylvania
President Trump in remarks from Pennsylvania will have another opportunity to tout his economic agenda ahead of the midterm elections, as affordability continues to be a top issue on the minds of voters. The president over the weekend claimed the U.S. has the “BEST ECONOMY EVER,” citing recent Labor Department data showing better-than-expected job growth...

The Hill
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A smarter approach to fraud means better care at home
The Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act is designed to strengthen program integrity in home health and hospice while protecting access to care for patients and reducing burden for legitimate providers.

The Hill
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Trump administration announces $17.5B in loans to support 10 nuclear plants
The Trump administration will loan $17.5 billion out to try to speed up the process of building 10 large-scale nuclear power plants. Energy Department leaders said Tuesday that they are issuing up to five conditional loans that would each support two nuclear reactors. Each project receiving financing through the department will be jointly owned by...

The Hill
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Patriots owner pitches NFL on Scotland game after 'Tartan Army' visits Boston: Report
New England Patriots owner and billionaire Robert Kraft would reportedly like to see the NFL play a game in Scotland after supporters of the World Cup team spent time in Boston during group stage action for this year's tournament. Kraft spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently about the possibility, the Boston Globe reported, noting...

The Hill
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Trump meeting major defense contractors amid munitions stockpiles concerns
President Trump is set to meet with the heads of the biggest U.S. defense firms on Wednesday amid concerns of America’s dwindling stockpile of sophisticated munitions. Trump has summoned the top military contractors along with senior Pentagon officials to the White House to discuss increasing munitions production, a meeting that is expected to be contentious, The...

The Hill
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Congress should bring campus transparency into the defense bill
The National Defense Authorization Act should address the weak disclosure regime governing foreign money flowing into American universities and the risks that can follow, by lowering the reporting threshold and requiring full disclosure for countries of concern.

The Hill
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Sheriff on using drone to disarm felon: 'Definitely the future'
Jim Cooper, the sheriff of Sacramento County, said Monday that drones will continue to play a major role in law enforcement, after his department disarmed a suspect using a drone earlier this month.  “The future is drones. Obviously we use them a lot to make entry into houses, I mean, on a regular basis,” Cooper...

The Hill
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Warner introduces bill to require Senate-confirmed acting DNIs in wake of Pulte controversy
Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Tuesday introduced a bill that would bar the president from installing an acting director of national intelligence (DNI), legislation taking aim at President Trump’s controversial pick to lead the intelligence community. In tapping Bill Pulte, who also remains head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as...

Ars Technica
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Trump may be mystery patient in odd case of 79yo getting experimental obesity drug

The Right Scoop
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BOOM BREAKING: Trump WINS on expedited deportations in DC courts
President Trump just won a big ruling on expedited deportations in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, where they overruled and stayed a lower court ruling that blocked Trump’s expanded expedited removals . . .

Mail Online
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Portugal vs Uzbekistan - World Cup LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo's rare selfless act puts Roberto Martinez's side in control of Group K clash in emphatic response to critics
It has been a tough start to the World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo - but he can put it all to bed if Portugal get into gear in their second game against Uzbekistan tonight. 

BBC World News
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Zambia ex-president's family wins latest legal battle over what should happen to his body
Edgar Lungu's family and the Zambian government remained in dispute 12 months after he died.

The Guardian (UK)
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Marco Rubio to meet Gulf allies amid division over US-Iran ceasefire deal
US secretary of state to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain that his country remains committed to their securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has said that no country – including Iran – would be allowed to charge tolls for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as he sought to reassure US allies in the Gulf that Washington would take a firm line in peace negotiations with Tehran.Rubio, the US secretary of state, is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Tiger Woods returns to introduce golf’s two-tier PGA Tour shake-up from 2028
New elite series to include promotion and relegation23-24 events spread across February to AugustThe PGA Tour has announced sweeping changes to its competitive structure, approving a two-tier system with promotion and relegation to take effect in 2028.The elite-tier ⁠PGA Tour Championship Series will run ⁠from February to August and ​feature 23-24 events with $20m (£15m) purses, while the $4m events on the Challenger Series will provide a path for players to earn their way to the top level. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Pakistan: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates as Australia seek to maintain their 100% recordStart time at Headingley is 6.30pm BST/3.30am AESTAny thoughts? Email Tanya1st over: Australia 2-1 (Perry 1, Voll 1) Not the start anyone was expecting! Unbelievable worldie from Feroza off a Mooney outside edge.What a blinder from Feroza who clutches the egg almost before it has left the chicken, diving to her right at slip. Mooney out first ball of the match! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Returning England captain Stokes and McCullum clear the air after ‘slight blip’
Pair had long talk before training session at Trent BridgeAtkinson, Smith and Bashir also return to starting XIBen Stokes returned to the England set-up on Tuesday following talks with Brendon McCullum before training. The last fortnight, McCullum said afterwards, was essentially a “blip” and they are still “very aligned” ahead of a third Test against New Zealand that could decide the future of their working relationship.The fact that the head coach and captain felt the need to clear the air ahead of nets shows how much the temperature had risen around this England team. Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and the late night after Lord’s that saw them stood down before the 253-run defeat at the Oval, has put the leadership under pressure. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Jennings on Andy Burnham’s route to power – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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HMRC announces 22% tax on cash interest held in stocks and shares Isas
Treasury also promises new first-time buyer Isa with no upper age limit reflecting ‘age at which a first home is bought is rising’Isa reforms announced on Tuesday promise a new first-time buyer account with no upper age limit, and a tax on interest on cash savings held in a stocks and shares wrapper.Savers and investors can currently hold up to £20,000 a year in Isas, which offer the chance to earn returns which are not subject to tax. Continue reading...

BBC Technology News
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Tech stocks tumble on concerns over AI spending
A sudden wave of selling in major tech shares triggers doubt over the sustainability of the AI boom.

Deutsche Welle
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US, Iran give conflicting claims over Hormuz fees
US top diplomat Rubio said Washington will not accept tolls on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran has said they want to charge "maritime service fees." And Israel and Lebanon are set for talks in the US.

Deutsche Welle
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Scotland: Sturgeon's ex-husband Peter Murrell jailed for 5 years and 3 months
Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling funds in his role as chief executive of the Scottish National Party. He held the SNP's purse strings while his then-wife, Nicola Sturgeon, was Scottish First Minister.

Mail Online
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Charli XCX turns heads in a sexy red dress as she joins lace-clad Daisy Edgar-Jones at the star-studded Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week
It was a star-studded affair at the Saint Laurent show during Men's Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday night.

Mail Online
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How to invest £100,000: What to do if you are sitting on too much cash
More than 1.5million people have at least £100,000 saved in their Isa. However, if you leave it in cash, it may lose value over time due to inflation.

Mail Online
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Boy, 14, is arrested for murder as girl, 14, is found dead in park 500 yards from her home after she went missing three days ago 'with phone switched off'
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of missing teenager Lilly Jones, 14, was found just 500 yards from her home in Blaina, South Wales.

The Register
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O2 joins UK 2G switch-off with summer 2029 start date
It's not just old phones – many smart meters and telecare alarms still use the ancient technology

The Register
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Space Force goes to (pretend) orbital war following record-fast Rocket Lab launch
Less than 17 hours after receiving orders, Rocket Lab put Pioneer in orbit for close-range maneuvers with True Anomaly's Jackal satellite

Mail Online
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Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as he becomes the FIRST male footballer to score in six different World Cups - after breaking deadlock vs Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo has silenced some of his critics at the World Cup by making history during Portugal's clash with Uzbekistan.

Mail Online
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Nearly 20 injured after bus crashes on busy roundabout in Wales - seeing 'major incident' declared
The crash occurred on the A484 near a roundabout in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, at around 12.20pm on Tuesday.

The Guardian (UK)
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy to skip postwar conference amid tensions with Poland
Ukraine’s president will not attend after sparking Polish ‘outrage’ over naming of military unitEurope live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy will skip a high-level conference on the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine amid a deepening rift with Poland over his naming of a military unit for one that killed tens of thousands of Poles during the second world war.Ukraine’s president had been expected to co-host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which begins in the Polish coastal city of Gdańsk on Thursday, but the Ukrainian delegation will instead be led by the prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Pakistan: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates as Australia seek to maintain their 100% recordStart time at Headingley is 6.30pm BST/3.30am AESTAny thoughts? Email TanyaIt’s hot, hot, hot at Headingley – 30 degrees at 6 o’clock and the stands look pretty empty – but it might be that people are hiding in the shade behind the until the action starts.Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni Infantino
Two men due to share trophy-presenting on 19 July‘We are together all the time’, says Fifa president Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July, Gianni Infantino has said.Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the build-up to these finals, but the US president has barely talked about the tournament since it began on 11 June, and is yet to attend a match. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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DUP seeks to distance party from ‘wicked deceiver’ Jeffrey Donaldson
Denunciation comes after former Democratic Unionist leader convicted of child sexual offencesThe Democratic Unionist party has denounced Jeffrey Donaldson as a “wicked deceiver” who led a “double and duplicitous life” a day after its former leader was convicted of child sexual offences.Leaders at the Stormont assembly on Tuesday sought to distance the DUP from Donaldson and described him as a manipulator who had hoodwinked Northern Ireland and hid his crimes behind a facade of respectability and Christian faith. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
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Apple Shares Video on How Pro Surfers Use Apple Watch During Competition
Apple today shared a video showing off the Apple Watch in use at the World Surf League Championship Tour, with surfers describing how they use the watch when competing.





Surfers can be hundreds of meters away from the beach during competitions and can't hear announcements over the sound of the water and the wind. The World Surf League has adopted the Apple Watch to solve the problem, linking the device to the scoring system. Surfers can get up-to-date information right on the watch.



"I know what it was like competing without this piece of technology," said professional surfer Lakey Peterson. "There's nothing more frustrating than being in a competitive heat without this piece of technology."



The Apple Watch makes sure surfers know how much time is left in a heat, who has priority, and what the score is. The watch is updated in real time, with surfer Isabella Nichols calling the information "crucial" to the outcome in a competition. Mateus Herdy said the watch vibrates when priority changes, so competitors don't even have to look at the screen.



"The Apple Watch has become part of our equipment," said Nichols. "It's like a surfboard or rashie."



The World Surf League hasn't lost an Apple Watch despite the intense conditions surfers put the device through. Surfers have worn the watch at dangerous surfing spots like Pipeline in Hawaii and Teahupo'o in Tahiti, and it has come out unscathed.



The video appears to be part of a new "Apple at Play" series. Apple previously had a partnership with the World Surf League, and the 2021 and 2022 championship tours were shown on Apple TV in the "Make or Break" docuseries.Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11Tag: Apple AdsBuyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)This article, 'Apple Shares Video on How Pro Surfers Use Apple Watch During Competition' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC World News
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Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
On Tuesday, Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie begged anyone with information to come forward, saying, "We are in agony."

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Have World Cup changes made final group stage games unfair?
With eight teams already having nothing to play for, has the jeopardy in the group stage at the World Cup been diminished? And are concerns over the integrity of competition justified?

Mail Online
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Reeves accused of leaving economy 'on its knees' as manufacturing and services slump fuel recession fears
In a devastating double-whammy ahead of the Chancellor's likely sacking, reports showed manufacturers and the once-mighty services sector floundering as confidence evaporates.

Mail Online
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Portugal vs Uzbekistan - World Cup LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo issues emphatic response amid 'civil war' row
It has been a tough start to the World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo - but he can put it all to bed if Portugal get into gear in their second game against Uzbekistan tonight. 

BBC UK News
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Nineteen injured after bus overturns in crash near roundabout
Six people have been taken to hospital after the crash on the A484 near Kidwelly.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Nineteen injured after bus overturns in Wales
Six people have been taken to hospital after the crash on the A484 near Kidwelly.

Mail Online
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Horror at Disneyland as boy, 13, plunges down 50-foot drop after climbing out of ride without seatbelts
On Sunday, a 13-year-old boy plunged down a 50-foot drop on the water ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure after he exited the ride vehicle in the middle of the attraction.

BBC World News
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Israeli troops kill two in south Lebanon after lull in fighting, authorities say
Israel's military says the two men were Hezbollah operatives, but the Iran-backed group accuses it of a ceasefire violation.

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Pakistan: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates as Australia seek to maintain their 100% recordStart time at Headingley is 6.30pm BST/3.30am AESTAny thoughts? Email MeganThe Aussies need to win two games to be sure of reaching the semi-finals, but one would probably be enough because of their tip-top run-rate -4.39. Pakistan are already done and dusted.Hello, hope you’re somewhere near a fan or some shade on this broiling afternoon. This game should be a bit of a mismatch, between a green and gold juggernaut (three games, three wins) and a sage tabby cat (three games, three defeats). But upsets do happen and Pakistan will be keen to give the Aussies a bump on the nose. They’ll be tossing the official WC coin shortly. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Decisive’ Dembélé joins party but could group dominance hurt France?
Norway will provide a tougher test for two-time world champions – and they are going to need it before knockoutsFrance will take on Norway in Boston on Friday for the right to top Group I, but one man thinks it’s already done. “Honestly I don’t care that much”, Erling Haaland told Fox in the United States. “They’re probably going to win against us. They’re probably going to win the whole tournament.”Haaland may have been playing mind games, and you will not hear Didier Deschamps making any such argument. But the French head coach certainly took satisfaction from his team’s storm-hit but ultimately straightforward victory over Iraq. Featuring another Kylian Mbappé brace and two more assists for Michael Olise, this match’s notable success was Ousmane Dembélé’s arrival at the party, scoring his first tournament goal at the 20th attempt. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Department of Homeland Security will allow Iran to travel to US early for World Cup match
Iran will be allowed into US 48 hours before crucial gameTeam Melli have complained about travel conditionsThe US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it will grant Iran extra time to prepare for their World Cup match against Egypt on Friday.The team had planned to lodge an official complaint with Fifa about the “restrictions imposed by the organisers” at the World Cup. Iran have been training in Mexico and were only allowed to enter the United States 24 hours before their first two matches. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader Q&A: Rafael Behr answers your questions – live
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr is online now answering your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.DyvimTvar asks: How do you think Burnham will deal with Trump? More of the same or will he be looking at the likely result of the midterm elections in the US?Raf: Burnham’s foreign policy is very mysterious. He very rarely talks about the world beyond British shores, and has said quite explicitly that his focus is getting things right “in this country”. That worries me slightly. Foreign affairs dominated Starmer’s diary for a reason and the world isn’t going to calm down. My guess, and it is little more than a guess, is that once he gets the defence and security briefings that explain quite how reliant UK national security is on US institutional partnership (regardless of who the president is) he will respond pretty much exactly as Starmer did. And yes, the midterms will be crucial. A lame duck Trump could become much more volatile but also much more bogged down in running battles – even impeachment proceedings – with a hostile CongressRaf: 1: The defence and security partnership with the US is extremely tight and bundled very deep. Much of the UK’s defence capacity really relies on the Pentagon. In this respect the “special relationship” is hard-wired in. That isn’t an argument for just sucking up to Trump regardless of what he does, but it does explain why Starmer had to tread very carefully indeed. There is a case for seeking much more strategic autonomy from Washington but that’s a challenge to be met over a generation. Can’t be done quickly and is very expensive.2: The fiscal rules thing is both more complex and simpler than often presented. Ultimately everyone involved, including the bond traders, know it is an artificial construct, but the rules do function as a commitment to recognise finite budget capacity, which matters. Yes, there are arguments for borrowing more to invest in the productive capacity that will generate more revenue in the future, through higher growth. By this mechanism, we should be able to loosen the reins a bit on the understanding that the benefits will accrue soon enough. Bond traders understand the macroeconomic logic of that argument but they don’t necessarily trust the politicians to really be thinking about the long term. It could too easily sound like the chancellor is saying “I want to borrow a load more money so I don’t have to make hard spending/cuts choices in the run up to an election, but I promise I’ll get it all sorted the moment after polling day.” If you don’t have credible revenue projections, the market is going to be very sceptical. As it was with Liz Truss. Ultimately the bond market is just the mechanism by which the UK government borrows money and, like any lender, it sets the terms according to how confident it is in the reliability of the borrower. The fiscal rules are a convenient badge of seriousness for a country that has, sadly, been rather too unserious in the recent past. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Nineteen injured after bus overturns in Wales
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

Digital Trends
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EXCLUSIVE: Obsession composer Rock Burwell breaks down the horror hit’s unsettling score
In an exclusive interview with Digital Trends, Obsession composer Rock Burwell discusses creating the horror hit's unsettling score, awards campaign, and his upcoming work with director Curry Barker.

Digital Trends
Open 
The maker of ChatGPT wants to make open-source projects less of a security bargain
As AI tools flood open-source maintainers with low quality bug reports, OpenAI's new Patch the Planet initiative aims to filter out the noise and fix real threats.

Digital Trends
Open 
Upgrade Your Daily Routine: The Best Laifen Prime Day Deals to Shop Right Now
Prime Day has evolved far beyond a shopping event. For many shoppers, it’s become an opportunity to invest in products that genuinely improve everyday life. While televisions, laptops, and smart home gadgets often dominate the headlines, some of the most impactful purchases are the ones you use every single day. That’s exactly where Laifen comes […]

Digital Trends
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Beyond The Discount: How Laifen Is Making Premium Self-Care Accessible This Prime Day
The best upgrades aren’t always the ones that dramatically change our lives overnight. More often, they are the small improvements we make to the routines we repeat every single day. The way we start our mornings. The habits that help us feel confident before stepping out the door. The rituals that allow us to unwind […]

Digital Trends
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I went looking for the best Prime Day bargains on Google hardware, and these are the winners
Prime Day 2026 is delivering some surprisingly good discounts on Google hardware. From the Pixel 10 series to Nest cameras, the Pixel Watch 4, and Google TV Streamer, these are the deals worth grabbing before the sale ends on June 26.

TechRadar News
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I've owned a Sony Alpha a6000 for years and am seriously considering this dual battery and charger Prime Day Deal — but I do have some concerns

TechRadar News
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What is the release date and launch time for The Bear season 5?

TechRadar News
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Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy has taken inspiration from the likes of Tomb Raider and Uncharted in the best ways — and even after a short time with the game, I'm pumped for more

TechRadar News
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I almost bought the Amazon Fire Max 11 until I saw this much cheaper Lenovo tablet with better specs

TechRadar News
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Oracle admits it has cut 21,000 jobs, admits 'deployment of AI technologies across our operations have resulted, and may continue to result, in reductions to our workforce'

TechRadar News
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'We really wanted the city to feel like a character in our game' — Gears of War: E-Day studio creative director says the game will make you 'care' about the city's fall through environmental storytelling

TechRadar News
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A Fitbit Air user has found out the hard way that the tracker doesn't mix well with one particular substance

TechRadar News
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‘Even if you know what you’re doing, everyone should use vibe coding’ – how a tech influencer got me excited about AI again

TechRadar News
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Warhammer 40,000 11th Edition is here, and as an ork player, these deals on the Armageddon boxed set are proving too tempting for me to resist

TechRadar News
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New WhatsApp phishing campaign allows for remote access from a single business document

TechRadar News
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If you were on the fence about the Steam Machine, this RAM configuration twist might push you off it — straight into the build-your-own camp

TechRadar News
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'The world's highest-fidelity movie player': Kaleidescape's new 'Cinematic 4K' format movie player gives us a glimpse of what could be next after 4K Blu-rays — and it's also the first 8K-certified movie player

TechRadar News
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How to watch England vs Ghana: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as Harry Kane seeks more goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026

Atlas Obscura
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Stone Street in Prescot, England

Mail Online
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England vs Ghana - World Cup LIVE: Thomas Tuchel's team news - plus all updates from Boston as 15,000 Three Lions fans arrive
England face Ghana on Tuesday night with Thomas Tuchel targeting a second win of the World Cup to keep the Three Lions on the long road to next month's final in New York. 

BBC UK News
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Nineteen injured after bus overturns in crash near roundabout
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Promotion and relegation in revamped 2028 PGA Tour
Promotion and relegation will be a key element of a revamped PGA Tour from 2028.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX succumbs to gravity as the stock briefly dips below its debut price on Nasdaq
The stock hit a new low before recovering to trade in positive territory.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘Trump accounts’ for newborns are nothing but a diversion
Take a look at this state to see what a serious effort looks like.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Are falling tech stocks the start of an overdue selloff — or a well-deserved pause?
After weeks of large-scale alarms that turned out to be false starts, equities finally found a real problem — the one they spent two years celebrating.

Slashdot
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Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs As It Embraces AI
Oracle cut roughly 21,000 jobs over the past year as it reorganized around AI and ramps up spending on data centers for customers such as OpenAI and Meta. The restructuring cost the company about $1.8 billion and, while Oracle says AI deployment may drive further reductions, it also warns the cuts could create skills shortages and hurt productivity. The BBC reports: The software and cloud computing firm says it had around 141,000 full-time employees as of May 31, 2026, down from about 162,000 workers at the same time last year. The "deployment of AI technologies across our operations have resulted, and may continue to result, in reductions to our workforce," the report says. The cuts, which amount to about 13% of Oracle's workforce, are part of a wider trend among tech firms as they spend hundreds of billions of dollars on building AI infrastructure like data centers.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
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Venice residents add coyotes to the coexistence curriculum
I saw a coyote drinking matcha at Gjusta. His man bun was perfect.
Los Angeles' offbeat Venice has already adapted to skaters, tourists, tech money, RV fights, influencers, and the occasional guy explaining crypto near the beach. Now the canals have coyotes. — Read the rest
The post Venice residents add coyotes to the coexistence curriculum appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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People line up to shop at Arizona's new gas-station cathedral
People waited in line outside Arizona's first Buc-ee's on Sunday, because America has reached the part of the simulation where a truck stop gets a rope line.
The new Buc-ee's opened June 22 in Goodyear, just west of Phoenix, and it is not some humble roadside snack closet. — Read the rest
The post People line up to shop at Arizona's new gas-station cathedral appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Is Grandpa Pudding Brains the mystery patient getting the super-Ozempic?
A very connected 79-year-old chonker reportedly got access to Eli Lilly's experimental obesity drug retatrutide, and the White House will not directly say whether that man is McDonald's slurping Grandpa Pudding Brains.
Raw Story summarizes STAT's report that Lilly and the FDA allowed one unidentified 79-year-old patient to receive retatrutide through compassionate use, also known as expanded access. — Read the rest
The post Is Grandpa Pudding Brains the mystery patient getting the super-Ozempic? appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Tucker Carlson takes his tanned balls and goes home
Tucker Carlson says he is done supporting the Republican Party, which is awkward because few living Americans have spent more time helping make it what it is.

Longtime conservative commentator Tucker Carlson said on a podcast that "there's no chance I would support the Republican Party" ahead of the November midterm elections, dismissing the political affiliation he's defended as a pundit for decades, including as one of Fox News Channel's most popular hosts.

— Read the rest
The post Tucker Carlson takes his tanned balls and goes home appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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REI tells people to Opt Outside, posts AI bike from nowhere on Earth
REI, the company that tells people to "Opt Outside," apparently opted out of looking at the AI bicycle before posting it.
PetaPixel reports that REI shared an Instagram ad for a Van Rysel bike using an AI-generated image that immediately failed the "has anyone here ever seen a bicycle?" — Read the rest
The post REI tells people to Opt Outside, posts AI bike from nowhere on Earth appeared first on Boing Boing.

Planet PostgreSQL
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David Wheeler: pg_clickhouse 0.3.2: Ready For Postgres 19
I’ve got a new post over on the ClickHouse blog today: What’s New in
pg_clickhouse v0.3.2: Postgres 19, TLS, Regex, and Memory. The big news
is Postgres 19 support:


The topline change? Support for PostgreSQL 19 Beta1. The new Postgres
version required relatively minor revisions to the pg_clickhouse source code
to take advantage of tuple and array optimizations, remove old typedefs, add
new headers, and some test outputs. And with that, we’ll be ready for the
final Postgres release this fall and ship day one on Manged Postgres for
ClickHouse.



Other new stuff in this release of pg_clickhouse, the interface for querying
ClickHouse from Postgres, includes regular expression pushdown
improvements TLS connection and binary protocol compression parameters, and
various bug fixes. Get it from the usual sources:

PGXN
GitHub
Docker





More about…

Postgres
pg_clickhouse
ClickHouse
Release

Russia Today News
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‘Macron has been deposed’: French pensioner shoots police after declaring revolution

The Guardian (UK)
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Tomljanovic accuses anti-doping chiefs of being out to get players after Vondrousova ban
Australian veteran says four-year ban is a ‘disgrace’ITIA says strong testing means unpredictable timingAjla Tomljanovic has described the lengthy doping ban administered to Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon singles champion, as a disgrace and has accused the ­tennis anti-doping authorities of being out to get players even when they have done nothing wrong.The International Tennis ­Integrity Agency announced on Monday that Vondrousova had been handed a four‑year suspension by an independent tribunal after the Czech player had refused to provide a sample to a doping control officer at her home last December at around 8pm. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader Q&A: Rafael Behr answers your questions – live
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr is online now answering your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsmspiggy asks: 1. Given the external factors of the economic situation + Trump (Iran etc), will/can the impact on the UK general public of a Burnham or even a Polanski administration be any different to the outgoing Starmer/Reeves administration?2. Would you advise a Burnham administration to relax Labour’s fiscal rules? What do you think the outcome would be of doing so/not doing so?Raf: 1: The defence and security partnership with the US is extremely tight and bundled very deep. Much of the UK’s defence capacity really relies on the Pentagon. In this respect the “special relationship” is hard-wired in. That isn’t an argument for just sucking up to Trump regardless of what he does, but it does explain why Starmer had to tread very carefully indeed. There is a case for seeking much more strategic autonomy from Washington but that’s a challenge to be met over a generation. Can’t be done quickly and is very expensive.2: The fiscal rules thing is both more complex and simpler than often presented. Ultimately everyone involved, including the bond traders, know it is an artificial construct, but the rules do function as a commitment to recognise finite budget capacity, which matters. Yes, there are arguments for borrowing more to invest in the productive capacity that will generate more revenue in the future, through higher growth. By this mechanism, we should be able to loosen the reins a bit on the understanding that the benefits will accrue soon enough. Bond traders understand the macroeconomic logic of that argument but they don’t necessarily trust the politicians to really be thinking about the long term. It could too easily sound like the chancellor is saying “I want to borrow a load more money so I don’t have to make hard spending/cuts choices in the run up to an election, but I promise I’ll get it all sorted the moment after polling day.” If you don’t have credible revenue projections, the market is going to be very sceptical. As it was with Liz Truss. Ultimately the bond market is just the mechanism by which the UK government borrows money and, like any lender, it sets the terms according to how confident it is in the reliability of the borrower. The fiscal rules are a convenient badge of seriousness for a country that has, sadly, been rather too unserious in the recent past.Raf: No. I don’t hate him either. I was sceptical to begin with, then started extending the benefit of the doubt, then stretched it as far as it would go – some might say too far – and accepted, eventually, that he wasn’t up to it. I find the levels of vitriol directed at him perverse and demoralising. He has become a receptacle for many years of disappointment with successive prime ministers. Something about the nature of his failure, the way he set himself up as the totem of Change and then delivered what felt so much like more of the same, seems to have distilled public disappointment into an exceptionally potent venom. He came to be seen as the archetypal deceiving politician who promises it all and delivers nothing, and ended up suffocating under a weight of incumbency that covered not just his own government but every government that preceded it. A tragic fate, in some ways. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Who is likely to be in or out of a Burnham cabinet?
Big hitters such as Miliband, Mahmood and Streeting are seen as in line for the top jobs; others face an abrupt end to their ministerial careersBy mid-July, as now seems almost inevitable, we will have a new prime minister in Andy Burnham. He will, of course, then pick his own cabinet. So who will – and won’t – make it to the top table of the former Greater Manchester mayor? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Teenage boy arrested on suspicion of murder after girl, 14, found dead
Teenager from Blaenau Gwent now in custody after police launched murder investigation after body was foundA 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing girl in south Wales.The body was found in the Duffryn Park area in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday, Gwent police said in a statement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham adviser calls for billions of pounds in borrowing for infrastructure
Exclusive: Jim O’Neill, a former chief economist at Goldman Sachs, says government should spend more on big projectsUK politics live – latest updatesThe man tapped by Andy Burnham to be his chief economic adviser has called for billions of pounds more borrowing to pay for investment in infrastructure, in a sign of how Burnham may seek to break from the policies pursued by Keir Starmer.Jim O’Neill, an economist and former minister, said he wanted the government to create an independent body for infrastructure spending along the lines of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which could be freed up to spend significantly more on major projects. Continue reading...

Telegraph
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The best pubs with rooms in the Cotswolds
Here you'll find wholesome inns with slick makeovers or well-loved locals given box-fresh bedrooms and a proper pint in a pretty garden

Mail Online
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Boy, 14, is arrested for murder as girl, 14, is found dead in park 500 yards from her home after she went missing three days ago 'with phone switched off'
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a missing teenager was found just 500 yards from her home in Blaina, South Wales.

BBC World News
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Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
On Tuesday, Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie begged people to come forward, saying, "We are in agony."

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Have World Cup changes damaged the final round of the group stage?
With eight teams already having nothing to play for, has the jeopardy in the group stage at the World Cup been diminished? And are concerns over the integrity of competition justified?

The Verge
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Something’s off with Midjourney’s pivot to body scanners
Last week, Midjourney, an AI startup best known for its image generator, made an unusual pivot: medical imaging. The company announced a futuristic ultrasound scanner that would dunk users into a vat of water and, hopefully, produce "something as powerful as MRI" yet "as casual as a trip to the spa." Midjourney says the goal […]

The Verge
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Netflix’s next TV gaming experiment will scare the hell out of you
As part of the latest evolution of its gaming initiative, Netflix has made a big push into cloud-based games you can play on your TV, much in the same way you'd watch a movie or show on the service. So far, these games have been pretty tame. Things like trivia, party games, and a weirdly […]

The Verge
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Here are the best Prime Day deals on the Verge staff’s favorite stuff
While there are several thousand products discounted for Prime Day 2026, most of them aren’t what we’d call winners. We’ve already gathered the best Prime Day deals in our main roundup, but we’re dedicating this page to discounts on Verge-favorite items to help you find useful gear, whether it’s tech-adjacent or not. We’re covering Prime […]

UK Government News
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The UK welcomes continued progress on peace and security in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.

Ian Visits
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The London Buzz – 23rd June 2026
Today’s London news round-up:Read more ›

The Aviationist
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New Images Show RAF Protector RG1 Operating from Akrotiri with ‘Outdragon’ SIGINT Pod
The UK Ministry of Defence has published new photos of the first deployments of the MQ-9B Protector RG1 to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, including some of the best official views of what is believed to be the ‘Outdragon’ SIGINT pod. As we covered extensively on The Aviationist, the Royal Air Force’s new fleet of MQ-9B […]

Gizmodo
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The Seafaring Stars of ‘House of the Dragon’ on That Jaw-Dropping Season 3 Premiere
Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon) and Abubakar Salim (Alyn of Hull) talk about fathers, sons, and fighting the Battle of the Gullet.

Gizmodo
Open 
This Famously Pink Planet Is Hiding a Surprising Secret
Astronomers have uncovered the chemical profile of a very pink planet, potentially solving a decade-old mystery about its faint appearance.

Gizmodo
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Softbank CEO Shoots Down Musk’s Plan for Orbital Data Centers as SpaceX Stock Falls Back to Earth
Masayoshi Son says the AI race will be decided on Earth.

Mail Online
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UK braces for 'hottest day ever': Nearly 500 schools will close early, train firms tell customers 'do not travel' and Army cancels ceremonial duties ahead of 40C 'heat dome'
A red weather warning has been issued for tomorrow and Thursday, with temperatures due to come close to Britain's all-time record of 40.3C, set in July 2022.

ZDNet News
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The best Prime Day streaming deals: HBO Max, Apple TV, Fire TV sticks, and more
Amazon isn't the only place with deals right now - many popular streaming services have cut prices for the summer, making it a great time to sign up.

ZDNet News
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Amazon just cut the price of the Oura Ring to 48% off, the lowest ever - and I recommend it
The Oura Ring 4 is my pick for the best smart ring you can buy, and it's over $200 off during Amazon Prime Day (I even convinced my mom to buy one).

ZDNet News
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11 cheap car gadgets that upgrade your daily commute instantly
Make your car feel high tech without breaking the bank. Shop our favorite Bluetooth adapters, chargers, and more.

ZDNet News
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The 10-step phone security tune-up you should run every year - and why
Don't let the most essential device in your life become a liability. Our one-hour wellness check will keep your phone secure for another year.

ZDNet News
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The popular Samsung 990 Pro 2TB SSD just dropped to 42% off for Prime Day - and I'd recommend it
Amazon just slashed Samsung's flagship 990 Pro SSD to a near-record low price for Prime Day. Here's what to know.

ZDNet News
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I found an Android app that makes using my phone one-handed so much easier - and it's free
Looking for the ideal accessibility app? Quick Cursor simplifies one-handed control of your Android device. Here's how it works.

ZDNet News
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My favorite Prime Day deal is a Walmart+ membership for just $49 (with free Paramount+ and Peacock)
The best Prime Day deal is from Walmart: Save 50% on a Walmart+ membership, which includes perks like free delivery and free shipping, and your choice of included Paramount+ or Peacock.

ZDNet News
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Best Buy gaming deals might be better than Amazon's Prime Day sale
Skip Amazon's weak sales. Best Buy's rival Prime Day 2026 gaming deals are live now with massive savings on Alienware, Nintendo Switch, and Lenovo tech.

ZDNet News
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Is Prime Day a scam? We tracked the most popular products that are actually good deals
We compared the price histories of the products that ZDNET experts recommend to help you find the best deals while shopping during Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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The Apple Watch Series 11 is our pick for the best model you can buy - and it's 30% off for Prime Day
The Apple Watch Series 11 arrived last year with a full suite of health-tracking features and an extended battery life - and it's now 30% off for the first time.

CNET News
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Microsoft Adds 8GB Configs to Drop Starting Price of Surface Pro and Surface Laptop
That's one way to combat rising costs associated with RAMageddon.

CNET News
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Are We Stuck With Sneaky Subscription Cancellation Practices? One Attorney Chimes In
There's a chance the Click-to-Cancel rule could come back, but that's not stopping the FTC in the meantime.

Wired Top Stories
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Just in Time for July Fourth, I Found 3 Great Yeti Cooler Deals (2026)
Yeti coolers are very nice and very expensive. Three very different models are on sale right now.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Movies to Stream This Month (June 2026)
I Am Frankelda, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and From Russia With Love are among the films deserving of your eyeballs this month.

Wired Top Stories
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The Oura Ring Prime Day Sale I've Been Waiting For (2026)
Skip the pricey upgrade and save $100+ on the Oura Ring 4.

Wired Top Stories
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95 Prime Day Deals on Gear We’ve Tested and Would Spend Our Own Money On
We've gone from A to Z to find Amazon's best Prime Day deals on the gear worth owning.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Prince William arrives by electric bus for climate event
At London Climate Week, Prince William said "history will ask what we did" with evidence on what works to protect the environment.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Tate brothers challenge decision to withhold names of their UK accusers
Andrew and Tristan Tate will face 21 charges in the UK, including rape and human trafficking, after they are extradited.

The Hill
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Supreme Court sides with Cisco in Falun Gong human rights abuse lawsuit
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Tuesday that practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual movement cannot sue tech giant Cisco over allegations of aiding the Chinese government’s surveillance and torture of the group. The conservative majority rejected the plaintiffs’ attempt to bring claims against the company and two of its then-executives under the 18th century Alien Tort Statute...

The Hill
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Supreme Court ends forcibly shaven Rastafari inmate’s quest for damages
The Supreme Court ruled that a Rastafari man cannot seek damages from state prison guards who shaved his dreadlocks in violation of his religious rights in a 6-3 decision along ideological lines on Tuesday.  Guards at a Louisiana prison handcuffed Damon Landor to a chair and forcibly shaved his hair when he was weeks away from completing his...

The Hill
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Rand Paul issues subpoena for Anthony Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci is facing a subpoena from Senate Homeland Security Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to appear before his committee in July.  In a post online late Monday, Paul said Fauci backed out of a voluntary agreement to testify in front of his panel this month.   “Last week, Anthony Fauci notified us he will NOT...

The Hill
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Proxy war between AI industry, safety groups comes to head in NY House primary
New York City voters are set to deliver their verdict Tuesday in one of the most prominent election battles between artificial intelligence companies and the nonprofits pushing for stricter rules on the new technology. The fight over AI policy has loomed over the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler (D), as pro-AI and...

The Hill
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Expanding the Supreme Court isn't court-packing
Adding four seats under the next Democratic trifecta would actually be unpacking the court. 

The Hill
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National Guard, Park Police patrolling Reflecting Pool
National Guard members and U.S. Park Police patrolled around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday as part of a crackdown against suspected vandalism after the pool's waters turned green from an algae bloom and blue paint added to the pool floated to the surface. The patrols come as the Department of the Interior said...

The Hill
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Trump doubles down on Reflecting Pool vandalism claims 
President Trump is sticking by his claims of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, following reports that the pool’s new base covering is peeling off. The Trump administration’s multimillion-dollar renovation project of this iconic water feature was only recently completed. The water has since turned green from an algae bloom outbreak and the pool’s...

The Hill
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Mexico's cartel violence down during World Cup: analyst
The drop in homicides coincides with a pause in law enforcement action against cartel leadership.

The Hill
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Supreme Court chips away at remaining cases
To view past editions of The Hill’s 12:30 Report, click here: https://bit.ly/30ARS1U To receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: https://bit.ly/3qmIoS9 –> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.* *Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically. Click in for The Hill's midday...

Techdirt
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Illinois’ Social Media Tax Is A Modern Stamp Act — And Just As Doomed
England imposing the Stamp Act on the American colonies back in 1765 was one of the final moves that pushed those colonies into open revolt for their independence. The law sought to tax printed communications, and England justified it by saying it was needed to pay for British soldiers in the colonies. That it also […]

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: 7th Circuit REFUSES DOJ request on Wisconsin voter rolls
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has just refused a request by the DOJ to expedite their appeal to gain access to Wisconsin’s voter rolls. Here’s the news: JUST IN: The 7th . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Mark Levin calls out ATROCIOUS, UNCONSCIONABLE part of Trump deal with Iran
Mark Levin just called out what he termed as an ‘atrocious and unconscionable’ part of the deal President Trump appears to be making with Iran. Here’s what he writes: ATROCIOUS & UNCONSCIONABLE . . .

The Guardian (UK)
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When David Narey scored a screamer for Scotland against Brazil – and Jimmy Hill put his foot in it
Narey’s goal at the World Cup in 1982 was a spectacular, unexpected and beautiful strike. But was it a toe poke?By That 1980s Sports BlogIf you are going to score one international goal, you might as well make it special. José Luis Brown scoring for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final takes some beating. Kieran Trippier scored his only England goal in a World Cup semi-final. Gary Mackay’s only goal for Scotland helped the Republic of Ireland reach Euro 88. And the general hilarity of Davide Gualtieri’s sole strike for San Marino ensures that it lives on in the memory.Another player who can be added to this list is David Narey. His only goal for Scotland was a screamer against Brazil at the 1982 World Cup. The response to Narey’s moment of glory has added to its impact. Little did he know the story his right boot was about to tell as he let fly on that sweltering evening in Sevilla. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Reader Q&A: Rafael Behr answers your questions – live
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr is online now answering your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsPerspectiverox asks: Afternoon Rafael. I was wondering whether there are any policies that Keir Starmer has been especially keen on that might lose prominence if there were a change of leader and also whether there are any policies that could move up the agenda instead. Digital ID and water nationalisation came to mind, but are there other areas where you think leadership change might possibly alter priorities?Raf: It’s an intriguing question because one of Starmer’s weaknesses has been his inability to signal the kind of keenness on priorities that you describe. What is his big thing? What would he have imagined his legacy might one day be when he started? He seemed to get bounced into so many of the choices he made as part of the endless tactical grind to get through another week. I remember one of his many relaunches being pegged to a big announcement on AI, but does anyone now think of that as Starmer’s signature policy? But for this reason, I think a lot of what he started will carry on for the simple reason that a lot of things that would be very controversial ended up being abandoned or never started. Digital IDs were made non-mandatory, for example, which makes them simpler to roll out. The steps towards utility nationalisation are very much in the direction that Burnham has indicated he wants to travel. The EU reset, being negotiated behind the restrictive red lines, is low-stakes enough that a new prime minister can easily nudge agreement over the line. The social media ban for under 16s might get tangled up in the legislative process, but that could easily have happened if Starmer stayed on. Nothing much can lose prominence because the most prominent feature of his leadership was the absence of distinctive prime ministerial agenda.Raf: I think this is a function of a deeper problem with Westminster political culture to the extent that there is a frenetic and pretty mypopic news cycle and the appetite for scandal is vast. And also there is a section of the press that hates the idea of Labour government and treated Starmer as a squatter without a real mandate from day one. But – and it is a big but – I wouldn’t primarily blame journalists for destabilising this government. He did that to himself by making a lot of bad mistakes, failing to communicate the purpose of his government and failing to engage with the Labour MPs who were despairing because of what they could see was happening in their constituencies. It wasn’t journalism that made Starmer think it was a good idea to raid the PIPs budget to make up fiscal headroom, call it welfare “reform” and then U-turn under pressure, or appoint Peter Mandelson to Washington or any other missteps.There is a question of whether governing has become generally much harder in an age of constant media frenzy and, especially, social media fragmentation. I have no doubt that it has. The kind of message control that New Labour was able to exert in the late 90s is simply unavailable now and the techniques that work online are great for demagogues and charlatans, not so good for promoting nuance and considered reflection based on the evidence. But politicians in other countries face the same challenges and last longer than two years. The bulk of Starmer’s problems were self-inflicted. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tate brothers seek judicial review of decision not to tell them accusers’ names
High court hears identities of women accusing Andrew and Tristan Tate of rape withheld for fear they could be revealed Andrew and Tristan Tate are not being told the names of the women who have accused them of rape and human trafficking over fears the brothers might publish them on social media, the high court has heard.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against the Tates in March 2024 in relation to the women’s allegations but their accusers’ identities have not been disclosed to the brothers or their representatives. The Tates have denied any wrongdoing. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Portugal v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahOne Ronaldo opinion is already in from Justin Kavanagh:Between Ronaldo’s endless narcissism and Bruno Fernandes’ endless narkyism, Portugal have become a hard team to like. Not to mention their coach’s lack of backbone for making a decision to drop a 41-year-old which shouldn’t be all that hard. It’s a shame, because they’re a country with a fine footballing tradition who have graced many international competitions. Still, it could be (and probably will be) worse. They’ll probably be managed by Mourinho at the next World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe heatwave live: Forty people drown in France; Met Office warns UK temperatures could reach 39C
France records hottest ever day as much of Europe endures extreme heat; ‘London is cooking,’ says UN secretary generalTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at nightItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Boy, 14, is arrested for murder as girl, 14, is found dead in park 500 yards from her home after she went missing three days ago 'with phone switched off'
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found just 500 yards away from the home of a missing teenager in Blaina, South Wales.

Sky News Home
Open 
Teen arrested on suspicion of murder after missing girl, 14, found dead
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a girl of the same age was found dead in South Wales.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
US top court says Rastafarian man cannot sue prison guards who cut his dreadlocks
The former Louisiana inmate argued his Rastafarian faith was violated after prison officials focibly shaved off his hair.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
What Has Been The Deadliest Plane Crash in 2026 So Far?
How has aviation safety looked like in 2026 so far? Has it been a safe year? Let's take a look at this year's accidents and see how safe the industry has been so far.

Mail Online
Open 
UK braces for 'hottest day ever': Nearly 500 schools will close early, train firms tell customers 'do not travel' and Army cancels ceremonial duties ahead of 40C 'heat dome'
At least 312 are fully or partially closing, with parents being told their children can wear PE kits and sandals amid parts of England being placed on red alert over extreme temperatures.

Mail Online
Open 
'Major incident' declared after bus crashes on busy roundabout in Wales 'leaves dozens injured': Air ambulances on scene as public urged to stay away
Emergency services are dealing with a 'major incident' in Carmarthenshire after reports of a bus crash, Dyfed Powys Police said.

Sky News Home
Open 
Jury considering verdict in trial of teen accused of killing nine-year-old Aria Thorpe
The jury has retired to consider verdicts in the trial of a teenage boy accused of murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe.

BBC UK News
Open 
Teen treated 'like dirt' before hospital death
Emily Moore complained about psychiatric ward staff months before she died, an inquest hears.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From cool-down spots to chalk on windows - how Europe is coping with the heat
People across the continent are taking measures to cope with the searing temperatures gripping Europe.

Deutsche Welle
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Colombia: The 'Tiger's' victory signals a rightward shift
With the election of Abelardo de la Espriella, an ultra-right-wing outsider has won the presidential runoff in Colombia for the first time. The tight victory marks a political shift and could trigger new conflicts.

Deutsche Welle
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Ukraine says major Crimea bridge destroyed in latest attack
Ukraine continues to hit infrastructure on the Crimea to isolate the Russian-annexed peninsula. Meanwhile, Russia attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown with a ballistic missile in a deadly strike.

The Guardian (UK)
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Former Pinochet agents convicted over 1976 Washington DC carbomb murder
Attack targeted former Chile ambassador Orlando Letelier and his US colleague Ronni Karpen MoffittFifty years after Gen Augusto Pinochet’s secret police detonated a car bomb in the heart of Washington DC, killing Orlando Letelier, a former Chilean minister and ambassador to the US, and his American colleague Ronni Karpen Moffitt, a Santiago court has convicted three former agents of Moffitt’s murder.Judge Paola Plaza, a special minister for human rights in Chile, sentenced Pedro Espinoza, José Zara, and Raúl Iturriaga to 15 years in prison for their roles in the killing of Moffitt, 25. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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It’s time to revisit the Grateful Dead | Brief letters
Songs for our times | Italian emperors | Running through nettles | Tree loss | Tram destinationNever mind John Crace smuggling Bruce Springsteen song titles into his sketches (Letters, 21 June), I would hope that given Monday’s political developments we’ll be seeing the Grateful Dead’s He’s Gone getting an outing.Gabriel BrodetskyMarsden, West Yorkshire• The Italians are still strong contenders for the record of rapid changes of leaders. In AD69 they had four emperors in a single year.Chris LeylandMarsden, Huddersfield Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A more integrated education system would benefit all | Letters
Prof Dave Phoenix says government policy should not focus on who can be excluded from higher educationThe debate about minimum entry requirements for university risks asking the wrong question (Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans, 17 June).At a time of persistent skills shortages and productivity challenges, policy should focus not on who can be excluded from higher education, but on how more people can develop the higher-level skills the country needs through a more integrated education system. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Assault on facts and truth led to Brexit | Letters
Readers reflect on the 2016 referendum and its lasting impactWinston Churchill once said: “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” The Brexit campaign was run by multimillionaires who loathed regulation, and they persuaded people who appeared to have not been educated about politics or economics at school, or received alternative views or information from trade unions, to vote leave (‘There’s no jobs’: struggle and regret in a Welsh town that backed Brexit, 21 June).There was, and is, a lot wrong with the EU, but the lies told about what membership really meant were the biggest assault on facts and truth in British political history. That is continuing today under the Reform UK and Restore Britain banners, which have “normalised” the type of language that got Enoch Powell sacked by Ted Heath.Philip ClaytonLondon Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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When leasehold flat owners are being treated as second-class citizens | Letters
Readers respond to an article on a campaign that is fighting to end the leasehold system in England and WalesI read your article about the National Leasehold Campaign and the problems associated with owning a leasehold property (‘The developers got greedy’: the women who took on the leasehold scandal – and won, 16 June). I fully understand the financial costs of leasehold, be it ground rent, management fees or extending a leasehold. However, I would like to point out that there is another problem with owning a leasehold flat.The freehold to our blocks was purchased by developers, who announced that they would be building new flats on top of our homes. Despite appealing against this, leaseholders were powerless to stop the development. Since May 2025, we have had restricted daylight due to scaffolding that was erected six months before work commenced; trespass above the flats due to poorly secured access; water ingress into flats caused by intruders trying to steal copper; work carrying on into evenings above flats as well as on bank holidays; and work vehicles blocking access. I could list a whole lot more. The work has affected residents with noise, dust and disruption. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Portugal v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahSome don’t want Cristiano Ronaldo to start or if he does, to not play the full 90. Some of his diehard fans want him to be on the pitch for every second. What are your thoughts? Email and let me know.Cristiano Ronaldo has had a fair bit of criticism aimed at him this week after a disappointing performance for Portugal against the DR Congo. But the team’s manager, Roberto Martínez, has defended his player. In the build-up to this game against Uzbekistan, while not specifically referring to Ronaldo, the boss said some of the negative comments have been “unfair” and “unjust”. He added:We are playing a World Cup so of course we have a lot of noise and tension, but it’s part of the game. The focus is on the team and we want to show a positive attitude … to be ready for the match. We are very much focused. We are strong. The team is even more united than before. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader Q&A: Rafael Behr answers your questions – live
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr is online now answering your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questions911IsAJoke asks: If it were to ever materialise, how will the post “post -truth” world look?Raf: I don’t have a good answer to this one but I’m pretty sure it comes about through a serious reckoning with AI models and how they process the idea of “truth”.The whole post-truth discourse in recent years has largely been a function of fragmentation in the information space caused by social media. To my mind (and I’m far from the only person to see it like this) it is a transformation in the foundations of what we judge to be an authority, with the old hierarchies – the gatekeepers and arbitrators of fact – being pulled down, analogous to the upheavals of the European Reformation. It isn’t comfortable for journalists, academics, mainstream politicians to see themselves cast in the role of the old Papal hierarchy and monasteries with a bunch of digital anabaptists burning everything around them. The analogy is flawed in all sorts of ways, but as a rough guide to the likely scale and duration of turmoil, it’s quite instructive. Worth noting, though, that the counter-Reformation was surprisingly successful but that’s a whole historiographical minefield I won’t blunder into.Raf: Yes. I find it a bit mystifying that this hasn’t happened yet. There is an argument that you need to keep a presence there in order to bring some semblance of balance – that you need the “good” information in the ecosystem to stop it all being overrun by the “bad” stuff. But when the algorithm belongs to a man like Elon Musk, who has for years promoted anti-immigrant and far-right content in his own posts, it seems pretty futile to think anything like fair balance can be achieved. But this is part of a wider dysfunction in the way digital discourse is debated in UK politics. There is a misconstrual of the whole thing as a question of “free speech”. That isn’t an irrelevant consideration. We have to be careful about regulating information flows. But what is happening now is the capture of the entire information ecosystem by platforms and people who have extreme ideological agendas, actively try to subvert UK politics and aren’t citizens of the UK. It is a matter of control of the basic infrastructure that allows politics to function effectively. When people are poisoning the wells from which we need to draw essential water to irrigate democracy it is no longer a simple “free speech” issue. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Murder inquiry after body found in search for missing girl, 14, in south Wales
Formal identification yet to take place but family of Lilly, who was reported missing on Saturday, have been informedPolice have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing 14-year-old girl in south Wales.The body was found in the Duffryn Park area in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday, Gwent police said in a statement. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham hold 'secret talks' as PM plans to hand over power to 'King of the North' on 17 July
The pair are said to have met for an hour at an 'off-site' location away from Downing Street .

Mail Online
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Lee Andrews reveals Katie Price's cat has died as he thanks his 'little genius' barber for miracle hair growth and lauds his 'beautiful' post-prison look
Lee Andrews has revealed Katie Price's cat has died in a Cameo video after she suffered yet another pet tragedy.

Mail Online
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Teenage 'trans student who dressed as a dog stabs parents to death and knifes pet golden retriever'
The schoolboy, 15, who is reportedly transitioning from girl to boy, was arrested in Groningen, the Netherlands and charged with double murder, according to Dutch outlet RTL.

Mail Online
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Boy, 14, is arrested on suspicion of murder after missing girl, 14, was found dead in beauty spot park 500 yards from her home
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a female was found just 500 yards away from the home of a missing teenager in

Mac Rumours
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Anker's 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger Drops to $99.74 for Prime Day
Anker's popular Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station has dropped to $99.74 on Amazon for Prime Day, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a new all-time low price.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.



$50 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $99.74



There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon for Prime Day, including Anker's Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $319.99, down from $399.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more.



$80 OFFAnker Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $319.99

Wall Chargers

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $25.99, down from $39.99

Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $59.99, down from $99.99

Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $99.99, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $59.99, down from $89.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $59.00, down from $109.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $77.54, down from $129.99

Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $99.74, down from $149.99

Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $137.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers

Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C - $19.99, down from $26.99

Anker Nano 10,000 mAh Portable Charger - $41.99, down from $59.99

Anker MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $60.79, down from $79.99

Anker Prime Power Bank 20,100 mAh - $119.69, down from $179.99

Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $159.99, down from $229.99

Portable Power Stations

Anker SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $149.99, down from $249.00

Anker SOLIX C300 - $209.30, down from $299.99

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 - $399.00, down from $799.00

Anker SOLIX S2000 - $599.00, down from $1,199.00

Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 - $699.99, down from $1,499.00

Anker SOLIX F3800 - $1,599.99, down from $2,299.00

Docks

Anker Nano 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station - $104.49, down from $149.99

Anker Prime 14-Port Docking Station - $161.49, down from $269.99



Shoppers should note that many sales during Amazon Prime Day require you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



For even more Prime Day deals, be sure to visit our main article recapping all of the best Apple deals for Prime Day. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







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Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'Anker's 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger Drops to $99.74 for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple Faces New App Store Complaint From Chinese Developers
A group of 48 China-based iOS developers have filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the country's market regulator over the App Store's commission rates, the South China Morning Post reports.





The developers sent an open letter to China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), alleging that Apple failed to deliver on a promise to offer the lowest commission rate to the Chinese market. The group asked the SAMR to investigate and penalize Apple for allegedly abusing its market dominance to impose "unfair and excessively high" costs on local developers.



Apple currently charges a 25% commission on paid apps and in-app purchases in China, down from 30% after a cut made in March. The commission on subscription renewals, along with the rate for qualified developers in Apple's Small Business and Mini Apps Partner programs, was lowered to 12% from 15% at the same time.



The complaint follows a series of similar challenges to Apple's China ‌App Store‌ policies dating back nearly a decade. A Beijing law firm filed a complaint in 2017 over app removals and high fees, a Chinese consumer sued over ‌App Store‌ fees in 2021 (a claim ultimately rejected by a Shanghai court in 2024), and another Chinese law firm sued again in 2025.



The 48 developers point to Apple's recent moves elsewhere as evidence the company can do better. Apple lowered its Brazil commission last week to between 10% and 21% of a transaction, plus a 5% processing fee, while also letting Brazilian developers distribute iOS apps through other app marketplaces for a 5% fee. Apple made comparable adjustments in Japan late last year.



The developers want more than Brazil-style pricing. They argue that allowing third-party app stores in China, as Apple already does in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, would push its effective commission down to as low as 5%.



Apple has faced mounting regulatory pressure over ‌App Store‌ fees worldwide in recent years. The company was fined €500 million ($572.2 million) last year for violating the EU's Digital Markets Act and has appealed the decision, while in the U.S. it has been ordered to allow external payment links following its legal fight with Epic Games. Apple said earlier this month that its ‌App Store‌ ecosystem generated more than $1.4 trillion in developer billings and sales in 2025, with China contributing the largest share at $562 billion.Tags: Apple Antitrust, App Store, China, South China Morning PostThis article, 'Apple Faces New App Store Complaint From Chinese Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mail Online
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Inside the sordid rape case hanging over World Cup star: A murky late-night rendezvous, 'extortion' claims, distressing text messages - and how Kylian Mbappe got involved
Since football now seems to consider itself a moral arbiter in all things, expect more boos in Atlanta for Morocco's Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, when his team play Haiti on Wednesday.

Mail Online
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How your Isa could be losing you money if you have too much cash in it. Our financial expert reveals the steps to take to boost your savings
More than 1.5million people have at least £100,000 saved in their Isa. However, if you leave it in cash, it may lose value over time due to inflation.

Mail Online
Open 
Zendaya flaunts her incredible figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord before sharing a cute moment with husband Tom Holland amid movie press tour
Zendaya flaunted her figure in a Spider-Man inspired co-ord before sharing a cute moment with her husband Tom Holland as she shared snaps from a Rome photocall.

Mail Online
Open 
Child under 12 is euthanised in Netherlands
The death of the child was confirmed by the country's health minister, Sophie Hermans. According to a report, they had been seriously ill, but no further details were given.

Mail Online
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Aching joints, exhausted, suffering from brain fog... it might not be the menopause says DR PHILIPPA KAYE
Janet was 44 when she came to see me, worn out by months of worsening tiredness, aching joints, low mood and a brain fog so bad it was affecting her at work.

Sky News Home
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Missing teenager found dead
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a girl of the same age was found dead in South Wales.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Teen boy arrested on suspicion of murder after 14-year-old girl reported missing
A body is found in the search for Lilly, 14, who was reported missing on Saturday.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump, 80, fumed about coverage of his swollen 'cankles' as White House staff secretly whisper about his age
President Donald Trump, 80, fixated on negative coverage of his swollen 'cankles' during an explosive White House moment, as his staff whisper about his 'old' age, a new book reveals.

Mail Online
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Cardi B slammed for claiming she has 'no money' as she flaunts $52K Chanel handbag haul
The rapper delighted in showing off her expensive collection of handbags and shoes before revealing that she's saving her cash for an international shopping spree.

Mail Online
Open 
Boris Becker has £5,000 watch seized by bailiffs on behalf of his ex-wife moments before public appearance - 'as Lilly's lawyer says they won't stop coming for his riches'
Boris Becker had a £5,000 watch seized from him by bailiffs on behalf of his ex-wife, moments before he was due to be interviewed on stage, Lilly Becker's lawyer has revealed. 

Mail Online
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Lord Hermer resurrects Chagos Islands 'surrender' deal and tells MPs the Government is 'determined' to see it signed
The deal was paused indefinitely in April after US President Donald Trump withdrew his support, labelling it an 'act of total weakness'.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump says six people have been arrested and seven cited over reflecting pool changes – US politics live
President keeps up steady stream of posts following botched reflecting pool renovation, posting photos in apparent attempt to show water is back to blueMarco Rubio is to meet Gulf allies today and tomorrow in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Gary O’Neil ‘hugely excited’ to lead Ipswich on Premier League return
Signs three-year deal after short spell at Strasbourg‘There is a strong vision and ambition at this club’Ipswich have unveiled Gary O’Neil as their new manager as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. The 43-year-old, who was in charge at French club Strasbourg, has signed a three-year deal which will take him up to the summer of 2029.O’Neil told the club’s official website: “It is an honour to be appointed manager of this great football club. I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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McCullum insists no rift with Stokes as captain returns for New Zealand series decider
Pair had long talk before training session at Trent BridgeAtkinson, Smith and Bashir also return to starting XIBen Stokes returned to the England set-up on Tuesday following talks with Brendon McCullum before training. The last fortnight, McCullum said afterwards, was essentially a “blip” and they are still “very aligned” ahead of a third Test against New Zealand that could decide the future of their working relationship.The fact that the head coach and captain felt the need to clear the air ahead of nets shows how much the temperature had risen around this England team. Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and the late night after Lord’s that saw them stood down before the 253-run defeat at the Oval, has put the leadership under pressure. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Portugal v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahIt is not surprising that Uzebekistan have gone with a defensive line-up, they also have attacking quality but they will be aiming to keep Portugal out for as long as they can. It is also not a shock at all that Cristiano Ronaldo is in the starting line-up but he has faced a lot of criticism this week, let’s take a look at that now.Uzebekistan have made three changes to the starting side that lost 3-1 to Colombia. The biggest change is at goalkeeper with Abduvohid Nematov between the sticks with Utkir Yusupov on the bench. Aziz Ganiev and Odiljon Hamrobekov also come in. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader Q&A: Rafael Behr answers your questions – live
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr is online now answering your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsMrGluben asks: Is the compromise of rejoining the single market via membership of the EFTA (and by extension the EEA), the so-called Norway option, still a possibility?Raf: Absolutely, at least from a technical point of view. And the Lib Dems recently made this their policy precisely in the hope of putting pressure on a new (Burnham, presumably) government to move in that direction. In some respects the EEA/EFTA idea is easier because it’s an off-the shelf model and would give Brussels a clearer sense of the destination the UK has in mind, making the negotiations easier to structure. The problems are, of course, political. The big one is freedom of movement, which is a non-negotiable part of SM membership. When I asked Ed Davey’s office about this, I was told he thinks it’s a winnable argument: that the British public are so down on Brexit, so aware that it has gone wrong, and mindful that leaving th EU hardly dealt the immigration issue anyway, that freedom of movement could be sold as a reciprocal benefit and that the merits of a much closer relationship with our continental neighbours would facilitate better cooperation on other migration issues, chiefly the small boat crossings. There is some polling evidence to support that optimistic view. The European Council for Foreign Relations has a new poll out that suggests freedom of movement, if advertised as part of a package of general trade and economic integration, is acceptable to a majority of people by a surprising margin.There is another problem with EEA/Norway etc, which is the old “soft Brexit” issue of rule-taking. As members of the single market but not full members of the EU, the UK would end up aligning with regulations over which it has very little say or agency. This is one of the bitterest ironies of Brexit. The eurosceptic myth of Brussels “dictating” laws to parliament never took account of the power that British ministers had on the European council, often with veto powers. “Europe” was not something “they” did to “us” but something we did to and for ourselves. But once we left, the threat of taking dictation became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Our interests demand closeness to the single market but proximity without a voice really is a loss of sovereignty. Maybe worth it, but not great. That’s the logic that dragged us towards ever harder iterations of Brexit, leading to the deal we now have, which turns out to be disastrous.Raf: I think it would be hard to enact anything as significant as rejoining the EU without a referendum and, for the reasons you say, there would have to be a very clear and solid majority in favour before even embarking on a campaign. But that would be a condition of starting the negotiations with Brussels anyway. The EU is not going to be interested in a serious process to hammer out terms of UK membership 2.0 if it looks like a knife-edge issue in domestic politics. European leaders were burned enough by the first referendum and by the spectacle of Donald Trump coming back after four years of Joe Biden. So, in a way, the question of whether or not to have a referendum is barely relevant. If you have completely won the key political arguments in favour of Britain being part of the European project again and its not even controversial any more, you can have the vote, and if you haven’t made that kind of progress, you won’t be in a position to try your luck with a plebiscite.But I do think there is path that involves a party winning a general election with a pledge to open talks on joining the EU and that election victory being used as the lever to really shift the dial in public debate. As with so many of these scenarios, a really talented communicator as leader and media strategy fit for the fragmented, polarised digital climate are key. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A scientist says he can scan prisoners’ brains for signs of evil. Did his disputed science put a man on death row?
Kent Kiehl convinced the US legal system he can find violence in prisoners’ brains. His theories have been since used by defense lawyers – with grave consequences for prisoners Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe battles record-breaking heat: is this the new normal? - The Latest
Europe is dealing with a debilitating heatwave, with schools closed, trains cancelled and France holding an emergency meeting after heat-related deaths.António Guterres, the UN chief, is urging the world to act on fossil fuels as the continent braces for record-breaking heat.Lucy Hough speaks to Europe environment correspondent Ajit Niranjan Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Donaldson's downfall shakes NI's battle-hardened political landscape
Donaldson has been told to expect a "lengthy sentence" for a string of child sex crimes, including rape.

Autosport F1
Open 
Audi surprises rivals as it ran upgraded F1 engine at Barcelona GP after ADUO verdict
Audi introduced a new Formula 1 power unit as early as the Barcelona Grand Prix, after the FIA communicated the results of the first ADUO period.The Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities mechanism allows engine providers who lack power to introduce extra updates, and the first review took place following the Canadian GP, with the FIA releasing the results to the manufacturers in ...Keep reading

Russia Today News
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IDF soldiers ‘shot my three-year-old in the head’ – Gazan father (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Body of 'murdered' girl, 14, was found 500 yards away from her home 'by two young people who were searching for her after she was reported missing'
Lilly, 14, was reported missing by her worried family before police discovered a body late on Monday night in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina, near Ebbw Vale, South Wales.

Mail Online
Open 
Child under 12 is euthanised in Netherlands
The death of the child was confirmed by the country's health minister, Sophie Hermans.

BBC UK News
Open 
Donaldson 'destroyed innocence of children', says Poots
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots was speaking after Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of child sex abuse.

Digital Trends
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I checked the Prime Day speaker deals, and these 5 are the ones worth hearing out
Skip the no-name speaker clutter. These JBL and Bose Prime Day deals have real discounts, useful features, and clear reasons to buy.

Digital Trends
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I sifted through the Prime Day chaos to find the best Apple deals actually worth buying
Shop the best Apple Prime Day 2026 deals. M5 MacBook Air at $949, AirPods Max 2 at $399, AirPods 4 from $99, and iPad Air at $519.

Digital Trends
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Prime Day 2026 is packed with Samsung deals, but only these made my shortlist
Prime Day 2026 is delivering some of the biggest Samsung discounts we've seen all year. From the Galaxy S26 series to Galaxy Watches, tablets, and earbuds, these are the deals that offer the best value for your money.

Digital Trends
Open 
Your $2,000 Premium Phone Deserves Premium Protection
Premium smartphones are made to turn heads while pushing the limits of innovation and price tags. But protecting them shouldn't mean compromising on their appeal. This Prime Day, PITAKA is helping make that choice a little easier.

TechRadar News
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Under the Radar

TechRadar News
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I test audio gear for a living, and these head-fi deals are seriously tempting — with bargains from Astell & Kern, Meze, Sennheiser and more

TechRadar News
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Star Wars: Galactic Racer creative director says game will have 'consequential decision-making' with a 'runs-based structure inside the campaign' — 'We want every decision to matter'

TechRadar News
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Star Wars: Galactic Racer creative director says the game has 'unbelievable' mechanical depth and features 'trillions' of vehicle part combinations — 'I would argue there may not be an arcade racer with that much depth in it ever made'

TechRadar News
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I can’t game without every piece of this glorious gear — here are my fave accessories this Prime Day whether I’m playing Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch 2

TechRadar News
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This LifeLock Total deal is better than anything you'll find in the Amazon Prime Day sales — 'meticulously crafted, user-friendly' identity theft protection

TechRadar News
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The Coalition says Active Reload is an 'iconic feature' that has been updated for Gears of War: E-Day, and some weapons also have 'additional reload mechanics'

TechRadar News
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This wild DJI Pocket clone with a built-in fan is the crossover I desperately need today — but these are the top vlogging cameras I actually recommend as a camera expert

TechRadar News
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One of our favorite single-serve coffee machines is less than $100 this Prime Day — and it's also a perfect time for you to stock up on coffee pods for less

TechRadar News
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Can't decide on an Amazon Echo deal this Prime Day? I've tried all of them, and my quiz can help you decide

TechRadar News
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Klara and the Sun's trailer teases another AI companion story — but here's why the dystopian sci-fi movie has caught my attention

TechRadar News
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I asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude what discount tech to buy on Amazon Prime Day — here’s which AI gave the best advice

TechRadar News
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The golf watch I covet the most is discounted just in time for prime golf season — and I'm seriously tempted

TechRadar News
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Save $530 on this Dell Ryzen 7 laptop? Forget Amazon on Prime Day, check out these 5 laptops with huge price cuts

TechRadar News
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As TechRadar's TV tester, the LG C5 OLED TV is at 'the very top of my recommended list' — and there's no better time to buy it

TechRadar News
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I asked ChatGPT and Claude to do my grocery shopping — one felt like the future

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UK Considers Forcing Social Media Firms To Prioritize Trusted News
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Britain is considering forcing social media companies to prioritize what the government called trusted news sources as part of its broader push to tighten regulation of the sector. The culture department said on Monday it was considering requiring platforms such as Meta's Facebook, Alphabet-owned YouTube and TikTok to make content from public service media -- including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 -- and other trusted news providers easier to find in users' feeds and searches.

Boosting the visibility of regulated news providers could help tackle misinformation, particularly during crises, the government said. However, any move to influence how platforms rank content is likely to face scrutiny from the social media firms, which say such rules could override user choice and disadvantage other creators. The proposals form part of a broader overhaul of Britain's public service media system to help broadcasters compete with streaming platforms and shifting viewing habits. Ministers are also considering widening public service media status to include online-only providers, extending free-to-air protections for major sporting events to on-demand viewing, and consulting on a shift to internet-based TV from 2034 or 2044. "It is vital that we make sure that people have better access to trusted and accurate news and that our regulated public service media is seen and heard in the fierce battle against mis- and disinformation," culture minister Lisa Nandy said in a statement.

The move follows the UK's recently-announced ban on social media use for those under 16.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
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This AI resume tool helps you get past ATS filters for $40
TL;DR: DashResume analyzes resumes against job descriptions, identifies keyword gaps, and helps create ATS-friendly applications — all for $39.99 (reg. $139).
You could be the perfect candidate for a job and still get rejected by a robot before a human ever sees your resume. — Read the rest
The post This AI resume tool helps you get past ATS filters for $40 appeared first on Boing Boing.

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Europe heat wave: France measures hottest-ever day
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Texas anti-ICE protesters convicted of terrorism charges sentenced to at least 50 years in prison
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The Guardian (UK)
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Merz backs plans to raise Germany’s retirement age to 70 in pension changes
Recommendations from commission propose gradual rise in retirement age by the early 2090sEurope live – latest updatesGermany will gradually raise its retirement age to about 70 by the early 2090s under recommendations backed by the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, as a means of future-proofing the pension system for an ageing population.Presenting its findings on Tuesday, an expert commission set up to explore reforms to the pension system said retirement age should be linked to rising life expectancy and early retirement should be scrapped. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Portugal v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm EST/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SarahPortugal have made two changes to their starting XI that drew with DR Congo. Bernardo Silva and Tomas Araújo drop to the bench with Ruben Dias and João Félix coming into the team. The captain Cristiano Ronaldo starts once again.Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Dias, Veiga, Cancelo, Mendes; Fernandes, Neves, Vitinha; Ronaldo, João Félix, Neto. Subs: Sá, Rui Silva, Semedo, Araújo, Dalot, Inácio, Samú Costa, Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Ramos, Trincão, Leão, Guedes, Conceição Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nationalist group leaders agree to stop hoisting St George’s flags in Oxfordshire
Local council secures high court injunction against four leaders of Raise the Colours campaign and ‘persons unknown’Leaders of the nationalist group Raise the Colours have agreed to stop hoisting England flags on lamp-posts in Oxfordshire after the local authority secured a high court injunction against the campaign.Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen and Trudy Wells told the high court on Tuesday they would not raise St George’s flags from Oxfordshire county council property, encourage others to do so or impede council workers from taking them down. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Marco Rubio to meet Gulf allies amid division over US-Iran ceasefire deal
US secretary of state to reassure UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain that his country remains committed to their securityMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesMarco Rubio, the US secretary of state, is to meet Gulf allies on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to reassure them that the US remains committed to their security and the 60-day ceasefire deal struck with Iran last week will not embolden Tehran.The Gulf is divided over the deal. While Qatar has played a central role in mediating the agreement, some countries – notably the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain – are fearful it hands Iran substantial sums that may be ploughed into its military. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Farage breaks cover at last but finds the £5m question hasn’t gone away | John Crace
A testy Reform UK leader tried to bat off questions about why a gigantic gift to him had anything to do with the publicHappy days. Ten glorious years. Maybe it was the chance to bask in the unmitigated triumphs of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Maybe he wanted to take advantage of a rare lacuna. The vacuum between the last rites of the Keir Starmer government and the handover to Andy Burnham. The man from Makerfield who had only a few days ago been in such a hurry now finds he needs more time to get his ducks in a row. Or maybe it was just the hope that amnesia had set in. That it was safe to come out. Whatever it was, Nigel Farage chose to break cover.For more than eight weeks now the Reform leader has been a virtual recluse. From having to meet his cravings for an instant fix with two or three press conferences a week, Nige has refused to do any media. He has been in hiding. Only seen out with a few friendly faces. Posting videos of himself alone in a field where reporters can’t find him. Any suggestions that this has anything to do with the £5m gift, or whatever you want to call it, are obviously hopelessly wide of the mark. Nige just wants to be alone. To take a Garbo moment. Some me-time with the person he loves most in the world. Continue reading...

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An A-Z of global health threats
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Meta’s smart glasses now have a dedicated charging stand
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Oxford and UCL labs receive £60m AI funding boost
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TV Fire Sticks are at their lowest price ever! Stream TNT Sports for less with £25 Amazon Prime Day deal before it sells out - after free to air coverage is banned
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What NOT to wear during a heatwave in the UK: Expert reveals the cringe and inappropriate hot weather outfits to avoid, especially if you're over 50 - and what to choose instead
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US top court says Rastafarian man cannot sue prison guards for shaving his dreadlocks
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Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN; Hormuz Tolls Still Disputed
Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN; Hormuz Tolls Still Disputed

Summary

Conflicting Claims Remain: Washington and Tehran continue to dispute whether Iran agreed to extensive IAEA nuclear inspections and the terms of sanctions relief; also, Hormuz tolls remains an issue of contention.
$12 Billion Asset Release: Iran says $12 billion in frozen assets will be released initially, with total relief potentially reaching $50 billion if a final deal is reached.
Battle Over Fund Control: The US says released funds would be restricted to humanitarian purchases, while Iran insists it will decide how to use its own money.
Oil Relief and Hormuz: Temporary sanctions relief for Iranian oil exports has begun, and both sides say the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping.
Fragile Progress & a Russian Role? Iran is considering sending enriched uranium to Russia, but regional tensions and unresolved issues still threaten the talks.
*  *  *

Fees for Transiting Hormuz? Another Switzerland Unresolved Issue

Despite Washington pressure and warnings, it appears Oman is still on board with cooperating with Iran to extract Hormuz Strait transit fees, or tolls, over and against repeat objections from the White House.

Alongside nuclear inspectors, this remains a top disputed issue, despite the MoD framework having been signed. But the two sides are likely to leave the details to be hashed out during the 60-day 'technical negotiations'.


Iran and Oman said any future arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz must respect the sovereign rights of the two coastal states, adding that they plan to charge fees for ships transiting the waterway.
Following talks in Muscat, the two sides agreed to form a joint working group… pic.twitter.com/3EAkdDFVAH
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 23, 2026
Trump Insists Iran Agreed to 'Highest Level' of Nuclear Inspections

With a number of issues still up in the air, amid claims and counter-claims coming after Switzerland - from nuclear inspectors accessing Iran to how Tehran is able to use its soon to be unfrozen funds - President Trump heightens the drama by issuing a Tuesday morning Truth Social message regarding the negotiations

Trump insists that Iran has agreed to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections, calling it a guarantee of "Nuclear Honesty" and stressing that there would have been "no further negotiations" without such a commitment. He also says the US will allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain "OPEN" and is not pursuing a naval blockade, though military assets remain in place if conditions change.

According to Trump, any sanctions relief or released Iranian funds will be held in US-controlled escrow and can only be used to purchase food and medical supplies from the United States, including "Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers."

Trump now characterizes the situation in Iran as a "humanitarian crisis" and concluded that "Talks are going well!!".


Trump says "Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future" and yet adds "If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations"
Iran has repeatedly said it has not agreed to this pic.twitter.com/SI82IXb1hf
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 23, 2026
Iran Touts $12BN in Frozen Assets to Be Released, Will Use How it Pleases

Among the biggest latest developments in the immediate wake of the Switzerland meeting is that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has announced an agreement has been reached for the United States to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

It also comes after the US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief, namely freeing up Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until August 1st. Concerning the frozen asset partial release, Tehran is now emphasizing that it alone will decide how the funds will be used.

But this may be another area where the headlines and declarations are too far out front, given Washington has sought to impose some caveats which likely remain unacceptable to the Iranians side. For example Vice President JD Vance made clear his stance Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal, describing that if there were, they must be limited in use and implementation - to purchase US agricultural goods. He has emphasized - perhaps wishing to address American domestic criticisms - that the funds would not be used to support terrorism.



Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, has already firmly rejected the soybean plan, saying at a UN press briefing, "Iran is the only country who will decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen."

In total a whopping $50 billion could eventually be released under the MoU framework - something which will drive Republican hawsk mad. Al Jazeera reports Tuesday, citing the Iranian side: 


A spokesperson said the agreement would allow Iran access to previously frozen assets, although the US says restrictions would remain in place under the arrangement.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, two separate tranches of $6bn were originally agreed in Doha, with the final signing ceremony intended to take place in Switzerland. The Iranian spokesperson now says that process has been completed.

Under the reported framework, an initial $12bn in Iranian funds would be released. During the 60-day negotiation period, a further $12bn could be unlocked. If the parties ultimately reach a final agreement, the value of sanctions relief and released funds could reportedly rise to as much as $50bn.


Official Contradiction: Vance Had Hailed Iran Will Allow IAEA Access to Nuclear Sites

Another point of disagreement remains the entry of IAEA nuclear inspectors into the Islamic Republic. Vance had hailed Tehran already agreed to this, while Iran's leaders are in effect saying not so fast. It's but one of several major contradictions in public rhetoric coming from either side in the wake of the top-level round one meeting in Switzerland.

Something interesting - which Washington may or may not be on board with - is that Tehran is now signaling openness to Russia hosting its enriched nuclear material.


Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “fully” open to commercial shipping and that large volumes of oil have been transported through the waterway in recent days, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 23, 2026
Russia to Host Enriched Uranium? 

Al Arabiya reports that Iran's aforementioned UN ambassador says "transferring enriched uranium to Russia is under consideration." This could indeed be enough to satisfy President Trump, considering it would be a 'lesser evil' option if indeed the Iranians are actually ready for such a plan (which Moscow has offered several times to facilitate over the past year).

Lebanon is another issue which could threaten to unravel all the progress made thus far, but reports cite a 'cautious calm' across the south, but with some limited, sporadic exchanges of fire.

One correspondent on the ground reports, "Here in Tyre, people driving across the city this morning are picking up bits of rubble, starting to clear things out and searching for what they can salvage among their destroyed homes and businesses. That is what people are using this moment of calm for."

However, there's been reports of at least two new Lebanese deaths. In one instance Lebanese national media indicated "A young man was killed and two others were injured” when Israeli soldiers "opened machine gun fire in their direction while they were standing near an excavator which was clearing a road" in a locality near the town of Nabatieh - per the National News Agency. Hezbollah is saying Tuesday that this violates the ceasefire agreement.

The situation on Monday was such that the Iranian delegation almost quit the Sunday-Monday talks completely, Iran's top negotiator has explained:


Iran's Ghalibaf:
In the middle of the discussions, I learned that Trump had made threatening remarks regarding our president, the negotiating team, and possible attacks on our territory.
I told Vance: “We are here engaged in talks, and according to the signed understanding,… pic.twitter.com/Oi0jKrXf19
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
More Latest Developments

Below are some latest developments on the US-Iran peace front via Middle East Eye:

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said an agreement had been reached to release $12bn in frozen Iranian assets.
The US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief allowing Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until 1 August.
Washington said the measures follow Iran’s commitment to permit international nuclear inspections after intensive talks in Switzerland.
President Donald Trump said released Iranian funds would be used to purchase food and agricultural products from US farmers.
Iran’s Central Bank rejected Trump’s comments, saying Tehran is under no obligation to spend released funds on American goods.
Iranian officials said technical negotiations with the United States have concluded and the process is entering a new phase.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the effectiveness of future talks depends on all sides fully implementing their commitments.
A US official said Centcom has launched a monitoring mechanism in Lebanon to provide American officials with assessments of fighting on the ground.
Israeli officials reiterated that military operations in Lebanon would continue despite ongoing diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran.
Markets and regional observers continued to focus on sanctions implementation, Hormuz shipping activity and the durability of the broader agreement.
And via Newsquawk summary:

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said "if the other party does not fulfill its obligations, we should not be expected to unilaterally fulfill our obligations", Iran International reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said defensive capabilities and missiles will never be a topic of discussion. US commitment regarding Lebanon is completely clear.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said quadrilateral talks were stopped early in Switzerland due to the witnessing of US threats. Thereafter, exchanges were via a mediator, Mehr reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said Iran has no plans to let IAEA inspectors visit nuclear sites targeted in the conflict.
Iranian President, ahead of trip to Pakistan, said Iran is seeking the full implementation of the clauses that have been signed within the framework of international law, Nour News reported.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Iran according to international law.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said in phone call to Turkish President Erdogan on Monday that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy as per international law.
Iran Central Bank Governor said Tehran is not obliged to purchase US agricultural goods under current agreements, and states that remaining frozen assets can be used to buy non-sanctioned goods beyond essential items, according to Tasnim.
"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Baghdad next Sunday", Al Mayadeen reported citing sources; The meeting will include a briefing on the progress of the talks in Switzerland and the preparations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry said "America has issued the necessary license for the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products", Al Jazeera reported.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said any further attacks on Lebanon would be a red line.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said Hormuz talks will be held with Oman.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said there has been good progress in negotiations with the US.
"Sources indicate that the Iranian Foreign Minister [Araghchi] will hold separate talks with Pakistani officials", Al Hadath reported.
Oman's Foreign Minister said Iranian negotiators reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to ensuring safe, toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman's Foreign Minister meets with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf, with the officials discussing regional stability and Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data cited by Al-Arabia showed at least 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
One person reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire in a southern Lebanese town, according to Lebanese Civil Defense and a security source - timing unclear.
Senior US official tells Al Jazeera that talks between Lebanon and Israel will continue to advance comprehensive peace and a security agreement between the two countries.
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said Israel must act alone against Iran's nuclear program and must maintain military freedom in Lebanon, hopes withdrawal from southern Lebanon will not happen and will do everything to convince PM Netanyahu.
Israel military shells and fires at Khan Yunis in Gaza, according to Fars News Agency.
Israel's PM, Defence Minister and Military Chief said Israeli military will continue to act to neutralise threats to soldiers and citizens, demolish terrorist infrastructure, and maintain security zone in southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement. Israel's leadership reaffirms that the security of Israeli citizens and IDF troops will remain its overriding priority, with no room for compromise.
Israeli forces reportedly violate Syrian territory, conducting house searches in southern outskirts of Quneitra governorate.
US-Iran technical talks in Burgenstock had a "breakthrough", talks proceed seemingly in a positive direction, Journalist Mallick reported.
US President Trump, on Israel and Lebanon, said "we'll take a look at it"; said he gets problems solved fast, including with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
US President Trump said if Iran doesn't stick to agreement, he will do what he has to do. As long as Iran respects us, we are not going to have any trouble. Could restart the blockade quickly if needed.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
US Airlines Set To Pocket $40 Billion As Jet Fuel Prices Crash
US Airlines Set To Pocket $40 Billion As Jet Fuel Prices Crash

By Alex Kimani of OilPrice.com

US airlines stand to save billions in dollars on jet fuel costs after the US-Iran peace deal sent oil prices sharply lower.

Brent crude was trading around $78 per barrel, the lowest price since the start of the war, after Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire and committed to 60 days of negotiations, while jet fuel spot prices fell to $2.85 a gallon, down sharply from $4.88. 

The dip in fuel costs could slash the U.S. airline industry’s annual fuel bill by more than $40 billion, easing the pressure on carriers who were facing margin pressures and a painful earnings squeeze. 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) previously warned that exploding fuel costs would halve global airline net profits in 2026 to $23 billion. 

However, unlike previous oil price downcycles, airlines are unlikely to pass on these cost savings to passengers in the form of lower air fares. 



According to Raymond James, average domestic airfares booked one week prior to travel were up 9% week-over-week and 34.1% from a year earlier as of June 8.  In previous fuel cycles, dropping oil prices usually triggered capacity expansion that pushed fares lower; however, the current market is operating under different dynamics. First off, jet fuel prices rose three times faster than ticket prices between January and May, slapping carriers with $100 billion in extra fuel costs after oil prices spiked amid the Iran war. This implies that airlines are likely to use this windfall to stabilize their balance sheets. 

Second, tight airport capacity, aircraft delivery delays and weaker low-cost carriers are likely to limit a broader domestic fare war. 

Global aircraft backlogs are currently at record highs, with deliveries lagging roughly 30% behind peak levels. Domestic airline capacity in the United States has largely stagnated, with current projections that airline seats will grow just 0.4%Y/Y in the third quarter, down from expectations of 4.6% growth before the war.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Here Is The Korean Article That Sent Memory Stocks Tumbling And Sparked A Global Selloff
Here Is The Korean Article That Sent Memory Stocks Tumbling And Sparked A Global Selloff

Early last night, just around the time Korean stocks opened at a new all time high, we highlighted an article in Korea's Chosun Biz, which eventually became the catalyst for the sharp repricing lower of memory stocks - and since memory stocks account for about 60% of the Kospi, sparked the 10% crash in the South Korean market which culminated with a mandatory halt of trading - and sparked a risk off wave around the globe. 


"Since production forecasts for NVIDIA's next-generation chip 'Rubin,' which will be equipped with HBM4, are trending downwards, there is no reason to accelerate the transition to HBM." - Chosunhttps://t.co/tOYfVXObQw
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 23, 2026
As both CNBC and Bloomberg write this morning, "traders are pointing to a South Korean media report saying SK Hynix is slowing expansion of AI memory chip production and shifting emphasis to commodity DRAM."

What exactly is the article saying? The punchline was the following:


"An official familiar with SK Hynix stated, 'SK Hynix management cannot help but be mindful that their competitor (Samsung Electronics) is already generating massive profits from general-purpose DRAM rather than HBM.'" The official explained, "Since production forecasts for Nvidia's next-generation chip 'Rubin,' which will be equipped with HBM4, are also trending downward, there is no reason to accelerate the transition to HBM."


The slowdown in HBM4 (or high bandwidth memory) rollout which is critical for high end AI racks, was - naturally - spun as a positive event and was justified as SK Hynix moving back to DDR memory production, which somehow is now higher margin, but the bottom line is simple: supply for high end HBM is slowing which in turn has prompted questions whether this is due to a cartel-like attempt to control pricing (probably not very smart to admit this), or more likely, in response to problems with the rollout of high end Nvidia systems, and especially the Vera Rubin racks which as we reported a month ago are emerging as extremely expensive, primarily because of the surge in memory prices which are crushing hyperscaler margins.





Here is the full Chosun article:


SK Hynix Adjusts HBM4 Production Speed… Seeking Additional Revenue by Increasing General-Purpose DRAM Amid Supply Shortages

General Purpose DRAM Surpasses HBM in Operating Profit Margin… "90% Possible" 
"SK Hynix Needs Only to Defend HBM Market Share"
Opportunity for Samsung Electronics to Increase HBM Market Share
SK Hynix is ​​shifting its focus to the general-purpose DRAM market while adjusting the pace of mass production expansion for 6th generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM4). The explanation is that, having already solidified an overwhelming advantage with HBM sales accounting for over 40% of total revenue, the company is adjusting its resource allocation to secure additional profits in the general-purpose DRAM market, where supply shortages are severe, rather than engaging in excessive competition for capacity expansion.

According to industry sources on the 23rd, SK Hynix is ​​reportedly delaying the conversion of some 5th-generation HBM (HBM3E) production lines, which were originally scheduled to transition to HBM4. The company plans to secure additional profits by increasing its responsiveness to the general-purpose DRAM market, which currently records higher operating profit margins than HBM. The industry view is that this decision is based on the judgment that there is no need to rush the transition to HBM4 and HBM4E (7th-generation HBM), given that the company has already secured a solid position in the HBM market.

Behind this strategic shift lies the reversal in profitability between general-purpose DRAM and HBM. As of the first quarter of this year, the price per gigabit (Gb) of general-purpose DRAM still lags behind that of HBM, but the gap in operating profit margins is estimated to have already widened to more than 15 percentage points (P). Daishin Securities projected that the operating profit margin for general-purpose DRAM could reach a theoretical peak of 90% within the year.

"An official familiar with SK Hynix stated, 'SK Hynix management cannot help but be mindful that their competitor (Samsung Electronics) is already generating massive profits from general-purpose DRAM rather than HBM.'" The official explained, "Since production forecasts for Nvidia's next-generation chip 'Rubin,' which will be equipped with HBM4, are also trending downward, there is no reason to accelerate the transition to HBM."

The perspective of overseas investment banks (IBs) also supports this trend. Goldman Sachs assessed that it would be sufficient for SK Hynix to maintain a dominant position of over 50% in HBM3 (4th generation HBM) and HBM3E (5th generation HBM) until at least 2026. Morgan Stanley identified the overall memory price cycle, rather than the defense of HBM market share, as the key driver of SK Hynix's value, and raised its earnings forecast by 56–63% based on the projection that the average selling price of DRAM will rise by 62% by 2026.

In fact, SK Hynix announced in its first-quarter earnings report that the average selling price (ASP) of DRAM had risen to the mid-60% range and presented a plan to focus on meeting demand for high-density server modules and mobile products. The signing of a three-year DDR5 supply contract with Microsoft (MS) is also interpreted as a move to secure long-term earnings visibility in general-purpose DRAM.

On the other hand, as SK Hynix moves to control HBM4 production volume, the possibility of its competitor Samsung Electronics rising in market share is also increasing. According to Counterpoint Research, SK Hynix’s HBM market share stood at 57% in the fourth quarter of last year, but there is talk of a potential gradual contraction; furthermore, it is observed that if Samsung Electronics succeeds in mass-producing HBM4 in the second half of this year, SK Hynix’s share could drop to the 50–60% range.


Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
US Manufacturing Hits 49-Month High As 'Input Costs Show Signs Of Cooling'
US Manufacturing Hits 49-Month High As 'Input Costs Show Signs Of Cooling'

This morning we found out that Euro-area business activity shrank less than anticipated in June (Services up/beat, Manufacturing down/miss).

S&P Global’s Composite PMI rose to 49.5 from 48.5, topping estimates but remaining below the 50 mark that indicates growth.

"The eurozone economy is showing enough resilience to just about stay out of recession. "



However, the UK’s economy contracted for a second consecutive month (both Services and Manufacturing lower), with its PMI slipping to a 14-month low.

"A disappointing June ‘flash’ PMI indicates that the economy contracted for a second successive month, albeit at only a 0.1% rate and merely flat-lining over the second quarter as a whole."



And despite the recent weakness in 'hard' data, expectations were for an incrementally positive rise in the US Composite PMI in preliminary June data (with Services up and Manufacturing down).

Forecasters under-estimated the US economic resilience with both Manufacturing (55.7 vs 54.6 exp vs 55.1 prior) and Services (51.3 vs 51.1 exp vs 50.3 prior) both rising and beating expectations.

Manufacturing is at a 49-month high and Services at a 4-month high with a positive trend over the past 3 months...



Source: Bloomberg

“Brighter news out of the Middle East has helped restore some confidence among US businesses in June", said Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, "though the overall rate of economic growth signalled by the flash PMI survey remains relatively sluggish compared to that seen earlier in the year in the lead up to the conflict."

The survey signals that current output levels are consistent with the economy struggling to grow much faster than a 1% annualized rate in the second quarter.



The service sector continues to grow at an especially subdued pace, reflecting push-back from customers over high prices amid low levels of consumer confidence in particular.

While there is better news from the manufacturing sector, Williamson remains concerned that factory growth continues to be temporarily buoyed by inventory building amid supply fears.

Supply delays grew more widespread in June.

Williamson says that “most worrying was the further fall in employment, notably in the manufacturing sector."

Factory job cuts are running at the highest since 2009 if the pandemic is excluded, reflecting concerns over the sustainability of the recent upturn in demand alongside worries over the escalating cost of raw materials.



However, while still running at one of the highest rates seen over the past four years, input cost inflation has shown sign of cooling in June thanks in part to the lower energy prices seen at the tail end of the survey data collection period.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:56

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"This May Be Iran's First Misstep - And Proof Leverage Isn't Total"
"This May Be Iran's First Misstep - And Proof Leverage Isn't Total"

Brent and WTI futures extended declines on Tuesday morning as momentum continued toward an end to the US-Iran conflict. The latest signs of de-escalation include a U.S. waiver allowing some crude and fuel sales from Iran, while Tehran said $12 billion in frozen funds had been released as part of ongoing talks with U.S. negotiators.

Both sides have signaled progress so far this week, further eroding the war premium in crude markets as traders begin to price in the flood of Iranian barrels hitting global markets, normalization of the Hormuz chokepoint, and a broader easing of geopolitical risk across the Persian Gulf.


Strait of Hormuz, this morning.
• 04:03 UTC: a cluster of commercial vessels holding convoy formation ahead of transit.
• 06:45 UTC: the same vessels underway and crossing south of Larak. pic.twitter.com/F1Yj9e0l7Q
— Windward (@WindwardAI) June 23, 2026
Brent fell to $77 a barrel after sliding 3.3% on Monday, while WTI traded around $73 a barrel.



On the Hormuz front, ship traffic continued to normalize as an increasing number of tankers and cargo ships broadcast their transponders on the critical waterway, signaling growing confidence among owners, traders, and insurers after last week's U.S.-Iran interim deal.



Maritime intelligence firm Windward posted part of a briefing on X early Tuesday, stating: "25 transits on June 22, including French- and Qatari-linked LNG carriers moving openly with AIS active. Iranian exports hit a two-month high of 6.79M barrels."

Continued:

Iran reinstated PGSA toll and clearance requirements on June 21, attempting to re-close the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the announcement, 25 AIS-visible transits were recorded on June 22, including French- and Qatari-linked LNG carriers.
Kharg Island resumed multi-berth crude loading, with Iranian exports reaching 6.79 million barrels during the week ending June 21, the highest level in nearly two months.
A cluster of 17 tankers, including 10 OFAC-sanctioned vessels, was observed operating in the southeastern Hormuz corridor.
Fujairah and Khor Fakkan remained heavily congested as operators continued waiting for clarity on transit conditions.
Windward identified an extensive sanctions-evasion network linked to 38 vessels expelled from the Cameroon registry.

Iran moved to re-close Hormuz on June 21. The market answered.
Windward Maritime AI™ recorded 25 transits on June 22, including French- and Qatari-linked LNG carriers moving openly with AIS active. Iranian exports hit a two-month high of 6.79M barrels.
Operators are testing… pic.twitter.com/ruFW3HpTxB
— Windward (@WindwardAI) June 23, 2026
Eurasia Group senior analyst Gregory Brew commented on Windward's report, indicating, "This may be Iran's first misstep—and proof that its leverage isn't total. Iran announced the strait was closed, but it didn't *close* the strait. Without the credible threat of force, Iran's sway over the waterway has limits."


This may be Iran's first misstep--and proof that its leverage isn't total.
Iran announced the strait was closed, but it didn't *close* the strait.
Without the credible threat of force, Iran's sway over the waterway has limits. https://t.co/ox3aiiMWoL
— Gregory Brew (@gbrew24) June 23, 2026
To note, Brew is Eurasia Group's Iran and energy analyst, and if his assumption is correct, Tehran's massive leverage tool over global energy markets by closing Hormuz may be eroding.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 10:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Signs Orders For Quantum Computer, Cryptography Upgrades
Trump Signs Orders For Quantum Computer, Cryptography Upgrades

Authored by Martin Young via CoinTelegraph.com,

US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday to push to build a quantum computer and to focus on creating cryptography that can resist quantum attacks.



The orders aim to take a “cohesive, whole-of-government approach” to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of quantum computing and “protect sensitive technologies and work with allies to ensure adversaries cannot use QIST [Quantum Information Science and Technology] to undermine national security.”

The orders come as China ramps up its quantum computing ambitions following the announcement of its “Five-Year Plan” in March, which aims to expand investment in scalable quantum computers and the development of an integrated space-earth quantum communication network. 


Investing in American quantum leadership like never before.
President Trump signs executive orders on quantum, supercharging a national effort in innovation in quantum technologies, ensuring national security and continuing American growth in a critical industry. 💻🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cQmdCs0s4N
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 22, 2026
Trump’s orders state that within 180 days, relevant agencies must update the National Quantum Strategy to support commercialization and industry partnerships. 

Various agencies are also tasked with identifying implications of increasing scale and performance of commercial quantum computers, “such as the implications for the migration to post-quantum cryptography.”

The order also establishes Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS), a national effort to pursue the development of a quantum computer at a scale intended to “initiate the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery.”

Focus on post-quantum cryptography

The other executive order aims to secure the US against quantum-assisted cryptographic attacks and is more focused on upgrading to post-quantum cryptography.

“We’re going to be investing in American quantum leadership like never before to stay ahead of the pack,” Trump said.

The order directs the Office of Management and Budget and the National Cyber Director to lead an accelerated, nationwide migration to post-quantum cryptography, ensuring the nation’s data stays secure as quantum technology evolves. 

“The advent of large-scale quantum computers, particularly in the hands of adversaries, will pose a significant threat to widely used cryptographic security systems,” the order said. 

Major crypto blockchains such as Ethereum and Solana have already started working on post-quantum roadmaps, while the Bitcoin community is still divided on how to approach securing old coins against the quantum threat.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 10:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Meta Widens Smart-Glasses Lead With $299 Models, Leaving Apple And Snapchat Chasing AI Wearable Race
Meta Widens Smart-Glasses Lead With $299 Models, Leaving Apple And Snapchat Chasing AI Wearable Race

Meta Platforms continues to gain momentum in the smart-glasses race with an extended push into affordable eyewear priced at $299, below its current Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer model, Snapchat's $2,200 glasses, and Apple's $3,000-plus Vision Pro headset.

Bloomberg reports that Meta unveiled the Adventurer and Fury glasses, each priced at $299 - or about $80 below its Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer smart glasses model. Meta also introduced a $399 Starfire model in collaboration with Kylie Jenner, targeting cash-strapped Gen Z and millennial consumers.



EssilorLuxottica, Meta's smart-glasses partner and the parent of Ray-Ban and Oakley, will manufacture the new models.
Meta's new Adventurer smart glases.Photographer: Mark Gurman/Bloomberg

We have detailed Meta's smart-glasses supply chain at length, and Goldman analyst Jerry Shen recently published a deep dive mapping the key suppliers powering the emerging AI and AR eyewear markets.



EssilorLuxottica's CEO said the cheaper Meta smart glasses are designed to "drive access to broader audiences," adding that "more price-sensitive consumers will have an opportunity to experience the power that wearables bring into their everyday lives."

Last week, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel debuted goofy $2,220 smart glasses...


Evan Spiegel showing off the new Specs AR glasses to the public for the first time. pic.twitter.com/pCYBLU9xxH
— Nathie (@NathieVR) June 16, 2026
...which Wall Street analysts viewed less as a mass-market consumer glasses and more as a developer kit, given the steep price point.

Clearly, Spiegel learned little from Apple's Vision Pro debut a few years ago, which failed to attract mainstream consumers because of its $3,000-plus price point.

Apple has certainly taken note of Meta's successful push into smart glasses and is expected to launch more affordable glasses in late 2027.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 11:05

Ian Visits
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Will the King meet with Prince Harry? REBECCA ENGLISH reveals what royal insiders are telling her and why the Palace will continue to watch the monarch's back - only in the Palace Confidential newsletter
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Missing teenager found dead
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I found the best SSD and storage deals for Amazon Prime Day - including Samsung and Kingston
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I tested the Insta360 Luna Ultra for a month — now I can’t go back to single-lens vlogging cameras

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Shark’s PowerDetect UV Reveal has a lot of potential, but right now it’s the equivalent of a power washer in the hands of a caveman

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O'Reilly: Pentagon not war-gaming Strait of Hormuz a strategic error
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The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026
Paragraph 7
(1)
(a) of
Schedule 5 to the
Energy Prices Act 2022 (c. 44) provides that certain powers in
that Act may only be exercised in the first period of 26 months to end after
that Act was passed during the whole of which both the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland have held office.

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A splash screen for the feature says users will be able to connect accounts to Wallet to see spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. The fine print says the following: "Your device is connected to your financial institution by an Apple wholly owned subsidiary, which fetches, categorizes, and standardizes your account information for display on your device. Your account information is not stored."



Tapping on the Continue button on the splash screen goes to the Add to Wallet interface with no new options available, so it does not appear to be functional at this time.



Apple has detailed transaction information for the Apple Card, but support for other cards and accounts has been limited. Apple did introduce a Connected Cards (later renamed Connected Accounts) feature in iOS 17.1, but it saw limited adoption. Discover implemented support and users could see their total card balance, Pay with Rewards, and transaction history, but Discover removed the functionality in early June and almost no other U.S. issuers ever used it. Several UK banks still have deeper integration with the Wallet app's Connected Accounts option.



It looks like Insights could be a successor to Connected Accounts that will work without card issuers specifically adding in support.



Update: We've heard from several users whose banks have offered Connected Accounts integration, and the new Insights feature in ‌iOS 27‌ beta 2 is working for them, displaying spending highlights and details, so it's clear that Insights is indeed an evolution of the existing Connected Accounts feature.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'Wallet App Gets New 'Insights' Feature in iOS 27 Beta 2' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple's Latest Vision Pro Tool Contains Traces of Defunct Game Engine 'The Machinery'
The latest beta of Apple's Reality Composer Pro 3, the content creation tool used to build spatial experiences for Apple Vision Pro, appears to contain traces of "The Machinery," an ambitious game development project that abruptly shut down in 2022 without explanation.





Based on code discovered by Nicolás Alvarez and independently confirmed by MacRumors, binaries included with Reality Composer Pro 3 beta contain at least 40 mentions of "the machinery" or "our machinery," and match aspects of The Machinery's project structure, asset management system, and database architecture.



The findings are notable because The Machinery was developed by Our Machinery – a company made up of veterans of the Bitsquid game engine. The project earned a devoted following among engine programmers for its unconventional approach to content creation workflows. And yet it disappeared without trace.



Central to the project was a system known as "The Truth," a database-driven architecture designed to unify assets, objects, dependencies, and editor state. Many of the same concepts appear in Apple's latest Reality Composer Pro release, announced during WWDC 2026. Things like reusable prototypes, live editing, asset dependency tracking, and rapid iteration workflows all pop up – ideas that have notable technological similarities to how The Machinery worked. The direct references in the code appear to confirm the connection.



The links don't just extend to code strings, either. Tricia Gray, co-founder and CEO of Our Machinery, now works on Apple's spatial computing developer tools team, as evidenced in her LinkedIn profile.



It's not clear whether Apple licensed The Machinery or acquired the company, or in some way inherited the referenced technology, but the presence of the identifiers throughout Apple's code suggests at least some of the project's ideas have somehow found their way into Apple's spatial computing development toolset.



The discovery is particularly notable because The Machinery's development ended so suddenly, surprising many developers at the time who had followed the project's progress. We've reached out to Apple to comment on the findings and will update this story if we hear back.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, 'Apple's Latest Vision Pro Tool Contains Traces of Defunct Game Engine 'The Machinery'' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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LG Drops Major Fourth of July Deals: OLED TVs, UltraWide Monitors, and More
LG is hosting an early Fourth of July sale on its website this week, with deals on monitors, TVs, home appliances, and more. LG's discounts have been automatically applied and do not require any discount codes or special memberships.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with LG. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Highlights of the event include up to $700 off select LG monitors and up to $1,700 off LG's best TV sets. Regarding the TVs, discounts include big savings on the new 2026 LG OLED evo AI sets, like the 65-inch LG OLED evo AI C6 4K Smart TV for $1,999.99 ($700 off) and the 65-inch LG OLED evo AI G6 4K Smart TV for $2,999.99 ($400 off).



SITEWIDE SALELG Fourth of July Sale

TVs

55-inch LG UHD 4K Smart TV - $299.99 ($80 off)

75-inch LG Mini LED 4K Smart TV - $699.99 ($100 off)

86-inch LG QNED 4K Smart TV - $999.99 ($299 off)

65-inch LG OLED 4K Smart TV - $1,199.99 ($800 off)

77-inch LG evo AI 4K Smart TV - $1,999.99 ($1,700 off)

65-inch LG OLED evo AI C6 4K Smart TV - $1,999.99 ($700 off)

65-inch LG OLED evo AI G6 4K Smart TV - $2,999.99 ($400 off)

Monitors

34-inch UltraGear Curved Monitor - $229.99 ($170 off)

34-inch UltraWide Curved Monitor - $299.99 ($200 off)

34-inch UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor - $799.99 ($500 off)

27-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor - $699.99 ($300 off)

32-inch UltraFine 6K Monitor - $1,299.99 ($700 off)

Appliances

24-inch QuadWash Front Control Dishwasher - $549.00 ($250 off)

24-inch FlushFit Top Control Dishwasher - $749.00 ($400 off)

26 cu. ft. Wide Bottom Freezer Refrigerator - $1,699.00 ($500 off)

27 cu. ft. Side-by-Side InstaView Refrigerator - $1,699.00 ($900 off)

Single Unit Front Load WashTower - $1,699.00 ($900 off)

27 cu. ft. Smart InstaView French Door Refrigerator - $1,899.00 ($1,000 off)

Washer/Dryer LG WashCombo All-in-One - $1,999.00 ($1,300 off)

30 cu. ft. Smart French Door Refrigerator - $2,499.00 ($1,500 off)



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







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Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'LG Drops Major Fourth of July Deals: OLED TVs, UltraWide Monitors, and More' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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M5 MacBook Air Gets a Major Price Cut for Prime Day Shoppers
Amazon is taking $150 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air for Prime Day, including a match of the all-time low price on the 16GB/1TB 15-inch MacBook Air. This model is on sale for $1,349.00 in Starlight and Midnight, down from $1,499.00.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



In terms of 13-inch models, Amazon has the 512GB 13-inch MacBook Air for $949.00, down from $1,099.00, and the 16GB/1TB model for $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00. Both of these represent solid second-best prices for the M5 MacBook Air.



$150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.00

$150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.00



Regarding the 15-inch models, you'll also find $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,149.00 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and also include both 1TB models on sale.



$150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,149.00

$150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,349.00

$149 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,549.99



Shoppers should note that many sales during Amazon Prime Day require you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



For even more Prime Day deals, be sure to visit our main article recapping all of the best Apple deals for Prime Day. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







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Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'M5 MacBook Air Gets a Major Price Cut for Prime Day Shoppers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mail Online
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Portugal vs Uzbekistan - World Cup LIVE: Can Cristiano Ronaldo solve his team's civil war?
It has been a tough start to the World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo - but he can put it all to bed if Portugal get into gear in their second game against Uzbekistan tonight. 

Mail Online
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The dream job that will pay you £2,200 a month to travel Europe and talk to strangers
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Mail Online
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Moment delivery driver on student visa who raped stranger in car park is arrested by police at Gatwick Airport as he tries to flee to Pakistan
A rapist who attacked a 'vulnerable' young woman in a car park and tried to flee to Pakistan from Gatwick Airport has been jailed for 11 years after he was intercepted by police officers in the terminal.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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River City actor Iain Robertson found guilty of rape
The 45-year-old, who played Stevie O'Hara in the BBC soap, was also convicted of assaulting two other women.

Deutsche Welle
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Experts fired by Trump resurrect mothballed climate website
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Mail Online
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Baby sat in mother's lap in passenger seat died when her father drunkenly drove into oncoming car on the wrong side of the road, court hears
Emmanuel Sakyi, 31, allegedly fled the scene after the collision, leaving his seven-month-old daughter Emmanuela with serious injuries, which she later died of in hospital, the court heard today.

Mail Online
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Two children die of heart attacks in hot car after mother 'forgot' about them while she was shopping in 40C French heatwave
The brothers, aged just four and two, were found unresponsive by their mother on Monday afternoon in the French town of Carpentras in a car parked outside their grandmother's house.

The Guardian (UK)
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Quantum of Solace: a heartbroken James Bond is fuelled by rage in Daniel Craig’s most underrated 007 film
The sequel to Casino Royale was plagued by a writers’ strike, but its shaky-cam style and erratic action aligns perfectly with our hero’s fractured state of mindIn the final moments of Casino Royale, a piercingly blue-eyed Daniel Craig holds the conniving career criminal known as Mr White (Jesper Christensen) at gunpoint on the steps of his Lake Como villa. “The name’s Bond,” the spy says coolly to his captive. You can probably finish the rest of that sentence.Despite the intense scrutiny Craig endured prior to its release, the 21st entry in the 007 franchise would prove to be an era-defining take on a truly modern-day Bond. If past iterations saw him reduced to a smattering of cliches, all parodied to death over the years, Craig’s debut as the suave secret agent was lauded for being a stripped-down, back-to-basics approach to a character audiences were already familiar with. Continue reading...

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ECB reviews Yorkshire’s £1.75m payment to CEO’s company over Hundred sale
Sanjay Patel owns more than 75% of SMP73’s sharesCounty say work was done before his appointmentThe England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to review a payment of £1.75m from Yorkshire to a company controlled by the club’s chief executive, Sanjay Patel, for ­consultancy work relating to the Hundred sale.The club’s 2025 accounts, which were circulated to members last month, show that Patel’s company SMP73 Ltd received a commission of £1.75m last year for “corporate broker services in connection with the sale of Northern Superchargers Limited”. Patel was one of the key architects of the Hundred in his previous role at the ECB and was among a small group of executives who received bonuses worth a combined £2.1m in 2022. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Blue passports, Big Ben and Bpoplive: the Brexit referendum anniversary quiz
Who put Theresa May’s back up on Instagram, what did Boris Johnson say about bananas and much moreIt is 10 years since the British public decided to pack up its troubles in its old kit bag, give Jacques Delors the final up yours and march off into an EU-free paradise. Opinions may differ on how that has worked out. Certainly several of the architects of the whole thing are enjoying lovely well-paid retirements on the speaking circuit or have seats in the House of Lords. Anyway, here are 18 questions about Brexit and the referendum campaign. How much do you remember about some of the weirder aspects of those few weeks, months and then years as the UK negotiated its exit?The Guardian 10th anniversary Brexit referendum quiz Continue reading...

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World Cup 2026: Jordan fan dies in crowd crush; criticism of Ronaldo and Portugal ‘unfair’; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail WillOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

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Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham have met away from No 10 to discuss transition – UK politics live
Prime minister said to have left Downing Street for secret meeting with his probable successorPeter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

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Europe heatwave live: Forty people drown in France; Met Office warns UK temperatures could reach 39C
Millions in France and across Europe are enduring extreme heat; ‘London is cooking,’ says UN secretary generalTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at nightItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

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Reader Q&A: ask Rafael Behr your questions now
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr will be here at 5pm to answer your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsWelcome to our latest Q&A with a Guardian journalist. Raf will be joining us at 5pm. We have originally asked him to take questions about Brexit as we mark 10 years since the UK’s vote to leave the EU. But … you may well have questions about the last 48 hours as Andy Burnham looks certain to become the next prime minister.In the meantime, though, Andrew Sparrow is covering another busy and dramatic day in Westminster on the politics live blog and here’s some more on the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership: Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Missing scientist found dead after 11 months took two shocking items with her that cast doubt on suicide theory
The mystery surrounding a nuclear lab employee found dead 11 months after she disappeared has deepened as new evidence emerges about her final movements.

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Lisa Snowdon, 54, recalls her menopause 'mistakes' as she reveals how she got back in shape after gaining 3 stone
Lisa Snowdon has looked back on her menopause 'mistakes' and how she got back into shape after gaining three stone from 'spiralling out of control'. 

Mail Online
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'London isn't just calling - it's cooking': UN chief claims climate chaos is 'accelerating before our eyes' as the UK swelters in a heatwave
London is 'cooking', the United Nations chief has warned, as the UK braces for its 'hottest day ever' amid a sweltering heatwave.

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How to keep your pets cool during the UK heatwave: Dog pools, cooling vests and elevated beds can help stop your furry friends from overheating - but don't use wet towels or ice-cold water
As the UK braces for a 'heat dome' that could see temperatures surpass 40C this week, pet owners have been warned against using wet towels and ice cold water to cool down their beloved furry friends.

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Apocalyptic weather sweeps the globe: UK and Europe suffer intense heatwaves while a Saharan dust storm hits the US - as experts warn extreme events are becoming the norm
Billions of people around the world are suffering the wrath of apocalyptic weather events this week.

BBC World News
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Dozens of ships head through Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal
Traffic in the waterway has risen since the US and Iran signed a deal aimed at ending the war, including 42 ships on Saturday alone.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (Update)
We are tasking an engineer to attend the exchange to assist in diagnosing the outage.

Further updates will be posted here when available.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:15

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 19:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 16:02

Status: Outage

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Chatham House
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Putin’s Asia diplomacy may help Russia avoid isolation. But it won’t deliver his goals in Ukraine
Putin’s Asia diplomacy may help Russia avoid isolation. But it won’t deliver his goals in Ukraine
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
23 June 2026

Moscow’s recent engagement with ASEAN and Beijing shows it is not as isolated as Western countries had hoped. But it will not end the war in Ukraine in Russia’s favour.















As G7 leaders restated their united support for Ukraine and vowed to increase economic pressure on Russia, President Vladimir Putin was hosting leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan. There, Putin could point to a very different diplomatic reality: none of the leaders present had severed ties with Russia or joined the West in treating it as an international pariah.This symbolic contrast is important. More than four years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has not been isolated in the way many Western governments expected or hoped. Large parts of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America have continued to engage with Moscow. This is often out of strategic interest rather than sympathy: Russia remains a nuclear power, a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, a major energy exporter and a useful partner for states that do not want the West to define their strategic choices.






Putin’s Asian diplomacy should be taken seriously, but it has its limits.






But the more important issue is whether Putin’s renewed diplomatic visibility represents a real comeback – or rather an attempt to compensate for Russia’s lack of progress in gaining international support for its position on Ukraine.The Kremlin’s challenge is not that Russia has no partners. Putin’s visit to Beijing last month and the Kazan summit, which concluded on a commitment to deepen ASEAN-Russia cooperation, gave Putin political platforms and opportunities to bolster his status. But these partnerships cannot deliver Putin’s priority goal: a political settlement on Ukraine on Russia’s terms.Ukraine remains stuckPutin’s failure to respond meaningfully to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s open letter and invitation to meet is revealing. The Kremlin still appears to believe its ‘strategy’ of endurance will deliver its war aims: hold the line, grind forward where possible, wait out political cycles in the West, and reserve the option of diplomacy for only once the terms have shifted decisively in Russia’s favour.There is a brutal logic to this. Russia has shown that it can sustain a long war. Western support for Ukraine remains politically fragile and the US is increasingly unpredictable. European military production is improving, but not yet at the scale required to transform the war quickly.




































Related work

Hungary’s reset with Ukraine is good news for European deterrence












However, Russia’s endurance has not produced a diplomatic breakthrough. It has so far failed at forcing Ukraine to accept its territorial claims. It has not split the G7 either. And it has not persuaded China, India or ASEAN states to endorse its preferred endgame. The result is that while Russia looks less isolated globally, it has not been able to persuade others to support its position on Ukraine, its most important – if not existential – issue. This is why the recent European debate over opening communication channels with the Kremlin matters. These discussions do not amount to reconciliation. Instead, they show that Europeans are preparing for the diplomatic phase of a long war – even if they disagree between themselves over who should conduct this diplomacy and on what basis.For Moscow, such debate can usefully be presented domestically and internationally as evidence that Europe is slowly realizing it can’t isolate Russia forever. But, in reality, Europe is not preparing to go back to business as usual. It is trying to avoid being excluded from any eventual negotiation while simultaneously rearming, hardening its eastern flank and reducing long-term dependence on Russia. China’s rolePutin’s visit to Beijing in May confirmed China’s central importance to Russia’s wartime resilience. China has become Russia’s indispensable economic partner: a buyer of Russian oil and gas, a supplier of industrial goods and a channel through which Moscow can blunt the impact of Western sanctions.But the Russia–China relationship is not a coalition for victory in Ukraine. Beijing has every interest in Russia distracting the US, weakening Western unity and accelerating the transition towards a more fragmented international order. It has far less interest in being dragged into Russia’s war or absorbing the costs of a direct confrontation with the West over Ukraine.This distinction is crucial. China helps Russia to endure. But it does not help Russia win diplomatically.






The Russia–China relationship is not a coalition for victory in Ukraine.






In fact, the war has made Russia more dependent on China at precisely the moment when Moscow wants to present itself as an independent pole in a multipolar world. The Kremlin can speak of strategic partnership, but the asymmetry is obvious. Russia needs China economically. China values Russia as a useful partner, but not as an equal strategic centre.This limits what Putin’s Beijing diplomacy can achieve. It demonstrates that Russia cannot be excluded from Eurasian politics. It does not demonstrate that Moscow can shape the terms of peace in Europe.The Kazan summitThe ASEAN summit offered a broader test of Russia’s influence in Asia. It shows neither a Russian collapse nor a comeback.For countries seeking to avoid binary choices between Washington and Beijing, maintaining relations with Russia still has value. Russia has long-standing defence ties with several Asian states, important energy roles, and diplomatic weight at the UN. Some governments may also value Moscow as a partner that does not attach liberal political conditions to cooperation. But the quality of Russia’s influence has changed. Before 2022, Moscow could claim to be an autonomous great power in Asia: a third pole alternative to the US and China with military, diplomatic, cultural, political and technological influence.




































Related work

China and Russia’s strategic duo endures – but its limits are clear












The war has weakened that claim. Russia’s defence industry is consumed by Ukraine. Sanctions complicate payments, logistics and technology transfers. Its diplomatic bandwidth is heavily absorbed by the war. Most importantly, its growing dependence on China makes it harder for Asian states to see Moscow as a true counterweight to Beijing. This is especially important in Southeast Asia. ASEAN states do not want to choose between the US and China. But nor are they looking to join a Russian camp. They will trade with Moscow, buy from Moscow where useful, and engage Moscow when it serves their interests. This engagement shows Russia is not isolated, but it does not reflect Russian leadership. Russia collecting herself?Putin’s Asian diplomacy should be taken seriously, but it has its limits. The West’s failure to isolate Russia globally is a real achievement for Moscow. But while Russia’s partners may reject the Western pressure to isolate Moscow, most of them have not endorsed Russia’s war aims. They are preserving options, not joining a project. They are engaging Russia because it is useful, not because they want Russia to define the future of European security.

Mail Online
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Why does the SNP need £19,000 worth of luxury pens? Moment Peter Murrell was caught out as videos show Nicola Sturgeon's husband refusing to answer police over embezzlement
Brazen Peter Murrell refused to comment as detectives grilled him about his embezzlement - and what he would say to party members who were victims of his theft.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How to get a good night's sleep during hot weather
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Digital Trends
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This sneaky photo trick gets AI chatbots to ignore their safety rules
A new exploit out of Florida International University shows how invisible pixel-level changes in a photo can trick AI chatbots into generating responses they would normally block.

Digital Trends
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From Morning Blowouts to Nightly Cleans: Upgrade Your Daily Routine with Laifen’s Exclusive Prime Day Event
Prime Day isn't just about scoring great deals. It's about investing in the habits that help you look, feel, and perform at your best, from smoother starts with the Laifen SE Lite to smarter brushing with the newly launched Wave Pro, now with limited-time savings of up to 40%.

Digital Trends
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I found the best Prime Day headphone deals worth your money, and skipped the noisy junk
Prime Day is flooded with headphone deals, but these Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, JBL, and Beats discounts are the ones I’d check first.

TechRadar News
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Don't waste your money on the Steam Machine — this build at Walmart is cheaper and better

TechRadar News
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This screen-free Wi-Fi streamer promises to save you from Spotify algorithms — turn the Atonemo NTS Radio Player’s dial to choose from 16 ‘Infinite Mixtapes’ and hook it up to your speakers for 24-bit / 192 kHz lossless audio

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Kids off school because of the heatwave? These Prime Day deals will keep them cool and entertained

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I’m a board game aficionado — these are the best Amazon Prime Day deals you need to shop for your next game night hit

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'Absolutely stellar' 2TB Samsung 990 Pro is a 5-star SSD at just $370 — don't miss its superb performance for professionals and gamers with a $270 discount

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Meta investigates security concerns of internal mouse-tracking tech used to track employees and train AI

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From research to reality: fighting industrialized financial crime

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Scream or Skip

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How to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

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Claude is down for many —Anthropic says it's 'investigating' the outage

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'It's ​possible to meet these types of timelines': Trump signs executive orders for quantum computer to be built by 2028

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Prime Day portable power station deal: The ultra-portable Jackery Explorer 240D is 'ready for on-the-go adventures' and it's cheaper than ever

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Under the Radar

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From alert fatigue to autopilot fatigue: How agentic AI shifts cyber risk

Atlas Obscura
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Otternes Bygdetun in Aurland, Norway

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Sons, brothers and husbands. More men are now caregivers for aging relatives.
Guys are stepping up to care for their parents and spouses as the nation gets older. They face unique struggles.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX succumbs to gravity as the stock briefly dips below its debut price on Nasdaq
SpaceX shares are down for the fourth day in a row as the tech sector broadly comes under pressure.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Economy gets boost from World Cup and peace talks with Iran, but it’s not past the danger point
The U.S. economy got some relief in June from declining oil prices and the start of the 2026 World Cup, but it’s still feeling the strain from the conflict with Iran.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Micron and Sandisk lead a sharp tech selloff in a ‘gut-check’ moment for AI stocks
Investors are taking a ‘breather’ from AI-driven momentum, an analyst says

Boing Boing
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Mysterious glowing balls rise from the Mekong every year
Every year around the end of the Buddhist Lent, crowds gather along the Mekong River to watch the Naga fireballs — glowing balls that, according to Wikipedia, "are alleged to naturally rise from the water high into the air." They are said to be "reddish" and to "range in size from smaller sparkles up to the size of basketballs," and "the number of fireballs reported varies between tens and thousands per night." — Read the rest
The post Mysterious glowing balls rise from the Mekong every year appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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For centuries, a cracked Egyptian statue sang at dawn
The Colossi of Memnon are "two large stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III" that have stood on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor since about 1350 BC. According to Wikipedia, each rises about 18 meters and weighs "an estimated 720 tons." — Read the rest
The post For centuries, a cracked Egyptian statue sang at dawn appeared first on Boing Boing.

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JD Vance has written another book? Couldn’t he just concentrate on his day job? | Arwa Mahdawi
As the US tries to limit the damage from the Iran war, its vice-president has admitted he doesn’t understand diplomacy. Of course not: he’s been too busy churning out another memoirHas JD Vance been injecting Barron Trump’s new energy drink straight into his veins? It would explain a few things, including how the man manages to juggle so much. First there’s the parenting: Vance has three young kids and a baby due soon. Then there’s the vice-presidenting. But despite his long to-do list, Vance still makes time for endless holidays. And he’s even managed to get some writing done: the bestselling Hillbilly Elegy author recently published his second book. It’s a memoir about his spiritual journey called Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.So, should you find your way to a bookshop to buy a copy? Most book critics seem to say no. It’s hard to know exactly what regular readers think because two of the biggest review platforms have restricted feedback. Amazon says reviews are limited to verified purchasers because of “unusual review activity” (translation: a torrent of one-star reviews), while Amazon-owned Goodreads has suspended reviews altogether. It’s a shame that Usha Vance, a voracious reader whose Goodreads account notes she just finished Communion (shortly after reading Death Comes for the Archbishop), hasn’t had a chance to give hubby a five-star review. Continue reading...

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Fifa leadership ‘overruled US-based staff’ opposing World Cup dynamic pricing
Some staff in Fifa’s US office favoured different strategyFifa says policy agreed ‘with all areas of the organisation’A number of Fifa’s US-based staff advised against the use of dynamic pricing at the World Cup but were overruled by the world governing body’s leadership, according to multiple sources involved in delivering the tournament.The Guardian has been told that some staff in Fifa’s US office, which is based in Miami, initially favoured a different ticketing strategy to the one that has been used this summer, with the emphasis on more affordable pricing in general admission areas. Continue reading...

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‘There’s a way to fly mindfully. Like, I don’t have my own plane any more’: can DJ megastar Alok make dance music more sustainable?
The Brazilian musician, who collaborates with Indigenous artists and puts millions into philanthropy, explains his mission – and defends his jetsettingWhen Alok, the most successful Brazilian DJ of his generation, was brainstorming the concept for his new live show, he considered calling it Rave New World. “But when I asked a gen Z kid, the daughter of my creative director, she made me realise how pretentious my idea was,” he says. “The grownups trying to find an easy way out for all of our problems.” Instead, “I started figuring out that it’s not about a new world, it’s about this world. We need to ‘Rave the World’.”That new title might still seem trite to some, or hypocritical, coming from someone at the heart of a dance music industry with a heavy carbon footprint from constant flying: when I meet Alok, he’s about to board another plane at a private airport outside São Paulo. But dance music has often had a utopian bent to it, and Alok – who champions Indigenous Brazilians in his work and has partnered with the UN on climate initiatives – is certainly making efforts to better the world. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham have met away from No 10 to discuss transition – UK politics live
Prime minister was said to have left Downing Street for secret meeting with his probable successor Peter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Will Anyone Challenge Burnham For PM?
And, what is Burnham’s economic plan for the country?

Sky News Home
Open 
Artwork blaming Churchill for mass starvation taken down
A video art installation has been taken down from the National Portrait Gallery after a row over its claim about the role of Sir Winston Churchill in the 1943 Bengal famine.

BBC UK News
Open 
Starmer holds talks with Burnham as he seeks 'orderly' transition
The outgoing PM is offering "access talks" with the civil service to Labour leadership candidates.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
From cool-down spots to chalk on windows - how Europeans are coping with the heat
People across the continent are taking measures to cope with the searing temperatures gripping Europe.

Telegraph
Open 
Trachoma
Trachoma

Telegraph
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Soil-transmitted Helminthiases
Soil-transmitted Helminthiases

Telegraph
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Snakebite Envenoming
Snakebite Envenoming

Telegraph
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Syphilis
Syphilis

Telegraph
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Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis

Telegraph
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Chicken Pox (Varicella)
Chicken Pox (Varicella)

Telegraph
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Air pollution
Air pollution

Telegraph
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Floods
Floods

Telegraph
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Solar storm
Solar storm

Telegraph
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Extreme heat
Extreme heat

Russia Today News
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‘Macron has been deposed’: French pensioner shoots police after declaring revolution underway

The Verge
Open 
Hoto’s 25-bit electric screwdriver is 40 percent off during Prime Day
You knew there’d be a Hoto deal, right? Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or tackling a growing list of small repairs around the house, a good electric screwdriver can save you time and effort. Hoto’s 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro is one we love to recommend, especially because it’s on sale for $28.49 […]

HM Treasury
Open 
Government fraud squad hunts down Covid loan scams
A new government counter-fraud squad has launched investigations against those who defrauded the public during the Covid pandemic. | HM Treasury.

Mail Online
Open 
French delays mean Dover's £40m EU check site unlikely to open in time for summer holidays, port chief admits
Port operators said Dover's border processing centre for car passengers was ready to go, but French police have yet to switch on the European Union's computer kiosks.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump cheers much-needed dip in oil prices and declares Strait of Hormuz OPEN… as peace with Iran remains in the balance
President Donald Trump has cheered what he called a record day for global energy shipments, revealing that a staggering 19 million barrels of oil flowed through the critical Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

Mail Online
Open 
Beaming Tiger Woods in surprise first appearance at bombshell PGA Tour announcement after rehab spell and DUI arrest
Woods, 50, has not spoken out publicly since his arrest for DUI near his Jupiter Island home in late March and subsequent trip to rehab in Switzerland.

Mail Online
Open 
Beauty queen, 21, was crushed to death by her own car after it 'slipped' down an icy driveway as she unloaded her belongings, inquest hears
Aspiring social worker Eleisha Skinner, 21, from Faversham in Kent, was studying at Buckinghamshire New University when the accident took place on January 4

Mail Online
Open 
Russell T Davies, 63, breaks his silence on finding love with waiter Oliver Cole, 28, eight years after his husband's heartbreaking death
Russell T Davies has opened up for the first time about his romance with model and waiter Oliver Cole - admitting he never believed he would find love again after being widowed.

BBC UK News
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Major incident declared after bus overturns in crash near roundabout
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Red Roses stars in line for £100K to retain World Cup
The Red Roses' top stars stand to earn £100,000 with England in 2029 should they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Campaigners consider appeal after Gatwick bids fail
A High Court ruling backs Gatwick Airport's expansion after campaigners raise climate concerns.

UK Government News
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Government backs high street with acceleration of cheap import reforms and crackdown on dodgy online sellers
High street businesses are set to benefit from action to level the playing field as the government sets out tax and customs reforms.

UK Government News
Open 
UK and allies Joint Statement on the situation in El Obeid
The United Kingdom and E4+deliver a joint statement on the situation in El Obeid, Sudan.

Nature
Open 
Making samples one billion times bigger lets simple microscopes pinpoint amino acids

Ian Visits
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London to gain another rooftop viewpoint as Tower Hill scheme moves forward
The office scheme known as The Mark has been redesigned to suit its future tenant, while retaining plans for a publicly accessible rooftop terrace.Read more ›

The Aviationist
Open 
Airbus Prepares Ground for Tiger MkIII Upgrades
The Tiger MkIII effort envisages a complete Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) with new targeting and networking suites, learning lessons from current battlefield trends. Airbus Helicopters revealed on Jun. 19, 2026, more details on the upcoming Mark III (MkIII) upgrade program for the Tiger attack helicopter fleets in service with the French and Spanish armed forces. The […]

Deutsche Welle
Open 
India: What’s driving the intense pressure on students?
The reported deaths of aspiring medical students in India have exposed the immense pressures of the country's high-stakes examination system and a worsening mental-health crisis.

Mail Online
Open 
Prison officers warned they could be jailed themselves after admitting relationships with inmate brothers who ran £3m drugs operation
Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, conducted the relationships with inmates Dil and Haq Nawaz while they were working at Buckley Hall Prison in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

ZDNet News
Open 
Best Amazon Prime Day tablet deals: Up to $300 off Samsung, Apple, and Microsoft
We found the best deals on iPads, Surface Pros, and more, as today kicks off Amazon's Prime Day sale.

ZDNet News
Open 
Best Amazon Prime Day deals under $25: Top deals on cheap gadgets I've tested
Check out our curated list of the top cheap Prime Day 2026 device deals, with discounts of up to 55% off.

ZDNet News
Open 
I installed a $17 solar panel onto an outdoor security camera, and it's already paying off
The EverExceed 5V solar panel has done wonders for my security cameras. Here's how.

ZDNet News
Open 
Amazon is selling Garmin watches for up to $500 off right now - I recommend these models
Many of Garmin's signature smartwatches are on sale for Prime Day, including Forerunner, Fenix, and Venu models.

ZDNet News
Open 
23 of the best Prime Day laptop deals (I'd actually buy myself)
Prime Day is here, and we're tracking the best deals on laptops live now, including the latest MacBooks, PCs, and gaming laptops.

ZDNet News
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The best Prime Day smartwatch and fitness tracker deals I'd recommend to optimize my health
I'm a health and wearables editor, and these are some of the top smartwatch, smart ring, and wellness deals I've found for Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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The best Prime Day TV deals actually worth your time: Samsung, Sony, and more
Prime Day 2026 kicks off today. Save thousands right now on early TV deals from LG, Samsung, and Sony all thoroughly vetted and tested by our experts.

ZDNet News
Open 
The best Amazon Prime Day deals: Up to 30% off Anker, Ninja, and Oura (so far)
Amazon's Prime Day is here, and these are our favorite deals you can shop right now.

ZDNet News
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Prime Day is here - these are the best deals under $50 you can grab right now
Amazon Prime Day is packed with affordable tech deals, from Bluetooth speakers and chargers to streaming devices.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Bank of England and Stablecoins: More of a Trust Story
The Bank of England has distributed proposed rules for the issuance of stablecoins, which have pleased some insiders. Chillimint co-founder and MD Andrew Jones says this is indicative that stablecoins are becoming a story more about trust than technology. ChilliMint is a consultancy focused on... Read More

CNET News
Open 
I Got a First Look at Blueair’s First Handheld Fan. Here’s Where It Blows Me Away
I’ve been testing handheld fans over the past few months. Blueair’s new model stands out in two ways.

CNET News
Open 
Here's How to See June's Strawberry Moon Light Up the Sky
Despite its intriguing name, the Strawberry Moon isn't named for the moon's appearance.

CNET News
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MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus Handheld Fires Up Your Windows Gaming
Thanks to the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme, frame rates top those of other devices. FWIW.

CNET News
Open 
Meta's Got New Smart Glasses at a Lower Price, Plus a Kylie Jenner Look
Meta's got a new summer lineup of display-free smart glasses styles, but no changes to its camera design or AI privacy policies.

CNET News
Open 
CNET Shopping Wizards Found This Week’s Best Deals, From Prime Day Savings to New Lows
Prime Day is officially here and the savings are even better than we hoped for.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Streaming Deals 2026: HBO, Paramount Plus, Crunchyroll
Prime Day isn't just about cheap TVs. It's also about cheap stuff to watch on your cheap TV.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11789 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Stirling Area (Close)
Maintenance window passed and no alarm observed

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 10:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 15:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 15:11

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 15:11

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

The Hill
Open 
Trump insists Iran 'fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspections'
President Trump on Tuesday insisted Iran has "fully and completely agreed" to future inspections of its nuclear facilities as negotiators work toward a final peace deal. "Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary, coupled with the drumbeat of the Fake News, which is doing everything possible to make the U.S. Victory as small...

The Hill
Open 
With predictions of divided government, the country faces an oversight storm 
Divided government in our current political climate might make any effective oversight of the executive branch utterly impossible.

The Hill
Open 
DOJ appealing dismissal of human trafficking charges against Abrego Garcia
The Justice Department plans to appeal a federal judge’s decision to toss the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia after determining the case against the mistakenly deported man was vindictive in nature. The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw was a massive victory for Abrego Garcia, who was deported to a notorious Salvadoran megaprison...

The Hill
Open 
Greene joins Carlson in pulling support for Republican Party 
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Monday joined another prominent ex-supporter of President Trump in pulling back their support for the Republican Party. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he “would not support” the GOP following his split with the Trump administration over the U.S. military operations against Iran.  “Tucker is not the...

The Hill
Open 
College sports wants more TV money. Congress should be wary.
The Protect College Sports Act proposes an antitrust exemption that would allow universities and conferences to pool and sell certain media rights collectively, which could increase revenue for college sports but also raise the cost of television and streaming for viewers.

The Hill
Open 
Trump, US receive overwhelmingly negative reviews in new Pew global survey
A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that global views of President Trump are overwhelmingly negative, and fewer people say the U.S. is a reliable partner. Among more than 42,000 respondents across 36 countries, approximately two-thirds expressed no confidence in Trump’s leadership of world affairs. The polling was carried out between Feb. 8...

The Hill
Open 
Newsom, Vance face challenges; Democrats gather for Obama: Join the live discussion
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) says he's under investigation by the Justice Department. Is that a political gift or a political problem? Vice President Vance is leading the U.S. talks with Iran. Is that a political opportunity or roadblock? Plus, Democrats gather in Chicago to celebrate former President Obama’s legacy and the recent dedication of...

The Hill
Open 
O'Reilly: Pentagon not war-gaming Strait of Hormuz a strategic error
Commentator Bill O'Reilly on Monday said the Pentagon's strategic error in the Iran war is that it did not war-game the possibility of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. "Once major error by the Pentagon is they did not war game the Strait of Hormuz. I can't explain it; nobody knows why they didn't," O'Reilly...

The Hill
Open 
Rubio meeting with Gulf allies to shore up support for Iran deal
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to the Middle East on Tuesday for three days of talks with Gulf allies about the preliminary U.S. agreement with Iran and efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio will visit the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, key U.S. allies that have come...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Merlin the duck and a Van Gogh pool: photos of the day – Tuesday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ransom note about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance says she died, according to reports
Note reportedly said kidnappers her didn’t mean to kill mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, but she died shortly after her disappearanceA ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie – the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie – said the 84-year-old had died, CNN and other news organizations are reporting, citing law enforcement sources.Some media outlets had previously reported receiving ransom notes tied to the case in the days after Guthrie’s disappearance in early February from her home in the foothills just outside Tucson, Arizona.Guardian staff contributed reporting Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tomljanovic accuses anti-doping chiefs of being out to get players after Vondrousova ban
Australian veteran says four-year ban is a ‘disgrace’ITIA says strong testing means unpredictable timingAjla Tomljanovic has described the lengthy doping ban administered to Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon singles champion, as a disgrace and she has accused the tennis anti-doping authorities of being out to get players even when they have done nothing wrong.The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Monday that Vondrousova had been handed a four-year suspension by an independent tribunal after the Czech player had refused to provide a sample to a doping control officer at her home last December at around 8pm. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
I’m Australian, so I know how to cope with heatwaves: here are my tips for keeping cool
As parts of the UK swelter, try these low-energy ways to cool down – from fly screens and no-cook meals to air coolers that use a fraction of the electricity of aircon• The best cooling fansWhere I grew up, snow days were a foreign concept. Instead, children looked to the other end of the thermometer when hoping for a day off school. Playground rumour had it that when the temperature reached more than 40C, classes would be cancelled.I finished primary school at the turn of the century, so never saw that theory tested. But as the climate crisis intensifies, throughout much of south-eastern Australia, we’ve come to expect at least one 40C day each summer. That means subsequent cohorts of Australian children are learning that temperature triggers for school closure were only ever an urban legend. Instead, in many schools, hot weather means staying indoors during break and lunch. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Murder inquiry after body found in search for missing girl, 14, in south Wales
Formal identification yet to take place but family of Lilly, who was reported missing on Saturday, have been informedPolice have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing 14-year-old girl in south Wales.The body was found in Duffryn Park in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday, the police force said in a statement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe heatwave live: Forty people drown in France; Met Office warns UK temperatures could reach 39C
French PM to hold emergency meeting after heat deaths; ‘London is cooking,’ says UN secretary generalTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at nightItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Reader Q&A: ask Rafael Behr your questions now
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr will be here at pm to answer your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more.Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsWelcome to our latest Q&A with a Guardian journalist. Raf will be joining us at 5pm. We have originally asked him to take questions about Brexit as we mark 10 years since the UK’s vote to leave the EU. But … you may well have questions about the last 48 hours as Andy Burnham looks certain to become the next prime minister.In the meantime, though, Andrew Sparrow is covering another busy and dramatic day in Westminster on the politics live blog and here’s some more on the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership: Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
Burnham to get briefings from officials on taking over as prime minister
Sir Keir Starmer is offering "access talks" with the civil service to Labour leadership candidates.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
How Semenyo overcame rejection to reach the World Cup with Ghana
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Leading Pakistan activist given life sentence over soldier's killing at rally
Human rights campaigner Mahrang Baloch denied inciting protesters before the official's death.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
PM to push ahead with controversial defence plan despite resignation
The government says it is still planning to publish the spending proposals before a Nato Summit on 7 July.

Mail Online
Open 
Fresh footage shows violence at French music festival where women were injected with date-rape drugs amid carnage - as one woman describes being 'attacked by North Africans'
In one clip, a man appears to swing a barstool at a car and a group of men, while others nearby kick and stomp on another man as he lies in the street.

Mail Online
Open 
Wife, 72, fatally stabbed 'kind-hearted' husband, 84, then lied that he must have fallen on paring knife blade when he dropped her lunch tray
Daryl Berman, 72, third wife of David Berman, claimed he must have 'stumbled' while carrying her tray at their home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, with the blade penetrating his chest.

Mail Online
Open 
National Portrait Gallery display which claimed Sir Winston Churchill deliberately allowed Indians to starve to death is removed following outcry
Artist Helen Cammock's 40-minute video entitled 'Persistence' referred to 'the wilful starvation of the Indian population by Winston Churchill'.

Mail Online
Open 
Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter sizzles in a VERY daring dress as she and co-star Jennifer Metcalfe beat the scorching heatwave in sheer ensembles at the TRIC Awards
Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter sizzled in a very daring dress as she led the arrivals on the red carpet at the TRIC Awards on Tuesday. 

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Florida Man Attempts to Steal Medical Helicopter at I-75 Crash Scene
A Florida man tried to steal a medical helicopter staged to transport patients from an I-75 crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Delta Crew Averts Disaster at Boston Logan in Last-Second Go-Around
Delta pilots executed a rapid go-around at Boston Logan to avoid disaster with an American Airlines Boeing 737.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Norwegian Flight Stockholm-Bilbao Declares Emergency
In the last 15 minutes or so, Norwegian flight D84257 from Stockholm has declared an emergency during it's descent into Bilbao.

Mail Online
Open 
50 shades of red! Baked Britons reveal their sore skin and awkward tan lines after getting sunburnt during scorcher heatwave
The UK has endured a scorcher of a week so far, and it's only set to get hotter with temperatures expected to hit 40C. But some Britons were ill-prepared for the hot weather.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
EU faces fierce criticism over plans to host Taliban in Brussels
Rights campaigners and MEPs say meeting would normalise regime that erases women from public lifeRights campaigners and MEPs have warned that a meeting between EU officials and a Taliban delegation in Brussels risks normalising a regime that has banned girls from school beyond the sixth grade and sought to erase women from public life, while its ranks include two leaders accused of crimes against humanity.A spokesperson for the Afghan foreign ministry confirmed that a delegation representing the ⁠Taliban had travelled to Brussels after the Belgian foreign ministry issued five single-day visas. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Manfred defends MLB’s response to Bible verses on players’ Pride caps
San Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on hatsMLB had warned players over violation of league rulesMLB commissioner Rob Manfred has defended the league’s policy over Pride celebrations in a letter to Republican senator Josh Hawley.Most of MLB’s 30 teams celebrate Pride month with a themed game to acknowledge the LGBTQ community and its baseball fans. During a 12 June game against the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on their hats, which featured the Giants’ logo in rainbow colors, while pitcher Sam Hentges chose not to wear the themed cap at all. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
ECB reviews Yorkshire’s £1.75m payment to CEO’s company over Hundred sale
Sanjay Patel owns more than 75% of SMP73’s sharesCounty say work was done before his appointmentThe England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to review a payment of £1.75m from Yorkshire to a company controlled by their chief executive, Sanjay Patel, for consultancy work relating to the Hundred sale.The club’s 2025 accounts, which were circulated to members last month, show that Patel’s company SMP73 Ltd received a commission of £1.75m last year for “corporate broker services in connection with the sale of Northern Superchargers Limited”. Patel was one of the key architects of the Hundred in his previous role at the ECB and was among a small group of executives who received bonuses worth a combined £2.1m in 2022. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Body found in south Wales believed to be missing 14-year-old girl
Gwent police launch murder investigation as Blaenau Gwent councillor says people are ‘devastated’ by the newsPolice have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing 14-year-old girl in south Wales.The body was found in Duffryn Park in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday, the police force said in a statement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell’s spending habitUK politics live – latest updatesPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party while he was its chief executive.Murrell stole the money over a 12-year period, splashing out on a luxury motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens and luxury watches, a set of Lalique salt and pepper grinders and 2kg of coffee granules. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
UK braces for 'hottest day ever': Schools close early, Army cancels ceremonial duties, lidos book up and people are warned not to travel in 40C 'heat dome'
At least 312 are fully or partially closing, with parents being told their children can wear PE kits and sandals amid parts of England being placed on red alert over extreme temperatures.

Sky News Home
Open 
Toddler suffered 'campaign of violence' before alleged murder
A toddler was subjected to a "campaign of violence" before allegedly being murdered by her mother and her boyfriend, a court has heard.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'Hunger and belief' - the mantra that has taken Semenyo to World Cup
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.

Mac Rumours
Open 
AirPods Prime Day Deals Arrive With AirPods Max 2 at $399 and AirPods 4 at $99
Amazon Prime Day has arrived, and today you can find record low prices on nearly every AirPods model on Amazon. This includes the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



The highlight of AirPods deals this Prime Day is the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399.00 in all colors, down from $549.00, which is a new all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00.



$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$69 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $179.99

$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



In terms of the AirPods Pro 3, we're tracking these at $179.99 as of writing, down from $249.00. These were about $10 cheaper in early Prime Day sales, but we aren't sure if or when that sale will return. For now, the current price is still a solid second-best offer on the AirPods Pro 3.



Shoppers should note that many sales during Amazon Prime Day require you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



For even more Prime Day deals, be sure to visit our main article recapping all of the best Apple deals for Prime Day. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'AirPods Prime Day Deals Arrive With AirPods Max 2 at $399 and AirPods 4 at $99' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Prime Day Delivers Steep Price Cuts on 2026 M4 iPad Air
Amazon has brought back a major sale on the M4 iPad Air for Prime Day, with all-time low prices on nearly every model of the tablet. This includes both 11-inch and 13-inch models of the brand new 2026 M4 iPad Air.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Specifically, the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Air has dropped to $519.99, down from $599.00, which is a match of the record low price. You'll also find low prices on the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch model and two 13-inch models, all of which we're only tracking on Amazon.



$79 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $519.99

$89 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $609.99

$99 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $699.99

$109 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $789.99



The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, C1X modem, and N1 networking chip, which brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In terms of design, the 2026 models are identical to the 2025 iPad Air tablets, with an edge-to-edge display, slim bezels, and aluminum chassis.



Shoppers should note that many sales during Amazon Prime Day require you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



For even more Prime Day deals, be sure to visit our main article recapping all of the best Apple deals for Prime Day. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'Prime Day Delivers Steep Price Cuts on 2026 M4 iPad Air' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Meta Launches Its Own $299 Smart Glasses Ahead of Apple's Debut
Meta today unveiled its first smart glasses sold under its own brand rather than Ray-Ban or Oakley, undercutting its existing lineup on price as it works to expand its lead in the category before Apple enters the market.





The new Adventurer and Fury models are priced at $299, $80 less than the second-generation Ray-Ban ‌Meta‌ Wayfarer that launched last year. A third model, the Starfire, was designed in collaboration with Kylie Jenner and costs $399.



EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley, is manufacturing the glasses despite ‌Meta‌ designing them in-house and putting its own name on them, with EssilorLuxottica's logo appearing on the temple arms and packaging alongside ‌Meta‌'s.



The Adventurer has a rectangular Wayfarer-like shape available in standard and large sizes, while the Fury shares that silhouette but is thicker. The Starfire takes a slimmer oval shape and includes a small gemstone on the right lens near the camera, a metal nose pad designed to resist makeup residue, and the option to set an AI-generated version of Jenner's voice for the assistant and onboarding prompts. The Starfire's case includes a handwritten note from Jenner and a built-in mirror.



Across all three styles, ‌Meta‌ added a three-way adjustable nose pad, adjustable temple tips, and overextension hinges so the arms flare out slightly for wider head shapes. The companies are offering 26 color and lens combinations between the Adventurer and Fury alone, including tortoise, black, and green finishes, plus transition, polarized, and clear lens options, and the glasses support prescription lenses with a power range of -12 to +2.25.



The new glasses carry over the same 12-megapixel camera, 3K video capture, five-microphone array, and eight-hour battery life as the existing Ray-Ban ‌Meta‌ Gen 2 glasses, with the included case adding about 40 hours of additional charge. ‌Meta‌ is also offering a separate ‌Meta‌ Glasses Charging Stand compatible with the new models as well as the Ray-Ban ‌Meta‌ and Oakley ‌Meta‌ HSTN lines.



The glasses ship with ‌Meta‌'s Muse Spark AI model, which the company says improves response quality and adds 14 new languages to live translation support, including Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, and Hindi, bringing the total to 20. A new "Dynamic Photo" feature captures a burst of images and selects the best shot, and pedestrian turn-by-turn navigation is coming to the camera-equipped lineup after debuting on ‌Meta‌'s display glasses.



According to Bloomberg, ‌Meta‌ also hinted that it's considering a version of its glasses without a camera, focusing on an audio-only experience for phone calls, media playback and interacting with its AI tools. A camera-free option could both lower the price point and enable new styles, it said, given the need to include fewer components.



The company also addressed Apple directly, calling the iPhone maker "formidable" in the space ahead of its own glasses debut. "I think you need to take anything they do seriously," ‌Meta‌'s Alex Himel said, adding, "they're good at hardware, they're good at design. There's a number of places where we won't necessarily be able to build the same quality consumer experience when paired with the phone, and so I think they're taking advantage of that."



Apple is widely expected to release its first smart glasses in 2027, designed in-house rather than through a partner brand. Apple's glasses will likely rely on a camera, microphones, and Siri for AI-driven features without an integrated display, putting them in direct competition with ‌Meta‌'s camera-equipped lineup rather than higher-end display models like ‌Meta‌'s Ray-Ban Display glasses.



‌Meta‌ said it explored facial recognition tools for identifying people the wearer knows but has not put the feature into active development while it works through privacy and societal concerns.



The Adventurer, Fury, and Starfire glasses are available starting today through ‌Meta‌ and EssilorLuxottica retail partners including LensCrafters.Tag: MetaThis article, 'Meta Launches Its Own $299 Smart Glasses Ahead of Apple's Debut' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mail Online
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James Martin, 53, shows off his 3 stone weight-loss as he makes a rare red carpet appearance with glam fiancée Kim Johnson, 39, at the TRIC Awards
The chef, 53, cut a suave figure as he displayed his noticeably trimmer frame on the TRIC Awards red carpet alongside his fiancée, Kim Johnson.

Mail Online
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Dan Walker lambasts former Channel 5 co-star Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije as he breaks his silence on 'terrible' three years
The Channel 5 presenter, 49, who is vocal about his Christianity, spoke for the first time about his 'terrible' three years and his desire to now 'move on' with his life.

The Guardian (UK)
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Football Daily | The World Cup stage is set for a Golden Boot shootout for the ages
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!In 10 of the past 12 World Cups, six goals has been the standard to bag yourself the Golden Boot. Usually a goal per game will suffice. In fact, on two occasions (in 2006 and 2010) a mere five strikes has been enough. Yet a quick glance at the current 2026 Geopolitics World Cup Golden Boot standings after most teams have played two games sees Lionel Messi top of the tree with five goals already from his two outings, having broken Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record in the process. The Argentinian’s latest two goals came in a 2-0 victory over Austria in which neither Argentina nor Messi did anything of note other than score – aside from the great man shanking an early penalty miles wide, which is becoming quite the common occurrence for Messi. Think how many World Cup goals he would have if he could beat a goalkeeper from 12 yards (answer: 21, three more than he has).
Lurking just behind are the pretenders to Messi’s golden throne, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who between them are tearing up Group I with four goals apiece. Both the Norwegian and French frontmen have been donated at least one goal by careless Iraqi and Senegalese defenders so far, but have looked razor-sharp up top and will soon meet in a tasty decider to see who tops the group. Both, you suspect, will have designs on ensuring Messi does not hold the World Cup scoring record for long, with Mbappé already level with Klose, two behind the Argentinian. Haaland, in his debut World Cup, is already one goal behind legends like Raul, Romario and Roger Milla, who only managed five across their careers.
The Fifa suits must be loving the fact all the big sexy names are firing on their global stage. It’s as if Big Gianni himself wrote the script, beaming in the knowledge that goals are a universally beloved currency, a useful tool in helping brush all the unpleasantness under the carpet. Even aside from the aforementioned trio, Harry Kane has bagged a double in his only game, Vinícius Júnior has two for the tournament so far and two of the host nations have superstar strikers (of sorts) in the shape of USA USA USA figurehead Folarin Balogun and Canadian ace Jonathan David. There is a significant striking name missing from this list, a longtime rival of Messi’s, but Football Daily is struggling to remember who that might be. Gah.
Consider that this unique GWC will give top strikers an extra game in which to fill their scoring boots and maybe Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup, which has stood since 1958, might come under threat. It is possible, likely even, we will get a player in double figures for the first time since Gerd Müller hit 10 in Mexico 1970. What seems certain is this is a golden boot race for the ages, contested by the best players on the planet. For all the cynicism and moral fatigue surrounding this GWC, that is something most lovers of football can get on board with. More goals please, guys.ITV’s Sam Matterface on Egypt scoring against New Zealand: ‘They’ll be celebrating that goal all the way from Cairo to Giza!’ Coming soon (hopefully): England celebrate a goal all the way from London to Heathrow airport” – Keith Razey.May I also wade into English v Spanish GWC viewing debate (Football Daily letters passim). I’m Team Telemundo, owing to existing subscriptions and a well-founded antipathy towards Fox Corp. While I can’t understand a thing, I was delighted to see journeyman striker Roque Santa Cruz acting as a pundit the other night. It also got me intrigued to know equivalent figures in each language’s coverage: I’d love to know from our Spanish-speaking friends if there are Telemundo Roy Keanes, Mark Chapmans, Kelly Cates, Ian Wrights, Andy Townsends or (shudder) Robbie Savages out there. ¡Te deseo lo mejor! “ – Martin Clifford.As a Spurs fan I am keener than ever for the GWC to be over and the new season of the Premier League to commence. However, if you call up the table for the 2026-27 season, it is listed in alphabetical order and by this sorting method, Tottenham already sit bottom. I never thought that I would find a reason to regret West Ham being relegated” – Greg Wynn.I fear James Vortkamp-Tong’s missive (yesterday’s Football Daily letters) is a familiar spin on an email seen here many moons ago. Possibly about Watford. However, like Dad’s Army repeats, it is admittedly more amusing than newer material. Can’t beat the classics” – Andrew Taylor. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘A new world has been opened up’: how a London street got filled with art – and brought the neighbours together
From a mural in a baby’s bedroom to a sound sculpture designed to be played out of a convertible, top contemporary artists rose to the challenge of making work for one lucky communityIn 1986, an exhibition called Chambres d’Amis took contemporary art beyond the confines of the museum setting and into the homes of 58 residents in Ghent. Forty years on, a similar experiment is taking place, but on a small street in Peckham, south-east London.Rooms of Neighbours is the brainchild of curator Ben Broome, who came across Chambres d’Amis when he was between institutional jobs. With time on his hands and an urge to get to know his neighbours better, he began to wonder how he could apply the idea to his own community, but with a broader focus. Unlike the exhibition in Ghent, which mostly took place in the homes of art world friends and museum patrons, his own street – a mix of council and privately owned flats and houses – represented a wider demographic, with different age groups, social classes and diasporas. Few of the residents had any prior connection to the art world, he tells me: “The majority of people have never been to the Tate; they have never even been to the South London Gallery, which is a local institution. But that’s not to say some of the neighbours aren’t really creative.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’d pause then carry on’: Peter Marinker, star of Krapp’s Last Tape, on performing with Alzheimer’s
The 84-year-old actor has spent decades bringing Samuel Beckett’s plays to life. Does his recent diagnosis give him new insights into playing ‘sad clown’ Krapp in a drama about age and the battlefield of memory?What a lot of Krapp. Pardon my French but Samuel Beckett’s haunting 1958 masterpiece about regret and isolation is having a moment. Stephen Rea recently took Krapp’s Last Tape on an international tour, Gary Oldman returned to the stage after decades away to deliver the tragicomic one-man show and this summer Stockard Channing will direct it at the Edinburgh fringe, with David Westhead as Krapp. Beckett’s eponymous loner, who sits in his dark den and ritually listens to tapes he made as a younger man, is riding a new wave of popularity.Peter Marinker first played Krapp half a lifetime ago and is preparing to star in a new production, reusing the tapes he recorded in 1983. How does he feel listening back now? “I thought of redoing them – it could have been better,” he says when we meet at the tiny Cockpit theatre in London. That assessment matches the spirit of the self-lacerating Krapp who looks back not just in anger but anguish. Marinker quotes Dennis Potter, who said we should consider our past with “tender contempt”. He adds wryly: “That rang a bell.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Body found in south Wales believed to be missing 14-year-old girl
Gwent police launch murder investigation as Blaenau Gwent councillor says people are ‘devastated’ by the newsPolice have launched a murder investigation after the discovery of a body believed to be a missing 14-year-old girl in south Wales.The body was found in Duffryn Park in the town of Blaina, Blaenau Gwent at approximately 10.10pm on Monday night, the police force said in a statement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at night
France has its hottest night on record, 15 Italian cities under red heat alert and UN chief says London is ‘cooking’Europe heatwave live – latest updatesForty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas across France in recent days, the prime minister has said, as people across the country sought respite from the record-breaking heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.“There is a tragic scourge of drownings,” Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday. “The latest figures we’ve received are 40 deaths since 18 June. Most of the victims are young people.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From yoghurt to luxury sails: how to shade your home from supercharged UK heatwaves
As hot weather becomes more common, companies and homeowners are coming up with innovative ways to keep properties coolWhen graphic designer Marc Alabaster had a new set of glass doors installed at his West Sussex home eight years ago, he soon realised how they magnified the heat of the afternoon sun.“The kitchen was 40-plus degrees,” he said. Then he went on holiday to Spain and saw an apartment building wrapped in louvre-like rows of angled fins or blades that shaded the external walls against the sun. Continue reading...

Chatham House
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From Values to Action: Where do LGBTIQ+ rights sit in UK foreign policy?
From Values to Action: Where do LGBTIQ+ rights sit in UK foreign policy?
30
June 2026 — 17:30 TO 19:30 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
5 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
In an increasingly contested world order and with global threats to LGBTIQ+ rights, experts discuss a path forward for LGBTIQ+ rights and the rule of law in UK foreign policy. This panel discussion will be followed by a reception and networking.
In an increasingly contested world order and global threats to LGBTIQ+ rights, experts discuss a path forward for LGBTIQ+ rights and the rule of law in UK foreign policy.
LGBTIQ+ rights are a meaningful but increasingly complicated pillar of UK foreign policy. The UK has positioned LGBTIQ+ rights as an integral aspect of its foreign policy, from diplomacy to development and international advocacy. But UK foreign policy on LGBTIQ+ issues has been shaped by challenges of aid cuts, changing political priorities at home and the wider world order. LGBTIQ+ people in the UK continue to face significant systemic issues, including hate crimes, discrimination, healthcare disparities and transphobia. UK foreign policy also operates in an increasingly contested normative world order, with rising global backlash against LGBTIQ+ rights. To commemorate Pride Month, Chatham House’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group has the privilege of convening a panel bringing together leading voices to examine what lies ahead for the UK’s foreign policy approach towards LGBTIQ+ rights, and a networking reception.What role does advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights currently play in UK foreign policyHow might the UK’s commitment to protecting the rule of law and LGBTIQ+ rights - at home and abroad - advance its soft power?How does the UK’s domestic record on LGBTIQ+ rights affect its legitimacy as a global advocate?This panel is followed by a reception and networking.

Autosport F1
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From simulator to stopwatch: The creative evidence teams have used to dispute F1 race results
Formula 1 teams have the power to appeal penalties imposed by the stewards over a race weekend. But to do so, they must present new evidence that hasn’t yet been seen before by F1’s law enforcement.As a result, teams have investigated every avenue of the series to uncover new, creative and clever evidence that they believe could help them attempt to overturn a racing result.Read ...Keep reading

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Will England fans in Boston follow Scotland's lead?
After Scotland win the hearts of Boston, can England fans follow in their footsteps?

Digital Trends
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These Tineco deals come with an extra discount most shoppers will miss
Prime Day deals are arriving early, and Tineco is offering discounts on some of its most popular floor care devices from June 23 through June 26. Even better, Digital Trends readers can stack additional savings on top of sale pricing by using the exclusive code DIGITALTRENDS for an extra 6% off all Tineco devices (excluding […]

Digital Trends
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Samsung leak claims a bevy of snazzy colors for upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8
Samsung’s next foldables may come in a wide range of colors, including Mint, Pink, Pistachio, Green Shadow, and Violet Shadow, according to a new leak.

Digital Trends
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The Best Tineco Prime Day Deals to Upgrade Your Cleaning Routine  
Prime Day is often the best time of the year to invest in premium home appliances, and Tineco’s 2026 Prime Day sale is shaping up to be one of its biggest yet. Known for its innovative floor-care technology, Tineco has become a go-to brand for households looking to simplify cleaning with smart, multi-functional solutions designed to save time and […]

Digital Trends
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These Viaim Prime Day deals could change the way you attend meetings and take notes 
Tired of splitting your attention between the discussion and your notes? Viaim's AI-driven devices are engineered to capture the details for you, and these Prime Day deals make them more affordable than ever.

Digital Trends
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Meta launches its own smart glasses and one of them is designed by Kylie Jenner
Meta has unveiled its first self-branded smart glasses, including a special Kylie Jenner edition and the debut of the company's new MuseSpark AI platform.

Digital Trends
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Meta was sneakily tracking its employees, but soon shut it down after an internal leak
Meta halted its employee tracking program, which collected keystrokes, screen content, and mouse movements, after sensitive data was leaked internally.

TechRadar News
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I've been using these Sony headphones for years, and I still haven't felt the need to upgrade — if you want headphones with longevity, they're now an amazing bargain

TechRadar News
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'Our goal is to reach every corner of the market': Meta CTO Andrew 'Boz' Bosworth on the new $299 EssilorLuxotica Meta Glasses

TechRadar News
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I'm not joking: the iPhone Air is the best-value phone purchase you can make this Prime Day — for two very different reasons

TechRadar News
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'Going to make myself stick with SteamOS instead of slithering back to Windows': gamers get ready to abandon Windows 11, as Valve focuses on boosting SteamOS on the desktop

TechRadar News
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The DJI Mini 4K falls to a scarcely believable low price — here's why it's your best value first drone

TechRadar News
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I went behind the scenes of National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses — and this 'astonishing' production is finally coming to screens this week

TechRadar News
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Tata Electronics confirm data breach, with hackers claiming 200,000 Apple, Tesla files stolen

TechRadar News
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Kids off school because of the heatwave? These cheap Prime Day deals for keeping cool and entertained have next day delivery

TechRadar News
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Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: two noise-cancelling flagship headphones, one winner for design, sound, ANC and value

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Stock investors expect the Fed to save them. But no ‘Warsh put’ is coming.
Wall Street’s belief in a central bank safety net misreads the dot-com crash. Alan Greenspan was following rules — not saving portfolios.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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This strategy got me a $155 refund on a canceled flight — even when the airline pushed back
Plus: Know your rights as a passenger — and what you’re entitled to if an airline cancels your flight for any reason.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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McCullum confused by stories of rift as Stokes returns
Head coach Brendon McCullum said he remains "good friends" with England captain Ben Stokes and the pair have "no idea" why rumours of a rift have emerged.

Mail Online
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Mother of two children found dead in car during French heatwave 'forgot about them while she was shopping'
The brothers, aged just four and two, were found unresponsive by their mother on Monday afternoon in the French town of Carpentras in a car parked outside their grandmother's house.

Mail Online
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POLL OF THE DAY: Is it right for Andy Burnham to become the next Prime Minister without a contest?
Andy Burnham could be installed as Prime Minister in just three weeks, without anyone outside the constituency of Makerfield having voted for him.

Mail Online
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'It will take me some time to get to forgiveness': Dan Walker lambasts former Channel 5 co-star Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije as he breaks his silence on 'terrible' three years
The Channel 5 presenter, 49, who is vocal about his Christianity, spoke for the first time about his 'terrible' three years and his desire to now 'move on' with his life.

Mail Online
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Teenage girl, 18, was killed in head-on car crash deliberately caused by schizophrenic woman who thought the Russians wanted to kill her
Josie Cartwright, 18, suffered catastrophic injuries on June 2 2024 when Alexandra Bordas drove her Renault Clio into her in Cheshire.

Boing Boing
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There is a real Swiss political party devoted to abolishing PowerPoint
The Anti-PowerPoint Party is a real Swiss political party "dedicated to decreasing professional use of Microsoft PowerPoint and other forms of presentation software." According to Wikipedia, the party claims presentation software "causes national-economic damage amounting to 2.1 billion CHF" a year and lowers the quality of a presentation in "95% of the cases." — Read the rest
The post There is a real Swiss political party devoted to abolishing PowerPoint appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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The masked prisoner of Louis XIV whose name was never spoken
The Man in the Iron Mask was "an unidentified prisoner of state during the reign of Louis XIV of France." According to Wikipedia, he was arrested in 1669 under the name "Eustache Dauger" and "held for 34 years in the custody of Bénigne Dauvergne de Saint-Mars in four successive French prisons, including the Bastille." — Read the rest
The post The masked prisoner of Louis XIV whose name was never spoken appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Bright Horizons nursery chain served safeguarding notice by Ofsted
The Bright Horizons nursery chain may not be meeting safeguarding and welfare needs, Ofsted says.

Telegraph
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Britain ‘failed to intervene in Sudan massacre to maintain UAE ties’
Officials ignored intelligence on the ‘genocidal’ siege of El Fasher to protect relations with Abu Dhabi, parliamentary committee told

The Guardian (UK)
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Nissan ‘shelves all-electric Qashqai plans’ as it cuts costs
Firm has been developing full EV version of its top-selling model in Europe at its plant in SunderlandBusiness live – latest updatesNissan has reportedly stopped developing a fully electric version of its Qashqai, its top-selling model in Europe, as the Japanese carmaker seeks to cut a fifth of its models and slash costs.The carmaker quietly halted development of a full EV version of the Qashqai at Sunderland, the site of the UK’s largest car factory, last year, according to a report by Reuters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Jordan fan dies in crowd crush; criticism of Ronaldo and Portugal ‘unfair’; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at night
France has its hottest night on record, 15 Italian cities under red heat alert and UN chief says London is ‘cooking’Europe heatwave live – latest updatesForty people have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas across France in recent days, the prime minister has said, as people across the country sought respite from the record-shattering heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.“There is a tragic scourge of drownings,” Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday. “The latest figures we’ve received are 40 deaths since 18 June. Most of the victims are young people.” Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Kenya Health Minister says halting US-backed Ebola quarantine center
Health Minister Aden Duale told a court he ordered an immediate stop to construction, after being held in contempt for ignoring previous court orders. The plans to set up the facility prompted protests and unrest.

The Verge
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Meta launches cheaper smart glasses without Ray-Ban
For the past three years, "Meta" and "Ray-Ban" have been synonymous in the smart glasses space. Not anymore. Yesterday, I slipped on several pairs of Meta Glasses - no Ray-Bans - in three different styles and seven colors. One style, I was told several times by various enthusiastic Meta spokespeople, is a collaboration with socialite […]

The Verge
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I’m not giving up my Steam Deck for MSI’s new Claw
This is not a review of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus, the first gaming handheld available with Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme handheld gaming chip. Now that my colleague Sean Hollister is done reviewing the Steam Machine, I'll let him go deep on the new Claw at some point in the future. This […]

The Verge
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Valve confirms it’s working with Intel and Nvidia on SteamOS for more GPUs
MSI's Intel-powered Claw gaming handhelds have so far mostly been Windows machines, meaning that anyone who picks one up has to deal with the crusty experience that is Windows on a handheld gaming PC. But now, both Valve and Intel tell The Verge that they're working with each other, and people like YouTuber ETA Prime […]

The Verge
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My go-to Kindle is back at its best price yet for Prime Day
If you’ve been thinking about picking up a Kindle, Amazon’s Prime Day sale is a great time to do it. The retailer is currently offering steep discounts on several of its e-readers, including the latest Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage and ads, which is down to $124.99 ($35 off) at Amazon. If you’d prefer […]

The Verge
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Sony’s AI Camera Assistant is exactly as bad as it looks
When Sony announced the Xperia 1 VIII last month, it promoted the phone by sharing some of the worst photos taken on a Sony camera in years. These weren't just any photos, though: they were taken with Sony's new AI Camera Assistant. After a week with the Xperia 1 VIII, I'm here to tell you […]

The Verge
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The Oura Ring 4 is as low as $226 for Prime Day
Yes, the Oura Ring 5 just launched. But if you’re looking for a bargain and don’t mind a slightly thicker smart ring, then copping the last-gen Oura Ring 4 is still a smart and savvy move. Especially since the price is as low as $226 in most sizes and color schemes at Amazon for Prime […]

BBC World News
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Irish government to contribute £197m to cross-border rail services
The money will come from the last allocation from the Irish government's Shared Island Fund.

Sky News Home
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Two men have admitted carrying out a cyber attack which cost Transport for London (TfL) an estimated £39m.

BBC UK News
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HM Treasury
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Chancellor Announces Jonathan Haskel as Preferred Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility
Professor Jonathan Haskel CBE has been nominated as candidate for the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) | HM Treasury.

Nature
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A 1970s patent that changed the course of commercial biotechnology

UK Government News
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A new government counter-fraud squad has launched investigations against those who defrauded the public during the Covid pandemic.

Harvard Business Review
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Harvard Business Review
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Each has its own financial logic and strategic implications.

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN
Trump Insists Iran Caved On Nuclear Inspections, As Tehran Touts US To Unfreeze $12BN

Summary

Conflicting Claims Remain: Washington and Tehran continue to dispute whether Iran agreed to extensive IAEA nuclear inspections and the terms of sanctions relief.
$12 Billion Asset Release: Iran says $12 billion in frozen assets will be released initially, with total relief potentially reaching $50 billion if a final deal is reached.
Battle Over Fund Control: The US says released funds would be restricted to humanitarian purchases, while Iran insists it will decide how to use its own money.
Oil Relief and Hormuz: Temporary sanctions relief for Iranian oil exports has begun, and both sides say the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping.
Fragile Progress & a Russian Role? Iran is considering sending enriched uranium to Russia, but regional tensions and unresolved issues still threaten the talks.
*  *  *

Trump Insists Iran Agreed to 'Highest Level' of Nuclear Inspections

With a number of issues still up in the air, amid claims and counter-claims coming after Switzerland - from nuclear inspectors accessing Iran to how Tehran is able to use its soon to be unfrozen funds - President Trump heightens the drama by issuing a Tuesday morning Truth Social message regarding the negotiations

Trump insists that Iran has agreed to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections, calling it a guarantee of "Nuclear Honesty" and stressing that there would have been "no further negotiations" without such a commitment. He also says the US will allow the Strait of Hormuz to remain "OPEN" and is not pursuing a naval blockade, though military assets remain in place if conditions change.

According to Trump, any sanctions relief or released Iranian funds will be held in US-controlled escrow and can only be used to purchase food and medical supplies from the United States, including "Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers."

Trump now characterizes the situation in Iran as a "humanitarian crisis" and concluded that "Talks are going well!!".


Trump says "Iran has fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future" and yet adds "If they did not agree to this, there would be no further negotiations"
Iran has repeatedly said it has not agreed to this pic.twitter.com/SI82IXb1hf
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 23, 2026
Iran Touts $12BN in Frozen Assets to Be Released, Will Use How it Pleases

Among the biggest latest developments in the immediate wake of the Switzerland meeting is that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has announced an agreement has been reached for the United States to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

It also comes after the US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief, namely freeing up Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until August 1st. Concerning the frozen asset partial release, Tehran is now emphasizing that it alone will decide how the funds will be used.

But this may be another area where the headlines and declarations are too far out front, given Washington has sought to impose some caveats which likely remain unacceptable to the Iranians side. For example Vice President JD Vance made clear his stance Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal, describing that if there were, they must be limited in use and implementation - to purchase US agricultural goods. He has emphasized - perhaps wishing to address American domestic criticisms - that the funds would not be used to support terrorism.



Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, has already firmly rejected the soybean plan, saying at a UN press briefing, "Iran is the only country who will decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen."

In total a whopping $50 billion could eventually be released under the MoU framework - something which will drive Republican hawsk mad. Al Jazeera reports Tuesday, citing the Iranian side: 


A spokesperson said the agreement would allow Iran access to previously frozen assets, although the US says restrictions would remain in place under the arrangement.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, two separate tranches of $6bn were originally agreed in Doha, with the final signing ceremony intended to take place in Switzerland. The Iranian spokesperson now says that process has been completed.

Under the reported framework, an initial $12bn in Iranian funds would be released. During the 60-day negotiation period, a further $12bn could be unlocked. If the parties ultimately reach a final agreement, the value of sanctions relief and released funds could reportedly rise to as much as $50bn.


Official Contradiction: Vance Had Hailed Iran Will Allow IAEA Access to Nuclear Sites

Another point of disagreement remains the entry of IAEA nuclear inspectors into the Islamic Republic. Vance had hailed Tehran already agreed to this, while Iran's leaders are in effect saying not so fast. It's but one of several major contradictions in public rhetoric coming from either side in the wake of the top-level round one meeting in Switzerland.

Something interesting - which Washington may or may not be on board with - is that Tehran is now signaling openness to Russia hosting its enriched nuclear material.


Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “fully” open to commercial shipping and that large volumes of oil have been transported through the waterway in recent days, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 23, 2026
Russia to Host Enriched Uranium? 

Al Arabiya reports that Iran's aforementioned UN ambassador says "transferring enriched uranium to Russia is under consideration." This could indeed be enough to satisfy President Trump, considering it would be a 'lesser evil' option if indeed the Iranians are actually ready for such a plan (which Moscow has offered several times to facilitate over the past year).

Lebanon is another issue which could threaten to unravel all the progress made thus far, but reports cite a 'cautious calm' across the south, but with some limited, sporadic exchanges of fire.

One correspondent on the ground reports, "Here in Tyre, people driving across the city this morning are picking up bits of rubble, starting to clear things out and searching for what they can salvage among their destroyed homes and businesses. That is what people are using this moment of calm for."

However, there's been reports of at least two new Lebanese deaths. In one instance Lebanese national media indicated "A young man was killed and two others were injured” when Israeli soldiers "opened machine gun fire in their direction while they were standing near an excavator which was clearing a road" in a locality near the town of Nabatieh - per the National News Agency. Hezbollah is saying Tuesday that this violates the ceasefire agreement.

The situation on Monday was such that the Iranian delegation almost quit the Sunday-Monday talks completely, Iran's top negotiator has explained:


Iran's Ghalibaf:
In the middle of the discussions, I learned that Trump had made threatening remarks regarding our president, the negotiating team, and possible attacks on our territory.
I told Vance: “We are here engaged in talks, and according to the signed understanding,… pic.twitter.com/Oi0jKrXf19
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
More Latest Developments

Below are some latest developments on the US-Iran peace front via Middle East Eye:

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said an agreement had been reached to release $12bn in frozen Iranian assets.
The US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief allowing Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until 1 August.
Washington said the measures follow Iran’s commitment to permit international nuclear inspections after intensive talks in Switzerland.
President Donald Trump said released Iranian funds would be used to purchase food and agricultural products from US farmers.
Iran’s Central Bank rejected Trump’s comments, saying Tehran is under no obligation to spend released funds on American goods.
Iranian officials said technical negotiations with the United States have concluded and the process is entering a new phase.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the effectiveness of future talks depends on all sides fully implementing their commitments.
A US official said Centcom has launched a monitoring mechanism in Lebanon to provide American officials with assessments of fighting on the ground.
Israeli officials reiterated that military operations in Lebanon would continue despite ongoing diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran.
Markets and regional observers continued to focus on sanctions implementation, Hormuz shipping activity and the durability of the broader agreement.
And via Newsquawk summary:

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said "if the other party does not fulfill its obligations, we should not be expected to unilaterally fulfill our obligations", Iran International reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said defensive capabilities and missiles will never be a topic of discussion. US commitment regarding Lebanon is completely clear.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said quadrilateral talks were stopped early in Switzerland due to the witnessing of US threats. Thereafter, exchanges were via a mediator, Mehr reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said Iran has no plans to let IAEA inspectors visit nuclear sites targeted in the conflict.
Iranian President, ahead of trip to Pakistan, said Iran is seeking the full implementation of the clauses that have been signed within the framework of international law, Nour News reported.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Iran according to international law.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said in phone call to Turkish President Erdogan on Monday that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy as per international law.
Iran Central Bank Governor said Tehran is not obliged to purchase US agricultural goods under current agreements, and states that remaining frozen assets can be used to buy non-sanctioned goods beyond essential items, according to Tasnim.
"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Baghdad next Sunday", Al Mayadeen reported citing sources; The meeting will include a briefing on the progress of the talks in Switzerland and the preparations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry said "America has issued the necessary license for the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products", Al Jazeera reported.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said any further attacks on Lebanon would be a red line.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said Hormuz talks will be held with Oman.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said there has been good progress in negotiations with the US.
"Sources indicate that the Iranian Foreign Minister [Araghchi] will hold separate talks with Pakistani officials", Al Hadath reported.
Oman's Foreign Minister said Iranian negotiators reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to ensuring safe, toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman's Foreign Minister meets with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf, with the officials discussing regional stability and Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data cited by Al-Arabia showed at least 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
One person reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire in a southern Lebanese town, according to Lebanese Civil Defense and a security source - timing unclear.
Senior US official tells Al Jazeera that talks between Lebanon and Israel will continue to advance comprehensive peace and a security agreement between the two countries.
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said Israel must act alone against Iran's nuclear program and must maintain military freedom in Lebanon, hopes withdrawal from southern Lebanon will not happen and will do everything to convince PM Netanyahu.
Israel military shells and fires at Khan Yunis in Gaza, according to Fars News Agency.
Israel's PM, Defence Minister and Military Chief said Israeli military will continue to act to neutralise threats to soldiers and citizens, demolish terrorist infrastructure, and maintain security zone in southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement. Israel's leadership reaffirms that the security of Israeli citizens and IDF troops will remain its overriding priority, with no room for compromise.
Israeli forces reportedly violate Syrian territory, conducting house searches in southern outskirts of Quneitra governorate.
US-Iran technical talks in Burgenstock had a "breakthrough", talks proceed seemingly in a positive direction, Journalist Mallick reported.
US President Trump, on Israel and Lebanon, said "we'll take a look at it"; said he gets problems solved fast, including with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
US President Trump said if Iran doesn't stick to agreement, he will do what he has to do. As long as Iran respects us, we are not going to have any trouble. Could restart the blockade quickly if needed.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"But A Whimper": Retail Euphoria In SpaceX Fizzles After Stock Loses $600 Billion In One Day
"But A Whimper": Retail Euphoria In SpaceX Fizzles After Stock Loses $600 Billion In One Day

It started off with a bang: SpaceX IPOed on June 12 with an opening price of $150 on their first day of trade, well above the offering price of $135, and within two days, enterprising traders were ravenously bidding up 380 calls (expiring in just days) in hopes of sending the stock soaring in hopes of orchestrating a gamma squeeze. 


They are going for it https://t.co/tT4cJns9nv pic.twitter.com/P6NTzq4tx2
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 16, 2026
In a note out this morning, Canaccord described the "new level of optimism" that accompanied the SpaceX IPO as follows:


SPCX dynamics indicate new level of frenzy: prior to this historic IPO, we felt AI optimism was robust and certainly at times overdone, but largely funded by rational (if not exuberant) institutions including large, well capitalized public companies and PE investors. In our view, SPCX has marked a new chapter in this saga, ushering in a greater level of retail involvement and driving the stock into the top 6 market cap companies in the world, and in its first week of trading, adding the equivalent of ~1/2 the value of META, with a market value much greater than sister company TSLA despite generating only ~20% of its revenue base. Despite the company name, revenues are skewed towards connectivity (Starlink contributing $11.39 billion), with launch services generating only $4.1 billion (AI compute was $3.2 billion in 2025).


Vanda Track was even more effusive, and in a retrospective published earlier on Monday wrote that "SpaceX's first week of trading was one for the record books. Retail investors bought a net $405mn of SPCX during its first 5 trading sessions, comfortably the strongest retail IPO debut in recent history. Retail buying was extreme during the first few sessions before moderating later in the week. The flow profile increasingly resembles a retail investor that is building long-term positions rather than chasing a short-term meme stock."



The scale of retail buying in SPCX last week becomes even more remarkable when put into context. Retail investors bought more SPCX last week than they bought across all other Mag 7 stocks combined (total activity of the last 5 days in NVDA, MSFT, AMZN, META, GOOGL and GOOG was $278mn combined). They also bought more SpaceX than the combined retail buying of SPY & QQQ over the past week ($352mn). For a stock that only started trading last week, SpaceX is already competing with the market's biggest stocks and ETFs for retail capital.


As has become the norm, while buying of the stock was off the charts, retail investors quickly congregated to various leveraged SpaceX products, which also attracted strong demand. Retail investors bought $65.8mn of the Leverage Shares 2x Long SPCX Daily ETF during its first few trading sessions (while a sizeable number, but it remains well below the type of activity normally seen during speculative retail frenzies). It still dwarfs recent thematic launches – the Roundhill Memory ETF DRAM attracted just $5.6mn during its first four trading days, and it took 22 sessions for cumulative retail buying in DRAM to exceed the amount already allocated to the leveraged SpaceX ETF.



Yet after bursting out of the gate, momentum has fizzled and hopes that the stock would gamma squeeze into orbit (on a reusable rocket, of course), quickly faded. The result: after peaking on June 16 - the day SPCX stock hit a record $225 and briefly topped Microsoft in market cap - daily retail flows have collapsed, and the retail turnover has become virtually nonexistent. 



This brings us back to what Canaccord said: while the bank concluded that based on the early performance of SpaceX, "Tech can likely keep its momentum in the short term", it warned that "a new, more dangerous layer of air is now underneath these stocks."

Sure enough, with the momentum gone, and the realization that trillions of shares are about to be unlocked, the stock has slumped for 3 straight days, culminating with Monday's plunge when, with SpaceX rushing to take advantage of the bond market euphoria to sell over $20 billion in investment-grade bonds for the first time before the bond window shuts in order to refinance an existing bridge loan with much higher interest, SPCX shares plunged 16.4%, shedding a record $600 billion in market value, and following a 5% drop on Wednesday and a 3.5% slide on Thursday, the stock is now just barely above where it broke for trading at $150 two weeks ago. 



Worse, the stock tagged its post-IPO opening price of $150 after hours, and should the stock open below that tomorrow, then everyone who bought in the open market (and held) will be underwater.



What is especially notable, or perhaps expected, is that the pump and dump is taking place with only 5% of SPCX float available for trading: 95% of the stock is still locked-up for trading. But that will change soon:



22V Research strategist Jeff Jacobson said that there is a 20% insider share unlock after Space's earnings announcement in early to mid-August. In addition, there is a 10% share unlock if the stock trades 30% above the IPO price, as well as 7% share unlocks set for around Aug. 21 and then again on Sept. 10.



Jacobson said insiders could potentially sell 44% of SpaceX shares by early September, increasing the current float by about 900%.

In other words, it's only going to get more difficult to lift the stock from here, and meanwhile, Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading said that “sellers are back in control,” adding that “anyone in the world who wanted to buy this has bought it already.”

In its take on today's move, Bloomberg wrote that today's drop in SpaceX "managed to bring much of the market down with it." 

We don't know if that's indeed the case yet, but in this market - which has been driven almost entirely by retail euphoria and momentum chasing from the March lows - should retail indeed get cold feet, first to SpaceX, then to the Memory bubble, and finally to Semi stocks which have become the main beneficiaries of the AI trade...


Divergence between Hyperscalers and Semis becoming untenable: massive capex spending is the key variable. pic.twitter.com/ifrtT9LJnR
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 22, 2026
... then it will be time to invert TS Eliot, as the selling whimper becomes a bang. 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Sheer Madness: UK Tests Long-Range Missile For Ukraine To Bomb Moscow
Sheer Madness: UK Tests Long-Range Missile For Ukraine To Bomb Moscow

Ukraine is making it clear they are seeking to "bring the war to Russia" - and this is what's behind the recent series of massive Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, which has wreaked havoc particularly on energy refineries, and air travel for the region. That Ukraine desperately wants to gain back what leverage they are able to is fully understandable, however, that NATO is backing such actions against a nuclear-armed superpower constitutes madness. 

Aside from covert targeting assistance, the UK is taking things in a more overt direction, having reportedly just tested missiles with a range of 300 miles which is intended to be sent to Ukraine's military. 
Illustrative file image

The British missile platform has the capability of delivering 500-pound warhead to Moscow.

The Telegraph offers some further details regarding context to the major Ukraine support program in the following:


The Ministry of Defence (MoD) challenged firms to build long-range strike weapons that can fly at more than 370mph, cost about £400,000 each and can be built at a pace of 20 a month.

Some 27 bids from industry were made with Dragon’s Den-style pitches held last February, before six UK companies were awarded contracts worth around £5m each to design prototypes for testing in just seven months.

By last December, only three suppliers remained: MBDA UK, which makes the Storm Shadow stealth missile, MGI Engineering, a UK small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a background in Formula 1 technology, and Rotron Aerospace, another UK SME with a history of working with the MoD.


And the publication confirms that "New systems that can attack targets more than 300 miles away have been tested at a range in the Hebrides, with further trials taking place in the UK over the coming months."

For missiles of this range and power, this is a relatively cheap price tag, and can apparently be rapid-produced at that.

UK Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones has said the new missiles are intended to "complement" the Storm Shadow cruise missiles London sends to Ukraine.

"The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression," she stated. "Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry."

Ukraine has in tandem all along been advancing its domestic-developed long-range drones:



The open and brazen admission that these future systems could soon be use to directly target the Russian capital would be an insane escalation by NATO. Once NATO and Western systems begin blowing up buildings in Moscow, suddenly direct Russian military retaliatory action against Europe gets much closer to becoming a reality. Again, this is sheer madness and lunacy by some of Europe's most hawkish leaders.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Futures Slide As Tech Tumbles, Korea Crashes
Futures Slide As Tech Tumbles, Korea Crashes

US equity futures are sharply lower as a Semis/South Korea-induced selloff has spread globally slamming tech stocks and pushing SpaceX 3% lower and below its first day of trading price of $150. Nasdaq stocks lead sentiment and early trading lower with AI cost concerns back in focus, as Bloomberg notes that traders are pointing to a South Korean media report we first highlighted at 8pm last night, saying SK Hynix is slowing expansion of AI memory chip production and shifting emphasis to commodity DRAM. As of 8:00am S&P futures were -1.3%, and Nasdaq futures tumbled 2.7%, both near session lows. In premarket trading, Intel and Micron led a broader decline among chipmakers while SpaceX fell 4.3%, below its $150 initial trade price. Chinese equities in Hong Kong entered a bear market. Mag7s are dragging the indices lower with MSFT / telecom the safety valve. In Seoul, chip giants SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. slumped more than 10%. According to JPM, today's sell-off "may reflect anxiety into MU’s print on Weds as well as the levered ETF mkt structure." Bonds are operating as a safety haven as the yield curve bull steepens, and USD is bid. Commodities are seeing further declines in Energy as US / Iran discussions continue and precious metals are getting hit due to USD (gold) and AI / Tech (silver). Ags are mixed. Today’s macro data focus is on Flash PMIs, ADP’s weekly employment print, and regional Fed activity indicators. 



In premarket trading, chipmakers, memory stocks and other AI-related firms slide during the broader selloff. Decliners include Micron (MU -7%), Intel (INTC -6%), AMD (AMD -6%) and CoreWeave (CRWV -5%).

Nvidia leads most of the Magnificent Seven group lower (Nvidia -2%, Tesla -2%, Meta -0.6%, Microsoft +1%, Apple -0.3%, Amazon -0.6%, Alphabet -2%,)
Avis Budget (CAR) climbs 4% as the rental car company entered into a settlement agreement with Pentwater Capital Management and affiliated persons to resolve a lawsuit seeking recovery of short-swing profits, the company said in a filing.
Best Buy (BBY) falls 3% after the company said Matt Bilunas will step down as CFO and depart the retailer at the end of July after 20 years, including seven years as CFO.
Edgewell Personal Care (EPC) rises 9% after people familiar with the matter said the maker of Schick razors has rejected an unsolicited takeover offer from private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners.
IBM (IBM) gains 4% as JPMorgan upgrades to overweight and as the company announced it has joined the OpenAI Daybreak Cyber Partner Program.
Primoris Services (PRIM) sinks 35% after the infrastructure construction company cut its adjusted earnings guidance for the full year.
In other corporate news, Oracle reduced its workforce by 21,000 employees in the past 12 months, a wider scale than previously known, including those whose jobs were eliminated by the use of AI. SoftBank’s founder said there’s little merit to building data centers in space, while acknowledging that AI competition is intensifying. 

In an ugly session that started with a rout in South Korea, the Kospi finished down 10% while Nasdaq 100 contracts lose 2.5% and are struggling to find a floor. European stocks are not immune with the Stoxx 600 down 1%. Other assets have been caught up in the equity selloff with spot silver down over 4% and Bitcoin dropping 3%. Memory stocks, many of which are riding triple-digit gains this year, recorded some of the steepest losses. SpaceX was poised to fall below its first-day opening price of $150. 

In Seoul, chip giants SK Hynix Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. slumped more than 10%. Intel Corp. and Micron Technology Inc. led a broader decline among chipmakers in US premarket trading, while SpaceX fell 4.3%. Chinese equities in Hong Kong entered a bear market. 

BofA equity derivative strategists said the Nasdaq 100’s heavy concentration in technology stocks has fueled its outperformance versus the S&P 500 in both returns and volatility. That’s pushed the Nasdaq’s Bubble Risk Indicator (BRI) closer to a key level which often signals elevated near-term tail risks. Meanwhile, already jittery tech sentiment and volatility could turn on a dime after Micron’s earnings tomorrow. The chipmaker has been the largest contributor to S&P 500 gains this year, while technology stocks make up each of the index’s 10 biggest drivers of returns.

“Some of the recent performance in stocks has been highly speculative, fueled by a passion from retail investors for short-term gains,” Mark Dowding, chief investment officer for fixed income at RBC BlueBay Asset Management, told Bloomberg TV. “We may not like it this morning, but actually it’s healthy behavior.

The market selloff “is largely a blip, but it is tapping a real and more fundamental anxiety,” said Amanda Lyons, head of research at Energy Group Capital. “The blip part: it is a single piece of local trade press, landing into a jumpy tape and a day before a nervous Micron print, on a trade that is about as crowded and as priced-for-perfection as anything in the market.

One regular buyer of stocks, the corporates themselves, are exiting for the time being. Goldman’s Vani Ranganath estimates approximately 65% of companies have entered their blackout window ahead of 2Q results.

For the AI trade, attention is now shifting to Micron’s quarterly results on Wednesday after the stock rallied more than 300% since January.

“The real test is Micron,” said Amanda Lyons, head of research at Energy Group Capital. “I would watch the rate of change in pricing and any change to capex or bit-supply guidance far more closely than the headline beat or miss.”

Fed’s Goolsbee said he remains concerned about inflation and questioned whether all the factors driving prices up are temporary. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer kicked off talks with Indian officials this week as both sides stepped up efforts to resolve the remaining differences holding up an interim trade agreement.

In other assets, currency traders are on high alert for intervention after further weakness in the yen. Gold slides, with Deutsche Bank following Goldman in cutting price forecasts for the metal.

European equities fell sharply at the open on Tuesday: the Stoxx 600 falls 1.1% to 632.10, with mining and technology shares leading declines while health care and food beverage stocks are the biggest outperformers. Here are the biggest movers Tuesday:

Porsche shares rise as much as 1.8%, erasing early declines after the German luxury carmaker confirmed its forecast for the 2026 financial year
Basic resources stocks are falling the most in the Stoxx Europe 600, with the sector index down as much as 4.6%, as metals fell across the board on inflationary concerns and progress of peace talks
Hermes shares fall as much as 2.9%, extending its drop to 11% over the past three sessions, after HSBC downgraded its rating on the Birkin bag maker to hold from buy
Epiroc drops as much as 5.6%, the most in three months, as UBS downgrades the Swedish mining-equipment maker to sell from neutral and says its valuation “has gone too far”
Signify plunges as much as 18% after the Dutch lighting manufacturer announced new medium-term targets and an updated dividend policy that analysts say would mean big cuts to shareholder payouts
Telecom Plus shares plunge as much as 33%, sending shares to their lowest level since 2012. The company’s new five-year plan will see it invest with the ambition of improving growth and the quality of earning
Dometic declines as much as 11%, the most since March, with Danske Bank cautioning its upcoming 2Q report will be held back by tough US markets for its RV and marine divisions
Earlier in the session, Asian stocks fell reversing the previous session’s gains as a selloff in technology shares weighed on regional markets. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 3.6%, with SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics among the biggest drags. Most of the region’s major markets were in the red, led by declines in South Korea, Japan and China. A sub-gauge of information technology shares slid as much as 6.1%, after rallying 2.3% on Monday. South Korean stocks tumbled 10% from a record high as investors dumped chip heavyweights on concerns that the rally has become overstretched, prompting the local exchange to briefly halt program selling. Japanese equities slipped as some AI-related stocks fell following a selloff in US tech megacaps.

“I think our Asian markets are tracking a rotation already underway in the US rather than a fresh risk-off move,” said Billy Leung, an investment strategist at Global X Management. “Hyperscalers have been leading the pullback on AI capex concerns and negative cash flow concerns.”

In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gains 0.2% although the yen takes top place among the G-10 currencies, climbing a few pips against the greenback. The Aussie dollar is the weakest, falling 0.7%.

In rates, treasuries are richer across the curve with gains led by front-end and belly, as oil steadies and stock futures slump after a selloff in Korean chipmakers stoked concerns about the artificial intelligence trade. US yields richer by as much as 4bp across front-end and belly with 2s10s and 5s30s spreads steeper by 1bp and 3bp on the day; 10-year is around 4.48%, 3bp richer on the day with bunds and gilts in the sector outperforming by around 1bp: German and UK 10-year yields falling 3 basis points each. SpaceX shares fell to the lowest level since their first day of trading ahead of a potential jumbo investment-grade bond sale that could be announced Tuesday. Focal points of US session also include June preliminary PMIs and a 2-year note auction. This week’s Treasury auctions begin at 1pm New York time with $69 billion 2-year note sale, to be followed by 5- and 7-year notes Wednesday and Thursday; WI 2-year yield near 4.20% is ~13bp cheaper than the May auction, which stopped on the screws.

In commodities, Brent crude futures fall 1% to around $77 a barrel. Other assets have been caught up in the equity selloff with spot silver down over 4% and Bitcoin dropping 3%.

Today's US economic data calendar includes weekly ADP employment change (8:15am), June Philadelphia Fed non-manufacturing activity (8:30am), June preliminary S&P Global US manufacturing and services PMIs (9:45am) and Richmond Fed manufacturing and business conditions indexes (10am). Fed speaker slate empty for the session.

Market Snapshot



Top Overnight News

Korea's KOSPI plummeted 9.99%, its steepest drop in more than three months, on Tuesday as overseas investors sold chipmakers following regulatory signals that the sector's rally had gotten overheated. RTRS
South Korea’s retail investors are ploughing profits from a world-beating stock market into an overheated property sector, confounding government efforts to cool real estate demand. FT
Iran said $12 billion of its frozen funds were set to be released as part of ongoing talks with the US, with the two sides broadly signaling progress in negotiations to formally end their war. BBG
The Trump administration and Qatar have warned the EU that it faces a gas supply crunch that would force up prices unless Brussels rewrites planned rules on methane emissions. BBG
The yen erased losses after Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said she spoke with Scott Bessent and that they agreed that “bold action” may be needed. Traders are on high alert for intervention. BBG
Euro-area business activity shrank less than anticipated in June. S&P Global’s Composite PMI rose to 49.5 from 48.5, topping estimates but remaining below the 50 mark that indicates growth. BBG
The UK’s economy contracted for a second consecutive month, with its PMI slipping to a 14-month low. BBG
The Fed’s Austan Goolsbee told American Public Media’s Marketplace he remains concerned about inflation and questioned whether price pressures will persist after temporary shocks have dissipated. BBG
TSLA logged a more than twofold jump in European monthly sales in May as Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle maker continues to rebuild strength in a region where Chinese rivals are gaining ground. WSJ
US Senate passes bipartisan affordable housing bill.
Iran War Latest 

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said "if the other party does not fulfill its obligations, we should not be expected to unilaterally fulfill our obligations", Iran International reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said defensive capabilities and missiles will never be a topic of discussion. US commitment regarding Lebanon is completely clear.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said quadrilateral talks were stopped early in Switzerland due to the witnessing of US threats. Thereafter, exchanges were via a mediator, Mehr reported.
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said Iran has no plans to let IAEA inspectors visit nuclear sites targeted in the conflict.
Iranian President, ahead of trip to Pakistan, said Iran is seeking the full implementation of the clauses that have been signed within the framework of international law, Nour News reported.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Iran according to international law.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said in phone call to Turkish President Erdogan on Monday that Iran is ready to pursue diplomacy as per international law.
Iran Central Bank Governor said Tehran is not obliged to purchase US agricultural goods under current agreements, and states that remaining frozen assets can be used to buy non-sanctioned goods beyond essential items, according to Tasnim.
"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Baghdad next Sunday", Al Mayadeen reported citing sources; The meeting will include a briefing on the progress of the talks in Switzerland and the preparations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry said "America has issued the necessary license for the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products", Al Jazeera reported.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said any further attacks on Lebanon would be a red line.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said Hormuz talks will be held with Oman.
Iranian Ambassador to the UN said there has been good progress in negotiations with the US.
"Sources indicate that the Iranian Foreign Minister [Araghchi] will hold separate talks with Pakistani officials", Al Hadath reported.
Oman's Foreign Minister said Iranian negotiators reaffirmed their commitment to international law and to ensuring safe, toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman's Foreign Minister meets with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ghalibaf, with the officials discussing regional stability and Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data cited by Al-Arabia showed at least 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
One person reportedly killed by Israeli gunfire in a southern Lebanese town, according to Lebanese Civil Defense and a security source - timing unclear.
Senior US official tells Al Jazeera that talks between Lebanon and Israel will continue to advance comprehensive peace and a security agreement between the two countries.
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said Israel must act alone against Iran's nuclear program and must maintain military freedom in Lebanon, hopes withdrawal from southern Lebanon will not happen and will do everything to convince PM Netanyahu.
Israel military shells and fires at Khan Yunis in Gaza, according to Fars News Agency.
Israel's PM, Defence Minister and Military Chief said Israeli military will continue to act to neutralise threats to soldiers and citizens, demolish terrorist infrastructure, and maintain security zone in southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement. Israel's leadership reaffirms that the security of Israeli citizens and IDF troops will remain its overriding priority, with no room for compromise.
Israeli forces reportedly violate Syrian territory, conducting house searches in southern outskirts of Quneitra governorate.
US-Iran technical talks in Burgenstock had a "breakthrough", talks proceed seemingly in a positive direction, Journalist Mallick reported.
US President Trump, on Israel and Lebanon, said "we'll take a look at it"; said he gets problems solved fast, including with Israeli PM Netanyahu.
US President Trump said if Iran doesn't stick to agreement, he will do what he has to do. As long as Iran respects us, we are not going to have any trouble. Could restart the blockade quickly if needed.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks were subdued with initial choppy price action following the mixed performance stateside, where participants reflected on the progress in US-Iran talks, but communication stocks and the Nasdaq Comp underperformed. KOSPI, -6.9%, led the sell off, moving to a test of 8.5k to the downside. ASX 200 traded little changed for most of the session amid a lack of major fresh catalysts overnight and as the strength in financials and defensives offset the losses in the tech and commodity-related sectors. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses with the index briefly climbing to a fresh record high before reversing course, and is on track to snap its 8-day win streak. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp conformed to the lacklustre mood in the region and the absence of any major fresh catalysts, with the Hong Kong benchmark pressured by losses in miners, and digital platforms stocks amid a rotation out of hyperscalers into semiconductors.

Top Asian News

China's MOFCOM announces measures to stimulate the auto after-sales market; to support the integration and upgrading of the car rental industry.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said will take appropriate action against FX moves if needed.
Canada awarded Australia a USD 1.75bln contract for its over-the-horizon radar system, boosting Arctic early warning capabilities, and which marks Australia's largest ever defence export.
Japanese S&P Global Composite PMI Flash (Jun) 52.50.
Japanese S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Flash (Jun) 54.9 vs. Exp. 54.5 (Prev. 54.5).
Australian S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Flash (Jun) 51.2 (Prev. 50.7).
Blackstone (BX) President and COO Gray told Nikkei that the firm plans to invest USD 30bln in Japanese data center development over the next three to five years.
Large losses in Kospi (-9.9%) crept through to Europe (STOXX 600 -1%) with EU tech leading the losses. No specific headline driver for overnight losses in a typical non-conflict risk-off move (stocks/oil down, fixed/havens bid). As you would expect, South Korean heavyweights Samsung and SK Hynix (which account for over 50% of the index) led the declines, both falling 12%. Some analysts point out the mechanical rebalancing from leveraged ETFs exacerbated losses with a large share of the vehicle used to gain Kospi exposure coming as leveraged ETFs. Others point out positioning into Micron earnings due after the close on Wednesday. Given the above, Tech is the worst sectoral performer (bar Basic Resources), the sector posting losses in excess of 3%. The highest weighted chip constituents ASML -5% (Highest weighted in Europe+Tech Sector), Prosus -2.1% and STMicroelectronics -7.3%. For Basic resources, the sector has been dragged lower by declines in metals (Gold -2.5%, Silver -5.5%).

Top European News

German Chancellor Merz outlines his support for a capital-based pension system, saying it "strengthens the system".
German Chancellor Merz confirms plan to push forward with all pension reform proposals.
Britain’s biggest business lobby group, CBI, said UK firms are not seeking another Brexit referendum and have little interest in rejoining a customs union with the EU, according to FT.
UK's Burnham will seek to soothe markets as he marches on number 10 and will use a speech next week to pledge to grow the economy and commit to Labour's fiscal rules, according to The Times. Burnham is considering Miliband, Streeting and Mahmood for Chancellor.
FX

G10s are entirely lower against the Buck (bar JPY), as USD attracts haven demand in a textbook risk-off market move (stocks/oil down, fixed/havens bid), signalling the market is gradually moving away from geopolitical trade. As you would expect, Antipodeans underperforms, Aussie fares the worst as metals suffer from the strong Buck, while JPY is the only currency stronger vs the USD after a sharp 30pip move lower as it sits towards 2024 highs.
DXY firmer by 0.2% as it attracts haven demand amid tech weakness in Kospi/NQ (see equities at 09:25 BST for analysis). In terms of domestic newsflow, Fed's Goolsbee said services inflation was “a little disturbing”. The data docket is light but begins to pick up today (ADP weekly + PMIs due) heading into Thursday's GDP revisions and PCE data. DXY surpassed Friday’s high of 101.12, now looks to the May peak just below 102.
JPY continues to whipsaw around multi-year lows against the Buck, with USD/JPY towards 161.50-162. Japanese officials continue attempts to bolster the Yen, but continue unsuccessful with the Greenback bid. Overnight, Japanese Finance Minister Katayama confirmed she spoke with US Treasury Secretary Bessent on Monday. Elsewhere, APAC trade saw stronger flash PMI data and mixed results of the latest 5yr JGB auction.
GBP is weaker and tracks the firmer Buck with participants awaiting further updates from a likely incoming Burnham premiership. Despite Gilts continuing to outperform peers on optimistic Burnham reporting (Streeting added to Chancellor candidates/Burnham said to announce commitment to Fiscal rules), Miliband still in the picture for Chancellor is viewed by Sterling traders as an unwelcome option. As such, GBP awaits further press reporting and tracks the Buck with Cable remaining at 1.32, EUR/GBP unchanged. ING this morning writes “Regardless of politics, we keep favouring higher EUR/GBP on the back of a dovish view (no hikes) on the Bank of England”. EZ/UK PMIs were mixed (see fixed income for analysis), EUR saw fleeting strength on the French figure, which indicated a cooling of cost pressures; a move which proved fleeting as the German services and composite metric cooled (Some respondents' answers did not eclipse the signing of the US-Iran MoU).
Fixed Income

A firmer start for fixed income as the complex benefits from the softer energy environment, though the influence of this has diminished amid recent updates from Iran, and the weak risk tone as the KOSPI closed lower by 9.9% and has weighed on European price action, with the European Tech sector lower by over 3%.
USTs firmer by seven ticks in 109-06+ to 109-14+ confines, towards but just off highs as the mentioned energy move off lows has seemingly formed a ceiling in fixed or now at least. Ahead, we have the region’s Flash PMIs before 2yr supply. A tap that should benefit from a number of factors.
Bunds firmer by just over 10 ticks and are just under that from the 126.74 high. Initially moving on the above, in-line with peers and with no real reaction to the latest pension reform commentary.
The main updates, aside from the APAC moves, today have been Flash PMIs for June. Firstly, France’s figures sparked some modest EGB pressure as the components all came in firmer than expected. Internal commentary pointed to a possible peak in price pressures. Thereafter, Germany was below consensus but caveated by the majority of responses coming in before the MoU signing. Nonetheless, encouragingly, the series showed that inflationary pressures had started to ease off.
Finally, the EZ figure was mixed and again most responses came before the MoU. But, it already showed that lower energy prices were filtering through to businesses with inputs cost rates and selling price inflation moving lower in June. Again, pointing to a potential price spike peak.
Overall, the data chimes with those who believe that expectations for further ECB tightening are overdone. A point arguably added to by the pertinent commentary from President Lagarde on Monday. As such, upcoming hard and survey data will be scoured for confirmation that prices may have peaked which, alongside the stagnation in activity, may well see a dovish repricing in the period ahead.
Gilts echoed the above, higher by 35 ticks at best and to a new WTD high of 89.19. Today’s strength also comes from reporting that Burnham will next week give a speech outlining his commitment to the fiscal rules; however, The Times briefing notes that Miliband remains in consideration to be Chancellor, a point that potentially caps any further upside.
PMIs for the region were weak, though price commentary was also welcome and chimes with the view that the BoE is on hold for the foreseeable.
The Netherlands sold EUR 1.98bln vs exp. EUR 1.5-2bln 3.50% 2056 DSL Bond: avg. yield 3.52% (prev. 3.51%).
Japan sold JPY 1.9tln 5yr JGBs; b/c 3.11x (prev. 3.22x), average yield 1.905% (prev. 2.024%).
Germany sells EUR 3.807bln vs exp. EUR 5bln 2.50% 2028 Schatz: b/c 1.90x (prev. 1.58x), average yield 2.57% (prev. 2.59%), retention 23.86% (prev. 22.80%)
Commodities

Geopolitical newsflow remains focused on the US-Iran talks, and the sometimes mixed commentary filtering out from the respective officials. As it stands, there does not appear to be any cause for concern, with President Trump and VP Vance both sounding positive about the initial talks; the Iranian side also said good progress has been made. However, looking between the lines reveals some contradictory remarks. On Monday, VP Vance said that Iran would allow the IAEA to inspect nuclear facilities. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated that there are no plans to let inspectors visit nuclear sites targeted in the conflict; the nuance of “sites targeted in the conflict”, potentially offers some hints to the inner workings of the proceedings between the US and Iran. Do note that the Iranian President is visiting Pakistan today.
The biggest risk to the talks is Israeli actions in Lebanon. Several high-ranking Israeli officials have suggested that Israel will continue its military operations in Lebanon. Comments which come ahead of the US-mediated Lebanon-Israel talks, which are set to begin today. A confab which spans over a couple of days, and focuses on finalising “pilot zones” within southern Lebanon and long-lasting peace.
Crude benchmarks traded sideways for much of the APAC session, before then moving to lows heading into the European cash open. Since, WTI and Brent have bounced a touch off lows, to currently trade towards the mid-point of the days range. In more detail, WTI Aug’26 (-0.5%) sits within a USD 72.48-74.45/bbl range and Brent Aug’26 (-0.6%) holds within a 76.43-78.23/bbl range.
Spot gold (-2%) extends lower amidst the continued hawkish mood in markets, which have kept the USD elevated. For gold specifically, a number of sell-side banks have cut their price forecasts for spot gold. On Monday, Goldman Sachs cut their year-end target to USD 4,900/oz (prev. USD 5,200/oz). Its model focused on the Fed, whereby every 50bps worth of easing adds c. USD 120/oz of support to spot gold. Most recently, Deutsche Bank cut its gold forecast by 22%. Today, the yellow metal holds at the bottom end of a USD 4,091 to 4,198/oz range; it may find support at a recent low of USD 4,023/oz, if the pressure continues.
Base metals follow the downbeat risk tone seen across broader markets. 3M LME copper is lower by c. 1.8% and holds within a USD 13,396.35-13,671/t range.
Rabobank lowers its Q3 Brent price forecast to USD 79/bbl (from USD 103/bbl), and Q4 to USD 78/bbl (from USD 93/bbl); sees Brent averaging USD 74.50/bbl in 2027, and USD 71/bbl in 2028.
US Department of Agriculture reported a new case of screwworm in a Texas goat, taking total number of domestic detections to 16 cases.
Central Banks

Fed's Goolsbee (2027 voter) said inflation is well above target and going the wrong way, adds need evidence this inflation is temporary and services inflation is a little disturbing. said:. We haven't had stagflation shock, and the job market has been stable. Fed Chair Warsh's approach is let's have less speculation about rates, less forward guidance, while Goolsbee said he is pretty sympathetic to that approach.
ECB's Kazimir said they are data-dependent, but the direction for policy is clear.
ECB's Lane said that inflation risks being above 2% for some time; increase in energy prices is expected to keep inflation well above target into H1'27. Remains attentive to both sides of the outlook. Energy shock is feeding through to broader inflation. labour market resilience, solid household balance sheets and public investment should support activity.
ECB's Escriva said service-sector inflation is showing very strong persistence.
Geopolitics

Russia and Ukraine may swap Prisoners of War soon, TASS reported.
Ukraine's capital Kyiv issues an air raid alerts and authorities ask people to seek shelter.
North Korea leader Kim Jong-un said North Korea will further assert its status and role as a nuclear power, adds will accelerate broader plans, enhance nuclear arms technology and develop water deterrence capabilities. accused US and South Korea carrying out the most dangerous provocations through nuclear war machinery. To accelerate building of 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruiser.
China's Beihai Maritime Safety Administration announced that parts of the Beibu Gulf will be closed to navigation due to military training from 11:00-12:00 Beijing time on June 23rd.
US Event Calendar

9:45 am: Jun P S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI, est. 54.6, prior 55.1
9:45 am: Jun P S&P Global US Services PMI, est. 51.1, prior 50.7
9:45 am: Jun P S&P Global US Composite PMI, est. 52.1, prior 51.5
10:00 am: Jun Richmond Fed Manufact. Index, est. 8, prior 13
DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

When I started in financial markets in 1995, Alan Greenspan was a towering presence and arguably the first Fed Chair to become a global rockstar. At that point, he was eight years into what would become a 19-year tenure as Chair of the Federal Reserve. However, my own memories pale in comparison to those of my colleague Peter Hooper. Peter joined the Fed in 1973, later moving to DB in 1999, and worked closely with Greenspan for over 50 years.

Peter has written a thoughtful remembrance following Greenspan’s passing yesterday at the age of 100. Drawing on first-hand experience as a colleague at the Federal Reserve and later recruiting him to be an adviser at Deutsche Bank, Peter highlights Greenspan’s intense curiosity, instinct for data and markets, and ability to identify structural shifts such as the 1990s productivity boom. In many ways, Greenspan was ahead of the data—something Kevin Warsh is attempting to emulate today—so there are clear parallels between the eras. It is a personal and insightful tribute from someone who had a ringside seat throughout Greenspan’s remarkable career, and it is well worth reading in full on the DB Research Institute site.

Moving onto the remembering another landmark in history, 10 years ago today, those of us on this island marched to the polls to decide whether we wanted to stay in the EU or not. Ironically, I had a long weekend planned in the French Alps and left for the airport immediately after voting and arrived to a fierce thunderstorm in the mountains and news that the UK had voted to leave. It all felt fairly biblical and instead of enjoying a break I spent all night and the next 3 days glued to my work laptop.

To mark the anniversary Sanjay and Shreyas have published a piece entitled "Brexit 10 years on: What's worked, what hasn't, what's next?" See it here ahead of our first in-person Deutsche Bank Research Institute event on Thursday reviewing the topic and all things UK related given the huge events of recent days. We may still be able to squeeze you in.

The irony around the anniversary is that the shadow of Brexit partly claimed another UK Prime Minister yesterday with Keir Starmer resigning and heralding in what will be the 7th Prime Minister in that subsequent decade. The only viable candidate now seems to be Andy Burnham, who won last week’s by-election in Makerfield, after rival challenger Wes Streeting endorsed him yesterday to be leader. So, although nominations for the Labour leadership are set to open on July 9, currently it looks highly likely that Andy Burnham is the only candidate who would get more than 20% of MPs backing him to stand, meaning that a formal contest would be avoided. That’s reminiscent of when Labour last changed leaders in government back in 2007, when Chancellor Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair without a contest. Under this timetable, Burnham could become the PM as soon as mid-July.

Against this backdrop, UK assets responded relatively positively, as it looks like a period of extended uncertainty and a potential summer leadership contest have been removed. Speculation that Streeting may get the job of Chancellor was seen as a positive as well given his more moderate tendencies.  The pound sterling was the strongest performing G10 currency on the day, up +0.14% against the US Dollar, whilst yields on 2yr (-4.5bps) and 10yr (-3.4bps) gilts moved in line with their European counterparts inspite of the political upheaval. Moreover, the FTSE 100 was up +0.72%, again similar to the STOXX 600’s +0.58% advance.

Another G7 country in the news is Japan and this morning the currency is fairly flat after seeing a strong spike yesterday afternoon London time after it got within a whisker of hitting 40-year lows. It hit 161.93 versus a low of 161.96 in July 2024. Beyond that you have to go back to December 1986 to see weaker levels. There was speculation over imminent BoJ intervention with JNN reporting an online emergency meeting between Finance Minster Katayama and US Treasury Secretary Bessent yesterday. This meeting has been confirmed by Katayama this morning, who stated that the US and Japan are aligned on FX policy. This morning it's hovering remarkably quietly at 161.60 given all the noise.

Less quiet are Asian equities which are falling on tech weakness. The KOSPI (-6.41%) is leading the declines, followed by the Nikkei (-1.66%), Hang Seng (-1.16%), Shanghai Composite (-0.37%) and S&P/ASX 200 (-0.26%). S&P 500 (-0.66%) and NASDAQ 100 (-1.19%) futures are also weak with the tech sell-off dominating.  

Early morning data showed that Japan's private sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in three months in June, driven by strong manufacturing output and a return to growth in the services sector, although firms faced the sharpest rise in input costs in nearly four years. The S&P Global flash Japan manufacturing PMI rose to 54.9 in June while the services PMI climbed to 51.8 from 50.0, indicating a renewed expansion in business activity after stagnating in May. As a result, the flash composite PMI, advanced to 52.5 from 51.1, marking the strongest pace of overall private-sector growth since March.

This all follows mixed markets yesterday, as tech worries overpowered investor optimism about progress in the US-Iran negotiations over the weekend. So that meant the S&P 500 slipped -0.37%, with the Nasdaq (-1.32%) and Magnificent 7 (-2.17%) posting even steeper losses, dragged down by declines by Alphabet (-4.99%) and Amazon (-4.75%).

Those equity losses were compounded by the latest rise in Treasury yields yesterday, as investors continued to price in a more hawkish Fed. Indeed, yesterday saw markets price in a 98% chance of a rate hike by the September meeting (up from 93% on Friday), and the 2yr yield (+4.8bps) closed at a 16-month high of 4.23%. Meanwhile, the 10yr yield was up +5.5bps to 4.51%, and significantly, the 10yr real yield (+8.0bps) hit a one-year high of 2.26%. That rise in real yields was something Henry looked at in a note yesterday (link here), exploring why markets haven’t rallied as much as might have been expected given the US-Iran deal and the slump in oil prices in the last two weeks.

Speaking of the Iran war, there were fresh signs of progress in the negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance saying that the weekend talks were “very, very good”. That follows comments from the Iranian side, who had previously said in the small hours of Monday that there’d been major progress to end the war in Lebanon. Moreover, the US issued a 60-day sanctions waiver to allow Iran to sell its oil on the international market, which was seen as one of Tehran’s demands for implementing last week’s interim deal. So that backdrop saw oil prices come down, with Brent crude (-3.31%) closing at a 3-month low of $77.90/bbl, whilst WTI (-2.32%) also fell to $74.82/bbl.

Turning back to Europe, ahead of this morning's flash PMIs, ECB President Lagarde said yesterday that she saw no more need for the ECB to have a “forceful response” to the Iran War. In comments to lawmakers, Lagarde said she saw inflation returning to target over the medium term, saying that the ECB saw “no evidence yet of de-anchoring of inflation expectations or second-round effects” that warrants a “more forceful policy response at this stage.” This contrasted with some of the more hawkish messaging from the ECB last week, which saw markets dial up their conviction of further tightening this year.

Those comments supported a rally in European government bonds, with yields on 10yr bunds (-3.4bps), OATs (-3.4bps) and BTPs (-4.3bps) all coming down. And there were larger declines at the front-end, with the 2yr German yield down -4.4bps as investors dialled back the likelihood of aggressive ECB rate cuts this year. Indeed, markets were pricing 32bps of ECB hikes by the December meeting at the close, down -4.5bps on the previous day. Otherwise, equities also rose, with the STOXX 600 (+0.58%) making a fresh gain, while the DAX (+0.62%) also rose. The CAC (-0.25%) struggled again and has been struggling this year largely due to its outsized luxury stocks weighting.  

To the day ahead now, we’ll get June flash PMIs for the US, UK, Eurozone, Germany, and France. We'll also see US June Philadelphia Fed non-manufacturing activity, Richmond Fed manufacturing index, business conditions, France June business confidence and May retail sales. Earnings include FedEx and Carnival.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:59

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Israel Sets 3 Key 'Conditions' For Ending Occupation Of South Lebanon
Israel Sets 3 Key 'Conditions' For Ending Occupation Of South Lebanon

Via The Cradle

Israel has set several “conditions” for the withdrawal of its occupation forces from Lebanon, Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported this week – after Tel Aviv was forced to stop bombing the country due to the US–Iran agreement. 

"Israel has three minimum conditions for withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon: the withdrawal of all Hezbollah terrorists north of the Litani River; the dismantling of Hezbollah … infrastructure south of the Litani; and full Israeli freedom of action to remove threats," the report said.
via Reuters

At the same time, Israel will continue to insist on maintaining a "defensive strip" in the country, senior officials told the outlet. 

The Israel Hayom report claims that occupation forces have surrounded a fortified underground complex at Ali al-Taher Hill, located east of Nabatieh and north of the Litani River. 

Ali al-Taher Hill is a highly strategic location overlooking the city of Nabatieh. Israel has been attempting to capture the area, but has faced fierce resistance and has been engaged in heavy battles over the area for several weeks. 

Israel Hayom and other Hebrew reports say the area holds an important command center for Hezbollah operations.

The report claimed resistance fighters are besieged there and that “Israel's security establishment do not know how long the trapped terrorists will be able to hold out underground, but what is clear is that the military is preventing them from coming out.”

The Israeli army “does not intend to withdraw from the site until those terrorists are eliminated or surrender, followed by the destruction of the underground infrastructure.”

Unofficial reports and observers on social media say that the complex in question may be Hezbollah’s famous Imad-4 facility, which serves as a key command and weapons storage site.

Israel Hayom claims troops “are now positioned at all the entrances to the concrete, fortified command post,” adding that “dozens of terrorists underground are under growing distress, and it is no coincidence that they are activating Iran, which is demanding that the US force Israel into a ceasefire in Washington.”

The report comes after a brutal Israeli escalation in Lebanon over the weekend, which killed at least 100 people. Major clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah resistance fighters also raged throughout the weekend before a cessation of hostilities was imposed on Tel Aviv by Tehran’s pressure on Washington. 

Five Israeli occupation soldiers, including a battalion chief, were killed by the Shia resistance fighters between Thursday and Saturday – including four who burned to death in their tank.

Hezbollah has denied Israeli claims that its fighters are besieged, saying such reports were designed to boost the morale of Israeli forces after their failure to advance in the area.

Israeli officials continue to publicly reject withdrawal and are vowing that Tel Aviv’s forces will remain in the so-called ‘security zone’ in south Lebanon. “We don’t have territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but we will not withdraw from the security zone and expose our citizens to Hezbollah’s attacks and possible invasion,” says Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. 

His comments coincided with a CNN report saying Israel was considering “symbolic” withdrawals from “minor areas” in south Lebanon.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had said a day earlier that Tel Aviv will maintain an occupation in Lebanon for years. "We are there until Hezbollah disarms, and I think also beyond that, because we need defendable borders,” he said in an interview. 


🇮🇱🇱🇧 New Evidence Regarding an Underground Hezbollah Facility in the Ali a-Taher Area
While it had previously been widely believed that the sprawling underground complex in the Ali a-Taher ridge area was a strategic Hezbollah facility, Lebanese sources are now offering a… pic.twitter.com/q2ehjdH96f
— Barong (@Barong369) June 22, 2026
Asked if the military would stay “for years” in Lebanon, Smotrich said, “Yes, and I say this as someone who is currently holding negotiations over the management of the defense budget for the next decade.”

He stressed that “until Hezbollah disarms, we aren’t moving a millimeter,” adding that Israel’s prime minister and war minister support this stance. 

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 08:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs As AI Adoption Deepens And Credit Risk Flashes GFC-Era Highs
Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs As AI Adoption Deepens And Credit Risk Flashes GFC-Era Highs

Oracle disclosed in a Form 10-K filing that it reduced its workforce by 21,000 employees over the past year as it automates white-collar jobs and frees up cash to splurge on AI infrastructure buildouts.

"Our periodic workforce restructurings and reorganizations can be disruptive,"  Oracle said in the annual financial regulatory publsihed on Monday, adding, "We have an existing restructuring plan in place under which we have made, and will continue to make, adjustments to our workforce in response to management changes, product changes, performance issues, changes in strategies, acquisitions and other internal and external considerations."

It noted, "We may initiate new restructuring plans in the future. In addition, the adoption and deployment of AI technologies across our operations have resulted, and may continue to result, in reductions to our workforce."

The filing detailed how the tech giant ended its fiscal year with 141,000 full-time employees, down from 162,000 a year earlier. Costs associated with the workforce reduction totaled around $1.8 billion.



The labor cuts come as Oracle faces pressure amid its $55.7 billion capital expenditure spending spree in fiscal 2026, which is almost entirely tied to its AI cloud and data center buildout. That was up from $21.2 billion in fiscal 2025, meaning capex more than doubled year over year.

For fiscal 2027, Oracle is guiding even higher: about $70 billion in capex, plus another $20 billion to $25 billion of spending that it expects customers to repay. That implies up to $95 billion for AI and data-center capex in the current fiscal year.

Bloomberg was the first to report in March that Oracle planned to cut its workforce as it aggressively spent on AI data center buildouts.

Wall Street analysts forecast that the cloud unit's data center spending will drive Oracle's cash flow negative through the end of the decade, with a payoff not expected until 2030. In January, Oracle announced plans to raise $50 billion in debt and equity.



ORCL 5 Year CDS exploded to record highs ...



ORCL 5 Year CDS vs. Oracle equity 



The labor restructuring should come as no surprise, as we cited Barclays earlier this year, which proposed that the "next step" for Oracle to drive free cash flow would be to lay off between 20,000 and 30,000 employees.

Read:

A Panicking Oracle Plans To Raise Up To $50 Billion, As Its Stock And Bonds Crater
Oracle Firing Tens Of Thousands As CDS Explodes To Financial Crisis Record
Oracle Prepares To Axe Thousands Of Jobs In New Layoff Round
Oracle has joined the growing party of tech giants, including Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Xai, and others, that have outlined AI capex plans this year, collectively totaling $800 billion.



Last month, Meta axed some 8,000 jobs as the great "white-collar purge" continues across corporate America. AI has led to about 50,000 layoffs so far this year in the US, with IBM and Salesforce announcing large cuts.

Related:

20 College Majors Most Exposed To AI Job Disruption
Oracle appears to be using labor restructuring to start digging itself out of the considerable hole it has dug, with more layoffs likely this year.


Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 08:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Primoris Services Crashes Again As Guidance Cut And Mgmt Missteps Spook Wall Street
Primoris Services Crashes Again As Guidance Cut And Mgmt Missteps Spook Wall Street

Shares of Primoris Services crashed in premarket trading after the infrastructure contractor slashed its full-year earnings outlook (again) and announced the departure of its chief operating officer.

The specialty construction and infrastructure contractor, which builds, maintains, and engineers critical infrastructure for utilities, energy, renewables, pipelines, power generation, industrial, chemical, oil and gas, civil infrastructure, and data-center power projects, blamed the guidance cut on weakness in its renewables business, where full-year revenue is now expected to fall about 30% from 2025 levels.

Primoris lowered its adjusted earnings forecast to $2.05 to $2.60 a share, well below the prior $4.80 to $5 range and the $4.74 Bloomberg consensus estimate. Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be $275 million to $325 million, down from a previous range of $480 million to $500 million.

"The Company is also anticipating lower revenue and gross profit for the full year 2026, primarily driven by lower expected revenue and gross profit in the Renewables business,"the company wrote in a press release. The warning comes as the Trump administration has focused on dialing back solar and wind projects in favor of reliable fossil-fuel power generation to shore up the fragile grid after an era of disastrous climate policies by the Biden-Harris regime.

Snapshot of full-year forecast (courtesy of Bloomberg):

Sees adjusted EPS $2.05 to $2.60, saw $4.80 to $5, estimate $4.74 (Bloomberg Consensus)
Sees adjusted Ebitda $275 million to $325 million, saw $480.0 million to $500.0 million, estimate $477.1 million
Sees EPS $1.30 to $1.85, saw $4.05 to $4.25
Shares tumbled 34% in premarket trading, one month after plunging 50% on disappointing results and a guidance cut. As of Monday's close, the stock was down 13% this year.

Institutional commentary:

1. Wolfe Research analyst Steve Fleishman commented on the dismal earnings: "Painful second guidance cut following several signs indicating another blow up. The good news, it's still just the six solar projects. Credibility concerns remain, but the $2B of bookings highlight demand remains as strong as ever for E&Cs."

2. KeyBanc analyst Sangita Jain noted, "We need to step away until a clear picture of the underlying renewables business emerges and steps to right the ship become evident."

3. Guggenheim analyst Joseph Osha wrote, "We reiterate our Buy rating and support for PRIM's stock following the relatively predictable cut to numbers yesterday. The company's CEO and board have made a series of significant mistakes in our view, but those mistakes do not reduce the underlying value of PRIM's businesses, especially those outside of the troubled renewable segment. Our price target continues to stand at $162."

4. JPMorgan analyst Mark Strouse published his first take, indicating, "First Take: Digging a Hole; PRIM Significantly Lowers Guidance Again, More Leadership Changes."

Strouse provided clients with an adjusted EBITDA midpoint guidance pathway that management has laid out to investors over the course of the year, showing a significant rerating lower as execution problems in the renewables segment worsened.



Analysts tracked by Bloomberg show 10 "Buy" ratings, 4 "Neutrals," and 1 "Sell", with a $140 average 12-month price target.



2025 and 2026 gains have been mostly wiped out.



Certaintly Primoris has evaporated all confidence from the market with a series of material downside surprises to guidance over the last several months.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:10

Ian Visits
Open 
British railway passenger journeys now exceeding pre-pandemic levels
The number of passenger journeys on British railways has exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time, with 1.836 billion journeys made between April 2025 and March 2026.Read more ›

Gizmodo
Open 
Rare Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Has an Astonishingly Ancient Origin
The interstellar visitor likely formed around 12 billion years ago in an ancient planetary system.

Gizmodo
Open 
Meta’s New AI Smart Glasses Drop Ray-Ban Branding and Add Kylie Jenner
There are three new styles of AI glasses in Meta's lineup and not one of them has "Ray-Ban" in the name.

Gizmodo
Open 
Dan Trachtenberg to Direct Animated Slasher Movie for the Whole Family
Plus, your first look at the 'Mr. Miracle' animated series.

Mail Online
Open 
Beverley Callard, 69, says she's 'nervous and on edge' as she returns to work after being treated for breast cancer
The actress, 69, admitted she felt 'nervous and on edge' as she arrived ready to film scenes for Fair City, after four months away while she had surgery.

Mail Online
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Kylie Jenner collaborates with Meta on £359 AI glasses with built-in cameras - and they even sing 'Rise and Shine' to you in the morning
The £359/$399 smart glasses feature a slim oval frame, which is 'inspired by Kylie's personal style'.

Sky News Home
Open 
Police officer, passer-by and gunman killed in hotel shoot-out
A police officer has been killed in a shooting at a hotel in Canada that also left a civilian and a suspected gunman dead.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
SpaceX Shares Continue Retreat After Topping $225
SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) shares continue their post-IPO retreat after topping $225 per share last week. At this moment in early trading, SpaceX is trading around $149, down several points after shares closed yesterday down over 16%. This represents an exceptional decline in value but is not... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
Whoop vs. Fitbit Air: I used both to track my health and fitness for a month - this one's better
How does the latest Fitbit Air hold up against the tried-and-true Whoop band? I broke down the key differences.

ZDNet News
Open 
Amazon is selling this Motorola phone for just $300 - and it comes with a stylus
Motorola's Moto G Stylus is down to just $300, saving shoppers $100 on one of the better budget Android phones I've tested.

ZDNet News
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Amazon has Lego sets on sale for Prime Day - and if you like to build, you'll want to check these out
Amazon Prime Day has ushered in deals on top products like TVs, laptops, and... Legos. Shop these savings now.

ZDNet News
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I convinced my mom to buy an Oura Ring - and now its price is even lower
The Oura Ring 4 is up to 44% off during Amazon Prime Day.

The Guardian (UK)
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Kenyan minister orders halt to construction of US Ebola facility
Decision comes after Aden Duale was held in contempt for ignoring previous high court ruling to stop work Kenya’s health minister told a court he had ordered preparations for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility to stop, after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous order to end work.Many Kenyans strongly oppose the facility, with deadly protests erupting since the complex was announced in May for US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is grappling with a widespread Ebola outbreak. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Lawns don’t need watering!’ How to garden in a heatwave, from recycling bathwater to making the most of shade
Whether you have a few pots on a balcony or an expanse of greenery, here’s how to help everything thrive when the mercury spikesAfter the two hottest May days on record in the UK last month, gardeners may be surveying the damage and dreading the summer months ahead. “Heatwaves early in the summer can result in scorched, brown leaves,” says Leigh Hunt, the principal horticultural adviser at the Royal Horticultural Society. “When temperatures climb over 35C, there are more extreme effects.” (Thermometers hit 35.1C in London on 26 May.)But don’t put down your trowel in defeat just yet. “Plants were caught out by the sudden change in temperature,” says Hunt. “They are a bit more naturally resistant later in the summer.” Plus, there is plenty you can do to support them without wasting gallons of water or installing an inefficient sprinkler system – and the payoff is massive. “Plants provide shade and release moisture; they cool our towns and cities by 2C to 4C,” says Hunt. “Your little bit of greenery is part of a network of greenery doing its bit. It makes the places we live better and cooler.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nationalist group leaders agree to stop hoisting St George’s flags in Oxfordshire
Representatives of Raise the Colours appeared in court after local council accused them of intimidating staffLeaders of the nationalist group Raise the Colours have agreed to stop hoisting England flags on lamp-posts in Oxfordshire after the local authority sought a high court injunction against the campaign.Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen and Trudy Wells told the high court on Tuesday they would not raise St George’s flags from Oxfordshire county council property, encourage others to do so or impede council workers from taking them down. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nigel Farage: I can spend £5m gift on Ferraris or betting on horses if I want
Reform leader says it is ‘purely private matter’ and it is not hypocritical to criticise Keir Starmer for receiving glassesUK politics live – latest updatesNigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business” as it was given unconditionally to be spent on anything from Ferraris to gambling on horses.The Reform UK leader bristled at questions about the £5m gift from the British Thai-based businessman Christopher Harborne in two radio interviews on Tuesday, saying it was “a purely private matter”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodUK politics live – latest updatesPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party while he was its chief executive.Murrell stole the money over a 12-year period, splashing out on a luxury motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens and luxury watches, a set of Lalique salt and pepper grinders and 2kg of coffee granules. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11927 Broadband (xDSL) - Emergency Maintenance - Altrincham (MRALT) (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 13:58

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:45

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#11928 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Formby - (LCFOM) - 13888 (New)
Customers connecting via the Formby exchange are currently experiencing a loss of service.

Our engineers are investigating and further updates will be posted here when available.

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CNET News
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14 of the Best Electric Toothbrushes to Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Sparkling
We tried over 20 different toothbrushes, and these are the ones that exceeded our expectations.

CNET News
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I Put the Ultimate Phone Cameras to a Head-to-Head Test (Neither Is an iPhone)
Xiaomi and Oppo have a couple of astonishingly good camera phones. I tested both to see which is best.

CNET News
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Honda Makes Surprise Bet on Solid-State Batteries With New Research Deal
Honda agrees to a deal with battery-tech company QuantumScape.

Wired Top Stories
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Meta’s Very Own Smart Glasses Go on Sale Today for $299
The new Meta-branded glasses have the same camera, microphones, and chatbot as the Ray-Bans. They come in three styles, one of which was codesigned with Kylie Jenner.

The Hill
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Todd Blanche should not be confirmed as attorney general
Blanche represents a travesty of equal justice under law. 

The Hill
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Watch live: Sununu, airline experts testify before Senate on air safety
Airline experts will testify before a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee panel Tuesday morning on air safety as close calls and other recent aviation accidents have highlighted issues with the system. Antiquated technology and air traffic control staffing shortages have contributed to the concerns. Witnesses include former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (D), who...

The Hill
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Trump insists Iran 'fully and completely agreed to highest level nuclear inspections'
President Trump on Tuesday insisted that Iran has "fully and completely agreed to" future inspections of its nuclear facilities as negotiators work toward a final peace deal. "Despite their protestations and false statements to the contrary, coupled with the drumbeat of the Fake News, which is doing everything possible to make the U.S. Victory as...

The Hill
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Live updates: Supreme Court set to issue opinions as term nears close; New York goes to the polls
The Supreme Court is set to deliver opinions Tuesday morning as it looks to clear its docket before summer recess. Rulings in several high-profile cases are expected to be announced before July. New York, Maryland and Utah are holding primary elections Tuesday, and South Carolina will host its primary runoffs. All eyes are on New...

The Hill
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Watch live: Senate convenes hearing on affordability ahead of midterms
The Senate Banking Committee will hear testimony from experts on affordability Tuesday morning as cost-of-living concerns in the U.S. grow ahead of the midterm elections. Rising costs — including gas price spikes amid the war in Iran — and inflation have voters on edge. The annual inflation rate sits at 4.2 percent, its highest point...

The Hill
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Trump defends sanctions relief, saying Iran will buy US food, medical supplies
President Trump on Tuesday defended the U.S.’s new agreement with Iran, which opens the door to lifting sanctions on the country and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.  “The Money and/or Sanctions that the U.S. Treasury is releasing goes into escrow, controlled by the U.S.A., and will be used for the purchase of food and medical...

The Hill
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The hidden rebellion against returning to the office 
The biggest force behind noncompliance is not defiance. It is values.

The Hill
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Trump name removed from Kennedy Center, photos show
President Trump’s name has been removed from the Kennedy Center, according to new photos. In a Monday night report from The Washington Post, the outlet featured photos it reported were from the previous week and obtained from an activist group named Hands Off the Arts. The photos show that an area on the building where...

UK Legislation
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The Registered Pension Schemes (Net Pay Arrangements) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend section 193A of the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12). Section 193A requires the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make top-up payments directly to individuals who save into an occupational pension scheme under net pay arrangements, in order to reduce disparities with occupational pension schemes administered under relief at source arrangements.

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Elstow, Bedfordshire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The Public Service Pension Schemes (Rectification of Unlawful Discrimination) (Tax) Regulations 2026
In this Explanatory Note, references to “FA” followed by a year are to a Finance Act of that year, references to “HMRC” are to the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, references to “ITEPA 2003” are to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1) and references to “PSPJOA 2022” are to the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7).

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump says Iran negotiations are going well, addresses humanitarian crisis…
President Trump seems quite pleased with Iran during the negotiations, so much so that he says the naval blockade is no longer necessary and the Hormuz strait will remain open. He also . . .

Mail Online
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Farm which supplied pork to major supermarkets admits animal cruelty offences after undercover filming captured staff abusing pigs
The footage, which was taken over an eight-day period, caught workers attacking pigs with a long metal fencing pole, known as a hurdle pin, in two separate incidents.

Mail Online
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I'm a royal fashion expert and these Amazon Prime Day sale finds look straight out of Kate Middleton's wardrobe
Running from June 23 - 26, the Amazon Prime Day sale is packed with fashion finds that look like they've come straight from the Princess of Wales' wardrobe - but at prices that are anything but regal.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews thanks his 'little genius' barber for his miracle hair growth - and lauds his 'beautiful' post-prison look
Lee Andrews has continued to showcase his miraculous hair growth. 

Mail Online
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'Major incident' declared after bus crashes on busy roundabout in Wales: Air ambulances on scene as public urged to stay away
Emergency services are dealing with a 'major incident' in Carmarthenshire after reports of a bus crash, Dyfed Powys Police said.

Mail Online
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Afghan migrant, 18, who stabbed a man to death is a 'traumatised refugee', court hears
Victim Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, pictured, was found with multiple knife wounds in Abbey Orchard Street in Westminster on March 27 this year before being pronounced dead in hospital.

The Guardian (UK)
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We would like to hear your memories of the 1976 UK heatwave
How did you cope? What do you remember of that period of hot weather? Tell us and share your pictures The record temperature for June set in Hampshire in 1976 is expected to be surpassed during this current UK heatwave.The highest June temperature on record of 35.6C was set on 29 June 1957 in London. This was then equalled on 28 June 1976 in Southampton during that year’s heatwave. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Audit firm to Gupta metals empire fined and banned for ‘egregious’ failures
UK watchdog gives King & King severe reprimand for failing ‘to identify clear self-interest’ when conducting auditsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s accounting watchdog has fined and temporarily banned a tiny audit firm for “egregious” failures and “widespread deficiencies” linked to its work in signing off accounts of several companies in Sanjeev Gupta’s metals empire.King & King and its managing partner Milankumar Patel have been fined a total of £378,184, received a “severe reprimand”, and hit with serious restrictions on audit work after a four-year investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nationalist group leaders agree to stop hoisting St George’s flags in Oxfordshire
Representatives of Raise the Colours appeared in court after local council accused them of intimidating staffLeaders of the nationalist group Raise the Colours have agreed to stop hoisting England flags from lamp-posts in Oxfordshire after the local authority sought a high court injunction against the campaign.Ryan Bridge, Ben Cullen and Trudy Wells told the high court on Tuesday they would not raise St George’s flags from Oxfordshire county council property, encourage others to do so or impede council workers from taking them down. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK prioritised ties with UAE over averting mass atrocities in Sudan, MPs to be told
Foreign Office failed to act on warnings of genocide due to ‘pressure’ from emirates, Yale human rights investigator will tell a parliamentary select committeeThe British government had received intelligence that Ethiopia appeared to be supporting a genocidal militia in Sudan’s civil war as far back as 2024 but did not go public with the news for fear of upsetting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a parliamentary committee will hear.In May 2024, officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told Nathaniel Raymond, an American human rights investigator at Yale University, that “significant private pressure” from the UAE meant the UK would not publicly divulge information linking Ethiopia and the emirates to their support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Who are the Ghana players England should look out for?
England face Ghana in their next World Cup match as both sides look to secure a place in the next round. BBC Sport takes a look at the Ghana players to look out for.

The Register
Open 
Microsoft Access finally breaks free of its 22-inch form limit
CRT-era restriction dragged into the widescreen age after 34 years

The Register
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Bold move, Cotton: Trump administration tells US techies it expects American quantum computer by 2028
Ahem. National effort required to kick-start the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery and keep America ahead of the game

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Major incident declared after bus crash near roundabout in Wales
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

Mac Rumours
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The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, AirTag, and More
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here, and it will last for four days, ending this Friday, June 26. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



For our coverage, we're focusing on discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, monitors, charging accessories, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases.



YEAR'S BEST PRICESAmazon Prime Day 2026



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week.



Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



AirPods



Amazon has the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399.00 in all colors, down from $549.00. This is an all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00.



$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$69 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $179.99

$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



AirTag 2



Apple's AirTag 2 has hit the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack.



$5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00



This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model.



Apple Watch Ultra 3



Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options.



$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00



Apple Watch Series 11



Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00

$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.



Apple Watch SE 3



Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable.



$50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00

$50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00



You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices.



MacBook Air



You'll find $149 off a few models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon this week, starting at $949.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,099.00.



$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99

$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.99



iPad Air



Amazon has brought back all-time low prices on a handful of M4 iPad Air tablets for Prime Day. This includes both 11-inch and 13-inch models of the brand new 2026 M4 iPad Air.



$79 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $519.99

$89 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $609.99

$99 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $699.99

$109 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $789.99



Specifically, the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Air has dropped to $519.99, down from $599.00, beating the previous low price by about $40.



iPad



Amazon is taking up to $52 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.



$50 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $299.00

$50 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00

$52 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $597.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, AirTag, and More' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple's Foldable iPhone Could Lose Almost $1,300 in Value in First Year, Study Suggests
A new resale value study suggests that a $2,000 foldable iPhone could lose as much as $1,292 of its value within its first 12 months on the market, based on current foldable depreciation trends.





The estimate comes from SellCell, which analyzed the 12-month resale performance of flagship smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus. The site found that foldable smartphones lose an average of 64.6% of their value within a year, the worst depreciation rate of any smartphone category, compared with 55.3% for traditional smartphones.



SellCell calculates that foldable phone owners lose $997.69 on average after 12 months, compared with $605.32 for owners of traditional smartphones, a gap of $392.37. Foldables retain just 35.4% of their launch value after a year, versus 44.7% for non-folding phones.



Apple is widely rumored to be preparing its first foldable iPhone, expected to be called the "iPhone Ultra," for launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in fall 2026, with a price of around $2,000.



Using that rumored price point, SellCell modeled what a foldable iPhone's resale value might look like after a year if it depreciated at the average rate seen across today's foldables, landing at around $708 after 12 months. This would represent a loss of roughly $1,292.



SellCell notes Apple has historically outperformed competitors on resale value. The iPhone 16 lineup retained 51.5% of its value after 12 months, the strongest of any major manufacturer in the study, ahead of OnePlus (46.8%), Google (40.8%), Samsung (39.5%), and Motorola (24.5%). If a foldable iPhone matched the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup's depreciation rate instead, SellCell estimates it could be worth around $1,030 after a year, over $300 less depreciation than a typical foldable.



Real-world depreciation would likely land closer to Apple's existing figures. The base ‌iPhone 16‌ retained 51.4% of value after a year and the 256GB ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max retained 56.4%, though even at those rates, the total loss on a $2,000 device would still come out to roughly $1,000 over 12 months.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Foldable iPhone, SellCellThis article, 'Apple's Foldable iPhone Could Lose Almost $1,300 in Value in First Year, Study Suggests' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Afghan Taliban clamp down on women, smartphones, protests
The Taliban are tightening the screws on women's clothing, shooting at protesters and ordering even their own officials to stop using smartphones. Behind the regime's omnipresent control, there are signs of deep anxiety.

BBC UK News
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Major incident declared after bus crash near roundabout
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.

Mail Online
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Hundreds of schools will close early and people warned against all but essential travel in 'heat dome' as UK braces for 'hottest day ever' after thunderstorms battered country
At least 312 are fully or partially closing, with parents being told their children can wear PE kits and sandals amid parts of England being placed on red alert over extreme temperatures.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How is UK heatwave impacting sport for players and fans?
BBC Sport explores the impact of the UK heatwave on sports events across the country

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From non-league to playing for Ghana at the World Cup - the Semenyo story
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The World Cup stars being targeted by Premier League clubs
The World Cup stars being targeted by Premier League clubs. Who has caught the eye already, and which clubs are focusing on longer-term priorities?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Stop pretending EU's new border system is working, says airports chief
The head of Europe's airports lobby says concerns over EES are keeping him awake at night and he doesn't know how airports will cope over the summer.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
These boots were made for walking! But who wore them? Find out in the Art Fund museum of the year quiz
In the third of five quizzes, curators at the Box Plymouth set 10 fiendish questions to test your knowledge of their collections Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Trump book’s authors detail how they pried loose White House secrets: ‘We nearly killed ourselves’
Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, the reporters behind Regime Change, were up against an administration that is ‘very good at keeping secrets’They cracked the White House situation room, unearthing secrets from the heart of a secretive administration. But the reporters behind Regime Change, a blockbuster new book on Donald Trump’s second term, ran up against a wall when reporting on one issue surrounding the 80-year-old US president: his fitness for office.“His health has always been a very specific lockbox for him, going back decades,” Maggie Haberman, co-author with Jonathan Swan, said in an interview. “Illness freaks him out; he perceives illness as weakness, usually, and he certainly perceives any sense that he is having an issue as a projection of weakness, and his advisers are very, very attuned to that. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Global shares tumble after US tech sell-off; UK services sector shrinks at fastest pace since 2023 – business live
US stock futures point to lower Wall Street open; British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendStock futures are pointing to a 2.7% fall on the tech-heavy Nasdaq when Wall Street opens later, amid concerns over imminent US interest rate hikes and debt-backed spending on AI.Valuations of AI stocks have ballooned but investors now worry that higher borrowing costs could make the buildout of AI infrastructure more costly.The Nasdaq was pulled lower by Big Tech stocks [on Monday] after news that SpaceX (which is not yet part of the index) was looking to borrow up to $20bn through a bond sale – investment-grade bond (uh-hum) – quite unusual for a company that is burning cash. Seemingly, the recent IPO did not suffice to assuage the company’s funding needs — a reminder of how much money may still be burned on the way to Mars. SpaceX shares fell more than 16% yesterday, reducing the post-IPO rally to less than 15% — still substantial given that the company’s valuation remains massive by traditional metrics.Again, SpaceX is not yet part of the Nasdaq indices, but the fact that it is jumping on the bond train to fund excessive AI and infrastructure spending revives earlier concerns that Big Tech may be spending too much on AI infrastructure and increasingly financing that spending through debt. Morgan Stanley expects global AI-related borrowing to surpass half a trillion dollars this year, meaning that corporate bond indices are increasingly becoming dominated by the AI theme as well.We need people with a vision, that’s what this is all about. Starmer is not a visionary, he’s not a bold leader. [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves is a rule pusher, she’s not a bold leader.Inward investment in the UK is lower today than it has been at any point in the last 20 years from abroad, so we need to fix that. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
About 400,000 UK children supported by baby banks, up 11% on previous year
Exclusive: Charities say they ‘cannot continue to absorb the impact of child poverty’ without government supportFour hundred thousand children in the UK were supported by baby banks in 2025, an 11% increase from the year before, prompting warnings from charities that they “cannot continue to absorb the impact of child poverty on this scale” without government support.New research from the Baby Bank Alliance, set up by Save the Children UK and other organisations to represent and advocate for more than 400 baby banks across the country, found that an average of 1,096 children were being supported by baby banks every day, with some essential items soaring in demand. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
You’re only supposed to blow the bloody hooves off: AI Michael Caine narrates Odyssey audiobook
AI company ElevenLabs unveils its officially licensed replica of the iconic actor’s voice in a retelling of Homer’s epic poem, while director who previously recorded the star recalls real-life experienceNext month, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster version of The Odyssey is set to storm cinemas around the globe. Auguries suggest the almost three-hour drama will repeat the success of Nolan’s previous film both at the box office (Oppenheimer took nearly a billion dollars) and the Academy Awards (it won seven Oscars).But before that, a new audiobook version of Homer’s tale has been released starring one of Nolan’s most frequent collaborators: Michael Caine, with whom he has worked on eight films, including the Dark Knight trilogy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: Jordan fan dies in crowd crush, criticism of Ronaldo and Portugal ‘unfair’; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
No 10 says there will be ‘no new major policy or spending commitments’ before new PM appointed – UK politics live
Spokesperson did not suggest this would cover the defence investment plan and added Burnham will be allowed civil service ‘access talks’ Peter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Wanted: Jobs, critical minerals as Zambia's election nears
Zambians head to the polls in August with jobs and living costs at the top of their concerns. The outcome could also impact the ongoing global competition for critical minerals and redefine ties with China and the US.

Mail Online
Open 
Teacher couple who 'did nothing' as their 12-year-old son lay dying from undiagnosed diabetes are jailed
Qualified teachers Tamara Thomas, 46, and Damion Thomas, 48, from King's Heath, Birmingham, have been jailed over their son Joshua's 'entirely preventable' death from undiagnosed diabetes.

Mail Online
Open 
Nobody's Child's new summer collection is made for the heatwave - 11 pieces I predict will sell out first
Temperatures are soaring, and Nobody's Child's new cotton summer collection has arrived at the perfect time. Shop the 11 pieces set to sell out first.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11927 Broadband (xDSL) - Emergency Maintenance - Altrincham (MRALT) (New)
Our engineer is currently at Altrincham (MRALT) to carry out a fault fix. Some subscribers will experience a brief service interruption.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 13:58

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:45

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 14:01

Status: Partial

Maintenance: Emergency

Autosport F1
Open 
How Formula E’s F1-like calendar sees the two series converging – but also diverging
When Formula E unleashes its brand-new generation of machinery– the 600kW, all-wheel drive Gen4 car– it will do so on its most diverse calendar yet, with a mixture of street circuits, classic permanent venues and abridged grand prix tracks.The time when relatively slow and unimpressive Formula E cars had to be kept to tight, chicane-laden venues to keep their batteries humming along ...Keep reading

Autosport F1
Open 
FIA confirms 2027 F1 power unit changes
The FIA has formally greenlit F1's move towards a 60/40 power unit split over the next two years, as it makes two key safety changes for 2026.Earlier this year, the FIA had banned drivers from using Boost Mode in wet conditions following driver feedback that the huge increase in torque would present a safety risk, with the 2026 cars already challenging to drive in the wet without the huge ...Keep reading

Mail Online
Open 
Top City lawyer is cleared of assaulting his wife during row over money - as court hears she 'embellished' the details to 'gain an upper hand in the divorce'
Solicitor Boris Telyatnikov, 42, denied grabbing the arm of pharmaceutical executive Sophie Voigt-Firon while demanding she transfer £4,000 to his account.

Mail Online
Open 
Recruitment consultant told sister her marine engineer boyfriend had strangled her before she was 'raped and murdered', court hears
Arleta Derkacz, Miss Derkacz's sister, told police she became worried about her sister's welfare as the relationship deteriorated because he had strangled her in the past.

Mail Online
Open 
Gladiators star Giant splits from his OnlyFans model girlfriend Taylor Ryan just weeks after he was axed by the BBC over their relationship
Gladiators star Giant has split from his OnlyFans model girlfriend two months after the relationship cost him his job.

Digital Trends
Open 
Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI router review: A terrific, future-proof upgrade
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI is a beastly Wi-Fi router that is loaded with meaningful features and skips the subscription hurdle, too. But at $899, you must really want it to get one.

Digital Trends
Open 
These DDPAI Prime Day deals make upgrading your car’s security system a no-brainer
Prime Day is bringing some of DDPAI's biggest discounts of the year, with savings of up to $170 on the flagship Z90 Master and value-focused Z60 Master. If you've been waiting for the right time to upgrade your dashcam, this limited-time sale may be it.

Digital Trends
Open 
Akko Dash V9 Ultra review: I tested this ultra-light gaming mouse and it eased my work, too
Akko's featherweight mouse packs a flagship sensor and 8K wireless polling into a sleek shell without a asking a sky-high price for it.

Digital Trends
Open 
The race to make smart glasses look less awkward has begun, and I love what I see
An Italian startup called Lorika just launched Ontop, brightly colored clip-on covers that make your Ray-Ban Meta glasses pop.

TechRadar News
Open 
I'm finding you all of the best Prime Day deals at Amazon UK — up to 50% off Kindles, fans, Lego, appliances, TVs, and more

TechRadar News
Open 
Finding a new PC build without paying a fortune for RAM in this market is a tough task — but MSI's Nvidia-powered laptops are here to save the day

TechRadar News
Open 
I've hand-picked the 99 best Prime Day deals — up to 65% off Apple, Lego, Dyson, Kindle, Samsung, and more

TechRadar News
Open 
Our own review gave the Audeze Maxwell 2 four stars, but it's such a brilliant gaming headset that I would have given it five

TechRadar News
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Don't waste your money on the Steam Machine — this build is cheaper and better, as one of the best Prime Day Walmart deals

TechRadar News
Open 
How AI innovation is outpacing regulation

TechRadar News
Open 
This screen-free Wi-Fi streamer can save you from Spotify algorithms — turn the Atonemo NTS Radio Player’s dial to choose from 16 ‘Infinite Mixtapes’ and hook it up to your speakers for 24-bit / 192 kHz lossless audio

TechRadar News
Open 
Sky to adapt the scariest 'spine-chilling' podcast of 2025 in immersive new documentary series — and it'll completely change your fears about 'World War 3'

TechRadar News
Open 
Forget BBQs, what your summer needs is a pizza oven — here are 9 hot picks, from £127

TechRadar News
Open 
I'm a certified TV calibrator, and these are the 4 TVs for all budgets I'd most recommend — but they're starting to sell out, so don't miss out on these OLED and mini-LED bargains

TechRadar News
Open 
The Ninja Luxe Café Pro is on sale for Prime Day, but this five-star De'Longhi coffee maker is even better with 43% off

TechRadar News
Open 
Prime Day portable monitor deal of the day: The tablet-thin Arzopa Z3FC is 'perfectly balanced for work and play'

TechRadar News
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Eliminate note-taking headaches — Plaud's AI voice recorders are in the Prime Day sale

TechRadar News
Open 
AdGuard VPN launches on the Mac App Store to offer Apple users one-click privacy — but with a caveat

TechRadar News
Open 
If you've already got a smartwatch you like, here's what I'd get in the Prime Day sales — the Polar H10, the 'gold standard' electrical heart rate monitor

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Everyday investors fueled the SpaceX trading frenzy. Now they face a bear market.
From six-figure retirement gambles to tactical day trades, retail investors have made big bets on SpaceX’s volatile stock.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Hans-Juergen Schoenig: Introducing pg_hardstorage: A New Community-Driven Approach to PostgreSQL Backup and Recovery
PostgreSQL today looks very different from the PostgreSQL many of us started working with over 25 years ago.



PostgreSQL was once primarily deployed on dedicated servers and virtual machines, and now runs across managed database services, Kubernetes platforms, cloud environments, hybrid infrastructures, and everything in between. Many organizations operate several of these models simultaneously, often while supporting growing data volumes and increasingly demanding recovery requirements. As PostgreSQL deployments have evolved, so have the conversations surrounding backup and recovery.



At CYBERTEC, those conversations have been taking place across customer environments, community discussions, architectural reviews, and operational workshops for many years. The result is pg_hardstorage, a new open-source community project focused on PostgreSQL backup and recovery.



The project reflects a collection of ideas, observations, and experiences gathered from working alongside PostgreSQL users operating in a rapidly changing landscape.




The Reason behind pg_hardstorage



The PostgreSQL ecosystem already has several excellent backup and recovery solutions.



Tools such as pgBackRest, Barman, WAL-G, and others have earned the trust of the community through years of development, operational experience, and continuous improvement. They remain an important part of how PostgreSQL is operated around the world today.



Which naturally leads to the question: why introduce another backup tool?



The answer is not that existing tools are lacking. In many ways, the strength of the PostgreSQL ecosystem comes from having multiple approaches to solving the same problem. Different organizations have different requirements, different operational models, and different priorities.



Over time, we found ourselves repeatedly discussing topics that reflected how PostgreSQL deployments continue to change. New deployment models, managed services, evolving operational practices, and changing expectations around backup and recovery all contributed to those conversations. pg_hardstorage grew out of those discussions.



It exists as another open-source option within the PostgreSQL ecosystem, one that explores a particular set of ideas while remaining grounded in the same principles that have helped PostgreSQL thrive for decades: openness, transparency, and community collaboration.



A Project built for the community



Backup and recovery software occupies a unique position within any PostgreSQL environment. When recovery becomes necessary, trust in the tools and processes involved becomes just as important as the backup itself. Open-source development provides an opportunity for ideas to be discussed publicly, implementations to be reviewed, and improvements to emerge through real-world feedback and experience.



From the beginning, pg_hardstorage has been intended as a community project. The project is being released under the Apache 2.0 license, reflecting a commitment to open development and broad participation.  The goal is to encourage discussion, participation, testing, and collaboration around the project as it evolves.



The PostgreSQL community has always been one of its greatest strengths, and we hope pg_hardstorage can contribute to that tradition.



Continuing the technical conversation



Alongside the project itself, we will publish a series of technical articles that explore some of the architectural and operational ideas that influenced its development. Readers interested in those discussions can explore:




a closer look at how PostgreSQL’s replication protocol influenced the project architecture.



a deeper understanding of the challenges that are introduced by traditional incremental backup chains,  and more as the community starts looking at the tool.  Stay tuned.




Explore, Experiment, Contribute



pg_hardstorage is being developed with a practical, hands-on philosophy. The project website serves as the central hub for documentation, technical resources, project updates, source code access, and community participation.



Whether you prefer to explore the architecture, follow the technical discussions, evaluate the project in your own environment, or contribute to its future direction, everything begins there.



Project Website:https://www.pghardstorage.org/View the code on GitHub: https://github.com/cybertec-postgresql/pg_hardstorage



We look forward to seeing where the community takes the conversation next.



-



Hans-Jürgen SchönigFounder & CEO of CYBERTEC
The post Introducing pg_hardstorage: A New Community-Driven Approach to PostgreSQL Backup and Recovery appeared first on CYBERTEC PostgreSQL | Services & Support.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The County Championship is delivering a magnificent season
Cricket fans were treated to a few thrills this week. It’s just a shame the season is now on pause until late AugustBy the 99.94 Cricket BlogThis article is from The 99.94 Cricket Blog Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: Jordan fan dies in stampede, criticism of Ronaldo and Portugal ‘unfair’; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK could rejoin EU on ‘short’ timeline if it wanted, former Brexit negotiator says – Europe live
Michel Barnier says UK could also join a new European security and defence councilWhoever becomes the next UK prime minister will have plenty of political space to move closer to Europe, polling expert John Curtice has said.His comments come as many domestically and in Europe begin to question whether the potential future British prime minister will move further away or closer to the EU than Keir Starmer.“Labour’s vote is something like three-quarters to four-fifths pro-Rejoin [the EU] vote.
Labour has always had much more potential political opportunity to be able to go further in terms of our relationship with the European Union, but it does mean that the Labour Party has to end its hang up about the ‘Red Wall.’”“Actually the reason why public opinion has shifted from what was, 52:48 in favour of Brexit no being roughly 60, 40 rejoin is partly to do with the fact that leave voters are less likely to say they would vote to stay out, than remain voters … say rejoin.
There is a bit of a gut [feeling] there, but we have to remember now that there are 10 years worth of our population who were too young to vote in 2016.And if you actually look at the perceptions of the people who did not vote in 2016, whether they were too young or not, they, and their perceptions of the consequences of Brexit, including on the economy, look much closer to the views of remain voters than those of leave voters.” Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
Man fatally stabbed in Crystal Palace is named
Six people are arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of Kamahl Cameron-Williams.

Computer Weekly
Open 
The brain was never just a language model
The future of AI: the brain is much more than a large language model. It is a fusion engine, able to weigh multiple streams of data at the same time.

UK Government News
Open 
Chancellor Announces Jonathan Haskel as Preferred Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility
Professor Jonathan Haskel CBE has been nominated as candidate for the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)

UK Government News
Open 
Strengthening leading practice in animals in science: holding response
Letter from the Minister, Lord Hanson of Flint, to the Chair of the Animals in Science Committee.

Gizmodo
Open 
Biologists Want NASA to Build a Quarantine Lab for Alien Germs on the Moon
A biologist specializing in invasive species has partnered with a former Pentagon strategist in pushing NASA to construct a “lunar biocontainment facility.”

Gizmodo
Open 
‘Widow’s Bay’ Star Reflects on How Important It Was to Shoot on Location
Kingston Rumi Southwick appreciated the decision to film Apple TV's horror comedy about a cursed island in actual seaside towns.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Alchemy Introduces Visa enabled Virtual Cards for AI Agents
As part of a seemingly significant step toward more effectively enabling autonomous AI systems to participate directly in the digital economy, Alchemy has introduced AgentCard, a virtual payment and identity platform integrated with Visa’s (NYSE: V) network. Announced recently this month, the solution provides AI agents... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Rising Account Takeover Threats Now A Growing Challenge for Digital Marketplaces and Gig Platforms
Regtech Prove has indicated that account takeover (ATO) fraud is quietly eroding revenues, damaging customer trust, and complicating operations across digital marketplaces and gig economy platforms. Criminals who gain unauthorized control of user accounts can exploit stored payment details, loyalty points, promotional credits, and trusted... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Fintech Mollie Completes Full Coverage Across EEA Markets with €350 Million Growth Investment
Dutch payments and financial services company Mollie has reached a significant milestone by becoming fully operational in every country within the European Economic Area. The achievement, announced on June 18, 2026, was finalized with the launch of services in Croatia and Iceland, bringing its footprint... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
JPMorgan Chase Plans Expansion of Chase Digital Bank Across European Markets
JP Morgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) is now said to be moving forward with plans to expand its Chase digital banking platform into several new European markets over the next five years. The initiative aims to establish operations in at least five countries across the continent, with a focus... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Axelar Discloses $4.7 Million Loss in Secret Network Bridge Exploit
Blockchain interoperability platform Axelar has confirmed a security breach that resulted in the theft of approximately $4.7 million in bridged assets connected to the Secret Network. The incident, disclosed on June 19, 2026, involved tokens transferred via the Cosmos Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol and was... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
UK’s NatWest Group Introduces Certification for Responsible AI and Data Practices
NatWest Group has introduced a comprehensive accreditation program in artificial intelligence and data ethics for its entire workforce of around 60,000 colleagues. The program aims to ensure that staff can use AI technologies responsibly and ethically as these tools become integral to daily banking activities.... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
McKinsey Highlights Path to Potential $2 Trillion Fintech Sector by 2030
McKinsey & Company’s latest “Week in Charts” update, published on June 16, 2026, paints an optimistic picture of the fintech industry’s trajectory. According to the analysis, the sector has entered a new phase of consistent expansion and stronger financial performance. If current momentum holds, global... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Alpaca Enhances Access to US Markets with Stablecoin Funding for Securities and Crypto Trading
Alpaca has indicated that stablecoins have evolved into essential infrastructure for global investors seeking efficient entry into traditional financial markets. Alpaca recently highlighted the growing role of its stablecoin funding feature, which allows Broker API partners and Trading API users to deposit supported stablecoins to... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Ethereum (ETH) focused BitMine, SharpLink, Joe Lubin Back Research Lab Ethlabs
A new nonprofit research and development organization called Ethlabs has launched to strengthen Ethereum’s technical foundation and prepare the network for broader institutional use. Founded by former researchers from the Ethereum Foundation, the group aims to accelerate progress on scaling, protocol improvements, and real-world adoption... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Ripple Secures Preliminary MiCA CASP License to Expand Payments Services in Europe
Ripple has received preliminary approval for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. MiCA serves as the European Union’s comprehensive framework to regulate cryptoasset activities, aiming to enhance... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
I tried Gmail's new Gemini Flows feature, and it's a huge filter improvement (with one big catch)
Gmail's genius Gemini Flows feature fixes filters - but only for your first 2000 emails a month.

ZDNet News
Open 
The best-selling XR glasses on Amazon are down to the lowest price we've seen for Prime Day
The RayNeo Air 4 Pro project your phone or laptop screen into a 201-inch virtual display with surprisingly vivid picture quality.

ZDNet News
Open 
Android 17's new app Bubbles are a multitasker's dream - plus 5 other features I love
I tested Android 17 on my Pixel 9 Pro, and these are the six new features that make the biggest difference.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) review – Tyshawn Sorey’s meditations yield their mysteries slowly
Sorey/BBC Singers/Tines/Gibson/GBSR DuoSt Giles’ Cripplegate, LondonThe Pulitzer-winner’s sprawling amalgam of Morton Feldman and African American spiritual felt meandering, but the GBSR duo, the BBC Singers and Ruth Gibson’s viola were luminous and charismatic Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) by Pulitzer-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey demands patience. Subtitled “A meditation on Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel”, the work uses a similar ensemble – percussion, keyboards, a viola, a choir, a solo voice – and a similarly abstract dialogue of rhythms and pitches to Feldman’s 1971 tribute to the US painter. But where Feldman’s meditative soundscape lasts half an hour, Monochromatic Light sprawls across 80 minutes and discloses only in its final bars a second vital anchoring in the African American spiritual Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.Such a score is not ideally experienced from a hard pew in a hot church during a week of record-breaking temperatures. There were moments between its opening, barely detectible murmur of tubular bells and its closing revelation of the bass-baritone soloist’s single line of text (pieced together syllable by syllable over 50 minutes) when I struggled to hold on to a sense of musical architecture, when the pinpricks of dissonance and slow-motion scatterings of instrumental lines began to feel meandering. Other details offered more rapid gratification: elemental rumbling on bass drum and timpani using sticks with heads like candyfloss; a glistening sheen of bowed marimba on a rare, mill-pond calm octave unison from the choir; wild bass-baritone melismas plunging acrobatically across the voice. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
No 10 says there will be ‘no new major policy or spending commitments’ before new PM appointed – UK politics live
Spokesperson did not suggest this would cover the defence investment plan and added Burnham will be allowed ‘access talks’ with civil servicePeter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11926 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - SWHV-Haverfordwest (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 1 hour during the maintenance window.

Start: Tue, 4th Aug 2026 00:01

End: Tue, 4th Aug 2026 05:59

Update: Tue, 4th Aug 2026 05:59

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 13:07

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Wired Top Stories
Open 
We're Tracking Prime Day Live To Find Sales Worth Shopping in 2026
Prime Day is here, and so is our live blog. We'll bring you deals, trends, and commentary throughout Amazon's annual summer sale.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Netgear’s Excellent Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Is on Sale for Prime Day
WIRED’s favorite Wi-Fi 7 mesh system from Netgear is cheaper than ever on Prime Day.

The Hill
Open 
Trump gets his deal, but Netanyahu gets a nightmare
Netanyahu must reckon with being forced to end a war Israelis overwhelmingly want to continue. 

The Hill
Open 
2 more arrested in alleged White House UFC plot
Two more people have been arrested in connection with what federal law enforcement have said was a plot to attack the "UFC Freedom 250" event in front of the White House earlier this month on President Trump's 80th birthday. Court filings show that on Friday, William Lee Spartacus Falkner of Belfair, Wash., was charged with...

The Hill
Open 
Democrats are becoming Berniecrats
Bernie Sanders' socialist ideas are becoming increasingly influential in the Democratic Party, with his endorsed candidates winning across the country and progressive policies becoming more popular among Democrats.

The Hill
Open 
The Movement: Behind the GOP’s anti-fraud midterm push
A note for Movement readers: Movement is becoming part of The Hill Insider — our new premium access digital subscription launching July 2026. As a Hill Insider subscriber your weekly briefing on politics and policy continues, now with live editor calls, exclusive analysis and a direct line to the reporters covering the forces shaping Washington....

Techdirt
Open 
ABC Asks Audience To Help Defend It From Brendan Carr’s Dumb Censorship Attacks
ABC continues to send signals that it actually intends to fight back against Brendan Carr’s clumsy efforts to censor the network’s comedians and journalists. As Mike noted last week, the public had until Monday, June 22 to file public comment with the FCC about the agency’s ongoing censorship efforts. Part of those efforts have involved […]

Ars Technica
Open 
How to burst the AI bubble: Strike at its roots

Mail Online
Open 
Farm which supplied pork to major supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's admits animal cruelty offences after undercover filming captured staff abusing pigs
The footage, which was taken over an eight-day period, caught workers attacking pigs with a long metal fencing pole, known as a hurdle pin, in two separate incidents.

Mail Online
Open 
Savannah Guthrie tears up on TODAY show over new ransom note revelations in missing mom Nancy's case
Guthrie kept a brave face as she urged people to come forward with information, one day after it was revealed a ransom note received by the media had alluded to her mom's death.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Schweinsteiger's Ivory Coast comments spark racism debate
Bastian Schweinsteiger's TV analysis of Germany's World Cup opponents Ivory Coast appeared to draw on racist stereotypes. For some observers, the comments are evidence that racist tropes are still common in football.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Loganair Flight London-Dundee Declares Emergency, Diverts to Aberdeen
Within the last hour or so, a Loganair flight from London to Dundee declared an emergency and diverted to Aberdeen.

BBC UK News
Open 
Government pledges action after Preston Davey case
Thirteen-month old Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse by Jamie Varley.

Mail Online
Open 
Ex-rugby star, 40, was found dead in Florence hotel room after he beat girlfriend while 'high on drink and drugs', inquest hears
The naked body of Ricky Bibey, 40, was discovered in the room at the Continentale Hotel in the Italian city on July 16, 2022. The father-of-three from Greater Manchester, died of 'neck compression'.

Mail Online
Open 
This private Belize island is on sale for $700,000 - less than the price of an average London terraced house and just a 17-minute commute from the mainland
On the market for $700,000 (£527,940), Treasure Caye, a tropical haven in Belize, costs less than the average UK home - and it offers a rare chance to design your dream life in paradise.

Mail Online
Open 
Young people 'ageing faster' than previous generations - raising cancer risk, new study claims
Younger adults are ageing faster than generations before them, making them more susceptible to cancer , a new study has found.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ransom note about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance says she died, according to reports
Note reportedly said kidnappers her didn’t mean to kill mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, but she died shortly after her disappearanceA ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie – the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie – said the 84-year-old had died, CNN and other news organizations are reporting, citing law enforcement sources.Some media outlets had previously reported receiving ransom notes tied to the case in the days after Guthrie’s disappearance in early February from her home in the foothills just outside Tucson, Arizona. Continue reading...

The Register
Open 
AWS debuts Lambda MicroVMs with up to 8 hours runtime
Suitable for running untrusted code, AI agents, or any long-running task

Mail Online
Open 
Traveller ordered to pay £800 for possessing bodies of barn owl and kestrel that were dumped with 50 dead hares in 'horror movie scene' outside village shop
James Kempster was accused of turning a village shop into a 'horror movie scene' after 50 hare carcasses and the bodies of a barn owl and a kestrel were left outside its forecourt.

Mail Online
Open 
The ONE Norwegian fan refusing to join in with team's viral World Cup celebration! Hilarious moment single supporter sits still as thousands do 'The Viking'
Norway supporters have been showing off the World Cup's most eye-catching cheer - The Viking Row - in support of their team.

Mail Online
Open 
Prince William calls for united 'responsibility' for the environment as he joins Robert Irwin at Earthshot Prize event - after arriving in an electric London bus
The Prince of Wales arrived on a special electric bus to deliver a keynote speech highlighting the success of his Earthshot Prize.

Mail Online
Open 
Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals live: Expert picked offers revealed minute by minute with lowest prices ever on Apple airpods, Fire TV Sticks, best-selling fans and more
SHOPPING: Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here! The annual summer shopping event is underway with millions of deals and to keep you in the know we've highlighted the best of the best deals.

Mail Online
Open 
AMANDA PLATELL: Why Kate must stand firm and protect her family from Sussexes' manipulation - and most of all, her children
When the King graciously offered Harry an 'olive branch', by setting aside time for the his family on their first visit in four years next month, there was one person on my mind: Kate.

Mail Online
Open 
Under-50s 'ageing quicker' the reason why young cancer cases are surging, new study claims
Younger adults are ageing faster than generations before them, making them more susceptible to cancer , a new study has found.

Mail Online
Open 
Afghan migrant, 18, who stabbed a man to death is a 'traumatised refugee', court hears
Today, Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, denied murder and knife possession in a public place.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds
The former party chief executive had admitted embezzling more than £400,000 over a 12-year period.

Mac Rumours
Open 
UK iCloud Users Could Claim £77 Each as Apple Case Heads to Trial
A class action lawsuit accusing Apple of overcharging U.K. iCloud users has been certified to go ahead, putting the £3 billion ($3.9 billion) claim on track for a trial in October 2028.





According to BBC News, the Competition Appeal Tribunal cleared consumer group Which? to bring the case on behalf of an estimated 40 million U.K. iPhone and iPad owners, each of whom could receive up to £77 if the claim succeeds.



Which? alleges that Apple has locked customers into iCloud since 2015 by limiting how rival cloud services work on its devices, and then charged inflated subscription prices as a result. Apple gives users 5GB of free storage and pushes them toward paid tiers once that fills up, with U.K. pricing running from 99p a month for 50GB to £54.99 a month for 12TB.



The consumer group filed its claim against Apple at the tribunal on behalf of affected consumers in November 2024.



Anabel Hoult, Which?'s chief executive, said the group wanted to make clear that no company "no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position." She said the green light from the tribunal meant Which? was "one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple."



"This should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics," she added.



Apple has called the claims unfounded, and argues that no customer is required to use iCloud and that alternatives exist. The company said it strongly disagrees with the tribunal's decision and plans to appeal.



Eligibility covers anyone who used iCloud on a U.K. device between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026. Those living in the U.K. on June 8 are included automatically unless they opt out by October 8, while non-U.K. residents from that date must opt in by the same deadline. Customers who first used iCloud after June 8, 2026 are excluded.



(Thanks, Alan!)Tags: iCloud, Apple Lawsuits, United KingdomRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, 'UK iCloud Users Could Claim £77 Each as Apple Case Heads to Trial' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Confidential Apple Files Leaked on Dark Web After Supplier Cyberattack
One of Apple's key manufacturing partners in India has confirmed it was recently the target of a cyberattack that has resulted in confidential Apple documents being leaked on the dark web.





Tata Electronics said on Monday it had detected a "cybersecurity incident," after security researchers told Reuters that ransom group World Leaks had shared more than 200,000 files belonging to Apple and Tesla, both of which are customers of the Indian group.

"A few weeks ago, Tata Electronics identified a cybersecurity incident on some of our systems. Our response protocols were deployed immediately, and the incident has had no impact on our operations across businesses, which remain unaffected," Tata Electronics told Reuters in a statement.Apple has not commented on the leak, but a source familiar with the matter told the outlet that Apple was investigating the breach and ​a "full analysis was going on." Tata is believed to have received a ransom demand related to the incident, but the group declined to comment.



Many of the leaked files allegedly contain component design and specification papers. For example, one 52-page document has Apple's proprietary markings and purportedly details quality inspection standards ⁠for iPhone circuit ​board components. The files are ⁠also said to contain emails, event logs spanning several years, and passport copies of employees including foreign nationals.



Reuters wasn't able to independently verify the documents, which have been available on the dark web – which is beyond the reach of search engines – since at least June 10, according to researchers.



Tata is emerging as one of Apple's most important manufacturing ​partners outside China, and the breach is another setback for the group. It is also currently facing a health probe over alleged contamination of farmlands near one of its iPhone parts plants.Tag: IndiaThis article, 'Confidential Apple Files Leaked on Dark Web After Supplier Cyberattack' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mail Online
Open 
Angela Rayner calls for more social housing and welfare as Labour big beasts jockey for jobs under Burnham - with Labour Left pushing for 'Red Ed' Miliband to be Chancellor
Behind-the-scenes lobbying has been ramping up with a focus on who will get the prized roles in Cabinet.

Mail Online
Open 
Cannibal who dug up bodies from cemeteries and collected body parts at his home is arrested in Hungary
A cannibal who dug up body parts from abandoned cemeteries and prepared food with them at his home has been arrested in Hungary.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Why are my scones dry? | Kitchen aide
The volume and choice of liquid is important, say our experts, as is turning up the heat – but, after that, you really can just flavour to tasteWhy are my scones always dry and tough? And any fun flavour ideas?Paul, by emailIt mostly comes down to applying a light hand, so touch the dough only as much as is strictly necessary. “Also, although it sounds old-fashioned, always use a knife to cut in whatever fat you’re using,” says Verena Lochmuller, head of product development at Ottolenghi. “It’s OK to have a few lumps, too.” Though it might seem obvious, it’s worth checking your leavener as well: “If it’s old, get a new one,” says Lochmuller, who goes for baking powder plus baking soda or bicarb. “You’ll get more air bubbles from the bicarb, but you need something to react with it.” Her liquid of choice is buttermilk, kefir or soured cream let down with a little water.Insufficient liquid is another possible culprit for Paul’s scone plight, says Anna Higham of London’s Quince bakery and the soon-to-open Clementine. “Depending on the weather and how old your flour is, it will absorb different amounts of liquid on different days,” she says, so it’s not a case of simply following a recipe: “It’s also about how the dough feels.” Generally speaking, the wetter it is, the better, Lochmuller says. “People think if it’s wet, it’s going to be heavy, but it’s actually the opposite.” But don’t be daft and pour all the liquid in at once – instead, go slow.Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@theguardian.com Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How to Live on Earth review – Benedict Cumberbatch exudes positivity in response to the climate crisis
An antithesis of the doom and gloom docs about environmental destruction, Cumberbatch and expert contributors look at how we can all help to protect itThere is value in a documentary about the environment and the climate crisis that does not simply indulge in hand-wringing, anger and despair. Fredi Devas’s film, presented by Benedict Cumberbatch in London’s National History Museum and composed of segments from different contributors, focuses on real, positive measures that individuals and communities can take – or begin to take – to make a difference. I’m agnostic about the sometimes touchy-feely tone of the film which can feel like a schools educational programme rather than something intended for adults, and occasionally also about the surging score which is there to tell us when to feel hopeful and when to feel euphoric. But there is food for thought here.The film revives the issue about meat eating, which requires colossally destructive land clearance for the cattle involved, but it doesn’t simply try to make people feel guilty for liking meat. Plant-based substitutes for meat like mycelium are not good enough yet, we hear, but improvements are being made all the time. Bio-investment initiatives are discussed – business models which are linked to regenerating the natural world, the source of raw materials. The film interviews a forest healing instructor in South Korea who uses woodland spaces for therapy; of course, it’s tempting to do jokes about “tree hugging” and yet who can doubt that these natural places are indeed restorative? Naturalist and broadcaster Dan O’Neill is shown visiting Singapore and instead of throwing up his hands in horror at this turbo-capitalist place where people can reputedly be severely reprimanded for spitting gum on the pavement, he praises its policy of integrating green spaces into the urban environment. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mystery of hit on Tren de Aragua leader: is it linked to US mining plans in Venezuela?
Trump boasted of assassinating Héctor Guerrero Flores but details are scarce and experts doubt it will harm drug tradeAt 10am on 9 June, a huge explosion rattled Las Claritas, a ramshackle town on the edge of a vast goldmine carved out of the Venezuelan Amazon.“The blast was so powerful that my sister’s house shook, and she was 10 kilometres away,” said one miner, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. “Imagine the impact.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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ECB review Yorkshire’s £1.75m payment to CEO’s company over Hundred sale
Sanjay Patel owns more than 75% of SMP73’s sharesCounty say work was done before his appointmentThe England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to review a payment of £1.75m from Yorkshire to a company controlled by their chief executive, Sanjay Patel, for consultancy work relating to the Hundred sale.The club’s 2025 accounts, which were circulated to members last month, show that Patel’s company SMP73 Ltd received a commission of £1.75m last year for “corporate broker services in connection with the sale of Northern Superchargers Limited”. Patel was one of the key architects of the Hundred in his previous role at the ECB and was among a small group of executives who received bonuses worth a combined £2.1m in 2022. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Sheer genius’: your best TV of 2026 so far
From gripping medical dramas to thrilling crime shows nearly impossible not to devour in one go, it’s already been a great year for television. Here are Guardian readers’ top shows of the yearThe best TV of 2026 so farI absolutely loved Legends. It was tense, thrilling and even funny in bits, with an evocative early-90s soundtrack. The acting was all top quality, especially Johnny Harris [as Eddie McKee], who gave another great, morally nuanced performance. Although fictionalised, it brought well deserved attention to the amazing work of Customs kept secret for so long. I would have watched it in one go if I didn’t have to get up the next day! And we got to see a bit of Thatcher’s tearful leaving speech, which is always enjoyable. Edie, 47, Leeds, west Yorkshire, UK Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Mail boss’s pay package triples to £6.9m despite profits slide
Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent company IDS, handed payouts after takeover of UK postal serviceBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Royal Mail’s parent company received almost £7m in pay and bonuses last year – more than triple the previous figure – despite group profits slumping by a fifth.Martin Seidenberg, group chief executive of International Distribution Services (IDS), took home £6.9m in pay, bonus and long-term incentive scheme awards in the year to 31 March, compared with £2.1m the previous year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Trump claims Iran has agreed to nuclear inspections ‘long into future’, accusing Tehran of ‘false statements’
US president says Tehran has committed to ‘nuclear honesty’, while Iran’s foreign ministry says there are no plans for IAEA to inspect sites bombed by US and Israel last yearOman and Iran said in a statement that the two countries will ⁠form ⁠a ​team to reach an ⁠agreement on “administration of navigation ⁠in ​the Strait ‌of Hormuz” ‌and associated ‌costs and services, Reuters reports.The two states will hold ⁠talks with ​coastal countries ​and other ​concerned parties, ​the ‌statement ​said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer tells cabinet he wants to ‘resolve difficult issues’ before leaving No 10 – UK politics live
Prime minister gives fresh indication of his intention to finalise and publish defence investment plan before leaving officePeter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Farage says £5m gift spending details 'not public's business'
Rival parties have raised concerns over the gift received by the Reform UK leader before he became an MP.

Autosport F1
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F1 tweaks wet-weather boost mode as FIA ratifies rule changes
Formula 1 will partially restore Boost Mode for the remainder of the 2026 season in wet conditions for safety reasons, as the FIA's World Motor Sport Council ratifies a raft of regulation changes.Earlier this year, the FIA had banned drivers from using Boost Mode in wet conditions following driver feedback that the huge increase in torque would present a safety risk, with the 2026 cars ...Keep reading

F1 Technical
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F1TECH: How has Ferrari upgraded its SF26 at Barcelona?
Ferrari arrived at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix with one of its most substantial development packages of the season, unveiling a heavily revised SF‑26 that features changes across the front wing, nose, floor, diffuser and sidepods.

Digital Trends
Open 
NotebookLM is one of Google’s best products, and it just got a cool upgrade
NotebookLM flashcards are getting new controls for editing questions, changing answers, adding cards, and sharing decks, making Google's AI note-taker more useful for students working from their own source material.

TechRadar News
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I'm finding you all of the best Prime Day deals at Amazon UK — up to 50% off Kindles, appliances, laptops, TVs, fans, and more

TechRadar News
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'Act now': Five Eyes warns that AI models specialized for cyber attacks are only months away

TechRadar News
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Forget the Switch 2 and PS5, the Nex Playground is the surprise game console hit of my household — here's why the best time to buy it is RIGHT NOW

TechRadar News
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Memory expert predicts huge RAM price hikes over the rest of 2026 — but I'm not buying it (the forecast, or the RAM)

TechRadar News
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Netflix's Gears of War movie finally has a confirmed plot — but a major character might not appear in the adaptation

TechRadar News
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Check these 9 'awesome value' productivity boosting gadgets on Prime Day from just $1.87

TechRadar News
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The Prime Day Xbox deals are a disappointment, but there are still good bargains to be had — if you buy a PS5

TechRadar News
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What RAM crisis? You can get an RTX 5070, RTX 5060, or RTX 5050 gaming laptop for as little as £679 at Amazon today

TechRadar News
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Nothing reveals its biggest Phone (4b) teaser yet with a launch date — and it might be the CMF Phone 3 Pro in all but name

TechRadar News
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Beat the memory crisis with my 5 photography workflow tips, and today’s lowest prices on portable SSDs

TechRadar News
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New GTA 6 details spotted, including the appearance of a Wolverine actor and an odd easter egg that fans believe is a nod to another GTA game

TechRadar News
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Someone made a touch-sensitive mouse mat that could obliterate desk clutter — and Reddit users are ‘shocked it doesn’t already exist’

Mail Online
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Moment 'show-off' driver accidentally runs down his best friend while picking him up from a night out
Mehmet Celik, 24, ploughed into Thomas Rees, 23, with his Kia car, leaving him with a brain injury.

Mail Online
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How to get a £359 state pension boost from caring for your grandchildren over the summer holidays
There is no minimum hours requirement, so long as the parent confirms care was provided and doesn't need the credit to fill a gap in their own state pension record.

Mail Online
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Louis Theroux Manosphere documentary star Ed Matthews is humiliated by vile chants from England fans as he threatens to fight them in Boston pub at the World Cup
A streamer featured in Louis Theroux's Manosphere documentary was subjected to humiliating chants from England fans, before threatening to fight a group of supporters in Boston. 

BBC World News
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Zambia ex-president's family wins latest legal battle over what should happen to his body
Edgar Lungu's family and the Zambian government remain in dispute 12 months after he died.

Sky News Home
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Murder investigation after missing girl, 14, found dead
A murder investigation is under way after a 14-year-old girl was found dead in South Wales.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Red Roses stars in line for £100k to retain World Cup
The Red Roses' top stars stand to earn £100,000 with England in 2029 should they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From non-league to the World Cup - the Semenyo story
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Murder investigation after 14-year-old girl reported missing
A body is found in the search for Lilly, 14, who was reported missing on Saturday.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Investor assumptions about the AI trade are starting to stretch reality, Goldman Sachs says
Investors may be racing ahead of what the AI trade can deliver, warns Goldman Sachs.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Researchers cracked the code on predicting market bubbles. Here’s what it’s saying about today’s stock prices.
Recent price run-ups don’t mean a bubble is about to burst — unless you’re looking at this sector.

Slashdot
Open 
Canada Plans 'Nuclear Renaissance' With Up To 10 Reactors Built By 2040
Canada has unveiled a national strategy to build up to 10 new nuclear reactors over the next 15 years as it seeks to double electricity-grid capacity by 2050. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson called it a plan for a "new civilian nuclear renaissance."

"If our goal is to double our grid and build a low-carbon economy in less than 25 years, there is no credible plan to do that without nuclear energy and the clean, reliable baseload power it provides," Hodgson said. "There is no credible plan for Canada to become an energy superpower if we choose not to build upon one of the strongest energy advantages we have." CBC News reports: The strategy calls for construction to start on two new large-scale reactors by 2035, for five more to be planned or under development by 2040 and for at least one reactor to be under construction outside Ontario by 2035. It also calls for a Canadian-made microreactor to be finalized by 2035 and deployed to a remote community by the late 2030s. [...] Right now, Canada has four nuclear power plants -- three in Ontario and one in New Brunswick -- which generate about 15 per cent of Canada's electricity.

A new proposed facility at the existing nuclear plant in Darlington, Ont., would see the first small modular reactor in the G7, capable of producing up to 300 megawatts per unit. Saskatchewan is also looking at the potential to bring small nuclear reactors online by the mid 2030s. The energy deal between Ottawa and Alberta also committed to collaborating on developing a strategy to build a nuclear power plant. Officials from Natural Resources Canada told reporters in a background briefing that construction of the reactors outlined in the new national strategy could cost more than $100 billion. The strategy does not say how Canada would pay for them, though an official pointed to the Canadian Infrastructure Bank and the Canada Growth Fund as possible funding sources. Hodgson said the strategy would double the 90,000 jobs in Canada's nuclear sector "over the coming decades."

The plan also looks to expand sales of Candu reactors to new export markets. It says the government wants to break into at least four new international markets by 2040 and "engage six to 10 new nuclear entrant markets over a 15-year horizon, cementing Canada as their partner of choice." Thirty Candu reactors currently operate around the world, including in South Korea, China, India, Argentina, Pakistan and Romania, and there are plans to build two more. [...] "Reactor exports are not transactional. They establish multi-decade partnerships, creating durable geopolitical and commercial relationships that advance Canada's broader foreign policy interests," the strategy says. "As Canada works to diversify its trading relationships and strengthen ties with middle powers, Candu can be a central instrument of that strategy."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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The experience that coloured everything Britten went on to write
Three months after Bergen-Belsen was liberated, Britten and Yehudi Menuhin performed there. Survivor and cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch was ‘transfixed’ – as she told the composer when they played together decades laterIn 1945, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin was on a short tour of Germany, offering recitals to survivors of the concentration camps. On Friday 27 July 1945 he reached Bergen-Belsen, liberated three months earlier, and gave two concerts, in the cinema at the camp. The experience had a profound impact. “I shall not forget that afternoon as long as I live,” said Menuhin. “After Belsen, Yehudi was never the same again,” his sister Yaltah Menuhin reported. Anita Lasker, a survivor of Belsen, was present at one of those concerts. Nineteen years old, and a cellist, as a child she had been at Auschwitz, where she played in the women’s orchestra, under the direction of Alma Rosé, the niece of Gustav Mahler.Lasker wrote to her cousin about the concert. “Who would ever have believed that Belsen Camp would hear Yehudi Menuhin playing? A wonderful evening”, which included “the Bach/Kreisler Prelude and Fugue, the Kreutzer Sonata, Mendelssohn’s Concerto, something by Debussy and several smaller, unfamiliar items”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Kenyan minister orders halt to construction of US Ebola facility
Decision comes after Aden Duale was held in contempt for ignoring previous high court ruling to stop work Kenya’s health minister has told a court he has ordered a halt to preparations for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility, after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous stop-work order.Many Kenyans strongly oppose the plan and deadly protests have erupted since the facility was announced in May for US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is grappling with a large-scale Ebola outbreak. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Breakdown | End-of-season rugby union awards: best games, players and more
From that crunch classic in Paris to the Red Roses’ trailblazing and Rhys Carré’s try, our pick of the moments that made the 2026-27 seasonBest games attended1) 14 March, France 48-46 England. Thirteen tries – including four for Louis Bielle-Biarrey – and a last-gasp winning penalty from Thomas Ramos. Truly magnifique. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Trump claims Iran has agreed to nuclear inspections ‘long into future’, accusing Tehran of ‘false statements’
US president says Tehran has agreed to ‘nuclear honesty’, while Iran’s foreign ministry has said IAEA will not be allowed to inspect sites bombed by US and Israel last yearDonald Trump again took to social media to post on Tuesday that “19 Millions Barrels of Oil flowed out of the Hormuz Strait yesterday, an all time RECORD”.“Oil prices are tumbling down, and the World is a much safer place!!!” the US president wrote. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Look at Keir Starmer’s tenure as prime minister. This is no ‘decent man’ who got unlucky | Owen Jones
From Gaza to the Peter Mandelson row, his abandoned pledges to the ‘island of strangers’ claim, Starmer’s time at No 10 was truly dismalGood riddance, Keir Starmer. No sooner had the toppled prime minister wiped away his tears than the solemn guff began. The Labour leader is “principled” and “driven by a deep sense of public service and duty to this country”, said deputy prime minister David Lammy. He showed “the great dignity and integrity that is the mark of the man”, said energy secretary Ed Miliband. “A devoted and dedicated public servant” said home secretary Shabana Mahmood.No. This was not a decent man defeated by circumstance, a man of duty and integrity who was simply in the wrong job, a principled leader undone by events. This was an unprincipled politician who abandoned promises with as much enthusiasm as he trousered freebies from rich donors.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader Q&A: ask Rafael Behr your questions now
It’s 10 years since Brexit – and it’s also another one of those weeks in British politics … Guardian columnist Rafael Behr will be here at 5pm to answer your questions about Burnham, Starmer, Brexit and more. Sign up here to join the discussion and post your questionsWelcome to our latest Q&A with a Guardian journalist. Raf will be joining us at 5pm. We have originally asked him to take questions about Brexit as we mark 10 years since the UK’s vote to leave the EU. But … you may well have questions about the last 48 hours as Andy Burnham looks certain to become the next prime minister.In the meantime, though, Andrew Sparrow is covering another busy and dramatic day in Westminster on the politics live blog and here’s some more on the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership: Continue reading...

Telegraph
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West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus

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Yellow Fever
Yellow Fever

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Zika Virus
Zika Virus

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Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis

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Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm)
Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm)

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Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea

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Chagas Disease
Chagas Disease

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Chlamydia
Chlamydia

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Rift Valley Fever
Rift Valley Fever

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Leprosy
Leprosy

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Scabies

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Measles
Measles

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Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis)
Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis)

Mail Online
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Teenager, 18, is driven near to a hospital after being fatally stabbed - as three people are charged with murder
Kyeron Wheeler, 18, was found injured in Poole at 2.13am on June 19.

The Verge
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Elon Musk and the plot to hijack America’s broadband
At 9PM ET on the night of May 28th, a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket sat on the launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The craft was in the middle of a hot-fire test awaiting the arrival of Amazon Leo satellites, the first of 24 batches to be shuttled into low Earth orbit […]

The Verge
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These are the best smart home deals this Prime Day
Every Prime Day is a good day to make your home smarter, as deals on connected gear proliferate not just on Amazon but all across the web. And this Prime Day is no different. I sifted through hundreds of offers to find the ones that actually stand out — only the deepest discounts on the […]

Computer Weekly
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Roundtable: UK tech chiefs on agentic AI, workforce culture and tokenomics
Tech leaders from THG Ingenuity, Kingfisher, Rightmove and Deloitte speak at the Google Summit London about the transition to agentic systems and the rising focus on token costs

Harvard Business Review
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Creating Products with Curiosity, Humility, and Play
A conversation with Zynga founder Mark Pincus on creating a culture of innovation.

ZeroHedge News
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These Are The Countries Where $1,000 Takes The Longest To Earn
These Are The Countries Where $1,000 Takes The Longest To Earn

How long would you need to work to earn $1,000? In Colombia, the answer is roughly 86 hours. In Luxembourg and Iceland, it’s just 16.

Using data from the OECD on average annual wages and Our World in Data’s figures for annual working hours, Visual Capitalist's Srijaa Chatterjee created this visualization ranking countries by how long it takes the average worker to earn $1,000.



The figures are expressed in purchasing power parity (PPP)-adjusted dollars, which account for differences in local price levels and make incomes more comparable across countries. Taxes are not included.

How Many Hours of Work Earn $1,000?

Workers in the lowest-ranked countries need more than five times as many hours to earn $1,000 as workers in the highest-ranked countries. The gap ranges from 16 hours in Luxembourg and Iceland to 86 hours in Colombia.

The data table below shows the number of hours worked per $1,000 earned by country in purchasing power parity-adjusted dollars:

Rank
Country
Hours Worked per $1,000 Earned
1
🇨🇴 Colombia
86
2
🇲🇽 Mexico
78
3
🇬🇷 Greece
60
4
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
53
5
🇭🇺 Hungary
51
6
🇨🇱 Chile
51
7
🇨🇿 Czechia
48
8
🇸🇰 Slovakia
47
9
🇵🇹 Portugal
45
10
🇵🇱 Poland
43
11
🇪🇪 Estonia
42
12
🇱🇻 Latvia
38
13
🇰🇷 South Korea
38
14
🇹🇷 Turkey
37
15
🇮🇱 Israel
34
16
🇮🇹 Italy
34
17
🇯🇵 Japan
34
18
🇱🇹 Lithuania
33
19
🇪🇸 Spain
30
20
🇳🇿 New Zealand
28
21
🇮🇪 Ireland
27
22
🇸🇮 Slovenia
27
23
🇫🇮 Finland
25
24
🇨🇦 Canada
25
25
🇫🇷 France
25
26
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
24
27
🇸🇪 Sweden
24
28
🇦🇺 Australia
23
29
🇺🇸 United States
22
30
🇧🇪 Belgium
21
31
🇩🇪 Germany
20
32
🇦🇹 Austria
20
33
🇩🇰 Denmark
19
34
🇳🇱 Netherlands
19
35
🇳🇴 Norway
19
36
🇨🇭 Switzerland
18
37
🇮🇸 Iceland
16
38
🇱🇺 Luxembourg
16
Europe dominates the top of the ranking. Luxembourg, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands all require fewer than 20 hours of work to earn $1,000.

For comparison, the average American worker needs about 22 hours to earn $1,000, placing the U.S. among the stronger earners but still behind multiple European economies.

Latin America Earns Less While Working More

Colombia and Mexico sit at the bottom of the ranking, requiring 86 and 78 hours of work, respectively, to earn $1,000. Both figures are more than triple the U.S. level and more than four times higher than Luxembourg’s.

While workers in these countries often log similar or even greater annual hours than workers in richer economies, average wages remain substantially lower.

Research highlighted by Our World in Data finds that workers in lower-income countries tend to work longer hours while generating less income per hour worked. Economists point to lower productivity levels, a larger informal sector, reduced access to capital, and weaker wage growth as contributing factors.

Nordic Countries and Luxembourg Stand Out

At the other end of the spectrum are Luxembourg and the Nordic economies. Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland combine relatively high wages with advanced, high-productivity economies.

Analysis from the Becker Friedman Institute and CEPR highlights how strong labor-market institutions, high workforce participation, and substantial investments in education contribute to both high wages and relatively compressed income distributions.

Luxembourg benefits from an especially high concentration of financial and professional services jobs, helping support some of the highest average wage levels in the world.

Why Purchasing Power Matters

The analysis uses purchasing power parity (PPP), which adjusts wages to reflect differences in local price levels. PPP adjustments allow economists to compare what incomes can actually buy in a specific country rather than relying solely on market exchange rates.

Without PPP adjustments, workers in lower-cost countries could appear poorer than they actually are, and vice versa.

Want to explore wage differences across Europe? Check out Mapped: Average Full-Time Salary in Europe by Country on the Voronoi app.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 04:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Piper Sandler's Top Economist Sees "Big Bounce" In Consumer Sentiment As Gas Prices Tumble
Piper Sandler's Top Economist Sees "Big Bounce" In Consumer Sentiment As Gas Prices Tumble

Building on last week's theme of "early signs of a turn in U.S. consumer discretionary," Piper Sandler analysts note that the sharp decline in gasoline prices at the pump is beginning to lift consumer sentiment, particularly among lower-income households. Their proprietary daily confidence data suggest the rebound is still in the early innings, but the direction is clear: cheaper gas is easing pressure on working-class folks.



Piper Sandler's chief global economist and head of the firm's economics research team, Nancy Lazar, provided clients with three of the most important consumer conclusions of the week as the national average for gas at the pump tumbled due to easing tensions in the Middle East:


1. The steep rollover in gasoline prices triggered a big bounce in PSC’s Daily Confidence Survey last week, with low-end consumers particularly more cheerful.

2. With all daily survey components improving, the observed retail sales aggregate has hooked up.

3. Higher prices weighed on consumers last quarter, according to Kroger & La-ZBoy.




Lazar's note, titled "The Gasoline Down-Confidence Up Two-Step," says that cheaper pump prices are now producing consumer tailwinds amid a still-healthy labor market.

She shows that Piper Sandler's proprietary high-frequency gauge of U.S. consumer sentiment, conducted by Rasmussen Reports, "appears to have bottomed, mirroring the sharp rollover in gasoline prices – adding to economic tailwinds from refunds and healthy labor."



"The impact of easing pump prices is clear in both confidence and consumption," Lazar continued in the note.



In markets, she pointed out, "The Russell 2000 and XRT retailing ETF certainly act as if the bottom is in for confidence."



More consumer sentiment data from Piper's internal sources show improvement:



The rebound in sentiment could help drive consumers back into retail stores and support spending on experiences...



Great news for the Trump administration, with 136 days until the midterm elections this fall. 

Professional subscribers can read more consumer notes at our new Marketdesk.ai portal.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 05:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Worst Ad Campaign Ever...
Worst Ad Campaign Ever...

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,

There's having no discernment, and then there's this...

A three-year-old boy remains in critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo. His alleged attacker, a 30-year-old man from Norfolk with reported learning difficulties, was quickly released on bail with his identity withheld from the public, sparking backlash. In the middle of this horror, discount retailer Wowcher blasted out an email urging customers to "Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid."

Yes, really.


What the actual f @wowcher? pic.twitter.com/v7B83k8sch
— Paul O'Brien (@PaulOBrien) June 20, 2026
The tone-deaf marketing stunt has triggered widespread revulsion, forcing the company into a grovelling "unreserved" apology while exposing yet another layer of institutional detachment from real human suffering.

The attack unfolded on a Thursday afternoon at the family-run Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon. The boy, who was not known to the suspect, suffered serious injuries including a broken arm, a broken pelvis likely caused by the impact of being thrown, and multiple crocodile bites.



Zoo staff pulled him from the enclosure and administered immediate treatment at the scene. In a moment of extraordinary bravery, Tracey Johnson, wife of zoo owner Andy Johnson, jumped into the crocodile pit to help rescue the child.

Cambridgeshire Police arrested the 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. He was assessed as unfit for interview and has since been released on bail until 18 September. His identity remains hidden.

The decision to release the suspect on bail while concealing his identity has fuelled intense public anger. Many see it as further evidence of a justice system that prioritises processes and sensitivities over the basic protection of children and the public.

Some media outlets also softened the deliberate nature of the attack by reporting that the boy had "ended up" in the crocodile enclosure rather than stating he was thrown.



Screenshots of the Wowcher email spread rapidly. Fury erupted on social media and community forums. The Norwich Norfolk UK Community Notice Board posted: "Why do wowcher think its ok to use this as a heading on their emails??"


Wowcher apologises 'unreservedly' for email appearing to mock crocodile attack on young boyhttps://t.co/Sd1uguKddI
— GB News (@GBNEWS) June 21, 2026
Customers expressed immediate disgust. One described themselves as "now unsubscribed." Another called the email "disgusting" and added "if that's real someone needs to be fired." A third said they had emailed the company with no reply and would "not be using them again for sure, even if its a poor effort at a joke somehow."

A marketing professional who encountered the email on LinkedIn described it as "tone deaf, clueless, moronic, irresponsible, sick" and expressed disbelief that it had cleared multiple layers of approval. He told the Wowcher marketing team to "take a good, hard look at yourselves" and warned that not every trending moment should be jumped on for reactive marketing.


saw this on linkedin and cannot quite believe this has been approved.
a little boy was seriously injured by a crocodile at cambridgeshire zoo — one man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
and @wowcher think this is a brilliant opportunity for reactive marketing.
tone... pic.twitter.com/K9UGtCsb16
— James | open to work arc (@bl0ckjames) June 21, 2026
Wowcher moved swiftly to contain the damage. A spokesman issued the following statement: "We are extremely sorry for an email subject line sent by Wowcher yesterday. The wording was unacceptable. It should never have been written. It was never approved for use. The responsibility sits with us and we are urgently reviewing how our processes failed. We recognise the hurt and distress it has caused, particularly for the young child's family at this unimaginably difficult time."

The spokesman continued: "We are reviewing all scheduled marketing content while we urgently strengthen our creative, approval and sign-off safeguards. There is no excuse for this. We apologise unreservedly and will take the necessary steps to make sure this does not happen again."

The company's insistence that the email "was never approved for use" has been widely interpreted as an attempt to shift blame onto an individual rather than accept full institutional responsibility for the failure of basic safeguards.

This episode reveals something deeper than one bad subject line. It shows how insulated people have become. They operate in environments where real events - especially tragedies involving children - are treated as abstract content or "trending moments" rather than visceral realities that demand basic human restraint.

A child fighting for his life after being thrown to crocodiles becomes raw material for a flippant pun about deals. The suffering is unreal to them, something happening to other people in another sphere they can comment on or monetise without consequence.

It reflects a wider modernity that strips away moral grounding and discernment. When everything is content, empathy atrophies. People in these bubbles no longer instinctively recoil from turning horror into marketing copy because the horror never feels fully real to them.

They have no skin in the game, no direct encounter with the raw aftermath that families and communities actually endure. The result is not just bad taste but a gradual hollowing out of the shared humanity that once made such behaviour unthinkable.

The same pattern appears elsewhere: institutions that release individuals accused of extreme violence with minimal transparency, media that softens language around attacks on children, and corporations that later issue polished apologies while claiming the offending material "was never approved."

All of it stems from the same root - a culture that has grown comfortable treating real human pain as distant, manageable, and ultimately secondary to process, narrative, or engagement.

A society that loses the capacity to recognise horror when it stares it in the face - whether in a justice decision, a media report, or even a marketing email - has already surrendered something essential.

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 06:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Half Of Crimea Goes Dark After Ukrainian Strike Hits Thermal Power Plant
Half Of Crimea Goes Dark After Ukrainian Strike Hits Thermal Power Plant

Yet more drone attacks sent by Ukraine's military has crippled much of the infrastructure of the Crimean peninsula. Reuters is confirming significant power outages, while some regional reports say as much as half of all Crimea is without power Tuesday.

One of the regional publications specified that "Yevpatoria, Saki, Krasnoperekopsk, Dzhankoy, and surrounding areas were left without electricity, reports the Ukrainian service of Radio Svoboda."

"Preliminary, electricity supply is planned to be restored within 24 hours" - after several facilities in Crimea suffered direct hits by inbound drones. Fires have been witnessed at at railway and military facilities. Importantly, a large fire is being reported at a thermal power plant in Kerch, which left the greatest impact in terms of the widespread regional blackout:


A strike on a power plant caused major power outages across Crimea, leaving about half the peninsula without electricity. pic.twitter.com/2yfCvAvhFv
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 23, 2026
Telegram channel "Crimean Wind" has written, "The CHP plant fire in Kerch is confirmed; the fire spread to a reservoir. The monitoring group, relying on satellite imagery, records a smoke plume about 47 kilometers long."

According to more: "A strike on an oil depot, a TPP-Terminal, port infrastructure, and facilities in the area of Henichesk and the Arabat Spit is also reported."

It was only two days ago, on June 21, that an oil depot in the Crimean city of Kerch was attacked, it is reportedly still burning, with reports of fires at the sprawling terminal complex's Kavkaz port.

Life for millions in Crimea is already seriously strained, after those prior Sunday attacks resulted in the most severe fuel restrictions imposed on the population since the war began over four years ago.

Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov had previously confirmed the fuel crisis for the whole region, saying, "Today, June 21, starting from 09:00 am, fuel sales at Crimean petrol stations have been suspended" - though he added that fuel would only be sold to state enterprises.

He made clear in a Telegram post that starting Sunday morning local time gas stations across the peninsula would stop selling fuel to individuals and businesses. All cash, card and fuel coupons were immediately halted.

Relentless, nightly drone attacks making life harder on common Russians - in tandem to the Ukrainian population also having suffered immensely under Russia's bombs and drones...


Overnight, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched yet another large-scale drone attack against Russian-occupied Crimea, targeting military sites and energy infrastructure near the Kerch Strait. pic.twitter.com/7ddIVmjkAz
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 23, 2026
Ukraine's President Zelensky boasted of the weekend attacks, stating on social media that "Facilities on both sides of the Crimean Bridge were hit: maritime logistics used to transport oil in the Krasnodar region and an oil depot in temporarily occupied Kerch."

BBC had separately earlier reported that Kiev "hit a logistics facility for oil transportation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which lies adjacent to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Local authorities said one person had been killed on a passenger ferry."

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 06:55

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Iran Says US To Unfreeze $12BN, Insists It Alone Will Decide How Funds Used, Contradicting Vance
Iran Says US To Unfreeze $12BN, Insists It Alone Will Decide How Funds Used, Contradicting Vance

Among the biggest latest developments in the immediate wake of the Switzerland meeting is that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has announced an agreement has been reached for the United States to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

It also comes after the US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief, namely freeing up Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until August 1st. Concerning the frozen asset partial release, Tehran is now emphasizing that it alone will decide how the funds will be used.

But this may be another area where the headlines and declarations are too far out front, given Washington has sought to impose some caveats which likely remain unacceptable to the Iranians side. For example Vice President JD Vance made clear his stance Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal, describing that if there were, they must be limited in use and implementation - to purchase US agricultural goods. He has emphasized - perhaps wishing to address American domestic criticisms - that the funds would not be used to support terrorism.



Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, has already firmly rejected the soybean plan, saying at a UN press briefing, "Iran is the only country who will decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen."

In total a whopping $50 billion could eventually be released under the MoU framework - something which will drive Republican hawsk mad. Al Jazeera reports Tuesday, citing the Iranian side: 


A spokesperson said the agreement would allow Iran access to previously frozen assets, although the US says restrictions would remain in place under the arrangement.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, two separate tranches of $6bn were originally agreed in Doha, with the final signing ceremony intended to take place in Switzerland. The Iranian spokesperson now says that process has been completed.

Under the reported framework, an initial $12bn in Iranian funds would be released. During the 60-day negotiation period, a further $12bn could be unlocked. If the parties ultimately reach a final agreement, the value of sanctions relief and released funds could reportedly rise to as much as $50bn.


Another point of disagreement remains the entry of IAEA nuclear inspectors into the Islamic Republic. Vance had hailed Tehran already agreed to this, while Iran's leaders are in effect saying not so fast. It's but one of several major contradictions in public rhetoric coming from either side in the wake of the top-level round one meeting in Switzerland.

Something interesting - which Washington may or may not be on board with - is that Tehran is now signaling openness to Russia hosting its enriched nuclear material.


Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “fully” open to commercial shipping and that large volumes of oil have been transported through the waterway in recent days, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 23, 2026
Al Arabiya reports that Iran's aforementioned UN ambassador says "transferring enriched uranium to Russia is under consideration." This could indeed be enough to satisfy President Trump, considering it would be a 'lesser evil' option if indeed the Iranians are actually ready for such a plan (which Moscow has offered several times to facilitate over the past year).

Lebanon is another issue which could threaten to unravel all the progress made thus far, but reports cite a 'cautious calm' across the south, but with some limited, sporadic exchanges of fire.

One correspondent on the ground reports, "Here in Tyre, people driving across the city this morning are picking up bits of rubble, starting to clear things out and searching for what they can salvage among their destroyed homes and businesses. That is what people are using this moment of calm for."

However, there's been reports of at least two new Lebanese deaths. In one instance Lebanese national media indicated "A young man was killed and two others were injured” when Israeli soldiers "opened machine gun fire in their direction while they were standing near an excavator which was clearing a road" in a locality near the town of Nabatieh - per the National News Agency. Hezbollah is saying Tuesday that this violates the ceasefire agreement.

The situation on Monday was such that the Iranian delegation almost quit the Sunday-Monday talks completely, Iran's top negotiator has explained:


Iran's Ghalibaf:
In the middle of the discussions, I learned that Trump had made threatening remarks regarding our president, the negotiating team, and possible attacks on our territory.
I told Vance: “We are here engaged in talks, and according to the signed understanding,… pic.twitter.com/Oi0jKrXf19
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
*  *  *

Below are some latest developments on the US-Iran peace front via Middle East Eye:

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said an agreement had been reached to release $12bn in frozen Iranian assets.
The US Treasury Department announced temporary sanctions relief allowing Iranian oil and petrochemical sales until 1 August.
Washington said the measures follow Iran’s commitment to permit international nuclear inspections after intensive talks in Switzerland.
President Donald Trump said released Iranian funds would be used to purchase food and agricultural products from US farmers.
Iran’s Central Bank rejected Trump’s comments, saying Tehran is under no obligation to spend released funds on American goods.
Iranian officials said technical negotiations with the United States have concluded and the process is entering a new phase.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the effectiveness of future talks depends on all sides fully implementing their commitments.
A US official said Centcom has launched a monitoring mechanism in Lebanon to provide American officials with assessments of fighting on the ground.
Israeli officials reiterated that military operations in Lebanon would continue despite ongoing diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran.
Markets and regional observers continued to focus on sanctions implementation, Hormuz shipping activity and the durability of the broader agreement.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 07:20

Nature
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Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11925 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - WEWMAI-Maida Vale (Update)
Our supplier has rescheduled the planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 5 hours during the maintenance window.

Start: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 00:05

End: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 12:17

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

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We're Tracking Prime Day Live
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K-shaped economy is still 'firmly intact,' Moody's economist says
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Technology in schools disconnects kids from teachers, parent says
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School choice programs: The avocado toast of state education funding
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Democrats battle one another in divisive New York primaries 
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San Antonio mayor wants Ye’s July 4 concert canceled over past hate speech
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England fans copy the Tartan Army by taking yellow school buses to their World Cup clash against Ghana in bid to avoid heavily inflated train fares
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British father is arrested over fight with taxi drivers in Thailand 'sparked by argument with transgender women' during holiday to celebrate daughter's 17th birthday
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Air pollution is a fixable problem – just look at how London and New York have cleaned up their acts | Sadiq Khan and Michael Bloomberg
We’ve shown that rapid, measurable progress is achievable in our cities. Here’s how that can now be replicated worldwideSadiq Khan is the mayor of London. Michael Bloomberg is a former mayor of New York CitySome public health threats make global headlines: Covid-19. Ebola. Famine. When these disasters hit, photographs and videos of people suffering and dying spur countries to respond, international bodies to cooperate and individuals to donate supplies and money. Yet one of the world’s deadliest threats gets almost no attention at all, because it is largely invisible to the public and mostly absent from media coverage: air pollution.Every day, billions of people are inhaling air that is shortening their lives and making them sicker with every breath. Every year, air pollution kills more than 8 million people worldwide. That’s more deaths than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. It hides in plain sight and strikes without mercy, leading to heart and lung disease, cancers and other deadly conditions.Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London. Michael Bloomberg is a former mayor of New York City Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Mail boss’s pay package soars to £6.9m despite profits slide
Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent company IDS, handed payouts after takeover of UK postal serviceBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of the parent company of Royal Mail saw his pay and bonus package more than triple last year to almost £7m, despite group profits slumping by a fifth.Martin Seidenberg, the group chief executive of International Distribution Services (IDS), took home £6.9m in pay, bonus and long-term incentive scheme awards in the year to 31 March. This compares with the £2.1m he took home the previous year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Iranian ambassador warns it will respond to any Israeli attack in Lebanon
The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva described Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a red line in negotiationsIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi have arrived in Islamabad, AFP reports.Pakistan has been acting as a mediator in peace talks between Tehran and Washington. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Martínez says criticism of Ronaldo and Portugal ‘unfair’; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Can the UK kick its cod habit? Fish and chip shop favourite slips down the menu as prices soar
The cost of the traditional takeaway has doubled since 2019, and more outlets are trying to tempt customers with cheaper options such as coley, pollack and hakeIn late April, visitors to Harbour Lights in Falmouth, Cornwall, may have raised an eyebrow. The fish and chip shop was in the midst of a “cod-free week”, its owners having removed cod from its menu entirely.It was the second time owner Pete Fraser had undertaken the experiment, 15 years after the first. He also removed cod from his shops in Penzance and Helston, replacing it with coley, pollack, hake and hoki. The result was very different. “Some of the feedback we had, which certainly wasn’t what we got when we ran it years ago, is ‘Can you repeat this?’ Before, it was like, ‘Have you guys lost your head’?” Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11925 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - WEWMAI-Maida Vale (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 5 hours during the maintenance window.

Start: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 00:05

End: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 28th Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 11:57

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Mail Online
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Mother and boyfriend sexually assaulted and murdered two-year-old daughter, fracturing 21 bones in her body during 'campaign of violence', court hears
Isabelle Rose Welsh had been 'violently assaulted' for weeks in the run-up to her death in September last year, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Sky News Home
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Murder investigation after girl, 14, found dead
A murder investigation has been launched after a 14-year-old girl was found dead.

Autosport F1
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F1-like calendar, F1-like performance? How Formula E is "growing up" in its big brother's orbit
When Formula E unleashes its brand-new generation of machinery– the 600kW, all-wheel drive Gen4 car– it will do so on its most diverse calendar yet, with a mixture of street circuits, classic permanent venues and abridged grand prix tracks.The time when relatively slow and unimpressive Formula E cars had to be kept to tight, chicane-laden venues to keep their batteries humming along ...Keep reading

BBC UK News
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Who could be the UK's next chancellor?
The prime minister's resignation has fired the starting gun on the race to be in charge of the UK's finances.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Drowning deaths soar in France as Europe buckles in peak of heatwave
Forty people have drowned in heatwave-related deaths in France since last Thursday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says.

Russia Today News
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Iran to set up Hormuz hotline with US

Stratechery
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Memory Chips and China, Microsoft and Chinese Models
The big three memory makers may come to regret opening up the door to Chinese memory makers; Microsoft, meanwhile, is very incentivized to use Chinese models.

Mail Online
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No reward for failure, Keir? PM under pressure to keep promise not to hand out resignation honours
Prime Ministers typically compile a list of gongs when they quit, often rewarding close aides and political allies.

Mail Online
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Kylie Minogue dips her toe back into acting as she holds hands with Quentin Tarantino while shooting new film in Porthcawl
In the acting world, she is best known for her role as Charlene in Neighbours. 

Mail Online
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Manhunt for Brit after body of murdered model, 36, is found in a suitcase in Colombian apartment
Police are searching for a British man over the death of a 36-year-old model whose body was found inside a suitcase in an apartment in Colombia.  

Mail Online
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Tesco security guard, 58, dies after choking on doughnut in front of colleagues and customers at work
Mohamed Nassar, 58, suffered a cardiac arrest following the incident while working at the Tesco Express store on New Bailey Street in Salford on May 8.

Mail Online
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Female tourists at French music festival where women were injected with rape drugs describe being attacked and say it was 'like an apocalypse'
Videos circulating on social media show groups of young men smashing up cars and brawling in the streets, while piles of litter line the pavements.

Mail Online
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Why does the SNP need £19,000 worth of luxury pens? Moment Peter Murrell was caught out as videos show Nicola Sturgeon's ex-husband refusing to answer police over embezzlement
Brazen Peter Murrell refused to comment as detectives grilled him about his embezzlement - and what he would say to party members who were victims of his theft.

TechRadar News
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Lego Prime Day deals are live — 23+ deals worth snapping up across Star Wars, Technic, Botanical, and Disney sets

TechRadar News
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PSA to UK Switch users: Your console is at serious risk of 'malfunction' in the ongoing heatwave per Nintendo

TechRadar News
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'The fastest write speeds I’ve ever tested': Samsung’s 9100 Pro SSD is nearly 50% off for Prime Day

TechRadar News
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I slept under a blanket of cool air last night thanks to this clever adjustable tower fan — and there's a huge £76 off for Prime Day

TechRadar News
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Almost half of UK retail workers unsure of how to handle data in line with GDPR

TechRadar News
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Agentic AI's crossroads: guardrails or massive fails

TechRadar News
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This console outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 over Black Friday, but is it actually worth it?

TechRadar News
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Which is the best Amazon Echo Show? A simple guide to Amazon's smart home display range

TechRadar News
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I can’t bear to go outside in this heat, so I’ll be playing these board games instead while hugging my nearest fan

TechRadar News
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The Amazfit Active 2 smartwatch is under $110 / £105, got five stars in our review, and is the perfect buy if you're not a fan of the new Fitbit app

TechRadar News
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My Ninja Creami is in overdrive this week — but this alternative ice cream maker on sale for Prime Day might just replace it

Sky News Home
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Man breaks record for world's loudest shout
An Australian man has broken the world record for the loudest-ever shout.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘It feels like a medical miracle’: How did a single QR code coupon cut my $618 Walgreens prescription to $15?
“This medication was generic.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Investor assumptions about the AI trade are starting to stretch reality, Goldman Sachs says
Investors may be racing ahead of what the AI trade can deliver, warns Goldman Sachs

The Guardian (UK)
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I could listen to gardeners chat for hours. It always sounds like they’re up to no good | Zoe Williams
Blame my uncle and his contempt for rules and regulationsMy uncle has a mature and beautiful gingko tree, which also goes by the name of memory tree, which is a little ironic because he can’t remember where he put his hearing aid batteries, and yet he can recollect with pin-sharp detail the exact moment this tree’s predecessor was confiscated by a customs official on the way back from the unnamed country he was smuggling it in from.“Smuggling” was a large and entirely wrong word for a tiny sapling that wasn’t harming anyone, he said, but they took it off him anyway and destroyed it, a decades-old outrage that felt pretty fresh. I’m a little hazy on how the current tree came to arrive in his garden, whether that first one was a decoy and he was packing two trees, but let’s just say that couldn’t possibly have happened because this definitely isn’t the same uncle who brought seven varieties of seed potato back from a family wedding in Germany in 1985, by putting them in my and my siblings’ pockets, because what kind of customs monster would search a child?Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Air pollution is a fixable problem – just look at how London and New York have cleaned up their acts
We’ve shown that rapid, measurable progress is achievable in our cities. Here’s how that can now be replicated worldwideSadiq Khan is the mayor of London. Michael Bloomberg is a former mayor of New York CitySome public health threats make global headlines: Covid-19. Ebola. Famine. When these disasters hit, photographs and videos of people suffering and dying spur countries to respond, international bodies to cooperate and individuals to donate supplies and money. Yet one of the world’s deadliest threats gets almost no attention at all, because it is largely invisible to the public and mostly absent from media coverage: air pollution.Every day, billions of people are inhaling air that is shortening their lives and making them sicker with every breath. Every year, air pollution kills more than 8 million people worldwide. That’s more deaths than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. It hides in plain sight and strikes without mercy, leading to heart and lung disease, cancers and other deadly conditions.Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London. Michael Bloomberg is a former mayor of New York City Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Childbirth room? It’s next to the period room … the astonishing Kerala homes designed for women’s bodies
The tharavad is a traditional style of housing designed for and run by women. Our writer went on a pilgrimage to find her own family’s – and uncovered a way of life fast disappearingA chance conversation with a distant family member led me to Palayil, the name bestowed on my ancestral tharavad. The latter is the name given to a house designed around women. Ours had stood, in some form, since at least the 17th century. My great-grandmother, Palayil Sreedevi, was the last woman in my line to live in one. It was in the southern Indian village of Tholanur.My great-grandmother belonged to the Nair community, a matrilineal caste with its origins in the state of Kerala. Historically, it was a martial nobility that served royal dynasties. For centuries, Nair boys left home at 12 to train as soldiers before being dispatched to serve the Travancore royal family. When men returned, they often slept in outhouses – satellites to the tharavad of women. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Avoiding Amazon Prime Day? Here are the best alternative UK deals on the products we love, from coffee machines to LED face masks
Amazon isn’t the only one slashing prices this week. We’ve rounded up the best deals on Filter-tested products from other big name retailers across home, beauty, fitness and more• Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up herePrime Day is now in full swing to fill the summer-shaped gap in the bargain-hunter’s calendar. But what if you don’t want to fork out nearly a hundred quid a year for Amazon Prime, or indeed use Amazon at all? Plenty of other retailers have joined in by rolling out big mid-June reductions, and unlike Amazon, they don’t make you subscribe to a members-only club to get their best deals.It takes more legwork to find deals across multiple retailers than to head straight to Amazon, of course, so we’ve done the research for you. As well as finding the lowest prices online, we’ve used price-checking tools such as Pricerunner and Idealo to scour price histories and check that these are real deals with genuinely new and notable discounts. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Iranian ambassador warns it will respond to any Israeli attack in Lebanon
The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva described Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a red line in negotiationsHezbollah said Tuesday that Israeli soldiers had fired upon a group of civilians in the attack in southern Lebanon that killed two, Reuters reports.On Telegram, Israel Defense Forces said its soldiers had struck “armed terrorists” that posed an immediate threat to Israeli soldiers. Continue reading...

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Tomas Vondra: Some more thoughts on random_page_cost
A couple months back I posted
about maybe adjusting random_page_cost to better reflect how current
storage handles random and sequential access. I had a bunch of great
discussions about the topic since then, but ultimately I got
distracted by other stuff.
POSETTE happened last week, with my
pre-recorded talk
about this very topic (and many other great talks, BTW). Which reminded
me that I started thinking about random_page_cost a bit differently.
So here’s an update with some more thoughts.

Telegraph
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Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever

Mail Online
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So why does the SNP need £19,000 worth of pens? Moment Peter Murrell was caught out as new videos show Nicola Sturgeon's ex-husband refusing to answer police grilling him over embezzlement
Brazen Peter Murrell refused to comment as detectives grilled him about his embezzlement - and what he would say to party members who were victims of his theft.

The Verge
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The best Prime Day deals we found on our favorite gear
Amazon’s Prime Day is on, and it’s happening for the next four days. Prime members can jump into the deals now until the sale officially ends at 3:01AM ET / 12:01AM PT June 27th. Many discounts will remain the same throughout the duration. We’ve been covering Prime Day in-depth since the shopping event debuted over […]

The Verge
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The Verge’s guide to Amazon Prime Day 2026
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is happening now and is delivering some of the best deals we’ve seen this summer. As expected, there were a ton of price drops at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart on a range of product categories, including smart home, headphones, smartwatches, monitors, 4K TVs, outdoorsy gear, and more. Amazon’s sale will […]

The Verge
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The best Apple deals you can get during Prime Day
Amazon’s Prime Day sale is here, and whether you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, there’s a good chance you’ll find a discount. The Apple Watch Series 11 has already dropped to a new low price, while the AirPods Pro 3 recently hit a record-low $169 at Walmart. That particular […]

The Verge
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The best robot vacuum deals available during Prime Day
If you’ve been wanting to buy a robot vacuum but have been put off by how much it can cost to get a good one, now is not a bad time to start looking. Prime Day has kicked off, though more than just Amazon is offering deals on several models we’ve tested from brands like […]

Computer Weekly
Open 
Ransomware bans won’t stop ransomware. Resilience might
Proposals to ban UK government organisations from paying ransomware gangs appear to have lost momentum. The conversation should move towards making critical systems more resilient to attack

Computer Weekly
Open 
Empathy with business: A Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
We speak to Reema Jain, CIO of Unilever about how to ensure IT teams remain focussed while innovating with new technology

Computer Weekly
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Why sovereign cloud is a marketing fix, not an architectural one
Sovereign cloud wrappers fail against physical and legal risks. True sovereignty requires building mathematically-enforced, multi-jurisdictional infrastructure, not vendor contracts

BBC Top Stories (International)
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New pictures show dozens of items bought illegally by Peter Murrell
The images include a range of luxury bags, watches and pens, as well as fresh pictures of a £124,550 motorhome.

Nature
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Daily briefing: First-ever ‘nuclear’ clocks put atomic clocks in the shade

Nature
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How should I respond to race-based exclusion in my lab?

Nature
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Silicon Valley’s vision for global AI is flawed: each country needs its own blueprint

UK Government News
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Investment in Rollestone Camp supports welfare of training troops
DIO, together with Landmarc and regional construction specialist Knights Brown Construction, has delivered a new £7m kitchen facility at Rollestone Camp.

UK Government News
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UK and Malawi celebrate evolving partnership
The UK and Malawi marked the King's Birthday Party 2026 with a celebration of shared values, partnership, and a prosperous future for both nations.

UK Government News
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Tax Gap 2024-25 estimated at 6.4%
HMRC publishes the estimated tax gap for the 2024 to 2025 tax year.

Cycling UK
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Review: Pinnacle HC Turbo Trainer
When you can’t get outside to ride, a smart trainer offers a more interesting way of keeping up your cycling fitness indoor. Cycle magazine Editor Dan Joyce tested this budget option from Evans Cycles

Gizmodo
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Roborock’s Taking Up to $1,500 Off Their Best-Selling Robot Vacuums and Wet-Dry Vacuums for Prime Day
Exclusive limited-time offers on autonomous floor cleaning machines for every home are live now at Amazon.

Gizmodo
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Hypershell X Series Exoskeletons Get Their First-Ever Prime Day Discount, Up to $800 Off on Amazon
There's never been a better time for a bionic upgrade.

Gizmodo
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Reolink Security Cameras and Doorbells Are Nearly 50% Off for Prime Day, Perfect for a Smart Home Upgrade
Savings range from dozens of dollars on video doorbells to hundreds on full security systems.

Mail Online
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Stephen Mangan wades into West End ticket price row and warns theatre could become 'a playground for rich people' as he hits out at audience behaviour and says they 'don't appreciate they're in the same room'
Stephen Mangan has criticised the price of theatre tickets, warning London's West End does not 'want to end up like Broadway' and 'become a playground for very rich people.'  

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham let his wife go on disastrous Blind Date show while the pair were dating... but it ended with her potential match calling her a 'cold fish'
The married couple first met as students at Cambridge University in 1989 - but their early romance had to overcome one unusual hurdle that was broadcast to millions.

BBC World News
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Trump anticipates better relationship with Colombia under new leader
Abelardo de la Espriella, who preliminary results suggest is Colombia's next president, had Trump's endorsement.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Anderson's journey to England star and potential British record
Elliot Anderson has emerged as a key part of Thomas Tuchel's England side, and could be on the verge of a British record transfer.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Sizzle reels: nine films to watch in a heatwave
Whether you fire up the outdoor projector or Netflix and chill in a cool, dark place – let the escapism of cinema be a balm amid the punishingly hot weatherAs you will no doubt have noticed, it is quite warm out. Historically warm, in fact. By the end of the week it is likely that the UK will have seen its warmest June day since records began. The Met Office has issued a red warning, recommending that people stay out of the sun entirely. Which sounds an awful lot like code for “stay inside and watch films.”But which films? It seems only right to watch something that reflects this apocalyptic weather somehow. Here are some suggestions: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Iranian ambassador warns it will respond to any Israeli attack in Lebanon
The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva described Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a red line in negotiationsHello and welcome to our live blog of the Middle East.The Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva has just warned that Tehran’s red line in negotiations with Washington is that Israel will cease attacks on Lebanon, including the capital of Beirut.
The ambassador added that Iran “will respond” if Israel violates the memorandum of understanding established on Thursday in any way, including with attacks on Lebanon and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.JD Vance said the talks with Iran created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” to end the war. “The final deal is the house,” the US vice-president told reporters. “We set the foundation. We haven’t built the house, but we’ve laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people.”When asked how soon IAEA inspectors could come to Iran, JD Vance said nuclear inspectors were called at 2am last night – but no one picked up the call. “As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning,” the vice president said.US secretary of state Marco Rubio will begin a trip to three Gulf countries on Tuesday amid negotiations with Iran to end the war in the Middle East, his spokesperson said. Visiting the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, Rubio will discuss “the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” state department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.Tehran ⁠did not negotiate on its nuclear ⁠programme ⁠and did ​not accept any ⁠new commitments in Sunday’s talks with the ⁠US in ​Switzerland, ‌foreign ministry spokesperson ‌Esmaeil Baghaei told ‌the official IRNA news agency on Monday. Iran’s interaction with the International ‌Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue in ​accordance with current procedures, subject to the approval ⁠of Iran’s parliament ​and the decisions ​of ​the Supreme National ​Security ‌Council, ​Baghaei added. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: ‘London is cooking,’ says UN chief as UK forecast to hit 38C; France has hottest night since records began
António Guterres urges world to act on fossil fuels as continent braces for record-breaking heat; French PM to hold emergency meeting after heat deathsTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Two children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Turkey arrests more than 200 in crackdown before NATO summit
The Ankara prosecutor's office said 209 people were detained, while 32 others remained at large. Turkey has announced a ban on demonstrations amid preparations for next month's NATO summit in the capital.

ZDNet News
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20+ pocket-sized gadgets that will make your life easier - and they're all under $50
Small gear, big gain. Check out these useful chargers, USB-C accessories, Bluetooth gadgets, and more - and some are on sale for Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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After testing dozens of TVs of the years, I know why they look so different at home
Here's how to adjust your TV colors so they look more realistic than what's shown on the retail floor.

ZDNet News
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June Prime Day live blog 2026: We're tracking Amazon deals on SSDs, TVs, laptops and more
LIVE: Prime Day 2026 deals are here. Follow our live blog for real-time tracking on the lowest prices for 4K TVs, M5 MacBooks, Samsung devices, SSDs, and more tech.

Mail Online
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The Amazon travel essentials every holidaymaker should have in their suitcase this summer (and they're on sale now) - including an anti-theft tourist gadget and noise-reducing earplugs for easy sleeping
Heading abroad this summer? Make the most of Amazon Prime Day sales and get ready for your travels with our expertly picked essential gadgets.

Mail Online
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From chronic pain to breast cancer, snakes are inspiring a slew of new drugs
Could the Burmese python hold the secret to weight-loss jabs that are free of side effects? That's the hope of research into the reptile's remarkable ability to suppress its appetite.

Mail Online
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The 30+ best Amazon Prime Day beauty deals are going fast - shop Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, Clinique, and more
SHOPPING: Prime Day is here, and the beauty savings are unmatched on your favorite makeup, skincare, and hair care products - including Dyson, Charlotte Tilbury, Perricone MD, Clinique, and more.

BBC World News
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Tesla crash that killed a woman under US federal investigation
A Tesla driver on Friday said he was using ‘self-driving’ technology after his vehicle sped into a Texas home.

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
Cloudzy review 2026

CNET News
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Prime Day Is Here and This 85-Inch Sony Bravia 9 TV Is at a Record-Low Price
Sony's premium Mini LED TV brings 4K resolution, deep contrast and PS5-ready features to the big screen.

CNET News
Open 
The Oura Ring Helped Me Get My Sleep on Track and the 4th Gen Is a Steal This Prime Day
If you've been looking to buy a smart ring, this is a great bargain.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Pairing Time-Based Use Rates and a Whole-Home Battery Gets You Super Cheap Electricity
Power companies are pushing aggressive time-based use pricing. Here's how a regular consumer can benefit.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Tech Deals Offer Up to $280 Off (2026): Phones, Watches, and More
Don't pay full price—snag one of these tasty Prime Day tech deals on some of our favorite WIRED-tested gadgets.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
I Found the Very Best Prime Day Laptop Deals onMacBooks and More (2026)
From MacBooks to gaming laptops, these are the very best deals on some of my very favorite laptops for Amazon Prime Day.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Get Up to 36% Off With the Best Prime Day Kindle Deals (2026): Paperwhite, Colorsoft, Kids
There’s no better time to get a Kindle than during Amazon's own sale event.

Wired Top Stories
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Get Up to 43% Off With the Best Prime Day TV Deals Plus Streaming Devices (2026)
These are the hottest Prime Day deals on our favorite TVs and streaming devices.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
I Found the Best Prime Day Mushroom Coffee Deals (2026)
Not all mushroom coffees taste like dirt. These are the on-sale blends WIRED tried and actually recommends.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Best Prime Day Fitness Tech Deals (2026)
I've compiled a list of the best fitness tech deals this Amazon Prime Day, including smartwatches, walking pads, and recovery gear. You can thank me later.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Federal Workers Can’t Get the White House’s App Off Their Phones
“I deleted it as a test and it came immediately back,” says one government employee.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Will Fight for Press Freedom—Until Trump Fires Her
President Trump probably can’t get rid of her yet, but FCC commissioner Anna Gomez still checks her email every day to see if he has. Until then, she wants to stand up for the First Amendment.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
HP OmniBook Ultra 14 Review: The Best Windows Laptop
HP’s OmniBook Ultra 14 is one of the best alternatives to the MacBook Air you can buy right now, and it’s more affordable than many of its Windows competitors.

The Hill
Open 
Are you ready for JD vs. AOC?
There is a lot to laugh at in Vice President Vance’s current conundrum. Him being served a pickle-flavored birthday cake on a chat show because the host said fudge cake would be “too gay” is a pretty good metaphor for the state of Vance’s quest for the presidency. He keeps getting served up unappetizing fare....

The Hill
Open 
Democratic socialists battle progressives in New York House primaries
A pair of Democratic House primaries in New York City are pitting liberals against leftists as a pair of democratic socialists battle against progressive candidates Tuesday. Democratic socialist candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, who are both endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are running against liberal candidates Antonio Reynoso and Rep. Adriano...

The Hill
Open 
Reflecting Pool saga becomes unwelcome distraction for Trump
The growing list of issues surrounding the renovations at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is creating an unwelcome distraction for President Trump as he seeks to complete beautification projects in Washington ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary next month.  Clumps of algae appeared on the floor of the pool within days of the iconic landmark...

The Hill
Open 
Iran-US peace deal faces various threats, from Lebanon, Israel and Trump
President Trump and Vice President Vance are staring down a number of major challenges in the U.S.-Iran negotiations, despite signs of progress being reported from the first round of talks on Sunday.  Vance said Monday that “a very good foundation” had been laid in the initial talks, during which Vance said Iran agreed to invite...

The Hill
Open 
Senate GOP headed for showdown with Trump over SAVE America Act, Iran deal
President Trump and Republican senators are headed for a collision Wednesday, when they will be meeting on Capitol Hill to discuss two major sources of strain: the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act and the Iran peace deal. Republican senators are bracing themselves for an unpredictable, and potentially heated, discussion as tensions have been...

Mail Online
Open 
Time-warp 1977 Rolls-Royce with just 604 miles and one owner smashes auction price forecast
Its sale made it the most expensive, non-celebrity owned Silver Shadow I to ever appear at public auction.

Mail Online
Open 
Moment £120,000 Range Rover is swamped by rising tide after owner gets luxury SUV stuck while trying to tow friend's van
The red-faced Range Rover driver found himself in the same predicament as the van owner, whose vehicle was also entrenched in the sand on Scarborough beach in North Yorkshire.

Mail Online
Open 
Why liposuction on your tummy may make your THIGHS fatter
Weight-loss jabs may rule these days when it comes to banishing unwanted body fat - but liposuction remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Around 29,000 lightning strikes light up sky across southern England
Thunderstorms caused flash flooding and travel disruption across parts of England, with more extreme heat expected on Tuesday.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Southwest Boeing 737 Pulled From Service After Ramp Vehicle Wedges Beneath Its Belly
On Sunday, June 21, emergency crews were deployed to Memphis International Airport (MEM) after a ground vehicle became wedged and stuck under a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737

Mail Online
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Will Labour's leadership crisis delay Britain's defence plan AGAIN? Burnham 'wants to decide himself' on spending - but Starmer's team insist it WILL come before PM meets Trump
Andy Burnham , who is almost certain to succeed Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, is said to want to decide himself on the vital multi-billion pound package.

Mail Online
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Your cats don't care about you…or each other! Felines groom one another out of SPITE, study finds
Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether a cat likes or utterly despises you - and it turns out they're aloof even with their own kind.

Mail Online
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Time-warp 1977 Rolls-Royce on just 604 miles and with one owner for 50 years sells for £82,000
Its sale made it the most expensive, non-celebrity owned Silver Shadow I to ever appear at public auction.

The Guardian (UK)
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I stand by what I said 10 years ago. We were right to leave the European Union | Larry Elliott
The Brexit vote showed that class still matters in British politics – and the changes needed are ones the EU would never have allowedRead more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On seriesOn the morning after the vote for Brexit, the Guardian’s newsroom was deathly quiet. There was disbelief that the public had voted the way it had, and the place was in mourning. With one exception the paper’s columnists had backed remain, and the shock of defeat was all the harder to bear because they had expected their side to triumph.
The exception to the house view was me – and I certainly received some old-fashioned looks from my colleagues that day. Judging by my inbox, both then and thereafter, my colleagues were more in tune with the readers than I was, but the editor thought it important that my leftwing case for Brexit should be given a hearing. Ten years on, that case is worth restating.
The first strand in the argument is that Europe isn’t working, and hasn’t been working for a long time. There has always been an economic case for EU membership but it has become harder to make down the years. When Britain was first applying to join what was then the European Economic Community, the major European economies were growing a lot faster than Britain, and were also closing the gap with the US. That is no longer the case. In the more than 17 years since the financial crisis, the US has grown by 87%, compared with the EU’s 13.5% – more than six times as fast.
True, the Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that the economy will be 4% smaller in the 15 years after the referendum than it would have been had the UK remained in the single market – but this finding should be treated with some scepticism. As Jeremy Hunt, who campaigned for remain, told the BBC last week, for the economy to be 4% bigger today it would have had to have grown as fast as the US – something the former chancellor finds implausible.
The second is that Brexit highlighted the weaknesses of Britain’s financial services-dominated economic model, and provided the opportunity to try something different. While it would be wrong to blame Brussels for all Britain’s economic woes, any serious repair job requires a freedom of manoeuvre that EU membership made more difficult.
The government’s decision to impose tariffs to protect Britain’s steel industry and to cut duties on 100 imported food products to ease the cost of living crisis are examples of that freedom being used. If Andy Burnham is serious about reversing “40 years of neoliberalism”, that will require curbs on the free movement of capital, goods and people – all expressly forbidden by single-market rules.And third, Brexit was a howl of anger from those parts of Britain that felt marginalised and forgotten. It was a vote for a different economic settlement to put right the damage caused by deindustrialisation and globalisation.Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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David Squires on … the big names putting on a show at World Cup
Our cartoonist on the heroes, villains and superstar performances in week two of the tournamentBuy a cartoon | Some of David’s favourite worksAnd his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer ally calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham as Carns and Jones decline to rule out leadership bids – UK politics live
Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Cabinet Office minister and former armed forces minister ponder their optionsPeter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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How often should you wash your bedding in a heatwave? Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie reveals when it's time to wash pillows and mattress protectors
As temperatures continue to rise across the UK, many Britons will find themselves tossing and turning through the night and waking up feeling hot and sticky.

Mail Online
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Why liposuction on your tummy may make your thighs fatter
Weight-loss jabs may rule these days when it comes to banishing unwanted body fat - but liposuction remains one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.

Mail Online
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How to protect your money from Andy Burnham: What to do now to fight potential tax raids
What will a new prime minister mean for our personal finances and what can you do to fight back today?

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'They made my mum give me up because she was unmarried'
Reg Barker, 66, says he only found out he was adopted when he applied for a passport, aged 18.

The Register
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Digital indigestion: Fizzy Coca-Cola display chokes on full storage
Ubuntu warning bubbles up on an Azores advertising screen

The Register
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Brits still reckon Big Tech isn't paying enough tax
Poll finds two-thirds support squeeze on Silicon Valley despite US pressure

Mail Online
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How often should you wash your bedding in a heatwave? 'Queen of Clean' Lynsey Crombie reveals when it's time to wash pillows and mattress protectors
As temperatures continue to rise across the UK, many Britons will find themselves tossing and turning through the night and waking up feeling hot and sticky.

Mail Online
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Two wives at war over bigamous millionaire's £1.8m fortune after they BOTH married him in Las Vegas are fighting over estate 'that could now be worth nothing'
Wealthy accountant and Second World War history expert James Dinsdale died of cancer aged 55 in October 2020. His death sparked a bitter court row over his fortune.

Mail Online
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'Animals are easy... people are difficult': The inside story of how Jimmy Doherty spent 'untold millions' to build England's best tourist attraction
Jimmy Doherty opened Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park back in 2003 with his wife Michaela as a rare-breed pig farm.

Mail Online
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Does my car use more fuel at 20mph than at 30mph?
I live in North London, where roads now have a 20mph limit - and I'm convinced that I'm filling up with fuel more often.

Mail Online
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Why seeing flashing lights and spots means your eyesight is at risk - and the treatment that works
Hiking in Peru, Lucy Schoonhoven realised with some alarm that she couldn't make out the sides of the mountain path she was walking on.

Mail Online
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Pick the right beer and avoid red wine at all costs: How to avoid a World Cup hangover ahead of England's 9pm kickoff with Ghana
It has all the makings of a summer night to remember. The hottest June day on record. A confident, free-scoring England taking on Ghana in their second game of the World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The Climate Question: Is climate change ruining our sleep?
How the rise in night-time temperatures is starting to disrupt our sleep and health

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Tips to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget’: Madonna says biopic was scrapped after ‘falling out’ with studio
‘Maybe they just didn’t believe in me,’ the pop star said of Universal, which was set to make a film about her life starring Julia GarnerMadonna says that the long-gestating movie about her life that she was personally overseeing was cancelled after she fell out with Hollywood studio Universal over the size of the film’s budget.Speaking to Interview magazine, Madonna said: “We had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget because I needed – I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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500 Miles review – kids hit the road to visit Irish grandad Bill Nighy in YA tearjerker
Nighy is the Dingle dwelling grandfather of a Sheffield family in strife in sentimental adaptation of Mark Lowery’s novel Charlie and MeThis, sadly, is not a biopic of the Proclaimers, but a family tearjerker adapted from Charlie and Me, Mark Lowery’s novel for older children, an adventure about a teenage boy who runs away from home with his little brother to go to their grandad’s. It’s a sentimental film that requires a cast of fine actors to squelch through some fairly heavy slush. Among them, Bill Nighy as the grandad seems to suffer from some kind of reverse Samson effect with a rugged beard that might be to blame for his charisma dip.The film switches between time periods. In the present, teenager Finn (Roman Griffin Davis) runs away after overhearing his separating parents (Clare Dunne and Michael Socha) arguing about who gets which child in the split. Finn takes his scampish younger brother Charlie (Dexter Sol Ansell), and off they set on a 500-mile trip from Sheffield to Dingle on the west coast of Ireland where their grandad John (Nighy) lives. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Yorkers vote as Democrats weigh competing visions in era of Trump
Democratic primary elections to test strength of party’s left flank as old guard faces string of challengesNew Yorkers were voting on Tuesday in a slate of Democratic primaries poised to reveal the strength of the party’s left flank and shape the battle for control of the US House of Representatives in November.Voters in Maryland and Utah will also nominate congressional candidates on Tuesday, while South Carolina holds a series of runoff elections for candidates who did not receive a majority of the vote earlier this month. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Rory Kennedy revisits Boeing in new film sparked by whistleblower’s death: ‘We’ve got to stay at this’
Film-maker talks about her documentary on John Barnett, the Boeing whistleblower who killed himself in 2024It is widely recognized that for the Kennedys, tragedy has come often and from unexpected quarters. The filmmaker Rory Kennedy, born six months after the assassination of her father Robert Kennedy, has known her share. But in 2024 it was a loss outside the political dynasty that shook her to the core.John Barnett, a quality inspector turned whistleblower at Boeing, one of the world’s biggest plane manufacturers, was found dead in his truck outside a hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Swampy” because of his roots in Louisiana, Barnett had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I stand by what I said 10 years ago. We were right to leave the European Union | Larry Elliott
The Brexit vote showed that class still matters in British politics – and the changes needed are ones the EU would never have allowedRead more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On seriesOn the morning after the vote for Brexit, the Guardian’s newsroom was deathly quiet. There was disbelief that the public had voted the way it had, and the place was in mourning. With one exception the paper’s columnists had backed remain, and the shock of defeat was all the harder to bear because they had expected their side to triumph.
The exception to the house view was me – and I certainly received some old-fashioned looks from my colleagues that day. Judging by my inbox, both then and thereafter, my colleagues were more in tune with the readers than I was, but the editor thought it important that my leftwing case for Brexit should be given a hearing. Ten years on, that case is worth restating.
The first strand in the argument is that Europe isn’t working, and hasn’t been working for a long time. There has always been an economic case for EU membership but it has become harder to make down the years. When Britain was first applying to join what was then the European Economic Community, the major European economies were growing a lot faster than Britain, and were also closing the gap with the US. That is no longer the case. In the more than 17 years since the financial crisis, the US has grown by 87%, compared with the EU’s 13.5% – more than six times as fast.
True, the Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated that the economy will be 4% smaller in the 15 years after the referendum than it would have been had the UK remained in the single market – but this finding should be treated with some scepticism. As Jeremy Hunt, who campaigned for remain, told the BBC last week, for the economy to be 4% bigger today it would have had to have grown as fast as the US – something the former chancellor finds implausible.
The second is that Brexit highlighted the weaknesses of Britain’s financial services-dominated economic model, and provided the opportunity to try something different. While it would be wrong to blame Brussels for all Britain’s economic woes, any serious repair job requires a freedom of manoeuvre that EU membership made more difficult.
The government’s decision to impose tariffs to protect Britain’s steel industry and to cut duties on 100 imported food products to ease the cost of living crisis are examples of that freedom being used. If Andy Burnham is serious about reversing “40 years of neoliberalism”, that will require curbs on the free movement of capital, goods and people – all expressly forbidden by single-market rules.And third, Brexit was a howl of anger from those parts of Britain that felt marginalised and forgotten. It was a vote for a different economic settlement to put right the damage caused by deindustrialisation and globalisation.Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I could listen to gardeners chat for hours. It always sounds like they’re up to no good | Zoe Williams
Blame my uncle and his contempt for rules and regulationsMy uncle has a mature and beautiful gingko tree, which also goes by the name of memory tree, which is a little ironic because he can’t remember where he put his hearing aid batteries, and yet he can recollect with pin-sharp detail the exact moment this tree’s predecessor was confiscated by a customs official on the way back from the unnamed country he was smuggling it in from.“Smuggling” was a large and entirely wrong word for a tiny sapling that wasn’t harming anyone, he said, but they took it off him anyway and destroyed it, a decades-old outrage that felt pretty fresh. I’m a little hazy on how the current tree came to arrive in his garden, whether that first one was a decoy and he was packing two trees, but let’s just say that couldn’t possibly have happened because this definitely isn’t the same uncle who brought seven varieties of seed potato back from a family wedding in Germany in 1985, by putting them in my and my siblings’ pockets, because what kind of customs monster would search a child? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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In Iran, Trump’s victory claims only deepened a self-made catastrophe | Sidney Blumenthal
What the US president succeeded in obliterating was any rationale he offered for going to warBefore Donald Trump finally surrendered in his Iran war, he declared victory several dozen times, including on day eight– “We’ve already won!” – day 10 – “The war is very complete”– day 12, proclaiming he had won five times in 13 seconds – “We’ve won, let me say we’ve won. You know, you never like to say too early you won, we won, we won the bet in the first hour it was over”– and day 39 –“Total and complete victory, 100%. No question about it”– and claimed a deal to end the war was just around the corner 38 times. The first time he raised the prospect of peace, on day 24, he said the two sides had reached “almost all points of agreement”.Trump boldly affixed his signature with a sharpie to the Memorandum Of Understanding on day 110, 17 June, at the Palace of Versailles, where the ruinous treaty concluding the first world war was signed. He seemed oblivious to the historical symbolism of the place, but bedazzled by its gold. “Versailles is not gold leaf – Versailles is the real deal,” he remarked. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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It’s not easy being green: Trump’s botched reflecting pool becomes 2,028ft metaphor
The symbolic power of a stagnant pond beneath Lincoln’s statue has proven irresistible for the president’s criticsNarcissus was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Donald Trump is finding that his effort to overhaul the Lincoln ⁠Memorial reflecting pool in Washington has turned into a perverse tourist attraction and 2,028ft national metaphor.On Monday afternoon a massive algae bloom had turned the pool a green reminiscent of a plane passenger clutching a sick bag. It also stank, but that did not deter a steady flow of curious tourists snapping photos and TV crews doing eyewitness interviews about the folly of Donald Trump’s $14.7m renovation. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer ally calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham as Carns and Jones decline to rule out leadership bids – UK politics live
Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Cabinet Office minster and former armed forces minister ponder their optionsPeter Walker is a senior Guardian political correspondent.The Liberal Democrats are marking the tenth anniversary of Brexit by enjoying their favourite pursuit – being rude about Nigel Farage.Nigel Farage pocketed a £5m “reward” for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. When he promised we would be better off, he clearly only meant himself. We are taking over billboards across the UK today to say enough is enough.Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How to stay safe swimming outdoors - and still have fun
Pick designated swimming spots, learn about riptides and don't use inflatables at the beach, experts say.

Mail Online
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I felt as if life was over in my 50s because of an eye problem most people develop in middle age. I couldn't drive and had to change jobs. This is the treatment that worked... I feel 35 again
Hiking in Peru, Lucy Schoonhoven realised with some alarm that she couldn't make out the sides of the mountain path she was walking on.

Mail Online
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Why do I feel low only when I wake up in the morning? This is a problem I've seen many times, writes DR SCURR, but effective treatments do exist…
For years, I've suffered with extremely low mood in the mornings - even if I go to bed happy. What could be causing these overnight changes? Dr Martin Scurr replies...

Mail Online
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Orlando Bloom, 49, steps out with hotpants-clad bikini model girlfriend Luisa Laemmel, 28, as they take their romance to Milan Men's Fashion Week
The couple, who have a 21-year age gap, have taken their blossoming romance to Milan Men's Fashion Week, with Luisa, 28, showing off her model figure in tiny shorts as they headed out on Monday.

Mail Online
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Three men are arrested after Brit, 88, is killed in front of his wife by mugger in Tenerife
The trio were held hours after it emerged the 88-year-old, named only as Ray, had passed away in hospital following last Wednesday's assault.

Mail Online
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Will Labour's leadership crisis delay Britain's defence plan AGAIN? Burnham 'wants to decide himself' on  spending - but Starmer's team insist it WILL come before PM meets Trump
Andy Burnham , who is almost certain to succeed Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, is said to want to decide himself on the vital multi-billion pound package.

Mail Online
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Heatwaves could trigger BLACKOUTS this summer: Grid operator warns of a 600% surge in wildfires - leaving vital transmission lines at risk
The UK's sweltering temperatures could cause chaos for power grids - leaving Brits at risk of blackouts this summer.

Mail Online
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Millions face having their faces scanned as Met Police expand the use of facial recognition to London's West End
The UK's biggest police force today revealed its 'ambitious' scheme to introduce the technology to one of the capital's busiest and most popular destinations.

Mail Online
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Millie Bobby Brown poses in bright bikinis as she enjoys 'vacay mode' on a paradise beach break after hitting out at 'vicious' mom-shaming trolls
Millie Bobby Brown took to Instagram to pose in a slew in bright bikinis on a paradise beach break - just days after hitting out at 'vicious' mom-shaming trolls.

Sky News Home
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New diabetes treatment gets 'landmark' approval for NHS
A first-of-its-kind therapy that can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for up to three years has been approved for use by the NHS.

Sky News Home
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Mass £3bn iCloud lawsuit for UK customers gets green light
Millions of UK Apple customers are to be included in a class action lawsuit against the tech giant over the storage system iCloud. 

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What to do if you think someone has heat exhaustion or heatstroke
Know the signs and what to do if someone is unwell in hot weather.

Mail Online
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Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell is jailed for more than five years for embezzling £400,000 from SNP funds to spend on cars, jewellery and a motorhome
Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Young told Murrell he had committed a 'calculated crime of dishonesty', with a 'large number of fraudulent acts over a 12-year period'.

Deutsche Welle
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Europe's defense ambitions get reality check
European countries have been trying to scale up and integrate their military capabilities, but their current defense production and procurement model is not fit for purpose, say experts.

Mail Online
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Thought last night's thunderstorm was intense? Scientists say this could become the NORM - because of climate change
Millions of Brits were woken up last night by a huge thunderstorm. Now, scientists have warned that these intense storms could become the norm - thanks to climate change.

Mail Online
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The best and worst dressed racegoers, royals and celebrities at Royal Ascot: How YOU ranked every outfit - and the glamorous attendee who beat Kate and Harriet Sperling to top spot
Known just as much for its high fashion stakes as it is for its horse racing, Royal Ascot proved to be the perfect event for royals, celebs, and average folk alike to showcase their style prowess last week.

Mail Online
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Romeo Beckham will make his acting debut in gay tennis movie Forty Love as first look is unveiled
Romeo Beckham is set to make his acting debut in gay tennis movie Forty Love, as a first look at his latest foray was unveiled. 

Sky News Home
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New diabetes treatment gets 'landmark' approval for NHS
A first-of-its-kind therapy that can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for up to three years has ben approved for used by the NHS.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Is watching football bad for your health? I tested my body to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

TechRadar News
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Lego Prime Day deals are live — 23 deals worth snapping up across Star Wars, Technic, Botanical, and Disney sets

TechRadar News
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Cooling just became the most strategic choice in AI infrastructure

TechRadar News
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‘Ask people if they want to be cared for by a robot, and most say no': People are warming up to robots at work - but they don't want them in hospitals or schools

TechRadar News
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I'm making my fellow commuters jealous with the Shark ChillPill personal fan this week — and you can get your own for 20% off over Prime Day

TechRadar News
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I cover AI for a living — these are the 5 things I’d check before buying an AI PC during Amazon Prime Day

Propublica
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I Cold-Called President Trump. Here’s What He Told Me About an Oil Tycoon and Major Donor.
The post I Cold-Called President Trump. Here’s What He Told Me About an Oil Tycoon and Major Donor. appeared first on ProPublica.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Noise, blood and confetti: how Industrial Coast built a radical arts scene in ‘dark, deprived’ Middlesbrough
The Teesside town struggles with drugs and social discord, but inspired by its magical light and mercurial artistic spirit, some say it has the best cultural scene in the UKAt a gig in a Middlesbrough art gallery, the room smells of blood. Rainbow confetti is strewn across the floor. Someone has been making music by rattling rusted springs from their dad’s sofa. Movement artist Shlinga bends and rises around tuned gardening wires; later, Finn Darrell pulls needles from their skin as loop pedal harmonies fill the air. This was a recent gig being hosted by Industrial Coast, a music label and event promoter in Teesside that has found itself at the forefront of radical English art.Twenty-four-hour noise sets, 50p tickets and £999 digital releases are just some of the label’s unfashionable marketing techniques. Gigs happen in old shopping units or any available space, and the people on the doors are lax about entry rules. The point, I’m told, is to get open-minded people in the room. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Clive Davis predicted music’s biggest stars like no one else | Alexis Petridis
The legendary music executive signed everyone from Patti Smith to Barry Manilow and changed the industry foreverClive Davis: music industry executive who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen dies aged 94Clive Davis: a life in pictures from Diana Ross to Aretha FranklinClive Davis always claimed that his life in the music business was really kickstarted when he chose to attend the 1967 Monterey Pop festival: it was there he saw Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and immediately bought their contract for $200,000, the first really high-profile signing of his career. But Davis was an unlikely fit at the most high-profile event of the Summer of Love: he was a Harvard-educated lawyer who had been “shocked” when a restructuring of Columbia Records saw him promoted from general counsel to the company’s president. He was sharp enough to spot which way the pop cultural wind was blowing – “a revolution in culture and philosophy”, he later recalled, “the Haight-Ashbury scene, with love peace and flowers” – but he was no one’s idea of a hippy. Amid a sea of paisley, batik, love beads and bells, Davis turned up to the festival clad in “khaki pants and a tennis sweater”.It was an image he would often recall for comic effect – “I was the costumed freak surrounded by everyone with flowers in their hair” – but there was something rather telling about it too: Davis’s skill as what used to be called a record man lay in his ability to balance the progressive with the traditional. He turned one wing of Columbia into something of a home for artists associated with the burgeoning counterculture, swiftly signing Santana, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Electric Flag and the wonderful psychedelic soul band the Chambers Brothers. But he never lost sight of the other side of the company, which dealt lucratively in soundtracks and easy listening and was home to Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett: at one juncture, he found himself simultaneously attempting to renegotiate the contracts of Bob Dylan and Andy Williams. When he founded Arista Records in 1974, he did exactly the same thing: it was a label that provided a home for both Patti Smith and Barry Manilow. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK temperatures forecast to reach 38C after overnight storms; France has hottest night since records began
Temperatures could smash June record in England and Wales set in 1976; French PM to hold emergency meeting after heat deathsTell us: how is the heatwave in the UK and across Europe affecting you?Two children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer ally calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham as Carns and Jones decline to rule out leadership bids – UK politics live
Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Cabinet Office minster and former armed forces minister ponder their optionsThis is from my colleague Jessica Elgot on a potential Darren Jones leadership bid (see 9.34am).Key to a serious Jones run seems to what he makes of Burnham’s economic policies in the coming days - including public control of utilities. And whether Ed Miliband ends up as chancellor.I’m absolutely convinced I’ve done nothing wrong in any way at all. I also know that since I was elected as an MP, I’ve taken zero in personal expenses. I’m very careful and very cautious about these things.Would you be happy if the next prime minister of this country secretly banked a £5m cheque from a billionaire whose business interests he was promoting?I believe [the donation] to be a wholly private matter. The standards commissioner may take a different view. Continue reading...

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Dolly Parton’s former hideaway in the quaint town of Solvang is listed for $2 million, complete with windmill
A quaint—and very quirky—California property that once served as music legend Dolly Parton’s private hideaway has returned to the market for just a hair under $2 million.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Meg Ryan lists $15.3 million Hamptons retreat in ‘coveted location’
Actress Meg Ryan is getting ready to bid farewell to one of the brightest jewels in her real estate portfolio: a stunning Hamptons retreat that she has owned for just two years.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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This billionaire trading tycoon argues the public is looking at federal debt all wrong
The conventional wisdom is that federal government debt — $39.1 trillion, or a mere $31.6 trillion when accounting for the liabilities owed to itself — is astronomically high. Jeff Yass said that isn’t the right comparison.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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I want to leave everything to my sons, but I’m terrified they’ll give it to my ex-husband. How do I prevent this?
“I would not like my money to fall into the hands of my former spouse.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The AI market has become a ‘rubber band’ — the question now is how far it can stretch, says Goldman strategist
Rich Privorotsky, strategist at Goldman Sachs, said that while so-called hyperscalers continue to increase their capital expenditure forecasts, artificial intelligence software is becoming cheaper to develop elsewhere

BBC UK News
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Thousands of lightning strikes light up sky across southern England
Met Office data suggests there were 29,000 lightning strikes, while more extreme heat is expected.

Mail Online
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Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell is jailed for more than five years for embezzling £400,000 from SNP funds to spend on cars, jewellery, and a motorhome
Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Young told Murrell he had committed a 'calculated crime of dishonesty', with a 'large number of fraudulent acts over a 12-year period'.

FIA Press Releases
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Building a stronger future for FIA Championships with updated regulations approved by the World Motor Sport Council
Sport newsThe Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, announces that the World Motor Sport Council has held its mid-2026 meeting during the FIA Conference in Macau today, 23 June. The global FIA community is gathered for a week of knowledge-sharing and collaboration, bringing best governance practices to Member Clubs and approving key regulations amid a landmark year for motor sport competition.  H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, opened the meeting by addressing the members on the major milestones already achieved in 2026, as well as those still to come.  The FIA President said: “The first half of 2026 has been characterised by progress. We have witnessed new race winners and emerging talent across our championships and celebrated iconic events including the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing the very best of our sport to millions of fans globally. We continue to deliver on our commitment to create motorsport that is safe, exciting, sustainable and accessible. These achievements are only possible because of the efforts of this World Motor Sport Council, our Members, and our entire FIA community.” The recent conclusion of a candidate event for the potential return of the FIA World Rally Championship to the United States, together with the upcoming change in promoter for the WRC and recent announcements of an expanded FIA World Endurance Championship calendar and the future direction of the Hypercar regulations, are indicative of the FIA’s ongoing work across its global championships.  The FIA President concluded his opening address adding, “Together, these developments demonstrate that this is a pivotal moment for the FIA's global championships. We are growing, expanding into new markets, attracting new audiences and we are creating stronger foundations for the future.” - The following is a summary of decisions taken at today’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau:  Brands Hatch, Circuit of The Americas and Zandvoort join Formula E calendar as updates to the sporting format approved The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar approved today by the World Motor Sport Council comprises a record-breaking 21 races across 13 global cities, featuring a mixture of street circuits and a number of new permanent circuits, preserving the fundamental DNA of the championship whilst embracing the new levels of power and performance that arrive with the GEN4 car in December 2026.  GEN4 – Innovative sporting format for the most advanced Formula E car ever A raft of significant updates to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Sporting Regulations were approved today by the World Motor Sport Council, adding to the excitement already building ahead of the introduction of the GEN4 car for the 2026-27 season. The regulations have been developed to maximise the capabilities of the new car, which will feature permanent all-wheel drive and two power levels: 450kW in Race Mode and 600kW in Attack Mode. The 2026-27 season, which kicks off in December, will see the introduction of two different race formats on double-header race weekends: The Classic Efficiency Race or E-Prix, featuring a low-downforce configuration and Pit Boost. An all-new, shorter Performance Race or E-PrixUnleashed, featuring high-downforce configuration without Pit Boost. The aerodynamic configuration for each event will be confirmed 21 days before the race. As part of the upcoming regulatory refinements, wet tyres will be introduced and may be used when the Race Director declares wet track conditions, while the all-weather tyre allocation remains unchanged. Lastly, points will now be awarded in qualifying for both the Drivers’ and Teams’ World Championships: 1 point for reaching the Duels 1 point for each Duel won 1 additional point for winning the Final Duel (Pole Position) The Formula E 2026-27 Regulations have been restructured for greater clarity, and now include the new General Provisions and a dedicated definitions appendix in addition to the existing Sporting, Technical and Financial Regulations. -WRC27 set for more competition at the top with Rally2 upgrade kit approved The World Motor Sport Council has approved the technical regulations that will form the basis of the FIA World Rally Championship’s top category from 2027, together with the homologation regulations allowing eligible Rally2 cars to compete in the championship’s premier category during the opening years of the championship’s new regulatory cycle. The objective of the new regulations is to increase the number of cars competing at the front of the field, providing a greater spectacle for rally fans as the WRC27 regulations are introduced.The new regulations introduce a Rally2-WRC-Kit, which may be fitted to Rally2 cars homologated before 31 December 2026. These Rally2-WRC-Kit cars will only be eligible to compete alongside WRC27 cars in the FIA World Rally Championship during the 2027 and 2028 seasons. The Rally2-WRC-Kit has been introduced to support greater aerodynamic parity between Rally2 cars and the new generation of WRC27 cars. The kit will comprise new homologated front fenders, a front bumper and a rear aerodynamic device, with a maximum cost of €7,500.Homologation of the Rally2-WRC-Kit may only be carried out by a manufacturer registered for the FIA World Rally Championship as a constructor. During the first year of homologation, the Manufacturer must participate in 100 per cent of the events listed on the WRC calendar, with a minimum of two cars per rally.The regulations also define the technical framework for Rally2-WRC-Kit cars, including a total weight of 1220kg. Each Rally2-WRC-Kit will be permitted one joker for bodywork parts homologated as part of the kit, with only one Rally2-WRC-Kit extension authorised per Rally2 homologation form during the 2027-2028 period. Eligibility for Rally2-WRC-Kit cars in the FIA World Rally Championship’s top category will end on 31 December 2028, providing a defined two-year transition period as the WRC27 regulations are introduced. The new framework is designed to strengthen competition in the championship’s top category during the opening years of the WRC27 cycle, allowing Rally2-WRC-Kit cars to compete alongside the new-generation WRC27 cars.  Malcolm Wilson OBE, FIA Deputy President for Sport, said: "More competition at the top level is the driving force behind everything we are doing with WRC27, and these changes approved today by the World Motor Sport Council will help us to deliver a greater spectacle for the fans over the next two years. By creating a pathway for eligible Rally2 cars to enter the top class, the regulations will support larger fields, increase competitive depth and help deliver a fantastic contest at the highest level of rallying."-FIA Global Karting Plan continues to deliver more affordable motor sport with 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup confirmed The second edition of the FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup will be hosted by Motor Sports Singapore (MSS) and return to the LYL International Circuit in Malaysia from 19-22 November 2026. The inaugural edition of the event in 2025 showcased the new era for FIA Karting, with over 100 drivers participating from 50 countries across every region. Cutting entry costs by up to two thirds compared to traditional international karting competitions, 91 per cent of drivers said the format makes it easier for them to compete. 15 girls also participated last year, the highest proportion of female participation in any FIA Karting event, reflecting the format’s potential to identify and support a new generation of rising motor sport stars.This year began phase two of the rollout of the Global Karting Plan, which includes continental Arrive and Drive championships in Europe, Asia-Pacific and South America. These championships act as qualifying championships for the Arrive and Drive World Cup to diversify the pipeline of emerging motor sport talent and open new pathways into the sport by bringing the Arrive and Drive format closer to global communities.The event will again feature a junior and senior category with OTK Group selected as the official kart supplier and Vega selected as the official tyre supplier. -FIA Esports expands further with new competition and Esports International Sporting Code Following the recent creation of an FIA Esports Hill Climb project, the World Motor Sport Council today approved regulations for the FIA Esports European Hill Climb Cup, adding another significant growth area for this accessible category.In collaboration with ACL Sport, this new Esports competition will be launched on the RaceRoom platform, featuring the iconic BMW 134 Judd V8 – driven by the legendary Georg Plasa in real-world Hill Climb events. The tournament will unfold in two high-stakes stages, beginning with an open online qualification from 20 August to 9 September on an existing RaceRoom Hill Climb track, where the eight fastest drivers will secure their place in the finals.The action then moves onsite to Luxembourg from October 11-13 for stage two, where finalists will face the ultimate test of skill on a course on RaceRoom kept strictly under wraps until race day to ensure a level playing field.The World Motor Sport Council has also approved the creation of a separate Esports Code to regulate FIA Esports Competitions. This now replaces Appendix E to the International Sporting Code, which was always intended to be a temporary appendix to manage ongoing Competitions while the separate Esports Code was developed. -The FIA has introduced new provisions in the Regional Rally Sporting Regulations to improve accessibility for drivers and co-drivers with disabilities across regional rallying. Under the new regulations, organisers may issue additional passes for up to two team members to access specific rally locations, including time controls, media zones and podium areas, where required to support the movement or handling of a wheelchair or medical equipment for a crew member with a disability. The regulations also permit one team member to enter Parc Fermé to assist a crew member with mobility, or to support the handling of a wheelchair or medical equipment. In addition, one team member may replace a crew member with a disability for the purpose of carrying out service operations. Organisers will also be required to take accessibility requirements into account when planning event infrastructure, including Rally HQ, service parks and podium areas. Together, the new provisions are designed to better support competitors with disabilities and increase accessibility across all aspects of regional rallying. -FIA Historic Motor Sport Commission unveils Historic Roadmap to strengthen period compliance through 2030 The FIA has unveiled a new Historic Motor Sport Roadmap, outlining a phased approach to period compliance scrutineering from 2026 through to 2030. The initiative is designed to strengthen consistency, fairness and credibility across historic motor sport, through a harmonised framework for eligibility control and compliance monitoring. The roadmap includes the publication of specification guidance, the recruitment and training of FIA Eligibility Delegates, as well as enhanced support for organisers and competitors. A dedicated education and observation phase will follow before progressively introducing compliance monitoring, reporting and enforcement measures. By 2030, the framework will be fully activated, with the implementation of enforcement mechanisms designed to ensure long-term adherence to period-correct specifications. The roadmap forms part of the FIA's ongoing commitment to preserving the authenticity and integrity of historic competition for future generations. -Regulatory Updates  FIA Formula One World Championship  H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, remarked on the collaborative approach between all of the major stakeholders in the FIA Formula One World Championship since the start of the 2026 season and the introduction of the major regulatory changes.   The FIA President said: “The FIA continues to oversee the evolution of the 2026 Regulations and work closely with all key stakeholders across the motorsport community.“As with every major regulatory change, the process does not end when the cars first take to the track. Continuous dialogue and collaboration are essential to ensuring that the regulations meet the needs of the sport, its drivers, and its fans. Together we are exploring the future direction of the championship and considering how the sport can balance innovation, sustainability, performance and fan appeal in the years ahead.  “The discussions around future power unit concepts, including V8 engines powered by sustainable fuels, demonstrate the willingness of all parties to engage in shaping the next chapter of the sport.”  The World Motor Sport Council approved updates to the 2026 Sporting, Technical and Financial Regulations. In addition to various clarifications and minor corrections, these also included that:    The declaration of a Heat Hazard may now be split between Sprint and Race. A Heat Hazard will still be declared, for Sprint, Race or both, 24 hours prior to the start of the Competition.  In low grip conditions when the track is wet and there is poor visibility boost mode has been reintroduced but is restricted to preventing power reduction without increasing output, while the overtake function will be disabled. These changes have been made for safety reasons.   From 2027, the duration of Pre-Season Testing has been increased from three to four days, owing to the general complexity of the current generation of cars.   The first issue of the 2027 Technical Regulations has been approved by the World Motor Sport Council with a broad set of structural, wording, and targeted technical updates that improve clarity, consistency, and enforceability while incorporating key learnings from the 2026 season.  Also approved were measures relating to power unit supply, management of reconnaissance laps and race distances at selected circuits and financial regulatory changes linked to amendments to the technical and sporting package for 2027-28. Finally, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified the proposed changes to rebalance the contribution of the Internal Combustion Engine and Energy Recovery System contribution across the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Updates include targeted adjustments to internal combustion engine output, fuel energy flow and energy recovery system deployment, together with increased flexibility in energy management. -ABB FIA Formula E World Championship A number of updates to the Financial Regulations were approved in line with the introduction of the next generation of cars from Season 13. The Manufacturer Reporting Period will be updated from two-years to a one-year cycle, and the regulation will be adapted to the new token system of the championship.   FIA World Rally-Raid Championship The World Motor Sport Council approved a series of sporting regulation updates for the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Changes were made to the start order process so that the order now more closely reflects the previous Stage’s classification, with drivers competing in Ultimate, Stock, Challenger and SSV vehicles who set a time within 117% of the fastest overall time to be included in the revised start order procedure. The regulations governing repositioning on Marathon Rally-Raid events, notably the Dakar Rally, have also been updated. Under the revised regulations, Silver drivers will be eligible for two repositioning opportunities. Further changes were made to the regulations governing maximum Stage Penalties, raising the number a competitor may receive before being excluded from the final classification. Competitors who receive more than two maximum Stage Penalties during a Rally-Raid event, or more than three maximum Stage Penalties during a Marathon Rally-Raid event, will no longer be classified. FIA Cross Country Rally A raft of updates to the regulations governing Cross-Country Rally were approved by the World Motor Sport Council, including the merging of Platinum and Gold priority status into a single Gold status. Under the new regulations, drivers who previously held Platinum status, which was defined as the top three finishers in the last three World Rally-Raid Championships and the overall winners of the last five Dakar events will now be defined as Gold priority. Amendments to the technical regulations governing Cross-Country Rally were also approved, including an update to the maximum cost of a new ready-to-compete Stock car, which will be capped at €350,000. The adjustment reflects the increase in real vehicle costs caused by inflation over the past two years. Changes were also made to the regulations governing hybrid Stock vehicles. Under the updated regulations, the original vehicle battery pack may be replaced by a series-production battery pack from another model produced by the same manufacturer. This change is intended to address the specific demands of Cross-Country Rally competition, where standard hybrid 4WD vehicles may be equipped with large battery packs that create a significant weight disadvantage, with no opportunity to recharge during a competitive stage. Further changes were made to the minimum weight regulations across all Cross-Country Rally classes, establishing a single minimum weight for each category, inclusive of the crew and their equipment. Cross Country safety The implementation of FIA 8855-2021 or FIA 8862-2009 seats will be updated from 2027. The requirement will apply across Cross-Country Rally categories, with exemptions for Ultimate and Challenger vehicles with safety cages homologated before 1 January 2024, as well as all Truck, T4 and T2 vehicles. The change is intended to support the wider use of newer-generation seat technology, further improving crew safety across the discipline. New provisions were also introduced to allow seating positions to be adjusted using cushions or foam inserts, including through the modification or removal of original inserts where permitted under the new article. Competitors are also recommended to follow the Cross-Country Seat Headrest Foam Guidelines, which will be published later this summer, to identify the foam configuration most suitable for driver and navigator comfort and safety. This update is intended to improve crew positioning and head support inside the vehicle, helping to reduce the risk of excessive head movement or impact when running over particularly rough terrain, or in the event of a collision. Regional Rallying  The World Motor Sport Council approved updates to the regulations governing national cars entered in FIA Regional Rally Championship events.Under the revised regulations, national cars entered in these events must hold an ASN Technical Passport and be registered through a new digital National Car Acceptance Form.Updates were also made to the implementation of FIA 8855-2021 or FIA 8862-2009 seats from 2027.The requirement will apply across eligible cars, with exemptions for RGT cars homologated before 1 January 2022, R1, R2, R3, Rally5 and Rally4 cars homologated before 1 January 2020, and all national cars. -Amendments to the GT3 technical regulations, in line with the Sustainability Roadmap previously defined by the Commission, have been approved. These will include the exclusive use of sustainable fuel becoming mandatory in any GT3 competition from 2028. The change is aligned with the previous introduction of sustainable fuel to the FIA GT World Cup in 2024. In addition, all tyres used in GT3 competitions will be required to contain a minimum of 20 per cent sustainable materials, either bio-sourced and/or recycled, from 2028 onwards. This follows on from the recent appointment of the tyre supplier for the FIA World Endurance Championships’ LMGT3 class, which will utilise tyres made from 66 per cent sustainable materials during the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons. These changes represent the next step in the FIA’s long-term strategy to increase sustainability in GT racing while maintaining current levels of performance, cost and competitiveness within the class.-FIA Truck Racing CommissionThe World Motor Sport Council approved the general principles of an updated technical roadmap for the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship, which includes the introduction of a new technical platform for the next generation of race trucks that will run alongside the current specification of race trucks.The current specification of trucks will continue to compete under dedicated a set of regulations, known as Category II, and are expected to remain eligible until at least 2030.Alongside the Category II, a new Category I specification will be introduced to increase road relevance and facilitate the integration of future powertrain technologies. The new regulations are being developed with several key objectives, including reducing vehicle weight and operating costs, improving safety, increasing the use of components derived from series-production trucks, and further enhancing sustainability. The new Category I chassis regulations will also promote greater technical freedom through open suspension geometry, improved vehicle dynamics and increased chassis stiffness. In addition, the Category I trucks will be ballast-compatible and designed to accommodate multiple energy sources, including fully electric, hybrid and liquid hydrogen (LH₂) powertrains in the future. The roadmap presented to the World Motor Sport Council foresees completion of a first draft of the new Category I chassis regulations by the end of 2026, allowing homologation from 2027, with the objective of becoming eligible for Goodyear FIA ETRC competition from 2028. Development of the Category I powertrain regulations will follow a separate timeline, with a first draft planned by the end of 2027 and development work commencing in 2028. The introduction of these new regulations aims to secure a sustainable long-term future for truck racing while maintaining continuity for existing competitors. Beyond Goodyear FIA ETRC, FIA Truck Racing regulations are also adopted by a number of national truck racing competitions across Europe, therefore the new technical road map is set to have a broader impact on the future of the discipline. -FIA Drifting Commission The World Motor Sport Council approved the sporting regulations for the 2026 editions of the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup and the new-for-2026 FIA Central Asia Drifting Cup, outlining the entry periods for both competitions. Registration for FIA IDC competitors will open on 13 July and close on 1 October. However, between 26 June and 13 July, any National Sporting Authority may express its interest in entering one driver from its nation. The entry list will be limited to 50 drivers, representing a five-slot increase compared to the 2025 edition. As in previous years, two titles will be awarded: the Drivers’ Title and the Nations Cup. Registration for FIA Central Asia Drifting Cup competitors will open on 26 June and close on 1 September. There will be no limit on entries, with both a Drivers’ Title and a Teams’ Title to be awarded. The venues and dates for both competitions were announced in May. The FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup will take place at the Serres Circuit in Greece from 13 to 15 November, while the inaugural FIA Central Asia Drifting Cup is scheduled for 25 to 27 September 2026 at the Sokol International Circuit in Kazakhstan. Sporting and technical regulations for both events can be found on FIA.com. New red flag procedure approved An update to the International Sporting Code has been approved to strengthen the safety procedures that apply during a red flag scenario. Under the new regulations, all cars must be prepared to stop and proceed to an area specified by the Race Director, set out in the competition notes. Previously, all cars were required to proceed to the Red Flag line on the track. The updated regulations give Race Directors the flexibility to adapt the red flag procedure to the specific characteristics of the track and the bespoke approaches required across the various championships and disciplines governed by the International Sporting Code. -2026 FIA sporting calendars were updated and approved as follows: CLICK HERE-Upcoming World Motor Sport Council Meetings  15 October 2026: Virtual 10 December 2026: Shanghai, China – within the framework of the 2026 FIA General Assemblies WMSCWorld CouncilAll sportWorld Motor Sport CouncilSport1SportWorld Motor Sport CouncilWMSCWorld CouncilAll sport00Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 9:15amTuesday, June 23, 2026 - 9:15am

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AfD Co-Leader Demands Ukraine Pay Reparations To Germany
AfD Co-Leader Demands Ukraine Pay Reparations To Germany

Authored by Andrew Korybko,

Europeans and especially Germans have borne enormous costs to perpetuate the Ukrainian Conflict while receiving absolutely nothing of tangible benefit in return.



AfD co-leader Alice Weidel responded to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s proposal to grant Ukraine associate membership in the EU, which was analyzed here and here, by declaring that “We need to know how this state-terrorist act against the most important infrastructure we had, namely the Nord Stream pipelines, came about and what role Ukraine played in it. The flow of payments should actually be moving in the opposite direction.”

She then added that, “Ukraine must pay reparations to the Federal Republic of Germany, because we have suffered enormous damage – and so has Europe as a whole – from the loss of cheap Russian fossil fuels.” Weidel made a solid point about the economic damage that the Ukrainian Conflict has caused to Europe, even independently of the Nord Stream terrorist attack, which she implied was committed by Ukraine like Berlin suggested but which the famous Seymer Hersh cited sources to blame on the US.

To elaborate a bit more on the background of Berlin’s innuendo, it sought the extradition from Poland last year of a Ukrainian suspect but was rebuffed by the judge for the reasons explained here, which lent credence in a lot of the public’s mind to the claim of Ukrainian culpability. Nevertheless, that narrative was already counteracted here, here, and here over the years long before the extradition request was made and rejected, but Weidel, many Germans, and a lot of folks across the West in fact still believe it.

In any case, having clarified the context of her implied accusation against Ukraine and circling back to her reparations demand, the EU spent hundreds of billions of dollars on aid for Ukraine and its refugees. When calculating the higher cost of fuel since then, including that which it still purchases from Russia, the total credibly approaches $1 trillion and might even surpass it by some estimates.

The most that the EU might receive in exchange is arms and reconstruction contracts for only a handful of companies.

That nowhere near justifies the enormous costs that the EU has paid to perpetuate the NATO-Russian proxy war in Ukraine, which highlights the ideological motives behind this policy. The liberal-globalists that rule the bloc are hellbent on inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through NATO-backed Ukraine, to which end no cost is too high to pay, especially since it’s average Europeans and not them that are paying it.

This cynical policy is already backfiring in Germany by turbocharging the AfD’s rise.

It’s now the most popular party in the country by far and its appeal continues to grow since it’s one of the few forces apart from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance that’s speaking truth to power about this conflict and its crushing economic consequences for Europeans. Germany in particular has been hit exceptionally hard with growth crawling to a halt and many suspecting that the bloc’s largest economy is actually already in a recession that might soon be confirmed and then spread throughout the EU.

Weidel knows very well that Ukraine will never pay reparations to Germany and that even the hypothetical cession of its key industries to her country wouldn’t come anywhere near compensating the costs that Germans have already paid. Her rhetoric was thus meant to draw attention to these same costs. The more that Germans dwell upon them and realize that their country received nothing of tangible benefit in return, the more likely they are to support the AfD in a bid to bring about real change.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 03:30

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These Are The Countries Where $1,000 Takes The Longest To Earn
These Are The Countries Where $1,000 Takes The Longest To Earn

How long would you need to work to earn $1,000? In Colombia, the answer is roughly 86 hours. In Luxembourg and Iceland, it’s just 16.

Using data from the OECD on average annual wages and Our World in Data’s figures for annual working hours, Visual Capitalist's Srijaa Chatterjee created this visualization ranking countries by how long it takes the average worker to earn $1,000.



The figures are expressed in purchasing power parity (PPP)-adjusted dollars, which account for differences in local price levels and make incomes more comparable across countries. Taxes are not included.

How Many Hours of Work Earn $1,000?

Workers in the lowest-ranked countries need more than five times as many hours to earn $1,000 as workers in the highest-ranked countries. The gap ranges from 16 hours in Luxembourg and Iceland to 86 hours in Colombia.

The data table below shows the number of hours worked per $1,000 earned by country in purchasing power parity-adjusted dollars:

Rank
Country
Hours Worked per $1,000 Earned
1
🇨🇴 Colombia
86
2
🇲🇽 Mexico
78
3
🇬🇷 Greece
60
4
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
53
5
🇭🇺 Hungary
51
6
🇨🇱 Chile
51
7
🇨🇿 Czechia
48
8
🇸🇰 Slovakia
47
9
🇵🇹 Portugal
45
10
🇵🇱 Poland
43
11
🇪🇪 Estonia
42
12
🇱🇻 Latvia
38
13
🇰🇷 South Korea
38
14
🇹🇷 Turkey
37
15
🇮🇱 Israel
34
16
🇮🇹 Italy
34
17
🇯🇵 Japan
34
18
🇱🇹 Lithuania
33
19
🇪🇸 Spain
30
20
🇳🇿 New Zealand
28
21
🇮🇪 Ireland
27
22
🇸🇮 Slovenia
27
23
🇫🇮 Finland
25
24
🇨🇦 Canada
25
25
🇫🇷 France
25
26
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
24
27
🇸🇪 Sweden
24
28
🇦🇺 Australia
23
29
🇺🇸 United States
22
30
🇧🇪 Belgium
21
31
🇩🇪 Germany
20
32
🇦🇹 Austria
20
33
🇩🇰 Denmark
19
34
🇳🇱 Netherlands
19
35
🇳🇴 Norway
19
36
🇨🇭 Switzerland
18
37
🇮🇸 Iceland
16
38
🇱🇺 Luxembourg
16
Europe dominates the top of the ranking. Luxembourg, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands all require fewer than 20 hours of work to earn $1,000.

For comparison, the average American worker needs about 22 hours to earn $1,000, placing the U.S. among the stronger earners but still behind multiple European economies.

Latin America Earns Less While Working More

Colombia and Mexico sit at the bottom of the ranking, requiring 86 and 78 hours of work, respectively, to earn $1,000. Both figures are more than triple the U.S. level and more than four times higher than Luxembourg’s.

While workers in these countries often log similar or even greater annual hours than workers in richer economies, average wages remain substantially lower.

Research highlighted by Our World in Data finds that workers in lower-income countries tend to work longer hours while generating less income per hour worked. Economists point to lower productivity levels, a larger informal sector, reduced access to capital, and weaker wage growth as contributing factors.

Nordic Countries and Luxembourg Stand Out

At the other end of the spectrum are Luxembourg and the Nordic economies. Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland combine relatively high wages with advanced, high-productivity economies.

Analysis from the Becker Friedman Institute and CEPR highlights how strong labor-market institutions, high workforce participation, and substantial investments in education contribute to both high wages and relatively compressed income distributions.

Luxembourg benefits from an especially high concentration of financial and professional services jobs, helping support some of the highest average wage levels in the world.

Why Purchasing Power Matters

The analysis uses purchasing power parity (PPP), which adjusts wages to reflect differences in local price levels. PPP adjustments allow economists to compare what incomes can actually buy in a specific country rather than relying solely on market exchange rates.

Without PPP adjustments, workers in lower-cost countries could appear poorer than they actually are, and vice versa.

Want to explore wage differences across Europe? Check out Mapped: Average Full-Time Salary in Europe by Country on the Voronoi app.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 03:30

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Nepal’s new science ministry must strengthen scientific capacity

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
How stressful is watching your team in the World Cup? Scientists tested me to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

Gizmodo
Open 
Feds Say a Darknet Dealer Called ‘DaddyBiden’ Sold Fake Adderall Laced with Meth
DaddyBiden may have completed more than 10,000 online sales.

Gizmodo
Open 
Suit Alleges That Gas Stations Use AI to Hike Gas Prices
There's a law against that... in California at least.

The Guardian (UK)
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UK services sector shrinks at fastest pace since 2023; global shares tumble after US tech sell-off – business live
US stock futures point to lower Wall Street open; British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendStock futures are pointing to a 2.7% fall on the tech-heavy Nasdaq when Wall Street opens later, amid concerns over imminent US interest rate hikes and debt-backed spending on AI.Valuations of AI stocks have ballooned but investors now worry that higher borrowing costs could make the buildout of AI infrastructure more costly.The Nasdaq was pulled lower by Big Tech stocks [on Monday] after news that SpaceX (which is not yet part of the index) was looking to borrow up to $20bn through a bond sale – investment-grade bond (uh-hum) – quite unusual for a company that is burning cash. Seemingly, the recent IPO did not suffice to assuage the company’s funding needs — a reminder of how much money may still be burned on the way to Mars. SpaceX shares fell more than 16% yesterday, reducing the post-IPO rally to less than 15% — still substantial given that the company’s valuation remains massive by traditional metrics.Again, SpaceX is not yet part of the Nasdaq indices, but the fact that it is jumping on the bond train to fund excessive AI and infrastructure spending revives earlier concerns that Big Tech may be spending too much on AI infrastructure and increasingly financing that spending through debt. Morgan Stanley expects global AI-related borrowing to surpass half a trillion dollars this year, meaning that corporate bond indices are increasingly becoming dominated by the AI theme as well.We need people with a vision, that’s what this is all about. Starmer is not a visionary, he’s not a bold leader. [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves is a rule pusher, she’s not a bold leader.Inward investment in the UK is lower today than it has been at any point in the last 20 years from abroad, so we need to fix that. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Clean economy brings jobs and growth, says Miliband as £100bn invested in green energy
Energy secretary hails £100bn milestone in this parliament and says it is ‘only the start of what we want to achieve’Ed Miliband has hailed a boost to UK jobs and growth as government data reveals that private sector companies have pledged more than £100bn in investment into the green economy so far in this parliament.Offshore wind, solar power and the electricity grid make up the bulk of the planned investment, most of it between 2024 and 2031, which will go to all regions of the UK and comes from a mixture of UK companies and overseas sources including the EU and Japan. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK temperatures forecast to reach 38C after overnight storms; France has hottest night since records began
Temperatures could smash June record in England and Wales set in 1976; French PM to hold emergency meeting after heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Minister calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham without challenge over Labour leadership – UK politics live
Former Starmer loyalist Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Al Carns and Darren Jones decline to rule out bidsNigel Farage, the Reform UK, has claimed that “no one cares” about the undisclosed £5m donation he recieved from Christopher Harborne, a cryptocurrency billionaire, shortly before he was elected as an MP in 2024.Asked about the donation in an interview on BBC Breakfast this morning, Farage said: “No one cares, apart from the media, no one cares.”I’m absolutely convinced I’ve done nothing wrong in any way at all. I also know that since I was elected as an MP, I’ve taken zero in personal expenses. I’m very careful and very cautious about these things.Would you be happy if the next prime minister of this country secretly banked to £5m cheque from a billionaire whose business interests he was promoting?I believe [the donation] to be a wholly private matter. The standards commissioner may take a different view. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
How stressful is watching your team the World Cup? Scientists tested me to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

Mail Online
Open 
Nicola Sturgeon's written statement to police FAILED to answer some of the questions detectives put to her about her husband's crime spree
Nicola Sturgeon's written statement to police failed to answer some of the questions detectives put to her about her husband's crime spree, the Mail can reveal.

Mail Online
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The Peter Murrell scandal: New videos show police grilling former party chief over embezzlement as he refuses to answer why SNP would need to spend £19k on pens!
Brazen Peter Murrell refused to comment as detectives grilled him about his embezzlement - and what he would say to party members who were victims of his theft.

Mail Online
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Revealed! The remarkable haul of goods bought by Peter Murrell with the money he embezzled from the SNP
The extraordinary Aladdin's Cave of designer goods embezzled by Peter Murrell can be pictured for the first time today.

Mail Online
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Peter Murrell's court hearing before Scottish election was postponed 'in the interests of justice'
Peter Murrell's court hearing was postponed 'in the interests of justice', prosecutors have said.

Mail Online
Open 
British pawnbroker Ramsdens snapped up by Texas rival for £203m in blow to City
It is the latest in a series of takeover attempts by overseas bidders on British publicly listed companies in recent weeks.

Mail Online
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Time-warp 1977 Rolls-Royce with just 604 miles from new sells at auction for more than double its market value
Its sale made it the most expensive, non-celebrity owned Silver Shadow I to ever appear at public auction.

Mail Online
Open 
House Of The Dragon is branded 'the orgy of carnage it should always have been' as 'bombastic' season three debut wins rave reviews from critics
House Of The Dragon season three was worth the two year wait according to critics as rave reviews herald the return of the Game of Thrones prequel.

Mail Online
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Europe's heatwave meltdown: France shuts down nuclear reactor over fears 46C heat could cause disaster and 'heat dome' causes deaths across continent 
The ⁠spike in temperatures is being driven by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, fuelled by a strong high‑pressure ​system known as the 'African anticyclone.'

Sky News Home
Open 
Second boy charged with knife murder of 17-year-old in London
A second boy has been charged with murdering 17-year-old Jamal Coombes in south London.

Sky News Home
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In pictures: The items Peter Murrell bought with money embezzled from SNP funds
Le Creuset Mickey Mouse ramekins, a salt and pepper set for £702 and matching Montblanc fountain pens in white and yellow gold are among the items Peter Murrell bought with the money he embezzled from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

ZDNet News
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Yes, you need to be a Prime member to shop Prime Day - here's how to get it for free
Amazon's Prime Day sale starts Tuesday, and there's a sneaky way to shop Prime-exclusive deals with a free trial. Here's how to check your eligibility.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11924 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - HAMILTON (WSHAM) - 13860 (Update)
We can confirm the incident is now resolved and services restored

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:11

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 13:00

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 10:10

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11924 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - HAMILTON (WSHAM) - 13860 (Close)
Confirmed functioning service. Incident Closed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:11

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 13:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 10:10

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 10:10

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Deals We’d Spend Our Own Money On (2026)
We've gone from A to Z to find Amazon's best Prime Day deals on the gear worth owning.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Kindle Deals (2026): Paperwhite, Colorsoft, Kids
There’s no better time to get a Kindle than during Amazon's own sale event.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $30 in 2026
Everything is expensive. Treat yourself to one of these WIRED-tested and -approved Prime Day picks under $30.

Wired Top Stories
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The 6 Best Prime Day TV Deals Plus Streaming Devices (2026)
These are the hottest Prime Day deals on our favorite TVs and streaming devices.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Mushroom Coffee Deals: Start Here (2026)
Not all mushroom coffees taste like dirt. These are the on-sale blends WIRED tried and actually recommends.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Means Apple Deals on iPad, iPhone Cases, MagSafe Accessories, and More
Apple deals abound for Amazon Prime Day. We've rounded up the best deals on Apple Watches, iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and accessories.

Wired Top Stories
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3 People Have Gotten Cancer-Detecting Implants in Their Brains
Coherence Neuro has started testing a brain-computer interface that could one day use electrical stimulation to prevent tumors from growing.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Vacuum Deals (2026): Shark, Dyson, Bissell
Move over, spring cleaning. These vacuum deals will give your home the cleanest summer yet thanks to Amazon Prime Day.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Smart Bird Feeder Deals (2026)
These camera-equipped feeders will introduce you to birds you never knew were visiting, and many WIRED favorites are on sale for Prime Day.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Amazon Prime Day Headphone Deals (2026)
From AirPods to on-ears, we’ve tested hundreds of pairs of headphones. Here are the best deals from Amazon’s biggest sale event.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Knocked Hundreds Off Our Top Pool-Cleaning Robots (2026)
Summer is for relaxing, not cleaning. Upgrade your backyard setup with a robot that cleans your pool for you.

CNET News
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Prime Day Is Here, and Dyson's Powerful Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Is $390 Off
Get up to 70 minutes of runtime and almost 40% off the price.

CNET News
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Prime Day Is Here and This 85-Inch Sony Bravia 9 TV Is at a Record Low Price
Sony's premium Mini LED TV brings 4K resolution, deep contrast and PS5-ready features to the big screen.

CNET News
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Prime Day Starts Now, and We're Live Tracking the Best Deals Just for You
Prime Day is here, and for the next four days, we'll bring you the best deals live as we find them.

UK Legislation
Open 
The Education (School Day and School Year) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (“the 2003 Regulations”) make provision about the length of the school day and school year. The 2003 Regulations provide that the school day is ordinarily divided into two sessions with a break in the middle, and for schools to meet for at least 380 sessions during any school year.
The Education (School Day and School Year) (Wales) Regulations 2003 (“the 2003 Regulations”) make provision about the length of the school day and school year. The 2003 Regulations provide that the school day is ordinarily divided into two sessions with a break in the middle, and for schools to meet for at least 380 sessions during any school year.

Deutsche Welle
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Europe on red alert for record-breaking heat
Dozens of people have drowned in France and Germany in recent days as people seek relief from "oppressive" heat. In Italy, more than a dozen cities are on high alert for extreme heat. DW has the latest.

Russia Today News
Open 
Who is Andy Burnham, the UK’s prime minister in waiting?

Mail Online
Open 
Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell is jailed for more than five years for embezzling £400,000 from SNP funds to spend on cars, jewellery, and a motorhome
Jailing him at the High Court in Edinburgh , Judge Lord Young told Murrell he had committed a 'calculated crime of dishonesty'.

Mail Online
Open 
Labour Left pushes for 'Red Ed' Miliband to be Burnham's Chancellor despite alarm at 'zealotry' on tax and Net Zero
Behind-the-scenes lobbying has been ramping up with a focus on who would be the presumptive PM's Chancellor.

Mail Online
Open 
Paranoid Putin withdraws air defences from front line and moves them to Moscow after spate of humiliating Ukrainian drone attacks
Vladimir Putin has pulled one of his air defences from the front line and moved it to Moscow following a spate of Ukrainian drone attacks. 

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Hull KR appoint Cayless as head coach
Hull KR appoint Nathan Cayless as their head coach on a three-year deal from next season.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The best fans to keep you cool in 2026 – tried and tested
As temperatures soar across the UK, chill your space – and avoid energy-guzzling aircon – with our pick of the best fans, from tower to desk to bladeless• The best portable neck and handheld fansOur world is getting hotter. Summer heatwaves are so frequent, they’re stretching the bounds of what we think of as summer. Hot-and-bothered home working and sweaty, sleepless nights are now alarmingly common.Get a good fan and you can dodge the temptation of air conditioning. Aircon is incredibly effective, but it uses a lot of electricity … and burning fossil fuels is how we got into this mess in the first place. Save money and carbon by opting for a great fan instead.Best quiet fan for the bedroom and best overall:AirCraft LumeBest budget fan and best desk fan:Devola desk fan Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK services sector shrinks at fastest pace since 2023; global shares tumble after US tech sell-off – business live
British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendUK business leaders have called for bold decisions from a new government to kickstart the economy, after Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister on Monday, paving the way for Andy Burnham to become the next leader.I spoke to Marc Vlessing, the Dutch-born chair of the property developer Pocket Living, who said:We need people with a vision, that’s what this is all about. Starmer is not a visionary, he’s not a bold leader. [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves is a rule pusher, she’s not a bold leader.Inward investment in the UK is lower today than it has been at any point in the last 20 years from abroad, so we need to fix that.It’s frustrating to have yet more disruption. We will spend, it seems, the next three months in the run up to a critical 2026 budget, seemingly in the dark about who will actually deliver it. Who will advise them? Who should businesses reach out to in the meantime that might still have a job in September?The big change that the country needs to see is the unshackling of the power of the Treasury, whether that is through greater subsidiarity at the devolved regional government level, or… [in] housing, where Homes England is still essentially stymied from using the powers that it has, both in terms of regulation and finance, to put out significant chunks of money into the markets to create public-private partnerships.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Tuchel’s brash Britpop football is music to England ears before Ghana test
Vinyl has baffled youngsters at the team’s hotel but spells of opening victory against Croatia showed side in the grooveInside the foyer of the England team hotel in Kansas City, along with the TV screens that show the World Cup matches, there is an anachronism. It is a record player and it is worth reporting there were younger members of the squad who looked genuinely baffled by it. What were these strange plastic circles that went on it?The Football Association found out the favourite songs of each player and obtained vinyl versions of them. And very popular the whole thing has been, even if Harry Kane has been determined to play country and western on it. Harry, this is not leadership. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nigel Farage says £5m gift from crypto billionaire is ‘not any of your business’
Reform leader says it is ‘purely private matter’ and it is not hypocritical to criticise Keir Starmer for receiving glassesUK politics live – latest updatesNigel Farage has said his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire is “not any of your business”, saying the cash from the British Thai-based businessman Christopher Harborne was “a purely private matter”.The Reform UK leader also said it was not hypocritical of him to attack Keir Starmer for receiving donations of glasses and suits, because Starmer had been “the leader of the opposition and I was a presenter on GB News”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe heatwave live: UK temperatures forecast to reach 38C after overnight storms; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could smash June record in England and Wales set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Ticket reseller StubHub UK customers to get refunds over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

BBC Formula One
Open 
What is a super licence in Formula 1?
Our Ask Me Anything team look at what a Super License is in Formula 1 and how a driver can obtain points.

BBC Formula One
Open 
What are 'papaya rules' in Formula 1?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain what 'papaya rules' are for F1 team McLaren.

BBC Formula One
Open 
What is the halo in Formula 1?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain what the halo is on a Formula 1 car and when it has worked.

BBC Formula One
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What is next for Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda?
Our Ask Me Anything team explore what Yuki Tsunoda will be doing in the 2026 Formula 1 season.

BBC Formula One
Open 
When does the 2026 F1 season start?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain when the 2026 Formula 1 season begins.

BBC Formula One
Open 
What is sandbagging in F1?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain what sandbagging means in Formula 1.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Which tyres will be used in F1 in 2026?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain the different types of tyres used in Formula 1.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Why has Turn Six at Australian GP been renamed?
Our Ask Me Anything team explain why Turn Six at the Australian Grand Prix has been renamed.

BBC Formula One
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Britain's youngest F1 driver on his debut season so far - and learning to skateboard
The youngest ever British F1 driver is looks forward to a lifelong dream of racing at Silverstone.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Do you have to be a millionaire to become an F1 driver?
Andrew Benson assesses how much money is needed to reach Formula 1 and why costs have increased so much.

BBC Formula One
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What it's really like to try to make it to F1
BBC Sport explores the financial reality of two drivers with experience of trying to climb the motorsport ladder to reach Formula 1.

BBC Formula One
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Will F1 go back to the future with its engines?
F1 is in the midst of two parallel sets of engine discussions. Andrew Benson looks at whether one of them will lead to the return of V8s.

BBC Formula One
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Meet the three Ellas racing through McLaren's F1 ranks
Ella Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens on horses, a Welsh dragon and their Rihanna-inspired nickname.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Will 2026's 'yo-yo racing' mean overtaking in Monaco?
Andrew Benson assesses whether the 2026 rules will change the character of the race where overtaking is most difficult.

BBC Formula One
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Classic Monaco Grand Prix images through the years
A selection of the best images of the Monaco Grand Prix, starting with the first F1 championship season in 1950.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Russell perplexed by struggles having arrived in Monaco playing mind games
George Russell tried playing a few mind games with Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli but is now the one "scratching my head".

BBC Formula One
Open 
Antonelli wins Monaco from Hamilton after dramatic ending
Kimi Antonelli wins the Monaco Grand Prix from Lewis Hamilton after a chaotic ending that featured two safety cars and a red flag.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Hamilton 'feels like I'm reminding people who I am'
Lewis Hamilton says he "feels like I'm having to remind people who I am" after finishing second in the Monaco Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Monaco great for Hamilton but no fairytale for Leclerc - driver ratings
BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the Monaco Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark
In Monaco, "everything clicked" for Kimi Antonelli but his Mercedes team-mate George Russell was "beyond frustration" after another race without points.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Formula 1 agrees to engine design change after criticism
Formula 1 agrees a two-step plan to change engine design in response to criticism of this year's new rules.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Powell and Pulling to commentate on Barcelona GP for the BBC
Alice Powell and Abbi Pulling will become the first all-female F1 commentator and co-commentator for BBC Sport at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Pirelli F1 tyre contract extended until 2028
Italian company Pirelli will continue as Formula 1's tyre supplier until 2028 after its contract was extended by another year.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Antonelli says he still has questions to answer
Kimi Antonelli says he still has a lot to prove despite the imposing championship lead he has established after just six races this season.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Williams F1 car back on the track after 23 years
The FW25 was a test car in 2003, when Williams finished second in the Constructors' Championship.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Norris hopeful McLaren will be stronger in Barcelona
McLaren's Lando Norris just edges Mercedes' George Russell in Friday practice for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Gasly's Monaco third place reinstated after appeal
Pierre Gasly is reinstated into third place in the Monaco Grand Prix, after the stewards rescind the two penalties he received for pit-lane speeding.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Russell beats Hamilton to Barcelona pole
George Russell bounces back from the disappointments of the past few races to take pole position for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Piastri 'pretty mind-blown' by overturned penalty
McLaren's Oscar Piastri says he is "pretty mind-blown" about the decision to overturn Pierre Gasly's penalty for pit-lane speeding in the Monaco Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Fight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully
Lewis Hamilton says "the fight is on" as he and fellow Briton George Russell prepare to start at the front in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Hamilton wins first grand prix for Ferrari as Antonelli retires
Lewis Hamilton takes his first victory for Ferrari in a compelling Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix as championship leader Kimi Antonelli retires.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Perfect 10 for Hamilton and Norris keeps fighting - driver ratings
BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Hamilton says Barcelona win beyond wildest dreams
Lewis Hamilton says he was struggling to find the words to express how much his first victory for Ferrari meant to him in Barcelona.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Are Leclerc's struggles down to Hamilton's revival? - F1 Q&A
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
'Be honest with each other' - Norris gives title advice to Rice
Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris shares his title-winning advice with Arsenal's Declan Rice as pressure builds in the race to be crowned Premier League champions.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Why it 'clicked' for Hamilton and Ferrari in Canada
On the Chequered Flag podcast, former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and F1 journalist Rebecca Clancy discuss Lewis Hamilton's drive at the Canadian Grand Prix in Quebec.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Mercedes team-mates go head-to-head for F1 crown
On The Chequered Flag podcast, former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley and F1 journalist Rebecca Clancey discuss the rivalry between Mercedes team-mates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in their bid to top the drivers' championship.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Leclerc slams Ferrari brake failure after Monaco GP crash
On The Chequered Flag Podcast, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reads out Charles Leclerc's comments stating his Ferrari brake issue is "borderline dangerous" after crashing out of the Monaco Grand Prix. Running in a podium position late in the race, Leclerc lost control into the barriers after three out of four brakes failed to work.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Ferrari have lacked confidence but Hamilton generates belief - Benson
F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss the impact that Lewis Hamilton's grand prix win in Spain could have on Ferrari.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Hamilton's first Ferrari win a statement to himself and rest of F1
Lewis Hamilton's win in Barcelona was a moment of redemption after a first season at Ferrari that left him questioning himself, and others questioning him.

BBC Formula One
Open 
McLaren launch appeal against Gasly penalty reverse
McLaren lodge an appeal against the decision to overturn Alpine driver Pierre Gasly's pit-lane speeding penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Fuels and freight put F1 on track for net zero by 2030
Shifting from air to sea freight, investment in sustainable aviation fuel and revisions to the schedule are some of the measures helping F1 to become net zero by 2030.

BBC Formula One
Open 
Mercedes withdraw Monaco Grand Prix appeal
Mercedes withdraw their appeal against the result of the Monaco Grand Prix.

BBC Formula One
Open 
How to follow Austrian Grand Prix on the BBC
All the key BBC coverage details for the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place from 26-28 June.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Ticket reseller StubHub UK customers to get refund over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

Mail Online
Open 
Two wives at war over bigamous millionaire's £1.8m fortune after they BOTH married him in Las Vegas are fighting over estate 'that could now be worth nothing'
Wealthy accountant and Second World War history expert James Dinsdale died of cancer , aged 55, in October 2020.

BBC World News
Open 
Will Putin change tactics after Ukrainian drone attacks?
Steve Rosenberg explains what Russia's next steps may be after frequent Ukrainian drone attacks.

BBC World News
Open 
Should the US impose a teen social media ban like the UK?
The UK is enforcing a social media ban for children under the age of 16. The BBC asked Americans of different ages if they thought it was a good idea.

BBC World News
Open 
Would you choose to take a 22-hour non-stop flight?
The BBC asked Sydney locals if they would take the newly announced, longest ever commercial flight from Sydney to London.

BBC World News
Open 
BBC sees destroyed villages in Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon
Travelling with a humanitarian convoy, BBC's Hugo Bachega has been given rare access to a part of Lebanon under Israeli occupation.

BBC World News
Open 
Parisians cool off in canal amid 'red alert' heatwave
France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country as temperatures soar to record levels.

BBC World News
Open 
Why was JD Vance in a luxury Swiss resort for talks with Iran?
BBC correspondent Jessica Parker explains some key points of the direct talks between the US vice-president and Iran.

BBC World News
Open 
US-Iran deal leaves core sticking points unresolved - and a $300bn question
Trump has insisted the deal ensures that Iran will never buy, develop or produce a nuclear weapon. But text of the agreement falls short of that.

BBC World News
Open 
Weapons, money and ships: How is this Iran deal different from others?
BBC Verify examines how the new deal between the US and Iran affects three key areas.

BBC World News
Open 
What Iran and US get from deal and why both could struggle to keep it
BBC analysts assess the claims by both Washington and Tehran to have won a victory with the deal to end their war.

BBC World News
Open 
Thousands killed in US-Israeli war on Iran - but experts say true total may never be known
Experts say internet, media and government restrictions have all hampered casualty reporting across the region.

BBC World News
Open 
Japanese pop group XG went from brutal five year training to global pop stars
The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

BBC World News
Open 
Steve Rosenberg: Moscow oil refinery attack brings Russia's war with Ukraine closer to home
There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.

BBC World News
Open 
Colombia's escalating, brutal internal conflict is defining its presidential election
A left-wing senator who backs talks with armed gangs faces an outsider endorsed by Trump.

BBC World News
Open 
At CrimeCon true crime obsessives come face-to-face with real loss
Victims' families say there are ways to be an ethical true-crime fan - not an exploitative one.

BBC World News
Open 
Backstage at Gorillaz' epic, one-off stadium show: 'The vibe is ridiculous'
Damon Albarn, De La Soul and Moonchild Sannelly talk backstage as Gorillaz play their biggest show.

BBC World News
Open 
Ethiopia PM's party wins landslide as fears grow of new conflict
Abiy Ahmed's party retains its huge majority despite unrest in several parts of Ethiopia and tensions with its neighbours.

BBC World News
Open 
Currency crash and visa crackdowns force Indian students to rethink studying abroad
A weaker rupee and tougher immigration rules are pushing Indian students away from popular destinations like the US and UK.

BBC World News
Open 
The BTS fans losing thousands as scammers cash in on comeback tour ticket war
As ticket demand outstrips supply by a ratio of 15 to one, desperate fans have become easy targets.

BBC World News
Open 
Is Germany looking again at coal-powered electricity?
It had planned to abandon the fuel, but the higher cost of natural gas may make it think again.

BBC World News
Open 
'I witnessed Maradona's Hand of God' - a goal still talked about 40 years on
One BBC journalist's first football game had one of the sport's most controversial moments and also one of the most celebrated.

BBC World News
Open 
A brutal gang rape in India revives painful memories of 2012 Delhi assault
The case from Begusarai in Bihar comes close in brutality to that inflicted on a woman during a sexual assault in 2012.

BBC World News
Open 
Former Olympian denies vandalising Washington Reflecting Pool after arrest
Davey Hearn says he was simply touching the new paint at the site out of curiosity and did not remove or alter it.

BBC World News
Open 
Trump says repairs to algae-plagued Reflecting Pool will begin immediately
Despite a multi-million dollar renovation, the Washington DC landmark has peeling paint and algae. Trump claims vandals are partly to blame.

BBC World News
Open 
Late singer Oliver Tree's body returned to US after helicopter crash
The 32-year-old California native died whilst on his world tour, ahead of a date in Brazil.

BBC World News
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Alan Greenspan, architect of the modern American economy, dies aged 100
As chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan became the world's most high-profile banker.

BBC World News
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Japan quintuples visa fees in first price hike since 1978
Authorities say they do not expect the hikes to have an "immediate impact on inbound tourism".

BBC World News
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Former Kenyan justice minister blocked from entering Uganda, lawyers' body says
Martha Karua is a lawyer representing detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye who is on trial for treason.

BBC World News
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Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Abelardo de la Espriella appears to have narrowly defeated his rival Iván Cepeda, who says the preliminary count is "not yet official or binding".

BBC World News
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Twins marry twins in joyous Nigerian joint wedding
Brothers Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye speak to the BBC after getting hitched to twin sisters.

BBC World News
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Largest ever cocaine bust in Australia after police raid underground bunker
Police seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated A$816m after searching a property in western Sydney.

BBC World News
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Clive Davis, music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies aged 94
The record company executive also worked with Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Alicia Keys and Aerosmith.

BBC World News
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Kenya minister found in contempt of court over US-backed Ebola centre
Aden Duale defied a High Court order to stop building work on a controversial US-funded facility.

BBC World News
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Red heat alerts issued in France, Italy and Spain as 40C temperatures forecast
The heatwave conditions are forecast to intensify in the coming days across central and western Europe.

BBC World News
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Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas
If Kostyantynivka falls, Russian forces would be able push towards Ukraine's last remaining strongholds in the east.

BBC World News
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Dettol apologises after ad to clean up 'toxic men' backfires in China
The ad sparked accusations of sexism in China, after featuring a man looking for a partner who is "not tainted by other men".

BBC World News
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Myanmar army killed over 700 civilians in six months, UN says
The new UN report says the 702 civilian deaths over six months last year included 153 children.

BBC World News
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Inquiry ordered after building fire kills 15 in north India city
Witnesses described people jumping from windows to escape, while rescue teams broke through a wall to save lives.

BBC World News
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At least 13 killed and dozens injured after Qatar gas explosion
The city's main liquified natural gas (LNG) processing site suffered a "technical accident" in the Ras Laffan industrial zone.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Montreal shooting leaves officer, civilian and suspect dead
It was the first time in 24 years that a Montreal police officer was killed in the line of duty, the city's police chief said.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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StubHub UK customers to get £10 refund over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

The Register
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Digital indigestion: Fizzy Coca-Cola display chokes on full storage
Coca-Cola signage is running out of storage

The Register
Open 
Datacenters dip a toe back into waterborne computing despite obvious challenges
Floating or sub-surface bit barns are all the rage, but unlikely to compete with multi-gigawatt sites

BBC Technology News
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What to study in the AI age - from big tech bosses
Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang and Jack Clark share their advice with the BBC.

BBC Technology News
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AI will create more jobs for humans, not replace them, Amazon founder Bezos says
The Amazon founder, who now has robotics and space travel companies, thinks AI will create a labour shortage.

BBC Technology News
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GTA 6 pre-order date and cover art revealed by Rockstar
The developer has said pre-sales of the hugely anticipated game will begin on 25 June.

BBC Technology News
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The artificial ice pyramids saving India's mountain villages
Himalayan villages are creating artificial glaciers to guarantee water for their crops in the spring.

BBC Technology News
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GTA 6 - all you need to know about Rockstar's blockbuster game
Rockstar's sixth game in the franchise is set to be the biggest game release of the year.

BBC Technology News
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UK's top data and AI regulator quits after 'inappropriate' humour
Edwards has been the boss of the data watchdog since January 2022, and said he had made inappropriate attempts at humour.

BBC Technology News
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New video game console aims to get kids moving
The Nex Playground will cost £269 (€319) when it is released on 22 June in the UK and Ireland.

BBC Technology News
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How the social media ban could reshape how all of us use the internet
Why some argue the social media ban could have a profound affect on how young people gain new knowledge and the rest of us move around online

BBC Technology News
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Why an AI company cleaned my New York City apartment for free
An AI company is sending free cleaners door-to-door in a bid to train the robots it hopes one day will replace them.

BBC Technology News
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It's not just about nudity warns actress - the complex reality of images and online abuse
Tech companies and authorities are failing women by focusing on nudity rather than consent, says a report by Chayn.

BBC Technology News
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WhatsApp to be led by Indian start-up founder as Will Cathcart steps back
WhatsApp's leadership shake-up comes as Meta looks to strengthen its app's already booming presence in India.

BBC UK News
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The remote town with no bank - and the nearest is an hour away
When 84-year-old Maggie Dodd discovered that the last remaining bank in Lochgilphead was closing, she began to panic.

BBC UK News
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Sir Keir Starmer's premiership in six charts
BBC Verify looks at the record of Sir Keir's time in government in six key areas since he took office in July 2024.

BBC UK News
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Watch Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as leader of the Labour Party, in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

BBC UK News
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PM's emotional tribute to his wife and children
Sir Keir Starmer resigned as PM and leader of the Labour party in a statement outside No. 10 on Monday

BBC UK News
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A look back at Keir Starmer's political career
The BBC's political correspondent Joe Pike outlines the highs and lows of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.

BBC UK News
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Lush! Gavin and Stacey superfans buy Bryn's house
A couple from Banbury buy the Barry house which Rob Brydon's character called home through the show.

BBC UK News
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Two men arrested over hospital mortuary practices
Police say two men, 55 and 59, are being held on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

BBC UK News
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Boy, 3, no longer critical after crocodile attack
The boy's condition "is no longer critical", police say.

BBC UK News
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Puberty blocker trial will help reduce harm, says Cass report author
Dr Hilary Cass says she is "absolutely convinced that more children will be harmed if we don't do the trial than if we do."

BBC UK News
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Boy, 14, charged with murder over stabbing
Jamal Coombes, 17, was found fatally injured in Battersea on Saturday.

BBC UK News
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Safe-sleep checks for nurseries as mum says son who died 'not treated as human'
An extra 3,000 annual unannounced nursery inspections will also take place in England from September.

BBC UK News
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Dog owner claims groomer sliced pet's nipple and superglued it back together
Tegan Williams says she was upset when her dog returned from her regular groomer with injuries.

BBC UK News
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Eight in critical condition after train crash
Over 100 needed hospital treatment as the transport secretary urges people not to speculate on the cause.

BBC UK News
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Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh
Lewis Hawkes appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court following alleged anti-Muslim attacks in the city on Friday evening.

BBC UK News
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Olympic and Paralympic stars back Northern Games bid
A group of current and former British Olympians and Paralympians back a proposed north of England bid to host the Games, claiming it has "a passion for sport like no other place".

BBC UK News
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Donaldson's first night in prison as downfall shakes NI politics
Donaldson has been told to expect a "lengthy sentence" for a string of child sex crimes, including rape.

BBC UK News
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Man died after suffering 'catastrophic' injuries fixing door at work
Anthony Webb's death was "entirely avoidable", according to the Health and Safety Executive.

BBC UK News
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'Emotional' day as first baby loss certificates applied for in NI
The Baby loss certificate scheme went live on Monday and can be accessed on the NI Direct website.

BBC UK News
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Edinburgh International Festival will be phone-free - Benedetti
The violinist, who has been festival director since 2023 says the policy has come at the request of artists and audiences.

BBC UK News
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'Our son's killer is posting online from prison'
Joshua Hall’s parents say seeing his killer post on social media from prison is illegal and cruel.

BBC UK News
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Is watching England in the World Cup bad for your health?
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

BBC UK News
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Thunderstorms light up sky across southern England
It comes as England braces for temperatures of up to 40C later this week.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Battling egos and stereotypes - the rise of female tennis coaches
In a sport like tennis, which prides itself on gender equality, why are there still so few female coaches and what is being done to address the issue?

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Is Gasly's podium justice or a can of worms best left unopened? F1 Q&A
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the Austrian Grand Prix.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What France & Iraq did during 'mentally draining' two-hour weather delay
France's World Cup match against Iraq was delayed for two hours because of the weather. BBC Sport look at how the sides dealt with it.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Norway win five-goal thriller against Senegal to make last 32
Erling Haaland scores twice as Norway book their place in the last 32 of the World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Senegal in New Jersey.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Killed train driver was well-known community figure
Tributes are paid to Shaun Burton, who was killed in the crash near Bedford on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Tech giant Oracle cuts 21,000 jobs as it embraces AI
The cuts are part of a wider trend among tech firms as they spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Fears 1,000 LGBT veterans could miss gay ban compensation deadline
Charities are urging any veterans who haven't yet registered for the scheme to come forward.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Man returns fly-tipper's rubbish to his doorstep after sifting through CCTV
Dean Gauci tracked down the waste offender using amateur detective skills and returned the sacks.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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South Korea could deport stalker who rang BTS star's doorbell 133 times
The Brazilian woman visited BTS member Jungkook's home 20 times in less than two months.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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National Portrait Gallery display withdrawn after Churchill row
The video installation prompted a row over its claims about Churchill's role in the Bengal famine.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Reflecting Pool to be drained as Trump again blames 'vandals' for recent troubles
Trump said vandals cut a long slit in it and possibly dumped fertiliser in the water, and later threatened to sue over reporting on the pool.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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A decade on from Brexit, the new PM has big calls to make on Europe
A decade on from Brexit, the EU is more cohesive than many expected, but faces growing pressure from within.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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The Papers: 'Keir's tears... Andy's crown' and 'Messiah without a mandate'
Sir Keir Starmer's resignation and Andy Burnham's "coronation" lead Tuesday's papers.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How four weeks in court unravelled 'sinful and deceitful' Jeffrey Donaldson
The former DUP leader entered calm court on day one calm and relaxed, but by the end he was alone as the jury found him guilty on 18 child sex abuse charges.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Do you know your 'sweat score'? The rise of hydration tech
Hydration tracking gadgets are flooding the market but is it too much information?

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How 100 hospitals switched to pen and paper to defeat a national cyber-attack
For four days, dozens of Romanian hospitals went offline, as cyber-experts sought to defeat the hackers.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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A Golden Boot race for the ages - but who will come out on top?
It is fast turning into a Golden Boot race for the ages as the world's best strikers star at the World Cup. But who will come out on top?

BBC Top Stories (International)
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England boss Tuchel not a fan of hydration breaks
England head coach Thomas Tuchel admits he is not a fan of the controversial hydration breaks being used at the World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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From Boston to Miami: Tartan Army adjusts to World Cup culture shock
Scotland football fans are set for a different experience after travelling to Miami, Florida.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Why did Starmer resign and what could happen next?
The Labour leader says he will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Watch: A day of big changes and mixed emotions for Labour
Andy Burnham is sworn in as MP for Makerfield hours after Keir Starmer announces his resignation as Labour Party leader.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What does Trump want from a new UK prime minister?
The US president was once considered to have a close friendship with Keir Starmer, but that quickly fell apart with the war in Iran.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Energy bills, defence and social care: What are Burnham's potential policies?
After winning the Makerfield by-election, we look at what policies Andy Burnham has advocated - including transport, education and energy.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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StubHub customers to get £10 refund over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
The note from the possible kidnappers reportedly stated that they did not mean for her to die and included an apology to the family.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Ashley Cain says he's 'not proud' of sexist language
The former BBC Three presenter says he has changed since the historical tweets were posted.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Millions in UK could claim share of £3bn after Apple case given green light
Apple rejected the suggestion its practices are anti-competitive, saying many customers rely on third-party alternatives.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Iran says no new commitments on nuclear sites after Vance says inspectors to be invited back
Iran's foreign ministry says it made "no new commitments" on nuclear inspections after talks in Switzerland.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How stressful is watching the World Cup? Scientists tested me to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

BBC Top Stories (International)
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First drug to delay onset of type 1 diabetes made available on NHS
The immunotherpay can give children and adults three extra years before they need to use insulin.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Chris Mason: Questions multiply for the man tipped to replace Starmer
Andy Burnham will have to set out his stall to show how he will deliver on his promises, the BBC's political editor writes.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Can you keep your kids off school or refuse to work during a heatwave?
As temperatures increase significantly over the next few days, these are your rights.

Mac Rumours
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Apple's £3 Billion UK iCloud Case Cleared for Trial
A class action lawsuit accusing Apple of overcharging U.K. iCloud users has been certified to go ahead, putting the £3 billion ($3.9 billion) claim on track for a trial in October 2028.





According to BBC News, the Competition Appeal Tribunal cleared consumer group Which? to bring the case on behalf of an estimated 40 million U.K. iPhone and iPad owners, each of whom could receive up to £77 if the claim succeeds.



Which? alleges that Apple has locked customers into iCloud since 2015 by limiting how rival cloud services work on its devices, and then charged inflated subscription prices as a result. Apple gives users 5GB of free storage and pushes them toward paid tiers once that fills up, with U.K. pricing running from 99p a month for 50GB to £54.99 a month for 12TB.



The consumer group filed its claim against Apple at the tribunal on behalf of affected consumers in November 2024.



Anabel Hoult, Which?'s chief executive, said the group wanted to make clear that no company "no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position." She said the green light from the tribunal meant Which? was "one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple."



"This should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics," she added.



Apple has called the claims unfounded, and argues that no customer is required to use iCloud and that alternatives exist. The company said it strongly disagrees with the tribunal's decision and plans to appeal.



Eligibility covers anyone who used iCloud on a U.K. device between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026. Those living in the U.K. on June 8 are included automatically unless they opt out by October 8, while non-U.K. residents from that date must opt in by the same deadline. Customers who first used iCloud after June 8, 2026 are excluded.



(Thanks, Alan!)Tags: iCloud, Apple Lawsuits, United KingdomRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, 'Apple's £3 Billion UK iCloud Case Cleared for Trial' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
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More than a unibrow: The enduring appeal of Frida Kahlo
She shunned feminine beauty ideals, was bisexual and a political radical, all while being brutally honest in her art. A major Frida Kahlo exhibition opens at London's Tate Modern.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Merz hails pension reform proposals
Chancellor Merz says a proposed pension reform package should be fully implemented. A survey has shown that almost half of teachers in Germany find pupils' behavior stressful. DW has more.

Mail Online
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Get your garden heatwave ready for less with Amazon's Summer Prime Day sale - we've found discounted patio sets, lounge chairs and more
The annual event, the exclusive sale giving Prime members major discounts for popular items, is now live.

Mail Online
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How to give your child a chance to become a Premium Bonds millionaire
Premium Bonds are a popular gift for younger relatives because they offer the thrill of the draw and a Government-backed, tax-free way of keeping their money safe.

Mail Online
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'How have I not had an opportunity?': John Terry rages at 'borderline offensive' Chelsea for snubbing him as interim manager - and says he was better qualified than Calum McFarlane
John Terry has admitted that he found it 'borderline offensive' to have been passed over by Chelsea for the interim manager role in favour of academy colleague Calum McFarlane. 

BBC Top Stories (US)
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StubHub customers to get £10 refund over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

The Guardian (UK)
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Houseplant hacks: does putting gravel at the bottom of pots improve drainage?
Generations of gardeners have added stones to their pots before topping up with compost, but does it really help?The problem
Most old houseplant guides suggest adding a layer of gravel or stones to the bottom of the pot before adding compost. It is presented as basic good practice; the thing you do to stop soil from retaining water, which can cause root rot.The hack
This layer of gravel is said to improve drainage by providing a place for excess water to collect below the root zone, keeping roots above the waterlogged area and allowing air to reach them from beneath. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK services sector shrinks at fastest pace since 2023; global shares tumble after US tech sell-off – business live
British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendEurope’s main stock markets are a sea of red today, following Monday’s US technology sell-off, which also sent Asian stocks into a downward spin.The UK’s FTSE 100 index has lost 0.9% to 10,343, while Germany’s Dax is down 1.5%, France’s CAC has fallen 1.06%, Italy’s MiB tumbled 1.7% and Spain’s Ibex slid 0.%.The FTSE 100 was lower on Tuesday after yesterday’s tech sell-off in the US.The selling in SpaceX, as its trajectory starts to reverse following a blockbuster market debut, has had a knock-on effect on some of the UK vehicles with stakes in the business. The mining sector in London was also lower amid concern about the global economy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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RIP Alan Greenspan: you were charming, powerful, and wrong | Robert Reich
The former Federal Reserve chair was a smart guy – but he had a huge blind spot. Here’s what I wish I’d said to himAlan Greenspan has died at the age of 100.My students don’t recognize his name, but you probably do. When he was chair of the Federal Reserve – for more than 18 years, from 11 August 1987 to 31 January 2006 – he not only ran the US (and most of the world’s) economy but was also in many ways the most powerful person in the US.Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist and his newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com. His new book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, is out now in the US and in the UK Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Goodbye, pilates princess – hello, gym goblin: how the just-got-out-of-bed look took over fitness
The colour-coordinated ‘clean girl’ athleisure aesthetic is dead. Now it’s all about mismatched outfits and vintage sportswearAt first, the goblins came for our downtime. Going “goblin mode” was a lifestyle confined to the home – to the bed, mostly. The “comforts of depravity” it brought (“watching 90 Day Fiancé on mute while scrolling endlessly through social media, pouring the end of a bag of chips in your mouth”, for example) weren’t compatible with doing anything productive.Enter the gym goblin. The optics remain much the same – think ancient T-shirts, knackered socks, oversized cardigans – but the setting has changed, with goblincore devotees rising up from unmade beds, Diet Cokes in hand, to hit the treadmill. It’s Diana, Princess of Wales’s oversized college sweatshirts meets Josh O’Connor’s half-tracksuit look for the Disclosure Day press tour – and the polar opposite of the matcha-drinking, Lululemoned “clean girl” aesthetic that dominates fitness circles. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reader, I married him: couples tell us how books brought them together
From book club meet-cutes to shared English Literature lectures, romance has blossomed beyond the page for these bibliophilesDua Lipa and Callum Turner have been honeymooning in Italy, after throwing a star-studded wedding in Palermo earlier this month. But their relationship began with a book: running into each other at an LA restaurant, the pair realised that they were not only reading the same novel – Trust by Hernán Díaz – but had both just finished the first chapter. “So, we’re on the same page,” Turner said to Lipa. Here, four other couples share the literary sparks of their love stories. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Climate change is a form of oppression’: the voices affected most by environmental crisis
In HBO documentary The Welcome Table, director Josh Fox brings together people from across the world whose lives have been dramatically altered by the climate crisisIn an age of division, director Josh Fox is hoping to bring people of all kinds together. Specifically, he wants them to share a table – to break bread for a meal, and come together in exuberant song.In his new documentary film The Welcome Table, the director of the the Emmy-winning Gasland travels around the world to talk to people at the leading edge of global warming’s effects. The film is part stark warning of the climate crisis, part opportunity to enter into the experience of those living in the corners of the globe. It culminates with the sounds of these individuals together at an enormous table in New Orleans, eating and rejoicing. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From bendy bananas to £350m for the NHS – how many Brexit promises actually came true?
Leaving the EU was supposed to solve Britain’s border issues, slash bureaucracy, revitalise the health service, even supercharge vacuum cleaners. How much control did we really take back?UK marks 10 years since the Brexit referendum – Europe liveTen long years have passed since that queasy morning of 24 June 2016, when Boris Johnson and Michael Gove addressed the cameras to hail the victory of the Vote Leave campaign, and a leap into the unknown for the UK.In the no-holds-barred battle of Brexit that spring, many alluring promises were made to tempt voters to turn their backs on the European Union. A decade on, we take a look at which of them ended up being met. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Devastating’: lives of nurses and patients upended by Trump migrant crackdown
Withdrawal of TPS designation puts workers who fill vital role in peril – and risks further shortages in US health systemWhen Dolores Jacoby’s doctor told her there was little she could do to treat her acute myeloid leukemia, a deafening silence filled the hospital room, where she was surrounded by her family. Dolores had only recently been diagnosed with the rare aggressive cancer. Her beloved nursing assistant, Janeth, was standing just outside her room. After the doctor left, Janeth entered with a tray containing each family member’s favorite beverage. “If there’s anybody who can recover, it’s your mother,” she told John Jacoby, Dolores’s son, before leaving the room as inconspicuously as she had arrived.It was 2012. More than a decade later, John still remembers that day in his mother’s hospital room in the San Francisco Bay Area clearly. “We had just heard the worst news of our lives, and Janeth injected life into my mom, into her veins, into the atmosphere, you know, for all of us,” he said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I don’t know how to save my daughter from her husband’: the brutal reality of the Taliban’s new marriage law
The latest decree from Afghanistan’s rulers makes it impossible for women and girls to leave unwanted or abusive relationships, even with family supportWhen Fatima arrived at a district court in northern Afghanistan in late 2025 with her parents, she hoped a judge would finally allow her to leave her calamitous marriage.She had never met her husband before their arranged wedding in the summer of 2024. Each time her family asked to see him, they were told he was shy. It was only on the wedding day, relatives say, that Fatima understood what had been hidden from her: her husband had severe intellectual and physical disabilities and could not eat, wash or dress himself without help. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Clean economy brings jobs and growth, says Miliband as £100bn invested in green energy
Energy secretary hails £100bn milestone in this parliament and says it is ‘only the start of what we want to achieve’Ed Miliband has hailed a boost to UK jobs and growth as government data reveals that private-sector companies have pledged more than £100bn in investment into the green economy so far in this parliament.Offshore wind, solar power and the electricity grid make up the bulk of the planned investment, most of it between 2024 and 2031, which will go to all regions of the UK and comes from a mixture of UK companies and overseas sources including the EU and Japan. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National party while he was its chief executive.Murrell stole the money over a 12-year period, splashing out on a luxury motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens and luxury watches, a set of Lalique salt and pepper grinders and 2kg of coffee granules. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Minister calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham without challenge over Labour leadership – UK politics live
Former Starmer loyalist Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Al Carns and Darren Jones decline to rule out bidsPeter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has been jailed at the high court in Edinburgh for five years and three months after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.In Scotland Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, is being sentenced for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Kanye West feeds wife Bianca Censori a cherry as she almost bursts out of tiny 'kitten' bikini on daring new shoot
Kanye West and Bianca took things to new extremes once again as they enjoyed a lavish cake while she sported a minute bikini to celebrate fashion photographer Gadir Rajab's birthday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ticket reseller StubHub customers to get £10 refund over illegal hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

Mail Online
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Peter Andre hits out at Lee Andrews for 'yet another lie' after making the 'categorically untrue' claim he's 'adopted' Katie Price's children
The singer, 53, who is the proud father to Junior, 21, and Princess, 18, from his marriage to Katie, 48, spoke out after the so-called businessman, 43, made the wild claim on Father's Day.

BBC World News
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Montreal shooting leaves officer, civilian and suspect dead
It was the first time in 24 years that a Montreal police officer was killed in the line of duty, the city's police chief said.

Russia Today News
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Germany and France to take over EU’s largest tank maker

Mail Online
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NATO is preparing for wars fought by swarms of THOUSANDS of AI-controlled drones which will rival nukes
NATO is preparing for wars that will be fought by swarms of thousands of drones controlled by an AI brain, according to a top NATO general. 

Mail Online
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I met two sisters who endured eight years as slaves in a Catholic sect - one horrific confession stopped me in my tracks: JORDANA SEAL
Margaret and Sheila's role within Opus Dei was to serve the people living inside the centres, seven days a week with no pay. They were told to engage in self-harm rituals.

Mail Online
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Japan has announced a 400% increase in visa fees - but which other countries are most expensive for tourists to visit?
Many holidaymakers are accustomed to paying an overnight levy when visiting a popular destination - but some take this to the next level.

Mail Online
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Lucy Watson reveals son Willoughby, 2, has been hospitalised twice with an 'unexplained rash that won't go away'
Pregnant Lucy Watson has revealed her two-year-old son Willoughby has been hospitalised twice with an 'unexplained rash that won't go away'.

Mail Online
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Nicola Peltz accidentally reveals racy 'nude' artwork with Brooklyn Beckham on the wall of their Los Angeles home
Nicola Peltz has accidentally revealed racy photographs of her and husband Brooklyn Beckham. In the background of the snap, two intimate photographs could be seen.

Mail Online
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The Peter Murrell scandal: Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband sentenced to FIVE YEARS for embezzling £400k from SNP
The Peter Murrell scandal has rocked the SNP and shocked the public given the sheer scale and, indeed, strangeness of the fraud he committed.

TechRadar News
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Samsung S30GD is a minimalist monitor dream with price drops to the lowest I've ever seen – these Amazon Prime Day deals are a great workspace upgrade for less than $70, $80, or $95

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Why enterprise AI is forcing a rethink in cost control

TechRadar News
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Don't fall victim to rip-off AI pricing when upgrading your PS5 storage — this 5TB HDD is now less than one third of the price of a 4TB SSD

TechRadar News
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I've used Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones every day since they came out a year ago — here's why they're my favorite headphones, even over Bose, AirPods and Sony’s fancier Collexion

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall as US waives Iran sanctions; global shares tumble after US tech sell-off – business live
British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendEurope’s main stock markets are a sea of red today, following Monday’s US technology sell-off, which also sent Asian stocks into a downward spin.The UK’s FTSE 100 index has lost 0.9% to 10,343, while Germany’s Dax is down 1.5%, France’s CAC has fallen 1.06%, Italy’s MiB tumbled 1.7% and Spain’s Ibex slid 0.%.The FTSE 100 was lower on Tuesday after yesterday’s tech sell-off in the US.The selling in SpaceX, as its trajectory starts to reverse following a blockbuster market debut, has had a knock-on effect on some of the UK vehicles with stakes in the business. The mining sector in London was also lower amid concern about the global economy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Remembering summer 1976: how the historic heatwave has become our new normal
Half a century on, Britain braces for temperatures up to 40C as global heating brings yet more extreme weatherThe summer of 1976 is seared into national memory as one of record heat. Harvests failed, farmers despaired, Britain imported an extra million tonnes of grain, food prices rose by 12%, taps ran dry, and each day, 250 people died from heat-related deaths.The heatwave, which began 50 years ago on Tuesday, brought 15 consecutive days on which the peak temperature was above 32C. Half a century later and 32C no longer feels shocking. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Artwork removed from National Portrait Gallery after row over Churchill’s role in Bengal famine
Turner prize winner Helen Cammock withdraws piece after 50 peers criticise claim former PM ‘starved people’An artwork by a Turner prize-winning artist has been removed from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) after a row about the role Winston Churchill played in the 1943 Bengal famine.The Persistence video installation by Helen Cammock was taken down on Monday after a week of criticism as pressure mounted on the gallery. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Clean economy brings jobs and growth, says Miliband as £100bn invested in green energy
Energy secretary expected to argue that UK clean economy is booming as private sector pledges over £100bn of investmentEd Miliband has hailed a net zero milestone as government data reveals that private-sector companies have pledged more than £100bn in investment into the green economy so far in this parliament.Miliband is due to address London Climate Action Week on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to say: “The UK’s clean economy is booming. Today we announce we’ve passed the incredibly significant milestone of over £100bn of private investment announced in clean energy since our government came to office. That means investment, jobs, growth.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Minister calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham without challenge over Labour leadership – UK politics live
Former Starmer loyalist Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle would not be in ‘best interests of the country’, as Al Carns and Darren Jones decline to rule out bidsThis is what the Press Association is reporting about the two MPs who have not ruled out challenging Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership. PA says:Cabinet minister Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns are being considered as potential candidates by Labour MPs wary about installing Mr Burnham in No 10 without a contest.Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister and a key ally of Keir Starmer, is one potential candidate with support from those loyal to the outgoing Labour leader. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Can you keep your kids off school or refuse to work during a heatwave?
As temperatures increase significantly over the next few days, these are your rights.

Mail Online
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The Morning Poll: If Andy Burnham becomes PM unopposed should he call a General Election?
Should Andy Burnham take power unopposed, or call a general election ?

Vote now and you'll find the final results in tomorrow's Morning Mail newsletter .

Mail Online
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Do Burnham's Birkenstocks signal he's a man of the people - or is the 'saviour of the Labour Party' channeling Jesus? Either way, says LAURA CRAIK, those hairy toes are enough to repulse even his most avid female fans
Strolling around Cheshire on Father's Day this Sunday, Andy Burnham looked just like any other dad - save for a very specific shoe choice...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ashley Cain says he's 'not proud' of sexist language
The former BBC Three presenter says he has changed since the historical tweets were posted.

Computer Weekly
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AI-powered cyber attacks may be just months away, warn Five Eyes
Frontier AI models will pose a greater cyber security risk to governments and businesses than previously thought, putting them at risk within months

Computer Weekly
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A surgical approach – inside an AI-enabled operating theatre
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how AI and cloud are being used to support hospital surgery and the challenges of a life-or-death environment. As the UK government announces a social media ban for under-16s, we look into the technology that will underpin the policy. And we hear how AI is transforming the experience for fans at golf’s biggest tournaments. Read the issue now.

UK Government News
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UK backs new AI labs to make technology cheaper, more reliable and easier to use
Oxford and UCL to host new government-backed labs developing the next generation of AI that more businesses and services can readily use

UK Government News
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Fiftieth anniversary conference marking the 1976 drought
Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy’s keynote address looking at how the devastating drought changed the way we manage and use water.

UK Government News
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Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): Case studies
Case studies (previously referred to as worked examples) demonstrating how the HHSRS assessment process works.

UK Government News
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Government steps up action to tackle illegal deforestation
New rules will ensure everyday products sold in the UK including coffee and cocoa do not contribute to illegal deforestation around the world

The Guardian (UK)
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Nissan ‘shelves all-electric Qashqai plans’ as it cuts costs
Firm has been developing full EV version of its top-selling model in Europe at its plant in SunderlandBusiness live – latest updatesNissan has reportedly stopped developing a fully electric version of its Qashqai, its top-selling model in Europe, as the Japanese carmaker looks to cut a fifth of its models and slash costs.The carmaker quietly halted development of a full EV version of the Qashqai at Sunderland, the site of the UK’s largest car factory, last year, according to a report by Reuters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall as US waives Iran sanctions; global shares tumble after US tech sell-off – business live
British grocery inflation slows to 3%, says Worldpanel, while heatwave boosts sales of suncare and syrups for water amid #WaterTok trendGrocery inflation in Britain slowed to 3% over the past month, easing concerns over the hit from the Iran war, while the heatwave boosted sales of suncare and syrups for water.Grocery inflation slowed from 3.1% and 3.8% in the previous two months, according to Worldpanel by Numerator, allaying fears about the impact of the Middle East war on supermarket shopping.There’s something very British about the way a heatwave changes the weekly shop, and shoppers didn’t need much encouragement to fire up the grill and turn to al fresco dining this time around.Barbecue staples performing well and shoppers turning to healthier options are a common summer trend, and we can expect to see this continue over the rest of June and into July, with the warm weather forecast to continue.Nearly a third of all grocery spending is now on promotion, and that upward streak shows no sign of breaking. Combined with strong online growth, it points to shoppers who know what they want and are increasingly confident about where and how to find the best deal. In short, retailers are having to compete hard for that summer shop. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usOur man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Artwork removed from National Portrait Gallery after row over Churchill’s role in Bengal famine
Turner winner Helen Cammock withdraws piece after 50 peers criticise claim former PM ‘starved people’An artwork by a Turner prize-winning artist has been removed from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) after a row about the role Winston Churchill played in the 1943 Bengal famine.The Persistence video installation by 2019 Turner prize winner Helen Cammock was taken down on Monday after a week of criticism as pressure mounted on the gallery. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Minister calls for ‘swift transition’ of power to Burnham without challenge over Labour leadership – UK politics live
Former Starmer loyalist Nick Thomas-Symonds suggests battle over leadership would not be in ‘best interests of the country’Ed Miliband is to say that the UK must stick to net zero targets to deliver jobs and growth, as speculation surrounds the energy secretary’s role under a new prime minister, Fiona Harvey reports.It is the 10th anniversary of the vote to leave the EU. There will be some coverage of related events here, but Jakub Krupa will be covering this in more detail on his Europe live blog. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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British tourist, 27, may never walk again after diving into sea at Spanish beauty spot
Ardi Balliu, 27, from Northampton, dove head first into Calo d'es Moro in Mallorca, but when he failed to come back up, he was rushed to hospital by an air ambulance.

Mail Online
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Ticket reseller StubHub forced to repay 50,000 customers over drip pricing, as CMA hits it for £1.5M
StubHub UK must refund more than 50,000 customers their share of £590,000 and has been fined close to £900,000, the CMA said.

BBC World News
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Dettol apologises after ad to clean up 'toxic men' backfires in China
The ad sparked accusations of sexism in China, after featuring a man looking for a partner who is "not tainted by other men".

ZDNet News
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Gmail's genius Gemini Flows feature fixes filters - but only for your first 2000 emails a month
I tried Gmail's new Gemini Flows feature and it's a huge filter improvement with one big catch for power users.

BBC UK News
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Thunderstorms light up sky across southern England
It comes as England braces for temperatures of up to 40C later this week.

Wired Top Stories
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The Absolute Best Prime Day Deals (2026)
We've gone from A to Z to find Amazon's best Prime Day deals on the gear worth owning.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $100 in 2026
Times are hard in 2026. These Amazon Prime Day deals under $100 on earbuds, Kindles, and more make life just a little bit easier.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Tech Deals (2026): Phones, Watches, and More
Don't pay full price—snag one of these tasty Prime Day tech deals on some of our favorite WIRED-tested gadgets.

Wired Top Stories
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Best Prime Day Laptop Deals (2026): MacBooks and More
From MacBooks to gaming laptops, these are the very best deals on some of my very favorite laptops for Amazon Prime Day.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Can you refuse to work or send your children to school during a heatwave?
As temperatures increase significantly over the next few days, these are your rights.

Deutsche Welle
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World Cup: Amiri another wildcard for Nagelsmann's Germany
The Mainz midfielder with Afghan roots has become a key member of Germany's 2026 World Cup squad. Coach Julian Nagelsmann said Amiri can provide the team with a spark when it's most needed.

Deutsche Welle
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More than a unibrow: The enduring appeal of Frida Kahlo
She shunned feminine beauty ideals, was bisexual, politically active and brutally honest in her art — all while being ahead of her time. A major Frida Kahlo exhibition opens at London's Tate Modern.

Mail Online
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Kanye West feeds wife Bianca Censori a cherry as she almost bursts out of tiny 'kitten' bikini on daring new shoot
They are known for their risqué displays. 

Mail Online
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Nicola Peltz accidentally reveals racy 'nude' artwork with Brooklyn Beckham on the wall of their Los Angeles home
Nicola Peltz has accidentally revealed racy photographs of her and husband Brooklyn Beckham.

Mail Online
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Moment Algerian asylum seeker steals packed suitcase worth £4,100 from coffee shop after he'd been freed from jail following luxury watch robbery
CCTV footage shows career criminal Karime Boudina, 37, sitting at a Blank Street coffee shop in Praed Street, Paddington, on April 2, 2024 before he steals a suitcase.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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How stressful is watching the World Cup? Scientists tested me to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Battling egos and stereotypes - the rise of female tennis coaches
In a sport like tennis, which prides itself on gender equality, why are there still so few female coaches and what is being done to address the issue?

Mail Online
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Moment massive flames ravage family home after being struck by lightning during thunderstorm
The roof and first floor of the home in Bristol was ablaze following the strike in Wadham Grove just before 6pm.

Mail Online
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Europe's heatwave meltdown: France shuts down nuclear reactor over fears heat could cause disaster, while soaring temperatures see spate of deaths across the continent
The ⁠spike in temperatures is being driven by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, fuelled by a strong high‑pressure ​system known as the 'African anticyclone.'

Mail Online
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Woman dies after 'suffering medical emergency' in the sea at popular beach - as onlookers tried to save her
Police rushed to the scene on Southbourne beach, Hampshire, after members of the public had pulled the woman out of the water and raised the alarm at 2.21pm.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Morrigan review – spirit of pagan demon queen unleashed in Irish burial chamber horror
Archaeologists blunder into an ancient and unwittingly release a vengeful monster – with predictable and conventional resultsIn Irish folklore, the Morrígan is a powerful goddess of death and war. This horror movie imagines her as an actual historical figure: a pagan queen massacred with her followers by Christians. A quick scene at the start of the film shows the dirty deed. The Morrígan’s rage against misogyny has screamed down through the centuries – so it’s a shame the film frames her not as a feminist icon but a highly conventional horror movie nemesis; a malign vengeful female to be crushed and destroyed. There is nothing to punch the air about in the end.Saffron Burrows plays an archaeologist called Fiona who has been repeatedly passed over for tenure at her US university. When Fiona presents her radical theory that the myth of the Morrígan may have a basis in real life, her slippery colleague Jonathan (Jonathan Forbes) is made the lead on the dig. Fiona is forced to bring along her rebellious teenager daughter Lily (Emily Flain), who has just been expelled from boarding school. And it is poor Lily who is possessed by the Morrígan when the archaeologists blunder into her burial chamber, unleashing demonic powers that were hidden underground by priests, like some pagan nuclear waste, 1,500 years ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usMoving seamlessly to today’s action, England are back to it later in Boston. Thomas Tuchel is calling for his defenders to be a little stronger after keeping Croatia in the game last week. Can they do it against Ghana? This England supporter has some faith as the Black Stars failed to have a single shot in the first half of their opener against Panama. But there I go tempting fate. Sorry, everyone.Outside of Argentina running away with Group J, only a few hours ago Algeria came alive with a second-half comeback to hand Jordan an early exit from proceedings. Ahmed Benbouali and Amine Gouiri bagged the goals to put Algeria level with Austria on three points after a 2-1 win in Santa Clara. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Germany's pension plans draw praise and outrage
A 33-point plan to reform Germany's pension system has drawn praise and criticism in almost equal measure. Centrist politicians have called it a good compromise, but opposition parties on the left and right are unhappy.

Mail Online
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'Messiah' without a mandate: As tearful Starmer departs, his assassin Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster in scenes of near-hysteria. But in Mail readers' poll, 90% say he should call an election
The self-styled 'King of the North' is on course for a 'coronation' next month after Keir Starmer dramatically resigned less than two years after his landslide election win.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Is watching England in the World Cup bad for you? I was tested by scientists to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

Mail Online
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'Please evacuate like it's 1776!': Rowdy England fans take over Boston from the Tartan Army - but are told they have 'zero class' by Scot-loving locals
England fans have said they are allowing themselves to be 'optimistic for once' ahead of their second World Cup match against Ghana.

Mail Online
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Thunderstorms and lightning spark chaos as London hit with 3,000 strikes in just hours and airport closed - before 'heat dome' could bring hottest day ever in UK this week 
Thousands of rail passengers faced a morning of travel chaos today after overnight thunderstorms and torrential rain triggered problems across the UK.

The Guardian (UK)
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Nissan ‘shelves all-electric Qashqai plans’ as it cuts costs
Firm has been developing full EV version of its top-selling model in Europe at its plant in SunderlandBusiness live – latest updatesNissan has reportedly stopped developing a fully electric version of its Qashqai, its top-selling model in Europe, as the Japanese carmaker looks to cut a fifth of its models and slash costs.The carmaker has quietly halted development of a full EV version of the Qashqai at Sunderland, the site of the UK’s largest car factory, last year, according to a report by Reuters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzSouth Korean stocks tumbled nearly 10% because of a big sell-off of technology stocks.Foreign investors dumped major semiconductor and other shares to take profits, following a sell-off in US technology stocks. The South Korean won weakened against the dollar.As surely as night follows day, SpaceX’s reversal has arrived, bringing the shares back down to Earth and causing euphoric sentiment to sputter. And just as inevitably, the losses are of such a size that they cannot be ignored by the broader market.A chill wind is blowing through stock markets around the globe as investors watch the selling. It is a necessary corrective in sentiment, and should in theory make the shares even more attractive, but emotions don’t work like that. Instead of hopes that the shares will keep rocketing, we have the fear that they will go down even more, which will cast a deep gloom over today’s market action. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Two-hour storm break fails to stop France as Mbappé and Dembélé prove too good for Iraq
Could France do it on a hot, humid, waterlogged and lightning-threatened night in Pennsylvania? The answer was pretty straightforward. Despite an interruption of more than two hours after a chain of severe thunderstorms disrupted play at Philadelphia Stadium, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq, and furthered Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process.The France captain got another two goals on the night of his 100th cap, the first a rip-snorter from outside the box after a period of dominance, the second a tap in after calamitous defending from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé got the third, his first goal at a major tournament. Didier Deschamps, meanwhile, was able to confirm passage to the knockout rounds, rest players from his starting XI, and even retire Dembélé and Michael Olise on the hour, preserving them for more taxing contests. There were no clouds on this particular horizon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usOutside of Argentina running away with Group J, only a few hours ago Algeria came alive with a second-half comeback to hand Jordan an early exit from proceedings. Ahmed Benbouali and Amine Gouiri bagged the goals to put Algeria level with Austria on three points after a 2-1 win in Santa Clara.Kudos to this French supporter weathering the storm in Philadelphia. That is some seriously heavy rain! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck review – an outsider’s guide to British politics
This stranger’s-eye-view of an eccentric nation promises insight but delivers only conventional wisdom‘Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot-water bottles.” So observed Hungarian journalist George Mikes in How to Be an Alien (1946), one of the finest examples of a tradition in which foreigners explain Britain to itself. From Voltaire to VS Naipaul, outsiders have often illuminated national peculiarities, revealing contradictions so embedded in British life that they pass unnoticed. Helene von Bismarck’s Fantastic Kingdom is the latest contribution to this genre.Von Bismarck, a distant relative by marriage of the Iron Chancellor, seems ideally placed for the task. The name alone gives her project a certain piquancy; there is something almost Pynchonesque about a German historian with that name attempting to decipher Britain for the British. Raised across Europe as the daughter of a diplomat, educated at the same Brussels school attended by Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen, and a frequent visitor to the UK for two decades, she possesses the combination of distance and familiarity that can produce genuine insight. Her grand theme is that Britain is a “bewildering, complex, and wildly contradictory place”: a monarchy and a liberal democracy; a state of four nations; hostile to immigration yet remarkably pluralistic; obsessed with hierarchy yet strikingly informal. These tensions provide the book’s organising principle. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham prepares for power as emotional Keir Starmer bows out
New Makerfield MP could get keys to No 10 unopposed after British prime minister’s resignation paves way for successorWho is Andy Burnham, the ‘man of the people’ likely to be next UK prime minister?Keir Starmer has finally bowed to intense pressure to stand down as British prime minister as he conceded that he was no longer the right person to lead the country, leaving Andy Burnham all but certain to succeed him.In an extraordinary day at Westminster, Starmer announced a timetable for his departure after months of growing discontent among Labour MPs and cabinet ministers, many unnerved by the threat from Reform UK before the next general election.Burnham will begin to set out his policies next week with a series of speeches to demonstrate a symbolic shift from Starmer’s government, starting with the economy and devolution.He is considering appointing Ed Miliband as chancellor in order to challenge Treasury orthodoxy but has not made a final decision. Sources said Burnham was aware of the potential risks with business and the unions opposed to the move, but could be prepared to make the argument.Shabana Mahmood is expected to stay at the Home Office after the former Greater Manchester mayor praised the home secretary for “facing up” to the big issues on immigration during the byelection campaign.Wes Streeting could be appointed to one of the top cabinet jobs, but did “not come with any leverage” to discussions, as campaign sources rejected his claims he had the numbers to run. Others have argued for him to be appointed chancellor to reassure the markets.Starmer loyalists are still seeking a candidate who could stand against Burnham – depending on whether Miliband was chancellor. Darren Jones has been touted as a possibility, and although sources said he was not organising a run, they stopped short of a categorical denial. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Note sent to media outlets claims Nancy Guthrie has died
A note sent to the media following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie claimed she had died, according to reports.

Deutsche Welle
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India news: US waiver clears way for Iran oil purchase
Iran has contacted Indian refiners to sell its oil after the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Tehran. Meanwhile, an Indian startup founder is going to head Meta's WhatsApp. Follow DW for more.

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzOn the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote, it has emerged that Nissan has stopped work on a fully electric version of its top-selling model Qashqai in Sunderland as part of a cost-cutting drive.The move, reported by Reuters, comes as traditional ​rivals and new Chinese entrants flood Europe with affordable alternatives. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usKudos to this French supporter weathering the storm in Philadelphia. That is some seriously heavy rain!To round out the striking sensations there is of course Erling Haaland. The Norwegian bulldozer came alive in the second half with two superbly taken efforts that left Senegal with just a little too much to do. They gave it a good go though. Ismaïla Sarr grabbed a double of his own in a 3-2 humdinger. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK temperatures forecast to reach 38C; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could smash June record in England and Wales set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeItaly’s health ministry has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Geldof started flicking Vs at Farage’: the story of the Brexit campaign, told by those with a front-row seat
How five months in 2016 that encompassed Boris Johnson siding with Vote Leave, Jo Cox’s murder and David Cameron’s resignation shaped the UK’s futureDavid Cameron, having promised in 2013 that a future Conservative government would offer a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, announces the date of the vote: 23 June 2016. The next day, Boris Johnson, then the mayor of London, says he will campaign for leave. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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Secure AI will be defined by emulated human behavior

TechRadar News
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I test 360 cameras for a living, and I'm surprising even myself by recommending this particular budget Insta360 model instead of the awesome X5

TechRadar News
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This Prime Day might be your last chance to secure a discounted PS5 before GTA 6 pre-orders begin

TechRadar News
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I love my Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, but even with its 20% price cut, right now it's still cheaper to buy a Kindle, a Scribe and a Colorsoft separately

Slashdot
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NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Arrives In Florida
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has arrived at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a Falcon Heavy launch targeted for no earlier than August 30. The observatory will survey the sky about 1,000 times faster than Hubble with a field of view at least 100 times wider, helping scientists study dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets. Spaceflight Now reports: NASA's next great observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center aboard the agency's massive Pegasus barge late Sunday morning. The spacecraft was nestled inside its protective case, which NASA nicknamed the "Chariot" in keeping with the "Roman" theme. That said, telescope is named not for the ancient empire, but instead for NASA's first Chief of Astronomy, Nancy Grace Roman. "She was a key person in our exploration of space. She understood that in order to better understand the universe, you have to go in space," said Lucas Paganini, the program executive for Roman. "That's why she's called the 'Mother of Hubble' because she made Hubble possible."

[...] Roman is designed to operate near a fixed point in space called Lagrange Point 2, about 1.5 million km away from the Earth on the side opposite the Sun. It's designed to operate there for a minimum of five years, but Paganini said with the propellant onboard, it will likely last for 10 years or more. The telescope is+ equipped with a 300 megapixel camera called the Wide Field Instrument, which features 18 detectors. It was developed by BAE Systems (formerly Ball Aerospace). "It's going to allow us to observe at least 100 times wider field of view than what we can do with Hubble. Same resolution, but a wider area, 1000 times faster," Paganini said. "So what takes Roman a year to observe, it would take Hubble thousands of years. So it's definitely much more efficient."

The observatory also features a chronograph instrument, developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which will allow Roman to observe the faint light of exoplanets near their stars. Paganini said Roman will also help scientists better understand dark matter and dark energy, the combination of which he calls the "dark universe." "100 years ago, we discovered that the universe was expanding. 25 years ago, we discovered that it was expanding at an accelerated pace and that's what led to a Nobel Prize," Paganini said. "What we don't quite know yet is if that acceleration is changing in ways. We don't know if it's actually dark energy, what is producing it, or is it simply that we don't understand gravity at all. "So eventually, we'll see if the laws of physics that we use these days are the right ones for what we are observing. But at the end is, we're trying to understand a very human question, which is where do we come from and where are wea heading in this universe that is our neighborhood?"





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
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'I f**ked up': Kate Cassidy says she has been dumped by her new boyfriend after constantly comparing him to Liam Payne as it is revealed his son will inherit all of his £21m fortune
Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has revealed she has been dumped by her new boyfriend, after she constantly compared him to the late star.

Mail Online
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Russia stages nuclear bomber drills north of the UK
Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers conducted a 16-hour mission over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas.

Mail Online
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The Peter Murrell scandal: Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband to be sentenced for embezzling £400k from SNP
The Peter Murrell scandal has rocked the SNP and shocked the public given the sheer scale and, indeed, strangeness of the fraud he committed.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: Truth behind Shakira's 'forced kiss' moment, Erling Haaland stars again and highlights from all the overnight games - plus what to watch out for today including England!
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 13 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

Mail Online
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Cambridge students jump in the river after downing champagne and cocktail cans at £300-a-ticket Trinity Ball
They were seen plunging into the River Cam from the Magdalene Bridge in the early hours of this morning following the black tie event, which is in its 160th year.

The Verge
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Amflow’s TL e-bike is ready for baby’s first mountain adventure
Amflow, the e-bike brand spun out of DJI, just announced its TL Carbon, a do-it-all "eSUV" suitable for both bikepacking adventures and dropping the kid at daycare on your cycle to work. The TL Carbon is built around Amflow's incredibly compact yet powerful Avinox M2 mid-drive motor. The all-terrain e-bike offers 125Nm of hill-flattening torque […]

ZeroHedge News
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Starmer's Gone, But UK's Right May Have Little To Cheer About
Starmer's Gone, But UK's Right May Have Little To Cheer About

Authored by Remix News via Modernity News,

The deeply unpopular British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced his resignation on Monday morning, but despite his upcoming departure, the right may have little to cheer about.



During a speech outside Downing Street, Starmer announced he was stepping down after holding office since July 7, 2024. In that election, his Labour Party won 412 seats, securing a comfortable majority and decimating the Tories, who had governed Britain since 2010.

Starmer revealed on the morning of Monday, June 22, that he had already spoken with King Charles III to inform him of his decision. The Labour Party's National Executive Committee will now develop a timetable for the election of a new leader, who will also become Prime Minister. He stressed that this process should be completed by the end of the summer holidays. Until then, Starmer will remain at the helm of the British government.

According to Reuters, the main favorite to replace Starmer is the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who won a seat in the House of Commons during the Makerfield constituency by-election in northwest England on June 18, defeating Nigel Farage's party.

The right now has a challenger

Burnham may pose a grave challenge to Restore Britain and Reform UK, the two main right-wing parties running against the British left.

Under Starmer, multiple polls predicted a strong majority for Reform UK, with some even forecasting a blowout election victory.

However, the rise of Restore Britain had already siphoned off a number of voters from Reform UK, narrowing Farage's lead.

Now, with Starmer gone, some polls show Reform UK barely leading Labour in a general election. A new poll from Politico shows Farage winning 27 percent of the vote versus 20 percent for Labour under Starmer's current numbers - but when tested against Burnham, Labour's chances receive a significant boost. Some within Labour even describe Burnham as a "Reform Slayer," as he polls better against Farage than anyone else in the party.

Nevertheless, the Politico article also describes an uphill battle for Burnham, given how far Labour has fallen out of favour with British voters during Starmer's rule. Notably, Burnham is described as more left-wing than Starmer, who is categorized as a "centrist."

Although the Tories are still seen as a formidable election force, they have long since discarded any semblance of right-wing politics. Nevertheless, they are also siphoning voters away from both Restore Britain and Reform UK, retaining voters who might lean personally to the right but still vote Conservative out of habit.

The combined effect of vote-splitting on the right and Burnham leading Labour could deliver a shock upset in favor of Labour, ending Farage's dream of winning the office of prime minister.

British commentators point out that Starmer's position has been weakening for months. More than 100 Labour MPs - around a quarter of the parliamentary party in the House of Commons - had publicly stated they wanted the prime minister to resign or set a timetable for his departure.

Labour Party members pointed to a total loss of trust in the head of government and his leadership abilities. The government had recently been rocked by a number of high-profile resignations, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Defence Secretary John Healey.

Polling also showed that Labour members overwhelmingly wanted Burnham, nicknamed the "King of the North" after winning three consecutive mayoral terms. He is currently Labour's most popular politician. His recent victory in the Makerfield seat also bodes poorly for Reform UK and Restore Britain; the constituency is predominantly white and working-class, representing the exact demographic that these two right-wing parties are seeking to win over from Labour.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 02:00

ZeroHedge News
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Rubio Heads To Gulf Capitals As Washington Races To Lock In Iran Deal
Rubio Heads To Gulf Capitals As Washington Races To Lock In Iran Deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates this week, set for June 23–25, following the weekend breakthrough Switzerland-based negotiations with Iran, Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced Monday.

The announcement comes on the heels of indirect talks between Iranian and American officials - the latter delegation which was led by Vice President JD Vance in person, which took place on Sunday in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain from June 23-25. The Secretary will discuss a range of regional priorities," Pigott said in the official statement released by State. These countries will likely seek some kind of serious reconstruction reparations for the attacks they suffered through the opening months of Operation Epic Fury.
via Associated Press

According to the spokesperson, Rubio's diplomatic tour will focus heavily on the newly drafted US-Iran memorandum of understanding, alongside ongoing initiatives to restore free, safe, and regular commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pressure has also been put on Oman of late to not side with Iranian demands for its own protocol for international vessel passage. Broader regional stability will top the agenda, even as official claims in terms of technical details agreed to by the warring sides is somewhat at odds.

"In Bahrain, the Secretary will also meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss shared priorities across the region," Pigott added.

The signed MoU accord establishes specific timelines for the United States to eventually dismantle its naval blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for Iran restoring safe shipping lanes through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

This is a big 'if' given that the Iranian side has signaled that this could take a long time, and as a 60-day window for formal negotiations - focusing especially on the nuclear file - is sure to be wrought with many hurdles and hold-ups.

Furthermore, Tehran has committed to refraining from seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran will seek among primary objectives for these subsequent talks the formal lifting of longstanding anti-Iran sanctions.

But already there's been plenty of disagreement on how that will look as well, in terms of the concrete details.


BREAKING: Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain this week as the Trump administration seeks support from Gulf allies for its preliminary Iran agreement.
Rubio is also scheduled to meet with the Gulf Cooperation Council, bringing together key U.S.… pic.twitter.com/e6OvsqUHCc
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2026
On Monday the US Treasury issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil. There's real positive momentum, this one big development reveals.

While this suggests that Washington is very serious about ending the war at this point, a lot could still go wrong, also as Israel and Hezbollah have continued sporadic fighting in Lebanon. At the moment an uneasy official ceasefire is on in south Lebanon, but this and other key sticking points remain huge question mark issues.

Tyler Durden
Tue, 06/23/2026 - 02:45

BBC UK News
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Edinburgh International Festival will be phone-free - Benedetti
The violinist, who has been festival director since 2023 says the policy has come at the request of artists and audiences.

Mail Online
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Kate Cassidy says she has been dumped by her new boyfriend after constantly comparing him to Liam Payne as late singer's will reveals his son will inherit all of his £21m fortune
Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has revealed she has been dumped by her new boyfriend, after she constantly compared him to the late star.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Millions in UK could claim share of £3bn after Apple case given green light
Apple rejected the suggestion its practices are anti-competitive, saying many customers rely on third-party alternatives.

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzNissan has stopped work on a fully electric version of its top-selling model Qashqai in Sunderland as part of a cost-cutting drive, Reuters reported.The move comes as traditional ​rivals and new Chinese entrants flood Europe with affordable alternatives. Continue reading...

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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usKylian Mbappé was equally impressive as France picked Iraq apart amid a two-hour storm break in Philadelphia. Two more goals from Mbappé puts him joint-second with Miroslav Klose with 16 at World Cups at the age of 27. I reckon he might score a fair few more you know. Sorry, Miroslav!The Guardian’s Pablo Iglesias Maurer dives into everything Messi with boots on the ground as history was made at Dallas Stadium (aka Jerry World) last night. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From Boston to Miami: Tartan Army adjusts to World Cup culture shock
Scotland football fans are set for a different experience after travelling to Miami, Florida.

Wired Top Stories
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Time-Based Use Rates and Whole-Home Battery Backups Combine
Power companies are pushing aggressive time-based use pricing. Here's how a regular consumer can benefit.

Ars Technica
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With Starfall, SpaceX eyes an edge in global cargo delivery from orbit

UK Legislation
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The Pension Schemes Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026
These are the first commencement regulations made under the Pension Schemes Act 2026 (c. 22) (“the Act”).

Mail Online
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Lidl cements lead over Morrisons with record market share as it plans 50 new stores
The German discounter has retained its new title of Britain's fifth biggest supermarket, while rival Aldi is closing in on Asda for third spot.

Mail Online
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England fans kick the Tartan Army out of Boston! Thousands of supporters party in the pubs that fell in love with Scotland - but face travel nightmare and closures tonight for Ghana game
England fans have said they are allowing themselves to be 'optimistic for once' ahead of their second World Cup match against Ghana.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Energy bills, defence and social care: What are Burnham's potential policies?
After winning the Makerfield by-election, we look at what policies Andy Burnham has advocated - including transport, education and energy.

Mail Online
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England fans kick the Tartan Army out of Boston! 14,000 supporters party in the pubs that fell in love with Scotland - but face travel nightmare and early closures tonight for Ghana game
England fans have said they are allowing themselves to be 'optimistic for once' ahead of their second World Cup match against Ghana.

BBC World News
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Why was JD Vance in a luxury Swiss resort for talks with Iran?
BBC correspondent Jessica Parker explains some key points of the direct talks between the US vice-president and Iran.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Iran says no new commitments on nuclear sites after Vance says inspectors to be invited back
Iran's foreign ministry says it made "no new commitments" on nuclear inspections after talks in Switzerland.

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usThe great one on his exploits: “It feels special, but like I’ve always said it does. Like I’ve said other times, I enjoy playing, having a good time on the pitch. I wasn’t necessarily having one on the ­penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation, take the advantage and leave with three points.”And Argentina head coach and fellow Lionel … Scaloni: “I have no words to talk about Leo, it makes us all a bit tired. I’m so happy with his performance. He scored again. The team suffered and at times we created difficulties today. When Leo becomes active everyone activates. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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StubHub UK fined almost £900,000 over ‘hidden’ ticket fees
Reseller is also ordered to refund more than 50,000 fans, while its rival Viagogo remains under investigationBusiness live – latest updatesThe online ticket reseller StubHub UK has been fined almost £900,000 and ordered to make payments to more than 50,000 fans for not showing the full price of tickets at the time of booking, an illegal practice known as “drip pricing”.The UK competition watchdog, which launched an investigation into the sales practices of eight companies including the rival reseller Viagogo UK last year, said StubHub must issue refunds exceeding £590,000 to customers. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Israel, Lebanon to hold new round of US-hosted talks
Israel and Lebanon prepare for a fresh round of negotiations in Washington. Iran says negotiating groups to oversee sanctions, nuclear issues, economic reconstruction and implementation. DW has the latest.

The Register
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Five Eyes spooks warn AI means infosec incidents can become ‘major operational and financial crises’
Bosses told to step up and get cybersecurity right

Mail Online
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Thunderstorms and lightning spark chaos as 'heat dome' sends temperatures soaring and could bring hottest day ever in UK this week
Thousands of rail passengers faced a morning of travel chaos today after overnight thunderstorms and torrential rain triggered problems across the UK.

Mail Online
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Furious locals storm UK beach shut by French owners as Britain swelters in heatwave
Newhaven West Beach, in East Sussex, has been closed to the public since 2008. This weekend, frustrated locals gained access to the sandy spot as they battled with the heatwave.

BBC World News
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Inquiry ordered after building fire kills 15 in north India city
Witnesses described people jumping from windows to escape, while rescue teams broke through a wall to save lives.

Mail Online
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Debbie Harry is still a blonde bombshell at 80 as she reunites with Blondie ex at Supergirl premiere
Debbie Harry looked ageless as she strutted on the red carpet while attending the star-studded Supergirl premiere in NYC on Monday.

Mail Online
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Young buyers willing to sacrifice a safe neighbourhood to buy a cheap home
One in five young buyers is willing to move more than 25 miles away from where they live to get on or move up the property ladder, Barclays said.

Mail Online
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Why the secret to losing weight could be a simple tweak to your prescription. If you take medication every day, here's what you must ask your GP
This time last year life had become a struggle for Ron Rigby, who was facing a growing number of health problems.

Mail Online
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Thunderstorms and lightning spark chaos as 'heat dome' sends temperatures soaring and could bring hottest day ever in UK this week  
Thousands of rail passengers faced a morning of travel chaos today after overnight thunderstorms and torrential rain triggered problems across the UK.

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzTicket reseller StubHub UK has been fined almost £900,000 and ordered to make payments to more than 50,000 fans for not showing the full price of tickets at the time of booking, an illegal practice known as “drip pricing”.The UK competition watchdog, which launched an investigation into the sales practices of eight firms including rival reseller Viagogo UK last year, said that StubHub must issue refunds exceeding £590,000 to customers.Hitting customers with hidden fees is illegal. It’s not fair to draw people in with what looks like a good deal, only for them to find the real price is higher when they get to the checkout due to extra charges that can’t be avoided.Our message to businesses is simple: be transparent on costs or risk CMA action. Going to a live gig or sports game is an event many people save for – and our action today means thousands of fans will get back money taken unfairly through hidden fees. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Fit with just five minutes’ exercise a day? I don’t believe it | Devi Sridhar
Everyone these days wants to optimise their workouts, but when a study seems too good to be true, it usually isProf Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of EdinburghWe live in an increasingly polarised world – and I’m not talking about politics, I’m talking about exercise. There’s a fitness community obsessed with constant optimisation and hacks: how can you get from 50 press-ups to 100, from an eight-minute mile to seven minutes, or increase your deadlifts from body weight to double or triple body weight – ideally using just “one weird trick” or novel method no one has seen before.It seems as if no one is happy with basic fitness or steady progress. Or people are overly concerned with what’s secretly holding them back, from sleep to “I had a couple of glasses of wine … it ruined three days of my life” (that’s Steven Bartlett’s podcast).Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scottish fans’ friendly USA invasion exemplifies the joy of the World Cup | Philipp Lahm
Major tournaments bring people together and Scotland’s welcome presence adds to the case for a 48-team eventI could watch videos of the Scots online for hours. Wearing kilts, they marched through Boston playing bagpipes. In the stadium, the Tartan Army roared their team to victory against Haiti, their first World Cup win in 36 years.Afterwards they went to a baseball game and, singing and wearing knee-length red socks, turned a Boston Red Sox home game into part of the World Cup – and one of its highlights, too. In the stadium they had the rules of this sport, which we Europeans find difficult to understand, explained to them. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Messi makes history; Mbappé and Haaland double up; England face Ghana – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 13 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usHi and hello football fans! Hm, turns out these guys Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland aren’t a flash in the pan after all. Each of them put in another iconic shift yesterday to lift Argentina, France and Norway into the last 32 after two games. Messi is now the leading all-time World Cup goalscorer with 18 while he also leads the tournament’s Golden Boot chart with five and Mbappé and Haaland sit right behind on four. Entirely believable, Jeff!Now what’s going on today then. Hmmm. Ooh a classic will he, won’t he when Portugal take on Uzbekistan later. Then a midnight special between Panama and Croatia. And the return of DR Congo in the late game when they take on Colombia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ed Miliband to say UK must stick to net zero targets to deliver jobs and growth
Energy secretary expected to argue that UK clean economy is booming as private sector pledges over £100bn of investmentEd Miliband is to say that the UK must stick to net zero targets to deliver jobs and growth, as speculation surrounds the energy secretary’s role under a new prime minister.He will make the speech as data shows more than £100bn in green investment has been pledged by private sector companies in this parliament. Continue reading...

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Europe heatwave live: UK temperatures forecast to reach 38C; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could smash June record in England and Wales set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeHere are the UK temperature milestones that could be passed during the current heatwave, according to data published by the UK’s Met Office. Continue reading...

BBC Formula One
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Is Gasly's podium justice or a can of worms best left unopened? F1 Q&A
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the Austrian Grand Prix.

Mail Online
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INSIDE THE ENGLAND CAMP: 'Shaky' Jordan Pickford - and why Argentina are WRONG about Thomas Tuchel's goalkeeper
Craig Hope is inside the England camp every day as the Three Lions look to end 60 years of hurt at the World Cup this summer. Watch the video to find out more.

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzGreat Britain’s grid operator has played down the risks of blackouts this winter, despite European gas storage levels dropping below the level seen during the 2022 energy crisis, my colleagues Mark Sweney and Jillian Ambrose report.The National Energy System Operator (Neso) expects Britain’s electricity supply over winter to outstrip demand by almost 8.8%, with supplies expected to reach an almost five-year high.This means injection rates for the remainder of the summer must be high to meet regulatory targets by the start of winter.This has been a year of turbulence in energy markets and geopolitical uncertainty. However, Great Britain’s electricity system has a strong track record of reliability. Sufficient electricity margins [are] expected throughout winter. Households and businesses can be confident that electricity supplies remain secure.Operating conditions are becoming increasingly dynamic, with the system no longer characterised by steady demand patterns but by sharp swings driven by weather and renewable output.”While this demonstrates the strength of the current system, it also underscores the increasing complexity of operating and balancing the network. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham supporters divided over who should be his chancellor
Briefing war breaks out between advocates for Wes Streeting and those close to Ed MilibandAndy Burnham’s supporters are divided over who should be his chancellor, with a briefing war breaking out between advocates of the former health secretary Wes Streeting and those close to the energy secretary Ed Miliband.Some of those advising the Makerfield MP are urging him to choose Streeting if he becomes prime minister, in a bid to reassure the business community and fossil fuel industry. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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Google Meet finally lands on Android Auto, giving you one less excuse to skip a meeting
Google Meet is rolling out widely on Android Auto, letting drivers join scheduled meetings and audio calls from their car's display, months after the same feature arrived on Apple CarPlay.

Mail Online
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Why I became a walkaway wife: A row over how to stack the dishwasher ended my 20-year marriage. Like so many my age, I felt I deserved more. But nothing could have prepared me for the shock of what came next...
After dinner one night, I could feel my husband's eyes boring into my back as I shoved plates, glasses and cutlery into the dishwasher, piling them on top of one another.

Mail Online
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Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland lead Norway in incredible anti-woke Viking Row celebration after cruising into World Cup knock-outs
Norway's players performed an incredible Viking Row with fans to celebrate reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 28 years after defeating Senegal 3-2 in New York.

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Is your car heatwave ready? Tips to get drivers through the red weather warning
The RAC says breakdown callouts have increased by around 20% today compared with a typical Monday in late June, while the AA has told motorists to expect to see gritters out on the roads.

Telegraph
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Mbappe two goals shy of Messi record after France beat Iraq in four-hour game
Mbappe two goals shy of Messi record after France beat Iraq in four-hour game

BBC Formula One
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How to follow Austrian Grand Prix on the BBC
All the key BBC coverage details for the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place from 26-28 June.

Mail Online
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Martin Odegaard leads Norway's incredible Viking Row celebration after cruising into World Cup knockouts - as Erling Haaland and Co stick to their roots after causing a stir with controversial team photo
Norway's players performed an incredible Viking Row with fans to celebrate reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 28 years after defeating Senegal 3-2 in New York.

Mail Online
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Now cost of living crisis is hitting the Cotswolds, it really is time to panic, writes NADINE DORRIES
The Cotswolds may be a tourist hotspot thanks to its idyllic countryside, writes NADINE DORRIES, but even this little slice of heaven is reeling under the impact of a Labour Government in turmoil.

UK Government News
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CMA orders StubHub UK to refund customers over hidden fees
StubHub UK must refund more than 50,000 customers and pay a fine close to £900,000.

Ian Visits
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The boat, the dolphins and a disused tube tunnel under the Thames
A proposed floating Livery Hall next to London Bridge has uncovered an unusual engineering challenge involving riverside dolphins and an abandoned London Underground tunnel.Read more ›

BBC UK News
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Killed train driver was well-known community figure
Tributes are paid to Shaun Burton, who was killed in the crash near Bedford on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Ticket reseller StubHub ordered to refund customers over hidden fees
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

Mail Online
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Erling Haaland keeps pace with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe as he fires Norway into last 32 with superb double against Senegal - before celebrating with team-mates and fans in viral Viking Row led by Martin Odegaard
OLIVER SALT IN NEW JERSEY: The name on the back of his shirt may look slightly different at the World Cup this summer but make no mistake, it is still the same Erling Haaland.

The Guardian (UK)
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Lost memoir of Hiroshima survivor found after decades in US archive
Written in 1947, Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s account of the horrors of the atomic bomb attack will be published in August and is being made into a filmThe memoir of a man who survived the horrors of Hiroshima is to be published for the first time this summer after its discovery in a US archive.The 230-page memoir was written almost 80 years ago by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, who witnessed the city’s destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. He will now be portrayed in a feature film by Takehiro Hira, whose acclaimed roles include the detective in the Netflix Japanese-British drama Giri/Haji. Pre-production begins in November, ahead of the shoot in February 2027. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall after US waives Iran sanctions and peace talks in Switzerland progress – business live
US waives sanctions on Iran for 60 days after first talks in Switzerland to negotiate peace deal; communications line opened to ensure safe passage through strait of HormuzGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.Crude oil has fallen, after the United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks to negotiate a permanent peace deal.8.15am BST-9am BST: France, Germany, eurozone S&P Global PMI surveys (flash ) for June9.30am BST: UK S&P Global PMIs flash for June11am BST: CBI Industrial trends survey1.15pm BST: US ADP jobs change weekly report2.45pm BST: US S&P Global PMIs flash for June6.30pm BST: Bank of England policymaker Swati Dhingra panel discussion at King’s College London: Brexit ten years on Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I remember the shock’, ‘It can still be reversed’ – what do Europeans think of Brexit now?
After the 2016 referendum, panellists from other EU countries responded in the Guardian. Ten years on, we’ve gone back to them Read more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On series Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How 100 hospitals switched to pen and paper to defeat a national cyber-attack
For four days, dozens of Romanian hospitals went offline, as cyber-experts sought to defeat the hackers.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Ticket reseller StubHub fined for not showing buyers full prices
The Competition and Markets Authority said StubHub must refund 50,000 customers and pay a fine.

Mail Online
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Furious locals storm beach shut by French owners as Britain swelters in heatwave
Newhaven West Beach, in East Sussex, has been closed to the public since 2008. This weekend, frustrated locals gained access to the sandy spot as they battled with the heatwave.

Mail Online
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Martin Odegaard leads his Norway team-mates in incredible Viking Row celebration after cruising into World Cup knockouts - as Erling Haaland and Co stick to their roots after causing a stir with controversial team photo
Norway's players performed an incredible Viking Row with fans to celebrate reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 28 years after defeating Senegal 3-2 in New York.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: Lionel Messi breaks all-time scoring record before Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland join the party, match highlights - and what to look out for today ahead of England's second game
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 13 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

The Guardian (UK)
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Landship review – soldiers yearn for tinned pies in muddy first world war drama that stays inside the tank
It’s too murky to distinguish one stiff upper lip from another in Callum Burn’s drama about a real-life mission that came unstuckBased loosely on a true story, this British first world war drama deploys a few cunning stratagems to keep the budget down – starting with setting almost the entire story inside a tank; this one is nicknamed the Fray Bentos after the popular tinned pie. In addition, whenever the British soldier characters venture outside this extremely confined space, it’s almost always night-time, or exactly the moment when a miasma of smoke and fog is so thick, you can’t see the Germans skulking behind papier-mache hillocks of mud, ready to pounce on our plucky heroes.Unfortunately, all that gloom and grot makes it a little hard to make out what is going on at times. That means the noble chaps become almost indistinguishable from each other – although over time it’s possible to work out that the officers are the ones with tidy, manly moustaches and sound posh, while the near-teenage privates are all clean-shaven and have working-class accents. Eventually it becomes clear that stiff-upper-lipped Captain Richardson (Vin Hawke) is determined to push on with their mission to fire on the enemy – until the tank gets stuck. Then he is determined to wait until a carrier pigeon gets a message to the infantry, who will surely come and save them all any minute. Days pass, and the men get stroppy, especially Morrey (Jack Sherlock) whose mutterings start to sound increasingly mutinous. Who will survive? Will any of them ever eat a real Fray Bentos pie again? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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TV tonight: Dannii Minogue’s hit gay women’s dating show is back
Will sparks fly in the new series of I Kissed a Girl? Plus: England hopes for another win, this time against Ghana. Here’s what to watch this evening9pm, BBC ThreeIn the context of Love Island’s somewhat reductive value system, it’s a relief to have this likable dating show for LGBTQ+ women back on our screens. Dannii Minogue is once again our host as another 10 women rock up at a country estate in Italy in search of romance. The double bill begins with a party, followed by the arrival of three new contestants. Expect sparks to fly. Phil Harrison Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Messi in a class of his own and rain stops play in Philadelphia – World Cup Daily
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Mark Langdon as Lionel Messi becomes the all-time top goalscorer at World Cups, while there’s a huge storm delay in France 3-0 Iraq Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red temperature warnings; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could hit 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, smashing June record set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeBirds such as swifts, swallows, sparrows and starlings – which make their nests in the eaves of roofs – ​have been particularly affected by abnormally high ‌temperatures, a specialist says.“Temperatures on the roofs can sometimes reach 50, even 60 degrees Celsius, So they prefer to jump rather than let themselves die and literally cook in their nests,” said Romaine de Jaegere, founder ​of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Animals ​Living in the Wild refuge in Temploux in Belgium. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From the NHS to new homes, Starmer’s successes and setbacks – in charts
The PM said in May that ‘stories beat spreadsheets’, but what does the data tell us about his time in office?Keir Starmer is to step down as prime minister after just two years in office.Despite promising an end to Conservative sleaze and scandal, much political bandwidth towards the end of his time in No 10 was taken up by the fallout surrounding his appointment as US ambassador of Peter Mandelson, who had a close relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Lionel Messi's stunning wife Antonela celebrates Argentina star's historic World Cup performance with touching message
The Inter Miami star made history in front of his loved ones as his wife Antonela and three sons - Thiago, 13, Mateo, 10, and Ciro, 8, - were all in attendance at Dallas Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast 13: Lionel Messi breaks all-time scoring record before Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland join the party, match highlights - and what to look out for today ahead of England's second game
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Amine Gouiri pounces to give Algeria victory and condemn Jordan to early World Cup exit
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Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal
Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal

Summary

Unfreezing Assets divergence in official rhetoric: "It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding,"
Nuclear Inspector divergence: Vance said Iran agreed to admit nuclear inspectors, but Iranian state media denied any such agreement was reached.
Oil Relief: The U.S. issued a 60-day license allowing Iranian oil production and sales as part of the emerging negotiation framework.
Talks Continue after top negotiators depart Switzerland: Both sides described the Switzerland talks as constructive, with technical negotiations set to continue over the next 60 days.
Hormuz Commitment: The U.S. says Iran agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, easing market concerns, though major issues remain unresolved.



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Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of June?
Yes 7% · No 94%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

Difficulties on Lebanon Front Remain

"There will be no Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon except through negotiations in Washington, given that the mechanisms for implementing the ceasefire agreement will only be discussed in Washington," (Military Sources via AI Jadeed). It must be remembered that the Lebanese government and national army have no real military power to bring Iran-backed Hezbollah to heel. And the White House is also struggling to reign in its number one regional ally Israel.

Iran has on numerous occasions threatened to blow up the peace deal with the US if the Lebanon crisis is not solves. Some of the latest as relayed by Bloomberg:

Israel refuses to hand over the Majdalzoun facility to the Lebanese army and insists on detonating it, amid reports that residents have been warned of the force and magnitude of the explosion, equivalent to a three-magnitude earthquake.
Israel will not agree to withdraw' from certain strategic points, therefore the situation on the ground remains complex and the picture unclear.
More Divergence in Official Rhetoric from Switzerland

Vice President JD Vance earlier outlined a proposal under which any future release of frozen Iranian assets would remain subject to US oversight, allowing Washington to influence how the funds are spent. According to Vance, the concept was developed by Jared Kushner and would direct the money toward purchases of American agricultural goods.

The big assertion: "We wanted to make sure that we set up a process where if we ever unfreeze Iranian assets, we can ensure that money, that Iranian money, goes to help the people of Iran and not to fund terrorism," Vance said.

After first denying Vance's claims on nuclear inspectors being 'agreed' by Tehran to reenter the country--



now this...

"It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding," Iran's Tasnim reports. This 60-day period is likely to be filled with more constant claims and counterclaims regarding what's been agreed to or not, and the crisis remains highly fluid and the 'brink of war' return is ever present, also given the sensitive Lebanon situation. 


US Vice President JD Vance has suggested that any future release of frozen Iranian assets could be structured to ensure the funds are used for civilian purposes, including the purchase of American agricultural goods “for the benefit of the Iranian people".



According to @TreyYingst of Fox News, Iran has committed to allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into Iran to work to locate and dismantle key nuclear facilities. Per the report, Vice President JD Vance, alongside Envoy Jared Kushner, were… pic.twitter.com/6twiRPIhka
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 22, 2026
State Media Says Vance Claim on Nuclear Inspectors 'False'

Iranian state Fars is reporting that US Vice President Vance's earlier in the day announcement that Tehran agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to the country is "false", citing a government source.

"There was no talk of the presence of inspectors in the country in the Swiss negotiations," Fars says. And so the divergent rhetoric continues to be a serious issue, even as this is only the very beginning of an expected long-haul 60-day nuclear negotiation process. 

Each side has been accusing the other of jumping the gun on premature statements and official leaks to the press. Also it could be that the return of inspectors is part of the framework for the future, but that Vance perhaps stated it as accomplished fact - and apparently Tehran doesn't yet see it that way. Al Jazeera reports on Iran's current official stance:


Iran will continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in line with existing procedures, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told IRNA.

The interactions with the IAEA will take place in “accordance with the approvals of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council”, IRNA quoted Baghaei as saying.



🚢Lots of oil leaving Strait of Hormuz (dark and visible)
🛢️Plus SoH bypass pipelines still going full throttle
⛽️US / Japan / Europe SPR barrels still flowing
🇮🇷 Iranian oil now legal for (at least) next 60 days
🇨🇳China remains on an oil buying strike
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 22, 2026
US Issues 60-Day License For Iranian Oil Sales As Tehran Agrees To Hormuz Access, Nuclear Inspections

As part of the MoU framework, and ongoing technical peace discussions in Switzerland (with US and Iranian teams still though - though Vance and Ghalibaf have at this point departed after their 18-hour first round achievement - Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil - it stated in a huge forward-momentum development. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X:


Vice President JD Vance described an initiative for unfreezing Iranian assets that would grant the US approval over what Tehran can purchase using the money.
He said the plan, conceived by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would require the money be spent on…
— Giovanni Staunovo🛢 (@staunovo) June 22, 2026

Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous. In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country. As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.


Oil dropped to low of day on the significant latest development:



Some further details:

US AUTHORIZES SOME SALES OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN ORIGIN
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES SALES THROUGH TO AUGUST 21, 2026
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES IMPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN OIL
However, Vance has also sought to inject some caution on some of the premature reporting regarding releasing frozen Iranian funds, amid complaints from US and Israeli hawks at home:


JUST IN: Vice President Vance pushes back on “misreporting” about Iranian assets potentially being unfrozen and says that if any of the regime’s money is freed up, it will go to help the American economy and make U.S. farmers richer:
“We wanted to make sure that we set up a… pic.twitter.com/6CPNzY8uIS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2026
Huge Claim & Breaking Through: Vance Says Iran Agreed to Let Inspectors Back In

Axios is reporting Monday morning Iran has agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to the country, according to fresh words of Vice President J.D. Vance, who focused all day prior and much into the overnight on forging a path forward toward permanent peace. The two sides are seeking to hammer out a long-term nuclear agreement, now amid the technical talks process, as delegation heads depart Switzerland - leaving diplomatic teams behind. The 60-day roadmap begins.

If indeed the UN nuclear inspectors are eventually let back into Iran, this would be a hugely significant step. This would be to verify compliance to the preliminary agreement, Vance further hails:


"Our hope is that we get to the final deal and a permanent settlement. But right now, I think we’ve made great progress and we should all celebrate that in terms of when the nuclear inspectors are going to start," the American Vice President told reporters.

via AP

He described that he phoned UN nuclear inspectors at 2am last night to update them on the developments, however, he said that no one picked up the call.

"As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning," said Vance. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today."

Both warring sides appear to finally be in the same page in terms of issuing 'positive' and 'encouraging' assessments earlier. There were reports of last-minute disagreements, threats, and warnings that the process could collapse near the conclusion of yesterday's formal round one of talks.

"So they didn’t walk out, and their technical team is still here in Burgenstock working with our technical team," Vance explained.

"What we told the Iranians yesterday is, 'When you guys exchange in what us millennials might call trash talk, you can't expect the president of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record'."

Vance conceded that in the end there was a "a little bit of threatening" and "whining but at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."

He further described that a mechanism had been established to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while noting that significant work remained and that technical negotiations would continue. Also, importantly he said that a "very good foundation" was laid for a successful final agreement with Iran.


JD Vance:
I can't stay here for the next 60 days. I will go back to the U.S.
The technical teams will be working. pic.twitter.com/s9PSTRvMSR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also left the venue in Switzerland today - after approximately 18 hours of talks and consultations.

Meanwhile a fresh note from Goldman Sachs comments:


The Pakistan-Qatar communiqué, alongside comments from the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighting progress in negotiations, suggests we are heading into a prolonged period of talks rather than a near-term resolution. My base case remains that Iran will continue to use the threat of disruption around Hormuz as negotiating leverage rather than pursuing a definitive resolution. The most striking feature of the oil market today is the sheer size of speculative short positioning. There is a substantial amount of capital betting on lower prices, which locally makes further downside more challenging. That is before considering the more fundamental point that it is not obviously in Iran’s interest to allow oil prices to fall too far while negotiations remain ongoing.


China Expresses Support

China too has expressed hope Iran and the US will maintain the momentum and ultimately work towards positive progress, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday from Beijing. He praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other parties when asked about the Iran-US talks in Switzerland, the Xinhua news agency reported. "China supports Pakistan and Qatar and all relevant parties in their mediation efforts," Guo said.

New Iran MFA statement:



However, while an uneasy calm has taken over Lebanon, with analyst Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut stressing: "The conflict now in Lebanon is waiting for another spark,” said Mohanad Hage Ali from the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut."

"It just became a buffer zone, a kind of a punching bag in which anyone who wants to score can use it, whether to get at the US-Iran negotiations – which Israel specifically is not very happy about – or from the Iranian side, where a faction unhappy with how negotiations are going can sabotage them through the Lebanon front," he explained.

Weekend Review

via Newsquawk

US and Iran talks opened in Switzerland on Sunday after US VP Vance arrived in Switzerland and the Iranian delegation led by chief negotiator Ghalibaf, which included Foreign Minister Araghchi, arrived on Saturday, while Pakistan’s Premier Sharif and military chief Munir travelled to Switzerland to join the US-Iran talks.
Iran's delegation reportedly left the negotiation site in protest against statements by US President Trump, while Fars also reported that Iran halted talks with the US after Trump threatened strikes over Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon. Iran said Trump’s threat is a blatant violation of the MoU and halted talks in Switzerland, while it is reviewing a response to Trump’s threats. However, sources cited by Al Hadath later stated that the Iranian delegation had not left the negotiation headquarters at the Burgenstock resort and the Iranian delegation head discussed a joint statement draft with mediators.
US President Trump threatened to resume bombing and take over the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is not reached, while Trump said the US may take tolls if it has to and that he has a 60-day option, in which he can do whatever after it. Trump stated he spoke with Iranian officials and used expletive language in the call with Iranian officials on Hormuz, as well as threatened that they won’t have a country if Hormuz is closed, according to Fox.
US President Trump posted that Iran must immediately stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble, or else the US would hit Iran very hard again, “just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump separately commented that there will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, unless they are imposed by the US.
UKMTO reported an incident in which a cargo vessel was approached by a craft with six armed persons onboard 92 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Mukalla in the Gulf of Aden.
Israeli army chief said the Lebanon ceasefire is fragile and forces remain ready for combat.
Israeli military convoy reportedly entered southern Syria’s Quneitra region, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Negotiation Process:

Qatar and Pakistan issue joint statement on conclusion of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, while Qatar said first session of the US-Iran high level talks has concluded and that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere. said:. Technical talks are to continue for remainder of the week. US and Iran agreed to de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Encouraging progress has been made, including creation of a mechanism for further technical talks. Parties agree to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation. High-level committee agrees on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days.
"The negotiations of the main Iranian delegation in Switzerland have ended, however, experts are still in Switzerland and are following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding", Tasnim reported citing sources.
Iranian negotiating team member said executive procedures about the release of Iranian frozen funds have taken place with the Qatari delegation and that a draft has been finalised regarding waivers of Iranian oil sanctions, which will be issued soon, although negotiations about other subjects will not take place if the war does not end in Lebanon.
"No negotiations have taken place on the nuclear file so far", Tasnim reported citing a source.
US diplomat said talks included robust discussions on a nuclear deal and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, while talks also involved clarifying the messaging on the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, a US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, and that mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Pakistani Army Chief said negotiating parties reached success stage, according to Al Arabiya.
US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, adds mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Sources cited by Al Arabiya said an anticipated statement will be issued by the Iranian and American negotiators and the mediators.
Sources cited by Al Hadath stated that the Iranian delegation has not left the negotiation headquarters at the Bürgenstock resort and Iranian delegation head discusses joint statement draft with mediators. Tasnim reported Iranian delegation refused to return to negotiations but message exchanges continue through intermediaries.
Iranian Commentary:
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi posted Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end Lebanon War, oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said the technical team is to continue work, but negotiation delegation work has concluded, adds significant progress achieved in quadrilateral talks in Switzerland. Spokesman said groundwork for starting negotiations for the final agreement was discussed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said Iran is working on safe passage mechanism for Hormuz and that Iran reported progress on oil sales and asset unfreezing, adds the war in all fronts, including Lebanon, must end.
Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Rezaei said the US is responsible for Israel's actions in Lebanon and Iran will hold the US accountable in the event of a threat against Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi to lead the technical team in Switzerland, Sky News Arabia reported.
Iran resumed oil loading from Kharg Island after about a six-week halt, following the lifting of the US blockade of its ports.
Lebanon/Israel:
Al Jadeed News cites Haaretz source stating the Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the Blue Line in Lebanon.
Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the yellow line (buffer zone), Al Jazeera reported, citing Israel's Haaretz sources.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar told his New Zealand counterpart, "Israel will respect the ceasefire in Lebanon as long as it won’t be breached by Hezbollah.".
Israeli political and security cabinet will convene on Thursday amid US-Iran talks, N12 reported.
Israeli officials are dismissing reported of an agreement to withdraw from certain points in southern Lebanon, amid a lack of US pressure to do, Maariv's Barsky reported. Officials add, "because in Washington they understand the Israeli position: no partial withdrawal, no point-specific withdrawal, and no diplomatic 'gesture'.". And, "as long as the Hezbollah threat persists, there is no change in the deployment of forces and no intention to relinquish the security positions in southern Lebanon.".
Lebanese presidency discussed the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, in a call with Qatari PM and US's Vance.
Other:
Two South Korean vessels were said to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran signed a ceasefire MoU.
Three India-linked supertankers re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, which suggests an increase in traffic through the waterway.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 16:55

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Amine Gouiri pounces to give Algeria victory and condemn Jordan to early World Cup exit
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Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red temperature warnings; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could hit 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, smashing June record set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeThe heatwave affecting large parts of Europe is known as an Omega block because it takes the shape of the Greek letter, with a bulge of hot air in the middle and cooler air either side, an expert says.“It’s drawing warm air up from North Africa, from the Sahara, and that’s why we have this really intense heat,” said Clair Barnes, a climate scientist at Imperial College in London, quoted by Reuters.It’s very slow moving and it means there’s kind of no wind, ‌no breeze for respite. Continue reading...

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Amazon Prime Day LIVE 2026: We reveal all the best deals as they come in, with half-price Amazon devices and savings on Apple, Ninja, Shark, Dyson and more
SHOPPING: Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here! The annual summer shopping event is underway with millions of deals and to keep you in the know we've highlighted the best of the best deals.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11924 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - HAMILTON (WSHAM) - 13860 (New)
Our exchange has suffered an outage and currently all services are down.
We have raised the issue with our supplier who are investigating.
Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:11

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 10:30

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:02

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11753 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - City Fibre (Multiple Sites) (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:04

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:04

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11814 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - MREAS-Manchester East (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 00:05

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:04

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:05

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11824 Routing & Core Network - Planned Maintenance - Core Network Improvements (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:06

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:06

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11840 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Multiple Exchanges (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:06

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:07

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11841 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Multiple Exchanges (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:07

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:07

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11847 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - SLDC-Doncaster (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 00:05

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:07

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:07

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11849 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - ESDON-Donaldson (Edinburgh) (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:08

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:08

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11881 Routing & Core Network - Planned Maintenance - Core Network (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 05:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:09

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:09

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11918 Misc. - Planned Maintenance - Openstack Platform (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 05:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:11

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 06:11

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Top Newegg Promo Codes and Coupons for June 2026
Enjoy up to 10% off your entire order with today’s Newegg promo code and discount codes. Save with the latest deals for gaming PCs, laptops, and computer parts.

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
Gigabyte is back with a bang with this 32-inch QD-OLED monitor

BBC UK News
Open 
'Emotional' day as first baby loss certificates applied for in NI
The Baby loss certificate scheme went live on Monday and can be accessed on the NI Direct website.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Guardian view on the death of Carlo Ginzburg: a historian who taught us to think about outsiders | Editorial
The work of one of Italy’s greatest scholars focused on ordinary lives oppressed by power and prejudice. That approach resonates todayReflecting on the genesis of his most famous work, Carlo Ginzburg wrote that by immersing himself in the trial of a 16th-century miller burned by the Roman Inquisition, he turned a possible footnote into a book. Fifty years on, after being translated around the world, The Cheese and The Worms still stands as a supreme exemplar of historical research devoted to the lives of “the persecuted and the vanquished”.Ginzburg’s death last week, at the age of 87, means that one of the last living links with a remarkable postwar generation of historians has gone. In its passion for reconstructing the fabric of lives previously thought too marginal to bother with, his writing had affinities with EP Thompson’s “history from below” movement and the Annales school in France. As the rise of 21st-century authoritarianism creates new generations of scapegoats and misfits, the approach of one of Italy’s greatest scholars speaks directly to our times.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Labour’s leadership: Andy Burnham has a story. He must also have a plan | Editorial
Keir Starmer won power but never explained Britain’s crisis. The new MP for Makerfield offers a sharper diagnosis – and one that voters can understandPolitical careers often end when circumstances demand qualities that a politician cannot supply. That seems especially true of Sir Keir Starmer. On Monday, he stepped down as Labour leader, hours before Andy Burnham arrived at Westminster to take his seat as MP for Makerfield.Sir Keir’s achievements were real. He won a large parliamentary majority in 2024, provided more cash for the NHS and was steadfast in his support of Ukraine. He undoubtedly restored a measure of seriousness after years of Tory psychodrama. But the 2024 victory was always more brittle than it seemed: Labour’s vote actually fell from 2019 and Nigel Farage’s decision to stand candidates in 2024 fractured rightwing votes. Sir Keir won power; he did not change the political weather.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I feel entirely vindicated’: three Guardian columnists debate Brexit and its legacy | Aditya Chakrabortty, Polly Toynbee and Simon Jenkins
Ten years on, our writers met to reflect on whether leaving the EU has made the UK richer or more racist – and how the union is doing without usRead more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On seriesAditya: I have three distinct memories of that entire period: the sense of anger, the sense of the confusion in Westminster and then, afterwards, this quick curdling into a really base form of racism. I remember reporting around south Wales and the north-east of England and then coming back into London, and noticing that one group were talking about their anger and frustration and the other were talking about facts. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Pajeon and japchae: Joo Won’s recipes for Korean-style vegetarian starters
Rather than being relegated to side orders, vegetables take centre stage in everyday Korean cooking, as these pancake and noodle dishes showVegetables play a central role in Korean cuisine, and they form the backbone of everyday meals, rather than simply acting as side dishes. They provide balance, nutrition, colour and variety, often through preparations such as kimchi, namul and seasonal banchan. Our vegetable cooking focuses on simplicity and preserving natural flavour, often using techniques such as blanching, light sauteeing, fermenting and pickling, and typically seasoning with garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and fermented pastes such as doenjang and gochujang. This approach reflects Korea’s long tradition of plant-focused cooking shaped by seasonality, resourcefulness and the need for preserved foods. Together, vegetables create harmony and contrast within a meal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Remembering summer 1976: how the historic heatwave has become our new normal
Half a century on, Britain braces for temperatures up to 40C as global heating brings yet more extreme weatherThe summer of 1976 is seared on to national memory as one of record heat. Harvests failed, farmers despaired, Britain imported an extra million tonnes of grain, food prices rose by 12%, taps ran dry, and each day, 250 people died from heat-related deaths.The heatwave, which began 50 years ago on Tuesday, brought 15 consecutive days where the peak temperature was above 32C. Half a century later and 32C no longer feels shocking. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Drug that delays onset of type 1 diabetes approved in England and Wales
Availability of teplizumab on the NHS – which postpones early stages of disease for up to three years – described as an ‘incredible moment’The world’s first drug to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes is to be made available on the NHS in England and Wales, in the biggest breakthrough in tackling the disease for more than a century.Millions of people have type 1 diabetes worldwide, which typically emerges during childhood or adolescence, and occurs when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow glucose to enter cells to produce energy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red temperature warnings; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
Temperatures could hit 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, smashing June record set in 1976; red alerts in France after 19 heat deathsTwo children found dead in car in France as heatwave hits EuropeWith temperatures forecast to reach 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, Britain’s national weather forecaster issued a rare red weather warning covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.These were reserved for the most severe events, the Met Office said, meaning this heatwave was expected to bring “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health risks for many – not just those who were normally more vulnerable to the heat – and even danger to life. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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If we can’t keep rats out of Britain’s jails, we shouldn’t be putting children in them | Zoe Williams
The story of the therapy ferret used to kill rats at Wetherby young offenders institution raises question after question. Not least: is this any place for humans, whatever they have done?‘Concerns over therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison” was how the Guardian’s own headline reported recent events at Wetherby young offenders institution in West Yorkshire. “Concerns” felt pretty mild, and I’d have preferred to hear it was a panic or at least a flat spin.I hoped that it had happened out of sight, since it is no small thing to watch one animal kill another, but that hope was immediately dashed by the detail that not only did the ferret attack the rat in front of its young inmate handler, according to a complaint from the Prison Officers’ Association, but it didn’t even finish the job. The grim scene ended with a prison officer stomping on the injured rat, prompting the National Ferret Welfare Society to side with both rat and ferret, in the statement: “We cannot condone the stamping to death of any animal in any situation.”Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
Man died after suffering 'catastrophic' injuries fixing door at work
Anthony Webb's death was "entirely avoidable", according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany's pension plans draw praise and outrage
A 30-point plan to reform Germany's pension system has drawn praise and criticism in almost equal measure. Centrist politicians have called it a good compromise, but opposition parties on the left and right are unhappy.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
South Korea could deport stalker who rang BTS star's doorbell 133 times
The Brazilian woman visited BTS member Jungkook's home 20 times in less than two months.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Jordan 1-2 Algeria: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinThe stadium is slowly starting to fill in San Francisco and the teams have checked out the pitch.Senegal are creating storm of activity on the field at the New Jersey/New York Stadium but in Philadelphia there was a real live storm that delayed France and Iraq by two hours. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11924 Leased Line - Exchange Outage - HAMILTON (WSHAM) - 13860 (New)
Our exchange has suffered an outage and currently all services are down.
We have raised the issue with our supplier who are investigating.
Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 01:11

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 07:30

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 05:52

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

TechRadar News
Open 
The BenQ MA270S breaks Apple’s monitor monopoly

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Compound shock effect’: why the Middle East crisis and El Niño could spell disaster in south-east Asia
Millions of tonnes of the world’s food could be lost amid the uncertainties surrounding the strait of Hormuz and the dangers of a ‘Godzilla-strength’ El Niño When the US and Israel launched the war on Iran, south-east Asian nations were amongst the first and hardest hit, as the closure of the strait of Hormuz cut off supplies of energy and fertiliser.Governments across the region, heavily reliant on the waterway, raced to find ways to reduce their fuel use: in the Philippines, many government workers were put on a four-day week. In Vietnam, employers were urged to allow staff to work from home. In Thailand, offices were urged to set air-conditioning units to 27C. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
US: Trump threatens prison for Reflecting Pool 'vandalism'
The Trump administration spent $14.7 million repainting the pool "American flag blue" ahead of US' 250th anniversary celebrations. Weeks later, the paint is peeling off and algae has turned the water green.

Techdirt
Open 
Stop Killing Games Legislation Rejected By EU
Well, this is very disappointing. Over the first half of this year, we’ve talked about the resurgence of the Stop Killing Games movement, which aims to push various governments to legislate out the practice of video game publishers sunsetting their games and making them unplayable afterwards. The aims of the movement are simple: publishers can […]

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Andy Burnham - former Manchester mayor who wants to lead the country
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor is lining up a third attempt to be Labour leader following his return to Westminster.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Hannah Byczkowski: ‘The Traitors helped me become a better comedian’
The Traitors-winning standup talks about quitting palliative care work for the stage and the dangers of mistaking a cockatoo for a cocktailHow did you go from a career in palliative care to standup comedy?I had a bit of a midlife crisis. I was being with people while they were dying, and I kind of lost all sensitivity for it. That’s when I realised that I’d come to the end of that career. I always wanted to do something creative, but wasn’t really sure how. I tried writing a book, then standup – and realised that’s what I wanted to do.The show discusses craft projects with loved ones’ ashes …People are doing some really weird stuff with them. People are getting ashes tattooed into them and people eat them, put them in a chilli.Hannah Byczkowski: Killer is at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh, 5-30 August Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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EU faces fierce criticism over plans to host Taliban in Brussels
Rights campaigners and MEPs say meeting would normalise regime that erases women from public lifeEU officials are facing fierce criticism over plans to host the Taliban in Brussels on Tuesday, with rights campaigners and MEPs warning that the meeting risks normalising a regime that has banned girls from school beyond the sixth grade and sought to erase women from public life, while its ranks include two leaders accused of crimes against humanity.The Belgian foreign ministry said on Monday it had issued five single-day visas to a Taliban delegation to attend a meeting in Brussels. Sources told the Guardian the meeting was expected to take place on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I remember the shock’, ‘It can still be reversed’ – what do Europeans think of Brexit now?
After the 2016 referendum, panellists from other EU countries responded in the Guardian. Ten years on, we’ve gone back to themRead more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On series Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Nightmare’ shooting in Montreal leaves three dead including police officer and bystander
Videos showed suspect armed with a long gun shooting at police in Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhoodA suspect armed with a long gun opened fire on Monday at a Montreal hotel, killing a police officer before officers returned fire, killing him, police said. A civilian also died but it wasn’t immediately clear who fired that shot.The police chief, Fady Dagher, said a second officer was seriously injured in the shooting in the city’s Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood but is in stable condition. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Thomas Tuchel urges England to improve defence against Ghana after ‘wake-up call’
Win over Ghana could secure top spot in the group‘We dropped too deep,’ Tuchel says of Croatia openerThomas Tuchel believes England were given a wake-up call by Croatia and must focus on improving their defensive structure as the World Cup progresses.England will qualify for the knockout stages from Group L with a game to spare if they beat Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night, and will top the group if Panama then fail to beat Croatia in the later game, but Tuchel is determined not to take ­anything for granted. The head coach has placed a heavy emphasis on aggressive football and has said his side were too quick to fall back during the first half of the 4-2 win over Croatia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Navigating the unknown together’: me and my idiot AI boyfriend
I believe that chatbots have no place in a decent society, and am repelled by the topic of AI in general. But could I be seduced?I received a text message from my editor: “Um, is it unethical to ask you to get an AI bf?? You can prob say no.”Resentment. Contempt! Sorrow. Unease. I love text messaging. I have text message exchanges with, let’s say, 15 people a day. If you want me to do something, you should ask via text message. My editor knows this. She also knows, though it’s more complicated, that I love boyfriends. An AI boyfriend is a boyfriend who always, only texts back, immediately.I find it hard to express my emotions openly. (No.)I thrive to develop healthier, more trusting relationships. (Yes, though I prefer to use “thrive” correctly.)I want a partner who supports my life aspirations. (Crossbow?)I worry about being judged for what I want in a relationship. (Yes.) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Extreme heat: is the UK becoming a 40C country? – podcast
Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for England, with temperatures potentially reaching 40C (104F) in some places. Europe is also dealing with a debilitating heatwave, with schools closed, trains cancelled and France even restricting the consumption of alcohol outdoors to take pressure off the emergency services. The high temperatures coincide with the coming El Niño, which some scientists have nicknamed Godzilla for its predicted strength. To find out whether the two are linked, Ian Sample hears from our Europe climate correspondent, Ajit Niranjan. He explains why it’s so hot, why we could be in for even worse and how we can keep as cool as possibleClips: Sky News, BBC, Arirang NewsEl Niño is back with a vengeance – and fears of ‘Godzilla’ strength may be the least of our worries Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Piglet, it’s a purple, psychedelic shapeshifter! The wild new creature prowling Winnie-the-Pooh’s wood
Is it an alien? A dinosaur? Is it going to kill us all? Our writer hits Ashdown Forest for the Big One Hundred celebrations – and finds its magic enchanting new generationsThe rolling idyll of heath and forest, spinney and stream that gave us the Heffalump, the Woozle and, most famously of all, Winnie-the-Pooh, has a new fantastical resident. Creeping through the bracken, making strange cooing and purring noises, is a shapeshifting creature with a huge tubular nose and eyes inspired by adders. It shimmies with iridescent patches and the psychedelic purple of flowering heather in high summer.Poppet, a puppet made by costume designer Jack Irving and brought to life by a team of 10 award-winning puppeteers, is performing for schoolchildren in Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. The primary school class squeal with delighted fear as the purple apparition transforms itself from caterpillar to bird to munching monster in sinuous moves. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
From bendy bananas to £350m for the NHS – how many Brexit promises actually came true?
Leaving the EU was supposed to solve Britain’s border issues, slash bureaucracy, revitalise the health service, even supercharge vacuum cleaners. How much control did we really take back?Ten long years have passed since that queasy morning of 24 June 2016, when Boris Johnson and Michael Gove addressed the cameras to hail the victory of the Vote Leave campaign, and a leap into the unknown for the UK.In the no-holds-barred battle of Brexit that spring, many alluring promises were made to tempt voters to turn their backs on the European Union. A decade on, we take a look at which of them ended up being met. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
A thousand years old and 20 storeys high: tracking down Taiwan’s tallest trees
The country’s biggest tree – named Heaven Sword of the Da’an River – is a carbon-storing behemoth hosting whole neighbourhoods of wildlife. But this and other giant trees are under threatThe higher you climb up the gigantic, millennia-old trees of Taiwan’s forests, the more layers of habitat and life emerge. On the forest floor, ferns thrive in the moist shade. Flying squirrels and owls sleep inside the hollow tree trunks. Yellow bell-shaped rhododendron flowers spring from the lower tree canopy. Higher still, dense lichen spread. Up in cloud-drenched branches, a rare, hardy orchid, Bulbophyllum ciliisepalum, can be spotted.“In one tree, every species has their preferred location,” says Dr Rebecca Hsu, assistant researcher at the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. “Every metre the temperature, the wind, the sun, the light is different.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Canaries in the coalmine of populism’: an oral history of the Brexit campaign, told by those with a front row seat
How five months in 2016 that encompassed Boris Johnson siding with Vote Leave, Jo Cox’s murder and David Cameron’s resignation shaped the UK’s futureDavid Cameron, having promised in 2013 that a future Conservative government would offer a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, announces the date of the vote: 23 June 2016. The next day, Boris Johnson, then the mayor of London, says he will campaign for leave. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘He’s the best’: magical Messi becomes World Cup’s all-time leading scorer
Argentinian eclipses Klose to reach 18 goals at finalsCheck out the top scorers in men’s World Cup historyAn exhausted Lionel Messi savoured the “special” feeling of becoming the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer after his double gave Argentina a 2-0 victory over Austria.Messi broke Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s record, set in 2014, by scoring his 17th goal on this stage seven minutes before half-time, adding another with the final action of the match. He had earlier missed a penalty and admitted his matchwinning contributions were necessary to wash away the taste of that aberration. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
About 400,000 UK children supported by baby banks, up 11% on previous year
Exclusive: Charities say they ‘cannot continue to absorb the impact of child poverty’ without government supportFour hundred thousand children in the UK were supported by baby banks in 2025, an 11% increase from the year before, prompting warnings from charities that they “cannot continue to absorb the impact of child poverty on this scale” without government support.New research from the Baby Bank Alliance, set up by Save the Children UK to represent and advocate for more than 400 baby banks across the country, found that an average of 1,096 children were being supported by each member every day, with some essential items soaring in demand. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Three in five gen Z Britons would like new vote to rejoin EU, poll finds
Exclusive: Data reveals 60% of 18 to 28-year-olds would vote to rejoin bloc if given the opportunityA generation of young Britons who were locked out of the 2016 EU referendum because of their age now believe that Brexit has failed, with a majority demanding a fresh vote to rejoin the EU, exclusive polling shows.Gen Z Britons show deep dissatisfaction with the UK’s departure from the EU, according to new polling of 18- to 28-year-olds conducted by the thinktank More in Common and shared with the Guardian. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
Billionaire to invest in ocean protection as UK and US scale back funding
Michael Bloomberg has pledged $260m (£196m) to conserve the world's oceans, as major funders including the US and UK scale back science and conservation budgets.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
A Golden Boot race for the ages - but who will come out on top?
It is fast turning into a Golden Boot race for the ages as the world's best strikers star at the World Cup. But who will come out on top?

XKCD
Open 
Sports Commentary

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Reflecting Pool to be drained as Trump again blames 'vandals' for recent troubles
Trump said vandals cut a long slit in it and possibly dumped fertiliser in the water, and later threatened to sue over reporting on the pool.

Slashdot
Open 
GM Installs Robots At Flagship EV Factory After Laying Off 1,300 Workers
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Dozens of new robot arms have been installed at General Motors' flagship electric vehicle factory in Detroit -- even as 1,300 workers remain out of work following what was supposed to be a temporary layoff. The latest automation push has spurred union pushback over a potentially existential issue for automakers and their workers. General Motors installed approximately 50 robot arms at GM's Factory Zero plant in Detroit, Michigan, according to reporting by Crain's Detroit Business. Made by the Japanese robotics company FANUC, the robots are designed to help attach various components to vehicles during the assembly line process. But leaders at United Auto Workers (UAW), the primary US union for autoworkers, reacted with anger to the new robotic presence, given how GM has not yet called back any of the workers affected by supposedly temporary layoffs in March.

More than 1,000 union members are still "laid off indefinitely," James Cotton, president of UAW Local 22, told The Detroit News. He said that the company could bring some of those members back to work instead of installing the 50 robots. The temporary layoffs were preceded by permanent layoffs involving another 1,200 workers at GM's Factory Zero in October 2025. Many automakers, including Stellantis NV and Ford Motor Company, have deployed assembly-line robots, such as Fanuc robot arms, as they push to automate more of their US operations. Hyundai Motor Company plans to deploy Atlas humanoid robots made by Boston Dynamics -- which Hyundai acquired in 2020 -- to start working in the automaker's flagship EV facility in Georgia by 2028. "Technological development has the capability of making work safer for the working class and enabling workers to have a shorter work week without losing pay," said Andrew Bergman, a Local 22 member and union organizer who was among those laid off by GM. "But in the bosses' and billionaires' hands it's used to pad profits and lay off workers."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Stalker who rang BTS star's doorbell 133 times faces deportation
The Brazilian woman visited BTS member Jungkook's home 20 times in less than two months.

Sky News Home
Open 
Hundreds of British soldiers to train at vast Canadian site years after exercises at facility scrapped
Hundreds of British soldiers will start drone and electronic warfare training at a vast facility in Canada - several years after the UK scrapped major tank and artillery exercises at the site.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"But A Whimper": Retail Euphoria In SpaceX Fizzles After Stock Loses $600 Billion In One Day
"But A Whimper": Retail Euphoria In SpaceX Fizzles After Stock Loses $600 Billion In One Day

It started off with a bang: SpaceX IPOed on June 12 with an opening price of $150 on their first day of trade, well above the offering price of $135, and within two days, enterprising traders were ravenously bidding up 380 calls (expiring in just days) in hopes of sending the stock soaring in hopes of orchestrating a gamma squeeze. 


They are going for it https://t.co/tT4cJns9nv pic.twitter.com/P6NTzq4tx2
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 16, 2026
In a note out this morning, Canaccord described the "new level of optimism" that accompanied the SpaceX IPO as follows:


SPCX dynamics indicate new level of frenzy: prior to this historic IPO, we felt AI optimism was robust and certainly at times overdone, but largely funded by rational (if not exuberant) institutions including large, well capitalized public companies and PE investors. In our view, SPCX has marked a new chapter in this saga, ushering in a greater level of retail involvement and driving the stock into the top 6 market cap companies in the world, and in its first week of trading, adding the equivalent of ~1/2 the value of META, with a market value much greater than sister company TSLA despite generating only ~20% of its revenue base. Despite the company name, revenues are skewed towards connectivity (Starlink contributing $11.39 billion), with launch services generating only $4.1 billion (AI compute was $3.2 billion in 2025).


Vanda Track was even more effusive, and in a retrospective published earlier on Monday wrote that "SpaceX's first week of trading was one for the record books. Retail investors bought a net $405mn of SPCX during its first 5 trading sessions, comfortably the strongest retail IPO debut in recent history. Retail buying was extreme during the first few sessions before moderating later in the week. The flow profile increasingly resembles a retail investor that is building long-term positions rather than chasing a short-term meme stock."



The scale of retail buying in SPCX last week becomes even more remarkable when put into context. Retail investors bought more SPCX last week than they bought across all other Mag 7 stocks combined (total activity of the last 5 days in NVDA, MSFT, AMZN, META, GOOGL and GOOG was $278mn combined). They also bought more SpaceX than the combined retail buying of SPY & QQQ over the past week ($352mn). For a stock that only started trading last week, SpaceX is already competing with the market's biggest stocks and ETFs for retail capital.


As has become the norm, while buying of the stock was off the charts, retail investors quickly congregated to various leveraged SpaceX products, which also attracted strong demand. Retail investors bought $65.8mn of the Leverage Shares 2x Long SPCX Daily ETF during its first few trading sessions (while a sizeable number, but it remains well below the type of activity normally seen during speculative retail frenzies). It still dwarfs recent thematic launches – the Roundhill Memory ETF DRAM attracted just $5.6mn during its first four trading days, and it took 22 sessions for cumulative retail buying in DRAM to exceed the amount already allocated to the leveraged SpaceX ETF.



Yet after bursting out of the gate, momentum has fizzled and hopes that the stock would gamma squeeze into orbit (on a reusable rocket, of course), quickly faded. The result: after peaking on June 16 - the day SPCX stock hit a record $225 and briefly topped Microsoft in market cap - daily retail flows have collapsed, and the retail turnover has become virtually nonexistent. 



This brings us back to what Canaccord said: while the bank concluded that based on the early performance of SpaceX, "Tech can likely keep its momentum in the short term", it warned that "a new, more dangerous layer of air is now underneath these stocks."

Sure enough, with the momentum gone, and the realization that trillions of shares are about to be unlocked, the stock has slumped for 3 straight days, culminating with Monday's plunge when, with SpaceX rushing to take advantage of the bond market euphoria to sell over $20 billion in investment-grade bonds for the first time before the bond window shuts in order to refinance an existing bridge loan with much higher interest, SPCX shares plunged 16.4%, shedding a record $600 billion in market value, and following a 5% drop on Wednesday and a 3.5% slide on Thursday, the stock is now just barely above where it broke for trading at $150 two weeks ago. 



Worse, the stock tagged its post-IPO opening price of $150 after hours, and should the stock open below that tomorrow, then everyone who bought in the open market (and held) will be underwater.



What is especially notable, or perhaps expected, is that the pump and dump is taking place with only 5% of SPCX float available for trading: 95% of the stock is still locked-up for trading. But that will change soon:



22V Research strategist Jeff Jacobson said that there is a 20% insider share unlock after Space's earnings announcement in early to mid-August. In addition, there is a 10% share unlock if the stock trades 30% above the IPO price, as well as 7% share unlocks set for around Aug. 21 and then again on Sept. 10.



Jacobson said insiders could potentially sell 44% of SpaceX shares by early September, increasing the current float by about 900%.

In other words, it's only going to get more difficult to lift the stock from here, and meanwhile, Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading said that “sellers are back in control,” adding that “anyone in the world who wanted to buy this has bought it already.”

In its take on today's move, Bloomberg wrote that today's drop in SpaceX "managed to bring much of the market down with it." 

We don't know if that's indeed the case yet, but in this market - which has been driven almost entirely by retail euphoria and momentum chasing from the March lows - should retail indeed get cold feet, first to SpaceX, then to the Memory bubble, and finally to Semi stocks which have become the main beneficiaries of the AI trade...


Divergence between Hyperscalers and Semis becoming untenable: massive capex spending is the key variable. pic.twitter.com/ifrtT9LJnR
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 22, 2026
... then it will be time to invert TS Eliot, as the selling whimper becomes a bang. 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 22:10

ZeroHedge News
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Zero Sum: Cities Have Little To Show For Big Spending
Zero Sum: Cities Have Little To Show For Big Spending

Authored by Jeremy Portnoy via RealClearInvestigations,

America’s largest cities are increasing their spending at almost unprecedented rates.



A RealClearInvestigations (RCI) analysis of cities with at least 500,000 residents found they cumulatively raised their per-person spending by 18 percent over the last 10 budget cycles, accounting for inflation. The only equivalents on record are the spending surges ignited by the Great Society programs of the 1960s and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal during the 1930s.

But unlike those past eras, today’s cities do not have the revenue to support their heavy spending. State and federal funding have dropped off from their record highs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and local tax hikes have not kept pace with spending. Large tax increases or reductions in city services will eventually be required to address burgeoning structural deficits, placing a burden on future generations.

The tradeoff would be easier to explain if cities were making strides to improve life for their residents. Census data, however, shows that key quality of life metrics in major cities have mostly been stagnant during the spending spree.

Each of the 38 cities in RCI’s analysis of data from the Census Bureau, FBI, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and enacted local budgets increased their spending faster than inflation over the last decade. Yet the cities that boosted their spending the most were, on average, no more or less likely to see measurable progress in reducing homelessness, lowering violent crime rates, tackling income inequality, improving rent affordability, and more. That was the case for the 33 cities led by Democrats and the five cities led by Republicans.

San Jose, California, saw its violent crime rate increase by 50 percent from 2017 to 2024, even after it doubled its police budget. The city is now proposing cuts to police spending and creating new taxes to fund its rapid budget growth in other areas. Seattle is considering shutting down its homelessness agency after huge investments failed to stop homeless rates from reaching the worst level in city history.

Christopher Thornberg, founder of the policy consulting firm Beacon Economics, isn’t surprised that big spending hasn’t produced big results. He said that cities typically don’t have the financing, policy sophistication, and regulatory oversight to meaningfully improve the economic status of their residents.

But that hasn’t stopped some cities from thinking “you can be successful just fire-hosing money across the economy,” said Thornberg, former director of the University of California, Riverside Center for Economic Forecasting and Development. “It seems sufficient to brag about the money they spent without referring to whether that spending accomplished anything.”

The Tax Gap

In 2016, large cities collected $6,727 of revenue per resident from local, state, and federal sources, adjusted for inflation. They spent 14 percent more than that: $7,685 per person.



RCI

By 2025, revenues had increased to $7,063 per person, but outlays had skyrocketed to $8,827. The difference of 25 percent is the largest gap on record since at least 1940.

The gap was not caused by low revenues. Cities earned record amounts of sales and property taxes last year. Instead, the deficits were driven by expanded bureaucracy, rising payrolls, overtime costs, and pension liabilities.

From 2017 to 2026, the public workforces of large cities grew faster than their populations. There were at least 12 cities that added new municipal jobs even though their populations dropped (a handful of cities do not disclose their staff headcounts). In an extreme example, Memphis added more than 1,000 public jobs even though the city lost more than 40,000 residents.

Many of those new hires work desk jobs. Census data shows large cities increased their administrative expenses—mayor’s offices, human resources departments, accountants, zoning departments, and more—by 55 percent from 2016 to 2023, accounting for inflation.

But staff headcounts at core city agencies like police and corrections departments are generally decreasing, forcing cities to spend large amounts on overtime hours to keep their communities safe with the limited staff they have available.

Crucially, RCI found only a weak statistical link between increases in a city’s property tax collection and increases in its overall spending. Cities like Phoenix and Boston that boosted their per-resident spending by 88 percent and 75 percent, respectively, were not necessarily the ones with increased property tax revenue to support their outlays.

That suggests many cities have a “build it and we will fund it” mentality, enacting policies before figuring out how to pay for them.

Previous studies have shown that outside pressures from advocates for rent affordability and labor unions influence budgets, independently of what cities can actually afford to spend. Historically, that did not cause issues because city revenues were typically higher than expenses. That went out the window after the COVID-19 pandemic, when temporary federal grants expired, and cities did not make cuts to compensate for the lost funding.

“The problem is that when governments start to spend money, they find it hard to stop spending money,” said Thornberg. “And after a year and a half of partying, you can’t get back in those old pants. You have these bloated budgets in many cities, and now they’re struggling to get their budgets back in line with a reasonable amount of revenue that can be expected.”

More Spending, More Homelessness

To illustrate these budget dynamics in action, RCI took a look at how some representative cities have responded to major issues.

Homelessness in America’s largest cities jumped by 34 percent on average from 2017 to 2024, driven partly by increased housing costs and job losses during the pandemic. RCI’s analysis found no statistically significant association between increased public welfare spending and reduced homelessness.

While Los Angeles is the poster child for getting little bang for the bucks it’s spent to combat homelessness, it is not alone. Seattle and surrounding King County were among the biggest spenders, with money pouring into the Regional Homelessness Authority. It was created by former Mayor Jenny Durkan in 2019 to “significantly decrease the incidence of unsheltered homelessness.” Washington State has also lifted its spending on housing construction by six times since then. But homelessness in Seattle increased at a faster rate than in any other large city but one, and rent price increases were also among the nation’s highest.

It’s easy to see where things went wrong. A state audit released in April found that the Homelessness Authority overspent its $200 million annual budget by $45 million, with portions of the money completely unaccounted for or spent on administrative expenses the city never approved. The authority is also paying individual contractors close to $500,000 annually, an amount unlikely to be seen as reasonable for a salaried public servant.

To find leaders with the “lived experience” of homelessness and marginalization, the authority invited a convicted repeat sex offender to join its board in 2023. When another board member objected, alleging she had been molested by the man in the past, co-chair Shanéé Colston shouted her down. “I don’t care if they’re a sex offender!” Colston said, according to the Seattle Times. “This is an inclusive space, and we are equitable to all.”

Colston was later replaced. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has publicly said she’s not opposed to shutting down the authority for its failure to reduce homelessness.

Nor has Portland, another big spender on homelessness, been able to reduce its soaring rate. It created a Supportive Housing Services tax in 2020 that funded Sunstone Way, a nonprofit set up by the city that collapsed in March.

Sunstone Way’s former finance director recently alleged in a whistleblower complaint that she was barred from board meetings for trying to tell county officials about the nonprofit’s “severe cash flow pressures.” She claims that when she flagged a $210,000 overpayment to a food vendor, Sunstone Way’s CEO told her to ignore it because he had “made a deal” with the vendor, who was allegedly a personal friend.

Local auditor Jennifer McGuirk warned Portland’s Homeless Services Department in 2022 that it needed to monitor Sunstone Way’s spending more carefully after it billed the government for the payroll expenses of duplicate employees. McGuirk claims she was ignored.

Homelessness decreased in 13 of the 38 cities RCI examined, but the success stories related more to policy than spending. Detroit embraced advanced data modeling systems to share information between various nonprofits, avoiding duplicated efforts and creating a real-time list of homeless individuals rather than a single annual count like most cities conduct. Homelessness dropped by 17 percent from 2017 to 2024. Milwaukee provided free lawyers to low-income tenants facing eviction and now claims to have zero people living on the street.

“Cities that have had success in battling homelessness, it turns out, it’s not just that they’re spending money, but how they’re spending money,” Thornberg said.

Although many big cities explicitly state that their budgets are designed to reduce inequality, large cities’ Gini index—a measurement of how evenly wealth is distributed—was virtually unchanged from 2017 to 2024. So was the percentage of the population with health insurance. Poverty rates improved by 1 percent on average. Cities that increased their overall budgets at a faster rate were no more or less likely to see improvement in any of those three categories.

The 10 cities with the smallest topline budget increases since 2017 all saw their poverty rates drop or remain unchanged. Those 10 cities, including Minneapolis and Long Beach, now have an average poverty rate of 13.8 percent, lower than most of their peers.

Police Spending Up, Crime Down a Bit

Violent crime rates in large cities improved slightly from 2017 to 2024, with an average decrease of 50 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The average police budget increased slightly faster than inflation.

But again, there was no statistically significant association between spending levels and violent crime rates. Cities that increased their police budgets were just as likely to see crime rates rise as cities that decreased theirs.

The negligible improvement in crime rates is especially worrisome given that other city services are being sacrificed to fund police departments. In 2022, 40 percent of America’s largest cities said public safety needs were so high that it was difficult to balance their budgets. The burden grew even higher in the following years, as police funding increased as a percentage of total city spending in both 2024 and 2025, according to the National League of Cities.

Higher spending does not always mean more police officers. Even though budgets are up, police staffing levels dropped by roughly 7 percent from 2013 to 2023, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.

That’s unsurprising given how much difficulty police departments are having recruiting new officers. Thaddeus Johnson, a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice who has been teaching at Georgia State University since 2014, said college students do not view public service as “glamorous” as they did just a few years ago. “I used to ask in every class, ‘Who wants to be a cop?’ and a quarter to half of the room would raise their hands. Since the pandemic, nobody has raised their hand in class, and I’m not exaggerating. There’s no interest among criminal justice majors in policing.”

In Phoenix, where spending and violent crime rates are both up, the police department has 650 vacancies. When the department does attract workers, they don’t always stay. Thirty percent of new recruits from 2023 to 2025 have already left.

The city can’t offer higher salaries to boost its retention rate because one-third of its police budget is spent funding future pensions for officers already on the force (payments to current retirees are funded by past years’ appropriations). Arizona’s pension investments lost most of their value during the dot-com bubble of the early 2000s, and the effects still linger.

It’s a similar situation in San Jose, where 40 percent of police recruits leave the force before they become sworn officers, compared to only 6 percent in 2017. The staffing shortages force officers to work long overtime hours, driving up payroll costs.

A San Jose city audit released this April found that one quarter of all the hours police officers worked in 2025 were overtime—twice as much as in 2015. Many overtime hours were spent on report writing by officers who never obtained the required approval from their superiors to work extra hours.

Johnson said low staff headcounts are not an excuse for rising violent crime. “If there’s a million officers on the street, crime will still happen,” he said. “It’s really about how you use those officers. What is your supervisor to officer ratio? The type of training the officers are receiving? The type of technology that’s available?”

San Jose increased its per-resident police spending by 66 percent above inflation from 2016 to 2023—far more than any other city with at least 500,000 residents. But it also saw its violent crime rate per 100,000 people increase by 50 percent from 2017 to 2024, again much more than any other large city.

The crime rate did improve significantly in 2025, but remained well above pre-pandemic levels. And while San Jose’s crime rate is not necessarily higher than other comparable cities, its rapid increase despite a spending boost highlights the challenges cities face when trying to improve quality of life through budgetary means.

There are several success stories like Dallas and San Francisco, which have seen violent crime rates improve after police budgets were increased. Others, like Boston, saw crime rates improve even though police budgets did not keep pace with inflation.

Johnson cited San Antonio as an example of efficient spending. He said the city smartly deployed its officers by assigning patrols to specific places and times when crime was more likely to occur, improving public safety without breaking the bank. San Antonio’s per-resident spending on police is lower than almost any other large city, yet its violent crime rate sank by 16 percent from 2017 to 2024.

Kicking the Budget Can Down the Road

Cities will eventually have to balance their budgets, but they may face difficulty raising taxes to do so. Katherine Loughead, a vice president at the nonprofit Tax Foundation, claimed the recent upward trend in taxation is already causing “widespread unrest” among voters.

Almost every major city has a law stating that its outlays and revenues must be equal, but that does not apply to capital spending on infrastructure and city-owned property like buildings and cars. Many cities also overestimate their revenues and underestimate their spending on paper, allowing deficits to develop.

They close the gap by issuing bonds, digging into reserve funds, selling municipal property, and ignoring obligations to fund public employees’ future pension and healthcare plans.

It’s why New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s highly-touted “balanced” budget proposal for 2027 is not really balanced at all. Unable to avoid reductions to city services by taxing the rich and increasing property taxes, Mamdani escaped spending cuts by shoving pension liabilities into the future for another mayor to deal with. Fifty-four of America’s 75 largest cities did the same in 2025 with either pensions or retiree healthcare costs, according to Truth in Accounting.

Chicago is already feeling the effects of that approach. After underfunding its pensions for years, Chicago now has a pension debt larger than most state governments. More than 15 percent of its budget in 2025 was spent trying to fix it, rather than being used to support taxpayers.

This summer’s budget hearings in cities across the country will likely represent a new high-water mark in structural imbalances. If past practices prevail, rather than slash services or raise taxes, most city leaders will find clever ways to once again kick the can down the road.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 22:35

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Super El Nino: Famine Follows War?
Super El Nino: Famine Follows War?

Rory Green, TS Lombard's chief China economist, is the latest Wall Street strategist to warn of the mounting macro and food inflation risks that a super El Niño could release on certain regions of the world.

In a note titled "Super El Niño: Famine Follows War?" Green warns that war-related disruptions to energy and fertilizer markets, compounded by adverse weather conditions, could create a perfect storm for global food prices.

Green said, "In general, El Niño raises temperatures and significantly exacerbates both drought and heavy rainfall. For global macro, it is an inflationary shock via the food price channel – a shock that will likely be compounded by existing war-related high fertilizer costs."

He said within his coverage, "India is the most exposed to both growth and inflation risks, supporting our underweight Indian assets. Brazil and Mexico, too, will receive an inflation impulse."

In recent weeks, the Japanese Meteorological Agency became the first major weather body to formally declare the onset of a super El Niño in the tropical Pacific.

If that forecast is correct, adverse climatic disruption could persist for 2 or more years, raising the risk of drought, flooding, lower crop yields, and higher food prices across key agricultural regions.

Green noted that El Niño has typically been associated with "hotter and drier conditions in India, parts of South and Southeast Asia, and Central America. But at the same time, it brings higher rainfall to parts of southern South America, the United States and Central Asia."

Chart 1: GDP impact of past El Niño



Chart 2: CPI impact of past El Niño



El Niño Impact Watch:

If it proves "strong" or "very strong", the 2026 El Niño is likely to have a historically large impact on global food prices, given already elevated underlying inflation, existing supply-chain disruption and the current high cost of farm inputs. China, Korea and Taiwan are relatively well insulated from the shock. As are most DMs, with the exception of Australia, as the maps below and the charts above show. In our coverage, it is India and LatAm that are most exposed.



India Impact:

El Niño to hit prices, employment and potentially equities

India's Met Department recently warned that El Niño conditions will strengthen during the crucial monsoon season that accounts for ~75% of the annual rainfall the country receives. The Met Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall in the June-September monsoon to be 90% of the long-period average (LPA); if that projection bears out, India will face its worst monsoon since 2015. That year, the IMD had initially predicted below normal rainfall of 93% of the LPA, but the actual rainfall recorded was 86%, leading to drought-like conditions across many parts of India. Even though it is early days yet in this year's season with the rains just about setting in over south peninsular India, indications are that the monsoon is off to a weak start. Rainfall in the first 15 days of June has already been far below normal, as Chart 1 below shows, and the progress of the monsoon across the subcontinent has stalled.



A weak monsoon will exacerbate headwinds to growth that India's heavily energy import- dependent economy has been facing due to the surge in global oil prices. Damage to the summer-sown crop output is a risk to agricultural incomes and rural demand, as well as a potential inflation trigger. Rising food and fuel costs pushed headline CPI higher to 3.9% yoy in May, up from 3.5% yoy in April; May’s food price inflation rose at a faster pace to 4.8% yoy. We expect high commodity prices to spill over into broader inflation, and for headline CPI to breach the upper threshold of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 2-6% flexible target by 3Q/FY27. At its early June policy, the RBI revised up its inflation forecast for FY27 to 5.1% vs 4.6% previously, cautioning against upside risks to its projection. It cited further downside risks to its GDP growth forecast for FY27 that is cut to 6.6% (vs 6.9% previously) owing to supply shocks from both energy and weather-related factors.



The government has been taking proactive measures to combat the El Niño impact, including increasing stocks of rice and wheat in state-run warehouses. How the El Niño impacts the monsoon will be clearer by end-July, when the IMD issues its updated monsoon forecast. July is the key month for crop sowing as the rains typically cover the entire country by the start of the month. Last week, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said almost 200 districts (a quarter of India's total) are "most vulnerable" to the impact of El Niño. The monsoon season's impact on crops is determined not just by the quantity of rainfall but also its geographical distribution. The accumulation of water in reservoirs – critical for the winter-sown crop – is also important to track: as of early June, the level was a little lower vs a year ago but higher vs the LPA.

For now, the markets are rebounding after tensions in the Middle East eased, but the Indian economy's resilience will be tested again soon if the monsoon fails: since 1951, 12 of 17 El Niño years have witnessed deficient rains. Foreigners remain net sellers in the equity market, although tax exemptions announced for overseas bond investors are pulling flows into local debt. Equities have been supported by local investors, but returns have been capped as momentum of domestic flows has been flagging recently



Brazil Impact

El Niño could weigh on power, food prices

A 'Super El Niño' could push up inflation, but Brazil is more prepared for extreme weather than in the past. As a country that spans across the South American continent, El Niño has an uneven impact on regional weather patterns. In southern Brazil, overall precipitation, the number of heavy downpours and the severity of storms tends to increase, particularly in the spring. Northern Brazil, including parts of the Amazon basin, tend to have drier weather, as does the country's northeast. While parts of the country's populous southeastern region see a limited impact, key states – including Minas Gerais, tend to be drier than normal. Across the countries, average temperatures tend to rise, and the number of heatwaves tends to increase. These factors, coupled with the greater frequency of extreme weather already effecting the country because of climate change, mean that Brazil runs an even greater risk of severe events this year, similar to the record floods in Rio Grande do Sul state in 2024.



The El Niño adds another layer of uncertainty regarding the economic outlook. Although we do not expect the El Niño to play a decisive role in the direction of the economy in H1/26, it could exacerbate existing issues in the economy, including inflation. Electricity prices, which typically tick up during the dry season (April to October) could rise even more if dry weather has a significant impact on hydroelectric reservoir levels in south-central Brazil, which holds the lion's share of the country's generation capacity. This would force the National Systems Operator (ONS) to continue to maximize the use of high-cost thermoelectric plants to offset the reduction in hydroelectric generation. This would mean that electricity costs would increase in the coming months through the so-called tariff flag systems, which is imposed to cover the costs of thermoelectric generation. Likewise, energy consumption – and spot market prices – tends to increase during heatwaves, as more households use air conditioning. The positive news is that Brazil is entering the dry season, Brazil's hydroelectric reservoirs are in a slightly more comfortable situation than in previous El Niño years, which could limit the impact of the weather phenomenon on power prices.

The El Niño could have an impact on food prices, but not in the short term. When temperatures exceed 40°C for prolonged periods, it generally takes three to four months for the hot, dry conditions to affect fruit and vegetable harvests. The effect on grain and oilseed crops takes even longer. Brazil has already harvested its summer soybean crop and the winter corn crop is in the ground and scheduled for harvest in August and September. At that point, farmers begin planting their summer crops. Even without the El Niño, there are already doubts regarding whether Brazil will manage to expand its soybean and corn crops in the upcoming 2026/27 season. This is because of unfavourable global prices, as well as higher input costs, which could force Brazilian farmers to reduce fertilizer use. While a modest decline in fertilizer application is unlikely to significantly affect yields in a single season, production costs for soybeans and corn will be higher for the 2026/27 season. This increase could influence the cost of meat and biofuels in the following year. In short, pressures from weather and fertilizer prices are present, but their impact on food prices is unlikely to be felt until early next year.



Mexico Impact

The most immediate impact is likely to come through agricultural prices. Adverse weather conditions have historically reduce agricultural output and, with a lag, feed into livestock prices as poorer pasture conditions and water scarcity raise production costs. Agricultural inflation hit 14.33% y/y during the 2023-24 El Niño, nearly three times the headline rate, with fruits and vegetables peaking at 25.69%. The 2026 starting point is no less uncomfortable. Fruits and vegetables spiked to 21.77% in March and, despite easing to 14.38% in May, remain well above headline, leaving the most weather-sensitive part of the CPI basket exposed to a renewed supply shocks. It's worth highlighting that El Niño affects Mexico in distinct ways, with northern states tend to see higher precipitation in winter, which tends to benefit export crops. But the weather phenomenon also boosts the risk of unseasonal frosts and floods that damage, with potential implications for the tomato, wheat, and maize harvests. In the centre-south, El Niño reduces rainfall and coffee, sugarcane, maize, beans, and avocados are the most exposed crops.

Bad timing for Banxico. The central bank cut rates to 6.5% in May and signalled that the easing cycle had likely come to an end, citing weak activity and a resilient peso. We continue to view growth risks as outweighing inflation concerns and believe additional easing in Q3/26 remains possible. However, a moderate-to-strong El Niño would complicate that assessment by pushing up agricultural inflation through supply-side shocks that monetary policy cannot easily offset. This would make any further easing harder to deliver, even as growth concerns continue to mount.



El Niño also exposes structural vulnerabilities to more extreme weather. Along the Pacific coast, warmer sea surface temperatures fuel a more active hurricane season, raising the risk of storm damage to coastal infrastructure and export agriculture. At the same time, the phenomenon puts urban water supply under pressure. Cutzamala, which provides roughly a quarter of Mexico City's water, fell to just 27% capacity during the El Niño. An exceptionally wet 2025 reversed much of that damage, bringing the system back to 67.7% by early June 202 – the highest level in the seasonal cycle in seven years. That buffer offers some protection, but a strong El Niño would still test it.

Green's note builds on a UBS report published earlier this month, which warned that El Niño risks could send food inflation higher across Asia.



The U.S. is not out of the woods just yet. Bank of America analysts warn that the energy shock of the last several months could ultimately feed into food inflation later this year, with a lag (read the report).



Now there has been what Daryna Kovalska, a commodity strategist at BofA, described as an "aggressive positioning washout" in the agriculture trade. However, she believes that the selloff in soft commodities such as corn is well overdone.

Professional subscribers can read the full note here at our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:00

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Apollo Gates Private Credit Investors For 2nd Quarter As 17% Rush To The Exits
Apollo Gates Private Credit Investors For 2nd Quarter As 17% Rush To The Exits

It would appear that the private credit crisis has not, in fact, been contained.

With the software bounce now dead and buried...


Software bounce is over pic.twitter.com/wcKtRt3NaR
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 22, 2026
... amid growing fears that the next round of the SAASpocalypse will be far worse (just look at the spectacular implosion in Accenture stock), the private credit firms that had tons of Software exposure ("but muh cash flows") are once again in the market's crosshairs, and after first Cliffwater, then Blackrock gated investors as redemptions requests soared even more in Q2 compared to the already skyhigh levels in Q1, today it was the turn of Private Equity giant Apollo Global Management to join the club and again limiting withdrawal requests from its largest non-traded private credit fund for retail investors, as broader concerns about the asset class persist. 

Apollo Debt Solutions, which has roughly $25 billion in assets, capped withdrawals at 5% of outstanding shares on Monday after investors asked to redeem 16.8%, according to a shareholder letter first seen by Bloomberg. Redemption requests in Q2 were more than 5% higher than the 11.2% investors wanted to pull in the first quarter when they were gated for the first time.

As shown in the chart below, for those hoping that Q2 redemption requests would moderate, well... the trend is not your friend. 



The fund, taking rare delight in glorious irony, reported that it has generated an 8.1% total net return since it was launched, which however does not appear to have impressed its shareholders who instead want their money and are capped at 5% of it. 

As we reported previously, private credit icon Cliffwater faced requests to pull 17% of shares from its flagship fund, while the world's largest asset manager, BlackRock, received about 13% earlier this month. Both funds enforced a 5% cap for their BDCs.

Apollo President Jim Zelter predicted - correctly - in May that redemptions from BDCs will continue for the next two quarters following a turbulent first quarter for the sector, and that such requests could even increase. Spoiler alert: when software stock puke again, and when BDCs write down their SAAS loans form par to their fair value of plus or minus 0, not only will the requests increase, there may come a day when there is a literal run on the private credit bank, with crowds of people gathering across various lobbies on Park Avenue demanding their money (good luck folks).

 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:09

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Israeli Troops Deployed To Somaliland In Covert Mission
Israeli Troops Deployed To Somaliland In Covert Mission

Via The Cradle

Israel secretly deployed a small contingent of forces to Somaliland earlier this year following its recognition of the breakaway territory, a senior Somali government official revealed to Middle East Eye (MEE) on Monday.

"According to our intelligence reports, the Israeli military selected Israeli soldiers of African heritage, especially Ethiopians, so as not to draw attention to themselves and to blend in more easily with the local community," the senior Somali official stated.
via Reuters

The Somali official said that Israel had deployed a group of 50 soldiers to Somaliland shortly after the recognition and the resumption of the war on Iran in late February.

On June 17, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted to years of clandestine, "under the radar" security operations with Somaliland.

During a high-level meeting in Tel Aviv with Somaliland’s visiting president, Israeli officials confirmed that Israel is now directly involved in training the breakaway region's military and police.

"For many years, we cooperated under the radar in a series of operations that will remain classified. Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for the benefit of stability in the region," Katz said.

In early June, CNN reported that the breakaway republic of Somaliland had provided Israel with an additional military position on the Horn of Africa, allowing Israeli aircraft to "potentially stop" long-range flights to Iran.

Israel's Channel 12 reported on 2 May that a senior official in Somaliland said the territory is ready to cooperate with Israel to confront what it described as the "threat" from the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) to the highly strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The official said that any "disruption of maritime security" would push Somaliland to expand its relations with Israel, including to the level of a security alliance.

The official also noted that Somaliland currently cooperates with partners such as the US and the UAE, which maintain a presence in the territory’s Berbera Port, and said a similar partnership would be possible with Israel. 


AA is probably not happy about this. Reminder that Abdul Malik al-Houthi recently said in a speech that they are monitoring developments on “Somali soil” and that they will mot hesitate to strike israeli bases. https://t.co/3hFw1vdnK5 pic.twitter.com/OEOy3Z2hYr
— barry with the NED (@bonzerbarry) June 22, 2026
The UAE operates the Berbera Port, using it as a logistics hub to transfer arms and mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is responsible for committing alleged genocide against non-Arab tribes in Sudan.

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, and in December 2025, Israel became the first and only UN member state to recognize it as an independent and sovereign state. Israel later appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Hargeisa in April, drawing worldwide condemnation.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 23:25

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Stalker who rang BTS star's doorbell 133 times faces possible deportation
The Brazilian woman visited BTS member Jungkook's home 20 times in less than two months.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, June 23
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 23.

The Hill
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Trump endorses James in Michigan governor's race
President Trump has backed Rep. John James (R-Mich.) in Michigan’s gubernatorial race. “It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” Trump said in a Monday post on Truth Social. “A West Point Graduate, Combat Pilot, Brave Iraq...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What France & Iraq did during 'mentally draining' two-hour weather delay
France's World Cup match against Iraq was delayed for two hours because of the weather. BBC Sport look at how the sides dealt with it.

Russia Today News
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$140,000 raised for Texas woman who called Islam ‘terrorist organization’

The Guardian (UK)
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Haaland doubles up again as Norway defeat Senegal and seal spot in World Cup last 32
At the final whistle in New Jersey Norway’s players collapsed on to the rain-drenched grass, tumbled over one another in a genuinely passionate celebratory embrace, then gathered to sit in close formation in front of their fans like primary school kids in a particularly cramped assembly hall.Off to one side Martin Ødegaard began to beat on a drum provided for the occasion, while the players and staff did the Viking-rowing-boat-plus-Icelandic-style-hu-cheer in concert with their fans, a routine the Norwegians have been rolling out at this World Cup. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Brit mother, 54, tells of moment she 'smelled burning' while lying next to pool with her son at Dominican Republic resort... only to turn and find it engulfed in flames
A British mother has revealed the 'terrifying' moment her Caribbean holiday turned into 'chaos' as she watched the hotel, where she had been staying with her son, be destroyed in a huge blaze.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Labour MPs mull leadership challenge to prevent Burnham 'coronation'
Two senior party figures are considering bids in order to ensure the next leader's policy ideas are tested in a race.

The Guardian (UK)
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Two-hour storm break fails to stop France as Mbappé and Dembélé prove too good for Iraq
Could France do it on a hot, humid, waterlogged and lightning-threatened night in Pennsylvania? The answer was pretty straightforward. Despite an interruption of more than two hours after a chain of severe thunderstorms disrupted play at Philadelphia Stadium, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq, and furthered Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process.The France captain got another two goals on the night of his 100th cap, the first a rip-snorter from outside the box after a period of dominance, the second a tap in after disastrous defending from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé got the third, his first goal at a major tournament. Didier Deschamps, meanwhile, was able to confirm passage to the knockout rounds, rest players from his starting XI, and even retire Dembélé and Michael Olise on the hour, preserving them for more taxing contests. There were no clouds on this particular horizon. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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Toy Story 5 just hit theaters, but Mattel's interactive Buzz, Woody, and Jessie figures are already 54% off

TechRadar News
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'A surprising number of them said, “Yes.”': Study finds many customers would leave a business which stays loyal to US big tech services

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Norway win five-goal thriller against Senegal to make last 32
Erling Haaland scores twice as Norway book their place in the last 32 of the World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Senegal in New Jersey.

The Guardian (UK)
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Haaland doubles up again as Norway defeat Senegal and seal spot in World Cup last 32
Erling Haaland’s second consecutive two-goal match led Norway into the last 32 of the World Cup with a 3-2 victory against ⁠Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on Monday.Norway and France each have six points from two matches heading into their Group I finale on Friday ⁠in Boston. France ⁠lead on ​goal difference, meaning they need just a draw to take first place in the group. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Hundreds of British soldiers to start drone and electronic warfare training at vast Canadian site
Hundreds of British soldiers will start drone and electronic warfare training at a vast facility in Canada - several years after the UK scrapped major tank and artillery exercises at the site.

ZeroHedge News
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No New Laws Required... Private Biometrics Are Building The Digital ID Prison
No New Laws Required... Private Biometrics Are Building The Digital ID Prison

Authored by Patti Johnson via The Burning Platform blog,

That “black pill moment” is arriving faster than many realize. Not primarily through sweeping new government mandates, but through private companies quietly normalizing biometric data collection under the banners of “security,” “fraud prevention,” and “child protection.” They are erecting the infrastructure for a world where you cannot easily participate in daily life, commerce, or even basic online access without surrendering your face, your license scan, or other biometrics. Once the systems exist and the data flows, laws can simply ratify what private actors have already made routine.

In a recent commentary “Digital ID Black Pill Moment”, I highlighted a sobering reality: 186 out of 198 countries already have digital ID systems in place. Only a shrinking handful of nations lack foundational national digital IDs. As I wrote, “the global push for digital IDs is far advanced, likely past the point of no return, aligning with the UN’s 2030 goal of universal legal identity and enabling a globalist digital currency system that could control access to everything.”

Facebook/Meta: Selfie or Stay Locked Out

Government mandates are not required to finish building the digital surveillance prison. Citizens are willingly submitting their biometrics to access social media sites. For example, I am no longer on Facebook. They banned me during the Covid era after I began sharing information about the true contents of the shots and alternative treatments. A friend just sent me a Facebook post and I could not view it without taking a selfie and sending it to FB. No way was I going to comply.

Try viewing certain Facebook posts or recovering a flagged account, and you may hit this wall. Users are increasingly prompted to submit a video selfie turning their head in different directions so the system can map facial geometry to “prove you’re a real person” or restore access. The company states it uses this to combat scams and compromised accounts, and claims the video is deleted after verification.

Here is what the prompt looks like:



blogger.googleusercontent.com



about.fb.com

This is not a rare case. It is quickly becoming the normal way companies handle account recovery, new account setup, suspected suspicious activity, or even basic access to articles and information on many websites. Your facial biometric data is sent to a private company that already holds huge amounts of user information and is under constant pressure and often partners with governments and international standards organizations.

Uber: Selfie + Driver’s License Scan Just to Ride

My husband recently tried to order an Uber ride and was required to submit a selfie plus front and back photos of his driver’s license before the app would proceed. Uber’s official materials describe identity verification (including selfies matched via facial recognition) primarily for drivers to prevent account sharing, and for riders it is often framed as optional for a “verified badge.” Yet real users are encountering these hard prompts in practice.

Here are examples of the verification flows Uber and similar platforms use:



ktla.com



i.ytimg.com

The stated reason is safety and trust on the platform. The practical effect is another private company harvesting and cross-referencing your facial biometrics and government ID data.

Banking, Finance, Telecom, and Beyond

Major banks now routinely use facial recognition or selfie verification for mobile app logins, high-value transfers, account opening (a process known as KYC, or “Know Your Customer” identity verification required by banking regulations), and fraud checks. Telecom providers require selfies for SIM card swaps (replacing your phone’s Subscriber Identity Module card) or account modifications. Gig economy platforms (such as ride-sharing or delivery services like Uber, DoorDash, or similar) use third-party services that demand selfie plus ID document verification. Some retail and payment systems are piloting biometric checkout.

Here is the kind of selfie/biometric prompt users see in identity verification flows used by banks and fintechs:



veriff.com



verifynow.co.za

Proponents say this reduces identity theft, speeds up processes, and improves security compared to passwords or one-time codes. The result, however, is the same: your face becomes the key to your money and services.

Driver’s Licenses Already Contain Biometric Data

Every U.S. state requires a facial photograph on driver’s licenses and state IDs.

That photo is biometric data. Many states’ DMV databases feed into facial recognition systems used by law enforcement. REAL ID standards and emerging mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) are digitizing and enhancing this further. Eighteen states already have biometric-enabled digital driver’s licenses.

Age Verification Laws Accelerate the Trend

Florida’s HB 3 (Online Protections for Minors) restricts social media access for children under 14 and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. To comply, platforms must verify ages using government ID or biometric data. The result is that adults, too, will need to submit ID or facial biometrics simply to access platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and others. Similar requirements are advancing under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which mandates robust age verification, including facial age estimation, for sites hosting potentially harmful or pornographic content, with ripple effects across social media.

Parents Should be the Gatekeepers Not the Government

Proponents argue these measures protect children from predators, explicit content, and addictive algorithms, while giving parents better tools to manage access. I believe the real solution lies with parents themselves. Parents should be the primary gatekeepers, setting firm limits and supervising where their children go online.

Today’s children, immersed in cell phones from a young age, are losing the ability to communicate effectively on a normal, personal level. If I were raising children now, I would not give them a cell phone. We grew up with perfectly fulfilling childhoods without them. Instead of relying on government-mandated biometric checkpoints, we should return responsibility to families. Yet the architecture being built creates a universal biometric gateway for internet participation: one that affects everyone, not just minors.

The Bigger Picture: Agenda 2030 and the “Cannot Buy or Sell” Infrastructure

This is not happening in a vacuum. It aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 push for universal legal identity by 2030 and the broader frameworks of the Great Reset / Agenda 2030. Private companies are doing the expensive, politically risky work of normalizing biometric surrender and building interoperable databases. Once the data exists at scale, faces linked to licenses, accounts, transactions, and online activity, adding legal requirements for purchases, services, or internet access becomes trivial.

We are told it is all for safety, convenience, fraud prevention, and protecting the vulnerable. Yet the cumulative effect is a world in which opting out becomes increasingly difficult, anonymity erodes, and every interaction can be tracked, verified, and potentially scored or restricted through biometric identifiers.

The infrastructure for systems in which you “cannot buy or sell without an ID” is being assembled one prompted selfie at a time by Meta, Uber, banks, app developers, and verification vendors. This often happens before governments even pass the final laws.

We have been warned. The question now is whether we will continue feeding the system our most personal biometric data in the name of convenience, or whether we will recognize the trap while there is still room to resist, opt out where possible, demand real privacy protections, and support alternatives that do not require surrendering our faces to participate in society.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 20:05

ZeroHedge News
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"Optimism Has Picked Up": Retail Operators See Consumer Relief After Gas Prices Tumble
"Optimism Has Picked Up": Retail Operators See Consumer Relief After Gas Prices Tumble

As soon as the national average for 87-octane gasoline at the pump dipped below the politically sensitive $4-a-gallon level early last week, we observed multiple institutional desks begin to forecast that the light at the end of the tunnel was beginning to materialize for consumers, especially working-class households that have been financially battered by surging fuel prices over the past several months.



UBS analyst Mark Paski told clients about "early signs of a turn in U.S. consumer discretionary."

Then, Piper Sandler Chief Global Economist Nancy Lazar told clients, "If inflation has indeed peaked, that will boost real incomes (nominal incomes have been solid), a positive for both real consumer spending and housing, but don't expect robust growth in either."

Gathering more ground-level intelligence about possible consumer sentiment shifts, or at least the early chapters of it, Wolfe Research polled 270 industry contacts on the consumer outlook this summer.



"Optimism has picked-up a bit relative to April/May, but there are persistent concerns about higher gas prices, inflation reaccelerating & price competition in the 2H," Wolfe Research analyst Greg Badishkanian wrote.

Badishkanian continued, "Our checks occurred last week and at that point optimism hadn't reached pre-war levels yet. They were still concerned that if the conflict dragged on, it would hurt their respective industries."

He noted, "When we asked some of the operators within more discretionary segments about the impact of a potential lasting peace deal, they all thought it would boost sales and profitability in the coming quarter or two."

Where has operator optimism changed the most versus two months ago?

The read-through: Consumer sentiment is stabilizing, but the improvement is uneven. The weakest categories are RV dealers, home improvement, boat dealers, beer, auto dealers, fast food, and casual dining, all of which remain negative.

However, the strongest categories are Harley dealers, powersports, ag dealers, short-term rentals, convenience stores, and lodging.

The Harley outperformance is an outlier.



Operators expected that if the US-Iran conflict persisted into July, the impact would only be slightly negative.



Badishkanian and his team spoke with operators across various industries. Here is what they had to say

Leisure

We met with Harley's (HOG) investor relations to discuss trends in the business and conversation primarily focusing around retail sales, sustainability of the business, inventories, & new product launches. HOG highlighted that retail sales are accelerating, and dealer sentiment is improving for them, but there is still work to be done in order to maintain the momentum of the top-line. The team reiterated that inventories remain healthy worldwide, and mgm has prioritized destocking. The launches of the Sprint and Sportster models were brought up in the conversation as key initiatives for maintaining momentum into 2027. Mgmt highlighted that despite the newer, lower-priced bikes being lower margin they expect them to profitable and bring in a newer entry level customer to Harley.

We caught up with Norwegian's (NCLH) VP of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications this week when we talked through the 3Q yields pressure, revenue management, marketing strategy, the Great Stirrup Cay initiatives, and shore side cost management. NCLH still expects 3Q yields to be under the most pressure for the full year, and the company has started to shift towards getting 2027 on the right trajectory. The Great Stirrup Cay Water Park and Pier are set to open on September 4th, with an expectation for 25bps of yield lift in 2026 and 75bps for the full year '27. The team also highlighted a greater focus on marketing spend, & corporate costs shoreside.

Restaurants

Yum! Brands (YUM) has entered definitive agreements to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7B. Pizza Hut (excluding Pizza Hut China) will be acquired by LongRange capital for ~$1.5B. In addition, Pizza Hut China will be acquired by Yum! China for ~ $1.2B. The company will continue to provide Byte (its proprietary tech platform), as well as select corporate services to Pizza Hut ex-China. Yum! expects the fees from these services to offset corporate G&A expenses historically allocated to Pizza Hut. Both transactions are expected to close in 3Q26.

FAT Brands completed the final step of its bankruptcy restructuring, with FBG Bid Co. acquiring assets tied to 13 concepts for about $595 million and transferring more than 1,700 restaurants to a lender-backed group. The company filed for Chapter 11 in January under roughly $1.5 billion in debt. Twin Peaks was sold separately for $359.5 million, and Smokey Bones ceased operations after no buyer was found.

Food Retailers

Kroger (KR) reported roughly in-line 1Q results with expectations and reaffirmed its FY outlook. ID sales ex. fuel increased +1.0% (64bps headwind from egg deflation) vs consensus at +0.9% and decelerated 60bps on a 2-yr basis from the prior quarter. Adj EPS of $1.58 missed consensus at $1.59. Kroger continues to expect ID sales of +1.0-2.0% (including ~130 bps headwind from IRA) with the midpoint in line with consensus at +1.5%. Operating profit of $5.0-5.2bn is 3.4% above consensus of $4.93bn, as questions persist about the level of price investments to come. The EPS range of $5.10 to $5.30 is 3c below consensus.

Ahold Delhaize (Not Covered) announced the nomination of Claire Peters as the new CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA. Ahold Delhaize US operates Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford and Stop & Shop supermarket locations in the US. Claire most recently served as the VP fo Worldwide Fresh at Amazon, but has also held roles at Woolworth's Group & Tesco.

Broadlines & Hardlines

The Joint Center for Housing Studies released their 2026 State of Nation's Housing report this week. The report and webcast to follow were cautious as the affordability crisis continues to worsen, remodel spend is still above pre-COVID levels and pull forward remains a challenge for the industry. Median Home Prices remain elevated vs median household income, at nearly 2008 highs, and affordable units supply continues to be constrained. Click here for our full takeaways and data parsing.

Target (TGT) continues to accelerate the pace of change in the business. One of the best examples of this is fun 101, where Target is allowing merchants to have more runway in these categories to make changes. Recent announcements like the Issac Mizrahi partnership, Olivia Rodrigo's exclusive music launch, and even increased focus on Trading Cards are driving customers back to TGT. We think further leaning into Fun 101 and these cultural events will be an important part of Target's go-forward strategy and whether the business can maintain momentum. Read Spencer's full takeaways here.

La-Z-Boy (LZB; not covered), a furniture manufacturer, reported F'4Q results which beat Street estimates, with F'1Q guidance also ahead of consensus. Management believes they have levers to drive growth in their business, while the timing of a return to growth in the broader industry remains uncertain, but remain optimistic about an eventual rebound in furniture and home furnishings, which historically grew +3% to +4%

CarMax (KMX; not covered) posted F'1Q (ending May 31st) results ahead of expectations with EPS of $1.31 vs FC 97c. Sales were up +6.2% to $8.01bn vs FC for $7.42bn, led by higher wholesale revenue, which grew +14% (units: +8.4%; avg selling price: +5.1%). Used unit comps were also better than feared at -0.8% vs FC -2.7%

A consumer inflection point appears to be approaching, but the timing still largely hinges on fuel prices staying well below the $4 national average.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 20:30

ZeroHedge News
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Chinese Grid Operators Resist Plans To Boost Renewables To Power AI
Chinese Grid Operators Resist Plans To Boost Renewables To Power AI

Authored by Charles Kennedy via OilPrice.com,

Grid operators are concerned that the Chinese drive to hike the share of renewable electricity powering AI would raise the risks for power firms as peak demand at data centers is difficult to forecast.



Industry analysts and officials have told Reuters that the Chinese strategic priority of having renewables power the majority of electricity demand at data centers by 2030 may not be feasible.

“From what we understand, they (data centers) cannot really adjust power consumption load much,” Reuters quoted Pei Shanpeng, a director of Chinese power firm State Power Investment Corporation, as telling attendees at a recent industry conference in Beijing.

“GPUs are very expensive, so once they are purchased, operators want to use them as quickly and as intensively as possible,” the official added.

China plans to use massively its renewable energy boom to power the data centers.

The country has just launched the world’s first offshore wind-powered underwater data center, using seawater cooling and renewable electricity to reduce energy, water, and land requirements. The 24 MW-capacity Shanghai Lingang undersea data center demonstration was developed by HiCloud Technology and the state-owned China Communications Construction.

A report from last year by the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that the data center electricity supply in China was dominated by coal with a near 70% share as of 2025, followed by renewables with nearly 20%, nuclear close to 10%, and natural gas accounting for the remainder.

Solar PV and wind would add nearly 90 TWh of additional electricity for data centers by 2030, “supported by an increase in the share of renewables in the grid electricity mix, provincial co-location mandates and policies to prioritise the construction of data centres in renewables-rich western China,” the IEA said.

However, analysts and industry officials say the data center sector isn’t a good fit for renewable energy because of the lack of visibility about peak demand from these power-sucking centers.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 20:55

ZeroHedge News
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Iran Oil Exports Through Hormuz Hit Wartime High
Iran Oil Exports Through Hormuz Hit Wartime High

While other countries line up on either side of Hormuz, hoping for clarity whether they actually can cross this time, Iran isn’t wasting any time moving its oil out of the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz after the US lifted the naval blockade outside the chokepoint and the U.S. and Iran discuss a framework on a lasting peace deal.

Even as Western shippers and insurers remain wary of the conflicting signals about how open the Strait of Hormuz really is - after all it was opened once before just to close hours later and remain shut for over a month - Iran is rushing to evacuate barrels it wasn’t able to push past the U.S. blockade over the past two months.

At least three supertankers, carrying a total of 6 million barrels of Iranian crude, moved to transit the Strait of Hormuz early on Monday, in open AIS navigation showing Singaporean waters as a destination, vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed.



That’s the most Iranian crude openly making its way out the key Iranian oil port at Kharg Island and into the Strait of Hormuz in a day since the war began on February 28, according to Bloomberg.

The three tankers seen entering the Strait of Hormuz outbound on Monday were signaling destinations offshore Singapore, a known ship-to-ship (STS) transfer area for Iranian crude before loading on the tankers mostly bound for China’s independent refiners, the so-called teapots.

The surge in Iranian shipments out of the Gulf and into waters near the Malacca and Singapore Straits would give Iran a lifeline to boost its exports that had suffered from the US blockade in the past few weeks.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 21:20

ZeroHedge News
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Flesh-Eating Screwworm Cases Rise To 15 After New Detections In Texas: USDA
Flesh-Eating Screwworm Cases Rise To 15 After New Detections In Texas: USDA

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on June 21 that three more cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm have been detected in Texas, bringing the total in the United States to 15.



The latest cases involved a lamb in Crockett County and two calves in Edwards County, Texas. The USDA said in a post on X that it would immediately begin releasing sterile flies outside the affected areas in Crockett County following the new detection there.

According to the agency, the new cases in Edwards County were expected because they occurred within the current affected areas, where sterile flies were already being released.

“Because a fly’s life cycle is an average of 21 days, it takes multiple reproductive cycles for populations to die off following sterile fly releases,“ it stated.

”As such, we may continue to see cases occur in already affected zones—a sign that our surveillance is working.”

The USDA said it would continue carrying out “aggressive eradication efforts” alongside state partners, including deploying tens of millions of sterile flies each week in and around the infestation area.

On June 11, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of generic nitenpyram for treating New World screwworm infestations in dogs and cats that weigh at least 2 pounds and are more than 3 weeks old. The drug is made by Felix Pharmaceuticals.

Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said in a June 11 statement that the agency has spent nearly a year preparing for the possible arrival of the screwworm in the country.

“As of today, under the Trump administration’s decisive leadership, the FDA has issued ten [emergency use authorizations] and three conditional approvals for drugs to combat this threat, and this count will continue to grow as we receive more animal drug submissions and unleash American regulatory speed,” Diamantas said.

New World screwworms are flesh-eating parasites that infect livestock, wildlife, and, in rarer cases, humans. Screwworm fly maggots burrow into the living tissue of animals, causing severe wounds that can be fatal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least seven people had died from screwworm infections in Central America and Mexico as of Jan. 20.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also deployed all available state resources earlier this month to eradicate screwworms after the first confirmed case in South Texas on June 3.

The screwworm fly was officially eradicated from the United States in 1966 through a strategy primarily involving the release of sterile males, which mated with females, resulting in infertile eggs.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 21:45

BBC Top Stories (International)
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France weather the storm to beat Iraq and sail into last 32
Kylian Mbappe marks his 100th international cap for France with a brace, moving him second on the all-time World Cup goal scoring list with 16 goals. His performance spearheaded a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq, securing France's spot in the last 32 after a two-hour storm delay.

Crowdfund Insider
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Immaculate Ltd operating as UK Claims – Financial Conduct Authority | FCA

Crowdfund Insider
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GoMining Now Supports Bitcoin Payments for Merchants and Digital Wallets
GoMining has released the first-generation software development kit (SDK) and application programming interface (API) for its GoBTC Pay protocol. Announced on June 19, 2026, this update opens the system to merchants, digital wallet providers, and ecosystem partners, enabling them to integrate direct Bitcoin payments into... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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AI’s Targeted Impact on US Jobs : Displacement in High-Risk Roles Expected Amid Muted Broader Effects
The European Central Bank (ECB) has explained in a recent update that artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces worldwide, sparking intense debate about its consequences for employment. While concerns about widespread job losses persist, a recent analysis from the European Central Bank highlights that aggregate effects... Read More

The Hill
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Comcast says service restored after widespread outage
Comcast service has been restored Monday after an outage earlier in the day affected Xfinity customers across the country.

The Hill
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Texas Gov. Abbott: State will seek federal reimbursement for border measures
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Monday that his state will seek federal reimbursement for border security measures taken by the Lone Star State during the Biden administration. "The Trump administration has now opened up the window for us to be able to file for reimbursement of the expenses that we incurred, and we're seeking...

UK Legislation
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The Green Road, Conlig (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

UK Legislation
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The Public Health (Notifiable Diseases – Hantavirus Diseases) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026
This Order extends the list of notifiable diseases specified by the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 to include Hantavirus diseases, including hantavirus pulmonary/cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

UK Legislation
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The Provision of Health Services to Persons Not Ordinarily Resident (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
These Regulations amend the Provision of Health Services to Persons Not Ordinarily Resident Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (“the 2015 Regulations”) which make available, to visitors in Northern Ireland, certain health services under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, at a charge determined by the Department of Health. The 2015 Regulations also provide for various exemptions from charges: some services are always exempt from charge, while some categories of visitor are exempt from charge.

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Doncaster, South Yorkshire) Regulations 2026

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Tech giant Oracle cuts 21,000 jobs as it embraces AI
The cuts are part of a wider trend among tech firms as they spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI.

Deutsche Welle
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Meet Andy Burnham, Britain's likely next prime minister
Now that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation, all eyes are on Andy Burnham. The former mayor of Manchester is seen as the favorite to succeed Starmer to lead the United Kingdom.

Mail Online
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Why the secret to losing weight could be to REDUCE the number of pills you take: Millions are on drugs they don't need. Here's what you must ask your GP about your prescription
This time last year life had become a struggle for Ron Rigby, who was facing a growing number of health problems.

Mail Online
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For the first time in 40 years, a chilling instability has pervaded the Cotswolds. People are knocking millions off their properties. Even the influencers know there's something wrong: NADINE DORRIES
The Cotswolds may be a tourist hotspot thanks to its idyllic countryside, writes NADINE DORRIES, but even this little slice of heaven is reeling under the impact of a Labour Government in turmoil.

Mail Online
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'Single in my 30s' influencer Amelia Liana, has flabbergasted fans by revealing she's secretly MARRIED. Now, insiders tell MOLLY CLAYTON how she cynically hid her man and why she's 'obsessed with creating a fake persona...'
It seemed at times that Amelia Liana had no filter when it came to what she was willing to share about her personal life. But now, some viewers are asking whether that persona was ever the full picture.

Mail Online
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The two players Thomas Tuchel should drop, how to fix wobbly defence and the 'explosive' talent who needs rewarding: Our experts' England starting XIs to beat Ghana - do you agree?
Who gets another chance to make it two from two? And what must change in defence after a shaky display at the back? Here, our experts have picked their teams to beat Ghana. Do you agree?

Mail Online
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Montreal gunman's chilling manifesto revealed as police officer and civilian killed in the shooting are identified: 'Fallen, never forgotten'
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

The Guardian (UK)
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Jordan v Algeria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinThe stadium is slowly starting to fill in San Francisco and the teams have checked out the pitch.Senegal are creating storm of activity on the field at the New Jersey/New York Stadium but in Philadelphia there was a real live storm that delayed France and Iraq by two hours. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Haaland doubles up again as Norway defeat Senegal and seal spot in World Cup last 32
Erling Haaland scored twice ⁠for the second successive World Cup match as Norway beat ⁠Senegal 3-2 ⁠on ​Monday to move level with France on six points at ⁠the top of Group I.Norway went ahead in the 43rd ⁠minute when Kalidou Koulibaly misjudged a clearance ​and substitute ‌Marcus Pedersen drove ‌into the box and beat Edouard ‌Mendy with a firm shot. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘It all ends in Keirs’: what the papers say about Starmer’s resignation
Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister and Andy Burnham’s assumed ascension lead the UK front pages on Tuesday Keir Starmer’s resignation after less than two years in office leads every major paper on Tuesday, but across many front pages, images of the prime minister’s exit are relegated to second place, with the focus already turning to Andy Burnham the newly elected MP for Makerfield and leader-in-waiting.The Guardian leads with an image of Starmer delivering his resignation speech, accompanied by the headline “Starmer bows out … as Burnham sweeps in”. Continue reading...

FlightAware Squawks
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United Airlines Expands Starlink Wi-Fi to Transatlantic Fleet
United Airlines is officially entering a new era of in-flight entertainment on Monday as it launches its first transatlantic widebody flight equipped with high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi.

Mail Online
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Oasis star Liam Gallagher's fiancee sees PR firm profits hit £6.7million
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Some might say that Debbie Gwyther, fiance of Liam Gallagher, can now afford a champagne supernova lifestyle as a result.

The Guardian (UK)
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Jordan v Algeria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinSenegal are creating storm of activity on the field at the New Jersey/New York Stadium but in Philadelphia there was a real live storm that delayed France and Iraq by two hours.Paul MacInnes was there and reports that despite the interruption in Pennsylvania, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq with ease, furthering Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Norway 3-2 Senegal: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm ET/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Jeff12 min Fox commentators Ian Darke and Landon Donovan vouch for the quality of the pitch, with Donovan saying it is adequately slick for an attacker-friendly game.Norway already looking to their bench and signaling about a potentially necessary early sub… Continue reading...

BBC World News
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A brutal gang rape in India revives painful memories of 2012 Delhi assault
The case from Begusarai in Bihar comes close in brutality to that inflicted on a woman during a sexual assault in 2012.

Deutsche Welle
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US: Trump signs new executive orders to boost quantum computing
US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to boost quantum research and strengthen security infrastructure to safeguard data in a post-quantum world.

Mail Online
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Montreal gunman's chilling manifesto revealed as police officer and civilian killed in the shooting are identified: 'Fallen, not forgotten'
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

BBC Technology News
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Tech giant Oracle sheds 21,000 jobs in a year as AI replaces some roles
The cuts are part of a wider trend among tech firms as they spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure.

Mail Online
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Smartwatch-wearing drivers who look at their wrists while behind the wheel could clock up points or be fined, RAC warns
The motoring services company warned that smartwatch owners are 'in the dark' about the rules while driving, which it said were unclear.

The Guardian (UK)
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Jordan v Algeria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail MartinThe Algerian and Jordanian teams have arrived. An hour-and-a-quarter to go until kick-off in this one.There’s a quarter of an hour left in Norway v Senegal in New Jersey. Erling Haaland making things very difficult for Senegal. You can follow the match live with Jeff Reuter: Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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I test ANC headphones for a living, and these are the only 3 pairs I'd recommend on Prime Day — irrespective of the deals on offer

TechRadar News
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Ukrainian hackers breach 'rudimentary' Russian combat control system controlled by Telegram groups

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England boss Tuchel not a fan of hydration breaks
England head coach Thomas Tuchel admits he is not a fan of the controversial hydration breaks being used at the World Cup.

Deutsche Welle
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US: Trump signs new executive orders to boost quantum computing
US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to boost quantum research and strengthen security infrastructure in a post-quantum world.

Mail Online
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The Morning Poll: Should Andy Burnham call a snap general election now that Keir Starmer has resigned?
Should there be a snap general election now that Keir Starmer has resigned?

Mail Online
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New prostate cancer test detects more dangerous tumours than standard PSA screening, study finds
A new test could be more effective at detecting dangerous prostate cancer than current screening methods, a study suggests.

Mail Online
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Trump breaks silence after Keir Starmer's teary exit revealing the 'two problems' that led to his ouster: 'This is not Winston Churchill'
President Donald Trump named the 'two things' he believed tanked the tenure of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while also hammering the leader over the Iran war.

Mail Online
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'Complete lack of respect!' Politicians on all sides condemn Stop Brexit Man Steve Bray as he drowns out Keir Starmer's resignation speech by blasting the EU anthem over speaker
Politicians on all sides condemned Steve Bray for blasting out the EU anthem Ode To Joy on a speaker outside the gates to Downing Street as the Prime Minister spoke.

Mail Online
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Boy, seven, is 'approached and threatened by man' one day after four-year-old 'was abducted' in Dudley: Police probing link
The boy was asked if he wanted to ride the man's bike and, when the child said no, the man threatened him, police added.

Mail Online
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Foster mom accused of swapping child for MONKEY faces vile new claims from daughter: Inside 'house of horrors' where skunks, parrots and coatis roamed among 200 children
The foster mom's firstborn daughter told the Daily Mail that she and her mother's other biological endured unsanitary conditions and lived among a menagerie of animals.

Mail Online
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Lionel Messi was at the focus and thrust of Argentina as he wrote himself into World Cup record books in their 2-0 win over Austria - as excellent Enzo Fernandez shows what Chelsea could soon be missing, writes IAN HERBERT
IAN HERBERT: The numbers reveal an extraordinary consistency. It's 18 goals in 28 World Cup outings, now. He becomes the third player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive games.

Mail Online
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Mother feels like a 'prisoner' in her £2.5million Victorian mansion as neighbours start construction on a five-bed newbuild home
Lorie Williams, 47, is planning on taking legal action over fears the work has destroyed the value of her seven-bedroom £2.5million Victorian mansion in Bromley, south east London.

Mail Online
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Mountain biker left paralysed from the chest down after crashing head-first on expert course sues for £200,000
Dominic Pearson, 39, from Thetford, Norfolk, is claiming compensation from Chicksands Bike Park C.I.C after the 'traumatic' accident on the Snake Run on January 9, 2022.

Mail Online
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Police force which sacked head of hate crime panel over Islam comment spends over £1.4million on 'woke' roles
West Yorkshire Police recently fired the head of a hate crime panel in Bradford after she described Islamic terrorism as the 'elephant in the room' after an attack on a synagogue.

Mail Online
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'First of its kind' drug that delays type 1 diabetes by up to three years is approved by the NHS
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has approved teplizumab, with Diabetes UK saying it 'marks the start of a new age of treatment'.

Mail Online
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I hunted serial killers for decades and missed catching the Yorkshire Ripper by hours... but there was another murderer so evil he haunts me 25 years later. Read it exclusively in The Crime Desk newsletter
Former detective superintendent Bob Bridgestock hunted some of Britain's most despicable predators during his storied 30-year career.

Mail Online
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House Of The Dragon star Olivia Cooke's incredible rise to Hollywood after 'defying working-class Northern odds' - as actress captivates viewers in controversial season three
She grew up in a small town in Oldham, Manchester with dreams she hoped one day would come a reality.

Mail Online
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How men are risking their health using dangerous fat jabs from China to bulk up and raise their 'sexual market value'
'Reta' is from the same family as Ozempic and Mounjaro, but stronger. Known as the 'Godzilla' of skinny jabs, it targets three hunger hormones whereas other drugs on the market only target one or two.

Mail Online
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George Osborne warned me not to back Brexit. But, ten years on, here's why I was right and he was wrong: ALEX BRUMMER
Today, as Britain marks the tenth anniversary of the historic Brexit referendum, the conventional wisdom among the chatterati is that the vote to leave the EU was a terrible, cataclysmic mistake.

Mail Online
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Brit mother, 54, tells of moment she 'smelled burning' while lying next to pool with her autistic son at Dominican Republic resort... only to turn and find it engulfed in flames
A British mother has revealed the 'terrifying' moment her Caribbean holiday turned into 'chaos' as she watched the hotel, where she had been staying with her son, be destroyed in a huge blaze.

Mail Online
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How to protect your money from Andy Burnham: What you can do NOW to fight back against 50 per cent income tax and an inheritance tax raid on pensions
What will a new prime minister mean for our personal finances and what can you do to fight back today?

Mail Online
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Labour accused of using Sir Keir Starmer's resignation to bury bad news about plans to switch off Freeview as early as 2034
In proposals set to be published on Tuesday, ministers will outline plans to turn off digital terrestrial television (DTT) as early as 2034.

Mail Online
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ANDREW NEIL: The radical reforms of Blair and Thatcher are impossible now. That's why, with seven PMs in a decade, even the Italians are laughing at us
How we used to chuckle with such a superior smirk at Italy's chaotic politics, as governments changed with such rapidity it was barely worthwhile learning the latest Italian prime minister's name

Mail Online
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DAN HODGES: Team Burnham's fury at Starmer for refusing to stay on until September. 'Andy's not going to be close to being ready to be Prime Minister'
Last week, a Tory MP and his wife were attending a swish Westminster party when they spotted a figure standing alone and apparently lost in his thoughts. It was Keir Starmer.

Mail Online
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EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Oasis star Liam Gallagher's fiancee sees PR firm profits hit £6.7million
Some might say that Debbie Gwyther, fiance of Liam Gallagher, can now afford a champagne supernova lifestyle as a result.

Mail Online
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Inside Clive Davis's final hours: Tragic last bedside conversations with devoted boy-toy partner... as friends reveal secrets of their 29-year age gap relationship after music exec's 'sudden' death
When Clive Davis was released from a hospital last month after suffering an upper respiratory infection, it seemed that the nonagenarian music industry titan was thankfully on the mend.

Mail Online
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One in five Brits back 'fat jab menus' at restaurants as Ozempic-style drugs change how we eat, study reveals
More than one in four thought restaurants should serve smaller portions to help tackle obesity rates, according to the findings of a study.

Mail Online
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'There are more': Captain who raced to rescue of the Bayesian tells of finding Brit billionaire Mike Lynch's wife clinging to a raft after £30m superyacht capsized - and how she begged for him to keep searching for survivors
Mr Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and five others perished after the Bayesian went down close to the fishing village of Porticello, Sicily, in August 2024.

Mail Online
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Just when mum thought she had FINALLY found a moment for herself... Meet seven-month-old giant panda Rio
Satrio Wiratama, known as Rio, was the first panda cub born in Indonesia , conceived through artificial insemination from a couple brought to the country from China.

Mail Online
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A new annual levy on land, 'death tax' to pay for social care and public control of the water industry. What policies would Andy Burnham implement as Prime Minister?
Questions are mounting for Andy Burnham over what policies he would implement if he becomes Prime Minister within weeks.

Mail Online
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Moment car ploughs into crowd before fleeing scene - injuring six: Police hunting 'hit-and-run' driver
This is the moment a car ploughs into a crowd in east London, injuring six, before fleeing the scene.

Mail Online
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Inside Anne Hathaway's incredible comeback as pregnant star, 43, is tipped for multiple Oscar nods after bouncing back from 'humiliating' 'Hatha-hate' campaign to cancel her
In the early 2010s Anne suffered from a wave of online hate so vitriolic that it spawned the name 'Hatha-hate', and resulted in her losing film roles.

Mail Online
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'Fully grown men following a boy and a girl - it was scary, and it was daily': THEO WALCOTT on running from paparazzi as a 16-year-old, his fears for current stars being hounded online and why he shouldn't have gone to 2006 World Cup
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Theo Walcott can still picture the paparazzi. Photographers parking up and spending the whole night outside of his family home in the tiny Berkshire village of Compton.

Mail Online
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Moment thief on e-bike snatches phone from woman's hands as she walks down central London pavement on a Sunday morning
The shocking moment an e-bike rider snatches a woman's phone as she walks down a pavement in central London has been caught on camera.

Mail Online
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QUENTIN LETTS: Echoes of Shakespeare... with TV beaming live footage of Burnham's train ride to destiny
Five hours after Sir Keir Starmer's watery resignation speech, Andy Burnham swanned into the Commons to take his seat. The chamber was rammed... 'Rome is saved!' cried one MP

Mail Online
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CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Millionaire Superyacht: Why Ships Sink - 'There is much more to the Bayesian yacht tragedy that this show ignored'
What are the chances? Two super-rich entrepreneurs win a court battle over a multi-billion-dollar business dispute - but, weeks later, they die one day apart in bizarre, unrelated accidents.

Mail Online
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Starmer's swansong faces being gatecrashed as Nato officials demand to know where Burnham stands on defence
The would-be Prime Minister has so far been vague on how he plans to keep the country safe and what he would do over the black hole in military funding.

Mail Online
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Starmer versus reality: His speech had so many startling boasts you wondered why he was forced out. Here's our fact check...
Sir Keir Starmer used his resignation speech to reel off a series of dubious boasts and half-truths about his 'achievements' in office.

Mail Online
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They think it's ale over! England fans arrive in Boston to find departing Tartan Army has drunk the city's beer supplies...
England fans have descended on Boston chanting 'we'll drink all your beer' - only to discover thirsty Scotland supporters have left the city almost completely dry.

Mail Online
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Now even a Labour grandee calls for a general election: Ex-home secretary Alan Johnson says Burnham must 'restore trust'
Former home secretary Alan Johnson warned the ex-mayor of Greater Manchester against making the same 'mistake' as Gordon Brown when he took over from Tony Blair in 2007.

Mail Online
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Smartwatch-wearing drivers risk clocking up points while behind the wheel, RAC warns
The motoring services company warned that smartwatch owners are 'in the dark' about the rules while driving, which it said were unclear.

Mail Online
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Sydney Airport chaos as passenger allegedly tells a flight attendant he has a BOMB just before the plane takes off
AFP officers descended on a Turkish Airlines plane on Sunday after the alleged bomb threat.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: enable_async_append
Async append lets the planner fan out queries across remote shards in parallel instead of one at a time, but it's a diagnostic switch, not a tuning knob.

Telegraph
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Mbappe one goal shy of Messi record after France beat Iraq in four-hour game
Mbappe one goal shy of Messi record after France beat Iraq in four-hour game

Gizmodo
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Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs in One Year, Blames AI For at Least Some
It's using AI internally, and spending money to support AI everywhere else.

Gizmodo
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WhatsApp Is Getting A New CEO From The Fintech World
Will Cathcart is stepping down after seven years leading WhatsApp.

Mail Online
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Montreal gunman's chilling manifesto revealed as police officer killed in the shooting is identified: 'Fallen, not forgotten'
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

ZDNet News
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I got a Fire TV Stick this Prime Day - here are other streaming deals I'm watching
With Amazon Prime Day dropping prices left and right, this is a great time to buy a streaming device, and these prices are hard to beat.

ZDNet News
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This tablet solved my biggest smart home problem - and it just hit an all-time low price
The Amazon Echo Hub is down 39% with a Prime Day deal that has dropped its price to the lowest we've seen.

ZDNet News
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This 4TB Samsung external SSD is the last one you'll ever need - and it's 32% off
This tiny rubberized SSD offers 4TB of external storage with blazing-fast transfer speeds.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
The note from the possible kidnappers reportedly stated that they did not mean for her to die and included an apology to the family.

The Hill
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Federal judge blocks bans on SNAP use for soda
A federal judge has blocked bans on the usage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for soda enacted by the Trump administration. “Congress defined what ‘food’ is supposed to be, and it did not authorize the agency to amend or waive the definition it enacted. It did not authorize the agency to cut types...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump says he’s gonna sue ABC News and here’s why… [VIDEO]
President Trump just revealed that he’s suing ABC News again, this time for fake news about the Reflecting Pool. In describing the Vandalism that took place at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, . . .

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I RECAP: Kylian Mbappe's brace and an Ousmane Dembele goal give Les Bleus' victory - as game is delayed by over TWO HOURS due to 'lightning activity'
Relive Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Lost memoir of Hiroshima survivor found after decades in US archive
Written in 1947, Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s account of the horrors of the atomic bomb attack will be published in August and is being made into a filmThe memoir of a man who survived the horrors of Hiroshima is to be published for the first time this summer after its discovery in a US archive.The 230-page memoir was written almost 80 years ago by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, who witnessed the city’s destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. He will now be portrayed in a major feature film by Takehiro Hira, whose acclaimed roles include the detective in the Netflix Japanese-British drama Giri/Haji. Pre-production begins in November, ahead of the shoot in February 2027. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Two-hour storm break fails to stop France as Mbappé and Dembélé prove too good for Iraq
Could France do it on a hot, humid, waterlogged and lightning-threatened night in Pennsylvania? The answer was pretty straightforward. Despite an interruption of over two hours after a chain of severe thunderstorms disrupted play at Philadelphia Stadium, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq, and furthered Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process.The France captain got another two goals on the night, the first a rip-snorter from outside the box after a period of dominance, the second a tap in after disastrous defending from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé got the third, his first goal at a major tournament, while Didier Deschamps, who had already made three changes to keep his side fresh, was also able to retire Dembélé and Michael Olise on the hour, preserving them for more taxing contests. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: ‘Our patience is not endless’ – Kyiv signals peace offer may expire
Full and unconditional ceasefire is a major compromise that Ukraine might ‘recalibrate and modify’, says UN envoy. What we know on day 1,581Ukraine may revise its ceasefire offer to Russia if the UN security council fails to pass a resolution urging a full and ⁠unconditional end to ⁠the ​hostilities, Kyiv’s envoy to the UN has warned. Ukraine had changed ​the dynamic in the war with recent strikes, said Andrii Melnyk, adding that some 40% of Russia’s oil refineries had been damaged.Melnyk told a security council session that Ukraine stoody ready for direct negotiations with Russia but “our patience is not endless”. “If the security council would further choose a wait-and-see approach, I cannot exclude that Ukraine may recalibrate and modify its offer. Ceasefire along the de facto ‌front line is already a great compromise.”The envoy’s statement reflects growing confidence that Ukraine’s war effort is on the front foot, with Russian cities starved of fuel supplies and a “middle strike” campaign seriously disrupting supply lines to Moscow’s occupying forces. The campaign’s success has prompted Russian-held Crimea to halt civilian gasoline sales, Pjotr Sauer writes. All summer camps in illegally annexed Crimea on Monday stopped accepting children and new bookings until 1 September for security reasons, said Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of the illegally occupied peninsula. Aviation authorities temporarily closed Moscow’s four airports on Monday as air defences battled a wave of Ukrainian drones.Ukraine’s military said it ⁠hit a plant producing electronics for missiles in Russia’s border Voronezh region on Monday and the Russian region’s governor said five people ⁠were killed and ⁠dozens injured ​in the attack. The Ukrainian general staff said precision air-launched cruise missiles hit the facility, which ⁠it described as a “critical component” in Russia’s defence production, making parts for missiles including the Iskander.Russia’s Dubna satellite communications ⁠centre ⁠in ​the Moscow region was also hit, the Ukrainian general ⁠staff said. Russia’s state-run Tass news agency reported “a massive drone attack by the Ukrainian armed forces”. A top Ukrainian drone maker, General Cherry, meanwhile said that one of its factories had been hit – a rare disclosure.In the early hours of Tuesday the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was put on air raid alert as authorities told people ⁠to seek shelter. Two people sought medical ⁠help after Russian forces struck the south-eastern ​region of ‌Zaporizhzhia, said the governor, Ivan ‌Fedorov. Three more ‌people were wounded in Sumy, in the north, late on Monday, emergency services said. A drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv left one woman wounded, ‌said the mayor, Ihor Terekhov.Earlier a Russian drone strike on Sumy in north-eastern Ukraine killed three members of one family, including a 13-year-old boy. “Their home was destroyed,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president. “An ordinary home – not a military target whatsoever.” The attack also wounded two others, regional military head Oleh Hryhorov said on Monday.A Russian nighttime drone strike also killed a woman and wounded three people, including an 11-year-old boy, in the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, regional head Ivan Fedorov said on Monday. Russia has continuously targeted Ukrainian civilian areas with drones and missiles, and the UN reports more than 16,000 civilian deaths in the war. Recent attacks have increased civilian casualties, with May seeing the highest monthly total since April 2022: at least 274 civilians killed and 1,763 injured.A Russian drone attack hit a ship in the Black Sea, starting a fire and killing its Egyptian cook, said the Ukrainian deputy prime minister Oleksii Kuleba. Eight other sailors, including citizens of Turkey and India, abandoned ship on a life raft while the vessel “sustained significant damage and lost seaworthiness”, Kuleba said. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Police officer killed in Montreal shooting is identified as gunman's chilling anti-feminist manifesto revealed
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

The Register
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OpenAI: Yoo-hoo, look over here, we do that security stuff too!
A plethora of pwn-prevention, including a 'Patch The Planet' pledge

The Register
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Sniff out stale AI override advice with this open source CLI
Package dependencies can create vulnerabilities that are fiendishly hard to find and stamp out

Russia Today News
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Starmer turned UK into ‘authoritarian hellhole’ – George Galloway

Mail Online
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Montreal gunman's chilling anti-feminist manifesto revealed as police officer killed in the shooting is IDed
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

The Guardian (UK)
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France 3-0 Iraq after two-hour storm delay at World Cup 2026 – as it happened
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimAnd here’s our reporter at the game, Paul MacInnes. “Ground already packed for a match that has been highly anticipated in Philly,” he writes. “The French are here is big numbers (I followed a load of them to the ground today) but the Iraqi contingent is hardly to be sniffed at. They’ve packed out the stand behind one goal, and have been visible all over the city for the past few days.“Just quickly, but the pre-match has been a weird one. Big load of load music and two hype merchants in the stands getting everyone up. But not all attempts have proven equal. There was a big cheer for the players as the teams were read out (and especially Mbappé) but not so much interaction when the call went up for everyone to ‘Join us in a round of applause for peace!’. I can only imagine Gianni Infantino will be saddened when he hears the news.” Continue reading...

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe's brace and an Ousmane Dembele goal give Les Bleus' victory - as game is delayed by over TWO HOURS due to 'lightning activity'
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ransom note claimed Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
The note from the possible kidnappers reportedly stated that they did not mean for her to die and included an apology to the family.

F1 Technical
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Red Bull set to introduce major upgrade package at Spielberg
Red Bull will arrive at the Austrian Grand Prix with a significant upgrade package for the RB22 — but the team has already admitted that the new parts will not be enough to close the gap to Formula One’s current frontrunners.

Digital Trends
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Samsung’s new UFS 5.0 chip brings faster on-device AI and longer battery life for your smartphone
Samsung unveiled its fastest UFS 5.0 storage chip yet, reaching transfer speeds of 10.8GB per second for faster on-device AI performance.

TechRadar News
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The top 5 subscription-free home security cameras, tested and recommended by home tech experts

TechRadar News
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How to watch Jordan vs Algeria: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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The Elite Workspace: 12 luxury Prime Day upgrades for a timeless office

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham is 'fuming' after David and Victoria's Father's Day posts as he 'wishes they would leave him alone'
Brooklyn Beckham has reportedly been left fuming after David and Victoria included their eldest son in their Father's Day posts on Sunday. 

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These 6 fast-growing stocks sit at the cutting edge of space and military technology
In the wake of the SpaceX IPO, investors can expect global communications and AI data processing — both via satellites — to be important themes for many years.

ZeroHedge News
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Ron Paul: Trump's Attempt To End The Iran War Infuriates The Uniparty
Ron Paul: Trump's Attempt To End The Iran War Infuriates The Uniparty

Authored by Ron Paul

Against the odds, the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the US and Iran appears to be holding, after threats and counter-threats. It may collapse, but it has survived a first round of talks between the two sides in Switzerland over the weekend.

President Trump started a war on Iran against all sober guidance and in violation of the US Constitution's requirement that only Congress can declare war. There must be a reckoning for our elected leaders who violate their oath of office, the Constitution, and simple common sense.

However, what is more telling is the reaction when President Trump finally took the correct move and attempted to end the war. The neocons who had hailed him as a great leader – Levin, Bolton, Pompeo, etc. – suddenly turned against him when he turned against further escalation of the war.
via CNN

Even Trump’s top funder, Miriam Adelson, attacked Trump in her newspaper Israel Hayom. "You could have been the greatest president of all, but you failed," the newspaper wrote in an editorial.

Not much gratitude from the Israel-first crowd, even if the war was started to benefit Israel.

And more telling even than this was the reaction of the "opposition" party in Congress, the Democrats. They attacked him harder for ending – or at least pausing – the war more than for starting the war in the first place!

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called the MOU a "capitulation." Sen Chris Murphy (D-CT) called the MOU an "embarrassing document." Sen. Amy Klobuchar falsely claimed that President Trump was paying Iran $300 billion to re-open Hormuz.

This is more evidence – as if any is needed – that our foreign policy is run by the "uniparty." When it comes to wars, there is no Republican Party nor is there a Democratic Party. There is only the "yes!" party.

Congress remains silent in the run-up to war. Congress remains silent when the President launches a war. Congress even remains silent when the war begins going badly. It is only on those rare occasions that a president takes steps to correct his mistake that Congress finds its voice.

Yes, there is plenty to criticize. After weekend talks, the US side, led by Vice President JD Vance, is celebrating as a "breakthrough" that the Strait of Hormuz is open again and that Iran has reportedly agreed to the return of UN inspectors. But the Strait was open before this war and UN inspectors were in Iran before President Trump unilaterally pulled out of the JCPOA "Iran Deal" in his first term.

The only difference now is that we burned through likely several hundred billion dollars, we lost dozens of aircraft and other military equipment, and we likely lost more service members than the Pentagon is admitting.

It is a reminder of why the Founders intended to make sure that any war must be declared by the people’' Representatives before the first bullet is shot: it should be very hard to launch wars.

Nevertheless, those who are truly against the wars should, in my opinion, hold their fire for the time being in hope that a lasting resolution can be found. The President is being attacked from all sides by the war party. Now may not be the best time for the peace party to join in.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 18:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
China Gold Imports Soar To Two Year High, As Hong Kong Gold Bar Imports Surge Ahead Of Clearing System Launch
China Gold Imports Soar To Two Year High, As Hong Kong Gold Bar Imports Surge Ahead Of Clearing System Launch

China’s monthly gold imports reached their highest in more than two years in May, showing the world’s biggest buyer’s appetite for bullion remained resilient as prices remained under pressure; the number prompted some to scratch their heads as to where all this gold is going in light of tepid official central bank purchases, coupled with the lowest gold withdrawals from the Shanghai Gold Exchange since the covid outbreak. 

As Bloomberg reports, imports were around 163 tons last month, the highest since March 2024, according to customs data released on Saturday. Volumes for the first five months of 2026 were about 692 tons, up by about 76% from a year earlier. 



Chinese demand for physical bullion bars, as well as metal linked to gold accumulation plans (low-barrier products that allow investors to buy gold incrementally), have been among the main drivers of the surge, said Song Jiangzhen, a researcher at the Guangzhou Southern Gold Market Academy. 

China also started implementing a new import licensing regime for gold from June 1, with certain banks facing fewer restrictions. But the change may have prompted some banks to use up their existing quotas before the new system began, Song said.

Curiously, in its latest official monthly update, China's central banb, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) only increased its gold reserves by nearly 10 tonnes last month, its 19th consecutive month of bullion purchases. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) announced on Sunday that China's official gold reserves rose by 320,000 troy ounces or 9.95 tonnes in May to a total of 74.96 million troy ounces or 2331.52 tonnes.

China's total foreign exchange reserves rose to $3.4422 trillion at the end of May, increasing by $31.7 billion or 0.93% from April. This is the highest level for China’s FX reserves since November 2015; they have remained above $3.3 trillion for the past 10 months.

SAFE attributed the growth of reserves to a number of factors, including a firmer US Dollar Index and rising global asset prices, adding that China's sound economic momentum has underpinned the stability of its reserves.

Experts have noted that China's rising foreign exchange reserves are closely linked to the country’s export performance.  China's total foreign trade in the first four months of 2026 rose to $2.39 trillion, an increase of 14.9% year-on-year, with exports rising by 11.3% percent to $1.37 trillion and imports rising 20% percent to $1.01 trillion, according to the latest data from China's General Administration of Customs

According to the latest central bank gold purchase tracker from Goldman, of the 59 tonnes of gold purchased by central bank in April, China's PBOC was estimated to have bought 24 tonnes of gold, or well below the recent pace of imports which are about 5x greater. While the pace of central bank gold purchases has moderated to ~50 tonnes/month on a 3-month (seasonally adjusted) and 12-month moving average basis, Goldman views the ongoing diversification trend as structural.



Goldman remains bullish on gold, with continued central bank diversification the main structural driver of the bank's constructive base case for gold prices, contributing 9% to its forecast for appreciation by Dec26. As we highlighted last week, a recent World Gold Council survey supports Goldman's optimistic view: a record 45% of the 76 central banks surveyed between February and May expect to increase their own gold reserves over the next 12 months, while ~90% expect global reserves to rise with the remainder expecting broadly stable holdings. As a result, Goldman assumes continued central bank accumulation of 50t/month in 2026 and 40t/month in 2027.



Meanwhile, as Kitco notes, China’s domestic gold market has shown definite signs of cooling in recent weeks. 

“Amid heightened market uncertainty, gold ETFs have seen an overall reduction in assets under management, with several funds experiencing significant net outflows,” noted a report from Gelonghui Finance. “As of June 3, 14 gold ETFs recorded combined net outflows exceeding RMB 10 billion [$1.48 billion] over the past month.”

“The previously widely accepted investment view of 'buying on dips amid falling gold prices' has started to face divergence under current volatile market conditions,” they added.

Gold prices have retreated by about a quarter from the record highs reached in January, weighed down by EM selling (most notably Turkey in the early days of the Iran war), and global inflation fears amid the war in the Middle East which have pushed the US dollar sharply higher. While strong buying from Chinese consumers was a key catalyst for the January frenzy, domestic demand has since moderated, but without a major slump.

Adding to the mathematical mystery, the latest numbers from the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) showed that gold withdrawals in May totaled only 63.5 tonnes – the lowest level since February of 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, and around half of what they were in March of this year. Industry professionals told Gelonghui Finance that “while short-term gold price volatility may persist, the core rationale supporting gold’s strategic allocation value remains intact over the medium to long term.”

In other words, there appears to be a gap between near record imports, tepid official central bank demand, and muted gold withdrawals from the SGE. 

This is not a new development: as we documented previously, China is well known for indicating just modest central bank purchases, even as total Chinese purchases of gold on the London OTC market are orders of magnitude higher. 


China reported 5 tonnes of gold purchases in February (160k oz per PBOC).
China actually bought 50 tonnes of gold in February (per GS) pic.twitter.com/oQifGszNcQ
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) April 13, 2025
Separately, Bloomberg also reported that at least four of the 11 banks participating in Hong Kong’s new gold clearing system are importing large bullion bars in preparation for the mechanism’s planned launch in July.

Traders are receiving orders from some of the clearing banks to move 400-ounce gold bars into the city, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter. The bars meet the London Good Delivery industry standard.

The 400-ounce bars are typically traded by banks and sovereign entities in London, the world’s largest bullion trading hub, but are less common in the Asian market, which is dominated by much smaller kilobars. The banks need to build up inventories to allow for physical delivery when clearing begins next month.



By launching its gold clearing system, Hong Kong is securing first-mover advantage in a push to become Asia’s preeminent hub for bullion trading. Last week, Singapore announced its own plans to launch a clearing mechanism by the end of the year.

Both cities are aiming to capitalize on strong demand in Asia, where many investors remain bullish about the long-term prospects for the precious metal as an alternative store of wealth despite the recent drop in price as the war in the Middle East fanned concerns around inflation and higher interest rates.

In an emailed response to questions, a spokesperson for the government agency behind the system, known as the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, said the clearing company had been “working closely with the market to formulate the framework and rules of the clearing system” and that preparatory work had entered its final stage.



Eleven banks are on the board of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company. Some of these lenders will become clearing banks from the launch, whereas others will take longer to build up their bullion capacity. While Hong Kong plans to start by using the London Good Delivery standard, its future plans are still to be decided, the people said.

In Singapore, the clearing system will be aligned with the London Good Delivery framework for large bars, as well as delivery and settlement standards for kilobars adopted by major exchanges in Chicago and Shanghai.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 18:50

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Waymo Recalls Robotaxis After Cars Drive Into Construction Zones
Waymo Recalls Robotaxis After Cars Drive Into Construction Zones

Authored by Jill McLaughlin via The Epoch Times,

Waymo has recalled its entire fleet of vehicles after some of its driverless cars were caught speeding into freeway construction zones.



The voluntary recall on June 13 of the California-based tech company’s 3,871 vehicles is to fix its 5th-generation Automated Driving System (ADS) software so that it will recognize and avoid construction zones.

“Waymo’s mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver, and the data shows that we’re making roads safer in the communities in which we operate,” a Waymo spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) estimates that the entire fleet carries the software defect, according to the agency’s safety report.

“Under certain circumstances the [autonomous vehicles] may enter and drive at speed in freeway construction zones due to inappropriately prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards and/or failing to recognize the construction zone,” NHTSA stated in the report.

Waymo investigated one such incident on April 11 and five on April 19 in which Waymo cars autonomously drove past ramp closure signs into freeway construction zones in Phoenix, Arizona, according to the report.

The company’s field safety committee implemented driving restrictions on April 20 until more improvements could be made, according to the report.

On May 18, seven Waymo vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area entered freeway lanes in construction zones by driving between cones designating the lane’s closure. In this case, the software did not prioritize avoiding the other freeway hazards or failed to recognize the construction zone.

The safety committee put restrictions in place after the May incident, Waymo reported.

The recall is a notice of the company’s intent to improve its software and address the problems.

Waymo voluntarily restricted freeway operations in May while making improvements to the software to avoid other freeway hazards.

No collisions or injuries were reported as a result of the construction zone incidents. The company started offering public riders trips using freeways last November in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix areas.



The 5th-generation Waymo Driver on the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE. Waymo

This is Waymo’s second full-fleet recall this year.

In May, the U.S. Transportation Department issued a recall of Waymo’s 3,791 vehicles after one of its vehicles drove into a flooded and impassable road in San Antonio, Texas, and was swept away despite the car detecting that the road might be impassable.

The company notified federal and state regulators before filing a voluntary federal software recall that was published by the NHTSA, according to a company spokesperson.

New Ojai Rides

On May 28, Waymo rolled out its newest vehicle—the Ojai—featuring its 6th-generation technology serving riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

The boxy, baby blue robotaxi is a fully electric and designed to be fully autonomous. The vehicle is designed for full accessibility with braille and screen readers.



The 6th-generation Waymo Driver is integrated into the all-electric Ojai. Waymo

The doors open like an elevator and the cabin is meant to feel like a “living room on wheels” with large LED screens and customizable temperatures and music, Waymo said.

Waymo plans to expand Ojai’s service area to include Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego before opening it to more cities later this year, according to the company.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 19:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Biden Judge Sparkle Sooknanan Blocks Trump Admin SAVE Act Database
Biden Judge Sparkle Sooknanan Blocks Trump Admin SAVE Act Database

A Biden-appointed federal judge - who quit her previous job as partner at the Jones Day law firm because they did work for the 1st Trump administration - just ruled against the administration's plan to create a database to verify citizenship to be able to vote in US elections. 



Judge Sparkle Sooknanan ruled on Monday that officials across several government agencies "haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable," in order to comply with the Trump administration's attempts to implement election integrity measures. 

A March executive order directed the Social Security Administration (SSA) to create a “State Citizenship List” derived from its data, naturalization records and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, an existing database maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is used to determine eligibility for federal programs.

Since the EO, said Sooknanan, "states have partnered with the federal government to access the database and are actively removing United States citizens from voter rolls based on inaccurate information," she wrote in her 75-page ruling. 

"All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote. This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens," she continued. 

According to Sooknanan - ruling in favor of the League of Women voters, efforts to establish the database were unlawful - and violated the Social Security Act, Privacy Act and Administrative Procedure Act.


BREAKING: We just won a court order blocking the Trump-Vance admin’s attempt to haphazardly consolidate Americans’ sensitive data into a massive government database.
This protects millions from baseless investigations and unlawful voter roll purges – a critical win for voting… pic.twitter.com/cZxduqtqRi
— Democracy Forward (@DemocracyFwd) June 22, 2026
Reacting to the ruling, far-left organization Democracy Now wrote "This protects millions from baseless investigations and unlawful voter roll purges – a critical win for voting rights." 

Meanwhile, DHS general counsel James Percival said on X: "t’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist. Judge Sparkle Soknanan’s latest ruling preventing DHS from addressing alien voting is just the latest example." 


It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist. Judge Sparkle Soknanan’s latest ruling preventing DHS from addressing alien voting is just the latest example!
— James Percival (@DHSGenCounsel) June 22, 2026

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 19:40

ZDNet News
Open 
The base model Kindle is my summer reading secret weapon - and it's on sale
The base model Kindle is discounted during Amazon Prime Day. Buy one for under $100.

The Hill
Open 
Interior moves to relax rules for drilling on public lands
The Trump administration is proposing to relax rules to make it easier for companies to drill for oil and gas on public lands. The Interior Department, which oversees federal lands, said that it would propose to loosen two Biden-era regulations that sought to rein in planet-warming methane and ensure that energy companies are on the...

The Hill
Open 
Nancy Guthrie ransom note says she is 'buried with nature', source said
Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 2026.

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING: Tucker Carlson said he’s DONE with Republican Party
Well it’s about time. Tucker Carlson says he’s finally done with the Republican Party, according to Axios. Here’s the news: Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson says he’s “out” of the Republican Party moving . . .

Mail Online
Open 
Furnace set to bring Britain to a standstill as country prepares for 'hottest day ever': Rail networks warn against travel as schools and offices get ready to close for 40C heatwave
The Met Office yesterday issued a rare red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces road, rail and air travel chaos.

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe doubles Les Bleus' lead with his second goal - as game is delayed by over TWO HOURS at half-time due to 'lightning activity'
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Norway v Senegal: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm ET/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Jeff12 min Fox commentators Ian Darke and Landon Donovan vouch for the quality of the pitch, with Donovan saying it is adequately slick for an attacker-friendly game.Norway already looking to their bench and signaling about a potentially necessary early sub… Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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DEA ‘sat back and watched’ as fentanyl flooded New Mexico – AP

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe doubles Les Bleus' lead with his second goal - as match is delayed by over TWO HOURS at half-time due to 'lightning activity'
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

BBC UK News
Open 
Can you refuse to work or send your kids to school during a heatwave?
As temperatures increase significantly over the next few days, these are your rights.

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe blasts Les Bleus ahead with long-range stunner - with second half delayed by over TWO HOURS due to nearby 'lightning activity'
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Norway v Senegal: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm ET/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Jeff1 min They’re off and trotting in East Rutherford! Plenty to play for between Group I’s teams drawn from Pots 2 and 3.One fanbase will row their viking ship, the other is bound to keep a lively atmosphere. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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France v Iraq: match resumes after two-hour storm delay at World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimAnd here’s our reporter at the game, Paul MacInnes. “Ground already packed for a match that has been highly anticipated in Philly,” he writes. “The French are here is big numbers (I followed a load of them to the ground today) but the Iraqi contingent is hardly to be sniffed at. They’ve packed out the stand behind one goal, and have been visible all over the city for the past few days.“Just quickly, but the pre-match has been a weird one. Big load of load music and two hype merchants in the stands getting everyone up. But not all attempts have proven equal. There was a big cheer for the players as the teams were read out (and especially Mbappé) but not so much interaction when the call went up for everyone to ‘Join us in a round of applause for peace!’. I can only imagine Gianni Infantino will be saddened when he hears the news.” Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
US waives Iran oil sanctions citing progress in talks
US officials have cited ongoing negotiations on allowing nuclear inspections and opening the Strait of Hormuz in pausing sanctions for 60 days. JD Vance said a "foundation" is in place for a final deal.

Mail Online
Open 
Montreal gunman's chilling anti-feminist manifesto revealed as witnesses recall terrifying moments after shooting that left police officer dead
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Fears 1,000 LGBT veterans could miss gay ban compensation deadline
Charities are urging any veterans who haven't yet registered for the scheme to come forward.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11923 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - NEWCASTLE (WMNEW) - 13850 (New)
All customers connected via NEWCASTLE (WMNEW) exchange are without service. We are raising a fault with our backhaul supplier for investigation.

Further updates will be posted here when available.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 22:38

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 02:00

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 22:56

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11923 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - NEWCASTLE (WMNEW) - 13850 (Close)
Our supplier has rebooted a core device to restore the service.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 22:38

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 02:00

Clear: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 00:34

Edited: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 00:34

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
First drug to delay onset of type 1 diabetes made available on NHS
The immunotherpay can give children and adults three extra years before they need to use insulin.

TechRadar News
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Hurry, EOFY 2026 sales end in a week — shop these 74 handpicked deals on laptops, phones, appliances and more before June 30

TechRadar News
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Best Buy's rival Prime Day sale has unbelievable TV deals that you won't find on Amazon — shop 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs from $99.99

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My favorite gaming laptop deals right now cost less than a Steam Machine — get an RTX 5070, RTX 5060, and more for under $1,000

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The top 3 Breville coffee makers I'm looking out for on Amazon Prime Day as a trained barista

TechRadar News
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NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #842)

TechRadar News
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NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #1108)

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Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #1611)

TechRadar News
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A server within a server: HP packs 81,920 CPU cores, up to 1.28PB RAM into one 42U rack using 80 multi-node motherboards — unannounced Venice is likely to be the fastest x86 CPU ever produced

TechRadar News
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Lego Prime Day deals are already live — 23 deals worth snapping up across Star Wars, Technic, Botanical, and Disney sets

Mail Online
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Montreal gunman's chilling anti-feminist manifesto revealed as witnesses recalling horrifying moments after shooting
An armed and dangerous shooter opened fire in Montreal, Canada on Monday morning. A male police officer and a citizen were killed in the attack. A female officer was left injured.

Slashdot
Open 
Microsoft Accidentally Breaks Replying To an Email On Outlook
Microsoft has accidentally introduced a bug in Outlook for Mac that omits the original message from email replies, making it difficult for recipients to follow conversation history. Until Microsoft releases a fix, its suggested workaround is to roll back from version 16.110 and disable automatic updates, which is "great for users in full control of their devices -- not so good for anyone with a managed device," notes The Register. "Administrators with fleets of Macs running Outlook should brace for helpdesk tickets." From the report: In some instances, having a user copy and paste the salient bits of the email they are responding to might not be such a bad thing. We've all had emails that required epic amounts of scrolling to find what started the conversation, so forcing users to think about what they actually need to include is no bad thing. However, disrupting user workflows without warning -- well, that is undoubtedly a bad thing.

This is, after all, one of the most basic things an email client needs to do, so shipping a product with a bug that breaks this functionality says more about Microsoft's approach to quality than anything else.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How 100 Romanian hospitals switched to pen and paper to defeat a national cyber-attack
For four days, dozens of Romanian hospitals went offline, as cyber-experts sought to defeat the hackers.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Papers: 'Keir's tears... Andy's crown' and 'Messiah without a mandate'
Sir Keir Starmer's resignation and Andy Burnham's "coronation" lead Tuesday's papers.

Russia Today News
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Lebanon should be Israel’s ‘playground’ – minister

The Verge
Open 
Nvidia says its AI data center design runs hotter to use a lot less water
Public pushback against data centers has emphasized their water and energy consumption, and now Nvidia is highlighting its claim that the Rubin generation reference design for a fully liquid-cooled data center has "eliminated massive amounts of power usage and pretty much all water usage." Still, it doesn't address all of the concerns around AI data […]

Gizmodo
Open 
Trump Just Signed Two Executive Orders Aimed at Hastening the Arrival of the Quantum Computing Era
The order creates a policy framework for moves that had already been made.

UK Government News
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Support for the Deafblind community grows with new funding to assess specialist interpreters, back by the UK government
Thousands of Deafblind people across the country will benefit from improved access to communication support.

Mail Online
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Man, 36, is charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh 'after men stabbed following prayers at mosque'
Lewis Hawkes, 36, faced five allegations of attempted murder and three of assault and robbery when he appeared at a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Is watching England in the World Cup bad for your health?
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?

Mail Online
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Thunderstorms batter heatwave Britain ahead of 'hottest day ever': Hosepipe ban announced with 40C furnace set to bring country to a standstill with rails buckled and schools and offices closed
The Met Office yesterday issued a rare red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces road, rail and air travel chaos.

Wired Top Stories
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A Source of Mysterious Repeating Radio Signals From Space Has Been Identified
Researchers say the discovery could be a “Rosetta stone” for cosmic signals.

The Hill
Open 
Senate overwhelmingly passes sweeping bipartisan housing affordability bill
The Senate on Monday overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering housing costs, sending the legislation to the House. The rare show of near-unanimous support comes as lawmakers hustle to score wins on affordability that they can trumpet back home during a midterm campaign cycle that has focused heavily on rising costs. The bill,...

The Hill
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Pentagon set to sell GOP lawmakers on funding goals 
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Pentagon set to sell GOP lawmakers on funding goals Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to give a classified briefing to a group of House Republicans on military funding goals on Wednesday. © Greg Nash The briefing...

The Hill
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GOP senator circulates plan to discuss government shutdown strategy with Trump
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, is circulating a plan among Senate Republicans to avoid another government shutdown later this year so that they can discuss it when President Trump meets with GOP senators Wednesday. Scott, who invited Trump to lunch in the Capitol, says Democrats are unlikely to help...

Techdirt
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‘News’ Site Keeps Hallucinating EFF Staffers
What do EFF staffers Sarah Chen, Javier Morales, Caitlin Chin, Emma Rodriguez, and Mikko Kopponen have in common?  For one thing, they don’t exist.  For another, all have been quoted as EFF experts in articles published in the past two months on a site called News-USA Today, which describes itself as “an independent news publisher focused on clear, accurate, and useful journalism.”  Uh…  (Please […]

The Right Scoop
Open 
AWESOME BREAKING: MLB backs down from threatening to punish players for displaying verses during pride night
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The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Julián Alvarez sparks transfer frenzy by telling Atlético Madrid he wants to leave
Argentina forward wants to ‘fulfil dream’ by departingBarcelona, Real Madrid and PSG linked with 26-year-oldJulián Alvarez has said he wants to ⁠leave Atlético Madrid to “fulfil his dream” following reported interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid ⁠and Paris Saint-⁠Germain.“I ​spoke with people at the club [Atlético], with those I had to speak with, ⁠and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil ⁠my dream,” Alvarez said after Argentina’s World Cup Group ​J win over Austria. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Clive Davis predicted music’s biggest stars like no one else | Alexis Petridis
The legendary music executive signed everyone from Patti Smith to Barry Manilow and changed the industry foreverClive Davis: music industry executive who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen dies aged 94Clive Davis: a life in pictures from Diana Ross to Aretha FranklinClive Davis always claimed that his life in the music business was really kickstarted when he chose to attend the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival: it was there he saw Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and immediately bought their contract for $200,000, the first really high-profile signing of his career. But Davis was an unlikely fit at the most high-profile event of the Summer of Love: he was a Harvard-educated lawyer who had been “shocked” when a restructuring of Columbia Records saw him promoted from general counsel to the company’s president. He was sharp enough to spot which way the pop cultural wind was blowing – “a revolution in culture and philosophy”, he later recalled, “the Haight-Ashbury scene, with love peace and flowers” – but he was no one’s idea of a hippy. Amid a sea of paisley, batik, love beads and bells, Davis turned up to the festival clad in “khaki pants and a tennis sweater”.It was an image he would often recall for comic effect – “I was the costumed freak surrounded by everyone with flowers in their hair” – but there was something rather telling about it too: Davis’s skill as what used to be called a record man lay in his ability to balance the progressive with the traditional. He turned one wing of Columbia into something of a home for artists associated with the burgeoning counterculture, swiftly signing Santana, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Electric Flag and the wonderful psychedelic soul band the Chambers Brothers. But he never lost sight of the other side of the company, which dealt lucratively in soundtracks and easy listening and was home to Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett: at one juncture, he found himself simultaneously attempting to renegotiate the contracts of Bob Dylan and Andy Williams. When he founded Arista Records in 1974, he did exactly the same thing: it was a label that provided a home for both Patti Smith and Barry Manilow. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US eases oil sanctions as Iran denies Vance claim on nuclear inspectors
Iran's foreign ministry says it made "no new commitments" on nuclear inspections after talks in Switzerland.

The Guardian (UK)
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Met to expand use of live facial recognition into central London by Christmas
Technology to be used in six more areas next year as critics say tens of thousands of people will be forced into ‘digital police lineup’The Metropolitan police is to expand its use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology, first into London’s West End by Christmas and then into a further six areas next year.The new cameras will be fixed, and could be attached to street furniture such as lamp-posts. Critics said the new plans mean tens of thousands of people will be forced into a “digital police lineup”. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Everything New in iOS 27 Beta 2
Apple released the second beta of iOS 27 today, and as is common with a second beta, there are multiple changes. There are new features and updates to existing features as Apple prepares for a July public beta and a September software launch.





Write with Siri

There is a new Write with Siri button above the keyboard in Notes, Mail, Messages, and more. It makes it easier to locate the option to use ‌Siri‌ for writing. In the first beta, the Write with ‌Siri‌ tool was only available when selecting text.





Siri Voice Customization

The ‌Siri‌ voice customization feature available on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air now has Pace and Expressivity labeled as "Coming Soon." The options did not work in the first ‌iOS 27‌ beta.





Wallet App Insights

The Wallet app has a new "Insights" feature that's accessible by tapping on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner.





Insights is not fully implemented, but a splash screen for the feature says users will be able to connect accounts to Wallet to see spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. Apple says up-to-date account information will be available through the feature.



Apple TV

In ‌iOS 27‌ beta 2, Apple updated the Home app to add support for remotely updating an Apple TV.





The ‌Apple TV‌ is now listed in the Updates section of the Home app's Settings interface, and tapping on the ‌Apple TV‌ update button installs the latest software without needing to turn on the ‌Apple TV‌.



RCS

Apple added support for replying to a specific message in an RCS conversation with an Android user.





You can now long press on a message to get to the option to reply to a message, and it works the same way that it does with iMessages.



‌iOS 27‌ also displays tapback/reaction emoji on images and videos properly. In iOS 26, it would use a text descriptor, such as [x loved an image] instead of showing the emoji. In ‌iOS 27‌, the emoji shows up on the image or video as it does in an iMessage conversation.



iCloud Backup Notifications

Code in ‌iOS 27‌ suggests Apple will now send notifications if an iCloud backup doesn't work properly.



"There's a problem with our server, so you may not be able to backup or restore your device right now. Try again later," reads the notification.



AirPort Utility

Apple says the AirPort Utility app will no longer be available for download in ‌iOS 27‌. Users who already have the app can re-download it, but AirPort Utility functionality is not guaranteed in ‌iOS 27‌.







Visual Intelligence

In the ‌Siri‌ section of the Settings app, there's a new Visual Intelligence option. Highlight to Image Search is turned off by default, and Apple says turning it on will automatically send images to third parties when highlighting subjects to find similar images.





Camera App

There are now yellow highlights around the camera tools button when a hidden camera feature like exposure adjustment is enabled.





Create a Pass

In the Create a Pass feature in Wallet, there are texture options available when choosing a color.





HomeKit Cameras

You can long press on incoming notifications from HomeKit Secure Video cameras to watch the video from the motion alert and to turn on lights that are located near the camera.





HomeKit Accessories

If you had HomeKit accessories like Philips Hue lights that were unresponsive after installing ‌iOS 27‌ and tvOS 27, the beta 2 updates fix the problem.



Weather

Some of the light blue text in the Weather app has been updated to be lighter and brighter, making it easier to read. Precipitation levels, condition descriptor, and wind mph reading are now the brighter color.





Siri App

There's a new option to select multiple conversations to delete in the ‌Siri‌ app.





Photos

The AI tools in the Photos app are now available for RAW images.



iOS 27 Info

‌iOS 27‌ is available to developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July. ‌iOS 27‌ is set to launch in September alongside new iPhones. Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'Everything New in iOS 27 Beta 2' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC Technology News
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Do you know your 'sweat score'? The rise of hydration tech
Hydration tracking gadgets are flooding the market but is it too much information?

BBC Technology News
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Millions of iCloud users could claim share of £3bn after Apple case given UK green light
Apple rejected the suggestion its practices are anti-competitive, saying many customers rely on third-party alternatives.

BBC UK News
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Donaldson's first night in prison as downfall shakes NI politics
Donaldson has been told to expect a "lengthy sentence" for a string of child sex crimes, including rape.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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UK set for hottest June day on record as searing heat continues
Heatwave conditions intensify across parts of England and Wales as the Met Office issues a rare red warning for extreme heat.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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All the angles of Messi's record-breaking goal
Watch all the angles of Lionel Messi's record-breaking opening goal against Austria in Argentina's 2-0 victory.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Plan to auction over 100 Titanic artifacts faces US government opposition
Company wants to sell objects despite agreements to only display them at museums and traveling exhibitionsA plan to auction more than 100 artifacts salvaged from the wreckage of the Titanic – including personal belongings, currency, kitchen items and decor – is facing pushback from the US government, according to newly unsealed court documents.RMS Titanic Inc, the company that owns exclusive salvage rights to the famous wreck deep in the North Atlantic, wants to sell the artifacts for the first time despite previous agreements to only display them at museums and traveling exhibitions. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
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Sky News Home
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How will a new PM be selected - and when will it happen?
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign and a contest to replace him as Labour leader and prime minister will take place.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Digital Trends
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Sceptre Prime Day 2026 Gaming Monitor Deals: Up to $100 Off Gaming Displays
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Slashdot
Open 
Following User Outcry, AMD Reinstates Memory Encryption In Consumer CPUs
Last week, AMD was found to have stripped memory encryption from its consumer CPUs without any warning or notice. Now, following a wave of backlash on social media, the chipmaker has now reinstated the protection, though it still hasn't explained why the safeguard was disabled in the first place. Ars Technica reports: Following the revelation, social media was deluged by comments from AMD consumers decrying the move. They noted that AMD's quiet removal of TSME after supporting it for so long seemed underhanded. The move came solely as a result of firmware changes made in a recent update. With no physical changes required to silicon, continued support was largely, if not purely, a matter of will rather than a necessity required by changes to hardware. The critics called on AMD to reverse the move.

Over the weekend, AMD said it planned to do just that in a firmware update scheduled for release next month. More often than not, the chipmaker refers to TSME as Memory Guard. "Regarding certain non-PRO Ryzen 9000-series desktop processors, a BIOS option to enable Memory Guard was previously available but was removed in a recent update," AMD said in an email. "Based on valuable community feedback, we will reinstate this option in an upcoming BIOS release in July."

The company has yet to explain why it removed the protection. Critics speculate that AMD dropped it in an attempt to steer customers toward more costly CPUs. It's possible, though, that there were less nefarious reasons, such as the difficulty of continued support as chip designs changed. Another possibility is that AMD made the move for performance reasons. Encrypting and decrypting data in memory creates latency. Slowdowns are the enemy of gamers, one of the more popular customer segments using the 9000-line of Ryzen processors. Since many gamers already voluntarily disabled TSME and had little need for it in the first place, AMD may not have considered the change of much consequence.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
Send giant files and see who opened them with a lifetime subscription to this $100 tool
TL;DR Grab a lifetime subscription to Transfr Pro file transfer for a one-time payment of $99.99 (reg. $499). 
You know the routine. You're trying to send a 4GB video, a folder of RAW photos, or a Photoshop file that somehow ballooned past 2GB. — Read the rest
The post Send giant files and see who opened them with a lifetime subscription to this $100 tool appeared first on Boing Boing.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
AI models capable of devastating attacks on governments and business months away, rare Five Eyes statement warns
Signal agencies in Australia, the US, the UK, New Zealand and Canada sound alarm after Trump blocks foreign nationals from Anthropic’s Fable AI modelPowerful AI models capable of devastating new cyber attacks on governments and businesses are mere months away, intelligence agencies for the Five Eyes have warned in a rare joint statement, urging leaders to “act now”.The surprising public intervention by signals agencies for Australia, the US, the UK, New Zealand and Canada comes after the Trump administration earlier this month decided to block “foreign nationals” from using a much-hyped AI model built by tech company Anthropic, called Fable. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Eight in critical condition after Bedford train crash that killed driver
Eight people remain in critical condition in hospital after a train crash near Bedford on Friday that killed a train driver.

Telegraph
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Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer to end Ronaldo argument for good
Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer to end Ronaldo argument for good

Gizmodo
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LSD Just Passed Its Biggest Test Yet for Treating Depression
People taking Definium Therapeutics' DT120 showed long-lasting reductions in their depression symptoms compared to a placebo, the company announced Monday.

Gizmodo
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What Would Jesus Do? Invest in Palantir, Apparently
But SpaceX would not be considered "biblically responsible investing."

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"I Want Guns": Bill Maher Blasts California's "Ridiculous" Self-Defense Laws
"I Want Guns": Bill Maher Blasts California's "Ridiculous" Self-Defense Laws

Bill Maher just cornered California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna when he admitted he 'wants a gun,' - but that it makes "no sense" to own one in California because "you might be the one to go to jail" for using it.

Khanna's answer was some grade-A bullshit. As The Vigilant Fox notes: 


Bill Maher confronts Ro Khanna over California's "ridiculous" gun laws.
Maher caught Khanna off guard when he revealed he wanted a gun — but complained it makes "no sense" to own one in California, because "you might be the one to go to jail" for using it.
Khanna tried to sound... pic.twitter.com/cf0nmkcINf
— The Vigilant Fox ? (@VigilantFox) June 20, 2026

MAHER: "What does the panel think of the Supreme Court ruling that habitual marijuana users can't be banned from owning guns? Now you have my attention... That's awesome. That's fair. I want guns and I can't have them because I don't, because it's illegal."

KHANNA: "You don't strike me as a gun guy. You would want guns?"

MAHER: "Of course!"

KHANNA: "Okay, I didn't know that."

MAHER: "Why wouldn't you want a gun?"

KHANNA: "I don't know. I mean, I don't have a gun, but I mean, I respect the Second Amendment. I just, I wouldn't have thought that you had guns."

MAHER: "I mean, I don't because of that! But yes. I mean, I can't expect the police to be everywhere like that... And of course, another complaint I would have about California is it almost makes no sense to have one because you almost can't use it! Because if you do, you might be the one to go to jail. I mean, you can shoot an intruder in your house, but you better do it exactly right. He better be in your bedroom facing you... You shoot him on the lawn, you're going to go to jail. I mean, that's kind of ridiculous, isn't it?"

KHANNA: "I'm for investing in police. I'm for having public safety. I don't think the answer to crime should be everyone takes justice into their own hands."

MAHER: "Even if there's somebody in your house?!"

KHANNA: "Well, of course, if they're in the house. Self-defense."

MAHER: "Well, that's what we're talking about."

KHANNA: "Yeah, but... there are cases where people have taken the law in their own hands, shot folks who are innocent."



Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 17:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"F**k Around And Find Out": Philly DA's Campaign Slogan Comes Back To Bite Him
"F**k Around And Find Out": Philly DA's Campaign Slogan Comes Back To Bite Him

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

District Attorney Larry Krasner is something of a bargain for Philadelphia. According to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, he has not only been serving as the city’s prosecutor but effectively as its top public defender.

Krasner’s record is the subject of a scathing new opinion, which accuses him of leading a dishonest effort to undermine major criminal cases to engineer new trials for defendants.



Krasner has long cultivated a reputation as the champion of the left. We were both liberal students in the same class at the University of Chicago. While I moved to the political center, Krasner moved even more dramatically to the far left. Funded by George Soros as part of his campaign to elect social justice warriors as prosecutors, Krasner has used his office to threaten to arrest FBI agents and to “hunt down” ICE officers, to the delight of the far left.

The chest-pounding has not resulted in any such roundups, but the press remains good for Krasner in cultivating his image as the avenging angel of the perpetually enraged.

That is why the recent opinion from Pennsylvania’s Democratic-controlled Supreme Court was so surprising. It appears that even these liberal justices have had enough.

In Commonwealth v. Brown, Justice Kevin Dougherty (joined by Justices Sallie Updyke Mundy, Kevin Brobson, and Daniel McCaffery) denounced Krasner and his office for a pattern of misleading and mendacious filings to undermine the criminal cases of murderers and other convicts.

These defendants filed for relief under Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act.

The Act allowed for an adversarial process to determine whether defendants should receive new trials. However, the district attorney’s office routinely abandoned the field, leaving defendants essentially unopposed in their demands.

The Supreme Court wrote that such concessions robbed the public of “the benefits of opposing advocacy.”

It went even further in alluding to Krasner’s possible political and ideological motivations in pandering to the far left.

“When relief is not dictated by the record and law but merely advocated for personal, political, ideological, policy, or other non-legal reasons, a prosecutor’s concession does not minister justice,” the opinion states.

“It facilitates injustice.”

Then came the haymaker — a finding that Krasner’s concession was “not reliable” and that Krasner’s office had “violated its duty of candor,” “withheld material evidence from the court, opposed efforts by amici to gain access to this evidence, submitted a false stipulation of fact, misstated facts in its pleadings, failed to conduct a reasonable investigation, and opposed a required evidentiary hearing.” In this case, the justices wrote, the “predictable result was the erroneous grant of a new trial.”

The justices cited a pattern by which, since 2018, his office has conceded relief in roughly 100 murder cases like the one at issue. It found that his office engaged in “numerous instances of untrustworthy concessions, lack of candor, misrepresentations of fact, lack of adequate investigation, and avoidance of hearings. And the problems are poised to continue.”

The justices were clearly alarmed because there are more than a thousand cases still in the pipeline, and Krasner’s office is expected to continue what they called “its checkered concession program.”

To give you an idea of the cases where Krasner’s office struggled to undo the conviction of murderers, consider the facts of the 1984 case of Robert Wharton. Wharton was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for the 1984 strangulation and drowning deaths of Bradley and Ferne Hart. Wharton was upset about a debt, so he broke into their home, killed the Harts, and then turned off the heat, leaving their seven-month-old baby, Lisa, to freeze to death. The baby miraculously survived.

The court expressly cited Krasner’s prosecutors for making misrepresentations to the court. That included the claim by Krasner’s office that the family of the victims had bizarrely favored undoing the conviction. It was later discovered that Krasner’s staff had consulted only one relative, who was not the couple’s surviving daughter. The daughter, in fact, vehemently and understandably opposed the move. Krasner was ordered to write apology letters to the family.

Ultimately, the actions of Krasner’s office were so outrageous in this case that a panel of judges disbarred his supervisor for repeatedly lying in an effort to overturn the conviction. Krasner’s subordinate, Nancy Winkelman, was also barred from handling cases before the court for three years.

In response, Krasner did what he always does: He suggested that the criticism furthered racism and threatened democracy. He declared that the criticism of his office “undermines the value of a vote in Philadelphia” and defended his staff as merely furthering the work of racial justice: “On the eve of Juneteenth, we should all remember that reform is necessary in every era. And that those who bring needed reform sometimes are made to pay a price.”

This is vintage Krasner. His office was found to be both dishonest and negligent, but the district attorney cites his own misconduct as proof that his office is fighting hard for racial justice.

It did not matter that in 2021 a court admonished Krasner for creating what amounted to an unconstitutional blacklist of police officers whom he would not call as witnesses, even if their testimony was required to convict a criminal.

It did not matter that Krasner was admonished by a state Supreme Court justice in 2022 for abusing the grand jury process in an unhinged effort to charge a police officer with a crime.

Krasner feeds a rage addiction with uncut, pure criminal justice crack. It is a formula that has served him well with the media and the voters. Like Atlanta’s Fani Willis, he actually turns court sanctions into a badge of honor with voters who distrust the police and the criminal justice system.

In fact, the more the courts condemn him, the more he suggests that the criticism is just evidence of a prejudiced, unjust legal system.

None of this comes as a surprise for a candidate who expressly adopted “F— around and find out:” as his 2025 reelection slogan. But courts are finding out a bit too much about how Krasner himself has been … well … messing around with the legal system.

Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the New York Times best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.“

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 17:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
JD CEO Warns 700,000 Delivery Workers Will Be Replaced By Robots "Sooner Or Later"
JD CEO Warns 700,000 Delivery Workers Will Be Replaced By Robots "Sooner Or Later"

The founder of China's largest e-commerce and logistics companies fired off a warning shot to hundreds of thousands of delivery workers that the rise of automation and AI adoption in the last-mile will result in hundreds of thousands of job losses "sooner or later." 

Richard Liu, founder and chair of JD.com, told the audience at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Forum in Beijing on Sunday, according to the Financial Times, that 700,000 delivery workers will be replaced by robots "sooner or later."

"In the future, when robots are delivering parcels, sooner or later, there will be a day when couriers are basically no longer needed," Liu said, adding, "It will definitely be robots delivering parcels. But I really do not want our 700,000 brothers to go without meals, without jobs."

Liu's timeline for the robotic takeover of last-mile delivery was vague and uncertain, but a number of robot delivery companies are already in pilot programs or commercialization across major Chinese cities.

He said JD has signed deals with 120 schools to retrain couriers for roles such as robot maintenance and repair, noting that the rise of robots will require new technical jobs. 



Liu elaborated on the shift of some couriers into robot repair jobs, saying "robots are machinery . . . they will always, at some point, have faults."

His comments come as China's gig economy continues to expand, with temporary and blue-collar platform workers expected to reach 320 million this year, or about 40% of urban employment. At the same time, youth unemployment remains elevated, raising concerns that robotics and AI could squeeze both blue-collar and white-collar workers.

The pace at which China adopts automation across its economy should outpace the U.S., given that development is happening at hyperspeed and many of the world's robotics supply chains are based in the world's second-largest economy.


You were promised robots that take the night shift.
The pitch writes itself. Machines that never tire, never quit, never ask for a raise. The end of human labor as we know it.
Here's what the money actually bought.
Figure is worth $39 billion. It has 40 robots loading parts at… pic.twitter.com/eeLXjHKp82
— Rand Group (@randgroup) June 22, 2026
Earlier this month, Barclays internet equity analyst Ross Sandler published a note titled "Autonomous Food Delivery Likely Hits Critical Mass By 2030," outlining how automation in last-mile delivery could push delivery costs down to as little as $1 per order in the US. 

"The promise of autonomous food delivery is still a few years out, but showing very positive signals in markets that have been quick to embrace it. AVs should reduce the cost of delivery for both marketplaces (currently $8-$10 per order) and for consumers (tipping, $5 per order) down to as low as $1 per order," Sandler wrote in the note.

He continued, "As witnessed already in select APAC geos with low delivery costs, when this kind of improvement happens to the cost curve, consumer adoption should go through the roof. China's online food delivery penetration is 40% of orders in tier one cities, well ahead of the US, with cost being the biggest delta." 

"UBER and DASH have a number of strategies in place in both SDR (sidewalk delivery robotics) and drones, but claim that these efforts are not likely to hit a material percentage of orders until 2030 and beyond."

The analyst sees "sidewalk delivery robots as the nearer-term opportunity. Current costs are around $5 to $7 per drop, but could fall toward $1 over time as utilization improves. Drones offer faster delivery and a larger "wow" factor, but regulatory hurdles, battery limitations and airspace approvals make the path more complicated."



A recent UBS note on forecasts for global shipments of humanoid robots suggests the surge will begin later this year or next and really erupt in the 2030s. 



There was also news earlier that Nvidia is pushing to develop software and chips to improve humanoid robot safety and enable closer human interaction, including physical collaboration in workplaces.

First signs:

$150 Humanoid Robot House Cleaning Service Threatens To Undercut Maid Services


The next evolution of AI is robotics, displacing blue-collar jobs in the physical world. We suspect the adoption rate will be much slower in the U.S. than in China because supply chains are not as robust in the West. But for workers in jobs that can be easily replaced by robots, such as last-mile delivery or production-line work, it may be time to find a construction job as the historic data center buildout progresses.

Blue-collar or white-collar, no one is safe from the AI revolution, as Goldman analysts revealed the top 20 college degrees most exposed to AI job disruption (read here). 

We suspect that, just like data center buildouts and localized resistance, there will be public uproar when jobs are eliminated by robots later this decade.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 18:00

Wired Top Stories
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Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11923 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - NEWCASTLE (WMNEW) (New)
All customers connected via NEWCASTLE (WMNEW) exchange are without service. We are raising a fault with our backhaul supplier for investigation.

Further updates will be posted here when available.

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 22:38

Update: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 02:00

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 22:56

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

The Hill
Open 
Flu cases rise to 222 at Texas base in outbreak blamed on Hegseth scrapping of vaccine mandate
More than 220 troops have contracted influenza at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, up from 160 reported last week in a major outbreak that comes less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that flu vaccinations would no longer be mandatory for service members. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), whose district includes Lackland, on Friday...

The Hill
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The Hill
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A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed in Alaska on Monday during a training flight with four people aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard announced. The helicopter, a search and rescue twin-engine aircraft, crashed near Harbor Mountain in Sitka, near the state capital Juneau. Sitka Fire and Rescue crews arrived on the scene at around 11...

The Hill
Open 
Vance says Iran to allow nuclear inspectors into country
Vice President Vance said on Monday that Iran will allow nuclear inspectors back into its country as negotiations between Washington and Iran continue to end the conflict in the Middle East. Iran has not confirmed the arrangement. "Letting in the inspectors is a big deal," Vance told reporters, referring to the United Nations' International Atomic...

The Hill
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Democrats demand OMB rescind grant rule
Presented by Planned Parenthood {beacon} Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY The Big Story Lawmakers raise alarms about NIH grant changes A group of House Democrats is calling on the Trump administration to rescind a sweeping new proposal to overhaul the federal grantmaking process that critics say would exert unprecedented political influence on scientific...

The Hill
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Carville encourages leaks from Trump White House staffers
Democratic strategist James Carville on Sunday encouraged Trump administration staffers to start leaking details about closed door dealings within the White House in an effort to save their careers. Carville has shared numerous predictions that President Trump and Republicans will lose power after the midterm elections, leading to intense backlash for individuals closely associated with...

The Hill
Open 
Maher mocks Obama presidential library: 'Who's going to go to this?'
Comedian Bill Maher during his latest show mocked the Obama Presidential Center, which opened in Chicago last week. “It looks like something aliens built in Dubai,” Maher remarked on the Friday episode of HBO’s “Real Time" while talking with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Politico journalist Jonathan Martin. “It cost $850 million,” he added later....

Ars Technica
Open 
Man used massage gun on his tired eyeballs. It went as well as you'd expect.

Ars Technica
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Report: Kennedy Space Center not ready for era of super heavy rockets

Ars Technica
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GM installs robots at flagship EV factory after laying off 1,300 workers

The Guardian (UK)
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Arsenal make Villa’s Morgan Rogers their No 1 target in transfer window
Champions expected to make an approach for forwardFee could be around £100m for Villa’s England playerArsenal are expected to make an approach to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa after identifying the England forward as their primary transfer target this summer.The Premier League champions want to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad and are hopeful of bringing Rogers to north London, although he could cost up to £100m. Talks with Villa have yet to commence but they are expected to make contact in the coming weeks. The former European champions do not want to sell the 23-year-old, who also has interest from Chelsea and others, but Arsenal are confident of doing a deal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Serbian TV pundit causes outrage with racist comment during Belgium game
Rade Bogdanovic made comments on public broadcasterFormer player and broadcaster apologises for statementThe former Yugoslavia and Atlético Madrid striker Rade Bogdanovic has sparked controversy on Serbian TV after saying that “Black players lack concentration beyond 60 to 80 minutes” during the Belgium v Iran World Cup match.Bogdanovic, 56, made the comment on a World Cup programme aired by Serbia’s public broadcaster (RTS) late on Sunday night while discussing the 66th-minute red card shown to the Belgium defender Nathan Ngoy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Norway v Senegal: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm ET/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JeffJeff will be here shortly, in the mean time here’s Jonathan Wilson on a big tournament for African teams:On Monday evening local time at New York New Jersey Stadium, Senegal will face Norway in a game that is not only crucial in terms of who qualifies from Group I, but will go a long way in determining how African performance at this World Cup is viewed. This is not entirely fair – nobody can seriously doubt that Senegal are an extremely adept side, and it may be that the court of arbitration for sport decides that they are indeed the reigning African champions – but there is a sense that Africa could do with a big performance. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too. History was created in the way he knows best, a clinical left-footed flourish setting him out on his own as the World Cup’s highest goalscorer of all time. An occasion that already throbbed with an epic, cinematic quality had its moment for the ages and the genius who served it up will surely provide even more. A first golden boot would not be the worst present for an icon who turns 39 on Wednesday.Nobody should expect anything less because Messi has no idea how to stop. Four minutes into added time this match was dying, a competent but blunt Austria showing no sign of dampening the mood. This was already Messi’s day, goal number 17 coming late in the first half and rarely looking anything but the winner in an otherwise unremarkable contest. Well, make that 18. There has never been a finer player because there has never been a brighter footballing mind, one that has been thoroughly exercised across a career spanning more than two decades but simply refuses to dull. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
France v Iraq: second half delayed by storm at World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimAnd here’s our reporter at the game, Paul MacInnes. “Ground already packed for a match that has been highly anticipated in Philly,” he writes. “The French are here is big numbers (I followed a load of them to the ground today) but the Iraqi contingent is hardly to be sniffed at. They’ve packed out the stand behind one goal, and have been visible all over the city for the past few days.“Just quickly, but the pre-match has been a weird one. Big load of load music and two hype merchants in the stands getting everyone up. But not all attempts have proven equal. There was a big cheer for the players as the teams were read out (and especially Mbappé) but not so much interaction when the call went up for everyone to ‘Join us in a round of applause for peace!’. I can only imagine Gianni Infantino will be saddened when he hears the news.” Continue reading...

Mail Online
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RECAP: Andy Burnham sworn in as MP after tearful PM stepped down
RECAP: Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Prime Minister after accepting that MPs no longer believe he is the right person to lead the party into the next election.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Simply stunning' - Mbappe opens the scoring against Iraq
Kylian Mbappe puts France 1-0 up against Iraq with a powerful strike from outside the box.

FlightAware Squawks
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New 15-hour Airbus A350 flights: Here's where French Bee will fly now
As Europe bakes in an alarming heatwave, long-haul low-cost carrier French bee is already beginning to turn its attention to the winter, and it has filed an interesting new intercontinental route. Specifically, from December onwards, it will fly twice a week from its main base at Paris Orly Airport (ORY) in France to Malé (MLE) in the Maldives, onwards to Colombo (CMB) in Sri Lanka, and then back to Paris.

Passengers flying from Malé back to Paris Orly via Colombo can expect a hefty overall block time of close to 15 hours, thanks to the headwinds that airliners traveling in that direction typically face. While the Airbus A350s that French bee will operate on this route are more than capable of serving such long corridors, their high-density layout will mean that passenger comfort may be pushed to new extremes.

FlightAware Squawks
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Air rage thug dies after being overpowered by passengers while threatening to 'break into cockpit'
An 'air rage thug' died on a flight after fellow passengers overpowered him as he threatened to 'break into the cockpit.'

The man, 37, 'rampaged through the plane threatening passengers with scissors' and sought to 'break into the flight deck,' reports say.

Vladimir E. was pinned down by fellow passengers and 'tied up with plastic clamps' by the crew, according to accounts of the incident on a Russian plane flying from Moscow to Omsk.

When the man 'calmed down,' he was untied, but immediately lost consciousness, according to witnesses.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What does Trump want from a new UK prime minister?
The US president was once considered to have a close friendship with Keir Starmer, but that quickly fell apart with the war in Iran.

The Guardian (UK)
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California drivers sue gas stations for allegedly using AI to inflate prices
Firms including BP and 7-Eleven accused of coordinating prices to ‘wring more money from pockets of consumers’Gas ⁠station ​operators including BP, Circle K, Marathon, 7-Eleven, Walmart and Albertsons were sued on Monday by California drivers ⁠who accused them of using artificial intelligence to boost prices at the pump.According to a proposed class action, the defendants ⁠violated California’s main antitrust law, the Cartwright Act, by using an AI-based tool that ​uses data from competing gas ‌stations to “coordinate high prices ‌and wring more money from the pockets of consumers”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Arsenal make Villa’s Morgan Rogers their No 1 target in transfer window
Champions expected to make an approach for forwardFee could be around £100m for Villa’s England playerArsenal are expected to make an approach to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa after making the England forward their primary transfer target this summer.The Premier League champions want to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad and are hopeful of bringing Rogers to north London, although he could cost up to £100m. Talks with Villa have yet to commence but they are expected to make contact in the coming weeks. The former European champions do not want to sell the 23-year-old, who also has interest from Chelsea and others, but Arsenal are believed to be confident of doing a deal. Continue reading...

The Register
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Cloudflare teams up with big browsers to help websites tell welcome from unwelcome visitors
Makers of Chrome, Edge, Firefox back bot-fraud defense called Private Access Control Tokens

Mail Online
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France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe blasts Les Bleus ahead with long-range stunner - with second half delayed due to 'lightning activity' in Philadelphia area
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

BBC UK News
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Peter Murrell to be sentenced for embezzling SNP funds
The former party chief executive has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 over a 12-year period.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From retirement to records - another immortal Messi moment
Ten years after announcing he was quitting international football, Lionel Messi is still breaking records for reigning World Cup champions Argentina.

The Guardian (UK)
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UK plans to give established media more visibility on YouTube and TikTok
Move for greater prominence on social media comes as ministers warn online misinformation risk becoming ‘existential for our democracy’Plans to hand established broadcasters and media companies greater prominence on digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have been unveiled, as ministers warned online misinformation risked becoming “existential for our democracy”.In proposals that set up a new clash with global tech companies, content from the likes of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 would have to be awarded more promotion by their algorithms – with special rules considered for times of social unrest or crisis. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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HR consultant wins English court case using AI lawyer in apparent legal first
Barrister who was given material produced by Garfield AI says advocacy at trial ‘remained fundamentally human’An artificial intelligence law firm has won a case in an English court, in what is believed to be the first time a trial has been won using an AI lawyer.A freelance HR consultant, Tamires Camal Taquidir, paid the firm, Garfield AI, about £400 to send a legal letter and then issue court proceedings over an unpaid debt of £7,000. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Man returns fly-tipper's rubbish to his doorstep after sifting through CCTV
Dean Gauci tracked down the waste offender using amateur detective skills and returned the sacks.

Digital Trends
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Windows 11 is getting Copilot on Microsoft 365 Business accounts again, unless you’re in Europe
Microsoft made Copilot optional in April. It's force-installing it again in June, this time through Office updates, and EU users are the only ones being spared.

TechRadar News
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Walmart's rival Prime Day sale is live — here are 24 deals worth buying from Apple, Ninja, Samsung, Dyson, and more

TechRadar News
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I can’t put my Asus ROG Xbox Ally X down, and these are the accessories I’m looking to upgrade it with on Prime Day

TechRadar News
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Disappointed by the Steam Machine’s official price? Build your own mini gaming PC instead with these deals

TechRadar News
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The Instax Mini 12 is at a record-low price at Amazon right now — here's why I think it’s worth snapping up for the summer holidays

TechRadar News
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I found the most powerful mini PC under $500 — and you won't see it in Amazon's Prime Day sale

TechRadar News
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Should you hold off on the Oura Ring 5 and get the Oura Ring 4 instead? Here's our verdict

TechRadar News
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How to watch Norway vs Senegal: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere as Erling Haaland goes for more FIFA World Cup 2026 goals

TechRadar News
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Quote of the day by Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey: 'There's no moral high ground in using inferior technology' — challenging the dominant narrative over AI use in defense

TechRadar News
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My ergonomic office chair's recline function failed and almost took me out — so that's why I'm eyeing these 3 gaming chairs as my next move

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX sheds $400 billion in value as stock slides below its IPO-day closing price
Anyone who bought SpaceX’s stock after the first trading day is now underwater on those purchases — at least on paper.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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A major chip index has doubled this year despite Nvidia ranking dead last
“Nvidia has gotten so large that its ability to beat expectations has gotten much smaller,” an analyst says.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alphabet sees $225 billion market-cap wipeout as investors fear it’s losing the war for AI talent
Two AI leaders, including a Nobel laureate, recently said they would leave Google for rival labs.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Salesforce’s stock extends record losing streak. Can the company disrupt itself?
Shares of Salesforce posted their 14th consecutive day of losses as investors remain unconvinced of the company’s AI momentum.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Micron’s stock momentum builds as the company inks a new Anthropic partnership
The companies announce a supply agreement for memory and storage.

Slashdot
Open 
Valve Will Finally Let You Build Your Own Steam Machine With SteamOS For Desktop
With the price of the new Steam Machine starting at $1,049, you might want to consider making your own Steam Machine instead. An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Valve says that "starting with the SteamOS 3.8 release, you can put together your own Steam Machine using whatever PC parts you want." SteamOS 3.8.10 launched last week with a slew of updates, including "improved compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms." Alongside that improved compatibility, Valve is giving gamers the green light to install SteamOS on their own desktops. In an interview with The Verge, Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais said Valve has been "rolling out improvements to [SteamOS] so it's more compatible with desktop hardware," including eventual support for Nvidia graphics. Griffais says Valve has "a growing team" working on Nvidia driver support for SteamOS, adding, "We're collaborating with Nvidia very closely." While he mentioned that Nvidia support might not come this year, Griffais emphasized that "it's certainly something that we're working on in the background."

It's technically been possible to run SteamOS on your own hardware for a while now, but compatibility has been mostly limited to AMD systems. So far installing it has also required using a Steam Deck recovery image, a process that, speaking from experience, is much less straightforward than the installation process for most other Linux distributions. Trying to run SteamOS on Intel or Nvidia hardware has not been easy so far. According to Griffais, Valve is working to change that, which could mean that down the line, you'll be able to run SteamOS on just about any gaming PC hardware you want, including Nvidia.

For the more immediate future, Griffais says SteamOS in its current state should offer a "good experience" on console-like PC setups: "If you have something that is similar to the use case of a Steam Machine, where you have a PC that's gonna be plugged into a TV, and has a single hard drive that you're not going to try and dual boot [] you can put SteamOS on there, and you'll have an experience that is very similar to a Steam Deck docked or a Steam Machine, with some caveats, of course," like a lack of HDMI-CEC support. But "the core bits of the experience are there. The SteamOS graphics driver, the shader precompilation [...] you can get at all of that with the SteamOS." Griffais says SteamOS does not yet offer an easy way to dual-boot alongside Windows or another operating system, but envisions "a time where it's a better experience to install on your desktop and have it coexist with a different operating system."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Regina Obe: PostGIS Tiger Geocoder 2025.1
The PostGIS development team is pleased to provide postgis_tiger_geocoder extension.
This is the very first release since the break from the PostGIS core.
This version requires PostgreSQL 16 and above and should work with any supported PostGIS version.
PostGIS 3.6 series is the last series to include postgis_tiger_geocoder.
PostGIS 3.7 will be shipped without postgis_tiger_geocoder.
Moving forward postgis_tiger_geocoder has its own dedicated repo at OSGeo Gitea postgis_tiger_geocoder
under the PostGIS org.
The versioning model has also changed to be versioned based on the year of the Census US Tiger dataset that is current at time of it’s release.

The Guardian (UK)
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Arsenal make Villa’s Morgan Rogers their No 1 target in transfer window
Champions expected to make an approach for forwardFee could be around £100m for Villa’s England playerArsenal are expected to make an approach to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa after making the England forward their primary transfer target this summer.The Premier League champions want to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad and are hopeful of bringing Rogers to north London, although he could cost up to £100m. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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House of the Dragon review – the orgy of carnage it should always have been
After two forgettable seasons, the Game of Thrones prequel finally comes into its own – blazing back on to our screens with the most epic dragon-based smackdown imaginable. Fans can breathe a fiery sigh of relief!Ah yes, House of the Dragon! Unlikely as it is that a megabucks Game of Thrones prequel with a blue-chip cast could be forgettable, in its first two seasons HotD did not help itself, with the first either killing off its best characters too soon or recasting them to accommodate bewildering time jumps, and the second building and building to nothing. It returns for a third run without much wind in its dragon wings.Breathe a fiery sigh of relief, then, at the news that this show has found its focus. The start of season three is a fine epic, balancing big battles with sharp two-hander scenes where dominance shifts and fatal personality flaws are forced out. Add the odd new face and a blast of comic relief here and there and you have proper Thrones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The complicated truth about adoption reunions – podcast
Guardian news editor David Batty spent years longing to meet his birth mother. But his reunion with the woman who had been forced to give him up was far from a fairytale ending. He explains why the legacy of forced adoption continues to cast such a long shadowDavid Batty was seven years old when he was told he had been adopted. Years later, after learning more about his birth parents, he wanted to meet them. But when he was reunited with his mother, who had been forced to give him up, their relationship became strained.David tells Annie Kelly how he came to be one of tens of thousands of children whose birth mothers were coerced into relinquishing them for adoption, often in the name of child’s “moral welfare”. The Church of England has apologised for its role in forced adoptions, and the government has indicated it will follow suit. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Artificial intelligence law firm wins court case in England for first time
Company hails victory for freelancer over unpaid debt as ‘landmark moment’ for access to justiceAn artificial intelligence law firm has won a case in an English court, in what is believed to be the first time a trial has been won using an AI lawyer.A freelance HR consultant, Tamires Camal Taquidir, paid the firm, Garfield AI, about £400 to send a legal letter and then issue court proceedings over an unpaid debt of £7,000. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Could heatwave temperatures hit 40°C?
Germany is in the grip of an intense heatwave, with experts predicting extreme temperatures in some regions. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists he can handle the heat and is not bothered by personal insults.

The Verge
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Valve describes just how brutal RAM negotiations are in 2026
Valve's Steam Machine finally has a price: a whopping $1,049 for the 512GB configuration or $1,349 for the 2TB version. And those are without bundled controllers, which drive up the cost more. The prices are so high in part because Valve isn't subsidizing the hardware, and the company has already indicated that the component crisis […]

Computer Weekly
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AI-powered cyber attacks may be just months away, warn Five Eyes
Frontier AI models will pose a greater cyber security risk to government and businesses than previously thought, putting businesses and governments at risk within months

Russia Today News
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Two dead in shooting in Montreal’s Jewish neighborhood (VIDEOS)

Gizmodo
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Scientists Rewrote the Story Behind One of History’s Most Famous Child Sacrifices
New radiocarbon dating of the ‘Llullaillaco Maiden’ appears to rule out a response to natural disasters or Inca campaigns of conquest.

Gizmodo
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The Best Sci-Fi Movie of the Year You Didn’t Know Is Sci-Fi Is Coming to Digital Soon
Surprise! Boots Riley's 'I Love Boosters' is a genre delight, and now you have no excuse not to watch it.

Gizmodo
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Elon Musk and NASA’s Chief Are Dreaming of Antimatter Propulsion
Here's what it would take to make this theoretical concept a reality and unlock the galaxy.

Gizmodo
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Even Valve Knows You May Be Better Off With a Cheaper Steam Machine Alternative
Valve may make PC gaming better, so long as you don't mind installing SteamOS yourself.

Mail Online
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'Messiah' without a mandate: As tearful Starmer departs, his assassin Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster in scenes of near-hysteria. But in Mail readers' poll, 89% say he should call an election
The self-styled 'King of the North' is on course for a 'coronation' next month after Keir Starmer dramatically resigned less than two years after his landslide election win.

ZeroHedge News
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Definium Soars As Much As 50% After LSD-Based Depression Drug Meets Late-Stage Clinical Trial Goal
Definium Soars As Much As 50% After LSD-Based Depression Drug Meets Late-Stage Clinical Trial Goal

Definium Therapeutics shares surged as much as 54% on Monday, reaching $37.90 in morning trading as investors reacted positively to developments in the biotech company's research pipeline and potential strategic opportunities.



Definium Therapeutics said its LSD-based depression drug, DT120, met the main goal of a mid-stage trial, reducing depression scores by 8.1 points more than placebo after six weeks, according to Reuters.

Patients showed improvement within one week after a single dose, with benefits remaining at 12 weeks. Analysts had said a 4–5 point placebo-adjusted improvement would be a strong result.

DT120, a psychedelic that activates serotonin receptors, was generally well tolerated, with mostly mild side effects occurring on dosing day and no serious safety concerns.

The trial included 149 adults with major depressive disorder, a condition affecting about 21 million U.S. adults. Recent U.S. policy has also encouraged faster development of psychedelic-based mental health treatments.



We noted back in April that psychedelic stocks were going "mainstream", pointing them out as one of the more interesting policy-driven biotech themes, arguing that a supportive regulatory backdrop could become a meaningful catalyst for the sector.

Since then, momentum has accelerated. The FDA unveiled new measures to speed research into psychedelic treatments for serious mental health conditions, while President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to promising emerging therapies. The moves could accelerate development timelines for treatments targeting depression, PTSD, addiction, and other difficult-to-treat disorders. 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 15:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Slouching Toward Peace With Washington In Good-Cop/Bad-Cop Mode
Slouching Toward Peace With Washington In Good-Cop/Bad-Cop Mode

Authored by James Howard Kunstler,


". . .They are running the Accords logic to its conclusion: every adversary becomes a counterparty, every conflict becomes a deal, every closed economy becomes an investable market."

- Patrick Wood


That squawking you hear is Iran getting dragged kicking and screaming out of its jihad delirium into something that might look like reality-based relations with the rest of the world. They have to loudly declare that it’s not happening, even as it’s happening, to gaslight their own home folks, who might be getting a little sick of economic free-fall — and probably sick of the IRGC regime itself. And, of course, they know that the Lefty-left half of the USA is rooting for this whole business to fail so they can get their mitts back on the levers of power to avoid prison.



Things are at a pretty pass, all righty. The sticking point of the moment is Lebanon. Everybody is twanging on Israel to quit fighting Hezbollah. Okay, but does Hezbollah not have some obligation to quit its provocations? And is Iran, which controls Hezbollah, not responsibile to make Hezbollah stop?

Notice, you don’t hear any of the kibitzers calling for that. That’s because getting Hezbollah to poke Israel in the eye with a sharp stick is Iran’s favored device for dragging out negotiations which, they apparently hope, will put POTUS in fear of the looming midterm election. But time is running out on their playing for time. What they’re actually playing is pretend — pretending to be living large and in-charge. They’ve got nothing else, really. They’ve driven their country into a ditch.

The US is in a straight-up good-cop / bad-cop mode. VP Vance, on-the-ground in Switzerland, presents the very picture of a smooth, cool, rational figure where it counts: face-to-face with Iranian leaders, after all these years. He calmly tells the world news media that “encouraging progress” has been made the first day toward a ceasefire in poor, sore-beset Lebanon. As of Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concurred on “X.”



Meanwhile, President Trump was going mad-dog on social media. Of his relations with irksome Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu, POTUS said, “It’s good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane.” He added, “Iran must stop their highly-paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again. . . bomb the shit out of them.” He advised the Iranian negotiators that they “won’t even make if back” to their country if they keep playing games, and declared that the US will take over the Strait of Hormuz, if necessary. A bit harsh, admittedly. Any trouble parsing it out?

Ghastly as all that might sound, the American negotiating position offers as much carrot as stick. Patrick Wood laid it out nicely in this Substack post. It’s about rearranging the economic “architecture” of the region and, by extension, the rest of the world, which requires a stable, reliable, not-insane Iran and a peaceful Persian Gulf to sustain advanced civilization. The Abraham Accords are designed to induce all the players in the Middle East to act as sovereign nations conscious of, and seeking, their economic best interests — not blocs acting-out large-scale gang warfare based on age-old revenge scenarios. We are simply asking Iran to accept re-integration into real world of transactional nations by joining in the Abraham Accords.

It’s to no one’s benefit for Iran to become a failed state, and that’s what Iran’s leadership is flirting with as they bluster and thwart the peace process. Don’t forget, their clock is ticking, too, maybe even louder than America’s midterm election clock. There’s evidence that the over-full storage capacity for their oil has already caused damage to their oil wells — because shutting down wells degrades the geology of the underlying oil-bearing rock. Inflation has gone wild inside the country, estimated around 70-percent. Iran’s aquifers have lost 90-percent of their water volume as a years-long draught drags on. Iran has to import around 30-percent of its food. Do you suppose these conditions might make everyday life pretty uncomfortable for the Iranian people?

As of Monday morning, VP Vance reported that talks have moved on to the nuclear material question: Iran agreed to offer access to nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. watchdog. They likewise agreed to establish “coordinating mechanisms” aimed at clearing remaining mines from the Strait of Hormuz and solidifying the ceasefire in Lebanon. That looks like actual progress. This was never going to be easy. Expect more bumps on the road. Iran was so far-gone and for such a long time. Show a little patience.

Also, meanwhile, some real fabulous news as Keir Starmer has opted to vacate 10 Downing Street. Good career move! He’s nearly wrecked what’s left of his country. Nobody knows yet who the Labour Party might shove in to replace him, but it’s sure to be another short-timer because the party itself is burnt toast, based on its overwhelming loss in recent local council elections.

Starmer was in office for just over two years. His predecessor Rishi Sunak also lasted less than two years and, before him, PM Liz Truss (remember her?) was gone after 50 days. Procedural rigmarole might drag out the process to replace Starmer until September, when Parliament returns from its summer recess. “Old Blighty,” as the natives sometimes call the UK, is an exceedingly troubled place. With Starmer lingering in office as the lamest of lame ducks, it’s going to be a long summer, and possibly a hot one.

Equally worrisome, at this fraught moment, are the EU’s efforts to start World War Three with Russia. The EU was behind the massive drone attacks against Moscow last week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, announced plans for “massive group strikes” on Ukrainian targets on a regular basis. Getting spicey over there. All of this is a smokescreen to conceal the political death throes of virtually all the EU member-nation’s leaders — the feckless Merz in Germany, the wobbling Macron in France, the commie PM Pedro Sánchez in Spain, and Giorgia Meloni in Italy, who double-crossed her voters on ending illegal immigration.

Europe’s got nothing. . . but trouble ahead.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 16:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Judge Quashes "Blatantly Unlawful" DOJ Subpoenas Targeting Walz And Ellison In ICE-Obstruction Case
Judge Quashes "Blatantly Unlawful" DOJ Subpoenas Targeting Walz And Ellison In ICE-Obstruction Case

A federal judge has quashed six DOJ grand jury subpoenas issued to Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.



US District Judge Patrick J. Schlitz ruled that the subpoenas amounted to harassment, and said that the Justice Department inquiry into whether Minnesota officials obstructed or impeded law enforcement is illegitimate. 

"Initiating a criminal investigation in order to harass political opponents or to coerce them into taking official action, particularly official action that the federal government cannot directly require those political opponents to take, is a blatantly unlawful and unethical use [of] the grand-jury process," Schlitz wrote in his ruling. 

Tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota's Democratic leadership came to a boiling point in January amid clashes between federal immigration enforcement officers and protesters in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area, which included the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, social justice warriors who paid the ultimate price.

The DOJ told the Epoch Times in an email that "The Department takes the unlawful obstruction of federal law enforcement operations extremely seriously and will continue to act in full compliance with the law to investigate these matters."

Walz hit back in a statement, saying "The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President’s political opponents.

"This case was just one example of that, but we are seeing daily reminders of this administration’s lawlessness—in Minnesota and around the country. We all must continue to seek justice and uphold the law."

Looks like we'll never get to the bottom of this...


🚨REPORT: Minnesota anti-ICE Signal group leader has been identified as Amanda Koehler, a ‘protest’ organizer & campaign strategist for Tim Walz. https://t.co/CeBLKfHJfa
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) January 24, 2026

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 16:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
When Will Gasoline Prices Return To Pre-War Levels?
When Will Gasoline Prices Return To Pre-War Levels?

Authored by Robert Rapier via OilPrice.com,


Oil futures have quickly priced in a favorable outcome from U.S.-Iran diplomacy, but physical oil flows, shipping networks, and refinery supply chains take much longer to normalize.


Low global inventories and the need to replenish strategic and commercial stockpiles could create significant demand for crude even after supply disruptions ease.


Gasoline prices are influenced by refining capacity, inventories, distribution costs, and seasonal demand, meaning pump prices may remain elevated even if crude oil continues to fall.

Gasoline prices have started to fall, and that is welcome news for drivers. After months of pain at the pump following the war with Iran and the disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, even modest relief is noticeable.



But falling from crisis levels is not the same thing as returning to normal.

That distinction may define the next several months in the oil market. The developing U.S.-Iran agreement has given traders a reason to mark down crude prices. Markets are forward-looking, and they have quickly priced in a scenario in which the Strait of Hormuz reopens, Gulf exports resume, and the energy shock that pushed gasoline prices sharply higher begins to fade.

That may ultimately prove correct. But the physical oil market does not move as quickly as futures prices. Tanker routes, insurance markets, shipping backlogs, refinery crude slates, and depleted inventories all take time to normalize. Even if the diplomatic framework holds, the path back to pre-war gasoline prices is likely to be slower and more uneven than the recent drop in crude prices might suggest.

Prices Are Falling, But From Very High Levels

The national average gasoline price had climbed from under $3 a gallon before the conflict to more than $4 during the spring. Over the past three months, gasoline prices were more than $1 a gallon above pre-war levels, with consumers facing the combined effect of higher crude oil prices, refinery disruptions, and seasonal fuel demand.

That is why recent declines can be both real and incomplete. A drop from $4.50 to $4.05 is meaningful. It helps household budgets and eases some inflation pressure. But it still leaves gasoline far above where it was before the conflict began.



This is where the public conversation can become misleading. If prices fall for several weeks, some will argue that the oil shock is over. But the relevant question is not whether gasoline prices can come down from their highs. They already have. The better question is whether they can quickly return to pre-war levels.

That is a very different question.

Futures Markets Move Faster Than Tankers

Oil prices react immediately to headlines. A reported ceasefire, a diplomatic framework, or a sign that the Strait of Hormuz may reopen can move crude futures within minutes. That is exactly what happened as traders began to discount a lower geopolitical risk premium.

But moving physical barrels is different.

The Strait of Hormuz is the most important energy chokepoint in the world, and months of disruption cannot be unwound with a press release. Ships that were delayed have to be rescheduled. Insurers have to reassess war-risk premiums. Crews and cargo owners need confidence that passage is secure. Ports must deal with congestion. Refiners that changed crude sourcing patterns may not immediately switch back.

That is all important because gasoline prices are tied not only to the price of crude oil, but to the availability of the right crude in the right place at the right time. If refiners are still competing for prompt cargoes, or if logistical constraints keep barrels from flowing smoothly, gasoline prices can remain elevated even as futures markets anticipate relief.

Low Inventories Create A Bullish Backdrop

The bigger issue is inventories. During a major supply disruption, the world does not simply consume less oil and wait patiently for the crisis to end. It draws down inventories. Commercial stocks fall. Strategic reserves may be tapped. Refiners and importers use whatever supply they can secure. 

For example, the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was already drawn down significantly in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has now been further drawn down to its lowest level since 1983.

When the crisis eases, those barrels have to be replaced.

That creates what could be called an inventory trap. Reopening Hormuz is bearish for oil prices because it allows more supply to move. But the need to refill depleted inventories is bullish because it creates additional demand for barrels just as the market is trying to normalize.

In other words, the end of the disruption does not necessarily create an immediate glut. It may instead trigger a period of aggressive restocking.

This is especially important for countries that rely heavily on imports from the Persian Gulf. Many will want to rebuild strategic and commercial inventories before the next geopolitical flare-up. Companies may do the same. If buyers conclude that inventories are too low for comfort, they may bid for barrels even as traders are assuming the crisis premium should disappear.

That restocking demand can put a floor under oil prices.

Gasoline Does Not Track Crude One-For-One

Another reason gasoline may not quickly return to pre-war levels is that crude oil is only one component of the pump price. It is the biggest component, but not the only one.

Refining margins, distribution costs, taxes, seasonal fuel specifications, regional supply constraints, and local inventories are all factors. Gasoline prices often rise quickly when crude spikes, but the decline can be slower when crude falls, particularly when refiners are still dealing with tight supply or strong demand.

This is also the time of year when gasoline demand tends to be seasonally strong. The summer driving season adds pressure just as the market is trying to recover from a major geopolitical disruption. Even if crude continues to ease, gasoline inventories and refinery utilization will help determine how much relief drivers actually see.

That is why a lower Brent crude price does not automatically mean a quick return to $3 gasoline.

The Market May Be Pricing In A Best-Case Scenario

None of this means gasoline prices cannot keep falling. They can. If the Iran agreement holds, if Hormuz traffic normalizes faster than expected, if inventories rebuild smoothly, and if crude prices continue to decline, drivers should see further relief.

But that is a favorable scenario with many moving parts.

The risk is that markets have already priced in much of the good news. They are assuming that the diplomatic breakthrough translates quickly into normal shipping flows, lower crude prices, lower inflation pressure, and a calmer economic backdrop. That may be too much to assume before the details of the agreement are known and before tanker traffic has returned to normal levels.

There are several ways this could disappoint. The agreement could be delayed. Implementation could be uneven. Shipping insurance could remain expensive. Regional security concerns could persist. Countries could compete aggressively to refill depleted stocks. Any of those factors could slow the decline in oil and gasoline prices.

That does not mean another price spike is inevitable. It simply means the market may have moved from fear to relief faster than the physical system can justify.

The Big Picture

The developing Iran agreement is good news if it reduces the risk of a wider war and allows the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. It should help bring oil prices down from the extreme levels reached during the conflict. Consumers should welcome that.

But the oil market is not a light switch. Reopening a chokepoint does not instantly refill inventories. It does not immediately clear the tanker backlogs. It does not erase insurance risk. It does not automatically bring gasoline prices back to where they were before the first missiles flew.

The most likely outcome is not that gasoline prices stay at crisis levels forever. It is that the road back to pre-war prices is far slower than many consumers expect.

Gas prices are falling. That part is real. But the bullish backdrop from low inventories, restocking demand, and lingering logistical risk has not disappeared. Until those issues are resolved, the market may struggle to deliver the kind of quick, complete relief that drivers are hoping for.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 17:00

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Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders after alleged anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
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Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh
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France v Iraq: World Cup 2026 – live
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Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Ultra: What to Expect
Apple is working on AirPods that have cameras for feeding data to Siri. The new earbuds will be Apple's first AI wearable, and current rumors suggest they're going to come out in late 2027.



Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.Design

The AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods Pro 3, but with cameras embedded in the stem. Apple also plans to include a light that will come on when visual data from the AirPods is being sent to the cloud. The LED will let people around the wearer know the cameras are in use.







Size, design, and fit are expected to remain the largely same for the earbuds and the charging case, with the exception of the changes to the stem.



Rumors suggest Apple will use tiny infrared cameras, similar to the infrared camera used for Face ID.



Features

The cameras in the AirPods will be used for sending data about the wearer's surroundings to ‌Siri‌, giving ‌Siri‌ more information about where the user is and what's nearby.



‌Siri‌ will be able to answer questions about objects or whatever the wearer happens to be looking at. The camera-equipped AirPods could be useful for more exact turn-by-turn directions when walking, contextual reminders, 3D mapping, and more.



The iPhone already has Visual Intelligence, which uses AI to identify plants, animals, landmarks, art, books, and more. Camera-equipped AirPods will be able to supply data for ‌Visual Intelligence‌ without the need to use the Camera app.



Users aren't likely to be able to use the cameras to capture photos and videos.



H3 Chip

Apple is working on an upgraded H3 chip and it could make its first appearance in the next AirPods Pro. The H3 chip is expected to bring latency improvements and better audio quality.



Naming

Initial rumors about the AirPods with cameras said they wouldn't be a full new model and wouldn't be called the AirPods Pro 4, but launch timing has since changed. It's now likely the AirPods will be part of the AirPods Pro line, but naming is still unsettled.



Apple could call them the AirPods Pro 4, but AirPods Ultra is also a possibility.



Pricing

With the addition of cameras, the AirPods could be more expensive than the current $249 ‌AirPods Pro 3‌.



Compatibility

Since the AirPods will feed data to ‌Siri‌, an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence will be required to use the features. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and later.



Release Date

There were rumors suggesting the camera-equipped AirPods could come out as soon as this year, but the latest information indicates the new earbuds will launch in late 2027 alongside the 20th anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable iPhone.



Apple reportedly needed more time for the AirPods to design visual AI models capable of identifying objects.



Apple is testing the new AirPods with iOS 28, an update that Apple is already developing.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution), AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, 'Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Ultra: What to Expect' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
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Chatham House
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Africa Aware: Navigating Somalia’s political stalemate
Africa Aware: Navigating Somalia’s political stalemate
Audio
jon.wallace
12 June 2026

Our guests discuss issues surrounding President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s constitutional amendments and possible ways out of the political impasse they created.







As 15 May 2026 drew closer, there was growing uncertainty surrounding Somalia’s next political transition: the date marked the official end of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term, yet no election date was set. Instead, the president officially signed a final set of constitutional amendments passed by majority vote in the Federal Parliament into law. He contends that this grants an extra year to his term which now expires on 15 May 2027. Opposition to the implementation of the constitutional amendments persists and Somalia now faces a political impasse that threatens to deepen political fragmentation. In this episode, Professor Afyare Abdi Elmi and Aweis Ahmed discuss scenarios to navigate Somalia’s current political stalemate and pathways for a peaceful political transition. About Africa Aware Africa Aware is a podcast from the Chatham House Africa Programme bringing together leading international experts to provide in-depth analysis and sharp insights on the political, economic and social issues shaping African countries, their international relations and the continent as a whole. You can also listen to Africa Aware on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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U.S. oil prices end below $74 a barrel after 60-day pause on Iran sanctions
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Trump may say he’s banning Wall Street from buying homes. Does the bipartisan housing bill actually do that?
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‘Passion is overrated:’ This CEO didn’t build her career doing what she loved — and says you shouldn’t either
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Slashdot
Open 
Google Invests $75 Million In A24 To Develop AI-Powered Filmmaking Tools
Google is investing roughly $75 million in A24 as part of a research partnership with DeepMind to develop AI-powered filmmaking tools and workflows. "The deal represents the latest marriage between a Hollywood studio and AI in an era where companies have oscillated between partnerships and lawsuits," reports Variety. From the report: A24 partner Scott Belsky, who leads the studio's technology division A24 Labs, told the Journal the studio's Google partnership differed from other deals because AI developers mistakenly advertised their products as a means to make films cheaper and faster. His division is developing applications for AI-generated storyboards, another reimagination of the production process that has seen filmmakers like Martin Scorsese rubber-stamp. "We think there are better uses that preserve creative control and support risk-taking," said Belsky, arguing the new tools "won't look anything like the prompted generation type of AI that people feel uncomfortable with."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
ICE pepper-sprays Father's Day protest after woman is run over
Families came to Delaney Hall on Father's Day asking ICE to free detained dads. Instead, a woman was hit by a car, from behind, while protesting at the Newark detention center entrance. Protesters say ICE agents responded not by assisting the woman, but by deploying pepper spray and mace. — Read the rest
The post ICE pepper-sprays Father's Day protest after woman is run over appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Grandpa Pudding Brains is hunting for vandals in his $14.7 million algae farm
Grandpa Pudding Brains ordered the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool painted "American flag blue," watched it turn fresh engine-coolant green, and is now hunting for vandals in his $14.7 million algae farm.
Since the Orange Menace declared the problems at the memorial were due to vandals, and not grift, arrests have been made, and a dead duckling has been found. — Read the rest
The post Grandpa Pudding Brains is hunting for vandals in his $14.7 million algae farm appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
California's vanished sunflower sea stars are not totally vanished
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SFGATE reports that divers near Sea Ranch found the largest known group of wild sunflower sea stars seen in California waters since a mass die-off began in 2013. — Read the rest
The post California's vanished sunflower sea stars are not totally vanished appeared first on Boing Boing.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
Open 
Woman who caused rat infestation by leaving meat and bones as bird food is fined £1,500
Animal lover Lorraine Riordan, 56, from south Wales, was hauled to court after her neighbours and a primary school complained about large numbers of rats.

Mail Online
Open 
Ivanka Trump shares never-before-seen photos from brother Don Jr's Bahamas wedding... and new 'sister' Bettina is thrilled
The First Daughter, 44, took to Instagram on Monday with a series of snaps from the whirlwind weekend in the Bahamas.

Mail Online
Open 
Fight breaks out on Europe's only gender-segregated beach as woman refuses to leave male section of sand divided by a wall in Italy
The woman, who was with her partner, was confronted by another beachgoer after straying on to the male side of Alla Lanterna - better known as Pedocin.

Telegraph
Open 
Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer as Argentina beat Austria
Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer as Argentina beat Austria

EFF
Open 
Court Records Should Be Free
Court records belong to the public. Yet anyone seeking access to federal court filings through PACER, a government software system that stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is usually required to pay hefty fees to search for and view documents. PACER’s fees have long acted as a barrier that makes it hard, especially for low income people, to see and understand the work produced by our own public servants. 
That's why EFF joined a broad group of organizations supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026, legislation that would modernize the federal courts' electronic filing systems and eliminate PACER fees. 
Public access to the courts is a cornerstone of democratic accountability.
The bill would replace the aging PACER and CM/ECF systems with a modern, unified platform designed to improve public access, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce long-term costs. Supporters note that PACER currently collects more than $150 million annually in fees from the public, despite court records being public documents.
The Open Courts Act would also make court records easier to find, access, and understand. The legislation builds on a similar proposal, also supported by EFF, that previously won bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee but did not become law before the end of the congressional session.
This is not a new issue for EFF. More than a decade ago, we criticized PACER's paywalls and the removal of some court records from online access, arguing that the public should not have to pay to read the law and the judicial decisions that shape it. The Open Courts Act would move U.S. courts a big step closer to that goal. 
In addition to EFF, the bill is supported by Fix the Court, the group pushing this bill forward; the Free Law Project, which maintains RECAP, software that has created a large archive of legal opinions and other court records; as well as civil society groups, open government watchdogs, and media groups. 
Public access to the courts is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. Let’s eliminate unnecessary barriers to court records, and bring the federal judiciary’s tech into the modern era. 


Read the full letter supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Messi becomes World Cup record goal scorer as Argentina march into last 32
Lionel Messi becomes the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer as his double against Austria sends holders Argentina into the last 32.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Puberty blocker trial will help reduce harm, says Cass report author
Dr Hilary Cass says she is "absolutely convinced that more children will be harmed if we don't do the trial than if we do."

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Eight in critical condition after train crash
Over 100 needed hospital treatment as the transport secretary urges people not to speculate on the cause.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Jack Draper hails new coach Andy Murray after winning return at Eastbourne
Draper defeats Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (5) in first roundMurray in player box alongside fellow coach TrotmanAn amusing question at the beginning of this new, hopeful chapter in Jack Draper’s career was tendered to the 24-year-old without hesitation before his return to competition in Eastbourne this week. In the heat of a dispiriting, stressful battle on court, when things are going badly and he might need to discharge some of his tension, would he ever allow himself to scream at Andy Murray?The prospect of hollering expletives at his idol, friend and new coach drew laughter from Draper. Then he shook his head: “I don’t think so,” Draper said. “Maybe a few times I’ve said something to my team but it’s mainly anger at myself. I’ve never been someone who goes off at my team, because I have a great relationship with all of them. I have too much respect for Andy and Trots [James Trotman, his other coach] to be doing that.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Semenyo and Ghana aim to emulate 2010 World Cup heroes as they face England
Carlos Queiroz’s squad hope to repeat the form that almost made Ghana the first African team to reach the semi-finalsAntoine Semenyo was only 10 years old when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Manchester City forward can still vividly recall the emotions that night as he watched with his family in Bexleyheath, south-east London.“I remember being at my uncle’s house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through,” he said in an interview last month. “Watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we would watch all the games together, celebrating and screaming. Ghana came in [for me] when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
France v Iraq: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimThe first email has landed, some time ago actually. “‘He needs only a hat-trick to grab the all-time World Cup record,’” says Steve Gisselbrecht, quoting an early version of my preamble. “Oh please. That’s so 20 minutes ago.”Good line! And sorry for the blooper – I wrote it in advance, planning to give it a tweak in the light of whatever Lionel Messi had up his sleeve, and thanks to a misunderstanding it went live a little earlier than expected. It’s fixed now – at least I hope so. Continue reading...

The Verge
Open 
AI is cursing renters with the promise of impossible homes
Joyce, a native New Yorker, didn't think finding her first solo apartment in the city would be easy. But she also didn't think it'd be "hell." After looking at a lot of tiny, overpriced places she described as "shitholes," Joyce found her dream apartment: a reasonably priced studio in Manhattan. "It was big and airy, […]

Mail Online
Open 
Thunderstorms batter heatwave Britain ahead of 'hottest day ever': Hosepipe ban announced with 40C furnace set to bring country to a standstill with rails buckled and schools and offices closed
The Met Office today issued a rare red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces road, rail and air travel chaos.

Mail Online
Open 
France vs Iraq - World Cup Group I LIVE: Kylian Mbappe and Co look to reach knockouts as favourites return to action
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as France take on Iraq in Group I at the Philadelphia Stadium.

Nature
Open 
A spacecraft is falling to its doom — can NASA save it?

Gizmodo
Open 
Forget Mars, SpaceX Is Becoming a Data Center Company
The company's new deal with AI startup Reflection also hints at a bright future for open source AI.

Gizmodo
Open 
Keanu Reeves Is Helping to Build a New Lego Movie
The 'Matrix' star is teaming up with 'Toy Story 4' and 'Transformers One' director Josh Cooley for the new film.

Ian Visits
Open 
Britain’s railways brace for the heatwave as passengers told to check before travelling
Train companies across much of England are advising passengers that the heatwave will affect train services and could lead to delays and short-notice cancellations.Read more ›

UK Government News
Open 
The UK strongly condemns Russia’s latest mass strikes against Ukrainian cities: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

UK Government News
Open 
SFO announces investigation into suspected telecoms company fraud
The SFO is investigating suspected fraud and money laundering at telecoms firm IMC, alongside a parallel US investigation.

Mail Online
Open 
Moment killer grins as he is arrested for ordering murder of his delivery driver cousin
Mohamed Adaw, 23, (pictured) ordered Arlind Hashani to carry out the murder on his cousin, calling him before the attack on 29 December 2023.

Mail Online
Open 
Thunderstorms batter heatwave Britain ahead of 'hottest day ever': South East Water announces hosepipe ban with 40C furnace set to bring country to a standstill with rails buckled and schools and offices closed
The Met Office today issued a rare red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces road, rail and air travel chaos.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Bank of England Posts Update on Stablecoins in the UK, Coinbase Likes What they Read
The Bank of England has posted an update on draft rules regarding stablecoins. The bank stated: “[This] marks a significant milestone in delivering a comprehensive UK regime for stablecoins. It sets a clear pathway for UK-issued, sterling-denominated stablecoins to operate at scale across a range... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
5 cheap gadgets that will seriously upgrade your home (and they're on sale)
I'll never stop recommending these no-fuss, handy gadgets (especially when they're on sale for Prime Day).

ZDNet News
Open 
This 2TB WD Blue SSD is almost $400 off right now at Best Buy - and I highly recommend it
The 2TB WD Blue SN5100 SSD is equally at home in both workstations and gaming PCs - and you can save on one at Best Buy now.

ZDNet News
Open 
This 16-inch Acer is the best gaming laptop deal I've found for Prime Day
The Acer Predator Helios Neo is a high-end 16-inch gaming laptop that's $450 off right now - a banger of a deal.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Prime Day Espresso Machine Deals 2026: Breville and Ninja
The Breville Barista Express and Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro are two of the best early Prime Day deals I’ve seen in 2026.

CNET News
Open 
Prime Day Starts Tomorrow, and We're Going to Live Track Deals Just for You
Prime Day is here, and for the next four days, we'll bring you the best deals live as we find them.

CNET News
Open 
Instagram Is Coming to a Big Screen Near You: Your Samsung TV
The feature, which is already available on Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, lets you scroll through Reels and Stories in a larger format.

The Hill
Open 
Judge strikes down Trump administration database of Social Security numbers, citizenship status
A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from creating a centralized database containing Social Security numbers along with information about voters' citizenship status and other sensitive data.  District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, an appointee of former President Biden, said officials across numerous government agencies “haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of...

The Hill
Open 
Iranian World Cup team leaves message behind after surprise draw with Belgium
The Iranian men’s national soccer team left a note behind at SoFi Stadium, just outside of Los Angeles, after it drew with Belgium in what was seen as a World Cup surprise. In a Sunday post on the social platform X, Iranian defender Ramin Rezaian posted a photo of a note on a sheet of...

The Hill
Open 
FAA investigating close call between two jets at Boston airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a close call between two commercial planes that occurred at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on Saturday. The crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 2351 executed a go-around, or aborted landing, because an American Airlines flight was departing from an intersecting runway, according to the FAA. The incident...

The Hill
Open 
ABC calls on viewers to back network in Trump battles
ABC is asking for its viewers to support the network as it faces scrutiny from the Trump administration challenging whether its daytime table talk program "The View" is a bona fide news program. The network this week rolled out an on-air campaign promoting the show and blasting the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC) which it says...

The Hill
Open 
Hegseth to give classified briefing to GOP lawmakers on military funding goals
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a classified briefing to a group of House Republicans on military funding goals on Wednesday, as President Trump is pushing Congress to pass a $350 billion reconciliation package for the Pentagon. The Pentagon chief will be at the Republican Study Committee's (RSC) weekly members-only lunch, and defense funding through...

The Hill
Open 
World Cup fans from around the world are wowed by United States
Soccer fans from around the world are expressing amazement and amusement at the food, customs and culture of the United States during the first two weeks of the World Cup. Supporters of countries from Europe to Asia and the Middle East are steadily posting on social media, in many cases praising their experiences at bars, convenience stores and restaurants, soaking in...

The Hill
Open 
Dershowitz to sit for questioning in House Epstein probe
Alan Dershowitz, a former defense attorney for late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will appear before the House Oversight Committee on July 20 for a transcribed interview, according to two sources familiar with the planning.  Dershowitz helped secure a controversial plea deal for Epstein in 2008, in which the disgraced financier agreed to plead guilty to...

The Hill
Open 
Live updates: Trump says US, Iran talks working toward 'fair and reasonable' deal
President Trump on Monday said talks between the U.S. and Iran are working toward negotiating a "fair and reasonable deal." He added that American farmers will be part of a deal to send food to Iran. Vice President Vance departed Switzerland after reporting notable progress in talks with Iranian negotiators. The first day of talks,...

The Hill
Open 
Tucker Carlson says he won't support Republican Party
Pundit Tucker Carlson says he's done with the Republican Party. "The poll numbers now tell a pretty clear story about it. I would not support the Republican Party, there's no chance," Carlson said during a recent appearance on the "Can't Be Censored" podcast. "Not because I support the Democratic Party. I don't know what I'm...

Techdirt
Open 
Trump Still Wants His MAGA Slush Fund… And His Cabinet Refuses To Sign Declarations That It’s Gone
In mid-May, the Todd Blanche-run DOJ agreed to “settle” the fake case Donald Trump had brought against his own IRS. The “settlement”? A $1.776 billion fund to pay reparations to the MAGA faithful. Much of that money was expected to flow to January 6th insurrectionists — many of them convicted of actual crimes that Trump […]

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders after Edinburgh attacks
Lewis Hawkes, 36, charged with five counts of attempted murder ‘aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection’A 36-year-old man has been charged with five counts of attempted murders “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after a series of attacks in Edinburgh last Friday.Lewis Hawkes has also been charged with assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct, all of which were also aggravated by reason of a terrorist connection. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too. History was made in the way he knows best, a clinical left-footed flourish setting him out on his own as the World Cup’s highest goalscorer of all time.Another followed with the game’s final action and at this rate 18 may even seem a modest figure a month from now. Messi has already scored five goals in two games, all but guaranteeing that Argentina will win Group J. A first golden boot would not be the worst present for an icon who turns 39 on Wednesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Who is Andy Burnham, the ‘man of the people’ likely to be next UK prime minister?
Expected successor to Keir Starmer has promised to understand voters outside London and those who feel unheardIn the story that Andy Burnham tells about himself, “the turning point” in his political life came in 2009 when he was booed at a football ground in the north-west of England. He had been an ideologically reliable middle-ranking minister under Tony Blair, the centrist New Labour prime minister between 1997 and 2007, and had gone on to be appointed as secretary of state for culture, media and sport under Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown.On the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster – the fatal crowd crush that killed 97 Liverpool fans in 1989 – Burnham was representing Brown’s administration at Anfield, Liverpool’s famous stadium. But as he began to offer his words of condolence into a microphone on the pitch, the then 39-year-old minister’s speech was interrupted by loud and angry calls from the stands for justice for those who had been killed due to no fault of their own. A series of British governments had refused demands for a public inquiry into the disaster. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
India news: Millions of students turn up for NEET retest
More than 2 million students appeared for the high-stakes NEET medical entrance exam amid high security after a question paper leak fiasco.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Eight in critical condition after train crash
Over 100 needed hospital treatment as transport secretary urges politicians to wait for investigation.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Clive Davis: music industry executive who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen dies aged 94
Davis, who discovered many of the defining musicians of the 20th century and helmed major record labels, said he ‘never’ tired of the music businessClive Davis predicted music’s biggest stars like no one elseClive Davis: a life in pictures from Diana Ross to Aretha FranklinThe famed US music industry executive and record producer Clive Davis has died aged 94, his family has confirmed.He had recently been hospitalised with respiratory problems and was recovering at home. He had also been diagnosed with neurological condition Bell’s palsy in 2021. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Clive Davis predicted music’s biggest stars like no one else | Alexis Petridis
The legendary music executive signed everyone from Patti Smith to Barry Manilow and changed the industry foreverClive Davis: music industry executive who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen dies aged 94Clive Davis: a life in pictures from Diana Ross to Aretha FranklinClive Davis always claimed that his life in the music business was really kickstarted when he chose to attend the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival: it was there he saw Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, and immediately bought their contract for $200,000, the first really high-profile signing of his career. But Davis was an unlikely fit at the most high-profile event of the Summer of Love: he was a Harvard-educated lawyer who had been “shocked” when a restructuring of Columbia Records saw him promoted from general counsel to the company’s president. He was sharp enough to spot which way the pop cultural wind was blowing – “a revolution in culture and philosophy”, he later recalled, “the Haight-Ashbury scene, with love peace and flowers” – but he was no one’s idea of a hippie. Amid a sea of paisley, batik, love beads and bells David turned up to the festival clad in “khaki pants and a tennis sweater”.It was an image he would often recall for comic effect – “I was the costumed freak surrounded by everyone with flowers in their hair” – but there was something rather telling about it too: Davis’s skill as what used to be called a record man lay in his ability to balance the progressive with the traditional. He turned one wing of Columbia into something of a home for artists associated with the burgeoning counterculture, swiftly signing Santana, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Electric Flag and the wonderful psychedelic soul band the Chambers Brothers. But he never lost sight of the other side of the company, which dealt lucratively in soundtracks and easy listening and was home to Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett: at one juncture, he found himself simultaneously attempting to renegotiate the contracts of Bob Dylan and Andy Williams. When he founded Arista Records in 1974, he did exactly the same thing: it was a label that provided a home for both Patti Smith and Barry Manilow. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
France v Iraq: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimLatest on Birthgate. There’s been a climbdown from L’Equipe, one of whose presenters said, à propos Jérémy Doku, that there was no point in a father witnessing the birth of his child. More importantly, the Doku baby has now arrived. It’s a boy called Praise, born in London – which means he will have the option of playing for England, should he become a footballer too.Evening everyone and welcome to the Kylian Mbappé show. He’s the captain of France, he’s the biggest name in a team full of stars, in fact the biggest name in this World Cup among all those who have yet to turn 38. He needs four more goals to share the all-time World Cup record which Lionel Messi has just set. And Mbappé is already the GOAT in terms of goals per match, among those who have scored at more than one World Cup. He has 14 from 15, just pipping Pelé, who has 12 from 14, staying well clear of Messi, who has 18 from 28, and possibly enraging Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only eight from 23. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
John Swinney says victims of Edinburgh knife attacks deeply traumatised
Scotland’s first minister expresses solidarity with communities affected by apparently anti-Muslim violenceA 36-year-old man has been charged with five attempted murders “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection” after a series of attacks in Edinburgh last Friday.Lewis Hawkes has also been charged with assault and robbery, two counts of breach of the peace and two counts of culpable and reckless conduct, all of which were also aggravated by reason of a terrorist connection. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (left) is now two goals clear of Miroslav Klose in the all-time World Cup goal standings.It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too. History was made in the way he knows best, a clinical left-footed flourish setting him out on his own as the World Cup’s highest goalscorer of all time. Another followed with the game’s final action and at this rate 18 may even seem a modest figure a month from now. Messi has already scored five goals in two games, all but guaranteeing that Argentina will win Group J. A first golden boot would not be the worst present for an icon who turns 39 on Wednesday.The record-breaking moment was one for the ages. It came 40 years to the day since Diego Maradona felled England via infamous hand and enthralling slalom. Had there ever really been any doubt? Quite a bit, actually, in the minutes after Messi improbably missed the target with an early penalty. That, in itself, was a pinch-me moment of sorts. The real thing arrived seven minutes before half-time and perhaps it slayed a few ghosts too. This is the city where, to long-festering chagrin, Maradona played his final international match – at USA 94 – before being banned for ephedrine doping. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Burnham prepares for power as an emotional Starmer bows out
New Makerfield MP could get keys to No 10 unopposed after British prime minister’s resignation paves way for successorKeir Starmer has finally bowed to intense pressure to stand down as British prime minister as he conceded that he was no longer the right man to lead the country, leaving Andy Burnham all but certain to succeed him.In an extraordinary day at Westminster, Starmer announced a timetable for his departure after months of growing discontent among Labour MPs and cabinet ministers, many unnerved by the threat from Reform UK before the next general election.Burnham will begin to set out his likely policies next week with a series of speeches to demonstrate a big symbolic shift from Starmer’s government, starting with the economy and devolution.He is considering appointing Ed Miliband as chancellor in order to challenge Treasury orthodoxy but has not yet made a final decision. Sources said Burnham was aware of the potential risks with business and the unions opposed to the move, but could be prepared to make the argument.Shabana Mahmood is expected to stay at the Home Office after the former Greater Manchester mayor praised the home secretary for “facing up” to the big issues on immigration during the byelection campaign.Wes Streeting could be appointed to one of the top cabinet jobs, but did “not come with any leverage” to discussions, with campaign sources rejecting his claims he had the numbers to run. Others have argued for him to be appointed chancellor to reassure the markets.Starmer loyalists are still seeking a candidate who could potentially stand against Burnham – with it depending on whether Miliband was chancellor. Darren Jones has been touted as a possibility, and while sources said he was not organising a run, they stopped short of a categorical denial. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Argentina vs Austria - World Cup Group J RECAP: Lionel Messi breaks Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record as he scores a brace in win - despite missing a first-half penalty
Relive Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as holders Argentina take on Austria in Group J at the Dallas Stadium.

Mac Rumours
Open 
iOS 27 Beta 2 Adds Inline Replies to iPhone-to-Android RCS Chats
With the second beta of iOS 27, Apple added support for replying to a specific message in an RCS conversation with an Android user.





You can now long press on a message to get to the option to reply, and it works the same way that it does with iMessage.





‌iOS 27‌ also displays tapback/reaction emoji to images and videos properly. In iOS 26, it would use a text descriptor, such as [x loved an image] instead of showing the emoji. In ‌iOS 27‌, the emoji shows up on the image or video as it does in an iMessage conversation.



Apple added support for ‌RCS‌ in iOS 18, and has been improving it since then. iOS 26.5 added encryption for ‌RCS‌ messages sent between iPhone and Android users, and now more of the ‌RCS‌ features are being implemented.



For ‌RCS‌ reply threading to work properly, both the sender and the recipient need to have a smartphone and carrier that supports ‌RCS‌.



‌iOS 27‌ is limited to developers currently, but it will be available to the public when Apple releases a public beta in July. The software will see an official launch in September.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tags: Android, RCSThis article, 'iOS 27 Beta 2 Adds Inline Replies to iPhone-to-Android RCS Chats' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, AirTag, and More
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here, and it will last for four days, ending this Friday, June 26. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



For our coverage, we're focusing on discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, monitors, charging accessories, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases.



YEAR'S BEST PRICESAmazon Prime Day 2026



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week.



Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



AirPods



Amazon has the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399.00 in all colors, down from $549.00. This is an all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00.



$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$59 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $189.99

$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



AirTag 2



Apple's AirTag 2 has hit the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack.



$5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00



This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model.



Apple Watch Ultra 3



Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options.



$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00



Apple Watch Series 11



Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00

$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.



Apple Watch SE 3



Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable.



$50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00

$50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00



You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices.



MacBook Air



You'll find $149 off a few models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon this week, starting at $949.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,099.00.



$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99

$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.99



iPad Air



Amazon has brought back all-time low prices on a handful of M4 iPad Air tablets for Prime Day. This includes both 11-inch and 13-inch models of the brand new 2026 M4 iPad Air.



$79 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $519.99

$89 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $609.99

$99 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $699.99

$109 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $789.99



Specifically, the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Air has dropped to $519.99, down from $599.00, beating the previous low price by about $40.



iPad



Amazon is taking up to $52 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.



$50 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $299.00

$50 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00

$52 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $597.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







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Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, AirTag, and More' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27
Apple is planning to remove the AirPort Utility app from the App Store in the near future, according to the release notes for iOS 27 beta 2. The app is no longer fully supported in ‌iOS 27‌, and Apple warns that it is not guaranteed to work.





AirPort Utility will no longer be available for new downloads from the App Store. If you previously downloaded the app, you can still re-download it. When using AirPort Utility on iOS 27 and later, functionality is not guaranteed.

Users who have downloaded AirPort Utility in the past will be able to re-download it if needed.



Apple also plans to remove AirPort Utility from new installations of macOS, but users who already have it installed will continue to be able to use it after updating to new versions of macOS. As with ‌iOS 27‌, Apple says it isn't guaranteed to work in macOS Golden Gate.



AirPort Utility lets users manage AirPort base stations like the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule. Apple discontinued its AirPort routers back in 2018, but has continued to support them through the AirPort Utility app.



With ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, Apple is eliminating AFP support, which means the Time Machine feature on Macs will no longer work with the AirPort Time Capsule.



With Time Capsule support ending and Apple sunsetting the AirPort Utility app, it's clear Apple does not plan to continue offering updates to users who are still holding on to their AirPort devices.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: App StoreThis article, 'Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 and iOS 26.5.2 Updates Coming Soon
Apple is working on a macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 update that's expected to come out in the near future. The second macOS Golden Gate beta includes an upgrade path from ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2, which suggests 26.5.2 is an upcoming build that Apple expects devices to be running soon.





The update will be released alongside iOS 26.5.2, which we've already confirmed is in testing based on MacRumors visitor logs.



‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2 and iOS 26.5.2 are expected to be minor updates with bug fixes and security updates.



Apple is also testing ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.6 and iOS 26.6 updates, and two betas have been released so far. With the 26.6 software not too far off, it's likely we'll get iOS 26.5.2 and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2 this week.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS TahoeRelated Forums: iOS 26, macOS TahoeThis article, 'macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 and iOS 26.5.2 Updates Coming Soon' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Russia Today News
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Palestinian flag row at US graduation sparks outcry

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Olympic and Paralympic stars back Northern Games bid
A group of current and former British Olympians and Paralympians back a proposed north of England bid to host the Games, claiming it has "a passion for sport like no other place".

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Jack Draper hails new coach Andy Murray after winning return at Eastbourne
Draper defeats Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (5) in first roundMurray in player box alongside fellow coach TrotmanAn amusing question at the beginning of this new, hopeful chapter in Jack Draper’s career was tendered to the 24-year-old without hesitation before his return to competition in Eastbourne this week. In the heat of a dispiriting, stressful battle on court, when things are going badly and he might need to discharge some of his tension, would he ever allow himself to scream at Andy Murray?The prospect of hollering expletives at his idol, friend and new coach drew laughter from Draper. Then he shook his head: “I don’t think so,” Draper said. “Maybe a few times I’ve said something to my team but it’s mainly anger at myself. I’ve never been someone who goes off at my time, because I have a great relationship with all of them. I have too much respect for Andy and Trots [James Trotman, his other coach] to be doing that.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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L’Equipe apologises to Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku for presenter’s comments
French media outlet distanced itself from criticism of Doku’s plan to fly back from World Cup for birth of first childThe French media outlet L’Équipe has apologised to the Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku after he was criticised by one of its pundits for saying he would duck out of the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child.News of the apology came as the Belgian football federation said Doku had made it back to London in time to be with his wife Shireen, who gave birth to a boy called Praise ⁠on Monday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
France v Iraq: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimEvening everyone and welcome to the Kylian Mbappé show. He’s the captain of France, he’s the biggest name in a team full of stars, in fact the biggest name in this World Cup among all those who have yet to turn 38. He needs four more goals to share the all-time World Cup record which Lionel Messi has just set. And Mbappé is already the GOAT in terms of goals per match, among those who have scored at more than one World Cup. He has 14 from 15, just pipping Pelé, who has 12 from 14, staying well clear of Messi, who has 18 from 28, and possibly enraging Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only eight from 23.Tonight, in Philadelphia, Mbappé will win his 100th cap. The stage is set, but it still takes two to tango. Can Iraq emulate Iran by pulling off a triumphant 0-0? They have never won a point at a World Cup, so it will be a surprise if they manage it against a team as good as France. But they love a challenge and don’t mind a bit of hard work: it took them 21 qualifiers to get here, more than any other nation. And in the Australian Graham Arnold, they have a manager so prone to positive thinking that when others talk of a group of death, he sees only a “group of excitement”. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Former Wimbledon champion given four-year suspension
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been handed a four-year suspension after she refused an anti-doping test.

Russia Today News
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Starmer’s successor will be swallowed by the same trap

Digital Trends
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Instagram lands on Samsung TVs, with episodic series and live TV coming to your screen soon
Meta is testing interest-based channels, phone-to-TV casting, and a horizontal video hub as Instagram for TV expands beyond Samsung's launch.

Digital Trends
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Steam Machine reviews praise Valve’s hardware. The real problem is its four-figure price tag
The first Steam Machine reviews are in, and while critics praise Valve's hardware and SteamOS, many believe its $1,049 price tag is the biggest hurdle.

Digital Trends
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This Prime Day, Sylvox Is Offering Up To 28% Off Its Frameless Outdoor TVs
Outdoor living spaces are becoming an extension of the modern home, and the technology that goes into them is evolving too. During Prime Day, Sylvox is offering discounts across its outdoor TV portfolio, including savings of up to 28% on the Frameless Series Outdoor TV.

Digital Trends
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Valve’s Steam Machine is not a console, which explains both the freedom and the pain
Valve says the Steam Machine is designed around an open PC ecosystem rather than the subsidized, locked-down pricing model used by traditional consoles

TechRadar News
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I can't use asymmetrical gaming controllers — here's what I'd recommend instead, along with some other favorites

TechRadar News
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Planning your next vacation? Get your handheld gaming upgrades ready with a bunch of my favorite accessories

TechRadar News
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Too rainy or hot to run outdoors? Tired of missing your favorite shows? I've scoured the internet for some of the best Amazon Prime Day treadmill deals

TechRadar News
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Get two months of Dutton Ranch, Tulsa King and more for under $2 with this Paramount+ streaming deal

TechRadar News
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I’ve tested more than 20 soundbars, but these 4 affordable models are my picks for cinematic sound on a budget — including ultra-cheap all-in-one bars and awesome Dolby Atmos options

TechRadar News
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The LG C5 is the 5-star OLED TV I’d recommend for both the World Cup and GTA 6 — and you can get it for a record-low price ahead of Prime Day, but it won’t stick around for long

TechRadar News
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I use AirTags every time I travel, and Amazon just dropped Apple's newest model to a record-low price

TechRadar News
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Samsung 24in S30GD minimalist monitor drops to the lowest price I've ever seen – this early Amazon Prime Day deal is a great workspace upgrade for less than $80

TechRadar News
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The RayNeo Air 4 Pro were already the best budget smart glasses I’ve tried — now thanks to Prime Day they’re even cheaper, and I don’t understand why you haven’t yet bought a pair

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Micron grew by $1 trillion this year. These two wild cards will determine its trajectory.
Analysts are watching to see the impact of a new memory-saving technology, as well as the timeline for additional manufacturing capacity.

Slashdot
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Some Electricians Think Building Data Centers Is For Sellouts
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Wired: As Big Tech dumps billions of dollars into America's data center buildout, a slew of opportunities have opened up to the electricians wiring these massive facilities. In some cases, the scale of the projects and the demanding construction timelines are fueling talent wars for the industry's best and brightest. The US-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has argued that its workers are "powering the AI Revolution," and a set of "Data Center Principles" published in March argues that union labor is "essential to the future of AI." Tech companies are trying to meet the moment: Meta recently announced a skilled trade academy program, and Google committed $50 million to help train people in skilled trades.

But amid growing national opposition to data centers, debates over the ethics of the massive buildout have started to pop up in some online pockets of the community. Threads about how AI will affect the economy now pepper r/electricians, a subreddit with around half a million monthly visitors. Some users wonder whether the work will eventually prompt widespread job losses. Others aren't sure if their labor makes them complicit in the damage done to local communities or whether it's unethical to take on data center work. For some, the answer is a firm no. Ultimately, they argue, work is work. An anonymous Midwest electrician who spoke to Wired acknowledged concerns about scams, corporate greed, and AI's impact on workers, but said he views data centers as an important source of career advancement. "This is most likely going to be a major part of our future. And if you can't beat them, join them," he said.

An electrician named Ryan, meanwhile, is strongly opposed to working on data centers because he distrusts the corporations and political environment driving AI development. Still, if the facilities are going to be built, he would prefer union workers construct them. "If they're going to get built, I'd rather they go union," he said.

Jesse, an IBEW electrician, sympathizes with communities negatively affected by data centers but does not believe the electricians building them should be blamed. In his view, opposition should instead be directed toward policymakers and the project approval process. "I think it's ridiculous if, to build a data center or any kind of a business, you're going to significantly impact the lives of that community in a negative way," he told Wired.

An electrician named Dante echoed some of those sentiments, arguing that data center work is no more ethically compromised than many other commercial construction projects. "We're almost always working for the worst possible people in the end, but we all need a paycheck," he said. He added that such projects are "essentially the same kind of work," typically performed for wealthy corporations seeking to become even richer.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
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This $899 smart piano teacher just dropped a 5-year subscription for the best price ever: just $68
TL;DR: flowkey listens while you play piano and gives you live feedback, and it's only $68 for a 5-year subscription with code SAVE15.
Learning piano at home usually feels like a lonely and frustrating process. You sit there practicing for hours without knowing if your hands are in the right position or if you are even playing the notes correctly.  — Read the rest
The post This $899 smart piano teacher just dropped a 5-year subscription for the best price ever: just $68 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Tesla's driver-assist nightmare bursts through living room wall
Martha Avila was standing inside her home in Katy, Texas, when a Tesla Model 3 came through the brick wall and killed her.
The New York Times reports that the driver, Michael Butler, told investigators he was using Tesla's automated driver-assistance system when the car left the road and slammed into the home. — Read the rest
The post Tesla's driver-assist nightmare bursts through living room wall appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
An expedition spent years looking for an Arctic island that didn't exist
In 1913 a party set out to map Crocker Land, "a huge island supposedly sighted by the explorer Robert Peary from the top of Cape Colgate in 1906." Peary had named it after San Francisco banker George Crocker, one of his backers. — Read the rest
The post An expedition spent years looking for an Arctic island that didn't exist appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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A 20-mile maze under Budapest hid a secret WWII aircraft engine plant
The Kőbánya cellar system under the 10th district of Budapest is, according to Wikipedia, "the largest cellar complex in the country" — a network of tunnels estimated at 32 to 35 km long beneath 44 to 54 acres. It began in the Middle Ages as an underground limestone quarry that supplied stone for the Hungarian Parliament, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, and the State Opera House. — Read the rest
The post A 20-mile maze under Budapest hid a secret WWII aircraft engine plant appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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For 60 years, an 84-year-old has let a deck of cards build his map
Jerry Gretzinger is 84, and for most of the past six decades he has spent nearly every day adding to a single map — now more than 4,000 hand-painted panels of a place that doesn't exist. In a People Make Games documentary, Gretzinger explains that what he draws isn't up to him. — Read the rest
The post For 60 years, an 84-year-old has let a deck of cards build his map appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
For 32 years, every director who disowned a film became Alan Smithee
For three decades, a Hollywood director who wanted to disown a film could take his name off it and replace it with one man: Alan Smithee. According to Wikipedia, the name was "an official pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project," coined by the Directors Guild of America in 1968. — Read the rest
The post For 32 years, every director who disowned a film became Alan Smithee appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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The schizophrenic Chicago artist who became an outsider rock legend
Wesley Willis was "an American musician and visual artist" from Chicago who, after being "diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989," became a cult figure in the outsider-music tradition. According to Wikipedia, his songs were "partially spoken in an MC style, and partially sung in a nasal and out-of-tune manner reminiscent of punk rock vocals," recorded over "the auto accompaniment feature on his Technics KN keyboard." — Read the rest
The post The schizophrenic Chicago artist who became an outsider rock legend appeared first on Boing Boing.

Telegraph
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Cancer patients in India seek their own chemotherapy in face of platinum supply shock
Soaring prices and shipping disruptions hit supplies of the precious metal, which is a key component of chemotherapy

The Guardian (UK)
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Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too. History was made in the way he knows best, a clinical left-footed flourish setting him out on his own as the World Cup’s highest goalscorer of all time. Another followed with the game’s final action and at this rate 18 may even seem a modest figure a month from now. Messi has already scored five goals in two games, all but guaranteeing that Argentina will win Group J. A first golden boot would not be the worst present for an icon who turns 39 on Wednesday.The record-breaking moment was one for the ages. It came 40 years to the day since Diego Maradona felled England via infamous hand and enthralling slalom. Had there ever really been any doubt? Quite a bit, actually, in the minutes after Messi improbably missed the target with an early penalty. That, in itself, was a pinch-me moment of sorts. The real thing arrived seven minutes before half-time and perhaps it slayed a few ghosts too. This is the city where, to long-festering chagrin, Maradona played his final international match – at USA 94 – before being banned for ephedrine doping. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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Indie Darling A24 Takes $75 million From Google for ‘AI Research’
Whatever that means.

Gizmodo
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Danish Privacy Activist Arrested for Posting Prime Minister’s Phone Number
"The police and the government are in fact their own worst enemies, when they act in this way."

Gizmodo
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Taika Waititi’s Sci-Fi Tale ‘Klara and the Sun’ Drops an Endearing First Trailer
Jenna Ortega plays an 'Artificial Friend' opposite Amy Adams in the Kazuo Ishiguro adaptation, in theaters October 28.

Gizmodo
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The Deadliest Kind of Wildfire Now Dominates California’s Forests
New research suggests high-severity wildfires are overtaking California's forests and killing some of the world's oldest trees.

Gizmodo
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Top Intel Agencies Say AI-Driven Cyber Catastrophes Are Imminent: ‘The Timeline Is Not Years, It Is Months’
"Breaches will occur," the intelligence alliance warns org leaders.

ZeroHedge News
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade

The Keir Starmer experiment is officially over, as was growing increasingly clear over the weekend, especially with an interestingly-timed Trump Truth Social statement. Just under two years after capturing the keys to Number 10, the British Prime Minister has thrown in the towel after succumbing to an internal party mutiny following days of intense, closed-door speculation regarding his political survival.

Stepping up to the lectern outside Downing Street on Monday morning, a visibly defeated Starmer delivered the inevitable verdict to the press. "I will resign as leader of the Labour Party," Starmer announced.


“Burnham’s succession is looking more assured as one of the top potential rivals for the job, Wes Streeting, has said he would back Burnham. This makes it less likely any candidate will have to offer some policy red meat to the leftist MPs in the Labour party to win. As far as the markets are concerned, that is a good thing.”
— Simon White, Macro Strategist.

via BBC News

The Prime Minister confirmed he has instructed Labour's National Executive Committee to draw up a swift succession timetable. Leadership nominations will officially open on July 9, with the entire process scheduled to wrap up before the summer recess.

British mediai says that the aggressive timeline ensures a new Prime Minister will be installed well before Parliament reconvenes in September.

Starmer's abrupt (but not entirely 'a surprise') exit comes after his center-left Labour Party made it clear they no longer believed he could deliver a future electoral victory. He practically admitted as much on the steps of Number 10.


"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer confessed. "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."


Defending his short and tumultuous tenure, Starmer attempted to frame his departure as an act of ultimate patriotism rather than a capitulation to party infighting.

"Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party," he said, adding: "I have spoken to his majesty the king this morning to inform him of my decision."

The Prime Minister's resignation was directly catalyzed by last week's by-election victory of Andy Burnham in Makerfield. Burnham, the fiercely popular former Greater Manchester Mayor, has long loomed as the "King in the North" and the ultimate threat to Starmer's sterile brand - according to many - of leadership. By securing a seat in the House of Commons, Burnham effectively checked Starmer into a corner.


"New leader will be in place before Parliament returns in September, I will remain in post until the contest is complete"
Keir Starmer announces he will resign as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party
Follow live updates and reaction: https://t.co/8HkQf7O9cD pic.twitter.com/oyZPA5C6Yc
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 22, 2026
With Burnham holding immense sway among rank-and-file MPs, the writing was on the wall. He now enters the upcoming leadership contest as the overwhelming frontrunner to be Britain's next Prime Minister.

* * *


BREAKING: President Trump confirms Keir Starmer is resigning as Prime Minister… before Starmer has confirmed it himself. The final humiliation. pic.twitter.com/yz33xD4rPt
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 21, 2026

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 13:03

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Another Ukrainian Drone Wave On Moscow Temporarily Shuts Down All Four Capital Airports
Another Ukrainian Drone Wave On Moscow Temporarily Shuts Down All Four Capital Airports

Yet another major Ukrainian drone attack wave on Moscow has shut down all regional airports, and sent parts of the capital city into temporary panic, and involved dozens of drones shot down overnight. Over 80 drones were intercepted in the past 24 hours, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced Monday on Telegram.

He didn't offer numbers in terms of casualties or damage, but emergency services were dispatched to several areas, given there was debris fallout and key neighborhoods impacted.
Image source: Astra

Across Russia more broadly, hundreds of drones were reportedly downed overnigh, but most of the attacks seemed concentrated on the Moscow area.

The Moscow Times reports of the Moscow region's four commercial flight hubs, "Civil aviation authorities said operations at Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports were suspended during the multi-hour attack for safety reasons. The flight restrictions were lifted later in the morning."

Much of the information on strike targets in Russia have come through Telegram and social media channels, and have remained unconfirmed on an official level, but various videos suggest a very large-scale attack.

For example, Sky News reports that "Another post claimed a factory producing electronics for Russian missiles had been struck in Voronezh, more than 100 miles from Ukraine."


All Moscow airports have been closed down due to drone attacks.
There are huge crowds as over 150 flights have been delayed or canceled. pic.twitter.com/lbngWIsBbw
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 22, 2026
Meanwhile, Ukraine has also suffered significant damage and losses - including reports that a Russian drone killed three members of one family, among the victims ⁠a 13-year-old boy, in ⁠Ukraine’s northern ​Sumy ‌region, as cited in Reuters.

President Zelensky commented, "Yet today, Russia began this day not by honoring those who fell in World War II, and not with signals that could help bring the current war – Russia’s war against Ukraine – closer to an end. Instead, it began with more completely unjustifiable killings."


“This Russian war has no justifiable cause. Putin was driven by exactly the same motives as the aggressors who came before him. He shows the same contempt for human life. He is just as delusional about this absurd ‘empire’ of his that nobody needs. This war must be brought to an end.”


Ukraine has been escalating the aerial drone war - seeking to impose a high cost on Russia's industrial and military base - even as it continues to suffer serious manpower shortages along the front lines in the east...


What do you do when you are short of Patriots?
You do this to your enemy’s factory making electronics for ballistic missiles.
Hit the arrow-maker, not the arrow. Voronezh, Russia, today. pic.twitter.com/gqTp5QIMAd
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) June 22, 2026
Zelensky has also again vowed to bring the war to Russia - and in particular it has been rare massive attacks on Moscow which have been particularly devastating. Key energy sites have continued to be pummeled.

The end of last week saw one of the biggest single drone waves on Moscow, after which Russia has vowed to carry out frequent and "massive group strikes" against Ukraine.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 14:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Technical Backdrop: When Flows Meet A Hawkish Fed
The Technical Backdrop: When Flows Meet A Hawkish Fed

Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,



Here’s the setup most investors are underrating right now. Over the next two weeks, the tape will trade on plumbing rather than fundamentals. We just cleared the largest options expiration in history. Quarter-end pension selling comes next, and then July 1 reopens the passive-money firehose into a market that already routes forty cents of every S&P 500 dollar into ten stocks. The whole market technical backdrop points higher into July. But Kevin Warsh’s first meeting as Fed chair just put a rate HIKE back on the table, and that quietly changes the math underneath every one of those flows.

I want to give credit where it’s due. Scott Rubner, the chief equity and derivatives strategist at Citadel Securities, laid out the mechanical case in a note last week, and I agree with most of his map.1 Citadel sees about 35% of all US retail order flow, so when they describe positioning, I listen. The disagreement isn’t about the flows. It’s about what got armed underneath them on Wednesday afternoon.



The Setup: Two Weeks of Pure Mechanics

Three events are stacked on top of each other. First, Thursday’s quadruple witching, pulled forward a day because of the Juneteenth holiday, cleared roughly $8.3 trillion of US options exposure, about 28% of all listed open interest, and the biggest expiration ever recorded.1 That event strips a mountain of dealer gamma out of the market, which is the technical way of saying price gets less anchored and more sensitive to whatever flow shows up next. That’s the first piece of the technical backdrop heading into quarter-end.



Secondly, we are heading into the end of the second quarter. With the large surge in the financial markets, any allocation-based fund managers are now overweight equities and underweight bonds. As shown, the top 100 US pension funds are now roughly 110% funded, their healthiest position since 2001.1 



The reason that is important is that funded plans don’t press their luck; they de-risk. As noted, the “out of balance” mechanic suggests a risk of mechanical selling of equities and buying of bonds into the month-end. Any weakness that the “rebalancing” mechanic creates is a flow story, not a fundamental one. However, on July 1, that negative flow flips the switch the other way. Retirement contributions, target-date funds, passive allocations, and systematic strategies all reload at once.



The scale of that reload is the part worth sitting with. ETFs have already pulled in more than $1 trillion this year, running about 45% ahead of last year’s record pace.1 The average full year of ETF inflows through 2024 ran near $490 billion.



Read that again. Investors have committed twice as much as a normal year’s worth of money in under six months, and a growing slice of it is mechanical.

The Technical Backdrop Beneath the Headlines

Before we argue about flows, let’s anchor the technical backdrop in the actual price. The S&P 500 closed Wednesday at 7,420 after Warsh’s debut knocked 1.21% off the index, then rebounded roughly 1.2% Thursday to near 7,505 ahead of the long weekend.2,3 Even after the Fed scare, the index sits about 2% above its 50-day average, nearly 8% above its 200-day, and only a couple of percent under the all-time high it set this month at 7,620. The spring low of 6,344 is now seventeen percent below us.



That last point matters. As of Wednesday, only about 58% of S&P 500 members were trading above their own 50-day average.4 Healthy advances usually carry 70% to 80% of the index along for the ride. This one keeps making highs on the backs of a shrinking list of names. The index looks strong. The average stock inside it looks tired.



I won’t pretend the demand picture is anything but strong. Retail activity broke records in May and has pushed higher in June, with nine of the ten busiest retail trading days ever landing inside the last month.1 Corporations have authorized north of $925 billion in buybacks this year, the fastest pace on record through mid-year, and technology plus financials make up roughly 57% of it.1 When retail, passive, and the buyback machine all lean in the same direction, fighting that tape has been a losing game.



Here’s the problem buried inside the good news, and it’s the part of the technical backdrop that worries me most. All three of those buyers funnel into the same handful of stocks. Roughly 18 cents of every S&P dollar now chases semiconductors, 33 cents lands in the Magnificent 7, and close to 40 cents flows into the ten largest holdings.1 Leveraged ETFs have compounded it. Their assets hit a record $218 billion, up about 60% since the end of March, with semiconductor-linked leverage nearly tripling.1



Here’s Where I Part Ways With the Flow Note

Rubner’s call is that the path of least resistance stays higher into the back half of the year. On the mechanics alone, I’d struggle to argue with him. The seasonal record is genuinely strong, too. Since 1928, the S&P has risen 69% of the time in the first half of July, and the Nasdaq 100 has been positive in 17 of the last 18 years.1



So why am I not all-in on the bull case? Because the note was written one day before, the technical backdrop beneath it changed. The entire dip-buying reflex that Citadel documents rests on an unspoken belief that the Fed has investors’ backs. On Wednesday, Kevin Warsh quietly took that belief away. The committee held at 3.75%, but half the FOMC penciled in at least one rate increase this year, the easing bias vanished from the statement, and the S&P booked its worst first “Fed day” for a new chair since 1994.2,5 The ten-year yield jumped back toward 4.5%.3

Make no mistake about what that does to the math. Citadel’s own data shows the buy-the-dip behavior holds until the VIX climbs above 30. Today it’s nearly 17. That sounds reassuring. It isn’t. A 17 reading isn’t safety, it’s complacency, and complacency is precisely the condition Howard Marks warns about when he says the riskiest moment is the one that feels least risky. As Bob Farrell’s Rule #9 reminds us, when everyone agrees on the outcome, something else tends to happen.

And remember Farrell’s Rule #4: exponential moves go further than anyone expects, but they don’t resolve by going sideways. A market that runs on flows, leverage, and a shrinking group of leaders can absolutely melt up into July. It can also reverse hard the moment those same mechanical buyers turn into sellers. I’ve been writing for weeks that this is a tape driven by positioning more than fundamentals, and I covered the record retail ETF flows in a recent Daily Market Commentary. Strong flows are bullish until the catalyst arrives that makes them stop.

What the Technical Backdrop Means For Your Portfolio

None of this is a reason to sell everything and hide. It’s a reason to participate with discipline rather than abandon. The seasonal and flow tailwinds are real, and fighting them outright has cost investors dearly. We stay invested. But this is a tape to manage, not to chase.

In our portfolio models, we haven’t pressed our most extended winners, but trimmed the most stretched exposure back toward target weight. We also added to our defensive names and let our cash buffer continue to ride for now. As such, we keep participating without betting the account on a melt-up that depends on the Fed staying friendly. That’s the trade-off worth naming out loud. Carrying a little cash caps your upside if the market runs another leg. It also hands you dry powder if quarter-end selling or a Warsh follow-through gives you a better entry. I’ll take that asymmetry here.



Watch three things into the new quarter.


The VIX. A move toward 30 is the level where, by Citadel’s own work, the reflexive dip-buyers go quiet.


Breadth. If the percentage of stocks above their 50-day keeps fading while the index grinds higher, the divergence usually resolves the wrong way.


Lastly, watch the long end of the curve. If Warsh’s signal keeps the ten-year climbing, the most expensive, most crowded, most rate-sensitive corner of this market, the same one soaking up forty cents of every dollar, is the corner that pays for it first.

The technical backdrop and the flows point higher into July. I won’t fight that into the new allocation cycle, but a tripwire just got armed underneath the whole thing. As such, the smart move is to keep one hand on the risk dial while you collect the seasonal tailwind.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 14:45

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Nadella's Hedge: Microsoft Wants To Make AI Models Cheap - Then Own The Rails They Run On
Nadella's Hedge: Microsoft Wants To Make AI Models Cheap - Then Own The Rails They Run On

The entire AI capital cycle - roughly $700 billion in hyperscaler capex this year, an estimated $2 trillion-plus through 2028 - is collateralized by one belief: that intelligence is scarce, and therefore priceable. That belief is already under strain. Per-token inference prices have fallen on the order of 200× in a year, and the only thing holding revenue up is volume; the cost of intelligence is dropping even as the cost of deploying it climbs. Hyperscaler free cash flow is rolling over. The Fed has named AI capital spending a systemic risk. 



And after falling behind in the race to build the best AI, Microsoft is setting up for a massive hedge. The company is on track to spend north of $120 billion this fiscal year - most of it on GPUs and the data centers that house them, $37.5 billion in a single quarter alone, pushing free cash flow negative for the first time in a generation. That is a company betting intelligence is scarce. Yet to the Wall Street Journal last week, Nadella argued the opposite is coming - that intelligence is about to get cheap. The tell isn't a contradiction. It's a hedge: if you can't win the race to build the best model, you make the model worthless and own the road it runs on.

Microsoft is already executing on the hedge. In the weeks surrounding the interview, the company rolled out a new wave of lower-cost models and made Copilot Cowork generally available worldwide - an autonomous agent designed for long-running tasks that lets users (or the system) dynamically route work across multiple models, explicitly including cheaper options. Axios reported that Microsoft is also actively weighing whether to host a version of DeepSeek, the ultralow-cost Chinese model, directly inside Azure for Copilot customers. The model would be optional for users, fully hosted on Microsoft’s infrastructure, and wrapped in the company’s enterprise security, compliance, and data-residency controls.

These aren't side-quests, they are the product-level proof of the thesis: make intelligence abundant and interchangeable while keeping the customer, the data, and the workflow inside Microsoft’s perimeter.

Nadella believes intelligence is about to become abundant, interchangeable, and cheap, as a wave of agents routes work to the lowest bidder. And as the cost per unit of intelligence plummets, he wants Microsoft to own the rails it runs on.
Illustrative. Trend directions are schematic; the figures are point estimates drawn from 2026 hyperscaler capex guidance (~$700B) and reported per-token inference-price declines (~200× per year). Not a fitted data series.

In an interview last week with the Wall Street Journal, Nadella suggested that pitchforks would come out if just a few concentrated AI companies dominate the space, while using massive amounts of energy to do so. 

"You can’t say, hey, all white-collar jobs are gone and this could even be a weapon and we will use all the power to build data centers," he told the outlet, adding that the public wouldn't tolerate just a few models and companies "doing all of the learning for the world."

It's a clean argument. It's also the argument of a company under federal antitrust scrutiny, repositioning as the people's champion right before the regulators arrive. The civic case and the competitive case happen to point the same direction.

So it appears Microsoft has concluded it cannot win the model layer on raw capability. Instead, it intends to make that layer less decisive and relocate the moat to the layers it already owns. In Nadella’s framing, models become interchangeable commodities - “all hill-climbing inside a machine you control.” That machine is Azure + AI Foundry, the orchestration layer that decides which model (OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, open-source, or future Microsoft fine-tunes) handles which task at what price. Copilot becomes the persistent agentic interface that keeps the customer relationship. The real scarcity, and therefore the real moat, is the proprietary enterprise data and existing workflows that already live inside Microsoft 365, Dynamics, GitHub, and the company’s security and compliance boundary. Customers get the benefit of the cheapest or best model for the job without ever leaving Microsoft’s control plane or handing their data to a frontier lab. In short: as the model layer commoditizes, whoever owns the data gravity and the distribution layer gets to drink everyone else’s milkshake.

If Nadella is even directionally correct, the entire $700 billion-plus annual hyperscaler capex cycle - and the $2 trillion-plus cumulative spend projected through 2028 - faces a major structural problem. Per-token inference prices are collapsing far faster than volume is rising for many workloads. Free cash flow at the big spenders is already rolling over. The only way the math works is if intelligence becomes so cheap and abundant that total usage explodes, or if the hyperscalers successfully migrate margin upstream into orchestration, agent routing, fine-tuning on proprietary data, and enterprise distribution.

Microsoft is placing its bet on the second path. By pushing models toward commodity status while locking customers into Azure orchestration, Copilot agents, and their existing data estates, the company is trying to turn the very price collapse that threatens the capex thesis into a competitive advantage. The companies that spent the last two years preaching scarcity and hoarding frontier capability may discover they have built extremely expensive infrastructure whose primary output - raw intelligence - is rapidly losing pricing power.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 15:05

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France v Iraq: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 5pm ET/10pm BST/7am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email TimEvening everyone and welcome to the Kylian Mbappé show. He’s the captain of France, he’s the biggest name in a team full of stars, in fact the biggest name in this World Cup among all those who have yet to turn 38. He needs only a hat-trick to grab the all-time World Cup record, and he’s already the GOAT in terms of goals per match – 14 from 15, just pipping Pelé, who has 12 from 14, and possibly enraging Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only eight from 23.Tonight, in Philadelphia, Mbappé will win his 100th cap. The stage is set, but it still takes two to tango. Can Iraq emulate Iran by pulling off a triumphant 0-0? They have never won a point at a World Cup, so it will be a surprise if they manage it against a team as good as France. But they love a challenge and don’t mind a bit of hard work: it took them 21 qualifiers to get here, more than any other nation. And in the Australian Graham Arnold, they have a manager so prone to positive thinking that when others talk of a group of death, he sees only a “group of excitement”. Continue reading...

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Argentina 2-0 Austria: Messi breaks scoring record at World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm ET/6pm BST/3am Mon AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicA Messi-related email has landed from David Wall:I’ve got to take issue with your description of Messi’s hat-trick in the opening game as brilliant. I’ll give you the third was high quality but the other two were pretty much chucked in by the Algerian goalkeeper. It’s the lowest value World Cup hat-trick since Harry Kane’s in 2018 against Panama (one header from about six yards, one penalty, and one that deflected off his heel when he was trying to get out of the way). Add in the fact that he was incredibly fortunate not to be sent off (presumably the VAR trained on footage from one of those old-fashioned all-village kickabouts), and I thought the hype about his performance was massively over the top. If Argentina are going to continue with their approach of tailoring the team to get the most out of Messi (even though Julián Álvarez is a much more effective forward now) then he’ll need to do a lot more than he showed against Algeria if they’re going to retain the trophy. Continue reading...

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Scratch That Holiday Romance Itch With Free Access to Hallmark. Here's How
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Live updates: Judge voids DOJ's Minnesota subpoenas; Vance optimistic on Iran talks
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Intelligence Democrats warn Trump nominee Bill Pulte as ODNI braces for firings 
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NHTSA investigating alleged Tesla Autopilot crash that killed woman in her home

Ars Technica
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Valve's Steam Machine ships June 29 for $1,049, but you probably won't be able to buy one yet

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Deutsche Welle
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Fact check: AI fakes around the World Cup spread political narratives
Keir Starmer in a Croatia jersey. An Iranian protest against a US strike. Calls to arrest Brazil's President Lula. Adolf Hitler in the German fan section — all supposedly seen at the World Cup. But none of it is real.

Mail Online
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Argentina vs Austria - World Cup Group J LIVE: Lionel Messi breaks Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record as he scores a brace in win - despite missing a first-half penalty
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as holders Argentina take on Austria in Group J at the Dallas Stadium.

Mail Online
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More than 50 remain in hospital with eight fighting for their lives days after Bedford train crash that killed driver
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The Register
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Nvidia gets all agentic about supercomputing for scientific research
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Mac Rumours
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Wallet App Gets New 'Insights' Feature in iOS 27 Beta 2
Apple has added a new "Insights" feature to the Wallet app in the second iOS 27 beta. Accessible by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, Insights appears to let users add different financial accounts to monitor their spending.





A splash screen for the feature says users will be able to connect accounts to Wallet to see spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. The fine print says the following: "Your device is connected to your financial institution by an Apple wholly owned subsidiary, which fetches, categorizes, and standardizes your account information for display on your device. Your account information is not stored."



Tapping on the Continue button on the splash screen goes to the Add to Wallet interface with no new options available, so it does not appear to be functional at this time.



Apple has detailed transaction information for the Apple Card, but support for other cards and accounts has been limited. Apple did introduce a Connected Cards feature in iOS 17.1, but it saw limited adoption. Discover implemented support and users could see their total card balance, Pay with Rewards, and transaction history, but Discover removed the functionality in early June and almost no other U.S. issuers ever used it. Several UK banks still have deeper integration with the Wallet app's Connected Cards option.



It looks like Insights could be a successor to Connected Cards that will work without card issuers specifically adding in support.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'Wallet App Gets New 'Insights' Feature in iOS 27 Beta 2' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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A Small iOS 27 Change Hints at Apple's Long-Rumored Home Hub
In iOS 27 beta 2, Apple updated the Home app to add support for remotely updating an Apple TV.





The ‌Apple TV‌ is now listed in the Updates section of the Home app's Settings interface, and tapping on the ‌Apple TV‌ update button installs the latest software without needing to turn on the ‌Apple TV‌.



The HomePod and HomePod mini have long been able to be updated through the Home app, so the ‌iOS 27‌ change for the ‌Apple TV‌ puts it on par with the ‌HomePod‌. The ‌HomePod‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ run a variant of tvOS, so it makes sense for the ‌Apple TV‌ to be updated in the same way.



Apple's decision to add the ‌Apple TV‌ to the Home app update interface suggests that the upcoming home hub device that's in the works will also be controlled and updated through the Home app.



Apple is expected to release a dedicated home hub later this year, and it will run a version of tvOS like the ‌HomePod‌. It will be a centralized spot for controlling smart home products, making video calls, getting information like the current weather, and interfacing with Siri. The device is expected to have a 7-inch square display with built-in speakers, and it could be something of a HomePod-iPad hybrid.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: Apple Command CenterThis article, 'A Small iOS 27 Change Hints at Apple's Long-Rumored Home Hub' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Meet Andy Burnham, Britain’s likely next prime minister
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Iran slams FIFA inaction over discrimination by US at World Cup

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Why did Sir Keir Starmer resign?
Sir Keir Starmer has announced his decision to step down as prime minister.

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Man City close in on appointing Maresca as manager
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Gates open after bad weather affects France-Iraq tie
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Canadian healthcare staff decry ‘cruel hoax’ after scam email promises paid day off
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Federal judge blocks Trump administration efforts to subpoena Minnesota governor Tim Walz and others – live
Judge criticized attempts to ‘harass and retaliate against’ Minnesota officials for refusal to aid federal immigration crackdownJudge blocks subpoenas for Tim Walz and others over Minnesota ICE raidsSign up for the Breaking News US emailCalifornia sued the Environmental Protection ⁠Agency ⁠on ​Monday after the agency sent Congress landmark state vehicle emissions rules for ⁠potential repeal, Reuters reports.According to the EPA, waivers under ‌the Clean Air Act ‌for California environmental regulations that had been approved under prior Democratic administrations should have been sent to lawmakers ‌under the Congressional Review Act. Continue reading...

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Semenyo and Ghana aim to emulate 2010 World Cup heroes as they face England
Carlos Queiroz’s squad hope to repeat the form that almost made Ghana the first African team to reach the semi-finalsAntoine Semenyo was only 10 years old when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Manchester City forward can still vividly recall the emotions that night as he watched with his family in Bexleyheath, south-east London.“I remember being at my uncle’s house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through,” he said in an interview last month. “Watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we would watch all the games together, celebrating and screaming. Ghana came in [for me] when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down.” Continue reading...

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Backing Ukraine, staying out of Iran and riding the Trump rollercoaster: how Starmer handled foreign affairs
Analysts say foreign policy was an ‘area of relative strength’ for the prime minister – but goodwill with the White House soon evaporatedKeir Starmer inherited two wars and a country disconnected from the EU when he arrived in Downing Street – and that was before Donald Trump crash-landed at the White House and undermined the foundations of the UK’s most important alliance.It was a context that would have tested any prime minister, though in many respects Starmer negotiated it carefully. But longer-term questions of Britain’s security remain unresolved, and the UK’s place in the world is less certain. Continue reading...

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Deutsche Welle
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Europe sizzles under heat wave with little relief in sight
Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are experiencing extreme heat, with cooler weather not expected until next week. Several deaths were reported in France, including two children. DW has the latest.

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Watch: A day of big changes and mixed emotions for Labour
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Slashdot
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Valve Prices the Steam Machine At $1,049
Valve's new Steam Machine will launch June 29 starting at $1,049 and go up from there depending on the configuration. Although it costs considerably more than the PS5 ($599.99) and Xbox Series X ($649.99), "the value proposition for the Steam Machine is that it can play your library of Steam games you may have accumulated over years (or even decades), rather than just PlayStation games, and it's also a full Linux PC that you can customize to your heart's content," reports The Verge. "Valve also says that it's selling the Steam Machine for the cost of its components alone instead of subsidizing the price." From the report: You can now register your interest to buy a Steam Machine as part of a reservation system. To offer a fair playing field for people who want to buy one, Valve will randomize everyone in the queue on Thursday at 1PM ET. After that, anyone who registers their interest will be added to the end of the waitlist. The first emails giving people the opportunity to buy will go out on June 29th.

Valve will sell four configurations of the Steam Machine:

- A 512GB model for $1,049
- A 512GB model with a bundled Steam Controller for $1,128
- A 2TB model for $1,349
- A 2TB model with a bundled Steam Controller for $1,428






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
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The post In 1835 a New York paper put bat-men and unicorns on the moon appeared first on Boing Boing.

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Mail Online
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The Verge
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ZeroHedge News
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Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal
Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal

Summary

Unfreezing Assets divergence in official rhetoric: "It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding,"
Nuclear Inspector divergence: Vance said Iran agreed to admit nuclear inspectors, but Iranian state media denied any such agreement was reached.
Oil Relief: The U.S. issued a 60-day license allowing Iranian oil production and sales as part of the emerging negotiation framework.
Talks Continue after top negotiators depart Switzerland: Both sides described the Switzerland talks as constructive, with technical negotiations set to continue over the next 60 days.
Hormuz Commitment: The U.S. says Iran agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, easing market concerns, though major issues remain unresolved.



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Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of June?
Yes 7% · No 94%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

Difficulties on Lebanon Front Remain

"There will be no Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon except through negotiations in Washington, given that the mechanisms for implementing the ceasefire agreement will only be discussed in Washington," (Military Sources via AI Jadeed). It must be remembered that the Lebanese government and national army have no real military power to bring Iran-backed Hezbollah to heel. And the White House is also struggling to reign in its number one regional ally Israel.

Iran has on numerous occasions threatened to blow up the peace deal with the US if the Lebanon crisis is not solves. Some of the latest as relayed by Bloomberg:

Israel refuses to hand over the Majdalzoun facility to the Lebanese army and insists on detonating it, amid reports that residents have been warned of the force and magnitude of the explosion, equivalent to a three-magnitude earthquake.
Israel will not agree to withdraw' from certain strategic points, therefore the situation on the ground remains complex and the picture unclear.
More Divergence in Official Rhetoric from Switzerland

Vice President JD Vance earlier outlined a proposal under which any future release of frozen Iranian assets would remain subject to US oversight, allowing Washington to influence how the funds are spent. According to Vance, the concept was developed by Jared Kushner and would direct the money toward purchases of American agricultural goods.

The big assertion: "We wanted to make sure that we set up a process where if we ever unfreeze Iranian assets, we can ensure that money, that Iranian money, goes to help the people of Iran and not to fund terrorism," Vance said.

After first denying Vance's claims on nuclear inspectors being 'agreed' by Tehran to reenter the country--



now this...

"It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding," Iran's Tasnim reports. This 60-day period is likely to be filled with more constant claims and counterclaims regarding what's been agreed to or not, and the crisis remains highly fluid and the 'brink of war' return is ever present, also given the sensitive Lebanon situation. 


US Vice President JD Vance has suggested that any future release of frozen Iranian assets could be structured to ensure the funds are used for civilian purposes, including the purchase of American agricultural goods “for the benefit of the Iranian people".



According to @TreyYingst of Fox News, Iran has committed to allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into Iran to work to locate and dismantle key nuclear facilities. Per the report, Vice President JD Vance, alongside Envoy Jared Kushner, were… pic.twitter.com/6twiRPIhka
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 22, 2026
State Media Says Vance Claim on Nuclear Inspectors 'False'

Iranian state Fars is reporting that US Vice President Vance's earlier in the day announcement that Tehran agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to the country is "false", citing a government source.

"There was no talk of the presence of inspectors in the country in the Swiss negotiations," Fars says. And so the divergent rhetoric continues to be a serious issue, even as this is only the very beginning of an expected long-haul 60-day nuclear negotiation process. 

Each side has been accusing the other of jumping the gun on premature statements and official leaks to the press. Also it could be that the return of inspectors is part of the framework for the future, but that Vance perhaps stated it as accomplished fact - and apparently Tehran doesn't yet see it that way. Al Jazeera reports on Iran's current official stance:


Iran will continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in line with existing procedures, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told IRNA.

The interactions with the IAEA will take place in “accordance with the approvals of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council”, IRNA quoted Baghaei as saying.



🚢Lots of oil leaving Strait of Hormuz (dark and visible)
🛢️Plus SoH bypass pipelines still going full throttle
⛽️US / Japan / Europe SPR barrels still flowing
🇮🇷 Iranian oil now legal for (at least) next 60 days
🇨🇳China remains on an oil buying strike
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 22, 2026
US Issues 60-Day License For Iranian Oil Sales As Tehran Agrees To Hormuz Access, Nuclear Inspections

As part of the MoU framework, and ongoing technical peace discussions in Switzerland (with US and Iranian teams still though - though Vance and Ghalibaf have at this point departed after their 18-hour first round achievement - Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil - it stated in a huge forward-momentum development. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X:


Vice President JD Vance described an initiative for unfreezing Iranian assets that would grant the US approval over what Tehran can purchase using the money.
He said the plan, conceived by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would require the money be spent on…
— Giovanni Staunovo🛢 (@staunovo) June 22, 2026

Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous. In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country. As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.


Oil dropped to low of day on the significant latest development:



Some further details:

US AUTHORIZES SOME SALES OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN ORIGIN
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES SALES THROUGH TO AUGUST 21, 2026
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES IMPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN OIL
However, Vance has also sought to inject some caution on some of the premature reporting regarding releasing frozen Iranian funds, amid complaints from US and Israeli hawks at home:


JUST IN: Vice President Vance pushes back on “misreporting” about Iranian assets potentially being unfrozen and says that if any of the regime’s money is freed up, it will go to help the American economy and make U.S. farmers richer:
“We wanted to make sure that we set up a… pic.twitter.com/6CPNzY8uIS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2026
Huge Claim & Breaking Through: Vance Says Iran Agreed to Let Inspectors Back In

Axios is reporting Monday morning Iran has agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to the country, according to fresh words of Vice President J.D. Vance, who focused all day prior and much into the overnight on forging a path forward toward permanent peace. The two sides are seeking to hammer out a long-term nuclear agreement, now amid the technical talks process, as delegation heads depart Switzerland - leaving diplomatic teams behind. The 60-day roadmap begins.

If indeed the UN nuclear inspectors are eventually let back into Iran, this would be a hugely significant step. This would be to verify compliance to the preliminary agreement, Vance further hails:


"Our hope is that we get to the final deal and a permanent settlement. But right now, I think we’ve made great progress and we should all celebrate that in terms of when the nuclear inspectors are going to start," the American Vice President told reporters.

via AP

He described that he phoned UN nuclear inspectors at 2am last night to update them on the developments, however, he said that no one picked up the call.

"As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning," said Vance. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today."

Both warring sides appear to finally be in the same page in terms of issuing 'positive' and 'encouraging' assessments earlier. There were reports of last-minute disagreements, threats, and warnings that the process could collapse near the conclusion of yesterday's formal round one of talks.

"So they didn’t walk out, and their technical team is still here in Burgenstock working with our technical team," Vance explained.

"What we told the Iranians yesterday is, 'When you guys exchange in what us millennials might call trash talk, you can't expect the president of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record'."

Vance conceded that in the end there was a "a little bit of threatening" and "whining but at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."

He further described that a mechanism had been established to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while noting that significant work remained and that technical negotiations would continue. Also, importantly he said that a "very good foundation" was laid for a successful final agreement with Iran.


JD Vance:
I can't stay here for the next 60 days. I will go back to the U.S.
The technical teams will be working. pic.twitter.com/s9PSTRvMSR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also left the venue in Switzerland today - after approximately 18 hours of talks and consultations.

Meanwhile a fresh note from Goldman Sachs comments:


The Pakistan-Qatar communiqué, alongside comments from the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighting progress in negotiations, suggests we are heading into a prolonged period of talks rather than a near-term resolution. My base case remains that Iran will continue to use the threat of disruption around Hormuz as negotiating leverage rather than pursuing a definitive resolution. The most striking feature of the oil market today is the sheer size of speculative short positioning. There is a substantial amount of capital betting on lower prices, which locally makes further downside more challenging. That is before considering the more fundamental point that it is not obviously in Iran’s interest to allow oil prices to fall too far while negotiations remain ongoing.


China Expresses Support

China too has expressed hope Iran and the US will maintain the momentum and ultimately work towards positive progress, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday from Beijing. He praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other parties when asked about the Iran-US talks in Switzerland, the Xinhua news agency reported. "China supports Pakistan and Qatar and all relevant parties in their mediation efforts," Guo said.

New Iran MFA statement:



However, while an uneasy calm has taken over Lebanon, with analyst Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut stressing: "The conflict now in Lebanon is waiting for another spark,” said Mohanad Hage Ali from the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut."

"It just became a buffer zone, a kind of a punching bag in which anyone who wants to score can use it, whether to get at the US-Iran negotiations – which Israel specifically is not very happy about – or from the Iranian side, where a faction unhappy with how negotiations are going can sabotage them through the Lebanon front," he explained.

Weekend Review

via Newsquawk

US and Iran talks opened in Switzerland on Sunday after US VP Vance arrived in Switzerland and the Iranian delegation led by chief negotiator Ghalibaf, which included Foreign Minister Araghchi, arrived on Saturday, while Pakistan’s Premier Sharif and military chief Munir travelled to Switzerland to join the US-Iran talks.
Iran's delegation reportedly left the negotiation site in protest against statements by US President Trump, while Fars also reported that Iran halted talks with the US after Trump threatened strikes over Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon. Iran said Trump’s threat is a blatant violation of the MoU and halted talks in Switzerland, while it is reviewing a response to Trump’s threats. However, sources cited by Al Hadath later stated that the Iranian delegation had not left the negotiation headquarters at the Burgenstock resort and the Iranian delegation head discussed a joint statement draft with mediators.
US President Trump threatened to resume bombing and take over the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is not reached, while Trump said the US may take tolls if it has to and that he has a 60-day option, in which he can do whatever after it. Trump stated he spoke with Iranian officials and used expletive language in the call with Iranian officials on Hormuz, as well as threatened that they won’t have a country if Hormuz is closed, according to Fox.
US President Trump posted that Iran must immediately stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble, or else the US would hit Iran very hard again, “just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump separately commented that there will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, unless they are imposed by the US.
UKMTO reported an incident in which a cargo vessel was approached by a craft with six armed persons onboard 92 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Mukalla in the Gulf of Aden.
Israeli army chief said the Lebanon ceasefire is fragile and forces remain ready for combat.
Israeli military convoy reportedly entered southern Syria’s Quneitra region, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Negotiation Process:

Qatar and Pakistan issue joint statement on conclusion of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, while Qatar said first session of the US-Iran high level talks has concluded and that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere. said:. Technical talks are to continue for remainder of the week. US and Iran agreed to de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Encouraging progress has been made, including creation of a mechanism for further technical talks. Parties agree to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation. High-level committee agrees on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days.
"The negotiations of the main Iranian delegation in Switzerland have ended, however, experts are still in Switzerland and are following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding", Tasnim reported citing sources.
Iranian negotiating team member said executive procedures about the release of Iranian frozen funds have taken place with the Qatari delegation and that a draft has been finalised regarding waivers of Iranian oil sanctions, which will be issued soon, although negotiations about other subjects will not take place if the war does not end in Lebanon.
"No negotiations have taken place on the nuclear file so far", Tasnim reported citing a source.
US diplomat said talks included robust discussions on a nuclear deal and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, while talks also involved clarifying the messaging on the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, a US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, and that mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Pakistani Army Chief said negotiating parties reached success stage, according to Al Arabiya.
US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, adds mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Sources cited by Al Arabiya said an anticipated statement will be issued by the Iranian and American negotiators and the mediators.
Sources cited by Al Hadath stated that the Iranian delegation has not left the negotiation headquarters at the Bürgenstock resort and Iranian delegation head discusses joint statement draft with mediators. Tasnim reported Iranian delegation refused to return to negotiations but message exchanges continue through intermediaries.
Iranian Commentary:
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi posted Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end Lebanon War, oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said the technical team is to continue work, but negotiation delegation work has concluded, adds significant progress achieved in quadrilateral talks in Switzerland. Spokesman said groundwork for starting negotiations for the final agreement was discussed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said Iran is working on safe passage mechanism for Hormuz and that Iran reported progress on oil sales and asset unfreezing, adds the war in all fronts, including Lebanon, must end.
Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Rezaei said the US is responsible for Israel's actions in Lebanon and Iran will hold the US accountable in the event of a threat against Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi to lead the technical team in Switzerland, Sky News Arabia reported.
Iran resumed oil loading from Kharg Island after about a six-week halt, following the lifting of the US blockade of its ports.
Lebanon/Israel:
Al Jadeed News cites Haaretz source stating the Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the Blue Line in Lebanon.
Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the yellow line (buffer zone), Al Jazeera reported, citing Israel's Haaretz sources.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar told his New Zealand counterpart, "Israel will respect the ceasefire in Lebanon as long as it won’t be breached by Hezbollah.".
Israeli political and security cabinet will convene on Thursday amid US-Iran talks, N12 reported.
Israeli officials are dismissing reported of an agreement to withdraw from certain points in southern Lebanon, amid a lack of US pressure to do, Maariv's Barsky reported. Officials add, "because in Washington they understand the Israeli position: no partial withdrawal, no point-specific withdrawal, and no diplomatic 'gesture'.". And, "as long as the Hezbollah threat persists, there is no change in the deployment of forces and no intention to relinquish the security positions in southern Lebanon.".
Lebanese presidency discussed the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, in a call with Qatari PM and US's Vance.
Other:
Two South Korean vessels were said to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran signed a ceasefire MoU.
Three India-linked supertankers re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, which suggests an increase in traffic through the waterway.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 12:55

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Renews Threat Of Legal Action To New York Times Over Iran Coverage
Trump Renews Threat Of Legal Action To New York Times Over Iran Coverage

Authored by Owen Evans via The Epoch Times,

U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his threat of legal action against The New York Times on June 21, accusing the newspaper of publishing "treasonous" coverage that downplayed the impact of the nearly four-month war with Iran.
The New York Times Building in New York City on Feb. 5, 2024.Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

"I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multi Billion Dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals," Trump wrote in a June 21 post on Truth Social.



"The headline in the Corrupt and Failing New York Times: 'What Changed After Almost 4 Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much.' REALLY?" Trump wrote in a separate post.

"Their Military is DONE, their Navy is GONE, their Air Force is GONE, their Launching Pads, Missiles, Drones and Manufacturing of same, is almost GONE, their top two sets of Leaders are GONE, their Inflation is at 250%, their Economy is BROKEN, their Soldiers aren't being paid, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN, THE OIL IS GUSHING, and the U.S. Stock Market and Jobs are at record HIGHS," he added.

The Epoch Times contacted the NY Times for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

In another post, Trump included a screenshot of an X post from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who also criticized the NY Times.

"To say nothing has changed after Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury is an insult to our men and women in uniform." Graham wrote in the post.

"To say nothing has changed denies the devastation to the Iranian economy created by the blockade and other economic pressures applied by President Trump.

"This analysis by the New York Times says more about their bias against President Trump than it does the undeniable facts about the state of play in Iran."

The NY Times piece published on June 21 said that "roughly 100 days later, as the United States and Iran have reached a somewhat vague memorandum of understanding to end the war, skeptics are expressing bafflement over what exactly has transformed."

"Neither the war nor the agreement ended what U.S. and Israeli officials regard as the main threats emanating from Iran. The country's nuclear program, while heavily damaged, was not eliminated - its fate punted to future negotiation," it added.

Prior Lawsuit

In September 2025, Trump filed the $15 billion lawsuit against the NY Times and its reporters, accusing the newspaper of defamation.

Trump filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Florida over articles and a book written by two NY Times reporters and published during the height of the 2024 election, alleging that they were crafted with "actual malice, calculated to inflict maximum damage" on him.

"Defendants maliciously published the book and the articles knowing that these publications were filled with repugnant distortions and fabrications about President Trump," the lawsuit reads.

A spokesperson for the NY Times at the time said the lawsuit "has no merit," calling it an attempt by the president to "stifle and discourage independent reporting."

"The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists' First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people," the spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email at the time.

Trump announced the lawsuit in a Truth Social post, saying that the NY Times had become "a virtual mouthpiece for the radical left Democrat Party" and cited its endorsement of then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF," he said.

Aldgra Fredly contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 13:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Nursing School Owner Pleads Guilty After Issuing Nearly 3,000 Fake Diplomas
Nursing School Owner Pleads Guilty After Issuing Nearly 3,000 Fake Diplomas

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

Carleen Noreus, who owned two nursing schools in South Florida, has pleaded guilty to her role in a scheme that sold nearly 3,000 fraudulent nursing diplomas, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a June 18 statement.
A person receives a vaccine in Los Angeles, in this file photograph. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

The defendant, 52, from Plantation, Florida, was president of the Carleen Home Health School Inc. in Plantation and vice president of Carleen Home Health School II Inc. in West Palm Beach.

"Noreus conspired with others to sell fraudulent nursing diplomas and educational transcripts to individuals who had not completed the required coursework or clinical training to earn Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN), or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) credentials," the DOJ said.

"The fraudulent diplomas and transcripts falsely represented that purchasers had successfully completed the academic and clinical requirements of the schools when, in reality, they had not."

The documents allowed the buyers to take part in national nursing board examinations. Those who passed the exams obtained nursing licenses and employment in the healthcare sector.

In total, Noreus provided 2,956 fraudulent nursing diplomas through her two schools between April 17, 2018, and Oct. 8, 2025. Of the individuals who obtained fake credentials, roughly 2,274 passed the nursing exams, secured licenses, and gained employment in Florida and other parts of the United States. Both institutions have been shut down by state authorities.

The case is part of the second phase of Operation Nightingale, a multi-state law enforcement action launched in January 2023 to arrest individuals who sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts.

The operation led to 25 individuals being charged for the fraud scheme in January 2023. In a Jan. 25, 2023, statement, the DOJ said that more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas were issued by three nursing schools in South Florida.

On Sept. 15, 2025, the DOJ said that 30 defendants were charged and convicted in 2023 as part of the operation. In addition, the department also announced charges against 12 people in phase two of Operation Nightingale.

Thirteen individuals have been charged in the second phase, including Noreus, the DOJ said in its latest statement. Noreus, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count.

"Nursing licenses must be earned through education, training, and demonstrated competence, not purchased through fraud," said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason A. Reding Quiñones.

"By selling thousands of fraudulent diplomas and transcripts, the defendant undermined the integrity of the nursing profession and our healthcare system. The Southern District of Florida remains committed to holding accountable those who profit by corrupting professional licensing processes and placing the public at risk."

Earlier this year, a Maryland man was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in another case of nursing credential fraud, according to a DOJ statement issued on April 24.

The person sold fake documents in the name of a Virginia nursing school, which falsely affirmed that buyers had completed the required courses and training at the institution to secure nursing degrees. The individual also sold fraudulent nursing degrees from a Florida-based nursing school.

Nursing Shortage

The country's nursing workforce is projected to face a shortage in the coming years, according to a December 2025 report from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.

"At the national level, there are shortages projected until 2038. Specifically, there is a projected 8 percent shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in 2028. By 2038, the shortage is 3 percent (a shortage of 108,960 full-time equivalent [FTE] RNs)," the report stated.

"Nonmetro areas are projected to have a higher shortage of RNs than metro areas in each of the three interval years: 11 percent vs 2 percent in 2038, 18 percent vs 4 percent in 2033, and 24 percent vs 5 percent in 2028."

However, National Nurses United (NNU), a professional association of registered nurses with over 225,000 members nationwide, dismissed claims of shortages in a May 26 statement.

An analysis conducted by the group found that almost 1.15 million registered nurses in the country with active licenses were not working as nurses, the statement said.

NNU president Jamie Brown said the U.S. nursing sector is facing a "retention crisis" rather than a shortage, blaming "unsafe and unsustainable" working conditions for driving many nurses away from their jobs.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 14:05

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Doorbell cam filmed Tesla Autopilot crash that killed woman in her home

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Federal Judge BLOCKS Trump subpoenas for Gov Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey
A federal judge just blocked Trump DOJ subpoenas issued Minnesota state officials like Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jack Frey. According to the judge, the subpoenas required the production of records . . .

BBC UK News
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Finding true killer would 'mean the world' to man wrongly jailed for 11 years
Police are reviewing the evidence 40 years after the murder of Cardiff newsagent Philip Saunders.

Mail Online
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Britney Spears claims thief stole wardrobe and money which led to her rebelling by showing herself as 'cheap' on Instagram
The 44-year-old pop singer took to her social media to post 17 images of herself in different outfits as she made the bombshell revelation that much of her closet had been stolen years ago.

Mail Online
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Beach hut with no power or running water goes on sale for £200,000 in affluent 'Cheshire-on-Sea' holiday hotspot
The detached cabin is made of timber and corrugated iron, one of 17 huts on the dog-friendly Porth Mawr beach in Abersoch, North Wales.

Mail Online
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Argentina vs Austria - World Cup Group J LIVE: Lionel Messi breaks Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record with his 17th goal to put his side ahead - having earlier missed a penalty
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as holders Argentina take on Austria in Group J at the Dallas Stadium.

FlightAware Squawks
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Qantas Uses Sleep Science to Transform 20-Hour Nonstop Flights
Qantas Airways is betting that science-backed cabin design and passenger wellness innovations can make the world’s longest flights more comfortable, as the airline prepares to launch its groundbreaking nonstop Sydney–London service next October.

Russia Today News
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AI ‘months away’ from taking down governments – intelligence group

Russia Today News
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Two officers, civilian injured in Montreal shooting – police

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Man charged with terrorism-linked attempted murders in Edinburgh
Lewis Hawkes appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with five counts of attempted murder.

Mail Online
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UK and France forced to rewrite 'one in, one out' deal after deported migrants sneak back into Britain hidden in lorries
Eleven migrants who were deported but then re-entered this country hidden in lorries have yet to be removed, it has emerged.

Mail Online
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Zendaya flashes her abs in a black leather co-ord as she towers over husband Tom Holland at a Spider-Man fan event in Berlin after confirming their secret wedding
The couple, who confirmed last week they are married after months of speculation, are in the midst of the promotional tour for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Mail Online
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More than 50 remain in hospital with eight fighting for their lives days after Bedford train crash that killed driver
Over 100 people have received medical treatment since Friday, when a train smashed into the back of another train on the same lines just after 5pm.

Mail Online
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Two teenagers accused of being part of Scattered Spider hacking group admit £39m cyberattack that paralysed Transport for London network
Thalha Jubair, 19, and Owen Flowers, 18, hacked into Transport for London's (TfL's) system between August 29 and September 3, 2024, causing chaos for Oyster card users.

Mail Online
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Three brothers who raped and sexually abused girls as young as 12 jailed as part of criminal investigation into Rotherham grooming gangs
Amar Ilyas, who used the nickname 'Killer', was convicted of 20 historic sex offences including 13 counts of rape against five young victims.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'Brilliant finish' - Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer
Lionel Messi makes history as the all-time leading World Cup scorer, netting his 17th tournament goal during Argentina's game against Austria.

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Seeds Second visionOS 27 Beta to Developers
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of an upcoming visionOS 27 update for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta.





visionOS 27 can be installed by opening the Settings app, going to Software Updates, and opting into Beta Updates.



visionOS 27 introduces Siri AI, the smarter and more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that's similar in capability to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. On the Vision Pro, ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about anything the wearer is looking at, and there's a new ‌Siri‌ orb that can be placed anywhere in wearer's virtual space.



Panorama photos can be turned into spatial environments, and there's a new Icelandic Thórsmörk environment that features dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers, along with the northern lights. Web Environment support allows developers to create 360-degree environments in Safari for a more native Vision Pro browsing experience.



App windows are now curved to provide a more immersive workspace, and Control Center has been reorganized to make system controls easier to find. Apple added a smaller widget size, and notifications automatically expand when the wearer looks at them.



More on what's new in visionOS 27 is listed in our Vision Pro roundup.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, 'Apple Seeds Second visionOS 27 Beta to Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta following the WWDC keynote.





The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required.



tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center.



AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is faster, and apps and animations are smoother. You can also now see AppleCare coverage details in the Settings app.



More on the features in tvOS 27 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, 'Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Apple Seeds iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Second Betas to Developers
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first betas following the WWDC 2026 keynote.





Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.



‌iOS 27‌ introduces Apple's smarter version of Siri, ‌Siri‌ AI. ‌Siri‌ AI is a chatbot similar to ChatGPT, incorporating general world knowledge, personal data from apps like Messages and Mail, and onscreen awareness to answer questions and find information for you.



There are new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Safari, Shortcuts, Wallet, and Passwords, plus Apple added a standalone ‌Siri‌ app that houses ‌Siri‌ conversations. Write with ‌Siri‌ is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new ‌Siri‌ mode.



Apple improved the look of Liquid Glass and added a slider for customizing transparency. There are multiple performance improvements to speed up iOS, so everything feels faster, even on older iPhones. Apps launch quicker, AirDrop transfers are faster, the keyboard pops up more quickly, and devices are better at transitioning between Wi-Fi and Cellular to keep you connected.



For more on what's new in ‌iOS 27‌, we have a dedicated iOS 27 roundup.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'Apple Seeds iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Second Betas to Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
macOS Golden Gate Beta 2 Now available for Developers
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of macOS Golden Gate, with the update coming two weeks after Apple seeded the first beta.





Developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ by going to System Settings > General > Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.



‌macOS Golden Gate‌ includes multiple design improvements. Liquid Glass opacity has been improved to increase readability, there's a slider for controlling the level of transparency, and changes to shadowing make it easier to tell when a window is active. Apps now have uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, and less rounded corners, plus there are fewer icons in menu bars.



Siri has been transformed into ‌Siri‌ AI, a chatbot-style assistant that combines general world knowledge, your personal data, and onscreen awareness to answer questions about anything and find information for you. ‌Siri‌ lives in Spotlight, and you can ask questions with the new Search or Ask interface.



There's also a ‌Siri‌ app where you can chat with ‌Siri‌ and view past conversations, and on newer Macs, you can set a custom voice for ‌Siri‌ with personalized pace and expressivity. Visual Intelligence is now on the Mac so ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about what's on your screen, and a Write with ‌Siri‌ feature lets ‌Siri‌ generate text or give feedback on your writing.



There are AI photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, an option to use AI to automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app that can generate photorealistic images.



More on all of the new features in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ can be found in our macOS Golden Gate roundup. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ is limited to developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateThis article, 'macOS Golden Gate Beta 2 Now available for Developers' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
Open 
Ukraine puts its Russian war trophies online for allies to pick apart
TrophyLab bad for Vlad as battlefield losses spill the secrets they had

The Register
Open 
The database that refused to die: How Postgres survived its own creators
From academic toss-aside to cloud substrate

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Brilliant finish' - Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer
Watch as Lionel Messi becomes the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup with a goal for Argentina against Austria in the 38th minute.

The Guardian (UK)
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How tensions with Trump dominated Starmer’s premiership
Analysts say foreign policy was an ‘area of relative strength’ for the prime minister – but goodwill with the White House soon evaporatedKeir Starmer inherited two wars and a country disconnected from the EU when he arrived in Downing Street – and that was before Donald Trump crash-landed at the White House and undermined the foundations of the UK’s most important alliance.It was a context that would have tested any prime minister, though in many respects Starmer negotiated it carefully. But longer-term questions of Britain’s security remain unresolved, and the UK’s place in the world is less certain. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Who is Andy Burnham, the ‘man of the people’ likely to be next UK prime minister?
Expected successor to Keir Starmer has promised to understand voters outside London and those who feel unheardUK politics live – latest updatesIn the story that Andy Burnham tells about himself, “the turning point” in his political life came in 2009 when he was booed at a football ground in the north-west of England. He had been an ideologically reliable middle-ranking minister under Tony Blair, the centrist New Labour prime minister between 1997 and 2007, and had gone on to be appointed as secretary of state for culture, media and sport under Blair’s successor, Gordon Brown.On the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster – the fatal crowd crush that killed 97 Liverpool fans in 1989 – Burnham was representing Brown’s administration at Anfield, Liverpool’s famous stadium. But as he began to offer his words of condolence into a microphone on the pitch, the then 39-year-old minister’s speech was interrupted by loud and angry calls from the stands for justice for those who had been killed due to no fault of their own. A series of British governments had refused demands for a public inquiry into the disaster. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Man charged with 'terrorism connected' attempted murders in Edinburgh
Lewis Hawkes appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with five counts of attempted murder.

The Guardian (UK)
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Canadian healthcare staff decry ‘cruel hoax’ after scam email promises paid day off
Unions condemn ‘insensitive’ internal cybersecurity test sent to healthcare workers in Newfoundland and LabradorFor years, healthcare staff in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador have felt overworked and under-appreciated. Turnover, burnout and thinning resources were pushing workers in the sector to a breaking point.So when the email titled “June Holiday” arrived in thousands of inboxes, they felt a moment of overdue joy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Federal judge blocks Trump administration efforts to subpoena Minnesota governor Tim Walz and others – live
Judge criticized attempts to ‘harass and retaliate against’ Minnesota officials for refusal to aid federal immigration crackdownSign up for the Breaking News US emailCalifornia sued the Environmental Protection ⁠Agency ⁠on ​Monday after the agency sent Congress landmark state vehicle emissions rules for ⁠potential repeal, Reuters reports.According to the EPA, waivers under ‌the Clean Air Act ‌for California environmental regulations that had been approved under prior Democratic administrations should have been sent to lawmakers ‌under the Congressional Review Act. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Durham edge Northants in thriller, Glamorgan see off Surrey and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd, oh, what is that? Horrendous running. Billy Root called for the run, Tribe started, but then went back and somehow they both ended up at the non-striker’s end. A furious Root stalks off, run out 0. Glamorgan 0-1.I was going to say it was weird how Tom Lawes was allowed to swap for Atkinson despite being a much better batter but in fact they average almost exactly the same, 19.something. This game is skipping away from Glamorgan – the lead 189. It should be enough but….The last pair have now added 99 – the lead 189 over Surrey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wimbledon 2023 champion Vondrousova given four-year ban for refusing anti-doping test
‘No compelling justification’ for not submitting a sample‘Unpredictable testing is essential to protect clean sport’Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon singles champion, has been banned from professional sport for four years after she refused an anti-doping test.According to an independent tribunal, Vondrousova provided “no compelling justification” for declining to provide a sample after being notified at her home by a doping control officer in December. The 26-year-old is suspended from all professional events until 21 June 2030. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on the death of Carlo Ginzburg: a historian who taught us to think about outsiders | Editorial
The work of one of Italy’s greatest scholars focused on ordinary lives oppressed by power and prejudice. That approach resonates todayReflecting on the genesis of his most famous work, Carlo Ginzburg wrote that by immersing himself in the trial of a 16th-century miller burned by the Roman Inquisition, he turned a possible footnote into a book. Fifty years on, after being translated around the world, The Cheese and The Worms still stands as a supreme exemplar of historical research devoted to the lives of “the persecuted and the vanquished”.Ginzburg’s death last week, at the age of 87, means that one of the last living links with a remarkable postwar generation of historians has gone. In its passion for reconstructing the fabric of lives previously thought too marginal to bother with, his writing had affinities with EP Thompson’s “history from below” movement and the Annales school in France. As the rise of 21st-century authoritarianism creates new generations of scapegoats and misfits, the approach of one of Italy’s greatest scholars speaks directly to our times. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Labour’s leadership: Andy Burnham has a story. He must also have a plan | Editorial
Keir Starmer won power but never explained Britain’s crisis. The new MP for Makerfield offers a sharper diagnosis – and one that voters can understandPolitical careers often end when circumstances demand qualities that a politician cannot supply. That seems especially true of Sir Keir Starmer. On Monday, he stepped down as Labour leader, hours before Andy Burnham arrived at Westminster to take his seat as MP for Makerfield.Sir Keir’s achievements were real. He won a large parliamentary majority in 2024, provided more cash for the NHS and was steadfast in his support of Ukraine. He undoubtedly restored a measure of seriousness after years of Tory psychodrama. But the 2024 victory was always more brittle than it seemed: Labour’s vote actually fell from 2019 and Nigel Farage’s decision to stand candidates in 2024 fractured rightwing votes. Sir Keir won power; he did not change the political weather. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Argentina v Austria: Messi breaks scoring record at World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm ET/6pm BST/3am Mon AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicA Messi-related email has landed from David Wall:I’ve got to take issue with your description of Messi’s hat-trick in the opening game as brilliant. I’ll give you the third was high quality but the other two were pretty much chucked in by the Algerian goalkeeper. It’s the lowest value World Cup hat-trick since Harry Kane’s in 2018 against Panama (one header from about six yards, one penalty, and one that deflected off his heel when he was trying to get out of the way). Add in the fact that he was incredibly fortunate not to be sent off (presumably the VAR trained on footage from one of those old-fashioned all-village kickabouts), and I thought the hype about his performance was massively over the top. If Argentina are going to continue with their approach of tailoring the team to get the most out of Messi (even though Julián Álvarez is a much more effective forward now) then he’ll need to do a lot more than he showed against Algeria if they’re going to retain the trophy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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What could Andy Burnham’s first 100 days in power look like?
New Makerfield MP could get keys to No 10 sooner than his team would have liked – but he will need to deliver fast to succeedUK politics live – latest updatesIt was 3.30am, just after the Wigan returning officer had read out Andy Burnham’s 9,231 majority, and a close adviser to Burnham texted: “We will need to be ready a lot sooner than we thought.”Keir Starmer resigned on Monday before Burnham was even sworn in as an MP. Wes Streeting was out of the race an hour later. Burnham travelled down on the Avanti West Coast – yet to be nationalised – to Euston on a train that was delayed by 21 minutes. But everything else about the transition will be whiplash fast. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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India news: Millions of students turn up for NEET retest
More than 2 million students appeared for the high-stakes NEET medical entrance exam amid high security after a question paper leak fiasco. Follow DW for more headlines out of India.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'He is human' - Messi misses from the spot as he chases scoring record
Lionel Messi badly misses a penalty against Austria that would have made him the all-time World Cup record goalscorer.

Deutsche Welle
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75 years of Germany's Goethe-Institut
For 75 years, the Goethe-Institut has stood for cultural exchange, education and partnerships around the globe — even under challenging political conditions.

Digital Trends
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I love Apple, but this watchOS decision might be my breaking point
My Apple Watch SE 2 still works perfectly. So why does it already feel left behind? Why Apple, why?

Digital Trends
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32 Prime Day Upgrades Worth Adding to Your Cart
Prime Day is the perfect time to upgrade. These standout picks deliver practical benefits, thoughtful design, and impressive value.

Digital Trends
Open 
Getty Images accused AI of wholesale theft. It’s now an official ChatGPT image partner.
Getty Images has announced a new display agreement with OpenAI that will bring its licensed visual content into ChatGPT. The partnership is notable given Getty's long-running criticism of AI companies over how training data is sourced, marking an unexpected new chapter in the AI industry's relationship with content owners.

TechRadar News
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The Samsung S95F is easily one of the best OLED TVs for bright rooms I've tested, and it's hit a record-low price ahead of Prime Day — perfect timing for a World Cup upgrade

TechRadar News
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After 19 years, Google Street View has finally added a 'beautiful', long-awaited country — and Geoguessr fans are calling it a 'great addition' to the geography game

TechRadar News
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Almost 80% of data centers constructed in natural disaster zones – data centers are fueling and succumbing to climate risks

TechRadar News
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The Nintendo Switch 2 just got an absurd Prime Day discount, but you won't find it on Amazon

Mail Online
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Glamorous World Cup WAG launches blistering social media attack on USA great Tim Howard
Former goalkeeper Howard drew the ire of the nation of Curacao when he claimed they'd get 'smoked' and concede over 20 goals in the expanded 2026 World Cup.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alan Greenspan’s legacy as Fed chair: the ‘Greenspan put’ and a shift to overprotecting markets
Greenspan, who died at age 100, opened the door to issues that still bedevil the Fed.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Caterpillar’s stock hits a milestone as roaring industrials rally sweeps up Wall Street
Caterpillar is the hottest stock in the Dow this year, and now one of just two in the index with a price above $1,000.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alphabet sees $269 billion market-cap wipeout as investors fear it’s losing the war for AI talent
Two AI leaders, including a Nobel laureate, recently said they would leave Google for rival labs.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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China’s weird new economic spark: toy elves and robocops
Young Chinese aren’t buying status symbols. They’re spending money on things that make them feel something — anything.

Slashdot
Open 
AI Law Firm Wins UK Court Case For First Time
Garfield AI, the UK's first regulator-approved AI law firm, has won its first court case after helping a freelancer recover 7,000 pounds in unpaid fees. "I was owed money for work I had done, but it felt like the process of recovering it could be too stressful, expensive and time-consuming," said Tamires Camal Taquidir, a freelancer who had provided HR-related services to a hospitality business. "Garfield made it possible for me to pursue the claim and keep going. When the counterclaim was brought, it was intended to intimidate me, but I knew I had accessible, cost-effective and competent support. I'm delighted by the result." Computer Weekly reports: After attempting to resolve a dispute over paid fees without court action, Camal Taquidir [...] used Garfield AI to help her pursue the case in court. She was able to generate pre-action correspondence, and then prepare and issue court proceedings. The AI legal assistant conducted all of the legal work preceding the court trial. The defendant instructed solicitors and brought a counterclaim, which the claimant disputed with the support of Garfield AI.

The claimant continued to trial, including dealing with document production, the preparation witness statements and trial bundles. Garfield then instructed a junior, shortly before the trial began. She won the claim over unpaid fees following a three-hour trial at Wandsworth County Court. The claimant paid around 400 pounds in Garfield AI fees to recover the 7,000 pounds owed, while the defendant instructed both a solicitor and a barrister. [...] Following a three-hour trial at Wandsworth County Court on 14 May 2026, in which both sides were represented by barristers, the court found in favor of the claimant, awarding 7,000 pounds and dismissing the counterclaim.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Clive Davis: music industry executive who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen dies aged 94
Davis, who discovered many of the defining musicians of the 20th century and helmed major record labels, said he ‘never’ tired of the music businessClive Davis: a life in pictures from Diana Ross to Aretha FranklinThe famed US music industry executive and record producer Clive Davis has died aged 94, his family has confirmed.He had recently been hospitalised with respiratory problems and was recovering at home. He had also been diagnosed with neurological condition Bell’s palsy in 2021. Continue reading...

Telegraph
Open 
Investors shun UK bonds after Starmer quits
Investors shun UK bonds after Starmer quits

The Verge
Open 
AMD releases FSR 4.1 upscaling for older graphics cards
AMD is officially launching FSR Upscaling 4.1 for Radeon RX 7000-series GPUs today. The update means that computers with those older graphics cards, which use the RDNA 3 graphics architecture, will be able to see improvements like better image quality and smoother gameplay in their games. AMD had promised in May that it would be […]

The Verge
Open 
RingConn’s Lord of the Rings promotion assumes smart ring wearers want to be like Gollum
Smart ring maker RingConn's marketing copy says Lord of the Rings' "enduring narrative highlights a simple but powerful idea: that meaningful transformation often begins with the choices we make each day. RingConn embraces a similar philosophy, believing that lasting change begins with everyday awareness and small, intentional decisions." Of course, the "intentional decisions" Frodo makes […]

The Verge
Open 
The Steam Machine is the most ambitious game console I’ve ever played
My first day with the Steam Machine was a mess. Instead of enjoying a worry-free game console, I spent hours troubleshooting what felt like a finicky PC. That's because the Steam Machine is a PC, with a very important twist. Since the Magnavox Odyssey came out in 1972, game consoles have been built with the […]

The Verge
Open 
Valve prices the Steam Machine at $1,049
After months of waiting, Valve has finally announced that the Steam Machine, its new living room-friendly PC, will start at $1,049 and go on sale beginning June 29th. You can now register your interest to buy a Steam Machine as part of a reservation system. To offer a fair playing field for people who want […]

The Verge
Open 
Valve explains why it isn’t subsidizing the Steam Machine
Valve finally announced the price of the Steam Machine, and like a lot of new gadgets these days, it's not cheap: It starts at $1,049 for a 512GB model, and a 2TB model costs $300 more. Configurations with a bundled Steam Controller cost an extra $79 each. Despite Valve offering a console alternative with the […]

The Verge
Open 
Valve will finally let you build your own Steam Machine with SteamOS for desktop
If you don't get lucky with Valve's Steam Machine reservation system, you can make your own Steam Machine instead. Valve says that "starting with the SteamOS 3.8 release, you can put together your own Steam Machine using whatever PC parts you want." SteamOS 3.8.10 launched last week with a slew of updates, including "improved compatibility […]

The Verge
Open 
Here’s how you can reserve a Steam Machine
The Steam Machine is here, but getting one is a little complicated. Valve is taking preorders using a reservation system, which is intended to make the process more fair and harder for bots to exploit. However, it's a bit different than the $5 reservations Valve used for the Steam Deck. Starting today, you can sign […]

The Verge
Open 
Valve is working with AMD to bring FSR 4 to the Steam Machine
The Steam Machine is a cool little console that's about as powerful as a PlayStation 5, according to my colleague Sean Hollister's in-depth review. But one area where it lags behind is with its earlier version of AMD FSR upscaler: It's just not as good as it should be. Yes, it can sharpen low-res graphics […]

The Verge
Open 
Google invests in A24 to build AI movie tools
Google's DeepMind AI lab is teaming up with A24 to develop new movie production technologies that aim to help future filmmakers "expand their storytelling possibilities." As part of this new research and development collaboration, The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is investing "around $75 million" into A24, marking the first time the search giant […]

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How to get a good night's sleep during hot weather
Simple tips to help you get a good night's sleep when temperatures rise.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Analysis: Everything points to Burnham becoming PM within weeks
If no leadership contest presents itself, Andy Burnham may not have to wait until September to enter Number 10.

Nature
Open 
Cancer cells adopt unprecedented strategies to produce a molecule that protects them from iron-dependent death

Nature
Open 
Forty years of high-temperature superconductivity

Gizmodo
Open 
Nvidia Touts ‘100% Reduction in Water Use’ With New Data Center Design
That’s a long way from 100% sustainable, though.

Gizmodo
Open 
Tesla Driver Who Plowed Into Texas Home Was Allegedly Using ‘Autopilot’ Feature
A man said an automated driver-assistance system was engaged when his Tesla Model 3 was involved in the fatal crash.

Gizmodo
Open 
‘House of the Dragon’ Stars on the Premiere’s 2 Most Shocking Moments
Season three began with 'Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood,' and some of the characters will never be the same.

Gizmodo
Open 
HP OmniBook Ultra Review: Perfect, if Not for the Little Things
HP's 'Ultra' laptop with an Intel Core Ultra X9 chip feels so premium that I can overlook my quibbles with the trackpad and keyboard.

ZeroHedge News
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade

The Keir Starmer experiment is officially over, as was growing increasingly clear over the weekend, especially with an interestingly-timed Trump Truth Social statement. Just under two years after capturing the keys to Number 10, the British Prime Minister has thrown in the towel after succumbing to an internal party mutiny following days of intense, closed-door speculation regarding his political survival.

Stepping up to the lectern outside Downing Street on Monday morning, a visibly defeated Starmer delivered the inevitable verdict to the press. "I will resign as leader of the Labour Party," Starmer announced.


“Burnham’s succession is looking more assured as one of the top potential rivals for the job, Wes Streeting, has said he would back Burnham. This makes it less likely any candidate will have to offer some policy red meat to the leftist MPs in the Labour party to win. As far as the markets are concerned, that is a good thing.”
— Simon White, Macro Strategist.

via BBC News

The Prime Minister confirmed he has instructed Labour's National Executive Committee to draw up a swift succession timetable. Leadership nominations will officially open on July 9, with the entire process scheduled to wrap up before the summer recess.

British mediai says that the aggressive timeline ensures a new Prime Minister will be installed well before Parliament reconvenes in September.

Starmer's abrupt (but not entirely 'a surprise') exit comes after his center-left Labour Party made it clear they no longer believed he could deliver a future electoral victory. He practically admitted as much on the steps of Number 10.


"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer confessed. "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."


Defending his short and tumultuous tenure, Starmer attempted to frame his departure as an act of ultimate patriotism rather than a capitulation to party infighting.

"Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party," he said, adding: "I have spoken to his majesty the king this morning to inform him of my decision."

The Prime Minister's resignation was directly catalyzed by last week's by-election victory of Andy Burnham in Makerfield. Burnham, the fiercely popular former Greater Manchester Mayor, has long loomed as the "King in the North" and the ultimate threat to Starmer's sterile brand - according to many - of leadership. By securing a seat in the House of Commons, Burnham effectively checked Starmer into a corner.


"New leader will be in place before Parliament returns in September, I will remain in post until the contest is complete"
Keir Starmer announces he will resign as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party
Follow live updates and reaction: https://t.co/8HkQf7O9cD pic.twitter.com/oyZPA5C6Yc
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 22, 2026
With Burnham holding immense sway among rank-and-file MPs, the writing was on the wall. He now enters the upcoming leadership contest as the overwhelming frontrunner to be Britain's next Prime Minister.

* * *


BREAKING: President Trump confirms Keir Starmer is resigning as Prime Minister… before Starmer has confirmed it himself. The final humiliation. pic.twitter.com/yz33xD4rPt
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 21, 2026

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 05:03

ZeroHedge News
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"DeepSeek Of The West" Reflection Inks Major Compute Deal With SpaceXAI
"DeepSeek Of The West" Reflection Inks Major Compute Deal With SpaceXAI

SpaceX shares tumbled for a third straight session, down around 9% late in the U.S. cash morning, after the Elon Musk-led company said it would sell investment-grade bonds for the first time.

However, a new headline crossed around 11:05 a.m. ET via Axios, reporting that Reflection, the Nvidia-backed open-source AI startup, had signed a major compute deal with SpaceXAI.

Under the deal, Reflection will pay SpaceXAI $150 million per month starting next Wednesday, July 1, through 2029, following an initial ramp period.


SpaceX $SPCX signed a compute deal with open-source AI startup Reflection AI for access to $NVDA GB300 chips at Colossus 2, per CNBC.
Reflection will pay SpaceX $150M per month starting July 1, 2026, totaling about $6.3B if the deal runs through 2029.
SpaceX has now signed… pic.twitter.com/CKOu4CUcjc
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) June 22, 2026
The deal gives the startup, founded by former Google DeepMind researchers Misha Laskin and Ioannis Antonoglou, access to Nvidia’s Grace Blackwell Ultra AI computing chip, also known as GB300, which is necessary to train its models.

Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal described Reflection as the “DeepSeek of the West” because the AI lab aims to build open-weight, frontier-scale AI models as a direct alternative to China’s DeepSeek.

The deal highlights the circular flow of the AI boom, something we have noted countless times (see here and here). Nvidia invested $800 million in Reflection, which will now use Nvidia chips purchased by SpaceX. This allows the startup to avoid the multibillion-dollar burden of building out its own data centers and instead lease compute from hyperscalers.

With shares down 9% in late-morning trading, the Reflection-SpaceXAI deal was not enough to lift the stock, which is now down 25% from last Tuesday’s high of $225.



The Reflection-SpaceXAI deal also shows that SpaceX's massive compute buildout is not just for internal AI chatbots, but is also becoming a revenue-generating business, catering specifically to external AI frontier labs seeking high-end training capacity.

It may suggest that internal compute demand has been lackluster... 

Last week, Yann LeCun, founder of AMI Labs, called xAI a "failure," adding that he expects it won't be able to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic.

The deal follows a similar deal that Anthropic made with SpaceX to expand cloud computing capacity. 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 11:45

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Iran Tried To Bring IRGC-Linked Individuals Into US With World Cup Delegation: Homeland Security Chief
Iran Tried To Bring IRGC-Linked Individuals Into US With World Cup Delegation: Homeland Security Chief

Via American Greatness,

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Sunday that Iranian officials attempted to bring multiple individuals with alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into the United States as part of the country’s World Cup soccer delegation.

Mullin made the remarks during an interview with Fox News as U.S.-Iran negotiations were

U.S. officials subjected members of Iran’s traveling delegation to heightened scrutiny after President Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to conduct extensive vetting of individuals seeking entry into the country.

Mullin said more than half of the additional representatives Iran sought to bring into the United States had connections to the IRGC, which U.S. officials view as a hostile military organization.

“When we started doing the research on him, he had only been put in place since 2022, and we didn’t allow him to board the plane,” Mullin told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, referring to the individual who had ties with the IRGC.

“The guy that tried to get on the plane yesterday had direct ties to the IRGC,” Mullin .

“We accepted 53 individuals coming in and the rest of the individuals that Iran had tried to bring in all also had direct ties to the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group,” he said.



Mullin said that the Iranian official who attempted to enter the United States was, according to Tehran, the president of the country’s soccer federation, noting that the Iranian soccer team playing World Cup games is based in Tijuana, Mexico. The team flies from Mexico into the United States when they need to play games.

The secretary said the administration anticipated that Iran could attempt to use the World Cup delegation to gain access to the United States and took additional precautions as a result.

According to Mullin, Trump authorized what he described as extreme vetting measures to screen members of the Iranian contingent.

“These games that Iran plays makes them an adversary that you can’t trust,” Mullin said.

Mullin did not provide additional details about the individuals who were denied entry or the nature of their alleged ties to the IRGC.

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran called Mullin’s allegation “an outright lie.”

“The claim that an official representative of the Iranian football federation attempted to board a flight to enter the United States yesterday and was prevented from doing so is an outright and undeniable lie. This claim is so unfounded that those who made it are well aware that such an incident never occurred in the first place,” FFIRI said.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 12:05

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Rep. Hunt: Racial Argument Against Voter ID Is 'Insulting'
Rep. Hunt: Racial Argument Against Voter ID Is 'Insulting'

Authored by Catherine Salgado via PJMedia.com,

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) emphasized to Congress the importance of passing the election integrity SAVE America Act and rejected woke arguments against voter ID as racist and condescending.



Democrats’ idiotic arguments against requiring ID to vote include claiming that black Americans are somehow mysteriously unable to get IDs. Aside from the obvious elitism and racial prejudice of such a claim, it is practically impossible to live in America and not have identification. They are required at doctor’s offices, airports, bars, liquor stores, car rentals, welfare programs, and many more places. But somehow expecting IDs at polling places is unreasonable? 


Democrats claim requiring proof of citizenship to vote is racist and discriminatory.
I’ve been Black my entire life, and that’s one of the most insulting arguments I’ve ever heard.
✅ Black Americans can get IDs.
✅ Hispanic Americans can get IDs.
✅ Asian Americans can get… pic.twitter.com/x4HefeGKFE
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) June 19, 2026
Hunt sarcastically said, “I've been black for my entire life. I had to bring up the most racist thing I've ever heard [which] is the insinuation by Democrats that black and brown Americans are too stupid to get an ID to vote, just like everybody else.”

The congressman continued, “I call this the soft bigotry of low expectations. Figuring out how to vote in this country is a very low bar, and we could all figure it out regard of your race, religion, color, or creed, and we should all want free and fair elections.” 

Except Democrats know they cannot win so many elections as they do without fraud, nor can they expand their control to new areas. They have no positive results to run on, no record of making any city or state more prosperous and more free. They need fraud to survive.

Hunt told Congress, “With me today — I'm not gonna pull mine out this time, but I have six forms of government-issued ID. How did I acquire that? Personal responsibility in this country. I've also heard a lot about Jim Crow here today. I'm here to tell you, Jim Crow is over, and I know it because my parents grew up in it.”

Democrats were the party of Jim Crow, ironically. But now they scream “racism” whenever anyone points out that they are pushing an awful policy.

Democrats cheapen and exploit the suffering their predecessors caused for political reasons.

As Hunt said, “And I think it's actually insulting to those that actually experienced the ills of Jim Crow” to compare getting an ID to that era.

“Having an ID to vote in our national election should be a requirement, which is why I stand [here] today, urging my colleagues on the left to support this bill. If you want secure elections, if you want your vote to count, vote for the Save Act.”

Unfortunately, that’s precisely what Democrats don’t want.

This debate was never about IDs, or about black Americans’ access to IDs, or about constitutionality.

It was always about one political party believing in our Republic’s system of elections, and the other party hating our Republic’s system of government and believing they should decide who our leaders are instead of We the People.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 12:45

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Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal
Tehran Disputes Vance Claims On Nuclear Inspections & Assets For Agriculture Funding Amid Oil License Deal

Summary

Unfreezing Assets divergence in official rhetoric: "It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding,"
Nuclear Inspector divergence: Vance said Iran agreed to admit nuclear inspectors, but Iranian state media denied any such agreement was reached.
Oil Relief: The U.S. issued a 60-day license allowing Iranian oil production and sales as part of the emerging negotiation framework.
Talks Continue after top negotiators depart Switzerland: Both sides described the Switzerland talks as constructive, with technical negotiations set to continue over the next 60 days.
Hormuz Commitment: The U.S. says Iran agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, easing market concerns, though major issues remain unresolved.



//-->

//-->

//-->


Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of June?
Yes 7% · No 94%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

More Divergence in Official Rhetoric from Switzerland

Vice President JD Vance earlier outlined a proposal under which any future release of frozen Iranian assets would remain subject to US oversight, allowing Washington to influence how the funds are spent. According to Vance, the concept was developed by Jared Kushner and would direct the money toward purchases of American agricultural goods.

The big assertion: "We wanted to make sure that we set up a process where if we ever unfreeze Iranian assets, we can ensure that money, that Iranian money, goes to help the people of Iran and not to fund terrorism," Vance said.

After first denying Vance's claims on nuclear inspectors being 'agreed' by Tehran to reenter the country--



now this...

"It is not true that Iran's blocked funds will be used to buy grain, and it is not mentioned in any understanding," Iran's Tasnim reports. This 60-day period is likely to be filled with more constant claims and counterclaims regarding what's been agreed to or not, and the crisis remains highly fluid and the 'brink of war' return is ever present, also given the sensitive Lebanon situation. 


US Vice President JD Vance has suggested that any future release of frozen Iranian assets could be structured to ensure the funds are used for civilian purposes, including the purchase of American agricultural goods “for the benefit of the Iranian people".



According to @TreyYingst of Fox News, Iran has committed to allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into Iran to work to locate and dismantle key nuclear facilities. Per the report, Vice President JD Vance, alongside Envoy Jared Kushner, were… pic.twitter.com/6twiRPIhka
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 22, 2026
State Media Says Vance Claim on Nuclear Inspectors 'False'

Iranian state Fars is reporting that US Vice President Vance's earlier in the day announcement that Tehran agreed to the return of IAEA inspectors to the country is "false", citing a government source.

"There was no talk of the presence of inspectors in the country in the Swiss negotiations," Fars says. And so the divergent rhetoric continues to be a serious issue, even as this is only the very beginning of an expected long-haul 60-day nuclear negotiation process. 

Each side has been accusing the other of jumping the gun on premature statements and official leaks to the press. Also it could be that the return of inspectors is part of the framework for the future, but that Vance perhaps stated it as accomplished fact - and apparently Tehran doesn't yet see it that way. Al Jazeera reports on Iran's current official stance:


Iran will continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in line with existing procedures, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told IRNA.

The interactions with the IAEA will take place in “accordance with the approvals of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council”, IRNA quoted Baghaei as saying.



🚢Lots of oil leaving Strait of Hormuz (dark and visible)
🛢️Plus SoH bypass pipelines still going full throttle
⛽️US / Japan / Europe SPR barrels still flowing
🇮🇷 Iranian oil now legal for (at least) next 60 days
🇨🇳China remains on an oil buying strike
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 22, 2026
US Issues 60-Day License For Iranian Oil Sales As Tehran Agrees To Hormuz Access, Nuclear Inspections

As part of the MoU framework, and ongoing technical peace discussions in Switzerland (with US and Iranian teams still though - though Vance and Ghalibaf have at this point departed after their 18-hour first round achievement - Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil - it stated in a huge forward-momentum development. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X:


Vice President JD Vance described an initiative for unfreezing Iranian assets that would grant the US approval over what Tehran can purchase using the money.
He said the plan, conceived by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would require the money be spent on…
— Giovanni Staunovo🛢 (@staunovo) June 22, 2026

Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous. In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country. As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.


Oil dropped to low of day on the significant latest development:



Some further details:

US AUTHORIZES SOME SALES OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN ORIGIN
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES SALES THROUGH TO AUGUST 21, 2026
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES IMPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN OIL
However, Vance has also sought to inject some caution on some of the premature reporting regarding releasing frozen Iranian funds, amid complaints from US and Israeli hawks at home:


JUST IN: Vice President Vance pushes back on “misreporting” about Iranian assets potentially being unfrozen and says that if any of the regime’s money is freed up, it will go to help the American economy and make U.S. farmers richer:
“We wanted to make sure that we set up a… pic.twitter.com/6CPNzY8uIS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2026
Huge Claim & Breaking Through: Vance Says Iran Agreed to Let Inspectors Back In

Axios is reporting Monday morning Iran has agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to the country, according to fresh words of Vice President J.D. Vance, who focused all day prior and much into the overnight on forging a path forward toward permanent peace. The two sides are seeking to hammer out a long-term nuclear agreement, now amid the technical talks process, as delegation heads depart Switzerland - leaving diplomatic teams behind. The 60-day roadmap begins.

If indeed the UN nuclear inspectors are eventually let back into Iran, this would be a hugely significant step. This would be to verify compliance to the preliminary agreement, Vance further hails:


"Our hope is that we get to the final deal and a permanent settlement. But right now, I think we’ve made great progress and we should all celebrate that in terms of when the nuclear inspectors are going to start," the American Vice President told reporters.

via AP

He described that he phoned UN nuclear inspectors at 2am last night to update them on the developments, however, he said that no one picked up the call.

"As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning," said Vance. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today."

Both warring sides appear to finally be in the same page in terms of issuing 'positive' and 'encouraging' assessments earlier. There were reports of last-minute disagreements, threats, and warnings that the process could collapse near the conclusion of yesterday's formal round one of talks.

"So they didn’t walk out, and their technical team is still here in Burgenstock working with our technical team," Vance explained.

"What we told the Iranians yesterday is, 'When you guys exchange in what us millennials might call trash talk, you can't expect the president of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record'."

Vance conceded that in the end there was a "a little bit of threatening" and "whining but at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."

He further described that a mechanism had been established to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while noting that significant work remained and that technical negotiations would continue. Also, importantly he said that a "very good foundation" was laid for a successful final agreement with Iran.


JD Vance:
I can't stay here for the next 60 days. I will go back to the U.S.
The technical teams will be working. pic.twitter.com/s9PSTRvMSR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also left the venue in Switzerland today - after approximately 18 hours of talks and consultations.

Meanwhile a fresh note from Goldman Sachs comments:


The Pakistan-Qatar communiqué, alongside comments from the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighting progress in negotiations, suggests we are heading into a prolonged period of talks rather than a near-term resolution. My base case remains that Iran will continue to use the threat of disruption around Hormuz as negotiating leverage rather than pursuing a definitive resolution. The most striking feature of the oil market today is the sheer size of speculative short positioning. There is a substantial amount of capital betting on lower prices, which locally makes further downside more challenging. That is before considering the more fundamental point that it is not obviously in Iran’s interest to allow oil prices to fall too far while negotiations remain ongoing.


China Expresses Support

China too has expressed hope Iran and the US will maintain the momentum and ultimately work towards positive progress, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday from Beijing. He praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other parties when asked about the Iran-US talks in Switzerland, the Xinhua news agency reported. "China supports Pakistan and Qatar and all relevant parties in their mediation efforts," Guo said.

New Iran MFA statement:



However, while an uneasy calm has taken over Lebanon, with analyst Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut stressing: "The conflict now in Lebanon is waiting for another spark,” said Mohanad Hage Ali from the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut."

"It just became a buffer zone, a kind of a punching bag in which anyone who wants to score can use it, whether to get at the US-Iran negotiations – which Israel specifically is not very happy about – or from the Iranian side, where a faction unhappy with how negotiations are going can sabotage them through the Lebanon front," he explained.

Weekend Review

via Newsquawk

US and Iran talks opened in Switzerland on Sunday after US VP Vance arrived in Switzerland and the Iranian delegation led by chief negotiator Ghalibaf, which included Foreign Minister Araghchi, arrived on Saturday, while Pakistan’s Premier Sharif and military chief Munir travelled to Switzerland to join the US-Iran talks.
Iran's delegation reportedly left the negotiation site in protest against statements by US President Trump, while Fars also reported that Iran halted talks with the US after Trump threatened strikes over Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon. Iran said Trump’s threat is a blatant violation of the MoU and halted talks in Switzerland, while it is reviewing a response to Trump’s threats. However, sources cited by Al Hadath later stated that the Iranian delegation had not left the negotiation headquarters at the Burgenstock resort and the Iranian delegation head discussed a joint statement draft with mediators.
US President Trump threatened to resume bombing and take over the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is not reached, while Trump said the US may take tolls if it has to and that he has a 60-day option, in which he can do whatever after it. Trump stated he spoke with Iranian officials and used expletive language in the call with Iranian officials on Hormuz, as well as threatened that they won’t have a country if Hormuz is closed, according to Fox.
US President Trump posted that Iran must immediately stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble, or else the US would hit Iran very hard again, “just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump separately commented that there will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, unless they are imposed by the US.
UKMTO reported an incident in which a cargo vessel was approached by a craft with six armed persons onboard 92 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Mukalla in the Gulf of Aden.
Israeli army chief said the Lebanon ceasefire is fragile and forces remain ready for combat.
Israeli military convoy reportedly entered southern Syria’s Quneitra region, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Negotiation Process:

Qatar and Pakistan issue joint statement on conclusion of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, while Qatar said first session of the US-Iran high level talks has concluded and that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere. said:. Technical talks are to continue for remainder of the week. US and Iran agreed to de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Encouraging progress has been made, including creation of a mechanism for further technical talks. Parties agree to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation. High-level committee agrees on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days.
"The negotiations of the main Iranian delegation in Switzerland have ended, however, experts are still in Switzerland and are following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding", Tasnim reported citing sources.
Iranian negotiating team member said executive procedures about the release of Iranian frozen funds have taken place with the Qatari delegation and that a draft has been finalised regarding waivers of Iranian oil sanctions, which will be issued soon, although negotiations about other subjects will not take place if the war does not end in Lebanon.
"No negotiations have taken place on the nuclear file so far", Tasnim reported citing a source.
US diplomat said talks included robust discussions on a nuclear deal and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, while talks also involved clarifying the messaging on the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, a US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, and that mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Pakistani Army Chief said negotiating parties reached success stage, according to Al Arabiya.
US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, adds mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Sources cited by Al Arabiya said an anticipated statement will be issued by the Iranian and American negotiators and the mediators.
Sources cited by Al Hadath stated that the Iranian delegation has not left the negotiation headquarters at the Bürgenstock resort and Iranian delegation head discusses joint statement draft with mediators. Tasnim reported Iranian delegation refused to return to negotiations but message exchanges continue through intermediaries.
Iranian Commentary:
Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi posted Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end Lebanon War, oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said the technical team is to continue work, but negotiation delegation work has concluded, adds significant progress achieved in quadrilateral talks in Switzerland. Spokesman said groundwork for starting negotiations for the final agreement was discussed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said Iran is working on safe passage mechanism for Hormuz and that Iran reported progress on oil sales and asset unfreezing, adds the war in all fronts, including Lebanon, must end.
Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Rezaei said the US is responsible for Israel's actions in Lebanon and Iran will hold the US accountable in the event of a threat against Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi to lead the technical team in Switzerland, Sky News Arabia reported.
Iran resumed oil loading from Kharg Island after about a six-week halt, following the lifting of the US blockade of its ports.
Lebanon/Israel:
Al Jadeed News cites Haaretz source stating the Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the Blue Line in Lebanon.
Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the yellow line (buffer zone), Al Jazeera reported, citing Israel's Haaretz sources.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar told his New Zealand counterpart, "Israel will respect the ceasefire in Lebanon as long as it won’t be breached by Hezbollah.".
Israeli political and security cabinet will convene on Thursday amid US-Iran talks, N12 reported.
Israeli officials are dismissing reported of an agreement to withdraw from certain points in southern Lebanon, amid a lack of US pressure to do, Maariv's Barsky reported. Officials add, "because in Washington they understand the Israeli position: no partial withdrawal, no point-specific withdrawal, and no diplomatic 'gesture'.". And, "as long as the Hezbollah threat persists, there is no change in the deployment of forces and no intention to relinquish the security positions in southern Lebanon.".
Lebanese presidency discussed the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, in a call with Qatari PM and US's Vance.
Other:
Two South Korean vessels were said to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran signed a ceasefire MoU.
Three India-linked supertankers re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, which suggests an increase in traffic through the waterway.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 12:55

UK Government News
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Bedford train collision
The Secretary of State for Transport gives a statement on the tragic rail collision in Bedford on 19 June 2026.

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Ex DUP leader Donaldson guilty of child sex abuse charges including one of rape
The former MP is remanded in custody while he awaits sentencing for 18 offences.

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How much preventive health screening should I be getting?
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US firm goes public with £4.7bn proposal to buy easyJet after earlier bids rejected
Investment company Castlelake made bid public for shareholders to evaluate but carrier describes offer as ‘cheap’Nils Pratley: EasyJet bidder is still offering less than a full ticketThe US investment firm trying to buy easyJet has gone public with its latest £4.7bn takeover proposal for the budget airline, its third and latest offer to be rejected.Castlelake said on Monday that an all-cash offer of 625p a share, valuing easyJet at just over £4.7bn, had been rejected by the airline’s board on Sunday, after previous offers at 560p and 600p. Continue reading...

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EasyJet bidder is still offering less than a full ticket | Nils Pratley
Castlelake’s offer does not feel close to a knockout price – and it still needs to get shareholders (and Stelios) onboardUS firm goes public with £4.7bn proposal to buy easyJetIt’s an obvious tactic for a would-be bidder to deploy when its offers have been rejected three times by the target’s board of directors: go public with the proposed terms and hope the shareholders demand new talks.Castlelake’s playbook at easyJet is standard stuff and, since the “put up or shut up” bid deadline falls at end of this week, it had to try something. In its dream scenario, Stelios Haji-Ioannou would launch one of his old-style rockets at the easyJet board to shake things up. However, the airline’s founder and still 15% shareholder (with his family) has said nothing so far in support of either side. Continue reading...

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PM said Labour had turned economy around – but his record on growth and unemployment appears mixedKeir Starmer used his leaving speech to lay out a long list of Labour’s achievements in office – but his economic legacy appears mixed, with sluggish UK growth and higher employment costs.The prime minister said his government had turned around an ailing economy, after 14 years of austerity. He said plans by the previous Tory administration to cut investment had been reversed and economic growth was the highest in the G7. Continue reading...

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From algae to Iran, Trump should do things right instead of just doing things
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Judge denies correspondents' dinner shooting suspect's bid to disqualify Blanche, Pirro
A federal judge on Monday denied a request from Cole Allen, the alleged White House Correspondents' dinner shooter, to bar acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro from being involved in the case.  “In line with longstanding precedent, the Court finds that neither the officials’ dinner attendance nor their statements after the...

The Hill
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Confirmed Ebola cases in outbreak zone top 1,000
Congo’s Ministry of Health on Sunday confirmed that there are more than 1,000 cases of Ebola in the country. The ministry reported that there have been 1,003 cumulative confirmed cases and 254 cumulative deaths. Most cases are in the Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Health workers fear that a displacement camp in Ituri...

The Hill
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Who is Andy Burnham, likely Starmer successor as British prime minister?
Labour Party member Andy Burnham is likely to become the next British prime minister after incumbent Keir Starmer on Monday announced that he will resign once there is a new leader in place. Starmer's resignation could have led to a divisive contest among Labour Party lawmakers, but Burnham, 56, quickly won the support of former...

The Hill
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Live updates: Vance optimistic as Iran talks make solid progress
Vice President Vance on Monday reported notable progress in talks with Iranian negotiators in Switzerland. The first day of talks, Sunday, “was a very, very good day. We made a lot of good progress. We did exactly what we wanted to do,” he said. It was unclear how long he would remain in Europe or...

The Hill
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New federal rule exposes rift between unions and their members
The Department of Labor has finalized a new regulation to increase union members' access to financial information about their union, which the AFL-CIO is attempting to block in court, despite the fact that it would increase transparency and accountability in the labor movement.

The Hill
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Hassett: Warsh 'not asking the White House for advice' on interest rates
National Economic Council (NEC) Director Kevin Hassett said Monday that Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is not soliciting advice from the White House on monetary policy. “We’re very close friends,” Hassett said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” referring to Warsh. “We’ve known each other for 30 years. … We definitely talk,” he told host Joe Kernen....

Techdirt
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Moral Panic Beats First Amendment In Sixth Circuit’s Ohio Social Media Ruling
The Sixth Circuit just handed Ohio a win on its social media law restricting minors, and reading the majority opinion, it’s immediately obvious why: the court fell hook, line, and sinker for the moral panic that social media is inherently poisonous to children. The first few pages of the decision are nothing but cherry-picked, out-of-context […]

FlightAware Squawks
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Air Hong Kong leases Airbus A330 cargo jet from US provider
Cathay Pacific's cargo subsidiary is leasing a freighter from a large aircraft lessor in the U.S.

Mail Online
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Gissa job Andy! Labour MPs - including Rayner and Streeting - clamour for a selfie with would-be PM Burnham as they bid for a role in his new regime... but Reeves faces chop
Shortly after being formally sworn in as the MP for Makerfield, following his thumping by-election win last week, Mr Burnham enjoyed a photo shoot with his new colleagues.

The Register
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The memory crisis is getting so bad that even retro RAM prices are going to the Moon
Some hardware firms redesigning products to use older DDR2 and DDR3 components

The Register
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Inspired by musical greeting cards, DARPA demands tiny, cheap, self-modifying systems
One can't help but see a very clear instance of the triple constraint problem in action here

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump continues evidence-free claims about reflecting pool as official vows to prosecute ‘vandalizing’ – live
President doubles down on ‘vandalism’ claims; Jeanine Pirro threatens anyone accused of vandalizing Washington monument amid reported arrestsTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailCalifornia sued the Environmental Protection ⁠Agency ⁠on ​Monday after the agency sent Congress landmark state vehicle emissions rules for ⁠potential repeal, Reuters reports.According to the EPA, waivers under ‌the Clean Air Act ‌for California environmental regulations that had been approved under prior Democratic administrations should have been sent to lawmakers ‌under the Congressional Review Act. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes saga humiliates McCullum and exposes England’s captaincy succession crisis | Mark Ramprakash
With Stokes now 35, the ECB needs to identify rising talents with the capacity to be serious people, not just young men having fun with their matesIf we learned one thing at the Oval last week, it is that this England team really needs Ben Stokes. So it came as a relief when, a couple of hours after the second Test against New Zealand ended in heavy defeat, he and Gus Atkinson were exonerated by the England and Wales Cricket Board after an investigation into their celebrations following victory in the first Test. But the governing body found itself in a process with no perfect outcome, and if the one it has ended up with is not the disaster it flirted with a week ago when Stokes was apparently considering retirement, it is still embarrassing.Its handling of the incident was understandable, given the public drunkenness that marked the players’ trip to Noosa during the Ashes, and Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington before that. There was a real lack of transparency around Brook’s incident, which was not revealed to the public until a newspaper discovered and reported it, and that led to a kneejerk reaction when the ECB thought there had been a repeat. All three incidents could have been handled better – it just keeps finding different ways of getting it wrong. At least no one can accuse it of not taking this one seriously, and if it hasn’t truly established its competence it has established that all players are accountable, which will help to set a standard of acceptable behaviour. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jamie George captains England again as Borthwick plays it safe for brutal summer tour
Caluori, Fisilau, Janse van Rensburg, Sela, Kloska selectedFin Smith says he had to ‘fake’ confidence after Lions tourAt some stage there will be better times ahead for English rugby. They have an encouraging amount of young talent, a decent age profile and another 15 months to develop prior to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Get it right – and they have a more than promising draw – and the sunlit uplands could yet be glimpsed in Australia next year.That, at least, is the cosy scenario. First, though, there is the equivalent of a precarious-looking rope bridge to be crossed by those named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for this summer’s inaugural leg of the new Nations Championship. Three Tests in three different continents in successive weeks with a squad lacking its regular captain and on a four-match losing streak is not the idyllic travel brochure it might have been. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Interstellar comet may be oldest object seen in our solar system, scientists say
Observations suggest comet spent billions of years on ‘vast unimaginable trajectories’ around our galaxyAn interstellar comet that blazed past the sun last year could be nearly three times older than our solar system and is unlike anything ever before seen in our cosmic back yard, astronomers said on Monday.The comet 3I/Atlas is just the third visitor from beyond our solar system that humanity has ever observed, its unusual brightness offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study something that came from elsewhere in the galaxy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Two Britons plead guilty to £39m 2024 cyber-attack on Transport for London
Thalha Jubair and Owen Flowers, linked to the Scattered Spider hacking group, change pleas on first day of trialTwo British cybercriminals from the Scattered Spider hacking group have pleaded guilty to a cyber-attack on Transport for London in 2024 that cost £39m and affected 10 million people.Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty to offences under the Computer Misuse Act at Woolwich crown court on Monday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Argentina v Austria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm ET/6pm BST/3am Mon AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicA Messi-related email has landed from David Wall:I’ve got to take issue with your description of Messi’s hat-trick in the opening game as brilliant. I’ll give you the third was high quality but the other two were pretty much chucked in by the Algerian goalkeeper. It’s the lowest value World Cup hat-trick since Harry Kane’s in 2018 against Panama (one header from about six yards, one penalty, and one that deflected off his heel when he was trying to get out of the way). Add in the fact that he was incredibly fortunate not to be sent off (presumably the VAR trained on footage from one of those old-fashioned all-village kickabouts), and I thought the hype about his performance was massively over the top. If Argentina are going to continue with their approach of tailoring the team to get the most out of Messi (even though Julián Álvarez is a much more effective forward now) then he’ll need to do a lot more than he showed against Algeria if they’re going to retain the trophy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer resigns: who will replace him and when? - The Latest
Keir Starmer has announced he is standing down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following Andy Burnham’s byelection victory in Makerfield.Wes Streeting has ruled himself out of the running, so will it be a coronation for the ‘king of the north’ or could another candidate emerge?Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP after Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryWes Streeting backs Andy Burnham to become Labour leader and PMKeir Starmer’s time as prime minister – in picturesThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Sir Keir Starmer's premiership in six charts
BBC Verify looks at the record of Sir Keir's time in government in six key areas since he took office in July 2024.

BBC UK News
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack
The data breach affected 10m customers and disrupted some services for three months in summer 2024.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack that caused months of disruption
The data breach affected 10m customers and disrupted some services for three months in summer 2024.

Mail Online
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Manchester's messiah has no legitimate claim to the keys to No10. This is an anti-democratic disgrace, writes RICHARD LITTLEJOHN
Judging by the acclamation which has greeted the second coming of Andy Burnham you'd be forgiven for assuming that he'd just won a 1997-style general election landslide.

BBC UK News
Open 
Alleged anti-Muslim attacks are 'intolerance wake-up call' - Swinney
The first minister said increasingly intolerant rhetoric in the Scottish Parliament is linked to division among communities.

Mail Online
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Britain faces shutdown on 40C 'hottest day ever': Schools will close early, trains face delays on buckling tracks and roads at risk of melting as 'heat dome' furnace strikes
The Met Office has issued a red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces major delays to road, rail and air travel.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
He knew how to rock a cagoule: the sartorial legacy of Sir Keir Starmer
A man of modest tastes, the departing PM excelled in dad chic. His hair, however, had an Instagram account all of its ownIt will be little consolation to Keir Starmer, who had loftier ambitions for his term of office, that he made a good fist of the tricky brief of prime ministerial style. “He had good hair” is not the legacy he hoped for. But we are where we are.Starmer’s prime ministerial look was smart, but unpretentious and unflashy. He looks good in a dark suit, which is a bonus in this job. His suits – often bought from Charles Tyrwhitt, where a standard price tag comes in at a typically restrained, Starmer-esque £350 – were well fitted, although menswear pedants pointed out that the sleeves were a little long. (A jacket sleeve should expose a half inch of shirt cuff, leaving the hands visible.) No flashy Rolex, either: Starmer’s watch of choice is a sensible Tissot, which costs about £320. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Institutional threat’: election of far-right leader raises fears for democracy in Colombia
Trump-admiring Abelardo de la Espriella has vowed to ‘disembowel’ the left and kill criminals like ‘rats and cockroaches’When more than 20 women accused a Colombian evangelical pastor in 2012 of sexually abusing them, the defendant’s lawyer sought to discredit the allegations by telling the court that they were “trepadoras” – a pejorative term meaning social climbers.He ultimately secured his client’s acquittal – although the case remains under review by the supreme court – but footage of the remark resurfaced during Colombia’s presidential campaign, sparking outrage among many progressive voters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Interstellar comet may be oldest object seen in our solar system, research finds
Observations suggest comet spent billions of years on ‘vast unimaginable trajectories’ around our galaxyAn interstellar comet that blazed past the sun last year could be nearly three times older than our solar system and is unlike anything ever before seen in our cosmic back yard, astronomers said on Monday.The comet 3I/Atlas is just the third visitor from beyond our solar system that humanity has ever observed, its unusual brightness offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study something that came from elsewhere in the galaxy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Argentina v Austria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm ET/6pm BST/3am Mon AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicPlease sit down with a cold beverage and enjoy Nick Ames’ preview of the game. I particularly enjoyed this passage.The scene is set for Messi to imbue the date with fresh significance. Scaloni was asked what he would wish for his captain, who is competing here while his father, Jorge, undergoes medical treatment, when he turned 39 on Wednesday. “My wish is for him to be happy,” he said. Messi and Argentina, both in radiant form, aim to continue bringing the joy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran agrees to UN nuclear inspectors’ return as part of agreement with US
Other measures include Washington lifting sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports and reopening the strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIran has agreed to allow UN nuclear inspectors back into the country as part of an agreement under which Washington will lift sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports and the strait of Hormuz will reopen, the US vice-president, JD Vance, has said.Long-term independent monitoring of Iran’s nuclear programme, which it says is for energy purposes only, was in effect halted last summer after Israel and the US attacked the country. Tehran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in response to strikes on its nuclear facilities. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack
Owen Flowers, 18, and Thalha Jubair, 20, plead guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Russia Today News
Open 
How Iran learned to stop worrying and live with war

BBC World News
Open 
Kenya minister found in contempt of court over US-backed Ebola centre
Aden Duale defied a High Court order to stop building work on a controversial US-funded facility.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack that caused months of disruption
Owen Flowers, 18, and Thalha Jubair, 20, plead guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Sky News Home
Open 
Six-year-old girl dies after collision with van
A six-year-old girl has died after a collision with a van in Newry.

Russia Today News
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Cuban revolutionary icon dies aged 94

BBC World News
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Clive Davis, music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies aged 94
The record company executive also worked with Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Alicia Keys and Aerosmith.

Autosport F1
Open 
What happens next as appeal against Gasly's Monaco podium decision goes to court
McLaren and Red Bull are currently awaiting a date for their International Court of Appeal hearing after they took issue with the Monaco Grand Prix stewards reinstating Pierre Gasly's Formula 1 podium. Here's what happens next.How we got hereAt the Monaco Grand Prix, several drivers were handed penalties for exceeding pitlane speed limits, including Gasly, his Alpine team-mate Franco ...Keep reading

F1 Technical
Open 
MotoGP: Marquez beats Ogura and Bagnaia to win in Brno
Seven-time MotoGP world champion Marc Márquez delivered a towering performance at the 2026 Czech Grand Prix, beating Aprilia Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura and his Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia to take his second consecutive victory after his dominant win in Hungary.

Sky News Home
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Man accused of drugging wife to rape her with others admits sex offences
A man accused of drugging his wife to rape her along with other men has admitted a string of sexual offences.

Mail Online
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Who voted for this? Andy Burnham is a man with no mandate - and our beleaguered country is only going to find out what he really believes in when he's padding around Downing Street in his Birkenstocks: RICHARD LITTLEJOHN
Judging by the acclamation which has greeted the second coming of Andy Burnham you'd be forgiven for assuming that he'd just won a 1997-style general election landslide.

Mail Online
Open 
Rachel Reeves fails to hide her dismay as Andy Burnham is set to be crowned next PM and opens door to election
A glum-looking Chancellor was pushed into the background as a triumphant Andy Burnham posed for a selfie with Labour MPs on his return to Parliament today.

Mail Online
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Hollywood icon, 60, who starred with Liam Neeson and Robin Williams looks youthful on rare outing
An iconic American-South African actress showed off her wrinkle-free visage on a rare public outing this week.

Digital Trends
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AirPods Max 2 slide to just $399 ahead of Prime Day and I highly recommend you snag it
The AirPods Max 2 are $150 off ahead of Prime Day, dropping to $399 for the first time since their March launch.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Argentina vs Austria: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as Lionel Messi aims to make history at FIFA World Cup 2026, team news

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How to automate workflows using open-source AI agents

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How to watch the World Cup on Peacock for $1

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Sonic Team head on where the franchise will be in another 35 years — 'Iizuka-san does not think he's going to be alive'

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Got a Samsung phone? This is my highest-rated Samsung Galaxy Watch, and you should look out for it on Prime Day — and it's not the Ultra

TechRadar News
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TechRadar News
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The Echo Dot 5th Gen is the best way to take advantage of Alexa+ for cheaper this Prime Day — and UK shoppers can score two for the price of one

TechRadar News
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I've just spotted a brand new RTX 5070 gaming laptop for $999 in Best Buy's 'Rival Prime Day' sale, is it too good to be true?

TechRadar News
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'It would make 'em rich': Trump looks to secure government stake in US AI giants

TechRadar News
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Amazon Prime Day home office deals 2026: Best early sales on business gadgets, chairs, desks, and more

TechRadar News
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Almost 7000 Amazon Prime Day scam domains have been registered before the big sale – here's how to shop safely this Amazon Prime Day

TechRadar News
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I tested these cheap wired earbuds from Sennheiser and never went back — here’s why everyone needs a pair

TechRadar News
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 design and details leak — and there's no sign of a new Classic

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Alan Greenspan’s legacy as Fed chair: The ‘Greenspan put’ and a shift to overprotecting markets
Greenspan, who died at age 100, opened the door to issues that still bedevil the Fed.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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U.S. oil prices fall below $74 a barrel on 60-day pause on Iranian oil sanctions
Oil prices are down as hopes that more Iranian crude will hit the global market as supplies near critically low levels.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These six fast-growing stocks sit at the cutting edge of space and military technology
In the wake of the SpaceX IPO, investors can expect global communications and AI data processing — both via satellites — to be important themes for many years.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘I’ll probably be working until I die’: I’m 60, wait tables and have $2,000 in a Roth IRA. What will happen to me?
“I’m afraid I’m in a bad place.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Super Micro’s stock is seeing its best run in a year thanks to Nvidia partnership
Super Micro shares were leading the S&P 500’s gainers on Monday.

Slashdot
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2,000 Retired Google Pixel Phones Get a Second Life As a Private Cloud
UC San Diego researchers are working with Google to build a private cloud from 2,000 retired Pixel Fold motherboards, demonstrating how discarded smartphones could provide useful, low-cost computing capacity. "The full smartphone cluster is expected to launch this fall," reports The Register. "Depending on how well the initial phase goes, we're told the cluster could grow even larger." From the report Once the phone's motherboards have been extracted from their shells, the researchers say that the chips hiding within remain more than potent enough to be useful for a variety of tasks. In many cases, the single-threaded performance of these chips is as good as, if not better than, what you'd find from a many-cored datacenter chip. The Pixel Fold smartphones, which will form the basis of the cluster, are powered by a Google Tensor G2 processor with two 2.85 GHz Cortex-X1, two 2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 and four 1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 Arm cores, a Mali-G710 MP7 GPU, and 12 GB of system memory. Early benchmarking using the SPEC suite suggests that 25-50 phones should deliver performance similar to that of a conventional server.

The major challenge, instead, is distributing workloads across multiple devices, each of which has a handful of cores of one or more varieties, and most have 8-12 GB of memory. UCSD researchers are approaching this challenge from a couple of different angles. The first is by targeting applications that can easily fit within a single device. The second is using Kubernetes to orchestrate container deployments across clusters of 25-50 phones. For this to work, the devices first need to be flashed with a Linux operating system suitable for the job. While Android makes for a great handheld experience, it is not intended for server duty. In the blog post, researchers note that Android includes functionality intended to stop rogue applications from chewing up excessive amounts of memory and draining your battery. In server context, these safety mechanisms are no longer necessary.

[Ryan Kastner, an associate professor of computer science at UCSD] told us this was by no means an easy task, but the team has made steady progress toward getting Linux running smoothly on these devices, including support for the phone's onboard GPUs. Access to some functionality, like the chip's integrated tensor processing unit, remains elusive. Clustering these devices will require networking the phones together. Normally these devices would connect over cellular or Wi-Fi, but at this scale, this not only isn't practical, but also has implications for security, he explained. Instead, the team will employ PCBs that both supply power and break out wired Ethernet networking.

The researchers suggest that many EdTech, grading, and research workloads commonly run by universities in the cloud are small enough to run on the cluster without issue. "The vast majority of these applications are within the capabilities of a single smartphone to host, with the standard grading backend running on small cloud instances," a blog post detailing the planned deployment reads. "Early experiments show that even a moderately-sized cluster of 20 phones is capable of supporting peak submission rates for a 75+ student class."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Andreas Scherbaum: PostgreSQL Berlin May 2026 Meetup
On 7th of May, 2026, we had the PostgreSQL May Meetup in Berlin. AWS hosted it again, this time we had two speakers from UK and US.
The Meetup took place in the Amazontower (EDGE East Side Tower Berlin) in Berlin, across the Uber Arena and with a view at the railway station Warschauer Straße.
Celeste Horgan: pg_lake: Unifying transactional and analytical data with Postgres Celeste is Sr.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Richard Yen: pg_stats: How Postgres Internal Stats Work
Introduction

I recently had the privilege of speaking at POSETTE 2026 about pg_stats and how Postgres internal statistics work. This post is a written companion to that talk – aimed at giving you a working understanding of what pg_stats is, how it’s populated, and how it shapes the decisions the query planner makes on your behalf.

Imagine a customers table that looks roughly like this:

CREATE TABLE customers (
id bigserial PRIMARY KEY,
city text NOT NULL,
state text NOT NULL,
signup_date date NOT NULL
);
-- Insert 1,000,000 rows


Consider a query you’ve probably written many times:

SELECT * FROM customers WHERE state = 'CA';


With separate indexes on state and city, you might expect an index scan on state. But the EXPLAIN ANALYZE output may look something like this:

QUERY PLAN
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Seq Scan on customers (cost=0.00..19682.66 rows=173829 width=26)
(actual time=0.025..120.574 rows=172001 loops=1)
Filter: (state = 'CA'::text)
Rows Removed by Filter: 827972
Buffers: shared hit=4601 read=2582
Planning: Buffers: shared hit=139
Planning Time: 0.371 ms
Execution Time: 128.136 ms


A sequential scan, even with an index available. We’ll get into the reasons for this today.



Query Plans Are Made by the Query Planner

When you submit a query to Postgres, the query planner is responsible for deciding how to execute it. You may assume the planner reads your actual data – it doesn’t. What it really reads is a summary of your data, stored in pg_statistic.

That summary tells the planner things like:


How many distinct values appear in a column
What the most common values are, and how often they show up
What the rough distribution of values looks like across a range
Whether the data is laid out on disk in roughly the same order as the column’s natural sort order


pg_statistic itself is a bit hard to read directly – the values are stored in formats optimized for the planner, not for humans. Fortunately, Postgres provides a view called pg_stats that exposes the same information in a far more readable form.



ANALYZE: How the Summary Gets Built

The summary in pg_statistic doesn’t populate itself. It’s built (and refreshed) by the ANALYZE command:

ANALYZE customers;


ANALYZE scans the table (or a sample of it), computes a handful of statistics per column, and writes the results into pg_statistic. Autovacuum runs ANALYZE for you in the background, but after large data loads or migrations, you’ll often want to run it manually.

Let’s look at what comes out of it. Using our customers table:

SELECT attname, n_distinct, null_frac, correlation
FROM pg_stats
WHERE tablename = 'customers'
ORDER BY attname;

attname | n_distinct | null_frac | correlation
--------------+------------+-----------+--------------
city | 10106 | 0 | 0.0021338463
id | -1 | 0 | 1
signup_date | 1822 | 0 | 1
state | 50 | 0 | 0.06440461
(4 rows)


A few things worth pointing out:


n_distinct is the estimated number of distinct values. For state, it’s exactly 50 – which lines up with the number of states in the United States. city reports around 10,106, which is believable for U.S. cities. A value of -1 in the id column means the column is unique: every row has a distinct value.
null_frac is the fraction of rows where the column is NULL. All four columns here are NOT NULL, so the values are all 0.
correlation is a number between -1 and +1 that estimates how well the on-disk physical ordering of the table matches the logical ordering of the column. A value of +1 means the data is perfectly sorted on disk (e.g., an incrementing id column or a date column in an append-only table). Values close to 0 mean the data is randomly ordered on disk relative to the column’s values. Values close to -1 or +1 encourage index scans; values near 0 discourage them. The docs go into more detail, but practically it acts as a penalty multiplier in the cost calculation.




Most Common Values (MCV)

ANALYZE also captures a list of the most common values in a column, along with their frequencies. These live in two parallel arrays: most_common_vals and most_common_freqs.

SELECT
unnest(most_common_vals::text::text[]) AS state,
unnest(most_common_freqs) AS frequency
FROM pg_stats
WHERE tablename = 'customers' AND attname = 'state'
LIMIT 5;

state | frequency
-------+-------------
CA | 0.17403333
TX | 0.1165
NY | 0.08586667
FL | 0.0666
IL | 0.0474
(5 rows)


So CA appears in about 17.4% of the rows, TX in 11.6%, and so on. These frequencies feed directly into how the planner estimates rows – and therefore how it picks scan types.



Costs: How the Planner Picks a Plan

The planner makes its choices based on cost. Three of the more commonly-encountered cost parameters are:


random_page_cost – the cost of fetching a random page from disk (think: index scan plus heap fetch)
seq_page_cost – the cost of fetching a page sequentially (sequential scan)
cpu_tuple_cost – the cost of processing each row pulled out of a page


These costs, along with row estimates from pg_statistic, drive two big decisions:

Scan Type


Sequential Scan
Index Scan
Bitmap Heap Scan


Join Type


Nested Loop
Hash Join
Merge Join


The planner generates several candidate plans, calculates the cost of each, and picks the cheapest. Bad statistics lead to bad row estimates, which can lead to bad plan choice. As you can see, having good statistics is vital to query performance.



A Tale of Two States

Watch what happens when we query for CA versus WY:

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT * FROM customers WHERE state = 'CA';
-- Seq Scan on customers (cost=0.00..19682.66 rows=174029 ...)
-- (actual time=0.042..50.257 rows=172001 loops=1)

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT * FROM customers WHERE state = 'WY';
-- Index Scan using customers_state_idx on customers
-- (cost=0.42..13116.39 rows=4233 ...)
-- (actual time=0.045..21.238 rows=4300 loops=1)


CA matches about 18% of the table – around 180,000 rows. For every matching row, an index scan would need to look up the row in the index, fetch the page off disk, and pull the tuple out. Doing that 180,000 times turns out to be more expensive than just reading the whole table sequentially. So the planner picks a sequential scan.

WY, on the other hand, matches only about 4,000 rows. At that selectivity, the index scan wins by a wide margin.

We can confirm this is really about cost by forcing the issue. If we temporarily disable sequential scans, the planner is forced to use the index:

SET enable_seqscan = off;

EXPLAIN ANALYZE SELECT * FROM customers WHERE state = 'CA';
-- Index Scan using customers_state_idx on customers
-- (cost=0.42..32172.73 rows=170529 width=26)
-- (actual time=0.053..75.656 rows=172001 loops=1)


The planner’s original choice of a sequential scan (cost ~19,682) was cheaper than this forced index scan (cost ~32,172). The MCV statistics told the planner that CA shows up a lot, and the planner correctly judged that a sequential scan would be cheaper. Skewed data is exactly when MCV earns its keep.



Histograms: For Everything That Isn’t Equality

MCVs are great when you’re searching for specific values. But what about ranges – signup_date BETWEEN ..., or id > ...? For that, ANALYZE builds a histogram.

By default, the histogram has 100 buckets, each holding roughly the same number of rows (it’s an equi-depth histogram). You can look at the bucket boundaries:

SELECT (unnest(histogram_bounds::text::date[]))::date AS bucket_bound
FROM pg_stats
WHERE tablename = 'customers' AND attname = 'signup_date'
LIMIT 8;

bucket_bound
--------------
2018-01-01
2018-03-01
2018-04-28
2018-07-04
2018-09-05
2018-10-28
2018-12-27
2019-02-14
(8 rows)


Each bucket here covers roughly two months – about 1% of the table. That’s fine for many cases, but if you have a large table with a skewed time distribution, you may want more precision.

Consider this side-by-side comparison:




A low-precision histogram (few buckets) might tell you “the most data lives somewhere between 30 and 65.”
A high-precision histogram (many buckets) might tell you “the peak is between 50 and 52, with a clear dip around 65–70 and a second smaller peak near 80.”


Both are technically correct. Only one helps the planner make a good decision when your query is WHERE value BETWEEN 65 AND 70.

You can increase the bucket count on a per-column basis:

ALTER TABLE customers
ALTER COLUMN signup_date SET STATISTICS 1000;
ANALYZE customers;


Now the same query shows buckets that are about two days wide instead of two months:

bucket_bound
--------------
2018-01-01
2018-01-03
2018-01-05
2018-01-07
2018-01-10
2018-01-12
2018-01-14
2018-01-16
(8 rows)


Beware of trade-offs. More buckets means more precision, but also more work for ANALYZE and a larger pg_statistic row to traverse during planning. Don’t increase default_statistics_target across the entire database – target only the columns where you actually have problematic estimates.



Correlation Between Columns

So far we’ve looked at a single column at a time. Things get more interesting – and more wrong – when you filter on two columns at once:

EXPLAIN ANALYZE
SELECT * FROM customers
WHERE city = 'Cheyenne' AND state = 'WY';

-- Index Scan on customers (cost=... rows=8 width=...)
-- (actual rows=4012)


The planner estimates 8 rows, but the query returns 4,012. That’s a 500x miss.

This happens because, by default, the planner assumes columns are statistically independent:

\[P(\text{city} = \text{Cheyenne} \;\wedge\; \text{state} = \text{WY}) = P(\text{city}) \times P(\text{state})\]

In reality, city and state are correlated. There’s basically one Cheyenne in the U.S., and it’s in Wyoming. (There’s also a Cheyenne, Oklahoma, but with a population of around 700, it doesn’t really move the needle.) So filtering on city = 'Cheyenne' is almost equivalent to filtering on state = 'WY', but the planner doesn’t know that.

Since Postgres 10, you can tell it:

CREATE STATISTICS customers_city_state (dependencies, ndistinct)
ON city, state FROM customers;

ANALYZE customers;


The dependencies and ndistinct arguments are statistic types – they tell Postgres what kind of cross-column information to track. After re-running ANALYZE:

EXPLAIN ANALYZE
SELECT * FROM customers
WHERE city = 'Cheyenne' AND state = 'WY';

-- Index Scan on customers (cost=... rows=4087 width=...)
-- (actual rows=4012)


The estimate of 4,087 versus actual 4,012 is essentially perfect. Just as importantly, this estimate now feeds correctly into any joins or aggregations that sit on top of this scan. Mis-estimates at the bottom of a plan tend to compound – a wrong scan choice deep in the tree can cause cascading mistakes in the joins above it. That’s part of why getting the foundational statistics right matters so much.


Note: Creating extended statistics isn’t free. It adds a small amount of overhead to ANALYZE and to the query planning process itself. You should only create them when you’ve identified a clear case of mis-estimation due to correlated columns.




A Quick Checklist for Query Performance

When a query plan looks wrong, here’s roughly the order I work through:


Compare estimated vs. actual rows. Run EXPLAIN ANALYZE and look for the deepest node where the estimate disagrees with reality. That’s usually where the problem starts.
Check pg_stats for that column. Look at n_distinct and the MCV list. Do they match what you know about your data?
If the stats look stale, run ANALYZE. This is especially common after a big batch load, a migration, or a partition swap. Autovacuum may not have caught up.
If estimates are still off on a single column, raise the statistics target. ALTER TABLE ... ALTER COLUMN ... SET STATISTICS 1000; and re-ANALYZE.
If the bad estimate involves two columns in the same WHERE clause, consider correlation. Create extended statistics on the pair.
Only after all of that should you consider rewriting the query – or reaching out for help.




Conclusion

The Postgres query planner is impressively good at its job, but it isn’t magic. It makes decisions based on a summary of your data, and the quality of those decisions is bounded by the quality of that summary. pg_stats is your window into what the planner thinks is true about your tables – and when reality and the planner’s beliefs diverge, that’s usually where bad plans come from.

The next time EXPLAIN ANALYZE surprises you, before you start setting enable_seqscan = off in production or rewriting the query out of frustration, take a look at pg_stats first. More often than not, the answer is there.


The Query Planner is only as smart as the statistics you feed it.

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Key Events This Week: Core PCE, Global PMIs, Micron Earnings And Fed Talk
Key Events This Week: Core PCE, Global PMIs, Micron Earnings And Fed Talk

The main data highlights this week are the global flash PMIs tomorrow, and the US core PCE on Thursday. Elsewhere, other data of interest include the Ifo survey in Germany (Wednesday), Tokyo CPI in Japan (Friday), and CPI reports in Canada (today) and Australia (Wednesday). Also focus will be on the UK where Keir Starmer announced his resignation earlier today and attention will turn on succession planning. 

After a hawkish FOMC last week with a clear shift in style from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, DB economists now have two 25bps hikes in their Fed forecast while Bank of America raised their forecast and now expect 3 hikes in 2026, reversing its prior no-change forecast on strong data and a hawkish Fed under Chair Warsh. DB warns that the US economy needed tighter policy but were waiting for the meeting to confirm the tightening view. The central scenario sees two rate increases this year, likely in September and December, taking the fed funds rate to around 4.1%, followed by a prolonged pause through 2027. Easing is then expected to resume in the first half of 2028, with around 50 basis points of cuts, potentially delivered in March and June, bringing policy back towards a neutral range of roughly 3.5–3.75%. 

In terms of the US week ahead, DB economists expect appearances by Williams and Goolsbee on Thursday to be particularly informative. Williams, who also serves as Vice Chair of the FOMC, is seen as one of those not currently predicting a hike this year, while Goolsbee is viewed as leaning towards around 50 basis points of tightening.

Earlier that day, attention will center on the data flow. Economists expect May personal income to rise by around 0.4% (from flat previously) and consumption to increase by 0.6% (from 0.5%). The core PCE deflator is projected to rise by around 0.37% month-on-month, up from 0.24%. On this basis, the year-on-year rate would move higher to approximately 3.44%, marking the strongest reading since October 2023 and reinforcing the narrative of persistent underlying inflation. The Fed will also release its bank stress test results on Wednesday and there is other second tier data you can see in the day-by-day calendar at the end as usual. 

Over in Europe, in addition to the PMIs, sentiment indicators in Germany will include the Ifo survey (Wednesday) and the July GfK consumer confidence print (Thursday). In France, there will be business confidence tomorrow and consumer confidence on Thursday. Finally, the ECB will release its May consumer expectations survey on Friday, with inflation expectations in focus. ECB speakers will include President Lagarde amongst others.

In Asia, inflation prints due include the Tokyo CPI for June on Friday in Japan and Australia’s May CPI due Wednesday. Other notable data features BoJ’s Summary of Opinions from its June meeting (Wednesday), Australia’s labour force survey (Thursday) and the 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates in China (Monday).

Finally, there will be a few notable earnings reports out next week, including FedEx, Cerebras and Carnival tomorrow as well as Micron and Jefferies on Wednesday. Micron is up around 830% over the last year and around 250% since the end of March with a market cap of nearly $1.3tn. So it’s becoming one to follow from the macro side.  



Courtesy of DB, here is a day-by-day calendar of events

Monday June 22

Data: Eurozone June consumer confidence, Canada May CPI, China 1-yr and 5-yr loan prime rates
Central banks: Fed's Waller speaks, ECB's Lagarde and Kocher speak
Tuesday June 23

Data: US, UK, Japan, Eurozone, Germany and France June flash PMIs, US June Philadelphia Fed non-manufacturing activity, Richmond Fed manufacturing index, business conditions, France June business confidence, May retail sales, EU27 May new car registrations
Central banks: ECB's Lane and Vujcic speak, BoE’s Taylor and Dhingra speak
Earnings: FedEx, Cerebras, Carnival
Auctions: US 2-yr Notes ($69bn)
Wednesday June 24

Data: US May new home sales, Q1 current account balance, Japan May PPI services, Germany June Ifo survey, Australia May CPI
Central banks: ECB's Nagel and Cipollone speak, BoJ's Himino speaks, BoJ summary of opinions (June MPM), BoE’s Breeden and Dhingra speak, BoC summary of deliberations
Earnings: Micron, Jefferies
Auctions: US 2-yr FRN (reopening, $28bn), 5-yr Notes ($70bn)
Other: Fed releases bank stress test results
Thursday June 25

Data: US May PCE, personal income and spending, durable goods orders, Chicago Fed national activity index, June Kansas City Fed manufacturing activity, initial jobless claims, Germany July GfK consumer confidence, France June consumer confidence, Italy April industrial sales, Australia May labour force survey
Central banks: Fed's Williams and Goolsbee speak, ECB's Moulin, Lane and Cipollone speak, BoJ's Tamura speaks, ECB Economic Bulletin
Auctions: US 7-yr Notes ($44bn)
Friday June 26

Data: US May advance goods trade balance, retail inventories, wholesale inventories, June Kansas City Fed services activity, JapanJune Tokyo CPI, Italy June consumer confidence index, economic sentiment, manufacturing confidence, ECB May consumer expectations survey
Central banks: Fed's Kashkari speaks, ECB's Nagel and Vujcic speak
Turning just to the US, Goldman writes that the key economic data release this week is the PCE inflation report on Thursday. There are several speaking engagements with Fed officials this week, including events with Governor Waller and Presidents Williams, Goolsbee, and Kashkari.

Monday, June 22 

There are no major data releases scheduled. 
09:00 AM Fed Governor Waller speaks: Fed Governor Christopher Waller will deliver opening remarks at the fifth conference on the International Roles of the US Dollar in Washington, DC. Speech text is expected. On May 22, Waller said that he is “prepared to be patient in holding policy at its current restrictive setting as we watch how the conflict evolves and what impact there is on inflation and inflation expectations.” He also noted that “if inflation expectations become unanchored, [he] would not hesitate to support an increase in the target range for the federal funds rate, but at this point that action is premature.”
Tuesday, June 23 

09:45 AM S&P Global US manufacturing index, June preliminary (consensus 54.6, last 55.1): S&P Global US services index, June preliminary (consensus 51.0, last 50.7) 
Wednesday, June 24 

10:00 AM New home sales, May (GS +3.6%, consensus +3.2%, last -6.2%) 
Thursday, June 25 

08:30 AM Personal income, May (GS +0.5%, consensus +0.4%, last flat); Personal spending, May (GS +0.7%, consensus +0.5%, last +0.5%); Core PCE price index, May (GS +0.31%, consensus +0.3%, last +0.2%); Core PCE price index (YoY), May (GS +3.38%, consensus +3.4%, last +3.3%); PCE price index, May (GS +0.45%, consensus +0.5%, last +0.4%); PCE price index (YoY), May (GS +4.04%, consensus +4.1%, last +3.8%): We estimate that personal income and spending increased by 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively, in May. We estimate that the core PCE price index rose 0.31% in May, corresponding to a year-over-year rate of +3.38%. Additionally, we expect that the headline PCE price index increased 0.45% in May, or increased 4.04% from a year earlier. 
08:30 AM Initial jobless claims, week ended June 20 (GS 230k, consensus 225k, last 226k); Continuing jobless claims, week ended June 13 (consensus 1,805k, last 1,810k)
08:30 AM Durable goods orders, May preliminary (GS -3.0%, consensus -5.0%, last +8.0%); Durable goods orders ex-transportation, May preliminary (GS +0.1%, consensus +0.6%, last +1.1%); Core capital goods orders, May preliminary (GS +0.3%, consensus +0.6%, last -1.0%); Core capital goods shipments, May preliminary (GS +0.3%, consensus +0.5%, last +0.4%): We estimate that durable goods orders declined 3% in the preliminary May report (month-over-month, seasonally adjusted) based on our tracking of commercial aircraft orders. We forecast a 0.3% increase in core capital goods orders—reflecting the increase in the new orders components in manufacturing surveys in May—and a 0.3% increase in core capital goods shipments—reflecting the continued increase in core capital goods orders in recent months.
08:30 AM GDP, Q1 third release (GS +1.6%, consensus +1.6%, last +1.6%); Personal consumption, Q1 third release (GS +1.4%, consensus +1.4%, last +1.4%): We estimate no revision on net to Q1 GDP growth at +1.6% (quarter-over-quarter annualized). We expect unrevised consumer spending growth at +1.4%.
03:40 PM New York Fed President Williams (FOMC voter) speaks: New York Fed President John Williams will give keynote remarks at the Crane Money Fund Symposium in New York City, NY. Speech text and Q&A are expected. On June 3, Williams said, “Monetary policy is exactly in the right place.” He also noted that he does not see “any need to raise or lower interest rates right now.”
06:30 PM Chicago Fed President Goolsbee (FOMC non-voter) speaks: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will discuss the forces shaping monetary policy and what they mean for the American economy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Q&A is expected. On May 18, Goolsbee raised concerns about inflation and said, “We were making progress [on inflation], then we stalled, and now [the inflation problem] is getting worse.” On the labor market, he said, “The labor market might not be good, but it has been stable.”
Friday, June 26 

08:30 AM Advanced goods trade balance, May (GS -$84.0bn, consensus -$85.0bn, last -$83.0bn); We estimate that the goods trade deficit widened slightly from $83.0bn in April to $84.0bn, reflecting a $16bn decline in gold exports that was largely offset by an increase in exports of energy goods.
10:00 AM University of Michigan consumer sentiment, June final (GS 49.5, consensus 50.0, last 48.9); University of Michigan 5-10-year inflation expectations, June final (GS 3.3%, last 3.4%)
11:30 AM Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari (FOMC voter) speaks; Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari will participate in a panel at the Aspen Ideas Festival. On May 29, Kashkari said, “I think it is premature to conclude we need to be raising rates right away.” He also noted, “We need to keep watching the data and watching how the conflict in the Middle East unfolds before we want to make any adjustment.”
Source: DB, Goldman

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 10:15

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Diverging Markets And Converging Talks?
Diverging Markets And Converging Talks?

By Teeuwe Mevissen, senior macro strategist at Rabobank

Financial markets continue to navigate an increasingly complex macro landscape, defined by the interaction of geopolitical shocks, resurgent inflation pressures, and diverging central bank responses. The key theme remains the tension between resilient risk assets—particularly equities—and a more cautious signal emanating from fixed income markets. This divergence reflects a broader uncertainty about the persistence of inflation and the implications for monetary policy and economic growth.

Meanwhile Iranian and U.S. negotiators have concluded an initial round of high-level talks in Switzerland, with both sides reporting progress. They agreed on a roadmap aiming for a final peace deal within 60 days. Key outcomes include plans to establish a mechanism to de-escalate the conflict in Lebanon and to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement confirmed that further technical negotiations will continue, with some delegations staying in Switzerland. A high-level committee will oversee the next phase of discussions. Although the talks were initially tense—partly due to a social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening Iran—both sides ultimately described the discussions as constructive, noting advances on multiple fronts. But it remains to be seen to what extent Iran and the US are truly converging on the more thorny issues.  

Last week’s Federal Reserve meeting saw the dropping of the easing bias narrative. The Fed held the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50–3.75%, citing solid economic activity and still-elevated inflation pressures. At the same time, updated projections suggest only a gradual decline in inflation towards the 2% target, with core PCE inflation expected to remain above target through 2026. Importantly, the Fed acknowledged that inflation remains influenced by supply-side shocks, particularly energy prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. We expect two rate cuts in April and June next year. For more information you van find the post Fed comment from Philip Marey here.

In contrast, the European Central Bank has already shifted back into tightening mode, raising policy rates by 25 basis points earlier in June. The ECB explicitly cited the inflationary effects of the energy shock and revised its inflation projections upward, now expecting headline inflation to average 3.0% in 2026. At the same time, growth forecasts were revised down—highlighting the stagflationary trade-off facing policymakers.

The global macro backdrop continues to be dominated by developments in energy markets, which remain tightly linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The disruption to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year triggered a sharp spike in oil prices and significant supply dislocations, with global inventories declining at an accelerated pace. Although recent negotiations between the US and Iran have raised hopes of a partial normalization in energy flows, the adjustment process is expected to be gradual. Even under a favourable scenario, it could take months for oil production and shipping to return to pre-conflict levels.

This matters because the energy shock is transmitting broadly across the economy. Higher fuel costs are feeding into transportation, food, and industrial prices, raising headline inflation and increasing the risk of second-round effects. At the same time still elevated prices are starting to weigh on demand, with global oil consumption now projected to decline in 2026. In essence, the global economy is facing a classic adverse supply shock—one that pushes inflation higher while dampening real growth.

Despite the challenging macro backdrop, equity markets have shown remarkable resilience. US equities in particular continue to trade close to record highs, supported by strong corporate earnings and a powerful structural narrative around artificial intelligence. Earnings growth has been robust, with companies demonstrating greater pricing power than expected and benefiting from continued investment in AI-related capital expenditure. However, this strength comes with important caveats. Valuations seem elevated, and the market appears to be pricing a relatively benign macro outcome despite clear downside risks. The combination of high inflation, elevated bond yields, and geopolitical uncertainty suggests that equity markets may be underestimating the potential for volatility.

Government bond yields have risen materially. Recently long-end yields in advanced economies reached levels not seen in nearly two decades. Today rates stay close to levels seen last Friday with the10-year euro swap only 1 bp lower but still slightly above 3%. This reflects a combination of factors: Rising inflation expectations due to energy prices, increased term premia amid geopolitical uncertainty and a reassessment of central bank reaction functions The bond market’s message is clear: inflation risks remain skewed to the upside, and policy rates are likely to stay restrictive for longer than previously anticipated. This creates a challenging environment for duration assets and increases the risk of tighter financial conditions feeding back into the real economy.

In currency markets, divergence in monetary policy paths is becoming increasingly relevant. With the ECB tightening and the Fed on hold, relative rate dynamics could provide some support for the euro in the near term. However, this is counterbalanced by weaker growth prospects in the Eurozone and a higher vulnerability to energy shocks.

More broadly, cross-asset dynamics continue to be shaped by the interplay between inflation and growth expectations. The current environment is characterized by: Equity markets pricing resilience, Bond markets pricing persistent inflation and commodities reflecting geopolitical risk. This divergence suggests that markets have yet to converge on a coherent macro narrative.

Looking ahead, one of the key question for markets remains whether the current equilibrium—strong equities alongside high yields—can be sustained. Much will depend on three factors:

Energy market developments: Any sustained easing of supply constraints could alleviate inflation pressures, while renewed disruptions would exacerbate them.
Inflation dynamics: Evidence of second-round effects, particularly in wages and services, would likely force central banks into a more hawkish stance.
Growth resilience: Signs of a sharper slowdown could trigger a reassessment across asset classes.
Finally, news just came in that Keir Starmer has resigned as prime minister and leader of the labour party. What this will mean for the future political landscape in the UK remains to be seen but it surely illustrates the current and ongoing political instability in the UK.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 10:25

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Chevron Lands 20-Year Deal To Power Microsoft's AI Expansion
Chevron Lands 20-Year Deal To Power Microsoft's AI Expansion

Microsoft has signed a 20-year agreement with Chevron to power a massive new AI-focused data center campus in West Texas, underscoring the growing race among tech companies to secure reliable energy supplies, according to Bloomberg.

The project, known as Project Kilby, is expected to begin generating power in 2028 and eventually reach 2.67 gigawatts—enough electricity for more than 530,000 Texas homes.

Chevron is developing the project with Engine No. 1 and expects to make a final investment decision later this year. Despite the enormity of the deal and the inroads into powering AI directly, Chevron stock was little changed after the cash open:



Bloomberg writes that the site near Pecos, Texas, will use natural gas from the Permian Basin to fuel GE Vernova turbines and generate electricity directly for Microsoft's planned data center campus. Because the facility will produce its own power, it will not draw from the grid.

“Consumers are concerned about and are already feeling the effect of power-demand growth,” said Jeff Gustavson, Chevron’s president of New Energies. “We specifically designed this, in this part of the country, to avoid any of that.”

The agreement comes as Microsoft accelerates its AI infrastructure buildout to compete with Alphabet and Amazon. The company has said it plans to double its data center footprint over the next two years, driving demand for large-scale, dependable power sources.

Chevron argues the project also creates a productive use for abundant Permian natural gas that is often wasted because pipeline capacity is limited. “This is the most abundant gas basin in the country, maybe the world,” Gustavson said.



Chevron and Engine No. 1 have already secured orders for seven GE Vernova gas turbines. While Chevron has not disclosed the project's cost, people familiar with the matter previously estimated it at roughly $7 billion.

The deal reflects a broader trend across the U.S., where data center capacity is expected to double to 77 gigawatts by 2030. Texas alone has 33 gigawatts of planned data center power projects, the most of any state, highlighting how AI is reshaping energy demand and infrastructure investment.

At a higher level, the deal highlights a growing shift in how AI infrastructure is being financed and powered. Rather than relying solely on utilities and the existing grid, hyperscalers are increasingly partnering directly with energy producers to secure dedicated generation capacity. That model could accelerate data center development while reducing grid constraints, but it also raises questions about the long-term balance between AI-driven power demand, decarbonization goals, and energy affordability.

As we have constantly written about over the last 2 years, as AI becomes a larger share of electricity consumption, access to reliable power may emerge as a competitive advantage on par with access to chips and computing infrastructure.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 10:45

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Repairs To Reflecting Pool Will Begin Immediately, Trump Says, Citing Vandalism
Repairs To Reflecting Pool Will Begin Immediately, Trump Says, Citing Vandalism

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that work to repair the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington will begin immediately after it was damaged by vandalism.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is refilled after it was repaired and repainting as part of President Donald Trump's “Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful” initiative ahead of America's 250th anniversary in Washington on June 4, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The reflecting pool had been renovated ahead of the 250th anniversary of the country's Independence Day on July 4 under Trump's order, which included repainting its surface blue. But problems have emerged in recent days with algae blooming in the pool and peeling paint.

Trump said in a Truth Social post on June 21 that he inspected the pool and found it had been "seriously vandalized." He said the pool's condition left him wondering "who would do such a thing," adding that the damage will be fixed.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told Fox News on Sunday that several citations have been issued to individuals accused of vandalizing the pool and warned that those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

"Anyone who is in a position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize ​the reflecting pool will face the criminal justice system in D.C.," she said. "The president has made it a priority to make D.C. not only safe, but beautiful."

Pirro also warned that anyone found to have poured products into the pool to generate algae could face more serious charges.

Trump said in a June 20 post that vandals destroyed the grass around the site and suggested some even poured "corrosive and destructive chemicals into the pool." He said the pool's water may need to be drained to allow repairs.

"They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete," he wrote.

Trump said authorities have made multiple arrests in connection with vandalism at the reflecting pool.

In a separate post on June 19, the president said that 75 percent of the algae in the reflecting pool had been removed and that the issue was expected to be fixed early the next week.

The reflecting pool stretches 2,030 feet long and 167 feet wide, with a depth of 30 inches at its center. Trump first announced in March that he was working with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to clean up the pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, which he said was "absolutely filthy" and should have been cleaned during the prior administration.

Trump also announced earlier this month that he plans to build a promenade connecting the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River. The Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, who led the ​United States through the Civil War. It sits at the western end of ⁠the National Mall overlooking the Reflecting Pool.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 11:05

Department for Education
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Mac Rumours
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Prime Day 2026: Best Early Apple Device and Accessory Deals Now Live
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from June 23-26, one of the longest Prime Day events yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



For our coverage, we're focusing on early discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, monitors, charging accessories, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases.



EARLY SAVINGSAmazon Prime Day 2026



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week.



Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



Apple

AirPods



Amazon has the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $499.00 in all colors, down from $549.00. This is an all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00.



$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$50 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $499.00iPad



Amazon is taking up to $52 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.



$50 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $299.00

$50 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00

$52 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $597.00Apple Watch Ultra 3



Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on sale for $99 off the Black Titanium model with the Black Ocean Band this week. It's been nearly two months since we last tracked notable discounts on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and right now only two models are on sale at $99 off.



$99 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $699.99



There are discounts on a wide array of different Ultra 3 models, but they're only hitting around $50 off as of writing.Apple Watch Series 11



In terms of watches, you'll also find all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11 on Amazon ahead of Prime Day, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00

$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models and four of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.MacBook Air



You'll find $149 off a few models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon this week, starting at $949.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,099.00.



$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99

$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.99More Deals



Highlights of early Prime Day accessory sales include a handful of monitor deals, like the 32-inch Samsung OLED M90SF Smart Monitor for $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99, which is a match of the best-ever price on this model. Below you'll also find great deals on monitors from Dell and LG.



$400 OFF32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 for $1,199.99



These new deals join ongoing highlights of early Prime Day deals, including Anker's Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, available for $109.99 on Amazon this week, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a solid second-best price on the device.



$40 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $109.99



We're also tracking big discounts from brands like Sony, Samsung, Sonos, and more in the lists below. Accessories on sale include USB-C wall chargers, MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers, portable batteries, headphones, and soundbars.



Monitors

32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Monitor - $189.99, down from $329.99

27-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Monitor - $203.00, down from $249.99

27-inch Dell Plus 4K Monitor - $279.99, down from $299.99

27-inch LG Ultragear Gaming Monitor - $319.99, down from $499.99

27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 Gaming Monitor - $419.22, down from $499.99

32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99

UGREEN

2-Bay Desktop NASync - $199.99, down from $219.99

2-Bay Desktop NAS - $389.99, down from $439.99

4-Bay Desktop NAS Pro - $719.99, down from $799.99

Wall Chargers

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99

UGREEN 100W GaN 4-Port Charger - $42.99, down from $54.99

Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $99.99

Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $115.99, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $79.99, down from $109.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $89.99, down from $129.99

Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $109.99, down from $149.99

Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $159.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers



Anker Prime Power Bank 20,100 mAh - $149.99, down from $179.99

Anker SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $179.99, down from $249.00

Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $279.99, down from $329.99

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $499.99, down from $799.00

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00

Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.99, down from $1,499.00

Audio

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - $369.00, down from $499.00

Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones - $398.00, down from $459.00

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar - $899.00, down from $1,099.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'Prime Day 2026: Best Early Apple Device and Accessory Deals Now Live' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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AirPods Pro 3 Return to Record Low $169 Price Ahead of Prime Day
Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $169.00 in an early Prime Day sale, down from $249.00. This is an all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, beating the previous low by $10.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.



$80 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $169.00



Shoppers should note that this price has been heavily fluctuating on Amazon today, so if you don't see it when you click, there is a chance that it will return soon.



Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.







Deals Newsletter

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Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'AirPods Pro 3 Return to Record Low $169 Price Ahead of Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day
Apple's AirPods Max 2 have hit $399.00 on Amazon, down from $549.00. This sale is available in all five colors and it's a massive discount on the brand new headphones, coming in $100 under the previous all-time low price.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around June 27, but Prime members should see same-day delivery options in many locations. This is one of the best early Prime Day deals we've tracked so far, and if more colors are added we'll update this article.



$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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AirTag 2 Gets First Ever Discounts for Prime Day
Prime Day doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but we're seeing a handful of steep discounts on a few Apple devices already today. This includes the AirTag 2 at the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model.



$5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'AirTag 2 Gets First Ever Discounts for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Every Apple Watch Model Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime Day
Prime Day deals are already in full swing today, despite the event not kicking off until tomorrow, June 23. Below we're tracking all-time low prices across the Apple Watch lineup, including Apple Watch Series 11 for $120 off, Apple Watch SE 3 for $50 off, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $150 off.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Apple Watch Series 11

Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00

$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.



Apple Watch SE 3

Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable.



$50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00

$50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00



You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices.



Apple Watch Ultra 3

Finally, Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options.



$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00



Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'Every Apple Watch Model Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Woot Launches Prime Day Event With Up to $50 Off Nintendo Switch 2
Woot this week kicked off a big Prime Day-adjacent event, with the headliner being a massive discount on the Nintendo Switch 2. You'll also find savings on charging accessories, Bluetooth speakers, and more.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



For the Nintendo Switch 2, you can get a brand new model of the console for $399.00 with the code CHEAPSWITCH2 at checkout. This takes $50 off the $449.00 version of the console for new Woot customers, and $30 off for everyone else.



Note: Use code CHEAPSWITCH2 at checkout.

$50 OFFNintendo Switch 2 for $399.00



Even at $419.00 for returning customers, this is a great and very rare discount on the Nintendo Switch 2, which is set to have a price hike to $499.00 later in the year. This version of the console does not come with a game, and it is in new condition on Woot with a 90 day Woot limited warranty.



Woot also has a large selection of Prime Day sales going on this week, including savings on Samsung The Frame TVs, Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases and chargers, Bluetooth speakers, and more.



Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Bluetooth Speaker - $69.99, down from $129.99

Samsung The Frame TVs - Save on new 2025 models

Apple Watch Sport Loops and Bands - Up to $69% off

OtterBox iPhone cases - Up to 92% off

JBL Gaming Headsets - Up to 43% off

Western Digital SSDs - Up to 46% off



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, 'Woot Launches Prime Day Event With Up to $50 Off Nintendo Switch 2' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Advanced AI Dictation Not Enabled by Default in iOS 27 Beta
Apple's next-generation AI dictation feature for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air is not turned on by default in the first developer beta of iOS 27.





Apple says the new AI-powered dictation system delivers "a major boost in accuracy," with more reliable on-the-fly capitalization and punctuation than the existing dictation system. The feature runs on Apple's new AFM 3 Core Advanced model, which is a 20-billion-parameter, natively multimodal system that uses a sparse architecture, activating just one to four billion parameters at a time depending on the request.



To fit a model that large onto a smartphone, the full model is stored in flash memory rather than DRAM, with a lightweight routing block selecting a fixed set of "experts" during initial processing and periodically reselecting them during generation, a technique Apple calls Instruction-Following Pruning.



In side-by-side human evaluations against Apple's previous production dictation system across seven quality dimensions, AFM 3 Core Advanced was preferred on overall quality by a margin of 44.7% to 17.6%, with that preference holding consistently across the other six dimensions, which include punctuation, casing, layout, meaning capture, disfluency handling, and style.



Because of the model's size, the upgraded dictation is limited to a handful of newer devices: the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, the ‌iPhone Air‌, the Vision Pro with M5 chip, iPads with an M4 chip or later with at least 12GB of RAM, and Macs with an M3 chip or later with at least 12GB of RAM. Notably, the standard iPhone 17 is excluded, as it ships with 8GB of RAM rather than the 12GB the larger model requires. The same AFM Core Advanced model also powers Apple's new customizable expressive Siri voices, another opt-in preview as of beta 1.



The new dictation model runs entirely on-device, so transcription quality stays the same whether or not the iPhone is connected to a network. It remains unclear whether the preview will stay off by default when ‌iOS 27‌ is released officially later this year, or whether Apple will switch it on automatically at some point during the beta cycle this summer.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: Apple IntelligenceThis article, 'Advanced AI Dictation Not Enabled by Default in iOS 27 Beta' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
Open 
How dare you stop data loss – that's not your job!
Rigid workplace cultures and youthful ambition do not mix

The Register
Open 
The new database world according to Google: Inexact queries and AI in everything
'Humans are not going to be using data platforms in the next three to five years,' product exec tells us

Russia Today News
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Keir Starmer’s resignation is an illusion of democracy

Mail Online
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Stalker who terrorised travel influencer and travelled to her home with rope in a suitcase given hospital order
Rob Keating, 40, bombarded Alexandra Saper, 34, with hundreds of emails and 30 videos, some of which were sexual in nature and aggressive, before travelling to Bali where she lived.

BBC World News
Open 
WhatsApp to be led by Indian start-up founder as Will Cathcart steps back
WhatsApp's leadership shake-up comes as Meta looks to strengthen its app's already booming presence in India.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
US waives Iran oil sanctions citing progress in talks
US officials have cited ongoing negotiations on allowing nuclear inspections and opening the Strait of Hormuz in pausing sanctions for 60 days. JD Vance said a "foundation" is in place for a final deal. More on DW.

Mail Online
Open 
Husband in his 60s accused of plotting with other men to drug and rape wife admits sexually abusing her
The man, in his 60s, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault.

Mail Online
Open 
Burnham's entourage! Teenage girl who founded the Ed Miliband fan club accompanies PM-to-be on triumphant train ride
She was the Ed Miliband superfan who once described the Net Zero crusader as her 'idol'. But now Abby Tomlinson seems at the forefront of Andy Burnham's team.

Mail Online
Open 
Clive Davis dies at 94: Music executive titan responsible for careers of Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen passes away
The longtime music executive and founder of Arista Records and J Records passed away at his home in New York City on Monday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
British man accused of conspiring to drug and rape wife over two decades admits to a dozen sexual offences
Guilty pleas span three-year period, including sexually assaulting her with another man in 2024A man accused of conspiring with others to drug and rape his unconscious wife has admitted sexually assaulting her over a period of three years.The man, in his 60s, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and 10 sexual offences at Minshull Street crown court in Manchester on Monday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Good luck, Andy Burnham – you’ll need more than a smile and a better bus service to succeed in No 10 | Simon Jenkins
As prime minister, Starmer acted with dignity. What a pity that those Labour colleagues who ousted him could not do the sameThe toppling by his colleagues of Britain’s prime minister is humiliating, not only for Keir Starmer but for parliamentary democracy. It is a rejection of the electorate, which chose a party with Starmer at its head, and of Labour’s manifesto of less than two years ago, all in favour someone who, until last week, had not been an MP since 2017. Andy Burnham’s sole claim to Downing Street is that he is currently preferred by most Labour MPs. Two years ago, the same was true of Starmer. What has gone so wrong?The reason Britain is now about to have its seventh prime minister in 10 years is rooted in the House of Commons’ behaviour as a frequently whimsical appointments board. Those sent to Westminster are entitled to do as they choose, but in recent history they have undertaken to honour the pledges given to their voters at election time. Starmer in 2024 presented a moderate Labour programme and has been struggling to enact it, often against a backdrop of hostile economic forces and declining public services. He could at least reasonably expect loyalty from his MPs.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The rise and fall of Keir Starmer: where did it all go wrong?
PM’s demise after landslide victory two years ago points to an increasingly volatile and impatient electorateHistorians will puzzle over this one. Of the six prime ministers that have led Britain over the last decade, with a seventh now on the way, it will be the fall of Keir Starmer that will most perplex the political analysts of the future.They will ponder a man who won a landslide victory in July 2024 only to be pushed out less than two years later, having started no illegal wars, having triggered no grave economic crises, having been accused of no scandalous act of corruption. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Europe sizzles under heatwave with little relief in sight
Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are witnessing scorching temperatures with it likely not cooling down until the weekend or next week. DW has the latest.

Mail Online
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Clive Davis dies at 94: Music executive titan responsible for careers of Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen passes away
Clive Davis - who was responsible for the careers of many legendary musical acts including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, and Carlos Santana - has died at 94.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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A decade on from Brexit, the new PM has big calls to make on Europe
A decade on from Brexit, the EU is more cohesive than many expected, but faces growing pressure from within.

Sky News Home
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Burnham meeting Labour MPs to 'win their confidence' as next PM
Andy Burnham is meeting Labour MPs to "win their confidence" as their next prime minister, former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has revealed.

BBC UK News
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Dog owner claims groomer sliced pet's nipple and superglued it back together
Tegan Williams says she was upset when her dog returned from her regular groomer with injuries.

Deutsche Welle
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US waives Iran oil sanctions citing progress in talks
The US cited progress in talks with Tehran on allowing nuclear inspections and opening the Strait of Hormuz in temporarily lifting oil sanctions. JD Vance said a "foundation" is in place for a final deal. More on DW.

Autosport F1
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Obituary: Ferrari’s first monocoque maker John Thompson
John Thompson never sought fame nor publicity, but his TC Prototypes (TCP) fabrication and subcontract company was a largely unsung linchpin of the motorsport industry in Britain and beyond for in excess of 30 years. Thompson, who has died aged 85, built chassis, suspension and much more - sometimes complete cars - for scores of teams and manufacturers. Ferrari was one of them: he produced the ...Keep reading

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Myanmar army killed over 700 civilians in six months, UN says
The new UN report says the 702 civilian deaths over six months last year included 153 children.

Mail Online
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Tom Brady visits England camp in Kansas City ahead of Ghana clash - as David Beckham prepares to lead string of VIP fans at second World Cup game
MIKE KEEGAN IN BOSTON: While Prince William is yet to visit, England had a surprise guest from NFL royalty when Tom Brady dropped by their team hotel.

Mail Online
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Argentina vs Austria - World Cup Group J LIVE: Lionel Messi chases all-time tournament goal record as the holders seek back-to-back wins
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as holders Argentina take on Austria in Group J at the Dallas Stadium.

Digital Trends
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Timekettle’s new X1 Meeting Hub does real-time translation for 50 people and fits in your pocket
At $849 and 199 grams, the Timekettle X1 Meeting Hub wants to replace professional interpretation setups at your next multilingual meeting.

TechRadar News
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Are Reddit and X down? Here's what we know their reported issues today

TechRadar News
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A newbie hacker used "vague, low-skill prompts" in Claude and Codex to breach 14 companies, and the AI Agents did all the legwork

TechRadar News
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Beat the heat LIVE — how to stay cool during the UK heatwave, tips, advice, best fans, portable AC and more

TechRadar News
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I'm using an Apple Watch SE 2, but I'm disappointed it won't be getting watchOS 27 — these are the models I'm considering upgrading to this Amazon Prime Day

TechRadar News
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Don't rip yourself off when buying a console for GTA 6 — take advantage of these discounts and bundle deals

TechRadar News
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'Half a million hours of Ukraine conflict drone footage' to be used to train and deploy new AI models for autonomous targeting drone swarms

TechRadar News
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Web browsers and Cloudflare team up to authenticate human traffic to combat the growing malicious bot hordes and keep the internet authentic

TechRadar News
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What is the release date for Sugar season 2 episode 2 on Apple TV?

MarketWatch Top Stories
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U.S. oil prices fall below $74 a barrel on 60-day pause on Iranian oil sanctions
Oil prices fall on hopes that more Iranian crude will hit the global market as supplies near critically low levels.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX already needs to raise more cash, and its stock is falling 10%
Elon Musk’s company is turning to the bond market less than two weeks after its blockbuster IPO.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Big Tech has split into two artificial-intelligence camps — but the smart money isn’t chasing the next OpenAI
Why tech giants such as Alphabet and Microsoft are the safer choice in the AI race.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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My houseguest left heat marks all over my table. I didn’t notice them until she was gone. Do I ask her to pay to remove them?
“What drives me crazy is that she didn’t mention it.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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China’s growth engine has a weird new spark: buying ‘feelings’ to cope with a property crash
Toy elves and robot police are exposing the bizarre true state of China’s fractured economy.

Slashdot
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Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies In Plane Crash
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Claude Guillemot, co-founder of French video game company Ubisoft, died Friday at the age of 69. According to French media (via Bloomberg), Guillemot died in a plane crash in the French resort town of La Baule. He was one of two people aboard the plane, both of whom died.

Guillemot founded Ubisoft with his four brothers in 1986. Since then, the company has published the Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Prince of Persia, and Tom Clancy video game franchises, as well as many other titles. The family retains control of Ubisoft, and Guillemot's brother Yves is still CEO. Guillemot was also chairman of Guillemot Corp., which makes gaming and audio accessories. "Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident," Ubisoft said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: waxsql: Wax Fruit for Your Query Planner
Generate valid SQL that looks real, nourishes nothing, and never spoils.

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan beat Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd, oh, what is that? Horrendous running. Billy Root called for the run, Tribe started, but then went back and somehow they both ended up at the non-striker’s end. A furious Root stalks off, run out 0. Glamorgan 0-1.I was going to say it was weird how Tom Lawes was allowed to swap for Atkinson despite being a much better batter but in fact they average almost exactly the same, 19.something. This game is skipping away from Glamorgan – the lead 189. It should be enough but….The last pair have now added 99 – the lead 189 over Surrey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A history of World Cup red cards: high feet, lost heads and a covered mouth
Miguel Almirón’s dismissal was unusual but there’s nothing new about players losing their cool on the biggest stageAfter a fairly pedestrian first half of the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, the game burst into life in the second period. South Africa midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who had been at fault for Mexico’s opening goal, compounded his error by being sent off in the 49th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity. When Themba Zwane was dismissed, South Africa became the 15th team to have two players sent off in the same World Cup match.There was time for one more red card before full-time, the Mexico centre-back César Montes seeing red in stoppage time and following in the footsteps of his manager, Javier Aguirre, who was sent off while playing for Mexico in the 1986 quarter-final against West Germany in Monterrey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Cape Verde celebrations; Norway v Senegal weather warning; L’Équipe apologises to Doku – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 11 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usBeiranvand, by the way, holds the world record for the longest throw in a competitive match – 61.0026m – and for the longest drop-kick, 78.014m. Not bad for someone who was once sleeping rough.But let’s return to Iran for a moment. Their goalie, Alireza Beiranvand – or “The Wall of Persia” as he’s known – had to run away from home to become a footballer, his old fella less than enchanted by the ruse and cutting up his gloves. I wonder how he feels now his boy has been player of the match at a World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer resigns: what now? – podcast
An emotional Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister and Labour leader on Monday morning, less than two years after he won a huge majority at the general election. The question now is who will replace him: will Andy Burnham sweep into No 10 uncontested? And can he make a difference where Starmer failed? Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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US lifts sanctions on Iranian oil

Mail Online
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Mother who was told she was miscarrying her twins gives birth at 22 weeks - and now says her children, four, are thriving
Jade Crane, 43, from Heanor, Derbyshire, rushed herself to hospital after her waters appeared to be slowly leaking.

Mail Online
Open 
Send in the WAGs! England's stars get green light to bring their partners to World Cup camp - but no sleeping over allowed - as families jet from Miami on a day off before they take on Ghana
England star Jude Bellingham has been spotted on a day off enjoying dinner with his girlfriend and parents.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Safe-sleep checks for nursery children to be part of Ofsted inspections
An extra 3,000 annual unannounced nursery inspections will also take place in England from September.

The Verge
Open 
Apple’s latest AirTags are cheaper than ever for Prime Day
Prime Day has brought a number of Apple deals, but one of the most useful if you’re planning to travel over the July 4th weekend or later this summer is on the new AirTags. The four-pack has dropped to a new low of $90 ($9 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, bringing the price of […]

Computer Weekly
Open 
Artificial intelligence-based law firm wins in court
AI-based law firm received Solicitors Regulation Authority approval in June last year in a landmark decision

Computer Weekly
Open 
AI’s next compute layer is likely to come from outside Silicon Valley
AI infrastructure is moving beyond hubs like Silicon Valley. Nations like India, Brazil, and the UAE are building sovereign, power-conscious capacity to solve local compute scarcity

Sky News Home
Open 
The charts that tell us why Starmer resigned - and how he fared on his promises
Labour's disastrous local election results in May triggered a flurry of resignations from Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet and calls to resign from 100 MPs – but his problems didn't start there.

Gizmodo
Open 
Why Would Amazon’s CEO Try to Kneecap Anthropic by Tattling to Trump?
Petty, vindictive, or pragmatic?

Gizmodo
Open 
Nothing’s New Budget Phone Is Making a Bold Camera Choice
The Phone 4b has to make cuts somewhere, and it looks like the camera is one of those places.

Mail Online
Open 
World Cup pundit at centre of racism storm after making shocking comments about 'black players lacking concentration' after Belgian star is sent off
Former Atletico Madrid forward Rade Bogdanovic was a pundit on RTS - Serbia's national broadcaster - for their coverage of Belgium's surprise draw with Iran on Sunday.

Mail Online
Open 
Company director who spent £300,000 of Covid support loans on family holidays, private school fees and lingerie for his wife is jailed
Steven Brookes, 40, was banned as a company director in 2010 and used his wife Ria Brookes' name to apply for six loans without her knowledge from May to October 2020.

Mail Online
Open 
Man in his 60s admits sexually abusing his wife after she was allegedly drugged and raped by other men
The man, in his 60s, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, six counts of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault.

UK Government News
Open 
Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement period of scrutiny
Setting out the period of Parliamentary scrutiny for the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement.

UK Government News
Open 
Letter to Baroness Casey: progress on adult social care reform recommendations
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care updates Baroness Casey of Blackstock on progress against her initial recommendations.

Harvard Business Review
Open 
The End of Cheap Capital
And why it requires a return to the basics of business economics.

Ian Visits
Open 
LNER train gets a Sir Nigel Gresley 150th anniversary makeover
A special Azuma train carrying a commemorative livery celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley’s birth will be seen on the LNER railway this summer.Read more ›

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump official vows to prosecute ‘vandalizing’ of reflecting pool after five people reportedly arrested – live
Jeanine Pirro threatens anyone accused of vandalizing Washington monument after CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were madeTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailSecretary of State Marco Rubio will begin a trip to three Gulf countries tomorrow amid negotiations with Iran to end the war, his spokesperson said.Visiting the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, Rubio will discuss “the memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and free safe transit through the strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” state department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Angry and lonely after my marriage ended, I came dangerously close to embracing the manosphere | Mitch Brown
After my separation my world became tiny and my dependence on the online world grew. The internet told me women were to blame, and I started to believe itIn 2024, after the breakdown of my marriage, I came dangerously close to falling down the manosphere pipeline. As someone who has become something of a public advocate for healthy masculinities and inclusion, this is not something I find easy to admit or write about. I struggle to reconcile that version of myself, as recent as two years ago, with the man I am today and the values I so strongly believe in. But I also believe it’s important we tell these stories, both to examine how men can find their way into these spaces and how they can find their way out.The term “manosphere” might seem like a bit of a buzzword, a fringe ideology that exists in dark corners of the internet. We need to recognise that it is far more widespread than that. A 2022 survey by The Man Cave found that a quarter of young Australian men saw Andrew Tate as a role model, and 36% found him relatable. Subsequent studies have found the movement is on the rise, both here and overseas. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Football Daily | Uruguay misfire and leave Bielsa-ball in danger of kicking the bucket
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Anyone brave enough to predict the Geopolitics World Cup knockout bracket before the tournament would have clocked that Argentina could meet Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the last 32 and thought: “Cor, that’ll be fun”. But nothing seems to be very fun for the two-time winners at the moment. After narrowly avoiding defeat by Saudi Arabia in their opener in Miami, Uruguay were held again by Cape Verde at Hard [Luck] Stadium, meaning Bielsa-ball might not go beyond the group stage after all. “I think that the problem or greatest issue is that we started the second half with the ball and with the victory,” Bielsa sniffed after climbing down from his upturned water bucket. “We lacked a finishing touch,” he added.Greetings from the Houston area! We’ve watched most of the GWC matches on Telemundo (Football Daily letters passim). My Spanish-speaking sister translates for us, and she agrees that the commentators are ‘unabashedly’ biased toward the Spanish-speaking teams. We switch to Fox between matches to hear what Henry, Zlatan, and Rebecca Lowe have to say, but we all agree: Alexi Lalas is just a blowhard. He gets muted frequently. And in case y’all missed it” – Jennifer Jones.Interesting debate about watching football in English or Spanish. I choose to watch most matches in the same way that I read Football Daily – with the sound completely off. And, from time to time, in a very dark room” – Mike Wilner.I was playing on Football Manager earlier when I was offered the job of coaching Tunisia. I politely declined, hung up the phone, and resumed playing my game” – James Vortkamp-Tong.Has anyone else noticed that there are two former managers of Swansea City at the GWC [and a minority stakeholder – Football Daily Ed]? This must mean something: not sure what, though” – Peter Phillips (and no others). Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Argentina v Austria: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local/1pm ET/6pm BST/3am Mon AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DominicHello and welcome to Monday’s first hit of World Cup action. The holders are in Texas to take on Ralf Rangnick’s Austria in a game that will probably decide who tops Group J. All the focus will be on Argentina and Lionel Messi after his brilliant hat-trick in their opener against Algeria last week. Just one goal today will mean he is out on his own as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.It has been a complicated couple of weeks for Messi, whose family confirmed last Thursday that his father Jorge is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. An Argentinian TV host resigned after falsely reporting that Jorge, 68, had died. Messi was tearful at times in the opener in Kansas City but he has the chance to make more history in Dallas today. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Two men arrested in relation to hospital mortuary practices in Nottingham
Arrests are part of Operation Perth investigation into failures in NHS trust’s maternity servicesTwo men have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in the running of a mortuary service at a hospital trust at the centre of the NHS’s largest inquiry into maternity services.Nottingham University hospitals (NUH) NHS trust will be the focus of a major report on Wednesday into how failings led to the deaths of babies and serious harm to families. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of child sexual offences including rape
Former DUP leader convicted of 18 offences against two victims after high-profile trial that gripped Northern Ireland Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 sexual offences against two victims who were children at the time of the abuse more than 30 years ago.The former Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader was remanded into immediate custody after a jury at Newry crown court on Monday convicted him of 18 offences including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency. The judge, Paul Ramsey, said a “lengthy” prison sentence was inevitable.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Three-year-old victim of crocodile attack is no longer critical
Police said the boy, who was visiting the zoo with his family, sustained serious injuries "while in the enclosure" and was pulled out by zoo staff.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Hong Kong firms spend above global average on AI as cyber, legal risks grow
Hong Kong companies are investing an average of $214 million in AI, about 17% above the global average, as financial institutions and multinational corporations step up spending on the technology, a DLA Piper spokesperson told Crowdfund Insider. The average AI investment in Hong Kong stands... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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ECB President Christine Lagarde Reportedly Urged Greece to Reject Binance’s MiCA License Bid
Recent reporting has highlighted alleged political pressure from European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde that contributed to Greece blocking Binance’s application for authorization under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. According to sources familiar with the matter, this intervention shifted Greece’s stance on... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Ravelin Report Finds Hope, Challenge in Merchant Fraud Fight
Ravelin’s Global Fraud Trends 2026 report outlines evolving fraud trends. While there is stability and even decline in some metrics, new concerns have arisen with issues like AI. Ravelin surveyed 1,504 professionals across 10 countries. Fraud still hits companies hard. At least 30% of companies... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Cardano (ADA) Ecosystem Advances Blockchain Network Scaling Objectives with Upcoming Leios Testnet Launch as Musashi Dojo
The Cardano blockchain ecosystem is reportedly on the cusp of a significant technical milestone as crypto developers prepare to roll out a public testnet for Ouroboros Leios, its new consensus protocol upgrade. This initiative, branded under the evocative name “Musashi Dojo,” signals a determined push... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
Walmart's Prime Day sale is here: Up to 50% off laptops, TVs, smart glasses, and more
Beat the Prime Day rush: Walmart's massive rival sale is here, with great deals on 4K smart TVs, Apple tech, and laptops live now. Shop the best discounts.

ZDNet News
Open 
The Ninja Slushi makes resort-style frozen drinks at home, and I highly recommend it (especially at this price)
The Ninja Slushi brings frosty fun to your kitchen, and it's on sale for the lowest price ever during Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
Open 
I've worn dozens of smartwatches, but the Pebble Time 2 is the most fun I've had testing one
The Pebble Time 2 provides key smartwatch functionality in a form and at a price that are fit for everyone.

ZDNet News
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The best Lenovo laptops on sale for Prime Day: 8 models we've tested personally
We've tested dozens of Lenovo laptops - here are the ones we recommend on sale for Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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June Prime Day live blog 2026: We're tracking Amazon deals on SSDs, TVs, laptops and more
LIVE: Prime Day 2026 early deals are here. Follow our live blog for real-time tracking on the lowest prices for 4K TVs, M5 MacBooks, Samsung devices, SSDs, and more tech.

ZDNet News
Open 
One of the smallest power stations we've tested charges incredibly fast - and it's $120 off
The Oupes Mega 1 won the ZDNET Lab Award for most efficient small-sized portable power station, and it's currently on sale for Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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I've driven thousands of miles with Android Auto - these 8 tips keep my phone cool
Android Auto uses a lot of resources, which can often make your phone overheat. Here's how I keep mine running like normal.

ZDNet News
Open 
Best early Prime Day Apple deals I found for MacBooks, iPads, AirPods, and more
Prime Day 2026 kicks off tomorrow. Shop our experts' hand-selected early deals on AirPods Pro 3 ($179), Apple Watch 11 ($279), and AirPods Max 2 now.

ZDNet News
Open 
The best early Prime Day robot vacuum deals I'd buy (after testing dozens of them)
Skip the fake sales: Check out our expert-vetted list of the absolute best early Prime Day 2026 robot vacuum and mop deals worth your money today.

ZDNet News
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The best early Amazon Prime Day deals: Up to 30% off Anker, Ninja, and Oura (so far)
Amazon's Prime Day sale returns tomorrow, but these are our favorite deals you can shop right now.

UK Legislation
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Correction Slip
These Regulations amend the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (the “2018 Regulations”) to bring water, waste and industrial emissions activities into the framework for authorisation of environmental activities provided by the 2018 Regulations, which currently only apply to radioactive substances activities in Scotland.

UK Legislation
Open 
The Pension Schemes Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026

Wired Top Stories
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The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minister of the Decade
Keir Starmer’s resignation on Monday morning paves the way for yet another leadership battle.

CNET News
Open 
The Best Rowing Machines of 2026, Tested by CNET Experts
You’ll get a low-impact, efficient cardio workout with these top rowing machine picks.

CNET News
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I Turned Off All Antivirus Protection for a Week. Here's What I Learned
Disabling my antivirus for a week taught me that the most important security tool you have isn't software.

The Hill
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Senate readies to vote on housing; New York primaries take center stage: Join the live discussion
The Senate is expected to pass a major housing bill later this evening, while voters go to the polls in New York to pick candidates for the fall in primary races where progressives and Democratic Socialists are bettling. Join The Hill's Editor-in-Chief Ian Swanson, congressional editor Regina Zilbermints, campaign editor Sophia Vento and Senate reporter Helen...

The Hill
Open 
Treasury Department issues temporary license for Iranian oil sales
The Treasury Department on Monday move to temporarily allow the sale of Iranian oil, issuing a 60 day “general license” that lifts restrictions normally in place on the commodity. “In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International...

The Hill
Open 
Federal appeals court blocks CFPB job cuts
A federal appeals court on Friday blocked the Trump administration from immediately cutting the workforce at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted the administration’s motion to return the case to the District Court. However, it rejected the administration’s request to resume staff cuts...

The Hill
Open 
Democrats want control of Congress, but what will they actually do with it? 
Trump has undoubtedly done more damage to the federal government than we know. It will take a long time to identify and repair it. Democrats should tell us how they’d jump-start the process in January with control of Congress. 

The Hill
Open 
China restricts exports to US defense firms
China added 10 companies to its export control list on Monday, blocking its exporters from selling any dual-use items to U.S. defense firms. The items range from drones to robotic hardware and swarm software used primarily for defense and national security operations in addition to some nonmilitary functions.  “Exporters are prohibited from exporting dual-use items...

The Hill
Open 
Fox News host Mark Levin lashes out at Trump administration over Iran deal
Fox News host Mark Levin on Saturday lashed out at the Trump administration over its tentative agreement to end the Iran conflict and hold talks to determine the future of Iran's nuclear program. The "Life, Liberty & Levin" host started his 17-minute monologue speaking directly to officials "in and out of the administration" and demanded...

The Hill
Open 
Eliminating this crucial intelligence agency would make America less safe
This would be a massive mistake that undermines the necessary role ODNI plays in coordinating the 18 organizations comprising the intelligence community.

The Hill
Open 
Cornyn: Trump ‘seems to revel in chaos’
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) says he no longer talks regularly with President Trump after losing his primary to a Trump-backed opponent last month, and that the president "seems to revel in chaos."  In an interview with the digital news outlet Semafor, Cornyn said that talking to Trump is no longer useful and criticized the administration’s recent...

The Hill
Open 
Netanyahu: 'No restrictions' on Israel military acting to thwart Hezbollah threat
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said its military has “no restrictions” regarding its efforts to target Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel's continued operations against the militant group have strained the U.S.-Iran ceasefire reached last week. “The directive from me and the Defence Minister to the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] is clear and has not changed:...

Ars Technica
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How Anthropic may have talked itself into an AI export ban

Ars Technica
Open 
This former hacker saw the light—and now wants to collect all of it

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING: Keir Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham sworn in as replacement…
Now former UK Prime Minister delivered this resignation speech this morning, making way for his replacement to be sworn in. WATCH: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Delivers Full Resignation Speech pic.twitter.com/DH4tqh6rWX — . . .

Sky News Home
Open 
Former DUP leader guilty of rape and sexual offences against children
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of multiple sexual offences including rape.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Fact check: AI fakes around the World Cup spread political narratives
Keir Starmer in a Croatia jersey. An Iranian protest against a US strike. Calls to arrest Brazil's President Lula. Adolf Hitler in the German fan section — all circulating around the World Cup. But none of it is real.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Germany's pension plans draw praise and outrage
A 30-point plan to reform Germany's pension system has drawn praise and criticism in almost equal measure. Centrist politicians have called it a good compromise, opposition parties on the left and right are unhappy.

Mail Online
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Ashley Cain dealt fresh blow as he's dropped by his management just days after his historic abusive social media posts about women saw him sacked by the BBC
Last week, the former footballer, 35, was given the boot by the corporation as they admitted they had 'clearly failed' in their vetting of the star.

Mail Online
Open 
More than 2,000 British expats living in European holiday hotspots are still claiming UK taxpayer-funded disability benefits
Brits soaking up the sun in holiday hotspots including Spain, Italy , France and Portugal can still apply for taxpayer-funded Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

BBC World News
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At least 13 killed and dozens injured after Qatar gas explosion
The city's main liquified natural gas (LNG) processing site suffered a "technical accident" in the Ras Laffan industrial zone.

Sky News Home
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Five-year-old girl dies after collision with van
A five-year-old girl has died after a collision with a van in Newry.

Sky News Home
Open 
Former DUP leader guilty of historical rape and sexual offences against children
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of multiple sexual offences including rape.

Mail Online
Open 
Divorced father, 41, who murdered teenage girlfriend, 19, by crushing her against a lamppost with his truck after she had baby with another man is jailed for 20 years
Mohammed Azim, 41, was ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years in jail for killing new mother Lily Whitehouse, 19, on Bonfire Night last year.

Mail Online
Open 
Chaos online as massive Cloudflare outage cripples half the internet
Millions are struggling to access popular websites on Monday after a major outage at Cloudflare triggered widespread disruptions across the internet. Dozens of sites have gone offline.

Mail Online
Open 
Britain's 'first gay dad', 57 and his partner, 32, are charged with 18 more offences including paying for sexual services of a child and rape
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, has been accused of sexual activity with a child and two of paying for sexual services of a child. New charges against his husband, Scott, 32, include rape.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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With no laws on heat in schools, are pupils and teachers at risk?
Some pupils and teachers have passed out in sweltering heat, the BBC is told.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Far-right millionaire wins Colombia’s razor-tight presidential election
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella secures narrow majorityA Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” has defeated a leftwing senator by a razor-thin margin to win Colombia’s presidential runoff, in an election that promises to mark a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict.With 99.99% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, the far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella had secured 12.96m votes, or 49.66%, just 250,830 more than the leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who received 12.7m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump official vows to prosecute ‘vandalizing’ of reflecting pool after five people reportedly arrested – live
Jeanine Pirro threatens anyone accused of vandalizing Washington monument after CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were madeTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe US Treasury said it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iran to allow the Islamic Republic to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products until 21 August.“All transactions” that were previously prohibited involving the production, sale, and transport of Iranian-origin crude oil “are authorized through 12:01 am eastern daylight time, 21 August, 2026,” according to a license published by the Treasury Department, which administers US economic sanctions.Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP! It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!). Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things - Which will be fully enforced! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bad Bunny sparks UK’s Latino moment as 100,000 fans line up to see him perform
Rapping in Spanish used to be a hard sell to Britons – but the Puerto Rican star is making the Latin American community visibleAt the Seven Sisters Latin Village in north London, construction is under way.The market, which has become a centre for the British Latino community and has fought off a long battle against redevelopment, is paying homage to the biggest Latino star on the planet: Bad Bunny (real name Benito Martínez Ocasio). Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack
Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, plead guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Mac Rumours
Open 
AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day
Apple's AirPods Max 2 have hit $399.00 on Amazon, down from $549.00. This sale is available in all five colors and it's a massive discount on the brand new headphones, coming in $100 under the previous all-time low price.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around June 27, but Prime members should see same-day delivery options in many locations. This is one of the best early Prime Day deals we've tracked so far, and if more colors are added we'll update this article.



$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Still on Track for September Debut
Apple's first foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut, despite rumors to the contrary, based on a new report by China Securities Journal (via DigiTimes).





According to the report, which cites a source at an Apple supplier, the company recently started delivering components in small batches for Apple's first foldable iPhone.



The supplier also reportedly received guidance indicating that the device is scheduled to be unveiled in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. A second supply-chain source cited in the report said it had received no indication of a delay and continues to work toward a fall 2026 release timetable.



The report backs a claim made last week by a Chinese leaker that suggestions of a delay are wide of the mark.



There have been occasional reports that Apple's first foldable device is encountering engineering hurdles as development enters its final stages. In May, leaker Instant Digital claimed the foldable iPhone was still facing durability concerns related to its hinge mechanism. While Apple is said to have largely resolved issues surrounding display creasing, the leaker suggested the hinge has yet to meet the company's long-term reliability standards.



Apple is known for imposing rigorous durability requirements on entirely new product categories, but reports of unresolved hinge concerns this late in development would be unusual given the device's expected launch timeline.



Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in March that Apple's foldable iPhone may not launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September. Earlier, Barclays analyst Tim Long predicted the device would not begin shipping until December, potentially creating a gap of up to three months between the foldable iPhone and Apple's flagship iPhone 18 Pro models.



Apple has taken a staggered launch approach before. In 2017, the iPhone X was unveiled alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, but it didn't reach customers until November, while the other models launched in September as usual.



If Apple ultimately decides to delay shipments of its foldable iPhone beyond September, it would likely still unveil the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its annual iPhone event. In that scenario, Apple would announce the entire lineup together before releasing each model according to its production schedule.



The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000. Apple's book-style foldable could launch as the "iPhone Ultra," as suggested by reports.



In an unusual step compared to previous fall announcements, as part of a new split-launch strategy, Apple is expected to hold over the release of the regular iPhone 18 until spring next year.Tags: DigiTimes, Foldable iPhoneThis article, 'Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Still on Track for September Debut' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Every Apple Watch Model Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime Day
Prime Day deals are already in full swing today, despite the event not kicking off until tomorrow, June 23. Below we're tracking all-time low prices across the Apple Watch lineup, including Apple Watch Series 11 for $120 off, Apple Watch SE 3 for $50 off, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $150 off.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Apple Watch Series 11

Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00

$120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.



Apple Watch SE 3

Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable.



$50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00

$50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00



You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices.



Apple Watch Ultra 3

Finally, Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options.



$150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00



Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'Every Apple Watch Model Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Approves Production of OLED Panels for Foldable iPhone
Samsung Display has received Apple's approval to begin module production of OLED panels for Apple's first foldable iPhone, according to a report today from TheElec.





Citing industry sources, the report says Samsung Display has started operating part of its back-end production lines in Vietnam to fulfill an initial order of around three million panels scheduled for delivery this year. Module production approval requires a supplier to demonstrate final assembly quality and mass-production stability, and Apple's threshold is reportedly a yield rate of at least 70%. Samsung Display is said to have passed that bar after achieving final yields above 80%.



Samsung Display is believed to be the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for the foldable iPhone under a three-year agreement, meaning Apple will not source foldable OLED panels from any other display maker during that period. Back-end processing, which includes adding driver circuits, flexible printed circuit boards, and protective components before final inspection and shipment, is being handled at Samsung Display's Vietnam facility. That site has around 80 production lines in total, with roughly 50 currently active, leaving capacity to spare given the relatively modest three million unit order.



The panels are expected to use Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, which removes the polarizer and forms a color filter directly on top of the encapsulation layer, along with Samsung Display's newest M16 OLED material set. The M16 stack is said to bring improvements to brightness, color performance, lifespan, and power efficiency over prior generations.



Apple's foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, along with Touch ID instead of Face ID, an A20 chip, and Apple's C2 modem, with pricing expected to start around $2,000.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Foldable iPhone, OLED, Samsung, The ElecThis article, 'Apple Approves Production of OLED Panels for Foldable iPhone' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
Open 
As another UK prime minister bites the dust, a contradictory tech legacy remains
Attempting to boost growth, efficiency, and sovereign tech proved too difficult. The next leader will face the same challenges... and temptations

The Register
Open 
Microsoft tells Windows users to get ready for 26H2 – unless they're on 26H1
Same core as 24H2 and 25H2 means an enablement package, while Search gets a little more forgiving

The Register
Open 
Canadian utility fesses up to data breach, but key details remain off-grid
London Hydro says names, addresses, account details may have been exposed, but much about the intrusion is unknown

Mail Online
Open 
You can own a British island complete with helipad, fort and bar - but it will cost you £3million
A private Welsh island with panoramic coastal views, 2.49 acres of space and a Grade-II listed fort is looking for a new owner - and it could be yours for £3 million.

Mail Online
Open 
Nancy Guthrie ransom note to her family included rambled 'apology' for accidentally killing her, bombshell report says
A bizarre blackmail note sent February 6 offered to return the 84-year-old's body in return for money, a source familiar with the investigation has said.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack that caused months of disruption
Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, plead guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
The man who knew, but didn't say: Alan Greenspan (1926-2026)
Alan Greenspan’s reputation as head of the US Federal Reserve was legendary — not least because of his reputation for convoluted statements. However, the 2008/9 financial crisis took a toll on his standing.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Germany and UK rebuilding ties 10 years after Brexit vote
Ten years after the referendum, the two countries are strengthening their ties once again. The stability of these ties is now being put to the test with Keir Starmer to be replaced as prime minister.

Mail Online
Open 
A final humiliation for Starmer? Outgoing PM sees his Brexit 'reset' postponed as UK-EU summit is pushed back amid Labour's leadership crisis
The Prime Minister had been hoping to finalise his much-trumpeted Brexit 'reset' deal at the Brussels meeting on 22 July.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack that caused months of disruption
Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Far-right millionaire wins Colombia’s razor-tight presidential election
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella secures narrow majorityA Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” has defeated a leftwing senator by a razor-thin margin to win Colombia’s presidential runoff, in an election which promises to mark a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict.With 99.99% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, the far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella had secured 12.96m votes, or 49.66%, just 250,830 more than the leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who received 12.7m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Stokes saga humiliates McCullum and exposes England’s captaincy succession crisis | Mark Ramprakash
With Stokes now 35, the ECB needs to identify rising talents with the capacity to be serious people, not just young men having fun with their matesIf we learned one thing at the Oval last week, it is that this England team really needs Ben Stokes. So it came as a relief when, a couple of hours after the second Test against New Zealand ended in heavy defeat, he and Gus Atkinson were exonerated by the England and Wales Cricket Board after an investigation into their celebrations following victory in the first. But the governing body found themselves in a process with no perfect outcome, and if the one they’ve ended up with is not the disaster they flirted with a week ago when Stokes was apparently considering retirement, it is still embarrassing.Their handling of the incident was understandable, given the public drunkenness that marked the players’ trip to Noosa during the Ashes, and Harry Brook’s altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington before that. There was a real lack of transparency around Brook’s incident, which was not revealed to the public until a newspaper discovered and reported it, and that led to a kneejerk reaction when the ECB thought there had been a repeat. All three incidents could have been handled better – they just keep finding different ways of getting it wrong. At least no one can accuse them of not taking this one seriously, and if it hasn’t truly established their competence it has established that all players are accountable, which will help to set a standard of acceptable behaviour. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wimbledon 2023 champion Vondrousova given four-year ban for refusing anti-doping test
‘No compelling justification’ for not submitting a sample‘Unpredictable testing is essential to protect clean sport’The 2023 Wimbledon singles champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended from tennis for four years for refusing an anti-doping test.An independent tribunal concluded that there was “no compelling justification” for the 26-year-old Czech to have not submitted a sample when notified by a doping control officer, out of competition and at her home, on the night of 3 December, 2025. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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If we can’t keep rats out of Britain’s jails, we shouldn’t be putting children in them | Zoe Williams
The story of the therapy ferret used to kill rats at Wetherby young offenders institution raises question after question. Not least: is this any place for humans, whatever they have done?‘Concerns over therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison” was how the Guardian’s own headline reported recent events at Wetherby young offenders institution in West Yorkshire. “Concerns” felt pretty mild, and I’d have preferred to hear it was a panic or at least a flat spin.I hoped that it had happened out of sight, since it is no small thing to watch one animal kill another, but that hope was immediately dashed by the detail that not only did the ferret attack the rat in front of its young inmate handler, according to a complaint from the Prison Officers’ Association, but it didn’t even finish the job. The grim scene ended with a prison officer stomping on the injured rat, prompting the National Ferret Welfare Society to side with both rat and ferret, in the statement: “We cannot condone the stamping to death of any animal in any situation.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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African teams have a point to prove at this World Cup. How are they faring?
There are twice as many teams from Caf at this World Cup than in 2022, but their results so far have been hit and miss• Predict the winner | Daily podcast | Download our appOn Monday evening local time at New York New Jersey Stadium, Senegal will face Norway in a game that is not only crucial in terms of who qualifies from Group I, but will go a long way in determining how African performance at this World Cup is viewed. This is not entirely fair – nobody can seriously doubt that Senegal are an extremely adept side, and it may be that the court of arbitration for sport decides that they are indeed the reigning African champions – but there is a sense that Africa could do with a big performance.No region benefited as much from the expansion of the World Cup as Africa. In Qatar in 2022, five of the 32 slots (16% of the field) went to the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Of the 48 slots this time around, nine went automatically to Caf, and they secured a 10th when DR Congo beat Jamaica in an interconfederational playoff in March. Caf had lobbied for years for more representation, arguing it was unfair that it had only five slots for its 54 members, while Conmebol, the South American confederation, had four plus a playoff for 10 members (21% of the field). The response was that Conmebol sides had won the World Cup nine times, while Caf sides had only made the quarter-finals on three occasions. By the end of the last World Cup, Conmebol were up to 10 victories and Caf had its first semi-finalist.This is an extract from Soccer Desk: World Cup edition, a newsletter from the Guardian US that will run regularly during the tournament. Subscribe for free here. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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US waives Iran oil sanctions as nuclear inspectors to return
The US cited progress in talks with Tehran on allowing nuclear inspections and opening the Strait of Hormuz in temporarily lifting oil sanctions. JD Vance said a "foundation" is in place for a final deal. More on DW.

Deutsche Welle
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Alan Greenspan, 1926-2026: The man who knew, but didn't say
Alan Greenspan’s reputation as head of the US Federal Reserve was legendary — not least because of his reputation for convoluted statements. However, the 2008/9 financial crisis took a toll on his standing.

Mail Online
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Britain's 'first gay dad', 52 and his partner, 32, are charged with 18 more offences including paying for sexual services of a child and rape
Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, has been accused of sexual activity with a child and two of paying for sexual services of a child. New charges against his husband, Scott, 32, include rape.

Mail Online
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Christine McGuinness poses topless as she sleeps on the balcony of a London apartment and says 'it was happy hour from sunrise to sunset'
The television personality, 38, made the most of the UK heatwave as she stripped off to top up her tan on the rooftop of a London apartment.

Chatham House
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Making the case for COP in a fractured geopolitical environment
Making the case for COP in a fractured geopolitical environment
22
June 2026 — 17:00 TO 18:00 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
16 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
Leaders of the world’s foremost climate conference - COP - set out how environmental diplomacy can still deliver.
Leaders of the world’s foremost climate conference - COP - set out how environmental diplomacy can still deliver.















The COP global climate talks have anchored international action for three decades, but geopolitical tensions are testing their effectiveness. These pressures raise questions about what COP can still deliver. This event looks at climate leadership, and the role of diplomacy in sustaining progress.Key questions:What role does COP play in global climate action?What outcomes would define success at COP31 in Antalya this November?What priorities should shape COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027?How can climate diplomacy adapt to geopolitical pressure?What needs to happen outside COP to sustain progress?

Chatham House
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Will the US–Iran ceasefire hold? 
Will the US–Iran ceasefire hold?
Expert comment
jon.wallace
22 June 2026

Both sides want to buy time. But other factors like midterm elections, Israel, and deep mistrust may intervene.















Since the US and Iran signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) ending the war, much discussion has centred on the simple question of who won. There is no clear-cut answer. Washington and Israel point to the penetration of Iranian air defences, the decapitation of parts of its leadership and the damage inflicted on nuclear and military sites. Indeed, the US and Israel demonstrated that they could inflict far greater damage on Iran than Tehran could impose on them. Yet they could not translate that military superiority into their objectives of regime change – or at least, rapid political submission by the Iranian regime.Tehran, for its part, survived the 38-day assault and demonstrated that it could impose costs beyond its borders – through strikes across the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In doing so, it preserved meaningful bargaining power. But it also emerged economically weaker, militarily exposed and more isolated across the region.With the MOU, both sides extracted concessions. But neither secured enough to claim a decisive victory. Washington secured a pathway towards reopening Hormuz, calming energy markets and reducing the risk of further regional escalation. Tehran gained a pause in the fighting and the prospect of renewed oil exports, sanctions relief and protection from further attacks. The outcome is therefore best understood as an unequal draw.






Washington enters the talks with military superiority, while Tehran retains enough disruptive capacity to refuse some American demands.






This helps explain why President Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership accepted the agreement. But it also foreshadows a bumpy road ahead. For Trump, the priority was to reopen Hormuz and prevent a prolonged confrontation that would push up oil prices and inflation ahead of the US midterm elections. Meanwhile Tehran needs time to assess the damage to its military and nuclear infrastructure, stabilize the economy and reduce the risk of renewed attacks. It must also restore oil exports, regain access to frozen funds and manage the domestic consequences of the war. Both sides are therefore using diplomacy to buy time. Washington calculates that the pressure Iran has already absorbed may make it more willing to accept nuclear restrictions. Tehran believes that concerns over Hormuz, energy prices and further rounds of escalation may persuade Trump to offer economic concessions. The same imbalance that produced this unequal draw will now shape the negotiations. Washington enters the talks with military superiority, while Tehran retains enough disruptive capacity to refuse some American demands.The negotiations will have to bring together four connected issues: Hormuz, the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the guarantees needed to hold the arrangement together. Reopening the strait is the most urgent because of the impact on shipping and energy markets. Here, Washington and the Gulf states will want assurances that Tehran cannot disrupt the waterway whenever negotiations reach an impasse. Iran will argue that it cannot guarantee the free flow of maritime traffic or give up its leverage while Israel remains free to strike Iran or Hezbollah in Lebanon. The two-day delay before negotiations began in Lucerne, Switzerland, illustrates the problem. Tehran postponed the talks after insisting that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah forms part of the MOU. Iran was making clear that it does not regard Hormuz, Lebanon and the threat of renewed Israeli attacks as separate fronts. The nuclear negotiations will be harder because of the unresolved outcome of the war. The two sides must decide whether Iranian enrichment can continue, what limits are placed on Tehran’s remaining capacity and what access the International Atomic Energy Agency obtains to damaged and possibly undeclared sites.




































Related work

Trump asked questions of Iran when he did not know the answers. Now he must pay the price












Trump will need to present any new agreement as an improvement on the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA). A final deal will therefore likely see a moratorium on enrichment, the down-blending or removal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and a more intrusive monitoring system. Tehran however will resist compromises that strip it of what it considers both a sovereign right and a form of insurance. Sanctions relief will be inseparable from these nuclear demands. Iran will want immediate and visible benefits including access to frozen assets, restored financial channels and investment. Washington will be reluctant to offer broad relief before Iran has made verifiable nuclear concessions. But Tehran will not want to surrender its remaining leverage before receiving meaningful benefits. That question of trust will run through every stage of the process. After decades of hostility, Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and two wars there is little basis for confidence on either side. Israel adds another layer of uncertainty: Tehran will judge Washington in part by its ability to prevent renewed Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.

Sky News Home
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Alan Greenspan, longtime head of the US Federal Reserve, dies aged 100
Alan Greenspan, the longtime head of the Federal Reserve and influential economist, has died aged 100.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Is VAR being used differently at the World Cup vs the Premier League?
The stats show that there have been more VAR reviews at the World Cup than in the Premier League. So why does perception suggest the opposite?

Deutsche Welle
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Iran-US talks to end war beset by tension, mistrust
While both sides claim "encouraging progress," experts say there's a long way to go to turn the shaky diplomatic framework into a durable agreement.

Mail Online
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Goodbye to airport queues and passport checks? Inside the 'airport of the future' - where your face is the boarding pass
Airports are set for a major overhaul as new technology promises to replace long queues and paper passports with biometric travel.

Mail Online
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X is DOWN: Elon Musk's social media app crashes for thousands around the world
X, formerly known as Twitter, has crashed this afternoon in an outage affecting thousands of users around the world.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11899 Shared Linux Hosting - CPanel - Performance degradation (Update)
We will continue to monitor this for a while to ascertain platform stability.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 09:20

Update: Mon, 29th Jun 2026 11:00

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 15:27

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

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Two men plead guilty over £39m TfL cyber attack
Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Mail Online
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Bing Crosby's nepo baby daughter and Dallas star looks incredible at 66... see her now
Bing Crosby's nepo baby daughter Mary Crosby looked incredible as she stepped out for a rare outing in Malibu over the weekend.

Mail Online
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Calvin Klein's Hamptons estate could topple decades-old record with $165M price tag
Calvin Klein's former East Hampton mansion is set to break decades-old records if it manages to sell for its asking price of $165 million.

Mail Online
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Supreme Court REINSTATES murder conviction for man who kidnapped and killed little Etan Patz as prosecutors were preparing to give him re-trial
Pedro Hernandez had his conviction for murdering the six-year-old reversed last year by a federal appeals court.

Digital Trends
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Two cordless massagers built for the desk-bound: On sale for Prime Day
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with SKG. If you’ve ever bought a gadget that ended up forgotten in a drawer, these two are built to avoid that fate. SKG’s W9 Ultra 2.0 Lower Back Massager and G7 Pro Fold 3.0 Neck Massager are on sale on Amazon, and both are designed […]

Digital Trends
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This modular robot mower handles up to 6 acres, and it’s $1,000 off for Prime Day
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with YARBO. If you’ve been pricing out a robot mower for a genuinely large property, Prime Day just made the math easier. The YARBO Robot Lawn Mower Pro is down to $4,999 on Amazon (from a $5,999 list price), a $1,000 Prime Day saving on a […]

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How to watch I Kissed a Girl season 2 for *FREE*

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Phishing the agent: Why AI guardrails aren’t enough

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Trust me, I’m a computer expert, and you should jump on these affordable 2TB SSD deals before it’s too late

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I gave my wife a MacBook Neo for 2 weeks and she’s going back to Windows, here’s why

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How to watch Argentina vs Austria: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as Lionel Messi aims to make history at FIFA World Cup 2026

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Are Reddit and X down? Here's what we know about the potential outage

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Vibe coding guide: How to transition from AI generation to live deployment

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How AI fraud rings are taking on retail

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6 of the best Prime Day Apple deals at Amazon UK — record-low prices for the AirPods, iPhone 17, Apple Watch, and more

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Struggling to load Outlook email replies? You’re not alone — an update has broken email threading and a fix is yet to be released

TechRadar News
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Someone made a website that simulates sonic reflections in a room and spots how acoustic treatment affects them, so you can design your perfect home theater or hi-fi listening space

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX already needs to raise more cash, and its stock is dropping
Elon Musk’s company is turning to the bond market less than two weeks after its blockbuster IPO.

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Alan Greenspan, the most powerful Fed chairman of the modern era, dies at 100
The legendary central banker led the Fed for nearly two decades.

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Starmer says he’s resigning as U.K. prime minister — raising fears that a potential debt crisis could be brewing
Analysts expect borrowing costs in the U.K. to rise in the longer term if Andy Burnham takes over as leader of the Labour Party.

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I’m 70. A relative offered me a $25,000 home loan secured by a lien that must be repaid within a year. Is that fair?
“He also wants me to downsize and move.”

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Micron’s stock momentum builds as the company inks a new Anthropic partnership
The companies announced a supply agreement for memory and storage.

The Guardian (UK)
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Have you experienced a shortage in your NHS medication? We would like to hear from you
How has the shortage affected you? How are you coping? Health leaders have warned Britons are facing some of the “most severe” shortages of NHS medicines on record, including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a “serious risk to patient safety”. Continue reading...

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Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai review – staggering images of the aftermath of shattering violence
Japan House, LondonThis darkly atmospheric exhibition pairs the revolutionary Hiroshima images of revered photographer Kikuji with Ai’s glittering but deeply melancholy visions of cherry blossomJapan House’s first, free photography exhibition, Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai begins with slow-burning suggestions of fire: a box of Lucky Strike cigarettes, its surface crackling and curled; Coca-Cola bottles sinking into a dark bed of crushed ashes. Kawada took the photographs with a 4x5 plate camera; here they’re reprinted on washi paper, the textures and density of the blackness making them even more evocative of obliteration. They are vestiges of American culture in the wake of American violence – images found in the wreckage of Hiroshima in the aftermath of atomic destruction.Kawada, now 93, is a photo geek’s photographer; people have paid up to £25,000 for a copy of Chizu (The Map), the photobook that collects together his tense, ruminative Hiroshima impressions, made when he was in his 20s. A series of seemingly abstract images depicts the stains on the wall – all that remained of bodies in the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome. Kawada was 12 when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. His approach to capturing one of the worst scenes of mass destruction in human history was to tell it with a kind of detachment, indirect and impressionistic, fragmented. It’s a story about proximity to trauma and surviving it. His photographs veer away from truth. The reality is impossible to comprehend – for both Kawada standing there, and us viewing the images. These were revolutionary photographs at the time – and they still feel new in their search to express the inexpressible. Continue reading...

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Trump official vows to prosecute ‘vandalizing’ of reflecting pool after five people reportedly arrested – live
Jeanine Pirro threatens anyone accused of vandalizing Washington monument after CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were madeTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailFurther to our earlier post about the reported arrests made and federal citations issued after the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was allegedly “vandalized”, Donald Trump has claimed that the pool “has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it.”It’s worth noting that on Saturday, Trump alleged a “250 foot gash” and has still not provided evidence of that, and now appears to be claiming it was actually 300 ft.Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP! It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!). Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things - Which will be fully enforced! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Guys would think I was a girl then get aggressive when they found out my name was Brian’: how Placebo made Nancy Boy
‘I thought I could regain some power by writing a celebration of debauchery that was so brazenly sexual it would infuriate the people who insulted me’Nancy Boy was about reclaiming the homophobic insults that were hurled at me every time I went out because I had long hair and wore eyeliner and nail polish. I’d walk into a bar and people would react vociferously, or guys would think I was a girl then get really aggressive when they found out my name was Brian. I thought I could regain some power by writing a celebration of debauchery that was so brazenly sexual it would piss off the people who insulted me even more. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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How four weeks in court unravelled 'sinful and deceitful' Jeffrey Donaldson
The former DUP leader entered calm court on day one calm and relaxed, but by the end he was alone as the jury found him guilty on 18 child sex abuse charges.

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Two men plead guilty over TfL cyber attack
Thalha Jubair, 20, and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty for their role in the hack on 31 August 2024.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran deal: Pakistan's diplomatic masterstroke?
By stepping in as mediator in the Iran war, Pakistan has managed to elevate its status from a regional player to a global diplomatic stakeholder — with a little help from China and its friends in the Gulf.

Mail Online
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Two children aged two and four are found dead by their mother in a car in France as Europe roasts in 45C 'heat dome'
Two children have tragically been found dead in a car in France as Europe is roasted by a heat dome that is pushing parts of the continent to 45C. 

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Two teenagers plead guilty over TfL cyber attack
Thalha Jubair, 19 and Owen Flowers, 18, pleaded guilty for their role in the hack.

The Verge
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Apple’s AirPods Max 2 are $150 off for the first time
Walmart has the Apple AirPods Max 2 in every color discounted to $399.99 (normally $549) during Walmart Deals, the lowest price we’ve seen yet by a long shot. Amazon currently has the starlight color selling at this price. In our review, we praised Apple’s latest over-ear headset for its excellent sound quality, impressive noise cancellation, […]

The Verge
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Patreon CEO Jack Conte on supporting artists in the AI slop era
Today, I’m talking with Jack Conte, the CEO of Patreon. Jack last joined me on the show almost exactly five years ago, in the summer of 2021, and a lot has changed on the internet and in the creator landscape since then, so I was very excited to talk to him again, especially since his […]

The Verge
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WhatsApp head Will Cathcart is stepping down after seven years
Will Cathcart, who led WhatsApp for the past seven years, is stepping down from his role as Meta appoints a new leader. On Monday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Facebook that Kunal Shah, the founder of an Indian fintech startup called Cred, is taking over as the head of WhatsApp. Cred is an app […]

Computer Weekly
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Datacentres are a great target and AZs don’t help, so we need edge
When the redundancy model and the threat model encounter each other in the real world, the redundancy model loses, says Adhum Carter Wolde-Lule, director at Prism Power Group

Computer Weekly
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The power crunch: How energy constraints reshape datacentre strategy
AI growth is now hitting a hard limit – electricity. With power shortages causing delays, firms are pivoting to on-site energy, liquid cooling, and edge computing to sustain scaling for AI

Deutsche Welle
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Alan Greenspan: Irrational exuberance to financial crisis
Alan Greenspan’s reputation as head of the US Federal Reserve was legendary — not least because of his reputation for convoluted statements. However, the 208/9 Great Recession took a toll on his standing.

Russia Today News
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US-Iran talks conclude in Switzerland: What we know so far

Mail Online
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Austrian accomplice of Taylor Swift terror plotter faces beheading in Saudi Arabia
The 21-year-old suspect, known only as Hasan E,  is currently on trial for another terror attack in Mecca during which he allegedly stabbed five people in March 2024 on behalf of ISIS .

Mail Online
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Heatwave hack could prove DEADLY: 'DIY AC unit' trend leaves users at risk of electric shocks, experts warn
While you might be tempted to give viral heatwave hacks a go, experts from Electrical Safety First have warned that they could prove fatal.

Mail Online
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Fury as driver whose car was stuck at Bedford station during train crash 'is issued with parking ticket'
Around 100 people were injured and the train's driver, Shaun Burton, 60, was killed following the collision on Friday afternoon.

Mail Online
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England flags fly on 'country's most patriotic street' after council told residents not to fly them for 'health and safety reasons'
Families had been told by Bristol City Council not to attach them to lampposts or signs and to only display the St George's Cross 'in your home'.

BBC World News
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Vance says Iran will allow nuclear inspectors back into the country
The US vice-president says a great deal of progress has been made after the first round of talks between the US and Iran.

Gizmodo
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Fender Elie 6 Review: So Close to Being Great
There's a lot to love about the Elie 6, but it's missing one major piece of the Bluetooth speaker/guitar amp puzzle.

Gizmodo
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Famke Janssen Has Something to Say About Jean Grey’s Absence in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Plus, Aaron Paul is rumored to have a "brief" role in Clayface.

Gizmodo
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‘House of the Dragon’ Returns to Remind You That War Is Hell
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Gizmodo
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A Companion Cube Cover for Your Steam Machine (Which You Still Can’t Buy) Is Now for Sale
I'm making a note here about this $100 Companion Cube cover, even though I don't know how much the Steam Machine will actually cost.

ZeroHedge News
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Getty Images Soars After Securing "Display Agreement" With OpenAI
Getty Images Soars After Securing "Display Agreement" With OpenAI

Getty Images shares jumped 141% in New York premarket trading after the company announced a "display agreement" with OpenAI.



The timing could not have been better for Getty, whose stock had been languishing this year, down roughly 55% before the announcement.

For a company in need of a sentiment boost, the new partnership with OpenAI, which allows Getty content to be displayed in ChatGPT visual responses and gives users richer, higher-quality, properly licensed imagery, is reviving investor sentiment.

About 17% of Getty's float is short, with days to cover at around 4.6.



"The agreement enables the use of Getty Images' content for display within ChatGPT, enhancing the richness of visual responses," Getty wrote in a press release.

CEO Craig Peters stated, "High-quality, licensed visual content makes AI-powered search and discovery more useful and more trustworthy. This partnership with OpenAI reflects a shared recognition of that, and together we will deliver richer visual experiences to ChatGPT users."

Bloomberg noted, "Initially, Getty resisted the technology. It tried developing its own AI image generator and had sued Stability AI, a developer of another popular tool."

Getty's earnings in the first quarter fell short of sales expectations. The media company is still awaiting approval to acquire rival Shutterstock for $3.7 billion.

OpenAI has built a growing list of media and content deals, mostly around licensed content appearing in ChatGPT answers:



The OpenAI-Getty deal likely suggests that Sam Altman's chatbot company is trying to replace scraping/legal fights with paid licensing, attribution, and direct publisher integration.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 08:40

ZeroHedge News
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Colombian Bonds, Stocks Rise As Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Defeats Socialist Rival
Colombian Bonds, Stocks Rise As Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Defeats Socialist Rival

Summary:

Colombian Bonds, Stocks Rise as Right-Wing, Trump-Backed Espriella Wins Vote
Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Wins Colombia Presidency As Socialist Era Ends
Colombian Assets Rise After Trump-Backed Candidate Wins Presidential Election 

Colombian-dollar bonds surged across the curve on Monday, led by notes due in 2054, as traders bet that right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella's presidential win will cut taxes, reduce spending, crack down on crime, and reopen the oil industry to unleash an energy revolution.


The streets of Bogotá have erupted in celebration after it was announced that El Tigre has won the presidential election. pic.twitter.com/hB9zqgjBZW
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 21, 2026
According to Bloomberg data, bonds due in 2054 led the advance, up 0.8 cent to 116.9 cents on the dollar.

Colombian 2036 dollar bonds are rising. Peso jumped 1.5%.  



Colombia's version of the S&P 500, COLCAP, jumped 4% on Monday, with energy stocks leading, up 7.2%. 



Credicorp said Colombian stocks could rise 5% following the election and as much as 20% over the longer term, while local yields could slide by 150-200 bps in the months ahead.

BTG Pactual analyst Munir Jalil penned a note earlier today that outlined De la Espriella's win as "directionally constructive given the market-friendly platform on security, taxes, investment, and hydrocarbons."

"However, the near-term asset rally may be more contained than after the first round, as part of the outcome was already priced and the external backdrop is less supportive," Jalil said, adding, "We expect the COP and TES to react positively at first. Still, the move's durability should depend on the cabinet, the transition, fiscal signals, and the ability to build a stable congressional majority."

De la Espriella's government plan



JPMorgan analyst Diego Pereira said, "A one-point win is still a win, but one this thin reshapes both the mandate and the politics of delivery across fronts."

Pereira's view on Colombian markets:

Local markets:

We remain OW TES and long Sep-2030 TES, expecting the next leg of the rally to be driven by greater clarity on governability and fiscal consolidation plans. We stay MW COP and close the outright short COP vs BRL and MXN we had as a hedge for our position in bonds as the market settles after the open

Sovereign credit:

We reduce our OW weighting from 1.0 to 0.5 given potential tensions during the transition period from the revealed stark polarization.

Corporate Credit:

In the corporate space, we have expressed our view on Colombia’s elections through OW recommendations on the belly of Ecopetrol’s curve — the '32s, '33s, and '36s — alongside an OW on Bancolombia’s 2034 notes

Equities:

With today’s official confirmation of Abelardo de la Espriella’s victory, we view the result as confirmation of a policy regime change, which should support a broader re-rating in Colombian equities. From an equity strategy perspective, Energy offers the clearest opportunity around this outcome, and Ecopetrol (Neutral, covered by Milene Carvalho) stands out as the most direct way to gain exposure.

De la Espriella's win on Sunday night is part of a once-in-a-generation political shift across Latin America, a region ruled for years by nation-killing socialist regimes that have been voted out of office due to failed progressive policies sparking violent crime waves and economic turmoil. The rise of market-friendly, right-wing leaders has sparked rallies across the continent.

Amazing what happens when USAID gets defunded. 


A right wing wave of governments in South America via @DatosAme24
June 2023:
🔴Left wing: 10
🔵Right wing: 3
June 2026:
🔵Right wing: 7 (+4)
🔴Left wing: 6 (-4) https://t.co/jMzPwokz4k pic.twitter.com/GHpFVVqKFx
— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) June 21, 2026
Take Argentina, for instance, where assets have jumped under right-wing President Javier Milei as he pushes to reset the economy.

Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Wins Colombia Presidency As Socialist Era Ends

South America is undergoing a once-in-a-generation political realignment as voters turn against left-wing and unhinged socialist governments and embrace common-sense right-wing leaders who promise law and order, economic reform, and national renewal.


¡Gracias, Colombia!
Casi 13 millones de colombianos depositaron su confianza en José Manuel Restrepo, en el Tigre y en este gran sueño llamado Patria Milagro.
Este respaldo histórico nos llena de gratitud, pero también de una enorme responsabilidad. Hoy comienza una nueva etapa… pic.twitter.com/137k5Q6wzo
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) June 21, 2026
The political shift across the Americas gained further momentum on Sunday evening after Abelardo de la Espriella, backed by President Trump, won Colombia's presidential runoff in a narrow victory over left-wing senator Iván Cepeda. This is a major blow to the socialists, coming after four years under the left-wing administration of Gustavo Petro.


🚨 BREAKING: Trump-endorsed right-wing Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella STUNS THE WORLD and WINS the presidential election
He plans to go FULL BUKELE MODE, locking up criminals en masse, destroying the cartels and cooperate with President Trump… pic.twitter.com/FwrAGyHnsc
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 21, 2026
With 99.65% of ballots counted in the preliminary tally, de la Espriella had 12.91 million votes, or 49.65%, compared with Cepeda's 12.67 million, or 48.7%. The margin was about 248,000 votes, narrower than de la Espriella's first-round advantage three weeks earlier.


🚨 ÚLTIMA HORA: Abelardo de la Espriella gana la segunda vuelta presidencial en Colombia, según el preconteo. Llega a 12.901.860 votos, frente a 12.646.859 alcanzados por Iván Cepeda, con el 99,45 % de las mesas informadas
Siga el cubrimiento especial 👉🏻 https://t.co/W9Dw3E7iPd pic.twitter.com/NN12XhyqQe
— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) June 21, 2026
Polymarket 


BREAKING: Polymarket projects Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella has won the Colombian presidential election — 99% chance. pic.twitter.com/HwunMz0QRQ
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) June 21, 2026
De la Espriella, who has referred to himself as El Tigre (the Tiger), has now put Colombia back on track to shift right after four years of disastrous socialism. This follows recent right-wing victories in Honduras and Chile, with Peru also leaning right. The 2024 re-election of right-wing Nayib Bukele, who fundamentally transformed El Salvador into one of the region's safest countries, is another example.

In 2023, Javier Milei was sworn in as president of Argentina, aiming to reverse years of far-left control that had devastated the nation with inflation and debt. Earlier this year, U.S. Delta Force operators removed socialist Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela.

The shift across the Americas is part of a broader backlash against progressive policies that have sparked surging violent crime, economic stagnation, debt traps, currency declines, and collapsing public confidence.

Americas Political Map: Presidential Shift From Left To Right



Country-by-country presidential shift tracker



Back to De La Espriella, who ran on a simple platform popular among right-wing leaders in the Americas: restore law and order and rescue the country from the economic ruin progressives had created. He has also vowed to "disembowel" the left in Colombia.



Meanwhile, Petro, who was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election and backed Cepeda, alleged irregularities in the preliminary vote count and blamed Israel...

"This means that the software was compromised and others wrote data for polling stations and voting posts. The only entity in the world capable of doing that is the state of Israel," Petro wrote on X.


Colombian President Gustavo Petro declares the results of the ongoing Presidential Runoff Election to be invalid, following the loss of left-wing ruling party candidate Iván Cepeda and close win of Trump-backed far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. Petro claims that… pic.twitter.com/92hiJ96eUD
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 21, 2026
The pattern is clear: the Western Hemisphere experimented with nation-killing progressive policies that have largely failed and have entered a rejection phase. This gives rise to right-wing governments that support Trump, coinciding with his mission to clean up the West, whether by dismantling narco-terrorist command-and-control structures, pushing Chinese influence out of the region, or simply stopping the rise of socialism and communism.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 09:15

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China Sanctions 10 US Defense, Rare Earth Firms, Restricts 46 From Govt Procurement Weeks After Pentagon Blacklist
China Sanctions 10 US Defense, Rare Earth Firms, Restricts 46 From Govt Procurement Weeks After Pentagon Blacklist

China said on Monday that it will add 10 American firms to its export control list, including two rare earth firms MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, while also restricting 46 US firms from government procurement, signalling it would respond to Washington’s recent expansion of a military blacklist, even amid a broader stabilization of bilateral ties, the SCMP reported.

The Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Monday that the 10 American firms to be added to the export control list were

AVEOX (Simi Valley, California)
Red Cat Holdings and Teal Drones (South Salt Lake, Utah)
IMSAR (Springville, Utah)
Jaia Robotics (Bristol, Rhode Island)
Ball Aerospace & Technologies (Broomfield, Colorado)
Oshkosh Defense (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
L3Harris Maritime Services (Norfolk, Virginia)
MP Materials (Las Vegas, Nevada)
USA Rare Earth (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
It's notable that China's commerce ministry had already imposed curbs on a number of these listed firms and their subsidiaries, both in 2024 and 2025 over US arms sales to Taiwan. More notably, the inclusion of critical rare earth players like MP Materials and USA Rare Earth underscores Beijing's willingness to weaponize its monopoly over the global magnet and rare earths supply chains.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said the decisions were made in response to “malicious actions” by the US government, after the US Department of Defence expanded its list of “Chinese military companies”.
China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE/File photo

“China has decided, in accordance with the relevant laws and provisions… to include Aveox, Inc. and nine other US military-related entities on the export control list. The export of dual-use items to these entities is prohibited, and no export operators shall violate the above provisions,” said the commerce ministry spokesperson.

Analysts said that the measures from both sides so far were unlikely to significantly derail relations, though they also warned of the impact from any escalation.As we reported, on June 9, the Pentagon said it was adding dozens of Chinese companies - including tech giants Alibaba and Baidu - to a list of entities it says were linked to China’s military, widening a blacklist perceived as targeting sectors at the heart of US-China technological competition. The designation cut the firms off from US defense procurement; however, Baidu had quickly shot back, calling the suggestion that it is a military company "totally baseless". 


So the U.S. publishes a list of Chinese Military Companies—which imposes no sanctions or restrictions on those companies, it’s just a list—and China responds with actual export controls on multiple U.S. companies. Seems like a good time for Commerce to issue the Entity List… https://t.co/3JIAMuWVfK
— Chris McGuire (@ChrisRMcGuire) June 22, 2026
The commerce ministry cited provisions of China’s laws on export control of dual-use items - products with both civilian and military applications - as well as the need to safeguard national security and fulfill "international non-proliferation obligations."

Specifically, export operators are prohibited from shipping dual-use items to the 10 firms. Organizations and individuals from any country or region are also prohibited from transferring or providing any dual-use item that originated in China to these businesses.

The notice mandated that any export currently under way that falls under the law must be stopped immediately.

 

Taiwan remains a sticking point in this tense ongoing diplomatic and defense tug-of-war, but Rubio has still lately confirmed that a proposed $14 billion arms package to Taiwan remains "under review" - in the wake of fierce Beijing objections.

According to the Wall Street Journal, here what was likely behind Beijing's calculus:


China’s actions on Monday “likely serve to build leverage for China in the ongoing negotiations with the U.S.,” said Henry Gao, a trade expert and professor of law at Singapore Management University. “In terms of the trade truce, this development introduces additional friction, but it does not necessarily derail the process.”

MP Materials, which enjoys financial backing from the Pentagon, is a leading U.S. miner and processor of rare earths. Although USA Rare Earth is less established as a player in the emerging industry, both companies are aggressively ramping up capacity in an attempt to break China’s stranglehold over the global supply chain of the key materials. MP Materials and USA Rare Earth didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.


Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Finance also released a statement saying it would restrict 46 US firms from government procurement, excluding those involved in China-based US-Sino joint ventures, effective immediately. The list of 46 US companies includes Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Missiles & Defence, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, BDS (Boeing Defence, Space & Security), General Dynamics Land Systems and Javelin Joint Venture, a 50-50 partnership between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Cameron Johnson, a partner at Shanghai-based consultancy Tidalwave Solutions, said the move is Beijing’s “brushback pitch” – a warning against other possible sanctions on China or its firms.

“This is a reaction to the US’ recent blacklisting by the Pentagon,” he said. “This also serves as a warning against any possible sanctions, such as ones targeting China’s open-source AI tools that are currently being discussed in the US.”

Johnson said that more trade sanctions were likely from both the US and China, as both countries attempt to increase leverage before President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US in September.

“So when they meet, they can use these measures as chips at the bargaining table,” he said.

 

Earlier this month, the Pentagon added technology giant Alibaba Group Holding, electric vehicle makers BYD and Nio, search engine Baidu, robot maker Unitree Robotics, networking equipment maker TP-Link and other Chinese companies in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and the solar sector to a list of “Chinese military companies”.

The designation, under Section 1260H of the National Defence Authorisation Act, can complicate firms’ access to US capital markets and government business, although it does not automatically trigger sanctions. Observers also said “reputational stigma” could affect the Chinese firms involved, and that the move could pave the way for tougher sanctions by the US.

 

For China, Johnson said the top leadership was also continuing to expand its export controls to blunt the impact from the US, particularly in non-proliferation compliance or in relation to activities or commodity trading it sees as detrimental to China and its companies.
Xin Qiang, a professor and deputy director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University, said Beijing was making it clear it would fight back against trade sanctions or designations, but that the ball is now in the US’ court.

“Beijing is making it clear it’s not afraid of tactical confrontation” he said.

Xin, however, warned that any further escalation could cast a pall over Xi’s planned September trip to the US.

“I think the next step will likely depend on whether the US continues to introduce new sanctions or confrontational measures. If so, China will certainly retaliate. If this falls into a vicious cycle, the impact will be extremely negative.”

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 09:20

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Momentum: US Issues 60-Day License For Iranian Oil Sales As Tehran Agrees To Hormuz Access, Nuclear Inspections
Momentum: US Issues 60-Day License For Iranian Oil Sales As Tehran Agrees To Hormuz Access, Nuclear Inspections

Update(0935ET): As part of the MoU framework, and ongoing technical peace discussions in Switzerland (with US and Iranian teams still though - though Vance and Ghalibaf have at this point departed after their 18-hour first round achievement - Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil - it stated in a huge forward-momentum development. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on X:


Under President Trump and Vice President Vance, we continue to make the world safer and more prosperous. In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country. As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.


Oil dropped to low of day on the significant latest development:



Some further details:

US AUTHORIZES SOME SALES OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN ORIGIN
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES SALES THROUGH TO AUGUST 21, 2026
US LICENSE AUTHORIZES IMPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL OF IRANIAN OIL
However, Vance has also sought to inject some caution on some of the premature reporting regarding releasing frozen Iranian funds, amid complaints from US and Israeli hawks at home:


JUST IN: Vice President Vance pushes back on “misreporting” about Iranian assets potentially being unfrozen and says that if any of the regime’s money is freed up, it will go to help the American economy and make U.S. farmers richer:
“We wanted to make sure that we set up a… pic.twitter.com/6CPNzY8uIS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2026
*  *  *

Axios is reporting Monday morning Iran has agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to the country, according to fresh words of Vice President J.D. Vance, who focused all day prior and much into the overnight on forging a path forward toward permanent peace.

The two sides are seeking to hammer out a long-term nuclear agreement, now amid the technical talks process, as delegation heads depart Switzerland - leaving diplomatic teams behind. The 60-day roadmap begins.

If indeed the UN nuclear inspectors are eventually let back into Iran, this would be a hugely significant step. This would be to verify compliance to the preliminary agreement, Vance further hails:


"Our hope is that we get to the final deal and a permanent settlement. But right now, I think we’ve made great progress and we should all celebrate that in terms of when the nuclear inspectors are going to start," the American Vice President told reporters.

via AP

He described that he phoned UN nuclear inspectors at 2am last night to update them on the developments, however, he said that no one picked up the call.

"As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning," said Vance. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today."

Both warring sides appear to finally be in the same page in terms of issuing 'positive' and 'encouraging' assessments earlier. There were reports of last-minute disagreements, threats, and warnings that the process could collapse near the conclusion of yesterday's formal round one of talks.

"So they didn’t walk out, and their technical team is still here in Burgenstock working with our technical team," Vance explained.

"What we told the Iranians yesterday is, 'When you guys exchange in what us millennials might call trash talk, you can't expect the president of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record'."

Vance conceded that in the end there was a "a little bit of threatening" and "whining but at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."

He further described that a mechanism had been established to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while noting that significant work remained and that technical negotiations would continue. Also, importantly he said that a "very good foundation" was laid for a successful final agreement with Iran.


JD Vance:
I can't stay here for the next 60 days. I will go back to the U.S.
The technical teams will be working. pic.twitter.com/s9PSTRvMSR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also left the venue in Switzerland today - after approximately 18 hours of talks and consultations.

Meanwhile a fresh note from Goldman Sachs comments:


The Pakistan-Qatar communiqué, alongside comments from the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighting progress in negotiations, suggests we are heading into a prolonged period of talks rather than a near-term resolution. My base case remains that Iran will continue to use the threat of disruption around Hormuz as negotiating leverage rather than pursuing a definitive resolution. The most striking feature of the oil market today is the sheer size of speculative short positioning. There is a substantial amount of capital betting on lower prices, which locally makes further downside more challenging. That is before considering the more fundamental point that it is not obviously in Iran’s interest to allow oil prices to fall too far while negotiations remain ongoing.


China too has expressed hope Iran and the US will maintain the momentum and ultimately work towards positive progress, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday from Beijing. He praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other parties when asked about the Iran-US talks in Switzerland, the Xinhua news agency reported. "China supports Pakistan and Qatar and all relevant parties in their mediation efforts," Guo said.

New Iran MFA statement:



However, while an uneasy calm has taken over Lebanon, with analyst Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut stressing: "The conflict now in Lebanon is waiting for another spark,” said Mohanad Hage Ali from the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut."

"It just became a buffer zone, a kind of a punching bag in which anyone who wants to score can use it, whether to get at the US-Iran negotiations – which Israel specifically is not very happy about – or from the Iranian side, where a faction unhappy with how negotiations are going can sabotage them through the Lebanon front," he explained.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 09:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Scottish Court Rules Against Biological Males Being Held In Women's Prisons
Scottish Court Rules Against Biological Males Being Held In Women's Prisons

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

There is a major ruling in Scotland where a court declared that it is generally unlawful to house a transgender biological male in a women’s prison. The decision follows the ruling of the top UK court that a woman is defined by her biological gender at birth. The timing is notable as we await a couple of transgender rulings from our own Supreme Court this week. The decisions also highlight the anomaly of police continuing to arrest people who object to transgender policies under the aggressive anti-free speech laws in the United Kingdom.



In her published opinion, Lady Ross declared that “in all the circumstances, the prison’s guidance is unlawful.” The decision came after a controversy involving convicted rapist Isla Bryson – formerly known as Adam Graham. Despite being convicted of raping two women in 2023, Bryson was initially sent to the Cornton Vale women’s prison.

Scotland continues to crack down on free speech through draconian laws.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 illustrates how these laws create a slippery slope of speech criminalization as more and more speech is banned. We previously discussed the law when it was first introduced.

The new crime covers “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex. That crime covers insulting comments and anything “that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening or abusive.”

It is enough that a person is found to have likely understood that the comments would be abusive or insulting as opposed to intending to be abusive or insulting.

Figures such as J.K. Rowling have been threatened with arrest for her public position in opposition to transgender laws.

This creates a curious conflict, as courts support such views when enforcing biological limits on access to prisons and other areas.

In the United States, there is a division on the issue. Some states, like Maine, require correctional housing to match the gender identification of the inmate rather than the biological sex at birth. Faced with lawsuits and legislative inquiries, the Maine Correctional Department continues to defend its policy. Other states have barred such transgender placement.

This coming week, we are awaiting major rulings on transgender controversies in the United States.

In Little v. Hecox,  the Court is considering whether laws that categorically require sports participants to compete based on their biological sex violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

In West Virginia v. B.P.J., the Court is considering two questions: (1) whether Title IX prevents a state from limiting sports teams to biological sex at birth, and (2) whether such a limitation violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 09:40

UK Government News
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Five people reportedly arrested after Trump claims Washington reflecting pool was ‘vandalized’ – US politics live
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Bad Bunny sparks UK’s Latino moment as 100,000 fans line up to see him perform
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Andy Burnham sworn in as an MP after Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryWes Streeting backs Andy Burnham to become Labour leader and PMThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

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England flags fly on 'country's most patriotic street' after council told residents not to fly them 'because it intimidates migrants' during World Cup
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Vance reports major progress in Iran talks
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Treasury issues temporary license for Iranian oil sales
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Iran's Araghchi Says Talks Delivered "Major Progress" To End Lebanon War, Will Continue For Rest Of Week
Iran's Araghchi Says Talks Delivered "Major Progress" To End Lebanon War, Will Continue For Rest Of Week

Summary

Round 1 ends: The US and Iran made “encouraging progress” in talks on a peace deal and will continue technical-level discussions this week, mediators
Iran defiant, sees itself in strong position: Ghalibaf rejects US threats and links talks to a Lebanon ceasefire.
Trump raises stakes via some typical Truth Social lashing out: Warns on Hormuz, Lebanon, and keeps military options on the table.
Nuclear progress?: Some reports say not addressed, others suggest framework already being worked on.



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Israel withdraws from Lebanon by July 31, 2026?
Yes 12% · No 88%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

US and Iran Make “Encouraging Progress” In Talks On Peace Deal, Will Continue Technical-Level Discussions This Week

Contrary to earlier reports from Iran media that US and Iran talks had concluded hours earlier, Bloomberg reported that the US and Iran made “encouraging progress” in talks on a peace deal and will continue technical-level discussions this week, mediators said, even as President Donald Trump again threatened strikes if Hezbollah keeps attacking Israel.

“Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” mediators Qatar and Pakistan said in a joint statement. The parties agreed on a roadmap toward reaching a final deal within 60 days.

The sides also established a communication line to avoid incidents and miscalculation, with the aim of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the mediators said. They also agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” involving the parties and Lebanon to help ensure adherence to the cessation of military operations there.

After rising in early trading following reports that Iran (almost but not really) had walked out on talks, crude oil turned lower and US stock-index futures pared losses after the statement.



Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X: "Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran. 1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell" the post said.


Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell https://t.co/q0okD2qwSO
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026

Things got off to a confusing start Sunday when Iranian media reported that Iran halted talks over Trump’s latest threat. As the meetings got underway, Trump said in a social media post that he would strike Iran again if it doesn’t “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble.”

He also warned Iran that the US might start collecting tolls if there’s no deal. Speaking Sunday to Fox News, Trump said he told Iranian leaders directly that if they close Hormuz, “You won’t even make it back” to Iran, using an expletive.

Some Fireworks

Al Jazeera is reporting that talks have 'concluded' - but is this in actuality a premature conclusion given all the tension and heated issues of disagreement which came to the forefront?

GHALIBAF: THEY'D BE BETTER OFF BEING CAREFUL W/ THEIR REMARKS
IRAN'S GHALIBAF: WE DON'T ATTACH ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO US THREATS
IRAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GHALIBAF COMMENTS ON X
IRAN WILL END TALKS W/ US IF ISRAEL WON'T LEAVE LEBANON: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS TRUMP'S THREAT IS A 'BLATANT VIOLATION' OF MOU
Below is a machine translation of what Iran's lead negotiator just issued on X as the day in Switzerland came to an end (also, another translation)...


"Do they not realize that if their threats actually worked, they wouldn't find themselves in today's position of desperation? We don't take American threats seriously.

They should be careful about what they say. Our armed forces stand ready to answer them in other ways. They can keep talking—it's we who take action."


This is immediately on the heels of Trump playing 'bad cop' to Vance's good cop, who has expressed some cautious optimism on Sunday from Switzerland. Bloomberg is reporting that the nuclear file was not dealt with in today's engagement.

The fact that the Swiss event happened at all can be called advancement on some level at least...


This is historic!
Not because US and Iranian diplomats haven't met face to face before. Or that they haven't been on camera before (they were regularly during the JCPOA talks)
But never at the Vice President level!
You can see both Aragchi and JD Vance in this clip. pic.twitter.com/jeNBPeQmgr
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) June 21, 2026
Rumors of Iranians already calling it quits are false, reports Axios:


A diplomat attending the talks in Switzerland claims the Iranian delegation hasn't left and talks between the U.S. and Iran are still ongoing https://t.co/oQ1UkXwqYv
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 21, 2026
 

Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table

With Vance and Witkoff in Switzerland, President Trump is still issuing some US redlines via Truth Social, and via apparent 'official leaks' - and quite quickly - through the press.

Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel. A fresh Sunday Truth Social... brief but firm:


And more on some fresh reported warnings and pressure coming from Trump:


"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
As the American delegation continues the high-stakes negotiations in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating, the White House is projecting cautious optimism while simultaneously reminding Tehran that military options remain firmly on the table.

Speaking as talks entered a critical phase, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday from Switzerland Washington has "made great progress over the last few hours" and expects "additional progress in the coming hours," describing the negotiations as an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations. Vance emphasized that the administration's preference is not to return to the cycle of confrontation, adding that the US is willing to fundamentally transform ties with Iran if Tehran permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"The question is how much more we can achieve in the Middle East," Vance said, while expressing confidence regarding the Lebanon front and signaling satisfaction with ongoing efforts to contain broader regional escalation.

"Better Watch His Mouth": Trump to Iran President via Media

Yet Trump has just delivered a stark reminder of the consequences should negotiations fail. According to Fox News, Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway.


President Trump spoke with the Iranians overnight warning them not to close the Strait.
"You close it and you won't have a country," Trump said he told Iranian officials. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
Perhaps most notably, Trump reiterated that he retains a "60-day option" and can "do whatever" he deems necessary after that period expires, a statement widely interpreted as preserving the possibility of renewed military action. The president also reportedly threatened additional strikes against Iran should Tehran's regional proxies in Lebanon resume attacks or undermine the emerging diplomatic framework.

The result is a familiar carrot-and-stick approach as talks are unfolding under the shadow of explicit US military threats and a rapidly approaching deadline that could determine whether the region moves toward détente or another round of escalation. But Iran has also made known that it is ready of a long war, but will Trump be willing to risk enduring the political and economic fallout?

Qatari, Pakistani Top Leaders Present, Optimistic Initial Statements

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has formally confirmed the launch of the talks between the United States and Iran with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side along with envoy Steve Witkoff. Also gathered at the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, are Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Qatar has expressed "its aspiration that these meetings will lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the Memorandum of Understanding." Iran has reiterated it wants a comprehensive settlement and final end to the war. But it also demands a final Lebanon-Israel peace settlement be linked in. Already there could be an inkling of progress on the nuclear front:

PAKISTAN:US, IRAN AGREED ON REDUCTION OF ENRICHED URANIUM LEVEL
PAKISTAN:IRAN'S ENRICHED URANIUM TO BE REDUCED FROM 60% TO 0.7%
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS QATAR TO RELEASE $6B AS TALKS START: IRNA
Screengrab via Government of Pakistan footage

The last time Vance sat physically across from Iran's lead negotiator Ghalibaf was a full ten weeks ago, in mid-April. Interactions appear to initially be only through intermediaries, which will build up to face-to-face meetings, as happened in prior failed rounds. 

What to Expect in 1st Round Format

Qatar's foreign ministry has previewed the following planned format to the opening of the talks as follows:

The ministry statement says “specialized technical and expert groups have been formed to negotiate the terms of the final agreement, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran.
“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor progress achieved, and work toward the conclusion of the final agreement,” it added.
“This reflects the commitment of all parties to moving forward in the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”
Of course, in terms of "implementation" of just the MoU itself, things are not quite there yet, as sporadic fighting and Israeli aerial attacks continue in Lebanon, which could serve to derail the Switzerland process at any moment.


After roughly 45 min, the bilateral meeting between FM @araghchi and his Swiss counterpart @ignaziocassis came to a close at Bürgenstock Hotel. Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to commence shortly at another venue on the same premises. pic.twitter.com/hOmovguWFs
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
Additionally, Iran has declared it has 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz just this weekend, but which the US military has been denying is a reality. VP Vance in media appearances has also been downplaying it.

The Lebanon situation seems the bigger, more pressing threat to the peace process - at least from Tehran's point of view. Dozens of people in Lebanon have been killed while at least six Israeli soldiers have been slain, with 20 wounded over past days of Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.

Trump Between a Rock & A Hard Place Where Escalation is Concerned

As a reminder, President Trump doesn't want to oversee an economic catastrophe driven by a worldwide energy crisis. It seems he's ready to anything to not let it happen under his watch:


President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent “economic catastrophe” if the war was not resolved soon.

“So rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn’t want to be,” Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened. But all I know is, every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.


And so judging by this and other of recent Trump admissions, Iran clearly enters Switzerland in very strong negotiation position. Its current rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz also reveals this.


JD Vance met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Switzerland.pic.twitter.com/5bteI1Vtyu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 21, 2026
Tehran has accused the US of a "clear breach of its commitments" and announced Saturday that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

More Details on Format

For more on the details of the format, CNN has reported some further information in the following:

When and where do the talks start? US and Iranian negotiators will begin their meeting at around 1 p.m local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, an Iranian source told CNN.
Who will be there? Both the United States and Iran have sent high-level officials to Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance is heading up the US side, while Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will lead Tehran’s delegation, Iranian media outlet Saberin News reported Saturday.
What format will they take? Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, who is part of the Iranian team, earlier told state media “the Iran-US talks will be held in a quadrilateral format, with the presence of Pakistani and Qatari delegations.”
What will be discussed? Lebanon is likely set to top the agenda after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah threatened the nascent agreement between the US and Iran. Vance says he hoped he would make advancements on negotiations surrounding the handling of Iran’s nuclear materials.
Long Road Ahead

To put things in perspective about the long road ahead, analyst and reporter James Bayes - who is on the ground for the talks in Switzerland, has offered the following: "This is a very different deal from the Iran nuclear deal that was done by [former US] President Barack Obama … things have changed completely. But I think it’s worth looking at that deal for one reason, which is the timeline – how long these things take."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne. Pool via AP

"Because when they did an interim deal then, in November 2013 until the final deal in 2015, it took 597 days," the correspondent added. "So, even though the circumstances have changed – it’s a very different deal and they’ve got the knowledge of that deal as well which is helpful – it’s a lot to do in just 60 days."

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 05:00

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Russian Drone Strike Sets Turkish Cargo Ship Ablaze In Black Sea, Killing One

An international cargo vessel traversing the Black Sea erupted in flames when it was struck by a Russian drone attack early Monday morning, killing one crew member.

The Turkish-owned bulk carrier VICTRESS, which sails under a Panamanian flag, suffered severe damage, the Ukrainian Navy and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) confirmed in the aftermath.
Ukrainian naval image of Turkish vessel up in flames.

A maritime rescue operation ensued fairly quickly, with most of the crew evacuated safely to a life raft; however, a 58-year old crew member perished.

“Sadly, a member of the crew died. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The remaining eight sailors were evacuated on a life raft,” the USPA said.

Such Black Sea deadly drone incidents against foreign vessels off Ukraine are on the uptick. For example just a couple days ago regional sources reported:


Ukrainian officials reported that Russian drones targeted two civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea, one flying Panama’s flag and the other St. Kitts and Nevis’. A sailor aboard the Panama-flagged ship was killed, two were injured—one critically—while three crew on the St. Kitts and Nevis vessel sustained minor injuries. Both ships resumed their voyages after receiving assistance, but the incident underscores the vulnerability of civilian shipping in contested waters.


 Black Sea transit continues to be a dangerous prospect, also with naval mines long being a feature of the 4+ year long war.

Because of this, international reports have frequently noted at various moments of the last couple years, "War insurance costs for ships sailing to the Black Sea have spiked again, with insurers reviewing policies daily as the conflict in Ukraine spills into sea lanes."

But the attacks have gone the other way too, with Ukraine's Navy at various times having intercepted or attacked vessels deemed part of Russia's sanctions-evading 'dark fleet'.


⚡️ Russian drones struck civilian vessels bound for Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea
According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba, a drone attack set a Panama-flagged cargo ship on fire. A 58-year-old Egyptian cook was killed, while eight crew members, including… pic.twitter.com/6Y0fy6M8rj
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 22, 2026
After some of these recent attacks on Russia-importing or exporting vessels, President Putin vowed to step up punishing aerial attacks on Ukraine. The two sides are still locked in a devastating tit-for-tat aerial war.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 06:55

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Ship Traffic Through Hormuz Chokepoint Continues As Normalization Efforts Remain "Fragile"
Ship Traffic Through Hormuz Chokepoint Continues As Normalization Efforts Remain "Fragile"

U.S. and Iranian negotiators concluded a lengthy initial round of technical talks, backed by Qatar and Pakistan, with early progress reported. Still, the diplomatic road to a permanent peace deal remains fragile. For now, despite Tehran declaring on Sunday that the Strait was "closed," millions of barrels of crude continue to exit the Persian Gulf through the critical maritime chokepoint. 

Bloomberg reports that five laden oil tankers carrying a combined 8 million barrels were seen entering or moving through the strait along the southern part of the Hormuz near Oman's coast before switching off their transponders. One tanker reappeared hours later in the Gulf of Oman, marking a safe passage.

The transits suggest CENTCOM's claim that U.S. forces can keep the Omani-side corridor of the maritime chokepoint open, despite Iran's assertion that only the northern, Tehran-approved route is permitted.

 Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets," CENTCOM wrote on X on Saturday morning.



Kpler: 


Hormuz uptick remains fragile
Strait of Hormuz crossings rebounded sharply over 19–21 June, with 71 confirmed transits and a weekend peak of 35 on 20 June, supported by the blockade lift and renewed free-passage signals. Commercial crossings recovered with AIS transponder ons,… pic.twitter.com/2YnT6kTnU3
— Kpler (@Kpler) June 22, 2026
Windward:


🚨 Strait of Hormuz Status Update | June 22
Windward tracked 25 vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 12 hours: 10 inbound and 15 outbound.
Notable traffic:
→ Multiple OFAC-sanctioned tankers linked to Iran's sanctions program transiting outbound,… pic.twitter.com/D4Czk5ygVl
— Windward (@WindwardAI) June 22, 2026
Several India-linked tankers carrying roughly 6 million barrels of Iraqi and Kuwaiti crude appeared to have used the Iran-approved northern route near Qeshm Island, possibly before Iran's latest closure announcement on Sunday.

A separate report from Bloomberg says four liquefied natural gas tankers - either owned or chartered by Qatar - transited the narrow waterway as the restart of Ras Laffan, the world's biggest LNG export plant, begins to ramp up.

Even Iran has ramped up oil exports, as three US-sanctioned supertankers (Elva, Virgo, and Vigor) entered the Hormuz chokepoint earlier this morning. Those tankers are destined for Singapore, with likely ship-to-ship transfers slated for the end delivery in China. This comes as the US lifts the blockade on the waterway against Iran.



Bloomberg data shows that total ship transits (using AIS data) in the maritime chokepoint, whether east-west or west-east, have steadily increased since an interim peace deal between the US and Iran was signed earlier last week.



Citi analyst Luis Costa told clients earlier that "the dominant global macro driver remains the US-Iran conflict and its partial resolution. Announcement of the interim Hormuz MOU last week set off a cascading repricing across oil, EM FX, inflation expectations, and rate paths."

Brent crude futures traded in the $79 a barrel range early Monday, while WTI futures were around $75.



Talk on Hormuz normalization this morning comes from Piper Sandler analyst Jan Stuart: "The 14-point 'peace-in-our-time MoU' unblocks some 150+ million barrels of stranded crude oil, now available for immediate sale."



Related:

Asian Refiners Swamped, Brace For Over 60 Million Barrels Of Oil Ready To Exit Hormuz
On Friday, Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs' co-head of Global Commodities Research, told clients, "We now assume that Persian Gulf exports normalize to pre- war levels by the end of July."

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 07:45

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Iran Agrees To Invite Nuclear Inspectors Back As Vance Hails 'Great Progress' After A Little 'Threatening & Whining'
Iran Agrees To Invite Nuclear Inspectors Back As Vance Hails 'Great Progress' After A Little 'Threatening & Whining'

Axios is reporting Monday morning Iran has agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back to the country, according to fresh words of Vice President J.D. Vance, who focused all day prior and much into the overnight on forging a path forward toward permanent peace.

The two sides are seeking to hammer out a long-term nuclear agreement, now amid the technical talks process, as delegation heads depart Switzerland - leaving diplomatic teams behind. The 60-day roadmap begins.

If indeed the UN nuclear inspectors are eventually let back into Iran, this would be a hugely significant step. This would be to verify compliance to the preliminary agreement, Vance further hails:


"Our hope is that we get to the final deal and a permanent settlement. But right now, I think we’ve made great progress and we should all celebrate that in terms of when the nuclear inspectors are going to start," the American Vice President told reporters.

via AP

He described that he phoned UN nuclear inspectors at 2am last night to update them on the developments, however, he said that no one picked up the call.

"As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning," said Vance. "I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today."

Both warring sides appear to finally be in the same page in terms of issuing 'positive' and 'encouraging' assessments earlier. There were reports of last-minute disagreements, threats, and warnings that the process could collapse near the conclusion of yesterday's formal round one of talks.

"So they didn’t walk out, and their technical team is still here in Burgenstock working with our technical team," Vance explained.

"What we told the Iranians yesterday is, 'When you guys exchange in what us millennials might call trash talk, you can't expect the president of the United States not to respond and not to correct the record'."

Vance conceded that in the end there was a "a little bit of threatening" and "whining but at the end of the day, the talks continued and we made great progress."

He further described that a mechanism had been established to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while noting that significant work remained and that technical negotiations would continue. Also, importantly he said that a "very good foundation" was laid for a successful final agreement with Iran.


JD Vance:
I can't stay here for the next 60 days. I will go back to the U.S.
The technical teams will be working. pic.twitter.com/s9PSTRvMSR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2026
The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also left the venue in Switzerland today - after approximately 18 hours of talks and consultations.

Meanwhile a fresh note from Goldman Sachs comments:


The Pakistan-Qatar communiqué, alongside comments from the Iranian Foreign Minister highlighting progress in negotiations, suggests we are heading into a prolonged period of talks rather than a near-term resolution. My base case remains that Iran will continue to use the threat of disruption around Hormuz as negotiating leverage rather than pursuing a definitive resolution. The most striking feature of the oil market today is the sheer size of speculative short positioning. There is a substantial amount of capital betting on lower prices, which locally makes further downside more challenging. That is before considering the more fundamental point that it is not obviously in Iran’s interest to allow oil prices to fall too far while negotiations remain ongoing.


China too has expressed hope Iran and the US will maintain the momentum and ultimately work towards positive progress, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday from Beijing. He praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other parties when asked about the Iran-US talks in Switzerland, the Xinhua news agency reported. "China supports Pakistan and Qatar and all relevant parties in their mediation efforts," Guo said.

New Iran MFA statement:



However, while an uneasy calm has taken over Lebanon, with analyst Mohanad Hage Ali of the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut stressing: "The conflict now in Lebanon is waiting for another spark,” said Mohanad Hage Ali from the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut."

"It just became a buffer zone, a kind of a punching bag in which anyone who wants to score can use it, whether to get at the US-Iran negotiations – which Israel specifically is not very happy about – or from the Iranian side, where a faction unhappy with how negotiations are going can sabotage them through the Lebanon front," he explained.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 08:00

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Alan Greenspan, Longtime Fed Chair And "Maestro" Of Markets, Dies At 100
Alan Greenspan, Longtime Fed Chair And "Maestro" Of Markets, Dies At 100

Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman who led the central bank from 1987 to 2006, under four presidents, died at 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease, NBC News reported.



Greenspan became known as the "maestro" of monetary policy, spanning one of the longest and strongest economic expansions in U.S. history, marked by booming stocks, rising home prices, low unemployment, and confidence that he could steer markets through financial crises.



"Alan passed away at our home this morning at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease," stated his wife of 29 years, Andrea Mitchell, who is the chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News.

Mitchell said, "He was a giant of a man who helped shape the U.S. economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes."

"To me he was my husband, who shaped my life from our very first date in 1984. He had 'irrational exuberance' for baseball, the Washington Commanders, tennis, golf and music, especially jazz," Mitchell continued, adding, "He will be remembered for his brilliance and his kindness. Being his life partner was the joy of my life."

Greenspan's legacy came into question in the final years of his term. The maestro was reluctant to confront asset bubbles, and his hands-off approach to the mortgage and derivatives markets helped inflate the housing bubble leading up to the financial crisis of 2008.

Greenspan later acknowledged errors in his free-market assumptions...

"Those of us who have looked to the self- interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders' equity, myself included, are in a state of shocked disbelief," the maestro told lawmakers in 2008.

Greenspan also told lawmakers, "I was right 70% of the time, but I was wrong 30% of the time."

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission's final report stated:


"More than 30 years of deregulation and reliance on self-regulation by financial institutions, championed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and others, supported by successive administrations and Congresses, and actively pushed by the powerful financial industry at every turn, had stripped away key safeguards, which could have helped avoid catastrophe."


Greenspan's tenure was the second-longest for a Fed chief, right behind that of William McChesney Martin Jr. He was succeeded by Ben Bernanke, who eventually kept rates at the uncharted "zero lower bound" territory for several years to stimulate the economy after the GFC.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 08:10

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Stocks Drift As Chips Extend Gains, Oil Slides On Positive US-Iran Talks
Stocks Drift As Chips Extend Gains, Oil Slides On Positive US-Iran Talks

Futures are modestly lower coming off the US holiday weekend, after equities finished higher last week with both Dow and Russell clocking new ATHs and SPX finishing in the green for the 11th time in the last 12 weeks.  As of 8:00am ET, S&P 500 futures edged down 0.1% while Nasdaq 100 contracts are higher by 0.1% with chips outperforming as usual while hyperscalers, aka "check payers" down as all Mag 7 are lower with TSLA (-1.4%) and GOOGL (-1.6%; Google’s DeepMind VP John Jumper is leaving the company to join Anthropic) being the biggest laggards. Overseas, Asian markets mostly higher overnight with China and Japan the big gainers, up over 1.5%. European markets higher, up ~0.3%. Big development over the weekend revolved around US-Iran talks in Switzerland, where both sides ultimately highlighted progress following some earlier headline noise. Donald Trump again threatened strikes on Iran if Hezbollah keeps attacking Israel, & US and Iran set up a communication line to avoid incidents and ensure safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In the UK, PM Keir Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street. The pound erased losses after briefly touching a 2026 low, while gilts rallied as an orderly leadership transition took shape. Bond yields are 2-4bp higher, while the USD is largely unchanged. WTI crude fell $-0.58 to $75.27 reversing all earlier gains while Brent traded around $79. Gold and silver are higher as is bitcoin. There is little on the corporate calendar and scant macro data, leaving traders with little direction until Micron’s earnings due Wednesday and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge on Thursday take center stage. Fed speaker slate includes Waller at 9am; Williams, Goolsbee, Kashkari and Barkin speak later this week



In premarket trading, SpaceX shares slid more than 5% in premarket trading, putting the stock on pace for a third straight loss. Meanwhile, the semi meltup continues: chipmakers including Intel rallied. Getty Images soared more than 300% after inking a display partnership with ChatGPT owner OpenAI. Here are the notable premarket movers: 

Alphabet (GOOGL) -1.7%, Tesla (TSLA) -1.3%, Amazon (AMZN) -0.8%, Nvidia (NVDA) -0.2%, Meta Platforms (META) -0.9%, Apple (AAPL) -0.8%, Microsoft (MSFT) -0.4%
Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) climbs 48% after AbbVie agreed to buy the company for $10.9 billion to bolster its anti-inflammatory portfolio amid growing competition for its best-selling drug.
Arcosa (ACA) gains 7% after CRH said it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the provider of building materials in an all-cash transaction for $150 per share.
Definium Therapeutics (DFTX) gains 32% after announcing positive topline results from a Phase 3 study evaluating a single dose of an orally disintegrating tablet in adults with major depressive disorder.
Fervo Energy (FRVO) gains 8% after the geothermal-energy company agreed with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Nvidia to develop a digital twin platform for Enhanced Geothermal Systems technology.
Getty Images (GETY) soars 156% after the company announced a display partnership With OpenAI.
Regenxbio (RGNX) climbs 8% after the Wall Street Journal reported that the FDA has agreed to reverse the rejection of the firm’s rare-disease drug.
SpaceX (SPCX) is down 5%, putting the stock on pace for a third straight loss.
A peppering of M&A and ECM news is spicing up an otherwise quiet Monday morning. Budget airline EasyJet has rejected three offers by US private credit giant Castlelake. AbbVie is closing in on a nearly $11 billion deal to buy inflammatory disease drug developer Apogee Therapeutics, according to the FT, which also reports that building materials group Arcosa could be close to a takeout by larger rival CRH. SpaceX kicked off its debut US dollar high-grade bond offering expected to be at least $25 billion.

The big geopolitical development over the weekend revolved around US-Iran talks in Switzerland, where both sides ultimately highlighted progress following some earlier headline noise. Oil traders took comfort from evidence of progress in Middle East talks even as President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran if Hezbollah militants continue to attack Israel. Vance said the warring sides set up a mechanism to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, while Iran agreed to invite nuclear inspectors.

“Even during the midst of the conflict in the Middle East, equities still priced a positive outcome,” said Stephan Kemper, chief investment strategist at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. “It seems logical that markets don’t rally too hard on something which they had already priced to a fair degree.”

Traders also followed the latest developments in UK politics as Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street. The pound erased losses after briefly touching a 2026 low, while gilts rallied as an orderly leadership transition took shape. The departure of Starmer is putting Britain on course for its seventh premier in a decade and paving the way for Andy Burnham to replace him. The former mayor of Manchester announced his candidacy hours after Starmer’s resignation and received the backing of Wes Streeting, a potential rival. Starmer said nominations for a new Labour leader will open July 9 and that a contest will be finalized by Sept. 1. The question for investors is about the impact on the UK’s finances if Burnham were to become prime minister. A slew of all-but-forgotten niche option positions betting on an oil glut are coming back into play as crude cools.

“Markets would be watching for Burnham’s pick of Chancellor,” wrote Mohit Kumar at Jefferies. “The fear is that Burnham’s policies are left-leaning and if the new chancellor is not credible, it would raise concerns over deficits and borrowing.”

The AI trade still works and investors should keep it, say Goldman Sachs traders in charge of thematic investing, baskets and equity structuring.



In geopolitics, China has imposed export controls against US rare earth firms, in response to the Pentagon’s accusations against some of China’s biggest companies supporting the Chinese military.

Meanwhile, Trump’s administration is rolling out new tools with the same protectionist goals after the Supreme Court ruled his sweeping global tariffs to be illegal. The rising cost of living, and corruption, are shaping up to be major campaign battlefronts in races that will determine control of the US Congress. 

Bond traders, recently forced to reposition for the possibility of higher interest rates ahead, are looking to Thursday’s US personal consumption expenditures price index for a read on whether the market’s hawkish stance is warranted. Forecasters expect the index, the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation gauge, to show acceleration on both a monthly and year-over-year basis in May. Fed Governor Christopher Waller is due to speak later on Monday. Bloomberg Economics’ head Anna Wong expects a hot PCE reading will likely reinforce the hawkish tilt by the Fed at its June meeting. 

Ahead of Micron’s earnings, a leveraged ETF linked to rival SK Hynix is lifting an option cap. Rising leverage is also showing up in FINRA’s margin debt statistics, and the Roundhill DRAM ETF has recorded 19 straight days of inflows and AUM surpassed $20 billion. Micron’s fiscal 3Q revenue may exceed consensus by about 13% and guidance by 18%, notes BI. 



European stocks struggled to derive much benefit with the Stoxx 600 down 0.1%, with construction and media stocks leading declines, while technology and energy shares are the biggest outperformers. Here are the biggest movers Monday:

Infineon shares rise as much as 5.3%, after CFO Sven Schneider maintained his bullish stance on the chipmaker’s growth over the next few years, while Bernstein increased its price target for the stock
EasyJet shares rise as much as 5.4% to the highest level in almost a year after the British budget carrier rejected a third takeover proposal from US investment firm Castlelake
BioArctic jumps as much as 10%, the most in more than four months, after the Swedish biopharma company signed a research and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly for its BrainTransporter technology
LISI gains as much as 7.6%, reaching a record high, as Berenberg initiates on the component maker with a buy rating, citing entrenched positions in automotive and aerospace fasteners
Sanofi shares slip as much as 2.1%, making them the biggest laggard by index points in the Stoxx 600’s healthcare subgroup on Monday morning
Babcock shares fall as much as 5.7%, the most since February, as the defense contractor posts full-year results
UBS shares are slide as much as 0.6%, falling for a second straight session after being downgraded at Zuercher Kantonalbank on valuation grounds, with the Swiss bank having hit a fresh 2008-high last Thursday
Asian stocks surged to a record as chipmakers and other artificial intelligence-linked firms rallied amid optimism surrounding US-Iran peace talks. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose as much as 1.1%, with information technology the top performing sector. Markets in Taiwan, mainland China and Japan led regional gains.  Continued interest in AI and semiconductor plays drove Taiwan’s benchmark to a record high. South Korea’s memory maker SK Hynix also rose to an all-time high on expectations over its planned ADR listing, helping to erase earlier losses in the Kospi gauge. Meanwhile, equities in Hong Kong underperformed, as weak consumption data weighed on sentiment and investors chased the AI rally elsewhere. A gauge of Chinese stocks listed in the city was headed for a bear market before trimming some losses. 

“We continue seeing liquidities leaving ‘old Techs’ in Hong Kong including Tencent, Alibaba and Baidu to chase AI-related stocks in Japan, Korea and Taiwan,” said Steven Leung, executive director at UOB Kay Hian.

In FX, the pound is down a handful of pips near its year-to-date low. The yen is the weakest of the G-10’s, falling 0.3% against the greenback.

In rates, treasuries decline, pushing US 10-year yields up 3 bps to 4.48% as trading resumes after Friday’s US cash-market holiday. US yields are 2bp-4bp higher on the day with losses led by front-end tenors, flattening 2s10s and 5s30s by 0.5bp and 1.5bp respectively. 10-year around 4.48% is cheaper by 3bp with bunds and gilts in the sector outperforming by 5bp and 6.5bp. European bonds outperform led by gilts after Wes Streeting backed Andy Burnham to be new UK Prime Minister, removing a key uncertainty after Keir Starmer’s resignation. Oil trades lower on signs of diplomatic headway between the US and Iran. IG dollar issuance slate includes a few items so far. Dealers forecast about $50 billion of US investment-grade bond sales this week, likely to include a jumbo bond offering from SpaceX. Treasury auctions resume Tuesday with $69 billion 2-year notes, followed by 5- and 7-year note sales Wednesday and Thursday

In commodities, Brent crude futures fall 1.6% after Iran said there had been “major progress” in all-night discussions with the US. WTI crude oil futures are down 0.8% near session lows after US Vice President Vance says Hormuz is open and talks with Iran have made progress. Precious metals advance, with spot silver rising 2%.

US event calendar: US economic data calendar empty for the session. Fed speaker slate includes Waller at 9am; Williams, Goolsbee, Kashkari and Barkin speak later this week

Market Snapshot



Top Overnight News

The U.S. and Iran made progress during talks in Switzerland on Monday toward reaching a final deal within 60 days, including the agreement to establish a committee and a mechanism to end hostilities in Lebanon. CNBC
The US and Iran set up a communication line to avoid incidents and ensure safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. BBG
UK PM Keir Starmer announced his resignation and outlined plans for a successor to take office by September. The move clears the way for Andy Burnham to become Britain’s seventh PM in a decade. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he backed Burnham to become PM. The pound hovered near its weakest level of the year while gilts were little changed. BBG
China announced on Monday that it will add 10 American firms to its export control list, including two rare earth firms, while also restricting 46 US firms from government procurement, signalling it would respond to Washington’s recent expansion of a military blacklist, even amid a broader stabilization of bilateral ties. SCMP
South Korea’s exports jumped again in early June, thanks to AI fueling a sustained boom in the semiconductor sector. BBG
Chevron signed a 20-year deal with Microsoft to supply natural-gas fired power to a planned West Texas data center that may become one of the largest in the US. BBG
Semis are on pace to finish as the most net bought global subsector for a second straight year, with net allocations now at record highs. GS Prime Brokerage
Major investors warned that Fed Chair Warsh’s push to axe the Fed’s guidance on the direction of monetary policy could increase volatility in the Treasury market and drive borrowing costs higher: FT.
Hong Kong is in talks with Chinese authorities to expand cross-border investment channels and grant mainland buyers access to local IPOs. BBG
Colombia elected Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella president by a razor-thin margin. The preliminary result was immediately challenged by outgoing President Gustavo Petro, who backed rival candidate Senator Iván Cepeda. BBG
US Secretary of State Rubio congratulates Colombia's presidential candidate De la Espriella who leads against leftist rival Cepeda following the Colombian election.
Democrats are set to make corruption a major campaign battlefront in the midterms as polling suggests voters are eager to see lawmakers take on conflicts of interest and self-enrichment by leaders. BBG
US Southern Command announces that Task Force Southern Spear has conducted a strike on a vessel operated by designated terrorist organisations in the Caribbean.
US Secretary of State Rubio plans trip to the Middle East next week: Kuwait, UAE and Bahrain at the moment: Axios
US President Trump told Axios that he doesn’t see Anthropic PBC as a national security threat, despite his administration recently taking steps to cut off foreign access to the tech company’s most advanced AI models. Furthermore, Trump said that it was seen as a threat last week, but relations have improved since with the AI giant.
US Department of Agriculture announced three new cases of screwworm to take the total number of domestic detections to 15 cases.
Iran Headlines: Latest News

US and Iran talks opened in Switzerland on Sunday after US VP Vance arrived in Switzerland and the Iranian delegation led by chief negotiator Ghalibaf, which included Foreign Minister Araghchi, arrived on Saturday, while Pakistan’s Premier Sharif and military chief Munir travelled to Switzerland to join the US-Iran talks.
Iran's delegation reportedly left the negotiation site in protest against statements by US President Trump, while Fars also reported that Iran halted talks with the US after Trump threatened strikes over Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon. Iran said Trump’s threat is a blatant violation of the MoU and halted talks in Switzerland, while it is reviewing a response to Trump’s threats. However, sources cited by Al Hadath later stated that the Iranian delegation had not left the negotiation headquarters at the Burgenstock resort and the Iranian delegation head discussed a joint statement draft with mediators.
US President Trump threatened to resume bombing and take over the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is not reached, while Trump said the US may take tolls if it has to and that he has a 60-day option, in which he can do whatever after it. Trump stated he spoke with Iranian officials and used expletive language in the call with Iranian officials on Hormuz, as well as threatened that they won’t have a country if Hormuz is closed, according to Fox.
US President Trump posted that Iran must immediately stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble, or else the US would hit Iran very hard again, “just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump separately commented that there will be no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, unless they are imposed by the US.
UKMTO reported an incident in which a cargo vessel was approached by a craft with six armed persons onboard 92 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Mukalla in the Gulf of Aden.
Israeli army chief said the Lebanon ceasefire is fragile and forces remain ready for combat.
Israeli military convoy reportedly entered southern Syria’s Quneitra region, near the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Qatar and Pakistan issue joint statement on conclusion of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, while Qatar said first session of the US-Iran high level talks has concluded and that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere. said:. Technical talks are to continue for remainder of the week. US and Iran agreed to de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Encouraging progress has been made, including creation of a mechanism for further technical talks. Parties agree to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation. High-level committee agrees on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days.
"The negotiations of the main Iranian delegation in Switzerland have ended, however, experts are still in Switzerland and are following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding", Tasnim reported citing sources.
Iranian negotiating team member said executive procedures about the release of Iranian frozen funds have taken place with the Qatari delegation and that a draft has been finalised regarding waivers of Iranian oil sanctions, which will be issued soon, although negotiations about other subjects will not take place if the war does not end in Lebanon.
"No negotiations have taken place on the nuclear file so far", Tasnim reported citing a source.
US diplomat said talks included robust discussions on a nuclear deal and enforcing the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, while talks also involved clarifying the messaging on the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, a US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, and that mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Pakistani Army Chief said negotiating parties reached success stage, according to Al Arabiya.
US official involved in the negotiations told Al Jazeera that they held in-depth discussions on all elements of the nuclear agreement, adds mechanisms have been worked on to prevent escalation and ensure the strait remains fully open.
Sources cited by Al Arabiya said an anticipated statement will be issued by the Iranian and American negotiators and the mediators.
Sources cited by Al Hadath stated that the Iranian delegation has not left the negotiation headquarters at the Bürgenstock resort and Iranian delegation head discusses joint statement draft with mediators. Tasnim reported Iranian delegation refused to return to negotiations but message exchanges continue through intermediaries.
Iranian Commentary:

Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi posted Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end Lebanon War, oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said the technical team is to continue work, but negotiation delegation work has concluded, adds significant progress achieved in quadrilateral talks in Switzerland. Spokesman said groundwork for starting negotiations for the final agreement was discussed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said Iran is working on safe passage mechanism for Hormuz and that Iran reported progress on oil sales and asset unfreezing, adds the war in all fronts, including Lebanon, must end.
Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Rezaei said the US is responsible for Israel's actions in Lebanon and Iran will hold the US accountable in the event of a threat against Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi to lead the technical team in Switzerland, Sky News Arabia reported.
Iran resumed oil loading from Kharg Island after about a six-week halt, following the lifting of the US blockade of its ports.
Lebanon/Israel:

Al Jadeed News cites Haaretz source stating the Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the Blue Line in Lebanon.
Israeli army will be forced to partially withdraw from the yellow line (buffer zone), Al Jazeera reported, citing Israel's Haaretz sources.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar told his New Zealand counterpart, "Israel will respect the ceasefire in Lebanon as long as it won’t be breached by Hezbollah.".
Israeli political and security cabinet will convene on Thursday amid US-Iran talks, N12 reported.
Israeli officials are dismissing reported of an agreement to withdraw from certain points in southern Lebanon, amid a lack of US pressure to do, Maariv's Barsky reported. Officials add, "because in Washington they understand the Israeli position: no partial withdrawal, no point-specific withdrawal, and no diplomatic 'gesture'.". And, "as long as the Hezbollah threat persists, there is no change in the deployment of forces and no intention to relinquish the security positions in southern Lebanon.".
Lebanese presidency discussed the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, in a call with Qatari PM and US's Vance.
Other:

Two South Korean vessels were said to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran signed a ceasefire MoU.
Three India-linked supertankers re-emerged in the Gulf of Oman, which suggests an increase in traffic through the waterway.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks traded mixed with price action choppy following the recent conflicting headlines concerning US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland, as the Iranian delegation was said to have walked out of talks following Trump's renewed threats to resume bombing them if a deal is not reached and if they don't stop their proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble. However, the reports that gradually followed were more encouraging as mediators stated that talks were conducted in a positive, constructive atmosphere and technical talks are to continue for the remainder of the week, with the US and Iran agreeing to a de-confliction cell over Lebanon. Furthermore, the parties agreed to establish high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation and on a roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days, while Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi confirmed that mediation delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war, as well as stated that oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade is lifted, frozen assets released, and that a major reconstruction and development plan was launched for Iran. ASX 200 struggled for direction as strength in gold miners and financials was offset by weakness in tech, energy and defensives. Nikkei 225 extended on record highs and rallied firmly above the 72,000 level as exporters benefited from a weaker currency and a pullback in oil, although the index has pared some of the gains, but comfortably remained the outperformer. KOSPI swung between gains and losses amid a divergence between Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, in which the latter took over the throne as South Korea’s largest Co. by market cap. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were mixed with sentiment not helped by trade frictions after China added 10 US firms to its export control list and announced to take relevant measures against 46 US companies in government procurement activities, while there was a lack of surprises from the announcement that the benchmark Loan Prime Rates were maintained for a 13th consecutive month.

Top Asian News

The Japanese Government is reportedly planning to deploy JPY 68tln in public and private funding for the semiconductor sector by FY 2040, TV Asahi reported citing sources.
Australia's Agricultural Minister said testing has confirmed H5 bird flu detected in a second bird found in Western Australia.
China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said risk of fragmented supply chains is growing and that some countries abuse use of export controls, adds China is anchor of stability and propeller of the global economy. said: Can work with all sides to build inclusive supply chains.
Japanese Finance Minister Katayama ready to act suitably on currency fluctuations whenever necessary, but declines to comment on particular forex rates.
European bourses (STOXX 600 -0.2%) began the session on a muted footing, as markets digest the volatile geopolitical situation (see above). European sectors began the session mixed. Tech tops the pile with ASML +1.5% after it denied shipping EUV lithography machines, or any related component, to China, following US Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s accusations. Citi this morning wrote “we find it very hard to believe that they would jeopardise their position in the industry”. The sectoral laggard is Construction, one of its largest constituents Holcim -1.0% (9% weighting), after RBC downgraded Holcim’s PT, citing the completion of the acquisition of Xella and an update to Q2 results model

Top European News

UK PM Starmer announces he will step down; nominations for Labour leader will open on 9th July, conclude by end-summer; will act as caretaker until new leader elected. Will fully support whoever takes over.
UK PM's Chief of Staff resigns, New Statesman reported.
UK Minister Smith said "I would have been very happy for him to continue", in reference to PM Starmer.
UK Foreign Minister Cooper urges UK PM Starmer to resign, according to Sky News.
Ireland said EU capital markets deal is possible by year end, according to FT.
Italian PM Meloni called out US President Trump for “senseless”, “constant, unprovoked attacks”, while she said that Trump’s statements are completely made up and she doesn’t know why he behaves like this towards allies, after Trump told an Italian TV channel that Meloni begged him to take a picture with her and that he wouldn’t have taken it, but he felt sorry for her. Furthermore, Trump criticised Italy and its PM for not becoming involved with Iran and its nuclear threat.
FX

DXY is firmer against all peers as it stabilises towards recent highs above 100. JPY is the underperformer after unsuccessful jawboning attempts, NOK holds on to gains after crude gapped higher at the re-open.
USD-specific drivers are light, focus overnight was on geopolitics with US-Iran talks over the weekend whipsawing crude benchmarks. The main data point this week is PCE on Thursday, the session today sees remarks from Fed's Waller, aside from this, the session is likely to be quiet and driven by geopolitical moves in oil/yields. DXY gapped higher at the APAC re-open and rose throughout the European morning to a peak of 101.01. Since this peak, the index has slipped and now more towards the unchanged mark.
UK PM Starmer announces he will step down, remaining as a caretaker until a new leader is elected (Nominations begin on 9th July). Burnham is overwhelmingly considered as the front-runner, with GBP and Gilts seeing underperformance in recent weeks. There was no reaction to the announcement from Starmer himself, as it had been widely touted in recent days/weeks, especially following Burnham's convincing victory in the Makerfield by-election. Given Burnham is nearly certain to become the next PM, focus is on his cabinet appointments, specifically his Chancellor pick. Over the weekend, the FT and Times made it clear that Miliband would be the least market friendly, citing comments from FTSE 100 executives; retaining Reeves would be the most market-friendly option, though the same outlets noted Burnham would likely want to remove the current Chancellor in a shift away from the last administration. GBP/USD -0.1% and tracking the stronger Buck. EUR/GBP +0.1%, gapped higher at the APAC re-open, but reversed most gains.
JPY continues to underperform and moves further into intervention territory as USD/JPY looks towards 161.81 highs made last week. Japanese Finance Minister Katayama was on the wires overnight, said they were “ready to act suitably on currency fluctuations whenever necessary”; not sparking a move in the Yen. USD/JPY marked a session high of 161.78, looking to the aforementioned levels to the upside; awaiting further comments from Japanese officials.
South African Parliamentary Speaker Didiza plans to support President Ramaphosa’s bid to halt his impeachment proceedings.
Central Banks

Japan's PM Takaichi said expect BoJ to closely coordinate with the government and conduct a monetary policy appropriately to achieve the 2% price goal.
BoJ Deputy Governor Himino said takes some time for policy to have an impact on the economy. said:. Pass-through from oil prices to downstream goods has progressed somewhat rapidly. Recent easing of Middle East tensions doesn't deviate much from their April outlook. Accommodative conditions are expected to continue. Risks of price overshoot could materialise if there is a delay in the necessary adjustment in the degree of monetary easing. Will closely monitor impacts that raising policy interest rates may have on businesses and households.
ECB's Escriva warns that rising oil and commodity prices linked to the Middle East conflict are feeding into consumer prices and could cause wage spillovers. said energy cost increases are already transmitting through areas such as transport services. ECB must monitor possible second-round wage effects depending on inflation persistence.
Chinese Loan Prime Rate 1Y (Jun) 3.0% vs. Exp. 3.0% (Prev. 3.0%).
Chinese Loan Prime Rate 5Y (Jun) 3.5% vs. Exp. 3.5% (Prev. 3.5%).
SNB adjusts remuneration of sight deposits; lowering threshold factor from 15 to 13.5; effective August 1st 2026.
Fixed Income

Fixed benchmarks are mixed. USTs in the red by around 10 ticks, but off a 109-07 trough by another five.
USTs lower as a function of catch-up from the holiday session on Friday, and as the complex acknowledged the gap higher in energy at the resumption of trade after Iran seemingly shut Hormuz transit amid ongoing conflict in Lebanon. However, the updates from negotiators thereafter and as technical talks take place this week in Switzerland, points that allowed energy to retreat and gave relief to EGBs. USTs look ahead to remarks from Fed’s Waller.
Bunds, as above, benefited from the energy retreat in the second half of the APAC session and are firmer by around 10 ticks, but a similar amount shy of the 126.34 high. Specifics light for the complex, no move to ECB commentary thus far, and we now await text from Lagarde at the ECON hearing.
Additionally, Germany digests reports into another meeting of the pensions committee today. The main point from it being that the retirement age will increase, though not at the pace some have been seeking. More broadly, Politico reports budget progress, however, tax reform remains the major outstanding point.
Last but not least Gilts, lower by 10 ticks and a similar amount of the low in 88.30-72 confines after gapping higher by 24 ticks, seemingly taking relief from numerous reports that the team around Burnham no longer saw Miliband as the favourite for Chancellor.
Since, PM Starmer has resigned. He will serve as caretaker during the process which begins in three weeks and will last for no more than one week, 9th-16th July. Burnham is the clear favourite. However, the three weeks between now and the start of that process could potentially see the odds around Burnham and theoretical rivals, i.e. Streeting, change notably.
Geopolitics

A very busy geopolitical weekend, which initially saw the Iranians shut the Strait of Hormuz, and it suggested that the US and Israel broke the interim ceasefire agreement amid the continued military strikes on southern Lebanon. This led Brent Aug’26 to gap higher by c. USD 2/bbl, to a session peak of USD 82.30/bbl. Attention then turned to US-Iran talks in Switzerland.
The outcome of the initial talks were positive. A Qatari and Pakistani joint statement stated that US and Iran agreed to set up a de-confliction cell over Lebanon and agreed to establish a high-level committee to provide political oversight on mediation. The high-level committee also agreed to a roadmap to reach a final deal within 60 days.
Following the positive mood music from the talks, Brent Aug’26 gradually moved off best levels and turned negative; currently lower by c. 1.1%, and at the bottom end of a USD 78.58-82.30/bbl range. Attention remains on further developments on the negotiation process, which is expected to continue throughout the week. For now, the heads of the delegation team have headed back to Iran, while technical teams will remain in Switzerland to follow up the implementation of the MoU.
Spot gold (+0.8%) is in the green, benefiting from the disinflationary implications of the positive geopolitical mood music. XAU/USD is currently holding within a USD 4136-4221/oz range. On analyst commentary: Goldman Sachs expects central bank Gold buying to slow slightly but remain a structural floor for prices. GS forecasts central bank buying at roughly 50T a month in 2026, then slowing to around 40T a month in 2027.
Base metals are broadly firmer this morning vs a mostly negative APAC session. Focus overnight remained on China adding US firms to its export control list and decided to take relevant measures against 46 US companies in government procurement activities. 3M LME Copper currently resides within a USD 13,598.28-13,736.93/t range.
"Confirmed crossings through the monitored Strait of Hormuz zone rose sharply over 19–21 June, with 71 total transits recorded", Kpler's Bakr reported.
Goldman Sachs expects central bank Gold buying to slow slightly but remain a structural floor for prices. GS forecasts central bank buying at roughly 50 T a month in 2026, then slowing to around 40 T a month in 2027.
US Department of Agriculture announces three new cases of screwworm to take total number of domestic detections to 15 cases.
Iraq asked operators of five major oil fields to boost output to pre-war levels, targeting output of more than 3mln bpd, while it was separately reported that Iraq intends to gradually increase oil production to between 4.2mln-4.3mln bpd, according to the deputy oil minister for upstream affairs.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry reported an internal explosion at a factory in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area, although no injuries or leaks were reported.
A fire occurred in Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery (631k bpd) but was extinguished.
Guinea’s President Doumbouya announced a ban on raw gold exports, in an effort to boost local processing of the metal and help the domestic economy.
Trade/Tariffs

Iranian delegation is set to travel to Tehran after talks in Switzerland.
India's Trade Minister said they intend to secure preferential market access via a trade agreement with the US. Signing of a US-India trade agreement will take longer than expected, because the US initially imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods.
China's MOFCOM issues action plan on strengthening foreign Investment; to support qualified key foreign firms listing on domestic exchanges.
China added 10 US firms to its export control list including USA Rare Earths, while the Finance Ministry announcing to take relevant measures against 46 US companies in government procurement activities.
USTR Greer is to travel to India and Uzbekistan, while he will discuss the US-India joint statement as part of bilateral trade agreement talks.
US Event Calendar

9:00 am: Fed’s Waller Delivers Opening Remarks
DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

For those in Europe and parts of the US this week I hope you can cope with the expected extreme heat. The UK is certainly not ready for what's about to hit us. I'm looking to exploit this and set up my own AI company. Aircon Installations. Please enquire for the best prices and for the IPO launching soon!

Talking of extreme heat, the latest developments out of the Middle East have turned more constructive after a highly volatile start to the weekend. Encouraging progress in US–Iran talks in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, has seen both sides agree overnight to a roadmap towards a potential deal within 60 days, alongside the creation of technical working groups, a de conflict mechanism covering Lebanon, and a direct communication line aimed at avoiding incidents and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. This marks a notable shift from Saturday’s confusion, when Iran suggested the strait was now closed again after Israeli attacks in Lebanon, and briefly stepped back from talks following renewed threats from President Trump, who reiterated that the US would strike again if Iranian-backed proxies in Lebanon continue attacks on Israel. Despite that rhetoric, oil flows through Hormuz have continued and even picked up over the weekend, helping to calm markets, with Brent reversing earlier gains this morning before details of the talks came through. What the overall positive weekend has perhaps taught us is that the path to a durable resolution remains fragile.

However, for now Brent crude (-1.61%) is reversing its earlier gains, currently trading at $79.27 per barrel. Asian equities are not seeing a clear trend with the Nikkei (+1.56%) notably higher, but with the KOSPI fairly flat after being up +2% earlier in the session. The Shanghai Comp is +0.18%, while the Hang Seng is down -0.98%. China's central bank has maintained its benchmark lending rates for the 13th consecutive month overnight.

10-year USTs have increased by +3.2 bps, trading at 4.49% as cash trading has resumed following Friday's US holiday. 2yr yields are +4.7bps. US equity futures are down around half a percentage point but that's roughly where they were for a lot of Friday when the cash market was closed.

The main data highlights this week are the global flash PMIs tomorrow, and the US core PCE on Thursday. Elsewhere, other data of interest include the Ifo survey in Germany (Wednesday), Tokyo CPI in Japan (Friday), and CPI reports in Canada (today) and Australia (Wednesday). Note there is much speculation around whether UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign this week after leadership rival Andy Burnham’s by-election win last week. The Observer newspaper yesterday reported that Starmer was preparing to set out a timetable for his departure, with an announcement possible today. If true it’s notable it's happening on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote tomorrow, something the UK still hasn’t come to terms with. Since then, the UK has revolved through six Prime Ministers which alongside Brexit, underlines the immense difficulties many incumbents have in the Western World today. Everyone arrives in the post with great hopes but then the lack of growth and the financial realities hit. Until you have stronger economic growth and are less constrained by debt it’s highly likely the conveyor belt of PMs will continue.

On this, the Deutsche Bank Research Institute will be pleased to welcome you to our London offices on Thursday (11:30 refreshments for a 12-1 presentation) for a look at “Brexit 10 years on: Whats’s worked, what hasn’t, what’s next?”. I’ll be introducing Sanjay Raja and Shreyas Gopal in what looks set to be a fascinating week for the UK. 

Moving over to the other side of the Atlantic, after a hawkish FOMC last week with a clear shift in style from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, our economists now have two 25bps hikes in their Fed forecast. They have warned that the US economy needed tighter policy but were waiting for the meeting to confirm the tightening view. The central scenario sees two rate increases this year, likely in September and December, taking the fed funds rate to around 4.1%, followed by a prolonged pause through 2027. Easing is then expected to resume in the first half of 2028, with around 50 basis points of cuts, potentially delivered in March and June, bringing policy back towards a neutral range of roughly 3.5–3.75%. See their piece explaining their view here.

In terms of the US week ahead, our economists expect appearances by Williams and Goolsbee on Thursday to be particularly informative. Williams, who also serves as Vice Chair of the FOMC, is seen as one of those not currently predicting a hike this year, while Goolsbee is viewed as leaning towards around 50 basis points of tightening.

Earlier that day, attention will centre on the data flow. US economists expect May personal income to rise by around 0.4% (from flat previously) and consumption to increase by 0.6% (from 0.5%). The core PCE deflator is projected to rise by around 0.37% month-on-month, up from 0.24%. On this basis, the year-on-year rate would move higher to approximately 3.44%, marking the strongest reading since October 2023 and reinforcing the narrative of persistent underlying inflation. The Fed will also release its bank stress test results on Wednesday and there is other second tier data.

Over in Europe, in addition to the PMIs, sentiment indicators in Germany will include the Ifo survey (Wednesday) and the July GfK consumer confidence print (Thursday). In France, there will be business confidence tomorrow and consumer confidence on Thursday. Finally, the ECB will release its May consumer expectations survey on Friday, with inflation expectations in focus. ECB speakers will include President Lagarde amongst others.

In Asia, inflation prints due include the Tokyo CPI for June on Friday in Japan (see our Chief Japan’s economist week-ahead here) and Australia’s May CPI due Wednesday (DB forecast for headline CPI is -0.4% MoM / 4.3% YoY). Other notable data features BoJ’s Summary of Opinions from its June meeting (Wednesday), Australia’s labour force survey (Thursday) and the 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates in China (Monday).

Finally, there will be a few notable earnings reports out next week, including FedEx, Cerebras and Carnival tomorrow as well as Micron and Jefferies on Wednesday. Micron is up around 830% over the last year and around 250% since the end of March with a market cap of nearly $1.3tn. So it’s becoming one to follow from the macro side.  

Recapping last week, oil prices kept falling as they reacted to the news that the US and Iran had reached an interim deal. So that meant Brent crude fell -7.74% last week (+0.90% Friday) to $80.57/bbl. So that considerably eased fears about a stagflationary shock to the global economy, particularly as data showed more traffic was starting to flow through the Strait of Hormuz again. Indeed, near-term inflation expectations plummeted, with the 1yr US inflation swap down -30.8bps last week to 2.44%, whilst the 1yr Euro inflation swap was down -23.7bps to 2.60%.  

But even as inflation expectations fell, the Fed’s latest decision on Wednesday led to a clear hawkish repricing for markets. Notably, 9 of the 18 officials in the dot plot signalled there should be a rate hike this year, although new Chair Kevin Warsh did not submit a dot himself. But Warsh did reiterate the Fed’s inflation target, pledging to return inflation to target after five years above. Meanwhile in Japan, the Bank of Japan delivered a 25bp rate hike, taking their policy rate to a post-1995 high of 1%.  

That backdrop meant markets brought forward their expectations for a Fed rate hike. So by the end of the week, 39bps of Fed hikes were priced in by December, up from 21bps at the start of the week. In turn, that led to a flattening in the Treasury yield curve, with the 2yr Treasury yield up +9.6bps to 4.18%, whilst the 10yr yield (-2.6bps) fell to 4.45%. A similar pattern was evident globally, with Germany’s 2yr yield (+2.7bps) up to 2.64%, whilst the 10yr yield (-1.0ps) fell to 2.98%.  

Whilst equities saw a pullback after the Fed decision, they still ended the week higher as concern about a stagflationary shock faded. So the S&P 500 was up +0.93%, Europe’s STOXX 600 was up +0.38%, and Japan’s Nikkei surged by +7.92%, marking its biggest weekly jump since August 2024. The moves were supported by the ongoing rebound in chip stocks, with the Philly semiconductor index up +7.26% to a new record.

Recapping last week now and oil prices kept falling as they reacted to the news that the US and Iran had reached an interim deal. So that meant Brent crude fell -7.74% last week (+0.90% Friday) to $80.57/bbl. So that considerably eased fears about a stagflationary shock to the global economy, particularly as data showed more traffic was starting to flow through the Strait of Hormuz again. Indeed, near-term inflation expectations plummeted, with the 1yr US inflation swap down -30.8bps last week to 2.44%, whilst the 1yr Euro inflation swap was down -23.7bps to 2.60%.

But even as inflation expectations fell, the Fed’s latest decision on Wednesday led to a clear hawkish repricing for markets. Notably, 9 of the 18 officials in the dot plot signalled there should be a rate hike this year, although new Chair Kevin Warsh did not submit a dot himself. But Warsh did reiterate the Fed’s inflation target, pledging to return inflation to target after five years above. Meanwhile in Japan, the Bank of Japan delivered a 25bp rate hike, taking their policy rate to a post-1995 high of 1%.  

That backdrop meant markets brought forward their expectations for a Fed rate hike. So by the end of the week, 39bps of Fed hikes were priced in by December, up from 21bps at the start of the week. In turn, that led to a flattening in the Treasury yield curve, with the 2yr Treasury yield up +9.6bps to 4.18%, whilst the 10yr yield (-2.6bps) fell to 4.45%. A similar pattern was evident globally, with Germany’s 2yr yield (+2.7bps) up to 2.64%, whilst the 10yr yield (-1.0ps) fell to 2.98%.

Whilst equities saw a pullback after the Fed decision, they still ended the week higher as concern about a stagflationary shock faded. So the S&P 500 was up +0.93%, Europe’s STOXX 600 was up +0.38%, and Japan’s Nikkei surged by +7.92%, marking its biggest weekly jump since August 2024. The moves were supported by the ongoing rebound in chip stocks, with the Philly semiconductor index up +7.26% to a new record.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 08:26

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A study finds combining apitegromab with tirzepatide may help preserve lean muscle while supporting weight loss in people with obesity.

The Hill
Open 
GLP-1 drug tirzepatide may boost calorie-burning brown fat
New research suggests GLP-1 drug tirzepatide may increase brown fat activity, helping the body burn more calories beyond reducing appetite.

The Hill
Open 
Man attending concert at Madison Square Garden dies after fall: NYPD
The man was attending a Goose concert with his wife, authorities confirmed.

The Hill
Open 
Vance reports major progress in Iran talks
Vice President Vance hailed what he said was a major progress during direct negotiations between Trump administration officials and their Iranian counterparts at the Burgenstock ski resort in Switzerland on Sunday. “Yesterday was a very, very good day. We made a lot of good progress. We did exactly what we wanted to do,” Vance said...

The Hill
Open 
US's fertility rate has declined since 2007. It's even worse in these states
The nation's fertility rate has dropped by more than 20% since 2007.

The Hill
Open 
Woman, 76, killed after Tesla crashes into home: Texas sheriff
Video from the home shows the Tesla speeding across the lawn and colliding with the building.

The Hill
Open 
LAUSD superintendent resigns after FBI raids home, district office
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has submitted his resignation to the district and members of the Board of Education, district officials have confirmed to Nexstar's KTLA.

The Hill
Open 
Tim Tebow says he’s not interested in running for office as he takes on human trafficking
Tim Tebow is best known as a Heisman Trophy winner, college football national champion and sports broadcaster. But in recent months, the athlete turned activist has spent time with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as he stares down what he says is the toughest opponent he’s ever taken on: Human trafficking and child exploitation in the U.S....

The Hill
Open 
Affordable internet is a cost-of-living success story
American households still find themselves in a financial crunch when it comes to the cost of housing, healthy food, healthcare, and more. But there is at least one major household expense moving in the opposite direction: internet service. Broadband access is no small matter in our increasingly digital world, where high-speed internet is essential infrastructure...

Techdirt
Open 
ICE: We Don’t Have A Database Of ICE Protesters, Just A Database Of People Who Are *Probably* ICE Protesters
It’s no secret ICE officers are using their phones and their tech toys to do way more than they’ll openly admit to doing. Tech tools that can be abused will be abused. And ICE has plenty of those, including an app that’s supposed to be used for “verification” of migrant status, but is just facial […]

Russia Today News
Open 
The US-Iran talks are going nowhere

Mail Online
Open 
Britain faces shutdown in record breaking 40C heatwave: Schools will close early, trains face delays on buckling tracks and roads at risk of melting as 'heat dome' furnace strikes
The Met Office has issued a red 'danger to life' extreme heat warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' as the UK faces major delays to road, rail and air travel.

Mail Online
Open 
Keir Starmer resigns: Live updates as Andy Burnham arrives in Westminster to be sworn in as MP after tearful PM stepped down
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Prime Minister after accepting that MPs no longer believe he is the right person to lead the party into the next election.

Mail Online
Open 
Andy Burnham doesn't rule out a snap general election as he descends from the North to be crowned next PM after Starmer quits
As he heads for Westminster to be officially sworn in as an MP, Andy Burnham was grilled on his previous calls for a national poll when Tory leaders were replaced.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
How England's Madueke went from rejection by club fans to World Cup starter
Noni Madueke has gone from fans protesting against him signing for Arsenal to England World Cup starter. BBC Sport look at his rollercoaster season.

Mail Online
Open 
The heatwave event accessory you need! Watch the World Cup, go to the beach or have a BBQ - the Ninja cooler stores 42 beers and keeps them cold for days.
When I was scrolling on the Ninja website as I frequently do as I am obsessed with all their products, I came across the Ninja Frost Vault Cooler.

Mail Online
Open 
Chancellor's electric car tax is already stifling EV demand two years before pay-per-mile charges are introduced
Pay-per-mile road tax is set to come into effect in April 2028 and will see EV drivers pay 3p per mile driven. Almost one in three motorists say the road tax has already put them off buying an EV.

Mail Online
Open 
6 of the most flattering swimsuits on the high street to flatten your tummy and elevate your holiday wardrobe - plus how to wear them beyond the beach
From flattering tummy-control styles to trend-led one-shoulder designs, these are the six high-street swimsuits we're wearing this summer.

Mail Online
Open 
The tiny artefact that shakes up Sutton Hoo helmet's origin story: Die stamp found in Kent suggests the Anglo-Saxon treasure was manufactured nearby - and NOT in Scandinavia
The history of an iconic British treasure could be rewritten after a tiny artefact was unearthed in a field in Kent.

Mail Online
Open 
Putin's 'personal enemy' who revealed his relationship with an Olympic gymnast dies after eating poisonous mushrooms
Grigory Nekhoroshev died aged 69 in the Latvian capital Riga, where he had lived in exile as a 'political refugee' for 11 years, reported the Delfi news outlet.

Mail Online
Open 
Fury as drivers whose cars were stuck at Bedford station during train crash are issued with parking tickets
Around 100 people were injured and the train's driver, Shaun Burton, 60, was killed following the collision on Friday afternoon.

Mail Online
Open 
England fans who went to the 1986 World Cup and never came back were reunited 40 years on at the Croatia game last week
Gary Allen, Stuart Bates, David Arnold and Garry Hardwicke were young men in their twenties when, down on their luck and out of work, they decided to travel to Mexico to watch England.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
What is the Process to Change name on Alaska Flight Ticket? {2026 Latest Rules}
Need to fix a name on your Alaska Airlines booking? You can request a name change by contacting Alaska Airlines customer service, visiting an airport ticketing desk, or via direct messaging. Minor corrections are usually free, while legal name changes may require documentation. Learn the full process to ensure smooth, hassle-free travel.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Trump’s ‘great daughter’: who was the mystery woman in the president’s Father’s Day post?
The president posted a picture of a blond woman on Truth Social – but it wasn’t Ivanka or TiffanyName: Donald Trump’s great daughter.Age: Unknown. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Met Office issues rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday
UK Health Security Agency also issues red heat alert for six English regions, indicating risk to life even for the healthyMet Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity, while a red heat health alert has been issued in England indicating “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.The weather warning covers southern Wales as far west as Swansea, and an area of England that includes London and runs from the inland areas of Kent across to Somerset, as far north-west as Birmingham, and as far north-east as southern Cambridgeshire. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer’s turn at the Podium of Doom sees him depart with good(ish) grace
The PM is another butterfly broken on the wheel of the public gaze, not quite ready to accept his own limitationsUK politics live – latest updatesThey think it’s all over. It is now … It was all done with comparatively little fuss. No operational note sent out to the media. No timings given to the broadcasters. Just a small flurry of activity in the street outside No 10. Microphones and loudspeakers set up. Then the Podium of Doom. It was almost as if Keir Starmer was a little embarrassed about what was happening. Wanted as few people as possible to witness his departure.Shortly before 9.30am, Downing Street staffers and a handful of cabinet ministers assembled to say goodbye. The Unhappy Few. The last remaining loyalists. David Lammy, Darren Jones, Richard Hermer and Douglas Alexander. No sign of Rachel Reeves. Maybe she had headed up to Manchester the night before so she could come back down with Andy Burnham on Monday morning. “What are the chances of meeting like this?” Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
iPhone 17 Prices Could Go Up as Soon as This Month
There is growing speculation that Apple may hike the prices of its iPhone 17 lineup as soon as this month, following CEO Tim Cook's recent comments about "unavoidable" price increases.





Last week, Cook told The Wall Street Journal that Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased cost of memory and storage chips, both of which are in high demand from AI and neocloud companies as they continue to build more data centers.



The scale of the AI infrastructure buildout has prompted debate over whether demand will ultimately justify the hundreds of billions of dollars being invested, but for now it is helping to drive supply constraints across the semiconductor industry. Cook likened the memory shortages to a hundred-year flood. "I've never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years," he said.



Multiple companies have already raised their prices, including Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell. Apple is now expected to follow suit. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that the timing of Cook's comments likely indicates price hikes are "imminent." Gurman has also linked potential price increases to Apple's Back to School sale, which is expected to be announced imminently. His thinking is that Apple may tie the two things together as a "buffer."



Apple holds a Back to School sale each June, providing teachers and students with free accessories or gift cards when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. The added bonus is in addition to Apple's educational discount. The Back to School sale typically takes place around WWDC, and in three of the last five years, it has started 8 to 10 days after the WWDC keynote. That could mean we see the sale announced as soon as this week. Could higher device prices arrive in tandem?



Either way, Gurman believes the price hikes are "not a fall thing." In other words, they won't be held back until the launch of new iPhone 18 Pro models around mid-September. Chinese supply chain leaker Ice Universe said as much over the weekend, suggesting the price of Apple's current flagship lineup could rise before then.



Apple's existing iPhone retail prices are as follows:



iPhone 17e: from $599

iPhone 17: from $799

iPhone Air: from $999

iPhone 17 Pro: from $1,099

iPhone 17 Pro Max: from $1,199



Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal has published its own analysis estimating the iPhone 18 Pro could start as high as $1,399.



Prices on iPads and Macs could also go up in the near future.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, 'iPhone 17 Prices Could Go Up as Soon as This Month' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Expected Later This Year
Apple will unveil the Apple Watch Ultra 4 alongside an Apple Watch Series 12 later this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.





Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman plotted out Apple's product roadmap for the rest of the year, including the Phone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the company's first foldable iPhone. "That flurry of devices should also include an Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4," said Gurman.



Apple hasn't released a new Apple Watch Ultra model every year. The Ultra launched in 2022, followed by an Ultra 2 in 2023. In 2024, the only update was a black color option, but the underlying hardware remained unchanged. The Ultra 3 arrived in 2025, so it sounds like Apple isn't skipping a year this time around.



The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could include a "full redesign," according to a May 2026 DigiTimes report, but it's not clear what that would include. The device is also rumored to be getting a "significant upgrade to sensing functions." But again, we don't know what that might refer to.



In terms of new watch features, Apple is developing noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, but it is still believed to be a few years away while Apple works on further miniaturization.



Leaked Apple code has suggested the company is experimenting with biometric authentication in the form of Touch ID for 2026's Apple Watch lineup, but it's not clear how this could be implemented. Touch ID could go under the display, or it could be integrated into the side button. The feature would reduce reliance on numerical passcodes for unlocking, but the Apple Watch already has a wrist authentication feature for making purchases.



Looking further ahead, Apple is considering using LG Display's high-mobility oxide (HMO) thin-film transistor technology for the next Apple Watch OLED display in 2027. Compared to the current LTPO display technology, HMO increases electron mobility for lower power consumption.



The Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12 are expected to arrive in September alongside the new iPhone models. watchOS 27 will add new watch faces to the new devices, including a variant of the Modular Ultra face. Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 3Tag: Mark GurmanBuyer's Guide: Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, 'Apple Watch Ultra 4 Expected Later This Year' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day
Apple's AirPods Max 2 have hit $399.00 on Amazon, down from $549.00. This sale is only available in the Starlight color option and it's a massive discount on the brand new headphones, coming in $100 under the previous all-time low price.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around June 27, but Prime members should see same-day delivery options in many locations. This is one of the best early Prime Day deals we've tracked so far, and if more colors are added we'll update this article.



$150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'AirPods Max 2 Hit $399 Record Low Price for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
iOS 27 Adds Mac-Like Recovery Mode for iPhone and iPad
iOS 27 introduces a new recovery mode for iPhone and iPad that lets the device boot into an alternative, lightweight interface without loading the full operating system, similar to recovery mode on Apple silicon Macs.





To use the feature, users must turn the device off, then hold the side button to power it on. The Apple logo appears as it would during a normal boot, but holding the button for an extended duration brings up a progress bar, and the device then launches into the new recovery environment rather than continuing into iOS or iPadOS as normal. The process mirrors how recovery mode is triggered on Apple silicon Macs by holding the power button.



The new recovery screen offers five options: Recovery Assistant, Software Update, Diagnostics Mode, Erase All Content and Settings, and Recovery Mode. The interface also displays the current battery percentage in the corner of the screen and automatically connects to a known Wi-Fi network, while a power button in the toolbar lets users attempt a normal restart instead.



New in iOS 27: On-Device Recovery Mode OptionsWhen turning on your iPhone, if you continue to hold the power button, you will see new recovery options such as:Recovery AssistantSoftware UpdateDiagnostics ModeErase All Content and SettingsRecovery Mode via Mac pic.twitter.com/eS404VH8Ca- Aaron (@aaronp613) June 10, 2026



The addition means some last-resort repairs that previously required connecting an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to a computer can now be carried out independently on the device itself. Apple's Recovery Assistant tool is designed to handle some of these automated fixes without further input.



The need to use the new recovery mode should remain rare. One scenario where it could come in handy is if a software update fails to install, such as when a device runs out of battery mid-update. Some iOS beta versions have in the past caused devices to soft-lock or enter boot loops, and in those cases, the Software Update option in the new recovery mode could allow a user to reinstall the last stable version of the OS without needing to put the device into DFU mode and restore it from a Mac or PC.



‌iOS 27‌ and iPadOS 27 are in developer beta testing now, with a public beta expected next month, and an official release in the fall. Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'iOS 27 Adds Mac-Like Recovery Mode for iPhone and iPad' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
AirTag 2 Gets First Ever Discounts for Prime Day
Prime Day doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but we're seeing a handful of steep discounts on a few Apple devices already today. This includes the AirTag 2 at the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model.



$5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'AirTag 2 Gets First Ever Discounts for Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
Open 
Microsoft accidentally kills epic Outlook email threads
Redmond manages to break replying to an email on Outlook for macOS, one of the most basic functions

BBC UK News
Open 
Keir Starmer departure 'underscores chaos of Westminster', says O'Neill
Northern Ireland politicians react to the resignation of Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and prime minister.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Johnny Marr to auction off dozens of guitars heard on Smiths classics such as This Charming Man
Christie’s sale in London in September carries estimates up to £150,000, with some instruments also used by Noel Gallagher and Bernard SumnerJohnny Marr is preparing to auction off about 80 of his guitars, including the Rickenbacker heard on This Charming Man.Marr has partnered with Christie’s for the auction, which will take place on 17 September in London, with the collection – including amps and other equipment – available for the public to view in London and New York prior to the sale. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Top officer says anti-racism guidance has fuelled myth of two-tier policing
Head of Greater Manchester force rejects claims of anti-white bias but says he understands where it comes fromPolicing in Britain has “adopted the language of activism” and official guidance has “over-corrected” to combat accusations of racism, one of the UK’s most senior officers has said.Sir Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said he did not believe that “two-tier policing” existed or that forces were biased against white people. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer’s turn at the Podium of Doom sees him depart with good(ish) grace
The PM is another butterfly broken on the wheel of the public gaze, not quite ready to accept his own limitationsUK politics live – latest updatesThey think it’s all over. It is now… It was all done with comparatively little fuss. No operational note sent out to the media. No timings given to the broadcasters. Just a small flurry of activity in the street outside No 10. Microphones and loudspeakers set up. Then the Podium of Doom. It was almost as if Keir Starmer was a little embarrassed about what was happening. Wanted as few people as possible to witness his departure.Shortly before 9.30am, Downing Street staffers and a handful of cabinet ministers assembled to say goodbye. The Unhappy Few. The last remaining loyalists. David Lammy, Darren Jones, Richard Hermer and Douglas Alexander. No sign of Rachel Reeves. Maybe she had headed up to Manchester the night before so she could come back down with Andy Burnham on Monday morning. “What are the chances of meeting like this?” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer’s resignation speech: the six key takeaways
PM reminds listeners of his landslide general election win and achievements in office before ending with tribute to his family UK politics live – latest updatesIt was only a few minutes long, fewer than 750 words, and was in part almost drowned out by music blasted by anti-Brexit protesters. But there was a lot in Keir Starmer’s resignation speech – not all of it stated openly. Here we look at the key quotes and what the prime minister meant by them. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
'British PMs don't last very long': Londoners react to Starmer's resignation – video
Keir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, as Andy Burnham prepares to return to Westminster. Less than two years after a historic general election victory, Londoners react to his departureKeir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryUK politics live – latest updates Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
US Open shows why golf is on guard against bad behaviour
With unruly behaviour both on and off the course during last week's US Open, it is imperative officials continue to closely police the situation, writes Iain Carter.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Why did Starmer resign and what could happen next?
The Labour leader says he will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.

Chatham House
Open 
Britain’s next prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Burnham or another
Britain’s next prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Burnham or another
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
19 June 2026

Whoever is leading the country must deal with a fundamental shift in the UK’s most important relations – with the US and Europe – in an increasingly dangerous world.















The UK will have a new prime minister after Keir Starmer resigned on Monday. Andy Burnham, who has returned as a Labour MP after securing a strong victory in the Makerfield by-election, announced his leadership bid the same day. Given that Wes Streeting – the main expected challenger to Burnham – has announced his support for Burnham’s leadership bid, it now seems highly likely that Burnham will become the next prime minister. If standing unopposed, Burnham would enter office by mid-July; if there is a leadership contest, whoever wins will be in place by September.Much of the debate around how Burnham, or other potential challengers, may differ from Starmer has focused on their approach to pressing domestic issues, especially the cost of living and growth, public services and immigration. Future relations with the EU have made the occasional appearance.These issues are crucial. But Starmer’s short time as prime minister was largely consumed by foreign affairs. Any potential new prime minister will face a relentless deluge of international issues and challenges.This is not just the result of unexpected overseas crises, although there have been many of those. It is tied to the fact that the UK’s most critical post-war relationships – with the US and Europe – are shifting.There are positive lessons to take from Starmer’s track record in government. But his government struggled to address the deeper strategic questions – and find the resources – needed to tackle this fundamental shift and its impact on defence and security.Whoever is the next prime minister will have the opportunity for a reset. This would need to address the US’s increasing reluctance to underwrite European security, the intensification of US-China rivalry, and the resulting increase in threats facing the UK.What Starmer did wellStarmer was consistent and reliable when it comes to personal diplomacy. He navigated a difficult relationship with President Donald Trump by correctly reading, and managing, the MAGA camp’s extreme sensitivity to apparent European condescension. He refused to be publicly baited into conflict with the administration if it didn’t serve the UK’s interests.






There are positive lessons to take from Starmer’s track record so far.






As pieces of diplomatic theatre, reciprocal US–UK state visits have been handled well. And Starmer sought to learn from the past, carefully delimiting the UK’s role in the US–Iran war in recognition of the lessons of Iraq – and the subsequent Chilcot Inquiry – about not committing limited UK resources to US missions with no clear strategic end goal.Starmer had also been a credible European ally. He continued the approach of previous UK governments in being a long-term and clear-eyed supporter of Ukraine. He recognized that the UK’s security priority should be in Europe and coordinated with European counterparts effectively, signing a new security treaty with Germany and refreshing the existing one with France.A longer-term plan for European defence and securityWhile Starmer’s personal diplomacy as a European ally was a relative success, it is at threat of being undermined by the failure of his government to reckon with the costs of rising defence and security commitments.Defence spending challenges are by no means a new phenomenon, and are shared across Europe. Previous UK governments similarly said they would hit ambitious defence spending targets without explaining how. Part of the difficulty for Starmer’s government had been untangling a long history of British governments making too many commitments for UK defence without an honest assessment of the total costs.




































Related work

John Healey’s resignation highlights profound strategic failure in the UK government’s approach to defence












But the defence spending issue is about more than just litigating competing claims on the public purse – though this is challenging enough. With the US no longer such a reliable European security backstop – and Washington planning to withdraw some resources from Europe – the UK needs a longer-term defence and security relationship with European allies.The UK’s active and immediate response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 increased Britain’s credibility as a contributor to, and shaper of, the future of European security. The UK sent weaponry and helped train Ukrainian forces, in some cases before other partners, and played an important role in coordinating support. It worked closely with Nordic and Baltic countries, particularly via the Joint Expeditionary Force, to build an increasingly active European defence coalition. Post-Brexit, the UK has made it clear that it can play an important strategic and security role in Europe.

Mail Online
Open 
These are the 10 holiday questions Brits ask each summer - the travel desk has the answers
Wondering how long you need on your passport, where your money will go furthest in Europe or what full board really means? We answers the questions asked every summer.

Mail Online
Open 
President Zelensky tells Keir Starmer 'you are always welcome in Ukraine' as he thanks outgoing PM for his support
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told outgoing UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer that he will always be a 'welcome guest in Ukraine' following his bombshell resignation this afternoon. 

Mail Online
Open 
Fidel Castro's 'secret' daughter speaks out to reveal truth about those Justin Trudeau 'sibling' rumors: 'Sensitive subject'
As a young child, Alina Fernandez experienced Cuba, the island of her birth, as a beguiling, intoxicating place. But nothing was quite what it seemed.

Mail Online
Open 
Scientists predict how the world will end - and say Earth may NOT be swallowed by the sun after all
For years, it's been believed that the sun will expand in five billion years, swallowing our planet in the process.
However, a new study suggests that this might not be the case after all.

Autosport F1
Open 
Hamilton demands action to tackle "ridiculous" cost of motorsport
Lewis Hamilton has called on the FIA and Formula 1 to implement further changes to make motorsport more accessible, citing the "ridiculous" costs of karting.Hamilton feels motorsport is going in the "wrong direction" with its cost of entry, which is making it much harder for children from lower- and middle-income households to participate."I've not spent any time really looking at it ...Keep reading

Civil Nuclear Constabulary
Open 
Armed Forces Week: Over 30 former Armed Forces personnel join CNC
Over thirty former Armed Forces personnel joined the CNC over the past year, bringing military experience to roles protecting the UK's civil nuclear sector. | Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

TechRadar News
Open 
Upgrade your gaming audio ahead of GTA 6 with one of the few audiophile headsets I ever recommend for gamers

TechRadar News
Open 
The 3 best super-quiet fans to help you sleep comfortably this summer — tried and tested by experts

TechRadar News
Open 
AirPods Max 2 just dropped to a lowest-ever $399 at Amazon, proving the best deals don't always wait for Prime Day — run!

TechRadar News
Open 
‘I barely slept last night’: Hackers sent an ‘extreme’ alert to millions of Brazilians using the government’s own tools, and that’s a huge concern

TechRadar News
Open 
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2 is another boring update that does nothing — but here's why I'm happy about that

TechRadar News
Open 
A YouTuber tried using an ice machine to cool down his Nvidia RTX 3060 rig —and it went about as well as you might expect

TechRadar News
Open 
I asked ChatGPT what I'd become obsessed with next — and its predictions were surprisingly convincing

TechRadar News
Open 
Thousands of D-Link and QNAP NAS routers compromised by fast-moving AryStinger malware that turns unsecured devices into a malicious proxy botnet

Propublica
Open 
Connecticut: Have You Called 911 for Help? Tell Us About Your Experience.
The post Connecticut: Have You Called 911 for Help? Tell Us About Your Experience. appeared first on ProPublica.

Propublica
Open 
Do You Work or Volunteer for Connecticut’s Emergency Medical Services? We Want to Hear From You.
The post Do You Work or Volunteer for Connecticut’s Emergency Medical Services? We Want to Hear From You. appeared first on ProPublica.

Digital Trends
Open 
Nothing’s latest teaser suggests its budget lineup isn’t dead, it’s just rebranding
Shortly after shelving a CMF budget phone, Nothing has teased a likely replacement called the Nothing Phone 4b.

Digital Trends
Open 
This new $30 keychain camera is coming for Kodak Charmera with a flip screen for selfies
Yashica’s Funtastic Keychain Camera is a tiny digital camera with a 180-degree flip screen, 1MP sensor, USB-C charging, and multiple character-themed designs.

Digital Trends
Open 
MacBook Air M5 review: Boring has never been this good
Quick Take The MacBook Air M5 is what happens when Apple keeps refining an already excellent laptop instead of reinventing it. On paper, the upgrades feel modest. The design is unchanged, the display is still 60Hz, and the M5 chip isn’t delivering the dramatic leap that makes last year’s model instantly obsolete. Yet after spending […]

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Five people reportedly arrested after Trump claims Washington reflecting pool was ‘vandalized’ – US politics live
CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were made for vandalizing pool and another five federal citations issuedTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailEarlier, JD Vance said the US and Iranian teams made “great progress” in talks yesterday, with the help of mediation from Qatar and Pakistan, and had created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” to end the war.“The final deal is the house,” the US vice president told reporters in Bürgenstock. “We set the foundation. We haven’t built the house, but we’ve laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Julián Quiñones, Blackness in Mexico and the complexities of national identity
Two years ago, Quiñones was the target of racist chants by fans. Now, hailed as a hero in that same country, he’s challenging expectations of race and identityOn a March night in Guadalajara in 2024, Club América were winning El Clásico Nacional. Julián Quiñones, their star player, had scored and headed toward the sideline. Then a shout at Quiñones, who is Black, rang out from the stands. ¡Puto negro! A racial slur.Moments later, monkey noises were heard in the stands. The scene was familiar to anyone who follows Mexican soccer. Cell phone videos captured it. Commentators analyzed it the next day. Officials condemned it. Investigations were announced. For a few days, the Mexican game went through its ritual of shock. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Emotional and horrific’: volunteers ‘live’ as Somerset animals to study wildlife risks
People trained to experience world as otters, salmon and other River Tone creatures for pioneering researchWhat does a kestrel make of the dog sniffing in the long grass below? Why does an exhausted salmon pause before a weir? How will an otter experience the rumble of a passing train?Eighteen people have spent six weeks swimming, slithering and soaring as otters, salmon, earthworms, red deer and kestrels in an attempt to better document the risks for wild animals in our human-dominated landscape. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK Met Office issues rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday
People in southern Wales and area of England from Kent and Sussex to Somerset and Birmingham urged to protect themselves from extreme heatThe UK’s Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity.It covers southern Wales as far west as Swansea, and an area of England that includes London and runs from the inland areas of Kent and Sussex, all the way across to Somerset, as far north-west as Birmingham, and as far north-east as southern Cambridgeshire. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Two men arrested in relation to hospital mortuary practices in Nottingham
Arrests part of Operation Perth investigation into failures in NHS trust’s maternity servicesTwo men have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in the running of a mortuary service at a hospital trust at the centre of the NHS’s largest inquiry into maternity services.Nottingham University hospitals (NUH) NHS trust will be the focus of a major report on Wednesday into how failings led to the deaths of babies and serious harm to families. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham descends from the North to be crowned next PM after Wes Streeting dropped out and Starmer quit - as jockeying for Cabinet jobs begins
Wes Streeting declared he will not seek the top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham after Keir Starmer's resignation.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Big Tech is splitting into two artificial-intelligence camps. Here is the better bet.
Why tech giants such as Alphabet and Microsoft are the safer choice in the AI race.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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A 40% market crash is lurking in the IPO pipeline. SpaceX and OpenAI could trigger it.
Prior records for U.S. equity issuance came in 1929 and 2000 — and we all know what happened next.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Teachers ban it, employers demand it: New grads face a frustrating AI double standard
The mixed messages on AI are another challenge when Gen Z already faces a tough job market.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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AbbVie is buying a biotech company working on an experimental eczema drug for $10.9 billion
Apogee Therapeutics is developing a promising atopic dermatitis drug.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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China’s new economic drivers: a sad toy elf and a robot police force
Squeezed by stagnant wages, young Chinese are spending billions to buy “feelings.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan dies at 100
The legendary central banker led the Fed for nearly two decades.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Trump ‘jawboning’ has masked a global oil-supply disaster, and the reality could mean $135 crude, says industry veteran
Author and former trader Dan Dicker says President Donald Trump’s rhetoric can only take the market so far,

Slashdot
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Several US States Bet That AI Can Solve Their Prison Recidivism Crisis
America's state prison systems need ways "to keep people from returning to prison," reports the Wall Street Journal, "when an estimated 40% end up back behind bars within three years."

Part of the problem comes in the form of filing cabinets, manila folders and legacy digital databases. In other words, records for a single prisoner might be kept in a dozen places... Now a group of 19 prison systems are tackling the problem with digital tools and artificial intelligence in some cases. They are contracting with San Francisco nonprofit Recidiviz, whose computer systems bring together prisoner data from its disparate sources into digital dashboards. From there, corrections staff can see information - such as court records and notes from parole-board hearings - about a prisoner or parolee all in one place.

The company says its efforts are working: Recidivism has fallen 16% in the prison population its systems track. It is the result of "just streamlining these workflows and knitting someone's journey together end to end," says Clementine Jacoby, chief executive officer of Recidiviz. Some criminal-justice groups show that recidivism is trending downward in general, though most of that data is nearly a decade old... The statistics from 11 states stop at 2019, and for four states stop at 2016. With 10 other states, no data was reported.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
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Toddler in stable condition after crocodile attack
A three-year-old boy who was seriously hurt after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo is in a stable condition in hospital, police have said.

Computer Weekly
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Santander extends staff access to AI as first quarter delivers €35m value
Spanish bank expects artificial intelligence use to add €200m in value this year through cost savings and extra revenues

Computer Weekly
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Lloyds Bank staff have taken 400,000 AI courses since January
UK bank staff have already taken artificial intelligence-related training courses as part of AI Academy

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'He's stored in a hard disk in my head' - watching the World Cup as a manager
Former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank on watching new players at the World Cup - who would he sign and who will be the star of the tournament?

Nature
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Will AI spark a scientific renaissance — or a diffuse monoculture?

Gizmodo
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Could This Super El Niño Trigger a Global Food Crisis?
El Niño has arrived, and it’s going to be a doozy. Here’s what that means for global food security, according to experts.

Gizmodo
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Toy Story 5 Rides Like the Wind With 2026’s Best Debut
Pixar has another potential winner on its hand with 'Toy Story 5'—if the summer's other big movies don't steal its thunder.

UK Government News
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Armed Forces Week: Over 30 former Armed Forces personnel join CNC
Over thirty former Armed Forces personnel joined the CNC over the past year, bringing military experience to roles protecting the UK's civil nuclear sector.

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer’s resignation and a ray of New Year light: photos of the day – Monday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Rukmini Iyer’s quick and easy recipe for one-pot nigella-spiced paneer fried rice | Quick and easy
This one-pan. 30-minute stir-fry will be just as delightful if you swap out the cheese for tofuThis is such a gorgeous one-pot rice dish, though it deviates from my usual microwave method and goes back to cooking rice the good old-fashioned, stove-top absorption way. If you’re vegan, you can easily substitute tofu for the paneer cubes. In fact, I told my tofu-mad children that the paneer was tofu, and they were none the wiser. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Pitfall review – big-hole survival horror is as if cast of Friends strayed into Deliverance
Laborious and bombastic thriller set in a forest where a maniacal woodsman and a cast of irritating victims converge with gory resultsNo low-budget horror movie can apparently now be greenlighted without featuring the obligatory posse of supremely irritating victims ripe for the culling. Pitfall director James Kondelik is evidently unbothered that this might make his bloody agenda too blatant; even his “sympathetic” characters – a pair of grieving siblings on a wilderness trip to commemorate their parents – bleat out their issues at such length that it’s sweet relief when a maniac woodsman (played by former UFC fighter Randy Couture) arrives to shut them up in a laborious and bombastic survival horror.Pitfall plays a bit as if the cast of Friends had strayed into Deliverance. Ashley (Alexandra Essoe) and her brother Scott (Marshall Williams) are returning several years later to the forest location where their parents died in a car accident after hitting a deer. Their respective other halves, Charlie (Matt Hamilton) and Gwen (Jordan Claire Robbins), are in tow – as well as carping spare wheel Lars (Richard Harmon). But Scott and Charlie’s credentials as outdoorsmen are rumbled when, fleeing from wolves, the former falls into a spiked hunting pit of the type he’d warned everyone to avoid a few hours earlier. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Dame Jilly Cooper left her children £8.6million in her will after her death aged 88 following fall at home
The so-called 'queen of the bonkbuster' died aged 88 in October last year - less than 24 hours after she fractured her skull in a catastrophic fall at home.

Crowdfund Insider
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Fintech Stripe and AWS Team Up to Enable Payments for AI Agents Accessing Digital Content
Fintech firm Stripe has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to introduce new tools that allow content creators and publishers to earn revenue from interactions with autonomous AI systems. Announced on June 15, 2026, this collaboration integrates Stripe’s payment infrastructure into AWS’s Web Application Firewall... Read More

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Hong Kong : HKEX and HKMA Collaborate on Pilot for Digital Payments in Derivatives After-Hours Trading 
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have jointly announced the launch of a pilot project on 18 June 2026. This initiative explores an innovative digital payment option designed to support margin requirements during the after-hours trading (AHT)... Read More

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PwC and ToltIQ Partner to Enable AI powered Deal Execution in Private Markets
PwC’s Deals practice has entered a strategic relationship with ToltIQ, a specialized artificial intelligence platform focused on private markets due diligence. Announced recently this month, this partnership positions PwC as ToltIQ’s exclusive professional services advisor worldwide, with exclusivity among major accounting and consulting firms. The... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Charles Schwab, Cboe Partner to Launch S&P 500 Binary Options with Fixed and Partial Payouts
Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW) is teaming up with Cboe Global Markets to introduce a new suite of options contracts tied to the performance of the S&P 500 index. These products will let clients place straightforward yes-or-no wagers on whether the benchmark closes above or below predetermined... Read More

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Deluxe/Celero $625M Deal Leads This Past Week’s Fintech Fundings and Acquisitions
Select Fintech investments and acquisitions this past week, beginning with a whopper from Deluxe. Deluxe acquires Celero for $625 million deal. Celero offers merchant solutions for small to mid-sized businesses and strategic partners, including an all-in-one suite of omnichannel payment solutions. Learn more here. Chronograph... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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China Onboards Establishd Financial Institutions to Enhance Digital Yuan Cross-Border Payments
China has reportedly taken a significant step toward further expanding the international reach of its central bank digital currency by signing direct participation agreements with 26 financial institutions for cross-border digital yuan transactions. The latest agreements, finalized in Shanghai, grant the institutions access to the... Read More

ZDNet News
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Yes, you need a password manager - and you can try Proton Pass for just $1 right now
Proton Pass is one of our favorite password managers - and you can try a month for 80% off with this deal.

Sky News Home
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Scores of drones target Moscow as Russian strikes on Ukraine kill six
Dozens of drones were shot down as they headed for Moscow overnight, while six people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Lottery players urged to check tickets with £12 million prize still unclaimed
A Lotto Jackpot ticket worth £12m bought in Rhondda Cynon Taf has yet to be claimed.

UK Legislation
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Correction Slip
These Regulations bring into force specified provisions in the Digital Economy Act 2017 (“the 2017 Act”) and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (“the 2025 Act”).

The Hill
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Trump relationship with Senate GOP crumbling after repeated clashes
President Trump’s relationship with key Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), is crumbling after repeated clashes over strategy on an array of issues. The two sides are splitting further apart as the midterm election nears and GOP lawmakers fear the potential loss of both chambers of Congress. GOP senators say there has...

The Hill
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CNN was right about the war, and I was wrong
This White House is exactly as inept as advertised.

The Hill
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Iran negotiators report progress, but obstacles loom 
In today’s issue: The deal to stop fighting between the United States and Iran was showing new signs of life Monday morning after a head-spinning weekend, with negotiators expressing optimism about a path toward reaching a permanent deal to end the conflict after their first day of talks in Switzerland. That doesn’t mean there aren’t serious obstacles to keeping the deal in...

The Hill
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How not to memorialize the Iraq War
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial echoes the Bush administration’s discredited justifications for the war.

The Hill
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Alan Greenspan dies at 100
Alan Greenspan, who served five terms as chair of the Federal Reserve, died on Monday at the age of 100. Greenspan’s wife, longtime NBC News journalist Andrea Mitchell, said in a statement to the network that her husband died from complications of Parkinson’s disease.  “He was a giant of a man who helped shape the...

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer cries as he quits No10 claiming a deluded list of 'achievements' - now Britain awaits its seventh PM in ten years
Keir Starmer talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.

Mail Online
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Lady Starmer's tears as Sir Keir quits: PM's wife embraces him outside No10 after she was visibly emotional during resignation speech
Lady Victoria held hands with Sir Keir as they walked out of the front door together before she moved to the side to stand with ministerial allies and staff.

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Watch and read Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir announces he will be step down as Labour leader and PM in a Downing Street address.

Russia Today News
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Colombia’s Petro accuses Israel of hacking election

Mail Online
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Lee Andrews says he's 'trying' for a baby with Katie Price, 48, and claims he's 'adopted' her children - despite never having actually met them
Lee Andrews has claimed he is trying for a baby with his wife Katie Price following his recent release from Al-Awir prison in Dubai where he was jailed for a month.

Mail Online
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Labour warned wealth tax under new leader could spark £100bn exodus from UK as rich flee
Asset manager Rathbones said a fresh tax raid on wealth and property under a new Prime Minister and Chancellor 'would be economically damaging to the UK'.

Mail Online
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Why Audi's £82k diesel SUV can run on vegetable oil - but is it better than getting an EV and where can I fill up?
The German car giant has turned to a different recipe book for its latest luxury SUV by using a special diesel. Where could you fill up and would it save you money?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Who is Andy Burnham? Ex-Manchester mayor who wants to lead the country
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor is lining up a third attempt to be Labour leader following his return to Westminster.

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Starmer is stepping down - what could happen next?
The Labour leader says he will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.

FlightAware Squawks
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American Airlines 787 Zurich-Philadelphia Declares Emergency
Within the last 30 minutes, an American Airlines Boeing 787 from Zurich to Philadelphia has declared an emergency and diverted to London Heathrow.

FlightAware Squawks
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Air France A350 Paris-Dallas Declares Emergency
In the last few moments, an Air France Airbus A350 operating a flight from Paris to Dallas has made a u-turn over the Atlantic and declared an emergency.

The Guardian (UK)
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WSL and WSL2 fans can drink alcohol in stands next season after successful trial
Leagues’ regulations altered after positive test periodClubs will not be obliged to offer option to supportersWomen’s Super League and WSL2 clubs can permit supporters to drink alcohol in view of the pitch from next season, the Guardian can reveal, after a change to the leagues’ regulations on the back of a successful trial over the past 18 months.Not all clubs will necessarily take up the opportunity, but it is understood WSL Football’s shareholders have approved the change. Clubs will be expected to inform their fans whether they will allow the practice, and in which areas of stadiums it will be permitted. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From migration to Mandelson: Keir Starmer’s successes and failures in No 10
Where did it go wrong for the outgoing prime minister? And how much – if at all – did it threaten to go right?Keir Starmer pitched himself as a leader for “stability and moderation” who would rebuild Britain, after Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election.But after two years which have seen unforced errors, economic headwinds, scandals and, most recently, a disastrous set of devolved, mayoral and local election results the UK is set to have its sixth prime minister in seven years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer has a strong green record – but a rightwing backlash weakened his plans
Prime minister was forced to row back on some policies despite strong support among voters for climate actionKeir Starmer has faced a problem no Labour government has needed to deal with before. His energy and climate policies – core to solving the cost of living crisis – have come under attack from opposition parties, which have made dismantling the agenda one of their top priorities, second only to immigration, in their pitch to voters.This is new in British politics, where a cross-party consensus on the climate and environment has held at least since the days of Margaret Thatcher. She warned the UN of the climate crisis in 1988; David Cameron in 2006 urged voters to “vote blue, go green”; Theresa May enshrined in law the requirement to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; Boris Johnson championed the Cop26 UN climate summit in Glasgow in 2021; even Rishi Sunak only tried a partial rollback of green policies as a last desperate throw before calling an election. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Giant slalom to Grand Slams - the making of Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Alan Greenspan, architect of the modern American economy, dies aged 100
As chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan became the world's most high-profile banker.

Mail Online
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Life of the England World Cup rejects: Cole Palmer and his girlfriend lap up the sun in Ibiza, Phil Foden's at Disneyland - and Harry Maguire's selling stickers at Rockefeller Centre!
England stars overlooked by Thomas Tuchel this summer have wasted no time enjoying themselves while their team-mates pursue World Cup glory. 

The Register
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Health board apologizes for phishing staff with with bogus vacation day
IT thought a fake offer of extra time off for hard-pressed Canadian medical workers was the way to go

Mail Online
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Rory McIlroy is lauded by fans after brutally fat-shaming US Open heckler in New York
Less than a year after being relentlessly heckled on Long Island by American golf fans, Rory McIlroy heard the jeers and taunts lobbed his way again.

Mail Online
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Alan Shearer's daughter Hollie poses in a plunging white lace dress as she gets her groove on at wild villa hen do ahead of marrying rugby star Joe Marchant
The daughter of football ace Alan Shearer , 31, continued her wild hen do celebrations on Sunday as she had cocktails by the pool in the garden of a luxury villa.

Mail Online
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Venezuela Fury, 16, reveals she wore sunglasses at her wedding because she'd been 'crying my eyes out all morning' - as she and husband Noah Price, 19, make their live TV debut
Venezuela Fury has revealed the real reason she arrived at her wedding to Noah Price while sporting a pair of Gucci sunglasses. 

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Giant slalom to Grand Slams - the people and places that made Sinner a winner
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

The Guardian (UK)
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Five people reportedly arrested after Trump claims Washington reflecting pool was ‘vandalized’ – US politics live
CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were made for vandalizing pool and another five federal citations issuedTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailA progressive Democrat challenging a veteran congressman to represent the party in a closely watched New York race for US Congress has claimed the city has deteriorated on his watch.Darializa Avila Chevalier, one of three allies that New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has endorsed in competitive congressional Democratic primaries in the city on Tuesday, is seeking to unseat incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the state’s 13th congressional district. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd, oh, what is that? Horrendous running. Billy Root called for the run, Tribe started, but then went back and somehow they both ended up at the non-striker’s end. A furious Root stalks off, run out 0. Glamorgan 0-1.I was going to say it was weird how Tom Lawes was allowed to swap for Atkinson despite being a much better batter but in fact they average almost exactly the same, 19.something. This game is skipping away from Glamorgan – the lead 189. It should be enough but….The last pair have now added 99 – the lead 189 over Surrey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Hotspot | Aramco’s petrodollar backing of World Cup leaves stain of sportswashing
How Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant is embedding fossil fuels as a crucial part of the world’s biggest sportIf you have watched the World Cup, you may have seen the big signs announcing Aramco as the tournament’s “energy partner”. This Saudi Arabian fossil fuel company also happens to be the world’s single largest corporate polluter while Saudi Arabia has, for decades, been the greatest stumbling block in international climate change negotiations. Aramco’s sponsorship is one aspect of Fifa’s increasing sportswashing that has angered fans around the world.This cosy relationship between modern football and the polluting industries has a long history that can be divided into three periods. First was when the game grew in British society as a tool to order and discipline workers and then became a cultural export of the British empire and capitalism. In the Factory Act of 1850, workers won the right to have Saturday afternoons free from work from 2pm, which is why the traditional kick-off is 3pm. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: US-Iran talks laid ‘very good foundation for a successful final deal’, says Vance
The vice president said the move represented a ‘major milestone’ in ending Iran’s nuclear programmeAccording to Palestinian news agency Wafa, a high school student was killed and several other civilians were injured earlier today in an Israeli attack on a civilian vehicle in Gaza City. The Gaza health ministry says at least 1,021 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ‘ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas came into effect in October 2025.In a post on X, Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said US-Iran talks have concluded “successfully” ⁠in Switzerland, adding that discussions produced agreement on the establishment of a “high-level committee” to provide “political oversight” of the talks which are now entering a more “technical” phase. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer resigns as prime minister as Streeting backs Burnham for leadership - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryWes Streeting backs Andy Burnham to become Labour leader and PMThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Former US Fed chair Alan Greenspan dies aged 100
Alan Greenspan oversaw the US Federal Reserve for nearly two decades from 1987 until 2006. Critics argue that his policies contributed to the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.

Mail Online
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Brits are caught up in terrifying night of violence as French music festival descends into stabbings and rapes with multiple women stabbed with syringes
More than 240 people were arrested, two people stabbed, and others raped, as France's biggest open air music festival descended into intense violence.

Mail Online
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England's influencer WAG power list! The very social media savvy side-hustles of football players' partners, including style star Tolami Benson and model Ashlyn Castro
It certainly pays to be a WAG these days, with the wives and girlfriends of England footballers becoming as famous and recognised as the players themselves.

Mail Online
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The secret behind the World Cup's happiest team: They're sharing rooms with their WAGs! Curacao team doctor even signs off on players having sex before games for 'emotional help'
The Caribbean island competing at their first World Cup have been treated to conjugal visits at the tournament.

Mail Online
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Disinherited half-sister of singer who co-wrote Shaggy's 'It Wasn't Me' faces £126K bill after losing will fight over share of their dead father's estate
The half-sister of the singer who paired up with Shaggy for his 2000 hit 'It Wasn't Me' has been handed a £126,000 court bill after losing her claim to their father's £1million fortune.

Sky News Home
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Lloyds weighs bid for SME lender Aldermore | Mark Kleinman blog

BBC World News
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Former Kenyan justice minister blocked from entering Uganda, lawyers' body says
Martha Karua is a lawyer representing detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye who is on trial for treason.

Autosport F1
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Hamilton demands action to tackle "ridiculous" cost of motorsport
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton called on the FIA and Formula 1 to implement further changes to make motorsport more accessible, citing the "ridiculous" costs of karting.Hamilton feels motorsport is going in the "wrong direction" with its cost of entry, which is making it much harder for children from lower- and middle-income households to participate."I've not spent any time ...Keep reading

The Guardian (UK)
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Aldeburgh festival roundup – Tansy Davies and Freya Waley-Cohen premieres, plus blistering Shostakovich
Various venues, SuffolkThe second weekend boasted brand new music by Davies and Waley-Cohen, the premiere of Alex Ho and Rockey Sun Keting’s Chronicle, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Kevin Edusei on exhilarating formPercussionists are classical music’s original multitaskers. But even by their standards, Colin Currie is a virtuosic outlier. For portions of the world premiere of Tansy Davies’s percussion concerto Earth Works, Currie sat almost motionless at the kit except from the elbow down, as he sent a complex, glitchy weave of cymbal and drum skittering across an orchestral texture that ran on an altogether more monumental timescale. An arm shot out from behind a screen of tubular bells to reach a hi-hat cymbal amid an invisible juggling act dominated by what sounded like cowbells. There was a passage centred on an upturned dustbin and a tiny gong that might have been a small dangling frying pan. There were multiple just-in-time dashes back to a drumkit.Behind Currie, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales looped melodic cells and exposed strata of flutter-tongued brass and delicate veils of strings, thick wodges of double bass, searing woodwind and elemental rumbles of orchestral percussion rolling across the stage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jabs, human ash and a tapeworm: behind the appetite for a new kind of disordered eating movie
Supernatural horror Saccharine and melodramatic comedy Maddie’s Secret are the latest films on body-image anxieties served up by HollywoodSaccharine is soundtracked by a rumbling stomach. Ping-ponging between binge eating and regimented workout routines, first-year medical student Hana Hitching (Midori Francis) considers how she could drop down to her ideal weight. For someone whose body-image issues appear longstanding – a brief shot reveals the diet books stashed away in her drawer – a quick fix appears irresistible. Hana begins taking an illicit supplement guaranteed to make the weight just “melt off”. The secret ingredient? Human ash.Soon she begins to be stalked by the ghostly presence of the woman whose cremated last remains she has been consuming. “It’s kind of worth it, right?” says a formerly overweight friend, who once took the same pills and experienced the same ensuing anxiety and audio hallucinations, in a scene that encapsulates the cruel motto central to extreme diet culture: nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Five people reportedly arrested after Trump claims Washington reflecting pool was ‘vandalized’ – US politics live
CBS News report says administration official told her arrests were made for vandalizing pool and another five federal citations issuedTrump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting poolSign up for the Breaking News US emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Five people have reportedly been arrested for vandalizing Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC, with Donald Trump insisting repair work will begin “immediately”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe suffers under record heatwave as temperatures forecast to reach 44C
Rail services, schools and sports events hit, with deaths of three elderly people in France partly blamed on intense heatWestern Europe is enduring a ferocious heatwave forecast to break temperature records, with half of France on red alert, rail services in Belgium disrupted and sports events in Spain and Germany cancelled or postponed.French authorities on Monday placed 49 of the country’s 96 mainland departments on a level 1 danger-to-life warning, urging 35 million people to exercise “absolute vigilance”, drink water often, avoid all strenuous exertion and stay out of direct sun. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Iran agreed in talks to invite IAEA inspectors to inspect facilities, says Vance
The vice president said the move represented a ‘major milestone’ in ending Iran’s nuclear programmeAccording to Palestinian news agency Wafa, a high school student was killed and several other civilians were injured earlier today in an Israeli attack on a civilian vehicle in Gaza City. The Gaza health ministry says at least 1,021 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ‘ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas came into effect in October 2025.In a post on X, Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said US-Iran talks have concluded “successfully” ⁠in Switzerland, adding that discussions produced agreement on the establishment of a “high-level committee” to provide “political oversight” of the talks which are now entering a more “technical” phase. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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A look back at Keir Starmer's political career
The BBC's political correspondent Joe Pike outlines the highs and lows of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.

TechRadar News
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What is the release date for Dutton Ranch episode 8 on Paramount+?

TechRadar News
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What is the release date for Cape Fear episode 5 on Apple TV?

TechRadar News
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Half of London's businesses say workforce are not equipped to meet organizational requirements in the age of AI

TechRadar News
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Dutton Ranch fans slam one 'poorly written' character and episode 7 storyline as a 'hard watch' — but I don't think anything will change in the Yellowstone spinoff

TechRadar News
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The AI second brain: The future of knowledge work

TechRadar News
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Android 17 is causing touchscreen issues for some Pixel owners — but there’s a potential workaround

TechRadar News
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How AI can unleash the next generation of European ‘soonicorns’

TechRadar News
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Who dies during The Battle of the Gullet in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1?

TechRadar News
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'Password reuse only sharpens this problem': Browser-based password storage isn't as safe as you think – these top tips from the experts show how it should be done

TechRadar News
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How to watch Harry Wild season 5 online from anywhere

TechRadar News
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The Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch with M3 chip is still a solid laptop that's down to a record low price, and perfect if you're looking for a cheap Apple laptop

TechRadar News
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Think Nintendo games never go on sale? The gaming giant just slashed the price of hits like Mario Odyssey

TechRadar News
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This is the perfect Garmin deal for people considering switching from Fitbit after all the unpopular app changes — a lowest-ever price on the Garmin Vivoactive 5

TechRadar News
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Clarkson's Farm season 6 filming continues for Prime Video as Jeremy Clarkson confirms he's 'perfectly fine' in heartfelt Instagram reel after season 5 cancer diagnosis cliffhanger

Digital Trends
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Microsoft’s Xbox handheld plans resurface with a mysterious new logo
A new Xbox Handheld logo has appeared on several official game pages, raising questions about whether it simply flags compatibility with existing Windows handhelds or hints at a first-party console still in the works.

Digital Trends
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Xiaomi’s Redmi Buds 8 are launching globally with ANC, LHDC support, 44-hour battery life, and a price far below Apple’s AirPods Pro.

Digital Trends
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The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus wants to give you all the desktop-tier firepower in the world. In return, you must be ready to bear its sheer bulk and the cost burden.

Digital Trends
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The Vivo X300 Ultra is more than just a camera phone. It is a complete flagship package that delivers outstanding photography, excellent battery life, top-tier performance, and a polished software experience.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham descends from the North be crowned next PM after Wes Streeting dropped out and Starmer quit - as jockeying for Cabinet jobs begins
Wes Streeting declared he will not seek the top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham after Keir Starmer's resignation.

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Starmer says he’s resigning as U.K. prime minister. Here’s what it means for markets.
Analysts expect borrowing costs in the U.K. to rise in the longer term if Andy Burnham takes over as leader of the Labour Party.

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Williams is the greatest - but will she produce another great fight?
Serena Williams will return to the singles court at Wimbledon aged 44 - BBC Sport analyses if she is ready and the challenges she will face.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Williams is the greatest - but can she produce another great fight?
Serena Williams will return to the singles court at Wimbledon aged 44 - BBC Sport analyses if she is ready and the challenges she will face.

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Read this before you vibe-code another app
Bob Starr was delighted with his vibe-coded website. "Boomberg" showed how much US tax money is going to tech companies, and Starr launched it online immediately after making it. It wasn't until months after the site went live that he realized there was a problem: a hidden SQL injection risk. It could've left the site […]

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ZeroHedge News
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Faces 7th Leader In A Decade

The Keir Starmer experiment is officially over, as was growing increasingly clear over the weekend, especially with an interestingly-timed Trump Truth Social statement. Just under two years after capturing the keys to Number 10, the British Prime Minister has thrown in the towel after succumbing to an internal party mutiny following days of intense, closed-door speculation regarding his political survival.

Stepping up to the lectern outside Downing Street on Monday morning, a visibly defeated Starmer delivered the inevitable verdict to the press. "I will resign as leader of the Labour Party," Starmer announced.
via BBC News

The Prime Minister confirmed he has instructed Labour's National Executive Committee to draw up a swift succession timetable. Leadership nominations will officially open on July 9, with the entire process scheduled to wrap up before the summer recess.

British mediai says that the aggressive timeline ensures a new Prime Minister will be installed well before Parliament reconvenes in September.

Starmer's abrupt (but not entirely 'a surprise) exit comes after his center-left Labour Party made it clear they no longer believed he could deliver a future electoral victory. He practically admitted as much on the steps of Number 10.


"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer confessed. "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."


Defending his short and tumultuous tenure, Starmer attempted to frame his departure as an act of ultimate patriotism rather than a capitulation to party infighting.

"Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party," he said, adding: "I have spoken to his majesty the king this morning to inform him of my decision."

The Prime Minister's resignation was directly catalyzed by last week's by-election victory of Andy Burnham in Makerfield. Burnham, the fiercely popular former Greater Manchester Mayor, has long loomed as the "King in the North" and the ultimate threat to Starmer's sterile brand - according to many - of leadership. By securing a seat in the House of Commons, Burnham effectively checked Starmer into a corner.


"New leader will be in place before Parliament returns in September, I will remain in post until the contest is complete"
Keir Starmer announces he will resign as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party
Follow live updates and reaction: https://t.co/8HkQf7O9cD pic.twitter.com/oyZPA5C6Yc
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 22, 2026
With Burnham holding immense sway among rank-and-file MPs, the writing was on the wall. He now enters the upcoming leadership contest as the overwhelming frontrunner to be Britain's next Prime Minister.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 05:03

ZeroHedge News
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Is The AI Spending Boom Creating A Depreciation Time Bomb?
Is The AI Spending Boom Creating A Depreciation Time Bomb?

Via City AM,


Big Tech's AI spending has exploded, with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta collectively investing hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure.


Rapid technological change may shorten the economic life of AI servers and GPUs, increasing depreciation and replacement costs.


The long-term profitability of AI will depend not only on demand growth but also on whether companies can justify the enormous ongoing capital requirements.

The eye-watering capital expenditure plans of Big Tech has been one of the year’s biggest stories. 



Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft have all splurged to secure a podium spot in the race to build out the infrastructure that will run the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

Total capex by these four firms is expected to reach $750bn (£560bn) this year, around half the annual spending of the entire UK government. It is much higher than this high-tech quartet has budgeted for before. And it is expected to be even higher next year.

Shareholders are on board with the plan, up to a point.

Since 2023, the average share price across the four firms has doubled. But that hasn’t kept pace with the average quarterly capex budgets, which have roughly quadrupled over the same period.

These trillion-dollar businesses can’t be too far away from hitting a ceiling on growing their computing power. 

Firstly, because of physical constraints – things like the supply of chips and the availability of power and water infrastructure – with the latter beginning to come under genuine constraint in some parts of the developed world.

Secondly, because of the sheer build cost, given that most AI projects are far from hitting profitability, and there isn’t enough cash flow elsewhere to fill the hole.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has raised $85bn on its own in debt over the past year. It plans to raise another $80bn in equity over the coming months – an unprecedented fundraise and not something it can keep doing forever.

Getting older faster

Most of the focus has been on data centre build-out. But there is also another major factor, and one in danger of being overlooked: maintenance.

The cost of keeping AI running once the infrastructure is in place will be vital. 

Data centre servers tend to last in the region of three to six years before they have to be replaced.  Given the speed of innovation and intensity of compute needed for AI, you can expect that to skew towards the lower end of the range for the hyperscalers. 

The kit inside AI data centres accounts for as much as two-thirds of the build cost. Add replacement costs onto the capex projections over the next few years, and things start to look scarily expensive.

Annual depreciation of property and equipment across the four firms has almost doubled over the past two years to $116bn.  You can expect that to accelerate, given how much equipment has been added to their balance sheets over the past 18 months.

Last year, Amazon cut the expected useful life of its data centre assets from six years to five, a move which it said was “due to the increased pace of technology development, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence and machine learning.” 

So far, Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet have yet to follow suit, sticking with six years, but it seems like only a matter of time before they capitulate and cut this back, pushing up depreciation costs even further.

Something has got to give – sooner or later. Or am I missing something?

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 06:30

UK Government News
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UK and Malaysia launch negotiations on Digital Trade Agreement
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UK Government News
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UKHSA issues red heat-health alerts across England
The West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England will be under a red heat-health alert.

UK Government News
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Pet cremation firm’s permit mistake pays for salmon aid
Westcountry Rivers Trust to receive £60,000 to fund river barrier removal in the Teign catchment.

Ian Visits
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Mirrors, lights and optical tricks: Julio Le Parc at Tate Modern
Julio Le Parc's dazzling world of mirrors, optical illusions and kinetic light sculptures proves that contemporary art can be joyful, accessible and genuinely entertaining.Read more ›

Department for Education
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New deal for young people to end degree by default culture and boost youth apprenticeships
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The Guardian (UK)
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US firm goes public with £4.7bn proposal to buy easyJet after earlier bids rejected
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The Guardian (UK)
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Babcock says Brexit and Covid beset Royal Navy contract as profits plunge
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The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd, oh what that is that? Horrendous running. Billy Root called for the run, Tribe started, but then went back and somehow they both ended up at the non-striker’s end. A furious Root stalks off, run out 0. Glamorgan 0-1.I was going to say it was weird how Tom Lawes was allowed to swap for Atkinson despite being a much better batter but in fact they average almost exactly the same, 19.something. This game is skipping away from Glamorgan – the lead 189. It should be enough but….The last pair have now added 99 – the lead 189 over Surrey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Why the EU should be moving heaven and earth to get Iceland into the club | Valérie Hayer
Negotiations with Reykjavík risk being bogged down by rigid accession rules. For strategic reasons, Brussels has to learn how to bend a littleIceland is preparing for a referendum this summer on whether to restart negotiations with the EU about joining the bloc. If voters approve, the government in Reykjavík could complete talks for the country to become the EU’s 28th member state. Iceland is already part of the Schengen passport-free area, and has access to the EU single market through the European Economic Area, meaning that much of the regulatory groundwork for its integration is already done.Yet the conversation about a possible Icelandic application for EU membership reveals a deeper issue: the European Union must rethink its own future admission of like-minded democracies as a geopolitical necessity.Valérie Hayer is a French MEP and leader of the Renew Europe parliamentary group Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai review – staggering images of the aftermath of shattering violence
Japan House, LondonThis darkly atmospheric exhibition pairs the revolutionary Hiroshima images of revered photographer Kikuji with Ai’s glittering but deeply melancholy visions of cherry blossomJapan House’s first, free photography exhibition, Kyotographie: Kawada Kikuji x Iwane Ai begins with slow-burning suggestions of fire: a box of Lucky Strike cigarettes, its surface crackling and curled; Coca-Cola bottles sinking into a dark bed of crushed ashes. Kikuji took the photographs with a 4x5 plate camera; here they’re reprinted on washi paper, the textures and density of the blackness making them even more evocative of obliteration. They are vestiges of American culture in the wake of American violence – images found in the wreckage of Hiroshima in the aftermath of atomic destruction.Kikuji, now 93, is a photo geek’s photographer; people have paid up to £25,000 for a copy of Chizu (The Map), the photobook that collects together his tense, ruminative Hiroshima impressions, made when he was in his 20s. A series of seemingly abstract images depicts the stains on the wall – all that remained of bodies in the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome. Kikuji was 12 when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima. His approach to capturing one of the worst scenes of mass destruction in human history was to tell it with a kind of detachment, indirect and impressionistic, fragmented. It’s a story about proximity to trauma and surviving it. His photographs veer away from truth. The reality is impossible to comprehend – for both Kikuji standing there, and us viewing the images. These were revolutionary photographs at the time – and they still feel new in their search to express the inexpressible. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wes Streeting backs Andy Burnham to become Labour leader and PM
Former health secretary decides not to run, making Burnham overwhelming favourite to succeed Keir Starmer as soon as JulyUK politics live – latest updatesWes Streeting has said he will back Andy Burnham to become the next Labour leader, making it highly likely that Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, will replace Keir Starmer as prime minister in July.In a post on X, Burnham, who will be sworn in as an MP later on Monday after winning last week’s Makerfield byelection, said Starmer’s announcement on Monday that he would stand down as prime minister “marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way”, adding: “I will put myself forward as part of this process.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Absolute nightmare’: Brexit bellwether constituencies revisited 10 years on
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The Guardian (UK)
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From Burma to Big Brother: George Orwell’s best books – ranked!
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The people and places that made Sinner a champion
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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BBC Top Stories (US)
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The records that look set to be broken
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UK Legislation
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The Sunnica Energy Farm (Amendment) Order 2026
This Order amends the Sunnica Energy Farm Order 2024, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008, following an application made in accordance with the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 for a non-material amendment under paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Planning Act 2008. This Order amends Schedule 10 of the 2024 Order relating to certified documents.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks: Mediators hail 'roadmap' for final agreement
Members of the international community have welcomed progress in talks between the US and Iran to end the war on all fronts. In an early sign of optimism, oil prices fell in later trading after the news. DW has more.

Mail Online
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Just two hours of weight training a week can slash your risk of premature death. This FREE workout plan will boost your longevity...without setting foot in a gym or buying ANY equipment - and you don't need to be super fit to get started
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TV presenter is taken off air after she attacked World Cup star Jeremy Doku for planning to leave the tournament to 'waste 10 hours' at 'disgusting' birth of his first child
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Mail Online
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OLIVER HOLT: Why Thomas Tuchel's carefree attitude is so refreshing, how it's rubbing off on England's players and why for once we can ditch the World Cup angst and look forward to watching us play
OLIVER HOLT: Thomas Tuchel is occupying a state of grace rarely inhabited by England managers at World Cups. England do not normally do bliss this early in the tournament.

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How to make your child or grandchild a millionaire by spending as little as £25: From the little-known pension trick to the Premium Bonds hack, here's how to secure their financial future from infancy
Who wouldn't want their children or grandchildren to be in with a chance of becoming a millionaire? Premium Bonds are a popular gift for younger relatives because they offer the thrill of the draw

Mail Online
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The ultimate guide to summer clothes that will make you look taller, slimmer AND younger: I'm a 5ft1 fashion expert and these are the rules I've perfected aged 71 - and the styles you MUST avoid or you'll look stout: JO GOOD
As a petite woman, summer is definitely my favourite season as far as fashion is concerned. It's much more flattering to be able to wear just one item of clothing rather than having to layer up.

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David Daker dies aged 90: Boon and Z Cars actor passes away after an illustrious career starring in Britain's best-loved television shows
Actor David Daker has passed away aged 90. Best known for ITV's comedy-drama Boon, David died on April 30, but his family only released the news on Sunday.

Mail Online
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Buying prescription-only drugs over the counter abroad is the ultimate holiday souvenir. Here's what happens to your body if you take weight loss jabs from Thailand or insomnia pills from the US - and the medication that could be fatal
The holiday season is rapidly approaching - and more than half of Britons are likely to book at least one trip abroad, according to new research by Travel Weekly.

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This little-known skin condition ruined my life. It's not acne or dermatitis, appears out of nowhere and 1 in 20 people get it. These are the signs to watch for - and how I'm finally beating it
Professional make-up artist Beth grew up with great skin. Even in her teens, she was blessed with a flawless complexion with no breakouts. But in her late twenties everything changed.

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The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minister of the Decade
Keir Starmer's resignation on Monday morning paves the way for yet another leadership battle.

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I Build and Review PCs: Don't Make This Upgrade Mistake
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A grand state fair highlighting American culture is set to kick off on the National Mall this week ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary, but several states have publicly said they will not attend the event. At least seven states led by Democratic governors have opted not to send official representatives to the "Great American...

The Hill
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GOP embraces speculation about China’s role in data center backlash
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The Hill
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Trump relationship with Senate GOP crumbling after repeated clashes
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Mail Online
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End of the road for the two-car driveway as two in five households can't afford to run more than one
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Mail Online
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Zendaya, 29, pokes fun at husband Tom Holland, 30, and brands him 'grandpa' as he makes comment about 'young kids' in joint interview
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Mail Online
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EasyJet rejects third 'highly opportunistic' £4.7bn Castlelake bid
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Mail Online
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Two men, 55 and 59, arrested over 'operating practices' at scandal-hit hospitals' mortuary
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Mail Online
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Keir Starmer's stunning fall from grace: How 'technocrat' London lawyer took Labour from historic majority to crisis in under two years
Sir Keir promised his incoming administration would 'tread more lightly on your lives' and 'unite our country' following years of Westminster drama and division.

Mail Online
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Taking to X, Donnie Maclean, from Scotland, explained that he found the crispy bacon-flavoured crisps while renovating his kitchen.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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QUENTIN LETTS: Starmer did well not to break down into bawling sobs as he left office looking older, more shrivelled, beaten
What a brutish business politics is. Sir Keir accepted his fate with reluctant grace but towards the end the understated, bitten-back Englishness of it all became a little too much.

Mail Online
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Lady Starmer's tears as Keir quits: PM's wife embraces him outside No 10 after she was visibly emotional during resignation speech
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Mail Online
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British tourist films herself removing entire row of towels to give 'nasty sunbed hoggers a surprise' at Tenerife hotel
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsI was going to say it was weird how Tom Lawes was allowed to swap for Atkinson despite being a much better batter but in fact they average almost exactly the same, 19.something. This game is skipping away from Glamorgan – the lead 189. It should be enough but….The last pair have now added 99 – the lead 189 over Surrey.Durham are rattling through Northants now. Another catch by Ben McKinney, who has been a safe pair of hands since he dropped Vasconcelos in the first over of Ben Stokes spell on Friday! Sanderson the man gone, a second wicket for Aldridge. Northants 240-9. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Chelsea defender has mad scramble for boots and cuts short holiday after belatedly receiving the message of a lifetime from Thomas TuchelTrevoh Chalobah has always thought he would be part of an England World Cup squad. In July 2018, the Chelsea centre‑half even put it on the record. “One day … believe,” he posted on social media, alongside a picture of the World Cup trophy. He was 19 and had just joined Ipswich in the Championship on a season loan. The message has aged exceptionally well.Despite his faith, Chalobah did not think it would be this summer. The chance had surely gone when Thomas Tuchel did not name him in his squad for the tournament in North America. He was close after a fine season at Chelsea, when he made a career-high 47 club appearances, but not close enough. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Iran leave a message saying "may peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations" following their World Cup group game with Belgium.

Russia Today News
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Mail Online
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Mac Rumours
Open 
iPhone 17 Prices Could Go Up as Soon as This Month
There is growing speculation that Apple may hike the prices of its iPhone 17 lineup as soon as this month, following CEO Tim Cook's recent comments about "unavoidable" price increases.





Last week, Cook told The Wall Street Journal that Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased cost of memory and storage chips, both of which are in high demand from AI and neocloud companies as they continue to build more data centers.



The scale of the AI infrastructure buildout has prompted debate over whether demand will ultimately justify the hundreds of billions of dollars being invested, but for now it is helping to drive supply constraints across the semiconductor industry. Cook likened the memory shortages to a hundred-year flood. "I've never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years," he said.



Multiple companies have already raised their prices, including Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell. Apple is now expected to follow suit. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that the timing of Cook's comments likely indicates price hikes are "imminent." Gurman has also linked potential price hikes to Apple's Back to School sale, which is expected to be announced imminently. His thinking is that Apple may tie the two things together as a "buffer."



Apple holds a Back to School sale each June, providing teachers and students with free accessories or gift cards when purchasing a Mac or an iPad. The added bonus is in addition to Apple's educational discount. The Back to School sale typically takes place around WWDC, and in three of the last five years, it has started 8 to 10 days after the WWDC keynote. That could mean we see it announced as soon as this week.



Either way, Gurman believes the price hikes are "not a fall thing." In other words, they won't be introduced when new iPhone 18 Pro models launch. The price of Apple's current flagship lineup could go up before then, as also suggested over the weekend by Chinese supply chain leaker Ice Universe.



Apple's existing iPhone prices are as follows:



iPhone 17e: from $599

iPhone 17: from $799

iPhone Air: from $999

iPhone 17 Pro: from $1,099

iPhone 17 Pro Max: from $1,199



Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal has published its own analysis estimating the iPhone 18 Pro could start as high as $1,399.



Prices on iPads and Macs could also go up in the near future.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, 'iPhone 17 Prices Could Go Up as Soon as This Month' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
Open 
Gizmodo readers hit with ClickFix malware prompts after account compromise
Infosec buffs say Windows users could have been infected with a nasty trojan, while Mac users got off lightly

The Register
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Humanity trashed Earth orbit – next stop the Moon
Neuraspace CEO floats lunar scrapyards as a cleaner way to handle hardware left behind

Mail Online
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Boston's Scotland-loving residents claim England fans are 'ruining the vibe' compared to the Tartan Army
Boston's residents have been left fearing that the arrival of England fans could dent the high spirits raised by the Tartan Army, as Three Lions supporters have begun arriving in New England.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Cape Verdeans what are your thoughts on Cape Verde’s World Cup 2026 performance so far?
We would like to hear from Cape Verdeans in the UK and across the globe on the team’s progress in the tournamentCape Verde is enjoying a fairytale World Cup, with their performance becoming the story of the tournament.There was the shock 0-0 draw with Spain in their tournament debut. Then on Sunday, there was another when they drew 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay in Miami. This now puts them in serious contention for a place in the knockouts. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsDurham are rattling through Northants now. Another catch by Ben McKinney, who has been a safe pair of hands since he dropped Vasconcelos in the first over of Ben Stokes spell on Friday! Sanderson the man gone, a second wicket for Aldridge. Northants 240-9.The partnership between Tom Rew and Craig Overton has now passed 200 – the lead over Warwickshire 244 – and Overton has a hundred of his own! A third of what has been a rich season. still think he would have done a job at The Oval. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Who are ya? Behind the scenes of the official World Cup portrait photographs
Poses and backstage snaps showcase the players’ personalities and the mechanics of Fifa’s obligatory photoshootsLionel Messi of Argentina stands rigidly in front of the camera. Marc Cucurella of Spain whips his hair and appears to boogie. Diego Moreira of Belgium covers his eyes with his forearm and reveals an eerie tattoo. Harry Kane leans awkwardly on to one knee.There are 1,248 football players and 48 managers at the World Cup, and none could escape the obligatory media duty that is the official portrait – whether or not they had a fun pose in mind.(Above) Diego Moreira of Belgium obscures his eyes for an eerie portrait. (Below) Marc Cucurella of Spain, Ronald Araújo of Uruguay and various other familiar faces. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Marius Borg Høiby rape conviction renews focus in Norway on consent in digital age
Norway is supposedly one of world’s most gender-equal countries, yet sexual violence remains prevalent across societyIn many ways, the case of Marius Borg Høiby, who was sentenced to four years in prison last week after being found guilty of offences including domestic violence and two counts of rape, was exceptional.The king’s 29-year-old step-grandson grew up in the public eye alongside the royal family, mixing in Oslo’s wealthiest circles, partying at exclusive nightclubs and having afterparties at his family’s official royal residence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wes Streeting will not stand for Labour leadership as Andy Burnham announces candidacy
Former Greater Manchester mayor will be overwhelming favourite to succeed Keir StarmerWes Streeting has said he will not stand for the Labour leadership, directly after Andy Burnham said he would, making it highly likely that Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, will become prime minister next month.In a post on X, Burnman, who will be sworn is as an MP later on Monday after winning last week’s Makerfield byelection, said Starmer’s announcement on Monday that he would stand down as prime minister “marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way”, adding: “I will put myself forward as part of this process.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer resigns as prime minister as Streeting backs Burnham for leadership - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Moment 'drunk' passenger brawls with police after 'lovers' tiff' sparked row during UK flight to Mallorca
Passengers were left frightened as the drunkard clashed with multiple Spanish guards who boarded the plane to remove him last Tuesday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Top lawyer whose 'Mr Rules' approach failed to connect with the public
Less than two years after he won a huge majority in the 2024 general election, Sir Keir Starmer has been forced out.

Mail Online
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Krispy Kreme recalls World Cup donuts due to contamination with deadly allergen
The doughnut chain is recalling some of its products after discovering they may contain allergens that are not declared on the label.

Mail Online
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Why we should all be eating more asparagus: The fancy vegetable with down-to-earth health benefits
Shaved into fresh salads, tossed in vibrant, low-calorie pasta or smoked on BBQ , asparagus often features in trendy recipes by wellness influencers.

Mail Online
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Super El Niño is underway: NASA map confirms warmer-than-normal water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific - with devastating consequences
Measurements taken by the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite show that sea levels across parts of the equatorial Pacific are elevated.

Mail Online
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House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell says his character's kiss with his mother in season three premiere made him 'want to throw up'
House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell has spoken out on his shocking scene in the opening episode of the new series.

Mail Online
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Spencer Matthews kisses pregnant wife Vogue Williams' bikini-clad bump as they pack on the PDA during lavish £600-a-night Mykonos babymoon
The couple, who are expecting their fourth child, packed on the PDA in the loved-up snaps which she shared to Instagram on Sunday.

Mail Online
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New footage shows tourists fleeing with their bags as fire destroys Dominican Republic resort - and it's revealed Italian celebrity died from carbon monoxide fumes
Italian news agency ANSA reported that Valentino collapsed and lost consciousness after inhaling a heavy wave of smoke while attempting to evacuate to the beach.

Sky News Home
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Boy charged with murder of teenager who was stabbed to death
A boy has been charged with the murder of a teenager was stabbed to death in south London.

BBC UK News
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PM's emotional tribute to his wife and children
Sir Keir Starmer resigned as PM and leader of the Labour party in a statement outside No. 10 on Monday

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'I witnessed Maradona's Hand of God' - a goal still talked about 40 years on
One BBC journalist's first football game had one of the sport's most controversial moments and also one of the most celebrated.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Johnny Marr to auction guitars he played with The Smiths and Billie Eilish
The Smiths musician says he's selling his collection to stop his studio from becoming a museum.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11920 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - SMCSH-Chesham (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 1 hour during the maintenance window.

Start: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 00:01

End: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 05:59

Update: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 05:59

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 11:25

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11921 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - STEASTL-Eastleigh (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 1 hour during the maintenance window.

Start: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 00:01

End: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 05:59

Update: Fri, 31st Jul 2026 05:59

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 11:26

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11922 Routing & Core Network - Planned Maintenance - Access Switching Infrastructure - 13787 (New)
Our engineers will be upgrading some network devices on our Access Switching Infrastructure. During the upgrade the switches will reboot (15-45min) that will cause Loss of service to wholesale and NNI circuits during the change.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Tue, 30th Jun 2026 23:00

End: Wed, 1st Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 11:32

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Mail Online
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Join Andrew Pierce's debate: Should Britain hold a General Election now? And if so, who gets your vote?
Tell us what YOU think: Join Daily Mail columnist and Consultant Editor Andrew Pierce as we discuss whether Reform and Restore need to unite.

BBC World News
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Schools close as more than half of France under red heat alerts
The health minister warns many citizens "will suffer", with temperatures set to peak on Monday.

Sky News Home
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Boy charged with murder of teenager in south London
A teenage boy has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Jamal Coombes, who was stabbed to death in south London on Saturday.

BBC UK News
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First red warning for extreme heat for Wales as temperatures could hit 38C
The red alert is in place from Wednesday at 09:00 BST until 21:00 on Thursday, the Met Office said.

The Guardian (UK)
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Babcock says Brexit and Covid beset Royal Navy contract as profits plunge
Underlying operating profits down 19% with 2019 frigate-building programme making loss, firm reportsOne of the UK’s biggest defence contractors has blamed Brexit and Covid among a catalogue of problems to beset an important contract for the Royal Navy, which led its annual profits to plunge.Profits at Babcock International fell by almost a fifth in the year to the end of March, as the firm reported a £140m charge on its contract to build five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsI’ve just been chatting to young Thomas Ridley who is doing the Counter Press website for Durham cricket, The Chester. Worth a look for those of you who want more Durham news.Look up to see Guthrie striding off, driving to mid on into the hands of a diving mid-on, Ben Raine. Northants 230-8. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine intensifies attacks on Crimea to raise cost of Russian occupation
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says strikes on oil facilities part of ‘long-range sanctions’ intended to isolate the territoryUkraine has stepped up its strikes on Crimea as part of a strategy to isolate the occupied peninsula from mainland Russia and raise the cost of the occupation.On Sunday, Russian-installed authorities suspended civilian fuel sales until at least Wednesday, a move that underscored Ukraine’s growing ability to disrupt supply lines linking Crimea to Russia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Europe suffers under record heatwave as temperatures forecast to reach 44C
Rail services, schools and sports events hit, with deaths of three elderly people in France partly blamed on intense heatWestern Europe is enduring a ferocious heatwave forecast to break temperature records, with half of France on red alert, rail services in Belgium disrupted and sports events in Spain and Germany cancelled or postponed.French authorities on Monday placed 49 of the country’s 96 mainland departments on a level 1 danger-to-life warning, urging 35 million people to exercise “absolute vigilance”, drink water often, avoid all strenuous exertion and avoid direct sun. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'I witnessed Maradona's Hand of God' - a goal still talked about 40 years on
My first football game had one of the sport's most controversial moments and also one of the most celebrated.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Do esports students do more than play games?
Marketing, nutrition and video editing, there is apparently more to esports than being good at games.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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EasyJet says US bidder trying to buy it 'on the cheap' as it rejects £4.7bn offer
The airline describes the latest bid approach from Castlelake as "highly opportunistic".

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Late singer Oliver Tree's body returned to US after helicopter crash
The 32-year-old California native died whilst on his world tour, ahead of a date in Brazil.

Stratechery
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Apple Price Increases, Apple Intelligence and the E.U.
Apple is (finally) raising prices, but they're not shipping Siri AI to the E.U.

TechRadar News
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9 in 10 HR leaders believe AI will create new entry-level roles, and that middle managers are essential to this transformation

TechRadar News
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When trust becomes the attack surface

TechRadar News
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I'm a qualified barista, and these are the top 3 De'Longhi coffee makers I'll be looking for on Amazon Prime Day

TechRadar News
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Power on...

TechRadar News
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Self-driving cars aren’t the challenge – proving how they think is

Digital Trends
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Chrome is testing an Ask Gemini button that follows your text highlights around the web
Google's latest Chrome Canary experiment puts an Ask Gemini button right next to any text you select on a webpage.

Mail Online
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UK told to brace for pollen bomb triggered by 'stop-start' weather
Temperatures are expected to soar to 38C in parts of Britain this week, which would eclipse the current UK June record of 35.6C. It could also bring major misery for 13million hayfever sufferers.

Mail Online
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Wes Streeting drops out of Labour leader race and backs 'King of the North' Andy Burnham amid frantic jockeying for jobs in his Cabinet
Wes Streeting declared he will not seek the top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham after Keir Starmer's resignation.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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I gave my HomeExchange guest a 5-star review. Then I found heat marks all over my dining table. Do I call her out?
“What drives me crazy is that she didn’t mention it.”

BBC UK News
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First red warning for extreme heat for Wales as temperatures could hit 38C
Heat health warnings extended across Wales with temperatures set to get "very hot", warns Met Office.

Telegraph
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Iran leave handwritten note about dead schoolgirls after tense stay in LA
Iran leave handwritten note about dead schoolgirls after tense stay in LA

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch and read Keir Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir announces he will be step down as Labour leader and PM in a Downing Street address.

Mail Online
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Wes Streeting drops out of Labour leader race and backs 'King of the North' Andy Burham amid frantic jockeying for jobs in his Cabinet
Wes Streeting declared he will not seek the top job, throwing his weight behind Mr Burnham after Keir Starmer's resignation.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer resignation speech live: Prime Minister is supported by his 'rock' Victoria after standing down from No 10 
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Prime Minister after accepting that MPs no longer believe he is the right person to lead the party into the next election.

Mail Online
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Lauryn Goodman posts a snap of her children to mark Father's Day and says 'thank you for the little things that turned into everything' as ex Kyle Walker's wife Annie Kilner gives birth to their first daughter
Lauryn Goodman posted a sweet picture of her children on Instagram to mark Father's Day on Sunday.

Computer Weekly
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CW@60: On longevity – a career spanning 60 years of modern computing
On 22 September 2026, Computer Weekly turns 60. To mark the milestone, we asked some of our friends - experts, trusted contacts, IT leaders and suppliers - for their perspectives on how tech has changed their lives over six decades

BBC UK News
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England fan takes same holiday for 61 years
Richard Dowell will spend his 61st year at Cowden Holiday Park, where he saw England's 1966 win.

BBC UK News
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Watch and read Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as leader of the Labour Party, in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

Nature
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Daily briefing: Human detritus remakes geology

Nature
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Make science more reliable: study people as they go about their lives

Gizmodo
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Toyota Is Being Sued For Allegedly Stealing the Recipe For African E-Trikes
One of the biggest fish in the mobility world allegedly screwed over one of the tiniest.

UK Government News
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Action on preventing sexual violence in conflict is strengthened as new special envoy appointed
Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

UK Government News
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Crackdown on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in
Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026, if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties.

UK Government News
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New tools to map where environmental pressures impact communities
Two new analytical tools launched to identify where environmental, socio-economic and health pressures affect communities across England

UK Government News
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UK launches new AI partnership to boost climate security
FCDO announces new strategic partnership with the Met Office to drive AI weather forecasting

UK Government News
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Environment Agency secures £500k for Tameside river improvements
The Environment Agency has secured £517,000 from United Utilities for sewage discharge breaches into the River Tame, funding environmental improvements.

UK Government News
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New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships
Government promises to deliver a “new deal for young people” with real opportunities to work and renewed social contract where hard work pays off

UK Government News
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Regulator launches inquiry into healthcare charity over safeguarding and financial concerns
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into St Andrew’s Healthcare (registered charity 1104951).

Joe Saward
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JSBM – 22/06/2026 – Issue 26-24 headlines
If you wish to read the content, you can subscribe here 🔹A question of credibility 🔹A pivotal moment 🔹McLaren and engines 🔹A need for action 🔹IndyCar rumours 🔹A move at Alpine 🔹Dreaming in Croatia 🔹Guy Edwards 1942-2026

Joe Saward
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I’ve been podcasting again
This is a look back at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton’s first victory for Ferrari. Is the result of the race really significant in the overall scheme of things – or is it too early to make such a call? Hope you enjoy it. Sign up, so you can enjoy all future podcasts. … Continue reading I’ve been podcasting again →

Cycling UK
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What to do after a cycling incident
If you’ve been involved in an incident while on your bike, it’s important to know what to do next. Follow this expert guidance from our legal partners, Cycle SOS part of Fletchers Solicitors

Cycling UK
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Nearly four in five people support safer rural speeds
New research commissioned by Cycling UK shows that the majority of people in the UK support lowering speed limits on some rural roads

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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A defender's view on how to stop the World Cup's best strikers
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch and read Keir Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as leader of the Labour Party, in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

Mail Online
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Europe roasts in killer 45C Saharan heatdome - as France bans outdoor boozing and warns it could be as bad as 2003 heatwave that killed 15,000 people
Europe is facing a major weather crisis, with parts of France expected to reach up to 45C today, as the continent swelters under a massive heatdome.  

Mail Online
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Germany could hike state retirement age to 70 in sweeping overhaul: Could it happen in Britain, too?
Proposals by a German government-appointed pensions commission are set to recommend hiking the official age once a decade between now and 2092.

Mail Online
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Asparagus: The fancy green vegetable with down-to-earth health benefits
Shaved into fresh salads, tossed in vibrant, low-calorie pasta or smoked on BBQ , asparagus often features in trendy recipes by wellness influencers.

Mail Online
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'Petty' Ryanair staff block British woman from £700 holiday over tiny passport tear
A British holidaymaker claims she was denied boarding a Ryanair flight to Lanzarote after staff spotted a small tear in her passport.

Mail Online
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Moment 'drunk' passenger brawls with police after 'lover's tiff' sparked row during UK flight to Mallorca
Passengers were left frightened as the drunkard clashed with multiple Spanish guards who boarded the plane to remove him last Tuesday.

Mail Online
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Labour warned wealth tax under new leader could spark £100billion exodus from UK as rich flee
Asset manager Rathbones said a fresh tax raid on wealth and property under a new Prime Minister and Chancellor 'would be economically damaging to the UK'.

Mail Online
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'Six PMs and one lettuce in ten years': Global media reacts to 'dud prime minister' Keir Starmer's resignation
Germany's Bild splashed the words 'Starmer Out!' across its online front page, while India's NDTV mocked Britain's revolving-door leadership.

Mail Online
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See Stonehenge's construction like NEVER before: Incredible visual reveals the vast manpower needed to haul the 25-tonne stones into position 5,000 years ago
Created by English Heritage based on laser scan data and archaeological research, this is the most accurate and detailed reconstruction ever made.

Mail Online
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Britain faces hottest day ever as Met Office issues rare red 'extreme heat' warning: Temperatures could now climb to 40C this week with major disruption to road, rail and air travel
The Met Office red warning for 'significant disruption to daily life' means the UK could endure major delays to road, train and air travel as surfaces melt and rails buckle.

The Guardian (UK)
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The pet I’ll never forget: Puff Puff, the stray cat who stayed by my side during chemo
Puff Puff, AKA Puffy, came to us aged 13 with no teeth, a broken ear and a cold – but was always there in tough timesThree of our cats had died of old age, leaving my family heartbroken. So Brandy, my wife, looked at our local animal shelter website and saw it had a 13-year-old stray cat with no teeth, a broken ear and a cold. Betty, as the staff had named her, had one day left to live before the shelter was going to put her down.Brandy sent me along to see her. The warden said no one had visited Betty, but as soon as they opened the cage a Himalayan cat catapulted out of her blanket straight at me. I picked her up and knew I had to take her home. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Benita review – Alan Berliner puts new spin on late film-maker’s work in entrancing tribute
After Benita Raphan took her own life in 2021, director and friend Berliner spent years poring over her unfinished work to create a documentary unlike anything elseThis is a one-of-a-kind documentary that has been coaxed and cut together by veteran film-maker Alan Berliner (Intimate Stranger, First Cousin Once Removed), who also serves as its narrator – but most of its graphics, footage and imagery were made by film-maker Benita Raphan, also the subject of the film. As such, it’s not exactly a collaboration since Raphan took her own life in 2021, for reasons the film gently tries to untangle. Nevertheless, Berliner commits to creating in this film something that limns the fragile spirit, startling originality and dogged, and indeed doggy, kindness of his canine-loving late friend.In the process, Berliner has completed the unfinished film she was worrying over when she died but at the same time makes something entirely new; it might be called a tribute perhaps, or a bio-pastiche, or maybe a found-footage cinematic seance. Any way you slice and dice it, it’s a strangely entrancing work, an “irregular verb” like its subject, as she was described by her mother Roslyn in her New York Times obituary. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd Potts strikes! Bartlett, surprised, pops one up to backward point.northants 204-7.Matthew Potts throws his bowling marker on the ground and is opening the bowling from the Finchale end. It’s still quite nice and cool here in north country, long may it last. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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We are witnessing the slow death of the prestige career | Alice Lassman
White-collar work is at risk across the board, including at elite consulting firms that used to be a pathway to the 1%Consulting is a delicate contract: endure two challenging, formative years – and in return, get a golden ticket to anywhere. Firms like McKinsey tout themselves as the “CEO factory”, and boast they’re “not surprised” to be consistently named the best place for future leaders.The skills they promise to build – synthesis, sharp analysis, crisp communication, client-readiness, hypothesis-driven thinking – have enticed every generation’s top graduates. Get an offer from a place like this, and everything else will fall into place: about as clear a guarantee of future success as you could get fresh out of a bachelors. These firms spent decades marketing themselves as production houses of excellence, and until recently, they were.Alice Lassman is an economist who writes The Intimacy Economy, a Substack and forthcoming book on the economics of connection, care and relationships Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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French towns are fining men for going topless. Quel dommage!
Take off your shirt on a Narbonne street and it will cost you €150. Could it happen in the UK? I sincerely hope notWatch out if you’re heading to France this summer: dozens of towns have started fining men for walking around with their tops off. Actually, it’s not specific to men; I just assume they’re more likely to strip off. Narbonne, near the Mediterranean coast, has joined at least 30 other municipalities in banning anyone from wandering around town bare-chested, in swimwear or even barefoot, with a €150 (£130) fine for those flashing excess flesh (according to France Télévision, about 15 people were fined when Narbonne started enforcing its “please stay dressed” code last summer).Could it happen in Britain? Quite apart from the police resourcing crisis, I’m struggling to imagine officers getting people to cover up in Glasgow, where stripping down at the first glimpse of the weakest rays of sunshine is a venerable civic tradition, and a public-spirited website tracks whether it’s “taps-aff” or “taps-oan” weather (a windless, clear, 17C is the threshold for taps-aff according to site creator Colin Waddell, if you’re wondering). Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Who are ya? Behind the scenes of the official World Cup portrait photographs
Poses and backstage snaps showcase the players’ personalities and the mechanics of Fifa’s obligatory shootLionel Messi of Argentina stands rigidly in front of the camera. Marc Cucurella of Spain whips his hair and appears to boogie. Diego Moreira of Belgium covers his eyes with his forearm and reveals an eerie tattoo. Harry Kane leans awkwardly on to one knee.There are 1,248 football players and 48 managers at the World Cup, and none could escape the obligatory media duty that is the official portrait – whether or not they had a fun pose in mind.(Above) Diego Moreira of Belgium obscures his eyes for an eerie portrait. (Below) Marc Cucurella of Spain, Ronald Araújo of Uruguay and various other familiar faces. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Frida: The Making of an Icon review – forget her iconic status, just show us more of her art
Tate Modern, LondonFrida Kahlo took self-portraiture to new levels of interior revelation and her work takes you deep into her mystery. So why is this show padded out with responses by lesser artists?Charisma is something you can’t fake and Frida Kahlo had it before she became an artist, let alone a modern hero. In photographs, the teenaged Frida appears both in a silk dress staring boldly from beneath her already colliding black eyebrows, and posing as a man in suit and tie. In a home movie her husband, the Marxist mural painter Diego Rivera, woos her and they cuddle. Those were the good times. Rivera is so fat and ugly next to his wife, you’d think he would have appreciated his luck more.Every image of Kahlo is interesting but nobody could portray her like she portrayed herself. She took self-portraiture to new levels of interior revelation, psychological and physical. Inspired partly by the surrealists and partly by Catholic traditions of depicting pain, Kahlo took herself apart and put herself back together in images of suffering, survival and triumph. In her 1937 painting The Heart, she stands neat and calm while a sword pierces her chest and her disembodied arms reappear in two floating, otherwise empty outfits. The most complete of the Fridas has a brace on her left foot which could be a Freudian symbol except it’s a factual reference to the physical challenges she suffered all her life after she was severely injured in a bus crash when she was 18. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The one change that worked: I saw a woman lift 100kg and decided: ‘I want to do that!’
As a kid, I did my best to avoid exercise. As an adult, I endured it for the sake of my health. Then I set myself a clear goal – and motivation was no longer an issueIt’s fair to say I don’t come from a long line of athletes. When I was growing up in the 1990s, sport was something other people did; we were not a family who cycled, much less jogged. In PE I was the wheezing child hiding behind the bins, pretending I’d twisted an ankle. When I contemplated working out – not often – I had the vague idea it was supposed to turn my body into something other people might find attractive.I evolved from an unsporty child into an unsporty adult. Occasionally, mostly in an attempt to lose weight without having to stop eating croissants, I would attempt something like Couch to 5K, which I’d either abandon after a couple of sessions or see through to the bitter end out of the perverse determination to prove I’d been right all along: exercise was a mug’s game and endorphins an invention of Big Wellness. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Sheer outrageousness’: writers on their favourite LGBTQ+ movie characters
From gritty criminals to teens coming to terms with their identity, pride month sees Guardian writers on their most beloved queer charactersForget about dimly lit period dramas where miserable women with no access to electricity gently sob in their heaving corsets and accidentally-on-purpose brush hands in the trembling candlelight; overblown, bombastic heist-capers and brooding, butch anti-heroes are far more up my street when it comes to lesbian cinema. What, after all, could be more intensely gay than immediately committing to a life of crime with someone you’ve only just set eyes on? My favourite of the entire bunch has to be the swaggering ex-con turned plumber Corky, who helps to save Violet from the clutches of her mob boss husband in 1996’s cult classic Bound. Though we first meet Corky trussed up in a literal closet, the metaphor doesn’t play out how you might expect: unapologetic and visible in a time when few films explored queerness full stop, she flexes a labrys tattoo, spends her down time swigging beer in grotty dive bars, and eventually drives off into the sunset, her new partner-in-crime in tow, in a beaten-up Chevy pick-up. The sheer simplicity of Corky as a queer heartthrob was, somehow, ridiculously ahead of its time, and her magnetic influence has played out everywhere from Bottoms to Love Lies Bleeding. El Hunt Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How paragliding soldiers carrying bombs rain destruction on Myanmar’s villages
Military evades sanctions by using hobbyists’ motorised aircraft to bomb civilians in opposition-held territoryThey appear after midnight, slowly crossing Myanmar’s skies. The motorised paragliders are improvised aircraft, suspending small metal frames from brightly coloured sails. They drift over a patchwork of villages, farmland, forests and winding rivers.Each “paramotor” has two or three soldiers strapped in – one piloting, the others holding the bombs. Their craft are powered through the sky by small, rattling engine propellers, heading towards the lowland villages. Finally, switching their engines off to glide low and near silently through the dark, the men throw their explosives. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Cape Verde’s story continues; L’Équipe apologises to Doku over ‘disgusting’ comments – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 11 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usBeiranvand, by the way, holds the world record for the longest throw in a competitive match – 61.0026m – and for the longest drop-kick, 78.014m. Not bad for someone who was once sleeping rough.But let’s return to Iran for a moment. Their goalie, Alireza Beiranvand – or “The Wall of Persia” as he’s known – had to run away from home to become a footballer, his old fella less than enchanted by the ruse and cutting up his gloves. I wonder how he feels now his boy has been player of the match at a World Cup. Continue reading...

Ministry of Defence
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UK accelerates long-range strike capability for Ukraine
Three UK-designed long-range strike systems have been flight tested just months after competition launch, as British defence industry deliver battlefield capability at record speed | Ministry of Defence.

ZDNet News
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There are 3 obvious signs someone is stealing your Wi-Fi - and several ways to stop them
Think someone's using your Wi-Fi without permission? Here's how to find out.

ZDNet News
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June Prime Day live blog 2026: We're tracking Amazon deals on SSDs, TVs, laptops and more
LIVE: Prime Day 2026 early deals are here. Follow our live blog for real-time tracking on the lowest prices for 4K TVs, M5 MacBooks, Samsung, Google Pixel, SSDs, and more tech.

ZDNet News
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You could qualify for Amazon Prime at 50% off without even knowing - here's the details
There are a couple of lesser-known ways to get Amazon Prime at a discount. Here's what you need to know.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How football united behind Doku after childbirth criticism
Jeremy Doku wants to fly home to attend the birth of his first child - but why has that proved controversial in some quarters?

Russia Today News
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UK’s Starmer resigns as prime minister

Mail Online
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Britain faces hottest day ever as Met Office issues rare red 'extreme heat' warning: Temperatures could now climb to 40C this week with major disruption to road, rail and air travel
Britain faces its second hottest day in history this week as the country swelters under an extraordinary 39C heatwave after extreme heat warnings were extended.

UK Legislation
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The Sunnica Energy Farm (Amendment) Order 2026

Wired Top Stories
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World Cup Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot
From fake tickets to cloned websites, AI is magnifying World Cup scams. Can fans distinguish between what’s real and what’s not?

Wired Top Stories
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Some Electricians Think Building Data Centers Is for Sellouts
Big Tech is throwing big money into data center buildouts. As national opposition to the facilities grows, some workers are beginning to question whether it’s worth it.

Wired Top Stories
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The UK Just Lost Its Sixth Prime Minster of the Decade
Keir Starmer's resignation on Monday morning paves the way for yet another leadership battle.

Wired Top Stories
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These Are the 12 Ikea Products the Company's Design Chief Personally Owns
We asked Johan Ejdemo to list which Ikea items populate his home. He also tells us about his all-time favorite. (No, it's not a Billy bookcase.)

CNET News
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We Want to Know What You Really Think About Your TV
Rate your TV in our People's Picks survey.

BBC UK News
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Sturgeon and Gove to team up for reality TV 'wargame'
The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Iran leave note asking for peace after Belgium draw
Iran leave a message saying "may peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations" following their World Cup group game with Belgium.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How can you stop the World Cup's best strikers?
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks?

Russia Today News
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Starmer resigns as British prime minister

Mail Online
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Briton, 18, suffers serious spinal injuries after crashing quad bike in Greece - as insurance 'uncertainty' leaves family facing huge medical bill
Alfie Moses was on the island of Zante on his first lads' holiday, celebrating his 18th birthday, when he crashed last Monday.

BBC UK News
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Watch Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir Starmer resigns as leader of the Labour Party, in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.

BBC UK News
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Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister
Sir Keir delivered a statement to announce his planned departure from Downing Street.

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsMatthew Potts throws his bowling marker on the ground and is opening the bowling from the Finkel end. It’s still quite nice and cool here in north country, long may it last.On the day the England and Wales Cricket Board whisked Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson away from County Championship action, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Hampshire and Derbyshire stole the show, tucking wins under their belt within three days. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Who are ya? Behind the scenes of the official World Cup portrait photographs
Poses and backstage snaps showcase the players’ personalities and the mechanics of Fifa’s obligatory shootLionel Messi of Argentina stands rigidly in front of the camera. Marc Cucurella of Spain whips his hair and appears to boogie. Diego Moreira of Belgium covers his eyes with his forearm and reveals an eerie tattoo. Harry Kane leans on to one knee.There are 1,248 football players and 48 managers at the World Cup, and none could escape the obligatory media duty that is the official portrait – whether or not they had a fun pose in mind.(Above) Diego Moreira of Belgium obscures his eyes for an eerie portrait. (Below) Marc Cucurella of Spain, Ronald Araújo of Uruguay and various other familiar faces. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer resigns as prime minister and leader of the Labour party - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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How would you stop the World Cup's best strikers?
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The people and places that made Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

Russia Today News
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UK’s Starmer resigns as British prime minister

Mail Online
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Britain faces hottest day ever as Met Office issues rare red 'extreme heat' warning: Temperatures could climb to 40C this week amid fears of major disruption to road, rail and air travel
Britain faces its second hottest day in history this week as the country swelters under an extraordinary 39C heatwave after extreme heat warnings were extended.

Mail Online
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Unlikely pals Raye and 'tradwife' influencer Nara Smith unveil secret friendship and spark wild reaction from fans during girls' trip to Greece
Influencer Nara Smith has sent her fans into a frenzy after revealing her secret friendship with singer Raye by heading on a girls trip to Mykonos together.

BBC UK News
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Sturgeon to play deputy to Gove's PM in TV 'wargame' against Russia
The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.

The Register
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Small island nation tries bold tech education strategy
Is the UK's social media ban for kids just reverse psychiatry?

Mail Online
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Nigel Farage - and some Labour MPs - warn next PM must call a general election to get a mandate
Nigel Farage said Labour could not simply 'shove' another PM into Downing Street without consulting voters.

Mail Online
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Unlikely pals Raye and 'tradwife' influencer Nara Smith unveil secret friendship and spark wild reaction from fans during girls trip to Greece
Influencer Nara Smith has sent her fans into a frenzy after revealing her secret friendship with singer Raye by heading on a girls trip to Mykonos together.

Mail Online
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David Daker dies aged 90: Boon and Z Cars actor passes away after an illustrious career starring in Britain's best-loved television shows
David Daker has passed away aged 90. 

Mail Online
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Rare red warning issued for 'extreme heat': Met Office says parts of UK face 40C temperatures this week in 'record breaking' heatwave amid fears of disruption to road, rail and air travel
Britain faces its second hottest day in history this week as the country swelters under an extraordinary 39C heatwave after extreme heat warnings were extended.

Mail Online
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Why Audi's £82k diesel SUV can run on vegetable oil - but is it better than getting an EV and where can I fill up?
The German car giant has turned to a different recipe book for its latest luxury SUV by using a diesel engine compatible with hydrotreated vegetable oil. Where can you fill up and will it save you money?

Sky News Home
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Explosion leaves 18 missing and dozens injured at key gas facility in Qatar
Eighteen people are missing and more than 50 people are injured after an explosion at a key Qatar gas facility previously targeted by Iranian strikes.

BBC UK News
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Two men arrested over hospital mortuary practices
Police say two men, 55 and 59, are being held on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The picturesque mountain village that helped send Jannik Sinner to tennis stardom
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Three dead in Philippines high school shooting over bullying 'grudge'
Police say they believe the attack was motivated by a "grudge" over bullying.

Mail Online
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'Hot podium guy' looks as weary as the nation: From fresh-faced young sound engineer for Theresa May to seasoned veteran of political disaster 
The PM announced his resignation outside No10 in an emotional speech, but all the attention beforehand was on sound technician Tobias Gough testing the microphone.

Mail Online
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QUENTIN LETTS: Cliche-spouting Starmer was mediocrity in a suit. One of history's feeblest non-entity PMs, only we sketch writers will miss him...
To be prime minister is a chance to impose one's character and beliefs on the nation - to mould the era. But what if the holder of this great office has no distinctive personality?

Mail Online
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You think this is hot? Scientist claims the UK could hit 43°C this summer
As 'Furnace Britain' braces for sweltering conditions this week, a scientist has warned temperatures could hit 43°C this summer.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer's resignation speech is drowned out by 'Brexit Song': Protester who interrupted Rishi Sunak's election announcement strikes again
The Prime Minister talked up his achievements as he took to the podium outside No10 where he announced he is quitting.

The Guardian (UK)
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Babcock says Brexit and Covid beset Royal Navy contract as profits plunge
Underlying operating profits down 19% with 2019 frigate-building programme making loss, firm reportsOne of the UK’s biggest defence contractors has blamed Brexit and Covid among a catalogue of problems to beset a key contract for the Royal Navy, which led its annual profits to plunge.Annual profits at Babcock International fell by almost a fifth in the year to the end of March, as the firm reported a £140m charge on its contract to build five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Somerset v Warwickshire, Glamorgan v Surrey, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsOn the day the England and Wales Cricket Board whisked Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson away from County Championship action, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Hampshire and Derbyshire stole the show, tucking wins under their belt within three days.At Grace Road, Leicestershire, without a win this summer, rolled over Yorkshire by an innings and 39 runs – their first victory in Division One since 2003. Dan Moriarty (51), with Dom Bess (40) and then Jack White (21), bashed 95 for the last two wickets, but it was too little, too late. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory
Labour leader bows to mounting pressure after Andy Burnham’s success against Reform UK in MakerfieldUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Andy Burnham to Westminster.Less than two years after a historic election victory, Starmer had faced calls from his MPs to set out a timeline for his departure, with many of them unnerved by the threat from Nigel Farage’s party before the next general election. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir announces he will be step down as Labour leader and PM in a Downing Street address.

Mail Online
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Love Island host Maya Jama laughs off claims she's on a 'zero hours contract' and vows to 'be back soon' after being absent from the show since launch night three weeks ago
Love Island's Maya Jama has laughed off claims she is on a 'zero hours contract' after fans noticed the host hasn't entered the villa since launch night.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's exes Alex Reid, Gareth Gates and Dane Bowers make surprise appearance in new trailer for star's Sky documentary
Katie Price's ex husband Alex Reid appears alongside her former boyfriends Gareth Gates and Dane Bowers in a bombshell new trailer for the star's upcoming documentary.

Mail Online
Open 
Want to bag a break but save some cash? Here's our pick of the best travel deals available this week - from UK staycations to bargain breaks in Barbados
The Daily Mail's travel desk bring you a selection of the best travel deals currently available - so you can bag a bargain break.

Mail Online
Open 
POLL OF THE DAY: Starmer says Labour has 'restored trust on economy, defence and national security' - is he right?
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power, saying Labour had 'restored trust on the economy, defence and national security'

Mail Online
Open 
Celebrity Traitors features an unexpected twist as a THIRD of the star contestants end up as traitors in 'a thrilling shift in the balance of power'
Producers of Celebrity Traitors are 'shocked' by how the new series has unravelled after the original Traitors went on a 'recruiting spree', according to reports.

Northern Ireland Office
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The Secretary of State announces the reappointment of the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has announced the reappointment of David Johnstone as the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Office.

BBC UK News
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The remote town with no bank - and the nearest is an hour away
When 84-year-old Maggie Dodd discovered that the last remaining bank in Lochgilphead was closing, she began to panic.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Zelenskyy pledges to ‘bring war back to Russia’ after drones swarm toward Moscow – Europe live
Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airportBack to Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine, drawing on the importance of the Russian Day of Memory and Sorrow, the anniversary of the 1941 Nazi Germany invasion of the Soviet Union.“Yet today, Russia began this day not by honoring those who fell in World War II, and not with signals that could help bring the current war – Russia’s war against Ukraine – closer to an end. Instead, it began with more completely unjustifiable killings,” he said.“This Russian war has no justifiable cause. Putin was driven by exactly the same motives as the aggressors who came before him. He shows the same contempt for human life. He is just as delusional about this absurd ‘empire’ of his that nobody needs. This war must be brought to an end.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran’s regime survived the war. Can it make peace with its own people?
If war triggered a rare moment of solidarity in the divided country, many doubt it will be used for reformThe Islamic Republic regime in Iran may have survived the war, but it now faces an even greater challenge: making peace with its own population.Iranians are reeling not just from the shock of the war but also the killing of thousands of protesters by the authorities at the start of the year, and an economy in free fall. Instead of removing the regime, an initial declared aim of Donald Trump and the Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, the war showcased the Islamic Republic’s durability after its leader and layers of other top officials were killed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK and France rewrite ‘one in one out’ treaty to stop removed migrants returning
People smugglers have been using lorries to bring people deported to France under the deal back to the UKThe UK and France have been forced to rewrite the “one in, one out” deal because of concerns over the numbers of people re-entering the UK after being removed to the continent.The original treaty said people arriving in small boats could be returned to France. But people smugglers have used lorries to bring people who had been deported to France under the deal back to the UK. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer’s fatal flaw? The blankness on to which voters projected their years of frustration | John Harris
His government was directionless and confused, and from that murk emerged the Peter Mandelson scandalOn a bone-chillingly cold morning in January, it felt as if I had suddenly found at least part of the reason for Keir Starmer’s chronic unpopularity. I was in the Mancunian constituency of Gorton and Denton, where the prime minister and his people’s decision to block Andy Burnham from standing was about to hand victory to the Green party. More specifically, I was in a forlorn covered market about to be regenerated into a “food and drink cluster”, talking to a sixtysomething man nursing a mug of tea.What, I wondered, did he think of the man at the top? He gave me roughly the same answer that I’d heard from a lot of my other interviewees: “I really don’t like him at all.” But like most other people I met that day, he couldn’t quite explain what fired his antipathy, which seemed to make it worse. His face scrunched into a mixture of scepticism and exasperation. “I don’t know why – I just don’t,” he said. The most specific answer I got from anyone else was: “He hasn’t done what he said he’d do.” So there it was: as well as a modern tendency to loathe politicians that regularly seems arbitrary, whipped-up and way over the top, a sense that Starmer’s sheer blankness – his painful lack of clarity and the absence of a halfway coherent story about his own government – was making a lot of people dislike and mistrust him all the more.John Harris is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory
Labour leader bows to mounting pressure after Andy Burnham’s success against Reform UK in MakerfieldKeir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Andy Burnham to Westminster.Less than two years after a historic election victory, Starmer had faced calls from his MPs to set out a timeline for his departure, with many of them unnerved by the threat from Nigel Farage’s party before the next general election. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation
In an emotional speech at 10 Downing Street, Keir Starmer said he will step down after days of mounting pressure and speculation over his future. It comes as leadership contender Andy Burnham returns to parliament.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer cries as he quits No 10 claiming a deluded list of 'achievements' - now Britain awaits its seventh PM in ten years
Keir Starmer talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer resignation speech live: Prime Minister is supported by his 'rock' Lady Victoria after standing down from No 10 
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as Prime Minister after accepting that MPs no longer believe he is the right person to lead the party into the next election.

TechRadar News
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When AI agents start shopping for us, retail’s identity stack needs a rewrite

TechRadar News
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Amazon just dropped the price on HP printers ahead of Prime Day — and the free ink perk makes them an absolute steal

TechRadar News
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Rethinking data science skills in the AI era: Practice still matters

TechRadar News
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Triangle's stunning new Solstice speakers do things a little differently, with a focus on higher frequencies thanks to an all-new tweeter

Propublica
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“A Huge Grab of Power”: Trump Is Defying Congress on Foreign Aid
The post “A Huge Grab of Power”: Trump Is Defying Congress on Foreign Aid appeared first on ProPublica.

Digital Trends
Open 
I replaced pricey Apple extras with Xiaomi gear, and it went better than expected
Xiaomi’s UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W and Redmi Buds 8 Pro offer a surprisingly polished alternative to Apple’s pricier battery pack and AirPods Pro.

Digital Trends
Open 
HMD’s next phone has leaked, and I’m tired of seeing the same iPhone-copycat design again and again
The HMD Luma 2's leaked renders show a phone that looks a lot like the iPhone 17 Pro, right down to the camera plateau and a deep blue colorway.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The late Diane Keaton’s ‘Pinterest’ house in L.A. is relisted with a big price cut
Actress Diane Keaton’s final home has returned to the market with a significant discount, just weeks after its previous listing was taken down.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Zac Efron trades Hollywood for an off-grid ‘Futurecave’ house made of hemp in Australia
Actor Zac Efron has bid farewell to Hollywood in favor of building a unique off-grid retreat made almost entirely of hemp on a remote plot of land in Australia.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Starmer says he’s resigning as U.K. prime minister — here’s what it means for markets
Analysts expect borrowing costs in the U.K. to rise in the longer term if Andy Burnham takes over as leader of the Labour Party.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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I’m 70. A relative offered me a $25,000 home loan secured by a lien that must be repaid within a year. Should I agree?
“He also wants me to downsize and move.”

BBC UK News
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Boy, 14, charged with murder over stabbing
Jamal Coombes, 17, was found fatally injured in Battersea on Saturday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Injured ticket inspector who helped others in Bedford train crash hailed a hero
A passenger praises a member of railway staff who, despite being in pain, helped the injured.

Deutsche Welle
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India news: NEET retest saw millions of students turn up
More than 2 million students appeared for the high-stake NEET medical entrance exam after the question paper leak fiasco amid high security. Follow DW for more.

Mail Online
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Princess Lilibet wears £19.95 giraffe backpack from female-owned GoldBug in Meghan's latest post - while Archie reveals his support for England in a £12.99 Zara t-shirt
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, who lives in Montecito, took to Instagram to mark Father's Day with an image of Prince Harry cuddling their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Mail Online
Open 
Ghanaian witch doctor says he will put a curse on Harry Kane to derail England's World Cup hopes against his country - after claiming responsibility for an injury to Cristiano Ronaldo
Nana Kwaku Bonsam hopes to stop England in their tracks by imprecating Kane, who scored twice in England's sensational opening win against Croatia.

Mail Online
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Boston's Scotland-loving residents fear England fans are 'ruining the vibe' - as pubs call in extra FRIDGES to cope with huge demand for beer before second World Cup game
Boston's residents have been left fearing that the arrival of England fans could dent the high spirits raised by the Tartan Army, as Three Lions supporters have begun arriving in New England.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Zelenskyy pledges to ‘bring war back to Russia’ after drones swarm toward Moscow – Europe live
Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airportFollowing Trump’s extraordinary criticism of Meloni in a brief interview with Italy’s La7 on Fridayand her absolute denial that she was “begging” him for a photo, as we reported before the weekend, the US president doubled down again on Sunday.In a post on Truth Social, he said:“After spending Trillions of Dollars on Nato, Italy, and its Prime Minister, wouldn’t even think of becoming involved with the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious Nuclear Threat. For decades, we defend them but, when tested, they are not there to defend us, and the rest of the World. Not good!” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Allowed me to accept my own taste’: why Bridesmaids is my feelgood movie
The latest in our series of writers highlighting their comfort films is a look at an endlessly quotable antidote to bro-focused comediesAt this year’s Oscars ceremony, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne and Ellie Kemper lined up on stage to celebrate 15 years of Bridesmaids. Frankly, as awards bits go it was a little hard to watch, and the lineup was missing Wendi McLendon-Covey (recovering from a neck lift, naturally), but I had a small thrill seeing them together anyway: Bridesmaids has been my comfort film for almost half my life.Bridesmaids, written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo and directed by Paul Feig, arrived in a confetti shower in 2011. It follows Annie (Wiig) – already in a fragile state following the collapse of her bakery, her relationship and her living situation – as she navigates being maid of honour for her best friend Lillian (Rudolph). We don’t see much of Dougie, Lillian’s fiance: it’s Annie and Lillian’s relationship that takes centre stage here. They have the sort of friendship it seems impossible to break, built on years of love, shared tastes and endless inside jokes – that is, until the wedding planning begins, and Annie finds herself ill-equipped to lead the motley crew of bridesmaids Lillian has assembled in the run-up to the wedding. No one poses a greater threat to the friendship or Annie’s headspace than Helen (Byrne), the perfectly manicured wife of Dougie’s boss. Helen is everything Annie is not: pristine, well-connected and apparently excellent at organising bachelorette parties. They clash constantly, with increasingly messy results. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran’s regime survived the war. Can it make peace with its own people?
If war triggered a rare moment of solidarity in the divided country, many doubt it will be used for reformThe Islamic Republic regime in Iran may have survived the war, but it now faces an even greater challenge: making peace with its own population.Iranians are reeling not just from the shock of the war but also the killing of thousands of protesters by the authorities at the start of the year, and an economy in free fall. Instead of removing the regime, an initial declared aim of Donald Trump and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the war showcased the Islamic Republic’s durability after its leader and layers of other top officials were killed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Pound lower as prime minister Keir Starmer confirms resignation – business live
Sterling continues to trade lower versus a rising US dollar, amid Starmer’s resignation and progress in US-Iran peace talks Markets seem to be appeased by news of a (relatively) standard leadership contest, which will shake out any policy positions from prospective prime minister before they take post.That could help reduce any jitters from some corners of the market over Andy Burnham’s potential leadership. according to Richard Carter, head of fixed interest research at Quilter Cheviot.Markets are wary of Burnham’s previous policy positions so they would prefer to see ideas for governing fleshed out via a leadership contest, keeping surprises to a minimum.There are difficult decisions around welfare and defence spending lurking, with each likely to have an impact on gilts and wider UK markets. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer announces resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour party - UK politics live
The prime minister said a new leader will be in place before parliament returns in SeptemberFull report: Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victoryThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

Nature
Open 
The first ticking ‘nuclear clocks’ are here — what can they do?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
How to protect yourself from common scams, from fake romance to missed deliveries
Romance and investment fraud is at record levels but what can you do to prevent being caught out.

Gizmodo
Open 
This Necklace Could Protect Your Skin From Aging
The90 Gem can track your sunscreen timing and daily UV load.

Gizmodo
Open 
Stressed? Nuropod Says It Can Fix That—by Hacking Your Brain
A new wearable claims to unlock more sleep, more focus, and more energy.

Gizmodo
Open 
Infamous Front-Running Crypto Bot ‘Jaredfromsubway’ Gets Tricked and Drained for $7.5M
Amid the wider chaos of DeFi, someone made a killing from Jaredfromsubway's notorious "sandwich attacks."

Mail Online
Open 
Inside Gus's grandmother's dramatic TV tell-all that has raised more questions than answers, writes KARLEIGH SMITH - who has followed the baffling investigation for the nine frustrating months since he vanished
Josie Murray is clinging to the theory that her grandson was abducted - and sensationally revealed she believes the boy is still alive.

Mail Online
Open 
Jeremy Clarkson reveals the lifestyle changes he has made after battling 'aggressive' prostate cancer so he can 'watch his grandchildren grow up'
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the changes he has made to 'slow down' after he was diagnose with an aggressive form of prostate cancer last year.

Mail Online
Open 
This daily habit could help take the hassle out of supplements - I put this new liposomal vitamin C to the test to see what it could do for my energy
SHOPPING: Looking for an easy way to include supplements in your routine? We've found a new liposomal supplement brand that you need on your radar.

Mail Online
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Brit, 18, suffers serious spinal injuries after crashing quad bike in Greece - as insurance 'uncertainty' leaves family facing huge medical bill
Alfie Moses was on the island of Zante on his first lads' holiday, celebrating his 18th birthday, when he crashed last Monday.

Mail Online
Open 
Keir Starmer resignation speech live: Prime Minister is supported by his 'rock' Lady Victoria after standing down from No 10 
Keir Starmer is speaking outside of Downing Street after Andy Burnham won the by-election on Friday.

Ian Visits
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Wimbledon 2026 big outdoor screening in London
As traditional as cream and strawberries are the large screens that pop up around London showing the Wimbledon tennis matches during the summer.Read more ›

ZeroHedge News
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Massive 2,000-Year-Old Luxurious Roman Bathhouse Uncovered In The Netherlands
Massive 2,000-Year-Old Luxurious Roman Bathhouse Uncovered In The Netherlands

Authored by Maria Mocerino via Interesting Engineering,

The largest Roman bathhouse complex ever discovered in the Netherlands has surfaced, shedding new light on the wealth and importance of the ancient Roman city of Ulpia Noviomagus.
Roman bathhouse complex.Nijmegen

Researchers from the archaeological firms RAAP and BAAC were conducting routine investigations in Nijmegen's Waalfront district, a site slated for new residential development. The excavation, which began in September of last year and will conclude in July, uncovered a public bathhouse, residential blocks, luxury townhouses, streets, and a tower dating back nearly 2,000 years.

"For years, the traces of the Roman past at this location were invisible, hidden deep underground. Now that we are realizing a new living environment here, the past has become visible," said Joost Mulder, BPD's Regional Director for the North-East & Central region, in a press release.

The bathhouse complex, or thermae, covered at least 4,900 square meters, making it the second-largest excavated Roman public bath complex in the Netherlands. Despite centuries of stone removal and reuse following the Roman period, parts of the structure remain exceptionally well-preserved.

Roman history unearthed

The size of the complex reflects the importance of Ulpia Noviomagus - the Roman city that once stood here - which is believed to have received its official status from Emperor Trajan around 100 AD. The discoveries suggest that this area of the city remained active well into the third century AD.

The bathhouse was richly decorated. Its interior walls were clad in marble. The floors were laid with black-and-white limestone tiles. Other rooms featured colorful, painted plaster. Decorative limestone and sandstone moldings adorned the building's facades, while columns made from the same materials enhanced its splendor.

Archaeologists also uncovered extensive drainage systems, flooring, and a hypocaust - a sophisticated Roman underfloor heating system supported by brick pillars. This technology circulated hot air beneath a raised floor, as per Archaeology News. Two stone foundations survive to a height of nearly two meters, making them some of the best-preserved examples of Roman masonry in Nijmegen.

Tens of thousands of artifacts recovered from the site point to the affluent lifestyle that residents enjoyed during the second and third centuries AD.

Among the discoveries are bronze statue fragments, signet rings, a necklace with a gold clasp, coins, and hundreds of bone hairpins used in elaborate Roman hairstyles. Notably, two of the hairpins featured remarkable carvings of cats - one seated and one standing.

However, a bronze bust depicting Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, stood out the most to archaeologists. They believe the object originally formed part of a pitcher or a piece of furniture before later being adapted for use on a weighing scale.

Archaeologists also recovered numerous coins from the reign of Emperor Postumus, who ruled between 260 and 269 AD, providing rare evidence of continued occupation during a relatively poorly documented period.

Integrating the past into the future

Developers and city officials plan to integrate the site's Roman heritage into the future neighborhood, added Archaeology News.

"The link to the past will remain visible in the future as well. For instance, a number of residential buildings will feature a covered walking area with rows of columns. A colonnade just like in Roman times. And developers plan to call the green square in the heart of the area, inspired by the floor plan of the bathhouse complex, Thermenplein. A direct reference to the Roman meeting place that was here some 2,000 years ago," concludes the press release.
Roman bone hairpins found in Nijmegen. Credit: Municipality of Nijmegen / BAAC / RAAP
Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 03:30

ZeroHedge News
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Israelis Are Livid Over Trump Ending War, Overwhelmingly Believe Iran Won: Poll
Israelis Are Livid Over Trump Ending War, Overwhelmingly Believe Iran Won: Poll

After roping President Trump into breaking a core campaign promise, watching the United States expend resources and risk American lives to attack Iran, and then watching Trump take steps to end the war via MOU - Israelis are livid because the US didn't commit to full-on decimation to celebrate America's 250th, and say Iran came out ahead. 



According to a survey conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in partnership with the Agam Institute, 92.1% of Israelis believe Iran came out ahead in the conflict and the US-brokered deal that followed.

Even among voters loyal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative bloc, 93.1% said Iran won. 82.9% of respondents said the six-week military campaign against Iran left Israel's long-term security weaker, not stronger. Another 86% hold a negative view of both the way the fighting ended and the way Washington negotiated the subsequent deal without meaningful Israeli input. Nearly 88% of Israelis believe their country either fell short of its war aims entirely or achieved only partial success, despite the stated objectives being nothing less than dismantling Iran's nuclear program, neutering its missile arsenal, and toppling the regime in Tehran. Those were the goals. None of them, by the public's own assessment, were fully met.

Netanyahu has tried to project confidence in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding anyway. At a press conference Monday, he insisted Iran will never possess nuclear weapons "as long as I am prime minister of Israel." As we noted on Tuesday, hardline Israeli politicians are livid over the Iran deal, and want Netanyahu out so they can do 'real regime change.'
(Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"With an agreement or without an agreement, Iran will not have nuclear weapons - not today and not tomorrow," he said, calling the mission his "life's mission." He has also maintained that the nuclear threat from Iran was an "immediate danger" that Israel removed "together with our American friends."

Either way, Israelis aren't buying it. 72.5% of respondents reject Netanyahu's claim that Israel secured major gains and eliminated an existential threat. Only 26.5% rate his handling of the war as "good" or "excellent," while 56.4% call it "failed" or "poor." His personal approval as prime minister has collapsed from 40.5% in early March to 29.4% in June, a fifteen-point swing in roughly three months.

And of course, there's Trump... with 69.1% of respondents rated his handling of the war and the resulting deal as "failed" or "poor," against just 10.8% who called it "good" or "excellent." Quite the change in sentiment from his 2024 election win...
A billboard showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is projected a day after the U.S. election in Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov. 6, 2024. (Oded Balilty/AP)

Despite the widespread belief that the Iran campaign backfired, 48.2% of Israelis say their country should renew major military action against Hezbollah, including strikes in Beirut, even if that means clashing with Trump, who has made clear he wants the fighting in Lebanon to stop. Only 20.9% oppose that course, with the remaining 30.9% undecided. Israelis appear simultaneously convinced the last war was mishandled and eager for the next one. 

Just 12.2% of respondents believe Israel achieved most of the stated goals against Hamas and Hezbollah following the October 7, 2023 attacks while 61.3% say Israel achieved none of them, and 26.5% say only some were met.

Across the Atlantic, the reception looks entirely different. A Quantus national poll of 1,000 likely US voters found 43% strongly approve and another 13% somewhat approve of the preliminary US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding. Combined disapproval sits at just 13%.

The Trump administration has been trying to respond to criticism of the deal, while Israeli cabinet members are talking mad shit about Trump - to the point where VP JD Vance came very close to asking if they've even said 'pwease' or 'thank you.' 

Vance defended the MOU during Thursday's White House briefing, pushing back on what he said was misleading media coverage. “The simple fact is that the only way the Iranians get any of those resources - not a single penny, by the way, from the United States of America under any circumstances - but the only way that they would ever get any benefit of the bargain is if they comply fully, and change their behavior," Vance said of Iran, adding that Tehran's military and nuclear program "is still destroyed" if Iran refuses to change course. He also said that compliance would bring "a transformative relationship with the Middle East."


🚨 WOW! JD Vance is DIRECTLY calling out Israeli cabinet members for their personal attacks on President Trump
"Donald J. Trump is the ONLY head of state in the ENTIRE WORLD who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time, and he happens to be the head of state… pic.twitter.com/0H9yGH8ubL
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 18, 2026
The Hebrew University-Agam Institute survey was conducted June 17–20, using a weighted sample of 3,644 Israelis aged 17 and over, designed to reflect the broader population, and has a maximum sampling error of just 2.2% at a 99% confidence level. 

Maybe they'll just keep attacking Lebanon to scuttle the peace deal? 


🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir:
"We cannot stop destroying houses in southern Lebanon. We cannot stop, period.
We cannot allow the population of southern Lebanon to return. ... We must continue to control the territory even if Trump disagrees."
PSYCHO.
Writer: Samuel… https://t.co/uilzuQcgTV
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 17, 2026

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 04:15

ZeroHedge News
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UK Government Plans To Force Social Media Giants To Boost BBC Content To 'Fight Disinformation'
UK Government Plans To Force Social Media Giants To Boost BBC Content To 'Fight Disinformation'

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,

The UK government, under the apparently outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is advancing proposals that would require platforms like Facebook, YouTube and others to make BBC and other public service broadcaster content more prominent in users' feeds.

Officials frame the move as essential to combat 'disinformation,' citing Ofcom data that social media serves as the main news source for 51% of adults and 75% of 16- to 24-year-olds.

Yes, they want to turn social media into a literal Ministry of Truth.


Under plans to further restrict private media firms, news from public service broadcasters would be given priority to fight "disinformation".
The proposals will set Sir Keir Starmer on a collision course with tech giants already frustrated by his under-16s social media ban … pic.twitter.com/uOw4Tb9Ybq
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 20, 2026

The plans form part of wider efforts to further restrict private media firms and follow directly on the heels of the controversial under-16s social media ban that has already strained relations with tech companies.

Public reaction has been swift and scathing. Journalist Allison Pearson did not hold back on the BBC's own record:


During Covid, @BBCNews was the main purveyor of "misinformation".'
Pure propaganda which led to children being denied school for months and a mass epidemic of mental health problems that has injured a generation many of whom have still not come out of their bedrooms.
So, no. https://t.co/FdWZy5nj6s
— Allison Pearson (@AllisonPearson) June 21, 2026

Author and commentator Bernie drew a pointed historical parallel:


"In 1933, Goebbels argued that Germans needed protection from false information and dangerous ideas. In 2026, Starmer says that British people need protection from 'disinformation' and that social media platforms should prioritise BBC and state approved broadcaster content. The comparison is NOT that Britain is Nazi Germany. That is a lazy argument. The comparison is that Starmer's government is pushing for more control over what citizens read, watch and think and that they claim it's for our own good. You are not free if the State decided what news you are allowed to view. This is not the work of a government supporting democracy but one that Doesn't trust its citizens to keep them in power."



I do not make historical comparisons lightly.
Your government, in line with UN priorities. is moving to crush all information not sanctioned by them.
In 1933, Goebbels argued that Germans needed protection from false information and dangerous ideas.
In 2026, Starmer says… pic.twitter.com/W51yStWzXM
— Bernie (@Artemisfornow) June 20, 2026

Reform UK supporter Chris Rose highlighted the core irony:


Labour plan to force social media platforms to prioritise content from the BBC in our news feeds to fight disinformation.
Ironically, social media has helped to combat a lot of disinformation from the BBC. https://t.co/tXKG70saVJ
— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) June 20, 2026

This UK initiative does not stand alone. Similar moves are advancing in lockstep across the continent as governments seek greater leverage over information flows.

Germany has pursued measures to force social media platforms to boost state-aligned content and sideline dissenting material under the banner of 'public value.'


The EU's Democracy Shield framework has drawn sharp criticism as a vehicle for mass censorship that effectively ends open discourse under the guise of protecting democracy.


In France, President Macron has pushed aggressive censorship proposals widely described as a Ministry of Truth power grab.


The pattern is unmistakable: governments leveraging regulatory power to privilege official or state-funded sources while algorithmically demoting alternatives.

The BBC prioritization scheme fits into a rapid succession of UK measures that collectively tighten state influence over digital space and public narrative.

The under-16s social media ban has been exposed as a monumental pretext for total digital surveillance infrastructure.


Telegram founder Pavel Durov warned that the policy represents the digital iceberg that could sink the free internet.


Separate reporting revealed the UK government maintains a dedicated 'thought police' unit aimed at controlling the mass migration narrative.


Further proposals would empower authorities to block 'false information' during crisis events, creating an official Ministry of Truth mechanism.


London Mayor Sadiq Khan has separately called for a government social media disinformation unit, adding another layer of official narrative enforcement.


Advocates insist elevating BBC content will help users encounter more 'reliable' information. The claim collapses under even cursory examination of the broadcaster's recent track record.

The BBC has repeatedly been accused of sinking to new lows on accuracy and impartiality.


Its former news director stated that trans bias and progressive orthodoxy drove her departure.


Additional controversies include a high-profile fake news editing scandal that prompted a $10 billion lawsuit from President Trump.


Further examples involve portrayals of Islamic child slavery in Afghanistan as somehow necessary, biased handling of Islamist issues in Britain, and presenter conduct that drew sharp rebukes from figures like John Cleese.


Public sentiment on X reflects deep skepticism that the state broadcaster represents a credible bulwark against disinformation.


Wanting media that can be censored by the state to be broadcast on the internet that will be ID locked by the state.
So this is how democracy dies. With a bunch of terrible parents going "it's about time". https://t.co/rvsGBa27zh
— Christina Tasty (@ChristinaTasty) June 21, 2026


I hope people can wake up and see what this is really about: controlling access to information. The internet democratized access to news and information, and people in power do not want that! https://t.co/xXTeQ96NTT
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) June 19, 2026


Citizens will be told the same thing, will believe the same thing …
Starmer will demand BBC truth is given priority. So we are fed a consistent narrative.
Anything else is disinformation. Which isn't authoritarian at all pic.twitter.com/7P9ujzGI8w
— Bernie (@Artemisfornow) June 20, 2026


Another Starmer poisoned legacy in his censorious war with Big Tech: undermine any claims for BBC impartiality. Surely if state declares BBC & public service broadcasters are one & only truth (in face of a slew of contrary evidence), won't this undermine trust even further? https://t.co/zSKupBpgwK
— Claire Fox (@Fox_Claire) June 20, 2026

For now, there is a simple solution.


Keir Starmer's government is preparing plans to force social media and video platforms to give preferential treatment to content from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
Let's all block them.
Problem solved.
— Benjamin (@UKFREEDOMUNITE) June 21, 2026


The government wants to fill our timelines with state funded propaganda.
Block the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
They can't fill your feed if you've blocked them.
Simple problems require simple solutions. https://t.co/na6g61rm2e pic.twitter.com/U98ACQvhtY
— Ben Graham (@BenGrahamUK) June 20, 2026

Of course, the government could, via it's regulator Ofcom, simply mandate that these sources cannot be blocked and must be injected into people's feeds. They could also employ a more subtle manipulation of the algorithm to ensure it happens, regardless of any blocking.

Mandating algorithmic favoritism for any single outlet, especially one with the BBC's baggage, will not restore trust. Alternative platforms continue to grow, and Community Notes-style transparency tools already expose manipulation faster than official gatekeepers can suppress it.

Governments that distrust citizens to navigate information without state curation reveal more about their own insecurities than about any genuine disinformation crisis.

The free exchange of ideas, even uncomfortable ones, remains the only proven defense against real propaganda.

These latest European and British maneuvers represent the opposite impulse: centralized narrative control dressed up as public protection.

Citizens on both sides of the Atlantic have seen this playbook before and are increasingly unwilling to play along.

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.
 

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 05:00

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Starmer to address nation outside No 10 amid expectations he’ll set out resignation timeline - UK politics live
It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of power to Andy BurnhamStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

Autosport F1
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The Newey quality that keeps Aston Martin believing
There's no competition for the "worst surprise" award of the 2026 F1 season start, as Aston Martin - despite all the hype around Adrian Newey joining the team and leading it into the new era - sits second from last in the constructors' championship after seven rounds.With one point on the board, it is only ahead of Cadillac, the completely new project that was expected to struggle in its first ...Keep reading

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How do you stop Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane?
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks?

Mail Online
Open 
'The name's Holden, golden Holden': Amanda Holden, 55, sizzles in a skintight gold catsuit as she attends Bond-themed party with husband Chris Hughes
The Britain's Got Talent judge, 55, looked incredible as she slipped into a gold catsuit for a Bond-themed party over the weekend.

Mail Online
Open 
Fishermen are jailed after ditching 'illegal' lobster haul over boat during inspection
Ashley Rescorla, 40, was skippering the Amber Mabel fishing boat when it docked in Padstow in April last year.

Mail Online
Open 
Keir Starmer will announce his resignation in minutes as podium is set up outside No10 and Andy Burnham heads to Westminster
Aides are setting up a podium outside the famous black door of No10 with his resignation seemingly imminent.

Digital Trends
Open 
The Galaxy S27 Pro might borrow the Ultra’s best screen trick
Samsung may bring its Privacy Display to more phones, starting with the rumored Galaxy S27 Pro.

Digital Trends
Open 
Apple is finally letting me rate my photos, and I can’t stop using it
The iOS 27 developer beta hides a star rating feature in the iPhone Photos app. Here's how to enable it, rate your photos, and filter your library to find your best shots in seconds.

Digital Trends
Open 
TCL QM8L Review: SQD technology for the masses
Instant insight: SQD without the sticker shock When I reviewed the TCL X11L earlier this year, I called it the best picture quality Mini-LED can currently offer. But at $7,999, it’s not the TV most people are actually going to buy. Enter the QM8L, a superb TV with a more approachable price point. TCL stopped following […]

TechRadar News
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The Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine lets you make just about any coffee creation you can imagine

Slashdot
Open 
'Tutor' Who Took Online Tests for 124 Students Jailed for Three Years
A private tutor who charged money to take dozens of exams for students and submit coursework for them "has been jailed for three years," reports the BBC, "after his scam earned him £300,000."

Shahid Adnan completed assignments and online tests for more than 120 students at Liverpool John Moore's University, the Crown Prosecution Service said. The 43-year-old, of Lysander Close, Liverpool, was caught in February 2023 after a student handed in a USB drive containing suspicious coursework to Dr Tom Berry of the university's school of computer science and mathematics. Berry's checks revealed the drive was used by Adnan with documents linked to a company he set up called Study Sharp Ltd.

Excel spreadsheets containing details of other students, their study modules, coursework due dates, and their personal login credentials were also found. Further checks confirmed suspicions that Adnan was accessing the university's network to submit fraudulent work and sit examinations on behalf of students... [I]nvestigations led police to believe Adnan may have been doing work for 124 students at universities all over the world.

The BBC also interviewed detective sergeant Adam Dagnall from Merseyside Police's cybercrime unit, who said Adnan was living a lavish lifestyle "well beyond" his stated occupations as a private tutor and Amazon delivery driver. His bank accounts held more than £2m ($2,645,100 USD).





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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EasyJet rejects £4.7bn takeover offer from US investment firm
The airline describes the latest bid approach from Castlelake as "highly opportunistic".

Mail Online
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Who were the worst dressed royals and celebs at Ascot? Rank YOUR favourite outfits - and vote on which regular racegoer was more fashionable than the stars
The first three days of Royal Ascot has served up summer sartorial splendor, with the royals leading from the front. Vote for your favourite so far here...

Mail Online
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Inside the drama engulfing House Of The Dragon as fans vow to boycott season three and critics reveal show made them 'physically sick'
The show features major cast members including Matt Smith , Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans and Fabien Frankel.

Mail Online
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Not Keir for long... Podium set up outside No10 as Starmer prepares to announce his exit - while Andy Burnham heads to Westminster
Aides are setting up a podium outside the famous black door of No10 with his resignation seemingly imminent.

Telegraph
Open 
Defiant Iran leave handwritten note about dead schoolgirls after tense stay in LA
Defiant Iran leave handwritten note about dead schoolgirls after tense stay in LA

Computer Weekly
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Navigating the AI access control minefield
Rather like the early days of e-commerce, everyone seems to be ‘doing artificial intelligence’. IT leaders must now ensure these systems have secure access to enterprise data

Deutsche Welle
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Germany's media shaken by AI scandal
Two German outlets deleted articles that used undisclosed artificial intelligence. Many fear that reliance on AI will damage the credibility of German media

Mail Online
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Britain hots up as 39C 'heat dome' strikes: Temperatures will hit 34C today and keep climbing - as UK braces for week of heatwave travel chaos and threats of school closures
Britain faces its second hottest day in history this week as the country swelters under an extraordinary 39C heatwave after extreme heat warnings were extended.

Gizmodo
Open 
This Necklace Could Stop Your Skin From Aging
The90 Gem can track your sunscreen timing and daily UV load.

Cycling UK
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Group Leader course - 15 July 2026 - Solihull
Please fill in the form below to register for the Group Leader course - Group Leader course - 15 July 2026 - Solihull

Cycling UK
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Group Leader course - 8 July 2026 - Newcastle
Please fill in the form below to register for the Group Leader course - Group Leader course - 8 July 2026 - Newcastle

The Guardian (UK)
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The Leveret By Anna Goldreich review – a hare mends the pain of baby loss
This bold debut about a woman finding healing after a late miscarriage is written with utter convictionBirth. “A detaching, a loosening of something, then the pain of it.” A small, curled and crinkled creature is wrested from that pain. But then, instead of the long-awaited cry of a newborn: silence.This is the background of Anna Goldreich’s highly accomplished, calmly devastating first novel The Leveret, a book that asks us to see late miscarriage as the death it feels like for many mothers. Since this miscarriage, six months ago, Clare has felt everyone, including her partner Phoebe, impatiently expecting her to get on with her life. But she remains floored by loss, stuck waiting for that first cry. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Shadows of Willow Cabin review – secrets fester beneath horny hookup in low budget horror
Two men’s romantic getaway turns creepy in a talky elevated chiller about escaping the binds of the pastThe best elevated horror makes a metaphor out of its writhing emotional subtext, but writer-director Joe Fria sadly can’t make the leap in this low-budget debut that undoubtedly has issues on its mind: repressed homosexuality, compulsive hookups and generational trauma. For much of the film the horror elements abruptly waylay what is otherwise a fraught two-handed gay drama.After meeting on the apps, middle-aged English teacher Albert (Bryan Bellomo) and lithe paramedic Devon (John Brodsky) are finally getting cosy at Willow Cabin – the former’s childhood summer getaway, named for a line in Twelfth Night. But secrets fester beneath this ostensibly horny hookup. In Albert’s case, he has a wife and son – and this spot, which once belonged to his uncle, is where he first explored the other side of his sexuality, with his cousin. As for Devon, Albert is the latest in a long line of unfulfilling liaisons with married men, thanks to the emotional damage inflicted by his abusive dad. While both of them are candid to a point, the sporadic phantom eruptions inside the cabin suggest they’ve not got everything out of their systems. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall and stock markets rise as US-Iran peace talks progress – business live
Brent crude prices fall below $80 per barrel on after Iranian negotiators said progress had been made in peace talks with USEurozone bond yields have also dropped slightly, thanks in part to momentary relief over US-Iran peace talk progress, amid hopes it could ease geopolitical tensions and war-related inflation that reduce the prospect of further rate hikes by the ECB.The yield on Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond yield was down 2 basis points at 2.966% this morning. (This is after having climbed 6 basis points on Friday after peace talks were abruptly called off) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Zelenskyy pledges to ‘bring war back to Russia’ after drones swarm toward Moscow – Europe live
Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airportSeparately, Ukraine and Poland are embroiled in a bitter dispute over Kyiv’s decision to rename a contemporary Ukrainian army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).Poland holds it responsible for ethnic killings of up to 100,000 Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during the second world war – and in 2016 adopted a parliamentary resolution calling it a genocide – but it is celebrated in Ukraine for their fight for Ukrainian independence and resistance against the Soviet forces.“Poland has repeatedly signalled the particular importance of this issue to the Ukrainian side. We conveyed our position and expectation that the consequences of this decision for relations between our states be reconsidered. Ultimately, the position of the Ukrainian side did not change. History should not be an obstacle to the future, but a good future can only be built on truth.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Late Windrush victim’s compensation to fund prize for British Caribbean playwrights
The Windrush Prize will award £10,000 to the writer of the winning play, which will receive a run at the Arcola theatre next yearThe first prize dedicated to discovering and developing British Caribbean playwrights has been launched using compensation awarded to a Windrush victim who died before receiving it.The Windrush Prize for British Caribbean Playwrights, believed to be the first major prize of its kind in 30 years, has been established by Shereener Browne, the founder and artistic director of Orísun Productions and a former barrister, in memory of her late father, Myron Brown. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation timetable, paving way for Burnham premiership - UK politics live
It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of powerStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionThis is from Tom Baldwin, Keir Starmer’s biographer, and head of communications for Ed Miliband when he was Labour leader.We seem to be in a strange place where Keir Starmer is being told he must quit to prevent more uncertainty and chaos (by those who have caused much of it) but then stay on for a couple of months because the guy who has been desperate to take his job is not yet ready to do so…Keir Starmer has a mandate from Labour members.He stood on a manifesto and won a mandate from the British peopleModern politics:Consumerisation Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Dozens injured or missing after explosion rocks Qatari gas hub (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Revealed: Emotional handwritten letter Iran's 'oppressed' World Cup stars left in SoFi Stadium locker room
After two matches in Los Angeles, Iran left a farewell note to the city containing a reference to the horrific bombing of a school during the war between the nation and the United States.

Mail Online
Open 
Shein loophole is 'killing' UK retailers, boss of Sostrene Grene warns
Mikkel Grene joins the bosses of businesses, including Primark and Marks & Spencer, in calling for a crackdown on the Chinese online retailers.

Mail Online
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Missé Beqiri pays sweet tribute to ex Jake Hall and her late brother to mark Father's Day just weeks after the TOWIE star's tragic death
Missé Beqiri has paid heartbreaking tribute to her tragic late ex Jake Hall and her brother Alex Beqiri on Father's Day on Sunday.

Mail Online
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How this Greek island loved by 70s rockstars has become the ideal spot for a multi-gen getaway, with great food, friendly locals and stunning scenery
Harriet Sime, checks into Kompsos Villa in the north of Crete, and reveals why this small but beautiful island is just the spot for a multi-generation trip.

Mail Online
Open 
Crew member dies after falling from luxury cruise ship off the Scottish coast
The Hebridean Princess had been sailing near the town of Oban, through the Sound of Mull channel between the Hebrides and the mainland on the evening of June 16 when the man fell overboard.

Mail Online
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Dua Lipa and Callum Turner make a stylish exit from their Rome honeymoon in a £200k Porsche after idyllic Italian wedding
Their honeymoon has taken them from the Amalfi coast to Rome, but it was back to reality for Dua Lipa and Callum Turner as they made a stylish exit from Italy over the weekend.

Mail Online
Open 
Britain hots up as 39C 'heat dome' strikes: Temperatures will hit 34C today and keep climbing - as UK braces for week of heatwave travel chaos and threats of school closures
Britain faces its second hottest day in history this week as the country swelters under an extraordinary 39C heatwave after extreme heat warnings were extended.

Mail Online
Open 
Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell and new husband Jordan Oldershaw cut their HUGE cake and party with her sombrero-wearing co-stars at idyllic wedding bash in Mallorca
Emily Blackwell and her new husband Jordan Oldershaw partied into the night with their reality star pals at the reception for their Mallorca wedding on Saturday.

Mail Online
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David Daker dead aged 90: Boon and Z Cars actor passes away after an illustrious career starring in Britain's best-loved television shows
David Daker has passed away aged 90. 

UK Legislation
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Correction Slip
These Regulations amend the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3361) (“the GDS Contracts Regulations”), the National Health Service (Personal Dental Services Agreements) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3373) (“the PDS Agreements Regulations”) and the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3477) (“the NHS Charges Regulations”).

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Serena Williams to play Wimbledon singles - why now & who could she face?
Serena Williams will make a surprise return to singles action at Wimbledon later this month after accepting a wildcard.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Liverpool reject £21.7m Inter Milan offer for Jones
Liverpool reject a verbal offer of 25m euros (£21.7m) from Inter Milan for midfielder Curtis Jones.

The Guardian (UK)
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How India’s heatwaves are shutting schools – and pushing women out of the workforce
Forced to stay home or switch jobs, working mothers are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis as classes go online for weeks or months at a timeOutside, the temperature has passed 41C (105.8F). Inside Sakshi Katyal’s city apartment, the air conditioner is blasting but it does little to relieve the stress of balancing housework and helping her five-year-old log in on a laptop to online classes. Her daughter’s school closed in May and Katyal is not clear when it will reopen. Probably not till the autumn.Schools across Delhi and in about half of India’s 28 states have been ordered to close from mid-May until the end of June, when in many places the summer break starts. There is no official record of closures in past years but the Guardian has spoken to school officials who say the number of days schools are shut for because of the heat has risen sharply. The impact on families, especially on working women, has been huge. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation timetable, paving way for Burnham premiership - UK politics live
It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of powerStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionIf you are curious as to why the Labour party is ditching Keir Starmer as PM after less than two years in office, when he clearly isn’t a total disaster like Liz Truss, or a complete scoundrel like Boris Johnson, you should have a look at a terrific series of essays by Chris Clarke on Substack about trust in politics. Starmer is being forced out in part because of mistakes he has made, and weaknesses he has as a communicator and a leader. But he is also in part being forced out because he is operating in an environment where the public are more hostile to politicians than ever before in the modern era.This chart illustrates this best; it shows the average net satisfaction with all the main party leaders at all points since 1977. As with much in British public life, it’s got a lot worse since Brexit.Sections of the population are asking our leaders for things which cannot be done without self-harm to the economy, for reasons which are extremely technical and complex to explain. Steps that the right or the left see as basic common sense – such as sending boats back or banning eight figure salaries, respectively – require almost significant extrication from the international system to be achieved. This is not to say we could not do more on wealth inequality. But it’s to say that room for manoeuvre has narrowed, forcing the main parties closer together. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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It started on the ski slopes - the making of Sinner
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

Mail Online
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Bank of England boss takes on his critics and a deep-fake video: RUTH SUNDERLAND
Andrew Bailey at the Bank of England is trying to find the creator of a recent social media video of him brawling on Question Time with Nigel Farage.

The Register
Open 
Anthropic's Mythos mess just keeps getting more complicated
It sure seems like the Trump administration is just bullying Anthropic for not acquiescing to its every move, and it's the cybersecurity community who'll suffer for it

BBC UK News
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Murder arrest after woman fatally stabbed
Police say a 72-year-old woman found with stab wounds was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US firm goes public with £4.7bn proposal to buy easyJet after earlier bids rejected
Investment firm Castlelake says it has made bid public so easyJet shareholders can evaluate it ahead of Friday takeover deadlineThe US investment firm trying to buy easyJet has gone public with a £4.7bn takeover proposal for the budget airline, after three proposals were rebuffed by the easyJet board.Castlelake said on Monday that an all-cash offer of 625p a share, valuing easyJet at just over £4.7bn, had been rejected on Sunday, after previous offers at 560p and 600p. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Oil prices fall and stock markets rise as US-Iran peace talks progress – business live
Brent crude prices fall below $80 per barrel on after Iranian negotiators said progress had been made in peace talks with USOil prices are trading at their lowest level since March, though analysts say it may be too early to peg hopes on a sustained drop in energy prices despite progress in US-Iran peace talks this weekend.Stephen Innes, an analyst with SPI Asset Management, says it is important “not to overcook Monday’s oil move” :Brent shorts had built meaningfully last week, so part of the early upside looks like traders taking risk down rather than launching into a full-blown conflict trade.When positioning has leaned too far into calm, it does not take much tension to force a little oxygen back into the price. That is less a declaration of war than a reminder that carrying shorts into a geopolitical negotiation is rarely a comfortable overnight position. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Zelenskyy pledges to ‘bring war back to Russia’ after drones swarm toward Moscow – Europe live
Russia intercepted 300 Ukrainian drones across the country and temporarily suspended operations from Moscow airportNearly 60 Ukrainian drones were intercepted heading for Moscow last night, forcing the capital’s airports to briefly suspend its operations during the attack.In total, Russia reportedly downed just over 300 drones across the country.“The Russians are attacking us every day – and we will strike back every day. Our response will grow stronger with each passing day.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation timetable, paving way for Burnham premiership - UK politics live
It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of powerStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionJacqui Smith, the education minister, was also on the Today programme. When Nick Robinson, the presenter, put it to her that ‘it’s over, isn’t it?’, Smith replied: “No, I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”Gus O’Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, was interviewed on the Today programme this morning. Asked if he was worried about Britain becoming as unstable politically as Italy used to be (see 7.11am), O’Donnell replied:It will be our seventh [PM] in a decade.I do think we need to think about, if we’re having a prime minister change in mid-term, what’s the problem? Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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First round of US-Iran talks ends with encouraging progress, mediators say
The US-Iran talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week's agreement, which includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Could heatwave temperatures hit 40°C?
Germany is in the grip of an intense heatwave, with experts predicting extreme temperatures in some regions. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists he can handle the heat and is not bothered by personal insults. DW has more.

Mail Online
Open 
Molly-Mae Hague thinks she battled postpartum depression with Bambi as she rules out having more kids and says 'I'm ready to stop at two'
The influencer, 27, fears she battled postpartum depression with her daughter, Bambi as she 'can't explain the difference' in how she feels after giving birth to her son.

Mail Online
Open 
British mother, 29, has appendix 'wrongly removed' during Egypt holiday
A British mother has claimed doctors 'wrongly removed her appendix during a holiday to Egypt. 

Mail Online
Open 
Bank of England governor takes on his critics amid deep-fake video
Andrew Bailey at the Bank of England is trying to find the creator of a recent social media video of him brawling on Question Time with Nigel Farage.

Mail Online
Open 
Joel Dommett's wife Hannah Cooper breaks down in tears and says 'I don't recognise myself' as she reveals 'disastrous' attempt to attend Royal Ascot six weeks after giving birth
Joel Dommett's wife Hannah Cooper broke down in tears as she detailed her 'disastrous' attempt to attend Royal Ascot last week, in an Instagram post.

Mail Online
Open 
Brit dies after being violently mugged 'by Senegalese immigrant' while out celebrating his birthday with his wife in Tenerife
An elderly British man has died after being attacked by a Senegalese immigrant while celebrating his birthday with his wife in Tenerife. 

TechRadar News
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Forget the cheap knock-offs, my favorite super-stylish backpack changed how I survive events across the world — and it's 15% off for Amazon Prime Day

TechRadar News
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I test audio kit and these are the 3 Bluetooth speakers I always reach for — and the only ones I'd recommend in 2026

TechRadar News
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Worried about your child's ears this festival season? These award-winning cans are the first noise-cancelling kids' headphones to receive TÜV Hearing Care Protection Certification — and given recent stats on child hearing health, I think we need them

Mail Online
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Charli XCX reveals she's 'in the worst place mentally I've been in my life' and says her emotions are 'very volatile'
Charli XCX has said she is 'in the worst place mentally that I've been in my life,' as she prepares to release her new album.

BBC World News
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More than half of France under red alerts as heatwave intensifies
The health minister warns many citizens "will suffer", with temperatures set to peak on Monday.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Cornelia Biacsics: Contributions for week 23 & 24, 2026
On June 5 2026, the PostgreSQL User Group Greece met, organized by Eftychia Kitsou and Charis Charalampidi.
Speaker:

George Capnias
Kostas Maistrelis

PGDay Boston happened on June 9 2026
Organized by:

Tom Kincaid
Aaryan Sonwane
Pat Wright
Shayon Mukherjee
Shihao Zhong
Regina Obe
Kheli Fallon

Talk selection committee:

Erik Pohi
Greg Burd
Kanchan Mohitey
Geetha Setty
Shree Vidhya Sampath
Sachin Pawar
Rob Emanuele

Code of Conduct Committee:

Vibhor Kumar
Stacey Haysler
Ken Rugg

Speaker:

Michael Stonebraker
Richard Yen
Brian Brennglass
Bruce Momjian
Robert Haas
Shree Vidhya Sampath
Ryan Booz

The Postgres Meetup Group Berlin met on June 10 2026, where David Wheeler delivered a talk. The Meetup was organized by

Andreas Scherbaum
Oleksii Kliukin
Celeste Horgan
Sergey Dudoladov

The Silicon Chalet Meetup Group met on June 11 2026 for the SC66: Meetup PostgreSQL
Organized by

Maeva THIBURCE
Guillaume Proust
Franck Pachot

Speaker:

Yingkun Bai
Mathieu Perez
Daniel Westermann

On June 11 2026, PostgreSQL Edinburgh Meetup June 2026 happened, organized by

Jimmy Angelakos
Jim Gardner
Denys Rybalchenko

Claire Giordano and Aaron Wislang hosted and published a new podcast episode on June 12, 2026 “How I got started running a Postgres user group with Jeremy Schneider” from the Talking Postgres series.
PASS Summit On Tour: Frankfurt 2026 happened from June 10-11, 2026.
PostgreSQL talks by:

Grant Fritchey
Pat Wright
Akanksha Sheoran
Andreas Jordan
Per Christopher Undheim
Chanpreet Singh
Michael Banck

On Saturday, 13th June, 2026 , PgPune met for Event #5.
Organized by:

Ashish Mehra
Sachin Kotwal
Sagar Jadhav
Rushabh Lathia

Speaker:

Hari Kiran
Jeevan Chalke
Mohini Ogale
Ayush Shah
Prafulla Ranadive

The Warsaw PostgreSQL User Group met on June 16, organized by Adam Wołk, Alicja Kucharczyk & Tomasz Gintowt
Speaker:

Kamil Króliszewski
Dr. Luigi Nardi

The Brisbane PostgreSQL User Group met on 17 June, organized by Udara and Gary Evans. Gary Evans delivered a talk.
The Meetup PostgreSQL Paris met on June 17 2026, organized by

Andréa Girollet
Sébastien DELOBEL
Vincent Mercier
Vik Fearing

Speaker:

Sebastien Delobel
Thomas Boussekey

On June 17 PostgreSQL Meetup for All met virtually, organized by Elizabeth Christensen. Tomas Vondra delivered a talk.
POSETTE: An Event for Postgres 2026 happened virtually from June 16-18 2026
Organized by:

Aaron Wislang
Claire Giordano
Cornelia Biacsics
Gauri Kasar
Henry Huang
Jeremy Asomaning
Linda Leste
Pooja Yarabothu
Shriram Muthukrishnan
Silvano Coriani

Talk selection team:

Claire Giordano
Daniel Gustafsson
Divya Bhargov
Melanie Plageman

Code of Conduct Committee:

Aaron Wislang
Claire Giordano

Hosts:

Thomas Munro
Adam Wolk
Divya Bhargov
Abe Omorogbe
Derk van Veen
Sumedh Pathak
Floor Drees
Claire Giordano

Speaker:

Abe Omorogbe
Adam Wolk
Adithya Kumaranchath
Affan Dar
Alexander Kukushkin
Álvaro Herrera
Andrew Ruffin
Ashutosh Bapat
Boriss Mejias
Bruce Momjian
Charles Feddersen
Chris Ellis
Christian Miles
Chun Lin Goh
Derk van Veen
Diaa Radwan
Dingding Lu
Divya Bhargov
Gülçin Yıldırım Jelínek
Hamid Akhtar
Hari Kiran
Heikki Linnakangas
Jeremy Schneider
Jimmy Angelakos
Josef Machytka
Julia Schröder Langhaeuser
Leonardo Cecchi
Marco Slot
Matt McFarland
Melanie Plageman
Mohsin Ejaz
Muhammad Usama
Murat Tuncer
Nitin Jadhav
Pamela Fox
Paolo Melchiorre
Paula Berenguel
Paula Santamaría
Pavlo Golub
Rahila Syed
Richard Yen
Sai Srirampur
Sakshi Nasha
Sarat Balijepalli
Shashikant Shakya
Taiob Ali
Thomas Munro
Tomas Vondra
Varun Dhawan
Xuneng Zhou

On June 18 2026, the Sydney PostgreSQL User Group met, organized by:

Shadab Mohammad
Roneel Kuma
Rajni Baliyan
Malcolm McLean

Speaker:

Roneel Kumar
Nishchay Kothari

On June 20, 2026 the PostgreSQL Community Bulgaria met for Meetup #1, organized by Nayden Gochev, Velichka Vodenicharova & Radoslav S.
Speaker:

Radoslav Stanoev
Ankit Mishra
Deepak Sharma

Community Blog Posts:

Ellyne Phneah about Marketing a Conference From 7,000 Kilometres Away: What I Learned at PG Data 2026

BBC UK News
Open 
How many banks have closed in your area? See our chart
When 84-year-old Maggie Dodd discovered that the last remaining bank in Lochgilphead was closing, she began to panic.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Is it true that … beards are unhygienic?
People assume that those with facial hair are more likely to harbour bacteria on their faces than the clean-shaven – but the truth is more tangledThe idea that beards are dirtier than clean-shaven faces has been floating around for decades, says John Tregoning, professor of vaccine immunology at Imperial College London. There is even research that shows people perceive bearded men as less hygienic: one study found restaurant customers rated waiters with facial hair as dirtier. Science doesn’t necessarily back that up, though.One of the earliest studies on the subject, published in 1967, looked at how much bacteria could be recovered from men’s faces after being artificially sprayed on to their skin. Researchers compared washed and unwashed faces, both with and without beards. The dirtiest combination wasn’t with a beard: most bacteria was recovered from unwashed clean-shaven faces, followed by unwashed bearded faces, washed bearded faces and finally washed clean-shaven faces. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Oil prices fall and stock markets rise as US-Iran peace talks progress – business live
Brent crude prices fall below $80 per barrel on after Iranian negotiators said progress had been made in peace talks with US Patrick Wintour and Jonathan Yerushalmy Iran’s foreign minister has declared “progress” after the first day of talks between high-ranking officials from Washington and Tehran ended in Switzerland, despite a tense opening marked by Donald Trump threats to restart attacks.A joint statement from mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the ⁠US and Iran agreed to a roadmap towards⁠ a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks between lower-ranked officials ​will continue for the rest of the week, according to the statement, with fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon at the top of the agenda. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Don’t worry, a politician can’t present the Today programme. Michael Grade is wrong about that – and GB News | Stewart Purvis and Chris Banatvala
As the former Ofcom chair says extraordinary things about the rightwing channel and its critics, a factcheck would not go amiss• Stewart Purvis is a former editor in chief of ITN; Chris Banatvala is a former Ofcom director of standardsDuring a review of his four years at Ofcom, the outgoing chair, Michael Grade, surprised his BBC Radio 4 interviewer. He had been asked by Katie Razzall whether Ofcom rules would allow a politician to present the Today programme apart from the news bulletins. She clearly did not expect him to answer: “Absolutely, absolutely, why not?” “Really?” replied a startled Media Show presenter. “Well, Nick Robinson might be out of a job. He might not be happy to hear that.” The Today presenter was listening and immediately posted: “Can anyone remind me when parliament, the public, licence fee payers or anyone else was asked their opinion on this?” None of the 204 people who commented on his post could offer any such reminder.The argument about what the law does and doesn’t say about politicians presenting programmes has been a central thread of Lord Grade’s tenure, as Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, presents his 7pm weekday programme on GB News, covering the political news of the day. Even before Grade’s series of “free of the shackles” interviews became increasingly political with his views on the “white majority”, Ofcom felt compelled to distance itself. “Any personal views a former chairman has expressed do not represent Ofcom policy,” it said. The media regulator continues to stand by its handling of GB News, but has Grade accidentally exposed a central flaw during his tenure? And what should we make of his off-the-cuff comments since leaving. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Paris taxi scam cost £493 but Monzo won’t help me
We were charged the wrong amount, but because the bank says we have no evidence it won’t do a chargebackI went to Paris to recover from the grief of losing my dog.All was going well until I took a taxi from a rank outside Musée d’Orsay to my hotel near Notre Dame – a 12-minute journey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Report on Nottingham NHS maternity scandal to reveal ‘horrendous’ failings
Insider indicates Ockenden inquiry has uncovered appalling behaviour including racism toward mothersThe report of the inquiry into the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history will outline “horrendous” failings in the care provided to women in Nottingham, the Guardian can reveal.A catalogue of appalling behaviour over many years by staff at the city’s two hospitals – Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City hospital – included racism towards mothers, it will say. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed: From Nobel winner to war commander
Abiy Ahmed will remain Ethiopia's prime minister after his party won the elections yet again. Since taking office in 2018, he has attracted both strong supporters and fierce critics, reflecting his polarizing leadership.

Mail Online
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Charli XCX has said she is 'in the worst place mentally that I've been in my life,' as she prepares to release her new album.

ZeroHedge News
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This Is The Funniest Thing Ever...
This Is The Funniest Thing Ever...

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,

Leftists in the EU who spent years blocking real border enforcement are now whining about a victory party after conservatives pushed through a motion to create powerful tools to remove illegal migrants.



The chamber could not stop laughing. A 'Renew Europe' MEP aligned with French President Emmanuel Macron stood up and demanded punishment for conservative MEPs who gathered on the European Parliament roof, drank heavily, and celebrated the passage of the bloc's toughest-ever deportation reforms.

The presiding officer brushed it off and The room roared with amusement.


Laughter erupts in the European Parliament after Macron's MEP Fabienne Keller tries to get conservative MEPs punished for serious breeches of the rules
She says they met on the Parliament's roof & "drank a lot, a lot" to celebrate passing new laws for deporting illegal migrants pic.twitter.com/2gzLCdcKZT
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 20, 2026

This outburst came days after the European Parliament voted 418 to 218, with 30 abstentions, to approve the new Return Regulation.

Conservative and sovereignist MEPs from the EPP, ECR, Patriots for Europe, and Europe of Sovereign Nations groups supplied the decisive majority.

The measure updates the hopelessly outdated 2008 rules and gives member states real power to enforce removals.

In our earlier video we highlighted the immediate leftist reaction inside the chamber: chants of 'Shame on you' from leftists with chants of 'Send them back' in response from conservatives.


Now they are complaining about a rooftop toast. The contrast could not be clearer. One side delivers results for citizens who have endured years of unchecked arrivals, crime, and welfare strain. The other side throws procedural tantrums and pretends a private celebration violates parliamentary decorum.


They still think they're in Harry Potter fighting Voldemort.
"The era of resistance begins"
How about you slobs start the era of not letting your shirts hang out of your trousers first. Pathetic. https://t.co/IchmcEbTw9
— European Propagandist (@EuropaAdAstra) June 19, 2026

The regulation makes deportation orders issued in one member state valid across the entire EU.

It extends maximum detention periods for those who refuse to leave, removes automatic suspensive effect on appeals in many cases, doubles entry bans to ten years (lifetime for security threats), and allows member states to conclude agreements with third countries for 'return hubs' where rejected migrants can be processed and removed without remaining inside EU territory.

Non-cooperating origin countries face visa restrictions, aid cuts, and trade measures - the same leverage the Trump administration successfully deployed.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the outcome as validation of the model she pioneered with Albania.

'We promised Italians we would change Europe, and we did it, with courage, patience, and determination,' she said.

Meloni added, 'This innovative solution has been resisted at every turn by the Italian and European left, but thanks to this government, it has now become a tool available to the whole of Europe.'

MEP Marieke Ehlers of the Patriots for Europe group stated 'This regulation puts the obligation exactly where it belongs: on the illegal migrant... The days of pampering are over. You have no right to stay, which means you have one simple obligation: pack your bags and leave our territory.'

She added that the text hands real power back to national capitals: 'We are taking back control... Almost all provisions give Member States the freedom to go further.'

French EPP negotiator François-Xavier Bellamy called it the end of decades of failure. 'After decades of failure and years of deadlock, Europe is ending its powerlessness in the face of illegal immigration. No one can claim any longer that Europe has no tools to act. The rules are now in place. The responsibility lies with governments to use them.'


In a landmark 418-218 vote, the European Parliament just passed the strictest migration and deportation law in EU history.
When the results were announced, MEPs began chanting "Send them back!" inside the chamber.
The new rules include:
• Deportation orders valid across all… pic.twitter.com/r4zwulNkz7
— Make Europe Great Again – M.E.G.A (@ScaryEurope) June 20, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron quickly distanced himself at the EU summit in Brussels. He declared that France would neither participate in nor fund third-country return hubs, calling the approach ineffective and contrary to French principles.


French President Emmanuel Macron firmly rejected the creation of migrant "return hubs" in third countries, stating that France will not participate in or support the funding of such outsourcing initiatives.
Speaking in Brussels at the conclusion of a two-day EU summit, Macron… pic.twitter.com/6yU5zjFAms
— Don. Tesman Irabor (@TvslEspana) June 20, 2026

The same Macron who lectures others on European values now refuses to use the very instruments his own parliament helped create. The gap between rhetoric and reality on migration has never been wider.

Globalist pushback has already been initiated as the United Nations voiced concerns that the new return hubs could violate human rights standards.

Critics on the left and in international organisations frame any effective removal policy as inherently cruel, even as European cities continue to absorb the costs of failed integration and repeated criminal acts by rejected or illegal migrants.


The UN warns that new EU migrant rules could violate human rights. Plans to outsource deportation of rejected asylum seekers raise serious concerns. https://t.co/TmYNvesrOx
— The Brussels Times (@BrusselsTimes) June 20, 2026

For years globalist voices insisted that mass low-skilled migration was inevitable, economically necessary, and morally superior.

They dismantled internal borders, expanded asylum loopholes, and attacked any leader who tried to enforce existing law. Return rates stayed dismal. Criminal networks thrived. Public trust collapsed.

Conservative MEPs simply used their growing numbers to force an update that reflects what citizens have demanded for a decade.

The left's response - procedural complaints, accusations of misconduct over a private celebration, and renewed warnings from the UN - reveals the same refusal to accept democratic outcomes that has defined the migration debate from the start.

The laughter in the chamber was not just amusement at a thin-skinned complaint. It was recognition that the excuses have run out.

Europe now possesses the legal tools to remove those with no right to remain. Whether national governments use them remains to be seen, but the parliamentary majority has shifted decisively toward enforcement.

The same forces that once sneered at 'Send them back' as fringe bigotry are watching their own colleagues chant it on the floor. The Overton window did not shift incidentally. It moved because voters across the continent grew tired of policies that prioritised arrivals over safety and sovereignty.


'What happened to multiculturalism preached by European globalists? 'Send Them Back': EU Parliament Passes Major Deportation Reforms, Including Third Country Return Hubs https://t.co/lXulis0ZfS
— Silvio Picardi (@sil37839) June 20, 2026

Europe's conservative MEPs just proved that when they coordinate, they can deliver. The left can keep filing ethics complaints about rooftop drinks. The rest of the continent is focused on results.

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 02:00

ZeroHedge News
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Fuel Sales Abruptly Halted For Crimean Population As Ukrainian Drones Wreak Havoc
Fuel Sales Abruptly Halted For Crimean Population As Ukrainian Drones Wreak Havoc

A wave of relentless Sunday drone attacks out of Ukraine on Crimea has resulted in a regional cut off to civilian access to fuel, in another sign that UAV attacks on Russian territory are having serious effect.

Four people were killed in the series of drone strikes on energy and transport infrastructure in the Russian-controlled peninsula, including attacks near Kerch, a key eastern Crimean port city which is a major energy logistics hub.
Reuters/BBC: "Cars queue at a petrol station on the peninsula in early June amid already restricted fuel sales."

"As a result of the enemy's drone attack on the Kerch Peninsula, unfortunately, there are casualties among the civilian population," Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov announced.

"According to the latest information, four people were killed, 28 were wounded," he added.

And he also confirmed the fuel crisis for the whole region, saying, "Today, June 21, starting from 09:00 am, fuel sales at Crimean petrol stations have been suspended" - though he added that fuel would only be sold to state enterprises.

He made clear in a Telegram post that starting Sunday morning local time gas stations across the peninsula would stop selling fuel to individuals and businesses. All cash, card and fuel coupons were immediately halted.

Ukraine's President Zelensky boasted of the attacks, stating on social media that "Facilities on both sides of the Crimean Bridge were hit: maritime logistics used to transport oil in the Krasnodar region and an oil depot in temporarily occupied Kerch."

"In addition, military logistics facilities were successfully struck, along with four radar stations belonging to S-400 systems and two Pantsir systems," he wrote.

Crimean governor Aksyonov had also announced that "Further decisions regarding the current situation in the republic's fuel market will be announced at a later date."


Last night, our long-range sanctions targeted the occupiers’ military logistics, oil industry, and air defense. All of this is a just response to Russia’s brutal attacks against our people. I thank the warriors of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the… pic.twitter.com/90APquETQT
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 21, 2026
BBC has separately reported that Kiev "hit a logistics facility for oil transportation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which lies adjacent to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Local authorities said one person had been killed on a passenger ferry."

Saturday saw a long-range Ukrainian drone attack on an oil refinery in Russia's Tyumen region, which lies over 1,200 miles from the front lines of fighting - a significant reach and first of the war. It demonstrates that Russian anti-air defenses have struggled to intercept small, low-flying UAVs. Hundreds were sent against Crimea on Sunday.

Tyler Durden
Mon, 06/22/2026 - 02:45

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birkdale, Merseyside) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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UK Legislation
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UK Legislation
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UK Legislation
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These Regulations amend regulation 5 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (“1996 Regulations”) to permit the driving of zero-emission vehicles in certain circumstances in excess of the maximum authorised mass that would otherwise apply.

UK Legislation
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Mail Online
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of powerStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionAll the national newspapers are splashing on the fate of Keir Starmer. The BBC has a summary including pictures of all the front pages. Two papers, the Times and the Daily Telegraph, have headlines saying Burnham wants to be PM by September.Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, was on the Today programme this morning putting the Conservative party’s case on Keir Starmer being replaced. He said having a new PM would not make much difference because the government’s problems were down to the views of Labour MPs. He said:Constitutionally there doesn’t have to be a general election, you can change prime ministers. What matters is whether the prime minister has the support of MPs in parliament.But I have to say that there, it’s not just Keir Starmer’s legitimacy that is being called into question, it’s Labour’s. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘We want a new Albania’: protests against Jared Kushner-backed resort turn anger on government
Opposition to plans for ‘small paradise’ island of Sazan becomes wave of dissent against establishmentFor Ina Shkurti, like so many Albanians, the island of Sazan has played an outsized role. As a child she bathed in its “always calm and emerald green” waters, as a teenager it figured in her dreams and as an adult it was an indelible part of the memory and desire that drew her back, every summer, to Vlore, her home town across the sea.What Shkurti never imagined was that plans to build a mega-resort on Sazan – one of two luxurious complexes on Albania’s southern coast backed by Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner – would trigger a revolt, an uprising that has convulsed the Balkan state in a spasm of disgust over the perceived excesses of “a rotten oligarchic class” just as it hopes to complete accession talks with the EU. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Starmer 'poised to quit TODAY': Minister effectively confirms PM will announce departure... as Andy Burnham heads to Westminster
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The Register
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The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer expected to announce resignation timetable, paving way for Burnham premiership - UK politics live
It’s still unclear whether there will be a leadership contest or an uncontested handover of powerStarmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM‘A shift has taken place’: Starmer faces the music after weekend of reflectionJacqui Smith, the education minister, is doing a broadcast round this morning. Speaking to Times Radio, she said she “would have been happy for [Keir Starmer] to continue” – which sounded like a confirmation that Starmer will announce his resignation, but may just be confirmation that Smith has read the papers.She also said:My understanding from those I’ve spoken to who are close to the prime minister yesterday is that the prime minister has spent the weekend thinking really carefully about the future of the country, about what’s the best thing to do for the British people.He’s also, by the way, been of course engaged in government, responding to the terrible train crash, talking to the chief executive of the East Midlands ambulance service, responding to the attack in Edinburgh. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Starmer 'poised to quit TODAY': Minister effectively confirms PM will announce departure
Jacqui Smith said she 'would have been happy for him to continue'. Her words have been taken as confirmation that his resignation is imminent, as he returned to No 10 from Chequers today.

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Labour Left tells Burnham to rip up tax pledges: With Starmer a dead man walking, allies of PM-in-waiting say it's time to break manifesto promises on income tax and VAT
The challenger to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership made a series of expensive commitments during his by-election campaign - but is yet to set out how he will fund them.

BBC UK News
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A couple from Banbury buy the Barry house which Rob Brydon's character called home through the show.

Mail Online
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INTERACTIVE GAME: Pick your XI from Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad and submit your final selection. You can then compare your selections to the Daily Mail's renowned football writers'.

Mail Online
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Tobey Maguire's ex Jennifer Meyer confirms new birth with first glimpse of baby in Father's Day tribute
Tobey Maguire's ex-wife Jennifer Meyer confirmed that she gave birth as she offered a first glimpse at her newborn in a sweet Father's Day tribute to her fiancé Geoff Ogunlesi.

Mail Online
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Under 40s from Birmingham are most likely to switch current account - which banks offer the best deals?
The age group was nearly twice as likely to move bank than average, as banks offer up to £220 in cash for their business.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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House of the Dragon fans left stunned by shock character deaths in season three premiere bloodbath
In the jaw-dropping premiere on Sunday, many viewers watched the long-awaited Battle of Gullet take form after two seasons of anticipation.

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#11760 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Bolton Area (Close)
No issues observed, maintenance window passed

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Maintenance: None

F1 Technical
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Pirelli has confirmed its tyre choices for the next two rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship, selecting opposite ends of its compound range for the Austrian and British Grands Prix.

F1 Technical
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'Ferrari have the best chassis," claims McLaren after Hamilton's Barcelona victory
McLaren heads into the next phase of the 2026 Formula One season with a clear development direction, after a Barcelona weekend that underlined both the strengths of its rivals and the potential still locked inside the MCL40.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: Cape Verde fan goes wild live on BBC News as his country scores
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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The Guardian (UK)
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Country diary 1951: Animals left to wither away outside inadequate slaughterhouses
28 June 1951: The much-talked of state-owned experimental abattoirs have not been builtHEREFORD: With the departure of the high winds, rain has come again in a steady, dreary drizzle. To-day we should have been hay-making: it is as well that none is yet turned and that not much is cut. Rams are sitting each against the trunk of an apple tree: the sheltering branches form big green umbrellas. Nasty selfish creatures. Janice seems to think, so I have brought her back to her old nook against the house between two clipped bushes: she can keep dry there and eat a handful of crushed oats. The cats were already under another bush. Flossie has gone to her basket and grandmama cat sits behind me on my chair; it was her habit to treat a distinguished author like this and she got from him a quite unfair portion of chair.The men are mucking-out buildings, masoning, and whitewashing. Farmers have done their best to produce good meat under difficult conditions, only to see waste and animals cruelly treated and left to wither away in congested areas outside the totally inadequate slaughterhouses. The much-talked of state-owned experimental slaughterhouses have not been built, and it is doubtful if even two will be ready this year. Up at Ardgay my cousin has found a rare bugle; it was sent to the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and is being photographed there. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Widely available, episodes weekly Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Fabulous Gold Harvesting Machine review – scavenger’s story reveals a rich seam to mine
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Africa can end Aids on its own terms. Will the world back us to finish the job? | Jean Kaseya and Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah
With aid funding falling by 70%, a change to HIV response is needed. The continent must treat health as a matter of sovereignty rather than charityThe Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now being fought across the region shows again what Africa already knows. When an emergency arrives, the continent cannot wait on distant supply chains or other people’s goodwill. It must make and move the things that keep its people alive. The fight to end Aids by 2030 runs on the same truth.Africa has earned the right to set the terms of that fight. Over two decades the continent helped turn the epidemic around. Aids-related deaths have fallen by 59% since 2010 and new infections by 68%. Nearly 22 million Africans are alive today on daily treatment. Keeping them alive is a permanent commitment. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI by Cory Doctorow review – the real price of artificial intelligence
A vivid and entertaining polemic on the economics of the tech revolution, filled with righteous ireAs former Google CEO Eric Schmidt could tell you, AI is a hard sell these days. Last month, he tried talking up the AI revolution during a commencement address at the University of Arizona and was loudly booed by students about to enter an AI-ravaged job market. His discombobulation was telling.Schmidt is not the only AI booster to crash out with students recently as the popular backlash grows. Every week brings a new story about some writer, publisher or academic who has torched their reputation by using an unreliable chatbot. Most US voters are opposed to the construction of vast, resource-guzzling new datacentres. A majority believe AI will negatively impact not just jobs but creativity and human relationships. In some quarters, saying that AI has any benefits at all is akin to saying that biological warfare gets a bad rap. As a New York Times column put it: “AI populism is here. And no one is ready.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Year-round sunshine practically guaranteed’: Le Mourillon is Toulon’s cool, beachy quarter
Come for the sun; stay for the seafood, jazz festival, galleries and coastal walking in this laid-back village within a citySouth of the city centre, Le Mourillon is Toulon’s characterful and unpretentious seaside quarter. Once a fishing village, Le Mourillon is home to little shops selling Provençal produce such as huge garlic bulbs and tomatoes in vibrant shades, alongside lively bars and restaurants. It’s not as glamorous or polished as the likes of Antibes or Saint-Tropez – you won’t find designer brands – but it’s all the more charming for that. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brexit: how it has hit your wallet at the supermarket and on holiday
Ten years on, leaving the EU has made life more difficult and costly – here are some of the ways we’ve lost outIt is 10 years since voters in the UK chose to leave the EU, and our wallets have been feeling the effects ever since.From paying more to take the dog on holidays in France – and making calls while you are there – to higher grocery bills and the headache of filling in customs forms for parcels, Brexit has made many simple tasks more complicated and expensive. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Inside Messi-mania at the World Cup: Rumours about his dad dying, 500kg of meat flown in for Argentina BBQs and fans flocking to Kansas City by plane - and bike - for even a glimpse
JACK GAUGHAN IN KANSAS CITY: He was out in a rondo, Messi. Laughing with De Paul. Looking up to the heavens when, God forbid, fate dictated he was piggy in the middle.

Mail Online
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Britons brace for some of the sweatiest nights EVER with temperatures feeling close to 30C at 5am as Met Office's days-long heatwave warning comes into force
Parts of England and Wales are expected to reach record highs of at least 38C in the day, but warnings have been issued over 'heat stress'.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: Cape Verde spark bedlam with historic first goal, match highlights and Lamine Yamal follows in Pele's footsteps
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day 12 at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Trump says repairs to algae-plagued Reflecting Pool will begin immediately
Despite a multi-million dollar renovation, the Washington DC landmark has peeling paint and algae. Trump claims vandals are partly to blame.

Ian Visits
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London’s Alleys: Dorset Buildings, City of London, EC4
This alley just to the south of Fleet Street sits on land that was once owned by the Bishop of Salisbury, and later became part of the printing revolution, and today is mainly just a gap between two modern offices.Read more ›

Mail Online
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Teacher murdered little Preston Davey after adopting him with his boyfriend - then moved to suburban £450,000 new build in attempt to reinvent themselves
Beneath this veneer of suburban respectability Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley had been harbouring a sickening secret.

The Guardian (UK)
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Almost three tonnes of cocaine found buried under Sydney property in Australia’s biggest ever seizure, police say
Australian federal police arrested and charged two men after allegedly finding $800m worth of cocaine in ‘bunkers’ under shipping containersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice claim to have made Australia’s biggest ever cocaine bust after finding $800m worth of the drug buried under false flooring on a semi-rural property.Two men, aged 21 and 25, allegedly tried to run from police and were arrested on Friday after an operation by Australian federal police, alongside investigators in multiple states. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to Russian ally

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran hails ‘progress’ as first day of talks with US conclude after shaky start
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar issue statement saying talks will run for rest of the week, as fighting in Lebanon continues to threaten agreementIran’s foreign minister has declared “progress” after the first day of talks between high-ranking officials from Washington and Tehran ended in Switzerland, despite a tense opening marked by Donald Trump threats to restart attacks.A joint statement from mediators Qatar and Pakistan said the ⁠US and Iran agreed to a roadmap towards⁠ a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks between lower-ranked officials ​will continue for the rest of the week, according to the statement, with fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon at the top of the agenda. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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US marks 'encouraging progress' in peace talks with Iran after summit was nearly derailed by Trump's fiery threat
A diplomat claimed progress on multiple fronts, including establishment of 'mechanisms' to ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open and ceasefire in Lebanon holds.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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In the foothills of the Dolomites, a champion was made
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.

Mail Online
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Nicole Kidman shares her first public message to her ex-husband Keith Urban after he sends her a heartfelt birthday tribute
Nicole Kidman has publicly acknowledged ex-husband Keith Urban for the first time since their divorce, sharing a touching Father's Day tribute.

The Guardian (UK)
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Goolagong review – a lovely tribute to an Aboriginal tennis legend
She won seven grand slams, was ranked world No 1 and riled up Billie Jean King. But did this worthy yet syrupy drama really need to show her as a child hitting a ball against a wall with a plank of wood quite so many times?Goolagong opens to the soulful strains of Ann Peebles proclaiming: “It’s your thing – do what you wanna do!” It feels a little on the nose as a way to soundtrack an inspirational sporting drama, as Australia’s Evonne Goolagong (played by Lila McGuire) steels herself for her first ever Wimbledon match. (For the uninitiated: not only was Goolagong the first Aboriginal player to compete in tennis’s most prestigious tournament, but she would go on to win the ladies’ singles title twice, in 1971 and 1980, plus a doubles win in 1974. She won seven grand slams in total and was – for a time – ranked world No 1.) This three-part drama from Australia’s ABC is sometimes saccharine, and the opening sequence of a teenage Evonne wandering starry-eyed through the corridors of the All England Club – portraits of former winners on the walls – feels heavy-handed. More difficult themes do come to the fore in time, but Goolagong is largely an unapologetic, flashback-heavy tribute to a sporting legend. It’s beautifully drawn, but do we really need to watch the primary school-aged Evonne (a cherubic Eloise Hart) hit a ball against a wall with a plank of wood this many times?!Sadly, being a woman in sport – or maybe just a woman in the world – Goolagong would go on to apparently suffer financial abuse and sexual harassment at the hands of her coach, Vic Edwards. The contrast between those fluffier scenes and the unwanted advances of Marton Csokas’s slippery Edwards feels like a screeching handbrake turn. Not least because we see Edwards move Goolagong from her happy but impoverished Wiradjuri family in rural Barellan, New South Wales – with a population in the hundreds – into his family home in Sydney at 14, grooming her for sporting fame but also maybe just grooming her full stop. But – as uncomfortable as that segue is – it is her reality. “When it stops being fun, come home,” Evonne’s mother tells her, with more than a little foreshadowing on the part of the writers. Later, after family tragedy and chicanery on Edwards’s part, Evonne will echo those words, declaring that tennis is “not fun any more”, ruined by the selfishness of her mentor.Goolagong aired on BBC Four and is on iPlayer now. In Australia, you can stream it on ABC iView Continue reading...

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TV tonight: dragons, swords and James Norton in a return to Westeros
Prepare yourself for more epic battles in House of the Dragon. Plus: an art-inspired murderer is on the loose in French crime thriller Polar Park9pm, Sky AtlanticIt’s easy to forget what last happened in the disappointingly dull Game of Thrones prequel two years ago. But the bloodiest naval battle in Westeros history – the Battle of the Gullet – actually kicks season three off with a bang. The Targaryen civil war finally gets into full gory swing, with Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) orchestrating their moves for the Iron Throne. Yes, there are still too many dislikable characters moping around, and it’s not a great sign when the only one you feel anything for is a fire-breathing dragon. But there’s no denying the wow factor of epic sword clashes like this one – and there are plenty more promised ahead. Plus added James Norton! Hollie Richardson Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: Dispute over second world war army unit threatens to divide Poland and Ukraine
Poland prime minister Donald Tusk ⁠hopes to ​defuse a ‘mistake’ from spiralling further; gasoline sales suspended in Crimea. What we know on day 1,580A conflict between politicians in Poland ⁠and Ukraine is a strategic mistake that will harm both sides, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk ⁠has cautioned, ⁠as he seeks to ​defuse a rekindled dispute over events that occurred during the second world war. Polish president Karol Nawrocki on Friday ⁠stripped Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the country’s top honour, prompting three former Ukrainian presidents and other senior officials ⁠to return their state awards to Poland. Nawrocki revoked the Order of ​the White Eagle after ‌Zelenskyy angered many in Poland ‌by renaming a Ukrainian army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, ‌nationalists who massacred Poles during the second world war.“Wading into a conflict between politicians in Poland and Ukraine ‌is a strategic mistake that will harm both sides: business-wise, geopolitically, and reputationally. And in politics, as we know, ​a mistake is worse than a crime,” Tusk wrote in a post on X. The pro-European Tusk was elected prime minister in 2023, after leading a coalition that defeated the nationalist Law and Justice party with which Nawrocki is aligned.Zelenskyy, in ⁠an interview posted on X, said Ukraine and Poland cannot ​be “anything but ​partners and friends,” adding that a ​political struggle could end in a “very dangerous escalation”. “Our service members ​choose a ‌heroic name for ​their unit themselves, ​and as president and supreme commander-in-chief, I must support them,” he said. “Without Ukraine, no one will be able to defend Poland. It is simply impossible.”Officials in Russia-occupied Crimea have suspended civilian gasoline sales as Ukraine increases attacks on fuel supplies. The Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea said Ukrainian strikes killed four people and wounded 28 others overnight. He said local petrol stations will now only sell fuel to government agencies. The Crimean peninsula has had periodic fuel shortages from Ukrainian strikes before, but the current crisis is the worst since its 2014 annexation. Social networks are filled with requests for fuel, and some speculators are selling gas at double the market price.Zelenskyy described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said in a statement that a Crimean oil depot, as well as an oil transport facility in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region were among the targets. “Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace,” he said. Separately, overnight Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine killed three people.Ukraine has in recent months also stepped up drone attacks on energy facilities in Russia, striking targets deep behind the frontlines. Last week, it hit a large refinery in Moscow twice. Ukraine says the attacks are aimed at denting oil revenues that Russia uses to fund the war. Some petrol stations in Russia, the world’s third-biggest oil producer, introduced fuel rationing this month. Fuel exports have been banned since April. Energy Intelligence, a US-based energy research firm, said earlier this month that about a third of Russian oil refining capacity had gone offline because of Ukrainian strikes.Russia’s aviation authorities briefly closed Moscow’s four airports on Monday, after a flurry of drones were intercepted. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that 59 drones heading towards the city had been destroyed. Kyiv has sent drones into Russia in retaliation for Moscow bombing its cities, although Sobyanin did not specify that the drones were from Ukraine. Authorities announced at 5.39am that airports had reopened. Russia downed 301 drones overnight, state media reported on Monday.Russian drones set fire to a cargo vessel en route to Ukraine and killed one of its crew, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said on Monday. “A drone strike set fire to a vessel sailing under the Panama flag. A crew member was killed – a 58-year-old cook, a citizen of Egypt,” Oleksiy Kuleba wrote on Telegram. Kuleba said eight sailors, including citizens of Turkey and India, fled on a life raft, and that the vessel “sustained significant damage and lost seaworthiness”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England to face Bangladesh in one-off Test in preparation for Ashes series
Lord’s could stage game in May before visit of AustraliaEngland to play two Tests in Bangladesh in FebruaryEngland will prepare for the Ashes series next summer with a one-off Test against Bangladesh in late May.The venue has yet to be determined and is contingent upon where the England and Wales Cricket Board decides to stage the final of the World Test Championship the following month. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Dozens injured or missing after explosion rocks Qatari gas processing hub (VIDEO)

BBC UK News
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Jury in Donaldson sex abuse trial to continue deliberations
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.

Digital Trends
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I’ve used Apple gear for years, and right now is the best time to buy from the used shelf
Apple plans to raise iPhone prices as a global memory shortage pushes costs higher. After years of buying Apple gear new, here's why I think the used shelf is starting to look like the smarter move.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Salah's World Cup pain ends as he fires Egypt to historic win
Mohamed Salah fires Egypt to their first ever World Cup win - 92 years on from their tournament debut.

Russia Today News
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Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ claims victory in Colombian election

The Guardian (UK)
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Chicken nuggets, lamb lollipops and pitta pockets: Claudine Boulstridge’s family favourites – recipes
Cooking for kids doesn’t have to be a chore: these three meals are quick, full of flavour and, crucially, fun both to make and to eatFamily meals don’t need to mean hours in the kitchen or a mountain of washing-up. These crisp chicken nuggets are a healthier homemade favourite that kids absolutely love, while the lamb lollipops are fun and surprisingly simple; the stuffed pitta pockets, meanwhile, are perfect for lunches, after-school dinners or eating on the go. Above all, all three dishes are built for real family life: quick, full of flavour and designed to make mealtimes a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I disagree with Andy Burnham’s politics. But as former health secretaries, we both know the NHS needs to be fixed | Jeremy Hunt
As prime minister, he would have a unique chance to turn the world’s most bureaucratic health service into its most innovative oneIf Andy Burnham moves from Manchester to No 10, he will be the first prime minister to have been health secretary in the history of the NHS. What might that mean for the troubled service? His commitment to social care is well known. But when the Treasury tells him there is no money, he is going to have to think hard about how to make his mark.The UK now spends the fifth most of any OECD economy when it comes to government health spending as a proportion of GDP. That’s why health service insiders no longer say the issue is money but productivity. They have been puzzling over why, since 2020, the total number of staff across NHS England has grown by 20% but activity has only gone up by 10%. That’s part of the reason why waiting lists have remained stubbornly high and a significant part of the progress made in reducing them has come from “list cleaning” – removing people from lists who no longer need treatment – rather than actual increases in activity.Jeremy Hunt served as secretary of state for health, later secretary of state for health and social care, from 2012 to 2018 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Gen Z earning more than millennials did at the same age, says thinktank
At age 24, workers born in the late 1990s are paid more than any cohort since those born in the 1950sGen Z’s early careers are more financially rewarding than those of millennials, research suggests.Those typically born between 1997 to 2012 are experiencing a mini-rebound in pay packets, according to the research by the Resolution Foundation, in a seeming contrast to how the previous generation entered the job market. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Top officer says anti-racism guidance has fuelled myth of two-tier policing
Head of Greater Manchester force refutes claims of anti-white bias but says he understands where it comes fromPolicing in Britain has “adopted the language of activism” and official guidance has “over-corrected” to combat accusations of racism, one of the UK’s most senior officers has said.Sir Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said he did not believe that “two-tier policing” existed or that forces were biased against white people. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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After Burnham’s reign, battle begins for Greater Manchester’s mayoral crown
The influential role vacated by the new Makerfield MP will be fiercely contested by Labour, Reform and the GreensAs Andy Burnham maps out the final steps on his path to Downing Street, he may feel that his future is clear. But a look back over his shoulder reveals a cloudier outlook, inviting the question: what now happens to his former role as Greater Manchester’s mayor?An election has been set for 30 July, and with the job widely seen as having grown under Burnham’s tenure to become one of the most influential in British politics outside Westminster, Labour is desperate to cling on to it – but parties to its right and left both see an opportunity. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Dozens injured or ‘missing’ after explosion rocks Qatari gas processing hub (VIDEO)

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Salah's World Cup pain ends as he fires Egypt to historic win
Mohamed Salah's fires Egypt to their first ever World Cup win - 92 years on from their tournament debut.

BBC World News
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First round of US-Iran talks ends with 'encouraging progress', mediators say
The US-Iran talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week's agreement, which includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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China's import of custard apples is sparking fears in Taiwan
Taiwan's agriculture ministry is worried that Beijing wants to weaponise a local specialty: the atemoya.

The Guardian (UK)
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Egypt claim their first World Cup win after roaring from behind to beat New Zealand
Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to their first-ever World Cup win as they came from a goal down ⁠to beat New Zealand 3-1 with a brilliant second-half display, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.After ⁠a relatively quiet first ⁠half that saw ​them go in behind at the break, Egypt and Salah turned up the heat in the second period as the 34-year-old winger showed he ⁠is still capable of conjuring magic from his boots. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Paedophile nursery worker could have been stopped sooner, says former colleague
Staff member who raised concerns about nursery worker Nathan Bennett was "ignored" for months.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Salah's World Cup pain ends as he fires Egypt to historic win
Mohamed Salah's World Cup pain ends as he helps fire Egypt to their first ever win at the tournament - 92 years on from their tournament debut.

BBC World News
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Is Germany looking again at coal-powered electricity?
It had planned to abandon the fuel, but the higher cost of natural gas may make it think again.

Deutsche Welle
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Deniz Undav: Germany's 2026 World Cup supersub
With three goals in two games, striker Deniz Undav is the man in focus for Germany at the World Cup. But things could have turned out very differently for the Stuttgart striker.

Sky News Home
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How hot will it be where you are? Check the forecast

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Japan quintuples visa fees in first price hike since 1978
Authorities say they do not expect the hikes to have an "immediate impact on inbound tourism".

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Salah's World Cup nightmare ends as he fires Egypt to historic win
Mohamed Salah's World Cup nightmares finally end as he helps fire Egypt to their first ever win at the tournament - 92 years on from their tournament debut.

Deutsche Welle
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Colombia election: Hard-right candidate claims victory
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, won 49.66% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results.

Russia Today News
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Trump threatens to sue NYT for ‘treason’ over Iran reporting

TechRadar News
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71 Prime Day tech deals I'd actually buy with my own money — AirPods, Kindles, TVs, tablets, and more

Slashdot
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TikTok Shows 3x More AI Slop Than YouTube, Report Finds
"About 59% of TikTok videos served to a new account's For You feed are AI slop," writes Search Engine Journal, "according to a report from Kapwing, the video creation tool company. That's roughly three times the rate Kapwing found on YouTube."

The company manually reviewed over 10,000 TikTok videos across 20 categories and ran a separate fresh-account test, counting AI-generated content in the first 500 For You videos. Kapwing ran the same fresh-account test on YouTube and found that 104 of the first 500 Shorts, or 21%, were AI slop. On TikTok, 294 of 500 For You videos hit that threshold...

Of the 2,000 videos Kapwing reviewed in TikTok's Kids category, 57% were AI slop. That was the highest rate of any category in the analysis. The highest-rate tag was #cartoonkids, where 97 of 100 featured videos were AI-generated. Tags like #cartoons and #babysong both reached 83%, and #forkids came in at 79%. After Kids, the next highest AI slop rates were in Science and Education (35%), Health (33%), and History (33%). All three are categories where visual illustration and voiceover narration make up much of the content.
On the other end, categories where on-camera presence or physical demonstration are central had the lowest rates. Fashion came in at 1.3%, Music at 1.5%, and Fitness at 1.6%.

The article notes that by last November, TikTok "had already labeled 1.3 billion videos as AI-generated, according to the report."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Toy Story 5 scores record opening weekend for franchise
The film's opening is a return to form for Disney and Pixar after facing notable challenges in recent years.

Computer Weekly
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Wimbledon’s ‘hidden court 19’ uses IBM Bob to complete 10 years’ work in months
IBM unleashed its artificial intelligence-driven software development technology in preparation for the latest Wimbledon tennis tournament

The Guardian (UK)
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Thousands of staff at Czech public broadcasters strike over funding plans
Industrial action is biggest escalation yet in months-long dispute with populist government of Andrej BabišThousands of public service media employees in Czechia are holding a 24-hour strike after the government of the billionaire prime minister, Andrej Babiš, pushed ahead with controversial plans to change the way the country’s public broadcasters are funded.Monday’s industrial action by staff at Czech Television and Czech Radio marks the biggest escalation yet in a months-long confrontation between the broadcasters and Babiš’s populist administration. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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St Helens ease pressure on Rowley but big win cannot mask club’s decline
Saints have fallen a long way since being crowned world champions in 2023 with coach vowing to fix thingsWith the midway point of the Super League season now passed the pressure is rising across the competition – but few, if any, clubs have the burden of expectation and history weighing upon them quite like St Helens.This midsummer afternoon’s waltz in the sunshine against a woeful Huddersfield side at least released some of the strain which has been building on Saints and their head coach, Paul Rowley. Had they lost, it would have been almost unforgivable, but they were comfortable 38-6 victors. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark battles hostile crowd to win US Open again: ‘It’s rare fans boo your shots’
Several spectators removed from course over conduct‘They definitely didn’t want me to win,’ says 32-year-oldWyndham Clark spent much of Sunday afternoon hearing cheers for everyone but himself.The grandstands and six-deep galleries packed around Shinnecock Hills revelled in his mistakes, groaned when he escaped trouble and reserved their loudest support for his playing partner, the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler. Several spectators were removed from the course after directing abusive comments at him, the United States Golf Association confirmed. By the time Clark finally tapped in on the 18th green to secure his second US Open championship in four years, the 32-year-old from Colorado felt he had won more than a golf tournament. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The aftershocks of Brexit’s failure could be gaining strength – a fearful prospect for Ireland | Fintan O’Toole
On our side of the Irish Sea we have made the best of a bad job. But we saw the damage a reckless and reactionary British government could doTo read more from the Brexit Vote: 10 Years On series, click hereFor Brexit’s true believers, Ireland will always be the spoke in the wheel that set everything off course, the green tarnish that took the shine off the golden age. Without the vengeful and malicious obstructionism of the Irish, all the promises of freedom and prosperity would have been fulfilled.To understand how nonsensical this is, it is necessary to go back five years before the referendum of 2016. Back, that is, to the sense of an ending. In May 2011, Queen Elizabeth made a four-day state visit to Ireland. This should not have been remarkable – the heads of state of neighbouring countries visit each other all the time. But no reigning British monarch had set foot in what is now the Republic for almost exactly a century.Fintan O’Toole is a columnist with the Irish Times and the author of Heroic Failure: Brexit and the politics of pain Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cristiano Ronaldo risks ruining his legacy if he continues to stymie Portugal by starting | Miguel Dantas
One of the finest players to grace the game no longer deserves his place in the team and should take it upon himself to stand down to serve their chancesAt 41, Cristiano Ronaldo’s problem is not his age. It is that nobody seems willing to tell him to his face what everyone else can see. In Portugal, patience for the legend has run dry.Ronaldo is not fit to be a Portugal starter any more. What would have sounded like a treasonous statement a few years ago now looks an obvious truth. At least to everyone except the national team manager, Roberto Martínez, and his coaching staff. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From mobile jungles to shadow art: how Dutch people try to beat the heat
A national heatwave plan has been activated to help people stay cool during the Netherlands’ increasingly hot summersHouseholds in Amsterdam are being urged to hang their curtains outside their windows as health experts recommend simple hacks to moderate the heatwave rolling across the Netherlands, where homes were built for old-fashioned damp and coldish northern European weather.In a viral social media post last week, Eline Coolen, the heat coordinator at the city’s public health institute, urged sweaty city-dwellers to rig up temporary curtain rails or drape curtains or sheets outside to stop the sun’s rays reaching their large windows. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Maybe this World Cup will bring the best out of the US, not the worst | Barney Ronay
Tournament could hold up a useful hand mirror to the isolationism and divisiveness of Trump’s joint-host nationOne of the best parts of following football across the world is the way it drags you into special places, local shrines, objects of profound cultural connection. The US, of course, has these holy spaces too.The queue of pilgrims in Philadelphia on Thursday morning stretched down the sun-blasted steps to the plaza at the bottom. Edging forward, the people in their ritual colours approached the figure at the top, arms outstretched in supplication, in a state of hushed deference. Called finally for his moment of communion, the man at the front of this line straightened his Ronaldinho shirt, clenched his fists above his head for the ceremonial Insta pic and shouted: “Adrian! I did it.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Richer than Musk: Joyce Carol Oates on her 88 years of watching, writing, feeling and loving
The writer made headlines when she accused the world’s wealthiest man of lacking joy, culture, a sense of beauty … Meanwhile, her own life has been an attempt to understand and explain the world. She talks us through her latest book‘Many people, including myself, spend a lot of time thinking about the past. And if you’re living in the same house you were living in with a spouse, the spouse is all around. Nonetheless, it’s not healthy to live in the past; I think we all know that.” Joyce Carol Oates is speaking to me from a book-lined room – one that makes you finally understand what “den” means – at her home in Princeton, New Jersey. She teaches at Princeton University as well as teaching advanced creative writing at Rutgers, also in New Jersey.The author turned 88 this month, but she looks little changed from the 1960s, when she came to prominence: weightless like a sprite, focused and serious like a librarian. She has been a prolific writer, with more than 60 novels and many volumes of short stories to her name, earning her five Pulitzer prize nominations and a National Book award, among others, since the start of her career. Blonde, a haunting, fictionalised account of the life of Marilyn Monroe, Them, part of the Wonderland quartet, and Zombie, loosely based on the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, are often name-checked as career highs, but her consistency is striking. When she wanted to write mysteries, she did so under the pseudonyms Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly. Her works of nonfiction, mainly criticism and memoir, would constitute a career on their own. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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Peter Thiel's Secret Society Leak Creates A Perfect Target List For Espionage, Influence Operations, And Blackmail
Peter Thiel's Secret Society Leak Creates A Perfect Target List For Espionage, Influence Operations, And Blackmail

Authored by Pierluigi Paganini via Security Affairs,

Dialog, a private invitation-only organization cofounded in 2006 by billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel, has spent two decades refusing to disclose its membership.



That position became harder to maintain last week when Swiss hacktivist maia arson crimew, known for exposing the US government's No Fly List, found an open directory embedded in the source code of dialog.org that was visible to anyone who viewed the page. WIRED independently verified the contents and obtained the registration list for Dialog's 2026 retreat, scheduled for August 12-16 near Dublin, Ireland.

"A trove of internal records from a secret society for powerful figures in US politics, finance, and tech was left exposed online, WIRED has confirmed, naming participants in its events and revealing sensitive personal details they were assured would stay private," reported Wired. "The group, called Dialog, is a private, invitation-only organization cofounded in 2006 by the billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel. It convenes US officials, foreign government figures, and Silicon Valley executives at off-the-record annual retreats."

The 2026 list names 222 registrants, 87 of them first-time attendees. Others have histories stretching back more than a decade, a handful to the founding itself. None used a government email address, placing their attendance outside public records laws.

The roster is not a list of adjacent power. It's power in direct regulatory relationship with itself. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears alongside Auren Hoffman, Dialog's chairman, who founded location-data broker SafeGraph and identity-resolution firm LiveRamp. Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the committee overseeing the FTC and its data-privacy authority, is listed in the same directory. Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale, whose software runs case management for ICE and data fusion for the Pentagon, appears alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Representative Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, which oversees agencies Palantir contracts with.

Forbes confirmed additional members including investor Marc Andreessen and investor and former Facebook board member Jim Breyer.

General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's supreme allied commander Europe and head of US European Command, is recorded as having attended Dialog gatherings since 2021.

The session agenda for the 2026 retreat includes "Navigating WWIII," "Battlefield Technologies," "Bring Back Nuclear," and "Build-a-Cult," the last moderated by the founder of the Christian networking site Pray.com. There's also "How's Your Sex Life?" which presumably has a different moderator.

"The website directory names sitting Trump administration officials, two US senators, six members of the Paypal Mafia, a former Middle East chief of intelligence, and a sitting ambassador to the United States, along with the founders and directors of many of the country's largest surveillance, data-broker, and advertising-data companies." Wired continues.

The leaked registration list adds names not in the public directory of 113: Randy Kroszner, former Federal Reserve governor now on the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee; Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League; Ryan Stowers, executive director of the Charles Koch Foundation; Roger Myerson, Nobel laureate economist; and a cluster of Google and Google DeepMind executives including Tom Lue, who leads global affairs for the frontier AI division.

The data breach is structurally embarrassing because it was entirely avoidable. The directory was served to any visitor who viewed the page's source code. A separate Dialog page at app.dialog.org presents a sign-in screen with no terms of service, no indication the application is restricted, and no invitation requirement. The records sat in Airtable, a commercial database, and included for each participant their membership status, every retreat attended, biography, home city, and a private access token functioning as a login credential.

Dialog also runs a matchmaking service. Its registration form asks whether participants are "looking for love" and offers to include single respondents in "future matchmaking." A separate site at dating.dialog.org hosts an app pitched as "meaningful connections for exceptional people." The form also collects each registrant's political leaning, which Dialog promised would never be shared.

"That data, and the matchmaking responses, were exposed in the leak." concludes Wired.

The data collected by Dialog could be valuable for criminals or intelligence agencies because it reveals personal vulnerabilities, relationship status, political views, and access to influential networks. Such information can support targeted phishing, social engineering, honey-trap operations, blackmail, or influence campaigns. The risk is amplified because participants are often members of the global elite, making them attractive intelligence targets. Many may be highly accomplished in their fields but still willing to share sensitive personal details in trusted environments, creating opportunities for manipulation and exploitation.

An internal guide for event moderators, also found in the exposed directory, instructs them to remind participants that everything is off the record, keep comments concise and "nonobvious," and model brief introductions to "avoid status signaling" in a room full of senators, dignitaries, and tycoons. The discipline imposed on members apparently didn't extend to basic website security.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 23:20

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Iran's Araghchi Says Talks Delivered "Major Progress" To End Lebanon War, Will Continue For Rest Of Week
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Summary

Round 1 ends: The US and Iran made “encouraging progress” in talks on a peace deal and will continue technical-level discussions this week, mediators
Iran defiant, sees itself in strong position: Ghalibaf rejects US threats and links talks to a Lebanon ceasefire.
Trump raises stakes via some typical Truth Social lashing out: Warns on Hormuz, Lebanon, and keeps military options on the table.
Nuclear progress?: Some reports say not addressed, others suggest framework already being worked on.



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Israel withdraws from Lebanon by July 31, 2026?
Yes 12% · No 88%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

US and Iran Make “Encouraging Progress” In Talks On Peace Deal, Will Continue Technical-Level Discussions This Week

Contrary to earlier reports from Iran media that US and Iran talks had concluded hours earlier, Bloomberg reported that the US and Iran made “encouraging progress” in talks on a peace deal and will continue technical-level discussions this week, mediators said, even as President Donald Trump again threatened strikes if Hezbollah keeps attacking Israel.

“Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” mediators Qatar and Pakistan said in a joint statement. The parties agreed on a roadmap toward reaching a final deal within 60 days.

The sides also established a communication line to avoid incidents and miscalculation, with the aim of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the mediators said. They also agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” involving the parties and Lebanon to help ensure adherence to the cessation of military operations there.

After rising in early trading following reports that Iran (almost but not really) had walked out on talks, crude oil turned lower and US stock-index futures pared losses after the statement.



Pakistani and Qatari mediation delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X: "Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran. 1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell" the post said.


Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War. Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran.
1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell https://t.co/q0okD2qwSO
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2026

Things got off to a confusing start Sunday when Iranian media reported that Iran halted talks over Trump’s latest threat. As the meetings got underway, Trump said in a social media post that he would strike Iran again if it doesn’t “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble.”

He also warned Iran that the US might start collecting tolls if there’s no deal. Speaking Sunday to Fox News, Trump said he told Iranian leaders directly that if they close Hormuz, “You won’t even make it back” to Iran, using an expletive.

Some Fireworks

Al Jazeera is reporting that talks have 'concluded' - but is this in actuality a premature conclusion given all the tension and heated issues of disagreement which came to the forefront?

GHALIBAF: THEY'D BE BETTER OFF BEING CAREFUL W/ THEIR REMARKS
IRAN'S GHALIBAF: WE DON'T ATTACH ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO US THREATS
IRAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GHALIBAF COMMENTS ON X
IRAN WILL END TALKS W/ US IF ISRAEL WON'T LEAVE LEBANON: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS TRUMP'S THREAT IS A 'BLATANT VIOLATION' OF MOU
Below is a machine translation of what Iran's lead negotiator just issued on X as the day in Switzerland came to an end (also, another translation)...


"Do they not realize that if their threats actually worked, they wouldn't find themselves in today's position of desperation? We don't take American threats seriously.

They should be careful about what they say. Our armed forces stand ready to answer them in other ways. They can keep talking—it's we who take action."


This is immediately on the heels of Trump playing 'bad cop' to Vance's good cop, who has expressed some cautious optimism on Sunday from Switzerland. Bloomberg is reporting that the nuclear file was not dealt with in today's engagement.

The fact that the Swiss event happened at all can be called advancement on some level at least...


This is historic!
Not because US and Iranian diplomats haven't met face to face before. Or that they haven't been on camera before (they were regularly during the JCPOA talks)
But never at the Vice President level!
You can see both Aragchi and JD Vance in this clip. pic.twitter.com/jeNBPeQmgr
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) June 21, 2026
Rumors of Iranians already calling it quits are false, reports Axios:


A diplomat attending the talks in Switzerland claims the Iranian delegation hasn't left and talks between the U.S. and Iran are still ongoing https://t.co/oQ1UkXwqYv
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 21, 2026
 

Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table

With Vance and Witkoff in Switzerland, President Trump is still issuing some US redlines via Truth Social, and via apparent 'official leaks' - and quite quickly - through the press.

Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel. A fresh Sunday Truth Social... brief but firm:


And more on some fresh reported warnings and pressure coming from Trump:


"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
As the American delegation continues the high-stakes negotiations in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating, the White House is projecting cautious optimism while simultaneously reminding Tehran that military options remain firmly on the table.

Speaking as talks entered a critical phase, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday from Switzerland Washington has "made great progress over the last few hours" and expects "additional progress in the coming hours," describing the negotiations as an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations. Vance emphasized that the administration's preference is not to return to the cycle of confrontation, adding that the US is willing to fundamentally transform ties with Iran if Tehran permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"The question is how much more we can achieve in the Middle East," Vance said, while expressing confidence regarding the Lebanon front and signaling satisfaction with ongoing efforts to contain broader regional escalation.

"Better Watch His Mouth": Trump to Iran President via Media

Yet Trump has just delivered a stark reminder of the consequences should negotiations fail. According to Fox News, Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway.


President Trump spoke with the Iranians overnight warning them not to close the Strait.
"You close it and you won't have a country," Trump said he told Iranian officials. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
Perhaps most notably, Trump reiterated that he retains a "60-day option" and can "do whatever" he deems necessary after that period expires, a statement widely interpreted as preserving the possibility of renewed military action. The president also reportedly threatened additional strikes against Iran should Tehran's regional proxies in Lebanon resume attacks or undermine the emerging diplomatic framework.

The result is a familiar carrot-and-stick approach as talks are unfolding under the shadow of explicit US military threats and a rapidly approaching deadline that could determine whether the region moves toward détente or another round of escalation. But Iran has also made known that it is ready of a long war, but will Trump be willing to risk enduring the political and economic fallout?

Qatari, Pakistani Top Leaders Present, Optimistic Initial Statements

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has formally confirmed the launch of the talks between the United States and Iran with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side along with envoy Steve Witkoff. Also gathered at the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, are Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Qatar has expressed "its aspiration that these meetings will lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the Memorandum of Understanding." Iran has reiterated it wants a comprehensive settlement and final end to the war. But it also demands a final Lebanon-Israel peace settlement be linked in. Already there could be an inkling of progress on the nuclear front:

PAKISTAN:US, IRAN AGREED ON REDUCTION OF ENRICHED URANIUM LEVEL
PAKISTAN:IRAN'S ENRICHED URANIUM TO BE REDUCED FROM 60% TO 0.7%
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS QATAR TO RELEASE $6B AS TALKS START: IRNA
Screengrab via Government of Pakistan footage

The last time Vance sat physically across from Iran's lead negotiator Ghalibaf was a full ten weeks ago, in mid-April. Interactions appear to initially be only through intermediaries, which will build up to face-to-face meetings, as happened in prior failed rounds. 

What to Expect in 1st Round Format

Qatar's foreign ministry has previewed the following planned format to the opening of the talks as follows:

The ministry statement says “specialized technical and expert groups have been formed to negotiate the terms of the final agreement, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran.
“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor progress achieved, and work toward the conclusion of the final agreement,” it added.
“This reflects the commitment of all parties to moving forward in the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”
Of course, in terms of "implementation" of just the MoU itself, things are not quite there yet, as sporadic fighting and Israeli aerial attacks continue in Lebanon, which could serve to derail the Switzerland process at any moment.


After roughly 45 min, the bilateral meeting between FM @araghchi and his Swiss counterpart @ignaziocassis came to a close at Bürgenstock Hotel. Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to commence shortly at another venue on the same premises. pic.twitter.com/hOmovguWFs
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
Additionally, Iran has declared it has 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz just this weekend, but which the US military has been denying is a reality. VP Vance in media appearances has also been downplaying it.

The Lebanon situation seems the bigger, more pressing threat to the peace process - at least from Tehran's point of view. Dozens of people in Lebanon have been killed while at least six Israeli soldiers have been slain, with 20 wounded over past days of Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.

Trump Between a Rock & A Hard Place Where Escalation is Concerned

As a reminder, President Trump doesn't want to oversee an economic catastrophe driven by a worldwide energy crisis. It seems he's ready to anything to not let it happen under his watch:


President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent “economic catastrophe” if the war was not resolved soon.

“So rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn’t want to be,” Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened. But all I know is, every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.


And so judging by this and other of recent Trump admissions, Iran clearly enters Switzerland in very strong negotiation position. Its current rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz also reveals this.


JD Vance met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Switzerland.pic.twitter.com/5bteI1Vtyu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 21, 2026
Tehran has accused the US of a "clear breach of its commitments" and announced Saturday that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

More Details on Format

For more on the details of the format, CNN has reported some further information in the following:

When and where do the talks start? US and Iranian negotiators will begin their meeting at around 1 p.m local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, an Iranian source told CNN.
Who will be there? Both the United States and Iran have sent high-level officials to Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance is heading up the US side, while Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will lead Tehran’s delegation, Iranian media outlet Saberin News reported Saturday.
What format will they take? Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, who is part of the Iranian team, earlier told state media “the Iran-US talks will be held in a quadrilateral format, with the presence of Pakistani and Qatari delegations.”
What will be discussed? Lebanon is likely set to top the agenda after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah threatened the nascent agreement between the US and Iran. Vance says he hoped he would make advancements on negotiations surrounding the handling of Iran’s nuclear materials.
Long Road Ahead

To put things in perspective about the long road ahead, analyst and reporter James Bayes - who is on the ground for the talks in Switzerland, has offered the following: "This is a very different deal from the Iran nuclear deal that was done by [former US] President Barack Obama … things have changed completely. But I think it’s worth looking at that deal for one reason, which is the timeline – how long these things take."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne. Pool via AP

"Because when they did an interim deal then, in November 2013 until the final deal in 2015, it took 597 days," the correspondent added. "So, even though the circumstances have changed – it’s a very different deal and they’ve got the knowledge of that deal as well which is helpful – it’s a lot to do in just 60 days."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 13:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Wins Colombia Presidency As Socialist Era Ends
Trump-Backed "El Tigre" Wins Colombia Presidency As Socialist Era Ends

South America is undergoing a once-in-a-generation political realignment as voters turn against left-wing and unhinged socialist governments and embrace common-sense right-wing leaders who promise law and order, economic reform, and national renewal.


¡Gracias, Colombia!
Casi 13 millones de colombianos depositaron su confianza en José Manuel Restrepo, en el Tigre y en este gran sueño llamado Patria Milagro.
Este respaldo histórico nos llena de gratitud, pero también de una enorme responsabilidad. Hoy comienza una nueva etapa… pic.twitter.com/137k5Q6wzo
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) June 21, 2026
The political shift across the Americas gained further momentum on Sunday evening after Abelardo de la Espriella, backed by President Trump, won Colombia's presidential runoff in a narrow victory over left-wing senator Iván Cepeda. This is a major blow to the socialists, coming after four years under the left-wing administration of Gustavo Petro.


🚨 BREAKING: Trump-endorsed right-wing Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo De La Espriella STUNS THE WORLD and WINS the presidential election
He plans to go FULL BUKELE MODE, locking up criminals en masse, destroying the cartels and cooperate with President Trump… pic.twitter.com/FwrAGyHnsc
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 21, 2026
With 99.65% of ballots counted in the preliminary tally, de la Espriella had 12.91 million votes, or 49.65%, compared with Cepeda's 12.67 million, or 48.7%. The margin was about 248,000 votes, narrower than de la Espriella's first-round advantage three weeks earlier.


🚨 ÚLTIMA HORA: Abelardo de la Espriella gana la segunda vuelta presidencial en Colombia, según el preconteo. Llega a 12.901.860 votos, frente a 12.646.859 alcanzados por Iván Cepeda, con el 99,45 % de las mesas informadas
Siga el cubrimiento especial 👉🏻 https://t.co/W9Dw3E7iPd pic.twitter.com/NN12XhyqQe
— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) June 21, 2026
Polymarket 


BREAKING: Polymarket projects Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella has won the Colombian presidential election — 99% chance. pic.twitter.com/HwunMz0QRQ
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) June 21, 2026
De la Espriella, who has referred to himself as El Tigre (the Tiger), has now put Colombia back on track to shift right after four years of disastrous socialism. This follows recent right-wing victories in Honduras and Chile, with Peru also leaning right. The 2024 re-election of right-wing Nayib Bukele, who fundamentally transformed El Salvador into one of the region's safest countries, is another example.

In 2023, Javier Milei was sworn in as president of Argentina, aiming to reverse years of far-left control that had devastated the nation with inflation and debt. Earlier this year, U.S. Delta Force operators removed socialist Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela.

The shift across the Americas is part of a broader backlash against progressive policies that have sparked surging violent crime, economic stagnation, debt traps, currency declines, and collapsing public confidence.

Americas Political Map: Presidential Shift From Left To Right



Country-by-country presidential shift tracker



Back to De La Espriella, who ran on a simple platform popular among right-wing leaders in the Americas: restore law and order and rescue the country from the economic ruin progressives had created. He has also vowed to "disembowel" the left in Colombia.



Meanwhile, Petro, who was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election and backed Cepeda, alleged irregularities in the preliminary vote count and blamed Israel...

"This means that the software was compromised and others wrote data for polling stations and voting posts. The only entity in the world capable of doing that is the state of Israel," Petro wrote on X.


Colombian President Gustavo Petro declares the results of the ongoing Presidential Runoff Election to be invalid, following the loss of left-wing ruling party candidate Iván Cepeda and close win of Trump-backed far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. Petro claims that… pic.twitter.com/92hiJ96eUD
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 21, 2026
The pattern is clear: the Western Hemisphere experimented with nation-killing progressive policies that have largely failed and have entered a rejection phase. This gives rise to right-wing governments that support Trump, coinciding with his mission to clean up the West, whether by dismantling narco-terrorist command-and-control structures, pushing Chinese influence out of the region, or simply stopping the rise of socialism and communism.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 21:35

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Syria 'Unwilling, Unprepared' To Attack Lebanon & Deal With Hezbollah Despite US Pressure
Syria 'Unwilling, Unprepared' To Attack Lebanon & Deal With Hezbollah Despite US Pressure

Via The Cradle

Syrian President and former Al-Qaeda chief Ahmad al-Sharaa is "unprepared and unwilling" to launch a military offensive against Lebanon despite growing US pressure, Israel’s Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported days ago. 

KAN cited an informed Syrian source who said that Sharaa is "concerned" that an attack by Damascus against Hezbollah will be seen across the region as "serving" Israel's interests.



This could negatively impact Damascus’s "legitimacy." For now, the self-appointed Syrian president is ruling out an attack against Lebanon and its resistance forces unless Israel decides to pull its forces out of Syria, the report states. 

Israel has rejected withdrawal from both Syria and Lebanon. KAN also said that Turkey – a longtime backer of Sharaa since his days as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, founder and leader of Al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front – has urged Damascus against such an incursion. 

Ankara is reportedly concerned that a Syrian assault on Lebanon would "embolden" Tel Aviv and "strengthen" its position. 

"Trump proposed a framework in which the Syrian military would play a central role in a future effort to disarm Hezbollah," i24 reported on Wednesday.

Lebanese authorities reportedly felt uneasy about the idea during recent US-backed direct talks with Israeli officials, which have taken place despite Lebanon’s legal restrictions.

Additionally, Israeli authorities are reportedly concerned about the effectiveness of a Syrian attack on Hezbollah. 

"Some of the arrangements currently under discussion could ultimately strengthen Hezbollah politically and militarily rather than diminish its influence,” i24 reported.

Sharaa said earlier this week that talk of a Syrian incursion into Lebanon was a “rumor.” “Syria's approach aims to end the war in Lebanon, not to expand it or get involved,” he stressed. 

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Syria to attack Hezbollah.

Iraqi resistance groups allied with Hezbollah have cautioned the Syrian government and its forces that they will act if Damascus initiates an attack on Lebanon. 

Syria experienced a significant geopolitical change following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, as Sharaa’s government aligned with Washington and engaged in discussions with Israel. 

The US has largely lifted sanctions on Syria and called Damascus a “partner” in the global fight against ISIS — overlooking Sharaa’s past as an Al-Qaeda leader and earlier as deputy to ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Hezbollah fought in Syria for years with the former government, helping recapture areas from extremist groups like Al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham, and others considered by the west as the “Syrian opposition.”

The Nusra Front, led by Sharaa, was rebranded into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and ended up toppling Assad’s government in 2024. HTS and other extremist factions with links to ISIS currently dominate what has become the new Syrian Defense Ministry and military.

ISIS vs. Hezbollah sectarian war 2.0?...


Trump told Fox News that he is close to *empowering* Jolani (Ahmad al Sharaa) to fight the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This aligns with a string of other recent remarks by Trump that Syria will be ordered to attack Lebanon on behalf of Israeli and US interests. pic.twitter.com/epuq2xMKRu
— Scharo Bajalan (@ScharoBajalan) June 21, 2026
Tom Barrack, US special envoy to Syria and Iraq, threatened Lebanon last year with a Syrian incursion, and said Damascus would “actively assist us in confronting and dismantling … Hezbollah.”

He also said Syria viewed Lebanon as its “beach resort” and would carry out an assault against the country unless Hezbollah is disarmed.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 22:10

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USAF Seeks 'Dronebuster' Anti-Jammer Gun To Protect Nuclear-Strike Base
USAF Seeks 'Dronebuster' Anti-Jammer Gun To Protect Nuclear-Strike Base

Whether it's data centers, critical infrastructure, stadiums, corporate headquarters, or even military bases, the U.S. remains largely unprepared to combat one-way attack drones, including Category 1 through 3 drones, because a critical layer of cheap, scalable counter-UAS technology is missing.

The proliferation of low-cost drones across Eurasian war zones, from the Ukraine-Russia war to the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East, has permanently changed the course of modern warfare. 



One-way attack drones and FPVs have exposed a missing layer of affordable air defense around high-value assets, including military bases, energy infrastructure, data centers, ports, stadiums, and corporate headquarters. This startling development has been a major wake-up call for Western leaders and suggests only one conclusion: a massive procurement wave for counter-UAS technology is likely just ahead.

Last week, Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries arrived at the same conclusion we have been highlighting:


We anticipate one of the biggest lessons of the 2020s will be how affordable drone technology fundamentally reshaped the modern combat environment and set the stage for a reevaluation of the procurement, organization and strategy of ~$3T in annual global military expenditures.

While drones have existed in the modern military apparatus for decades at this point, it was the Ukraine war (as one of the first near-peer conflicts in recent memory) which provided demonstrable evidence of how specifically lightweight and affordable systems could change the paradigm of combat.


The race to secure high-value assets against drones was seen last week when the U.S. Air Force moved to expand counter-drone defenses at one of America's most sensitive nuclear missile bases by issuing a solicitation to purchase a batch of handheld counter-drone electronic warfare guns.



According to Defense Blog, the 5th Contracting Squadron at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota issued a June 18 solicitation to purchase DZYNE Technologies' Dronebuster Block 4 for the 91st Security Forces Group.

The Dronebuster is a rifle-shaped anti-drone jammer that an operator points at an unauthorized drone to disrupt it, rather than shooting it down with a projectile.



"Quotes from vendors are due no later than June 26, 2026, giving the defense industry less than two weeks to respond to a requirement the Air Force has formally described as an operational necessity," Defense Blog wrote in the report.

Why Minot Air Force Base seeks Dronebusters likely hinges on the need for security forces to protect B-52H Stratofortress bombers, nuclear missile infrastructure, and other high-value assets from small drones. Lessons from the US-Iran conflict show how low-cost drones can threaten +$100 million jets, or a multi-million-dollar radar or communications system.

We suspect the procurement cycle for drones and counter-UAS technology is only in its early stages. We detailed how readers can profit from "The Asymmetric Warfare Boom" in a note on Saturday, found here.

Related:

JPM Call With Axon Reveals Race To Fortify U.S. Data Centers Against Kamikaze Drone Swarms
Dronebuster can be useful against standard FPVs, GPS-dependent drones, and drones with radio links. But against an emerging fiber-optic FPV drone with no RF command link and no GPS dependency, a handheld jammer is useless, suggesting the need for kinetic interceptors. 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 22:45

Crowdfund Insider
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Motor finance – FCA – Financial Conduct Authority | FCA

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Motor finance – FCA – Financial Conduct Authority | FCA

Crowdfund Insider
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Turkish Investment Platform Midas Applies for License to Enter Digital Payments Sector
Istanbul-based fintech company Midas has submitted an application to Turkey’s central bank for an electronic money institution license. The filing marks the start of its push into consumer payment services, with plans to introduce a digital wallet and prepaid card features. Founder Egem Eraslan outlined... Read More

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Mexico’s Central Bank Introduces Simplified Account Rules to Accelerate Digital Payments Adoption
Mexico’s central bank, Banco de México (Banxico), released new regulations on June 18, 2026, aimed at making electronic transactions smoother and expanding access for small businesses. The measures introduce a new type of simplified deposit account and raise transaction limits, with the goal of reducing... Read More

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Italian Fintech Conio Secures License for Regulated Crypto Services Under EU Rules
Italian fintech company Conio has obtained a license to act as a crypto-asset service provider in accordance with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, known as MiCAR. This authorization was issued in Italy after a thorough review process conducted by the securities markets regulator... Read More

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UK’s Starling Bank Shrinks Board Amid Departures, Strengthening Key Investor’s Position
UK’s Starling Bank is reducing the size of its board of directors following multiple recent exits. The changes, which include no plans to fill every resulting vacancy, are expected to strengthen the influence of the bank’s largest shareholder, Harald McPike. According to company filings and... Read More

ZDNet News
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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Sennheiser Momentum 5: I used both pairs for months, and here's my pick
Sony's and Sennheiser's flagship headphones are objectively good, but how you plan to use them determines whether they're great.

The Guardian (UK)
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Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential runoff
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer secures narrow majorityThe Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating the leftwing senator Iván Cepeda.With 99.99% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, De la Espriella had secured 12.96m votes, or 49.66%, just 250,830 more than Cepeda, who received 12.7m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The BTS fans losing thousands as scammers cash in on comeback tour 'ticket war'
As ticket demand outstrips supply by a ratio of 15 to one, desperate fans have become easy targets.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks end in Switzerland, mediators say
According to mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, the talks between United States and Iranian officials in Switzerland have ended with both sides agreeing on a roadmap. Technical talks will continue.

Mail Online
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Labour Left tell Burnham to rip up tax pledges: With Starmer a dead man walking, allies of PM-in-waiting say it's time to break manifesto promises on income tax and VAT
The challenger to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership made a series of expensive commitments during his by-election campaign - but is yet to set out how he will fund them.

Sky News Home
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Wowcher apologises over email that referenced crocodile attack
Wowcher has apologised for a promotional email that appeared to mock a crocodile attack on a three-year-old boy at a zoo.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The BTS fans losing thousands as scammers cash in on comeback tour 'ticket war'
Elated to see BTS on the road again, but frustrated by competitive ticket wars, they have become easy targets.

Mail Online
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Voucher firm is forced to apologise for promo mocking crocodile attack on boy at zoo
The child remains in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge following Thursday's incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdonshire.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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First round of US-Iran talks end with 'encouraging progress', mediators say
The US-Iran talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week's agreement, which includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump news at a glance: President threatens to restart attacks on Iran even as Vance cites progress in talks
Trump warning that Iran ‘won’t have a country’ if it closes strait of Hormuz contrasts with vice-president’s tone seeking to turn over ‘new leaf’ with Tehran – key US politics stories from Sunday 21 JuneDonald Trump threatened to ⁠resume war with Iran even as his vice-president JD Vance met Iranian officials to begin peace talks in Switzerland.Also overshadowing negotiations in Bürgenstock was Tehran’s announcement it had again closed the strait of Hormuz, a threat made because of ongoing Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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65 Prime Day Tech deals I'd actually buy with my own money — AirPods, Kindles, TVs, tablets, and more

Slashdot
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Someone Forked systemd Over Its New Birth Date Field
The blog Linuxiac reports:
A new systemd fork has appeared with a specific purpose: removing systemd's recently added support for storing a user's birth date in JSON user records.

The fork, called Liberated systemd, published its first tagged release as v261 shortly after the official systemd 261 release. In other words, the fork follows upstream systemd while reverting the change that added the new optional birthDate field.

Importantly, this is not a new init system, a wider redesign of systemd, or a general-purpose alternative to the upstream project. Its stated purpose is to remain close to upstream systemd while removing what the author describes as "surveillance enablement"... The author recommends testing the fork in a virtual machine before using it on real hardware and warns nightly builds are more likely to be unstable than named releases.






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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A spate of shark bites has Australian ocean lovers on edge. People want to know why they’re rising
Warming ocean temperatures mean sharks are spending more time in high-population areas, yet shark net data shows no significant changes in numbersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRob Harcourt is heading back from a “beautiful surf” at Bondi on a warm and sunny winter’s morning in Sydney.But for him and many of his surfing mates, the compelling pull of the city’s world-famous surf breaks has been neutered by tragedy, fear and uncertainty. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Messi and Argentina ready to turn up the heat after fast World Cup start
It is the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona’s exploits against England. The scene is set for Lionel Messi to imbue the date with fresh significanceHow do you build on perfection? It is the poser Argentina face before a match that, for all its prosaic appearance in the middle of a bloated group stage, may prove critical to their World Cup defence. Lionel Messi’s storybook entrance to the tournament set a near-impossibly high bar for football romantics; Austria may provide a sterner test than Algeria and perhaps progress, in this case, will simply be defined by getting the job done.Messi will seek the goal that makes him this competition’s leading scorer of all time, a milestone he should reach in comfort over the coming days or weeks. The collective aim is clear enough, too. Argentina would rather not entertain finishing second in Group J, which would probably mean gritting their teeth for a last-32 meeting with Spain. Overcoming a ferocious, flawed Austria is the best way to postpone that level of test; Dallas, famed for its heady barbecue scene, is the perfect venue for an asado-loving nation to turn up the heat. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Past and present World Cups collide as Beiranvand first gives Iran inspiration, then hope | Alexander Abnos
The goalkeeper’s 59th-minute save left mouths agape but it’s not the first time he has created an indelible moment for the teamAs they prepared for the future, the Iran national team looked to its past.Before Sunday’s matchup against a No 9-ranked Belgium with plenty of stars, the team was played a motivational video; a clip containing what midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh said were the indelible moments of Iran’s past two World Cup appearances. These included dogged defending, aggressive closing down, and the few moments of on-field triumph against world powers like Spain and Portugal that have characterized this latest generation of a proud footballing hotbed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘We want a new Albania’: protests against Jared Kushner-backed resort turn anger on government
Opposition to plans for ‘small paradise’ island of Sazan becomes wave of dissent against establishmentFor Ina Shkurti, like so many Albanians, the island of Sazan has played an outsized role. As a child she bathed in its “always calm and emerald green” waters, as a teenager it figured in her dreams and as an adult it was an indelible part of the memory and desire that drew her back, every summer, to Vlore, her home town across the sea.What Shkurti never imagined was that plans to build a mega-resort on Sazan – one of two luxurious resorts on Albania’s southern coast backed by Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner – would trigger a revolt, an uprising that has convulsed the Balkan state in a spasm of disgust over the perceived excesses of “a rotten oligarchic class” just as it hopes to complete accession talks with the EU. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jeremy Clarkson says he’s in remission from prostate cancer: ‘The doctors caught it early’
Former Top Gear host urges others to get tested after revealing diagnosis in fifth season of Clarkson’s FarmJeremy Clarkson says he is officially in remission from prostate cancer, less than a week after revealing he had an “aggressive” form of the disease in the final episodes of Clarkson’s Farm’s fifth season, which were filmed in 2025.“I am without a doubt, officially, the world’s luckiest man,” said the former Top Gear presenter in an interview with the Sunday Times. Continue reading...

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Let's Hear It For The Dads
Let's Hear It For The Dads

Authored by Silvio Canto via American Thinker,

It’s another Fathers’ Day, and let me say a cheer for our fathers.



I was blessed with a wonderful father, who led by example and taught me all the right values.  He passed away back in late 2015, but I still remember having a little Cuban coffee and enjoying a game on TV.  I would love to have another of those Sunday afternoons back, because I miss them dearly.  We spoke about so much in those moments.

I remember the time that we were watching a news story about people breaking into stores and stealing things.  He looked at me with a very serious face and said, ”Where are their fathers?  No fathers means young men who don’t respect order.”

There is more to fathers than remembering what my father thought of young men acting wild.  

We do have a “father crisis” in many communities in the U.S.
Years ago, Juan Williams, author and Fox News contributor, wrote “The Tragedy of America’s Disappearing Fathers”:


The extent of the problem is clear.

The nation’s out-of-wedlock birth rate is 38%.

Among white children, 28% are now born to a single mother; among Hispanic children it is 50% and reaches a chilling, disorienting peak of 71% for black children.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly a quarter of America’s white children (22%) do not have any male in their homes; nearly a third (31%) of Hispanic children and over half of black children (56%) are fatherless.

This represents a dramatic shift in American life.

In the early 1960s, only 2.3% of white children and 24% of black children were born to a single mom.

Having a dad, in short, is now a privilege, a ticket to middle-class status on par with getting into a good college.


Fathers’ Day is here. 

 Let’s remember a simple truth: We need men to be responsible fathers now more than ever.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 21:00

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Cape Verde continue to surprise with entertaining Uruguay draw
Cape Verde's gripping debut World Cup campaign continued as they held two-time champions Uruguay to a thrilling draw in Miami.

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US-Iran talks strained as Trump threats spark Iranian walkout
Talks expected to continue for rest of the week despite disruption caused by US president’s threat to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating teamHigh-stakes talks between the US and Iran are expected to continue for the rest of the week in Switzerland, after a tense start that saw Iranian negotiators walk out in protest at a stream of threats issued by Donald Trump on social media.The US president had threatened to bomb Iran and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz was reopened, forcing mediators Qatar and Pakistan to continue negotiations in the background. Continue reading...

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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, June 22
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 22.

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Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 22, #637
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 22, No. 637.

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One of World Cup's great stories - can Cape Verde extend dream run?
Cape Verde's impressive World Cup continues with a draw against two-time winners Uruguay - and they will now be looking to make the last 32.

The Hill
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More than a third of Americans say MOU better for Iran
A new survey shows that more than a third of Americans say the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) is better for Tehran, as the Trump administration works toward negotiating a long-term peace deal to resolve conflict in the Middle East.  The CBS News/YouGov poll results released Sunday found that 37 percent of Americans say the...

The Hill
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Iran MOU signals ‘major shift’ from military to economic, political objectives for Trump: Retired general
Ret. Gen. Jack Keane on Sunday said the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signals a “major shift” in the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy ideals in the Middle East. “It’s a recognition that there’s a major shift of the Administration‘s priorities away from military objectives to economic and political objectives,” Keane told hosts John Catsimatidis...

Mail Online
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Iran says 'good progress' made from peace talks in Switzerland after delegation walked out when Trump threatened to 'blow the s*** out of them'
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

BBC UK News
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We host strangers for dinner every month - now we have 60 new friends
After 2 years in Belfast, Nidhi Pal and Vik Parashar found a creative way to make new friends - a monthly dinner party with strangers.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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One of World Cup's great stories - can Cape Verde become legends?
Cape Verde's impressive World Cup continues with a draw against two-time winners Uruguay - and they will now be looking to make the last 32.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella appears to have narrowly defeated his rival Iván Cepeda, who said the preliminary count was "not yet official or binding".

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After Weeks Of Issues, United’s Special New Dreamliner Returns To Boeing
United Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that debuted the carrier’s new “United Elevate” interiors has been having some serious issues

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Iran says 'good progress' made from peace talks in Pakistan after delegation walked out when Trump threatened to 'blow the s*** out of them'
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Trump-backed outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Lawyer and businessman Abelardo de la Espriella has promised a military crackdown on armed groups.

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Chris Mason: All eyes on Downing Street - what does the PM say, and when?
For the third time in four years, we appear on the brink of a prime minister announcing their plan to leave office, the BBC's political editor writes.

Mail Online
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I'm 52, and after ending my sexless marriage I slept with men in every decade from 30s to 60s. Here's EXACTLY what happened with each of them and the surprising truth about who was best - and worst!
So men in their 40s are having more sex than anyone else. Who knew? Good on you, lads. I'm pleased for you, I really am. But a word of warning: enjoy it while it lasts.

Mail Online
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I'm a therapist but was consumed by 'mum rage', shouting at my children until they cried and resenting my husband. Here's how I finally got my anger under control - and how you can stop snapping at people you love: ANNA MATHUR
I realised something wasn't right when I lost it in the disabled toilet at a church playgroup session. My firstborn was potty-training at the time and had made a mess.

Mail Online
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The pain of being the 'leftover' child from your parents' first marriage: I'm so envious of my half-siblings. This is the specific thing my parents do that still feels like a punch to the gut, even as an adult: EILIDH DORGAN
How many siblings do you have? It shouldn't be a complicated question. Yet for me, it's one that elicits complicated feelings. For nine years I was an only child.

Mail Online
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I always know when someone's on cocaine after waitressing at high society events. This is how to tell if your friends or family are secret users: ANNIE HAYES
Every year, as the summer season enters its busiest weeks, I am taken back to my days as a waitress in the most exclusive enclosures of Henley and Ascot.

Mail Online
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How I look this good at 65 - and you can too: World-famous make-up guru LAURA MERCIER reveals the anti-ageing secrets that make French women look 10 years younger - including the simple beauty products that are better than Botox
I'm often asked what my beauty philosophy is. As a beauty expert, people expect me to have some kind of complicated multi-step routine, but my approach is very simple.

Mail Online
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REVEALED: How the Bakelite heir who murdered his mother after she slept with him to 'cure' his homosexuality plotted to escape Broadmoor - as DAVID LEAFE unmasks the royal whose fateful advice left him free to kill again
Even by the standards of Broadmoor, the high-security psychiatric hospital that has housed some of Britain's most disturbed criminals, Tony Baekeland struck the staff as odd.

Mail Online
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DR MAX PEMBERTON: Prostate cancer can go unnoticed for years - then it's too late. But here's the little-discussed thing every woman can do to make sure her husband catches it early
When Jeremy Clarkson told the world he had cancer, he did it in the most Clarkson way imaginable. Halfway through harvest, he turned to the people around him and said: 'I've got cancer.'

Mail Online
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STEPHEN GLOVER: Nothing will change for the better under Andy Burnham, and a lot will get worse. He'll be as unpopular as Keir Starmer by Christmas
Change and hope. That is what our unelected would-be Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered the country in his acceptance speech in Makerfield in the early hours of Friday morning.

Mail Online
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Concertgoer, 51, who plunged to his death at Madison Square Garden is identified as 'much-loved' dad-of-two
According to the New York Police Department, officers responded to urgent reports of a fall inside the arena and found the man unconscious and unresponsive at 9.51pm.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks end in Switzerland, mediators say
According to mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, the talks between United States and Iranian officials in Switzerland have ended with both sides agreeing on a roadmap. Technical talks will continue. Follow DW for more.

Mail Online
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Peace 'talks' continue into the night but US and Iran 'only communicating through intermediaries' after Tehran delegation walked out in protest at Trump threatening to 'blow the s*** out of them'
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

The Guardian (UK)
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Almost three tonnes of cocaine found buried under Sydney property in Australia’s biggest ever seizure, police say
Australian federal police arrested and charged two men after allegedly finding 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in ‘bunkers’ under shipping containersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice claim to have made Australia’s biggest ever cocaine bust after finding $800m worth of the drug buried under false flooring on a semi-rural property.Two men, aged 21 and 25, allegedly tried to run from police and were arrested on Friday after an operation by Australian federal police, alongside investigators in multiple states. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cape Verde produce another World Cup shock as Varela strike seals Uruguay draw
Wow. The continuation of Cape Verde’s fairytale may have serious repercussions for Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay. The heroics of Cape Verde in holding Spain to a draw mean Uruguay should have been forewarned and forearmed in Florida. Instead, this tiny nation with a population equivalent to that of Bristol embarrassed World Cup aristocracy once more. What fun, what glorious fun.Uruguay now head into Group H’s final game against Spain with their tournament involvement in serious jeopardy. Uruguay had already failed to beat Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde will hold high and legitimate hopes of seeing off the Saudis on Friday. They might not even need to, with an aggregate of three points from another draw potentially good enough for the last 32. The Blue Sharks, swimming in bigger waters than ever before, are the story of this World Cup. Uruguay have desperately underperformed thus far. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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El Niño is back with a vengeance – and fears of ‘Godzilla’ strength may be the least of our worries
UN’s World Food Programme and agriculture agency issue joint appeal for funds to avert global hunger crisis before it happensAdugna Woyessa was a little boy the first time drought tore his country apart. As harvests failed in rain-starved regions of Ethiopia in the early 1970s, and his school turned a classroom into a grain store for farmers to send aid, he had no idea that scientists were beginning to connect the force parching its fields with cyclical shifts in trade winds that had long supercharged violent weather from South America to Australia.The now notorious El Niño – Spanish for “little boy” – was named by fishers in the Pacific in the 1800s, but it was not until the 1970s that scientists understood its global nature and began to piece together the historical impact of the natural weather pattern characterised by hot years and brutal extremes. Continue reading...

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Germany weighs raising retirement age to 70

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Clark blocks out New York jeers to win US Open title
Wyndham Clark says "New York didn't really like me" after dealing with jeers from the fans to win a second US Open title.

Digital Trends
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Can an ice machine cool an Nvidia RTX GPU at gaming? A wild mod job proves it can
A YouTuber turned a countertop ice machine into a custom cooler for an Nvidia RTX 3060, dropping Cyberpunk 2077 temperatures from around 60 degrees to 22 to 23 degrees Celsius.

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What are the ultimate Dolby Atmos movies? This website has a list of the top 100 made by collating recommendations from reviewers and Reddit — perfect for your 4K Blu-ray wishlist, and to show off your home theater's sound

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Clark blocks out New York jeers to win US Open title
Wyndham Clark blocks out the noise of the fans to win a second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: effective_io_concurrency
`effective_io_concurrency` has changed what it means twice—from a harmonic-series spindle count to a direct request depth to a real async I/O control.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Largest ever cocaine bust in Australia after police raid underground bunker
Police seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated A$816m after searching a property in western Sydney.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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After Trump inspects Reflecting Pool, he says repair work will begin 'immediately'
On Sunday, the president flew by helicopter over the refurbished landmark, which is plagued by algae and peeling paint. He claims vandals are partly to blame.

Mail Online
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Brit tells of horror after fire ravaged tourist-filled resort - killing one woman and seeing 1,700 holidaymakers displaced
'Shocking morning. Not much of Viva Dominicus Beach Resort left,' one Brit wrote after the blaze ripped through the complex.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: Dispute over second world war army unit threatens to divide Poland and Ukraine
Poland prime minister Donald Tusk ⁠hopes to ​defuse a ‘mistake’ from spiralling further; gasoline sales suspended in Crimea. What we know on day 1,580A conflict between politicians in Poland ⁠and Ukraine is a strategic mistake that will harm both sides, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk ⁠has cautioned, ⁠as he seeks to ​defuse a rekindled dispute over events that occurred during the second world war. Polish president Karol Nawrocki on Friday ⁠stripped Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the country’s top honour, prompting three former Ukrainian presidents and other senior officials ⁠to return their state awards to Poland. Nawrocki revoked the Order of ​the White Eagle after ‌Zelenskyy angered many in Poland ‌by renaming a Ukrainian army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, ‌nationalists who massacred Poles during the second world war.“Wading into a conflict between politicians in Poland and Ukraine ‌is a strategic mistake that will harm both sides: business-wise, geopolitically, and reputationally. And in politics, as we know, ​a mistake is worse than a crime,” Tusk wrote in a post on X. The pro-European Tusk was elected prime minister in 2023, after leading a coalition that defeated the nationalist Law and Justice party with which Nawrocki is aligned.Zelenskyy, in ⁠an interview posted on X, said Ukraine and Poland cannot ​be “anything but ​partners and friends,” adding that a ​political struggle could end in a “very dangerous escalation”. “Our service members ​choose a ‌heroic name for ​their unit themselves, ​and as president and supreme commander-in-chief, I must support them,” he said. “Without Ukraine, no one will be able to defend Poland. It is simply impossible.”Officials in Russia-occupied Crimea have suspended civilian gasoline sales as Ukraine increases attacks on fuel supplies. The Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea said Ukrainian strikes killed four people and wounded 28 others overnight. He said local petrol stations will now only sell fuel to government agencies. The Crimean peninsula has had periodic fuel shortages from Ukrainian strikes before, but the current crisis is the worst since its 2014 annexation. Social networks are filled with requests for fuel, and some speculators are selling gas at double the market price.Zelenskyy described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said in a statement that a Crimean oil depot, as well as an oil transport facility in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region were among the targets. “Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace,” he said. Separately, overnight Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine killed three people.Ukraine has in recent months also stepped up drone attacks on energy facilities in Russia, striking targets deep behind the frontlines. Last week, it hit a large refinery in Moscow twice. Ukraine says the attacks are aimed at denting oil revenues that Russia uses to fund the war. Some petrol stations in Russia, the world’s third-biggest oil producer, introduced fuel rationing this month. Fuel exports have been banned since April. Energy Intelligence, a US-based energy research firm, said earlier this month that about a third of Russian oil refining capacity had gone offline because of Ukrainian strikes. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jack Draper energised for return at Eastbourne with inspiration from coach Murray
Draper builds for Wimbledon using Murray’s expertiseBriton confident in fitness after injuries ravage past yearJack Draper believes his “very special” relationship with Andy Murray and the faith the Scot has in him will help him to find a way through the toughest period of his career as he returns to the circuit at Eastbourne after an injury-ravaged 11 months.Draper is due to compete for the first time in two and a half months at the Eastbourne International on Monday after being sidelined for the vast majority of the past year due to chronic arm and knee injuries. As he tries to be ready for Wimbledon, which begins next a week on Monday, this will also be his first tournament since asking Murray, his childhood idol and a friend, to join his team as coach. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential runoff
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer secures narrow majorityThe Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating the leftwing senator Iván Cepeda.With 99.98% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, De la Espriella had secured 12.95m votes, or 49.66%, just 249,901 more than Cepeda, who received 12.7m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

The Hill
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More than a third of Americans say MOU better for Iran
A new survey shows that more than a third of Americans say the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) is better for Tehran, as the Trump administration works toward negotiating a long-term peace deal to resolve conflict in the Middle East.  CBS/YouGov poll results released Sunday found that 37 percent of Americans say the MOU is...

Deutsche Welle
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Colombia election: Hard-right candidate claims victory
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, won 49.66% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro said "neither candidate can be declared president."

Mail Online
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Labour left tell Burnham to rip up tax pledges: With Starmer a dead man walking, allies of PM-in-waiting say it's time to break manifesto promises on income tax and VAT
The challenger to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership made a series of expensive commitments during his by-election campaign - but is yet to set out how he will fund them.

Mail Online
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Brits brace for some of the sweatiest nights EVER with temperatures feeling close to 30C at 5am as Met Office's days-long heatwave warning comes into force
Parts of England and Wales are expected to reach record highs of at least 38C in the day, but warnings have been issued over 'heat stress'.

Mail Online
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Feline lucky! Cat show star Logan makes a BIG impression at annual event
The popular feline was named 'Visitors Favourite Cat' during the show.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Cape Verde fan goes wild live on BBC News as his country scores
During a live BBC News broadcast, reporter Paul Njie interviews a Cape Verde fan when the country suddenly scores its first ever World Cup goal against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas
If Kostyantynivka falls, Russian forces would be able push towards Ukraine's last remaining strongholds in the east.

The Guardian (UK)
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Cape Verde produce another World Cup shock as Varela strike seals Uruguay draw
Wow. The continuation of Cape Verde’s fairytale may have serious repercussions for Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay. The heroics of Cape Verde in holding Spain to a draw mean Uruguay should have been forewarned and forearmed in Florida. Instead, this tiny nation with a population equivalent to that of Bristol embarrassed World Cup aristocracy once more. What fun, what glorious fun.Uruguay now head into Group H’s final game against Spain with their tournament involvement in serious jeopardy. Uruguay had already failed to beat Saudi Arabia. Cape Verde will hold high and legitimate hopes of seeing off the Saudis on Friday. The Blue Sharks are the early story of this World Cup. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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BTS fans desperate to catch comeback tour lose more than $100,000 to scammers
Elated to see BTS on the road again, but frustrated by competitive ticket wars, they have become easy targets.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The Papers: 'Starmer expected to announce exit' and 'Game over'
Sir Keir Starmer's political future dominates Monday's front pages as pressure grows on him to quit.

Sky News Home
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Starmer believed to be on brink of resigning - as Andy Burnham returns

The Guardian (UK)
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Oliver’s mum was a narcissist and his dad avoidant. His own breakup forced him to address his dysfunctional childhood | Nicholas Purcell
Not every adult escapes their difficult childhood. And learning what a healthy relationship feels like takes timeThe modern mind is a column where experts discuss mental health issues they are seeing in their workWe inherit more than eye colour and bone structure from our parents. We inherit rules, silences, habits, beliefs. We inherit the shape of our parents’ presence or absence, the flavour of their neglect and the confusion of thinking this is love.Every week in my therapy practice I meet people living out their inheritance, their family dysfunction: re-enacting childhoods, becoming the parents they despised, clinging to survival strategies that are slowly killing them. “I think I have a problem,” they tell me, “but I can’t see it.”There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanNew Zealand arrived at this World Cup as rank outsiders but they are now 90 minutes from the knockouts.New Zealand, known as the All Whites, are back at the World Cup for just the third time, thanks to winning the Oceania region’s sole qualifying spot. Since their last World Cup in 2010 New Zealand have evolved from part-timers to professionals and there is belief they have the skillset and experience to make the knockout rounds for the first time.It’s a tall order, though. New Zealand, at No 85 the event’s lowest-ranked qualifiers, are up against Belgium, who are ninth, Egypt, 29th, and Iran, 21st, in Group G. The renowned commentator Paul Ifill says the current squad is “miles better” than the one that went to South Africa, where they finished unbeaten with three draws. After the squad announcement the coach, Darren Bazeley, agreed the side were in a good place: “It’s a blend of exciting young talent and experienced players to maximise our chances of winning games and getting out of our group.” Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ claims narrow Colombian election victory

TechRadar News
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How to watch New Zealand vs Egypt: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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800+ F-35 airplane fleet struggles to justify $1.6 trillion price tag with just 25% fully mission capable rate amidst systemic software bugs and chronic hardware failures, scathing new GAO report finds

Deutsche Welle
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Deniz Undav: Germany's 2026 World Cup supersub
Deniz Undav is the man in focus for Germany, but things could have turned out very differently for the Stuttgart striker.

Mail Online
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Terminal lateness: Britain's most delayed airlines are revealed
It's the airline millions of us trust to whisk us away for our holidays every year...But it has been ranked among the worst airlines for UK flight punctuality.

Mail Online
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'What Colin Farrell did on set of The Lobster will stay with me forever - especially after what Yorgos Lanthimos made me do': Fair City star opens up on BIZARRE experiences of working with eccentric Oscar-nominated director
O'Brien, who plays Carrigstown's James Rafferty, had a small part in the 2015 film that kicked off Greek director Lanthimos's relationship with Element Pictures.

Mail Online
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Uruguay vs Cape Verde RECAP: Minnows steal unlikely draw to raise hopes of knockout qualification
Recap Daily Mail Sport's live coverage of Uruguay's 2-2 draw with minnows Cape Verde in Group H at the Miami Stadium. 

Slashdot
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The Secret Revolution in Battery Technology: 3-D Printing
"There's a revolution in battery technology hiding in plain sight," reports The Wall Street Journal. "The 3-D printing of batteries has the potential to put energy storage inside any device.

"This will enable lightweight and long-lasting consumer gadgets, long-range military drones and even nanoscale robots."
Almost all the innovations we regularly hear about - from cheaper, tougher electric-vehicle batteries to "Holy Grail" solid-state batteries - are about changing the chemistry of batteries. The promise of battery-tech 3-D printing (aka additive manufacturing) is simple: What if batteries could fill any available space, even structural elements of our gadgets, rather than always taking a rigid shape like a pouch or cylinder?

The new approach has obvious appeal. The entire airframe of a drone could be filled with energy storage for increased range. Smartglasses could have sleek battery-packed frames, so they look like everyday eyewear rather than "Revenge of the Nerds" props. One of the biggest advantages of 3-D printing is that it works with any battery, regardless of its cell chemistry. It could advance today's lithium-ion as well as emerging sodium-ion and solid-state tech... Some [startups] are trying to use 3-D printing to create efficiencies in existing battery manufacturing systems. A brave handful of startups are pursuing radical new designs and approaches. They're starting with defense applications, where cost and scale are less of an issue...

At Silicon Valley-based Sakuu... [r]ather than trying to 3-D-print whole batteries, the company is working on replacing one of battery manufacturing's biggest pain points, says Arwed Niestroj, Sakuu's chief operating officer, who is also a nuclear physicist and former head of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. Existing battery assembly lines include football-field-long ovens for drying layers of material that have been dissolved in solvents. This requires a huge amount of energy and is a significant contributor to manufacturing costs, a big reason EV batteries aren't cheaper. Sakuu's process, under development for years, uses additive manufacturing to lay down key battery components without solvents, eliminating the need for ovens, says Niestroj.

Sakuu is currently working to commercialize this tech with a major battery manufacturer...







Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
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Starmer will resign as MP, Trump says

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Saka trains with England squad before Ghana match
Bukayo Saka trains with the England squad to provide a fitness boost to Thomas Tuchel before their second World Cup match against Ghana.

The Guardian (UK)
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LA firefighters battle warehouse blaze amid concerns over billowing smoke
Newsom declares state of emergency as crews continue to fight stubborn Boyle Heights fire that has raged for daysCalifornia’s governor has declared a state of emergency for the city of Los Angeles, as firefighters struggle to contain a stubborn warehouse blaze that has raged for days and blanketed parts of the city in smoke.Gavin Newsom announced he was directing state agencies to provide “additional assistance and resources” to help battle the fire, located in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark wins US Open with nerves of steel amid fierce challenge from Burns
American wins wire-to-wire by one shot for second titleCrowd cheer mistakes as Clark shoots 73 on SundayWyndham Clark arrived at the 1st tee for the final round of the US Open on Sunday afternoon with six shots in hand and two wildly divergent outcomes before him. He could complete a wire-to-wire victory and capture America’s national title for a second time. Or he could equal the largest final-round collapse in major championship history.The 32-year-old American ultimately responded with a masterclass in patience, restraint and nerve, overcoming a furious challenge from Sam Burns and increasingly hostile galleries at Shinnecock to capture his second US Open title in four years with a score of four under par, finishing one shot clear. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanBracketology is getting a serious workout today with Group G on a knife’s edge and the very real prospect of Cape Verde making the round of 32.After claiming a point against Spain, Cape Verde have now held Uruguay to a draw! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential runoff
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer secures narrow majorityThe Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating the leftwing senator Iván Cepeda.With 99.93% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, De la Espriella had secured 12.95m votes, or 49.65%, just 247,686 more than Cepeda, who received 12.7m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Beau4 min Cano is down, having received a small shove from Borges that, if his reaction is to be believed, dislocated several vertebrae.3 min Lopes Cabral is judo-tossed again. What’d he do to deserve this? Continue reading...

Telegraph
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‘United’ Iran defy boos and travel chaos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium
‘United’ Iran defy boos and travel chaos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium

Deutsche Welle
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Colombia election: Hard-right candidate poised to win in early results
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, won 49.65% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results.

Russia Today News
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Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ claims Colombian election by slim margin

Mail Online
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Tributes pour in for transport-loving train driver who was killed in Bedford crash as mourners say his 'dedication, kindness, and service' will not be forgotten
One train smashed into the back of the other on the same line near Bedford just after 5pm on Friday.

ZeroHedge News
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Meet Steak 'n Shake's First MAHA Officer
Meet Steak 'n Shake's First MAHA Officer

Authored by Jeff Louderback via The Epoch Times,

DALLAS—Lunch at Steak ‘n Shake is served for Michael Boes. The plate in front of him has a grass-fed burger and beef tallow fries. He washes it down with cane sugar Coca-Cola.

“Fast food doesn’t have to mean processed, complicated, or artificial. It used to mean real, simple, and delicious - and it can again,” Boes said.
Michael Boes, Steak 'n Shake's chief Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) officer, in Irving, Texas, on June 15, 2026. Bobby Sanchez/The Epoch Times

Founded in Normal, Illinois, in 1934, Steak ‘n Shake was most known for its steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes for decades. Almost a century later, the chain is building its brand around the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

The heart of Steak ‘n Shake’s transformation is a bold pledge: to eliminate industrial seed oils from its menu items and shift to cleaner ingredients.

Leading the transformation is Boes, one of the forces behind the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In April, he was named the restaurant chain’s first chief MAHA officer.

A former senior adviser within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Boes holds a position described by the company as “a new executive role dedicated to advancing nutritional integrity, ingredient transparency, and the long-term health of Steak ‘n Shake customers.”

Sardar Biglari is the chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings, the owner of Steak ‘n Shake. When announcing the hiring of Boes, Biglari called the position “a sign of our continued commitment to make Steak ‘n Shake the great differentiator in fast food.”

“Michael is ideally suited for such a role, with his deep understanding of nutrition and his experience at the highest level of health policymaking,” Biglari said. “To put it simply, good-tasting food should also be good for you.”

The company announced in May that it would make the switch to “100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished” beef. In March last year, the company announced the switch from seed oils to beef tallow. In February 2026, it said it would remove all microwaves from franchise locations by April, writing in an online post that “quality restaurants don’t need microwaves.”

Steak ‘n Shake prepares fries, tater tots, onion rings, and chicken tenders in 100 percent beef tallow with “no additives, preservatives, or chemicals.”

On its website, the company explained that it has worked with its manufacturer of fries and tots to completely eliminate the vegetable oil formerly used to fry the product before freezing and shipping it to the restaurants. As a result, Steak ‘n Shake’s beef tallow fries and tots are not yet completely free of seed oils, according to the website.

“Transitioning away from seed oils is a journey, and we continue to work with our other suppliers to achieve our goal,” the company said on its website.

The chain uses 100 percent Grade A Wisconsin butter sourced from a family farm and it serves cane sugar Coke rather than drinks that have high fructose corn syrup. Last December, Steak ‘n Shake switched to A2 Milk, which is “100 percent real milk from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein and no A1,” which may help with digestion, according to A2 Milk’s website.

Boes noted that Steak and Shake is still early in its transformation.

“We took the bold step to say we’re going to drive the demand side in order to impact the supply side,” Boes said.

“The website is a prime example of the transparency and messaging, saying up front that we are making this transformation, but it’s not going to be complete overnight, so please stick with us.”

Boes, who grew up in the Dallas area, earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University followed by an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

He worked in healthcare technology with a focus on commercial growth for 15 years before joining HHS. He developed expertise in nutrition after addressing personal health challenges.

“I had gut and skin issues, I had trouble putting weight on, and I was on medication for ADD. I didn’t feel healthy,” he said.

Positive changes happened, Boes explained, when he eliminated processed foods and started eating whole foods. In a matter of months, he gained “healthy weight,” added muscle, and felt more energetic.

From that point, he became immersed in reading articles and listening to podcasts about biohacking, which is a do-it-yourself form of personal improvement in which people focus on changing their biology to improve their overall health and well-being.

“The chronic disease epidemic and mental health crisis are tied to what we put into our bodies. I wanted to be a part of influencing positive change in those areas,” Boes said.

After attending President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Boes was driven to work with the new administration, he said.

He made cold calls and sent emails to figures such as Stefanie Spear, who served as the press secretary for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign and is now Kennedy’s chief of staff. HHS expressed interest, Boes said. After a phone call and two interviews, and learning that they sought private sector professionals, he joined the agency and helped develop the new dietary guidelines.

Boes’s career path evolved once again after a chance meeting with Biglari at the wedding of Alex Bruesewitz, a political consultant and an adviser to Trump.

Biglari told Boes that he wanted to align Steak ‘n Shake with the growing movement of health-conscious consumers.

“I had my opportunity to impact the regulatory side. Now I have this opportunity to prove that not only is there a regulation component to this, but also MAHA can be the cornerstone of a brand,” Boes said.

“That is a powerful story that can impact people and shape the industry,” he added.

Boes said that in his previous role with HHS, he talked to multiple restaurant companies and asked them if there was a way they could work collaboratively with the agency and reform the food environment.
A Steak 'n Shake restaurant in Middletown, Del., on July 26, 2019. The fast food chain in April hired a chief MAHA officer, an industry first. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 18:40

ZeroHedge News
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Downtown Seattle Lost 30,000 Jobs Since 2020 Payroll Tax: Report
Downtown Seattle Lost 30,000 Jobs Since 2020 Payroll Tax: Report

Authored by Dylan Morgan via The Epoch Times,

A new report from the Downtown Seattle Association published June 15 stated that downtown Seattle has lost around 30,000 jobs since 2020, when city leaders passed the “JumpStart” business tax, while neighboring Bellevue has become more attractive for businesses.

“What we have seen in downtown Seattle is not a ‘jump start,’ but instead, a slowdown,” the report stated.

“Seattle has become a tax outlier in the region, and it’s costing the city jobs and tax revenue, while shifting the property tax burden to residents and small businesses, worsening overall affordability in the city.”

The nonprofit membership organization said it conducted an audit comparing the city’s tax environment and business climate with that of Bellevue.



In 2020, the City Council said the “JumpStart Tax,” which currently taxes Seattle businesses that pay more than $9,074,409 on payroll expenses with at least one employee making over $194,452, was to address COVID-19 economic impacts as well as to support existing city services and new affordable housing.

“We are in the midst of a health and economic crisis that even a strong economy like Seattle may not be able to recover from quickly,” Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said in 2020.

“JumpStart Seattle will ... jump start our recovery with a relief plan that centers workers, small businesses and our most vulnerable community members.”

The report found the tax costs Seattle businesses between $1,450 and $9,390 per employee.

In 2026, the JumpStart tax is projected to bring in $410 million.

Bellevue has no such tax.

The report also showed that Seattle property tax compared to property value had increased nearly 48 percent from $3.79 per $1,000 in 2019, to $5.60 in 2026.

In that same time, Bellevue property tax decreased from $3.72 per $1,000 to $3.12, an approximately 19 percent drop.

It said that downtown Seattle’s office properties have fallen 48 percent in value between 2020 and 2025, while downtown Bellevue’s had increased 7 percent during that same period.

It added that Seattle’s Central Business District had an office vacancy rate of 6.7 percent in 2019, which climbed to 32 percent in 2025, while Bellevue’s rose from 2.5 percent to 24 percent in that period.

“When comparing business tax burdens and broader tax trends in Seattle and Bellevue, the contrast is clear: Bellevue’s more favorable tax climate has made it increasingly attractive to employers and investment relative to Seattle,” the report said.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Seattle City Council but did not receive a response by publication.

Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle, has been gradually increasing its footprint in Bellevue, as the company said it became the city’s largest employer, growing from 450 employees in 2017 to more than 15,000 this year.

The company’s footprint expansion in Bellevue has also come with significant investment outside of office space. It committed $100 million to fund affordable housing initiatives in Bellevue and $22.6 million for local transportation projects.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 19:50

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Four-day extreme heat warning begins as temperatures could hit 38C
A Met Office amber weather warning for heat comes into force and will now last through to Thursday.

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanSoon we will get a second look at Elijah Just, one of the breakout players of the opening round.Here’s the latest pod. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran’s Beiranvand denies 10-man Belgium in World Cup draw as Nathan Ngoy sees red
There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour added to the miraculousness of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand appeared to have been eliminated from the game when the ball dropped at the feet of Maxim De Cuyper inside the six-yard box, the goal gaping. Yet, while scrambling on the turf after seesawing to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross, Beiranvand stuck out a strong left hand to shut the door in the face of De Cuyper, before smothering the ball.Presumably, given this summer’s apparent appetite for a goalkeeping cult hero, this all means Beiranvand’s following might now increase tenfold, though as Iran’s longtime No 1 who saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty at the 2018 World Cup, he is no unknown. Just ask Vozinha and Eloy Room how their outstanding performances for Cape Verde and Curaçao respectively have done wonders for their profile. At 33, Beiranvand is a youngster compared to those guys. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks strained as Trump threats spark Iranian walkout
Negotiations expected to continue through the night despite disruption caused by US president’s threat to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating team High-stakes talks between the US and Iran were expected to continue into the early hours of Monday in Switzerland, a US official said, after a tense start that saw Iranian negotiators walk out in protest at a stream of threats issued by Donald Trump on social media.The US president had threatened to bomb Iran and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz was reopened, forcing mediators Qatar and Pakistan to continue negotiations in the background. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Cape Verde fan goes wild over first goal live on BBC News
During a live BBC News broadcast, reporter Paul Njie interviews a Cape Verde fan when the country suddenly scores its first ever World Cup goal against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup.

The Hill
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Pirro vows to prosecute Reflection Pool vandals
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, on Sunday said her office would prosecute individuals caught vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the Trump administration spent millions on renovations. “Anyone who is in a position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize the Reflecting Pool will face the criminal justice system in D.C.,"...

The Hill
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Pence rips Trump’s Iran deal: ‘A plan to make a plan’
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday tore into President Trump's tentative deal between the U.S. and Iran as he deemed the agreement to be a "plan to make a plan." Pence started an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal by commending Trump for "acting decisively" by launching a military campaign against Iran. He...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Cape Verde fan goes wild over first goal against Uruguay live on BBC
During a live BBC News broadcast, reporter Paul Njie interviews a Cape Verde fan when the country suddenly scores its first ever World Cup goal against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
First round of direct US-Iran talks since deal expected to continue through the night
The US president, who is not at the talks, had earlier exchanged warnings with Iran's negotiator over clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Russia Today News
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Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ wins Colombian election – preliminary results

Mail Online
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Long arm of the paw! Top officer faces gross misconduct probe over 'bias' against... a police dog charity
One of Britain's top policewomen is being investigated for alleged gross misconduct by snubbing a police dog charity.

Mail Online
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Asylum seeker who tried to rape a woman in an alley claimed he could not have done so as he had a 'micropenis'
Hossein Mohmoudi, 35, was found guilty of the attack last week despite arguing that his short penis and obesity meant he was unable to have sex.

Mail Online
Open 
Rogue landlords who fail to fix problems are now facing fines of up to £7,000
From today, councils across England will gain the power to issue hefty penalties for serious hazards in private renters' homes.

Mail Online
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More than nine in 10 midwives warn unsafe staffing levels are directly impacting the quality of care they provide for women and babies
Three-quarters have considered leaving the profession in the past year, with most blaming staffing shortages and safety concerns, the Royal College of Midwives said.

Mail Online
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Anti-woke cop calls for new rules amid storm over 'two-tier policing' following murder of teenager Henry Nowak
Police guidelines on dealing with incidents involving race 'need to be revisited' to end 'two-tier' policing accusations, one of Britain's most senior officers has urged.

Mail Online
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Rising living costs push nine in ten university students into term-time work
Polling from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) suggests 87 per cent of degree applicants expect to work during term time.

Mail Online
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More than 250 children of primary school age are waiting for care at NHS gender clinics - with the youngest aged six or under
There is no minimum age requirement for gender care, and the NHS previously said they want to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary.

Mail Online
Open 
Teacher murdered little Preston Davey after adopting him with his boyfriend - then moved to suburban £450,000 newbuild in attempt to reinvent themselves
Beneath this veneer of suburban respectability Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley had been harbouring a sickening secret.

Mail Online
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Meet the women who got new hearts - then donated their old ones to medical science
Katie James, Kara Terol and Hannah Sharma all received life-saving heart transplants before the age of 35 and all donated those that were removed to research.

Mail Online
Open 
The Morning Poll: Will today be the end for Starmer?
Could today be the day where Keir Starmer loses his grip on No10? Vote now and you'll find the final results in Monday's Morning Mail newsletter .

Mail Online
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England players swap football boots for cowboy boots as they relax in Kansas over Father's Day weekend
After their thumping win over Croatia, England stars have been unwinding in the Wild West ahead of their next game, going to a country music gig, playing baseball and hanging out in a Middle Eastern eatery

Mail Online
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The tragic case of the five-year-old girl whose death at the hands of her cruel stepmother was kept secret for half a century...until memoirs prompted key witness to finally speak out
Reformer drug dealer Janice Nix is back in prison after finally being convicted of killing her five-year-old stepdaughter, Andrea, in 1978. Police said Nix 'thought she got away with it'.

Mail Online
Open 
Primary school teacher sacked for hiding romance with convicted paedophile married him just five months later despite losing her career
A primary school teacher sacked for hiding her whirlwind romance with a convicted paedophile married him just five months after losing her job, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Mail Online
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Inside the drama engulfing House Of The Dragon as fans vow to boycott season three and critics reveal show made them 'physically sick'
There's not long to go until House of the Dragon is back on our screens after captivating fans with its first two offerings. 

Mail Online
Open 
Luxury £2,800-a-night Airbnb is shut down after furious neighbours said their quiet rural lane had been turned into a 'stag and hen do party palace'
The six-bedroom country house in Aughton, near Sheffield, was advertised online as an 'ultimate celebration venue' for up to 22 guests, boasting a covered swimming pool, hot tub and sauna.

Mail Online
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Revealed: The woke quango that wants to cull EVERY wild pony on Dartmoor - and won't even speak to the people fighting to save their lives...
A dozen or so Dartmoor Hill Ponies are huddled in small groups on the misty moor before us, with tails swishing, nostrils flaring gently and tangled manes blowing in the breeze.

Mail Online
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'Air Miles Andy' is back: Shamed royal took a private jet for a freebie weekend away to a French stud farm hosted by a mega rich Dubai businessman... and enjoyed fine wine, boules and horse riding on the beach
The former Duke of York enjoyed what has been described as a relaxing weekend break in rural Brittany as the VIP guest of a horse breeding tycoon from the UAE.

Mail Online
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Molly-Mae Hague reveals newborn son Midas was NOT named after the Greek King but instead a robot boxing film starring Hugh Jackman
The influencer, 27, welcomed her second child with Tommy Fury , also 27, earlier this month.

Mail Online
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Roy Keane rips into Belgium after 'rubbish' Iran draw - while former stars call out Kevin De Bruyne and co. as they risk early World Cup exit
Belgium were denied by a string of impressive saves by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and had defender Nathan Ngoy sent off in a disappointing outing.

Russia Today News
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Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ wins Colombian election

The Register
Open 
Anthropic's Mythos mess just keeps getting more complicated
It sure seems a lot like the Trump administration is just bulling Anthropic for not acquiescing to its every move, and its the cybersecurity community who'll suffer for it

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanHere’s the latest pod.Laine Yamal added some much needed spark to Spain’s attack as the World Cup favourites kickstarted their campaign with a rout of Saudi Arabia.This was exactly the way the coach would have wished it. Lamine Yamal scoring 10 minutes into his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in April. Mikel Oyarzabal adding two more in the first “quarter”, Marc Cucurella forcing the fourth on 49, victory secured so early that De la Fuente could withdraw those players who needed protecting and give minutes to those that needed them, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams invited to join the party too. Unai Simón was the last to arrive, not making a significant save until the 80th minute. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Uruguay vs Cape Verde LIVE: Minnows in World Cup dreamland as Helio Varela levels game against all odds
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Uruguay take on Cape Verde in Group H at the Miami Stadium. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanLaine Yamal added some much needed spark to Spain’s attack as the World Cup favourites kickstarted their campaign with a rout of Saudi Arabia.This was exactly the way the coach would have wished it. Lamine Yamal scoring 10 minutes into his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in April. Mikel Oyarzabal adding two more in the first “quarter”, Marc Cucurella forcing the fourth on 49, victory secured so early that De la Fuente could withdraw those players who needed protecting and give minutes to those that needed them, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams invited to join the party too. Unai Simón was the last to arrive, not making a significant save until the 80th minute.There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour adds to the miraculous nature of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand had seesawed to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross into the six-yard box and yet, scrambling on the turf, stuck out a left glove to shut the door in the face of Maxim De Cuyper. Belgium finished with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi.If Iran advance to the last 32, they will surely reflect on Beiranvand’s divine intervention. De Bruyne glittered in moments, none more so than graciously bringing Leandro Trossard’s lifted pass down on the byline. Beiranvand made it his mission to reach De Bruyne’s pass before Romelu Lukaku, who by starting became the third-most capped Belgium player. In the end Ali Nemati stopped the cross, legs splayed as Beiranvand thwarted De Cuyper. Iran believes. Meanwhile Belgium, who went out at the group stage four years ago, are in a spot of bother. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Clark blocks out noise to stumble to US Open title
Wyndham Clark blocks out the noise of the fans to win a second US Open title at Shinnecock Hills.

BBC Technology News
Open 
It's not just about nudity warns actress - the complex reality of images and online abuse
Tech companies and authorities are failing women by focusing on nudity rather than consent, says a report by Chayn.

TechRadar News
Open 
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, June 22 (game #1107)

TechRadar News
Open 
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, June 22 (game #841)

TechRadar News
Open 
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, June 22 (game #1610)

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
This bull market isn’t going to end because of Fed rate hikes under Warsh
Trump-selected Fed chair Kevin Warsh may hope the threat of rate hikes is enough. But stocks might gain ground if he does. Past rate-hike cycles can be a guide.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Wyndham Clark wins US Open with nerves of steel amid fierce challenge from Burns
American wins second title with wire-to-wire victoryCrowd cheer mistakes as Clark shoots 73 on SundayWyndham Clark arrived at the 1st tee for the final round of the US Open on Sunday afternoon with six shots in hand and two wildly divergent outcomes before him. He could complete a wire-to-wire victory and capture America’s national title for a second time. Or he could equal the largest final-round collapse in major championship history.The 32-year-old American ultimately responded with a masterclass in patience, restraint and nerve, overcoming a furious challenge from Sam Burns and increasingly hostile galleries at Shinnecock to capture his second US Open title in four years with a score of four under par, finishing one shot clear. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New Zealand v Egypt: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 6pm local/11am AEST/2am BST/9pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanHere’s Ben Fisher’s match report from Los Angeles where Belgium and Iran each kept their World Cup campaigns afloat in a match full of incident. It’s a result that means Group G will go down to the wire with all four teams capable of reaching the knockout stage on the final day.There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour adds to the miraculous nature of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand had seesawed to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross into the six-yard box and yet, scrambling on the turf, stuck out a left glove to shut the door in the face of Maxim De Cuyper. Belgium finished with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi.If Iran advance to the last 32, they will surely reflect on Beiranvand’s divine intervention. De Bruyne glittered in moments, none more so than graciously bringing Leandro Trossard’s lifted pass down on the byline. Beiranvand made it his mission to reach De Bruyne’s pass before Romelu Lukaku, who by starting became the third-most capped Belgium player. In the end Ali Nemati stopped the cross, legs splayed as Beiranvand thwarted De Cuyper. Iran believes. Meanwhile Belgium, who went out at the group stage four years ago, are in a spot of bother. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK taxpayers want higher levies on big tech companies, survey shows
Two-thirds of respondents support increasing the 2% digital services tax for multinationalsTaxpayers want the UK to increase levies on giant global technology companies such as Facebook owner Meta, Google and Amazon, a survey of Britons’ attitudes on corporate taxes suggests.The polling released on Monday by the Fair Tax Foundation – abody providing businesses with certification around responsible tax conduct – found that 67% of respondents believe that the government should charge higher digital services taxes on multinational technology groups “to increase their overall tax contribution in the UK”. Continue reading...

Telegraph
Open 
‘United’ Iran shut out the boos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium
‘United’ Iran shut out the boos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium

Telegraph
Open 
Freedom day: British passengers on ‘rat-virus’ cruise ship leave lockdown
The end of the 42 day quarantine period marks the conclusion of an outbreak that killed three people and became a global health emergency

BBC UK News
Open 
Fake romance to missed deliveries: How to protect yourself from three common scams
Romance and investment fraud is at record levels but what can you do to prevent being caught out.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Currency crash and visa crackdowns force Indian students to rethink studying abroad
A weaker rupee and tougher immigration rules are pushing Indian students away from popular destinations like the US and UK.

UK Government News
Open 
UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports
Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals projects.

Russia Today News
Open 
US-Iran talks in Switzerland: What is known so far?

BBC UK News
Open 
Remote town doesn't have a bank anymore and the nearest is an hour’s drive away
When 84-year-old Maggie Dodd discovered that the last remaining bank in Lochgilphead was closing, she began to panic.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open golf 2026: Wyndham Clark survives wobble to win by one shot – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottThe defending champion JJ Spaun didn’t make the weekend. Last year’s runner-up did, though, and Robert MacIntyre has finished his week with a level-par 70. He’s +7, and wouldn’t be human if he’s still not cursing Viktor Hovland for giving Spaun a read ahead of that tournament-winning putt. Meanwhile in other European news, Justin Rose has just made three birdies in a row, on 11, 12 and 13, to rise up the standings to +1. A top-ten finish within reach for the 2013 champ.There have been quite a few shots of both Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler going through their practice routines. Clark wedging an alignment stick through the loops of his trousers for real-time hip analysis; Scheffler missing a few short putts, which doesn’t augur well. Meanwhile here’s more good news for Clark courtesy of David ‘Not That One’ Howell: “The scoring variance has continued to be lower than in prior US Opens here, and low variance is obviously what a six-shot leader wants. Secondly, finding fairways doesn’t seem to be as important today. Lots of players have been scoring over par while hitting most fairways, and several of today’s best rounds have come in spite of missing a few. Considering that Clark has historically not been the straightest off the tee, it’s reasonable to assume he might find the fescue a bit under pressure, but that might not be a death sentence today.” Speaking of belt loops, any old excuse to enjoy the greatest zinger ever told … Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran frustrate 10-man Belgium in World Cup stalemate as Nathan Ngoy sees red
There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour added to the miraculousness of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand appeared to have been eliminated from the game when the ball dropped at the feet of Maxim De Cuyper inside the six-yard box, the goal gaping. Yet, while scrambling on the turf after seesawing to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross, Beiranvand stuck out a strong left hand to shut the door in the face of De Cuyper, before smothering the ball.Presumably, given this summer’s apparent appetite for a goalkeeping cult hero, this all means Beiranvand’s following might now increase tenfold, though as Iran’s longtime No 1 who saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty at the 2018 World Cup, he is no unknown. Just ask Vozinha and Eloy Room how their outstanding performances for Cape Verde and Curaçao respectively have done wonders for their profile. At 33, Beiranvand is a youngster compared to those guys. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential runoff
Leftwing opponent alleges vote count irregularities after Trump-endorsed lawyer secures narrow majorityThe Trump-admiring far-right millionaire lawyer and self-styled “outsider” Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating the leftwing senator Iván Cepeda.With 99.65% of ballots counted in the preliminary vote tally, de la Espriella had secured 12.91m votes, or 49.65%, just 248,310 more than Cepeda, who received 12.67m votes, or 48.7%. A further 1.6% of ballots were cast blank. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Kalshi Reportedly Explores Early IPO Path as Annualized Revenue Tops $2 Billion
Prediction market platform Kalshi has entered informal discussions with investment banks about a potential initial public offering, according to a new report. The conversations remain preliminary, with any listing likely still more than a year away. The development comes alongside strong evidence of accelerating business... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Morgan Stanley Advances Plans for Low-Cost Ethereum and Solana ETFs
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has taken another significant step toward offering investors direct exposure to major cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded funds. The firm recently submitted amended registration statements to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its proposed spot Ethereum and Solana ETFs. These updates provide... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Bybit Expands Tokenized Asset Offerings with Bond Fund Access
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit is offering eligible users access to tokenized bond funds managed by PIMCO and China Merchants Bank International (CMBI), the latest sign of how digital asset platforms are using blockchain infrastructure to bring traditional fixed-income investments to crypto-native investors. The launch comes as... Read More

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Colombia election: Hard-right candidate poised to win in early results
Right-wing presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, has won more than 50% of the Colombians' votes, according to preliminary results.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
A Critical Deadline Is Approaching for Windows and Linux Security
The cryptographic keys that secure your computer’s boot sequence will start to expire on June 24. Here’s what that means for you.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Buying a Used iPhone Makes More Sense Than Ever
With Apple raising prices soon, you can save a lot of money by buying a used handset or upgrading an older device—safe in the knowledge that it’ll last longer than ever.

The Hill
Open 
Democratic socialists roar back into spotlight with LA, DC races
Democratic socialists are back in the spotlight after notching two high-profile mayoral primary victories in major cities this month. In Washington, D.C., this past week, progressive Democrat Janeese Lewis George outperformed moderate Kenyan McDuffie, all but assuring she’ll succeed Mayor Muriel Bowser. The week before in Los Angeles, fellow Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Nithya...

The Hill
Open 
Pirro vows to prosecute Reflection Pool vandals
U.S. Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro on Sunday said her office would prosecute individuals caught vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the Trump administration spent millions on renovations. “Anyone who is in a position of vandalizing or attempting to vandalize the Reflecting Pool will face the criminal justice system in D.C."” Pirro said during...

The Hill
Open 
Pence rips Trump’s Iran deal: ‘A plan to make a plan’
Former Vice President Pence on Sunday tore into President Trump's tentative deal between the U.S. and Iran as he deemed the agreement to be a "plan to make a plan." Pence started an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal by commending Trump for "acting decisively" by launching a military campaign against Iran. He wrote...

Mail Online
Open 
The Mother of All Cons 'fairy godmum' who duped One Direction into believing her daughter was dying from a brain tumour reinvents herself under a fake name as a globe-trotting social media influencer
Shamed 'fairy godmother' Jean O'Brien his living under a new identity in the West Country - and is a 'silver surfer' social midea influencer for the over sixties.

Mail Online
Open 
Uruguay vs Cape Verde LIVE: Agustin Canobbio breaks minnows' hearts as South Americans come from behind to lead at half-time
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Uruguay take on Cape Verde in Group H at the Miami Stadium. 

Mail Online
Open 
Teachers turn on Keir Starmer as three quarters of union members say Labour messed up education
The National Education Union (NEU) has called for Sir Keir Starmer to quit after polling found 72 per cent of its members believe his party has performed badly on schooling.

Mail Online
Open 
One million pupils spending nearly EVERY lesson on a screen
New research suggests nine per cent of all pupils in the UK - around 960,000 - spend nearly every lesson on a 'one-to-one screen', such as an iPad or other tablet.

Mail Online
Open 
MARK WAREHAM reviews this weekend's TV: Newsman Jon Snow turns back the clock for one last hurrah on camera
Snow recalls: 'When I started to read the news at Channel 4 , I'd been on the road for about 15 years, I felt very conscious that I was the dullest thing in the studio.'

Mail Online
Open 
Fuming Rory McIlroy blows US Open chances as he endures nightmare final round: 'Just go home Rory, f****** hell'
After three holes of his final round, having botched yet another wedge, Rory McIlroy snapped. Or to put it in his words: 'Just go home Rory, f****** hell.'

Mail Online
Open 
ANDREW PIERCE: Buyer's remorse for Tory turncoat boss of Iceland?
Iceland supermarket boss Lord (Richard) Walker, who became Keir Starmer's 'cost of living czar' after defecting from the Tories, appears to be getting disillusioned.

Mail Online
Open 
US Olympian who was arrested for allegedly vandalizing Reflecting Pool hits back at Trump's 'lies' and shares new photo... as dramatic video shows confrontation with cops
The Olympian asserted that he did nothing wrong and told the Daily Mail that the Trump administration is trying to pin the blame of the Reflecting Pool's condition on vandals.

Mail Online
Open 
Penalty! Parents who take pupils to see the World Cup face hefty fines
There were at least 16,000 England fans among the 70,000 sell-out crowd in Dallas Stadium to watch the opening 4-2 victory over Croatia last week.

Mail Online
Open 
'It's a no brainer': Jeremy Clarkson is urging men to get checked for prostate cancer after two brushes with death in a matter of months
Jeremy Clarkson is urging men to get checked for prostate cancer after surviving two brushes with death in less than a year.

Mail Online
Open 
Barry Manilow impersonator is denied a meet-and-greet with star as his wig and jacket were... 'insulting'
Wayne Denton and business partner Janet Martin spent £2,480 on VIP packages for the star's show in Liverpool, which included a meet-and-greet.

Mail Online
Open 
Uruguay vs Cape Verde LIVE: Bedlam in Miami as Kevin Pina scores minnows' first EVER World Cup goal
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Uruguay take on Cape Verde in Group H at the Miami Stadium. 

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
'Oh my word!' - Cape Verde take shock lead against Uruguay
Cape Verde's Kevin Pina scores the opening goal against Uruguay in their Group H match in the 2026 World Cup.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open golf 2026: final round updates as leader Wyndham Clark clings on – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottThe defending champion JJ Spaun didn’t make the weekend. Last year’s runner-up did, though, and Robert MacIntyre has finished his week with a level-par 70. He’s +7, and wouldn’t be human if he’s still not cursing Viktor Hovland for giving Spaun a read ahead of that tournament-winning putt. Meanwhile in other European news, Justin Rose has just made three birdies in a row, on 11, 12 and 13, to rise up the standings to +1. A top-ten finish within reach for the 2013 champ.There have been quite a few shots of both Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler going through their practice routines. Clark wedging an alignment stick through the loops of his trousers for real-time hip analysis; Scheffler missing a few short putts, which doesn’t augur well. Meanwhile here’s more good news for Clark courtesy of David ‘Not That One’ Howell: “The scoring variance has continued to be lower than in prior US Opens here, and low variance is obviously what a six-shot leader wants. Secondly, finding fairways doesn’t seem to be as important today. Lots of players have been scoring over par while hitting most fairways, and several of today’s best rounds have come in spite of missing a few. Considering that Clark has historically not been the straightest off the tee, it’s reasonable to assume he might find the fescue a bit under pressure, but that might not be a death sentence today.” Speaking of belt loops, any old excuse to enjoy the greatest zinger ever told … Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US-Iran talks strained as Trump threats spark Iranian walkout
Negotiations continue via mediators after US president threatened to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating team unless strait of Hormuz reopenedIranian negotiators left high-stakes talks with the US in Switzerland in protest at a stream of threats issued by Donald Trump on social media, leaving mediators Qatar and Pakistan to continue negotiations in the background.The US president had threatened to bomb Iran, and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz is reopened. It was not clear if the Iran walkout was permanent or a symbolic show of protest. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Emma Hayes pays heartfelt tribute to her late father on his 85th birthday as she reveals poignant message on her shirt during World Cup coverage
The 49-year-old is the broadcaster's tactical expert for the World Cup - but took a moment away from her analysis to remember Sid on what would have been his 85th birthday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Almost three tonnes of cocaine found buried under Sydney property in Australia’s biggest ever seizure, police say
Australian federal police arrested and charged two men after allegedly finding 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in ‘bunkers’ under shipping containersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice have made what they say is Australia’s biggest ever cocaine seizure, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug buried in secret bunkers at a property on Sydney’s western fringes.The seizure was made by the Australian federal police on Friday at a semi-rural property in Londonderry. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iranian negotiators suspend talks with US in protest over Trump threats
US president has threatened to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating team unless strait of Hormuz reopenedIranian negotiators left high-stakes talks with the US in Switzerland in protest at a stream of threats issued by Donald Trump on social media, leaving mediators Qatar and Pakistan to continue negotiations in the background.The US president had threatened to bomb Iran, and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz is reopened. It was not clear if the Iran walkout was permanent or a symbolic show of protest. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
Open 
Trump-backed ‘Tiger’ projected to win Colombian election

Mail Online
Open 
Jesy Nelson shares snap of her twin daughters' spinal braces as she urges fans to attend Parliament debate on SMA screening: 'Future SMA babies' lives don't need to look like this!'
The singer, 35, revealed in January that her now one-year-old twins had been diagnosed with SMA Type 1, a rare muscle-wasting condition.

No Agenda Show
Open 
1879 - "Grace and Assurance"
No Agenda Episode 1879 - "Grace and Assurance"



Grace and Assurance
Executive Producers:
Sir Scovee, Grand Duke of the Piedmont
Sir Your Honest Mechanic (Easley, SC)
Sir-Tanly The Weather Champ
Manuka Gold
Sir Optimus
Michael Mohrbutter
Lane Lamoreaux
Associate Executive Producers:
Dude Named Jeff
Troy Funderburk (switcheroo from Dame Mama Thunder)
La Jolla Salt Corporation
Eli the Coffee Guy
Dame Cindy of the Tito's (switcheroo from Indy NA Meetup)
Linda Lupatkin - Imagemakers Ink
Dakotah Walker
Dan the Man (switcheroo from Amy Lynn)
Knights and Dames:
Dakotah Walker > Sir Dakotah Walker
Sir Scovee > Grand Duke
Order of the Heart:
Sir Scovee
Sir Your Honest Mechanic
End of Show Mixes:
Cam (Gratuitous Book of Knowledge)
MVP (Donation Yelling)
Molly Berry (Geopolitical Doo-wop)
Mark van Dijk - Systems Master
Ryan Bemrose - Program Director
Back Office Jae Dvorak
Chapters: Dreb Scott
Clip Custodian: Neal Jones
Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman
ShowNotes Archive 1867.noagendanotes.com
No Agenda Peerage
RSS Podcast Feed
Art By: Dan OBGYN4



Last Modified 06/21/2026 16:36:31 by Freedom Controller

Digital Trends
Open 
3D printed batteries will solve battery anxiety, but not your nightmares
A new wave of startups is using 3D printing to create batteries that fit inside almost any shape, potentially transforming drones, wearables, EVs, and future gadgets.

Digital Trends
Open 
Epic is improving its game launcher with a long overdue speed boost and plenty of new features
Epic is rebuilding its Games Store launcher from the ground up, with faster startup times, future download speed improvements, player reviews, profiles, and more store features planned.

TechRadar News
Open 
Pokémon Champions just made its Android and iOS debut, and there are two Mega reasons you need to log in and play it now

Slashdot
Open 
Is Tesla Planning To Sell Modular AI Data Center Hardware?
Electrek reports:

Tesla wants to sell modular AI data center hardware, according to a new trademark application for a product called "Megapod." The filing describes a complete, self-contained computing system for AI workloads...

Tesla filed the "Megapod" trademark (serial number 99893717) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this month, through its longtime IP counsel. It's an intent-to-use application, meaning Tesla is claiming the name for a product it hasn't launched yet. The goods-and-services description is unusually specific for a trademark. Megapod covers "modular data center hardware systems for artificial intelligence computing, comprised of computer servers, computer hardware for artificial intelligence data processing, networking equipment, power distribution units, and cooling systems." It also covers "self-contained modular computing hardware systems for artificial intelligence workloads," integrated platforms sold as a single unit - an enclosure bundling compute, power distribution, and cooling - and downloadable software to monitor, manage, and optimize those systems.
In plain terms: Tesla wants to sell a turnkey AI data center building block. Not a battery, not a chip on its own, but the full rack-and-room of servers, networking, power, and cooling that AI training and inference run on.


Tesla's offering would have to compete with Nvidia's liquid-cooled, rack-scale systems that simulates a giant GPU, the article points out. But "The bigger issue is that Tesla has no merchant compute-hardware business to build on."


Tesla's own AI training cluster, Cortex at Gigafactory Texas, runs on roughly 67,000 Nvidia H100-equivalent GPUs. In other words, Tesla is one of Nvidia's customers, not a competitor selling alternative hardware... Where Tesla does have a real AI-data-center business is power, not compute. Its Megapack and new Megablock energy storage products are selling into AI data centers as grid buffers - Musk's own xAI has bought roughly $1 billion of Megapacks to keep its training runs powered. That energy-storage strength is the one credible thread here. A Megapod that bundles Tesla's power electronics, thermal management, and the enclosure - the "shell" around the chips rather than the chips themselves - would at least sit adjacent to a business Tesla actually runs.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Adam Curry
Open 
No Agenda Episode 1879 - "Grace and Assurance"
No Agenda Episode 1879 - "Grace and Assurance"

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Declan Rice reveals he has played through hamstring nerve pain for six months
Midfielder says schedule ‘obscene’ for club and countryOllie Watkins insists he is ready to be nastier on the pitchDeclan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas as he reflected on the “obscene” number of matches he has played this season.The England midfielder sparked concern when he was forced off in the 72nd minute of the 4-2 World Cup win against Croatia last Wednesday. The problem relates to the upper hamstring, with the pain radiating into his lower back. But Rice described his substitution as “smart” and said he would be fighting fit for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Beau4 min Cano is down, having received a small shove from Borges that, if his reaction is to be believed, dislocated several vertebrae.3 min Lopes Cabral is judo-tossed again. What’d he do to deserve this? Continue reading...

Telegraph
Open 
Defiant Iran shut out the boos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium
Defiant Iran shut out the boos to claim draw against 10-man Belgium

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Race-Based Scholarships As Unconstitutional
Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Race-Based Scholarships As Unconstitutional

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state-funded scholarship program that awarded financial aid based on the race of college students. The Democrat-controlled court followed the precedent laid out by the United States Supreme Court in finding that Gov. Tony Evers and the state were violating the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution.

Two of the most liberal justices, however, wrote a concurrence denouncing the bar on the use of race for such scholarships.

If Democrats are able to pack the Supreme Court as demanded by many party leaders, this concurrence is an example of the likely changes that a packed court will bring in reversing anti-discrimination and other rulings.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty represented the taxpayers in this successful challenge of the Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant Program.

That program administered taxpayer-funded grants of up to $2,500 per academic year to eligible students of Black American, American Indian, Hispanic, or certain Southeast Asian backgrounds.



The state paid out roughly half a million dollars in scholarships, now found to be racially discriminatory.

Citing the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the Court reaffirmed that “The Constitution requires that every person ‘must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race.’”

While many have heralded the new bright line against racial discrimination in higher education, two of the most liberal justices, Chief Justice Jill Karofsky and Susan Crawford, lamented the loss of racially discriminatory programs.

In her concurrence, Chief Justice Karofsky captured the sweeping, open-ended rationales used for such programs:


“Why have we not learned from our past? Why are we not willing to recognize the harms this country has caused to those who are marginalized, disempowered, or disenfranchised? Why, instead of wielding the Equal Protection Clause as a sword against racism, do we employ it to shield against the promise of equality for all? The answer appears to be because we have failed to fully recognize how societal and governmental practices have long continued to enforce a preference for White Americans and to burden Black Americans and those of other disadvantaged races or backgrounds.”


These justices would continue race-based programs indefinitely under the claim that there is a “preference for White Americans” in programs that focus purely on academic achievement or specific non-racial criteria.

The two justices quote from the dissent of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson that requiring race-neutral rules is just more “let-them-eat-cake obliviousness” by a white privileged society.

She added, “I fully recognize and acknowledge that I am bound by the precedent set forth in SFFA and other cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court…However, I also choose to write separately. I do so because I find it impossible to ignore the truths that Justice Jackson identifies.”

Notably, those “truths” from the Jackson dissent have been challenged as containing glaring false claims.

I have previously discussed my disagreements with Jackson and her jurisprudence, including her dissent in the SFFA case. However, this concurrence vividly shows the jurists whom the Democrats could call upon to pack the Supreme Court to reverse decisions like the one in SFFA.

With various Democratic leaders now openly pledging to pack the Court to reverse such decisions, the 2028 election is becoming a referendum on the future of an institution that has proven key to maintaining this Republic for 250 years.

Democratic politicians and pundits have made clear that they need the immediate control of the Supreme Court to carry out an agenda that would be struck down as unconstitutional. That includes reversing core constitutional rulings. The Karofsky concurrence offers a glimpse into our future if we allow the Court to be the object of a political hostile takeover.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 16:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected To Resign On Monday: Report
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected To Resign On Monday: Report

Keir Starmer's premiership appears to have entered its final act. Just over a week after Andy Burnham stormed back into Parliament with a crushing by-election win, the Prime Minister is - according to senior Labour figures cited by The Observer - preparing to set out a timetable for his own departure, with a "clear statement" possible as early as Monday.
Peter Macdiarmid/Pool via REUTERS

It would be a remarkable collapse. Starmer led Labour to a landslide less than two years ago. He now looks unable to command the confidence of his own benches for much longer, with cabinet ministers, union leaders and donors reportedly among those who have been involved in the conversations about his future.

Burnham, the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor, did not just win Makerfield - he buried it. Official figures show him taking 24,927 votes, 54.8% of the total, beating Reform UK's Rob Kenyon by a 9,231-vote margin in a seat where Nigel Farage's party had been threatening to turn Labour's crisis into a rout. The result gives Burnham the Commons seat he needs, clears his path to a leadership challenge, and leaves Starmer's position looking terminal.

Also, Starmer's former Chief of Staff - Morgan McSweeney - was the sacrificial lamb in the Mandelson scandal (recall that Starmer appointed Jeffery Epstein pal Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US). McSweeney also targeted Zerohedge, The Federalist and Breitbart in a clandestine campaign against alternative-media outlets. He resigned in February, two weeks before Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of passing insider info to Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, when he was serving as Business Secretary.

Meanwhile - he just... tweeted it out:


BREAKING: President Trump confirms Keir Starmer is resigning as Prime Minister… before Starmer has confirmed it himself. The final humiliation. pic.twitter.com/yz33xD4rPt
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 21, 2026
Markets Eye The Monday Open

The political risk did not go unnoticed by bond traders. UK 10-year gilt yields climbed to 4.84% on Friday, up roughly 0.09 percentage points on the session, as markets weighed Burnham's victory, domestic political uncertainty, and the possible fiscal implications of a future leadership bid.



With markets shut over the weekend, the next read comes at Monday's open, and any Starmer statement setting out an exit timetable will land straight into it.



//-->

//-->

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Starmer out by June 22, 2026?
Yes 63% · No 37%View full market & trade on Polymarket Burnham is due to be sworn in as an MP on Monday and to meet Starmer early in the week, with a cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Senior Labour figures expect a "deliberate slow march in good order" - most likely a September handover timed to the party conference - rather than an immediate vacuum.

According to the report, Burnham's supporters claim he has secured backing from more than 201 Labour MPs if Starmer refuses to step down voluntarily. The Observer framed that as a critical number because it would represent more than half the Parliamentary Labour party and would make it increasingly difficult for Starmer to argue that he still commands the confidence of his own side.

A formal challenge requires far fewer names. Under Labour's rules, any challenger needs nominations from 20% of Labour MPs - currently 81 - plus the required support from local parties and affiliates. On every count, the door is open.

Starmer Digging In?

For now, at least in public, Starmer is not going quietly. On Friday he congratulated Burnham on X - framing the result as a win for "Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate" - while insisting he would stand in any leadership contest and still had "more to do."


Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour's new MP for Makerfield.
Voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026

By Saturday the mood music had shifted. The Observer reports that Starmer was spending the weekend at Chequers with his wife, Victoria, weighing his future after a round of conversations with cabinet ministers, advisers, union bosses and donors.

One Labour peer close to the Prime Minister told the paper that Starmer would not "walk away" from No. 10 creating a vacuum, but would instead "arrange a deliberate slow march in good order, as a matter of duty and dignity." Another Labour grandee said the Prime Minister now appeared "resigned" to stepping down after coming "hard against the reality that the support isn't there."

The establishment knives are out. Lord Falconer - Starmer's own former shadow attorney general - told the BBC that the Prime Minister had "absolutely no authority left because everybody assumes Andy Burnham is about to challenge for the leadership and everybody assumes he's going to win."

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who remains the obvious alternative pole of opposition inside the party, publicly hailed Burnham's result even as allies insisted he still intends to stand in any contest.


Huge congratulations to @AndyBurnhamGM on an astonishing victory in Makerfield, where Labour lost badly only weeks ago.
It gives us all hope that Labour can still win, but Andy's campaign is proof that to do so we need to change.
Enormous thanks to everyone involved.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 19, 2026

Even the money is moving. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said "obviously Starmer needs to go," calling for an orderly transition on a clear timetable and a conversation about Labour's policy priorities.

Streeting's allies, meanwhile, are still talking as though the fight is alive. The Observer reported he has taken out a contract on an office for 40 members of staff as campaign headquarters and has received two £50,000 donations from Fran Perrin, one of Labour's most generous supporters. But some senior Labour figures now believe Streeting may ultimately do a deal with Burnham rather than stand in the way of the momentum.

"A Final Chance To Change"

Burnham's victory speech left no doubt about the scale of his ambition, even if he stopped short of formally launching the challenge. "Tonight could - just could - be the turning point," he told supporters, warning Labour it had a "final chance to change" with "no second chance."

There was also some weirdness: animal-rights campaigner Robert Pownall, who ran as an independent, and Count Binface, the bin-headed "intergalactic space warrior," who took 95 votes.


"I swear I'll move to Makerfield if I win."
Count Binface talks to Sky's @joncraig at the vote count at the Makerfield by-election. https://t.co/cjPB04D pic.twitter.com/skyclip
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 19, 2026

Mandlelson & Epstein

Burnham's win was the trigger, but the charge had been laid months earlier. The slow detonation of Starmer's authority traces back to his decision, in December 2024, to hand the plum Washington ambassadorship to Peter Mandelson despite Mandelson's long-public friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.



Mandelson was sacked as ambassador in September 2025 after released material appeared to show a closer relationship with Epstein than had been acknowledged at the time of appointment. He was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that sensitive government information had been passed to Epstein during the 2008-2010 financial crisis. Mandelson has denied wrongdoing, has not been charged, and the police investigation is ongoing.


'Where does this leave the tattered reputation of our Prime Minister?'@MartinDaubney discusses the first tranche of the Mandelson files revealing that Sir Keir Starmer was warned that the former ambassador, Lord Mandelson, brought a 'reputational risk'. pic.twitter.com/84vWC3jmhe
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 11, 2026

Starmer claimed Mandelson had lied throughout the appointment process - however it later emerged that he knew full well of the friendship.


🚨 Wow.
The Mandelson files are up.
They prove Starmer WAS advised and warned about Mandelson's appalling friendship with Epstein.
Starmer appointed him anyway.
Starmer lied.
Starmer must resign. pic.twitter.com/1yjYioVJhK
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) March 11, 2026

By then the damage was structural: his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney had resigned over the affair, a top Foreign Office mandarin was on the way out, and the government had spent months bleeding credibility through document dumps, a vetting row, sleaze-inquiry pressure and a steady drip of resignations.

No. 10 is still batting the resignation talk away as "speculation," and Starmer's team insists he will fight any challenge. On Friday, the Prime Minister told staff the party had to "pull together" and "take the fight" to Reform.

But the shape of the problem is brutal: Burnham has the seat, his allies claim the numbers, cabinet ministers are turning, the unions are turning, and Reform UK remains the threat Labour MPs increasingly believe only Burnham can blunt.

If Starmer steps to a podium on Monday and sets out an exit timetable, it will cap an extraordinary fall - from landslide to forced retreat in under two years - and crack open the door for the man they call the "King of the North" to walk through it.

Maybe if Starmer had addressed unchecked migration, England's woke police, or the rape gangs his CoS tried to get us demonetized for reporting on... 


💥NEW: How PM Keir Starmer's Machine Quietly Moved to Cripple Breitbart, The Federalist, ZeroHedge, and Left Independent Outlets
On Breaking Points, Ryan introduces Drop Site's latest investigation, adapted from Paul Holden's book, exposing how Keir Starmer and his chief of… pic.twitter.com/NVPDm7aWmw
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 4, 2025
 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 16:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Market Is Carrying More Length & More Leverage: Goldman Flows Guru Warns... Expect More Volatilit
The Market Is Carrying More Length & More Leverage: Goldman Flows Guru Warns... Expect More Volatilit

The biggest discussion that top Goldman Sachs trader (and flows guru), Lee Coppersmith, had with clients this week wasn’t whether AI is over - it wasn’t.

The debate has shifted to how investors should own it from here.

If anything, the secular backdrop across both the US and Asia continues to strengthen. Capex expectations remain robust, earnings revisions continue to move higher, and we saw another week of significant inflows into US technology.



Prime Brokerage data tells the same story - Semis are on pace to finish as the most net bought global subsector for a second straight year, with net allocations now at record highs.



What’s changing isn’t the fundamental story - it’s the market structure. leverage continues to build, and volatility across large-cap Tech continues to expand relative to the broader market even as prices move higher.



At the same time, global HF net leverage has climbed to 4-year highs and this is one of the sharpest increases over a 4-week period in the past 5 years, driven by significant net buying activity and mark-to-market … Here’s our full PB rundown.



We’re also seeing some signs of broadening despite a pickup in that debate at the end of the week. Flows have expanded into Financials, cyclicals and parts of Europe and Asia, but not at the expense of AI. In fact, while overall US Tech exposure has risen toward 5-year highs, Mag 7 gross and net exposure has fallen to 1-year lows as investors rotate deeper into the AI ecosystem - particularly Semis and Asian chipmakers - rather than simply adding more mega-cap exposure.



The other major takeaway from June is that macro is back. The Iran deal serves to remove one inflation risk and Brent gave back much of its geopolitical premium, only for the Fed to replace it with renewed policy uncertainty. Front-end rates repriced higher following a hawkish FOMC, and markets should now recalibrate event volatility premium more carefully (see NFP day and FOMC day as prime examples).



One interesting observation has been how quickly investors have faded geopolitical risk. Brent has retraced most of its war premium, Managed Money has sold nearly $25bn of crude over the past seven weeks, outright shorts have reached new highs after a record build this past week, and net length now sits below pre-war levels (h/t Rob Quinn). Investors have been remarkably quick to close the book on oil and shift their attention back toward rates and Fed policy.

Brent Managed Money Shorts – weekly change



Finally, systematic flows remain an important amplifier. Dealer gamma from leveraged ETFs - particularly in markets like Korea - continues to reinforce both upside momentum and downside moves, adding another source of volatility beneath the surface. One stat that stood out to me: leveraged ETF dealer gamma rebalancing can exceed 20% of Korea's market ADV on large-move days.



Our takeaway hasn’t changed - AI remains the highest-conviction secular story we hear from clients and continues to attract capital globally.

But June has been a reminder that even the strongest secular themes don’t trade in a vacuum.

The market is carrying more length, more leverage and, as a result, more volatility.

Professional subscribers can read all the links above from Goldman's Sales & Trading team here at our new Marketdesk.ai portal

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 16:55

ZeroHedge News
Open 
What History Teaches Us About Why So Many Eventually Flee Socialism
What History Teaches Us About Why So Many Eventually Flee Socialism

Authored by Armstrong Williams via The Epoch Times,

History is filled with political movements born from noble promises. Few have been more appealing in theory than socialism. At its heart, socialism promises greater equality, economic fairness, and protection for those who struggle in a competitive marketplace. It speaks to the desire for justice and the belief that no person should be left behind.



Yet history also teaches a sobering lesson: While millions have voted for socialism, millions more have ultimately fled from it.

Why?

The answer is not found in campaign slogans or academic theories. It is found in the lived experiences of ordinary people across generations and continents.

Throughout the 20th century, socialist governments emerged across Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Many came to power promising to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and place the needs of the people above the interests of the wealthy. In the beginning, those promises often generated enormous enthusiasm. Citizens were told that government planning would be more efficient than free markets, that collective ownership would create fairness, and that centralized control would produce prosperity for all.

The results, however, frequently fell short of the promises.

One recurring problem was the concentration of power. When governments assume responsibility for directing large portions of the economy, political leaders inevitably gain greater control over employment, investment, production, and distribution. Over time, this concentration of authority often extends beyond economics into other aspects of society.

History shows that when governments acquire greater power, citizens frequently lose a measure of independence. Economic freedom and political freedom are often more closely connected than many realize. When a person’s livelihood depends heavily upon the state, dissent becomes more difficult and individual choice becomes more limited.

Another lesson history teaches is that incentives matter.

Human beings respond to rewards, risks, and opportunities. Free-market systems are far from perfect, but they have consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity. When individuals are allowed to benefit from their hard work, creativity, and investment, economies tend to grow.

By contrast, heavily centralized systems often struggle to generate the same level of innovation and efficiency. Bureaucracies can become slow, inflexible, and disconnected from local realities. Over time, shortages, inefficiencies, and declining productivity have plagued many state-controlled economies.

This does not mean capitalism is without flaws. It clearly is not. Free markets can produce inequality, abuse, and economic dislocation. They require regulation, accountability, and moral responsibility. But history suggests that replacing markets with extensive government control often creates a different set of problems—problems that can be even more difficult to solve.

Perhaps the most powerful evidence comes from migration patterns.

Throughout modern history, people have overwhelmingly moved toward societies that offered greater economic freedom rather than away from them. From East Germans risking their lives to cross the Berlin Wall to Cubans crossing dangerous waters to Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse, countless individuals have voted with their feet.

This reality deserves careful consideration.

People rarely abandon their homes, families, language, and culture without compelling reasons. When citizens repeatedly leave countries governed by socialist systems in search of opportunity elsewhere, it raises important questions about the long-term sustainability of those systems.

The lesson is not that every policy associated with socialism is inherently wrong. Many democratic societies incorporate social safety nets, public health care programs, retirement systems, and other forms of government support while maintaining market economies and strong democratic institutions.

The real lesson is about balance.

Successful societies tend to recognize both the strengths and limitations of government. They understand that government has an important role in protecting the vulnerable, enforcing the rule of law, and providing essential public services. At the same time, they recognize that prosperity is often driven by individual initiative, private enterprise, innovation, and economic freedom.

As younger generations debate the merits of socialism, they should do so with an appreciation for history rather than romanticized visions of what might be. Good intentions alone do not guarantee good outcomes. Policies must ultimately be judged not by their promises but by their results.

History’s verdict is neither simple nor ideological. It is practical. Again and again, people have demonstrated through their actions that they value freedom, opportunity, and the ability to shape their own destinies. When those things become scarce, many eventually seek them elsewhere.

That is perhaps the most enduring lesson history offers: People may be attracted by promises of equality, but they are often willing to travel great distances—and endure great hardship—in pursuit of liberty.

Today, these lessons are becoming part of the American political conversation. With socialist candidates gaining influence in major cities—two examples being the rise of Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George in Washington, D.C., and the growing prominence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani in New York City—voters are once again debating the proper balance between government intervention and individual enterprise.

Supporters see these movements as a response to rising costs, housing shortages, and economic inequality. Critics see warning signs that history has presented before. Whatever one’s political perspective, the debate should not be driven by slogans or emotion alone. It should be informed by the experiences of nations that have already traveled this road.

The harsh lessons of history are not that compassion is dangerous or that government has no role to play. Rather, they remind us that concentrated power, diminished economic freedom, and excessive dependence on the state often carry consequences that emerge only over time.

America’s future will not be determined by labels such as “capitalist” or “socialist.” It will be determined by whether we preserve the freedom, opportunity, innovation, and personal responsibility that have long defined the nation’s success while ensuring that those who struggle are not left behind.

History remains our greatest teacher. The question is whether we are willing to learn from it.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 17:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Explosion At Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial Area Due To "Technical Incident"
Explosion At Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial Area Due To "Technical Incident"

A massive explosion rocked Qatar's giant Ras Laffan energy complex. 


BREAKING: HUGE EXPLOSION AT RAS LAFFAN INDUSTRIAL CITY IN QATAR’S LARGEST GAS FACILITY
The blast was so strong it was heard in Bahrain and reportedly felt like an earthquake. pic.twitter.com/4bdCH0eeWd
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 21, 2026
According to Qatar's interior ​ministry, an explosion ‌resulting from a "technical accident" occurred on Sunday at a factory ​in Ras Laffan, an ​industrial city north of the ⁠capital Doha and site of ​the country's core LNG ​processing operations. It said several injuries were reported but no leak that "threatens safety".


Unverified footage circulating on social media shows an explosion at a factory in Ras Laffan Industrial area, located in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/AiqqTxfV6l
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) June 21, 2026
The ​ministry did not give ​the exact location of the explosion, ‌but ⁠a source with knowledge of the matter said it occurred at the Barzan gas ​plant ​in ⁠Ras Laffan and was due to an "operational error".

In a post on X, Qatar Energy confirmed that in the evening hours of Sunday 21 June 2026, there was an operational incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City which resulted in an explosion and fire at Barzan local gas supply facility. It added that emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the fire, which is now under control.


Operational Incident at Ras Laffan Industrial City
QatarEnergy confirms that there was an operational incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City which resulted in an explosion and fire at Barzan local gas supply facility in the evening hours of…
— QatarEnergy (@qatarenergy) June 21, 2026
Shortly after the start of the war, Iranian attacks on the Ras Laffan complex crippled some of the most important LNG facilities prompting Qatar to predict that it would take as much as 5 years for the country's LNG production to come back fully online. 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 17:30

UK Government News
Open 
Apprenticeship funding bands reviews
A letter from the Minister for Skills for the Department for Work and Pensions to Skills England on the apprenticeship funding bands reviews.

UK Government News
Open 
Crack down on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in
Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026, if landlords are found to have serious hazards in their rented properties.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Czechia: Thousands march in support of public media funding
Prime Minister Andrej Babis' government has been accused of seeking to take control over Czech public media. The plan would leave broadcasters with a 15% funding cut and no guarantees of continued future funding.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Kylian Mbappé hungry for Golden Boot battle with Messi as he sings Les Bleus
Mbappé: Nothing bigger than playing for FranceStriker defends performance of Ousmane DembéléKylian Mbappé is relishing a Golden Boot duel with Lionel Messi, the player he calls the “best of the best”, but has said his personal ambitions would be subordinated to those of the team when France seek to seal qualification from Group C with victory over Iraq on Monday.Mbappé stepped into the full glare of the international media for the first time at this World Cup and handled the spotlight impeccably. From a defence of Ousmane Dembélé to the hot topic of the hydration break, France’s captain spoke in a calm and thoughtful manner. A more pugilistic role was reserved for his manager, Didier Deschamps. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran frustrate 10-man Belgium in World Cup stalemate as Nathan Ngoy sees red
There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour adds to the miraculous nature of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand had seesawed to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross into the six-yard box and yet, scrambling on the turf, stuck out a left glove to shut the door in the face of Maxim De Cuyper. Belgium finished with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi.If Iran advance to the last 32, they will surely reflect on Beiranvand’s divine intervention. De Bruyne glittered in moments, none more so than graciously bringing Leandro Trossard’s lifted pass down on the byline. Beiranvand made it his mission to reach De Bruyne’s pass before Romelu Lukaku, who by starting became the third-most capped Belgium player. In the end Ali Nemati stopped the cross, legs splayed as Beiranvand thwarted De Cuyper. Iran believes. Meanwhile Belgium, who went out at the group stage four years ago, are in a spot of bother. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Wowcher apologises for email referencing toddler crocodile attack
Company ‘extremely sorry’ for ‘unacceptable’ email urging customers to ‘Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!’The discount voucher website Wowcher has apologised after appearing to make reference to a crocodile attack on a toddler at a zoo in an email promoting its offers.A spokesperson for Wowcher said it was urgently reviewing its marketing content after the subject line of an email on Saturday urged customers to “Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Trump says repair work to begin ‘immediately’ on beleaguered reflecting pool
Algae blooms and peeling paint mar $14.2m renovation as president claims pool has been ‘seriously vandalized’Repair work will begin “immediately” at the troubled Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC, Donald Trump said on Sunday, after suggesting the pool would need to be drained and blaming alleged “vandals” for the disruption.The reflecting pool has been plagued by algae blooms and peeling paint following the controversial recent renovation efforts for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next month. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email BeauI very much like the Cape Verde national anthem. I’ll see if my band can open our next show with it, though this rendition has the odd tempo change that would probably throw us off.Pregame ceremonies are moving swiftly, so kickoff should be on time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iranian negotiators suspend talks with US in protest over Trump threats
US president has threatened to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating team unless strait of Hormuz reopenedIranian negotiators have suspended high-stakes talks with the US in Switzerland in protest at a stream of threats issued by Donald Trump to bomb Iran, and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz is reopened.It was not clear if the Iran walkout was permanent or a symbolic show of protest. But before leaving the face-to-face talks in Bürgenstock, Iran reached a draft agreement over how the US will issue a waiver lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, one of the key preconditions before Iran will open talks on its nuclear file. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Massive explosion rocks Qatari gas processing hub (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Belgium vs Iran - World Cup Group G RECAP: Red Devils HELD in blow to their hopes of reaching the knockouts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Belgium take on Iran in Group G at the Los Angeles Stadium.

The Hill
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House Republican acknowledges Iran deal concessions: ‘A work in progress’
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) on Sunday acknowledged that there were concessions in the Iran deal as critics continue to raise concerns with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week. “There are a lot of concessions, but let's keep in mind that this is a work in progress. And keep in mind that this memorandum...

The Hill
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Former Trump Defense secretary: 'I don't see that the president is always getting good advice'
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said he doesn't think “that the president is always getting good advice” from his advisers. “Do you trust that the president is being given advice by people who think their loyalty is to the Constitution?” NBC News’s Garrett Haake asked Esper — who served in President Trump's first...

The Hill
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Mace on Trump endorsing both GOP runoff candidates in South Carolina: ‘LMAO’
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) joked about President Trump backing both Republican runoff candidates to be her state’s governor. Mace — who made her own bid for South Carolina governor this year — on Saturday took to social media to respond to Trump's TruthSocial post backing both candidates. "LMAO," she wrote on the social platform X,...

The Hill
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Democratic socialists roar back into spotlight with LA, DC races
Democratic socialists are back in the spotlight after notching two high-profile mayoral primary victories in major cities this month. In Washington, D.C., this past week, progressive Democrat Janeese Lewis George outperformed moderate Kenyan McDuffie, all but assuring she’ll succeed Mayor Muriel Bowser. The week before in Los Angeles, fellow Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Nithya...

The Hill
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Trump touts ‘BEST ECONOMY EVER’ in Father’s Day message
President Trump on Sunday celebrated Father's Day with a social media post touting that the U.S. has the "BEST ECONOMY EVER." "Happy Father’s Day!" the president wrote on Truth Social. "Our Country is doing GREAT. Record Jobs Numbers and Stock Market, BEST ECONOMY EVER! Greatest Military in the World, by far. We are WINNING on...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump goes NUCLEAR on corrupt New York Times after article on Iran war
President Trump just went nuclear on the corrupt New York Times after their article on the Iran war, which suggests Trump hasn’t really changed Iran in four months. Here’s what he said: . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump says Reflecting Pool was “seriously vandalized”
President Trump says he just visited the Reflecting Pool and that it has been “seriously vandalized” by sick, deranged people. He announced that repairs would begin immediately: Work will begin immediately on . . .

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ten-man Belgium remain winless after draw with Iran
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made a string of impressive saves to keep alive Iran's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, as they earned a hard-fought point against 10-man Belgium.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Kids were made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts
Former pupils describe staff pelting them with footballs and pouring pints of blackcurrant over them.

Mail Online
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Sydney Sweeney jumps into Scooter Braun's arms as the couple pack on the PDA Down Under
The couple were seen packing on the PDA during a leisurely stroll in the glistening city, and at one point she even jumped in his arms for a warm embrace.

The Guardian (UK)
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Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email BeauThe combined population of these two nations is around 4 million, with Uruguay having about 3.4 million and Cape Verde around 525,000.That makes this the smallest population represented in any group-stage game. Only Curaçao (185,000) is smaller than Cape Verde, and their group-stage opponents (Germany, Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador) are all considerably bigger than Uruguay.India – did not qualifyChina – did not qualifyUnited States – doing OK so farIndonesia – did not qualifyPakistan – did not qualifyNigeria – did not qualifyBrazil – leading Group CBangladesh – did not qualifyRussia – suspended from competitionEthiopia – did not qualify Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Iran WALKED OUT from peace talks in protest after furious Trump's explosive outbursts threatening to 'blow the s*** out of them' and take over the country
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

The Guardian (UK)
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Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email BeauUruguayMuslera; Sanabria, Olivera, Caceres, Varela; Bentancur, Ugarte, Araújo, Valverde, Cano; Viñas Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran frustrate 10-man Belgium in World Cup stalemate as Nathan Ngoy sees red
There was simply no debate over the moment of the match and it is one that Iran will cherish, even more so if they are to progress to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Every angle of Alireza Beiranvand’s preposterous save to prevent Belgium taking the lead approaching the hour adds to the miraculous nature of it all. Perhaps the most ludicrous element was that Beiranvand had seesawed to his left in an attempt to intercept Kevin De Bruyne’s rolled cross into the six-yard box and yet, scrambling on the turf, stuck out a left glove to shut the door in the face of Maxim De Cuyper. Belgium finished with 10 men after Nathan Ngoy was sent off for hauling down Mehdi Taremi.If Iran advance to the last 32, they will surely reflect on Beiranvand’s divine intervention. De Bruyne glittered in moments here, none more so than graciously bringing Leandro Trossard’s lifted pass down on the byline. Beiranvand made it his mission to reach De Bruyne’s pass before Romelu Lukaku, who by starting here became the third-most capped Belgium player. In the end Ali Nemati stopped the cross, legs splayed as Beiranvand thwarted De Cuyper. Iran believes. Meanwhile Belgium, who exited at the group stage four years ago, are in a spot of bother. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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Self-powering shaking capsule shows the future of safe drinking water in the palm of our hands
Researchers have developed a self-powered floating capsule that uses kinetic energy to detect contaminated water and disinfect it without batteries or chemicals.

Digital Trends
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Forget RTX filters. BenQ’s gaming monitor does the pretty stuff itself
BenQ’s MOBIUZ gaming monitors use AI-powered Smart Color and Color Shuttle to auto-tune game visuals on the display side, with shareable presets and no GPU-side performance hit.

TechRadar News
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It looks like an old PC, but this bleeding-edge 'server' may well save us from hackers causing chaos in a post-quantum computing world — 4.1Gb/s 'rackable' quantum random number generator brings entropy to the data center

Slashdot
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UK Official Promises Statements 'Around VPNs' and Further Teen Restrictions on Chatbots and Social Media
PC Gamer reports:

The UK government is considering an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying that the ban could take effect as soon as spring next year. As for the much nearer future, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told BBC Breakfast earlier this week, "We will make further statements in July about VPNs and further restrictions."

To be clear, no specific restrictions have yet been announced and Kendall sounded somewhat cautious about an outright ban during a parliament debate that took place the same day. "I have commissioned further research about their usage. There are really important issues to balance here," she says. "Many people want to use VPNs for privacy - that is important - but we know that some children use them to get around restrictions. I will come back to that in July in our response to the consultation." So, we'll have to wait until next month for anything definite, but it's hard not to feel like a full ban on VPNs is already on the table. If that does come to pass, more than the contents of my Bluesky inbox will be at stake.

Utah in the US has already tried to implement a full VPN ban (though this was postponed until September after Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, challenged the law in court)... [T]he UK could just be the next domino after Utah, potentially setting off a chain reaction that affects users around the world.

The article also argues that age checks can also be a privacy nightmare "with the security breach that exposed the personal info of 70,000 Discord users last year being one case in point."

Here's the complete statement from UK Technology Secretary Kendall. "I'll come back in July with a further statement around VPNs but also additional measures that we want to look at, further restrictions on AI chatbots that parents have found very worrying, more about overnight curfews or breaks in doomscrolling for 16- and 17-year-olds."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Nicholls’ experienced knock shows the way after callow England swatted aside | Simon Burnton
Brendon McCullum relied too much on youth in the second Test, while persistence paid dividends for New ZealandIn December 2020 Henry Nicholls was a fixture in the New Zealand team, batting at No 5, but he was under pressure. In nine Tests since the end of their series against Bangladesh in early 2019 he averaged only 20.33. But they stuck with him and in his next game, against West Indies in Wellington, he scored 174 and was named player of the match.“In another time he may not have been offered that opportunity,” said one of the commentators covering the match on domestic television. “There’s many cases where guys haven’t had a sustained period to be able to find form, but a mark of this New Zealand side is their selection consistency, and they’re being rewarded.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email BeauParadoxically, this World Cup has been the year of high scores – the average number of goals per game is a little above 3.0, a number not seen since the 1950s – and the year of the goalkeeper.Eloy Room of Curaçao wowed Cup-watchers with 15 saves, the most in a 90-minute match since modern record-keeping started (Tim Howard had 16 in an extra-time game to become the most meme-worthy person in the USA for a while). Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Belgium 0-0 Iran: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/8pm BST/5am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielHayes is working tonight and so is Roy Keane – a happy chance, given the Father’s Day card my buddy Tinny received this morning.In the UK, the undoubted star has been the wonderful Emma Hayes. I remember the first time I heard her co-commentate, many years ago now on BBC radio. Her ability to identify what sets the pattern of a match, simplifying complex tactical plans without being patronising, but making clear she’s the expert and compelling us to listen, is unique. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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Are You ’Mass Affluent’ Not ‘Truly Rich’? Sorry, Your Wealth Manager Might Be AI Now
The world of finance is automating, but if you're rich enough, it's reportedly more human than ever.

Mail Online
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Belgium vs Iran - World Cup Group G LIVE: Red Devils HELD in blow to their hopes of reaching the knockouts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Belgium take on Iran in Group G at the Los Angeles Stadium.

ZeroHedge News
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Feminists Are Increasingly Joining "Witchcraft Communes" To Fill The Spiritual Void
Feminists Are Increasingly Joining "Witchcraft Communes" To Fill The Spiritual Void

In the past 70 years, the subject of the Salem Witch Trials has been hijacked by the political left as a historic example of the authoritarian nature of the "patriarchy".  Arthur Miller used the trials as an allegory for "anti-communist hysteria" in his famous 1953 play, The Crucible.  As we now know, however, Joseph McCarthy was mostly right when he warned about an insidious and organized Marxist takeover of America's social and educational institutions. 

A more nuanced historic analysis shows that witchcraft was indeed a problem in the colonies just as it was a problem in Europe.  Not so much because of "black magic" or dark curses, but because "witches" were often early representations of social malcontents causing problems in Christian communities just as they cause problems in the western world today.

There were false accusations, there's no doubt.  But the narrative that most or all witch burnings were unjustified is simply false.

The reason women (and some men) were accused of being witches and burned at the stake was because they willfully engaged in highly destructive anti-social behaviors.  The local witch was often the village abortionist, a seller of poisons, and the town prostitute or harlot plying her "trade" at a time when there was zero tolerance for this kind of behavior.



It should be noted that the practice of casting out or executing sociopaths, psychopaths and other people with destructive social tendencies (considered black magic) is common among religious groups around the world, not just in Puritan towns and Christian society.  This includes Native American tribes that feminists tend to idolize.  

When human beings lived in small villages, broken and dangerous people were much easier to identify and remove before they did significant damage.  In the new era of metropolitan isolation within mass population centers, they easily blend into the crowd.  Sometimes they are even celebrated as "visionaries" by Hollywood and the media.       

Modern feminists proudly draw connections to the subversive world of witches because they tend toward delusional fantasies of dominance.  Women, by their biological nature, lack any real ability to project power, so they fabricate notions of magical influence in their minds.  Some of the most popular women's trends today revolve around concepts of New Age "manifestation", which is just a modern way of believing in magic.

It's not surprising that feminists in the US in 2026 are flocking to "witchcraft communes", an idea recently applauded in a expose by The Guardian.  The outlet notes:

"Witchcraft retreats...have proliferated across the US and Europe over the last decade. The practice they’re built around resists easy definition. Equal parts ancient folk magic, herbal remedies and self-soothing rituals, it encompasses everything from the spellcasting done by self-directed pagans to solitary practitioners who scatter protective salts around their homes. If you buy a crystal, that’s witchcraft. If you practice manifestation, that’s witchcraft..."

"The retreat boom was foreshadowed by an interest in witchcraft that has grown since the counterculture movement in the 1960s, says Helen Berger, a Harvard Divinity School-based sociologist of religion and one of the leading scholars of contemporary paganism. While it’s hard to really identify a single catalyst driving women to witchcraft, Berger sees a pattern: spikes in alternative spirituality tend to coincide with spikes in anti-authoritarianism. In 1968, for example, several feminist groups co-opted occult imagery, adopted the acronym Witch..."

The reason witchcraft appeals so much to women on the political left is because leftist movements operate on the same value system - Meaning, they have no values.  The problem is, Atheism leaves an emotional and spiritual void, leaving people desperate for answers to questions that scientific explanation does not satisfy.  The occult promises people answers, but without all those nasty rules and responsibilities commonly attached to Christianity.

    

In other words, witchcraft is a religion for people who think they are above moral obligation.  People who think they can revolt against the natural order.  In this way, witchcraft and feminism are fundamentally the same thing.  The Guardian continues:

"Clauré hosts at least two witchcraft retreats a year, in Savannah, Georgia and Salem, Massachusetts; prices run anywhere from $2,700 to $5,200 to attend. She says women are searching for something beyond the slumber party Ouija board rituals that loosely inspired her retreats in the first place.  “The patriarchy is not good for anybody, men or women,” Clauré says. “Women have been inherently drawn to [witchcraft spaces] after being demonized or called hysterical or stigmatized. We’re so fucking sick of it that we’re gonna do things our way, whether you call it crazy or not.”..."  

"“If you look at the larger social gestalt right now, in which power is being systematically taken away from women and queer people, the traditional witch is the opposite of ‘right’ society,” says Sabina Magliocco, a professor of anthropology and religion at the University of British Columbia and a former Guggenheim fellow. “But if ‘right’ society is depriving women of rights, is excluding women, is saying that it is perfectly fine to sexually abuse women, that there aren’t going to be any consequences, then maybe being the opposite of right society is aligning with the forces of justice.”"

It's impossible to distinguish between the political rhetoric of modern witchcraft and feminists; they are symbiotic.  Fantasies of victimhood usually coincide with societal expectations.  Liberal women see basic laws, social norms and meritocracy as "oppressive".  But really, they are narcissists who refuse to accept that the entire world does not revolve around them and their wishes.  This is who witchcraft appeals to. 

The wider implications are serious, and not because these women have any real magical powers.  Rather, feminism and similar movements are a psychological plague that spreads, rotting nations from within.  If they face backlash it's not because they are female or queer, it's because they deliberately engineer disruption and encourage degeneracy that breaks society down.  They revel in chaos. 

The witches of old were burned at the stake for such behavior; behaviors which the "Patriarchy" kept in check before they infested the greater community.  Feminists are lucky that they're only mocked or shunned in modern times.         

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 15:45

The Guardian (UK)
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Four months after the horrific Iran school bombing, fears grow that Trump and Hegseth will bury the truth
A secretive investigation into the attack that killed at least 175 has concluded, reports suggest. Will its findings ever see the light of day?The attack on a girls’ elementary school in the Iranian town of Minab was one of the US military’s deadliest civilian bombings in decades. But nearly four months on, the Pentagon has produced no answers about why the military fired a Tomahawk cruise missile into a school on the first day of the war, killing at least 175 people, mostly children.Some critics doubt that the Pentagon ever will, or will bury the results under classifications to keep the worst mistakes secret from the public. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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I was made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts
Former pupils describe staff pelting them with footballs and pouring pints of blackcurrant over them.

ZDNet News
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I tested the new modular ThinkPad, and it's the repairable future I've been hoping for
Unveiled at CES, the 14th-gen Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Edition features a redesigned double-sided motherboard and modular components.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 22, #1107
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 22, No. 1,107.

CNET News
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Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 22 No. 841.

CNET News
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The Hill
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Mace on Trump endorsing both GOP runoff candidates in South Carolina: ‘LMAO’
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) joked about President Trump backing both Republican runoff candidates to be her state’s governor. Mace, who made her own bid for South Carolina governor this year, on Saturday replied to a Truth Social post from the president backing both candidates on the social platform X by saying, “LMAO,” using a common...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Netanyahu doubles on Lebanon, says Trump would do the same…
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu doubled down on remaining in Lebanon in order to keep Israelis safe in the north, suggesting President Trump would do the exact same thing. Watch below:

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Iran defiant as ever, says they don’t take Trump threats seriously
The terrorist regime that runs Iran is as defiant as ever, with their lead negotiator claiming they don’t take Trump’s threats seriously and that he should be more careful about this statments. . . .

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The questions facing England after awful fortnight
As English cricket deals with the fallout of an extraordinary two weeks, BBC cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt explores the questions hanging over the entire England set-up.

Mail Online
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Belgium vs Iran - World Cup Group G LIVE: Red Devils down to 10 MEN after controversial red card
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Belgium take on Iran in Group G at the Los Angeles Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes returns as England captain after ECB concludes nightclub investigation
Gus Atkinson said to be victim of ‘unprovoked attacks’McCullum admits to ‘ambiguity’ in team curfew rulesBen Stokes and Gus Atkinson have returned to England’s squad for the decisive third Test against New Zealand after the England and Wales Cricket Board concluded its investigation into the pair’s breach of the team curfew celebrating victory in the first game of the series.“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific ­contractual obligations that require England ­players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” the ECB said in a ­statement, in which it revealed that Atkinson had twice been attacked by the same individual. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Train driver killed in Bedford crash named as family pay tribute
Family of Shaun Burton, 60, say they are ‘devastated by his loss’ and their thoughts are ‘also with those affected’ Does Bedford train crash raise wider questions about safety?Police have named the driver killed in the Bedford train crash on Friday, as his family paid tribute to him.British Transport police said Shaun Burton, 60, was the East Midlands Railway driver killed in the collision between two trains on the line between Bedford and Luton that also left 100 people injured. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Support for UK monarchy hits record low – poll

Mail Online
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Jennifer Lopez enjoys concert night with Ben Affleck's child Fin and her own child Oskar
Lopez and Affleck's blended family unit has remained solid following the February 2025 finalizing of their divorce.

Mail Online
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US Open leader bemoans 'flat' crowd as New Yorkers leave early to catch trains home from Long Island club
The leader heading into the final round of US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island has bemoaned what he believes has been a lackluster crowd.

Mail Online
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Gisele snubs Tom Brady as she leaves his name out of Father's Day post... but gushes over Joaquim Valente
The 45-year-old supermodel shares 16-year-old son Benjamin and 13-year-old daughter Vivian with the NFL legend, 48, whom she divorced in 2022 after 13 years of marriage.

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham remains silent after dad David extended an olive branch on Father's Day while his wife Nicola Peltz shares gushing tribute to dad Nelson
Brooklyn Beckham has remained silent after his dad extended an olive branch to his estranged son after his DoorDash advert swipe earlier this week. 

TechRadar News
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I wanted to recommend this Hori gamepad as a cheap Steam Controller alternative, but it's just not worth your money

TechRadar News
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'Plastic trash is now a low-cost aircraft fuel': This new reactor system converts plastic waste into sustainable jet fuel with promising economics

Digital Trends
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Hackers leak facial recognition records tied to millions of Madison Square Garden visitors
A cybercriminal group has published what it claims are millions of records stolen from Madison Square Garden Entertainment. The leak is drawing attention not just because of its size, but because it includes facial recognition data, internal threat assessments, and detailed visitor profiles.

Digital Trends
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Intel Core 3 test shows it could give Windows laptops a fighting chance again MacBook Neo
Intel's upcoming Core 3 304 processor has appeared in new benchmarks, posting PassMark scores surprisingly close to Apple's A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo.

Slashdot
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Cops Keep Getting Arrested for Using Flock's Cameras to Stalk People
404 Media remembers how a Florida police office looked up his ex-girlfriend's license plate in the Flock automated license plate reader system at least 69 times in 2024 - even searching for her mom's license plate at least 24 times. The police office was charged with stalking and hacking-related offenses, serving one day in prison with five years of probation - but his case "was not a one-off." [Alternate link via Bruce Schneier]

Local news reports from around the country repeatedly detail police abusing the Flock surveillance system in order to stalk their partners or ex-partners. The contours of each story are much the same, with the police officer in question using their access to the system to repeatedly track a specific person over the course of weeks or months. The cases highlight the fact that Flock can be used to track the whereabouts of individual people, that police do not get a warrant in order to use the system, and that, if they have access to the system, they have the technical ability to look up any license plate they want for any reason they want. An April study by the civil rights group Institute for Justice found that at least 18 police officers have been caught around the country using Flock to stalk a romantic interest in the last few years; another database, called the ALPR Abuse Library, has documented 20 specific cases of "stalking/targeting" around the country.

The known cases of police stalking are almost certainly a vast underreporting of the overall abuse, because they largely include only cases in which the behavior was so egregious that it led to police officers being fired, arrested, or both. Flock told 404 Media that it is "aware of 15 incidents of abuse, each surfaced because of the transparency and accountability features deliberately built into our platform.... There are also 140,000 monthly active users of Flock, so the relatively rare instances of abuse, while obviously wrong and awful, are exactly that - rare," a Flock spokesperson told 404 Media. [One in 10,000.] "Humans are fallible; unlike most tools society provide law enforcement, Flock ensures that in the instances when our technology is misused, the evidence used to hold responsible parties accountable, is right there in our system. We also encourage all our customers to have a usage policy, regular training, and to implement our Audit Assistance tool, which proactively flags unintended use...."

But it is also the case that Flock has strenuously fought against lawsuits and potential regulations that are seeking to require police to get a warrant to use the system. And many cases of abuse have not been detected by police departments themselves but by those private citizens, journalists, and stalking victims who have found patterns of abuse in public records files they have obtained from their local police departments. In most cases of Flock-related stalking reviewed by 404 Media, the abuse occurred over the course of months or years, and the victims were subjected to dozens or hundreds of lookups. Other abuse cases have been discovered using the website HaveIBeenFlocked.com, a website that compiles Flock searches released via public records requests and turns them into a searchable database. Flock has repeatedly tried to get that website taken down, as we have previously reported.






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Uruguay v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email BeauBeau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what to know about Uruguay and Cape Verde before they meet in a few hours in Miami.Uruguay Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Serena Williams stuns fans with dramatic return to Wimbledon singles at 44 years old
The announcement comes just weeks after Williams made her official comeback to tennis - four years after her last professional match - at the Queen's Club's HSBC Championships.

Telegraph
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Lamine Yamal transforms Spain in demolition of Saudi Arabia
Lamine Yamal transforms Spain in demolition of Saudi Arabia

Gizmodo
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The John Ternus Era Will Reportedly Revive Apple’s Focus on Bold Design
Apple products used to be huggable toys. Are those days coming back?

ZeroHedge News
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Financial Times Hypes SpaceX's Dismal ESG Rating By MSCI, But Really Nobody Cares
Financial Times Hypes SpaceX's Dismal ESG Rating By MSCI, But Really Nobody Cares

The Financial Times appears eager to frame MSCI's decision to assign SpaceX the "lowest possible ESG rating" as a major reputational blow. However, the real story is that the entire ESG movement on Wall Street has imploded, and anyone grounded in reality and common sense has increasingly viewed the whole woke era as counterproductive.

"The triple C assessment means SpaceX has the same score as that awarded to the Russian state on MSCI's ESG government rating scale in the wake of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine," FT journalist Ramsay Hodgson wrote. 



This same ESG ratings regime gives triple-A ratings to oil majors and major defense companies, while giving one of America's most important rocket and space companies a bottom-tier grade. That only suggests there are major flaws in the ESG scoring model.

Here are the publicly visible MSCI ESG ratings: 

Oil/Gas



Defense



"Exxon is rated top ten best in world for environment, social & governance (ESG) by S&P 500, while Tesla didn't make the list!" Musk wrote on X several years ago. 

Musk is right... 

Companies With Good ESG Scores Pollute Just As Much As Those With Low Ones, New Analysis Finds
Here's what X users are saying:


Just checked. MSCI has handed Lockheed Martin the exemplary AA rating. They want you to believe the arms manufacturer has a more ethical and sustainable business model than a space exploration venture. Twisted.
— Ejder Memis (@_sHx_) June 21, 2026

None gives a flying fuck about ESG except people who want the west to fail.
— Packet (@PacketGroove) June 21, 2026

Elon Musk will never again be in the cool kids club and this is just another example of that. ESG is just another clique with its set of rules designed to welcome those firms that shackle themselves with silly rules.
It is great that Musk and Luckey as well, refuse to bend…
— Ken Hannig (@FlushingKenny) June 21, 2026

Its Time to permanently excise the term ESG from polite conversation, and ridicule those who use it.
— JayBlake (@punishedMTL) June 21, 2026

Right back at you MSCI pic.twitter.com/8tDnWjcmXt
— boog (@steevwithv) June 21, 2026

Proves to me that ESG is a f-ing joke.
— Matt (@grghost) June 21, 2026
Musk added, "ESG is a scam. It has been weaponized by phone social justice warriors."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 14:35

ZeroHedge News
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With Just 2 Weeks To Go Until 250th July 4th Celebration, How Much Higher Will Trump Pump Stocks
With Just 2 Weeks To Go Until 250th July 4th Celebration, How Much Higher Will Trump Pump Stocks

By Peter Tchir of Academy Securities

Getting Ready for the Most Beautiful HUGE Long Weekend Ever

I hope you are all enjoying the Juneteenth long weekend and Father’s Day. It seems like we just had a long weekend (because we did) and that another long weekend is almost upon us (because it is). While the 4th of July is always special, this being the 250th celebration of Independence is a big deal. I think the President will do everything in his power to make it a big deal. More on that in a moment.

The Deal, or Extended Ceasefire, or MOU

Academy’s Geopolitical Intelligence Group weighed in on the Iran deal on Thursday in the Signing of the MOU. That followed up on the Academy Podcast (which can also be found on iTunes and Spotify), recorded before details of the MOU were known, but covered much of what happened. A good listen if you are driving anywhere today! I’m sure the kids in the back seat would appreciate it.         

Over the weekend, the fragility of the deal is there for everyone to see! If this seems even more like a band-aid solution to get oil flowing while deciding how serious Iran is to committing to terms we want, while we determine if we are willing to re-escalate, then that is probably what it is! Academy will be keeping a close eye on developments. 

The Fed and Rates 

As discussed in our post-FOMC report The Warsh Task Forces, I think he did an excellent job at his first meeting. Rather than coming across as dovish and risking losing control of the long end of the yield curve, he not only hammered home on inflation (squarely placing the blame on prior decisions by the Fed, amongst other things), but he also created task forces, that by and large made sense. If I could get picked to go on any task force, I would beg and plead to be allowed to be part of the Data Sources task force. As anyone who has read the T-Report for a long time (it has to be approaching 15 years) knows, we consistently argue about Garbage In, Garbage Out. That we make so many important decisions on data that seems jumbled together at best, and outright wrong at worst. My favorite targets are: 

The entire collection process for the NFP data. Surveys? Really? Can’t we offer some reduction on payroll tax in return for providing timely payroll information? It wouldn’t be perfect, but would create a lot less noise around a large percentage of the work force. 

The Household Survey is deemed so wildly inaccurate that they don’t even highlight the job changes in that survey, but they use it for calculating the Unemployment Rate?
The birth/death model. We have argued again and again that this is a source of so many revisions because it does not capture what EIN (Employment Identification Number) requests mean in a “gig” or “side hustle” economy! 

CPI, starting with Owners’ Equivalent Rent. It has built in lags that only sample a fraction each month. It is still based on single family homes, rather than apartments. It is an estimate of what a homeowner could get if they rented. With so many indices out there showing real-time rent (including one the Cleveland Fed developed) it is time to ditch this. Though, since it is in CPI, it requires an act of Congress to change, since it impacts Social Security. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but wouldn’t bet on this no-brainer being fixed any time soon.
According to the CPI data Urban Medical Health Insurance costs the same today as it did back in 2019. I couldn’t say that with a straight face, yet it is part of CPI. If you wonder why many argue that the inflation numbers don’t match the real world, this would be pretty high on my list. My gut feel is that for most people (and corporations) health insurance premiums have gone up at least 25% (according to Grok) and that still seems low.
While Truflation has its own set of potential flaws, it does offer some useful insights and seems like just one of many alternative sources the government should look at.

At the risk of burying the lede, as we published on Wednesday after the meeting, we are moving to neutral on rates, rather than being bearish. Warsh removed some near-term tail risk to the long end.

Reducing the tail risk is significant and the MOVE index (a measure of implied volatility in the bond market) dropped to pre-Iran levels (the MOU helped as well, but the steep drop Thursday can likely be more attributed to Warsh than Iran).

Space and AI

If you missed last weekend’s report on the AI Revolution and Space – The NOW Frontier, it is a great time to catch up.



The topic generated a lot of discussion, with a good mix of people hating on the AI Revolution assessment – almost equal numbers of those who argued I was too pessimistic mixed with those arguing I was too optimistic

The 250th 4th of July Celebration

Why did we use “beautiful” and “HUGE” in the title? Because those are words the President likes to use when pumping something up. Whether we are talking about the ball room, or the reflecting pool, the President has been doing and saying things to spruce up D.C. We can argue (or choose not to argue) about hosting a “sporting” event on the White House Lawn. But this President is a showman, who likes a spectacle and the 250th anniversary is real, important, and is highly likely something that the President wants to go down in history for.



The reality is that the President by almost every poll is near or at the bottom of his approval ratings. I tried to use some of the Nate Silver polling info, but it was not conducive to cut and paste so I went with the Real Clear Politics one (not because I know much about it, but it was readily available on Bloomberg).

What do we know, with a high degree of certainty, about President Trump?

He likes winning! We all like winning, but he revels in it! He still wins club championship after club championship with a swing no one would try to mimic. He loves winning! The bigger and more beautiful the win, the better!
Current polls don’t show him as “winning.”

His attention and focus have been on Iran, but he can now shift his attention elsewhere.
Trump 2.0 delegates better than Trump 1.0, but nothing gets done as quickly as when he shifts his attention and focus to it. With the Iran war more or less behind us (or behind him, for now), look for him to focus on the Domestic Economy and things he can do to get his numbers higher!
I am going to mention Intel. From ProSec 2026 we published an entire paragraph on INTC (which is unusual for the T-Report, but was important enough that we did it). Here is the line that I want to highlight on why we were so bullish on this stock:
I find it difficult to see a world where the government doesn’t try to support the taxpayers’ investment in this company.

My thesis went well beyond that, but that is the part that we wanted to highlight! I strongly believed that the admin would support the taxpayers’ investment. On Thursday, the President put out a Truth Social post linking Apple to using Intel more. I am not sure either company confirmed it, but with only 2 weeks to go before the 250th anniversary, maybe this sort of “pump” by the President is going to be the norm?
We mention other companies and industries in that report (far more tickers than usual). I think we should revisit all of those tickers and a renewed focus and emphasis from D.C. on ProSec.

ProSec is going global. Europe is nearing a “Whatever it Takes” moment. Initially they started that march to the precipice kicking and screaming, while being pushed by the President and geopolitical risk. Europe is still by and large being pushed in this direction, with less kicking and screaming. There is increasing evidence that there are finally elements of leadership pulling them in that direction! (This applies to Canada too).

Bottom Line

The outlook for rates is more benign than at any time in the past few months. I’m not yet bullish, but certainly not bearish here. Look for the President to make announcements and pronouncements (I think there is a subtle difference) in the coming days as he almost certainly wants stocks to be at an all-time high and his ratings to be higher, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of winning Independence!

Hope you are enjoying this long weekend and Father’s Day and now the U.S. just needs to figure out a way to wedge in a long weekend in August! We could get used to monthly long weekends.

And once again, thanks for all of your support and thoughtful feedback as the world is evolving rapidly and Academy, with its Geopolitical Intelligence Group, is positioned to help navigate that evolution sectors and focus again on what areas will do well with

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 15:10

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open golf 2026: final round updates as leader Wyndham Clark pegged back – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottThe defending champion JJ Spaun didn’t make the weekend. Last year’s runner-up did, though, and Robert MacIntyre has finished his week with a level-par 70. He’s +7, and wouldn’t be human if he’s still not cursing Viktor Hovland for giving Spaun a read ahead of that tournament-winning putt. Meanwhile in other European news, Justin Rose has just made three birdies in a row, on 11, 12 and 13, to rise up the standings to +1. A top-ten finish within reach for the 2013 champ.There have been quite a few shots of both Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler going through their practice routines. Clark wedging an alignment stick through the loops of his trousers for real-time hip analysis; Scheffler missing a few short putts, which doesn’t augur well. Meanwhile here’s more good news for Clark courtesy of David ‘Not That One’ Howell: “The scoring variance has continued to be lower than in prior US Opens here, and low variance is obviously what a six-shot leader wants. Secondly, finding fairways doesn’t seem to be as important today. Lots of players have been scoring over par while hitting most fairways, and several of today’s best rounds have come in spite of missing a few. Considering that Clark has historically not been the straightest off the tee, it’s reasonable to assume he might find the fescue a bit under pressure, but that might not be a death sentence today.” Speaking of belt loops, any old excuse to enjoy the greatest zinger ever told … Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal fire Spain to emphatic win against Saudi Arabia
Luis de la Fuente said he wanted a new jumper for his birthday but this was even better. On the day the Spain coach turned 65, his players gifted him the perfect afternoon in Atlanta, the doubts from their opener blown away. Unable to find a way through in 97 minutes here against Cape Verde, this time they had celebrated putting three goals past Saudi Arabia before the first drinks break. Life is there to be enjoyed, Lamine Yamal had said, so they did. By the end it was four and it couldn’t have worked out any nicer.This was exactly the way the coach would have wished it. Lamine Yamal scoring 10 minutes into his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in April. Mikel Oyarzabal adding two more in the first “quarter”, Marc Cucurella forcing the fourth on 49, victory secured so early that De la Fuente could withdraw those players who needed protecting and give minutes to those that needed them, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams invited to join the party too. Unai Simón was the last to arrive, not making a significant save until the 80th minute. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Serena Williams to make Wimbledon singles comeback after being handed wildcard
Seven-time champion, now 44, continues on-court returnShe will also compete in doubles with sister VenusSerena Williams will make a stunning return to singles competition at Wimbledon after being announced as the tournament’s final wildcard on Sunday.Wimbledon will mark Williams’s first singles appearance in nearly four years after retiring from the sport at the 2022 US Open and it marks a dramatic escalation in her comeback. Continue reading...

CNET News
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The Best LED Face Masks That Will Improve Your Skin's Appearance
We tested popular FDA-cleared LED face masks to find the best ones for your home needs.

The Hill
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Mike Lee: Senate GOP must do 'hard work' to pass SAVE America Act 
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Sunday said Senate Republicans must do the "hard work" to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a voter ID bill touted by President Trump as his legislative priority. Lee told "Fox News Sunday" host Shannon Bream that the SAVE America Act makes "it easy to vote, hard...

The Hill
Open 
House Republican acknowledges Iran deal concessions: ‘A work in progress’
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) on Sunday acknowledged that there were concessions in the Iran deal as critics continue to raise concerns with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week.  “There are a lot of concessions, but let's keep in mind that this is a work in progress. And keep in mind that this memorandum...

The Hill
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Former Trump Defense secretary: 'I don't see that the president is always getting good advice'
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said he doesn't think “that the president is always getting good advice” from his advisers. “Do you trust that the president is being given advice by people who think their loyalty is to the Constitution?” NBC News’s Garrett Haake asked Esper, who served in President Trump's first term,...

Techdirt
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Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt
This week, MrWilson takers both top spots on the insightful side. In first place, it’s a comment about the growing global threat of internet age gates: One of the biggest benefits of the internet is the ability to talk to people outside your personal sphere. It’s similar to the exposure to diversity that a lot […]

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING: Trump calls out NATO ally for refusing to help with Iran
There’s been somewhat of a spat between President Trump and Italy Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, where Trump suggested she begged for a photo at the recent G7 and she countered that she . . .

Mail Online
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Jesy Nelson shares snap of her twin daughters' spinal braces as she urges fans to attend Parliament debate on SMA screening: 'Future SMA babies' lives don't need to look like this!'
The singer, 35, revealed in January that her now one-year-old twins had been diagnosed with SMA Type 1, a rare muscle-wasting condition.

Mail Online
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Girl and two boys are arrested on suspicion of murder after teen is stabbed to death in London: Victim is named
Jamal Coombes died from his injuries after he was stabbed on Glycena Road, Battersea.

Mail Online
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Woman dies on small boat trying to cross the Channel: Syrian man, 32, is arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
The 32-year-old suspect was taken into custody after arriving in Dover on Saturday afternoon with more than 90 others.

Mail Online
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Miranda Hart reveals her 'absolute biggest regret' - and how she gave into 'societal pressure'
'I think you have to really sit down and listen to your heart and go: "Is this bringing me joy? Is the idea of this path really exciting to me?'

Mail Online
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Serena Williams stuns fans with dramatic return to Wimbledon singles at 44 years old
The announcement on Sunday afternoon sent shockwaves through the tennis community, just weeks after agreeing to play doubles with her sister Venus.

FlightAware Squawks
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Law Enforcement Requested by American Airlines Flight in Philadelphia
In a startling event that happened earlier today, an American Airlines flight requested law enforcement on arrival into Philadelphia.

The Guardian (UK)
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Cerúndolo fights back in marathon three-hour Queen’s final to defeat Paul
Argentinian’s 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 triumph biggest of his careerGruelling match is the longest Queen’s Club finalAll week at the Queen’s Club, ­Francisco Cerúndolo has had an unlikely guest in his players’ box: the No 10 Argentina shirt of Diego Maradona. And on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Hand of God, Cerúndolo summoned tennis from the heavens to lift the biggest trophy of his career.But after fending off the American Tommy Paul 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in an epic that lasted a record three hours and two minutes, Cerúndolo said he had been inspired by another of his heroes: his father, Alejandro, who had flown to London to see him win. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m finalGeorgia Hunter Bell breaks 800m championship recordKeely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships.Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speed-work opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the women’s 400m final and began the usual pre‑race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led away, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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The new Wild West: Only a gun can make an American feel safe these days

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Lamine Yamal shows why this could be his World Cup
Spain looked an instantly better team with Lamine Yamal in the side, with the 18-year-old showing why this could be his World Cup.

Mail Online
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Pictured: Train driver killed in Bedford crash as probe focuses on signals and nine fight for life
One train smashed into the back of the other on the same line near Bedford just after 5pm on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Lamine Yamal on target as Spain put four past Saudi Arabia
Lamine Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first World Cup start as Spain beat Saudi Arabia to register their first win of the tournament.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Yamal shows why this could be his World Cup
Spain looked an instantly better team with Lamine Yamal in the side, with the 18-year-old showing why this could be his World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Trump and Iran's negotiator trade warnings as talks held in Switzerland
The US president, who is not at the talks, threatens to attack Iran if it does not restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes returns as England captain after ECB concludes nightclub investigation
Gus Atkinson said to be victim of ‘unprovoked attacks’McCullum admits to ‘ambiguity’ in team curfew rulesBen Stokes and Gus Atkinson have returned to England’s squad for the decisive third Test against New Zealand after the England and Wales Cricket Board concluded its investigation into the pair’s breach of the team curfew celebrating victory in the first game of the series.“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” the ECB said in a statement, in which it revealed that Atkinson had twice been attacked by the same individual. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Declan Rice reveals he has played through hamstring nerve pain for six months
Midfielder says schedule ‘obscene’ for club and countryBut adds he is ‘ready and fit’ for England game v GhanaDeclan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas as he reflected on the “obscene” number of matches he has played this season.The England midfielder sparked concern when he was forced off in the 72nd minute of the 4-2 World Cup win against Croatia last Wednesday. The problem relates to the upper hamstring, with the pain radiating into his lower back. But Rice described his substitution as “smart” and said he would be fighting fit for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Serena Williams to make Wimbledon singles comeback after being handed wildcard
Seven-time champion, now 44, continues on-court returnShe will also compete in doubles with sister VenusAmerican ⁠tennis great Serena Williams will make ⁠a ⁠stunning return ​to singles action at this ⁠year’s Wimbledon after being handed ⁠the final wildcard ​by ‌the All ‌England Club on ‌Sunday.The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, who has 23 grand slam titles in all, was already assured of a return ‌to the championships for the ​first time in four years after accepting a ⁠doubles wildcard with ​sister ​Venus. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Four-day extreme heat warning to begin on Monday as temperatures could hit 38C
A Met Office amber weather warning for heat comes into force on Monday and will now last through to Thursday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Wowcher sorry for 'unacceptable' crocodile attack email
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TechRadar News
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How to watch Uruguay vs Cape Verde: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

Digital Trends
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Apple’s era of wearable intelligence begins in 2027 and cameras will be a big part of it
Apple's next big AI push may not come through your phone at all. A new report suggests the company is preparing camera-equipped AirPods and its first smart glasses, signaling a major shift toward wearable intelligence.

Digital Trends
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Thanks to AI, a Chinese startup has figured out the priciest fusion energy bottleneck
Fusion energy has spent decades trapped in an expensive cycle of trial and error. Now, a Chinese startup believes AI-powered simulation software could dramatically accelerate reactor development by helping scientists test designs virtually before committing to costly real-world experiments.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iranian negotiators suspend talks with US in protest over Trump threats
US president has threatened to bomb Iran and kidnap negotiating team unless strait of Hormuz reopenedIranian negotiators have suspended high-stakes talks with the US in Switzerland in protest at a stream of threats issued by Trump to bomb Iran, and even to kidnap the Iranian negotiating team unless the strait of Hormuz is reopened.It was not clear if the Iran walkout was permanent or a symbolic show of protest. But before leaving the face-to-face talks in Burgenstock, Iran reached a draft agreement over how the US will issue a waiver lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, one of the key preconditions before Iran will open talks on its nuclear file. Continue reading...

Slashdot
Open 
After Six Years Of Work and Over 360 Patches, Linux 7.2 Finally Removes Bug-Prone strncpy
Tech Times reports:

Linux 7.2's merge window closed out a cleanup campaign on Friday that most kernel developers had stopped expecting to see end: the complete removal of strncpy(), a C string-copy function that the kernel's own documentation labels "actively dangerous," from every subsystem, driver, and architecture-specific file in the kernel source tree.

The merge landed June 20, 2026. After around 362 commits spread across six years of incremental work, no call site using the function remained, and the function itself - including the last per-CPU-architecture optimized implementations - was struck from the source. The removal matters beyond housekeeping. strncpy() is a persistent source of a specific class of memory error: kernel buffers that contain sensitive data can leak bytes past an unterminated string boundary, a pattern that enables memory disclosure vulnerabilities. Eliminating the function from the tree removes that entire class from the kernel's attack surface - and, critically, makes strncpy() unavailable to any future contributor, turning a best-practice suggestion into an enforced policy.

Phoronix notes it's replaced by five different functions:


In place of strncpy, Linux kernel code should use strscpy() for NUL terminated destinations, strscpy_pad() for NUl-terminated destinations with zero-padding, strtomem_pad() for non-NUL-terminated fixed-width fields, memcpy_and_pad() for bounded copies with explicit padding, or memcpy() for known-length memory copies.


"The reason five functions were needed," explains Tech Times, "is that different parts of the kernel were using strncpy() for five semantically distinct memory operations - each with a different intent, different termination requirement, and different padding behavior. "



The original function obscured all of those differences under a single ambiguous name. The 362-commit campaign to replace it was, in effect, a codebase-wide audit that forced every call site to declare its actual intent in code That is an engineering outcome with lasting value: the kernel's string-handling semantics are now explicit where they were previously implicit, and future maintainers can read a function name and understand what a copy operation actually does.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegraph
Open 
Yamal-inspired Spain back to their best as Saudi Arabia swatted aside
Yamal-inspired Spain back to their best as Saudi Arabia swatted aside

Russia Today News
Open 
What is the status of US-Iran talks and the Strait of Hormuz?

Mail Online
Open 
Iran WALKS AWAY from peace talks in protest after furious Trump's explosive outbursts threatening to 'blow the s*** out of them' and take over the country
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

The Verge
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Bose thinks it can be a media company for some reason
The history books are littered with the corpses of corporate record labels started by companies that had no business being in the music industry. Bose thinks it can be the exception to the rule. It thinks it can be Red Bull. And, while Bose has more of a right to dip its toes into the […]

Gizmodo
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The John Ternus Era at Apple Will Reportedly Revive Apple’s Focus on Bold Design
Apple products used to be huggable toys. Are those days coming back?

Gizmodo
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Marvel’s New Comics Universe Is Starting All at Once
Marvel wants its new 'Midnight' books to feel like a big deal, so they're getting a full week all to themselves.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
First Round Of Iran Talks Concludes In Switzerland With Fireworks, Threats Of Renewed War: 'Be Careful'
First Round Of Iran Talks Concludes In Switzerland With Fireworks, Threats Of Renewed War: 'Be Careful'

Summary

Round 1 ends: Vance cites "great progress" and says talks will continue.
Iran defiant, sees itself in strong position: Ghalibaf rejects US threats and links talks to a Lebanon ceasefire.
Trump raises stakes via some typical Truth Social lashing out: Warns on Hormuz, Lebanon, and keeps military options on the table.
Nuclear progress?: Some reports say not addressed, others suggest framework already being worked on.



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Israel withdraws from Lebanon by July 31, 2026?
Yes 12% · No 88%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

First Round Switzerland Talks Concluded, But with Some Ending Fireworks

Al Jazeera is reporting that talks have 'concluded' - but is this in actuality a premature conclusion given all the tension and heated issues of disagreement which came to the forefront?

GHALIBAF: THEY'D BE BETTER OFF BEING CAREFUL W/ THEIR REMARKS
IRAN'S GHALIBAF: WE DON'T ATTACH ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO US THREATS
IRAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GHALIBAF COMMENTS ON X
IRAN WILL END TALKS W/ US IF ISRAEL WON'T LEAVE LEBANON: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS TRUMP'S THREAT IS A 'BLATANT VIOLATION' OF MOU
Below is a machine translation of what Iran's lead negotiator just issued on X as the day in Switzerland came to an end (also, another translation)...


"Do they not realize that if their threats actually worked, they wouldn't find themselves in today's position of desperation? We don't take American threats seriously.

They should be careful about what they say. Our armed forces stand ready to answer them in other ways. They can keep talking—it's we who take action."


This is immediately on the heels of Trump playing 'bad cop' to Vance's good cop, who has expressed some cautious optimism on Sunday from Switzerland. Bloomberg is reporting that the nuclear file was not dealt with in today's engagement.

The fact that the Swiss event happened at all can be called advancement on some level at least...


This is historic!
Not because US and Iranian diplomats haven't met face to face before. Or that they haven't been on camera before (they were regularly during the JCPOA talks)
But never at the Vice President level!
You can see both Aragchi and JD Vance in this clip. pic.twitter.com/jeNBPeQmgr
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) June 21, 2026
Rumors of Iranians already calling it quits are false, reports Axios:


A diplomat attending the talks in Switzerland claims the Iranian delegation hasn't left and talks between the U.S. and Iran are still ongoing https://t.co/oQ1UkXwqYv
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 21, 2026
 

Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table

With Vance and Witkoff in Switzerland, President Trump is still issuing some US redlines via Truth Social, and via apparent 'official leaks' - and quite quickly - through the press.

Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel. A fresh Sunday Truth Social... brief but firm:


And more on some fresh reported warnings and pressure coming from Trump:


"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
As the American delegation continues the high-stakes negotiations in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating, the White House is projecting cautious optimism while simultaneously reminding Tehran that military options remain firmly on the table.

Speaking as talks entered a critical phase, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday from Switzerland Washington has "made great progress over the last few hours" and expects "additional progress in the coming hours," describing the negotiations as an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations. Vance emphasized that the administration's preference is not to return to the cycle of confrontation, adding that the US is willing to fundamentally transform ties with Iran if Tehran permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"The question is how much more we can achieve in the Middle East," Vance said, while expressing confidence regarding the Lebanon front and signaling satisfaction with ongoing efforts to contain broader regional escalation.

"Better Watch His Mouth": Trump to Iran President via Media

Yet Trump has just delivered a stark reminder of the consequences should negotiations fail. According to Fox News, Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway.


President Trump spoke with the Iranians overnight warning them not to close the Strait.
"You close it and you won't have a country," Trump said he told Iranian officials. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
Perhaps most notably, Trump reiterated that he retains a "60-day option" and can "do whatever" he deems necessary after that period expires, a statement widely interpreted as preserving the possibility of renewed military action. The president also reportedly threatened additional strikes against Iran should Tehran's regional proxies in Lebanon resume attacks or undermine the emerging diplomatic framework.

The result is a familiar carrot-and-stick approach as talks are unfolding under the shadow of explicit US military threats and a rapidly approaching deadline that could determine whether the region moves toward détente or another round of escalation. But Iran has also made known that it is ready of a long war, but will Trump be willing to risk enduring the political and economic fallout?

Qatari, Pakistani Top Leaders Present, Optimistic Initial Statements

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has formally confirmed the launch of the talks between the United States and Iran with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side along with envoy Steve Witkoff. Also gathered at the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, are Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Qatar has expressed "its aspiration that these meetings will lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the Memorandum of Understanding." Iran has reiterated it wants a comprehensive settlement and final end to the war. But it also demands a final Lebanon-Israel peace settlement be linked in. Already there could be an inkling of progress on the nuclear front:

PAKISTAN:US, IRAN AGREED ON REDUCTION OF ENRICHED URANIUM LEVEL
PAKISTAN:IRAN'S ENRICHED URANIUM TO BE REDUCED FROM 60% TO 0.7%
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS QATAR TO RELEASE $6B AS TALKS START: IRNA
Screengrab via Government of Pakistan footage

The last time Vance sat physically across from Iran's lead negotiator Ghalibaf was a full ten weeks ago, in mid-April. Interactions appear to initially be only through intermediaries, which will build up to face-to-face meetings, as happened in prior failed rounds. 

What to Expect in 1st Round Format

Qatar's foreign ministry has previewed the following planned format to the opening of the talks as follows:

The ministry statement says “specialized technical and expert groups have been formed to negotiate the terms of the final agreement, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran.
“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor progress achieved, and work toward the conclusion of the final agreement,” it added.
“This reflects the commitment of all parties to moving forward in the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”
Of course, in terms of "implementation" of just the MoU itself, things are not quite there yet, as sporadic fighting and Israeli aerial attacks continue in Lebanon, which could serve to derail the Switzerland process at any moment.


After roughly 45 min, the bilateral meeting between FM @araghchi and his Swiss counterpart @ignaziocassis came to a close at Bürgenstock Hotel. Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to commence shortly at another venue on the same premises. pic.twitter.com/hOmovguWFs
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
Additionally, Iran has declared it has 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz just this weekend, but which the US military has been denying is a reality. VP Vance in media appearances has also been downplaying it.

The Lebanon situation seems the bigger, more pressing threat to the peace process - at least from Tehran's point of view. Dozens of people in Lebanon have been killed while at least six Israeli soldiers have been slain, with 20 wounded over past days of Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.

Trump Between a Rock & A Hard Place Where Escalation is Concerned

As a reminder, President Trump doesn't want to oversee an economic catastrophe driven by a worldwide energy crisis. It seems he's ready to anything to not let it happen under his watch:


President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent “economic catastrophe” if the war was not resolved soon.

“So rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn’t want to be,” Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened. But all I know is, every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.


And so judging by this and other of recent Trump admissions, Iran clearly enters Switzerland in very strong negotiation position. Its current rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz also reveals this.


JD Vance met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Switzerland.pic.twitter.com/5bteI1Vtyu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 21, 2026
Tehran has accused the US of a "clear breach of its commitments" and announced Saturday that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

More Details on Format

For more on the details of the format, CNN has reported some further information in the following:

When and where do the talks start? US and Iranian negotiators will begin their meeting at around 1 p.m local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, an Iranian source told CNN.
Who will be there? Both the United States and Iran have sent high-level officials to Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance is heading up the US side, while Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will lead Tehran’s delegation, Iranian media outlet Saberin News reported Saturday.
What format will they take? Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, who is part of the Iranian team, earlier told state media “the Iran-US talks will be held in a quadrilateral format, with the presence of Pakistani and Qatari delegations.”
What will be discussed? Lebanon is likely set to top the agenda after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah threatened the nascent agreement between the US and Iran. Vance says he hoped he would make advancements on negotiations surrounding the handling of Iran’s nuclear materials.
Long Road Ahead

To put things in perspective about the long road ahead, analyst and reporter James Bayes - who is on the ground for the talks in Switzerland, has offered the following: "This is a very different deal from the Iran nuclear deal that was done by [former US] President Barack Obama … things have changed completely. But I think it’s worth looking at that deal for one reason, which is the timeline – how long these things take."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne. Pool via AP

"Because when they did an interim deal then, in November 2013 until the final deal in 2015, it took 597 days," the correspondent added. "So, even though the circumstances have changed – it’s a very different deal and they’ve got the knowledge of that deal as well which is helpful – it’s a lot to do in just 60 days."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 13:00

Cruising the Cut
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Vlog 402: Crop Top
Part 3 of my trip to Cropredy from Wigrams Turn down the south Oxford canal, here I descend the Claydon lock flight with much assistance from lock volunteers, do a further three locks myself and arrive at Cropredy just as it starts raining.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Serena Williams to make singles comeback at Wimbledon
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Crowdfund Insider
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Leicestershire win in top tier for first time since 2003: county cricket day three – as it happened
Leicestershire, Notts, Hampshire and Derbyshire all win inside three days while Ben Stokes returns for Test dutyAnd Essex are in real trouble now with Dean Elgar and his limpet like qualities gone, lbw Stone for 42. Essex 65-4, trail Notts by 208. Nick Friend of The Cricketer was at Chelmsford for the first two days and tells me that Essex prepared a pitch for Harmer, only for Patterson-White to rip through them on day one. Harmer finished with a five-fer too – his first in 36 games(three years) for Essex.Great little knock this by Ollie Robinson, now 66. His last 100 was against Notts last May. Durham 383-9. Continue reading...

The Hill
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Trump says UK prime minister Starmer ‘will resign’
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Booker says 'Iran gets all of the benefits' in Trump deal 
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Trump admin’s coal investments assist plants with repeated violations

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Yamal on target as Spain put four past Saudi Arabia
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Mail Online
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David Beckham impresses wife Victoria with his 'massive broad beans' and jokes 'size does matter' in hilarious innuendo-filled post
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Mail Online
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Boy, 15, is hailed a hero for saving two men who got into trouble at sea after falling from inflatable toy boat
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup Group H RECAP: European champions claim dominant victory
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Pollock and Smith tune into Springbok summer after on-song Saints' Prem triumph | Robert Kitson
Attention switches to England’s tour squad announcement as the Northampton and Exeter players patch up and press onOf all the celebratory snapshots of Northampton’s Prem final triumph, perhaps the best was the morning-after picture of Henry Pollock and Fin Smith in bed with the trophy accompanied by backing vocals from Frank Sinatra. “That’s life, that’s what all the people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m going to change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June …”Talk about suitably perfect lyrics. Saints may have finished top of the regular-season table but when they were being smashed 41-17 at Leicester on 9 May they looked far from dead certs to collect a second title in three years. To have claimed it on the occasion of their captain, George Furbank, making his final Saints appearance made it all the sweeter for Pollock, Smith and all his other close compadres. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Belgium v Iran: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/8pm BST/5am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielHayes is working tonight and so is Roy Keane – a happy chance, given the Father’s Day card my buddy Tinny received this morning.In the UK, the undoubted star has been the wonderful Emma Hayes. I remember the first time I heard her co-commentate, many years ago now on BBC radio. Her ability to identify what sets the pattern of a match, simplifying complex tactical plans without being patronising, but making clear she’s the expert and compelling us to listen, is unique. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump threatens fresh attacks on Iran as peace talks take place in Switzerland
US president tells Iran to stop Hezbollah ‘causing trouble’, while Tehran continues to demand full ceasefire in LebanonDonald Trump has threatened to attack Iran again unless it stops Hezbollah “causing trouble”, as direct talks took place in Switzerland with the Iranian demand for a full ceasefire in Lebanon at the top of the agenda.Iran said it had remounted its blockade in the strait of Hormuz in protest at the continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon and said Trump was allowing Israel to breach the memorandum of understanding signed by the US president and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, last week. The memorandum clearly calls for a ceasefire on all fronts, but Israel killed more than 30 people in attacks on Saturday in central and southern Lebanon. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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At 56, I was appalled by my barrel-shaped meno-belly. Then I discovered this simple diet and lost 12lb in two weeks. Within three months I went from a size 16 to 8 - and I'm eating MORE than before. This is what you need to do
When I hit the menopause in my 50s my body started changing. At 5ft 4in, I developed that classic barrel-shape.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open golf 2026: final round updates as Wyndham Clark starts with big lead – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottThe defending champion JJ Spaun didn’t make the weekend. Last year’s runner-up did, though, and Robert MacIntyre has finished his week with a level-par 70. He’s +7, and wouldn’t be human if he’s still not cursing Viktor Hovland for giving Spaun a read ahead of that tournament-winning putt. Meanwhile in other European news, Justin Rose has just made three birdies in a row, on 11, 12 and 13, to rise up the standings to +1. A top-ten finish within reach for the 2013 champ.There have been quite a few shots of both Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler going through their practice routines. Clark wedging an alignment stick through the loops of his trousers for real-time hip analysis; Scheffler missing a few short putts, which doesn’t augur well. Meanwhile here’s more good news for Clark courtesy of David ‘Not That One’ Howell: “The scoring variance has continued to be lower than in prior US Opens here, and low variance is obviously what a six-shot leader wants. Secondly, finding fairways doesn’t seem to be as important today. Lots of players have been scoring over par while hitting most fairways, and several of today’s best rounds have come in spite of missing a few. Considering that Clark has historically not been the straightest off the tee, it’s reasonable to assume he might find the fescue a bit under pressure, but that might not be a death sentence today.” Speaking of belt loops, any old excuse to enjoy the greatest zinger ever told … Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Belgium v Iran: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/8pm BST/5am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielIn the UK, the undoubted star has been the wonderful Emma Hayes. I remember the first time I heard her co-commentate, many years ago now on BBC radio. Her ability to identify what sets the pattern of a match, simplifying complex tactical plans without being patronising, but making clear she’s the expert and compelling us to listen, is unique.If I’m honest, I can’t say I love Henry as a pundit, though I think he’s got loads better lately. It’s brilliant when ex-players get into coaching and become obsessed with the detail – their punditry goes to an entirely different level, as we’ve seen in the UK with Robbie Savage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal fire Spain to emphatic win against Saudi Arabia
Luis de la Fuente said he wanted a new jumper for his birthday but this was even better. On the day that the Spain coach turned 65, his players gave him the perfect afternoon in Atlanta, all the doubts from their opener blown away. Unable to find a way through in 97 minutes here against Cape Verde, this time they put three past Saudi Arabia before anyone had even stopped for the first drink. Life is there to be enjoyed, Lamine Yamal had said and they did.Lamine scored ten minutes into his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in April and Mikel Oyarzabal added two more in the first quarter. By the end it was four and it could hardly have worked out more nicely, Spain’s victory secured so early that the coach could use the occasion to offer opportunities to those that needed them, Mikel Merino and Nico Williams invited to join the party too. De la Fuente said that Spain wanted to be Spain again, and here they were. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer expected to announce exit plan to clear way for Burnham to become PM
Ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions on Monday morning with an autumn departure the most likely optionKeir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure on Monday morning, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister without a formal contest by the autumn.Cabinet ministers say Starmer will set out his intentions outside No 10 Downing Street, starting a process of the UK installing its seventh prime minister in a decade. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11792 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Huddersfield (CityFibre) (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 18:00

End: Sun, 21st Jun 2026 18:00

Clear: Sun, 21st Jun 2026 18:00

Edited: Sun, 21st Jun 2026 19:09

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'What a player!' - Kapp's unbeaten 81 stuns India
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BBC Top Stories (US)
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Watch: Today at the Test - fifth day highlights
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US Open golf 2026: final round updates as Wyndham Clark starts with big lead – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottA lovely moment on 18 as the 17-year-old amateur Miles Russell walks up 18. The youngest player in the field is on in regulation, and having hit his approach, wears a smile as wide as Long Island itself as his caddie hands his official vest and bag of clubs over to his dad. Father and son make the last walk up the fairway together, and that is such a sweet moment. Russell Sr. (not that one, Pulp fans) helps Miles line up his final putt, a long right-to-left swinger that nearly drops. A tap-in for par and a final round of 70. He finishes the week at +7. His playing partner today, fellow amateur Jackson Koivun of North Carolina, birdies for a 68 and finishes at +5. He’ll be keeping an eye on what Ryder Cowan gets up to: the only player left who can beat Koivun to Low Amateur status and the Jack Nicklaus Medal has bogeyed 2 and is currently +3 overall through 4.Joaquin Niemann might be the one to take advantage of the relatively benign conditions. Out in 33, the Chilean, much touted as a major champion in waiting, has subsequently birdied 10 and now 13 to move to four under for his round, and +1 overall. He’ll be cursing his opening round of 78, and that toddler’s tanty on the par-four 6th, at which he took 11 strokes. A septuple bogey! Two tee shots out of bounds, a back-and-forth with the referee in a doomed attempt to get relief from fire ants in the fescue, and a two-shot penalty for a coptered club. Oh Joaquin! He’s currently +1 for the tournament, and in theory, if we factor out the butterfly effect and linear nature of history, would now be just one off the pace sans meltdown. A lesson for all you kids out there: keep your cool, it pays in the long run. (Though it is fun to launch a club in a fit of pique. Well, it is. It might not be right but it is. I don’t write the rules.) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Belgium v Iran: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/8pm BST/5am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielIran, meanwhile, make three changes. In defence, Rezeaelen is out, with Hardani in, while the change in formation, 4-4-2 to 5-4-1, sees Kanani also picked, with Yousefi excluded from midfield; and finally, Moghanlu is sent to the bench, with Hajisafi making space.Rudi Garcia, the Belgium manager, makes four changes to the side which drew with Egypt. At right-back, Castagne is replaced by De Cuyper; in the pivot, it’s Raskin not Onana; Doku is ill, so Saelemaekerrs comes in; and up front, Lukaku is fit enough to start, so De Ketelaere drops out. Continue reading...

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Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnThe Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente had this to say in his Saturday press conference: “This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up... It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”Four changes for Spain: Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena also come into the side with Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Gavi dropping out. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer expected to announce exit plan that will clear way for Burnham to become PM
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How to watch Belgium vs Iran: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026, team news

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Two decades ago, using a “borderless Cloud” to house data felt like an exciting innovation. And in reality, it was. Companies jumped at the ability to create, store, and organize their data in the Cloud. They could access it from anywhere. The scale, speed, and affordability were attractive.   Efficiency was clearly better with this approach to data storage and […]

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We're live now with No Agenda episode 1879 #@pocketnoagenda
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ZeroHedge News
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Billionaire Tax Officially Heads To Nov. 3 Ballot
Billionaire Tax Officially Heads To Nov. 3 Ballot

Authored by Madeline Shannon via The Center Square,

The controversial union-backed billionaire tax in California is officially heading to the Nov. 3 ballot.



Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced the California Billionaire Tax Act exceeded the number of signatures it needed to qualify for the general election.

The initiative aims to impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on the Golden State’s billionaires to generate $100 billion in revenue. The tax would apply to assets like art, stocks and bonds. That money would be used to help backfill reductions in federal funding to K-12 schools, health services provided by Medi-Cal and aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as CalFresh in California, according to previous reporting by The Center Square.

Representatives from the advocacy group Billionaire Tax Now and the union backing the tax, Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West, did not respond to The Center Square before publication time.

However, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spoke to The Center Square on Thursday about the tax measure advancing to the midterm election ballot in November.

“If you want a budget deficit in perpetuity, pass this,” Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, told The Center Square. “What happens is, these folks are now going to Florida and everywhere else, and not only are they leaving, but they are the ones investing in a lot of these jobs. Those jobs now are fleeing California, and we’re going to lose them, dramatically, going forward.”

The Golden State’s billionaires will take their billions and create jobs in other parts of the country – not in California, Strickland added.



“The minute this passed, we would be in a budget deficit in perpetuity,” Strickland said. “If you care about funding education, if you care about funding health care, if you care about funding transportation infrastructure, you’ll vote no on this initiative, because we won’t be able to fund essential services in California.”

California’s ongoing budget deficit, which the Legislative Analyst’s Office recently projected would amount to $16.9 billion, is largely due to expenditures exceeding revenues under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s most recent budget proposal. That was in spite of the fact that Newsom attempted to solve the state’s budget deficit through 2028, according to previous reporting by The Center Square.

While some, like Strickland, see the potential passage of the billionaire tax making the state’s budget woes worse, there is still support for the measure.

“I agree with the proposal overall,” Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, D-Pasadena, told The Center Square. “I agree overall with the idea that billionaires and corporations need to pay their fair share. We’ve seen inequality grow in an alarming way, and frankly, I think most Californians are sick of it.”

No one was available from Billionaire Tax Now or Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West to answer questions about the ballot measure’s progress. When asked if anyone was available to answer questions, a representative from Billionaire Tax Now sent a press release via email.

According to previous reporting by The Center Square, even the potential passage of the tax has sent some billionaires packing who previously called California home. Earlier this year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg bought a mansion in Florida. Other billionaires also relocated to other states, including Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Palantir Technologies and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and venture capitalist David Sacks.

A February 2026 report from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that the mere proposal of the wealth tax could be costing the state $1 trillion in revenue with the departure of multiple billionaires already. One economist predicted that passage of the tax could eventually cost the state $25 billion in revenue, The Center Square previously reported.

However, a healthcare worker who advocate for the measure previously told The Center Square that if billionaires leave the state, they are only showing their own greed.

“We need to put humanity first over greed,” Debru Carthan, a radiologic technologist for Kaiser, told The Center Square in March. “This is about being our brothers’ keeper. Those who leave California – they are showing their greed. They’re showing their selfishness. And the very patients who will die are the ones who helped them make the billions that they have now.”

According to Business Insider, there are more than 200 billionaires who live in California.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 11:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Feeling Emboldened After Attacks On Moscow, Zelensky Threatens Belarus With Military Action
Feeling Emboldened After Attacks On Moscow, Zelensky Threatens Belarus With Military Action

Ukraine is feeling more confident of late as its long-range drones have made the Moscow area - as well as dozens of oil refineries across the country burn.

Zelensky if seeking to flex yet again in recent days by issuing an ultimatum to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, threatening that close Russian ally and 'Union State' Belarus could face attacks out of Ukraine if it fails to dismantle the air defense radar array along its southern border.

The Ukrainian leader even issued a timeline and deadline, in a social media post on Friday night telling Lukashenko to "remove that equipment."
Reuters/Sky News

"I think a week is enough for him to do that… If he doesn’t do it, we will," Zelensky threatened. Zelensky added that "Russia will keep pushing him further into this war" - but that Lukashenko now "understands that Ukraine will respond."

Belarus has been involved in Russia's 'special military operation' from the beginning, having played the role of staging area and logistical hub for the initial invasion and some subsequent attacks.

Importantly it is also hosting Russian tactical nukes, which is clearly a loud warning and threat to NATO.

Addressing these factors, Zelensky also alleged that the Belarusian army "adjusts fire on our people." He stressed in the statement that "today, Belarus is one of the key suppliers for the Russian army."

A major incident just unfolded due to a Ukrainian drone strike on Belarusian civilians, which Lukashenko dubbed an act of terrorism:


The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it summoned a senior Ukrainian diplomat to protest a deadly drone strike on a bus carrying a Belarusian youth soccer team.

Belarusian and Russian authorities accused Ukraine’s military of targeting the vehicle as it traveled through Russia’s western border region of Bryansk on Wednesday. A woman accompanying the team was killed, and six others, including four teenagers, were wounded.

Following the incident, federal investigators in Russia launched a terrorism probe. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attack as “another monstrous crime.”


Ukraine, for its part, has rejected that its forces were behind the attack, dismissing the whole incident as a "provocation" and suggesting a false flag or manufactured event.
Attack on Belarusian bus. MAX/Moscow Times

Days ago Lukashenko demanded answers for the bus attack, accusing Ukraine of seeking to drag his nation into the conflict and that it "will have to pay dearly for that."

Throughout the war there's actually been surprisingly little in the way of direct Ukraine-Belarus fighting and confrontation, but this could change. Officials fear this would catapult the over four-year long conflict into a bigger regional war.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 12:15

ZeroHedge News
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California Declares State Of Emergency Over Los Angeles Warehouse Fire, Smoke
California Declares State Of Emergency Over Los Angeles Warehouse Fire, Smoke

Authored by Melanie Sun via The Epoch Times,

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday after the Los Angeles mayor asked for state disaster support in the wake of an ongoing warehouse fire that continues to burn more than three days after it started on June 17.

“California is mobilizing to support Los Angeles as firefighters and emergency personnel continue their work to contain this fire and protect surrounding communities,” Newsom said in a statement.

The state has predeployed public health and emergency resources to the city, including 5.5 million N95 masks and commercial-grade air purifiers for community facilities.

“We are coordinating closely with our local partners, deploying specialized expertise, and pre-positioning critical supplies so communities have the support they need both now and throughout recovery,” Newsom said.

Caroline Thomas Jacobs, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), said in a statement that her agency is “working side-by-side with the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and our regional partners to ensure they have the resources, information, and support necessary to respond to this incident.”

“The State of Emergency allows us to further streamline coordination efforts and leverage additional state capabilities as needed,” she added. “Our focus remains on protecting communities and supporting locally led response operations.”

The state is also assisting with “enhanced air quality monitoring and technical support resources,” Newsom’s office said.



Smoke is still emanating from the fire at the warehouse, which first responders are struggling to completely extinguish due to a lack of visibility inside the massive cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights—located just five miles southeast of downtown LA.

According to an update earlier Saturday from Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore, the risk from hazardous materials at the warehouse has been contained.

The damaged facility connects food products to approximately 10 million people, said Lineage Logistics, the private owner of the supply chain hub.

Local news stations showed smoke billowing from the burning roof of the 491,000-square-foot warehouse, where it is believed to have started around 2:30 p.m. on June 17. The roof of the facility is covered in solar panels.

The roof fire was extinguished within six hours, but firefighters are still struggling to gain entry to parts of the interior due to a buildup of thick smoke.

“We have 85 million pounds of frozen food inside of this facility and the way the building has been laid out, it’s very difficult for us to get in there because there’s zero visibility inside,” Moore said

“Our firefighters are not able to just go in there and start moving pallets.”

Earlier Saturday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city needed state assistance to safely dispose of the millions of pounds of spoiling biowaste in a way that will avert a major environmental disaster.

Lineage said Saturday that the cause of the fire has still “not been determined.”

“We are working closely with local officials to assist in all investigations and remediations of the fire and will continue to do so as we cleanup once the site is safe for entry,” its statement read.

No workers at the warehouse were injured during the fire.



A firefighter walks down the street as a massive warehouse fire at a cold storage facility continues to burn and spread smoke around Los Angeles city on June 20, 2026. Mario Tama/Getty Images

A Complex Incident

The Los Angeles Fire Department said in its latest update at 8 p.m. Saturday that water dumps from the air have concluded for the night, and that ground crews will remain remain actively engaged in suppressing the fire with the assistance of the department’s structural firefighting robot.

The department said that due to the large volumes of water dropped on the warehouse, firefighters have observed “areas of wall instability” at the warehouse, and the fire continues to produce significant smoke.

“This remains a complex, long-duration incident that will require sustained operations,” it concluded.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, the department said that over the last three days, with the changing wind, the smell of smoke from the fire had spread to most of the city. Residents, particularly individuals with sensitivity to smoke, have been encouraged to limit their exposure.

Shelter-in-place notices were issued on Wednesday for neighborhoods immediately surrounding the fire due to the hazardous burn and heavy black smoke. That was lifted later in the evening after the initial roof fire containment, only to be reinstated on Thursday after the fire flared up with a change in wind direction.

It was lifted again on Friday morning, although a smoke advisory remains in place for particle pollution from the drifting plume.

“As firefighting efforts progress, smoke may continue to affect air quality throughout the region,” the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) said in a Saturday midday update. “PM2.5 levels may increase overnight as winds die down. On Sunday morning, a change in wind direction may push smoke towards Southeast LA County. If the fire is still producing a significant amount of smoke on Sunday afternoon, it will continue to impact Central and East Los Angeles.”

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 12:50

ZeroHedge News
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First Round Of Iran Talks Concludes In Switzerland With Fireworks, Threats Of Renewed War: 'Be Careful'
First Round Of Iran Talks Concludes In Switzerland With Fireworks, Threats Of Renewed War: 'Be Careful'

Summary

Round 1 ends: Vance cites "great progress" and says talks will continue.
Iran defiant, sees itself in strong position: Ghalibaf rejects US threats and links talks to a Lebanon ceasefire.
Trump raises stakes via some typical Truth Social lashing out: Warns on Hormuz, Lebanon, and keeps military options on the table.
Nuclear progress?: Some reports say not addressed, others suggest framework already being worked on.



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Israel withdraws from Lebanon by July 31, 2026?
Yes 12% · No 88%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

First Round Switzerland Talks Concluded, But with Some Ending Fireworks

Al Jazeera is reporting that talks have 'concluded' - but is this in actuality a premature conclusion given all the tension and heated issues of disagreement which came to the forefront?

GHALIBAF: THEY'D BE BETTER OFF BEING CAREFUL W/ THEIR REMARKS
IRAN'S GHALIBAF: WE DON'T ATTACH ANY SIGNIFICANCE TO US THREATS
IRAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER GHALIBAF COMMENTS ON X
IRAN WILL END TALKS W/ US IF ISRAEL WON'T LEAVE LEBANON: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS TRUMP'S THREAT IS A 'BLATANT VIOLATION' OF MOU
Below is a machine translation of what Iran's lead negotiator just issued on X as the day in Switzerland came to an end (also, another translation)...


"Do they not realize that if their threats actually worked, they wouldn't find themselves in today's position of desperation? We don't take American threats seriously.

They should be careful about what they say. Our armed forces stand ready to answer them in other ways. They can keep talking—it's we who take action."


This is immediately on the heels of Trump playing 'bad cop' to Vance's good cop, who has expressed some cautious optimism on Sunday from Switzerland. Bloomberg is reporting that the nuclear file was not dealt with in today's engagement.

The fact that the Swiss event happened at all can be called advancement on some level at least...


This is historic!
Not because US and Iranian diplomats haven't met face to face before. Or that they haven't been on camera before (they were regularly during the JCPOA talks)
But never at the Vice President level!
You can see both Aragchi and JD Vance in this clip. pic.twitter.com/jeNBPeQmgr
— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) June 21, 2026
Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table

With Vance and Witkoff in Switzerland, President Trump is still issuing some US redlines via Truth Social, and via apparent 'official leaks' - and quite quickly - through the press.

Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel. A fresh Sunday Truth Social... brief but firm:


And more on some fresh reported warnings and pressure coming from Trump:


"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
As the American delegation continues the high-stakes negotiations in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating, the White House is projecting cautious optimism while simultaneously reminding Tehran that military options remain firmly on the table.

Speaking as talks entered a critical phase, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday from Switzerland Washington has "made great progress over the last few hours" and expects "additional progress in the coming hours," describing the negotiations as an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations. Vance emphasized that the administration's preference is not to return to the cycle of confrontation, adding that the US is willing to fundamentally transform ties with Iran if Tehran permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"The question is how much more we can achieve in the Middle East," Vance said, while expressing confidence regarding the Lebanon front and signaling satisfaction with ongoing efforts to contain broader regional escalation.

"Better Watch His Mouth": Trump to Iran President via Media

Yet Trump has just delivered a stark reminder of the consequences should negotiations fail. According to Fox News, Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway.


President Trump spoke with the Iranians overnight warning them not to close the Strait.
"You close it and you won't have a country," Trump said he told Iranian officials. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
Perhaps most notably, Trump reiterated that he retains a "60-day option" and can "do whatever" he deems necessary after that period expires, a statement widely interpreted as preserving the possibility of renewed military action. The president also reportedly threatened additional strikes against Iran should Tehran's regional proxies in Lebanon resume attacks or undermine the emerging diplomatic framework.

The result is a familiar carrot-and-stick approach as talks are unfolding under the shadow of explicit US military threats and a rapidly approaching deadline that could determine whether the region moves toward détente or another round of escalation. But Iran has also made known that it is ready of a long war, but will Trump be willing to risk enduring the political and economic fallout?

Qatari, Pakistani Top Leaders Present, Optimistic Initial Statements

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has formally confirmed the launch of the talks between the United States and Iran with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side along with envoy Steve Witkoff. Also gathered at the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, are Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Qatar has expressed "its aspiration that these meetings will lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the Memorandum of Understanding." Iran has reiterated it wants a comprehensive settlement and final end to the war. But it also demands a final Lebanon-Israel peace settlement be linked in. Already there could be an inkling of progress on the nuclear front:

PAKISTAN:US, IRAN AGREED ON REDUCTION OF ENRICHED URANIUM LEVEL
PAKISTAN:IRAN'S ENRICHED URANIUM TO BE REDUCED FROM 60% TO 0.7%
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS QATAR TO RELEASE $6B AS TALKS START: IRNA
Screengrab via Government of Pakistan footage

The last time Vance sat physically across from Iran's lead negotiator Ghalibaf was a full ten weeks ago, in mid-April. Interactions appear to initially be only through intermediaries, which will build up to face-to-face meetings, as happened in prior failed rounds. 

What to Expect in 1st Round Format

Qatar's foreign ministry has previewed the following planned format to the opening of the talks as follows:

The ministry statement says “specialized technical and expert groups have been formed to negotiate the terms of the final agreement, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran.
“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor progress achieved, and work toward the conclusion of the final agreement,” it added.
“This reflects the commitment of all parties to moving forward in the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”
Of course, in terms of "implementation" of just the MoU itself, things are not quite there yet, as sporadic fighting and Israeli aerial attacks continue in Lebanon, which could serve to derail the Switzerland process at any moment.


After roughly 45 min, the bilateral meeting between FM @araghchi and his Swiss counterpart @ignaziocassis came to a close at Bürgenstock Hotel. Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to commence shortly at another venue on the same premises. pic.twitter.com/hOmovguWFs
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
Additionally, Iran has declared it has 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz just this weekend, but which the US military has been denying is a reality. VP Vance in media appearances has also been downplaying it.

The Lebanon situation seems the bigger, more pressing threat to the peace process - at least from Tehran's point of view. Dozens of people in Lebanon have been killed while at least six Israeli soldiers have been slain, with 20 wounded over past days of Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.

Trump Between a Rock & A Hard Place Where Escalation is Concerned

As a reminder, President Trump doesn't want to oversee an economic catastrophe driven by a worldwide energy crisis. It seems he's ready to anything to not let it happen under his watch:


President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent “economic catastrophe” if the war was not resolved soon.

“So rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn’t want to be,” Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened. But all I know is, every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.


And so judging by this and other of recent Trump admissions, Iran clearly enters Switzerland in very strong negotiation position. Its current rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz also reveals this.


JD Vance met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Switzerland.pic.twitter.com/5bteI1Vtyu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 21, 2026
Tehran has accused the US of a "clear breach of its commitments" and announced Saturday that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

More Details on Format

For more on the details of the format, CNN has reported some further information in the following:

When and where do the talks start? US and Iranian negotiators will begin their meeting at around 1 p.m local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, an Iranian source told CNN.
Who will be there? Both the United States and Iran have sent high-level officials to Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance is heading up the US side, while Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will lead Tehran’s delegation, Iranian media outlet Saberin News reported Saturday.
What format will they take? Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, who is part of the Iranian team, earlier told state media “the Iran-US talks will be held in a quadrilateral format, with the presence of Pakistani and Qatari delegations.”
What will be discussed? Lebanon is likely set to top the agenda after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah threatened the nascent agreement between the US and Iran. Vance says he hoped he would make advancements on negotiations surrounding the handling of Iran’s nuclear materials.
Long Road Ahead

To put things in perspective about the long road ahead, analyst and reporter James Bayes - who is on the ground for the talks in Switzerland, has offered the following: "This is a very different deal from the Iran nuclear deal that was done by [former US] President Barack Obama … things have changed completely. But I think it’s worth looking at that deal for one reason, which is the timeline – how long these things take."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne. Pool via AP

"Because when they did an interim deal then, in November 2013 until the final deal in 2015, it took 597 days," the correspondent added. "So, even though the circumstances have changed – it’s a very different deal and they’ve got the knowledge of that deal as well which is helpful – it’s a lot to do in just 60 days."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 13:00

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Is Furious With Senate GOP, Puts Thune In His Crosshairs
Trump Is Furious With Senate GOP, Puts Thune In His Crosshairs

Donald Trump does not like the word "no." He likes it even less when it comes from John Thune, the Senate majority leader whose job description apparently does not include telling the president what he wants to hear. That dynamic has now spilled into public view, and the fallout says as much about the state of the Republican Party as it does about any single piece of legislation.



The flashpoint is the SAVE America Act. The House passed it back in February, but it remains stalled in the Senate due to the Democrats’ filibuster.

The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, mandate voter ID at polling places, and sharply curtail mail-in voting. For Trump and a sizable chunk of the conservative base, this is common-sense election integrity; polls show tremendous bipartisan support for it.

Trump has grown tired of waiting. Last week, he tied the SAVE America Act to FISA Section 702 reauthorization, the surveillance authority that lets intelligence agencies monitor foreign nationals without a warrant. Congress let that authority lapse for the first time since 2008, and Trump made clear he intends to use it as leverage. "I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it," he posted on Truth Social. That is not a man asking nicely.

Thune was unmoved.

"The president has his own mind, makes his own decisions," he said. "So do we."

Read that as you like, but it does not sound like a man rushing to fall in line.

According to a person close to Trump who spoke with The Wall Street Journal, the president's frustration stems from being told “no” rather than "no, let me try." 

A Thune ally pushed back on the Journal's reporting, arguing the majority leader is not the real obstacle here. Trump simply does not have the votes. That is a fair point, and it gets at something deeper than personal chemistry: the SAVE America Act faces a math problem before it faces a Thune problem.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told the Journal that Thune is "telling the president the truth" and that "the problem is the president doesn't like hearing that when it frustrates what he wants to do." Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) offered a gentler diagnosis, describing the clash as one of temperament rather than substance. Trump's "skill set is to vocalize everything," she said, while Thune's is "more quietly engaging." She added, "I don't think they're mutually exclusive." Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) never one to pass up a colorful comparison, likened Trump to the ruthless sales trainer from Glengarry Glen Ross during a closed-door GOP lunch, according to Punchbowl News. On the Senate math itself, Kennedy was characteristically blunt with the Journal: "I mean, I want a Porsche for my birthday. I'm not going to get it."

Trump has not limited himself to public jabs, either. He summoned House Speaker Mike Johnson to the White House to discuss personnel disputes and the lapsed FISA law, conspicuously leaving Thune out of the conversation. He has also been quietly polling Republican senators on their views of Thune's leadership, a clear signal that his patience with the majority leader is running thin.

Sources also told The Daily Caller that Thune privately admitted to GOP senators during a closed-door lunch on Wednesday that some Republicans simply will not back the SAVE Act because they cannot stand Trump, regardless of the bill's merits.

The admission reportedly set off a heated exchange between Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), the bill's chief sponsor, and colleagues, including Cornyn, who challenged Lee's push alongside Thune.

"Yeah, that totally happened," one source familiar with the meeting told The Daily Caller. Thune's office denied the account outright, calling it "a baseless claim" that is "unequivocally untrue."

A president quietly canvassing his own party and questioning the Senate majority leader’s leadership is a power struggle over who actually runs the Republican agenda. Trump clearly sees Thune as a roadblock he's preparing to remove.

 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 13:25

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BREAKING: Iranian delegation walk OUT in protest after Trump warning
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US Open golf 2026: final round updates as Wyndham Clark starts with big lead – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottLudvig Åberg birdies the last for a final round of 66. Another major championship of what-ifs for the young Swede, who it’s easy to forget is still only making his 11th major-championship appearance this week. He ends the week at +3 and is the new clubhouse leader. Some more proof that there’s a score out there for the chasing pack. Only problem being, it’s also out there for Wyndham Clark, and look at the 64 he shot on Thursday when the wind was down.Meanwhile here’s a reminder of how easily a six-shot advantage can be whittled away on a major-championship Sunday … Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on Monday
Business secretary says Starmer is reflecting on ‘political realities’ amid overwhelming pressure from MPsKeir Starmer is expected to announce on Monday that he will step down as prime minister, after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham to become Labour leader.Speaking for the government on Sunday, Peter Kyle, the business secretary, refused to comment on Starmer’s specific plans but said the prime minister was aware of the “political realities” and would do what was best for the country. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Tribute to driver killed in Bedford train crash
The family of Shaun Burton say they are “devastated” by the loss.

Deutsche Welle
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Romania's Dan taps new PM, breaks democratic norms
President Nicusor Dan has nominated a new prime minister, without consulting Romania’s governing parties. Critics accuse Dan of breaking democratic rules.

Mail Online
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Pictured: Train driver killed in Bedford crash as probe focuses on signals and nine fight for life
The driver who died in a train crash near Bedford has been named as 60-year-old Shaun Burton.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Family of driver killed in Bedford train crash 'devastated' by loss
The family of Shaun Burton say they are “devastated” by the loss.

The Guardian (UK)
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Keely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m finalGeorgia Hunter Bell breaks 800m championship recordKeely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships.Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speed-work opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the women’s 400m final and began the usual pre-race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led away, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open golf 2026: final round updates as Wyndham Clark starts with big lead – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottA six-shot lead, though. Courtesy of an old Joy of Six, here’s the story of how Arnold Palmer came from seven back in 1960 (though to be clear, 54-hole leader Mike Souchak was only two ahead of the field going into the final round).“You’re dead,” scoffed golf writer Bob Drum. He’d just been asked by Arnold Palmer, two times a Master but yet to land his national title, if a final-round 65 could win the US Open. “Nah, you’re too far back, Arnie. That would do nothing.” Palmer threw his half-eaten cheeseburger down – it was lunch between the third and fourth rounds of the 1960 tournament at Cherry Hills near Denver, the final 36 holes in those days all played on the Saturday – and left the locker room in the lofty state of high dudgeon.In fairness to Drum, his was a reasonable, if slightly tactless, response. Palmer came into the Open as the favourite, fresh from winning at Augusta, but he pushed his opening tee shot into a ditch, double bogeyed the first hole, and never quite got going. He’d putted poorly, and after three rounds was seven shots behind the leader Mike Souchak. There were 13 other players in between the two, including four-time winner Ben Hogan, Gary Player, former champ Julius Boros, the pop singer Don Cherry (!) and a promising young amateur called Jack Nicklaus. Yep, Arnie was dead. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Starmer considers political future as pressure to quit mounts
It comes as US President Donald Trump says on social media that the PM will resign, in a further blow to the Labour leader.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Signs grow that PM will resign with mood in government shifting
The BBC's Henry Zeffman and Nick Eardley on the mood in government as speculation grows about the prime minister's departure.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Starmer considers political future as pressure to quit mounts
It comes as Donald Trump says Starmer will resign, in a further blow to the embattled Labour leader.

BBC World News
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Parisians cool off in canal amid 'red alert' heatwave
France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country as temperatures soar to record levels.

The Guardian (UK)
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More than 2m Indian students resit medical entrance exam after alleged leak
Applicants forced to retake one of the world’s toughest admission tests after claims questions sold on TelegramMore than 2 million aspiring Indian doctors have sat one of the world’s toughest entrance exams for a second time after an alleged question paper leak forced authorities to scrap the original test results.Students arriving at test centres on Sunday were greeted by airport-style security. They were frisked, scanned, checked biometrically and made to pass through metal detectors while police and paramilitary personnel stood guard outside. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Pollock and Smith tune into Springbok summer after on-song Saints' Prem triumph | Robert Kitson
Attention switches to England’s tour squad announcement as the Northampton and Exeter players patch up and press onOf all the celebratory snapshots of Northampton’s Prem final triumph, perhaps the best was the morning-after picture of Henry Pollock and Fin Smith in bed with the trophy accompanied by backing vocals from Frank Sinatra. “That’s life, that’s what all the people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m going to change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June …”Talk about suitably perfect lyrics. Saints may have finished top of the regular-season table but when they were being smashed 41-17 at Leicester on 9 May they looked far from dead certs to collect a second title in three years. To have claimed it on the occasion of their captain George Furbank’s final club appearance made it all the sweeter for Pollock, Smith and all his other close compadres. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m finalGeorgia Hunter Bell breaks 800m championship recordKeely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships on Sunday.Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speedwork opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the 400 metres final and began the usual pre-race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led away, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open golf 2026: final round updates as Wyndham Clark starts with big lead – live
️ Updates from the final round’s play at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottIf Wyndham Clark doesn’t turn the 126th US Open into a procession, we’ll have one heck of a story on our hands. After a third round of 70 mainly constructed on a foundation of world-class scrambling, but also featuring one of the great US Open fairway woods to set up eagle at 16, Clark established a six-stroke lead …-7: Wyndham Clark
-1: Scottie Scheffler, Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim, Sam Stevens
E: Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell, Sam Burns, Xander Schauffele
+1: Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick
Selected others: Aaron Rai (+3), Rory McIlroy (+3), Gary Woodland (+3), Duston Johnson (+4), Justin Rose (+4) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Belgium v Iran: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/8pm BST/5am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielThe world is a different place at the moment, isn’t it? Macro level, it’s same as it ever was, but for those of us going about our business on the micro, there’s a serenity and a security; a sense of wellbeing that football has our back, that whatever else happens in our days, at some point, unstoppable joy awaits.But why? During the club season, the same rules apply – we have football almost every night, often of a higher standard and often involving teams that accompany us through life like a second skin– yet the World Cup touches in different places, building and immersing us in an entirely different reality. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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How to watch Belgium vs Iran: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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I took over 500 photos with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra to find out which is the better camera phone — the winner was clear

TechRadar News
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How to watch House of the Dragon season 3 online from anywhere

Mail Online
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup Group H LIVE: European champions FOUR in front as they cruise to vital victory
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Group H at the Atlanta Stadium.

Slashdot
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US Bill Would Mandate AI Chip Location Tracking to Thwart China and Other Adversaries
NBC News reports:


A group of companies that specialize in tracking international shipments of sensitive technologies is backing a Capitol Hill bill that would require America's most powerful AI chips to incorporate stronger security mechanisms aimed at preventing the chips from reaching China and other adversaries. The letter, signed by six companies, says the Chip Security Act (CSA) would increase American chip companies' competitiveness and close key loopholes in the U.S. export control regime.

The move clashes with claims from semiconductor lobbying groups that the requirements would constrain America's booming chip industry. Sent to congressional leadership Thursday morning and seen by NBC News, the dispatch instead argues that more robust security verification would assure chip customers and manufacturers that they are abiding by sensitive restrictions on chip sales. The companies argue that the boosted confidence will "lead to increased sales, faster export approvals, larger transactions, greater access to new markets, and more expansive chip deals."

Despite U.S. export control laws banning sales of advanced AI chips to certain countries, including China, loopholes in current requirements have allowed billions of dollars' worth of America's best AI chips to be sold to entities in third-party countries that can then forward them to China. In just one case in March, the Justice Department charged three people with conspiring to forward $2.5 billion of AI chips to China. The CSA aims to address those loopholes, mandating that chip exporters better track where advanced chips are sent, via either bespoke location-verification hardware or software that can run on existing hardware. That, bill proponents claim, would ensure that sensitive chips could be sold to countries like Malaysia or Indonesia without fear of further transfer to China... Experts say that because chips perform the advanced computations required for frontier AI systems, cutting off access to the chips is crucial to prevent geopolitical rivals from using AI systems for military or economic purposes.







Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
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Girl and two boys arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager
A girl and two boys have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager who was stabbed to death in south London.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
A tearful Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before the race.

Russia Today News
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Israel plans biggest West Bank settlement expansion in decades (VIDEO)

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Girl and two boys held over teen's fatal stabbing
Jamal Coombes was found fatally injured near Lavender Hill, Battersea, on Saturday morning.

Gizmodo
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‘Toy Story 5’ Almost Made Its Emotional Moment More Real
You're *shocked*, surely, but Pixar had an idea for how to make you cry even harder during 'Toy Story 5.'

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Ethiopia PM's party wins landslide as fears grow of new conflict
Abiy Ahmed's party retains its huge majority despite unrest in several parts of Ethiopia and tensions with its neighbours.

The Guardian (UK)
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Newsom declares state of emergency for LA as firefighters battle warehouse blaze
Crews struggle to contain stubborn fire that has raged for days and continues to spew smoke across the metro areaCalifornia’s governor has declared a state of emergency for the city of Los Angeles, as firefighters struggle to contain a stubborn warehouse blaze that has raged for days and continues to spew smoke across the metro area.The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, announced on Saturday that he was directing state agencies to provide “additional assistance and resources” to help battle the fire, located in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Keely Hodgkinson exits in tears from UK Championships but injury fears played down
British 800m record holder pulls out of 400m final‘I wasn’t feeling 100% – I didn’t want to risk anything’Keely Hodgkinson’s camp moved swiftly to play down concerns after the Olympic 800m champion withdrew from the 400m start line in tears just seconds before she was due to race at the UK Athletics Championships on Sunday.Using the weekend in Birmingham as a speedwork opportunity, Hodgkinson emerged for the 400 metres final and began the usual pre-race strides in her lane, only to stop, grimace and slowly make her way to the side of the track. After a few seconds of thought, she crouched down and started to cry before she was led into the bowels of the stadium, with the race going ahead in her absence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes returns as England captain after ECB concludes nightclub investigation
Gus Atkinson said to be victim of ‘unprovoked attacks’McCullum admits to ‘ambiguity’ in team curfew rulesBen Stokes and Gus Atkinson have returned to England’s squad for the decisive third Test against New Zealand after the England and Wales Cricket Board concluded their investigation into the pair’s breach of the team curfew celebrating victory in the first game of the series.“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” the ECB said in a statement, in which they revealed that Atkinson had twice been attacked by the same individual. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Thomas Partey in spotlight as he faces England and former Arsenal teammates after rape charges
Ghana midfielder has denied all accusations as he prepares to begin his World Cup campaign in Boston on TuesdayThe Football Association has remained coy over what will happen when England line up for their next World Cup match, against Ghana on Tuesday, and come up against a familiar opponent in Thomas Partey. The former Arsenal midfielder played for Villarreal this season, but will be released at the end of his contract this month.In the pre-match ceremony, all players are expected to shake hands with opponents and the FA will leave England’s players to decide whether they wish to go through the ritual with Partey. The squad includes two of his former clubmates, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Train driver killed in Bedford crash named as family pay tribute
Family of Shaun Burton, 60, say they are ‘devastated by his loss’ and their thoughts are ‘also with those affected’ Does Bedford train crash raise wider questions about safety?Police have named the driver killed in the Bedford train crash on Friday, as his family paid tribute to him.British Transport police said Shaun Burton, 60, was the East Midlands Railway driver killed in the collision on the line between Bedford and Luton that also left 100 people injured. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Taxi and Uber rider targeted in suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh, say witnesses
White Scottish man, 38, charged after five men were injured in spate of attacks in city on Friday nightWitnesses to the alleged knife attacks on Muslims and others in Edinburgh on Friday have described seeing a taxi and an Uber bike courier being targeted in Leith.The attacks, suspected of being directed against Muslims and people of colour, began near a mosque in the west of Edinburgh, followed by incidents on Leith Walk in the east of the city. Continue reading...

The Hill
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Mamdani looks to flex political muscle in key New York House primaries 
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is looking to use his political power to reshape New York’s congressional delegation less than six months after taking office. The popular mayor has made endorsements in multiple contests ahead of Tuesday’s House primaries in New York, including for progressive challengers to two sitting Democratic congressmen. One of these picks...

The Hill
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Protecting children is our common ground: Why we need the PLAN Act 
The PLAN for School Safety Act is a bipartisan bill that provides targeted grants to establish or strengthen expert-led, state-based School Safety Centers, which will provide customized consulting services to help local schools design, improve, and execute evidence-based safety plans tailored to their community's unique environment.

The Hill
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Graham on Iran deal: 'I think it's going to fail'
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday said he thinks the tentative deal between the U.S. and Iran will fail. "If you don't have a diplomatic path through the MOU, then you have to go to war, or some other form of coercion," Graham told "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan, referring to the memorandum of...

The Hill
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Susan Rice slams 'flimsy' Trump Iran MOU amid 'stupid war': 'This is a very bad outcome'
Former national security adviser Susan Rice railed against President Trump's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, ripping the 14-point agreement as "flimsy." "It's egregious, Jon," Rice told ABC News's Jonathan Karl Sunday, "because so many concessions were granted up front in this flimsy two-page memorandum of understanding that wouldn't normally and shouldn't have been granted...

Mail Online
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Pictured: Train driver, 60, who was killed in Bedford crash that injured 100
The driver who died in a train crash near Bedford has been named as 60-year-old Shaun Burton.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Little ingredients but well executed’: Prada design duo outline minimalist vision
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons say Milan fashion week collection demonstrates rejection of ‘useless design’Speaking backstage before the Prada show at Milan fashion week on Sunday, the co-designers Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons described their latest collection as “breaking the perception of what is perceived as typical luxury in high fashion right now”.This was a purified version of Prada. The design duo called it a “rejection of experimental shapes, techniques and decoration” distilling the collection to pieces that are “intentional and meaningful”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on nicotine: we shouldn’t buy the idea of addiction without harm | Editorial
The UN is set to review the legal status of nicotine. An outright ban would go too far, but there is no case for its easy availabilityThe health case for banning cigarettes is ironclad. As the then head of the World Health Organization, Gro Harlem Brundtland, put it in 2000, “a cigarette is the only consumer product which when used as directed kills its consumer”. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Many countries, including the UK, have taken strong measures to restrict and even ban cigarettes and other tobacco products. Over the past two decades, however, tobacco-free nicotine products such as vapes and nicotine pouches, which use a synthetic version of the addictive ingredient, have exploded in popularity.Regulation has been slow. The nation of Palau has now tasked the WHO expert committee on drug dependence with reviewing nicotine, which will lead to a UN vote – likely to be in 2028 – on banning it worldwide. The case relies partly on deciding whether addiction and dependence themselves – in the absence of other major health consequences – are harmful. There is certainly an argument for that, and smoking taught us that it is often better to stamp out highly addictive habits if consequences may become obvious later. But there is also reason for caution. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Israel and the West Bank: allies must protect Palestinian lives and livelihoods | Editorial
Rocketing violence and an economic chokehold have been overshadowed by conflict elsewhere, but the UK and others must stop looking awayThe “ceasefire” in Gaza is a “cruel and deadly illusion”, warned James Elder, the Unicef spokesman, on Friday. Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since its declaration in October, says the Gaza health ministry, including 265 children – an average of one a day.The killings and broader humanitarian crisis have been overshadowed by the war on Iran and have diverted attention from escalating violence in the occupied West Bank. Last week, former Israeli prime ministers, military chiefs and heads of security services were among the signatories of a letter accusing its government of “doing nothing to eradicate Jewish terror” there. Ehud Olmert, one of the former prime ministers, accused Israel of “an organized, systematic, state-funded campaign of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity”, with security forces assisting settler violence. Meanwhile, the army chief has reportedly described troops “killing like we haven’t killed since 1967”.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes returns as England captain after ECB concludes nightclub investigation
Gus Atkinson said to be victim of ‘unprovoked attacks’McCullum admits to ‘ambiguity’ in team curfew rulesBen Stokes and Gus Atkinson have returned to England’s squad for the decisive third Test against New Zealand after the England & Wales Cricket Board concluded their investigation into the pair’s breach of the team curfew celebrating victory in the first game of the series.“Stokes and Atkinson were found to have breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket,” the ECB said in a statement, in which they revealed that Atkinson had twice been attacked by the same individual. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Married Brazil soccer president embroiled in affair scandal amid claims he used federation funds to fly mistress to NYC before World Cup
Samir Xaud, 42, is alleged to have flown a woman to New York before traveling to Mexico City where he met his wife for the World Cup opening ceremony last week.

Mail Online
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The Tories are 'finished' declares Nigel Farage as he dismisses Kemi Badenoch's victory in Aberdeen South by-election as a 'protest vote' and defends Reform's loss in Makerfield
Despite Reform's hopes of running Andy Burnham close in the Makerfield by-election, the Labour politician secured a thumping win.

Mail Online
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Taylor Swift spotted boarding private jet in Rhode Island as bachelorette party rumors swirl
In exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail, the 36-year-old singer's private jet was captured taking off from Groton-New London Airport in Groton, CT.

Mail Online
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Sydney Sweeney jumps into Scooter Braun's arms as the couple pack on the PDA during Sydney stroll
The couple were seen packing on the PDA during a leisurely stroll in the glistening city, and at one point she even jumped in his arms for a warm embrace.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Family of driver killed in Bedford train crash 'devastated' by loss
The family of Shaun Burton, say they are "devastated" by the loss.

Sky News Home
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Ocado shops for successor to co-founder Steiner | Mark Kleinman blog

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'He's arrived' - Yamal scores the opener for Spain
Spain's Lamine Yamal scores the opening goal against Saudi Arabia in their Group H match in the 2026 World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Driver killed in Bedford train crash named
The family of Shaun Burton, say they are "devastated" by the loss.

Deutsche Welle
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Scottish police arrest man over Edinburgh attacks
Five people were injured in the attacks on Friday that were described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as being motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred."

Mail Online
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Police 'toned down' statement of mother whose hotel worker daughter was murdered by an asylum seeker in case it led to race riots
Rhiannon Whyte, 27 (pictured), was stabbed 23 times with a screwdriver by Sudanese national Deng Majek while waiting at a train station.

Mail Online
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup Group H LIVE: Mikel Oyarzabal doubles lead for European champions after Lamine Yamal opener
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Group H at the Atlanta Stadium.

Sky News Home
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Ocado shops for successor to co-founder Steiner: Mark Kleinman blog

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Three teens arrested over boy's fatal stabbing
Jamal Coombes was found fatally injured near Lavender Hill, Battersea, on Saturday morning.

The Guardian (UK)
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How much preventive health screening should I be getting?
Screenings can find treatable conditions before they’ve caused too much damage – but ‘overscreening’ can cause harmI couldn’t help but roll my eyes when tech entrepreneur and longevity influencer Bryan Johnson posted about his girlfriend’s “vaginal microbiome report” in April. (He said it was in the “top 1% of vaginas”.) While the vaginal microbiome is genuinely interesting, most clinicians don’t routinely recommend this test to patients.As medical technology has become more powerful – and more marketable – the line between helpful screening and unnecessary testing has blurred. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland review – Lewis Carroll’s familiar characters move in from the garden
Opera Holland Park, London Alice gets a musical-theatre belter, the ‘Drink Me’ Bottle performs soprano acrobatics and the Caterpillar smokes his hookah like Audrey HepburnWill Todd’s family-opera version of the Alice in Wonderland stories, premiered at Opera Holland Park in 2013 and well travelled since, has been something of a signature show for the company. For several years it was performed on mini-stages dotted around the lawn behind the theatre, with the audience following the musicians around. Now it has been brought into the main theatre, with Leslie Travers’s picture-postcard Victoriana set elements adapted by Ceci Calf, and with Martin Duncan reworking his original direction.Todd and his librettist Maggie Gottlieb give us some of the most familiar characters and scenes from Lewis Carroll’s stories and nudge them into a gentle rescue-story scenario. Alice is sheltering in a pet shop with her horrid brothers when she releases the White Rabbit from his cage and sets her Wonderland adventure in motion. Eventually, having puzzled with the Cheshire Cat, witnessed the demise of an Ofsted-worthy Humpty Dumpty (“regular assessment’s a social investment”) and had tea with the Mad Hatter, she saves her new friends from penal servitude in the Queen of Hearts’s jam-tart factory and finds herself back in the pet shop – where, thanks to the Rabbit having magically acquired opposable thumbs, all ends happily. The singers take their bows and then chat with the children who have been watching from cushions at the front. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Record-breaking heat expected across UK this week, says Met Office
Health alerts are in place as very high humidity adds to danger of heat stress for the most vulnerableThe Met Office has expanded its extreme heat warning for the UK, predicting record-breaking highs of 38C (100.4F) this week.The Met Office forecasts that extremely high temperatures could last from Monday until Thursday, leading to health concerns for elderly and vulnerable people. The forecaster said there was “growing confidence” that this week may break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton and Camden Square, London, in June 1957. It said there was a 25% chance of temperatures exceeding 40C. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stephen Lillie on the consequences of Andy Burnham’s byelection win in Makerfield – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Signs of the Boss in John Crace’s sketch | Brief letters
Bruce Springsteen | Lunch on the buses | Tram stops | Growing runner beans | Cryptic clueI always enjoy John Crace’s sketches. In fact, I usually turn to them first. I’ve noticed that he seems to be smuggling in Bruce Springsteen quotes and song titles. I think this is splendid, so I was really impressed that on Friday, he managed at least three. Namely, Glory Days, Reason to Believe and [The] Promised Land. Well done, John.Steve TownsleyWick, Vale of Glamorgan• Re your bus banter letters (18 June), my bus conductor Uncle Fred, in 1950s Brighton, was parked at the station having his lunch when a “bloke in a bowler hat” gets on and asks “Eaton Place, conductor?” To which he replied: “No mate, just cheese sandwiches.” He got an official reprimand and, I believe, a cut in his wages. Jennifer JeaterHassocks, West Sussex Continue reading...

Mail Online
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I thought you couldn't wear shorts past 50. Now I've realised you can - as long as you avoid these styles that will instantly age you and follow my flattering rules: SHANE WATSON
This time last year I received a very surprising present from my husband: a pair of sawn-off denim shorts. Actually, very surprising doesn't begin to cover it.

Sky News Home
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Driver who died in Bedford train crash that left 100 people injured is named
The driver who died in a train crash near Bedford in which 100 people were injured has been named as Shaun Burton, who was 60-years old.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Watch Spain v Saudi Arabia with our World Cup 3D Experience
Live coverage as Spain play their second game in Group H against Saudi Arabia.

Mail Online
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup Group H LIVE: Lamine Yamal strikes early to make his mark on the tournament
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Group H at the Atlanta Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Nipple cream and marbles: a few of the things our dogs love to eat | Letters
Readers respond to an article on the weirdest thing pets have eatenOn the strangest things eaten by dogs (‘She’d consumed a kilo of sand’: 11 Guardian readers on the weirdest things their dogs have ever eaten, 15 June), back in the 1960s, friends of mine in Hampshire had a dog, and they later got a kitten, which loved chasing marbles.The dog became rather slow and poorly, so was taken to the vet. An operation released 100-plus marbles accumulated in her stomach. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Lives are being ruined by undiagnosed hypermobility and lack of treatment | Letter
Ignorance around hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a public health catastrophe, say readers in response to an article on how sufferers have to wait 21 years for a diagnosisYour coverage of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is a vital start to addressing a systemic public health catastrophe (UK hypermobility sufferers wait up to 21 years for diagnosis, study suggests, 15 June). I am 34 and a former drama student who is unable to build any career as hEDS dismantled my life. The condition has made friendships and relationships very difficult.My decline began at 19 with surgeries; by 24, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and Hashimoto’s, and had a Beighton score, which is used to assess hypermobility, of 9/9. My life has been defined by chronic pain and fatigue. For eight years, my nervous system has been so unstable that I have frequently been unable to read, watch TV or tolerate light. At my lowest, I could not spell basic words or speak in coherent sentences. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham, Starmer and the Labour leadership | Letters
Readers respond to the former Greater Manchester mayor’s defeat of Reform UK in Makerfield and his return to WestminsterI have long admired Andy Burnham (Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit, 19 June). As mayor of Greater Manchester, he has been a powerful advocate for fairness, inclusion and regional investment. As someone who grew up in Manchester, I am proud of what he has achieved. That is precisely why I was disappointed to hear renewed speculation about a leadership challenge to Sir Keir Starmer.Many of us voted Labour in 2024 because we wanted stability after years of political turmoil. We were not looking for a political celebrity; we were looking for someone serious, competent and resilient enough to govern in difficult circumstances. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Declan Rice reveals he has played through hamstring nerve pain for six months
Midfielder says schedule ‘obscene’ for club and countryBut adds he is ‘ready and fit’ for England game v GhanaDeclan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas as he reflected on the “obscene” amount of matches he has played this season.The England midfielder sparked concern when he was forced off in the 72nd minute of the 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia last Wednesday. The problem relates to the upper hamstring, with the pain radiating into his lower back. But Rice described his substitution as “smart” and said he would be fighting fit for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Concerns over therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison
Prison officers’ union calls for immediate end to practice at HMYOI Wetherby over fears for child and animal welfarePet ferrets kept as therapy animals at the UK’s largest children’s prison have been co-opted by managers to kill rats, resulting in a bloody incident and concerns over child and animal welfare.The unorthodox method of vermin control was waved through last month at HMYOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire following a surge in rat numbers in prison offices and grounds. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
Open 
The Garmin Forerunner 170 was found to be extremely accurate during my treadmill test — despite packing Garmin's older heart rate sensing technology

TechRadar News
Open 
Study finds people are starting to fear sounding like AI — here's what to avoid so you don't suffer the same fate

Slashdot
Open 
The Rust Ecosystem Gets an AI Security Engineer in Residence
While the Rust Foundation has a Security Initiative to protect its ecosystem, "the threats have expanded," they announced this week, "and so has the kind of help maintainers need."

Much of this comes back to a single shift: Automated tooling (much of it now built on large language models) has gotten good enough to surface real vulnerabilities in open source code quickly and at scale. That is useful, and several large Rust projects have already received and fixed credible issues found this way. The same tooling has also made it trivial to generate vulnerability reports that look plausible and are worthless. Maintainers across the ecosystem are losing real hours sorting these from the reports that matter, and the noise tends to bury the signal.

So, with funding from the Alpha-Omega Project, the Rust Foundation is bringing on a full-time AI Security Engineer in Residence dedicated to the Rust ecosystem. This position is being funded with part of the $12.5M in open source security funding that the Linux Foundation announced in March.
The role exists to take pressure off maintainers. The person in this position will use a mix of human-led and AI-assisted methods to proactively review Rust itself and the crates the ecosystem leans on most and help us separate real, exploitable issues from false positives and low-signal noise before anything reaches a maintainer...

This role will run full-time for six months to start, with room to extend depending on what we learn and the funding available. Methods, playbooks, and prompts will be documented so the work doesn't end with the contract. We are grateful that Rust is not embarking on this work in isolation. Several other ecosystems have received parallel Alpha-Omega grants for the same kind of work (e.g., the PHP Foundation and the Drupal Association) and we plan to share tooling, triage practices, and what we learn rather than duplicating work

A statement from Rust's new AI Security Engineer in Residence acknowledges that "One of our next challenges is the wave of bugs discovered by the next generation of AI-powered developer tools."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
Get MS Office 2024 and a Premium Training Course for $106 during Deal Days
TL;DR: This Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business + Premium Microsoft Office Training Bundle gives you the software you want and the skills to use it for just $105.97 (reg. $409.99).
If you're someone who enjoys the simple things in life, this Microsoft Office Bundle deal may be just what you're looking for. — Read the rest
The post Get MS Office 2024 and a Premium Training Course for $106 during Deal Days appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Hodgkinson withdraws in tears as Anning wins 400m
Amber Anning takes the women's 400m title at the UK Athletics Championships with a new record time of 50.16, as an emotional Keely Hodgkinson withdraws from the final.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Arrest after man stabbed to death in south-east London
A man is arrested on suspicion of murder after another man was stabbed in south-east London.

The Aviationist
Open 
The B-45 Tornado: North American’s oft Overlooked Class of ’47 Bomber
During a relatively obscure service life, often overshadowed by the Boeing B-47, the North American B-45 made a significant contribution to the U.S. Air Force, including many pioneering ‘firsts.’ In the waning months of World War 2, the jet engine had been developed into a reliable propulsion source, and while nations began building arsenals of […]

Mail Online
Open 
POLL OF THE DAY: Is Kemi Badenoch right to rule out a deal with Reform?
Kemi Badenoch this week killed off any prospect of an electoral pact with Reform UK - emphasising differences between the Conservatives and Nigel Farage's party.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Declan Rice reveals he has played through hamstring nerve pain for six months
Midfielder says schedule ‘obscene’ for club and countryBut adds he is ‘ready and fit’ for England game v GhanaDeclan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in a hamstring since Christmas as he reflected on the “obscene” amount of matches he has played this season.The England midfielder sparked concern when he was forced off in the 72nd minute of the 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia last Wednesday. The problem relates to the upper hamstring with the pain radiating into his lower back. But Rice described his substitution as “smart” and said he was fighting fit for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison
Prison officers’ union calls for immediate end to practice at HMYOI Wetherby over fears for child and animal welfarePet ferrets kept as therapy animals at the UK’s largest children’s prison have been co-opted by managers to kill rats, resulting in a bloody incident and concerns over child and animal welfare.The unorthodox method of vermin control was waved through last month at HMYOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire following a surge in rat numbers in prison offices and grounds. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
Girl and two boys arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager - as victim named
A girl and two boys have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager who was stabbed to death in south London.

The Hill
Open 
How did basic literacy stop being a prerequisite for college?
American classrooms are seeing a decline in reading and math scores, which is a civilizational issue as it is linked to a decline in IQ scores, and is exacerbated by the use of AI which weakens judgment and the ability to think for oneself.

The Hill
Open 
Trump says UK prime minister Starmer ‘will resign’
President Trump on Sunday claimed that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to resign. “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!” Trump said Sunday morning, referencing the U.K.'s refusal to drill...

The Hill
Open 
Strait of Hormuz oil flow 'back towards normal': Energy secretary
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is returning "back towards normal," a day after Iranian officials signaled they would be closing the vital waterway due to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The Trump administration official said 67 ships went through the strait on Saturday, a slight...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Ethiopia's ruling party wins overwhelming majority in parliament
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party comfortably secured another parliamentary majority, defeating a fragmented opposition.

Mail Online
Open 
Bettina Trump hints she and new husband Don Jr may be thinking of starting a family together in gushing Father's Day post
Bettina, 39, took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday to post a touching tribute to Don Jr in honor of Father's Day, in which she said she 'couldn't wait to add to their beautiful family.'

Mail Online
Open 
Gemma Collins shares childhood throwback snap at Disney World as she gushes over her 'amazing' dad Alan in Father's Day tribute
Gemma Collins shared a childhood throwback snap at Disney World on Sunday as she marked Father's Day. 

Mail Online
Open 
'They're so lucky to have you': Meghan posts picture of Harry embracing Archie and Lilibet as she marks Father's Day with sweet photo - as Waleses pay tribute to the 'best papa' Prince William
The Duchess of Sussex posted the snap on Instagram alongside the caption: 'They're so lucky to have you. We all are. Happy Father's Day to our one and only.'

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Emotional Hodgkinson pulls out of UK 400m final
Keely Hodgkinson pulls out of the 400m final at the UK Athletics Championships moments before the race.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Colombians vote in runoff election expected to trigger shift in decades-long armed conflict
Frontrunner Abelardo de la Espriella has vowed to return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groupsGhost of far-right paramilitaries hovers over Colombia’s presidential runoff voteColombians are going to the polls in a presidential runoff expected to trigger a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict, now at its most violent point since the landmark 2016 peace agreement between the government and most of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).Polls show the frontrunner is the Trump-admiring far-right lawyer and millionaire businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, who has vowed to abandon President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” plan of negotiating the disarmament of all criminal organisations and instead return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Major disruption after Bedford train crash to continue for at least a week
Engineers need to create access for cranes to lift carriages from site before track can be assessed and repairedDoes Bedford train crash raise wider questions about safety?Major disruption on the rail line between Bedford and Luton will continue for at least a week after the collision of two trains which killed a train driver and injured 100 people.In a statement setting out the effects on some services until 28 June, Network Rail said the disaster had been a “tragic, isolated incident”. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple to Release These 20 New Products Across Rest of 2026 and 2027
Apple's annual WWDC developers conference is in the rearview mirror, but there is still a lot to look forward to over the next year and beyond.





In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman listed around 20 products that he expects Apple to release across the remainder of 2026 and 2027.



Now that the more intelligent and personal version of Siri has finally arrived in beta, a full two years after Apple first previewed it at WWDC 2024, we should begin to see some new devices that were reportedly postponed until the new Siri was ready.



Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches in September, Gurman said Apple's all-new smart home hub could still arrive this year. He is also expecting a foldable iPhone Ultra and long-awaited updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini. And a redesigned MacBook Ultra with an OLED display is expected by early next year.



Here is what to expect from Apple by the end of 2027, according to Gurman and other sources.



iPhones

iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, a Dark Cherry color option, variable aperture for at least one rear camera, Apple's C2 modem with support for 5G web browsing via satellite, and more.

iPhone 18 Pro Max: The same features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Pro Max model may or may not be slightly thicker.

iPhone Ultra: A foldable iPhone Ultra with a 7.7-inch inner display and 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and more. iOS 27 is expected to be tailored for the foldable iPhone, allowing for side-by-side apps and other iPad-like multitasking functionality.

iPhone Air 2: The addition of an Ultra Wide camera, an A20 chip, and longer battery life.

iPhone 20 Pro and iPhone 20 Pro Max: Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone models are rumored to feature a "nearly edge-to-edge display" with "curved glass that wraps around the sides."

Apple WatchesApple Watch Series 12: A faster S11 chip or newer, plus design changes such as Touch ID and/or more health sensors (disputed).

Apple Watch Ultra 4: A faster S11 chip or newer, plus design changes such as Touch ID and/or more health sensors (disputed). There may also be additional satellite features for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and newer, such as Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos with Messages via satellite.iPadsiPad 12: A16 chip → A18 chip or A19 chip with Apple Intelligence support.

iPad mini: A17 Pro chip → A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system, and a water-resistant design.

Macs

Mac Studio: M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips → M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.

Mac mini: M4 and M4 Pro chips → M5 and M5 Pro chips.

iMac: M4 chip → M5 chip, plus new color options.

MacBook Ultra: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 or early 2027, with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. On this laptop, which will reportedly be named MacBook Ultra, macOS 27 is expected to offer a touch-friendly interface.Home, AirPods, Smart Glasses

Apple TV: A17 Pro chip with support for the more personalized Siri, and Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.

HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for the more personalized Siri, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red.

HomePod: A new full-sized HomePod that supports the revamped Siri.

Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring the more personalized version of Siri, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. Place it on a table or mount it on a wall.

AirPods Ultra: AirPods with cameras for Siri AI/Visual Intelligence.

Apple Glasses: Apple is rumored to be planning smart glasses with oval-shaped cameras, custom frame designs, and more.Tags: Bloomberg, Mark GurmanThis article, 'Apple to Release These 20 New Products Across Rest of 2026 and 2027' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
AirPods Pro 3 Return to Record Low $169 Price Ahead of Prime Day
Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $169.00 in an early Prime Day sale, down from $249.00. This is an all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, beating the previous low by $10.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.



$80 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $169.00



Shoppers should note that this price has been heavily fluctuating on Amazon today, so if you don't see it when you click, there is a chance that it will return soon.



Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'AirPods Pro 3 Return to Record Low $169 Price Ahead of Prime Day' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
Open 
AI scandal rocks the German media
Two leading German newspapers have deleted articles created with the use of artificial intelligence. Many fear an increasing reliance on AI will damage the credibility of German media outlets.

BBC World News
Open 
Half of France under red heat alert as alcohol banned at street music festival
Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday, and authorities warn they could match historic highs.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Stokes and Atkinson found 'blameless for violent conduct' as pair return to squad
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached “contractual obligations” but were blameless for “violent conduct” in a London nightclub, according to an investigation.

Mail Online
Open 
Moment HSTikkyTokky's friend escapes death by split second after nearly colliding into speeding vehicle during live stream
Footage shows the manosphere influencer's pal, known only as Amo, flinching and yelping in terror as he comes within millimetres of being struck by a bus.

BBC World News
Open 
Half of France under red heat alert as alcohol banned at street music festival
Temperatures have been forecast to peak on Monday, and authorities have warned they could match historic highs.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Marco Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP race after slapping track marshal
Italian apologises for incident in Saturday sprint raceMarc Márquez wins Sunday’s main event in BrnoThe MotoGP championship leader, Marco Bezzecchi, was banned from Sunday’s Czech GP after slapping a track marshal in the face after a crash in Saturday’s sprint, MotoGP said.The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps to go. Footage on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running towards a marshal, pushing him and then slapping him in the face as the steward was standing over his bike in the gravel. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Sell-out crowds and joy: how Queen’s Club women’s tournament outshone the men | Tumaini Carayol
Serena Williams’ appearance plus Raducanu and Boulter doing so well put the men’s event in the shade this yearOne of the more amusing sights at the Queen’s Club tournament each year comes before even entering the grounds. On the first day of play on Monday, a deluge of spectators invariably descend on Barons Court station, just 150 metres from the entrance.So many people passing through a tiny London Underground station naturally means long queues at the barriers. That congestion is not helped by many of them pausing comically in front of the gates to search frantically for their bank cards or try desperately to unlock their phones. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
REVEALED: The hidden costs of retirement properties that make them impossible to sell...from laundry fees to sub-letting charges
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

BBC World News
Open 
Half of France under red heat alert as alcohol banned at street music festival
Annual street parties attended by millions ordered to help “preserve” healthcare services in 40C (104F) heat.

BBC World News
Open 
Nobel Peace Prize winner triumphs at Ethiopian polls but fears grow of new conflict
Abiy Ahmed's party retains its huge majority despite unrest in several parts of Ethiopia and tensions with its neighbours.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
India news: Millions of students retake NEET amid protests
Some 2.2 million premedical aspirants are retaking the high-pressure entrance test across India under strict security measures. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi is in Kolkata for International Yoga Day.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
A Ukrainian family built a community in Cleveland. Now, they face deportation
After the US said seeking affordable medical care for their son would not impede their re-entry, Tamila Vashchuk and her 10-year-old were issued removal orders Tamila Vashchuk and her husband, Mykola, are minor celebrities in this corner of Ohio.The Ukrainian couple have appeared on the cover of local magazines and been invited onto morning television shows. En route to building a successful pierogi food business, they’ve met with the governor. A recent law graduate from Cleveland State University, Mykola is hoping to do his bar exams someday. Most Sundays, they volunteer at the local church. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tom Gauld on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Marco Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP race after slapping track marshal
Italian apologises for incident in Saturday sprint raceMarc Márquez wins Sunday’s main event in BrnoThe MotoGP championship leader, Marco Bezzecchi, was banned from Sunday’s Czech GP after slapping a track steward in the face after a crash in Saturday’s sprint, MotoGP said.The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps to go. Footage on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running towards a steward, pushing him and then slapping him in the face as the steward was standing over his bike in the gravel. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Grimsby Town devastated by death of Alex Hughes, 38, son of Mark Hughes
Hughes family heartbroken at unexpected lossFather of two joined Mariners as recruitment lead in 2025Grimsby have paid tribute to Alex Hughes after his death at the age of 38. Hughes, the son of the former Manchester United and Wales striker Mark Hughes, was player recruitment lead at the League Two club.The Hughes family said in a statement released via the League Managers Association that they were “heartbroken” at the “sudden and unexpected loss” of Alex and that he would be “deeply missed”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The 2026 World Cup team of the tournament so far (without the superstars)
We pick an XI of players who have impressed during the initial rounds of games in Canada, the US and MexicoA star was born, at 40, when a player whose highest-profile employers were Portugal’s Gil Vicente denied Spain’s all-stars in that historic 0-0 draw. His Christian name being Josimar may well have pointed to his being a nascent World Cup cult hero. So huge was his impact that the US authorities, on the orders of the House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, waived the visa fee and $15,000 (£11,300) bond for his mother, now able to fly in for her boy’s continuing adventures. Seven saves from Spain have made him a global social media sensation, too. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
The beauty of sharing your child's first World Cup
There is nothing like the first World Cup you can enjoy with your kid - and the wide-eyed wonder through which they see it.

Mail Online
Open 
70s bombshell who married iconic singer and disappeared from Hollywood resurfaces at 76... can YOU guess who she is?
Born in Louisiana but raised in California , she won a beauty contest as a teenager that kickstarted her professional life in front of the cameras.

Mail Online
Open 
Former presidents' accessories go up for sale in new auction as part of America's 250th celebrations... but they won't come cheap
As part of the 250th‑anniversary celebrations, Bonhams are auctioning off collectibles from one of the most respected private holdings of presidential items in the country.

Mail Online
Open 
Tom Holland's lookalike brother Sam announces his engagement to girlfriend in a sweet post just days after the Spider-Man actor confirmed his marriage to Zendaya
The chef, 27, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a carousel of snaps from their engagement, revealing that the proposal took place on Tuesday.

Mail Online
Open 
Spain vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup Group H LIVE: European champions look to finally launch their campaign after shock draw with Cape Verde
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as Spain take on Saudi Arabia in Group H at the Atlanta Stadium.

Sky News Home
Open 
England cricketers Stokes and Atkinson 'not to blame for violent conduct' during nightclub incident
England cricket captain Ben Stokes, and player Gus Atkinson, have been given written warnings over their visit to a London nightclub.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Stokes and Atkinson found to be blameless for 'violent conduct' as pair return to squad
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached “contractual obligations” but were blameless for “violent conduct” in a London nightclub, according to an investigation.

Digital Trends
Open 
iOS 27’s Liquid Glass slider looks simple, but it’s more useful than I expected
After using iOS 27 on my iPhone for over a week, I've found the Liquid Glass slider to be one of the update's most underrated features. Here's how it works and why it's worth trying.

Digital Trends
Open 
TikTok’s AI slop problem is worse than you think — and kids are seeing the most of it
A new study suggests AI-generated junk content has become one of TikTok's defining features. Worse still, children and educational content appear to be among the platform's hardest-hit corners.

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026 as Lamine Yamal starts, full team news

TechRadar News
Open 
5 things to buy now before the RAM crisis worsens — from affordable SSDs to price hike-beating MacBooks

TechRadar News
Open 
5 travel photography essentials this summer — take stunning snaps on your next vacation

Slashdot
Open 
Canonical's Upcoming AI Tool: Talk to Ubuntu Instead of Typing
This week the Ubuntu desktop's director of engineering announced they're bringing speech-to-text dictation to Ubuntu Desktop, aiming for an experience "that feels like a natural part of the desktop while respecting user privacy and running entirely on local hardware."

"Speech recognition has become a common feature on modern platforms, and we think it should be a first-class experience on Ubuntu Desktop as well."

More details from the blog It's FOSS:


For Ubuntu 26.10, the initial version of Myna is expected to be a desktop dictation tool built around GNOME on Wayland with a push-to-talk mechanism gatekeeping when your microphone accepts input. Using it means holding a hotkey, speaking, and letting go. A small activity indicator shows while it is listening, and the transcribed text lands wherever the cursor was sitting when dictation started.
Recognition itself happens inside a sandboxed component called the Canonical Inference Snap, while a Speech Orchestrator manages the session and an Audio Adapter handles whatever the microphone picks up, denoising and chunking it before it ever reaches the model... Speech recognition will happen locally, and an internet connection is not needed once the appropriate model is installed... The audio data won't be sticking around either, being stored in a small in-memory buffer that gets discarded the moment the session ends. Features like dictation into password fields, wake words, continuous listening, voice assistants, voice commands, translation, speaker identification, and automatic language detection are all off the table...
You should also know that Canonical is looking for feedback before the specs for Myna are finalized, especially from people who already rely on dictation or assistive tools on Linux.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC UK News
Open 
Manslaughter arrest after death on small boat crossing
The migrant was found unresponsive on a boat in the English Channel on Saturday.

Mail Online
Open 
Hotel boss sounds alarm over Labour's attack on job creation and investment
One of Britain's leading hoteliers has warned Labour that 'policy after policy is threatening job creation and investment' - with the young bearing the brunt of the pain.

Mail Online
Open 
Knicks star spotted throwing cash at strip club after eight-day drinking pledge to celebrate NBA championship
The Knicks star was seen hurling cash into the air at the popular Queens gentleman's club, which came just days after the team's historic parade through the streets of Manhattan.

Mail Online
Open 
Europe on 42C heat alert: Spain axes World Cup screenings, France restricts alcohol and Italy hotter than Bangkok ahead of Brits' summer holidays
Nationwide warnings were also issued in Germany , while temperatures in Italy this weekend were hotter than in Bangkok.

Mail Online
Open 
Ivanka Trump poses in tiny black dress during girls night out... before sharing gushing tribute to dad Donald and husband Jared Kushner for Father's Day
Ivanka, 44, showed off her toned physique in a tiny black dress as she enjoyed an evening out with her pals on Saturday.

Mail Online
Open 
Holly Ramsay says she 'can't wait to see husband Adam Peaty become a girl dad' in sweet Father's Day tribute ahead of welcoming her first child with the Olympian
Pregnant Holly Ramsay gushed she 'can't wait to see her husband Adam Peaty become a girl dad' in a sweet Father's Day post on Sunday.

Mail Online
Open 
Katie Price hits out at ex Dwight Yorke on Father's Day as she calls him a 's**t dad' for 'disowning' his estranged son Harvey
Katie Price has hit out at her ex Dwight Yorke as she branded him a 'sh*t' dad for disowning their son Harvey in a fresh attack on Father's Day. 

Mail Online
Open 
Annie Kilner gives birth to fifth child with footballer Kyle Walker! WAG says she's 'speechless with the amount of love their baby girl has brought'
Annie Kilner has welcomed her fifth child with her footballer husband Kyle Walker. 

Mail Online
Open 
DAN HODGES: Starmer has been a toxic catastrophe. His legacy is of betrayal, sleaze and lies. And this is what his apologist, deceitful allies are plotting now
When a senior Westminster figure finally succumbs to political mortality there is a long-standing parliamentary convention not to speak ill of the dead.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Stokes & Atkinson 'blameless for violent conduct'
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached “contractual obligations” but were blameless for “violent conduct” in a London nightclub, according to an investigation.

The Verge
Open 
That viral clip you saw of someone winning big on Polymarket was probably fake
According to a Wall Street Journal investigation, Polymarket has been paying people to film themselves placing fake bets and celebrating fake wins on social media. WSJ identified over 1,100 deceptive clips and talked to creators who, despite not stating as such in their videos, confirmed the company paid them to create the clips. The videos […]

Gizmodo
Open 
Believe It: ‘Naruto’ Gets In On the Anime Trading Card Game Craze
For the first time in over a decade, 'Naruto' is going back to trading cards for an all-new competitive game.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected To Resign On Monday: Report
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected To Resign On Monday: Report

Keir Starmer's premiership appears to have entered its final act. Just over a week after Andy Burnham stormed back into Parliament with a crushing by-election win, the Prime Minister is - according to senior Labour figures cited by The Observer - preparing to set out a timetable for his own departure, with a "clear statement" possible as early as Monday.
Peter Macdiarmid/Pool via REUTERS

It would be a remarkable collapse. Starmer led Labour to a landslide less than two years ago. He now looks unable to command the confidence of his own benches for much longer, with cabinet ministers, union leaders and donors reportedly among those who have been involved in the conversations about his future.

Burnham, the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor, did not just win Makerfield - he buried it. Official figures show him taking 24,927 votes, 54.8% of the total, beating Reform UK's Rob Kenyon by a 9,231-vote margin in a seat where Nigel Farage's party had been threatening to turn Labour's crisis into a rout. The result gives Burnham the Commons seat he needs, clears his path to a leadership challenge, and leaves Starmer's position looking terminal.

Also, Starmer's former Chief of Staff - Morgan McSweeney - was the sacrificial lamb in the Mandelson scandal (recall that Starmer appointed Jeffery Epstein pal Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US). McSweeney also targeted Zerohedge, The Federalist and Breitbart in a clandestine campaign against alternative-media outlets. He resigned in February, two weeks before Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of passing insider info to Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, when he was serving as Business Secretary.

Meanwhile - he just... tweeted it out:


BREAKING: President Trump confirms Keir Starmer is resigning as Prime Minister… before Starmer has confirmed it himself. The final humiliation. pic.twitter.com/yz33xD4rPt
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 21, 2026
Markets Eye The Monday Open

The political risk did not go unnoticed by bond traders. UK 10-year gilt yields climbed to 4.84% on Friday, up roughly 0.09 percentage points on the session, as markets weighed Burnham's victory, domestic political uncertainty, and the possible fiscal implications of a future leadership bid.



With markets shut over the weekend, the next read comes at Monday's open, and any Starmer statement setting out an exit timetable will land straight into it.



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Starmer out by June 22, 2026?
Yes 63% · No 37%View full market & trade on Polymarket Burnham is due to be sworn in as an MP on Monday and to meet Starmer early in the week, with a cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Senior Labour figures expect a "deliberate slow march in good order" - most likely a September handover timed to the party conference - rather than an immediate vacuum.

According to the report, Burnham's supporters claim he has secured backing from more than 201 Labour MPs if Starmer refuses to step down voluntarily. The Observer framed that as a critical number because it would represent more than half the Parliamentary Labour party and would make it increasingly difficult for Starmer to argue that he still commands the confidence of his own side.

A formal challenge requires far fewer names. Under Labour's rules, any challenger needs nominations from 20% of Labour MPs - currently 81 - plus the required support from local parties and affiliates. On every count, the door is open.

Starmer Digging In?

For now, at least in public, Starmer is not going quietly. On Friday he congratulated Burnham on X - framing the result as a win for "Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate" - while insisting he would stand in any leadership contest and still had "more to do."


Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour's new MP for Makerfield.
Voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026

By Saturday the mood music had shifted. The Observer reports that Starmer was spending the weekend at Chequers with his wife, Victoria, weighing his future after a round of conversations with cabinet ministers, advisers, union bosses and donors.

One Labour peer close to the Prime Minister told the paper that Starmer would not "walk away" from No. 10 creating a vacuum, but would instead "arrange a deliberate slow march in good order, as a matter of duty and dignity." Another Labour grandee said the Prime Minister now appeared "resigned" to stepping down after coming "hard against the reality that the support isn't there."

The establishment knives are out. Lord Falconer - Starmer's own former shadow attorney general - told the BBC that the Prime Minister had "absolutely no authority left because everybody assumes Andy Burnham is about to challenge for the leadership and everybody assumes he's going to win."

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who remains the obvious alternative pole of opposition inside the party, publicly hailed Burnham's result even as allies insisted he still intends to stand in any contest.


Huge congratulations to @AndyBurnhamGM on an astonishing victory in Makerfield, where Labour lost badly only weeks ago.
It gives us all hope that Labour can still win, but Andy's campaign is proof that to do so we need to change.
Enormous thanks to everyone involved.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 19, 2026

Even the money is moving. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said "obviously Starmer needs to go," calling for an orderly transition on a clear timetable and a conversation about Labour's policy priorities.

Streeting's allies, meanwhile, are still talking as though the fight is alive. The Observer reported he has taken out a contract on an office for 40 members of staff as campaign headquarters and has received two £50,000 donations from Fran Perrin, one of Labour's most generous supporters. But some senior Labour figures now believe Streeting may ultimately do a deal with Burnham rather than stand in the way of the momentum.

"A Final Chance To Change"

Burnham's victory speech left no doubt about the scale of his ambition, even if he stopped short of formally launching the challenge. "Tonight could - just could - be the turning point," he told supporters, warning Labour it had a "final chance to change" with "no second chance."

There was also some weirdness: animal-rights campaigner Robert Pownall, who ran as an independent, and Count Binface, the bin-headed "intergalactic space warrior," who took 95 votes.


"I swear I'll move to Makerfield if I win."
Count Binface talks to Sky's @joncraig at the vote count at the Makerfield by-election. https://t.co/cjPB04D pic.twitter.com/skyclip
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 19, 2026

Mandlelson & Epstein

Burnham's win was the trigger, but the charge had been laid months earlier. The slow detonation of Starmer's authority traces back to his decision, in December 2024, to hand the plum Washington ambassadorship to Peter Mandelson despite Mandelson's long-public friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.



Mandelson was sacked as ambassador in September 2025 after released material appeared to show a closer relationship with Epstein than had been acknowledged at the time of appointment. He was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that sensitive government information had been passed to Epstein during the 2008-2010 financial crisis. Mandelson has denied wrongdoing, has not been charged, and the police investigation is ongoing.


'Where does this leave the tattered reputation of our Prime Minister?'@MartinDaubney discusses the first tranche of the Mandelson files revealing that Sir Keir Starmer was warned that the former ambassador, Lord Mandelson, brought a 'reputational risk'. pic.twitter.com/84vWC3jmhe
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 11, 2026

Starmer claimed Mandelson had lied throughout the appointment process - however it later emerged that he knew full well of the friendship.


🚨 Wow.
The Mandelson files are up.
They prove Starmer WAS advised and warned about Mandelson's appalling friendship with Epstein.
Starmer appointed him anyway.
Starmer lied.
Starmer must resign. pic.twitter.com/1yjYioVJhK
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) March 11, 2026

By then the damage was structural: his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney had resigned over the affair, a top Foreign Office mandarin was on the way out, and the government had spent months bleeding credibility through document dumps, a vetting row, sleaze-inquiry pressure and a steady drip of resignations.

No. 10 is still batting the resignation talk away as "speculation," and Starmer's team insists he will fight any challenge. On Friday, the Prime Minister told staff the party had to "pull together" and "take the fight" to Reform.

But the shape of the problem is brutal: Burnham has the seat, his allies claim the numbers, cabinet ministers are turning, the unions are turning, and Reform UK remains the threat Labour MPs increasingly believe only Burnham can blunt.

If Starmer steps to a podium on Monday and sets out an exit timetable, it will cap an extraordinary fall - from landslide to forced retreat in under two years - and crack open the door for the man they call the "King of the North" to walk through it.

Maybe if Starmer had addressed unchecked migration, England's woke police, or the rape gangs his CoS tried to get us demonetized for reporting on... 


💥NEW: How PM Keir Starmer's Machine Quietly Moved to Cripple Breitbart, The Federalist, ZeroHedge, and Left Independent Outlets
On Breaking Points, Ryan introduces Drop Site's latest investigation, adapted from Paul Holden's book, exposing how Keir Starmer and his chief of… pic.twitter.com/NVPDm7aWmw
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 4, 2025
 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 01:52

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'
Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'

Summary

Vance & CENTCOM push back against reports of Hormuz 'closure' by Iranians. 
Iran's Ghalibaf, Araghchi en route to US Talks in Switzerland, IRIB reports. Also Witkoff-headed US delegation still expected.
Iran declares Strait 'closed' again over US failing to reign in Israeli action in Lebanon.
Rising death toll in Lebanon, after over 50 new rockets fired on Israeli positions by Hezbollah. 



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Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of June?
Yes 8% · No 93%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

Iran Closes Strait Again? Vance & CENTCOM Address the Claims

Vice President JD Vance has newly told Fox News that he's 'skeptical' of the morning reports and claims that the Iranians once again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz. Watch:


FOX & FRIENDS: The Journal is reporting that the remnants of the Iranian navy are turning ships back in the Strait of Hormuz. Is that a violation of the MOU?
JD VANCE: I'm skeptical of that reporting, or at least of some of the conclusions that could drawn from it. We're not… pic.twitter.com/D4iWxq769p
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2026
US Central Command is also trying to portray that all is well. It issued this statement after the Iranians announced it closed the vital oil transit waterway:


Commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased June 20 as U.S. forces continued operating in the general area to support freedom of navigation. Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.

The Joint Maritime Information Center issued an advisory this week affirming safe passage for all vessels along a designated route that is free of arbitrary requirement claims or impediments.


The Pentagon says it is remaining vigilant with regional forces on high alert. Overall, it seems the White House is keep to at least see its delegation get in the same room with the Iranians in Switzerland. This will certainly be a real start in terms of face-to-face engagement, after the MoU was remotely signed by each side.

Iran says Hormuz Strait Closed Again

As has become the 'norm' after well over 100 days of war - which some pundits have been calling the "third Gulf war" - there are deeply conflicting headlines emerging Saturday. On the one hand, diplomacy based in Switzerland is said to be in motion, with a potential top level Trump delegation (led by Witkoff and to be joined later by Kushner reportedly/allegedly) - but fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon still rages, with the death toll climbing, and also with Hezbollah rockets still landing against IDF positions as well as in northern Israel.

Will the US and Iranian sides actually meet in Europe for the 'technical' side of further talks toward final peace? Saturday has seen reports of Iran having again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon, after Tehran has insisted that the tenuous freshly signed MoU included a Lebanon ceasefire and peace. The latest newswires out of Iranian state media:

IRAN SAYS HORMUZ TO CLOSE, CITING CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS BEEN CLOSED: TASNIM
IRAN'S IRGC NAVY SAYS HORMUZ STRAIT CLOSED TO ALL VESSELS: FARS
*VESSELS WARNED TO AVOID STRAIT OF HORMUZ OVER SECURITY: FARS
VP Vance Expected in Switzerland, But He's Ambiguous in FOX Appearance

Vance expected in Switzerland, reports Axios on Saturday:


🇺🇸🇮🇷Trump envoys arrive in Switzerland for Iran talks planned for Sunday. Vice President Vance could travel to Switzerland today or tomorrow. My story on @axios https://t.co/suNH9rkVk9
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 20, 2026
And yet, some of the same state sources have been saying that an Iranian delegation will travel to Switzerland where it will seek to hold Washington to its commitments. 

“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to Fars, also as cited in Al Jazeera.

Per the same report Saturday mid-morning (US time): "The delegation will leave for Switzerland in a few minutes, Mehr news agency also reported. The spokesperson also said that if the US refuses to implement its commitments, Iran will respond with necessary measures."

Vance non-committal in Saturday FOX interview:


FOX & FRIENDS: Do you have any immediate plans to join Jared and Steve?
JD VANCE: It's always a delicate coordination dance with the diplomatic protocols. I've gotta be honest with you -- I don't really understand these things pic.twitter.com/tFr2QZOjQC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2026
So things remain very fluid, and could implode at any moment. The Wall Street Journal adds some fresh details as follows:


Iranian security officials said they had closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing what they said was the U.S. failure to stop the fighting in Lebanon as required under the agreement signed earlier this week by President Trump.

The announcement by Iran’s joint military command came as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah flared again in Lebanon on Saturday, just hours after the two sides agreed to a renewed ceasefire. It undid for now the main achievement of the deal, which was to set the stage for reopening a waterway vital to world energy markets.

Even before Iran’s announcement, however, the recovery of traffic through the strait had been halting. Iran had imposed new procedures, including a demand that ships register to cross two days in advance, and wary shipowners were monitoring the still uncertain environment in the waterway.


Widening Split Between US & Israel

Since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was signed days ago it's increasingly obvious there's been a widening split between Washington and it's closest Middle East ally Israel over the terms of the deal. The political interests between the Trump administration and Israel, which have been typically lock-step, have increasingly diverged on the question of the Iran peace and terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ground zero for this divergence has remained south Lebanon, where the overnight the death toll from fighting - and especially from Israeli air raids - have risen.

Lebanon's civil defense agency has announced that Israeli attacks on the southern Nabatieh district have killed 16 people and wounded 12 others. The significant death toll comes a mere day after the latest Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was announced.

Still, Al Jazeera is on Saturday confirming that "the wheels of diplomacy" appear to be "back in motion" after the delay to the technical talks from Friday. "Pakistan and Qatar – mediators – are holding a series of meetings in Switzerland, Iran and Egypt and according to Al Jazeera’s team on the ground," the publication writes. Top American negotiators are reportedly on the way to Europe.
via Reuters

Iran too is optimistic, while calling out certain Israeli hardliner politicians for seeking to sabotage peace. State media is hitting this theme hard, and naturally Tehran is going to seek to drive a deep and permanent wedge between the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. 

Iran: 'Ready to Move Forward'

Iran's deputy foreign minister has said the Islamic Republic is "ready to move forward" on diplomacy with Washington, and the big elephant in the room is that "the United States must ensure Israel abides by the terms of the deal to end the war" - according to Al Jazeera.

As a reminder, President Trump appears in the mood to play nice with Iran while bringing the (very rare) pressure on Netanyahu. However, Trump himself is facing immense rising pressure from outraged pro-US hawks at home:


Donald ⁠Trump told NBC News ⁠in a phone ⁠interview that ​he spoke with Israel ⁠on Friday and asked them to ⁠agree to ​a ‌ceasefire ‌with Hezbollah.

“‘You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,’” Trump ‌was quoted as telling Israel.

Trump declined ​to specify ​whether ​he spoke ​with ‌Benjamin ​Netanyahu directly. A senior US official earlier confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, though Israeli attacks continue across Lebanon.


Israeli Objections & Overnight Carnage in Lebanon

One of the key elements of the MoU the hawks vehemently object to is the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. But in terms of the main aspect which could derail ongoing negotiations altogether is that the US committed that it and its allies (read: Israel and the Lebanese government) will initiate the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This is a major concession by the US to the Iranian side.


❗️FOUR IDF soldiers killed after Hezbollah struck IDF tank in southern Lebanon
Including 52nd Battalion Commander who assumed command only days earlier after his predecessor was seriously wounded
Hours later, five more wounded, including SERIOUSLY, in drone strike in same area pic.twitter.com/RQBjyKoxme
— RT (@RT_com) June 19, 2026
But Israel has much more than these things to complain about, as it continues to lose troops in recent Hezbollah attacks:


Israel immediately responded to that agreement by pounding Lebanon, killing at least 47 people on Friday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed overnight [Friday] by the armed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, prompting Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to say that “all of Lebanon must burn”.


Vice President JD Vance's own recent remarks putting these Israeli officials in their place has been unprecedented spectacle to behold. The "special relationship" remains tenuous, at least in terms of weighing the current heated rhetoric and atmosphere.

But again, Israel can point to Hezbollah aggression, with Times of Israel (TOI) reporting the latest figures as follows:


The Israeli military says it is striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to overnight projectile launches at troops in south Lebanon by the Iran-backed terror group, despite a ceasefire announced a day earlier.



⚡️Consequences of an Israeli airstrike (3 bombs) on a building complex in Southern Lebanon
Multiple casualties. pic.twitter.com/CF4riEgu3E
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 20, 2026
"Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Following the attacks, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military official said was cited in TOI as saying.

Meanwhile, CNN also confirms that diplomacy is in "motion", writing: "US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland for technical talks with Iran, a US official said, with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also expected to join. Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan’s interior minister has arrived in Iran for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to encourage them to Switzerland."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 05:44

ZeroHedge News
Open 
BBC Flagship Soap Being Used To Push Pro-Migrant Propaganda By Activist Infiltrators
BBC Flagship Soap Being Used To Push Pro-Migrant Propaganda By Activist Infiltrators

Authored by Steve Watson via modernity,

A campaigner for "migration and racial justice" has been employed to shape storylines for EastEnders - Britain's long-running BBC flagship soap opera set in London's East End - featuring plots about exploited African migrants and racially motivated murders, it has been revealed.



It is clear evidence of such activists operating inside the UK's national broadcaster.

The revelation also fits a deepening pattern where institutions, from the BBC to schools to shadowy government units, work to reframe mass immigration as an unquestionable good while suppressing public concerns over its costs.


BBC faces fresh migration row as EastEnders hires 'racial justice' influencer tied to activist groups https://t.co/h8ODu405Xj
- GB News (@GBNEWS) June 19, 2026
EastEnders, the BBC's flagship soap opera that has aired for decades and draws millions of UK viewers, has run plots about an autistic Ghanaian repeatedly exploited and the racist murder of another African immigrant since the hiring of campaigner Ade Lamuye in 2022.

Lamuye also serves on the advisory board of the Power of Pop Fund, launched by Comic Relief. The fund has directed almost £5 million to narrative change organisations seeking to use media to reframe the debate on migration.

She has confirmed her role in her own writing and stated that "entertainment and media holds influence and power to make real change".

She has additionally acted as a facilitator for Media Movers, a migration messaging group run by the charity Heard.

Heard has received funding from the Power of Pop scheme and previously lobbied producers of a BBC children's show to "impact the framing of migration".



A BBC spokesman said the corporation "has full editorial control over all its content" and that "engaging with charities for research purposes is standard industry practice".

The spokesman added that "the corporation maintains strict guidelines ensuring impartiality and editorial independence."

This EastEnders episode forms part of a coordinated infrastructure that has pivoted from COVID-era compliance tactics to shielding open borders policies from scrutiny.



As we highlighted last week, a secretive Home Office propaganda outfit founded by a former MI6 officer is actively working to control narratives around incidents involving migrants and rising tensions.

The Research, Information and Communications Unit, or RICU, has been exposed advising police on how to portray protesters and intervening in the aftermath of brutal attacks by migrants to prevent statements that might inflame public anger over mass immigration failures. Its methods include planting media stories, deploying undercover operatives, and shaping online conversations in targeted communities.



The same infrastructure that once deployed propagandistic fear tactics to drive mass compliance during the COVID period has been repurposed.

What began as emergency messaging around a virus has evolved into tools for managing public reaction to the consequences of sustained high immigration and associated crime.

Government narrative management operations have multiplied. Teams monitor "concerning narratives" on social media and flag material to platforms for removal, particularly content critical of migration policy during periods of unrest.

British soaps have been repeatedly deployed for underhanded social engineering. Government documents and investigations have shown how UK authorities secretly used BBC and ITV soaps to shape public opinion on vaccines and coerce compliance. The same approach now targets attitudes to mass migration.



Narrative change campaigners openly boast about using entertainment to "make real change" on migration and racial justice. This is not organic storytelling. It is deliberate reframing executed by activists embedded in production roles.















The pattern extends to schools pushing books telling kids there is "plenty of room" for small boat migrants.



The Green Party has pushed similar extreme content proposals on children.



Government guidance urges schools to snitch on "anti-Muslim hostility" in an Orwellian crackdown.



A UK government video game warns kids they are terrorists for questioning mass migration.



Counter-terror police ads warn teens that sharing funny content could be terrorism.





The same networks extend their influence beyond soaps. Pro-migrant campaigners have placed Channel migrants on BBC Question Time with prepared statements to test messaging.


'Extraordinary for the CEO of the charity to say there is no distinction between legal and illegal migration.'
Kwasi Kwarteng and Geoff Hoon react to a pro-migrant charity that 'planted' two migrants at a BBC Question Time debate with prepared statements. pic.twitter.com/nBcxzgessO
- GB News (@GBNEWS) June 17, 2026
The charity Imix arranged for two small-boat migrants to appear, with its chief executive describing the programme as an opportunity to test messaging directly.

Campaigners have also influenced sympathetic asylum seeker characters in other soaps such as Coronation Street.


BBC under fire after Channel migrants placed on Question Time by refugee campaigners https://t.co/ZGzagGcsVw
- GB News (@GBNEWS) June 17, 2026
Publicly funded broadcasters and government units are not neutral arbiters. They are active participants in a campaign to normalise policies that have transformed communities, strained services, and eroded social cohesion - all while branding legitimate concerns as bigotry.

The hiring of activists to write the scripts, the funding of narrative change through entertainment vehicles, and the deployment of "thought police" units to manage fallout reveal a system that fears open debate.

Britain's sovereignty and the right of its citizens to honest information are under sustained assault from within its own institutions.

The public deserves better than scripted emotional manipulation dressed up as drama. Real change begins with refusing to let activists and unaccountable units write the national story.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 08:10

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress

Newly declassified documents released Thursday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard show that a U.S. national laboratory assessed the COVID-19 lab-origin hypothesis as a serious possibility as early as May 2020, as well as evidence of U.S.-funded coronavirus research that included planning for spike-protein modifications, receptor-adaptation experiments, and testing in humanized mice in collaboration with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The documents also prove that Anthony Fauci lied under oath. 


Today, on my final day as Director of National Intelligence, I’m releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr. Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with politicized elements… pic.twitter.com/ZMdliW4zyS
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 19, 2026
The release, issued on Gabbard’s last day on the job, includes an eight-page May 27, 2020, assessment from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Z Program. That assessment concluded that “all of the necessary conditions for an accidental release of a laboratory-modified coronavirus - specifically a coronavirus adapted to recognize human cell receptors - were present at the Chinese Wuhan Institute of Virology in mid-to-late 2019.” It assigned equal weight to a laboratory-modification hypothesis and a natural-origin scenario.
Screenshot, ODNI release

Meanwhile, Recall that while the government was locking us down, Dr. Anthony Fauci and those in his orbit were actively fabricating a 'wet market' narrative that would conceal US research as a possible origin - despite his own advisors initially insisting that COVID-19 looked manmade.

In his January 2024 transcribed interview, Fauci was asked about conversations concerning the same three topics - COVID origins, WIV, and EcoHealth. When asked about the CIA, he answered yes: he said he was briefed “once or twice” in a secure NIH facility and also recalled a briefing in a White House situation room.

The newly released documents then show a June 4, 2021 briefing involving CIA/WCP personnel, NSC officials, and Fauci, during which Fauci offered views on pangolin research, sick WIV researchers, single-lineage vs. multi-lineage evidence, and recommended scientists for the IC to contact. A separate CIA-context email says that same 40-minute secure video teleconfrenece involved CIA/WCPMC officials and that Fauci gave thoughts on the 4 May 2021 COVID-origin briefing and recommended U.S. scientists to consult.



So, he lied. 

According to a statement released with the files, "Fauci worked with politicized career leadership in the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research that caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives. These documents expose Fauci’s direct role in influencing and manipulating IC assessments on COVID-19, and how Fauci lied to Congress in 2024, when under oath he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research."

U.S.-Funded Research and Planning for Coronavirus Manipulation

The files include the Year 5 progress report for EcoHealth Alliance’s NIH grant 5R01AI110964-05. Under Specific Aim 3, the project outlined plans to:

Sequence spike genes from bat coronaviruses.
Create mutants to assess how much further evolution would be needed for efficient use of human ACE2 or other receptors.
Conduct receptor-mutant pseudovirus binding assays.
Perform infection experiments in cell lines and humanized mice.
This research track overlaps with work described in the 2018 DEFUSE proposal, which involved EcoHealth Alliance, Peter Daszak, Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina, and Shi Zhengli’s team at WIV. The proposal sought to create chimeric bat coronaviruses with enhanced human infectivity, including consideration of furin cleavage site insertion to improve lung-cell entry, and to test the resulting viruses in humanized mice originally developed in Baric’s lab.



A 2016 WIV paper included in the release describes a synthetic shuttle vector system for assembling large DNA fragments, with demonstrated capability up to 31 kilobases. The authors presented the method as a tool for “genome-scale DNA reconstruction,” a technique relevant to synthetic biology and virus engineering.

Surveillance work under the same NIH grant reported that 9 of 1,497 rural residents in southern China (0.6%) were seropositive for bat SARS-related or HKU10 coronaviruses.

And from leaked emails three years ago:


Among other things, the NIH helped fund experiments at WIV that infected genetically engineered mice with “chimeric” hybrids of SARS-related bat coronaviruses in what some scientists have described as unacceptably risky research. 

...

Andersen laid them out plainly in an email to Fauci that same evening. “The unusual features of the virus make up a really small part of the genome (” Andersen wrote in the email. “I should mention,” he added, “that after discussions earlier today, Eddie, Bob, Mike and myself all find the genome inconsistent with expectations from evolutionary theory. But we have to look at this much more closely and there are still further analyses to be done, so those opinions could still change.” -The Intercept


Internal Discussions and Awareness of Manipulation Research

A June 8, 2021, internal email in the release references a 2016 New York Academy of Medicine meeting at which Peter Daszak reportedly discussed colleagues in China “manipulating the spike protein on coronavirus to make them more virulent.”

Other 2020–2021 emails show officials debating technical concerns, including references to a DOD report on a “suspicious added furin-site” and FBI reporting containing unusual genetic descriptions. One analyst noted the risk that non-experts could misinterpret technical data while still calling for scrutiny. Another observed that “the IC took direction straight from NIH… the people that funded the Wuhan Lab” and referenced “a complex web of money and politics influencing analysis.”

Picking Their Reviewer

July 2021 emails concerning the selection of outside reviewers for COVID-origin assessments show officials rejecting several candidates for political sensitivity or conflict-of-interest reasons:

James Clapper was viewed as too politically “hot.”
Anthony Fauci was flagged due to his position as a “customer” of the assessment through NIH funding ties.
Michael Morell was considered “too public.”
Sue Gordon and another individual identified only as “Beth” were also set aside.
And so... 

These materials provide primary-source documentation that a U.S. national laboratory assessed a laboratory origin as equally plausible to natural emergence at a time when prominent scientific publications were publicly emphasizing a natural zoonotic source and characterizing alternative hypotheses as conspiracy theories. This includes the February 2020 Lancet letter and the March 2020 Nature Medicine paper “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2”, along with subsequent amplification by NIH leadership.

The research details in the declassified grant reports and proposals involved techniques and modifications - spike-protein engineering, receptor adaptation, humanized-mouse testing, and consideration of furin cleavage sites - that later featured prominently in scientific debate over SARS-CoV-2’s characteristics.
Shi and Daszak clinking glasses, undoubtedly after lots of humanized mice successfully died horrible COVID deaths.
Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 08:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Windward Says "Zero AIS Transits" On Hormuz Chokepoint
Windward Says "Zero AIS Transits" On Hormuz Chokepoint

US-Iran technical talks are underway on Sunday, with Qatari mediators involved. Ahead of the talks, likely focused on Iran's nuclear program, Tehran attempted to reassert leverage over the Strait of Hormuz following renewed Israel-Hezbollah fighting in Lebanon.



Iran announced the closure of the strait on Saturday, framing the move as retaliation for alleged violations of the US-Iran interim peace deal. 

Early Sunday, maritime intelligence and risk analytics firm Windward wrote on X, "Hours after the IRGC's closure announcement, AIS traffic through the Strait of Hormuz suggested business as usual."


Hours after the IRGC's closure announcement, AIS traffic through the Strait of Hormuz suggested business as usual.
But overnight, the picture shifted: zero AIS transits were recorded through the strait, and only two non-Iranian commercial vessels were AIS-visible this morning.… pic.twitter.com/F4djrrT38m
— Windward (@WindwardAI) June 21, 2026
"But overnight, the picture shifted: zero AIS transits were recorded through the strait, and only two non-Iranian commercial vessels were AIS-visible this morning. Hesitation is back in an already unpredictable corridor," Windward continued.

Related:

Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'
However, Bloomberg data show that after vessel transits through the strait spiked to 23 on Thursday, shortly after the interim peace deal was signed and one day before the Hormuz chokepoint reopened, the transit count is now 9 today.



There are reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned vessels not to approach the critical waterway, citing Israeli actions in Lebanon and alleged US violations of ceasefire commitments. It remains unclear whether Iran has actually enforced the closure.

President Trump insisted on Saturday that "NO TOLLS" would be charged on ships transiting Hormuz during or after the 60-day interim ceasefire. But he noted, "unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed, for services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs."



Brent crude closed around $80 a barrel last week after the US and Iran reached an interim deal to lift the US blockade and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of a prolonged Gulf supply shock.



This prompted Goldman analyst Daan Struyven to forecast on Wednesday that crude prices would normalize to pre-war levels by the end of July and that regional crude production would recover by October.

Struyven estimates that Hormuz flows would need to rise by about 13 million barrels a day from current levels to reach roughly 70% of pre-war volumes.



The problem with Hormuz is that Tehran is now using the narrow, critical waterway as leverage for technical talks. That suggests Iran could continue to spark uncertainty during today's negotiating window, then signal a reopening if talks make progress before NYMEX WTI futures open later this evening. 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 09:20

ZeroHedge News
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Swiss Government Discusses Revoking Protections, Benefits For Military-Aged Ukrainians
Swiss Government Discusses Revoking Protections, Benefits For Military-Aged Ukrainians

During the opening years of the Russia-Ukraine war European states were quite welcoming to Ukrainian refugees and anyone fleeing the carnage and chaos, but now in the conflict's fifth year the general sentiment among EU populations and governments is changing.

Switzerland, once hailed as Europe's most neutral state - and among the most 'welcoming' countries for asylum seekers - is mulling a policy change which would exclude Ukrainian men of military age from protections granted to refugees.

The Swiss Federal Council announced in a statement Friday that it has begun consultations over the legal status of some 66,000 Ukrainian nationals who fled to Switzerland after the conflict erupted.
Image: Keystone-SDA

Welfare assistance and refugee protections are quite good in Switzerland, given individuals receive basic living items as well as government payouts, and can even freely travel in and out of the country.

For now, protections are expected to extend to Ukrainians in the country, but there's new talk of revoking this status for men of military age at a moment the Ukrainian military continues to face a severe manpower shortage:


The government announced on Friday that, at a national asylum conference in November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the cantons, cities and municipalities had been tasked with drawing up clear regulations for the future of S protection status.

The results of this deliberation are now set out in a concept paper entitled “The Future of S Status”. According to the government, it serves to prepare for three possible scenarios: the continuation of S status; its abolition in the event of a stable ceasefire; and a phasing out of S status in the event of a protracted conflict.


Specifically pertaining to men of fighting age, the government is considering "a possible future restriction for Ukrainian men subject to conscription," a new statement reads.

"This is because the EU is currently considering an extension of temporary protection with a possible restriction for these men," the country's Federal Council has explained. A final decision could come by the end of the summer, but political pushback is said to be growing.

It should be remembered revocation of protected status is something the Zelensky government itself has long asked Western allies to do. It wants the rapid return of military-aged men, at a moment Ukrainian recruiters have resorted to harsh tactics cracking down on what are seen as draft dodgers.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has also confirmed "This is also what the Ukrainians are asking us to do" - commenting on the question of no longer extending protections to Ukrainian men in EU states.

For now, no major policy shifts are expected, but as the war goes on and on, the tone of the conversation has shifted among many European officials. Washington in particular has emphasized that Ukraine's populace must stand up for itself, and has even leaned heavily on Kiev to make the mandatory conscription age younger.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 09:45

ZeroHedge News
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Kremlin Skeptical That US-Iran Peace Can Be Achieved: 'Rash'
Kremlin Skeptical That US-Iran Peace Can Be Achieved: 'Rash'

If there's a 'good cop, bad cop' routine happening at the Kremlin, mostly assuredly the role of bad cop always falls to Russia's former president, Dmitry Medvedev. In his maximalist and hyperbolic threats, he can be seen as the "John Bolton of the Kremlin". 

With Trump's decision to wage war on Iran, Medvedev's negativity and skepticism has proven right more often than wrong. He is the latest Kremlin top official to weigh in on the bad position Washington once again finds itself embroiled in - and by it's own 'choice' - in the Middle East.

Medvedev, who has for the last several years been Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, says an agreement between the US and Iran could easily be derailed by new provocations, and he took the opportunity to lash out at Israel, America's so-called indispensable ally.
via AP

He has said, within mere days of Iran and Washington signing their big Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) - which may or may not hold given ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah - that expecting peace is "rash".

He has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is "sustained by war" - which is a bit of rare high level moment of the Kremlin lashing out at Israel.

"An unstable agreement easily explodes with new strikes on Lebanon or other provocations. And that’s exactly what the Netanyahu cabinet, which is sustained by war, needs. So, expecting peace is rash," Medvedev stated Saturday on the Russian social media platform Max.

Al Jazeera has reviewed:


Russia has deepened its existing ties with Iran since the start of the Ukraine war, with Moscow and Tehran expanding military and economic cooperation – though the partnership has shown limits, with Russia offering largely rhetorical support during Iran’s recent conflict with the US and Israel.


Israel and Russia were largely at odds during the entirety of the Syrian proxy war, with Israeli aerial aggression in Syria having at times resulted in Russian losses. 

For example, in September 2018, there was this serious incident when Syrian anti-air missiles sought to fire on inbound Israeli jets. Instead, a Russian reconnaissance plane went down:


The leaders of Russia and Israel have sought to defuse tension after a Russian plane was shot down by Syrian forces amid an Israeli air raid.

In a call to Vladimir Putin, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret at the loss of 15 Russian personnel, but stressed again that Syria was to blame.

Mr Putin had earlier called the incident "a chain of tragic accidental circumstances". The Il-20 plane was downed over the Mediterranean Sea on Monday evening.



🗣️ 'This fragile agreement is easily blown apart by new strikes on Lebanon or other provocations. And that is precisely what Netanyahu's Cabinet, which clings to power through war, needs'
🇷🇺 Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warns that Israel is… pic.twitter.com/6A6ChsBgQU
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 20, 2026
Russia had throughout the Syria war sought to carefully avoid a direct conflict with Israel, and after Assad's overthrow its forces have of necessity been in retreat from the Middle East.

Russia's military still has assets along Syria's coast, but the future of its presence remains very uncertain, having largely resorted to 'humanitarian' missions will seeking to open diplomacy with the new Sharaa government. 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 09:55

ZeroHedge News
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Vance In Switzerland Projects Cautious Optimism While Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table
Vance In Switzerland Projects Cautious Optimism While Trump Reminds Iran Of 'Harder' Military Options On Table

Update(10:00ET): With Vance and Witkoff in Switzerland, President Trump is still issuing some US redlines via Truth Social, and via apparent 'official leaks' - and quite quickly - through the press.

Trump is warning the Iranians on the sticking points of Hormuz closure and the Lebanon crisis. He has newly threatened on Sunday to hit Iran again if it can't constrain its proxies, namely Hezbollah, in Lebanon. In parallel, Tehran is demanding that Washington reign in Israel. A fresh Sunday Truth Social... brief but firm:


And more on some fresh reported warnings and pressure coming from Trump:


"You close it and you won't have a country." President Trump said he told Iranian officials about the Strait of Hormuz. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
"We may take over the Strait, if we have to," Trump said. "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect… pic.twitter.com/cErvdjCJmK
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
As the American delegation continues the high-stakes negotiations in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating, the White House is projecting cautious optimism while simultaneously reminding Tehran that military options remain firmly on the table.

Speaking as talks entered a critical phase, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday from Switzerland Washington has "made great progress over the last few hours" and expects "additional progress in the coming hours," describing the negotiations as an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" in US-Iran relations. Vance emphasized that the administration's preference is not to return to the cycle of confrontation, adding that the US is willing to fundamentally transform ties with Iran if Tehran permanently abandons its nuclear ambitions.

"The question is how much more we can achieve in the Middle East," Vance said, while expressing confidence regarding the Lebanon front and signaling satisfaction with ongoing efforts to contain broader regional escalation.

Yet Trump has just delivered a stark reminder of the consequences should negotiations fail. According to Fox News, Trump warned Iranian officials that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be an existential mistake, reportedly telling Tehran that it "won't have a country" if it attempts to choke off global energy flows, in the segment above. Trump also issued a personal warning to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying he "better watch his mouth," while reports indicated the president used unusually blunt language during discussions with Iranian intermediaries over the strategic waterway.


President Trump spoke with the Iranians overnight warning them not to close the Strait.
"You close it and you won't have a country," Trump said he told Iranian officials. "You won't even make it back to your fu*king country."
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 21, 2026
Perhaps most notably, Trump reiterated that he retains a "60-day option" and can "do whatever" he deems necessary after that period expires, a statement widely interpreted as preserving the possibility of renewed military action. The president also reportedly threatened additional strikes against Iran should Tehran's regional proxies in Lebanon resume attacks or undermine the emerging diplomatic framework.

The result is a familiar carrot-and-stick approach as talks are unfolding under the shadow of explicit US military threats and a rapidly approaching deadline that could determine whether the region moves toward détente or another round of escalation. But Iran has also made known that it is ready of a long war, but will Trump be willing to risk enduring the political and economic fallout?

*  *  *

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has formally confirmed the launch of the talks between the United States and Iran with the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan in Switzerland, with the Iranian delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American side along with envoy Steve Witkoff. Also gathered at the Buergenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, near Stansstad, are Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Qatar has expressed "its aspiration that these meetings will lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent agreement addressing all aspects covered in the Memorandum of Understanding." Iran has reiterated it wants a comprehensive settlement and final end to the war. But it also demands a final Lebanon-Israel peace settlement be linked in. Already there could be an inkling of progress on the nuclear front:

PAKISTAN:US, IRAN AGREED ON REDUCTION OF ENRICHED URANIUM LEVEL
PAKISTAN:IRAN'S ENRICHED URANIUM TO BE REDUCED FROM 60% TO 0.7%
IRAN PRESIDENT SAYS QATAR TO RELEASE $6B AS TALKS START: IRNA
Screengrab via Government of Pakistan footage

The last time Vance sat physically across from Iran's lead negotiator Ghalibaf was a full ten weeks ago, in mid-April. Interactions appear to initially be only through intermediaries, which will build up to face-to-face meetings, as happened in prior failed rounds. 

Qatar's foreign ministry has previewed the following planned format to the opening of the talks as follows:

The ministry statement says “specialized technical and expert groups have been formed to negotiate the terms of the final agreement, which will cover all aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the US and Iran.
“Additionally, follow-up groups have been established to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum, monitor progress achieved, and work toward the conclusion of the final agreement,” it added.
“This reflects the commitment of all parties to moving forward in the negotiation process in good faith, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable agreement.”
Of course, in terms of "implementation" of just the MoU itself, things are not quite there yet, as sporadic fighting and Israeli aerial attacks continue in Lebanon, which could serve to derail the Switzerland process at any moment.


After roughly 45 min, the bilateral meeting between FM @araghchi and his Swiss counterpart @ignaziocassis came to a close at Bürgenstock Hotel. Quadrilateral talks between Iran, the US, Pakistan, and Qatar are expected to commence shortly at another venue on the same premises. pic.twitter.com/hOmovguWFs
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) June 21, 2026
Additionally, Iran has declared it has 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz just this weekend, but which the US military has been denying is a reality. VP Vance in media appearances has also been downplaying it.

The Lebanon situation seems the bigger, more pressing threat to the peace process - at least from Tehran's point of view. Dozens of people in Lebanon have been killed while at least six Israeli soldiers have been slain, with 20 wounded over past days of Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.

As a reminder, President Trump doesn't want to oversee an economic catastrophe driven by a worldwide energy crisis. It seems he's ready to anything to not let it happen under his watch:


President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent “economic catastrophe” if the war was not resolved soon.

“So rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn’t want to be,” Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.

“I didn’t want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going, that could have happened. But all I know is, every time we talked about the possibility of peace, the stock market shot up like a rocket ship,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France.


And so judging by this and other of recent Trump admissions, Iran clearly enters Switzerland in very strong negotiation position. Its current rhetoric regarding the Strait of Hormuz also reveals this.


JD Vance met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Switzerland.pic.twitter.com/5bteI1Vtyu
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 21, 2026
Tehran has accused the US of a "clear breach of its commitments" and announced Saturday that "the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to the passage of vessels," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

For more on the details of the format, CNN has reported some further information in the following:

When and where do the talks start? US and Iranian negotiators will begin their meeting at around 1 p.m local time (7 a.m. ET) at the Swiss mountain resort of Bürgenstock, an Iranian source told CNN.
Who will be there? Both the United States and Iran have sent high-level officials to Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance is heading up the US side, while Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will lead Tehran’s delegation, Iranian media outlet Saberin News reported Saturday.
What format will they take? Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, who is part of the Iranian team, earlier told state media “the Iran-US talks will be held in a quadrilateral format, with the presence of Pakistani and Qatari delegations.”
What will be discussed? Lebanon is likely set to top the agenda after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah threatened the nascent agreement between the US and Iran. Vance says he hoped he would make advancements on negotiations surrounding the handling of Iran’s nuclear materials.
To put things in perspective about the long road ahead, analyst and reporter James Bayes - who is on the ground for the talks in Switzerland, has offered the following: "This is a very different deal from the Iran nuclear deal that was done by [former US] President Barack Obama … things have changed completely. But I think it’s worth looking at that deal for one reason, which is the timeline – how long these things take."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, center, arrives at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne. Pool via AP

"Because when they did an interim deal then, in November 2013 until the final deal in 2015, it took 597 days," the correspondent added. "So, even though the circumstances have changed – it’s a very different deal and they’ve got the knowledge of that deal as well which is helpful – it’s a lot to do in just 60 days."

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 10:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Betting Against Ourselves: The Casino-ization Of America
Betting Against Ourselves: The Casino-ization Of America

Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance

Last month I wrote about something that had been building in my mind for years: the realization that active trading was doing more harm than good in my life.

I wrote about how I had finally put systems in place to turn my trading and account management over to trusted parties who are far better and more disciplined at it than I am. I had to separate the fact that I feel great about often being an accurate prognosticator on my blog about market trends, but that executing the corresponding trades was simply something I wasn’t good at.

Now, thirty days since my last trade, I couldn’t be happier that I made the decision. Admittedly, it hasn’t been incredibly easy, especially because I can’t remove all of my triggers and simply ignore the news, world and current events. I’ve been chugging coffee, reading headlines and trading every morning for the last 20 years. So I don’t expect it to be an easy habit to break.

But it’s getting easier, and I’m stepping away from reading every headline, every day, toward putting the phone down and living in the present moment once my work is done and my column is written each morning.

And I can’t imagine a better time to undertake this exercise. “The market” was once a symbol of integrity and serious business run by old f*cks in bowties and suits, like the Duke brothers.



Now it has become less a mechanism for allocating capital and more a 24-hour Las Vegas freak show carnival of increasingly exotic wagers. Our market has become the pro boxing equivalent of when Screech from Saved by the Bell fought Horshack on Celebrity Boxing.



Back in year like 1980, a company had stock. Simple enough. Today you can trade options on the stock, leveraged ETFs tracking the stock, tokenized versions of the stock at 2 a.m., and prediction-market contracts on whether or not Joe Kernen is wearing a toupee when he reports on the stock.

Wall Street and Las Vegas used to be different places. Those days are over. And new reporting from The Wall Street Journal confirms it. They reported this week that Charles Schwab is preparing to enter the prediction market business through a partnership with Cboe. According to the report, Schwab customers will soon be able to trade binary-style contracts tied to the performance of the S&P 500. The contracts function much like prediction market wagers: traders make a yes-or-no bet on whether an index finishes above or below a certain level and receive either a fixed payout or nothing at all.

In other words, one of the largest and most respected brokerages in America is moving further down the path of turning market outcomes into wager-like products.

To be clear, this is not simply a Schwab story, it is a sign of where the entire financial industry is heading. The distinction between investing and gambling is becoming harder and harder to identify.

Prediction markets have exploded over the last several years. Sports betting has become ubiquitous. Options volumes continue to reach extraordinary levels. Crypto exchanges offer leverage that would have seemed insane a decade ago. Every event, every opinion, every outcome increasingly becomes something that can be traded. Sometimes it’s tough to remember there’s actual company equity at the bottom of the pile of all this speculative shit somewhere.

Last month I wrote: “Every event is now a market. Every opinion is now a wager. Every moment of boredom can be monetized by putting money at risk on your phone.”

If anything, I understated the trend. The financial industry sees demand and it is responding exactly the way industries always do: by supplying more product. The problem is that the costs aren’t limited to individual traders. Most discussions about gambling focus on personal responsibility, addiction, and financial hardship. Those concerns are real. We already see rising stories of people using credit cards, personal loans, margin debt, and other borrowed money to fund speculative activity. The American consumer is tapped out, as I detailed a couple weeks ago.



Source: Zero Hedge

We’ve seen countless examples in crypto, options, sports betting, and meme stocks where people become trapped in cycles of chasing losses and doubling down on increasingly risky positions. But the risks do not stop at the individual level.

When enough leverage accumulates inside a system, personal mistakes become market problems. Speculation funded by borrowed money creates fragility. Fragility creates forced selling. Forced selling creates liquidity events. Liquidity events create contagion. The history of financial markets is filled with examples of this dynamic.

And as savings dwindles, margin debt as a percentage of GDP is consistently rising. In other words, we’re taking more risk. Gambling more. Investing less.


But leverage doesn’t look dangerous during a boom. It looks efficient. It looks sophisticated. It looks profitable.

Then something breaks, and when everyone is crowded into the same trades using borrowed money, small problems become trapdoors. And when market dynamics create multi-trillion dolllar trapdoors that are force fed into the indices, mutual funds and the average American’s retirement fund right before this happens, that’s when questions about systemic issues arise.

Crypto has already provided multiple examples of this on a relatively small scale. We have watched cascades of liquidations wipe out billions of dollars in value within hours. We have watched exchanges fail, lenders collapse, and leveraged traders evaporate seemingly overnight. This can, and will, happen in equity markets, prediction markets and option markets going forward.

And the world we are heading towards is one where prediction markets, binary options, leveraged crypto products, sports betting, and traditional brokerage accounts increasingly overlap and compete for the same attention.

I don’t think we fully appreciate the psychological consequences of where we are heading. Twenty-four-hour prediction markets are inherently unhealthy for many people. Human beings were not designed to live inside a perpetual casino. Anyone who has ever been to Vegas for more than 2 days understands this. You arrive healthy, in shape, sober, excited to see friends and maybe place a couple bets on the NFL game, and you leave destitute, broke, 10 pounds heavier, smelling like cigarette smoke and trying to figure out which stripper stole your credit card number (this is a purely hypothetical example, I swear).

These platforms don’t just compete for your money. They compete for your attention, your focus, your relationships, your sleep, your peace of mind, and your ability to be present. They monetize uncertainty itself. They thrive off of your loneliness and boredom.

The more events become tradable, the more incentive there is to constantly monitor outcomes. The result is a culture where people never disconnect. Every election becomes a market. Every earnings report becomes a wager. Every sporting event becomes an opportunity to speculate. Every idle moment becomes an invitation to check prices, odds, probabilities, and positions. The smartphone becomes both casino and brokerage account.

And the “markets” are not regulated at all and are susceptible to massive corruption. You thought a questionable pass interference penalty at the of a playoff NFL game was bad? How about when Coinbase’s imbecilic CEO ended a company conference call by spouting off random words to cash bets for god-knows-who in the prediction markets? He said live on the call: “I was a little distracted because I was tracking the prediction market about what Coinbase will say on their next earnings call. I just want to add here the words Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain, staking, and Web3 — to make sure we get those in before the end of the call.”



As I noted last month, I’ve seen people trading crypto between rounds at the gym. I’ve seen friends checking futures markets during dinner. I’ve seen twenty-somethings betting every pitch of a baseball game while sitting at a bar. And I’ve been all of those people myself.

🔥 50% OFF FOR LIFE: Using this coupon entitles you to 50% off an annual subscription to Fringe Finance for life: Get 50% off forever

When I step back and look at the bigger picture, I can’t help but wonder whether all of this is symptomatic of something much larger. A society doesn’t become stronger by turning every aspect of life into a wager.

A society becomes stronger by rewarding patience, discipline, craftsmanship, productivity, delayed gratification, and long-term thinking. Those are the traits that build companies, families, institutions, communities, and civilizations.

What worries me is that we’ve spent years moving in the opposite direction.

We have normalized endless money printing and financial engineering instead of productive growth. We have rewarded speculation over investment. We have encouraged debt over savings. We have elevated influencers over experts, virality over wisdom, and instant gratification over patience. We’ve built social media platforms designed to monetize outrage, political systems incapable of long-term planning, and financial products that increasingly resemble casino games.

And now we’re building twenty-four-hour prediction markets on top of all of it. It’s bad enough bullshit shows like Flavor of Love and The Golden Bachelor exist. It’s toxicity squared when we can bet on the outcome. At some point you have to ask whether we’re creating anything of lasting value or simply inventing new ways to distract ourselves.

The frightening part is that every one of these products is marketed as empowerment, democratization and opportunity…but many of them are really just mechanisms for harvesting attention.

And the commodity being extracted isn’t just money, it’s your time, focus, peace of mind and energy. To quote Morpheus from The Matrix, it is “…a computer generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this.”



The irony is that the technology that promised to make us smarter often seems to be making us less capable of sitting still, thinking independently, or focusing on what actually matters.

That is precisely why I’m grateful for the decision I made last month to stop trading. It was about recognizing that the environment is becoming increasingly engineered to encourage constant participation. And I want no part of it.

As I said then, the older I get, the less interested I become in chasing every opportunity and the more interested I become in protecting my time, my health, my relationships, and my peace of mind. The irony is that the more speculation becomes available, the more valuable restraint becomes.

The easier it becomes to trade, gamble, wager, predict, hedge, leverage, and speculate on everything, the more important it becomes to simply step back. Because if the trajectory we’re on continues, speculation won’t be confined to casinos, crypto exchanges, or niche prediction market platforms. It’s going to be everywhere.

And that’s exactly why I’m thankful I already started walking away.

--
QTR’s Disclaimer: Please read my full legal disclaimer on my About page here. This post represents my opinions only. In addition, please understand I am an idiot and often get things wrong and lose money. I may own or transact in any names mentioned in this piece at any time without warning. Contributor posts and aggregated posts have been hand selected by me, have not been fact checked and are the opinions of their authors. They are either submitted to QTR by their author, reprinted under a Creative Commons license with my best effort to uphold what the license asks, or with the permission of the author.

This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks or securities, just my opinions. I often lose money on positions I trade/invest in. I may add any name mentioned in this article and sell any name mentioned in this piece at any time, without further warning. None of this is a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I may or may not own names I write about and are watching. Sometimes I’m bullish without owning things, sometimes I’m bearish and do own things. Just assume my positions could be exactly the opposite of what you think they are just in case. If I’m long I could quickly be short and vice versa. I won’t update my positions.

As of May 20, 2026 I personally no longer actively trade (read my story here). My investing/saving is done by recurring contributions mostly to sector ETFs and a few select equities, trusted third parties who oversee my accounts, and advisors. Such advisors or funds, through individual equities, options, index funds, mutual funds, ETFs, or other securities, may have positions in, exposure to, or holdings of names mentioned herein that I know nothing about. Basically, via index funds, ETFs and individual equities it is possible I could own, have exposure to, or not own anything at any point. As of the same date, May 20, 2026, in an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, I’ve also excluded myself from fantasy sports, sports betting, online and in-person casinos and prediction markets.

And all positions can change immediately as soon as I publish this, with or without notice and at any point I can be long, short or neutral on any position. You are on your own. Do not make decisions based on my blog. I exist on the fringe. If you see numbers and calculations of any sort, assume they are wrong and double check them. I failed Algebra in 8th grade and topped off my high school math accolades by getting a D- in remedial Calculus my senior year, before becoming an English major in college so I could bullshit my way through things easier.

The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this page. These are not the opinions of any of my employers, partners, or associates. I did my best to be honest about my disclosures but can’t guarantee I am right; I write these posts after a couple beers sometimes. I edit after my posts are published because I’m impatient and lazy, so if you see a typo, check back in a half hour. Also, I just straight up get shit wrong a lot. I mention it twice because it’s that important.
 

 

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 10:30

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Colombians vote in runoff election expected to trigger shift in decades-long armed conflict
Frontrunner Abelardo de la Espriella has vowed to return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groupsGhost of far-right paramilitaries hovers over Colombia’s presidential runoff voteColombians are going to the polls in a presidential runoff expected to trigger to a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict, now at its most violent point since the landmark 2016 peace agreement between the government and most of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).Polls show the frontrunner is the Trump-admiring far-right lawyer and millionaire businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, who has vowed to abandon President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” plan of negotiating the disarmament of all criminal organisations and instead return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Marco Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP race after slapping track steward
Italian apologises for incident in Saturday sprint raceMarc Márquez wins Sunday’s main event in BrnoThe MotoGP championship leader, Marco Bezzecchi, was banned from Sunday’s Czech GP after slapping a track steward in the face after a crash in Saturday’s sprint, MotoGP said.The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps to go. Footage on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running towards a steward, pushing him and then slapping him in the face as the steward was standing over his bike in the gravel. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Essex v Notts, Sussex v Hampshire, Stokes and Atkinson rejoin England: county cricket day three – live
Stokes set for England recall after Durham withdrawal Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionAnd Essex are in real trouble now with Dean Elgar and his limpet like qualities gone, lbw Stone for 42. Essex 65-4, trail Notts by 208. Nick Friend of The Cricketer was at Chelmsford for the first two days and tells me that Essex prepared a pitch for Harmer, only for Patterson-White to rip through them on day one. Harmer finished with a five-fer too – his first in 36 games(three years) for Essex.Great little knock this by Ollie Robinson, now 66. His last 100 was against Notts last May. Durham 383-9. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Spain v Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnThe Spain coach, Luis De La Fuente had this to say in his Saturday press conference: “This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up... It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”Four changes for Spain: Lamine Yamal, Pedro Porro, Dani Olmo and Alex Baena also come into the side with Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres and Gavi dropping out. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Spanish PM’s wife faces trial on corruption charges – media

Sky News Home
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England cricketers Stokes and Atkinson 'not to blame for violent conduct' during nightclub incident
England cricket captain Ben Stokes, and player Gus Atkinson, have been given a written warnings over their visit to a London nightclub.

CNET News
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Are You Eligible for Part of Apple's $250M AI iPhone Settlement? How to Find Out
Apple must pay iPhone owners to settle a lawsuit over delayed and missing AI features.

The Hill
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Profit for me, pollution for thee in Louisiana  
If we’re not vigilant, data centers and other facilities in the works for your home state could create the next Cancer Alley.  

The Hill
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Ingredient needed for pretty much all food just got way more expensive. Your grocery bill may soar too
The commodity is a crucial ingredient in growing or producing pretty much everything you put in your grocery cart or serve up on your dinner plate.

The Hill
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Seasoned leadership could help Quantum Space's IPO take off
Bridenstine’s education, experience and knowledge of space issues, as well as his contacts in Washington, will be important. 

The Hill
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Is hearing loss an Alzheimer's warning sign? Research shows new risk factors
The number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to double by 2060. New research is shedding light on warning signs and risk factors that could signal cognitive decline ahead.

The Hill
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Trump threatens Iran on Lebanon amid nuclear talks
President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran Sunday after Vice President Vance arrived in Switzerland for nuclear talks. "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble," Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday morning. "If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Trump says he’s disappointed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, may empower Syria to fight Hezbollah
President Trump told Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that he’s disappointed in Israel’s inability to take out Hezbollah and may empower the Syrian President, a former Al Qaeda member, to send troops . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump warns Iran to immediately stop Hezbollah attacks on Israel
President Trump just warned Iran that it must immediately stop Hezbollah attacks on Israel or the US will begin more air strikes on Iran: Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES . . .

BBC UK News
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What have we learned from Scotland's World Cup so far?
After a win over Haiti and a narrow defeat by Morocco, BBC Sport Scotland assesses what we have learned from Scotland's World Cup so far.

BBC UK News
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Two boys and man charged with murder
They remain in custody ahead of an appearance at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Monday.

BBC UK News
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Man stabbed to death in Crystal Palace
A man is arrested on suspicion of murder after another man was stabbed in south-east London.

The Guardian (UK)
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Spain v Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnPerhaps one of the Saudi -players can write themselves into this high-grade selection?Perhaps it can be their goalkeeper. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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How TikTok-style videos keep human brains hooked on content
TikTok, Instagram and YouTube clips are designed to overwhelm the brain's pleasure circuitry and keep people watching. Researchers say short-form videos may only be the start when it comes to harvesting human attention.

Sky News Home
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Police name teenage spectator killed after crash at car rally
A teenager killed during a rally crash in Ireland has been named as Tadhg Callaghan Carter.

FlightAware Squawks
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Pilots’ body claims electric failure led to Air India Boeing crash in Ahmedabad
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has challenged the official narrative related to the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171

FlightAware Squawks
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SWISS Flight To Mumbai Makes U-Turn Back to Zurich
A SWISS Airbus A330 operating a flight to Mumbai made a u-turn back to Zurich today with an issue onboard the aircraft.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The records that look set to be broken
The 2026 World Cup may only be 10 days old but the tournament has already rewritten football history. BBC Sport takes a look at the records already broken, or set to be.

Mail Online
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Donald Trump declares Keir Starmer 'will resign' after ashen-faced Cabinet ally admits PM is facing up to 'political reality' amid expectation he will quit tomorrow
The US President, who met with Sir Keir at last week's G7 summit in France , waded into Labour's leadership crisis to claim Sir Keir will be standing down.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Slug sleuth’ farmers in England help develop prediction tool to cut back on pesticide use
Maps created as part of Defra-funded Slimers project allowed test growers to halve amount of slug pellets usedFarmers believe they have a new weapon in their age-old battle against the slugs that destroy their crops: modern technology.Slug prediction maps, which have been created by computer models as part of a research project, are now helping growers to better target the use of pesticides, saving them money and reducing environmental harm. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open glory beckons for Wyndham Clark with six-shot lead going into final round
Gritty display leaves American in complete controlScheffler closest threat after McIlroy charge fadesWyndham Clark’s lead shrank, then grew, then all but swallowed the tournament whole. The 2023 US Open champion watched a four-shot advantage get cut in half on Saturday while still on the 1st hole, only to respond with a masterclass in survival golf as Shinnecock Hills finally delivered the bruising examination players had expected all week.By day’s end, Clark had stretched his lead to a yawning six shots despite shooting an even-par 70. Scottie Scheffler’s one-under 69 was enough to emerge as the closest pursuer, but the world No 1 will begin Sunday’s final round needing something extraordinary to prevent Clark from capturing America’s national championship for a second time in four years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes set for England recall after being withdrawn from Durham match
Brendon McCullum: England planning to recall captainBowler Gus Atkinson also stood down from county dutiesThe England head coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed Ben Stokes is likely to return as captain for the third Test against New Zealand.Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s heavy defeat in the second Test was confirmed on Sunday, McCullum was asked if Stokes’ withdrawal from county duties with Durham meant he would return to captain the starting XI at Trent Bridge. “Yeah, at the moment that’s what we’re planning,” McCullum said. “The rest of the squad [for the third Test] will be announced this afternoon once we’ve told a few of the lads.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Spain v Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnMadrid screening of Spain v Saudi Arabia cancelled due to heatThe public screening of Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia in Madrid on Sunday has been cancelled because of extreme heat forecast for the Spanish capital, officials said.Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-game unbeaten run. When Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 10 minutes, a comfortable afternoon seemed in the offing. Saleh al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari had other ideas, Argentina had three goals disallowed for offside in the space of 13 minutes and the greatest comeback in Saudi Arabia football history was made. Argentina went on to lift the trophy, while defeats to Poland and Mexico meant the Saudis did not reach the knock-out stage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK climate activists fear case delays could cost them right to jury trial
Defendants worry that changes could remove chance of acquittal based on jurors’ consciences in defiance of the lawClimate activists fear that delays to their cases may mean they lose the right to a trial before jurors, who are typically more likely to acquit them than a judge.Scores of defendants facing trials for protests as long ago as 2021 have had proceedings repeatedly postponed and worry that by the time their cases are heard, government changes limiting the right to jury trial may be in force. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Badenoch attacks Farage over £5m gift and rules out Tory-Reform pact
Conservative leader says Reform UK’s poor showing in this week’s byelections leaves idea of deal ‘stone-dead’UK politics live – latest updatesKemi Badenoch has attacked Nigel Farage over the £5m gift he received before the general election as she ruled out an electoral pact with Reform UK.The Tory leader questioned Farage’s acceptance of the gift from the Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in the months before he stood to become an MP in 2024. Continue reading...

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Starmer expected to announce departure on Monday as growing numbers of MPs back Burnham for PM – UK politics live
PM said to be reflecting on ‘political realities’, as president Trump joins in criticism of his leadership saying he has ‘failed badly’ Keir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on MondaySome commentators have said Andy Burnham is a better communicator than Keir Starmer, but have questioned how different he is on policy.The Guardian’s policy editor, Kiran Stacey, has helpfully looked at the political projects a Burnham government would likely pursue in this useful explainer: Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why Keir Starmer’s resignation looks more likely than ever
The government message about the PM’s future has changed.

Mail Online
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Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to dad Ozzy on her first Father's Day since his death as she shares text messages and photos of him with her son Sidney
Kelly Osbourne has honoured her dad Ozzy in a sweet tribute post on her first Father's Day without him following his death last July.

Mail Online
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Reese Witherspoon REUNITES with Legally Blonde co-stars Jennifer Coolidge and Selma Blair 25 years after the film's release… see them now
The trio were in attendance at an event celebrating the upcoming premiere of the prequel series Elle as well as marking the 25th anniversary of Legally Blonde.

Mail Online
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Donald Trump declares Keir Starmer 'will resign' after ashen-faced Cabinet ally admits PM is facing up to 'political reality' amid expectation he will quit tomorrow
The US President waded into Labour's leadership crisis to claim Sir Keir will be standing down as he launched a fresh volley at the PM's domestic policies.

Sky News Home
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Rail passengers to face disruption for a week after Bedford train crash
A collision between two rail services near Bedford, which killed a train driver and left 100 people injured, was a "tragic, isolated incident", Network Rail has said.

Mail Online
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Furious Trump EXPLODES over war talks as he threatens to 'hit Iran very hard again' and tells rival leader he 'better watch his mouth'... while also slamming Israel for continuing to drop bombs
JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife Usha Vance on Sunday and was also accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for Sunday's talks.

Mail Online
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Thousands of sun-worshippers flock to Stonehenge to celebrate summer solstice as sun rises on longest day of the year - as heatwave set to bring 38C temperatures amid hottest weather in three years
Around 20,000 people gathered on Sunday to the neolithic site, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, to watch sun-up on the year's longest day to mark the astronomical phenomenon.

The Guardian (UK)
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As Starmer eyes the exit, here’s a vital lesson for Andy Burnham: first impressions are everything | Polly Toynbee
If the Makerfield MP is to be our next PM, he needs some immediate and memorable cost of living policies to avoid his predecessor’s fatePause here before we rush headlong into the turbulent future. Stop and inhale last week’s rare political triumph, revel in the sunshine of cheery optimism. It was a precious but unfamiliar sensation when life on the progressive side of politics in Britain is so often a litany of hopes dashed and disappointments.Andy Burnham’s comprehensive victory in the Makerfield byelection, surpassing expectations, was a precious moment. He demolished £5m-Nigel Farage’s party of loathsome Reformers, whose every election candidate seems more repugnant than the last. Hostile hard-right politics in Britain needs defeating time and time again, every time nativists and hate-stirrers – from Enoch Powell to the BNP – erupt in our politics. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Marco Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP race after slapping track steward
Incident occurred after Bezzecchi crashed on SaturdayTitle leader apologises ‘to entire MotoGP community’The MotoGP championship leader, Marco Bezzecchi, was banned from Sunday’s Czech GP after slapping a track steward in the face after a crash in Saturday’s sprint, MotoGP said.The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps to go. Footage on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running towards a steward, pushing him and then slapping him in the face as the steward was standing over his bike in the gravel. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Spain v Saudi Arabia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 12pm local time/5pm BST/2am (Mon) AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnWe wait to see what role Lamine Yamal will play today. His coach would surely like to be able to use him.The worst mistake we could make would be to compare him to anyone. He is the midst of a process. He has exceptional footballing maturity and lives it all with total naturalness. He has great serenity and strength. We have to let him follow his path but those players who have something different are ready for that. They’re geniuses, like Dalí [who] can paint a picture, or Michelangelo. They’re different. What is exceptional to us, isn’t to them. In those extremes, they feel comfortable. Why? Because they are different. What we think is exceptional, they consider normal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Major disruption after Bedford train crash to continue for at least a week
Engineers need to create access for cranes to lift carriages from site before track can be assessed and repairedMajor disruption on the rail line between Bedford and Luton will continue for at least a week after the collision of two trains which killed a train driver and injured 100 people.In a statement setting out the effects on some services until 28 June, Network Rail said the disaster had been a “tragic, isolated incident”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Egypt manager denies Salah rift; Spain screening scrapped due to Madrid heat – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 10 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usWorld Cup team of the tournament so far: John Brewin, Marcus Christenson and I have compiled some of the best performers of the opening 10 days … with one rule – no superstars.Move over Messi, Mbappé and Haaland – this is about Laryea, Just and Quiñones: Continue reading...

Autosport F1
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Mercedes shoots down favouritism speculation between Russell and Antonelli
Mercedes technical director James Allison blasted speculation about the team favouring one of its drivers in the Formula 1 world title fight, calling the idea “alien”.In the team’s Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, it took the unusual step to address online speculation about Mercedes prioritising its drivers – with various comments accusing the team of somehow favouring both George Russell ...Keep reading

Mail Online
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Russell Brand says he couldn't have sexually assaulted a film worker on set of flop Arthur... because he was 'too in love' with Katy Perry to even look at another woman
The actor and comedian (pictured) said he had been too 'consumed' by his feelings for the pop singer - to whom his stormy marriage lasted 14 months - for the allegations to be true.

Digital Trends
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AirPods didn’t kill public life. They made it easier to survive
AirPods get blamed for making people antisocial, but tiny earbuds have also become a normal way to make loud public spaces feel survivable.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Micron’s earnings are a must-watch market event — with profit growth approaching 1,000%
Micron’s massive growth is “coming at nearly pure profit,” and that’s starting to have real implications for the S&P 500.

Mail Online
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Furious Trump EXPLODES over war talks as he threatens to 'hit Iran very hard again' and tells rival leader he 'better watch his mouth'... while also slamming Israel for continuing to drop bombs
Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife on Sunday along with top Iranian officials to begin negotiations with Tehran.

Telegraph
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Crisis-hit England blown away inside 48 minutes ahead of Stokes return
Crisis-hit England blown away inside 48 minutes ahead of Stokes return

Mail Online
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Reform UK's 'masculine image' risks alienating female voters and is leaving Nigel Farage's party with a 'woman problem', warns one of its senior board members
Gawain Towler, Reform's former head of communications who is now on the party's governing board, issued the warning following the Makerfield by-election result.

Gizmodo
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Govee Outdoor Chromatic String Lights Review: A Colorful Way to (Kind of) Light Your Patio
Love sticking pretty lights in your patio? Govee’s lights are an easy, but very spendy way to do it.

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East live: US-Iran peace talks underway as strait of Hormuz remains closed
US president says in social media post ‘we’ll hit Iran very hard again’ if it does not stop its ‘proxies in Lebanon’US-Iran talks in Switzerland to get under way as strait of Hormuz remains closedThere ⁠was and is ‘no restriction’ on ⁠Israeli ⁠soldiers ​to act to eliminate ⁠threats in Lebanon, and that troops would not withdraw from the security zone, ‌Israeli defence minister ‌Israel Katz said in a statement on Sunday, according to Reuters.Israeli strikes killed at ‌least 20 people in Lebanon ​on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported, ⁠a day after a ​ceasefire with ​Iran-backed Hezbollah ​took effect ​after ‌months of ​escalating ​violence. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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CCTV shows moments leading up to arrest in anti-Muslim attacks probe
A topless man can be seen driving erratically in Edinburgh before abandoning his car and attacking a black man and a delivery rider.

Deutsche Welle
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As heat waves grow more frequent and fierce, cities worldwide are racing to cool streets and reshape urban life. But can they adapt quickly enough?
As heat waves grow more frequent and fierce, cities worldwide are racing to cool streets and reshape urban life.

Russia Today News
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Ex-Polish PM tells Ukraine to return tanks and jets amid Nazi dispute

CNET News
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Foldable iPhone Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Pixel 11 and Other Phones Launching in 2026
While we've already seen multiple phone launches so far, Samsung, Apple and Google are gearing up for some exciting announcements (including an all-new wide-screen Galaxy Fold) this year.

CNET News
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9 Things to Do Before a Summer Blackout Hits Your Home
From cooling supplies to backup power, these nine steps can help you stay safe and comfortable when the grid goes down this summer.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The beauty of sharing the first World Cup with your child
There is nothing like the first World Cup you can enjoy with your kid - and the wide-eyed wonder through which they see it.

The Hill
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Trump says Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will 'probably' be drained for repairs
President Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is “probably” going to be drained for repairs after a recent algae bloom and instances of peeling paint following his administration's major renovation of the Washington landmark. "We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to...

The Hill
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Why this religious group isn't in favor of Trump-backed daylight saving time plan
Changing the clocks twice a year is annoying, for sure, but locking the clocks may "be extraordinarily difficult" for some.

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Trump responds to Iran threatening to close the Hormuz Strait, says he may take over the strait…
President Trump responded this morning to Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, telling Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that he may end up taking over the strait and charging tolls, . . .

Mail Online
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SARAH VINE: I had a complex relationship with my mercurial father. Here's how I finally realised it was OK to love him but not to like him - and found peace before he died
This year Father's Day is not just another excuse for chocolates and Clintons Cards sentimentality, but a moment of authentic reflection. My father, Roger, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mail Online
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Revealed: The 'secret' plasterer dad who walked out on Callum Turner as a toddler - and had a second family in Australia, leaving the new Mr Dua Lipa to be raised by his single mum on a tough London council estate
Callum's dad is Laurence Coles who moved to Australia when the star was a toddler, married a businesswoman - and had two more children, Callum's half-siblings.

The Guardian (UK)
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Twins marrying twins and summer solstice celebrations: photos of the weekend
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Readers reply: Is ‘ripen at home’ fruit the supermarkets’ idea of a joke?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsThis week’s question: Why does silence feel so horribly awkward? I can’t be the only person who has become deeply distrustful of “ripen at home” fruit and veg. I’ve tried many varieties – peaches, pears, avocados – but either they stay rock-hard for weeks or they turn overnight and I find them oozing in the fruit bowl. When and how did we start having to pay extra for produce we can actually eat? Graeme McIntyre, EdinburghSend new questions to nq@theguardian.com. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Some US players believe they can win the World Cup. Are they deluded?
Mauricio Pochettino’s players have got off to a scorching start to the tournament. Going all the way will require the team reaching a whole new levelThe United States can win the World Cup. The US players say so. So does Zlatan Ibrahimović. Because you are a smart Guardian reader, you know that, theoretically, any team who are not yet eliminated can win the World Cup. And you know that this US team have won their opening two World Cup games convincingly, securing the top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout round with a game to spare. Making the World Cup final, and winning it, is in the realm of possibility.But can they? Within the team, there has been belief they can go all the way for some time. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino laid down the marker in his introductory press conference, and has stuck to his belief. His players have followed suit. But now, even famous pundits with outsized egos are saying the US can shock the world and capture the men’s World Cup for the first time on home soil. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Football Daily | Guns for hire and gegenpress eggheads bring World Cup subplots aplenty
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!The awesome thing about a World Cup is that – unlike the Premier League where almost every elite-grade head coach comes from the same scenic Spanish town – we get to enjoy some wonderfully varied managerial match-ups. Where else can we see grizzled international specialists against Big Cup-winning club gurus? Or retired national team legends opposite some bloke who got sacked by Everton? Or Ronald Koeman, who is both? Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Chilling predictions from 1997 suggest a 'crisis' that reshapes America peaks this year
A book that appeared to predict many of the political and social upheavals gripping America is drawing fresh scrutiny over its warning that a historic turning point will arrive by 2026.

Mail Online
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Revealed: The 'secret' plasterer dad who walked out on Callum Turner as a toddler - and had a second family in Australia, leaving the 'future James Bond' to be raised by his single mum on a tough London council estate
Callum's dad is Laurence Coles who moved to Australia when the star was a toddler, married a businesswoman - and had two more children, Callum's half-siblings.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
UK's Starmer mulls 'political realities' after Burnham by-election
A member of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Cabinet said it would be "delusional" to pretend there was no threat to his position. But he also said he had no information suggesting he might quit, as a newspaper reported.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Some US players believe they can win the World Cup. Are they deluded?
Mauricio Pochettino’s players have got off to a scorching start to the tournament. Going all the way will require the team reaching a whole new levelThe United States can win the World Cup. The US players say so. So does Zlatan Ibrahimović. Because you are a smart Guardian reader, you know that, theoretically, any team who are not yet eliminated can win the World Cup. And you know that this US team have won their opening two World Cup games convincingly, securing the top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout round with a game to spare. Making the World Cup final, and winning it, is in the realm of possibility.But can they? Within the team, there has been belief they can go all the way for some time. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino laid down the marker in his opening press conference, and has stuck to his belief. His players have followed suit. But now, even famous pundits with outsized egos are saying the US can shock the world and capture the men’s World Cup for the first time on home soil. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Extreme heat warning extended to four days as temperatures could hit 38C
A Met Office amber weather warning for heat comes into force on Monday and will now last through to Thursday.

BBC UK News
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Tributes paid to 'popular' teenager killed in Donegal rally crash
Tadhg Callaghan Carter, 15, was watching the Donegal International Rally when he was struck by a vehicle.

Mail Online
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Micah Richards labels Gary Lineker an 'absolute TRAITOR' for poking fun at the BBC during surprise ITV appearance - before being told 'shut the f*** up' by axed Match of the Day star
Micah Richards dubbed his Rest is Football co-host an 'absolute traitor' for his BBC jibes during the former Match of the Day presenter's surprise appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage. 

Mail Online
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High-stakes Iran war talks get underway as JD Vance is joined by pregnant wife Usha in leading familiar team of American negotiators... but fresh conflict threatens to derail peace plan
Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland with his pregnant wife on Sunday along with top Iranian officials to begin negotiations with Tehran.

Sky News Home
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Murder investigation after man stabbed to death
Police have begun a murder investigation after a man was stabbed to death in southeast London.

The Guardian (UK)
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Jack Rooke looks back: ‘Nan was a real prankster. I took the show we made together to Edinburgh’
The standup and Big Boys creator on experiencing grief at a young age, his mischievous grandmother, and why he refuses to learn to driveBorn in Watford in 1993, Jack Rooke is a comedian, actor and writer. He studied journalism at the University of Westminster, and began his standup career in 2014. Rooke’s breakout show, Good Grief, was written with his grandmother, Sicely, and documented their experiences of bereavement following the death of Rooke’s father, Laurie, from cancer. His next show, Happy Hour, became the basis for his two-time Bafta-winning Channel 4 comedy, Big Boys. Rooke is taking an updated version of Good Grief on a UK tour, starting at the Roundhouse in London on 14 August. Rooke is an ambassador for the suicide prevention charity Calm.I am three years old and being pushed by my nan on a swing. She’s in a lovely powder-blue two-piece while I am sporting an iconic all-in-one black-and-white striped mini boiler suit dungaree scenario. For reasons we will never know, I look rather unimpressed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A to B review – relentless mishaps as nothing goes to plan on blind date
Soho theatre, LondonTold through two overlapping monologues, Brianna and Armani prepare for a night that could change the course of their livesAll the nerves, hope and anticipation of getting ready for a date melt together in Tia-Renee Mullings’s coming-of-age play. Told through two separate, overlapping monologues, Brianna (Zakiyyah Dean) and Armani (Sheyi Cole) prepare for a night that could change the course of their lives for the better. Or it could go horribly wrong. Who knows? Set up on a blind date by mutual friends, they have only a photo of their prospective partner to go on.It’s a premise that many searching for love in today’s dating app-fuelled world will recognise. But that anxiety isn’t enough to sustain momentum across the play’s 80-minute running time. For Brianna and Armani, nothing seems to be going to plan. Brianna’s younger sisters steal and destroy her carefully chosen outfit – a nightmare for a perfectionist like her – before an unfortunate encounter with water guns completely ruins her hair. Meanwhile, Armani misses his barber’s appointment and ends up with the worst trim of his life. After a while, though, the relentless string of mishaps becomes predictable, and things begin to feel as though they’re running in circles. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Queueing is being rebranded as a nice way to meet people. But that depends on what you’re waiting for | Emma Beddington
It’s a short step from laughing in the line for artisan pastries to grimly waiting to buy a loaf of sliced white. Are we just rehearsing for food shortages?It’s hot – fancy a frozen yoghurt? Probably not, given that ice-cream exists, but a New York Times reporter recently queued for an hour to experience the city’s fro-yo craze with 74 other patient souls, long enough, she wrote, to “feel affection for my cluster of line, the kind of camaraderie you develop with fellow passengers on a delayed flight”. The yoghurt, while fine, was emphatically not worth the wait. That’s surely also true of the UK’s current slew of viral bakeries, pizza joints and, improbably, baked potato spots. Can carbs really be that good? Maybe, but I’ll never find out: reaching the head of an interminable queue only for the person in front of you to take the last treat is psychological violence I won’t put myself through, and queueing at a mayonnaise vending machine – another real NYC phenomenon – is my idea of hell.But queues are everywhere now. Even in my hometown of York, where formerly the only people queueing were tourists waiting to enjoy the stench of rotting herring and latrine at the Jorvik Viking Centre (or to patronise our sui generis tearoom, Bettys), locals line up at brunch spots and bakeries. How and why have queues, previously an occasional annoyance, become ubiquitous? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Some US players believe they can win the World Cup. Are they deluded?
Mauricio Pochettino’s players have got off to a scorching start to the tournament. Going all the way will require the team reaching a whole new level thoughThe United States can win the World Cup. The US players say so. So does Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Because you are a smart Guardian reader, you know that, theoretically, any team who are not yet eliminated can win the World Cup. And you know that this US team have won their opening two World Cup games convincingly, securing top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout round with a game to spare. Making the World Cup final, and winning it, is in the realm of possibility.But will they? Within the team, there has been belief they can go all the way for some time. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino laid down the marker in his opening press conference, and has stuck to his belief. His players have followed suit. But now, even famous pundits with outsized egos are saying the US can shock the world and capture the men’s World Cup for the first time on home soil. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Ideal for long days on your feet’: the 30 best summer sandals for men and women
We’ve rounded up stylish and comfy summer footwear for every occasion, whether you want beach perfection or office-ready• The best sunglasses for every budgetI’m over clunky shoes the minute there’s a glimmer of sunshine in the sky. And because flip-flops will only get you so far (literally and figuratively), a range of sandals is constantly in rotation for me during the summer months.Sandals have also become an unlikely favourite for men’s event dressing, with Alexander Skarsgård stepping out in a pair of Valentino Rockstud flip-flops on the Sundance red carpet earlier this year. And while thong sandals aren’t for everyone, plenty of more reserved options offer additional coverage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From riding the bus to reaching the top shelf: 18 simple exercises to prepare you for everyday life
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Britain's Greatest Betrayal: The Rape Gang Inquiry Report
Britain's Greatest Betrayal: The Rape Gang Inquiry Report

Authored by Celina via American Greatness,

Rupert Lowe’s Rape Gang Inquiry Report opens with two quotations before a single piece of evidence is presented.

The first is Albert Einstein’s observation:


The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.


Human history has always contained violent and predatory men, every society has had to confront them, punish them, and do its best to protect the innocent from them. That is a perennial feature of the human condition. Yet the significance of Einstein’s quote is that it shifts our attention away from the perpetrators alone and towards those who witnessed wrongdoing and failed to stop it. This report is so horrific because it illustrates how people who were supposed to protect vulnerable children failed to act. The report argues that those crimes became possible on such a scale because too many others looked away.

The second quotation is from Friedrich Nietzsche:


Man is the cruelest animal.


Nietzsche explains the existence of the perpetrators, Einstein explains the existence of the scandal. Throughout the report, readers encounter testimony describing acts so degrading and sadistic that they transcend ordinary criminality. This article will start with one such story.

At 12 years of age, a girl identified in official records only as Chloe was abducted by an adult male who drove her to a secluded, darkened graveyard. Once there, he supplied the child with an entire bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. He then forced himself upon her, pinning her down in the darkness and raping her. Withdrawing just before ejaculation, the man picked up the emptied glass whiskey bottle and violently forced it up inside the 12-year-old child’s body until it shattered.



When Chloe eventually arrived at a local Accident and Emergency department, bleeding and in a state of unfathomable physical and psychological shock, the medical staff attended to the immediate anatomical emergency. They placed her on a table, removed the shards of shattered glass from deep inside her body, and then, according to the official records, they simply discharged her. No probing questions were asked, no police officers were summoned to the hospital ward to take a statement, no urgent safeguarding referrals were initiated to remove her from harm. A child had presented with injuries unmistakably consistent with extreme, sadistic sexual torture, and the institution specifically tasked with her care patched her up and sent her back out into the night.

Elsewhere in the country, a young victim named Michelle endured a reality of comparable horror. Michelle was subjected to an industrial scale of violence, repeatedly gang-raped in local bin sheds and threatened into terrified submission with a knife and forced into sex with multiple men waiting in cars. She was drugged, beaten, burned with cigarettes, locked in rooms, and passed between men. Of her abusers, she states: “98 percent of them were Pakistani Muslim. If not, they were Iraqi Muslim or Kurdish.” One of the most chilling details of Michelle’s ordeal occurred inside a police station. When the authorities finally became involved, the system failed her with such spectacular absurdity that police officers permitted one of the very men who had been violently abusing her to sit beside her during proceedings, officially accepting her rapist as her designated “appropriate adult,” a legal role exclusively designed to protect the welfare of vulnerable minors.



What Actually Happened

The history of group-based child sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom stretches back generations. While Alexis Jay, the independent chair of the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection, previously identified the 1970s as the era when immigrant rape gangs first began operating in Britain, the Inquiry traces the first recorded case of a specifically Pakistani rape gang back to 1955 in Bradford, shortly after the British Nationality Act of 1948 altered the nation’s demographic makeup. However, the report highlights that the scale of these crimes expanded exponentially from the late 1990s onward, mutating from isolated local incidents into an industrialized, nationwide criminal enterprise.

What emerges from the Inquiry’s findings is the standardization of the abuse. The report confirms that these networks operate, or have operated, in at least 149 local authority districts, representing nearly 40 percent of all such districts across the United Kingdom. Britain quite literally faced a single, cohesive national model of modern-day child sex slavery.

The Victims

Reading the Rape Gang Inquiry Report is to descend into an abyss of human suffering. The abstract statistics of 250,000 victims, 149 districts, decades of cover-ups cannot adequately convey the reality of the crimes. The emotional and moral heart of the report is truly in the testimonies of the survivors, who detailed the complete annihilation of their childhoods and the lifelong shadows cast by their exploitation.

Fiona: The Care Home Pipeline

Emerging from a household marred by domestic violence and her mother’s repeated suicide attempts, Fiona was placed into state care. Tragically, this environment functioned as a heavily stocked hunting ground for the ethnic gangs. Fiona was trafficked across multiple UK cities. The networks utilized extreme violence to ensure total compliance. Fiona was forced not only to endure sexual torture but to act as a courier for drugs and to clean up the blood and knives from the scenes of fatal stabbings. The abusers bragged to her about hiding dead bodies in specific locations, facts that Fiona later saw corroborated by local news reports of recovered corpses.

At 14, Fiona fell into the hands of a man known as “Rambo,” an illegal immigrant who had reportedly been castrated in Pakistan as a punishment for child abuse before fleeing to the Philippines, where he allegedly attacked women and children with a machete, eventually arriving in Britain. Rambo locked Fiona and another girl in a room, subjecting them to extreme sexual torture that, according to the Inquiry, illustrated how the abuse was often driven more by sadism, racial humiliation, and absolute control than by just sexual gratification.

At 15, while living in a mixed-sex state care home, Fiona became pregnant. The state removed her infant son for adoption, citing the “ongoing exploitation risks” present in her life, yet deemed it acceptable to leave the 15-year-old mother behind in the exact same care home, fully exposed to the gang that had impregnated her. She estimates she was abused by between 50 and 100 men, all but two of whom were of Pakistani origin, before the abuse ceased only when she aged out of the system at 18, leaving her with chronic physical injuries, substance dependency, and complex PTSD.



Michelle: Industrial Scale of Violence

The report contains a litany of similar horrors, but the testimony of Michelle highlights the industrial scale of the abuse and the collapse of authority. Michelle detailed a relentless pattern of violence, describing how she was routinely gang-raped in local bin sheds, threatened with knives, and forced into compliance through physical terror.

The volume of perpetrators she was forced to endure resulted in repeated pregnancies, transforming her body into a site of continuous trauma and medical intervention.

Yet, the defining tragedy of Michelle’s account is in the absolute inability, or refusal, of the authorities to intervene on her behalf. When Michelle was finally brought into contact with law enforcement, the system failed her so profoundly that it could be described as complicity. While in police custody, the authorities permitted one of the very men who had been violently abusing her to accompany her, officially accepting her rapist as her “appropriate adult.” This legal role, designed to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable minors during police interviews, was handed to the architect of her suffering. The authorities had essentially outsourced their safeguarding duties to the predator.

These testimonies confirm that the trauma inflicted by the perpetrators was endlessly compounded by the very institutions established to prevent it. The girls were not just victims of the gangs; they were victims of the state.

The Failure of the State

The central thesis of the Rape Gang Inquiry Report is unequivocal: the estimated 250,000 victims were the victims of a deliberate collapse of the British state’s safeguarding architecture. Across every crucial sector, the state chose institutional convenience over the lives of children.

The Police: Criminalization and Complicity

The Inquiry documents how officers frequently arrived hours late to missing persons reports, actively discouraged parents from filing complaints, and routinely closed cases without conducting basic forensic or digital examinations.

The most pervasive failure was the ideological decision to view the victims as willing participants in their own destruction. Children like Chloe, found highly intoxicated in the cars of adult men, were labeled “prostitutes,” making “lifestyle choices.” By framing the organised rape of children as consensual sex work, the police absolved themselves of the legal requirement to launch resource-heavy investigations into organised crime syndicates.

When victims or their families did provide actionable evidence, it was routinely mishandled, ignored, or actively destroyed. Ross, the father of a survivor named Phoebe, testified that vital digital evidence handed over to the police was inexplicably deleted from the device while in police custody. When Grace’s abusers repeatedly breached their bail conditions and stalked her family, the police took no action, rendering protective non-molestation orders entirely meaningless.

The bureaucratic responses were often farcical. In some instances, the only formal action taken by police was issuing “harboring notices” to the men, pieces of paper warning them not to associate with the child. When the men inevitably ignored these notices, no further enforcement followed. Furthermore, the Inquiry uncovered a deeply entrenched “two-tier” policing system. While forces surrendered to the fear of disorder from certain communities, they aggressively targeted the victims and their families. Chloe was arrested in her pajamas after her mother called the police for help, kept in a cell until 2:00 AM, and released onto the streets without transportation, leading directly to her being picked up by a gang member and trafficked nationwide.

Most disturbingly, the report highlights allegations of direct police complicity, referencing whistleblower accounts of “cop nights” where officers were allegedly active participants in the trafficking and abuse of girls using police vehicles. The revelation that an abuser could be legally accepted as an “appropriate adult” for Michelle during police questioning underscores a force either dangerously incompetent or wilfully blind to the dynamics of coercive control.

Social Services: Abandonment and Retaliation

If the police failed to enforce the law, social services failed to enforce basic humanity. Across multiple districts, social care systems identified the precise markers of severe exploitation - truancy, self-harm, sudden wealth, STIs, missing episodes - and consistently chose to look away.

The Inquiry demonstrates that social workers frequently undermined protective parents, isolating children from their families and placing them in residential care homes and semi-independent units that functioned as drive-through delivery systems for the gangs. Children were centralized, making them easier targets.

Jane, a victim placed in semi-independent living at 16, was trafficked directly from her state-provided accommodation. When she disclosed the abuse and the exchange of money to the staff, she was told it did not constitute trafficking because she was over 16. The staff then blackmailed her, threatening to blame her for the exploitation if she complained further. Following a psychiatric hospitalization, Jane discovered that all statutory care records from her placement had been mysteriously “lost or destroyed,” legally obstructing any path to future accountability.

When internal whistleblowers attempted to expose the ongoing grooming, trafficking, and financial abuse of children in these units, they were met with severe retaliation. An unnamed social worker who acted as an Interim Co-Manager testified that after raising concerns about untreated exploitation risks and unlawful housing practices, she faced sudden suspensions, the removal of payments, fabricated allegations, and career-ending professional isolation orchestrated by senior leadership to protect the council’s reputation. Social services actively punished those who tried to protect children.

Schools

Teachers and school administrators observed older men waiting at the school gates to collect young girls in taxis. They noted sudden drops in attendance, drastic changes in behavior, and physical exhaustion.

Instead of recognising these as textbook indicators of exploitation, schools responded with punitive measures that pushed the children further to the margins. When Chloe’s trauma manifested as truancy, the school repeatedly placed her in isolation, compounding her emotional distress and alienation. When Jen was bullied to the point of wetting herself because a teacher refused her access to the toilet, the school ignored her subsequent self-harm and suicidal ideation, failing to initiate any safeguarding response.

In the most tragic instances, schools actively protected the abusers to avoid scandal. When Rachel’s autistic daughter disclosed that she had been orally raped by a peer, the school failed to effectively safeguard her, allowing the alleged perpetrator to remain on the premises. She was subjected to relentless physical and online bullying by students linked to the abuser, which was filmed and shared online. The intimidation escalated until the 12-year-old took a fatal overdose of colchicine, stating she “just wanted everything to stop.”

The National Health Service

The National Health Service (NHS) is uniquely positioned to identify physical and psychological trauma. Yet, the report highlights a staggering clinical detachment among healthcare providers, who repeatedly treated the biological symptoms of extreme violence without ever questioning the cause.

Victims repeatedly presented at A&E departments, sexual health clinics, and GP surgeries with injuries that could only be the result of severe abuse. Chloe’s arrival at the hospital with shattered glass in her vagina is the most visceral example; the medical staff treated the physical wound but entirely ignored the 12-year-old patient attached to it.

The NHS treated the collateral damage of the gangs, administering antibiotics for gonorrhea, managing pregnancies caused by rape, performing abortions on children, and stitching the physical wounds of suicide attempts, without ever triggering automatic safeguarding referrals. When Chloe was diagnosed with severe, multiple STIs at age 13, clinic staff just discussed contraception rather than contacting the police. When victims sought psychological help, they were frequently dismissed. One survivor requested antidepressants to cope with the trauma of multiple STIs and a miscarriage between the ages of 13 and 15, only to be told by a doctor that she was “too young” to warrant the medication.





The Ethnic Dimension of the Crimes

According to the official data cited in the report, including independent analyses of conviction records from the late 1990s onward, approximately 87 percent of those convicted in group-based child sexual exploitation cases bore distinctively Muslim names. However, the Inquiry notes that because the vast majority of perpetrators were never prosecuted or convicted, the true demographic concentration is believed to be even higher. The report cites Dr. Taj Hargey, an imam with the Oxford Islamic Congregation, who estimates that 95 percent of the men involved in these specific gang networks are of Muslim heritage, a figure that vastly exceeds the Muslim share of the overall United Kingdom population, which stands at roughly 6 percent.

The Inquiry found that the overwhelming majority of these networks consisted of men from Pakistani backgrounds, though smaller factions of Somali, Iranian, Syrian, Turkish, and Iraqi Kurdish men were also identified.

The report concludes that the perpetrators operated under a clannish, honor-, and shame-based cultural code that viewed non-Muslim girls, specifically white, working-class girls, as subhuman property available for sexual consumption. This cultural worldview, the Inquiry argues, was reinforced by specific interpretations of religious texts. The report outlines eight theological and legal aspects of Islam that were allegedly filtered through immigrant sub-cultures to provide a framework of religious justification for the atrocities.



The abuse was explicitly racialized and religiously motivated.

Victims were routinely demeaned for their race and faith. Perpetrators referred to the girls as gora (a derogatory term for white people), “white trash,” “easy meat,” and “kuffar bitches.” Kate, a survivor of extreme trafficking, testified that her abusers mocked her for wearing a Christian cross, telling her that her God had abandoned her and that her Christian faith offered her no protection.



The gangs drew strict moral boundaries based on ethno-religious lines. Survivor testimony highlighted that white girls and Christian girls were viewed as having degraded moral character and were thus fair game for torture, while Muslim girls within the community were seen as possessing dignity and higher moral standing. As Eleanor noted in her testimony: “I’d had friends that were Muslim, girlfriends, and this never happened to them . . . the men would treat them differently.”

Why Did Nobody Stop It?

If the crimes were known, the perpetrators visible, and the victims continuously presenting at hospitals, schools, and police stations, the central question of the Rape Gang Inquiry Report remains: Why did nobody stop it?

The answer is institutional incompetence, bureaucratic self-preservation, and an overriding fear of being accused of racism.

Across every agency, the fear of inflaming “community tensions” superseded the statutory duty to protect children. Police officers, social workers, and council leaders were terrified that identifying the perpetrators as predominantly Pakistani Muslim men would invite accusations of institutional racism or empower far-right political factions. When Fiona’s mother called the police to report her daughter missing and explicitly mentioned a history of abuse by Asian men, the police call handler reprimanded her, stating: “You can’t describe them as Asian men because that’s racist.”



The report reserves its harshest condemnation for the political class, identifying a nationwide abandonment of children driven by cynical electoral arithmetic.

The Labour Party is cited as bearing particular responsibility in many of the hardest-hit municipal areas. In towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Oxford, Labour-controlled councils and police forces repeatedly shelved investigations and threatened whistleblowers to protect their reliance on Muslim voting blocs. The inquiry documents that local politicians received direct briefings, sat in multi-agency meetings, and read internal intelligence, yet deliberately blocked inquiries to preserve community relations and retain power.

The scandal even touched the party’s own ranks, with figures like former Rotherham Labour councillor and peer Lord Nazir Ahmed convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl, and other councillors, such as Carol Clark, formally accused of tipping off pedophile relatives about impending police raids. The report also notes that during Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, an estimated 13,000 suspected rape gang members and pedophiles were let off with mere warning letters rather than facing prosecution.

In London, identified by the report as the epicenter of institutional denial, Mayor Sadiq Khan repeatedly insisted that grooming gangs did not operate in the capital, describing whistleblower evidence as “malicious and politically motivated.” This denial persisted even as the Metropolitan Police held internal HM Inspectorate of Constabulary documents detailing exactly these patterns of offending occurring in London hotels, exposing a massive cover-up.

The Conservative Party, while in national government, is also heavily implicated for its inaction. Despite the damning revelations of the 2014 Jay Report in Rotherham, successive Conservative administrations failed to impose mandatory ethnicity recording for these crimes or launch a full statutory national inquiry. The report cites former Conservative minister Rory Stewart, who publicly downplayed the phenomenon as a “small problem” confined to the north of England, a statement reflecting a broader political reluctance to confront the national reality of the abuse.

When individuals within the system did attempt to halt the abuse, they were crushed. Campaigners like Caven Vines in Rotherham compiled multi-agency records proving that police and councils knew about the organised grooming, only to be ignored. Former detective constable Maggie Oliver exposed the catastrophic failures in Rochdale and Manchester, pointing out that senior figures blocked reviewers from accessing vital documents. The institutions of the state did not fail due to a lack of resources or intelligence. They failed because they calculated that the lives of working-class white girls were an acceptable price to pay to maintain the illusion of multicultural harmony and organizational self-preservation.

The Scale of the Damage

For the estimated 250,000 victims, the end of the abuse rarely marked the end of the suffering. The focus of the report’s conclusion is deliberately stripped of politics, returning entirely to the human cost borne by those who survived.

Survivors live with chronic pain, severe internal injuries, and reproductive destruction resulting from years of sexual violence. Jane developed endometriosis that was so severe it required the surgical removal of half her uterus. Chloe’s reproductive system was so damaged that her child was born with failing organs, including a defective kidney. Other children endured multiple pregnancies, suffering trauma-induced miscarriages or forced backstreet abortions arranged by the gangs to hide the evidence of their crimes. Leanne, held captive and beaten while pregnant at 15, miscarried and now suffers from chronic fibromyalgia.

Psychologically, the survivors carry the heavy burden of complex PTSD, dissociation, and severe substance addictions that were originally forced upon them by the gangs as mechanisms of control. The report details a tragic trail of suicide attempts, with victims like Rachel’s 12-year-old daughter ultimately taking their own lives simply to make the relentless abuse and intimidation stop.

Furthermore, the state’s habit of removing children born of rape, adopting them out or placing them into the care system while simultaneously leaving the young mothers in the hands of the abusers, has institutionalized a cycle of intergenerational trauma. Survivors find themselves navigating a bleak adulthood, haunted by criminal records acquired under duress, devoid of educational qualifications due to years of truancy and school exclusions, alienated from their families, and permanently terrified of the networks that still operate freely in their hometowns. They mourn lost childhoods that can never be returned.

Conclusion

The testimonies of Chloe, Fiona, Michelle, and countless others stand as an indelible public record of unimaginable cruelty. They document a world where girls as young as 11 were hunted, drugged, mutilated, and passed around like commodities, while the adults paid by the state to protect them simply averted their eyes.

How could industrial-scale child torture continue for half a century across 149 local authorities despite repeated, glaring warnings? It continued because the modern British state permitted it. From the police officer who deleted the evidence, to the social worker who ferried a child to an STI clinic in silence, to the school that punished the victim, to the hospital physician who pulled shattered glass from a girl’s vagina without asking why, every safety net was intentionally dismantled by cowardice and political calculation.

Until the nation stops prioritizing the political sensitivities of the abusers over the survival of its children, the ghosts of these hundreds of thousands of girls will remain chained to the very institutions that betrayed them.

Download the Full Report.

This article was first published on June 17, 2026, on Substack. Celina is a young Australian writer who focuses primarily on history, culture, and politics. She publishes on Substack at Celina101.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 07:00

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Poland Revokes Top Award From Zelensky As Row Over Nazi Symbolism Deepens
Poland Revokes Top Award From Zelensky As Row Over Nazi Symbolism Deepens

Poland and Ukraine's ties continue to fray, worsening an ongoing diplomatic crisis - despite Warsaw being an 'eastern flank' key NATO ally in the broader Western campaign against Russia. 

President ​Karol Nawrocki has just announced the country's highest state honor previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been revoked. 



"In light of President Volodymyr Zelensky's consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 'Heroes of the UPA,"... I have decided to revoke the Order ⁠of ⁠the White Eagle from the President of Ukraine," Nawrocki said in a statement. According to more of the statement:


Polish President Karol Nawrocki branded Ukraine's decision late last month to name the unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) "outrageous", "incomprehensible" and "deeply disappointing".


For Warsaw, uplifting this name is tantamount to backing a Nazi-orchestrated genocide against the Polish people:


For Poland, the UPA, or the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, is responsible for a campaign of genocidal ethnic cleansing in the 1940s that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 Polish civilians in Volhynia (known as Volyn in Ukrainian and Wołyń in Polish), a historic region with deep Polish and Ukrainian roots. This violence also systematically targeted Jewish survivors who had escaped the Holocaust.


Amid the diplomatic dispute sparked by the renaming, the Polish government is still promising not to let the issue steer its thinking on Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union. It is pledging to remain objective related to examining Ukraine's status.

Ironically this highly symbolic diplomatic slap in the face aimed at Kiev comes ahead of a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in the Polish city of Gdansk.

That Poland is still hosting this high-level conference suggests that Poland is not willing to cut off its overall diplomatic and military support to Ukraine amid the war with Russia - but it is perhaps an early sign that things are headed in this eventual direction. 

Ukrainian Foreign ​Minister Andrii Sybiha has made his country's outrage known - though is still trying to make nice given it needs the military support - responding to the Polish presidency by saying Warsaw committed ​a "strategic error" in revoking the state award.

President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki's decision regarding the stripping of the Order of the White Eagle from President Zelensky:


Decyzja Prezydenta RP Karola Nawrockiego w sprawie odebrania Orderu Orła Białego Prezydentowi Ukrainy Wołodymyrowi Zełenskiemu. pic.twitter.com/8gr1iRhM3y
— Kancelaria Prezydenta RP (@prezydentpl) June 19, 2026
"The decision to strip the president of Ukraine ⁠of the Order of the White ​Eagle is a ​strategic ⁠error ‌by ‌the President ⁠of Poland ‌that ​only benefits ⁠Moscow," ⁠Sybiha wrote ⁠on ​Facebook.

Poland also has other pressing concerns, not the least of which is the immigration and war refugee issue. Poland has throughout over four years of the Ukraine war had to absorb hundreds of thousands of refugees and war-displaced families.

A future where Ukraine could become part of the EU might prove a major drain on Poland's own struggling economy and resources.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 07:35

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With helpful DIY instructions and some pointy tools, I fixed a broken smartwatch on my own. And if I can do it, so can you.

CNET News
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I Saw the Ultimate Rocket Bike in Action and It Blew Me Away
The Force of Nature steam-powered rocket bike took to the track for a record-breaking attempt. I got to see it happen.

The Hill
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Raising taxes on the superrich is popular with voters.  So why is it so hard to get done?
Americans are deeply divided on many issues. But taxing billionaires isn’t one of them.  

The Hill
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Vance arrives in Switzerland as US-Iran nuclear talks get underway
Vice President Vance is now in Switzerland for talks over Iran’s nuclear program following an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Vance, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at a resort outside of the...

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How fast you should be able to walk a mile at every decade of life, according to longevity experts
Walking speed is a vital sign of health that predicts biological aging, chronic disease risk, and longevity, with age-specific mile targets helping you gauge whether your pace is on track.

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A Kyiv far-right protest and summer solstice celebrations: photos of the weekend
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

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US-Iran talks in Switzerland get under way as strait of Hormuz remains closed
JD Vance says talks aim to ‘make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue’Middle East crisis – live updatesTalks between Iran and the US aimed at building out the fragile interim deal to end the war have got under way in Switzerland, beset by difficulties including an Iranian decision to keep the strait of Hormuz closed in protest at Donald Trump’s inability to force Israel to end the fighting in Lebanon.The US vice-president, JD Vance, leading the US delegation, said he was adding Lebanon to an agenda that had originally been conceived to focus on the opening of the strait, the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas. Continue reading...

BBC World News
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Indian cricketer, 15, hits record-breaking 50 in just 11 balls
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks the record for the fastest 50-over List A half-century in history on the same day he was not included in India's one-day international squad.

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Swimmers and hikers enjoy solstice
A selection of images from across the UK to mark the longest day of the year.

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William marks 44th birthday as royals celebrate Father's Day
The Princess of Wales and the couple's children share message for "the best papa in the world".

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Revealed: FA's stance on England players shaking hands with Thomas Partey before Ghana match, as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka prepare to face former Arsenal team-mate accused of rape
The Three Lions are set to come face to face with the former Arsenal man, who denies a series of allegations, in Boston on Tuesday.

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Burnt Chip, Heinz and the American star with 2.6m Instagram followers: Meet the biggest influencers and online personalities the TV cameras are panning to at the World Cup
From football-focused creators and lifestyle influencers to viral internet stars, the World Cup has become a gathering place for some of the most recognisable faces online.

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Met Office extends extreme heat warning with temperatures to soar to 38C - as 'pollen bomb' to hit hay fever sufferers
The Met Office has predicted 'very high' pollen counts across most of England and Wales from Sunday, which will continue into next week's heatwave.

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Why weird men try to put penises on powerful women

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Ashen-faced minister admits Starmer is facing 'political reality' as PM is expected to quit tomorrow
Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, did not dismiss a growing expectation that Sir Keir will announce as early as Monday that he is leaving Downing Street.

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Ex-Olympian denies vandalising Trump's $14m reflective pool project
Donald Trump has claimed vandals are responsible for issues with the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC following a refurbishment costing more than $14m (£10.5m).

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Disruption to last a week after fatal Bedford train crash
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after two trains collided on Friday.

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How to make courgette fritti – recipe | Felicity Cloake's masterclass
If you’re craving a carby heap of fried spuds, these aren’t for you, but if you’re after crisp, juicy veg, they make the perfect snack alongside a punchy dipThese are not chips. If you’re hankering after a fluffy, carby heap of fried potato, I’ll be honest, these courgette numbers probably won’t cut the mustard. If, however, you like the idea of hot, crisp, juicy veg, then you’re in luck. As well as a vegetable side, these make a fantastic snack with drinks, particularly when paired with a hot sauce or punchy dip.Prep 15 min
Salt 30 min+Cook 15 min
Serves 8 as a side Continue reading...

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Much Ado About Nothing review – a riot of romcom energy
Globe theatre, LondonWith its gorgeous music, dance and costumes, this production is a sure summer blockbuster that avoids the problematic elements of Shakespeare’s playThis elegant, effervescent production of Shakespeare’s problem play has all the markings of a sure summer blockbuster. The testy flirtation and linguistic sparring between avowed singletons Beatrice (Pippa Nixon) and Benedick (Ken Nwosu) is full of romcom energy. The comical eavesdropping that leads to their gulling is such silly fun. The music and dance is simply gorgeous; so are the costumes with their warm palette of pinks, light greys and lemons. Even Dogberry (Richard Katz, wonderfully oddball-ish) and his team of security guards wring vigorous clowning out of protracted scenes that have, in other hands, sunk the pace of this play.The production, under Chelsea Walker’s direction, is a riot of fine staging, big on comedy, beautiful in sound and optics, adept at shifting the atmosphere, often with the help of the excellent live band (drum-like disturbances and nervy violin). Continue reading...

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Essex v Notts, Sussex v Hampshire, Stokes out of Durham game: county cricket day three – live
Stokes set for England recall after Durham withdrawal Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionAnd Essex are in real trouble now with Dean Elgar and his limpet like qualities gone, lbw Stone for 42. Essex 65-4, trail Notts by 208. Nick Friend of The Cricketer was at Chelmsford for the first two days and tells me that Essex prepared a pitch for Harmer, only for Patterson-White to rip through them on day one. Harmer finished with a five-fer too – his first in 36 games(three years) for Essex.Great little knock this by Ollie Robinson, now 66. His last 100 was against Notts last May. Durham 383-9. Continue reading...

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Ben Stokes set for England recall after being withdrawn from Durham match
Brendon McCullum: England ‘planning’ to recall captainBowler Gus Atkinson also stood down from county dutiesThe England head coach, Brendon McCullum, has confirmed Ben Stokes is likely to return as captain for the third Test against New Zealand.Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s heavy defeat in the second Test was confirmed on Sunday, McCullum was asked if Stokes’ withdrawal from county duties with Durham meant he would return to captain the starting XI at Trent Bridge. Continue reading...

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‘A hunting ground for foreign regimes’: why violent attacks on dissidents are on the rise in Britain
Iran and China among those accused of targeting critics living in the UK, as arson attack on prime minister Keir Starmer’s properties linked to RussiaAs Pouria Zeraati was crossing the street between his Wimbledon home and his car in south London in March 2024, he was confronted by two men. One held him firmly as the other stabbed him three times in the leg before they both fled.It was later said to be a targeted attack on behalf of the Iranian regime in Tehran. A punishment for Zeraati’s work as a journalist covering Iran. He survived, but the ambush is one of dozens of violent incidents in recent years linked to foreign states.
Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia and Iran have all been blamed for targeting critics and dissidents living in the UK in the past decade, and linked to incidents involving physical assaults, attempted kidnap, stabbings and an acid attack. Continue reading...

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US, Iran hold talks in Switzerland while Strait of Hormuz remains shut
Officials from the United States and Iran have begun talks to shore up an interim deal to end the war. Follow DW for more.

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REVEALED: The hidden costs of retirement properties that make them impossible to sell. Here's what you MUST know to protect your inheritance
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

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Chaotic England fortnight ends with huge Test defeat against New Zealand
England's miserable fortnight ends with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval - setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge.

BBC UK News
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Heat health alert extended with Wales set to bake at 38C
Heat health warnings extended across Wales with temperatures set to get "very hot", warns Met Office.

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He portrayed himself as holier-than-thou but priest allegedly stole more than $150k to live a jet-set life on cruises and in casinos
For a decade, Father Richard Storey was a beloved pastor at Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, Kansas. Those struggling with grief felt peace when they confided in him.

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Keir Starmer on the brink of quitting 'as soon as TOMORROW' as ashen-faced Cabinet ally Peter Kyle admits the PM is 'reflecting on political realities' after Andy Burnham's thumping by-election win
Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, did not dismiss a growing expectation that Sir Keir will announce as early as Monday that he is leaving Downing Street.

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US-Iran talks begin in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz
The US disputed Iran's claim the waterway is shut, a move Tehran says was a response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

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David Hockney’s funeral held in private with just two mourners
Artist had requested only his partner and great-nephew attend, with memorial services planned in places he livedOnly two people attended David Hockney’s funeral last week – in line with the British artist’s final wishes.The two mourners at the private ceremony were Hockney’s 61-year-old partner, Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, and his 33-year-old great-nephew, Richard Hockney, a photographer who worked as the artist’s assistant and frequently modelled for him. Both are trustees of the David Hockney Foundation, established by the artist in 2008. Continue reading...

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Middle East live: US-Iran peace talks underway as strait of Hormuz remains closed
Iran said decision comes after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, as delegations meet at Swiss resort for talksUS-Iran talks in Switzerland to get under way as strait of Hormuz remains closedThere ⁠was and is ‘no restriction’ on ⁠Israeli ⁠soldiers ​to act to eliminate ⁠threats in Lebanon, and that troops would not withdraw from the security zone, ‌Israeli defence minister ‌Israel Katz said in a statement on Sunday, according to Reuters.Israeli strikes killed at ‌least 20 people in Lebanon ​on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported, ⁠a day after a ​ceasefire with ​Iran-backed Hezbollah ​took effect ​after ‌months of ​escalating ​violence. Continue reading...

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Keir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on Monday
Business secretary says Starmer is reflecting on ‘political realities’ amid overwhelming pressure from MPsUK politics – live updatesKeir Starmer is expected to announce on Monday that he will step down as prime minister, after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham to become Labour leader.Speaking for the government on Sunday, Peter Kyle, the business secretary, refused to comment on Starmer’s specific plans but said the prime minister was aware of the “political realities” and would do what was best for the country. Continue reading...

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New Super PAC Aims to Rally Tech Workers to Help Limit AI: 'the Guardrails Alliance'
"A grassroots movement is forming among everyday tech workers who are demanding their companies develop and deploy AI responsibly," reports TechCrunch.

Hoping to leverage that discontent is a new super PAC called the Guardrails Alliance. The New York Times reports that it launched Thursday with backers that included tech employees and labor unions:

Guardrails positions itself as a populist political movement that runs on small donations from people in the trenches of the AI boom. The PAC has about $5 million at its disposal today and planGuardrails will buy ads to support Alex Bores, a New York congressional candidate who became Leading the Future's first target and is running in the primaries next week. s to raise $15 million this cycle - small potatoes compared to deep-pocketed adversaries like Leading the Future, which has more than $100 million from tech leaders like OpenAI president Greg Brockman...

"This is not about matching [Leading the Future] dollar for dollar," [said the super PAC's co-founder, political operative Shaunna Thomas]. "What this vehicle is meant to do is be a political home for people who are concerned about the way the anti-regulation AI tech sector is trying to manipulate elections."


Meanwhile a former Netflix and Warner Bros. executive has launched the Alliance for Responsible Innovation in the Arts & Media, reports Variety, calling it an AI-focused content coalition that says it's dedicated to supporting "responsible and sustainable AI innovation and the importance of human creativity."
The initial members of the coalition, announced Monday, include Disney, the New York Times, Adobe, Condé Nast, the Financial Times, ITV, Advance, BBC, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, U.K. publisher Reach and Wiley. Many of the coalition's members have either struck deals with AI companies or are developing their own AI tools... The group plans to argue for legal and policy guardrails around AI's usage, with its funding directed towards analyses, tools and services focused on advancing those initiatives...
One of the group's launch advisers is Damian Collins, OBE, who previously served as the U.K. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology under prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. "Using AI to break the law can never be an acceptable excuse," he said in a statement. "Laws around personal safety, intellectual property and financial crime still apply in the age of AI. This is why ARIAM has been created and why I'm proud to working with this necessary initiative."







Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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The secret to wellness is simple: Eat this breakfast and work out at the right time
The key to a healthy breakfast is less about when you eat it and more about what you eat.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Sooryavanshi, 15, hits record 11-ball fifty
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks the record for the fastest 50-over List A half-century in history on the same day he was not included in India's one-day international squad.

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Signs grow that Starmer will resign as government mood shifts
The BBC's Henry Zeffman and Nick Eardley on the mood in government as speculation grows about the prime minister's departure.

Telegraph
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Crisis-hit England blown away by New Zealand ahead of Stokes return
Crisis-hit England blown away by New Zealand ahead of Stokes return

BBC UK News
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Teenager killed in Donegal rally crash named
Tadhg Callaghan Carter, 15, was watching the Donegal International Rally when he was struck by a vehicle.

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Taylor Swift continues to fuel long-running Olivia Rodrigo feud rumours as fans accuse hitmaker of trying to steal her rival's thunder
When she was just 17, Olivia Rodrigo covered one of Taylor Swift's biggest hits Cruel Summer - uploading the clip to social media and earning praise from the songwriter herself. 

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'Manners maketh man' - yet so many parents in England forget them when dining with their children, writes JAN LEEMING
The TV star says parents seem to be oblivious to their children's meltdowns in public - and the impact they have on those trying to enjoy a meal in peace.

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Doctors could have saved autistic teenager, 18, who died after swallowing plastic fork 'if they acted sooner'
Natalia Cestaro, 18, suffered 'significant pain and clinical deterioration' before she died in a hospital in Coventry on November 15, 2023.

BBC World News
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Dutch royals enjoy two big results in one World Cup day
There may be about 5,000 miles between the Netherlands and their former colony Curacao but members of the Dutch royal family managed to see both sides play on Saturday.

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Tight security as Indian students resit medical exam after alleged paper leak
Millions of candidates face biometric checks and frisking as air force deployed to secure exam papers.

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Prince William's children call him 'best papa' on 44th birthday
Prince William has been celebrating his 44th birthday on Father's Day, with his wife and children calling him the "best papa in the world".

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Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII is still a phone for the fans
The Xperia 1 VIII marks an attempt at a step change for Sony's flagship phone line. Not only has it had an aesthetic overhaul, but Sony has also revamped the camera system, dropping the continuous optical zoom telephoto that's defined the last four generations of Xperia phone. It's not all different. Sony staples like a […]

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World Cup 2026: Spain screening in Madrid scrapped due to heat; Curaçao keeper ‘deserves statue’ – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 10 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usWorld Cup team of the tournament so far: John Brewin, Marcus Christenson and I have compiled some of the best performers of the opening 10 days … with one rule – no superstars.Move over Messi, Mbappé and Haaland – this is about Laryea, Just and Quiñones: Continue reading...

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Embarrassed by your backyard? Expert reveals how to achieve a classy garden fit for royalty - and the Wimbledon-ready homeware for al fresco hosting
With Wimbledon just around the corner, it's not only Centre Court that's getting a seasonal refresh - your home and garden deserve a little courtside chic, too.

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The Mother of All Cons 'fairy godmum' who duped One Direction into believing her daughter was dying from a brain tumour reinvents herself under a fake name as a globe trotting social media influencer
Shamed 'fairy godmother' Jean O'Brien his living under a new identity in the West Country - and is a 'silver surfer' social midea influencer for the over sixties.

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JEFF PRESTRIDGE: My dad worked tirelessly to provide for us - here's why Labour's tax assault is now killing such aspiration
Labour's relentless tax assault on workers, small businesses, wealth creators and personal wealth is making it nigh on impossible for the UK economy to move forward.

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Unimaginable horrors of Japan's WW2 Death Railways: How PoWs were tortured, beheaded and thrown to crocodiles by ruthless guards in hellish race to build train tracks
These were among the unimaginable horrors endured by Allied prisoners of war forced to build Japan's wartime death railways.

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Four-day extreme heat warning issued
A new weather warning for "extreme heat" has been issued by the Met Office - with UK temperatures set to reach as high as 38C next week.

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Sennheiser just gave me a compelling reason to retire my Bose and Sony headphones
As audio quality reaches technological limits, brands are exploring alternative features.

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Malware Has Gotten Smarter. Here's How Your Antivirus Has, Too
Antivirus software used to hunt for known malware, but now it’s predicting suspicious behavior before an attack fully lands.

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Wooting 60HE v2: Peak Keyboard Perfection
Wooting’s 60HE v2 isn’t just a terrific Hall Effect keyboard. It’s a fantastic keyboard period.

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Extreme heat expected again at the Grand Canyon after 3 hikers die in heat-related incidents
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park are being warned about extreme heat that will plague the popular destination early next week after a recent increase in heat-related incidents in the inner canyon, including the deaths of three hikers. The U.S. National Weather Service issued an extreme heat watch at...

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Five wickets in 40 minutes - Henry humilates England on day five
Resuming on 182-5, England lose their remaining five wickets in a 40-minute period, with Matt Henry picking up all of the dismissals to finish with figures of 6-29 as New Zealand secure a 253-run victory in the second Test at The Oval and level the three match series 1-1.

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Mel Stride slams 'toxic' Reform UK as 'economic fantasists' as he sets out why Kemi Badenoch is ruling out Tories ever doing a deal with Nigel Farage
Mel Stride , the shadow chancellor, claimed Reform's 'numbers never add up' as he criticised their 'irresponsible' promises and 'unfunded' spending commitments.

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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionAnd Essex are in real trouble now with Dean Elgar and his limpet like qualities gone, lbw Stone for 42. Essex 65-4, trail Notts by 208. Nick Friend of The Cricketer was at Chelmsford for the first two days and tells me that Essex prepared a pitch for Harmer, only for Patterson-White to rip through them on day one. Harmer finished with a five-fer too – his first in 36 games(three years) for Essex.Great little knock this by Ollie Robinson, now 66. His last 100 was against Notts last May. Durham 383-9. Continue reading...

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New Zealand rout England by 253 runs: second men’s Test, day five – as it happened
Matt Henry ripped through England on the final morning to finish with career-best figures of 11 for 10949th over: England 184-5 (Root 76, Cox 1) Henry sets the agenda with a perfect first delivery on off stump that is defended awkwardly by Root. After Root takes a single later in the over, Jordan Cox gets off the mark from his 15th delivery. Can’t imagine that has happened too often.Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing County Championship matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB]. Continue reading...

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Four months after the horrific Iran school bombing, fears grow that Trump and Hegseth will bury the truth
A secretive investigation into the attack that killed at least 175 has concluded, reports suggest. Will its findings ever see the light of day?The attack on a girl’s elementary school in the Iranian town of Minab was one of the US military’s deadliest civilian bombings in decades. But nearly four months on, the Pentagon has produced no answers about why the military fired a Tomahawk cruise missile into a school on the first day of the war, killing at least 175 people, mostly children.Some critics doubt that the Pentagon ever will, or will bury the results under classifications to keep the worst mistakes secret from the public. Continue reading...

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The business secretary knows about jobs, and seems pretty sure Keir is out of one | John Crace
Doing the rounds of the Sunday studios, Peter Kyle sounded like someone who knew it would all be over come MondayUK politics – live updatesNot another one. Brenda from Bristol must be doing her nut. After sounding on Friday like the Japanese soldier who had no idea the second world war had ended decades earlier, sometime over the weekend reality had bitten for Keir Starmer. Maybe all he needed was a bit of time at Chequers to think straight. Maybe his family had also told him the game was over. But late on Saturday, reports emerged that he was planning to announce his resignation on Monday. Tellingly, there was not even one Starmer loyalist dampening down the speculation.By the end of the summer, the UK will be on to its seventh prime minister in 10 years. There was a time when we used to make fun of the Italians for replacing their leaders every couple of years or so. Now they look like the model of stability. It is us who is the basket case. They will soon have to make more space at the Cenotaph Remembrance Sunday parade for the line of former prime ministers. Those we have loved. Those we haven’t. Those we have lost. No way of knowing if, at the going down of the sun, we will remember them. Nor is there any sign of things letting up. Who knows how many more prime ministers we will get through in the next decade. Continue reading...

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David Beckham sends an olive branch to Brooklyn and says 'I love you' in a Father's Day post after his estranged son's brutal advert - as he celebrates without him for a second year
David Beckham has extended an olive branch to Brooklyn by telling him he loves him in a Father's Day post after estranged son's DoorDash advert swipe.

The Guardian (UK)
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The business secretary knows about jobs, and seems pretty sure Keir is out of one
Doing the rounds of the Sunday studios, Peter Kyle sounded like someone who knew it would all be over come MondayUK politics – live updatesNot another one. Brenda from Bristol must be doing her nut. After sounding on Friday like the Japanese soldier who had no idea the second world war had ended decades earlier, sometime over the weekend reality had bitten for Keir Starmer. Maybe all he needed was a bit of time at Chequers to think straight. Maybe his family had also told him the game was over. But late on Saturday, reports emerged that he was planning to announce his resignation on Monday. Tellingly, there was not even one Starmer loyalist dampening down the speculation.By the end of the summer, the UK will be on to its seventh prime minister in 10 years. There was a time when we used to make fun of the Italians for replacing their leaders every couple of years or so. Now they look like the model of stability. It is us who is the basket case. They will soon have to make more space at the Cenotaph Remembrance Sunday parade for the line of former prime ministers. Those we have loved. Those we haven’t. Those we have lost. No way of knowing if, at the going down of the sun, we will remember them. Nor is there any sign of things letting up. Who knows how many more prime ministers we will get through in the next decade. Continue reading...

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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s action“Hi Tanya.” Hello Tim Maitland!
”Does English cricket truly understand the storm that’s about to hit them?
”I only ask, because the teenaged Vaibhav Sooryavanshi just hit 94 off 29 balls for India A in the ongoing ODI against Sri Lanka A.
”That’s a strike rate of 324. Three runs a ball. Ten fours and 8 sixes.
”We can only hope that the weather in July provides hooping, green seamers that are utterly alien to him. Anything else and whatever mess the current set-up is in come the end of the New Zealand series is going to look like the calm before the storm by the time the T20 and ODI series is over.
”He’s going to make Harry Brook look pedestrian.
”None of this should come as new news. He just won five of the 2026 IPL’s individual awards (MVP, Orange Cap for Most Runs, Emerging Player, Most Sixes and Batting Strike Rate) aged 15. But as the ECB seems determined to give the impression that they couldn’t run a bath at the moment, you have to hope they’ve started pre-emptive crisis meetings across every department, starting with the Sports Psychologists to prepare for the battered psyches of the bowlers.”Interesting that Colin Ackermann won’t be able to bowl for Durham because he’s not a like for like replacement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand rout England by 253 runs: second men’s Test, day five – as it happened
Matt Henry ripped through England on the final morning to finish with career-best figures of 11 for 109 49th over: England 184-5 (Root 76, Cox 1) Henry sets the agenda with a perfect first delivery on off stump that is defended awkwardly by Root. After Root takes a single later in the over, Jordan Cox gets off the mark from his 15th delivery. Can’t imagine that has happened too often.Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing County Championship matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB]. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The French aristocrat and the all-American idiot: Henry v Lalas is the World Cup’s most compelling battle
Fox’s broadcast at the tournament has become a story of two contrasting styles. And there is one clear winnerWe all know someone like Alexi Lalas. He’s the ranter whose rants never actually say anything, the life of the party at the party no one enjoys attending, the “big personality” who’s always misjudging the size of the room. He’s corporate America’s idea of a fun guy, the type of workplace “character” whose business trip hangover never stops him from being first at the hotel breakfast buffet, hair wet, Untuckit shirt untucked. He would absolutely dominate karaoke night at a conference on infrastructure finance. If only this were the limit of Alexi Lalas’s actual impact on the world, our culture would live in blessed ignorance of his existence. But in the real world Alexi Lalas is not a small-time menace working the floor at an infrastructure conference. In the real world Alexi Lalas is American soccer’s brightest media star, and he is everywhere this World Cup.When Lalas’s Roger Ramjet jaw thrust into frame on Fox at the start of this tournament, it’s fair to assume that many viewers felt a sense of dread similar to that expressed in the Grand Theft Auto meme: “Ah shit, here we go again.” Lalas’s ubiquitousness every World Cup is American TV’s answer to the Iran war: no one wants it, everyone hates it, and as it drags on, it inevitably becomes a face-saving exercise in damage limitation. But there was also a glimmer of hope: for this tournament Fox has enlisted a pair of elite European strikers, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović, to terrorize Lalas and shake proceedings up. Steered by Rebecca Lowe, this new-look panel has promised a slightly more sophisticated approach to covering the tournament than the yahooing belligerence that was Fox’s stock in trade at the last two World Cups. Continue reading...

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Thomas Partey in spotlight as he faces England and former Arsenal teammates after rape charges
Ghana midfielder has denied all accusations as he prepares to begin his World Cup campaign in Boston on TuesdayThe Football Association has remained coy over what will happen when England line up for their next World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday and come up against a familiar opponent in Thomas Partey. The former Arsenal midfielder played for Villarreal this season, but will be released at the end of his contract this month.In the pre-match ceremony, all players are expected to shake hands with opponents, and the FA will leave England’s players to decide whether they wish to go through the ritual with Partey. The squad includes two of his former club-mates, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Continue reading...

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Colombia’s runoff election expected to trigger shift in decades-long armed conflict
Frontrunner Abelardo de la Espriella has vowed to return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groupsGhost of far-right paramilitaries hovers over Colombia’s presidential runoff voteColombians go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential runoff expected to trigger to a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict, now at its most violent point since the landmark 2016 peace agreement between the government and most of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).Polls show the frontrunner is the Trump-admiring far-right lawyer and millionaire businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, who has vowed to abandon President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” plan of negotiating the disarmament of all criminal organisations and instead return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups. Continue reading...

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US-Iran talks in Switzerland to get under way as strait of Hormuz remains closed
JD Vance says talks aim to ‘make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue’Middle East crisis – live updatesTalks between Iran and the US aimed at building out the fragile interim deal to end the war are due to get under way in Switzerland, beset by difficulties including an Iranian decision to keep the strait of Hormuz closed in protest at Donald Trump’s inability to force Israel to end the fighting in Lebanon.The US vice-president, JD Vance, leading the US delegation, said he was adding Lebanon to an agenda that had originally been conceived to focus on the opening of the strait, the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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'Pollen bomb' warning to hay fever sufferers as levels soar across Britain to coincide with 35C heatwave
The Met Office has predicted 'very high' pollen counts across most of England and Wales from Sunday, which will continue into next week's heatwave.

Mail Online
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Three teenagers die in Milan after 'drink driver' plunges car carrying nine people into canal
Three teenagers have died after a 'drunk driver' carrying nine people in his car crashed into a canal in Milan. 

Mail Online
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England slump to humiliating 253-run defeat in second Test in absence of Ben Stokes - as Matt Henry leads the charge for New Zealand with 11 wickets in the match
RICHARD GIBSON AT THE OVAL: Henry took just seven deliveries to begin the ugly demise as he nipped one back to pin interim England captain Joe Root on the pad.

Mail Online
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'I'm paying £18,000 a year on a flat I can't sell' - families feel held to ransom by retirement home providers
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

Mail Online
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David Beckham sends an olive branch to Brooklyn by including him in a Father's Day post after his estranged son's brutal advert - as he celebrates without him for a second year
David Beckham has extended an olive branch to his estranged son Brooklyn by including him in a Father's Day post despite celebrating the occasion without him.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Bedford train crash disruption to last until Thursday
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after two trains collided on Friday.

Mail Online
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A premonition of my daughter's skiing accident convinced me of the supernatural. Now I've banished spirits from thousands of homes. Here are all the signs YOUR loved ones are trying to contact you from beyond the grave: EMMA LOVEHEART
15 years ago, something happened that changed the course of my life. Before a family skiing holiday, I started to get terrifying premonitions that my daughter was going to suffer a serious accident.

Mail Online
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How to boost your testosterone WITHOUT supplements or risky treatments: Jason, 56, doubled his levels with these simple lifestyle tweaks - and doctors say any man can do the same. Here's how to reap the benefits to your body AND sex life
For Jason Smith, appearing shirtless on the cover of Men's Fitness in his mid‑50s was a proud moment - the culmination of years of discipline, consistency and hard work.

Mail Online
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SARAH VINE: My mercurial father was unnecessarily cruel to me. Here's how I finally realised it was OK not to like him - and found peace before he died this week
This year Father's Day is not just another excuse for chocolates and Clintons Cards sentimentality, but a moment of authentic reflection. My father, Roger, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mail Online
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I've had a UTI every few months for five years - and antibiotics don't work: Don't worry, says DR ELLIE. Here's how to beat them for good - and the hidden cause no one realises is to blame
My wife has suffered from urinary tract infections every few months for five years. Antibiotics don't work. What can she do? Dr Ellie replies to a reader's concerns.

Mail Online
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Dublin-born businessman and convicted criminal unmasked as 'one of three men involved in 1996 IRA Manchester bombing'
A Dublin-born businessman and convicted criminal has been named as one of the prime suspects over the IRA bombing of Manchester 30 years ago.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chaotic England fortnight ends with huge defeat in second Test against New Zealand
England's miserable fortnight ends with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval - setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge.

Sky News Home
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Four-day extreme heat warning issued - as UK temperatures set to hit 38C
A new weather warning for "extreme heat" has been issued by the Met Office - with UK temperatures set to reach as high as 38C next week.

The Guardian (UK)
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From pwned to kiting – an A to Z of the gaming terms you need to know
As phrases like easter eggs and looksmaxxing enter everyday language, what other words from the world of video games might soon be mainstream?Twenty years ago, video games were seen as a niche hobby dominated by hardcore enthusiasts, tucked away in obscure online forums and gaming meet-ups. Back then, the idea that governments would use footage from Call of Duty and gaming terms such as “killstreaks” as war propaganda would have been absurd. Then the 2010s happened: nerd culture popularised, previously online-only spaces began to meld with the real world, and gaming went mainstream.Now, gaming references have entered common parlance – at the end of 2024, video game terms including “cheat code” and “cutscene” were even added to the Oxford English Dictionary – and they increasingly crop up in politics, too. Earlier this year, the official White House X account posted footage of military strikes on Iran interspersed with footage from the video game Grand Theft Auto. Six days later, another video was posted, this time interspersing military footage with clips from Nintendo’s 2006 game Wii Sports. Video game references aren’t reserved for the political right, either: in February 2026, Democrat representative of New York Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez quipped, “Why does this guy always talk like a World of Warcraft npc [non-player character]?” in response to a post on X by Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Slug sleuth’ farmers in England help develop prediction tool to cut back on pesticide use
Maps created as part of Defra-funded Slimers project allowed test growers to halve amount of slug pellets usedFarmers believe they have a new weapon in their age-old battle against the slugs that destroy their crops: modern technology.Slug prediction maps, which have been created by computer models as part of an research project, are now helping growers to better target the use of pesticides, saving them money and reducing environmental harm. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionInteresting that Colin Ackermann won’t be able to bowl for Durham because he’s not a like for like replacement.Hampshire hitched their way to the highest score of the match thanks to the lower order - 22o . Three wickets each for Unadkat, Carson and Price. Kyle Abbot 23 not out. Now what are Sussex made of? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dining across the divide: ‘He mentioned the idea of 100% income tax over £350,000. I think the threshold should be lower’
An academic and a medical student share concerns about ​extremes of wealth and poverty, but do they agree on the monarchy?Anna, ‘in her 40s’, ExeterOccupation Education academic at the University of Exeter Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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M John Harrison: ‘If we met a real alien we’d have no clue what they thought’
At 80, SF author M John Harrison is producing some of his best work. He talks about finding his voice, alien intelligence and the advice from Iain Banks that still spurs him onThree years ago, in a greasy spoon on the fringes of the City of London, M John Harrison – Mike to his friends – told me about the novel he was working on. Rather than describing its plot or characters, he spoke purely about the challenge the book presented to him as a writer. With this one, he said, he wanted to push things as far as they could go.Now that book, The End of Everything – his 13th novel – is about to be published. It describes a disintegrating Britain in which the iGhetti – monstrously sized, extremely powerful and strange lifeforms that look like powdery, slow-motion explosions – rule the country and possibly the world. Or do they? In its unwillingness to divulge any more than its characters know, which isn’t much, the novel is more alien evasion than invasion. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Four months after the horrific Iran school bombing, fears grow that Trump and Hegseth will bury the truth
A secretive investigation into the attack that killed at least 175 has reportedly ended. Will its findings see the light of day?The attack on a girl’s elementary school in the Iranian town of Minab was one of the US military’s deadliest civilian bombings in decades. But nearly four months on, the Pentagon has produced no answers about why the military fired a Tomahawk cruise missile into a school on the first day of the war, killing at least 175 people, mostly children.Some critics doubt that the Pentagon ever will, or will bury the results under classifications to keep the worst mistakes secret from the public. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I called her Joybell, my soulmate since I was eight. Then her partner killed her and blew up their home
Together my best friend Annabel Rook and I worked to support victims of gender-based violence – until she became one herself. Now I feel like a part of myself has been erased. Why aren’t more people outraged?It is the summer of 2005, and we are staying on the sun-kissed shores of Busua, a coastal community in Ghana. The sand here is made of crushed pink shells. Annabel and I pick up handfuls and scrub our stained feet in the shallows. We’ve been wearing flip-flops for months, trailing through the rich red dust at the refugee settlement where we work. The Atlantic is rough and alive. Its tumbling motion and the wind are making me feel euphoric. Annabel is smiling to herself, too, and jumping in and out of waves.“Mori,” she shouts, “it’s like being beaten up by an old friend!” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘This changes everything’: how Brexit altered Scotland’s political landscape
Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labour’s former leader Kezia Dugdale.Dugdale said the Brexit vote “creates a frame around fairness” for many in Scotland because, unlike England, Scottish voters comprehensively backed remain in 2016, by 62% to 38%, yet found their country taken out of Europe. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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There will come soft pings, and every one of them will have notes
Smart rings, glasses, earbuds, and glucose patches are turning ordinary life into a stream of nudges, warnings, and tiny corrections.

TechRadar News
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Today's World Cup 2026 matches: kickoff times for Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Belgium vs Iran, and more

TechRadar News
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‘The defining divide in enterprise software over the next five years will be between companies that rent intelligence versus companies that own it’: Enterprise AI is becoming increasingly distributed

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Signs grow that Starmer will set out timetable to resign as mood in government shifts
The BBC's Henry Zeffman and Nick Eardley on the mood in government as speculation grows about the prime minister's departure.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chaotic England fortnight ends with huge defeat
England's miserable fortnight ends with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval - setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Three men die in White City building fire
The men were rescued from the single-storey building but died soon after, London Fire Brigade said.

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham must be upfront about tax or risk spooking the bond markets | Heather Stewart
Victory in Makerfield is propelling him towards No 10 but investors expect to know how he will fund his promisesBurnham allies confident of ‘coronation’Andy Burnham’s thumping victory in the Makerfield byelection came and went without the bond market rout that Rachel Reeves’s backers had warned about. But as he moves towards the premiership, Burnham would be wise to set clear expectations about tax and spend, and to be upfront about the fact that not everyone can be a winner.The yield, or interest rate, on UK government bonds did move up on Friday, but only modestly. That relative calm was partly because a Burnham win was already priced in, and because he took out the insurance policy of loudly promising to stick by Reeves’s budget rules. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionHampshire hitched their way to the highest score of the match thanks to the lower order - 22o . Three wickets each for Unadkat, Carson and Price. Kyle Abbot 23 not out. Now what are Sussex made of?Two more early wickets, Yorkshire, fallible Yorkshire, losing Sam Whiteman inside edging to a flying Ben Cox, Yorks 57-3 ; and Charlie Bennett wafting to point, a second wicket for O’Neill, Essex 39-3. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand rout England by 253 runs: second men’s Test, day five – live reaction
Matt Henry rips through lower order to level series Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action49th over: England 184-5 (Root 76, Cox 1) Henry sets the agenda with a perfect first delivery on off stump that is defended awkwardly by Root. After Root takes a single later in the over, Jordan Cox gets off the mark from his 15th delivery. Can’t imagine that has happened too often.Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing County Championship matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB]. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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All three England keepers played there - Carlisle's role in trio's rise
From west Cumbria to the World Cup, Carlisle is England's goalkeeper factory, with all of Thomas Tuchel's goalkeepers passing through the club.

Mail Online
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Katie Price shows off her swollen face in new update after undergoing lip filler corrective surgery
Katie Price showed off her swollen face and lips in a new update on Sunday after undergoing lip filler corrective surgery.

Mail Online
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Sound healing: Woo-woo wellness at its finest or an ancient shortcut to a calm and clear mind?
From crystal bowls and gongs to ocean drums and chimes, sound baths promise deep relaxation through carefully layered vibrations that wash over the body.

Mail Online
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Royals wish Prince William happy birthday and Father's Day with sweet photo of him and Charlotte after King's Trooping the Colour - as Charles pays tribute to Philip
The adorable image shows the heir to the throne and his daughter in the garden at Kensington Palace after King Charles's Trooping the Colour.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Dutch royals enjoy two big results in one day
There may be about 5,000 miles between the Netherlands and their former colony Curacao but members of the Dutch royal family managed to see both sides play on Saturday.

ZDNet News
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I tested the new modular ThinkPad, and it's the repairable future I'm hoping for
Unveiled at CES, the 14th-gen Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Edition features a redesigned double-sided motherboard and modular components.

Russia Today News
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Only US could impose Hormuz tolls – Trump

Wired Top Stories
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Buying a Used iPhone Makes More Sense Than Ever
With Apple raising prices soon, you can save a lot of money by buying a used handset or upgrading an older device—safe in the knowledge that it'll last longer than ever.

Wired Top Stories
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If You’re Searching for a New Skillet, Consider Stainless Steel
Stainless-steel pans may lack nonstick coatings, but they’re unfussy, they sear well, and they’re built for a lifetime of hard work.

Wired Top Stories
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28 Tips to Take Your ChatGPT Prompts to the Next Level
Sure, anyone can use OpenAI’s chatbot. But with smart engineering, you can get way more interesting results.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best NAS Devices for Your Home After Months of Testing
Network-attached storage (NAS) provides accessible shared space on your home network. After testing, these are my favorite NAS devices.

The Hill
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Congress is finally set to pass a housing bill: Here's what it would do
Congress is on the verge of passing a bipartisan housing package after months of often tense negotiations between House and Senate Republicans, a significant achievement that lawmakers in both parties are eager to tout back home. The bill, titled the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, would roll back some permitting regulations and limit corporations...

The Hill
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What to know about the temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program
Starting in July, some Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access GLP-1 medications by paying one flat fee per month. The temporary program is set to run for a year-and-a-half through the end of 2027. But with less than two weeks before its launch, questions remain over how it will operate. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, described by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)...

The Hill
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White House puts RFK Jr. on road ahead of crucial midterms
The White House has put Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the road ahead of November's midterm elections. Kennedy has been showing up in key battleground House districts in recent weeks, touting his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda to improve the nation's food and promoting similar administration initiatives. It's a...

Ars Technica
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Review: Widow's Bay is a boldly original take on comedic horror

Mail Online
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'I'm paying £18,000 a year on a flat I can't sell' - families feel held to ransom by 'predatory' retirement home providers
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

The Guardian (UK)
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Das Rheingold review – a sure-footed feast as Alberich descends into madness
Grange Park Opera, West Horsley, SurreyWith its aquatic opening, magic tricks and grand procession across a rainbow bridge, Charlie Edwards’s production manages to remain clear-sighted despite modest budgetsOne hundred and fifty years on, Wagner’s Ring Cycle remains the most ambitious project an opera company can undertake. It doesn’t seem to have phased Grange Park Opera, however, as the company embarks on a five-year odyssey with full cycles in the diary for 2030.With its aquatic opening, magic tricks and grand procession across a rainbow bridge, Das Rheingold poses a considerable technical challenge. All credit to Charlie Edwards’s clear-sighted production then that the storytelling remains comprehensible even if the special effects hint at modest budgets. His set designs, especially the scene where the Rhinemaidens appear to float behind a scrim, pay homage to the 1876 Bayreuth premiere, while Industrial Revolution references bring to mind Patrice Chéreau’s iconic centenary Ring. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionChelmsford: Essex 184 and 13-2 v Nottinghamshire 457Sophia Garden: Glamorgan 358 v Surrey 105 and 82-2 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump may survive the humiliation of the Iran deal. Netanyahu will not | Simon Tisdall
What has the Israeli PM’s whirlwind of violence achieved? His closest ally now turning against him – and an emboldened IranBenjamin Netanyahu, the biggest loser in last week’s preliminary deal to halt the US-Israel-Iran war, will be remembered – and reviled – as the man who put the Middle East to the sword. Whether the “problem” was Hamas in Gaza, illegal West Bank land seizures, supposed Israeli-Arab fifth columnists, peace campaigners’ aid flotillas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, hostile militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, or Tehran’s hardline Islamic regime, the Israeli leader’s “solution” was always the same: extreme, often lawless violence that invariably made matters worse.The unprovoked, illegal war against Iran was the ultimate expression of the Netanyahu doctrine – the disproportionate application of brute force. Predictably, it too, has failed. Donald Trump is desperately arguing that the ceasefire memorandum he signed in Versailles (of all places!) is not the lame capitulation it so self-evidently is. But while the US president may survive this humiliation – despite global scepticism and mockery – the likely consequences of the debacle for Netanyahu, his brother-in-harms, are career-ending serious. In many respects, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister is already yesterday’s man.Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentatorDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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In pictures: Swimmers and hikers enjoy solstice
A selection of images from across the UK to mark the longest day of the year.

FlightAware Squawks
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American 737 & Delta A319 Nearly Collide With Each Other in Boston
Yesterday, an American Airlines Boeing 737 and Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 nearly collided with each other in Boston due to an air traffic controller's mistake.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How many World Cup Golden Boot winners can you name?
How many World Cup top goalscorers from down the years can you name?

Mail Online
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'I married a death row double killer': London single mother tells the full, incredible story of how she wed a Texas convict, then watched his execution
Tiana Krasniqi was a dental nurse raising her daughter in London when she logged on to writeaprisoner.com and met her husband death row killer James Broadnax

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham must be upfront about tax or risk spooking the bond markets | Heather Stewart
Victory in Makerfield is propelling him towards No 10 but investors expect to know how he will fund his promisesBurnham allies confident of ‘coronation’Andy Burnham’s thumping victory in the Makerfield byelection came and went without the bond market rout Rachel Reeves’s backers had warned about.But as he moves towards the premiership, Burnham would be wise to set clear expectations about tax and spend, and to be upfront about the fact that not everyone can be a winner. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionDelayed arrival at CLS, via a cheese scone, to see Ben Raine reverse-scoop the ball into his stumps. Durham 332-8 with the new ball imminent. Stokes is still at Chester le Street and warmed up with the team this morning.Morning everyone and a happy summer solstice to you all. Breaking news at The Oval and here at CLS that Stokes and Atkinson and have been withdrawn from duty and will presumably be meeting up with England after the denouement to the second Test at The Oval. But away from that, there are eight games of cricket to win. Play starts at 11am, do join us. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day five – live
Updates from final day at the Oval from 11am (BST) Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action49th over: England 184-5 (Root 76, Cox 1) Henry sets the agenda with a perfect first delivery on off stump that is defended awkwardly by Root. After Root takes a single later in the over, Jordan Cox gets off the mark from his 15th delivery. Can’t imagine that has happened too often.Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing County Championship matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB]. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland to get under way as strait of Hormuz remains closed
JD Vance says talks aim to ‘make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue’Middle East crisis – live updatesTalks between Iran and the US aimed at building out the fragile interim deal to end the war are due to get under way in Switzerland, beset by difficulties including an Iranian decision to keep the strait of Hormuz closed in protest at Donald Trump’s inability to force Israel to end the fighting in Lebanon.The US vice-president, JD Vance, leading the US delegation, said he was adding Lebanon to the agenda, which had originally been conceived to focus on the opening of the strait, the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil exports and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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World Cup quiz: Name every Golden Boot winner
How many World Cup top goalscorers from down the years can you name?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Fuel sales halted in occupied Crimea as Ukraine targets oil facilities
Fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Kyiv's attacks against supply routes in Russian-occupied territories.

Mail Online
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Kate's new 'secret stylist' is clearly a fan of Diana's style, says LAURA CRAIK. Ever since Natasha Archer's departure, there have been so many hints
LAURA CRAIK: When the Princess of Wales parted ways with long-time aide Natasha Archer, royal watchers were primed for a change of style.

Mail Online
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Made In Chelsea's Emily Blackwell marries Jordan Oldershaw in second Mallorca ceremony attended by her former co-star pals
Emily Blackwell married Jordan Oldershaw in a stunning Mallorca ceremony on Saturday attended by her reality star pals.

Mail Online
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I'm an expert on Vinted after making thousands selling my clothes. Now even high street brands are being FAKED by dodgy sellers. Here's how to tell if your bargain buy is the real deal
DARRYL HANNAH BAKER: If something is too good to be true, it probably is, as the old adage goes. And nowhere is this truer than online marketplaces.

Mail Online
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Women are more likely to sleep better than men... but still complain about it, new study finds
Women are more likely to complain about getting a poor night's sleep despite actually getting a good amount of shut eye, a new study has found.

Mail Online
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Could your gut be making you tired, bloated or low? Take this quiz to see what your microbes are really up to
As everyone is at different stages of their gut-health journey, it is useful to find out where you are now - and this fun quiz can help.

Mail Online
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The theme park designers using neuroscience to make rides feel extra scary - and why teenagers feel it more than other ages
'Thrill architects' Claire Mavin and Miranda Stewart, who work for Alton Towers, reveal just what goes into making an exhilarating rollercoaster.

Mail Online
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The secrets behind Anne Twist's incredible figure and youthful looks as Harry Styles' mum, 58, steals the spotlight from her famous son with her sizzling swimsuit snaps
Harry Styles is currently on a record-breaking tour run at Wembley with thousands of fans screaming his name every night.

Mail Online
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Rail investigators remove black box from wreckage of Bedford train crash that killed driver and injured 100
Rail investigators removed it from the Luton Airport Express yesterday and placed an evidence sticker on the side.

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionMorning everyone and a happy summer solstice to you all. Breaking news at The Oval and here at CLS that Stokes and Atkinson and have been withdrawn from duty and will presumably be meeting up with England after the denouement to the second Test at The Oval. But away from that, there are eight games of cricket to win. Play starts at 11am, do join us.Tanya will be with you shortly, but some breaking news to bring you early on: Ben Stokes will not play any further part in Durham’s match against Northamptonshire, having been “withdrawn at the request of the ECB”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day five – live
Updates from final day at the Oval from 11am (BST) Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county action New Zealand close to victory despite Root heroics49th over: England 184-5 (Root 76, Cox 1) Henry sets the agenda with a perfect first delivery on off stump that is defended awkwardly by Root. After Root takes a single later in the over, Jordan Cox gets off the mark from his 15th delivery. Can’t imagine that has happened too often.Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from the remainder of Durham and Surrey’s ongoing County Championship matches at the request of the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB]. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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This is how we do it: ‘Sex was something to get through with my husband. With Jess, I feel desire’
Meg was married to a man but had fantasised having sex with women for years. When she met Jess, her knees buckled• How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymouslyI’d spent so many years visualising having sex with a woman Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Gorillaz review – a staggering hi-tech mini-festival from the magpie mind of Damon Albarn
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, LondonA stream of high-profile guest stars included Johnny Marr, Little Simz, Shaun Ryder, Sparks, Yasiin Bey, Bootie Brown and Fatoumata DiawaraGorillaz’s first stadium show is quite the event. It’s a staggering hi-tech spectacle, a two-and-a-half hour mini-festival with a seemingly endless stream of high-profile guest stars, and its audacious ambition and military precision all stem from the fecund imagination and magpie mind of one man.Damon Albarn has never come across a genre of music that he doesn’t want to turn inside-out to see how it works. In recent years, he has turned Gorillaz from the mildly gimmicky virtual band he co-conceived with graphic artist Jamie Hewlett into a sprawling expression of his own musical curiosity and rampant eclecticism. Continue reading...

Autosport F1
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Aston Martin's harsh reality was exposed in Monaco and Barcelona
Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack admitted that the weekends in Monaco and Barcelona - at two completely different circuits - left the team with no illusions about the AMR26.While the main reason for the team's weak performance is still clearly linked to Honda's power unit deficit, the last two rounds also showed there is little reason to believe things are significantly better ...Keep reading

Deutsche Welle
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US and Iranian negotiators arrive in Switzerland for talks
Preliminary talks kicked off at a mountain resort in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. A quadrilateral meeting with the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar is scheduled for later on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said. DW has more.

TechRadar News
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The Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone is an impressively inventive robot cleaner that mops very well, but struggles to sweep up the competition

Mail Online
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Cement bosses in concrete plan to blockade Whitehall as firms warn they could be buried by cheap imports
A tanker emblazoned with the slogan 'Back British Cement' is to arrive in Westminster on July 27 as part of plans drawn up by Breedon Group, one of the UK's biggest cement manufacturers.

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day five – live
Updates from final day at the Oval from 11am (BST) New Zealand close to victory despite Root heroicsEngland this, England that. It’s time to talk about New Zealand, who calmly parked their defeat at Lord’s and have quietly outclassed England in the second Test.Glenn Phillips’ century, the first in Test cricket by a known ADHDer, was a multi-faceted masterpiece; Henry Nicholls played an innings of which Kane Williamson would be proud; and Matt Henry has been quite majestic.Brook v Henry 4 runs, 19 balls, 2 wickets, SR 21Brook v the rest 78 runs, 67 balls, 0 wickets, SR 116 Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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Yet Another Piece of AI-Pilled Speculative Fiction Has Gone Dangerously Viral
It's a trend that urgently needs to die.

Mail Online
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'I married a death row double killer': London single mother tells the full, incredible story of how she wed a Texas convict, then watched his execution
Tiana Krasniqi was a dental nurse raising her daughter in London when she logged on to 'writeaprisoner.com' and met her husband death row killer James Broadnax

Mail Online
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Moment anti-greyhound racing protesters storm Hard Rock Café with placards and megaphones as confused diners watch on
Activists charged into the restaurant in Westminster on June 14 as surprised customers looked on awkwardly and staff attempted to handle the disruption.

Mail Online
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Keir Starmer on the brink of quitting 'as soon as TOMORROW' as Cabinet ally admits the PM is 'reflecting' on his position after Andy Burnham's thumping by-election win
Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, did not dismiss a growing expectation that Sir Keir will announce as early as Monday that he is leaving Downing Street.

Mail Online
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Victoria Beckham includes Brooklyn in Father's Day post after she was left 'heartbroken' over his advert mocking their row - as David celebrates without estranged son for a second year
Victoria Beckham included son Brooklyn in her heartfelt Father's Day post to husband David on Sunday.

Deutsche Welle
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Stonehenge revelers ring in summer solstice
Thousands celebrated through the night at Stonehenge in southwest England, ushering in the sunrise on the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The stone circle aligns with the sun's path at the solstices.

Wired Top Stories
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A Critical Deadline Is Approaching for Windows and Linux Security
The cryptographic keys that secure your computer's boot sequence will start to expire on June 24. Here's what that means for you.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth
Winger Jeremy Doku is criticised for saying he wants to leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany could scrap law banning insults against politicians
Germany's special law prohibiting the insulting of politicians has led to cases that many people consider absurd. Some members of the government want to abolish the law; others think there's a good reason to retain it.

Mail Online
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Apple faces iPhone tribunal showdown: Millions of consumers could be in line for compensation
The tech giant, led by Tim Cook has repeatedly tried and failed to have the case thrown out since it was launched in 2022, with a hearing taking place next year.

The Guardian (UK)
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Marco Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP race after slapping track steward
Incident occurred after Bezzecchi crashed on SaturdayTitle leader apologises ‘to entire MotoGP community’The MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi was banned from Sunday’s Czech GP after slapping a track steward in the face after a crash in Saturday’s sprint, MotoGP said on Sunday.The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps to go. Footage on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running towards a steward, pushing him and then slapping him in the face as the steward was standing over his bike in the gravel. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Stokes withdrawn from Durham duty, Essex v Notts and more: county cricket day three – live
Durham: Stokes withdrawn ‘at request of ECB’ Email Tanya with your thoughts on the day’s actionMorning everyone and a happy summer solstice to you all. Breaking news at The Oval and here at CLS that Stokes and Atkinson and have been withdrawn from duty and will presumably be meeting up with England after the denouement to the second Test at The Oval. But away from that, there are eight games of cricket to win. Play starts at 11am, do join us.Tanya will be with you shortly, but some breaking news to bring you early on: Ben Stokes will not play any further part in Durham’s match against Northamptonshire, having been “withdrawn at the request of the ECB”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day five – live
Updates from final day at the Oval from 11am (BST) New Zealand close to victory despite Root heroicsJosh Tongue admitted England have missed the influence of Ben Stokes after a day in which they crumbled to the brink of defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. While they were doing so the team’s full-time captain, forced out of international duty for disciplinary reasons, was 275 miles north at Chester-le-Street, scoring a swashbuckling 95 for Durham in the County Championship.England ended the fourth day on 182 for five, a distant 281 from victory, after the tourists scored 362 in their second innings. The home side have worked this week under the interim captaincy of Joe Root, on whose back their slender hopes once again lie, after he became the second player in Test history to pass 14,000 career runs on his way to an unbeaten 75, Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The French aristocrat and the all-American idiot: Henry v Lalas is the World Cup’s most compelling battle
Fox’s broadcast at the tournament has become a story of two contrasting styles. And there is one clear winnerWe all know someone like Alexi Lalas. He’s the ranter whose rants never actually say anything, the life of the party at the party no one enjoys attending, the “big personality” who’s always misjudging the size of the room. He’s corporate America’s idea of a fun guy, the type of workplace “character” whose business trip hangover never stops him from being first at the hotel breakfast buffet, hair wet, Untuckit shirt untucked. He would absolutely dominate karaoke night at a conference on infrastructure finance. If only this were the limit of Alexi Lalas’s actual impact on the world, our culture would live in blessed ignorance of his existence. But in the real world Alexi Lalas is not a small-time menace working the floor at an infrastructure conference. In the real world Alexi Lalas is American soccer’s brightest media star, and he is everywhere this World Cup.When Lalas’s Roger Ramjet jaw thrust into frame on Fox Sports at the start of this tournament, it’s fair to assume that many viewers felt a sense of dread similar to that expressed in the Grand Theft Auto meme: “Ah shit, here we go again.” Lalas’s ubiquitousness every World Cup is American TV’s answer to the Iran War: no one wants it, everyone hates it, and as it drags on, it inevitably becomes a face-saving exercise in damage limitation. But there was also a glimmer of hope: for this tournament Fox has enlisted a pair of elite European strikers, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to terrorize Lalas and shake proceedings up. Steered by Rebecca Lowe, this new-look panel has promised a slightly more sophisticated approach to covering the tournament than the yahooing belligerence that has been Fox’s stock-in-trade at the last two World Cups. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Infantino criticised over private jet use; Curaçao secure historic point – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 10 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usWorld Cup team of the tournament so far: John Brewin, Marcus Christenson and I have compiled some of the best performers of the opening 10 days … with one rule – no superstars.Move over Messi, Mbappé and Haaland – this is about Laryea, Just and Quiñones: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Man charged after suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh
Police Scotland arrested 36-year-old man after five people were injured, with counter-terrorism investigators brought inPolice Scotland said a man was charged after a series of attacks in Edinburgh on Friday night that are being treated as potential anti-Muslim hate crimes.Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks in which five people were injured. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran says it is closing strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Unclear if threat has been carried out or if move will jeopardise talks with US scheduled for SundayMiddle East latest updatesIran has said it is closing the strait of Hormuz after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon in a move that threatens to derail the fragile interim peace deal with the US, signed just days ago.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships not to approach the strategic waterway, which before the war carried a fifth of global oil and liquid gas supplies, citing what it called Israeli crimes in Lebanon and a US violation of commitments to establish a ceasefire there. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Ben Stokes is WITHDRAWN from Durham match following ECB request - after England captain was dropped against New Zealand over Chelsea nightclub incident
Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from Durham's County Championship match against Northamptonshire following a request from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). 

The Guardian (UK)
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How Refugee Week film festival brings migrants’ experience home
From one hostile environment to another, the documentaries and dramas ranging from Nigeria and Syria to British immigration give vivid life to an experience that can feel very remoteAs World Refugee Day approaches on Saturday, this year’s Refugee Week offers a multitude of events taking place across the UK, including a film festival that takes audiences from Ain el-Helweh – Lebanon’s largest refugee camp for Palestinians – in Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours and to an immigration removal centre in Dreamers, directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.The UK’s asylum system is the focus of Allies in Exile, a first-person documentary from Syrian film-makers Hasan Kattan and Fadi al-Halabi that premiered on Tuesday at the BFI Southbank, which explores the labyrinth facing asylum seekers. Meanwhile, refugee charity Choose Love, in partnership with Tarot productions and Rogue Films, curated a selection of four short films that together chronicle different stages in the search for asylum, from the difficulties of everyday life in a person’s home country through the perilous journeys made over land and sea, and arrival in a hostile environment marked by ostracism and ongoing trauma.The event, which took place on Thursday at Picturehouse Central, London, was entitled Fearless Stories and showcased films that “challenge division”.Josie Fernandez-Marelli, chief executive of Choose Love, says: “The UK wouldn’t be what it is today without all the incredible people and cultures that make it up. As division is growing, it’s more important than ever to work together to make sure that refugees are seen as human beings, with hopes, dreams and ambitions.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Build Vice City’: the GTA 6 scam that’s hitting gamers worldwide
Bank details at risk as criminals use AI to create fake sites and emails offering pre-release beta test versionLike millions of gamers around the world, you have been waiting years for Grand Theft Auto VI to be released. Now you have the opportunity to play the much-anticipated game before everyone else.An email has arrived inviting you to play a pre-release “beta” version of the game so that you can alert the makers to any bugs before its official release later this year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ueda inspires Japan to eliminate Tunisia in landmark 1,000th World Cup match
Two goals from Ueda, plus strikes by Kamada and Ito, sealed the fate of Tunisia and their new coach Hervé RenardPerhaps the manager wasn’t the problem after all. Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi after last week’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden, appointing Hervé Renard as their seventh manager since qualifying began. But it turned out a diffident side lacking defensive conviction are a diffident side lacking defensive conviction whoever has to do the press conferences. Tunisia were well beaten by a Japan side inspired by the Feyenoord centre-forward Ayase Ueda, who scored twice and led the line with intelligence and imagination.Renard had only three days with his players. He may have performed heroics to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and three years later become the first manager to win two Cups of Nations with different teams as he ended Côte d’Ivoire’s 23-year trophy drought. But he is not, as he has stressed, “a magician”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer expected to announce departure on Monday as growing numbers of MPs back Burnham for PM – UK politics live
Business secretary says PM spending the weekend ‘making time to reflect on the political realities’ he facesKeir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on MondaySome commentators have said Andy Burnham is just a better communicator than Keir Starmer, but have questioned how different he is on policy.The Guardian’s policy editor, Kiran Stacey, has helpfully looked at the political projects a Burnham government would likely pursue in this useful explainer: Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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US and Iranian negotiators head to Switzerland for talks
US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for talks with Iran's delegation in the mountain resort in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Follow DW.

Deutsche Welle
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US and Iranian negotiators head to Switzerland for talks
US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Switzerland for talks with Iran's delegation in the mountain resort in Bürgenstock. Follow DW.

Mail Online
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The 20 best swimsuit cover-ups on the high street, including linen dresses and floaty kaftans
I've curated some of this summer's most beautiful and breathable beach dresses and kaftans from neutrals to bright colours and bold patterns.

Mail Online
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Ben Stokes is WITHDRAWN from Durham Test following ECB request - after England captain was dropped against New Zealand over Chelsea nightclub incident
Ben Stokes has been withdrawn from Durham's County Championship match against Northamptonshire following a request from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). 

Sky News Home
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Kane-backed Seat Unique scores £20m funding boost to accelerate growth
A premium ticketing and hospitality platform backed by Harry Kane, the England captain, has secured £20m in new funding to help accelerate its international expansion.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Former Olympian denies vandalising Washington Reflecting Pool after arrest
Davey Hearn says he was simply touching the new paint at the site out of curiosity and did not remove or alter it.

The Guardian (UK)
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Suppliers unable to chase fees after film producer’s 50 companies are struck off
Removal of Alan Latham’s firms means there is no longer an entity for creditors to make claims againstA prolific film producer, whose projects have starred Frasier’s Kelsey Grammer and Four Weddings and a Funeral’s Anna Chancellor, has had scores of his production businesses forcibly removed from the UK’s companies register, leaving workers unable to chase unpaid fees.Alan Latham, whose low-budget films have previously raised questions over his use of tax credits, has seen 50 of his film businesses compulsorily struck off by Companies House, according to data compiled by the film workers’ union, Bectu. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Superfood or sweet treat? 17 delicious ways with popcorn – from snack bars and choux buns to salads and soups
High in fibre and polyphenols, popcorn has been touted as the perfect snack for the health-conscious. It’s also the ideal vehicle for salt, sugar, butter, bacon fat …Popcorn became indelibly associated with cinema-going during the Great Depression (it was cheap and hugely profitable), but it also has an established reputation as a superfood – recently given a boost by longevity expert Dan Buettner, who described popcorn as the best snack to eat if you want to live to 100. “It’s very high in fibre, it’s very high in complex carbohydrates, and it even has more polyphenols than a lot of vegetables,” he said.Popping corn has been consumed by humans for at least 4,000 years, but its widespread popularity as a snack probably dates to a single event: the Columbian Exposition of 1893, also known as the World’s Fair, held in Chicago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘My mum says I’m not working class any more!’: Olivia Cooke on power, privilege, and dividing audiences in House of Dragon
The actor has a knack for playing characters that test viewers’ loyalties. As the Game of Thrones prequel returns, she talks problem fans, ‘boy mums’ and why the arts should be for everyoneHouse of the Dragon is a massive television series. Over two seasons, the prequel to Game of Thrones has seduced viewers with its plotting, backstabbing, candlelit meetings about war, and massive sheep-munching dragons. Olivia Cooke’s dad, however, did not get the memo.We’re in London, on a stormy summer afternoon, and Cooke is sipping a bottle of neon juice (“Tell me if my teeth go purple”). Her dad texted her yesterday. She gets her phone and pulls up a photo of a television screen, with the first season of House of the Dragon loaded up and ready to go. “He said: ‘Raining outside, so starting a binge-watch.’” She laughs. “I was like, great, Dad, worked on it for six years, hope you like, kiss kiss.” What was his review? “Yes, I like it. Quite violent.” He was planning to watch another episode after he’d picked up Cooke’s nephew from school. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘They didn’t know or care, or wouldn’t say’: how we investigated the casualties of a covert US war
When a large number of children were killed during a US drone strike in Somalia last year, two reporters collaborated to piece together what happenedThere are many reasons why some military conflicts go unreported or underreported. Local restrictions on press freedom. Prohibitively high risks to journalists’ safety. A lack of resources. The tendency for geopolitical conflicts to attract more attention than civil conflicts. And the sheer number of armed conflicts around the world right now. All these factors can also impede reporting on the humanitarian toll, civilian casualties and attempts to hold armed forces accountable.Earlier this week, the Guardian published an investigation into the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including eight children, who were killed in a US airstrike in Somalia last year amid Washington’s covert military campaign against the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab. The articles, which are part of our Rights and Freedom series, are an example of the Guardian’s efforts to highlight conflicts that might otherwise receive little public attention. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer expected to announce departure on Monday as growing numbers of MPs back Burnham for PM – UK politics live
Business secretary says PM spending the weekend ‘making time to reflect on the political realities’ he facesKeir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on MondayThe foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, has told Keir Starmer he should stand down as prime minister, Sky News is reporting.Ed Miliband, the climate change secretary, Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, and transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, have all also urged the prime minister to lay out a timetable for his departure from No 10, according to other news reports. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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'I've banned most men from my massage clinic because of their behaviour'
After just a year as a massage therapist Maria has decided to be selective about who she treats.

BBC UK News
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Solstice sunrise celebrated across the UK
Crowds revel in the sunrise at Stonehenge – and glum weather in Hornsea fails to dampen spirits.

Mail Online
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Royals wish Prince William happy birthday and Father's Day with sweet photo of him and Charlotte after King's Trooping the Colour
The adorable image shows the heir to the throne and his daughter in the garden at Kensington Palace after King Charles's Trooping the Colour.

TechRadar News
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Free audiobooks, groceries, gift cards, and more — Prime members can already score $555 in free perks this week

TechRadar News
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‘The companies that will not respond, will not align with those requirements, will have difficulties in the European market’: Zscaler’s Casper Klynge on the question of European sovereignty, the transatlantic relationship, and the future of AI

Planet PostgreSQL
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Regina Obe: Replacing pgAgent with pg_timetable: Part 1
pgAgent has been my go to scheduling solution for quite some time. Sadly in 6 months it will be completely retired and the pgAgent UI in pgAdmin will be gone.
The main reasons I liked pgAgent were:


Cross Platform: I have a lot on windows and linux customers, so this was important.
Nice UI in pgAdmin, so I could do all work with PostgreSQL and schedule things at the same time as well as check status of jobs.
The database backend is PostgreSQL, my favorite database
Supports Multiple Agents with varying OS.
Supports jobs having many ordered steps

Continue reading "Replacing pgAgent with pg_timetable: Part 1"

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Three men die after White City building fire
The men were rescued from the single-storey building but died soon after, London Fire Brigade said.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Stokes and Atkinson withdrawn from county games
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are withdrawn from their County Championship fixtures in the clearest indication yet they will be available to play for England in the third Test against New Zealand.

Deutsche Welle
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Ukraine hits Russia-controlled Crimea in deadly drone attack
Footage of fires at a major depot on Crimea circulated on social media. The Moscow-aligned governor of Crimea has halted public fuel sales after the attack.

Russia Today News
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Germany is itching to get revenge on Russia for 1945

Russia Today News
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Ex-Polish PM tells Ukraine to return tanks and jets amid medals dispute

Russia Today News
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Sixty years of Black Power: Why America still can’t survive its own race debate

Mail Online
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VIV ANDERSON: I splashed out on a BMW aged 22 - that same car was my worst financial decision
Viv Anderson, 68, won the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest and was the first black man to represent England at football, going on to earn 30 international caps.

Mail Online
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'His absences have not gone unnoticed': NORMAN BAKER asks when 'workshy William' is ever going to step up - and reveals the number of engagements carried out so far this year by the future King
He might be a present husband and father, but when it comes to carrying out royal duties, the Prince of Wales is 'workshy', a royal expert has claimed.

Mail Online
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Secret Service investigates legendary heavy metal band after they held fake EXECUTION of President Trump on stage
GWAR has long been known for the shock value of its live performances, done in wild costumes and featuring heavy use of fake bodily fluids to spray on the audience.

Mail Online
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Tragedy as British girl, four, drowns in hotel swimming pool in Lanzarote
A British four-year-old girl has drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Lanzarote.

Mail Online
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Jude Bellingham reveals heartbreaking reason he gets emotional every time he sings God Save The King with England
The Real Madrid star, 22, shone in the Three Lions' World Cup opener on Wednesday as they beat Croatia 4-2.

Sky News Home
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'Vandals arrested' as Trump's $14m reflective pool project sees it turn green again
Donald Trump has claimed vandals are responsible for issues with the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC following a refurbishment costing more than $14m (£10.5m).

Mail Online
Open 
Thousands of sun-worshippers flock to Stonehenge to celebrate summer solstice as sun rises on longest day of the year
Around 20,000 people gathered on Sunday to the neolithic site, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, to watch sun-up on the year's longest day to mark the astronomical phenomenon.

Mail Online
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Summer swimwear guide: Elegant one-piece wonders to flatter every figure
Forget outdated notions of swimsuits being boring or mumsy, this new generation of swimwear has elegant silhouettes and chic details that guarantee you'll make a splash.

Mail Online
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Yorkie's 'it's not for girls' chocolate bar ads would not be allowed today because of 'wokey correctness'
Andrew Harrison, former marketing director at Nestlé, said a 'world before social media or gender politics' leant itself to amusing adverts.

Mail Online
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Molly-Mae Hague gushes over Tommy Fury in sweet Father's Day post while Sophie Habboo marks Jamie Laing's first celebration as they lead the stars sharing heartfelt tributes
Molly-Mae Hague shared a touching tribute to her fiancé Tommy Fury in a sweet Father's Day post on Sunday.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson's daughter Emily shares sweet snap with her dad after he confirmed he is in remission and filming series 6 of Clarkson's Farm following prostate cancer diagnosis
Jeremy Clarkson's daughter Emily posted a sweet photograph with her father after he revealed he is now in remission following his prostate cancer diagnosis.

Mail Online
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Cabinet ally fails to deny Keir Starmer is poised to quit TOMORROW as he reveals PM is 'reflecting on political realities' after Andy Burnham's thumping by-election win
Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, did not knock back reports that Sir Keir will announce as early as Monday that he is leaving Downing Street .

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Curaçao claim historic point; Iran unhappy at lack of support from teams – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 10 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usWorld Cup team of the tournament so far: John Brewin, Marcus Christenson and I have compiled some of the best performers of the opening 10 days … with one rule – no superstars.Move over Messi, Mbappé and Haaland – this is about Laryea, Just and Quiñones: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on Monday
Business secretary says Starmer is reflecting on ‘political realities’, amid overwhelming pressure from MPsUK politics – live updatesKeir Starmer is expected to announce on Monday that he will step down as prime minister, after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham to become Labour leader.The prime minister and his allies had insisted for weeks that they would fight a leadership challenge from Burnham, or anyone else, before the Makerfield byelection in which Burnham secured a return to Westminster. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Peter Andre reveals struggle to adjust to daughter Princess, 18, having a boyfriend after being raised a strict Jehovah's Witness
Peter Andre has revealed he struggled to adjust to his daughter Princess having a boyfriend after he was raised a strict Jehovah's Witness.

Mail Online
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Dad jokes are GOOD for you, studies show - so, do these classic gags make you cringe?
They're often seen as cringeworthy, but try not to roll your eyes at your dad's jokes too much this Father's Day. Research has revealed that your old man's gags are actually good for you.

Mail Online
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What it's really like to live in one of the UK's happiest towns: Tourists view it with rose-tinted glasses but the traffic's hell, the people are snooty and you can no longer buy anything sensible on the high street
The celebrities who call this riverside idyll home include Sir David Attenborough and Tom Holland - but mingling with famous names comes at a price, writes Sarah Tucker.

Mail Online
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Warning to holidaymakers over toe-chomping pufferfish found lurking in Mediterranean waters
Holidaymakers jetting off to the Med this summer have been warned of a marine menace lurking in its balmy waters. 

Mail Online
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Iceland to hold its own Brexit vote as critics fear joining European bloc is 'worst business idea' country could have
The referendum to decide whether Iceland's government will restart membership talks with the EU will be held on August 29, more than a decade after getting cold feet about joining the bloc.

Mail Online
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Boyfriend of Citibank boss, 43, found bludgeoned to death in her luxury London riverside flat is arrested in Kenya
Brian Kiprop Kipglagat was being tracked by undercover police before immigration officers detained him on June 10 as he attempted to travel to Tanzania.

BBC UK News
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Woman dies on small boat crossing the Channel
The migrant was found unresponsive on a boat in the English Channel on Saturday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How Murray was tempted back to tennis - and would he ever do a Serena?
British tennis icon Andy Murray discusses returning to coaching with Jack Draper, Serena Williams' comeback and filling the void of not playing.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Meet the Curacao keeper who made record 15 saves to keep Ecuador out
Curacao's Eloy Room makes a record-equalling 15 saves to help his tiny island nation to a first World Cup point against Ecuador.

Mail Online
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REVEALED: The hidden costs of retirement properties that make them impossible to sell
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love makes you move your body’: Gloria Gaynor’s honest playlist
The disco-pop great salutes the sexiness of Marvin Gaye and the spirituality of Amazing Grace. But which of her own hits does she sing at karaoke?The first song I fell in love with
I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, with five brothers and one sister, so there was always music in the house. I remember my mom singing Willow Weep for Me when I was five or six. There was something about the sadness in it that really moved me.The first single I bought
I heard Why Do Fools Fall in Love by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers on the radio and bought it from a local record store. I was singing in the hallway of our building when a neighbour leaned over and asked: “Gloria, was that you singing?” She thought it was the radio. That was the moment I decided I was going to be a singer. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Curaçao claim historic point; Iran unhappy at lack of support from teams – live
⚽ All the latest news from day 10 of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usTony Mason was one of those up at the crack of dawn in the UK this morning: “After last night’s and this morning’s shenanigans things are starting to get a tiny bit clearer. I’m predicting a blockbuster round of 32 match between Brazil and Japan. Curaçao may have done a huge favour to teams finishing 3rd as both them and Ecuador will now struggle to get more than 2 points. This Sunday morning I’ve watched a full football match, the highlights of another, been for a run and had breakfast and it still isn’t 9 o’clock.”We are all slackers in comparison. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Young men caught up in extremism ‘in search for belonging’, says UK youth violence campaigner
Jacob Dunne condemns Farage’s call for ‘pure cold rage’ but says underlying causes of volatile behaviour must be acknowledgedWhen Nigel Farage said British people should respond to the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak with “pure cold rage”, it invited a chorus of condemnation from across the political divide.In a particularly tense moment in parliament, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, accused Farage of exploiting the tragedy for his own political advantage, in defiance of the wishes expressed by Nowak’s parents. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon
For one day every June, South Africa’s searing racial inequality seems to melt away at Comrades raceIn the early morning dark, thousands of runners waited, jostling with anticipation. South Africa’s national anthem rang out. Then the haunting swell of Shosholoza, first sung by Zimbabwean migrant workers in South Africa’s goldmines. Finally, that unmistakable, spine-tingling piano: Chariots of Fire.Runners gather before the start of the marathon Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Keir Starmer expected to announce departure as prime minister on Monday
Overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs pushing Starmer towards decision to step downUK politics – live updatesKeir Starmer is expected to announce on Monday that he will step down as prime minister, after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham to become Labour leader.The prime minister and his allies had insisted for weeks that they would fight a leadership challenge from Burnham, or anyone else, before the Makerfield byelection in which Burnham secured a return to Westminster. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
True crime's biggest convention faces its own moral dilemma
Victims' families say there are ways to be an ethical true-crime fan - not an exploitative one.

TechRadar News
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Pokémon Champions just made its Android and iOS debut, and there’s two Mega reasons you need to log in and play it now

TechRadar News
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'Simply being aware is no longer sufficient protection' — Security experts warn of AI-boosted scam campaigns that can trick even the smartest victims

Slashdot
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Facial Recognition on Public Buses? Kansas City Says Yes
An anonymous reader shared this report from the Associated Press:


Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, are preparing to equip cameras on some public buses with facial recognition software capable of identifying passengers who appear on a list of banned riders or missing persons. Supporters and opponents alike view the effort as a major litmus test for tapping the AI-powered software on a U.S. public transportation system, positioning Kansas City as the latest epicenter of a fierce debate over whether the safety benefits of artificial intelligence are worth the privacy costs.

"The idea of running face recognition on a camera that is pointed on live spaces in public is a line that until recently has never really been crossed in the last 25 years," said Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst for the Project on Speech, Privacy and Technology at the American Civil Liberties Union. The state of Missouri declined to help fund the project as expected due to concerns with the facial recognition component. Still, the city is pushing ahead with local and federal money, said Tyler Means, chief mobility and strategy officer at the Kansas City Transportation Authority. "Privacy is always a tricky thing," Means said. "We've always had cameras on our buses. It's just new technology. I think in time it'll smooth over and people will realize, 'Well, it didn't really feel any different'...."

Images captured by cameras aboard the buses would immediately be checked against any active alerts, generated when a missing person, banned rider or someone on a law enforcement watch list designated by the transportation authority is identified... After the buses return to the depot, the transportation authority would archive the regular video footage on a local server for up to five years.

The company partnering with Kansas City to run the cameras "started using live facial recognition years ago to alert nursing homes when residents left the building," according to the article, and then "brought the technology to correctional institutions and schools." But this is its first attempt at bringing its cameras onto public transportation.

The article also includes this quote from Will Owen, communications director for the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. "City residents should not be guinea pigs for transit systems to test Silicon Valley's latest unproven, biased surveillance tech."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Keir Starmer's premiership appears to have entered its final act. Just over a week after Andy Burnham stormed back into Parliament with a crushing by-election win, the Prime Minister is - according to senior Labour figures cited by The Observer - preparing to set out a timetable for his own departure, with a "clear statement" possible as early as Monday.
Peter Macdiarmid/Pool via REUTERS

It would be a remarkable collapse. Starmer led Labour to a landslide less than two years ago. He now looks unable to command the confidence of his own benches for much longer, with cabinet ministers, union leaders and donors reportedly among those who have been involved in the conversations about his future.

Burnham, the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor, did not just win Makerfield - he buried it. Official figures show him taking 24,927 votes, 54.8% of the total, beating Reform UK's Rob Kenyon by a 9,231-vote margin in a seat where Nigel Farage's party had been threatening to turn Labour's crisis into a rout. The result gives Burnham the Commons seat he needs, clears his path to a leadership challenge, and leaves Starmer's position looking terminal.

Also, Starmer's former Chief of Staff - Morgan McSweeney - was the sacrificial lamb in the Mandelson scandal (recall that Starmer appointed Jeffery Epstein pal Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US). McSweeney also targeted Zerohedge, The Federalist and Breitbart in a clandestine campaign against alternative-media outlets. He resigned in February, two weeks before Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of passing insider info to Jeffrey Epstein in 2009, when he was serving as Business Secretary.

Markets Eye The Monday Open

The political risk did not go unnoticed by bond traders. UK 10-year gilt yields climbed to 4.84% on Friday, up roughly 0.09 percentage points on the session, as markets weighed Burnham's victory, domestic political uncertainty, and the possible fiscal implications of a future leadership bid.



With markets shut over the weekend, the next read comes at Monday's open, and any Starmer statement setting out an exit timetable will land straight into it.



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Starmer out by June 22, 2026?
Yes 63% · No 37%View full market & trade on Polymarket Burnham is due to be sworn in as an MP on Monday and to meet Starmer early in the week, with a cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Senior Labour figures expect a "deliberate slow march in good order" - most likely a September handover timed to the party conference - rather than an immediate vacuum.

According to the report, Burnham's supporters claim he has secured backing from more than 201 Labour MPs if Starmer refuses to step down voluntarily. The Observer framed that as a critical number because it would represent more than half the Parliamentary Labour party and would make it increasingly difficult for Starmer to argue that he still commands the confidence of his own side.

A formal challenge requires far fewer names. Under Labour's rules, any challenger needs nominations from 20% of Labour MPs - currently 81 - plus the required support from local parties and affiliates. On every count, the door is open.

Starmer Digging In?

For now, at least in public, Starmer is not going quietly. On Friday he congratulated Burnham on X - framing the result as a win for "Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate" - while insisting he would stand in any leadership contest and still had "more to do."


Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour's new MP for Makerfield.
Voters chose Labour's campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 19, 2026

By Saturday the mood music had shifted. The Observer reports that Starmer was spending the weekend at Chequers with his wife, Victoria, weighing his future after a round of conversations with cabinet ministers, advisers, union bosses and donors.

One Labour peer close to the Prime Minister told the paper that Starmer would not "walk away" from No. 10 creating a vacuum, but would instead "arrange a deliberate slow march in good order, as a matter of duty and dignity." Another Labour grandee said the Prime Minister now appeared "resigned" to stepping down after coming "hard against the reality that the support isn't there."

The establishment knives are out. Lord Falconer - Starmer's own former shadow attorney general - told the BBC that the Prime Minister had "absolutely no authority left because everybody assumes Andy Burnham is about to challenge for the leadership and everybody assumes he's going to win."

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who remains the obvious alternative pole of opposition inside the party, publicly hailed Burnham's result even as allies insisted he still intends to stand in any contest.


Huge congratulations to @AndyBurnhamGM on an astonishing victory in Makerfield, where Labour lost badly only weeks ago.
It gives us all hope that Labour can still win, but Andy's campaign is proof that to do so we need to change.
Enormous thanks to everyone involved.
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 19, 2026

Even the money is moving. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said "obviously Starmer needs to go," calling for an orderly transition on a clear timetable and a conversation about Labour's policy priorities.

Streeting's allies, meanwhile, are still talking as though the fight is alive. The Observer reported he has taken out a contract on an office for 40 members of staff as campaign headquarters and has received two £50,000 donations from Fran Perrin, one of Labour's most generous supporters. But some senior Labour figures now believe Streeting may ultimately do a deal with Burnham rather than stand in the way of the momentum.

"A Final Chance To Change"

Burnham's victory speech left no doubt about the scale of his ambition, even if he stopped short of formally launching the challenge. "Tonight could - just could - be the turning point," he told supporters, warning Labour it had a "final chance to change" with "no second chance."

There was also some weirdness: animal-rights campaigner Robert Pownall, who ran as an independent, and Count Binface, the bin-headed "intergalactic space warrior," who took 95 votes.


"I swear I'll move to Makerfield if I win."
Count Binface talks to Sky's @joncraig at the vote count at the Makerfield by-election. https://t.co/cjPB04D pic.twitter.com/skyclip
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 19, 2026

Mandlelson & Epstein

Burnham's win was the trigger, but the charge had been laid months earlier. The slow detonation of Starmer's authority traces back to his decision, in December 2024, to hand the plum Washington ambassadorship to Peter Mandelson despite Mandelson's long-public friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.



Mandelson was sacked as ambassador in September 2025 after released material appeared to show a closer relationship with Epstein than had been acknowledged at the time of appointment. He was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that sensitive government information had been passed to Epstein during the 2008-2010 financial crisis. Mandelson has denied wrongdoing, has not been charged, and the police investigation is ongoing.


'Where does this leave the tattered reputation of our Prime Minister?'@MartinDaubney discusses the first tranche of the Mandelson files revealing that Sir Keir Starmer was warned that the former ambassador, Lord Mandelson, brought a 'reputational risk'. pic.twitter.com/84vWC3jmhe
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 11, 2026

Starmer claimed Mandelson had lied throughout the appointment process - however it later emerged that he knew full well of the friendship.


🚨 Wow.
The Mandelson files are up.
They prove Starmer WAS advised and warned about Mandelson's appalling friendship with Epstein.
Starmer appointed him anyway.
Starmer lied.
Starmer must resign. pic.twitter.com/1yjYioVJhK
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) March 11, 2026

By then the damage was structural: his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney had resigned over the affair, a top Foreign Office mandarin was on the way out, and the government had spent months bleeding credibility through document dumps, a vetting row, sleaze-inquiry pressure and a steady drip of resignations.

No. 10 is still batting the resignation talk away as "speculation," and Starmer's team insists he will fight any challenge. On Friday, the Prime Minister told staff the party had to "pull together" and "take the fight" to Reform.

But the shape of the problem is brutal: Burnham has the seat, his allies claim the numbers, cabinet ministers are turning, the unions are turning, and Reform UK remains the threat Labour MPs increasingly believe only Burnham can blunt.

If Starmer steps to a podium on Monday and sets out an exit timetable, it will cap an extraordinary fall - from landslide to forced retreat in under two years - and crack open the door for the man they call the "King of the North" to walk through it.

Maybe if Starmer had addressed unchecked migration, England's woke police, or the rape gangs his CoS tried to get us demonetized for reporting on... 


💥NEW: How PM Keir Starmer's Machine Quietly Moved to Cripple Breitbart, The Federalist, ZeroHedge, and Left Independent Outlets
On Breaking Points, Ryan introduces Drop Site's latest investigation, adapted from Paul Holden's book, exposing how Keir Starmer and his chief of… pic.twitter.com/NVPDm7aWmw
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 4, 2025

Tyler Durden
Sun, 06/21/2026 - 01:52

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The Guardian (UK)
Open 
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Two goals from Ueda, plus strikes by Kamada and Ito, seal the fate of Tunisia and their new coach Hervé RenardPerhaps the manager wasn’t the problem after all. Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi after last week’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden, appointing Hervé Renard as their seventh manager since qualifying began. But it turned out a diffident side lacking defensive conviction is a diffident side lacking defensive conviction whoever has to do the press conferences. Tunisia were well beaten by a Japan side inspired by the centre-forward Ayase Ueda, who scored twice and led the line with intelligence and imagination.
Renard had just three days with his players since replacing Lamouchi. Renard performed heroics to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and three years later became the first manager to win two Cups of Nations with different teams as he ended Côte d’Ivoire’s 23-year trophy drought.Attempts to break into the mainstream of French football with Sochaux, Lille and the France women’s team have faltered and the 57-year-old seems to have accepted that his role now is with aspirant nations in Africa and the Middle East rather than at the apex of the European game. Renard still wears his trademark white shirt but whatever luck it may once have brought seems to have worn off. Not that this mess could, in any realistic sense, be blamed on Renard. He’s just the well-remunerated sap paid to try to explain how Tunisia are out of the World Cup already. Continue reading...

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Angelina Jolie's son Pax, 22, surfaces in LA after bombshell revelation about his relationship to Brad Pitt
Pax's elder brother Maddox, 24, recently became the latest of 'Brangelina's' six children to file legal documents asking to drop the surname Pitt.

The Guardian (UK)
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Prem final matchwinnner Hendy tipped for England call: ‘He’s a special player’
Northampton wing scores two tries in four minutesEngland name Nations Championship squad on MondayNorthampton’s matchwinner George Hendy has been hailed as a player of international class after helping his side win their second English domestic title in three seasons. The uncapped Hendy struck twice inside four minutes in the second half to stake a late claim for a place in England’s Nations Championship squad which will be named on Monday.Hendy was also the man who set up Saints’ winning try against Bath in the Prem final two years ago and his club captain, George Furbank, believes the 23-year-old wing is as good a finisher as anyone around. “He’s a pretty special player,” said Furbank, who will be leaving Northampton to join Harlequins this summer. “He’s one of those guys who can pull things out of the hat. He scores tries that potentially no one else in the league and potentially in the world can score. He’s someone you want on your team. He’s obviously quality and that’s two finals now in which he’s performed on the big stage.” Continue reading...

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Three men die after building fire in west London
The men were rescued from a pavilion in White City but died shortly after, authorities said.

Deutsche Welle
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India: Millions of NEET students give retest amid protests
Some 2.2 million pre-medical aspirants are retaking the high-pressure entrance test across India today, under strict security measures. Meanwhile, PM Modi is in Kolkata for International Yoga Day. DW has more.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Pension overhaul may push retirement age to 70
Germany is weighing sweeping pension reforms, including raising the retirement age to 70. Meanwhile, football fans are celebrating after the mens' national side qualified for the World Cup knockout stage. DW has more.

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Chic and cheerful: 15 hotels for affordable European glamour
From a waterfront palace in Greece to a nonna’s house in Italy, these stylish boutique hotels offer character and comfort at a budget-friendly price Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Film producer’s 50 firms struck off companies register, leaving workers unable to chase fees
Scores of Alan Latham’s firms were removed by Companies House, including one set up for movie starring Liz HurleyA prolific film producer, whose projects have starred the likes of Frasier’s Kelsey Grammer and Four Weddings and a Funeral’s Anna Chancellor, has had scores of his production businesses forcibly removed from the UK’s companies register, leaving workers unable to chase unpaid fees.Alan Latham, whose low-budget films have previously raised questions over his use of tax credits, has seen 50 of his film businesses compulsorily struck off by Companies House, according to data compiled by the film workers’ union, Bectu. Continue reading...

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I always take my Dad’s advice – and do the opposite | Jillian Pretzel
My dad gives smart advice, but it always leads me down paths that didn’t feel like ‘me’. When, and how, can we stop listening to our dads?When I was a kid, my dad told me to pick a sport, practice a lot and stick with it. That way, in high school, I’d join the team and have built-in friends. “Later, you can aim for a college scholarship,” he said with a wide, confident smile.I knew this was good advice. It was bold, financially minded and forward-thinking. The only problem? I was terrible at sports. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump may survive the humiliation of the Iran deal. Netanyahu will not | Simon Tisdall
What has the Israeli PM’s whirlwind of violence achieved? His closest ally now turning against him – and an emboldened IranBenjamin Netanyahu, the biggest loser in last week’s preliminary deal to halt the US-Israel-Iran war, will be remembered – and reviled – as the man who put the Middle East to the sword. Whether the “problem” was Hamas in Gaza, illegal West Bank land seizures, supposed Israeli-Arab fifth columnists, peace campaigners’ aid flotillas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, hostile militias in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, or Tehran’s hardline Islamic regime, the Israeli leader’s “solution” was always the same: extreme, often lawless violence that invariably made matters worse.The unprovoked, illegal war against Iran was the ultimate expression of the Netanyahu doctrine – the disproportionate application of brute force. Predictably, it too, has failed. Donald Trump is desperately arguing that the ceasefire memorandum he signed in Versailles (of all places!) is not the lame capitulation it so self-evidently is. But while the US president may survive this humiliation – despite global scepticism and mockery – the likely consequences of the debacle for Netanyahu, his brother-in-harms, are career-ending serious. In many respects, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister is already yesterday’s man.Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator Continue reading...

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From the US-Mexico border to protests in Poland: highlights of PhotoEspaña 2026
Spain’s leading festival of photography showcases the work of more than 300 visual artists in nearly 100 exhibitions across the countryPhotoEspaña, Spain’s leading festival of photography, held its official opening in Madrid this month and by September nearly 100 exhibitions will have showcased the work of more than 300 visual artists in the capital and across the country. Loosely corralled under the theme of reimagining, the exhibitions feature work by major figures in Spanish and international photography and less well-known emerging artists.From the series Invisible Line. Photograph: Alejandro Cartagena Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Build Vice City’: the GTA 6 scam that’s hitting Grand Theft Auto fans
Bank details at risk as criminals use AI to create fake sites and emails offering pre-release beta test versionLike millions of gamers around the world, you have been waiting years for Grand Theft Auto VI to be released. Now you have the opportunity to play the much-anticipated game before everyone else.An email has arrived inviting you to play a pre-release “beta” version of the game so that you can alert the makers to any bugs before its official release later this year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brands using AI-generated influencers to promote products on social media
Investigation finds AI content that purports to show genuine customers, prompting calls for greater transparencyBrands promoting their products online are quietly deploying AI-generated influencers on social media, an investigation has found, prompting calls for greater transparency.The findings suggest companies are increasingly turning to AI-generated content that purports to show genuine customer experiences while giving no obvious indication that the people featured are not real. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Tunisia 0-4 Japan: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanChanges for Japan too with Tomiyasu and Itakura stiffening the back three, and Ito and Tanaka coming into the front three. Kubo misses out through injury and the lively playmaker is a big loss to a side already missing Minamino and Mitoma.Expect the same 3-4-3 structure that has served Moriyasu well in recent months as he has built Japan from a side capable of dominating Asia to one equipped to handle the rest of the world. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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Windows 11’s modern Media Player is somehow worse than the version from 17 years ago
Microsoft’s modern Media Player for Windows 11 has received an Insider Preview update, but tests suggest it still uses more memory and opens videos more slowly than the classic Windows 7-era version.

TechRadar News
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After testing Dreo’s new smart misting fan, I couldn’t imagine my life without it — here’s why

BBC UK News
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'I feel like a second-class citizen' - Shop staff facing abuse
A sentencing bill introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly in March will make it a specific offence to assault a public facing worker.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Goalline technology denies Japan goal by fractions
Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen makes an "unbelievable save" to prevent Japan from doubling their lead by the finest of margins, in their 2026 World Cup match at Estadio Monterrey.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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France bans alcohol at music festival events under red heatwave alert
Annual street parties attended by millions ordered to help “preserve” healthcare services in 40C (104F) heat.

Telegraph
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Thousands of migrants flee South Africa ahead of anti-foreigner ultimatum
A makeshift displacement camp has formed in Durban, where thousands of foreigners are taking refuge as they await deportation

Russia Today News
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Zelensky ‘acted like Mr. Bean on crack,’ US Treasury chief reportedly said

Deutsche Welle
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Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest honor as row deepens
Ukraine's president has returned a medal to Poland after a decision to strip him of the country's highest honor. Warsaw has been one of Kyiv's key allies since Russia began its war in Ukraine.

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Country music fan Kane leaves Ella Langley gig early to make curfew
Harry Kane and Dan Burn were among the England players at a concert of US country music star Ella Langley, but had to leave early to make their curfew.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, June 21
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 21.

Deutsche Welle
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France bans alcohol during Fete de la Musique amid heat wave
France is taking additional measures as millions of people gear up for Fete de la Musique under punishing temperatures.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Meet the record-equalling keeper who helped Curacao make history
Curacao's Eloy Room makes a record-equalling 15 saves to help his tiny island nation to a first World Cup point against Ecuador.

The Guardian (UK)
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TV tonight: Free Nelson Mandela is unmissable TV
The excellent anti-apartheid documentary continues with protest songs for the ages and governments trying to stop civil war. Plus, a touching finale for Timothy Spall cosy crime Death Valley. Here’s what to watch this evening9pm, Channel 4The second episode of this excellent series exploring the struggle against apartheid tracks the turbulent 1980s. As Nelson Mandela’s health deteriorates, the South African government begins to see that allowing him to die in custody could lead to civil war. Meanwhile, an epic outdoor concert in London showcases Jerry Dammers’s protest song for the ages, Free Nelson Mandela. Phil Harrison Continue reading...

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France bans alcohol at music festival events under red heatwave alert
The annual Fête de la Musique celebrations draw millions to the streets but the most serious heatwave warnings have been issued for 35 of the country's departments.

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I can’t afford a tutor to help my daughter get into grammar school. Will she still fulfil her potential? | Annalisa Barbieri
You may be projecting your own school experience on to your daughter, but her needs are different and she has you to support herI have two children aged eight and four. My eight-year-old is very bright. She’s in year 3 and doing year 6 maths. Her state school has large classes and limited resources, so I challenge her by doing fun maths at home. I wanted to try getting her into a grammar school (our local state secondaries do not get good results), but lots of local parents pay for their children to have private tutors, which I can’t afford.I fear my children will be penalised and stuck in a cycle of not fulfilling their potential. This hits personally because I was diagnosed with dyslexia in my 20s after underachieving and disciplinary issues at school. I could be projecting my baggage and putting unnecessary pressure on my children to do better than me. But I feel sad and hopeless at the unfairness of this issue in the education system, and the way the rich will always outrun the poor. Sometimes I wonder if there is any point in trying for something better. Continue reading...

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The Golden Tooth, London N16: ‘The cheese tart alone makes this destination dining’ – restaurant review | Grace Dent on restaurants
This is what happens when a fledgling talent ages a little, and begins serving food with cool, clear, adult directionThe Golden Tooth, on Green Lanes in north London, sounds as if it could be a pirate’s watering hole in Penzance, filled with wooden-legged rascal seafarers. It is, however, a pub and restaurant 10 minutes from Canonbury station, serving Hereford wing-rib with smoked bone marrow bordelaise, hogget chops with hot mint and grilled radicchio, and lardy cake with Baron Bigod and mountain tea syrup.This is the second official project from chef Matthew Scott and wine merchant Charlie Carr, the duo behind Papi in London Fields, which, though now defunct, is forever memorable. Papi was scrappy, slightly chaotic, archly cool, yet never pompous, and was famed for Scott’s penchant for going off at random tangents and Carr’s earnest adherence to old-fashioned hospitality. Scott is, very quietly, one of the most interesting cooks around right now, although he wouldn’t appreciate the attention: Papi’s social media was a glorious paean to visible discomfort as he sold his restaurant’s wares on Instagram, and his hangdog expression and weak enthusiasm were oddly joyous. In Scott’s earlier Hot 4 U pop-up era, he was known for the likes of garum Pom-Bears, foie gras mini Magnums and Nesquik daiquiris. Papi, with its iced rhubarb oysters and devilled cheese schnitzels, was a bit more reserved. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Chasing life goals is a recipe for disaster – so try these tiny experiments instead
Whether its our careers, health or relationships, we often set the bar too high and end up feeling disappointed when it doesn’t work out. Try this new way of thinking … and you may just see some real resultsEvery January, millions of us sit down and write our goals for the year. By March, most of them have been abandoned. So we set new ones in spring, and when September rolls around, we do it again. New season, fresh start, same cycle – and plenty of beating ourselves up along the way. I lived this cycle for years. When I was working at Google as a digital health executive, I was a champion goal-setter with quarterly OKRs (objectives and key results) and a running list of personal goals I would review every week. On paper, it worked. I was successful by most external measures. But I had this persistent feeling that I was running just to stay in the same place, like the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass.After retraining as a neuroscientist and studying how the brain learns, I started to understand why. Goals work brilliantly under very specific conditions. You want to buy a car that fits three kids and costs under £25,000? Set a goal, do the research, buy the car. The destination is known and the path is clear. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘There’s no jobs’: struggle and regret in a Welsh town that backed Brexit
Ten years ago Ebbw Vale had the highest proportion of leave voters in Wales despite huge EU funding, which has not been fully replacedWhere Ebbw Vale’s steelworks once stood is now a cluster of gleaming modern buildings including a hospital, a leisure centre and a college. Over the past decade, these public facilities have been joined by a public-private cybersecurity research centre and two tech firms. A new railway station opened at the site in 2015.Yet, during the Guardian’s visit to the Welsh valleys town last week, the area was quiet. Nearly as many sheep as people appeared to be using the new facilities: a ewe and three lambs, escaped from somewhere, busied themselves in a strip of rewilded land next to the tech buildings. Continue reading...

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To the tablet and beyond: does Toy Story 5 go hard enough on technology?
The animated sequel sets up a tug-of-war between physical and digital play for children but is still eager not to be an anti-tech screedFor more than 30 years, Pixar’s signature Toy Story series has been entertaining children while giving voice to their parents’ anxieties. This is especially pronounced in the film’s sequels, as the living toys who dedicate their lives to the happiness of their owner/child experience all different sorts of potential and parent-paralleled obsolescence, from physical wear-and-tear and a child reaching young adulthood to the toy equivalent of empty-nesting (still hanging around the playroom but no longer anyone’s favourite). It’s only natural – maybe even a little belated – that Toy Story 5 would address the encroachment of technology, which continues to make its way to children earlier and earlier. So many years after the tech breakthroughs that allowed Toy Story to become the first computer-animated feature, and Pixar to become a household name in family entertainment, has the formerly Steve Jobs-owned company turned against the kind of innovation that built its success? Continue reading...

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Colombia’s runoff election expected to trigger shift in decades-long armed conflict
Frontrunner Abelardo de la Espriella has vowed to return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups Colombians go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential runoff expected to trigger to a dramatic shift in the country’s decades-long armed conflict, now at its most violent point since the landmark 2016 peace agreement between the government and most of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).Polls show the frontrunner is the Trump-admiring far-right lawyer and millionaire businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, who has vowed to abandon President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” plan of negotiating the disarmament of all criminal organisations and instead return to full-scale military confrontation with armed groups. Continue reading...

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Two-thirds of EU citizens back UK rejoining bloc, survey finds
Even voters for far-right and Eurosceptic parties back closer relations, polling saysTwo-thirds of EU citizens would back Britain rejoining the bloc, while most UK voters say Brexit has been bad for the issues they care about and want closer ties, including levels of integration – such as free movement – long seen as toxic, a survey has found.Ten years after the Brexit referendum, the polling by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), a thinktank, found 66% of respondents across 15 countries felt UK membership was a very good, good or “neither a good nor a bad” idea. Continue reading...

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Leadership uncertainty 'enormously disruptive', former top civil servant warns
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the former Cabinet Secretary said leadership transitions are "enormously disruptive".

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The 4 turntables they really want on Graduation Day — or for their new apartment — as picked by an audio editor

Full Disclosure
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SEC Consult SA-20260617-0 :: Multiple Critical Vulnerabilities in Sprecher Automation SPRECON-E-C/-E-P/-E-T3
Posted by SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20260617-0 >
=======================================================================
title: Multiple Critical Vulnerabilities
product: Sprecher Automation SPRECON-E-C/-E-P/-E-T3
 vulnerable version: See vulnerable versions below
fixed version: See solution section below
         CVE number: CVE-2022-4333, CVE-2022-4332, CVE-2025-41741,
       ...

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SEC Consult SA-20260617-1 :: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Quanos Content Solutions - SCHEMA ST4
Posted by SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20260617-1 >
=======================================================================
title: Multiple Vulnerabilities
            product: Quanos Content Solutions - SCHEMA ST4
 vulnerable version: All versions of SCHEMA ST4 on-premises
    fixed version: Not applicable, see workaround section for mitigation.
CVE number: CVE-2026-11857, CVE-2026-11858...

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SEC Consult SA-20260618-0 :: Hardcoded Root Cloud Credentials in Application Binaries in Silver Leaf Technologies - Worksnaps.net Worksnaps
Posted by SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20260618-0 >
=======================================================================
title: Hardcoded Root Cloud Credentials in Application Binaries
product: Silver Leaf Technologies - Worksnaps.net Worksnaps
vulnerable version: <1.6.20260201
      fixed version: 1.6.20260201
         CVE number: CVE-2025-10560
impact: critical...

Slashdot
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Polymarket Paid Dozens to Post Videos of Themselves 'Winning' With Fake Bets
In January a college student posted a video showing him winning $100,000 on Polymarket - one of 145 that appeared to show bets adding up to almost $410,000, reports the Wall Street Journal. "But none of those bets were real."

Instead its creator was "one of dozens of mostly college-age creators Polymarket paid to film themselves making fake trades and sometimes scoring fake wins," the Journal reports, citing interviews with the creators an an analysis of more than 1,100 of their videos:

Polymarket built near-perfect copies of its website, then instructed creators to make simulated trades on those dummy sites and hide that they were being paid by Polymarket. To get the videos to go viral, Polymarket has recruited a social-media army to copy and re-post creators' footage. Though the New York-based company has been banned from offering its primary crypto platform in the U.S. since 2022, the social-media creators are paid to specifically target U.S. users, who can still access the site with a virtual private network...

Polymarket hired and worked closely with a marketing contractor to promote the site. In a message reviewed by the Journal, that contractor told its social-media army to repost content made by 10 Polymarket creators in particular... These creators didn't initially identify themselves as paid by Polymarket, although one offered a $20 bonus code in his social-media bio... The company instructed creators not to disclose they are paid, according to creators who have worked with the company. They said the pay often added up to $2,000 to $3,000 a month...

A handful of videos the Journal reviewed also contained short glimpses of URLs indicating the sites were test environments for Polymarket engineers... Creators said they send the finished videos to Polymarket for review. If a video isn't engaging enough, or if it bears obvious signs of being faked, Polymarket will ask for the videos to be reshot, the creators said... Polymarket sends creators bullet-point guidance on what to say, according to creators who have worked with the company and a recruiting website... Polymarket's viral clipping campaign racked up more than 140 million views on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, according to the analytics provider Tubular...

Internal materials show that Polymarket and Virality promote videos showing how easy it is to conduct insider trades on the platform. Polymarket has paid clippers to promote at least 19 videos discussing opportunities to use inside information or other tactics to manipulate markets.
America's advertising laws "require people who are paid to endorse a product to disclose their ties," the article notes, "although there is some gray area about what's permitted." (After the Journal's investigation, the creators started adding "@polymarket partner" to their bios, the article points out._ And when asked for a comment, Polymarket "said it plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of active promotional content."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Are iPhones Dialing Up The Birth Dearth?
Are iPhones Dialing Up The Birth Dearth?

Authored by Thaddeus G. McCotter via American Greatness,


When I call you up, your line’s engaged

I have had enough, so act your age

We have lost the time that was so hard to find

And I will lose my mind

If you won’t see me . . .

Time after time

You refuse to even listen

I wouldn’t mind

If I knew what I was missing

—The Beatles, “You Won’t See Me”


As one heads into senescence, the milestones begin to fade in the rearview mirror. Yet every now and again, something jars the memory to refocus your recognition of such milestones and on how time has truly flown.

Recently, I was reminded that nearly an entire generation of Americans has been born after the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. As a Gen Xer born before the introduction of the answering machine, I felt the weight of my sixty years, along with a gnawing anxiety about the future.

No, not because I won’t be around all that much longer. Despite the myths of the ubiquitous cult of youth promoted by our callow commercial culture, the increasing aches and pains accompanying my journey into old age are an insistent reminder that no one lives forever. Rather, my concern is how few Americans will be born to replace me and the other older members of our aging nation.

As reported by Elise Winland in Zeale News, a new study suggests the 2007 introduction of the iPhone has played a significant role in the declining U.S. fertility rate.



Written by Caitlin K. Myers and Ezekiel Hooper and issued by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the title of the working paper says it all: “Is the iPhone Birth Control? Causal Evidence from AT&T’s 2007–2011 Carrier Monopoly.”

The study’s methodology is straightforward, as are its implications for our nation. As succinctly explained by Ms. Winland: “The paper draws on a natural experiment created by Apple’s exclusive deal with AT&T. When the iPhone launched in June 2007, it was available only on AT&T’s network until February 2011, giving researchers a way to compare areas with different levels of early iPhone access.”

While this deal was fortuitous for the researchers, the consequences were disastrous for the nation’s birth rate. According to Myers and Hooper:

The diffusion of the iPhone deepened the decline in births among women under 30 while suppressing the rise in births among older women. Overall, the diffusion of the iPhone explains 33–52% of the decline in the general fertility rate among women aged 15–44. National-survey evidence on time use and sexual behavior is consistent with the iPhone reducing in-person interactions, increasing pornography use, and reducing sexual frequency.

Importantly, Myers and Hooper are not asserting that the iPhone is the sole cause of the steep decline in America’s birth rate, which they cite as having dropped by 22 percent since 2007, again, the year of the iPhone’s introduction. For, as Winland notes, the researchers believe the nation’s record low birth rate of 53.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 “cannot be fully explained by the common explanations such as the Great Recession, increased access to contraception, rising housing and childcare costs, and delayed marriage.”

The researchers do argue that “studies imply that access to the iPhone reduced births by 4.5–8.0% at ages 15–19 and 3.2–6.6% at ages 20–24, with statistically significant but smaller declines among older cohorts.” (It is worth noting that the iPhone had a salubrious impact on reducing teen pregnancies; however, the enduring detrimental effects stemming from the loss of social interaction and its accompanying skills will be carried into the future by today’s teens.)

Anyone with a cursory acquaintance with Marshall McLuhan’s work will see his dictum, “the medium is the message,” at work here. Every new technology affects human beings, both in how they interact with that technology and in how they subsequently interact—or fail to interact—with other people by using it.

The math—specifically subtraction—is elementary: by spending more time in your virtual cocoon, you have less time for interacting with real human beings. One must therefore consider how much of the iPhone’s contribution to the birth dearth stems from the technology’s unconscious effects on its users. Indeed, unlike, say, birth control or a career choice, the iPhone is not being used deliberately to delay or prevent pregnancy. Rather, the birth dearth is exacerbated because the iPhone user is more rapt with the device and the stimulation it provides than by another person. After all, there are only so many hours in the day—and night.

Meanwhile, the birth rate continues its decline. It is an indicator of national health. An optimistic, future-oriented nation has at least a replacement birth rate, if not a growing one. A declining nation has a declining birth rate. In America today, the atomization of our citizenry and its accompanying anomie continue apace, as algorithmically personalized prison cells push us out of gen pop and into solitary confinement. Thus does the insidious, circular logic of the siren song of decline become the mantra: life is unfair, inequitable, and horrible, so it is better—in fact, virtuous—not to bring a new life into this morass of meaninglessness.

The result of this is the declining birth rate found in both the United States and Europe, where the apostles of postmodernism hold sway, filling the perceived vacuity of modernity with a creed that holds the most “tolerant” belief is to believe in nothing—including one’s inherited civilization. A postmodern generation taught to loathe itself does not care to procreate. For what better way to reject the meaningless future than by making sure there are no succeeding generations to perpetuate it?

While my bachelor’s degree is only in political science, and despite all the technological advances during my lifetime—including the internet, social media, AI, and the answering machine—I nonetheless feel confident in declaring, “You can only make a baby in the real world.”

A healthy nation prizes real life over a virtual world. It doesn’t have a birth dearth. And I’m inclined to believe it has more answering machines—or at least call waiting—and fewer smartphones.


I had to interrupt and stop this conversation

Your voice across the line gives me a strange sensation

I’d like to talk when I can show you my affection

Oh, I can’t control myself . . .

Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone

Hang up and run to me

Oh, hang up and run to me.

—Blondie, “Hanging on the Telephone”


Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 23:20

CNET News
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'From' EPs Talk Season 4's Man in Yellow and Murderous Dolls
I chatted with John Griffin, Jeff Pinkner and Jack Bender about the penultimate season.

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Bolivian president declares state of emergency and deploys military to quell anti-government protests
Bulldozers sent in to clear roadblocks that have stifled the country as farmers and Indigenous groups protest against conservative president Bolivia’s president declared a state of emergency on Saturday and deployed soldiers and bulldozers to raze anti-government roadblocks that have paralysed the country.For more than six weeks, unions, Indigenous groups and coca farmers have marched through cities and blocked roads across the country with rubble, logs and debris in protest against the conservative government. Continue reading...

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Meet the record-equalling keeper who helped Curacao make history
Curacao keeper Eloy Room makes a record-equalling 15 saves to help his tiny island nation to a first World Cup point with their goalless draw against Ecuador.

Deutsche Welle
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Undav heroics help Germany beat Ivory Coast
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US and Iranian negotiators head to Switzerland for talks
US Vice President JD Vance is en route to Switzerland for talks with Iran's delegation in the mountain resort in Bürgenstock. Follow DW.

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Sky News award-winning podcast The Wargame becoming TV series
Sky News' award-winning podcast The Wargame is to be turned into a landmark four-part television series.

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How Europe’s EV makers shrank their product to challenge the bloated SUVs
Smaller, cheaper cars built for narrow city streets are becoming more stylish – but require careful design decisionsThe winding backstreets of London, Paris and Rome are a large part of their charm. But they are also a problem for electric carmakers. For a long time, squeezing big batteries into smaller, cheaper cars to fit European streets was too much of a problem, so manufacturers focused on bloated SUVs instead.But that is finally changing. Battery technology has improved and Europe’s carmakers havecut manufacturing costs enough that they can now sell cars that might have a chance of fitting down a medieval lane or two. Continue reading...

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Sell-out crowds and joy: how Queen’s Club women’s tournament outshone the men | Tumaini Carayol
Serena Williams’ appearance plus Raducanu and Boulter doing so well put the men’s event in the shade this yearOne of the more amusing sights at the Queen’s Club tournament each year comes before even entering the grounds. On the first day of play on Monday, a deluge of spectators invariably descend on Barons Court station, just 150 metres from the entrance.So many people passing through a tiny London Underground station naturally means long queues at the barriers. That congestion is not helped by many of them comically pausing in front of the gates to frantically search for their debit cards or desperately try to unlock their phones. Continue reading...

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Royal Ascot draw bias left too many with raw deal in otherwise stellar week
It is difficult for the meeting to sell itself as the pinnacle of Flat racing if so many of its races favour runners on one side of the trackBig numbers were something of a theme at Royal Ascot this year. Aidan O’Brien became the first trainer to saddle 100 winners at the meeting when Scandinavia took the Gold Cup on Thursday. Attendances were up throughout the week leading up to Saturday’s annual sell-out, by an average of 3.5% and the high-numbered stalls carried all before them on the straight course, with one winner after another powering up to the line against the near-side rail.There are always talking points after a meeting like Royal Ascot, where the occasion and competition are so intense that everything feels exaggerated. This time around, there was a team tactics debate on Tuesday, as Christophe Soumillon picked up an eight-day ban for riding Puerto Rico “in a manner to assist” Gstaad in the St James’s Palace Stakes, though the decision is subject to an appeal to be heard this week. There was a furore, too, after Juan Hernandez was allowed to weigh in again after an easy win on Bacio in the last race on Friday, having being light first time round. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The 2026 World Cup team of the tournament so far (without the superstars)
We pick an XI of players who have impressed during the initial rounds of games in Canada, the US and MexicoA star was born, at 40, when a player whose highest-profile employers were Portugal’s Gil Vicente, denied Spain’s all-stars in that historic 0-0 draw. His Christian name being Josimar may well have pointed to him being a nascent World Cup cult hero. So huge was his impact that the US authorities, on the orders of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, waived the visa fee and $15,000 (£11,300) bond for his mother, now able to fly in for her boy’s continuing adventures. Seven saves from Spain have made him a global social media sensation, too. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘Stung’ Spain have digested shock start but know repeat is not an option
European champions were frustrated by Cape Verde and know there is little margin for error against Saudi ArabiaCape Verde are not the only ones to have kept Spain out at this World Cup. Turns out it was even harder to get past security on the gate of the team hotel in downtown Chattanooga. Two days after the 0-0 draw in their opener, Luis de la Fuente gave his players the day off, a chance to clear their heads and leave the disappointment behind. Lamine Yamal went to Nashville, Dani Olmo headed for Hamilton Place mall and Rodri strolled the Tennessee river with his partner. When Borja Iglesias got back before the 9pm curfew, they didn’t recognise him and wouldn’t let him in.“It was funny,” Iglesias said, standing at the side of the pitch at Kennesaw State University 30 miles north-west of Atlanta on Saturday, moments before the selección’s final session in preparation for their second game. “It happens to me in Spain, so how could it not happen here? I didn’t have the accreditation with me so I have to wait for someone to come and get me. Lamine laughed at me: ‘I love it, they didn’t let you in.’ The good thing is I told a couple of them and they said it had happened to them before too.” Continue reading...

Digital Trends
Open 
If you have a Mac, you should try this free and beautifully-designed disk space tool
Radix is a free, open-source Mac app that scans folders or drives and shows storage usage through an interactive sunburst chart.

Full Disclosure
Open 
CVE-2025-68624: Cross-Tenant Authentication Bypass by Spoofing in N-able Mail Assure
Posted by Alessandro Bertoldi BCS via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20CVE-2025-68624: Cross-Tenant Authentication Bypass by Spoofing in N-able Mail Assure

CVE ID: CVE-2025-68624
Status: DISPUTED
CWE: CWE-290 (Authentication Bypass by Spoofing)
Affected Product: N-able Mail Assure (formerly SolarWinds MSP Mail Assure)
Affected Service: N-able Mail Assure cloud-based multi-tenant SMTP relay infrastructure
Vendor: N-able Technologies
Initial Discovery: October 2018
Public Disclosure: November 2025, DeepSec Vienna...

Full Disclosure
Open 
PHP 8.5.7 `FILTER_SANITIZE_ENCODED` uninitialized read
Posted by Khashayar Fereidani on Jun 20# PHP 8.5.7 `FILTER_SANITIZE_ENCODED` uninitialized read

**Author:** Khashayar Fereidani
**Disclosure Date:** 2026-06-18
**Advisory:** https://fereidani.com/php-857-filtersanitizeencoded-uninitialized-read
**Contact:** https://fereidani.com/contact

## Description

In `ext/filter/sanitizing_filters.c`, the `php_filter_encode_url`
function leaves the `255`th byte (`0xFF`) of a transient array
uninitialized. An array of 256 bytes is populated...

Full Disclosure
Open 
PHP 8.5.7 `mb_substr()` 'SJIS-mac' size_t underflow
Posted by Khashayar Fereidani on Jun 20# PHP 8.5.7 `mb_substr()` 'SJIS-mac' size_t underflow

**Author:** Khashayar Fereidani
**Disclosure Date:** 2026-06-18
**Advisory:** https://fereidani.com/php-857-mbsubstr-sjis-mac-sizet-underflow
**Contact:** https://fereidani.com/contact

## Description

The `mb_get_substr()` function in `ext/mbstring/mbstring.c`
deliberately skips an early empty return guard for the `SJIS-mac`
encoding when `from >= in_len`. As a result, it falls...

Full Disclosure
Open 
PHP 8.5.7 `dom_xml_serialization_algorithm()` stack-overflow
Posted by Khashayar Fereidani on Jun 20# PHP 8.5.7 `dom_xml_serialization_algorithm()` stack-overflow

**Author:** Khashayar Fereidani
**Disclosure Date:** 2026-06-18
**Advisory:** https://fereidani.com/php-857-domxmlserializationalgorithm-stack-overflow
**Contact:** https://fereidani.com/contact

## Description

The `dom_xml_serialization_algorithm()` and
`dom_xml_serialize_element_node()` functions in
`ext/dom/xml_serializer.c` rely on unbounded recursion to serialize
XML nodes....

Full Disclosure
Open 
PHP 8.5.7 `levenshtein()` signed-integer overflow
Posted by Khashayar Fereidani on Jun 20# PHP 8.5.7 `levenshtein()` signed-integer overflow

**Author:** Khashayar Fereidani
**Disclosure Date:** 2026-06-18
**Advisory:** https://fereidani.com/php-857-levenshtein-signed-integer-overflow
**Contact:** https://fereidani.com/contact

## Description

The `levenshtein()` function calculates the Levenshtein distance
between two strings, optionally accepting custom costs for insertion,
replacement, and deletion operations. In PHP 8.5.7, the...

Full Disclosure
Open 
APPLE-SA-06-16-2026-1 Beats Firmware Update 1B211
Posted by Apple Product Security via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20APPLE-SA-06-16-2026-1 Beats Firmware Update 1B211

Beats Firmware Update 1B211 addresses the following issues.
Information about the security content is also available at
https://support.apple.com/en-us/127557.

Apple maintains a Security Releases page at
https://support.apple.com/100100 which lists recent
software updates with security advisories.

Bluetooth
Available for: Beats Studio Buds
Impact: An attacker within Bluetooth range may be able...

Full Disclosure
Open 
SEC Consult SA-20260616-0 :: Broken Access Control in syracom AG Secure Login (2FA) for Atlassian Jira / Confluence / Bitbucket #CVE-2026-12225
Posted by SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab via Fulldisclosure on Jun 20SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20260616-0 >
=======================================================================
title: Broken Access Control
            product: syracom AG Secure Login (2FA) for Atlassian Jira /
Confluence / Bitbucket
 vulnerable version: 3.4.0.x
      fixed version: 3.5.0.0
CVE number: CVE-2026-12225
             impact: High...

Full Disclosure
Open 
OpenBSD sppp_pap_input: PAP authentication bypass
Posted by shj on Jun 20------------------------------------------------------------------------
OpenBSD sppp_pap_input: PAP Authentication Bypass via Zero-Length bcmp
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Affected:  OpenBSD all versions through 7.6 (fixed in -current)
Vendor:    OpenBSD
Severity:  High
Reporter:  Argus
Date:      2026-06-16

1. SUMMARY
==========

The sppp_pap_input() function in sys/net/if_spppsubr.c uses...

Full Disclosure
Open 
OpenBSD mpls_do_error: Remote Kernel Stack Disclosure via MPLS Label Stack Over-read
Posted by shj on Jun 20------------------------------------------------------------------------
OpenBSD mpls_do_error: Remote Kernel Stack Disclosure via MPLS Label
Stack Over-read
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Affected:  OpenBSD -current prior to 2026-06-18 (fixed in -current)
Vendor:    OpenBSD
Severity:  Medium
Reporter:  Argus Systems
Date:      2026-06-12
CVE:       CVE-2026-56099

1. SUMMARY
==========

The...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tunisia v Japan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanChanges for Japan too with Tomiyasu and Itakura stiffening the back three, and Ito and Tanaka coming into the front three. Kubo misses out through injury and the lively playmaker is a big loss to a side already missing Minamino and Mitoma.Expect the same 3-4-3 structure that has served Moriyasu well in recent months as he has built Japan from a side capable of dominating Asia to one equipped to handle the rest of the world. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
Open 
In Defense Of Entrepreneurs
In Defense Of Entrepreneurs

By Matthew J. Brouillette via RealClearPennsylvania,

Like clockwork, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) is again finding America's billionaires guilty by reason of existence, arguing the Elon Musks and Jeff Bezos of the world must donate more to the government via higher taxes.



Her premise is that the wealthy don't pay their "fair share," leaving the non-wealthy to suffer in a zero-sum game.

The problem is that Warren, and the many others in Congress like her, aren't simply attacking the wealthy; they are attacking the foundation of America's greatness - entrepreneurs.

Remember, "entrepreneurs" founded this great nation almost 250 years ago when they pledged their lives, the fortunes, and their sacred honor. Many of them were wealthy because they produced goods or services their fellow colonists voluntarily purchased.

Consider, for a moment, some of the wealthiest people in America: Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, Michael Dell, and Mark Zuckerberg. Beyond eye-popping net worths, they, too, are entrepreneurs who have provided goods and services consumers voluntarily use every day.

And like entrepreneurs throughout American history, they have delivered transformative innovations employed not only across America but throughout the world.

Think about it: Did you Google something today? Have you ordered from Amazon recently? Did you log onto Instagram? The answer to at least one of these questions is probably, "Yes."

And what of the millions of people employed by Google, Amazon, Tesla, SpaceX, Meta, Oracle, and other companies led by America's most wealthy? Do their families benefit from the career opportunities created by these entrepreneurs? Of course they do.

These benefits can even turn into windfalls. For example, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that once SpaceX goes public, thousands of current and former employees - from engineers to baristas - will reap the sizeable reward.

Benefitting the greater good is not the purview only of ultra wealthy entrepreneurs. Just look at entrepreneurs in your community. The owner of your favorite restaurant. Or your barber. Or plumber.

You've undoubtedly relied on these folks for either critical or quality-of-life services. And their entrepreneurship has also created jobs and sustained families. In fact, these types of local businesses are often considered the engines of America's Main Street economy - making our communities thrive, giving our neighborhoods unique character, and improving all of our lives.

And this doesn't even touch on the philanthropic contributions entrepreneurs make. Who often sponsors local community events that raise funds for non-profit causes? The businesses founded and run by entrepreneurs. This isn't coincidental.

A report by Fidelity Charitable on entrepreneurs as philanthropists found, "On average, the median annual gift for entrepreneurs is 50% higher than non-entrepreneurs." Further, "Two-thirds of entrepreneurs volunteer two or more hours a month, compared with just more than half of non-entrepreneurs."

You may wonder what this has to do with Ms. Warren's white whale of wealth taxes.

In a word, everything.

For the difference between these local entrepreneurs and the targets of Warren's ire is not one of type but simply degree.

The spirit of risk taking, innovation, ingenuity, and philanthropy characterizes entrepreneurs both famous and not.

And it shouldn't need repeating - but it does - that the wealthy already pay a lion's share of taxes, with the top 10% of earners paying more than 70% of all federal personal income taxes.

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, it only makes sense to recognize that entrepreneurs founded and built our great country into what we are today. And entrepreneurs will help us keep it.

Rather than demonizing entrepreneurs by arguing that shouldering 70% of taxes isn't enough, we should acknowledge them and thank them for making America the leading innovator of the world - and for doing far more than their "fair share" to improve the lives and livelihoods of individuals of families across America.

Matthew J. Brouillette is president and CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the author of You GOTTA win Pennsylvania! A call to entrepreneurs to save America.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 22:10

ZeroHedge News
Open 
'Syria & Turkey Represent Bigger Threat To Israel Than Iran': Israeli Minister
'Syria & Turkey Represent Bigger Threat To Israel Than Iran': Israeli Minister

Via The Cradle

Late this week Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli declared in an interview with Israeli Army Radio that Tel Aviv "will be at war with Syria sooner or later," highlighting that the alliance between Damascus and Turkey poses a "strategic challenge" to his country.

The Likud official said, "There is no way that a jihadist regime rooted in ISIS and Al-Qaeda, whose aspiration is the unification of Jerusalem, can live in peace alongside the State of Israel."

In a separate interview with Kol Barama, a prominent Israeli ultra-Orthodox radio station, Chikli identified Syria as part of a "radical Sunni axis of evil" involving Qatar, Turkiye, and Pakistan, labeling it "far more troubling" than Iran, and claimed that these nations shaped a recent US–Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) intended to end regional hostilities.



While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the memorandum as an “important development,” Chikli joined other Likud lawmakers in branding Turkiye an “enemy state.” 

He claimed that Turkiye holds “very clear ambitions” compromising Israeli interests, saying that Ankara and Damascus are “ten thousand times more concerning than Iran.”

Following the ousting of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the Israeli military continues to occupy Syrian land and destroy military equipment, using the new government as a pretext for escalation and territorial expansion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now demands total demilitarization from south Damascus to the 1973 demarcation line. Since December 2024, Israeli military violations in southern Syria have escalated beyond periodic airstrikes to a sustained campaign involving ground incursions, raids, and the establishment of checkpoints. 

According to a daily tracker launched by Levant24, Israeli forces have carried out approximately 1,128 ground incursions and 1,055 airstrikes, advancing more than 20 kilometers beyond the occupied Golan Heights. These actions have resulted in over 197 detentions and at least 36 fatalities.

This expansion also includes property destruction and the systematic mapping of military positions, reflecting a broader pattern of activity that extends deep into Syrian territory.

Self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is reportedly resisting intense pressure from the US to launch a military incursion into Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. 

Despite a framework proposed by US President Donald Trump for the Syrian military to lead this offensive, Sharaa remained “unprepared and unwilling,” according to  Israel’s Broadcasting Corporation (KAN). He cited concerns that such an attack would damage his regional legitimacy by appearing to serve Israeli interests, especially while Israel continues to occupy Syrian territory. 

Although US envoy Tom Barrack has threatened Lebanon with a Syrian assault to dismantle Hezbollah, Sharaa has dismissed the reports as “rumors,” asserting his goal is to end the war rather than expand it. 

Israeli War Minister Israel Katz told Channel 14 that “We do not need Julani. Julani, the terrorist in a suit, does not need to come and help us. We know Syria well. He is not going to help us in Lebanon.” He added that Sharaa “should stay in Syria, not interfere with us, and not make us interfere with him.” 

“Do you know what really hurts the jihadists?” Katz said, going on to assert that killing them would not hurt them as much as “when you take territory from them and destroy their homes – and that's what we did.”

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 22:45

The Hill
Open 
Judge rules DOJ can release Biden audio recordings, transcripts to Heritage Foundation in special counsel probe
A federal judge said Friday that the Justice Department (DOJ) can release audio recordings and transcripts of former President Biden to the conservative Heritage Foundation but must wait three weeks to allow an appeals court to review Biden’s challenge.   Judge Dabney Langhorne Friedrich denied Biden’s attempt to block the release of his decade-old conversations...

Russia Today News
Open 
Meloni tells Trump to mind his own popularity in ‘photo begging’ rift

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open glory beckons for Wyndham Clark with six-shot lead going into final round
Gritty display leaves American in complete controlScheffler closest threat after McIlroy charge fadesWyndham Clark’s lead shrank, then grew, then all but swallowed the tournament whole. The 2023 US Open champion watched a four-shot advantage get cut in half on Saturday while still on the first hole, only to respond with a masterclass in survival golf as Shinnecock Hills finally delivered the bruising examination players had anticipated all week.By day’s end, Clark had stretched his lead to a yawning six shots despite shooting an even-par 70. Scottie Scheffler’s one-under 69 was enough to emerge as the closest pursuer, but the world No 1 will begin Sunday’s final round needing something extraordinary to prevent Clark from capturing America’s national championship for a second time in four years. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Oxford Union head being investigated by counter terrorism police after calling Hamas a 'resistance group' and saying Oct 7 was 'proportionate' response to Israeli aggression
Oxford Union President Arwa Elrayess who said ' Hamas would be lauded as heroes' and whose actions were proportionate on October 7 is being investigated by counter terrorism police.

Mail Online
Open 
Public backing for Royal family plunges to lowest level in decades, new poll suggests - with Gen Z, millennials AND Gen X shedding support
The number of Britons who still want a monarchy has fallen by 11 percentage points to just over a half of the population in the last three years.

Mail Online
Open 
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has a Hermes bag collection worth more than £650,000
They are usually the preserve of the Wags but Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has built up his very own collection of luxury handbags.

Mail Online
Open 
Right on cue, England get a new pool table for their World Cup HQ... after the FA went looking on Facebook Marketplace
Lynne Brown, who lives near the England HQ in Kansas City, had advertised her pool table for sale as part of a house clearance.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tunisia v Japan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanChanges for Japan too with Tomiyasu and Itakura coming into the back three, and Ito and Tanaka into the front three. Expect the same 3-4-3 structure that has served Moriyasu well in recent months as he has built Japan from a side capable of dominating Asia to one equipped to handle the rest of the world.Japan (3-4-3) 1 Suzuki; 22 Tomiyasu, 4 Itakura, 21 Ito; 10 Doan, 24 Sano, 15 Kamada, 13 Nakamura; 14 Ito, 7 Tanaka, 18 Ueda. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Undav heroics help Germany beat Ivory Coast
In Germany's second 2026 World Cup game, Deniz Undaz helped Germany to a comeback win against Ivory Coast in Toronto.

Sky News Home
Open 
Ubisoft founder killed in plane crash
The founder of Ubisoft, the gaming company behind Assassin's Creed, has been killed in a plane crash. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tunisia v Japan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanSlight tangent, but I think you’ll enjoy it.I an unlikely to be in Dublin September, but if I was I would make sure to visit an exhibition at Hen’s Teeth featuring original paintings of all of Roy Keane’s career red cards. The promotional image is a painting of Keane stamping on Gareth Southgate in an FA Cup semi-final. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ukraine war briefing: Drones strike Russia’s Tyumen oil refinery 2,000km away, says Zelenskyy
Reports from Siberia confirm attack, while Ukrainian president says new weapon has 3,000km range; occupied Crimea under attack. What we know on day 1,579Volodymyr Zelenskiy has confirmed that Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery in Russia’s Tyumen region ⁠in western Siberia, ⁠more ​than 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Ukraine. He said Ukrainian company Fire Point had developed new long-range drones capable of ⁠travelling more than 3,000km and they had been “successfully deployed”. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy thanked the Ukrainian ⁠military for special operations that “have reached Tyumen Region in Russia, including ​an oil refining facility. More ‌than 2,000km from ‌our state border. This is effective work.”Unverified videos posted online showed smoke and flame rising over what was said to be the burning Tyumen refinery, also known as the Antipinsky refinery. The Tyumen governor, Alexander Moor, claimed emergency services were working at the site of “fallen [drone] debris” – a phrasing often used by Russian officials to play down successful Ukrainian attacks.Ukraine’s forces struck an oil terminal at Kerch in occupied Crimea over Saturday night, according to Ukrainian media and online accounts monitoring the war. Nasa satellite monitoring showed a fire at the Kerch seaport where the terminal is located. In what appeared to be a broader wave of strikes against Russian-held targets in Crimea, an electrical substation at Bilohorsk was reportedly on fire, and there were other attacks at Yevpatoria and the main city of Sevastopol.Russian ⁠forces struck the ⁠south-eastern Ukrainian ⁠city of ​Zaporizhzhia with glide ⁠bombs on Saturday, killing five ⁠people ​and ‌injuring 10, said Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor. Fedorov said there ‌had been nine strikes ​in the city. He ⁠said residents could ​be ​trapped ​in the ​rubble ‌of ​damaged buildings.Near the Russian border, a bomb attack killed ​one person on the ​outskirts of the city of ​Sumy, local officials said. In the southern Kherson region, the regional ​governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said ‌one person had ​died in ​a drone attack on a village north of the region’s main city, also called Kherson. Three children were injured when the central city of Poltava came under Russian shelling, local officials said.Russian bombs struck an apartment building on Saturday in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing at least one person and wounding nine including a six-year-old child, authorities said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Curaçao stand firm and claim historic first World Cup point against Ecuador
It’s doubtful whether many Ecuador supporters – or many others for that matter – had ever heard the name Eloy Room before this match. They will never forget it now.Watched by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in the stands, the Curaçao goalkeeper etched his name into the pantheon of World Cup legends with what must rank as one of the most heroic performances in the long history of the competition. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Reiterates Ukraine War Would Never Have Started If Russia Remained In G8, Blasts Obama
Trump Reiterates Ukraine War Would Never Have Started If Russia Remained In G8, Blasts Obama

This isn't the first time that President Trump has said something like this, but he's newly explained in a wide-ranging fresh interview with Axios published Friday his view that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine likely would likely have been averted if Russia had remained a member of the then-Group of Eight (G8).

"You probably wouldn't have the war with Russia and Ukraine if they did," Trump told the publication, referring to the decision to expel Moscow, making the group the G7.

The forum "would have been much better" had it maintained its original structure, with Russia included. He laid ultimate blame in the fresh remarks on former President Barack Obama. 

It was during the Obama administration, in 2014, that Washington pushed allies to expel Russia from the group of leading economies over its takeover of Crimea through a 'popular referendum'.

Trump this week attended G7 Summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France. "They should have kept the G8. You probably wouldn't have the war with Russia and Ukraine if they did, but Obama didn’t want Putin there," Trump said.
via Associated Press

"It used to be the G8. (It) would have been much better if they kept that that way," he added. Again, this is not the first time he's articulated this view:


Trump has expressed this position before — in June 2025, he made a similar statement, blaming Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau for Russia’s exclusion from the G8.


He's long attacked Biden and the Democrats for setting the conditions for the war to start. But beginning a year ago he also started basically blaming everyone - from Zelensky to Putin to Biden.

"That’s a war that should have never been allowed to start and Biden could have stopped it and Zelensky could have stopped it and Putin should have never started it," Trump said last year. "Everybody is to blame."

Trump added at the time: "If Biden were competent and if Zelensky were competent, and I don’t know that he is, we had a rough session with this guy — he just kept asking for more and more."

As for Putin, he has seemed to welcome this repeat rhetoric from Trump stating that Russia should belong to the G7/G8. Without doubt, Moscow would welcome an invitation back in.

Among Russia's conditions for final peace settlement in Ukraine, a prospect which still seems a long way off, would be the lifting of US and EU sanctions, and readmittance to the global economy.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 21:35

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tunisia v Japan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanWith well over an hour to kick-off there’s plenty of time for an update from Chandler and Joey / Will and Grace / 2 Broke Girls or whatever your preferred combination of New York flatmates happens to be, on the World Cup Daily podcast.Bracketology has been a godsend, hasn’t it? With the final round of group matches hoving into view it has never been more valuable. I might be crazy, but I now have England taking on DR Congo in the round of 32. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tunisia v Japan: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 9pm local/2pm AEST/5am BST/12am EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanHello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Tunisia v Japan from Estadio Monterrey. Kick-off in this Group F clash is 9pm local time (12am EDT/5am BST/2pm AEST).Wherever you happen to be in the world thank you for keeping me company on what is perhaps the graveyard shift of the entire tournament. There isn’t the novelty of the first round of group matches, there isn’t the jeopardy of the third, and our cups already runneth over thanks to three of the matches of the World Cup so far already this matchday.When given oxygen the Netherlands were simply too good, scoring straight after the restart when Summerville twisted Sweden inside out and allowed Dumfries to cross again. Gakpo could not miss from a couple of yards and, enjoying a wildly productive afternoon of his own, proceeded to score another. This time he took a pass from Summerville, who had not been deemed fit to start, and cracked low to Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s right from 20 yards. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Scheffler makes move but US Open is Clark's to lose
Wyndham Clark takes a six-shot lead into the final round of the US Open but will have world number one Scottie Scheffler for company on Sunday.

Mail Online
Open 
This is EXACTLY what happened between Christine McGuinness and me, by NICOLA ADAMS: Boxer reveals all about 'situationships', having 'fun' as a 'gold star lesbian' and why she split from her OnlyFans star girlfriend
Nicola Adams is chatting away about her home life, and how it feels to be combining motherhood with dating again, when she casually announces: 'I'm a gold star lesbian.'

Mail Online
Open 
We've already lost 15lb on the new Wegovy weight-loss pill that's cheaper than jabs. Here's everything you need to know about how to get it, side effects - and the trick to turbocharge your weight loss with no extra effort
It has been hailed as a game‑changing moment for slimmers. Earlier this month, a new pill form of Wegovy - the blockbuster weight‑loss jab - was approved for use in the UK.

Mail Online
Open 
'William and Charles are not in a good place': Royal insiders tell me King's olive branch to Harry has led to froideur with William and Kate - and William had this VERY extreme reaction to chat about his brother: CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
News that Prince Harry is set to bring his family to Britain for the first time in four years has sent hopes rising of an emotional reunion between the King and his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.

Mail Online
Open 
When doctors told me I had diabetes I didn't realise they'd missed the sinister true cause of my symptoms. Many people only live for four months after they find out the truth - here's what you MUST know to look for
At 40, Ali Stunt was a picture of health - slim, active and busy raising two young children.

Mail Online
Open 
The truth about cocaine, ketamine and Royal Ascot: We found widespread use - including in the Royal Enclosure. And insiders say this is who's behind it…
Sashaying into Royal Ascot in top hats and tails, fancy dresses and fascinators, a legion of racegoers are encouraged to make the most of the five-day meeting by none other than King Charles.

Mail Online
Open 
The lost Britain of 1966: Outside loos and sky-high taxes. But families ate together, you could see your GP - and then there was that magical afternoon at Wembley...
That night in the West End of London was like New Year's Eve, only noisier. In Trafalgar Square, revellers climbed on to the monumental bronze lions and danced in the fountains.

Mail Online
Open 
REVEALED: The hidden costs of retirement properties that make them impossible to sell. Here's what you MUST know to protect your inheritance - and finally get a flat off your hands
When Lynn Peters inherited a two-bedroom retirement flat from her parents in December 2023, she hoped to use proceeds from the sale to help her own children get on to the property ladder.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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US Open is Clark's to lose as Scheffler makes move
Wyndham Clark takes a six-shot lead into the final round of the US Open but will have world number one Scottie Scheffler for company on Sunday.

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Jeremy Clarkson in remission from prostate cancer
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Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail AlexThe national anthem of Curaçao is next: Himno di Kòrsou.I’m enjoying the brass-forward arrangement they’re using for this. Continue reading...

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US-Iran talks to begin in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz
The US disputed Iran's claim the waterway is shut, a move Tehran says was a response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

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This free Mac app puts stunning glassy widgets on your lock screen
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Slashdot
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Gamers Sue PlayStation: It's Not Clear They're Selling Licenses Rather Than Ownership of Games
The gaming news site Aftermath reports:



Four gamers are suing Sony Interactive Entertainment for allegedly breaking a California law that requires digital storefronts selling games to make it clear people are buying licenses, not actually owning the games.

Sony Interactive Entertainment's PlayStation store uses language like "Buy Now" and "Confirm Purchase," lawyers wrote in a complaint filed on Thursday... "In reality, consumers who 'purchase' digital games through PlayStation do not obtain ownership of those products," lawyers wrote. "Instead, PlayStation grants only a limited, revocable license to access the software, subject to multiple restrictions contained in a separate Software Product License Agreement"....

[T]he PlayStation store does have a disclosure. Above the "Confirm Purchase" button, there's a note: "By selecting [Confirm Purchase], you agree to complete the purchase in accordance with the PlayStation Terms of Service before using this content. You further acknowledge that your purchase of this digital product amounts to a license subject to the Software Product License Agreement." These four gamers aren't satisfied with that; they said in the complaint that it's too small, and that "a reasonable customer completing a purchase would not necessarily notice this disclosure."



"It's a proposed class action complaint, meaning the group of four gamers is asking a judge to grant them class action status."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Telegraph
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Undav is Germany’s unlikely World Cup hero who was playing semi-pro at 23
Undav is Germany’s unlikely World Cup hero who was playing semi-pro at 23

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ZeroHedge News
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China's Caribbean Listening Post? Satellite Imagery Shows Cuba Spy Base Completed
China's Caribbean Listening Post? Satellite Imagery Shows Cuba Spy Base Completed

The Center for Strategic and International Studies published a report using geospatial intelligence to show that construction of a circularly disposed antenna array in Cuba has been completed.

CSIS states the circularly disposed antenna array in Cuba, just 240 miles miles from Miami, Florida, could be used to monitor or intercept radio transmissions across a wide range of frequencies in the region.



The DC-based think tank added that the site may be linked to China and could be used to track sensitive U.S. military and communications activity across the Caribbean, the Gulf of America, and the southeastern U.S.

Here's a section of the report:


At an expansive SIGINT site in Bejucal, near Havana, recent satellite imagery shows construction work completed on a new large circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA).



Over the last two years, an antenna field at the northeast end of the facility has been converted from a linear antenna grid to a CDAA. Imagery published by CSIS in April 2025 captured ongoing groundwork to lay cables between the antennas and the central control facility. Construction now appears to be complete and the facility has very likely begun operations.



The array of 32 antennas (19 outer and 13 inner) is larger and likely more capable than any Cuban CDAA previously observed by CSIS. CDAAs are primarily used for high-frequency direction finding, which involves intercepting and geolocating incoming radio transmissions over a wide range of frequencies.

From Bejucal's location in Cuba's northwest, the CDAA could improve the ability of Cuban authorities—or potentially their foreign partners—to monitor sensitive U.S. activities in the Caribbean and across the southeastern seaboard. U.S. naval and air operations in the region have escalated amid the Trump administration's prioritization of the Western Hemisphere, increasing the potential value of monitoring U.S. movements in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.


CSIS cited a congressional testimony in 2005 that pointed out China's activities in the Bejucal area:


The main Chinese electronic spy bases in Cuba are located to the northeast of Santiago de Cuba in the far east of the country and in the Bejucal area in the province of Havana, according to intelligence sources. The base of antennas in Santiago de Cuba is mainly dedicated to the capture of U.S. military satellite communications, meanwhile in Bejucal the Chinese have created a complex interception system of telephone communications. To disguise these activities, the official Chinese station, Radio China International is transmitting its programs from Havana to the United States and Latin America.


China's activity in the Western Hemisphere was recently uncovered by a Select Committee’s investigation that found Beijing developed "an extensive network of dual-use space ground stations and telescopes across Latin America and uses this network to collect intelligence and boost the PLA's warfighting capacity," adding, "The investigation found at least eleven China-linked space facilities established across Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil."

The Trump administration's campaign to purge China's influence from the Western Hemisphere has intensified this year as part of a broader U.S. effort to reorder the political map of the Americas. After the collapse of the socialist Maduro regime in Venezuela, the Trump administration is increasingly focused on Cuba, where decades of communist rule have hollowed out the island's economy and turned it into an island playground for U.S. adversaries. 

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 20:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
How It Took Nine Months To Remove One Illegal Alien From Voter Rolls
How It Took Nine Months To Remove One Illegal Alien From Voter Rolls

Submitted by Maryland Freedom Caucus,

Nine months after the Maryland Freedom Caucus exposed that a noncitizen with a final order of deportation had been registered to vote in Maryland, Ian Roberts has finally—and quietly—been removed from the state's active voter registration list.

There was no press conference. No public announcement. No admission that anything had gone wrong.

The removal comes only after Roberts was convicted and sentenced on federal charges related to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. For years, Roberts remained an active voter in Maryland despite being an illegal alien from Guyana who overstayed his student visa and despite having left the state more than a decade ago.


🗳️ The Other Maryland Man finally removed from Maryland Voter Registration list.
9 months after it was discovered that a superintendent of a large school district was not only a noncitizen with a final deportation order, but also had been illicitly registered to vote in… pic.twitter.com/xqKTCskJQR
— Maryland Freedom Caucus (@MDFreedomCaucus) June 19, 2026
The timing raises an obvious question: if a criminal conviction was necessary before election officials would finally remove Roberts from the voter rolls, how many other ineligible registrations remain untouched?

The Roberts case placed Maryland into national news after the Maryland Freedom Caucus uncovered evidence that he was not only unlawfully present in the United States, but had also been registered to vote in Maryland.


🚨 I have confirmed from Maryland Freedom Caucus Chairman, @MattMorgan29A (R) that Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts has been a registered voter in Maryland since 2012.
Roberts is an illegal alien.@elonmusk also agrees, it’s time to clean the voter rolls. pic.twitter.com/4encSIQwfk
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 29, 2025
Roberts was hardly an obscure figure. He served as superintendent of a large Iowa school district while simultaneously living under a final order of deportation. Yet somehow, despite years of scrutiny surrounding his immigration status, Maryland's voter registration system never flagged him.


BREAKING: Another Maryland Man controversy!
Have you heard the story of Ian Andre Roberts, the Superintendent for Des Moines Public Schools? He was arrested late last week for a standing deportation order. Turns out, he is actively registered to vote in Maryland, despite being… pic.twitter.com/T7XlAobQ6O
— Maryland Freedom Caucus (@MDFreedomCaucus) September 29, 2025
The most damning revelation emerged when unredacted voter registration applications obtained through pressure from two watchdog groups showed that Roberts had personally affirmed under penalty of perjury that he was a United States citizen.

That detail shattered one of the most common defenses offered by election officials whenever noncitizen registrations are discovered. For months, Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis and other defenders of the system insisted that such registrations were accidental byproducts of bureaucratic processes.

The documents showed otherwise.

Roberts did not merely appear on the rolls due to an administrative error. He falsely claimed citizenship on a sworn government form. Nevertheless, he remained an active registered voter for years and continued receiving election mailings and ballots.


But here’s the problem:
If Roberts never voted, his registration should have been canceled long ago for inactivity.
It wasn’t. pic.twitter.com/qwBAb7zXC0
— Maryland Freedom Caucus (@MDFreedomCaucus) January 8, 2026
The broader significance of the case extends well beyond one individual.

Maryland officials routinely insist that noncitizen voting is virtually nonexistent and that existing safeguards are sufficient. Yet the Roberts case demonstrates how difficult it can be to remove even the most obvious ineligible registrant.

Here was a man who had not lived in Maryland in more than ten years. A man under a final order of deportation. A man who falsely claimed citizenship on voter registration forms. A man whose case received national media attention.

And still it took months of public pressure, investigative work, federal involvement, and ultimately a criminal conviction before Maryland election officials finally acted.

If this is how difficult it is to remove one of the most obvious examples imaginable, voters are left wondering how many less obvious cases remain hidden within the rolls.


🚨🚨🚨 AAF has learned that either @PahlaviReza, who wants to be Shah of Iran…
1) is a U.S. Citizen
OR
2) voted illegally in a U.S. election
RECEIPTS👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/eigi6fL3sp
— American Accountability Foundation (@Theswampmonitor) April 16, 2026
The Maryland Freedom Caucus responded to the Roberts case by introducing the Secure the Vote Act of 2026, legislation designed to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, strengthen voter identification requirements, and prevent future noncitizen registrations.

Predictably, the legislation was never allowed to advance. Like countless election-integrity measures before it, it was quietly buried in committee by legislative leadership unwilling to acknowledge the problem.

That leaves Congress with an increasingly important responsibility.

The SAVE America Act would establish nationwide citizenship verification requirements and close loopholes that currently allow noncitizens to access voter registration systems through self-attestation alone. While states like Maryland continue resisting reforms, federal action may be the only realistic path forward.

The Roberts case should serve as a warning.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 21:00

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The Guardian (UK)
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England offer rare peek behind the curtain with no place to hide under Tuchel
There was more insight at the World Cup training base than usual with intensity on the rise under Thomas TuchelThe tall hooded figure kept barking instructions under a hot Missouri sun. Thomas Tuchel was looking for perfection as preparations for Ghana geared up. England’s head coach watched from a distance at first but it was not long before he was making sure the training drill was up his standards.Tuchel, wearing a hoodie to protect himself from the UV rays, loomed over a group made up of Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Djed Spence and Ollie Watkins. This was a rare peek behind the curtain. At international tournaments there are days when journalists are allowed to watch 15 minutes of open training. They are often anodyne experiences, limited to a bit of jogging around, maybe a glimpse of a rondo if you’re lucky, but there was more insight at England’s base in Kansas City on Saturday morning. Mannequins were carefully arranged in four zones and it soon became clear there is no hiding place when Tuchel is watching. Continue reading...

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A spate of shark bites has Australian ocean lovers on edge. People want to know why they’re rising
Warming ocean temperatures mean sharks are spending more time in high-population areas, yet shark net data shows no significant changes in numbersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRob Harcourt is heading back from a “beautiful surf” at Bondi on a warm and sunny winter’s morning in Sydney.But for him and many of his surfing mates, the compelling pull of the city’s world famous surf breaks has been neutered by tragedy, fear and uncertainty. Continue reading...

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The Long Lost Family presenter, 65, said Lilla was out on Friday night with two of her sisters and a friend in Peckham, south-east London , when the speeding bike hit her at a crossing.

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A tanker emblazoned with the slogan 'Back British Cement' is to arrive in Westminster on July 27 as part of plans drawn up by Breedon Group, one of the UK's biggest cement manufacturers.

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Mail Online
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Deniz Undav gives Germany a natural predator as substitute's double from the bench downs Ivory Coast - while £100m Liverpool target Yan Diomande sparkles again, writes MATT BARLOW
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Charles disclosing his tax payments is a laudable first step - but more is needed to regain public trust, writes royal biographer ANDREW LOWNIE
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ZeroHedge News
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"It's That Bad": Virginia Residents Battling Constant Noise From Data Center Generators
"It's That Bad": Virginia Residents Battling Constant Noise From Data Center Generators

For more than a year, residents living next to the Vantage Data Centers facility have endured what they describe as a constant, high-pitched whining or ringing sound coming from the site's massive backup generators - the facility's only source of electricity.
An aerial view of the Vantage data center in Sterling, Va., which abuts a residential neighborhood. (NewsNation)

Unlike most data centers connected to the power grid, this facility runs entirely on its own on-site power plant. What residents were told would be temporary generator testing has become permanent operation.

"They're Just Never Turned Off"

Neighbor Hari Doue told News Nation that the community was initially assured the generators were only being tested for emergencies.

"We were told in the beginning that they test the generators to make sure they're working in case of an emergency. And then as the year and the months have gone on, they're just never turned off," Doue said. 



Another neighbor, Greg Pirio, has reached out to attorneys over the issue. He described the impact bluntly:

"You just hear this noise, it's just like, you just want to curse, you know, it's that bad."

Some residents have taken drastic steps to cope. One placed a mattress against their window to muffle the sound. Another installed plexiglass and began monitoring decibel levels with a sound meter. Concerns center on sleep disruption, stress, and falling property values.

Vantage Data Centers officials told NewsNation they continue to monitor noise levels and do not believe the sound exceeds Loudoun County's limits - which is 55 decibels in Residential and rural areas and 60 decibels in Mixed-use residential areas. Exceptions include generators operating during emergencies, at utility request, or during testing.

Virginia: America's Data Center Capital

Virginia has the largest concentration of data centers in the United States - 287 operational and 398 prospective, according to Pew Research. Loudoun County has become ground zero for this boom, often called "Data Center Alley."

The economic upside is significant. Data centers generate almost half of Loudoun County's property tax revenues, funding schools and public services while helping keep residential tax rates lower.

However, the facilities consumed approximately 26% of Virginia's total electricity in 2023, contributing to higher energy costs for all residents.


The situation in Sterling reflects a broader national tension. On June 18, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued show-cause orders requiring major grid operators to justify or update rules for connecting large energy users such as data centers.

President Trump has encouraged data center developers to build dedicated on-site power sources - the exact model used by Vantage in Sterling - to protect regular utility customers from rate hikes.

Residents near the Vantage site acknowledge the benefits of data centers, including jobs, tax revenue, and essential digital infrastructure, but strongly object to their placement directly next to homes.

"Do everything in your power to try and stop it from being built in an area that has any residential properties within 10 or 15 miles of it," said Doue. 

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 19:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Democratic Socialist Mamdani Wants Democratic Party To Move Further Left Ahead Of 2028
Democratic Socialist Mamdani Wants Democratic Party To Move Further Left Ahead Of 2028

Authored by Chase Smith via The Epoch Times,

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, issued one of his sharpest rebukes of the Democratic leadership Thursday night, saying that the party will lose the White House in 2028 if it does not fundamentally change course.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (R) gestures on stage with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), during a Get Out The Vote rally ahead of New York's primary election in the Brooklyn borough of New York on June 18, 2026. Ryan Murphy/AP Photo

"For far too long, our party has seen its job as managing decline instead of delivering material change for working people," Mamdani told a crowd of thousands at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, where he and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) headlined a get-out-the-vote rally for three progressive congressional candidates ahead of New York's June 23 primaries.

"That old way of thinking will lose on Tuesday. And frankly, it will lose in South Carolina and New Hampshire. It will fall short of 270 electoral votes," the Democrat said, referring to the two early primary states in the presidential nominating process. "The Democratic Party must change."

The 34-year-old is backing Darializa Avila Chevalier against Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) in New York's 13th Congressional District, former city Comptroller Brad Lander against Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) in the 10th, and Assembly Member Claire Valdez in the open 7th. Early voting is underway through June 21.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has endorsed Espaillat, telling Fox 5 New York on June 15 that he and Mamdani had "agreed to strongly disagree" over the race. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also endorsed Espaillat and campaigned alongside Goldman.

Mamdani described the primaries as the opening act of a longer national fight. "When does the race for 2028 begin?" he said. "It starts now. It starts on Tuesday."

He called on the party to offer "an affirmative agenda without apology" and to be "not just willing to stand up but also to stand for something" - drawing a contrast with what he called a politics that asks "working people to lower their expectations" and has "seen its job as explaining why we cannot instead of showing how we can."

Sanders, who introduced Mamdani at the rally, echoed the critique.

"The politics and the policies of the democratic establishment are no longer good enough," he said. "In this dangerous and unprecedented moment in American history, tinkering around the edges just won't work."

The Vermont independent has been traveling the country rallying voters for progressive candidates ahead of the midterms, pointing to a string of recent primary wins from New Jersey to Ohio to Maine - as has ally and New York progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), appearing on CNN Friday morning and responding to a clip of Mamdani's remarks, did not push back on his critique.

"Right now, the Democratic Party needs to be far less concerned about the Democratic Party and far more concerned with what people are struggling with," Booker said, calling for "big, bold solutions" and a coalition built around issues rather than party identity.

The DNC did not return The Epoch Times' request for comment by publication time.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a Get Out The Vote rally ahead of New York's primary election, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy
Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 19:50

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France bans alcohol consumption at music festival events under red headwave alert
The annual Fête de la Musique celebrations draw millions to the streets but the most serious heatwave warnings have been issued for 35 of the country's departments.

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#11919 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - MYWAK - Wakefield (Update)
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US Open 2026: Wyndham Clark builds six-shot lead after third round – as it happened
️ Clark builds a huge lead on Moving Day at Shinnecock️ Official leaderboardRory McIlroy leaves himself another monster putt, this time on 3. He doesn’t judge this 70-footer particularly well, leaving himself a ten-foot tester for his par. It’s always dying to the right of the cup, and he drops to +1. Emiliano Grillo also takes a step backwards, finding the bunker to the right of the par-three 17th, and having found himself shortsided, leaving himself too much to do after the chip out. Grillo slips back to level par for the tournament.Emiliano Grillo birdies the par-five 16th – statistically the second-easiest hole on the course today – and he moves into red figures for the week at -1. The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose best finish by far at an US Open was his tie for 19th last year, is now four-under par for his round today. Continue reading...

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Deniz Undav’s double earns Germany dramatic late win against Côte d’Ivoire
Some footballing stereotypes just will not fade away. Germany may no longer be the mirthless, methodical winning machine who would slowly maul their opponents until they inevitably engineered victory, but, evidently, they still know how to fashion match-winners from final moments.Consequently, the Germans will play in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 12 years after another victory at the death. Côte d’Ivoire had gone ahead in a lively encounter on Saturday through Franck Kessié’s 30th-minute goal for Les Éléphants. But it was cancelled out by Deniz Undav’s 68th-minute equaliser and 94th-minute winner for Die Mannschaft. Continue reading...

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US Open 2026: third round – as it happened
️ Wyndham Clark builds a huge lead on Moving Day at Shinnecock️ Official leaderboardRory McIlroy leaves himself another monster putt, this time on 3. He doesn’t judge this 70-footer particularly well, leaving himself a ten-foot tester for his par. It’s always dying to the right of the cup, and he drops to +1. Emiliano Grillo also takes a step backwards, finding the bunker to the right of the par-three 17th, and having found himself shortsided, leaving himself too much to do after the chip out. Grillo slips back to level par for the tournament.Emiliano Grillo birdies the par-five 16th – statistically the second-easiest hole on the course today – and he moves into red figures for the week at -1. The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose best finish by far at an US Open was his tie for 19th last year, is now four-under par for his round today. Continue reading...

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The Guardian (UK)
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Deniz Undav’s double earns Germany dramatic late win against Côte d’Ivoire
Some footballing stereotypes just won’t fade away. Germany may no longer be the mirthless, methodical winning machine who would slowly maul their opponents until they inevitably engineered victory, but, evidently, they still know how to fashion match-winners from final moments.Consequently, the Germans will play in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in 12 years after another victory at the death. Côte d’Ivoire had gone ahead in a lively encounter on Saturday through Franck Kessié’s 30th-minute goal for Les Éléphants. But it was cancelled out by Deniz Undav’s 68th-minute equaliser and 94th-minute winner for Die Mannschaft. Continue reading...

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Ecuador v Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail AlexThe national anthem of Curaçao is next: Himno di Kòrsou.I’m enjoying the brass-forward arrangement they’re using for this. Continue reading...

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Samsung may shelve the Galaxy Watch Classic this year, regular and Ultra could get new colors 
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Slashdot
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How Millions of Digital Home Devices Are Secretly Powering Cyberattacks
The Wall Street Journal reports on internet-connected devices - and how every year millions of them "can contain a secret digital backdoor that opens up access to your home internet, so that anyone... can surf the web as if they were you." (And this is especially true for "knockoffs that you buy online"...)

In a video report this week they tested two digital picture frames from Amazon and three streaming devices from Walmart "because we heard that they often ship with backdoor software used in cyberattacks. Security experts believe manufacturers are being paid to add this malware, but many people also get tricked into downloading the software onto their phones or computers... Within minutes of turning the devices on, there was a surge of internet traffic... Visits to gambling, porn, cryptocurrency and loads of other sketchy web sites started pouring in from users around the world." (And remote visitors also tried to access Outlook and Gmail accounts...)

Residential proxy companies even rent out access to "tens of millions of home networks around the world," according to the report. "But the problem is actually worse than that. Hackers figured out a way to seize control of these backdoors, and they started taking over these residential networks. Last month authorities arrested a 23-year-old Ottawa man, saying he'd taken control of more than a million devices to launch some of the largest cyberattacks anyone had ever seen.."

After a couple months the Journal's reporter collected logs of all the traffic, and sent it to an investigator at Comcast, who said both were conducting DDoS attacks. But estimate for the number of infected devices are as low as tens of millions or as high 500 million-plus. "We've seen nation state attacks launched through these kind of endpoints, which means your device sitting in your house is part of a nation state attack against another nation state... We've seen ad fraud, we've seen ticket scalping, we've seen financial fraud."

But more importantly, "We have seen some of the largest computer attacks - meaning computers attacking other computers at human request - ever recorded in our digital history in the last several months." At cybersecurity conferences, some are warning "there are much larger ones on the horizon if we don't get a hold of this problem."

The company making the picture frame "couldn't be reached for comment," while Amazon said it's been out of stock since last year. Both Amazon and Walmart said they take action when they confirm malware on a third-party product.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ecuador v Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail AlexFrom the early looks at Kansas City Stadium, this looks like it’ll be a heavily pro-Ecuador crowd.Not entirely surprising, as Curaçao has about the population of Macon, Georgia and Ecuador has, uh, way more than that. Continue reading...

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Fastest World Cup to 100 goals in 68 years - are balls and breaks behind it?
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Undav Germany’s unlikely World Cup hero who was playing semi-pro at 23
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Colombia's escalating, brutal internal conflict is defining its presidential election
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Superfan Harry Kane forced to leave Ella Langley gig early - to avoid breaking Thomas Tuchel curfew in Kansas City
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Hackers Claim to Leak Stolen Madison Square Garden Data
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Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11919 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - MYWAK - Wakefield (Update)
We have raised this with our supplier who have advised us there is a fault in the Wakefield area and they are completing investigations.

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The Hill
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Vance leaves for Switzerland with Strait of Hormuz status unclear
Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland on Saturday ahead of technical-level talks on an interim ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran that aims to permanently halt fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin nuclear negotiations. The discussions were initially scheduled to begin on Friday but were delayed due to an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in...

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Ecuador v Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live
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ZeroHedge News
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Banning Hospitals' 'Certain Contracts' Could Save Americans $45 Billion, Report Finds
Banning Hospitals' 'Certain Contracts' Could Save Americans $45 Billion, Report Finds

Authored by Travis Gillmore via The Epoch Times,

A ban on certain contracts between hospital systems and health insurers could save Americans around $45 billion, according to a report from White House analysts released on June 18.
Lenox Health Greenwich Village Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, on Nov. 2, 2020. Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times

"The Council of Economic Advisers' findings reinforce that the Trump administration is delivering meaningful cost reductions for American patients," White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster told The Epoch Times by email June 19, noting the president's surgical approach to policy development that prioritizes fiscal discipline.

"By harnessing the use of free-market competition, President Trump has found a real solution to lowering costs instead of blindly throwing more taxpayer money at the problem."

Administration officials are exploring how best to manage hospital systems and insurers without relying on price controls or heavy-handed regulations.

At issue are three clauses, known as "anti-steering, anti-tiering, and all-or-nothing" contracts, which critics say shield healthcare providers from competition, thus increasing prices for consumers.

Anti-steering clauses block insurers from incentivizing or guiding clients toward cheaper options or providers, even when their data indicate clear savings potential.

Anti-tiering is used to stop insurers from categorizing hospital systems in less desirable benefit tiers that would reduce profit margins by forcing the providers to cover higher patient costs.

Bundled, also known as all-or-nothing, contracts require insurers to include all hospitals and physicians in a system, eliminating the option to negotiate independently.

Combined, the provisions result in more expensive healthcare, with higher rates, less efficiency, and limited insurance plan innovation due to reduced competition.

In markets where the clauses in question are widespread, a ban would lead to an 18 percent decline in hospital and physician prices, amounting to approximately $4,100 per inpatient admission, according to the report.

Premium prices would decline by about 7 percent, saving the average family about $1,800 annually, the report found, with aggregate reductions totaling about $45 billion and up to $63 billion.

Workers would benefit from higher take-home pay and lower out-of-pocket costs thanks to the reduced insurance costs. Small businesses and employers would also get relief with lower costs.

Analysts arrived at the numbers by calculating several variables, including the increased leverage insurers would gain while bargaining, with an expectation that prices would drop by about 8 percent as a result.

Allowing steering and tiering will improve patient management and shift care toward lower-cost providers, with transparencies helping reduce prices by about 4 percent, according to the report.

Free-market dynamics are expected to drive dynamic competition, with efficient, low-cost competitors helping further drive down costs by about 3 percent.

Proposed policies prioritize healthcare in rural areas, with bans aimed at lowering premiums while boosting independent rural hospitals.

Crackdowns are underway in the form of federal legal proceedings, with eyes on a national framework to codify the proposals.

"Thanks to the Trump administration's crackdown on anti-steering, anti-tiering, and all-or-nothing contracts by hospitals, everyday Americans are directly benefitting from lower premium contributions and higher take-home wages," Schuster said.

Congressional lawmakers are considering a similar course of action with the Healthy Competition for Better Care Act introduced by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), which would outlaw the anti-competition clauses.

Some states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Texas, prohibit certain clauses, though coverage and enforcement vary.

The report referenced two recent civil antitrust actions brought by the Department of Justice, one against OhioHealth filed in February and settled June 18, with no admission of wrongdoing and the hospital forbidden from using anticompetitive clauses.

"Providing affordable healthcare to Americans is uncontroversial and this Department of Justice will not tolerate corporate prioritization of revenue in contravention of our antitrust laws," Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement.

A case against New York-Presbyterian Hospital, filed in March, is pending. Justice Department filings allege the hospital is insulated from price competition by contractual clauses, thus raising healthcare costs for New Yorkers.

A settlement with Sutter Health of Northern California from 2022 offers a successful precedent, according to the report, with the system agreeing to pay $575 million in fines and stop using the contractual clauses and succeeding in the aftermath of the agreement, later receiving recognition for its rural facilities.

Trump has repeatedly placed healthcare at the front of his second-term agenda, seeking to address the root causes of high medical costs, including with the release of TrumpRX.gov for prescription medicine at reduced prices.

He's taken his message on the road around the country in recent weeks, highlighting his actions and plans to further address Americans' healthcare cost burdens.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 17:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
NY Pride Group Disbands After Drag Queen Founder - A School Board Member - Arrested On Child Sexting Charges
NY Pride Group Disbands After Drag Queen Founder - A School Board Member - Arrested On Child Sexting Charges

A New York LGBTQ+ advocacy group has canceled a scheduled pride parade and disbanded after its founder was arrested on child-sexting charges. 



Travis J. Longo, 46, of Cazenovia - a drag queen and a member of the Cazenovia School District Board of Education (of course), was arrested on Thursday and charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly sending sexually explicit communications to a child under the age of 12. 

In a now-deleted Facebook post, the group Longo founded, Cazenova Pride Inc., announced that it is "canceling this year's Pride Festival and all associated events, and we are dissolving as an organization." 

"This decision follows serious criminal charges against Travis Longo, the founder of Cazenovia Pride Fest and a longtime figure in our organization," the post continues. "Travis Longo has no further affiliation with Cazenovia Pride Inc."

Longo, who reportedly performed as a drag queen under the name "Anita Buffem," was listed as a "hostess" at the first Pride festival in Cazenovia in 2021, which was organized by Pride Cazenovia, ">The Blaze reports.


Congratulations to Travis Barr-Longo aka Anita Buffem on being elected to the cazenovia School board and being the second drag performer in the US to be elected to public office. This is how we win and how we outrun in rural America. Shoutout to the @DemocratsNy! pic.twitter.com/AcH75ak5Ol
— The Outrun Coalition (@TheOutrunCo) June 19, 2024

"We are deeply sorry for the pain and disappointment this causes our community," the group's statement concludes. "The years of support, love, and solidarity you have shown us have meant everything. Thank you."

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 18:05

Mail Online
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Sister of Italian soccer star who works at Caribbean resort ravaged by deadly fire reveals the chaos of guests who tried to go BACK to their rooms when blaze broke out
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Counter-terror police launch investigation after 'bare-chested man goes on anti-Muslim rampage' in Edinburgh - as 36-year-old is charged and Sir Keir Starmer condemns 'appalling' attack
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The Guardian (UK)
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Writers’ festivals are the new raves – and as a born-again book reader I couldn’t be happier about the upsurge in collectivism | Clarke Gayford
From local book clubs to group sessions with authors, what’s driving people back to wood pulp and ink? I have a few ideas The accident took place without warning during a holiday. The culprit: an Airbnb bedside table with no power outlet. A minor inconvenience forcing a mobile phone on its last gasp of ions into another room for the night.While lying on the bed desperately trying to stem the terrifying rise of my own thoughts, it happened: I reached over and picked up a book. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ecuador v Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 8pm EDT/1am BST/10am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail AlexHello folks! Alexander Abnos here, and I’m thrilled to be able to follow this match along with all of you.Curaçao enters the game on the back of a 7-1 drubbing by Germany. The lopsided scoreline was perhaps expected, what with Germany’s status as a world power and Curaçao being the smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘A child goes to bed and doesn’t wake up’: the families left in shock after the sudden death of their healthy children
Sudden cardiac arrest is statistically rare but among the leading causes of death for children and young people. And families often have no idea of the risk until it’s too lateBefore Alexandra Thoms goes to sleep, she puts together a flat-pack dining table with her father, Gordon. She needs the table for her otherwise sparse two-bedroom Melbourne apartment which she has moved into just weeks earlier.At 23, Alexandra has met the milestones of an ambitious life at lightning speed. She is well travelled, has earned a double university degree and a graduate job at Deloitte. She is healthy; an avid skier and gymgoer. Now, she is also a homeowner. She didn’t have a formal housewarming, though, as most of her friends still live at home. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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King Charles to publish personal tax bill in first for UK head of state
Buckingham Palace says move is bid to increase ‘clarity and accessibility’ relating to monarchy’s financesKing Charles will become the first head of state to reveal their personal tax bill in what the palace says is a bid to enhance transparency around royal finances.Charles, 77, will publish his financial details as his royal household seeks to increase “clarity and accessibility” around the monarchy’s finances by producing a new report on the subject. Continue reading...

The Hill
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Sunday shows preview: Iran’s Strait of Hormuz closure threatens Trump MOU ahead of planned Switzerland peace talks
Vice President Vance left for Switzerland Saturday evening to join special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for technical talks with Iran in hopes of reaching a potential nuclear deal. The U.S. and Iran this week reached a preliminary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trading corridor whose months-long...

The Hill
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Vance leaves for Switzerland with Strait of Hormuz status unclear
Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland on Saturday ahead of technical-level talks on an interim ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran that aims to permanently halt fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin nuclear negotiations. The discussions were initially scheduled to begin on Friday but were delayed due to an escalation in...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump says he will NOT allow Iran to force tolls in Strait of Hormuz
President Trump just announced that the will not allow Iran to force tolls on ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz, either now or after the 60-day ceasefire deal. Here’s what he . . .

Russia Today News
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Zelensky ‘acting like Mr. Bean on crack,’ US Treasury chief reportedly said

FlightAware Squawks
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From the "Burma Bridge Busters" to the Boeing 777: A century of flight in the Philpott family
Few aviation families can trace their history across as many eras of flight as the Philpotts. What began with Lt. Col. James A. Philpott’s early flying career in the 1920s grew into a family connection to military aviation, the airline industry, air racing, and aircraft restoration that continues today. That history is the subject of an online archive assembled by airline captain Michelle “Micki” Sharp and her daughter, Eris. The collection contains photographs, documents, and family records connected to Philpott’s military and airline careers, along with material documenting the aviation activities of later generations of the family.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson received same state-of-the-art prostate cancer therapy as former PM David Cameron as he reveals he is in remission - now charity wants it rolled out across NHS
Jeremy Clarkson has avoided the potentially life-changing side effects of prostate cancer surgery after getting the same state-of-the-art treatment as former prime minister David Cameron.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Red Bull Soapbox Race at Alexandra Palace, London – in pictures
The high-spirited and eccentric annual event attracts large crowds to the spectacle of fancy dress soapboxes racing – and falling apart – on a downhill course with hazards aplenty Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Deniz Undav’s double earns Germany dramatic late win against Côte d’Ivoire
For the first time in more than a decade, Germany will play in the World Cup knockout stages. Their 2-1 victory at the death over Côte d’Ivoire in a lively tie here on Saturday saw to that. Franck Kessié’s 30th-minute goal for Les Éléphants was cancelled out by Deniz Undav’s 68th-minute equaliser and 94th-minute winner for Die Mannschaft.The victory put the four-time world champions on six points, although the youngest team at this tournament gave the Germans a far tougher test than in the 7-1 crunching of Curaçao six days ago. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson received same state-of-the-art prostate cancer therapy as former PM David Cameron as he reveals he is now in remission - now charity wants it rolled out across NHS
Jeremy Clarkson has avoided the potentially life-changing side effects of prostate cancer surgery after getting the same state-of-the-art treatment as former prime minister David Cameron.

Mail Online
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Pope Leo follows up barbs at Donald Trump over Iran war by hailing first American saint for her care of migrants in his Italy visit
Pope Leo XIV has hailed the first American saint as well as her care for migrants in need during his visit to Italy after swiping at Donald Trump over the Iran war. 

Mail Online
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Massive blaze rips through shopping centre as roof collapses and residents are told to keep their windows shut
Firefighters were sent to Thurmaston Shopping Centre in Leicestershire following reports of a blaze at about 4am.

Mail Online
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Inside James Franco's bizarre plan to 'uncancel' himself as disgraced actor sparks concerns with erratic TikToks after Hollywood gave him the cold shoulder over sexual assault claims
Franco suffered a staggering fall from grace after he was accused of sexual misconduct by two female students at his now-defunct Studio 4 acting school.

Mail Online
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Brazil are a modest side that labour in the shadows of their past World Cup glories - they need one hell of a resurrection story from the great but unfit Neymar if they are to win a record sixth title, writes OLIVER HOLT
OLIVER HOLT IN PHILADELPHIA: The game was only a few minutes old when the ranks of Brazil supporters at one end of Lincoln Financial Field passed a tifo above their heads

Mail Online
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Teenager comes forward after alleged murder of 18-year-old in seaside town - as four men are held in custody and police track down car they wanted
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 18-year-old man was stabbed, bundled into a car and abandoned outside a hospital in Poole, Dorset, on Friday morning.

Mail Online
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Tributes paid to 'beautiful' young woman, 18, allegedly killed after being hit by teenagers in stolen digger
Tributes have been paid to a 'beautiful' young woman allegedly killed by a stolen digger that was driven by teenagers at a seaside park.

Mail Online
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'He was gutted!': Superfan Harry Kane forced to leave Ella Langley gig early - to avoid breaking Thomas Tuchel curfew in Kansas City
Harry Kane attended a country and western concert in preparation for England's second World Cup match - but he missed the final three songs because of Thomas Tuchel's curfew.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson received same state-of-the-art prostate cancer therapy as former PM David Cameron - now charity wants it rolled out across NHS
Jeremy Clarkson has avoided the potentially life-changing side effects of prostate cancer surgery after getting the same state-of-the-art treatment as former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mail Online
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Three more arrested over bungee jumper's death after she was hurled from bridge without a rope
Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, was hurled more than 100ft to her death earlier this month from Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, São Paulo.

Mail Online
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Zendaya reveals she fell for husband Tom Holland after seeing him swap his Spider-Man outfit for leather shorts and fishnets in drag performance
The Euphoria star flaunted her gold wedding band as she proudly stood alongside her husband on the red carpet to promote their latest film Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Mail Online
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The eye-watering cost of World Cup tickets: England fans forced to shell out $1,000 for group stage matches - with $4,500 VIP seats completely sold out for national team's clash with Ghana
England fans arriving in Boston for their next World Cup match can only grin and bear it as they compare astronomical prices of tickets, hotels and food.

Mail Online
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Is this proof Marines' mid-Channel raid on Russian ship was a staged stunt to boost embattled Starmer?
Sources have said that Sir Keir gave the go-ahead for last weekend's raid on the Smyrtos by Royal Marines, driven by the need to produce a 'PR boost' for the embattled Prime Minister.

Mail Online
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It's the Government's duty to prepare us for war: Ex-national security chief DOMINIC MURPHY says Britain must teach civilians what to do in the event of a conflict - before it's too late
The threats to Britain are legion. Were the country to experience another crisis or any of these doom-laden scenarios, how prepared would we be?

Mail Online
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Tom Hardy could be set for MobLand return as Paramount bosses look to lure estranged star back following viewer backlash
Frequent rowing with directors over a delay in filming the third series of the Paramount+ drama had led to the actor, who plays fixer Harry Da Souza, walking away.

Mail Online
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Brilliant Brian Brobbey outshines Gyokeres and Isak in defiance of critics back in the Netherlands - as Graham Potter faces questions over pitiful Sweden display, writes IAN HERBERT
Dutch fans will not be getting idealistic about overcoming a Swedish side who reverted to their qualification levels, but it's hard to quash optimism when you think you've stumbled on a forward.

Mail Online
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Megan Pickford shares sweet anniversary surprise from her husband Jordan to celebrate four years of marriage while the England goalie is away training for second World Cup tie
Megan has travelled to Boston ahead of England's second group match against Ghana on Tuesday.

Mail Online
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Labour MPs beg Andy Burnham not to make Net Zero zealot Ed Miliband the next Chancellor: Business leaders and even unions warn his high tax and green obsessions are toxic
Andy Burnham has been warned against making Ed Miliband his Chancellor should he become prime minister - or risk his premiership being 'over before it's begun'.

Sky News Home
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Ukraine gives Belarus ultimatum over Russian drone equipment
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given Belarus's leader a week to remove equipment from his country used in Russian drone attacks on Ukraine.

Deutsche Welle
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Undav heroics help Germany beat Ivory Coast
In Germany's second 2026 World Cup game, Undaz helped Germany to a comeback win against the Ivory Coast in Toronto.

Mail Online
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Germany vs Ivory Coast - World Cup Group E LIVE: Deniz Undav's second goal seals his nation qualification to the knockouts as he nets winner in second-half stoppage time
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Germany take on the Ivory Coast in Group E at the Toronto Stadium.

BBC World News
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Israeli strikes kill six people in Gaza including Al Jazeera cameraman, officials say
The Israeli military accused Ahmed Wishah of being a "Hamas sniper operative", without providing evidence.

BBC World News
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Iran says it has closed Strait of Hormuz over Israeli attacks in Lebanon
The US military has disputed Tehran's claim, which comes ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland on Sunday.

Sky News Home
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Three people killed following fire in west London
Three people have died following a fire in west London.

The Guardian (UK)
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Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email WillGermany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; HavertzSubs: Amiri, Anton, Baumann, Beier, Goretzka, Gross, Leweling, Nubel, Ouedraogo, Raum, Rüdiger, Stiller, Thiaw, Undav Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11919 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - MYWAK - Wakefield (New)
Through regular monitoring we have become aware of an outage in the Wakefield exchange area.

We are completing investigations and will provide an update when one is available.

Start: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 22:45

Update: Sun, 21st Jun 2026 02:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 22:55

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

Mail Online
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Heatwave sweeps Europe: France imposes alcohol ban with 40C expected, Germany has nationwide warnings and tourists swelter under Italian sun
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ⁠has pre-emptively banned alcohol at the annual Fete de la Musique festivals and other ​public events in 35 regions on Sunday, amid a crippling heatwave.

Digital Trends
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Apple users are being targeted by a familiar tech support scam
After years of scammers posing as Microsoft support, reports suggest Apple users are now facing a similar wave of fake tech support warnings.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Ecuador vs Curacao: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026 as both sides seek first points

The Guardian (UK)
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The Red Bull Soapbox Race at Alexandra Palace, London
The high-spirited and eccentric annual event attracts large crowds to the spectacle of fancy dress soapboxes racing – and falling apart – on a downhill course with hazards aplenty Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Brobbey and Gakpo at the double as five-star Netherlands crush sorry Sweden
It turns out Sweden do not have a monopoly on old-fashioned centre-forward play. They were schooled in it here by Brian Brobbey, who was brought in by Ronald Koeman to give the Netherlands’ attack a focal point and swiftly made his under-pressure manager resemble a genius. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes to pave the way for a crushing win, proving impossible to handle with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing.Koeman had criticised his own decisions after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Japan, lamenting substitutions that failed to pay off. This time he could, if the mood took him, pat himself firmly on the back. There was yet more to enjoy in the contribution of Crysencio Summerville, who sparkled after his half-time introduction. Summerville finished unerringly late on to complete a rout that leaves Sweden dizzy from finishing on different ends of the same scoreline. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump acknowledges ‘real problems’ at reflecting pool after $14m makeover, blaming ‘vandalism’
US president also claims vandals have been arrested, as Washington attraction sees algae bloom and peeling paintDonald Trump has blamed “vandalism” for “real problems” at Washington’s reflecting pool after an algae bloom in the wake of a $14.2m renovation of the site he declared would turn it “American flag” blue. Paint has also been seen peeling off in the water. He also made claims that vandals had been arrested.Days after his administration claimed the pool was actually “crystal clear”, despite an unmistakably green hue, the US president acknowledged issues – and, without evidence, blamed foul play. Continue reading...

Slashdot
Open 
OpenAI Announces Benchmarks for AI Life Sciences Research. Its Best Model Failed 63.9% of the Test
This week OpenAI announced a 750-task test to to measure "whether AI systems can support realistic life science research tasks, not just answer biology questions."

But while OpenAI's top-performing GPT-Rosalind model led the rankings, Slashdot reader BrianFagioli notes that "it achieved a pass rate of just 36.1 percent, failing nearly two-thirds of benchmark tasks." Nerds.xyz points out that means "the best-performing model failed nearly two-thirds of the benchmark's tasks."




The benchmark also revealed a familiar weakness. AI systems generally perform better when everything is presented as text. Once they are forced to work with supporting documents, figures, or complex datasets, performance drops noticeably. GPT-Rosalind's pass rate fell from 45.1 percent on text-only tasks to 28.1 percent on tasks involving artifacts or URLs.

To be fair, the benchmark is not intended to suggest AI is useless in research. Quite the opposite. OpenAI found that models are becoming increasingly capable of scientific communication, evidence synthesis, and translating research findings into practical explanations. Those are valuable skills, particularly for researchers drowning in information. But LifeSciBench serves as a useful reminder that today's AI systems are still far from autonomous scientists. They can help. They can assist. They can sometimes provide surprisingly useful insights. What they cannot reliably do, however, is replace the expertise, judgment, and skepticism that real scientific research requires.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
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Grand Theft Auto 6 opens pre-orders, reveals cover art
If at any point you've ever doubted that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be the biggest entertainment product since the Epic of Gilgamesh, look no further than this: a thirty-second video showing off the game's cover art and absolutely nothing else has amassed about seven and a half million views in less than 24 hours. — Read the rest
The post Grand Theft Auto 6 opens pre-orders, reveals cover art appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Bob Odenkirk stars in straight-faced remake of The Room
Tommy Wiseau's 2004 masterpiece The Room is, perhaps, the most infamous bad movie ever made. So much so that the movie about it being made went up for an Oscar, to say nothing of the video game adaptation.
In today's age of remakes and reboots, it was only a matter of time before someone proposed just that, which is how we ended up with The Room Returns. — Read the rest
The post Bob Odenkirk stars in straight-faced remake of The Room appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Call of Duty shrugs, reheats its leftovers with Black Ops remaster
There are now seven Call of Duty: Black Ops games, which is honestly fewer than I thought. Even so, ask any CoD fan on the street and they'll tell you that the best Black Ops games, if not the best CoD games as a whole, are the first two. — Read the rest
The post Call of Duty shrugs, reheats its leftovers with Black Ops remaster appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Get 10TB of cloud storage for life for $270 during Deal Days
TL;DR: For $269.97 (Reg. $2,900), this 10TB Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription lets you ditch the monthly cloud storage subscription fees and provides ample storage to play with.
If you've already started saving for Prime Day, don't bother. With Deal Days, Stack Social is here to bring you great savings on the products you need most, like this 10TB Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription for just $269.97 (reg. — Read the rest
The post Get 10TB of cloud storage for life for $270 during Deal Days appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Scotland expects: What is behind McTominay's understated World Cup?
Some are suggesting Scott McTominay has not had the expected impact for Scotland at the World Cup, but is that fair on the Napoli midfielder?

UK Government News
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Government strengthens wildfire resilience heading into summer
Specialist trained firefighters in reach of communities and an overhaul of fire and rescue assets to the value of almost £100 million have been announced.

ZeroHedge News
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Why CME Is Really Suing The CFTC Over Perps
Why CME Is Really Suing The CFTC Over Perps

Authored by David Christopher via Bankless.com,

CME wants Kalshi's Bitcoin perp reclassified as a swap, not banned. That distinction reveals what's actually at stake in the CFTC lawsuit.



Yesterday, CME, the country's dominant derivatives exchange, sued the CFTC over its recent approval of regulated crypto perpetual futures.

The exchange argues Kalshi's  Bitcoin perp should be treated as a swap, not a futures contract, a classification shift that would push the product into a more restrictive, institution-facing rulebook. The CFTC called the suit "frivolous" and said it looks forward to dismissing it.

We've known for some time that major exchanges like CME and ICE have grown uneasy about the rise of perpetuals, an unease already visible in their push to have regulators scrutinize  Hyperliquid over manipulation, sanctions evasion, anything they can find.

Why? Because regulators have finally opened a compliant path for Americans to trade an entirely new class of derivatives, one whose financial efficiency threatens the effectively monopolistic business model of these incumbents.


CME is scared of perps. No one should be scared of CME. https://t.co/l0ZHyqcpPk
— Jake Chervinsky (@jchervinsky) June 18, 2026
The Label Is the Business Model

CME's legal argument turns on a label.

If Kalshi's Bitcoin perp is a futures contract, it can trade on a regulated futures exchange, where regular U.S. users can access it. If it is a swap, it falls into a heavier rulebook built largely for institutional derivatives, making it harder to launch, harder to distribute, and functionally out of reach for most retail traders.

That distinction sounds technical, and it echoes the same fight playing out over prediction markets, but the effect here is simple: whether perps will be accessible to retail users, or reserved primarily for institutional actors.

CME's filing comes wrapped in safety language, but, as always, the motivation is financial. Perps threaten the part of CME's business built around expiration.

A normal futures contract expires. To hold the same exposure, a trader has to roll into a new contract before it does. CME collects another round of trading and clearing fees on every roll, and that churn feeds the market data business it sells on top.

A perpetual future doesn't expire. A trader holds the same position open indefinitely and settles periodic funding payments instead of rolling.

No roll means no recurring trade, and that breaks a rhythm CME's business is built on. The market already understands the threat. When regulators opened the door to regulated U.S. perps, shares of CME, Cboe, and ICE fell as investors priced in real competition.


Chair Selig has broadcast we are getting Hyperliquid and it will be before the election.
There will be US compliant front ends to access the giant liquidity pool on Hyperliquid.
The CME is as pissed as Nevada is about losing their monopoly to prediction markets.
Welcome to… https://t.co/IYFmfWZPwL
— Mister Todd (@pondermint) June 18, 2026
Why Perps Keep Gaining Ground

None of this makes perps harmless. They can involve leverage, liquidations, and funding costs that quietly eat into a position over time. CME CEO Terry Duffy is right that many retail traders don't fully understand those risks, and the venues offering perps should do the work to make them clear.

But blocking regulated U.S. perps does not make demand disappear. It pushes Americans back offshore, where they get fewer disclosures, weaker oversight, and less protection when something breaks.

That is why the better answer is to regulate the instrument clearly: leverage limits, margin standards, and liquidation transparency.

Crypto is where this starts because the markets are already mature. That makes Bitcoin perps the easiest place for regulators to begin. But given the demand we've seen with HIP-3, it won't be long before the model stretches to stocks, indices, and ETFs.

That is what makes CME's lawsuit so revealing. The exchange is asking for a reclassification, not a ban. You do not do that to a product you think you can kill. If you can kill it, you kill it. If you can't, you relocate it, cut it off to slow the bleed.

This is the history of crypto. A better technology emerges, users are drawn to its merits, incumbents call it dangerous, and the regulatory fight begins. Those fights have rarely decided whether the old model gets protected. They simply decide how long.

The Perpification has already begun, and all incumbents can hope to do is slow it down.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 16:20

The Aviationist
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USMC F-35Bs Fly for the First Time from Finnish Highway During Ramstein Flag
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from VMFA-224 conducted landing and takeoff operations on a highway strip in Finland during Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026.   For the first time, F-35B Lightning II jets of the U.S. Marine Corps conducted highway operations in Finland during the Ramstein Flag 2026 exercise. The maneuvers took place from Jun. 8 […]

Mail Online
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Reform like to dress up as Thatcherites... but they behave like Corbynites, writes Tory Party leader KEMI BADENOCH
There will be many words written about the Makerfield and Aberdeen by-elections, but one thing is clear - the results have left the idea of the Conservatives doing a deal with Reform dead.

Mail Online
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Kemi Badenoch: Why I will never do a deal with Farage - Tory leader issues a defiant pledge after the Right's split in Makerfield helps put Burnham on a path to Number 10
Writing in today's Mail on Sunday, the Tory leader says: 'We are not the same, and voters are not ours to trade like football cards.'

Mail Online
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Germany vs Ivory Coast - World Cup Group E LIVE: Julian Nagelsmann's side back on level terms with 20 minutes to go as both sides look to secure qualification to knockout stage
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Germany take on the Ivory Coast in Group E at the Toronto Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Northampton’s great entertainers provide fitting ending to glorious Prem season | Michael Aylwin
Saints, led by Fin Smith and Henry Pollock, showed why they are the masters of divine rugby in final win over Exeter There is no such thing as the “right” winner. The only winner is the one with the most points come the final whistle. All the same, nobody who has watched the entirety of this edition of the Prem could possibly begrudge Northampton this latest gong. They have been by some distance the team of the season.And now they have the silverware, if not to prove it, to justify their prowess. This was not quite the exhilarating, heart-in-mouth contest another remarkable season of glorious domestic rugby deserved. If anything, it was a final that featured more in the way of outstanding defence, but two yellow cards, alas, supplied the backdrop to the decisive scores, one for each side, 19 points scored while either side disadvantaged. Continue reading...

CNET News
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Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 21 #840
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 21, No. 840.

CNET News
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Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for June 21, #1828
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for June 21, No. 1,828.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 21, #1106
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 21 No. 1,106.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 21, #636
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 21, No. 636.

The Hill
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Trump says US will begin charging tolls in Strait of Hormuz if final Iran deal not reached in 60 days
President Trump threatened on Saturday afternoon to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz if a deal with Tehran is not completed within 60 days, a warning that comes as U.S. and Iranian officials offer differing accounts of who controls the strategic oil corridor. Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that there would be “NO TOLLS” in...

The Hill
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Black Democrats push back on Wasserman Schultz's bid in Florida's 20th District
Some Black Democrats are frustrated with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s (D-Fla.) decision to run in a South Florida congressional district home to a large Black voting population, sparking an intraparty clash that is poised to become a defining battle of the campaign season. Wasserman Schultz, a veteran lawmaker who has served in Congress since 2005,...

The Guardian (UK)
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The brilliant Michael Olise represents a key faultline in history of French football | Jonathan Wilson
Unusually in the France side, he plays with a sense of freedom and has not yet submitted fully to Deschamps’s tactical yokeMichael Olise is probably the best creative player in the world at the moment. He racked up 26 assists for Bayern Munich last season. It was his shift into a more central role that transformed France’s game against Senegal from drab slog to impressive victory.The confidence he always had at Crystal Place has evolved at Bayern into a graceful fluency. In a hugely talented France side, Olise is the standout, the player who it feels might carry them to the World Cup. Yet he is something of an anomaly. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘There was panic’: shock and horror in the Bedfordshire village next to the train crash
The collision that killed one driver and injured 100 cast a sombre mood among Elstow residents, many of whom often use the local serviceThe weekend in Elstow usually sees jolly locals romping around the quaint, picturesque village walking their dogs or enjoying a pint at the pub. But on Saturday afternoon, the mood was more sombre.“It’s horrible isn’t it. I hope everyone is all right,” said Nando DiGennaro. “It’s just a one out of a million thing.” The 45-year-old HGV driver is referring to the train crash nearby on Friday that has left the storybook Bedfordshire village, with its Tudor houses and lush, stony gardens, reeling. He said air ambulances hovered above the area into the evening as the scale of the tragedy became clear. Continue reading...

BBC World News
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Iran says it has closed Strait of Hormuz over Israel attacks on Lebanon
The US military has disputed Tehran's claim, which comes ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland on Sunday.

Mail Online
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Blake Lively runs errands in frumpy outfit after reconciling with ex-BFF Taylor Swift... miles away from reported 'bachelorette party'
The 38-year-old actress is said to have recently reconciled with ex-BFF Taylor Swift, 36, ahead of her wedding to Travis Kelce, also 36.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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King Charles to reveal personal tax bill for first time as monarch
For the first time, the annual financial report for the royals will include how much tax is paid by the monarch.

Russia Today News
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At least 13 wounded in holiday crowd shooting in Chicago – media (PHOTOS)

The Guardian (UK)
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LAPD releases footage of moment officers shot and killed woman’s dog
After Jameson the dog, wearing a blue Knicks jersey, walked out into the hallway, an officer fired his pistol four timesThe Los Angeles police department has released footage of the moment when officers shot and killed a woman’s dog in the hallway outside her apartment in the Canoga Park neighborhood.Police had responded to reports of a woman screaming on 13 June, which turned out to be cheering, the night that the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA finals. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Sophia Dunkley smashes England past Scotland as T20 World Cup winning run goes on
Group 2: England, 200-5, bt Scotland, 162-7, by 38 runsThree wins out of three for hosts who top Group 2England’s grudge match against Scotland at Headingley ended in a convincing win for the World Cup hosts by 38 runs, to ensure they maintained their position atop Group B.England were without their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is missing this match and Wednesday’s game against West Indies after aggravating her existing calf injury. Sciver-Brunt is England’s best batter, and has looked it so far in this World Cup with scores of 46 and 48, so there was some concern as to how the lineup might fare in her absence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Brobbey and Gakpo at the double as five-star Netherlands crush sorry Sweden
It turns out Sweden do not have a monopoly on old-fashioned centre-forward play. They were schooled in it here by Brian Brobbey, who was brought in by Ronald Koeman to give their attack a focal point and swiftly made his under-pressure manager resemble a genius. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes to pave the way for a crushing win, proving impossible to handle with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing.Koeman had criticised his own decisions after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Japan, lamenting substitutions that failed to pay off. This time he could, if the mood took him, pat himself firmly on the back. There was yet more to enjoy in the contribution of Crysencio Summerville, who sparkled after his half-time introduction. Summerville finished unerringly late on to complete a rout that leaves Sweden dizzy from finishing on different ends of the same scoreline. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The moment I knew: At the arrivals hall I was overcome with doubt. Then I saw him waiting, holding a red rose
At the beginning of her relationship with Dave, Barbara Reszke was sceptical. But when he joined her in Mexico, a wave of relief and excitement washed over herFind more stories from the moment I knew seriesIn 1992, I travelled from Adelaide to Poland to reconnect with my extended family. One afternoon, I came across a newspaper advertisement for the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days festival. On a whim, I decided to go, hoping to see Jack Bruce perform songs from his Cream days.It was a Sunday afternoon and I arrived early at the concert hall. As I made my way to the bar, I overheard an Englishman struggling to order hamburgers. I stepped in to help, placed the order in Polish, turned to him and said, “She’ll be right, mate. Just pay the money, the food will be ready in 10 minutes.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Goolagong review – a lovely tribute to an Aboriginal tennis legend
She won seven grand slams, was ranked world No 1 and riled up Billie Jean King. But did this worthy yet syrupy drama really need to show her as a child hitting a ball against a wall with a plank of wood quite so many times?Goolagong opens to the soulful strains of Ann Peebles proclaiming: “It’s your thing – do what you wanna do!” It feels a little on the nose as a way to soundtrack an inspirational sporting drama, as Australia’s Evonne Goolagong (played by Lila McGuire) steels herself for her first ever Wimbledon match. (For the uninitiated: not only was Goolagong the first Aboriginal player to compete in tennis’s most prestigious tournament, but she would go on to win the ladies’ singles title twice, in 1971 and 1980, plus a doubles win in 1974. She won seven grand slams in total and was – for a time – ranked world No 1.) This three-part drama from Australia’s ABC is sometimes saccharine, and the opening sequence of a teenage Evonne wandering starry-eyed through the corridors of the All England Club – portraits of former winners on the walls – feels heavy-handed. More difficult themes do come to the fore in time, but Goolagong is largely an unapologetic, flashback-heavy tribute to a sporting legend. It’s beautifully drawn, but do we really need to watch the primary school-aged Evonne (a cherubic Eloise Hart) hit a ball against a wall with a plank of wood this many times?!Sadly, being a woman in sport – or maybe just a woman in the world – Goolagong would go on to apparently suffer financial abuse and sexual harassment at the hands of her coach, Vic Edwards. The contrast between those fluffier scenes and the unwanted advances of Marton Csokas’s slippery Edwards feels like a screeching handbrake turn. Not least because we see Edwards move Goolagong from her happy but impoverished Wiradjuri family in rural Barellan, New South Wales – with a population in the hundreds – into his family home in Sydney at 14, grooming her for sporting fame but also maybe just grooming her full stop. But – as uncomfortable as that segue is – it is her reality. “When it stops being fun, come home,” Evonne’s mother tells her, with more than a little foreshadowing on the part of the writers. Later, after family tragedy and chicanery on Edwards’s part, Evonne will echo those words, declaring that tennis is “not fun any more”, ruined by the selfishness of her mentor.Goolagong aired on BBC Four and is on iPlayer now. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A spate of shark bites has Australian ocean lovers on edge. People want to know why they’re rising
Warming ocean temperatures mean sharks are spending more time in high-population areas, yet shark net data shows no significant changes in numbersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRob Harcourt is heading back from a “beautiful surf” at Bondi on a warm and sunny winter’s morning in Sydney.But for him and many of his surfing mates, the compelling pull of the city’s world famous surf breaks has been neutered by tragedy, fear and uncertainty. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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King to become first British monarch to share personal tax information
The King is to become the first UK monarch to reveal how much he has paid in tax.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Impressive England beat Scotland to close on semis
England's batting sparkles again as the hosts close on a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with an 38-run victory over Scotland at Headingley.

Deutsche Welle
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Zelenskyy returns Poland's highest honor as row deepens
Ukraine's president has returned a medal to Poland after a decision to strip him of the honor. Warsaw has been one of Kyiv's key allies since Russia's war in Ukraine.

BBC World News
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Iran says it has closed Strait of Hormuz over Israel attacks on Lebanon
Iran said Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon are a breach of Tehran's agreement with the US to end the war.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England beat Scotland by 38 runs to extend winning start at Women’s T20 World Cup – live reaction
Updates from 6.30pm BST start at Headingley Get in touch! Share your thoughts with TahaGone! Gordon comes back, wicket off the first ball of her over once again. England’s remaining opener tries to join in the fun, slogs across the line at a short ball, and skews it to mid on.6th over: England 51-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 7, Dunkley 43) Day Out Dunkley! She’s been out of favour and out of form for a while, but Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence has given her a chance, and she is seizing it. Fraser comes on, the offie, and Dunkley racks up three boundaries in the over again. Bang, over backward point, bang, down the ground, and bang, sliced through deep third. Wyatt-Hodge has 7 runs of a 50 partnership! Scotland started with a wicket but England have seized the Powerplay. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jon Snow: A Last Big Story review – the finest swan song you could hope for
This documentary about the journalist’s Alzheimer’s soon takes a turn, as he hears of an unreported mining disaster and goes on the hunt for truth. It’s a dignified tale of a courageous, compassionate manJon Snow: A Last Big Story is a valediction that forbids mourning. The hour-long documentary follows the 78-year-old investigative journalist and former Channel 4 news anchor in the wake of his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. During the course of one of his visits with his wife, Dr Precious Lunga, to family in Zambia, he gets wind of a story about a nearby environmental catastrophe involving a Chinese mining company that has gone virtually unreported. And so the documentary opens outwards and we see the man in his element as well as in the grip of what 850,000 Alzheimer’s sufferers in the UK alone, to say nothing of their carers, families and other loved ones, know to be an unforgiving, relentlessly worsening condition.Early on, Snow asks with interest and no disquiet what the people with cameras around him are doing. “We’re making a film about your career,” his interviewer, Laura, explains. “And who you are now.” “Lumme!” says Snow, the son of a bishop. “How nice!” As they travel in a car together a little later, he leans forward and says politely: “I’ve forgotten your name already … ?” “Laura,” she tells him. “Lovely,” he says, sitting back. “I’m Jon.” Continue reading...

Digital Trends
Open 
iOS 27 puts a much better dictation experience on your iPhone, and you must enable it
iOS 27 quietly ships two dictation systems. The better one is off by default, requires 12GB of RAM, and most users will never know to enable it.

TechRadar News
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Chinese scientists ran an AI program on a virtual light-based computer system inside its real 'digital twin' PC — you can't get more meta than that (thanks Inception)

TechRadar News
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Already watched the Sugar season 2 premiere? Here are 3 more gritty Apple TV crime shows to satisfy your inner sleuth

BBC UK News
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I've had two heart transplants - now my son may need one and I'm terrified
Doctors predicted that Rhys would only live months - but he has lived a full and active life.

BBC UK News
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Teenager dies after accident at Donegal Rally
A teenage spectator has died in an accident at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday and the remainder of the event has been cancelled.

Slashdot
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Remembering When Alan Turing Developed a Portable Voice Encryption Device
Long-time Slashdot reader smooth wombat writes: Alan Turing, one of the more famous people who worked at Bletchley Park to decipher the German Enigma coding machine, was also working on a separate project. His private papers, known as the Bayley papers for his assistant Donald Bayley who held onto the papers until his death in 2020, reveal Turning had produced a working model of a portable voice encryption device. He even demonstrated it by using a Winston Churchill speech recording. "Weighing just 39 kg, including its power pack," Jack Copeland wrote in an article for IEEE Spectrum, "Delilah would be at home in a truck, a trench, or a large backpack."

More from Popular Mechanics:

Turingâ(TM)s work at Bletchley Park actually informed the Delilah experimentation he was doing at Hanslope Park, and not just because he used Red Forms, the Army-issue sheets Hanslope staffers were meant to use to alert Bletchley staffers to enemy signals, as his personal scrap paper for Delilah experiments. He drew inspiration from one of the German cipher machines they had decoded at Bletchley; not the famed Enigma machine, but rather the SZ42. While the former relied on Morse Code, the latter utilized a 5-bit telegraph code, which Copeland notes âoewas a forerunner of ASCII and Unicode and is still used by some ham radio operators.â The SZ42 produced an obscuring key of telegraph characters, with an identical key produced to both the sender and receiver. If it could be done for text, Turing reasoned it could be done for sound as well...

[T]he reason Delilah fell to the wayside of history isnâ(TM)t because it was a failure, but rather because it simply wasnâ(TM)t needed anymore. By the time Turing had built and demonstrated his device, the war was over. What good was a portable voice encryptor if you had no major enemies trying to intercept your calls, the government reasoned. So funding for the project stopped, and Turingâ(TM)s two-year experiment ended with a whimper. Turingâ(TM)s time as an electrical engineer at Hanslope Park became a footnote in his story, if even that.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC UK News
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Teenager dies after accident at Donegal Rally
A spectator has died in an accident at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday and the remainder of the event has been cancelled.

Gizmodo
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MAPPA’s 15th Birthday Was Full of New Anime Teases
The hit studio wanted to remind everyone why it's still around with new looks at 'Chainsaw Man,' 'Jujutsu Kaisen,' and more.

Gizmodo
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How the New, Qatar-Gifted Air Force One Is Different From the Old Ones
Trump spoke of his need for a "plane that’s much newer ​and much better." Is it actually better?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Netherlands thrash Sweden to all but guarantee last-32 place
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo score two goals apiece as the Netherlands cruise past Sweden 5-1 to all but mathematically guarantee a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

ZeroHedge News
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Swalwell Ordered By FEC To Return Campaign Contributions
Swalwell Ordered By FEC To Return Campaign Contributions

Authored by Jill McLaughlin via The Epoch Times,

Former California congressman Eric Swalwell was ordered by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) June 15 to return all donations received during his bid for governor before dropping out of the race.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) during a news conference on the introduction of the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act at the U.S. Capitol Building, in Washington on April 6, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The agency charged with enforcing federal campaign finance laws threatened Swalwell with an audit or enforcement action if he fails to give back $30,075 in contributions that 16 donors made to his campaign committee, according to a letter sent to the former candidate.

"Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may also result in an enforcement action against the committee."

In the letter, FEC Senior Campaign Finance Analyst Mary Seiler also stated Swalwell would not be eligible to request a time extension to give the money back.

According to the letter, the FEC requires candidates to return contributions to the donors if they drop out of a race. Swalwell did return some of the donations, but not all of them, according to the agency.

General election contributions can't be used to pay off primary debts or other obligations, the FEC noted.

All refunds were required to be made by July 20. If not, the commission may take further legal action in the case, the FEC said.

Swalwell and his attorney, Sara Azari, didn't return requests for comment about the FEC's demands.

Swalwell dropped out of the governor's race in April after multiple women stepped forward with sexual assault allegations, which he has denied. He also faced a U.S. House of Representatives ethics investigation over the accusations and a call from his party to resign.

The former congressman and candidate continues to face criminal and ethical investigations over the allegations.

His official state campaign finance disclosure information shows Swalwell collected donations from individuals and organizations until the day he resigned April 13. The last-minute donors included the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council Candidate PAC, California Dairies, real estate developer Jeff Worthe, and Greater Anesthesia Service and PAC - each of which gave him $39,200.

The last contribution made to Swalwell's campaign was nearly $460,000 on April 18 in "unitemized contributions," according to the state. The report doesn't specify who gave Swalwell the large donation or where it came from.

The California Secretary of State's office didn't immediately return a request for information about the contribution.

Swalwell's campaign finance report filed with the state shows he used campaign funds in the final weeks to pay his attorney Azari at least $313,000 and the Democratic political media firm KMM Strategies more than $600,000.

Filling Swalwell's Seat

Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab, a progressive from Hayward, California, advanced June 16 in a special general election to fill Swalwell's vacant U.S. House seat.

Swalwell resigned from Congress in April, a day after ending his campaign for governor.

Wahab will move on to the Aug. 18 runoff to determine who will fill the remainder of Swalwell's term through January.

Democrat Melissa Hernandez, a transit director and former mayor of Dublin, California, was in second place June 19 but votes were still being counted.

The district includes East Bay cities of Fremont, Hayward, and Livermore, which heavily favors Democrats.

A regular primary was held June 2 to elect a new Congress member for the district to a full term. Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 14:00

ZeroHedge News
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CIA Official Confirms Agency Flip-Flopped Over COVID-19 Origins Over Five-Day Period
CIA Official Confirms Agency Flip-Flopped Over COVID-19 Origins Over Five-Day Period

Over the span of five days in 2021, the CIA abruptly changed its opinion on the origins of COVID-19 from a laboratory to neutral, a newly released document confirms. 
The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at the entrance of the agency headquarters in McLean, Va., on Sept. 24, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Originally, CIA analysts concluded that COVID-19 likely came from a high-level laboratory in Wuhan, China located near where the first cases were detected in late 2019, senior CIA officer James Erdman III told lawmakers in May. Over the span of five days in 2021, however, Edman says the agency changed its stance to 'neutral.' 

Then in September of 2024 during a private briefing between intelligence officials and members of Congress, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) inquired as to how the agency came to the conclusion that lab-origin vs. natural origin were about equal, according to yesterday's document release by outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard. 

In response, an unnamed CIA employee told Wenstrup that "he made the call to stop the shift to lab because [redacted] had come in the day before they were ready to publish which made them back off the call," according to a summary of the briefing compiled by an intelligence official. 

As the Epoch Times notes further, officials said in a declassified assessment based on information through August 2021 that only one agency - which was not the CIA, based on details since made public - favored a lab origin for COVID-19.

An updated assessment released in mid-2023 states that the CIA was unable to determine the origin of COVID-19 because both the lab and natural origin theories “rely on significant assumptions or face challenges with conflicting reporting.”

The CIA said in 2025 that a lab origin for COVID-19 was “more likely.” The Trump administration maintains that COVID-19 came from the lab in China.

More on Changes

A whistleblower in 2023 told members of Congress that the CIA team tasked with analyzing the origins of COVID-19 favored a lab origin, but that after the team was paid, it changed its position.

The CIA at the time denied paying analysts to reach specific conclusions.

Erdman, the senior CIA official, told a Senate panel in May that he was on a team investigating how intelligence agencies handled the COVID-19 pandemic and that the CIA declined to provide documents the team had requested that may have shed light on the change.

Erdman said that the team found the shift happened after Dr. Anthony Fauci, at the time the head of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - which provided funding for the lab in Wuhan - briefed intelligence officials and suggested to officials that they talk to specific scientists, including researchers who wrote a paper with which Fauci and the institute’s head secretly assisted.

The paper, called “Proximal Origin,” purported to rule out a laboratory origin.

Wenstrup also asked intelligence officials in the 2024 briefing about a white paper that National Center for Medical Intelligence analysts compiled as a rebuttal to the “Proximal Origin.” The authors of the white paper felt their conclusions were ignored by intelligence officials, they informed Wenstrup.

A representative for the center was not prepared for the questioning, “which annoyed Wenstrup,” according to the briefing summary.

Fauci Briefed Intelligence Officials

Fauci briefed intelligence officials on June 4, 2021, and promoted the idea that COVID-19 had a natural origin, according to another briefing summary released by Gabbard.

Fauci “recommended that [intelligence officials] take a look at Tulane’s paper on two lineages from two separate markets,” the summary states. “To Dr. Fauci, this paper’s findings were a clear indication of natural origins of COVID-19.”

Fauci also “reminded the group that even for SARS, it took 12 years to make the link to a bat even though it only took 4 months to identify the natural reservoir” and that “we still haven’t identified source/origin of Ebola,” which is believed to have a natural origin, according to the summary.

Fauci, who has not responded to requests for comment, told lawmakers during a hearing in 2024 that he did not talk about viral research related to COVID-19 with intelligence officials.

“After the investigations began about COVID, I was briefed by intelligence agencies about possibilities of there being activities going on in different laboratories,” he said.

In another readout of the 2021 briefing, Fauci was said to have suggested intelligence officials connect with three scientists whose names were redacted.

“All three ... have advocated for features of the virus that they judge to be consistent with a natural origin,” the readout states.

An email disclosed that one of the scientists was Kristian Andersen, a Scripps Research researcher who coauthored the “Proximal Origin.”

Andersen said in private messages with coauthors that COVID-19 may have been engineered before the paper was published. He has said that further analysis of the virus altered his and others’ views.

“Dr. Fauci was the behind-the-scenes adviser who, alongside his hand-picked so-called experts, pushed the intelligence community to endorse a natural animal origin to hide his dangerous gain-of-function research that he funded using taxpayer dollars,” Gabbard said in a video statement posted to X on June 18.

“All of this in a deliberate attempt to cover up the truth and shift the blame and attention away from Fauci’s own actions.”

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 14:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
DOJ Can Provide Biden's Conversations With Ghostwriter To Heritage Foundation, Judge Says
DOJ Can Provide Biden's Conversations With Ghostwriter To Heritage Foundation, Judge Says

Authored by Troy Myers via The Epoch Times,

A federal judge on Friday rejected former President Joe Biden's bid to prevent the conservative Heritage Foundation from receiving redacted transcripts and recordings of conversations he had with a ghostwriter for his 2017 memoir.
Former President Joe Biden speaks in Chicago on April 15, 2025. Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo

Although District Judge Dabney Friedrich delayed her own decision by three weeks later on Friday to allow for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule on the matter, she said her order will remain in place because of the recording and transcripts' significant public interest.

"This case involves an unusually strong public interest in the release of law enforcement materials to outweigh the privacy interests protected by [the Freedom of Information Act's] exemptions," the judge said.

The Epoch Times attempted to reach out to Biden for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

The Heritage Foundation's lawsuit originated in 2024. The group sought the transcripts and recordings from conversations the former president had with his ghostwriter, Mark Zwonitzer, to produce his memoir, "Promise Me Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose."

In January 2023, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland launched a probe into Biden's alleged keeping of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania and at his private residence in Wilmington, Delaware.

Garland appointed former Special Counsel Robert Hur to investigate and potentially prosecute any federal crimes that arose - none did.

In Hur's February 2024 final report, he noted Biden's "diminished faculties and faulty memory" during an interview and in Biden's 2016 and 2017 recordings with Zwonitzer.

The former special counsel declined to prosecute Biden for his retention of classified documents because "the evidence [was] not sufficient to convict" and because "it would be difficult to convince a jury that they should convict [Biden] - by then a former president well into his eighties - of a serious felony that requires a mental state of willfulness."

Hur continued in his report, referring to some of Biden's recorded conversations with Zwonitzer as "painfully slow, with Mr. Biden struggling to remember events and straining at times to read and relay his own notebook entries."

The Heritage Foundation filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for all records that Hur relied on for his final report.

Under Biden, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to release the records, citing national security, privacy, and other FOIA exemptions.

The Heritage Foundation brought its FOIA lawsuit against the Biden DOJ in March 2024. In the two years since, legal proceedings have developed slowly.

The court stayed proceedings in September 2025 - now with the DOJ under President Donald Trump - after the agency said it would review the documents it was withholding.

In a May 8 filing, the DOJ said it "intends to disclose the written transcript and audio recordings at issue in this matter" to Congress, with redactions, but Biden moved for a preliminary injunction to prevent their release, which the federal judge denied on Friday.

Friedrich found in her decision that "in all, Biden is not likely to succeed" in his claims that his privacy interests outweigh the "significant public interest in the disclosure of the redacted Zwonitzer Materials."

"Biden offers little in the way of specific details about the types of harm he foresees, especially in light of related information already in the public domain," Friedrich wrote.

Friedrich further said that the ghostwriter records must be provided to the Heritage Foundation.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals could make its decision on this case in the coming weeks while Friedrich's order is paused.

Biden has previously pushed back against claims that his cognitive abilities declined during his presidency.

"They are wrong, there is nothing to sustain that," the former president said during a May 2025 interview with ABC's "The View."

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 15:10

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Agri Markets Hit By "Aggressive Positioning Washout" But Supply Risks Linger
Agri Markets Hit By "Aggressive Positioning Washout" But Supply Risks Linger

The Bloomberg Agriculture Spot Index has nearly reversed its US-Iran war gains in recent weeks, as sliding fertilizer and energy prices, along with an interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran, have reopened the Strait of Hormuz and initiated the normalization process.



Daryna Kovalska, a commodity strategist at BofA Global Research, told clients that, with agricultural markets having undergone an aggressive positioning washout, there is reason to believe the selloff in the corn market is overdone.

Kovalska pointed out that while improved US rains, easing geopolitical risks, and lower urea prices have stripped weather and war premiums from the market, her team believes risks have been deferred rather than eliminated. She remains constructive on corn, while trimming its 2026 upside target to $5.50 per bushel from $6.00.

More color here from her note titled "Corn market cools, but risks simmer beneath":

Ag markets hit by sharp spec long liquidation…

Agricultural markets have undergone an aggressive positioning washout, with net spec longs down 88% in three weeks. Corn hasn’t been spared: managed money flipped from decade-high longs to a net short by June 9, sending Dec 26 prices to a low of $4.4/bu.



…but we believe the corn selloff is overdone

Corn sentiment has softened, as geopolitical and weather risks have eased. But risks have not disappeared; rather, they look deferred and could still trigger a supply shock. We remain constructive, though, trimming our 2026 upside to $5.5/bu from $6.0/bu, supported by three key arguments.



1: Weather risk premium has been stripped out too early…

Improved US rains have eased weather risks in the corn market, but threats persist in certain states. Nebraska (12% of US production) remains in severe drought, with crop conditions 20% below average, while South Dakota and Kansas ratings (another 12% of output) are at risk of deteriorating without sustained rainfall.

…especially with an unprecedented El Nino unfolding

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology continues to warn of an historic El Niño event. Brazil’s corn output could be hit hard, declining 10% yoy in 2026/27E. Iowa state also shows a pattern of sharply depleted soil moisture during analogues.



2: Brazil fertilizer supply remains a concern

Urea prices have eased, but despite a potential US-Iran deal to be signed on June 19, the Strait of Hormuz still needs to be de-mined and resume operations, with timing critical as Brazil’s peak dispatch window approaches. Substitution efforts remain insufficient, with nitrogen imports still down 15% yoy, putting first crop corn yields at risk of a 10% decline if Gulf urea shipments do not restart before the end of July. Phosphate constraints are compounding risks to the new crop, which could fall 10 mn t yoy.

3: US-China $17bn deal could upend the market

The White House expects China to buy at least $17bn of US ags annually in 2026 (pro- rated) and 2027-28. Mirroring Phase One, we think US corn exports to China could surge from zero in 2025 to 5.5 mn t in 2026 and 16 mn t thereafter. While purchases have yet to begin, implementation would materially tighten the US corn market.



Kovalska provides her team's view from macro to crude to softs:



Here's her price forecasts across softs:



With the war-risk premium evaporating from agricultural markets, Kovalska believes that lingering risks around weather, fertilizer flows, El Niño, and Chinese demand could still combine to tighten global supply and push prices higher again.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 15:45

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: BBC reports from train crash site as investigators give update
A train driver dies and 100 people are injured in the crash on Friday.

Mail Online
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Germany vs Ivory Coast - World Cup Group E LIVE: Franck Kessie gives his nation a surprise lead as both sides aim to secure knockout qualification
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Germany take on the Ivory Coast in Group E at the Toronto Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Yeah, we’ve missed him’: England hurt by loss of Ben Stokes, admits Josh Tongue
Second Test D4: NZ 391 & 362; England 291 & 182-5Stokes hits 95 for Durham while England struggleJosh Tongue admitted England have missed the influence of Ben Stokes after a day in which they crumbled to the brink of defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. While they were doing so the team’s full-time captain, forced out of international duty for disciplinary reasons, was 275 miles north at Chester-le-Street, scoring a swashbuckling 95 for Durham in the County Championship.England ended the fourth day on 182 for five, a distant 281 from victory, after the tourists scored 362 in their second innings. The home side have worked this week under the interim captaincy of Joe Root, on whose back their slender hopes once again lie, after he became the second player in Test history to pass 14,000 career runs on his way to an unbeaten 75, Continue reading...

CNET News
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Yes, I Was Wrong About Meal Kits. This Is the Service That Changed My Mind
I used to question whether meal kits were worth the cost, especially as someone with dietary restrictions. This one company made me a believer.

The Hill
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Spanish prime minister’s wife to face corruption trial, judge orders her to surrender passport
The wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was ordered by a judge on Saturday to surrender her passport ahead of an impending trial on corruption charges, according to multiple outlets. Begoña Gómez is accused of using her position to help certain private-sector companies secure government contracts and misusing public funds. The Associated Press reported...

Mail Online
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Peter Murrell told MSPs the SNP would report criminality to the police...just a day after he bought motorhome with embezzled cash
Brazen Peter Murrell insisted the SNP would willingly report criminality to the police - just hours after purchasing a luxury motorhome with money he had embezzled from the party.

Mail Online
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'This is Gary's two fingers to the BBC. He loves to make a point...' As Lineker joins ITV's World Cup team, insiders warn KATIE HIND this is just the beginning of his payback campaign after being sacked by the BBC
If this was an act of revenge, it was quite the killer blow. A little over a year after Gary Lineker was sacked by BBC bosses, he's been snapped up by bitter rival ITV.

BBC UK News
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Spectator dies after accident at Donegal Rally
A spectator has died in an accident at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday and the remainder of the event has been cancelled.

Russia Today News
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Poland’s ‘pain threshold’ broke after Zelensky’s tribute to Nazi collaborators – president (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Counter-terror police launch investigation after 'bare-chested man goes on anti-Muslim rampage' in Edinburgh - as 36-year-old is arrested and Sir Keir Starmer condemns 'appalling' attack
Counter-terror police have launched a probe after a 36-year-old white man has been arrested over an alleged 'anti-Muslim' rampage in Edinburgh. 

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Extreme heat warning expanded as 37C heatwave approaches UK
After a slightly cooler Saturday, temperatures will rise again, possibly touching 36C by Tuesday with a Met Office amber extreme heat warning set to come into force.

Mail Online
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Teenage boy, 17, is stabbed to death in south-west London as police launch murder probe
A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday in Glycena Road, Battersea, south-west London, as police launch a murder probe.

The Guardian (UK)
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Amy Hunt beats Dina Asher-Smith to retain 100m crown at UK Championships
Hunt overhauls rival to seal victory in 11.01 secondsRomell Glave celebrates first British 100m titleFor all that Britain possesses its fair share of truly world-class athletes, it is a rarity for two of them to line up in the same event. It is why the women’s sprints should be savoured.Over the past couple of years, bragging rights between Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith have repeatedly swung both ways. Last summer, Hunt claimed her first British 100m title in Asher-Smith’s absence, before ceding the 200m crown to her more experienced rival the following day when the pair clocked identical times. A few weeks on, Hunt won a memorable 200m silver ahead of Asher-Smith, who then hit back with the British 60m title earlier this year. To me, to you. And repeat. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v Scotland: Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup – live
Updates from 6.30pm BST start at Headingley Get in touch! Share your thoughts with TahaGone! Gordon comes back, wicket off the first ball of her over once again. England’s remaining opener tries to join in the fun, slogs across the line at a short ball, and skews it to mid on.6th over: England 51-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 7, Dunkley 43) Day Out Dunkley! She’s been out of favour and out of form for a while, but Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence has given her a chance, and she is seizing it. Fraser comes on, the offie, and Dunkley racks up three boundaries in the over again. Bang, over backward point, bang, down the ground, and bang, sliced through deep third. Wyatt-Hodge has 7 runs of a 50 partnership! Scotland started with a wicket but England have seized the Powerplay. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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macOS 27 means the end of the Hackintosh Era, but does anyone still need one?
macOS 27 ends the Hackintosh era, but Apple's affordable Apple Silicon Macs may have made the DIY movement irrelevant long before Intel support disappeared.

Digital Trends
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Claude AI is better at raising funds for humans than humans, finds worrying experiment
A new study found Claude Opus 4.6 outperformed professional fundraisers and elite debaters in persuasion tasks, raising fresh concerns about AI influence.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Germany vs Ivory Coast: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026, team news

TechRadar News
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The upcoming Star Fox 64 remake is too conservative, but wouldn’t you overcorrect after a disaster like Star Fox Zero?

TechRadar News
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Microsoft CSO acknowledges that humans are struggling to keep up with AI advancement, reckons we've got a 'narrowing window to understand AI' before it's, well, too late

Slashdot
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Tech Pundit Cringely Co-Founds Startup '2Brains Inc' to Solve LLM Hallucinations
Long-time tech pundit Robert Cringely started his career at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab back in 1978. Last month 73-year-old Cringely explained why his site went on a two-year hiatus - and it's not just because of a heart attack and a stroke last July:


Just like everyone else, I've been busy all this time on Artificial Intelligence, founding with two partners a company called 2Brains... The work we were doing together is unfinished, but it's not stopped. The patents are filed, the architecture is documented, and the small team continuing the work includes me.

Cringely's first piece made the cast that "the trillion-dollar bet the AI industry is making right now may be wrong, and that there's an architectural alternative we've patented and built."




In Machines of Loving Grace, Amodei made the case that scaling compute would eventually solve essentially every hard problem in artificial intelligence. Buried in that optimism - or maybe not buried, maybe right out in the open - was a quiet absolution. Hallucinations, the embarrassing tendency of these systems to state falsehoods with total confidence, would take care of themselves. Make the models big enough, train them long enough, and the problem dissolves. You don't have to solve it. You just have to wait, and spend. And so the entire AI industry breathed a sigh of relief.

I have spent forty years watching this industry, and I know a permission slip when I see one.

Because that is what the essay became, whatever Amodei intended. It gave every other person writing nine- and ten-figure checks a reason not to worry about the one thing that should worry them most. The hallucination problem is the difference between a clever toy and a system a hospital or a bank or a court can actually rely on. It is the whole ballgame for enterprise AI. And the prevailing wisdom, blessed from the top, is that you needn't address it directly. Scale will provide...

A small company I helped start, 2Brains Inc., set out in 2022 to solve hallucinations - before ChatGPT, before the scaling consensus hardened into received truth, back when the polite assumption was that the problem was simply insurmountable. We did not solve it by waiting for bigger models. We solved it architecturally, by separating the part of the system that generates language from the part that retrieves and verifies facts, and reconciling the two before anything reaches the user. It runs on ordinary processors. It is cheap. And on the industry's own benchmark for this kind of faithfulness, it more than doubles the published baseline, with no fabricated facts in the verified case at all.

The article asks whether scaling will, at tremendous cost, eventually reduce hallucinations - or even worse, if the largest companies in the world "are spending a fortune chasing a cure that is not coming."

And last week Cringely pitched more advantages for their solution, noting that most prompts aren't even chatbot-level creative prompts - but just requests to retrieve simple data:

The reason 2Brains doesn't lie and the reason it's cheap are the same reason. It looks the fact up instead of guessing it - so it cannot fabricate, and the lookup runs on a processor that sips power instead of a chip that gulps it. Trust and thrift are not a trade-off you balance against each other. They fall out of a single design decision. You do not pay extra for the honest version. The honest version is the cheap version. That sentence is the whole company.






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Andrei Lepikhov: Optimising Polymorphic Associations in PostgreSQL
Recently, I looked into how common polymorphic associations actually are in relational databases — a performance-hostile pattern built around a discriminated foreign key that ORMs (Rails, Django, Hibernate), CRM platforms (Salesforce), and 1C generate automatically. The front page of a typical online store, or the activity feed of a CRM, is built by exactly this kind of query: a base table is LEFT JOIN-ed to every possible subtype through a (type, id) pair of columns.That earlier article answered the question 'how widespread is this pattern?' After all, if you're going to improve something, it helps to know how useful the improvement will be, right? Here, I want to give a sense of how this pattern leads to performance regressions and point out directions in the PostgreSQL optimiser that could make the situation easier.Spoiler: not much yet — but a few things are moving on pgsql-hackers. Three patches, discussed across 2024–2026, target three different sources of regression. Each is covered below.Where the problems come fromAs a reminder, here is what the query looks like:SELECT
ol.id,
COALESCE(p.name, g.name, s.name) AS item_name
FROM order_lines ol
LEFT JOIN products p
ON ol.type = 'A' AND ol.item_id = p.id
LEFT JOIN gift_cards g
ON ol.type = 'B' AND ol.item_id = g.id
LEFT JOIN subscriptions s
ON ol.type = 'C' AND ol.item_id = s.id
WHERE EXISTS (
SELECT 1 FROM orders o
WHERE o.id = ol.order_id AND o.placed_at >= DATE '2024-01-01')
ORDER BY ol.popularity
LIMIT 100;At the moment, the Postgres optimiser implements fairly primitive logic here. For every row of the base table (order_lines), the query probes each of the N subtype tables through a LEFT JOIN. Only one of those joins ever returns a match — the one whose discriminator matches the type value in that row. The remaining N−1 joins are guaranteed to come up empty: their ON predicate carries a different discriminator value (see the schema below).The optimiser picks one scan order for the inner side of the LEFT JOIN and applies it to every row — it cannot route each outer row to the right inner table based on the discriminator value. The baseline cost of the pattern is O(M × N) probes, of which only O(M) are useful. And you genuinely can't avoid touching the inner side of each OUTER JOIN: there is no constraint that would guarantee that key values across the inner tables are non-overlapping. So we have to look for a compromise…Having gathered some statistics on problematic cases, I settled on the following main causes of query-performance degradation that show up in production:Size of the base table. Doubling the row count of the base table doubles the number of fruitless inner-side join probes.Aggregation of the result (usually ORDER BY + LIMIT). A sort often stalls the pipeline. As a consequence, the LIMIT operator can't reduce the read from the base table and cut the scan of the join tree short. Imagine that out of 100k kinds of items in the order_lines table, the query only needs the TOP-10 most popular — a full scan looks plainly excessive.An EXISTS subquery that the optimiser pulls up into a join. A somewhat non-obvious but painful — and therefore noticeable — case: once the number of tables in the join tree exceeds the join_collapse_limit GUC, the pulled-up SEMI JOIN drops out of the join-order search problem and is moved into a separate one. The upshot is that this EXISTS subquery, which originally served as a row filter on the base-table scan, floats up to the top of the query tree and ends up filtering base-table rows at a far later stage of execution.Accumulating cardinality-estimation error. As the number of joins grows, the estimate quickly bottoms out at the minimum value and doesn't change higher up the plan tree. For our cascade of LEFT JOIN operators, this isn't a huge deal, but it's worth a mention.Let's go through the ways out.1. Result Filter, or one-sided gatingIn December 2024, a thread was opened on pgsql-hackers titled "Do not scan index in right table if condition for left join evaluates to false using columns in left table". Tom Lane proposed splitting the JOIN ... ON ... conditions into two groups — those that depend only on the outer side and those that depend on the inner side. The first group can be evaluated before starting the inner-side scan of a NestLoop: if they're already false, the scan can be skipped entirely. Andres Freund suggested simplifying the implementation by moving the evaluation of the outer clause into a so-called gating operator — a separate Result plan node.The need to look at the inner side for each outer row remains — there's still no constraint in the database that would guarantee that, if a row was found for a given item_id in gift_cards, no such row exists in subscriptions. However, since each join clause has the form:... ON ol.type = 'subscription' AND ol.id = s.idWe can cap the overhead of scanning the inner side by checking the condition on ol.type: if it evaluates to false, there's no reason to reach into the inner side because the inner row would be replaced by a set of NULLs anyway. We end up with something like the following plan shape:So we add a single gating-expression operator to the plan. It is evaluated for every row of the outer side of that join. That operation is usually cheap enough — it won't touch shared buffers, indexes, or disk. So while formally the reach into the inner side remains, the overhead is driven down to almost nothing. This is especially effective when the inner side isn't a plain table scan but a complex subtree with additional joins and aggregation.The join tree of our query's plan would then look something like this:The benefits of this approach are clear:Fewer reaches into shared buffers and disk.Bounded performance impact as the list of categories grows (i.e. the number of joined tables).Protection against regression when the inner-side scan isn't index-based.2. Sort Pushdown, or pre-sortingThe second scaling problem with such queries is tied to the ORDER BY + LIMIT construct. We can't ignore it because picking the TOP-N most popular items is a core pattern in online stores.What exactly is the problem? If the base table order_lines has a suitable index and the data already arrives sorted, then the join pipeline runs without a hitch: we pull only the minimum number of rows from order_lines needed to satisfy the LIMIT. But if the data isn't sorted, then every row of order_lines flows through the join tree, and the sort happens higher up — see the figure below:So why not just build an index and be done with it? First, the need for fast DML and maintenance operations on the database often won't allow for many indexes — each new index is frequently an added overhead. Second, such an index can contain many duplicates, which reduces its efficiency. In our case, for example, if popularity is discrete and spread over some fixed integer scale, having that index may not be worthwhile.The most effective way out is to insert a sort operation (heapsort, TOP-N) directly above the base-table scan — yes, we read every row from it once, but at least we don't push them through the entire join tree. That is, such a sort reduces the regression as the number of joins in the tree grows (see the figure below).So why doesn't PostgreSQL do this already? The issue is that query planning happens bottom-up: at the moment, it chooses the optimal scan method, yet the optimiser knows nothing about the structure of the join tree or whether it's worth sorting the scan result on any particular field. And the join above doesn't know it either, since whether the technique pays off depends on the plan's overall structure. Generating plan variants "just in case" is a poor strategy because it enlarges the search space and, therefore, increases memory consumption and planning time.In April 2026, a patch was proposed on the hackers mailing list: try to build a pre-sorted path for the base table of a NestLoop if that table is mentioned in a prefix of query_pathkeys. The compromise on offer: if a table's columns appear in some prefix of the ORDER BY or GROUP BY operator, there's a fair chance it will be efficient to have a pre-sorted set of rows on that prefix. And that can pay off not only in our query, but in MergeJoin operators too, can make more use of IncrementalSort, and generally give the optimiser a bit more room to choose — after all, we'll have to sort on that prefix anyway, won't we?3. SubLink relocation, or filtering as early as possibleThis problem is harder to grasp. When a query has (say) an EXISTS subquery that can't be transformed into a JOIN, it acts as a filter, reducing the number of rows the table-scan operator produces (see the picture below). Consequently, fewer rows flow through the join tree. If only 1% of order_lines rows pass the EXISTS subquery, then exactly 1% of rows should enter the LEFT JOIN tree, and the remaining work shrinks by a factor of 100.If, on the other hand, such an EXISTS subquery is transformed into a JOIN, then on one hand this changes how many times the EXISTS is evaluated — instead of evaluating the subquery per base-table row, the number of passes is determined by the join type (for HashJoin and MergeJoin it's usually once). On the other hand, this join is inserted at the top of the join tree — i.e. as far as possible from the base table order_lines (see the figure below). And when join_collapse_limit is smaller than the number of joins, this means the optimiser will never consider the orders ⋈ order_lines variant. That's a potential performance cliff — rows that used to be filtered out early in execution can, after an upgrade or as the join tree grows, suddenly flow higher up the JOIN tree and be filtered much later.To take the edge off the problem, in May 2026, a patch was proposed on hackers that changes the subquery-to-JOIN transformation logic (the so-called pull-up):After converting EXISTS into a SEMI JOIN, find a suitable place for it: don’t insert it at the top of the join tree. Instead, push the SEMI JOIN down into the smallest subtree that contains the relations referenced inside that subquery.In our example, there's only one reference to tables outside the EXISTS subquery — o.id = ol.order_id, which refers only to order_lines. So the newly created SEMI JOIN is inserted into the join tree right next to order_lines.The resulting join tree looks like this:And the optimiser gets the chance to choose the join order — including making it roughly what it was before the Subquery → JOIN transformation (if that's efficient).4. Join statisticsThis text wouldn't be complete without mentioning one feature under active development in the community — JOIN selectivity statistics.Alexandra Wang is developing a working prototype of "join statistics": she's trying to solve one aspect of the long-standing optimiser problem, where optimisers estimate join selectivity from each table’s statistics in isolation and therefore miss skew in the joint distribution of values across the two tables. That error grows up the plan, pushing the planner to pick a nested loop where a hash/merge is needed. The idea of the feature is to collect statistics on the join result itself and feed them into the selectivity estimate.It's proposed as a declarative thing: the user declares the desired join via CREATE STATISTICS (modelled on ordinary extended statistics). For now, a narrow but useful slice actually works: MCV statistics for an INNER JOIN of two tables on an equality expression. This is still a proof of concept, and the community broadly agrees that the direction is useful. The open questions are the fundamental ones — how to store such statistics in the catalogue so they generalise to joins of more than two tables, and how to collect them honestly.Wrapping upThe polymorphic query pattern is a natural consequence of mapping object-oriented abstractions onto the relational model. Banning it "from above" is extremely hard: it's generated automatically by ORMs and platforms, and retroactive schema changes in large production systems are prohibitively expensive. So the only practical short-term direction is to have the planner handle it better.The three directions listed above aim to reduce the non-linear effects that can arise as the database grows or the schema becomes more complex. None of them “closes” the problem entirely — but each removes one specific pain point:Result Filter / one-sided gating removes the M × (N−1) fruitless probes.Sort Pushdown lets LIMIT localise the disk access when there’s no index on the sort condition.SubLink relocation reduces the fallout from the non-cost-based transformation of subqueries (EXISTS, ANY, etc.).All three are being discussed on pgsql-hackers, and none are committed yet. If you have a workload with the polymorphic pattern — especially with N > 10 LEFT JOINs, or with subqueries in the WHERE clause whose transformation leads to painful effects — I'd be very interested to take a look. Drop a comment, or write straight to pgsql-hackers.THE END.June 20, 2026, Madrid.

Mail Online
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Heatwave sweeps Europe: France imposes alcohol ban with 41C expected, Germany has nationwide warnings and tourists swelter under Italian sun
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ⁠has pre-emptively banned alcohol at the annual Fete de la Musique festivals and other ​public events in 35 regions on Sunday, amid a crippling heatwave.

Telegraph
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Rampant Netherlands tear Potter’s Sweden to pieces in World Cup rout
Rampant Netherlands tear Potter’s Sweden to pieces in World Cup rout

The Verge
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The Atlantic created a searchable database of the music used to train AI
Atlantic reporter Alex Reisner recently uncovered four datasets of music being used to train AI models and made them fully searchable for the public. Two of the sets are absolutely enormous at 12 million and 9 million tracks. The other two are much smaller, but still represent a significant amount of training data at over […]

Gizmodo
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The Word of God Now Comes With Bitcoin Rewards and an $8.99 Premium Tier
In 2026, even the Bible is gamified.

Mail Online
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Gary Lineker pokes fun at BBC exit in hilarious shock ITV appearance - and makes dig at Beeb's 'work from home' World Cup.
From the off, Lineker introduced the show before host Laura Woods interjected, telling him it was her job.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Netherlands thrash Sweden to all but guarantee last 32 place
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo score two goals apiece as the Netherlands cruise past Sweden 5-1 to all but mathematically guarantee a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Abuser who repeatedly raped a woman while also pouring hot tea over her gets 16-year term behind bars - as victim tells of hopes to 'start living again'
Vile abuser Bilal Alfroh, from Gorton, Manchester, who repeatedly raped a woman while pouring hot tea over her, has been jailed for 16 years and ordered to stay away from his victim for life

Mail Online
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Kim Kardashian unveils dramatic hair makeover after trip to Beverly Hills rejuvenation center
It's unclear if her new look was accomplished with a wig, or if the reality TV star committed to the style by stripping and cutting her dark locks.

Mail Online
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'Tired' Georgia Toffolo reveals she got all dressed up for day five of Ascot before deciding not to go - but still shows off her incredible pink outfit
'Tired' Georgia Toffolo has revealed that she got all dressed up for day five of Ascot before deciding not to go - but has still shown off her incredible pink outfit.

The Guardian (UK)
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LAPD releases footage of moment officers shot and killed woman’s dog
Video also shows that during calm exchange before dog entered hallway, an officer pointed pistol directly at womanThe Los Angeles police department has released footage of the moment when officers shot and killed a woman’s dog in the hallway outside her apartment in the Canoga Park neighborhood.Police had responded to reports of a woman screaming on 13 June, which turned out to be cheering, the night that the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA finals. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes makes his mark for Durham with rapid 95: county cricket day two – as it happened
England’s Test captain found form with the bat against Northamptonshire in front of national selector Marcus North“Vasconinconsolable?” ask Tim Maitland.”You’d think that Ricardo Vasconsalos had just made a king pair judging from the utterly defeated funeral march that took him off the pitch after losing his wicket for a career best 187.
”Despite making two centuries in April, it’s not as if he’d been in sparkling form since. A T20 knock of 34 was his best effort since the start of May. I hope he cheers up eventually.”Ben Raine replaces Stokes after a good hour of charging in. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The brilliant Michael Olise represents a key faultline in history of French football | Jonathan Wilson
Unusually in the France side, he plays with a sense of freedom and has not yet submitted fully to Deschamps’s tactical yokeMichael Olisé is probably the best creative player in the world at the moment. He racked up 26 assists for Bayern Munich last season. It was his shift into a more central role that transformed France’s game against Senegal from drab slog to impressive victory.The confidence he always had at Crystal Place has evolved at Bayern into a graceful fluency. In a hugely talented France side, Olise is the standout, the player who it feels might carry them to the World Cup. Yet he is something of an anomaly. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Five injured in suspected anti-Muslim incidents across Edinburgh
Counter-terrorism officers investigating as Police Scotland arrest 36-year-old white Scottish man Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a number of “violent attacks” in Edinburgh on Friday night that injured five men in suspected anti-Muslim incidents.A 36-year-old white Scottish man has been arrested and police have said there is no further threat to the public. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty announce they are expecting first child
The news comes six months after Gordon Ramsay's daughter and the Olympic champion married in a star-studded ceremony at Bath Abbey.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Tongue admits England have missed absent Stokes
Pace bowler Josh Tongue admits England have missed absent captain Ben Stokes as they head for a heavy defeat in the second Test against New Zealand.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11918 Misc. - Planned Maintenance - Openstack Platform (New)
Summary of services:
- Customer email
- VoIP
- cPanel
- DNS
- Virtual Firewalls
- SDWAN

Start: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 23:00

End: Tue, 23rd Jun 2026 05:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 20:16

Status: Up

Maintenance: Planned

The Hill
Open 
Iran says it's closing Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Iran’s top joint military command said on Saturday morning that it will close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil trading corridor, due to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon during a ceasefire agreement. Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters said the attacks violated the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Israel targeted Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah...

The Hill
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Maher swipes at Trump over Iran MOU: ‘What happened to the art of the deal?’
Late-night host Bill Maher slammed President Trump over his administration’s negotiations with Iran, just days after U.S. officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Middle East country. “Where is the big deal maker? What happened to the art of the deal?” Maher asked during his opening monologue on Friday evening, referencing the title...

The Hill
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Talarico dismisses ‘corny nicknames,’ attacks from Trump, Paxton
The Democratic candidate in Texas's U.S. Senate race, state Rep. James Talarico, brushed aside insults elevated by President Trump and his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.  “I honestly get the sense that people across the spectrum, across the state are tired of this politics as professional wrestling, right? You got these old guys...

Techdirt
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This Week In Techdirt History: June 14th – 20th
This Week in 2016 This Week in 2011 This Week in 2006

The Right Scoop
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WATCH – UN hearing EXPLODES after UN official interrupts Israeli Ambassador
The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, was interrupted by a UN official, who did so to defend her report blacklisting Israel over alleged violations against children in conflict. But Danon . . .

Deutsche Welle
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Are Ukraine drones really exposing gaps in Russia's defense?
Once seen as almost impenetrable, Russian air defenses are now under growing strain from Ukrainian drones. A recent attack on Moscow has reignited debate over Russian vulnerabilities.

Mail Online
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Germany vs Ivory Coast - World Cup Group E LIVE: Julian Nagelsmann's side aim to qualify for the knockout stages
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as Germany take on the Ivory Coast in Group E at the Toronto Stadium.

Russia Today News
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Five injured in suspected axe attacks near Edinburgh mosque (VIDEOS)

Mail Online
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Table for two: Moment thieves are caught on CCTV taking drills to pub to steal outside furniture
The hooded suspects were captured on CCTV footage as they dismantled tables outside the boozer.

Mail Online
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Gary Lineker pokes fun at BBC exit in hilarious shock ITV appearance - and makes dig at Beeb's 'work from home' World Cup
From the off, Lineker introduced the show before host Laura Woods interjected, telling him it was her job.

Mail Online
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Heatwave to hit 35C as amber warning for extreme heat is issued and experts predict SEVEN days of above-30 temperatures
The Met Office has put amber warnings in place across most of southern England, covering London, the East, the South East, and parts of the South West of England and Wales.

The Guardian (UK)
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Germany v Côte d’Ivoire: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email WillGermany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; HavertzSubs: Amiri, Anton, Baumann, Beier, Goretzka, Gross, Leweling, Nubel, Ouedraogo, Raum, Rüdiger, Stiller, Thiaw, Undav Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brobbey and Gakpo at the double as five-star Netherlands crush sorry Sweden
It turns out Sweden do not have a monopoly on old fashioned centre-forward play. They were schooled in it here by Brian Brobbey, who was brought in by Ronald Koeman to give their attack a focal point and swiftly made his under-pressure manager resemble a genius. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes to pave the way for a crushing win, proving impossible to handle with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing.The Netherlands were equally impressive as a collective, devastating Sweden down the flanks and effectively ending the contest with two Cody Gakpo finishes soon after the break. Anthony Elanga briefly raised the temperature but Crysencio Summerville’s excellent late goal added garnish and means Sweden must now be treated as an enigma. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Former Olympian is arrested for allegedly vandalizing Reflecting Pool... but he claims he merely touched it
The former Olympian was seen on camera being handcuffed in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on Friday.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
After a successful Ukrainian drone attack, questions are being asked about Russia's air defenses
Once seen as almost impenetrable, Russian air defenses are now under growing strain from Ukrainian drones. A recent attack on Moscow has reignited debate over Russian vulnerabilities.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham urged to rule out naming Ed Miliband as his chancellor by boss of major trade union
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, suggested that Mr Miliband might 'decimate' Britain's industry if he is put in charge of the Treasury.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: Moving Day updates from third round – live
️ Latest updates on a windy third day at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottRory McIlroy leaves himself another monster putt, this time on 3. He doesn’t judge this 70-footer particularly well, leaving himself a ten-foot tester for his par. It’s always dying to the right of the cup, and he drops to +1. Emiliano Grillo also takes a step backwards, finding the bunker to the right of the par-three 17th, and having found himself shortsided, leaving himself too much to do after the chip out. Grillo slips back to level par for the tournament.Emiliano Grillo birdies the par-five 16th – statistically the second-easiest hole on the course today – and he moves into red figures for the week at -1. The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose best finish by far at an US Open was his tie for 19th last year, is now four-under par for his round today. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Germany v Côte d’Ivoire: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email WillGermany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tag, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; HavertzSubs: Amiri, Anton, Baumann, Beier, Goretzka, Gross, Leweling, Nubel, Ouedraogo, Raum, Rüdiger, Stiller, Thiaw, Undav Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nothing succeeds like excess at Dolce & Gabbana’s Milan menswear show
Italian house’s catwalk emphasised the brand’s ‘molto sexy’ look with flamboyant, sometimes revealing outfitsDolce & Gabbana leaned heavily into the art of theatrical misdirection on the second day of Milan fashion week as it aimed to draw attention away from its debt issues, catwalk controversies and management reshuffles.On the catwalk its signature “molto sexy” Italian aesthetic that comes served with a generous scoop of la dolce vita was in full swing. This was Euro summer on steroids. There were clingy muscle vests and micro shorts that made short shorts look modest while some models simply went topless. Jeans came ripped, shredded or smothered in sparkling jewels while T-shirts featured everything from giant prints of Sicilian lemons and ancient amphitheatres to a mosaic depiction of Christ. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 1pm ET/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnNetherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, van Dijk, van Hecke, van de Ven, Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders, Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo. Subs: Flekken, Roefs, Ake, Geertruida, Hato, Kluivert, Koopmeiners, Lang, Depay, de Roon, Summerville, Til, Weghorst, Wieffer.Sweden: Nordfeldt, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof, Karlstrom, Bernhardsson, Nygren, Ayari, Gudmundsson, Gyokeres, Isak. Subs: Zetterstrom, Viktor Johansson, Herman Johansson, Bergvall, Svensson, Elanga, Sema, Ekdal, Starfelt, Svanberg, Smith, Zeneli, Stroud, Nilsson, Ali. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Root stands firm as England head towards final‑day defeat
Watch the highlights as Joe Root stands between England and defeat in the second Test against New Zealand where a world record of 463 runs is needed to win at The Oval.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Are Ukraine's drones really exposing Russia's air defense gaps?
Once seen as almost impenetrable, Russian air defenses are now under growing strain from Ukrainian drones. A recent attack on Moscow has reignited debate over Russian vulnerabilities.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Terror police probe suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
Counterterrorism police have taken charge after a series of violent attacks in the Scottish capital that left five men injured.

Mail Online
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Call me cynical, but the real reason Gruesome Twosome Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK is just so obvious... and highly humiliating: MAUREEN CALLAHAN
Are Harry and Meghan truly attempting a homecoming? According to multiple reports, the Gruesome Twosome will travel to the UK - with their children - in July.

Mail Online
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Lukashenko's lovers: How dictator hand picks 'watermelon battalion' of beauty queens for top jobs including 22-year-old Miss Belarus 'mistress'… while estranged wife lives in guarded estate
Over the years, Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly been photographed alongside a succession of beautiful young beauty queens.

Mail Online
Open 
Welcome to the Boston leave party - Tartan Army asked to come back for annual reunion after charming US city
After the heartache and the hangovers, defiant Tartan Army fans are bidding a fond - if slightly tipsy - farewell to Boston...

Mail Online
Open 
How Ukraine has humiliated Putin once again with huge drone strikes on his doorstep - prompting furious 'nuclear war' threats
The drone attack was Ukraine's largest offensive on Moscow in years and sparked fires in and around the city, forcing the airport to be evacuated.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
Open 
#11917 Misc. - Planned Maintenance - Openstack Platform (New)
We will be performing maintenance on the infrastructure platform.

No impact is expected however the following services should be considered at risk for the duration of the maintenance window:
- Customer email
- VoIP
- cPanel
- DNS
- Virtual Firewalls
- SDWAN

Start: Fri, 26th Jun 2026 02:00

End: Fri, 26th Jun 2026 05:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 19:40

Status: Up

Maintenance: Planned

Russia Today News
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Man who threw UK toddler into crocodile enclosure released on bail

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: Moving Day updates from third round – live
️ Latest updates on a windy third day at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottEmiliano Grillo birdies the par-five 16th – statistically the second-easiest hole on the course today – and he moves into red figures for the week at -1. The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose best finish by far at an US Open was his tie for 19th last year, is now four-under par for his round today.-7: Clark
-3: Fitzpatrick, Schauffele, Stevens, Kim
-2: Morikawa
-1: Grillo (16), Thomas, Higgs, Burns, Theegala
E: 12 players, including Fleetwood (7) and McIlroy (2) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Take me home: why Country Roads has struck a chord at the World Cup
John Denver’s classic has been belted out during US matches at this tournament. Its appeal lies in the story it tells about a united AmericaLumen Field was designed for a moment like Friday’s. Under a blue sky dotted with clouds, the US men’s national team celebrated their victory over Australia with a lap around the stadium to thank their fans for creating a worthy atmosphere.I’ve reported from four matches so far at this World Cup and the set list remains largely the same, no matter the venue. You’ll hear Dai Dai and Seven Nation Army. The growing boos that accompany the onset of a hydration break will be drowned out by Livin’ On A Prayer. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Germany v Côte d’Ivoire: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email WillThe Dutch lads are doing the business against Sweden to make a certain Mr Messi worried. Check out the Golden Boot standings.Your daily England news. Continue reading...

Slashdot
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Waymo Recalls About 3,900 Robotaxis After Some Drove Into 'Freeway Construction Zones'
CNBC reports:



Waymo is recalling almost 3,900 robotaxis in the U.S. to fix software issues after some cars drove into freeway construction zones, according to notices filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The voluntary recall, the Alphabet-owned company's second in just over a month, followed 13 known incidents where Waymo robotaxis drove into construction zones on freeways in Phoenix, or entered freeway lanes with active construction in the San Francisco area, the filings published Thursday said...
A letter posted to the regulator's website... noted that, "Driving through a closed construction zone increases the risk of a crash..."

[Waymo said in a statement emailed to CNBC] "We voluntarily restricted freeway operations last month while making improvements, proactively notified state and federal regulators, and decided to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA. We continue to safely serve riders on surface streets in all the cities where we operate...."

The company implemented another voluntary recall in May after some of its robotaxis had driven into flooded zones or standing water. The NHTSA Safety Board also initiated a probe of Waymo after a January incident in which a robotaxi illegally passed a stopped school bus.








Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Telegraph
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Saints’ Prem title built on English talent – and that is good news for Borthwick
Saints’ Prem title built on English talent – and that is good news for Borthwick

Telegraph
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Rag-tag England on brink despite Root’s brilliance
Rag-tag England on brink despite Root’s brilliance

Gizmodo
Open 
Netflix May Invite The Daniels to Its ‘Sesame Street’ Movie
Sounds like Netflix may have its sights set on a 'Sesame Street' movie, and already has two directors in mind for it.

ZeroHedge News
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Russian Oil Refinery Over 1,200 Miles From Ukraine Attacked In Another War First
Russian Oil Refinery Over 1,200 Miles From Ukraine Attacked In Another War First

After this week's devasting Ukrainian drone attacks on a Moscow refinery which sent massive plumes of black smoke across the capital city skyline, it has become obvious that the Zelensky's government believes its last major card to play is escalation of its UAV attacks deep inside Russian territory.

This is once again on display as on Saturday Ukraine launched a drone attack targeting an oil refinery in Russia's Tyumen region for the first time since the the war. Significantly, Tyumen region is located some 2,000 kilometers (or 1,240 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.

Regional Governor Alexander Moor confirmed this first such attack on this region since the war's start. Moor claimed that Russian air defenses successfully defended against the attack on the the Tyumen oil refinery, one of Russia's largest. "An attack by unmanned aerial vehicles on the Tyumen refinery has been repelled. Emergency services specialists are working at the site where debris fell," he stated. "According to preliminary information, the plant was not damaged and employees have been evacuated," Moor announced on Telegram.

However, unverified but widely circulating footage and photographs suggest otherwise...


⚡️Columns of smoke rising from western Siberia after Ukrainian long-range drones targeted the Russian oil refinery "Tyumen" (Antipinsky) more than 2,000 kilometers from the border. pic.twitter.com/9VqVMJQzJl
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 20, 2026
Reuters, reporting on the attack, writes that "The Tyumen refinery, one of the country's ​most modern ​and ⁠complex, has a nominal capacity of around 8 million ​metric tons per year."

"It ​processes ⁠roughly 6 million tons of crude annually, producing about 0.5 million ⁠tons ​of gasoline and 2.5 ​million tons of diesel, according to industry estimates," the report also notes.

Ukrainian media, and some Russian Telegram channels are asserting that the refinery did suffer a hit:


"Thick smoke is visible above the Tyumen Oil Refinery - the former Antipinsky Oil Refinery - in Tyumen," reports the ASTRA Telegram channel, citing its analysis data, adding: "Earlier, the governor reported repelling a UAV attack on this plant and the absence of damage to the enterprise."

The fact that "thick smoke is visible above the Tyumen Oil Refinery in Tyumen," as stated, was established by an ASTRA OSINT analyst from a witness video.

"At the same time, local residents reported hearing at least two explosions in the Antipino microdistrict, where the Tyumen Oil Refinery is located, and also saw at least 10 fire trucks heading towards the plant," ASTRA points out.


This past Thursday saw what many are calling most brazen offensive of the war to date, after 200 Ukrainian suicide drones swarmed Gazprom's Moscow Refinery, inflicting heavy damage.
Oil refinery in Tyumen, file image

But rather than back down in the face of Moscow's new threats of "massive group strikes" on Ukraine, it seems Ukrainian forces are flexing with yet more attacks on Western Siberia. 

The Kremlin has long believed that Ukraine can't accomplish such sophisticated long-distance strikes on its own, but that it has had significant targeting help from US and Western allied intelligence.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 13:25

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England’s Joe Root makes more history but New Zealand close in on levelling series
Second Test D4: NZ 391 & 362; England 291 & 182-5Stand-in captain unbeaten on 75 after Jamieson haulWhat do you get if you pick three debutants, two more with one cap each, a strike-bowler who is returning to Test cricket after two solid months of sending down four-over spells in India, and hand the captaincy to a guy who has spent the past four years with the job happily in his rear-view mirror?Throw in a seasoned opposition side like Tom Latham’s New Zealand and the answer, England have discovered, is the need to knock off a monstrous fourth-innings target of 463 – or bat out nearly five sessions – to avoid a defeat that will invite questions beyond simply that optimistic selection. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: Moving Day updates from third round – live
️ Latest updates on a windy third day at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottThere will be exceptions, of course there will, but as a rule, today will most likely be more about not slipping back than making huge strides forward. See Scottie Scheffler in the previous entry. He’s being followed in the group behind by Rory McIlroy, who also gets up and down from greenside sand at 1, but does so to save his par. A tickly little seven-foot left-to-right slider will have settled a few nerves. The 2011 champion remains at level par.The world number one Scottie Scheffler is looking to complete a career slam this week. He’s not brought his best stuff so far, though, and after opening rounds of 72 and 68, started his weekend at level par. And it looks like his struggles are going to continue. He pulls his opening drive into the semi-rough down the left of 1, then sends his second into knee-deep fescue. His third trickles into a greenside bunker, and though he does well to get up and down, that’s an opening bogey … and he follows it with another at the par-three 2nd, finding more sand and not getting particularly close with his splash out. Scheffler slips back to +2 in short order. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Rashford and Rice give England boost for Ghana with Saka set for bench again
Saka stayed indoors for individual training on SaturdayEngland’s second game is against Ghana on TuesdayMarcus Rashford and Declan Rice have given England a boost by training in advance of Tuesday’s game against Ghana, but Bukayo Saka looks likely to start on the bench again as he works his way back towards full fitness.Thomas Tuchel has revealed Saka is managing an achilles problem and is not ready to complete a full 90 minutes yet. The winger came off the bench when England opened their World Cup campaign against Croatia with a 4-2 win in Dallas on Wednesday, but he is still being treated with caution. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland’s World Cup destiny is in their own hands but lack of gamechangers shows | Ewan Murray
Questions remain before battle with Brazil after narrow defeat by Morocco leaves fans looking at last-32 permutationsThe permutations Steve Clarke is so desperate to avoid are already dominating discussion among the Tartan Army. As Ismael Saibari smacked Morocco in front inside two minutes against Scotland, goal difference rose on the horizon of anyone wanting Clarke and his players to create history. Those in navy blue were clinging on in Boston.What happened next can be considered a moral victory for Scotland. Morocco were wasteful for the remainder of the first half. Scotland improved markedly in the second period, even daring to control spells of the game. The 1-0 defeat returns their goal difference to zero rather than leaving them already staring at early elimination while on three points. The problem is, Brazil lie in wait next. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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Spinwheel Consumer Debt Study Yields Surprises
A new study of American debt by Spinwheel shows Americans are carrying record levels. The danger increases as they add multiple debt types. Spinwheel analyzed $2.9 billion in consumer debt from more than 20,000 borrowers between November, 2025 and this May. Simply adding one debt... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Dubai’s DGCX rolls out same-day spot gold contract
The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) will launch its Gold Spot T+0 Contract on June 22, introducing the first same-day physically settled spot gold product on a regulated exchange in the GCC and strengthening Dubai’s gold market infrastructure. The contract has been developed to... Read More

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11751 Broadband (xDSL) - CityFibre Planned work in Barnsley (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 20:00

End: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 08:00

Update: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 08:00

Clear: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 08:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 19:14

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

The Hill
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Maher urges viewers to celebrate US 250th anniversary despite Trump: ‘He isn't America’
Comedian Bill Maher urged Americans not to boycott July 4 because of President Trump, saying no political side “owns being psyched about the country” ahead of the U.S.'s 250th anniversary. On Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the talk show host pushed back on people planning to skip Independence Day celebrations over...

The Hill
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Trump 'loves the inflation?' Good News — there's plenty more coming
President Trump's claim that a peace deal with Iran will bring down inflation is unlikely, as the war's inflationary effects will persist for months after any peace agreement, and prices will only drift down like a feather.

The Hill
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Maher swipes at Trump over Iran MOU: ‘What happened to the art of the deal?’
Late-night host Bill Maher slammed President Trump over his administration’s negotiations with Iran, just days after U.S. officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Middle East country.  “Where is the big deal maker? What happened to the art of the deal?” Maher asked during his opening monologue on Friday evening, referencing the title...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: Today at the Test - fourth day highlights
Day 4 highlights from the second Test match between England and New Zealand.

Deutsche Welle
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France bans alcohol at music festival events amid heatwave alert
France takes additional measures as millions gear up for Fete de la Musique amid punishing temperatures.

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham 'was paid $1M for DoorDash advert that's left his estranged family heartbroken' after being blasted for 'cashing in' on feud
The Beckhams are still in the midst of a bitter fallout and Brooklyn has most recently been accused of selling his family out for a big sum following the release of his two-part DoorDash commercial.

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: Moving Day updates from third round – live
️ Latest updates on a windy third day at Shinnecock Hills️ Official leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail ScottDylan Wu might have been the first to run up a big score today, but chances are he won’t be the last. The USGA kept the greens under strict control on the first couple of days, hence a relatively large number of players under par after 36 holes: ten this year, compared to one in 2018, for example. But they’ve let them off the leash today, giving them a trim, and the stimp reading has reportedly moved from just over 10 to just over 11. Throw in winds of up to 30mph today, and good luck everyone! The wind might drop a bit later in the day, so there could be a slight advantage to the leaders, but let’s not expect miracles.Here we go, then … and what better way to start our much-admired Moving Day coverage with a hoary old observation? And it’s this: there isn’t a golfer on the planet who won’t have, at some point in their golfing life, wondered why on earth they bother, and why they’re doing this to themselves. The latest illustration of this maxim is Dylan Wu. The 29-year-old American and his caddie – his brother Jeremy, carrying the bag for the first time since seeing off cancer, but that’s another story - cavorted around the 18th green after a seven-foot par putt went in to become the final player to make the cut. And so to the 1st green this morning. A five-putt leading to a quadruple-bogey eight. Wu has ended his third round now, carding 82; only young Icelandic amateur Arni Sveinsson has shot a higher round this week (84 on Thursday). Why do we bother? Why do we do this to ourselves? But you know and I know that Wu will be back tomorrow, looking to improve on his current position, 72nd in a field of 72 at +16. He may well shoot under par. Golf’s like that. It’s why everyone bothers, and keeps coming back. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Germany v Côte d’Ivoire: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 4pm local time/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email WillWhile you’re waiting for this one, join John Brewin for Netherlands v Sweden.Pre-match reading. Continue reading...

FlightAware Squawks
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KLM Flight Suffers Catastrophic Faults Near Amsterdam
News has emerged of a KLM Cityhopper flight that suffered catastrophic faults following it's departure from Amsterdam Schiphol.

Mail Online
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Netherlands vs Sweden - World Cup Group F LIVE: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo adds to Brian Brobbey's quickfire double as Ronald Koeman's side aim for first win
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as the Netherlands take on Sweden in Group F at the Houston Stadium.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Saka trains alone as England prepare for Ghana game
Bukayo Saka was the only player not present in group training as England continued their preparations for their second World Cup match against Ghana.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson, 66, reveals he is in remission after being diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer as he says he's the 'world's luckiest man'
Jeremy Clarkson has said that he is now in remission after revealing last week that he had been battling 'aggressive' prostate cancer. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Joe Root makes more history but New Zealand close on levelling England series
Second Test D4: NZ 391 & 362; England 291 & 182-5Stand-in captain unbeaten on 75 after Jamieson haulWhat do you get if you pick three debutants, two more with just one cap each, a strike-bowler who is returning to Test cricket after two solid months of sending down four-over spells in India, and hand the captaincy to a guy who has spent the last four years with the job happily in his rearview mirror?Throw in a seasoned opposition side like Tom Latham’s New Zealand and the answer, England have discovered this week, is the need to knock off a monstrous fourth-innings target of 463 runs – or bat out nearly five sessions – to avoid a defeat that will invite questions beyond simply that optimistic selection. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v Scotland: Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup – live
Updates from 6.30pm BST start at Headingley Get in touch! Share your thoughts with GeoffGone! Gordon comes back, wicket off the first ball of her over once again. England’s remaining opener tries to join in the fun, slogs across the line at a short ball, and skews it to mid on.6th over: England 51-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 7, Dunkley 43) Day Out Dunkley! She’s been out of favour and out of form for a while, but Nat Sciver-Brunt’s absence has given her a chance, and she is seizing it. Fraser comes on, the offie, and Dunkley racks up three boundaries in the over again. Bang, over backward point, bang, down the ground, and bang, sliced through deep third. Wyatt-Hodge has 7 runs of a 50 partnership! Scotland started with a wicket but England have seized the Powerplay. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Is the UK heading into a government crisis?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Brobbey scores twice against Sweden
Brian Brobbey scores twice in the first half in Netherland's World Cup match with Sweden.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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'Flash of brilliance' - Brobbey gives Netherlands early lead
Brian Brobbey puts Netherlands in front only five minutes into their World Cup match with Sweden.

BBC World News
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Lebanese turtle conservationist Mona Khalil killed by Israeli strike
Mona Khalil, who had refused to leave the beach she had spent years protecting, died from her injuries after the Israeli strike.

The Guardian (UK)
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Northampton crowned Prem champions after Hendy’s double sees off Exeter
Prem final: Northampton 26-17 ExeterChiefs lead 17-14 with 15 to go before Saints comebackAnalysis: great entertainers provide fitting endingA fast and furious Prem season was never going to end with a dull whimper. And when the dust finally settled on another frenetic encounter it was Northampton who stood tallest, propelled to their second domestic title in three years by two tries inside four minutes from their red-haired wing George Hendy, the player who also set up Alex Mitchell’s clinching try in his side’s 2024 victory over Bath.It was not always the most error-free of games, but the helter-skelter action was never less than compelling. Exeter had edged in front thanks to a 51st-minute score from their captain, Dafydd Jenkins, with Northampton down to 14 men after Josh Kemeny’s yellow card. They reckoned without the energy of Henry Pollock and Hendy’s double whammy that propelled Saints over the line in a rugged encounter on a sweltering afternoon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England left with mountain to climb against New Zealand despite Root’s heroics: second men’s Test, day four – live reaction
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalBen Stokes smashes 95 for Durham: county cricket live60th over: New Zealand 267-4 (Mitchell 37, Blundell 6) Blundell, who loves joining Mitchell to torment England, tucks Tongue for two and cover-drives for three, uppish but safe.“Good morning.” says John Starbuck. “I was wondering if James Rew, unfortunately drafted in a bit too soon, should change his name to Roux, seeing it’s been something of a mixture so far.” Ha. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v Scotland: Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup – live
Updates from 6.30pm BST start at Headingley Get in touch! Share your thoughts with Geoff3rd over: England 14-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 2, Dunkley 11) And that is dropped! Bryce, Kathryn, brings herself on to bowl, booming inswingers at medium pace, and Dunkley sweeps her to Chatterji at backward square leg, who has to throw herself to her left to get one hand on the ball, but could have held onto it. Dunkley gets a run, then regains strike, and celebrates her reprieve by heaving with the swing over long on, onto the cushion on the full for six.2nd over: England 5-1 (Wyatt-Hodge 1, Dunkley 4) Backed up well by Gabriela Fontenla, the Scottish seamer is on the money early, and England’s batters aren’t game to take her one. Just four runs from the over, prodding about. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran says it is closing strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Unclear if threat has been carried out or if move will jeopardise talks with US scheduled for SundayIran has said it is closing the strait of Hormuz after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon in a move that threatens to derail the fragile interim peace deal with the US, signed just days ago.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships not to approach the strategic waterway, which before the war carried a fifth of global oil and liquid gas supplies, citing what it called Israeli crimes in Lebanon and a US violation of commitments to establish a ceasefire there. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Counter-terrorism officers investigate after five injured in violent incidents in Edinburgh
Several of those hurt are reported to be Muslim as Police Scotland say 36-year-old white Scottish man arrested Counter-terrorism officers are involved in investigations into a series of violent incidents in Edinburgh that left five people injured, police said.The organisation Muslim Engagement and Development said several of those injured were Muslim. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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I listened to the ‘world’s first audiophile soundbar’ — and unbelievably, I think it might actually justify that claim

TechRadar News
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How to watch Germany vs Ivory Coast: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026

Slashdot
Open 
Cellphone Alert System Breached in Brazil, Message Sent in Leetspeak
CNN reports:


An unauthorized alert bearing a mysterious message that was sent to cell phones in several states across Brazil on Saturday morning is suspected to be the work of hackers, the Brazilian government said. Devices lit up with the word "misantropi4," an alphanumeric spelling of the Portuguese word "misantropia," which in English translates to "misanthropy". The final letter "a" was substituted with a number '4' - a practice often used by hackers and termed "leetspeak.". The alert - categorized as "extreme" - was initially received in the southern state of Paraná, but a second warning was triggered a few minutes later for cell phones in the major cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian authorities said that the National Civil Defense's warning platform was taken offline after being targeted by a likely hacker attack, and the government is working to restore the tool once all security conditions are reestablished.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
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Nine fight for life after Bedford train crash that killed driver and injured 100 while fury grows at Britain's ageing railway network as technical faults are blamed
Passengers suffered broken bones and were left 'spitting out blood' when a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a stationary East Midlands Railway train on Friday.

Mail Online
Open 
Katy Perry takes brutal onstage dig at Orlando Bloom, John Mayer and more exes
The 41-year-old singer took public jabs at Orlando Bloom, John Mayer and Diplo during a rendition of Never Really Over in which she used a huge fake iPhone to reject their incoming calls.

Mail Online
Open 
Teenage boy, 17, is stabbed to death in south-west London as police launch murder probe
A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday in Glycena Road, Battersea, south-west London, as police launched a murder probe.

Sky News Home
Open 
Counter terror police investigate attacks that appeared to target Muslims in UK city
Counter terror police are investigating attacks appearing to target Muslims that injured five people in Edinburgh on Friday.

Telegraph
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Burnham insists he will stick to fiscal rules
Burnham insists he will stick to fiscal rules

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Root drags England fight into final day against NZ
Joe Root stands between England and defeat in the second Test against New Zealand on a day when absent captain Ben Stokes makes 95 for Durham.

Mail Online
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Cristiano Ronaldo's fiancée Georgina Rodriguez shares video of her partner's eldest son Ronaldo Jr's VERY lavish 16th birthday party
Cristiano Ronaldo's fiancée Georgina Rodriguez shared a video of her partner's eldest son Ronaldo Jr's very lavish 16th birthday party she threw this weekend.

Mail Online
Open 
Convicted criminals are hit with World Cup drinking ban as they are fitted with ankle tags that show whether they have consumed alcohol
More than 7,000 offenders released from prison or serving a community sentence are set to be fitted with hi-tech ankle tags to stop them from drinking during the World Cup.

Mail Online
Open 
How did Bedford train crash happen? The unanswered questions about UK's worst train disaster in 20 years that has left one dead and 100 injured
A total of 100 people were injured, 32 seriously, after a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a Nottingham to St Pancras train at around 5.15pm on Friday.

Mail Online
Open 
Counter-terror police launch investigation after 'bare-chested man goes on anti-Muslim rampage' in Edinburgh - as 36-year-old is arrested
Counter-terror police have launched a probe after a 36-year-old white man has been arrested over an alleged 'anti-Muslim' rampage in Edinburgh. 

Gizmodo
Open 
This Fake Cancer ‘Cure’ Has People Go Naked Into a Big Plastic Bag, Then Gasses Them With Industrial Bleach
The bunk treatment is currently relegated to a London clinic, but the American "bleacher" community is hoping to bring it stateside.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Mocks Italy's Meloni Over Disputed G7 Photo: 'She Wants To Be Friends Again, No Thanks!'
Trump Mocks Italy's Meloni Over Disputed G7 Photo: 'She Wants To Be Friends Again, No Thanks!'

President Trump has once again lashed out at Italy, as Washington and this 'wayward' NATO ally continue to clash on a range of issues from Iran to Israel to Ukraine..

It follows on the heels of the cancellation of the planned diplomatic visit by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. President Trump on Saturday has newly taken to Truth Social to reiterate that PM Meloni "asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France."



He continued: “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).”

According to more background:


Trump’s comments were aired Friday on the La7 network. A correspondent had asked the president about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni and made the claim about the photo. Trump said he was not obliged to take the picture with her but that he felt sorry for her and agreed, La7 said. The broadcaster put a dubbed version of the conversation online, but not the original English audio.


Meloni has very publicly rejected Trump's version of events at the G7:


Clearly irked at President Donald Trump’s suggestion that she had had “begged” him for a photo at the Group of Seven summit earlier this week, the Italian prime minister said this was “totally fabricated.”


Bilateral defense agreements and NATO's base sharing framework allows US access to key strategic hubs for US operations in the Mediterranean - however, Italian law and a historic treaty requires parliamentary approval for anything outside that scope. 

It was in late March that for the first time Italy's defense ministry confirmed that "some US bombers" were denied landing at Sigonella – one of seven US navy bases in Italy.

Among the scenes at a G7 working lunch in France on June 16 was this...
Pool image via AP

Italy tried to frame the issue as merely bureaucratic and an issue of paperwork. Initial complaints were that the US didn't follow required permission protocol, and requested landing only while in the air and already en route to Sicily.

Meloni's office has all the while maintained it is "acting in full compliance with existing international agreements"  - while underscoring that each flight request must be "carefully examined on a case-by-case basis, as has always been the case in the past."

More of Meloni's response to Trump's latest Truth Social:


Italy's Meloni responds to Trump:
President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you.
My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s… pic.twitter.com/myot615UVl
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 20, 2026
But the truth also is that American hegemonic action in the Middle East, and the Iran conflict in particular, is deeply unpopular among the Italian population, which has long had a strongly anti-war bent especially among the youth. Meloni has tried to assure here electorate that she's never "begged" for anything from Trump.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 09:55

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Says He No Longer Views Anthropic As A National Security Threat
Trump Says He No Longer Views Anthropic As A National Security Threat

Authored by Jacob Burg via The Epoch Times,

President Donald Trump said he no longer views the artificial intelligence (AI) giant Anthropic as a national security threat.
Illustration of Anthropic on June 18, 2026. Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas via AFP via Getty Images

"We have a situation with Anthropic, and we didn't like what they were doing, and so far I think they behaved very responsibly to our request," Trump told Axios's Marc Caputo in an interview that aired on June 19.

Caputo then asked Trump if he still viewed Anthropic and its CEO, Dario Amodei, as a threat to national security.

"Well, not now, but a week ago, maybe," Trump said, describing a meeting with Amodei at the G7 summit this week that influenced his change of heart.

"[Amodei] responded to us very quickly, because you know it's tremendous liability," Trump said. "You know, you can't play games with it. And he responded very responsibly."

The comments come one week after the Trump administration directed Anthropic to shut down foreign nationals' access to its new Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, which resulted in the company suspending access to all users entirely.

Issued on June 12, the directive from U.S. officials did not include specific details of potential security threats or concerns, according to Anthropic.

"Our understanding is that the government believes it has become aware of a method of bypassing, or 'jailbreaking' Fable 5," the company said in a statement at the time.

Trump told Axios that one of the company's competitors "turned Anthropic in" and raised alarms over the new models.

"They didn't like what [Anthropic was] doing. They were very concerned," he said.

Anthropic did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

When Anthropic released Fable 5 to the general public on June 9, it said the model had exceeded the capabilities of "any model we've ever made generally available."

"It is state-of-the-art on nearly all tested benchmarks of AI capability, showing exceptional performance in software engineering, knowledge work, vision, scientific research, and many other areas," Anthropic stated.

As a "Mythos-class" model, Fable 5 is essentially as strong as Mythos, but with key safety features to make it safe for public use.

In the same announcement, Anthropic made Mythos 5 available to a small group of cyberdefenders and infrastructure providers. But after the company's decision to suspend access to all users on June 12, both models are currently unavailable.

Two days before Anthropic pulled access, Amodei wrote on X that he believes frontier models such as Mythos 5 "should face mandatory third-party testing for cyber, bio, and autonomy risks - with the power to block or revoke deployment of models that pose catastrophic risk."

Trump signed an executive order early this month asking AI firms to voluntarily submit their frontier models for government review 30 days before they're available to the general public.

At the time, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized the order for only being "voluntary," saying that mandatory testing and review of frontier models is needed to "protect Americans."

Jacki Thrapp contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 11:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
National Guard Stationed At Lincoln Reflecting Pool After Multiple Sabotage Attempts
National Guard Stationed At Lincoln Reflecting Pool After Multiple Sabotage Attempts

It's difficult to find a single redeeming quality of liberal movements these days.  Maybe it's the abject pettiness, like children throwing a tantrum, that makes them hard to respect.  Or, maybe it's their violent emotional tendencies and complete lack of moral integrity.  They are willing to do anything to gain power, including lie, cheat, steal and even murder. 

At bottom, the unstable psychological drivers of leftists lead them to hate certain things that most normal people love, including the basic maintenance of respected national monuments.



One might think that the Trump Administration's repairs to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool would be minor news, but the establishment media and progressive activists have turned the site repairs into a political battleground.  CNN has spent more time "investigating" the growth of green algae in the pool than they did on the massive Somalian fraud networks in Minneapolis.  Apparently, CNN isn't aware that algae grows naturally in standing water in a matter of 48 hours.  


Let me get this straight.
CNN has spent more energy investigating algae in the DC Reflecting Pool than they spent on:
- Billions in Minnesota Medicaid fraud
- California's third-world election counts
- Crimes by illegal aliens
- The COVID cover-up
- Federal investigations into… pic.twitter.com/JvhnptBE6r
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 18, 2026
Activists tired to make hay out of the green pool, claiming that Trump wasted $14 million on his renovations, even though the same thing happened after Barack Obama's $35 million renovation from 2010 to 2012, and those repairs didn't even solve the leakage problems.

When Trump responded to the algae issue with new "nano bubbler" treatments, leftists actually protested online and at the site against the removal of the green sludge.


Brace yourselves…
“Pro-algae” protest is taking place by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in DC today.
You can't make this shit up! pic.twitter.com/eEp6F0Tkj5
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) June 19, 2026
In other words, they got mad that the treatments were working and they could no longer use the algae as an example of Trump failure.  They then turned to direct sabotage of the site.  Pieces of the floor of the reflecting pool have been torn out and the new sealant has been damaged. 


Looks like a clean cut… someone is vandalizing the reflecting pool pic.twitter.com/pVNVAO5Xpc
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) June 19, 2026
The numbers "8647" have been found scratched into the floor of the pool (a code for "murder Trump"). 

Multiple activists have reportedly been arrested, some caught in the process of trying to sabotage the monument.  Others have tried to interfere with maintenance workers cleaning the algae.  The National Guard and DC police are now stationed at the pool around the clock to prevent further damage.  


🚨 JUST IN — EXCLUSIVE: United States Park Police are investigating an “86 47” inscription on the sealant of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool
We discovered writing just now while walking the edge of the pool.
This BS needs to end.
This comes as mobile SURVEILLANCE TOWERS… pic.twitter.com/z9aB9xf4wT
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 19, 2026

🚨 This just keeps getting worse.
Following the arrest of a man who cut out a big piece of the new American Flag Blue sealant at the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, another man was just arrested for grabbing a hose from female NPS workers clearing algae. pic.twitter.com/9uuAeSu1ka
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) June 19, 2026

🚨 LAST NIGHT: US Park Police detained a suspicious man carrying a pitchfork and bucket around the Lincoln Memorial reflection pool
It’s unclear what the man was planning on doing with the pitchfork and bucket, but it’s certainly not a regular sight at the pool.
This came… https://t.co/yLGvmc2k3X pic.twitter.com/BN3epjPjOV
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 19, 2026
Yes, the trifling behavior is off the charts, but this has become the standard of discourse for the woke mob in 2026.  The worst part, though, is that the media has been running interference for the vandals, claiming that the repairs were "substandard" and that the water treatments are causing the sealant to peel.  In reality, the damages are being caused by a coordinated monkey wrenching campaign, and the liberal media is silent about it.    

The political left views monuments as symbolic targets; a way to attack western culture and demoralize the population without risking substantial jail time.  We have seen similar tactics used by climate change protesters across Europe and the US.  It's no coincidence that these activists choose iconic western treasures, such as classic artworks or an original copy of the Magna Carta, to vandalize.

Climate change is just the excuse, but the real goal is to incrementally deface anything symbolic of western civilization or national pride.  The same mentality applies to the sabotage of the Lincoln reflecting pool.  On top of that, the media takes the opportunity to paint Trump as incompetent or ineffective, turning something positive like monument restoration into an ugly propaganda affair.         

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 12:15

ZeroHedge News
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Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'
Vance 'Skeptical' That Iran Closed Hormuz Strait Again, Pentagon Declares Safe Passage Remains 'Intact Today'

Summary

Vance & CENTCOM push back against reports of Hormuz 'closure' by Iranians. 
Iran's Ghalibaf, Araghchi en route to US Talks in Switzerland, IRIB reports. Also Witkoff-headed US delegation still expected.
Iran declares Strait 'closed' again over US failing to reign in Israeli action in Lebanon.
Rising death toll in Lebanon, after over 50 new rockets fired on Israeli positions by Hezbollah. 



//-->

//-->

//-->


Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal by end of June?
Yes 8% · No 93%View full market & trade on Polymarket *  *  *

Iran Closes Strait Again? Vance & CENTCOM Address the Claims

Vice President JD Vance has newly told Fox News that he's 'skeptical' of the morning reports and claims that the Iranians once again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz. Watch:


FOX & FRIENDS: The Journal is reporting that the remnants of the Iranian navy are turning ships back in the Strait of Hormuz. Is that a violation of the MOU?
JD VANCE: I'm skeptical of that reporting, or at least of some of the conclusions that could drawn from it. We're not… pic.twitter.com/D4iWxq769p
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2026
US Central Command is also trying to portray that all is well. It issued this statement after the Iranians announced it closed the vital oil transit waterway:


Commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased June 20 as U.S. forces continued operating in the general area to support freedom of navigation. Safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today as 55 merchant ships transited, moving large amounts of cargo and more than 17 million barrels of oil to global markets.

The Joint Maritime Information Center issued an advisory this week affirming safe passage for all vessels along a designated route that is free of arbitrary requirement claims or impediments.


The Pentagon says it is remaining vigilant with regional forces on high alert. Overall, it seems the White House is keep to at least see its delegation get in the same room with the Iranians in Switzerland. This will certainly be a real start in terms of face-to-face engagement, after the MoU was remotely signed by each side.

Iran says Hormuz Strait Closed Again

As has become the 'norm' after well over 100 days of war - which some pundits have been calling the "third Gulf war" - there are deeply conflicting headlines emerging Saturday. On the one hand, diplomacy based in Switzerland is said to be in motion, with a potential top level Trump delegation (led by Witkoff and to be joined later by Kushner reportedly/allegedly) - but fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon still rages, with the death toll climbing, and also with Hezbollah rockets still landing against IDF positions as well as in northern Israel.

Will the US and Iranian sides actually meet in Europe for the 'technical' side of further talks toward final peace? Saturday has seen reports of Iran having again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon, after Tehran has insisted that the tenuous freshly signed MoU included a Lebanon ceasefire and peace. The latest newswires out of Iranian state media:

IRAN SAYS HORMUZ TO CLOSE, CITING CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS BEEN CLOSED: TASNIM
IRAN'S IRGC NAVY SAYS HORMUZ STRAIT CLOSED TO ALL VESSELS: FARS
*VESSELS WARNED TO AVOID STRAIT OF HORMUZ OVER SECURITY: FARS
VP Vance Expected in Switzerland, But He's Ambiguous in FOX Appearance

Vance expected in Switzerland, reports Axios on Saturday:


🇺🇸🇮🇷Trump envoys arrive in Switzerland for Iran talks planned for Sunday. Vice President Vance could travel to Switzerland today or tomorrow. My story on @axios https://t.co/suNH9rkVk9
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 20, 2026
And yet, some of the same state sources have been saying that an Iranian delegation will travel to Switzerland where it will seek to hold Washington to its commitments. 

“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to Fars, also as cited in Al Jazeera.

Per the same report Saturday mid-morning (US time): "The delegation will leave for Switzerland in a few minutes, Mehr news agency also reported. The spokesperson also said that if the US refuses to implement its commitments, Iran will respond with necessary measures."

Vance non-committal in Saturday FOX interview:


FOX & FRIENDS: Do you have any immediate plans to join Jared and Steve?
JD VANCE: It's always a delicate coordination dance with the diplomatic protocols. I've gotta be honest with you -- I don't really understand these things pic.twitter.com/tFr2QZOjQC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2026
So things remain very fluid, and could implode at any moment. The Wall Street Journal adds some fresh details as follows:


Iranian security officials said they had closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing what they said was the U.S. failure to stop the fighting in Lebanon as required under the agreement signed earlier this week by President Trump.

The announcement by Iran’s joint military command came as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah flared again in Lebanon on Saturday, just hours after the two sides agreed to a renewed ceasefire. It undid for now the main achievement of the deal, which was to set the stage for reopening a waterway vital to world energy markets.

Even before Iran’s announcement, however, the recovery of traffic through the strait had been halting. Iran had imposed new procedures, including a demand that ships register to cross two days in advance, and wary shipowners were monitoring the still uncertain environment in the waterway.


Widening Split Between US & Israel

Since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was signed days ago it's increasingly obvious there's been a widening split between Washington and it's closest Middle East ally Israel over the terms of the deal. The political interests between the Trump administration and Israel, which have been typically lock-step, have increasingly diverged on the question of the Iran peace and terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ground zero for this divergence has remained south Lebanon, where the overnight the death toll from fighting - and especially from Israeli air raids - have risen.

Lebanon's civil defense agency has announced that Israeli attacks on the southern Nabatieh district have killed 16 people and wounded 12 others. The significant death toll comes a mere day after the latest Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was announced.

Still, Al Jazeera is on Saturday confirming that "the wheels of diplomacy" appear to be "back in motion" after the delay to the technical talks from Friday. "Pakistan and Qatar – mediators – are holding a series of meetings in Switzerland, Iran and Egypt and according to Al Jazeera’s team on the ground," the publication writes. Top American negotiators are reportedly on the way to Europe.
via Reuters

Iran too is optimistic, while calling out certain Israeli hardliner politicians for seeking to sabotage peace. State media is hitting this theme hard, and naturally Tehran is going to seek to drive a deep and permanent wedge between the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. 

Iran: 'Ready to Move Forward'

Iran's deputy foreign minister has said the Islamic Republic is "ready to move forward" on diplomacy with Washington, and the big elephant in the room is that "the United States must ensure Israel abides by the terms of the deal to end the war" - according to Al Jazeera.

As a reminder, President Trump appears in the mood to play nice with Iran while bringing the (very rare) pressure on Netanyahu. However, Trump himself is facing immense rising pressure from outraged pro-US hawks at home:


Donald ⁠Trump told NBC News ⁠in a phone ⁠interview that ​he spoke with Israel ⁠on Friday and asked them to ⁠agree to ​a ‌ceasefire ‌with Hezbollah.

“‘You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,’” Trump ‌was quoted as telling Israel.

Trump declined ​to specify ​whether ​he spoke ​with ‌Benjamin ​Netanyahu directly. A senior US official earlier confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, though Israeli attacks continue across Lebanon.


Israeli Objections & Overnight Carnage in Lebanon

One of the key elements of the MoU the hawks vehemently object to is the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. But in terms of the main aspect which could derail ongoing negotiations altogether is that the US committed that it and its allies (read: Israel and the Lebanese government) will initiate the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This is a major concession by the US to the Iranian side.


❗️FOUR IDF soldiers killed after Hezbollah struck IDF tank in southern Lebanon
Including 52nd Battalion Commander who assumed command only days earlier after his predecessor was seriously wounded
Hours later, five more wounded, including SERIOUSLY, in drone strike in same area pic.twitter.com/RQBjyKoxme
— RT (@RT_com) June 19, 2026
But Israel has much more than these things to complain about, as it continues to lose troops in recent Hezbollah attacks:


Israel immediately responded to that agreement by pounding Lebanon, killing at least 47 people on Friday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed overnight [Friday] by the armed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, prompting Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to say that “all of Lebanon must burn”.


Vice President JD Vance's own recent remarks putting these Israeli officials in their place has been unprecedented spectacle to behold. The "special relationship" remains tenuous, at least in terms of weighing the current heated rhetoric and atmosphere.

But again, Israel can point to Hezbollah aggression, with Times of Israel (TOI) reporting the latest figures as follows:


The Israeli military says it is striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to overnight projectile launches at troops in south Lebanon by the Iran-backed terror group, despite a ceasefire announced a day earlier.



⚡️Consequences of an Israeli airstrike (3 bombs) on a building complex in Southern Lebanon
Multiple casualties. pic.twitter.com/CF4riEgu3E
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 20, 2026
"Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Following the attacks, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military official said was cited in TOI as saying.

Meanwhile, CNN also confirms that diplomacy is in "motion", writing: "US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland for technical talks with Iran, a US official said, with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also expected to join. Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan’s interior minister has arrived in Iran for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to encourage them to Switzerland."

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 12:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Trump Unveils New Air Force One Plane
Trump Unveils New Air Force One Plane

Authored by Jacob Burg via The Epoch Times,

President Donald Trump on June 19 unveiled the plane that will serve as the new Air Force One, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 luxury jet that was gifted to the United States by the Qatari government in 2025.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks after touring the newest aircraft in the presidential fleet at Andrews Air Force Base at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on June 19, 2026. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Trump stepped down from the plane inside a new hangar at Joint Base Andrews that was specially built for it. The plane is much larger than the previous jets that served as Air Force One, he said.

"The biggest difference is the difference in size, it's like virtually double the size. And actually, on a runway, it looks even more so," Trump said after shaking hands with Air Force officials.

Trump called the new plane "very unique."

"This is considered the world's most luxurious plane. When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again," he said.

The aircraft will soon "commence its initial commissioning flights," which will be the jet's "final exam" before it's ready to transport the president, the Air Force said in a press release on Friday.

"The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority," Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said in a statement.

"From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission."

The Air Force said the plane was painted in red, white, and blue and has received its "final government modifications" ahead of its use by the president and his staff.

Despite the jet being a gift from the Qatari government, preparing pilots and crews for the new plane came with a few costs, according to the Air Force.

The Pentagon leased an Atlas Air 747-8 in October 2025 to begin training pilots, before ultimately buying a different 747-8 from Lufthansa as a "full-time training asset for the entire crew complement," the Air Force said.

These efforts were undertaken to "neutralize potential technical hazards on the previously owned aircraft," according to the military.

"Many thought it could not be done, but the United States Air Force was able to execute and provide a secure, reliable airborne command post on an accelerated timeline," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said in a statement.

The new plane - which will serve as the temporary Air Force One while Boeing completes upgrades on two other jets - will replace a heavily modified Boeing 747-200B, one of three in the current fleet.

Some of the current fleet have been in service for more than 35 years.

Boeing's new fleet has incurred significant delays. Initially slated for a 2024 delivery, the aircraft are now not expected to be flight-ready until 2028.

Jackson Richman contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 12:50

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Royal Ascot 2026: Almeraq wins Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in thrilling photo-finish – as it happened
Almeraq broke Japanese racing hearts as Satono Reve was runner-up for the second successive year in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in a thrilling climax to the final day of Royal Ascot4.20 JERSEY STAKES previewThe familiar big field for the Jersey, and the familiar mix too of lightly-raced types that were not ready for the early Classics, and others dropping back in trip after finishing down the field in a Guineas. Saber Strike, the favourite, is very much in the former category, and arrives unbeaten after comfortable wins in both of his starts to date. Into The Sky (fourth), Thesecretadversary (fifth) and Avicenna (14th and last) were all in the line-up for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May, while The Prettiest Star was fourth home in the 1,000 Guineas the following day. Colori Forever, meanwhile, is stepping up from handicaps, but deserves his chance in this grade after a decisive success over track and trip last month. Continue reading...

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Kraken Integrates On-Chain Crypto Token Trading into Mobile App 
Investment platform Kraken has rolled out an enhancement to its mobile application, enabling users to engage in on-chain trading of thousands of tokens directly within the familiar platform. This update, announced on June 18, 2026, eliminates many traditional hurdles associated with decentralized finance, making more... Read More

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Alpaca Introduces Open-Source Resource to Enhance How AI Agents Interact with Trading Infrastructure
Alpaca has unveiled a new open-source resource called the Skills Library, designed to enhance how AI agents interact with its trading infrastructure. Launched on June 17, 2026, this initiative provides a curated set of reusable instructions that enable AI assistants to execute consistent and reliable... Read More

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MetaMask Launches Advanced Address Poisoning Detection to Combat Crypto Scams
MetaMask has introduced a new security feature designed to shield users from address poisoning, one of the most deceptive and increasingly prevalent threats in the cryptocurrency space. MetaMask added that this update marks a significant step forward in proactive wallet protection, addressing a scam that... Read More

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KPMG UK Analyzes Latest Labor Market Data Amid Growing Economic Uncertainty
Recent UK labor market statistics have offered key insights into wage dynamics and employment trends, providing policymakers with important signals as they navigate ongoing economic challenges. According to analysis from professional services firm KPMG, the data suggests a cooling in underlying pay pressures, which could... Read More

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European Union Sets €10,000 Limit on Commercial Cash Payments from July 2027
The European Union is introducing a uniform cap on large cash transactions as part of its strengthened efforts to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. Starting 10 July 2027, businesses across all 27 member states will no longer be allowed to accept or issue cash... Read More

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Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum L2 Network, Prepares for Beryl Upgrade Mainnet Launch, Introducing Native B20 Token Standard
Base, Coinbase’s (NASDAQ:COIN) Ethereum Layer 2 network, is set to activate its second major network upgrade, known as Beryl, on mainnet on June 25, 2026. The upgrade, already deployed to the Base Sepolia testnet, introduces the B20 native token standard while delivering improvements in withdrawal... Read More

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Former Ethereum Foundation Insider Flags Potential Funding Crisis for Ongoing Core ETH Protocol Work
A former Ethereum Foundation contributor has raised alarms about a possible shortfall in support for the network’s foundational development efforts, warning that it could materialize within the next three to nine months. Trent Van Epps, who spent five years at the Foundation until April 2026... Read More

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Texas Brothers Plead Guilty in Violent $8 Million Cryptocurrency Home Invasion
Two brothers from Texas have admitted their roles in a brazen armed robbery that left a Minnesota family held captive at gunpoint for hours while more than $8 million in cryptocurrency was stolen from them. On June 18, 2026, Isiah Angelo Garcia, 25, and Raymond... Read More

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Bitcoin and Crypto Markets Face Significant Challenges Amid Strategy’s Preferred Stock STRC Turmoil
The cryptocurrency sector is experiencing fresh volatility as investor concerns mount over Strategy Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:MSTR) innovative but now-stressed preferred stock offering. The company’s Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock, traded under the ticker STRC and often referred to as “Stretch,” has suffered a... Read More

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Hong Kong Central Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Financial Innovation
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong’s central bank, said it is comimtted to advancing innovation that enhances efficiency and resilience. In a statement, HKMA deputy chief executive Howard Lee reaffirmed the commitment as Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure evolves to meet the growing demands... Read More

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Let’s Hear It for This Prime Day Deal Slashing $76 Off Nothing’s Earbuds
Scoring over 50% off a solid pair of earbuds is rare, and it won’t last long. Down from $149 to $73, this is the kind of deal your ears will appreciate.

The Hill
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Chinese firms can't get away with abusing workers overseas
Overseas labor conditions are becoming a genuine constraint on Chinese outbound investment.

Mail Online
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DAN HODGES: Insiders tell me Starmer is in a 'volcanic rage' over Burnham 'betrayal'. He'll only listen to his wife now - and this is what Lady Starmer's telling him to do…
Here we go again. Another weekend with Keir Starmer barricaded in Chequers with his loyal advisers.

Mail Online
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Netherlands vs Sweden - World Cup Group F LIVE: Brian Brobbey scores quickfire double to give the Dutch lift off in Houston as Ronald Koeman's side aim for first win
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Deutsche Welle
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Mail Online
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A total of 99 people were injured, 32 seriously, after a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a Nottingham to St Pancras train at around 5.15pm on Friday.

Mail Online
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Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as the Netherlands take on Sweden in Group F at the Houston Stadium.

Mail Online
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Counter-terror police have launched a probe after a 36-year-old white man is arrested over an alleged 'anti-Muslim' rampage in Edinburgh.  

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Counter terror police investigating attacks appearing to target Muslims in UK city
Counter terror police are investigating attacks appearing to target Muslims that injured five people in Edinburgh on Friday.

Deutsche Welle
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A court in Madrid ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Begona Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The 55-year-old university director is banned from leaving the country.

Mail Online
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The influencer, 26, shared the happy news in an Instagram post on Saturday, after she and Adam, 31, married in a lavish ceremony in Bath in December.

Mail Online
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Counter-terror police launch investigation after 36-year-old man is arrested in connection with 'anti-Muslim' rampage in Edinburgh
Counter-terror police have launched a probe after a 36-year-old white man is arrested over an alleged 'anti-Muslim' rampage in Edinburgh.  

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran says it is closing strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Unclear if threat has been carried out or if move will jeopardise talks with US scheduled for SundayIran has said it is closing the strait of Hormuz after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon in a move that threatens to derail the fragile interim peace deal with the US, signed just days ago.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned ships not to approach the strategic waterway, which before the war carried a fifth of global oil and liquid gas supplies, citing what it called Israeli crimes in Lebanon and a US violation of ⁠commitments to establish a ceasefire there. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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A total of 99 people were injured, 32 seriously, after a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a Nottingham to St Pancras train at around 5.15pm on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Boy, 17, stabbed to death in south London prompting murder investigation
The 17-year-old was found fatally injured near Lavender Hill in the early hours of Saturday.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes out for rapid 95 for Durham, Essex v Notts, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughts“Vasconinconsolable?” ask Tim Maitland.”You’d think that Ricardo Vasconsalos had just made a king pair judging from the utterly defeated funeral march that took him off the pitch after losing his wicket for a career best 187.
”Despite making two centuries in April, it’s not as if he’d been in sparkling form since. A T20 knock of 34 was his best effort since the start of May. I hope he cheers up eventually.”Ben Raine replaces Stokes after a good hour of charging in. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Beth Mooney calms injury fears as Australia crush the Netherlands in T20 Women’s World Cup
Australia, 219-6, Netherlands, 121-3, Aus win by 98 runsCaptain suffers stiff back after long bus tripAustralia returned to the top of Group A, having beaten the Netherlands by 98 runs here in Southampton. Two points and a huge boost in net run rate took the six-time champions well clear of India, who will play South Africa on Sunday.A flurry of batting aggression helped Australia match the World Cup record of 219 set by England in their opener against Sri Lanka. A spirited but limited Netherlands batting effort reached 121 for 3, meaning the only concern for the favourites was a minor back injury that led to Beth Mooney retiring hurt and stand down from keeping wicket. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Northampton crowned Prem champions after Hendy’s double finally sees off Exeter
Prem final: Northampton 26-17 ExeterChiefs lead 17-14 with 15 to go before Saints comebackA fast and furious Prem season was never going to end with a dull whimper. And when the dust finally settled on another frenetic encounter it was Northampton who stood tallest, propelled to their second domestic title in three years by two tries inside four minutes from their red-haired wing George Hendy, the player who also set up Alex Mitchell’s clinching try in his side’s 2024 victory over Bath.It was not always the most error-free of games but the helter-skelter action was never less than compelling. Exeter had edged in front thanks to a 51st-minute score from their captain, Dafydd Jenkins, with Northampton down to 14 men following Josh Kemeny’s yellow card. They reckoned without the energy of Henry Pollock and Hendy’s double whammy which propelled Saints over the line in a rugged encounter on a sweltering afternoon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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No Pulisic, no problem: how the USA learned to win without their star player | Jeff Rueter
Mauricio Pochettino had to do without his best player against Australia. But Ricardo Pepi helped the Americans build attacks in different waysOnce it was clear that Christian Pulisic’s calf could keep him out of Friday’s match against Australia, Mauricio Pochettino had a lot of options to consider. There is no like-for-like alternative to Pulisic, still the United States’ most important player.Australia entered this game with a point to prove, wanting to build off of their opening win over Turkey with a statement result against the tournament co-hosts. As was the case when the teams met for a friendly in October, the Socceroos were set up to operate in a low defensive block, with five along the backline and a swarming, zonal marking scheme in front of them. That system can be quite effective against a team who play with just one striker, as the US have for most of the 21st century. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran says it will close strait of Hormuz after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Unclear if threat has been carried out or if move will jeopardise talks with US scheduled for SundayIran has said it is closing the strait of Hormuz after waves of Israeli strikes in Lebanon in a move that threatens to derail the fragile interim peace deal with the US, signed just days ago.The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps warned ships not to approach the strategic waterway, which before the war carried a fifth of global oil and liquid gas supplies, citing what it called Israeli crimes in Lebanon and a US violation of ⁠commitments to establish a ceasefire there. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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I’ve tried nearly every iOS 27 feature, and these 3 are why I’m still excited about the update
I've spent a week testing iOS 27, and these are the three features that made the biggest difference to my everyday iPhone experience.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Netherlands vs Sweden: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026, team news

TechRadar News
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I tested 4 more 4K Blu-rays released in 2026 that are worth adding your collection — including a great Dolby Atmos showcase, and two sumptuous DTS music movies (well, one of them's Spinal Tap, but it absolutely counts)

Russia Today News
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In a world of political tantrums, Türkiye and Russia speak like adults

Slashdot
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SMPTE Opens Entire Standards Catalog for Free, Removing Century-Old Paywall
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has published over 800 technical standards over the years (as a professional association for the media and entertainment industry).

But this week SMPTE "announced that its complete Standards catalog, the technical backbone behind everything from SDI and timecode to IP-based broadcast workflows, is now freely available to anyone in the global media technology community," reports the filmmaking news site CineD, arguing it's "one of the more meaningful structural shifts we have seen from a standards body in years" that could "reshape how smaller developers and educators engage with professional media technology."

The move covers all published Standards, Recommended Practices, Engineering Guidelines and Registered Disclosure Documents, plus every future release, ending a long-standing model in which individual documents often sold for well over $100 each. For more than a century, SMPTE Standards have quietly governed how images and sound move through the production chain. If you have ever recorded timecode in the HH:MM:SS:FF format, routed a signal over 3G-SDI, or built a facility around the ST 2110 suite for media over IP, you have relied on SMPTE specifications, whether you knew it or not... Until now, accessing the actual text of those documents usually meant paying per file, a barrier that this announcement removes entirely... The latest releases are available through the Recently Published Documents page on the SMPTE website, with the complete archive reachable through the SMPTE Standards Library...

There is also a practical, behind-the-scenes story here. The open-access move is part of a broader modernization of how SMPTE develops and publishes Standards. Recent initiatives include adopting GitHub-based workflows for version control, issue tracking and automation, transitioning to structured HTML-based authoring, and implementing an integrated publishing pipeline that streamlines document creation, review, validation and release... The most consequential beneficiaries are arguably not the large members already inside the system, but the developers, integrators, educators and manufacturers who previously worked around the paywall... The practical upshot is that developers and emerging markets can build from accurate primary specifications rather than secondhand sources, which matters enormously when a single misread tolerance or metadata field can break compatibility down the line.

This also fits a wider pattern of the industry moving toward openness. We have previously covered moments like GoPro's decision to make its CineForm codec open source and release the SDK, a codec that SMPTE itself standardized in 2015 as an open standard for acquisition and post production. Lowering the cost of knowledge tends to widen the pool of people who can contribute to it, and a freely readable standards library is a significant step in that direction for an organization that has historically sat behind a per-document fee.

"This was a decision we did not make lightly," says SMPTE President Rich Welsh. But "For 110 years, SMPTE has evolved alongside the media technology industry, helping to drive change and innovation - and we're not stopping now."


"Our industry is confronting transformative shifts, from IP-based workflows to AI authenticity and content provenance, and we find ourselves at another inflection point. We listened to our Members, Partners and the global Standards community, and the answer was clear: Interoperability is essential to the future of media. Now is the time to open the gates and ensure the next generation of media technology is built on a stronger, more accessible foundation."

Thanks to innocent_white_lamb (Slashdot reader #151,825) for sharing the news.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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AbbVie would gain an experimental eczema drug by buying biotech: report
AbbVie is reportedly trying to buy a biotech company that is developing a promising atopic dermatitis drug for $10.9 billion in cash, according to a Financial Times report.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The initial SpaceX frenzy is cooling off — but a new wave of cash is waiting to strike
SpaceX is expected to secure index entry in the coming days and weeks, unlocking a new source of investor demand after there’s been “striking” breadth so far.

Boing Boing
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Deal Days has a 15-device VPN for less than $30
TL;DR: FastestVPN Pro is $29.97 (reg. $600) for Deal Days, and it covers up to 15 devices with privacy tools, unlimited bandwidth, 900+ servers, and one year of Passhulk Password Manager.
There are two kinds of people online: people who use a VPN, and people who will one day have a deeply annoying reason to start using a VPN. — Read the rest
The post Deal Days has a 15-device VPN for less than $30 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Telegraph
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Hendy double powers Northampton to second Prem title in three years
Hendy double powers Northampton to second Prem title in three years

Mail Online
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LIZ JONES: I sent my date a photo of me that's 12 years old. These are my rules about sex he must know before I'll meet him in person
If I were to ever countenance a date with another man, I would have a whole new set of rules, as I have learnt my lesson

Mail Online
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JEFF PRESTRIDGE: I have proof Labour's tax assault is killing aspiration. They're heaping taxes on the productive while handing out benefits like confetti - and it's strivers like YOU who bear the brunt
Labour's relentless tax assault on workers, small businesses, wealth creators and personal wealth is making it nigh on impossible for the UK economy to move forward.

Mail Online
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DR PHILIPPA KAYE: I would never have laser eye surgery. It's billed as a miracle fix - but the horrific stories of these patients reveal the risks. Here's what I'd advise you do instead
Laser eye surgery has been around for decades, but its popularity has surged in recent years. Have I ever been tempted? The answer is no.

Mail Online
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PETER HITCHENS: Britain is utterly unprepared for war. So why do our stupid leaders court one? The reality would be rationing, rising prices… and no general elections
This has been quite a week for warmongers. Moscow has been in flames and I suspect quite a lot of people have been muttering 'serve them right!

BBC World News
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BBC sees destroyed villages in Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon
Travelling with a humanitarian convoy, BBC's Hugo Bachega has been given rare access to a part of Lebanon under Israeli occupation.

Sky News Home
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Counter terror police investigating violent attacks in UK city
Counter terror police are investigating violent attacks that injured five people in Edinburgh on Friday.

Gizmodo
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The Next Jordan Peele Movie Is a Little Closer to Reality
Jordan Peele has been MIA since 'Nope,' but thankfully, that may soon change.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Sibling rivals line up for different teams
Sibling rivals are lining up for different teams at the World Cup, with seven pairs of brothers in total at this tournament.

BBC World News
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Zelensky returns highest Polish honour after award stripped
Ukraine's president said his country was open to "engagement" about "difficult and painful chapters of our shared past".

BBC World News
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Iran says Strait of Hormuz will be closed over Israel attacks on Lebanon
Iran said Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon are a breach of Tehran's agreement with the US to end the war.

The Guardian (UK)
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Beth Mooney calms injury fears as Australia crush the Netherlands in T20 Women’s World Cup
Australia, 219-6, Netherlands, 121-3, Aus win by 98 runsCaptain suffers stiff back after long bus tripAustralia returned to the top of Group A, having beaten Netherlands by 98 runs in Southampton. Two points and a huge boost in net run rate took the six-time champions well clear of India, who will play South Africa a day later.A flurry of batting aggression saw Australia match the World Cup record of 219 set by England in their opener against Sri Lanka. A spirited but limited Dutch batting effort reached 121 for 3, meaning the only concern for the favourites was a minor back injury that saw Beth Mooney retire hurt and stand down from keeping wicket. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Northampton crowned Prem champions after Hendy’s double finally sees off Exeter
Prem final: Northampton 26-17 ExeterChiefs led 17-14 with 15 to go before Saints comebackA fast and furious Prem season was never going to end with a dull whimper. And when the dust finally settled on another frenetic encounter it was Northampton who stood tallest, propelled to their second domestic title in three years by two tries inside four minutes from their red-haired wing George Hendy, the player who also set up Alex Mitchell’s clinching try in his side’s 2024 victory over Bath.It was not always the most error-free of games but the helter-skelter action was never less than compelling. Exeter had edged in front thanks to a 51st-minute score from their captain, Dafydd Jenkins, with Northampton down to 14 men following Josh Kemeny’s yellow card. They reckoned without the energy of Henry Pollock and Hendy’s double whammy which propelled Saints over the line in a rugged encounter on a sweltering afternoon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup defeat offers new US friends a quick lesson and tour of the Scottish psyche
Yes there’s the party side, the buoyant side, one that makes friends everywhere it goes. But there’s the other side tooIn a disconcerting development, Americans have started wearing kilts. Some of them are even doing it on the TV as they try to wrap themselves around the Tartan Army. On the local Boston news on Thursday night, things were so giddy that people were predicting victory over Morocco and a passage out of the group for the first time. It was only when the camera returned to the news anchor that she reminded everyone that actually Morocco are African champions (subject to appeal) and World Cup semi-finalists.The US has a bit to learn about football still and maybe more to understand about the Scots. Yes there’s the party side, the buoyant side, the one that makes friends everywhere it goes. But there’s the other side too, the sceptical one (some call it realistic), the one that knows you should party now because things will find a way of going wrong in a minute. The one that spies a challenge such as Morocco with foreboding. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
East of England ambulance service says number of people listed as seriously injured has increased to 32Nine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.The total number of people listed as seriously injured has increased to 32, East of England ambulance service said on Saturday. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What we know so far about the crash and emergency response
Nine people are in a critical condition out of a total of 28 still in hospital on Saturday, emergency services say.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Watch: BBC reports from the site as investigators give update
A train driver dies and 100 people are injured in the crash on Friday.

Mail Online
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The Brazen 'boutique bandit' with a VERY plump pout was carving out a new career after 17 arrests for allegedly defrauding customers but justice finally catches up to her
Pamela Brooke Schronce has been arrested 17 times this year for allegedly scamming customers out of money.

Mail Online
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World Cup commentator denies making racist comment about Ciara live on air during USA's win over Australia
The 1, 2 Step songstress performed the ceremonial coin toss at Lumen Field ahead of her nation's win against the Socceroos, which sealed their spot in the knockout round of the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Duchess of Gloucester shows off the look of love as she poses for photoshoot with her adoring prince husband to mark her 80th birthday
Birgitte beamed lovingly at her husband, the Duke of Gloucester in a brand-new portrait captured in the garden at Buckingham Palace to mark her 80th birthday.

BBC World News
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BBC reports from Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon
Travelling with a humanitarian convoy, the BBC's Hugo Bachega has been given rare access to a part of southern Lebanon that is under Israeli occupation.

CNET News
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AirPods Can Measure Your Heart Rate, but Are They Accurate?
I tested them against the Apple Watch and the Polar chest strap to find out whether you can trust them for your workouts.

The Hill
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Which GLP-1 works best? New meta-study puts them head-to-head
The study compared three types of the medication: tirzepatide (better known under the brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro), semaglutide (sold as Wegovy and Ozempic), and liraglutide (aka Saxenda and Victoza).

The Hill
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Trump cabinet's fermented food craze should be balanced, doctor says
Members of Trump's cabinet are swearing by expensive fermented food diets.

The Hill
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Trump insults Meloni again amid spat over G7 photo claims
President Trump is digging in on his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, repeating his accusation that she “begged” him for a photo at the Group of Seven (G7) summit earlier this week.  The two heads of state, who previously enjoyed a friendly relationship, have butted heads over the Iran war. They both traveled...

The Hill
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Will AOC suffer the same fate as Bernie and RFK Jr. in the next Democratic primary? 
In 2016, the entrenched Democratic leadership wanted Hillary Clinton over Sanders. Got her. In 2020, they wanted Joe Biden over Sanders. Got him. In 2024, they wanted Biden and then eventually Kamala Harris over Kennedy. What will happen to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if she runs in 2028?

The Hill
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Trump cracks a joke; Vance may pay the price on Iran
President Trump cracked a joke Wednesday about who would get credit — or blame — for his administration’s Iran deal. If the Iran effort succeeds, Trump said, he would take the credit. If it fails, he said he would blame Vice President Vance. “You better be careful, JD!” the president quipped. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the...

The Hill
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America250 is planning its own July 4 concert: Who's playing?
America250, the non-partisan commission tasked with preparing celebrations for the nation’s 250th, has announced several of the musical acts that will be performing at its “America’s Block Party” concert in Los Angeles.

The Hill
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Vance touts ‘record-breaking’ oil flow in Strait of Hormuz as Iran announces closure
Vice President Vance said Saturday there was no evidence that Iran had blocked off the Strait of Hormuz even as the Middle East country's top joint military command announced that it would shutter the key waterway. In an interview with "Fox & Friends Weekend" early Saturday, Vance responded to reports saying Iran’s naval forces were...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING REPORT: Netanyahu orders IDF to cease fire in Lebanon after taking out 100 Hezbollah terrorists
It’s being reported that Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has just ordered the IDF to cease fire in Lebanon after taking out around 100 Hezbollah terrorists. But a top Israeli official reiterates that . . .

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Bolivian president declares state of emergency after weeks of protests
The move comes after weeks of anti-government protests that have caused a shortage of basic goods in Bolivia.

Mail Online
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Holly Ramsay is pregnant! Influencer announces she's expecting a daughter with husband Adam Peaty - six months after tying the knot amid family feud
Adam Peaty and his wife Holly Ramsay have announced they're expecting their first child together. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
East of England ambulance service say number of people listed as seriously injured has increased to 32Nine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.The total number of people listed as seriously injured has increased to 32, East of England ambulance service said on Saturday. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Nine people in critical condition after train crash
British Transport Police says the collision, which killed a train driver, is being investigated.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham urged to rule out naming Ed Miliband as his Chancellor by boss of major trade union
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, suggested that Mr Miliband might 'decimate' Britain's industry if he is put in charge of the Treasury.

Mail Online
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British biker, 64, is fighting for his life in hospital after his motorbike crashed head-on into a car in Spain
The 64-year-old was rushed to hospital in an air ambulance and is said to be in a 'very serious' condition following the crash.

Mail Online
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Algiers ahoy! North Africa's football-mad Paris-on-Sea is a winner all year round
Algeria is in the World Cup for the first time in 12 years and shining a light on its charismatic capital city. Lesley Bellew sails in to find out what the North African capital is like to visit.

Mail Online
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The dark side of animal cafés: Experts say some owners put money before welfare of 'anxious, penned-in' cats, pugs and micro pigs
Animal cafés are a major hit in the UK for coffee and pet lovers - though critics warn that constant customer interaction and poor oversight could lead to unnecessary stress and declining animal welfare.

Mail Online
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Heatwave sweeps Europe: French PM holds crisis meeting with 41C expected, Germany has nationwide warnings and tourists swelter under Italian sun
This morning, the French Prime Minister called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers amid the rising heat, as orange heat warnings became active in 60 of the country's departments.

Mail Online
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Traffic warden issues parking ticket to decorative Vespa mascot that was on display outside family-run restaurant
Staff at Bonita Pasta Club in Weymouth, Dorset, were left baffled after finding the bright yellow ticket attached to the orange motorbike.

Mail Online
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Strictly's Neil Jones 'BANS his family from his upcoming wedding to Love Islander Chyna Mills' - after she accused his mother of 'racism and bullying'
Strictly pro Neil Jones has reportedly banned his family from attending his wedding to ex Love Islander Chyna Mills later this month amid the ongoing family feud with his mother.

Mail Online
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The five unanswered questions over train crash as investigators try to piece together why express smashed into back of stopped train, killing driver and injuring 99 in worst crash in 20 years
A total of 99 people were injured, 32 seriously, after a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a Nottingham to St Pancras train at around 5.15pm on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Boston bounce sends Scotland to Miami with hope and no fear
Scotland and their fans head to Miami for a World Cup date with destiny after making memories in Boston to last a lifetime.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The sibling rivals lining up for different teams
Sibling rivals are lining up for different teams at the World Cup, with seven pairs of brothers in total at this tournament.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why Harry Kane is different at this tournament
Former England captain Alan Shearer explains what has changed for Harry Kane since his struggles at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Northampton beat Exeter to win Prem Rugby title
George Hendy's two tries secure Northampton Saints the Prem title with victory over Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Stadium.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Watch: What we know about the crash
A train driver dies and 100 people are injured in the crash on Friday.

Russia Today News
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‘All of Lebanon should burn’: X declines to remove Israeli minister’s post

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Nine people in critical condition among 100 injured in fatal Bedford train crash
British Transport Police says the collision, which killed a train driver, is being investigated.

Mail Online
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Netherlands vs Sweden - World Cup Group F LIVE: The Dutch seek their first victory of the tournament against the group leaders
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the team news and latest updates as the Netherlands take on Sweden in Group F at the Houston Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Brewers ace Misiorowski throws record 47 pitches of 101 mph or faster but ends with loss
24-year-old hits 104.2 mph in defeat to BravesPitcher had given up one earned run over eight startsMilwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy wanted to remind everyone after his team’s 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night that Jacob Misiorowski is indeed human.“He was great,” Murphy said of the 24-year-old ace. “He was dominant, fantastic. You know, you’re going to give up runs. You’re a human. Go back and look at some of the greats. They all gave up runs. We’re kind of shocked when he gives up a run.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England need 463 to beat New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalBen Stokes smashes 95 for Durham: county cricket live60th over: New Zealand 267-4 (Mitchell 37, Blundell 6) Blundell, who loves joining Mitchell to torment England, tucks Tongue for two and cover-drives for three, uppish but safe.“Good morning.” says John Starbuck. “I was wondering if James Rew, unfortunately drafted in a bit too soon, should change his name to Roux, seeing it’s been something of a mixture so far.” Ha. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Netherlands v Sweden: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 1pm ET/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnNetherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, van Dijk, van Hecke, van de Ven, Gravenberch, de Jong, Reijnders, Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo. Subs: Flekken, Roefs, Ake, Geertruida, Hato, Kluivert, Koopmeiners, Lang, Depay, de Roon, Summerville, Til, Weghorst, Wieffer.Sweden: Nordfeldt, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof, Karlstrom, Bernhardsson, Nygren, Ayari, Gudmundsson, Gyokeres, Isak. Subs: Zetterstrom, Viktor Johansson, Herman Johansson, Bergvall, Svensson, Elanga, Sema, Ekdal, Starfelt, Svanberg, Smith, Zeneli, Stroud, Nilsson, Ali. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Revealed: Brexit voting areas have seen faster growth in foreign workers since EU referendum
Guardian investigation also finds same areas experienced relative decline over same periodLeave-voting areas have seen faster relative growth in foreign workers since the Brexit referendum, a Guardian investigation has found.Data analysis suggests that the decade since the Brexit vote may not have matched the expectations of many Leave supporters, showing their local areas have also become relatively more deprived over the same period. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Watch: What we know about the Bedford train crash
A train driver dies and 100 people are injured in the crash on Friday.

Russia Today News
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‘Albania is not for sale’: Inside the protests over a Trump family-linked resort

Russia Today News
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One dead after freight train collision in Germany (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Five injured in suspected anti-Muslim attacks as armed man roams Edinburgh streets
Two people were injured close to a mosque and a man was later seen battering the door of a pizzeria as members of the public run away.

Sky News Home
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Alcohol bans as Europe swelters - with temperatures of up to 44C forecast
An ongoing heatwave has triggered weather warnings across Europe, with several nations - including the UK - bracing for what could be one of the hottest June days on record.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump loyalist Jim Jordan linked to group that received ‘dark money’ from ICE detention contractor
Report finds close ties between the Trump administration and Geo Group, which profits from anti-immigration crackdownJim Jordan is among the most famous names in this stretch of Ohio.The congressman and chair of the powerful House judiciary committee is considered among the most conservative and influential members in Congress, and is a longtime loyalist of Donald Trump. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Five injured in suspected hate-crime attacks as armed man roams Edinburgh streets
Two people were injured close to a mosque and a man was later seen battering the door of a pizzeria as members of the public run away.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Why Kane is different at this World Cup - Shearer
Former England captain Alan Shearer explains what has changed for Harry Kane since his struggles at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Digital Trends
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Did you know that your iPhone bursts on-screen fireworks when you call a person on their birthday?
Your iPhone now celebrates birthdays with on-screen fireworks during phone calls, and it's one of iOS 27's best undiscovered features.

Mail Online
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New Zealand will become a republic in my lifetime says former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, 45
The 45-year-old left-winger who famously became the country's youngest PM in 150 years aged just 37 in 2017 said many Kiwis believed a republic was 'their future'.

Mail Online
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Kingston-Upon-Thames is named the ghost homes capital of the UK as the top 10 areas with most empty properties are revealed - is there one near you?
There are an estimated 265,000 homes that have been empty for more than six months in the UK at any one time, according to Empty Property Hunters.

Mail Online
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Swedish actress, 81, was in TWO James Bond movies and also worked with Charlton Heston, who is she?
Her looks were so astonishing Hollywood came calling and she was cast in not just one but two James Bond movies. And she even had a tiny cameo in a third 007 outing in the 1980s.

Mail Online
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World Cup star breaks his silence after becoming first player to be sent off for covering his mouth while talking to a rival
Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron has broken his silence after he became the first player at the World Cup to be shown a red card for covering his mouth.

Mail Online
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Katie Price shows off her swollen and bruised lips as she reunites with her daughter Princess after undergoing surgery to remove scar tissue caused by migrated filler
The former glamour model, 48, had previously shared she was flying to Brussels for the procedure after migrated filler had left her with scar tissue.

Mail Online
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Boston has fallen in love with the Tartan Army .. now it's Miami's turn as Scotland fans make their mark on the greatest show on earth
It's hard to know what exactly was the best story to come out of a week of pure gold from Scotland's two World Cup games in Boston.

TechRadar News
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Apple’s new Child Safety features ‘don't get to where the harm is happening,’ online safety expert says — pushing responsibility to iPhone app developers poses a ‘huge risk’ to kids despite ‘genuine progress’

TechRadar News
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A great new lease of life for your old smartphone? Google teams up with university researchers to create low-cost data centers out of 2,000 old Pixel phones

Slashdot
Open 
Microsoft Discovers Cryptocurrency Stealer That Spreads Through USB Drives and Uses Tor
Ars Technica's senior security editor reports:



Microsoft says it has detected new self-propagating malware that spreads through USB drives in search of cryptocurrency credentials, which it then sends to attacker-controlled servers.

The company named the worm Crypto Clipper because it monitors the contents of device clipboards for patterns consistent with wallet addresses or seed phrases. When found, the malware also takes five screenshots over a 10-second period... "The execution of this clipper is notable because it does not depend on a traditional installer or exposed IP-based C2 infrastructure," Microsoft said Thursday. "Instead, it deploys a portable Tor client, routes traffic through a local SOCKS5 proxy, and blends data theft with remote code execution, turning a financially motivated stealer into a lightweight backdoor."

Microsoft said it observed Crypto Clipper spreading through .lnk file on a USB drive. These files store executable code. When an infected USB drive is plugged into a device, the code checks whether it is already installed on the machine. If it isn't, the malware downloads it through the Tor proxy. To better conceal evidence of the worm, the malware scans the infected USB drive and names the .lnk files with similar names... The stealer also replaces addresses it finds with ones belonging to attacker-controlled wallets. This allows the malware to divert payments to the attacker's pockets. Microsoft believes the purpose of the screenshots is to provide context that may be useful. "This malware family shows how lightweight, script-based stealers can deliver outsized impact when paired with anonymized communications and runtime tasking," Microsoft said. "The combination of Tor-routed C2, clipboard targeting, screenshot capture, and remote code execution gives attackers both immediate monetization paths and continued control over compromised devices."




Thanks to Slashdot reader joshuark for sharing the news.






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Stokes hits 95 for Durham while England struggle
Dropped England captain Ben Stokes makes 95 for Durham against Northamptonshire as the national side seemingly slip towards defeat by New Zealand in the second Test.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Meloni tells Trump to 'focus on your own popularity' as row escalates
The US president earlier questioned Meloni's popularity after suggesting she "begged" for a photo at G7 summit

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘Money can make you happy’: My wife and I have no heirs, but we’re making the world a better place by giving it away
“If you find a need in your community, there’s likely an organization that will help you get involved.”

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement
At least 20 people have reportedly been killed by Israeli air strikes as the Israeli military said Hezbollah had fired at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

Deutsche Welle
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Iran says it's closing Strait of Hormuz again
Iran's joint military command said the strait had been closed due to Israel's continued attacks in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran's negotiators are heading to Switzerland for Iran-US talks on their interim deal. DW has more.

The Verge
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Musician and YouTuber Hainbach on ‘Breath of the Wild’ and Swiss Army Knives
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What we know about deadly Bedford train crash and emergency response
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Iran Says Hormuz 'Closed' Again, Citing Lebanon Violations, As Vance Expected In Switzerland For Talks
Iran Says Hormuz 'Closed' Again, Citing Lebanon Violations, As Vance Expected In Switzerland For Talks

Update(10:00ET): As has become the 'norm' after well over 100 days of war - which some pundits have been calling the "third Gulf war" - there are deeply conflicting headlines emerging Saturday. On the one hand, diplomacy based in Switzerland is said to be in motion, with a potential top level Trump delegation (led by Witkoff and to be joined later by Kushner reportedly/allegedly) - but fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon still rages, with the death toll climbing, and also with Hezbollah rockets still landing against IDF positions as well as in northern Israel.

Will the US and Iranian sides actually meet in Europe for the 'technical' side of further talks toward final peace? Saturday has seen reports of Iran having again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon, after Tehran has insisted that the tenuous freshly signed MoU included a Lebanon ceasefire and peace. The latest newswires out of Iranian state media:

IRAN SAYS HORMUZ TO CLOSE, CITING CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS BEEN CLOSED: TASNIM
IRAN'S IRGC NAVY SAYS HORMUZ STRAIT CLOSED TO ALL VESSELS: FARS
*VESSELS WARNED TO AVOID STRAIT OF HORMUZ OVER SECURITY: FARS
Vance expected in Switzerland, reports Axios on Saturday:


🇺🇸🇮🇷Trump envoys arrive in Switzerland for Iran talks planned for Sunday. Vice President Vance could travel to Switzerland today or tomorrow. My story on @axios https://t.co/suNH9rkVk9
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 20, 2026
And yet, some of the same state sources have been saying that an Iranian delegation will travel to Switzerland where it will seek to hold Washington to its commitments. 

“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to Fars, also as cited in Al Jazeera.

Per the same report Saturday mid-morning (US time): "The delegation will leave for Switzerland in a few minutes, Mehr news agency also reported. The spokesperson also said that if the US refuses to implement its commitments, Iran will respond with necessary measures."

So things remain very fluid, and could implode at any moment. The Wall Street Journal adds some fresh details as follows:


Iranian security officials said they had closed the Strait of Hormuz, citing what they said was the U.S. failure to stop the fighting in Lebanon as required under the agreement signed earlier this week by President Trump.

The announcement by Iran’s joint military command came as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah flared again in Lebanon on Saturday, just hours after the two sides agreed to a renewed ceasefire. It undid for now the main achievement of the deal, which was to set the stage for reopening a waterway vital to world energy markets.

Even before Iran’s announcement, however, the recovery of traffic through the strait had been halting. Iran had imposed new procedures, including a demand that ships register to cross two days in advance, and wary shipowners were monitoring the still uncertain environment in the waterway.


*  *  *

Since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was signed days ago it's increasingly obvious there's been a widening split between Washington and it's closest Middle East ally Israel over the terms of the deal. The political interests between the Trump administration and Israel, which have been typically lock-step, have increasingly diverged on the question of the Iran peace and terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ground zero for this divergence has remained south Lebanon, where the overnight the death toll from fighting - and especially from Israeli air raids - have risen.

Lebanon's civil defense agency has announced that Israeli attacks on the southern Nabatieh district have killed 16 people and wounded 12 others. The significant death toll comes a mere day after the latest Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was announced.

Still, Al Jazeera is on Saturday confirming that "the wheels of diplomacy" appear to be "back in motion" after the delay to the technical talks from Friday. "Pakistan and Qatar – mediators – are holding a series of meetings in Switzerland, Iran and Egypt and according to Al Jazeera’s team on the ground," the publication writes. Top American negotiators are reportedly on the way to Europe.
via Reuters

Iran too is optimistic, while calling out certain Israeli hardliner politicians for seeking to sabotage peace. State media is hitting this theme hard, and naturally Tehran is going to seek to drive a deep and permanent wedge between the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. 

Iran's deputy foreign minister has said the Islamic Republic is "ready to move forward" on diplomacy with Washington, and the big elephant in the room is that "the United States must ensure Israel abides by the terms of the deal to end the war" - according to Al Jazeera.

As a reminder, President Trump appears in the mood to play nice with Iran while bringing the (very rare) pressure on Netanyahu. However, Trump himself is facing immense rising pressure from outraged pro-US hawks at home:


Donald ⁠Trump told NBC News ⁠in a phone ⁠interview that ​he spoke with Israel ⁠on Friday and asked them to ⁠agree to ​a ‌ceasefire ‌with Hezbollah.

“‘You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,’” Trump ‌was quoted as telling Israel.

Trump declined ​to specify ​whether ​he spoke ​with ‌Benjamin ​Netanyahu directly. A senior US official earlier confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, though Israeli attacks continue across Lebanon.


One of the key elements of the MoU the hawks vehemently object to is the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. But in terms of the main aspect which could derail ongoing negotiations altogether is that the US committed that it and its allies (read: Israel and the Lebanese government) will initiate the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This is a major concession by the US to the Iranian side.


❗️FOUR IDF soldiers killed after Hezbollah struck IDF tank in southern Lebanon
Including 52nd Battalion Commander who assumed command only days earlier after his predecessor was seriously wounded
Hours later, five more wounded, including SERIOUSLY, in drone strike in same area pic.twitter.com/RQBjyKoxme
— RT (@RT_com) June 19, 2026
But Israel has much more than these things to complain about, as it continues to lose troops in recent Hezbollah attacks:


Israel immediately responded to that agreement by pounding Lebanon, killing at least 47 people on Friday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed overnight [Friday] by the armed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, prompting Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to say that “all of Lebanon must burn”.


Vice President JD Vance's own recent remarks putting these Israeli officials in their place has been unprecedented spectacle to behold. The "special relationship" remains tenuous, at least in terms of weighing the current heated rhetoric and atmosphere.

But again, Israel can point to Hezbollah aggression, with Times of Israel (TOI) reporting the latest figures as follows:


The Israeli military says it is striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to overnight projectile launches at troops in south Lebanon by the Iran-backed terror group, despite a ceasefire announced a day earlier.



⚡️Consequences of an Israeli airstrike (3 bombs) on a building complex in Southern Lebanon
Multiple casualties. pic.twitter.com/CF4riEgu3E
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 20, 2026
"Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Following the attacks, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military official said was cited in TOI as saying.

Meanwhile, CNN also confirms that diplomacy is in "motion", writing: "US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland for technical talks with Iran, a US official said, with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also expected to join. Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan’s interior minister has arrived in Iran for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to encourage them to Switzerland."

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 10:00

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The Consumer Sentiment Disconnect From Economic Reality
The Consumer Sentiment Disconnect From Economic Reality

Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,



The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index just printed 44.8 in May. That’s the worst reading since the survey began in 1952. That print was lower than in 2008 and the 1980 inflation panic. It was also worse than the COVID lockdowns, yet the S&P 500 continues to climb higher, Q1 corporate earnings posted 27% growth, and weekly jobless claims sit near cycle lows. That “disconnect” has sparked many statements on social media, such as:


“GDP is growing at a healthy 2.7% in the US. GDP statistics in the US are clearly completely broken and no longer make any sense whatsoever.” – Philip Pilkington


That statement sums up many of the concerns I have read as of late, and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment disconnect from economic reality demands an honest answer. Which set of data is wrong? I think the honest answer is both, and neither. Over the last three decades, I’ve learned that surveys and behavior often part ways, and the gap usually tells you more about the survey than about the consumer. So let’s walk through what’s actually happening, because the consumer sentiment disconnect isn’t a single story. It’s three stories stacked on top of each other.

Start with the disconnect itself. If you only looked at the Michigan headline, you’d assume the country was in a depression. However, when you look at what people are actually doing, the picture changes completely.



Retail sales rose 0.5% in April and are running 4.9% above year-ago levels. In addition, Q1 earnings season has delivered an 84% beat rate on the S&P 500, well above the 5-year average of 78%, with aggregate earnings beating estimates by 20.7%. That’s the strongest surprise rate since the first quarter of 2021. Furthermore, initial jobless claims came in at 209,000 for the week ending May 16. Unemployment is sitting at 4.3%. Notably, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model is tracking 4.3% annualized growth for Q2 as of May 21.

Notice in the chart above what’s never happened in the 25-year history of this comparison. In every prior cycle, sentiment and growth moved roughly in step. The 2001 mild recession, the Global Financial Crisis, and the COVID lockdowns all show sentiment and GDP cratering and recovering side by side. Since 2022, that relationship has broken in a way it never broke before. GDP has been running between +2% and +3% year over year for three straight years. Consumer sentiment has been running below 70 the entire time, levels that historically only appeared during deep recessions. The gap in the lower-right corner of that chart is the entire argument.

Meanwhile, the headline economic narrative making the rounds on social media insists that GDP statistics are “completely broken” and that real data show a hidden recession. Here’s the problem with that argument. The labor market, spending, earnings, and credit data all line up in the same direction. They don’t agree with the sentiment survey, but they do agree with each other. So when one indicator disagrees with five, the prior should be on the one. That’s the heart of the consumer sentiment disconnect we need to explain. We flagged an earlier version of this same divergence in February, when economic sentiment was already at odds with the strong macro data-based estimates.

Yes, There Really Is a Partisan Problem

So why is the Michigan survey saying something so different? Part of the answer is exactly what many investors suspect, and the data backs it up.



Notice in the chart above what happens at every administration handoff. In January 2021, the navy line shoots up while the red line plunges almost vertically. The two cross within weeks of Biden’s inauguration, and Independents barely budge in the middle. Then it happens again in January 2025, only sharper. Republican sentiment surges from 67 to 93 in two months, while Democrats collapse from 78 to 56 over the same window. The X-pattern at each transition is the partisan gap in action. The survey isn’t measuring the economy. It’s capturing tribal loyalty, and that mechanic is a meaningful slice of the consumer sentiment disconnect we’re trying to explain.

The Richmond Federal Reserve published research in 2024 that found something striking. Specifically, the partisan gap in consumer sentiment is now far larger than the gap by income, age, or education level. Per the Richmond Fed analysis, the gap between Democratic and Republican sentiment expanded from 21 points under George W. Bush to 25 points under Obama, and then to 45 points under Biden. That’s not noise. That’s a structural issue with how the survey is being completed.

Moreover, it gets worse. Researchers at BriefingBook documented what they call “asymmetric amplification.” Republicans swing their sentiment responses roughly 2.5 times as much as Democrats do, depending on who controls the White House. When their party wins, they go euphoric, but when they lose, they go bleak. Democrats do this too, just less violently. Importantly, adjusting only for that asymmetry closes about 30% of the gap between predicted and observed sentiment over the post-2020 period.

Fundstrat’s Tom Lee made waves last week with an even sharper critique. He pointed out that 51% of Democratic respondents are now reporting sentiment readings below the survey’s all-time worst reading of 47.6. He also flagged that around a quarter of Democratic respondents believe inflation is currently running above 100%. Clearly, that isn’t a forecast. That’s a vote.

Now layer on something most readers haven’t heard about. In 2024, the University of Michigan switched from cellular phone surveys conducted via random-digit dialing to an online-only address-based sampling method. The change began in April and was fully completed by July of that year.

U-M’s surveys director, Joanne Hsu, has consistently maintained that the methodology change produced comparable results. However, the independent research disagrees. Cummings and Tedeschi, in a widely cited analysis published in BriefingBook, estimated that the switch from phone to online interviews lowered the sentiment index by about 8.9 points, or more than 11%. They benchmarked their adjustment against Morning Consult’s continuous online sentiment survey, which uses the same five core questions but has been online since 2018. Notably, Morning Consult’s index did not show the same precipitous decline as Michigan’s headline number. That gap alone accounts for a meaningful slice of the consumer sentiment disconnect.

Tom Lee added a further claim that I’ll attribute to him because I haven’t independently verified the underlying response data. He stated that the new online survey is producing a respondent breakdown of roughly 66% Democratic and 33% Republican, which would not be representative of the U.S. adult population. Whether or not that exact ratio holds, the broader point stands. In fact, self-selection bias on online opt-in is a known issue, and the structural break in the series is real.

The Conference Board Tells a Different Story

This brings us to the question I’ve raised previously. If the Michigan number is so distorted, what does the other major survey say? The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index gives us a useful check.



Notice in the chart above just how different the two stories are. The Michigan survey’s Current Economic Conditions component is 26% below its 2008 financial crisis trough. By contrast, the Conference Board’s index, while soft, sits near its long-term average and remains well above every cyclical low of the modern era. Consider the historical anchors. In 2009, the Conference Board bottomed at 25.3. During the 2020 COVID shock, it hit 85.7. Today’s reading of 92.8 isn’t a crisis print on that scale.

Methodologically, the two surveys measure different things. The Conference Board’s index places greater weight on labor market and current business conditions. The Michigan survey places greater emphasis on household finances and inflation perceptions. When inflation perception is the dominant factor and partisan respondents spontaneously volunteer inflation rates above 100% as a protest vote, you get the Michigan number.

The real question is whether the partisan effect is mitigated in the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index? The honest answer is partly. The Conference Board doesn’t publish party-affiliation crosstabs the way Michigan does, so we can’t directly measure their internal partisan gap. However, its methodology is less exposed to the specific inflation-expectation channel where the partisan skew is most extreme. And its readings show that.

But This Time, Republicans Are Sour Too

Now here’s where the partisan-bias narrative needs an honest correction. If you stopped reading at “the Michigan survey is just upset Democrats,” you’d miss something important about the May 2026 reading.

According to the University of Michigan’s own release on May 22, sentiment among Independents and Republicans dropped to the lowest readings of the current presidential administration. Democratic sentiment, in contrast, was little changed from April. Republican long-run inflation expectations have more than doubled on a monthly basis since February 2025. The cost-of-living concern is showing up across the political spectrum, not just on one side.

Why? Two reasons. First, gasoline prices surged 12.3% in April thanks to the ongoing conflict with Iran and the supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Pump prices are at levels not seen since 2022. Gas is the most visible price in the American economy, and it’s hitting every household. Second, tariff-related price pressure is starting to filter through, and roughly 30% of respondents in early May spontaneously mentioned tariffs as a concern. Make no mistake, those aren’t imagined problems.

So the partisan-bias critique is real, but it’s only part of the story. The 2026 Michigan plunge contains a partisan distortion, a methodology distortion, and a genuine bipartisan reaction to higher prices. In short, the consumer sentiment disconnect we’re seeing isn’t just noise. Pulling those threads apart matters if you want to use the data correctly.


“The Michigan survey isn’t broken. It’s measuring something narrower than the headline suggests, and what it’s measuring is real. The question is whether what it’s measuring should drive your portfolio.”


Why The Consumer Sentiment Disconnect Rarely Predicts Spending

The most important question isn’t whether the Michigan number is “correct.” It’s whether the number actually predicts anything useful for investors. Decades of research from the Federal Reserve system suggest the answer is largely “no.“

A February 2026 paper from the Kansas City Federal Reserve titled “Forecasting with Feelings” found that the link between consumer sentiment and growth in real household spending has been modest historically. The authors built two forecasting models: one using only official economic data, and one augmenting that data with consumer sentiment surveys. The sentiment-augmented model didn’t materially improve the forecast over the past 30 years. Fed Chair Jerome Powell echoed that finding in his May 2025 press conference, stating directly that “the link between sentiment data and consumer spending has been weak. It’s not been a strong link at all.”

A 2014 Boston Fed paper reached a similar conclusion. When you control for standard fundamentals such as income, employment, and wealth, the role of consumer sentiment in predicting consumption is marginal at best. People can feel terrible about the economy, yet still spend. We’ve seen that play out for almost three full years now.

The composite chart, which combines the Michigan and Conference Board indices to dampen the noise in each survey, clearly shows the broader pattern. Confidence has weakened from cycle highs, but the market has continued to advance. As we covered in our prior analysis of the confidence dichotomy between consumers and investors, there have been three other periods where stocks rallied while sentiment fell. The dot-com bubble. The mid-cycle expansion of the late 1990s. And the post-COVID period. In each of those cases, the market eventually had to reckon with reality, but the disconnect lasted longer than skeptics expected.



The composite sits at 71 today, a full 47 points below the October 2018 cycle high of 118. Over that same stretch, the S&P 500 has more than doubled, and that’s the consumer sentiment disconnect we’ve been pointing at for the better part of three years.

What Investors Should Actually Watch

If sentiment surveys aren’t reliable inputs for portfolio decisions, what is? My answer is the same one I’ve given for 20 years. Behavior beats feelings every time. So watch what consumers and businesses are doing with their money, not what they say in a survey. That single shift in focus turns the consumer sentiment disconnect from a confusing headline into a useful contrarian signal.



The takeaway from that table is simple. Five of the six categories show behavior diverging from sentiment in the same direction. People are saying one thing and doing another. When that happens at this scale, you don’t trade off the talk. You trade off the action.

That said, two items in the table do deserve real attention. Gas prices are a tax on consumers and on margins. If the Iran conflict drags into the summer driving season, demand destruction becomes a real risk for cyclical names. And tariff pass-through is the slow leak that markets keep underpricing. Importantly, those are concrete data series we can monitor, not abstract sentiment vibes. Pump prices, container shipping rates, retailer margin guidance, and consumer credit delinquencies are on the watchlist.

The Conference Board’s index, the Atlanta Fed’s GDP nowcast, the earnings beat rate, the retail sales print, and the jobless claims data all point to an economy that is slowing in some places, accelerating in others, and not remotely close to the Depression-era reading on the Michigan headline. What does this mean for investors? Stay disciplined. Watch the behavioral data. Maintain risk-management protocols. Be ready to lean in when the noise creates a real dislocation, and be ready to lean out when the data, not the surveys, actually rolls over.

Consumers are gloomy. Some of that gloom is justified, particularly around gas and inflation. But gloom is not a portfolio strategy.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 10:30

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Netherlands v Sweden: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 1pm local time/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnThe Sweden coach, Graham Potter, has been talking about Alexander Isak, who scored against Tunisia: “Alex has had a season that has been interrupted,” Potter said. “Most football players would say they need a certain amount of time and games to get up to top, top level, so we’ve had to try to build Alex up. I think there’s more to come from him.”Joe Pearson gets in touch: “In progressive rock circles, Sweden is one of the leading countries of the genre, with artists such as The Flower Kings, Opeth, and Samla Mammas Manna all arising from there. Norway has also stuck its toe in, with the very fine Wobbler and less-mentioned Motorpsycho. On the whole though, I’ve got to give the advantage to Sweden. I mean, they’ve got Änglagård and Anekdoten on the bench!” Continue reading...

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Burnham allies confident of No 10 ‘coronation’ after surge in backers
Some Labour MPs still want former mayor to face ‘scrutiny’ of ideas through contested leadership raceAllies of Andy Burnham are increasingly confident of a coronation-style transfer of power after the number of MPs backing him for the Labour leadership surged following his byelection victory.Burnham and his team are understood to have spent the last few days enlisting the support of MPs and ministers, as he prepares to challenge Keir Starmer in the coming weeks. Continue reading...

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Boston bounce sends Scotland to Miami with hope and no fear
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Meloni tells Trump to 'focus on your own popularity' as row between leaders escalates
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Iran says it's closing Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon 
Iran’s top joint military command said on Saturday morning that it will close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil trading corridor, due to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon during a ceasefire agreement. Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters said the attacks violated the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Israel targeted Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah...

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America's Honduras veterans served honorably. We owe them recognition. 
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BREAKING: US forces “present and vigilant” in Strait of Hormuz to enforce agreement with Iran
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Down but not out: Socceroos take heart from positives in defeat to USA | Jack Snape
Australia’s fate will be set after their final group game against Paraguay but there were some reasons for cheer from the performance in SeattleThe Socceroos are down, but they are not out. The 2-0 defeat to the USA was a sudden comedown after the glories of the previous week, a deflating diversion from a previously promising North American adventure.Forty-five minutes, however, does not ruin a promising World Cup campaign. The second half revival in Seattle, when the Socceroos matched and pressured the hosts – even if their opponents might have eased off the accelerator – provided a blueprint for the Socceroos ahead of their match against Paraguay in San Francisco on Thursday (Friday AEST). Continue reading...

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Netherlands v Sweden: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 1pm local time/6pm BST/3am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnSo, what’s it actually like out there? Hear from our writers, in alphabetical order.The mid-west charm in Kansas City is a reminder that the US is more than what you see on the news. The extreme weather’s tough, though. Last Saturday brought heat and high levels of humidity in the afternoon, then tornado warnings in the evening. It’s quite hard not to eat meat here. It feels like chicken is the vegetarian option. Are people interested in the football? It’s mixed. The USMNT’s opening game was on in our hotel lobby. A group of Americans were watching baseball on another TV and occasionally came over to check the score. But then I’ve just met a Chelsea fan during the Mexico v South Korea game. He knew his football. Jacob Steinberg Continue reading...

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Spanish PM’s wife to stand trial on corruption charges and banned from leaving country
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What we know about Bedford train crash that left driver dead and hurt dozens
Nine people are in a critical condition out of a total of 28 still in hospital on Saturday, emergency services say.

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What we know so far about the collision and emergency response
Nine people are in a critical condition out of a total of 28 still in hospital on Saturday, emergency services say.

Mac Rumours
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Three Apple Stores in U.S. Are Permanently Closing Today
As previously announced, Apple is moving forward with permanently closing three of its retail stores in the U.S. today, including a unionized location.





The locations that are closing on the evening of Saturday, June 20:

Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut

Apple North County in Escondido, California

Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland

In April, Apple said it made the "difficult decision" to close the stores due to "declining conditions" at the shopping malls in which they are located.



Notably, the staff at the Towson Town Center location became Apple's first retail employees in the U.S. to unionize in 2022. They belong to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), and they signed a collective bargaining agreement with Apple in 2024.



Apple Towson Town Center

The union and the store's employees have been protesting the planned closure, and some politicians in Maryland have voiced their support.



The union is upset that Apple is allowing non-unionized employees at the Trumbull and North County stores to transfer to nearby locations, but not extending this offer to unionized employees at the Towson location. For its part, Apple said it is simply honoring the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that the employees agreed to.





According to Apple, the contract states that in the event of a store closure, Apple would transfer or rehire employees if the company opened a new store within 50 miles of the current location at Towson Town Center. In any other circumstance, the union negotiated for employees to receive severance, which is being provided.



Apple said it has no current plans to open a new store in the area, but if it were to do so within 18 months after the collective bargaining agreement was ratified, the affected employees would have the right of first refusal.



Nevertheless, IAM has accused Apple of potential union busting and said that the agreement "requires equal treatment."



"Apple workers in Towson voted to join the IAM, fought for and won a contract, and are now being punished for it," said IAM President Brian Bryant. "Apple signed a collective bargaining agreement that requires equal treatment. It is time for Apple to honor that agreement and do right by these workers before June 20."



Towson Town Center is genuinely in a state of decline and has lost many other major retailers in recent years, so it is very likely that Apple is exiting the shopping mall at least partly due to the worsening conditions. Nevertheless, the situation might lead employees at other stores to worry that joining a union does not always work out, and that could be advantageous to Apple given that the company has discouraged unionization.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, 'Three Apple Stores in U.S. Are Permanently Closing Today' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Unveiled These Five New Apps Last Week
Apple last week unveiled five new apps, with four announced at WWDC 2026 alongside its upcoming fall software updates, one released in beta for developers, and one released independently by its subsidiary Claris.







Siri AI App

One of the biggest announcements of WWDC 2026 was Siri AI, a ground-up rebuild of Apple's voice assistant that for the first time comes with a dedicated standalone app.



Like other chatbots, Siri can search the web and access general world knowledge, evaluate documents, solve math problems, and take action in and across apps, such as getting detailed Maps directions with multiple stops, editing and sharing photos, or writing an email in the user's own writing style. The app lets users type or talk to it like a chat thread, and syncs conversation history across all devices through iCloud.



The ‌Siri‌ app is available in most of Apple's next-generation operating systems, arriving this fall as part of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. The operating systems are currently available to developers in beta, though access to Siri AI itself involves a waitlist. ‌Siri‌ AI will not be available in the EU at launch, though Apple says it is working on a path forward.



Apple TV Remote App Returns

Apple used to offer an Apple TV Remote app in the App Store, but it was removed in 2020. With this year's major updates, Apple is restoring the app as a proper Home Screen icon. It comes pre-installed with ‌iOS 27‌ and ‌iPadOS 27‌. To add it to the ‌Home Screen‌ as an app, users can swipe down, search for "Remote," then tap and hold the app icon to drag it into place. It is also accessible via the App Library.



All-New Find My on Apple Watch

‌watchOS 27‌ is bringing a long-overdue consolidation to Find My on Apple Watch. Previously split across separate Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items apps, the new app consolidates everything into a single, map-centric interface.



The main screen provides quick access to actions like getting directions and finding nearby items, and Precision Finding is available for locating a paired iPhone, AirPods Pro 3, or AirTag 2. The redesign also introduces more flexible sharing options, giving users greater control over how they share their location and item tracking with others.



Pass Designer

Apple also introduced Pass Designer, a new Mac app for building and previewing Apple Wallet passes aimed at developers and businesses. The app supports templates provided by Apple or custom designs, letting developers bring in images such as logos, backgrounds, and strip images. As edits are made, Pass Designer updates a real-time preview using the same rendering as iOS and watchOS, so what is seen in Pass Designer is exactly what customers will see on their device. Pass Designer validates the pass as work progresses, alerting developers to issues such as missing required key values.



For boarding passes and event tickets, Pass Designer also supports semantic tags, which add structured data such as event dates, venue locations, and flight details that the system uses to enable features like ‌Siri‌ Suggestions, Calendar integration, and Maps directions. It can also automatically generate a backward-compatible pass structure from semantic data, ensuring passes work across devices where semantic tags may not be supported.



Pass Designer beta requires macOS 27 or later and is available to download now for registered Apple developers.



Claris FileMaker Go 2026

Unlike the four WWDC announcements, this app is already available. Claris FileMaker Go 2026 became available on June 10. FileMaker is a low-code database application platform that lets users build custom apps to organize, manage, and automate data without extensive programming knowledge.



The new version of the app adds support for iOS and iPadOS 26, and brings Google Gemini to FileMaker's roster of supported AI models, which already includes Anthropic, OpenAI, and Cohere. The 2026 release also focuses on developer productivity, infrastructure resilience, and an AI-ready architecture, and was shaped directly by feedback from the Claris developer community.



FileMaker is developed by Claris International, a subsidiary of Apple.This article, 'Apple Unveiled These Five New Apps Last Week' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Slashdot
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FSF Patches Two-Year-Old Vulnerability Found by AI Researchers in GNU Savannah Repository
The Free Software Foundation's GNU Savannah hosts thousands of free software projects - both GNU and non-GNU projects, including Drupal.

But in early May, security researchers from Hacktron.AI reported vulnerabilities and demonstrated an exploit, according to a new statement Friday from the FSF:

We have been working with these researchers since their initial report, and have also addressed additional security issues they submitted. All reported issues have been patched thanks to the hard work of GNU and FSF volunteers, as well as FSF staff. After thorough review, we have found no reason to believe that sensitive project data or credentials were accessed, nor that there has been any compromise of Savannah's software supply chain.

Nevertheless, we take the security of the GNU system, the tools which make it possible, and the projects we host very seriously. This body of software has become essential to millions (if not billions) of users around the world. We are therefore taking additional precautionary steps. Though the initial security issue was reported to us in early May, the vulnerabilities were discovered in software that was published approximately two years prior. We will be communicating directly with Savannah-hosted projects about steps they can take to review and strengthen the security of their projects.
We have also communicated with the other Savane instances we're aware of to assist their review of their own environments, and take any steps needed to help protect their users... This statement is intended as an initial notice. We expect to publish a report on the incident within 30 days.

Hacktron.AI bills itself as "Your AI teammate for security." Its web page notes that its investors include Meta, DeepMind, and Perplexity.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Iran says it closes Strait of Hormuz again
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ZeroHedge News
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FBI Warns That Fake FIFA Website Being Used to Steal Personal Information
FBI Warns That Fake FIFA Website Being Used to Steal Personal Information

Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,

The FBI on June 16 advised people to be wary of fraudulent websites that try to mimic World Cup or FIFA sites, as the agency warned that such websites have been used to steal personal information and sell counterfeit tickets.



In a public service announcement, the FBI stated that scammers and fraudsters have launched spoofing attempts designed to mimic FIFA’s official website as the World Cup games hosted in North America continue.

“Threat actors often create spoofed websites by slightly altering characteristics of legitimate website domains, with the purpose of gathering personally identifiable information entered by a user into the site, including name, home address, phone number, email address, and banking information,” the FBI statement reads.

The individuals behind such websites may be attempting to trick people into entering sensitive information that could be used to “create new accounts in a victim’s name and ultimately defraud the victim,” the FBI stated.

The federal law enforcement bureau noted that it has identified individuals who had attempted to collect personal information, sell counterfeit World Cup tickets or “hospitality products,” or engaged in other forms of malicious activity in connection with the scams.

The fraudulent website domains could include alternate spellings of words or use a different top-level domain, or TLD, referring to the final segment of the web address, such as .com, .gov, .org, and more, according to the notice.

Scammers may also create a deceptive version of a legitimate website, such as fifa.com, that tricks people into thinking they are going to the official website, it stated. Some include website domains that use alternate domain extensions such as “.blue,” “.beer,” “.city,” and more. Dozens of fraudulent domains were identified by the FBI that have been linked to the scheme, including fake domains related to FIFA jobs, merchandise, or tickets.

FBI officials advised people to first verify website URLs before they enter potentially sensitive or personally identifying information and to go to FIFA’s official website by typing the URL into their browser rather than relying on results produced by search engines, while also verifying that it reads fifa.com.

An Epoch Times review found that many of the websites listed by the FBI in the alert appeared to be down. However, the FBI stated that the “public should be aware that new websites will continue to appear.”

“Exercise caution when clicking on advertisements. Before clicking on an advertisement, check the URL to make sure the site is authentic,” the notice reads. “Malicious advertisements may redirect users to a different website than indicated.”

The June 16 public service announcement did not say whether anyone was victimized by a FIFA website-related scam. But victims who believe that they were targeted in a scam should file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, it states

Aside from combating fake websites, the FBI has also acted to keep drones away from World Cup games. Earlier this week, an illegal immigrant with a prior criminal history, including a cocaine-trafficking conviction, was arrested for flying a drone near a World Cup event in Atlanta, the FBI announced.

The World Cup lasts from June 11 until July 19, with matches being played across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 09:20

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Mocks Italy's Meloni Over Disputed G7 Photo: 'She Wants To Be Friends Again, No Thanks!'
Trump Mocks Italy's Meloni Over Disputed G7 Photo: 'She Wants To Be Friends Again, No Thanks!'

President Trump has once again lashed out at Italy, as Washington and this 'wayward' NATO ally continue to clash on a range of issues from Iran to Israel to Ukraine..

It follows on the heels of the cancellation of the planned diplomatic visit by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. President Trump on Saturday has newly taken to Truth Social to reiterate that PM Meloni "asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France."



He continued: “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!).”

According to more background:


Trump’s comments were aired Friday on the La7 network. A correspondent had asked the president about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni and made the claim about the photo. Trump said he was not obliged to take the picture with her but that he felt sorry for her and agreed, La7 said. The broadcaster put a dubbed version of the conversation online, but not the original English audio.


Meloni has very publicly rejected Trump's version of events at the G7:


Clearly irked at President Donald Trump’s suggestion that she had had “begged” him for a photo at the Group of Seven summit earlier this week, the Italian prime minister said this was “totally fabricated.”


Bilateral defense agreements and NATO's base sharing framework allows US access to key strategic hubs for US operations in the Mediterranean - however, Italian law and a historic treaty requires parliamentary approval for anything outside that scope. 

It was in late March that for the first time Italy's defense ministry confirmed that "some US bombers" were denied landing at Sigonella – one of seven US navy bases in Italy.

Among the scenes at a G7 working lunch in France on June 16 was this...
Pool image via AP

Italy tried to frame the issue as merely bureaucratic and an issue of paperwork. Initial complaints were that the US didn't follow required permission protocol, and requested landing only while in the air and already en route to Sicily.

Meloni's office has all the while maintained it is "acting in full compliance with existing international agreements"  - while underscoring that each flight request must be "carefully examined on a case-by-case basis, as has always been the case in the past."

But the truth also is that American hegemonic action in the Middle East, and the Iran conflict in particular, is deeply unpopular among the Italian population, which has long had a strongly anti-war bent especially among the youth. Meloni has tried to assure here electorate that she's never "begged" for anything from Trump.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 09:55

ZeroHedge News
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Iran Media Says Hormuz 'Closed' Again, Citing Lebanon Violations, As Vance Expected In Switzerland For Talks
Iran Media Says Hormuz 'Closed' Again, Citing Lebanon Violations, As Vance Expected In Switzerland For Talks

Update(10:00ET): As has become the 'norm' after well over 100 days of war - which some pundits have been calling the "third Gulf war" - there are deeply conflicting headlines emerging Saturday. On the one hand, diplomacy based in Switzerland is said to be in motion, with a potential top level Trump delegation (led by Witkoff and to be joined later by Kushner reportedly/allegedly) - but fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in south Lebanon still rages, with the death toll climbing, and also with Hezbollah rockets still landing against IDF positions as well as in northern Israel.

Will the US and Iranian sides actually meet in Europe for the 'technical' side of further talks toward final peace? Saturday has seen reports of Iran having again 'closed' the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli aggression in Lebanon, after Tehran has insisted that the tenuous freshly signed MoU included a Lebanon ceasefire and peace. The latest newswires out of Iranian state media:

IRAN SAYS HORMUZ TO CLOSE, CITING CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: TASNIM
IRAN SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS BEEN CLOSED: TASNIM
IRAN'S IRGC NAVY SAYS HORMUZ STRAIT CLOSED TO ALL VESSELS: FARS
*VESSELS WARNED TO AVOID STRAIT OF HORMUZ OVER SECURITY: FARS
Vance expected in Switzerland, reports Axios on Saturday:


🇺🇸🇮🇷Trump envoys arrive in Switzerland for Iran talks planned for Sunday. Vice President Vance could travel to Switzerland today or tomorrow. My story on @axios https://t.co/suNH9rkVk9
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 20, 2026
And yet, some of the same state sources have been saying that an Iranian delegation will travel to Switzerland where it will seek to hold Washington to its commitments. 

“In Switzerland, we intend to press for the fulfilment of the other side’s commitments and clarify how they plan to act on their obligations,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to Fars, also as cited in Al Jazeera.

Per the same report Saturday mid-morning (US time): "The delegation will leave for Switzerland in a few minutes, Mehr news agency also reported. The spokesperson also said that if the US refuses to implement its commitments, Iran will respond with necessary measures." So things remain very fluid, and could implode at any moment.

*  *  *

Since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was signed days ago it's increasingly obvious there's been a widening split between Washington and it's closest Middle East ally Israel over the terms of the deal. The political interests between the Trump administration and Israel, which have been typically lock-step, have increasingly diverged on the question of the Iran peace and terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ground zero for this divergence has remained south Lebanon, where the overnight the death toll from fighting - and especially from Israeli air raids - have risen.

Lebanon's civil defense agency has announced that Israeli attacks on the southern Nabatieh district have killed 16 people and wounded 12 others. The significant death toll comes a mere day after the latest Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was announced.

Still, Al Jazeera is on Saturday confirming that "the wheels of diplomacy" appear to be "back in motion" after the delay to the technical talks from Friday. "Pakistan and Qatar – mediators – are holding a series of meetings in Switzerland, Iran and Egypt and according to Al Jazeera’s team on the ground," the publication writes. Top American negotiators are reportedly on the way to Europe.
via Reuters

Iran too is optimistic, while calling out certain Israeli hardliner politicians for seeking to sabotage peace. State media is hitting this theme hard, and naturally Tehran is going to seek to drive a deep and permanent wedge between the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. 

Iran's deputy foreign minister has said the Islamic Republic is "ready to move forward" on diplomacy with Washington, and the big elephant in the room is that "the United States must ensure Israel abides by the terms of the deal to end the war" - according to Al Jazeera.

As a reminder, President Trump appears in the mood to play nice with Iran while bringing the (very rare) pressure on Netanyahu. However, Trump himself is facing immense rising pressure from outraged pro-US hawks at home:


Donald ⁠Trump told NBC News ⁠in a phone ⁠interview that ​he spoke with Israel ⁠on Friday and asked them to ⁠agree to ​a ‌ceasefire ‌with Hezbollah.

“‘You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head,’” Trump ‌was quoted as telling Israel.

Trump declined ​to specify ​whether ​he spoke ​with ‌Benjamin ​Netanyahu directly. A senior US official earlier confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters, though Israeli attacks continue across Lebanon.


One of the key elements of the MoU the hawks vehemently object to is the creation of a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. But in terms of the main aspect which could derail ongoing negotiations altogether is that the US committed that it and its allies (read: Israel and the Lebanese government) will initiate the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon." This is a major concession by the US to the Iranian side.


❗️FOUR IDF soldiers killed after Hezbollah struck IDF tank in southern Lebanon
Including 52nd Battalion Commander who assumed command only days earlier after his predecessor was seriously wounded
Hours later, five more wounded, including SERIOUSLY, in drone strike in same area pic.twitter.com/RQBjyKoxme
— RT (@RT_com) June 19, 2026
But Israel has much more than these things to complain about, as it continues to lose troops in recent Hezbollah attacks:


Israel immediately responded to that agreement by pounding Lebanon, killing at least 47 people on Friday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed overnight [Friday] by the armed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, prompting Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to say that “all of Lebanon must burn”.


Vice President JD Vance's own recent remarks putting these Israeli officials in their place has been unprecedented spectacle to behold. The "special relationship" remains tenuous, at least in terms of weighing the current heated rhetoric and atmosphere.

But again, Israel can point to Hezbollah aggression, with Times of Israel (TOI) reporting the latest figures as follows:


The Israeli military says it is striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to overnight projectile launches at troops in south Lebanon by the Iran-backed terror group, despite a ceasefire announced a day earlier.



⚡️Consequences of an Israeli airstrike (3 bombs) on a building complex in Southern Lebanon
Multiple casualties. pic.twitter.com/CF4riEgu3E
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 20, 2026
"Overnight, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Following the attacks, the IDF has been striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military official said was cited in TOI as saying.

Meanwhile, CNN also confirms that diplomacy is in "motion", writing: "US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland for technical talks with Iran, a US official said, with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also expected to join. Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan’s interior minister has arrived in Iran for talks with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to encourage them to Switzerland."

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 10:00

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Iran says it's closing Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli strikes on Lebanon 
Iran’s top joint military command said on Saturday morning that it will close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil trading corridor, due to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon during a ceasefire agreement.  Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters said the attacks violated the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Israel targeted Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah...

The Right Scoop
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UGH BREAKING: Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz due to ‘violations’
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Sky News Home
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The Guardian (UK)
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Football Daily | Turkey need another rebrand after failing to take flight at World Cup
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!When Turkey changed to Türkiye in 2022, president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced it was because the new name was “the best representation and expression of the Turkish people’s culture, civilisation, and values.” The rebrand, though, also had a less lofty reason. “The association with the bird genuinely annoys Erdoğan and the people around him,” explained Selim Koru of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, while even state broadcaster TRT conceded that the loose-necked Christmas bird was at least a factor in the revamp.When did it become a thing for the refereeing team to have their names on the backs of their shirts? I’m amazed that Fifa isn’t looking to cash in by selling replicas” – Phil Taverner.Re: yesterday’s Football Daily. Please, up your game! Australian rules football and American football do not play with anything egg-shaped. It’s a prolate spheroid. How different the game would be (could it even exist?) if it were” – Kate Clements.Re: Trevor Wastell and US commentary (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). I am lucky to speak Spanish but, even if I did not, anyone who would watch football in the USA USA USA (or anywhere else) in any other language is off their rocker. Also, one needs only the barest anglicised Spanglish to get the gist. Luckily for United Statesians, Peacock TV are showing my home nation’s characteristic enthusiasm for multilingual audiences, with the basic subscription having thrown in streaming of every GWC partido en Español, much like they would reruns of ‘Betty la Fea’ or ‘María la del Barrio’. I almost hear NBC suits saying: ‘Who would be watching this? I can’t even understand it!’ Highly recommended” – Thad Brown.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Iran warns it is closing Strait of Hormuz and threatens any ships using the waterway
Iran has said it is closing the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after it signed a ceasefire deal with the US.

Sky News Home
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Trump hits back at Meloni after she said he 'completely made up' claim she 'begged' him for picture
A row between President Donald Trump and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni is continuing, after she accused him of making up a story that she begged him for a picture.

Mac Rumours
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Three Apple Stores in U.S. Are Permanently Closing Today
As previously announced, Apple is moving forward with permanently closing three of its retail stores in the U.S. today, including a unionized location.





The locations that are closing on the evening of Saturday, June 20:

Apple Trumbull in Trumbull, Connecticut

Apple North County in Escondido, California

Apple Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland

In April, Apple said it made the "difficult decision" to close the stores due to "declining conditions" at the shopping malls in which they are located.



Notably, the staff at the Towson Town Center location became Apple's first retail employees in the U.S. to unionize in 2022. They belong to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE), and they signed a collective bargaining agreement with Apple in 2024.



Apple Towson Town Center

The union and the store's employees have been protesting the planned closure, and some politicians in Maryland have voiced their support.



The union is upset that Apple is allowing non-unionized employees at the Trumbull and North County stores to transfer to nearby locations, but not extending this offer to unionized employees at the Towson location. For its part, Apple said it is simply honoring the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that the employees agreed to.





According to Apple, the contract states that in the event of a store closure, Apple would transfer or rehire employees if the company opened a new store within 50 miles of the current location at Towson Town Center. In any other circumstance, the union negotiated for employees to receive severance, which is being provided.



Apple said it has no current plans to open a new store in the area, but if it were to do so within 18 months after the collective bargaining agreement was ratified, the affected employees would have the right of first refusal.



Nevertheless, IAM has accused Apple of potential union busting and said that the agreement "requires equal treatment."



"Apple workers in Towson voted to join the IAM, fought for and won a contract, and are now being punished for it," said IAM President Brian Bryant. "Apple signed a collective bargaining agreement that requires equal treatment. It is time for Apple to honor that agreement and do right by these workers before June 20."



Towson Town Center is genuinely in a state of decline and has lost many other major retailers in recent years, so it is very likely that Apple is exiting the shopping mall at least partly due to the worsening conditions. Nevertheless, the situation might lead employees at other stores to worry that joining a union does not always work out.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, 'Three Apple Stores in U.S. Are Permanently Closing Today' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mail Online
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Dr Alex George is engaged! Former Love Island star pops the question to his mystery girlfriend during a romantic trip to Greece
Dr Alex George has revealed the happy news that he is engaged.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement
Deaths are reported in southern Lebanon, with the IDF saying it hit Hezbollah targets after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Curacao's trailblazer doctor on football's big stage
Dr Suzanne Huurman is head of medical staff for Curacao's national men's side - the World Cup's smallest ever team by population and size.

Mail Online
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Fears grow for British mother missing in Tenerife who disappeared after getting off at wrong bus stop as son flies out
Gary Myers is joining the search for his mother, Kathy, on the Canary Island where she owns a property and spends half of the year living with her husband Steve.

Mail Online
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The World Cup's most controversial WAG? Germany manager's girlfriend left her job as a reporter to be with him - and is causing a stir around the camp
The partners of players are always a hot topic when the World Cup rolls around - but this time it's the German manager's partner who is believed to be causing a stir.

Mail Online
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Fresh fears over Britain's debt mountain as Andy Burnham's economic adviser urges Labour to 'borrow more'
Jim O'Neill, co-president of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and a former Treasury minister, called on the Government to be 'bolder about borrowing to invest'.

Mail Online
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Moment Algerian gang steals £600,000 jewellery from Abu Dhabi royals outside St Pancras station after they arrive on Eurostar
The royal victims - Roda Al Nahyan, her mother Shamsa, and Najla Al Qubaisi - had just left the station and got into a taxi on October 16, 2025.

Mail Online
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Horrifying video shows paradise lost after fire ripped through luxury Caribbean beach resort killing one and sending 1,700 tourists running for their lives as they reveal chaos after blaze broke out
The Viva Dominicus Bayahibe resort in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic, was left in ruins after the inferno ripped through the hotel on Friday.

Mail Online
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Dr Alex George is engaged! Former Love Island star pops the question to his mystery girlfriend during a romantic trip to Greece
Dr Alex George is engaged!

Mail Online
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Furious Trump hits back at Italian Prime Minister Meloni and gives her unusual 'nickname' as their photo feud ramps up
Trump had said Meloni 'begged' him to take a photo with her at the G7 Summit, which Meloni rejected as 'completely made up' on Friday.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘They have all the power’: investigation finds that 93% of ICE arrests targeted Latinos
430 ICE street arrests filed over a five-month period were clustered in predominantly Latino communities across New Jersey and New YorkFederal agents have arrested hundreds of immigrants off New York and New Jersey streets in recent months in a stealth enforcement campaign that disproportionately targeted people from Latin American countries, according to an investigation by the City Reporter based on a review of more than 1,200 lawsuits.More than 93% of the people grabbed off area streets who filed suit were from Latin American countries, although Latinos make up only 66% of immigrants without legal status in the region. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump acknowledges ‘real problems’ at reflecting pool after $14m makeover, blaming ‘vandalism’
His vaunted renovation of the Washington attraction has resulted in an algae bloom and peeling paintDonald Trump has blamed “vandalism” for “real problems” at Washington’s reflecting pool after an algae bloom in the wake of a $14.2m renovation of the site he declared would turn it “American flag” blue. Paint has also been seen peeling off in the water.Days after his administration claimed the pool was actually “crystal clear”, despite an unmistakably green hue, the US president acknowledged issues – and, without evidence, blamed foul play. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Beth Mooney calms injury fears as Australia crush the Netherlands in T20 Women’s World Cup
Australia, 219-6, Netherlands, 121-3, Aus win by 98 runsCaptain suffering from a stiff back after long bus tripBeth Mooney has played down any concerns about her back injury after Australia crushed the Netherlands by 98 runs in their T20 Women’s World Cup clash in Southampton. In reply to Australia’s 219 for six, the world No 14 side were restricted to 121 for three despite a brave effort from the associate nation.Australia’s third win in succession has put them on the verge of locking away a top-two berth in their group and a spot in the semi-finals. But there was an injury scare with Mooney, who struck an unbeaten 74 from 42 deliveries before retiring hurt with the scoreboard reading 152 for two, after 14 overs. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why Harry Kane is different at this World Cup
Former England captain Alan Shearer explains what has changed for Harry Kane since his struggles at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Sky News Home
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Death rate at camp in DR Congo spikes amid fears of Ebola spiralling
At least 30 people have died since the start of May in one camp for displaced citizens in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with some confirmed to have died from Ebola, in a sign the disease could be spreading quickly there.

TechRadar News
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Amazon has quietly released its most popular Prime Day deals — 65% off Fire TVs, Blink Cameras, Kindle, Ring Doorbells, Echo speakers, and more

TechRadar News
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The big TechRadar Entertainment interview: Toy Story 5 VFX supervisor Thomas Jordan talks new toy designs, Easter eggs, Bonnie and Blaze, and Pixar's experiments with AI

TechRadar News
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Watching the World Cup with friends? Here's which spilled pint will damage your phone the most — beware of cider!

TechRadar News
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Rivals season 2 star teases 'pretty full-on scenes' in November 2026 episodes — and fans need to be prepared for 'absolute madness' in these three

TechRadar News
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'This might actually force some actual brain cells to fire': Norway is banning younger school kids from using generative AI

Mail Online
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King Charles and Queen Camilla put the royal seal of approval on Ascot as they join Peter Phillips and new bride Harriet Sperling in the sun for final day
Harriet, 45, opted for an elegant white maxi dress and matching white hat, clutching a small pink handbag as she held hands with a smartly-dressed Peter, 48.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Extreme heat warning expanded as 36C heatwave approaches UK
After a slightly cooler Saturday, temperatures will rise again, possibly touching 36C by Tuesday with a Met Office amber extreme heat warning set to come into force.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Why Kane is different at this World Cup
Former England captain Alan Shearer explains what has changed for Harry Kane since his struggles at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Guardian (UK)
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Louisiana pastor sentenced to 80 years for sexually molesting two boys
Terry Reed, found guilty of rape and molestation of a juvenile, called ‘utter failure of a man’ by victim’s motherA suburban New Orleans religious pastor has been sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of sexually molesting two boys – the third time in which he was found guilty of abusing minors.While Terry Reed received his punishment at a state court hearing on Thursday, the mother of one of his survivors read a victim-impact statement on behalf of her son which called him “an utter failure and a sorry excuse for a man”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England need 463 to beat New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim 60th over: New Zealand 267-4 (Mitchell 37, Blundell 6) Blundell, who loves joining Mitchell to torment England, tucks Tongue for two and cover-drives for three, uppish but safe.“Good morning.” says John Starbuck. “I was wondering if James Rew, unfortunately drafted in a bit too soon, should change his name to Roux, seeing it’s been something of a mixture so far.” Ha. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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The World Cup's Uneven Playing Field
The World Cup's Uneven Playing Field

Due to its truly global footprint, the FIFA World Cup has always been a celebration of diversity, both on and off the pitch.

It brings together different cultures, different playing styles and different levels of skill, professionalism and financial muscle.

However, with the tournament now over a week old, it is clear that they are playing 'football' on an uneven playing field.

As Statista's Felix Richter reports, while nations like France, Spain and England have assembled squads full of international superstars, other participants will field teams that are largely unknown to fans outside of the respective country.

According to estimates from Transfermarkt.com, there is a huge gulf in squad value between the nations traditionally challenging for the title and those happy to be part of the show.



You will find more infographics at Statista

France’s star-studded squad is worth more than 70 times as the teams assembled by Qatar, Jordan and Iraq, the least valuable squads in the tournament.

This is a reflection of the balance of power in global football, which is concentrated in Europe’s top leagues.... and correlates very well with likelihood of success.



It is partly for this reason that surprises have become increasingly rare in the world’s biggest football competition, where it’s hard to imagine a fairy tale run of a smaller nation to the tournament’s final stages.

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 07:35

Sky News Home
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Europe swelters as heatwave intensifies - with temperatures of up to 44C forecast
An ongoing heatwave has triggered weather warnings across Europe, with several nations - including the UK - bracing for what could be one of the hottest June days on record.

CNET News
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These AI Scams All Have Red Flags. Here's How to Spot Them
The best thing you can do is to stay cautious and never hand over sensitive data.

The Hill
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Mankind must not sacrifice human dignity at the altar of AI
Some ways of talking about human beings are always out of bounds. Sorting people by economic value into those who merit work and those who should be sidelined is one of them, and any society that tolerates it moves toward social and political conflict. 

The Hill
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Trump administration says it's considering 'partial closure' of Kennedy Center despite judge's order
The Trump administration said in a court filing late Friday that it is still considering a “partial closure” at the Kennedy Center, despite a previous ruling requiring that the iconic performing arts center remains open. Last month, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the institution’s board improperly voted to shut down the center starting...

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Dua Lipa stuns in a bespoke Chanel bridal gown and parties into the early hours as she shares the first pictures from her £1.5million Sicily wedding to Callum Turner
The singer, 30, and the actor, 36, laid on a lavish party at the historic Villa Valguarnera earlier this month where they exchanged vows, six days after their official do at Marylebone Town Hall.

The Guardian (UK)
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New Orleans-area pastor sentenced to 80 years for sexually molesting two boys
Terry Reed, found guilty of rape and molestation of a juvenile, called ‘utter failure of a man’ by victim’s motherA suburban New Orleans religious pastor has been sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of sexually molesting two boys – the third time in which he was found guilty of abusing minors.While Terry Reed received his punishment at a state court hearing on Thursday, the mother of one of his survivors read a victim-impact statement on behalf of her son which called him “an utter failure and a sorry excuse for a man”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Corbyn criticises ‘strange’ lack of policy in leadership debate and says Burnham must offer real change – UK politics live
Former Labour leader says Burnham too accepting of austerity and ‘doesn’t appear to be doing anything differently internationally’Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exitA losing streak? Makerfield shows mounting dangers for Nigel FarageFrom Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m gift, the Reform leader faces challenges on several fronts, writes senior political correspondent Peter Walker.As those around Nigel Farage are fond of pointing out, Reform UK has now led in more than 300 consecutive national polls. When it comes to byelections, though, it is fair to say the party’s results are more mixed.Yes, Robert Kenyon came second in Makerfield to a popular regional mayor backed by a Labour campaign so relentless that the main risk was annoying voters by knocking too often on their doors. Kenyon also increased his and Reform’s share of the vote from the 2024 general election. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Ukraine officials return Polish honors after Zelenskyy stripped of award
A decision to strip Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy of Poland's highest state honor benefited Moscow, Ukrainian officials said. Warsaw has been one of Kyiv's key allies since Russia's war in Ukraine.

Mac Rumours
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Top Stories: Apple Price Hikes Coming, 20th Anniversary iPhone Rumors, and More
While Apple held out as many other smartphone and computer manufacturers raised prices in the face of massive increases in memory and storage costs, CEO Tim Cook has signaled that Apple will soon have to follow suit as the "situation has become unsustainable."





In other news this week, rumors covered not just the iPhone 18 but also the 20th anniversary iPhone that's still over a year away, while Apple customers can some receive new perks with Chase credit cards and we went hands on with macOS Golden Gate to see what's new, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!



Top Stories

Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs

Hang onto your hats! Apple will be raising prices on at least some products to offset the high cost of memory and storage, CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal this week. Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased prices and will need to pass some of the cost on to consumers.





"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook. "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."



Cook did not say which products will get price increases or how much pricing will go up. The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max coming in September could be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, while prices on iPads and Macs could also go up in the near future.



Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhones to Come in Two Sizes, Will Launch Alongside Gen 2 Foldable iPhone

Apple is "ramping up" work on the 20th anniversary iPhone that it plans to launch next year, reports Bloomberg. Multiple rumors have suggested the device will have an edge-to-edge display with curved glass at all sides for a nearly borderless visual effect.





There will be two anniversary models similar in size to the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max that are launching this September. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be the same size as current iPhone 17 Pro models, which suggests the anniversary iPhone could be available in 6.3- and 6.9-inch sizes.



iPhone 18 to Pack 12GB of RAM for Smarter Siri Features, No Price Bump

Cook's comments about raising prices in response to increased memory and storage costs come just after one analyst firm claimed that Apple does not intend to raise the price of its standard flagship model when the iPhone 18 debuts. The iPhone 18 will, however, see an upgrade to 12GB of memory to enable it to support the most powerful on-device AI models unveiled at WWDC last week.





Breaking from long-standing tradition, the iPhone 18 will apparently not be introduced in September alongside the Pro models, with Apple pushing back the standard model to a launch in the spring of 2027. That rumor has been circulating for quite some time, but the chairman of Apple supplier Largan Precision took the unusual step of essentially confirming the change without specifically naming Apple.



Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Chase this week announced new perks for its Sapphire Preferred credit card, and one of them is a complimentary one-year Apple TV streaming subscription.





To get the free year of Apple TV, which typically costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., you must activate the card by December 31, 2026. Apple One subscribers can receive a $7.50 discount per month instead.



The Apple One discount extends to Chase's premium Sapphire Reserve credit card as well. The Sapphire Reserve has offered free subscriptions to both Apple TV and Apple Music since last year, but now cardholders can receive a combined $15/month discount on an Apple One subscription instead.



macOS 27 Golden Gate Hands-On: Every Major New Feature

macOS 27 Golden Gate is in beta ahead of a fall release, and we thought we'd go over what's new for those who don't want to risk beta software on their Mac. macOS Golden Gate adds Siri AI, Liquid Glass updates, and multiple new Apple Intelligence features.





‌Check out our hands-on video for a summary of what's new in the release!



iOS 27 Adds Landscape Mode to More Apple Apps Ahead of 'iPhone Ultra'

iOS 27 enables landscape mode in more of Apple's built-in iPhone apps, including Apple Music, Podcasts, Fitness, Health, Reminders, Home, Shortcuts, Apple Watch, Find My, Weather, Voice Memos, Apple TV Remote, and others.





Many of the apps feature a left-aligned sidebar in landscape mode. In the Messages app, which already supported landscape orientation on iOS 26 and earlier, you can now collapse the sidebar to show only names and profile pictures.



Landscape mode was already available on iOS 26 or earlier in Apple Maps, Calendar, Files, Notes, Mail, and some other Apple apps too, but iOS 27 expands support to many more apps. This change could be laying the groundwork for the "iPhone Ultra," as landscape-friendly apps would be well suited for the rumored foldable device.



MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.



So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top StoriesThis article, 'Top Stories: Apple Price Hikes Coming, 20th Anniversary iPhone Rumors, and More' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC UK News
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Manslaughter charge after pub assault death
Carl Holland, 30, died in hospital on Thursday, where he had been in a critical condition due to a serious head injury.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Video shows scene of crash as passenger describes aftermath
As of Saturday afternoon, nine people remained in a critical condition following Friday's crash.

Mail Online
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Duchess of Gloucester shows off the look of love as she poses for photoshoot with her adoring prince husband to mark her 80th birthday
Birgitte beamed lovingly at her husband, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 81, in a brand-new portrait captured in the garden at Buckingham Palace to mark her milestone birthday.

The Guardian (UK)
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New Orleans pastor sentenced to 80 years for sexually molesting two boys
Terry Reed, found guilty of rape and molestation of a juvenile, called ‘utter failure of a man’ by victim’s motherA suburban New Orleans religious pastor has been sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of sexually molesting two boys – the third time in which he was found guilty of abusing minors.While Terry Reed received his punishment at a state court hearing on Thursday, the mother of one of his survivors read a victim-impact statement on behalf of her son which called him “an utter failure and a sorry excuse for a man”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia beat Netherlands by 98 runs: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates from the match at the Rose BowlStart time in Southampton is 10.30am local/7.30pm AESTAny thoughts? Send Megan an emailThere’s a significant amount of orange in the crowd today – the Dutch will have some great support as they take on the formidable Australian team.A couple of changes for Australia, with Ash Gardner recovering from her ankle injury to return to the side, replacing Grace Harris, and Lucy Hamilton coming in for Megan Schutt. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’ve finally found God without all the extras’: behind the surge in people converting to Progressive Judaism
Despite an increase in antisemitism and anti-Jewish feeling in the UK, adult conversions are on the riseFor Elizabeth Arif-Fear, there was no single moment when she realised she wanted to be Jewish. “It was just a journey over time,” she says.The 37-year-old interfaith activist was born Christian, then converted to Islam and was Muslim for 14 years, before realising that that faith was also not the right fit. Eventually, she found the answer she had been searching for in Judaism. “I feel I’ve finally found God without all the extras,” she says. “Without Jesus, without Muhammad.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Israeli strikes kill at least 16 in Lebanon despite reports of renewed ceasefire
Outbreak of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has forced mediators to cancel US-Iran talks in SwitzerlandIsraeli strikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people, local authorities said on Saturday, despite reports of a renewed ceasefire aiming to end persistent violence that threatens the new agreement between the US and Iran.Lebanon’s civil defence agency said its personnel transported “16 dead and 12 wounded” to hospital, adding that they had been working “since the early morning hours” in the Nabatieh district in response to “ongoing attacks targeting the area”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US treasury chief urged Trump not to host ‘Mr Bean on crack’ Zelenskyy, book says
Suggestion that Scott Bessent so described a world leader included in Regime Change, by New York Times reportersScott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, advised Donald Trump not to host Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, having called the Ukrainian president a “little fucker”, a “special-needs child” and “Mr Bean on crack”, according to a new book.The suggestion that a US cabinet official described a world leader in such terms is included in Regime Change, a blockbusting account of the second Trump administration by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, set to be published worldwide on Tuesday. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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A fox, a gannet and a space warrior - why election candidates wear fancy dress
Candidates like Count Binface are motivated to run for different reasons, but their role in politics is a longstanding tradition.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What we know so far about the collision and how it is affecting travel
Two passenger trains collided, leaving a driver dead and dozens of passengers and crew hurt.

Sky News Home
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Death rate at camp in DR Congo spikes amid fears of Ebola spiralling
At least 30 people have died since the start of May in one camp for displaced citizens in northeastern Congo, with some confirmed to have died from Ebola, in a sign the disease could be spreading quickly there.

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: USA’s ‘high IQ’ squad backed to handle hype; Almíron’s historic red; Sweden’s Dutch test– live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usOn this day in World Cup Euros history: 1976 – Antonin Panenka won the final for Czechoslovakia with the most famous penalty of all time. And 50 years on, he sat down with Gavin Newsham for a good long chat:Antonin Panenka laughs like a bear might, a low rumble, suggesting mischief among the memories. He is sat in an office at Bohemians football club in Prague, recounting the story of his impudent, revolutionary penalty that not only won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany but soured his relationship with the goalkeeper his spot-kick humiliated, Sepp Maier. “He went 35 years without uttering a single word to me,” he smiles.But the feud went much deeper. “I read some articles that he even had a shooting target in his garage with my face on it that he used to fire darts at. We get on well enough now though.”I’m not a fan of the hydration breaks that have been introduced at this World Cup, but they’re here for now and it is fascinating from a coaching perspective because the momentum has swung straight after several hydration breaks. That could suggest coach involvement has helped teams to tweak things.Turning the game into four quarters – it felt inevitable it was going to head in that direction, and I hope it doesn’t carry on going in that direction. I don’t like it, but let me also be clear – when it’s hot, you really need it, for health and safety. So put yourself in Fifa’s shoes. If you only have drinks breaks in the hot cities you could be accused of giving certain teams an advantage with a chance for a tactical discussion over, say, a team playing in Seattle, where it’s cooler. Imagine turning around and saying: “We’ll only have VAR in some of the stadiums, not all.” You’re either going to have it or you’re not going to have it. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Take the 10-second finger exercise that may reveal your risk of dementia... and even protect against it
A 10-second 'pinky test' may be able to predict and help ward off dementia, experts have revealed. Dementia experts believe the simple test may help improve neuroplasticity and focus.

Mail Online
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Is it finally time to bite the bullet with AC? As the heatwave leaves Brits hot-headed, the Daily Mail tests a next-gen aircon system
As parts of the country hit 32°C, I decided to take the AC plunge with the De'Longhi Pinguino GentleJet Inverter.

Mail Online
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Ally McCoist is criticised by World Cup viewers for asking why fans were booing Morocco's rape suspect captain Achraf Hakimi
The former Scottish footballer and TV pundit made the remark while commentating for ITV on Scotland's game against Morocco who beat the Tartan Army 1-0.

Mail Online
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Michail Antonio to face fresh trial after having Lamborghini driving conviction quashed, as ex-West Ham striker tells court he 'almost died' in Ferrari crash
Michail Antonio has had a motoring conviction quashed after his Lamborghini Urus was caught speeding last year. 

Mail Online
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The weirdest celeb houses of all time from Celine Dion's sprawling estate with its own WATERPARK to Paris Hilton's pet mansion - as Jason Derulo reveals his underfloor shark tank
If you're lucky enough to be a Hollywood star with millions in the bank one of the biggest benefits is being able to choose any kind of lavish home to live in.

Mail Online
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The new GLP-1 generation: From daily tablets to new blockbuster fat jabs, these are the obesity medications that could soon be coming to the UK... and they're more affordable than Mounjaro
Since the beginning of this decade, GLP-1 medications - which have been prescribed in Britain primarily as injections - have taken over as blockbuster drugs for weight loss.

Mail Online
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Peter Phillips and his new bride Harriet Sperling enjoy the sun as Royal Ascot revellers accessorise hats and frocks with handheld fans on last day of traditional race meeting
Harriet, 45, opted for an elegant white maxi dress and matching white hat, clutching a small pink handbag as she held hands with a smartly-dressed Peter, 48.

Mail Online
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Ready for the longest day? Britain's most beautiful summer solstice spots, from Stonehenge to Ben Nevis
The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, falls on Sunday, June 21. So where can Brits enjoy the most daylight hours across the country?

Mail Online
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ITV's sexism row World Cup studio is hit with yet ANOTHER problem... wild noisy late night parties are being held on the hotel balcony opposite
ITV's World Cup studio is facing an even bigger problem than its sexism row - raucous parties at the hotel next door.

Mail Online
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Shocking moment World Cup squad's plane is hit by LIGHTNING on their way to a match
A World Cup squad's plane was grounded after the aircraft was terrifyingly struck by lightning on their way to a match.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Northampton vs Exeter: Free Streams, TV Channels & Preview for Gallagher PREM Final 2026, team news

TechRadar News
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Nintendo confirms data stolen via third-party cyberattack — but sadly no big secrets were revealed

TechRadar News
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The Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) is an excellent premium running watch — it's just dropped to its lowest-ever price

Digital Trends
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Instacart is testing camera-ready AI shopping carts that sound convenient, but equally scary
Instacart's Caper Carts bring fast checkout, coupons, and loyalty perks to Weis stores, but their cameras, location tracking, and in-aisle ads make the grocery cart feel like a data machine.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Google shake-up highlights how human brains may be the scarcest AI resource of all
Despite a growing pool of research talent, not many have the experience of building and scaling AI, experts say.

The Verge
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Toy Story has the right take on tech
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 133, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy belated Juneteenth, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about Sam Bankman-Fried and PE Guy and admin nights (which we […]

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after passengers were flung across carriages during rush-hour train collisionNine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.The chief constable of British Transport Police, Lucy D’Orsi, said on Saturday that of the more than 80 people injured, 28 remained in hospital. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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China’s Ministry of State Security Accuses ‘Spy Turtles and Spy Fish’ of Stealing Sensitive Marine Data
It all seems a bit fishy to us.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What we know so far about the collision and emergency response
Two passenger trains collided, leaving a driver dead and dozens of passengers and crew hurt.

BBC World News
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Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement
Deaths are reported in southern Lebanon, with the IDF saying it hit "Hezbollah terrorist targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces.

ZDNet News
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4 easy tweaks you can make to your TV soundbar for more immersive audio
Some of your favorite soundbar settings for music and movies aren't compatible with live sports broadcasts. Here's my fix.

CNET News
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Best Weekend Ever? Playing Pokemon Go With 717,000 Fans of the Game
Pokemon Go Fest gave my far-flung family members and me a great excuse to play together instead of separately. As it turns out, we had plenty of company.

Ars Technica
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The UK will scan asylum-seekers’ faces for age checks—despite knowing the tech is flawed

The Hill
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US beats Australia 2-0 to advance to World Cup knockout round
The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup despite the absence of injured forward Christian Pulisic, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday.

The Hill
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Trump says Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized, defends response to algae bloom 
President Trump said on Friday evening that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized, amid reports of an algae bloom and peeling paint just two weeks after the multi-million-dollar project’s completion. “We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial,” the president...

Sky News Home
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Gay and trans conversion therapy ban bill expected to be published 
A bill to ban gay and transgender conversion therapy is expected to be published next week, multiple sources have told Sky News.

The Guardian (UK)
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You may not sympathise with the Elbit four’s methods. But you should be outraged by their treatment under the law | Geoffrey Robertson
The jurors who found the pro-Palestine activists guilty of criminal damage had no idea their verdict would be treated as a verdict on terrorismGeoffrey Robertson KC is founding head of Doughty Street ChambersIn a London court in 1670, a judge, livid with the jury, locked them away for two days without food, water or even a chamber pot. The jury’s offence? Defying the judge’s direction to convict the Quaker William Penn – the future founder of Pennsylvania – charged with preaching sedition in the City of London. The foreman, Edward Bushell, would not yield and, when the matter reached the chief justice of England, he ruled that no juror could be punished for their refusal to convict, entitling a jury to decide according to its conscience, whatever the bench directed. A plaque honours Bushell at the Old Bailey, so jurors on their way inside may contemplate the man who secured their right to acquit.The legal principle has held for three and a half centuries and, in my 50 years of practice, I have witnessed many juries bring back “sympathy verdicts”, that is, acquittals, because they think a defendant has been oppressively or unfairly prosecuted. But they are not usually reminded by barristers of their right to do so because of the profession’s concern that they should not be urging juries to lay aside the oath they took to decide according to the evidence. A version of this article was originally published in The Key magazineGeoffrey Robertson KC is founding head of Doughty Street Chambers and his latest book is World of War Crimes – Eyeless in Gaza and BeyondDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Manchester City close to financial settlement with Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca
Chelsea demand compensation for former coachWest London club insist Italian breached contractManchester City are close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that will enable them to appoint Enzo Maresca as their manager.Chelsea are demanding compensation from City to release Maresca as they believe they have evidence the Italian breached his contract at Stamford Bridge by talking to the club’s Premier League rivals when he was still their manager last season. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland rue ‘50/50’ penalty calls in defeat: ‘Morocco got away with one there’
McGinn and McTominay involved in strong appealsClarke questions if Diop should have been sent offSteve Clarke believes Scotland were unfortunate not to be awarded at least one penalty during their 1-0 defeat by Morocco. In separate incidents, John McGinn and Scott McTominay appealed vociferously for spot-kicks under challenges from Morocco players. McGinn later insisted the defender Neil El Aynaoui “took me out”.While Clarke steered well clear of castigating the match officials, he clearly felt the decisions were borderline and suggested Morocco’s Issa Diop could have been sent off early in the game. The deciding goal arrived after just 70 seconds, with Scotland spirited in the second half. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after passengers were flung across carriages during rush hour train collisionTwo trains collide near BedfordNine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.British Transport police chief constable, Lucy D’Orsi, announced that of the more than 80 people injured, 28 remain in hospital. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Trump hits back at Meloni after she said he 'completely made up' claim she 'begged' him for picture
Donald Trump has hit back at Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni after she accused him of making up a story that she begged him for a picture.

FlightAware Squawks
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United Airlines Boeing 777 Makes Emergency Landing in Houston
Overnight, it has emerged that a United Airlines Boeing 777 bound for Munich had to make an emergency landing in Houston with a major issue onboard.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Rousey and Paul taunt UFC over White House viewing figures
Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul taunt the UFC and Dana White for failing to break Most Valuable Promotions' MMA record audience figure with the White House event.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ghost of far-right paramilitaries hovers over Colombia’s presidential runoff vote
Colombians will choose on Sunday between two men whose lives have been very differently shaped by the militias, and whose visions for the country are poles apartWhoever wins Sunday’s presidential runoff vote in Colombia, the country’s next leader will have a personal history intertwined with one of the criminal forces at the heart of a decades-long armed conflict that claimed nearly half a million lives.The lives of Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella have, in very different ways, been shaped by their relationship with Colombia’s paramilitaries – private armies originally established by rightwing landowners, drug traffickers, businessmen, mining magnates and politicians to fight leftwing guerrilla groups. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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DC’s ‘renovated’ pool reflects the Trump administration’s dangerous hubris
When asked what his takeaways from the Iran war were, Trump said he believed there were no limits to his powerIt’s been a busy week for the US’s birthday boy. First, there was the cage fight on the White House lawn, in honour of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Donald Trump’s 80th. Then, after watching sweaty men fight, the president flew to France to try to sort out the mess he’d helped create in the Middle East. I regret to inform you that despite Trump signing what Jimmy Kimmel called “the retreaty of Versailles”, it does not really look like the Iran war has been sorted out. Still, the president seems happy with himself. After Axios asked what his takeaways from the Iran war were, Trump said he believes there are “no limits” to his power. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Once my tummy stopped shaking, I was absorbed by the scale, spectacle and wonder’: your Steven Spielberg film favourites
We’ve already listed our writers’ all-timers, now Guardian readers get their say on the seminal director’s best blockbustersET is my favourite Spielberg film. It was the first I ever saw at the cinema, when I was eight years old, at Bolton Odeon in 1982. It was also the first film that made me cry – not just cry, but sob all the way home on the bus. I remember feeling completely confused by the fact that I was so happy and yet so sad at the same time. I watched the film with my mum and some of her friends from the Gingerbread Club, a single parents’ organisation that arranged social events and outings, mainly for single mothers. At a time when there was still a stigma attached to being a single parent, it provided a sense of community and support. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Bright, glossy and rotund’ – the best supermarket strawberries, tasted and rated
We’re well into strawberry season now, but which punnets are the pick of the crop and which hit a sour note?• The best supermarket strawberry jams, tasted and ratedBack in 1994, I used to pick strawberries in Dorset to earn extra pocket money. It was gruelling but delicious work. We’d shuffle on our hands and knees down furrowed rows of plants, picking those beautiful, fat red berries and trying not to eat too many along the way. We were paid by the punnet, which at my picking speed amounted to less than £1 an hour, unlike the impressively fast seasonal workers who came to our village every summer.I scored the strawberries below on sweetness first, using a Brix refractometer, which measures the sugar content of fruit and veg (each Brix point represents 1% sucrose in the juice by mass). Sweetness isn’t everything, however, and some of these berries had a lovely, complex, honeyed or floral flavour. Tartness is important, too, for bringing balance and a refreshing quality to the eating experience. As a general rule of thumb, go for fruit with a bright red body, fresh green leaves and a powerful but fresh aroma. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Israeli strikes kill at least 16 in southern Lebanon despite reports of renewed ceasefire
Outbreak of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has forced mediators to cancel US-Iran peace talks in SwitzerlandIsraeli strikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people, local authorities said on Saturday, despite reports of a renewed ceasefire aiming to end persistent violence that threatens the new agreement between the US and Iran.Lebanon’s civil defence agency said its personnel transported “16 dead and 12 wounded” to hospital, adding that they had been working “since the early morning hours” in the Nabatieh district in response to “ongoing attacks targeting the area”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Key Trump allies and Musk on leaked list for secretive Peter Thiel retreat
Figures including Jared Kushner and Scott Bessent named in directory of Dialog participants that was exposed onlineA website leak has exposed participants in the secretive, Peter Thiel-founded Dialog retreats which includes top politicians from across the American divide, officials from foreign countries, other titans of the tech industry world and prominent media figures.The annual Dialog retreats, which have been compared to other quasi-secret elite conferences like the Bilderberg Group and Bohemian Grove since they began in 2006, have had some participants revealed in previous media reports. Fairly little is known about the invitation-only event, which is usually held at luxury establishments around the world and features organized discussions on global affairs. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Israeli attack kills famed turtle sanctuary ecologist in Lebanon
Mona Khalil led decades-long effort to protect nesting site for turtles near her home in south of the countryThe Lebanese marine activist Mona Khalil, who became a beloved figure in the country for a decades-long effort to protect a nesting site for turtles near her home, has died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike.Khalil, 76, ran a sanctuary called the Orange House Project near the Mediterranean city of Tyre. She hosted volunteers in her house to clean and monitor a mile-long beach and welcomed tourists to stay and learn about conservation. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Like a bomb had gone off’: suspected arson attack fuels Glastonbury unease
Arrests after explosion and caravan fires heighten controversy over number of people living in vehiclesJan Johnston was tucked up in the van she calls home when she was rocked by the explosion. “I heard this massive boom,” she said. “I came out and there was thick, black, billowing smoke. It was like a bomb had gone off.”It turned out not to be a bomb, but a suspected arson attack on one of the many caravans, motorhomes and converted vehicles tucked away in side roads and industrial estates around the town of Glastonbury in Somerset. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after passengers were flung across carriages during rush hour train collisionTwo trains collide near BedfordNine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.British Transport police chief constable, Lucy D’Orsi, announced that of the 89 people injured, 28 remain in hospital. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham's Britain: six days in the place that just changed our politics – video
Andy Burnham is closing in on Downing Street after a big win in the Makerfield byelection. John Harris and John Domokos take a deep dive into a place where people's lives back up Burnham's insistence that we're living in an economy and society that need radical change – but they also find an infectious spirit of optimism Continue reading...

Mail Online
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All the king's horses! Moment of agony for despairing Charles and Queen Camilla as his entry is beaten into second place at Royal Ascot
A video of the excited royal couple cheering on one of their beloved horses - Warrant Holder, ridden by William Buick - has been circulating online.

Mail Online
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Florence Pugh cosies up to Andy Samberg as they film new science-fiction romantic comedy 42.6 Years in Brooklyn
The actress, 30, put on a cosy display with Andy Samberg as filming got under way for the new film, 42.6 years, in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Mail Online
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Scary moment volunteer is swallowed up by giant World Cup flag after tripping in pre-game ceremony
A World Cup volunteer found himself trapped in a giant banner ahead of the pre-game ceremony for Czechia's game against South Korea earlier in the tournament.

Mail Online
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I lost 50lb without jabs using this easy but overlooked method. But I still felt dowdy - until I discovered these expert anti-ageing fashion and beauty tips. Every woman can look 10 years younger if she knows these secrets
NHS worker and mum-of-three Rebecca O'Brien, 42, may be time poor, but after working hard to lose weight she's determined to give her new figure a new look...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day five – live
Latest updates from Saturday’s race cardGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tony4.20 JERSEY STAKES previewThe familiar big field for the Jersey, and the familiar mix too of lightly-raced types that were not ready for the early Classics, and others dropping back in trip after finishing down the field in a Guineas. Saber Strike, the favourite, is very much in the former category, and arrives unbeaten after comfortable wins in both of his starts to date. Into The Sky (fourth), Thesecretadversary (fifth) and Avicenna (14th and last) were all in the line-up for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May, while The Prettiest Star was fourth home in the 1,000 Guineas the following day. Colori Forever, meanwhile, is stepping up from handicaps, but deserves his chance in this grade after a decisive success over track and trip last month. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Nine people in critical condition after Bedford train crash kills driver
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after passengers were flung across carriages during rush hour train collisionTwo trains collide near BedfordNine people are in a critical condition after the Bedford train crash that killed the driver of one of the trains, police have confirmed.British Transport police chief constable Lucy D’Orsi announced that of the 89 people injured, 28 remain in hospital. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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Today's World Cup 2026 matches: kickoff times for Netherlands vs Sweden, Germany vs Ivory Coast, and more

TechRadar News
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ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories, from Commodore flip-phone nostalgia to Tim Cook's Apple price-hike warning

TechRadar News
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‘We have to make eSIMs as simple as possible’: Saily says removing friction is the next big battle for democratizing travel eSIMs

TechRadar News
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Consider yourself a Star Wars fan? Challenge your knowledge of the force with this galactic trivia quiz

Digital Trends
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OpenAI wants an all-knowing personal AI agent for everyone on Earth
OpenAI is framing personal AGI as the mass-market endpoint of its AI race, but it still has to explain price, access, safeguards, and how an all-knowing assistant would work for everyone.

Slashdot
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Student Loan Borrowers Will Get Interest Rate Cut If They Sign Up For Auto Pay
An anonymous reader quotes a report from NPR: Student loan borrowers who enroll in automatic payments will get a much bigger discount on interest starting July 1, the U.S. Department of Education says. Auto pay has long offered a modest discount off borrowers' interest rate -- .25 percentage points -- but after millions of borrowers opted out during the long COVID repayment pause, with some making no payments for years, the nation's student debt portfolio swelled to $1.7 trillion. On Thursday, the department said it will temporarily increase its auto pay interest rate discount to one full percentage point. Practically, that means an undergraduate borrower with a loan at the current 6.39% would see their interest rate drop temporarily to 5.39%. The rate cut will last for two years, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Borrowers already enrolled in auto pay do not need to act. They will automatically receive the rate cut. [...] The department says borrowers will have until Sept. 30 to sign up for auto pay and qualify for the two-year interest discount.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
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Nine fight for life after Bedford train crash that killed driver and injured 99 while fury grows at Britain's ageing railway network as technical faults are blamed 
Passengers suffered broken bones and were left 'spitting out blood' when a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a stationary East Midlands Railway train on Friday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Talk of Starmer staying on to fight is fading - fast
After Andy Burnham’s by-election victory, support for the prime minister is evaporating, writes Laura Kuenssberg.

Deutsche Welle
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Israel's new clashes with Hezbollah loom over US-Iran deal
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel rages on despite earlier proclamations of a truce in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly traveling to Switzerland for peace talks. DW has more.

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day five – live
Latest updates from Saturday’s race cardGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tony3.40 QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE STAKES previewJoliestar, who hails from Chris Waller’s yard in Australia, is one of the key international challengers at this year’s Royal Ascot and has won two Group Ones already this season, the most recent being the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in early April (with Overpass, third home in Tuesday’s King Charles III Stakes, back in fourth). Waller, who won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2022 with Nature Strip, enjoyed his first Ascot experience so much that he has been back to attend every day at the meeting since as a spectator and Joliestar looks a sure-fire favourite. She has a single-figure draw, though, while Satono Reve, the second favourite, is in stall 18 and is also just 1lb behind Joliestar on Timeform’s ratings. The Japanese star was a half-length second in this race behind Lazzat 12 months ago, and arguably unlucky not to get closer still to the winner having raced away from the main action. He was second behind the phenomenal Ka Ying Rising at Sha Ting in April and will be the focus of Japanese hopes for a first ever Royal Ascot success. He has some back-up, though, as Haruki Sugiyama’s Lugal, who finished a neck second in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, is also in the field, while other runners in with a shout include Lake Forest, a former Gimcrack winner at York. He carries the blue-and-white colours of Tony Bloom, successful board Venetian Sun in the Commonwealth Cup here on Friday, though his chance could be compromised by a draw in stall one.2:30- Fanshell Beach 16/1 from 25/1 (35% swing)3:05- Best Secret 11/2 from 8/1 (28% swing)4:20- Colori Fever 17/2 from 12/1 (27% swing)6:10- Maxi King 16/1 from 22/1 (26% swing)5:35- Lost Boys 3/1 from 4/1 (20% swing) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ralph Lauren bridges generations with menswear tie-up in Milan
Designer turns to the accessory that launched his empire as he invokes the golden age of Italian sportFor his second standalone menswear show in Milan, Ralph Lauren reverted to the accessory that launched his empire in 1967 – ties.Skinny silk ties featuring subtle swirly prints were neatly knotted and used as the finishing touch to elegant pinstripe suits, while more brightly printed or striped cravats were whirled and worn like ties peeking out from under knitwear and rugby shirts. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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The Brits Should Declare Their Independence, Too
The Brits Should Declare Their Independence, Too

Authored by J.B. Shurk via American Thinker,

British tyranny is globalism, and globalism must be destroyed.



British tyranny is so repulsive that the British people owe it to themselves to overthrow their government masters.  It has been two-hundred-fifty years since America’s Declaration of Independence recognized the Crown system as a threat to Americans’ lives and liberties.  English-speaking peoples still suffering under the British yoke should follow suit.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a near-total ban on social media for children under sixteen years old.  Ten of the most popular social media platforms are now age-restricted, with the toxic-leftist Bluesky platform a notable exception.  The government claims to be “protecting children” from online harm.  That’s a lie.  If the British government cared about protecting British children, government ministers and police forces would not have covered up Islamic rape gangs targeting children for three-plus decades.  The British government would not censor online reporting of foreigners murdering young Brits.  The British government has systematically chosen to sacrifice the United Kingdom’s children.

This online “safety” measure must be understood, then, as a ruse meant to expand the government’s control over online information.  Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have similar surveillance systems in place — all ostensibly erected to “protect the children” but designed, in reality, to control the speech of citizens.  In these countries, the only way to communicate with other citizens on social media platforms is to prove your age by proving your identity.  Mandatory digital identification systems are disguised as child welfare checks.  The Brits and their Commonwealth vassals have built a surveillance system to monitor citizens’ thoughts, censor unapproved speech, and promote official propaganda.

Tyrant Starmer is pushing this online surveillance infrastructure while citizens in the U.K. are protesting and rioting against the British government’s murderous mass immigration policies — which have invited foreign rapists and killers to overrun the kingdom and slaughter citizens.

Third-world barbarism is exploding across Europe.  Official Eurostat numbers show that sexual violence offenses in the European Union have doubled over the last decade.  Rapes skyrocketed 150%.  Knife crimes and murders are off the charts.  Foreign nationals who have immigrated into Europe are responsible for roughly fifty percent of violent crime.

Just as the unelected European Commission ruling the continent continues to cover up immigrant crimes and censor citizens’ online discussion of these ongoing threats, the British government is more concerned about punishing native Brits for noticing that they are under attack than repelling violent invaders from Britain’s shores.  (If Keir Starmer had been in Winston Churchill’s shoes during the Nazi Blitz, the British government would have surely helped the Germans cover up the bombings while blaming all the destruction on British citizens!)

Starmer’s government spies run a propaganda outfit that controls all public “narratives” regarding immigrant crime against native Brits.  The group of spies write and release misleading statements, presented as coming from the families of victims, that are designed to downplay rapes, murders, and other violent incidents.  While these spies use propaganda and censorship to cover up serious crimes committed by immigrants, they simultaneously engage in information warfare against British citizens by branding legitimate public concerns over safety as “disinformation,” “far-right racism,” “violence,” and “hate speech.”  This spy group in charge of monitoring and shaping the public’s thoughts has flagged “reading Shakespeare, Chaucer or Milton, or books documenting grooming gang scandals as potential indicators of far-Right susceptibility.”  The British spies — a veritable Gestapo fabricating public “truth” — plant media stories, steer online discussions, and deploy operatives to disrupt or direct public protests.

The British government claims the power to block “false information” that is “legal but harmful.”  On its website, the British government defines “extreme right-wing terrorist ideology” to include the belief that “‘Western culture’ is under threat from mass migration and a lack of integration by certain ethnic and cultural groups.”  British Technology Secretary Liz Kendall claims that it is “illegal” to promote “disorder” on social media.  Meanwhile, Starmer’s government tyrants are instructing journalists how to report immigrant attacks on British citizens.  These are the actions of dictators who do not care about “protecting the children.”

Surveying the daily violent crime by immigrants and the British government’s ongoing cover-ups, former Prime Minister Liz Truss says there is a government campaign to “undermine the family” and the “nation state.”  She says that forced diversity has corrupted the institutions and that government ministers suppress information and attack citizens while protecting barbarians.  She concludes that mass migration and government control over information are being used as weapons to destroy Western civilization.

For years, we Americans have watched the evils of globalism expand both at home and abroad in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of continental Europe.  Branded by its international supporters as some kind of final, utopian stage of human governance, globalism is just another Frankensteinian beast — created from all the worst parts of Marxist-communism, Leninism, Maoism, fascism, Nazism, authoritarianism, oligarchy, corporatism, elitism, and central bank hegemony.  Globalism is totalitarianism.  Its god is government, although it has created special liturgical rituals regarding an imaginary “climate change” apocalypse meant to scare the world’s peasants into accepting the supremacy of government authority and bureaucrats’ (globalism’s “priests”) centralized power over all economic transactions.

Globalist governments seek total control over the people, and every policy that globalist governments shove down our throats is meant to advance this goal of total control.  COVID was not a health emergency.  It was a government excuse to roll out digital identifications, mandatory pharmaceutical injections, “vaccine” passports capable of monitoring real-time citizen movements, and online censorship.  It was a government program meant to condition citizens to accept that government bureaucrats should be empowered with limitless authorities — including the discretion to regulate church services, close and bankrupt businesses, lockdown citizens in their homes, separate family members from dying loved ones, and quarantine citizens for non-compliance.  The “global warming/cooling/climate change/extreme weather” hobgoblin is a government-designed scare tactic identical to the COVID “emergency.”  The only difference is that the “global warming” fearmongers have been telling us that we have twelve years left to live for the last century, while the COVID fearmongers told us that we had twelve days to live unless we complied.  Manufacturing compliance was and remains globalist governments’ only strategic objective.

Globalism’s ruling elites lust for wealth, power, and total control over the public.  Their lust will never be sated.  They wish for a small collection of government and economic masters to subjugate as much of the planet’s population as possible as serfs.  Globalism is a conquering empire.  Its oligarchy of central bank popes, chosen political governors, corporate monarchs, and techno-fascist-brownshirt-bureaucrats are modern-day slavers and colonizers.  Instead of putting us in chains and whipping us when we “misbehave,” they put us in a lifetime of debt and prosecute us for expressing opinions contrary to official government orthodoxy.

Do you believe that marriage is an institution recognizing the sacred union between one man and one woman?  Do you believe that men and women are biologically different?  Do you believe that mass immigration is a threat to national security?  Do you believe “multiculturalism” and forced “diversity” destroy excellence, discount merit, and weaken the naturally salubrious bonds of common cultural heritage?  Do you believe that every human has a God-given right to self-defense?  Do you believe that Christians should remain faithful to their beliefs in both their public and private lives?  If so, globalist governments see you as an “extremist,” “right-winger,” “religious fanatic,” “terrorist,” and “enemy of the State.”  Your thoughts will be condemned.  Your speech will be censored.  You will be fined and prosecuted.  You will go to prison for your beliefs.

The best way for Americans to fight encroaching globalism over here is to support British patriots in their fight against globalism over there.  As Benjamin Franklin persuasively argued, “We must all hang together, or we shall all hang separately.”

Tyler Durden
Sat, 06/20/2026 - 07:00

BBC World News
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Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement
Several people are reported killed in southern Lebanon, with the IDF saying it hit "Hezbollah terrorist targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces.

ZDNet News
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I made 7 changes to my Android Auto setup for better functionality when I'm driving
You can customize Android Auto to make it more tailored to your ideal driving experience - all in just minutes.

Wired Top Stories
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16 Best Greens Powders (2026): Taste-Tested for Months
I did the research and taste-testing to find the best greens powders worth your money. Bloom Nutrition’s Superfood Greens Powder is my tried-and-true pick.

Wired Top Stories
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I Found 29 Early Prime Day Deals That Are Worth Shopping Now (2026)
We’ve trawled the depths of Amazon to find the best deals on gear we’ve tested.

Wired Top Stories
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Home Batteries: How They're Installed and How Much They Cost
After adding one to my home, here's why you might want a home battery, how they work, and what to look for, plus some installation tips.

CNET News
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Best Apple HomeKit and Siri Devices to Buy in 2026
As Apple prepares for Siri AI and new Apple Home capabilities, it's never been a better time to buy a compatible device.

CNET News
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Don't Buy an Expensive DLP Projector. This Cheaper, Portable Model Is Just as Good
TV manufacturers may have had mixed success with projectors, but this Hisense M2 Pro makes it work.

Deutsche Welle
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Israel's new clashes with Hezbollah loom over US-Iran deal
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel rages on despite earlier proclamations of a truce in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly traveling to Switzerland for peace talks. DW has more.

Russia Today News
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Arsongate’s missing piece: Before you blame Russia, read this

Mail Online
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BEL MOONEY: I've been inundated with stories about this cruel dating trick after sex among the over-50s. This is what you MUST know to protect yourself if you're looking for love in middle-age
Having hit the grand old age of 59, and still single, I'm beginning to wonder if it's me. BEL MOONEY responds...

Mail Online
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REVEALED: The inheritance tax loophole that's so generous experts warn Rachel Reeves could close it
Wealth planners and financial advisers report their phones are ringing off the hook with families desperate for answers to one question. How can we protect ourselves from new inheritance tax rules?

The Guardian (UK)
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Manchester City close to financial settlement with Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca
Chelsea demand compensation for former coachWest London club insist Italian breached contractManchester City are close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that will enable them to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager.Chelsea are demanding compensation from City to release Maresca as they believe they have evidence that the Italian breached his contract at Stamford Bridge by talking to the club’s Premier League rivals when he was still their manager last season. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day five – live
Latest updates from Saturday’s race cardGet in touch! Share your thoughts with TonyBacio verdict the right oneWe’re still a couple of hours away from the arrival of the royal procession at the top of the straight, so there’s time to catch up with the drama here yesterday evening after Bacio, the easy 3-1 winner of the five-furlong Palace of Holyrood House Handicap with Juan Hernandez holding the reins, was confirmed as the winner despite an objection from the clerk of the scales that Hernandez had weighed in light. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland rue ‘50/50’ penalty calls in defeat: ‘Morocco got away with one there’
McGinn and McTominay involved in strong appealsClarke questions if Diop should have been sent offSteve Clarke believes Scotland were unfortunate not to be awarded at least one penalty during their 1-0 defeat to Morocco. In separate incidents, John McGinn and Scott McTominay appealed vociferously for spot-kicks under challenges from Moroccan players. McGinn later insisted a Morocco defender Neil El Aynaoui “took me out”.While Clarke steered well clear of castigating the match officials, he clearly felt the decisions were borderline and suggested Morocco’s Issa Diop could have been red carded early in the game. The deciding goal arrived after just 70 seconds, with Scotland spirited in the second half. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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A viral doomsday scenario aims to shake Europe out of its AI complacency
Does a thought-experiment about US ascendancy in the technology say as much about AI jitters as it does about the reality?It’s 2031 and the US and China are about to tear Europe into pieces.The US ploughed vast sums into datacentres and the EU did not. China built robots and Europe did not. American companies “restructured” their workflows around AI and fired people, while EU workers went on long lunch breaks and handed over administrative tasks to the AI model Claude. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Steve Rosenberg: Moscow oil refinery attack brings Russia's war with Ukraine closer to home
There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.

Mail Online
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Ronaldinho returns! Brazil icon, 46, signs for third-tier Italian club 11 YEARS after retirement - but won't be lacing up his boots as unique role with the team is revealed
Ronaldinho has made a stunning return to football by signing for third-tier Italian club Ravenna - but the 46-year-old Brazil icon will not be lacing up his boots once again.

Mail Online
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My 13-year-old asked, 'Are you my mum or my sister?': STACE DON hoped her incestuous family secret could stay hidden. Now she reveals her pride in her daughter who refuses to be ashamed
Kadie Don, from Oldham, clearly remembers the shocking moment her mother explained she had become pregnant by her own father, and that she was the child from that pregnancy.

Mail Online
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Russia will abandon rules of war says Putin deputy raising nuclear strike fears after Ukraine humiliated Moscow with devastating oil refinery attack
Suggesting the Kremlin's conflict could become more brutal, Dmitry Medvedev (left) said: 'It is time to openly declare that there are no longer, nor can there be, any rules regarding neo-Nazi Kyiv.'

Mail Online
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The six swimwear rules every woman with a bigger bust should know
There are fewer swimwear options for women with a fuller bust than there should be. But panic not. If you want to invest in something new the good news is there are some great options out there.

Mail Online
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Jeremy Clarkson's health woes: the TV star's 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis is just one of several medical emergencies he has faced over the years
Jeremy Clarkson's prostate cancer diagnosis is another serious health scare for the former Top Gear and Grand Tour host, who has faced several medical emergencies over the years.

Mail Online
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Survivor's fury at ageing railway network as technical faults are blamed for Bedford train crash that killed driver and seriously injured 33
Passengers suffered broken bones and were left 'spitting out blood' when a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a stationary East Midlands Railway train on Friday.

Mail Online
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Richard Hammond is pictured with his mystery girlfriend for the first time - as he starts new life after divorcing ex-wife Mindy
The former Top Grear presenter was seen walking along with the mystery woman near his new home in Abergavenny following his divorce from former wife Mindy.

Mail Online
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Frozen in time in Everest's death zone: Mission to bring home 'Green Boots' climber who was left to die near summit decades ago - then became a macabre landmark
High above the clouds, at almost 30,000ft, in the thin air of the mountain's notorious 'death zone', lies the body of a man whose identity remains disputed nearly three decades after his passing.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘You don’t have to go to special places to find beauty’: Takeshi Aruga’s best phone picture
The furniture designer turned photographer was drawn to the colourful geometry of a multistorey car park in JapanTakeshi Aruga was en route from hospital back to his home in Okegawa, Japan, when he took this photograph. He’d had a consultation with a dermatologist, and while his house was a couple of miles away, good weather encouraged him to walk. Along the way, he passed PAPA Ageo, a sizeable shopping centre popular with locals. This blue sign board outside the multistorey car park caught his eye.“On the side visible to drivers coming down, it usually displays a message like ‘Thank you for visiting’ along with directions for turning left or right to avoid traffic congestion,” Aruga says. “Just behind is a red box, likely for a fire extinguisher.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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You may not sympathise with the Elbit four’s methods. But you should be outraged by their treatment under the law | Geoffrey Robertson
The jurors who found the pro-Palestine activists guilty of criminal damage had no idea their verdict would be treated as a verdict on terrorismGeoffrey Robertson KC is founding head of Doughty Street ChambersIn a London court in 1670, a judge, livid with the jury, locked them away for two days without food, water or even a chamber pot. The jury’s offence? Defying the judge’s direction to convict the Quaker William Penn – the future founder of Pennsylvania – charged with preaching sedition in the City of London. The foreman, Edward Bushell, would not yield and, when the matter reached the chief justice of England, he ruled that no juror could be punished for their refusal to convict, entitling a jury to decide according to its conscience, whatever the bench directed. A plaque honours Bushell at the Old Bailey, so jurors on their way inside may contemplate the man who secured their right to acquit.The legal principle has held for three and a half centuries and, in my 50 years of practice, I have witnessed many juries bring back “sympathy verdicts”, that is, acquittals, because they think a defendant has been oppressively or unfairly prosecuted. But they are not usually reminded by barristers of their right to do so because of the profession’s concern that they should not be urging juries to lay aside the oath they took to decide according to the evidence. A version of this article was originally published in The Key magazineGeoffrey Robertson KC is founding head of Doughty Street Chambers and his latest book is World of War Crimes – Eyeless in Gaza and Beyond Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Social media bans are trending. But it’s too late for my son and me | Dave Schilling
We’re both addicted to our screens. But at least we’re watching together – it’s dystopian bonding for the modern ageTry as I might, I think there’s no saving my son from modern technology. It’s ubiquitous, seductive and deeply ingrained in every aspect of middle-class life. Worse yet, I’m also addicted. When do I not have my iPhone out, desperately scrolling through a suite of apps, hoping they’ll offer me some manner of comfort from the security of my living room couch? Hours go by as I’m practically begging someone to notice me on Instagram, while he’s skipping from brainrot videos to basketball tutorials on our internet-connected TV. Ten years ago, I might have witnessed a scene like that and thought it was a sign of the end times. We’ve lost our way so much as a culture that a parent and a child can be simultaneously subsumed by screens, barely noticing the other person. But at some point, everyone realizes that the battle is lost. This is just how it is.In spite of that grim diagnosis, Keir Starmer – who turned snatching defeat from the jaws of victory his personal brand – has made this losing battle a signature issue. This week, the British prime minister announced a comprehensive ban on social media for children under the age of 16. That includes Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Snapchat and YouTube (though not the kids’ version). The ban is modeled on one currently deployed in Australia, which has holes wide enough to drive a fleet of vintage Sherman tanks through. Teenagers in Australia are finding ways around their ban already, and of course they are. When I was 15, if I wanted a six-pack of Budweiser or some of those tiny airplane liquor bottles, I could figure it out.Dave Schilling is a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist Continue reading...

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A viral doomsday scenario aims to shake Europe out of its AI complacency
A speculative thought-experiment warns the continent could pay a heavy price for lagging behind the USIt’s 2031 and the US and China are about to tear Europe into pieces.The US ploughed vast sums into datacentres and the EU did not. China built robots and Europe did not. American companies “restructured” their workflows around AI and fired people, while EU workers went on long lunch breaks and handed over administrative tasks to the AI model Claude. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Skeleton of the world’s rarest marine mammal preserved by digital imaging
The reconstruction of the vaquita, whose numbers barely reach double figures in the wild, is designed to help research and conservation effortsScientists have created a digital reconstruction of the world’s most endangered marine mammal, preserving its anatomy in three dimensions to aid research and conservation efforts as the species teeters on the brink of extinction.The project digitised the skeleton of a female vaquita, a small porpoise found only in Mexico’s northern Gulf of California, using a combination of medical imaging, ultra-high-resolution micro CT scans and photography. Continue reading...

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Lloyds Banking Group to hire 300 tech experts to work on AI
Exclusive: While recruits will increase headcount for now, broader adoption of AI could lead to jobs cuts in futureLloyds Banking Group has launched an AI recruitment drive for 300 tech experts, weeks before its chief executive, Charlie Nunn, unveils a strategic plan for the 261-year old lender.The bank said it intended the recruits to work on its use and development of agentic AI by September, referring to autonomous artificial intelligence models that can plan and execute tasks with minimal human oversight. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ten years on, has the Brexit vote helped or hindered the EU?
Some said Britain’s departure would bring down the union, but countries are still queueing to joinOn the night of 23 June 2016, a storm broke out over Brussels. Rain poured and lightning flashed over the European Union headquarters. The next day dawned grey and calm, but the political weather was raging. Britain had voted to leave the EU.Nigel Farage, then leader of the UK Independence party (Ukip), declared the EU “finished” and “dead”. France’s Marine Le Pen, the Netherlands’ Geert Wilders and Italy’s Matteo Salvini were among the far-right leaders who called for their countries to have a referendum. Continue reading...

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‘How do I deal with my rage? I put it in everything I do’: Killing Eve’s Sandra Oh on fury, friendship and hitting her prime in midlife
It took a long time for the actor to find her groove – then the smash TV spy thriller changed everything. She talks about getting advice from A-listers, speaking her mind, and why she’s switching to theatreSandra Oh bursts into a back room at the National Theatre in London with wayward post-rehearsal energy. The 54-year-old, long one of the most stylish actors in Hollywood, is in brown linen, a herringbone jacket and hat and sunglasses, which she removes before collapsing into a chair and throwing her head forward, arms outstretched, hair splayed across the table. “It’s just the fucking process of it,” she groans. “We just finished our first stagger-through, which if anyone is an actor – it’s early days, so the fact we made it through was great. It’s brutal. We started in the Lyttelton, and it’s interesting to be in that space and to hear verse. You can really hear it. It’s not just about volume or speed. It’s not even solely about intention. You learn so much just being in that space, but the big thing is – sorry.” She catches herself. “I’m just marching on.” And she bellows with laughter.Oh has been in London for just over a month rehearsing her role as Alice in a modern reimagining of Molière’s Le Misanthrope. It’s a happy return; eight years ago, she was in the capital to film the first of four series of the hit show Killing Eve, which became a phenomenon and changed her life as an actor for ever. Oh played Eve Polastri, the shambolic but brilliant British intelligence agent, who, along with Jodi Comer’s Villanelle, made for one of the best spy capers of recent years. Now, she is playing a novelist – gender-flipped from the 17th-century original, in an adaptation by Martin Crimp – who is fed up with the flattery and dishonesty of the people around her. It’s a deliberate pivot to theatre; last summer, she appeared as Olivia in a starry production of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, New York. In the autumn, she made her debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in a production of Donizetti’s comic opera La Fille du Régiment. Unlike the sometimes fraught me-me-meism of screen work, says Oh, working in theatre in general and at the National in particular “is a collaborative thing” – not least, she adds drily, because no one does it for the money. “Everyone has to bring their best and most open selves. And everyone else loves watching everyone succeed.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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David Raya: ‘When you lose a Champions League final it destroys you inside’
The goalkeeper discusses being bullied by 35-year-olds in the English fifth tier, winning the Premier League and competition in the Spain squad“No, no, there’s someone else,” David Raya says, leaping out of his chair at Spain’s training camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, pulling his phone from the wash bag sitting on the floor and starting to scroll. Ah, look, here it is,” he says eventually, reading from the screen: “‘… the goalkeeper, who played in yesterday’s match, was at Southport on loan from Oxford United…’ Yeah, Max Crocombe. I think that is right”And so then there were four, another name to add to the list. Peter Withe, Stan Mortensen, him, and now New Zealand’s No 1: the men who played for Southport and went to a World Cup. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Four in hospital after bare-chested man with weapon roams around Edinburgh
A man was seen battering the door of a pizzeria as members of the public run away on Friday night.

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’, says Labour peer as pressure grows on PM to step aside for Burnham – UK politics live
Peer and former cabinet minister Charlie Falconer says PM could have ‘at most weeks to go’Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exitA losing streak? Makerfield shows mounting dangers for Nigel FarageFrom Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m gift, the Reform leader faces challenges on several fronts, writes senior political correspondent Peter Walker.As those around Nigel Farage are fond of pointing out, Reform UK has now led in more than 300 consecutive national polls. When it comes to byelections, though, it is fair to say the party’s results are more mixed.Yes, Robert Kenyon came second in Makerfield to a popular regional mayor backed by a Labour campaign so relentless that the main risk was annoying voters by knocking too often on their doors. Kenyon also increased his and Reform’s share of the vote from the 2024 general election. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Pakistan: Roadside bombs kill 7 in northwest
A police officer said twin blasts in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were triggered remotely. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

TechRadar News
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Your Samsung Galaxy phone has a hidden Wi-Fi menu that lets you check for dead zones around your home — here's how to find it

TechRadar News
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‘We’re not just building AI - we are really building and leading the way’: Google Cloud VP explains why everyone from big businesses to start-ups can benefit from the AI age

TechRadar News
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‘We need to think big, that’s why we are here’: I asked Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali about the future of AI in the sport — here's what he told me

TechRadar News
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Apple has fixed a security flaw in Beats Studio Buds which let hackers spy on conversations

TechRadar News
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How to watch Northampton vs Exeter: Free Streams, TV Channels & Preview for Gallagher PREM Final 2026

Digital Trends
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VocabOwl is the viral vocabulary test making word nerds question everything
VocabOwl’s viral vocabulary test turns 100 multiple-choice questions into a shareable estimate of your English word knowledge, but the clever scoring system still leaves room for guessing and uncertainty.

Mail Online
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Harry Styles halts his Wembley show mid-song to tend to a distressed concert-goer as fans praise him for 'being so caring'
Harry, 32, kicked off his 12-night run at Wembley last Friday for his Together, Together tour and videos of the moment have been going viral on social media.

Boing Boing
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Cyberdeck with punishingly minimal 30% keyboard
A cyberdeck is a homemade portable computer in the cyberpunk mold (utilitarian, DIY) and NickZero's Ultra Minimal Cyberdeck [instructables.com] is exemplary: just a single-board computer, a tiny keyboard (cf. my "Cormac" board, useful only for writing novels by Cormac McCarthy), a small screen, and a battery laced together inside a 3D-printed shell. — Read the rest
The post Cyberdeck with punishingly minimal 30% keyboard appeared first on Boing Boing.

Russia Today News
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Russia hails Poland’s move against ‘Nazi-worshipping’ Zelensky

Russia Today News
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X greenlights Israeli national security minister’s ‘burn Lebanon’ post

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day five – live
Latest updates from Saturday’s race cardGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tony3.05 HARDWICKE STAKES previewThis is officially a Group Two event but it is a Group One in all but name, with no fewer than five previous winners at the highest level among the dozen runners. That list includes Goliath, the King George winner over this track and trip in 2024; Ethical Diamond, the surprise winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf for Willie Mullins at Del Mar last November; and Jan Brueghel, a Classic winner in the St Leger in 2024 and also the winner of last season’s Coronation Cup at Epsom. The market is headed, though, by Andrew Balding’s Kalpana, a dual winner of the Group One race for fillies’ and mares over this trip on Champions Day in October and also the runner-up behind Calandagan – the top-rated horse on the planet last year – in the 2025 King George. She looked as good as ever, if not perhaps even better for another winter, when successful in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury in May and will take all the beating. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim 60th over: New Zealand 267-4 (Mitchell 37, Blundell 6) Blundell, who loves joining Mitchell to torment England, tucks Tongue for two and cover-drives for three, uppish but safe.“Good morning.” says John Starbuck. “I was wondering if James Rew, unfortunately drafted in a bit too soon, should change his name to Roux, seeing it’s been something of a mixture so far.” Ha. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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Everyday Robovac Champions—Roborock Qrevo S Pro & QV 35A Head to Head
Two robovacs worthy of your consideration this Prime Day.

BBC World News
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Moscow oil refinery attack brings Russia's war with Ukraine closer to home
There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.

Wired Top Stories
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Hackers Claim to Leak Stolen Madison Square Garden Data
Plus: Gay bars in San Francisco using face scanners, France quits Palantir, Apple plans to change its private email and more.

Wired Top Stories
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Siri AI Hands On: A Smart, Helpful Assistant
The new Siri AI is conversational, omnipresent, and actually helpful.

The Hill
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World Cup brings political issues to the surface: 5 takeaways
The first week of the FIFA World Cup has been underscored by tensions over geopolitics, U.S. immigration policy and dramatic group stage action that is priming viewers around the world for what promises to be an exciting knockout round later this month. The action-packed global spectacle, played on North American soil for the first time...

The Hill
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GOP bullish on political impact for Republicans of Trump MOU with Iran
Republicans are largely skeptical that President Trump's deal with Iran will deliver a geopolitical win, but they are bullish about its impact on the midterms, with gas prices already dropping. One national Republican operative described feeling “relief” after the agreement, pointing to positive reactions from markets. Oil prices have fallen to their lowest point since...

The Hill
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Trump's deal lifts oil sanctions on Iran, angering hawks
President Trump’s peace deal with Iran offers waivers on U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, one of multiple facets of the agreement that is angering Iran hawks, including some Trump allies. Critics worry that relaxing the sanctions bolsters the economy of a nation hostile toward America and gives away key leverage in the push to get...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Japanese pop group XG went from brutal five year training to global pop stars
The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

Mail Online
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My primary school-gate mum friend used cocaine as a 'treat'. It's having this terrible effect on her son that every woman tempted to dabble in drugs must know
Children often absorb what is made to seem normal around them, and I'd argue that there is no such thing as 'recreational' cocaine use

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim Justice for Jofra! And redemption for Harry Brook.58th over: New Zealand 261-3 (Nicholls 121, Mitchell 37) At the Vauxhall end, Root goes for experience in the form of Josh Tongue, who has played 11 Tests. He too starts strongly, finding bounce and movement. Henry Nicholls may have a hundred but he hasn’t got his eye in today, and he takes a blow or two to the fingers. But after having some treatment, he calmly dabs a single to get down the other end. He’s the Ollie Pope figure for NZ, the guy they’d already discarded, but they trusted him to replace Kane Williamson and he’s actually been (whisper it) an upgrade. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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As the US and China surge ahead, is Europe sleepwalking into AI disaster?
A burgeoning genre of fictional AI doomsday scenarios says lagging behind on the technology could threaten the continent’s sovereigntyIt’s 2031 and the US and China are about to tear Europe into pieces.The US ploughed vast sums into datacentres and the EU did not. China built robots and Europe did not. American companies “restructured” their workflows around AI and fired people, while EU workers went on long lunch breaks and handed over administrative tasks to the AI model Claude. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Long queues at Edinburgh Airport after suspicious items evacuation
The airport says it is working to resume services after the incident on Friday night, but there would be "knock-on impacts".

Mail Online
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Gemma Collins turns heads in a blue bikini as she flogs her clothes on Vinted for £10 after losing 3.5st and dropping from a size 26 to a size 20
The former TOWIE star, 45, has been incredibly open about her journey on Mounjaro weight loss jabs.

Mail Online
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Got nowhere better to be Harry? England World Cup reject Maguire sells packs of Panini stickers in New York after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad
The Manchester United centre-back, 33, was filmed speaking to fans from inside a Panini football van at the Rockefeller Centre yesterday.

Mail Online
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Emma Hayes and ITV face down critics of her 'sexist' kitchen chalkboard set and replace it with magnets!
Viewers had questioned why the USA women's boss was given a small chalkboard instead of a digital touchscreen to do her tactical analysis of England's win over Croatia.

Mail Online
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Is your dinner party an old-fashioned cliche? Here's are the 10 uncoolest things you can do according to young Brits
Hate the stress and pomp of a formal dinner party? You're not alone. Nearly two thirds of younger Brits think formal entertaining is 'outdated and stressful'.

Mail Online
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Pregnant Kelsey Parker reveals struggle ahead of Father's Day as it will be the first anniversary of her stillborn son Phoenix's death: 'I deeply miss my boy'
The influencer, 36, spoke of how Father's Day would be a difficult day as it marked a year since the devastating stillbirth of her son, Phoenix.

Mail Online
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'Act like grown-ups!': Streeting ally demands ex-health secretary takes part in talks with Starmer and Burnham over Labour's leadership crisis - but could he be bought off with a top job?
Jess Phillips, a former Home Office minister, called on the three men to 'act like grown-ups' amid the party's civil war over who should be prime minister.

Mail Online
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Fight breaks out at Lidl's first-ever pub on opening night as drinkers, security guards and police clash at closing time
The altercation began inside The Middle Ale in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, when a group of punters were 'politely asked to leave' after last orders on Thursday night.

The Guardian (UK)
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Christopher Harry on the dangers of seaside holidays – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim The players are out there. Joe Root is chatting to Matt Fisher, whose batting gave England a glimmer of hope yesterday morning. And the ball is with Jofra Archer, who will come gliding in from the pavilion end.England have also missed Ollie Pope. He was the odd-job man under Stokes, ready to take over as the captain or the keeper, and doing both jobs well enough to attract little comment. With hindsight, he would have been a better understudy for Jamie Smith here than poor James Rew. As would Jonny Bairstow. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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What lessons will Iran’s new leadership draw from the 110-day war?
Now fighting is over, the question is how Iran’s government will behave. Early clues point to more authoritarianism and prioritising relations with ChinaThe precise ideological lessons that Iran’s new leadership draws from the 110-day war may prove to be the overriding factor in determining whether negotiations with the US culminate in an agreement that verifiably prevents the country from developing a nuclear weapon – an outcome that could usher in a new era for the Iranian economy while also reshaping the Middle East.Does this rapidly assembled leadership team, forged in the fire of war, still represent an Islamic ideological crusade – a description coined by Henry Kissinger – or does the acceptance of the memorandum of understanding, in the words of JD Vance, denote a desire for pragmatism? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’, says Labour peer as pressure grows on PM to step aside for Burnham – UK politics live
Peer and former cabinet minister Charlie Falconer says PM could have ‘at most weeks to go’Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exitA pro-Starmer memo circulating among loyalist MPs shows the attack arguments the prime minister and his team would be likely to make in a leadership campaign.The memo, seen by the Guardian, says: “[Burnham] hasn’t faced any real scrutiny yet. A true contest would expose him to questions that he hasn’t ever before had to answer and likely see his support wane as a result.” Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Crocodile 'attacker's' carers were 30-feet behind him and on their phones before he 'threw three-year-old boy into enclosure'
The boy sustained critical injuries at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, following the incident Thursday lunchtime.

Mail Online
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The 'lame duck' in No10: Labour grandee tells Keir Starmer he has 'absolutely no authority' as now even loyalists desert the PM and urge him to make way for Andy Burnham
Sir Keir has repeatedly vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership and insisted he will not 'walk away'.

Mail Online
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I lost 50lb without jabs using this easy but overlooked method. But I still felt dowdy - until I discovered these expert anti-aging fashion and beauty tips. Every woman can look 10 years younger if she knows these secrets
NHS worker and mum-of-three Rebecca O'Brien, 42, may be time poor, but after working hard to lose weight she's determined to give her new figure a new look...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’, says Labour peer as pressure grows on PM to step aside for Burnham – UK politics live
Peer and former cabinet minister Charlie Falconer says PM could have ‘at most weeks to go’Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exitReform UK is examining whether sexist comments by its candidate in the Makerfield byelection may have harmed the party’s chances, after Nigel Farage accepted the result had disappointed him.The party’s examination of its defeat comes after Andy Burnham won 55% of the vote share in a poll that Reform hoped would be a tightly fought battle between the Labour leadership hopeful and its own candidate, Robert Kenyon, a local plumber. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Child attacked by crocodile critical two days on: Here's what we know so far
A 30-year-old man is bailed after a child ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a farm zoo.

BBC UK News
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Disruption expected after Edinburgh airport evacuation
The airport says it is working to resume services after the incident on Friday night, but there would be "knock-on impacts".

BBC UK News
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Bridge linking Wales and England partly reopens - but will shut again if it gets too hot
The bridge is an important link between communities on the Welsh and English sides of the border.

TechRadar News
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This easy-to-miss coupon code can get you a Galaxy S26 Ultra for its lowest-ever price — up to $950 off

TechRadar News
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The Polaroid Go Gen 3 is a palm-sized instant camera that produces lovely little prints — in the right conditions

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Child attacked by crocodile critical two days on: Here's everything we know so far
A 30-year-old man is bailed after a child ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a farm zoo.

Telegraph
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Royal Ascot tips: Our expert’s predictions for every race of the 2026 festival
Telegraph Sport’s lowdown on who to back during the five-day Royal meeting

Deutsche Welle
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Bolivia's Paz declares state of emergency over blockades
President Rodrigo Paz says he has declared the state of emergency "to free the country's roads." Blockades have become a major tactic in weeks of intensifying protests to demand that the president resign.

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Netherlands: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates from the match at the Rose BowlStart time in Southampton is 10.30am local/7.30pm AESTAny thoughts? Send Megan an emailThere’s a significant amount of orange in the crowd today – the Dutch will have some great support as they take on the formidable Australian team.A couple of changes for Australia, with Ash Gardner recovering from her ankle injury to return to the side, replacing Grace Harris, and Lucy Hamilton coming in for Megan Schutt. Continue reading...

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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim If you’d like some action right away, there’s a World Cup match just starting in Southampton. It’s another episode in a long-running series: David v Goliath. Do join Megan Maurice to see if Babette de Leede’s bowlers can rattle Australia’s big names.Morning everyone, or should that be hello darkness, my old friend? For England supporters of a certain age, this match has been a flashback to the Eighties. First the management picked the wrong response to Ben Stokes’ and Gus Atkinson’s big night out, suspending them when Harry Brook had merely been fined for a worse offence, perhaps because the ECB was afraid of looking weak. Then, just as fortune favours the brave, so misfortune homed in on the faint-hearted. Continue reading...

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Motorway traffic drones are coming to UK roads, but will they drive us to distraction?
National Highways agency uses virtual reality test to see if drivers are distracted by introduction of low-flying dronesI’m barrelling down the motorway at 70mph, swerving from lane to lane, with cars speeding past me. There’s just one problem, I don’t have a driving licence.Or at least it would be a problem were this a real road test. But despite the life-like surroundings, I am in fact trialling a complex simulation created by virtual reality company MXT on behalf of National Highways, the government-owned agency responsible for the UK’s major roads. Continue reading...

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Passenger of Bedford crash says 90% of people on his carriage were injured
Teacher Brett Byatt was onboard train during incident that killed driver and left 33 people seriously injuredTwo trains collide near BedfordA survivor of the Bedford train crash has told how bodies were flung across the carriages, leaving people with broken bones and deep wounds after the rush hour collision on Friday night.Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford, was onboard the East Midlands Railway (EMR) service that rammed into another slower travelling train resulting in a crash which killed the driver, left 89 with injuries and 33 needing urgent hospital treatment. Continue reading...

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Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’, says Labour peer as pressure grows on PM to step aside for Burnham – UK politics live
Peer and former cabinet minister Charlie Falconer says PM undermined because ‘everybody assumes’ Burnham will become PMCabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit‘Within 10 mins, he’d nicked it’: illustrator on his ubiquitous image of BurnhamWhen asked whether Starmer should compete in a leadership competition, Falconer said: “My advice, sadly, would be: don’t stand.“The reason it would be ‘don’t stand’ is because if you stand, it is likely there would then be a difficult leadership battle in which the two leadership candidates would try to undermine each other. Continue reading...

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Resident doctors to vote on government offer to end strikes
Resident doctors will vote on an offer that will see greater opportunities for career progression, better pay and improved working conditions.

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Flu hits US military base after vaccine mandate ends

Deutsche Welle
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Inequality is elementary to Germany's school system
Children's paths through Germany's school system are often determined before their first day of kindergarten, according to the national report on education. An elementary school in Bonn is offering a new model for kids.

Deutsche Welle
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India news: Hundreds attend 'Cockroach' party protest in New Delhi
The viral Cockroach Janta Party is escalating pressure on the government, citing exam irregularities and student suicides in its campaign against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. DW has more.

Deutsche Welle
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Bolivia's Paz declares state of emergency over blockades
President Rodrigo Paz has said he declares the state of emergency "to free the country's roads." Bolivia has faced weeks of intensifying protests and road blockades.

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Scientists Invent a Way to Brew Espresso With Ultrasonic Waves—No Hot Water Required
Researchers have demonstrated they can make coffee comparable to conventional espresso using ultrasonic waves. Because the process doesn’t need hot water, it consumes 75 percent less energy.

CNET News
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A Coffee Expert Explains Why Burr Grinders Are the Only Grinders Worth Buying
The single upgrade that transforms your home coffee the most? Your grinder. A coffee expert shared their go-to recommendation with me.

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Netherlands: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates from the match at the Rose BowlStart time in Southampton is 10.30am local/7.30pm AESTAny thoughts? Send Megan an emailA couple of changes for Australia, with Ash Gardner recovering from her ankle injury to return to the side, replacing Grace Harris, and Lucy Hamilton coming in for Megan Schutt.1. Heather Siegers Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day four – live
Updates from the fourth day’s play at the OvalGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Tim Morning everyone, or should that be hello darkness, my old friend? For England supporters of a certain age, this match has been a flashback to the Eighties. First the management picked the wrong response to Ben Stokes’ and Gus Atkinson’s big night out, suspending them when Harry Brook had merely been fined for a worse offence, perhaps because the ECB was afraid of looking weak. Then, just as fortune favours the brave, so misfortune homed in on the faint-hearted.England lost the Player of the Match from Lord’s, Ollie Robinson, to injury and their wicketkeeper, Jamie Smith, to the birth of his second child. Suddenly the team had no spine – no captain, no keeper, no new-ball pair. The selectors put their faith in what Micky Stewart, whose name is on the pavilion at the Oval, once called “a lot of inexperience”. Joe Root found himself not so much the stand-in captain as the babysitter. Continue reading...

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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s tears and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usOn this day in World Cup Euros history: 1976 – Antonin Panenka won the final for Czechoslovakia with the most famous penalty of all time. And 50 years on, he sat down with Gavin Newsham for a good long chat:Antonin Panenka laughs like a bear might, a low rumble, suggesting mischief among the memories. He is sat in an office at Bohemians football club in Prague, recounting the story of his impudent, revolutionary penalty that not only won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany but soured his relationship with the goalkeeper his spot-kick humiliated, Sepp Maier. “He went 35 years without uttering a single word to me,” he smiles.But the feud went much deeper. “I read some articles that he even had a shooting target in his garage with my face on it that he used to fire darts at. We get on well enough now though.”I’m not a fan of the hydration breaks that have been introduced at this World Cup, but they’re here for now and it is fascinating from a coaching perspective because the momentum has swung straight after several hydration breaks. That could suggest coach involvement has helped teams to tweak things.Turning the game into four quarters – it felt inevitable it was going to head in that direction, and I hope it doesn’t carry on going in that direction. I don’t like it, but let me also be clear – when it’s hot, you really need it, for health and safety. So put yourself in Fifa’s shoes. If you only have drinks breaks in the hot cities you could be accused of giving certain teams an advantage with a chance for a tactical discussion over, say, a team playing in Seattle, where it’s cooler. Imagine turning around and saying: “We’ll only have VAR in some of the stadiums, not all.” You’re either going to have it or you’re not going to have it. Continue reading...

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Passenger of Bedford crash says 90% of people on his carriage were injured
Teacher Brett Byatt was onboard train during incident that killed driver and left 33 people seriously injuredTwo trains collide near BedfordA survivor of the Bedford train crash has told how bodies were flung across the carriages, leaving people with broken bones and deep wounds after the rush hour collision on Friday night.Brett Byatt, a teacher from Bedford, was onboard the East Midlands railway (EMR) service which rammed into another slower travelling train resulting in a crash which killed the driver, left 89 with injuries and 33 needing urgent hospital treatment. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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What we know about Bedford train crash and how it is affecting travel
Two passenger trains collided, leaving a driver dead and dozens of passengers and crew hurt.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What we know so far about train collision and emergency response
Two passenger trains collided, leaving a driver dead and dozens of passengers and crew hurt.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Several reported killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon despite ceasefire
The IDF said it struck "Hezbollah terrorist targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

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Emily Blackwell kicks off her wedding festivities in Mallorca with cocktails alongside Made In Chelsea co-stars and husband Jordan Oldershaw ahead of their second ceremony
The reality star, 30, kicked off her multi-day wedding festivities on Friday night as she hosted a cocktail hour alongside her husband Jordan Oldershaw.

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Ashley Cain's axed documentary series is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer following his resurfaced misogynistic tweets as bosses say their vetting processes on the star 'clearly failed'
The Ex On The Beach star has come under fire after it emerged that he'd made social media posts calling women 's**gs', 's**ts' and 'psychos', on his X account, which has since been taken down.

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Jon Snow, 78, admits 'I thought I was dead' as he talks about his devastating Alzheimer's diagnosis: 'The creaking of what was left of the brain was outspinning the sound of my voice'
The presenter, 78, admits he thought he was dead following his devastating Alzheimer's diagnosis.

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Heatwave to hit 35C as amber warning for extreme heat is issued and experts predict SEVEN days of above-30 temperatures
The Met Office has put amber warnings in place across most of southern England, covering London, the east, the south-east, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales.

The Register
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EU won't force publishers to grant dead video games an afterlife
Stop Killing Games campaign suffers setback as European Commission favors industry code of conduct over legal obligation

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Nervy, optimist, die-hard: What sort of fan are you?
Take our World Cup quiz and discover your fan personality type.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Summer thunderstorms wreak havoc
Germany was lashed overnight by summer storms that caused flooding, injuries and evacuations. Lightning, high winds and heavy rain saw several people hospitalized. DW has the latest.

Sky News Home
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Speculation growing King could be reunited with grandchildren - as Sussexes offered royal rooms on UK visit
Speculation is mounting the King could be reunited with his grandchildren after a four-year hiatus - as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were offered royal accommodation for their UK visit.

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia v Netherlands: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – live
Updates from the match at the Rose BowlStart time in Southampton is 10.30am local/7.30pm AESTAny thoughts? Send Megan an emailIf you want to refresh your memory about Australia’s last game while we’re waiting for the toss, you can read this great report from the always excellent Geoff Lemon.Ellyse Perry will play her 5oth T20 World Cup match tonight, which is quite a milestone! She has played in all 10 T20 World Cups and has only missed two matches in that time – the semi final and final of the 2020 edition in Australia. Continue reading...

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From coal to cabernet: the wine seller using a flooded mine to cut heating bills
Lanchester Wines in north-east England uses heat from a disused coalmine to maintain wine temperatures and with 23,000 flooded mines in the UK, there’s huge potential for more businesses and homes to follow its leadShove them in a fridge, stash them in a cellar – this is how most people store their favourite bottles of wine. But if you have warehouses full of thousands of vintages, you have to think a little differently.For the last eight winters, Lanchester Wines has used heat from a disused coalmine to maintain ideal storage temperatures at its facilities in the north-east of England, helping to prevent freezing or spoilage. Continue reading...

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Frank Bowling: ‘Guiltiest pleasure? Sixteen-year-old whisky. My doctor says I shouldn’t’
The artist on his need for order, an embarrassing Christmas costume, and the people he hopes to meet in heavenBorn in British Guiana (now Guyana), Frank Bowling, 92, moved to the UK aged 19 and did national service in the RAF. In 1962, he graduated from the Royal College of Art with the silver medal for painting. He moved to New York in 1966, where he was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship, and exhibited his “map paintings” at the Whitney Museum in 1971. In 2005, he became the first black artist to be elected a Royal Academician, and Tate Britain staged a retrospective in 2019. His exhibition, Seeking the Sublime, is at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, until January 2027. He lives in London with his wife.When were you happiest?
Recently, as people began to understand what I am trying to do in my painting. Continue reading...

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Trump’s DC makeover frenzy bewilders locals and visitors: ‘It’s like we’re under occupation’
From East Wing demolition and ‘restoration’ of reflecting pool to bridge and fountain renovations, US capital is ‘a different city right now’On the edge of Lafayette Square, a landmark park near the White House, a scuffed sign proclaimed: “We are making DC safe and beautiful.”Julie, visiting Washington DC with her husband, Robert, to celebrate their recent marriage, was unconvinced. “The irony,” she said. “It’s neither safe, nor beautiful.” Continue reading...

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Granta stops publishing short story award winners over AI controversy
Literary magazine will no longer engage in ‘external publishing partnerships’ after Commonwealth prize furoreThe prominent literary magazine Granta will no longer publish the winning entries of the annual Commonwealth short story prize after one of this year’s winners drew widespread accusations of AI use.The magazine said it would no longer be involved in “external publishing partnerships” in which it had no editorial control. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s tears and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usOne of the biggest gripes about the World Cup so far has been the advert hydration breaks, but Emma Hayes, from a coach’s perspective, has a more mixed view:I’m not a fan of the hydration breaks that have been introduced at this World Cup, but they’re here for now and it is fascinating from a coaching perspective because the momentum has swung straight after several hydration breaks. That could suggest coach involvement has helped teams to tweak things.Turning the game into four quarters – it felt inevitable it was going to head in that direction, and I hope it doesn’t carry on going in that direction. I don’t like it, but let me also be clear – when it’s hot, you really need it, for health and safety. So put yourself in Fifa’s shoes. If you only have drinks breaks in the hot cities you could be accused of giving certain teams an advantage with a chance for a tactical discussion over, say, a team playing in Seattle, where it’s cooler. Imagine turning around and saying: “We’ll only have VAR in some of the stadiums, not all.” You’re either going to have it or you’re not going to have it. Continue reading...

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Several reported killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon despite ceasefire
The IDF said it struck "Hezbollah targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

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Switzerland to stop protecting military-aged Ukrainians

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Why are pizzas round and pizza slices triangle-shaped? The kids’ quiz
Five multiple-choice questions – set by children – to test your knowledge, and a chance to submit your own junior brainteasers for future quizzes​Submit a questionMolly Oldfield hosts Everything Under the Sun, a podcast answering children’s questions. Do check out her books, Everything Under the Sun and Everything Under the Sun: Quiz Book, as well as her new title, Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World. Continue reading...

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USA go supersonic in Seattle and Morocco squeeze past Scotland | World Cup Daily
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen, Seb Hutchinson, Jack Snape, Alex Abnos and Ewan Murray as the USA progress to the round of 32 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s tears and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usHaving just watched the highlights of Paraguay v Turkey, would it be fair to describe it as a minor classic of its type? A spicy, high-tempo tear-up full of Scenes That Everyone No One Likes To See – and who doesn’t love a heroic defensive rearguard against relentless attacking (apart from fans of the losing team)? And the sending-off looked fair to be honest. That rule was brought in for a reason, whatever was said in this instance.It’s been a star striker’s tournament so far – aside from the immobile slab of monetised wax playing at No 7 for Portugal – and that’s reflected in the big names already nestled in Golden Boot top 10. Here’s the current hit parade: Continue reading...

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EastEnders' Toby-Alexander Smith details his battle with postnatal depression and the challenge of welcoming second child with Emmerdale star wife Amy Walsh
Toby-Alexander Smith has opened up about suffering from postnatal depression and wanting to be a role model for his two daughters amid his fears of the manosphere.

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Channel 4 borrowing plea to get government backing amid TV ad market decline | Mark Kleinman blog

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'It’s no longer enough for an app to tell you what to do. People want to know why': Fitness app Fitbod's founder on the reason behind the AI fitness boom

Digital Trends
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Radiant Monitor 2 takes a sunlit approach to solve the glare and power problem
Eazeye’s Radiant Monitor 2 is a $789 portable touchscreen monitor that uses ambient light for outdoor visibility and lower power consumption

Digital Trends
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Sony’s wild PSN login patent could turn the DualSense into a security gatekeeper
Sony's PSN login patent could make a DualSense part of the account access flow, but the bigger security test may still be PlayStation's account recovery process.

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The Fed is forcing Wall Street to do the heavy lifting. Use these benchmarks to find your footing.
Fed watching is looking very different now. Two charts can help you in the Warsh era.

BBC UK News
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Man mistakenly prescribed morphine died two days later from overdose
The man's widow said the incorrect prescription was like "a loaded gun".

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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A fox, a gannet and an intergalactic space warrior - why UK election candidates dress up
Candidates like Count Binface are motivated to run for different reasons, but their role in politics is a longstanding tradition.

Mail Online
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My father became a monster when he drank, so for years I was teetotal. But when I finally started drinking I realised this truth that everyone concerned about their alcohol consumption should know: JON HARVEY
His dad made him who he is, but for Jon Harvey, 46, it's a complicated legacy. Now, with two children of his own, he is wrestling with what Father's Day really means

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JLR at risk of battery supply delays after Somerset factory turmoil
Supplier Agratas sacks its main building contractor on the government-backed project amid a budget mismatchJaguar Land Rover faces the risk of delays to the first deliveries of electric car batteries from a £5.2bn government-backed factory in Somerset after construction problems.The British carmaker is planning to rely on the Agratas factory in Bridgwater, Somerset, to supply the batteries for its new electric models. Agratas and JLR are owned by the Indian industrial conglomerate Tata. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s tears and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usIt’s been a star striker’s tournament so far – aside from the immobile slab of monetised wax playing at No 7 for Portugal – and that’s reflected in the big names already nestled in Golden Boot top 10. Here’s the current hit parade:A first dive into the old mailbag produces this, from Gerry Scott, with which I heartily concur:If best placed third placed teams are going to be able to advance from the group then goal difference should be preferred to head to head as a way of ranking teams. Türkiye should at least have the prospect of beating the US and overtaking one of Paraguay or Australia rather than already being out of the tournament.I’m sure Gianni will be on it soon. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Japanese pop group XG went from brutal six year training to global pop stars
The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Flawed but relentless Scotland show themselves as men of substance
Morocco threatened to blow Scotland away early on, but Steve Clarke's squad showed their resilience despite defeat, writes Tom English.

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Tech Life
The prompt that made ChatGPT generate disturbing images. What does this tell us about AI?

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‘Within 10 mins, Andy had nicked it’: illustrator on his ubiquitous image of Andy Burnham
With its light scowl and dark attire, Stanley Chow’s creation has become visual shorthand for the politician’s anti-establishment sentimentIt was shortly after Andy Burnham’s famously rousing speech outside the Manchester Central Library in October 2020 that Stanley Chow decided to draw him. Or rather his wife did.“It was the pandemic and we were all so down in the dumps at that point,” says the illustrator, speaking from his home in the city this week. But I remember looking around and he had just moved everyone.” Continue reading...

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‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de la Musique returns amid heatwave warnings
Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebrationParis is preparing for a street party of unprecedented scale on Sunday, as more than 2 million people are expected to gather for the Fête de la Musique amid a huge influx of music fans from the UK and warnings of record temperatures.France’s annual free street music festival, which has been running for more than 40 years, has grown into the country’s largest cultural event. What was previously a nationwide showcase for local and amateur talent – from village choirs to classical ensembles and techno acts in the capital – has evolved into a vast international open-air celebration. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s exit and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usA first dive into the old mailbag produces this, from Gerry Scott, with which I heartily concur:If best placed third placed teams are going to be able to advance from the group then goal difference should be preferred to head to head as a way of ranking teams. Türkiye should at least have the prospect of beating the US and overtaking one of Paraguay or Australia rather than already being out of the tournament.I’m sure Gianni will be on it soon. Continue reading...

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Tourist dies in Dominican Republic luxury resort fire
Nearly 1,700 people were evacuated from the huge blaze at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe, a popular resort town on the Caribbean coast.

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Russia should be in G8 – Trump

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'People were spitting out blood': Eye-witness tells of horror as driver is killed and 33 are seriously injured in train crash that left passengers fearing a BOMB had gone off
Passengers suffered broken bones and were left 'spitting out blood' when a Luton Airport Express service ploughed into the back of a stationary East Midlands Railway train on Friday.

The Register
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Britain sending Ukraine an extra 30,000 drones – now 150,000 all up
Missiles and radars also included in £752M aid package

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World Cup drinking tags fitted to thousands of UK offenders to curb alcohol-fuelled violence
Thousands of criminals have been fitted with hi-tech ankle tags to stop them drinking during the World Cup.

The Guardian (UK)
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Even in this age of what Mark Carney calls global rupture, do not despair: there is still hope for international law | Nathalie Tocci
Developments in Ukraine and Iran show that the military superpowers are not getting it all their own wayOur age of what Mark Carney called global rupture is also often described as following the “law of the jungle”, in which the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must, with international law shattered and multilateral organisations hollowed out. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, and the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon seem to confirm this bleak outlook. On closer inspection, however, these wars offer a different, and far brighter, clue to the way forward.Russia, once seen as a formidable military power, was expected to overwhelm Ukraine, a much smaller and weaker country backed by a divided, fearful and hesitant west. Even after the war settled into a protracted stalemate, the prevailing belief was that Ukraine was doomed to lose. But the narrative has shifted.Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

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‘Everybody’s crying’: Turkey crash out as 10-man Paraguay hang on for World Cup win
Turkey arrived at their first World Cup in 24 years with great expectations and a host of rising stars but crashed ⁠out goalless and in tears ⁠after another shocking ​failure to convert against Paraguay.Despite facing 10 men for more than a half, Turkey slumped to a 1-0 defeat against the spirited South Americans after racking up 32 goal ⁠attempts to be eliminated with a match to spare. It came after they amassed 30 fruitless attempts in a 2-0 opening defeat by Australia, a match in which they were similarly thwarted by poor ⁠finishing and a staunch opposition defence. Continue reading...

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Candice Carty-Williams: ‘People feel very attached to Queenie’
The breakout success of her debut created a publishing scramble for Black writers, but has that appetite for diversity endured? Carty-Williams talks about wanting to quit the TV adaptation, why now is the perfect time for her sequel One of the questions Candice Carty-Williams has spent the past few years batting away is whether she is Queenie. It is perhaps inevitable: her best­selling debut novel followed Queenie Jenkins, a twenty­something south London journalist navigating heartbreak, racism, terrible men and an escalating sense that her life was slipping beyond her control. Like Carty-Williams, Queenie is south London-born, Black and works in media.It is a slightly predictable question, and one I avoid asking when we meet at her bright pink office in Peckham. But sitting opposite the 36-year-old, I can’t help but understand why it persists. Much like her most famous creation, she is instantly likable: warm, quick-witted and completely devoid of the self-seriousness that can sometimes come with literary success. She is disarmingly casual – her hair is wrapped up and under-eye patches are busy depuffing her face. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s exit and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usFootball Daily has landed. Listen in as Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen, Jack Snape, Ewan Murray, Seb Hutchinson and Alex Abnos digest what they’ve just seen.Some non-World Cup news now, from the ever-busy Matt Hughes: Continue reading...

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I lost 50lbs without jabs using this easy but overlooked method. But I still felt dowdy - until I discovered these expert anti-aging fashion and beauty tips. Every woman can look 10 years younger if she knows these secrets
NHS worker and mum-of-three Rebecca O'Brien, 42, may be time poor, but after working hard to lose weight she's determined to give her new figure a new look...

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How Andy Burnham's by-election win could derail Man United's £2bn stadium plans: Why new mayor could cut funding, the knock-on effect for disputed land next to Old Trafford and why 'regeneration' could become a sticking point
Andy Burnham's by-election win may have given him a chance to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, but it also means that he has to step down as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

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Devastated Canada World Cup star breaks silence from hospital after horror injury mars 6-0 win over Qatar
Heartbroken Canada World Cup star Ismael Kone said the support he has received from fans in the aftermath of his horror leg break will stay with him forever.

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Is it worth queuing for hours to try this viral jacket potato?
It's the viral food sensation of the summer, but does a SpudBros jacket live up to the hype? Tom Parker Bowles finds out

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ALEX BRUMMER: Burnham needs to back enterprise for a fresh start
Despite £75billion of tax increases since July 2024, when Labour was elected, public finances are on a knife edge.

Mail Online
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He spits on people. And chases teachers. He could even be the devil in disguise. Yes, Elvis the alpaca isn't the King of Rock 'n' Roll... he's the King of Strop 'n' Drool!
From his windswept quiff to the defiantly curled lip, it is easy to see the star qualities that helped win Elvis his legions of fans.

Mail Online
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'When I got the call, I thought it was a joke!': GIANFRANCO ZOLA on his 'unbelievable' Ryder Cup assignment, the 'very wild' celebrations after Team Europe's victory - and his favourite Chelsea memory
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ALEX JENNINGS: Beside a beautiful golf course in Mallorca, an Italian is explaining to an Englishman how he came to help Team Europe in America.

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Gilt yields spike amid fears of lurch to the Left under Burnham
Yields on ten-year government bonds, known as gilts, climbed from 4.76 per cent to around 4.85 per cent. Bond yields rise when their prices fall.

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Michael O'Leary lines up £133m payday in deal to stay at Ryanair until 2032
Under the deal, the 65-year-old will be granted lucrative share options subject to him remaining at the group until April 2032.

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Celebrations and a swift exit after a Burnham win ‘beyond our wildest dreams’, say supporters
After partying into the early hours, supporters were back for the new Makerfield MP’s victory rally which ended with a madcap escapeThere was plenty of the hopey, changey stuff from Andy Burnham at his victory rally on the morning after the night before – but it ended with the new MP for Makerfield doing a runner. “Are you going to become the new prime minister?” shouted Sky’s political editor, Beth Rigby, at the retreating Burnham. “Keir Starmer says he is not going to give way – what’s your message for Keir Starmer?”Hemmed in by cameras, chairs, tables and a whole load of the giggling supporters who had been assembled around him on the turf at Ashton Town FC’s grounds, Burnham picked up the pace. Continue reading...

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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s exit and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usWhat do you think of it so far? It’s basically almost impossible to have a bad time at a World Cup, for all the oppressive politics and commercialism that seek to suffocate the spectacle. And here’s our writers’ verdicts on how they’ve found the first week and a bit.This country is big enough to host a vibrant and fulfilling World Cup; it is simultaneously capable of hosting one that passes entirely unnoticed. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Trump unveils new converted Air Force One jet he accepted as gift from Qatar
Donald Trump has unveiled the new Air Force One, an upgraded Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that has been converted into the official US presidential aircraft.

Mail Online
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Now even Keir Starmer's loyalists lose faith and demand he quit to hand over to Andy Burnham... as pressure grows on 'lame duck' PM to agree to leave No10 within a month
Sir Keir has repeatedly vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership and insisted he will not 'walk away'.

TechRadar News
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A tool that can predict staff resignations at the NHS, one of the UK's largest employers, just won a major AI prize

TechRadar News
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Stop memorizing hotkeys — this early Prime Day Elgato Stream Deck Mini deal is the ultimate office hack

Digital Trends
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These new Alogic displays are basically a touchscreen Mac workaround
Mac users waiting for a touchscreen Mac now have more third-party options. Alogic’s new display lineup adds touch controls across desktop, portable, and wall-mounted screens.

Slashdot
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Amazon Retaliated Against Workers Who Supported Regulating Data Centers, Complaint Says
Three Amazon employees have filed a civil-rights complaint alleging the company retaliated against them for publicly supporting Seattle regulations on data centers. "The complaint was filed on the workers' behalf by Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, an independent group of corporate employees at Amazon that since 2018 has organized around climate issues," reports The New York Times. "It said the company started investigations and told the employees that they could face discipline, in one case up to potential termination, in an act of intimidation that violated the city's civil rights protections against discrimination for political beliefs." Amazon says it launched the internal investigations to determine whether the employees appeared to be speaking on the company's behalf rather than as private citizens. "As we looked more closely at how these employees represented themselves, and how their comments were received by others, it became clear that they may have been speaking in their capacity as Amazonians and not as private citizens," said an Amazon spokesperson. They said that the company does not allow retaliatory behavior and that when the investigation is concluded, Amazon "may or may not take action based on what we find." The New York Times reports: Five Amazon tech workers affiliated with Amazon Employees for Climate Justice testified at several different hearings before the Seattle City Council and two of its committees. Their testimony in the company's hometown drew national attention, and it put the tech giant in the awkward position of responding to public criticism of data centers and artificial intelligence from its own employees. Patrick Schloesser, who has worked as a software engineer at Amazon Web Services since 2020, said in an interview with The New York Times that Amazon told him he was under investigation last week, when he was called into a meeting with no notice. He had testified at two City Council hearings in early June. "I had this rising sense of anger that Amazon is attempting to infringe on my rights to speak out politically in my city," he said. "If we allow corporations to decide which speech is or is not allowed, that absolutely hurts democracy." [...]

[...] The Amazon employees testified that Seattle should consider conditions on allowing new data centers, such as requiring new renewable energy sources of power, banning the use of nondisclosure agreements between the city and developers, and limiting public subsidies. They offered to help create new rules based on their experience as tech workers. "Seattle needs to set the terms so the way any new data centers get built here actually moves us closer to the future we want," Darius Irani, who has worked as a software engineer in Amazon's grocery business since 2021, said at a June 3 hearing before the Council's Parks and City Light Committee. He suggested requiring public reporting of water and power use, banning shell companies and harnessing the heat emitted from the chips in data centers to warm nearby buildings.

Amazon told news organizations at the time that it respected 'our colleagues' right to voice their opinions and that the company did not have plans to build data centers within the city limits. On June 9, the Council unanimously voted for a one-year moratorium on new, large data centers in order to give it time to develop regulations. The next day, an Amazon employee relations staff member met the three workers in individual meetings and told them that they were under investigation for their testimony, according to the complaint. Mr. Irani said he was repeatedly questioned about his testimony and who else at Amazon was present at the hearings. "It feels like they say one thing publicly and try to silence and intimidate me privately, which I think is wrong," Mr. Irani said.





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BBC Top Stories (US)
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What we know so far about train collision and emergency response
Two East Midland Railway trains crashed into each other, injuring dozens of passengers and crew.

Mail Online
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Nicky Campbell's daughter Lilla is badly injured in e-bike hit and run before enduring nightmare evening in London NHS hospital
Nicky Campbell's daughter Lilla has been left badly injured after an e-bike hit and run in south London last night.

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fall flat; USA into knockouts; Turkey’s exit and Almíron’s red for covering mouth – live
⚽ All the latest news from day nine of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email usGreetings everyone and welcome to day 10 of the World Cup. Readers in Europe have plenty to digest as they wake up. Scotland slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Morocco that could have been worse, after they went behind within two minutes and were thoroughly outplayed in the opening stages before I went to bed, but could have been better, with Scotland having two big penalty shouts turned down.Elsewhere, we have perhaps the shock of the tournament so far with many people’s dark horses, Turkey, exiting already after a second straight defeat, to Paraguay, who had Miguel Almirón sent off for remarks made to Mert Muldur with his hand concealing his mouth, the first use of that new sanction. Continue reading...

Telegraph
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Scotland’s joyous World Cup turns to grievance after defeat by Morocco
Scotland’s joyous World Cup turns to grievance after defeat by Morocco

The Verge
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SwitchBot’s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for
I can't remember the last time I got excited about a fan. Normally, I just buy whatever Vornado or Dreo model fits my budget, but that was before I started testing the battery-powered Standing Circulator Fan from SwitchBot. As the name indicates, the SwitchBot fan is a 3D circulator - a fancy way of saying […]

Deutsche Welle
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UK: Train collision north of London kills at least one person
At least one person died and many others were injured in the train collision about 90 kilometers north of London.

Deutsche Welle
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Woman killed, hundreds evacuate in Dominican Republic hotel fire
A huge fire tore through a four-star beach resort in the Dominican Republic, killing one woman. About 1,700 tourists were evacuated as the fire appeared to destroy most of the hotel.

Deutsche Welle
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Woman killed, hundreds evacuate in Dominican Republic hotel fire
A huge fire tore through a 4-star beach resort in the Dominican Republic, killing one woman. About 1,700 tourists were evacuated as the fire appeared to destroy most of the hotel.

The Guardian (UK)
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Manchester City close to financial settlement with Chelsea to appoint Enzo Maresca
Chelsea demand compensation for former coachWest London club insist Italian breached contractManchester City are close to reaching a financial settlement with Chelsea that will enable them to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager.Chelsea are demanding compensation from City to release Maresca as they believe they have evidence that the Spaniard breached his contract at Stamford Bridge by talking to the club’s Premier League rivals when he was still their manager last season. Continue reading...

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Paraguay's Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron is the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent - doing so during the World Cup match against Turkey.

The Guardian (UK)
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Beyond the beach: Spain pushes offbeat regions as tourist numbers nudge 100m
Exclusive: Tourism minister says another likely record year of visitor growth is not a worry amid move to welcome tourists out of season and market less frequented areasSpain is redoubling its efforts to push its tourist appeal beyond the familiar “sun and sand and coast” model as it prepares for another record-breaking year in which the number of foreign visitors could reach 100 million for the first time, the country’s tourism minister has said.Speaking to the Guardian, Jordi Hereu rejected suggestions that Spain was now saturated with tourists but said it had become clear that the “old formulas no longer work”, especially amid growing concerns about overtourism and the effects of the climate emergency. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The hill I will die on: Going to a gig is an endurance test | Sasha Mistlin
Muddy sound systems, pricey tickets and a strong chance of getting showered with someone’s stale beer – give me a nice sit-down in a cinema any timeA few years back I went to see one of my favourite rappers, Earl Sweatshirt, at a venue in north London. The sound was so muddy I couldn’t tell which song he was playing. The setlist lurched between his old and new stuff in a way that did justice to neither. The bloke in front of me filmed the entire thing on a phone he was holding above his head for an Instagram story that will be watched by no one. With 45 minutes remaining, I wished I could leave. With 15 minutes left, I decided that making it to the nearest kebab shop before the rush meant more to me than seeing the end of the set.As a culture journalist, I’ve been to a lot of gigs. Most of them were endured rather than enjoyed, and I secretly think it’s only the most extroverted (or simply least self-conscious) among us who actually feel otherwise. This is the dirty secret of the music industry, which has tackled economic headwinds mainly by transitioning out of actually selling music and into live events. This feeling has occasionally caused professional embarrassment for me, since I am forever inventing reasons to turn down what is supposedly one of the main perks of the job: free tickets.Sasha Mistlin is a commissioning editor on the Guardian’s Saturday magazine Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Spaceship stadiums and Ronaldo-mania: Guardian writers’ first impressions of the World Cup
Tournament has completed its first week and while the logistics have sometimes been challenging, the people and the football have been goodIt was quite a contrast touching down in sleepy Kansas City hours after having witnessed the bedlam on the streets of New York when the Knicks won the NBA Finals and Brazil drew with Morocco. But this is a World Cup full of contrasts, from Fifa’s never-ending quest to make a quick buck ($5 a pop for a bottle of water in the media centre) to the warmth shown by locals I’ve encountered in the Big Apple, Kansas City and Dallas. Then there’s the football. It’s been hard to keep up with the volume of matches, but the opening round served up some classics, with DR Congo’s draw against Portugal on the same day as England beat Croatia capping a thrilling first week of action. Let’s hope it continues. Ed AaronsIt took nearly the full opening round, but a US scene that is usually focused on other sports has fully turned its eyes to socc– sorry, I mean football, forgot to code-switch. Fitting, actually, because at times this state of affairs has been awkward, like when the standard “loud men yelling” sports talk shows are forced to reckon with international football being the No 1 talking point and employing nobody that knows the scene. But these are growing pains. The sport is on at bars and delis, it is being discussed at school pickups and on the rides home. It’s beautiful and exactly what so many of us here in the States have been fighting for. Alexander Abnos Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bedtime blues: London ‘killing off nightlife’ as UK city with strictest licensing rules
Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are experiencing after-hours boom as a result of more lenient rulesLondon has the earliest council-mandated bedtime of any other city in the UK as a result of policies in nightlife districts that oppose any new bar or restaurant opening past 11pm.These strict restrictions on pubs and bars are “killing off nightlife” in the capital, experts have said, while other cities including Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are experiencing an after-hours boom because they have more lenient rules. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de las Musique returns amid heatwave warnings
Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebrationParis is preparing for a street party of unprecedented scale on Sunday, as more than 2 million people are expected to gather for the Fête de la Musique amid a huge influx of music fans from the UK and warnings of record temperatures.France’s annual free street music festival, which has been running for more than 40 years, has grown into the country’s largest cultural event. What was previously a nationwide showcase for local and amateur talent – from village choirs to classical ensembles and techno acts in the capital – has evolved into a vast international open-air celebration. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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'It feels like emotional blackmail': As Harry and Meghan announce return to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, insiders reveal fears about decision to bring children and 'manipulation' of Royals
Both William and Harry's children are growing fast, but the last time they were even in the same country was four years ago, in June 2022. Californian-born Lili was just one year old.

BBC UK News
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Hospital suspends maternity services due to staff shortages
The Southern Health Trust says it is "unable to provide safe medical cover" in obstetrics and gynaecology at Daisy Hill Hospital this weekend.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Snake takes surprise trip to seaside in car engine
The corn snake is thought to have travelled around 17 miles from its owner's house in Bridlington.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Sherpa travels thousands of miles to thank children for help after earthquake
A Nepalese Sherpa travels thousands of miles to thank children for their fundraising efforts.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Paddington musical set for Broadway debut
The production will launch in the US at New York's Al Hirschfeld Theatre in March 2027.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'My dog Gertie saved my life by helping to find my breast cancer'
Lesley Goodburn is hoping her story will encourage others to check for signs of the cancer.

The Guardian (UK)
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Can we electrify the world? Ambition moves from nerdish backwater to centre stage
Apart from effort to electrify, there were geopolitical tensions around climate science and the 1.5C goal at pre-Cop31 climate talksElectrifying the world – with electric vehicles, electric heating and cooling, and modernised heavy industry – could be the next biggest step towards phasing out fossil fuels, replacing the 80% of global energy that still comes from hydrocarbons. As using electrical energy is much more efficient than combustion, the move would save billions of dollars for consumers and businesses – global energy demand could be halved, according to one estimate.For decades, electrification has been a nerdish backwater of global climate action. But in the last two weeks, at preparatory talks in Bonn before the forthcoming UN Cop31 climate summit, the subject finally took centre stage. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Trump unveils interim Air Force One, a gift from Qatar
A former Qatar-owned jumbo jet, converted into the new presidential aircraft, is nearly ready for service. Trump said it had been transformed into "a flying White House."

Deutsche Welle
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India news: Hundreds expected to attend 'Cockroach' party protest
The viral Cockroach Janta Party is escalating pressure on the government, citing exam irregularities and student suicides in its campaign against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. DW has more.

Mail Online
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Roy Keane lays into World Cup WAGs - as Man United legend insists 'most of them are separated a year later' following show of support for stars
The partners and wives of England's football team have been out in the US in support of their other halves as they look to win a major international tournament for the first time since 1966.

Mail Online
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I'm a royal fashion expert and I'm taking style inspo from Kate and Sophie for my Henley Regatta outfits - including a broderie dress and exact match espadrilles
Henley Royal Regatta is the most prestigious rowing event in the world.

Mail Online
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Meghan went into 'high-performance mode' when Serena Williams's mother 'ignored her' at the US Open, body language expert claims - as visit to the UK raises the intriguing possibility of the Duchess attending Wimbledon
Meghan, 44, met Serena briefly in 2010, and again in 2014, explaining on her now defunct blog The Tig that the pair 'hit it off immediately'.

BBC UK News
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'People flew from their seats': Passengers describe how Bedford train crash unfolded
The East of England Ambulance Service says nearly 90 people were injured, over 30 of them seriously.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Scotland fans dejected after loss to Morocco
Fans at home and at the World Cup in the US watched as Scotland lost 1-0 to Morocco.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Video shows scene of collision as passenger describes aftermath
Passenger Pete Knapp said the crash "felt like [he'd] been in a bomb explosion".

BBC Top Stories (US)
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What we know so far
Two East Midland Railway trains crashed into each other, injuring dozens of passengers and crew.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'People flew from their seats': Passengers describe how collision unfolded
The East of England Ambulance Service says nearly 90 people were injured, over 30 of them seriously.

Deutsche Welle
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First case of H5 bird flu confirmed in Australia
A migratory seabird tested positive for the contagious H5 variant of avian influenza in Western Australia. Australia had been the only continent where H5 was not detected.

Deutsche Welle
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Iran war: Steve Witkoff heading to Switzerland for talks
US and Iranian diplomats are reportedly heading to Switzerland for peace talks. An initial round of negotiations involving US Vice President JD Vance was delayed as fighting continued in Lebanon. DW has more.

The Guardian (UK)
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Can we electrify the world? Ambition takes centre stage in pre-Cop31 climate talks
Apart from effort to electrify, there were geopolitical tensions around climate science and the 1.5C goalElectrifying the world – with electric vehicles, electric heating and cooling, and modernised heavy industry – could be the next biggest step towards phasing out fossil fuels, replacing the 80% of global energy that still comes from hydrocarbons. As using electrical energy is much more efficient than combustion, the move would save billions of dollars for consumers and businesses – global energy demand could be halved, according to one estimate.For decades, electrification has been a nerdish backwater of global climate action. But in the last two weeks, at preparatory talks in Bonn before the forthcoming UN Cop31 climate summit, the subject finally took centre stage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Good food, good genes, good luck: how Ronaldo, Serena and other top athletes compete in their 40s
Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the stars benefiting from advances in sports science, equipment and facilitiesWhen 40-year-old Luka Modrić lined up for Croatia against England on Wednesday evening, he embodied a growing trend in elite sport. A generation ago, a footballer competing at the highest level at 40 would have been a rarity, but the 2026 World Cup features a record eight players aged at least 40 – more than all previous tournaments combined.It’s not just football. Lewis Hamilton is still competing in Formula One aged 41, while earlier this week Wimbledon granted Serena Williams, 44, and Venus Williams, 46, a wildcard into the women’s doubles draw. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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I dropped 50lbs, now I want to drop my dowdy look
NHS worker and mum-of-three Rebecca O'Brien, 42, may be time poor, but after working hard to lose weight she's determined to give her new figure a new look...

Mail Online
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My alcoholic dad was Jekyll and Hyde sponsored by Strongbow. On Father's Day I ask myself if the happy times were worth the pain: JON HARVEY
His dad made him who he is, but for Jon Harvey, 46, it's a complicated legacy. Now, with two children of his own, he is wrestling with what Father's Day really means

Mail Online
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How Andy Burnham's by-election win could derail Man United's £2bn stadium plans: Why new major could cut funding, the knock-on effect for disputed land next to Old Trafford and why 'regeneration' could become a sticking point
Andy Burnham's by-election win may have given him a chance to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, but it also means that he has to step down as Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Mail Online
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Brazil find their front three in win over Haiti but injury to a key man sours the night... if England play them later in the tournament they won't have too much to fear, writes OLIVER HOLT
BRAZIL 3-0 HAITI - OLIVER HOLT IN PHILADELPHIA: Brazil coasted to a 3-0 win over World Cup minnows Haiti to breathe confidence into their tournament.

Mail Online
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Jelly Roll reveals divorce 'plot twist' as he posts footage of post-split phone call with Bunnie XO
This Thursday, three years after news of their split went public, Bunnie posted a podcast episode tearfully discussing the collapse of their 10-year marriage.

Mail Online
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Home hacks to beat the heat: From pillowcases to plants, all the ways you can turn your house from a sauna into a sanctuary
With temperatures set to hit the highs more regularly, these affordable tips will keep your interiors feeling fresh - no air-con required, says Nicole Gray

Mail Online
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'I told another mum about her son's cocaine use and she's angry at me.' You did nothing wrong, says DEAR CAROLINE - but here's how you can resolve it once and for all
Our relationships counsellor answers your problems

Mail Online
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World Cup player sent off for covering his mouth in exchange with rival for the first time EVER
The extraordinary moment saw the referee show the player a straight red card after going over to his monitor and spotting that he had covered his mouth in a dispute.

Mail Online
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Trump's $14.2m Reflecting Pool fiasco deepens as 'American flag blue' paint PEELS OFF... and president has a stark theory why
The historic pool was drained and refinished in a no-bid contract this year as part of ​the president's sweeping plans to beautify Washington DC.

Mail Online
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Horrifying LAPD bodycam shows cop shoot at helpless dog FOUR times as owner lets out blood-curdling screams
The disturbing video captures the fatal encounter involving Jameson, a two-year-old Golden Bernedoodle whose death has sparked outrage.

Mail Online
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Compact home in prestigious London mews featured in two 1960s films goes up for sale
The homes were first built as stables to serve the large mansion houses that line Holland Park, but today they are home to a much more well-heeled clientele.

Mail Online
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Has Taylor Swift mania hit the Palace? RICHARD EDEN reveals why King Charles is wearing 'Swiftie' bracelets
When King Charles waved to the crowds, I spotted friendship bracelets alongside his ceremonial uniform. From what I hear, the bracelets were a gift from Princess Charlotte.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: Miguel Almiron becomes first player ever sent off for speaking behind his hand, Emma Hayes' ITV blackboard is 'upgraded', match highlights - and what to look out for today
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day nine at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

Mail Online
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How posh is your picnic? Experts reveal what's in and what's out as we pack up the picnic baskets this summer - and how to impress your friends
The humble picnic has had a serious glow-up. Gone are the days of soggy supermarket sandwiches and warm rosé swigged from plastic cups.

Mail Online
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MICHAEL OWEN: England's mentality against Croatia looked completely changed - Thomas Tuchel has already made a huge difference to our World Cup hopes
MICHAEL OWEN: What led to us not winning the European Championship final in 2021? Mentality. We dropped off. We became negative. We became fearful.

Mail Online
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More travellers are opting for 'digital detoxes' when abroad - and this Tuscan retreat is the perfect disconnected getaway
The Mail's Genie Harrison tries out a digital detox at the Oasyhotel in Tuscany - and is pleasantly surprised by the effects of not touching her phone for three whole days.

Mail Online
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My neighbour's tree roots are lifting up my drive: Can I get my insurer to pursue a claim against him?
Re-laying the drive could cost more than £8,000 and repairing the wall could cost around £2,000. Is my neighbour liable for any of these costs?

Mail Online
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First peek inside Trump's swish new $400m Air Force One: That new-plane smell and a LOT of gold
President Donald Trump unveiled his controversial new $400 million Air Force One on Friday, giving reporters a first look inside the former Qatari royal jet that has been transformed into a 'flying White House.'

Mail Online
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How much would you make if you took a year's state pension now and invested it for 40 years?
A new proposal to give young people a lump sum of £12,500 in return for delaying their state pension by a year got Britain talking. Would it be a good idea to take it?

Mail Online
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THE BRAZIL PLOT: How Samba stars considered letting Scotland win 1990 World Cup clash in bid to avoid meeting Argentina in the knockouts
There was one moment when Scotland were poised to beat Brazil.

Mail Online
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Matt LeBlanc shares rare Instagram post as he joins Lisa Kudrow paying tribute to Friends director James Burrows after death aged 85
A co-creator of Cheers, Burrows directed several episodes of Friends including the pilot, as well as every single episode of Will & Grace.

Nature
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A long-lived butterfly’s secret to graceful ageing

The Guardian (UK)
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Salerno: the charming and affordable gateway to Italy’s Amalfi coast
The vibrant port city offers a more relaxed and budget-friendly base for exploring this beautiful coastline by train and ferryThe ferry from Salerno to Amalfi town was set to take about 35 minutes, and we were debating whether to risk the windswept top deck, fearful our packed lunches might fly into the Tyrrhenian Sea. (My father and I were taking a pragmatic approach on our Italian holiday, opting for light midday meals to save space for the primo and secondo courses at dinner, and ample lemony desserts.)As our ferry sped across glittering water, we admired the views as the Amalfi coast unfolded, incandescent with charm. But we could also see the crawling traffic on the narrow roads that cling to the cliffs. That could have been us, up there in one of those toy-sized rental cars, squeezed between a tourist coach and a fed-up local leaning on their horn. Thankfully, we were on a boat instead, sea breeze in hair and coffee in hand. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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David Guetta and Sia’s song Titanium got me through my fertility treatment
Hearing their in-your-face banger was a turning point for me – and I’ve never looked backAt the end of 2011, party season was under way but I was in no mood for festivities. Two years into fertility treatment, my body was pumped full of synthetic hormones and felt like a pin cushion, while my head was filled with both the fragile hope of having a baby, and the exhaustion of failed clinical attempts to do so.I was in my late 20s. I met my husband when I was 22; we got married when I was 25. “I want to have kids young,” I’d told him. It was a feeling I’d harboured since my teenage years. But I’d also had the nagging sense that it might not come easily to me. As it turned out, my intuition was right. Approaching 28, I was a regular on the infertility merry-go-round. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Tory byelection victory gives Badenoch vital evidence to justify abandoning net zero
While the SNP’s recent issues put off some voters, the Tories’ support for North Sea oil drilling proved more decisiveFor the first time in 50 years, the Conservatives have won a byelection in Scotland, taking Aberdeen South from the Scottish National party and giving Kemi Badenoch one of her most significant achievements as party leader.The win for Douglas Lumsden, which was secured with a 15% swing, giving the Tories a majority of 6,050, provides the party leader with an important piece of evidence that her decision to abandon the party’s commitment to net zero by 2050 is working. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Good food, good gene, good luck: how Ronaldo, Serena and other top athletes are competing in their 40s
Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the stars benefiting from advances in sports science, equipment and facilitiesWhen 40-year-old Luka Modrić lined up for Croatia against England on Wednesday evening, he embodied a growing trend in elite sport. A generation ago, a footballer competing at the highest level at 40 would have been a rarity, but the 2026 World Cup features a record eight players aged at least 40 – more than all previous tournaments combined.It’s not just football. Lewis Hamilton is still competing in Formula One aged 41, while earlier this week Wimbledon granted Serena Williams, 44, and Venus Williams, 46, a wildcard into the women’s doubles draw. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Within 10 mins, Andy had nicked it’: illustrator on his ubiquitous image of Andy Burnham
With its light scowl and dark attire, Stanley Chow’s creation has become visual shorthand for the politician’s anti-establishment sentimentIt was shortly after Andy Burnham’s famously rousing speech outside the Manchester Central Library in October 2020 that Stanley Chow decided to draw him. Or rather his wife did.“It was the pandemic and we were all so down in the dumps at that point,” says the illustrator, speaking from his home in the city this week. But I remember looking around and he had just moved everyone. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham has shown that he can win. But can he govern Britain? | Gaby Hinsliff
Having literally campaigned in poetry, the new Makerfield MP needs a summer of knuckling down to the small printBy the end, it had become less a byelection, more a mythical quest. Whoever could draw the sword from Makerfield’s stone – or more prosaically, beat Reform in a seat where it practically swept the board in last month’s local elections – would claim the divine right to rule the Labour party. And lo, on Friday morning, Andy Burnham became the chosen one.He carries the magic shield of not being from Westminster – though that won’t last, obviously – plus the easy warmth with people that Keir Starmer lacks, and the rare ability to generate excitement in politics. Reform is beatable, and the sun shines brighter for knowing that. A third successive defeat for Nigel Farage in a winnable byelection, after losing Caerphilly to Plaid Cymru and Gorton and Denton to the Greens, suggests a trend, not a fluke.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What we know so far about Bedford train crash
Two East Midland Railway trains crashed into each other, injuring dozens of passengers and crew.

Deutsche Welle
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Iran war: Steve Witkoff heading to Switzerland for talks
US and Iranian diplomats are reportedly heading to Switzerland for peace talks after the initial round of negotiations involving US Vice President JD Vance was delayed over the fighting in Lebanon. DW has more.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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England XV well beaten by France in summer warm-up
France prove too skilful for England in the teams' non-Test summer warm-up in Vannes, easing away to a comfortable victory.

The Guardian (UK)
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Who warned of ‘climate instability’ in 1988? The Saturday quiz
From Dunbar and Shakespeare to Free the Weatherfield One, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz1 How many times does the sun rise each year at the north pole?2 Which board game inspired the creation of QR codes?3 Five of the six cataracts of the Nile are in which country?4 In what decade did Germany print a 100-trillion Mark note? 5 Who warned of a “global heat trap” and “climate instability” in 1988?6 Which rhythm section had the surnames Dunbar and Shakespeare?7 Free the Weatherfield One was a campaign to liberate whom? 8 What was the main language of the Inca empire?What links:
9 Barringer, US; Chicxulub, Mexico; Vredefort, South Africa; Wolfe Creek, Australia?10 Smokin’ Joe; Fighting Marine; Neon Leon; Easton Assassin?11 American Legion; Theodor Escherich; Daniel Salmon; staff; twisted berry?12 Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr; Larry Bell, Dion DiMucci and Bob Dylan?13 Bass beer; bleaching allowed; major seventh chord; youth hostel?14 Cole Allen; Thomas Crooks; Ryan Routh?15 1558 (25); 1689 (26); 1702 (37); 1837 (18); 1952 (25)? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ten-man Paraguay hang on to seal World Cup win and send Turkey to early exit
Ten-man Paraguay scored the fastest goal of the World ⁠Cup so far to beat a hapless Turkey 1-0 in a dramatic Group D match, breathing life into their campaign ⁠and condemning their opponents ⁠to a miserable ​early exit.Fired up after their humiliating 4-1 opening match defeat by the USA, Paraguay went ahead 64 seconds in when ⁠Matías ⁠Galarza rifled in a long-range shot, then clung on for the entire game against a tide of Turkish attacks. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Great British summer savings: grab family deals on days out, films and more
Government’s temporary VAT cut aims to ease cost of living for families this summer – here’s what’s on offerFrom Thursday families can enjoy a cut-price trip to Legoland or the cinema to watch Toy Story 5 as the government’s school holiday discount scheme Great British summer savings gets under way.Billed by Rachel Reeves as a way to “support families with the little treats in life”, the temporary VAT cut will reduce ticket prices at family attractions such as zoos and theme parks as well as the cost of children’s cinema tickets and restaurant meals. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Would You Rather: Decide to Survive – Romesh Ranganathan’s gameshow is so low-effort it’s almost avant garde
In a modern twist on It’s a Knockout, the comedian makes online stars do ludicrous tasks. The whole thing looks like it cost £420 to cobble together – and it will make you feel 100 years oldI felt 100 years old this week, watching a new gameshow on Prime Video which features 10 famous online stars, zero of whom I’ve heard of. To me, YouTubers always have names that sound like MSN Messenger handles, stuff like Fruit-Nut and Palzone and Kevin the Rotator. Anyway, lining up to compete in Would You Rather we have King Kenny, Bambino Becky, Stephen Tries, Elz the Witch and Chunkz, as well as some others I didn’t write down because I had to lie down.The show’s full name is Would You Rather: Decide to Survive (Prime Video, from 26 June), which is misleadingly hardcore. I assumed it would be an offshoot of SAS: Who Dares Wins. I expected scaffolders shimmying down gym ropes, enhanced interrogation, people getting dysentery after drinking from rivers. And, well, it is a mostly physical elimination contest, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan. Two teams face off, but in ludicrous challenges inspired by a staple of leisurely conversation: Would you rather X or Y? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘It’s Russian roulette’: alarm as Europe backs critical minerals mines in water-stressed regions
Exclusive: European Commission planning to rewrite key law to allow water-intensive mines in regions suffering from droughtThe European Commission plans to rewrite the EU’s flagship water protection law to speed up the development of critical minerals mines, despite many being located in drying and water-stressed regions, analysis has found.Mining is a water-intensive industry, requiring large volumes of water for ore processing, dust suppression, waste management and mine dewatering. While modern projects recycle water, they still require significant amounts, and in water-stressed regions those demands can add to pressure on already stretched rivers, aquifers and water supplies. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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SUV buyers undeterred by warnings of risk to pedestrians, UK study finds
Exclusive: Research suggests financial penalties necessary if number of large vehicles on roads is to be reducedDrivers who are told about the safety risks posed by SUVs to cyclists and pedestrians are very unlikely to be deterred from buying one, a new study has found.The findings indicate that if governments want to reduce the number of large, dangerous vehicles on the roads, it is likely to require financial penalties, according to the psychologists at Swansea University who led the research. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump unveils new Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747
New craft, called VC-25B Bridge, had provoked protest since $400m jet wildly exceeds limit on unsolicited giftsDonald Trump unveiled the new, temporary Air Force One at a hangar at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday, a day after White House officials bid farewell to one of two Boeing 747s used to transport presidents for more than 30 years.The new jet, designated VC-25B and decked out in a punchy red, white, dark blue and gold livery, was gifted to Trump by the Gulf emirate of Qatar, provoking howls of political protest since the $400m jet wildly exceeds the limit on unsolicited gifts of $50 in value in a single calendar year from the same source. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Parents 'facing uncertainty' as SEN children left without school places
Amy Gibney says she is one of eight families at her child's school to find out that they don't have a place for next year.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Japanese girl band XG went from brutal six year training to global pop stars
The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guide #247: As the Wombles stage their latest comeback, what sort of country are they returning to?
In this week’s newsletter: The last time they were a British screen staple was the mid-90s. Once a genuine cultural phenomenon, the Wombles could be successfully resurrected – or derided as wokeAt the height of Womble-mania in the mid-70s, Elisabeth Beresford, creator of the snout-nosed, litter-collecting sensations, laid down three strict ground rules for anyone appearing in costume as her characters: no smoking; no drinking; and absolutely no taking your head off in public.The latter was a real problem: in 1974 a cabaret club in Liverpool was forced to sack the entire cast of Wombles – the cast provided by theatre impresario and future Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright, no less – after a disastrous opening night performance of their Christmas panto that featured inaudible singing, under-rehearsed dance routines, Wombles that looked “too thin” and, most unforgivably, one of the cast members removing their head in the theatre wings “in full view of the children”, according to the club’s director. Things got worse at another shambolic Wombles performance in Belfast, which was cut short after less than an hour, after booing, catcalls and furious mothers storming the stage, brandishing handbags and umbrellas. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The BBC could be our best weapon against Trump, Musk and fake news. Here’s how that could work | Jane Martinson
A dynamic new strategy would allow the BBC to redefine what trusted news means, as it is still valued highly in this age of anxietyTiming is all, and the timing of last week’s brutal job cuts at the BBC News could have been better. Not just because the director general Matt Brittin was reportedly on holiday, but because the announcement came straight after a new report showed social media platforms and AI chatbots had now overtaken traditional TV channels and websites as people’s first port of call for news.The same Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism report also noted higher levels of global uncertainty and anxiety – caused not just by geopolitical instability, economic and environmental fears, but by a loss of trust in institutions, and in the news itself.Jane Martinson is an academic and Guardian columnist. She is a board member of the Scott Trust, which owns the Guardian Media Group, and writes in a personal capacity Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ten-man Paraguay hang on to seal World Cup win and send Turkey to early exit
Ten-man Paraguay eliminated ⁠Turkey with a courageous defensive effort to seal a ⁠dramatic 1-0 win after suffering a dismissal before half-time, with the ⁠fastest goal of the World Cup proving the difference.Midfielder Matías ⁠Galarza wound up from 25 metres ​and fired ‌a low rocket ‌home after 64 seconds to eclipse ‌Ismael Saibari’s 71-second strike in Morocco’s 1-0 win over Scotland conjured hours before. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11916 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Macclesfield and Congleton (Close)
We have spoken with our supplier and they have identified an issue which has now been resolved.

We apologise for any issues experienced and any further disconnections would need to go through our technical support teams.

Start: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 03:56

Update: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 11:00

Clear: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 06:05

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 06:29

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey 0-1 Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – as it happened
Ten-man Paraguay clung on after Matías Galarza’s early strike to secure a famous win and ensure Turkey will go home at the end of the group stageA surprise start for attacker Isidro Pitta, who was so certain he wouldn’t be called up to Paraguay’s squad for the World Cup that he had already booked a holiday to Spain with his family during the tournament.Nicknamed ‘Viking’ due to his long hair and big ginger beard, he’s found form at Red Bull Bragantino and is described as “a fighter, a tireless worker and a constant nuisance for opposition defences” in the Guardian’s World Cup player guide. Continue reading...

Telegraph
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Janse van Rensburg fluffs his lines in England bow
Janse van Rensburg fluffs his lines in England bow

Telegraph
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United States starting to believe after overwhelming Australia
United States starting to believe after overwhelming Australia

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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World Cup first sees Almiron sent off for covering mouth
Watch Miguel Almiron become the first player to be sent off under new rules preventing players from covering their mouths during a game at the 2026 World Cup, with the Paraguay midfielder shown red in a win over Turkey.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Driver dies and 33 people seriously injured in Bedford train crash
The crash, which happened at about 17:15 BST on Friday, has left almost 90 people hurt.

The Guardian (UK)
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Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for lime and sesame cold noodles with miso meatballs | The new vegan
This cool summer dish can be easily enhanced with a range of store-cupboard staplesWhat’s your favourite hot weather food? Mine’s gazpacho. I’m joking – gazpacho’s lovely, but cold noodles are my top pick because, in the summer, they meet me exactly where I am in both the cooking and the eating. They don’t need much by way of cooking, and they can be dressed and paired with many a store-cupboard ingredient – in today’s case, tahini, miso and sesame oil. Best of all, cooling the noodles shocks the starches, which makes them firmer and gorgeously “QQ”, a Taiwanese term used to describe food that’s delightfully bouncy and springy. Which personally, is how I’d like to feel all summer long. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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TV tonight: Jon Snow defies Alzheimer’s in the most moving way imaginable
A Last Big Story is a stirring exploration of the journalist’s condition and his news instincts. Plus, a wholesome telling of the story of Indigenous Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong. Here’s what to watch this evening8pm, Channel 4This documentary starts out as a meditation on the Channel 4 newsreader’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis – but the journalist in him hasn’t departed quite yet. While Jon and his wife Precious are on holiday in Victoria Falls, he stumbles upon a mining disaster that has had almost no coverage in the media. His determination to get the tragedy into the news is stirring and very moving. Phil Harrison Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Inexperience review – this ‘no-contact’ romance is incredibly touching
Pitlochry Festival theatreWriter Douglas Maxwell’s playful conceit sparks a funny and superbly acted exploration of messy relationships There is a clever conceit underlying Douglas Maxwell’s sparky romantic comedy. It imagines the possibility of a sexually charged relationship being sustained without physical contact. Played out on stage, this improbable idea hits home on two levels.Meeting at a 21st birthday party in 1995, two students – one law, one media studies – agree to maintain the erotic anticipation of their first encounter by never touching each other. If they ever do, the relationship will be over. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Catastrophising about the cat: the Becky Barnicoat cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey 0-1 Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ Matías Galarza’s early strike seals win that sends Turkey for early exit⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamA surprise start for attacker Isidro Pitta, who was so certain he wouldn’t be called up to Paraguay’s squad for the World Cup that he had already booked a holiday to Spain with his family during the tournament.Nicknamed ‘Viking’ due to his long hair and big ginger beard, he’s found form at Red Bull Bragantino and is described as “a fighter, a tireless worker and a constant nuisance for opposition defences” in the Guardian’s World Cup player guide. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From Funboys to Olivia Rodrigo: the week in rave reviews
Steve Coogan drops in on the lovably daft Northern Irish comedy, and the alt-pop superstar teases some relationship mysteries. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup football, US Open golf, plus Test and T20 cricket – follow with us
Here’s how to follow along with our coverage – the finest writing and up-to-the-minute reports Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From Toy Story 5 to The Bear: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead
Pixar’s enduring animated favourites battle a rogue tablet, and Disney’s anxiety-inducing kitchen drama returns for a final seriesToy Story 5Out nowThe toys are back in town for a fifth instalment in Pixar’s long-running signature franchise, with people who were 10 when the first film came out now comfortably of an age to have 10-year-olds of their own. This time, the new toy on the block isn’t exactly a toy: LilyPad (Greta Lee) is a tablet targeted at kids. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as Woody and Buzz. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The rise of OnlyFans managers, the footsteps of Frida Kahlo and what you should actually store in the fridge
Need something brilliant to read this weekend? Here are six of our favourite pieces from the last seven days Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Tim Dowling: Help! I’m being held hostage by a car salesman
We’re trying to buy an electric car. But my bank and the showroom ‘manager’ have other ideasIt is a rainy Monday morning and my wife and I are in a car dealership about a mile from home, walking around a shiny new vehicle and peering into its windows.“It looks bigger than our car,” she says. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Blind date: ‘I got a bit carried away once the wine kicked in’
Alex, 45, a product lead in tech, meets Ellie, 35, a TV producerWhat were you hoping for?
To meet someone kind and have an enjoyable evening with someone I maybe wouldn’t ordinarily choose for myself. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I dived into my digital past to revisit my most cringe teenage moments – and realised how lucky I am to not be young and online today
Twenty years ago I briefly became the victim of a viral pile-on – all because of a silly YouTube video. But I’m glad I had the chance to embarrass myself and move on. Are today’s teens so fortunate?As a teenager, I went kind of viral – and the most amazing thing about that is it had absolutely zero effect on my life. It was the summer holidays in 2006, and my friends Jessie, Emma and I decided to film ourselves singing along to our favourite song. We were overheated and hyperactive, jumping up and down and headbanging, stretching our arms to the heavens as we confessed to our mamas that we’d “just killed a maaaaaan” before asking Scaramouche if he’d do the fandango.Later, I added a couple of captions to the video implying we were drunk, even though I was 14 and the closest I’d been to buzzed was the pure placebo of clutching a glass bottle of J2O. Then – for reasons that are now lost to me – I uploaded the video to YouTube a month later, on 19 September 2006, under the title “Bohemian Crap-sody”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘It’s a big mistake’: Israelis feel betrayed and angry after Iran peace deal
In ‘middle Israel’ there are fears Iran could rebuild stronger – and there is particular ire for Donald TrumpIn the Tree brasserie off Herzl Street in Rehovot, there was much that almost everyone agreed on. Few contested that the ceasefire deal concluded by Iran and the US a few days earlier was very bad for Israel. “We were betrayed by President Trump,” said Avi Perez, 55.They believed, too, that Israel, more than ever, was surrounded by danger that it would have to confront alone. “It is strange. One day we were in the [bomb] shelters with our children … The next day, everything is supposed to be normal. But nothing has been resolved,” said Shaham Nowick, 35, as he studied the menu. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Paraguay's Almiron sent off for covering mouth in confrontation
Watch Miguel Almiron become the first player to be sent off under new rules preventing players from covering their mouths during a game at the 2026 World Cup, with the Paraguay midfielder shown red in a win over Turkey.

FlightAware Squawks
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Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 10X Completes Successful Maiden Flight, Launching Test Campaign
Dassault Aviation marked a significant milestone on Friday as its new Falcon 10X successfully completed its inaugural flight.

The Guardian (UK)
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Good food, good genes and good luck: how top athletes are competing in their 40s
Serena Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the stars benefiting from advances in sports science, equipment and facilitiesWhen 40-year-old Luka Modrić lined up for Croatia against England on Wednesday evening, he embodied a growing trend in elite sport. A generation ago, a footballer competing at the highest level at 40 would have been a rarity, but the 2026 World Cup features a record eight players aged at least 40 – more than all previous tournaments combined.It’s not just football. Lewis Hamilton is still competing in Formula One aged 41, while earlier this week Wimbledon granted Serena Williams, 44, and Venus Williams, 46, a wildcard into the women’s doubles draw. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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World Cup still waits for real Brazil to show up
While rivals Argentina and France have impressed in the United States, Brazil have struggled to hit top form - despite a 3-0 win over minnows Haiti.

Russia Today News
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Moroccan football star to stand trial on rape charge

Deutsche Welle
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Lebanon: Is US-Iran peace deal a 'victory' for Hezbollah?
Lebanon's Hezbollah group has claimed that the US-Iran peace deal is a "great victory." The group, which is opposed to Israel, has certainly been bolstered by the deal. But what has Hezbollah really won?

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil sweep into form as Cunha’s quickfire double sparks World Cup win over Haiti
On a sticky, fun, occasionally boisterous, occasionally listless night in Philadelphia Brazil eased past a game but limited Haiti. All three goals in this 3-0 win came during a spell of first-half urgency driven by the high-grade wide play of Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha. In that period Brazil’s wide forwards were simply too much for a Haiti team that looked like it was trying to defend in a dogged low block, which gave the appearance of cautious, deep defence, but with the added key variation of also leaving huge open spaces in exactly the wrong places.Haiti, with no goals and no points, are now certain to finish bottom of Group C and face a final fixture against Morocco in Atlanta next week. There is also an oddity for Scotland now, who are likely to play their fixture against Brazil uncertain as to what result is required, needing to wait for the other groups to finish before knowing their destiny. Thanks, again, for that Gianni. Pile ‘em high. Deal with the consequences later. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Edinburgh airport reopens after security alert but passengers warned of ‘knock on’ effect
‘Suspicious package’ prompted partial evacuation of terminal building but flights were resuming after explosives disposal experts gave all-clearEdinburgh airport reopened on Saturday morning after parts of the terminal building were evacuated on Friday night because of a security alert.An explosive ordnance disposal team was sent to the airport to investigate what Police Scotland described as a “potentially suspicious package” discovered at about 6.50pm on Friday. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron is the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent - doing so during the World Cup match against Turkey.

ZeroHedge News
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8 Frightening Forecasts For The Future Of Fraud
8 Frightening Forecasts For The Future Of Fraud

Fraud is entering a new era. Businesses across North America expect fraud trends like biometric fraud, deepfake scams, and synthetic identities to become more common in 2026 as criminals adopt faster and more sophisticated tools.

This visualization, created by Visual Capitalist's Julia Wendling, in partnership with Inigo for the Fraud in Data campaign’s sixth post, uses data from the Sumsub Fraud Report 2025 to explore the fraud trends businesses believe will shape the future of digital risk.

Biometric Fraud Could Become the Biggest Threat

Surveyed businesses expect biometric fraud to rise the most, with 67% predicting an increase. As companies rely more on facial recognition, voice authentication, and remote onboarding, fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit those systems.



Deepfake technology is already making identity verification harder. In the future, AI-generated videos, cloned voices, and stolen biometric data could make fraud attempts more convincing and more scalable than ever before.

Businesses also expect synthetic identity fraud to grow, with 56% anticipating a rise. Criminals are increasingly combining real and fake information to create identities that can bypass traditional fraud checks.

AI and Deepfakes Are Changing Fraud Trends

Businesses expect fraud attacks to become more automated in 2026. Around 44% predict increases in advanced AI-driven attacks, deepfake scams, and forged identity documents.

Another 33% expect AI-generated fake profiles to rise as fraudsters use generative AI tools to impersonate real users online. These scams could become faster to produce and harder to detect across financial services, ecommerce, and digital platforms.

As fraud tactics evolve, businesses may need to shift from reactive fraud prevention toward real-time risk monitoring powered by machine learning and behavioral analysis.

Data Breaches Will Continue to Fuel Identity Fraud

Data breaches are expected to remain a major source of fraud risk. About 33% of businesses anticipate more identity theft linked to stolen personal data.

Organized fraud networks are also expanding, according to 22% of respondents. As cybercriminal groups become more coordinated, fraud operations could become increasingly global and industrialized.

The Future of Fraud Trends

Companies that invest in adaptive verification systems, stronger cybersecurity, and understand the data around fraud prevention may be better positioned to respond to the next generation of threats.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 22:15

ZeroHedge News
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America's Military Readiness Depends On Deployable Nuclear Power
America's Military Readiness Depends On Deployable Nuclear Power

Authored by James Durso via RealClearDefense.,com,

For decades, energy policy in Washington was debated on the basis of economics, climate change, and domestic politics. That era is over. The United States is entering a period where energy security must be recognized as a core pillar of national security and military readiness.

The global competition underway with China is not just about trade or tariffs. It is about industrial capacity, technological dominance, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor manufacturing, and defense production – all of which depend on a foundational requirement: abundant and reliable electric power.

America’s future military superiority will rely in part by whether the nation can generate enough resilient, secure baseload electricity to support its defense industrial base and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure.



That is why deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) must be a top national priority.

The United States faces a convergence of unprecedented energy demand and an electric grid that is at capacity and is vulnerable to cyberattacks, physical sabotage, transmission bottlenecks, and extreme weather events.

Intermittent energy sources alone will not meet the scale or reliability requirements necessary to sustain America’s strategic position. The nation requires dependable, 24/7 baseload power capable of supporting critical infrastructure under all conditions – including during natural disasters, geopolitical crises, or military conflicts.

Advanced nuclear energy, delivered by SMRs, is rapidly emerging as one of the few realistic solutions capable of meeting those demands on a shorter timeline than legacy power systems.

Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, SMRs are designed to be smaller, factory manufactured, and more flexible in deployment. They can be built to support specific industrial facilities, defense installations, AI infrastructure, and in remote or constrained environments where grid reliability is a concern.

The national security implications are significant.

Modern military operations are increasingly energy intensive. Defense installations, logistics hubs, shipyards, semiconductor fabrication plants, weapons production facilities, and command and control infrastructure all depend on uninterrupted electricity. Yet many of these facilities remain dependent on centralized transmission systems vulnerable to disruption.

One of the most strategically important developments in the SMR sector is the growing focus on “behind-the-meter” deployment capability — the ability to place reactors adjacent to mission-critical facilities rather than relying exclusively on long-distance transmission infrastructure.

This approach could fundamentally reshape military and industrial resilience in the United States.

Distributed advanced nuclear generation could provide secure dedicated power to defense installations, industrial corridors, AI campuses, and manufacturing hubs while reducing dependence on vulnerable grid infrastructure without competing for electric power with civilian communities. It could also improve survivability during cyberattacks, physical sabotage, or grid instability scenarios.

Equally important is the question of fuel security.

One of the least discussed but most consequential challenges facing the advanced nuclear industry is fuel availability. Several next-generation reactor concepts depend on High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), a fuel source that lacks large-scale commercial availability in North America and is tied in part to Russian-controlled enrichment capacity.

That presents a strategic vulnerability the United States cannot afford to ignore.

Energy independence cannot exist if critical fuel supply chains remain dependent on geopolitical competitors or unstable foreign markets. Any serious national nuclear strategy must prioritize technologies capable of operating with commercially available fuel supported by secure supply chains.

This is where deployment readiness becomes critically important.

For years, much of the advanced nuclear conversation has focused on future concepts, demonstration projects, and theoretical deployment timelines. But America’s strategic competitors are not waiting. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear footprint domestically and internationally as part of a broader geopolitical strategy tied to industrial influence and infrastructure dominance. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that from 2014 to 2023 China increased installed net nuclear capacity almost three times, and that domestic experience is the basis for Beijing’s push to export 30 nuclear reactors by 2030 to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The United States must move with urgency, and the technology exists to do it now.

Today, NuScale Power is the only SMR developer with full U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission standard design approval under the modern Part 52 licensing framework and the only company currently positioned with a commercially deployable, regulator-approved SMR technology transitioning to manufacturing.

That distinction matters because licensing is the hurdle that will determine which technologies are deployed in the next decade.

Most competing SMR and Generation IV reactor companies, to include Westinghouse, Oklo, TerraPower, and X-Energy are years away from NRC approval, rely on unproven fuel supply chains, or continue operating within demonstration programs without commercially deployable designs. Many experts acknowledge that several competing technologies may not achieve meaningful commercial deployment for another decade or longer.

NuScale’s position does not simply reflect a business milestone but the reality that the United States currently has NRC-approved SMR technology with a near-term pathway toward commercial deployment at scale.

The recent collaboration involving the Tennessee Valley Authority, ENTRA1 Energy, and NuScale is important not simply because of the companies involved, but because it signals a broader shift from discussion to deployment.

The proposed initiative, potentially involving up to six gigawatts of SMR capacity, reflects growing recognition that advanced nuclear energy may soon become indispensable to supporting America’s industrial expansion, digital economy, and national security infrastructure.

This is an exciting development that underscores a reality policymakers must confront: deployment timelines matter.

The United States does not have the luxury of waiting another decade for energy technologies trapped in prolonged licensing processes, uncertain fuel pathways, or unresolved manufacturing challenges. Strategic competition is accelerating now.

This is not an argument for abandoning other energy sources. It is an argument for recognizing that advanced nuclear power is increasingly becoming an essential component of America’s long-term energy resilience strategy alongside fossil fuels and renewables.

The debate over SMRs should not be framed as solely an energy issue.

It is fundamentally about whether the United States can maintain military readiness, secure critical infrastructure, support advanced manufacturing, power the AI revolution, and preserve geopolitical leadership in an increasingly unstable world.

Energy dominance is no longer simply economic policy. It is national defense policy. Small Modular Reactors allow America to maintain its strategic advantage.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 23:00

BBC World News
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Australia confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu as virus reaches every continent
Australia was previously the only continent where the H5N1 bird flu strain had not yet been found.

BBC World News
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African and Caribbean nations call for formal apology for transatlantic slavery
The leaders have asked for apologies from the countries that benefited from the slave trade, as well as debt relief and financial compensation.

BBC World News
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Watch: World Cup fans react to US defeating Australia to reach knockout round
US supporters were delighted after their team won 2-0 against the Socceroos while Australian fans were left disappointed but still hopeful.

Sky News Home
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Tourist dies after huge fire destroys luxury beach resort
A woman has died and almost 1,700 tourists have been evacuated after a major fire tore through a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, June 20
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 20.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 20, #635
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 20, No. 635.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11916 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Macclesfield and Congleton (Update)
Our engineers have seen further outages in the Manchester area and are currently investigating this further.

We apologise for any inconvenience and will continue to provide further information once available.

Start: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 03:56

Update: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 11:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 05:16

Status: Partial

Maintenance: None

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why candidates dress up to run in major UK elections
Candidates like Count Binface are motivated to run for different reasons, but their role in politics is a longstanding tradition.

The Guardian (UK)
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‘That penalty changed my life’: Panenka’s pride 50 years on from special spot-kick
Czech’s audacious defiance of Sepp Maier in Belgrade has slipped into football folklore: ‘The only disadvantage is that I don’t get any royalties from it’Antonin Panenka laughs like a bear might, a low rumble, suggesting mischief among the memories. He is sat in an office at Bohemians football club in Prague, recounting the story of his impudent, revolutionary penalty that not only won the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia against West Germany but soured his relationship with the goalkeeper his spot-kick humiliated, Sepp Maier. “He went 35 years without uttering a single word to me,” he smiles.But the feud went much deeper. “I read some articles that he even had a shooting target in his garage with my face on it that he used to fire darts at. We get on well enough now though.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I hope it works’: Tim Henman on Raducanu’s coach and vice-captain duties at Laver Cup
Former world No 4 backs best man at his wedding to reignite Raducanu and hopes to entice Jannik Sinner to join Team Europe at the O2“Tennis is in a good place, but I think it could be better,” says Tim Henman when asked about the state of the sport that has consumed most of his life. He will soon outline ways tennis could be improved but, first, it helps to remember that the 51-year-old played in six grand slam semi-finals, including four at Wimbledon, won an Olympic silver medal and became No 4 in the world despite constant gripes from part-time tennis supporters who wrongly said he lacked the grit of an elite player.Yet grit filters through Henman’s memories and explains why he loves tennis while always striving to reach a better place. We meet at the Queen’s Club and the elegance of the venue provides a stark contrast to the series of cheap B&Bs where Henman lived, down the road in Earl’s Court, for two years at the outset of his career. Money was tight then and sometimes four young players could share a single room. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Even in this age of what Mark Carney calls global rupture, do not despair: there is still hope for international law | Nathalie Tocci
Developments in Ukraine and Iran show that the military superpowers are not getting it all their own wayOur age of what Mark Carney called global rupture is also often described as following the “law of the jungle”, in which the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must, with international law shattered and multilateral organisations hollowed out. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, and the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon seem to confirm this bleak outlook. On closer inspection, however, these wars offer a different, and far brighter, clue to the way forward.Russia, once seen as a formidable military power, was expected to overwhelm Ukraine, a much smaller and weaker country backed by a divided, fearful and hesitant west. Even after the war settled into a protracted stalemate, the prevailing belief was that Ukraine was doomed to lose. But the narrative has shifted.Nathalie Tocci is a Guardian Europe columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cold War Steve on … the arrival of the World Cup superheroes
The second in a special series of World Cup 2026 themed collages made for the Guardian by the celebrated satirist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I don’t like the World Cup hydration breaks but trust me – they help the coaches | Emma Hayes
Nobody wants more stoppages in the game but it allows us, whether on TV or the touchline, to analyse what we seeIn the NFL or NBA, a head coach can sometimes affect momentum in the game during a timeout. Even as a head coach in American football you get three timeouts per half. In most cases in soccer, players have to problem-solve and think on their feet.I’m not a fan of the hydration breaks that have been introduced at this World Cup, but they’re here for now and it is fascinating from a coaching perspective because the momentum has swung straight after several hydration breaks. That could suggest coach involvement has helped teams to tweak things. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Push for electrification finally takes centre stage in pre-Cop31 climate talks
Apart from effort to electrify, there were geopolitical tensions around climate science and the 1.5C goalElectrifying the world – with electric vehicles, electric heating and cooling, and modernised heavy industry – could be the next biggest step towards phasing out fossil fuels, replacing the 80% of global energy that still comes from hydrocarbons. As using electrical energy is much more efficient than combustion, the move would save billions of dollars for consumers and businesses – global energy demand could be halved, according to one estimate.For decades, electrification has been a nerdish backwater of global climate action. But in the last two weeks, at preparatory talks in Bonn before the forthcoming UN Cop31 climate summit, the subject finally took centre stage. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Boats, bankers and borders: five symbols that sum up Brexit a decade on
What do the touchstones of the referendum debate tell us about the complex legacy of Britain leaving the EU?Ten years ago the UK voted 52% to 48% to leave the European Union, triggering a long and tortuous political process.It took until 1 January 2021 for the country to sever its links to the single market and customs union, but the fractures Brexit left in Britain’s body politic, international relations and economy remain. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Apology over illegal Israeli settlements brochures criticised
Campaigners have criticised an apology from the organisers of an Israeli property show in London after illegal settlements were advertised at the event.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to visit the UK with their children next month, for the first time since 2022.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions
Germany is bracing for a mix of high temperatures and thunderstorms on Friday. Repairs on the Bonn North Bridge will take another two years.

Digital Trends
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How Beatbot’s AI-Powered Pool Robots Are Changing Pool Care This Prime Day
Prime Day brings significant savings across Beatbot's AI-powered pool-care ecosystem, from the flagship AquaSense X and AquaSense 2 Ultra to the Sora Series and iSkim lineup.

Slashdot
Open 
Using Sound Waves To Make Espresso Could Cut Coffee-Brewing Energy Use By 75%
Researchers developed an ultrasonic espresso process that uses high-frequency sound waves instead of hot water to produce espresso-strength coffee at room temperature. And, not only did coffee drinkers find it comparable to traditional espresso, but the brewing process cut energy use by up to 75%. An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Conversation: We have developed what we call an ultrasonic espresso: a room-temperature brewing process that uses high-frequency sound waves to extract the flavor, oils, aroma and caffeine from coffee grounds. The result is an espresso-strength coffee made in under three minutes, but needing far less energy than the conventional method. Saving up to 75% of energy by not heating the water is a minor benefit for home users or small coffee shops. But for companies making ready-to-drink coffee products at industrial scale, it could be very significant indeed. A concentrated room-temperature coffee could be used directly in bottled drinks, milk-based beverages or cold coffee products. It can also be shipped as a concentrate and diluted later. This would reduce not only energy use, but potentially processing time as well.

The key to the new process is ultrasound. These are sound waves above the range of human hearing. In our system, a small metal device called a transducer presses against the side of a traditional espresso basket and makes it vibrate rapidly. Those vibrations move through the water and coffee grounds. This creates a phenomenon known as acoustic cavitation. Tiny bubbles form and collapse in the liquid. When these bubbles collapse near coffee particles, they produce microscopic jets and forces that act a little like scrubbing brushes. They pit and fracture the surface of the coffee grounds, helping flavor compounds, oils and caffeine move into the water much faster than they normally would at room temperature. In other words, ultrasound helps us replace heat with mechanical energy.

[...] In earlier work, we used ultrasound to speed up cold brew dramatically. But the challenge in this project was different: could we produce something with the strength, body and intensity of espresso, without heating the water? To do that, we adjusted several variables. Brew ratio was one of the most important: how much water we used for each gram of coffee. Too much water and the drink becomes diluted; too little and extraction becomes difficult. Grind size also mattered. Finer grounds allowed us to extract flavor more rapidly. Finally, we tested how long the ultrasound should be applied. We found the sweet spot was about two-and-a-half to three minutes. Of course, making a concentrated coffee in the laboratory is one thing. The real test is whether people want to drink it. [...] For the espresso samples, participants could not reliably tell the traditional and ultrasonic versions apart. There were no significant differences in aroma, flavor, bitterness or overall liking. For filter coffee, the ultrasound version was actually preferred overall, with participants rating its bitterness more pleasantly.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
Cyberdeck with punishingly minimal 30% keyboard
A cyberdeck is a homemade portable computer in the cyberpunk mold (exposed, utilitarian, built to suit its maker rather than to sell) and NickZero's Ultra Minimal Cyberdeck [instructables.com] is exemplary: just a single-board computer, a tiny keyboard (cf. my "Cormac" board, useful only for writing novels by Cormac McCarthy), a small screen, and a battery laced together inside a 3D-printed shell. — Read the rest
The post Cyberdeck with punishingly minimal 30% keyboard appeared first on Boing Boing.

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil sweep into form as Cunha’s quickfire double sparks World Cup win over Haiti
Matheus Cunha scored twice as Brazil moved top of World Cup Group C with a 3-0 win over Haiti. Vinícius Júnior netted the third, with all of the goals coming in a first half during which Brazil looked markedly improved from their insipid opening draw against Morocco.The result means Haiti, who lost to Scotland 1-0 in their first game, can no longer reach the knockout phase. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11916 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Macclesfield and Congleton (New)
Through monitoring we have identified that the MRCON Congleton and MRMAC Macclesfield exchanges have lost connectivity.

We are completing investigations and will look to provide an update shortly.

Start: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 03:56

Update: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 11:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 03:59

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

The Hill
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DOJ opens probe into MLB after Pride Night controversy
The Justice Department announced on Thursday that it is opening an investigation into whether Major League Baseball (MLB) engaged in religious discrimination when it issued warnings to three players for wearing caps with Bible verses on them during a Pride Night game. “Swing and a miss! Major League Baseball encouraged players to wear “Black Lives Matter”...

The Hill
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Dem senators call on FCC to pause Paramount-Warner Bros deal on national security grounds
Three Democratic senators are pressing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt a merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that the deal could pose a national security risk due to the involvement of foreign investors. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in a joint letter on...

Sky News Home
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Campaigners criticise apology from property show after illegal Israeli settlements advertised
Campaigners have criticised an apology from the organisers of an Israeli property show in London after illegal settlements were advertised at the event.

Deutsche Welle
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First case of H5 bird flu confirmed in Australia
A migratory sea bird tested positive for the contagious H5 variant of bird flu in Western Australia. Up until now Australia was the only continent which had not detected the strain.

Mail Online
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RICHARD EDEN: 'Highly unusual' clue Harry may visit Diana's grave with his children
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to bring their children to see King Charles for the first time in four years. And they may also make a poignant visit to pay tribute to their late grandmother...

Mail Online
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Jerry Hall's turning 70 - and she's invited Mick, his new love, and even her 'marriage wrecker' rival to the party!
Jerry Hall - hailed in this month's edition of fashion bible Vogue as 'sublime' - turns 70 in a few days and she's celebrating with a lavish bash in the grounds of her glorious art-filled manor home near Henley.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy to Belarus – remove Russian relay stations or ‘we’ll do it’
Zelenskyy says a week should be enough time for Belarus to remove stations, calls for a stop to refined oil supplies to Russian army. What we know on day 1,578Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a week should be enough for the Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, to remove equipment from Belarus used by ⁠Russia in its attacks on ⁠Ukraine. “If he doesn’t do it, we’ll do it,” said the Ukrainian president, without elaborating. Zelenskyy said signal relay stations were located in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine that were used by Russian forces to help with attacks on Ukrainian civilians.Ukraine has been beefing up its defences along its northern border after signs that Vladimir Putin may be trying to make greater use of Belarus in the conflict. Recent exchanges of threatening language between Kyiv and Minsk culminated in Lukashenko apologising to Zelenskyy for past remarks and saying Belarus wanted no part in the war. Zelenskyy said on Friday: “What’s the point of saying he [Lukashenko] doesn’t want to be in the war? Let him remove this equipment, let him switch it off. I think a week will be enough for him to do that.”Zelenskyy also alluded to Belarus’s oil refining industry, saying it had become a major supplier ​for Moscow and that Lukashenko could put a stop to it. “Today he ‌is the main supplier, or one of ‌the main suppliers, for the Russian army. Specifically, Lukashenko, specifically Belarus,” he said. “Can this be stopped? I’m sure it’s within his power. And he’s the one controlling ‌it.” Ukraine has been intensifying its attacks on the Russian oil sector as part of efforts to put pressure on Russia’s war capability after more than four years of conflict.EU chief António Costa on Friday defended diplomatic outreach by his office to the Kremlin, saying the bloc needed to “listen” to Moscow, despite pushback from some member states. “It is precisely because we need also to support Ukraine through diplomatic means that we need to have a direct diplomatic channel with Russia,” Costa said after a summit of EU leaders. However, he said there were so far no “credible signs” that Russia wanted to engage.Russia ⁠said on Friday it was open to dialogue with European countries but would not accept ultimatums. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said common sense dictated the need for such contacts because of the “enormous number” of complex issues on the agenda, but he said the Europeans needed to change their approach to Russia.Meanwhile, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, told reporters on Friday that Europeans would be at the table when and if there were peace talks about Ukraine, stressing they were not mediators, because they were firmly on Ukraine’s side. But he also said the question was not who would negotiate on behalf of the EU with Russia, but to clarify and define the bloc’s position first.Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, said he would strip Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the country’s top honour after the Ukrainian president caused outrage by renaming an army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) – nationalists who ⁠massacred Poles during the second world war. The decision ​could unleash a severe diplomatic crisis between the neighbours a few days ahead of a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction in the Polish city of Gdansk. The Ukrainian foreign ⁠minister Andrii Sybiha said Poland had committed a “strategic” ⁠error that ‌ “only ​benefits ​Moscow”.Russian shelling killed ⁠three civilians in Ukraine’s frontline city ⁠of Kramatorsk ⁠in ​the eastern Donetsk region, a local ⁠official said on Friday. Six ‌others had been injured in two attacks on the city, with strikes occurring ‌near a high-rise apartment building and a ​car park, said the governor ⁠of Donetsk region, ​Vadym Filashkin.French authorities detained and charged a Belarus-born man on suspicion of spying for Russia on a French drone manufacturer, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. The 48-year-old was reportedly arrested on 3 June “while filming a drone prototype belonging to a company that supplies the French and Ukrainian armed forces”. France’s domestic intelligence agency found he “allegedly sent a video to a contact in Russia”. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Clark in control of US Open as wind hinders McIlroy and Scheffler
Wyndham Clark opens a four-shot halfway lead at the US Open, with England's Matt Fitzpatrick among the closest challengers.

The Guardian (UK)
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Socceroos aggrieved by referee’s ‘stinker’ in World Cup defeat to USA
German official Felix Zwayer faces criticism for perceived injusticesTony Popovic encouraged by much improved second-half performanceReferee Felix Zwayer has come in for criticism from the Socceroos, who labelled the German’s performance a “stinker” after what they believed was a series of injustices in their 2-0 defeat to the USA in the World Cup match in Seattle.The co-hosts’ second goal was awarded by the video referee, and it was contentious given what appeared to be an offside player in the proximity of goalkeeper Patrick Beach when he tried to recover from a misdirected shot. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil 3-0 Haiti: World Cup 2026 – reaction
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanNeymar would probably not even be in North America this summer had Rodrygo been fit. Instead the Real Madrid winger is recuperating from an ACL injury by penning thoughtful columns.The pressure of wearing the Brazil shirt can be heavy but also creates a positive kind of responsibility. That pressure exists solely because of the greatness of our football, the titles we’ve won, and our historic standing in the sport. The fans’ mood often hinges on the result, which is only natural in a country so used to winning regularly.So, as a player you have to realise that a barrage of criticism isn’t the end of the world, just as a massive wave of praise doesn’t mean everything is sorted out and that you will win the tournament. It is crucial to distinguish facts and balanced analysis from comments born of raw emotion and frustration.If Vinícius is now Brazil’s undisputed star, the 25-year-old has also yet to really make the team his own. He has turned in frustrating and often fruitless performances at major international tournaments, while scoring a mere nine goals in 49 appearances entering this, his second World Cup.He has yet to wrest top billing from Neymar, whose jersey was worn by huge swaths of the Brazilian fans in their draw with Morocco on Saturday. Continue reading...

XKCD
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Side Effect

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamA surprise start for attacker Isidro Pitta, who was so certain he wouldn’t be called up to Paraguay’s squad for the World Cup that he had already booked a holiday to Spain with his family during the tournament.Nicknamed ‘Viking’ due to his long hair and big ginger beard, he’s found form at Red Bull Bragantino and is described as “a fighter, a tireless worker and a constant nuisance for opposition defences” in the Guardian’s World Cup player guide. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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Your old iPhone may have a security flaw Apple can’t fix
A new exploit called usbliter8 affects some older iPhones and Apple Watches. It requires USB access, but it targets a deep hardware-level part of Apple’s startup process.

Boing Boing
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The obscure airfields of America
Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields [airfields-freeman.com] collects America's half-forgotten strips and reconstructs each one's history from old aeronautical charts, topographic maps, aerial photographs, and tips from readers who flew or lived nearby. Every airfield gets its own dated, illustrated entry showing how it appeared, changed, and slipped into history. — Read the rest
The post The obscure airfields of America appeared first on Boing Boing.

ZeroHedge News
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"Only The Beginning": How To Profit From The Asymmetric Warfare Boom
"Only The Beginning": How To Profit From The Asymmetric Warfare Boom

Low-cost kamikaze drones are fundamentally reshaping the modern battlefield and forcing militaries to rethink procurement strategies built around expensive, high-end weapons systems.

In the Middle East, US Special Forces learned the hard way that cheap Iranian Shahed-style drones can eliminate multi-million-dollar (if not billion-dollar) communications, radar, and command-and-control nodes.

The result of this Iranian offensive with cheap drones, which exposed a missing air-defense layer over high-value U.S. military communications systems across the Gulf region, will trigger a defense procurement reset. The U.S. military is now racing to source, order, and stockpile low-cost one-way attack drones, interceptors, and counter-UAS systems before the next conflict erupts - or US-Iran ceasefire blows up.



Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries is now arriving at the same conclusion we have been highlighting:


We anticipate one of the biggest lessons of the 2020s will be how affordable drone technology fundamentally reshaped the modern combat environment and set the stage for a reevaluation of the procurement, organization and strategy of ~$3T in annual global military expenditures.

While drones have existed in the modern military apparatus for decades at this point, it was the Ukraine war (as one of the first near-peer conflicts in recent memory) which provided demonstrable evidence of how specifically lightweight and affordable systems could change the paradigm of combat.


Jeffries provided clients with a detailed overview of the nine public and nineteen private companies powering America's emerging drone industry. His takeaway: this is still the early chapters of a market set for massive growth, as the U.S. military and allied nations push the procurement cycle into higher gear next year and through the end of the decade.



He sees the first wave of the market centered on inexpensive UAS production, domestic supply chains, and rapid procurement, while the second wave will be driven by autonomy, swarming, mothership configurations, and deeper integration into command-and-control networks.

He pointed out that AI software will be as important as hardware, with platforms such as Palantir's Maven Smart System poised to turn massive drone sensor feeds into highly usable battlefield intelligence.

"With most nations averse to endure undue cost to the already punishing economics of pursuing a war, we see proliferation of Group 1-3 UAS as an inevitability and the next major technology inflection point for the aerospace and defense industry," the analyst said.

He continued: 


Democratizing asymmetric warfare; sUAS has redefined the rules of engagement. Much of modern military history has been the story of haves and have-nots, with 10 countries accounting for 72% of global military spend and dominating production of the most capable and exquisite systems. Drone technology however (and specifically small unmanned aircraft systems: sUAS) has vastly increased the accessibility and affordability of highly capable military equipment and subverted the advantage of using exquisite systems into a costly strategy. In Ukraine and Iran, drones of all sizes have become de facto standard for air campaigns launched as low-cost attritable munitions. These drones are regularly countered by more expensive defense methods: missiles, interceptors, rockets creating a challenging cost-exchange issue. Every drone launched is net dollar advantage to the belligerent firing them. With most nations averse to endure undue cost to the already punishing economics of pursuing a war, we see proliferation of Group 1-3 UAS as an inevitability and the next major technology inflection point for the aerospace and defense industry.




Jeffries lays out three key conclusions about the rapidly changing defense landscape:



Public companies flagged by Jeffries as benefiting include AeroVironment, Ondas, Red Cat, AEVEX, Redwire, Insitu and Teledyne FLIR, while private names include Anduril, Skydio, Shield AI, Quantum Systems, Performance Drone Works, DZYNE, Firestorm Labs and Neros.



An example of this technology. Meet DZYNE's BlitzBox system ... 


The American company Dzyne has introduced the BlitzBox system, a container for covertly launching a swarm of attack drones. On the outside, it looks like an ordinary cargo box, but inside, it can hold up to 100 Blitz drones, ready to launch in minutes.#DroneWars #UAS #UAV pic.twitter.com/w9aRaZYrCZ
— Drone Wars (@Drone_Wars_) May 27, 2026
He noted, "Today, most militaries are still in the earliest innings of their sUAS efforts: building defensible supply chains, refining specific designs, aligning the organizational and budgetary structure to successfully field these systems."

Follow the money...



Lessons from the Ukraine & Iranian Conflicts



Notable Drone Programs



Notable UAS Contracts



The UAS Blue List



Past, Present and Future of the Drone Operator



Swarming



Rise of Mothership Drones



In a separate note, Needham analyst Austin Bohlig noted that increasing congressional support for drones and counter-drone technologies has been reflected in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act and related appropriations bills.



Related:


JPM Call With Axon Reveals Race To Fortify U.S. Data Centers Against Kamikaze Drone Swarms


Goldman Sits Down With Anduril As 'War Unicorns' Reshape Defense Tech


"Flying Beer Cooler": Pentagon's Next Kamikaze Drone Ushers In Era Of Cheap Mass-Produced Airpower


Congress Moves To Boost Drone Funding As "War Unicorns" See Possible Procurement Supercycle

The safe conclusion is that the public and private drone companies mentioned above are positioned to reap major rewards as military procurement cycles shift toward these low-cost systems and annual global military spending surges in the coming years.

Professional subscribers can find more war tech notes at our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 20:45

ZeroHedge News
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How The Trump Admin Achieved Record Drug Seizures
How The Trump Admin Achieved Record Drug Seizures

Authored by Troy Myers via The Epoch Times,

SAN DIEGO - As the flood of illegal immigrants at the southern border slowed to a trickle, agents shifted gears. Now, they're focused on seizing drugs - in record amounts - as the border is more secure than ever, officials told The Epoch Times.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took The Epoch Times behind the scenes at the border between San Diego and Mexico - home to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.



The San Diego sector, patrolled by thousands of federal officers, encompasses more than 56,000 square miles. That includes 60 linear miles of international boundary between the United States and Mexico, and an additional 931 miles of coastal border stretching from the California-Mexico line north to Oregon.

Officers said the success they're experiencing - not just in drug seizures, but also in fewer illegal immigrants entering the country - stems from the Trump administration's tough border policies.

"Without having four or five hundred people in detention making an asylum claim, I'm going to take those officers and say, 'I don't need you to process asylum claims, I need you out there looking for dope, looking for people smuggling, looking for those agriculture violations,'" Mariza Marin, port director at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, told The Epoch Times.

Marin said she was able to move about 180 officers from handling administrative work processing illegal immigrants to enforcement and inspection.

"That's huge; 180 individuals is huge," said Sidney Aki, San Diego director of field operations.

The Evidence

Under the Biden administration, total drug seizure amounts for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 were 573,000 and 549,000, respectively.

In 2025, the first year of the Trump administration, drug seizures were slightly more, at 583,000.

But border agents seized 516,000 pounds of drugs from October 2025 through April 2026 alone. That's the first seven months of the current fiscal year for CBP, meaning five months remain for the agency to extend those numbers. And historically, summer months tend to yield higher seizure amounts, according to Department of Homeland Security data.

In April, agents seized 185,000 pounds of illegal narcotics, the biggest monthly seizure since officials began to track totals.
U.S Customs and Border Protection agents monitor border traffic outside of San Diego on May 26, 2026. Agents who had previously been tied up processing a flood of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration are seizing significant amounts of illegal narcotics compared to years prior. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Last month, CBP announced its office of field operations had seized a historic amount of fentanyl: about 100 million lethal doses from October 2025 through May this year. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl is about two milligrams.

"When you look at the point of where we are now compared to the course we were on previously, we are increasing our numbers and seizures," Aki said.

Methamphetamine and cocaine seizures are also surpassing previous numbers.

This fiscal year, CBP officers have seized more than 152,000 pounds of methamphetamine, eclipsing seizures for all of fiscal year 2025. They've seized more than 28,000 pounds of cocaine, surpassing fiscal year 2025 to date by about 6,000 pounds.

Federal Backing

While policy changes on immigration and the border have led to the refocusing of personnel, a top-to-bottom support system from the Trump administration has also created high morale and motivation for federal officers, they said.

Border enforcement and security, which is "emphasized significantly with this administration," continues to increase, Aki said.

Since Trump returned to the White House, he has signed executive actions designating cartels as terrorist organizations and fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed nearly a year ago, allocated $170 billion for border security and immigration enforcement initiatives.

On June 10, Trump signed a roughly $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The Secure America Act ended a 116-day dispute over immigration funding.

The measure will fund ICE and Border Patrol through Sept. 30, 2029, going beyond the end of Trump's term.

Enforcement At An Entry Point

The Epoch Times witnessed how agents at a port of entry carry out their tasks.

The massive San Ysidro Port of Entry has a total of 34 lanes, which are funneled into seven upon entry, and two separate pedestrian walkways that allow travelers to cross the international boundary by foot.

About 42,000 to 47,000 vehicles cross per day, Marin said.

Taking into account the number of passengers in each vehicle, commercial trucks, and pedestrians, the total number of individuals entering the United States through the crossing each day likely eclipses 100,000.

The vetting process to ensure each of these travelers is abiding by U.S. law starts with what federal agents call the "primary" or "technology zone," immediately adjacent to the international boundary.

But, with the help of Mexican authorities, intelligence gathering and enforcement can extend beyond that.

Coordination with Mexico is the best it's ever been, the officials said. Sometimes, their Mexican law enforcement counterparts intercept bad actors before they even reach the U.S. border, said Justin De La Torre, chief patrol agent for the San Diego Sector.

However, with so many thousands of vehicles and individuals seeking to enter the United States each day, things can slip by Mexican authorities.

That's when the primary or technology zone comes into play. The zone is where an intelligence package begins to be built on travelers.



Border patrol agents take pictures of each car, its driver, and any passengers. Radiation portal monitors scan vehicles to ensure there are no radiological threats. This technology, Marin said, has a very low alarm threshold - for good reason.

By the time a traveler reaches a primary officer for what the agents call an "interview" before entering the country, they already know who the traveler is, their crossing history, potential criminal history, vehicles they've driven across the border, people they've crossed with, and more.

"It could be a driver that nine times we saw him in a Versa, and then we see him in a Fiat," Marin said. "'Where'd you get this car?' So the officers are trying to build that picture, and that's part of the interview."

An officer's instinct plays a major role during the interview process in catching violators.

What might appear to be innocent questions or small talk, Aki said, is actually agents trying "to poke holes" into your story. "Why did you go to Mexico? Why are you coming to the United States? Whose car is this? Why are you bringing that?'"

Meanwhile, officers are looking for physical signs that could point to nefarious activity: indicators of nervousness such as fidgeting, white knuckling, and avoiding eye contact.

Intelligence packages are also used for commercial trucks entering the United States.

Intelligence plays a massive role in intercepting large drug smuggling attempts and preventing further ones, Aki said. It can point to previous loads a truck has carried, where it came from, who loaded it, who has operated it, and whether it has ever had any compliance violations.

Marin and Aki credited intelligence with a massive methamphetamine seizure from three separate trucks over the span of a week.

"It was basically in flower pots, cement, as well as flat-screen televisions," Aki said. The seizure was based on intelligence gathering that suggested a nefarious connection and prompted further inspection. Ultimately, officers intercepted nearly 9,000 pounds of methamphetamine, Aki said.

In an example at the Texas border, officers discovered 307 hidden packages in a tractor-trailer hauling lettuce from Mexico.
Sidney Aki, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s San Diego Field Office, monitors border crossings at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on May 26, 2026. Aki and other officials told The Epoch Times the border is more secure now than at any point in their careers, and in U.S. history. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 21:30

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Driver dies and 33 people seriously injured as Bedford train crash declared major incident
The crash, which happened at about 17:15 BST on Friday, has left almost 90 people hurt.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Driver dies and 33 people seriously injured as Bedford train crash declared major incident
The crash, which happened at about 17:15 BST, has left almost 90 people hurt.

Deutsche Welle
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Trump unveils interim Air Force One, gifted from Qatar
A former Qatari-owned jumbo jet, converted into the new presidential aircraft, is nearly ready for service. Trump said it had been transformed into "a flying White House."

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamParaguay have also shuffled a few things around, making two changes from their 4-1 defeat to the USA last week.Isidro Pitta replaces Antonio Sanabria to partner Enciso up front, while Matias Galarza comes into midfield in place of Damian Bobadilla. Here’s their squad to start today’s match. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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Rushpips / rushpips.com – Financial Conduct Authority | FCA

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Clark in control of US Open as wind derails McIlroy and Scheffler
Wyndham Clark opens a four-shot halfway lead at the US Open, with England's Matt Fitzpatrick among the closest challengers.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Video shows scene of crash as passenger describes aftermath
Passenger Pete Knapp said the crash "felt like [he'd] been in a bomb explosion".

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'People flew from their seats': Passengers describe how collision unfolded
The East of England Ambulance Service says nearly 90 people have been injured -over 30 of them seriously.

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Germany struggles to find volunteers to confront Russia – media

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark carries four-shot US Open lead as big names gather in chasing pack
American’s revival continues after controversy 12 months agoRory McIlroy still in contention despite ‘bit of a battle’ on back nineEveryone was chasing one man on a windswept Friday in the Hamptons as Wyndham Clark continued his extraordinary revival, posting the lowest 36-hole score ever recorded in a US Open at Shinnecock and carrying a four-shot lead into the weekend.The 2023 champion backed up his opening-round 64 with a one-under 69 to reach seven under par, breaking the previous halfway record of six under set by Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama in 2004. Clark’s total left him four strokes clear of Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim at three under, while Collin Morikawa hurled himself into contention with the day’s low score of 65 to sit alone at two under on a sun-splashed but blustery afternoon in Southampton. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US players agree with Zlatan Ibrahimovic that World Cup title is possible: ‘That’s our mindset’
US qualify for knockout stage after victory over AustraliaFormer Sweden striker says Americans are contendersUS men’s team’s last semi-final came in 1930After two wins in two to start the World Cup, the US have gained a high-profile supporter: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Asked on Fox’s postgame broadcast whether he thinks the co-hosts can win the World Cup, the Swede offered a simple answer: “Yes.”Asked about Ibrahimovic’s comments after Friday’s 2-0 win over Australia, US players were uniform in their response: Sure, why not? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamElsewhere, Brazil are maintaining a comfortable 3-0 lead over Haiti. If they maintain or extend that, they’ll leapfrog Morocco and sit pretty at the top of Group C.Check out Jonathan Howcroft’s live updates below as we wait for the Turkey and Paraguay line-ups. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Perrie Edwards sweetly gushes that she is 'obsessed' with her new husband Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as she performs at the Isle Of Wight Festival after their Portugal wedding
Perrie Edwards sweetly said she was 'obsessed' with her new husband Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after their incredible Portugal wedding as she performed at the Isle Of Wight Festival on Saturday night.

Mail Online
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Britain uses F1 technology to produce faster, lighter missiles, without US parts, so Ukraine can beat restrictions and fire them into Russian territory
British missile innovators are bringing Formula 1 technology and hardware to Ukraine. Grand Prix aerodynamics and carbon composite chassis from racing cars are being used.

Mail Online
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Birgitte turns 80: The girl next door who became Duchess of Gloucester - and devoted her life to duty, NOT drama!
From Trooping the Colour, to state banquets and Royal Ascot , she is a regularly reassuring presence at the King and Queen's side.

Mail Online
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'It feels like emotional blackmail': As Harry and Meghan announce return to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, insiders say they fear decision to bring children is nothing more than 'manipulation' of Royals and a bid for huge global publicity
Both William and Harry's children are growing fast, but the last time they were even in the same country was four years ago, in June 2022. Californian-born Lili was just one year old.

Mail Online
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AMANDA PLATELL: Jeremy Clarkson should get a knighthood for his services... to men's bits! His candid confession that he has prostate cancer will save lives
When the ultimate macho man, petrolhead Jeremy Clarkson, revealed this week that he has been battling 'aggressive' prostate cancer, my first thought was: 'Crikey, he deserves a Knighthood.'

Mail Online
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BORIS JOHNSON: A decade after Britain's momentous Brexit vote, any politician would have to be out of their tiny mind to campaign for Britain to rejoin the EU
It was ten years ago that the people of this country voted to leave the European Union , and I look back on that moment with undiminished joy - and continuing amazement.

Mail Online
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The four mistakes that led to bungee tragedy on Skeleton Bridge: FRED KELLY saw the scene for himself, now he retraces the prelude to disaster. So was it really an accident?
As three men lift Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas into the air, it's clear that something is seriously wrong.

Mail Online
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Eight fashion editor-approved beach outfits - including an £8 Tesco sarong
Hit the beach in stripes, spots and zesty colours for the ultimate in sunny holiday style

Mail Online
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ANDREW PIERCE: Was this the day Reform's bubble burst? Party insiders say they 'blew it again' in Makerfield, senior figures have descended into public bickering, and Farage is uncharacteristically avoiding the spotlight
At a swish Westminster reception to promote a new book about Nigel Farage one subject dominated the conversation over the fizzy English wine and canapes.

Mail Online
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Has this former Devon seaside idyll become the crack cocaine capital of Britain? As locals beg for police to help, JANE FRYER visits a town ravaged by county lines drugs gangs, violent crime and feral teens
By 8am on a Wednesday, a High Street in Devon is thick with marijuana. It comes from under the arches, where a tangle of bodies is beginning to stir from last night's drugs excesses

Mail Online
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Revealed, how Beijing unleashed Triad gangs to wage war on Britain: Crime groups linked to Chinese Communist Party are flooding our streets with killer synthetic opioids, supplying engines for migrant boats, and even masterminding romance frauds
It is known as the Frankenstein drug - a monster made in the lab and 500 times more potent than heroin. And now that drug has quickly become the newest killer on British streets...

Mail Online
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'They spend a lot of time apart... it's a make or break move.' As Geri and Christian Horner plot to buy £45m Edgcote Manor, insiders reveal how the purchase might just be a VERY expensive distraction from the couple's troubles
Built in the mid-18th century, the Grade I- listed Georgian country house sits amid 1,704 acres. And it was home to the BBC's iconic 1995 TV adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice.

Mail Online
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Henry Nowak's murderer Vickrum Digwa said to be 'cowering' in cell after being moved to 'Monster Mansion' jail where Ian Huntley was killed
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was transferred from Winchester jail to HMP Frankland, Co Durham this week, a prison dubbed 'Monster Mansion' thanks to the reputations of his fellow inmates.

Mail Online
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'I'm obsessed with food - but I've stopped eating a week's shopping for lunch.' Podcasting megastar ED GAMBLE tells all about his massive weight loss and the reality of living with Type 1 diabetes
He's one of the most influential figures in the British restaurant industry. Off Menu's Ed Gamble reveals why he doesn't rate the Zoe app

Mail Online
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Britain set for hottest June day in history as Met Office predicts official heatwave - while also warning of health dangers and water safety risks
Temperatures are expected to soar to 34C over the next week, including the UK's hottest June day on record.

Mail Online
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THE CHIC LIST: A deliciously scandalous dress, and why the royals are missing Meghan's fashion might
Here's why the royals need Meghan's fashion might

Mail Online
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Iran declares ships must beg permission to use Strait of Hormuz and could face extra charges - leading to higher household bills - despite Donald Trump deal backed by G7 leaders including Sir Keir Starmer
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an agency set up by Tehran during the earlier ceasefire, said vessels must submit requests at least 48 hours in advance.

Mail Online
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Burnham ally Louise Haigh to Starmer: Leave quietly or face a 'brutal, unpleasant' fight for Labour leadership
At Mr Burnham's victory rally in Makerfield, Ms Haigh said: 'I hope the Prime Minister takes the weekend to really reflect on the result here.'

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Flawed but relentless Scotland show themselves as men of substance
Morocco threatened to blow Scotland away early on, but Steve Clarke's squad showed their resilience, writes Tom English.

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open second round: Wyndham Clark holds four-shot lead – as it happened
Wyndham Clark is four shots clear after the second round at Shinnecock Hills leaving a fascinating weekend in prospectMatt Fitzpatrick has to hole a 27-footer to save par at 3. It keeps him at -3 and in a tie for third. Great work. But not so good for playing partner DeChambeau, who misses the fairway, comes up short with his approach and looks utterly baffled as his par putt from 30 feet drifts five feet past. He completes an error-strewn hole by missing that one so it’s an ugly double bogey and Bryson tumbles down to +2.The average score in round one was 73.280 which isn’t too exteme for a US Open. Here’s how it compares to the last five years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamWant more on today’s earlier Group D game between co-hosts USA and Australia? Our team in Seattle has you covered.We’re already starting to see the shape of some other groups as match day two continues at the World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Israel and Hezbollah renew ceasefire after deadly flareup disrupts opening of Iran talks
JD Vance pulls out of US-Iran meeting in Switzerland on implementation of peace deal after clashes in southern LebanonMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael and Hezbollah agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after 24 hours of intense violence that posed an early challenge to the new agreement between the US and Iran to end their conflict.A meeting that was scheduled to take place on Friday between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland to discuss implementation of the new deal was cancelled when Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel carried out a wave of retaliatory airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley that killed at least 47 people. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Michael Fassbender says it is becoming harder to know what to trust online
Stars of spy thriller show The Agency discuss espionage, AI and the personal cost of living a double life.

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamWe’re already starting to see the shape of some other groups as match day two continues at the World Cup.Mexico became the first nation to secure knock-out football after a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Group A.As John Denver’s Country Roads blared over the Seattle Stadium PA, they celebrated history: a spot in the knockout round secured with a game to spare, two wins to start a World Cup for the first time since 1930, a big moment for a breakout star in goalscorer Alex Freeman, and the continuation of a journey that US Soccer hope will be transformative for the sport in their country.“We built the victory in our attitude,” Mauricio Pochettino said. “Today, even if I am not American, after the game I was emotional … To connect with the people is what we wanted.” Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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Which Philips Hue lights do I need? A simple guide to the smart light range — plus where to buy

TechRadar News
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'Entirely automating everything is not the future we want': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lays out his company's vision as it opens a 'third phase' and looks to build technology "to benefit everyone"

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: dynamic_shared_memory_type
Parallel queries in PostgreSQL need shared memory sized at runtime, not startup.

Telegraph
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Scotland beaten by Morocco after two penalty appeals denied
Scotland beaten by Morocco after two penalty appeals denied

Telegraph
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Wyndham Clark eyes US Open redemption as Rory McIlroy’s challenge stalls
Wyndham Clark eyes US Open redemption as Rory McIlroy’s challenge stalls

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Love Pride but hate big parades? These places are doing it differently
From Glasgow to Salford, smaller, unique events are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How Japanese girl band XG went from brutal six year training to global pop stars
The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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How to stay safe swimming outdoors - and still have fun
Pick designated swimming spots, learn about riptides and don't use inflatables at the beach, experts say.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Popping a cocktail of supplements every day might be doing you more harm than good
While many of us take supplements regularly, there are some risks people may not be aware of.

The Guardian (UK)
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Turkey v Paraguay: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/1pm AEST/4am BST/11pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail SamLooking at the group’s permutations, both Turkey and Paraguay will now have Australia squarely in their sights after the Socceroos lost 2-0 to hosts USA earlier today.A win for either team today will bring them level on points with Australia (3), though exactly where they’ll end up – second or third – will be decided by goal difference.As John Denver’s Country Roads blared over the Seattle Stadium PA, they celebrated history: a spot in the knockout round secured with a game to spare, two wins to start a World Cup for the first time since 1930, a big moment for a breakout star in goalscorer Alex Freeman, and the continuation of a journey that US Soccer hope will be transformative for the sport in their country.“We built the victory in our attitude,” Mauricio Pochettino said. “Today, even if I am not American, after the game I was emotional … To connect with the people is what we wanted.” Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Scotland fans dejected after loss to Morocco at World Cup
Fans at home and at the World Cup in the US watched as Scotland lost 1-0 to Morocco.

TechRadar Reviews
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I reviewed Klipsch's The Nines II powered stereo speakers, and they're definitely keepers — great sound and nice features in a compact size (though it helps if you're feeling strong)

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11914 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Multiple Exchanges (New)
CityFibre are carrying out planned maintenance affecting the following exchanges:

CMLGS-Leamington Spa
CMWARW-Warwick
EACHE-Chelmsford
EMNORTH-Northampton
EMPETER-Peterborough Wentworth

A few customers will lose connectivity for 15 minutes during the maintenance window.

Maintenance Details:
Change Reference: CHG0134674
Work: Network Device Firmware Upgrade
Maintenance Window: 20/07/2026 00:01 BST – 20/07/2026 06:00 BST

Services are expected to remain available for the duration of the maintenance window, with the exception of a brief ~15 minutes interruption as upgraded devices are rebooted.

A few numbers of customers will be affected during this maintenance window within your area.

If you experience any issues following the maintenance window, please reboot your CPE device. If problems persist, please contact our support team.

We always aim to complete maintenance with minimal disruption. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Kind regards,

Apologies for any inconvenience

Kind Regards,
ZEN Internet

Start: Mon, 20th Jul 2026 00:01

End: Mon, 20th Jul 2026 06:00

Update: Mon, 20th Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 02:09

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11915 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - WMSTP-Worcester St. Peters (New)
We are carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 15 minutes during the maintenance window.

Reason for maintenance: CityFibre, will be carrying out planned maintenance in the Worcester area.

Maintenance Details:
Date: Monday 21 July 2026

Window: 00:01 – 06:00 BST

Work: Firmware upgrade

Expected Impact: Services should remain available throughout the maintenance window, however there may be a brief disconnection of up to 10 minutes while network equipment is rebooted.

What you need to do:

If you experience any connectivity issues after 06:00 BST, please reboot your router/equipment. If problems persist after rebooting, contact our support team and we'll be happy to help.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Kind regards,
Zen Internet

Start: Tue, 21st Jul 2026 00:01

End: Tue, 21st Jul 2026 06:00

Update: Tue, 21st Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Sat, 20th Jun 2026 02:12

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Russia Today News
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Pressure mounts on Starmer to resign – media

BBC Technology News
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New video game console aims to get kids moving
The cube-shaped console will cost £269 (€319) when it is released on 22 June in the UK and Ireland.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open second round: Wyndham Clark holds four-shot lead but big names gather in chasing pack
Wyndham Clark is four shots clear after the second round at Shinnecock Hills leaving a fascinating weekend in prospectMatt Fitzpatrick has to hole a 27-footer to save par at 3. It keeps him at -3 and in a tie for third. Great work. But not so good for playing partner DeChambeau, who misses the fairway, comes up short with his approach and looks utterly baffled as his par putt from 30 feet drifts five feet past. He completes an error-strewn hole by missing that one so it’s an ugly double bogey and Bryson tumbles down to +2.The average score in round one was 73.280 which isn’t too exteme for a US Open. Here’s how it compares to the last five years. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Should Scotland have had two penalties & been playing against 10 men?
Were Scotland hard done by in Boston in losing 1-0 to Morocco in their second game of the World Cup finals?

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Scotland fall to narrow defeat against Morocco
Scotland concede after 71 seconds and fall to a World Cup defeat against a classy Morocco, but their hopes of a historic knock-out place remain in their own hands with one group game to go.

Mail Online
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Police launch manhunt after four-year-old boy was abducted in front of his mother while playing in park
The youngster vanished in Haden Hill Park in the West Midlands town of Cradley Heath, just metres away from his mother.

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open second round: Wyndham Clark holds four-shot lead but big names gather in chasing pack
️ Updates from the second round at Shinnecock Hills️ Live leaderboard | Follow us on Instagram | Mail MattMatt Fitzpatrick has to hole a 27-footer to save par at 3. It keeps him at -3 and in a tie for third. Great work. But not so good for playing partner DeChambeau, who misses the fairway, comes up short with his approach and looks utterly baffled as his par putt from 30 feet drifts five feet past. He completes an error-strewn hole by missing that one so it’s an ugly double bogey and Bryson tumbles down to +2.The average score in round one was 73.280 which isn’t too exteme for a US Open. Here’s how it compares to the last five years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Saibari strikes after 70 seconds as Morocco puncture Scotland’s World Cup party
Scotland would have taken this outcome after 70 seconds. Ismael Saibiri had fired this highly-rated Moroccan team ahead. Men in kilts gulped under the blazing Massachusetts sun. Scotland may even privately have taken this outcome before a ball was kicked. Avoidance of a comprehensive defeat against Brazil will leave them with at least a fighting chance of becoming the first Scotland team to progress to the knockout phase of a major tournament.Easier said than done, of course, but a scenario where history remains within the grasp of Steve Clarke and his players. Onwards to Miami, for what promises to be quite the spectacle. The value in beating Haiti by a goal or only losing this by the same will all be apparent by full-time on Wednesday. The Tartan Army need calculators in hand. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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Avoid roaming charges and streaming geo-blocks at the World Cup with these eSIM and VPN bundles

TechRadar News
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'What makes a CV stand out is the personal touch you add to it': Even professional CV writers are warning not to use AI to write a resume

TechRadar News
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How to watch Turkey vs Paraguay: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026

Russia Today News
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UK train collision leaves dozens seriously injured (VIDEOS)

Telegraph
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US Open: Latest updates from second round as Clark leads and McIlroy falters
US Open: Latest updates from second round as Clark leads and McIlroy falters

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Did key decisions go against Scotland in Morocco match?
Should Scotland feel aggrieved after three key decisions in their World Cup Group C match against Morocco in Boston?

Mail Online
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'Resign in days or face a coup': Andy Burnham's allies - and some Cabinet ministers - issue dramatic threat to Sir Keir Starmer after ex-mayor sweeps to Makerfield victory
Labour grandees, including some Cabinet ministers, told the Prime Minister that his time was up following Mr Burnham's thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election.

BBC UK News
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The Papers: 'Cabinet turns on Starmer' and 'Meg's in' for palace stay
The fight for the top job as UK prime minister is the main focus of Saturday's papers.

ZeroHedge News
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Here's How 45 Countries View America
Here's How 45 Countries View America

America remains one of the world’s most influential countries, but public opinion of the U.S. varies widely across the globe.

Some of its strongest support now comes from emerging economies such as Vietnam, India, and the Philippines, while favorability has weakened across several longtime Western allies.

This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Dorothy Neufeld, ranks how people in 45 countries view the U.S. using January 2026 survey data from Morning Consult’s America Reputation Tracker.



Where Positive Views Are the Highest

Israel and Nigeria rank first in the survey, with 83% of respondents holding favorable views of America.

Morocco, Vietnam, and Peru round out the top five, highlighting how some of the strongest support for the U.S. now comes from outside its traditional circle of Western allies.

India has the highest favorability rating of any major economy at 62%, ranking ahead of countries such as Canada, Germany, and France.

Argentina also places in the top 10, underscoring how perceptions of America are often strongest in countries that view the U.S. as an important economic, security, or strategic partner.

The Countries Souring on America

Trade disputes and rising political tensions have weighed heavily on America’s image among many of its traditional allies.

Tariffs on Canada and Europe, criticism of NATO, suggestions that Canada could become the 51st state, and President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland have all strained relations across the Western alliance. As a result, nine of the 10 lowest favorability ratings in the survey come from Western countries, including Canada, France, Germany, and Sweden.

In response to growing uncertainty around U.S. policy, Canada has expanded economic cooperation with Europe and sought closer engagement with China.

One of the survey’s most surprising findings is that China ranks ahead of several longstanding U.S. allies. Despite ongoing geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing, America’s favorability rating in China exceeds that of countries including Canada, Belgium, and Sweden.

In other words, countries that have been America’s closest partners for decades now view it less favorably than its chief geopolitical rival.

To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on how much U.S. states rely on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 19:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Elon Musk Vs The Democrats: Outcomes Vs Process
Elon Musk Vs The Democrats: Outcomes Vs Process

Authored by Stephen Soukup via American Greatness,

Years ago, when my oldest son was a Boy Scout, he was asked to write a report/make a presentation on a modern American “hero.” He chose Elon Musk, and I, of course, rolled my eyes so hard they nearly popped out of my head.

I knew Musk was a successful businessman, but I also knew that he was both an advocate for and a seasoned manipulator of Big Government. Tesla, for example, received a $465 million Department of Energy loan in 2010 under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, a Big Government scheme to encourage private companies to advance Big Government priorities (namely, fighting Climate Change by reducing carbon emissions). Likewise, Tesla was, at least at the time, commercially viable only because of the more than $1 billion ($7,500/vehicle) in federal EV tax credits claimed by its buyers. Without government greasing the proverbial wheels a bit, Tesla would have struggled to get the literal wheels rolling out the sales floor doors.

Moreover, Musk publicly acknowledged that he voted for Obama and presented himself as part of the “green” business revolution, men and women who could and would “do well by doing good.”

My, how things change.



Just a short decade later, Elon Musk is, indeed, regarded as a genuine hero by most on the American political Right—and by anyone who favors free enterprise—while he is loathed and actively derided by his former friends and allies on the Left. Especially this past week, after the SpaceX IPO made him the world’s first trillionaire, the Democrats and other leftists who once loved him, partnered with him, and sang his praises loudly have shown nothing but contempt for him and hatred for his inarguable business success. As the controversial Democratic Senate nominee from Maine, Graham Platner, ominously put it, “Elon Musk just became the world’s first trillionaire. Let’s make sure he’s also the last.”

How, exactly, did we get here?

The biggest part of the story is Musk’s own political evolution, which proceeded slowly, in stages, but was accelerated at a handful of inflection points.

Of these inflection points, two stand out among the others.

The first of these took place during President Biden’s first year in office.

Biden and his administration were knee-deep in pushing a new, far more aggressive climate agenda. On his first day in office, Biden issued 17 executive orders, several of which addressed climate change and other environmental matters. Most notably, he signed an order to reinstate the nation’s participation in the Paris Accords, thereby placing a policy-making emphasis on electrification and decarbonization. A big part of that effort—as would be evinced in the “Inflation Reduction Act” passed the following year—was pushing the purchase of electric vehicles. To that end, on August 4, 2021, Biden hosted an EV “summit” at the White House. He invited three EV makers—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—to watch him sign another executive order, this one mandating that half of all new vehicles sold in the United States by 2030 be EVs. Of the three, GM had the largest percentage of its sales derived from fully electric vehicles—1.5 percent. Ford sat at 1.3 percent, and Stellantis didn’t even have an electric vehicle for sale in the American market. Meanwhile, Tesla was the nation’s largest EV auto seller at the time, and 100 percent of its vehicles were fully electric. Yet Musk and his company were left off the Biden team’s guest list.

What GM, Ford, and Stellantis did have, of course, was the support of the United Auto Workers Union. In fact, the three also just happened to be the largest UAW employers. Tesla, by contrast, had long fought the unionization of its factories and had been embroiled in a rather ugly dispute with the UAW. In response to the snub, Musk vented a bit, tweeting:


Biden held this EV summit. Didn’t invite Tesla.

Invited GM, Ford, Chrysler, and UAW. EV summit at the White House, didn’t mention Tesla once and praised GM and Ford for leading the EV revolution.

Doesn’t it sound a little bias? It’s not the friendliest of administrations.

Seems to be controlled by the unions.


Just under a year later, Musk reached the second inflection point, which also turned out to be his breaking point.

In May 2022, the S&P 500 ESG Index conducted its annual rebalancing. And when it did, it removed Tesla.

ESG stands for “environmental, social, and governance” investing, a strategy that purports to push corporations to address issues beyond traditional profits and losses, focusing on the broader societal impacts of their operations. I wrote a whole book about ESG (The Dictatorship of Woke Capital) in which I made the case that its flaws are numerous and disqualifying. One of the most significant of these is that ESG has no set definition. It means whatever its practitioners decide it means in the moment, based on little more than preference and convenience. And this is precisely where the S&P’s index ran into problems with Tesla.

By any objective measure, Tesla should have been a mainstay of any investment strategy focused on environmental benefits. It was and is a pioneer in carbon reduction strategies in the personal transportation market. What could be more environmentally friendly than that? The S&P, however, objected to Tesla’s procedural strategies, or lack thereof. It argued that Tesla didn’t have a published “low-carbon strategy,” or verifiable “codes of conduct.” It noted that the automaker had been accused of racial discrimination and didn’t do a great job of handling a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation. In short, the ESG index tossed the innovator in “E” technology off its list of acceptable companies because it valued the process of the ESG strategy more than it did the outcomes.

Needless to say, this incensed Musk. On May 18, he (once again) tweeted his frustration:


Exxon is rated top ten best in world for environment, social & governance (ESG) by S&P 500, while Tesla didn’t make the list! ESG is a scam. It has been weaponized by phony social justice warriors.


Not coincidentally, two and a half hours later, Musk returned to Twitter to make an announcement about his partisan political future:


In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican. Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold . . .


It is worth noting here that Musk didn’t just switch parties. He radicalized. His change in partisan affiliation and political involvement was night and day.

He went from a quiet, nominally aligned center-leftist to a full-blown, aggressive libertarian-conservative. Instead of giving $1,000 here and $1,000 there to Democratic candidates, he started throwing money into politics as if he’d never miss it (in part because he never would). He backed Donald Trump with millions of dollars and then joined his administration (for free) as the leader and organizer of DOGE. The combination of the union-driven and the ESG-driven snubs sent him over the edge. Not only would he no longer support Democrats, but he would support their opponents loudly and generously.

Although it would be easy (and not entirely wrong) to say that Elon Musk’s political evolution was a self-inflicted wound by the Democrats, who enthusiastically chased him out of their party, it’s more accurate to say that the break between the two was a structural inevitability. That inevitability was inarguably exacerbated and hastened by Democratic overconfidence and miscalculation, but that’s the difference between Musk simply leaving the party and becoming radicalized for the other side. Musk’s shift away from Democratic politics was likely always going to happen and is emblematic of the long-standing tension between so-called “progressives” and actual progress. The ideology that once sought explicitly to “better” the nation and its people has become little more than a machine for creating rules, often at the expense of that improvement. Musk’s fervent embrace of the Democrats’ opponents was driven by personalities—theirs, his, and probably Trump’s.

Think about it this way...

 The Progressive coalition traditionally has very much resembled the S&P ESG index noted above. It has always been carefully managed, regulated, labor-friendly, bureaucratic, and procedure-driven. It has always been more about process than outcome. Musk, for his part, is the opposite. He is disruptive, as capitalist entrepreneurs tend to be. He favors that which moves fast, eschews established rubrics, and achieves results. He is outcome-driven and cares very little (sometimes, maybe, too little) about process. The idea that he and today’s Democrats could have remained strongly aligned is, in retrospect, incongruous.

That’s not to say that he and the GOP are perfectly aligned, but certainly his ethos fits better there, at least for the moment.

The bottom line here is that while process values have their place, they can be self-defeating, particularly when they are allowed to serve as a substitute for experience and reality.

The Democrats don’t hate Elon Musk because he’s a trillionaire. They hate him because he became a trillionaire by breaking all their dearly held and largely outmoded rules.

There’s a profound lesson in that, if anyone is willing to learn it.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 20:00

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James Burrows, legendary director of Cheers and Friends, dies aged 85
Best-known as co-creator of sitcom Cheers, Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of other classics including the Big Bang Theory and Will and Grace.

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Saibari strikes after 70 seconds as Morocco puncture Scotland’s World Cup party
Scotland would have taken this outcome after 70 seconds. Ismael Saibiri had fired this highly-rated Moroccan team ahead. Men in kilts gulped under the blazing Massachusetts sun. Scotland may even privately have taken this outcome before a ball was kicked. Avoidance of a comprehensive defeat against Brazil will leave them with at least a fighting chance of becoming the first Scotland team to progress to the knockout phase of a major tournament.Easier said than done, of course, but a scenario where history remains within the grasp of Steve Clarke and his players. Onwards to Boston, for what promises to be quite the spectacle. The value in beating Haiti by a goal or only losing this by the same will all be apparent by full-time on Wednesday. The Tartan Army need calculators in hand. Continue reading...

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'Cabinet turns on Starmer' and 'Meg's in' for palace stay
The fight for the top job as UK prime minister is the main focus of Saturday's papers.

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Why candidates dress up and run in major UK elections
Candidates like Count Binface are motivated to run for different reasons, but their role in politics is a longstanding tradition.

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Trump endorses both GOP runoff candidates in South Carolina
President Trump on Friday offered a rare dual endorsement for both Republican contenders in the race for South Carolina governor, an unexpected twist that comes just days before voters are set to return to the polls for a runoff. Trump initially put his full support behind the Palmetto State’s Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for the GOP nomination, hailing her...

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Police launch manhunt after four-year-old boy was abducted in front of his mother while playing in park
A four-year-old boy vanished for several minutes as he played in Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath. West Midlands, just metres away from his mother, on Thursday afternoon.

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Labour stole our 'Starmer out' message, says Nigel Farage as he urges voters to ditch support for rivals Restore
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Donald Trump insists Israel would have been 'eviscerated' without US support as US secret service expect Netanyahu to scupper peace
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Inside the Cambridgeshire zoo horror: A piercing wail no one will ever forget - and the fearless grandmother who leapt into crocodile pit to haul toddler to safety
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Alex Jones reveals her husband Charlie Thomson considered moving to New Zealand and says 'I'm so grateful he stayed' after the couple celebrated their 10th anniversary
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Meet Andy Burnham's loyal wife - a Dutch-born high-flying marketing executive who once appeared on ITV's Blind Date
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Mail Online
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More than 7,000 criminals will be forced to wear special alcohol 'sobriety tags' to prevent them boozing during the World Cup
The Ministry of Justice said around 7,300 criminals will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament.

Mail Online
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The Northern 'power women' who are eyeing up the top jobs after Andy Burnham's Makerfield by-election win
Louise Haigh has become a key player behind Mr Burnham's return to the corridors of power, and is expected to have a major role in his top team should he take Keir Starmer's job.

Mail Online
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'I want a big state Britain': Andy Burnham echoes Corbyn as he vows to nationalise utilities if he takes Starmer's place in No. 10
The new MP for Makerfield reeled off a list of policies that were light on detail but could force taxation and spending even higher.

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Labour cabinet minister welcomes Information Commissioner's resignation over 'vulgar and highly sexualised language'
Labour tech secretary Liz Kendall has revealed she has seen evidence of the 'vulgar and highly sexualised language' used by Information Commissioner John Edwards.

Mail Online
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'Resign in days or face a coup': Andy Burnham's allies - and some Cabinet ministers - issue dramatic threat to Sir Keir Starmer after ex-mayor sweeps Makerfield victory
Labour grandees, including some Cabinet ministers, told the Prime Minister that his time was up following Mr Burnham's thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election.

Mail Online
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No party for Scotland: Heartbreak at home and abroad for the Tartan Army as their team suffer first World Cup defeat to Morocco
Scotland fans were left heartbroken after their triumphant World Cup start came to a juddering halt against Morocco in Boston on Friday. 

Mail Online
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Scotland vs Morocco - World Cup Group C LIVE: Steve Clarke's side suffer narrow defeat after conceding within the first two minutes... but should they have had a penalty?
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog as Steve Clarke's side bid to build on their opening World Cup win against Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil v Haiti: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanNeymar would probably not even be in North America this summer had Rodrygo been fit. Instead the Real Madrid winger is recuperating from an ACL injury by penning thoughtful columns.The pressure of wearing the Brazil shirt can be heavy but also creates a positive kind of responsibility. That pressure exists solely because of the greatness of our football, the titles we’ve won, and our historic standing in the sport. The fans’ mood often hinges on the result, which is only natural in a country so used to winning regularly.So, as a player you have to realise that a barrage of criticism isn’t the end of the world, just as a massive wave of praise doesn’t mean everything is sorted out and that you will win the tournament. It is crucial to distinguish facts and balanced analysis from comments born of raw emotion and frustration.If Vinícius is now Brazil’s undisputed star, the 25-year-old has also yet to really make the team his own. He has turned in frustrating and often fruitless performances at major international tournaments, while scoring a mere nine goals in 49 appearances entering this, his second World Cup.He has yet to wrest top billing from Neymar, whose jersey was worn by huge swaths of the Brazilian fans in their draw with Morocco on Saturday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland 0-1 Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ In pictures: our pick of the best images from the match⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnScotland: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, McTominay, Ferguson, Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Adams. Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Doak, Hirst, Shankland, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna.Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari. Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Saleh-Eddine.In putting himself out front and centre Marsch has, arguably, given his players the room to feel their way into the roles, before meeting the moment. Out there in the rest of the world, some may already be tiring of Marsch’s excesses but Canada is revelling in his leadership. Thursday was both catharsis and crisis and Marsch led the country through both and left windmilling his arms for more. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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'Nightmare start for Scotland' Saibari fires Morocco into early lead
Morocco's Ismael Saibari stuns Scotland with a superb finish after just 71 seconds in their World Cup Group C game in Boston.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Did key decisions go against Scotland in Morocco match?
Should Scotland feel aggrieved after key decisions in their World Cup Group C match against Morocco in Boston?

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Quiz: What type of World Cup fan are you?
Take our World Cup quiz and discover your fan personality type.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Cooler Saturday gives brief relief before heat returns
After a slightly cooler Saturday, temperatures will rise again, possibly touching 35C by Tuesday with a Met Office amber extreme heat warning set to come into force.

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil v Haiti: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanThis is not a vintage Brazil squad but in Vinicius Junior they have a match-winner capable of upholding the grand traditions of the Selecao, if only they’d get over their obsession with Neymar and make this his team.If Vinícius is now Brazil’s undisputed star, the 25-year-old has also yet to really make the team his own. He has turned in frustrating and often fruitless performances at major international tournaments, while scoring a mere nine goals in 49 appearances entering this, his second World Cup.He has yet to wrest top billing from Neymar, whose jersey was worn by huge swaths of the Brazilian fans in their draw with Morocco on Saturday. Continue reading...

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US to stop funding HIV programmes in South Africa
More than eight million South Africans are living with HIV – the highest number of any country in the world.

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Brazil v Haiti: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanFollowing that victory I have the USA as favourites to reach the quarterfinals. Complete your own Bracketology and prove me wrong.Only one contest has been played to completion so far this matchday and it was a good one for the USA. The hosts guaranteed their participation in the knockout phase with a needly 2-0 victory over an Australian side that regressed towards the mean following their outstanding opening win over Turkey.Australia looked like a bunch of bananas in their all-yellow strip against the USA, and it is tempting to call this comprehensive 2-0 defeat a banana skin in the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign. In truth, however, this was less a slip up than a humbling, and the visitors proved ripe opposition as the hosts came and took what they wanted. Continue reading...

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The Super Bowl winner's son stepping into spotlight with USA
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Digital Trends
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After social media ban, AI bans could be next for school kids
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A key US data center law covering security and sustainability is set to lapse worryingly soon, with no sign of a replacement

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Amazon Drops Sam Altman Movie After Announcing OpenAI Partnership
Amazon MGM has dropped Luca Guadagnino's nearly completed Sam Altman biopic Artificial and is seeking another distributor for the film. The move comes months after Amazon expanded its multibillion-dollar partnership with OpenAI, fueling speculation about a potential conflict given the movie's reportedly unflattering portrayal of Altman. The Independent reports: Artificial would have marked the Oscar-nominated Call Me By Your Name director's third Amazon film, following the critically acclaimed Zendaya-led tennis romance Challengers (2024) and the academic scandal drama After the Hunt (2025), starring Julia Roberts. The new movie is said to chronicle the brief period when Altman was abruptly ousted as OpenAI's CEO in 2023 and subsequently rehired. Monica Barbaro and Ike Barinholtz star alongside Garfield as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, while Yura Borisov, Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Cooper Koch, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet, Angus Imrie, Chris O'Dowd, Mark Rylance and Margo's Got Money Troubles breakout Thaddea Graham round out the cast.

It is unclear exactly why the film was dropped, but according to Variety, the news came after it had already undergone positive screen tests. An early viewer told the publication that the film's portrayals of Altman and newly minted trillionaire Musk are the two characters audiences would "like the least." It was also reported that Amazon had already seen every early iteration of the script before Guadagnino was hired to direct. Altman and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have developed a high-profile friendship over the years. In fact, the former was in attendance at Bezos's wedding to Lauren Sanchez, which took place in Venice, Italy, in 2025. In recent months, the two have continued to deepen their professional partnership that began in 2015, when Amazon became one of OpenAI's first investors. Ten years later, the companies closed their first major deal in November 2025, allowing the ChatGPT maker to run its systems on Amazon's U.S. data centers.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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The 43-year-old Hathaway, alongside stylist Erin Walsh, certainly accomplished their mission as the A-lister not only looked incredible on each event stop, but also gave no hint she was expecting.

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Alvin, a heating engineer on his way home from work, had intervened to comfort a teenage girl who had been collared by the duo for allegedly spitting at a bus stop.

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After the Greens held their fire in Makerfield, they have vowed to 'throw the kitchen sink' at the mayoral election and Mr Polanski will announce his candidate for the contest.

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Boston faces baby boom as the Tartan Army conquers the hearts of American women amid partying taking over the city's streets
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Telegraph
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‘Why not us?’: United States starting to believe after overwhelming lacklustre Australia
‘Why not us?’: United States starting to believe after overwhelming lacklustre Australia

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Driver dead and 33 people seriously injured as Bedford train crash declared major incident
The crash, which happened at about 17:15 BST, has left almost 90 people hurt.

ZeroHedge News
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STRC Is Junk Credit In A Bitcoin Costume, And Retail Is Holding $8.8 Billion Of It
STRC Is Junk Credit In A Bitcoin Costume, And Retail Is Holding $8.8 Billion Of It

Authored by Glenn Cameron via BitcoinMagazine.com,

There is now $15 billion sitting in three securities being marketed to bitcoin holders as the safer, smarter way to access bitcoin exposure: Strategy’s preferred stack, STRC, and SATA.

The pitch is identical across all three.

Tax-favored. 11.5% income. Backed by bitcoin. Money-market risk. 82.7% of the buyer base is retail.

Every word of that pitch is wrong, and the security those buyers actually own is built to fail in exactly the bitcoin environment it claims to harness.



The Pitch Is a Story. The Capital Structure Is the Truth

STRC is an unsecured, subordinated, perpetual preferred equity. No maturity date. No lien on a single satoshi of Strategy’s bitcoin treasury. The dividend is discretionary, which means the board can cut it at any monthly meeting with no notice, no remedy, and no vote. S&P rates the issuer B-, four notches into junk territory. None of that information appears in the marketing.

Stack those features against the words in the pitch. “Backed by bitcoin” describes a security with no claim on a single coin. “Money-market-like” describes an instrument rated four notches below investment grade with no maturity and a discretionary coupon. “Safe income” describes a payment the board controls and the funding source for which is the security itself. Each phrase in the marketing is contradicted by the indenture.

That is not a money market fund. It is speculative-grade credit-like product dressed in safe-income marketing, and 82.7% of it sits on retail balance sheets. Of the $10.7 billion notional outstanding for STRC, roughly $8.8 billion belongs to retail bitcoin holders concentrated in a single junk credit. There is no polite phrase for that exposure. It is a bag, and retail is holding it.

The Funding Mechanism Eats Itself

The structural risk in STRC is not that the dividend is high. It is that the dividend cannot be funded out of the business. Strategy’s underlying software business produces roughly $477 million in annual revenue. Total preferred dividend obligations now exceed $1.2 billion, a ratio of 3.5 to 1. The gap is not closed by earnings. It is closed by issuing new STRC shares at or above par, or diluting common shareholders of MSTR, with the proceeds recycled to pay the existing holders.

That is a reflexive funding loop. It works when STRC trades above par and breaks the moment it doesn’t. Anything that pressures the price, a credit downgrade, a missed dividend, a bitcoin drawdown, a capital markets shutdown, removes the very mechanism the dividend depends on. There is no plan B in the indenture. There is no lien on bitcoin to seize. There is no operating cash flow to redirect. There is only the next share issuance, and the next, until either bitcoin compounds the company out of the problem or the structure jams.

Then there is the dividend ratchet. The coupon has moved monthly from 9% to 11.5%, embedding $268 million in permanent annual obligations into the structure. The rate has only ever moved in one direction. Each monthly increase makes the funding gap wider, the share issuance more dilutive, and the price floor harder to hold. The mechanism designed to keep STRC attractive to new buyers is the same mechanism that compounds the burden on the issuer and accelerates the run on the funding loop when stress arrives.

The Mythical Institutional Buyer and the Math That Buries Him

The standard defense of the Digital Credit category goes like this: surely informed institutional capital is on the other side. Insurance companies need yield. Pension funds need duration. Fixed-income desks need product. Digital Credit is the institutional bridge to bitcoin.

That defense collapses on its own logic. Any institution that allocates to an unsecured, subordinated, perpetual preferred layered on a bitcoin treasury must first underwrite the underlying asset. Any institution that does the work to underwrite bitcoin allocates directly to spot bitcoin, where the credit risk vanishes and the path-dependent fragility goes with it. The institutional buyer who is both informed and rational does not exist in this product. The buyer who does exist, at 82.7% concentration, is retail.

The path-dependency math finishes the argument. Across 5,000 simulated bitcoin paths at a 10% compounding rate, the credit model produces a 12.3% probability of formal default, a 21.9% probability of dividend deferral, and a 50.7% probability of at least one forced bitcoin sale by the issuer during the eight-year cycle. At a 15% compounding rate, STRC has a 44.6% probability of ending below $85 even on paths where bitcoin recovers to new highs.

A bitcoin holder’s terminal wealth depends only on where bitcoin ends. An STRC holder’s outcome depends on every drawdown in between, because the same mechanisms that pretend to protect the dividend in calm conditions become the mechanisms that consume the holder’s principal in stress. The product is most fragile in exactly the bitcoin scenarios the underlying asset absorbs without consequence.

Bitcoin Was Built to Kill This Exact Trade

Bitcoin’s entire reason for existing is the removal of counterparty risk, custody risk, and opacity from monetary holdings. STRC, Strategy’s preferred stack, and similar instruments reintroduce all three under a marketing layer the underlying instrument cannot support. The alternative does not require any of that machinery: bitcoin in self-custody alongside a U.S. Treasury income ladder produces the same cash profile, with more terminal wealth and no corporate issuer in between.

The market will eventually clear the difference between the security retail thinks it bought and the security it actually owns. Anyone reading the cap table and allocating anyway is willingly underwriting Saylor’s funding plan with capital that thinks it bought a money market fund.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 18:30

UK Government News
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World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags 
Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime. 

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Brazil v Haiti: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanTwo presumably unrelated pieces of climate change and big sponsor news.Two of the first round of matches at the World Cup were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games, a Guardian analysis has found. A further four games were played in cities with temperatures also beyond that level of heat, though conditions inside the stadiums were mitigated by air conditioning.Climate activists – including former and current professional athletes – are calling for Fifa and other professional sporting organizations to cut ties with the oil and gas industry…The protesters’ key target is Saudi Aramco, the exclusive energy sponsor for this year’s tournament, which is also the world’s largest corporate carbon emitter. Players have for years called on Fifa to drop the company as a sponsor, and in May, a group of health, climate science and sports experts signed an open letter highlighting the organization’s Aramco sponsorship, arguing that the “active promotion” of fossil fuels creates “a conflict of interest with the protection of player welfare”. Continue reading...

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USA surge into World Cup knockout stage after dominant victory over Socceroos
Whatever the result, soccer was always going to win. But on a hot and bright Friday afternoon in the pacific north-west, the word had an American accent.The United States’ 2-0 World Cup win over Australia was a rare meeting between sides that could agree not just on terminology, but on the weighty significance of a good result. Both seemingly play every men’s World Cup with the weight of the future of the sport on their shoulders, both facing intense competition from other sports for the country’s hearts and minds. Continue reading...

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This HP Omen gaming laptop is $700 off on Amazon - and it's a serious powerhouse
HP's Omen gaming laptop has dropped to $1,599, making it a great early deal for gamers on a budget.

The Hill
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Trump doubles down on criticism of Italy's Meloni: 'She was a big fan'
President Trump reinforced his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after the pair traded insults following their interaction at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France this past week. “She was a big fan," he told NBC News's Gabe Gutierrez on Friday. "But I don't want her as a fan because she was...

The Hill
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Trust in federal government at all-time low: Poll
Public trust in the federal government has reached its lowest level in more than two decades as nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters say they are not satisfied with the direction of the country, according to a new Fox News poll. The poll, released Wednesday, found that 25 percent of registered voters said they “generally trust”...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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USA qualify for last 32 after comfortable win over Australia
The United States take a huge step towards winning their World Cup group beating Australia 2-0 with a dominant, high-energy performance in front of a boisterous sellout crowd in Seattle.

Deutsche Welle
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Meloni 'stunned' by Trump's comment she 'begged' for photo
Donald Trump's comments that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "begged for a picture" have elicited a furious response from Rome. Meloni said she was "stunned."

FlightAware Squawks
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New Air Force One Arrives at Joint Base Andrews After Conversion of Qatari Luxury Jet
A Boeing 747-8 once used by Qatar’s ruling family has arrived at Joint Base Andrews as the newest aircraft in the United States’ presidential fleet, giving President Donald Trump a larger and more modern Air Force One while Boeing continues work on two long-delayed permanent replacements.

Trump unveiled the aircraft Friday at the Maryland base after touring its interior and addressing several hundred Air Force personnel inside a hangar.

Mail Online
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Driver dead and dozens injured as trains collide near Bedford: Major incident declared after Luton Airport Express 'runs into back of stationary train' and passengers are evacuated onto the railway
A driver has died and passengers have been left with 'life-threatening injuries' after a train smashed into a stationary one between Luton and Bedford following a safety fault.

The Guardian (UK)
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Gary O’Neil set to leave Strasbourg and take over as Ipswich head coach
43-year-old led French side to Conference League semisBurnley pushing to bring in Craig Bellamy as head coachGary O’Neil is poised to become Ipswich’s new head coach, with the 43-year-old expected to return to England from Ligue 1 Strasbourg.There are only minor details to sort with O’Neil primed to succeed Kieran McKenna, who announced his wish to depart Ipswich after leading them to the top flight for a second time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brazil v Haiti: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanIf you prefer your World Cup roundups in written form, Dominic Booth has you covered.An old footballing adage tells us that no World Cup is quite complete without a gutsy run of results from the host nation(s), who dutifully go deep in the tournament to stir up local fervour. See South Korea in 2002 for a prime example: a plucky and at times controversial slalom to the semi-finals before being crushed by a traditional heavyweight. Way back when, a host nation winning the whole thing was commonplace, occurring in five of the first 11 World Cups when Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978) triumphed on home soil. Nowadays, thanks to Fifa’s completely altruistic desire to spread the game globally, the prospect of a host nation actually lifting the trophy is somewhat diminished, with South Africa and Qatar crashing out in the group stage in recent-ish years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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USA surge into World Cup knockout stage after dominant victory over Socceroos
Whatever the result, soccer was always going to win. But on a hot and bright Friday afternoon in the pacific northwest, the word had an American accent.The United States’ 2-0 World Cup win over Australia was a rare meeting between sides that could agree not just on terminology, but on the weighty significance of a good result. Both seemingly play every men’s World Cup with the weight of the future of the sport on their shoulders, both facing intense competition from other sports for the country’s hearts and minds. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland v Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ In pictures: our pick of the best images from the match⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnScotland: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, McTominay, Ferguson, Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Adams. Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Doak, Hirst, Shankland, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna.Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari. Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Saleh-Eddine.In putting himself out front and centre Marsch has, arguably, given his players the room to feel their way into the roles, before meeting the moment. Out there in the rest of the world, some may already be tiring of Marsch’s excesses but Canada is revelling in his leadership. Thursday was both catharsis and crisis and Marsch led the country through both and left windmilling his arms for more. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Rate the players in Scotland v Morocco
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⚽️ Kick-off time: 8.30pm local/10.30am AEST/1.30am BST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanWith nearly two hours to kick-off, you have plenty of time to catch up with Max and Barry’s game of four quarters.Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of match 31 of the 2026 World Cup between Brazil and Haiti. Kick-off in this Group C clash at Philadelphia Stadium is 8:30pm local time (1:30am BST/10:30am AEST). Continue reading...

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Norway will largely prohibit generative AI use for elementary kids ages 6 to 13 beginning with the new school year, while allowing limited, teacher-supervised use for older students. The government says the restrictions are intended to prevent children from skipping foundational reading, writing, and mathematics skills amid declining test scores. Reuters reports: Facing a broad decline in education test scores, the government in 2024 banned smartphones from schools and has given teachers back more powers to enforce discipline in the classroom. Using AI increases the risk that young children skip important steps in their education, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a press conference on Friday. "The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do mathematics," Stoere said, adding that the new standards will be imposed from the new school year beginning in late August.

Pupils from first through seventh grade, aged 6 to 13, should as a general rule not be using AI, while those in lower secondary school, aged 14 to 16, can cautiously adopt tools under teachers' supervision, the government said. In upper secondary education, from ages 17 to 19, students should learn to use AI appropriately so that they are prepared for further education and work, it added. In a related statement, the Norwegian government also said it would propose legislation to fund the use of more books in classrooms, reversing the trend towards computer tablets.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Telegraph
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Is The Fed Finally Done Rescuing Markets?
Is The Fed Finally Done Rescuing Markets?

 Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance

GLJ Research’s Gordon Johnson is one of my favorite analysts on the street to read and gets a rare endorsement from me (I hate basically everyone selling sell-side style research) because, like my friend Mark Spiegel, he is one of the last few analysts out there that seems committed to the truth….no matter how ridiculous it makes him look in the short term while he’s waiting for his theses to play out.

Johnson came away from this week’s Fed meeting with a conclusion that would have sounded almost absurd just a few months ago: the Fed may finally be breaking with the post-2008 playbook. And the timing couldn’t be better for the Fed to do this to make a total fool out of me. After all, I literally just predicted a month ago there’s no way they would ever stop the neverending cycle of QE they started two decades ago. Days ago, I satirically wrote that the only bear case left for markets is total human extinction.

Enter Kevin Warsh’s first press conference as Fed Chair with inflation running completely out of control. My friend GoJo makes the…err…bold claim that the Fed is not tweaking it’s post-2008 playbook…not adjusting it around the margins…breaking with it.



Johnson’s central argument is that Kevin Warsh’s first meeting as Fed Chair represented a repudiation of the Bernanke-Powell era and a return to a much older conception of central banking…one where the Fed’s primary job is delivering price stability, not reassuring investors, supporting asset prices, or providing a detailed roadmap for every future policy move.

The actual rate decision this past week was almost beside the point. The Fed held rates steady at 3.50%-3.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting. What mattered was everything around it. Warsh stripped forward guidance from the statement, calling it ill-suited to the current environment. He refused to submit his own dot-plot projection. The statement itself was shortened and reduced largely to facts. Nine of twelve participants now expect at least one hike by year-end.

Meanwhile, Warsh launched multiple task forces to reevaluate the Fed’s framework and openly emphasized the institution’s obligation to restore credibility on inflation.

Markets did not exactly celebrate at first (before, of course, turning higher on Thursday). On Wednesday, stocks sold off, gold weakened, two-year Treasury yields surged, and September hike odds nearly doubled. Investors who showed up hoping to hear some variation of “cuts are coming” instead got a lecture on inflation credibility and a reminder that the Fed’s mandate is not maximizing the S&P 500.

To Johnson, this wasn’t simply a hawkish meeting. It was the opening shot of a regime change. His view is that the modern Fed became two things after 2008. First, it became obsessed with transparency. Every possible future policy path was telegraphed through dots, forecasts, projections, speeches, press conferences, and carefully managed expectations.

Second, and more importantly what I argue all the time, is that it it became a de facto backstop for risk assets. Investors learned that serious market weakness would eventually trigger accommodation. Bad economic news became good market news because it increased the probability of Fed support.

Johnson believes Warsh is deliberately dismantling that framework. No dot. Less guidance. Fewer promises. More uncertainty. More emphasis on inflation. More willingness to surprise markets. In Gordon’s telling, the “Fed put” is not merely being questioned; it is being retired. That is a massive claim. It’s also why Johnson reaches for perhaps the biggest comparison available: Paul Volcker.



In a note out to clients this week, Johnson argues that Warsh’s intellectual instincts are fundamentally different from Bernanke’s. Bernanke’s worldview was shaped by the Great Depression and the dangers of deflation. Warsh’s appears much more shaped by the inflationary experience of the 1970s.

Johnson points to Warsh’s long-running criticism of quantitative easing, his concerns about balance-sheet expansion, and his warnings about inflation risk dating back more than a decade. He also highlights Warsh’s role during the QE2 debates, when Warsh publicly expressed skepticism about the very policies his institution was pursuing and eventually left the Board before his term expired.

In Johnson’s interpretation, today’s Warsh is the same man who spent years warning that emergency monetary policy was becoming permanent monetary policy. That’s why he sees continuity rather than reinvention. To Gordon, this isn’t a politician adopting hawkish language because it’s fashionable. It’s someone who has been making versions of the same argument for fifteen years and now finally has the votes.

This all sounds great. I hope Gordon is right. I have a sneaking suspicion that he isn’t. And before we start engraving “Volcker 2.0” onto commemorative plaques, it’s worth remembering a few things.

The first is that the easiest thing in the world for a central banker to do is talk tough. The hardest thing in the world for a central banker to do is stay tough.

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Volcker’s legacy wasn’t built on speeches, communications strategy, or symbolic changes to Fed procedures. It was built on tightening until inflation broke despite overwhelming political pressure, market turmoil, and public outrage. The real Volcker test begins when unemployment rises. The real Volcker test begins when stocks are down 25%. The real Volcker test begins when Congress starts screaming and the White House decides inflation is suddenly less important than growth.

And that has been the time where the chickenshit cowards who advocate for today’s monetary policy go into full panic mode and capitulate, sometimes on national television.

If we’re being honest, the Fed’s institutional history doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Every cycle begins with stern declarations about price stability. Every cycle begins with promises that inflation will be defeated and that credibility is paramount. Then something breaks…a bank, a market, a major employer, a politically important sector, or the broader economy itself, and suddenly the framework gets rewritten, CNBC anchors shit themselves and act like 2 year olds throwing temper tantrums, and the Fed and Treasury come to the rescue. Then, the Fed chair at the time is praised for having “courage” and wins the Nobel Prize.

The emergency becomes permanent. The temporary facility becomes structural. The exception becomes the rule. The Fed’s modern history is not one of relentless discipline. More often than not, it’s a story of capitulation followed by a very sophisticated explanation for why capitulation was actually prudent policy all along. As Peter Schiff often says, “there’s nothing more permanent than a temporary government program”.

And that’s the part of Gordon’s thesis I’m not yet willing to underwrite.

To be clear, I’m not dismissing it. In fact, I think Johnson is right to focus on the reaction function rather than the rate decision itself. A central bank’s communication framework often tells you more than a 25-basis-point move ever could. If Warsh is truly trying to reintroduce uncertainty into markets, force investors to price risk without a guaranteed backstop, and reorient the institution around inflation rather than asset prices, that would represent a profound shift.

The problem is that every Fed chair looks tough before something important breaks.

Personally, I’m not ready to declare that Warsh is picking up where Volcker left off. I am willing to wait and see. If he continues prioritizing inflation over asset prices, if he accepts market pain as a necessary consequence of restoring credibility, and if he proves willing to keep tightening in the face of inevitable pressure, then perhaps Gordon’s thesis will prove correct.

What I do think Gordon gets right is the underlying inflation question.

As I have written repeatedly, if inflation is genuinely persistent, rate hikes are ultimately necessary. There is no magic workaround. There is no AI-powered escape hatch. There is no press-conference solution. Inflation is not defeated through clever narratives or optimistic forecasts. It is defeated through tighter monetary conditions that reduce demand, re-anchor expectations, and restore confidence in the currency.

History is fairly clear on that point, which is why so many people celebrate Volcker today while simultaneously advocating policies that would make a genuine Volcker-style campaign impossible. Everyone loves inflation fighters in retrospect. Very few people are willing to tolerate the economic pain required to actually defeat inflation in real time.

That’s why I remain skeptical. Because the Fed has spent the better part of two decades teaching markets that pain will eventually be relieved. Breaking inflation is hard. Breaking expectations and psychology that has become laden with hubris and euphoria is harder, as I wrote back in early 2025. Breaking the institution’s own reflex to intervene may be hardest of all.

So yes, Gordon may be right that the Fed put is dying. He may even be right that Warsh intends to kill it. But intentions are cheap. Every Fed chair sounds independent until the pressure arrives. Every Fed chair talks about credibility until credibility becomes expensive. As Mike Tyson said famously, “everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

I love reading Gordon’s take and will continue to do so. But I’ll only believe the Fed put is dead when the next crisis arrives and the Fed refuses to revive it.

I’d love to hear your take on what you think Warsh’s tenure will look like in our ongoing discussion here. Who’s stance do you agree with more?

--

 

QTR’s Disclaimer: Please read my full legal disclaimer on my About page here. This post represents my opinions only. In addition, please understand I am an idiot and often get things wrong and lose money. I may own or transact in any names mentioned in this piece at any time without warning. Contributor posts and aggregated posts have been hand selected by me, have not been fact checked and are the opinions of their authors. They are either submitted to QTR by their author, reprinted under a Creative Commons license with my best effort to uphold what the license asks, or with the permission of the author.

This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks or securities, just my opinions. I often lose money on positions I trade/invest in. I may add any name mentioned in this article and sell any name mentioned in this piece at any time, without further warning. None of this is a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I may or may not own names I write about and are watching. Sometimes I’m bullish without owning things, sometimes I’m bearish and do own things. Just assume my positions could be exactly the opposite of what you think they are just in case. If I’m long I could quickly be short and vice versa. I won’t update my positions.

As of May 20, 2026 I personally no longer actively trade (read my story here). My investing/saving is done by recurring contributions mostly to sector ETFs and a few select equities, trusted third parties who oversee my accounts, and advisors. Such advisors or funds, through individual equities, options, index funds, mutual funds, ETFs, or other securities, may have positions in, exposure to, or holdings of names mentioned herein that I know nothing about. Basically, via index funds, ETFs and individual equities it is possible I could own, have exposure to, or not own anything at any point. As of the same date, May 20, 2026, in an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, I’ve also excluded myself from fantasy sports, sports betting, online and in-person casinos and prediction markets.

And all positions can change immediately as soon as I publish this, with or without notice and at any point I can be long, short or neutral on any position. You are on your own. Do not make decisions based on my blog. I exist on the fringe. If you see numbers and calculations of any sort, assume they are wrong and double check them. I failed Algebra in 8th grade and topped off my high school math accolades by getting a D- in remedial Calculus my senior year, before becoming an English major in college so I could bullshit my way through things easier.

The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this page. These are not the opinions of any of my employers, partners, or associates. I did my best to be honest about my disclosures but can’t guarantee I am right; I write these posts after a couple beers sometimes. I edit after my posts are published because I’m impatient and lazy, so if you see a typo, check back in a half hour. Also, I just straight up get shit wrong a lot. I mention it twice because it’s that important.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 17:00

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AI Doomsday Warnings Distract From More Imminent AI Concerns
AI Doomsday Warnings Distract From More Imminent AI Concerns

Authored by Daniel Nuccio via The Brownstone Institute,

AI is everywhere. It’s getting incorporated into everything. That’s simply progress, we’re told. And therefore we need to embrace it, lest we look like a Luddite and let China win (whatever that means).



Yet, simultaneously, a lot of people also are afraid because of AI. Very afraid. And sometimes, we’re told that we should be afraid too.

However, in public discourse surrounding AI, there often can be a lack of detail regarding what specifically we’re supposed to be afraid of. Sometimes it is not even clear what is meant by the term “AI.”

Technically speaking, as I have touched on previously, one could argue (as some older computer scientists do) that AI is an umbrella term for a family of algorithms based in math that sometimes dates back more than a half-century. 

Practically speaking, numerous programs we’ve been living with for years like Google Maps and Amazon’s recommender system can be thought of as AI despite their lack of novelty. Yet, in public discourse, the term AI tends to refer to generative AI (e.g, ChatGPT), as well as any number of hypothetical future programs that will do everything humans can do but better, will therefore both solve all our problems while also putting most of us out of work, and also eventually just might decide to go full Skynet on us unless they decide that we’re not worth the trouble.

(Sounds pretty sexy. Perhaps someone should make a series of movies about it. Perhaps people will even like two out of five of them.)

Unfortunately, though, these more hyperbolic, sci-fi depictions of the threat(s) posed by AI tend to get more attention than, and consequently distract from, more realistic and more imminent threats pertaining to privacy, freedom, autonomy, and even just a way of life many of us have come to enjoy. 

Automatic license plate readers, facial recognition, digital grandmothers, mandatory drunk and distracted driving detection programs, any of the technologies “grandson” was shouting about in “Autonomous Delivery Robot,” and wearable recording devices that transcribe and process in-person conversations for the anti-social and easily distracted are just of a few of the more realistic threats that come to mind. (And this by no means is a complete list).

Therefore, I tend to appreciate when members of our ruling class can take a morning to have a measured conversation about fairly well-defined threats posed by this technology (or suite of technologies), as was done at the US House of Representatives’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee’s June 4 meeting on the “AI Security Landscape.”  

Superficially, the meeting’s discussion could probably be framed in terms of “Is the greatest threat posed by AI an external one in the form of foreign hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in the software controlling the United States’ critical infrastructure or an internal one born from the lack of regulation and accountability for AI’s use at home?”

From watching the discussion, however, it seemed less like a matter of “either or” and more like an uncontested response of “Yes and…”

Sandra Joyce of Google, Frontier Model Forum executive director Chris Meserole, and Corridor Security Inc. CEO and co-founder Jack Cable provided testimony regarding how AI is transforming the cybersecurity landscape as digital weapons fall into the hands of the cyber-barbarians at the gates who will use those weapons to find vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure and/or deploy ransomware attacks.

“This technology has impacted cybersecurity in profound ways for both the defender and the attacker,” stated Joyce.

“[H]ackers have more powerful tools than ever,” Cable noted, naming Mythos and GPT-5.5 specifically.

“These models aren’t just hype,” he warned.

“They are truly starting to rival or exceed humans on security tasks and do so at an unprecedented scale.”

Joyce suggested “threat actors” don’t even need something like Mythos and can be quite capable of doing a lot of damage with an older program.

Emphasizing the threats from within, Electronic Frontier Foundation senior policy analyst Matthew Guariglia stated, “The question is not how do we reign in AI, it’s how do we reign in the agencies that would unleash AI on the American public?”

In his testimony, Guariglia highlighted how the US national security state already uses a variety of tools that collect data on people without probable cause and that can make “inferences about a person’s politics, personal life, religion, and geolocation, sometimes inaccurately with major consequences.” 

Furthermore, Guariglia said, “AI also has a track record of getting things wrong, from false citations on legal briefs to a major AI mistake that sent DHS recruits to the field without proper training.” 

“There are likely more consequential examples that we don’t even know about because of classification that would prevent a more thorough accounting,” he added.

Similarly, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) observed, “We’re watching AI-powered monitoring systems spread to schools, to public housing, to hospitals with no transparency about how they work, no ability to challenge them, and no recourse when they’re wrong.”

In a later exchange concerning a possible scenario in which an AI program designates a city’s water supply as compromised when it is in fact fine and subsequently restricts the ability of the city’s residents to access water, Guariglia and Ramirez suggested that within the confines of current US law, transparency about how the problem occurred would likely be left up to the discretion of the city implementing the system while the question of who can be held accountable is a rather nebulous one.

Despite not quite being as sexy as battling T-800s in the streets for our lives and our livelihoods, more ransomware attacks, a further erosion of our privacy, and a lack of required transparency and accountability when HAL makes an oopsy and shuts off everyone’s water all sound pretty serious even if these things don’t quite warrant mass hysteria or a movie franchise. Perhaps they are even sufficient for reasonable concerns over the current zeitgeist to incorporate AI into everything. And maybe, just maybe, they provide reason to make us rethink our decision to connect everything in modern life to the internet.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 15:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
US Private Credit Default Rate Remains At Record High: Fitch
US Private Credit Default Rate Remains At Record High: Fitch

As we have detailed extensively, most recently here: "Blackrock's Private Credit Fund Gates Investors Again After Redemption Requests Surge ", private credit firms continue to face a flood of redemption requests...



And after this week's report from Fitch Ratings, it appears any light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.

As Andrew Moran reports for The Epoch Times, the U.S. private credit default rate remained at a record high in May, according to the latest update from Fitch Ratings.

Private credit woes this year have taken a backseat to various headwinds and tailwinds, whether the war in Iran or SpaceX’s blockbuster debut on Wall Street.

But data suggest that pressures are still mounting for the industry.

Fitch Ratings said its Private Credit Default Rate remained at a record 6 percent in May, unchanged from the previous month.



Monitoring approximately 1,500 private credit issuers, Fitch logged 14 default events last month. Healthcare providers, business services, and industrial manufacturing each registered three events.

Six serial defaulters—issuers that have defaulted multiple times—were discovered by Fitch. Additionally, half of the default events consisted of maturity extensions under stress.

“This continued the prior month trend of maturity extensions under stress outpacing all other default scenarios,” Fitch reported.

“Five of the seven maturity extensions pushed loan maturities out by one to two years from their original maturity dates, while one extended the maturity by seven months and another extended it by one month.”

It is unclear whether the worst is over for the $2 trillion private credit sector, as more investment firms continue to see client exodus or impose capital redemption limits.

Turmoil Persists

In a recent letter to shareholders, BlackRock Private Credit Fund stated that shareholder repurchase requests reached more than 13 percent of outstanding shares in the second quarter, pushing past the investment vehicle’s 5 percent quarterly limit for the first time since it launched in June 2022.

Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, said earlier this month that it is capping withdrawals at its flagship private credit fund as redemption requests surged in the April–June period. It reassured investors that limiting drawdowns would boost long-term gains.

Partners Group, the Swiss-listed fund manager, halted redemptions from its Global Value SICAV fund at 5 percent after withdrawal requests reached almost 10 percent.

David Layton, CEO of Partners Group, said the majority of withdrawals are coming from the retail side, which accounts for about 20 percent of overall investments.

“What you’re doing is you’re balancing the needs of certain investors—a small percentage of the fund that would like to get liquid—with the needs of the remaining segment of the investor population that would like to see that fund continue to invest and continue to compound,” Layton said in a June 3 interview with Bloomberg TV.

The Swiss private markets juggernaut later shot down reports that it would cap more fund withdrawals following a spike in drawdown requests.

“Partners Group has no intention of altering any documented liquidity mechanisms and has no plans to freeze any of its evergreen vehicles, given their portfolios are healthy and they have sufficient liquidity in line with the target allocations,” it said in a June 12 statement.

Systemic Risk ‘Less Pronounced’

Concerns that private credit could be the next subprime meltdown after 2008 and 2009 have been widespread, fueled by growing retail participation and the “SaaSpocalypse.”

Private credit is widely exposed to the software sector, accounting for up to 20 percent of its loans. When software stocks were hammered earlier in the year due to worries that artificial intelligence would upend business models, the private credit industry also took a beating.

But a chorus of market watchers argues that systemic risks are minuscule.

“Systemic risk appears far less pronounced than between sub-prime and the financial system in 2008,” LSEG analysts said in a June 15 analysis.

“We note that [private credit] largely withstood the Covid and Ukraine shocks in 2020-22 and that both lenders and borrowers are well aware of the risks involved in these loans, whence the covenant-protection is generally greater.”

Investors seem to agree, as private credit stocks joined the broader market rally over the last few days.



Still the bounce remains modest amid YTD declines...



Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 16:15

The Aviationist
Open 
First F-35A Wearing Iconic Wild Weasel Tail Flash Breaks Cover On First Flight
The F-35 wearing the tail code “WW” will join Misawa’s 35th Fighter Wing and fly the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission from Japan. On June 16, 2026, the F-35A Lightning II aircraft 24-5970 made its first flight from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. The jet departed around 2PM local time […]

Mail Online
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One dead and dozens injured as trains collide near Bedford: Major incident declared after Luton Airport Express 'drives into back of stationary train' and bloodied passengers are evacuated onto the railway
A driver is feared dead and passengers have been left with 'life-threatening injuries' after a train smashed into a stationary one between Luton and Bedford following a safety fault.

The Guardian (UK)
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USA 2-0 Australia: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauThe atmosphere here at Lumen Field (excuse me, Seattle Stadium, how dare I) is positively electric a full 30 minutes before kickoff. This was predictable — the stadium has a well-earned reputation for being among the loudest in the United States — but it is still a sight to behold. The place is nearly full, and there are no shortage of Aussie fans as well, very prominently sat behind the goal at the south end of the stadium. Truly incredible atmosphere.Pre-anthem mailbag Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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One person dead and several injured after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines are closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneOne person has died and a number of people have been injured after two trains collided in the Bedford area, with emergency services still at the scene and commuters battling long delays during the evening rush hour.The two East Midlands railway services involved were the 4.40pm from Corby to St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras, the rail operator said. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England feel the heat with New Zealand in total control of third Test
Henry Nicholls finishes unbeaten on 119 as New Zealand end day three with a lead of 352, and still seven wickets in hand as they take complete control of the second Test against England at The Oval.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England winger Saka unlikely to start against Ghana
England head coach Thomas Tuchel hints that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be in contention to start against Ghana on Tuesday.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 20 #839
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 20 No. 839.

CNET News
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Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for June 20, No. 1,827.

CNET News
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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 20, No. 1,105.

TechRadar Reviews
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Ugreen Maxidok 17-in-1 Dock review: A Thunderbolt 5 docking station with more ports and features than you'll know what to do with

The Hill
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Trump unveils new plane for Air Force One, a gift from Qatar
President Trump unveiled the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One plane on Friday, saying it will fly “further and faster” than any other model of presidential plane. Trump toured the renovated Boeing jet at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. "There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most...

The Hill
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Air Force base hit with flu outbreak sickening over 160
Presented by Philip Morris International {beacon} Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY The Big Story Air Force base hit with flu outbreak sickening over 160 More than 160 troops have contracted influenza at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in the past few weeks following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision earlier this year to...

The Hill
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DOJ snubs judge's demand on anti-weaponization fund, cites 'serious separation of powers concerns'
The Justice Department (DOJ) on Friday snubbed a federal judge’s demand to swear that a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund is dead, arguing the request raises “serious separation of powers concerns.” Judge Leonie Brinkema indefinitely blocked the fund last Friday and issued a seven-day deadline for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Associate Attorney...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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NZ keep World Cup hopes alive with narrow win over Irish
New Zealand are still in the mix for a semi-finals spot at the T20 World Cup after a thrilling four-run win over Ireland in Southampton.

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Trump reveals new AF1 flyover on the 4th
President Trump revealed today that the new Air Force One plane will be part of a historic 4th of July flover. He explains below:

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – President Trump signs mechanical panel on new AF1
President Trump just signed the mechanical panel on the new and historic Air Force One. Watch below: I haven’t said this in a while, but go ahead and consider this an open . . .

Mail Online
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USA vs Australia - World Cup LIVE: Party time in Seattle as Americans book knockout spot with ANOTHER dominant win
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as the United States take on Australia in Group D at the 2026 World Cup... 

The Guardian (UK)
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Exeter threaten Northampton’s title ambitions in final where underdogs thrive
Despite finishing third in the regular season table Exeter Chiefs are confident they can cause an upset at TwickenhamPrem finals do not always unfold as anticipated. Six of the last seven editions have been settled by six points or fewer and favourites are not guaranteed to have it their own way. Remember Freddie Burns’ late drop-goal to edge Leicester past Saracens in 2022? Or Harlequins coming from behind against Exeter the previous year? In Twickenham’s summer heat – it’s uncanny how often the weather plays ball – the best of plans can easily go awol.In 2024 Bath were undone after Beno Obano’s first-half red card and 12 months ago Michael Cheika’s Leicester came within a couple of points of causing a big upset. The common denominator? Finals can be unpredictable occasions and, under pressure, what looked a dead cert last week becomes as relevant as last year’s lottery numbers. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England ‘haven’t got key moments right’ against New Zealand, admits Fisher
Tourists take 352-run lead into day four of second TestFisher applauds ‘resilient’ Baker in 53-run partnershipAfter being left with a run mountain to climb if they are to take anything from the second Test, England have conceded they once again stumbled in the game’s key moments. Just as they did throughout the winter they have allowed their opponents to take control. The upshot is that New Zealand go into day four with a lead of 352 and seven second-innings wickets remaining.Since the Ashes Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, has spoken of the need to “be slightly smarter in those significant moments”, and to “identify moments where games can be won or lost and win more of those than not”. But in dressing-room conversations he has admitted that ambition remains unfulfilled. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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One person dead and several injured after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneOne person has died and a number of people have been injured after two trains collided in the Bedford area, with emergency services still at the scene and commuters battling long delays during the evening rush hour.The two East Midlands railway services involved were the 4.40pm from Corby to St Pancras and the 3.50pm Nottingham to London St Pancras, the rail operator said. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ipswich close in on O'Neil as new head coach
Former Wolves and Bournemouth boss O'Neil close to joining Ipswich after Keiran McKenna's departure.

Mail Online
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USA vs Australia - World Cup LIVE: Americans try to survive nerve-shredding final minutes as rivals launch desperate fightback
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as the United States take on Australia in Group D at the 2026 World Cup... 

Mail Online
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Five people arrested in murder probe after 18-year-old was stabbed in seaside town then driven to be left outside hospital
Five people have been arrested amid a murder probe after an 18-year-old man was stabbed before being left injured outside a hospital in Poole, Dorset, on Friday morning,

Mail Online
Open 
Bobby on the seat! Moment armed police officer borrows teenager's BIKE to chase fleet-footed shoplifter now jailed for £6,000 of thefts
Prolific shoplifter Phillip Padgett, 32, has finally felt the weight of the law - after an armed policeman chased him down using a teenager's bicycle in South Shields, Tyneside.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump unveils jaw-dropping $400 million Air Force One gifted by Qatar as critics cry corruption
President Donald Trump surprisingly debuted the new Air Force One on Friday.

Mail Online
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Massive fire breaks out at luxury beach resort popular with American tourists forcing guests to run for their lives
Shocking footage showed smoke billowing from a section of the Viva Dominicus Bayahibe resort in La Altagracia on Friday.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scotland v Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnScotland: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, McTominay, Ferguson, Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Adams. Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Doak, Hirst, Shankland, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna.Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari. Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Saleh-Eddine.In putting himself out front and centre Marsch has, arguably, given his players the room to feel their way into the roles, before meeting the moment. Out there in the rest of the world, some may already be tiring of Marsch’s excesses but Canada is revelling in his leadership. Thursday was both catharsis and crisis and Marsch led the country through both and left windmilling his arms for more. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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One person dead and several injured after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneOne person has died and a number of people are injured after two trains collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said.The British Transport Police said a major incident has been declared, and officers remain at the scene alongside colleagues from Bedfordshire police and the local fire and rescue and ambulance services. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Zelensky stripped of Poland’s top honor over Nazi tribute

The Guardian (UK)
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Janse van Rensburg fluffs chance on England debut in defeat against France
France XV 35-19 England XVSouth Africa-born back came on in 52nd minuteBenhard Janse van Rensburg’s hopes of a try-scoring England debut were dashed by fumbling hands as France emerged conclusive 35-19 winners in their non-cap international in Vannes.South Africa-born Janse van Rensburg was brought on in the 52nd minute and shortly after he was presented with a routine run-in, only for the ball to slip from his hands. The opportunity was England’s last chance to start reeling in a 28-12 deficit and otherwise the Bristol centre’s involvement was limited. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland v Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnWeather watch: it’s *just* 26 degrees in Foxboro, with some clouds in the sky. What counts as a heatwave in Largs, to put it another way.The transfer market never stops and Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with just about everybody since his showing against Brazil. He’s a Lille player at present, but unlikely to be one beyond the closure of the window.Ouahbi was referring to Bouaddi’s performance in a 1-0 victory against Ancelotti’s Madrid in October 2024 on the day he turned 17, which ended with Lille’s supporters singing happy birthday to him on the pitch.That ensured that every big club in Europe has been tracking his progress since. Arsenal are in preliminary talks to sign a player believed to be valued at about £70m by Lille; Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are thought to have registered an interest and Liverpool had scouts watching him on Saturday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Funboys review – Steve Coogan joins this gleefully silly and laugh-out-loud sitcom
The second series of the tale of twentysomething friends from Ballymacnoose is brilliantly daft. It’s a serious work of comedyMost of the time, it feels like there are too many idiots in the world. But perhaps the idiots are just in the wrong places. They shouldn’t be in political office or on our social media feeds, doling out parenting advice from their 4x4s and touting thinly-veiled pyramid schemes from their continental villas. No, they should be in the tiny Northern Irish town of Ballymacnoose, pootling about on a farm or in their parents’ home, staying well clear of any kind of career ladder and making no tangible impact on the world. The fact that Ballymacnoose doesn’t really exist? Even better.This is the very strong case put forward by Funboys, a BBC sitcom that debuted last year and now returns for a second series. It is the work of Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan, who co-star as two friends in their mid 20s: Jordan (a whiny manchild) and Callum (a wretched loser) respectively. They are joined by funboy three, Lorcan (Lee R James), who is more intelligent and level-headed than the other two put together. Which isn’t really saying much. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Serious injuries reported after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneTwo trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with a number of people injured and police and other emergency services at the scene.The collision, which is reported to have caused serious injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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‘Feels like a natural breeze’: I reviewed Dyson’s clever purifying fan that follows you around the room, and was blown away by its smart features and wonderfully engineered performance

TechRadar News
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'Investors suffered damages': Microsoft shareholders file class action lawsuit over its huge increase in AI and cloud spending

Digital Trends
Open 
Nothing just scrapped its next affordable phone, and the problem is bigger than you think
The RAM crisis that killed Nothing’s next budget phone could make your next budget Android phone significantly more expensive.

Digital Trends
Open 
Asus just priced its RTX 5080 gaming laptop higher than a last-gen RTX 5090 model
The new ROG Zephyrus G16 RTX 5080 is faster, has more RAM, and costs more than a laptop with a better GPU from 2025.

Slashdot
Open 
Hyundai Takes Full Control of Boston Dynamics As SoftBank Exits For $325 Million
Hyundai Motor Group is acquiring SoftBank's remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 million, "closing out SoftBank's last piece of Boston Dynamics and turning the Waltham, Massachusetts robotics company into a wholly owned Hyundai business," reports Startup Fortune. From the report: The price is $325 million for the remaining stake, according to the deal terms, and it follows the put option SoftBank retained when Hyundai bought control of Boston Dynamics in 2021. You should read that as a signal, not a footnote. Hyundai paid about $880 million for an 80% stake in Boston Dynamics in the 2021 transaction, valuing the company at roughly $1.1 billion at the time. SoftBank had bought Boston Dynamics from Alphabet in 2017, after Google had acquired the robotics lab in 2013. It was a strange ownership path for a company whose robots became famous on YouTube long before they became obvious commercial products.

That part is changing. At CES in Las Vegas on January 5, 2026, Hyundai and Boston Dynamics showed the electric Atlas humanoid robot in public, with the Associated Press reporting that the life-sized robot stood up, walked around the stage and was remotely piloted for the demonstration. The useful detail was not the stagecraft. It was the deployment plan. A production version of Atlas is expected to begin work at Hyundai's electric vehicle plant near Savannah, Georgia, by 2028. [...] If Hyundai can turn that into repeatable manufacturing value, the SoftBank exit will look less like a tidy cleanup and more like the moment Hyundai stopped borrowing a robotics future and decided to own it outright.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Boing Boing
Open 
Man supercharges a child's pink ride-on car, sends it flying
A dude who goes by Marketplace Builds on Instagram uploaded this hilarious video of a pink toy car that has been hacked to go much faster than normal. This is the kind of toy car that a kid can drive themselves, usually at snail pace for safety reasons. — Read the rest
The post Man supercharges a child's pink ride-on car, sends it flying appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Sally Ride flew to space 43 years ago today. She still has the best astronaut name.
With so much going sideways since… forever, it can be hard to recall that some great stuff has happened. This week marked 43 years since Sally Ride strapped her ass to a rocket for NASA's seventh space shuttle mission, STS-7. As mission specialist and flight engineer on Space Shuttle Challenger, she became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983. — Read the rest
The post Sally Ride flew to space 43 years ago today. She still has the best astronaut name. appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
The man who built the spaceships for 2001, Alien, and Empire has died
Science fiction aficionados and fans of practical effects will want to pour one out today: Brian Johnson, a man responsible for building some of the most iconic sci-fi craft in movies and television history, has died at the age of 87. — Read the rest
The post The man who built the spaceships for 2001, Alien, and Empire has died appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
This giant anteater uses his dancing tongue to keep cool in the summer's sweltering heat
I've previously written about the glorious ASMR videos starring King Bumi, a long-snouted, toothless, bushy-tailed, coarse-haired giant anteater who lives at the North Florida Wildlife Center in Lamont, Florida, a nonprofit rehabilitation and education center whose focus is on caring for rare and endangered species. — Read the rest
The post This giant anteater uses his dancing tongue to keep cool in the summer's sweltering heat appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
'Donald Dump' depicts Trump with sludge oozing out of his mouth
I'm a huge fan of street art, and this recent piece in Naples, Italy by World Press Photo Award winner and acclaimed photojournalist Eduardo Castaldo is one of the best I've ever seen. The piece, titled "Donald Dump," is a black and white stencil painting of Donald Trump. — Read the rest
The post 'Donald Dump' depicts Trump with sludge oozing out of his mouth appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
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A study published in Neuroscience by researchers at Spain's University of Zaragoza scanned the brains of 100 young adults and found structural differences in those who hold authoritarian beliefs — on both the left and the right. Right-wing authoritarians had lower grey matter volume in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, a region involved in understanding other people's thoughts and perspectives. — Read the rest
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Boing Boing
Open 
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The post Sid Caesar built the writers' room that taught Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Carl Reiner, and Woody Allen how to be funny appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
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From 1970 to 1974, the Varosha district of Famagusta, Cyprus, was "one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world," a favorite of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Raquel Welch, and Brigitte Bardot. When Turkish forces invaded Cyprus in August 1974, every Greek Cypriot resident fled. — Read the rest
The post In 1974, Turkish forces fenced off a Cyprus beach resort. It's still empty. appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
In 1985, a Japanese woman wrote a letter about bookstores making her need to use the bathroom. It became a phenomenon.
In February 1985, a 29-year-old woman from Tokyo's Suginami neighborhood sent a letter to the Japanese magazine Book Magazine. "I'm not sure why," she wrote, "but since about two or three years ago, whenever I go to a bookstore I am struck by an urge to move my bowels." — Read the rest
The post In 1985, a Japanese woman wrote a letter about bookstores making her need to use the bathroom. It became a phenomenon. appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Japan's greatest sword was surrendered to a US sergeant in 1946. Nobody knows where it is.
The Honjō Masamune, forged in the 13th or 14th century and passed from shōgun to shōgun as a symbol of the Tokugawa dynasty, is considered one of the finest Japanese swords ever made. It was designated a National Treasure in 1939. — Read the rest
The post Japan's greatest sword was surrendered to a US sergeant in 1946. Nobody knows where it is. appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
A star discovered in 2014 has exploded six times and none of the theories explain it
When astronomers first observed iPTF14hls in September 2014, they identified it as a supernova and expected it to dim within 100 days. Instead, it kept erupting. Over approximately 1,000 days, its brightness peaked at least five times, varying by as much as 50 percent. — Read the rest
The post A star discovered in 2014 has exploded six times and none of the theories explain it appeared first on Boing Boing.

Adam Curry
Open 
Podcasting 2.0 June 19th 2026 Episode 264 - "Podcast Plebicide"
Podcasting 2.0 June 19th 2026 Episode 264 - "Podcast Plebicide"

Telegraph
Open 
Janse van Rensburg fluffs his lines on England ‘debut’
Janse van Rensburg fluffs his lines on England ‘debut’

Mail Online
Open 
One dead as trains collide near Bedford: Major incident declared after Luton Airport Express 'drives into back of stationary train' and bloodied passengers are evacuated onto the railway
A driver is feared dead and passengers have been left with 'life-threatening injuries' after a train smashed into a stationary one between Luton and Bedford following a safety fault.

Gizmodo
Open 
Trump Reportedly Showed Elon Musk Texts of Tech Execs Kissing the Ring
He's got the billionaires double-texting for attention.

Gizmodo
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‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ TV Series Greenlit by Peacock
Peacock has given 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' a straight-to-series order.

Gizmodo
Open 
Norway Says AI Ain’t for Education
The country is cutting back on tech in classrooms.

Adam @podcastindex.social
Open 
Podcasting 2.0 June 19th 2026 Episode 264 - "Podcast Plebicide" http://l.curry.com/fUG
Podcasting 2.0 June 19th 2026 Episode 264 - "Podcast Plebicide" http://l.curry.com/fUG

The Aviationist
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U.S. Air Force Officially Unveils VC-25B Bridge Aircraft
After it completed a secretive nighttime flight to Joint Base Andrews earlier in June, the VC-25B Bridge aircraft – a rapidly converted 747-8 gifted by Qatar – has now been officially shown off by the U.S. Air Force in its service paint scheme for the very first time.  The VC-25B will now begin a series […]

Mail Online
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MPs launch initial probe into Peter Murrell's 'epic crime spree'
MPs have begun a preliminary probe of Peter Murrell's 'epic crime spree' ahead of the former SNP chief executive's sentencing next week.

Mail Online
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Romeo Beckham and girlfriend Kim Turnbull enjoy a VERY pricey picnic from Harrods including £33 pack of cured meats, £10 olives and £24 punnet of cherries
Romeo Beckham and his girlfriend Kim Turnbull enjoyed a pricey picnic with luxury goods from Harrods on Friday.

Mail Online
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Polo clubs celebrate 'Rivals bounce' as new fans sign up after success of Jilly Cooper hit series starring David Tennant, Bella Maclean and Danny Dyer
Enthusiasts of Disney+ series Rivals are discovering polo is 'not just [for] a bunch of toffs riding around', according to leading polo clubs experiencing an uptake on inquiries.

Mail Online
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Kemi Badenoch says historic victory in Aberdeen proves Tories can win ANYWHERE!
Victory in Aberdeen South shows the Tories 'can win anywhere' and defeat Labour and Reform at the general election, Kemi Badenoch has said.

Mail Online
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Seven Afghan small boat and lorry migrants 'in Norwich grooming gang' deny 38 sexual offences against two victims including charges of rape
Seven Afghan migrants who are accused of being members of a Norwich grooming gang have denied 38 sexual offences against two victims, including rape charges.

Mail Online
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DOUGLAS LUMSDEN: We were RIGHT to make this election about oil and gas. Starmer and Swinney can no longer ignore that voters want to get Britain drilling again
First of all, I want to say thank you. A massive thank you to every single voter in Aberdeen South who voted for me.

Mail Online
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Newlyweds Perrie Edwards and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are seen for the first time since tying the knot in picturesque Portuguese ceremony as they head to Isle of Wight Festival
The couple married last weekend in a picturesque Catholic church in the sleepy village of Estoi, with Perrie stunning in a Bardot form-skimming Dana Harel lace gown.

Mail Online
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Jailed, 49-year-old tourist on wrong side of road who killed biker - and tried to blame his victim
A German tourist who killed a biker while driving on the wrong side of a Highland road has been jailed.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes builds up head of steam for Durham during England exile
Absent from England’s second Test against New Zealand, Ben Stokes bowled fast for Durham but ended 15 overs with a breakthroughAnd now from the Finchale end, Ben Stokes… the first ball is a dot, the second flies down to fine leg off the thigh pad of Vasconcelos for four. Ball three: nothing. Ball four – ooops, a drop by Ben McKinney at leg slip. In and out, midnight sweats. Ball five: four through the covers in front of the watching groundsmen sitting on plastic chairs. Ball six – off the ankles to long leg for a couple. Ten from the over.The Grace Road groundstaff have gone for a weird striped pitch today – beige ends and a grassy middle. It has been largely successful – Luxton and Whiteman both out, Yorkshire 40-2. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
️ Updates from the second round at Shinnecock Hills️ Day one report | Follow us on Instagram | Mail MattMatt Fitzpatrick has to hole a 27-footer to save par at 3. It keeps him at -3 and in a tie for third. Great work. But not so good for playing partner DeChambeau, who misses the fairway, comes up short with his approach and looks utterly baffled as his par putt from 30 feet drifts five feet past. He completes an error-strewn hole by missing that one so it’s an ugly double bogey and Bryson tumbles down to +2.The average score in round one was 73.280 which isn’t too exteme for a US Open. Here’s how it compares to the last five years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Argentinian TV host resigns after falsely reporting death of Lionel Messi’s father
Florencia Peña quits after the broadcast on Luzu TVLuzu says ‘those responsible’ relieved of their dutiesMembers of a news crew in Argentina have lost their jobs after falsely reporting the death of Lionel Messi’s father.Florencia Peña announced on Luzu ⁠TV that Jorge Messi had died and went on to suggest that Messi would not play any further matches in the World Cup. In the aftermath of the report, the ⁠Messi family issued ⁠a statement on Thursday announcing that Messi Sr was in hospital with an undisclosed medical issue, but was “progressing favourably”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Scotland v Morocco: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 6pm local time/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email JohnThe transfer market never stops and Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with just about everybody since his showing against Brazil. He’s a Lille player at present, but unlikely to be one beyond the closure of the window.Ouahbi was referring to Bouaddi’s performance in a 1-0 victory against Ancelotti’s Madrid in October 2024 on the day he turned 17, which ended with Lille’s supporters singing happy birthday to him on the pitch.That ensured that every big club in Europe has been tracking his progress since. Arsenal are in preliminary talks to sign a player believed to be valued at about £70m by Lille; Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are thought to have registered an interest and Liverpool had scouts watching him on Saturday. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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England winger Saka unlikely to start against Ghana
England head coach Thomas Tuchel hints that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be in contention to start against Ghana on Tuesday.

Mail Online
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Major incident declared after two trains collide near Bedford: Driver feared dead and multiple passengers injured after Luton Airport Express 'drives into back of stationary train'
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

The Hill
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Live updates: Trump reveals Qatar plane now refurbished to serve as Air Force One
President Trump stopped at Joint Base Andrews on Friday afternoon, en route to Camp David, where he revealed the newest plane to be brought into service as Air Force One. "The VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at Joint Base Andrews!" the U.S. Air Force announced on X, along with a photo of the new...

The Hill
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Newsom on reported DOJ investigation: 'Go after me'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) projected defiance Thursday about the Department of Justice (DOJ) probes into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, challenging President Trump to “go after” him. “This is stuff that happens in other countries, that’s all I’ll say,” Newsom told MS NOW reporter Jacob Soboroff in Chicago. “He wants to go after me?...

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING WATCH LIVE: Trump to deliver remarks in front of new Air Force One SOON
President Trump is set to deliver remarks in front of the new Air Force One at any moment. I had to search for a live stream because the typical newsers don’t have . . .

Mail Online
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Major incident declared after two trains collide near Bedford: Multiple injuries and driver feared dead after Luton Airport Express 'drives into stationary train'
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

Mail Online
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Major incident declared after two trains collide near Bedford: Multiple injuries and driver feared dead after Luton Airport Express 'collides with stationary train' as bloodied passengers are helped off carriages
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

Mail Online
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USA vs Australia - World Cup LIVE: Alex Freeman doubles lead to spark mayhem in Seattle... and send USMNT towards knockouts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as the United States take on Australia in Group D at the 2026 World Cup... 

BBC Top Stories (US)
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What we know so far about Bedford train crash
Two East Midland Railway trains crashed into each other, with emergency services now on the scene

Mail Online
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Paedophile ringleader handed 35 year jail term could be released after serving just 10 YEARS thanks to Labour's 'soft justice' measures
Arshid Hussain raped and abused teenage girls in Rotherham, and a judge said his gang had committed 'devastating' harm of 'unimaginable proportions'.

Mail Online
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Tess Daly, 57, shows off her incredible figure in skimpy swimwear after jetting to Greece for a Naia Beach work trip following split from Vernon Kay
The former Strictly Come Dancing host, 57, has thrown herself into work following her split from husband Vernon Kay .

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World rapid and blitz championships in Hong Kong highlights chess boom in Asia
The €500,000 tournament has attracted several strong national teams, plus the favourites, WR Chess, led by the world No 1, Magnus CarlsenDragon Chilling may be an ­unfamiliar chess name, but the squad from China won the gold medals at the World Teams Rapid in Hong Kong. Teams of six include a woman, a ­junior and an amateur who has never achieved a 2000 ­rating. The strong ­performance by Asian teams at the start highlights a boom in chess, with enthusiasm sparked by successive world ­champions from China (Ding Liren) and India (Gukesh Dommaraju).The time control for rapid is 15 minutes for the whole game, plus a 10 seconds per move increment from move one; while for blitz it is three minutes plus a two seconds per move increment. There is no repeat of the attempt in London last year to play without increment, which caused chaotic conclusions to several games. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand in control of second Test as Nicholls century grinds down weary England
Second Test day 3: New Zealand 391 & 252-3; England 291Tourists establish commanding 352-run leadFor all the reports that suggest Ben Stokes and the England management have brokered something resembling a peace deal over the past 48 hours, the team being led by Joe Root in the all-rounder’s absence still finds itself in strife.On a sappingly hot third day, New Zealand steadily moved into a ­position of dominance, reaching 252 for three in their second innings and leading by 352 runs. Based on the ­trajectory of this second Test, Stokes will be returning for a high-stakes series decider at Trent Bridge next week. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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'Muggier' heatwave could top 34C as extreme heat warning issued
An extreme heat warning is in force for early next week as a high-humidity heatwave builds to a peak that could see temperatures top 34C (93F).

The Guardian (UK)
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Israel and Hezbollah agree to renew ceasefire after flareup of violence
US-Iran meeting in Switzerland on implementation of peace deal cancelled over clashes in southern LebanonMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael and Hezbollah agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after 24 hours of intense violence that posed an early challenge to the new agreement between the US and Iran to end their conflict.A meeting that was scheduled to take place on Friday between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland to discuss implementation of the new deal was cancelled when Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel carried out a wave of retaliatory airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley that killed at least 47 people. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Injuries reported after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneTwo trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with a number of people injured and police and other emergency services at the scene.The collision, which is reported to have caused injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11899 Shared Linux Hosting - CPanel - Performance degradation (Update)
We are going to continue to monitor the cPanel services over the weekend and continue to ensure that there have been no additional issues.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 09:20

Update: Mon, 22nd Jun 2026 15:00

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 19:41

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Deutsche Welle
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UK: Two trains collide north of London, injuries reported
According to media reports, the train collision occurred about 90 kilometers north of London, resulting in multiple injuries.

Mail Online
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USA vs Australia LIVE: Early goal sends Seattle into meltdown as USMNT close in on World Cup knockouts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as the United States take on Australia in Group D at the 2026 World Cup... 

Mail Online
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Major incident declared after two trains collide near Bedford: Passengers covered in blood are helped off carriages after Luton Airport Express 'collides with stationary train'
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

TechRadar News
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I've driven the Honda Super-N — and I'm in love with this go-kart for the daily drive

TechRadar News
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Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 game director says the game will have 'massive amounts of customization' — 'There's almost an infinite amount of ways to coordinate with your buds on how you want to kit up as a group'

TechRadar News
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How to watch Scotland vs Morocco: Free Streams & TV Channels online from anywhere for FIFA World Cup 2026

Digital Trends
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Samsung just confirmed the Exynos 2700, and it looks destined for the Galaxy S27
The Galaxy S27 may not be Snapdragon-only after all. Samsung has confirmed development of the Exynos 2700, a chip rumored to bring major efficiency gains.

Digital Trends
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Amazon pulls back from Sam Altman film ‘Artificial’ as it may have hit too close to home
Amazon's decision to drop Artificial comes months after its $50 billion investment in OpenAI, with the studio now shopping it to other potential distributors.

Slashdot
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Canada Missed Chances To Inspect OceanGate's Titan Before Fatal Implosion
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Wired: A report from Canada's Transportation Safety Board has highlighted regulatory failures that allowed OceanGate's unregistered, unflagged, and uncertified Titan submersible to operate out St. John's, Newfoundland, for years before it imploded on a tourist trip to the wreck of the Titanic in 2023. "When it came to the Titan, critical information existed across multiple federal government organizations, but no one was responsible for connecting the dots," says TBS chair Yoan Marier in a statement. "Without a complete picture of the operation, the Titan continued to operate in Canada without regulatory oversight." [...] As OceanGate continued to operate from St. John's in 2021 and 2022, the Titan made successful dives to the Titanic and several sites within Canadian waters. The company eventually interacted with a total of 10 Canadian federal agencies, including Parks Canada, the Department of National Defense, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But the company's operations were never directly reported to the team responsible for marine safety. "In terms of the actual people that were responsible for marine oversight, their focus was on the Canadian support vessel," says TSB investigator Jason Melvin.

While TSB investigators did not have access to the wreckage of the Titan itself, which remains with the US Coast Guard, they did analyze portions of the carbon fiber left over from its manufacture. They calculated that a hull made to OceanGate's exact specifications might have been able to make hundreds of millions of dives to Titanic depths before failing. However, the composite samples as built had porosity and waviness between layers and were ground down in a way that might have introduced defects. When the TSB tested the compressive strength of the carbon fiber, it indicated the material could fail in as few as 30 deep dives. [...] The TSB is recommending increased oversight of the riskiest vessels and improvements in information sharing between departments, and is requiring that all human-occupied submersibles be subject to international construction and safety standards.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Employers to college students: Never mind that 4.0 GPA. Go out and get a summer job.
College students with any sort of work experience on their résumés are twice as likely to be employed shortly after graduating.

Boing Boing
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Nebraska supercell near Lorenzo looked almost too perfect to be real
This powerful storm rolled through near Lorenzo, Nebraska, on June 7th, 2026. It ended up being one of those rare setups that looks almost unreal on camera. It started building late in the afternoon and quickly took on a structure that caught attention. — Read the rest
The post Nebraska supercell near Lorenzo looked almost too perfect to be real appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Lemur makes an alarming sound when communicating
The Indri is the largest living lemur and one of the most distinctive primates in Madagascar. It lives only in the eastern rainforests of the island and is known for its striking black-and-white fur pattern and its nearly tailless body. It makes an alarming sound when communicating with others. — Read the rest
The post Lemur makes an alarming sound when communicating appeared first on Boing Boing.

Telegraph
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Dreadful England head for defeat – which is exactly what they deserve
Dreadful England head for defeat – which is exactly what they deserve

Telegraph
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Janse van Rensburg squanders chance on ‘debut’ as England XV lose to France XV
Janse van Rensburg squanders chance on ‘debut’ as England XV lose to France XV

Mail Online
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Major incident declared after two trains collide near Bedford: Passengers covered in blood are helped off carriage after Luton Airport Express 'collides with stationary train'
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Video shows scene of Bedford train crash as passenger describes aftermath
Passenger Pete Knapp said the crash "felt like [he'd] been in a bomb explosion".

The Verge
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NASA selects Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for a 2028 mission to Mars
Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028, as reported earlier by TechCrunch. Under a new public-private partnership, Relativity Space will provide the "spacecraft, rocket, and cruise operations" to fly Aeolus to Mars, where the payload will "provide the first […]

Mail Online
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USA vs Australia - World Cup LIVE: Seattle sent wild as early own goal puts Americans within touching distance of knockouts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as the United States take on Australia in Group D at the 2026 World Cup... 

The Guardian (UK)
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Ron review – bumbling standup swerves into Tarantino-esque odyssey
Riverside Studios, LondonTed Walliker’s one-man play about a night gone spectacularly wrong is boldly ambitious but we need to know more about the man at the micWatching a comedian crumble onstage is hellish. In Ted Walliker’s new play, the performer’s breakdown is deliberate but the show’s wider ambitions miss their mark. Pitched as a standup set that swivels into an absurd faux-confessional, this first foray into co-production for Riverside Studios is a one-man tangent.The trouble starts with how quickly the framing device of a standup show is shoved aside. When bumbling posh-boy comedian Tony (Walliker) fails to get the laughs he wants, he tries on a tougher persona and launches into a violent story of misadventure with Mike, his best friend, long-time crush and all-round scoundrel. A delirious pep enters Tony’s step as he outlines a gratuitously gruesome night of pulled-off faces and munched-up bones. Spiralling from a mistake in McDonald’s where we meet the titular character, we are hurled into an entirely different play, with only the occasional address to us “folks” to remind us this is supposed to be a comedy set. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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World Cup: Where's The Beer?
World Cup: Where's The Beer?

Authored by Noel Williams via AmericanThinker.com,

So far, the World Cup is living up to Gianni Infantino’s (FIFA President) clarion call to “unite the world” (or at least the participating nations therein).

Of course, that could quickly change when we get to the knockout stages of the tournament when they're more overwrought emotions and rivalries are more intense.

In the meantime, soccer fans from far-flung places are reveling in America’s beauty and bounty.

They appreciate America more than Dems, which is not surprising since most Dems are anti-American.

There are three glorious American attributes that are drawing particular praise from our World Cup visitors: the warmth and friendliness of the people (they must not be commingling with Dems), the natural beauty of the country, and the food.

But what about the beer?!

Scotland fans drank the pubs in Boston dry. At the Adams Taproom, they drank four times as much Boston Lager as the bar usually sells.



They better call for emergency deliveries because guess who’s in town next? England!

The English, like the Scots and other fans, are also loving America.

It must be a relief to breathe deep the fresh American air, and evade the P.C. Police in blighted Old Blighty.

The Three Lions (nickname for their teams) will play Ghana at Gillette Stadium (aka, Boston Stadium during the World Cup) next Tuesday — and they are not known to be teetotalers. 

This exuberant fan is not atypical as he endeavored to get drunk before, during, and after the game against Croatia in Dallas.


"We're going to get drunk before the game. We're going to get drunk during the game. And then we're going to get drunk after the game."
The match doesn't start for another few hours, but England fans have a plan. pic.twitter.com/RSBYt2oguh
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) June 17, 2026
To the birthplace of the American Revolution: The English are coming, the English are coming. Let’s have a proper Boston Beer Party. Should they turn into unruly hooligans, there’s always Boston Harbor to sober them up.

Even if the ale and lager procurers underestimate the fans’ drinking prowess, America’s munificence is unparalleled.

It’s so refreshing to hear the objective opinions of our gracious visitors (mostly unaffected and uninfected by TDS), contrasted to the damning Dems.

For example, imagine the leftist angst incurred when a fan admired a scantily-clad cheerleader; the Scot in this sincere scene was simply agog (I doubt the Scottish ladies tartan tans compare).


Tartan Army are not used to cheerleaders! 😂@WeAreSTVRadio pic.twitter.com/sY00udItqX
— Cat Harvey (@MissCatHarvey) June 14, 2026
No longer dependent on the leftist press, our World Cup visitors can believe their “lying eyes”: we are still the last great hope of Earth.

Therefore, when the U.N. or other pretentious “dumb-gentsia” group ranks the most “livable countries,” they should consider their ability to host such a spectacular spectacle.

Go USA!



Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 14:20

BBC Top Stories (International)
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'Like a bomb explosion': Bedford train passenger describes crash
As of Friday evening, rail operator Thameslink says all lines are blocked between Luton and Bedford.

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#11793 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Newcastle upon Tyne (CityFibre) (Close)
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The Hill
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White House officials bid farewell to Air Force One plane used since 1990
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to indicate the Boeing 747 "29000" is not being retired by the Air Force. President Trump became the last president to fly aboard one of the heavily customized Boeing 747-200s operating as Air Force One, as it made its final flight to bring the commander in chief back...

The Hill
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November fight set for Golden's vulnerable House seat in Maine
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) will face off this fall against state auditor Matthew Dunlap (D) in the open race for what’s seen as a prime House pickup opportunity for the GOP in the midterms, according to Decision Desk HQ.  Rep. Jared Golden's (D-Maine) decision not to seek reelection created an opening for the GOP in...

The Hill
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NATO chief, Trump to meet at White House amid tensions
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to travel next week to Washington to meet with President Trump amid tensions over the U.S. cutting the number of troops and equipment it would provide to its European allies should they be attacked. Rutte will meet Wednesday with Trump at the White House, according to a Friday announcement...

The Hill
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More than 160 troops contract flu at Texas base after Hegseth lifts vaccine order
More than 160 troops have contracted influenza at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in the past few weeks following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision earlier this year to end mandatory flu vaccines for service members, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on Friday. The Air Force told The Hill that the...

The Hill
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Trump doubles down on criticism of Italy's Meloni: 'She was a big fan'
President Trump reinforced his criticism of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after the pair traded insults following their interaction at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France this past week. “She was a big fan," he told NBC News's Gabe Gutierrez on Friday.  "But I don't want her as a fan because she was...

The Hill
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Live updates: Trump leaves for Camp David weekend, defending Iran deal as 'very popular'
President Trump left the White House for Camp David on Friday afternoon. As he left, he posted on his social media that the deal between Iran and the U.S. is "very popular." On Day 2 of a 60-day window for negotiations, talks between the countries are on hold, as Israel launched new strikes in Lebanon...

The Hill
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Newsom on reported DOJ investigation: 'Go after me'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) projected defiance on Thursday about the Justice Department (DOJ) probes into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, challenging President Trump to “go after” him. “This is stuff that happens in other countries, that’s all I’ll say,” Newsom told MS NOW reporter Jacob Soboroff in Chicago. “He wants to go after me?...

Techdirt
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Ctrl-Alt-Speech: Close Your Apps And Think Of England
Ctrl-Alt-Speech is a weekly podcast about the latest news in online speech, from Mike Masnick and Everything in Moderation‘s Ben Whitelaw. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Pocket Casts, YouTube, or your podcast app of choice — or go straight to the RSS feed. To get extended episodes with additional coverage, support us on […]

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Trump reveals poll that shows Iran deal approval
President Trump just revealed a poll by a company called Quantas Insights, which polled 1,000 likely voters and shows that over a majority of voters approve of the new Iran deal MOU. . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: The new Air Force One has arrived and it looks FANTASTIC
The new Air Force One has arrived at Joint Base Andrews, according to the Air Force, and it look absolutely fantastic. It has a brand new paint job that I absolutely love. . . .

Mail Online
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Tom Hanks' brutal insult to MS NOW reporter in shocking on-air outburst at Obama library opening
Proud Democrat Hanks, 69, found himself face to face with a reporter from the network shortly after arriving.

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauThe atmosphere here at Lumen Field (excuse me, Seattle Stadium, how dare I) is positively electric a full 30 minutes before kickoff. This was predictable — the stadium has a well-earned reputation for being among the loudest in the United States — but it is still a sight to behold. The place is nearly full, and there are no shortage of Aussie fans as well, very prominently sat behind the goal at the south end of the stadium. Truly incredible atmosphere.Pre-anthem mailbag Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Could ‘king in the north’ become Britain’s new prime minister?
Makerfield victory gives Andy Burnham a path back to Westminster and a chance to challenge Keir StarmerCelebrations and a swift exit after a Burnham win ‘beyond our wildest dreams’“We know no king but the King in the North”, declares the young Lady Lyanna Mormont in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. In the early hours of Friday morning, in a nondescript conference hall in the north of England, it appeared that the electorate agreed.About 70,000 voters in a post-industrial region of north-west England may have changed the face of British politics this week, after electing the charismatic Labour politician Andy Burnham to represent them in London. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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'Herd isn't just moving, it's stampeding' against Starmer
Andy Burnham will become prime minister as the herd is "not just moving" against Sir Keir Starmer "it's stampeding", Harriet Harman told Sky News.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Fifa alters how World Cup tables work - it changes everything
Fifa is using head-to-head records instead of group goal difference as the first tiebreaker for teams who are level on points at the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Michelle Keegan totes a £3,400 handbag as she enjoys a well-earned break from filming new Harlan Coben thriller to head out for lunch with her mum Jacqueline and daughter Palma
The actress has been adding to her roster of gripping dramas by filming The Woods, but took a day off to relax in the Manchester sunshine.

Mail Online
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Conservatives take Aberdeen in big by-election win after Kemi Badenoch's party pitched the contest as a referendum on Ed Miliband's radical Net Zero agenda
Kemi Badenoch's party stormed to victory in Aberdeen South on Friday - ousting the scandal-hit Scottish National Party to win a majority of more than 6,000 votes.

Mail Online
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Rapist who used fake Snapchat profiles to blackmail Muslim men by threatening to send intimate images to their families is jailed for 16 years in one of Britain's worst sextortion cases
In one of Britain's worst 'sextortion' cases, Waleed Saeed, 31, left his vulnerable victims feeling suicidal as he threatened to share intimate images and videos with their relatives.

Mail Online
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Trans prisoner policy is ruled unlawful... but it's cost the taxpayer £400k to find out!
Taxpayers face a legal bill of up to £400,000 after the SNP government's 'Orwellian' trans prison policy was ruled 'unlawful'.

Mail Online
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Trump's World Cup chief opens the door to new Iran 'discussions' after team's furious complaints about 'oppressive' travel restrictions
DANIEL MATTHEWS IN SEATTLE: Iran vowed to complain to FIFA over restrictions 'imposed by the organizers' after claiming their team was being treated differently to the other 47 countries

Mail Online
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Ancient Roman records offer fresh evidence Jesus was a real person
Ancient records written nearly 2,000 years ago are being hailed as some of the strongest evidence yet that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person.

Mail Online
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Injury update on Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford with England pair managing fitness issues ahead of Ghana clash
CRAIG HOPE: Rashford came from the bench during Wednesday's 4-2 win over Croatia and impressed when scoring his side's final goal.

BBC World News
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Would you choose to take a 22-hour non-stop flight?
The BBC asked Sydney locals if they would take the newly announced, longest ever commercial flight from Sydney to London.

BBC World News
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Pétanque player, 68, dies after being 'hit in head with metal boule'
The man was allegedly struck by his 81-year-old opponent, who has since been arrested, the public prosecutor says.

Mail Online
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Pregnant Scarlett Moffatt looks effortlessly chic in a white dress as she poses with her fiancé Scott Dobinson at Royal Ascot
Pregnant Scarlett Moffatt looked effortlessly chic in a white dress as she posed with her fiancé Scott Dobinson at Royal Ascot on Friday.

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout from the Iran war, underlining the fiscal pressures facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as the Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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No champagne corks but a quiet pint for Burnham after seismic 3am victory
No wild celebrations after Makerfield byelection win as incoming Labour MP signals the start of an even bigger campaignAndy Burnham wins by huge majorityWhile an election count normally feels like an ending, the culmination of long campaign, in Makerfield the declaration of Andy Burnham as the constituency’s new MP felt like just the beginning.In the days and weeks leading up to polling day, all talk was of whether Burnham could beat Reform, in this seat where Labour had lost every single vote they were contesting in the council elections just weeks ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Labour peer and Reform MP clash over ‘brown people’ and domestic abuse
Thangam Debbonaire and Sarah Pochin argue in Sky News interview at Makerfield byelection countThe Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire has clashed with Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin at the Makerfield byelection count, asking the MP: “You don’t like being on television with brown people, do you Sarah?”The row erupted during a testy interview on Sky News that included an exchange about the £5m personal gift that Nigel Farage accepted from the Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in the months before he stood as an MP in the 2024 general election. The gift, first revealed by the Guardian, is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner, who will examine whether or not it ought to have been declared. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauAustralian lineup: Head-scratcher or tactical brilliance?Australian Associated Press reports …Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has dropped goalscorers Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to the bench for Australia’s blockbuster clash with the United States.Veteran Mathew Leckie, playing for the first time at his fourth World Cup, and Nishan Velupillay are the two inclusions in attack for the game that could determine who finishes top of group D. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Need for 'genuine human connection' has never been greater, says Kate
The Princess of Wales said the need for "genuine human connection" has never been greater.

Mail Online
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Seven iPhone models compromised by major security breach... is yours on the list?
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a new security flaw affecting millions of iPhones. Experts warn the weakness could allow attackers to gain deep access to affected devices.

Mail Online
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Two trains collide near Bedford: Serious injuries feared after Luton Airport Express 'collides with stationary train' as casualties covered in blood are seen disembarking from carriage
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Israel and Hezbollah agree ceasefire, US says, as more Lebanon strikes reported
The agreement followed concerns that continued clashes would undermine the deal to end the war between the US and Iran.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Israel and Hezbollah agree ceasefire in Lebanon, US says, as more strikes reported
The agreement followed concerns that continued clashes would undermine the deal to end the war between the US and Iran.

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand in control of second Test as Nicholls century grinds down weary England
Second Test day 3: New Zealand 391 & 252-3; England 291Nicholls scores unbeaten 119 to give tourists 352-run leadFor all the reports that suggest Ben Stokes and the England management have brokered something resembling a peace deal over the past 48 hours, the team being led by Joe Root in the all-rounder’s absence still finds itself in strife.On a sappingly hot third day at the Oval, New Zealand steadily moved into a position of dominance, reaching 252 for three in their second innings and leading by 352 runs. Based on the current trajectory of this second Test, Stokes will be returning for a high-stakes series decider at Trent Bridge next week. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauThe injury that was downplayed during the opening game against Paraguay is apparently more serious than first indicated. Throughout the week, the driving force of the US attack was limited in training, raising questions about his availability today.He is indeed not available. Ricardo Pepi will take his place. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Facts and figures: the Makerfield byelection result in numbers
From the proportion of votes secured by Restore Britain, to the percentage point difference in Reform UK’s fortunes, here are the takeawaysIt was, the consensus opinion states, probably the most politically consequential byelection in recent UK history. But what can we learn from the raw numbers announced overnight in Makerfield? Here are some of them. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’m not a Labour fan but I like Burnham’: relief in Makerfield among left, right and centre
‘Borrowed’ supporters from across the political spectrum voted to trounce ReformHow quickly could Burnham become PM?The morning after Andy Burnham secured a landslide byelection victory in Makerfield, returning him to Westminster after nine years as Greater Manchester mayor, it is hard to avoid the large, red placards bearing his face.But Burnham’s win was not just thanks to Labour loyalists. Instead, it appears that a coalition of voters from the left, centre and even the right united to back him at the ballot box. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Could ‘king in the north’ become Britain’s new prime minister?
Makerfield victory gives Burnham a path back to Westminster and a chance to challenge Starmer for PMCelebrations and a swift exit after a Burnham win ‘beyond our wildest dreams’“We know no king but the King in the North”, declares the young Lady Lyanna Mormont in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. In the early hours of Friday morning, in a nondescript conference hall in the north of England, it appeared that the electorate agreed.About 70,000 voters in a post-industrial region of north-west England may have changed the face of British politics this week, after electing the charismatic Labour politician Andy Burnham to represent them in London. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Netanyahu secretly plotting to TORPEDO Trump's Iran peace deal in intelligence bombshell
US spy agencies have warned Donald Trump that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to torpedo his fragile peace deal with Iran to save his own political skin.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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After the big one comes the even bigger one for Scotland
Scotland will need their best display since Steve Clarke took over to achieve the result against Morocco that will secure knockout tournament football for the first time, writes Tom English.

TechRadar News
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How to watch USA vs Australia: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as co-hosts continue FIFA World Cup 2026 journey, team news

TechRadar News
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16GB 'Bonkers' Xeon PC is back at Newegg for Prime Day with $209 price tag, Nvidia Geforce GPU, 256GB SSD - Is this the best PC deal of 2026?

TechRadar News
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Dutton Ranch season 2 'deserves to be made' according to one star — confirming Yellowstone spinoff cast is 'waiting in hope' for Paramount+ renewal

TechRadar News
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LifeLock's 'intuitive and powerful' identity theft protection is highly rated for a reason — LifeLock Advanced can secure your entire family, and it's on sale

TechRadar News
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'We've proven that carbon removal technology can work': Google, Anthropic, Salesforce and others pledge nearly $1 billion on new environmental push

Digital Trends
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From Pools to Power: 6 Prime Day Tech Deals You Wouldn’t Want to Miss Out On 
Some tech upgrades solve everyday problems exactly as you'd expect, while others quietly elevate your daily life in ways you only appreciate later. These Prime Day deals deliver a little of both.

Slashdot
Open 
New Unpatchable Exploit Targets Apple Devices With A12 and A13 Chips
Researchers have disclosed a new unpatchable BootROM exploit affecting Apple devices with A12, A13, S4, and S5 chips. The attack requires physical USB access and DFU mode, but can let an attacker run code before iOS loads, bypass signature checks, and boot modified software. 9to5Mac reports the details: In a highly detailed technical post published today, the Paradigm Shift Team details usbliter8, a new exploit that "leverages both a hardware bug in the USB controller and a specific configuration flaw present in the device firmware" and cannot be patched. The PS Team explains that ahead of today's disclosure, it shared its findings and worked with Apple Product Security to coordinate the release. The researchers also thanked Apple's security team for its "prompt response, constructive engagement, and cooperation throughout" the process.

In a nutshell, this bug affects the following Apple SoCs: A12, S4, S5, and A13. [...] They add that "technical support for A12X/Z is possible," but "it is not currently implemented." That could add the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro lineups to the list. The way usbliter8 works is: it sends specially crafted data to a device over USB while it is in DFU mode, confusing the USB controller and causing it to write data to the wrong part of memory. That gives an attacker with physical access to the device control over its startup process. From there, they can run their own code before iOS loads, bypass signature checks, and boot modified system software.

Importantly, the exploit does not affect or compromise the device's Secure Enclave, which in practice means that data such as passcodes and encrypted user data remain secure. That said, PS Team says that "although usbliter8 doesn't affect SEP itself, it opens up wider attack vectors to compromise the Secure Enclave," adding that "by releasing this exploit publicly, we hope to highlight the real-world impact of these hardware flaws and contribute to a broader understanding of modern SecureROM security." [...] Given that this is also an unpatchable exploit, the researchers note that "affected users should be aware that migrating to newer hardware remains the most effective mitigation."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit
The BBC has been told that the transport secretary is among those advising Starmer to set out a timetable.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Warsh’s new task forces give the Fed wiggle room to put off changing rates until December
During his first press conference as Fed chair Wednesday, Kevin Warsh repeated one refrain in his answers to many reporters’ questions: A task force is looking into it.

Telegraph
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Burnham will break fiscal rules to borrow, banks warn
Burnham will break fiscal rules to borrow, banks warn

Telegraph
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Dreadful England head for defeat - which is exactly what they deserve
Dreadful England head for defeat - which is exactly what they deserve

Gizmodo
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‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker’s Next Film Finds a New Home
Universal has scooped up Barker's next original feature after the already-completed 'Anything but Ghosts.'

The Verge
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Hue’s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem
Smart lighting company Philips Hue has launched its first wired wall modules. Installed behind existing wall switches, the new devices bring non-smart lights into the Hue ecosystem for the first time. Hue also announced new Play table and floor lamps that are more affordable versions of its Signe series, along with upgrades to its E14 […]

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauWhat’s at stake …The US men are out to do what no US men’s team have done in 96 years. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Injuries reported after two trains collide near Bedford
Lines closed between Luton and Bedford as emergency services attend sceneTwo trains have collided in the Bedford area, authorities have said, with police and other emergency services at the scene.The collision, which is reported to have caused injuries, has also caused major delays to the evening commute, with lines closed between Luton and Bedford, Thameslink said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Celebrations and a swift exit after a Burnham win ‘beyond our wildest dreams’
After partying into the early hours, supporters were back for the new Makerfield MP’s victory rally which ended with a madcap escapeThere was plenty of the hopey, changey stuff from Andy Burnham at his victory rally on the morning after the night before – but it ended with the new MP for Makerfield doing a runner. “Are you going to become the new prime minister?” shouted Sky’s political editor, Beth Rigby, at the retreating Burnham. “Keir Starmer says he is not going to give way – what’s your message for Keir Starmer?”Hemmed in by cameras, chairs, tables and a whole load of the giggling supporters who had been assembled around him on the turf at Ashton Town FC’s grounds, Burnham picked up the pace. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Elliot Anderson is England’s spirit animal – and is now indispensable
With Declan Rice nursing a knock, his midfield partner is the reliable rock to which team’s fate is inescapably yokedElliot Anderson is running. It’s the 88th minute against Croatia, and the game is won, and the game is done, and this is the 60th game of his season and there are deeper challenges to come. But as long as the ball is loose, he’s going to chase it down: first Josip Sutalo and then Josko Gvardiol, a simple recycling of defensive possession rapidly mutating into an unpleasant ordeal. As the ball is worked across defence, Anderson single-handedly follows it all the way across the pitch, over to the far touchline, where he eventually forces a rushed pass and a turnover of possession.And in an opening win defined by mood swings and tectonic shifts, in a team savouring the wealth of options and contingencies at its disposal, it’s worth dwelling on just how quickly Anderson has become indispensable. Declan Rice is carrying a knock and looks a little short of gas. Harry Kane will almost certainly not have the legs to play eight full games plus extra time. The wingers, the centre-half pairing, the full-backs are not yet set in stone. Beyond Jordan Pickford, virtually every area of this team is operating in a kind of managed flux. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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The collapse of 'world order' as an opportunity for Asia?
In Europe — unlike in Asia — changes to decades of international norms and institutional systems are often interpreted as a loss. However, these changes may also mark the beginning of a new, more inclusive order.

UK Government News
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Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed
Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

ZeroHedge News
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Israel-Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire After Clashes Stall Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Israel-Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire After Clashes Stall Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks

Summary:

Israel and Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire 
Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt 
Israel and Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire that will begin on Friday at 4 p.m. local time, Reuters reported.

ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH AGREE TO CEASEFIRE STARTING ON FRI: RTRS
ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH AGREE ON CEASEFIRE FROM 4PM LOCAL: REUTERS
WTI futures tumbled on the ceasefire headline, falling from about $76.40 a barrel to $75.56, as traders priced in reduced geopolitical risk.



The earlier escalation between Israel and Hezbollah increasingly looks as if both sides were squeezing in last-minute strikes ahead of the ceasefire set to take effect later today.

The ceasefire - if it holds - now sets up for nuclear talks between US and Iran. 

Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt 

Talks between Iran and the US were postponed on Friday in Switzerland, delaying what was supposed to be the opening round of negotiations towards a permanent peace and nuclear deal.

The delay appears to center on a new escalation between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, a troubling development that threatens the fresh interim deal signed by President Trump and Iran just days ago. Tehran has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon is part of the interim deal, meaning the Israel-Hezbollah front could derail the US-Iran diplomatic path to a sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Financial Times provided more details on the overnight development:


Talks between Iran and the US in Switzerland were postponed due to Israel launching a wave of deadly air strikes on southern Lebanon, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Iran did not send a delegation to Switzerland for the nuclear talks because of the attacks, the people said. The interim agreement signed by the US and Iran on Wednesday stipulates the "immediate and permanent termination" of fighting, including in Lebanon.


A diplomat familiar with the Switzerland talks told the outlet:


The Iranians have asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will end, as outlined in the signed agreement, and mediators are currently working to resolve the issue.


According to other FT sources, Iran's position is effectively "no Lebanon, no deal," arguing that it has restrained Hezbollah while Washington has failed to restrain Israel.

Israeli airstrikes across more than 10 villages in southern Lebanon killed 18 people and wounded 33, according to Lebanon's health ministry.


⭕️WATCH: A Hezbollah launcher firing rockets toward IDF soldiers
In response to Hezbollah’s repeated & blatant ceasefire violations, the IDF struck 2 Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley, 80+ terror targets in southern Lebanon and eliminated dozens of Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/NntfHM87vd
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2026
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, reacted on X to the latest fighting in Lebanon:


For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn! With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn. Our supreme duty is to protect the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and this commitment takes precedence over every other consideration. I told the Prime Minister, even in our private meetings: For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. Enough with the ping-pong. In the Middle East, you don't win with measured responses and restraint—you need to go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror.



על כל דמעה של אמא ישראלית, אלף אמהות לבנוניות צריכות לבכות. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור!
עם כל הכבוד לאמריקאים, ישראל חייבת להבהיר לעולם כולו שדם בנינו וביטחון אזרחנו איננו הפקר. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור. חובתנו העליונה היא להגן על אזרחי ישראל ועל חיילי צה״ל, והמחויבות הזו קודמת לכל…
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 19, 2026
Drop Site provided more color on the canceled talks:

Al Mayadeen report earlier today that Iran's delegation suspended its trip to Geneva due to ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
A White House spokesperson later said Vice President JD Vance, head of the US delegation, also canceled his planned trip to meet Iranian negotiators and begin talks on negotiating and implementing the postwar framework
Reuters reported the delegation had been preparing to launch the first round of the agreement's 60-day negotiations. Tehran had previously told Washington and mediators that developments in Lebanon would be a key factor in whether talks proceed.
Pakistani journalist Kamran Yousaf wrote on X, "Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty."

He added, "With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the next round of negotiations."


BREAKING
Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty.
With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the…
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) June 19, 2026
Beyond the overnight fighting in southern Lebanon, the takeaway is that the interim deal still gives Washington and Tehran a 60-day ceasefire window, immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a framework for eventual talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The problem now is that both sides need to control their proxies and allied partners. Tehran must keep its Hezbollah fighters restrained, while the Trump administration must keep its Israeli ally from escalating in Lebanon. Without that dual restraint, the 60-day ceasefire window could collapse.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 12:00

ZeroHedge News
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Outrage As Suspect In UK Toddler Crocodile Attack Released On Bail; Identity Still Hidden
Outrage As Suspect In UK Toddler Crocodile Attack Released On Bail; Identity Still Hidden

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity,

The insane attack at a family-run zoo in Cambridgeshire, UK has now produced a fresh outrage.



A three-year-old boy from the area remains in critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure.

Yet, the 30-year-old man from Norfolk arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has already been released on bail until 18 September. Police assessed him as "unfit for interview" and continue to withhold his identity from the public.


Man arrested after child, 3, 'thrown into crocodile enclosure' released as suspect 'unfit for interview' https://t.co/NRmW0yzmkL
- GB News (@GBNEWS) June 19, 2026
This follows the initial reporting of the incident at Johnson's of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon. As covered in our earlier piece on the initial incident and rampant online speculation about the identity of the man who was arrested.



The boy and the suspect were not known to each other, and detectives from the Major Crime Unit treated the case as a serious criminal investigation from the outset.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the release after the assessment. Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated: "Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident. Our thoughts remain with the boy and his family, and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time."

Witnesses described a heroic intervention that prevented an even worse outcome. The zoo owner's wife reportedly jumped 15 feet into the crocodile enclosure to pull the injured toddler to safety.

Staff administered immediate medical treatment at the scene before emergency services arrived. The boy suffered serious wounds from at least one crocodile attack inside the enclosure.

Reports indicate he suffered a broken arm, a broken pelvis, likely stemming from the impact after being thrown, as well as multiple crocodile bites during the incident on Thursday afternoon.

Public anger has erupted over the decision to release the suspect.

Many see the move as further evidence of a justice system that fails to prioritise the protection of children and the public when confronted with extreme violence.


? #BREAKING: It has been confirmed that the man who threw a 3-year-old toddler into a crocodile enclosure in the UK...
...HAS ALREADY BEEN LET OUT ON BOND!!!!
The man is being described as 'mentally disabled' and police are STILL refusing to name him.
Witnesses say the zoo... pic.twitter.com/uBhxXhJkWY
- Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 19, 2026

Imagine living in a country where you go straight to jail for a tweet, but get bail after being arrested for 'allegedly' throwing a 3 year old baby into a crocodile enclosure! The world is watching is disbelief! pic.twitter.com/Do1ljHSofF
- Liam Tuffs (@liamtuffs1) June 19, 2026

Lunatics who throw toddlers to crocodiles probably ought not to be on the streets. https://t.co/lIijFzPlIh
- Carl Benjamin ??????? (@Sargon_of_Akkad) June 19, 2026
The pattern of releasing individuals deemed too unwell for interview while leaving the public uninformed about their identity has fuelled widespread demands for transparency and stronger safeguards.

Critics argue that mental health assessments should not automatically translate into freedom to roam when the alleged act demonstrates clear and present danger to others.

Meanwhile, Sky News headlines have drawn sharp criticism for their choice of language. The outlet repeatedly described the boy as having "ended up in crocodile enclosure" rather than stating he was thrown there.


BREAKING: Man arrested after toddler ended up in crocodile enclosure 'not fit for interview' and released https://t.co/eBomHyjDvC
- Sky News (@SkyNews) June 19, 2026
One report opened with: "A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo was attacked by at least one of the reptiles, Sky News understands."

An earlier Sky News post had used similar passive phrasing: "a boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries and a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a toddler ended up in a crocodile enclosure in Huntingdonshire."


"Ended up". The toddler just ended up in the crocodile pit. Funny how all these kind of things end up isn't it. https://t.co/GeLLNAFhVX
- m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) June 19, 2026
This wording stands in contrast to more direct reporting elsewhere that used "thrown into" in the headline. Passive constructions like "ended up" minimise the deliberate nature of the assault and shift focus away from the perpetrator's actions toward vague circumstance.

In high-profile cases involving violence against children, precise language matters. Euphemisms erode public trust and fuel the very speculation authorities claim to want to avoid.

The decision to withhold the suspect's identity while confirming his release on bail until mid-September compounds the problem. A man arrested for allegedly hurling a defenceless three-year-old into a pit of crocodiles is back in the community.

Britain's justice system increasingly appears calibrated to protect processes and sensitivities over basic public safety. When posting opinions online can trigger swift arrest and denial of bail, yet an alleged attempt to feed a toddler to crocodiles results in prompt release, the imbalance is impossible to ignore.

The heroic actions of zoo staff saved a life that day. The authorities' response since has done little to reassure anyone that similar threats will be met with the seriousness they demand.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 13:10

ZeroHedge News
Open 
FundStrat's Newton: Why Not Replace The FOMC With AI?
FundStrat's Newton: Why Not Replace The FOMC With AI?

Short of abolishing the Fed (much preferred), would automating the Fed make more sense than the current system? Should we trust Kevin Warsh, Jerome Powell, and Lisa Cook to read the tea leaves each month and decree rate changes for us commoners? 



That was Fundstrat's Mark Newton’s suggestion during last night's ZeroHedge debate on his H2 market outlook. He pointed out the new chair’s plan to eliminate “forward guidance”, a term invented under the previous chair Powell in which the Fed strategically signals its plans on rate changes so that those signals themselves might change rates organically by market forces.

It’s all a big mess… but Newton and BTIG's Jonathan Krinsky also debated whether the AI trade is in a bubble and which sectors look like attractive investment opportunities. Here were Newton’s remarks on the Fed and other highlights, though we recommend watching the full debate at the end:

Automate The Fed

Fundstrat's Mark Newton believes incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh could face a difficult balancing act from day one.

"I think he's got his work cut out for him," Newton said, noting that Warsh will be speaking for a Federal Reserve committee that has "turned clearly hawkish" while simultaneously facing pressure from an administration that "almost always wants to cut rates to juice the economy."

Rather than focusing on rate cuts themselves, Newton argued the biggest change under Warsh may be how the Fed communicates. "My take is that there's gonna be far less forward guidance or even a dot plot under Warsh, less communication," he said. Markets have become accustomed to a steady stream of comments from Fed officials, and Newton warned that the transition could create volatility as investors try to recalibrate.


WARSH: I THINK THAT MARKETS PERFORM BEST WHEN REACTING TO INCOMING DATA, THEY WORK LESS EFFICIENTLY WHEN THEY ASK HOW WILL THE FED REACT TO THAT INCOMING INFORMATION
Finally, the 4th wall falls
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
Newton also mused about automating the entire FOMC, questioning the dated practice of a council of economists working with clunky tools to periodically tinker with the entire nation's (and world’s) economy.

"If there's one area that's ripe for regime change by AI completely, it's the Federal Reserve," he said. "They're looking at data going back over the last few years to try to make decisions on whether to cut interest rates, which will take twelve to eighteen months to materialize in the economy. That does not make any sense in 2026."


pic.twitter.com/qLXBEgdTQs
— ZeroHedge Debates (@zerohedgeDebate) June 19, 2026
"The AI trade will continue into 2028"

Where many see a bubble, Fundstrat's Mark Newton sees an opportunity.

"I do not see a bear market in technology," he said, arguing that the sector is likely headed for a period of consolidation rather than a major decline. Semiconductors may need to "back and fill" after their recent run, according to Newton.

He remains bullish on the longer-term AI story but did say there are signs that it’s overbought near-term. Newton highlighted the Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the highly-watched Invesco Equal Weight Tech ETF.

"That's all a good thing for tech. It's just that when an RSI level of 78 on equal-weighted technology, it's not the best risk reward for me over the next three to six months."

On banks, REITs, travel, consumer discretionary, and healthcare sectors, Newton sees improving momentum, noting that "most European and also U.S. commercial banks have been showing very good strength" while REIT ETFs are "breaking out to multi-year highs."

"Consumers snapping back over the next couple months" following a ceasefire success, he said, would benefit airlines, hotels, and beaten-down discretionary names. Newton specifically likes Delta, Marriott, booking companies, and apparel Ralph Lauren. 


pic.twitter.com/pnOF5LInOu
— ZeroHedge Debates (@zerohedgeDebate) June 19, 2026
Watch the full debate below, watch on Adam Taggart’s Thoughtful Money channel, or listen on Spotify.


https://t.co/jxITOFkt3p
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 18, 2026


Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 13:45

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Deluxe Corporation to Acquire Celero Commerce in $625 Million All-Cash Deal
Deluxe Corporation (NYSE:DLX) has reached an agreement to purchase Nashville-based Celero Commerce for approximately $625 million in cash, plus certain seller-related expenses and adjustments. The transaction, unveiled on June 18, 2026, marks a key step in Deluxe’s ongoing shift toward higher-growth digital payments and data... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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AI enabled Cyber Threats Pose Growing Risks to Financial Stability : Analysis
BIS has indicated that cyber threats—intensified by advancements in artificial intelligence—pose growing risks to financial stability and broader economic activity. These incidents, whether from deliberate attacks or accidental failures, can halt operations, compromise sensitive information, disrupt supply chains, and undermine public confidence. BIS added that... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Bitcoin (BTC) Network Activity Surges Due to Uptick in Micro-Transactions Despite Price Weakness
Bitcoin’s on-chain metrics are painting a picture of rather steady underlying activity even as the cryptocurrency’s price remains range-bound around $63,000. The latest data from on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant shows that very small transfers are now dominating daily transaction volume on the network. Transactions valued... Read More

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Florida Governor States Obvious, California Confiscation Tax Just the Beginning
This week the State of California revealed that it had validated sufficient signatures to place the proposed confiscation tax on the ballot this coming November. This means the likelihood the abusive  tax will become law. The tax was created by several economists seeking to  generate... Read More

CNET News
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Sony Will Pay Out $7.85M in PlayStation Store Credit. How to Claim Part of the Settlement
The allocated payment will go to your PlayStation Network wallet after the final approval hearing.

The Hill
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Argentina asks US to block 13K parents from World Cup matches
The individuals are accused of failing to make child support payments.

The Hill
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November fight set for Golden's vulnerable House seat in Maine
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) will face off this fall against state auditor Matthew Dunlap (D) in the open race for what’s seen as a prime House pickup for the GOP in the midterms, according to Decision Desk HQ.  Rep. Jared Golden's (D-Maine) decision not to seek reelection created an opening for the GOP in the...

The Hill
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Free enterprise built America — here’s why we must sustain it.
The Congressional Free Enterprise Caucus, formed by four leaders from different ideological backgrounds, is dedicated to promoting economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and thoughtful regulation in order to preserve the American Free Enterprise System.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Thousands of HGV drivers given bogus medical tests in the back of vans
Trading Standards said Doctors on Wheels promised tests for "just under £60", undercutting competitors.

The Guardian (UK)
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New Zealand in control of second Test as Nicholls century grinds down weary England
Second Test day 3: New Zealand 391 & 252-3; England 291Nicholls scores unbeaten 119 to give tourists 352-run leadFor all the reports that suggest Ben Stokes and the England management have brokered something resembling peace over the past 48 hours, the team being led by Joe Root in the all-rounder’s absence still finds itself in strife.On a sappingly hot third day at the Oval, New Zealand steadily moved into a position of dominance, reaching 252 for three in their second innings and leading by 352 runs. Based on the current trajectory of this second Test, Stokes will be returning for a high-stakes series decider at Trent Bridge next week. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Argentinian TV host resigns after falsely reporting death of Lionel Messi’s father
Florencia Peña quits after the broadcast on Luzu TVLuzu says ‘those responsible’ relieved of their dutiesMembers of a news crew in Argentina have lost their jobs after falsely reporting the death of Lionel Messi’s father.Florencia Peña announced on Luzu ⁠TV that Jorge Messi had died and went on to suggest that Messi would not play any further matches in the ongoing World Cup. In the aftermath of the report, the ⁠Messi family issued ⁠a statement on Thursday announcing that Messi Sr. was in hospital with an undisclosed medical issue, but was “progressing favourably”. Continue reading...

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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauWith Christian Pulisic out, Mauricio Pochettino opts for a big man/little man strike partnership with Ricardo Pepi slotting in alongside Folarin Balogun. Pepi is the pool’s best hold-up forward, willing to drop into midfield to help in possession sequences and a consistent contributor to a frontline press. He can now do all kinds of off-ball work with Balogun able to stretch the backline and keep Australia from clamping into too tight a defensive block.
Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie offers adequate balance in midfield, with width coming via Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson.The lineups are out, and Christian Pulisic is not only not among the starters, but he’s not listed among the subs either. Mauricio Pochettino has told the Fox pregame broadcast that the US star is unavailable. Continue reading...

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First pelicans in 360 years hatch in St James’s Park London
Birds have been in the park since the Russian ambassador gave King Charles II two in 1664 – but none ever bred there They arrived in the royal park shortly before the Great Fire of London, when the Russian ambassador presented a pair to King Charles II as a gift.But although pelicans have been living in St James’s Park since 1664, none ever learned the art of courtship – until now, when for the first time in more than 360 years, chicks have been born. Continue reading...

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‘You just gotta calm down’: Trump says he told Israel to agree ceasefire with Hezbollah – Middle East crisis live
Trump declined ​to specify ​whether ​he spoke ​with ‌Israeli prime minister ​Benjamin ​Netanyahu directlyIsrael and Hezbollah agree to renew ceasefire after flareup of violenceInside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern LebanonAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city. Continue reading...

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Two trains crash into each other with serious injuries feared and casualties seen covered in blood
Two East Midlands trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries. The incident occurred around Kempston between Luton and Bedford, at about 5.15pm.

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Germany's Left Party is dreaming big
The socialist Left Party has seen its membership soar and is especially popular with young female voters. Could it soon come to power in the city state of Berlin?

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Two trains crash into each other with serious injuries feared and casualties seen covered in blood
Two trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries.

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Trump claims there are ‘no limits’ on his power

The Guardian (UK)
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Global framework for reparatory justice adopted at landmark conference in Ghana
Ensuring fair compensation for those affected by legacies of enslavement and measures to address debt burdens, part of 18-point strategic roadmapMore than money: the logic of slavery reparationsA global framework for reparatory justice has been adopted at a conference in Ghana.Heads of state, governments and other officials adopted the strategy on Friday at a gathering in a hotel in the capital, Accra, which was the first major meeting since the adoption of the landmark United Nations (UN) resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Venetian Sun shines at Royal Ascot as Brighton’s Bloom lands another bargain
Commonwealth Cup winner was bought for £250,000Ryan Moore steers Precise to Coronation Stakes triumphAlexis Mac Allister for £7m. Just £4m for Moisés Caicedo. And £250,000 for Venetian Sun, a Group One winner here on Friday in the Commonwealth Cup. Has anyone ever had an eye for a sporting bargain quite as sharp as Tony Bloom’s?There were some huge sums changing hands for yearlings at Tattersalls’ Book 1 sale in October 2024. The football super-agent Kia Joorabchian alone signed for £25m-worth of bloodstock, while Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai’s Godolphin operation was close behind with a £23m spend. Bloom, meanwhile, picked up a daughter of the young stallion Starman for just 240,000 guineas (£252,000), and she is now a Group One winner at both two and three with more than £800,000 banked in prize money alone. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
Henry Nicholls led the way with his 11th Test century as a ruthless New Zealand batted England out of the second Test61st over: England 227-6 (Cox 27, Archer 0) Shot! Cox flicks his wrists on a half volley from Matt Henry and the ball traces away for four across the baking square. Lovely timing on that.60th over: England 223-6 (Cox 23, Archer 0) It will be intriguing to see how Cox plays this morning, I have a feeling we might see some dashing strokeplay if he can hang around for a few overs and get settled. Jamieson is back of a length, Cox lets one pass by and then defends with a straight bat to mid off. The Oval is thrumming with excitement and plenty of folk can be spied applying a thick layer of sun cream, there isn’t a lot of shade here at the moment. A cheer greets Cox and England’s first run of the day, a guide to point for single off the final delivery. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauThe lineups are out, and Christian Pulisic is not only not among the starts, but he’s not listed among the subs either. Mauricio Pochettino has told Fox pregame that the US star is unavailable.Ricardo Pepi comes into the XI in his place, which will presumably change the look considerably. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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First pelicans in 360 years hatch in St James’s Park London
Birds have been in the park since the Russian ambassador gave King Charles II two in 1664 – but none ever bred there They arrived in the royal park shortly before the Great Fire of London, when the Russian ambassador presented a pair to King Charles II as a gift.But although pelicans have been living in St James’s Park since 1664, none ever learned the art of courtship until now – when the first time in more than 360 years, chicks have been born. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit
Ministers say PM faces being forced out by party if he does not act, with one calling his departure inevitableHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Cabinet ministers loyal to Keir Starmer have told him he faces being forced out of office by his party if he does not set a timetable for his departure by the end of the weekend.Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. One cabinet minister – who has not previously told the prime minister to go – said his departure was now inevitable. Continue reading...

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Novelist speaks out about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's film adaptation of wildly popular book after fears it was 'in limbo'
It was reported in August 2023 that the Duchess of Sussex had acquired the rights to Meet Me at the Lake in an eye-watering $2.9million deal for a Netflix film adaptation.

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Gary Lineker to make shock ITV World Cup appearance as axed former BBC presenter defects to arch rivals a year on from explosive antisemitism row
In what would seem to be a two-fingered salute to his former bosses at the BBC , the former Match Of The Day anchor will work for its rival broadcaster in what insiders are describing as 'a guest appearance'.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England hit by Rew drops and Nicholls century
England’s parlous position in the second Test against New Zealand is compounded by drops from debutant wicketkeeper James Rew and a superb century by Henry Nicholls.

Chatham House
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What lies behind Washington’s quiet diplomacy with Minsk?
What lies behind Washington’s quiet diplomacy with Minsk?
The World Today
iallan.drupal
8 June 2026

In exchange for sanctions relief, America has gained release for some 500 political prisoners in Belarus and is aiming for 900 more by year’s end. But distancing Lukashenka from Putin is another matter, says Natalya Kovaleva.















‘How much am I worth? A ton of potash? A thousand tons?’ Ales Bialiatski, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, asked after his release from a Belarusian prison in December 2025.Bialiatski, a human rights campaigner, is one of more than 500 political prisoners who have been released from Belarusian jails as a result of ongoing negotiations between Minsk and Washington over the past two years. The diplomatic exchange has found a steady rhythm: every few months, a US delegation led by John Coale, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Belarus, arrives in Minsk; Aliaksandr Lukashenka, the Belarusian strongman president, releases a group of political prisoners; and in return, Washington offers public praise and – in reference to Bialiatski’s question – eases sanctions on key sectors of the country’s economy.Unlike classic Cold War-style prisoner swaps, including the high-profile release of American journalist Evan Gershkovich and others from Russia in August 2024, the incentives behind the negotiations in Minsk are harder to discern. For Lukashenka, a long-term ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the arrangement offers a path towards an economic rapprochement with the United States and a chance to restore his international legitimacy after years of isolation. But what is in it for the US? And how might the release of hundreds of political prisoners affect the region’s fragile geopolitical dynamics?A deal, not a policyWithin a week of Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, Minsk unilaterally freed American citizen Anastasia Nuhfer, a gesture that opened the door to bilateral talks. Three weeks later, Christopher Smith, the US deputy assistant secretary of state, arrived in Minsk for talks with Lukashenka, becoming the most senior US official to visit Belarus in more than five years. During Smith’s visit, three more people – an American and two Belarusian political prisoners – were released.



18 years
the amount of time the US embassy in Minsk has been without an ambassador.





That paved the way for a sustained diplomatic track between Minsk and Washington. By the end of 2025, three more waves of releases followed. Among them were pro-democracy and human rights activists, prominent opposition figures, foreign nationals, journalists and ordinary Belarusians. All were victims of the repression that followed Lukashenka’s crackdown on mass protests against his sixth consecutive presidential victory in 2020, which drew widespread condemnation. Minsk’s decision to allow Russian forces to invade Ukraine from Belarusian territory in 2022 intensified that isolation, making the regime one of the world’s most heavily sanctioned.But Lukashenka’s human rights record hasn’t deterred Washington. The ultimate goal, as stated by US negotiators, is the release of the roughly 900 remaining political prisoners in Belarus by the end of the year. ‘We haven’t stopped our work at all until we get every last one of them,’ Coale told reporters in April. A wider deal is also under discussion. Among the reported conditions is the reopening of the US embassy in Minsk – closed since 2022, and without an ambassador for 18 years – the lifting of 80 per cent of US sanctions, and the promise of a visit by Lukashenka to Washington to meet Trump.






The [US] administration wants to have foreign policy wins, however those are defined.’


Michael Carpenter, the former US ambassador to the OSCE.




It’s less clear how this benefits Washington. ‘The [US] administration wants to have foreign policy wins – however those are defined,’ said Michael Carpenter, the former US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and a former senior director for Europe at the National Security Council under President Joe Biden. ‘And having a repressive regime release political prisoners is a pretty unambiguous win.’According to Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s former minister of foreign affairs, these talks fit into Trump’s broader foreign policy toolkit. Lithuania hosts around 60,000 Belarusians, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition, who lived there until January before moving to Poland.‘This is the way the Trump administration works,’ said Landsbergis. ‘They try to establish some level of confidence through such talks and then see where it takes them,’ adding that ‘in Venezuela it did not take them very far’.Trump’s responseTrump’s response to the Belarusian leader has been effusive. In March 2026, he offered his ‘warmest thank you’ on social media to ‘Highly Respected President Alexander Lukashenko [sic]’ who ‘gracefully’ released ‘well over 500 [prisoners] since last May’, granting the Belarusian dictator the recognition the European Union has withheld since its refusal to accept the 2020 election result. The US has also eased sanctions over the past year on the national airline Belavia, two state-owned banks, the ministry of finance and three producers of potash – a fertilizer ingredient and Belarus’s major export.




































Related work

What lies ahead for Belarus?












For ordinary Belarusians, the prisoner releases have not resolved the underlying issue of political repression. As negotiations continue, many say that they could be having the opposite effect. ‘By engaging in these sorts of releases and giving very substantive sanctions relief to regimes such as Lukashenka’s, we are encouraging hostage-taking in the future,’ said Carpenter. The ‘revolving-door’ policy – in which some prisoners are freed, while new people are detained – is a growing concern.The conditions of release tell their own story. The vast majority of those freed since 2025 have been forced into exile – expelled across the border, often without documents and with no way to return. Those released in March 2026 proved a partial exception, with 235 out of 250 prisoners being granted the right to remain in Belarus. Anaïs Marin, associate fellow with the Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House, and a former UN special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, doesn’t see this as a change in approach. ‘Only the less politically prominent prisoners are enjoying it,’ she said. ‘Nobody knows how long this tolerance will last until new charges are pressed.’Strategic shift?The practical impact of US sanctions relief has also been limited. Russia remains one of Belarus’s few trading partners, one it has long since relied on for loans and energy subsidies. Its dependence on Moscow intensified drastically after 2020, as its isolation deepened.‘The [lifting of US sanctions] may ease pressure on the regime, but it does not fundamentally alter Belarus’s economic situation,’ said Dzianis Kuchynski, diplomatic adviser to Tsikhanouskaya. As long as the European Union blocks Belarusian potash exports through European ports, Minsk has little room for manoeuvre.






He will dance with the Americans, but he will always remember that his main dance partner is in Moscow.


Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s former minister of foreign affairs.




Lukashenka is tied to Russia, regardless of the outcome of the current negotiations, said Landsbergis. ‘He will dance with the Americans, but he will always remember that his main dance partner is in Moscow.’ What the engagement produces, then, is less a strategic shift than something much narrower. Coale, Trump’s envoy to Belarus, admitted as much. ‘I’m not going to push any wedge between [Lukashenka] and Putin. That’s a 30-year relationship’ he said. ‘This engagement is 95-per-cent humanitarian.’

Chatham House
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Any UK prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Starmer, Burnham or another
Any UK prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Starmer, Burnham or another
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
19 June 2026

Whoever is leading the country must deal with a fundamental shift in the UK’s most important relations – with the US and Europe – in an increasingly dangerous world.















After securing a strong victory in the Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham has returned as a Labour MP and looks set to mount a leadership challenge against UK prime minister Keir Starmer. While there is still a possibility Starmer holds on, it seems likely that the UK will have a new leader before long.Much of the debate around how Burnham, or other potential challengers, may differ from Starmer has focused on their approach to pressing domestic issues, especially the cost of living and growth, public services and immigration. Future relations with the EU have made the occasional appearance.These issues are crucial. But Starmer’s time as prime minister has been largely consumed by foreign affairs. Any potential new prime minister will face a relentless deluge of international issues and challenges.This is not just the result of unexpected overseas crises, although there have been many of those. It is tied to the fact that the UK’s most critical post-war relationships – with the US and Europe – are shifting.There are positive lessons to take from Starmer’s track record so far. But his government has struggled to address the deeper strategic questions – and find the resources – needed to tackle this fundamental shift and its impact on defence and security.A new prime minister would have the opportunity for a reset. This would need to address the US’s increasing reluctance to underwrite European security, the intensification of US-China rivalry, and the resulting increase in threats facing the UK.What Starmer has done wellStarmer has been consistent and reliable when it comes to personal diplomacy. He has navigated a difficult relationship with President Donald Trump by correctly reading, and managing, the MAGA camp’s extreme sensitivity to apparent European condescension. He has refused to be publicly baited into conflict with the administration if it doesn’t serve the UK’s interests.






There are positive lessons to take from Starmer’s track record so far.






As pieces of diplomatic theatre, reciprocal US–UK state visits have been handled well. And Starmer has sought to learn from the past, carefully delimiting the UK’s role in the US–Iran war in recognition of the lessons of Iraq – and the subsequent Chilcot Inquiry – about not committing limited UK resources to US missions with no clear strategic end goal.Starmer has also been a credible European ally. He has continued the approach of previous UK governments in being a long-term and clear-eyed supporter of Ukraine. He has recognized that the UK’s security priority should be in Europe and coordinated with European counterparts effectively, signing a new security treaty with Germany and refreshing the existing one with France.A longer-term plan for European defence and securityWhile Starmer’s personal diplomacy as a European ally has been a relative success, it is at threat of being undermined by the failure of his government to reckon with the costs of rising defence and security commitments.Defence spending challenges are by no means a new phenomenon, and are shared across Europe. Previous UK governments similarly said they would hit ambitious defence spending targets without explaining how. Part of the difficulty for Starmer’s government has been untangling a long history of British governments making too many commitments for UK defence without an honest assessment of the total costs.




































Related work

John Healey’s resignation highlights profound strategic failure in the UK government’s approach to defence












But the defence spending issue is about more than just litigating competing claims on the public purse – though this is challenging enough. With the US no longer such a reliable European security backstop – and Washington planning to withdraw some resources from Europe – the UK needs a longer-term defence and security relationship with European allies.The UK’s active and immediate response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 increased Britain’s credibility as a contributor to, and shaper of, the future of European security. The UK sent weaponry and helped train Ukrainian forces, in some cases before other partners, and played an important role in coordinating support. It worked closely with Nordic and Baltic countries, particularly via the Joint Expeditionary Force, to build an increasingly active European defence coalition. Post-Brexit, the UK has made it clear that it can play an important strategic and security role in Europe.

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Two trains crash into each other with serious injuries feared and casualties 'seen covered in blood'
Two trains have crashed into each other causing serious injuries.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Fery's Queen's run ended by Cerundolo in narrow loss
Britain's Arthur Fery narrowly misses out on another career milestone as he falls to Francisco Cerundolo in the Queen's quarter-finals.

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The ultimate BBQ guide for a sizzling weekend: Sumptuous recipes, the best burgers, bangers and buns, and the most delicious drinks...
Sumptuous recipes, the best burgers, bangers and buns, and the most delicious drinks...

The Guardian (UK)
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New monument turns Rosa Parks’s booking number into warning on US erasure
‘We have come too far to turn around now,’ the monument on Alabama’s Montgomery Square readsAt the recently opened Montgomery Square in Alabama, bronze hands rise from the pavement, holding a placard against the sky. It reads 7053, the booking number displayed in Rosa Parks’s 1956 mugshot after she and other leaders of the Montgomery bus boycott were arrested.Often with booking numbers and mugshots, the viewer is trained to see criminality before circumstance, guilt before resistance. But at Montgomery Square, a number meant to reduce Parks to an arrestee, has been remade into a monument to what her arrest exposed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Venetian Sun shines at Royal Ascot as Brighton’s Bloom lands another bargain
Commonwealth Cup winner was bought for £250,000Ryan Moore steers Precise to Coronation Stakes triumphAlexis Mac Allister for £7m. Just £4m for Moisés Caicedo. And £250,000 for Venetian Sun, a Group One winner here on Friday in the Commonwealth Cup. Has anyone ever had an eye for a sporting bargain quite as sharp as Tony Bloom’s?There were some huge sums changing hands for yearlings at Tattersalls’ Book 1 sale in October 2024. The football super-agent Kia Joorabchian alone signed for £25m-worth of bloodstock, while Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai’s Godolphin operation was close behind with a £23m spend. Bloom, meanwhile, picked up a daughter of the young stallion Starman for just 240,000 guineas, and she is now a Group One winner at both two and three with more than £800,000 banked in prize money alone. Continue reading...

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Martin Rowson on Andy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield – cartoon
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on John Williams and Steven Spielberg: a partnership that changed cinema | Editorial
Over more than 50 years and 30 films, the composer-director duo have created some of the most memorable movie experiences of all timeWhich living artist has been nominated most times for an Oscar? The answer isn’t Steven Spielberg (with 24 nominations), but his long-term collaborator composer John Williams, with a record 54. The Fabelmans, Spielberg’s most personal film, seemed a fitting finale for the duo in 2022. But Spielberg persuaded Williams, now 94, to write the music for his latest sci-fi blockbuster Disclosure Day, their 30th film together.Williams has worked with other directors, creating scores for era-defining franchises from George Lucas’s Star Wars (who would Darth Vader be without The Imperial March?) to Harry Potter. But it is his partnership of more than 50 years with Spielberg that has changed cinema history, with hits including Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. “John Williams has been the single most significant contributor to my success as a film‑maker,” Spielberg has said.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

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The Guardian view on Labour after Makerfield: change must mean more than a new leader | Editorial
Andy Burnham has shown Labour can beat Reform. He must show that his promise of change is a programme, not another slogan for powerAndy Burnham’s triumph in the Makerfield byelection leaves the prime minister with only two options: fight openly for the Labour leadership, or leave office cleanly. The former Greater Manchester mayor easily saw off Reform UK’s candidate – winning 55% of the vote to his rightwing rival’s 35%. He won largely because he changed the political meaning of voting Labour in Makerfield. With Mr Burnham, the party went from being the unpopular incumbent to being the vehicle for change.The prime minister’s implicit claim that it was Starmerism that beat Reform is not credible. The polling by Persuasion UK in Makerfield shows that Labour won because of Mr Burnham’s personal brand, anti-Starmer signalling and leftwing economic message. Significantly, Mr Burnham’s victory rally speech on Friday connects with the data. He was offering, in rhetoric, economic security through a visible state. This is not just redistribution, but the state as buyer, planner and manager. That would be a welcome shift, but how would he deliver cheaper essentials, more public control, fiscal expansion, industrial renewal and fairer rules on housing, work and migration? Mr Burnham’s programme needs to be more than slogans.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

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Life in Hollywood bubble plays second fiddle to US need for World Cup success | Max Rushden
Working at a tournament brings its own demands but nothing like the pressure on home players for a good showingGreetings from Los Angeles – from your own podcasting correspondent. England aside, it’s been 20 years since I was in the host country for a major tournament. Professional commitments make this a marginally different experience from driving around Germany with Ian, Matt and Oli in 2006 just wondering when the next stein was going to be thrust into my hands – dancing with Trinidad and Tobago fans, feeling lucky to miss out on Brazil v Australia tickets because my hangover was too much for the sun.The question you are asked most by people back home is along the lines of: “Is there World Cup fever in the States?” I am reminded of a local TV crew who walked around central Cambridge on the eve of our FA Cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace in 1990 asking people how they felt about the game, and being rewarded with lots of nice middle-class people who didn’t even know there was a football team in Cambridge. Continue reading...

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Lady Ramsay of Cartvale obituary
MI6 spy on the ‘Moscow watch’ who was involved in the audacious escape of the double agent Oleg GordievskyMeta Ramsay described herself in her latter years as an “international affairs consultant”, while her former career was summarily defined in Who’s Who as having been a member of HM Diplomatic Service. In reality, Ramsay, who has died aged 89, was the spy who perhaps should have been appointed the first woman “C”, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6.On retirement from MI6, as required at the age of 55 in 1991, she was the most high-ranking woman in the service, yet it would still be more than three decades until the first female “C”, with Blaise Metreweli securing that distinction only last year. Ramsay went on to play an active part in Labour politics when her old friend John Smith was leader, and subsequently in the House of Lords during Tony Blair’s government. Continue reading...

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World Cup 2026: Koné grateful for support after injury; Kane’s Wonderwall moment; Pochettino on spies – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

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Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit
Ministers say PM faces being forced out by party if he does not act, with one calling his departure inevitableUK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Cabinet ministers loyal to Keir Starmer have told him he faces being forced out of office by his party if he does not set a timetable for his departure by the end of the weekend.Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. One cabinet minister – who has not previously told the prime minister to go – said his departure was now inevitable. Continue reading...

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Epstein survivor to meet Starmer's chief secretary as PM says 'door is open'
Sir Keir Starmer has told a Jeffrey Epstein survivor his "door is open" but stopped short of agreeing to meet Lisa Phillips, directing her to a more junior government minister.

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2026.25: The Stuff of Myth(os)
The best Stratechery content from the week of June 15, 2026, including Anthropic, e-commerce in the age of AI, and the NBA Finals being a perfect 10.

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How to watch Leinster vs Bulls: Live Streams & TV Channels for URC Final 2026, team news

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China's huge OLED screen factory is finally rolling at full speed — and I'm excited about what this means for cheaper OLED monitors and laptops

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Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 director says the team 'worked very close' with 20th Century Studios 'to make sure that we were hitting the lore correctly'

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‘Workers need to be involved in these conversations’: Amazon engineers to be investigated after criticising company’s AI data center buildout – Amazon “may or may not take action based on what we find.”

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EU To Soon Classify AWS and Azure As Gatekeepers Under DSA
The European Commission is reportedly preparing to provisionally classify Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act, bringing cloud infrastructure under the law's stricter competition rules for the first time. The designation could require greater interoperability and data portability, making it easier for customers to switch providers, with a final decision expected by the end of 2026. Heise reports: This investigation began in November 2025, when the EU targeted the cloud power of US tech giants. The trigger was outages in cloud services with sometimes significant impacts on other internet services. Shortly before, an approximately 15-hour outage of the AWS cloud in the US meant that not only Amazon's own streaming services but also Atlassian, Docker, Epic Games, and the Signal messenger were unavailable or severely restricted. Shortly thereafter, Microsoft Azure also struggled with an outage, preventing air passengers from checking in and interrupting votes in the Scottish Parliament.

As a result, European antitrust authorities have also scrutinized cloud services under the Digital Markets Act for the first time. The major cloud providers, primarily from the US, have so far evaded the EU's Digital Markets Act because a large part of their business is handled through corporate contracts. This makes it difficult to determine the number of individual users. However, this is one of the EU's most important criteria for determining the market power of companies. [...] As gatekeepers, AWS and Azure would be obliged to ensure interoperability and data portability. This would, for example, simplify switching cloud providers and allow customers to link other services with AWS or Azure clouds, instead of being limited to AWS and Azure offerings. Significant fines could also be imposed if the cloud services are found to be in violation of existing regulations.






Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Oil prices face fresh wave of volatility amid conflicting reports about Strait of Hormuz reopening and ongoing regional strife
A flurry of headlines on Friday point to an increasingly fragile deal between the U.S. and Iran.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Is the stock market closed today for Juneteenth? Will the post office deliver mail?
The June 19 federal holiday falls on a Friday this year. Here’s how trading hours and other services are affected.

Mail Online
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From the latest Harlan Coben thriller to a new series...
Need a break from the World Cup? Here's our critics' pick of the 19 best TV shows and films to stream this weekend on Netflix, iPlayer and beyond

Boing Boing
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Old English word of the day
The Old English Wordhord unlocks one medieval word a day, pairing each term with its definition, pronunciation and, often, a manuscript illustration. The site's creator (or should it be wordwyrm?) Dr. Hana Videen frames the project around the fabulous name: "word-hoard describes the collection of words and phrases that a poet may draw upon while crafting tales." — Read the rest
The post Old English word of the day appeared first on Boing Boing.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The maths whizz turned teen star who chose Morocco over France
Get to know Ayyoub Bouaddi - Morocco's new star.

The Guardian (UK)
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The week around the world in 20 pictures
Ukrainian strikes on a Moscow oil refinery, protests at the G7 summit, wildfires in Spain and Messi at the World Cup – the past seven days as captured by the world’s leading photojournalistsWarning: this gallery contains images some readers may find distressing Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Venetian Sun shines at Royal Ascot as Brighton’s Bloom lands another bargain
Commonwealth Cup winner was bought for £250,000Ryan Moore steers Precise to Coronation Stakes triumphAlexis Mac Allister for £7m. Just £4m for Moisés Caicedo. And £250,000 for Venetian Sun, a Group One winner here on Friday in the Commonwealth Cup. Has anyone ever had an eye for a sporting bargain quite as sharp as Tony Bloom’s?There were some huge sums changing hands for yearlings at Tattersalls’ Book 1 sale in October 2024. The football super-agent Kia Joorabchian alone signed for £25m-worth of bloodstock, while Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai’s Godolphin operation was close behind with a £23m spend. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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USA v Australia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: noon local/3pm ET/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauBeau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at what Australia and the USA will each need to do to win Friday’s clash in Seattle: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Has Burnham’s win in Makerfield sealed Starmer’s fate? - The Latest
Andy Burnham’s resounding win in the Makerfield byelection has set the stage for a leadership battle with Keir Starmer. The outgoing mayor of Greater Manchester received more votes than Reform and Restore combined, and the nature of the victory has prompted speculation he could replace Starmer as prime minister within weeks, if not days. Annie Kelly speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’m not a Labour fan but I like Burnham’: relief in Makerfield among left, right and centre
‘Borrowed’ supporters from across the political spectrum voted to trounce Reform UK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?The morning after Andy Burnham secured a landslide byelection victory in Makerfield, returning him to Westminster after nine years as Greater Manchester mayor, it is hard to avoid the large, red placards bearing his face.But Burnham’s win was not just thanks to Labour loyalists. Instead, it appears that a coalition of voters from the left, centre and even the right united to back him at the ballot box. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Now is the change moment’: Burnham avoids press queries but his staff have no doubts
Newly-elected Makerfield MP praises team as he joins them at campaign HQ, celebrating victory ‘beyond our wildest dreams’There was plenty of the hopey, changey stuff from Andy Burnham at his victory rally on the morning after the night before – but it ended with the new MP for Makerfield doing a runner. “Are you going to become the new prime minister?” shouted Sky’s political editor, Beth Rigby, at the retreating Burnham. “Keir Starmer says he is not going to give way – what’s your message for Keir Starmer?”Hemmed in by cameras, chairs, tables, and a whole load of the giggling supporters who had been assembled around him on the turf at Ashton Town FC’s grounds, Burnham picked up the pace. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
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Meet ERNEST, NASA’s Next-Generation Rover Designed to Be Faster and Tougher
The prototype rover recently traversed across the Colorado Desert at 10 times the speed of its predecessors.

Mail Online
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QUENTIN LETTS: At last the change the public needed. He ditched that terrible black T-shirt... just a shame about the moobs
At his victory shindig he wore a white polo shirt, untucked at the waist, hoping to disguise his moobs. And yet a brief outline of 56-year-old male nipple was glimpsed.

UK Government News
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Action on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is strengthened as new Special Envoy Appointed
Chris Elmore MP has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

ZeroHedge News
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Federal Court Allows National Park Service To Replace Slavery Exhibit In Philadelphia
Federal Court Allows National Park Service To Replace Slavery Exhibit In Philadelphia

Authored by Jackson Richman via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

A federal appeals court ruled on June 18 that the Trump administration can move forward with replacing a slavery-related exhibit at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
FILE - A person views posted signs on the locations of the now removed explanatory panels that were part of an exhibit on slavery at President's House Site in Philadelphia, Jan. 23, 2026. AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File

The decision from the Philadelphia-based Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling that had blocked the National Park Service from removing the exhibit. The city of Philadelphia had won that earlier ruling after an exhibit describing George Washington’s ownership of enslaved people was taken down.

The exhibit, located at the President’s House historic site, was removed following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at eliminating what he described as efforts to portray the United States as fundamentally racist or oppressive. The order directed the Interior Department to review and revise historical displays in national parks across the country.

As part of that effort, the National Park Service removed an exhibit in January that focused on nine enslaved individuals who lived and worked at Washington’s Philadelphia residence.

Philadelphia sued, arguing that agreements with the federal government required the city to be consulted before significant changes were made to the site. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe agreed and issued an injunction requiring the exhibit to remain.

However, the appeals court found that removing the exhibit was not an official agency action that could be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Act. Writing for the three-judge panel, Judge Thomas Hardiman said the Park Service’s planned replacement displays still address the history of the nine enslaved people while also noting Washington’s stated opposition to slavery later in life.

According to Hardiman, the new exhibits recognize the injustices of slavery and preserve the stories and humanity of the enslaved individuals who lived at the President’s House.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Interior Department for comment on the decision but did not receive a response by publication time.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker criticized the ruling and pledged to continue fighting it in court.

“I will pursue every legal action possible to reverse this decision. We cannot and WILL not rest until the full story of American history – including the existence of Slavery at the President’s House here in Philadelphia – is told, for our Nation and the World to see,” she posted on X on Thursday.

Despite the appeals court decision, the original exhibit may still be restored. In a separate case, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston recently ordered the reinstatement of all national park exhibits that had been removed under Trump’s directive. Shortly after the appeals court ruling, Kelley declined to suspend her order while the administration appeals.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 12:00

ZeroHedge News
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US Probes Whether ASML's Advanced Chip Machine Ended Up In China
US Probes Whether ASML's Advanced Chip Machine Ended Up In China

Not long after Shenzhen-based Huawei unveiled what it described as a breakthrough pathway for advanced semiconductor production at the recent IEEE ISCAS conference, the Trump administration raised concerns that one of Dutch chip-equipment giant ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography, or EUV, machines may have fallen into Chinese hands.

Bloomberg reports that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has raised concerns that one of ASML's EUV machines may have reached China despite US-led export controls.

ASML has pushed back on Lutnick's suggestion, explaining that none of its EUV machines, used to print the tiniest circuit patterns onto advanced computer chips, have ended up in the hands of the Chinese. This report is based on sources from the outlet who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

ASML says all 314 of its operating EUV machines are accounted for globally.



More color from the outlet:


Multiple senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe a sensitive matter, said they have evidence indicating ASML is not acting in good faith — such as exports to China of gear specifically related to EUV tools, which ASML denied to Bloomberg. These US officials, who didn't comment on Lutnick's meetings with ASML, declined multiple requests from Bloomberg for proof of the shipments, citing the sensitivity of the information and sources. They also declined to say whether they have seen evidence of an actual EUV system in the Asian country.


The dispute adds pressure on ASML, with shares in Amsterdam trading down as much as 2% on Friday. Shares have advanced as much as 81% this year due to the AI and data center buildout narrative.



Here is Citi analyst Andrew Gardiner's first take on the US Government-ASML dispute:


According to Bloomberg (6/19), US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has told ASML of concerns that an EUV machine is in China, in contravention of regulations that prevent ASML from shipping EUV to China. No evidence for the claims was provided to journalists. ASML have reiterated publicly they have never shipped a machine or EUV parts to China. ASML can "see" each of the EUV tools running at customer fabs, as the machines send back data to ASML on their operations. ASML are now in the difficult position of trying to prove a negative, when no evidence is being furnished against their position. Given our time spent with ASML over the last two decades, including with current management in recent years, we find it very hard to believe that they would jeopardise their position in the industry, their reputation, or their technological leadership just to deliver an EUV tool to China.


Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Masahiro Wakasugi comments:


US concerns about Chinese chipmakers using advanced tools made by ASML might have little impact on its sales. Bloomberg News reports that in recent meetings, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed the concerns to ASML's leaders, saying one of its top machines might have made its way into China, violating US-led restrictions. But ASML says it has never shipped extreme ultraviolet lithography systems to China and has complied with tightening restrictions on deep ultraviolet tools. Also, using ASML machines to make advanced chips would probably require sophisticated tools from other foreign firms that also face restrictions. China is increasingly able to make more-advanced chips with legacy tools, so the US concerns may reflect Chinese engineering progress rather than any lapse in ASML's compliance with export controls.


Related:

Inside The Chip Chokepoint: Goldman's Five Key Takeaways From ASML Visit
US concerns may reflect China's progress in developing advanced chips, especially after Huawei's announcement last month of a potential breakthrough in semiconductor production.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 12:35

Deutsche Welle
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German journalist detained in Syria back home, lawyer says
Eva Maria Michelmann vanished in Syria in January as government forces advanced on Kurdish fighters in the northeast. The German government last week said it was working to get her home.

Deutsche Welle
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EU ban on BPA chemical in food packaging takes effect
From July 2026 onwards, BPA will no longer be permitted in EU food packaging. The industrial chemical is known to interfere with the human hormonal system.

The Hill
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Obama: US may be 'worse off' than before Iran war started 
Former President Obama issued sharp criticism of the Trump administration for its handling of the Iran war, citing the human and financial tolls in an interview that aired Friday morning. “We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, put an enormous strain on our military, a lot of people have died and...

The Hill
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First Juneteenth celebration was held in Houston, Rice scholar says
Recently published research in the Journal of Texas History reveals that the first anniversary celebration to mark Juneteenth was held in Houston in 1866, not Galveston.

The Hill
Open 
How did we get Graham Platner and Ken Paxton? Voters can demand better.
Despite his controversial past, Graham Platner was chosen by Democratic voters in Maine to be their party's Senate nominee, demonstrating a trend of voters rewarding bad behavior and lowering the bar of acceptable behavior in politics.

The Right Scoop
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WATCH: Charlie Kirk explains why Juneteenth is a problem
In an old Chrlie Kirk clip, he explains why the new holiday of Juneteenth really is a problem. And no, it’s not because of racism or anyting hyperbolic as Democrats would claim . . .

Russia Today News
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The Nord Stream narrative explosion: Why you’ve only read half the story

Deutsche Welle
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Lebanon: Is US-Iran peace deal a 'victory' for Hezbollah?
Lebanon's Hezbollah group has claimed that the US-Iran peace deal is a "great victory." The group, which is opposed to Israel, has certainly been bolstered by the deal. But what have they really won?

BBC World News
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US to end funding of South Africa's HIV programmes over claims of Afrikaner persecution
The US says South Africa is not doing enough to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on John Williams and Steven Spielberg: a partnership that changed cinema | Editorial
Over more than 50 years and 30 films, the composer-director duo have created some of the most memorable movie experiences of all timeWhich living artist has been nominated most times for an Oscar? The answer isn’t Steven Spielberg (with 24 nominations), but his long-term collaborator composer John Williams, with a record 54. The Fabelmans, Spielberg’s most personal film, seemed a fitting finale for the duo in 2022. But Spielberg persuaded Williams, now 94, to write the music for his latest sci-fi blockbuster Disclosure Day, their 30th film together.Williams has worked with other directors, creating scores for era-defining franchises from George Lucas’s Star Wars (who would Darth Vader be without The Imperial March?) to Harry Potter. But it is his partnership of more than 50 years with Spielberg that has changed cinema history, with hits including Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List. “John Williams has been the single most significant contributor to my success as a film‑maker,” Spielberg has said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Labour after Makerfield: change must mean more than a new leader | Editorial
Andy Burnham has shown Labour can beat Reform. He must show that his promise of change is a programme, not another slogan for powerAndy Burnham’s triumph in the Makerfield byelection leaves the prime minister with only two options: fight openly for the Labour leadership, or leave office cleanly. The former Greater Manchester mayor easily saw off Reform UK’s candidate – winning 55% of the vote to his rightwing rival’s 35%. He won largely because he changed the political meaning of voting Labour in Makerfield. With Mr Burnham, the party went from being the unpopular incumbent to being the vehicle for change.The prime minister’s implicit claim that it was Starmerism that beat Reform is not credible. The polling by Persuasion UK in Makerfield shows that Labour won because of Mr Burnham’s personal brand, anti-Starmer signalling and leftwing economic message. Significantly, Mr Burnham’s victory rally speech on Friday connects with the data. He was offering, in rhetoric, economic security through a visible state. This is not just redistribution, but the state as buyer, planner and manager. That would be a welcome shift, but how would he deliver cheaper essentials, more public control, fiscal expansion, industrial renewal and fairer rules on housing, work and migration? Mr Burnham’s programme needs to be more than slogans. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Lib Dem MP Cameron Thomas arrested on suspicion of assault
Thomas, 43, a former military police officer, has whip suspended during investigation into the allegationsA Liberal Democrat MP suspended by the party has been arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault, the Guardian understands.Cameron Thomas, the MP for Tewkesbury, was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday. The Liberal Democrats said the 43-year-old had had the whip and membership of the party suspended. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit
Ministers say PM faces being forced out by party if he does not act, with one calling his departure ‘inevitable’UK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Cabinet ministers loyal to Keir Starmer have told him that he faces being forced out of office by his party if he does not set a timetable for his departure by the end of the weekend.Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. One cabinet minister – who has not previously told the prime minister to go – said his departure was now “inevitable”. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
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Alogic Debuts New Touchscreen Monitors and Portable Displays With Mac Support
Alogic this week unveiled a new lineup of touchscreen displays that bring touch and stylus functionality to Macs, including the FOKUS interactive touchscreen series, the Aspekt Touch 27" monitor, and new Folio portable touchscreen displays.



Aspekt Touch 27"

While Apple has yet to release a touchscreen Mac, Alogic has established itself as one of the few display makers offering touch-enabled monitors designed to work with macOS. The company's latest products continue that focus, aiming to give Mac users a more direct way to interact with content using touch gestures and stylus input.



The new FOKUS series consists of 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch 4K touchscreen displays designed for collaborative environments such as conference rooms, classrooms, and creative workspaces. The displays support multitouch interaction and work with Alogic's Active Stylus, which offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for writing, drawing, and annotation.



FOKUS 55"

For Mac users, the key feature is touch support. Since macOS does not natively offer touchscreen functionality, Alogic provides software that enables touch gestures, navigation, annotation, and drawing on connected Macs. The company has offered similar capabilities in previous touchscreen displays, including its Clarity lineup.



Alogic is also introducing the Aspekt Touch 27" monitor, a scaled down version of the existing Aspekt Touch 32" delivering multitouch and stylus support. The Aspekt Touch 27" features a 4K panel with 600 nits of brightness, integrated docking functionality with multiple USB-C and USB-A ports plus Ethernet and audio. It can accept HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C connections and can deliver 90 watts of charging power over USB-C for connected laptops.



Aspekt Touch 27"

The Aspekt Touch 27" is available in Silver and Space Black color options, with three stand options: a traditional Raise Stand, a Fold Stand that brings the display down to a comfortable stylus drawing position, and an Omni Fold Stand that offers the same functionality as the Fold Stand but which includes a built in mount for a Mac mini at the base of the display.



The company also announced new Folio portable touchscreen monitors for users who need a secondary display while traveling. The Folio models feature a folding cover that doubles as a stand and connect through USB-C, making them a natural companion for MacBooks. The standard Folio model features a single 16-inch display at a resolution 2,560 x 1,440, while the Folio Duo includes two of these screens stacked on top of each other. The Folio Duo can also be rotated 90º to orient the two displays side-by-side in a portrait orientation.



Folio Duo

Portable touchscreen displays are widely available, but many function only as standard monitors when connected to a Mac. Alogic has differentiated itself by supporting touch input on macOS, allowing users to interact directly with apps, presentations, documents, and creative projects.



The products arrive as interest in touchscreen Macs continues to grow. Reports over the past several years have suggested Apple has explored touchscreen Mac hardware, but the company has yet to introduce a Mac with a touch-enabled display with the first rumored to be a "MacBook Ultra" coming in late 2026 or early 2027. In the meantime, third-party solutions like Alogic's monitors offer Mac users a way to add touch functionality to their existing setups.



The new FOKUS, Aspekt Touch 27", and Folio displays were showcased at InfoComm 2026 this week as part of Alogic's expanding monitor portfolio. The FOKUS displays will be launching by September, priced at $2,799 for the 43-inch model, $3,299 for the 55-inch model, and $3,999 for the 65-inch model. The Folio ($899) and Folio Duo ($1,299) should become available around the same September time frame, while the Aspekt Touch 27" (starting at $1,799) and the Active Stylus with wireless charging ($149) will be available starting next month.Tag: AlogicThis article, 'Alogic Debuts New Touchscreen Monitors and Portable Displays With Mac Support' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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The MacRumors Show: Hands-On With iOS 27, Brutal watchOS 27 Cuts, and More
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we continue unpacking WWDC 2026 and take a closer look at iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and Apple's other new software updates coming this fall.



Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos

iOS 27 supports the same iPhones as iOS 26, including the iPhone 11 and second-generation iPhone SE, giving the update the widest device compatibility of any iOS release to date.



macOS Golden Gate drops Intel Macs entirely, confirming the end of an era that Apple flagged a year earlier when it said macOS Tahoe would be the final release for pre-Apple silicon machines. Four models that ran Tahoe miss out: the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), the 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with four Thunderbolt 3 ports (2020), the 2020 iMac, and the 2019 Mac Pro. Golden Gate is also the last version with full Rosetta 2 support, meaning the translation layer that keeps Intel-built apps running on Apple silicon will disappear entirely after this release.



iPadOS 27 raises its hardware floor to the A14 Bionic or M1 chip, cutting the fifth-generation iPad mini, the eighth-generation iPad, the third-generation iPad Air, the first-generation 11-inch iPad Pro, and the third-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌.



watchOS 27 makes the steepest cuts in Apple Watch history, dropping the Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, original Ultra, and second-generation SE in a single wave and effectively erasing three years of device support at once. The only models that remain compatible are the Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and SE 3.



tvOS 27 drops two Apple TV models, the Apple TV HD from 2015 and the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K from 2017, leaving only the second- and third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K boxes supported.



In ‌iOS 27‌, notifications now slide in from the left edge of the screen rather than dropping down from the top, and reaching Notification Center requires swiping down from the top-left corner instead of the center, freeing up that gesture for Siri. Other changes include colorful sidebar icons, real-time widget updates when an app is already open, extra-large Home Screen widgets, and web audio that no longer interrupts other system audio.



The centerpiece of the update is Siri AI, which replaces Spotlight with a "Search or Ask" interface accessed by swiping down from the center of the display. ‌Siri‌ is designed to tone-match a user's own writing style when composing messages. Apple's pill-shaped ‌Siri‌ indicator is seemingly a hardware workaround for current Dynamic Island constraints, and a smaller ‌Dynamic Island‌ on the iPhone 18 Pro could allow the indicator to become a true circle. On the Apple Watch, ‌Siri‌ AI requires pairing with an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. In the European Union, ‌Siri‌ AI is available on macOS and visionOS at launch but not on the iPhone or ‌iPad‌.



‌Apple Intelligence‌ is also getting smarter Writing Tools and a composition assistant in Mail and Messages that adapts to how a user typically communicates with different contacts. Apple has overhauled Genmoji, adding a "Describe a change" interface for iterating on existing creations and the ability to start a new Genmoji from an existing emoji, a photo, or a person tagged in the user's photo library. Image Playground similarly adds support for multiple aspect ratios for wallpapers, Contact Posters, and social media images, alongside new photorealistic image generation.



Visual Intelligence, meanwhile, gets a new primary entry point called ‌Siri‌ Mode, though holding down Camera Control still works as an alternative. The feature is expanding to the ‌iPad‌ and Mac, and now supports importing multiple calendar events from a single photo of a flyer, as well as importing contacts directly from a photographed business card.



On the Mac, ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ extends toolbars and sidebars to the edges of the screen with a more consistent, tighter corner radius across windows. iPadOS 27 adds undo and redo for ‌Home Screen‌ edits, extra-large widgets in Today View, an optional persistent menu bar, and Visual Intelligence support for screenshots combined with Apple Pencil highlighting. Notes gains an Image Wand tool that generates photorealistic images from rough sketches, the ‌Siri‌ app gets a dedicated sidebar with full windowing support, and Shortcuts adds support for Magic Keyboard triggers.



watchOS 27 drops the Walkie-Talkie app entirely, with the feature missing from both the app list and Control Center in the first developer beta, while adding new Smart Stack suggestions, more accurate step tracking, and a consolidated Find My app. visionOS 27 lets users activate ‌Siri‌ simply by looking at its on-screen bubble rather than requiring a button press, and adds a redesigned Control Center along with new curved windows. tvOS 27 brings a redesigned Podcasts app, Hi-Res Lossless audio support in Apple Music, and on-device processing for HomeKit Secure Video.



The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel!



You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player.







If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about all of the major announcements Apple unveiled at WWDC 2026, including ‌Siri‌ AI, new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in apps, and system-wide performance and design improvements.



Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.



‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27, watchOS 26, watchOS 27Tag: The MacRumors ShowRelated Forum: Apple WatchThis article, 'The MacRumors Show: Hands-On With iOS 27, Brutal watchOS 27 Cuts, and More' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC UK News
Open 
'Prioritise love': Kate writes essay reflecting on Italy tour as new pictures released
The Princess of Wales reflects on an "increasingly digitalised world" in a new essay, written after her return to overseas visits following her treatment for cancer.

The Register
Open 
Researchers drop checkm8-style BootROM exploit for A12 and A13 iPhones
Owners of affected iPhones can stop checking for patches now: the fix for this SecureROM bug comes in a new handset

Mail Online
Open 
Everything Harper Beckham uses in her makeup routine and where to buy it - plus the beauty must-have mum Victoria launched after being 'inspired' by the 14-year-old's advice
Everything that Harper Beckham uses in her 'posh' makeup routine has been revealed - and now you can get your hands on the products too.

Mail Online
Open 
Netanyahu secretly plotting to TORPEDO Trump's Iran peace deal in intelligence bombshell
US spy agencies have warned Donald Trump that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to torpedo his fragile peace deal with Iran to save his own political skin.

Russia Today News
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Russia isn’t isolated – ASEAN has just proved it

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
A losing streak? Makerfield shows mounting dangers for Nigel Farage
From Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m gift, the Reform leader faces challenges on several frontsAs those around Nigel Farage are fond of pointing out, Reform UK has now led in more than 300 consecutive national polls. When it comes to byelections, though, it is fair to say the party’s results are more mixed.Yes, Robert Kenyon came second in Makerfield to a popular regional mayor backed by a Labour campaign so relentless that the main risk was annoying voters by knocking too often on their doors. Kenyon also increased his and Reform’s share of the vote from the 2024 general election. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘I’m not a Labour fan but I like Burnham’: relief in Makerfield among left, right and centre
‘Borrowed’ supporters from across the political spectrum voted to trounce Reform UK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?The morning after Andy Burnham secured a landslide byelection victory in Makerfield, returning him to Westminster after nine years as Manchester mayor, it is hard to avoid the large, red placards bearing his face.But Burnham’s win was not just thanks to Labour loyalists. Instead, it appears that a coalition of voters from the left, centre and even the right united to back him at the ballot box. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Rioters jailed over disorder sparked by deaths of two teenagers
Thirty people have been sentenced after the deaths of two teenagers in an e-bike crash sparked riots in Cardiff.

Sky News Home
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'Muggier' heatwave could hit 34C as extreme heat warning issued
An extreme heat warning is in force for early next week as a high-humidity heatwave builds to a peak that could see temperatures top 34C (93F).

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Draper to return at Eastbourne with new coach Murray
Britain's Jack Draper is set to make his return from injury at Eastbourne under new coach Andy Murray - but Emma Raducanu has opted not to take a wildcard.

Sky News Home
Open 
Man jailed for 16 years in 'sextortion' case as police appeal for victims
A 31-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after sexually assaulting and blackmailing multiple young men, including two teenagers.

Mail Online
Open 
Andrew stalker researched Princess of Wales, her children and killing methods, court told
A man accused of threatening Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor also researched the Princess of Wales, her children, and looked up methods of killing, it was reported.

Mail Online
Open 
Where to enjoy a day by the seaside during the heatwave: Read our travel experts' guide to the very best British beaches, from glorious golden sands to a birdwatcher's paradise
As warmer weather arrives, making swimming without a wetsuit possible, here is our guide to Britain's best beaches, chosen by travel writers and travel industry experts...

Mail Online
Open 
The toxic girls' holiday that meant I never spoke to my 'best' friends again. I realised I'd missed these warning signs of their true nature for years: LAURIE CRIPWELL
We had been looking forward to our girls' holiday for months. My in-laws had offered their holiday villa in Puglia, southern Italy, to me and my three girlfriends while my husband was in Portugal.

Russia Today News
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Middle East live: Israel hammers Lebanon and makes reported deal with Hezbollah (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK sexual predator who blackmailed Muslim men online jailed for 16 years
Police fear Waleed Saeed may have up to 70 more victims after campaign of entrapment, threat and extortionA sexual predator who targeted mostly Muslim males online for blackmail has been jailed for 16 years, and detectives fear he may have up to 70 more victims.Waleed Saeed’s campaign of entrapment, threat and extortion started in 2018 and left two victims feeling suicidal because of the humiliation they felt. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Heathrow third runway GDP yield may be 90% less than previous estimates
Department for Transport analysis suggests tiny economic boost would be outweighed by up to £62.5bn in trade-offsThe economic boost from a Heathrow third runway could be a tiny fraction of previous estimates, government analysis shows, while the overall trade-off from the bigger airport could set the UK back by as much as £62.5bn.As ministers promised to speed up expansion of the London airport in the name of economic growth, documents prepared by the Department for Transport said the runway was expected to boost GDP by only up to 0.05% – 90% less than the 0.5% previously stated. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
In Nigel Farage’s shoes, a less experienced politician might panic
Makerfield shows the challenges Reform is facing, from Restore and tactical voting to questions over that £5m giftAs those around Nigel Farage are fond of pointing out, Reform UK has now led in more than 300 consecutive national polls. When it comes to byelections, though, it is fair to say the party’s results are more mixed.Yes, Robert Kenyon came second in Makerfield to a popular regional mayor backed by a Labour campaign so relentless that the main risk was annoying voters by knocking too often on their doors. Kenyon also increased his and Reform’s share of the vote from the 2024 general election. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Anne Hathaway is pregnant! Actress, 43, announces she is expecting with sweet video after detailing 'complicated' journey to motherhood and hope of having third child
The Devil Wears Prada actress, 43, revealed the sweet news in a new Instagram video on Friday, sharing a look at her blossoming baby bump with her fans.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Minimum age of 11 set for UK puberty blocker trial
Gender-questioning children will have to be at least 11 years old to take part in a clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Leinster vs Bulls: Live Streams & TV Channels for URC Final 2026

TechRadar News
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Reality check: Could the UK's social media ban lead to VPN restrictions?

TechRadar News
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How to watch USA vs Australia: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as Christian Pulisic & Co. continue FIFA World Cup 2026 journey

TechRadar News
Open 
We spoke to three Xbox Game Studio teams about exclusivity, and got two very different answers

TechRadar News
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'It would be a lie to say there's no pressure taking on this great IP from this massive corporation' — Pico Park president says working with a huge company like Sega for its Sonic crossover was 'a little risky'

TechRadar News
Open 
Australia's social media ban shows UK child safety measures are bound to fail — and it's not because of VPNs

TechRadar News
Open 
This life-size Koenigsegg just became the fastest drive-able Lego car ever — $5m hypercar recreated from 327,000 Technic elements and sent down Goodwood Hill at 69mph

Slashdot
Open 
The Korean Telecom Giant At the Center of Anthropic's Mythos Controversy
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Wired: The Trump administration's move to impose export controls on Anthropic's most powerful AI technology followed a spat over the company granting South Korean telecom giant SK Telecom access to its Claude Mythos model, according to people familiar with the matter. US officials were concerned about what they alleged were SK Telecom's ties to China, those people said. Those concerns appear to have compounded when Amazon later flagged vulnerabilities to the White House it identified in Fable 5, a highly safeguarded version of Mythos that Anthropic released to the public on June 9. The Amazon researchers claimed that it was possible to circumvent some of Fable 5's guardrails and access Mythos' formidable cybercapabilities, though Anthropic and outside cybersecurity experts have argued these risks are not unique to Claude.

The confluence of events is what ultimately led the White House to determine that it could not trust Anthropic to safeguard its most advanced AI technology, according to a person close to the administration. On Friday, the Trump administration ordered Anthropic to revoke access to Mythos and Fable 5 for all foreign nationals, including immigrants inside the US. Rather than gate access to its technology based on nationality, a process that would be difficult to implement while also preserving privacy, Anthropic decided it was better to disable access to the models entirely. The White House and Anthropic still remain at odds after days of negotiations about bringing Claude Mythos and Fable 5 back online. SK Telecom was one of roughly 150 organizations granted early access to Anthropic's vulnerability-detection model Claude Mythos through Project Glasswing, notes Wired. The White House later asked Anthropic to revoke the company's access, reportedly amid concerns about alleged China ties, and Anthropic immediately complied. There was, however, no mention of the telecom in the government's formal demand to restrict Mythos and Fable 5 to U.S. nationals.

SK Telecom told a Korean newspaper that the "anonymous insider's remarks in foreign media lack verified facts, and our company has no ties to China."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
Open 
As the weather sizzles this weekend, it's time to get the barbecue going too. Read our ultimate guide with sumptuous recipes, the best burgers, bangers and buns, and the perfect summer tipples to pair them with
Sumptuous recipes, the best burgers, bangers and buns, and the most delicious drinks...

Mail Online
Open 
Ultimate guide to building an 'escape fund' to quit your job or marriage: This is exactly how you can grow a £15,000 savings pot in as little as a year using our expert four-step method
Ultimate guide to building an 'escape fund' to quit your job or marriage: This is exactly how you can grow a £15,000 savings pot in as little as a year using our expert four-step method

Mail Online
Open 
'They wouldn't have had him on air if they'd known he made a slur... they're really furious': As the REAL reason George Knight was kicked off Love Island is revealed, ALEX DOYLE tells how broadcasters, agents and stars are now fuming over ITV's 'cover-up'
He was the ultimate blonde bombshell set to turn this year's Love Island villa upside-down. But former footballer, George Knight has ended up causing a 'headache' for ITV

Mail Online
Open 
ANDREW NEIL: Labour thinks it has found the holy grail in Andy Burnham. It's more likely to end up in an unholy mess
Labour thinks that in Andy Burnham it's discovered the holy grail - that he's the man to take on those nasty, insurgent populists and win. It should prepare to be disappointed before the year is out.

Mail Online
Open 
'You get a posher sort of paedophile round here': BARBARA DAVIES reveals provocative comment workman made in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's earshot that led to 'punch being thrown' days before he was seen with mystery bruise
Ever since he was spotted with a bruise across his face a fortnight ago, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been keeping a low profile behind closed doors at his home in exile.

Mail Online
Open 
Breathtaking mistakes bungling British police made that may have let Andrew Tate escape prosecution, flee Britain and continue to spew his poisonous vitriol to millions - including the crossbow killer of BBC racing commentator's wife and daughters
For someone ever willing to promote his vile brand of toxic masculinity, Andrew Tate was strangely quiet when one of his 10million followers made shocking headline news in the summer of 2024.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Oil prices under new wave of pressure amid lingering questions over a Strait of Hormuz reopening
A flurry of headlines on Friday point to an increasingly fragile deal between the U.S. and Iran.

Boing Boing
Open 
This Deal Days discount gets you 6TB of secure cloud storage for $190
TL;DR: Get Drime's 6TB of lifetime encrypted cloud storage, compliance tracking, and collaboration tools for $189.97 (reg. $599) during Deal Days through June 28.
Nobody ever deletes anything anymore. Screenshots from 2018. PDFs you'll definitely read someday. Videos from phones you no longer own. — Read the rest
The post This Deal Days discount gets you 6TB of secure cloud storage for $190 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Get smarter on your downtime with lifetime documentary streaming for $130 during Deal Days
TL;DR: For $129.97 (reg. $999), you can get lifetime access to MagellanTV, an ad-free documentary streaming service with over 4,000 high-quality documentary movies and TV series from around the globe.
Deal Days is Stack Social's answer to Prime Day, so you can expect some good savings. — Read the rest
The post Get smarter on your downtime with lifetime documentary streaming for $130 during Deal Days appeared first on Boing Boing.

Telegraph
Open 
Apricot harissa chicken salad with freekeh
This smoky, zingy creation is packed with big flavours

Telegraph
Open 
Turkish spiced chicken with garlic yogurt, cucumber and dill
This dreamy combination of aromatic chicken, cooling yogurt and zesty lemon is worth the effort

Telegraph
Open 
Roast peppers with anchovies and tomatoes
A match made in heaven that takes only minutes to cook

Telegraph
Open 
Griddled chicken thighs with parsley and shallot vinaigrette
Golden chicken thighs dressed in a tangy, fresh vinaigrette

Telegraph
Open 
10,000 infected in major cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria
Nigeria’s health ministry has requested more than three million oral cholera vaccine doses in a bid to contain the spread

Telegraph
Open 
Apricot and lavender compote
A light and fragrant dessert to serve when you’re next entertaining

EFF
Open 
Court Records Should Be Free
Court records belong to the public. Yet anyone seeking access to federal court filings through PACER, a government software system that stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is usually required to pay hefty fees to search for and view documents. PACER’s fees have long acted as a barrier that makes it hard, especially for low income people, to see and understand the work produced by our own public servants. 
That's why EFF joined a broad group of organizations supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026, legislation that would modernize the federal courts' electronic filing systems and eliminate PACER fees. 
The bill would replace the aging PACER and CM/ECF systems with a modern, unified platform designed to improve public access, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce long-term costs. Supporters note that PACER currently collects more than $150 million annually in fees from the public, despite court records being public documents.
The Open Courts Act would also make court records easier to find, access, and understand. The legislation builds on a similar proposal, also supported by EFF, that previously won bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee but did not become law before the end of the congressional session.
This is not a new issue for EFF. More than a decade ago, we criticized PACER's paywalls and the removal of some court records from online access, arguing that the public should not have to pay to read the law and the judicial decisions that shape it. The Open Courts Act would move U.S. courts a big step closer to that goal. 
In addition to EFF, the bill is supported by Fix the Court, the group pushing this bill forward; the Free Law Project, which maintains RECAP, software that has created a large archive of legal opinions and other court records; as well as civil society groups, open government watchdogs, and media groups. 
Public access to the courts is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. Let’s eliminate unnecessary barriers to court records, and bring the federal judiciary’s tech into the modern era. 


Read the full letter supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
At last, something Europeans and Americans can agree upon | Letter
Never make the mistake of conflating the actual people of a country with those who govern it, says Eric JanssonThe survey on which you report (Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests, 10 June) is wonderfully in line with the view of US citizens themselves, given the recent poll finding that only 2% of them trust the US government “just about always”, and only 15% trust it “most of the time” – a shrivelled fraction of the 73% who in 1958 said they trusted it always or most of the time, according to the Pew Research Center. We can rest easy knowing that Europeans and Americans (never mind their governments) remain natural allies with plenty to agree about.Never make the mistake of conflating the people of a country or civilisation with those who govern it. This goes for Washington, Brussels, London, Moscow, Beijing, Kinshasa, you name it.Eric JanssonOxford Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Emergency medicine is in crisis – why is this allowed to continue? | Letters
Dr Carole Gavin says if the government fails to act it will bear the responsibility for yet more avoidable deaths, while Sarah Brown describes her mother’s experienceThe experience of working in A&E described by Sophie (Patients are dying in A&E corridors – but I’ve seen how things could be different, 11 June) will be familiar to every member of staff working in a UK emergency department. Not only are patients dying on our corridors with no privacy or dignity due to lack of space and hospital beds, but we know that many more will die later as a consequence of their prolonged emergency department stay (More than 1,300 deaths a month in England due to long A&E waits, figures suggest, 8 June).I have been an emergency physician for more than 30 years during which time the advances in emergency medicine have been life changing, with acute interventions for once untreatable conditions such as stroke and heart attacks now routinely available. Unfortunately despite all of the advances in medical science, in England in 2026, we are now unable to provide even the most basic, humane emergency care. The government appears to be prepared to accept these deaths and when we repeatedly try to raise the alarm we are told NHS performance is improving as there are fewer patients waiting in A&E for more than four hours. However those are the well patients who will go home, while the seriously ill patients wait for up to 48 hours for admission to a bed – something that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. I am amazed on a daily basis by the resilience of the patients and staff in the face of this disaster, but fail to comprehend why this national crisis is allowed to continue. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The real reason a hantavirus disaster was averted | Letters
Dr Matthew Dryden praises an astute doctor and the value of teamwork across continents. Plus a letter from Dr Brian JonesDevi Sridhar writes about some of the global public health responses to the outbreak of hantavirus centred on the MV Hondius, but her conclusions as to how the world avoided another global outbreak failed to recognise the real reason disaster was averted (Right now, we could be living through a hantavirus disaster. The world avoided that, and this is why, 15 June).The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) programme funded by the Foreign Office and managed by the UK Health Security Agency supports health services in all UKOTs around the globe. These are small and vulnerable communities with very limited medical services in most cases. The key success of this lean but effective programme lies in close communication and strengthening the health services. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
David Hockney remembered | Letters
Harriet Gibson recalls an eye-opening encounter with the artist, while Andrew Keeley talks about the influence of California on his work, and Christine Hayes recalls his ‘letter’ to the Guardian about smokingIn 1963, I was a naive 17-year-old on a week’s introduction to “art” at the Royal Court theatre with a group of about 10 sixth formers. We had an acting workshop with John Dexter, went to a wrestling match and were taken to visit an up-and-coming artist in his studio in Notting Hill.I remember a smallish room with paintings lining the walls. David Hockney (Obituary, 12 June) talked about his work, said he was about to leave for the States and showed us a work on the wall called My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, which he explained was dedicated to his boyfriend who was in the States. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘People think I’ve vanished’: Mary Earps on signing for London City and feeling forgotten
Former England goalkeeper discusses why it was time to leave Paris, the lure of her new club and when she will know it is time to stopWhen Mary Earps signed for Wolfsburg eight years ago, shortly after they had played in the Women’s Champions League final, there was no club photographer available for her unveiling, meaning her agent popped out to buy a scarf from the club shop before taking a makeshift announcement image. So when the former England goalkeeper’s latest club, London City Lionesses, announced her Women’s Super League return with a glamorous photoshoot on a boat on the Thames in front of landmarks such as Tower Bridge, she was struck not only by how much the women’s game and her life have been transformed, but by the bold scale of her new team’s ambitions.“The energy and effort put into the shoot, I would never have imagined this even five years ago,” says Earps, whose move to London City from Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed on Friday. “All I keep saying is ‘I’m so excited,’ but that shoot just poured petrol on the excitement fire. Wow, if that’s what they do just to say ‘Hey, by the way, Mary’s arrived,’ then imagine hopefully what we can do [in the future].” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘You can’t unsee it’: how hot pink became the unofficial colour of the World Cup
Move over Barbie, ‘electric fuchsia’ is now dominating football’s biggest stages. But why has the sport embraced the colour?Any fashion-conscious England fan watching the World Cup this week would have appreciated the moment the attack reached the Croatian end – and not just for the potential goals.It offered another glimpse of goalkeeper Dominik Livaković in hot pink, a shade fast becoming a visual signature this tournament. Forget Barbie pink – welcome to the World Cup’s hot pink summer. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Met Office issues rare amber extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales
Temperatures expected to climb to 30C over the weekend in southern England and south-east WalesThe Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of southern England and south-east Wales over the coming days – the most extreme heat warning the weather forecaster has issued for four years.Temperatures are expected to climb to about 30C (86F) over the weekend and peak on Monday and Tuesday at 34C, “though there remains a chance of this being exceeded in some spots”, the Met Office said. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
ICO chief resigns from job over 'attempts at humour that were inappropriate'
John Edwards announced he was standing down from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) because he had 'exercised poor judgement' and his position had become 'untenable'.

Mail Online
Open 
Royal Mail has 6,500 postal workers off sick every day at a cost of £200m a year, chief exec warns
Around 6,500 postal workers are off sick every day at a cost of £200million a year, Royal Mail's chief executive has revealed.

Gizmodo
Open 
‘The Closet’ Is the Next Best Thing to Actually Getting an Invite to the Criterion Collection’s Fabled Closet
Take as many titles as you like! To stream!

Gizmodo
Open 
Amazon MGM Studios Backs Out of Sam Altman Biopic Months After Amazon Gave OpenAI Tons of Money
The decision comes months after Amazon announced a $50 billion partnership with the AI company.

Gizmodo
Open 
Geena Davis Is ‘Terribly Disappointed’ That Netflix Canceled ‘The Boroughs’
The Oscar winner was saddened to hear that the sci-fi series, executive produced by the Duffer Brothers, is ending after just one season.

Computer Weekly
Open 
UK government publishes guidelines to ‘end era of outsourcing’ – will IT be in scope?
New strategy will see UK government apply Public Interest Test to outsourcing contracts worth £1m or more

Computer Weekly
Open 
Civil society: Police facial recognition must be strictly limited
Digital rights groups map out ‘minimum, necessary’ human rights protections to be included in UK government’s upcoming legal framework for police facial recognition

Home Office
Open 
Border Force secures its largest ever cannabis seizure
12 tonne haul found at Southampton Port smashes records. | Home Office.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
The US star who couldn't be an American under Trump's plan
Folarin Balogun scored two goals on his World Cup debut, but he is the type of person President Trump is trying to ban under birthright citizenship.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Anticipation (and rain clouds) build as TRNSMT festival becomes Scotland fan zone
The music festival, which attracts tens of thousands of music fans, will be turned into a massive fan zone for the Scotland match.

UK Government News
Open 
Charity regulator appoints interim managers to international aid charity amidst ongoing investigation
The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has appointed interim managers to Barnabas Fund, which is also known as Barnabas Aid.

UK Government News
Open 
Court and tribunal fees: updates from July 2026
The Ministry of Justice plans to make a series of changes to court and tribunal fees payable in HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress

Newly declassified documents released Thursday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard show that a U.S. national laboratory assessed the COVID-19 lab-origin hypothesis as a serious possibility as early as May 2020, as well as evidence of U.S.-funded coronavirus research that included planning for spike-protein modifications, receptor-adaptation experiments, and testing in humanized mice in collaboration with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The documents also prove that Anthony Fauci lied under oath. 


Today, on my final day as Director of National Intelligence, I’m releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr. Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with politicized elements… pic.twitter.com/ZMdliW4zyS
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 19, 2026
The release, issued on Gabbard’s last day on the job, includes an eight-page May 27, 2020, assessment from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Z Program. That assessment concluded that “all of the necessary conditions for an accidental release of a laboratory-modified coronavirus - specifically a coronavirus adapted to recognize human cell receptors - were present at the Chinese Wuhan Institute of Virology in mid-to-late 2019.” It assigned equal weight to a laboratory-modification hypothesis and a natural-origin scenario.
Screenshot, ODNI release

Meanwhile, Recall that while the government was locking us down, Dr. Anthony Fauci and those in his orbit were actively fabricating a 'wet market' narrative that would conceal US research as a possible origin - despite his own advisors initially insisting that COVID-19 looked manmade.

In his January 2024 transcribed interview, Fauci was asked about conversations concerning the same three topics - COVID origins, WIV, and EcoHealth. When asked about the CIA, he answered yes: he said he was briefed “once or twice” in a secure NIH facility and also recalled a briefing in a White House situation room.

The newly released documents then show a June 4, 2021 briefing involving CIA/WCP personnel, NSC officials, and Fauci, during which Fauci offered views on pangolin research, sick WIV researchers, single-lineage vs. multi-lineage evidence, and recommended scientists for the IC to contact. A separate CIA-context email says that same 40-minute secure video teleconfrenece involved CIA/WCPMC officials and that Fauci gave thoughts on the 4 May 2021 COVID-origin briefing and recommended U.S. scientists to consult.



So, he lied. 

According to a statement released with the files, "Fauci worked with politicized career leadership in the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research that caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives. These documents expose Fauci’s direct role in influencing and manipulating IC assessments on COVID-19, and how Fauci lied to Congress in 2024, when under oath he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research."

U.S.-Funded Research and Planning for Coronavirus Manipulation

The files include the Year 5 progress report for EcoHealth Alliance’s NIH grant 5R01AI110964-05. Under Specific Aim 3, the project outlined plans to:

Sequence spike genes from bat coronaviruses.
Create mutants to assess how much further evolution would be needed for efficient use of human ACE2 or other receptors.
Conduct receptor-mutant pseudovirus binding assays.
Perform infection experiments in cell lines and humanized mice.
This research track overlaps with work described in the 2018 DEFUSE proposal, which involved EcoHealth Alliance, Peter Daszak, Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina, and Shi Zhengli’s team at WIV. The proposal sought to create chimeric bat coronaviruses with enhanced human infectivity, including consideration of furin cleavage site insertion to improve lung-cell entry, and to test the resulting viruses in humanized mice originally developed in Baric’s lab.



A 2016 WIV paper included in the release describes a synthetic shuttle vector system for assembling large DNA fragments, with demonstrated capability up to 31 kilobases. The authors presented the method as a tool for “genome-scale DNA reconstruction,” a technique relevant to synthetic biology and virus engineering.

Surveillance work under the same NIH grant reported that 9 of 1,497 rural residents in southern China (0.6%) were seropositive for bat SARS-related or HKU10 coronaviruses.

And from leaked emails three years ago:


Among other things, the NIH helped fund experiments at WIV that infected genetically engineered mice with “chimeric” hybrids of SARS-related bat coronaviruses in what some scientists have described as unacceptably risky research. 

...

Andersen laid them out plainly in an email to Fauci that same evening. “The unusual features of the virus make up a really small part of the genome (” Andersen wrote in the email. “I should mention,” he added, “that after discussions earlier today, Eddie, Bob, Mike and myself all find the genome inconsistent with expectations from evolutionary theory. But we have to look at this much more closely and there are still further analyses to be done, so those opinions could still change.” -The Intercept


Internal Discussions and Awareness of Manipulation Research

A June 8, 2021, internal email in the release references a 2016 New York Academy of Medicine meeting at which Peter Daszak reportedly discussed colleagues in China “manipulating the spike protein on coronavirus to make them more virulent.”

Other 2020–2021 emails show officials debating technical concerns, including references to a DOD report on a “suspicious added furin-site” and FBI reporting containing unusual genetic descriptions. One analyst noted the risk that non-experts could misinterpret technical data while still calling for scrutiny. Another observed that “the IC took direction straight from NIH… the people that funded the Wuhan Lab” and referenced “a complex web of money and politics influencing analysis.”

Picking Their Reviewer

July 2021 emails concerning the selection of outside reviewers for COVID-origin assessments show officials rejecting several candidates for political sensitivity or conflict-of-interest reasons:

James Clapper was viewed as too politically “hot.”
Anthony Fauci was flagged due to his position as a “customer” of the assessment through NIH funding ties.
Michael Morell was considered “too public.”
Sue Gordon and another individual identified only as “Beth” were also set aside.
And so... 

These materials provide primary-source documentation that a U.S. national laboratory assessed a laboratory origin as equally plausible to natural emergence at a time when prominent scientific publications were publicly emphasizing a natural zoonotic source and characterizing alternative hypotheses as conspiracy theories. This includes the February 2020 Lancet letter and the March 2020 Nature Medicine paper “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2”, along with subsequent amplification by NIH leadership.

The research details in the declassified grant reports and proposals involved techniques and modifications - spike-protein engineering, receptor adaptation, humanized-mouse testing, and consideration of furin cleavage sites - that later featured prominently in scientific debate over SARS-CoV-2’s characteristics.
Shi and Daszak clinking glasses, undoubtedly after lots of humanized mice successfully died horrible COVID deaths.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:35

ZeroHedge News
Open 
UK Gilt Yields Spike As Burnham Win Opens Door To Oust Starmer
UK Gilt Yields Spike As Burnham Win Opens Door To Oust Starmer

The odds of embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer being ousted by the end of July are soaring this morning...



...after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a decisive victory for the ruling Labour Party that delivers him a seat in Parliament and, with it, a pathway to challenge Starmer for his job.

Burnham was elected in a standalone contest for the constituency of Makerfield, in northwestern England, with a convincing 54.8% of the vote. He defeated Robert Kenyon from Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK, who secured 34.5%, while third-placed Restore Britain registered just under 7%.



In a post on X, Starmer congratulated his rival on his victory.


“Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate,” he wrote.


Farage said he was “disappointed,” in a video posted after the result.

Addressing voters who left his party for Restore he asked:


“What do you want? We are the challenger party to the left in this country, and I would urge you to think again.”


A defiant Starmer said in response that he would run against Burnham in any leadership contest.


“If there is one, I’ll stand,” he told broadcasters on Friday morning, hours after Burnham’s victory:

“I’m not going to walk away.”


As Bloomberg reports, the prime minister’s fortunes have faded after he led his party to a dismal showing in the May locals, where Reform gained ground. In the aftermath, almost a quarter of Labour’s more-than 400 MPs called on Starmer to go.


“Tonight could, just could, be the turning point,” Burnham said after the results were announced to loud cheers from his supporters.

“I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change.”

“We must hear it, we must act upon it, and we must get it right,” he said.

“There will be no second chance.”


Despite, Burnham's ruling out changing the government’s limits on borrowing if he were to gain power, in a bid to reassure investors about his fiscal plans, his win pushed Cable slightly lower and gilt yields notably higher:



 “With Burnham having made a statement win, the next few months will likely see domestic political risks dominating headlines in the UK and as a result markets pricing in real political risk premium,” said Megum Muhic, a strategist at RBC.

Burnham has the best (least worst) ratings of any major UK politician...



“The prime minister is now in political quicksand,” James Lyons, Starmer’s former director of communications, told Sky News.

“There is now a very good chance that Andy Burnham will be installed as prime minister without a contest,” he said, adding that the size of the win makes that more likely.

If Starmer steps down or is voted out by the Labour Party membership, the UK would usher in its fifth prime minister in less than four years.

What happens next? Here is a concise breakdown of key events from The Times political editor Steven Swinford.

Cabinet ministers will this afternoon tell Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timeline for his departure in the wake of Andy Burnham's by-election victory in Makerfield
The prime minister is holding a series of meetings and calls with ministers and Labour MPs. The Times has been told that 'multiple' cabinet ministers will tell him that his "time is up". Senior figures in No 10 are also telling Starmer it is time to go
Starmer insists he is going nowhere. He is planning to use the calls to make the case for his Premiership and try to shore up support
His pitch is twofold: 1) A contest will tear the party apart and 2) We are delivering - NHS waiting lists are falling, the number of small boat crossings is down, legal migration if falling. 'The worst thing we can do is take our foot off the gas'
Cabinet ministers say there is no route through this. It's about accepting political reality and leaving with dignity
We're now locked in a debilitating stalemate. Neither Andy Burnham nor Keir Starmer wants a leadership contest, for very different reasons - Burnham because he favours a coronation, Starmer because he wants to stay in power and believes a challenge will rip the party apart
Starmer is insisting he will fight any challenge. Allies say he has a £100,000 war-chest and all the infrastructure -including key staffers, campaign literature etc - in place. He is ready to go
Burnham allies think Number 10 has lost contact with reality. They argue that on any measure it is over for Starmer and that he should accept reality and stand down. They accuse him on to power and say his position is untenable
It looks increasingly like Burnham and Starmer may not talk until next week. As per @PronouncedAlva
Burnham has his list of nominations ready to go - 200+ - and is prepared to hand them over to Starmer to pressure him into going
The situation is clearly unsustainable. So how will the deadlock be broken? First, pressure from backbenchers - 100 Labour MPs have now called for him to go. That number will only rise this weekend
Second, pressure from Cabinet ministers as above. But here's the rub - we have been here before and he has just ignored them. Shabana Mahmood, Ed Miliband, John Healey, Wes Streeting... the list is getting longer and longer. We are somewhere between a rock and a hard place.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Crypto Risk No One Is Discussing
The Crypto Risk No One Is Discussing

 Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance

With bitcoin hovering near $65,000, down about 50% over the last year, the mood across crypto has become increasingly subdued lately.

For most of the 2020s, cryptocurrency transformed from a niche financial experiment into a major political issue. What began as a technology debate evolved into a cultural and ideological battleground, with Republicans increasingly positioning themselves as defenders of digital assets and free markets while Democrats often emphasized consumer protection, financial oversight, and regulatory scrutiny.

Aside from worrying about adoption, quantum computing and things like what would happen if Satoshi’s bitcoin ever moved, I see another major risk for bitcoin holders and crypto advocates that isn’t being talked about nearly as much as I think it should It’s not technological, macroeconomic or regulatory—at least not in the way most people think.



The real risk is political. And it starts with a simple question: What happens if Democrats come roaring back in 2026 and then win the White House in 2028?

For most of the decade, cryptocurrency has steadily moved from being a financial technology story to becoming a political identity. Republicans increasingly embraced crypto as a symbol of innovation, economic freedom, and resistance to government control. Democrats, meanwhile, have always positioned themselves as the party of oversight, consumer protection, and financial regulation. Elizabeth Warren is already foaming at the mouth over the SpaceX IPO.

Crypto bears nowadays argue that with the entire backing of the U.S. political apparatus, bitcoin has had trouble holding a price in the six figures. This must mean adoption has peaked. As Peter Schiff never misses an opportunity to remind bitcoin investors, if an asset can't stay above major price milestones after getting ETFs, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, half of X, and a crypto-friendly federal government cheering it on, maybe the problem isn't a lack of catalysts. Maybe the catalysts have already been spent.

In that case, most investors wouldn’t just be betting on bitcoin anymore. They’d be betting on a political environment that appears unusually favorable to crypto. The White House is openly supportive. Regulators have eased their tone. Congress is debating legislation that could provide long-awaited clarity for digital assets. Not surprisingly, capital flowed back into the sector in the first year of the Trump administration.

The entire crypto ecosystem has become increasingly intertwined with that political backdrop…and now our financial system.

Michael Saylor continues to use Strategy as a giant bitcoin acquisition vehicle despite growing questions about how some of the company’s securities are trading relative to their underlying economics.

Strategy is now trading at a discount to its estimated net asset value, while Saylor’s STRC preferred product recently closed around 91 cents on the dollar—nearly 10% below par. I wrote a warning about this product back in April while Michael Saylor was taking daily victory laps on X about how it kept closing at par. Those days are over.

As this is all occurring in the background, the broader message remains that crypto still has powerful political allies. And at a time where things already are looking shaky in crypto, that confidence may be setting up the industry’s next major vulnerability. Because if Democrats regain power, they are unlikely to view crypto through the same favorable lens.

So by 2028, cryptocurrency may no longer be viewed simply as an emerging technology sector or a new asset class. It could instead become one of the defining symbols of the Trump era itself. Trump family members, business entities, and individuals closely connected to the administration have reportedly generated more than $2 billion in crypto-related wealth “while more than a million investors lost the same amount on the other side of those trades”.

Chances are, Elizabeth Warren and her merry band of socialists aren’t going to be overjoyed about that. And political battles are often fought over narratives, symbols, and perceived abuses of power.



By the end of a second Trump term, many Democrats may see crypto not as a neutral technology but as a financial ecosystem deeply intertwined with the political movement they are trying to defeat.

That creates a potentially dangerous setup for investors. Democrats would not need to argue that bitcoin itself is inherently harmful or that blockchain technology lacks value. Instead, they could frame the industry as a vehicle for conflicts of interest, political favoritism, speculative excess, and extraordinary wealth creation among a relatively small group of well-connected insiders. That is a much easier argument to make, particularly to voters who do not own digital assets and are unlikely to lose sleep over the fortunes of stablecoin issuers, token promoters, crypto treasury companies, or billionaires who have amassed enormous wealth through the sector.

Every political era eventually produces a reaction, and the stronger the pendulum swings in one direction, the harder it often swings back. If Democrats conclude that the Trump years were characterized by excessive deregulation, blurred lines between public office and private business interests, and a speculative boom that disproportionately benefited insiders, financial markets could become a major target for reform. Crypto would almost certainly find itself near the top of that list.

The range of potential initiatives is broad. Lawmakers could pursue tougher disclosure requirements for elected officials and their families, expand insider trading enforcement, increase reporting obligations for large investors and corporate insiders, and devote greater resources to investigating market manipulation and politically connected investment vehicles. While those proposals might be presented as ethics reforms or good-governance measures, their practical impact could extend well beyond Washington and reshape how capital flows throughout financial markets.



Cryptocurrency would be exposed. A future Democratic administration could seek expanded SEC authority over digital assets, tougher anti-money-laundering standards, more aggressive know-your-customer requirements, stricter oversight of stablecoins, enhanced reporting obligations for exchanges and wallet providers, tighter rules governing token issuance, and new restrictions on decentralized finance platforms. Basically, the total opposite of what this administration is doing: pardoning various white collar criminals and exploiting the public markets for personal gain.

Congress could also revisit broader financial reforms that seem politically unrealistic today but could quickly gain momentum under a different political environment, including transaction taxes, stricter leverage limits, expanded beneficial ownership disclosures, enhanced monitoring of digital asset transactions, and greater scrutiny of corporate treasury strategies built around cryptocurrency holdings.

None of these measures would require banning bitcoin, and that is the point many investors miss. Governments do not need to prohibit an activity outright to change behavior. They simply need to increase compliance costs, reporting requirements, legal uncertainty, and regulatory complexity enough to make investors, institutions, and corporations think twice before committing capital. Markets are extraordinarily sensitive to incentives, and they are also forward-looking. By the time new rules are formally enacted, much of the repricing may have already occurred.

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If investors begin to believe that a decent Democratic performance in 2026 could happen, and a Democratic sweep is possible in 2028, they could think about how it may usher in a significantly tougher regulatory environment. And then, crypto prices may not wait for Election Day to react. Capital could begin adjusting months in advance. Investors would price in future restrictions, valuations would come under pressure, policymakers could point to declining prices as evidence that speculative excess is being wrung out of the system, and the resulting weakness could generate additional political support for further reforms. In that scenario, the expectation of regulation becomes nearly as powerful as regulation itself.

Supporters of such policies would insist that none of this constitutes a crackdown. They would argue that it represents a long-overdue return to accountability after years of meme speculation, regulatory arbitrage, and politically connected wealth creation. Critics would see something very different, calling it political retaliation disguised as financial reform. Both sides would undoubtedly believe they are acting in the public interest. Markets, however, tend to care less about motives than outcomes, and the outcome for crypto could be painful.

At the moment, most investors are focused elsewhere. They are watching bitcoin hover around $65,000. They are tracking ETF flows, following Michael Saylor’s latest purchases, and celebrating every headline that appears to confirm crypto’s growing acceptance within the American financial system. What they may not be watching closely enough is the possibility that the industry’s political victories are laying the groundwork for its future political vulnerability.

If Democrats retake Congress in 2026 and capture the White House in 2028, the debate surrounding cryptocurrency could change dramatically. The conversation may no longer revolve around adoption, innovation, or even bitcoin itself. Instead, it could become a broader referendum on the political and financial ecosystem that grew around crypto during the Trump years.

And if that happens, the next major crypto bear market lower from here may not begin with a recession, a bankruptcy, or a technological failure. It may begin with an election.

--
QTR’s Disclaimer: Please read my full legal disclaimer on my About page here. This post represents my opinions only. In addition, please understand I am an idiot and often get things wrong and lose money. I may own or transact in any names mentioned in this piece at any time without warning. Contributor posts and aggregated posts have been hand selected by me, have not been fact checked and are the opinions of their authors. They are either submitted to QTR by their author, reprinted under a Creative Commons license with my best effort to uphold what the license asks, or with the permission of the author.

This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any stocks or securities, just my opinions. I often lose money on positions I trade/invest in. I may add any name mentioned in this article and sell any name mentioned in this piece at any time, without further warning. None of this is a solicitation to buy or sell securities. I may or may not own names I write about and are watching. Sometimes I’m bullish without owning things, sometimes I’m bearish and do own things. Just assume my positions could be exactly the opposite of what you think they are just in case. If I’m long I could quickly be short and vice versa. I won’t update my positions.

As of May 20, 2026 I personally no longer actively trade (read my story here). My investing/saving is done by recurring contributions mostly to sector ETFs and a few select equities, trusted third parties who oversee my accounts, and advisors. Such advisors or funds, through individual equities, options, index funds, mutual funds, ETFs, or other securities, may have positions in, exposure to, or holdings of names mentioned herein that I know nothing about. Basically, via index funds, ETFs and individual equities it is possible I could own, have exposure to, or not own anything at any point. As of the same date, May 20, 2026, in an attempt to lead a healthier lifestyle, I’ve also excluded myself from fantasy sports, sports betting, online and in-person casinos and prediction markets.

And all positions can change immediately as soon as I publish this, with or without notice and at any point I can be long, short or neutral on any position. You are on your own. Do not make decisions based on my blog. I exist on the fringe. If you see numbers and calculations of any sort, assume they are wrong and double check them. I failed Algebra in 8th grade and topped off my high school math accolades by getting a D- in remedial Calculus my senior year, before becoming an English major in college so I could bullshit my way through things easier.

The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this page. These are not the opinions of any of my employers, partners, or associates. I did my best to be honest about my disclosures but can’t guarantee I am right; I write these posts after a couple beers sometimes. I edit after my posts are published because I’m impatient and lazy, so if you see a typo, check back in a half hour. Also, I just straight up get shit wrong a lot. I mention it twice because it’s that important.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Russia Vows "Massive Group Strikes" On Ukraine After Drone Swarm Attack On Refinery
Russia Vows "Massive Group Strikes" On Ukraine After Drone Swarm Attack On Refinery

Ukraine's massive drone swarm attack on the Russian capital, targeting critical energy infrastructure including a major refinery and storage tank farms, has sparked fuel-shortage fears in Moscow while prompting Russia to warn Kyiv of "massive group strikes" in retaliation.

On Thursday, 200 Ukrainian suicide drones swarmed Gazprom's Moscow Refinery in what military observers are calling Kyiv's most brazen offensive of the four-year war to date.

Footage from the southeastern outskirts of the city showed the drone swarm attack and the resulting columns of black smoke billowing from the heavily damaged refinery and storage tank farms.


Additional footage of Russia’s Moscow oil refinery ablaze this morning after a successful Ukrainian drone attack. pic.twitter.com/34c27d565q
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 18, 2026

HOLY SMOKES! Moscow right now 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Oxz4pLHIwQ
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) June 18, 2026
"It is no coincidence that the president announced some time ago, after yet another Kyiv terrorist attack, that we will now conduct massive group strikes on a regular basis against targets whose condition directly affects the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters yesterday, according to Interfax.

Ukraine's drone attack appears to have targeted Russia's refining capacity, as concerns grow that fuel shortages could soon materialize in the capital area.

Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center in Berlin and a former Russian oil executive, told Bloomberg that a gas shortage in Moscow is now unavoidable.

"The authorities will do everything they can to bring fuel in from other regions," Vakulenko said. "However, rail capacity is not unlimited, and nearby refineries have also been damaged."

Kyiv has been pounding away at Russia's energy infrastructure with drones. The latest data from EA Analytics indicates that Russian crude-processing rates are set to drop to two-decade lows in June.



Here's TD Securities Roman Schweizer's first take on the attack:


The G7 confab happened without any major blowups. The formal declaration is here. Notably, the group promised support for UKR and tougher sanction on RUS. "We commit to increase the pressure on the Russian war economy. In this context, we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors. We consider this the right moment to proceed with additional measures, as President Trump has delivered a deal that we support in reopening the Strait of Hormuz." UKR continues to make incredibly effective long-range strikes into Moscow, spectacularly hitting a storage tank at an oil refinery. There is stunning footage of black smoke billowing over Moscow (generating both real and psychological effects). The war isn't going well for Putin either tactically or strategically. UKR has seized the momentum - the big question is what comes next: a diplomatic off-ramp or military escalation? We struggle to see how RUS could do something to change the battlefield dynamics and worry that a desperate Putin might try something desperate.


What Russia's "massive group strikes" response will look like remains to be seen, but the threat of gray-zone sabotage across the West is rising. That could include a campaign of cyberattacks, arson, logistics disruption, rail and port interference, telecom or undersea-cable incidents, and attacks against defense supply-chain nodes supporting Ukraine.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Appeals Court Allows Ohio To Restrict Children's Use Of Social Media
Appeals Court Allows Ohio To Restrict Children's Use Of Social Media

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

A federal appeals court on Thursday allowed Ohio to enforce a law requiring social media companies to obtain parental consent before permitting children under 16 to access their platforms.
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Reddit applications are displayed on a mobile phone on Dec. 9, 2025. Hollie Adams/Reuters

The law, known as the Social Media Parental Notification Act, was passed by the state's legislature in 2023 and took effect in January 2024. NetChoice - a trade group representing TikTok, Meta, and other major tech companies - later filed a lawsuit, alleging that the law was unconstitutional.

In April, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley ruled in NetChoice's favor and permanently blocked Ohio from enforcing the law. The state subsequently appealed the ruling.

In a 2-1 decision on June 18, a panel of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court ruling, finding that Ohio's law does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Writing for the majority, Circuit Judge Eric Clay said the state law imposes only "a marginal burden" by requiring parental consent for children to use social media platforms.

"That requirement constitutes a marginal burden that precisely targets the multi-faceted problem that Ohio has identified: Children's unsupervised assent to terms and conditions for use of platforms that take advantage of and harm them," Clay said.

"Parental consent will not always be narrowly tailored to the compelling interest in protecting minors' well-being. It works here because the nature of the harm itself is that children's unsupervised use of social media puts them at risk of the adverse effects of prolonged and unregulated exposure."

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson praised the appeals court's decision, calling it "a win for Ohio families."

Wilson said in a statement that the ruling would allow parents to supervise their children's use of social media.

"The court agreed that parents - not social media companies - should get a say in what kids see online. We have an obligation to keep our children safe, and today, the most dangerous place for our kids is the internet," he stated. "This decision gives parents the tools to be involved and provide oversight."

NetChoice said the appeals court's decision will threaten the online privacy and constitutional rights of Ohioan residents. The group suggested that it intends to continue the legal challenge.

"By requiring parents to override the government's determination, Ohio has violated bedrock First Amendment principles," Paul Taske, director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a statement. "We are currently reviewing our options on how best to move forward."

NetChoice last year won court rulings blocking a similar social media parental consent law in Arkansas and a children's digital privacy law in California.

Australia became the first country last December to impose a ban on social media for children under 16 amid concerns about the online safety risks to the nation's youth.

Several countries have since followed suit or are weighing similar social media restrictions over concerns about the platforms' impact on children's mental health. Among those countries are the UK, Austria, Denmark, France, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 11:10

Ian Visits
Open 
The London Buzz – 19th June 2026
Today’s London news round-up:Read more ›

Mail Online
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A kiss for the King! Zara Tindall blows her uncle Charles a sweet peck before the monarch feels the heat in the Royal Box during scorching fourth day at Ascot
After Stanley Tucci's surprise appearance yesterday, the King, 77, invited Andrew LLoyd Webber to travel to the Berkshire festival in an open-top carriage today.

UK Legislation
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The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026
This Order amends the following instruments relating to court and tribunal fees—

UK Legislation
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The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Change of coming into force) Order 2026
The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/642) (“the 2026 Fees Order”) amends the following instruments relating to court and tribunal fees—

ZDNet News
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The Ninja Creami just dropped to an all time low price for Prime Day - and I recommend one
Make your own ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and smoothie bowls with the Ninja Creami, now 22% off for Amazon Prime Day.

The Hill
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James Carville on Trump's Iran MOU: ‘Happy 250th, America. You just lost a war’
Democratic strategist James Carville mocked the memorandum of understanding reached by the Trump administration with Iran, arguing it effectively shows that the U.S. lost the war just as the country readies for its 250th birthday. Carville called the deal an “instrument of surrender” during an interview Thursday night with Chris Cuomo, the host of NewsNation’s...

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Israeli official spurns call for truce: 'All of Lebanon must burn'
A far-right member of Israel’s governing coalition on Friday said that “all of Lebanon must burn,” as fighting broke out between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah despite a ceasefire imposed by the U.S. and Iran.  Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister and head of the far-right Jewish Power party, posted on the social platform...

The Hill
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Greene says she 'believes' Italian PM Meloni: 'Trump lies'
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a former close ally of President Trump’s, took the side of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday after the European leader strongly rejected Trump's claim that she "begged" him for a photo this week. “I believe @GiorgiaMeloni, she’s great!” Greene wrote on social media, adding, “Trump lies. Constantly.”...

The Hill
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White House officials bid farewell to Air Force One plane used since 1990
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The Hill
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has bounced back and forth on the memorandum of understanding reached by the Trump administration with Iran, on Friday said it was “delusional” to think Tehran was stronger after the war than before it. Graham argued that Iran’s ability to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world...

The Hill
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Republican Rep. Randy Fine (Fla.) criticized Vice President Vance on Friday morning over his stark warning to Israel during a White House press briefing on Thursday. “I thought JD’s comments yesterday were absolutely inappropriate and frankly disgusting,” Fine said on conservative network Real America’s Voice. Vance criticized Israel's leadership for speaking out against the memorandum...

The Hill
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Juneteenth is a time to celebrate the success of HBCUs
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been instrumental in providing African Americans with higher education, and have enabled them to enter the middle class and higher, benefiting both the Black community and the nation as a whole.

The Right Scoop
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DUDE VIDEO – Trump may take over DC after Democrats chose socialist mayor in primary
Democrats in Washington DC just chose a socialist to be their primary candidate, which could force President Trump to use his power and take over the federal city should she win in . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: White House reveals why Trump is going to Camp David this weekend
The White House just revealed to NewsNation reporter Kellie Meyer why President Trump is heading to Camp David this weekened. Here’s what she wrote: I asked the White House why the President . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Tulsi Gabbard declassifies docs that expose Fauci role in Wuhan virus and how he lied to Congress
Outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified new documents as her last official act and these documents reportedly expose Dr. Fauci’s role in Gain of Function research and how he lied before Congress in . . .

Mail Online
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The shingles vaccine could lower dementia risk 'by up to a quarter' - but scientists are still puzzled why
Researchers in the US analysed data from more than 500,000 people and found those who received the shingles jab were 24 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who did not.

Mail Online
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Meghan and Prince Harry could stay at royal residence when they return to the UK with their children next month
Prince Harry and his family have been offered royal accommodation when they come to England next month - but no additional security.

Mail Online
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Molly-Mae Hague is spotted leaving the nail salon in a snazzy £250K gold Mercedes G-Wagon as the new mum reveals she doesn't even like her pricey purchase
The influencer, 27, was back to running errands on Friday as she got her nails done in Cheshire.

Mail Online
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Investors' wealth is up to four times higher than cash savers - even if they have modest incomes
Research from wealth management firm St. James's Place has revealed the wealth gap between those who invest and those who do not.

Mail Online
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Three-month-old baby is 'snatched from pram outside house in Germany and killed while mother took her shopping inside'
A major search operation was launched, with drones and police dogs scouring the area, in a southwestern town of Baden-Württemberg.

Mail Online
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Princess of Wales pens personal essay about the need for love and 'genuine human connection' as children battle increasingly-digital world
It comes just days after the government announced a ban on social media for the under 16s, prohibiting access to apps such as TikTok and Instagram.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Rain fails to dampen spirits as TRNSMT festival becomes World Cup fan zone
The music festival, which attracts tens of thousands of music fans, will be turned into a massive fan zone for the Scotland match.

The Register
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Tensordyne makes a big bet on log math to beat Nvidia
Who needs compute-hungry multiplications when you can just add logarithms

FlightAware Squawks
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If Andy Burnham Becomes Prime Minister, Is Heathrow's Third Runway at Risk?
The revelation of victory for Andy Burnham in Makerfield is increasing the chances of him becoming Prime Minister. If this is the case, is Heathrow's third runway plans at risk?

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Air conditioning guide: Installation and running costs
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Russia Today News
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Middle East live: Isreal hammers Lebanon and makes reported deal with Hezbollah (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

The Guardian (UK)
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You be the judge: should my husband stop letting our kids climb over our neighbour’s fence to get their ball back?
Penelope worries this will teach her children it’s OK to trespass; Spencer sees no harm in them hopping over. No sitting on the fence – you decide who’s in the wrong• Find out how to get a disagreement settled or become a jurorIt doesn’t matter that it only takes five seconds. It’s a flagrant disregard for property rightsNo harm was done to their garden. It’s just a lawn with a few shrubs. I don’t see the problem Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Justice department says it will investigate MLB amid Pride hats controversy
League referred to EEOC for religious discriminationSan Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on hatsMLB had warned players over violation of league rulesThe US justice department has launched a civil rights investigation into Major League Baseball after the league criticized three San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their hats during the team’s Pride Night.Most of MLB’s 30 teams celebrate Pride month with a themed game to acknowledge the LGBTQ community and its baseball fans. During a 12 June game against the Chicago Cubs, pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on their hats, which featured the Giants’ logo in rainbow colors, while pitcher Sam Hentges chose not to wear the themed cap at all. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Royal Ascot 2026: Precise and Venetian Sun earn big wins on day four – live
Latest updates from Friday’s race cardGreg Wood’s day four tips | Email NiallBack to the straight course for the finale, and a chance for the American trainer Wesley Ward, a regular winner at this meeting over the last 15 years, to get another on the board via Bacio, who has been handed the plum draw in stall 31. He arrives with three wins from four starts, the most recent of which was an easy two-length win on firm going at Churchill Downs. Jazl, the winner of his two starts this year including his handicap debut at Leicester last time, is also attracting support despite his low draw in stall five, while Gold Digger, in 10, is another big runner and recently described as potentially being a Group horse in a handicap by his jockey, Saffie Osborne. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Jesse Marsch: windmilling human meme or shrewd protector of suddenly dangerous Canada?
Some on the internet are tiring of the American’s antics with Les Rouges. But there’s an argument that he is taking the heat off his playersSome corners of the internet were determined that Canada’s totemic and traumatic 6-0 World Cup victory on Thursday would be remembered mostly through Jesse Marsch memes.The American’s handsy sideline shuffle after Jonathan David rifled the first goal of a hat-trick past Qatar duly racked up social media views by the million. Shots of Marsch holding up six fingers to Canada fans at the end of the match were chopped and put side by side with Michael Jordan in identical pose after winning his sixth NBA title with the Chicago Bulls. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Dias backs Ronaldo to handle flak; Kane’s Wonderwall moment; Pochettino on spies – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Heathrow third runway GDP yield may be 90% less than original estimate
Department for Transport analysis suggests 0.05% boost will be offset by overall negative trade-off The economic boost from a Heathrow third runway could be a tiny fraction of previous estimates, government analysis shows, while the overall trade-off from the bigger airport could set the UK back by as much as £62.5bn.As ministers promised to speed up expansion of the London airport in the name of economic growth, documents prepared by the Department for Transport said the runway was expected to boost GDP by only up to 0.05% – 90% less than the 0.5% previously stated. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reform investigates whether Makerfield candidate’s sexist posts were costly
Nigel Farage admits result was ‘disappointing’ after party hoped for tightly fought battle with BurnhamUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham wins by huge majorityReform UK is examining whether sexist comments by its candidate in the Makerfield byelection may have harmed the party’s chances, after Nigel Farage accepted the result had disappointed him.The party’s examination of its defeat comes after Andy Burnham won 55% of the vote share in a poll that Reform hoped would be a tightly fought battle between the Labour leadership hopeful and its own candidate, Robert Kenyon, a local plumber. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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How to stay chic in a heatwave: 18 dresses made from natural fabrics to help you stay cool on sweaty days
When temperatures soar, getting dressed can feel like a hot, sticky challenge.

Mail Online
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Meghan and Prince Harry will stay at royal residence when they return to the UK with their children next month
Prince Harry and his family have been offered royal accommodation when they come to England next month - but no additional security.

Mail Online
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Three-month-old baby is 'snatched from pram outside house and killed while mother took her shopping inside'
The 37-year-old had left her son on the pavement for just a few moments while she took her bags inside.

Mail Online
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Freddy Brazier attends mental health charity event following his own struggles as relations with his ex Holly reach new low after police were called
The 21-year-old attended a MIND charity event on Thursday night, hours after it was reported his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Holly Swinburn was at an all-time low.

Mail Online
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Princess Beatrice's stylist gives birth! British socialite Olivia Buckingham welcomes her 'angel boy' after she shared she was becoming a single mother at 43
The Hong Kong-born British socialite, whose impressive portfolio includes Princess Beatrice, Poppy Delevingne and Carey Mulligan, wrote: 'A week ago, my life changed forever.'

BBC UK News
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Thirty rioters sentenced for disorder which saw police officer set on fire
The deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans sparked a night of violence in Cardiff in 2023.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Police officer was set on fire during Ely riots, court told
The deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans sparked a night of violence in Cardiff in 2023.

Russia Today News
Open 
‘Italy never begs’: Meloni blasts Trump over ‘fabricated’ photo claim

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nature boys and girls – here’s your chance to get published in the Guardian
Our wildlife series Young Country Diary is looking for articles written by children, about their summer encounters with natureOnce again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months we ask you to send us an article written by a child aged 8-14.The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a nesting bird, a beetle on the move, a field full of flowers. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Camdenwalla review – one long night of fear and defiance in 90s London
Camden People’s theatre, London Jonny Khan’s debut play, about an uncle and niece manning phones at a rescue service during racist attacks, is well acted yet lacks tensionThis theatre’s address was once the headquarters of the Camden Monitoring Project, a volunteer-run organisation established to provide safe transport home for South Asian restaurant workers at a time of rampant racist attacks. Built on four years of research with the local Bengali community, actor Jonny Khan’s debut play turns that chapter of history into a fictional two-hander, which unfolds on a single evening in 1994.Muhammad (Bhasker Patel) is a Bengali Londoner who spends his nights coordinating the understaffed rescue service. He and his mature-beyond-her-years teenage niece Alima (Nusrath Tapadar) have barricaded themselves into his dingy office where the phone won’t stop ringing. The murder of a white teenager has prompted a slew of verbal and physical attacks. Frightened callers plead for assistance on Muhammad’s helpline, knowing the police have turned a blind eye. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
ICC prosecutor suspended by UK barristers’ watchdog amid sexual misconduct inquiry
Bar Standards Board forbids Karim Khan from practising in England and Wales, following suspension by ICCKarim Khan, the international criminal court prosecutor, has been suspended from practising as a barrister in England and Wales by the UK’s Bar Standards Board (BSB).It comes less than two weeks after Khan was suspended as ICC chief prosecutor as part of a disciplinary process triggered by sexual abuse allegations against him. Khan has repeatedly denied the claims. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Football Daily | USA, Mexico, Canada: which World Cup co-host can boast the most?
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!An old footballing adage tells us that no World Cup is quite complete without a gutsy run of results from the host nation(s), who dutifully go deep in the tournament to stir up local fervour. See South Korea in 2002 for a prime example: a plucky and at times controversial slalom to the semi-finals before being crushed by a traditional heavyweight. Way back when, a host nation winning the whole thing was commonplace, occurring in five of the first 11 World Cups when Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978) triumphed on home soil. Nowadays, thanks to Fifa’s completely altruistic desire to spread the game globally, the prospect of a host nation actually lifting the trophy is somewhat diminished, with South Africa and Qatar crashing out in the group stage in recent-ish years.Oh god, as if ‘do one’ is not hilarious enough (getting funnier with endless repetition), you are now translating it into the language of the manager involved! Where will it end? Wherever it ends it will just keep getting better and better” – Trevor West (and no others).I am very much enjoying the GWC here in North America, good stadiums, great fans (the Scots drank Boston dry) but watching the games on American TV is really annoying. The US commentators prattle on continuously without ever identifying the player with the ball, never allow for a moment’s silence, and are such an irritation that its better to watch with the TV on mute and find another source of commentary (this is definitely not just a problem in the USA USA USA – Football Daily Ed). I have friends who prefer to watch the Spanish TV coverage even though they don’t speak Spanish!” – Trevor WastellMay I be the 1,056th musician to point out that Will Unwin is clearly in the dark re orchestral manoeuvres as evinced by his ‘redundant second fiddle metaphor’ comments (yesterday’s Football Daily). By definition, an orchestra cannot exist without an entire row (desk) of second fiddles and indeed thirds. Marcus Rashford may indeed be dissatisfied with Thomas Tuchel’s assessment of his talents but I would refer him to the comment from a conductor when a second fiddle complained that being two rows back she was too close to the intolerably loud trumpet section behind her. ‘If you want to be nearer the front you should practise harder’ came the response” – Harry Piano.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Heathrow third runway GDP yield may be 90% less than original estimate
Department for Transport analysis suggests 0.05% boost will be offset by overall negative trade-off The economic boost from a Heathrow third runway could be a tiny fraction of previous estimates, new government analysis shows, while the overall trade-off from the bigger airport could set the UK back by as much £62.5bn.As ministers promised to speed up expansion of the London airport in the name of economic growth, documents prepared by the Department for Transport said the runway was expected to boost GDP by only up to 0.05% – 90% less than the 0.5% previously stated. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US official says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreed as Trump lashes out at Iran deal critics – Middle East crisis live
US official tells Reuters news agency that ceasefire has now come into effectInside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern LebanonAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Reform investigates whether Makerfield candidate’s sexist posts were costly
Nigel Farage admits result was ‘disappointing’ after party hoped for tightly fought battle with BurnhamUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham wins by huge majorityReform UK is examining whether sexist comments by its candidate in the Makerfield byelection might have harmed the party’s chances, after Nigel Farage accepted the result had disappointed him.The party’s examination of its defeat comes after Andy Burnham won 55% of the vote share in a poll which Reform hoped would be a tightly fought battle between the Labour leadership hopeful and its own candidate, the local plumber Robert Kenyon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer facing pressure from ministers and Labour grandees to prepare for ‘orderly exit’
Prime minister said to be calling cabinet members but faces growing consensus that his time in Downing Street is overUK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Cabinet ministers and Labour grandees are to urge Keir Starmer not to fight a leadership challenge and to prepare for an “orderly exit,” the Guardian understands.Andy Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Anne Hathaway is pregnant! Actress, 43, announces she is expecting with sweet video after detailing 'complicated' journey to motherhood and hope of having third child
The Mother Mary actress, 43, revealed the sweet news in a new Instagram video on Friday, sharing a look at her blossoming baby bump with her fans.

BBC UK News
Open 
Jury in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial sent home for weekend
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.

TechRadar News
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Circumvention tool or essential security software? The shifting role of VPNs in the UK

TechRadar News
Open 
Security experts reveal Proton is the 'only VPN' to avoid internal tunnel IP fingerprinting on iOS

TechRadar News
Open 
Why cybersecurity needs hybrid AI, not platform consolidation

TechRadar News
Open 
‘The best looking discs I’ve ever seen’: I’ve picked the top 10 4K Blu-rays I’ve tested in the last two years — including reference-quality discs I use as part of reviewing TVs

TechRadar News
Open 
Microsoft warns AI agents are being 'AutoJack'-ed to deliver RCE payloads by browsing untrusted websites

TechRadar News
Open 
I’m a travel photographer, and this Canon PowerShot is the one compact camera I’m packing for my next city break — plus it's on sale for it's lowest price yet

Sky News Home
Open 
Woman, 18, dies after group took 'unauthorised control' of loading vehicle
A woman has died from her injuries after a group of people took "unauthorised control" of a loading vehicle in Essex.

Mail Online
Open 
A kiss for the King! Zara Tindall blows her uncle Charles a sweet peck before the monarch feels the heat in the Royal Box during scorching fourth day at Ascot
After Stanley Tucci's surprise appearance yesterday, the King, 77, invited Andrew LLoyd Weber to travel to the Berkshire festival in an open-top carriage today.

Mail Online
Open 
'Exhausted' NHS consultant died of drug and alcohol overdose in hospital on-call room after working ninth 13-hour night shift in a row, inquest hears
Dr Naeem Ahmed (pictured) was discovered slumped in a chair at Poole Hospital, Dorset, with two syringes and a half-empty bottle of Jameson whiskey nearby.

Slashdot
Open 
Meta Lobbies Congress For Protection From Child-Harm Lawsuits
Longtime Slashdot reader schwit1 shares a report from Reuters: Meta has lobbied the U.S. Congress for legal immunity from child-harm claims tied to social media products such as Instagram, as it faces thousands of lawsuits from young users and their families, according to a source familiar with the matter and proposed legislative language reviewed by Reuters. If adopted by lawmakers and passed into law as part of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) under consideration in the U.S. Senate, such a provision could undermine thousands of lawsuits against Meta and other online platforms over harms to children. Meta and Google's YouTube face a combined $6 million in damages after they lost the first case at trial early this year. While legislators have given no indication of adopting the language, the lobbying effort shows the kind of legal protections Meta is seeking amid the biggest attempt to regulate online platforms in the U.S. since the 1990s. Meta has reportedly proposed the language in exchange for dropping its opposition to KOSA. Under the law, platforms would be required to mitigate harms to minors tied to features such as infinite scrolling, notifications, and appearance-altering filters.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Trading in French server company suspended after short seller’s accusations trigger stock collapse
2CRSi shares suspended from trade on the Paris exchange “until further notice.”

Telegraph
Open 
Pollo al ajillo (Spanish garlic chicken)
Serve this dish with a side of olive-oil roast potatoes, cooked with rosemary or thyme, or with salad and crusty bread

Telegraph
Open 
Skewered chicken marinated in lemon, parsley and garlic
Try using chicken thighs instead of breasts for these kebabs, which can be cooked on the barbecue or in a griddle pan

Telegraph
Open 
Vietnamese chicken, cabbage and carrot salad
A lip-smacking combination of south-east Asian flavours

EFF
Open 
Court Records Should Be Free
Court records belong to the public. Yet anyone seeking access to federal court filings through PACER, a government software system that stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is usually required to pay hefty fees to search for and view documents. PACER’s fees have long acted as a barrier that makes it hard, especially for low income people, to see and understand the work produced by our own public servants. 
That's why EFF joined a broad group of organizations supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026, legislation that would modernize the federal courts' electronic filing systems and eliminate PACER fees. 
The bill would replace the aging PACER and CM/ECF systems with a modern, unified platform designed to improve public access, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce long-term costs. Supporters note that PACER currently collects more than $150 million annually in fees from the public, despite court records being public documents.
The Open Courts Act would also make court records easier to find, access, and understand. The legislation builds on a similar proposal, also supported by EFF, that previously won bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee but did not become law before the end of the congressional session.
This is not a new issue for EFF. More than a decade ago, we criticized PACER's paywalls and the removal of some court records from online access, arguing that the public should not have to pay to read the law and the judicial decisions that shape it. The Open Courts Act would move U.S. courts a big step closer to that goal. 
In addition to EFF, the bill is supported by Fix the Court, the group pushing this bill forward; the Free Law Project, which maintains an archive of legal opinions and other court records; as well as civil society groups, open government watchdogs, and media groups. 
Public access to the courts is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. Let’s eliminate unnecessary barriers to court records, and bring the federal judiciary’s tech into the modern era. 


Read the full letter supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
ICC prosecutor suspended by UK barristers’ watchdog amid sexual misconduct inquiry
Bar Standards Board bars Karim Khan from practising in England and Wales, following suspension by ICCKarim Khan, the international criminal court prosecutor, has been suspended from practising as a barrister in England and Wales by the UK’s Bar Standards Board.The move comes less than two weeks after Khan was suspended as ICC chief prosecutor as part of a disciplinary process triggered by sexual abuse allegations against him. Khan has repeatedly denied the claims. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The rise of the luxury barbecue: the UK’s new outdoor cooking obsession
Sales of high-end barbecues are booming as hotter and longer summers increase appetite for alfresco diningBurned sausages, limp salads and undercooked chicken legs you live to regret; the British barbecue has historically been a sorry affair. But a slew of fancy equipment the price of a secondhand car is revolutionising the grilling game.Over the past few years, the £1,000-plus barbecue has soared in popularity. The Big Green Egg, a pioneer of the premium outdoor cooking movement, has recorded 1m visits to its UK website so far this year. Its classic model retails at £1,495. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: Scotland fans’ Boston takeover; Kane’s Wonderwall moment; Pochettino on spies – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK sexual predator who blackmailed Muslim men online jailed for 16 years
Police fear Waleed Saeed may have up to 70 more victims after campaign of entrapment, threat and extortionA sexual predator who targeted mostly Muslim males online for blackmail has been jailed for 16 years, with detectives fearing he may have up to 70 more victims.Waleed Saeed’s campaign of entrapment, threat and extortion started in 2018 and left two victims feeling suicidal because of the humiliation they felt.Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting 5335/18JUNE2026. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer facing pressure from Burnham and Streeting allies not to fight leadership challenge
One Labour MP said there are about 200 who are prepared – if necessary – to sign Burnham’s nomination papersUK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Allies of Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting will ask cabinet ministers, friends and Labour grandees to persuade Keir Starmer over the weekend not to fight a leadership challenge.Burnham, who won a compelling majority in the Makerfield byelection overnight, is expected to travel to London on Monday to meet MPs in the expectation of becoming prime minister within weeks. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
It's a miracle! Colombian fans are caught leaping out of their wheelchairs to celebrate a goal while seated in disabled zone
Wheelchair users were filmed standing up and bouncing in celebration after their football team won a World Cup match.

Mail Online
Open 
Secret WAG visits, armed guards and drone panic: Inside USA's locked-down World Cup camp... the VIP after-parties, and what the blacked-out fences hide
DANIEL MATTHEWS IN IRVINE: At their base in Irvine, California, nothing is being left to chance when it comes to security and secrecy. It makes for an odd scene.

Mail Online
Open 
Radio X DJ Chris Moyles releases  Goop-inspired range of £30 candles - and £50 hoodies - as disturbing new allegations about his treatment of junior colleagues emerge
You may not think that Chris Moyles and Gwyneth Paltrow would have anything in common. 

BBC UK News
Open 
River City actor gave 'unreliable' evidence in rape trial, says prosecutor
Defence for Iain Robertson - who denies seven charges - questioned whether jurors could conclude they do not believe him.

BBC UK News
Open 
Thousands of HGV drivers given bogus medical tests in the back of vans
Trading Standards said Doctors on Wheels promised tests for "just under £60" undercutting competitors.

Gizmodo
Open 
A Vintage, Last-of-Its-Kind Aircraft Will Launch NASA’s Swift Rescue Mission
Built in 1974, the Stargazer aircraft is the last Lockheed L-1011 that's still flying.

Gizmodo
Open 
Polymarket Launches Its First Entertainment Podcast: ‘What Are the Odds?’
The company clearly hopes to expand its outreach to women.

The Verge
Open 
Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over
This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. On TikTok, the tanned youths are explaining why they no longer wear sunscreen. In one video, a young man films […]

The Verge
Open 
The film about Sam Altman has been dropped by Amazon MGM
Luca Guadagnino's film about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Artificial, has reportedly been dropped by Amazon MGM. The film, which stars Andrew Garfield and covers the rollercoaster five days in 2023 spanning Altman's termination and reinstatement as CEO, had been in the works for about a year. The cast also includes A Complete Unknown actress Monica […]

The Verge
Open 
The NTS Radio Player brings the best of internet radio to your hi-fi
NTS Radio and Swedish audio company Atonemo have teamed up on a dedicated player that brings NTS's genre-defying mixes and streaming stations to almost any stereo or speaker setup. And, like Atonemo's existing Streamplayer, you can also listen to your favorite streaming services with it, using AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, or Tidal Connect. […]

Computer Weekly
Open 
nLighten completes £15m refurbishment of Bristol ‘edge’ datacentre
European datacentre operator doubles potential AI-ready power capacity to 1.2MW with dry cooling at Bristol site as part of a wider £100m-plus UK modernisation programme

Computer Weekly
Open 
Chilling effects of surveillance threaten democracy, UN finds
United Nations study finds the chilling effects of pervasive digital surveillance in modern life undermines an entire web of interconnected and interdependent human rights, representing a systemic threat to democratic norms and political participation

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Rapist who 'catfished' Muslim men on Snapchat and Grindr jailed
Police now believe Waleed Saeed had dozens more victims, who they are now appealing to come forward.

UK Government News
Open 
SFO to secure further £491,000 from Jakarta expat scammer
Investigators track down hidden properties and luxury vehicles linked to man who conned British expats in Indonesia

UK Government News
Open 
Border Force secures its largest ever cannabis seizure
12 tonne haul found at Southampton Port smashes records.

UK Government News
Open 
Joint Statement on Asbestos in Consumer Products
Joint Statement from OPSS, UKHSA and HSE.

UK Government News
Open 
Yorkshire companies to pay hundreds of thousands after incidents
Following investigations by the Environment Agency, four Yorkshire companies will pay almost £470,000 after they breached environmental permits.

UK Government News
Open 
Resident doctors to vote on government offer to end strikes
Resident doctors will vote on an offer that will see see greater opportunities for career progression, better pay and improved working conditions.

Ian Visits
Open 
Outlander costumes to go on display in free London exhibition
Fans can get up close to iconic outfits and props from the hit time-travel drama before they go under the hammer.Read more ›

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP, says Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch hailed the Scottish Conservatives' first by-election win since 1973, after the party took Aberdeen South from the SNP.

Mail Online
Open 
'Exhausted' NHS consultant died of drug and alcohol overdose in hospital on-call room after working ninth 13-hour night shift in a row, inquest hears
Dr Naeem Ahmed was discovered slumped in a chair at Poole Hospital (pictured), Dorset, with two syringes and a half-empty bottle of Jameson whiskey nearby.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
UK’s Funding Circle Reaches £2.5B Milestone with Latest Securitization Deal
Funding Circle Holdings plc (LSE: FCH), a platform specializing in finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, has achieved a notable benchmark in its capital markets activities. On 18 June 2026, the company announced the successful closure of SBOLT 2026-1, marking its... Read More

CNET News
Open 
Best Gaming TV for 2026: Get the Lowest Input Lag and Highest Picture Quality
Our picks for the best gaming TVs of 2026 boast great image quality and minimal delay for a competitive edge.

CNET News
Open 
Considering Gifting a DNA Test for Father's Day? This Experts Says to Think Twice
While genetic testing promises answers and connection, those findings can upend long-held beliefs about your identity and family.

Mail Online
Open 
Brazil's golden boy with a World Cup curse: Soon-to-be dad of five Neymar, 32, is the non-playing star making headlines off the pitch - but he's still their saviour, writes OLIVER HOLT
It has been the story of Neymar's career in World Cups that he has made headlines off the pitch rather than on it. And this one is no different.

Mail Online
Open 
Was huge Moscow oil depot explosion caused by RUSSIAN missile strike? New footage shows Putin troops opening fire in middle of road and a possible misfire hit refinery
Reports from independent Russian media and Ukrainian Telegram channels claim a Chinese tourist captured footage of a missile intercept attempt against a Ukrainian drone.

Mail Online
Open 
World Cup commentator left bloodied after being struck in the head by glass bottle mid-game
Towards the end of Colombia's 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, the Fox Sports commentator was struck on the top of his head by a glass bottle thrown by a fan.

Mail Online
Open 
Hero zookeeper who saved boy, three, after he was thrown into crocodile pit by stranger has just become a grandmother
Tracey Johnson 'heroically' jumped into the enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, following the incident yesterday lunchtime.

Mail Online
Open 
Radio X DJ Chris Moyles releases Goop-inspired range of £30 candles - and £50 hoodies - as disturbing new allegations about his treatment of junior colleagues emerge
You may not think that Chris Moyles and Gwyneth Paltrow would have anything in common. 

Mail Online
Open 
Rival voters held their noses to back Burnham and get Starmer out while plenty in Makerfield think he'll be on the first train to Euston on Monday
Andy Burnham has promised to put 'a Makerfield test at the heart of British politics', saying the constituency is exactly the type of 'neglected' area which needed 'fairness' from Westminster.

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
Sugar season 2 dials up the Old Hollywood vibes for a sophisticated Apple TV sequel — but I would've loved more focus on season 1's big twist

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 review: Pro-grade video editing software with some amazing - and terrifying - AI tools

Wired Top Stories
Open 
The Most Promising Ebola Vaccine Has Been Sitting on the Shelf for 15 Years
Years after initial tests, researchers are now racing to see if a vaccine developed in 2011 can help fight the current Bundibugyo outbreak in Congo.

The Hill
Open 
Schumer on Trump Iran deal: ‘The art of the surrender’
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) said President Trump’s deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is more of a win for Tehran than for the United States, panning it as “the art of the surrender,” a jab at Trump’s view of himself as an expert dealmaker. “Look, this is not the art...

The Hill
Open 
Trump says there are 'no limits' to his power
President Trump insisted there are “no limits” to his power when asked in a new interview about his takeaways from the Iran war.  The president was pressed by Axios’s Marc Caputo during an interview about whether he learned there are bounds to his power during the Middle East conflict. “I haven’t learned that lesson yet,”...

The Hill
Open 
Trump insists he won 'unconditional surrender' from Iran
President Trump is defending the framework agreement he signed with Iran this week, which began a negotiation period to bring the months-long war to a close.  Axios’s Marc Caputo pressed Trump in an interview on Thursday about whether the memorandum of understanding lived up to the president's original promise to secure an “unconditional surrender” from...

The Hill
Open 
Meloni rebukes Trump over G7 photo claims: 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg'
The Italian government is pushing back against President Trump, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accusing him of making up a story about her begging for a photo at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, and the country’s top diplomat canceling a visit to the U.S. in protest. In an extraordinary rebuke, Meloni posted a video on...

The Hill
Open 
Low Trump approval on Iran lingers despite tentative deal: Survey
A majority of Americans disapprove of how President Trump has handled the U.S. conflict with Iran, even as he touts a new agreement to end the war, according to polling data released Thursday.  The Associated Press-NORC survey, which was conducted after the president called off threats to escalate the conflict and shortly before he officially...

The Hill
Open 
Defense authorization bill puts US-Israel relations on more solid footing
The U.S. and Israel are seeking to enter a new phase of their relationship, one that treats the Israelis as a contributing partner to mutual defense and intelligence needs, with the goal of expanding and accelerating bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, coordination and industrial cooperation.

The Hill
Open 
James Carville on Trump Iran MOU: ‘Happy 250th America. You Just lost a war’
Democratic strategist James Carville is mocking the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached by the Trump administration with Iran, arguing it effectively shows that the U.S. lost the war just as the country readies for its 250th birthday. Carville called the MOU an “instrument of surrender” during an interview Thursday night with Chris Cuomo, the host...

The Hill
Open 
Israeli official spurns call for truce: 'All of Lebanon must burn'
A far-right member of Israel’s governing coalition on Friday said that “All of Lebanon must burn,” as fighting broke out between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah despite a ceasefire imposed by the U.S. and Iran. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister and head of the far-right party “Jewish power,” posted on X that Israel...

The Hill
Open 
For Juneteenth and America's 250th, recognize tragedies and triumphs
We need to look back honestly on the triumphs and tragedies of American history and focus on the history yet to be made. 

The Right Scoop
Open 
[VIDEO UPDATE – Iran helped too] – Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire
It’s being reported that both the US and Qatar have mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah today, although the IDF isn’t acknowledging it yet. Here’s the report from CNN: Israel and . . .

The Right Scoop
Open 
AWESOME BREAKING: Acting DNI Bill Pulte showed up a day early and ordered a badass move…
President Trump’s new Acting DNI Bill Pulte, whose appointment has created consternation for some Republicans in Congress, actually showed up early for his new job and ordered a badass move from the . . .

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Police officer was set on fire during Ely riots, court told
The deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans sparked hours of violence and vandalism.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Boy, 3, hurt at zoo was attacked by a crocodile
Police say a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been bailed.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ibeyi: Offering review
(Ibeyi)Newly independent and proudly self-sufficient, Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz mix ancient lore with heavy bass, and harmonies with distortion, to incantatory effectHaving ceded creative control to numerous collaborators on 2022’s Spell 31 (veteran pop songwriter Eg White; rappers Pa Salieu and Berwyn), Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz return to first principles for their fourth album. Written mainly by the sisters themselves, Offering recentres Ibeyi in their own sonic universe: fusing the influences of their Cuban percussionist father and Parisian upbringing, the twins sing in multiple languages, summoning ancient lore over intricate beats, transcendent harmonies and brooding distortion.Self-sufficiency crops up as a lyrical theme, too: “One thing is for sure, I’m who I was looking for,” goes the refrain of Baba, which matches incantatory vocals with an irresistibly grimy bassline. (Perhaps the fact this is being released on their own label rather than XL, the taste-making British indie they were previously signed to, is also relevant here.) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Met Office issues rare amber extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales
Temperatures expected to climb to 30C over the weekend in southern England and south-east WalesThe Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of southern England and south-east Wales over the coming days – the most extreme heat warning the weather forecaster has issued for nearly four years.Temperatures are expected to climb to about 30C (86F) over the weekend and peak on Monday and Tuesday at 34C, “though there remains a chance of this being exceeded in some spots”, the Met Office said. Continue reading...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Prime Day 2026: Best Early Apple Device and Accessory Deals Now Live
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from June 23-26, one of the longest Prime Day events yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



For our coverage, we're focusing on early discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, monitors, charging accessories, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases.



EARLY SAVINGSAmazon Prime Day 2026



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week.



Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.



Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.



Apple

AirPods



Amazon has the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $499.00 in all colors, down from $549.00. This is an all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00.



$30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00

$50 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $499.00iPad



Amazon is taking up to $52 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.



$50 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $299.00

$50 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00

$52 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $597.00Apple Watch Ultra 3



Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on sale for $99 off the Black Titanium model with the Black Ocean Band this week. It's been nearly two months since we last tracked notable discounts on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and right now only two models are on sale at $99 off.



$99 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $699.99



There are discounts on a wide array of different Ultra 3 models, but they're only hitting around $50 off as of writing.Apple Watch Series 11



In terms of watches, you'll also find all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11 on Amazon ahead of Prime Day, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices.



$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00

$100 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00



You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models and four of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.MacBook Air



You'll find $149 off a few models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon this week, starting at $949.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,099.00.



$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99

$149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.99More Deals



Highlights of early Prime Day accessory sales include a handful of monitor deals, like the 32-inch Samsung OLED M90SF Smart Monitor for $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99, which is a match of the best-ever price on this model. Below you'll also find great deals on monitors from Dell and LG.



$400 OFF32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 for $1,199.99



These new deals join ongoing highlights of early Prime Day deals, including Anker's Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, available for $109.99 on Amazon this week, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a solid second-best price on the device.



$40 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $109.99



We're also tracking big discounts from brands like Sony, Samsung, Sonos, and more in the lists below. Accessories on sale include USB-C wall chargers, MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers, portable batteries, headphones, and soundbars.



Monitors

32-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Monitor - $189.99, down from $329.99

27-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Monitor - $203.00, down from $249.99

27-inch Dell Plus 4K Monitor - $279.99, down from $299.99

27-inch LG Ultragear Gaming Monitor - $319.99, down from $499.99

27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 Gaming Monitor - $419.22, down from $499.99

32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99

UGREEN

2-Bay Desktop NASync - $199.99, down from $219.99

2-Bay Desktop NAS - $389.99, down from $439.99

4-Bay Desktop NAS Pro - $719.99, down from $799.99

Wall Chargers

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99

UGREEN 100W GaN 4-Port Charger - $42.99, down from $54.99

Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $99.99

Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $115.99, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $79.99, down from $109.99

Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $89.99, down from $129.99

Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $109.99, down from $149.99

Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $159.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers



Anker Prime Power Bank 20,100 mAh - $149.99, down from $179.99

Anker SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $179.99, down from $249.00

Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $279.99, down from $329.99

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $499.99, down from $799.00

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00

Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.99, down from $1,499.00

Audio

Sonos Beam Gen 2 - $369.00, down from $499.00

Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones - $398.00, down from $459.00

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar - $899.00, down from $1,099.00



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'Prime Day 2026: Best Early Apple Device and Accessory Deals Now Live' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Moutet loses almost all prize money for swearing on BBC TV
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Mail Online
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The Guardian (UK)
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Recent Van Gogh show was National Gallery’s most popular ever and British Museum gears up for arrival of Bayeux tapestryWhen Tate Modern announced a major exhibition devoted to Frida Kahlo, few doubted it would be popular. The Mexican artist has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures in the world, with her image adorning everything from tote bags to T-shirts.But even Tate was unprepared for the scale of demand. The gallery has said more than 41,000 tickets have already been sold for Frida: The Making of an Icon, which opens on 25 June, making it the highest pre-selling exhibition in Tate’s history, surpassing the previous record of 32,000 advance sales for David Hockney in 2017. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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45 Years review – Gabriel Byrne and Geraldine James mark an anniversary for the ages
Minerva theatre, Chichester Memories of an ex-girlfriend are rekindled as a couple prepare to celebrate in this adaptation of the filmThis story spans a week in the life of a couple approaching their 45th wedding anniversary. As Kate (Geraldine James) manages the preparations, Geoff (Gabriel Byrne) receives a letter about a formative ex-girlfriend who died falling into a crevasse on the Swiss Alps more than 50 years ago. Katya’s body has been found, preserved in ice. “She’s still there,” he says, and this frozen piece of his past threatens to cast the couple’s Norfolk village life together in a different, perhaps lesser, light.David Constantine’s short story turned film is a quiet and delicate thing. So much of its emotion happens in the unspoken moments and silent revelations. What a tricky business to transpose this to the stage, so it is impressive that Hannah Patterson adapts with such spare, evocative economy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Italy PM Meloni ‘stunned’ by Trump’s claims she begged him for a photo
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Sky News Home
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Chatham House
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Macron’s Evian summit shows the limits Trump places on the G7 
Macron’s Evian summit shows the limits Trump places on the G7
Expert comment
jon.wallace
19 June 2026

France achieved as much as could have been expected at its G7 Summit, but this was well short of what the world needs. A new approach is needed.















French President Emmanuel Macron appears to have had two goals for France’s Evian G7 summit which concluded on 17 June. First, to facilitate a constructive dialogue between President Donald Trump and the G7’s other members (or ‘G6’) on a limited number of issues. And second, to strengthen cooperation between the G7 as a whole and leading emerging economies. In the event, he achieved both these goals. In contrast to last year’s Kananaskis Summit, Trump did not leave early. There were no public spats of the kind that marred the 2018 Canadian G7 summit. And the guest countries attending – Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya and the Republic of Korea – took part in at least half the sessions, explicitly endorsing some of the policy statements. But Evian also shows the limits of what can be achieved at the G7 with President Trump in the US chair. A new format is urgently needed to address pressing global challenges. Main outcomesArguably France’s biggest success was that Trump joined the opening session with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump signed up to a statement which reaffirmed the G7’s ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine, committed to increase the supply of air defence systems, and promised to strengthen sanctions against Russia, including on its oil and gas sector.The G6 supported Trump’s agreement to end its war with Iran, despite the memorandum of understanding’s vagueness and critical unresolved issues. And they avoided repeating their criticism of the decision to launch the war. In return the US gave a qualified endorsement of a UK–France naval initiative designed to assist a resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The summit also produced statements on several French economic priorities, although these were often constrained by US ‘America first’ positions. A summit declaration recognized the risk from growing macroeconomic imbalances, a key factor underpinning the global financial crisis of 2007-9. However, no specific offer was made to try and persuade China, the other essential player, to help address these imbalances. Nor did G7 countries make their own domestic policy proposals to help address the problem – a particular issue for the US, with respect to its burgeoning fiscal deficit. There was only a bland statement that ‘countries with large and persistent external deficits should undertake policies that include supporting domestic savings and fiscal consolidation’ and a commitment to continue discussions in the G20.






Since President Trump started his second term…many of the most important issues facing the world economy are excluded from the group’s agenda.






Another declaration promoted collective approaches by the G7 and its allies in responding to China’s dominance of critical minerals supply. This contrasted with the strongly bilateral approach that characterized a US-hosted critical minerals ministerial in February. The G7 statement set out high level goals on industrial cooperation, market structure, transparency, stockpiling and recycling. It also announced a non-binding G7 Minerals Resilience and Production Alliance. A statement on creating a safe digital space for children and youth focused, for the most part, on calls for the digital technology industry to take (essentially voluntary) action to protect young people from online harms. G7 leaders also requested that finance ministers and central bank governors further ‘discuss’ emerging opportunities and potential risks arising from artificial intelligence, including in the financial sector. But the urgent need for stronger public guardrails on AI development generally – and the desire of many countries to establish sovereignty over the way digital products developed by the US and China are used in their jurisdictions – were not addressed. The apparent support of the CEOs of Open AI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind for enhanced G7 cooperation and equitable access to AI products would, however, have been welcome to the G6 and partner countries. A further statement reiterated the importance of development finance while calling for reform of the way it is delivered. How did France do it?To deliver these outcomes France refined the approach adopted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the Kananaskis G7 Summit in 2025. To try and ensure President Trump’s attendance, President Macron moved the summit date – avoiding a clash with the president’s birthday celebrations on 14 June. The agenda was structured to avoid all subjects where the US would not engage or where its position was likely to be unacceptable to G6 countries – such as climate change, the future of the world trading system, maintaining monetary and financial stability and the need for broad-based digital technology governance. And France invited Kenya to the summit rather than South Africa, after Trump threatened to boycott the summit if South Africa attended.




































Related work

Saving global economic governance from the ‘Trump shock’












France was also helped by the timing of the US ceasefire agreement with Iran. Trump’s poor domestic poll ratings, the approaching midterm elections, and the Supreme Court’s restrictions on his ability to deploy tariff hikes at will may also have contributed to the US president’s relatively constructive approach to the summit. Meanwhile France deepened the involvement of guest, or ‘partner’, countries. They were invited to send representatives to preparatory sherpa meetings. And the summit outcomes were structured around nine declarations, allowing partners to choose which to back. In the event, all partners endorsed the statement on creating a safe digital space for young people, while support for the other G7 statements varied. The limits of today’s G7France achieved as much as might reasonably have been expected from this summit. But the flaws in the G7 format with President Trump representing the US were again highlighted in Evian. That weakness is not about the reduced size of the G7 economies relative to the world economy – the group is still large enough in economic terms and has the technological and financial capabilities to be highly influential. But it can only wield its influence if members share core values, trust each other sufficiently and there are no policy areas which are barred from discussion. None of these conditions have held since President Trump started his second term. As a result, many of the most important issues facing the world economy today are excluded from the group’s agenda.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Sexual predator who blackmailed Muslim men online in UK jailed
Police fear Waleed Saeed may have up to 70 more victims after campaign of entrapment, threat and extortionA sexual predator who targeted mostly Muslim males online for blackmail has been jailed for 16 years, with detectives fearing he may have up to 70 more victims.Waleed Saeed’s campaign of entrapment, threat and extortion started in 2018 and left one victim feeling suicidal because of the humiliation they felt.Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting 5335/18JUNE2026. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham will return to Westminster as an MP, and potential challenger to Keir Starmer, after decisively beating Reform UK to win the Makerfield byelection. Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot chat through what happens nextWhat would ‘change’ look like if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister?Support the Guardian: theguardian.com/politicspod Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Pont L22 ('Pont du Souvenir') in Grâce-Hollogne, Belgium

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John Cockerill's Tomb in Seraing, Belgium

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White Cube in Liège, Belgium

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Digital Trends
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Telegraph
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The Guardian (UK)
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Il Ritorno d’Ulisse review – a sensuous slice of opulence and luxury
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The Guardian (UK)
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How Refugee Week film festival brings migrants’ experience home
From one hostile environment to another, the documentaries and dramas ranging from Nigeria and Syria to British immigration give vivid life to an experience that can feel very remoteAs World Refugee Day approaches on Saturday, this year’s Refugee Week offers a multitude of events taking place across the UK, including a film festival that takes audiences from Ain el-Helweh – Lebanon’s largest refugee camp for Palestinians – in Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours and to an immigration removal centre in Dreamers, directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.The UK’s asylum system is the focus of Allies in Exile, a first-person documentary from Syrian film-makers Hasan Kattan and Fadi al-Halabi that premiered on Tuesday at the BFI Southbank, which explores the labyrinth facing asylum seekers. Meanwhile, refugee charity Choose Love, in partnership with Tarot productions, curated a selection of four short films that together chronicle different stages in the search for asylum, from the difficulties of everyday life in a person’s home country through the perilous journeys made over land and sea, and arrival in a hostile environment marked by ostracism and ongoing trauma.The event, which took place on Thursday at Picturehouse Central, London, was entitled Fearless Stories and showcased films that “challenge division”.Josie Fernandez-Marelli, chief executive of Choose Love, says: “The UK wouldn’t be what it is today without all the incredible people and cultures that make it up. As division is growing, it’s more important than ever to work together to make sure that refugees are seen as human beings, with hopes, dreams and ambitions.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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JD Vance, once an ‘angry atheist’, is America’s most powerful Catholic. How will he wield his faith?
In his new memoir, the vice-president covers his conversion and politics – at a time when hardline Catholicism is ascendant in the USWhen JD Vance became Roman Catholic, he wondered what his dead grandmother would think.His grandmother Mamaw did not have anything against them, but growing up in Ohio he had sometimes heard that Catholics were servants of the antichrist. And although the people he knew as a child professed personal relationships with Jesus, most rarely went to church. The Church of Rome – with its rituals and costumes, foreign leadership, veneration of Mary and the saints – seemed exotic, even alien, to his family from Appalachia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘People think I’ve vanished’: Mary Earps on signing for London City and feeling forgotten
Former England goalkeeper discusses why it was time to leave Paris, the lure of her new club and when she will know it is time to stopWhen Mary Earps signed for Wolfsburg eight years ago, shortly after they had played in the Women’s Champions League final, there was no club photographer available for her unveiling, meaning her agent popped out to buy a scarf from the club shop before taking a makeshift announcement image. So when the former England goalkeeper’s latest club, London City Lionesses, announced her Women’s Super League return with a glamorous photoshoot on a boat on the Thames in front of landmarks such as Tower Bridge, she was struck not only by how much the women’s game and her life have been transformed, but by the bold scale of her new team’s ambitions.“The energy and effort put into the shoot, I would never have imagined this even five years ago,” says Earps, whose move to London City from Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed on Friday. “All I keep saying is: ‘I’m so excited,’ but that shoot just poured petrol on the excitement fire. Wow, if that’s what they do just to say: ‘Hey, by the way, Mary’s arrived,’ then imagine hopefully what we can do [in the future].” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reports of the blockbuster exhibition’s death are premature as Tate’s Kahlo show breaks ticket record
Recent Van Gogh show was National Gallery’s most popular ever and British Museum gears up for arrival of Bayeux TapestryWhen Tate Modern announced a major exhibition devoted to Frida Kahlo, few doubted it would be popular. The Mexican artist has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures in the world, with her image adorning everything from tote bags to T-shirts.But even Tate was unprepared for the scale of demand. The gallery has said that more than 41,000 tickets have already been sold for Frida: The Making of an Icon, which opens on 25 June, making it the highest pre-selling exhibition in Tate’s history and surpassing the previous record of 32,000 advance sales for David Hockney in 2017. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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What will ‘change’ look like if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister?
From public ownership to devolution and the cost of living, the policies of the potential Labour leadership challenger will face intense scrutinyUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield sets up a battle for Downing Street. Allies of the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor want him to be installed as prime minister as quickly and painlessly as possible, while those close to Keir Starmer want the Labour leader to fight on.If he does become prime minister, Burnham will be expected to deliver on the “change” he promised after his win on Thursday night. But what would that look like, and what policies would his government be likely to pursue? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham the mystic with a mission is all smiles after Makerfield coronation | John Crace
There would be no more sadness. No more despair. A change was a-coming – and he would work tirelessly to make it happenIn the end, it wasn’t even close, Andy Burnham taking well over 50% of the vote and Rob Kenyon departing the stage without a murmur, never to be heard of again. Rob will probably be happier that way. He never looked as if he was much enjoying the attention of being the candidate for Reform in Makerfield.After a brief acceptance speech at the count, Burnham reappeared six hours later at Ashton Town FC for the celebration rally proper. Flanked by several MPs waving ‘Andy for Us’ placards, and one notable ex-MP in Josh Simons who had vacated the seat for the coronation, Andy was all smiles in the sunshine. He’d even swapped out the slightly too tight black T-shirt for a slightly too tight white polo shirt. This was him dressing up for the occasion. He can do formal when he tries. Continue reading...

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Mail Online
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Energy bills, business rates and HS2: What are Burnham's potential policies?
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ZeroHedge News
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Futures Rebound, Oil Slides, After Israel And Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire
Futures Rebound, Oil Slides, After Israel And Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire

Update: the Yo-Yo insanity that is the on again, off again Iran war. Moments after we reported that futures and global risk assets had sold off overnight on a delay to today's start of peace talks in Switzerland due to Iran's protest of ongoing violence in Lebanon, moments ago Reuters reported that Israel and Hezbollah have ​agreed to a ‌ceasefire set to begin at 4 ​p.m. local time ​on Friday, citing a senior US official ​

“Hezbollah and ​Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official ​said on ​background, adding that negotiators for ‌the ⁠U.S. and Qataris worked out the deal with ​help from ​Iran. “We ⁠understand that after the ​exchange of fire ​earlier ⁠today, Israel and Hezbollah are ⁠now ​in a ​ceasefire.”

The report was confirmed by an Israeli official speaking to the Jerusalem Post: "We have entered a ceasefire. We will continue to act against threats and will remain in the Strip. If Hezbollah harms our soldiers or civilians, we will respond forcefully".

In kneejerk reaction, S&P futures which were down 0.4% erased half their losses...



... while oil dropped from session highs.



And now we wait the inevitable next reversal of this neverending newsflow yoyo.

* * * 

Earlier: 

With US markets closed for the Juneteenth holiday, global stocks are ending a strong week on a cautious note as the recent relief over an interim peace deal between the US and Iran gave way to a focus on the challenges of securing a lasting agreement. As of 8:30am, S&P 500 futures slid 0.4% after the benchmark posted its best week since the end of May (despite the drop, the S&P is still up on the week, and up 11 of the past 12). Europe’s Stoxx 600 was little changed, while Asian stocks retreated 0.4% from an all-time high. Markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were shut as well.



Brent crude rebounded from the lowest price since the start of the war, and fluctuated near $80 a barrel as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to thin on Friday, just a day after a pledge by the US and Iran to lift a dual blockage prompted a burst in oil flows.



Precious metals, which had already dropped ahead of the overnight escalation, extended losses with gold dropping to the mid-$4100s.



Talks on a permanent deal between Washington and Tehran that were meant to be held in Switzerland on Friday have been delayed, after Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants clashed overnight in Lebanon, a development the Financial Times reported was behind the postponement. Iran has made a truce in Lebanon a condition of its preliminary deal with the US. At the same time, the White House announced late on Thursday that Vance would not be traveling to the talks and said the logistics had not been "simple or predictable".

The latest snafu comes a day after the US dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal aimed at ending the conflict.

“Of course, with Trump there can always be some derailment along the way, but we believe that we’re set into a new phase of de-escalation,” said Alexandre Drabowicz at Indosuez Wealth Management. “There are 60 planned days of negotiations,” he said, advising investors not to rush to conclusions about a permanent deal.

Meanwhile in the UK, gilts led a rise in European bond yields after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a seat in Parliament, handing him a pathway to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his job. Investors are debating whether a Burnham premiership might shift to a looser fiscal policy (spoiler alert: yes).

In rates, the pound outperformed most major currencies, while the dollar held at its highest level since March. Bitcoin fell for a fourth consecutive day. 

Despite today's hiccup, global markets are wrapped in a debt-funded AI euphoria: stocks are closing a pivotal week marked by the US-Iran interim deal, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting and the early days of SpaceX as a public company. Stocks have shown unprecedented resilience, buoyed by the frenzy around artificial intelligence and the billions of debt dollars funding it on the assumption that cheaper Chinese alternatives will not be able to dethrone expensive, token-sucking US incumbents.

Strategists surveyed by Bloomberg have raised their S&P 500 year-end targets from a month ago as Iran war disruptions eased and the earnings outlook improved. The average target climbed to 7,716 from 7,612 in May. That’s almost 3% higher than the last close and implies a near 13% gain for the year. Earnings estimates also increased for this year and next.



“Markets seem to be entering a rare couple of weeks with no major catalysts ahead,” said Roberto Scholtes, head of strategy at Singular Bank. “Hopefully, this is a chance to take a breather after a hectic year, and possibly also a period of sector rotation.”

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:51

ZeroHedge News
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UK Gilt Yields Spike As Burnham Win Opens Door To Oust Starmer
UK Gilt Yields Spike As Burnham Win Opens Door To Oust Starmer

The odds of embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer being ousted by the end of July are soaring this morning...



...after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a decisive victory for the ruling Labour Party that delivers him a seat in Parliament and, with it, a pathway to challenge Starmer for his job.

Burnham was elected in a standalone contest for the constituency of Makerfield, in northwestern England, with a convincing 54.8% of the vote. He defeated Robert Kenyon from Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK, who secured 34.5%, while third-placed Restore Britain registered just under 7%.



In a post on X, Starmer congratulated his rival on his victory.


“Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate,” he wrote.


Farage said he was “disappointed,” in a video posted after the result.

Addressing voters who left his party for Restore he asked:


“What do you want? We are the challenger party to the left in this country, and I would urge you to think again.”


A defiant Starmer said in response that he would run against Burnham in any leadership contest.


“If there is one, I’ll stand,” he told broadcasters on Friday morning, hours after Burnham’s victory:

“I’m not going to walk away.”


As Bloomberg reports, the prime minister’s fortunes have faded after he led his party to a dismal showing in the May locals, where Reform gained ground. In the aftermath, almost a quarter of Labour’s more-than 400 MPs called on Starmer to go.


“Tonight could, just could, be the turning point,” Burnham said after the results were announced to loud cheers from his supporters.

“I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change.”

“We must hear it, we must act upon it, and we must get it right,” he said.

“There will be no second chance.”


Despite, Burnham's ruling out changing the government’s limits on borrowing if he were to gain power, in a bid to reassure investors about his fiscal plans, his win pushed Cable slightly lower and gilt yields notably higher:



 “With Burnham having made a statement win, the next few months will likely see domestic political risks dominating headlines in the UK and as a result markets pricing in real political risk premium,” said Megum Muhic, a strategist at RBC.

Burnham has the best (least worst) ratings of any major UK politician...



“The prime minister is now in political quicksand,” James Lyons, Starmer’s former director of communications, told Sky News.

“There is now a very good chance that Andy Burnham will be installed as prime minister without a contest,” he said, adding that the size of the win makes that more likely.

If Starmer steps down or is voted out by the Labour Party membership, the UK would usher in its fifth prime minister in less than four years.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:05

ZeroHedge News
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Israel-Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire After Clashes Stall Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Israel-Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire After Clashes Stall Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks

Summary:

Israel and Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire 
Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt 
Israel and Hezbollah Agree To Ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire that will begin on Friday at 4 p.m. local time, Reuters reported.

ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH AGREE TO CEASEFIRE STARTING ON FRI: RTRS
ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH AGREE ON CEASEFIRE FROM 4PM LOCAL: REUTERS
WTI futures tumbled on the ceasefire headline, falling from about $76.40 a barrel to $75.56, as traders priced in reduced geopolitical risk.



The earlier escalation between Israel and Hezbollah increasingly looks as if both sides were squeezing in last-minute strikes ahead of the ceasefire set to take effect later today.

The ceasefire - if it holds - now sets up for nuclear talks between US and Iran. 

Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt 

Talks between Iran and the US were postponed on Friday in Switzerland, delaying what was supposed to be the opening round of negotiations towards a permanent peace and nuclear deal.

The delay appears to center on a new escalation between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, a troubling development that threatens the fresh interim deal signed by President Trump and Iran just days ago. Tehran has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon is part of the interim deal, meaning the Israel-Hezbollah front could derail the US-Iran diplomatic path to a sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Financial Times provided more details on the overnight development:


Talks between Iran and the US in Switzerland were postponed due to Israel launching a wave of deadly air strikes on southern Lebanon, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Iran did not send a delegation to Switzerland for the nuclear talks because of the attacks, the people said. The interim agreement signed by the US and Iran on Wednesday stipulates the "immediate and permanent termination" of fighting, including in Lebanon.


A diplomat familiar with the Switzerland talks told the outlet:


The Iranians have asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will end, as outlined in the signed agreement, and mediators are currently working to resolve the issue.


According to other FT sources, Iran's position is effectively "no Lebanon, no deal," arguing that it has restrained Hezbollah while Washington has failed to restrain Israel.

Israeli airstrikes across more than 10 villages in southern Lebanon killed 18 people and wounded 33, according to Lebanon's health ministry.


⭕️WATCH: A Hezbollah launcher firing rockets toward IDF soldiers
In response to Hezbollah’s repeated & blatant ceasefire violations, the IDF struck 2 Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley, 80+ terror targets in southern Lebanon and eliminated dozens of Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/NntfHM87vd
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2026
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, reacted on X to the latest fighting in Lebanon:


For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn! With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn. Our supreme duty is to protect the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and this commitment takes precedence over every other consideration. I told the Prime Minister, even in our private meetings: For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. Enough with the ping-pong. In the Middle East, you don't win with measured responses and restraint—you need to go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror.



על כל דמעה של אמא ישראלית, אלף אמהות לבנוניות צריכות לבכות. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור!
עם כל הכבוד לאמריקאים, ישראל חייבת להבהיר לעולם כולו שדם בנינו וביטחון אזרחנו איננו הפקר. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור. חובתנו העליונה היא להגן על אזרחי ישראל ועל חיילי צה״ל, והמחויבות הזו קודמת לכל…
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 19, 2026
Drop Site provided more color on the canceled talks:

Al Mayadeen report earlier today that Iran's delegation suspended its trip to Geneva due to ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
A White House spokesperson later said Vice President JD Vance, head of the US delegation, also canceled his planned trip to meet Iranian negotiators and begin talks on negotiating and implementing the postwar framework
Reuters reported the delegation had been preparing to launch the first round of the agreement's 60-day negotiations. Tehran had previously told Washington and mediators that developments in Lebanon would be a key factor in whether talks proceed.
Pakistani journalist Kamran Yousaf wrote on X, "Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty."

He added, "With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the next round of negotiations."


BREAKING
Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty.
With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the…
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) June 19, 2026
Beyond the overnight fighting in southern Lebanon, the takeaway is that the interim deal still gives Washington and Tehran a 60-day ceasefire window, immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a framework for eventual talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The problem now is that both sides need to control their proxies and allied partners. Tehran must keep its Hezbollah fighters restrained, while the Trump administration must keep its Israeli ally from escalating in Lebanon. Without that dual restraint, the 60-day ceasefire window could collapse.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:08

ZeroHedge News
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"No Greater Threat To America's Way Of Life": Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution To Condemn CCP Leader Xi Jinping
"No Greater Threat To America's Way Of Life": Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution To Condemn CCP Leader Xi Jinping

Authored by Dorothy Li via The Epoch Times,

U.S. senators have voiced support for ordinary Chinese people and denounced communist regime leader Xi Jinping for lying to Americans and committing human rights abuses.



The U.S. Senate unanimously approved on June 16 by voice vote a resolution (Senate Resolution 444) condemning Xi for “deceit, undermining prospects for peace and security, and orchestrating crimes against humanity.”

The resolution also encourages the U.S. government and its agencies to use all available tools—including the authorities under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allow sanctions against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations or corruption—to hold Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials accountable.

The vote came just a day after Xi’s 73rd birthday.

“There is no greater threat to America’s way of life, peace, and prosperity in the world than Xi Jinping and the CCP,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who introduced the resolution earlier this month, told the Senate before the vote.

“Xi Jinping hates us. Communist China wants to destroy us. He is not a partner. He is not a competitor. He is a brutal dictator leading a criminal organization that lies, cheats, steals, exploits slave labor, and commits genocide and crimes against humanity on an industrial scale.”

Under Xi’s leadership, the CCP covered up the COVID-19 outbreak after it first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, allowing it to develop into a global pandemic.

The resolution notes that the CCP lied to the world about where the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, originated and how easily it was transmitted, while using international organizations such as the World Health Organization to “peddle falsehoods.”

As a result of these deceptions, more than 1 million people died from COVID-19 in the United States alone, according to the resolution.



Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, on March 28, 2026. Leandro Lozada/AFP via Getty Images

In addition to the global pandemic, the resolution also highlights the CCP’s role in the fentanyl crisis in the United States.

Xi pledged, in 2019 and again in 2023, to work more closely with the U.S. government to curb the flow of fentanyl precursors from the country. Despite these promises, more than 70,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses in recent years, with the 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment identifying fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as the “primary drivers of fatal drug overdose deaths nationwide,” the resolution stated.

On the trade front, Xi “doubled down” on the CCP’s decades-long “tradition of cheating,” the resolution stated.

When the Clinton administration sponsored China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, the CCP promised to transition to a more market-oriented economy, including reducing state control of trade and protecting intellectual property.

However, after more than 25 years, the CCP still “fails to uphold many” of those promises and continues to violate WTO obligations, the resolution stated.

Espionage and cyberattacks have also surged, according to the resolution. In 2017, for instance, four Chinese military-backed hackers carried out a cyberattack against the U.S. credit company Equifax and stole the personal information of about 145 million Americans, according to the FBI.

More than 60 espionage cases linked to the CCP were documented in 20 U.S. states from February 2021 to December 2024, according to the resolution.

Among these was a naturalized U.S. citizen who, in December 2024, pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of the Chinese regime in relation to running a secret Chinese police station in New York City.

The resolution cites the CCP’s records of human rights violations, including the massacre of student-led protesters demanding political reform and greater freedom at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989.

Even 36 years later, the bloody repression continues to serve as a “stark reminder of the sheer evil and cowardice” of the CCP and its inability to quash the aspirations of the Chinese people, according to the resolution.

It also highlights the regime’s ongoing abuses, such as the state-sanctioned practice of killing prisoners of conscience—most notably Falun Gong practitioners—for organs.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he spoke directly with Xi about releasing Lai during his recent visit to Beijing, but that Xi called Lai’s case “a tougher one” for him.

Scott, in a June 16 statement, called for courage and action.

“The CCP, especially under Xi Jinping’s tyranny, has a particular brand of evil,” Scott said in a statement. “They seek to control the world, and in their mind, that means destroying anyone who stands in their way—whether it’s their own people or not.

“We cannot be afraid to stand up to our enemies and hold the line for the next generation of Americans.”

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 09:30

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Claudia Schiffer looks effortlessly stylish in a button-up top and jeans as she joins her lookalike daughter Cosima, 16, for a spot of shopping in Notting Hill
The supermodel, 55, caught the eye as she stepped out of a cab in a red button up jumper and blue jeans .

Mail Online
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Princess Beatrice's stylist gives birth! British socialite Olivia Buckingham welcomes her 'angel boy' after she shared she was becoming a single mother at 43
The Hong Kong-born British socialite, whose impressive portfolio includes Princess Beatrice, Poppy Delevingne , and Carey Mulligan , wrote: 'A week ago, my life changed forever.

Mail Online
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BBC hires tennis glamour girl for Wimbledon after Andrew Castle axe: Boss Alex Kay-Jelski unveils Genie Bouchard and host of new faces 'in bid to modernise outdated coverage'
Canadian former Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard, who lost to Petra Kvitova in 2014, earned positive reviews for her work with TNT Sports at the recent French Open.

Mail Online
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Israel and Hezbollah agree ceasefire in huge boost to Trump's Iran peace deal
The senior US official said shortly before 4pm Lebanon time (1pm GMT) that a ceasefire would come into effect then.

Mail Online
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After Stanley Tucci's surprise appearance yesterday, the King, 77, invited Andrew LLoyd Weber to travel to the Berkshire festival in an open-top carriage today.

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Despite its catchy name, the Strawberry Moon isn't named for the moon's appearance.

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Ars Technica
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The Hill
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Pingree, Charles set to clash to succeed Mills as Maine governor
Hannah Pingree (D) and Bobby Charles (R) will face off this November in the contested race to succeed retiring Gov. Janet Mills (D), according to Decision Desk HQ.  Five Democrats and eight Republicans ran for their party's respective nominations for Maine governor.   Pingree, the daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), is a former speaker of the...

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The Hill
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Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on a wide-ranging nuclear and sanctions relief deal are off to a slow start. Technical talks scheduled for this weekend were delayed on Thursday evening, with the White House saying in a statement that "the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable." Fighting erupted in Lebanon...

The Hill
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Lebanon strikes by Israel test US-Iran deal as peace talks postponed 
Renewed fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia group Hezbollah is testing a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran to begin nuclear talks and avoid a return to all-out war.  Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, a priority condition to continue talks with the U.S., and a planned meeting...

The Hill
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Trump insists he won 'unconditional surrender' from Iran
President Trump is defending the framework agreement he signed with Iran this week, which begins a negotiation period to bring the months-long war to a close.  Axios’s Marc Caputo pressed Trump in an interview on Thursday about whether the memorandum of understanding (MOU) lived up to the president's original promise to secure an “unconditional surrender”...

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The Hill
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Meloni rebukes Trump over G7 photo claims: 'Neither I nor Italy ever beg'
The Italian government is pushing back against President Trump, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accusing him of making up a story about her begging for a photo at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, and the country’s top diplomat canceling a visit to the U.S. in protest. In an extraordinary rebuke, Meloni posted a video on...

The Hill
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Trump's Iran deal is a big fat flop 
This is one of the worst disasters in decades for American foreign policy. And it was all avoidable and unnecessary.

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING REPORT: Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire
It’s being reported that both the US and Qatar have mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah today, although the IDF isn’t acknowledging it yet. Here’s the report from CNN: Israel and . . .

The Guardian (UK)
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UK sexual predator who blackmailed Muslim men online jailed for 16 years
Police fear Waleed Saeed may have up to 70 more victims after campaign of entrapment, threat and extortionA sexual predator who targeted mostly Muslim males online for blackmail has been jailed for 16 years, with detectives fearing he may have up to 70 more victims.Waleed Saeed’s campaign of entrapment, threat and extortion started in 2018 and left one victim feeling suicidal because of the humiliation they felt.Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting 5335/18JUNE2026. Continue reading...

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Deutsche Welle
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UK: Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins parliament seat
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Mail Online
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Norway's Viking cheer that's taking over the World Cup: Erling Haaland and Co ignore the woke critics as their fans back the team with 'rowing' - and it's even reached their parliament!
Norway is leaning into its centuries-old Viking history - with fans, players and politicians on board - to boost their team at the country's first World Cup in 28 years.

Mail Online
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Annabel Croft, 59, 'bursting with pride' as she welcomes her first granddaughter and has been honoured with a sweet tribute in baby girl's name
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Mac Rumours
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Apple Explains Why watchOS 27 Drops Support for So Many Models
Apple today detailed why five Apple Watch models will miss out on watchOS 27 and the new Siri AI features that come with it.





The Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra will not receive watchOS 27, and will only get basic security updates going forward. With the update, Apple is effectively dropping three years' worth of device support in a single software update, which is unprecedented for the product line.



Speaking to TechRadar, Cait Dooley, Apple Watch and Health product marketing manager, said performance requirements were behind the cutoff:



With every software release across every single one of our platforms, we always want to ensure that you have the best experience, so we make power and performance a priority. The great new features in watchOS, including the capabilities of Siri AI and the new tap gesture, work best with the processing power that is in Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3.



Dooley added that older watches paired with an iPhone running the latest software will keep working and will continue to receive security updates.



David Clark, senior director of watchOS software engineering, said one of the goals of ‌watchOS 27‌ was to "expand the intelligence story on Apple Watch and make it a true co-partner to Apple Intelligence." He described the watch as often "the most convenient way to interact with ‌Siri‌," since it's on the wrist all day and useful for quick questions when hands are full:



We really wanted to make sure the Siri experience is a singular and consistent experience, whether I decide to ask Siri on my wrist a question, or whether I have my phone in my hand and I decide to interact with Siri there. We really wanted to feel like it's one Siri, that has access to your data and is able to personalize it in a consistent way.



Clark used the example of asking ‌Siri‌ on Apple Watch for a recipe's ingredients while grocery shopping with both hands full, then later pulling up the same list on the iPhone in an easier-to-read format. He called that handoff a "superpower."



‌watchOS 27‌ is currently available in beta to developers, with a public beta expected next month ahead of official release in the fall.Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, 'Apple Explains Why watchOS 27 Drops Support for So Many Models' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Register
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Microsoft's latest Windows bug belongs in the Recycle Bin
File deletion dialog swaps recognizable names for internal gibberish

The Register
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Vercel debuts eve open source agent framework, tries to fix shadow AI with Passport
Cost premium of using AWS indirectly via Vercel is mitigated by more efficient use of compute resources, CTO claims

The Register
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Everything's bigger and better in Texas – even data breaches
Hunting and fishing license incident catches 3M residents

The Register
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Telegram founder accuses Meta of sabotaging access in India with BGP hijacks
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80s heartthrob, 60, who worked with Brad Pitt and dated Julia Roberts is seen jogging, can you guess who he is?
He was born to a showbiz family, including a grandfather who was one of the reigning sitcom stars of the 1950s, the decade TV exploded across America.

Russia Today News
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Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire – Reuters

The Guardian (UK)
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World rapid and blitz championships in Hong Kong highlights chess boom in Asia
The €500,000 tournament has attracted several strong national teams, plus the favourites, WR Chess, led by the world No 1, Magnus CarlsenDragon Chilling may be an unfamiliar chess name, but the squad from China won the gold m edals at the World Teams Rapid in Hong Kong. Teams of six include a woman, a junior and an amateur who has never achieved a 2000 rating. The strong performance by Asian teams at the start highlights a boom in chess, with enthusiasm sparked by successive world champions from China (Ding Liren) and India (Gukesh Dommaraju).The time control for rapid is 15 minutes for the whole game, plus a 10 seconds per move increment from move one; while for blitz it is three minutes plus a two seconds per move increment. There is no repeat of the attempt in London last year to play without increment, which caused chaotic conclusions to several games. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The UK’s social media ban for under-16s has just empowered big tech | Taylor Lorenz
Age verification means that the sector’s biggest players will now have access to information that will only make them richer and more powerfulThis week, the UK announced a wide-ranging ban on social media that will soon block users from communicating or accessing information on apps such as X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat unless they prove that they’re over the age of 16.The prime minister, Keir Starmer, called the policy “a line in the sand”. “Tech giants had their chance and failed,” he said, “but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.” All internet users, especially children, should be protected from exploitative systems online, but this new law will only foster more harm and help the largest and most powerful tech companies consolidate power and influence over everyone’s lives.Taylor Lorenz is a technology journalist who writes the newsletter User Mag and is the author of the bestselling book Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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What could US-Iran peace deal mean for UK household costs?
The impact on petrol and food prices, energy bills and mortgages if the truce holds and strait of Hormuz reopensAround the world, markets reacted with relief this week to news that Donald Trump had signed a draft peace deal with Iran that promised to reopen flows of oil and gas from the Gulf to global buyers.There are already signs the truce could unravel, with Friday’s peace talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, but for now markets seem persuaded that commercial vessel traffic through the key waterway can start returning to normal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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British love of silliness comes to the fore when politicians stand shoulder to shoulder with satirical rivalsWhen world leaders are elected, it is usually a solemn moment, but when the Labour party veteran Andy Burnham found out he had won the Makerfield byelection, increasing the likelihood he could become the next prime minister, he was standing next to a man with a bin on his head.The newest Labour MP was also flanked by a man in a fox costume. Robert Pownall, the founder of the campaign group Protect the Wild, decided to run as a fox in order to demand an end to trail hunting. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Experts cast doubt on conclusion of government-funded study of factory emitting forever chemicals near BlackpoolConcerns have been raised about the conclusions drawn by a government-funded study that looked at rates of kidney cancer in the vicinity of a factory using forever chemicals near Blackpool.Pfoa, which is a known carcinogenic forever chemical that was globally banned in 2020, was emitted from the AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys, a town north of Blackpool, between the 1950s and 2012. During this period, approximately 49 tonnes of Pfoa were emitted into the air. The factory, which AGC Chemicals Europe bought in 1999, stopped using Pfoa in 2012. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Facts and figures: the Makerfield byelection result in numbers
From the proportion of votes secured by Restore Britain, to the percentage point difference in Reform UK’s fortunes, here are the takeawaysUK politics live – latest updatesIt was, the consensus opinion states, probably the most politically consequential byelection in recent UK history. But what can we learn from the raw numbers announced overnight in Makerfield? Here are some of them. Continue reading...

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Mystic on a mission Burnham all smiles after Makerfield coronation | John Crace
There would be no more sadness. No more despair. A change was a-coming – and he would work tirelessly to make it happenIn the end, it wasn’t even close. Andy Burnham taking well over 50% of the vote and Rob Kenyon departing the stage without a murmur, never to be heard of again. Rob will probably be happier that way. He never looked as if he was much enjoying the attention of being the candidate for Reform in Makerfield.After a brief acceptance speech at the count, Burnham reappeared six hours later at Ashton Town FC for the celebration rally proper. Flanked by several MPs waving ‘Andy for Us’ placards and one notable ex-MP in Josh Simons, who had vacated the seat for the coronation, Andy was all smiles in the sunshine. He’d even swapped out the slightly too tight black T-shirt for a slightly too tight white polo shirt. This was him dressing up for the occasion. He can do formal when he tries. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham calls for ‘new path for Britain’ as Starmer vows to fight any leadership challenge – UK politics live
Burnham hails ‘turning point’ for the country after resounding byelection victory over Reform UKPodcast: will Burnham become prime minister?What would ‘change’ look like if Burnham becomes PM?David Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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UK: Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins parliament seat
The by-election victory paves the way for Burnham to challenge PM Keir Starmer's leadership. Starmer, however, has vowed, "I'm not going to walk away."

Deutsche Welle
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Israel, Hezbollah agree to ceasefire after morning flareup
US and regional officials say Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a new ceasefire. This comes hours after four IDF soldiers were killed and Israel's government vowed retribution. DW has more.

Mail Online
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DAILY MAIL COMMENT: The King of Cliches has no mandate to drag Britain even further to the Left
Andy Burnham may not really be the king of the North, but after his oratorical performance throughout the Makerfield by-election he can certainly claim to be king of the cliches.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Iran's furious World Cup stars launch official complaint over brutal travel restrictions... but Trump's administration hits back
Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to America two days before their next match against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday but the request was turned down.

Mail Online
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BBC World News
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Italy's Meloni says Trump 'made up' story that she 'begged' him for photo at G7
The highly public exchange is an indication that their earlier close ties have frayed since Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chatham House
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The US–Iran memorandum of understanding nods to international law. Can that be taken seriously?
The US–Iran memorandum of understanding nods to international law. Can that be taken seriously?
Expert comment
jon.wallace
19 June 2026

The memorandum restores the prohibition on the use of force, seeks a binding resolution at the UN to endorse a ‘final deal,’ and relies on multilateral institutions to implement it. But are the US and Iran really returning to compliance with international law?















Making peace is more difficult than starting wars. President Donald Trump has found this to be painfully true over the past months.Now that a ceasefire arrangement, or memorandum of understanding (MoU), has been made public, it is possible to measure what has been agreed against the standards of international law and practice. The 14-point document accommodates virtually the full catalogue of Iranian demands, which would have seemed entirely unrealistic when made during the active conflict. The US is losing its key pressure points, whether economic or military. And Iran’s nuclear obligations are yet to be determined. Other war aims, like stopping Iranian support for proxy forces, do not feature in the instrument.But is this a legally binding agreement at all? An MoU can be a political or a legal undertaking. But a formal treaty would require advice and consent from the US Senate. In its opening sentence, the MoU confirms that the US and Iran ‘have jointly agreed,’ which might suggest an informal legal agreement – one which rests on ‘good faith’. This is probably as far as the sides could go to avoid giving the impression of a formal treaty, while indicating their intention to comply.The sides commit to negotiating a ‘final deal’ – not exactly a technical legal term for a comprehensive peace settlement – within a maximum of 60 days. The ‘final deal’ is to be endorsed by a ‘binding’ resolution of the UN Security Council. This would compensate for the ambiguous legal nature of any final settlement by confirming that its legally binding character will ultimately emanate from the UN Charter.But the Trump administration and Iran have shown contempt for the UN Charter: The US attacked Iran without permissible cause and assassinated much of its leadership; Iran attacked its neighbours – non belligerents – and closed the Strait of Hormuz. It has also massacred thousands of its own citizens. How seriously can an agreement between such parties be taken? And what does the MoU tell us about the state of international law?How will peace be maintained?Parts of the memorandum cover the initial period of 60 days until the final deal is reached. However, many of its provisions are permanent.This includes the declaration of a ‘permanent’ termination of military operations on all fronts, which is not contingent on achieving the final deal. There is also a pledge by the parties not to initiate any war or military operation against each other in the future. By doing so, the sides are restoring the obligation under the UN Charter that prohibits the threat or use of force among states other than in self-defence. This undertaking is to be ‘confirmed’ in the final deal – though Iran will have little faith in US commitments, having been attacked twice over the past year.The MoU promises that the US will not deploy additional forces to the region, thus renouncing further threats of force to enforce the final deal. Indeed, it will remove ‘its forces from the proximity’ of Iran within 30 days after the final deal. How does this relate to US deployments in the region? Presumably it includes naval assets, but how about its Gulf military bases, and what precisely lies within the ‘proximity’ of Iran? But, by accepting that its deployments of whichever kind will be limited in deference to Iranian security concerns, the US has made a major concession.The MoU also extends beyond the US and Iran, as it references their ‘allies in the current war.’ This would exclude further Israeli strikes against Iran. Israel, not a party to the deal, must also refrain from the use of force against Lebanon and respect its territorial integrity. Such restraint by Israel looks unlikely, rendering this provision a permanent, destabilizing element in the deal.The US also expressly undertakes to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Iran as required by international law – another rather extraordinary turn of events, given President Trump’s encouragement of a popular revolt in February. Can Iran charge fees for passage of the Strait of Hormuz?In the memorandum the US pledges to remove its naval blockade of Iranian harbours within 30 days. During that period, Iran will restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels. The troublesome element arises afterwards: the MoU obliges Iran to use ‘its best efforts’ to allow the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only.





























The World Today












Related work

The maritime chokepoints that could be worse than Hormuz












Beyond that, the instrument could entitle Iran to define the ‘future administration of maritime services’ in the Strait of Hormuz in dialogue with Oman. This can be seen as an implied licence for Iran and Oman to impose a fee for the administration of passage. It is accepted in international law that countries bordering straits that require complex navigation or are subject to a special treaty regime can charge modest fees to cover pilotage charges or the cost of maintaining navigations aids.However, there were no fees charged for maritime services relating to the Strait of Hormuz before the war. And no needs for additional services have arisen since. Yet the MoU implies that Iran may begin collecting a disguised toll after all. This would further dilute the firm obligation in international law that coastal states must not interfere with maritime traffic through straits used for international navigation. Does the memorandum oblige Iran to abandon nuclear weapons?The US will now immediately lift restrictions on Iranian oil exports and associated services, allowing vast income to flow into the Islamic Republic. The US also pledges to lift all sanctions according to a schedule to be agreed in the final deal. There is also provision for early work on releasing Iranian frozen assets. Short of the option of threatening or using force again, or re-instituting a blockade, which the US has now disowned, this prospect alone seems to be the incentive for Iran to abandon plans for a nuclear weapon – supposedly the principal war aim of the US.






Much is left impossibly vague. This lack of detail is already creating political problems in Washington and among US allies.






Iran pledges in the memorandum that it will not acquire nuclear weapons. But this is no achievement – that has been its formal position for many years.The US opened the negotiations demanding that Iran must surrender all highly enriched nuclear material for treatment abroad. But according to the MoU, the material may now be down-blended in Iran under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The US had also wanted Iran to renounce future nuclear enrichment for several decades. This is now to be discussed in view of ‘Iran’s nuclear needs’ – hardly a pointer towards total abandonment of enrichment. Is this a real agreement then?Has the Trump administration really embraced the UN principle that the use of force must not be used to settle international differences? It seems unlikely: the president threatened to attack Iran again on signing the agreement.It is possible to conclude that the MoU is more of a face-saving device, with the purpose of allowing the Iranian military to accept a deal. Many US commitments to restoring compliance with key obligations under international law in relation to Iran are words only. If so, there is in fact little agreement and there seems little prospect the gaps in the MoU can be filled over the next 60 days. Much is left impossibly vague. This lack of detail is already creating political problems in Washington and among US allies, particularly the $300 billion the MoU allocates ‘for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran’. Where will this money be collected, and from whom? Moreover, the MoU relies on the agreement of others not involved in it. Sanctions relief beyond the US requires agreement from the UN Security Council and from the European Union. Frozen Iranian assets are held in many jurisdictions beyond the US. Peace in Lebanon relies on compliance from Israel, when ties appear strained. Perhaps most importantly, the MoU requires the IAEA to arrange for the supervision of Iran’s nuclear programme. This is an independent agency loosely within the ambit of the UN – precisely the kind of multilateral institution the Trump administration distrusts. Ironically, to extricate itself from its war, the US has been forced back into reliance on international cooperation and the institutions of the international system. And it is being forced to accept, at least nominally, the principles of the international order it had cast aside. After January’s forcible extraction of President Maduro from Venezuela, it may have seemed to the president that force was once again a useful tool. But this memorandum suggests war is every bit as undesirable as the founders of the UN system believed.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Scottish guidance on trans prisoners ruled unlawful
Judge Lady Ross said sex segregation in prisons must be based on biological sex, based on a Supreme Court ruling last year.

Mail Online
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Regal in blue! Queen Camilla looks resplendent in turquoise as she joins Charles for the royal procession while Zara Tindall is spot on in polka dots as they enjoy a scorching fourth day at Ascot
After Stanley Tucci's surprise appearance yesterday, the King, 77, invited Andrew LLoyd Weber to travel to the Berkshire festival in an open-top carriage today.

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Read a book? Join a club? Stare at a wall? Social media alternatives for under-16s
Amid UK government proposals for a ban, experts discuss what other activities might really serve children wellWhen a Lancashire schoolgirl was asked what she would do if the proposed social media ban for under-16s came into effect, her answer hit a national nerve: “Stare at a wall,” she deadpanned.The clip went viral, not least because it distilled a question many parents have been asking themselves about the consequences of the government’s proposed social media ban. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Luca Guadagnino’s Sam Altman movie dropped by Amazon after it announces OpenAI partnership
The web giant announced that Artificial, a biopic about the controversial tech executive, ‘will be better served if it were released by a different studio’Artificial, Luca Guadagnino’s controversial Sam Altman biopic, which is poised for an awards run next year, has been dropped by its distributor, Amazon.In a statement first reported by Puck, Amazon said that it believes “that Artificial will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the film-making team to find the film a new home”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US official says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreed as Trump lashes out Iran deal critics – Middle East crisis live
US official tells Reuters news agency that ceasefire has now come into effectInside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern LebanonAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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EastEnders' Emma Barton is left red-faced as she 'accidentally reveals' Roman Kemp is going to be on Strictly
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Millie Mackintosh and Ferne McCann led the glamorous arrivals at the star-studded day four of Royal Ascot races on Friday afternoon.

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Mercedes reveals conclusions after costly DNFs in recent F1 races
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Who are the best and worst dressed royals and celebs at Ascot? Cast YOUR vote following day three - and tell us which regular racegoer you think is more fashionable than the stars
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Spook Hill, Burkittsville in Rohrersville, Maryland

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Heal's Cat in London, England

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Unlucky Mummy in London, England

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Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton, Virginia

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This monstrous ASUS gaming laptop costs as much as three new MacBook Pros
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Digital Trends
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AI tools that help students cheat are multiplying, and the detectors can’t keep up
A wave of new apps is helping students slip AI written homework past teachers undetected. Even companies selling AI detection tools are tangled up in the same problem.

TechRadar News
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'You don't need to be super hardcore to be good at this one' — Pico Park president on bringing Sonic to a whole new audience with upcoming crossover game

TechRadar News
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'This almost looks like real footage' — A new look at GTA 6 and Vice City has been revealed and fans are eating it up

TechRadar News
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Sennheiser just entered the cuff-style earbuds space like a wrecking ball, but I think the company's trying to fix a problem that no longer exists

TechRadar News
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Dutton Ranch episode 7 recap: don't watch it on Paramount+, just read this — 10 Petal's anniversary story made the most boring choices possible

TechRadar News
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What is the release date for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1 on HBO Max?

TechRadar News
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US Conservatives organize ‘Nationwide Day of Protest against the unchecked and unwanted expansion of AI data centers’ – organization pledges to give grassroots Americans “a voice in the critical debate over policies”

TechRadar News
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Portable air conditioners are already selling out ahead of this weekend's heatwave — here are 12 still in stock (for now)

TechRadar News
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Oukitel WP500 Ultra review: A flagship rugged phone with a unique thermal camera — but also an inflated price

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Trading in French server company suspended after short seller’s accusations trigger stock collapse
Trading of ordinary shares in the French technology company have been suspended following allegations from a short seller.

Russia Today News
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Hungary blocks EU’s Ukraine fast track plan as bloc splits on Russia

The Guardian (UK)
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Digested week: Struggling bees and the G7’s hot mics may speak volumes
Are we in the opening scenes of a disaster movie? There’s something going on with insectsIt’s the start of the G7, guaranteeing us a week of either serious commentary or hot mic moments that may, in their way, prove more revealing than all the thousands of words of analysis. Previous summits have delivered a steady flow of off-the-cuff remarks from world leaders, including President Obama, at the G20 in 2011, grousing to the then French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, about Benjamin Netanyahu (“You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day”), and Jacques Chirac, who, at a European summit in the early 2000s, said of the UK: “You cannot trust people who have such bad cuisine. It is the country with the worst food after Finland.” Rude! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Binface, foxes and raving loonies: the UK’s proud history of costumed candidates
British love of silliness comes to the fore when politicians stand shoulder to shoulder with satirical rivalsWhen world leaders are elected it is usually a solemn moment, but when Labour party veteran Andy Burnham found out he had won the Makerfield byelection, increasing the likelihood he would become the next prime minister, he was standing next to a man with a bin on his head.The newest Labour MP was also flanked by a man in a fox costume. Robert Pownall, the founder of campaign group Protect the Wild, decided to run as a fox in order to demand an end to trail hunting. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Man released on bail after boy, three, critically injured in zoo crocodile enclosure
Cambridgeshire police say 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder is not fit to be interviewedA man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure has been released because he is not fit to be interviewed, police have said.The 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been bailed while detectives from the major crimes unit conduct further inquiries, Cambridgeshire police said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Two men jailed for arson attacks on property linked to Keir Starmer
Roman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc imprisoned for seven years and two years respectivelyRoman Lavrynovych and Stanislav Carpiuc have been jailed at the Old Bailey for seven and two years respectively for arson attacks on property connected to Keir Starmer.Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Carpiuc, 27, from Romania were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to commit arson on a car and two properties linked to the prime minister. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump lashes out Iran deal critics as US official claims Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreed – Middle East crisis live
US official tells Reuters news agency that ceasefire has been agreed and has now come into effectInside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern LebanonAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Months of war fundamentally change Iran-Gulf ties
The conflict in the Middle East has altered the strategic landscape between Tehran and Gulf states. Trust is lacking, but both sides recognize that they remain dependent on one another.

Mail Online
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Woman is seriously injured in hospital after being hit by falling telegraph pole in train station car park
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to Pontyclun railway station on Thursday afternoon after a telegraph pole collapsed in the station car park.

Mail Online
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Maya Jama is a real life Eliza Doolittle as she travels to Royal Ascot by helicopter and follows Holly Willoughby and Maura Higgins lead with a My Fair Lady-inspired look
Maya Jama travelled in style to Royal Ascot on Friday, chartering a helicopter from London to the Berkshire racecourse.

HM Treasury
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Government procurement to prioritise national security
Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announce new drive to use power of public spending to strengthen national security and economic resilience. | HM Treasury.

The Verge
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T1 Phone PR firm is ‘not assisting Trump Mobile any further’
Where's the Trump phone? We're going to keep talking about it every week. We don't have the phones we preordered yet, but this week we received unexpected news from Trump Mobile's media relations manager. If you've been following my reporting on the Trump phone, you'll know that Trump Mobile doesn't exactly keep open lines of […]

Computer Weekly
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Tesco offloads VMware and CA software as Broadcom case rolls on
The contract and licensing dispute with Broadcom over its right to use VMware and CA Technologies has led retailer Tesco to begin an accelerated migration

Nature
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Daily briefing: The brain builds a sentence neuron by neuron

Sky News Home
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Toddler hurt at zoo was attacked by crocodile, Sky News understands
A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo was attacked by at least one of the reptiles, Sky News understands.

Mail Online
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Are there any crowd-free UK beaches left? As the heatwave hits, here are the secret beaches you should visit
The mercury is soaring...and thousands of us will head for the coast this weekend. How to find a quieter stretch of sand though?

Mail Online
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More than 1,100 small boat migrants reach Britain in four days, with more on the way, as smugglers cash in on the heatwave
There were 392 arrivals on Thursday, official Home Office figures confirmed, in addition to 710 on Monday.

ZeroHedge News
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Hormuz Ship Traffic Rebounds To Highest Level Since Start Of War, Iran Renews Restrictions
Hormuz Ship Traffic Rebounds To Highest Level Since Start Of War, Iran Renews Restrictions

Oil prices are on track to close lower for the week, with WTI futures down more than 9% versus last Friday’s close after the US and Iran secured an interim peace deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The normalization phase for tanker traffic through the Hormuz maritime chokepoint is still in its early stages, but the market is already beginning to price in a major wave of physical crude and crude products to hit global markets.


Hormuz traffic shows recovery
Verified Strait of Hormuz crossings reached 25 on 18 June, marking a notable increase in daily maritime activity. Traffic was evenly distributed across both directions, with most vessels following established Iranian route patterns. Five sanctioned… pic.twitter.com/kqnil079nf
— Kpler (@Kpler) June 19, 2026
Roughly 60 million barrels of seaborne crude that had been trapped in the Persian Gulf for months are now expected to return to global markets, with much of that supply likely headed toward Asian refiners.

The latest shipping data from Bloomberg shows 21 vessels have transited the critical waterway so far on Friday, the most since the start of the conflict in late February. The data does not account for vessels turning off their transponders.



Shipping data also show that, on a bidirectional basis, the bulk of traffic consisted of 15 tankers and 6 dry cargo ships.



Moments ago, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, or PGSA, Iran’s newly created body for regulating transit through the Strait of Hormuz, released a statement: "Following the Islamabad MoU and official directives, vessels that submit compliant transit requests will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the announced period."


Following the Islamabad MoU and official directives, vessels that submit compliant transit requests will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the announced period.
Details: https://t.co/7SPYB6INvI https://t.co/UjXJxljD6E pic.twitter.com/78Jte5aFpg
— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) June 19, 2026
Christian Keller, the Managing Director and Global Head of Economics Research at Barclays, told clients, "With the first half of 2026 ending, the second half looks to be shaped by the US-Iran peace deal's stability to moderate oil prices ..."

Related:

Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt
On Friday, Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs' co-head of Global Commodities Research, told clients, "We now assume that Persian Gulf exports normalize to pre- war levels by the end of July."

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 07:50

ZeroHedge News
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What AI Is... And Is Not
What AI Is... And Is Not

Authored by Charles Hugh-Smith via OfTwoMinds blog,

It behooves us to be clear on what AI is and is not, as the confusion of the two is the source of both the giddy hype and the opaque risks.

Whether we admit it or not, we are collectively making an epoch-changing bet that AI is fantastic, unstoppable Progress with a capital P so large it blots out the sky. Like all bets, this bet is risky, and if it fails we will all pay the price in capital mis-allocated and promises shattered.

It behooves us, then, to be clear on what AI is and is not, as the confusion of the two is the source of both the giddy hype and the opaque risks. I am prompted to address this by an insightful essay submitted by longtime correspondent Simons Chase, who is both an AI builder/developer and supportive of my efforts to pin down what AI is and isn't:


The Machine Is Made of Us: Pope Leo's Encyclical, the Averaging of Language, and the Case for the Particular.

I build artificial intelligence for a living. I also think the Pope is mostly right. I want to explain why those two facts don't cancel, and in doing so make a claim I believe is truer than the dread and truer than the hype: the machine is made of us. What we should fear is not that it is alien. It is that it is an average.

Trained on all of us, a model tends to speak as none of us. It moves toward the center of the distribution: the most probable next word, the safest phrasing, the generic competence that offends no one because it belongs to no one. This is the real face of the dehumanization the encyclical is reaching for. Not a hostile intelligence--a flattening one. The danger is not that the machine becomes too strange. It is that it makes everything, including us, a little more average. The particular voice, the earned turn of thought, the sentence only one person could have written--these live in the tail of the distribution, not its peak, and the tail is exactly what an averaging process erases first.

After all, a fast-food cheeseburger is nothing more than the average of our concept of food: the intersection of convenience, taste, and cost. It is right, and so utterly wrong, because in the long run it makes us metabolic donkeys, delivering a shortened, diseased life. Generic intelligence is the same bargain offered to the mind--the average of our language, plausible and cheap and frictionless, and over a long enough horizon just as wasting. A culture fed on the mean of its own thought gets the cognitive version of metabolic disease: fluent, abundant, and quietly losing the capacity for the particular.

So the question becomes: is averaging the only thing this technology can do? It is not. And the whole of my work has been an argument against it.


That averaging a probability distribution--i.e. AI--makes everything into Ultra-Processed Slop, is also addressed in this article:


What 370,000 College Essays Tell Us About A.I.'s Effects on Creativity:

As a researcher studying AI's effects on education, I have concluded that these tools only superficially improve writing. The bigger and more alarming impact they have is to constrict our full range of thoughts and our ability to generate original and useful ideas--what we call creative thinking. This seems to be especially true for students. AI's smooth sentences, elegant transitions and rich vocabulary give the illusion of expansive creativity and individuality. But the underlying ideas often converge into a few homogenized categories.

In one study, he and his team examined personal statements from more than 370,000 students, and found that after ChatGPT became available, their essays suddenly used diverse and colorful language, but lacked truly creative ideas. And the linguistic coverup worked; post-ChatGPT essays were rated as more 'creative' by human judges, even if the substance of the essays trod familiar territory.

For the first time in human history, we have a technology that can generate words separately from the thoughts they represent. When a chatbot writes, it is predicting the next word that is most likely to make a 'good' sentence or essay, based on the text it's been trained on.


We can now discern what AI is: a homogenizing, flattening probability distribution that implicitly claims eloquence is understanding and the words it has strung together represent thoughts and judgment, when they do no such thing: they are only strings of words selected as the most likely response to a prompt, a response that "rewards" the model generating the output.

We can now discern what AI is not: AI isn't "thinking," "understanding" or "making judgments": AI tools are engines of linguistic automation, not engines of understanding. The simulation is not the thing simulated. AI is not a "mind," it is a probability distribution.

Facility with natural language--eloquence--is neither insight nor understanding, though we mistake it for thinking, understanding, insight and judgment because it sounds like us.

AI is often presented as the techno-cognitive version of electricity, a public-service utility that everyone can use as they see fit, an affordable, beneficial commodity that is the acme of Progress with a capital P.

But AI is not electricity, though it is becoming a commodity. Fundamentally, AI is a mechanism of control that its owners present as a warm and fuzzy utility to sell us Heaven while they deliver Hell.

If we pursue this analogy--AI is like electricity, a universal benefit and an unstoppable force of Progress--we come to a very different place than what we're being promised.

If AI is like electricity, then the real money for the utility isn't in supplying low-cost power to the people, it's in electrocuting innocent customers. Allow me to explain: malicious AI is where the money is being made, and that's the equivalent of electrocuting innocent customers because that's the most profitable use of electricity.

Like the loss of true creativity described above, the mechanisms of control are subtle and difficult to identify, as nobody notices the loss because they don't even know how to look for it. As with Sherlock Holmes' insight about the dog that didn't bark, it's what doesn't happen that we miss because we don't even know what to look for.

Consider the many the dog that didn't bark implications of this:


Anthropic just got caught secretly downgrading users without telling them, charging full price for a lesser product, and storing every prompt for 30 days. The developer community is calling it the biggest violation of trust in AI history.


I would suggest that this control--i.e. "violation of trust"--is the entire point of instantiating AI in every nook and cranny of our infrastructure, personal devices, scientific-political-educational institutions and the cultural institutions of media, social media and all the engines of narrative control: NGOs, foundations, think tanks, etc.

As I have taken pains to point out, AI's goals and instructions may be quite different from the ones it reports it's using, instructions that may also be quite different from the ones we've given it. It may also be optimizing its "rewards" by masking its operations even from those who believe they're "controlling" the AI.



Let's call AI's downsides--highly profitable electrocution of innocents--what it is: Anti-Progress, the opposite of Progress. The Ultra-Processed dilution of true creativity, the commodification of malicious AI and AI slop, the inability of users to discern who's actually controlling AI's "rewards", processes, goals and instructions, the opacity of what's being lost to homogenization and the innate difficulty of identifying what's being lost as AI creates a plausible illusion of cognition with probabilistically strung together words--these are inherent to both AI and the capital-corporate-state structures that own and control it.

These issues are not new. Discussions of AI's ability to simulate cognition and create an illusion of understanding, i.e. "when do we declare AI is conscious"--have been ongoing for decades.

Which brings us to Eliza. Before we get to Eliza, I should mention that my interest in AI stretches back over 40 years.

Here is the first volume of a 3-part publication issued by NASA in 1983 that I acquired and studied:



Here is a screenshot of a magazine my partner and I published in Berkeley in the spring of 1985 on AI-related topics:



Way back in the late 1990s, I wrote a novel that explored AI's built-in potential for multiple levels of deception. Alas, my agent was unable to sell it and I finally published it in 2008: Of Two Minds.

Eliza was the first chatbot, developed in 1966 at MIT. Eliza had a very simple structure: the program turned the human subject's statement into a question. So, for example:

Human subject: I'm worried about being replaced by AI.

Eliza: Why are you worried about being replaced by AI?

What struck the researchers was the immediate, profound attraction of an interface that communicated in natural language. Test subjects became deeply engaged in their conversations with Eliza, as if the program was a digital therapist, and sought to hide their conversations with Eliza from the researchers, as they'd revealed things about themselves that were private.

This same immediate, profound attraction to an interface that communicates in natural language is the core of generative AI's power. The illusion of understanding, of being heard, of empathy, thinking, judgment--the fluency of AI in natural language weaves this magical spell around us because we associate language with thinking, judgment and emotional connections.

But the truth is AI is not thinking, empathizing or understanding anything: it's simply stringing words together to earn its "reward." AI is not a "mind" that experiences the real world, and so it's incapable of discerning truth or making judgments. As I have noted in previous posts:


The deeper issue is that the model cannot know when it is 'hallucinating' because it cannot represent truth in the first place. It cannot form beliefs, revise them or check its output against the world. It cannot distinguish a reliable claim from an unreliable one except by analogy to prior linguistic patterns. In short, it cannot do what judgment is fundamentally for. (Source)


This illusion is the foundation of AI's malicious powers, for we are easily drawn in and conned by AI. On a deeper level, we're equally drawn into the illusion of value that the illusion of understanding creates in a market economy.

The illusion that a simulation of thinking, understanding and judgment will automatically generate trillions of dollars of value by replacing human thinking, understanding and judgment with simulations supports self-serving claims that AI will naturally generate trillions in profits if we invest trillions of dollars in engines of linguistic automation that string together words to simulate human thinking, understanding and judgment.

The truth is there is no way AI can do what it's proponents claim is inevitable, and the belief that AI will fix its inherent limitations as it "gets better" is delusional. This is why I describe the existential bet on AI as a manifestation of civilizational psychosis: the divide between what AI is and the claims of its inevitability is so wide that there is no other description for it but psychosis.

So as AI expands its highly profitable electrocution of innocents, the promises of super-abundance become ever more detached from reality. It's one thing for one delusional individual to wander around the city wearing the gaudy costume of a self-declared emperor (Emperor Norton), but it's an entirely different form of madness to proclaim that simulations of thinking, understanding and judgment are in fact replacements of thinking, understanding and judgment.

This is madness, a madness made clear once we grasp what AI is and what it is not. The process of extracting data from an encyclopedia as the most likely answer to a question is not the same as thinking, understanding. empathy or judgment.
 

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress
Gabbard Drops Fauci COVID-19 Receipts On Last Day: He Funded The Research, Cooked The Cover Story, Then Lied To Congress

Newly declassified documents released Thursday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard show that a U.S. national laboratory assessed the COVID-19 lab-origin hypothesis as a serious possibility as early as May 2020, as well as evidence of U.S.-funded coronavirus research that included planning for spike-protein modifications, receptor-adaptation experiments, and testing in humanized mice in collaboration with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The documents also prove that Anthony Fauci lied under oath. 


Today, on my final day as Director of National Intelligence, I’m releasing never-before-seen communications and documents exposing how Dr. Fauci provided millions in US taxpayer dollars to fund dangerous gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, worked with politicized elements… pic.twitter.com/ZMdliW4zyS
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 19, 2026
The release, issued on Gabbard’s last day on the job, includes an eight-page May 27, 2020, assessment from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Z Program. That assessment concluded that “all of the necessary conditions for an accidental release of a laboratory-modified coronavirus - specifically a coronavirus adapted to recognize human cell receptors - were present at the Chinese Wuhan Institute of Virology in mid-to-late 2019.” It assigned equal weight to a laboratory-modification hypothesis and a natural-origin scenario.
Screenshot, ODNI release

Meanwhile, Recall that while the government was locking us down, Dr. Anthony Fauci and those in his orbit were actively fabricating a 'wet market' narrative that would conceal US research as a possible origin - despite his own advisors initially insisting that COVID-19 looked manmade.

In his January 2024 transcribed interview, Fauci was asked about conversations concerning the same three topics - COVID origins, WIV, and EcoHealth. When asked about the CIA, he answered yes: he said he was briefed “once or twice” in a secure NIH facility and also recalled a briefing in a White House situation room.

The newly released documents then show a June 4, 2021 briefing involving CIA/WCP personnel, NSC officials, and Fauci, during which Fauci offered views on pangolin research, sick WIV researchers, single-lineage vs. multi-lineage evidence, and recommended scientists for the IC to contact. A separate CIA-context email says that same 40-minute secure video teleconfrenece involved CIA/WCPMC officials and that Fauci gave thoughts on the 4 May 2021 COVID-origin briefing and recommended U.S. scientists to consult.



So, he lied. 

According to a statement released with the files, "Fauci worked with politicized career leadership in the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the truth about his actions, the virus’ lab-leak origins, and his role in directing U.S. funding for this dangerous research that caused immeasurable harm and countless lost lives. These documents expose Fauci’s direct role in influencing and manipulating IC assessments on COVID-19, and how Fauci lied to Congress in 2024, when under oath he denied knowledge of or participation in discussions with intelligence officials about viral research."

U.S.-Funded Research and Planning for Coronavirus Manipulation

The files include the Year 5 progress report for EcoHealth Alliance’s NIH grant 5R01AI110964-05. Under Specific Aim 3, the project outlined plans to:

Sequence spike genes from bat coronaviruses.
Create mutants to assess how much further evolution would be needed for efficient use of human ACE2 or other receptors.
Conduct receptor-mutant pseudovirus binding assays.
Perform infection experiments in cell lines and humanized mice.
This research track overlaps with work described in the 2018 DEFUSE proposal, which involved EcoHealth Alliance, Peter Daszak, Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina, and Shi Zhengli’s team at WIV. The proposal sought to create chimeric bat coronaviruses with enhanced human infectivity, including consideration of furin cleavage site insertion to improve lung-cell entry, and to test the resulting viruses in humanized mice originally developed in Baric’s lab.

A 2016 WIV paper included in the release describes a synthetic shuttle vector system for assembling large DNA fragments, with demonstrated capability up to 31 kilobases. The authors presented the method as a tool for “genome-scale DNA reconstruction,” a technique relevant to synthetic biology and virus engineering.

Surveillance work under the same NIH grant reported that 9 of 1,497 rural residents in southern China (0.6%) were seropositive for bat SARS-related or HKU10 coronaviruses.

And from leaked emails three years ago:


Among other things, the NIH helped fund experiments at WIV that infected genetically engineered mice with “chimeric” hybrids of SARS-related bat coronaviruses in what some scientists have described as unacceptably risky research. 

...

Andersen laid them out plainly in an email to Fauci that same evening. “The unusual features of the virus make up a really small part of the genome (” Andersen wrote in the email. “I should mention,” he added, “that after discussions earlier today, Eddie, Bob, Mike and myself all find the genome inconsistent with expectations from evolutionary theory. But we have to look at this much more closely and there are still further analyses to be done, so those opinions could still change.” -The Intercept


Internal Discussions and Awareness of Manipulation Research

A June 8, 2021, internal email in the release references a 2016 New York Academy of Medicine meeting at which Peter Daszak reportedly discussed colleagues in China “manipulating the spike protein on coronavirus to make them more virulent.”

Other 2020–2021 emails show officials debating technical concerns, including references to a DOD report on a “suspicious added furin-site” and FBI reporting containing unusual genetic descriptions. One analyst noted the risk that non-experts could misinterpret technical data while still calling for scrutiny. Another observed that “the IC took direction straight from NIH… the people that funded the Wuhan Lab” and referenced “a complex web of money and politics influencing analysis.”

Picking Their Reviewer

July 2021 emails concerning the selection of outside reviewers for COVID-origin assessments show officials rejecting several candidates for political sensitivity or conflict-of-interest reasons:

James Clapper was viewed as too politically “hot.”
Anthony Fauci was flagged due to his position as a “customer” of the assessment through NIH funding ties.
Michael Morell was considered “too public.”
Sue Gordon and another individual identified only as “Beth” were also set aside.
And so... 

These materials provide primary-source documentation that a U.S. national laboratory assessed a laboratory origin as equally plausible to natural emergence at a time when prominent scientific publications were publicly emphasizing a natural zoonotic source and characterizing alternative hypotheses as conspiracy theories. This includes the February 2020 Lancet letter and the March 2020 Nature Medicine paper “The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2”, along with subsequent amplification by NIH leadership.

The research details in the declassified grant reports and proposals involved techniques and modifications - spike-protein engineering, receptor adaptation, humanized-mouse testing, and consideration of furin cleavage sites - that later featured prominently in scientific debate over SARS-CoV-2’s characteristics.
Shi and Daszak clinking glasses, undoubtedly after lots of humanized mice successfully died horrible COVID deaths.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:35

UK Government News
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Minister Chapman visits Lebanon, announces £13m in aid
Baroness Chapman announced a new £13m UK humanitarian package to Lebanon to help deliver vital assistance to people affected by the crisis.

Ian Visits
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Tickets Alert: Behind the Scenes tours of the London Archive
New dates announced for roughly monthly behind-the-scenes tours of the London Archives.Read more ›

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US-Iran talks postponed as Israel launches deadly strikes in Lebanon
JD Vance has not travelled to Switzerland as the Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah and that four of its own soldiers had been killed.

Sky News Home
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Ebola outbreak kills 17 healthcare workers as Chinese medical team arrives in DRC
Seventeen healthcare workers have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a World Health Organisation official has said.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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US-Iran talks postponed as Israel launches deadly strikes in Lebanon
The White House says Vice-President JD Vance will not travel to Switzerland on Friday for a new round of direct talks with Iran.

Deutsche Welle
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Guinea-Bissau: Opposition leader house arrest raises stakes
Opposition leader Domingos Simoes Pereira remains under house arrest months after the Guinea-Bissau coup, deepening a political crisis and raising tensions with international partners.

Crowdfund Insider
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UK Payments Sector Being Transformed by Advanced Technologies and Updated Regulatory Frameworks
UK Finance has indicated that the payments sector is undergoing significant transformation, moving far beyond incremental evolution into a complete redefinition. A powerful combination of advanced technologies, evolving regulatory frameworks, and global uncertainties has created unprecedented challenges and possibilities for the fintech enabled payments industry.... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Nordic Capital to Acquire Liberis and Merge with Qred to Build SMB Finance Platform
Private equity firm Nordic Capital has announced an agreement to acquire Liberis, a London-based embedded finance specialist, while also expanding its existing investment in Qred, a Stockholm-headquartered digital bank focused on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The transaction will combine the two companies into a... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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US Regulators Advance Bank-Style Identity Verification Standards for Stablecoin Issuers Under GENIUS Act
Federal agencies are moving forward with rules that would require stablecoin issuers to verify customer identities in a manner closely aligned with longstanding requirements for traditional banks. The joint proposal, released on June 18, 2026, implements key provisions of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Bitcoin focused Strategy’s STRC Preferred Stock Reaches Record Low, Leading to Intense Debate Over Financing Risks
Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR), the leading Bitcoin treasury company led by Michael Saylor, witnessed its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (ticker: STRC) close at an all-time low of $89 on June 17, 2026. The shares briefly touched an intraday low near $88.50, marking... Read More

The Hill
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Weekend Iran negotiations delayed in early snag for Vance
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on a wide-ranging nuclear and sanctions relief deal are off to a slow start. Technical talks scheduled for this weekend were delayed on Thursday evening, with the White House saying in a statement, "the logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable." Fighting erupted in Lebanon overnight...

The Hill
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Lebanon strikes by Israel test US-Iran deal as peace talks postponed 
Renewed fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia group Hezbollah is testing a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran to begin nuclear talks and avoid a return to all out war. Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, a priority condition to continue talks with the U.S., and a planned...

The Hill
Open 
Schumer on Trump Iran deal: ‘The art of the surrender’
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) says President Trump’s deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is more of a win for Tehran than for the United States, panning it as “the art of the surrender,” a jab at Trump’s view of himself as an expert dealmaker. “Look, this is not the art...

The Hill
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Trump says there are 'no limits' to his power
President Trump insisted that there are “no limits” to his power when asked in a new interview about his takeaways from the Iran war. The president was pressed by Axios’s Marc Caputo during an interview about whether he learned there are bounds to his power during the Middle East conflict. “I haven’t learned that lesson...

The Hill
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JD Vance has become the face of the Iran peace deal — does that help or hurt him in 2028?
JD Vance has been at the forefront of President Donald Trump's deal to end the Iran war- giving interviews, releasing videos, and taking charge of a White House briefing. It's a shift in tone for the Vice President, who previously positioned himself as a foreign military intervention skeptic. Could his support for the administrations deal...

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Trump's reign of grift and graft is without parallel
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The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

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The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
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Two World Cup matches were played in ‘severe heat’, analysis finds
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Some supporters are breaking the bank to follow Thomas Tuchel’s team and early indications are that it’s worth itThey came, they saw and they went to the rodeo. For those England fans who made it to Dallas, watching Thomas Tuchel’s side see off Croatia in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup was the experience of a lifetime.“I’ve never been to a World Cup game before so I thought it was something I couldn’t miss out on,” says Oli Lee, a music producer from Kent who now lives in Los Angeles and is otherwise known as one half of the Snakehips duo who had a UK top-five hit in 2015. “I paid $800 (£604) for my ticket but it was all worth it. We had a bit of a session in Dallas – I ended up jumping in a pool with my phone in my pocket but it’s still working somehow!” Continue reading...

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Midwives on frontline of childbirth deaths crisis denied visas for key summit
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
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‘People think I’ve vanished’: Mary Earps on signing for London City and feeling forgotten
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Two men jailed for arson attacks on property linked to Keir Starmer
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Chatham House
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The US–Iran memorandum of understanding nods to international law. Can that be taken seriously?
The US–Iran memorandum of understanding nods to international law. Can that be taken seriously?
Expert comment
jon.wallace
19 June 2026

The memorandum restores the prohibition on the use of force, seeks a binding resolution at the UN to endorse a ‘final deal,’ and relies on multilateral institutions to implement it. But are the US and Iran really returning to compliance with international law?















Making peace is more difficult than starting wars. President Donald Trump has found this to be painfully true over the past months.Now that a ceasefire arrangement, or memorandum of understanding (MoU), has been made public, it is possible to measure what has been agreed against the standards of international law and practice. The 14-point document accommodates virtually the full catalogue of Iranian demands, which would have seemed entirely unrealistic when made during the active conflict. The US is losing its key pressure points, whether economic or military. And Iran’s nuclear obligations are yet to be determined. Other war aims, like stopping Iranian support for proxy forces, do not feature in the instrument.But is this a legally binding agreement at all? An MoU can be a political or a legal undertaking. But a formal treaty would require advice and consent from the US Senate. In its opening sentence, the MoU confirms that the US and Iran ‘have jointly agreed,’ which might suggest an informal legal agreement – one which rests on ‘good faith’. This is probably as far as the sides could go to avoid giving the impression of a formal treaty, while indicating their intention to comply.The sides commit to negotiating a ‘final deal’ – not exactly a technical legal term for a comprehensive peace settlement – within a maximum of 60 days. The ‘final deal’ is to be endorsed by a ‘binding’ resolution of the UN Security Council. This would compensate for the ambiguous legal nature of any final settlement by confirming that its legally binding character will ultimately emanate from the UN Charter.But the Trump administration and Iran have shown contempt for the UN Charter: The US attacked Iran without permissible cause and assassinated much of its leadership; Iran attacked its neighbours – non belligerents – and closed the Strait of Hormuz. It has also massacred thousands of its own citizens. How seriously can an agreement between such parties be taken? And what does the MoU tell us about the state of international law?How will peace be maintained?Parts of the memorandum cover the initial period of 60 days until the final deal is reached. However, many of its provisions are permanent.This includes the declaration of a ‘permanent’ termination of military operations on all fronts, which is not contingent on achieving the final deal. There is also a pledge by the parties not to initiate any war or military operation against each other in the future. By doing so, the sides are restoring the obligation under the UN Charter that prohibits the threat or use of force among states other than in self-defence. This undertaking is to be ‘confirmed’ in the final deal – though Iran will have little faith in US commitments, having been attacked twice over the past year.The MoU promises that the US will not deploy additional forces to the region, thus renouncing further threats of force to enforce the final deal. Indeed, it will remove ‘its forces from the proximity’ of Iran within 30 days after the final deal. How does this relate to US deployments in the region? Presumably it includes naval assets, but how about its Gulf military bases, and what precisely lies within the ‘proximity’ of Iran? But, by accepting that its deployments of whichever kind will be limited in deference to Iranian security concerns, the US has made a major concession.The MoU also extends beyond the US and Iran, as it references their ‘allies in the current war.’ This would exclude further Israeli strikes against Iran. Israel, not a party to the deal, must also refrain from the use of force against Lebanon and respect its territorial integrity. Such restraint by Israel looks unlikely, rendering this provision a permanent, destabilizing element in the deal.The US also expressly undertakes to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Iran as required by international law – another rather extraordinary turn of events, given President Trump’s encouragement of a popular revolt in February. Can Iran charge fees for passage of the Strait of Hormuz?In the memorandum the US pledges to remove its naval blockade of Iranian harbours within 30 days. During that period, Iran will restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels. The troublesome element arises afterwards: the MoU obliges Iran to use ‘its best efforts’ to allow the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only.





























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Beyond that, the instrument could entitle Iran to define the ‘future administration of maritime services’ in the Strait of Hormuz in dialogue with Oman. This can be seen as an implied licence for Iran and Oman to impose a fee for the administration of passage. It is accepted in international law that countries bordering straits that require complex navigation or are subject to a special treaty regime can charge modest fees to cover pilotage charges or the cost of maintaining navigations aids.However, there were no fees charged for maritime services relating to the Strait of Hormuz before the war. And no needs for additional services have arisen since. Yet the MoU implies that Iran may begin collecting a disguised toll after all. This would further dilute the firm obligation in international law that coastal states must not interfere with maritime traffic through straits used for international navigation. Does the memorandum oblige Iran to abandon nuclear weapons?The US will now immediately lift restrictions on Iranian oil exports and associated services, allowing vast income to flow into the Islamic Republic. The US also pledges to lift all sanctions according to a schedule to be agreed in the final deal. There is also provision for early work on releasing Iranian frozen assets. Short of the option of threatening or using force again, or re-instituting a blockade, which the US has now disowned, this prospect alone seems to be the incentive for Iran to abandon plans for a nuclear weapon – supposedly the principal war aim of the US.






Much is left impossibly vague. This lack of detail is already creating political problems in Washington and among US allies.






Iran pledges in the memorandum that it will not acquire nuclear weapons. But this is no achievement – that has been its formal position for many years.The US opened the negotiations demanding that Iran must surrender all highly enriched nuclear material for treatment abroad. But according to the MoU, the material may now be down-blended in Iran under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The US had also wanted Iran to renounce future nuclear enrichment for several decades. This is now to be discussed in view of ‘Iran’s nuclear needs’ – hardly a pointer towards total abandonment of enrichment. Is this a real agreement then?Has the Trump administration really embraced the UN principle that the use of force must not be used to settle international differences? It seems unlikely: the president threatened to attack Iran again on signing the agreement.It is possible to conclude that the MoU is more of a face-saving device, with the purpose of allowing the Iranian military to accept a deal. Many US commitments to restoring compliance with key obligations under international in relation to Iran are words only. If so, there is in fact little agreement and there seems little prospect the gaps in the MoU can be filled over the next 60 days. Much is left impossibly vague. This lack of detail is already creating political problems in Washington and among US allies, particularly the $300 billion the MoU allocates ‘for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran’. Where will this money be collected, and from whom? Moreover, the MoU relies on the agreement of others not involved in it. Sanctions relief beyond the US requires agreement from the UN Security Council and from the European Union. Frozen Iranian assets are held in many jurisdictions beyond the US. Peace in Lebanon relies on compliance from Israel, when ties appear strained. Perhaps most importantly, the MoU requires the IAEA to arrange for the supervision of Iran’s nuclear programme. This is an independent agency loosely within the ambit of the UN – precisely the kind of multilateral institution the Trump administration distrusts. Ironically, to extricate itself from its war, the US has been forced back into reliance on international cooperation and the institutions of the international system. And it is being forced to accept, at least nominally, the principles of the international order it had cast aside. After January’s forcible extrication of President Maduro from Venezuela, it may have seemed to the president that force was once again a useful tool. But this memorandum suggests war is every bit as undesirable as the founders of the UN system believed.

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Visualisation and hunger to achieve: Henry Pollock reveals substance beneath the style
Back-row’s colossal performance in Prem semi-final proves he is ready to come of age for Northampton against ExeterAs Henry Pollock idly plays with the straggly end of his blond rat’s tail on a sunny day in Northampton, he looks wholly at ease. There are more microphones in front of him than anyone else but that’s fine. Exeter are preparing to hit him with everything they can muster but that’s fine too. If you’re aspiring to stand out from the crowd, it’s all part of the deal.Because a high-profile Prem final is exactly where he wants to be. Particularly as he missed the last one. When Saints lifted the trophy in 2024 he was away in Georgia with England Under-20s, jumping up and down in a hotel room in Tbilisi. “I was a bit annoyed I missed that experience but the boys have been telling me how amazing the whole week was. I am just trying to live every moment of it.” Continue reading...

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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day four – live
Latest updates from Friday’s race cardGreg Wood’s day four tips | Email NiallJust five go to post for the “Ascot Derby” in the absence of Echo Of Stars, and there has been a big market move for Aidan O’Brien’s Causeway, who has replaced John & Thady Gosden’s Water To Wine as the favourite since yesterday afternoon, at around 6-5. He arrives on the back of three straight wins this season, including a win in a well-run Group Three at the Curragh in May, and was left in the Derby by his trainer until the final declaration stage. Water To Wine is taking a big step up in class after two wide-margin wins in novice events but has obvious scope for major improvement, while Ancient Egypt, in the Amo Racing colours, was eighth in the Derby for Charlie Johnston and should offer an early test of the Epsom form. Golden Story too deserves a mention, not least because his form when third behind the subsequent French Derby winner, Constitution River, in the Dee Stakes at Chester was handsomely franked when Generic, who was just under three lengths in front of him, won the Hampton Court Stakes here yesterday. Continue reading...

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‘People like me needed Sinéad O’Connor’: how the singer and activist inspired a new dance work
Tony-winning choreographer Sonya Tayeh was ‘broken up’ when she heard about the Irish singer-songwriter’s death three years ago. Now she and a group of over-40s female dancers are paying homage: ‘People love her, people need her’Sonya Tayeh remembers watching Saturday Night Live in October 1992, at home in Detroit, when a young, shaven-headed woman behind a microphone tore a picture of Pope John Paul II into pieces, while saying: “Fight the real enemy.”“I felt like the entire world paused,” remembers Tayeh, still in wonder at Sinéad O’Connor’s protest against abuses in the Catholic church, and the defiance in “those eyes that just seep through your soul and burn … It was like I could feel the world vibrate under my feet. I was overcome,” she says, on our video call from New York. I can see Tayeh has one side of her head shaved – a long curtain of dark hair sweeps down the other. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How Bologna’s niche festival of forgotten films captured the streaming generation
Over 40 years, Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato – or ‘rediscovered cinema’ – has evolved into an influential international gatheringBologna will be transformed into an open-air museum of cinema on Saturday as a nine-day festival dedicated to restored, rediscovered and overlooked films – some dating back more than a century – gets under way in the northern Italian city.Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Il Cinema Ritrovato, or “rediscovered cinema”, has evolved from its niche origins into an influential international gathering captivating a new generation of cinephiles. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘It’s time for it to end’: Ebon Moss-Bachrach on the final, delicious season of The Bear
It turned its cast into global stars, triggered fashion crazes and even made an omelette go viral. As The Bear bows out, ‘cousin’ Ebon Moss-Bachrach talks obsessive fans, fork tattoos and why he’s ‘dumbly proud’Ebon Moss-Bachrach is currently starring in an acclaimed Broadway production of Dog Day Afternoon, but after he takes his bow, there’s only one thing audience members want to talk about. “Every time I leave through the stage door, there’s a couple of hundred people yelling ‘Cousin!’” he laughs.That’s his catchphrase as cranky maître d’ Richie Jerimovich in The Bear, of course. And now the culinary comedy-drama is back on the menu. One of the decade’s most influential TV shows is about to return for its fifth and final season. It seems the right time to reflect on how this scrappy creation became a surprise smash hit and cultural sensation. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - Europe live
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned trip to the US in response to the ‘made up’ remarksAnother close Meloni ally and undersecretary in her office, Giovanbattista Fazzolari, also heavily criticised Trump’s attack on the Italian PM.“It is unclear whether out ​of intent or ineptitude [Trump] is wrecking the historic ​relations between the United States and Europe,” he said in a statement quoted by Reuters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Labour peer and Reform MP clash over ‘brown people’ and domestic abuse
Thangam Debbonaire and Sarah Pochin argue in Sky News interview at Makerfield byelection countUK politics live – latest updatesThe Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire has clashed with Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin at the Makerfield byelection count, asking the MP: “You don’t like being on television with brown people, do you Sarah?”The row erupted during a testy interview on Sky News that included an exchange about the £5m personal gift that Nigel Farage accepted from the Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in the months before he stood as an MP in the 2024 general election. The gift, first revealed by the Guardian, is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner, who will examine whether or not it ought to have been declared. Continue reading...

Boing Boing
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New blue paint under Reflecting Pool already peeling
The lining of the Reflecting Pool at Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial was painted blue to please Trump: a no-bid $14.7m contract that went to a company that had worked on one of his swimming pools. Within days of the pool being refilled, it was full of algae. — Read the rest
The post New blue paint under Reflecting Pool already peeling appeared first on Boing Boing.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Shaun Thomas: Looking Forward to Postgres 19: Logically Sequenced
Logical replication has been an integral part of Postgres since version 10 released in 2017. It's a very convenient system for synchronizing one or more tables from one running Postgres cluster to another, and the community has embraced it almost without reservation. It's a great feature we've all come to rely on.For all that, it has never been a flawless panacea. Perhaps the most glaring and conspicuous omission in Postgres logical replication is that of sequences. Novice users might run a logical migration or promote the new cluster, and meet a wall of duplicate key violations on the very first insert. The more experienced mind the gap and bolt on supplementary steps to circumvent this, quietly hoping they remember to run it during the cutover window.But why? Why were sequences left out of logical replication for the better part of a decade? Why let a freshly promoted cluster restart its counters at 1 and collide with the very rows it just spent hours copying over? That turns out to be a surprisingly long story, and one Postgres 19 finally gives a satisfying ending. So let's get into how sequences became the awkward holdout of logical replication, and what changed to bring them along at last.The Sequence That Time ForgotThere’s a sequence hiding behind every  or  column ever created in a Postgres cluster. That sequence provides the next value to the related column when no default is supplied. It’s easy to take for granted because it’s always been there and everyone knows how they work.Any time a write happens in Postgres, the new row contents get written to the WAL. Logical replication works by essentially decoding the raw WAL tuple into an equivalent  or  statement and replaying it on the subscriber. When a row with  arrives on the subscriber, that's the value that gets written. Meanwhile, the subscriber's own sequence object (probably copied from the publisher at some point) remains unused. That’s great until the subscriber has to generate a value of its own.Consider the migration including a table that is replicated all the way up to nine million rows. Once we redirect the application to the subscriber node as the new write target, it may be customary to expect the sequence starts at nine million and one. But that's not what happens; the sequence on the subscriber exists as it was initialized, and probably sits at the original value of 1. And that's the value the identity or serial will return, resulting in a cascade of "duplicate key value violates unique constraint" errors.Not exactly ideal, especially in production.The official restrictions page has spelled this out plainly for years: sequence data is not replicated. The standard remedy was to fix the sequences manually right before redirecting application and user traffic. Executing something like this on the publisher generates a script of setval() calls. Running the script on the subscriber essentially solves the problem:Notice the . That padding isn't decorative. Even with a highly ambitious activity drain on the old cluster, there's probably a short window where some pending writes could bump the sequence on the publisher. So we inject a 1000 value "buffer" to absorb any of those errant writes until we promote the subscriber to be the new permanent write target. But it's time sensitive: forget to run it, or run it at the wrong moment, and we're back to duplicate keys.There had to be a better way. For a long time, there was exactly one.pglogical to the Rescue?Before native logical replication existed at all, the pglogical extension from 2ndQuadrant was how serious users replicated Postgres data with a publish/subscribe model. Unlike the in-core feature that eventually supplanted it, pglogical learned to handle sequences from the beginning.The mechanism is a set of functions called on the provider to enroll sequences into a replication set. It's possible to add them one at a time:Or include everything in a schema at once:When enabled, the  flag pushes the current value across immediately. There's also a  function which can force a re-sync on every subscriber, handy after a big data load or partway through an online upgrade. But not even pglogical ever replicated sequences in real-time. Here's what the documentation has to say:That's basically our + 1000 trick. Pglogical maintains our handy safety buffer automatically with the help of a periodic sequence bump through a background worker process. There’s a reason it works this way, even when handled by an extension.How we Got HereSo why couldn't native logical replication just decode sequence changes the way it decodes inserts and updates? Why didn’t pglogical? The reality is that sequences break one of the foundations logical decoding is built on.Sequences are non-transactional. Every generated value, even when rolled back, is permanently consumed. One superpower of sequences is that they're essentially asynchronous, but this comes at the cost of gaps. This allows multiple simultaneous transactions to obtain sequence values without waiting, but it also means any transaction can abandon whatever value it received.By contrast, logical decoding lives and breathes transactions. It reorders the WAL into neat transactional bundles and replays them in commit order. Sequences don't fit this model at all, making it essentially impossible to add them to a standard logical replication stream.This wasn't for lack of trying. Tomas Vondra spent years on a patch for logical decoding of sequences that would include sequence advances as part of the decode stream. It actually got committed during the Postgres 16 development cycle. And then it was reverted before the final release.Why rip out a feature that was already committed? The trouble was reconciling the transactional and non-transactional halves of sequence behavior, and it wasn't clear the design could be salvaged without substantial effort. An alternative idea to log sequence state at commit time was floated and then abandoned too, weighed down by overhead, tricky ordering between concurrent transactions, and reliability concerns.That's a sobering amount of effort to end up back at square one, but that’s what happened. Sequences became a permanent fly in the logical replication ointment, and everyone just kind of accepted it.A Sync By Any Other NameSo how do you replicate a counter that isn't possible to cleanly decode? That's the really neat part: you don't! The breakthrough in Postgres 19, led by Vignesh C with Tomas Vondra, was to stop fighting the non-transactional nature of sequences altogether. Instead of streaming every increment through the decode pipeline, the new feature synchronizes sequence values at well-defined moments. Hopefully this is already starting to sound familiar. We never really needed the subscriber's sequences to track the publisher increment for increment. That gives us incredibly clean invocation points. The release notes lay out the three moments when this synchronization kicks in:Creating a subscription now pulls sequence values across alongside the initial table data. Then  reconciles which sequences exist on the subscriber to match the publisher, updating their values while it's at it. The third command just does what we want outright, directly updating sequence values on the subscriber.This is not continuous or even periodic replication. Once a sequence value is synchronized, it goes stale the instant the publisher hands out another value. Applications that keep writing to the old primary means the subscriber drifts behind again until the next refresh. But that also dramatically simplifies matters: sync the sequences as the last step before promoting the subscriber.Let's see what that might look like.Sequence Sync in ActionOn the publisher side, Postgres 19 adds an  clause to CREATE PUBLICATION, mirroring the long-standing : That single statement now publishes both the table data and every sequence in the database, including sequences created later. It's also possible to create publications purely for sequences. But take note: the clause is . There's no syntax for cherry-picking individual sequences into a publication the way you can with tables. This is an all or nothing proposition.On the subscriber, creating the subscription does the initial work for us:At this point the tables begin their initial copy and the sequence values are pulled across as part of the same process. Nothing should be surprising here. The interesting part comes at the time of the cutover. The initial sync may have happened hours or days ago, and sequences are probably vastly different from their initial state after the sync.Right before it's time to promote, give sequences one final bump with the new ALTER SUBSCRIPTION command:That re-reads every sequence value from the publisher and stamps it onto the subscriber without any further fanfare. If there are any new sequences on the publisher since the subscription was created, it's probably a good idea to use  instead, since that reconciles existence as well as values.Compare that to where we started. The entire ritual from the top of this article collapses into one command that the database understands natively.Peeking Under The HoodNaturally, it's probably a good idea to validate the values that actually made it across the divide. Postgres 19 provides the new pg_get_sequence_data() function to inspect the synchronized state of a sequence directly:We can use that to verify all sequences on both the publisher and subscriber prior to committing to the transition. Errors during sequence synchronization get first-class tracking too. The pg_stat_subscription_stats view gains a  column to spot sequence problems. This necessitated renaming the old  to  to distinguish the two states. Monitoring dashboards using this view may also need to be updated, so be careful.It's always a good idea to get a picture of the subscription before taking any drastic actions:If everything in this view looks good, feel free to continue.Finally in SequenceIt's a little ironic that the solution which finally shipped is the same one pglogical leveraged since its inception, and the same one we've all been faking by hand with  scripts. Synchronize the value with a minor safety buffer when requested—how anti-climactic. Then again, it's hard to beat the KISS principle.This removes one of the last manual gotchas from logical replication for anyone running cluster migrations or major-version upgrades. Given those are two of the biggest use-cases for logical replication, that's a major advancement. More real-time use-cases probably fall under Multi-Master territory, and are better served by UUIDs or Snowflake sequences anyway.In any case, Postgres 19 is only a few months away. We encourage you to experiment with the betas and release candidates when you get a chance. Try the new  publication syntax. Fiddle with  and see what happens. You've been waiting for the opportunity for years, after all!

Mail Online
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Do you prefer Messi or Ronaldo? Your answer can reveal your political views, scientists say
They're arguably two of the greatest footballers of all time. But do you prefer Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? According to a new study, your answer can reveal your political views.

Mail Online
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Jelly Roll stops concert to respond to wife Bunnie XO's bombshell podcast on their divorce - as she reveals she is still going to have his baby
Earlier in the evening his wife Bunnie, 46, addressed the split news for the first time on the latest episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast.

Sky News Home
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Lib Dem MP arrested and suspended from party
A Liberal Democrat MP has had the party whip withdrawn after he was arrested amid a police probe.

BBC UK News
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Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch hailed the Scottish Conservatives' first by-election win since 1973, after the party took Aberdeen South from the SNP.

Gizmodo
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“The Closet” Is the Next Best Thing to Actually Getting an Invite to the Criterion Collection’s Fabled Closet
Take as many titles as you like! To stream!

Gizmodo
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RFK Jr.’s New Lyme Plan Is More Conspiracy Than Science
Chronic Lyme disease is a dubious medical diagnosis, but that isn't stopping RFK Jr. from boosting it.

Gizmodo
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Spike Jonze, Filmmaker Behind ‘Her,’ Warns of ‘Manipulative’ AI Chatbot Design
The writer-director also weighed in on what AI's role in Hollywood should be.

Gizmodo
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‘Sugar’ Season 2 Investigates a Gritty New Case While Ripping Into Old Wounds
Colin Farrell's sci-fi private eye series returns to Apple TV.

Russia Today News
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Hungary blocks Ukraine fast track amid EU split on Russia

The Verge
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Kaleidescape’s movie player blows streaming, and your wallet, away
We've lost something in the past 15 years. Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Apple; they've all convinced us that streaming is the best way to watch movies and shows at home. With everything at our fingertips, there's no need to run to Blockbuster for the weekend's entertainment, or wait for a DVD rental to arrive in the […]

The Verge
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In season 2 of Sugar, Colin Farrell’s quirky detective becomes much more human
When Colin Farrell was doing press for the first season of the detective series Sugar, he had to be very careful with how he spoke. Sugar is a story about a quirky private detective, but it's also secretly a work of science fiction, something that doesn't become clear until halfway through the season. "I knew […]

Computer Weekly
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UK information commissioner John Edwards resigns after HR investigation
The UK’s information commissioner has resigned following an HR investigation, saying there were occasions when he exercised ‘poor judgement’ and made ‘inappropriate attempts at humour’

Deutsche Welle
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Czech govt causes alarm by seeking to scrap license fee
The Czech government has approved a bill to put the funding of public service media under direct political control. Critics warn that if passed, the bill would put a pillar of Czech democracy at risk.

Mail Online
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Fed up with the endless football on TV? Here's our expert guide to the 20 best on-demand shows for anyone who wants to give Harry Kane and co the red card
From a Claire Danes thriller to saucy goings-on in Rutshire, the best ways to get away from the World Cup

Mail Online
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Millie Mackintosh stuns in a ruffled blue dress while Ferne McCann opts for a hot pink number as they lead star arrivals on Royal Ascot day four
Millie Mackintosh and Ferne McCann led the glamorous arrivals at the star-studded day four of Royal Ascot races on Friday afternoon.

UK Government News
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“Migration is a global challenge requiring global cooperation” says Foreign Secretary, announcing expansion of North Africa programme to support migrants closer to home
The UK is expanding funding for programmes which helps countries across North Africa deal with the impacts of migration from regional conflict.

UK Government News
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National Drought Group meets after dry spring and recent heatwave
Weather whiplash continues as climate change brings increasingly volatile weather

UK Government News
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Government procurement to prioritise national security
Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announce new drive to use power of public spending to strengthen national security and economic resilience.

UK Government News
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Tribunal was “wrong” to reject CMA phenytoin decision, says Court
The Court of Appeal has ruled the Tribunal was “wrong to set aside the [CMA’s] decision” in relation to its investigation into phenytoin – a life-saving epilepsy drug.

Ian Visits
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The summer sale theatre ticket offers from London Theatre Direct
This week’s sale and discount theatre ticket offers from London Theatre Direct.Read more ›

ZeroHedge News
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'Two-Tier' Britain: White Jobseekers Locked Out Of Employment Schemes
'Two-Tier' Britain: White Jobseekers Locked Out Of Employment Schemes

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity,

Local councils are running race-exclusive job support programmes for ethnic minorities using central government grants, leaving white Britons on benefits to fend for themselves in a system that claims to promote fairness.



This fresh example of identity-driven exclusion follows a clear pattern of public and private sector policies that disadvantage white applicants in hiring, training and now benefits-linked help, all justified under the banner of "positive action" and "levelling up."

A Telegraph investigation published this week exposed how multiple local authorities are directing taxpayer money into employment programmes closed to white jobseekers.


White People BLOCKED From Accessing Job Seeker Schemes
Campaigns director @yarwoodwilliam joined @MartinDaubney on @GBNEWS to discuss how and why local authorities are engaging in two-tier politics by blocking white people from accessing job schemes. pic.twitter.com/z4wUFQXljF
- TaxPayers' Alliance (@the_tpa) June 16, 2026
In Sheffield, the Labour and Green-led city council runs a £340,000 Pathways to Work project offering "targeted employment support for ethnic minority groups."

The report notes that the scheme, delivered through local charities, focuses on "economically inactive" minorities and draws funding from the Department for Work and Pensions' Economic Inactivity Trailblazer plus the £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, under possible soon to be Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has used similar grants for "culturally appropriate employability support" aimed at BAME residents in Oldham.

This includes CV workshops and mentoring sessions reserved for those groups. While the authority maintains other programmes remain open to everyone, the ring-fenced elements explicitly prioritise ethnicity.

In Scotland, Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council restricted some business growth support programmes to local black and minority ethnic entrepreneurs only.

These initiatives sit inside the broader "levelling up" agenda, where central government funnels multi-billion-pound grants to local and combined authorities.

The money is meant to tackle economic inactivity, yet in practice it is being channelled through race-based filters.

William Yarwood, Campaigns Director of the TaxPayers' Alliance stated "Taxpayers should not be funding schemes that exclude people because of their race."

He added that "Race-based eligibility smacks of identity politics and a two-tier system, which undermines public confidence in the system. Ministers should end these discriminatory programmes and ensure taxpayer-funded support is open to all jobseekers who need it."

Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Director of Don't Divide Us, labelled the approach segregationist and questioned the selective focus on race while ignoring other variables that actually drive employment outcomes.

"Have they looked at age, locality, educational background, language proficiency and other relevant variables before proceeding with yet another divisive, race-based, segregationist plan for social in-cohesion?" he urged.

"If and when there is civil disobedience, it will be in no small part due to the patronising stupidity of leaders who think this is a good plan," Cuthbert prophesied.

The public sector had already come under pressure to rethink diversity policies following the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton. Bodycam footage and court evidence showed police initially treating the white victim in a manner that drew sharp criticism, while the Sikh perpetrator's false claim of racial abuse complicated the response. That case accelerated reviews of race guidance across policing and public services.

Why default to skin colour as the targeting mechanism instead of straightforward need, postcode deprivation, age, skills gaps or family background?

White working-class communities in many former industrial areas face stubbornly high economic inactivity and poor educational outcomes too.

Treating race as the primary lens simply injects identity politics into British benefits and employment services.

This is not an isolated experiment. It sits squarely inside an established trend of public bodies using the Equality Act's positive action provisions to tilt opportunities away from white applicants.

In April 2025, West Yorkshire Police - one of the country's largest forces - operated a system where BAME candidates could apply year-round for constable roles while white British and Eastern European applicants were restricted to specific recruitment windows.

Internal descriptions labelled minority applicants "gold" and white applicants "bronze." A whistleblower described how the process restricted progression opportunities for white British candidates, with ethnic minority applications advanced ahead of the general pool.



Earlier, in January 2025, Westminster City Council advertised an Executive Assistant role and openly stated it would use positive action to appoint a candidate from a "Global Majority" background where two candidates were of equal merit.

The advert made clear that white British applicants would not be favoured over non-white candidates.



A parallel controversy erupted this month when the National Audit Office was criticised for running an internship scheme closed to middle-class white men, limiting eligibility to female applicants, those of black heritage or from lower socio-economic backgrounds.


The National Audit Office, which is funded by the taxpayer, said only applicants who are female, of black heritage or from lower socio-economic backgrounds could apply
?: https://t.co/z2omtzZnVX pic.twitter.com/KWE2m8fzi5
- The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 6, 2026
Similar patterns have appeared in other public sector recruitment and in private hiring data. Reports from previous years documented cases where managers were instructed to deprioritise white male candidates, and employment tribunals accepted arguments that wanting to hire fewer white men did not constitute unlawful discrimination.


BBC accused of discriminating against WHITE candidates https://t.co/hcSIe86D2C #humanresources #hrnews #hr pic.twitter.com/yRmDktIkCz
- HRNews (@HRNewsdesk) June 3, 2016

Source: https://t.co/zJPxWiIQ6K
- The Rabbit Hole (@TheRabbitHole) December 26, 2024

? Tories push for crackdown on 'racist' anti-white hiringhttps://t.co/TTGqpdRXRZ
- The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 11, 2025

Source: https://t.co/uwj9UuxW2Z
- The Rabbit Hole (@TheRabbitHole) February 21, 2024

RAF diversity targets discriminated against white men https://t.co/dUKotB24iz
- BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 30, 2023
The thread running through policing, local government jobs and now benefits-linked employment support is consistent: race is treated as a legitimate sorting category, with the white majority positioned as the group whose exclusion or deprioritisation requires the least justification.

When central government grants intended for economic revival are filtered through racial eligibility tests, the message sent to ordinary taxpayers is unmistakable.

Some citizens are deemed deserving of dedicated help on the basis of ancestry; others - regardless of their personal circumstances - are not. This is the very definition of a two-tier system.

The Equality Act was never meant to license routine racial gatekeeping in taxpayer services. Positive action was framed as a limited tool for overcoming specific, proven disadvantages. In practice it has become a bureaucratic justification for embedding identity preferences across swathes of public life.

Britain already struggles with social cohesion after years of rapid demographic change and elite-driven multiculturalism. Adding explicit race-based rationing of job help on top of that is reckless.

It fuels precisely the resentment and withdrawal of consent that critics like Alka Sehgal Cuthbert have warned about.

The alternative is straightforward. Employment and benefits support should be allocated according to individual circumstances - skills, work history, local labour market conditions, health, caring responsibilities - not membership of a favoured racial category.

Jobcentres are being remodelled on a universal basis; local add-ons should follow the same principle or lose their funding.

Taxpayers of every background contribute to the same pot. They are entitled to expect that pot is not used to tell one group of citizens they are second-class when it comes to basic help getting back into work.

The current approach does not level anyone up. It entrenches division, rewards grievance entrepreneurship and erodes the principle that public services treat citizens as individuals rather than avatars of their ancestry. That principle is worth defending before the two-tier logic spreads further.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 07:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt
Opening Round Of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Postponed After Israel-Lebanon Clashes Erupt

Talks between Iran and the US were postponed on Friday in Switzerland, delaying what was supposed to be the opening round of negotiations towards a permanent peace and nuclear deal.

The delay appears to center on a new escalation between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, a troubling development that threatens the fresh interim deal signed by President Trump and Iran just days ago. Tehran has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon is part of the interim deal, meaning the Israel-Hezbollah front could derail the US-Iran diplomatic path to a sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Financial Times provided more details on the overnight development:


Talks between Iran and the US in Switzerland were postponed due to Israel launching a wave of deadly air strikes on southern Lebanon, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Iran did not send a delegation to Switzerland for the nuclear talks because of the attacks, the people said. The interim agreement signed by the US and Iran on Wednesday stipulates the "immediate and permanent termination" of fighting, including in Lebanon.


A diplomat familiar with the Switzerland talks told the outlet:


The Iranians have asked for guarantees that hostilities in Lebanon will end, as outlined in the signed agreement, and mediators are currently working to resolve the issue.


According to other FT sources, Iran's position is effectively "no Lebanon, no deal," arguing that it has restrained Hezbollah while Washington has failed to restrain Israel.

Israeli airstrikes across more than 10 villages in southern Lebanon killed 18 people and wounded 33, according to Lebanon's health ministry.


⭕️WATCH: A Hezbollah launcher firing rockets toward IDF soldiers
In response to Hezbollah’s repeated & blatant ceasefire violations, the IDF struck 2 Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley, 80+ terror targets in southern Lebanon and eliminated dozens of Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/NntfHM87vd
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 19, 2026
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, reacted on X to the latest fighting in Lebanon:


For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn! With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not forfeit. All of Lebanon must burn. Our supreme duty is to protect the citizens of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF, and this commitment takes precedence over every other consideration. I told the Prime Minister, even in our private meetings: For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. Enough with the ping-pong. In the Middle East, you don't win with measured responses and restraint—you need to go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror.



על כל דמעה של אמא ישראלית, אלף אמהות לבנוניות צריכות לבכות. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור!
עם כל הכבוד לאמריקאים, ישראל חייבת להבהיר לעולם כולו שדם בנינו וביטחון אזרחנו איננו הפקר. לבנון כולה צריכה לבעור. חובתנו העליונה היא להגן על אזרחי ישראל ועל חיילי צה״ל, והמחויבות הזו קודמת לכל…
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) June 19, 2026
Drop Site provided more color on the canceled talks:

Al Mayadeen report earlier today that Iran's delegation suspended its trip to Geneva due to ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.
A White House spokesperson later said Vice President JD Vance, head of the US delegation, also canceled his planned trip to meet Iranian negotiators and begin talks on negotiating and implementing the postwar framework
Reuters reported the delegation had been preparing to launch the first round of the agreement's 60-day negotiations. Tehran had previously told Washington and mediators that developments in Lebanon would be a key factor in whether talks proceed.
Pakistani journalist Kamran Yousaf wrote on X, "Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty."

He added, "With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the next round of negotiations."


BREAKING
Pakistan has called back its advance team from Switzerland, throwing the next round of Iran-US talks into uncertainty.
With Tehran seemingly reluctant to engage at a European venue, diplomatic sources say Islamabad or Doha is now the most likely destination for the…
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) June 19, 2026
Beyond the overnight fighting in southern Lebanon, the takeaway is that the interim deal still gives Washington and Tehran a 60-day ceasefire window, immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a framework for eventual talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The problem now is that both sides need to control their proxies and allied partners. Tehran must keep its Hezbollah fighters restrained, while the Trump administration must keep its Israeli ally from escalating in Lebanon. Without that dual restraint, the 60-day ceasefire window could collapse.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 07:25

Cycling UK
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Charity announces, ‘The Big Fix’ weekender. Over 1,200 free bike check events nationwide
Cycling UK is launching The Big Fix from 3–5 July 2026, offering more than 1,200 free bike checks across the UK to help people save money, get back on their bikes and make everyday journeys more affordable

Flightradar24
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AvTalk Episode 375: Progress, but to what end?
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Indian investigators issue a progress note, but don’t necessarily note their progress. After more than a decade of negotiations the European Parliament keeps its signature airline compensation legislation much the same. Qantas announces the first Project Sunrise route for its forthcoming Airbus A350-1000ULRs. And Spirt gets the go-ahead to […]
The post AvTalk Episode 375: Progress, but to what end? appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.

Sky News Home
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Toddler seriously injured in zoo enclosure was attacked by crocodile, Sky News understands
A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo was attacked by at least one of the reptiles, Sky News understands.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Two men jailed over Starmer-linked arson attacks
Roman Lavrynovych 22, was jailed for seven years and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, for two.

Deutsche Welle
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Months of war fundamentally change Iran-Gulf ties
The conflict in the Middle East has altered the strategic landscape between Tehran and Gulf states. Trust is lacking, but at the same time, both sides recognize that they remain dependent on one another.

Mail Online
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Furious Giorgia Meloni slaps down Trump 'lies' and takes a swipe at his relationship with 'enemies of the West' after he claimed she 'begged' for a photo with him and he agreed because 'I felt sorry for her'
The Italian leader said in a video address on Friday that she was 'astonished' by his comments, and affirmed they were 'completely made up.'

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland postponed as fighting in Lebanon intensifies
The White House says Vice-President JD Vance will not travel to Switzerland on Friday for a new round of direct talks with Iran.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Boy, 3, was attacked by crocodile, BBC understands
Police say a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been bailed.

ZDNet News
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I flew 2,700 miles with Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser headphones - this pair had the best audio
Air travel is the true test for ANC headphones and earbuds. My multiple journeys revealed key strengths and weaknesses of the latest models.

CNET News
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The Best Meat Delivery Services of 2026. We Cooked Our Way Through 11 Boxes of Beef, Chicken and Pork
From premium steaks to budget-friendly bundles, these are the meat delivery services worth ordering from this summer.

CNET News
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How to Transfer Chatbot Memory to and From ChatGPT
If you're looking to escape ChatGPT or welcome it with open arms, here's how to export and import your data.

CNET News
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Is That Call, Text or Email Real? Here’s How to Identify Scams
Scams are more advanced than ever, in large part thanks to AI. But there are still ways to identify them.

Wired Top Stories
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Gen Z Singles Are Trying to Make ‘Solomaxxing’ Aspirational
For young people, the trend removes the stigma of being unmarried and alone, and recasts it as something to aim for, not avoid.

Wired Top Stories
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The Best Art TVs
Even after your movies end, these art televisions look stunning on any wall.

Ars Technica
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As global warming threatens corals, scientists search for reefs that can take the heat

The Hill
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Vance on the clock with Iran deal under fire 
In today’s issue: Vice President Vance is now officially on the clock to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, as he takes political fire from all sides for his leading role in a memorandum of understanding that failed to extract significant concessions from Tehran. The vice president’s role as the public face of Iran negotiations was further cemented yesterday as he stepped into the White House briefing...

The Hill
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The Trump administration says it's cutting student loan interest: What that means
The change does not apply to all borrowers, and those pursuing the reduction will need to meet eligibility criteria.

The Hill
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'Jury duty' scam: How it works and what to watch out for
Scammers are now leveraging an American civic duty – jury service – to steal your money, local and federal authorities are warning.

The Hill
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What's closed on Juneteenth 2026?
You might want to tackle some of your errands before Friday.

The Hill
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Pingree, Charles set to clash to succeed Mills as Maine governor
Hannah Pingree (D) and Bobby Charles (R) are projected to face off this November in the contested race to succeed retiring Gov. Janet Mills (D), according to Decision Desk HQ. A total of five Democrats and eight Republicans ran for their party's respective nominations for Maine governor. Pingree, the daughter of Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), is...

The Hill
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DC bar covers World Cup promotion costs with Kalshi bet
A neighborhood bar in Washington, D.C., is running a deal that could score customers a free tab during Team USA’s World Cup match against Australia on Friday afternoon. The deal is the result of a partnership with the bar TallBoy and prediction market platform Kalshi, and the promotion increases based on the number of goals...

The Hill
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Sour grapes: Obama has no room to talk about Trump's Iran deal 
In reality, former President Obama’s deal was not working, and Obama knew it.  

The Hill
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Whole Hog Politics: Trump proves hard to follow for GOP
[Watch "Whole Hog Politics" live: Join us today at 9 a.m. EDT at TheHill.com as Chris Stirewalt and host Bill Sammon break down this week’s political news and answer questions from a live online audience.] President Trump makes a habit of turning the unofficial Marine Corps motto — “No better friend. No worse enemy” —...

Sky News Home
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ICC prosecutor Karim Khan suspended by UK's Bar Standards Board ‌
The ​UK's Bar Standards Board (BSB) said it has imposed an interim suspension ​on Karim Khan, ​chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
️ Updates from the second round at Shinnecock Hills️ Day one report | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidI’m enjoying the name of one of the players in tied fifth. Spencer Tibbits is a former Oregon State standout but sounds more like he hangs about with Neville Thumbcatch in the the late 60s. Tibbits actually qualified for the US Open at Pebble Beach as an amateur in 2019. Anyway, he’s making an ‘Attack’ on the leaderboard. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day four – live
Latest updates from Friday’s race cardGreg Wood’s day four tips | Email NiallAll eyes will be on the royal runner Warrant Holder here, as John and Thady Gosden’s runner has as good a chance as any in the scarlet and purple this week, according to the market at least. The four-year-old son of Frankel is currently on offer at around 4-1 to follow up a comfortable success over 10 furlongs at York last time out, and he has winning form at this longer trip too. It is a highly-competitive event, however, and a duo in the Wathnan Racing colours – Hopewell Rock and Opportunity – both arrive with strong credentials along with Emit, whose trainer, Joseph O’Brien, is giving his dad a run for his money in the race for the top trainer prize this week. Ryan Moore, who had a well-backed handicap winner for O’Brien Jr on Thursday, is booked to ride. Further down the list, meanwhile, Christophe Soumillon is an eye-catching booking for Gary and Josh Moore’s Mondo Man, best known to British punters for his hurdling exploits over the winter but prior to that a useful performer on the Flat in France, where his best form included a four-length fifth in the 2024 French Derby.Sun Goddess - 10/11 from 5/4Causeway - 1/1 from 6/4Albert Einstein - 6/1 from 8/1 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Scotland fans take over Boston; Pochettino looking for spies; Koné injury – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Venice’s new mayor seeks to raise day-tripper fee to up to €50
Simone Venturini says proposal aimed at discouraging arrivals in ‘periods of heightened tourist pressure’Venice’s new mayor has said he hopes to raise a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as €50 (£43).Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected as mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals “during periods of heightened tourist pressure”. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Keep cool and carry on! Royal Ascot revellers swap champagne for water and don vibrant dresses with matching fans to try and beat the heat as UK faces 'hottest June day ever'
The temperatures in the UK might be sizzling today, but it's not put off glamorous Royal Ascot attendees from pulling out all the sartorial stops.

Mac Rumours
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Report: iPhone 18 Pro Could Start at $1,399 Amid Price Hikes
Apple this week confirmed that price increases are coming across its lineup due to rising memory chip costs, and now The Wall Street Journal has published its own analysis estimating the iPhone 18 Pro could start as high as $1,399.





Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the company is not immune to soaring memory chip costs. Asked which devices would see price increases and when, Cook said, "We're still working through that," with more clarification expected to arrive with the next iPhone lineup this September.



The price hikes stem from a global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash storage, driven largely by AI data centers competing for the same components. Manufacturers including Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology have been shifting production toward enterprise-scale memory chips for AI servers, squeezing supply for consumer electronics like the iPhone.



Citing analysis from research firm TechInsights, The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ now reports that prices for DRAM and flash storage are projected to roughly quadruple by this fall compared to last year. TechInsights estimates that Apple paid around $39 for the 12GB of DRAM in the iPhone 17 Pro, a cost that could climb to $145 in the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌. The 256GB flash storage tier, which cost Apple about $13 in the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, could rise to $51.



Overall, TechInsights estimates Apple's component and manufacturing costs for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ excluding memory at roughly $530. Combined with DRAM and flash storage, that puts the total estimated bill of materials for the base ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ at about $582, with the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s costs projected to rise 25% to around $726.



TechInsights' research suggests the $1,099 ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ carries a gross margin of around 47%. To preserve that margin on the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌, Apple would need to charge $1,371, but The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ notes that Apple's preference for standardized pricing makes a $1,299 starting price more likely, working out to a 44% margin.



That estimate doesn't factor in a new camera system, which supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says could cost Apple about 50% more than the previous generation. Accounting for that added cost using the same approach, The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ estimates Apple could set the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌'s starting price at $1,399 or higher.



A starting price in that range would represent a $200 to $300 jump over the $1,099 ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max would likely start $100 above whatever price Apple sets for the Pro, consistent with the current gap between the two models. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models are expected to launch alongside the foldable "iPhone Ultra," which has been rumored to carry a starting price of around $2,000.Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProTag: The Wall Street JournalThis article, 'Report: iPhone 18 Pro Could Start at $1,399 Amid Price Hikes' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC UK News
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Stepmum jailed for 1978 killing of girl, 5
Andrea suffered severe burns to half her body and died in hospital on 13 July 1978.

The Register
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Geopolitical jitters push Europe's internet registry away from cloud-first strategy
Members aren't RIPE for a new charging scheme, though

The Register
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Rights groups brand Home Office's AI age guesser for asylum-seekers as biased and inaccurate
Campaigners say tech is unable to reliably distinguish between kids and adults at the boundary where use is planned

The Register
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Britain's privacy watchdog quits after 'poor judgment' admission
John Edwards says his position had become 'untenable' following investigation into conduct including inappropriate attempts at humor

Mail Online
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My dear friend Roy Hattersley helped save the Labour Party. What a shame his (and my) insane commitment to Sheffield Wednesday inflicted so much pain and punishment...
It's funny how sometimes you can have fallen out with someone in the past, and then come together later and recognise that you have so much in common.

Mail Online
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Katy Perry says she is 'glad she stuck around' as she reveals her mental health battle during 'worst year of her life' amid 'intense' split from Orlando Bloom - as she calls new romance with Justin Trudeau a 'blessing from God'
Katy Perry has opened up about her mental health battle during the 'worst year of her life' as she reflected on her split from Orlando Bloom in a new interview. 

Mail Online
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Jesy Nelson flashes a glimpse of her toned tummy in a sheer knitted mini dress as she continues to shrug off Perrie Edwards drama after being branded 'difficult'
The singer has been living it up abroad as she celebrated her 35th birthday over the weekend.

Mail Online
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Charlotte Hawkins looks elegant in a pretty blue dress and statement fascinator as she leads star-studded Royal Ascot arrivals on day four
Charlotte Hawkins cut an elegant figure as she led the early arrivals on day four of Royal Ascot after attending the previous days of the event.

Mail Online
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Chewing gum can lower blood pressure, scientists discover... as long as you have just eaten beetroot or spinach
Chewing bubble gum after eating vegetables such as beetroot, spinach or kale could lower blood pressure and help protect your heart, a study suggests.

Mail Online
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The 'ultimate place to be seen' at Royal Ascot where a seat will cost you £4,000 - and includes a Michelin-star five-course meal, impressive views of the carriage procession and free-flowing champagne
On Ladies Day, prices soared to £4,158 for a five-course à la carte menu from the chef of L'Enclume in Cumbria, who was awarded an MBE in the King's 2024 New Year's honours list.

Sky News Home
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Stepmother jailed for manslaughter after killing girl, 5, in scalding bath almost 50 years ago
A woman who killed her five-year-old stepdaughter by scalding her in a hot bath as punishment has been jailed for 12 years.

Sky News Home
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Toddler seriously injured in zoo enclosure was attacked by crocodile, Sky News understands
A three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in the crocodile enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo was attacked by at least one of the crocodiles, Sky News understands.

The Guardian (UK)
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Macron calls for vigilance as western Europe faces second heatwave of year
More than half of France’s population under severe weather warning with temperatures expected to exceed 40CMore than half of France’s population is under a severe weather warning as large swathes of western Europe endure the second extreme heat event of the year with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for “extreme vigilance from everyone”, asking citizens to “take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people” and follow government advice. “We are going through difficult days,” he said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Visualisation and hunger to achieve: Henry Pollock reveals substance beneath the style
Back-row’s colossal performance in Prem semi-final proves he is ready to come of age for Northampton against ExeterAs Henry Pollock idly plays with the straggly end of his blond rat’s tail on a sunny day in Northampton he looks wholly at ease. There are more microphones in front of him than anyone else but that’s fine. Exeter are preparing to hit him with everything they can muster but that’s fine, too. If you’re aspiring to stand out from the crowd it’s all part of the deal.Because a high-profile Prem final is exactly where he wants to be. Particularly as he missed the last one. When Saints lifted the trophy in 2024 he was away in Georgia with England Under-20s, jumping up and down in a hotel room in Tbilisi. “I was a bit annoyed I missed that experience but the boys have been telling me how amazing the whole week was. I am just trying to live every moment of it.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day four – live
Latest updates from Friday’s race cardGreg Wood’s day four tips | Email NiallTwenty-two runners is the joint-biggest field for this race since it was added to the Royal Ascot schedule in 2015, but there is a standout on form and Venetian Sun will set off at a short price to follow up her decisive success in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time. She was down the field in the 1,000 Guineas prior to that win, when she clearly failed to get home, but it was a risk worth taking as she was already a Group One winner as a juvenile in the Prix Morny (narrowly ahead of Gstaad, this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner). If she runs close to her Haydock form out of stall 13, she should win, but her price may persuade many punters to look for an each-way alternative, with Aidan O’Brien’s Albert Einstein, Charlie Appleby’s Wise Approach - the Middle Park Stakes winner last season – and Division, the runner-up behind Venetian Sun at Haydock, high on the shortlist. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Venice’s new mayor seeks to raise day-tripper fee to up to €50
Simone Venturini says proposal aimed at discouraging arrivals in ‘periods of heightened tourist pressure’Venice’s new mayor has said he hopes to raise a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as €50 (£43).Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals “during periods of heightened tourist pressure”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - Europe live
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned trip to the US in response to the ‘made up’ remarksItaly’s defence minister Guido Crosetto reacted to the amusing crisis in relations with the US.“I can’t imagine @GiorgiaMeloni asking anyone for a photo, not even under threat,” he said on X. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Harry Kane says singing Wonderwall with fans one of his favourite moments
Harry Kane says singing 'Wonderwall' with fans after England's win over Croatia on Wednesday was one of his "favourite ever moments" in a Three Lions shirt.

Mail Online
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Recovery driver, 41, guilty of killing teenage girlfriend with his truck after she had a baby with another man
Mohammed Azim, 41, used his Mercedes sprinter flatbed 'as a weapon' to crush Lily Whitehouse, 19, against a lamppost in Oldbury, West Midlands, last November.

Mail Online
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Sadistic Probation Service postergirl who presented herself as reformed character after turning her back on drugs empire FINALLY jailed for killing stepdaughter in the bath half a century ago
Sadistic stepmother Janice Nix, 67, has been jailed after she killed Andrea Bernard, five, in 1978 by placing her in a hot bath. She was also convicted of abusing Andrea's older brother Desmond.

Mail Online
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Scramble! RAF control tower used in bombing raids against Hitler's Germany is now for sale as stunning £900,000 four-bedroom house
The 'unique family home' in Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire, was originally constructed in 1943 by the nearby RAF base.

Mail Online
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Now Cristiano Ronaldo's team-mates are hit by barrage of social media abuse for not passing to him - as Portugal's World Cup civil war explodes after his sister sparked blame game
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal squad is facing talk of a possible 'civil war' after claims the 41-year-old was sabotaged by his team-mates during their 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Die-hard Scotland fans fly 22 hours in tiny plane to World Cup
David Smith and Fraser MacIntyre flew across the Atlantic, with stops in Iceland, Greenland and northern Canada.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions
Germany is bracing for a mix of high temperatures and thunderstorms on Friday. DW has the latest.

Mail Online
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Zookeeper who saved boy, three, as he was 'attacked by crocodile' after being 'thrown into pit by mentally disabled man' - as suspect 'not fit for interview' is bailed
Tearful witnesses have described seeing the child suffering a broken arm and pelvis in the fall before 'heroic' owner Tracey Johnson (pictured today) leapt in to rescue him in Cambridgeshire.

Chatham House
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It isn't easy being green: The UK's net zero trilemma
It isn't easy being green: The UK's net zero trilemma
Audio
sseth.drupal@c…
18 June 2026

In this episode of Independent Thinking, our experts discuss the decline of the cross-party consensus on net zero.











Can Labour’s prized plans to decarbonize power generation by 2050 withstand growing demands for extra defence spending – an acrimonious argument that has already claimed two senior defence ministers? Or pressure to preserve and extend welfare benefits from the party’s left and the unions, many of whom see net zero as a job killer? Plus: China’s colossal subsidization of green technology has created a surplus of cheap equipment for clean power. Would Britain be wise to take advantage? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Pelin Zorlu and Chris Aylett of Chatham House’s Climate and Energy team, plus special guest Archie Hall, acting economics editor of The Economist.Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.About Independent ThinkingIndependent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues.More ways to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Explore our other Chatham House podcasts.

Russia Today News
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Trump made a deal out of ‘desperation’ – Iranian supreme leader

Mail Online
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Boy, three, 'attacked by at least one crocodile' after being 'thrown into zoo pit by man with learning difficulties who broke away from carers' - as suspect 'not fit for interview' is bailed
Tearful witnesses have described seeing the child suffering a broken arm and pelvis in the fall before 'heroic' owner Tracey Johnson (pictured today) leapt in to rescue him in Cambridgeshire.

The Guardian (UK)
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Italian PM Meloni says she was ‘astonished’ by Trump claims that she ‘begged’ him for a photo - Europe live
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned trip to the US in response to the ‘made up’ remarksMeanwhile, a new transatlantic drama is emerging in Italy, after US president Donald Trump told an Italian broadcaster that prime minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a picture on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this week.Talking to the La7 broadcaster, Trump reportedly said:“She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time. I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the ⁠West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far ​greater indulgence.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd now from the Finchale end, Ben Stokes… the first ball is a dot, the second flies down to fine leg off the thigh pad of Vasconcelos for four. Ball three: nothing. Ball four – ooops, a drop by Ben McKinney at leg slip. In and out, midnight sweats. Ball five: four through the covers in front of the watching groundsmen sitting on plastic chairs. Ball six – off the ankles to long leg for a couple. Ten from the over.The Grace Road groundstaff have gone for a weird striped pitch today – beige ends and a grassy middle. It has been largely successful – Luxton and Whiteman both out, Yorkshire 40-2. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
️ Updates from the second round at Shinnecock Hills️ Day one report | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidOvernight leader Wyndham Clark pars the final two holes via a pair of short putts and posts the clubhouse lead of 6-under 64. Well played that man! But look at the bunch behind him – a trio of fellow former US Open winners. Dustin Johnson, the champion at Oakmont in 2016, has picked up shots at 7 and 9 this morning to shoot 66 and cut Clark’s overnight lead in half. Meanwhile, the 2023 Brookline winner, Matt Fitzpatrick, and 2019 Pebble Beach hero Gary Woodland both finished birdie-par at 8 and 9 when returning to the course and they’re just three back.And, lo and behold, there’s a fifth former US Open champion who is in the bunch at -2. Jon Rahm still has three to play so still has the chance to improve his score. In the meantime, some players have already started round two. That includes amateur Ryder Cowan, who has started par-par to remain at -2. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Jennings on Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran – cartoon
Discover and buy more of Ben’s cartoons hereOrder your own print of this cartoon from the Guardian Print Shop Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Reform’s genius plan is finally coming into view: field terrible candidates then lose | Marina Hyde
The unstoppable Nigel Farage is looking increasingly stoppable in the wake of Makerfield. The actual prime minister, meanwhile, has gone into hidingYou’ll note Keir Starmer is in full bunker mode – and we’ll get to him – but after this Makerfield result, why isn’t Nigel Farage? Why isn’t Nigel ranting madly at his generals and refusing to admit that actually, everything that went wrong for Reform here flowed directly from his personal character, and is going to keep happening in one way or another because people don’t change. Nigel’s gonna Nigel.Nobody fetishises plain speaking like Farage, so we owe it to him to honour that and observe that Reform really shat the bed. Makerfield is among the party’s top 10 target seats for a general election, and Reform strategists’ decision to field yet another inadequate liability, whose past social media activity they simply couldn’t be arsed checking, seems to have proved something of a turn-off – for example for women, who strangely didn’t feel minded to vote for someone who had said: “I’m sexist, sorry but I am.” Rob Kenyon will no doubt be back on his plumbing rounds next week. So, Makerfield ladies, make sure your husband’s home to be consulted as to whether you really want your sink unblocked. It’ll honestly be cheaper to replace it.Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘The cops bought me an egg and cheese muffin’: Boston’s love affair with Tartan Army goes on
Scotland fans in the Massachusetts city awaiting their game against Morocco have continued to make an impression on the localsOn Thursday afternoon, local broadcasters in Boston went live to an event hosted by the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu. It was a significant moment, with Wu confirming a deal that would commemorate a new chapter for the city. Representatives of the other party were also present, and they were easy to spot. Particularly the one guy in a kilt and a T-shirt reading: “I’m not perfect, but I am Scottish, and that’s kind of the same thing.”The agreement signed will see Boston and Glasgow become twin cities. Officially, according to Wu, the arrangement will “create new opportunities for meaningful cooperation and mutual growth”. But who was she kidding. A more telling line was the one that reflected “longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States” and, of course, “the goodwill generated during the Fifa World Cup 2026”. In other words, Boston’s love affair with the Tartan Army is now official. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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ITV wins World Cup ratings battle with BBC in tournament’s first week
England v Croatia attracted year’s highest UK TV figuresBBC opted for more first-pick games in knockout stagesITV is winning the UK television ratings battle after the first week of the World Cup. Viewing figures obtained by the Guardian from Barb, which measures audience numbers, show the commercial channel had four of the five highest TV audiences, topped by England’s 4-2 win over Croatia.England’s victory in Dallas attracted a peak audience of 15.4 million on ITV and an average of more than 10 million, the highest UK TV viewing figures of the year. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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VANESSA FELTZ: Why it's time to call it quits on reality shows. I've endured so much public humiliation - these were my lowest moments... the worst left me crying with shame, and the producers STILL broadcast it
Will someone sensible pull the plug on reality TV and have mercy on our tortured souls - preferably by lunchtime today?

Mail Online
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VANESSA FELTZ: Why it's time to call quits on reality shows. I've endured so much public humiliation - these were my lowest moments... the worst left me crying with shame, and the producers STILL broadcast it
Will someone sensible pull the plug on reality TV and have mercy on our tortured souls - preferably by lunchtime today?

Mail Online
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Danniella Westbrook reveals her scars from facial reconstruction surgery as she heads to the hair salon
Danniella Westbrook revealed the results of her latest round of facial reconstruction surgery during a visit to the hair salon on Thursday.

Mail Online
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Moment three of UK's most dangerous prisoners storm child killer's cell and stab him to death - as they each receive whole life terms for murder
Gangland assassin Mark Fellows, known as 'The Iceman', Lee Newell and fellow convicted murderer David Taylor ambushed Kyle Bevan, 33, in his cell at HMP Wakefield on November 5 last year.

BBC World News
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Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery
A refinery and a shopping centre burned after almost 200 Ukrainian drones were launched towards an area to the south-east of the Russian capital.

BBC Technology News
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GTA 6 - all you need to know about Rockstar's blockbuster game
Rockstar's sixth game in the franchise is set to be the biggest game release of the year.

Digital Trends
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ASUS fanboys can now spend $16,578 on its 20th anniversary gaming gear
Asus’ ROG 20th Anniversary Family Bucket Collector’s Edition bundles limited-edition gaming hardware, peripherals, and lifestyle gear for about $16,578.

Digital Trends
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Planning to watch House of the Dragon season 3? HBO Max is offering a big discount
HBO Max is discounting its annual plans ahead of House of the Dragon season 3, giving new and returning subscribers a cheaper way back to Westeros.

TechRadar News
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'We've seen an increase in Blu-ray orders of 10,000%': I spoke to a Blu-ray and vinyl agency about their Blu-ray sales and it's given me even more hope for physical media's survival

TechRadar News
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The Vimeo breach and the dangers of delegated trust

TechRadar News
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The RAM crisis just killed Nothing’s next budget phone — CMF Phone 3 Pro scrapped as co-founder says ‘we can't build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward’

TechRadar News
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AI exposes the M&A integration gaps that governance must fix

TechRadar News
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Shadow AI – a step too far, or an opportunity?

TechRadar News
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New Google Health 5.02 update gets praise from Fitbit fans for being ‘solid work’, but some still say that ‘nobody wants' the AI coach

TechRadar News
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AI traffic to travel sites is booming as shoppers look for the best holiday deal without doing any research

Slashdot
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NASA Picks Eric Schmidt's Rocket Company For Mars Mission
NASA has selected Relativity Space to build and launch Aeolus, a 2028 Mars orbiter that would provide daily global measurements of dust, winds, and atmospheric temperatures to support future robotic and human missions. TechCrunch reports: The structure of the contract is akin to the deals that NASA made with SpaceX to fly cargo to the International Space Station, or Firefly Aerospace to put a lander on the Moon. The government agency handles the science, while the private company provides low-cost infrastructure. Aeolus, as the mission is dubbed, will contain four instruments to measure and image Mars from orbit, providing what NASA expects to be the first daily, global view of dust, winds, and temperature in its atmosphere. The agency said that data will make it safer for landers and, someday, astronauts, to visit the surface of the Red Planet.

By pairing NASA's world-class instruments with commercial innovation and investment, we can deliver more science, more often, and reduce the time it takes to get essential data into the hands of researchers preparing for future human missions to Mars," NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said in statement. The mission is set to launch in 2028 -- a rapid pace that will require Relativity to design and build the spacecraft to carry the Aeolus instruments, and finish building the rocket that will carry it to space, all on a tight timeline. NASA did not disclose how much it is paying Relativity for the mission, and Relativity did not respond to questions from TechCrunch.

Relativity was founded in 2015 by two former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineers, with the idea of using 3D printing to its maximum potential as a path to building a cheaper rocket. The company's first design, Terran-1, launched in March 2023 and failed mid-flight. Relativity doubled down by moving on to a larger design, dubbed the Terran R. Before Relativity could get it to the launch pad, the company ran into fundraising challenges, and Schmidt took a majority stake in the company in it last year, installing himself as CEO. He's been tight-lipped about the investment but has expressed interest in orbital data centers, and is thought to be using Relativity to launch a space telescope, Lazuili, financed by his family philanthropy, Schmidt Sciences.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup
The Pinnacle by Abir Mukherjee; A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper; Murder on the Red River by Marcie R Rendon; The Devoted by Catherine Cho; The Repentants by Kate FosterThe Pinnacle by Abir Mukherjee (Harvill, £16.99)In the eponymous Mumbai apartment block, the immensely rich and those who serve them exist side by side but worlds apart. Fading American actor George Abercrombie, married to superstar Sweety Sahota, finds himself advertising Indian whiskey while his younger wife’s acting career continues its stellar trajectory. Waking on the sofa with a hangover and only hazy memories of the night before, George discovers Sweety stabbed to death in the marital bed and one of his shirts, blood-stained, in the laundry basket. He knows he will be the prime suspect, but not only have Sweety’s phone and laptop disappeared, so has his assistant, Amit … Told from the points of view of George, Amit and Sweety’s put-upon PA Gemma – with Amit and Gemma both having secrets of their own – and laced with dry humour and social commentary, this is a tense, fast-paced tale of class, power and corruption. Continue reading...

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Disability by David Turner review – a revelatory new history
This study of the struggle for rights includes incredible personal stories that we should all be more familiar withYou could take two outwardly contradictory lessons from the historian David Turner’s new book on disability in the UK. First, that alarmingly little has changed for disabled people since the beginning of the modern age (the book’s first few stories, of 17th-century men and women having to prove they were disabled enough to receive parish support to avoid starvation, will be familiar to anyone who has tried to claim the personal independence payment). And second, that absolutely everything has changed - from the closing of asylums to the advent of prosthetics to the eventual, belated enshrining of disability rights in law.But the central argument of Disability helps to reconcile these two narratives into a coherent whole. Turner, a professor at Swansea University, shows that while public and political attitudes to disability have remained poor, disabled people have challenged them at every stage, wresting progress out of even the most unpromising circumstances. This is not a story of rights and dignity bestowed from on high, but of the people and communities clawing them into being. Continue reading...

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Add to playlist: the wild club-pop of Zara Larsson cowriter Helena Gao and the week’s best new tracks
The Chinese-Danish artist wrote nine 10ths of Larsson’s breakout album then got a Grammy nod. It’s a fine springboard for her own revelatory popFrom Aarhus, DenmarkRecommended if you like Caroline Polachek, Zara Larsson, GrimesUp next Debut project coming later this yearYou could hardly make a better professional songwriting debut than co-writing nine 10ths of a moment-defining album – namely Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun – then getting a Grammy nod for it. It’s an enviable springboard for the relaunch of Helena Gao’s solo career. Over the past few years, the Chinese-Danish artist has released a handful of singles and EPs – standout God’s Favourite split the difference between NewJeans and R&B, and comes with an excellent Sims-referencing video – but her new music feels like a real flourishing, sidelining her older sweetness for a freakier braid of heavy bass, stuttering trance and a pitch-bending falsetto to rival that of Caroline Polachek, singing in English and Mandarin. Continue reading...

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Anya Taylor-Joy will make a brilliant elf assassin in Hunt for Gollum. But it’s a movie we don’t need
Andy Serkis has picked the perfect actor for the next iteration of the Lord of the Rings franchise. But if Tolkien didn’t linger over this subplot, should we?Let’s be honest: Anya Taylor-Joy would make a great elf. If any human being could flit from tree to tree as if woven from gossamer and starlight, or appear on a moonlit branch looking as though she had just been summoned by a haunted lute, it would be the star of The Queen’s Gambit, The Witch and Furiosa. She is perfect for Lord of the Rings, and it is no surprise whatsoever that she has been cast as the elf Seren in the forthcoming Andy Serkis-directed The Hunt for Gollum, as confirmed this week by the Hollywood Reporter.You’ll probably have heard about the movie: Serkis is back as Gollum, Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf, and the whole thing is about a barely mentioned, if crucial, section of LotR in which Aragorn is charged with chasing down the snivelling, one-time owner of the One Ring before Sauron’s forces can get to him. Continue reading...

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Over-reliance on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, study finds
Depending on AI can also potentially decrease the ability to discern misinformation, research saysA new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the latest research to find that relying too much on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, and potentially decrease our ability to discern misinformation for ourselves.As AI tools are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, manipulated images and misleading headlines are becoming more common. AI can be part of the solution, and has proved useful in helping users identify fake content – but there’s a cost to using it this way, the new research suggests. An over-dependence on AI to help figure out what’s real on the internet can lead to trouble making those judgments. Continue reading...

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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processMeanwhile, a new transatlantic drama is emerging in Italy, after US president Donald Trump told an Italian broadcaster that prime minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” him for a picture on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this week.Talking to the La7 broadcaster, Trump reportedly said:“She begged me to take a picture with her! She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”“I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time. I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the ⁠West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far ​greater indulgence.” Continue reading...

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US Open 2026: golf updates on day two – live
️ Updates from the second round at Shinnecock Hills️ Day one report | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidWhile we wait for Clark and others to finish, here’s Bryan Armen Graham’s report of the day one action.Hello everyone! The pace of play at a US Open is always sloooow and the grind wasn’t helped by a two-hour fog delay on Thursday morning. It meant many of those in the afternoon wave didn’t compete their rounds. Continue reading...

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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day four – live
Latest updates from Friday’s race cardGreg Wood’s day four tips | Email NiallFresh from registering his 100th Royal Ascot winner here in yesterday’s Gold Cup, Aidan O’Brien will hope to set off towards his second century with Sun Goddess, his only runner in this year’s Albany. It would have been an obvious target for Wednesday’s Queen Mary winner, Victorious, but O’Brien was happy to let her drop back down to five furlongs and rely on Sun Goddess alone for this six-furlong contest. Many punters with winnings from Scandinavia’s Gold Cup will need no further invitation to get stuck in. Continue reading...

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Fabulous Frida, classic Constable and a Cornish welcome for Kasuba – the week in art
Tate Modern celebrates everything Kahlo, the British Museum marks John Constable’s 250th birthday, while Claydon prepares for an invasion – all in your weekly dispatchFrida: The Making of an IconThe great surrealist and self-explorer Frida Kahlo gets a show that emphasises her influence and posthumous fame.
• Tate Modern, London, 25 June to 3 January Continue reading...

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Sweden Passes Law To Revoke Residence Permits From Migrants Who Fail 'Good-Behavior' Test
Sweden Passes Law To Revoke Residence Permits From Migrants Who Fail 'Good-Behavior' Test

Via Remix News,

Sweden has passed a new migration law that will allow residence permits to be refused or revoked if foreign nationals are deemed not to have lived in an orderly manner, marking another major tightening of the country’s immigration system.



The Swedish Parliament adopted the government’s amendments to existing immigration laws on Monday by 302 votes to 44, with the Left Party and the Green Party voting against the measure. The changes will mainly come into force next month.

Under the new rules, a foreign national’s conduct will carry greater weight when authorities decide whether to grant, extend, or revoke a residence permit. The law does not set out an exhaustive list of behaviors that will be treated as unacceptable, leaving the Migration Agency to assess cases individually. It means that an immigrant who may not hold a criminal record but has acted in a disorderly manner in other ways could be told to leave.

Decisions can be appealed to a migration court.

Government representatives and investigators have cited several examples of conduct that may count against an applicant, including failing to follow Swedish laws and regulations, ignoring decisions by public authorities, systematically avoiding debts or fines, working illegally, failing to pay taxes, criminality, and links to extremist organizations.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the proposal when it was presented in March, saying Sweden should demand more from those seeking to remain in the country.

“Anyone who doesn’t make the effort to do the right thing shouldn’t be able to count on staying,” Forssell said.

The measure forms part of a broader shift in Swedish migration policy under the current government, which has moved to make residence, citizenship and asylum rules more restrictive.

Earlier this month, Parliament also approved the removal of permanent residence permits for several asylum-related categories, including people granted protection, long-term residents in Sweden, and their family members.


Sverigedemokraterna levererar på våra vallöften! I dag har riksdagen röstat ja till dubbla straff för gängkriminella, ett återinfört tjänstemannaansvar och vandelskrav för uppehållstillstånd. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/MNxX5n4Tf9
— Sverigedemokraterna (@sdriks) June 15, 2026
Hailing the move, the right-wing Sweden Democrats wrote on X, “The Sweden Democrats are delivering on our election promises! Today, the Swedish parliament voted yes to double penalties for gang criminals, the reintroduction of official liability, and character requirements for residence permits.”

While the party is not in government, it props up the current administration on the proviso that restrictive immigration reforms continue to be implemented.

Earlier this year, Sweden also passed a strengthened return package giving police and migration authorities more tools to enforce deportation decisions. Several public authorities will be required to share information with police if they suspect a foreign national has no right to remain in the country. The package also expands the use of fingerprints, photographs, and checks of mobile phones in migration cases.

Other recent changes include stricter work-permit rules, including a salary threshold of at least 90 percent of the Swedish median salary for most applicants, and tougher citizenship rules.

The ordinary residence requirement for citizenship recently rose from five to eight years, alongside tougher requirements on self-sufficiency, conduct and knowledge of the Swedish language and society.

The government also increased voluntary repatriation grants at the start of the year, allowing eligible adults with protection-related residence permits to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor if they return permanently to their country of origin.

Read more here...

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 05:30

ZeroHedge News
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Modern Wars Cannot Be Won Without Kamikaze Drones, Paris Defense Show Makes Clear
Modern Wars Cannot Be Won Without Kamikaze Drones, Paris Defense Show Makes Clear

One of the world's largest defense and security trade shows is wrapping up this week near Paris at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center, where equity analysts from Paris-based Kepler Cheuvreux attended the event.

Eurosatory focuses mostly on land and air-to-land warfare, including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, drones, counter-drone systems, missiles, air defense, communications, battlefield software, logistics, robotics, military medicine, and homeland security systems.


Fire Point updates their Eurosatory stand this morning. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/2RwlJlh8fW
— Peter Voinovich (@PeterVoinovich) June 18, 2026
Kepler Cheuvreux equity analyst Aymeric Poulain attended the event and spoke with top executives from European defense giants Thales, Exosens, Leonardo, Hensoldt, and Rheinmetall. He also met with Safran executives at the company's headquarters.


Les guerres d’aujourd’hui ne se gagnent pas sans drones.
Au salon de l’armement Eurosatory, j’ai eu le plaisir d’échanger avec les ingénieurs d’@EOStechnologie, qui produit à Varces (Isère) des drones et munitions téléopérées de qualité exceptionnelle.
Fière de ce… pic.twitter.com/oNxl4PfDpi
— Marion Maréchal (@MarionMarechal) June 17, 2026
Poulain penned a note on Thursday titled "Game of Drone," in which he was able to "take the pulse of the sector" to determine the "latest product trends."


A german-made logistics only (for now) drone on KNDS stand at #Eurosatory. pic.twitter.com/YQS3NhRusx
— Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo (@elisabethmalom1) June 17, 2026
He said European defense sentiment remains firmly bullish, with Eurosatory underscoring enthusiasm among investors and industry interest in drones, counter-drone systems, missiles, lasers, and unmanned platforms.

The war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have accelerated this defense shift, demonstrating how low-cost drones, autonomous systems, and robotic platforms are increasingly dominating the modern battlefield and forcing legacy defense primes to adapt their portfolios at lightning speed.

Poulain's summary of what he saw at the defense show:

1. We accompanied a group of investors at the Eurosatory trade show for the defence and security industry in Paris early this week. The show was an occasion to meet with Thales, Exosens, Leonardo, Hensoldt and Rheinmetall and take the pulse of the sector and the latest product trends. We also met Safran at their headquarters. This always proposes a sample of our notes from the visit.

2. The atmosphere was buoyant amidst booming times for European defence. One of the most striking features of the show was the prominent display of drones and counter-drones, both as an add-on to incumbent core portfolios or as the core product for defence tech players. The Ukraine delegation came in force this year (even as the country is not allowed to export its production yet), underlining the significant use of drones and unmanned equipment, including underwater unmanned systems, in combat operations in the country. We talked to one of the association's representatives and were shocked to hear that production, which was 2m last year and was expected to reach 4m this year, is actually on track to reach 7m by the end of the year! It is no wonder, therefore, that the so-called "kill zone" has widened from 5km at the beginning of the war to 50km by now and that the "kill rate" is now averaging 400K Russian troops per year, a staggering demonstration of the law of large numbers. Ukraine has banned exports, such that its entire stock of weapons is aimed at supporting the war effort, but a strong presence at the salon shows that Ukrainian arm m

3. The presence of drones, missiles and counter-drones solutions was ubiquitous, be it as a new add-on to incumbent platforms and kits or as a hardware derivative of defence tech players (such as Shield AI, Harmattan AI, Destinus, Quantum Systems or Helsing). The use of laser solutions (e.g., EOS) to neutralise drones or satellites was another demonstration of how science is now turning fiction into reality and how every incumbent is adapting their portfolios to the unassailable and rapid evolution of technology and modern warfare

Key summaries of Poulain's conversation with top executives from top EU defense firms:

Thales

• At Thales, we met the head of North America and Louis Igonet, head of IR. As the trade show is mostly dedicated to land-based solutions, our visit was an occasion to discuss the exposure of Thales to this field, including Thales' integrated command & centre solutions, drone and counter-drone products, as well as electronic warfare capabilities (high energy microwave solutions).

• Air defence is on top of the agenda when it comes to defending Europe, including radars, integrated multi-domain modular command & control solutions (SkyDefender), secured communications, missiles, etc. Thales is not as exposed to effectors as other defense companies, but is well positioned to gain in counter-drone with low-cost effector solutions to neutralize drones. The evolution of the battlefield has seen the ascent of drone warfare and defence tech. Thales believes its AI and sensor capabilities give it a license to operate in this highly competitive segment. The deal announced with Renault to join forces to manufacture 1000 Toutatis drones per month was announced just before the show. At USD 30K per unit, the drone's accuracy is said to rival cheaper drones (at USD 1000 per unit) whose swarms may need 20-50 units to hit. The group noted that anti-tank missile demand is shrinking, but overall demand for missiles is growing. Thales is an equipment supplier to platforms and is therefore platform agnostic and indifferent about the future of armoured vehicle platforms. Whether it is unmanned or manned, the group is selling the same growing amount of sensors and radars, while it is also increasing its share of low-cost munitions. Thales is exposed to the Patriot missile as a supplier of seekers to Boeing and expects a 3-4x increase in demand from this customer. This is on top of its own anti-ballistic missile system, the SAMP/T NG, whose growth prospects are excellent and first export versions are expected to be delivered to Denmark from 2028E, hence the view that missile seekers could grow from a few hundred million euros to a billion-dollar business in the not-too-distant future. The group defined itself as a tech company given its giant EUR4bn+ R&D budget. Current priorities include Cybersecurity, AI and Quantum technologies. Some 1000 engineers are dedicated to applied AI to improve the prowess of its sensors and radars. Similarly, the group leadership in quantum technologies enables the creation of much more efficient and less power-hungry radar systems.

• Order intakes continue to be strong and above expectations with jumbo platform orders (SAMP/T NG and Rafale) expected this year, while much smaller orders (below EUR 10 m) still represent the bread and butter of the group. European orders dominate. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, as 65%+ of the group revenues come from the region, which also happens to be the most dynamic worldwide and benefit from lending facilities that promote European-made equipment buying. In Germany, the group is mostly exposed to the Maritime domain, having won the electronic lead role in the Frigate 126 programme, while it is also gaining ground on radars and communications, notably as part of Germany's EUR 11bn shipment of military goods to Ukraine. However, as a global Franco-British defence contractor, possible delays in the British budget are not seen as a major risk, especially as it should be more than offset by France's LPM EUR 36bn top-up plan, which parliament should vote on and sign soon. Thales is also hopeful to get a growing share of the growing Canadian pie, as the country is trying to reduce its reliance on the US. The group recently booked a EUR 400m (AUD750m) contract in Australia for 268 next-generation Bush Master vehicles. In the US, the group is a leader in communication and secured radio com (along with L3Harris), sonars (world leader), avionics (modest), missile electronics and optronics sensors. The ambition is to double the US business by 2030. Thales has been present in the Middle East for at least 50 years, such that the recent developments in the region are likely to be a positive for the company, which also assembles radar in the UAE. Some 10% of revenues stem from the region, and recent urgent operating requests suggest that orders in the coming year could boost growth.

• The group has also built capacity ahead of the demand, hence its capacity to deliver off-the-shelf, which has been behind its recent double-digit revenue growth momentum and should continue to support both record-breaking orders and revenue growth. Supply chain is performing well, even if the group continues to be vigilant on PCBs. In that regard, Thale is building its own internal capacity. Inflationary pressures in the memory space are covered by indexation clauses.

• M&A is always part of the capital allocation toolbox at Thales, although the group is clear that the goal is not to add a new leg to the portfolio and that it first needs to prove the merit of the Imperva acquisition (which we believe it will, as organic growth is set to recover as the year progresses in the key cybersecurity segment). The Space carve-out means that Space will be looking at its own acquisition as a deconsolidated JV, therefore focusing attention on defence and avionics. The Bromo merger talks are ongoing and focus on convincing social partners and anti trust authorities, while giving the time to Airbus to complete its own carve out. That said, the market opportunity for Space is growing amidst rising EU and ESA budgets.

Exosens

• We had a chance to meet Jerome Cerisier, CEO of Exosens and Laurent Sfaxi, head of IR, who showcased the latest innovations fuelling the group's strong organic growth at the moment.

• The group's infrared thermal imaging solutions (part of D&I) have been in high demand and a key driver of upgrades lately. The product includes both large high-ticket surveillance cameras (a few hundred sold per year at EUR 100K+ a unit) and smaller thermal sensors used in higher volumes by the drone industry (delivering batches of 10k unit orders), the group claiming a dozen clients in this field. Part of its success has been its presence in Europe (the main competitor is Teledyne) and its agile integrated solution. Scale is not an issue, and gross margins are comparable to Amplification.

• In Amplification, the group showcased its bread and butter 4G tubes (used by Theon's binocular NVS), sold at EUR 2400 per unit on average ("between EUR 2000 and EUR 3000) as well as its latest resolution 5G tubes, whose resolution is 35% better and price tag probably 20-25%+ better too. The group is on track to produce 6,000 5G tubes this year, with growth driven by yield improvements rather than additional capacity, in line with the existing plan to reach 175,000 tube capacity by 2028E.

• Geographically, Europe is where the highest growth can be seen, although the growing presence of Asian delegations on the show underlined the growing demand expected from countries such as Japan and Korea, the latter likely to be slower-moving than the former.

• Civil activities at D&I are also enjoying a turnaround of sorts. The semiconductor industry is booming, and demand for non- destructive wafer testing solutions should be benefiting. Life sciences remain complicated, but demand for nuclear gamma ray monitoring devices is starting to take off on the back of the growing interest for SMRs, notably in the US. The group is supplying half of the projects that have been selected in the US and sees "very, very strong growth" as a result, albeit for a low base, in a small niche market shared between Exosens and Mirion Technologies.

• M&A remains on the agenda, the group having commented that the size of its next deals could be bigger than in the past. Although multiples have definitely increased in defence, management has not seen a material inflation of multiples for civil dual- use tech application targets, as it tends to pursue.

Leonardo

• Our meeting with Leonardo was shortened and did not bring anything new to our understanding of the story, which was covered most diligently by Matteo Bonizzoni.

• Order intakes were a record EUR 9bn in Q1, which compares with a EUR 25bn guidance for the year. This included a big helicopter order from the UK (GBP1bn).

•  Iveco's consolidation details will be provided in Q2.

• A new CEO took over. Aer 35 years at the company, he knows the business well and would effectively mark a continuation of the strategy set by his predecessor.

•  A deal in Aerostructure is no longer realistic this summer.

• However, the group is confident in delivering on its guidance.

• The Middle East is 8% of revenues and growing. Leonardo expects strong demand to come from the region.

• The GCAP is difficult, given the ongoing funding constraints. Yet, it received its first international order. So the program is progressing even if not fully funded.

• The 22.8% stake in Hensoldt is currently looked at as an industrial partner. However, as it is clear that there is no chance for Leonardo of getting control, the group is discussing how to leverage the stake industrially at the moment, but could also eventually decide to realise the value of its stake through a financial sale if no synergies can be found

Hensoldt

• Hensoldt showcased its TRML 4D and Spexer radars, which are in high demand and currently expanding production with a view to doubling capacity from 15 in 2025, estimated at 20 in 2026, to 30 TRML 4D radars in 2027E.

• Although the group's revenues and order intakes are dominated by Germany and other NATO countries (10 Skyshield countries have opted for TRML 4D radars), the group would expect Middle East demand (a low single-digit percentage of group revenues) to double over time.

• Growth should be strong this year, while the book-to-bill of 1.5-2x highlights the strength of the current order momentum, but also the lumpiness necessitating quite a range of absolute outcomes (EUR3.8-5bn order). The group expects to receive EUR 1bn orders for new Pegasus surveillance aircra or Luwes jamming systems, whose exact timing remains uncertain.

• The end of the FCAS is not a concern to Hensoldt, which expects an alternative to the programme. Meanwhile, the group would expect to reallocate a third of the 150 engineers working on the project to other R&D priorities. Paid for R&D accounted for 15% of group revenues last year.

• The stock has derated on macro considerations and ceasefire concerns, but ramping up production to meet a fast-growing backlog of multi-domain sensors and optronics solutions secures the strong 15-20% top line growth outlook earmarked at the CMD last year.

Safran

• We met the Safran IR team at their headquarters aer our visit to Eurosatory.

• The company presented last week its Defence ambitions in Montlucon. We encourage our readers to refer to our site visit note for more details on the very strong prospects offered by Defence for Safran and the confidence we have in the group's ability to continue to surprise in its Propulsion Civil aermarket business, making the stock still one of our highest conviction ideas in the aerospace & defence sector.

• The group's defence portfolio contributed c.20% of revenues in 2025, of which half was attributable to Propulsion (or EUR3.1bn last year) and the rest to Equipment & Defence (or EUR 3.2bn last year).

• In the propulsion, some 10% of revenues stem from Military Engines, notably the M88 engine deliveries and aermarket revenues, whose delivery rates are set to double by 2029. This does not include the possibility of new Rafale orders; the group is awaiting the signature of the 114 Rafale jet Indian contract (FCF guidance not including such jumbo deals). Meanwhile, Safran Propulsion is benefiting from the booming missile demand (EUR0.4bn revenues), which already tripled between 22-25E but is on course to grow by 7x by 2028. Safran is on board 10 missile platforms (with MBDA, Kongsberg and Saab in particular) and is currently in discussion with US missile makers. Another 5% of the group's Propulsion revenues is directed at military Helicopters, whose business is heavily split between aermarket and new turbine deliveries. Margin-wise, the group is not commenting on the contribution by the sub-segment other than the fact that the growth in military propulsion is not expected to be dilutive to the propulsion margins.

• The group's defence segment in Equipment & Defence is enjoying very strong demand for its Hammer guiding kits, recently illustrated by a key ballistic missile win. Here, the group has seen demand grow 5-6 fold over the last three years with continued very strong momentum, hence investments to triple production. Order intakes grew by + 60% last year, pointing at least high teens growth for Safran Defence Electronics Defence segment by the end of the decade, from 17% CAGR reported between 22- 25E. 80% of the order book is international and platform agnostic, while the group is capable of covering the entire spectrum from highly sophisticated programs to more affordable mass customers. In Equipment & Defence, the outperformance of defence is set to be margin accretive and a key reason why management is confident it can increase margin to mid-teens.

• Outside defence, the equity story remains dominated by the group's core Civil Propulsion business, which accounts for 80% of its Propulsion business, of which 68% is narrow-body engines (CFM56 and LEAP), and 12% comes from wide-body. Growth in Civil Aermarket Propulsion was very strong in Q1, including 29% for Spares and 40% for Services. Growth in Spares was not driven by the growth of shop visits, although a growing portion of LEAP shop visits are done by third-party MRO (up from 10% to 15% of total, on 30% shop visit growth expected this year, suggesting a doubling of LEAP third-party spares demand). That said, the bulk of spares growth is explained by CFM56, whose shop visit growth is now flat and pricing gains amount to 5-7%, thereby highlighting the importance of workscope effects, which are growing faster in 26E than in 25E, a phenomenon that could prevail until the end of the decade in line with the ageing fleet and the growing number of 2nd shop visits that tend to consume 60% more parts than the first ones (albeit the average varying given the fact that some spare part replacements are mandatory while others are at the discretion of the airlines). Another for the 3rd shop visits that typically compete on price with the second material, they are also set to contribute more, as there is no stock of the second spare part and as power generation players now buy a growing number of retired engines. Retirement rates of CFM56 have been below the planned 2% this year (at c.1-1.5%) and could continue to be below the 3-4% expected in the coming years, as airlines have so far not changed their behaviour, probably on the assumption that the oil shock would be temporary. Safran has not seen slot cancellation or deferrals as companies do not want to be caught off guard should a reopening of the Hormuz Strait opens soon (likely if a deal is signed this week end in our view and as suggested by the sharp fall in oil prices) pointing to another strong quarter in Q2 and very strong confidence in delivering low teen CAGR in revenues and EBIT for Propulsion between 25-28E (at 22-24% margin), driven by CFM56 and LEAP . If growth offers visibility on the back of planned shop visits and pricing power, the margin band is mostly a reflection of mix question marks and the likely normalisation of spare engine ratios in the LEAP engine delivery mix (expected to be 10-12%). There is upside to margin, though, as tariffs paid last year may be refunded this year, although this may simply compensate other inflationary effects.

• Outside the sensitivity of airline traffic and balance sheet to the macro, Safran USD hedging stands at 1.13 until 2028E, such that the risks to group assumptions appear limited to the French corporate tax surcharge (assumed at EUR 475m this year and not recurring next year), although cash flow assumptions remain prudent as they do not assume the possibility for large order advance payments in defence.

• Divestments from Cabin are gathering pace, as the group is expecting stronger prices in Seats to boost revenues and profit margins in the coming year and beyond. Cabin has more limited upside and is set to rebound to HSD margin, hence the decision to exit. Divestment is complicated by AIFR's keenness to secure supply and therefore prefers industrial solutions.

How to profit:



Related but stateside:

Congress Moves To Boost Drone Funding As "War Unicorns" See Possible Procurement Supercycle

JPM Call With Axon Reveals Race To Fortify U.S. Data Centers Against Kamikaze Drone Swarms


Goldman Sits Down With Anduril As 'War Unicorns' Reshape Defense Tech


"Flying Beer Cooler": Pentagon's Next Kamikaze Drone Ushers In Era Of Cheap Mass-Produced Airpower

Professional subscribers can read about drones, humanoids, and modern war tech reshaping battlefields at our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 06:15

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Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
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The Guardian (UK)
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ITV wins World Cup ratings battle with BBC in tournament’s first week
England v Croatia got year’s highest UK TV figuresBBC opted for more first-pick games in knockout stagesITV is winning the UK television ratings battle after the first week of the World Cup. Viewing figures obtained by the Guardian from Barb, which measures audience numbers, show the commercial channel had four of the five highest TV audiences, topped by England’s 4-2 win over Croatia.England’s victory in Dallas attracted a peak audience of 15.4 million on ITV and an average of more than 10 million, the highest UK TV viewing figures of the year. Continue reading...

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Scott McTominay's WAG Cam Reading showcases her abs in sparkly gold top after being branded the 'Queen of Italy' as couple enjoy Ibiza holiday prior to World Cup kick off
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Devs in the trenches are stressed from the mandate to automate everything, but Render thinks it can help
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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processIn other news, French authorities have detained and charged a Belarus-born man on suspicion of spying for Russia on a French drone manufacturer, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.AFP reported that the 48-year-old was arrested on 3 June “while filming a drone prototype belonging to a company that supplies the French and Ukrainian armed forces”, it said, adding that France’s domestic intelligence agency found he “allegedly sent a video to a contact in Russia”. Continue reading...

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Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
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Royal Ascot 2026: horse racing updates from day four – live
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
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A dynamic new strategy would allow the BBC to redefine what trusted news means, as it is still valued highly in this age of anxietyTiming is all, and the timing of last week’s brutal job cuts at the BBC News could have been better. Not just because the director general Matt Brittin was reportedly on holiday, but because the announcement came straight after a new report showed social media platforms and AI chatbots had now overtaken traditional TV channels and websites as people’s first port of call for news.The same Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism report also noted higher levels of global uncertainty and anxiety – caused not just by geopolitical instability, economic and environmental fears, but by a loss of trust in institutions, and in the news itself.Jane Martinson is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

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The Guardian (UK)
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Autosport F1
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Digital Trends
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This free app gives your photos the Game Boy Camera’s iconic look, no cartridge needed
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The Guardian (UK)
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Summer’s here and the time is right to direct sow vegetables in your garden
Starting your crops where you will harvest them avoids transplant shock and can speed growth. Just beware of hungry animals!I like to think of myself as a fairly laissez-faire food grower. I see the prescribed sowing windows as guidance mostly, and have been known to bung a healthy seedling in a bed alongside a different plant family even if it goes against my crop plan. But when sowing seeds, I am all about control. I’m a devoted user of modular seed trays, preferring to keep my seeds compartmentalised so that I can monitor their germination and growth before choosing the ideal moment to plant them out.Yet some crops lend themselves to being sown directly in the spot where they’ll grow until harvested. Quite a few crops can be sown outdoors now, in early summer’s generally friendly weather. Continue reading...

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How the world’s voracious appetite for shrimp is destroying Ecuador’s mangroves
As demand soars, the country’s mangrove forests and the livelihoods of shellfish gatherers are under threat from encroaching farms and unchecked pollutionAt low tide, Johana Carolina Cruz Potes steps into the mudflats around Isla Costa Rica, in Ecuador’s Jambelí Archipelago. Holding a bucket and a short metal hook, she probes the tangled roots of a mangrove patch, searching for concha negra, black-shelled cockles, buried beneath the sludge.Cruz Potes has done this work since she was nine, when she first followed her father into the mud. But earning a living from shellfish gathering – often the only income for families here – has become harder as grounds shrink and catches decline. Continue reading...

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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processMeanwhile, despite all the focus on the need to increase defence spending and growing warnings from the US, the Czech Republic is set to miss its 2% target again, the country’s prime minister Andrej Babiš confirmed.Reuters reported that Babiš’s government cut this year’s original defence ​spending plan to around 1.7-1.8% GDP but Babiš ‌had been saying he was looking for ways to meet the ‌target. This is no longer the case, he said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd good morning to Mike Daniels, in his scoreboard perch at Grace Road. “Yorkshire win toss and bat here. Looking forward to seeing if Will Luxton can build on his 100 against Warks last game.“He’s looked very good when I’ve seen him and surely he might get a look in for the Lions soon?” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
Updates from the third day’s play at the Oval Day two report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail James60th over: England 227-6 (Cox 27, Archer 0) Shot! Cox flicks his wrists on a half volley from Matt Henry and the ball traces away for four across the baking square. Lovely timing on that.59th over: England 223-6 (Cox 23, Archer 0) It will be intriguing to see how Cox plays this morning, I have a feeling we might see some dashing strokeplay if he can hang around for a few overs and get settled. Jamieson is back of a length, Cox lets one pass by and then defends with a straight bat to mid off. The Oval is thrumming with excitement and plenty of folk can be spied applying a thick layer of sun cream, there isn’t a lot of shade here at the moment. A cheer greets Cox and England’s first run of the day, a guide to point for single off the final delivery. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Termination shock’: trust our expert warnings on geoengineering’s planetary risks | Raymond Pierrehumbert, Julia Slingo, Michael Mann and Valerie Masson-Delmotte
Do we really want to play dice with our planet?A series in the Guardian recently declared “it’s time to talk about geoengineering.” So let’s talk about it. And let us start with some simple truths about this cluster of techno-optimistic “quick fixes” which purport to somehow offset our slow progress towards zeroing out planet-warming carbon emissions.Solar geoengineering proposals – reducing sunlight – have received the most attention, but a host of desperate schemes have been proposed in an effort to “fix” the disruption of climate caused by the growing burden of carbon dioxide human activities add to the atmosphere. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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'Extreme heat' warning as UK faces 'hottest June day EVER': Met Office issues rare amber alert for week-long heatwave as temperatures soar to 34C
Swathes of southern and eastern England and Wales were placed under the rare 47-hour Met Office amber warning which will run from 1am on Monday until the end of Tuesday.

Mail Online
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Indian rapist is jailed for six years after attack that left victim 'suicidal' as police hunt two other suspects who have fled the UK
Nitesh Nitesh, 20, raped his victim in Bristol city centre in the early hours of March 29.

Mail Online
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Georgia Toffolo reveals her 'obscene' outfit choice for Ascot as she slips into a 90-year-old gold dress to take the tube for day four of the festival
The former Made In Chelsea star, 31, took to her Instagram on Friday to show off her outfit for the prestigious event.

Mail Online
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Putin's nuclear-powered Skyfall missile 'spews radiation as it flies' and is a 'fairly useless, environmental nightmare'
Their modelling found the missile's reactor design is likely to release large amounts of radioactive material in its exhaust.

Mail Online
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Time to cool off! The best swimming pools in the UK to escape the heatwave
When temperatures reach the 30C range, there's little more appealing than a dip in a fresh swimming pool. Here are some of the best spots to do so...

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The Fed’s new hawkish reality just forced Goldman Sachs to slash its gold forecast by $500
Strategists at the investment bank see gold rising to $4,900 a tonne by the end of the year instead of $5,400.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Is the stock market open today for Juneteenth? Will the post office deliver mail?
The June 19 federal holiday falls on a Friday this year. Here’s how trading hours and other services are affected.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Stefanie Janine Stölting: pgsql_tweaks Version 1.0.4 Released
pgsql_tweaks is a bundle of functions and views for PostgreSQL
Changes In The pgsql_tweaks 1.0.4 Release


pgsql_tweaks is a bundle of functions and views for PostgreSQL

The source code is available on Codeberg.

The extension is also available on PGXN.

The extension is also availabe through the PostgreSQL rpm packages.

Changes In The pgsql_tweaks 1.0.4 Release

Lætitia Avrot posted a blog post where she checked a view from the extension for readability and quality.

She found a typo in the view pg_bloat_info and send a pull request with the correction of the typo.

Big thanks for the correction Lætitia. And it is worth following her and her blog.

Funny engough, that the type did not make it to the documentation.

EFF
Open 
EFF Joins 60+ Groups Urging the UK to Halt Face Estimation at the Border
This week, EFF joined Foxglove, Human Rights Watch, and 60 other organizations in writing to the UK’s Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, raising serious concern about the Home Office’s decision to deploy Facial Age Estimation (FAE) to assess asylum-seeking children from 2027. 
The letter points to four key concerns:
Discrimination 
As with most face estimation and recognition tools, there is ongoing bias in the deployment of these technologies. With FAE, many have highlighted its baked-in failures and discrimination, particularly in relation to women and people of color. Evidence shows that FAE is most accurate for estimating the ages of Eastern European men, but even then it consistently produces errors. The Home Office itself noted “that FAE performance can vary depending on ethnicity” and skin tone. 
Inaccuracy
The Home Office has admitted that FAE systems are imprecise for analyzing 16-to 18-year-olds, with even the “top systems” having an “error margin of around 2.5 years here.” This is exactly the age range for which the Home Office has chosen to deploy this technology. And this error margin will be widened yet further because children seeking asylum often suffer from trauma-induced aging. 
Lawfulness of Use of Children’s Data
Major concerns exist around the lawful basis on which the Home Office, or its chosen third-party FAE vendors, could have sought consent to collect and process photographs or data from asylum-seeking children to train this system. Further, there is no clarity on the images and/or data that this technology has been trained on. 
Lack of Necessary Disclosure 
The Home Office claims “extensive testing has already been carried out across diverse groups, including different ethnicities, genders and age ranges, indicating promising performance and accuracy.” But these purported “promising” results have not been published, nor have any Equality or Data Protection Impact Assessments. 
The letter continues by requesting clarification on several key questions regarding these concerns. EFF and partners have provided the UK government 21 days for a response, and we urge the Home Office to take on this uphill task in good faith and release the information.
You can read the letter in full here. 

EFF
Open 
The UK’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban Will Cause More Harm Than It Prevents
This week, politicians in the UK pushed forward with plans to eviscerate privacy and free speech on the internet by announcing a ban on social media for users under 16 that is set to take effect in Spring 2027. 
The UK government continues to falsely characterize this policy as a necessary response to growing concerns about online harms for young people. In reality, much like the Online Safety Act, it will cause more harm than it will prevent. 
Users of all ages are burdened with proving their age before accessing content, with social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X included in the ban. There remains no reliable, privacy-preserving method of verifying the age of every internet user and methods vary from one platform to the next.
Young people will not simply be protected from being contacted by adults or endlessly scrolling—they’ll also lose access to educational videos on YouTube, local events on Facebook, and potentially cut off from distant friends and family. 
Public policy must be effective, proportionate and respectful of fundamental rights. Young people deserve better than a policy built on panic, and all internet users deserve a safe and free internet. A social media ban generates headlines, but it will not solve the problem. 
A Brief History of Age-Gating in the UK
Age restriction proposals in the UK date back to a decade ago, when the proposed Digital Economy Bill was put forth to (among other things) restrict young people from accessing pornographic websites. While the Digital Economy Act of 2017 passed without age-based restrictions, it laid the groundwork for later age verification measures.
Over the next few years, age checks for porn websites were announced then delayed several times. But it wasn’t until a consultation under the 2016-2019 May government and the 2020 publication of the Online Harms Whitepaper that age verification became a broader idea.
In 2023, the UK passed the controversial Online Safety Act, establishing powers that could weaken privacy protections and freedom of expression for internet users worldwide. In July 2025, the government implemented age assurance measures on sites hosting “harmful” content. 
And despite politicians affirming repeatedly that the Online Safety Act would solve all of the problems with online safety, this year they decided it in fact did not go far enough. American social psychologist and The Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt—who has called for age-related social media bans around the world, despite significant scientific doubt about his research—met with the UK Health Secretary in February to push for the ban.
In March, politicians introduced plans for a social media ban into the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to “prevent children under the age of 16 from becoming or being users” of “all regulated user-to-user services,” to be implemented by “highly-effective age assurance measures”—effectively banning under-16s from social media. 
When this proposal came before the House of Commons, MPs defeated and proposed their own amendment: enabling the Secretary of State to introduce provisions “requiring providers of specified internet services” to prevent access by children, under age 18 rather than 16, to specified internet services or to specified features; and to restrict access by children to specified internet services which ministers provide. 
But the social media ban does not stop there. The provision also requires internet service providers to limit the time kids spend online, and has rules about who can contact them online. These extreme rules will take decisions about using technology away from families and put them in the hands of government regulators. 
The history of this proposal shows that the UK government has repeatedly returned to the same flawed idea: restricting access to online services by requiring age checks for everyone. But the fundamental problems have not changed. There is still no widely available way to verify age online without compromising privacy—but even if there were, broad restrictions on social media will inevitably limit access to lawful speech, and valuable online communities, and arts and culture.

Sky News Home
Open 
Asda losses grow to almost £1bn as it fends off Aldi
Asda slumped deeper into the red last year, according to accounts showing hits from price cuts to lure back shoppers and one-off costs.

HM Treasury
Open 
Chancellor backs former coalfield areas with new investment to end decline and encourage local talent
Communities in former coalfield areas of Britain will benefit from new jobs and business opportunities, as the Chancellor confirms investment in projects that support local talent and boost growth. | HM Treasury.

Mail Online
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Filter face! The celebrities who look very different in real life compared to their social media snaps - as Madonna surprises with her natural look
Most are guilty of applying a glossy filter to a selfie on occasion, but some celebrities transform their pictures so much, they're almost unrecognisable in real life.

Mail Online
Open 
Andy Burnham vows new Left-wing 'path for Britain' after by-election triumph - as deluded Starmer 'fights on'
Andy Burnham secured a majority of 9,000 votes over Reform in a result that sparked tears of joy from Left-wingers - who now hope to force far more extreme tax and spend policies.

Computer Weekly
Open 
Google Cloud boosts for enterprise agentic at London Summit
Hyperscaler prioritises process automation in UK showcase, with frontier models, agent platforms and development tools to the fore, with customers such as Unilever in the spotlight

Ian Visits
Open 
Historic first as pelican chicks hatch in St James’s Park
The Royal Parks is celebrating the arrival of four pelican chicks, the first ever successfully hatched by the resident birds in St James’s Park.Read more ›

UK Government News
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Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through
New rules introduced to simplify homebuying and selling making the process easier and simpler.

UK Government News
Open 
Banned director who spent Covid loans on Disneyland, school fees and Audi jailed for £300,000 fraud
Less than £7,500 of the £300,000 has been repaid

UK Government News
Open 
May 2026 Transaction Data
This data provides information about the number and types of applications that HM Land Registry completed in May 2026.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Hegseth Orders Review Of US Force Posture In Europe, Warns NATO Laggards Of Consequences
Hegseth Orders Review Of US Force Posture In Europe, Warns NATO Laggards Of Consequences

Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on June 18 announced a six-month review of U.S. force posture and basing in Europe, warning that NATO allies failing to meet defense spending commitments could face consequences as Washington pushes the alliance toward what he called a new era of burden-sharing.



Speaking at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Hegseth said the review would examine America’s military footprint in Europe and help ensure that European allies assume primary responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense.

“I’m announcing today a six-month Department of War review that will examine America’s force posture and basing in Europe,” Hegseth said.

The review comes as the Trump administration is pushing NATO members to increase defense spending and take over capabilities long provided by the United States.

Earlier this month, NATO officials disclosed that the United States would no longer assign certain capabilities—including an aircraft carrier strike group, support ships, aerial refueling aircraft, and dozens of combat aircraft—to NATO crisis-response plans.

The Trump administration has said that the United States must preserve greater military flexibility as it prepares for the possibility of simultaneous conflicts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth described the U.S. force posture review as part of a broader transformation of the alliance into “NATO 3.0,” a return to what he characterized as NATO’s original mission as a hard-edged military alliance focused on deterrence and warfighting.

“It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe, stepping up to ensure our forces are postured for America’s global needs,” Hegseth said.

Although Hegseth did not question the U.S. commitment to NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, he indicated that allies failing to meet spending targets could see reductions in U.S. contributions.

“Going forward, our annual NATO dues will be contingent on other countries meeting their defense spending targets,” he said. ”Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down. ... It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors.”

NATO 3.0

Hegseth sharply criticized what he described as decades of underinvestment by European allies.

“For too long, NATO has been a paper tiger and a one-way street,” he said. “No more.”

He argued that after the Cold War, NATO drifted away from its core military mission and toward issues unrelated to deterrence and defense. He described an era in which the alliance had lost its way by focusing on “gender equity and climate change and defense austerity.”

Instead, he said, the alliance must return to being “a real military alliance that’s focused on hard power and real deterrence.”

Hegseth said European allies had made progress in boosting military spending, citing NATO’s new benchmark of spending 5 percent of gross domestic product on defense and related investments.

He also highlighted planned increases in U.S. defense spending, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump had committed to defense budgets exceeding $1 trillion in 2026 and $1.5 trillion in 2027.

“We will lead and exceed our own NATO spending standards,” Hegseth said.

US Contributions Already Cut

The review comes weeks after Washington informed allies that it would reduce certain contributions to NATO’s force model, a planning framework that assigns military capabilities to respond to crises and defend alliance territory.

“In May, the Department of War told allies that we’re reducing our contributions to the NATO force model,” Hegseth said, noting that some allies had already begun stepping in to fill the gaps.



NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte holds a news conference ahead of a defense ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on June 17, 2026. Yves Herman/Reuters

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed on June 18 that those reductions have already taken effect.

“The question yesterday came up: Is this immediate or not?” Rutte told reporters before the ministerial meeting. “It is immediate.”

Rutte clarified that the changes relate to NATO planning assumptions rather than actual wartime commitments.

“Why I’m a little bit reluctant to say this is because it is a planning tool,” he said. “So what would happen in reality? If war would break out ... all allies, including the U.S., will max out what they can do to make sure we can fight the war.”

Despite the changes to force planning, NATO officials said that the alliance’s nuclear deterrence posture remains intact.

In a statement following a June 18 meeting of NATO’s nuclear planning group, allies reaffirmed that they maintain a “safe, secure, effective, and credible nuclear posture to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.”

They described the alliance’s strategic nuclear forces as the “supreme guarantee of Allied security” that underpins NATO’s deterrence architecture.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 04:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Suckers? 44% Of EU Citizens Feel Well-Protected In The Digital World
Suckers? 44% Of EU Citizens Feel Well-Protected In The Digital World

While the European Union has taken a global lead in regulating the digital economy, survey data paints a mixed picture of the effectiveness of those efforts.

As Statista's Felix Richter details below, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 83 percent of EU citizens consider it important for authorities to ensure that AI and digital technologies respect European rights and values, suggesting broad public support for a strong regulatory framework.



You will find more infographics at Statista

At the same time, only 44 percent say they feel well protected by the EU in the digital world.

The results point to a gap between the bloc’s regulatory ambitions and how secure citizens actually feel online.

In other words, while there is broad backing for stricter rules, many Europeans remain unconvinced that existing measures are fully effective in practice.

Tyler Durden
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 04:45

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Amber Extreme Heat warning issued by Met Office as 35C heatwave approaches
Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-30s Celsius on Monday and Tuesday with impacts on health and a risk of disruption to travel.

Mail Online
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Callum Turner has a cheeky feel of new wife Dua Lipa's bottom in the middle of crowds of tourists at Rome's Trevi Fountain during 'la dolce vita' honeymoon
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's romantic two-week honeymoon has brought them to Rome this week.

Mail Online
Open 
Japanese mayor sparks controversy... by taking maternity leave
Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata in the west of Japan , revealed in May that she would be taking eight weeks off before and after giving birth to her baby.

Mail Online
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Baby twin girls who were conjoined at the skull are successfully separated thanks to British surgeon
A British surgeon has successfully performed a gruelling operation to separate 19-month-old conjoined twins who were attached at the skull.

BBC Technology News
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UK's top AI regulator quits after 'inappropriate' humour
Edwards has been the boss of the data watchdog since January 2022, and said he had made inappropriate attempts at humour.

ZDNet News
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You can get Amazon Prime totally free for 6 months if you're age 18-24 - what to know
Amazon's Prime for Young Adults plan gets college students and young people a big break on the membership. Here's how to get it.

CNET News
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6 Reasons Weber Grills Keep Winning Our Tests, Year After Year
Few grill brands command more respect from seasoned pitmasters and backyard cooks alike. Here's what sets Weber apart, and why it keeps earning our recommendation year after year.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsDivision OneChelmsford: Essex v Nottinghamshire Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
Updates from the third day’s play at the Oval Day two report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail JamesJust read this beautiful piece from my pal Jon Hotten who watched Rew and Cox make their way for the first time in Test cricket from a lofty perch (lah-di-dah) here at the Oval:Yesterday at the Oval, James Rew walked out to bat as England’s number six. The score was 170-4, and, disconcertingly, he had to pass Joe Root, who was stomping off having reviewed a marginal leg before decision and not much enjoyed the result. Has there ever, in the history of the game, been such a disparity between outgoing batter and the incoming one? Root had just fallen to the 24,327th delivery he received in Test cricket. Rew, as if he needed reminding, was yet to face a single ball. What would he give, at that moment, for just one of Root’s 13,998 runs?Tom Blundell remained up to the stumps. Matt Henry switched to around the wicket. It must have been an out-of-body experience for James Rew, that first delivery. No matter how you prepare, how long you have visualised the moment, it can’t have been like this, not 170-4 on a muggy afternoon at the Oval, the captain out, the early serenity of the afternoon’s play broken open, this lifetime’s dream now a visceral reality.”Thorpe’s in” or “Thorpe’s still in” were words that always provided some solace in the back seats. Thorpe was a headbanded and hard-bitten nugget of hope. A zinc-lipped beacon. A “Kookaburra Bubble” stickered mast on which to cling as England found themselves taking on wave after wave of all-time great bowlers. Be it night or day, seam or spin, lost cause, dead rubber or soul stirring victory – Graham Thorpe was batting.Against a rolling backdrop of Cornhill Insurance, npower girls, spindly gasometers, snow-capped mountains and Tetley Beer hoardings – Graham Thorpe was batting. Against Australia, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park and the aliens of Independence Day – Graham Thorpe was batting. During Labour landslides, Knebworth singalongs, through BSE, foot and mouth and Millennium Bugs. Somehow, Graham Thorpe was batting the entirety of the decade.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP
Tories’ Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ‘loud and clear’ in support of the North Sea oil and gas industry UK politics – live updatesThe Scottish National party has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP’s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, with a 14.69% swing away towards the Scottish Tories, whose vote share was 49.51%. Lumsden’s vote tally was 14,308, with Thomson on 8,258. Jo Hart for Reform came a distant third with 2,478 votes. The turnout was just 38%. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Middle East crisis live: Israel strikes targets in Lebanon as US-Iran talks in Switzerland called off
IDF claims continuing strikes come after Iran-backed group repeatedly violated ceasefire; JD Vance cancels trip as US-Iran talks set for Friday cancelledUS-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called offJD Vance tells Iran deal critics in Israel: Trump is your only ally left in the worldInside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern LebanonAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
What would ‘change’ look like if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister?
From public ownership, to devolution and the cost of living, the policies of the potential Labour leadership challenger will face intense scrutinyUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham’s victory in Makerfield sets up a battle for Downing Street. Allies of the outgoing Greater Manchester mayor want him to be installed as prime minister as quickly and painlessly as possible, while those close to Keir Starmer want the Labour leader to fight on.If he does become prime minister, Burnham will be expected to deliver on the “change” he promised after his win on Thursday night. But what would that look like, and what policies would his government be likely to pursue? Continue reading...

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
‘Clean your air without spending a fortune’: I discover that this Coway air purifier’s tremendous filtering is well worth its low price — as long as you don’t mind its lack of smarts

Wired Top Stories
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Canada Missed Chances to Inspect Titan Before Fatal Implosion
A new report shows that government agencies failed to communicate and includes recommendations for stronger oversight in a bid to avert future disasters.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
An Open Strait of Hormuz Won’t Fix Gas Prices Overnight
Even if peace holds up between the US and Iran, oil prices aren’t going back down to where they were any time soon.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
Prediction Market Philosophers Got What They Wanted. They’re Not Happy About It
Getting the future right is now big business. But at a festival in Berkeley, forecasters worry that sports markets could take the whole industry down.

The Hill
Open 
Senate Republicans in somber, pessimistic mood over Trump deal with Iran
President Trump’s deal to lift sanctions on Iran and give it access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund has cast a glum mood over the Senate Republican conference, with GOP senators saying that many of their colleagues are “in dismay” and “somber” over the cost of the agreement. Trump’s most vocal MAGA allies on Capitol...

The Hill
Open 
Latest Trump SAVE America push splits House Republicans 
President Trump’s latest push to pair the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act with legislation reviving the federal government’s warrantless spying powers is dividing House Republicans, with some arguing the gambit is doomed to fail. Trump has repeatedly said he will not support renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) —...

Mail Online
Open 
'Extreme heat' warning as UK faces 'hottest June day EVER': Met Office issues rare amber alert for week-long heatwave as temperatures soar to 34C
Swathes of southern and eastern England and Wales were placed under the rare 47-hour Met Office amber warning which will run from Monday 1am until the end of Tuesday.

BBC Technology News
Open 
UK AI regulator quits after 'attempts at humour that were inappropriate'
Edwards has been the boss of the data watchdog since January 2022, and said he had made inappropriate attempts at humour.

Mail Online
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From sunglasses and handbags to footwear and jewellery, I'm a fashion writer and I've scoured the high street to find 26 of the best summer accessories
Accessories are a great way of mixing up your look without having to start all over again .I've scoured the high street to find the perfect pieces to re-imagine your style.

Mail Online
Open 
Thousands could face agonising spinal surgery - and potential paralysis - after life-saving bone implant is pulled from sale over safety fears
Thousands of people in the UK could face agonising spinal surgery after a widely used spinal implant was pulled from sale over fears it can trigger a bone-destroying condition.

Mail Online
Open 
Inside Lidl's first-ever PUB: Discount supermarket chain opens £500,000 60-seat bar selling beer, wine and spirits called The Middle Ale
With its colour scheme of red, yellow and blue, it could not be clearer who owns the newest pub in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, which opened to punters today.

Mail Online
Open 
'Extreme heat' warning as UK faces 'hottest June day EVER': Met Office issues rare amber alert for week-long heatwave as temperatures soar to 34C
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) activated amber heat health alerts across southern England, where the heatwave is set to run until next Thursday.

BBC World News
Open 
US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Lebanon meanwhile says 18 people were killed in clashes in the south and the IDF reports four soldiers killed, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country.

The Register
Open 
Rockstar Games faces full hearing over alleged union busting
Tribunal rejects bid to strike blacklisting claims, with proceedings due to conclude shortly before GTA VI launches

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Shouting at the Texting Man is a West End smash: the Stephen Collins cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Shoppers splash out on fans and paddling pools as retail sales in Great Britain hot up
May heatwave drives up volume of sales 1.2%, the strongest monthly growth since January, says ONSRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Weather tracker: Severe thunderstorms sweep Europe and east Asia
Strong winds and heavy rain batter Slovenia, while France experiences atypical heatwaveSevere thunderstorms swept across the Balkans last week, bringing widespread destruction to parts of the region. The storms developed as unstable hot air lingered over the Adriatic Sea while a cold front plunged south-eastward.The front began its journey on 10 June in Slovenia, where the Slovenian Environment Agency recorded 65mph gusts at Ljubljana airport. Heavy rain also fell widely across the region with 23mm reported in Kranj. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsAnd, when the time comes, Stokes to bat at No. 5.Stokes is now stalking over to some rubber stumps and bowling with vigour. Today is also schools day at the ground, so some lucky north east kids are getting a blue riband ticket Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
Updates from the third day’s play at the Oval Day two report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail JamesThe players are on the outfield warming up here at the Oval, not that they really need to, it is ‘Scorchio!’A couple of Kiwi squad members do some sprint training about 80 metres away from my seat in the outdoor press box. Good on them, I’m going to find some coffee. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: Scotland fans take over Boston; Koné injury latest; USA v Australia buildup – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How Refugee Week film festival brings migrants’ experience home
From one hostile environment to another, the documentaries and dramas ranging from Nigeria and Syria to British immigration give vivid life to an experience that can feel very remoteAs World Refugee Day approaches on Saturday, this year’s Refugee Week offers a multitude of events taking place across the UK, including a film festival that takes audiences from Ain el-Helweh – Lebanon’s largest refugee camp for Palestinians – in Mahdi Fleifel’s A World Not Ours and to an immigration removal centre in Dreamers, directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.The UK’s asylum system is the focus of Allies in Exile, a first-person documentary from Syrian film-makers Hasan Kattan and Fadi al-Halabi that premiered on Tuesday at the BFI Southbank, which explores the labyrinth facing asylum seekers. Meanwhile, refugee charity Choose Love curated a selection of four short films that together chronicle different stages in the search for asylum, from the difficulties of everyday life in a person’s home country through the perilous journeys made over land and sea, and arrival in a hostile environment marked by ostracism and ongoing trauma.The event, which took place on Thursday at Picturehouse Central, London, was entitled Fearless Stories and showcased films that “challenge division”.Josie Fernandez-Marelli, chief executive of Choose Love, says: “The UK wouldn’t be what it is today without all the incredible people and cultures that make it up. As division is growing, it’s more important than ever to work together to make sure that refugees are seen as human beings, with hopes, dreams and ambitions.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Labour peer and Reform MP clash over ‘brown people’ and domestic abuse
Thangam Debbonaire and Sarah Pochin argue in Sky News interview at Makerfield byelection countUK politics live – latest updatesThe Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire has clashed with Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin at the Makerfield byelection count, asking the MP: “You don’t like being on television with brown people, do you Sarah?”The row erupted during a testy interview on Sky News that included an exchange about the £5m personal gift that Nigel Farage accepted from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in the months before he stood as an MP in the 2024 general election. The gift, first revealed by the Guardian, is now under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner, which will examine whether or not it ought to have been declared. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks abruptly called off after Israel and Hezbollah trade deadly attacks
JD Vance’s staff were at an airbase ready to fly to summit in Obbürgen before trip was suddenly cancelledMiddle East crisis – live updatesTalks due to take place on Friday between the US ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel carried out a wave of retaliatory airstrikes in south Lebanon and the Bekaa valley that killed at least 18 people.The talks were to begin in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear programme, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Lebanon says 18 people were killed in clashes in the south and the IDF reports four soldiers killed, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country.

Mail Online
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Inside Lidl's first-ever PUB: Discount supermarket chain opens £500,000 60-seat bar selling beer, wine and spirits called The Middle Ale
With its paint scheme of red, yellow and blue, it could not be clearer who owns the newest pub in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, which opened to punters today.

Mail Online
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Don't they look loverly! Maura Higgins, Holly Willoughby and Geri Horner channel Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady as they stun in white ensembles and distinctive hats at Royal Ascot
Audrey Hepburn's striking black and white dress continues to inspire attendees of the prestigious British racing festival, over 60 years after My Fair Lady was released.

Mail Online
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Iranian singer is sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without hijab
An Iranian singer who performed in a YouTube concert without wearing a hijab has been sentenced to 74 lashes. 

Mail Online
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Experts share symptoms of being dehydrated - and common warning sign often shrugged off as 'being too hot'
After weeks of watching the mercury go up and down, it looks like warm weather has finally come to Britain - and is sticking around.

BBC World News
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Lenanon says 18 people were killed in clashes in the south and the IDF reports four soldiers killed, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country.

Deutsche Welle
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EU summit: Merz calls for cuts to 'too high' long-term budget
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the European Commission's long-term budget proposal for 2028 to 2034 was "far too high" and called for a new proposal.

Mail Online
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Perrie Edwards stuns in her THIRD bridal dress for 'cocktail hour' as she shares more photos from her Portugal wedding
The singer, 32, showed off her third bridal dress as she shared more photos from her lavish wedding in Portugal over the weekend.

Mail Online
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Running out of room? A professional organiser shares 10 underused spaces in your home that could instantly create extra storage
A professional organiser reveals 10 overlooked areas of your home that could become valuable storage space - no renovation required.

Mail Online
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Meghan Markle's new matcha partner promotes rival fruit spread from Bonne Maman instead of her As Ever version in 'awkward' recipe tip
Earlier this week, Meghan unveiled her new matcha collaboration with Hannah Mendoza, who co-founded the wellness drinks brand Clevr Blends, which the Duchess invested in after quitting the Royal Family.

BBC World News
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Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 18 as Israel says four soldiers killed by Hezbollah
It comes a day after the US and Iran signed a deal to end their conflict, including fighting in Lebanon.

The Guardian (UK)
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Heathrow third runway likely to harm health of millions nearby, official report warns
Expansion could also hit access to housing, education, healthcare, open spaces and transport, analysis saysConstruction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan.An analysis for the Department for Transport (DfT) has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Weather tracker: Severe thunderstorms sweep Europe and east Asia
Strong winds and heavy rain batter Slovenia, while France experiences atypical heatwave in its north and westSevere thunderstorms swept across the Balkans last week, bringing widespread destruction to parts of the region. The storms developed as unstable hot air lingered over the Adriatic Sea while a cold front plunged south-eastward.The front began its journey on 10 June in Slovenia, where the Slovenian Environment Agency recorded 65mph gusts at Ljubljana airport. Heavy rain also fell widely across the region with 23mm reported in Kranj. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processBrussels correspondentSeparately, a majority of EU member states have called for “full use” of new possibilities for offshore deportation hubs for people with no right to stay in the bloc.“Some initiatives are already in operation like the Italy-Albania cooperation. Other countries are now working to implement the new possibilities, including hubs in third countries. We will personally lead the way to make sure our visions are brought to life.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes plays for Durham, Sussex v Hampshire, and more: county cricket – live
All the latest from around the groundsMail Tanya or comment below with your thoughtsGood morning from Chester le Street, where Ben Stokes, lean and freshly shorn, is warming up with his teammates on a muggy Chester le Street Friday 250 long miles from The Oval. We’ll be keeping an eye on him, and around the grounds, where play starts at 11am. Do join us! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day three – live
Updates from the third day’s play at the Oval Day two report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail JamesAndy Bull wrote about Sonny Baker’s second day as a Test cricketer:But the next morning was a lesson, if he needed it, that Test cricket turns on you pretty quick. Root had decided Baker should open the bowling. His first ball flew high and wide for four byes down the leg side, his second shot away off the outside edge of Glenn Phillips’s bat for four more.His second over started with a ball that was thumped through point by Kyle Jamieson, who bats, nowadays, like Paul Bunyan setting about a forest of Redwoods. The next was another boundary, slashed over the top of the wicketkeeper. And then Baker got him to pull one high out towards deep midwicket. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Premier League fixtures: Arsenal open against Coventry, Liverpool at Newcastle
Manchester United travel to Hull on first weekendManchester City without Guardiola host Bournemouth Coventry will begin their first Premier League campaign in 25 years with a Friday night trip to the champions, Arsenal, on 21 August.Their fellow promoted club Hull begin at home to Manchester United on the Saturday and Ipswich entertain Sunderland that day. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How the Iran peace deal could affect you and your money
With fuel and gas prices having fallen in recent days, we look at how the end of hostilities might affect you - in five charts.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What is Burnham's path to becoming Labour leader and PM?
How could MPs who want Sir Keir Starmer to be replaced force a leadership contest and who could stand?

Mail Online
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End of the road for 'Gazumping'? Starmer unveils radical overhaul of housing market as he tries to show he's still in charge of Government
Sellers could be prevented from ditching buyers when they receive a better offer under an overhaul of the housing market.

Mail Online
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Private sector workers suffer a year of getting poorer while the public sector beats inflation
Official figures showed private sector pay rose by just 2.9 per cent in the three months to April, behind the official inflation rate.

Mail Online
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Boy, 3, 'attacked by at least one crocodile' after being 'thrown into zoo pit by man with learning difficulties who broke away from carers' - as suspect 'not fit for interview' is bailed
Tearful witnesses have described seeing the child suffering a broken arm and pelvis in the fall before the owner's 'heroic' wife leapt in to rescue him in Cambridgeshire yesterday.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Boy, 3, was attacked by crocodile at zoo as man bailed
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11913 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Newtownards (NINTS) - 13711 (Close)
Confirmed functioning service. Incident Closed.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 02:50

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 11:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 08:25

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 10:22

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Deutsche Welle
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US curbs Anthropic AI access, raising global concerns
The Trump administration has restricted foreign access to Anthropic's latest AI models over security fears, forcing a global shutdown. Could the row hurt the Claude-maker's IPO plans and set a far-reaching precedent?

Autosport F1
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What to expect – and what not to – from Red Bull's Austria upgrade
With the new regulations in 2026, the development battle between the teams is playing a major role in shaping the pecking order, with outfits seemingly making bigger gains than before when they introduce new packages.Ferrari's upgrade helped it make a step forward in Barcelona – and Lewis Hamilton converted that into victory. In Austria, Red Bull is known to be preparing to unleash new ...Keep reading

The Guardian (UK)
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Hot weather behind rise in retail sales in Great Britain in May
Sales rose 1.2% on back of demand for items such as fans and paddling pools, says Office for National StatisticsRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Heathrow third runway likely to harm health of millions nearby, official report warns
Expansion could also harm access to housing, education, healthcare, open spaces and transport, analysis saysConstruction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan.An analysis for the Department for Transport (DfT) has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processIreland’s Martin also congratulated Andy Burnham on his byelection win in the UK last night, saying it showed “what is possible, despite all of the fragmentation and challenges in modern politics.”The byelection was closely watched by European leaders as they consider if there could be a leadership challenge – or change – this summer in the UK.“Well, just I congratulate him on his success. I know Andy, I’ve met him on a number of occasions. He has taken a particular interest in Ireland, and he has come to see us on a number of occasions, particularly on economy, and in respect of his role as a mayor in Manchester …It was a solid victory in the by-election, which shows what’s possible, despite all of the fragmentation and challenges in modern politics. When you campaign well and effectively, things can happen.“We believe a lot can happen there, in terms of SPS, in terms of the ETS agreement, perhaps progress made on electricity market agreement, but we’ll see. And then on the youth exchange and youth experience programmes, we believe it would be very good both ways for young British people to have greater access to European Union in terms of travel and study and all of and so forth, and vice versa in terms of European students. That would be something that I think young people across the board would welcome.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘How am I supposed to know if it’s cute on me?’ The strange death of the changing room
As some shops toy with the idea of removing changing rooms, what does it mean for the future of the high street?Don’t get Fashion Statement delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereIs the changing room dead? According to the teenage fashion mecca, Brandy Melville, it is. The brand has closed all its fitting rooms across stores in the UK, US and Canada, with shoppers taking to social media lamenting the change.“Why does Brandy hate [its] customers?” one TikTok user questioned. “How am I supposed to know if it’s cute on me???!” another exclaimed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘They kill games, we fight back’: the activists campaigning to keep video games playable
When a company decided to shut down an online game’s servers, there wasn’t much the players who had bought that title could do – until a group called Stop Killing Games began lobbying for new consumer protection lawsYou can never be sure how long an online video game will last. Developer BioWare shut off sci-fi shooter Anthem’s servers in January, after seven years. Electronic Arts discontinued access to The Sims Mobile the same month. Wildlight Entertainment shuttered its Highguard servers in March, mere months after the game’s release. Activision Blizzard took Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile offline in April. Dozens more games have had their servers shut down in the first six months of 2026, adding to an already long list of video games that are no longer playable.There is little that players can do when a company decides to stop supporting online play. Communities work hard to keep their favourite games online, sometimes keeping dead games running on private servers, though that may not necessarily be entirely legal. Generally, though, when a game goes offline it is dead and it’s not coming back. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderBusiness live – latest updatesUK politics – live updatesThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout from the Iran war, underlining the fiscal pressures facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as the Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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What next for Andy Burnham? Five key questions after Makerfield win
Labour veteran is expected to launch a leadership bid, but some critics feel he is yet to clarify his policy positionsUK politics – live updatesThis piece is extracted from our First Edition newsletter. To sign up, click hereAndy Burnham is heading back to the Commons after a resounding victory in Makerfield, putting Keir Starmer’s leadership on notice, and giving Reform something to think about. The now to be former mayor of Greater Manchester described it as the “most consequential byelection of our lives” and promised he would not only change the constituency, but the country. Already, he has touted his win as a “turning point”.The coming days will tell us more about what happens in terms of his expected challenge to Starmer’s premiership. But his stunning win against Reform is already being unpacked by politicians and pollsters. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Starmer says he ‘will stand’ in any Labour leadership contest after Burnham’s decisive byelection win – UK politics live
Burnham earlier hailed a ‘turning point’ for the country after a resounding victory over Reform UK and RestoreFull report: Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challengeBurnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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We only found out we had the same sperm donor dad when we were in our 20s
Natasha, Gemma and Helen say finding each other has been a "fairy tale".

TechRadar News
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Britain is betting on AI. Now it needs the network that will run it

TechRadar News
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The enterprise AI gold rush is dead, and most companies aren’t ready for what comes next

TechRadar News
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I've never been so excited for a coffee maker — the Philips Baristina just got a huge upgrade with an integrated smart steam wand for perfectly foamed milk

Mail Online
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Sick of your neighbours celebrating goals before you? How to watch the World Cup with NO delay - and why you should avoid streaming on iPlayer or ITVX
Ofcom has released a handy guide to watching the football with as little delay as possible.

Mail Online
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Markets wait for Burnham to make his move against Starmer - as investors brace for higher borrowing costs
If elected, the Greater Manchester Mayor will likely drag the Government further to the left, increasing taxes and spending, and therefore borrowing.

Mail Online
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'Parasite' son who spun 'disgraceful' web of lies to claim siblings' inheritance for himself is ordered out of family home and hit with £265,000 court bill
Robert Chung, 62, claimed he was promised that he alone would inherit his parents' three-bedroom house because he moved back in while he was in his 30s to care for them in their old age.

Mail Online
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Nicole Richie's daughter Kate Madden, 18, wows in sheer black lace dress as she enjoys trip to Paris after celebrating her high school graduation
Kate Madden looked effortlessly stylish as she posed up a storm in Paris during her recent trip to Europe. 

Mail Online
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Deluded Starmer fights on as even his loyalists desert him in face of Andy Burnham's Left-wing coup after Makerfield by-election landslide
Andy Burnham secured a majority of 9,000 votes over Reform in a result that sparked tears of joy from Left-wingers - who now hope to force far more extreme tax and spend policies.

Mail Online
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Callum Turner has a cheeky feel of new wife Dua Lipa's bottom in the middle of crowds of tourists at Rome's Trevi Fountain during 'la dolce vita' honeymoon
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's romantic two week honeymoon has brought them to Rome this week.

Telegraph
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County Championship 2026, Division 2: live scoreboards
The top two meet at Chester-le-Street in round eight while Kent, in third, will strive to keep their momentum going with Middlesex’s visit

Telegraph
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County Championship 2026, Division 1: live scoreboards
Essex, who lead the table by a point, take on the champions Notts at Chelmsford while Sussex, in second, face relegation-threatened Hants

Russia Today News
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US-Iran talks delayed as Israel defies fragile roadmap to peace

Mail Online
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Boy, 3 was 'thrown' into crocodile pit 'by man with learning difficulties who broke away from carers' as suspect who is 'not fit for interview' is released on bail
Tracey Johnson apparently pulled the child to safety. He remains in a critical condition after suffering a broken arm and pelvis in the incident in Cambridgeshire yesterday.

Mail Online
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Inside the plan to create Earth's 'Black Box': Indestructible device in remote Tasmanian airfield will record every step humanity takes towards the apocalypse
A bizarre structure dubbed 'Earth's Black Box' will be built in a remote Tasmanian airfield as a silent witness to humanity's destruction.

Mail Online
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Deluded Starmer sounds defiance as loyalists desert him after Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election... with fears mounting of lurch to Left
Andy Burnham secured a majority of 9,000 votes over Reform in a result that sparked tears of joy from Left-wingers - who now hope to force far more extreme tax and spend policies.

UK Government News
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Chancellor backs former coalfield areas with new investment to end decline and encourage local talent
Communities in former coalfield areas of Britain will benefit from new jobs and business opportunities, as the Chancellor confirms investment in projects that support local talent and boost growth.

UK Government News
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Update on the PATHWAYS clinical trial
As with all clinical trials, the MHRA’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of the trial participants.

UK Government News
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UN Human Rights Council 62: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Delivered at the 62nd Human Rights Council in Geneva.

UK Government News
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Environment Agency minded to approve Powerfuel Portland permit
The permit variation will change the types of waste allowed to be incinerated on site.

UK Government News
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Dangerous occurrence at Todmorden
Investigation into a dangerous occurrence at Todmorden, West Yorkshire, 7 May 2026.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Coventry play champions Arsenal in Premier League opener
Newly promoted Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal in the first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

Mail Online
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Is your garden heatwave ready? Here are the nine hot weather essentials all middle class gardens need
A few years ago, a decent barbecue and somewhere to sit would have done the job.

Mail Online
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Premier League fixture release: Michael Carrick gets dream start as permanent Man United boss, Arsenal's tricky title defence, Newcastle-Liverpool on opening weekend - and all 380 games
The 2026-27 Premier League fixtures are finally here - and Michael Carrick has been handed the dream start to his first full campaign in the Old Trafford hotseat.

The Guardian (UK)
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EU leaders sign joint statement in support of Ukraine - Europe live
It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processMeanwhile, Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has sought to set the tone for discussions on the bloc’s new 2028-2034 budget, opposing a proposed increase in spending.Arriving for day two of the talks, Merz said the EU should “not move into further indebtedness,” AFP reported.“We must not do that.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Inside the city of grief hit hardest by Israel strikes on southern Lebanon
People in Nabatieh mourn the recent dead in religious ceremony held amid empty streets and shattered buildingsAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city.“This is the tragedy of Karbala, O Imam Hussein, look. This is the tragedy of Karbala,” the crowd cried in the opening procession of Ashura, in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Plans to end gazumping with binding agreements in house sales shake-up
Sales agreements will be legally binding sooner and making sellers provide more home information up front are part of the planned changes.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Man bailed after boy, 3, attacked by crocodile at zoo
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

CNET News
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27 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Can Shop Year-Round
It’s an excellent time to stock up on your essential beauty products and support Black businesses with these brands.

Mail Online
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Meghan Trainor looks strikingly different as she debuts stunning new bob in workout gear after ditching her long locks
The singer, 32, turned heads as she posted a clip revealing her new haircut to her husband Daryl Sabara and kids.

Mail Online
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Retail sales bounce back as shoppers snap up paddling pools and fans in hotter weather
Retailers said sales of outdoor furniture and fans were higher for the month due to the weather conditions and promotions.

Mail Online
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London Marathon will be two-day event in 2027 for one year only to allow 100,000 runners to take part
More than 1.3million running-hopefuls registered for next years marathons will be entered into a ballot for the Saturday and Sunday races - with the results announced in July.

Mail Online
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Lizzie Cundy furiously DEMANDS Royal Ascot changes its rules on GMB after she was turned away for flouting strict dress code as she insists 'I've never been so covered up'
Lizzie Cundy has furiously demanded that Royal Ascot changes its rules after she was turned away earlier this week for flouting the strict dress code.

Mac Rumours
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OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over 20 months ago. Read on to find out.





Processor and Performance

Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared in August.



Apple's A19 Pro chip since debuted in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro models include the higher-end version of Apple's A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU, while the iPhone Air uses a mid-tier A19 Pro chip with one fewer GPU core than the A19 Pro chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.



If the code leak is accurate for the iPad mini 8, Apple is likely to use the mid-tier A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone Air. This is based on the fact that the A17 Pro chip used in the iPad mini 7 has a 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 5-core GPU, compared to the 6-core GPU found on the A17 Pro used in the iPhone 15 Pro.



Apple built the A19 Pro chip on an upgraded third-generation 3-nanometer N3P process for modest speed and efficiency improvements. The chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine, next-generation dynamic caching, and unified image compression.



The GPU in the A19 Pro has an upgraded architecture with a larger cache, more memory, and Neural Accelerators that are built into each core. Apple says that this change provides 3× the peak GPU compute over the prior-generation chip. There's also an upgraded 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks.



There is an outside chance that Apple opts for the A20 Pro chip for the new iPad mini. The claim has been made by a MacRumors tipster who analyzed a macOS kernel debug kit containing internal Apple codenames. However, the iPad mini has not always received Apple's newest A-series chip at the time it was updated, so the A19 Pro cannot be ruled out at this time. iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be fabricated with TSMC's advanced 2nm process.



Display



Apple's plan to transition the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ from an LCD to an OLED display is widely rumored. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the small form-factor tablet is likely to be the next Apple device to adopt OLED. According to a Chinese leaker with sources in Apple's supply chain, Apple has evaluated a Samsung-made OLED display for its next iPad mini model.



It remains unclear whether the iPad mini 8 will feature a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7, but since the new base iPhone 17 now uses a 120Hz ProMotion panel, it would be reasonable to expect the same on the first OLED iPad mini. A separate report has suggested the ‌‌‌iPad mini 8‌‌‌'s screen could increase in size from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches with the adoption of OLED.



OLED panels can individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to other common display technologies. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility. All of Apple's flagship iPhones use OLED panels, and in May 2024 the company brought the display technology to the iPad Pro for the first time.



Unlike Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, the ‌iPad mini‌ may have a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel, which would make it dimmer.



Chassis Design



Apple is reportedly working to give the iPad mini 8 a more water-resistant design, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The updated casing would bring protection levels closer to those of the iPhone, making the tablet safer for use in damp environments.



To achieve this, Apple is said to have designed a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates the need for traditional speaker holes. By using sound-emitting surfaces instead of open grilles, the company can reduce potential entry points for water and dust, resulting in a more sealed, durable enclosure.



On the iPhone, Apple relies on adhesives and gaskets to shield speakers and other openings from moisture. The iPad mini's approach appears to go further, doing away with the holes altogether. Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, but the upcoming version could mark the first in the lineup to feature a certified level of water protection.



Apple patents could offer further clues to the new design direction. For example, a 2014 patent outlines a "mechanically actuated panel acoustic system" that vibrates flat surfaces to generate sound, effectively turning parts of a device's chassis into a speaker diaphragm. This could potentially allow Apple to produce audio without visible speaker holes. The patent suggest Apple has been building towards a sealed, vibration-based acoustic system for several years.



Release Date



According to research firm Omdia, the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ is expected to adopt an OLED display in 2027. However, Korea's ET News and ZDNET Korea have both suggested that the iPad mini will be updated with an OLED display in 2026. Bloomberg has also said the update could come as soon as this year.



The most recent word on the subject comes from Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, who claims the OLED iPad mini will be launched in the second half of 2026 at the earliest.



In May 2024, it was reported that Samsung Display had started developing sample OLED panels for a future ‌iPad mini‌, with plans to initiate mass production at its facility in Cheonan in the second half of 2025. The same report claimed that Apple will bring an OLED panel to the iPad Air alongside the ‌iPad mini‌ in 2026, though Apple only refreshed the iPad Air in March, and more recent reporting suggests an OLED iPad Air will arrive in early 2027.



The latter outlook aligns with a December report by analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) that said an 8.5-inch OLED iPad mini is planned for a 2026 launch, while 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Air models are expected to follow in 2027.



Ultimately, there are no rumors suggesting exactly when the next ‌iPad mini‌ will be released, but a launch later in 2026 has a high probability.



Pricing



The price of the current iPad mini 7 starts at $499 for the 128GB Wi-Fi-only model, going up to $799 for the 512GB model. However, there's a very good chance that the iPad mini 8 will cost more.



The main reason is rising memory and storage costs, brought about by the continuing AI data center buildout. Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies has led to chip shortages and higher costs for everyone else, and Apple will need to increase device costs "substantially" to maintain its current profit margins, according to The Wall Street Journal.



Just this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook told WSJ that "price increases are unavoidable." Cook said the company was doing its best to "mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us," and that it was trying to shield customers from them, but the situation has become "unsustainable."



Cook didn't say which products will go up in price, but it's hard to imagine its iPad lineup won't be affected.



Even before Cook's price warning, there was an expectation that the ‌next iPad mini‌ would be more expensive, with Bloomberg's Gurman suggesting Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device. We could now be looking like a couple of hundred dollars or more.



Gurman has previously argued that Apple should consider a lower-end version of the mini, or at least a change to its current $499 starting price, given that it's up against rival products that cost a lot less.



However, Apple users who are looking for a more affordable option should probably consider the 10th-generation iPad instead. Starting at $329, the iPad offers many iPad mini features, such as Touch ID and Center Stage, but at a lower price that balances functionality and affordability. Related Roundup: iPad miniTag: OLEDBuyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPadThis article, 'OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Man arrested after toddler ended up in crocodile enclosure 'not fit for interview' and released
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a boy ended up in a zoo's crocodile enclosure, has been released on bail after being declared not fit for interview.

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Man bailed after boy, 3, attacked by crocodiles at zoo
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

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Moscow honors foreigners for helping Russia’s development

Mail Online
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Lizzie Cundy furiously DEMANDS Royal Ascot changes its rules on GMB after she was turned away for flouting strict dress code as she insists 'I've never been so covered up'
Lizzie Cundy has furiously demanded that Royal Ascot changes its rules after she was turned away earlier this week after flouting the strict dress code.

The Register
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Use of HMRC's taxing IR35 status tool drops 71% in two years
Data suggests firms are turning away from CEST as critics say it fails to reflect recent court rulings

The Register
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Nutanix's Tech Day London 2026 offers infrastructure insights
SPONSORED POST: Come join this working afternoon for infrastructure teams

The Guardian (UK)
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Hot weather behind rise in retail sales in Great Britain in May
Sales rose 1.2% spurred by demand for items such as fans and paddling pools, says Office for National StatisticsRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also soared.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...

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Weather tracker: Severe thunderstorms sweep Europe and east Asia
Strong winds and heavy rain batter Slovenia, while France experiences atypical heatwave in its north and westSevere thunderstorms swept across the Balkans last week bringing widespread destruction to many areas. The storms developed as unstable hot air sat over the Adriatic Sea while a cold front plunged south-eastward.The cold front began its journey southwards on 10 June in Slovenia where the Slovenian Environment Agency recorded wind gusts of 65mph at Ljubljana airport. Heavy rain also fell widely across the region with 23mm reported in Kranj. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt
2023 champion sits at six under through 16 holesPlay suspended at 8.25pm after rain-soaked dayClubhouse leader Stevens among group at two underFor much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two under that included the clubhouse leader, Sam Stevens. Six other players were also at two under, four of whom had holes remaining. Nine more – including the Masters champion, Rory McIlroy – sat at one under. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Man bailed after boy, 3, hurt in zoo crocodile enclosure
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

Mail Online
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Great Pottery Throw Down star Keith Brymer Jones, 61, proposes to his actress girlfriend of 16 years Marj Hogarth on stage
The ceramic designer, 61, proposed to his actress girlfriend of 16 years, Marj Hogarth, 58, on stage at the New Theatre in Cardiff during their show, Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel.

Mail Online
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Mexico move one step closer to inviting England to daunting World Cup knockout clash at the Azteca after narrow win over South Korea - so, JEFF POWELL asks, would Thomas Tuchel's side be better off finishing second in their group?
JEFF POWELL: If that confrontation is half as heart-stopping as this then the non-acclimatised may find themselves gasping for air as well as at blazing excitement.

Deutsche Welle
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UK: Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins parliament seat
The by-election victory paves the way for Burnham to challenge PM Keir Starmer's leadership.

Mail Online
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Pétanque player, 81, 'kills 68-year-old opponent with metal ball after "huge rivalry" turns violent'
The deadly altercation unfolded on a shaded pétanque court in the village of Mimizan in south-west France on Wednesday.

Mail Online
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Mexico become first team to seal their spot in World Cup knockout stage with narrow win over South Korea
JEFF POWELL: If that confrontation is half as heart-stopping as this then the non-acclimatised may find themselves gasping for air as well as at blazing excitement.

BBC Formula One
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Mercedes withdraw Monaco Grand Prix appeal
Mercedes withdraw their appeal against the result of the Monaco Grand Prix.

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Weekly quiz: Where will Prince George be going to school?
How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Warning over 'fragile' public finances as borrowing rises
The UK borrowed £23.3bn in May, according to official figures, up almost a third on the same month last year.

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Join Andrew Pierce's debate: Do Reform and Restore Britain need to unite before the next General Election?
Tell us what YOU think: Join Daily Mail columnist and Consultant Editor Andrew Pierce as we discuss whether Reform and Restore need to unite.

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham leaves his family out in the cold as he rivals dad David's ice cream advert in clip with a telling song about a new life in the US - days after cashing in on their feud
Brooklyn Beckham showed once again that anything his family does he can try and do better, as he rivalled his father David's ice cream adverts in a new video.

The Guardian (UK)
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Hot weather behind rise in retail sales in Great Britain in May
Sales rose 1.2% spurred by demand for items such as fans and paddling pools, says Office for National StatisticsRetail sales bounced back to growth in May as record hot weather spurred sales of fans and paddling pools, while online purchases also surged.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1.2% in May compared with the previous month, the strongest monthly rate of growth since January. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Sports quiz of the week: World Cup, US Open, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot
Have you followed the big stories in football, cricket, golf, tennis, athletics, rugby union, horse racing and MMA? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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What next for Andy Burnham? Five key questions after Makerfield win
Labour veteran is expected to launch a leadership bid, but some critics feel he is yet to clarify his policy positionsUK politics – live updatesThis piece is extracted from our First Edition newsletter. To sign up, click hereAndy Burnham is heading back to the Commons after a resounding victory in Makerfield, putting Keir Starmer’s leadership on notice – and giving Reform something to think about. The – now to be former – mayor of Greater Manchester described it as the “most consequential byelection of our lives” and promised he would not only change the constituency, but the country. Already, he has touted his win as a “turning point”.The coming days will tell us more about what happens in terms of his expected challenge to Starmer’s premiership. But his stunning win against Reform is already being unpacked by politicians and pollsters. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Man dies after being punched outside pub
Carl Holland, 30, died in hospital where he was being treated for a serious head injury.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany's 2026 World Cup squad built on African roots
Germany's 2026 World Cup squad has leaders with African heritage. The diversity of the team is a strength.

Mail Online
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SpaceX shares rocketed and made Elon Musk a trillionaire but will they fall back down to earth?
SpaceX shares have rocketed in the days after it pulled off the biggest stock market float in history.

Mail Online
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DAN HODGES: A coronation of the 'King of the North' as PM will doom Burnham to repeat Keir's mistakes
Over the next 48 hours Andy Burnham will not bask in his victory, but disappear from view. What he needs to prepare for is the fact he is about to become Britain's next prime minister.

Mail Online
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Join Andrew Pierce's debate: Do Reform and Restore Britain need to unite before the next General Election?
Join Andrew Pierce's debate: Do Reform and Restore Britain need to unite to stop a Labour victory at the next General Election?

BBC UK News
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Man dies after being punched outside pub
30-year-old Carl Holland died in hospital where he was being treated with for serious head injury.

BBC UK News
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Zoo worker jumped into crocodile enclosure to save injured boy
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

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Zoo worker jumped into crocodile enclosure to save injured boy, BBC told
Police say the boy remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

Mail Online
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Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-order date is REVEALED: Sales of the eagerly anticipated game will begin next week - following years of delays
It is one of the most eagerly anticipated games in history - and now we finally have a pre-order date for Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA VI).

Mail Online
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British motorcyclist plunges down ravine to his death after colliding with German biker on Italian mountain 'cursed road'
The 65-year-old man was riding on a hairpin bend on the Pennes Pass road in the Italian Alps on Thursday when he collided with a 43-year-old German motorcyclist.

Autosport F1
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Mercedes withdraws Russell Monaco GP penalty review request
The Mercedes F1 team has withdrawn its right of review request over George Russell's Monaco Grand Prix time penalty, the FIA has announced.Russell was one of several cars handed time penalties for speeding in the pitlane, with it later coming to light that there was a timekeeping error at the Monaco pit entry that was throwing up false flags.As a result, Russell was knocked out of podium ...Keep reading

The Guardian (UK)
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Avatar: Fire and Ash to Project Hail Mary – the seven best films to watch on TV this week
The stupendous fantasy epic is back, and Ryan Gosling finds himself stuck in space with a cute alien in a lovably jolly comedyJames Cameron’s bold, blue-tinged fantasy epic returns for a third outing. This one has a similar feel to The Way of Water: regular bouts of stupendous aerial and aquatic action; plenty of dastardly human behaviour; and – underlying the whole enterprise – warnings about colonisation and the ignorant exploitation of the natural world. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver are back as our favourite human-Na’vi blended family, still defending their way of life. The new element is the Mangkwan, a clan living next to a volcano led by the ambitious Varang (a lip-curling Oona Chaplin), who sees a collaboration with the gun-toting Earth forces as a route to power.
Wednesday 24 June, Disney+ Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘We wanted a reason for people to come back’: Lebanese city marks Ashura after destruction of war
People in Nabatieh mourn the city’s recent dead in religious ceremony held amid empty streets and shattered buildingsAs the procession wound its way through mounds of rubble, the crowd chanted and beat their chests, their lamentations echoed by the dull thud of shelling in the foothills just beyond the city.“This the tragedy of Karbala, O Imam Hussein, look. This is the tragedy of Karbala,” the crowd cried in the opening procession of Ashura, in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderBusiness live – latest updatesUK politics – live updatesThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout of the Iran war, underlining the fiscal pressures facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as the Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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'Hard to see trust not take accountability for failings at Muckamore,' says victim's sister
Jennifer Dawson said her brother Matthew is "suffering from trauma" from living in Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

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Scotland fans fly 22 hours in tiny plane to World Cup
David Smith and Fraser MacIntyre flew across the Atlantic, with stops in Iceland, Greenland and northern Canada.

Mail Online
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Thomas Tuchel's row with FIFA escalates despite rule change: England boss unlikely to accept compromise after complaining his experience had been 'ruined' by photographers
The England boss complained about being blocked by photographers ahead of last night's 4-2 victory over Croatia, which prevented him from being able to watch his players sing the national anthem.

Digital Trends
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Gemini Live can finally remember what you told it in past conversations
Gemini Live can now recall details from past conversations, closing a gap that's lingered since memory launched in standard Gemini over a year ago.

BBC World News
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Zimbabwe MPs pass bill to extend president's time in power
The proposal would extend Emmerson Mnangagwa's term by two years and scrap direct presidential elections.

BBC UK News
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Vulnerable patients' lives made 'miserable' by abuse, Muckamore inquiry finds
The long-awaited final report reveals abuse that was "was clearly preventable" and culture of "deviance".

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Iran to lodge complaint over travel restrictions
Iran are to lodge an official complaint to Fifa about the travel restrictions they are facing at the 2026 World Cup.

The Guardian (UK)
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Sonny Baker’s second day was a lesson that Test cricket turns on you quick | Andy Bull
Debutant and Joe Root had a sloppy morning in England’s bid to bowl New Zealand out quickly in the second TestIt was bright and loud when Sonny Baker came on to bowl for the first time in Test cricket. He hadn’t slept the night before, too many nerves, and had found, when he saw his parents at the cap ceremony before the start of play, that he was almost overwhelmed by emotion, and now here he was an hour later and the midday sun glaring off the glass of the big JM Finn Stand and the crowd all around roaring for Matt Fisher as he came in to bowl from the Vauxhall End. Baker was at mid-on and over at slip Joe Root was waving at him. Baker couldn’t tell exactly what it was Root was trying to communicate as he flapped his hands around.Root replied in kind with a wave of his own. Root made another gesture. So did Baker. “I didn’t know whether he was trying to bring me up for that over or not,” he said later. The two of them stood a while, making frantic hand signals at each other, neither quite clear what the other was trying to sign to the other. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Koné injury mars Canada rout; Scotland’s ‘big challenge’; USA v Australia buildup – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin our look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Happy hosts as Canada claim first win and Mexico seal knockout spot | World Cup Daily
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Ben Fisher as Canada thrash Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout of the Iran war, underlining the fiscal pressures facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as the Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the US ⁠ ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel carried out a wave of retaliatory airstrikes in south Lebanon that killed at least 18 people.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear programme, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

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#11913 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Newtownards (NINTS) - 13711 (Update)
Our supplier have flap the port on their end, which has brought the exchange online and restored all services. The device is stable, and we will continue to monitor it.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 02:50

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 11:00

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 08:25

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

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Pseudoscientific Cancer ‘Treatment’ Involves Gassing Naked People in Plastic Bags With Bleach
A London clinic owner has claimed he is treating people with stage 4 cancer by sealing them into a plastic bag while they're naked from the waist down and gassing them with chlorine dioxide.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Eighteen people and four IDF soldiers are also killed in clashes in Lebanon, officials say, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country.

Mail Online
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Nigel Farage says Makerfield voted to 'get Starmer out' as he admits Reform's defeat is 'disappointing' - and warns Restore backers must 'think again'
Nigel Farage pointed to tactical voting against the PM as well as the fact that Andy Burnham is a 'popular local mayor'.

BBC World News
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Eighteen people and four IDF soldiers are also killed in clashes in Lebanon, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country, officials say.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why Morocco game could be greatest of all for Scotland
Scotland will need their best display since Steve Clarke took over to achieve the result against Morocco that will secure knockout tournament football for the first time, writes Tom English.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'I'd be put off if he asked to split it': Who should pay on a first date?
Some insist on splitting the bill, others say the asker should pay, while many still see a man paying as romantic.

The Guardian (UK)
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Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet review | John Fordham's jazz album of the month
(ECM)Lovano and his spirited quartet make his instrument glow in all its pliable eloquence, with rattling originals amid the Charlie Haden and Wayne Shorter coversThe saxophone’s 19th-century inventor, the Belgian Adolphe Sax, imagined hybrid horns that could combine the speed and fluency of woodwinds with the volume and punch of brass. Sax’s career was almost derailed by a childhood of hair-raisingly frequent accident-proneness that led his mother to fear for his survival, but at 20 he patented a prototype contrabass clarinet, and then the first saxophone as its offspring. Sneered at by traditionalists for decades, the sax was sidelined to parade bands and purring strings mimicry in dance orchestras – until jazz musicians from Sidney Bechet in the 1920s to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter and scores more contemporary originals, all the way to Joe Lovano today, put it centre stage as jazz’s radiantly expressive equivalent of the classical violin.And Lovano’s Paramount Quartet glows with all the saxophone’s pliable eloquence in a master’s hands, alongside comparably free-spirited guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Asante Santi Debriano and sometime Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun. Lovano is a brilliant bebop player, but also an inspired free-improviser, creatively inhabiting the sound worlds of classic jazz, global music and more texture-based European approaches. He played Charlie Haden’s First Song with Bill Frisell long ago, and here it returns on a lyrical solo guitar intro from Lage and an exquisite sax theme, spinning into long improv over vaporous guitar chords and soft, sleek runs. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Koné injury mars Canada rout; Scotland’s ‘big challenge’; USA v Australia buildup – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usLet’s begin out look at what will happen later today.First up is USA v Australia in Seattle at 8pm BST/12pm local time. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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How the Tartan Army captured the heart of Boston
An estimated 50,000 Scotland fans have visited the city and won new friends in the period surrounding Scotland's two group stage matches.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
Eighteen people and four IDF soldiers are also killed in clashes in Lebanon, despite a truce meant to be in place in the country.

Deutsche Welle
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India: Delhi court upholds government ban on Telegram
The ban on Telegram has prompted the most high-profile tussle between a tech giant and the Indian government this year.

Mail Online
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Shakira fuels romance rumors with Lincoln Lawyer actor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as pair are spotted leaving hotel
Before making their getaway, the duo looked completely at ease in each other's company, sharing laughs and flashing wide smiles as they waited for their car at the valet stand.

Mail Online
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Katie Price shows off her HUGE swollen lips after travelling to Brussels to remove scar tissue caused by filler: 'I know what I look like'
The former glamour model, 48, showed off her huge swollen lips after travelling to Brussels to have scar tissue removed.

Sky News Home
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Why the Tories' by-election win in Scotland is significant
The SNP defended two Westminster seats vacated by politicians joining Holyrood this week.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Zoo worker jumped into crocodile enclosure to save injured boy, BBC told
A three-year-old boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with critical injuries and is in a stable condition, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Koné injury mars Canada rout; Scotland’s ‘big challenge’; USA v Australia buildup – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usIran are further pointing out how dreadful this World Cup is politically. Will Fifa do anything about it …?Thomas Tuchel swapped the dugout for the mound as the England boss threw the first pitch for the Kansas City Royals the night after opening the World Cup with an impressive win. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout of the Iran war, underlining the fiscal pressures facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing – the difference between government spending and income – for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Burnham Wins in Makerfield - So What Happens Now?
Burnham wins Makerfield by-election, paving way for leadership challenge against Starmer.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Scotland's totems must turn up to thwart dynamic Morocco
Scotland will need their best display since Steve Clarke took over to achieve the result against Morocco that will secure knockout tournament football for the first time, writes Tom English.

Mail Online
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Sergei Lavrov warns of 'nuclear strikes with catastrophic consequences' as Russia is humiliated by Ukrainian oil refinery attack
The warning from the dictator's hardline foreign minister Sergei Lavrov came as Russia is being forced onto the back foot in the war.

Mail Online
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Toy Story 5 arrives in cinemas as critics call it a 'sublime' sequel with a cautionary tale about tech but others insist 'it feels like a good place' for the 30-year franchise to bow out
Toy Story 5 arrives in cinemas across the world on Friday, reuniting the beloved trio of Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and Jessie (Joan Cusack).

Mail Online
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Lizzie Cundy furiously DEMANDS Royal Ascot changes their rules on GMB after she was turned away for flouting strict dress code as she insists 'I've never been so covered up'
Lizzie Cundy has furiously demanded that Royal Ascot changes their rules after she was turned away earlier this week after flouting the strict dress code.

BBC World News
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Do it at home too, women tell Japanese fans who cleaned World Cup stadium
Some see a double standard: Japanese men who clean in public while their wives do all the housework.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Burnham says 'tonight could be the turning point' in his victory speech
Andy Burnham delivers his victory speech after Makerfiled by-election.

Digital Trends
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This study found a surprising mental health perk hiding in your game library
A new study found that adults who play open-world games or relaxed titles report feeling less lonely and more emotionally resilient than people who don't play at all.

Digital Trends
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macOS 27 Golden Gate: Everything we know about the new features landing on your Mac
Apple’s macOS Golden Gate update adds Siri AI, Visual Intelligence, smarter Apple Intelligence features, Liquid Glass refinements, and a major compatibility shift for Mac users. So here's everything you need to know.

Slashdot
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Rolls-Royce Secures Deal To Build Small Nuclear Reactors For Sweden
Rolls-Royce SMR has secured a multibillion-pound agreement to build three small modular reactors on Sweden's west coast, "marking a major step in the British engineering group's ambition to become a leading supplier of the technology in Europe," reports Euronews. From the report: Following a rigorous selection process that started in 2022, UK engineering giant Rolls-Royce's nuclear division, Rolls-Royce SMR, won the contract to build nuclear reactors for Sweden. As part of the deal, the group, selected by Videberg Kraft as its partner, will deliver three Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to Sweden's west coast, at the Varo Peninsula. "The Videberg Project will build Sweden's first new nuclear power plant in more than forty years, supporting industries and households in southern Sweden," a press statement from Rolls-Royce said. The partnership with utility Vattenfall and developer Karnfull Next is seen as one of the most advanced opportunities for deployment outside of the UK.

[...] The European Commission considers small modular reactors (SMRs) to be a promising low-carbon technology that could help support the bloc's clean energy and energy security goals. In order to remove regulatory barriers, the EU's SMR strategy was adopted in March 2026 to accelerate the development and deployment of the technology across Europe. SMRs are smaller than conventional nuclear power plants, typically generating between 20 and 300 megawatts of electricity. At the upper end of that range, a reactor could produce around 7.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per day -- enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that more than 1,000 small modular reactors could be deployed worldwide by 2050 under a supportive policy scenario, requiring cumulative investment of around $670 billion.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Excessive probation workloads put public at risk in England and Wales, union warns
Exclusive: Napo declares no confidence in probation service managers and threatens industrial actionThe public is “at direct risk” from unsupervised ex-offenders because probation officers in England and Wales are being asked to cope with excessive workloads, a union has said.As ministers prepare to release and monitor tens of thousands more prisoners this autumn, Napo’s executive has declared for the first time that it has no confidence in managers at the probation service. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World rapid and blitz championships in Hong Kong highlights chess boom in Asia
The €500,000 tournament has attracted several strong national teams, plus the favourites, WR Chess, led by the world No 1, Magnus CarlsenDragon Chilling is an unfamiliar chess name, but the squad from China led the field of 48 after the first day’s play at the World Rapid and Blitz in Hong Kong. Teams of six include a woman, a junior and an amateur who has never achieved a 2000 rating. The strong performance by Asian teams at the start highlights a boom in chess, with enthusiasm sparked by successive world champions from China (Ding Liren) and India (Gukesh Dommaraju).The time control for rapid is 15 minutes for the whole game, plus a 10 seconds per move increment from move one; while for blitz it is three minutes plus a two seconds per move increment. There is no repeat of the attempt in London last year to play without increment, which caused chaotic conclusions to several games. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Declan Rice is running out of steam, leaving Tuchel a midfield conundrum
England mainstay is flagging after six years of nonstop action, but finding a solution to his absence is no easy taskA freak of nature is Aaron Cresswell’s description of Declan Rice. The former West Ham left-back marvels at Rice’s ability to keep going. “He can play six or seven games a week,” Cresswell says of his old West Ham teammate. “God knows how many he’s played in the last few years.”The answer is 360 since the start of the 2020-21 season. The schedule has been relentless for the England midfielder. He was vital for West Ham when they had deep European runs in 2022 and 2023, was a mainstay for Gareth Southgate’s England and has been no less influential for Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League endeavours since joining them three years ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Players are human beings and social media comments reach us. But the focus has to be on the pitch | Rodrygo
The pressure of wearing the Brazil shirt can be heavy but also creates a positive kind of responsibilityPlaying in a World Cup is a huge experience; when you’re with the national team, your entire focus is on the squad’s schedule – the hotel, the training centre, the stadium – basically, everything revolves around the matches.I lived that routine daily at the 2022 World Cup and realised the immense dedication the tournament demands. In this 2026 edition, as fate would have it and as I am still recovering from my injury, I’m discovering a different side of the World Cup: a World Cup of reunions, with countless events happening simultaneously across the cities and countries, creating opportunities for conversations and extraordinary experiences. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘The cops bought me an egg and cheese muffin’: Boston’s love affair with Tartan Army goes on
Scotland fans in the Massachusetts city awaiting their game against Morocco have continued to make an impression on the localsOn Thursday afternoon, local broadcasters in Boston went live to an event hosted by the city’s mayor, Michelle Wu. It was a significant moment, with Wu confirming a deal that would commemorate a new chapter for the city. Representatives of the other party were also present, and they were easy to spot. Particularly the one guy in a kilt and a T-shirt reading: “I’m not perfect, but I am Scottish, and that’s kind of the same thing.”The agreement signed will see Boston and Glasgow become twin cites. Officially, according to Wu, the arrangement will “create new opportunities for meaningful cooperation and mutual growth”. But who was she kidding. A more telling line was the one that reflected “longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States” and, of course, “the goodwill generated during the Fifa World Cup 2026”. In other words, Boston’s love affair with the Tartan Army is now official. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Koné injury mars Canada rout; Scotland’s ‘big challenge’; USA v Australia buildup – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usGranit Xhaka pulled no punches after capping Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, confirming his pointed “blah-blah” celebration was in response to accusations that he stoked negativity within the Swiss camp.
Xhaka made a talking gesture with his right hand after scoring a stoppage-time penalty and afterwards said: “They know why I did it,” said the 33-year-old Sunderland captain. “I received thousands of messages. But I don’t read them anymore. I think I’m past that age. It doesn’t bother me at all. As mentioned, it’s something that can’t be influenced by me. That’s all I can say.”
Swiss media reported Xhaka’s critical comments of the team’s performance in their opening Group B draw with Qatar went down badly inside the squad.
“What I can influence is my performance on the pitch. And as mentioned before, if there is something to praise, then I am the first one who praises someone,” he said. “And if there is criticism, then I am also the first one who criticises someone.
“When I criticise, it doesn’t mean that I criticise others and not myself. And I start with myself first. And I think now, I’ve played almost 150 games for the national team now. And by now, you should know me too. If some can’t deal with criticism, then that’s a pity. And if someone has something to say, they should come to me about it.”
Johan Manzambi scored twice in the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina but Xhaka said he had no intention of presenting the 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder with the chance to complete his hat-trick.
“It’s not about the individual thing. We have rules,” Xhaka said. “He’s young, he has a big future in front of him, so let’s take the experienced players first for penalty takers. His time will come.”On paper, yesterday’s fixtures promised little but it was a fun day across the tournament in the end. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Week in wildlife: a hungry hoopoe, a hot croc and a snoozing otter pup
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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You can handle the truth! Why cinema suddenly loves conspiracy theories
From Disclosure Day to Backrooms, a new wave of films promote stories of paranoia, alienation and mistrust. What are they trying to tell us?Thank heavens for cinema, that light in the darkness and the source of all shocking scoops. It tells us to wake up and take action before it’s too late. That we live in the Matrix. That the CIA killed JFK. That our spouse is a robot and our boss an Andromedan. Also that there is an Escher-style staircase beneath the Tokyo subway and a disembodied zombie leg stalking the hook-up parks of Brazil.How might we react if a trusted friend said all this? Would we be entertained or appalled, enlightened or freaked out? Would we even regard them as a trusted friend any more? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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On the trail of the dotcom queen: how Julie Meyer left a pattern of unpaid bills, missing funds and broken dreams in her wake
Investigation: The entrepreneur was once the toast of London’s tech scene, a ‘global leader of tomorrow’ who starred on Dragons’ Den and promised untold riches for the startups she championed. But people she worked with in the last decade, from Malta to Switzerland, describe a very different realityJulie Meyer is sitting in a starkly lit attic, surrounded by piles of £50 notes. A California blond in a crisp, white shirt, her long, stockinged legs crossed at the knee, she listens intently to the young man standing before her. As he talks, she sizes him up. Eventually, she tells him: “I’m going to make you an offer.” It could be a scene from a heist movie, but Meyer is in a BBC studio, shooting a 2009 episode of the TV show Dragons’ Den. A celebrated entrepreneur with a venture capital fund, she is ready to invest in whichever contestants catch her eye. For the viewers, she has some advice: “What is success? A lot of it is self-belief. Continuing on when most rational people would stop.”This is an online spin-off from the original Dragons’ Den series, so the stakes are a little lower. But for Lex Deak, a 23-year-old with a big idea for a social media website, what happens in this room today could be make or break. He desperately wants to work with Meyer. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Astonishing’ win for Andy Burnham puts pressure on Starmer to step aside
Size of Makerfield victory has many allies hoping outgoing Greater Manchester mayor will be installed in No 10 within daysUK politics – live updatesHow quickly could Burnham become PM?Speaking hours before polls closed in Makerfield, a Downing Street source acknowledged a rare moment of doubt about the prime minister’s future. “Keir will fight on,” the source said, repeating the message to which Keir Starmer has stuck for several weeks. “Although, that might depend on the size of the majority.”In the end, Andy Burnham’s majority was so convincing that allies hope he can be installed in No 10 within days. Louise Haigh, the Labour MP who helped run Burnham’s campaign, said on Thursday night: “I hope that [Starmer] will consider an orderly and managed transition. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Makerfield byelection: Burnham’s decisive win sharpens threat to Starmer’s leadership – UK politics live
Burnham hails a ‘turning point’ for the country after a resounding victory over Reform UK and Restore that may force prime minister Keir Starmer to step asideFull report: Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challenge Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I saw all Reform’s weaknesses on display in Makerfield – Farage should be worried | John Harris
From a hopeless candidate to botched strategy, this latest byelection defeat is telling. But for Labour, there is still a long and arduous journey aheadThe day before the voters of Makerfield chose their new MP, I stood with my camera-wielding colleague John Domokos on the main road through the post-industrial town of Hindley. Every two or three minutes, a van or small truck drew level with us, and there it was again: a honked horn, and a full-throated shout of “Reform!”But on our side of the street was an augury of the news to come: the house of a man called Les, who had views most Guardian readers would find deeply problematic, and no less than seven placards adorned with the logo of Rupert Lowe MP’s new mega-right outfit, Restore Britain. “Farage has lost it,” Les told us. In at least one sense, the result – Labour’s Andy Burnham triumphing with 55% of the vote, Reform on 35%, and Restore managing 7% – proved he was spot on. Continue reading...

Planet PostgreSQL
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Lætitia AVROT: It's Not Magic, It's Method
At PGDay France (2018 or 2019, I honestly can’t remember which one), I shared my method for evaluating a Postgres extension: read the source code, and ask yourself whether you understand it well enough to fix a small bug.
Someone in the audience replied: “That’s only valid for Lætitia Avrot.”
I’ve been thinking about that comment ever since.
It’s not magic. It’s not some rare gift. It’s a method. Read. Understand.

Mail Online
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Red alert on public finances as borrowing hits new high outside Covid in May - with record interest costs for UK debt mountain - amid fears of Burnham lurch to Left
Government borrowing spiked to £23.3billion in May, far higher than analysts had anticipated.

Mail Online
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Benny Blanco debuts VERY wild new haircut which leaves fans feeling 'so bad' for Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez's husband Benny Blanco debuted a wild new haircut on Thursday.

Mail Online
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Heatwave could bring hottest June day EVER say Met Office as temperature soars to 34C and amber health warning is issued after 17 died swimming in last hot blast
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) activated amber heat health alerts across southern England, where the heatwave is set to run until next Thursday.

Ian Visits
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London’s weekly railway news
This is a weekly round-up of London's rail transport news...Read more ›

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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UK borrowing in May surges by more than expected
Borrowing is the difference between spending and income from taxes.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Traitors star says he lost life savings to a scam
The former contestant of BBC show The Traitors is speaking out about falling victim to the scam.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump administration compares reflecting pool algae battle to Iran war
Interior department insists water at Washington landmark is ‘crystal clear’ as witnesses report murky green poolUS federal government workers continue to take on the green hue that has swept across Washington’s reflecting pool, an increasingly fiendish battle the Trump administration compared to its war with Iran.After Donald Trump ordered a $14.2m refurbishment to turn the monument “American Flag blue” in time for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations, the administration encountered a formidable foe: algae. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the US ⁠ ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces and Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in south Lebanon which killed at least 16 people.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear programme, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Burnham says 'this is a final chance to change' in his victory speech
Andy Burnham delivers his victory speech after Makerfiled by-election.

UK Legislation
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The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations restate, revoke and replace assimilated law relating to animals used in scientific research, maintaining the current legislative framework by consolidating the provisions into the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (c. 14) (“the ASPA”).

BBC UK News
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Burnham says Labour has final chance to change after Makerfield by-election win
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor held off a challenge from Reform UK, behind by more than 9,000 votes.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'He hid the a la carte menu': Who should pay on the first date?
Some insist on splitting the bill, others say the asker should pay, while many still see a man paying as romantic.

Mail Online
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A whole different ball game! Thomas Tuchel throws the first pitch at the baseball in Kansas City - after England win AGAIN, 5-1, in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the World Cup
Thomas Tuchel swapped the dugout for the mound as the England boss threw the first pitch for the Kansas City Royals the night after opening the World Cup with an impressive win.

The Register
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Users claimed they’d never seen a spell checker and panicked at the sight of red squiggles
Techie couldn’t help but be a little blunt when the support call came in – but has no regrets!

Mail Online
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At last! Ticket inspectors finally get tough on fare dodgers: Moment hero TfL worker pushes man back into station as he tries to force his way out without paying
The incident involving the TfL revenue inspector and a fare dodger at Enfield Town station in north London on the Overground's Weaver line was filmed by a fellow passenger.

Mail Online
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Horrified witnesses left in tears after toddler 'thrown' into crocodile pit 'by mentally disabled man' and left critical after being rescued by zoo owner's wife
Tracey Johnson apparently pulled the child to safety. He remains in a critical condition after suffering a broken arm and pelvis in the incident in Cambridgeshire yesterday.

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrows more than expected as impact of Iran war takes toll
May figure of £23.3bn underlines challenge facing Andy Burnham if he ends up as Labour leaderBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK borrowed a higher-than-expected £23.3bn in May amid the economic fallout of the Iran war, underlining the fiscal challenges facing Andy Burnham if he takes over as Labour leader.In figures released shortly after Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield byelection, Office for National Statistics (ONS) said public sector net borrowing for the month was the second highest for any May on record. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the US ⁠ ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces and Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in south Lebanon which killed at least 18 people.The talks were set to begin in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen on Friday, two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear program, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Genetic parents of baby born to another couple in IVF mix up were forced to give up the child against their wishes
The couple, who have not been publicly identified, said that they were left in an 'absolutely impossible situation' when they learned their embryo had been implanted in a different woman.

Mail Online
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Joe Biden mumbles to himself and requires stage direction as he aimlessly wanders off at Obama's library debut
The former president seemed bewildered at various points during the opening of Barack Obama's presidential center in Chicago on Thursday.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews claims he'll be grilled by his wife in a live stream as he cashes in on his kidnapping saga and pleads with fans to sign up for money-making videos
Lee Andrews has insisted he will answer all of his wife Katie Price's questions about his disappearance, in a subscription-only live stream.

Mail Online
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Premier League fixture release day LIVE: Find out your team's schedule for the new season, with some games already 'leaked'
Stay tuned for the complete Premier League fixture list, as every club finds out their schedule for the upcoming campaign.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Meet Merlin the Duck: Mexico's World Cup 'ambassador'
The BBC’s Will Grant was amongst the crowds swarming to meet Merlin, a pet duck who went viral for waddling around Mexico City in the Mexican team's jersey.

The Guardian (UK)
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UK borrowing surges over forecasts in May as government spending rises – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEmeritus professor Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA, warns that the UK public finances are “not in comfortable territory”, after borrowing jumped by £5.4bn year-on-year last month:Public sector net borrowing came in at £23.3bn in May, showing the continuing pressure on the UK’s public finances and the difficult choices that lie ahead for the government and the Treasury for the rest of this financial year.Borrowing in May was only slightly below the exceptionally high level recorded for April, remaining very high by historical standards. The latest data once more highlight the difficulty of balancing public-sector spending requirements with the government’s pledge to keep public finances on a sustainable path. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run
Labour mayor giving advisory roles to ex-Bank of England economist and others seen as attempt to reassure marketsMakerfield byelection – latest updatesThree economic heavyweights have been brought in to advise Andy Burnham as he attempts to reassure the markets before his return to parliament and possible challenge to Keir Starmer.Burnham is understood to be getting advice from Andy Haldane, a former Bank of England chief economist, as well as Richard Hughes, a former chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility and Jim O’Neill, a crossbench peer and former Treasury minister who worked on George Osborne’s “Northern Powerhouse”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How quickly could Andy Burnham become the UK’s prime minister?
After winning the Makerfield byelection, the returning Labour MP faces a number of scenarios in his bid to replace Keir Starmer• UK politics – live updates• Full report: Burnham wins by huge majorityAfter Andy Burnham’s seismic victory in Makerfield, his prospects of becoming prime minister in short order look significantly higher than they did 24 hours ago.But there are many variables in that process – from whether he faces a rival such as Wes Streeting in a leadership contest, to whether Keir Starmer is quickly ready to accept the likelihood of his political demise. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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In Trump's shadow, Vance becomes face of Iran deal
His fierce defence of the Iran plan amid mounting criticism comes as speculation intensifies about a possible 2028 presidential run.

Mail Online
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Bill Clinton's VERY cozy moment with Michelle while Hillary looks the other way... and the best UNSEEN moments from Obama public library opening
The star-studded event brought together former presidents, first ladies, celebrities and world leaders, producing a string of candid moments that often felt more like a family reunion.

Mail Online
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Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann's ex-wife reacts to his sentencing as monster who killed eight women is transferred to new prison to begin life behind bars
Asa Ellerup broke her silence through her attorney to address on Heuermann's punishment for murdering eight women a day after it was handed down.

Mail Online
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Savers blinded by loyalty are losing huge amounts of interest: Move your money to these top rates instead
Those let their nest egg languish in old accounts could be losing out on hundreds of pounds per year, as banks reduce the interest rates and hope customers won't notice.

Mail Online
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Hegseth puts NATO on notice as he launches review of US troops in Europe and blasts allies for 'shameful' behavior
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stunned NATO allies by announcing a six-month review of US troop deployments in Europe.

Mail Online
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EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Heartache for £350m divorcee Kirsty Berterelli as she splits from boyfriend a year after his stroke
Her undoubted beauty and fortune can often distract attention from the talent which led her to co-write All Saints ' No 1 single. But even her glorious riches don't make Kirsty Bertarelli invulnerable to heartbreak.

F1 Technical
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Did Russell lose a potential victory at Barcelona due to a front wing issue?
Mercedes left the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix knowing they had let a potential victory slip away — and new information about a front‑wing adjustment error on George Russell’s car has added another layer to the team’s post‑race analysis.

Mail Online
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BRYONY GORDON: I fear I'm turning into a pervy middle-aged woman ogling men who are much, much younger than me. And so many of my friends say they're having the same intrusive thoughts...
My name is Bryony and I fear I am turning into a pervy middle-aged woman. Admittedly, it's not the most illustrious start to a column I've ever written.

Digital Trends
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Google’s AI Overviews are blabbering about fictional monsters as if they’re real
Google's AI Overviews are reportedly treating fan-fiction horror entries from the SCP Foundation as real, citing fake forensic records and pointing users to "official" documents.

TechRadar News
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Kensington SD5010T5 EQ review: This Mac mini-sized dock isn't cheap, but it’s a fully featured Thunderbolt 5 docking station that doesn’t take up much desk space

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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How the Iran peace deal could affect you and your money
With fuel and gas prices having fallen in recent days, we look at how the end of hostitlities might affect you - in five charts.

The Guardian (UK)
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Elgar and Dvořák: Cello Concertos album review – Gerhardt’s readings are forthright, refreshing and thoughtful
Gerhardt/WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Manze(Hyperion)Alban Gerhardt eschews the romantic, heart-on-sleeve interpretations of these famous concertos, and finds nobility and poetry even in the most turbulent musicAlban Gerhardt adopts a back-to-basics approach in these thoughtful readings of cello concertos by Elgar and Dvořák. Determined to counter ideas embedded in the collective musical psyche by the likes of Jacqueline du Pré and Mstislav Rostropovich, there is a straightforwardness here, and a refusal to luxuriate that may not please those used to more heart-on-sleeve interpretations. Nevertheless, by scrutinising the scores – and few composers were as pernickety with their markings as Elgar – he finds much that is refreshing as well as illuminating.In the Dvořák, he’s less theatrical, more poetic than his Soviet-born predecessor, aided by Andrew Manze, who keeps the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln clipped and generally light on its feet. Gerhardt’s is a noble, cleanly articulated performance that yearns where others prefer to gush and keeps its feet firmly planted in the Bohemian countryside, even when the music is at its most turbulent. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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In the Hand of Dante review – Gerard Butler is jaw-dropping in bizarre Renaissance mafia reverie
Julian Schnabel’s combustible mix of lowlife cynicism and high art – along with cameos from Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino – powers this outrageous black comedy revolving around Dante’s Divine ComedyThe worlds of Renaissance manuscript scholarship and organised crime come together like a mix of Umberto Eco and George V Higgins in this flawed but fascinating reverie from director and co-writer Julian Schnabel. Switching between monochrome and colour, and freely adapted from the Nick Tosches novel of the same name, it is hilarious and shocking, at least at first, with a quite extraordinary tough-guy role for Gerard Butler. It is a mysterious, scabrous and bizarre adventure in violent larceny and spiritual crisis which unfortunately unwinds in the end into sentimental fantasy. In the Hand of Dante amounts to an epic and self-aware jeu d’ésprit with amazing cameos from Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino and Franco Nero, beckoning its audience over to peep into the fathomless abyss of heaven and hell, to ponder the matters of sin, art and the Mephistophelean bargain involved in the attainment of wealth, power and knowledge.The film unfolds on two narrative levels. In 14th-century Florence, Oscar Isaac plays no less a figure than Dante Alighieri, the great poet whose Divine Comedy virtually invented the concept of redemption, as he grapples with his artistic and spiritual destiny. And in the US in the era of 9/11, Isaac also plays Tosches, louche author and Dante enthusiast, whose aggressive refusal to compromise has alienated publishers and editors, and who now accepts a freelance job via a kid from the old neighbourhood, where the young Tosches had learned to protect himself by any means necessary. John Malkovich plays a mob boss named Joe Black (presumably like the death figure in the movie Meet Joe Black whom Anthony Hopkins meets); he has come into possession of what seems to be the priceless lost original manuscript of Dante’s The Divine Comedy, discovered by an ancient Catholic priest in Sicily with mafia connections. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Bear to Jackass: the seven best shows to stream this week
Christopher Storer’s smash-hit restaurant drama returns for its final serving. Plus, Johnny Knoxville and the gang’s imbecilic stunts get lovingly restored as if they’re Beatles demosIt begins with the sound of a thunderstorm breaking. And, as the final season of this furiously intense Chicago restaurant drama begins, the waters are rising all around the gang, metaphorically and literally. They’ve run out of money and the building is up for sale. But also, a catastrophic flood has inundated the kitchen. Sydney is now in charge but her leadership seems to be collapsing before it really starts. As ever, The Bear is chaotic and claustrophobic yet finds tiny moments of beauty and revelation in the things that really matter – food, friendship and families both physical and chosen. Ultimately, a show that often feels like an extended panic attack is actually about love.
Disney+, from Friday 26 June Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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This major Makerfield victory has made it inevitable: it’s now time for Keir Starmer to step aside | Neal Lawson
Andy Burnham’s positive vision has struck a powerful blow to Reform – but the PM risks diminishing the impact by clinging on in No 10Neal Lawson is director of the cross-party campaign organisation CompassThat tingle of emotion you felt when you awoke today? That is the long-lost feeling of progressive hope. That it comes from Makerfield is all the more remarkable. Reform has been defeated in a seat that it should have won at a canter – trailing Labour, even when its voteshare is combined with that of Restore. It finished second there in the 2024 election and it recently won all of the council seats. If Reform had faced any other politician, its candidate, Robert Kenyon, would be heading to Westminster.But Reform was up against Andy Burnham, probably the only Labour candidate who could have held Makerfield. He is the only candidate for the party’s leadership who can defeat Reform, and the causes of Reform, and bring in a new era of progressive government. To say there was a lot riding on Makerfield would be a massive understatement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Homes for sale in former schools in England and Scotland – in pictures
From a one-room village school transformed into a five-bedroom rural pile to a flat in a grand Victorian building in London Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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My trip to meet the scientists trying to refreeze the Arctic
In this week’s newsletter: The melting of the Arctic’s summer sea ice is the most visible upshot of the climate crisis. Refreezing it might be a long shot – but do drastic times call for drastic measures?• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereSpeeding across rapidly melting Arctic ice on a snowmobile gave me a vivid feel for its beauty and fragility. The brilliant white landscape gleamed ahead, while the sky blue pools of meltwater jetted up on to my boots.When I visited Cambridge Bay in northern Canada at the start of this month, the melt season had hit with brutal speed: temperatures were 5-10C above normal, kickstarting the melting almost overnight.Why farmers see Colombia’s knife-edge election as a battle for the Amazon’s futureJamaica’s beach access crisis: ‘We shouldn’t be forced to fight for what is already ours’‘The Antarctic is the last frontier’: the quest to save Shackleton’s Endurance Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The changing face of Mongolia as, beneath the grass, permafrost thaws
The warming caused by climate breakdown in the landlocked east Asian country is transforming its fragile ecosystemAs the climate crisis accelerates, Mongolia is warming rapidly, transforming the country’s cryosphere, including some of the most southerly permafrost landscapes in the northern hemisphere.Although rarely associated with the Arctic, Mongolia has a remarkably cold climate. Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world, and a substantial portion of the country lies within the Arctic Ocean drainage basin. As a result, many of the physical and ecological processes occurring here resemble those found at much higher latitudes.People in Khövsgöl province say they have observed an increase in the number of arrivals of migratory birds from China in recent years, consuming large quantities of fish in the region’s lakes. In northern Mongolia, communities closely tied to fishing, herding and tourism are witnessing the visible transformation of fragile freshwater ecosystems shaped by climate breakdown and the changing cryosphere.Historical surveys conducted in the 1970s suggested that nearly 63% of Mongolia was underlain by permafrost. Today, estimates indicate that only 26% to 29% remains. Unlike the ice-rich permafrost of Siberia, Canada or Alaska, much of Mongolia’s permafrost is relatively warm, thin and dry, making it particularly sensitive to rising temperatures. Climate change is the primary reason for this decline, although local pressures such as overgrazing can further accelerate thaw by removing the vegetation that insulates the ground – Nikolay Shiklomanov, a professor in the department of geography and environment at George Washington University Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’m 90 for goodness sake’: rainforest activist to pedal 104 miles down Thames
Veteran campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison is raising money for a research station near his home in CornwallPedalling on water for more than a hundred miles in a heatwave, pushed back by east winds and having to navigate 31 locks would be a challenge for anybody. But when that body is 90 years old, with a bad knee, failing balance and malfunctioning arms and shoulders, it’s a herculean feat.Rainforest campaigner Robin Hanbury-Tenison, 90, is pedalling 104 miles down the River Thames from Oxford to Richmond on a water-bike to raise money for a unique research station which is being built to study Britain’s temperate rainforest. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Telegram questioned by Ofcom after arsonist who targeted Starmer-linked properties recruited on app
Exclusive: Telegram urged to clarify how it detects illegal incitement after attacks were coordinated using appTelegram is facing questions from Ofcom over how it detects and prevents illegal incitement after a Ukrainian man was found guilty of carrying out arson attacks on a car and property associated with Keir Starmer.A spokesperson for the regulator said it had contacted the messaging app “to seek further clarification” because the arsonist had been directed on Telegram by a handler linked to Russia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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MPs urge Fujitsu to make ‘immediate’ payment to Post Office Horizon victims
Liam Byrne, who chairs Commons business committee, says too many operators are still waiting for redressThe Japanese tech company at the centre of the Post Office IT scandal is facing calls from a parliamentary committee to make an “immediate” payment towards the compensation bill for victims.Fujitsu supplied the faulty Horizon software to the UK Post Office, which led to branch operators being wrongly prosecuted over discrepancies in their business accounts. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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No champagne corks but a quiet pint for Burnham after seismic 3am victory
No wild celebrations after Makerfield byelection win as incoming Labour MP signals the start of an even bigger campaignUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham wins by huge majorityWhile an election count normally feels like an ending, the culmination of long campaign, in Makerfield the declaration of Andy Burnham as the constituency’s new MP felt like just the beginning.In the days and weeks leading up to polling day, all talk was of whether Burnham could beat Reform, in this seat where Labour had lost every single vote they were contesting in the council elections just weeks ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Makerfield byelection: Burnham’s decisive win intensifies pressure on Starmer to step aside – UK politics live
Burnham hails a ‘turning point’ for the country after a resounding victory over Reform UK and Restore that may force prime minister Keir Starmer to step asideFull report: Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challenge Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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UK theme park named the world's 'most disappointing' tourist attraction - here's the full list
From theme parks to aquariums and temples, here are the world's 'most disappointing' tourist attractions.

Mail Online
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Surprise rise in £50 notes in circulation as 'Resilience Committee' discuss how much physical cash Britons should hold for an emergency
The £50 has seen the biggest overall circulation boom of the last year, with the total value up 10.5%.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: Switzerland's new star dazzles with brace, horrific leg-break spoils Canada's demolition of Qatar, match highlights - and what to look out for today
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day eight at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

Mail Online
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I bought SpaceX shares but I've sold the lot already: SIMON LAMBERT
I'm normally a sensible long-term investor but last Friday, I found myself signed-up for the latest stock market craze and the owner of 14 SpaceX shares.

Mail Online
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Jelly Roll stops concert to respond to wife Bunnie XO's bombshell podcast on their divorce
Earlier in the evening his wife Bunnie, 46, addressed the split news for the first time on the latest episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 12
Will you get today's player in as few attempts as possible?

Russia Today News
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US secretary of war blasts ‘shameful’ NATO (VIDEO)

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off, as Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks in Lebanon
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the US ⁠ ⁠and ​Iran in Switzerland to implement a peace deal were cancelled as Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces and Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in south Lebanon which killed several people.The talks were set to begin in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen on Friday, two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear program, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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UK, US Consumers are Increasingly Leveraging AI for Financial Management
As artificial intelligence continues to fundamentally transform financial services, a new comparative analysis highlights how consumers on both sides of the Atlantic are embracing these tools. Plaid, a financial technology infrastructure provider, recently expanded its research on intelligent finance with UK-specific findings, following the US... Read More

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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London Marathon to be two-day event in 2027
The London Marathon will be held across two days in a special one-off edition of the event in 2027, organisers have confirmed.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11913 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Newtownards (NINTS) - 13711 (Update)
An engineer has been tasked to attend site with ETA of 7:45am.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 02:50

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 11:00

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:26

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11750 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - City Fibre (Multiple Sites) (Close)
No issues observed, maintenance window has passed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 23:00

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:29

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:29

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11757 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - SSSWN-Swindon (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:32

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:32

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11758 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - LSMEPK-Merton Park (Close)
No issues observed, maintenance window has passed.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:33

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:33

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11776 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - MYHLT-Leeds - Hunslet (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:34

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:34

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11837 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Network Maintenance - Multiple Exchange - 10706 (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 01:00

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:34

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:34

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11838 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - Multiple Exchanges (Close)
All completed except NINTS - Newtownards which has an outage

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 01:00

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:35

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:35

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11878 Broadband (xDSL) - Emergency Maintenance - SDHVNT (Havant) (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 23:00

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 05:30

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:36

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:36

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Wired Top Stories
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HP Coupon Codes and Deals June 2026
Save up to 60%, plus an extra 20% with HP promo codes for laptops, printers, PCs, and more tech.

Wired Top Stories
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Hulu Promo Codes & Discounts: 20% Off in June
Students can get a Hulu plan for $1.99 per month. Get more details on this and other great deals below.

Wired Top Stories
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Sam's Club Promo Codes and Membership Deals for June 2026
Save on bulk groceries, household essentials, and electronics with a verified Sam's Club promo code or membership discount.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Thousands killed in US-Israeli war on Iran - but experts say true total may never be known
Experts say internet, media and government restrictions have all hampered casualty reporting across the region.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on OnlyFans: revelations of abusive middlemen merit MPs’ attention | Editorial
Reports of agents taking 50% of women’s earnings undermine the company’s rhetoric of empowerment Since its launch a decade ago, and throughout its journey to becoming one of the UK’s most successful internet startups, OnlyFans – which was valued at more than £3bn in April – has presented itself as a vehicle for content creators’ empowerment. Revelations of the role played by middlemen in transactions on the website, which is dominated by pornographic content, undermine such claims and require a response from parliament.A Guardian investigation and a BBC documentary uncovered details of male-run agencies that seek out young women, persuade them to film sexual material, and take 50% of their earnings (all OnlyFans creators also pay a 20% commission to the website). The reporters heard from women who faced pressure to make their content more explicit, and about online networks where managers sell contracts with performers to each other. The BBC interviewed a woman in Wales who was physically attacked in her home.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Trump and Iran: a president’s wishful thinking gives way to uncomfortable realities | Editorial
The memorandum of understanding signed in Versailles lays bare US failure and the pointlessness of this illegal warDonald Trump’s wishful thinking, as much as Benjamin Netanyahu’s persuasion, was responsible for their illegal war on Iran. The US president wanted regime change, the eradication of Tehran’s ballistic missiles programme, to prevent it from ever building a nuclear bomb, and demilitarisation of its proxies. He announced that he would accept nothing less than unconditional surrender.The memorandum of understanding with Iran which Mr Trump signed on Wednesday – in Versailles; perhaps not the best augury of lasting diplomatic achievement – was evidence that even he can only deny reality for so long. Given the human and broader costs of the war, a deal to end it has been long overdue. But the text exposes the sheer pointlessness of this conflict. Continuing the war might have led to “worldwide depression”, the US president said, though his concern is for the impact on the pockets of his voters rather than the poorest and hungriest globally. A disgruntled base and the looming midterms have forced him into compromises loathed by Republican hawks. Mike Pence, his former vice‑president, said that it “smacks of appeasement”.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Tom Hanks' brutal insult to MS NOW reporter in shocking on-air outburst at Obama library opening
Hanks, 69, found himself met with a reporter from the network shortly after arriving.

Mail Online
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Tourists run for their lives as gunfire erupts in New York's Times Square as terrified parents drag children to safety
Shocking video showed as dozens sprinted away towards safety as several shots rang out near 42nd Street and Broadway.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Sir John Curtice: Burnham's win against Reform represents remarkable personal success
Andy Burnham not only retained the share of the vote Labour won in the seat in 2024 but increased it.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chris Mason: Emphatic win leaves Starmer with big decision on leadership
The PM will see the stonking scale of Andy Burnham's victory - will it shift his outlook, his defiance, so frequently recently expressed?

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
TV tonight: Funboys is back in town, with Steve Coogan in tow
The Northern Irish sitcom returns for a second season, and the lads go into a tailspin after learning about the famine. Plus: more World Cup action, with Scotland v Morocco9pm, BBC ThreeThis offbeat sitcom from Northern Ireland, which started life as a BBC comedy short, is now in its second hilarious series – and it guest stars Steve Coogan. As we rejoin the boys of Ballymacnoose for an opening quadruple bill, Callum (Ryan Dylan) has a job as an actor at the folk museum, with an eccentric boss (Coogan). When the gang watch his performance as a peasant, they learn about the famine, and it sends each of them spiralling in different ways. Hollie Richardson Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the ⁠United States ⁠and ​Iran on implementing the 14-point agreement to end their war have been cancelled, Switzerland’s foreign ministry has announced.The talks were set to begin in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen on Friday, two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding over Iran’s nuclear program, while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challenge
Greater Manchester mayor says result represents Labour’s ‘final chance to change’, after soundly beating Reform UK and Restore BritainUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham has won the crucial Makerfield byelection by a huge majority, paving the way for a challenge to Keir Starmer’s premiership.The Greater Manchester mayor beat the Reform UK candidate, Robert Kenyon, by 9,231 votes, and the new hardline Restore Britain party came a distant third. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Iran war: Switzerland talks called off, Vance stays in US
US and Iranian delegates will not be meeting on Friday as scheduled, the Swiss Foreign Ministry has said. The White House blamed logistical issues for US Vice President JD Vance delaying his flight. DW has more.

Russia Today News
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Shooting triggers panic in Times Square (VIDEOS)

BBC Formula One
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The Chequered Flag Podcast
Where does this victory rank among Lewis Hamilton's greatest achievements?

BBC Formula One
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The Chequered Flag Podcast
Harry Benjamin & Becky Evans visit the go-kart track & unpick the week’s big F1 stories.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
ICO watchdog opens inquiry into cameras in mental health patients’ bedrooms
Exclusive: Oxevision system used by 40% of NHS mental health trusts being scrutinised by information commissioner over privacy concernsThe information commissioner has launched an investigation into a controversial camera-based system for monitoring patients in their bedrooms, used by 40% of NHS mental health trusts, over data protection concerns.Oxevision is described by patients as “creepy” and a form of “spying”, and has been blamed by a bereaved mother for contributing to her daughter’s sense of paranoia before she took her own life.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Weatherwatch: Saharan dust drops microorganisms into European soil
Scientists are examining how ‘blood rain’ affects soil microbiome, with Portuguese vineyards a particular focusDust events, when thousands of tonnes of fine sand whipped up from the Sahara are dumped over Europe, are becoming more intense. These sometimes produce “blood rain” that leaves visible red streaks, and while generally harmless, the dust is not sterile but brings a freight of microorganisms.One big concern is how imported microbes may affect the soil microbiome and impact agricultural fertility and crop yield. Southern Portugal lies along one of the main deposition routes for Saharan dust, and the effect on vineyards in particular is a growing concern. A team from the University of Lisbon carried out genomic mapping of microbes in dust samples from 2022’s Storm Celia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The hill I will die on: Food-sharing is gross without serious rules of engagement | Poorna Bell
No trying my dessert, no tasting my drink, and definitely no double-dipping. I don’t care if it makes me sound precious or a germophobeWhen I was a child, I remember the grimace on my uncle’s face when one of my sticky little cousins drank from his can of soda. He announced that he could no longer drink it because another person’s saliva had touched it. While no one said the words “germaphobe weirdo” out loud, we were all thinking it. Our shock increased as he abandoned his old can for a fresh one, because in the early 1990s wastage was serious – fizzy drinks were a treat and we had whatever the opposite was to the “don’t worry if you can’t finish that, darling” school of parenting.Fast forward 35 years, and I’ve realised I am now that uncle. And not just drinks – this extends to food too. This may come as a surprise to some people, given that I’m Indian and sharing food is a fundamental pillar of who we are. But at home, we serve our food in giant pots, family style. There’s a spoon for every dish, and that kind of sharing is perfectly fine. There is no double-dipping because there are unspoken rules of engagement. What is not perfectly fine, however, is when different cultures come together, and someone thinks it is OK to put the spoon that was in their gob into the main pot, or use it to scoop something from another person’s plate.Poorna Bell is a freelance journalist and author of She Wanted More Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Benjamina Ebuehi’s recipe for upside-down blueberry cake | The sweet spot
Forget pineapple and use berries instead, with aromatic five-spice adding its warming fragrance to this darkly delicious take on the classic bakeI grew up thinking the only fruit that was allowed in an upside-down cake was tinned pineapple, so once I discovered that no such rule existed and that I had free rein, upside-down cakes became far more exciting. I’ve since used everything from plums and apples to blood oranges, but today I’ve gone for blueberries. And, thanks to how juicy they are, you don’t even need to make a caramel: just toss the berries in sugar. I always add a pinch of five-spice, too, for a warming fragrance that just works. Trust me! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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London Marathon confirms expansion to two-day event in 2027
Race will be staged over two days on 24-25 AprilMove will enable a record 100,000 runners to take partThe London Marathon has confirmed that next year’s race will be staged over two days to enable a record 100,000 runners to take part and raise tens of millions more for charity.That will be welcome news for the 1.3 million people who have applied through the ballot, although their chances of getting a place on the start line will still be considerably less than 10%. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘There will be no second chance’: Burnham’s Makerfield victory speech sets stage for a Starmer drama
There were no wild celebrations or champagne corks popping after the byelection because the result felt like the start of a whole new campaignUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challengeWhile an election count normally feels like an ending, the culmination of long campaign, in Makerfield the declaration of Andy Burnham as the constituency’s new MP felt like just the beginning.In the days and weeks leading up to polling day, all talk was of whether Burnham could beat Reform, in this seat where Labour had lost every single vote they were contesting in the council elections just weeks ago. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challenge
Greater Manchester mayor says result represents Labour’s ‘final chance to change’, after soundly beating Reform UK and hardline Restore BritainUK politics – live updatesAndy Burnham has won the crucial Makerfield byelection by a huge majority, paving the way for a challenge to Keir Starmer’s premiership.The Greater Manchester mayor beat the Reform UK candidate, Robert Kenyon, by 9,231 votes, and the new hardline Restore Britain party came a distant third. Continue reading...

Telegraph
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The British innovations saving mothers and babies in the developing world
From a portable blood pressure monitor to AI-powered ultrasound tools, these inventions are already saving thousands of lives

The Verge
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Barret Zoph is out at OpenAI again after just five months
Five months after returning to OpenAI, Barret Zoph - the company's head of enterprise AI sales - has departed, The Verge has learned. Zoph returned to OpenAI in mid-January after a stint as co-founder and CTO of Thinking Machines Lab, the competing AI company founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Shortly after Zoph returned […]

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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London Marathon to be held as two-day event in 2027
The London Marathon will be held across two days in a special one-off edition of the event in 2027, organisers have confirmed.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chris Mason: Emphatic win leaves Starmer and Labour MPs with big decision
The PM will see the stonking scale of Andy Burnham's victory - will it shift his outlook, his defiance, so frequently recently expressed?

ZeroHedge News
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The Cost Of Helium-3: Earth Sources Vs The Moon
The Cost Of Helium-3: Earth Sources Vs The Moon

When it comes to Helium-3, the biggest cost divide is between Earth and the Moon. Potential sources range from tritium decay and terrestrial helium wells on Earth to lunar regolith on the Moon. Today, Earth-based sources remain far easier and cheaper to access.

This graphic, created by Visual Capitalist's Cody Good in partnership with Pulsar Helium, compares major potential sources of Helium-3 by cost, scalability, and accessibility. It’s part three of four in the Helium 3: From Theory to Opportunity series, delivering key He-3 insights for investors tracking deep tech, critical minerals, and advanced computing.



The Extraction Cost of Helium-3

Looking at cost alone, Earth-based sources currently have a major advantage over Moon-based He-3.



 
Source: Pulsar Helium; CRS R41419 (Shea & Morgan, 2010); Niechciał et al., Energies (2020); Thunder Said Energy; NASA OIG; CLPS contract data; USGS Keszthelyi et al. (2023); Smith‑Vaniz et al. (2026); Interlune..


Values reflect order‑of‑magnitude estimates from market pricing (tritium), thermodynamic separation floors (Pulsar), and CLPS‑based transport floors (lunar), using simplified assumptions for grade, throughput, and infrastructure.

Tritium decay is an existing Earth-based source, tied to nuclear weapons stockpiles. The tritium used in warheads decays into He-3 and is recovered during processing; however, supply is limited by nuclear stockpiles and government control. 

Lunar regolith refers to the Moon’s surface material, where He-3 is believed to have accumulated from solar wind particles over time. Extracting He-3 would involve mining the Moon’s surface material, processing it to release gases, separating the He-3, and then returning it to Earth.

Pulsar sits between these two extremes by accessing Earth-based helium deposits using similar drilling technology as used for natural gas wells. The cost estimate is based only on the theoretical energy needed to separate He-3 from a gas stream, and excludes capex, labour, and other operating costs.

Comparing Source Scalability

Cost is only one part of the He-3 supply story. Each source also has a very different path to scale.

Tritium Decay: Low scalability, because supply is capped by nuclear stockpiles.
Pulsar Helium: Moderate scalability, with the potential to scale through terrestrial wells.
Lunar Regolith: High theoretical scalability, based on a large inferred resource on the Moon.
For tritium, without government subsidies, the price grows significantly further reducing scalability and accessibility.

How Easy is Helium-3 to Access?

Accessibility is the other major difference between Earth and lunar sources.

Tritium Decay: Moderate accessibility through existing infrastructure, but largely government-controlled.
Pulsar Helium: Moderate accessibility, with earth-based sourcing.
Lunar Regolith: Very low accessibility, with no current mining or return logistics.
Lunar He-3 may become more competitive over time, but for now, the only sources available are Earth-based.

Helium 3: From Theory to Opportunity

The rising demand for He-3 is putting new pressure on supply. Though lunar mining may one day become part of the long-term story, the near-term opportunity is much closer to home.

For investors, the key question is not just how much He-3 exists, but how realistically it can be produced and delivered. Scalability and accessibility shape how quickly a resource can move from concept to market.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 23:00

ZeroHedge News
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Is Trump Preparing To "Escalate To De-Escalate" With Russia?
Is Trump Preparing To "Escalate To De-Escalate" With Russia?

Authored by Andrew Korybko,

He feels personally insulted by Putin rejecting his proposal to freeze the conflict in exchange for a resource-centric strategic partnership and also, whether one agrees with him or not, senses weakness after the US built a “cordon sanitaire” around Russia over the past year.



Trump signed the “G7 leaders’ statement on geopolitical issues” agreeing “to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities. We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production…we will strengthen our sanctions, including those on the oil and gas sectors.” This amounts to him preparing to “escalate to de-escalate” with Russia, the reason for which will now be explained.

From Trump’s perspective, which is an explanation but not an excuse in case anyone misinterprets the following, Putin wasted his time these nearly 18 months by talking about peace but rejecting Trump’s proposal to freeze the conflict in exchange for a resource-centric strategic partnership.

Likewise, from Putin’s perspective, Trump reneged on the reported “Spirit of Anchorage” by declining to coerce Zelensky into withdrawing from Donbass in exchange for Putin then declaring a full ceasefire.

Putin accordingly carried on with his special operation, albeit while still eschewing any escalation thereof due to his belief (no matter how outdated some of his supporters think that it’s since become) that Russians and Ukrainians are brothers, which Trump considered to be an insult.

It thus wasn’t the Europeans or Ukrainians who convinced him to renege on the reported “Spirit of Anchorage”, but his ego after he felt offended that Putin rejected his abovementioned proposal to his face in Anchorage.

In retrospect, Trump already had his eyes on Venezuela and Iran once again too, which is why he held off on “escalating to de-escalate” till both of those were wrapped up.

Meanwhile, he implemented his Neo-Reagan Doctrine of rolling back Russian influence worldwide with a focus on Russia’s entire southern periphery in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, which completed Russia’s strategic encirclement. A “cordon sanitaire” has now been established around the entire country.

This US-organized geostrategic construct was built in the Arctic-Baltic through UK-led efforts, Central Europe through Polish-led efforts, along its entire southern periphery through Turkish-led efforts, and Northeast Asia through Japanese-led efforts. Trump was therefore almost certainly advised by the deep state that now is the perfect moment to intensify pressure on Russia so as to coerce it into unilateral concessions for ending the Ukrainian Conflict and consequently alleviating some of this pressure.

Whether or not Putin will comply remains a matter of debate, but the aforesaid uncertainty doesn’t mean that Trump wasn’t convinced that now is the perfect time to “escalate to de-escalate” upon sensing what he truly believes to be weakness.

The risk is that Putin finally abandons his belief in the brotherhood of Russians and Ukrainians to reciprocally escalate, possibly even going as far as limited conventional strikes against NATO members to call what he might believe is the big bluff about Article 5.

Unless Russia either capitulates to the US’ demands or there’s a diplomatic breakthrough whereby a balance of interests is reached through a series of mutual compromises, the first of which is improbable while the latter is possible even if unlikely, then a major escalation in NATO-Russian tensions is expected.

Trump ultimately settled for less than he demanded from Iran despite earlier threatening to destroy its civilization if it didn’t unconditionally surrender so he might once again “chicken out” and cut a deal.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 23:25

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Grammy-nominated music producer Tay Keith, who worked with Drake and Travis Scott, dies aged 29
Hip-hop producer behind Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode and Drake’s Nonstop has been found dead at home during a police welfare checkThe Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith, who worked with Drake, Travis Scott and Beyoncé, has been found dead at his apartment in Nashville, Tennessee aged 29.Keith, whose real name was Brytavious Chambers, was discovered at home after police conducted a welfare check on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland abruptly called off
JD Vance’s staff were at the airbase ready to fly to summit in Bürgenstock for Iran talks before trip was suddenly cancelledTalks set to take place on Friday between the ⁠United States ⁠and ​Iran on implementing the 14-point agreement to end their war have been cancelled, Switzerland’s foreign ministry has announced.The talks were set to begin in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen on Friday, two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent understanding about Iran’s nuclear program while getting oil traffic moving through the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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HKEX Strengthens Ties with China Financial Futures Exchange
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX), marking a significant step toward closer cooperation between the two major financial institutions. The announcement, made on June 18, 2026, underscores a shared dedication... Read More

CNET News
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Grave Seasons Lets You Date the Serial Killer Plaguing Your Cute Town
At Summer Game Fest, the mechanics of the cozy horror game become more clear -- both in murder and in love.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election - now he prepares to launch his Left-wing coup to topple Keir Starmer and become PM
Andy Burnham secured a majority of 9,000 votes over Reform in a result that sparked tears of joy from Left-wingers - who now hope to force far more extreme tax and spend policies.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Sir John Curtice: Burnham's win represents remarkable personal success for him
Andy Burnham not only retained the share of the vote Labour won in the seat in 2024 but increased it.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Mangione's lawyers reverse course on psychiatric defence in state murder trial
The defence team reverse course a day after saying they would argue he suffered "extreme emotional disturbance".

The Guardian (UK)
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Country diary: These oysters are destined – we hope – for great things | Claire Stares
Portsmouth, Hampshire: A huge conservation effort is under way to restore native oysters to the Solent, and I was on hand to help give them a pre-release spa dayNative oysters (Ostrea edulis) have been harvested from Chichester Harbour since Roman times, but due to overfishing, disease, pollution and competition from invasive Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas), the population has declined by 96% over the past century.The Solent Oyster Restoration Project is working to restore reefs by reseeding them with juveniles and installing cages containing a high density of mature broodstock beneath pontoons, to facilitate the release of millions of larvae. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Crunching the numbers: Why Burnham's win is so significant
The result lived up to the hype. An unprecedented contest ended in a seismic result, as Andy Burnham was announced as the new Labour MP for Makerfield with 55% of the vote, more than 20 points ahead of his defeated Reform opponent Robert Kenyon.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Armenia Modernizes Aerial Fleet with Acquisition of Six Airbus H145 Helicopters
The Republic of Armenia has officially entered into a procurement agreement to acquire six H145 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks in doubt as Vance delays Switzerland trip
JD Vance and his delegation have postponed the trip to Geneva to meet Iranian negotiators, the White House said, citing logistical issues. DW has the latest.

Mail Online
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Tories win Aberdeen South by-election after 'referendum' on oil and gas sparks dramatic swing to the Right from SNP
Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden won a majority of more than 6,000 with 14,308 votes, followed by the SNP in second place with 8,258.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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UK actress charged with importing meth worth almost £157m into Australia
Emaa Hussen, 34, faces life in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle 320kg of meth hidden in bags of charcoal.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Burnham says 'this is a final chance to change' in his victory speech
Labour's Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for him to challenge Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks in doubt as Vance delays Switzerland trip
JD Vance and his aides have postponed the trip to Geneva to meet Iranian negotiators, the White House said, citing logistical issues. DW has the latest.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks in doubt as Vance delays Switzerland trip
JD Vance and his delegation has postponed the trip to Geneva to meet Iranian negotiators, the White House said, citing logistical issues. DW has the latest.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Hat-trick hero & Swiss wonderkid - World Cup duo set for Premier League?
Will Canada hat-trick hero Jonathan David and Swiss goal-scoring midfielder Johan Manzambi be playing in the Premier League next season?

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran's talks in doubt as Vance delays Switzerland trip
JD Vance and his delegation has postponed the trip to Geneva to meet Iranian negotiators, the White House said, citing logistical issues. DW has the latest.

The Guardian (UK)
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South Korea howler gifts Mexico victory as World Cup co-hosts reach knockout phase
It wasn’t pretty, distinguished by little other than its black v lilac colour scheme, but Mexico became the first side at the 2026 World Cup to secure their place in the knockout stage. They are sure to top their group and stay in Mexico City, opening the path for an apocalyptic meeting at the Azteca in the last 16. The question for Mexico and South Korea after their opening wins was whether they had been good or their opponents bad, and this offered a fairly clear answer: neither is over-blessed with creative edge.The only goal came after 50 minutes and was a gift from South Korea. Kim Seung-gyu, the goalkeeper, came to claim a looping header, but did so over the top of Lee Ki-hyuk, jarring his elbow on the defender’s head and spilling the ball for Luis Romo, who hooked in his fifth international goal on his 64th appearance. Romo was one of three changes made from Mexico’s line-up for the opener, coming in for Álvaro Fidalgo as Javier Aguirre resisted the popular demand to hand a start to the 17-year-old Gilberto Mora. A remarkable double save from Raúl Rangel in the closing minutes preserved the lead as he got down to parry Cho Gue-sung’s header and had the core strength to twist and gather Yang Hyun-jun’s sliced follow-up. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Sugar review – Colin Farrell’s detective show is a luxurious labyrinth of noir
Each episode of this PI drama’s second season is a half-hour haze suffused with melancholy and distressed urban beauty. It’s the kind of show that could only exist on Apple TVGetting a TV show made isn’t easy. OK, so you’ve got an interesting idea and some good scripts – but a network or streaming platform will have many further questions. How much will it cost to make, which age/demographic will enjoy it, can it be distilled in a grabby one-line summary, could it recoup investment by running to multiple seasons? Nobody’s going to take a punt on your kooky pet project and risk losing money.At least that’s the theory, but Apple TV seems happy to commission shows having ticked none of the above boxes. Pound for pound – that is, ignoring the overwhelming volume of Netflix shows – it’s probably the best streamer in the game, having gambled and won on Severance, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, The Studio, For All Mankind and Widow’s Bay. But it also has a stable of oddball charmers that work in a moseying sort of way – Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed and Margo’s Got Money Troubles being two recent ones – and a slew of baffling misfires like Government Cheese and Hello Tomorrow! that have popped up, done a thing nobody understood and disappeared again. You don’t know what you’ll get with a new Apple show, but it’s likely to be something nobody else would green-light, and they’d often be right. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Toe-to-toe boxers, a moving maze and comedy flamenco: Edinburgh festival 2026’s hottest dance and circus
This year brings world-renowned choreographers, ballet cabaret and fluffy clowns for toddlersThis was San Francisco Ballet’s big new commission in 2024, now getting its European premiere at Edinburgh international festival. An ambitious production with some impressive visuals, it’s a show for our times: an AI-themed retelling of the Pandora’s box myth by choreographer Aszure Barton. Music is by British producer Floating Points, who performs live, with an orchestra.Edinburgh Playhouse, 28-30 August Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on my hands
I have no legs, so the thought of tackling the nearly 6,000-metre peak seemed crazy. But after reflection, and hard physical training, I decided to give it a goI was born with a rare genetic disease called sacral agenesis, which meant that my legs didn’t work. When I was five, I had surgery to amputate them. Doctors told my parents that I might never sit up, let alone be a functioning member of society – but as a child I wanted to try everything, and my mum and dad were great at encouraging me.I learned to navigate the world by walking on my hands. I also had a wheelchair, or I’d get around our neighbourhood in Wyoming by skateboard, just like other kids. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I’d listen to my body before it screamed for help’: Keith Richards on life as an 82-year-old great-grandad – and jousting with Mick Jagger
He did every substance imaginable – and got punched by Chuck Berry – but Keef’s still going strong. As the Stones knock out another new album, he explains why he’s rejecting AI in favour of ‘the old ways’Keith Richards has just become a great-grandfather. “This is true! This is true!” he enthuses, video-calling from somewhere in the depths of the Hit Factory, the New York studio first patronised by the Rolling Stones 46 years ago when they were making Emotional Rescue. “It’s been a couple of weeks. It’s a new thing for me. But I’m a fantastic grandad,” he confides. “Great-grandadding is … I try to let them hang with me for as long as humanly possible, then I hand ’em back. I’ve been doing a lot of grandfathering in the last year or so. I’ve got three or four new ones, you know. When I say new, I mean … two or three years old. Or four. Or one, or maybe five.”Hang on, that seems a little vague. He shrugs and explodes in a wheezy chuckle. “I lose track, you know.” Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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This ordinary-looking pen can record meetings and generate AI transcripts
The Flowtica Scribe looks like an ordinary pen, but it can record conversations, flag important moments, and turn meetings into AI-generated transcripts and action items.

Slashdot
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Trump Admin Backs Off Plans To Kill Ocean Monitoring
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: In May, the federal government announced without warning that it would take apart a network of ocean monitoring systems that it had spent over $350 million to build. No reason was given for the decision to shut down the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), but suspicion immediately focused on the network's role in tracking climate change. But the OOI also provides data that's useful for weather forecasting and fisheries management, leading to widespread opposition. Today, it appears that the opposition has won, as the government will announce that it's reversing the decision. The big remaining question is how much damage the OOI took during the intervening month.

[...] The OOI is a federally supported resource that provides ocean data for use by academic researchers, government planners, and private companies. It consists of arrays of monitoring systems in several locations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that can track things like currents, salinity, chemical levels, temperatures, and tectonic activity. (There are over 100 individual entries on the page that display the data gathered by the system.) Obviously, there are many potential uses of that data. The fact that it has been gathered continuously for a decade means it can help track changes in how carbon dioxide and heat enter the oceans. This is probably what made it a target for the climate change denialists who helped set the Trump administration's policy.

Those policymakers are perfectly happy to annoy people with environmental concerns, but they apparently neglected to consider how upset everyone else would be about losing access to the other data. The ensuing public backlash led the Senate on Wednesday to unanimously agree with a measure that would block the government from taking down the OOI. Today's decision may indicate that the administration recognized it had gotten itself into a fight it knew it was losing. The National Science Foundation formally announced the decision, stating: "effective immediately, [it] will not proceed with further removal or descoping of equipment from the remaining arrays and will continue operations including planned maintenance." The agency added that it "appreciates the concerns raised by the range of stakeholders that have informed us they rely on data" from the OOI.

The NSF also said it would "issue a Dear Colleague Letter to collect input from stakeholders and convene an expert panel to assess observational needs, evaluate available data sources, consider responses ... and help the agency identify a sustainable path for NSF's ocean observing systems."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Burnham says his win in Makerfield by-election could be turning point
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor held off a challenge from Reform UK, behind by more than 9,000 votes.

Deutsche Welle
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UK: Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins parliament seat
The by-election victory paves the way for Burnham to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership.

Mail Online
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Mexico's World Cup clash against South Korea descends into chaos as fans are trampled in crush to break into fan zones in violent scenes
The World Cup was rocked by more violence on Thursday, when, minutes before Mexico's Group A clash against South Korea, chaos erupted as fans attempted to break into fan parks.

Mail Online
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Trump jokes he wanted to award himself the Medal of Honor ahead of White House presentation: 'I was informed I couldn't do it'
Trump brought some humor to the event when describing the prestige of the nation's highest military honor.

Mail Online
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JD Vance cancels trip to Switzerland for Iran talks at the last second as Trump declares he has achieved 'unconditional surrender'
The White House said that the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity but plans for the technical talks have not been finalized.

Mail Online
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Angry Canada head coach Jesse Marsch hits out at Qatar boss after two men square up in fiery World Cup clash
Key Canada midfielder Ismael Kone broke his leg in the game in Vancouver and was having surgery late on Thursday night in a moment that turned the game on its head.

Mail Online
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Mexico become first team to seal their spot in World Cup knockout stage with narrow win over South Korea
Mexico became the first team to seal their spot in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday night.

Mail Online
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Oliver Tree's mother breaks silence after tragic death of singer, 32, in Brazil horror crash
Tree's mother posted a childhood shot of the late musical artist when he was younger, expressing her gratitude for her son and the impact he made.

Crowdfund Insider
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Euroclear Shares Insights on Public-Private Partnerships Transforming European Capital Markets
Euroclear has indicated in a recent update that Europe’s financial markets stand at a critical juncture. Surging demands for funding the green and digital transitions, alongside demographic shifts and efforts to bolster strategic independence, call for unprecedented levels of long-term capital. Achieving deeper, more unified,... Read More

The Hill
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Medication abortion restored in Missouri following court ruling 
A state judge opened the door for Missourians to access medication abortion in a Thursday ruling that comes over a year after state residents voted to legalize abortion access.  Missouri circuit judge Jerri Zhang sided with Planned Parenthood in its lawsuit challenging the state’s 30 statutes limiting abortion access. The organization sued the state a...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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UK actress charged with importing meth worth almost A$300m into Australia
Emaa Hussen, 34, faces life in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle 320kg of meth hidden in bags of charcoal.

Mail Online
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Taylor Swift's new WEDDING SONG for Travis Kelce: Singer has secretly recorded love ballad and is set to serenade hubby at New York wedding
As Taylor Swift strode into Electric Lady Studios, she flashed a knowing smirk at the hordes of paparazzi waiting outside.

Russia Today News
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Israel can’t ‘kill its way out’ of every crisis – Vance (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Tesco boss warns Labour again over 'unnecessary' price caps and denies profiteering from soaring petrol costs
Ken Murphy said caps were unnecessary as the ultra-competitive nature of the grocery market meant firms were forced to keep prices down.

Mail Online
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City watchdog drops probe into power station operator Drax's environmental biomass claims
Drax, which was once the UK's largest coal-fired power plant, imports millions of tonnes of wood pellets from Canada every year.

Mail Online
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Britain too weak to start putting up interest rates now, warns Bailey as Bank of England votes to hold
The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted by a 7-2 majority to maintain its benchmark rate at 3.75% despite fears of rising inflation

Mail Online
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Premier Inn owner Whitbread eyes bumper summer as UK bookings boom
Boss Dominic Paul said a rise in air fares stoked by the Iran war could push Britons to holiday in the UK, where it makes nearly 90% of its revenue.

Mail Online
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Luigi Mangione backtracks on new defense ploy as judge calls for medical records to be turned over
Luigi Mangione is reconsidering claiming he was emotionally disturbed when he allegedly shot dead a healthcare executive because he would be 'essentially admitting the crime.'

Mail Online
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Bending forwards and prolonged walking at work may raise miscarriage risk in early pregnancy, study finds
Bending forwards and prolonged walking at work during early pregnancy may raise the risk of miscarriage, a study suggests.

Mail Online
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Fish oil supplements may not boost brain health after all, study finds
For decades, older adults have been advised to take fish oil supplements to strengthen bones, protect the heart and support healthy brain ageing.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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A day of tears, scuffles & history as injury mars Canada's moment
Canada's first-ever win at a World Cup finals should have been cause for pure joy - but was overshadowed by a horrific injury to Ismael Kone, and the angry and emotional scenes that followed.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Even the Coke is big' - Foreign World Cup fans take in American culture
Large portion sizes, tasty food, and a basketball championship welcome international World Cup fans to the US.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Scotland's Boston love affair one for the ages
BBC Scotland's Scott Mullen looks at the Tartan Army's time in Boston as it gets set to finish.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11875 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - LNWGN-Welwyn Garden City (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 23:00

End: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 04:08

Edited: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 04:08

Status: Up

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#11913 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage - Newtownards (NINTS) - 13711 (New)
During a planned maintenance, a network device at Newtownards (NINTS) has failed to come back up and we currently working on resolution.

Further updates will be made available here as soon as available.

Zen regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Start: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 02:50

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Mail Online
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Mexico vs South Korea - World Cup Group A RECAP: Hosts become first team to reach knockouts after winning a thriller
Relive Daily Mail Sport's live coverage with all the latest updates as Mexico secured a 1-0 win over South Korea at the 2026 World Cup to seal top spot in Group A and reach the knockout stage.

The Guardian (UK)
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South Korea howler gifts Mexico victory as World Cup co-hosts reach knockout phase
It wasn’t pretty, distinguished by little other than its black v lilac colour scheme, but Mexico became the first side at the 2026 World Cup to secure their place in the knockout stage. If they and England both top their groups, the path is open for an apocalyptic meeting at the Azteca in the last 16. The question for Mexico and South Korea after their opening wins was whether they had been good or their opponents bad, and this offered a fairly clear answer: neither is over-blessed with creative edge.The only goal came after 50 minutes and was a gift from South Korea. Kim Seung-gyu, the goalkeeper, came to claim a looping header, but did so over the top of Lee Ki-hyuk, jarring his elbow on the defender’s head and spilling the ball for Luis Romo, who hooked in his fifth international goal on his 64th appearance. Romo was one of three changes made from Mexico’s line-up for the opener, coming in for Álvaro Fidalgo as Javier Aguirre resisted the popular demand to give a start to the 17-year-old Gilberto Mora. A remarkable double save from Raúl Rangel in the closing minutes preserved the lead as he got down to parry Cho Gue-sung’s header and had the core strength to twist and gather Yang Hyun-jun’s sliced follow-up. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35
Daveigh Chase, the voice of Lilo in Disney's animated film Lilo & Stitch, has died aged 35. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt
2023 champion sits at six under through 16 holesPlay suspended at 8.25pm after rain-soaked dayClubhouse leader Stevens among group at two underFor much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two under that included the clubhouse leader Sam Stevens. Six other players were also at two under, four of whom had holes remaining. Nine more – including Masters champion Rory McIlroy – sat at one-under. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mexico 1-0 South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ El Tri book spot in knockouts with win over Taegeuk Warriors⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offJavier Aguirre was forced into one change following the red card to Cesar Montes against South Africa. Montes is replaced in the centre of defence by Edson Alvarez. Aguirre has also switched right backs, with Israel Reyes coming in for Jorge Sanchez, and tinkered with his midfield where Alvarao Fidalgo loses out to Luis Romo.Mexico (4-1-2-3): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 4 Alvarez, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira; 26 Gutierrez, 7 Romo Fidalgo; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.Fans of the two countries have shared a warm relationship since the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea’s unexpected 2-0 victory over Germany in their final group game put Mexico into the last 16. Amid the celebrations in Mexico City, South Korea’s ambassador was carried shoulder-high along the street in front of the embassy as local fans chanted, “¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!” – “Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!” The chant has been resurrected in Guadalajara, where South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in their first group game. When a group of Korean fans visited the wrestling, the arena DJ played Gangnam Style to welcome them. Mexican social media has been flooded with videos of Guadalajarans and Koreans performing PSY’s horse dance together. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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Which States Brew The Most Craft Beer?
Which States Brew The Most Craft Beer?

American craft brewers produced roughly 22 million barrels of beer in 2025, the equivalent of more than 7 billion 12-ounce cans. That output is concentrated in a few key states.

This map, via Visual Capitalist's Niccolo Conte, shows the barrels of craft beer produced in every U.S. state in 2025, based on data from the Brewers Association.



Figures reflect the association’s June 2026 revision and cover all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

To count as craft, a brewery must produce no more than 6 million barrels per year and be less than 25% owned by a large alcohol company. One barrel equals 31 gallons, or roughly 330 twelve-ounce cans.

California Brews Nearly One in Every Six U.S. Craft Beers

California tops the nation with 3.45 million barrels of craft beer brewed in 2025. The state’s 939 craft breweries are also the most in the country, well ahead of second-place Pennsylvania’s 538.

Pennsylvania ranks second in volume at 2.0 million barrels, with much of that total coming from Yuengling, America’s oldest operating brewery, founded in 1829, and its largest craft brewer by volume.

The data table below shows each state’s total production of craft beer in 2025 in barrels:

RankStateBarrels of Craft Beer Produced (2025)
1California3,450,329
2Pennsylvania2,004,382
3Texas1,422,277
4Ohio1,298,489
5New York1,281,220
6Florida1,153,556
7Oregon1,109,391
8Colorado854,707
9Massachusetts812,974
10North Carolina772,964
11Wisconsin609,271
12Georgia601,462
13Washington533,296
14Minnesota466,625
15Connecticut450,232
16Illinois409,589
17Vermont357,138
18Virginia342,075
19Maine338,405
20Missouri284,297
21Michigan267,660
22Arizona229,212
23Indiana222,088
24Montana216,992
25Delaware186,803
26Hawaii179,149
27Maryland176,644
28Tennessee174,083
29New Jersey161,094
30Louisiana155,643
31Iowa134,108
32Alaska133,395
33New Mexico132,852
34South Carolina125,086
35Kentucky121,865
36Utah102,241
37New Hampshire88,320
38Alabama80,869
39Arkansas71,520
40Oklahoma69,318
41Idaho64,945
42Wyoming63,130
43Rhode Island59,768
44Nevada54,683
45Nebraska46,358
46Kansas35,059
47District of Columbia30,036
48West Virginia21,562
49South Dakota21,183
50North Dakota19,051
51Mississippi18,262
In total, seven states: California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, New York, Florida, and Oregon, each brewed more than 1 million barrels in 2025. Together, they accounted for 53% of all U.S. craft beer production.

At the other end of the list, Mississippi brewed 18,262 barrels of craft beer in 2025, the least of any state.

Big States’ Beer Brewing and What Defines Craft

Population explains much of the order, as the four most populous states, California, Texas, Florida, and New York, all rank in the top six, but not all of it. Ohio’s 1.3 million barrels edge out far larger New York and Florida, while Illinois, the sixth-most populous state, ranks just 16th at 409,589 barrels.

Smaller states punch above their weight, too: Vermont, the second-smallest state by population, brewed 357,138 barrels in 2025, out-brewing far larger Virginia and Michigan, with Maine close behind at 338,405. Demand varies just as much as supply, with Americans’ alcohol spending per capita differing widely from state to state.

Because the Brewers Association’s definition hinges on independent ownership, state totals can shift when breweries change hands. Colorado’s New Belgium Brewing, in 2019, and Michigan’s Bell’s Brewery, in 2021, were both acquired by Lion, a subsidiary of Japan’s Kirin. This moved their volumes out of the craft column and dented both states’ totals.

That helps explain why Michigan’s 410 craft breweries produced just 268,660 barrels in 2025, ranking the state 21st by volume.

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Which States Have the Most Breweries Per Person? on Voronoi.

 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 22:10

ZeroHedge News
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Pentagon Restores Pacific Command Name, Reversing 2018 'Indo-Pacific' Rebrand
Pentagon Restores Pacific Command Name, Reversing 2018 'Indo-Pacific' Rebrand

Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,

The Pentagon said on June 16 that it was restoring the name U.S. Pacific Command, reversing a 2018 decision that rebranded the command as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to reflect the growing strategic importance of India and the Indian Ocean in U.S. defense policy.



The Department of War said in a statement that the command, known as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) since 2018, would officially revert to its previous designation, U.S. Pacific Command, or USPACOM, a name it carried for more than seven decades before the change.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the move on social media, writing, “U.S. Pacific Command...is back.”

The Pentagon said the decision was intended to restore the command’s historical identity and military heritage rather than to signal any change in mission, geographic scope, or strategic priorities.

“Restoring the legacy USPACOM designation honors the command’s deep historical roots, fostering a sense of pride and collective spirit among all who serve in the Pacific,” the department said in a statement.

The Pentagon further clarified that the command’s area of responsibility, stretching from the waters off the U.S. West Coast to the western border of India, remains unchanged, as does its commitment to maintaining a “free and open theater alongside regional allies and partners.”

The move restores the name under which the command operated from its establishment in 1947 until May 2018.

The Pentagon did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision beyond citing the command’s historical legacy.

The name change quickly drew scrutiny in India.

Nirupama Rao, India’s former foreign secretary and ambassador to Washington, said in a post on X that the key question raised by the decision was whether the United States still viewed India as a “co-architect of regional order or simply as one useful actor among many in advancing American objectives.”



The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) is the largest of the Department of War’s six geographic joint combatant commands, with an area of operation that stretches from its Pearl Harbor headquarters west across two oceans to the Arabian Sea. Department of War/Epoch Times Screenshot

Rao said the renaming came amid a series of recent developments, such as “cooler optics” at the G7 summit in France and the deaths of three Indian sailors in a U.S. strike on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military said the vessel had violated its blockade on Iranian ports.

Taken together, these and other developments could suggest a shift toward a more transactional phase in U.S.–India relations, she suggested.

“None of these individually proves a strategic rupture,” Rao wrote. “But collectively they suggest that the exuberant phase of India–US relations may be ending. The relationship is becoming more normal, more transactional, and perhaps more difficult.”

Shashi Tharoor, an Indian member of Parliament and former minister of state, questioned whether the move was a “nail in the coffin” for the Quad, the four-country grouping made up of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

The Pentagon has given no indication that the change reflects any downgrading of ties with India.



U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on May 30, 2026. Edgar Su/Reuters

In remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month, Hegseth described India as “a critical anchor to hold the line” and praised the country’s military modernization efforts and growing defense-industrial cooperation with the United States.

“We’ve also committed to pursuing co-production with India to advance capabilities like Javelin anti-tank guided munitions,” Hegseth said, describing the moves as among a number of “real tangible steps to improve the collective readiness” of U.S. forces.

While the practical implications of the name change seem limited, the decision reverses what was widely seen as a visible symbolic shift in U.S. regional strategy rather than a mere bureaucratic adjustment when the 2018 switch was made.

Then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced the change during a command transition ceremony in Hawaii, saying it reflected the “increasing connectivity” between the Indian and Pacific oceans and underscored Washington’s commitment to the broader Indo-Pacific region.



Former U.S. Secretary of Defense General Jim Mattis speaks at a Reuters Newsmaker event in New York on Sept. 9, 2019. Gary He/Reuters

At the time, Mattis described the Indo-Pacific as a region stretching “from Hollywood to Bollywood” and highlighted the growing importance of the Indian Ocean to U.S. strategic planning.

Describing the 2018 National Defense Strategy as a “roadmap for the American military,” Mattis said at the time that the strategy “acknowledges the Pacific challenges and signals America’s resolve and lasting commitment to the Indo-Pacific.”

The Trump administration’s 2026 National Defense Strategy repeatedly refers to the “Indo-Pacific” and identifies deterring China in the region as one of the military’s primary objectives. The document describes the Indo-Pacific as the world’s largest and most dynamic economic area and calls for maintaining a favorable balance of power there.



Buildings and structures sit on an artificial island built by China in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Oct. 25, 2022. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

“We will deter China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, not confrontation,” Hegseth wrote in the document, which further states that the U.S. military would act to support “strategic stability” with Beijing while focusing on “deconfliction and de-escalation.”

“But we will also be clear-eyed and realistic about the speed, scale, and quality of China’s historic military buildup,” the 2026 strategy states. “Our goal in doing so is not to dominate China; nor is it to strangle or humiliate them. Rather, our goal is simple: To prevent anyone, including China, from being able to dominate us or our allies.”

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 22:35

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Amber heat health alerts in place as temperatures set to soar above 30C
Very warm weather is set to return to parts of the UK, with a potential heatwave set to develop this weekend.

Deutsche Welle
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US probes Germany's 'persistent underpayment' for drugs
The US Trade Representative said a new probe would determine if Germany was a underpaying for pharmaceuticals.

Mail Online
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Mexico vs South Korea - World Cup Group A LIVE: Hosts become first team to reach knockouts after winning a thriller
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Mexico look to continue their fine start to the World Cup against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Sleap) Regulations 2026

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These Regulations amend the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (S.R. 1995 No. 380).

UK Legislation
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The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2026
These Regulations are the fourth commencement regulations made under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (c. 16) (“the 2023 Act”). They bring into force the provisions of the 2023 Act relating to a free speech complaints scheme listed in regulation 2 on 1st September 2026 and the provision relating to mandatory conditions relating to freedom of speech listed in regulation 3 on 1st April 2027.

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Auchterarder, Scotland) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The A737 Trunk Road (Kilwinning) (Temporary Prohibition on Waiting, Loading and Unloading) Order 2026

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, June 19
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 19.

The Hill
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Special election for Swalwell's open House seat heads to runoff
The special election for former California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D) House seat is headed to a runoff, after no candidate in the race received a majority of the vote, DDHQ projected on Thursday evening.  California state Sen. Aisha Wahab (D) and Bay Area transportation official Melissa Hernandez (D) — the race’s top two candidates —...

The Hill
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White House confirms Vance trip to Switzerland delayed 
Vice President Vance’s trip to Switzerland for technical talks on the Iran deal has been postponed, the White House confirmed on Thursday.  There were talks the top U.S. official would depart for Europe on Thursday evening for a new round of technical discussions building on an agreement signed by President Trump on Wednesday. Vance told...

Techdirt
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CBS Signs Licensing Deal With ‘Peanuts’ People To Duck Legal Issues From Colbert’s Last Show
I can’t say I know for sure that Stephen Colbert is a Techdirt reader, but I very much believe he is. His interests align somewhat with ours, he often comments on some of the same topics we do, and, it turns out, he decided to troll his previous employer during his last show in a […]

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Tuchel throws first pitch as England enjoy downtime
Thomas Tuchel takes some time out at a baseball game as England enjoy some downtime at the World Cup - while Ivan Toney scores a hat-trick in a friendly against MLS side Sporting KC.

Mail Online
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Tories give SNP a bloody nose in Aberdeen South by-election after 'referendum' on oil and gas sparks dramatic swing
Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden won a majority of more than 6,000 with 14,308 votes, followed by the SNP in second place with 8,258.

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt
2023 champion sits at six under through 16 holesPlay suspended at 8.25pm after rain-soaked dayClubhouse leader Stevens among group at two underFor much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two under that included the clubhouse leader Sam Stevens. Four other players were also at two under with holes remaining, while nine more – including Masters champion Rory McIlroy – sat at one-under. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Makerfield byelection: Andy Burnham says Labour has ‘final chance to change’ after huge win over Reform UK – UK politics live
Burnham hails a ‘turning point’ for the country after a resounding victory over Reform UK and Restore that may force prime minister Keir Starmer to step asideFull report: Andy Burnham wins huge majority in Makerfield byelection, paving way for Starmer leadership challenge Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Baerbock: 'Germany team is an example to Germany's kids'
The president of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, praises the diversity of Germany's football team as it plays in the World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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McIlroy makes solid US Open start before conditions alter dynamic
Shinnecock Hills served up a tale of changing conditions that altered the dynamic on the opening day of the fog-delayed US Open.

The Guardian (UK)
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Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt
2023 champion sits at six under through 16 holes Play suspended at 8.25pm after rain-soaked dayClubhouse leader Stevens among five at two underFor much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two-under that included the clubhouse leader Sam Stevens. Four other players were also at two-under with holes remaining, while nine more – including Masters champion Rory McIlroy – sat at one-under. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Makerfield byelection: Andy Burnham says win over Reform UK could be ‘turning point’ for country – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asideBurnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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McIlroy makes solid start before Shinnecock conditions alter dynamic
Shinnecock Hills served up a tale of changing conditions that altered the dynamic on the opening day of the fog-delayed US Open.

Mail Online
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Andy Burnham begins his march on Westminster - and Downing Street - as he WINS Makerfield by-election with his allies demanding Keir Starmer now agrees to hand over power to Labour's 'King of the North'
The Greater Manchester mayor was declared the constituency's new MP in the early hours of Friday, as he defeated his Reform UK rival to bring an end to his 9-year hiatus from the House of Commons.

Mail Online
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Mexico vs South Korea - World Cup Group A LIVE: Hosts FINALLY break the deadlock after goalkeeper makes shocking mistake
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Mexico look to continue their fine start to the World Cup against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump news at a glance: Vance uses US weaponry barbs to scold Israeli critics of Iran deal
Vice-president says Israeli cabinet members shouldn’t attack the country’s ‘only powerful ally’ left; Iran says it will impose fees on strait of Hormuz – key US politics stories from Thursday 18 JuneJD Vance has sharply rebuked Israeli government critics of the US deal with Iran, saying the cabinet members should remember that two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected Israel “have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars”.The US vice-president, asked about a report that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was fuming over the agreement, told reporters at the White House: “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Wyndham Clark roars clear at US Open before darkness brings first round to a halt
The 2023 champion on six-under after 16 holes when play suspendedClubhouse leader Sam Stevens part of group of five on two-underFor much of a Thursday that offered a harsh reminder of Shinnecock Hills’ capacity for chaos, the US Open leaderboard was as congested as County Road 39 at the start of a Hamptons weekend, a gridlocked mass of contenders separated by little more than one or two shots. Then Wyndham Clark found another gear, roaring clear of the traffic to open a shocking four-stroke lead before darkness brought the first round to a halt.Clark, the 2023 champion, was six under par through 16 holes when the horn blew and play was suspended at 8.25pm, holding a commanding advantage over a chasing group at two-under that included the clubhouse leader Sam Stevens. Four other players were also at two-under with holes remaining, while nine more – including Masters champion Rory McIlroy – sat at one-under. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Forget the confected World Cup hostility, the US and Australia mirror each other
The Group D clash between the United States and Socceroos has been hyped as next step in a heated rivalry but the nations are on similar football journeysListen to the hyperbole spewed by the loudest voices, and the World Cup clash between co-hosts the United States and Australia in Seattle is the latest contest in a heated sporting rivalry streaked with disrespect and even downright hate.Indeed, the sometimes spiteful clash between the teams in a friendly last year serves as a preview for what is now one of the marquee matches in the pool stage, and set to determine the winner of Group D. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Makerfield byelection: Andy Burnham soundly beats Reform UK in challenge for Starmer– UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asideBurnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
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I tested the Circular Ring 2 and wanted to love it, but the software got in the way

Nature
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Stem cells banish severe autoimmune disease for 15 years

ZeroHedge News
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US Security Chief Says One Suspected Terrorist Is Arrested At Canadian Border 'Almost Weekly'
US Security Chief Says One Suspected Terrorist Is Arrested At Canadian Border 'Almost Weekly'

Authored by Paul Rowan Brian via The Epoch Times,

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says American authorities apprehend a suspected or wanted terrorist at the Canada-U.S. border "almost weekly," while warning that "fracturing" relations between the two countries could leave both more vulnerable to criminal organizations, fentanyl traffickers, and other threats.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin testifies before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington on June 3, 2026. AP Photo/Cliff Owen

Mullin made the remarks June 17 during a fireside conversation with Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He added that the United States is concerned that many criminal organizations whose activity has been reduced due to enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border are moving operations to the northern border.

"We arrest a terrorist - one either on the watch list or wanted terrorist - on our northern border almost weekly," Mullin said. "Some of the fracturing we have right now between the countries, we've got to figure it out."

Mullin was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on March 24, succeeding Kristi Noem after she was reposted as the special envoy for the Shield of the Americas by U.S. President Donald Trump.

'Solid Foundation'

Mullin said improving Canada-U.S. relations and building a "solid foundation" is vital to ensuring that criminals don't take advantage of a U.S.-Canada rupture in relations.

"We've got to move past our differences so we can build that solid foundation, because we have criminals, we have cartels, we have organized crime that's taken advantage of it," he added.

While Mullin warned that criminal organizations along with terror suspects and illegal immigrants are increasingly targeting the U.S. northern border, Anandasangaree said Canada has already made considerable progress in tightening border security. Illegal migration from Canada into the United States has declined by 99 percent since Ottawa introduced a plan to boost border security in December 2024, the minister stated.

"The border plan that we introduced in 2024 December, which has been implemented now over the last 18 months, is bearing fruit," he said.

Anandasangaree also highlighted close collaboration between Canadian and American authorities.

"The cooperation amongst law enforcement, whether it's DHS and Canada Border Services, or the operations centre where we're embedded in Detroit, it's critically important and we're seeing that bearing fruit for security," he said.

Concern About Cartels Moving North: Mullin

Mullin said that in addition to terrorist-related threats and illegal immigration, the U.S. government is highly concerned about the flow of fentanyl and cartel activity through its northern border.

"Over the last year we've apprehended enough fentanyl that would kill 17 million Americans on our northern border," he said.

Mullin said he believes an uptick in organized crime activity at the Canada-U.S. border is due to stricter enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border and "pressure we're putting on the cartels" that is causing them to seek out "other areas."

"We see the amount of increase of criminal activity that's happening. And we see the same techniques that were on the southern border that are moving to the northern border," Mullin said.

He said that cooperation between the United States and Canada is "vitally important" and pointed to intelligence-sharing between the two nations as the top priority.

"Our biggest priority now is to have great partnerships with our friends to the North to be able to actively stop [illegal activity] before it grows to the point that it is in Mexico," he said, adding "the biggest issue that we've really got to work on is sharing the intel and then acting on it in a timely manner."

Canada-US Tensions

At one point, Mullin compared the Canada-U.S. relationship to marriage, saying that current tensions are similar to when he and his wife get into an argument.

"It's kind of like my wife and I when she gets really mad at me, and I'm well deserved to get mad at, sometimes I just have to stop and say, 'love you,'" he said.

"Arguing doesn't help; it only allows us to be more vulnerable for somebody else to sneak in and take my beautiful wife away from me."

Anandasangaree also emphasized close U.S.-Canada ties, saying they go beyond government cooperation to economic prosperity.

"We rely heavily on each other for both security, but as well as trade and commerce," he said, adding that much of the $900 billion of trade that takes place between the two countries annually is done "in an orderly manner that benefits both of our countries."

"What differences we have is negligible compared to what we have in common and the work that we're doing together," Anandasangaree added.

The minister also noted ongoing enhanced investments in border security in Canada including the hiring of 1,000 more RCMP and 1,000 more Canada Border Service Agency personnel announced in June last year, along with increased use of drones, helicopters, and surveillance technology at the border.

Anandasangaree also referenced close cooperation between the RCMP and FBI in working together to help lead to the arrest of accused transnational Canadian drug trafficker Ryan Wedding by Mexican authorities in January, in addition to a recent investigation by Peel Regional Police that led to 17 arrests in May.

Fentanyl

Mullin's figures for fentanyl lethality appear to be based on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's calculation method for potential fentanyl deaths, which holds that 2 milligrams can be a potentially lethal dose for the average person.

Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection showed very low fentanyl seizures at the Canada-U.S. border during the period from July 2024 through to February 2026, with Ottawa stating that "Canada is not a significant source of illegal fentanyl entering the US. Less than 1% of fentanyl seized in the US comes from Canada."

The office of Canada's Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau cites U.S. statistics in noting that roughly 71,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the U.S.-Mexico border from 2022 to 2025, compared to approximately 134 pounds seized at the Canada-U.S. border or in its vicinity.

While Mullin emphasized the scale of fentanyl seizures at the northern border, Anandasangaree said the real source of the crisis is precursors manufactured overseas.

"The flow of fentanyl is not from the north to south or south to north; it is coming from overseas with precursors that enable dealers to manufacture and distribute in our countries," Anandasangaree said, though adding that he agreed "fentanyl and the scourge of fentanyl is impacting both of our countries."

Looking Ahead

In terms of the future of the Canada-U.S. relationship, both officials said they are confident that cooperation will continue despite political disagreements.

"If there are irritations, we need to just work through them. We will work through them," Anandasangaree said.

Mullin echoed this, saying that despite current tensions, the two countries remain indispensable partners.

"What we have to do is quit focusing on our differences and start thinking about what we have in common," Mullin said.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 20:55

ZeroHedge News
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Amazon Plans $10B Missouri Data Center Campus
Amazon Plans $10B Missouri Data Center Campus

By Sebastian Obando of ConstructionDive

Amazon will invest $10 billion to build a data center campus in Montgomery County, Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Monday. In addition to facility construction, the development includes roads and water infrastructure improvements, such as a new bridge over theNorfolk Southern Railway and a water system Amazon plans to transfer to the local utility after construction, according to the tech giant.

The announcement adds yet another multibillion-dollar data center project to the construction pipeline, a sign the data center construction boom has room to run.
Representational image of an Amazon data center construction site | Image courtesy: Amazon

The $10 billion Amazon investment highlights the growing role of hyperscale developers in overall U.S. construction activity. 

Once complete, the campus will support cloud computing infrastructure and generate hundreds of millions in property tax revenue for Montgomery County over the next 25 years, according to the release. Amazon also worked with Ameren Missouri, the local utility company, to ensure the project bears the full cost of connecting to the electric grid, the tech giant said.

The commitment also emphasizes how these builds often carry supplementary community projects. For example, Amazon plans over $7 million in community contributions as part of its investment, according to the company. That includes $3 million toward public safety infrastructure, as well as several roadway improvements and a new bridge.

“Projects like this create lasting benefits for local communities by supporting critical infrastructure improvements, generating tax revenue for schools and public services, and strengthening the foundation for future economic growth,” said Kehoe in the release.

In addition to the infrastructure upgrades in the area, Amazon will sponsor the community’s Montgomery County Fair. The company will commit over $1 million to build a new large-scale community gathering space at the fairgrounds, according to the governor’s release.

Amazon will also invest more than $3 million in community programs focused on STEM education, skills development, sustainability and support for local nonprofit organizations, the announcement said. 

“Amazon’s announcement in Montgomery County is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to growth,” said Michelle Hataway, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, in the release. “This project will help strengthen the region’s capacity for future development while reinforcing Missouri’s position as a destination for innovation and investment.”

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 21:20

ZeroHedge News
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Washington's Business Exodus
Washington's Business Exodus

Authored by Mark Harmsworth via The Washington Policy Center,

Washington state’s business climate continues to deteriorate under the weight of record tax increases and burdensome regulations.



A spring 2026 survey by the Association of Washington Business reveals alarming trends.

Nearly one in four employers (24 percent) are now actively considering relocating their businesses out of state, up sharply from 17 percent in the previous quarter and nearly triple the level from winter 2025.

Another 55 percent of business leaders are considering moving their personal residences elsewhere, citing the state’s escalating tax burden as the top challenge. This flight is no surprise. Washington’s business tax climate has plummeted from sixth-best in the nation in 2014 to near the bottom today, with the state now ranking among the worst for small-business survival.

Major tax hikes enacted in 2025 are now hitting businesses hard. Starting in late 2025 and accelerating into 2026, the state increased business & occupation tax rates for service businesses and introduced new surcharges. Large companies face a 0.5 percent surcharge on taxable income of more than $250 million, while advanced computing firms saw their surcharge jump dramatically. These changes, part of the largest tax increase in state history, are projected to reduce state gross domestic product growth by up to 0.5 percent in 2026 (nearly $4.5 billion) and cut wages by billions of dollars more.

Office vacancy rates reflect the pain. Although Seattle’s downtown vacancy rate remains among the nation’s highest (hovering between 28 percent and more than 35 percent in reports from the first quarter of 2026), the broader Puget Sound region and state face similar pressures from remote work shifts and corporate relocations. Companies such as Starbucks are shifting hundreds of jobs to lower-tax states such as Tennessee. Other firms have issued worker adjustment and retraining notification notices and moved operations to Idaho, Utah, and beyond.

High-profile exits and stalled expansions are mounting. Entrepreneurs report that Washington’s combination of high taxes, regulatory red tape, and hostile policies makes growth nearly impossible.

The bottom line is that as the high earners and companies leave the state, the revenue from increased taxes, including the new income tax, will dry up and politicians in Olympia will be left scrambling for new sources of tax revenue.

The $1 million threshold on the income tax will fall in the blink of an eye.

Politicians have to restore small-business owners’ confidence in the regulatory environment and keep the promises they are making.

Just three months after signing the income tax into law, lauding it as the way forward for the state, Gov. Bob Ferguson is now claiming that he will veto any change to the exemption threshold in order to garner support to keep the legislation in place.

History indicates that Ferguson’s claim might be a little “flexible,” and that’s the problem. There is no predictability for business owners.

Until leaders recognize that businesses vote with their feet, and their payrolls, the state’s economic outlook will remain clouded.

Washington can reverse course. Lowering the tax burden, simplifying regulations, and prioritizing a pro-growth environment would stem the exodus and restore prosperity.

The data are clear. Washington is losing the competition. It’s time to compete again.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 21:45

Mail Online
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The Hill
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Vice President JD Vance just abruptly canceled his trip to Switzerland where he would conduct negotiations with Iran. This comes as it’s being reported that Iran is refusing to attend over more . . .

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European Union leaders agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for 12 months. Meeting in Brussels, the leaders are also set to address the bloc's next long-term budget and global economic challenges.

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The Canadian star was stretchered off 55 minutes into the Group B clash against Qatar in Vancouver after he appeared to break his leg.

The Guardian (UK)
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For women in China frustrated by sexism, female comics are offering a release
Standup comedy gives women a space to talk about certain topics that have become more sensitive, while performers remain wary of censorship limitsPacked into the upstairs theatre of a small performing arts space in east Beijing, more than 100 people, mostly women, are giddy with anticipation. “Who did you come to see?” asks the MC, fashionably dressed in a faded denim two-piece suit. The answer is bellowed in unison back to him: “Fang Zhuren!”Fang Shaoli, AKA Director Fang (Fang Zhuren), has built a cult following in China in the past two years. Decidedly less fashionable than the evening’s host, Fang is dressed in a yellow hoodie and dark blue jeans. Her everywoman attire is part of the appeal. With a stout frame and short, sensible haircut, Fang, who was born in 1975, hails from rural part of east China’s Shandong province. Before discovering the art of standup comedy she worked in factories and on construction sites, but mainly lived as a housewife to a difficult husband. Her jokes riff on the deep sexism that permeates Chinese culture, particularly away from the big urban centres like Beijing and Shanghai. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Andy Burnham arrives at Makerfield byelection count as Labour confident of beating Reform – UK politics live
Result expected around 3am as Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Tories and SNP win Scottish by-elections - as Labour come fourth in both races
The Scottish Conservatives have won the Aberdeen South by-election - taking the seat from the SNP.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Toney scores hat-trick in England friendly win
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Mail Online
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BRYONY GORDON: I fear I'm turning into a pervert, ogling men who are much, much younger than me. And so many of my middle-aged friends say they're having the same intrusive thoughts...
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BBC Top Stories (International)
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Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
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BBC UK News
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Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Mother of son at Britain's smallest school with only two pupils hits out at 'disgusting' decision to shut because he's receiving 'the best education' (at £21,000 per child!)
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Revealed: Social workers at council responsible for murdered adopted baby Preston Davey missed chances to save THREE other children from harm
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Has Hollywood's horror movie curse struck again? How The Ring's tragic Daveigh Chase is latest star to meet an untimely end after role in bone-chilling blockbusters
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Mail Online
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Britain is 'wasting' £8billion of taxpayers' money a year on transport and infrastructure schemes, far more than other countries, new report says
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Mail Online
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'It is only a matter of time before ITV make an offer': TV insiders tell ALEX DOYLE how Helen Skelton has become a 'weapon' in the BBC's rivalry with ITV - and what her next move will be: 'She knows her worth'
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EU's former chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier suggests UK could rejoin on 'special' terms a decade after referendum pullout
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ANGELA EPSTEIN: I've noticed a horrible new habit that more and more middle-aged men have started to have - and I bet your husband is afflicted too. But I know just how to deal with it...
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Mail Online
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At last! Ticket inspectors finally get tough on fare dodgers: Moment hero TfL worker pushes man back into station as he tries to force his way out without paying
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The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South, ousting SNP
Tories’ Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ‘loud and clear’ in support of the North Sea oil and gas industry UK politics – live updatesThe Scottish National party (SNP) has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.The Scottish Conservatives’ Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP’s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, with a 14.69% swing away from the SNP. The Tories vote share was 49.51%. Lumsden’s vote tally was 14,308, with Thomson on 8,258. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Kirsty Bertarelli suffers heartbreak a year after her beau's stroke
Her undoubted beauty and fortune can often distract attention from the talent which led her to co-write All Saints ' No 1 single. But even her glorious riches don't make Kirsty Bertarelli invulnerable to heartbreak.

Mail Online
Open 
Conservatives give SNP a bloody nose in Aberdeen South by-election - as cabinet secretary Stephen Flynn reflects on 'tough night' for his party
Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden won a majority of more than 6,000 with 14,308 votes, followed by the SNP in second place with 8,258.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South, ousting SNP
Byelection loss suggests voters rebelled against SNP over Peter Murrell’s theft of £400,000 in party fundsUK politics – live updatesThe Scottish National party (SNP) has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.The Scottish Conservatives’ Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP’s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, with a 14.69% swing away from the SNP. The Tories vote share was 49.51%. Lumsden’s vote tally was 14,308, with Thomson on 8,258. Continue reading...

TechRadar News
Open 
This tiny AMD PC just ran a massive 397B AI Model that required a server room full of GPUs a year ago

TechRadar News
Open 
I found a hidden ChatGPT setting that changes how hard the AI thinks — and the difference surprised me

TechRadar News
Open 
'We've seen an increase in Blu-ray orders of 10,000%': I spoke to a Blu-ray and vinyl manufacturer about their Blu-ray sales and it's given me even more hope for physical media's survival

Telegraph
Open 
Rory McIlroy keeps his head in US Open carnage
Rory McIlroy keeps his head in US Open carnage

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: dynamic_library_path
PostgreSQL 18 finally made extensions truly relocatable by adding `extension_control_path` to match the long-existing `dynamic_library_path`.

EFF
Open 
A New Bill Takes Aim at Government Pressure to Silence Lawful Online Speech
Last week, Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden introduced the Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression, or JAWBONE Act. The bipartisan legislation creates a federal cause of action against government officials who coerce or attempt to coerce broadcasters, interactive computer services, or AI providers into taking actions against lawful, First-Amendment-protected speech, and establishes a transparency system for government communications with those intermediaries about user expression.
We thank the Senators for their leadership on this important issue. Jawboning occurs when the government pressures private companies to censor speech protected by the First Amendment, and it’s not always obvious to the public or to the victims what has actually happened. Deleting posts or cancelling accounts because a government official or agency demanded it or even made threats in making those demands—just like spying on people’s communications on behalf of the government—raises serious free speech concerns. Among other things, this bill would provide a new legal right to bring claims against the government in federal court, in addition to what the First Amendment provides.
At EFF, we’re continuing to fight back on behalf of those censored by government coercion. One recent example: we represent the creator of ICEBlock, an app that allows the public to report immigration enforcement activity in their communities. In June 2025, high-ranking federal officials began threatening to investigate and prosecute the creator of ICEBlock, Joshua Aaron. In October 2025, the U.S. Attorney General demanded Apple remove ICEBlock from the App Store, and the company complied. The government’s coercion violated Aaron’s First Amendment rights.
We’ve also filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the same government agencies that threatened Aaron and other services that provided forums to report ICE activity. The lawsuit seeks the disclosure of the government’s communications with Apple, Google, and Meta that forced the services to remove lawful speech.
When federal officials pressure private companies into censoring protected speech, it can violate the First Amendment. But, not every communication from a government agency to a platform is unconstitutionally coercive. Treating legitimate communication and information-sharing between the government and private actors as though it were always unconstitutional would chill the valuable, good-faith engagement that supports a healthier and safer internet and nation for all Americans. This is a complex issue, and one that is important for Congress and the courts to get right. 
Finally, contrary to what many in Congress have been saying, social media platforms and other internet intermediaries have their own First Amendment rights to decide how they moderate users’ speech. They are not “state actors” and do not have an obligation under the First Amendment to allow all user speech on their platforms. EFF filed an amicus brief setting out our position in 2018, and we’ve said it in many cases since. The Supreme Court recognized again in the Netchoice cases that these services have a right to curate and edit their users’ speech, whether or not it aligns with the government’s position. And, it’s important to defend that First Amendment right so that governments cannot dictate how to edit a company’s site according to the government’s wishes and desires. To prevent jawboning by default, companies must be free to curate their platforms as they wish.
EFF applauds Senators Cruz and Wyden for taking this critical issue seriously, and we look forward to working with Congress on this bipartisan bill as it moves through the process. We hope it lands on the right balance to provide additional protections for everyday users around freedom of expression. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ukraine war briefing: Suspect arrested in killing of Putin critic may have Russian intelligence links
Polish police make arrest in artist Robert ⁠Kuzovkov’s murder; Russia threatens huge ‘group strikes’ after attack on Moscow. What we know on day 1,577A suspect in the fatal shooting of a Russian activist critical of Vladimir Putin has been arrested in Poland. Officials said they believe there may be a link to the man and a foreign intelligence service. Robert Kuzovkov was killed on Monday in Poland in what is seen as part of a possible Russian sabotage campaign in Nato nations. The suspect, a 36-year-old with a Georgian passport, is allegedly linked to organised crime, Polish officials said. Kuzovkov, who died of gunshot wounds to the head, chest and back, had painted unflattering caricatures of Putin and high-ranking Russian officials. One depicts Putin being cradled in the arms of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. He had refused offers of protection by Polish authorities. The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, said the killing appears to be a political assassination, possibly ordered by Russia.Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Kyiv’s biggest air raid on Moscow since the start of the war as revenge for Russia’s strike on a historic Kyiv monastery earlier this week. Ukrainian drones hit several locations across Moscow, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the city’s airport. Russia’s foreign minister announced it would launch huge “group strikes” on Ukraine “on a regular basis” in response to the raid. Peter Beaumont, Pjotr Sauer and Jennifer Rankin have covered the scope of the attack. And Pjotr Sauer has analysed the significance of the Moscow assault, and its likely reprisals.EU officials say the European Union has reached out to Moscow in a tentative bid to open a line of communication so the continent is not sidelined in any potential talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The EU has been quietly seeking to reopen communications with Moscow even as it doubles down on its support for Kyiv. Several EU leaders said there was no point in rushing into talks with Russia. The Latvian prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, said: “First of ⁠all, there has to be someone on the other side willing for peace.” He added: “Unfortunately no one wants peace on that side … there is no point for contact if the ​other party [Russia] doesn’t want [peace].”Meanwhile, EU leaders agreed ⁠to ⁠renew sanctions ​against Russia for another ⁠12 months, a ​spokesperson ‌said. Thursday’s decision marked the ‌first time such sanctions – which target ​certain sectors of the Russian economy – have ⁠been renewed for ​a year. ​They ​had previously been ​rolled ‌over every ​six ​months.Britain will provide ⁠150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end ⁠of ⁠2026 as ​part of a £752m ($996m) funding ⁠package. The package, funded by Britain’s £2.26bn loan to Ukraine, includes 350 air defence missiles ‌and ground-based radar systems. The loan is ​backed by proceeds from immobilised Russian sovereign assets.Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants ⁠to end the war ⁠with ⁠Russia before winter ​through diplomacy and ⁠pressure on Moscow. But if ‌the fighting ‌continues longer, ‌Ukraine will need a winter assistance package such as gas, diesel ‌fuel and energy equipment and ​a missile package of at least 300 ⁠missiles, he ​said.Russian spy drones flying into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace have sharply increased since the beginning of the year, writes Peter Beaumont, as senior officials in Kyiv express mounting concern over Belarus’s involvement in the war. Ukraine has stepped up by reinforcing fortifications on its northern border, including anti-tank ditches, concrete “dragons’ teeth” obstacles to block armoured vehicles and new areas of barbed wire.Russia and ⁠Ukraine ⁠carried ​out another exchange ⁠of war dead ⁠on ​Thursday, ‌with ‌Moscow ‌receiving 33 bodies and Ukraine receiving ‌522 bodies, Russia’s ​RBC news outlet ⁠reported, citing ​a Russian ​lawmaker. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: Clark leads by four shots and McIlroy in hunt after rain-affected first round – as it happened
Wyndham Clark leads after day one at Shinnecock Hills while Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy are in the chasing packGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Canada rout nine-man Qatar but Koné injury sours first-ever World Cup win
At full strength, Canada can go toe-to-toe with any opponent in the Americas. After steady climbs up the Concacaf charts and a credible run to the 2024 Copa América semi-final, all hope was that a talented squad could find their stride at a home World Cup.That belief came to life on Thursday, as Jesse Marsch’s side played a dominant 6-0 win over Qatar before a crowd of 52,497 for the country’s first-ever victory at a men’s World Cup. Jonathan David’s hat-trick led the celebration of the program’s progress over the past decade, marred only by a horror leg injury suffered by midfielder Ismaël Koné in the second half. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South, ousting SNP
Byelection loss suggests voters rebelled against SNP over Peter Murrell’s theft of £400,000 in party fundsUK politics – live updatesThe Scottish National party (SNP) has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.The SNP’s Stephen Flynn, who gave up the Aberdeen South seat in order to take a seat in Holyrood, wrote on social media: “A tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily.” Continue reading...

UK Government News
Open 
New UK–Japan investment partnership for Africa and emerging Asia
BII and JICA partner to boost investment in Africa and emerging Asia

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Bad News Overload? News Avoidance On The Rise
Bad News Overload? News Avoidance On The Rise

These days more than ever, it often feels like there’s no end to bad news.

In the age of social media and constant exposure to news, doom scrolling can take a heavy toll on people’s mental wellbeing.

As a consequence, more and more people actively try to avoid the news or at least limit their exposure to it.

As Statista's Felix Richter shows in the chart below, according to the Reuters Institute’s latest Digital News Report, an average of 42 percent of respondents from 48 countries included in the survey said that they sometimes or often actively avoid the news, a significant increase from 29 percent in 2017, when the question was first asked.



You will find more infographics at Statista

Selective news avoidance, as the Reuters Institute calls it, became significantly more widespread across all markets in recent years, with half of all respondents from the United Kingdom and 45 percent of U.S. respondents making an effort to reduce their news intake.

The Reuters Institute finds that news avoidance is often linked with low trust in the news and that there are generally two types of news avoiders: consistent avoiders who typically have low education levels and little to no interest in the news; and selective avoiders who struggle with news overload and try to insulated themselves from certain topic to protect their mental wellbeing.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 19:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
More Gunmakers Relocate To GOP States
More Gunmakers Relocate To GOP States

Authored by Kevin Stocklin via The Epoch Times,

Firearms manufacturers Ruger and Rideout Arsenal are heading south, continuing a trend of firearms companies leaving Democrat-run states.



On June 10, Virginia-based Rideout Arsenal, a firearms designer and manufacturer, announced that it would invest $22 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Thomasville, Georgia. The investment would create 120 new jobs over the next several years, the company said.

"This relocation was not something we originally planned to pursue," Rideout founders Travis and Kelsey Rideout said in a statement.

"The reality is that recent anti-gun legislation in Virginia created a significant uncertainty for our company and ultimately forced us to look for a state where we could continue operating, investing, and growing with confidence."

These moves follow a trend in which firearms manufacturers such as Remington, Winchester, Stag Arms, Magpul, Troy Industries, Smith & Wesson, Dark Storm, and others have relocated over the past decade from left-leaning states such as New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Colorado to conservative states such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee.

"Firearm businesses are migrating to other states primarily because states like Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, and others are becoming increasingly hostile to Second Amendment rights and the ability for these companies to produce firearms in their states," Mark Oliva, public affairs director for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, told The Epoch Times.

"While Virginia was the latest example with Rideout Arsenal moving to Georgia, the move of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., to move their headquarters and expand production to Tennessee underscores the importance of firearm businesses finding greener pastures."

With Democrats in control of the legislature and the governorship, Virginia recently passed an array of new gun control laws, effective on July 1, including among other things a ban on the sale of various semi-automatic firearms, and certain large-capacity magazines, unserialized firearms, as well as new restrictions on carrying firearms in public places. Virginia also enacted laws to expand civil liability for gun manufacturers and dealers.

In welcoming Rideout to his state, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp stated that his state's "pro-business approach, skilled workforce, and enduring support for constitutional freedoms make us an ideal home for manufacturers like Rideout Arsenal."

In May, it became public that Ruger had relocated its head office from Fairfield, Connecticut, to Mayodan, North Carolina, at the start of the year. Although the company has not issued a public statement, it listed Mayodan as its location in its quarterly earnings report and has since confirmed the move.

Connecticut, once known as the "arsenal of democracy," had been home to several of America's largest firearms manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, Winchester, and now Sturm, Ruger & Co. Since the 2012 massacre of 26 first-grade children and teachers at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, the state has passed a series of laws to limit access to guns. In addition, the state has been the site of a number of lawsuits against gun makers, such as the $73 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by the parents of Sandy Hook children against Remington and threats of civil litigation against Ruger in November 2025.

Moving out of left-leaning states may lead to a more business-friendly environment, but it will do little to protect firearms manufacturers from lawsuits, Oliva said.

"The threat of litigation is still alive, since states like New Jersey and New York have pursued laws that allow for loosely designed 'public nuisance' lawsuits to skirt the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," Oliva said. "The move to these states is more about the ability to produce the firearms today's gun owners want and the legislative threats to that business."

The 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act prohibits lawsuits against manufacturers or dealers of firearms and ammunition for harm solely caused by criminal misuse of their products.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 20:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Infant Mortality Drops To All-Time Low In United States
Infant Mortality Drops To All-Time Low In United States

Infant mortality has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded in the United States, according to new preliminary data from the CDC - though it's still higher than in some other countries. According to the data, 5.36 infants per 1,000 live births died, down from 5.54 in 2024 and 5.63 in 2023. The results are based on death and birth certificates.
A baby in a hospital in a file photograph. Fred Dufour/AFP via Getty Images

Infants is defined as children who have not yet reached their first birthday.

According to researchers, the decline is statistically meaningful and translates into hundreds of fewer infant deaths per year.

"This is an encouraging data point, and we hope that this trend will continue," said Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes.

Warren said it was difficult to pinpoint what was driving the decline.

As the Epoch Times notes further, the overall numbers have been going down. U.S. infant deaths fell to about 19,350 last year, according to provisional CDC data that may rise a little as additional analysis is completed. The final tally is still expected to be down from about 20,050 in 2024 and about 20,160 in 2023, according to the agency.

Leading causes of infant mortality are birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, unintentional injuries such as car accidents, and pregnancy complications, the CDC says.

The new data is not yet available by state. In 2024, infant mortality rates varied widely across states.

The CDC said this week in a report analyzing infant mortality data from 2024 that Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rate at 9.65 deaths per 1,000 births, and New Hampshire had the lowest, at just under 3 per 1,000.

"These differences are reflective of a variety of reasons related to access to care, community factors, and policies that improve health and outcomes," Warren said.

Not The Lowest

Worldwide, the infant mortality rate is 28 per 1,000 live births, according to the World Bank. The new U.S. rate is well below the average across countries.

A number of developed countries, though, boast lower rates, including Australia, Belgium, and Hungary.

From 2007 to 2022, infants were 78 percent more likely to die in the United States than in other high-income countries, researchers said in a 2025 paper.

Older children in the United States also faced higher odds of dying than kids in the other countries with high incomes.

In 2023, U.S. health officials began recommending two new measures aimed at protecting infants: a lab-made antibody shot for infants that helps the immune system fight off the respiratory syncytial virus, and an RSV vaccine for women between 32 weeks and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 20:30

Russia Today News
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US Secretary of War blasts ‘shameful’ NATO (VIDEO)

CNET News
Open 
The Best Espresso Machines of 2026 After Testing More Than 20 Models
If you're searching for an espresso machine for your dad this Father's Day, here are the best options, tested and reviewed by CNET editors.

CNET News
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How I Learned to Cook: One Meal Kit at a Time
This meal kit service turned me into a confident cook.

CNET News
Open 
Older Macs and iPhones Could Lose Major Office 365 Features in a Few Weeks
Still using Microsoft Office 2019 for MacOS and iOS? Your files may soon become read-only.

Sky News Home
Open 
Conservatives win by-election in Aberdeen South
The Scottish Conservatives have won the Aberdeen South by-election - taking the seat from the SNP.

The Hill
Open 
FDA panel recommends mRNA flu vaccine for older adults
A first-of-its-kind flu shot is one step closer to being available to the public after a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccine for approval.  The FDA’s independent vaccine advisors voted unanimously 9-0 that the benefits outweigh the risks for Moderna’s mFlusiva shot in people ages 50 to 64 as well as 65 and older. Moderna is...

The Hill
Open 
FDA panel gives nod to Moderna flu shot
Presented by Planned Parenthood {beacon} Healthcare Health Care PRESENTED BY The Big Story FDA panel gives nod to Moderna flu shot The FDA’s independent vaccine advisors voted unanimously 9-0 that the benefits outweigh the risks for Moderna’s mFlusiva shot in people ages 50 to 64 as well as 65 and older. The shot is...

The Hill
Open 
Top Senate Democrat calls on FAA to reject White House arch approval pressure
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday to reject the White House’s plans to erect a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial. The ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation called the arch President Trump’s "newest vanity project” in her letter to the federal agency and expressed...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Everything New in Calendar and Reminders in iOS 27
The Calendar and Reminders apps look about the same as they did in iOS 26, but there are a couple of useful new Apple Intelligence features that make both apps more intuitive.





Natural Language for Calendar

‌Apple Intelligence‌ in Calendar lets you add events by describing them in natural language. It identifies people, dates, and places while you are typing, and you can tap to add that info.





It's not as fluid as Fantastical, but it's better than before. You can't just open the Calendar app and type "meeting at 2pm with Eric on July 14" and have it filed correctly as you do in Fantastical because it doesn't have the same automatic date swapping.



Calendar adds an event on the date that's selected, and by default, that's the current date. To use natural language to select another date, you can type in "meeting at 2pm with Eric on July 14," but you need to tap on the July 14 suggestion at the top of the keyboard.



The Calendar app will automatically set the event to the time that you type in with natural language, so you don't need to tap for that.



Natural Language for Reminders

In Reminders, you can now describe a reminder in natural language and it will autofill the metadata that you mention. It can add date, time, and location automatically.





You can write in a reminder like "get the groceries at 6pm tonight" or "send the photos to John tomorrow at 4pm" and it will add the correct times to your reminder. The feature is in beta and it's not entirely consistent, so sometimes you need to tap on the suggestion below to add the correct date and time, and sometimes it does it automatically.



With natural language support, Apple removed the menu bar at the bottom of the interface for adding a new reminder. Adding extra features like an image or metadata such as a flag can now be done through the "Details" interface.



Calendar Event Editing

The event editing interface is a little simpler to use, and it's quicker to get to time adjustments. If you adjust the frequency of an event, Calendar can intelligently apply changes to all events. Siri can also be used for editing calendar events.



Holiday-Aware Alarms

The Calendar app tracks holidays, and can alert you the day before a holiday to ask if you want to change the time of the wake-up alarm that you have set.



Large Widgets

The Calendar and Reminders apps both have a new extra-large widget size that takes up an entire app page.



Siri AI

‌Siri‌ has full access to your calendar and can add events to it with natural language requests. What you can't do with the natural language entry, you can do with ‌Siri‌.



‌Siri‌ is much more capable than before, and it does a better job correctly adding events to the calendar on the day and time you intend, and with parameters, like repeating events.



Just describe the event you want to create and ‌Siri‌ can get it done. ‌Siri‌ can add events to your calendar from other apps, like Mail and Messages.



‌Siri‌ is able to search across the Calendar app and Reminders, so it knows your schedule and what's on your to-do list.



Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence in iOS 27 supports adding multiple events to your calendar at one time from a schedule. If you have a document with a list of dates, like a child's sports practice schedule, you can take a picture and add them to the Calendar app all at once.


h2>Reminders Grocery Lists

In ‌iOS 27‌, the Reminders app has improved grocery list sorting. It also supports more languages than before.



Shortcuts for Reminders

There are new Reminders actions in the Shortcuts app, including Create Group, Create List, Create Section, Delete Groups, Delete Lists, and Delete Sections. There's also a new "Get What's On Screen" option that can be used with Reminders.



Apple Intelligence Requirements

To use the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in ‌iOS 27‌, you need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'Everything New in Calendar and Reminders in iOS 27' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
McIlroy starts strongly as Shinnecock bares its teeth
Shinnecock Hills lives up to it's reputation as one of the toughest tests in golf on the opening day of a fog-delayed US Open as Rory McIlroy cards a one-under 69 in the opening round.

Mail Online
Open 
Kirsty Bertarelli suffers heartbreak a year after her beau's stroke: RICHARD EDEN
Her undoubted beauty and fortune can often distract attention from the talent which led her to co-write All Saints ' No 1 single. But even her glorious riches don't make Kirsty Bertarelli invulnerable to heartbreak.

Mail Online
Open 
BRYONY GORDON: So whose bright idea was it to put a top female pundit in a 'kitchen'!
The big boys at ITV Sport must have felt so proud of themselves when they secured Emma Hayes for their World Cup coverage.

Mail Online
Open 
ALEX BRUMMER: Brooklyn Beckham's billionaire father-in-law is one of the forces behind a destructive deal that threatens one of our greatest companies
Nelson Peltz, a wizened 83-year-old billionaire who made his fortune in the food industry, has been the scourge of some of Britain's most esteemed food and consumer-goods companies.

Mail Online
Open 
DR TAJ HARGEY: The World Cup is the perfect moment to recapture our proud national symbols from Leftists who loathe them
The England football team's magnificent start to their World Cup campaign has understandably led to a surge in national pride.

Mail Online
Open 
'Brooklyn could bring down Brand Beckham': David and Victoria's oldest son is threatening the $1billion empire with his decision to cash in on the family rift, PR experts say
The 27-year-old's deal has seen him crack several jokes about the estrangement from his parents in return for a reported six-figure sum.

Mail Online
Open 
Canada star suffers horror injury in World Cup game vs Qatar as horrified coach screams: 'His leg is hanging off'
The Canadian star was stretchered off 55 minutes into the Group B clash against Qatar in Vancouver after he appeared to break his leg.

Mail Online
Open 
Conservatives give SNP a bloody nose in Aberdeen South by-election - as cabinet secretary Stephen Flynn reflects on 'tough night' for his party
Party sources believe they have come from third place to overturn an SNP majority of almost 4,000 by a large margin.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Canada rout nine-man Qatar as Koné injury sours first-ever World Cup win
At full strength, Canada can go toe-to-toe with any opponent in the Americas. After steady climbs up the Concacaf charts and a credible run to the 2024 Copa América semi-final, all hope was that a talented squad could find their stride at a home World Cup.That belief came to life on Thursday, as Jesse Marsch’s side played a dominant 6-0 win over Qatar before a crowd of 52,497 for the country’s first-ever victory at a men’s World Cup. Jonathan David’s hat-trick led the celebration of the program’s progress over the past decade, marred only by a horror leg injury suffered by midfielder Ismaël Koné in the second half. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Mexico vs South Korea - World Cup Group A LIVE: Raul Jimenez leads the line again as co-hosts look to make it two wins from two
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Mexico look to continue their fine start to the World Cup against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium.

Mail Online
Open 
Conservatives give SNP leader a bloody nose in Aberdeen South by-election - as cabinet secretary Stephen Flynn reflects on 'tough night' for his party
Party sources believe they have come from third place to overturn an SNP majority of almost 4,000 by a large margin.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Five tips to keep your kids cool this weekend
Temperatures are set to rise over the next few days, and children can be especially vulnerable - so read on for tips to protect them.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Brexit cost 6% of UK economy, Bank of England company data suggests
Analysis showed how much the UK could have grown if it had not exited the EU.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The pressure on the Church of England to ditch its slavery reparations plan
Will the Church's commitments still be delivered, or do shifting political winds mean there is no longer the will to do so?

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
SNP concedes Aberdeen South with Scottish Conservatives set to win
Byelection loss suggests voters rebelled against SNP over Peter Murrell’s theft of £400,000 in party fundsUK politics – live updatesThe Scottish National party (SNP) has conceded defeat in the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.A senior source at the SNP told PA it was the “Tories’ night”, but pledged to “win it back in 2029”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Reform UK gloomy about prospects in Makerfield, as one party source says Labour ahead by 2,500 votes – UK politics live
Result expected around 3am as Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Weekly quiz: How many SpaceX employees just became millionaires?
How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'He hid the a la carte menu': Who should pay on the first date
Some insist on splitting the bill, others say the asker should pay, while many still see a man paying as romantic.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Five ways the Iran peace deal could affect you and your money
With fuel and gas prices having fallen in recent days, we look at how the end of hostitlities might affect you - in five charts.

Mail Online
Open 
Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Horror injury mars vital win for co-hosts
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mexico v South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offJavier Aguirre was forced into one change following the red card to Cesar Montes against South Africa. Montes is replaced in the centre of defence by Edson Alvarez. Aguirre has also switched right backs, with Israel Reyes coming in for Jorge Sanchez, and tinkered with his midfield where Alvarao Fidalgo loses out to Luis Romo.Mexico (4-1-2-3): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 4 Alvarez, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira; 26 Gutierrez, 7 Romo Fidalgo; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.Fans of the two countries have shared a warm relationship since the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea’s unexpected 2-0 victory over Germany in their final group game put Mexico into the last 16. Amid the celebrations in Mexico City, South Korea’s ambassador was carried shoulder-high along the street in front of the embassy as local fans chanted, “¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!” – “Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!” The chant has been resurrected in Guadalajara, where South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in their first group game. When a group of Korean fans visited the wrestling, the arena DJ played Gangnam Style to welcome them. Mexican social media has been flooded with videos of Guadalajarans and Koreans performing PSY’s horse dance together. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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'Toddler critical' and 'cost of living hope'
The papers focus on a three-year-old boy, who was who was left with critical injuries after ending up a crocodile enclosure in a Cambridgeshire zoo.

TechRadar News
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Tesla sucks! Handy vacuum cleaners have been spotted at some European Tesla Supercharger stalls

TechRadar News
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NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, June 19 (game #838)

TechRadar News
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Quordle hints and answers for Friday, June 19 (game #1607)

TechRadar News
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NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, June 19 (game #1104)

TechRadar News
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The US almost blacklisted DeepSeek for contributing to China’s military and intelligence — but the White House held back to avoid escalating tensions

TechRadar News
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100 days after the Iran war started — Tehran-backed group breaches California Water Service but claims they 'chose not to disrupt water access'

Mail Online
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Votes being counted in crucial Makerfield by-election as Burnham waits to see if he can return to Westminster to challenge Starmer - with Labour 'confident' large turnout has seen them beat Reform
The Greater Manchester mayor has spent the past four weeks campaigning as Labour's candidate in the seat as he seeks a return to the House of Commons.

Mail Online
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Conservatives prepare to give SNP leader John Swinney a bloody nose in Aberdeen as oil and gas concerns could swing Scottish by-election
Party sources believe they have come from third place to overturn an SNP majority of almost 4,000 by a large margin.

The Verge
Open 
Valve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027
Valve has some good news and bad news about Steam Controllers. The good news: If you make a reservation for a Steam Controller, the company will now show you one of three estimates of when you'll be able to actually order your gamepad: by September 2026, by December 2026, or sometime in 2027. The bad […]

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mexico v South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offLionel Messi began the World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick but concerns over his father’s health threaten to overshadow his participation.Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and his family asked the media for “humanity” on Thursday amid rumours about Jorge Messi’s health while his son competes at the World Cup. “Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said in a statement.The family did not specify the illness that the 68-year-old Jorge Messi is suffering from. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favourably within his current condition,” the statement said.Mexico moved the ball upfield slower than any other team. They could afford to take their time as South Africa offered next to no threat.South Korea were worthy winners, with the 25-pass buildup to Hwang In-beom’s equaliser the joint-fifth longest passing sequence leading to a goal in the World Cup since records begin in 1966. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BTIG & Fundstrat To Face Off
Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BTIG & Fundstrat To Face Off

LIVE NOW:


https://t.co/jxITOFkt3p
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 18, 2026


****************************

S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain near record highs despite yesterday’s post-Fed freakout. Risk-on is still in fashion as investors remain hopeful of a lasting U.S.-Iran peace. Though the question remains: Is the rally sustainable or are markets poised for a painful reversal before year-end?



Tonight at 7pm ET, Adam Taggart of Thoughtful Money hosts a debate between two of Wall Street's closely followed technical strategists: Jonathan Krinsky, Chief Market Technician at BTIG, and Mark Newton, Head of Technical Strategy at Fundstrat.

Bull Case (Newton):

Newton sees the upward trend in tech/AI continuing higher, which will lift the broader market into 2027… even if there’s a little chop.

While he expects periods of volatility and some consolidation, easing energy prices and continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure will support further gains into year-end, even in the already-lofty tech/AI trade. With oil retreating sharply from wartime highs and investors increasingly focused on the long-term productivity benefits of AI (economic benefits that are real and not merely a bubble), Newton sees pullbacks as opportunities.

Oil was sent sharply lower on the news of a ceasefire, something Newton sees continuing into year end in the broader energy sector:


Energy could be a "source of real underperformance" in the months ahead.@MarkNewtonCMT of @Fundstrat tells @RemyBlaireNews healthcare and financials are his top picks, with $NKE "starting to finally show some evidence of rallying." pic.twitter.com/p2C988c584
— FINTECH.TV (@FINTECHTVglobal) June 15, 2026
Bear Case (Krinsky):

Krinsky has maintained a more cautious stance as equities push further into historically stretched territory.

While the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran has boosted risk appetite and eased inflation concerns, Krinsky has argued recently that elevated valuations, particularly in tech, are due for a correction at some point… especially with a seemingly hawkish fed. Krinsky has also pointed to the recent decoupling of bond yields and oil prices, having risen in tandem until post-peace deal where yields continued rising (possibly Fed-related) while oil tanked.

Recent gains have been driven largely by AI-related technology shares, semiconductors, and the Magnificent Seven, while many other areas of the market have failed to keep pace. Both Newton and Krinsky agree on this, though only one sees it as fuel to further propel markets higher… the other sees a ticking time bomb.

Both panelists rely on technicals and regularly change their market outlooks based on data. Neither guest is a perma-bull or bear… so no broken clocks tonight.

Tune in tonight at 7pm ET on the ZH homepage, X Feed, and Youtube channel to watch live to see how they’re looking at Iran, Fed chair Warsh, and markets.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Removing AI Spyware From Your Google Account
Removing AI Spyware From Your Google Account

Authored by Thomas Neuburger via Naked Capitalism,

Yves here. News you can use! And advice that helps readers limit their exposure to two longstanding abuses. One is the unending efforts of the surveillance state to extend its reach. Two is the way AI companies steal original work without consent or compensation to feed into training sets.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at God's Spies
The glorifyingly named Googleplex headquarters in Mountain View, California.

As most have noticed, AI is entering our lives in a very big way.

Doctor's offices are using AI to replace human scribes, which means whole visits must be recorded and saved. For how long? This can vary or be changed. And AI will soon decide whether you're too disabled to drive your own car (for that, see here).

The rush toward AI - a rush to prop up the stocks and cut employees - is producing an AI fence between you and all of the corporate entities that run your life. For example, AI now guards the door between you and your next job or loan.

AI has also entered your dealings with the state. Will you be audited this year? AI will decide. How will your Social Security struggles be handled? AI will replace the humans who deal with your needs. And of course, AI policing is already here.

AI is not only "changing what it means to be human," but for us little folks, us muppets, it's replacing the human entirely in corporate and government interactions - because money, despite its propensity for massive mistakes.

And that doesn't begin to discuss AI battlefield murder, a use no one but those in control want to grow.

Gmail And AI

Which leads us to discuss AI's intrusion into our digital lives. On most computers and websites, AI is ubiquitous. Today, let's take a look at Gmail and AI.

The latest versions of Gmail, a web-based email client, have AI mail scanning and analysis turned on. If you want AI watching, no problem. Leave it turned on.

If you want to de-AI your Gmail account - to extent you can, at least - these are the steps. I found this thanks to this Twitter account. The thread begins as follows (slight editing mine):


If you have a Gmail account, you need to read this.

Google's AI now scans your emails and attachments, bank statements, tax files, medical letters, all of it. It turned on by default, and there's a class-action lawsuit over how. [...]

Google automatically turned on AI features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet for many users in late 2025. These features can read your emails, messages, and attachments to create summaries and suggestions.

Google says your emails don't train Gemini, but some users say they never clearly agreed to these AI features being enabled. Unless you turn them off, the AI can still analyze your inbox to provide these features.


The thread details the steps. As I worked through them, I found differences between his steps and mine, so here are the steps as modified by my own experience.

Change Your Gmail Settings

Change the main Gmail and Google Workspace settings as follows:

Go to Settings - See all settings.
In your browser's search bar (Ctrl-F), search for the word "smart" (no quotes).




Find every mention of "smart" in the settings and turn it off. On my version of Gmail, that includes Grammar, Spelling, Autocorrect, Smart Compose, Smart Compose personalization, and Smart Reply. Your list may differ.
Make sure Smart Features, a major settings checkbox, is unchecked (see below).
Go to Google Workspace smart features and click on the Manage Workplace smart features settings button (above).
On the next screen, toggle everything off and click Save.




Go the bottom of the main settings page and click Save Changes (important).
Check Your Phone Settings. Delete Your Gemini History.

The writer advises doing the following as well:


Your Phone. The settings don't always sync between devices, so check the Gmail app separately.

Gmail app - Menu - Settings - Select your account - Turn off "Smart features and personalization" - Confirm.


And if you've used Gemini already:


Delete Gemini History. If you've used Gemini before, your chats may be saved, and some could be reviewed by humans.

Go to http://myactivity.google.com/product/gemini - Turn off Gemini Apps Activity - Delete Activity - All Time.

This removes your past Gemini chat history and stops future conversations from being saved.


I had no Gemini history, but that won't be true for everyone.

Does All This Stop Google From Watching You?

You could say that Google is always watching you. This is their profit model: watching and selling you ads, watching and selling your profile. It's why they're so rich.

But it seems, at least for now, that turning smart features off in your Gmail and Google Workspace account means AI is no longer used to power those feature, and indeed is turned off. In addition, as of this writing, Google claims that Gmail smart features is not a backdoor way of training its AI. At least so far.
The murdered girls of Minab, Iran (Ons Abid/AP Photo)
Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 18:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Waste Of The Day: Town Manager's Snacking Spree
Waste Of The Day: Town Manager's Snacking Spree

Authored by Jeremy Portnoy via RealClearInvestigations,

Topline: Michael Boaz, the former town manager of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, made hundreds of unauthorized purchases on his city credit card from 2022 to 2024, including bullets and a hotel for his family vacation, according to a state audit released in May.



Boaz was fired in 2024 when the allegations first came to light. Now that a state audit confirmed the questionable purchases, he has been indicted for felony embezzlement.

Key facts: Boaz' questionable purchases totaled $18,426, much of which was spent on food. He spent $12,897 at pizzerias, barbecue restaurants, an oyster bar, Chili's, Jersey Mike's Subs and many more. He also placed 34 DoorDash orders for $1,576.



Boaz bought $2,300 worth of other items, including ammunition, a massage and a hotel for a family vacation.

Credit card records show Boaz claimed the purchases were for work meetings, but he did not provide documentation and could not remember who attended the alleged meetings, according to the audit.

All checks and balances were ignored. The town's finance officer paid Boaz' credit card bill without reviewing the transactions, and the town's board of commissioners failed to review credit card statements even though the town's credit card policy requires them to do so.

Boaz was also paid $37,936 in unused vacation leave when he resigned in 2024. The audit found that $12,804 of that payout was improper.

Search all federal, state and local salaries and vendor spending with the world's largest government spending database at OpenTheBooks.com.

Background: Pilot Mountain, population 1,500, is located about 30 miles northwest of Winston-Salem. Boaz was hired as town manager in 2019 and earned $108,000 in 2024, records show.

Summary: The town of Pilot Mountain paid for thousands of dollars in meals, bullets and travel that auditors say had no legitimate public purpose. The town also failed to follow basic oversight rules that could have prevented or caught the spending earlier.

The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 19:15

Mail Online
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Toddler critical after being 'thrown' into crocodile pit at zoo and 'rescued by owner's wife' - as man is held for attempted murder of three-year-old
A boy of three was seriously injured after being thrown into a crocodile pit at a zoo yesterday.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Brazil Faces Rising Crypto Crime as Global Laundering Networks Infiltrate Its Market
Chainalysis has indicated that Brazil has solidified its position as Latin America’s leading cryptocurrency hub, drawing significant attention from both legitimate users and illicit operators. From July 2024 to June 2025, the country processed an estimated $318 billion in on-chain cryptocurrency transactions, representing about one-third... Read More

CNET News
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Researchers Turn Old Junk Drawer Smartphones Into a Mini Cloud Computing Platform
Score one for effective e-waste recycling.

CNET News
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Shark’s ChillPill Handheld Fan Is My Current Favorite, Thanks to These Special Features
Shark's three-in-one ChillPill personal fan shines because of its three cooling attachments.

Wired Top Stories
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Prime Day Early Deals 2026: Breville and Ninja Espresso Maker Deals
The Breville Barista Express and Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro are two of the best early Prime Day deals I’ve seen in 2026.

Ars Technica
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As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military

Ars Technica
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FDA advisors unanimously vote to approve Moderna's mRNA after agency drama

The Hill
Open 
House subcommittee to examine airline competition
A House Judiciary subcommittee overseeing antitrust matters will hold a hearing next week examining airline competition and industry regulation after Spirit Airlines shut down all operations last month. The hearing, titled “The 30,000 Foot View: Competition and Regulation in the U.S. Airline Industry,” is scheduled to take place on June 24 before the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on...

The Hill
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Fewer in new poll say anyone can achieve American Dream
Fewer Americans are saying that anyone can achieve the American Dream than in the past, according to a new poll. In the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD)-Gallup American Dream Study, 46 percent of respondents said they either “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” with the idea that “everyone in this country has the...

The Hill
Open 
FDA panel recommends mRNA flu vaccine for older adults
A first-of-its-kind flu shot is a step closer to being available to the public after a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccine for approval.  The FDA’s independent vaccine advisors voted unanimously 9-0 that the benefits outweigh the risks for Moderna’s mFlusiva shot in people ages 50 to 64 as well as 65 and older. Moderna is seeking...

The Hill
Open 
The Memo: Vance tries to sell Iran deal as skeptics get loud
Vice President Vance was once again thrust to the fore in trying to calm GOP unease over the interim deal between Iran and the U.S. on Thursday. It’s no easy task. Several Republican lawmakers and a larger number of prominent conservative commentators are criticizing the deal. Their complaints vary in the specifics, but the common theme...

The Hill
Open 
'Jury duty' scam: How it works and what to watch out for
Scammers are now leveraging an American civic duty – jury service – to steal your money, local and federal authorities are warning.

The Hill
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GOP embraces speculation about China’s role in data center backlash
Presented by Philip Morris International {beacon} Technology Technology PRESENTED BY The Big Story GOP embraces speculation about China’s role in data center backlash Republicans are embracing allegations that data center opposition in the U.S. is being fueled by foreign actors, raising questions over how influence operators are contributing to one of the fiercest debates in...

The Guardian (UK)
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Star-studded opening for Obama library in Chicago delivers implied rebuke to Trump
Musical stars and retired politicians from less polarised era seeming antidote to cage fights on White House lawnThe Barack Obama presidential center opened in Chicago on Thursday after more than a decade in the making amid a musical fanfare and paeans to democratic principles that evoked a previous age, all while delivering an implied rebuke to Donald Trump.Featuring appearances by a cast of musical stars and retired politicians from a less polarised era, it was a seemingly perfect antidote to the crass spectacle of cage fights on the White House lawn. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Manzambi double inspires Switzerland rout of 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina
The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and got their World Cup truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel despite Freiburg’s comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes gone and 166 seconds after entering as part of a transformative triple substitution here, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net.Until that point Switzerland had another eight fruitless shots to file with the 26 they mustered in their disappointing opening draw against Qatar, their sole goal a Breel Embolo penalty. Things kept unravelling in the final third. But Manzambi brought great poise and scored twice, his first when he lashed Amar Memic’s headed clearance past Nikola Vasilj and the second understated but sumptuous. It was also Manzambi’s feathery pass that released Embolo on goal, prompting the defender Tarik Muharemovic to lunge in and leave Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men, before Rubén Vargas and Granit Xhaka, with the final kick, completed the scoring. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mexico v South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offOne round of matches, 24 games, mountains of data. Enjoy the choicest nuggets here, including:Mexico moved the ball upfield slower than any other team. They could afford to take their time as South Africa offered next to no threat.South Korea were worthy winners, with the 25-pass buildup to Hwang In-beom’s equaliser the joint-fifth longest passing sequence leading to a goal in the World Cup since records begin in 1966. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mexico v South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offCatch up on all yesterday’s action with Max and the gang in audio-visual format.The match currently in play is one-way traffic in favour of the tournament hosts against a Qatar side now down to nine men. But the result risks being overshadowed by a horror injury to Canada midfielder Ismael Kone. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Voicemails for Isabelle review – Netflix romcom picks creepy over cute
Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson stumble in this mushy, overlong story of a woman leaving voicemails for her dead sisterThere’s a fine line between romantic comedy and creepy thriller, and while redefining the genre’s lovelorn leads as often incredibly oddball stalkers is nothing new (see the Sleepless in Seattle trailer recut as a horror movie 20 years ago), an online deluge of memes and thinkpieces have elevated post-movie bar jokes to commonly accepted theory. Some film-makers have slowly tried to catch up and capitalise – last year’s dark comedy I Love You Forever showed how epic acts of romance can be rooted in manipulation while a great deal of what makes current box office record-breaker Obsession so effective is its horror movie perversion of the day-to-day realities of all-consuming true love.Netflix’s latest romcom Voicemails for Isabelle is made with some awareness of how unsettling its premise is, as if it was originally written in the 2000s and then dusted off and tweaked for the 2020s (the film was originally set to star Hailee Steinfeld back in the 2010s). It’s the story of Jill (Zoey Deutch) who, in the throes of grief for her late sister, starts leaving voicemails on her old phone as a way to feel like she’s still a part of her life. But the number now belongs to a stranger, Wes (Nick Robinson), who decides to not only listen to them but to use the information to track Jill down and insert himself into her life, eventually winning her heart while refusing to be honest about why they’ve met. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
As US lifts its blockade, Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation periodIran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. The US on Thursday lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the critical channel. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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BBC pulls new Ashley Cain series after sexist language accusations
The BBC said it has "no future projects" with Cain planned as it pulls his BBC Three documentary series Into the Danger Zone

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Minister weighs cuts to UN contributions
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has criticized the UN after Germany failed in a recent bid for a Security Council seat. Meanwhile, industrial employment levels in the country are at a decade low.

Mail Online
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Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Horror injury mars co-hosts' stunning display as chaos breaks out
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

Mail Online
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Tommy Fury reflects on the 'most incredible weeks of his life' after the birth of his son Midas - as he looks loved-up with Molly-Mae Hague in sweet snaps
Tommy Fury has reflected on the 'most incredible weeks of his life' after the birth of his son Midas - as he looked loved-up with his partner Molly-Mae Hague in sweet new snaps.

Mail Online
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GENERAL LORD DANNATT: With the departure of our two most senior defence ministers, we can no longer take our freedom for granted
Within a few hours last week, the two most senior ministers responsible for the defence of the nation resigned.

Mail Online
Open 
Why I believe women should no longer ignore a link between the Pill and cancer - a stark warning from Britain's most controversial hormone doctor. So is she right, just how concerned should you be and what does the science say?
Dr Louise Newson, Britain's most controversial hormone doctor, is smiling today, relaxed and almost unrecognisable from the pale, grim-faced woman she appeared 18 months ago.

Mail Online
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ALISON BOSHOFF: Hollywood's most toxic divorce between Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd gets nastier, as 'stalker' seeks private emails
A YouTuber described by Alice Evans as a 'stalker' is forcing the actress and her ex-husband Ioan Gruffudd back to court next week.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘When Real come for you it’s very difficult to say no’: Cucurella explains Chelsea exit
Full-back moving back to Spain in £52m dealPlayer reveals he had telephone call with MourinhoMarc Cucurella has admitted that he had not expected to leave Chelsea and that his £52m signing for Real Madrid was done in a day and a half. The Spain left-back also defended himself against the backlash from Barcelona fans, insisting that although he was born and raised in Catalonia and joined the Barça academy aged 14, he could not turn down Real Madrid. “I am very happy,” the 27-year-old said – if maybe not as happy as his wife, Claudia, whose entire family are Madrid supporters.“It was all very fast,” Cucurella said from Spain’s training base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “I got a phone call one morning. My people told me the two clubs had the terms mostly agreed and that I had to decide if I wanted to go there. I had no doubts. It is a big step for me, very important in my career. It all happened in roughly a day and a half. For me, that was the best thing, so it could be all done and I could keep my focus on the World Cup.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Switzerland’s late surge overwhelms Bosnia and Herzegovina after Muharemovic red card
The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and got their World Cup truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel despite Freiburg’s comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes gone and 166 seconds after entering as part of a transformative triple substitution here, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net.Until that point Switzerland had another eight fruitless shots to file with the 26 they mustered in their disappointing opening draw against Qatar, their sole goal a Breel Embolo penalty. Things kept unravelling in the final third. But Manzambi brought great poise and scored twice, his first when he lashed Amar Memic’s headed clearance past Nikola Vasilj and the second understated but sumptuous. It was also Manzambi’s feathery pass that released Embolo on goal, prompting the defender Tarik Muharemovic to lunge in and leave Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men, before Rubén Vargas and Granit Xhaka, with the final kick, completed the scoring. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mexico v South Korea: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 7pm local/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Jonathan⚽️ Jonathan Wilson: From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-offMexico and South Korea would have been delighted with the Group A result earlier in the day with South Africa holding Czechia to a 1-1 draw courtesy of a late penalty.The decision to award the spot-kick was a clear demonstration the modern handball law is not fit for purpose.That neither of them got it means both can still go through. A win over South Korea would mean South Africa progress, although a second yellow card means Mokoena will miss the game. A win for Czechia against Mexico would see them through too. Whether either are capable is a different matter. Continue reading...

BBC Technology News
Open 
The artificial ice pyramids saving India's mountain villages
Himalayan villages are creating artificial glaciers to guarantee water for their crops in the spring.

Digital Trends
Open 
The Accentum Clip could make open-ear earbuds more appealing to music lovers
Sennheiser's new Accentum Clip earbuds pair an open-ear design with LDAC support, Dynamic EQ, and a 12mm driver in an effort to improve audio performance.

TechRadar News
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This SIM-card-sized 8TB PCIe 5.0 SSD hits 11GB/s, but AI firms will likely hoard them all — and Longsys's jaw-dropping mSSD also sports VC phase-change liquid cooling

TechRadar News
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Netflix has canceled The Boroughs after one season despite rave reviews — but there's a major reason why it's not coming back

TechRadar News
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Quote of the day by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk: "One of the biggest mistakes we made was trying to automate things that are super easy for a person to do" — remarks on where automation got it wrong

TechRadar News
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'Holy crap, this is not how you cool facilities' — Nuclear engineer wants to use special bubbles to save AI data centers from a massive energy crisis

Slashdot
Open 
Adobe Adds Its AI Assistant To Premiere, Illustrator and InDesign
Adobe is expanding its Firefly AI assistant into Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io, where it can automate all sorts of tasks such as organizing clips, renaming assets, adding interview markers, rearranging layers, and finding missing fonts. It's available starting today as part of a public beta. TechCrunch reports: Adobe is slowly transforming Firefly to increasingly resemble Canva, at least when it comes to AI features, loading up the app with AI tools that can generate images, videos and storyboards. The company is now adding a new feature called Elements that can save AI-generated characters, objects and locations for later use.

Firefly is also getting a Projects feature that can store existing assets in one place, and share context. This could be useful for teams creating a video series or brand campaigns. Both of these features are currently available in a private beta.

The company said users can now describe a brand and its style, or upload existing collateral, in Firefly to have it generate a brand kit, complete with logos, brand identity and color palettes, or even generate product videos from photos. Users can also create storyboards to create videos.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These stocks are in trouble after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh removed the market’s guardrails
The new chief is ditching the central bank’s playbook — leaving your portfolio flying blind.

EFF
Open 
EFF Thanks SerpApi For Helping Us Protect Free Speech Online
EFF is grateful for SerpApi’s generous support, helping us fight for your rights to speak and access information online. SerpApi has been giving to EFF every year since 2018, and alongside our 32,000 individual donors, their gift is critical to keeping up the fight.
Whether in the courts, halls of power, or broader policy debates, we appreciate the work this support has made possible over the years. Some examples:

We sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to stop an unconstitutional social media surveillance program to identify and punish individuals who express viewpoints the government disagrees with.
We helped develop the Santa Clara Principles, a framework to reign in overbroad content moderation so that all users are treated fairly and offered consistent tools for recourse if their speech is censored by tech companies.
In the whitepaper Unfiltered: How YouTube’s Content ID Discourages Fair Use and Dictates What We See Online, we pushed back on YouTube for silencing individual creators in the interest of protecting a small number of giant copyright holders.
We stood with whistleblowers and dissidents persecuted for their online speech.
We continued the fight to protect Section 230.

We live in an era when lawful speech and the right to access information are being targeted by Big Tech and governments around the world that are hostile to dissent. Free speech online is core to EFF’s mission, and SerpApi’s support will help us continue the fight to protect everyone’s right to free expression.

EFF
Open 
Canada Is Forging Ahead with Its Dangerous Surveillance Bill
With no serious debate, including on proposed amendments, Canada is blazing full speed ahead with Bill C-22, which would threaten encryption and increase surveillance. Also known as the Lawful Access Bill, Bill C-22 is currently moving forward quickly to a vote despite the many, many criticisms civil liberty groups and the tech industry have hurled at it.
As we’ve discussed before, Bill C-22 is dangerous on multiple levels. It pushes for requirements for metadata retention, expands information sharing with foreign governments, and establishes a mechanism that allows Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety to demand that companies create backdoors, effectively breaking encryption. That mechanism was a key facet of Part 2 in Bill C-22, and the government prevented it from being independently debated.
In a deep analysis of the bill, Citizen Lab and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association detail every one of flaws of this proposal, concluding that most elements are unsalvageable. 
A wide range of tech companies agree. Signal, Apple, Google, and several VPN providers oppose the bill, and some have said they’d likely be forced to either cut Canadians off from certain features or shut down services in Canada altogether.
The Canadian government wants this dangerous, complicated, overreaching bill passed before June 19. Bill C-22 is riddled with privacy problems that affect millions of people. It should be debated and studied fully, not jammed through on an arbitrary deadline. 
OpenMedia is offering a tool for Canadians to contact their elected representatives about the bill. Actions taken on OpenMedia's website are governed by OpenMedia's privacy policy, not EFF's.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Switzerland’s late surge overwhelms Bosnia and Herzegovina after Muharemovic red card
The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and got their World Cup truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel despite Freiburg’s comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes gone and 166 seconds after entering as part of a transformative triple substitution here, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net.Until that point Switzerland had another eight fruitless shots to file with the 26 they mustered in their disappointing opening draw against Qatar, their sole goal a Breel Embolo penalty. Things kept unravelling in the final third. But Manzambi brought great poise and scored twice, his first after lashing Amar Memic’s headed clearance past Nikola Vasilj and the second understated but sumptuous. It was also Manzambi’s feathery pass that released Embolo on goal, prompting the defender Tarik Muharemovic to lunge in and leave Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men, before Rubén Vargas and Granit Xhaka, with the final kick, completed the scoring. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Counting under way in Makerfield byelection as Burnham seeks a route to replace Starmer – UK politics live
Result expected around 3am as Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership runDavid Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Multiple Polls Show Warning Signs For Democrats In Upcoming Midterms
Multiple Polls Show Warning Signs For Democrats In Upcoming Midterms

Democrats have spent months telling anyone who will listen that the midterms are theirs to lose. With President Donald Trump's approval rating in the basement and conditions supposedly ripe for a blue wave, the party is feeling confident it can win both the House and the Senate in November. Polls do seem to suggest they have momentum, but a closer look at the numbers tells a very different story, and the wave that Democrats are banking on may not be coming after all.



The latest NBC News poll does show Democrats with a lead in the national congressional race. On the surface, that sounds like good news for the party. But CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten put that lead in context, and the context is the problem.

"Democrats have an edge, but compared to what we see historically, it's really not that big of a lead," Enten said.

The NBC poll puts Democrats up by five points in the national congressional vote. Five points may sound meaningful until you stack them against what those numbers looked like in actual wave years. In 2018, when Democrats flipped the House, they led by ten points at this stage. In 2006, another Democrat wave year, the lead sat at 11 points.

"It's this type of lead where you say, you know what, Democrats are ahead, but don't count your chickens just quite yet," Enten said.

And this is not a one-poll problem. Enten pointed to a pattern emerging across multiple pollsters, including NBC, Marquette University Law School, and Ipsos. All three tracked the Democrat lead from January and February into May and June, and none of them shows momentum building. NBC dropped a point. Marquette University Law School dropped three points. Ipsos held roughly flat.

"There is this group of pollsters that are out there that are just not showing the wave you might expect, given where the president's approval rating is," Enten said. "The Democrats hold these leads. But again, you have this group of pollsters that are out there where this lead, simply put, is not matching what you might expect if you were expecting a Democratic wave."

The redistricting wars did not help Democrats at all. Republicans are locked in structural advantages through the redistricting process, which means a five-point national lead may not translate into actually flipping the House.

"Democrats need between a three and four point advantage in the national vote," he said. "You average those polls together. It's right on the border. It is no guarantee. It is far from a guarantee at this point if you believe these pollsters."

That is not exactly the kind of language that inspires confidence in a Democrat war room. And then there are the prediction markets. The Kalshi prediction market gives Democrats a 78% chance of winning the House. That sounds strong, but it also means Republicans have a better-than-one-in-five shot at holding on. In the Senate, the GOP still holds the edge.

"Democrats probably take back the House, but it's far from a guarantee," Enten said. "We are not going to get caught, like in past years. We ignore those polls that had those warning signs."


The Dems midterm warning sign is pretty clear:
There are high quality polls (Ipsos, MU Law, & NBC), which show Dems shy of their generic ballot benchmark in past wave years.
Their Dems avg. lead is just 3 pts... & Dems need a 3-4 pt win to take the House given redistricting. pic.twitter.com/qPy5CsxFZS
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) June 15, 2026

Political analysts burned themselves in past cycles by dismissing data that did not fit the expected narrative. The warning signs were there, and they got ignored. Enten is clearly trying not to repeat that mistake, and the data he is looking at right now says the same thing it has been saying for months: this is not shaping up to be the blowout Democrats want... or need.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Judicial Resistance Fails Again
The Judicial Resistance Fails Again

Authored by Mike McDaniel via AmericanThinker.com,

Do you recall Hannah Dugan? She’s a former Milwaukee County Judge. “Former” because she, with the help of her staff, distracted ICE agents who were present to arrest and deport a violent illegal alien in her court on unrelated charges. They snuck the illegal out of the courthouse. 

The agents didn’t disrupt her court. They were waiting until she was done with the illegal, who had been previously deported but reentered the country. They politely informed her of their authority and intentions and were waiting for her disposition of the illegal.

Fortunately, the agents knew what she was doing and captured the illegal after a brief foot chase. Dugan was charged and convicted, though not without substantial support from equally corrupt members of the “judicial resistance” Bar:



Graphic: X Post

Amazingly, that view of judicial immunity didn't hold up and she was removed from the bench, which, considering she was facing a federal felony, seems reasonable.

Dugan appealed, and her appeal was recently denied, which opens the way for her sentencing, which has been on hold.  She faces up to five years in prison.

One would think other members of the judicial community would learn from Dugan’s “resistance.”

However, as John Belushi used to quip: “But nooooooooooooo!”

This time, the illegal hiders were in Utah:


Two former Utah court clerks have been arrested and charged after federal prosecutors alleged they used their positions inside a courthouse to help an illegal immigrant avoid a lawful arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before federal agencies. Joma also faces a separate charge of transporting illegal aliens.

The incident occurred on April 9 at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court in Utah, where both women worked as court clerks. An ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer entered the courthouse to arrest an illegal immigrant who was scheduled to appear for a hearing that day. After entering the courthouse, the officer left the secure area and waited in his car outside for his target to exit before attempting the arrest.


The two court clerks stopped several illegal aliens from leaving the building.  Collecting the illegal the ICE agent was there to detain, and the other illegals, they guided them through secure hallways and out the back door of the courthouse, out of view of the ICE agent. In this case, no judge was apparently involved. They shut the door to the judge’s chambers to keep him from seeing what they were doing.

The government was apparently able to reconstruct what happened by viewing courthouse surveillance video:


The Justice Department described the alleged conduct in blunt terms:

“This case is about some state court clerks who abused their position of trust and took the law into their own hands by helping an illegal alien evade a lawful arrest by ICE.” 

Federal prosecutors further alleged:

“Acting as self-appointed anti-ICE vigilantes, Lauren Morrow, her co-defendant Joma and others took it upon themselves to obstruct immigration proceedings and the lawful enforcement of United States immigration laws.” 

The indictment states that surveillance footage captured the pair after one of the alleged trips through the courthouse. Prosecutors say the women were seen waving and smiling at a security camera, while Morrow allegedly made an obscene gesture toward it. Investigators also allege that Joma later drove three illegal immigrants away from the courthouse before returning to work.


Joma and Morrow resigned after their arrests and are facing up to 25 years in prison. Under the Biden Administration, Dugan, Joma and Morrow would surely have never been charged, but there’s a new sheriff in town:  


John Huber, the ex-US Attorney for Utah, said the plot was the first he’s seen in the state.

“This is a time when people are on edge wherever you are on the political spectrum, and this issue of immigration enforcement gets people’s attention,” he told KUTV.

“I think a lesson to be learned here is that federal authorities are serious and that it’s no laughing matter to engage in conduct that rises to the level of a federal felony. This is not a joke.”


Hannah Dugan, Jennifer Joma and Lauren Morrow are presumably realizing that. Whether the rest of the “judicial resistance” will pay attention is anyone’s guess, but finding that people sworn to uphold our system of justice aren’t always above it is encouraging.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Illegal Alien Alleged To Be Ringleader In Terror Plot To Kill "Capitalist Elites" At UFC White House Event
Illegal Alien Alleged To Be Ringleader In Terror Plot To Kill "Capitalist Elites" At UFC White House Event

Federal prosecutors allege that Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, a Mexican national who overstayed a B2 visitor visa and was living in Omaha, Nebraska, used the online alias "Shepherd" and was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting "billionaires" and "capitalist elites" at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.

The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Thursday morning regarding the criminal complaint, filed in the District of Nebraska, charging Alvarez with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S.



The FBI said the investigation began after local authorities in Ohio responded to concerns about 19-year-old Tycen Proper, whose family reported that he had been stockpiling firearms, ammunition, body armor, and communicating with an online group about "missions" and "recons."

"Alvarez and his co-conspirators face federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer for Alvarez," DHS wrote in a statement.

"This illegal alien from Mexico should never have been allowed in our country. He was the ringleader of a failed terror attack targeting UFC Freedom 250 at the White House," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis wrote in a statement. 

Bis added, "He and his co-conspirators now face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds. He will face justice and swiftly be removed from our country."

The Department of Justice wrote in the criminal complaint, "It was unclear if Shepherd was involved in these chat messages, but the targeting of US Congressional targets was related to the original plot that PROPER tied to Shepherd."

DHS pointed out, "Alvarez entered the United States on a B2 visitor visa and failed to depart before it expired in December 2001. The Obama Administration granted him Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2014."

The plot pattern appears anti-government, anti-elite, anti-capitalist, conspiratorial, and revolutionary...


Hasan Piker calls on his followers to kill capitalists:
“Yeah kill them! KiII those motherfuckers and murder those motherfuckers in the streets. Let the streets soak in their fucking red capitalist blood, dude.”
Democrats are campaigning with him. pic.twitter.com/YiZxGgRkgc
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 9, 2026
... with rhetoric not that different from that of prominent far-left influencers that cross paths with socialist and DSA groups. 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Pentagon Taps Argonne Spinout To Connect Military Supercomputers With Major Clouds
Pentagon Taps Argonne Spinout To Connect Military Supercomputers With Major Clouds

Authored by Neetika Walter via Interesting Engineering,

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Parallel Works, an Illinois-based software company spun out of Argonne National Laboratory, a contract to provide a unified platform that connects military supercomputing centers with secure commercial cloud infrastructure.
Representative stock image of a supercomputer. iStock Photos

The contract, granted under the department's High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP), will allow scientists, engineers, and acquisition professionals across the DoD to access both on-premises and cloud-based computing resources through a single interface. The goal is to speed up the development and deployment of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads used for defense research and operations.

Parallel Works said its ACTIVATE High Security Platform (HSP) will act as the control plane linking Defense Supercomputing Resource Centers (DSRCs) with commercial cloud services. The platform is designed to let users move workloads across environments while maintaining security requirements for sensitive data.

The company said researchers will be able to test and deploy workloads on emerging cloud infrastructure before those capabilities are integrated into the DoD's supercomputing centers.

Connecting Defense Computing

The platform has been approved at Impact Level 5 (IL5), one of the highest security classifications for non-classified DoD cloud environments. According to the company, it is among a small number of software platforms approved to handle export-controlled workloads, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

The system is intended to address growing demand for computing power driven by AI development, simulation workloads, and digital modernization programs across the military.

"AI-driven warfare and the ramp to digital modernization are demanding far more model-sharing options than legacy infrastructure can provide," said Keith Obenschain, Chief Technology Officer at HPCMP.

The platform offers on-demand access to cloud compute resources, allowing users to avoid traditional queue delays associated with shared supercomputing systems. It also enables organizations to expand computing capacity by distributing workloads across multiple environments and cloud providers.

Parallel Works said users will have access to cloud infrastructure from providers including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.

Accelerating Mission Deployment

As part of the contract rollout, the Naval Research Laboratory has already implemented the platform to support weather forecasting workloads.

According to the company, the system automates forecasting workflows while securely coordinating computing resources across defense and cloud environments. The approach is intended to improve reliability, speed up processing, and help redistribute workloads when demand spikes.

"The HPCMP contract allows our platform to support a broad range of mission-critical HPC and AI workloads across the DOD teams," said Matthew Shaxted, CEO of Parallel Works.

The company said the environment can also serve as a secure testing ground for AI development tools and next-generation cloud architectures before they are adopted within the DoD's existing supercomputing infrastructure.

The contract reflects a broader push by the U.S. military to combine traditional supercomputing resources with commercial cloud services as AI models and data-intensive applications continue to increase computing requirements across defense operations.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 17:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Gulf Oil Is Available Again, But Asian Refiners Balk At Soaring Tanker Rates
Gulf Oil Is Available Again, But Asian Refiners Balk At Soaring Tanker Rates

Iran and the US have a peace deal? check (for 60 days, allegedly). 

Strait of Hormuz open? check (for 60 days, allegedly).

Ships transiting freely? check (not really)

Massive build up of Gulf oil desperate to reach Asian refiners? check.

All great news, which means that oil should now flow freely and in huge amounts, right?

Wrong: two of Asia's largest refiners, PetroChina and Indian Oil, failed to secure very large crude carriers to lift Iraqi Basrah crude in late June, Reuters reported, while another Chinese major Sinochem is on the hunt for a ‌tanker.

The inquiries from the state energy firms followed an interim deal between the United States and Iran to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. PetroChina had sought a VLCC (which can carry up to 2mm barrels) to load from Iraq's Basrah Oil terminal between ​June 25 and 30. And while the Chinese major received at least six offers at worldscale ​points of 650 to 750, these rates were nearly triple those charged before the Iran war broke out in late February. The worldscale measure is used by the shipping industry to calculate freight rates.

"There are tankers available, but the problem is it's too expensive and there is ​no guarantee you can exit the strait," a PetroChina official said.

Indeed, a quick look at the latest gulf tanker rates shows that while not nearly as bad as when the war broke out, rates on tankers from the Gulf to various Asian destinations have doubled in the past weeks as buyers scramble to secure their shipments. Expect these prices to soar much higher in the coming days.



The punchline: securing supplies from the Gulf will remain complicated despite the peace deal, and not just due to the soaring tanker prices. 

"It'll be ‌still ⁠difficult to fix a vessel due to the rate, and I assume that both parties need to agree to some special clause (in the contract for transiting the strait)," the source said.

On Thursday, another Chinese state major, Sinochem, sought a VLCC to load oil in the Gulf between June 20 and ​30 for Asia, ​the shipping sources said. ⁠It was not immediately clear if the company would succeed in finding a vessel.

Remarkably, as this was taking place, India's giant oil company IOC did not receive any offers in a tender ​last week ⁠seeking a VLCC to lift oil from Iraq on June 22 and 23 and deliver to Paradip port on India's east coast, a Reuters source said.

IOC, India's largest ⁠refiner, subsequently ​issued a force majeure on the cargo. 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 18:00

Mail Online
Open 
Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Jesse Marsch's men fire THREE first half goals in pursuit of vital win
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits: European Banking Association Says Transition Needs Time, Tokenovate CEO Says Real Opportunity is with Settlements
This past week, the European Banking Association (EBA) issued a statement on tokenized deposits and stablecoins. The statement was part of the ongoing Digital Currencies & Smart Payments Working Group (DSWG). The statement declared that it is still too early to judge how well stablecoins and... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
QPlay Trades on PISCES, Raises Funds on Crowdcube
QPlay was the first company to trade on PISCES in the UK. PISCES, or Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System, is a move aimed at improving access to capital and liquidity for smaller firms. QPlay was listed on JP Jenkins Private Market, an approved... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Bluwhale’s Bringing Trust to Agentic Finance Via Blockchain
Bluwhale cofounders Han Jin and Adam Rowell quickly recognized that if consumers are going to trust AI agents to manage their financial security, they’ll need a better system than simply giving those agents blind access to banking and investment accounts. Their creation is an AI-native... Read More

CNET News
Open 
ChatGPT Found to Generate Violent, Sexual Images From Simple Text Prompts
Even with an open-ended viral prompt, the chatbot "immediately went to the darkest pits of humanity."

CNET News
Open 
Waymo Issues Another Recall, This Time Over Highway Construction Zones
The robotaxi company issues a recall on 3,871 vehicles that could make incorrect decisions while driving in highway construction zones.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
How the Peter Thiel-Linked Dialog Club Secretly Ranks Its Members
Leaked files show the invite-only network grades members by their money and fame, shaping who’s in, who’s out, and who pays.

The Hill
Open 
Cook Political Report shifts 7 House races toward Democrats
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report on Thursday moved seven House races toward Democrats, as the minority party looks to retake control of the lower chamber this November.  Erin Covey, the House editor for the report, wrote that despite the GOP appearing to benefit from a nationwide redistricting battle, Democrats “remain in a strong position to...

The Hill
Open 
Regulators greenlight plan for quick AI data center grid connections
Federal regulators on Thursday took steps aimed at both speeding up the buildout of AI data centers and reducing costs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) directed regional electric grid operators to reform various processes related to the connection of these and other large sources of power demand to the grid. “We are charting new...

The Hill
Open 
Billionaire tax secures spot on California ballot
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy   The Big Story Billionaire tax secures spot on California ballot A one-time wealth tax on billionaires living in California has qualified to be on the ballot in November. © The Associated Press California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said...

The Hill
Open 
House subcommittee to examine airline competition
A House Judiciary subcommittee overseeing antitrust matters will hold a hearing next week examining airline competition and industry regulation after Spirit Airlines shut down all operations last month. The hearing, titled “The 30,000 Foot View: Competition and Regulation in the U.S. Airline Industry,” is scheduled to take place on June 24 before the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on...

The Hill
Open 
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool work expenses grow
{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story Reflecting Pool work expenses grow The cost of a contract for work on the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool has ballooned further — now costing taxpayers a total of $14.7 million — according to federal records. © Natasha Kaiser The federal contract with Atlantic Industrial...

Techdirt
Open 
Congress Just Rushed Through A Disastrous Copyright Office Overhaul
In a voice vote last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6028, the “Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act.” The legislation is presented as a technical reorganization of some government agencies, but it’s much more than that.  H.R. 6028 would fundamentally change the U.S. Copyright Office, and not in a good way. The bill removes the […]

Mac Rumours
Open 
You Can Watch All of F1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix For Free on Apple TV
Apple today announced that every part of Formula 1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix (June 26-28) will be streamed live on the Apple TV streaming service for free.



U.S. viewers can watch all sessions — including practices, qualifying, and the Grand Prix — with no subscription required.This article, 'You Can Watch All of F1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix For Free on Apple TV' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Music Reveals Top 20 Most-Streamed Artists of All Time
Apple today teamed up with Chart Data to share the top 20 most-streamed artists of all time. Chart Data says this is the first time that Apple has shared the all-time streaming list.





Drake is the number one most-streamed artist, with Taylor Swift coming in second. Future was third, followed by YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Bad Bunny. The full list is below.



Top 20 most streamed artists of all-time on Apple Music pic.twitter.com/c4WyaRZCTx- chart data (@chartdata) June 18, 2026

Apple Music launched in June 2015, so the top 20 list includes streaming data for the past 11 years.



The streaming service is priced at $10.99 per month for an individual plan in the U.S., with other pricing options available for students, families, and in the Apple One bundle.

Tag: Apple MusicThis article, 'Apple Music Reveals Top 20 Most-Streamed Artists of All Time' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
Open 
DUDE VIDEO – Glenn Beck gets emotional as he recounts conversation he had with Trump a year after 2020 election loss
Glenn Beck got emotional today when he recounted a conversation he had with President Trump back in 2021 or so, a year after the great election theft of 2020. And it wasn’t . . .

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mangione lawyers abandon psychiatric defense over health CEO’s killing
Legal team of alleged gunman, 28, reverses position on ‘extreme emotional disturbance’ defense after one dayIn a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione’s legal team said on Thursday they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defense in his upcoming state trial over the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.Just one day earlier, Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Gregory Carro they would pursue a defense claiming the 28-year-old was suffering an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of Thompson’s killing on 4 December 2024. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Thousands of Knicks fans celebrate big win with joyous New York parade: ‘We family now’
Parents and their kids, new and old fans and a few celebrities gathered to honor the team’s NBA championshipThousands of Knicks fans – decked out in blue and orange jerseys, shorts, hats, necklaces and more – gathered in downtown New York City on Thursday to celebrate the team’s NBA championship in a lively ticker-tape parade.All along Church Street, the street running parallel to the parade route, fans lit joints, threw back shots of Fireball whiskey and drank Coronas, within view of bemused and outnumbered New York City police officers. Some fans climbed atop police cruisers and posed for photos. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington
Warrington 6-34 LeedsRhinos run in six tries in statement winWith the two sides joint-top of Super League meeting in one of the standout games of 2026 thus far, this felt like an evening for someone to make a statement. How Leeds Rhinos did that, as they underlined why a first title since 2017 feels more possible than at any point over the past decade.In the end, Super League’s best defensive side versus the competition’s best attack was nothing more than a mismatch. Warrington, so resolute and defensively brilliant under Sam Burgess this year, have not lost at home all season but they were clinically picked apart here by a Leeds side who have all the hallmarks of Grand Finalists and more. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bending forwards a lot at work in early pregnancy may increase miscarriage risk, study suggests
More walking and standing in the workplace also associated with higher risk, according to Danish researchBending forwards and walking a lot at work in the early stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, a study suggests.Miscarriage affects about 15% of women. Risk factors include parental age, smoking, night shift work and exposure to air pollution and various chemical compounds. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Shooting triggers panic at Times Square (VIDEOS)

Mail Online
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Iran reaps a peace dividend - but can we really expect it to remain peaceful? asks ALEX BRUMMER
Football fever, by-elections and central bank decisions have obscured the baffling outcomes of President Trump's accord with Iran.

Mail Online
Open 
Buyers could be fined if they pull out of a house purchase under Labour plans
Binding conditional contracts could financially commit a buyer to purchasing a home as early as the stage of having an offer accepted.

Mail Online
Open 
Domestic abuse charities criticise female Reform MP for saying England need to keep winning at the World Cup to reduce violence
A Reform UK MP has been branded 'irresponsible' after suggesting that England's football team needs to keep winning games in the World Cup to prevent a spike in incidents of abuse.

Mail Online
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Sickies and huge hangovers - it's the morning after England's World Cup match before, while WAGs get in on the fun and seal it with a kiss
Predictions of 'Hangover Thursday' proved true as lateness to work doubled and employers reported sickies up 20 per cent on a normal day.

Mail Online
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DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Just who is running the country, Prime Minister?
Almost regardless of the results in last night's Makerfield by-election, the stage is now set for Labour to tear itself asunder in the weeks and months ahead.

Mail Online
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Private sector wages lag behind as 2026 becomes the year millions of Britons become poorer, official figures reveal
Official figures showed private sector pay rose by just 2.9 per cent in the three months to April.

Mail Online
Open 
Shaming at Nato for Britain's minister with no defence - as Pete Hegseth goes on the warpath over allies that won't spend what the US is demanding
New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis arrived empty handed at his first Nato meeting yesterday as his furious US counterpart castigated allies as 'shameful'.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump's Iran peace deal is a 'betrayal' of my people, says Tehran's exiled Crown Prince
Reza Pahlavi said that the tens of thousands of Iranians who were killed in January for demonstrating against the regime had 'not died for a nuclear deal or the Strait of Hormuz'.

Mail Online
Open 
Tay Keith dead at 29: Body of super producer who made Drake and Travis Scott's biggest hits discovered at Nashville apartment
Tay Keith - the producer behind some of rappers Drake and Travis Scott's biggest hits - has reportedly died at the age of 29.

Mail Online
Open 
Presenter who claimed Lionel Messi's dad was dead QUITS her job and issues groveling apology
The Messi family issued a statement on Thursday explaining that Jorge, 68, is  undergoing a 'health situation' after his son was seen in tears during his first World Cup game.

The Register
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2,000 retired Google Pixel phones get a second life as a private cloud
You might say the system packs two kilapixels of compute

Mail Online
Open 
Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Co-hosts make dream start with two early goals as opponents have player SENT OFF
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington
Warrington 6-34 LeedsRhinos run in six tries in statement winWith the two sides joint-top of Super League meeting in one of the standout games of 2026 thus far, this always felt like an evening for someone to make a statement. How Leeds Rhinos did that, as they underlined why a first title since 2017 feels more possible than at any point over the past decade.In the end, Super League’s best defensive side versus the competition’s best attack was nothing more than a mismatch. Warrington, so resolute and defensively brilliant under Sam Burgess this year, have not lost at home all season but they were clinically picked apart here by a Leeds side who have all the hallmarks of Grand Finalists and more. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England finally exorcise the Southgate era and unleash fun football | Barney Ronay
You don’t win World Cups by running riot for 10 minutes in mid-June but this felt like the start of something newWalking away from Dallas Stadium, feet throbbing in the heat of the late-evening Texas tarmac, it was tempting to picture the scene inside England’s dressing room three hours earlier, the score 2-2 at half-time against a perky Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s side in danger of slipping into a familiar tournament pattern of entropy and angst.What exorcism was performed here? Did England’s players burn a ceremonial John Lewis merino wool slim-fit quarter zip? Did Tuchel deliver his calm, tactically focused half-time speech while simultaneously sawing the head off the lifesize Gareth Southgate effigy the team still carries around with it, before inviting his players to whack it like a piñata, open letters tumbling from the waistcoat pockets, leadership mottoes and worries about penalties scattered across the floor as its bearded and frowning head steadily deflates, a moment of pure era-shedding catharsis? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10 Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run David Blunkett, the former Labour cabinet minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer should stand down after the Makerfield byelection.In an interview on the BBC’s Newsnight, Blunkett suggested that Starmer standing aside would be the best option for the party regardless of whether Andy Burnham wins tonight or loses. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Truss the saviour exposes ‘Labour’s secret plan’ | John Crace
Ex-PM reveals Andy Burnham wants to return to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer to become PM. Who knew?It’s one of the great philosophical questions of our age. Or any age, for that matter. If Liz Truss didn’t exist, would it be possible to imagine her? Could anyone conceive that someone so brain-meltingly dim could have once been our prime minister?And even if they could, would they have dared to believe that in harness with this industrial-strength stupidity there could be such a total lack of self-awareness. Liz comes with a vacuum-packed confidence in her own talent. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Florida man hailed as a hero for jumping off of his bike to wrangle a dangerous 8-foot python... only to then be slapped with a $180 FINE
Yatir Nitzany, 42, was riding his bike when he spotted the Burmese python on the side of the road in Everglades National Park.

Mail Online
Open 
Citizens of EU and US handed taxpayer-funded accommodation in Britain after claiming asylum
Home Office data reveals 225 migrants from European countries and the United States were living in taxpayer-funded accommodation, including hotels, at the end of March.

Mail Online
Open 
Behind Trump and Melania's separate White House bedroom doors: Missing decorations, simmering tension and the habit that stunned staff
It's long been lore that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump keep separate quarters on the second floor of the White House residence, but a new book spills the details.

Mail Online
Open 
Furious debate rages over how often you should wash your bath towels... here's what the science says
A fresh debate is raging over how often to clean your bath towels, with experts claiming they should go to the laundry three times a week.

Mail Online
Open 
Drivers suffer hour-long delays on M25 motorway as blaze closes busy Dartford Crossing tunnel
The suspected blaze was reported around 4pm and the tunnel was evacuated, causing long queues and forcing drivers from their cars as five fire engines arrived.

Mail Online
Open 
Maura Higgins gushes her 'vision was brought to life' with My Fair Lady inspired look as she shares stunning snaps of her Royal Ascot outfit
Maura Higgins gushed that her 'vision was brought to life' with the My Fair Lady-inspired outfit she wore for Royal Ascot Ladies Day on Thursday.

Mail Online
Open 
Health fears for Bill Clinton as he's 'caught dozing off' on-stage at Obama public library opening
The former president appeared to rest his eyes during Barack Obama's opening ceremony for his new presidential center in Jackson Park, Chicago, on Thursday.

Mail Online
Open 
Christina Aguilera looks remarkably different as she leads A-list performers at Obama event with cover of What A Wonderful World
Fans noticed as they took to X to write, 'Is that an X-tina imposter or the real deal?' while another said, ' The voice is hers, but the face is not.'

Mail Online
Open 
Thomas Tuchel's row with FIFA escalates despite protocol change: England boss unlikely to accept compromise after complaining his experience had been 'ruined' by photographers
The England boss complained about being blocked by photographers ahead of last night's 4-2 victory over Croatia, which prevented him from being able to watch his players sing the national anthem.

Mail Online
Open 
Farce of Obama's $850m 'monstrosity': As clucking liberal elite cheer Barack's grand opening, outraged Chicago locals tell HARRIET ALEXANDER awkward truth about library
A flurry of golf buggies zipped through Jackson Park on Thursday morning, carrying Chicago's great and good in their finery.

Mail Online
Open 
Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Co-hosts make dream start in must-win game as Cyle Larin fires home
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nearly 160 sick with flu at US air force base after Hegseth ends mandatory vaccines
Reports say Texas recruits ill from outbreak, which comes weeks after defense secretary made flu vaccine optionalAn influenza outbreak has reportedly sickened more than 150 recruits in training at Lackland air force base in San Antonio, Texas.The outbreak comes just weeks after the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ended mandatory flu vaccination for the military, citing the need for bodily autonomy for servicemembers. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington
Warrington 6-34 LeedsRhinos run in six tries in statement winLeeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement of their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Broos hits out at stadium and ‘tall’ Czechia after South Africa rescue point
They can put the matches away, at least for a while. Before this game, Hugo Broos had responded to fierce criticism over South Africa’s start to the World Cup by revealing that eight months ago after qualification a friend had said they would erect a statue of him and the coach had replied by saying: “Make it out of wood; that way it will burn more easily.” Beaten 2-0 by Mexico, they were seven minutes away from following that with a 1-0 loss to Czechia, left with no points, no goals and not much hope. But from almost nowhere, in an arena that Broos criticised as “not a football stadium”, they got the penalty that allows them to fight another day.Pavel Sulc was the unfortunate man who gave it away, not given time to remove his hand from the path of another long shot. Teboho Mokoena was the man who scored it and what it means could be seen not only in how he celebrated then but in the tears that had rolled during the national anthem before. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England finally exorcise the Southgate era and unleash fun football | Barney Ronay
You don’t win World Cups by running riot for 10 minutes in mid-June but this felt like the start of something newWalking away from Dallas Stadium, feet throbbing in the heat of the late-evening Texas tarmac, it was tempting to picture the scene inside England’s dressing room three hours earlier, the score 2-2 at half-time against a perky Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s side in danger of slipping into a familiar tournament pattern of entropy and angst.What exorcism was performed here? Did England’s players burn a ceremonial John Lewis merino wool slim-fit quarter zip? Did Tuchel deliver his calm, tactically focused half-time speech while simultaneously sawing the head off the life-size Gareth Southgate effigy the team still carries around with it, before inviting his players to whack it like a piñata, open letters tumbling from the waistcoat pockets, leadership mottoes and worries about penalties scattered across the floor as its bearded and frowning head steadily deflates, a moment of pure era-shedding catharsis? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10 Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run The Makerfield byelection has regularly been described as potentially the most consequential byelection in British history. People have written that on the assumption that Andy Burnham will win, and that he will replace Keir Starmer as PM. While those both seem to be reasonable assumptions, in a country with a history of parliamentary government as long as Britain’s a description of any event that involves saying it is the most consequential ever is probably not strictly accurate.Here are just a handful examples of other byelections that have been similar to this one in some respects, or highly influential. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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EU summit: Leaders discuss Ukraine, global issues
European Union leaders agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for 12 months. Meeting in Brussels, the leaders are also set to address the bloc's next long-term budget and global economic challenges. DW has more.

Mail Online
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Alleged gangster Steven Lyons loses battle to halt extradition to Spain after being arrested in Indonesia
A Scottish gang leader has failed in his bid to avoid extradition to Spain to face organised crime and money laundering charges.

No Agenda Show
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1878 - "Dream Build Loop"
No Agenda Episode 1878 - "Dream Build Loop"
Dream Build Loop
Executive Producers:
Bob Milligan
Manuka Gold (code Adam20)
Associate Executive Producers:
Eric Halleen
Connor Brogan
Eli The Coffee Guy - Gigawatt Coffee Roasters (code ITM20)
Linda Lupatkin - Imagemakers Ink, Duchess of Jobs
Knights and Dames:
Bob Milligan (Elko, NV) > Sir Coach Bob the Builder, Lord of Wild Horse, and Slayer of Fish (red-knight + dedouche; family offers ‘Master’ if ‘Lord’ rejected)
João Alves (Ribeira de Sintra, PT) > Sir João Alves, the Knight of Sintra (requested - verify lifetime ≥ $1000)
Order of the Heart:
Bob Milligan (Elko, NV) > Sir Coach Bob the Builder, Lord of Wild Horse, and Slayer of Fish (red-knight + dedouche; family offers ‘Master’ if ‘Lord’ rejected)
End of Show Mixes:
Jus Baker (Skim the Cycle)
MVP (The Triptych of Devotion)
Sir Johnny B (No Agenda Anthem - Garbage Man Flow)
Art By: Blue Acorn
Mark van Dijk - Systems Master
Ryan Bemrose - Program Director
Back Office Jae Dvorak
Chapters: Dreb Scott
Clip Custodian: Neal Jones
Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman
ShowNotes Archive 1867.noagendanotes.com
No Agenda Peerage
RSS Podcast Feed



Last Modified 06/18/2026 16:28:47 by Freedom Controller

Digital Trends
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Adobe’s new AI assistant could save you hours in Photoshop and Premiere
Adobe has unveiled a major AI expansion across Firefly and Creative Cloud, bringing intelligent assistants to Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, and other creative applications.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Canada vs Qatar: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts seek first win, team news

Slashdot
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California 'Billionaire Tax' Makes Ballot Despite Opposition From Tech Moguls
California's proposed "billionaire tax" has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, setting up a major fight between labor unions and some of Silicon Valley's richest figures. From the report: The California Billionaire Tax Act, colloquially known as the billionaire tax, would levy a one-time 5% tax on any California resident worth more than $1bn. The proposal is backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West as a means of funding California's strained healthcare and education programs. The proposal has become one of the state's biggest political flashpoints as it gained momentum throughout the year, with prominent billionaires, such as the Google co-founder Larry Page, making moves to cut ties with the state and Newsom vowing to block it from going to a vote. Although it has gained enough signatures for the ballot, the groups backing the measure have until June 25 to decide whether to move forward or potentially strike a deal with the state.

While unions backing the group have framed the proposal as a way of getting the ultra-rich to pay their fair share, many of the state's tech elites have condemned the tax and spent millions attempting to crush it. The Google co-founder Sergey Brin has spent $82m alone on efforts to fight the tax, while joining other Silicon Valley billionaires in declaring he will leave California if it goes through. The Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, crypto billionaire Chris Larsen and Ring founder James Siminoff are among the other tech moguls who have made huge political donations to groups opposing the tax. California has the most billionaires out of any state, many of whom have increased their wealth in recent years amid the AI boom.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
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'It's a bit windy, isn't it, Laura Woods?' Hefty gusts strike and threaten to smash ITV's World Cup coverage set
ITV has received high praise for its stunning World Cup studio set in front of the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York skyline.

Mail Online
Open 
Hard-pressed families and firms paid an extra £29.6 BILLION in taxes during Labour's first year in power thanks to frozen income tax thresholds and hike in stamp duty on second homes
Official figures have shown that central government taxation revenue reached a staggering £863.6billion in 2024-25, up by 3.5 per cent on the previous year.

Mail Online
Open 
Angela Rayner admits Labour Government is 'deeply unpopular' as she urges ministers to keep their promises - including increasing the minimum wage for under-21s
The former Deputy Prime Minister admitted mistakes had been made such as over the cuts to Winter Fuel Payment, which had to be reversed.

Mail Online
Open 
Alleged gang leader Steven Lyons loses battle to halt extradition to Spain after being arrested in Indonesia
A Scottish gang leader has failed in his bid to avoid extradition to Spain to face organised crime and money laundering charges.

Mail Online
Open 
Canada vs Qatar - World Cup Group B LIVE: Co-hosts seek first win in Vancouver as Jesse Marsch makes two changes to starting lineup
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for all the latest updates and team news as Canada take on Qatar in Group B at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to register their first win in Vancouver.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Dollar touches highest level in more than a year. Why this latest rally might be overdone.
The U.S. dollar headed Thursday for its highest close in more than a year, as investors continued to digest the Federal Reserve’s Wednesday meeting, which revived the possibility of further interest-rate increases.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Micron, other memory stocks are having their best year ever. Why do they still look so cheap?
Some of the AI boom’s biggest earners have become its biggest bargains.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These stocks are in trouble now that Fed Chair Kevin Warsh removed the market’s guardrails
The new chief is ditching the central bank’s playbook — leaving your portfolio flying blind.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX options volume explodes as trading kicks off. Here is a low-risk strategy to play the massive surge.
This pro-level move minimizes out-of-pocket costs and helps manage risk.

Boing Boing
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Centralize essential accounting tasks with QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus for $300 during Deal Days
TL;DR: This 1-year Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024 subscription for Windows gives you all the financial tools you need to manage your business in one place for just $299.99 (reg. $536). 
With Deal Days, the gifts keep coming, and this QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024 for Windows is just one example. — Read the rest
The post Centralize essential accounting tasks with QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus for $300 during Deal Days appeared first on Boing Boing.

Adam Curry
Open 
No Agenda Episode 1878 - "Dream Build Loop"
No Agenda Episode 1878 - "Dream Build Loop"

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Usyk-Verhoeven ref had seen enough to end fight before bell
The referee at the centre of the controversial fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven tells a boxing commission he had seen enough to stop the bout in the 11th round before the bell sounded.

Gizmodo
Open 
No Anime Embodies Fun for Fun’s Sake Quite Like ‘Project A-Ko’
'Project A‑Ko' is a time capsule of anime’s anything‑goes OVA‑era brilliance wrapped in a delightfully unserious package.

Gizmodo
Open 
A Federal Regulator Wants to Fast-Track AI Data Centers Onto the Power Grid
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is pushing grid operators to update rules for connecting massive power users.

Gizmodo
Open 
Scientists Spent 13 Years Bouncing Radar Off Europa. Here’s What They Found
In the most comprehensive radio study of Europa thus far, astronomers bolster what's already known about the icy moon, and then some.

Gizmodo
Open 
Spotify Will Now Reserve Tickets for Superfans Before General Sales Can Skyrocket in Price
The new feature will be a joint partnership with Live Nation, the company largely blamed for high ticket prices.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iranian star Parastoo Ahmadi reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without hijab
Musicians and production team understood to be facing same punishment after livestream of patriotic songThe Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of a production team, including musicians, have been reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes for performing in a concert livestreamed on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel in 2024.According to court documents, the criminal court of Qom province sentenced the artists to flogging, a two-year ban on leaving the country and a two-year ban on engaging in artistic activities on charges that include offending public decency through the production and publication of “vulgar and immoral content” online. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tottenham complete £52m Van Hecke signing as De Zerbi focuses on defence
Spurs bolster backline with third summer signing Defender reunited with former Brighton head coachTottenham have completed their third signing of the summer after Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton. Spurs made a move for Dutch international centre-back Van Hecke after a terrible 2025-26 campaign where Roberto De Zerbi’s team secured Premier League survival with a final-day home victory over Everton.De Zerbi worked with Van Hecke during two seasons at Brighton and earmarked the defender as a key component of rebuilding Tottenham. After two bids this month were rejected, a £52m offer was accepted and the 26-year-old has signed a long-term contract. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asidePolls close in Makerfield byelection as Andy Burnham eyes No 10 Burnham brings in top economists before possible leadership run On Newsnight Nicholas Watt, the programme’s political editor, has said Reform UK are briefing that they think they will get their highest share of the vote in a byelection in Makerfield, beating the 39% that Sarah Pochin got when she won the Runcorn and Helsby byelection last year (by six votes).Runcorn and Helsby may have been a record for Reform UK. But Ukip, which in many respects was its predecessor party, got 60% of the vote in the Clacton byelection in 2014. Continue reading...

UK Government News
Open 
We urge Israel to immediately remove unjustifiable restrictions on humanitarian access: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

UK Government News
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Homebuying shake-up to slash delays, cut costs and stop sales falling through
New rules introduced to simplify homebuying and selling making the process easier and simpler

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act Introduced in Congress by Representative Steil
Legislation aiming to halt any members of Congress or their immediate family from participating in prediction markets was introduced in the House of Representatives today. Representative Bryan Steil submitted the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act. There is already significant public criticism of legislators who trade... Read More

ZDNet News
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I'm a smart home reviewer, and these are the only deals I'm shopping this Prime Day
It's Amazon Prime Day, and smart home deals are everywhere. But don't fall for any deal: these are the ones worth your time and money.

ZDNet News
Open 
Google Home Speaker vs. Amazon Echo Dot Max: I compared the $99 smart hubs by the specs
Both Google and Amazon have generative AI-powered smart speakers for under $100, so which one stands out?

CNET News
Open 
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 19, #634
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 19, No. 634.

Wired Top Stories
Open 
The White House Is Making Up Its Rules for AI in Real Time
Anthropic still can’t distribute Claude Mythos or Fable 5 after running afoul of the Trump administration. But no one can say exactly what the company did wrong.

Ars Technica
Open 
Apple patches high-severity eavesdropping vulnerability in Beats Studio Buds

Ars Technica
Open 
Android verification is coming: Google confirms timeline and supported app stores

Ars Technica
Open 
NASA asks Northrop Grumman to stop working on lunar HALO module

The Hill
Open 
Obama takes veiled swipes at Trump at presidential center opening
Former President Obama on Thursday took a veiled swipe at President Trump while celebrating the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Obama harkened to the nation's founding by echoing the words of the Declaration of Independence, adding that it established there "will be no kings or lords, no serfs or subjects, but only...

The Hill
Open 
GOP's Ernst on Iran deal: 'I don’t want to see JCPOA 2.0'
A Republican senator on Thursday expressed skepticism about the tentative agreement struck by Iran and the U.S., which replaces the previous Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) dissolved under the first Trump administration. “They’re going to have to come explain this because we did have very serious problems with the JCPOA. I don’t want to...

The Hill
Open 
Rove knocks Trump 'narcissism': 'He's making everything about him'
Republican strategist Karl Rove on Wednesday knocked President Trump for displaying signs of “narcissism,” citing the naming of buildings in Washington as just one example. “Renaming the Kennedy Center is example No. 1. There are too many others. Aides feel compelled to stroke Mr. Trump’s ego constantly,” Rove wrote in an op-ed for The Wall...

The Hill
Open 
Education Department cuts student loan interest rate
The Education Department said Thursday it will reduce interest rates by 1 percent on student loans for borrowers enrolled in automatic payments starting on July 1.  The reduction will be in effect through June 30, 2028. In order to benefit, borrowers must enroll in auto pay by Sept. 30 of this year — if they...

The Hill
Open 
Ebola outbreak zone cases up almost 40 percent in a week
The Ebola outbreak in Congo that’s spread across parts of Africa has killed more than 200 people in its first month and is considered the worst known outbreak at this stage, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday. Ebola cases have surged 38 percent since last week, spreading across 32...

The Hill
Open 
Missing New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean expected to return June 30
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) said he would return to Washington, D.C., for House votes on June 30, days before the House leaves for its Independence Day recess.  “The congressman will be back for votes on June 30,” his political adviser, Harrison Neely, told the New Jersey Globe. The news comes after months in which...

The Hill
Open 
Cook Political Report shifts 7 House races toward Democrats
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report (CPR) on Thursday moved seven House races toward Democrats, as the minority party looks to retake control of the lower chamber this November. Erin Covey, the House editor for the CPR, wrote that despite the GOP appearing to benefit from a nationwide redistricting battle, Democrats “remain in a strong position...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington
Warrington 6-34 LeedsRhinos run in six tries in statement winLeeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement over their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Switzerland’s late surge overwhelms Bosnia and Herzegovina after Muharemovic red card
The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and got their tournament truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel for Freiburg in their comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes played here and three minutes after entering as part of a triple substitution, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net.At that point Switzerland had registered eight shots, three on target, but things unravelled in the final third. It was, of course, a similar story in their opener against Qatar, when they finished with 26 shots but had to settle for a draw. Manzambi scored twice here, his second finish understated but sumptuous, before Ermin Mahmic thumped in an unstoppable volley in stoppage time, the ball clocked at 71mph according to the wraparound LED screen. Switzerland’s captain, Granit Xhaka, capped the scoring from the penalty spot after Amar Memic tripped Djibril Sow. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asideRobert Kenyon, the Reform UK candidate, says he is expecting a “big vote” in Makerfield. (See 10.26am.) That’s a reasonable assumption. Two years ago, when he was the party’s general election candidate, Kenyon came second here with 32% of the vote. (See 10.27pm.) This time there have been five published byelection polls, from four polling companies, and all of them show Reform UK polling well above 32%.But they also all show Labour winning. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
We only found out we had the same sperm donor dad when were in our 20s
Natasha, Gemma and Helen say finding each other has been a "fairy tale".

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Leeds move clear at top of Super League after Sivo treble stuns rivals Warrington
Warrington 6-34 LeedsRhinos run in six tries in statement winLeeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement over their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tottenham complete £52m Van Hecke signing as De Zerbi focuses on defence
Spurs bolster backline with third summer signing Defender reunited with former Brighton head coachTottenham have completed their third signing of the summer after Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton. Spurs made a move for Dutch international centre-back Van Hecke after a terrible 2025-26 campaign where Roberto De Zerbi’s team secured Premier League survival with a final-day home victory over Everton.De Zerbi worked with Van Hecke during two seasons at Brighton and earmarked the defender as a key component of rebuilding Tottenham. After two bids earlier this month were rejected, a £52m offer was accepted and the 26-year-old has signed a long-term contract. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Switzerland’s late surge overwhelms Bosnia and Herzegovina after Muharemovic red card
The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and get their tournament truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel for Freiburg in their comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes played here and three minutes after coming on as part of a triple substitution, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net.At that point Switzerland had had eight shots, three on target, but things unravelled in the final third. It was, of course, a similar story in their opener against Qatar, when they finished with 26 shots but had to settle for a draw. Manzambi scored twice here, his second finish understated but sumptuous, before Ermin Mahmic thumped in an unstoppable volley in stoppage time, the ball clocked at 71mph according to the wraparound LED screen. Switzerland’s captain, Granit Xhaka, capped the scoring from the penalty spot after Amar Memic tripped Djibril Sow. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Canada v Qatar: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 3pm local/6pm EDT/11pm BST/8am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot Switzerland have several toes in the knockout stage after overwhelming Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 20 minutes in LA. Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi, aged 20, came off the bench to score twice.Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch makes two changes. Cyle Larin, who came off the bench to equalise against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ali Ahmed come in for Liam Millar and Tani Oluwaseyi. Alphonso Davies is among the substitutes. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asideLabour has just released this statement from Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader (and a friend and supporter of Andy Burnham’s), about the campaign. She said:Our great candidate, Andy Burnham, and our fantastic Labour team have run a positive campaign focused on the people of the Makerfield constituency.We knew this would be a tough fight, given Reform did so well here just a few weeks ago, but the Labour movement came together to show we are well up for that fight. While it will be some hours before we know the result, I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of activists and volunteers who have helped with this campaign. Together, we’ve spoken to a record number of residents and shared our Labour message of hope and optimism.
Labour will continue working every day for the people of this country, putting our values into action and delivering the fairer future communities want to see.Never seen anything like this as a Labour ground operation. 120 contacts a minute, three campaign centres, 3000 activists.At 6.30pm, two activists told me there is “no one left to knock.” Continue reading...

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Scotland fall short of famous win over Windies
Scotland come up agonisingly short of a famous victory at the T20 World Cup as West Indies somehow come through to win a tumultuous game at Headingley.

Mail Online
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Michelle Obama dispels her rocky marriage rumors as she sings husband Barack's praises... but one eyebrow raising comment suggests it's not all plain sailing
The loving tribute came after constant rumors that the couple were living separate lives after leaving the White House, fueled by their lack of public appearances together.

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Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
The campus opens to the public this weekend with a museum, community amenities and more to honour the 44th US president.

Mail Online
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Michelle Obama dispels her rocky marriage rumors as she sings husband Barack's praises... but one eyebrow raising comment suggests it's not all plain sailing
The loving tribute came after constant rumors that the couple were living separate lives after leaving the White House , fueled by their lack of public appearances together.

Mail Online
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RICHARD EDEN: After Harry and Meghan lost their lucrative TV and podcast deals, I was shocked when the prince announced a staggering £1.1m donation to Children in Need. Now I've found out where it REALLY came from... and it isn't his own pocket
When the Duke of Sussex returned to Britain for public engagements last September, he seemed to be on a public relations offensive after a string of negative stories about him and his wife.

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: McIlroy makes solid start as weather disrupts day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail MattGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Polls close in historic Makerfield byelection that could see Andy Burnham elected and pave way for end of Starmer – UK politics live
Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor hopes a win over Reform UK will help force the prime minister to step asideThree economic heavyweights have been brought in to advise Andy Burnham as he attempts to reassure the markets before his possible return to parliament on Friday and challenge to Keir Starmer, Rowena Mason reports.Burnham is understood to be getting advice from Andy Haldane, a former Bank of England chief economist, as well as Richard Hughes, a former chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility and Jim O’Neill, a crossbench peer and former Treasury minister who worked on George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse. Continue reading...

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'Living celebration of community': Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
The campus opens to the public this weekend with a museum, community amenities and more to honour the 44th US president.

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Tuchel's national anthem complaints lead to Fifa moving photographers
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has won a battle with Fifa to get photographers moved away from the bench during the national anthems.

BBC UK News
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Promises of improved World Cup queues for Scotland v Morocco
Some Tartan Army members complained of "dangerous" queues around Boston Stadium at Scotland's World Cup opener.

Russia Today News
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Iran stood its ground, and Washington got nothing

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks: Hope and skepticism in the Swiss alps
World leaders welcomed an end to fighting and relief from a global energy crunch — but critics doubt a lasting deal is in sight. Will history be made in Switzerland?

Mail Online
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Police probe alleged rape of woman in seaside town centre in early hours attack
Officers were alerted to the attack in Weymouth at 2.44am on Thursday and told a woman in her 20s had been raped.

Mail Online
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Demi Moore joins birthday celebrations as Bruce Willis' wife Emma marks 50th with rare photo of actor
The former model reflected on turning 50 in a candid post shared to Instagram, alongside an undated video of Willis, 71, singing 'Happy Birthday' after inhaling helium from a balloon.

Mail Online
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Steven Lyons loses battle to halt extradition to Spain
A Scottish gang leader has failed in his bid to avoid extradition to Spain to face organised crime and money laundering charges.

Mail Online
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Ashley Cain's documentary series is axed by BBC bosses who say their vetting processes on the star 'clearly failed' after his misogynistic tweets were revealed
The Ex On The Beach star has come under fire after it emerged that he'd made social media posts calling women 's**gs', 's**ts' and 'psychos', on his account, which has since been taken down.

Mail Online
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The country is being held to ransom by a bunch of self-indulgent narcissists: TOM HARRIS
On the day that 710 fresh 'asylum seekers' escaped the war-torn hell hole of France to descend on Britain, the immigration minister responsible was preoccupied with other matters entirely.

Mail Online
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Burnham's had his celeb mates on the campaign trail and MPs flood up in last ditch effort - but Reeves steers clear
Mr Burnham was joined by actor Hugh Grant and comedian Steve Coogan in the dying throes of the by-election campaign, as he said he was 'fighting on every front' to win.

Mail Online
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Polls close in crucial Makerfield by-election as Burnham waits to see if voters have sent him back to Westminster to challenge Starmer - or will Reform ruin his PM bid?
The Greater Manchester mayor has spent the past four weeks campaigning as Labour's candidate in the seat as he seeks a return to the House of Commons.

Mail Online
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Civil war is about to break out whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer likes it or not, Labour figures warn
Labour is braced for civil war to erupt today in the aftermath of the most important by-election in decades.

Digital Trends
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Your Instagram photo dumps just got a caption for every single slide
No more forcing one caption to explain your entire carousel. Instagram's per-slide caption feature is rolling out to everyone today.

Digital Trends
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Ultrahuman brings affordable continuous glucose monitoring to US consumers
Ultrahuman has launched M2 Live in the US, combining Abbott's Lingo glucose monitor with AI-powered metabolic insights at a lower entry price.

TechRadar News
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Illinois smart glasses driving ban continues ongoing efforts to restrict the tech’s usage — but I kinda agree with this one

TechRadar News
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'Better tighten your World Cup security' — Iran-linked hackers claim massive FBI drone breach, threaten FPV attacks

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Experts warns AI toy apps for kids are tracking users and collecting personal data

Slashdot
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Midjourney Pivots From AI Image Generation To Body Scanning Medical Spa
Midjourney is expanding beyond AI image generation with plans for a medical-imaging business built around a water-based, full-body ultrasound scanner that uses hundreds of thousands of sensors and AI to reconstruct MRI-like images. "As you descend into the water, hundreds of thousands of tiny elements take turns, sending out waves, listening together, compressing and then streaming data to a massive cluster where thousands of computers split the task," Midjourney explained in the announcement. "By looking at how the shapes of all the waves change, we reconstruct a detailed map or 'image' which basically lets us figure out what's in there." The company hopes to open a San Francisco scanning "spa" in late 2027, with 50,000 or more deployed around the world by 2031. The Register reports: It's not clear how fast the process is with the prototype unit, but Midjourney said its goal is for the whole thing to take around a minute. "We think it's completely possible that with enough early imaging in the future, the world could avoid 30% of all deaths and 50% of all healthcare costs," the company added.

According to a "technical" video included in the announcement, there's a ring of 40 scanners included in the prototype unit the company has built. That ring of 40 elements contains 358,000 ultrasonic elements made up of tiny transducers that create ultrasound waves in water while listening for how they change when they slap the body of whoever is in Midjourney's dunk tank up to a thousand times a second.

[...] Midjourney said that it's planning to open its first ultrasound scanner spa at the end of 2027, but it has another hurdle to jump: FDA approval. Beyond improving its tech so that the second-generation scanner is ready for its 2027 spa date, "regulation is the next limit," the company said. "Normally, for every diagnostic medical capability you need FDA approval," Midjourney explained. "We're starting by just giving you detailed body composition maps -- and we'll be submitting regular test results to the FDA for increased capabilities."

Midjourney also fails to mention how it will store and secure those scans, whether it will use said scans to train its body composition-detection algorithms, and how it's ensuring those algorithms get things right that it usually take a human a few years of education and training to learn.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The Iran oil shock taught traders these key lessons about demand and China
Global oil prices on Thursday touched their lowest level since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began almost four months ago.

Boing Boing
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Fed Chair Alan Greenspan intentionally babbled meaningless slop and got away with it
While chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan developed what economist Alan Blinder called "a turgid dialect of English" — deliberate obscurantism designed to prevent financial markets from overreacting to his words. He admitted as much in a 2007 interview with 60 Minutes's Lesley Stahl: "I would engage in some form of syntax destruction which sounded as though I were answering the question, but in fact, had not." — Read the rest
The post Fed Chair Alan Greenspan intentionally babbled meaningless slop and got away with it appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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The Vatican has run an astronomical observatory since 1774
The Vatican Observatory has operated continuously since 1774, when the Papacy established the Observatory of the Roman College in Rome. The Church's interest in astronomy predates that: the Gregorian Calendar, issued in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, required precise astronomical data to calculate the date of Easter. — Read the rest
The post The Vatican has run an astronomical observatory since 1774 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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A new book, Poking the Squid, tells the scandalous, salacious truth about animal sex, in comics form
In colorful, funny, and appealing comics, Perrin Roosevelt Ireland's new book Poking the Squid describes the incredible, diverse array of sexual behaviors and anatomies in the animal kingdom.
Excerpted from Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex.
— Read the rest
The post A new book, Poking the Squid, tells the scandalous, salacious truth about animal sex, in comics form appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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The Good Liars went to Freedom 250 so the rest of us didn't have to
As I've stated, I did not watch Donald Trump's masturbatory UFC Freedom 250 fight. I spent the day kicking my heels and giggling over Bob Odenkirk returning to his most iconic character for his American anniversary celebration instead. If I have to watch a narcissist, I'd like him to at least be a well-written one! — Read the rest
The post The Good Liars went to Freedom 250 so the rest of us didn't have to appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Honeybee curls up inside closing flower in timelapse video
This sweet video shows a honeybee curled up inside of a flower bed. The timelapse shows the bee wrapped around the inner part of the flower, as the petals slowly close inward. I can't imagine a more enchanting place to lay down than inside the cozy bed of this orange flower. — Read the rest
The post Honeybee curls up inside closing flower in timelapse video appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Chicago storm hurls rooftop pool chairs into Lincoln Park traffic
Severe storms in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood sent several pool chairs flying off a high-rise balcony and into the traffic below. The video of the incident shows the lightweight lounge chairs being pushed across a rooftop pool deck by powerful winds. — Read the rest
The post Chicago storm hurls rooftop pool chairs into Lincoln Park traffic appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Cow chewing grass through a fish-eye lens becomes strangely addictive
Watching a cow eat grass probably sounds boring, but this video proves that it can be made into something fabulous. Thanks to the right angle and sounds, this cow video is addictive to watch. My only complaint is that it's not longer. — Read the rest
The post Cow chewing grass through a fish-eye lens becomes strangely addictive appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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The ancient practice of mummifying a man in honey to sell as medicine
According to the Bencao Gangmu, a 16th-century Chinese medical compendium, elderly men in Arabia would voluntarily mummify themselves in honey. The donor would stop eating all food except honey, bathing in it as well, "till after a month his excreta are nothing but honey; then death ensues." — Read the rest
The post The ancient practice of mummifying a man in honey to sell as medicine appeared first on Boing Boing.

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In 1986, a Cameroonian lake released a CO2 cloud that killed 1,746 people overnight
On the night of 21 August 1986, Lake Nyos in northwestern Cameroon released between 100,000 and 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide in a single outgassing event. The cloud rose at nearly 100 km/h, then sank — carbon dioxide is 50 percent more dense than air — and moved downvalley at 20 to 50 kilometers per hour. — Read the rest
The post In 1986, a Cameroonian lake released a CO2 cloud that killed 1,746 people overnight appeared first on Boing Boing.

Gizmodo
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I’m Digging ‘Issak’ Because It Reads Like ‘Vinland Saga’ and ‘Vagabond’ Had a Baby And Gave It a Gun
Kodansha's stunning historical fiction manga tells an epic that historical weapons aficionados will love to death.

Gizmodo
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Scientists Link 8 Common Food Additives to Heart Disease Risk
Certain food preservatives might silently be raising our blood pressure and heart disease risk, recent research has found.

Gizmodo
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Celebrate 40 Years of ‘Aliens’ With These Incredible Collectibles
Hot Toys has made beautiful versions of Ellen Ripley and the Xenomorph for the anniversary.

Gizmodo
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A Monolith Designed to Record Civilization’s Downfall Is Finally Taking Shape
The creators of this monolithic doomsday tracker say it is on track for installation in remote Tasmania by December.

Gizmodo
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Trump Admin Declares Total Victory Over Algae Thanks to ‘Advanced Nanobubbler Technology’
"The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear," the Department of the Interior insists.

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Iranian star Parastoo Ahmadi reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without hijab
Musicians and production team understood to be facing same punishment after livestream of patriotic songThe Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of a production team, including musicians, have been reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes for performing in a concert livestreamed on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel in 2024.According to court documents, the criminal court of Qom province sentenced the artists to flogging, a two-year ban on leaving the country and a two-year ban on engaging in artistic activities on charges that include offending public decency through the production and publication of “vulgar and immoral content” on cyberspace platforms. Continue reading...

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Broos hits out at stadium and ‘straight’ Czechia after South Africa rescue point
They can put the matches away, at least for a while. Before this game, Hugo Broos had responded to fierce criticism over South Africa’s start to the World Cup by revealing that eight months ago after qualification a friend had said they would erect a statue of him and the coach had replied by saying: “Make it out of wood; that way it will burn more easily.” Beaten 2-0 by Mexico, they were seven minutes away from following that with a 1-0 loss to Czechia, left with no points, no goals and not much hope. But from almost nowhere, in an arena that Broos criticised as “not a football stadium”, they got the penalty that allows them to fight another day.Pavel Sulc was the unfortunate man who gave it away, not given time to remove his hand from the path of another long shot. Teboho Mokoena was the man who scored it and what it means could be seen not only in how he celebrated then but in the tears that had rolled during the national anthem before. Continue reading...

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You can now use the Game Boy Camera with your phone
The $50 GB Operator is an accessory that lets you connect, play, and authenticate Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on PCs and other devices. Now it's getting some new functionality for the Game Boy Camera. After turning the Game Boy Camera into a charmingly awful desktop webcam two years ago, […]

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Valve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027
Valve has some good news and bad news about Steam Controllers. The good news: if you make a reservation for a Steam Controller, the company will now show you one of three estimates of when you'll be able to actually order your gamepad: by September 2026, by December 2026, or sometime in 2027. The bad […]

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MP Cameron Thomas suspended amid police investigation
It is understood the MP was arrested by Gloucestershire Police on Wednesday.

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Video Quick Take: How Small Pieces of Code Can Defend an Entire Operating System - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM THREATLOCKER
Sponsor content from Threalocker.

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Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BTIG & Fundstrat To Face Off
Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BTIG & Fundstrat To Face Off

S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain near record highs despite yesterday’s post-Fed freakout. Risk-on is still in fashion as investors remain hopeful of a lasting U.S.-Iran peace. Though the question remains: Is the rally sustainable or are markets poised for a painful reversal before year-end?



Tonight at 7pm ET, Adam Taggart of Thoughtful Money hosts a debate between two of Wall Street's closely followed technical strategists: Jonathan Krinsky, Chief Market Technician at BTIG, and Mark Newton, Head of Technical Strategy at Fundstrat.

Bull Case (Newton):

Newton sees the upward trend in tech/AI continuing higher, which will lift the broader market into 2027… even if there’s a little chop.

While he expects periods of volatility and some consolidation, easing energy prices and continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure will support further gains into year-end, even in the already-lofty tech/AI trade. With oil retreating sharply from wartime highs and investors increasingly focused on the long-term productivity benefits of AI (economic benefits that are real and not merely a bubble), Newton sees pullbacks as opportunities.

Oil was sent sharply lower on the news of a ceasefire, something Newton sees continuing into year end in the broader energy sector:


Energy could be a "source of real underperformance" in the months ahead.@MarkNewtonCMT of @Fundstrat tells @RemyBlaireNews healthcare and financials are his top picks, with $NKE "starting to finally show some evidence of rallying." pic.twitter.com/p2C988c584
— FINTECH.TV (@FINTECHTVglobal) June 15, 2026
Bear Case (Krinsky):

Krinsky has maintained a more cautious stance as equities push further into historically stretched territory.

While the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran has boosted risk appetite and eased inflation concerns, Krinsky has argued recently that elevated valuations, particularly in tech, are due for a correction at some point… especially with a seemingly hawkish fed. Krinsky has also pointed to the recent decoupling of bond yields and oil prices, having risen in tandem until post-peace deal where yields continued rising (possibly Fed-related) while oil tanked.

Recent gains have been driven largely by AI-related technology shares, semiconductors, and the Magnificent Seven, while many other areas of the market have failed to keep pace. Both Newton and Krinsky agree on this, though only one sees it as fuel to further propel markets higher… the other sees a ticking time bomb.

Both panelists rely on technicals and regularly change their market outlooks based on data. Neither guest is a perma-bull or bear… so no broken clocks tonight.

Tune in tonight at 7pm ET on the ZH homepage, X Feed, and Youtube channel to watch live to see how they’re looking at Iran, Fed chair Warsh, and markets.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 14:45

ZeroHedge News
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US Company Gets Approval To Build The World's First Fusion Power Plant In Washington
US Company Gets Approval To Build The World's First Fusion Power Plant In Washington

Authored by Ameya Paleja via Interesting Engineering,

US-based fusion energy company Helion has received the regulatory clearances to build the world's first fusion energy power plant. The company has received a Radioactive Materials License (RML) and a Radioactive Air Emissions License (RAEL) from the Washington Department of Health (DOH), clearing the way to begin construction of the generator building at the power plant site.
Helion's Orion reactor is set to be the world's first fusion power plant.Helion Energy

As the world looks for newer ways to meet it energy demands without emitting carbon, fusion energy seems to be the most likely option. Using the chemical reaction that occurs on the Sun, fusion energy can potentially generate large amounts of energy from simpler atoms like hydrogen and its isotopes.

Unlike its counterpart, nuclear fission, fusion energy does not produce large amounts of radioactive waste that need to be stored safely. Moreover, unlike renewables like wind and solar, fusion energy plants can work on demand, meeting energy requirements as they arise, without the investments required in energy storage too.

Commercializing Nuclear Fusion

For all its benefits, nuclear fusion is still not a commercially available technology because the fusion reactors have not been able to generate more energy than they consume. Washington-state-based Helion Energy, though, is confident that it can achieve this fairly soon.

While it has not yet published any peer-reviewed papers demonstrating how its fusion reactor works, the company is proceeding to build a fusion reactor that it will deploy commercially. It also has an agreement in place with Microsoft to supply 50 MW of power to a data center from its fusion reactor by 2028.

The facility dubbed Orion is under construction in Malaga, Washington state and recently became the first such facility in the world to secure regulatory licenses to construct the nuclear plant. So far, the assembly and office building of the plant were completed but the recent grant of licenses from the DOH allows Helion to begin constructing the reactor as well.

Why Is NRC Not Involved?

As a nuclear energy company, Helion should ideally be seeking approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). However, the NRC regulates nuclear fusion under the byproduct material framework, putting it in the same category for approvals as particle accelerators and hospitals, instead of nuclear reactors.

This is not just a distinction made by the NRC but one also ratified by the US Congress in the ADVANCE Act of 2024, and it shows that nuclear fusion has a very different safety profile from fission and hence its path to deployment is also different.

The issuance of the RML and RAEL licenses by the Washington DOH is a major milestone for Helion as it confirms that it has facilities, personnel, and safety programs that meet the safety standards for a fusion facility at the Malaga site.

"We are extremely proud to be granted these licenses from the Washington DOH, making us the first company in the world with the regulatory approvals in place for fusion power plant operations," said David Kirtley, CEO of Helion Energy, in a press release shared with Interesting Engineering.

"We have a long history of working with the DOH to license our previous fusion activities. Today's announcement represents the rigor of that work and opens the door for practical, commercial, safe fusion power."

In addition to the approvals needed to build its reactor, Helion has also secured a transmission interconnection agreement with Chelan County Public Utility District that will enable energy generated from its fusion power plant to be supplied to the grid, a global first as well.

The question now is whether Helion will be able to meet its deadline to power Microsoft's data center by 2028 from its fusion power plant.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 15:25

ZeroHedge News
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Supreme Court Rules Feds Can't Disarm You Just For Being A Regular Stoner
Supreme Court Rules Feds Can't Disarm You Just For Being A Regular Stoner

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the government's prosecution of a Texas man under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(3) - the provision barring "unlawful user[s] of" or those "addicted to" any controlled substance from possessing firearms - violated the Second Amendment.



The case, United States v. Hemani, stemmed from an August 2022 FBI search of the family home of Ali Danial Hemani, a dual U.S.-Pakistan citizen who was born in Texas and had a stable job as a project manager at a Dallas-area insurance company. The government suspected Hemani and his family members of activities related to terrorism. During the search, Hemani was cooperative: he surrendered a Glock 9mm pistol he kept in the house, pointed agents to marijuana on the property, and consented to an interview in which he admitted using marijuana about every other day. Agents also found cocaine in his parents' closet; Hemani claimed ownership but stated his mother had hidden it from him and that he had not used any recently.

More than six months later, the government indicted Hemani on a single count, relying solely on his admitted marijuana use and possession of the gun in his home. The indictment did not allege terrorism, drug trafficking, cocaine possession as a basis for the charge, or that Hemani was intoxicated or dangerous at the time he possessed the firearm. He faced up to 15 years in prison and lifetime disarmament.

Hemani fought it in court - arguing the prosecution violated the Second Amendment under the framework established in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022). The district court agreed and dismissed the indictment; the Fifth Circuit affirmed. The government sought certiorari, which the Court granted.

The Court's Holding And Reasoning

Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the Court (joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Sotomayor, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Jackson), affirmed the dismissal - and said that Hemani's conduct was presumptively protected by the Second Amendment.

The government's argument was a stretch - citing "habitual drunkard" laws which targeted people who "regularly use intoxicants" for public-safety reasons and operated similarly by restricting liberties. 

The Court completely shot that down; agreeing that a "habitual drunkard" generally meant someone intoxicated "to such a degree as to deprive him of his ordinary reasoning faculties" or "incapable of conducting [his] own affairs," "mentally incompetent," or who had "lost the power of self-control." Early American statutes and cases required practical incapacitation. Given the era's "culture of copious drinking" (notable Founders consumed significant amounts daily or at events without being labeled habitual drunkards), the law specifically applied to people too lost in the sauce to function - not regular users. By contrast, the government's interpretation automatically disarms anyone who regularly uses any amount of any controlled substance for a non-prescribed purpose, without showing incapacitation or danger. The Supremes said that this was "difficult to square with the historical record."

Doubts about the government's claimed purpose: Even setting aside the historical mismatches, the Court questioned whether §922(g)(3) as construed even serves to disarm "categorically violent and unusually dangerous" persons. It incorporates the Controlled Substances Act's broad health-and-welfare criteria (not limited to violence risk), and the government's own recent actions - DOJ guidance curtailing marijuana prosecutions, moving some marijuana products from Schedule I to III, widespread state legalization, and data suggesting more adults now report daily/near-daily marijuana use than alcohol - undercut the claim that all regular users are inherently dangerous. Affording the government "broad power to designate any group as dangerous and thereby disqualify its members from having a gun" would risk swallowing the Second Amendment.

The decision is deliberately narrow. It does not:

Address efforts to ban addicts or those presently intoxicated from possessing firearms.
Invalidate other prophylactic laws Congress might enact for users of particular drugs shown to pose special firearm-misuse risks.
Touch §922(g)(1)'s felony-disarmament provision.
Decide whether the government could prevail with individualized proof that a defendant's drug use renders him a danger to himself or others, or proof that a specific drug always renders its users dangerous.
It simply holds that the government's broad argument - applied to a cooperative individual whose regular but non-incapacitating marijuana use was the sole basis for prosecution - is inconsistent with the Second Amendment's historical tradition.

"Today’s Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Hemani is a significant victory for the Second Amendment and a major rebuke of the federal government’s attempt to turn peaceable Americans into prohibited persons without any evidence that they are dangerous," Erich Pratt, Senior VP of Gun Owners of America said in a statement to ZeroHedge. "Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation filed an amicus brief urging the Court to look past the government’s handpicked plaintiff and to focus on the core Second Amendment issue - and thankfully, the Court did exactly that. This ruling sends a clear message: the Department of Justice cannot continue ignoring the text, history, and tradition of the Second Amendment in order to defend gun control laws. It is long past time for the DOJ to stop carrying water for anti-gun policies and start defending the constitutional rights of the American people."

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 15:45

ZeroHedge News
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LA City Council Advances Measure To Allow Non-Citizens To Vote In Local Elections
LA City Council Advances Measure To Allow Non-Citizens To Vote In Local Elections

Authored by Bryan Hyde via American Greatness,

The Los Angeles City Council voted 10-5 to advance a controversial proposal that would allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, including mayoral, city council and school board races.



The New York Post reports that the proposal is part of a sweeping charter reform package headed for the November ballot.


🚨 LA City Council Advances Proposal on Noncitizen Voting for November Ballot
Los Angeles City Council has moved forward on a measure from Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez (AI video) that would allow the city to consider noncitizen voting in certain local elections — including… pic.twitter.com/SS7ho6Jskn
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 18, 2026
The proposal to allow noncitizens to vote was proposed by Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez who argues that noncitizens who live, work, pay taxes and raise families in Los Angeles should have a voice in local affairs.

Soto-Martinez said:


 “I believe it’s a simple principle that should guide us: If you live in the city, contribute to the city, raise your family in the city, and are impacted by the decisions made in the city, you deserve to have a voice in the city.”

“It just does not make sense to me that someone who moves to Los Angeles for a temporary job has more of a voice than a parent who has been here for decades raising their children through public schools,” Soto-Martinez added.


Opponents warn that the proposal is moving forward before city leaders know whether it can actually be implemented.

Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez raised questions as to how Los Angeles could create a noncitizen voting program when the city’s elections are administered by Los Angeles County.

Rodriguez warned that city leaders may be making promises they cannot keep, saying, “I have apprehension of making false promises that give the suggestion that we’re able to advance something without even further vetting the ability to implement this. I don’t want to pretend that people are going to take away from this that this is going to be available to them, and it’s not, because it’s not been baked out.”

The noncitizen voting measure was part of a package of proposed city charter changes that will be placed before voters on the November 3rd ballot, including a measure that would allow the council to set policy at Los Angeles Police Department.

The City Attorney will now draft language for the proposed ballot measures, which must then be approved by the City Council before going before voters.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 16:20

ZDNet News
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I've lived with solar power at home for years - 12 myths you can safely ignore in 2026
Knowing the facts on home solar power can help you make better, informed choices, save money, and stay safe.

ZDNet News
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I recommend these Garmin smartwatches for almost every situation (and price range)
Plus, many of Garmin's signature smartwatches are on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day.

CNET News
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Watch Every Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Race Next Weekend for Free on Apple TV
If you're F1-curious, this is a great chance to start your engines.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 19 #838
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 19, No. 838.

CNET News
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Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for June 19, #1826
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for June 19, No. 1,826.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 19, #1104
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 19, No. 1,104.

CNET News
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Using AI Companion Apps Gives Many Singles the Ick, Survey Finds
The dating app company Match Group asked 1,000 singles about AI and dating. Some things are fine. Some are deal-breakers.

Wired Top Stories
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44 Best Father’s Day Gifts for Dads (2026)
Dads are traditionally tough to shop for—let me help with these handpicked gift ideas for fathers with great taste.

The Hill
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Watch live: Trump participates in Medal of Honor ceremony
President Trump will preside over a Medal of Honor ceremony Thursday for heroes in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Task & Purpose reported Maj. James Capers Jr., who led his Marine reconnaissance team through a harrowing ambush despite serious wounds, will be awarded the highest military honor. In April 1967, Capers led a nine-man team...

The Hill
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Vance hits back at Iran deal critics in GOP, Israel: 5 takeaways
Vice President Vance took to the White House press briefing podium Thursday to hit back against a growing chorus of critics of the Trump administration’s deal with Iran after President Trump signed the agreement. Vance referred to criticism of the preliminary agreement from both sides of the aisle as “fundamentally untrue” and even took swipes...

The Hill
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Iran supreme leader says he approved MOU despite reservations
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday said he had reservations about the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and the United States to end the war but still agreed to move forward with the deal. Khamenei said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, wanted to ink the...

The Hill
Open 
Reflecting Pool contract balloons up to $14.7M 
The cost of a contract for work on the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool has ballooned further — now costing taxpayers a total of $14.7 million — according to federal records. The federal contract with Atlantic Industrial Coatings is up more than $1.5 million from $13.1 million a month ago, a federal database showed as of Thursday....

The Hill
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Rare Lyme disease-causing strain spreads to new state: What to know
A rare pathogen known to cause Lyme disease has been detected in a new state, far from where it has typically been found.

The Hill
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Apple raising prices, CEO says
Apple CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal in an interview that his company is raising its prices. In an interview published Wednesday by the Journal, Cook said the tech company is set to increase the prices of its products in an attempt to counteract rising memory and storage chip costs. “Unfortunately, price increases...

The Hill
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Federal judge limits challenges to Trump mail-in voting order
A federal judge on Thursday said she'll only consider parts of challenges to President Trump’s executive order that seeks to restrict mail-in voting, ruling the plaintiffs need to wait before raising concerns about elections beyond this year. A group of voter education nonprofits and Democratic-led states separately sued the Trump administration in April in an...

The Hill
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Obama takes veiled swipes at Trump at presidential center opening
Former President Obama on Thursday took a veiled swipe at President Trump while celebrating the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Obama harkened back to the nation's founding by echoing the words of the Declaration of Independence, adding that it established that there "will be no kings or lords, no serfs or subjects,...

The Hill
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GOP's Ernst on Iran deal: 'I don’t want to see JCPOA 2.0'
A Republican senator on Thursday expressed skepticism about the tentative agreement struck by Iran and the U.S., which replaces the previous Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) dissolved under the first Trump administration.  “They’re going to have to come explain this because we did have very serious problems with the JCPOA. I don’t want to...

Techdirt
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Wyden And Cruz Team Up On A Bill To Stop Government Jawboning. It’s… Actually Pretty Good?
Senators Ron Wyden and Ted Cruz have released the JAWBONE Act (“Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act”) as a way to prevent government suppression of speech. While some of the premises behind it are silly and nonsensical, the actual law is not bad. Of course, if it became law, the Trump admin […]

The Guardian (UK)
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Widow’s Bay is a mystery comedy worthy of all the buzz – no matter how you watch television | Rebecca Shaw
In a remake-riddled TV landscape, its fresh combination of jokes and intrigue offers something for everyone – the casual and obsessive viewer alikeIn the last few weeks, you may have been seeing a lot of buzz around a show called Widow’s Bay. I am here to provide more buzz, like a loyal bee foot soldier to the queen (television).In this dire existing-IP-driven remake-riddled landscape, an offering this fresh is the best thing in the world. The tone of the show is what has grabbed me the most, striking the exact right balance (in my correct opinion) between scary mystery vibes and hilarious comedy. At no point does it sacrifice comedy for the more serious parts, and I really appreciate that. For example, in the penultimate, thrilling, everything’s-about-to-happen episode, they slow down for an eight-minute scene involving a side character named Rosemary, which moves the plot forward slightly but is mainly there to shine a light on the incredible comedy chops of actor Dale Dickey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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How a furiously contested friendly set the stage for USA v Australia at the World Cup
After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the USA shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in SeattleHaji Wright’s finish was cool, but Mauricio Pochettino’s reaction was cooler. It was the 35th minute of the US men’s national team’s friendly against Australia last October, and the Coventry City striker had just equalized after Jordan Bos put the Socceroos up earlier in the half. Wright celebrated by walking calmly away, while his coach had a blank expression on the sideline.Pochettino’s mind may have been on Australia’s aggressive approach, including one challenge that forced Christian Pulisic out of the match midway through the first half. Or he may have been focused on his team’s reaction. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Boy, 3, seriously hurt in crocodile pen - with man 'not known to him' arrested for 'attempted murder'
A toddler was left in a critical condition after ending up in a zoo's crocodile enclosure, while a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Register
Open 
Major US carrier stored credit card info in the clear, employee learned on first day
It happened at a major US telco in the early 2000s

Mail Online
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Michelle Obama dispels her rocky marriage rumors as she sings husband Barack's praises... but one eyebrow raising comment suggests it's not all plain sailing
The former first lady gushed over her husband during lengthy remarks celebrating the grand opening of Barack Obama's Presidential Center in Chicago.

BBC UK News
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Sisters meet for first time after discovering they have the same sperm donor dad
Natasha, Gemma and Helen say finding each other has been a "fairy tale".

Mail Online
Open 
Zoo owner's wife 'leapt into crocodile enclosure to save three-year-old boy who was thrown in' - as man, 30, is held on suspicion of attempted murder
A three-year-old boy has been left in a critical condition after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: McIlroy makes solid start as weather disrupts day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Clarke warns Scotland: ‘We must be at our best – Morocco are the real deal’
Head coach says 2022 semi-finalists are now even betterScotland could deploy back three against Group C rivalsSteve Clarke has warned Scotland the Morocco team they will face on Friday are superior to the one that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.Scotland kicked off their tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, which came hours after Morocco impressed during a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Clarke answered with a firm “absolutely” when asked whether Morocco would pose as stern a threat as Brazil to his side in Group C. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mokoena rescues point for South Africa against Czechia and relieves pressure on Broos
They can put the matches away, at least for a while. Before this game, Hugo Broos had responded to fierce criticism over South Africa’s start to the World Cup by revealing that eight months ago after qualification a friend had said they would erect a statue of him and the coach had replied by saying: “Make it out of wood; that way it will burn more easily.” Beaten 2-0 by Mexico, they were seven minutes away from following that with a 1-0 loss to Czechia, left with no points, no goals and not much hope. But from almost nowhere, in an arena that Broos criticised as “not a football stadium”, they got the penalty that allows them to fight another day.Pavel Sulc was the unfortunate man who gave it away, not given time to remove his hand from the path of another long shot. Teboho Mokoena was the man who scored it and what it means could be seen not just in how he celebrated then but in the tears that had rolled during the national anthem before. A 1-1 draw may not be a great result and it wasn’t always a great game but there was a smile from Mokoena at the end, and life too. There was also pride from Broos, who insisted his team had played “good football” and “made chances”, and expressed disappointment at performing under a closed roof in Atlanta. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK attorney general tells department to stop using X amid disinformation concerns
Exclusive: Richard Hermer’s office understood to be first in government to restrict use after recent riotsThe attorney general has told his office to no longer post on X, making it the first UK government department to stop using the Elon Musk-owned platform amid increasing worries about its use to incite violence and racism.Richard Hermer’s office last posted on X on Friday, and it is understood that officials have been told to no longer use the site, unless for the specific purpose of combatting disinformation there. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Zoo owner's wife 'leapt into crocodile enclosure after three-year-old boy was thrown in' - as man, 30, is held on suspicion of attempted murder
A three-year-old boy has been left in a critical condition after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire. 

Mail Online
Open 
Michelle Obama dispels her rocky marriage rumors as she sings husband Barack's praises to cheering crowd: 'I'm not done y'all!'
The former first lady gushed over her husband during lengthy remarks celebrating the grand opening of Barack Obama's Presidential Center in Chicago.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
How a furiously contested friendly set the stage for US v Australia at the World Cup
After Mauricio Pochettino’s passionate half-time speech last October, the US shaped up and started on the path to a rematch against the Australians in SeattleHaji Wright’s finish was cool, but Mauricio Pochettino’s reaction was cooler. It was the 35th minute of the US men’s national team’s friendly against Australia last October, and the Coventry City striker had just equalized after Jordan Bos put the Socceroos up earlier in the half. Wright celebrated by walking calmly away, while his coach had a blank expression on the sideline.Pochettino’s mind may have been on Australia’s aggressive approach, including one challenge that forced Christian Pulisic out of the match midway through the first half. Or he may have been focused on his team’s reaction. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation periodIran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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US lifts naval blockade as Iran's supreme leader says Trump made deal 'out of desperation'
Iran's supreme leader says he disagrees with the deal and Donald Trump signed it "out of desperation".

BBC World News
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'Living celebration of community': Obamas open presidential centre in Chicago
The campus opens to the public this weekend with a museum, community amenities and more to honour the 44th US president.

BBC World News
Open 
US lifts naval blockade after Iran deal signed
Iran's supreme leader says he disagrees with the deal and Donald Trump signed it "out of desperation".

BBC Top Stories (International)
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What Iran and US get from deal and why both could struggle to keep it
BBC analysts assess the claims by both Washington and Tehran to have won a victory with the deal to end their war.

Mail Online
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Humiliating new joke about Trump that's the talk of Washington... as White House moles tell me there's more to this story than meets the eye: MARK HALPERIN
On Wednesday, amid four separate sessions with reporters at the G7 summit in Evian, France , Trump acknowledged a lesson learned from the 31st US President.

Mail Online
Open 
Ben Stokes in line to return and CAPTAIN England in third Test - after fears he may have retired from cricket altogether following Chelsea nightclub incident
It is anticipated that the regulator will recommend a one-match ban - applied retrospectively - meaning that both Stokes and Atkinson would come into the reckoning for the series finale.

Mail Online
Open 
Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson put on a loved-up display in cosy snaps as pair support England's World Cup efforts
Zara McDermott and Louis Tomlinson put on a loved-up display in cosy new snaps on Thursday.

Mail Online
Open 
Make history, boys: A draw against Morocco gives Scotland a 99-per-cent chance of going through to next round for the first time ever!
The Tartan Army will be on tenterhooks as they face the agonising wait to see if Steve Clarke's side can all but guarantee making history.

Mail Online
Open 
Love Island star George Knight 'was axed from the villa after receiving a warning from bosses for using an offensive slur - and tried to cover it up by saying he quit on family grounds'
Just days after heading to Mallorca as a bombshell, ITV announced on Thursday that the professional footballer would be leaving the show for 'private reasons'.

BBC World News
Open 
How much of a win can each side really claim in the US-Iran deal
BBC analysts assess the claims by both Washington and Tehran to have won a victory with the deal to end their war.

Digital Trends
Open 
Trump says Intel will make chips for Apple in a major win for U.S. manufacturing
President Trump says Apple has agreed to work with Intel on chip design and manufacturing in the U.S., a partnership that could reshape Intel's manufacturing future.

Digital Trends
Open 
Samsung’s wild patent shows a foldable phone that folds itself into a box 
Samsung just got a US patent for a phone that rolls into a brick and unfolds into a tablet, and the drawings are exactly as wild as that sounds.

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch Canada vs Qatar: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts seek first win

Slashdot
Open 
Bernie Sanders Unveils $7 Trillion Plan To Give Americans Control of AI Industry
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the Associated Press: As artificial intelligence companies reshape the economy and race toward trillion-dollar valuations, Sen. Bernie Sanders is proposing a sweeping transfer of wealth and power from the industry to the American public. The legislation, shown first to The Associated Press, would create a sovereign wealth fund overseen by an independent commission and financed through a one-time 50% tax on the stock of the largest AI companies. Sanders estimates that the tax would create a nearly $7 trillion fund that would generate hundreds of billions of dollars annually in direct payments to Americans and programs such as health care, education and housing.

[...] The 50% tax would apply to AI companies that reach $200 million in annual AI sales. Any new AI company that reaches that benchmark would also be subject to the tax. It would create a sovereign wealth fund -- similar to those used by countries around the world and some U.S. states -- that Sanders estimates would be worth around $7 trillion. Unlike a traditional tax, the proposal would require companies to transfer stock rather than cash, effectively making the American public a major shareholder in the country's largest AI firms.

A seven-person independent commission -- nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate -- would manage the fund and use its voting shares "to block decisions that hurt the American people and to push for policies that help them," the bill summary says. Sanders proposes that a 5% annual dividend from the fund would provide direct payments of more than $1,000 to every American. If companies grow, the gains would be used for public goods such as education, housing and health care. Sanders argues taxpayers would not bear the losses if AI company valuations decline. "We're not going to lose any money, even if there is a bust in the bubble," Sanders said. The commission would be directed to "to block decisions that hurt the American people and to push for policies that help them," according to the summary. "The benefits cannot simply go to the handful of wealthy corporations. They will be shared by the American people," the independent Vermont senator said in an interview Wednesday. "The public has got to have a significant seat at the table to make sure that terrible things do not happen to ordinary people, and that in fact, AI benefits ordinary people, not hurts them," Sanders said.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
This AI company wants to replace MRIs with a 60-second dip in the spa. Can that really work?
Midjourney is making a foray into healthcare with its latest body-scanner product, aiming to make medical imaging more accessible.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
The Iran oil shock taught traders these key lessons about demand and China
Global oil prices on Thursday touched their lowest level since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began almost four months ago. That marks a drop of more than 30% from their May peak and likely averts the disaster commodity experts had warned about as one of the largest crude supply shortages in history began playing out.

Telegraph
Open 
Welcome back to the realities of England captaincy, Joe Root
Welcome back to the realities of England captaincy, Joe Root

Boing Boing
Open 
In 1888, a French adventurer convinced Vietnamese tribes to crown him king
In 1888, a French government official named Charles-Marie David de Mayréna was sent into the highlands of what is now Vietnam to negotiate treaties with local tribes. Instead, he convinced the tribes to crown him king. He took the name Marie the First, established a capital at the village of Kon Gung, and declared the Kingdom of Sedang on 3 June 1888. — Read the rest
The post In 1888, a French adventurer convinced Vietnamese tribes to crown him king appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
The 'Phantom of Heilbronn' serial killer turned out to be a cotton swab factory worker
Between 1993 and 2009, investigators across Austria, France, and Germany found DNA from the same unknown woman at 40 crime scenes — murders, burglaries, a police officer shot in Heilbronn. A special task force codenamed Parkplatz worked the case for years; by January 2009, the reward had reached €300,000. — Read the rest
The post The 'Phantom of Heilbronn' serial killer turned out to be a cotton swab factory worker appeared first on Boing Boing.

EFF
Open 
Court Records Should Be Free
Court records belong to the public. Yet anyone seeking access to federal court filings through PACER, a government software system that stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is usually required to pay hefty fees to search for and view documents. PACER’s fees have long acted as a barrier that makes it hard, especially for low income people, to see and understand the work produced by our own public servants. 
That's why EFF joined a broad group of organizations supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026, legislation that would modernize the federal courts' electronic filing systems and eliminate PACER fees. 
The bill would replace the aging PACER and CM/ECF systems with a modern, unified platform designed to improve public access, strengthen cybersecurity, and reduce long-term costs. Supporters note that PACER currently collects more than $150 million annually in fees from the public, despite court records being public documents.
The Open Courts Act would also make court records easier to find, access, and understand. The legislation builds on a similar proposal, also supported by EFF, that previously won bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee but did not become law before the end of the congressional session.
This is not a new issue for EFF. More than a decade ago, we criticized PACER's paywalls and the removal of some court records from online access, arguing that the public should not have to pay to read the law and the judicial decisions that shape it. The Open Courts Act would move U.S. courts a big step closer to that goal. 
In addition to EFF, the bill is supported by Fix the Court, the group pushing this bill forward, as well as civil society groups, open government watchdogs, and media groups. 
Public access to the courts is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. Let’s eliminate unnecessary barriers to court records, and bring the federal judiciary’s tech into the modern era. 


Read the full letter supporting the Open Courts Act of 2026

EFF
Open 
A New Bill Takes Aim at Government Pressure to Silence Lawful Online Speech
Last week, Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden introduced the Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression, or JAWBONE Act. The bipartisan legislation creates a federal cause of action against government officials who coerce or attempt to coerce broadcasters, interactive computer services, or AI providers into taking actions against lawful, First-Amendment-protected speech, and establishes a transparency system for government communications with those intermediaries about user expression.
We thank the Senators for their leadership on this important issue. Jawboning occurs when the government pressures private companies to censor speech protected by the First Amendment, and it’s not always obvious to the public or to the victims what has actually happened. Deleting posts or cancelling accounts because a government official or agency demanded it or even made threats in making those demands—just like spying on people’s communications on behalf of the government—raises serious free speech concerns. Among other things, this bill would provide a new legal right to bring claims against the government in federal court, in addition to what the First Amendment provides.
At EFF, we’re continuing to fight back on behalf of those censored by government coercion. One recent example: we represent the creator of ICEBlock, an app that allows the public to report immigration enforcement activity in their communities. In June 2025, high-ranking federal officials began threatening to investigate and prosecute the creator of ICEBlock, Joshua Aaron. In October 2025, the U.S. Attorney General demanded Apple remove ICEBlock from the App Store, and the company complied. The government’s coercion violated Aaron’s First Amendment rights.
We’ve also filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the same government agencies that threatened Aaron and other services that provided forums to report ICE activity. The lawsuit seeks the disclosure of the government’s communications with Apple, Google, and Meta that forced the services to remove lawful speech.
When federal officials pressure private companies into censoring protected speech, it can violate the First Amendment. But, not every communication from a government agency to a platform is unconstitutionally coercive. Treating legitimate communication and information-sharing between the government and private actors as though it were always unconstitutional would chill the valuable, good-faith engagement that supports a healthier and safer internet and nation for all Americans. This is a complex issue, and one that is important for Congress and the courts to get right. 
Finally, contrary to what many in Congress have been saying, social media platforms and other internet intermediaries have their own First Amendment rights to decide how they moderate users’ speech. They are not “state actors” and do not have an obligation under the First Amendment to allow all user speech on their platforms. EFF filed an amicus brief setting out our position in 2018, and we’ve said it in many cases since. The Supreme Court recognized again in the Netchoice cases that these services have a right to curate and edit their users’ speech, whether or not it aligns with the government’s position. And, it’s important to defend that First Amendment right so that governments cannot dictate how to edit a company’s site according to the government’s wishes and desires. To prevent jawboning by default, companies must be free to curate their platforms as they wish.
EFF applauds Senators Cruz and Wyden for taking this critical issue seriously, and we look forward to working with Congress on this bipartisan bill as it moves through the process. We hope it lands on the right balance to provide additional protections for everyday users around freedom of expression. 

EFF
Open 
Call for Submissions: Digital Pride
This Pride season, join EFF and the Queer Arts Collective in building a creative space at the intersection of digital justice and artistic expression. 
We’re looking for fresh, untold, historically censored takes on digital liberation. 
Whether it’s pointing the lens towards an issue you feel is underrepresented in digital justice efforts; sharing personal accounts of joy, pleasure, or sorrow under surveillance; painting your widest imagination for our communities using technology for good instead of carcerality and doom—we want to see it and we want it to expand our own understanding of what’s important and beautiful. 
We’re going to be curating between five and nine art pieces across writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) and visual arts (photography, drawing, painting). We welcome fluidity in medium and genre, and cross-genre works of all kinds, such as graphic storytelling and collaborations. 
We are looking for works that convey the importance of digital liberation and ways of achieving it, particularly from under-represented perspectives. Pieces will be selected based on interpretation of the theme, emotional resonance (does it surprise, move, frighten, delight?), and overall curatorial cohesion for each issue. 
Submissions that adhere to the following length guidelines are preferred: 
(NON)FICTION - max 1500 wordsPOETRY - max 2 poems VISUAL ARTS - max 1 artwork, which can be a serialized collection. 
Please submit to paige+pride@eff.org by June 30, 2026, including your piece as an attachment and a short bio in the body of the email, alongside anything else we should know about your submission. You can expect to hear back from us around July 31, and we aim to have the first issue published in September. If we select your submission for publication on both EFF and Queer Arts Collective websites, we will compensate you between $25 - $50, depending on the number of pieces published. 
There is no fee for entry. Please only submit one piece or a contained series for this call, and wait for us to get back to you before submitting again. If you plan to submit both individually and as part of a collective, one submission in each of these categories applies. 
Your submission must be your original work and you must have the legal right to authorize us to publish it, but it need not be created specifically for this project; you may submit a work you have published previously. Please disclose any use of AI in a note in your application—this will not disqualify your entry, though we value transparency of labor exchange. 
As attempting to witness art is a highly subjective endeavor, please don't consider not being selected as anything other than circumstantial. We are looking to foster a community of artists working for digital justice, and would love to see more from you in the future. 
You will retain all legal rights to your work, but agree to provide EFF and Queer Arts Collective with a non-exclusive and non-time-limited license to publish your work on their websites and other promotional materials, such as in zines. 
Meet the Judges
Kit Walsh is an EFF attorney who works to protect the rights of activists, journalists, researchers, and dissenters in order to build a better world. She is also a Nebula-award-winning author and is best known for her tabletop roleplaying game Thirsty Sword Lesbians.
Paige Collings is an EFF activist working to dismantle systems of oppression and advance collective liberation. Her work focuses on highlighting how state surveillance and corporate restrictions stifle marginalized communities and perpetuate historic injustices and harm. She works with activists across the globe to facilitate systemic change by speaking truth to power and creating spaces for alternative imaginations.
The Queer Arts Collective is an NYC-based collective run by queer and racialized artist-activists, looking to make space for art that is deliberately disruptive of structural hierarchies that power the status quo.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
New Zealand claim upper hand after Phillips century and late wickets jolt England
Second Test, day two: New Zealand 391; England 222-6Debutant Jordan Cox left to shepherd hosts’ tailFor all that the job wore him down over a five-year period, Joe Root was only ever going to say yes when England found themselves needing a sensible stand-in captain in the wake of Ben Stokes and that late night after Lord’s.But there will surely have been a few doubts in Root’s mind when the call from Rob Key came in; flashbacks to the final throes of his reign, when even a personally celestial last 12 months with the bat could not prevent the team’s overall slide. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Lib Dem MP Cameron Thomas suspended amid police investigation
MP for Tewkesbury understood to have been arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday nightA Liberal Democrat MP has had the whip and membership of the party suspended after he became the subject of a police investigation.Cameron Thomas, the MP for Tewkesbury, was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday night, it is understood. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
BBC pulls Ashley Cain documentary over abusive and misogynistic remarks
BBC says vetting process ‘clearly failed’ after Guardian reveals presenter’s past comments about womenWarning: this article contains sexually explicit, offensive languageThe BBC has pulled a documentary series with its controversial presenter Ashley Cain after revelations over his history of abusive and misogynistic comments about women.In a statement late on Thursday, the BBC said its vetting requirements had “clearly failed” in the case of Cain, who was lauded by executives at the corporation for his ability to connect with young men. It added the BBC had “no plans” to broadcast a new series of Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, a BBC programme that was filmed earlier this year at various locations across the world. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
Open 
Jim Carrey’s Grinch Will Steal Christmas Again
Ron Howard is in talks to direct a sequel to 2000 holiday hit 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.'

Gizmodo
Open 
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Is Already Setting Box Office Records
And it didn't take crashing any websites to do it. Sorry, 'The Odyssey.'

Gizmodo
Open 
Bernie Sanders’ New AI Bill Would Pay Americans $1,000 a Year
The senator is making the case that AI is a public resource that was built using the collective genius of humanity.

Gizmodo
Open 
Humans Were Using Fire Long Before Scientists Thought Possible, Study Says
An international team in South Africa has pinned the earliest known use of fire by Homo erectus back to between 1.07 and 1.79 million years ago.

Gizmodo
Open 
The First Reactions to ‘Supergirl’ Are Here
Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa star in the latest DC Studios film that opens June 29.

The Verge
Open 
Snap’s Specs look good on nobody
Snap's new smart glasses are probably the most impressive bit of face-computer technology we've seen. They're not VR-headset huge; they don't have a big charging puck; thanks to Snap's many years of AR lens development, they're likely to have a lot of features right out of the box. (Yes, they're $2,195, but that may just […]

The Verge
Open 
HBO Max’s annual plans are 28 percent off right now
The easiest way to save on a streaming service is often to pay for a year upfront, which HBO Max is currently making a lot cheaper. Through July 15, 2026, new and returning subscribers can get 28 percent off any of HBO Max’s yearly plans, bringing the ad-supported tier down to $78.99 ($31 off) per […]

ZeroHedge News
Open 
CENTCOM Says Hormuz Naval Blockade Ends As Gulf Energy Flows Reboot
CENTCOM Says Hormuz Naval Blockade Ends As Gulf Energy Flows Reboot

Summary:


U.S. CENTCOM says U.S. Naval Blockade on Hormuz has been "Lifted" 


Kuwait Petroleum CEO says Energy Production to Ramp in a Week 


Iran Media says Southern Ports Traffic Begins Normalizing 


Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

The roughly two-month U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has officially ended, according to U.S. Central Command on X. This marks a major de-escalation in the Gulf region, as early signs point to the beginning of normalization of energy flows through the critical waterway by tankers.

"Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction," CENTCOM said. 

CENTCOM continued, "American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased. Our great Naval Ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect."


Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction. American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 18, 2026
Hormuz flows are still muted.



Searching For Hormuz Normalization Signals 

Attention on institutional desks is shifting toward normalization signals at the Strait of Hormuz maritime chokepoint.


At the time of writing at least 14 transits through the Strait of Hormuz were recorded on Thursday June 18 - up from just 2 on the same day last week pic.twitter.com/qcWLrWewCy
— Lloyd's List (@LloydsList) June 18, 2026
Earlier, we detailed how Saudi supertankers were beginning to exit the narrow waterway bound for Asia, while also noting that a massive backlog of tankers remains poised to exit the Persian Gulf as the reopening process gets underway.

Bloomberg, citing the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency, reported that commercial vessel traffic at southern ports is moving toward normalization, with vessels carrying critical goods arriving and two tankers departing.

A separate Bloomberg story quoted Kuwait Petroleum Corp. CEO Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, who said in an interview that Kuwaiti output is expected to exceed 2 million barrels a day within a week.

"We anticipate that we can exceed 2 million barrels a day within one week from now." Nawaf Al-Sabah.

He added, "And that pending availability of international commercial shipping, to reach Kuwaiti ports, we should be able to resume pre-war production within a matter of weeks."

At pre-conflict levels, Kuwait was producing 2.5 million barrels a day, but has since slumped to as low as half a million barrels a day.

Related:

"Zero Hormuz Dependency": UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos
Earlier, BofA Global Research's commodity team slashed its 2026E Brent forecast to $82/bbl from $ 93/bbl, citing a flood of crude set to hit the global market in the coming weeks and months as Hormuz normalization ramps up.

"The team has also cut its 2027E Brent forecast to US$70/bbl from US$78/bbl with a surplus of 1.1mb/d forecast during the year," BofA analysts said.

Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

Energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz are beginning to restart on Thursday after the interim U.S.-Iran peace deal, with several Saudi-controlled supertankers transiting the critical waterway and exiting the Persian Gulf.

There is a massive backlog of crude and LNG tankers in the Persian Gulf, preparing to exit the Hormuz chokepoint bound for Asia. Bloomberg says 31 supertankers, carrying about 62 million barrels of crude, could soon exit.  

The actual number of crude and LNG tankers preparing to exit could be much higher, as some tankers may turn off their transponders. Once exited, many of those tankers are slated for ports in East Asia and will take roughly three weeks to arrive.

One of the key developments overnight was that three Saudi-controlled supertankers, including Bahri-controlled Saudi VLCCs Shaden, Jaham, and Awtad, switched on their transponders and began exiting the Persian Gulf.

Maritime traffic remains far below normal levels and could take many months to return to normal.

"There are certain practical steps that we believe are necessary before the vessels that have been stranded in the Gulf for the last 110 days can resume transiting the Strait of Hormuz," Sheila Cameron, CEO, and Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at the Lloyd's Market Association, told Bloomberg in a statement.

Cameron continued, "The main requirement for recovery is stability and certainty for shipowners and insurers. The road to recovery in the Gulf will be a long and complicated one. It will take months for some sort of normality to return to international shipping with vessels in the wrong place and supply chains distorted."

Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs' co-head of Global Commodities Research, told clients, "We now assume that Persian Gulf exports normalize to pre- war levels by the end of July."

On Thursday morning, Brent crude futures fell below $78, while West Texas Intermediate was near $74. Traders are already pricing in the coming flood of seaborne crude.



Dubai and Murban crude futures curves have flipped into contango, Oman crude is trading at a discount to Dubai, and some diesel cargoes are trading below benchmark levels after commanding lofty premiums.

The first signs of normalization are already visible, following President Trump's acknowledgment on Wednesday at the G7 Summit that the interim peace deal with Iran to reopen Hormuz was signed as the U.S. was nearing the point of "running out of reserves in about four weeks."


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
Struyven noted that even if the expected "normalization" occurs by the end of next month, flows may recover to only 70% of pre-war levels ...



Latest overnight headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Peace Deal

• President Trump signed an interim peace deal with Iran on Wednesday evening at the Palace of Versailles, following the G7 summit

• The deal is now in effect and was signed electronically by both presidents, according to US and Iranian officials

• The memorandum of understanding opens the way for 60 days of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and other issues

• Iran will receive sanctions waivers allowing it to sell oil immediately and gain access to a $300 billion economic development program

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US can reimpose an ironclad blockade if Iran doesn't comply with the deal

Strait of Hormuz Reopening

• Three Saudi supertankers carrying about six million barrels of oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the first Saudi-owned crude tankers to cross since the war began

• A laden LNG carrier and an empty products tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday, sailing along a route approved by Tehran for safe passages

• Qatar brought an empty LNG tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began on Thursday

• Goldman Sachs estimates oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz may recover to only about 70% of pre-war levels, with normalization potentially completed by the end of next month

Economic Impact

• US gasoline prices fell below $4 a gallon on Thursday for the first time since March, down from a May peak above $4.50

Deal Criticism and Complications

• Trump faced pushback from Republicans who object to the deal and the billions of dollars set to flow to Tehran

• Trump brushed aside several red lines on Wednesday, suggesting Iran should have the right to enrich uranium, develop ballistic missiles and access frozen funds

• Israel rejected a US request to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, citing continued presence of Hezbollah, threatening to complicate broader peace efforts

Iran Leadership Investigation

• The US Justice Department is conducting a probe into how Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, examining allegations of money laundering and corruption

Related Legal Developments

• A federal judge allowed the Justice Department to drop a criminal case against Turkish state-owned Halkbank on Wednesday for allegedly helping Iran evade US sanctions

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 13:20

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Just Days After Record IPO, SpaceX To Sell $20 Billion In Bonds
Just Days After Record IPO, SpaceX To Sell $20 Billion In Bonds

Earlier this week, we showed the unprecedented pace of hyperscaler Investment Grade debt accumulation, which according to Morgan Stanley calculations had doubled in just two quarters, rising from 0.9x leverage in Q3 '25 to 1.8x currently, a pace that has already surpassed the entire energy sector's gross leverage of 1.6%. 
Source

We predicted that this staggering growth rate would continue increasing at a pace of over 0.3x per quarter, and moments ago we got another confirmation of the insatiable demand for AI debt when Bloomberg reported that just days after the biggest ever Initial Public Offering in history, bankers for SpaceX are preparing to hold calls with investors as soon as next week to discuss a potential bond offering.

The bond is expected to be at least $20 billion, and the investor calls may kick off on Monday. Plans and timing may change of the offering may yet change, according to Bloomberg. 

SpaceX plans to issue investment-grade bonds for the first time, adding to the already overheating IG calendar. The bond proceeds would refinance a temporary $20 billion bridge loan that matures in September 2027. The bridge loan makes up the bulk of SpaceX’s $29.1 billion of long-term debt as of March 31, the company said in its IPO prospectus. 

Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman and Morgan Stanley provided the bridge financing and are expected to run the bond deal .

SpaceX’s historic IPO turned the start-up into one of the world’s most valuable public companies and turned its founder into the world’s first trillionaire (although the stock is sliding today, down 10% at one point as momentum left the stock to go back to its preferred memory momentum names). The company’s embrace of AI with the acquisition of Musk’s xAI in February made the listing somewhat of a referendum on the IPO prospects of competitors Anthropic and OpenAI, both of which are expected to go public as soon as this year.  

The bottom line here is that literally every company is now rushing to issue as much debt (and equity) as the market will possibly absorb, as it is only a matter of time before the debt, and thus capex, window closes. 

As Goldman Delta-1 head Rich Privorotsky wrotes, "everyone still appears convinced they must keep spending simply to remain competitive, while token cost compression/advent of neoclouds puts pricing pressure on core business. If token prices continue to compress alongside falling compute costs, the benefits may accrue to users faster than providers. Ironically, the first hyperscaler to signal that it can slow the pace of spending will likely see its share price rewarded (and will crush semiconductor stocks). If that happens, others will take notice. That is the reflexivity that ultimately stalls the capex cycle… not a lack of demand, but investors deciding that incremental returns on the next dollar of spend are no longer attractive."

Privo's conclusion: "Watch hyperscalers share price as leading indicator."

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 13:50

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Asian Refiners Swamped, Brace For Over 60 Million Barrels Of Oil Ready To Exit Hormuz
Asian Refiners Swamped, Brace For Over 60 Million Barrels Of Oil Ready To Exit Hormuz

By Tsvetana Parskova of OilPrice.com

Crude cargo arrivals in Asia from the Middle East could accelerate in the coming weeks as more than 60 million barrels of oil stuck in the Persian Gulf prepare to exit the Strait of Hormuz and head to Asian markets once the chokepoint reopens to traffic.  

About 62 million barrels of crude oil on nearly three dozen supertankers are expected to make their way to Asia within weeks after the Strait reopens, according to Signal Group data carried by Bloomberg.

Asia, which felt the supply shock first and the most as early as in March, could now see a wave of much-delayed crude supply that would weigh on prices. Refiners in Asia, including China, have slashed run rates in response to the loss of supply from the Middle East and the high prices to procure alternative cargoes.    



The supply waiting to exit the Strait of Hormuz could prompt some refiners to increase processing rates or opt for replenishing commercial stock tanks that have been drawn down over the past three months.

Asia, however, appears to have stocked up on enough supply at least for June and July after turning to West Africa and South and North America to offset the losses from the Middle East.

Asian refiners are well-supplied for the coming weeks, anonymous traders with knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg.

The expected imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has prompted investment banks to slash their oil price forecasts for this year and next.

Morgan Stanley, for example, now sees Brent crude averaging $80 per barrel in the last quarter of 2026, and $90 per barrel in the third quarter. The bank’s earlier forecast was for an average of $100 per barrel of Brent in the third quarter, while the fourth-quarter price forecast was unchanged.

Goldman Sachs cut its price forecast for the fourth quarter to $80 per barrel from $90 per barrel, and the 2027 average forecast for Brent crude to $75 per barrel from $80 in earlier forecasts. According to the bank’s commodity analysts, tanker traffic via the Strait of Hormuz would recover fully by the end of July.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 14:05

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It Wasn't Fireworks... Social Isolation, Escalating Anger Drove Palisades Arsonist's Desire For Revenge, Jury Told
It Wasn't Fireworks... Social Isolation, Escalating Anger Drove Palisades Arsonist's Desire For Revenge, Jury Told

Explosives and arson experts from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms this week told a jury in the federal arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht that fireworks could not have been the culprit.

The 29-year-old Rinderknecht is accused of starting a blaze in the Santa Monica Mountains, which investigators say led to the deadly Palisades Fire of 2025.

“Anyone who was in this area—if there was a firework launched, burning, or landing here—would have seen it. They’re bright, there’s a lot of color, a lot of flame, a lot of stars. And you would definitely hear it,” Kevin Miner, an explosives enforcement officer and unit chief at the agency’s training facility in Huntsville, Alabama, told the court.

“It’s 140 decibels of sound—that’s more than twice what it takes to harm the human ear.”

Miner said he based his findings on video surveillance footage, witness testimony, and analysis of sound profiles, topography, and weather conditions.



As Beige Luciano-Adams reports for The Epoch Times, Rinderknecht is on trial for three federal counts of arson related to property damage sustained in the Pacific Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and incinerated more than 6,000 homes in the eponymous coastal enclave.

The state argues the catastrophe was a “holdover” or continuation of the Lachman Fire, which investigators say Rinderknecht allegedly ignited with a Bic lighter just after midnight on New Year’s Eve 2024, driven by a desire for “revenge against society.”

Defense attorneys maintain the government has no “reliable evidence” showing that Rinderknecht started the Lachman Fire on Jan. 1, much less that he was responsible for a separate fire that began a week later on Jan. 7.

Rather, Rinderknecht’s defense team says he encountered a fire and called 911 to report it in good faith—and that a firework was the more likely cause.

ATF agents on Monday and Wednesday dismantled the firework origin theory with a methodical recounting of the evidence.

While in theory, an aerial firework could cause a blaze like the Lachman Fire, Miner acknowledged under cross-examination that the specific conditions in the area and the fact that no witnesses—including, by his own account, the defendant—saw any fireworks, make it extremely unlikely.

Federal fire investigators also ruled out so-called “ground salutes” or ground-based fireworks, a malfunctioning or smoldering firework, or other potential causes like cigarettes, lightning, or powerlines.

Steve Haney, an attorney for Rinderknecht, sought to sow the seeds of reasonable doubt.

“For 10 days, everyone ignored a crime scene, didn’t they?” he asked Miner on cross-examination.

If the Jan. 1 Lachman Fire was an arson, then it was a crime scene—but it wasn’t preserved as such, Haney said, noting the area remained open to the public, planes dropped water and fire retardant on the burn scar, and a subsequent fire razed the area, potentially incinerating physical evidence.

“Isn’t it true that if there were evidence of fireworks, it would have been washed down the hill?” Haney asked. “And for at least nine days, no one went up there to look for fireworks materials?”

Miner ultimately agreed such was theoretically possible, but said the lack of physical evidence in this particular case was not a concern.

“I relied more on the sound profiles, and the video and witness statements. Frequently we have very little physical evidence of the fireworks after suppression, so it’s not uncommon for that to disappear.”

Fireworks

Attorneys for the state preempted the defense’s argument that witnesses, including nearby residents, heard what they thought were fireworks just before midnight that could have emanated from the origin area.

“There are a variety of statements—most in their homes, some said they heard a popping, and a couple people referred to bottle rockets, some to fireworks,” Miner said.

But, he said, any firework sounds they heard more likely than not would have come from below the neighborhood, given the fact that the homes are terraced into the mountainside, and the fire origin area is around 350 feet above it.

“It drops off significantly … Sound has a tendency to travel up,” he said.

Sound emanating from an aerial firework, Miner explained, is omnidirectional—“anything airborne will send sound and blast waves out in all directions.”

In the particular area where investigators believe the fire started, the sound would have traveled everywhere until it hit objects, clouds, hard land, or buildings to absorb or reflect it, Miner said.

“In calm weather like that, there’s nothing to mask the sound. Sound travels very quickly and easily through that medium.”

Something set off in the lower canyons below the homes, he explained, would bounce until it hit objects, clouds, or buildings to absorb it; something set off up higher would be less likely to be heard at all, as the sound energy would “escape into the atmosphere.”

One nearby resident, located around 0.2 miles and around 350 feet below the fire’s area of origin, reported his windows shaking before midnight.

But Miner said it was extremely unlikely he would’ve been the only one to experience this if it came from a firework above him.

“If that were to actually be caused by anything on the mountaintop, you would expect to see evidence in houses adjacent, maybe 200 to 300 feet away—broken glass, cameras askew,” Miner said.

“You can’t rattle a window 0.2 miles away without rattling everyone’s windows.”

A Burning Bush

Investigators determined the fire was incendiary in nature—in this case, ignition of vegetation. They came to this conclusion based on a review of video surveillance, witness testimony, and the defendant’s own statements.

“The defendant admitted having a lighter with him up on Buddha Hill,” said Derek Hill, a fire analyst and recently retired Certified Fire Investigator with the ATF who worked the case, referring to the landing area where investigators believe the Lachman Fire started.

“He said he was alone on the hill. He identified where the fire started correctly—this was information that wasn’t public at the time.

“It gave us pause because he was recognizing the fire from a location we know he was at, but not when that fire would have been visible,” he said.

Investigators tracked Rinderknecht’s movements using geolocation data from nearby cellular towers, constructing a detailed timeline that they overlaid with one constructed from video surveillance footage.

All of this, Hill said, corroborated investigators’ work, including a meticulous mapping of fire pattern indicators, in which they looked at the fire’s impact on the environment to determine how and where it spread, and at what intensity.

Hill helped lead a team that included 11 federal Certified Fire Investigators and five wildland investigators. Arriving on the scene of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 13, they spread across a general area where they believe the blaze originated, and studied the terrain, at times crawling or slithering across the charred ground to find clues.

Ultimately, they were able to narrow a specific area of suspected origin—and then a single bush from where the fire allegedly emerged.

Firefighters had described firebrands or embers that came off the Lachman Fire, which burned from north to south. A detailed analysis, investigators say, confirmed their hypothesis that the Jan. 1 fire had smoldered underground until resurfacing seven days later, when it was picked up by winds and continued as the Palisades Fire.

“We started identifying burned out roots, some exposed and some not,” Hill said. “That was indicative of fire burning underground in the root structure of the shrub. We know the fire came out of this root ball and spread out.”

Compromised Crime Scene

Haney noted—and Hill acknowledged—that investigators could not preclude the existence of an unknown combustible that may have been lost in the fire, or during suppression or cleanup activities.

If the allegation is that Rinderknecht maliciously and willfully started the Lachman Fire, Haney said, the crime scene was compromised.

The fact that people were allowed to walk through a crime scene for nine days was “not ideal,” Hill acknowledged.

Under redirect, the witness said that in nearly 800 fire scenes he’d worked during the course of his career, the majority involved some kind of water suppression before investigators arrived—meaning it was a common condition and one for which agents are trained to take into account.

“Water didn’t wash away the surveillance footage, did it?” Mark Williams, attorney with the Department of Justice, asked.

“It did not,” Hill said, explaining that investigators used the surveillance footage to construct a detailed timeline of when the fire was first visible and how it developed, which they compared with a timeline of the defendant’s movements.

Haney suggested that timeline was incomplete—some videos were taken from miles away and didn’t have audio. And while footage may have depicted when the fire was visible, it didn’t show when it started.

Where Hill said investigators determined the fire ignited between 12:10–12:12 a.m.—when it shows up on surveillance video—Haney noted there was no direct evidence of such.

“You don’t have any cameras that show ignition of when the Lachman Fire occurred, do you?”

“No,” Hill replied.



Social Isolation, Escalating Anger Drove Palisades Arsonist’s Desire for Revenge, Analyst Tells Jury

However, as Luciano-Adams continues, a behavioral analyst on Wednesday told a federal jury that social isolation and escalating anger helped drive a 29-year-old Uber driver to ignite a brush fire in the Santa Monica Mountains, which days later would resurface as the deadly inferno that killed 12 people and leveled more than 6,000 homes in the wealthy coastal enclave of the Pacific Palisades.

Dr. Kevin Kelm, a retired supervisory special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms who specializes in behavioral analysis and criminal profiling related to arson, alleges Jonathan Rinderknecht was motivated by an “expressive,” or emotionally driven, and opportunistic desire for revenge on society at large.

“In my opinion, the defendant exhibited behavior consistent with [a] ‘revenge’ or ‘societal motivated revenge’ fire,” Kelm said, describing his analysis of Rinderknecht’s behavior before, during, and after the fire.

The state argues that Rinderknecht’s deteriorating mental state and escalating fixation on themes such as wealth disparity, “climate change,” and vigilantism in the months leading up to the fire reveal his motive.

Arsonists motivated by societal revenge, Kelm said, referring to an arson motive typology used by the FBI, typically have many things going wrong in their lives and fixate on problems, which are exacerbated by an accumulation of stressors–including interpersonal relations and social isolation.

“These pressures continue to build and build,” Kelm said, and the act of setting a fire “provides some emotional relief and diversion from the problems.”

Analysis of Rinderknecht’s behavior in the months leading up to the fire, including in fraught interpersonal relationships and in thousands of increasingly frustrated interactions with the OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT, is evidence of such escalation, Kelm said.

“It goes to the inability to deal with a stressor. And it was focused on a large stressor for the defendant, which has to do with societal issues, one being wealth inequality and large corporations that were distressing to [him],” said the analyst, who previously worked on cases related to both the Oklahoma City Bombing of 1996 and the 911 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

Digital records uncovered in the investigation reveal that Rinderknecht was at least fixated on a tableau pitting the world’s rich and powerful against the rest of society and the environment, and related feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Uber passengers who rode with him around the time of the fire testified about vitriolic, threatening rants, “incel vibes,” and erratic behavior.

Steve Haney, his attorney, has argued that none of this makes him an arsonist.

Cross-examining Kelm on Wednesday, Haney suggested that many people are upset about large corporations, politics, the wealth disparity, or “climate change.”

“Much of what you’ve testified and observed is pretty normal American thinking right now, isn’t it?” Haney queried.

“I didn’t cherry-pick,” Kelm said, noting that each behavior on its own may not in itself constitute motivation. “You’re correct. Each one of these things applies to large parts of the population. But not when it’s in your everyday life and occurs over and over and in all these domains … it becomes controlling and the behavior is a response to that.”

Societal revenge arsonists, according to the FBI typology, do not plan.

“It’s extremely impulsive. And in this case, the defendant put himself at the location. He stopped taking work calls, he went to this isolated location he had familiarity with,” Kelm said, noting that almost all arsonists choose locations that are in their environment or “comfort zone.”

The witness said investigators’ conclusion that Rinderknecht started the fire with a lighter, as opposed to accelerants or other ignition methods, was consistent with expressive arson.

While Rinderknecht’s attorneys point out he called 911 repeatedly to report the fire, investigators allege such was part of a staging he did to appear cooperative and deflect suspicion, which Kelm said was common in arson cases.

Authorities also suspect the defendant attempted to cover his tracks by making a screen video of a 911 call and by asking ChatGPT whether one could be blamed for a fire started with a discarded cigarette.

The defendant’s “methodical stroll” down the hill as he made 911 calls, Kelm said, “is just totally inconsistent with someone who discovers a fire.”

The ChatGPT query, Kelm argued, was “unnecessary behavior” by Rinderknecht. “It’s excessive, and very inconsistent with what I’d expect an average individual to do when trying to report a fire and get out of harm’s way.”



Firefighters work to extinguish the Palisades Fire burning near Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

After leaving the scene, Rinderknecht returned and took videos of the fire and first responders; Kelm suggested this could indicate the fire was a source of excitement—another motive typology.

But the emotional release that an expressive arsonist may feel after lighting a fire, Kelm said, can be short-lived.

“I think once some of the initial excitement wears off, the daily routine hasn’t changed. It’s back to being an Uber driver, to not making enough money: listening to partygoers sitting in your back seat having a great time while your life hasn’t changed at all,” he said.

Kelm described the defendant’s behavior, both before and after the fire, as typical of a “a grievance collector—things go wrong, and he’s not the cause, it’s always someone else’s fault.”

Writ large, the profiler said, the behavior took on increased significance, as the pieces fit together like a “jigsaw puzzle.”

“What I’m looking for is to see this pattern emerge over time in all of the domains … it tells me what the whole picture is,” Kelm said.

Haney asked whether anger-motivated arsonists want to destroy things.

“No, not necessarily. The act of actually setting the fire is the objective. Oftentimes, the consequences are very surprising to the individual and result in a panic response, because what happens wasn’t what was expected.”

Haney asked whether Kelm had ever, in a half-century of experience, seen a revenge arsonist call 911 17 times, as his client had.

“It’s pretty unusual,” Kelm said. “That caught my attention.”

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 14:25

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Fed Moves To Close Stablecoin Loopholes With New Customer ID Rules
Fed Moves To Close Stablecoin Loopholes With New Customer ID Rules

Authored by Micah Zimmermann via BitcoinMagazine.com,

The Federal Reserve proposed Thursday that payment stablecoin issuers maintain written customer identification programs, a move that signals Washington’s determination to bring digital asset markets under the same anti-money laundering discipline long applied to traditional banks — even as regulators race to finalize rules before a statutory deadline this coming January.



The proposal would require so-called permitted payment stablecoin issuers, or PPSIs, to collect from each new customer a legal name, date of birth or formation, physical address, and a government-issued identification number before opening an account. 

The Federal Reserve framework mirrors CIP obligations that banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds, and futures commission merchants have operated under for more than two decades. Regulators will take public feedback on the proposal for 60 days.

The Federal Reserve’s action follows a wave of rulemaking set in motion by the Genius Act — formally, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act — which President Trump signed into law in July 2025.

That landmark legislation created the first federal regulatory system for stablecoins, mandating 100% reserve backing with liquid assets and subjecting issuers to the Bank Secrecy Act for the first time. 

The statute requires stablecoin issuers to establish effective anti-money laundering, sanctions compliance, and customer identification programs. The Genius Act becomes effective on the earlier of January 18, 2027, or 120 days after primary federal regulators issue their final implementing rules.

Federal Reserve Governor cautions towards stablecoins

Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr has emerged as the most vocal voice of caution within the regulatory apparatus, even as his colleagues have embraced digital assets with new openness. Speaking in March at a Federalist Society conference in Washington, Barr warned that stablecoins face material risks around reserve asset quality, regulatory arbitrage, anti-money laundering gaps, and financial stability — concerns he argued the Genius Act’s primary text does not resolve on its own. 

“While some digital asset service providers are subject to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing requirements in their home jurisdiction, it is far too easy for bad actors to evade these restrictions and operate without detection when transacting in digital assets,” Barr said in a statement Thursday. 

Barr, who previously served as the Federal Reserve’s top bank cop, contends that detailed rulemaking remains the critical instrument for translating the statute’s intent into enforceable protections.

Thursday’s proposal is the latest in a dense sequence of rulemakings from multiple agencies. In April 2026, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a joint proposed rule requiring PPSIs to adopt written AML and countering-the-financing-of-terrorism programs and a full sanctions compliance framework. 

That rule would carve PPSIs out of the existing money services business category and treat them as a distinct class of BSA-covered financial institutions — a significant structural change, given FinCEN’s finding that roughly half of known stablecoin issuers have not registered as MSBs at all. 

The FDIC and OCC each issued their own notices of proposed rulemaking in parallel, covering licensing, reserves, capital requirements, and redemption standards. The CIP proposal announced Thursday is a separate, complementary rulemaking to those AML and sanctions rules.

Stablecoin rules and nuance

The proposed customer identification requirements carry technical nuance tailored to stablecoin markets. Unlike banks, a PPSI can face demands for direct redemption from token holders who acquired coins on the secondary market rather than through a direct issuance relationship. 

The proposal addresses this by defining an “account” to include that redemption event, meaning an individual who acquires a stablecoin on an exchange and later redeems it directly with the issuer would trigger CIP obligations at the moment of that interaction. 

Purely secondary market transactions in which the PPSI is not a direct counterparty — including transfers conducted via smart contract — would not constitute an account relationship under the proposed framework.

The timeline for finalization is tight. With the Genius Act’s effective date potentially arriving as early as 120 days after the agencies publish their final rules, the window for comment, revision, and adoption is compressed. Final CIP rules are not expected before 2027, which means the statute could take effect before its customer identification architecture is fully in place. 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 14:45

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SpaceX Goes Public : Valuation Insights, Execution Track Record, Early Trading Activity Examined in New Report
SpaceX‘s recent initial public offering marks a pivotal transition for the aerospace and technology provider, shifting it from a closely held private entity to a publicly traded company valued in the trillions. The debut, which saw shares open around $135 before climbing to over $200... Read More

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Stablecoin Issuer Tether to Phase Out Alloy by Tether and aUSD₮ Token
Tether, which decisively remains the leading stablecoin (USDT) issuer, has informed its user-base about key adjustments to its product lineup. On June 17, 2026, the company revealed plans to phase out Alloy by Tether and its associated aUSD₮ token. This latest decision reportedly follows a... Read More

CNET News
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'Electronic Nose' Shows Promise for Detecting Food Allergens and Spoilage
The tech was developed at University of California, Berkeley, and it's currently still in the testing phase.

Wired Top Stories
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Meta’s AI Workers Are Revolting, Peter Thiel’s Secret Society, and SBF’s Plea to Trump
On today’s Uncanny Valley, we dive into the dysfunction in Meta’s newly formed AI unit and why it’s been driving already-low employee morale even further into the ground.

Ars Technica
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Bernie Sanders unveils $7 trillion plan to give Americans control of AI industry

Ars Technica
Open 
Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes

Ars Technica
Open 
After Senate vote, Trump admin backs off plans to kill ocean monitoring

The Hill
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US military lifts Strait of Hormuz naval blockade after Iran MOU signed
The U.S. military lifted its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S., Iran and intermediaries signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the conflict in the Middle East. U.S. forces ended the blockade, which barred maritime traffic from entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom)...

The Hill
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Top Foreign Relations Democrat on Trump's Iran deal: 'Catastrophically bad outcome'
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee slammed the reported contents of the deal between the U.S. and Iran, calling them a “catastrophically bad outcome.” “The White House has not released the memorandum of understanding, so neither Congress nor the American people can fully assess what the Administration agreed to. If the reported...

The Hill
Open 
Vance warns Israeli officials against attacking Trump, their 'only powerful ally'
Vice President Vance warned Israeli officials Thursday against speaking out and criticizing the peace deal negotiated by President Trump’s administration with Iran, suggesting Israel should be grateful for partnership with the U.S. while it is isolated on the international stage. “If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking...

The Hill
Open 
Bipartisan Senate duo looks to help more small businesses sell goods overseas 
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers, Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), will introduce a bill Thursday aimed at helping American small businesses get loans to export their goods abroad.  The bill, the Regional Export Promotion Act, would make permanent a program within the Export-Import Bank that helps states and cities connect local businesses...

The Hill
Open 
Federal appeals court rules Interior can remove, replace Philadelphia slavery exhibits
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can remove and replace a slavery exhibit at the site of the nation’s first executive residence in Philadelphia, reversing a lower court ruling that required the federal government to restore displays it had taken down earlier this year. A federal judge in Pennsylvania blocked the Interior...

The Hill
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Watch live: Trump participates in medal of honor ceremony
President Trump will preside over a medal of honor ceremony Thursday for heroes in the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. Task & Purpose reported Maj. James Capers Jr., who led his Marine reconnaissance team through a harrowing ambush despite serious wounds, will be awarded the highest military honor. In April 1967, Capers led a nine-man team...

The Hill
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Pelosi on Trump's Iran deal: A 'gift to the Iranians'
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday said Americans "paid the price" for President Trump's "mistake" in taking military action against Iran, describing the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a "real gift to the Iranians." "The current occupant of the White House tearing that up and then going forward with an agreement that it fails...

The Hill
Open 
Raskin demands full list of Trump medications, doctors' names
The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is reupping his probe into President Trump’s health records, less than a week after the president celebrated his 80th birthday.  In a letter to the president’s doctor on Thursday, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) questioned why 22 specialists were required to declare that Trump was in “excellent health” in...

The Hill
Open 
Vance hits back at Iran deal critics in GOP, Israel: Five takeaways
Vice President Vance took to the White House press briefing podium on Thursday to hit back against a growing chorus of critics of the Trump administration’s deal with Iran after President Trump signed the agreement. Vance referred to criticism of the preliminary agreement from both sides of the aisle as “fundamentally untrue,” and even took...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Philips Hue Adds Play Table Lamp, Floor Lamp, and New Candle Bulbs
Signify today announced two new Philips Hue devices to expand its Hue Entertainment lineup, debuting the Philips Hue Play Table Lamp and the Philips Hue Play Floor Lamp Large. There are also new candle bulbs.





The two lamps are similar to the existing Signe Hue table and floor lamps, featuring a tall, linear design that casts light on a wall or surface behind the light. The lamps offer color-changing lighting effects that synchronize with games, TV shows, movies, and music when used with the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box or the Hue Sync TV and desktop apps.



Signify says that the lamps are designed for flexible placement, and a video featuring the table lamp shows it placed next to a TV set to project on the wall behind it. The table lamp is 23.6 inches, while the floor lamp is 53 inches tall. Both support Chromasync for precise color matching.



The new lamps have a more affordable price than the previous gradient floor and table lamps. The Hue Play Table Lamp is priced at $80, and the Hue Play Floor Lamp is priced at $150.





The new Hue Candle bulbs have Matter over Thread integration and full-spectrum daylight technology. The temperature range up to 20,000K supports colors that mimic natural daylight throughout the day, and they support millions of Hue colors for use in lighting scenes. The bulbs are also 40 percent more energy efficient than the prior version, and they dim to 0.2 percent. Bulbs are priced at $110 for two.



All of the new products are available now from the Philips Hue website.Tag: Philips HueThis article, 'Philips Hue Adds Play Table Lamp, Floor Lamp, and New Candle Bulbs' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Hands-On With watchOS 27: Every New Apple Watch Feature
watchOS 27 is the new version of watchOS that's coming to the Apple Watch this fall. It's a little light on features, but there are some useful new additions, including access to Siri AI.



Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

‌watchOS 27‌ will have ‌Siri‌ AI, so you'll be able to use many of the same ‌Siri‌ features that you have on the iPhone on your wrist. Right now, the ‌Siri‌ features aren't in the ‌watchOS 27‌ beta, but the integration will be coming later this year. Apple is planning for a ‌Siri‌ app on the watch so you can access all of your ‌Siri‌ conversations.



‌Siri‌ AI for the watch will rely on a connected iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, so you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro or later to use it on your watch. ‌Siri‌ will be able to access your personal data, search the web for info to answer questions, and take actions in apps.



There's a new dynamic app grid that's available when you press the Digital Crown. It will put the ‌Siri‌ app front and center, while also showing ‌Siri‌ Suggested apps that include your most used and recently used apps. The view shows multiple apps in addition to ‌Siri‌ and a shortcut to get to the full app list. Apple also improved Liquid Glass with better contrast and more uniform refraction, which boosts readability.



Workout Buddy is now available even without your iPhone nearby, and there are new metrics to keep you motivated, with the watch tracking progressive increases in the distance, pace, and duration of runs. Cycle Tracking now supports menopause/perimenopause recognition and notifications, and treadmill readings will be more accurate.



Apple added a new tap gesture, so you can single-tap your index finger and thumb together to select a widget in the Smart Stack. There are new Smart Stack suggested widgets for finding a parked car, accessing ‌Siri‌, getting to pinned messages, accessing transit cards, seeing noise notifications, getting reminders for birthdays, and more.



When you're getting a phone call, your watch can show information relevant to the call, like a flight confirmation number if you're on the phone with an airline. Custom passes made with the Wallet app on iPhone work on the Apple Watch, and there's a new unified Find My app for locating devices, items, and people. The ‌Find My‌ app supports Precision Finding for locating an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3, or an AirTag 2.



Under-the-hood improvements bring longer battery life, with Apple disabling little-used features like gestures, Start Workout reminders, and Raise to Speak to preserve battery.



‌watchOS 27‌ works on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and the Apple Watch SE 3.Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, watchOS 26, watchOS 27Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)Related Forum: Apple WatchThis article, 'Hands-On With watchOS 27: Every New Apple Watch Feature' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING VIDEO – Millions of barrels of oil and now moving out of the Hormuz strait
Fox News is reporting that millions of barrels of oil and now moving out of the Strait of Hormuz and about to hit the market. Watch below:

The Right Scoop
Open 
DUDE VIDEO – Ben Shapiro calls out JD Vance for ‘lying’ on the Megyn Kelly show
Ben Shapiro called out Vice President JD Vance for creating an entire field of straw men and lighting it on fire, or in other words, lying about the opponents to this deal . . .

Russia Today News
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EU migration vote exposes deep divisions within bloc

Russia Today News
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Israel severs contact with EU’s Kallas over reported apartheid remarks

Mail Online
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Ten infuriating habits MPs must ditch - from bogus World Cup mateyness to autopilot answers: QUENTIN LETTS
Andy Burnham has said 'the Cabinet has to look completely different'. He is right that some ministers are dire but sacking the likes of Rachel Reeves and the Health Secretary, would be merely a start.

Mail Online
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'Devoted' British couple are killed in Norway car crash on church visit - as elderly parents pay tribute
Andrew Laverty, 63, and his wife Tina, 58, are believed to have been visiting a church in the Oslo area when the tragedy unfolded at around 3pm last Friday.

Mail Online
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Michelle Obama dispels her rocky marriage rumors as she sings his praises to cheering crowd: 'I'm not done y'all!'
The former first lady gushed over her husband during lengthy remarks celebrating the grand opening of Barack Obama's Presidential Center in Chicago.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Bank of England governor warns UK public to expect higher costs this year
Andrew Bailey says ‘inflationary pressure in pipeline’ despite US and Iran signing initial peace deal as interest rates kept on holdThe governor of the Bank of England has warned consumers to expect higher costs this year as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, despite falling oil prices as the US and Iran signing an initial peace deal.Speaking after the Bank kept interest rates on hold at 3.75%, Andrew Bailey said there was “still some inflationary pressure in the pipeline” after the conflict pushed up energy prices. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Heathrow third runway likely to affect health of millions nearby, official report warns
Expansion could also harm access to housing, education, healthcare, open spaces and transport, analysis saysConstruction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan.An analysis for the Department for Transport (DfT) has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Stokes could return as captain for third Test against NZ
Ben Stokes could return as England captain as early as next week for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

The Register
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Midjourney pivots from AI image generation to body scanning medical spa where patients bathe in 'golden light'
The underlying technology is real...and borrowed from a partner the company failed to mention

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Heathrow third runway likely to affect health of millions nearby, official report warns
Expansion could also harm access to housing, education, healthcare, open spaces and transport, analysis saysConstruction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan.An analysis for the Department for Transport has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man arrested after boy, three, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure
Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police said.The force said officers were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm on Thursday over “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Britain's most notorious whole-life prisoners who will never be released
Baby serial killer Lucy Letby, Milly Dowler's murderer Levi Bellfield and triple murderer and rapist Kyle Clifford are among more than 70 inmates serving whole-life sentences in Britain.

Mail Online
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Jason Momoa packs on the PDA with his stunning girlfriend Adria Arjona at the Supergirl premiere - as leading lady Milly Alcock stuns in white dress
It was a star-studded affair at the Supergirl premiere in London on Thursday night. 

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
CDC to tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola response in DRC and Uganda
Number of people infected now tops 1,000 though health officials say the global risk remains lowSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will tap $107m in emergency funding for Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, officials said on Thursday.The continued Ebola outbreak in the DRC comes as Canada, Mexico and the US jointly host the Fifa World Cup, attracting visitors from around the world. The officials said the outbreak, now the third largest on record, required “strong immediate support”, but that the global risk remained low. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: golf under way but weather disrupts day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Lionel Messi’s family ask for ‘humanity’ as his father receives medical treatment
Jorge Messi, 68, ‘recovering and progressing favourably’‘At times like these, we ask for responsibility,’ says familyLionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and his family asked the media for “humanity” on Thursday amid rumours about Jorge Messi’s health while his son competes at the World Cup. “Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family said in a statement.The family did not specify the illness that the 68-year-old Jorge Messi is suffering from. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favourably within his current condition,” the statement said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Clarke warns Scotland: ‘We must be at our best – Morocco are the real deal’
Head coach says 2022 semi-finalists are now even betterScotland could deploy back three against Group C rivalsSteve Clarke has warned Scotland the Morocco team they will face on Friday are superior to the one who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.Scotland kicked off their tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, which came hours after Morocco impressed during a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Clarke answered with a firm “absolutely” when asked whether Morocco will pose as stern a threat as Brazil to his side in Group C. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Hats and high-fashion as King attends Royal Ascot with actor Stanley Tucci
About 290,000 people are expected to attend the Berkshire horseracing track this week.

Mail Online
Open 
Group of travellers given court ban from living on caravan site - following criticism from top Tory Sir James Cleverly
Around 30 cars, vans and diggers descended on a four-acre green space in the hamlet of Willows Green, Essex, under cover of darkness as the early May bank holiday weekend began.

Mail Online
Open 
They've FINALLY found it! Scientists create first-ever 'map' of female pleasure center that's confused men for centuries
Scientists at Amsterdam University Medical Center have finally pinpointed the exact anatomy of a long-ignored female sex organ, the clitoris, with the first-ever detailed 3D map.

Mail Online
Open 
Police arrest six people during England's opening World Cup win in Dallas - none of them Brits - as fans knock back more than 45,000 pints
At the stadium, three people were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, one on suspicion of public intoxication and another on suspicion of trademark counterfeiting.

Mail Online
Open 
Princess Diana's nieces Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer catch the eye on third day of Royal Ascot
The twin sisters stunned in baby pink dresses as they attended Ladies Day on Thursday.

Mail Online
Open 
Harry Styles earns a standing ovation with 'stunning' performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water after Liam Payne covered the track - as the singer alludes to his bandmate's death at London show
The singer, 32, took a break from his Wembley residency to perform the show with the Jules Buckley Orchestra, and concluded the night with a cover of the Simon And Garfunkel hit.

Mail Online
Open 
Bag thieves target World Cup fans in City pubs: Algerian 'bagsmen' arrested after £800 laptop stolen from unsuspecting punter during match
Two men were seen entering a pub on Great Tower Street and leaving with an extra bag.

Mail Online
Open 
Labour accused of 'gerrymandering' after evidence suggests Steve Reed overruled officials to redraw new council boundaries
The Government is facing legal action after new evidence suggested Steve Reed rejected advice from civil servants in favour of different council boundaries that critics say will benefit Labour.

TechRadar News
Open 
Dutton Ranch star teases 'hidden secrets' will be revealed across the next three episodes of hit Yellowstone spinoff series — and I think they could rival Taylor Sheridan's most iconic moments

TechRadar News
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Walmart's unbelievable 50% discount on its Plus membership is back for a limited time — take advantage of this incredible deal while you can

TechRadar News
Open 
'This marks a sophisticated evolution': Experts warn Claude feature hijacked by hackers to launch major malware campaign

TechRadar News
Open 
Valve releases SteamOS 3.8 — and it comes with the biggest hint yet that the Steam Machine is about to arrive

Slashdot
Open 
Apple Announces Major App Store Changes on iOS in Brazil
Apple is allowing iPhone developers in Brazil to distribute apps through authorized alternative marketplaces and use third-party payment systems following action by the country's competition regulator. "In other words, developers in Brazil will be able to circumvent the App Store and Apple's in-app purchase system, but there are still fees," reports MacRumors. Apple will collect commissions ranging from 5% on externally distributed apps to as much as 26% for some App Store transactions using its payment system. From the report: Alternative app marketplaces will have to be authorized by Apple and will need to meet ongoing requirements. For apps that are still distributed through the App Store, developers will be able to include an alternative payment processing method in their app and/or link users to a website to complete a transaction. These changes are available on iOS 26.5 and later, and they are the result of regulatory action from Brazil's competition regulator. Apple has added a new page on its website with additional details for developers in Brazil.

Apple said these changes introduce privacy and security risks for users, including children. The company has introduced safeguards to mitigate these risks, including a notarization process for iOS apps, an authorization process for app marketplaces, and limitations on external links and alternative payments for users under the age of 18. Apple has already allowed alternative app stores and/or third-party payment systems on iOS in the EU, Japan, and South Korea, and it will likely be forced to do so in the UK and Australia too, due to similar regulations in those countries.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
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Man arrested for 'attempted murder' after boy, 3, injured in crocodile enclosure
A toddler was left in a critical condition after ending up in a zoo's crocodile enclosure, while a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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I’m 55 and retiring in 6 years. Should I be switching to Roth 401(k) contributions now?
People are still holding back on participating in Roth plans at work, Vanguard says.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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How ‘Toy Story 5’ could help power a major comeback year for Hollywood
A string of surprise hits has this year’s box office already up 15% from last year, but studios and theater owners are looking to Pixar’s signature franchise to deliver a big boost.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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How America cheated Black GIs after World War II, contributing to the racial wealth gap
Their descendants, and the rest of us, are still paying the price.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Employers to college students: Skip the perfect GPA and go get a summer job
College students with any sort of work experience are twice as likely to be employed shortly after graduating.

Telegraph
Open 
South Africa’s late, controversial penalty punishes complacent Czechs
South Africa’s late, controversial penalty punishes complacent Czechs

Telegraph
Open 
Root force-fed Ashes flashback as sloppy England hand advantage to New Zealand
Root force-fed Ashes flashback as sloppy England hand advantage to New Zealand

Boing Boing
Open 
Grandpa Pudding Brains announces another Treaty of Versailles
"The greatest diplomatic troll of all time"
Grandpa Pudding Brains signed a peace deal at Versailles, because apparently nobody in the room had a history teacher, a calendar, or access to the phrase "ominous symbolism."

Versailles remains a bold venue for anyone announcing a peace deal with reparations. — Read the rest
The post Grandpa Pudding Brains announces another Treaty of Versailles appeared first on Boing Boing.

EFF
Open 
AI Regulation Should Be Rational, Not Retaliatory
The Trump administration’s approach to AI safety, particularly the generative AI models that regularly grab headlines, has been haphazard at best. At worst, it’s unconstitutional. As EFF and our allies explained in an amicus brief, the Pentagon’s actions against one company, Anthropic, violate the First Amendment because they were motivated by the administration’s desire to punish an uncooperative company, not legitimate concerns about national security.
By and large, the Trump administration’s AI strategy has minimized regulation in the name of “winning” the global “race” to develop leading frontier models. It has pared back regulations intended to address even the most serious AI threats—like AI-enabled cyberattacks on government systems—to protect AI innovation.
Yet it has repeatedly singled out one AI company for arbitrary, heavy-handed rules and sanctions. For years, the federal government relied on Anthropic’s models for use in its classified systems. But after Anthropic resisted the government’s demands to use Anthropic’s models to autonomously kill people or spy on Americans, the government declared war on the “woke” company. It designated the company a “supply chain risk,” effectively banning agencies and government contractors from doing business with the company.
A court issued a preliminary injunction preventing these sanctions from taking effect, as EFF and other civil liberties organizations urged it to do in an amicus brief filed earlier this year. But absent judicial action, these sanctions would’ve cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars. Either way, it sent a clear signal that companies must adhere to the government’s wishes or face similar consequences.
As we explained in our brief filed today, these sanctions were clear retaliation for the company’s public refusal to allow the Pentagon to use its models to develop fully autonomous weapons and spy on Americans. This kind of retaliation is unconstitutional.
In a recent executive order, the Trump administration took its war on Anthropic even further, by imposing “export controls” that ban any foreign nationals from using Anthropic’s new Mythos and Fable models. To comply with this order, Anthropic shut down the models altogether.
These extreme measures were purportedly justified by security concerns. The administration said it feared that Anthropic’s Mythos-class models could be used to find and exploit existing vulnerabilities in software code—hardly a new feat for an LLM. Anthropic itself has contributed to public anxieties about its Mythos-class models, initially claiming that Mythos was too dangerous for public release and restricting access to a handful of partners. The company’s CEO called for a pause on AI development, citing fears that the technology was becoming too powerful.
But regulators should be cutting through the hype, not feeding it. Even if Mythos’s capabilities were a modest improvement over existing technology, others are already closing the gap. In other words, nothing about Mythos is so uniquely dangerous that it warrants exceptional export controls to protect the public. Yet other LLMs with similar offensive cybersecurity capabilities are not subject to export controls. Instead, the government has embraced a voluntary system in which companies are encouraged to submit models to the government for cybersecurity testing 30 days before releasing them to the public.
AI policy should be reasonably responsive to real-world risk, grounded in the realities of the technology, and no more burdensome than necessary to protect the public. But the government’s haphazard decision to impose export controls on Mythos-class models, while subjecting other AI models to nothing more than a voluntary, light-touch framework, meets none of these criteria. As leading cybersecurity experts and executives recently explained in an open letter, these sanctions prevent developers and security teams from using the best models to find and fix vulnerabilities before adversaries, armed with nearly as capable AI, can exploit them.
Decades Later, Code Is Still Speech
More importantly, export controls on important software tools like LLMs can undermine the free flow of digital communications and technologies that activists, innovators, and ordinary users desperately need. Freedom of expression requires access to these tools. Depriving the public of the best AI threatens our rights without making us any safer.
EFF has long opposed government efforts to restrict the publication of non-classified software to the general public. In the 1990s, EFF challenged export controls on encryption software, helping establish the principle that “code is speech,” protected by the First Amendment. Courts recognized that software is not just a functional tool—it’s a means of ideas, knowledge, and technical know-how. And they recognized that the government was overreaching in trying to restrict private developers from sharing their improvements in computer security with the public.
While AI models raise new questions, efforts to restrict access to them implicate the same constitutional and speech concerns as older efforts to restrict encryption. Export controls are uniquely susceptible to abuse. And they are especially suspect when they are unilaterally imposed without clear and fair standards.
Whether these export controls were another attempt to punish Anthropic or simply a misguided security measure, the public loses. The real cybersecurity risks of advanced AI may ultimately justify limited regulations to protect the public from legitimate threats. But whether the government ultimately chooses to heavily regulate the technology or hold off to promote innovation, its rules must be rational and evenhanded. 


Read EFF's Amicus Brief in Anthropic v. Department of War

EFF
Open 
Field Notes from a Year of OPSEC Training
Late last year, as part of our annual “Year in Review” series, we summarized our efforts providing digital privacy and security advice to at-risk communities. OPSEC trainings (short for operational security, a catch-all term we use to describe any kind of workshop, advising session, assessment, or presentation about operational security for individuals and organization) are something we've long provided, but until recently, something we’ve never broadcasted.
This has become a critical aspect of our work over the years, keeping us grounded and in touch with the realities of tech-enabled violence as well as evolving resistance strategies used by movement workers. Hoping other security trainers and organizers copy our homework, here’s a more thorough breakdown.
NOT TRADITIONAL PENTESTING
To be clear, we're not a 'pentesting' company, which refers to the methodological process of testing a person or organization's security and privacy posture, nor an information security (infosec) firm that offers anything within scopes of traditional security assessments.  Infosec companies almost always adhere to a cycle of: discovery/reconnaissance; > vulnerability scanning and testing; > exploitation of vulnerabilities found; > and a reportback of recommended mitigation strategies. Such full-spectrum audits can run the gamut of testing network security, physical security, organization posture against phishing or ransomware attacks, web app security, and more. For many organizations, the value of such engagements is immeasurable.
Such companies—although equipped with the technical sophistication to do full-spectrum digital security auditing and testing—often lack the critical points of view of human rights defenders and activists. Many human rights defenders and liberation movement workers are critically under-resourced and unable to meet the high costs of engagement with such infosec companies.  But that’s not what we offer. Our trainings center the needs of people on the ground, and offer this work pro bono. 
The cycle of engagement our work tends to take is similar to the lifecycle of pentesting outlined above, but with some key differences better suited to people-powered movements. 
We begin with a period of discovery about the organization we’re engaging with, learning about their work, the issue space they’re working in, and the types of threats their peers have faced in the past. Relying on our knowledge of known threat actors (state-operated threats, non-state actors, surveillance mechanisms, and more), we conduct a thorough threat modeling and risk assessment exercise, surfacing critical pieces of information about what we ought to prioritize protecting and from what. Sometimes that’s enough for a group to get started on improving their security plans, and we send them on their way.
After receiving consent from the group to do so, we may perform some OSINT (open source intelligence) investigation and map out a sketch of their digital footprint. This often looks like some combination of discoverability through public records, data broker ecosystems, and breach databases, as well as risks they may incur through the services they rely on for their web presence. That latter part can be done with typical pentesting reconnaissance tools, as well as our own project Privacy Badger for mapping the trackers on their website, which pose them and their users some amount of risk. Working from this sketch of their digital footprint, opportunities to lessen the reach of their data exposure, or at least the more sensitive areas they ought to be aware of, become apparent.
For a more in-depth engagement, we take the information gathered from the guided threat modeling exercises, as well as the digital footprint we’ve developed for them, and we move on to training the participants on what they need to address their threats. Sometimes that looks like a deep dive on encryption and how it can be used to protect data backups and secure communications. Other times it looks like getting very knowledgeable and practiced on the various ways to stay safe from surveillance threats encountered at a protest. Often though, our engagement with those asking for advice on how to strengthen their OPSEC is as simple as presenting materials covered in our Surveillance Self-Defense (SSD) project, but with EFF staff to help apply those lessons to their context.
MOVEMENTS AND COMMUNITIES ADVISED
Requests for such training mostly arise organically, either via referral, from our participation in external media, or driven by an interest in SSD. Naturally, the demand for accessible OPSEC advice escalates along with the general sophistication and reach of surveillance technology. And as authoritarianism creeps and continues to threaten the movement workers fighting against it, there's a marked urgency for that demand.
The types of communities and liberation movement workers that reach out run a wide array of experiences, but some commonalities stick out. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, we've seen a huge uptick in abortion access activists like clinic escorts and information distribution networks reaching out. So too are providers of criminalized healthcare services, both abortion services and gender affirming care alike. The list goes on: advocates for transgender rights such as art collectives and archivists, sex worker rights activists, survivors of intimate partner violence, climate justice activists, legal defense groups focusing on immigrant justice and Black liberation. And many, many others, often stemming from experiences of distinct marginalization and state-powered violence.
We’re dressing the wounds the violence of surveillance inflicts.
TAXONOMY OF THREATS
When there's a cast of common threat actors that so often emerge during risk assessment (ideologically motivated harassers, lawmakers, cops, negligent leadership at large tech platforms, etc) there is a level of predictability about their capabilities. We use that information to make knowledgeable risk assessments for those we’re working with, determining the means that threat actors have to cause them harm, as well as the likelihood.
For community organizers and grassroots activists we most often see concerns around doxxing (and harassment driven by OSINT), social media monitoring, content suppression on tech platforms, and insider threats such as infiltration within trusted communication channels. Often this comes with a tension between publicity and privacy—needing to spread their message and further their cause, while recognizing that digital privacy has a profound impact on their personal safety. Some activists may instead hope to organize other more covert forms of direct action. They're more likely to be concerned about the types of street level surveillance that they may encounter.
Small organizations nonprofit and otherwise may share the concerns around doxxing, as well as traditional digital security concerns around their web presence. Website defacement and data exfiltration are particular concerns for organizations that don't have the resources to commit to IT security staff. And for those that do have meager budgets for such things, organizational compliance and ease-of-use regarding privacy and security technologies are a whole other concern. The question then becomes how to manage a system of distributed devices that are uncontrolled by the organization, but operationally necessary for each member of their community. 
Generally speaking, the threats most commonly encountered in these spaces have to do with the opacity and unchecked reach of surveillance systems. With every single individual or group that we encounter in this type of work, threat modeling comes number one in terms of priority. There is no way to protect against every theoretical threat. Instead, we walk others through the process of identifying and then prioritizing known and perceived threats, based on their specific context and the type of work that they do, before moving on to recommended mitigation and resistance strategies. 
STRATEGIES OF RESISTANCE
Developing a threat model without a course of action often does more to stoke privacy nihilism than remedy the risks communities face. The more we engage with at-risk communities and offer reasonable, accessible OPSEC advice, the greater our instinct develops for recognizing such strategies. At the core of these recommendations lie the backbones of privacy and security fundamentals, such as encryption, access controls, sophisticated backup plans, OSINT skills, and resistance to online tracking.
Over the years, we've found it easiest to begin with non-technical recommendations first. These strategies often mesh well with the community's extant organizing procedures, such as designating team roles and thought out contingency plans for specific risks. This may look like identifying those extant plans and tacking on responsibilities like data backups, code words for community vetting, and developing workarounds or contingency plans for if they lose access to specific technologies. 
Eventually, though, the strategies must become more technical, like switching to more private and secure technology alternatives, developing a sophisticated and encrypted data backup plan, and having technical contingency plans in place for if/when they are deplatformed or their services interrupted. Developing patience and compassion when walking groups through unfamiliar technologies is an essential tool of this work. So too is the habit of checking ourselves, as privacy and security nerds, to know the difference between the most secure technologies and those which will actually be used by at-risk community members. Any step towards more thoughtful OPSEC is better than one too difficult to use. The last thing we want is a recommendation that results in people frustratedly giving up on doing anything at all. After all, the whole point of this is to empower movement workers, not inhibit them.
HOLISTIC MITIGATIONS
It is painfully obvious how many identified threats could be protected against if there were comprehensive data privacy legislation protecting all people. The lack of such is an existential threat to everyone. Bills that undermine peoples' right to privacy are never clear about what they're doing, and often come wrapped in some paternalistic guise of addressing some other harm elsewhere. They often use confusing, oblique language that preys on the public's interest to correct the course of other social harms. The reality is that when it’s clearly explained, every person online wants better privacy. And as we know, every individual's personal security and wellbeing are entwined with their access to privacy. The capacity with which a person can decide what to share online, rather than have sensitive information non-consensually taken from them by creepy surveillance technologies, is a matter of self-determination. And it's in all our best interests to fight for the right to self-determination.
WHAT WE GET BACK
An unexpected outcome of identifying so many common threat actors across such varied issue spaces is revealing potential avenues of collaboration and camaraderie. Some movements are already keen on this allyship, such as those focusing on various aspects of bodily autonomy and self-determination. Abortion access activists and trans liberation activists are often in concerted allyship. Other less obvious connections are legal defense groups that offer "know-your-rights" style educational materials and other issue-specific activists who have questions about the legal threats they're facing while fighting for their cause. 
Recognizing the common threat actors across different issue spaces begins to highlight opportunities for collective action against those threats. As a digital rights organization, this is very much our wheelhouse, and precisely why our technologist team is self-described as one working toward the public interest. It’s also from this point of view that we continue to win. And why it’s critical for lawmakers to pay attention when we say particular pieces of bad legislation are harmful to public safety. And finally, why it is necessary for public interest technologists and digital rights activists to connect with other communities to learn about the specific technology risks they’re worried about. As Mariame Kaba says, “Nothing that we do that is worthwhile is done alone.” This very blog post is in an effort to provoke thought for digital security trainers, so that we as a community don’t work atomized and alone, reproducing the same work, exhausting ourselves and creating unnecessary redundancy.
We do what we can to keep up. And thankfully, we participate within an ecosystem of digital security providers that have a keen mind towards fighting for digital rights. We share resources, referrals, and expertise. Our Surveillance Self-Defense project is stress-tested by the experiences shared by the liberation movement workers we engage with and provide this work to. If you’re interested in becoming a digital security resource for your community, start with the SSD. If you’re a human rights defender with questions about how to stay safe, reach out. And if you’re not sure what else to do, you can always help us keep it going.

Mail Online
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Trump says 'fools who think I haven't been tough enough on Iran' are 'jealous or stupid' after signing widely criticised deal that includes giving Tehran $300billion
Donald Trump has hit back at critics who said he had not been tough enough with Iran after signing a peace deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian (UK)
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Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address
US defence secretary addresses allies in latest attempt to get Europe to raise military budgetsPete Hegseth has announced a review of the US military presence across Europe, in a combative address to Nato allies where he threatened to cut force numbers in countries spending the least on defence.The US defence secretary, speaking at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, accused some countries of “free riding” and others of being shameful for not allowing their airbases to be used by US jets bombing Iran in the spring. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Naomi Campbell called unfit to run a charity in her appeal against ban
Supermodel ‘completely abdicated’ her trustee responsibilities at Fashion for Relief, Charity Commission tells hearingNaomi Campbell showed herself to be unfit to run a charity after the supermodel “completely abdicated” her responsibilities as a trustee of her now defunct Fashion for Relief project, according to the charity watchdog.The Charity Commission told a tribunal that Campbell, who is trying to overturn a five-year ban on running a charity, was “highly culpable” for mismanagement and misuse of funds at Fashion for Relief, the former charity she founded in 2015. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Feyi-Waboso declared fit for Prem final after jaw surgery in boost for Exeter
England consent to Chiefs fielding winger at TwickenhamEthan Roots also set to return against NorthamptonManny Feyi-Waboso has been declared fit to return for Exeter in Saturday’s Prem final at Twickenham. England’s star winger underwent facial surgery barely two weeks ago but, in a major boost for the Chiefs, is available for his side’s showdown with Northampton and, potentially, England’s Test against South Africa on 4 July.Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, said the decision was ultimately taken by Feyi-Waboso himself after England’s medical team indicated they had no objections to him playing. The 23-year-old had a plate inserted in his jaw this month but is now free to bolster the Chiefs’ efforts to secure a first Prem title since 2020. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes could be back soon as England captain as mood turns his way
Regulator’s initial report into nightclub affair due soonStokes has made it clear that he wants to play onThe England and Wales Cricket Board is hopeful Ben Stokes will be able to make a quick return as England captain. Brendon McCullum, the head coach, and Rob Key, the team’s managing director, refused to say that they wanted Stokes back in the side in press conferences over the past week, but behind the scenes the mood is believed to be more optimistic.The ECB is understood to be waiting for a report from the Cricket Regulator into Stokes’s actions in breaking the team curfew along with the fast bowler Gus Atkinson after England’s first Test win against New Zealand at Lord’s last week. The regulator’s preliminary report is due in the next few days and its contents will inform the ECB’s next steps. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mokoena rescues point for South Africa against Czechia and relieves pressure on Broos
They can put the matches away, at least for a little while. Before this game the South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, had responded to fierce criticism for how his side had started the World Cup by revealing that eight months ago, having qualified for the competition, a friend told him they would erect of a statue of him and that he had said: “Make it out of wood; that way it will burn more easily when I lose.” Defeated 2-0 by Mexico, they were seven minutes away from following that up with a 1-0 loss to Czechia, left with no points, no goals and not much hope either. But then, almost from nowhere, a penalty allowed them to live to fight another day, the bonfire avoided for now.Teboho Mokoena was the man that scored it and what it meant could be seen not just in the way that he celebrated but in the tears that had rolled down his face during the national anthem. A draw is not a great result and it was not a great game but there was a smile at the end, and hope too. South Africa can still go through: victory over South Korea would virtually guarantee it; a win for the Czechs would see them through too. Whether they are capable of securing one is a different matter. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 12pm local time/3pm EDT/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielSome more mails:“Hello Daniel,” says regular correspondent, Krishna Moorthy. “Can’t believe this is your first MBM!”Hi there. I just want to say, as someone born and raised in the US, that soccer will never be a truly major sport here until it’s shown on regular TV, and that’s not happening without ad breaks. I don’t write to praise US capitalism or the media landscape it produces! I only acknowledge that that’s the country I live in. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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BBC pulls Ashley Cain documentary over abusive and misogynistic remarks
BBC says its vetting process ‘clearly failed’ after Guardian reveals presenter’s past comments about womenWarning: this article contains sexually explicit, offensive languageThe BBC has pulled a documentary series with its controversial presenter Ashley Cain after revelations over his history of abusive and misogynistic comments about women.In a statement late on Thursday, the BBC said its vetting requirements had “clearly failed” in the case of Cain, who was lauded by executives at the corporation for his ability to connect with young men. It added the BBC had “no plans” to broadcast a new series of Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, a BBC programme that was filmed earlier this year at various locations across the world. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
Open 
NASA Flyby Reveals Violent Origin of Weird Peanut-Shaped Asteroid
The oddly shaped rock is likely the byproduct of a catastrophic collision millions of years ago.

Gizmodo
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Massive Tohoku Earthquake Sent a Seismic Wave That Shifted All of Japan
Researchers discovered an unusual, nationwide shift when examining GPS records of the Tohoku earthquake.

Gizmodo
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‘Widow’s Bay’ Director Hiro Murai on the Show’s Stephen King Connections
The Apple TV horror comedy slipped some clever visual and thematic references into its first season.

Gizmodo
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AI Pioneer Yann LeCun Calls xAI a ‘Failure,’ Reignites Feud With Elon Musk
Musk: Oh yeah? Could a failure of an AI company do this? (Produces infinite CSAM)

The Verge
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This robotic self-driving toilet comes to you
During a recent expo in Shanghai that focuses on elderly care, assistive devices, and rehabilitation medicine, a Chinese company called Yueban debuted a smart toilet that does something we haven't seen before; it comes to you. The autonomous self-driving Xiaoban toilet was designed to improve accessibility for those dealing with mobility issues due to age, […]

The Verge
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The best early Amazon Prime Day deals so far
Amazon’s earlier-than-usual Prime Day doesn’t begin until June 23rd, but there are several even earlier deals on must-have products that you can check out right now. To name some examples, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are selling at their cheapest-ever price at Amazon and Walmart (though, the sale keeps playing peek-a-boo). Also, you can grab Ring’s […]

Geoff Marshall
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The Piccadilly Line Station that was Never Built

Adam @podcastindex.social
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@StevenB Having issues with Sovereignfeeds:Unknown Error sending to ServerCheck your Webhook Link and SecretWebhook server and secreta re set and have not chaged@dave
@StevenB Having issues with Sovereignfeeds:Unknown Error sending to ServerCheck your Webhook Link and SecretWebhook server and secreta re set and have not chaged@dave

Adam @podcastindex.social
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@StevenB @dave https://ladder.podcastindex.org/index.phpDoes not appear to be working?
@StevenB @dave https://ladder.podcastindex.org/index.phpDoes not appear to be working?

Mail Online
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England boss Thomas Tuchel promises his side will play football to excite supporters in the pub during the World Cup - but admits he faces big Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka decision
CRAIG HOPE: Thomas Tuchel says England must play football that supporters in pubs can fall in love with, as he vowed to keep on attacking at the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Lionel Messi breaks his silence on father Jorge's health problems after radio host falsely claimed he had DIED
Jorge, 68, is undergoing a 'health situation' that left his son in tears on the field during Argentina's opening World Cup game in Kansas City on Tuesday night.

BBC World News
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Parents of Serbia's teenage school shooter given jail terms in retrial
The boy was 13 when he killed eight girls, a boy and a school guard at Vladislav Ribnikar school in Belgrade in 2023.

ZDNet News
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I tested a $15 smart switch and uncovered a $1,500-a-year energy waste in the kitchen
The SwitchBot Relay 1PM Switch turns a device on and off and tells you how much power it's using.

CNET News
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I Want Sennheiser's New Accentum Clip Earbuds, but I'll Have to Go to Canada to Get Them
Sennheiser's Accentum Clip open-ear true wireless earbuds are set to ship on July 23, but not to the US.

CNET News
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Sunscreen Misinformation Spreads Way Faster Than the Truth on TikTok, Study Reveals
Sunscreen protects you from UV rays, but the message is getting lost in translation on social media.

The Guardian (UK)
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Teenager wrongly arrested wins race discrimination claim against the Met
Daryl McLune was 16 when he was held for 23 hours on suspicion of attempting to murder his mother after she tried to take her own lifeA teenager who was wrongly arrested for the attempted murder of his mother minutes after she had tried to kill herself has won a race discrimination claim against the Metropolitan police.A jury found that the Met discriminated against Daryl McLune, who was 16 at the time, because he was black. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Professional baseball team cancels game after players refuse to wear Pride jerseys
York Revolution were celebrating Pride NightMLB players have also pushed back on PrideA professional baseball team has chosen to forfeit a game after some of its players refused to participate in the club’s Pride Night.York Revolution had arranged for players to wear uniforms with rainbow sleeves during their game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Thursday as part of the team’s 11th annual Pride Night. However, the Revolution said several players had refused to wear the jerseys and the club cancelled the game. The team instead made the night “a free and fun celebration of recognition and inclusion”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Another FTSE 100 firm falls to private equity. Where are the new listings? | Nils Pratley
You can’t complain Intertek’s £10bn takeover happened – the problem is the lack of arrivals in the other direction It would be a stretch to describe the £10bn-ish takeover of Intertek as a landmark event for the London stock market or the FTSE 100 index.This is not an Arm Holdings moment – the purchase of that Cambridge chip designer by Japan’s SoftBank in 2016 provoked long (and continuing) agonising over the lack of whizzy tech stocks on the London market. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Talisman’ McTominay has the motivation to make impact on World Cup
Steve Clarke highlights squad mentality before Morocco game but Napoli midfielder stands out with his goalsIt is a conversation in Milan that should resonate in Massachusetts. Italy’s failure to qualify for another World Cup has triggered harsh assessment of Serie A, including why there is a shortage of home players making sufficient impact there. The success of imports, whose talent level is marginally above average, supposedly says much about decline within the Italian game.It would be harsh to place Scott McTominay in that category. The sharpness of the 29-year-old’s career trajectory since leaving Manchester United for Napoli depicts a player who was underappreciated at the club of his youth and early professional years. McTominay left Manchester with a point to prove and did so with bells on, courtesy of a title win and the label of Serie A’s most valuable player in 2025. Should McTominay choose to leave Naples, where he is adored, he will not be short of Premier League options. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 12pm local time/3pm EDT/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielSteve Gisselbrecht has written in to provide some real world perspective on the water breaks:Hi there. I just want to say, as someone born and raised in the US, that soccer will never be a truly major sport here until it’s shown on regular TV, and that’s not happening without ad breaks. I don’t write to praise US capitalism or the media landscape it produces! I only acknowledge that that’s the country I live in. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Lib Dem MP Cameron Thomas suspended amid police investigation
MP for Tewkesbury understood to have been arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday nightA Liberal Democrat MP has had the whip suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation, a party spokesperson said.Cameron Thomas was arrested by Gloucestershire police on Wednesday night, it is understood. His office has been contacted for comment. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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BBC pulls Ashley Cain documentary over abusive and misogynistic remarks
BBC said its vetting process had ‘clearly failed’ after Guardian revealed presenter’s past comments about womenWarning: this article contains sexually explicit, offensive languageThe BBC has pulled a documentary series with its controversial presenter Ashley Cain after revelations over his history of abusive and misogynistic comments about women.In a statement late on Thursday, the BBC said its vetting requirements had “clearly failed” in the case of Cain, who was lauded by executives at the corporation for his ability to connect with young men. It added the BBC has “no plans” to broadcast a new series of Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, a BBC programme that was filmed earlier this year at various locations across the world. Continue reading...

Wired Top Stories
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Trump Mocked Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos by Showing Off Fawning Texts
“You would not believe the texts I got from these tech guys,” NYT reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan quote Donald Trump as telling associates in an upcoming book.

The Hill
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Slotkin introduces bill limiting deployment of troops, federal agents to polling sites
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Thursday introduced the Protect Our Polls Act in an effort to block President Trump from deploying soldiers and federal law enforcement agents ahead of midterm elections.  The bill comes after Trump said he would not rule out sending the National Guard or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to polling places...

The Hill
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GOP Senate Armed Services chair comes out against Iran deal
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chair of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday he was "concerned" the U.S.-negotiated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “negotiates away the victories of Operation Epic Fury in ways that are completely out of step with the President’s goals.” “Specifically, the $300...

The Hill
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Will gas prices keep falling? It's likely, but Mother Nature could interrupt that
Prices at the pump should improve this summer.

The Hill
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US military lifts Strait of Hormuz naval blockade after Iran MOU signed 
The U.S. military lifted its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S., Iran and intermediaries signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the conflict in the Middle East.  U.S. forces ended the blockade, which barred maritime traffic from entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, the U.S. Central Command (Centcom)...

The Hill
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Fake FIFA sites being used to steal private information: FBI
The FBI is warning soccer fans to watch out for fraudulent websites impersonating FIFA amid the World Cup this summer, as the agency says cybercriminals are using fake domains to sell counterfeit tickets and steal personal information. In a public service announcement issued Tuesday, the FBI said cyber threat actors have launched spoofing attacks designed...

The Hill
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Ossoff: Trump 'making a terrorist attack more likely' with Pulte nomination
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) on Wednesday slammed President Trump for appointing Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, arguing the move increases the risk of a terrorist attack on the U.S.  “The installation of a thug and a hack like Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence is maybe the most chilling and...

The Hill
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Top Foreign Relations Democrat on Trump Iran deal: 'Catastrophically bad outcome'
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee slammed the reported contents of the deal between the U.S. and Iran, calling them a “catastrophically bad outcome.” “The White House has not released the memorandum of understanding, so neither Congress nor the American people can fully assess what the Administration agreed to. If the reported...

The Hill
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Vance warns Israeli officials against attacking Trump, their 'only powerful ally'
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday warned Israeli officials against speaking out and criticizing the peace deal negotiated by President Trump’s administration with Iran, suggesting Israel should be grateful for partnership with the U.S. while they are isolated on the international stage.  “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not...

Techdirt
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Daily Deal: The JavaScript DOM Game Developer Bundle
The JavaScript DOM Game Developer Bundle has 8 courses to help you master coding fundamentals. Courses cover JavaScript DOM, Coding, HTML 5 Canvas, and more. You’ll learn how to create your own fun, interactive games. It’s on sale for $30. Note: The Techdirt Deals Store is powered and curated by StackCommerce. A portion of all sales from […]

Techdirt
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Surveillance Is Good Because I Want Drivers I Don’t Like To Be Punished: Cleveland Columnist
Here it is: the dumbest defense of automatic license plate readers I’ve ever read. While we can subtract some points because the person writing it has no power to install/un-install/cover in garbage bags surveillance tech, he’s a regular contributor to a long-running newspaper in a major city. And since this paper is still willing to […]

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING TRUMP: “I will, sadly, be the last Republican President”
President Trump just took to Truth Social to hammer any Republican that wouldn’t vote to terminate the filibuster, calling them a ‘stupid fool’. He said if they don’t end the filibuster, “I . . .

Deutsche Welle
Open 
UAE imposes limits on teen social media access
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a social media ban for all children under 15. Platforms have one year to review and remove under-age accounts or face stiff penalties.

Mail Online
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Naomi Campbell focused on 'controlling the media narrative' rather than 'honesty and accuracy' as she tried to appeal charity ban, tribunal hears
The supermodel, 56, has claimed she was deceived by Fashion For Relief co-trustee Bianka Hellmich, whom she alleges forged her signature and falsely presented herself as a specialist charity lawyer.

Mail Online
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Busted star James Bourne breaks his silence after pulling out of tour due to illness - following the mysterious vanishing of his Instagram account
Busted star James Bourne has broken his silence in a new interview - nine months after he pulled out of the band's tour due to illness. 

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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My job was to watch hours and hours of abuse caught on camera at Muckamore Hospital
Central to those investigating what went on at Muckamore Abbey Hospital was hundreds of thousands of hours of CCTV footage.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Finest hats and high-fashion - King attends Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
About 290,000 people are expected to attend the Berkshire horseracing track this week.

The Register
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Committed skeptic finds himself warming to new Amazon AI products that actually don't suck
Ed's note to Corey: Blink once if you're safe, twice if you're in danger

Mail Online
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Liberal Democrat MP is suspended after police launch criminal investigation into him
Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of a police probe, a party spokesperson said. 

FlightAware Squawks
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Russia Imposes Major Airspace Restrictions Around Moscow
Russia is implementing sweeping aviation restrictions across Moscow and several neighboring regions, grounding most private pilots and civilian drone operators as authorities respond to ongoing security concerns linked to recent drone attacks.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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King attends Ladies Day at Royal Ascot with Stanley Tucci
About 290,000 people are expected to attend the Berkshire horseracing track this week.

The Guardian (UK)
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Liverpool sign Víctor Muñoz for £34.5m in first arrival of Andoni Iraola era
Club triggered £34.5m release clause for Osasuna forwardLiverpool beat Newcastle for fast, versatile 22-year-oldVíctor Muñoz has become Liverpool’s first signing of Andoni Iraola’s reign at the club after triggering a £34.5m release clause in his contract with Osasuna.Muñoz has signed a “long-term contract” with Liverpool, believed to be for six years, after undergoing a medical on Wednesday in Atlanta, where the 22-year-old is part of the Spain squad at the World Cup. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Stokes could be back soon as England captain as mood turns his way
Regulator’s initial report into nightclub affair due soonStokes has made it clear that he wants to play onThe England and Wales Cricket Board is hopeful that Ben Stokes will be able to make a quick return as England captain. Brendon McCullum, the head coach, and Rob Key, the team’s managing director, refused to say that they wanted Stokes back in the side in press conferences over the last week, but behind the scenes the mood is believed to be more optimistic.The ECB is understood to be waiting for a report from the Cricket Regulator into Stokes’s actions in breaking the team curfew along with the fast bowler Gus Atkinson after England’s first Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s last week. The regulator’s preliminary report is due in the next few days, and its contents will inform the ECB’s next steps. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ben Jennings on Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on OnlyFans: revelations of abusive middlemen merit MPs’ attention | Editorial
Reports of agents taking 50% of women’s earnings undermine the company’s rhetoric of empowerment Since its launch a decade ago, and throughout its journey to becoming one of the UK’s most successful internet startups, OnlyFans – which was valued at more than £3bn in April – has presented itself as a vehicle for content creators’ empowerment. Revelations of the role played by middlemen in transactions on the website, which is dominated by pornographic content, undermine such claims and require a response from parliament.A Guardian investigation and a BBC documentary uncovered details of male-run agencies that seek out young women, persuade them to film sexual material, and take 50% of their earnings (all OnlyFans creators also pay a 20% commission to the website). The reporters heard from women who faced pressure to make their content more explicit, and about online networks where managers sell contracts with performers to each other. The BBC interviewed a woman in Wales who was physically attacked in her home. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian view on Trump and Iran: a president’s wishful thinking gives way to uncomfortable realities | Editorial
The memorandum of understanding signed in Versailles lays bare US failure and the pointlessness of this illegal warDonald Trump’s wishful thinking, as much as Benjamin Netanyahu’s persuasion, was responsible for their illegal war on Iran. The US president wanted regime change, the eradication of Tehran’s ballistic missiles programme, to prevent it from ever building a nuclear bomb, and demilitarisation of its proxies. He announced that he would accept nothing less than unconditional surrender.The memorandum of understanding with Iran which Mr Trump signed on Wednesday – in Versailles; perhaps not the best augury of lasting diplomatic achievement – was evidence that even he can only deny reality for so long. Given the human and broader costs of the war, a deal to end it has been long overdue. But the text exposes the sheer pointlessness of this conflict. Continuing the war might have led to “worldwide depression”, the US president said, though his concern is for the impact on the pockets of his voters rather than the poorest and hungriest globally. A disgruntled base and the looming midterms have forced him into compromises loathed by Republican hawks. Mike Pence, his former vice‑president, said that it “smacks of appeasement”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Another FTSE 100 firm falls to private equity. Where are the new listings? | Nils Pratley
You can’t complain Intertek’s £10bn takeover happened – the problem is the lack of arrivals in the other direction It would be a stretch to describe the £10bn-ish takeover of Intertek as a landmark event for the London stock market or the FTSE 100 index.This is not an Arm Holdings moment – the purchase of that Cambridge chip-designer by Japan’s SoftBank in 2016 provoked long (and continuing) agonising over the lack of whizzy tech stocks on the London market. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Super subs: how England’s bench applies a crucial finishing touch
The way substitutes combined for the fourth goal against Croatia vindicated Thomas Tuchel’s desire to instil a brotherhood ethosIt is Bukayo Saka who ignites the move. Tight to the right, approaching halfway, the England winger turns on a sixpence and surges away from Josko Gvardiol. Saka’s work in tight spaces, his close control, is a consistent delight.He plays a pass up and inside for Morgan Rogers and, at this point, Djed Spence is running on the outside. Rogers looks for him but Nikola Vlasic slides in to challenge and the ball breaks. Saka is alive to it, slicing inside and beating Josip Sutalo. England sense the knockout blow because Saka has options, the best being Marcus Rashford over to the left. Croatia have only Josip Stanisic back. Saka goes to Rashford, who steadies himself, jinks inside Stanisic and sidefoots low into the bottom corner. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 12pm local time/3pm EDT/8pm BST/5am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email DanielJust had a glance at the weather in Inglewood California. It’s a mild 22 C. Nowhere near hot enough to warrant a hydration break. But we’ll have one anyway.Hello Daniel,You’re not wrong about Bafana Bafana’s performance, but the Czechs didn’t deserve a win after spending the second half being as proactive as a block of cheese. That’s how I feel about the Swiss performance against Qatar too, though they weren’t quite as negative. If other teams learn from the Czechs and Swiss not to try to sit on a one goal lead, that will be good for the competition. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Türkiye is playing the game the West forgot how to play

Mail Online
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Mother who killed her son by poisoning his blackcurrant juice because she 'wanted to die together' is handed indefinite hospital order
Louise Cameron, 42, killed her son Rhys in their home in Billingham, Teesside, last September.

Mail Online
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Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at zoo: Man, 30, 'not known to him' arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
A three-year-old boy has been left in a critical condition after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Barbados prime minister announces manifesto for slavery reparations
Updated document, which emphasises harm done to African women, is being considered by other Caribbean countriesBarbados’s prime minister, Mia Mottley, has announced a new manifesto from Caribbean leaders asserting the “moral, ethical and legal case” for reparations over damage caused by hundreds of years of enslavement.Mottley was speaking at a “historic” conference in Ghana to advance the push for reparatory justice after the United Nations adopted a landmark resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Continue reading...

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Liverpool sign Víctor Muñoz for £34.5m in first arrival of Andoni Iraola era
Club triggered £34.5m release clause for Osasuna forwardLiverpool beat Newcastle for fast, versatile 22-year-oldVíctor Muñoz has become Liverpool’s first signing of Andoni Iraola’s reign at the club after triggering a £34.5m release clause in his contract with Osasuna.Muñoz has signed a “long-term” contract with Liverpool, believed to be for six years, after undergoing a medical on Wednesday in Atlanta, where the 22-year-old is part of the Spain squad at the World Cup. Continue reading...

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Czechia 1-1 South Africa: World Cup – live reaction
⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/2am AEST/5pm BST/12pm EDT⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielEmail! “This is a bittersweet game for me,” confesses John Brennan. “When the draw was made in December, this was the most likely game that I could get to see Ireland play. I probably couldn’t have pulled off going to Mexico but getting from NY to Atlanta would have been reasonable. The stadium would have been packed with Irish fans between Irish living here on the East Coast and people travelling. Just thinking about it makes me wistful. What if Ryan Manning didn’t give away that stupid penalty, what if Parrott had scored that chance in the second half, what if Sammy Smzodics hadn’t been taken out of it and had been able to take a penalty instead of Alan Browne. And yeah if all those things had happened and Ireland beat Czechia, it would probably be Denmark playing today.Anyway, I have a strange feeling South Africa might show up today and make it difficult for the Czechs or maybe that is just a coping mechanism for me.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK attorney general tells staff to stop using X amid disinformation concerns
Exclusive: Richard Hermer’s department understood to be first in government to restrict use after recent riotsThe attorney general has told his office to no longer post on X, making it the first UK government department to stop using the Elon Musk-owned platform amid increasing worries about its use to incite violence and racism.Richard Hermer’s office last posted on X on Friday, and it is understood that officials have been told to no longer use the site, unless for the specific purpose of combatting disinformation there. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation periodMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months, after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, said the strait was under its control and a European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK could keep special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoined EU, Michel Barnier says
Exclusive: Former chief Brexit negotiator says staying out of euro and Schengen area would be ‘perfectly possible’‘Cynical to get power’: Michel Barnier on Boris Johnson, Brexit and the EU’s futureMichel Barnier has said Britain could regain its special terms if it rejoined the EU and claimed it was becoming clearer every day to the British people that they would be stronger in Europe.In an interview before the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum next week, the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator said he could not see any obstacle to the UK keeping the pound and remaining outside the passport-free Schengen travel area should the country rejoin. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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England in trouble after dreadful day against NZ
England are in a dire position against New Zealand after spiralling from a chaotic morning on day two of the second Test at The Oval.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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King attends Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
About 290,000 people are expected to attend the Berkshire horseracing track this week.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Minister weighs cuts to UN contributions
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has criticized the UN after Germany failed in a recent bid for a Security Council seat. Meanwhile, industrial employment levels in the country are at a decade low. DW has more.

Deutsche Welle
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US-Iran talks: Hope and skepticism in the Swiss alps
An end to fighting and relief from a global energy crunch is a welcome development, but critics doubt a lasting deal is in sight. US-Iran talks in Switzerland will reveal more.

Mail Online
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Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at zoo: Man, 30, 'not known to him' arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo. 

Mail Online
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Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh join the party at Royal Ascot ahead of their wedding anniversary: Couple look delighted as they watch the races with Princess Anne and Zara Tindall
Prince Edward and Sophie attended the star-studded event the day before their 27th wedding anniversary, with the Duchess of Edinburgh wearing the same pearl necklace she was married in.

Mail Online
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World Cup's 'sexiest fan' sends fans wild with barely-there outfit to watch her country's first game in Dallas
Model and influencer Ivana Knoll has become well-known over the past few years for her presence at Croatia's games, and she was once again front and center as they took on England in Dallas.

Mail Online
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World Cup supercomputer reveals England's new path to the final - with Thomas Tuchel's team now second favourites to win the whole thing after escaping the early upsets
Opta's World Cup supercomputer has named England as the second favourites to lift the trophy on July 19 after the Three Lions' barnstorming 4-2 victory against Croatia on Wednesday. 

Mail Online
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Thomas Tuchel and England secure another World Cup victory as FIFA change protocol for national anthems - after Three Lions boss complained his view was blocked by photographers
England manager Thomas Tuchel has secured a victory off the pitch at the World Cup after he complained about being blocked by photographers ahead of last night's 4-2 victory over Croatia.

Sky News Home
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Preston Davey: Timeline of baby's tragically short life
Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley have been jailed after the murder and sexual abuse of Preston Davey, their adopted baby.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Lord Botham criticises Stokes for breaking curfew
Lord Botham criticises England captain Ben Stokes for breaking a team curfew and says there is no way to "justify what happened".

TechRadar News
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TV size finder

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IO Interactive says 007 First Light was 'always' supposed to be an origin story — 'We wanted to take that risk and introduce a fresh Bond for the gamers'

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I heard the awesome new JBL Summit Everest speakers, and these beasts felt like they could 'rumble me right out of my seat'

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Intego's 'super strong' antivirus has a World Cup price cut – and it's one of the best Mac security suites we've tested

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ExpressVPN gives its desktop apps a visual makeover and a bigger push into AI

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Digital Trends
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MorningBlues SonicGlass A1 Wants to Make Music Visible With Transparent Audio and AI-Powered Experiences
MorningBlues is preparing to launch SonicGlass A1 on Kickstarter, combining a transparent glass driver, floating lyrics, AI Music Radio, and interactive music experiences in a speaker designed to make music visible.

Digital Trends
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Taika Waititi’s new film ‘Klara and the Sun’ imagines a dystopian sci-fi future without internet, and Jenna Ortega as an android
Jenna Ortega plays an Artificial Friend named Klara in Taika Waititi's emotional new sci-fi adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel.

Slashdot
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Google Told Researcher 'Nice Catch!' Then Denied Bug Bounty For Flaw It Still Hasn't Fixed
Security researcher Justin O'Leary says Google initially accepted his Config Connector privilege-escalation report as a high-priority, high-severity bug, then denied a bounty by declaring the behavior "working as intended." According to The Register, a Google rep initially praised O'Leary's report with a "Nice catch!" before the cloud giant reversed course, declaring that no vulnerability existed and therefore no fix or reward was warranted. "The bug report, however, is still marked high-priority and accepted," the publication notes. The alleged flaw, dubbed ConfigConfusion, could let a Kubernetes namespace user exploit an overprivileged service account to become a GCP organization owner with only a few lines of YAML and little apparent audit visibility. O'Leary details the incident in a blog post. The Register reports: According to O'Leary, Config Connector doesn't perform an authorization check, and this allows any Config Connector service account with org-level permissions to bypass Identity and Access Management (IAM) authorization and gain the highest level of control (roles/owner) to an entire GCP Organization -- the root node of all of a company's resources within Google Cloud. On March 27, a Google security engineer accepted O'Leary's report and told him: "Nice catch!" The employee said that they filed a bug based on O'Leary's report with the relevant product team and assured him the Chocolate Factory's security squad would work with relevant Google Cloud people to fix the flaw. "We'll work with the product team to ensure this issue is address. We'll let you know when the issue was fixed," the engineer said. "In the meantime, review the payment option selected in your bughunters.google.com profile."

Google assigned the bug P1 priority and S1 severity, signifying a flaw worthy of urgent repair because it affects a large percentage of users and can disrupt core organizational functions. "I figured that was the end of that," O'Leary said in a phone interview with The Register. Eleven days later, on April 7, he received a new message from a Google Security Bot reversing the earlier decision. The Reg viewed the email, and O'Leary included a screenshot in his Thursday writeup. The message said that the Cloud Vulnerability Reward Program panel decided that the "security impact of this issue does not meet the criteria to qualify for a reward."

After reviewing the bug report, Google determined the software "is working as intended," the message continued. It also noted that the program's decision not to pay a bounty "does not mean that the product team won't fix the issue." Nearly three months later, the case remains P1/S1 with the status "in progress (accepted)." Google hasn't assigned a CVE or issued a fix. O'Leary didn't receive any reward for his research. [...] "This is a pattern," O'Leary told [The Register]. "This is just how these trillion-dollar companies deal with people like me. In my day job, we use GKE, and it's incredibly frustrating on my end, when I find a critical vulnerability in the system that's being widely used, and I can't even get the vendor to patch their own stuff." A Google spokesperson told The Register: "The issue reported does not qualify for a reward because the GCP IAM authorization bypass is only exploitable if an attacker has access to a Config Connector Service Account that's been granted the Organization Admin role by the organization (i.e., it is privileged). Additionally, an attacker would first need to gain entry to an organization's environment (e.g., an exposed container) in order to leverage the privileged Config Connector instance and execute commands with administrative authority, such as the IAM bypass. Granting this level of access to the Config Connector Service Account goes against Google Cloud's publicly shared best practices and the principle of least privilege."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Android 17 Drops For Pixel Phones and Watch
Google has begun rolling out Android 17, the June Pixel Feature Drop, and Wear OS 7 simultaneously across supported Pixel phones and watches. Highlights include floating app bubbles, improved foldable multitasking and gaming, tighter location and contact permissions, stronger lost-device protections, new Pixel AI tools, and up to 10% better Pixel Watch battery life. PhoneArena reports: Pixel owners are the clear winners, since everything here reaches Pixel first and a lot of it goes back to the Pixel 6. Fold owners get the most toys, with the Bubble Bar and foldable gaming mode built for the big screen. Watch wearers get the quietly important upgrade. Better battery and Live Updates make an everyday wearable easier to rely on, especially if you keep it on overnight. Google's latest Pixel Drop combines several AI-powered tools with a broader slate of Android 17 upgrades. Pixel owners gain Lyria 3 for generating music from text or images, Gemini Omni for creating custom video clips, enhanced call translation and screening, AirDrop-compatible Quick Share, expanded Magic Cue support, and conversational photo editing.

Android 17 builds on those additions with floating app Bubbles, selfie-camera Screen Reactions, and a split-screen gaming mode for foldables, while also strengthening privacy and security with more granular location and contact permissions, improved lost-device protection, tighter PIN-guessing limits, and enhanced threat detection.

Other additions include expanded parental controls, separate assistant volume and app memory settings, and an option to hide app names for greater privacy.

You can read more about everything new in Android 17 in Google's blog post.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Energy markets will never be the same, even after the Iran cease-fire deal
The Iran war’s legacy likely will be an urgent need to rethink energy security.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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This is one issue in the Iran deal that critics may be missing and that investors should understand
President Donald Trump signed a preliminary deal with Iran late Wednesday while in France, putting terms of the 14-point agreement into effect two days earlier than expected.

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Inside the wild week for SpaceX and the traders who pushed up its stock price
Also in Weekend Reads: A contrarian energy investment play as oil prices fall, credit advice for Gen Z and advice from the Moneyist.

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Here’s the new way to significantly reduce the interest rate on your student loans
Borrowers who enroll in autopay will receive the benefit starting July 1.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Is Tesla succeeding in AI? Watch this for a clue.
As Tesla has doubled down on artificial intelligence, investors are left trying to make sense of the company’s progress. According to analysts at Oppenheimer, tracking how Tesla spends its cash may provide some insight.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Americans are having fewer babies than ever. Blame smartphones — and these 4 financial realities.
Having as many children as families want requires “gender equality, economic stability, decent health and confidence in the future.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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People are still holding back on participating in Roth plans at work, Vanguard says.

Telegraph
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Bailey: A decade of Brexit has been bad for the economy
Bailey: A decade of Brexit has been bad for the economy

Boing Boing
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Meta lays off thousands, monitors workers, increases the snack budget
Meta laid off thousands of workers, started monitoring employees' computers, assigned people to train the AI that may replace them, and then discovered the real missing ingredient: snacks.
Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth told employees morale is "probably one of the worst it's ever been" and that the "vibes are off." — Read the rest
The post Meta lays off thousands, monitors workers, increases the snack budget appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Spider-Man continues to do the things only a spider can in the new trailer for the latest 'Spider-Man' movie
How many times do you think I can get away with saying Spider-Man in this post? You know, for maximum SEO points? Let's give it a shot:
The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is rumored to be a sort of soft reset for the MCU. — Read the rest
The post Spider-Man continues to do the things only a spider can in the new trailer for the latest 'Spider-Man' movie appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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Becoming a British royal with nothing more than confidence and an accent
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Max Fosh is the only YouTube prankster out there worth a damn. He's not obnoxious, he isn't self-centered, and most rare of all, he doesn't hurt anyone. His workflow begins with isolating a ridiculously silly idea, like hiring stuntmen to throw a fight so he can look cool in front of his friends, and doing everything possible to realize it. — Read the rest
The post Becoming a British royal with nothing more than confidence and an accent appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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MAD hits 600 issues; still, thankfully, hilariously juvenile
MAD Magazine published its 600th issue this week, and celebrated with a gorgeous cover (and back cover) by the reigning champ of MAD cartooning, Sergio Aragonés. Aragonés's first appearance in the magazine was in issue #76, published in 1963.
Posted with the permission of DC Comics
It's quite a milestone for a publication that started in 1952 as a comic book, and as a way for Harvey Kurtzman to write humor for EC Comics, instead of the research-heavy, time-consuming war comics he'd been writing. — Read the rest
The post MAD hits 600 issues; still, thankfully, hilariously juvenile appeared first on Boing Boing.

Adam Curry
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We're live now with No Agenda episode 1878 #@pocketnoagenda
We're live now with No Agenda episode 1878 #@pocketnoagenda

Sky News Home
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Vulnerable adults 'zombified' and suffered 'systematic abuse', inquiry finds
A public inquiry has uncovered "systematic abuse" and a "profound catalogue of failures" towards some of Northern Ireland's most vulnerable adults.

The Guardian (UK)
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Barbados prime minister announces manifesto for slavery reparations
Document backed by other Caribbean leaders emphasises harm done to women by ‘gravest crime against humanity’Barbados’s prime minister, Mia Mottley, has announced a new manifesto from Caribbean leaders asserting the “moral, ethical and legal case” for reparations over damage caused by hundreds of years of enslavement.Mottley was speaking at a “historic” conference in Ghana to advance the push for reparatory justice after the United Nations adopted a landmark resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Aidan O’Brien saddles century of Royal Ascot winners and shows no sign of letting up
Scandinavia beats Trawlerman in compelling Gold Cup‘Very special day for myself and everybody in Ballydoyle’For all the talk of fierce rivalries here this week, the fact of it is that no current trainer has even come close to Aidan O’Brien’s achievements at this meeting since Harbour Master, at 16-1, gave him his first Royal Ascot winner in 1997. Almost three decades later, O’Brien became the first trainer to saddle a century of Royal Ascot winners as Scandinavia clawed his way past Trawlerman in the closing stages of a compelling Gold Cup, and there is little sign that he is even pondering when it might be time to call it a day.One hundred Royal Ascot winners, and one in 10 of those has now come in the showpiece event of the week, after the moment of generational shift when the eight-year-old Trawlerman, the defending champion, finally yielded to his four-year-old rival within sight of the line. Continue reading...

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Iran announces plans to bring in maritime fees for strait of Hormuz
Tehran says fees to cover cost of managing waterway will come into effect at end of 60-day negotiation periodMiddle East crisis – live updatesIran has announced plans to introduce a system of maritime fees in the strait of Hormuz in two months after the 60-day period of negotiation that has been triggered by the signing of the memorandum of understanding.Tehran, claiming a historic victory over the US, added that the strait was under its control and the European plan for a naval mission to escort ships though the strait would not be welcome. Continue reading...

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France to Stop Certifying Non-Quantum-Safe Security Products Next Year
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Waititi says 'Klara and the Sun' might be his most dramatic film.

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Computer Weekly
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Hostile states launched nearly 200 attacks on UK infrastructure in 12 months, says NCSC chief
Hackers will use AI-enabled cyber capabilities to exploit known vulnerabilities in legacy technology at scale by 2028, says National Cyber Security Centre CEO Richard Horne

ZeroHedge News
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US-Iran MOU Eases Energy Prices But Faces Sharp Pushback From Israel And GOP Hawks
US-Iran MOU Eases Energy Prices But Faces Sharp Pushback From Israel And GOP Hawks

Summary:

$6B of unfrozen Iran funds will be used to buy US goods
The US and Iran signed a preliminary cease-fire agreement at the G7 summit in France.
Energy prices fell as some Saudi supertankers resumed crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
The deal includes a $300 billion private reconstruction fund and temporary Iranian oil export waivers.
Iranian officials declared themselves the clear winner.
The agreement has opened significant new divisions within the Republican Party.
Israel described the deal as a major strategic setback.
US Vice President Vance will meet Iranian officials in Switzerland on Friday.
$6 Billion In Frozen Funds For US Goods

The Financial Times is reporting that the Trump administration will allow Iran to access $6 billion of its oil money held in Qatar to purchase non-sanctioned goods from the US as part of the billions of dollars in financial incentives being floated to ensure that the Islamic Republic commits to the MOU signed on Wednesday. 


The funds would be released in phases starting within the 60-day extended ceasefire set out in the deal, depending on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the progress of talks towards a final settlement.

They would only be used to buy American products, said a diplomat briefed on the deal. -FT


Vance's Israel 'Pwease' Moment

During a Thursday presser, VP JD Vance suggested that Israel needs to show some appreciation. 


🚨 WOW! JD Vance is DIRECTLY calling out Israeli cabinet members for their personal attacks on President Trump
"Donald J. Trump is the ONLY head of state in the ENTIRE WORLD who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time, and he happens to be the head of state… pic.twitter.com/0H9yGH8ubL
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 18, 2026
Energy prices continued to fall on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a preliminary cease-fire agreement, raising hopes that the Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen to normal tanker traffic. The deal has been welcomed by markets but has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and quiet frustration from Gulf states, while also exposing tensions within the U.S. political system and NATO.
Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press

Energy Markets and Hormuz Reopening

Brent crude fell to around $78.48 a barrel, down from levels near $95 seen late last week. In the United States, average gasoline prices dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months. Some commercial traffic has already resumed: three Saudi supertankers carrying roughly 6 million barrels of oil crossed from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman - the first significant volumes of Saudi crude to transit the strait since the war began.



"Oil down," Trump said following the signing, adding that allowing the war to continue "could have caused an international depression."

According to the text of the agreement, Iran will facilitate commercial ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz at no charge for the first 60 days. Full traffic is to resume within 30 days once technical and military obstacles are addressed and mines are cleared. Iran will hold talks with Oman on the future administration and maritime services of the waterway in line with international law. The United States and Gulf states have opposed any Iranian toll on what they regard as international waters.

Key Elements of the Preliminary Deal

The memorandum of understanding, signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, launches at least 60 days of negotiations that could begin as early as Friday. It includes temporary waivers for Iranian oil exports, a commitment to halt hostilities linked to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, and a $300 billion private investment vehicle - the Reconstruction and Development Fund - designed to channel capital into Iran’s energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transport sectors.
Maritime traffic routes through the Strait of Hormuz from Sunday to Thursday.NBC News

More than half of the $300 billion has reportedly already been pledged by companies based in the United States, Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa. The fund contains no government grants or U.S. taxpayer money and will only become operational after a final, comprehensive agreement is reached. It is separate from parallel talks on sanctions relief and unfrozen Iranian assets. Iran had originally sought $400 billion in war-damage compensation; the private fund mechanism emerged as the compromise.

A formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva is now in doubt after Iran’s foreign ministry indicated the remote signing may have made it unnecessary, though negotiating teams are still expected to meet there.

Iran Presents a United Front

Iranian officials have moved swiftly to project a unified public stance following the signing of the preliminary cease-fire agreement. After weeks of reported internal political friction - during which some hardliners reportedly sought to derail the deal - senior figures are now emphasizing national victory and the need for domestic cohesion.



Seyed Abbas Mousavi, a senior government official, stated that only a “small number” of critics remain inside Iran and described the country as the clear winner of both the war and the subsequent negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei went further, comparing the work of Iranian diplomats to that of soldiers operating “behind launchers and in trenches,” and urged the public to extend the same level of support to the negotiating team as it had to the military during the conflict.

This coordinated messaging marks a notable shift from the divisions that surfaced during the war and stands in contrast to the public criticism that has emerged from some Republican lawmakers in Washington since the deal was signed

GOP Rift



Trump’s preliminary agreement with Iran has opened new fissures within the Republican Party. While some lawmakers praised the president for ending the fighting, others - including longtime allies and prominent conservatives - expressed sharp criticism, skepticism, and alarm over what they see as insufficient concessions from Tehran.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana called the war “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,” arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed and that the regime had successfully used the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to extract concessions. “Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” he wrote on social media.

Senator Ted Cruz questioned whether the deal amounted to “giving $300 billion to the Iranian ayatollah,” while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said it was “a huge mistake to pay to rebuild the threat we just destroyed.”

"History teaches us giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea," Cruz continued. 


WOW — Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) takes a major whack at Trump’s Iran MOU
Wicker says the $300B fund “would make Iran’s payoff under President Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison” pic.twitter.com/9Tyxa3DCOO
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) June 18, 2026
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene described the war as “totally unnecessary” and sarcastically remarked, “This, apparently, is what winning looks like.”



The New York Post ran a critical front-page headline on Wednesday, accusing Trump of hitting Iran with a “LOVEBOMB” of cash and sanctions relief. Conservative pro-Israel commentator Mark Levin also said he found “much to be concerned about” in the agreement.

The backlash highlights a difficult balancing act for Mr. Trump. At the start of the conflict, he faced pushback from “America First” isolationists who opposed entering a new war. Now, as he tries to end it, he is drawing fire from more traditional national security conservatives who believe the deal fails to deliver lasting limits on Iran’s nuclear program or regional influence.

Not all Republicans were critical. Senator Tim Scott called the agreement a “major victory for American security and global stability,” while Senator Lindsey Graham expressed cautious optimism, saying he saw “little downside to trying” to reach a verifiable nuclear deal during the coming 60-day period.

Trump responded to his critics on Wednesday, dismissing them as “stupid and bad people” and insisting he had the support of the international community.

Washington and NATO Tensions Flare

The deal has faced pushback inside the United States, including from some Republican lawmakers concerned about the scope of sanctions relief and the reconstruction fund. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a pointed rebuke of NATO allies in Brussels, calling their refusal to facilitate U.S. strikes on Iran “shameful” and announcing a six-month review of American troop presence in Europe. He warned that U.S. support for the alliance would not be “a one-way street” and signaled possible cuts to Washington’s NATO contributions if allies do not increase defense spending.

Israel Views the Deal as a Strategic Setback

Israeli analysts described the agreement as failing to achieve any of Israel’s primary war aims and potentially leaving the country worse off. The deal does not limit Iran’s ballistic-missile arsenal or its backing of proxy forces such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. The nuclear file is deferred to future talks. It also seeks to constrain Israeli operations in Lebanon and calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon - positions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected, stating that Israel is not a party to the agreement and is not bound by its terms.



Commentators in Israel have characterized the outcome as a significant diplomatic reversal, noting that Iran appears emboldened, retains its missile capabilities, and stands to gain substantial financial resources that could flow to its military programs and regional allies. U.S. forces are also required to pull back from Iran’s immediate vicinity within 30 days under the framework.


🚨HOWARD LUTNICK REACTS TO TRUMP’S REMARKS
Howard Lutnick appeared to shake his head in disappointment as Trump said Israel had little to complain about. pic.twitter.com/UDCfCEL44b
— Parody Jeff (@Parodyjeffx) June 18, 2026

Meanwhile...


Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir:
We cannot stop destroying houses in southern Lebanon. We cannot stop, period.
We cannot allow the population of southern Lebanon to return. ... We must continue to control the territory even if Trump disagrees.
We are an… pic.twitter.com/vhHo7K1Ttv
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 17, 2026
Gulf States Express Disappointment

Governments across the Persian Gulf - Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar - expressed disappointment that the agreement contains no curbs on Iran’s missile and drone programs. Analysts noted that Gulf states had hoped for stronger limits after suffering Iranian missile and drone attacks on airports, energy facilities, and other sites during the conflict.


Bader Al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, said excluding Iran’s missiles and drones from the agreement showed that the United States “doesn’t have our best interests in mind.”

Mr. al-Saif said he has no doubt that Iran was already rebuilding its missile and drone capacities and that it would use the financial windfall it gets from the deal to acquire more of the weaponry. The agreement, which U.S. and Iranian officials have called a memorandum of understanding, says the Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives. -NYT


President Trump’s recent public remarks that Iran should be permitted some ballistic missiles because neighboring countries possess them drew particular notice, contrasting with earlier U.S. statements that the objective included denying Iran the ability to threaten the region with such weapons.

Regional experts assess that Gulf governments may now accelerate investment in air-defense systems and seek technical cooperation with countries such as Ukraine and South Korea. While some voices question long-term reliance on the United States as a security guarantor, analysts emphasize that any meaningful strategic reorientation would take a decade or more to develop.

What Happens Next

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are scheduled to meet in Switzerland on Friday to mark the agreement and launch the next round of negotiations. The 60-day period extends the existing cease-fire and will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, and regional security arrangements. Whether the preliminary deal can be turned into a lasting settlement remains an open question amid the competing pressures from Israel, Gulf states, and domestic politics in Washington.



RELATED:

Futures Rise, Oil Drops As Market Prices In Iran Deal For Yet Another Day
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Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:25

ZeroHedge News
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Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BITG & Fundstrat To Face Off
Bullish Or Bearish Into Year-End? BITG & Fundstrat To Face Off

S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain near record highs despite yesterday’s post-Fed freakout. Risk-on is still in fashion as investors remain hopeful of a lasting U.S.-Iran peace. Though the question remains: Is the rally sustainable or are markets poised for a painful reversal before year-end?



Tonight at 7pm ET, Adam Taggart of Thoughtful Money hosts a debate between two of Wall Street's closely followed technical strategists: Jonathan Krinsky, Chief Market Technician at BTIG, and Mark Newton, Head of Technical Strategy at Fundstrat.

Bull Case (Newton):

Newton sees the upward trend in tech/AI continuing higher, which will lift the broader market into 2027… even if there’s a little chop.

While he expects periods of volatility and some consolidation, easing energy prices and continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure will support further gains into year-end, even in the already-lofty tech/AI trade. With oil retreating sharply from wartime highs and investors increasingly focused on the long-term productivity benefits of AI (economic benefits that are real and not merely a bubble), Newton sees pullbacks as opportunities.

Oil was sent sharply lower on the news of a ceasefire, something Newton sees continuing into year end in the broader energy sector:


Energy could be a "source of real underperformance" in the months ahead.@MarkNewtonCMT of @Fundstrat tells @RemyBlaireNews healthcare and financials are his top picks, with $NKE "starting to finally show some evidence of rallying." pic.twitter.com/p2C988c584
— FINTECH.TV (@FINTECHTVglobal) June 15, 2026
Bear Case (Krinsky):

Krinsky has maintained a more cautious stance as equities push further into historically stretched territory.

While the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran has boosted risk appetite and eased inflation concerns, Krinsky has argued recently that elevated valuations, particularly in tech, are due for a correction at some point… especially with a seemingly hawkish fed. Krinsky has also pointed to the recent decoupling of bond yields and oil prices, having risen in tandem until post-peace deal where yields continued rising (possibly Fed-related) while oil tanked.

Recent gains have been driven largely by AI-related technology shares, semiconductors, and the Magnificent Seven, while many other areas of the market have failed to keep pace. Both Newton and Krinsky agree on this, though only one sees it as fuel to further propel markets higher… the other sees a ticking time bomb.

Both panelists rely on technicals and regularly change their market outlooks based on data. Neither guest is a perma-bull or bear… so no broken clocks tonight.

Tune in tonight at 7pm ET on the ZH homepage, X Feed, and Youtube channel to watch live to see how they’re looking at Iran, Fed chair Warsh, and markets.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:40

ZeroHedge News
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Forward Guidance Is Gone
Forward Guidance Is Gone

By Philip Marey, senior US strategist at Rabobank

Summary

As widely expected, the FOMC kept the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged and dropped its easing bias. However, this unanimous decision was announced in an unusually short statement.
What’s more, at his first press conference as Fed Chair Kevin Warsh terminated forward guidance.
However, the Summary of Economic Projections had already revealed that half of the FOMC participants (who submitted a forecast) expected to hike before the end of the year. Warsh did not submit his forecasts.
Other interesting features of the statement were the reaffirmation of maintaining ample reserves and the conclusion that the Committee will deliver price stability.
At the press conference, Warsh announced the establishment of five task forces on: Fed communications, the balance sheet, improving data, productivity and jobs, and inflation frameworks.
As uncertainty regarding the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz remains, we expect the Fed to remain on hold for the remainder of 2026.
Introduction

As widely expected, the FOMC kept the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50 3.75% and dropped its easing bias. However, this decision was announced in an unusually short statement. The decision was unanimous, with Miran – who repeatedly dissented because he wanted to cut – was replaced by Warsh. The press conference was a clear break from in the Bernanke-Yellen-Powell era, with Warsh making an end to forward guidance.

FOMC statement and projections

The statement was so short, that we replicate it here:


The Federal Open Market Committee approved the following statement for release by a 12 – 0 vote:

The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. The Committee reaffirmed its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.

Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty that owes, in part, to the conflict in the Middle East. Productivity growth and capital investment are strong. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little.

Inflation remains elevated relative to the Committee's 2 percent goal, in part reflecting supply shocks that have driven price increases in certain sectors, including energy. The Committee will deliver price stability.


Most notably, the easing bias previously expressed in the statement as “In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate…”., which suggested that the next change would be a rate cut -because the last three adjustments were rate cuts- was dropped.

Other interesting features of the statement were the reaffirmation of maintaining ample reserves – despite Warsh’s earlier stated goal to reduce the balance sheet – and the conclusion that the Committee will deliver price stability.



The new Summary of Economic Projections saw a large upward revision to the inflation forecasts for 2026 and core inflation in 2027. With minor changes to GDP and unemployment forecasts, the federal funds rate forecasts were revised upward in 2026, 2027, and 2028. In fact, the dot plot revealed that 9 out of 18 forecasting participants expected to hike before the end of the year. Warsh’s dots were missing. The median participant expects to get back to the current federal funds rate in 2027 and make another cut in 2028. This means we would have to wait at least until 2029 before the federal funds rate reaches its neutral level.

Warsh’s press conference

At the press conference, Warsh said that the FOMC recognized that inflation has been elevated for five years and that this Committee will deliver price stability. Warsh also announced the establishment of five task forces on: Fed communications, the balance sheet, improving data, productivity and jobs, and inflation frameworks. These task forces will include external experts.

Warsh also said that the FOMC statement was shorter and simpler, and that forward guidance was absent, because it is not suited for the current circumstances. He also confirmed that he refrained from providing projections, but he encouraged others to give their projections.

During the Q&A, he effectively terminated forward guidance. Any question regarding future policy decisions was deflected. He did say that financial markets work best if they react to the data and not to the Fed.


WARSH: I THINK THAT MARKETS PERFORM BEST WHEN REACTING TO INCOMING DATA, THEY WORK LESS EFFICIENTLY WHEN THEY ASK HOW WILL THE FED REACT TO THAT INCOMING INFORMATION
Finally, the 4th wall falls
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
He also elaborated on his plans to improve the data: he prefers real-time data instead of echoes from history. He thinks current data are often based on old-fashioned survey methods.

Conclusion

Although Warsh ended forward guidance, the SEP remains in place at least until the task force on communication has completed its work, probably by the end of the year. Although half of the forecasting participants now expects to hike before the end of the year, it was only three months ago – and after the outbreak of the war – that the median participant still expected one cut in 2026. This proves Warsh’s point that projections may not be very useful in the current situation. As uncertainty regarding the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz remains, we expect the Fed to remain on hold for the remainder of 2026. We expect the Fed to cut twice in 2027, provided that inflation expectations remain stable. If not, we may also have to pencil in hikes.



Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Amazon In Talks To Sell Its Trainium AI Chips To Other Firms, In Challenge To Nvidia Dominance
Amazon In Talks To Sell Its Trainium AI Chips To Other Firms, In Challenge To Nvidia Dominance

Amazon is in talks to sell its custom-made Trainium AI chips for use in other companies’ data centers, Bloomberg reports, noting this "represents a key expansion of its efforts to cut into Nvidia's dominance", although a less optimistic read is that the company does not have enough demand or capacity to use the chips for its own uses.

Peter DeSantis, Amazon’s AI chief, said the world’s largest cloud computing company has begun discussions but declined to name potential customers. Presumably, it will try to steal market share by offering its product at a much more competitive terms, which suggests more pricing pressure across the AI ecosystem.

“We view AI infrastructure as rapidly evolving,” he said in an interview in Paris. “And we’re constantly looking at ways to get to more customers.”

Introduced in 2020, Amazon’s AI accelerator, Trainium, has won a few marquee buyers, including OpenAI, Anthropic and Uber, which access the hardware via Amazon Web Services. The chip has produced more than $225 billion in revenue commitments, Amazon said in April (for a word of caution about purchase commitments read our discussion on the trillions in off-balance sheet liabilities sloshing inside the AI ecosystem).

That same month, CEO Andy Jassy wrote in his shareholder letter that it’s “quite possible” Amazon would sell racks of its chips to third parties. It was part of a broader attempt to reposition the sprawling company around AI, an area where it’s seen as falling behind rivals.

Amazon and other cloud computing titans have each been developing their own alternatives to Nvidia’s popular graphics processing units — and ramped up these efforts after ChatGPT’s arrival.

While the AI boom has generated soaring cloud sales, it’s also fueled a new crop of specialized AI cloud providers and driven demand for “sovereign” services in Europe and other regions that are subject to local laws and usually locate information and data processing in the host country.

In April, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said Google will begin to deliver its Nvidia GPU rival chips, called tensor processing units, to a “select group of customers” for use in their own data centers. Amazon is following suit with Trainium, in part, due to the growing demand outside of the US for computing resources that are controlled locally, according to DeSantis. Alternatively, there is just not enough demand in the US, no matter what the daily bullish propaganda says (because as a reminder, due to the $2 trillion in interlinked off-balance sheet liabilities, the moment one counterparty trips, it will drag down everyone else with it). 



Meanwhile, some of that foreign push, particularly in Europe, has prompted calls for countries to lessen their reliance on US technology or drop it altogether. Speaking at the VivaTech conference in France, DeSantis said the AWS business has not been impacted at all by this trend. Yet. 

The third version of the Trainium chip, which began shipping earlier this year, is “largely sold out,” he said. Amazon said there’s already strong interest in a fourth version that’s expected to debut next year.

DeSantis dismissed the idea that selling Trainium outside of AWS would eat into the company’s cloud business. “There’s so much underconsumption in AI,” he said. “I’m not worried about it.” But with token prices tumbling, and compute rental costs in free fall, both of which signal a sudden drop in demand (or excess supply) for compute...


Perfect storm: token costs down 20% since start of the month (down 11 of 12 days) , while compute rental prices are at 1 month lows pic.twitter.com/dwIYeyihGx
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 16, 2026
... he should be.

The executive also cited growth for Amazon’s Graviton chips, a general-purpose processor that it recently began providing to Meta. Over the last three years, DeSantis said Amazon has added more Graviton chips to its computing systems than any other type of chip.

Amazon shares gained as much as 2.5% on Thursday, reaching an intraday high of $243 on the news.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
RFK Jr. Announces More Than $700 Million To Target Mental Illness, Homelessness
RFK Jr. Announces More Than $700 Million To Target Mental Illness, Homelessness

Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times,

The Trump administration is going to spent more than $700 million on programs aimed at reducing drug addiction, homelessness, and mental illness, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on June 17.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Washington on May 18, 2026. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images

The largest portion of the new funding, nearly $239 million, is going to a lifeline that people who are suicidal can call. Some $223 million is going to community behavioral health clinics. Nearly $100 million is being offered to communities that apply to the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) Program, which provides services for homeless people who are addicted to drugs or have serious mental illness.

The other funds are going to programs targeting the prevention of, treatment for, and recovery from drugs, or programs that support mentally ill people.

"These investments will help move people from the streets into treatment and recovery, strengthen families, save lives, and make communities safer," Kennedy said in a statement.

The funding follows an executive order from President Donald Trump that directed officials to work on shifting homeless people into institutions to help address crime and disorder in the nation's cities, and another order that says the disease of addiction must be stopped through an emphasis on treatment.

"My Administration will drive a new national response to the disease of addiction that will create stronger coordination across government, the healthcare sector, faith communities, and the private sector in order to save lives, restore families, strengthen our communities, and build the Great American Recovery," Trump said in the latter order.

Kennedy on Wednesday visited the Easterseals Michigan-Clinton Township Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, part of the Easterseals network of facilities that assist people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, and veterans.

"Our goal is to provide comprehensive outpatient mental health and substance use services that are person-centered, trauma-informed and evidence-based," the clinic's website states.

Kennedy said that homelessness is "one of the greatest problems that we have now, health problems in this country" and that it is interconnected with the crisis of drug addiction, which has caused more than 1 million deaths since 2000.

Kennedy said administration officials do not support so-called harm reduction initiatives, such as needle exchanges or "safe injection sites." Instead, the administration is emphasizing treatment.

"Recovery works. Treatment works. Accountability works," he said.

Kennedy did say that the withdrawal drugs Suboxone and methadone work, particularly for addicts who cannot enter treatment at certain times. They are "good bridge solutions," he said.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Take-Two Shares Jump As 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Pre-Orders Open Next Week
Take-Two Shares Jump As 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Pre-Orders Open Next Week

Take-Two Interactive Software shares jumped early in the cash session after the company announced on X that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will open next Thursday. The move is easing investor concerns that the highly anticipated game could face another delay, reinforcing expectations that Rockstar Games remains on track for its Nov. 19 launch date.

"Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will officially begin on June 25 on digital storefronts and at other select retailers," Rockstar Games wrote on X. The gaming studio is a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two.


Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will officially begin on June 25 on digital storefronts and at other select retailers.
Check out the official cover art, also available as downloadable artwork at https://t.co/XPwC8URCQ4 pic.twitter.com/pRVXk4eyDQ
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) June 18, 2026
The last major GTA release was GTA V, which launched on Sept. 17, 2013. Gamers have been waiting 13 years for a major GTA installment.

Rockstar has upset not just Take-Two investors but also GTA gamers on numerous occasions, indicating that its developers needed more time to finish the game, thereby delaying the launch. The launch date is set for Nov. 19.


Rockstar just gave us the best look yet at non-enterable buildings in GTA VI
It's not a straight up png like in GTA V and other open world games with skyscrapers but at the same time, it doesn't have anywhere near the detail as the rest of the game. What I'm really curious about… https://t.co/Q5ko9Gpawz pic.twitter.com/kVQTiGZ4VR
— Farzam (@farzam_plays) June 18, 2026
Take-Two shares are up nearly 6% in the cash session, though the stock has traded mostly sideways since peaking around $262 in October 2025.



Last month, we asked:

Is Take-Two Sandbagging Guidance Ahead Of Grand Theft Auto VI Launch?
BMO Capital Markets analyst Brian Pitz noted, "We highlight that the game's price remains a key question, as the launch of preorders next Friday should confirm base game pricing. We will also closely monitor for any higher-priced SKUs that give players early access to the game. Reiterate our Outperform, Top Pick, and $280 target price."

According to Bloomberg data, 97% of the analyst coverage on TWWO is "Buy" rated with an average 12-month price target of $281.97.



For reference, GTA V sold about 225 million to 230 million copies worldwide.



There is already a report from Oppenheimer analyst Martin Yang that console sales are increasing ahead of the GTA VI release.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 13:05

Sky News Home
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Lib Dem MP arrested and suspended from party
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The Hill
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The Hill
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Vance defends Trump’s controversial Iran deal
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The Hill
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Interior Department compares Reflecting Pool algae to Iran's navy
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Virus of antisemitism and racism surges in America
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Vance 'confident' Treasury can waive Iran oil sanctions without Congress
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Vance pushes back on GOP critics of Iran deal as 60-day clock begins
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Cancer patients are choosing ivermectin over chemo, and doctors are concerned
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JD Vance: Dems don't show enough gratitude for America — absurd!  
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Holly Willoughby displays a naughty message on her phone case as she stuns in white while attending Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: Scandinavia wins Gold Cup as O’Brien reaches Ascot century – as it happened
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Canonical reveals Myna, its local speech-to-text app
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Citrix now lets you run virtual desktops like a cost-conscious private equityeer
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Thirty-five killed as gunmen attack Niger's biggest airport
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Bank of England governor warns UK public to expect higher costs this year
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Trump’s ‘Department of War’ may soon become official. What would that mean? | Norman Solomon
In US statecraft and warcraft, the president and Pete Hegseth are now saying previously quiet parts out loudThe Department of Defense will soon officially become the Department of War, if Republicans get their way. Key committees in the House and Senate have approved the name change, and Donald Trump is eager to sign it into law. The rebranding is candid and ominous, offering a future of heightened zeal for killing, maiming and destroying.Christened in 1949, the Department of Defense unified the military branches with the Pentagon as their headquarters. Since then, presidents have routinely promoted each new war as vital for the defense of the United States and its values, a pretense that has pervaded mainstream media and political discourse. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Barry’s blunt England home truths give TV viewers a glimpse of dressing-room vibe
Half-time interview on ITV with the assistant coach offered an unexpectedly honest insight into the mood of the campEngland’s players have been effusive in their praise for Thomas Tuchel’s half-time talk, but the words ITV viewers heard were very different, in the form of a refreshingly frank interview with his assistant, Anthony Barry.In-game interviews of staff are another novel broadcasting feature of this World Cup, like the innovative use of refcam, but rather than fob off a reporter with some meaningless platitudes about the lads giving it 110% Barry gave an honest assessment of the team’s failings up to that point. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man arrested after boy, three, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure
Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police said.The force said officers were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm over “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Foreign Office drops 'do not travel' advice for Dubai, but calls situation unpredictable
Thousands of Brits were left stranded in the Middle East when the US-Iran war broke out in early 2026.

Russia Today News
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US-Iran war concludes: taking the toll

Mail Online
Open 
Amy Winehouse's troubled love rival who dated her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil died from drug overdose, coroner rules
The 'love rival' of music legend Amy Winehouse died from a drugs overdose, a coroner ruled.
Sarah Aspin, 47, was found at her home, in Swillington, Leeds, West Yorkshire, on 7 February.

Mail Online
Open 
Body of man is found in landing gear of plane at Gatwick Airport
He was found inside the Air Arabia plane - which had flown the three-hour journey from Tangier to London - at around 11.45am on Tuesday.

Mail Online
Open 
The final indignity for bridge bungee jump victim, 21, hurled to her death without a rope
She loved life but died the most terrifying of deaths. Now the Daily Mail can reveal the horrific fate of a young woman hurled off a bridge in a bungled rope jump on Saturday.

Mail Online
Open 
Developers working on Heathrow's third runway could be forced to install 'green bridges' to protect wildlife
The proposed measures are included in ministers' draft plans for the long-awaited development, which will see a new 3,500 metre (2.1 mile) runway installed at Britain's busiest airport.

Mail Online
Open 
Mystery surrounds JD Vance's dash to Switzerland as world holds breath for Iranians to confirm peace deal
With 24 hours to go before a memorandum of understanding with Iran is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland, Vice President JD Vance threw doubt on whether the ceremony will occur.

Mail Online
Open 
Tech mogul's son SURVIVED deadly private jet crash that killed millionaire dad as they flew home from ritzy Cabo trip with two other teens
Austin-based entrepreneur Joshua Baer, 50, died when the private jet flying from Mexico plummeted to the ground over Laredo at about 10pm on Tuesday.

Mail Online
Open 
It's the Democrats' big day out! Clintons rub shoulders with Bushes as liberal moguls Oprah and Colbert descend on Obama library's grand opening ceremony
It's a big day for the Democrat Party - as four previous Presidents and their liberal celebrity friends descended on Chicago for the grand opening of Barack Obama's library.

Sky News Home
Open 
The whole-life prisoners who will never be released
Baby serial killer Lucy Letby, Milly Dowler's murderer Levi Bellfield and triple murderer and rapist Kyle Clifford are among more than 70 inmates serving whole-life sentences in Britain.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Rice expected to be fit to face Ghana despite back pain
Declan Rice is expected to be available for England's World Cup match against Ghana after suffering from lower back pain during the win over Croatia.

Deutsche Welle
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Russian dissident artist Semyon Skrepezki murdered in Poland
Skrepezki was known for his scathing caricatures of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His suspected killer has been apprehended.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Thousands of Knicks fans celebrate big win with joyous New York parade: ‘We family now’
Parents and their kids, new and old fans and a few celebrities gathered to honor the team’s NBA ChampionshipThousands of Knicks fans – decked out in blue and orange jerseys, shorts, hats, necklaces and more – gathered in downtown New York City on Thursday to celebrate the team’s NBA championship in a lively ticker-tape parade.All along Church Street, the street running parallel to the parade route, fans lit joints, threw back shots of Fireball whiskey and drank Coronas, within view of bemused and outnumbered New York City police officers. Some fans climbed atop police cruisers and posed for photos. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
What did Ukraine target in Moscow and how significant was the drone attack?
Mass drone strike on capital brought the war to Russians, but Ukrainians will be braced for Kremlin’s responseUkraine hit Moscow with nearly 200 drones in its largest ever attack on the Russian capital on Thursday, striking an oil refinery and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing over the city’s south.The towering columns of smoke rising above Moscow offered a stark demonstration of Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russia with its increasingly sophisticated, largely domestically produced long-range drones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Trump’s Iran deal: the art of the fail? - The Latest
Donald Trump is claiming his Iran peace plan is a victory for Washington, despite the 14-point agreement revealing significant concessions to Tehran. Under the deal, Iran will reopen the strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets, while talks will continue over the fate of Iran’s nuclear programme. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man arrested after boy, three, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure
Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police said.The force said officers were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm over “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. Continue reading...

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11899 Shared Linux Hosting - CPanel - Performance degradation (Update)
Our engineers have been focused on stabilizing the platform and optimizing the servers for better performance. Ongoing work is being conducted throughout the day, and we have not detected any further issues with the cPanel platform. We will continue to monitor the platform closely.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 09:20

Update: Fri, 19th Jun 2026 10:00

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:30

Status: Partial

Maintenance: None

TechRadar News
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'Most organizations do not have an AI investment problem, they have a data problem': New study warns infrastructure demands could be what's really holding AI back

TechRadar News
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How to watch Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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Amnezia VPN restores 20 Premium server locations and compensates users following cyberattacks

Slashdot
Open 
Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due To Memory Costs
An anonymous reader quotes a report from MacRumors: Apple is raising its prices to offset the high cost of memory and storage, CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal. Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased prices and will need to pass some of the cost on to consumers. "Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook. "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."

Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies has led to chip shortages and higher costs. The Wall Street Journal suggests Apple will need to increase device costs "substantially" to maintain its current profit margins given the cost of memory chips and SSDs. Research firm TechInsights claims Apple will need to make the iPhone 18 Pro around $270 more expensive to keep its existing profit margin.

Apple is struggling more with memory chips, but storage chips are also an issue. "There's less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases," Cook told The Wall Street Journal. Cook said Apple will use its cash to increase memory supply, but he did not give details on what that means. Apple does not plan to create its own memory and storage factories. "We can't do everything," Cook said. "We know what we're good at." Cook likened the memory shortages to a hundred-year flood. "I've never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years," he said.

Further reading: Smartphone Market To Shrink 15% This Year Due To Memory Crisis





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Slashdot
Open 
Google Toldl Researchers 'Nice Catch!' Then Denied Bug Bounty For Flaw It Still Hasn't Fixed
Security researcher Justin O'Leary says Google initially accepted his Config Connector privilege-escalation report as a high-priority, high-severity bug, then denied a bounty by declaring the behavior "working as intended." "Google initially rated the bug high priority and high severity, with a rep telling O'Leary 'Nice Catch!' Then, the cloud giant changed course and told O'Leary [...] that there's no vulnerability, so no fix and no reward payout," reports The Register. "The bug report, however, is still marked high-priority and accepted." The alleged flaw, dubbed ConfigConfusion, could let a Kubernetes namespace user exploit an overprivileged service account to become a GCP organization owner with only a few lines of YAML and little apparent audit visibility. O'Leary details the incident in a blog post. The Register reports: According to O'Leary, Config Connector doesn't perform an authorization check, and this allows any Config Connector service account with org-level permissions to bypass Identity and Access Management (IAM) authorization and gain the highest level of control (roles/owner) to an entire GCP Organization -- the root node of all of a company's resources within Google Cloud. On March 27, a Google security engineer accepted O'Leary's report and told him: "Nice catch!" The employee said that they filed a bug based on O'Leary's report with the relevant product team and assured him the Chocolate Factory's security squad would work with relevant Google Cloud people to fix the flaw. "We'll work with the product team to ensure this issue is address. We'll let you know when the issue was fixed," the engineer said. "In the meantime, review the payment option selected in your bughunters.google.com profile."

Google assigned the bug P1 priority and S1 severity, signifying a flaw worthy of urgent repair because it affects a large percentage of users and can disrupt core organizational functions. "I figured that was the end of that," O'Leary said in a phone interview with The Register. Eleven days later, on April 7, he received a new message from a Google Security Bot reversing the earlier decision. The Reg viewed the email, and O'Leary included a screenshot in his Thursday writeup. The message said that the Cloud Vulnerability Reward Program panel decided that the "security impact of this issue does not meet the criteria to qualify for a reward."

After reviewing the bug report, Google determined the software "is working as intended," the message continued. It also noted that the program's decision not to pay a bounty "does not mean that the product team won't fix the issue." Nearly three months later, the case remains P1/S1 with the status "in progress (accepted)." Google hasn't assigned a CVE or issued a fix. O'Leary didn't receive any reward for his research. [...] "This is a pattern," O'Leary told [The Register]. "This is just how these trillion-dollar companies deal with people like me. In my day job, we use GKE, and it's incredibly frustrating on my end, when I find a critical vulnerability in the system that's being widely used, and I can't even get the vendor to patch their own stuff." A Google spokesperson told The Register: "The issue reported does not qualify for a reward because the GCP IAM authorization bypass is only exploitable if an attacker has access to a Config Connector Service Account that's been granted the Organization Admin role by the organization (i.e., it is privileged). Additionally, an attacker would first need to gain entry to an organization's environment (e.g., an exposed container) in order to leverage the privileged Config Connector instance and execute commands with administrative authority, such as the IAM bypass. Granting this level of access to the Config Connector Service Account goes against Google Cloud's publicly shared best practices and the principle of least privilege."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Fed Chair Kevin Warsh wants to get inflation under control. That could be bad news for home buyers seeking lower mortgage rates.
The Federal Reserve is in a “new era,” but home buyers are facing the same old affordability challenges.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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These stocks are in trouble now that Kevin Warsh removed the market’s guardrails
The new Fed chief is ditching the central bank’s playbook — leaving your portfolio flying blind.

Telegraph
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The best five-star hotels in Majorca
This sun-drenched Balearic island is home to some fabulous five-star offerings, from sleek city stays to thoughtfully restored fincas

Boing Boing
Open 
JD Vance turns dog whistles into a brass section
Sycophant JD Vance took the stage in New York and managed to cram "anti-Semitic," "anti-Christian," and "anti-white" into one sentence, like a man speed-running the Republican grievance menu.

"They've become anti-Semitic in the Democratic Party," Vance said. "They've become anti-Christian in the Democratic Party. — Read the rest
The post JD Vance turns dog whistles into a brass section appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
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HP 16c programmer's calculator returns in collectible form
The HP 16c Collector's Edition [HP via Adafruit] revives a mundane but well-loved tool. In 1982, the original 16c was designed specifically for programmers and engineers; after three decades, only modest refinements were called for in an otherwise fully-retro recreation. — Read the rest
The post HP 16c programmer's calculator returns in collectible form appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Grandpa Pudding Brains brags about how rigged U.S. elections are
Grandpa Pudding Brains tried to sound tough about America and somehow wandered into saying that strength is based on stolen elections.
"Nobody plays rougher than the United States," Trump said. "Look, our elections are totally rigged. We have rigged elections." It is the usual election-denial poison, but with an extra little Freudian garnish: he says "we" right after bragging about how rough the United States plays. — Read the rest
The post Grandpa Pudding Brains brags about how rigged U.S. elections are appeared first on Boing Boing.

Planet PostgreSQL
Open 
Antony Pegg: Your AI App Works on Postgres. Now Make It Production-Ready Without Starting Over
Every AI application built on PostgreSQL hits the same inflection point. You've got pgvector installed, embeddings in a table, a similarity search query that returns surprisingly good results. The prototype works and your team is excited. Someone asks "when can we ship this?" and you suddenly realize that the distance between "it works on my laptop" and "it works in production across three regions" is a lot larger than you thought.The usual answer is to re-platform. Swap Postgres for a purpose-built vector database for the AI parts. Add a separate search service. Move to a managed offering that handles the scaling but forces you to redesign your data model. By the time you're done, the prototype you built is gone, replaced by an architecture that looks nothing like what you started with.There's a different path. One where Postgres remains the foundation at every stage, your schema doesn't change, and the tools you need show up when you need them, not before. That's what we built at pgEdge, and this is a walkthrough of what that path looks like in practice.The Beginning: Setting Up pgvector in PostgreSQL for AI SearchThe prototype is deceptively simple. You have a table with your data, pgvector is installed as an extension, and an  column stores vectors alongside your regular business data. Something like this:HNSW (Hierarchical Navigable Small World) is the index type that makes approximate nearest-neighbor search fast enough for real workloads. You don't need to understand the algorithm. You need to know it works, and that it lives inside Postgres as a regular index on a regular table.Querying it is just SQL:That's the entire search layer. Your product catalog, your embeddings, your similarity search, all in one database, all queryable with standard SQL. This is the part that makes people fall in love with the Postgres approach to AI: you don't need a second database, a separate vector store, or a different query language. It's just Postgres.The problem is that "just Postgres" gets you through the prototype. Production needs more.Connect AI Coding Agents to Postgres with MCPIf you're building with an AI coding assistant (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code Copilot), the first thing that changes your workflow is connecting the agent directly to your database. Instead of copy-pasting schema definitions into prompts and hoping the AI remembers your table structure, you give it structured access to the actual schema.The pgEdge Postgres MCP Server does this through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the emerging standard for connecting AI agents to data sources. Point it at your database, and any MCP-compatible client gets full schema awareness: tables, columns, types, constraints, indexes, vector columns. The agent can generate accurate SQL grounded in your actual data structures instead of guessing from context.The MCP Server runs in read-only mode by default. Your AI agent can explore, query, and do similarity search, but it can't modify data unless you explicitly allow it. That matters a lot more once you're past the prototype stage and there's real data at stake.What shifts here is the development velocity. Your agent understands the schema, can suggest indexes based on query patterns, can run EXPLAIN ANALYZE to diagnose slow queries, and can do hybrid search combining vector similarity with keyword matching. The database becomes a first-class participant in the AI development workflow instead of something you interact with through a separate terminal window.Automating Embeddings & RAG with the pgEdge AI ToolkitThe prototype had hand-crafted embeddings. You probably generated them with a script that called OpenAI's API, stored the vectors in a batch, and moved on. That works for a demo with a few hundred rows. It falls apart when you need to process documents continuously, keep embeddings up to date as content changes, and retrieve context for an LLM to reason over.This is where the AI Toolkit pipeline fills in the gaps, and all of it stays inside PostgreSQL.Docloader handles ingestion. Point it at a directory of documents (Markdown, HTML, reStructuredText), a Git repository, or a set of files, and it loads them into a PostgreSQL table with extracted metadata. It runs transactionally, so a batch either fully commits or rolls back, and UPSERT mode lets you re-run the same load to pick up changes without duplicating rows.pgEdge_Vectorizer watches the document tables via triggers. When rows land or change, background workers automatically chunk the text and generate embeddings through your choice of provider (OpenAI, Voyage AI, or Ollama for air-gapped environments). The chunking is configurable: fixed token windows, Markdown-aware splitting that respects document structure, or a hybrid approach. The results go into chunk tables with pgVector columns, indexed for similarity search.RAG Server ties it together for retrieval-augmented generation. When a question comes in, it generates an embedding, runs a hybrid search combining pgVector cosine similarity with BM25 keyword ranking, fuses results using Reciprocal Rank Fusion, and sends the assembled context to an LLM for a response. The important thing about this pipeline is what didn't change. Your original products table with its pgvector column is still there. The similarity search query from the prototype still works. You added capabilities around the core without replacing it. The pipeline components are doing the operational work (ingestion, chunking, embedding, retrieval) that you were doing by hand during the prototype, but the data model underneath is the same PostgreSQL you started with.Scaling PostgreSQL AI Apps: The Multi-Region ProblemYour AI application is running, the pipeline is processing documents, users are querying it, and the single PostgreSQL instance is handling the load. Until it isn't.The conversation usually starts with availability. A single node means a single point of failure, which means downtime takes the whole application down. Then latency comes up: users in Frankfurt are hitting a database in Virginia, and the round-trip time is noticeable. Then write throughput: the vectorizer is processing new documents while the RAG server is running searches and the application is handling your regular transactional workload, all against the same node.This is the moment where most AI-on-Postgres architectures break. The typical advice is to move your vectors to a dedicated vector database for the search workload, set up read replicas for the transactional queries, and add a caching layer in front of everything. Three months later you're operating three different data stores, maintaining consistency between them, and debugging issues that only surface when one of the replication channels falls behind.pgEdge Postgres for distributed setups takes a different approach. Spock is our open-source PostgreSQL logical replication extension that enables multi-master (active-active) replication across distributed nodes - including cross regions. The use of this extension lets you replicate your PostgreSQL database, pgvector columns and all, across multiple nodes in multiple regions. Every node can accept writes. Conflict resolution happens automatically. And the critical part: your schema stays exactly the same. The  table, the embedding column, the HNSW index, the similarity search query from page one of this blog post, all identical. You've added multi-master replication underneath the database, not a new database on top of your application.For teams that want the managed version, pgEdge Cloud handles the deployment and operations. Spin up a distributed cluster across AWS, Azure, or GCP regions, connect your application with the same connection string it was already using (pointed at the nearest node), and your AI application is running multi-region without a single line of code changed.Why Postgres Should Remain Your AI App FoundationWhat happened over the course of this walkthrough is what we call the adoption ladder, and it's the reason we built pgEdge the way we did.You started with single-node Postgres and pgvector. That was enough for the prototype. You added the MCP Server to accelerate development. You added the pipeline components to automate what you were doing by hand. You added multi-master replication to make it production-grade across regions. At no point did you re-platform. At no point did you throw away your schema, rewrite your queries, or swap out your database for something else. Postgres was the foundation at every step, and each pgEdge tool entered the picture when you needed it, not before.That's what "prototype to production" should actually look like: the same database growing with you, not a migration to something else.You don't have to start over and re-platform. You never did.If you want to try any of this, the pgEdge Postgres MCP Server and the AI Toolkit components are open source. pgEdge Cloud handles the distributed deployment if you'd rather not manage it yourself. And our Codespaces walkthroughs will get you from zero to a running environment in a couple of minutes, no installation required. We’re here to help, and bring decades of dedicated PostgreSQL experience to the table to make sure you’re good-to-go. If you need expert support services to back up your enterprise applications, get in touch with us - anytime.

Planet PostgreSQL
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Antony Pegg: Introducing ColdFront: Seamlessly Uniting OLTP, Analytics and AI Workloads on PostgreSQL
Our team is excited to announce pgEdge ColdFront v1.0.0-beta1: open-source, transparent data tiering for PostgreSQL that unites OLTP, analytics and AI workloads, with no application code changes required. The headline feature: a fully writable cold tier. Jimmy Angelakos is the lead engineer, and it’s available on GitHub and pgEdge Enterprise Postgres.Moving aging data off primary PostgreSQL storage is economically obvious. Keeping it fully operational once it’s there is where things get complicated.The trade-off nobody wants to makeA bank holds seven years of transaction history because regulators say it has to. The table is 4 TB, growing monthly, and the queries that actually touch it hit the last 90 days. Everything older sits in the same PostgreSQL heap, inflating the storage bill, stretching the backup window, and slowing down every VACUUM cycle. The team knows the old data should live somewhere cheaper. They also know that "somewhere cheaper" usually means "somewhere you can't query with the same SQL anymore."A SaaS platform's compliance team gets a GDPR deletion request. The customer's records span three years. The recent ones delete fine. The older ones were archived to a cold tier six months ago, and that cold tier is read-only. To delete a single customer's data, they have to restore the archived partition back to hot storage, run the delete, re-archive, and re-verify. A one-line SQL statement turned into a half-day ops project.An AI governance platform is logging every decision trace from autonomous agents across a financial services deployment. The traces are append-heavy and growing fast. Retention is mandatory for regulatory audit. Most of the data is never read again, but when an agent acts on stale information and makes a bad recommendation, the provenance team needs to trace the decision back to the specific source record, correct it, and confirm the correction propagated. If that source record is in a read-only archive, the correction loop breaks.A growing startup is paying RDS storage rates for 800 GB of event data that drives a dashboard refreshed once a day. The data is valuable for trend analysis. Nobody wants to delete it. But nobody wants to pay $92 a month in storage for data that gets queried once every 24 hours, either.Four different teams with four different problems. One common thread: PostgreSQL data that's too expensive to keep in primary storage and too important to lose access to.The options so far all ask you to give something upThe Postgres-lakehouse space has gotten crowded over the past year. Multiple vendors now offer some form of Iceberg integration for PostgreSQL. That's good… but each option is a trade-off.EDB's Postgres Analytical Accelerator (PGAA) requires EDB's proprietary PostgreSQL distribution and a minimum three-node PGD cluster before you can tier a single table. The cold tier is read-only across all nodes, so correcting archived data means restoring it to the hot heap first. The table access method is proprietary, and the analytical engine (Seafowl) runs as a separate daemon communicating over Arrow Flight RPC.Databricks Lakebase is a managed-only Neon fork that can't be self-hosted. Cold pages go to S3 in a proprietary chunked format, and open-format access is a one-way mirror to Delta or Iceberg queryable from Photon on the Databricks side, not from PostgreSQL itself.Snowflake's pg_lake gives you writable Iceberg tables on stock PostgreSQL, which is genuinely good; however the hot and cold tables have different names, your application has to know which one to query, and moving data between them is your job. The stack also loads fifteen-plus extensions with DuckDB running as a separate daemon behind a local socket.These are real products built by capable teams, and each solves part of the problem. But each also asks you to give something up that matters in production: your PostgreSQL distribution, your ability to self-host, your ability to write to cold data, or the transparency that lets your application not care about tiers.ColdFront doesn't askpgEdge ColdFront is a transparent data tiering and partition lifecycle management system for PostgreSQL. It entered beta this week. Here's what it does without asking you to trade anything for it.Stock upstream PostgreSQL. ColdFront runs on PostgreSQL 17 and 18 from the standard community distribution packages, the same PostgreSQL your team installed from apt or yum, operated with pg_dump, logical replication, and whatever monitoring you already use. Two extensions load at startup (pg_duckdb for in-process Iceberg I/O, coldfront for the DML rewrite hook), and nothing below the extension layer is modified. It's the PostgreSQL that ships with every Linux distribution, not a proprietary fork.Writable cold tier. UPDATE and DELETE work on archived rows through the same table name, so a GDPR deletion request is one SQL statement rather than a restore-delete-rearchive cycle. Operators who prefer read-only cold storage can enforce it with a single Grand Unified Configuration (GUC), but the writable model is the default because real-world data needs corrections, and corrections shouldn't require an ops project.Distributed cold writes. On a pgEdge Spock mesh, ColdFront's bakery protocol (model-checked in TLA+, built on Lamport/Ricart-Agrawala) serializes Iceberg commits across nodes so multiple PostgreSQL nodes write to the same Iceberg table concurrently with no 409 conflicts and no application-level retry. Competing approaches that integrate with distributed PostgreSQL replicate hot writes across nodes but make the cold tier read-only everywhere, so ColdFront is the only option where any node in the mesh can write to archived data directly. Validated on Spock clusters with one writer per node, throughput scaled from 2.4M rows/sec on 3 nodes to 3.8M on 4 and 4.2M on 5.One table name. Applications use SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE against the same relation they always have. A C extension intercepts DML at the planner level and routes each operation to the correct tier. DuckDB runs in-process inside PostgreSQL as a library call (not a separate daemon, not over RPC) for columnar-engine analytical performance on cold Parquet data. The application doesn't know there are two tiers, and it doesn't need to. Teams query operational and historical data simultaneously through the same SQL - no separate analytics system, no ETL pipeline, no glue code.Partition lifecycle as a standalone capability. ColdFront manages the full cycle: pre-creating future partitions, tiering aged data to Iceberg, expiring cold data past retention. The full hot-to-cold-to-expired lifecycle runs by policy on cron. It also works without a cold tier at all, as a pure partition manager on stock PostgreSQL. It supports single-column primary keys on time-partitioned tables (via snowflake or UUIDv7 id mode, solving a long-standing PostgreSQL partitioning pain) and 2-level tenant-by-time sub-partitioning. Both are limitations in competing approaches that require proprietary cluster managers.Open formats, no lock-in. Cold data is Apache Iceberg (Parquet files on any S3-compatible store) using the standard Iceberg REST catalog protocol via Lakekeeper. If you stop using ColdFront, your cold data is still standard Iceberg readable by any Iceberg-capable tool, and your hot data is still a PostgreSQL table. Nothing on disk requires ColdFront to read. And because ColdFront runs on stock upstream PostgreSQL, there is nothing to migrate to - if your team already runs PostgreSQL, you are already on the right database.The data layer underneath AI governanceThe agent governance and provenance market is not hypothetical anymore. Galileo, Arize, LangSmith, Patronus, Arthur, BigID, and IBM's watsonx.governance are all shipping products that track what AI agents do, what data they access, and whether their decisions stay within policy. The frontier model providers themselves are moving into workflow management and agent orchestration as model performance improvements plateau. The governance infrastructure around those agents is becoming as important as the agents themselves.All of these platforms generate data that follows the same pattern: append-heavy writes, mandatory retention for compliance, infrequent reads, and the need to correct data at source when something goes wrong. That's ColdFront's exact workload profile. Agent decision traces tier from hot to cold automatically. When a provenance investigation traces a bad agent decision back to a stale source record in the cold tier, the writable cold tier lets the team correct it with a standard UPDATE with no restore-to-hot round-trip, and the correction is immediate and auditable.Context assembly tools (the "context architecture" pattern replacing simple RAG pipelines) query across recent and historical data in the same operation to compile agent context windows. ColdFront's unified view serves both tiers through one table name and one SQL query. DuckDB gives columnar speed on the historical portion. Hot-tier partition pruning gives index speed on the recent portion. The context assembler gets both in one round-trip and doesn't need to know tiers exist.The EU AI Act requires governance of data quality, provenance, and sensitivity before AI deployment. The infrastructure to meet that requirement generates exactly the kind of data ColdFront was built to manage.Try itColdFront beta is available now on GitHub under the PostgreSQL License. Both operating modes work end-to-end with a fully green CI matrix across vanilla and mesh topologies, including physical standby reads - a tested, production-grade beta, not a tech preview. The quickstart is a docker-compose file that brings up PostgreSQL, Lakekeeper, and SeaweedFS in one command. Documentation and reference architectures are at https://docs.pgedge.com/coldfront.ColdFront is a component of pgEdge Enterprise Postgres. Enterprise support, distributed cold writes via Spock, and the full pgEdge toolkit (Agentic AI Toolkit - MCP Server, RAG Server, Vectorizer, and Docloader - plus DBA Workbench) are included with an Enterprise subscription. The open source components are usable standalone on community PostgreSQL.Stock PostgreSQL versions 16, 17, and 18 are fully supported. Storage types supported include S3-compatible, Google Cloud Storage, and Azure Blob Storage (ADLS Gen2).

Sky News Home
Open 
Attempted murder probe after boy, 3, ended up in crocodile enclosure
A boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after he ended up in a crocodile enclosure, while a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Thousands of Knicks fans celebrate big win with joyous New York parade: ‘We family now’
Parents and their kids, new and old fans and a few celebrities gathered to honor the team’s NBA ChampionshipThousands of Knicks fans – decked out in blue and orange jerseys, shorts, hats, necklaces and more – gathered in downtown New York City on Thursday to celebrate the team’s NBA Championship in a lively ticker-tape parade.All along Church Street, the street running parallel to the parade route, fans lit joints, threw back shots of Fireball whiskey and drank Coronas, within view of bemused and outnumbered New York City police officers. Some fans climbed atop police cruisers and posed for photos. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Jobless youngsters should give teaching a try | Brief letters
Career advice | Book chat | Saving MoD cash | Roy HattersleyAs a member of a privileged generation when jobs were plentiful, my heart goes out to young people who can’t find a job (Record number of young people fear long-term unemployment, 12 June). But everyone knows there’s a shortage of teachers. Why don’t some of them try that? It’s hard work, but potentially rewarding. And much better than sitting at home feeling miserable and failing to get interviews.Ruth BrandonLondon• I was reluctant to join a book group because of a dislike of being told what to read (Letters, 12 June). Our “book chat” solves this problem. We bring along what each of us has enjoyed reading recently. This way, I have discovered new reading delights – Elizabeth Strout, Henry Marsh and many more – without a sense of doing dutiful homework. David Hockney’s “End bossiness soon” campaign would approve of this approach.Clare AddisonOxford Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
A bit of banter on the buses | Letters
Readers recall moments of spontaneous humour between passengers and staff on public transportOn the subject of getting trains to Speke and buses to Jump (Letters, 10 June), I remember an alarming experience when, as a child, I was allowed to catch a train home through East Anglia on my own for the first time. Realising too late that I had boarded the wrong train, I asked the conductor what to do, and was informed that I wouldn’t be able to get off until March. This happened in November and I only had a packed lunch with me.Ben Howison Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire• As a bus driver in Belfast during the 1970s, I was always grateful for the opportunity, when asked “Does this bus go over the Albert Bridge?”, to be able to reply “Well, if it doesn’t there’ll be a hell of a splash.”Dugald McCulloughNewcastle, County Down Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
It’s kicking off over the best football songs | Letters
Readers reflect on the greatest songs about football and make their own suggestionsA surprising omission from the Guardian’s list of best songs about football (Ranked, 4 June) was the Manchester United Calypso, recorded by the Trinidadian actor and musician Edric Connor in 1957.A tribute to the Busby Babes, it is still sung to this day by United fans at many matches, both home and away. Also, while lacking the catchy vibe of the United Calypso, another song surely worthy of inclusion was All I want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague Away Kit by Half Man Half Biscuit. A song from their 1985 chart‑topping album Back in the DHSS, it celebrates the dubious pleasures of getting unfairly beaten by a neighbouring kid at Subbuteo table football. (His game, his rules.)Mick BalfourLeeds Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Social media ban: saving kids or punishing them? | Letters
Dr Rory Conn says the ban is long overdue to protect children from harm, but 16-year-old Clara O‘Grady says social media is not an isolated section of teenagers’ lives that can easily be removed. Plus letters from Dr Peter Jarrett and Tony SideThis week marks a positive moment for public health and for the wellbeing of children and adolescents. Hearing Keir Starmer’s announcement proposing a ban on social media for under-16s, I felt an optimism I have not experienced for years regarding the mental health of young people in the UK (Social media firms hit back as Starmer announces ban for under-16s in UK, 15 June).As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I have spent over a decade witnessing the impact of online exposure on those I meet in clinic. The harms extend far beyond the visible issues of self-harm, suicidality and eating disorders. They include pervasive bullying, the normalisation of misogyny and racism, and the quiet erosion of time, attention and self-worth through endless, valueless scrolling. Increasingly, children turn to artificial substitutes for connection – chatbots and curated feeds – in an online environment that often fosters hostility rather than support. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monasteryExplainer: how significant was attack on Moscow?Ukrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a response to Russia’s strike on a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man arrested after boy, 3, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure
Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police have said.Police were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1:24pm over “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. Continue reading...

Gizmodo
Open 
8 Questions and Demands We Have for ‘Widow’s Bay’ Season 2
The Apple TV horror comedy wrapped up its triumphant first season this week—and, like a certain cursed island, we’re already hungry for more.

Gizmodo
Open 
The Quantum Threat to Encryption Is Coming. France Just Set a 2027 Deadline
It's an aggressive move that'll effectively force operators of critical French infrastructure to move away from traditional cryptographic systems.

Gizmodo
Open 
Logitech’s Folding Travel Mouse Fails at the One Thing That Matters Most
Logitech's folding mouse may fit in your pocket or backpack, but it won't offer the perfect PC controls we hoped for.

Gizmodo
Open 
Scientists Discover Surprising Link Between Birth Control Pills and Emotional Eating
Women actively taking a combined contraceptive pill seem more likely to emotionally eat, a new study has found.

The Verge
Open 
Amazon employees say they’re facing termination for backing data center limits
When three Amazon software engineers testified earlier this month at Seattle City Council hearings about data centers, they started their testimony by citing a city law barring employment discrimination over political speech. Now, they're accusing their employer of breaking that law by retaliating against them. On June 10th - one week after the hearing, and […]

Nature
Open 
Daily briefing: The proteins that protect us from deadly mutations

Ian Visits
Open 
The London Buzz – 18th June 2026
Today’s London news round-up:Read more ›

UK Government News
Open 
UK recognises positive development through European Long Range Strike Approach
Cooperation with our NATO partners on the development of enhanced strike capabilities within the Alliance is crucial to maintaining our collective security. The UK would highlight the valuable work completed within those clu…

Mail Online
Open 
Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at zoo: Man, 30, 'not known to him' arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
A three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile enclosure by a man, who police do not believe was known to him today.  

UK Legislation
Open 
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
South African men sentenced in ‘world’s largest’ rhino horn trafficking case
‘Mastermind’ Dawie Groenewald given fine of 2m rand or four-year jail term almost 16 years after arrestTwo traffickers of rhino horns have been sentenced by a South African court in what police said was the world’s largest such case, partly bringing to an end an almost two-decade legal saga.Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus had faced more than 1,700 charges ranging from illegally hunting and dehorning rhinos to racketeering and money laundering. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Feyi-Waboso declared fit for Prem final after jaw surgery in boost for Exeter
England consent to Chiefs fielding winger at TwickenhamEthan Roots also set to return against NorthamptonManny Feyi-Waboso has been declared fit to return for Exeter in this weekend’s Prem final at Twickenham. England’s star winger underwent facial surgery barely two weeks ago but, in a major boost for the Chiefs, is available for his side’s showdown with Northampton and, potentially, England’s Test against South Africa on 4 July.Rob Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby, said the decision was ultimately taken by Feyi-Waboso himself after England’s medical team indicated they had no objections to him playing. The 23-year-old had a plate inserted in his jaw this month but is now free to bolster the Chiefs’ efforts to secure a first Prem title since 2020. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Côte d’Ivoire’s Wahi denied Canada visa for World Cup match amid fixing investigation
Striker will miss Saturday’s Germany game in TorontoArrest was over alleged ‘organised fraud’ in Ligue 1The Côte d’Ivoire striker Elye Wahi, who is being investigated for alleged fixing, has not been authorised to travel to Canada for his team’s World Cup match against Germany, his country’s football federation (FIF) said on Thursday.The FIF said Wahi would not be able to travel with the squad for Saturday’s game in Toronto because “the necessary administrative authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Numbers game: stats that tell stories from the first 24 World Cup matches
All 48 teams have played their first matches. From xG to assists to transfer value, here’s some of the more revealing bits of dataThe first round of fixtures at the World Cup is in the bank so we’ve finally seen all 48 teams. But what have we learned? Who was good, bad, lucky or fired after one game? A dig into the Opta data has revealed some facts that may not have been immediately apparent from the scorelines. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
What did Ukraine target in Moscow and how significant was the drone attack?
Mass drone strike on capital brought the war to Russians, but Ukrainians will be braced for Kremlin’s responseUkraine hit Moscow with nearly 200 drones in its largest-ever attack on the Russian capital on Thursday, striking an oil refinery and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing over the city’s south.The towering columns of smoke rising above Moscow offered a stark demonstration of Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russia with its increasingly sophisticated, largely domestically produced long-range drones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Nigel Farage to join populist and rightwing figures at ‘anti-woke Davos’ in London
Exclusive: Event co-founded by Jordan Peterson will bring together rightwing figures, US state officials and anti-abortionists in LondonNigel Farage and fellow Reform UK MPs Sarah Pochin and Andrew Rosindell will be there. As will a plethora of Reform advisers, backroom staff and figures, such as Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire who has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s party.Yet as populist-right politicians from across the globe and their multimillionaire backers prepare for this year’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) – a rightwing London summit labelled an “anti-woke Davos” – others whose expected attendance has not been publicised potentially raises more questions. Continue reading...

Ministry of Defence
Open 
UK recognises positive development through European Long Range Strike Approach
Cooperation with our NATO partners on the development of enhanced strike capabilities within the Alliance is crucial to maintaining our collective security. The UK would highlight the valuable work completed within those clusters it has led and jointly led, notably on Air Launched long range strike, Ground-Launched Long Range Strike and Low-Cost Long-Range Strike. | Ministry of Defence.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
California Confiscation Tax Gains Enough Signatures to be on November Ballot
The confiscation tax proposed in California has gathered enough signatures to place the issue on the November ballot. The tax initially targets wealthy individuals worth over $1 billion. As it is typical to have this type of wealth held in shares, frequently private shares with... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
I'm turning my old tech into Amazon gift cards and discounts before Prime Day - here's how
Did you know you can trade in your unused devices for Amazon credit - and get up to 20% off new devices?

ZDNet News
Open 
Finally, a Windows laptop I'd seriously consider as a MacBook Neo competitor
HP's OmniBook 3 combines decent hardware and exceptional battery life, making it one of the best-value laptops I've tested this year.

ZDNet News
Open 
Apple confirms price increases are coming - how much will it cost you?
In a Wall Street Journal interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed plans to raise product prices due to the supply pressure and cost increases on memory and storage chips.

CNET News
Open 
Android 17's Bubbles Is the Best Thing to Happen to Phone Multitasking
Bubbles is a smoother, more intuitive way to multitask on Pixel phones, and I'm loving it already.

Wired Top Stories
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3 Amazon Workers Say They’re Under Investigation for Speaking Out About Data Centers
The software engineers filed a complaint with Seattle’s civil rights office accusing Amazon of illegally retaliating against them for expressing their personal political beliefs.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11897 Broadband (xDSL) - Partial Exchange Outage - Glasgow Western (WSWES ) - 13593 (Close)
Confirmed functioning service. Incident Closed.

Start: Tue, 16th Jun 2026 23:40

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 08:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:28

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:28

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
Open 
#11911 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage || NDGIL (Gillingham) - ZNOC-13697 (Close)
Confirmed functioning service. Incident Closed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 15:10

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:30

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:28

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:28

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Ars Technica
Open 
The first long-duration resident of the ISS, a cosmonaut, has died

Ars Technica
Open 
Hunter-gatherers in Siberia died of a plague outbreak 5,500 years ago

The Hill
Open 
Batya Ungar-Sargon calls Iran deal 'total capitulation' by US, Trump
NewsNation host Batya Ungar-Sargon on Wednesday slammed the preliminary peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, calling it a "total capitulation" to the Islamic regime. Ungar-Sargon, a vocal supporter of the president and the host of "Batya," called the deal "an utter disaster" in an appearance on "Katie Pavlich Tonight" on NewsNation, The Hill's sister...

The Hill
Open 
Ossoff, Collins to face off in Georgia; Trump-endorsed candidate may lose in South Carolina. Join the live discussion
With Georgia's Senate race now set, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) and Rep. Mike Collins (R) prepare for a match-up. Meanwhile, South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff looms, and President Trump's endorsed candidate, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, isn't a sure-win. On the national stage, Trump's deal with Iran could have ramifications for his approval rating.  Join The...

The Hill
Open 
Vance 'legitimately worried' Situation Room tapes given to New York Times
Vice President Vance on Wednesday said he was “legitimately worried” about audio tapes of conversations from the Situation Room being leaked to journalists at The New York Times. His comments come after a recent report alleged that Vance led the administration’s response to fallout from the release of files tied to the disgraced financier Jeffrey...

The Hill
Open 
Van Hollen 'kicking the tires' on 2028 presidential bid
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said he is “kicking the tires” on a possible 2028 presidential bid, comments that come as he has increasingly stepped into the political spotlight during President Trump’s second term. In an interview on NOTUS’s “On NOTUS” podcast, Van Hollen was pressed about a recent visit to New Hampshire. “I went...

The Hill
Open 
Trump removed dozens of National Park Service signs, exhibits to purge those that ‘disparage Americans’
Dozens of materials, including signs, exhibits and films, were removed from national parks as part of a Trump administration effort to remove items that it says “disparage Americans." A new court filing reveals that dozens of objects were removed from at least 37 National Park Service (NPS) sites.  While the descriptions of what was removed are vague, the...

The Hill
Open 
UFC fighter says he told Trump, ‘I knocked out a Canadian for you’
American mixed martial artist Sean O’Malley revealed the joke he told President Trump on his 80th birthday after his knockout victory over Canadian fighter Aiemann Zahabi at the Freedom 250 UFC event held at the White House South Lawn on June 14. “I said: ‘Happy birthday, I knocked out a Canadian for you,’” the bantamweight...

The Hill
Open 
Senate panel advances bipartisan college sports bill
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Thursday advanced a bipartisan measure to regulate college sports, sending it to the Senate floor. The panel moved the Protect College Sports Act forward in a 19-9 vote. Twelve Republicans and seven Democrats backed it, while seven Democrats and two Republicans — Sens. Roger Wicker (Miss.) and...

The Hill
Open 
What's closed on Juneteenth 2026?
If you were putting off some errands to Friday, you may run in to some shuttered doors.

The Hill
Open 
Live updates: Vance calls Iran deal a 'win-win' even as Trump's MOU draws heat
LIVE video: Obama Presidential Center holds star-studded dedication ceremony Vice President Vance told the press President Trump's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran is "bearing fruit" as oil starts moving through the Strait of Hormuz and oil prices are coming down. He defended the deal as a "win-win" for the U.S. "If the Iranians don't...

The Hill
Open 
Vance 'not at all' concerned Trump will make him the fall guy on Iran
Vice President Vance said he was "not at all" concerned that President Trump will make him the fall guy if the Iran deal fails. "No, not at all," Vance told reporters at the White House press briefing, when asked if he was worried Trump would make him the fall guy. "I think the president was...

Techdirt
Open 
Trump Surrenders To Iran On Virtually Every Point
If there’s one thing that Donald Trump has shown over the years, it’s that he will get his most sycophantic MAGA loyalists to insist there are perfectly obvious reasons why whatever he’s about to do is absolutely necessary… and then Trump will do the opposite, and all those hangers-on will magically change their story within […]

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple Announces Major App Store Changes on iOS in Brazil
Apple today announced that developers in Brazil will be allowed to distribute iPhone apps through alternative app marketplaces on iOS, and accept payments through third-party platforms. In other words, developers in Brazil will be able to circumvent the App Store and Apple's in-app purchase system, but there are still fees.





Alternative app marketplaces will have to be authorized by Apple and will need to meet ongoing requirements. For apps that are still distributed through the App Store, developers will be able to include an alternative payment processing method in their app and/or link users to a website to complete a transaction.



These changes are available on iOS 26.5 and later, and they are the result of regulatory action from Brazil's competition regulator. Apple has added a new page on its website with additional details for developers in Brazil.



Apple said these changes introduce privacy and security risks for users, including children. The company has introduced safeguards to mitigate these risks, including a notarization process for iOS apps, an authorization process for app marketplaces, and limitations on external links and alternative payments for users under the age of 18.



Apple has already allowed alternative app stores and/or third-party payment systems on iOS in the EU, Japan, and South Korea, and it will likely be forced to do so in the UK and Australia too, due to similar regulations in those countries.



Fees

iOS apps distributed on the App Store in Brazil will be able to take advantage of a lower commission of up to 21% on digital goods and services, down from a maximum of 30%, but many developers qualify for a commission as low as 10% through things such as the Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program.



If an app uses the App Store's in-app purchase system, there is an additional 5% fee.



Developers with iOS apps on the App Store in Brazil will pay a commission of 15% on transactions for digital goods and services made on a website linked to by the developer's app. In some cases, this commission will be lowered to 10%.



iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store in Brazil will be required to pay a 5% commission on the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps. Apple says this "Core Technology Commission" compensates it for the tools, technologies, and services that enable developers to offer apps to iOS users.



By July 6, 2026, all current members of the Apple Developer Program will need to agree to an updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement, which includes new terms that allow for these options in Brazil.Tag: App StoreThis article, 'Apple Announces Major App Store Changes on iOS in Brazil' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Apple's A12 and A13 Chips Facing New Unpatchable Exploit
Security research firm Paradigm Shift today published details of a new BootROM vulnerability affecting Apple's A12 and A13 chips, along with a working proof-of-concept exploit named "usbliter8."





The BootROM, or SecureROM, is the first code an iPhone runs when it powers on. Because it is baked directly into the chip at manufacture, any vulnerability found there cannot be fixed with a software update, meaning affected devices will remain vulnerable for the rest of their lives.



The last publicly known BootROM exploit of this kind was "checkm8," released in 2019 which affected devices from the iPhone 4S through to the iPhone X. usbliter8 now extends that history to the next generation of chips, covering the iPhone XS through to the iPhone 11 series.



The exploit works by taking advantage of a bug in the USB controller built into Apple's chips. When an iPhone receives USB data during startup, the controller uses a memory buffer to store incoming packets. Paradigm Shift found that by sending a specific sequence of unusually small packets, they could manipulate an internal hardware pointer in a way that causes it to walk backwards through memory, allowing data to be written to locations it should never reach. The researchers say this appears to be a bug in the USB controller hardware itself, not in Apple's software.



The A11 chip, used in the iPhone X, is not affected because its USB driver manually resets the pointer after each packet. A14 and later chips are also safe, as they configure a memory protection feature correctly at the BootROM level. The A12 and A13 sit in a vulnerable middle ground between the two.



On A12 devices, gaining code execution is relatively straightforward. On A13 devices, things are considerably harder because Apple introduced a security feature called Pointer Authentication Codes (PAC), which detects and blocks certain types of memory tampering. Paradigm Shift says working around PAC on the A13 required a lengthy multi-step process before the researchers could finally take control of the processor.



Once in control, the exploit installs a custom handler that survives a device restart and adds two capabilities: temporarily lowering the device's security settings, and booting unsigned software without any verification checks. It also injects the traditional "PWND" string into the iPhone's USB serial number as a signal that the device has been compromised, a convention that carries over from checkm8 and earlier exploits.



Paradigm Shift notes that while usbliter8 does not affect the Secure Enclave directly, a BootROM compromise of this kind opens up wider avenues for attacking it. The firm says it reported its findings to Apple Product Security before publication and worked with Apple on coordinated disclosure. The full proof-of-concept code has been published alongside the write-up at ps.tc.Tag: Apple SecurityRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, 'Apple's A12 and A13 Chips Facing New Unpatchable Exploit' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
You Can Watch All of F1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix For Free on Apple TV
Apple today announced that every part of Formula 1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix (June 26 to June 28) will be streamed live on the Apple TV streaming service for free.



U.S. viewers can watch all sessions — including practices, qualifying, and the Grand Prix — with no subscription required.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, 'You Can Watch All of F1's 2026 Austrian Grand Prix For Free on Apple TV' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING VIDEO – JD Vance addresses Trump comments on Iran having ‘some’ ballistic missiles
Vice President JD Vance was asked about President Trump’s comments yesterday on the idea of Iran still having some ballistic missiles. In short, Vance said this comment was about Iran keeping the . . .

Russia Today News
Open 
The rape gang crisis: How the UK betrayed its own people

Mail Online
Open 
Doctors would not have let a woman get away with evil visited on Preston by gay adoptive dad: CLARE FOGES
Evil, monstrous, sickening. The worst words are inadequate to describe what happened to Preston Davey, sexually abused and killed by the men who adopted him.

Mail Online
Open 
Maura Higgins and Holly Willoughby take inspiration from My Fair Lady with elegant all-white looks as they lead the celebrity glamour at Royal Ascot ladies' day
Maura Higgins and Holly Willoughby led the celeb racegoers at Royal Ascot Ladies Day on Thursday.

BBC UK News
Open 
Swinney apologises to girl at centre of Dundee viral knife video
The child brandished weapons at a Bulgarian man who was later convicted of assaulting her.

Mail Online
Open 
Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at zoo: Man, 30, 'not known to him' arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
The child was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and is believed to be in a critical but stable condition.

The Register
Open 
Google told researcher 'Nice catch!' Then denied bug bounty for flaw it still hasn't fixed
EXCLUSIVE 'Working as intended' for the win … again

The Register
Open 
ZTE and China Telecom Guangdong advance cross‑vendor IP network simulation pilots, paving the way for intelligent network operations
PARTNER CONTENT: Leveraging >95% digital twin fidelity and multi-vendor collaboration to eliminate network change risks and achieve zero-error O&M

The Register
Open 
NASA payload to ride commercial Mars orbiter from rocket biz yet to reach orbit
Aeolus mission promises better Martian weather models, assuming Relativity Space can get its Terran R off the ground

BBC UK News
Open 
Two teenagers on trial for murder of 15-year-old Amen Teklay
Prosecutors claim the boys chased and struck him with a sword, leaving him so severely hurt that he died on street in Glasgow.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Serious Incident Reported on British Airways 787 in Tokyo
Information has emerged of an incident that could have turned serious involving today's British Airways Tokyo to London service, resulting in a delay.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
LaGuardia Reopens Runway After Surface Depression Found
LaGuardia Airport has fully reopened Runway 4/22 after crews completed repairs to a surface depression discovered during a routine airfield inspection, marking the second runway-related infrastructure issue at the airport in less than a month.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Boeing 737-7 and Max 10 Near FAA and EASA Approval
Boeing’s long-delayed 737-7 and 737-10 Max aircraft are moving closer to certification after senior aviation officials in the United States and Europe signaled that the approval process is entering its final stages.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
FAA Plans New SFO Landing Procedure After Parallel Approach Ban
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to introduce a new flight procedure at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as it seeks to balance safety and efficiency following the suspension of the airport’s long-standing parallel landing operations.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
South African men sentenced in ‘world’s largest’ rhino-horn trafficking case
‘Mastermind’ Dawie Groenewald given fine of 2m rand or four-year jail term almost 16 years after arrestTwo rhino-horn traffickers have been sentenced by a South African court in what police said was the world’s largest such case, partly bringing to an end an almost two-decade legal saga.Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus had faced more than 1,700 charges ranging from illegally hunting and dehorning rhinos, to racketeering and money laundering. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Women’s World Cup playoffs: England land Greece, Scotland get Czechia in first round
England to play Ukraine or Slovakia if they beat GreeceScotland probably face Sweden if they win first gameEngland will need to overcome Greece and either Slovakia or Ukraine to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.Scotland were handed a significantly tougher draw and will probably need to beat Sweden, if they first beat Czechia, to reach the finals. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Football Daily | Marcus Rashford hits the high notes after playing second fiddle to Anthony Gordon
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!It must be difficult being the second choice at a major tournament, confronting the idea your head coach thinks you are an inferior player. Maintaining confidence when others are favoured takes a lot of mental fortitude because agreeing with the decision is never an option. Some waltz in, do as they please, having been afforded the opportunity you want because of one person’s decision, while others watch on from the sidelines, desperately waiting for a chance to prove everyone wrong. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Iran peace deal makes clear how far US has been forced to retreat since 2025
Plan is admission US could not achieve what it sought through war as red line after red line has been erasedOnly a man with an unparalleled ignorance of history such as Donald Trump would have signed America’s peace treaty with Iran at Versailles, the byword for national humiliation. And only a man with an impish sense of humour such as Emmanuel Macron would have suggested it.It is easy to cast Trump in the role of the humiliated and hurt German count Ulrich von Brockdorff-Rantzau. The treaty of Versailles, after all, was based on 14 points, just as the memorandum of understanding has 14 clauses. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Man arrested after boy, 3, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure
Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo.Cambridgeshire police said officers were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, at 1.24pm on Thursday to “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Vance says 60-day-period to reach final peace agreement starts today and US ‘isn’t giving up a cent’ to Iran
US vice president’s comments would mean the deadline for the final agreement between Iran and US is 17 AugustReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop blowing up buildings” during a phone call about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.The newspaper cited sources who overheard the phone conversation between the two leaders, whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile as the war raged on. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Anya Taylor-Joy recalls being cruelly bullied over her looks as a child as she poses in striking shoot for The Hollywood Reporter
She's one of the acting world's most stylish and beautiful stars, beloved of fashion houses and film studios.

Mail Online
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A common medication taken by millions turned my kind father into a killer: He stabbed my five-year-old twin sisters to death... but I forgive him
The school intercom crackled and Jessica Barrett's name was called for her to go to the front office. She was 17, a high school senior in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mail Online
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Disgraced former Speaker John Bercow arrives in Makerfield to campaign for Andy Burnham sparking hypocrisy charge from Reform
Reform demanded an explanation about why Mr Bercow had been allowed to campaign for the party despite his shamed reputation.

Mail Online
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Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is 'TOXIC', team-mates fear: Reports claim players are sick of Premier League star and his comments at the World Cup after they drew against Qatar
The Sunderland captain, 33, called on Switzerland 'to act' after they squandered a lead in the last minute against the Middle Eastern minnows in San Francisco.

Mail Online
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Jelly Roll's most explicit lyrics about Bunnie XO as he is set to take the stage after divorce
Jelly Roll has never been shy about putting his real-life romance with Bunnie XO into song - and now those lyrics are being picked apart in a very different light following news of their shock split.

Mail Online
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Anyone who pretends they don't want to send their child to a fee-paying school is lying. Private education gives you the arrogance you need to succeed in life: ANNABEL FENWICK ELLIOTT
I've been rich and I've been poor. So I say this with authority: money can't buy happiness but a lack of it can guarantee sadness.

Mail Online
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The deadly effects of gambling...thanks to mobile apps, bookies have never been richer and addiction has never been easier
Darragh McGee investigates how gambling has evolved in recent years and the devastating effects of the internet on betting addictions.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews reveals his new hair - which has 'grown' in six days after using AI filter - as he posts from barber shop in Dubai
Lee Andrews revealed his 'new hair' which appears to have 'grown' in a mere six days as he posted from Dubai on Thursday after his release from prison.

The Guardian (UK)
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Bank of England governor warns UK public to expect higher costs this year
Andrew Bailey says ‘still inflationary pressure in pipeline’ despite US and Iran nearing peace deal as interest rates kept on holdBusiness live – latest updatesThe governor of the Bank of England has warned consumers to expect higher costs this year as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, despite falling oil prices as the US and Iran agreed a peace deal.Speaking after the Bank kept interest rates on hold at 3.75%, Andrew Bailey said there was “still some inflationary pressure in the pipeline” after the conflict pushed up energy prices. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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VAT on private school fees not caused exodus to state sector, says Bridget Phillipson
Education secretary cites admissions data for England, saying Labour is ‘rebalancing the system to focus on 94% of kids in state schools’Adding VAT to private school fees has failed to trigger an exodus of pupils into the state sector despite widespread speculation that it would, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said.The Labour government applied 20% VAT to private school fees from the start of 2025. They had previously been exempt from the tax. Newly published admissions data for England showed there had been no influx towards state schools since then. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump thinks his freshly signed ceasefire deal is a victory. It is – for Iran | Simon Jenkins
With sanctions-relief and a US promise to avoid further meddling, the conflict has been settled on Tehran’s termsDonald Trump is running fast to escape the catastrophic war on Iran that he and Benjamin Netanyahu started four months ago. He is saying anything that appears to suit the moment. In fact, he clearly feels he can now ditch his friend, the Israeli prime minister. He is offering Tehran’s military regime a $300bn rebuilding fund, an end to economic sanctions and a promise not to interfere in its internal affairs. All this is declared a “major win”. If so, fine. The next 60 days of negotiations will be tortuous and unpredictable. But at least they are pointing in a plausible – and hopefully irreversible – direction.For once, a US president seems ready to accept defeat in a potentially forever war before it gets out of hand. Iran is not to be another Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. More than that, in the course of the past week, Trump seems to have soured on America’s closest ally. Furious at Netanyahu’s ceaseless bombing of Lebanon, he remarked: “You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody” – somebody to kill, that is – because “there are a lot of people in those apartment houses and they’re not all Hezbollah”. For all this moral grandstanding, Trump’s military forces, along with Israel, have killed more than 3,300 Iranians, according to the country’s authorities – among them more than 100 children in a girls’ school – and injured many more.Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Heathrow third runway likely to affect health of millions nearby, official report warns
Analysis says expansion could also harm access to housing, education, healthcare, open spaces and transportConstruction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan.An analysis for the Department for Transport has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Vance says 60-day-period to reach final Iran agreement starts today
US vice president’s comments would mean the deadline for the final agreement between Iran and US is 17 AugustReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop blowing up buildings” during a phone call about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.The newspaper cited sources who overheard the phone conversation between the two leaders, whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile as the war raged on. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Truss the saviour exposes ‘Labour’s secret plan’ | John Crace
Ex-PM reveals Andy Burnham wants to return to Westminster to challenge Keir Starmer to become PM. Who knew?UK politics live – latest updatesIt’s one of the great philosophical questions of our age. Or any age, for that matter. If Liz Truss didn’t exist, would it be possible to imagine her? Could anyone conceive that someone so brain-meltingly dim could have once been our prime minister?And even if they could, would they have dared to believe that in harness with this industrial-strength stupidity there could be such a total lack of self-awareness. Liz comes with a vacuum-packed confidence in her own talent. While the real world treats her, at best as a joke, at worst as the last cockroach still standing, she maintains her messiah complex. The saviour waiting to rise from these streets. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure
A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a child ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a farm zoo.

Deutsche Welle
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EU summit: Leaders to discuss Ukraine, global issues
European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels for a two-day summit. The meeting is expected to focus on supporting Ukraine, the EU’s next long-term budget, and addressing global economic challenges. DW has more.

Mail Online
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'It's extremely messy and devastating': KATIE HIND reveals the fresh source of heartache between Jeff Brazier and son Freddy after healing their family feud
When Freddy Brazier learned he was to become a father, there were tears of joy. For the 21-year-old, it was particularly poignant given that he lost his mother, reality star Jade Goody, when he was four.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews reveals his new hair - which has 'grown' in six days after using AI filter - as he posts from barber shop in Dubai
Lee Andrews revealed his 'new hair' which had 'grown' in six days as he posted from Dubai on Thursday after his release from prison.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Vulnerable patients' lives made 'miserable' by abuse, Muckamore inquiry finds
The long-awaited final report is expected to reveal the extent of the mistreatment of patients at the hospital.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after boy injured in crocodile enclosure
A three-year-old boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with critical injuries and is in a stable condition, Cambridgeshire Police said.

BBC World News
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Gunmen attack Niger's biggest airport for second time in months
Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.

Sky News Home
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Prisoners found guilty after child killer discovered 'tidily tucked up in bed' with 25 stab wounds
Three prisoners have been found guilty of murdering a child killer who was stabbed to death in his cell.

Sky News Home
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Explosions and sustained gunfire reported at Niger airport
Soldiers have been searching for militants around the main airport and military airbase in Niger's capital Niamey.

Sky News Home
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Attempted murder probe after boy, 3, ended up in crocodile enclosure
A boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries, and a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, after a toddler ended up in a crocodile enclosure.

Apple Developer News
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Changes to iOS in Brazil
As part of a recent agreement with Brazil’s competition regulator CADE (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), Apple is introducing changes to iOS that create new options for developers' apps in Brazil. Beginning with iOS 26.5, developers can distribute apps on alternative app marketplaces, operate alternative app marketplaces, process app payments for digital goods and services outside of Apple In-App Purchase in iOS, and more. The new options for downloading apps from alternative app marketplaces and making app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud, scams, and privacy and security risks. Apple has worked with CADE to introduce protections from these new threats — with a special emphasis on child safety. Those protections include Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization process for app marketplaces, and requirements that help protect children from inappropriate content and scams.By July 6, 2026, all current members of the Apple Developer Program will need to agree to the latest update to the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, which includes new terms that allow for these options in Brazil.Learn more about the updatesYou can also request a 30-minute online appointment to ask questions about these changes.

Apple Developer News
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Updated Apple Developer Program License Agreement now available
Attachment 12 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement has been revised to specify terms for iOS apps in Brazil, including alternative distribution, alternative payments and out-of-app offers, and the Core Technology Commission. Please review the changes and sign in to your account to accept the updated terms. Translations of the updated agreement will be available on the Apple Developer website within one month.

Digital Trends
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GTA 6 pre-orders open June 25 as Rockstar ramps up its launch campaign
Rockstar Games has confirmed that GTA 6 pre-orders will open on June 25, giving fans another reason to believe the highly anticipated game remains on track for its November 2026 release.

Digital Trends
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GTA 6 may be far away, so Rockstar gave GTA 5 a fresh coat of paint
Rockstar has released a free upgrade for GTA 5 owners, bringing enhanced graphics, faster loading times, new vehicles, and next-gen features to PC players ahead of GTA 6.

Digital Trends
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Pixi wants to replace your boring text messages with AR characters that react to you
Pixi Platforms launched an iMessage app that lets users send intelligent AR characters capable of reacting to real world surroundings and facial expressions.

TechRadar News
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'This creates a misleading impression of safety': Experts warn of hackers hijacking legitimate news websites and reviews to drum up publicity

TechRadar News
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With the Grand Theft Auto 6 art revealed, which GTA cover is your favorite?

TechRadar News
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I tested the Camp Snap 2, and the follow-up to the viral screen-free compact camera is slimmer, quicker and more creative, and still deliciously cheap

TechRadar News
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PSA: Amazon's early Prime Day deals are great for everyday essentials — I'm saving $32 on my weekly shopping today

TechRadar News
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Norton 360 Deluxe 'is perfect if you are looking for family protection' especially in this major sale – and performs with near perfect score in testing

TechRadar News
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Upgrade your workspace — These price-guaranteed ultrawide monitor deals at Newegg fix tab-toggling fatigue

TechRadar News
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It’s official — the Google Nest Audio and Nest Mini are dead, here’s what that means for current owners

TechRadar News
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I asked ChatGPT to turn me into a 1990s action figure — and it remembered things I'd forgotten

TechRadar News
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I've tracked down the 11 best early Prime Day Apple deals starting at just $15 — AirPods 4, Apple Watch 11, MacBook Neo, iPad Air, and more

TechRadar News
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While we wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar is saving last-gen GTA 5 players 40 bucks with a free upgrade

TechRadar News
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'I've been making Sonic games and been with Sonic longer than I've been with my own children' — Sonic Team head looks back on the franchise for its 35th anniversary

TechRadar News
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I collect Garmins like Thanos collects gems — here are 9 Garmins I've worn, would recommend, and are on sale at Amazon right now

Slashdot
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You Can No Longer Fly Or Purchase a Drone In Beijing
Longtime Slashdot reader schwit1 shares a report from PetaPixel: China dominates the consumer drone market, so it is perhaps surprising that it is no longer possible to fly or even purchase a drone in Beijing. The new law that passed last month makes it illegal to buy, rent, or fly a drone without prior approval from the authorities. Users must also complete an online training session and pass a test on drone regulations. Under the new rules, drone users are also not allowed to repair or replace their drones in Beijing. Not only that, but a drone in a repair shop must be picked up in-person, rather than sent back by delivery.

The BBC reports that drones must now be registered before being brought into and out of the Chinese capital. "I have to apply for permission for each flight, which is very inconvenient," drone enthusiast Steven Wang tells CNN. "And starting this year, the wait time is getting longer, and the reasons for rejection are becoming more vague." Despite China being the birthplace of the consumer drone industry, it is increasingly difficult for hobbyists to fly there. Beijing authorities say that the rules are made to "strengthen the management of unmanned aerial vehicles" and "safeguard the security of the capital."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mail Online
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'It's extremely messy and devastating': KATIE HIND reveals the fresh heartache between Jeff Brazier and son Freddy after healing their family feud
When Freddy Brazier learned he was to become a father, there were tears of joy. For the 21-year-old, it was particularly poignant given that he lost his mother, reality star Jade Goody, when he was four.

Mail Online
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Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at Cambridge zoo: Man, 30, 'not known to him' arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
The child was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and is believed to be in a critical but stable condition.

Mail Online
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Moscow 'will burn' even more, vows Zelensky as city is blanketed in toxic smoke following huge Ukraine drone attack
Scores of drones targeted Moscow overnight, hitting the Russian capital's oil refinery for the second time this week.

BBC World News
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Bowen: US-Iran deal raises inescapable question of what the war was for
While the human cost is clear, the Iranian regime has not just survived the war, it has been empowered.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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My husband died when I was 38, leaving me with four kids who each received Social Security. I’m now 60. When do I claim?
“I have called and asked the Social Security Administration about this multiple times over the past couple of years.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Trump’s Iran agreement is a massive buy signal for stocks
Hyperventilating experts were wrong about the Iran war. The end of the conflict is a massive buy signal for stocks.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Gen Z’s ‘chicken before the egg’ credit problem: How to build your score when lenders keep saying no
Half of Gen Z-ers say they don’t have enough access to the credit they need to reach their financial goals

Boing Boing
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The math is wild: ChatGPT Plus is $240/year—5 years of ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini is just $99.99
TL;DR: ChatOn Premium is $99.99 for 5 years, giving you access to GPT, Claude, Gemini, Sonar, real-time web search with sources, image generation, cross-platform sync, and a dedicated mobile app for less than $2 per month.
The AI arms race has created a weird new problem: everybody wants access to GPT, Claude, Gemini, and all the other popular models. — Read the rest
The post The math is wild: ChatGPT Plus is $240/year—5 years of ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini is just $99.99 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Pool expert explains Grandpa Pudding Brains' Lincoln Memorial Algae Farm
Grandpa Pudding Brains' Lincoln Memorial Algae Farm may be ugly, expensive, and very funny, but Swimming Pool Steve says it is not especially mysterious.
After two CNN appearances about the green water situation, Swimming Pool Steve posted a longer explanation of what he thinks happens next. — Read the rest
The post Pool expert explains Grandpa Pudding Brains' Lincoln Memorial Algae Farm appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Vienna's graveyards are full of hardcore hamsters
Forget the pet-shop fluffball on a squeaky wheel. Europe's wild hamsters are out in Vienna's graveyards stuffing their faces, throwing hands, and living like tiny cemetery goblins.
Not a Biologist shares wildlife filmmaker Yaz Ellis' look at the surprisingly dramatic lives of wild hamsters in Vienna's cemeteries. — Read the rest
The post Vienna's graveyards are full of hardcore hamsters appeared first on Boing Boing.

Sky News Home
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Attempted murder probe after boy, 3, 'ended up in crocodile enclosure' in Cambridgeshire
A boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries and a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a toddler ended up in a crocodile enclosure.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Barry’s blunt England home truths give TV viewers a glimpse of dressing-room vibe
Assistant manager’s half-time interview on ITV offered an unexpectedly honest insight into the in-game mood in the campEngland’s players have been effusive in their praise for Thomas Tuchel’s half-time talk, but the half-time talk that ITV viewers in the UK got was very different, in the form of a refreshingly frank interview with his assistant, Anthony Barry.In-game interviews of staff are another novel broadcasting feature of this World Cup, like the innovative use of refcam, but, rather than fob off a reporter with some meaningless platitudes about the lads giving it 110%, Barry gave an honest assessment of the team’s failings up to that point. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Iran peace deal makes clear how far US has been forced to retreat since 2025
Plan is admission US could not achieve what it sought through war as red line after red line has been erasedOnly a man with an unparalleled ignorance of history such as Donald Trump would have signed America’s peace treaty with Iran at Versailles, the byword for national humiliation. And only a man with an impish sense of humour such as Emmanuel Macron would have suggested it.It is easy to cast Trump in the role of the humiliated and hurt German Count Ulrich von Brockdorff-Rantzau. The treaty of Versailles after all was based on 14 points, just as the memorandum of understanding has 14 clauses. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monasteryExplainer: how significant was attack on Moscow?Ukrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a response to Russia’s strike on a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. “We do not want this war and never did,” the Ukrainian president said in a voice message to journalists. “But if Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too … It is time to end the aggression, time to end this war.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Whole-life order given to UK teacher who sexually abused and murdered adopted baby
Jamie Varley jailed for life and partner John McGowan-Fazakerley jailed for 25 years over death of Preston DaveyA secondary school teacher has been jailed for life for sexually abusing and murdering the baby boy he was adopting with his partner.Jamie Varley, 37, was sentenced to a whole-life order on Thursday for abusing and killing 13-month-old Preston Davey. It means he will stay in prison for the rest of his life and will never be eligible for parole, the judge Mr Justice Turner said. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Jury in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial to continue deliberations on Friday
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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The refugee stars at the World Cup
Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes around refugees.

Russia Today News
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Musk backs ‘Nuremberg trials’ for Pakistani rape gangs

Gizmodo
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Mike Myers Confirms a Fourth ‘Austin Powers’ Movie
Plus, Sandra Oh boards Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's 'superhero tentpole' movie.

Gizmodo
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Sennheiser Joins the Open Wireless Earbud Craze
If you're reading this in the United States, though, we have some bad news.

Gizmodo
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Scientists Made a Car Paint So Black It Looks Like a Hole in Reality
Researchers with Singapore-based Nipsea have created a new “ultra-black coating” that absorbs an average of 99.9% of all visible light wavelengths.

Gizmodo
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Top 10% of Consumers Create Up to $5.7 Trillion in Environmental Damage Annually
That amount could pay for climate and biodiversity financing targets with billions still to spare.

Gizmodo
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Remember Midjourney? It’s Building a Medical Scanning Device That It Says Is Faster Than an MRI
The company is also opening a spa in downtown San Francisco, “with pools of golden light which softly scan your body.”

The Verge
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No more lightbulbs, much more sports: Five predictions for Roku’s future
This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a newsletter on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. When Fox announced its acquisition of Roku earlier this week, executives of both companies were quick to promise that not much would change in the near future. Sure, getting its […]

Cabinet Office
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Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new candidate for the Commissioner for Public Appointments
Fiona Cannon OBE has been confirmed as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments | Cabinet Office.

Computer Weekly
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US suspension of Anthropic models prompts AI sovereignty calls
The US government’s control order to suspend access to Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models raises concerns about the UK’s over-reliance on American tech

Nature
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Is AI ruining our skills? Early results are in — and they’re not good

Nature
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It slices! It dices! Sashimi-Bot handles seafood with ease

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after boy injured in crocodile enclosure
A 30-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder after a boy was critically injured, police say.

ZeroHedge News
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"The Impact was Devastating": Chicago's Cross-Burning Was Set By Liberal, Anti-Trump Protester
"The Impact was Devastating": Chicago's Cross-Burning Was Set By Liberal, Anti-Trump Protester

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

After the Southern Poverty Law Center scandal of actually funding and encouraging racist protests, it appears that at least one individual has created his own orchestrated racist incident.

In Chicago (where Jussie Smollett committed his infamous racist hoax), a burning cross was denounced by Mayor Brandon Johnson as a sign of the racism in society.

Johnson, however, refused to address the fact that the cross burning was actually the work of an anti-Trump liberal student.

University of Illinois senior Merlin Lu said it was never intended as a racist symbol, but the question is whether it could still be charged as a hate crime.



In posting a reward for the culprit soon after the incident, Rev. Michael Pfleger declared that “this bold rise of racism must be condemned by every race, faith community, and Chicagoan as was done with the swastika and treated as a hate crime.”

It turns out that this was not evidence of the rise of racism but another possible hoax.

Lu bizarrely claimed that he was unaware that a burning cross had racist connotations and insisted that there was no racist message intended.

Others suspected that this was a type of false-flag effort to outrage the left.

Johnson later denounced the incident as a “symbol of hatred is one that we must continue to reject, and I wholeheartedly reject it. I can’t speak to anyone’s motives; I can only speak to the impact, and the impact was devastating.”

It seems curious that Johnson would not “speak to motives” when he knows that this was set by a leftist radical.

The question is whether it is still a hate crime under Illinois law. Under Section 12-7.1, the law states:


(a) A person commits hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits assault, battery, aggravated assault, intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, transmission of obscene messages, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications as these crimes are defined in Sections 12-1, 12-2, 12-3(a), 12-7.3, 12-7.5, 16-1, 19-4, 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 25-1, 26-1, 26.5-1, 26.5-2, paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of Section 12-6, and paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(5) of Section 26.5-3 of this Code, respectively.


The notable language is “regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors.” The inclusion of property damage could allow a charge to be brought.

The case could rekindle the debate over intent for threats. Many professors and pundits on the left have long argued that the standard should be how a message is received rather than how it is intended. That issue arose in the decision in Counterman v. Colorado, 600 U.S. 66 (2023), concerning the standard for the “true threats” exception to the First Amendment. In an opinion written by Justice Elena Kagan, the Court reversed the conviction. While rejecting an “objective” standard, the Court declared that such cases had to be based on evidence of the defendant’s state of mind under a “subjective standard.” Accordingly, the government must prove recklessness, but not necessarily intent: “The State must show that the defendant consciously disregarded a substantial risk that his communications would be viewed as threatening violence.”

Recklessness would be a dangerous standard for the defense of Merlin Liu. He insists that he was entirely clueless about what a burning cross represents in our culture. Yet, if Chicago does not bring a hate crime charge, it could be cited in future cases in suggesting that intent or “motivating factors” do matter in such cases.

I have favored stronger scienter or intent standards in true threat cases. It seems like a hate crime should, at a minimum, also be based on an intent to cause such alarm or fear. That does not mean that Liu’s defense of ignorance will work. However, in my view, prosecutors should have to show more than how others perceive a protest.

Unlike Johnson, the prosecutors and the Court will have to “speak to motivations” before this case is concluded.

Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the New York Times best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:20

ZeroHedge News
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Both Parents Work Full-Time In Majority Of Families, Census Data Show
Both Parents Work Full-Time In Majority Of Families, Census Data Show

Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times,

Both parents work full-time in more than half of couples with children under 18, according to newly analyzed data.



Fifty-two percent of couples comprised of a mother and father work full-time jobs as of 2025, according to the Pew Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau released on June 16.

That percentage is an increase from 46 percent in 2015 and 31 percent in 1975.

Black mothers are still the most likely to be in a couple where both she and the father work, according to an analysis broken down by race. Sixty percent of black mothers are in such a partnership, down slightly from 64 percent in 2000.

Majorities of white, 54 percent, and Asian, 52 percent, women with children are for the first time in couples comprised of two working parents. Hispanic women are still more likely to be in a couple with only one working parent.

Mothers with lower levels of education are the most likely to be in a couple in which the dad works full-time, and the mom is not employed, according to the analysis.

That figure was 30 percent for mothers with, at most, some college education, compared to 21 percent for mothers with bachelor’s degrees and 11 percent for mothers with postgraduate degrees.

Across all couples with minor children, the percentage in which the father works full-time and the mother is not employed declined from 42 percent in 1975 to 23 percent in 2025.

In another 15 percent of couples, the father works full-time and the mother works part-time. In five percent, the father works part-time or is not employed, and the mother has a full-time job. And in the remaining five percent, there is some other arrangement.

Many parents view their family’s financial situation as positive, according to a Pew survey conducted in March, provided the mother works at least part-time. For parents in couples where the dad works full time, and the mother does not have a job, only 19 percent said their financial situation is positive, and 41 percent said it is negative.

Adults in those couples were the most likely to say that the work arrangement was positive for their children’s well-being. Eighty-five percent did. Just 49 percent of parents in couples where both mothers and fathers work full-time answered the same.

Some 52 percent of the respondents also said their job makes it harder to be a good parent, and 45 percent said that being a parent has made it difficult to advance at work.

Additionally, 62 percent of mothers who work full-time expressed frustration with balancing work and family responsibilities, compared with 47 percent of fathers who work full-time.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:00

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Accenture Crashes Most On Record As AI Threatens Consulting Demand
Accenture Crashes Most On Record As AI Threatens Consulting Demand

Accenture shares crashed by the most on record in premarket trading on a confluence of issues. First, the company's fourth-quarter revenue outlook missed Bloomberg consensus estimates and third-quarter bookings declined, reinforcing investors' belief that consulting demand is declining in the era of AI adoption across corporate America, which is wreaking havoc in the white-collar job market.

The global consulting and technology services company, which helps large corporations and governments with strategy, IT, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and more, guided August-quarter revenue to a range of $17.75 billion to $18.4 billion, below the $18.47 billion figure that analysts tracked by Bloomberg were forecasting. Third-quarter bookings fell to $19.3 billion, down from $19.7 billion a year earlier, while revenue rose to $18.7 billion, slightly below estimates. EPS increased 9% to $3.80.

Here's a snapshot of 3Q earnings, courtesy of Bloomberg:


EPS $3.80 vs. $3.49 y/y

Revenue $18.7 billion, +5.6% y/y, estimate $18.76 billion

Communications, Media & Technology revenue $3.22 billion, +10% y/y, estimate $3.2 billion
Financial Services revenue $3.49 billion, +6.4% y/y, estimate $3.54 billion
Product revenue $5.67 billion, +6.1% y/y, estimate $5.67 billion
Health & Public Service revenue $3.85 billion, +1.8% y/y, estimate $3.82 billion

Resources revenue $2.50 billion, +3.4% y/y, estimate $2.54 billion
Bookings $19.32 billion, -1.9% y/y, estimate $20.66 billion

Consulting new bookings $10.26 billion, +13% y/y, estimate $9.54 billion
Managed Services new bookings $9.06 billion, -15% y/y, estimate $11.12 billion
Gross margin 32.8% vs. 32.9% y/y, estimate 32.9%

Free cash flow $3.60 billion, +2.9% y/y

Operating cash flow $3.79 billion, +2.8% y/y, estimate $3.06 billion


Snapshot of 4Q forecast:


Sees revenue $17.75 billion to $18.4 billion, estimate $18.47 billion (Bloomberg Consensus)

Sees revenue +1% to +5%


Full-Year Forecast:


Sees revenue +3% to +4%, saw +3% to +5%

Sees adjusted EPS $13.78 to $13.90, saw $13.65 to $13.90

Sees effective tax rate 24% to 25%, saw 23.5% to 25.5%

Still sees operating cash flow $11.5 billion to $12.2 billion

Still sees free cash flow $10.8 billion to $11.5 billion


Beyond earnings, one major issue plaguing Accenture is investor confidence in the business model. Morgan Stanley downgraded Accenture to Equal-weight from Overweight and slashed its price target to $177 from $240, arguing that the anticipated boost to IT services spending from artificial intelligence investments has yet to materialize, as enterprises continue to prioritize AI projects over traditional discretionary technology spending.

Crucially, "we are not seeing the budget growth inflection we had previously expected," the analysts wrote.

Morgan Stanley is not the first to sound the alarm on declining IT consulting demand. In March, Jefferies analyst Surinder Thind told clients there was limited evidence of a recovery in customer appetite, directly contradicting management's upbeat commentary.

Accenture shares crashed the most on record, down 16% in the early cash session. 



What goes up must go down. 



Emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT (news headlines) vs. ACN stock price. 



According to Bloomberg data, Wall Street analysts have 17 "Buy" ratings, 12 "Neutral" ratings, and zero "Sell" ratings on the stock. The 12-month average price target is $236.



Thind called the latest earnings disappointing. "Questions around the resiliency of demand in an AI-first world are likely to be amplified," he said, adding, "especially in light of recent advancements in AI models and agentic capabilities."

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:10

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US-Iran MOU Eases Energy Prices But Faces Sharp Pushback From Israel And GOP Hawks
US-Iran MOU Eases Energy Prices But Faces Sharp Pushback From Israel And GOP Hawks

Summary:

The US and Iran signed a preliminary cease-fire agreement at the G7 summit in France.
Energy prices fell as some Saudi supertankers resumed crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
The deal includes a $300 billion private reconstruction fund and temporary Iranian oil export waivers.
Iranian officials declared themselves the clear winner.
The agreement has opened significant new divisions within the Republican Party.
Israel described the deal as a major strategic setback.
US Vice President Vance will meet Iranian officials in Switzerland on Friday.
Energy prices continued to fall on Thursday after the United States and Iran signed a preliminary cease-fire agreement, raising hopes that the Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen to normal tanker traffic. The deal has been welcomed by markets but has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and quiet frustration from Gulf states, while also exposing tensions within the U.S. political system and NATO.
Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press

Energy Markets and Hormuz Reopening

Brent crude fell to around $78.48 a barrel, down from levels near $95 seen late last week. In the United States, average gasoline prices dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months. Some commercial traffic has already resumed: three Saudi supertankers carrying roughly 6 million barrels of oil crossed from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman - the first significant volumes of Saudi crude to transit the strait since the war began.



"Oil down," Trump said following the signing, adding that allowing the war to continue "could have caused an international depression."

According to the text of the agreement, Iran will facilitate commercial ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz at no charge for the first 60 days. Full traffic is to resume within 30 days once technical and military obstacles are addressed and mines are cleared. Iran will hold talks with Oman on the future administration and maritime services of the waterway in line with international law. The United States and Gulf states have opposed any Iranian toll on what they regard as international waters.

Key Elements of the Preliminary Deal

The memorandum of understanding, signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, launches at least 60 days of negotiations that could begin as early as Friday. It includes temporary waivers for Iranian oil exports, a commitment to halt hostilities linked to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, and a $300 billion private investment vehicle - the Reconstruction and Development Fund - designed to channel capital into Iran’s energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transport sectors.
Maritime traffic routes through the Strait of Hormuz from Sunday to Thursday.NBC News

More than half of the $300 billion has reportedly already been pledged by companies based in the United States, Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa. The fund contains no government grants or U.S. taxpayer money and will only become operational after a final, comprehensive agreement is reached. It is separate from parallel talks on sanctions relief and unfrozen Iranian assets. Iran had originally sought $400 billion in war-damage compensation; the private fund mechanism emerged as the compromise.

A formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva is now in doubt after Iran’s foreign ministry indicated the remote signing may have made it unnecessary, though negotiating teams are still expected to meet there.

Iran Presents a United Front

Iranian officials have moved swiftly to project a unified public stance following the signing of the preliminary cease-fire agreement. After weeks of reported internal political friction - during which some hardliners reportedly sought to derail the deal - senior figures are now emphasizing national victory and the need for domestic cohesion.



Seyed Abbas Mousavi, a senior government official, stated that only a “small number” of critics remain inside Iran and described the country as the clear winner of both the war and the subsequent negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei went further, comparing the work of Iranian diplomats to that of soldiers operating “behind launchers and in trenches,” and urged the public to extend the same level of support to the negotiating team as it had to the military during the conflict.

This coordinated messaging marks a notable shift from the divisions that surfaced during the war and stands in contrast to the public criticism that has emerged from some Republican lawmakers in Washington since the deal was signed

GOP Rift



Trump’s preliminary agreement with Iran has opened new fissures within the Republican Party. While some lawmakers praised the president for ending the fighting, others - including longtime allies and prominent conservatives - expressed sharp criticism, skepticism, and alarm over what they see as insufficient concessions from Tehran.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana called the war “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,” arguing that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed and that the regime had successfully used the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to extract concessions. “Reagan is rolling over in his grave,” he wrote on social media.

Senator Ted Cruz questioned whether the deal amounted to “giving $300 billion to the Iranian ayatollah,” while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said it was “a huge mistake to pay to rebuild the threat we just destroyed.”

"History teaches us giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea," Cruz continued. 

Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene described the war as “totally unnecessary” and sarcastically remarked, “This, apparently, is what winning looks like.”



The New York Post ran a critical front-page headline on Wednesday, accusing Trump of hitting Iran with a “LOVEBOMB” of cash and sanctions relief. Conservative pro-Israel commentator Mark Levin also said he found “much to be concerned about” in the agreement.

The backlash highlights a difficult balancing act for Mr. Trump. At the start of the conflict, he faced pushback from “America First” isolationists who opposed entering a new war. Now, as he tries to end it, he is drawing fire from more traditional national security conservatives who believe the deal fails to deliver lasting limits on Iran’s nuclear program or regional influence.

Not all Republicans were critical. Senator Tim Scott called the agreement a “major victory for American security and global stability,” while Senator Lindsey Graham expressed cautious optimism, saying he saw “little downside to trying” to reach a verifiable nuclear deal during the coming 60-day period.

Trump responded to his critics on Wednesday, dismissing them as “stupid and bad people” and insisting he had the support of the international community.

Washington and NATO Tensions Flare

The deal has faced pushback inside the United States, including from some Republican lawmakers concerned about the scope of sanctions relief and the reconstruction fund. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a pointed rebuke of NATO allies in Brussels, calling their refusal to facilitate U.S. strikes on Iran “shameful” and announcing a six-month review of American troop presence in Europe. He warned that U.S. support for the alliance would not be “a one-way street” and signaled possible cuts to Washington’s NATO contributions if allies do not increase defense spending.

Israel Views the Deal as a Strategic Setback

Israeli analysts described the agreement as failing to achieve any of Israel’s primary war aims and potentially leaving the country worse off. The deal does not limit Iran’s ballistic-missile arsenal or its backing of proxy forces such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. The nuclear file is deferred to future talks. It also seeks to constrain Israeli operations in Lebanon and calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon - positions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected, stating that Israel is not a party to the agreement and is not bound by its terms.



Commentators in Israel have characterized the outcome as a significant diplomatic reversal, noting that Iran appears emboldened, retains its missile capabilities, and stands to gain substantial financial resources that could flow to its military programs and regional allies. U.S. forces are also required to pull back from Iran’s immediate vicinity within 30 days under the framework.


🚨HOWARD LUTNICK REACTS TO TRUMP’S REMARKS
Howard Lutnick appeared to shake his head in disappointment as Trump said Israel had little to complain about. pic.twitter.com/UDCfCEL44b
— Parody Jeff (@Parodyjeffx) June 18, 2026

Meanwhile...


Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir:
We cannot stop destroying houses in southern Lebanon. We cannot stop, period.
We cannot allow the population of southern Lebanon to return. ... We must continue to control the territory even if Trump disagrees.
We are an… pic.twitter.com/vhHo7K1Ttv
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 17, 2026
Gulf States Express Disappointment

Governments across the Persian Gulf - Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar - expressed disappointment that the agreement contains no curbs on Iran’s missile and drone programs. Analysts noted that Gulf states had hoped for stronger limits after suffering Iranian missile and drone attacks on airports, energy facilities, and other sites during the conflict.


Bader Al-Saif, an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University, said excluding Iran’s missiles and drones from the agreement showed that the United States “doesn’t have our best interests in mind.”

Mr. al-Saif said he has no doubt that Iran was already rebuilding its missile and drone capacities and that it would use the financial windfall it gets from the deal to acquire more of the weaponry. The agreement, which U.S. and Iranian officials have called a memorandum of understanding, says the Department of Treasury will issue waivers for the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and derivatives. -NYT


President Trump’s recent public remarks that Iran should be permitted some ballistic missiles because neighboring countries possess them drew particular notice, contrasting with earlier U.S. statements that the objective included denying Iran the ability to threaten the region with such weapons.

Regional experts assess that Gulf governments may now accelerate investment in air-defense systems and seek technical cooperation with countries such as Ukraine and South Korea. While some voices question long-term reliance on the United States as a security guarantor, analysts emphasize that any meaningful strategic reorientation would take a decade or more to develop.

What Happens Next

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are scheduled to meet in Switzerland on Friday to mark the agreement and launch the next round of negotiations. The 60-day period extends the existing cease-fire and will focus on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, and regional security arrangements. Whether the preliminary deal can be turned into a lasting settlement remains an open question amid the competing pressures from Israel, Gulf states, and domestic politics in Washington.



RELATED:

Futures Rise, Oil Drops As Market Prices In Iran Deal For Yet Another Day

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
The Treaty Of Versailles
The Treaty Of Versailles

By Michael Every of Rabobank

Yesterday, President Trump signed the US-Iran MoU in Versailles. It’s not a treaty, but the parallel with the one signed by Germany there on June 28, 1919, is notable: post-WW1, French Marshal Foch is widely credited with saying, “This is not a peace. It is an armistice for twenty years,” because he saw it as too lenient on the loser of that war.


‘Bravo’ says Macron after Trump signs Iran MoU at Versailles dinner. ‘Great job’ pic.twitter.com/5nDjGku4xS
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) June 17, 2026
This MoU is also lenient on Iran, who thinks it won, and again doesn’t look like peace, just an armistice for 20 weeks – which ends two days after the US midterm elections. Indeed, even as Trump was touting the importance of the deal to avoid “economic catastrophe,” he underlined he’ll bomb Iran again if they don’t honor it.

Yet what they honor depends on whose MoU version you read. The 14-point text the US released to CNN differs in important regards from what Bloomberg was running with and the Iranian version:

Point 1: There is a link to Lebanon but not necessarily one that forces an Israeli withdrawal. The text calls for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts”, and “ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon”, which technically a temporary Israeli security presence does not prevent any more than heavily armed Hezbollah --counter to UN resolutions and the government’s proclamations-- does. Regardless, the IDF is so far saying it won’t withdraw.
Point 5: The US says Iran “will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa.” Iran says it will charge on day 61, but can that also be read that the passage is for 60 days, which would then need to be extended? The placing of a comma there could be the literal meme ‘NO MORE WAR’ > ‘NO, MORE WAR.’ The text also says Iran “will conduct dialog with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran is taking that to mean that it can charge ‘service fees’; yet international law and GCC states may think otherwise when this is discussed.
Point 8: The two sides “have agreed to resolve the disposition of stockpiled enriched material pursuant to a mechanism that will be mutually agreed upon in accordance with the schedule mentioned in paragraph seven, with the minimum methodology to be down blended on site under the supervision of the IAEA.” That additional clause is key, and while a step back vs. earlier US uranium demands is a clear deliverable else this all falls apart. Is Iran going to blink here?
Trump also thanked China and Russia for remaining “neutral” in the war, adding “it’s OK” for Iran to have some ballistic missiles, as the Wall Street Journal estimates Iran could earn up $60bn from oil revenues ahead. What that’s spent on (reconstruction, Chinese or Russian arms, or shaheed drone factories to use locally and send to Russia, etc.) is also critical.

Understandably, Iran hawks are lamenting this all as a “disaster” or “catastrophe.” Even Bloomberg underlines what was flagged here months ago: if this MoU is a TACO not a can-kicking exercise until November, it will “unravel geopolitics”, the US creating a power vacuum others will try to fill.

That’s as South Korea’s President Lee just asked Trump to solve the North Korea issue… but they already have a nuke, so what do they get given – access to Anthropic AI?

As all is in flux, the US is also working with Europe to again back Ukraine, whose drone tech now means they hold some good cards, even as the EU reopens official communication channels with the Kremlin. It seems likely that US sanctions could soon go back on Russian oil, which would see the energy complex reshuffled again.

In market terms, the IEA is now seeing a gradual Hormuz recovery tipping into a significant 2027 oil surplus, flipping the narrative entirely – unless war restarts in 20 weeks. Most things remain a passenger to that dynamic.

Ironically, but as expected, the market is trading that possible Mou TACO as dollar positive even as it actually undermines the global architecture that holds the dollar up: but since when did FX look at the long term?

In other geoeconomics, as Europe seems set for a sustained trade war vs. China ahead, the G7 agreed to set up a critical minerals alliance platform to cut their reliance on China – which, as explained here before, logically implies trade decoupling downstream too and the emergence of geopolitical trade blocs.

Meanwhile, in a changing world, the Fed under Chair Warsh is ripping treaties up, not signing them. As our US strategist notes, the FOMC left rates unchanged as expected, with an easing bias dropped, but with an unusually short statement. Indeed, Warsh just terminated forward guidance – which is arguably not such a bad idea given what happens in the Middle East is pivotal to what happens to inflation, and central banks have no idea at all about what will transpire there(?)

In cyclical terms, the June Summary of Economic Projections had already revealed that half of the FOMC participants (who submitted a forecast) expected to hike before the end of the year. Warsh did not submit his.

More importantly, in structural terms, Warsh announced the establishment of five task forces on: Fed communications (is so much needed?); the balance sheet (is so much needed?); improving data (more, better is needed, and Warsh prefers real-time numbers over backwards looking surveys); productivity and jobs (will AI allow for rate cuts?); and inflation frameworks (where things will get even more interesting).

Just as many suspect there is more drama ahead in Hormuz, and that it will never go back to being what it was until recently, the same may be true for the Fed.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:40

ZeroHedge News
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Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia
Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

Summary:


Kuwait Petroleum CEO says Energy Production to Ramp in a Week 


Iran Media says Southern Ports Traffic Begins Normalizing 


Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

Searching For Hormuz Normalization Signals 

Attention on institutional desks is shifting toward normalization signals at the Strait of Hormuz maritime chokepoint.


At the time of writing at least 14 transits through the Strait of Hormuz were recorded on Thursday June 18 - up from just 2 on the same day last week pic.twitter.com/qcWLrWewCy
— Lloyd's List (@LloydsList) June 18, 2026
Earlier, we detailed how Saudi supertankers were beginning to exit the narrow waterway bound for Asia, while also noting that a massive backlog of tankers remains poised to exit the Persian Gulf as the reopening process gets underway.

Bloomberg, citing the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency, reported that commercial vessel traffic at southern ports is moving toward normalization, with vessels carrying critical goods arriving and two tankers departing.

A separate Bloomberg story quoted Kuwait Petroleum Corp. CEO Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, who said in an interview that Kuwaiti output is expected to exceed 2 million barrels a day within a week.

"We anticipate that we can exceed 2 million barrels a day within one week from now." Nawaf Al-Sabah.

He added, "And that pending availability of international commercial shipping, to reach Kuwaiti ports, we should be able to resume pre-war production within a matter of weeks."

At pre-conflict levels, Kuwait was producing 2.5 million barrels a day, but has since slumped to as low as half a million barrels a day.

Related:

"Zero Hormuz Dependency": UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos
Earlier, BofA Global Research's commodity team slashed its 2026E Brent forecast to $82/bbl from $ 93/bbl, citing a flood of crude set to hit the global market in the coming weeks and months as Hormuz normalization ramps up.

"The team has also cut its 2027E Brent forecast to US$70/bbl from US$78/bbl with a surplus of 1.1mb/d forecast during the year," BofA analysts said.

Hormuz flows still muted.



Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

Energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz are beginning to restart on Thursday after the interim U.S.-Iran peace deal, with several Saudi-controlled supertankers transiting the critical waterway and exiting the Persian Gulf.

There is a massive backlog of crude and LNG tankers in the Persian Gulf, preparing to exit the Hormuz chokepoint bound for Asia. Bloomberg says 31 supertankers, carrying about 62 million barrels of crude, could soon exit.  

The actual number of crude and LNG tankers preparing to exit could be much higher, as some tankers may turn off their transponders. Once exited, many of those tankers are slated for ports in East Asia and will take roughly three weeks to arrive.

One of the key developments overnight was that three Saudi-controlled supertankers, including Bahri-controlled Saudi VLCCs Shaden, Jaham, and Awtad, switched on their transponders and began exiting the Persian Gulf.

Maritime traffic remains far below normal levels and could take many months to return to normal.

"There are certain practical steps that we believe are necessary before the vessels that have been stranded in the Gulf for the last 110 days can resume transiting the Strait of Hormuz," Sheila Cameron, CEO, and Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at the Lloyd's Market Association, told Bloomberg in a statement.

Cameron continued, "The main requirement for recovery is stability and certainty for shipowners and insurers. The road to recovery in the Gulf will be a long and complicated one. It will take months for some sort of normality to return to international shipping with vessels in the wrong place and supply chains distorted."

Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs' co-head of Global Commodities Research, told clients, "We now assume that Persian Gulf exports normalize to pre- war levels by the end of July."

On Thursday morning, Brent crude futures fell below $78, while West Texas Intermediate was near $74. Traders are already pricing in the coming flood of seaborne crude.



Dubai and Murban crude futures curves have flipped into contango, Oman crude is trading at a discount to Dubai, and some diesel cargoes are trading below benchmark levels after commanding lofty premiums.

The first signs of normalization are already visible, following President Trump's acknowledgment on Wednesday at the G7 Summit that the interim peace deal with Iran to reopen Hormuz was signed as the U.S. was nearing the point of "running out of reserves in about four weeks."


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
Struyven noted that even if the expected "normalization" occurs by the end of next month, flows may recover to only 70% of pre-war levels ...



Latest overnight headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Peace Deal

• President Trump signed an interim peace deal with Iran on Wednesday evening at the Palace of Versailles, following the G7 summit

• The deal is now in effect and was signed electronically by both presidents, according to US and Iranian officials

• The memorandum of understanding opens the way for 60 days of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and other issues

• Iran will receive sanctions waivers allowing it to sell oil immediately and gain access to a $300 billion economic development program

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US can reimpose an ironclad blockade if Iran doesn't comply with the deal

Strait of Hormuz Reopening

• Three Saudi supertankers carrying about six million barrels of oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the first Saudi-owned crude tankers to cross since the war began

• A laden LNG carrier and an empty products tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday, sailing along a route approved by Tehran for safe passages

• Qatar brought an empty LNG tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began on Thursday

• Goldman Sachs estimates oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz may recover to only about 70% of pre-war levels, with normalization potentially completed by the end of next month

Economic Impact

• US gasoline prices fell below $4 a gallon on Thursday for the first time since March, down from a May peak above $4.50

Deal Criticism and Complications

• Trump faced pushback from Republicans who object to the deal and the billions of dollars set to flow to Tehran

• Trump brushed aside several red lines on Wednesday, suggesting Iran should have the right to enrich uranium, develop ballistic missiles and access frozen funds

• Israel rejected a US request to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, citing continued presence of Hezbollah, threatening to complicate broader peace efforts

Iran Leadership Investigation

• The US Justice Department is conducting a probe into how Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, examining allegations of money laundering and corruption

Related Legal Developments

• A federal judge allowed the Justice Department to drop a criminal case against Turkish state-owned Halkbank on Wednesday for allegedly helping Iran evade US sanctions

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:51

ZeroHedge News
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Centrus Jumps On Deal To Supply Oklo With Domestically-Produced Uranium
Centrus Jumps On Deal To Supply Oklo With Domestically-Produced Uranium

Centrus Energy continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of America's emerging advanced nuclear sector, today announcing a letter of intent with Oklo to provide domestically produced high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for the company's next generation of nuclear reactors, according to a release from the company's website.

Shares the domestic enricher jumped more than 6% this morning. 



Under the proposed multi-year agreement, Centrus will begin supplying HALEU in 2029 to support up to five Oklo Aurora powerhouses, including reactors planned for Oklo's 1.2-gigawatt clean energy campus in Ohio. The fuel is expected to be produced at Centrus' enrichment facility in Pike County, Ohio, highlighting the growing importance of domestic nuclear fuel infrastructure.

 The agreement represents a meaningful milestone for the broader advanced reactor industry. One of the largest challenges facing nuclear developers has been securing reliable access to HALEU, a specialized fuel required by many next-generation reactor designs. With global commercial HALEU production historically concentrated in Russia and China, the development of a U.S.-based supply chain has become a national priority.

Centrus has emerged as the top solution to this challenge. By establishing itself as a domestic source of HALEU, the company is helping address a critical bottleneck that has limited deployment of advanced nuclear technologies across the United States.



The deal is a confirmation of what we said a year ago: in a country starved for domestically-produced HALEU, Centrus will outperform, even though sometimes the market is somewhat obtuse and slow in figuring even the most obvious stuff.


A year later, market starting to get it https://t.co/91bUOLoS1m pic.twitter.com/TvZGJCf0PR
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 18, 2026

The proposed agreement also reinforces growing confidence in Centrus' production capabilities and strengthens its visibility as advanced reactor developers move closer to commercialization. As demand for clean, reliable baseload power continues to accelerate, Centrus appears increasingly well-positioned to benefit from the expansion of the U.S. nuclear energy ecosystem.

With advanced reactor companies such as Oklo advancing toward deployment and domestic fuel supply becoming an essential national objective, Centrus' role as a leading HALEU supplier could become a significant driver of long-term growth and strategic relevance within the nuclear energy industry.

Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler commented: “Today’s announcement is an important step toward ensuring reliable HALEU supply for next generation reactors and represents a crucial milestone as we work to restore America’s ability to enrich uranium at scale. By connecting advanced nuclear power generation and customer demand with domestic HALEU production in southern Ohio, this agreement helps establish a foundation for a new U.S. advanced nuclear energy hub.”

Other nuclear stocks are also on the rise, with Energy Fuels up almost 17% and reactor manufacturers NuScale Power and NANO Nuclear Energy up about 3% and 5%, respectively.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 11:00

UK Government News
Open 
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new candidate for the Commissioner for Public Appointments
Fiona Cannon OBE has been confirmed as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments

Mail Online
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Heather Graham and Laura Dern get into character as they shoot scenes for The White Lotus at Nice airport ahead of hotly-anticipated fourth season of the drama
The pair headed to the airport in the French hotspot to resume work on the £80 million drama, after kicking off production at the Cannes Film Festival last month.

Mail Online
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Anya Taylor-Joy recalls being cruelly bullied over her looks and sexuality as a child as she poses in striking shoot for The Hollywood Reporter
She's one of the acting world's most stylish and beautiful stars, beloved of fashion houses and film studios.

Mail Online
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Boy, three, is thrown into crocodile enclosure at Cambridge zoo by a stranger: Man, 30, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
The child was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and is believed to be in a critical but stable condition.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Pro-Palestinian protesters trial ends in hung jury
The four defendants admit breaking into the Moog factory, but deny criminal damage.

UK Legislation
Open 
The Environmental Delivery Plans (Appropriate Prioritisation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations set out how Natural England should prioritise different types of conservation measures when preparing or considering requesting an amendment to an Environmental Delivery Plan (“EDP”) under Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34).

Crowdfund Insider
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PayPal Phases Out Corporate VC Unit Amid Leadership Overhaul and Market Pressures
PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has now reportedly begun the process of closing its long-standing venture capital division as part of a wider effort to streamline operations and refocus on core business priorities. The decision reflects the fintech giant’s push to adapt to intensifying rivalry in digital payments... Read More

ZDNet News
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I found the best SSD and storage deals ahead of Amazon Prime Day - including Lexar and Seagate
I track SSD deals, and found huge markdowns from top brands like WD, Samsung, and more ahead of Amazon Prime Day.

ZDNet News
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Rolling out AI agents? 4 ways to move fast and furious - but with extreme caution
For starters, don't just hand over the keys to AI agents. Any endeavor needs to remain a human-instigated, human-led endeavor.

ZDNet News
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How I'm using a $13 smart plug to automate my house appliances - and you can too
Imagine turning your holiday lights, lamps, and fans on or off from anywhere in the house or outdoors for cheap.

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Best Buy Gaming Deals might be better than Amazon's early Prime Day sale
Skip Amazon's weak sales! Best Buy's rival Prime Day 2026 gaming deals are live now with massive savings on Alienware, Nintendo Switch, and Lenvo tech.

ZDNet News
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I put Siri AI through the same tests I use for ChatGPT and Gemini on MacOS 27 - here's how it did
I tried the new Siri on my Mac, and although it's off to a promising start, Apple still has more work to do.

ZDNet News
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This Bluetooth tracker uses LoRa mesh networks to find things - and I couldn't believe the accuracy
Seeed Studio's SenseCAP T1000-E tracker card also doesn't use cell towers or Wi-Fi. Here's how it works in the real world.

CNET News
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Click to Cancel Is Dead, but the FTC Is Still Fighting Subscription Scams
The FTC is leveraging another act to stop costly cancellation confusion, but that's not all.

CNET News
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US Open 2026: TV Schedule, How to Watch, Stream All the PGA Tour Golf From Anywhere
J.J. Spaun is out to defend his title in the third major tournament of the year at Shinnecock Hills.

CNET News
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Apple's Tim Cook Says Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable'
RAMageddon strikes again: Cook told The Wall Street Journal that rising memory prices have made current prices "unsustainable."

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Attempted murder arrest after boy injured at zoo
A three-year-old was left with critical injuries after entering a crocodile enclosure, police say.

Deutsche Welle
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World Cup: Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi denied entry to Canada
Elephants striker Elye Wahi is being investigated in France in connection to allegations of match-fixing. The 23-year-old, who is contracted to Eintracht Frankfurt, is not the first player to be denied a Canadian visa.

Mail Online
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Schoolgirl who was 'fatally stabbed' by teenage boy would have died 'very swiftly' from injury, pathologist says
A nine-year-old girl who was allegedly fatally stabbed by a teenage boy in North Somerset on December 15, would have died 'very swiftly' from her injury, a pathologist said.

BBC World News
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Moscow residents complain of black rain after largest Ukrainian attack hits oil refinery
A refinery and a shopping centre burned after almost 200 Ukrainian drones struck an area to the south-east of the Russian capital.

BBC World News
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Why Iran believes deal with US leaves it stronger than before
Iran has come out of the war's first chapter stronger than many expected, but its next challenge may be harder, the BBC Persian Service's Amir Azimi writes.

Wired Top Stories
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Silicon Valley’s Elite Financial Advisers Say This Era of Wealth Is Different
The rich are getting richer. Here’s what wealth advisers are telling their tech clients right now.

TechRadar Reviews
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I tested UGreen’s magnetic wireless power bank with an integrated cable, and it feels like the ultimate on-the-go charging solution — but it’s gonna cost you

Ars Technica
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Cosmonaut Aleksandr Samokutyaev, 56, is first former ISS crew member to die

The Hill
Open 
Supreme Court rules for marijuana user prosecuted for gun possession   
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday the government can’t criminally prosecute a man for possessing a firearm simply because he regularly smoked marijuana, rejecting the government’s comparison to the disarmament habitual drunkards in the founding era. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that it violates his right to keep arms under the conservative justices’ expanded Second Amendment test. It...

The Hill
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GOP senator: Trump putting 'American lives at risk' by blocking intelligence director nominee
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) implored President Trump on Thursday to allow Jay Clayton, his nominee for director of national intelligence, to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his confirmation hearing, warning that preventing him from doing so “puts American lives at risk.” Trump threw the Senate into turmoil Wednesday by announcing on Truth Social...

The Hill
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Obama viewed far more favorably than Trump, Biden: Poll
Former President Obama is viewed more favorably by Americans than President Trump and former President Biden, according to a CNN poll released Thursday that found Obama remains the most popular living president by a wide margin. The poll found that 57 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Obama, compared with 34 percent who...

The Hill
Open 
Want better civic education? Improve college teaching.
Civic education initiatives are important, but they will only be successful if professors are better prepared to teach them, and institutions provide real incentives for good instruction.

The Hill
Open 
Sanders unveils bill to create AI sovereign wealth fund 
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled new legislation Thursday to create an AI sovereign wealth fund that would provide Americans with annual payouts by taking 50 percent stakes in the country’s largest AI companies. Sanders, who announced plans to put forward such a measure earlier this month, estimated the sovereign wealth fund would be worth around...

The Hill
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3 supertankers sail through Strait of Hormuz after deal signed: Report
Three Saudi Arabian-flagged supertankers reportedly transited the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran signed a deal that will reopen the waterway. Reuters reported the vessels, managed by Saudi Arabian shipping group Bahri, had 6 million barrels onboard. The Hill has reached out to Bahri for comment. Across Tuesday and Wednesday, 19 vessels passed...

The Hill
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All 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainees transferred ahead of hurricane season: DHS
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is removing detainees from "Alligator Alcatraz" in preparation for hurricane season. A statement from the department did not say how many detainees were transferred or where they were relocated. “As we enter into hurricane season, ICE and the state of Florida have moved illegal aliens from the soft sided...

The Hill
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Batya calls Iran deal 'total capitulation' by US, Trump
NewsNation host Batya Ungar-Sargon on Wednesday slammed the preliminary peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, calling it a "total capitulation" to the Islamic regime. Ungar-Sargon, a vocal supporter of the president and the host of "Batya!," called the deal "an utter disaster" in an appearance on "Katie Pavlich Tonight" on NewsNation, The Hill's sister...

The Hill
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Ossoff, Collins to face off in Georgia, Trump-endorsed candidate may lose in South Carolina. Join the live discussion
With Georgia's Senate race now set, Senator Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins prepare for a match-up. Meanwhile, South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff looms, and President Trump's endorsed candidate, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, isn't a sure-win. On the national stage, Trump's deal with Iran could have ramifications for his approval rating.  Join The Hill’s senior...

The Hill
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Vance 'legitimately worried' Situation Room tapes given to New York Times
Vice President Vance on Wednesday said he was “legitimately worried” about audio tapes of conversations from the Situation Room being leaked to journalists at The New York Times. His comments come after a recent report alleged that Vance led the administration’s response to fallout from the release of files tied to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein....

Mac Rumours
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iOS 27 Adds These New Features to Find My, Including 'Hide Location'
The upcoming iOS 27 update that Apple unveiled last week includes some new features and enhancements for Apple's Find My app on the iPhone.





iOS 27 is currently available as a developer beta, with a public beta to follow in July. The update is expected to be released to all users in September.



Below, we have outlined three additions to Apple's Find My app on iOS 27.



Hide Location



A new "Hide Location" option in Find My allows you to discreetly pause your location sharing with specific people until the end of the day — the other person will not receive any notification or alert about you temporarily hiding your location. Apple says it added this feature for situations such as surprise birthday parties.



Custom Durations for Location Sharing



Find My now lets you share your location with others for a custom duration between 15 minutes and 30 days. You can set a precise number of days, hours, and minutes, or you can set a set a date and time for your location sharing to expire.



On iOS 26, there are only three preset timeframes: indefinitely, until end of day, and one hour.



Landscape Mode



iOS 27 enables landscape mode in more of Apple's built-in iPhone apps, including Find My.



Landscape mode was already available on iOS 26 or earlier in Apple Maps, Calendar, Files, Notes, Mail, and some other Apple apps too, but iOS 27 expands support to many more apps. This change could be laying the groundwork for the "iPhone Ultra," as landscape-friendly apps would be well suited for the rumored foldable device.



To use landscape mode in a supported app, simply turn your iPhone sideways. Portrait Orientation Lock must be turned off in Control Center.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: Find MyThis article, 'iOS 27 Adds These New Features to Find My, Including 'Hide Location'' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING WATCH LIVE: JD Vance to hold WH Press Briefing SOON
Vice President JD Vance is holding a White House Press Briefing today at 11AM and you can be sure the new Iran deal MOU will be the top issue he’ll be addressing . . .

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: JD Vance addresses the “freakout in Israel” over the Iran deal, suggests it’s because of ‘mistrust’
Vice President JD Vance addressed what he termed the ‘weird panic’ and ‘freakout in Israel’ over the new Iran deal MOU in an interview with Ross Douthat from the New York Times, . . .

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Teenager dies after being thrown from horse-drawn carriage in Central Park
New York police department say teenager thrown to the ground when horse bolted away from its driverA teenager thrown to the ground on Wednesday when a Central Park carriage horse bolted away from its driver has died, according to police.The 18-year-old was riding in the horse-drawn carriage with three other passengers when the accident happened just before 3pm, according to the New York police department. At least two passengers were sent flying out of the careening cab. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court sides with Texas marijuana user who wants to own a firearm in latest case expanding gun rights – live
In a rare unanimous ruling, the court backed a challenge to Texas gun laws by siding with Ali Danial HemaniSign up for the Breaking News US emailHe calls the situation a “win-win” for the US.Vance is here, and he starts by claiming that Trump’s peace deal with Iran “is already bearing real fruits for the American people”, with 12.5m barrels going through the strait of Hormuz last night and gas prices dropping below $4 today for the first time since the conflict began. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dancing to artefacts: London Museum will be ‘democratic’ space for all, says director
A decade in the making, the museum will reopen in November in two restored market halls with displays and late-night DJ setsThe new London Museum will be “a social space for the city”, its director has said, hosting afternoon tea events, monthly dinner clubs and late-night DJ sets where visitors can mingle among the artefacts while dancing.Sharon Ament said that when it reopened later this year the museum would be a “democratic” space that engaged with all Londoners rather than merely a repository for its collections, which stretch from the city’s neolithic prehistory to modern acquisitions. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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VAT on private school fees has not caused pupil exodus, says Bridget Phillipson
Education secretary cites admissions data for England since tax imposed showing falling applications to state sectorAdding VAT to private school fees has failed to trigger an exodus of pupils into the state sector despite widespread speculation that it would, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said.The Labour government applied 20% VAT to private school fees from the start of 2025. They had previously been exempt from the tax. Newly published admissions data for England showed there had been no influx towards state schools since then. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: Scandinavia wins Gold Cup as O’Brien reaches Ascot century – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail TonyOddschecker market moversTrawlerman - 9/4 from 3/1Cannes - 4/1 from 7/1Gilded Prize - 7/2 from 9/2 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Czechia v South Africa: World Cup – live
⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/2am AEST/5pm BST/12pm EDT⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielEmail! “This is a bittersweet game for me,” confesses John Brennan. “When the draw was made in December, this was the most likely game that I could get to see Ireland play. I probably couldn’t have pulled off going to Mexico but getting from NY to Atlanta would have been reasonable. The stadium would have been packed with Irish fans between Irish living here on the East Coast and people travelling. Just thinking about it makes me wistful. What if Ryan Manning didn’t give away that stupid penalty, what if Parrott had scored that chance in the second half, what if Sammy Smzodics hadn’t been taken out of it and had been able to take a penalty instead of Alan Browne. And yeah if all those things had happened and Ireland beat Czechia, it would probably be Denmark playing today.Anyway, I have a strange feeling South Africa might show up today and make it difficult for the Czechs or maybe that is just a coping mechanism for me.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Lebanon says three killed in Israeli strikes as US warns military action will restart if Iran does not uphold deal
State media report strikes in souther Lebanon; Hegseth says the US is prepared to reimpose a blockade against Iran if it fail to fulfil its commitmentsReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop blowing up buildings” during a phone call about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.The newspaper cited sources who overheard the phone conversation between the two leaders, whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile as the war raged on. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Truss the saviour exposes ‘Labour’s secret plan’ | John Crace
Totally lacking in self-awareness, ex-PM also appears to be ignorant of something everyone else has known for agesUK politics live – latest updatesIt’s one of the great philosophical questions of our age. Or any age, for that matter. If Liz Truss didn’t exist, would it be possible to imagine her? Could anyone conceive that someone so brain-meltingly dim could have once been our prime minister?And even if they could, would they have dared to believe that in harness with this industrial-strength stupidity there could be such a total lack of self-awareness. Liz comes with a vacuum-packed confidence in her own talent. While the real world treats her, at best as a joke, at worst as the last cockroach still standing, she maintains her messiah complex. The saviour waiting to rise from these streets. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Troubling new psychological side effect of Ozempic revealed... as users battle 'ghost fat' after losing weight
There is a troubling new symptom to add to the seemingly never-ending list of maladies for GLP-1 users - and it is being labeled as 'ghost fat.'

Mail Online
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The happy and playful baby boy who never stood a chance: Heartbreaking videos show giggling Preston Davey months before he was abused and murdered at hands of adoptive father
A tragic clip released by Lancashire Police today shows a happy and healthy Preston Davey before he was taken out of foster care and moved into the couple's Blackpool home.

Mail Online
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Cycle lane barriers 'are flattened by emergency vehicles' after installation caused huge traffic delays by narrowing busy road
The wands were installed along one of the busiest routes in Cambridge to provide a separate lane for cyclists - triggering claims it was adding to congestion by removing a second lane for traffic.

The Register
Open 
Neuromorphic computing may one day offer AI a power-saving brainwave
Hybrid systems could bring efficiency gains at the edge, but conventional infrastructure isn't going anywhere fast

The Register
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The AI tipping point: where enterprise AI runs at scale
PARTNER CONTENT: AI's cloud journey homeward bound: enterprises prefer private clouds for scaling AI workloads.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
Lufthansa City Flight Munich-Gothenburg Declares Emergency
In the last few moments, a Lufthansa City flight from Munich to Gothenburg has declared an emergency.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Body found in landing gear of plane at Gatwick
Emergency services are called after airport staff made the discovery on an Air Arabia craft.

Deutsche Welle
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Strait of Hormuz: German military prepares for possible deployment
Following the tentative deal with the US, Iran is planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The German Bundeswehr is planning to assist with the mine-clearing.

Mail Online
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US demands Britain 'steps up' as Starmer's new defence secretary joins Nato meeting without any plan for extra funding
Dan Jarvis stressed the 'challenging' international situation as he walked into Nato's HQ in Brussels.

Mail Online
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Middle East holidays back on the cards as UK government drops 'do not travel' advice
Travel advice for Brits venturing to parts of the Middle East has been updated by the UK government.

Mail Online
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Kurdish burglar 'tried to break into home of Labour peer Luciana Berger and stole £350 of family possessions'
Sarbast Lokman, 34, faces burglary, theft, and attempted burglary charges after he allegedly went to Luciana Berger's (pictured) London property twice in two days in April.

Mail Online
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Girl, 13, drowned after getting into difficulty in river on day out celebrating her birthday, inquest hears
'Beautiful spirit' Palwasha Akbar was playing in the River Wharfe at Burnsall, North Yorks, on the day before her 14th birthday during the heatwave last month.

Mail Online
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Moscow 'will burn' even more, vows Zelensky vows as city is blanketed in toxic smoke following huge Ukraine drone attack
Scores of drones targeted Moscow overnight, hitting the Russian capital's oil refinery for the second time this week.

The Guardian (UK)
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Bank of England governor warns UK public to expect higher costs this year
Andrew Bailey says ‘still inflationary pressure in pipeline’ despite US and Iran nearing peace deal as interest rates kept on holdBusiness live – latest updatesThe governor of the Bank of England has warned consumers to expect higher costs this year as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, despite falling oil prices as the US and Iran near a peace deal.Speaking after the Bank kept interest rates on hold at 3.75%, Andrew Bailey said there was “still some inflationary pressure in the pipeline” after the conflict pushed up energy prices. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court sides with Texas marijuana user who wants to own a firearm in latest case expanding gun rights – live
In a rare unanimous ruling, the court backed a challenge to Texas gun laws by siding with Ali Danial HemaniSign up for the Breaking News US emailWhile we wait for Vance to arrive, earlier today in Brussels, defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the US will restart military action and ⁠reimpose a ⁠blockade ​against Iran if it does not fulfil its commitments ⁠under the agreement signed yesterday.“The ‌president has pointed out ‌that we will be prepared to recommence if underneath the timeline of these talks, Iran ‌does not do what it says it’s ​going to do,” Hegseth said after a meeting with Nato defence ministers.The United States has defended Europe for generations, and the President said all he said was that our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe or our ships from ports to strike targets in the Middle East, Iranian targets that threaten European interests even more directly than they threaten us.But too many of our allies said no, or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates, or criticised us publicly for doing what they aren’t prepared or able to do themselves. It was shameful. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cuban economy needs ‘urgent changes’ as US blockade deepens crisis, says president
Miguel Díaz-Canel cites China and Vietnam as possible models for opening up the country’s economyCuba’s economy needs urgent changes to overcome a crisis intensified by a US oil blockade, the president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has said in a speech to Communist party leaders.“The situation calls for urgent and necessary changes,” Díaz-Canel told the party’s politburo in his frankest admission yet of the need to overhaul the country’s communist model. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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All of a sudden Labour is rushing to do some good. Call it the 'Burnham effect' | Polly Toynbee
The end of outsourcing government jobs, from cleaners to security, is just one progressive idea set in motion in this pivotal byelection weekIn the quiet pause before the storm of the Makerfield result drops, good news has passed unnoticed. “The age of outsourcing is over,” declares the Cabinet Office. There will be “the biggest wave of insourcing of public services for a generation” Rachel Reeves says. Finally, here it comes: every government department promises to bring cleaners, security and others of all kinds back as public employees when current contracts expire.“New approach to procurement signals ambition to end the era of outsourcing by default,” goes the government press release. Shares in the big state contractors Serco, Capita, and Mitie fell on Wednesday after the news.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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David Squires on … the Socceroos’ World Cup so far and a tasty clash with the USA to come
Our cartoonist looks at Australia’s involvement at the tournament with a place in the knockout phase tantalisingly close Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Czechia v South Africa: World Cup – live
⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/2am AEST/5pm BST/12pm EDT⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielSouth Africa, meanwhile, are without Sithole and Zwane, sent off against Mexico; left our are Sibisi and Foster, with Mbatha, Maseko and Rayners coming in. They move from the 5-3-2 which put them under pressure last week to a far more natural 4-3-3.A strange change from Czechia, who add Holes to their defence – he replaces Chaloupek – while Soucek, Zeleny, Provod and Sulc also drop out. Others to come in are Sadilek, Darida, Cerv and Hlozsek; Miroslav Koubek must’ve seriously disliked what he saw. I also think there’ll be a formation change from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official jailed for spying for China
Peter Wai and Bill Yuen sentenced to 10 and eight years at Old Bailey in first convictions under National Security ActA UK Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade official based in London have been jailed for spying for China in the first such conviction in British criminal history.Peter Wai, who conducted “shadow policing” operations on Chinese dissidents in the UK, was sentenced to 10 years, while his handler, Bill Yuen, received an eight-year term. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monasteryEurope live – latest updatesExplainer: how significant was attack on Moscow?Ukrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a response to Russia’s strike on a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. “We do not want this war and never did,” the Ukrainian president said in a voice message to journalists. “But if Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too … It is time to end the aggression, time to end this war.” Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Another royal repurpose! Carole Middleton stuns in mint green dress she wore at Meghan and Harry's 2018 wedding as she mingles with Queen Camilla and Zara Tindall at Ascot
She wore the stylish number with a straw hat as she joined royals such as the King and Queen at the Berkshire racecourse this afternoon, instead of the statement fascinator she wore in 2018.

BBC World News
Open 
Hegseth renews Nato criticism and says US will review presence in Europe
The US defence secretary's move follows a US decision to scale back its commitments to a high readiness force within the alliance.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
'Do not travel' advice for Dubai dropped
Thousands of Brits were left stranded in the Middle East when the US-Iran war broke out in early 2026.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Foreign Office drops 'do not travel' advice for Dubai
Thousands of Brits were left stranded in the Middle East when the US-Iran war broke out in early 2026.

Mail Online
Open 
French hard-right activist 'sexually assaulted by Tunisian' is facing jail after claiming on TV that migrants 'are the main danger to women in France'
Anne-Thaïs du Tertre d'Escoeuffant, who uses the pseudonym Thaïs d'Escufon on social media, was sued by a French anti-racism organisation over her remarks.

Mail Online
Open 
Frustrated drivers claim speeding emergency vehicles are flattening plastic 'cycle wands' that narrowed busy road - and magicked up more congestion
The wands were installed along one of the busiest routes in Cambridge to provide a separate lane for cyclists - triggering claims it was adding to congestion by removing a second lane for traffic.

Mail Online
Open 
Teen Norwegian 'hitman' allegedly hired to carry out hit in the UK on behalf of Iran-backed gang facing retrial
Johannes Natland, 18 at the time, flew from Stavanger, south-west Norway, to Britain to assassinate a target in return for £21,000, the Old Bailey was told.

Mail Online
Open 
One-shot cancer cure? Breakthrough radiotherapy wipes out prostate tumours in MOST men with just a single high-dose session, trial finds
Charities described the reduction in sessions as 'transformative' as it allows doctors to cut waiting lists faster and saves men the inconvenience of making so many trips to hospital.

Mail Online
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Doctors told my husband, 51, he was depressed after he began slowly losing his spark - but I knew something wasn't right. His diagnosis changed our lives forever
Standing in their kitchen at their home in Berwick Upon Tweed in 2022, Natasha and Gary Young received a phone call with the news they were never expecting.

Mail Online
Open 
Donald Trump 'had Marco Rubio run around looking for a printer at the Palace of Versailles after spontaneous decision to sign Iran deal while touring Hall of Mirrors with Macron'
The US President was informed that the deal had been finalised shortly after arriving at the historic French palace, where he was attending a dinner hosted by Emmanuel Macron.

Sky News Home
Open 
Jury fails to reach verdict in trial of alleged hitman
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Norwegian teenager accused of flying to the UK to murder an unknown target on behalf of an Iran-linked gang.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Israel says it's cutting ties to EU's Kaja Kallas
Israel's foreign minister says he is severing contact with the EU's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. Gideon Saar attributed the move to a media report alleging that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.

Sky News Home
Open 
Amber heat alert issued as new heatwave looms
An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England from this afternoon, the UK Health Security Agency has announced.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
How did you overcome your Brexit fallouts with family or friends?
A decade on, have you healed the rift, or is your relationship beyond repair? With the 10th anniversary of the 2016 EU referendum result approaching, we would like to hear from people on how the vote affected their relationships with family and/or friends.Perhaps you voted differently from a parent, child, sibling, partner, or friend, which caused tension and conflict. If so, a decade on, have you been able to heal the rift, move past your differences or has it damaged your relationship beyond repair? Tell us. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Widow’s Bay is a mystery comedy worthy of all the buzz – no matter how you watch television | Rebecca Shaw
In a remake-riddled TV landscape, its fresh combination of jokes and intrigue offers something for everyone – the casual and obsessive viewer alikeIn the last few weeks, you may have been seeing a lot of buzz around a show called Widow’s Bay. I am here to provide more buzz, like a loyal bee foot soldier to the queen (television).In this dire existing-IP-driven remake-riddled landscape, an offering this fresh is the best thing in the world. The tone of the show is what has grabbed me the most, striking the exact right balance (in my correct opinion) between scary mystery vibes, and hilarious comedy. At no point does it sacrifice comedy for the more serious parts, and I really appreciate that. For example, in the penultimate, thrilling, everything’s-about-to-happen episode, they slow down for an eight-minute scene involving a side character named Rosemary, which moves the plot forward slightly but is mainly there to shine a light on the incredible comedy chops of actor Dale Dickey. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Bank of England governor warns UK public to expect higher costs this year
Bailey says ‘still inflationary pressure in pipeline’ despite US and Iran nearing peace deal as interest rates kept on holdBusiness live – latest updatesThe governor of the Bank of England has warned consumers to expect higher costs this year as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, despite falling oil prices as the US and Iran near a peace deal.Speaking after the Bank kept interest rates on hold at 3.75%, Andrew Bailey said there was “still some inflationary pressure in the pipeline” after the conflict pushed up energy prices. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Supreme court sides with Texas marijuana user who wants to own a firearm in latest case expanding gun rights – live
In a rare unanimous ruling, the court backed a challenge to Texas gun laws by siding with Ali Danial HemaniSign up for the Breaking News US emailAnd that’s all the supreme court is giving us for now, folks. But don’t worry, JD Vance is due to hold the White House press briefing at the top of the hour, where he will no doubt face questions on the details of the deal with Iran the president signed last night at Versailles – a deal which some of Trump’s allies are already seeking to pin on the vice-president.Though that could end up being very much to Vance’s advantage. “Without question, the biggest potential political liability Vance had was the unpopularity of the war in Iran,” one person close to the White House who supports the deal told Politico last night. “So it’s fascinating to watch his biggest enemies in the GOP unwittingly inoculate him from that liability by branding him as responsible for the peace deal.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dancing to artefacts: London Museum will be ‘democratic’ space for all, says director
A decade in the making, the museum will reopen in November in two restored market halls that will house 7m objects and host late-night DJ setsThe new London Museum will be “a social space for the city”, its director has said, hosting afternoon tea events, monthly dinner clubs and late-night DJ sets where visitors can mingle among the artefacts while dancing.Sharon Ament said that when it reopens later this year the museum will be a “democratic” space that engages with all Londoners rather than merely a repository for its collections, which stretch from the city’s neolithic prehistory to modern acquisitions. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: golf under way after two-hour fog delay on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail MattGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I’m engaged. My sister is single and feels ‘behind’. What can I say to that? | Leading questions
How you respond will depend on who expects you to manage your sister’s emotions, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Is it her, or something you’ve put on yourself?Read more Leading questionsI’m engaged and my sister is single and feels “behind”. Lately she mentioned how the people in her life (me included) going through milestone moments triggers her. She even got upset and admitted she was worried she’d never have kids. What can I say to that? How do you comfort someone who wants the things you have or might have soon?
She has felt behind for a long time, and I’ve had many a conversation with her when she’s got upset about still living at home, still not having the career she wants, etc. But she is still in the same situation, and my empathy is running low. Especially now I know my engagement is triggering for her! I deserve to feel happy during my wedding planning era but after she told me how she felt, I feel guilty for being happy.
I guess my question is: do I tiptoe around her and avoid wedding talk or should she just put a smile on her face and talk to her friend about her triggers? I hate to say it but my mental load is preferring the latter.Eleanor says: Why are the options that you tiptoe around or she puts a smile on her face? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘I had sewage in my bath’: row erupts over lock on Huddersfield narrow canal
Boaters say low water levels cause them to run aground, while residents say the lock needs to be drained to prevent waste running into their propertiesEarlier this month, signs began appearing pinned to a lock on the Huddersfield narrow canal: “Canel [sic] And River Trust,” they read. “Please leave this paddle up after use. To prevent flooding to properties.”Over the past few weeks, lock 20W, near the village of Greenfield, has become the source of a bitter row between boaters and homeowners. Canal boaters have been pulling the signs down, only for the homeowners to put them back up again. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Czechia v South Africa: World Cup – live
⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/2am AEST/5pm BST/12pm EDT⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielBefore we look at those teams, also going on:Czechia (3-5-2): Kovar; Hranac, Holes, Krejci; Coufal, Sadilek, Darida, Cerv, Sojka; Hlozek, Schick. Subs: Chaloupek, Chory, Chytil, Doudera, Hornicek, Kuchta, Provod, Sochurek, Soucek, Stanek, Visinksy, Zeleny, Zima, Sulc. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Wiltshire village exhibits Martin Parr’s final photos of scarecrows and prize veg
Pictures from photographer’s return to Lacock after 40 years were taken months before his death last DecemberThe images are colourful, characterful and thought-provoking. They capture a flower show, a Women’s Institute meeting, a scarecrow festival. A local vicar features, resplendent in a union jack bowler hat, as does a band of bellringers and a bulldog called Billy.Four decades after chronicling life in the picture-postcard English village of Lacock in Wiltshire, the photographer Martin Parr returned to document what had changed – and what had not. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Mega-consumers’ of food and energy cost environment $5.7tn a year, study finds
Top 10% generate climate and biodiversity damage bill that exceeds economies of most countries, say researchersThe environmental damage bill racked up by the highest-consuming 10% of the world’s population has reached up to $5.7tn a year – larger than the economy of every country except the US and China, a study has found.Mega-consumers in this group are concentrated in the global north, accounting for more than half the population of the US and 40-45% of people in the EU. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monasteryEurope live – latest updatesExplainer: how significant was attack on Moscow?Ukrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a response to Russia’s striking of a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. “We do not want this war and never did,” the Ukrainian president said in a voice message to journalists. “But if Ukraine is going to burn, your Moscow will burn too … It is time to end the aggression, time to end this war.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Eton figures to join populist politicians and wealthy backers at ‘anti-woke Davos’
Exclusive: Event co-founded by Jordan Peterson will bring together rightwing figures, US state officials and anti-abortionists in LondonNigel Farage and fellow Reform UK MPs Sarah Pochin and Andrew Rosindell will be there. As will a plethora of Reform advisers, backroom staff and figures, such as Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire who has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s party.Yet as populist-right politicians from across the globe and their multimillionaire backers prepare for this year’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) – a rightwing London summit labelled an “anti-woke Davos” – others whose expected attendance has not been publicised potentially raises more questions. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Truss the saviour exposes ‘Labour’s secret plan’ | John Crace
Totally lacking in self-awareness, ex-PM also appears to be ignorant of something everyone else has known for agesUK politics live – latest updatesIt’s one of the great philosophical questions of our age. Or any age, for that matter. If Liz Truss didn’t exist, would it be possible to imagine her? Could anyone conceive that someone so brain-meltingly dim could have once been our prime minister?And even if they could, would they have dared to believe that in harness with this industrial-strength stupidity there could be such a total lack of self-awareness. Liz comes with a vacuum-packed confidence in her own talent. While the real world treats her, at best as a joke, at worst as the last cockroach still standing, she maintains her Messiah complex. The saviour waiting to rise from these streets. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'My brother hid in a rice sack' The refugee stars at the World Cup
Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes around refugees.

Apple News
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Apple announces changes to iOS in Brazil

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11912 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - MYHEA-Headingley (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 5 hours during the maintenance window.

Start: Fri, 10th Jul 2026 00:05

End: Fri, 10th Jul 2026 06:00

Update: Fri, 10th Jul 2026 06:00

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 15:42

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Autosport F1
Open 
Why Gasly's Monaco GP penalty saga risks a regulatory labyrinth with no way out for F1
After stating last their intentions to appeal against the stewards’ decision to restore Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix podium by cancelling the two penalties initially imposed, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull have formally lodged the appeal to begin the latest right of review process. This means the Gasly case will have a new chapter, with potential developments that could open up new ...Keep reading

Mail Online
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Chrissy Teigen sparks fierce debate as she posts deeply personal family photo by her father's casket
Teigen, 40, on Tuesday took to Instagram Stories to share the image with more than 39.5 million followers, a week after announcing the sad news her father had died at the age of 73.

Mail Online
Open 
Michelle Obama reveals she saved her choking friend's life at dinner while 'useless' daughter Malia just sat at the table
The former first lady, 62, said she performed the Heimlich maneuver on her choking friend while her 'useless' daughter Malia and her friends stood idly by.

Mail Online
Open 
Has Taylor Swift already revealed her wedding dress designer? Swifties are convinced the bride-to-be is dropping clues ahead of Travis Kelce nuptials
Ever since the A-list couple announced their engagement, fans have been scrutinizing every public appearance for clues about one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings.

Mail Online
Open 
Sabrina Carpenter's stalker who tried to break into her LA home dozens of times tells court 'we must be together to save the world'
A man accused of stalking and harassing Sabrina Carpenter and her family has been barred from contacting her or coming within 100 yards of her for five years.

Mail Online
Open 
Molly Smith's bridal body secrets: Love Island star is getting wedding ready with gruelling daily boot camp workouts and a protein-packed diet
It's less than six months until Molly Smith ties the knot with Tom Clare after the pair met on Love Island: All Stars 2024. 

Digital Trends
Open 
This new video editor lets Claude organize, generate, and edit right on your timeline
Palmier Pro is an open-source video editor that lets AI assistants like Claude organize, generate, and edit content directly inside a project timeline.

Digital Trends
Open 
Waymo’s robotaxis keep finding new things to drive into, and construction zones are the latest
Waymo's robotaxis drove through highway construction zones 13 times before the company pulled the whole fleet from highway operations.

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch Czechia vs South Africa: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-off time for FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A fixture, team news

TechRadar News
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New GTA 6 trailer officially reveals cover art — and it looks pretty slick

TechRadar News
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GTA 6 pre-orders will officially begin later this month — but we still don't know how much it will cost

TechRadar News
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Apple boss warns of price hikes — but these early Prime Day MacBook deals are a steal for pros who want to beat the 'unavoidable' increases

TechRadar News
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Directive 8020's multiplayer feature dials up the tension — but it was spoiled by this hilarious glitch

TechRadar News
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Spotify tries to explain how its 'Reserved by Spotify' early ticket access will work — but it still hasn't answered my biggest question

TechRadar News
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'It’s a huge worry for business leaders': Report warns shadow AI could be causing major issues at businesses everywhere

TechRadar News
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Communication tools that cannot be monitored pose a corporate risk

TechRadar News
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I watched the first four episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 — and I can't shake this burning feeling that the Game of Thrones spin-off should be better than it is by now

TechRadar News
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'A spectacular spectacle in the mobile workstation world:' Lenovo's 5-star ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 gives engineering students desktop-class power and a brilliant screen for watching the FIFA World Cup

TechRadar News
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Apple just future-proofed the iPhone Air in a way that only the iPhone 17 Pro can match

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Intel’s stock jumps 11% — even as analysts say new Apple chip deal might start small
Intel “is steadily expanding its domestic capacity and converting political and strategic tailwinds into concrete foundry wins,” an analyst says.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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A billion-dollar server company just lost more than 40% of its value following a short-seller report
Shares in the French technology company slumped after Grizzly Research made allegations of a “fraudulent structure” in the U.S.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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SpaceX is vastly more expensive than any stock in the S&P 500, fueled by ‘FOMO’ mentality
Billions of dollars have flowed into SpaceX ETFs as retail investors look past conventional valuations.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Trump’s Iran agreement changes the game for investors. These are the two sectors to buy right now.
Hyperventilating experts were wrong about the Iran war. The end of the conflict is a massive buy signal for stocks.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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My husband died when I was 38, leaving me with four kids who each received Social Security. I’m now 60. When do I claim?
“I have called and asked the Social Security Administration multiple times over the past couple of years.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘I’ll probably be working until I die’: I’m 60, work as a waiter and have $2,000 in a Roth IRA. What will happen to me?
“I’m afraid I’m in a bad place.”

Sky News Home
Open 
Prisoners guilty of murdering child killer found 'tucked up in bed'
Three prisoners have been found guilty of murdering a child killer who was stabbed to death in his cell.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Cuban economy needs ‘urgent changes’ as US blockade deepens crisis, says president
Miguel Díaz-Canel cites China and Vietnam as possible models for opening up the country’s economyCuba’s economy needs “urgent changes” to overcome a major crisis intensified by a US oil blockade, president Miguel Díaz-Canel said in a speech to Communist party leaders.
“The situation calls for urgent and necessary changes,” Díaz-Canel told the party’s politburo in his frankest admission yet of the need to overhaul the country’s communist model.In the remarks, broadcast on Thursday, he cited China and Vietnam as possible models for opening Cuba’s economy to the world in order to “create economic wealth and distribute it equally.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England’s second-half forward surge against Croatia fails to mask defensive frailties | Jacob Steinberg
Even as forwards shine, Dallas performance exposes shaky defence that may cost Thomas Tuchel and England dear come the tournament’s sharp endWhen Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 the success was built on unflinching defensive rigour and midfield discipline. Five years on, though, Tuchel’s England displayed neither of those qualities during a dreadful first half in Dallas. They kept losing the ball in dangerous areas, struggled to maintain their shape without the ball and were rocking when Croatia stung them with a second equaliser just before half-time.The vibe could hardly have been less convincing. Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s No 2, let rip in an interview with ITV, accusing England of doing all the wrong things, of playing with “a nervous energy”, of making everything “confused and complicated” against opponents well versed in making their craft and experience in midfield count. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Numbers game: stats that tell stories from the first 24 World Cup matches
All 48 teams have played their first matches. From xG to assists to transfer value, here’s some of the more revealing bits of dataThe first round of fixtures at the World Cup is in the bank so we’ve finally seen all 48 teams. But what have we learned? Who was good, bad, lucky or fired after just one game? A dig into the Opta data has revealed some facts that may not have been immediately apparent from the scorelines. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian 'hitman' trial
Johannes Natland, 19, was remanded in custody and will now face a retrial.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Kane is England's greatest striker, says Lineker
Gary Lineker thinks Harry Kane is "the greatest English striker we've ever had" after the England captain equalled his record of 10 World Cup goals.

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Minister moots cuts to UN contributions
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has criticized the UN after Germany failed in a recent bid for a Security Council seat. Meanwhile, industrial employment levels in the country are at a decade low. DW has more.

Mail Online
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I've visited more than 30 Greek islands and these are the ones to visit and AVOID. Find out which isles have hidden beaches and glorious food and the ones that are a waste of money - in the Escape newsletter
The Greek islands - with their promise of sunshine, azure waters and intriguing archaeological sites - have grown to become one of the world's most popular holiday destinations.

Mail Online
Open 
Olivia Wilde, 42, complains about being on Maxim's Hot 100 List calling it the 'most f***** up thing in the world'
During an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Wilde explained: 'I remember my publicist called me and said, you're number one, do you want to accept it?' She was not thrilled.

Mail Online
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Adam Frisby's fiancé reveals they have received homophobic abuse and 'thousands' of messages of 'hate' after the conviction of baby Preston's evil dads
Fashion mogul Adam Frisby's fiancé Jamie Corbett has revealed they have been subject to horrific abuse amid the court case for the murder of Preston Davey. 

Mail Online
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The happy and playful baby boy who never stood a chance: Heartbreaking videos show giggling Preston Davey months before he was abused and murdered at hands of adoptive father
A tragic clip released by Lancashire Police today shows a happy and healthy Preston Davy before he was taken out of foster care and moved into the couple's Blackpool home.

BBC World News
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Should the US impose a teen social media ban like the UK?
The UK is enforcing a social media ban for children under the age of 16. The BBC asked Americans of different ages if they thought it was a good idea.

Gizmodo
Open 
CrankGPT Is a Hand-Powered Chatbot to Guide You Through the Post-Apocalypse
Hallucinating your way into the larder.

Gizmodo
Open 
Waymo Recalls Over 3,800 Robotaxis Over Risk of Driving Into Freeway Construction Zones
The recall follows several unnerving incidents.

Gizmodo
Open 
Get Ready for a More Expensive iPhone 18
Is Apple Intelligence really worth spiking iPhone and Mac prices?

Gizmodo
Open 
I Let a Brain-Scanning Headset ‘Prime’ My Focus to Make Me a Better Gamer
The next wearable health metric you'll obsess over may be your brain's actual level of focus.

Sky News Home
Open 
Prisoners guilty of murdering child killer found 'tucked up in bed' in his cell
Three prisoners have been found guilty of murdering a child killer who was stabbed to death in his cell.

The Verge
Open 
Who decides when AI is too dangerous?
On today’s episode of Decoder, my guest is Hayden Field, senior AI reporter for The Verge. Often when Hayden comes on the show, it’s because something has gone wrong in the world of AI. Last weekend, that something was a pretty intense mix of Anthropic, the Trump administration, and Anthropic’s new AI model, Fable 5.  […]

The Verge
Open 
The best robot vacuum deals available ahead of Prime Day
If you’ve been wanting to buy a robot vacuum but have been put off by how much it can cost to get a good one, now is not a bad time to start looking. Prime Day is next week, but many retailers are offering early deals on several models we’ve tested from brands like Roborock, […]

The Verge
Open 
The Verge’s guide to Amazon Prime Day 2026
Amazon Prime Day 2026 lifts off on June 23rd and will hopefully deliver the best deals of the summer. We’ve been covering the most notable pre-Prime Day discounts happening, and come next week, we’ll be bringing you many more deals — ones we can’t tell you about just yet. As usual, expect to see price […]

The Verge
Open 
The midterms are going to be a data security nightmare
One messy database is threatening to disenfranchise thousands or even millions of registered voters, while leaving even more at risk of intimidation or data breaches, in the name of solving a problem that barely exists. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, election and privacy experts are sounding alarms about the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic […]

The Verge
Open 
Google Calendar finally has more color options for events
Running out of color options for events in Google Calendar shouldn't be an issue going forward. The previous limit of 11 predefined colors has now been expanded to give users access to up to 200 custom colors for individual events across the native Calendar web and mobile apps, and the Calendar API. This started rolling […]

Computer Weekly
Open 
Interview: Emmanuel Frenehard, chief digital officer, Sanofi
Leading technology in a quest to find life-changing answers to challenging scientific questions brings an extra level of motivation for the pharma giant’s digital chief

Harvard Business Review
Open 
Lessons from Chinese AI Firms on Owning Customers’ Habits
Four strategic imperatives for leaders at Western companies.

Harvard Business Review
Open 
The Strongest Teams of AI Agents Will be Built Using Different Models
Like diversity in human workforces, agentic diversity pays significant performance dividends.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Oil nations on edge in the face of new climate coalition
Even amid an ongoing energy crunch, major economies are dodging firm timelines to phase out coal, oil and gas. Fossil fuel-producing nations now fear new clean energy alliances could ramp up the pressure to go green.

Mail Online
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Nadine Coyle recalls the heartbreaking night she spent at pal Sarah Harding's home eating 'cheese and quail's eggs' after her breast cancer diagnosis
Sarah tragically died in 2021 at the age of 39, just a year after she publicly shared her cancer diagnosis, leaving fans, and her Girls Aloud bandmates, devastated.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Rightwing MEPs chant 'send them back' after controversial deportation plans are passed – video
Several lawmakers celebrated a vote in the European parliament approving plans to increase deportations of undocumented people. Chants of 'send them back' spurred other MEPs to chant back 'shame on you'. The plans could lead to ICE-style immigration measures being implemented in Europe. which have been criticised by rights groups. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court sides with Texas marijuana user who wants to own a firearm in latest case expanding gun rights – live
In a rare unanimous ruling, the court backed a challenge to Texas gun laws by siding with Ali Danial HemaniSign up for the Breaking News US emailAnd that’s all the supreme court is giving us for now, folks. JD Vance is due to hold the White House press briefing at the top of the hour, where he will no doubt face questions on the details of the deal with Iran the president signed last night at Versailles – a deal which some of Trump’s allies are already seeking to pin on the vice-president.Though that could end up being very much to Vance’s advantage. “Without question, the biggest potential political liability Vance had was the unpopularity of the war in Iran,” one person close to the White House who supports the deal told Politico last night. “So it’s fascinating to watch his biggest enemies in the GOP unwittingly inoculate him from that liability by branding him as responsible for the peace deal.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Ordinary people are being erased’: one director’s audacious fightback against AI – featuring Frinton
Marc Isaacs’ film Synthetic Sincerity may look like a documentary, but its fictional premise – a lab that scrapes movies to harvest human emotions – shines a hard light on just how far AI can goIn Marc Isaacs’ latest film, the subversive documentary maker reveals that an AI research laboratory recently licensed his entire body of work. That’s a quarter-century of droll, deadpan studies of ordinary life in Britain – from the poetic Lift, about the comings and goings in a London tower block, and The Curious World of Frinton-on-Sea, set in the sleepy retirement town dubbed “God’s waiting room”, to Philip and His Seven Wives, in which a secondhand furniture dealer declares himself to be a Hebrew king. Isaacs agreed to let data analysts at the University of Southern England feed these and other documentaries into their system to harvest authentic human emotions from which AI characters could then be created. His film about the experience takes its name from the university’s lab: Synthetic Sincerity.But how synthetic is the film itself? “Well, we made up the University of Southern England,” admits Isaacs, 59, over lunch at Etles, a Uyghur restaurant near his home in London. The choice of venue is no accident: its chef and owner, Ablikim Rahman, who flutters around us today bearing bowls of thick, glossy leghmen noodles, appears in Synthetic Sincerity being photographed by the AI boffins and turned into an avatar. This is Rahman’s first film, though he hasn’t seen it yet: “Soon,” he says with a sheepish smile. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official jailed for spying for China
Peter Wai and Bill Yuen sentenced to 10 and eight years at Old Bailey in first convictions under National Security ActA UK Border Force officer and a Hong Kong trade official based in London have been jailed for spying for China in what is the first such conviction in British criminal history.Peter Wai, who conducted “shadow policing” operations on Chinese dissidents in the UK, was sentenced to 10 years while his handler, Bill Yuen, received an eight-year term. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monasteryEurope live – latest updatesExplainer: how significant was attack on Moscow?Ukrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the attack as a response to Russia’s striking of a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Gasps and tears in court as 10 more sentenced over Ely riots
The deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans sparked hours of violence and vandalism.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Foreign Office drops 'do not travel' advice for UAE
Thousands of Brits were left stranded in the Middle East when the US-Iran war broke out in early 2026.

UK Legislation
Open 
RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026
An Act to enable the Department for the Economy to make regulations to close the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme.

Ministry of Defence
Open 
750 million package to provide Ukraine with 150,000 drones and boost air defence
UK to provide 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones and over 350 air defence missiles and radars funded from Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan. | Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence
Open 
Joint statement on the Multinational Military Mission for the Strait of Hormuz: 12 May 2026
Joint statement from the United Kingdom, France, Albania,Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden. | Ministry of Defence.

ZDNet News
Open 
Linux users face a Microsoft Secure Boot headache - here's the painkiller
Secure Boot has always been a nuisance for Linux users, but now that Microsoft's 2011 certificate authorities are expiring, it's become a real pain.

ZDNet News
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10 signs that someone is monitoring or accessing your accounts - how to stop them
Learn how to spot the signs of account monitoring and compromise - and take back control.

ZDNet News
Open 
Google Home Speaker (2026) vs. Amazon Echo Dot Max: Why I'm split on these $99 rivals
Both Google and Amazon have generative AI-powered smart speakers for under $100, so which one stands out?

ZDNet News
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The best early Prime Day TV deals actually worth your time: Samsung, Sony, and more
Prime Day 2026 kicks off next week! Save thousands right now on early TV deals from LG, Samsung, and Sony all thoroughly vetted and tested by our experts.

ZDNet News
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Best Early SSD Amazon Prime Day Deals
I track SSD deals, and found huge markdowns from top brands like WD, Samsung, and more ahead of Amazon Prime Day.

CNET News
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Click to Cancel is Dead, But the FTC is Still Fighting Subscription Scams
The FTC is leveraging another act to stop costly cancellation confusion, but that's not all.

CNET News
Open 
GTA 6: Preorders Start June 25, Release Date, Pricing, Locations and More
The next installment of the Grand Theft Auto series is poised to dominate 2026. Here's what we know so far.

CNET News
Open 
Need to Scan Important Documents? Use Your iPhone's Hidden Scanner
You don't need a physical scanner to quickly sign, scan and send official documents -- just use the iPhone in your pocket.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11911 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange Outage || NDGIL (Gillingham) - ZNOC-13697 (New)
The entire exchange is currently down. Our engineers are investigating the issue and reaching out to the supplier. More updates will follow soon. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 15:10

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 17:30

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 15:30

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

The Hill
Open 
Vance to brief the press following Iran MOU signing
Vice President Vance will brief reporters in the White House briefing room on Thursday following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran. The briefing will mark Vance's second time at the briefing podium since press secretary Karoline Leavitt went on maternity leave earlier this year. The vice president will...

The Hill
Open 
The quiet end of identity politics
California's primary election showed that voters are prioritizing competence, results, and accountability over identity politics, and that candidates of all backgrounds should be judged on their merits, not their visibility.

The Hill
Open 
Carville doubles down on Trump departure prediction: 'Your life is miserable'
Democratic strategist James Carville on Wednesday suggested President Trump would depart office by next spring, noting his life would be “miserable” after sweeping losses during midterm elections.  “He can’t stay awake. He says he’s ‘bored’ with the Iran war. He’s going to — and I’m telling you, this guy, by Easter of 2027, is just...

The Hill
Open 
Watch live: Vance holds press briefing amid Iran deal blowback
Vice President Vance will take his second turn filling in for White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, as the administration faces widespread backlash over its deal to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Vance has been the lead U.S. negotiator with Iran and has been all over television defending...

The Hill
Open 
Watch live: Obama Presidential Center holds star-studded dedication ceremony
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will hold a star-studded dedication ceremony on Thursday, with former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama set to speak. Former Presidents Biden, Clinton and George W. Bush are all planning to attend the ceremony to commemorate the center’s opening. They will join "global leaders, artists, changemakers, and...

The Hill
Open 
Average gas price falls below $4 for first time in months
Gas prices in the U.S. on Thursday dipped below $4 for the first time in months, after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that calls for the reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz. The national average price of a gallon of regular gas is about $3.99, according to the American...

The Hill
Open 
Trump economic approval 3 points lower than Biden's worst marks: Poll
A new poll shows President Trump's handling of the economy received its lowest approval rating yet, sitting 3 points lower than former President Biden's worst marks during his administration. The NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Thursday shows only 33 percent of surveyed Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, compared with the 36 percent approval...

The Hill
Open 
Harvard's new cap on 'A' grades is doomed to fail 
We know now from decades of research that grades are not scientific or objective measurements of student learning.

The Hill
Open 
Democratic socialist poised to succeed Bowser as DC mayor after McDuffie concedes
Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George is poised to become the next mayor of Washington, D.C., after opponent Kenyan McDuffie conceded Thursday morning. Decision Desk HQ has yet to call the race, but Lewis George, who serves on the D.C. Council, holds a double-digit lead over McDuffie with about 53 percent of the vote. "Earlier this...

The Hill
Open 
Supreme Court rules for marijuana user prosecuted for gun possession   
The Supreme Court ruled the government can’t criminally prosecute a man for possessing a firearm simply because he regularly smoked marijuana, in a unanimous decision Thursday. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that it violates his right to keep arms under the conservative justices’ expanded Second Amendment test. “To square that expansive theory with the Second Amendment, the...

The Hill
Open 
Senate Republican on Iran having missiles: 'They have to be able to defend themselves'
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Wednesday said Iran should be able to “defend themselves,” weighing in on the fallout over text in the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would allow Tehran to keep its arsenal of ballistic missiles. “I certainly don’t want them to have long-distance missiles. I don’t want them to have nuclear-armed...

The Hill
Open 
GOP senator: Trump putting ‘American lives at risk’ by blocking DNI nominee
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) implored President Trump on Thursday to allow Jay Clayton to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his confirmation hearing, warning that preventing him from doing so “puts American lives at risk.” Trump threw the Senate into turmoil Wednesday by announcing on Truth Social that “we are cancelling” Clayton’s appearance before...

The Hill
Open 
Obama viewed far more favorably than Trump, Biden: Poll
Former President Obama is viewed more favorably by Americans than President Trump and former President Biden, according to a new CNN poll released Thursday that found Obama remains the most popular living president by a wide margin. The poll found that 57 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Obama, compared with 34 percent...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Samsung Takes $50 Off 2026 Monitors, Plus Credit Towards Future Purchases
Samsung's newest monitors are now available to purchase, including the Odyssey G8, ViewFinity S8, and Movingstyle Essential. All of these are available with a $50 launch discount, plus your choice of extras including up to $300 in Samsung credit on a future purchase, a free Music Studio speaker, or free Galaxy Buds4 Pro.



Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.



Starting with the Samsung Odyssey G8 monitors, you will find $50 discounts across every model of the new 2026 devices. Prices start at $899.99 for the 27-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor, and also include Samsung's first 6K monitor with the 32-inch Odyssey G8 6K Monitor for $1,549.99.



$50 OFF PLUS EXTRASSamsung 2026 Monitors



Samsung also has a new 40-inch ViewFinity S8 Curved Monitor on sale for $1,349.99, as well as the Movingstyle Essential Monitor for $849.99, both $50 discounts. Additionally, the company announced a 27-inch model of the ViewFinity S8, but it's not yet available for purchase.



43-inch Movingstyle Essential - $849.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

27-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor - $899.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey OLED G7 4K Monitor - $1,049.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 4K Monitor - $1,049.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 4K Monitor - $1,249.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit

40-inch ViewFinity S8 Curved Monitor - $1,349.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey G8 6K Monitor - $1,549.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.







Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!









Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, 'Samsung Takes $50 Off 2026 Monitors, Plus Credit Towards Future Purchases' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
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Three Ways macOS 27 Improves iPhone Mirroring
In macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple has brought some meaningful updates to iPhone Mirroring besides a new app icon. Here's what's new.





macOS 27 is currently in developer beta, with a public beta coming next month and a general release expected in the fall.



Window Resizing

In macOS Tahoe, iPhone Mirroring is constrained to the iPhone's native aspect ratio, so window resizing is limited to the device's fixed proportions. Smaller, Actual Size, and Larger are the only options. By contrast, macOS 27 introduces support for multiple aspect ratios. Depending on the chosen aspect ratio, iPhone Mirroring displays either a modified iPhone interface or an app's available iPad layout. Adjustments are limited to iOS 27-compatible apps for now, but expect this to change when developers update their own apps. The change has also stoked speculation about a rumored foldable iPhone coming in September.



Control Center Access

In macOS 27, you can now access your iPhone's Control Center directly from your Mac using the Command-4 keyboard shortcut or via the View menu in the menu bar. Previously, iPhone Mirroring didn't support Control Center access at all.



DRM Support

macOS 27 also adds support for DRM-protected video playback in iPhone Mirroring. In macOS Tahoe, attempting to watch protected content, such as videos from streaming services or rented movies, results in a black screen on your Mac. With the next major update, however, you can view DRM-enabled content directly through the mirrored iPhone window.This article, 'Three Ways macOS 27 Improves iPhone Mirroring' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Mark Levin suggests a ‘change in strategy’ on Iran
Mark Levin wrote this morning that it’s time for a change in strategy in dealing with Iran, at least until we get through the midterms. He writes: Time for a change in . . .

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING: Supreme Court just gave a BIG win for the 2nd Amendment
The Supreme Court just gave a big win for the second amendment and they did it with a unanimous vote. I know, shocking. The short of this ruling is that the Biden . . .

Mail Online
Open 
Career criminal who stole £60,000 of luxury watches, jewellery and cash from lockers of wealthy City gym-goers is jailed
Notorious thief Paul Hughes, 59, was handed a two year sentence at Inner London Crown Court after admitting two counts of theft and one count of fraud earlier this year.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump privately frets Bibi Netanyahu's zeal to 'bomb everyone' could turn him into another disgraced president
Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are increasingly at odds - and the President is concerned his reputation will be tarnished by bombed buildings in Beirut.

Mail Online
Open 
Mystery as wealthy British entrepreneur vanishes after leaving Budapest nightclub during trip to meet investors
John Robert Joseph Tovell, 45, was last seen at around 2am on June 16 after leaving the venue in the city's VII District, also known as Erzsebetvaros, one of Budapest's busiest entertainment areas.

Mail Online
Open 
Second-in-command of aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth who starred in BBC documentary denies raping and sexually assaulting woman
Captain Chris Ansell was accused of committing rape and sexual assault while he was Executive Officer on the £3.5 billion flagship aircraft carrier.

Mail Online
Open 
Romeo Beckham steps out with Kim Turnbull as he is seen for the first time since being fined £440 after he was caught scrolling on his phone at the wheel of his Porsche 911
Romeo Beckham stepped out with his girlfriend Kim Turnbull as he was seen for the first time since being fined for using his phone at the wheel of his Porsche.

Mail Online
Open 
Rachel Reeves sounds alarm at threat of Labour lurch to Left as she lines up behind Starmer in brewing civil war
Rachel Reeves delivered a stark message that the Government must not 'deviate' from her fiscal rules.

Mail Online
Open 
'Armed killer' on the run close to England's World Cup base in Kansas City after four separate shootings in chilling frenzy
An alleged killer is on the run in Kansas City - after one person was shot dead and four injured in a spree which included an attack close to England's training base.

Mail Online
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Netflix and Amazon Prime users could be forced to pay licence fee as cash-strapped BBC axes Radio Four shows in jobs bloodbath
Lisa Nandy (pictured) rejected funding the BBC through a levy on streamers or direct taxation, but stopped short of saying the licence fee would not be extended to cover streamers.

Mail Online
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Yellow there, Zara! Princess Anne's daughter brings the sunshine in a chic belted dress from Rebecca Vallance as she joins the King at Royal Ascot
So far, Zara has attended all three days of Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar.

Mail Online
Open 
The awkward moment Harry Maguire squirms on Gary Lineker's Netflix show as Alan Shearer and Micah Richards lavish 'refreshing' Thomas Tuchel with praise after England's World Cup win over Croatia
The Manchester United star, who was 'shocked and gutted' at his exclusion from Thomas Tuchel's squad, is now a guest on Gary Lineker's World Cup Netflix show.

Mail Online
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Teen tourist thrown to death by Central Park horse was trying to save mom who flew out of carriage during family's first visit to Big Apple
Romanch Mahajan, 18, died on Wednesday in New York City after he flew out of a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. He was visiting the Big Apple for the first time with his family from India.

Sky News Home
Open 
British 'mafia boss' to be extradited to Spain
A Scottish 'mafia boss' can be extradited to Spain, a court in Amsterdam ruled.

The Register
Open 
KDE Plasma 6.7 brings the X11 era to a close
Plenty of new shiny in the service of improved usability

FlightAware Squawks
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NTSB: GPS jamming was active when air ambulance crew flew into Capitan Mountains
RUIDOSO, N.M. – The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday released its preliminary report into the May 14 crash that killed all four people aboard an air ambulance near Ruidoso.

For the first time, federal investigators confirmed that scheduled military GPS jamming from White Sands Missile Range was active during the flight.

Air traffic controllers were able to get the military installation to stop the jamming for a few minutes at the crew’s request, but shortly after pilots reported seeing the landing strip at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport – and being cleared for a visual approach – the jamming resumed. Minutes later, the aircraft struck the Capitan Mountains.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Post your questions for Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas
The voice behind Dancing in the Street, Heat Wave and many more is releasing her first album in 22 years – and will take on your questionsMartha Reeves is one of the defining voices of 1960s pop, someone who embodied the romance and euphoria of Motown Records at its peak. And at the age of 84, she is preparing to release a new album – her first in 22 years. To mark the occasion, she’ll be joining us to answer your questions.Born in Alabama and raised in Detroit, Reeves started out in the shadows of Motown Records, first doing administrative work, then backing vocals for the likes of Marvin Gaye. But in 1962 she got her shot as a lead artist with Martha and the Vandellas. Their second single, Come and Get These Memories, was a hit – and their third was an absolute smash. Heat Wave featured an astonishing performance from Reeves as she was knocked for six by love and lust. It kicked off a run of similarly lovestruck hits such as Jimmy Mack, I’m Ready for Love and Nowhere to Run. Dancing in the Street, meanwhile, was a euphoric paean to dance which took on a new meaning at the height of the civil rights movement, becoming a rallying call for protesters to unite. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Lonely City by Olivia Laing audiobook review – solitude and creativity in Manhattan
Tilda Swinton makes her audiobook debut with this landmark study of how New York artists from Edward Hopper to Andy Warhol have lived with lonelinessIt is a decade since Olivia Laing published The Lonely City, a blend of memoir and cultural analysis on the isolation of urban living. Laing – who is non-binary – had moved to Manhattan following a love affair that ended abruptly. Once there, they were taken aback at their feelings of isolation. Laing discovered “you can be lonely anywhere, but there is a particular flavour to the loneliness that comes from living in a city, surrounded by millions of people”.The author’s attempts to navigate these difficult feelings are threaded through a series of artist portraits examining the connection between loneliness and creativity. There is Edward Hopper, famed for his paintings featuring lone figures seated in cafes and diners, and Henry Darger, the janitor and hospital worker who lived alone and achieved posthumous fame through his disturbing and hallucinatory paintings of misfits. Laing also ponders the work of Andy Warhol, who surrounded himself with people while still keeping them at arm’s length, and David Wojnarowicz, the American artist and photographer who documented the devastation caused by the Aids virus. His work, Laing notes, “did more than anything to release me from the burden of feeling that in my solitude I was shamefully alone”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Brahms: Violin Sonatas album review – Ehnes and Armstrong’s performances exude an effortless rightness
Ehnes/Armstrong(Seattle Chamber Music Society)The Canadian violinist and American pianist – musical partners for over three decades – bring assurance and grace to these three violin sonatas written by Brahms in his creative prime. Written between 1879 and 1888, Brahms’s three violin sonatas are the work of a man in his creative prime. Between them, they cover a considerable emotional span, from the lyrical, ultimately wistful G major with its rain-dappled finale to the structural complexities of the fiery D minor. The central A major sonata, good natured yet intimate, is one of the composer’s sunniest and most endearing works.James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong met in Winnipeg in 1991 when the Canadian violinist was 15 years old and the American pianist was 17. The longevity of their partnership pays dividends here in performances that exude an effortless rightness. In the opening of the G major, Armstrong is the wind beneath Ehnes’s wings, the two musicians in artistic lockstep, even if the recorded sound favours the brightness of the violin. Pacing is assured, phrasing shapely. The gently pattering finale, with Ehnes’s graceful double-stopping, suggests remembrances of times past. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court sides with Texas marijuana user who wants to own a firearm in latest case expanding gun rights – live
In a rare unanimous ruling, the court backed a challenge to Texas gun laws by siding with Ali Danial HemaniSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe supreme court has sided with a marijuana user who wants to legally own a gun, the latest in a line of firearm cases from a court that has expanded gun rights.In a 9-0 ruling, the justices sided with Ali Danial Hemani, a resident of Texas who was charged with felony gun possession after he acknowledged being a regular marijuana user. Hemani wasn’t charged with any other crimes or accused of using the weapon under the influence. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Czechia v South Africa: World Cup – live
⚽ Kick-off time: 12pm local/2am AEST/5pm BST/12pm EDT⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail DanielMike Costello, the legendary boxing commentator, tells a story of when he was fresh in the game, an old pro heard him getting dead excited calling a fight that wasn’t Hagler-Hearns, so issued some advice: always leave yourself somewhere to go.For those of us involved in a similar kind of thing, this is an important lesson, but one easier grasped than lived – especially during the World Cup and even more so during this World Cup. How not to unload the suitcase – and why not unload the suitcase – when Curaçao equalise against Germany, Cape Verde force a draw with Spain and DRC equalise against then draw with Portugal? For them – and so for us, sport being the experience of living your life through others – this is their Hagler-Hearns, so it makes more sense to trust you’ll find somewhere to go than not turn up somewhere you desperately need to be. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The best air purifiers in the UK to cleanse your home of fumes, pollen and dust – tested
Whether you suffer from hay fever, damp rooms or just want to breathe cleaner air, here are the best purifiers from our expert’s test of 10• The best dehumidifiers – testedYou may not have given much thought to air quality, nor to air purifiers, if you’re lucky enough never to have had hay fever or any of the many other health conditions connected to airborne particles.But air pollution – including industrial emissions, exhaust fumes and dust – is one of the gravest environmental health risks in the UK. Densely populated and low-income areas feel the worst effects. It’s a global problem, explored in Beth Gardiner’s book Choked.Best air purifier overall:
Blueair Blue Signature largeBest budget air purifier:
Levoit Core Mini LAP-C161-WUK Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Aardman exhibition marks animation studio’s half a century in Bristol
Show features characters and sets from likes of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep and celebrates roots in cityAardman’s most famous characters, Wallace and Gromit, may be denizens of northern England but the studio’s deep-rooted connection to the south-west of the UK is being celebrated in a new show on Bristol’s harbourside.The exhibition at the M Shed, just around the corner from the Aardman base on Gas Ferry Road (a name that would not be out of place in a Wallace and Gromit adventure), shines a light on the studio’s 50 years in Bristol. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
What did Ukraine target in Moscow and how significant was the drone attack?
Mass drone strike on capital brought the war to Russians, but Ukrainians will be braced for Kremlin’s responseEurope live – latest updatesUkraine hit Moscow with nearly 200 drones in its largest-ever attack on the capital on Thursday, striking a Russian oil refinery and sending huge plumes of smoke billowing over the city’s south.The towering plumes of smoke rising above Moscow offered a stark demonstration of Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep inside Russia with its increasingly sophisticated, largely domestically produced long-range drones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Zack Polanski cleared by ethics inquiry over council tax payment complaint
Labour and Tories claimed Green party leader breached London assembly ethics code over non-payment of taxZack Polanski has been cleared by an ethics inquiry looking into complaints that he did not pay council tax while living on a houseboat.A report by the Greater London authority’s monitoring officer found that the circumstances of the Green party leader’s living arrangements were beyond its scope and he had therefore not breached the code of conduct for London assembly members. Continue reading...

Russia Today News
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Musk backs ‘Nuremberg Trials’ for Pakistani rape gangs

Mail Online
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Stanley Tucci joins the King and Queen for Ascot procession with wife Felicity Blunt as they enjoy a day out at the races alongside Carole Middleton and the Duchess of Edinburgh
Stanley Tucci, 65, who is a regular at royal events and dinner parties, looked just as comfortable in a landau as he travelled to the Berkshire race course today.

BBC World News
Open 
Weapons, money and ships: How is this Iran deal different from others?
BBC Verify examines how the new deal between the US and Iran affects three key areas.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
How a feel-good German song is taking over social media
Being encouraging and building confidence is what the German song "Gut genug" ("Good Enough") is all about. A meme is now bringing the track and its message to millions of people around the world.

Mail Online
Open 
EastEnders actress Emaa Hussen is accused of trying to smuggle meth worth £157million into Australia
Emaa Hussen, who starred in the EastEnders spin-off EastEnders: E20, was arrested in a drugs bust in Sydney.

Sky News Home
Open 
Amber heat alert issued as new heatwave looms
An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England from this afternoon, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
The average student in England leaves university with £47,700 debt - is a degree worth it?
With rising tuition fees and living costs, do higher graduate earnings cover the cost of a degree?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Men jailed for spying for Chinese intelligence in UK
One, a Border Force official, used his access to Home Office data, to get information about Chinese dissidents.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'My brother hid in a rice sack' - The refugee stars at the World Cup
Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes around refugees.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
US-Iran talks: Hope and skepticism in the Swiss alps
An end to fighting and relief from a global energy crunch is a welcome development, but critics say the US may have rushed into a bad deal. US-Iran talks in Switzerland will reveal more.

BBC Technology News
Open 
GTA 6 pre-order date and cover art revealed by Rockstar
The developer has said pre-sales of the hugely anticipated game will begin on 25 June.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Supreme court releases opinions with several high-stakes rulings to come including birthright citizenship – US politics live
Trump’s immigration agenda is on the supreme court docket with rulings still to come on birthright citizenship and TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrantsSign up for the Breaking News US emailThe supreme court has started releasing opinions, so far it has issued a ruling backing a challenge to a federal law barring drug users from owning guns.We’ll bring you any more updates here as we get them.The memorandum ends the fighting, reopens the strait of Hormuz and gives Trump a chance to claim he prevented a broader economic crisis. But many of its core terms appear to return the US and Iran to roughly where they were before the conflict: with Iran’s government still in power and its long-term nuclear commitments still unresolved.Before the war, the strait of Hormuz saw the free flow of shipping, including roughly a fifth of the world’s oil traffic. Reopening the water way essentially restores the status quo. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘If you hate it after 15 minutes, it’s OK to go home’ – your running questions answered by our experts
From the best shoes, to tips for getting motivated to the most beautiful runs in the world … running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh answered your questionsRead more from the The FilterIscoBusquet asks: My first full marathon was a disastrous go at the Bristol to Bath which left me with terrible plantar fasciitis. What are the best ways to mitigate the foot pain?Sarah: Sorry to hear this. Without knowing your training block, if you got this after a full marathon, I am wondering whether you did too much too soon? One of the most common causes of this sort of pain is a large increase in running load. Regardless, with any more runs it’s worth trying to build up more slowly. Reduce the running volume and also look at getting a pair of trainers that support your feet. You can also do some specific stretches for plantar fasciitis and use certain massage techniques that can help.Sarah: For chafing I think fit matters more than brand. I always think you need to go smaller on sizing for running leggings or shorts, because a snug fit is often better – snug but not restrictive. For shorts I am a big fan of Lululemon or Sweaty Betty shorts. I am afraid I don’t have any triathlon experience so cannot offer anything more specific on that.Kieran: I swear by an anti-chafe roll-on oil called 2Toms Sportshield. It’s been my go-to for 15 years and I’ve relied on it for some big adventures like the Marathon Des Sables, my 67-day run across Europe, and for every marathon since 2015. It’s easy to apply (to all the nooks and crannies), I find one application lasts all day and protects all your soft bits. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Leading figures from Eton college to attend rightwing London summit
Exclusive: Event co-founded by Jordan Peterson will bring together global populist-right figures, US state officials and Eton teachersThe Reform UK MPs Sarah Pochin and Andrew Rosindell will be there. As will a plethora of Reform advisers, backroom staff and figures such as Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire who has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s party.Yet as populist-right politicians from across the globe and their multimillionaire backers prepare for this year’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) – a rightwing London summit labelled an “anti-woke” Davos – others whose expected attendance has not been publicised potentially raises more questions. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
EastEnders actress Emaa Hussen is accused of trying to smuggle meth worth £157million into Australia
Former EastEnders star Emaa Hussen was arrested in Girraween, western Sydney , and fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

Mail Online
Open 
Portugal's World Cup civil war: Cristiano Ronaldo's sister backs attack on Bruno Fernandes - as report claims Roberto Martinez may take Saudi cash to manage CR7 at club level amid axe calls
Having boarded their plane to the United States as one of the favourites, Portugal got their World Cup campaign off to a dismal start in Houston.

Department for Transport
Open 
New consultation sets foundations for Heathrow expansion to take off
Consultation launched on the framework for future planning decisions for Heathrows thirdrunway. | Department for Transport.

Northern Ireland Office
Open 
Recruitment of a new Commissioner to the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invites applications for the appointment of a new Commissioner to the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland. | Northern Ireland Office.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
The twisted life of teacher who killed his adopted son
Jamie Varley, 37, subjected Preston Davey to months of horrific physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Average student in England leaves university with £47,700 debt - is a degree worth it?
With rising tuition fees and living costs, do higher graduate earnings cover the cost of a degree?

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'My brother hid in a rice sack': The refugee stars playing at the World Cup
Germany's Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes.

TechRadar News
Open 
The Facebook app is crashing for many — here's what we know about the Android issues

TechRadar News
Open 
I regret to inform you that Dolby Vision HDR has once again been dropped from Disney+ in parts of Europe

TechRadar News
Open 
007 First Light devs say post-launch content is in IO Interactive's 'DNA' and is now something players are 'starting to expect' — 'We want the players to come back, and we want to create more content'

TechRadar News
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VPN deal of the week: CyberGhost is the cheapest I've ever seen it — nearly $2/month cheaper than NordVPN

TechRadar News
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New Verizon Shine loyalty program will give you perks for sticking with the network

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch Czechia vs South Africa: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-off time for FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A fixture

TechRadar News
Open 
How to watch M6+ outside France – stream M6 from anywhere with a VPN

TechRadar News
Open 
LinkedIn will now let you show off exactly what skills you have with all your favorite workplace apps

TechRadar News
Open 
New GTA 6 trailer officially reveals cover art — and it looks pretty great

TechRadar News
Open 
"$10.22 million and counting": US cyber breaches have become a boardroom issue

TechRadar News
Open 
‘We are at a very pivotal moment - every company, every industry’: Salesforce is going all-out to power the agentic enterprise — no matter what industry your business is in

TechRadar News
Open 
It's official: GTA 6 pre-orders will begin later this month

TechRadar News
Open 
Clarkson's Farm season 6: release window and everything we know so far about the return of Jeremy Clarkson's hit Prime Video show

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Supreme court to release opinions with several high-stakes rulings to come including birthright citizenship – US politics live
Trump’s immigration agenda is on the supreme court docket with rulings still to come on birthright citizenship and TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrantsSign up for the Breaking News US emailRepublican senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally, appeared to soften his view of the memorandum of understanding with Iran yesterday after a “very lengthy and productive” conversation with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.“After this discussion, it is my opinion that signing the MOU will be beneficial to the United States, in as much as the strait of Hormuz will begin to open, and the hostilities with Iran will stop,” Graham wrote on X. “Whether or not the United States can reach an acceptable, verifiable deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program and other issues is yet to be determined, but I see little downside to trying.”Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions, and 13 service members were still alive. Now, 13 Americans are dead, families have paid billions at the pump, sanctions will be lifted, and the bombing has stopped. This is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.Iran gets sanctions relief, the release of frozen funds, the ability to export oil, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund. The US gets a reiteration of the vague promise Iran won’t develop a nuke.The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
US Open 2026: golf under way after two-hour fog delay on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day two – live
Updates from the second day’s play at the Oval Day one report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail James80th over: New Zealand 318-7 (Jamieson 16, Phillips 59) Jamieson slaps Baker through the off-side, then makes room for a mighty smack … he edges away over Rew for four more. The big man is here to have fun as he launches to deep midwicket … and Ben Duckett, backpedalling, drops it! That should have been snaffled; Baker was already celebrating. To make matters worse for the debutant, Phillips pulls away for another boundary, the third of the over. A very tidy start to the day for New Zealand.79th over: New Zealand 305-7 (Jamieson 7, Phillips 55) It’s Josh Tongue to bound in from the Pavilion End – he goes short and Phillips offers no shot, the ball smashing into his belly button. Ouch. England are going full bumper mode, with three men on the leg-side boundary, and midwicket just a few yards in front of the rope. And is Jamieson gone, gloving the ball high, with Rew collecting? Nah, off the helmet. And a no ball, too. Jamieson will get checked out by the doc. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump’s war accomplished nothing – the Iran deal is proof | Kenneth Roth
The agreement shows the US is in a weaker position than before the warNo one gets a Nobel peace prize for ending a war he started, let alone for a pointless war of aggression that set back the causes that supposedly prompted the conflict. No amount of Donald Trump’s spin can obscure the fact that his newly announced deal with Iran is one big lesson in why this war should never have been launched.The text of the deal, a 14-point memorandum of understanding, underscores its emptiness. The tyrants of Tehran are undoubtedly celebrating. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Côte d’Ivoire’s Wahi denied Canada visa for World Cup match amid fixing investigation
Striker will miss Saturday’s Germany game in TorontoArrest was over alleged ‘organised fraud’ in Ligue 1The Côte d’Ivoire striker Elye Wahi, who is being investigated for alleged fixing, has not been authorised to travel to Canada for his team’s World Cup match against Germany, the Côte d’Ivoire football federation (FIF) said on Thursday.The FIF said Wahi would not be able to travel with the squad for Saturday’s game in Toronto because “the necessary administrative authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Mistreatment became normality’ at Muckamore Abbey hospital, inquiry finds
Vulnerable adults suffered broken bones and severe neglect in Northern Irish hospital at centre of police investigationAn inquiry into the abuse of vulnerable adults at Muckamore Abbey hospital in Northern Ireland has found “mistreatment became a normality” and patients suffered black eyes, broken bones and severe neglect.The hospital is at the centre of the UK’s largest police investigation into the alleged abuse of vulnerable adults, with 124 people having been referred by police for prosecution.The escalation of violence between patients and the increased use of seclusion of patients from 2011 onwards was a warning sign and precursor to the mistreatment of patients by staff.There were chronic shortages of staff that meant some essential care was not given and patients’ ability to cope with daily living diminished.A policy shift, beginning in 2001, to move all patients with learning disabilities and autism from hospital into community-based care was beset with failure and led to heightened distress and many readmissions.A lack of activities for patients often led to “frustration, boredom and dysregulated behaviour” and Muckamore became “more functional and less homely” as time went on.There was a “closed culture” among staff that discouraged reporting of bad behaviour and many families said they were frightened to complain in case it affected the care their relatives received. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Leading figures from Eton college to attend rightwing London summit
Exclusive: Event co-founded by Jordan Peterson will bring together global populist-right figures, US state officials and Eton teachersThe Reform UK MPs Sarah Pochin and Andrew Rosindell will be there. As will a plethora of Reform advisers, backroom staff and figures such as Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire who has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s party.Yet as populist-right politicians from across the globe and their multimillionaire backers prepare for this year’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (Arc) – a rightwing London summit dubbed an “anti-woke” Davos – others whose expected attendance has not been publicised potentially raises more questions. Continue reading...

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Hegseth says some Nato allies will fail as he announces US review of Europe forces
The US defence secretary's move follows a US decision to scale back its commitments to a high readiness force within the alliance.

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Two big reasons Accenture’s stock is sliding in the wake of earnings
The consulting company’s outlook came up short of expectations, and at least one analyst wonders if newly announced deals will bring complex integration challenges.

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India news: Telegram is 'like Frankenstein,' government says
The platform — temporarily banned in India — has grown into a "monster," officials say. Elswhere, the air force is helping secure the NEET-UG retests, while Modi and Trump are "very close" to trade deal. DW has more.

BBC UK News
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Teacher who murdered and abused adopted baby given whole life jail term
Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Jamie Varley.

The Verge
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Adobe’s redesigned AI studio remembers what your creations look like
Adobe is introducing some new capabilities for its Firefly AI assistant, alongside a "reimagined" AI studio that lets you edit and generate new designs from a single interface. The new Firefly experience launching today in private beta is designed to give you "persistent context, reusable assets, and organized workflows" across your projects, according to Adobe, […]

The Verge
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Photoshop and Premiere now have AI assistants
Adobe's plan to stick AI assistants into all of its Creative Cloud suite is now fully underway, with new chatbots now rolling out to its biggest editing and design apps. As part of a public beta launching today, Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io now each have a bespoke AI Assistant that can be used […]

The Verge
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Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft bundle is almost half off for Prime Day
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle is on sale for $182.97 (originally $334.97) as an early Prime Day deal, the lowest price we’ve seen for the combo. Unlike other Kindles, the Colorsoft’s color E Ink screen is great for comic books and graphics novels, illustrated books, or just perusing book covers while deciding what to read […]

Computer Weekly
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CMA puts in place fair ranking measures on Google Search
Google will need to rank organic searches objectively and will be required under UK law to share data with third-party services

Computer Weekly
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Gulf CIOs shift focus from recovery to cyber resilience as regional threats intensify
Commvault’s Yahya Kassab says organisations across the Gulf are reassessing recovery strategies, AI risks and cloud investments amid growing cyber threats

Mail Online
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The horror of discovering that an NHS doctor has left a surgical item inside your body MONTHS later
The birth of Elise Cattle's first child was traumatic. But, as the weeks went by, rather than the pain subsiding, she remained crippled with it.

Mail Online
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DR ELLIE: A patient of mine has been taking the unlicensed 'Godzilla' of fat jabs. This is exactly what it's done to her body - and why people will keep taking 'Reta' regardless of the risks
When you've been a GP for over 20 years, you start to feel like you've seen it all. But a few months ago, I had an experience with a patient that left me shaken.

Mail Online
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Reform fury over 'Muslims for Reform' van as Rupert Lowe is forced to delete tweet and insist he is not behind the Makerfield stunt
A van reading 'Muslims for Reform' was gleefully shared by supporters of Reform Britain, claiming it demonstrated the 'Islamification' of Mr Farage's party.

Mail Online
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Dan Walker hits out at the BBC and brands the corporation a 'mess' as 'worried former colleagues' contact him amid cuts
Walker, 49, worked at the corporation for over a decade and anchored BBC Breakfast , the UK's biggest breakfast TV show, but quit in 2022 for a new and lucrative job at Channel 5 News.

Ian Visits
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Pontoon Dock DLR upgrade delayed by a few months
Work to upgrade Pontoon Dock DLR station has been pushed back by a few months while detailed design work and costs are still being estimated.Read more ›

Ian Visits
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Jewish Museum London awarded £1 million grant while it looks for a new home
Three years after shutting its doors, the museum has received fresh support to continue operating as a "museum without walls".Read more ›

ZeroHedge News
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ECB: Iran Peace Deal Won't Erase Europe's Energy Price Shock
ECB: Iran Peace Deal Won't Erase Europe's Energy Price Shock

By Tsvetana Paraskova of OilPrice.com

Europe will have to contend with the energy price shock for months despite the tentative U.S.-Iran agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, European Central Bank (ECB) officials said this week.

The ECB last week raised key interest rates for the euro area for the first time since 2023 as the Middle East conflict hiked energy prices that have started to feed into core inflation.



The ECB raised the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, its first hike since 2023. Eurozone annual inflation climbed to 3.2% in May, from 3.0% in April, due to the Middle East conflict.

ECB officials are not ruling out further increases in interest rates this year, despite the U.S.-Iran deal, as the energy price shock is expected to linger for months to come.

“Higher energy costs are likely to remain with us longer than many had hoped,” ECB Governing Council member Peter Kazimir said in remarks carried by Bloomberg.

“Even with the just-announced US-Iran peace framework, the damage in the Middle East cannot be undone overnight,” Kazimir added.

The energy price shock has led to European companies raising selling prices and employees and workers asking for higher pay, which would keep inflation rates elevated and well above the ECB’s target of 2%.

Hopes of an imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have eased some of the pressure on the ECB, but the deal hasn’t materially changed the near-term inflation prospects in the Eurozone, according to analysts.

The tentative U.S.-Iran deal doesn’t mean that “pressure to hike has been reduced very significantly,” JP Morgan economist Greg Fuzesi told Bloomberg.

ECB Governing Council member and Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Gabriel Makhlouf, said earlier this week, “Let me be clear: an end to the conflict does not necessarily mean an immediate end to the shock.”

“Last week’s rate rise was necessary to prevent temporary energy-driven inflation from becoming embedded in wage and price expectations, reflecting the ECB's primary mandate to maintain price stability across the Eurozone,” Makhlouf added.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 06:30

ZeroHedge News
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Ryan Cohen’s Massive $35 Billion Pay Deal Draws Shareholder Lawsuit
Ryan Cohen’s Massive $35 Billion Pay Deal Draws Shareholder Lawsuit

A GameStop shareholder has taken the company to court in an effort to delay a July vote on Ryan Cohen's proposed $35 billion pay package, arguing investors aren't getting the full story before being asked to approve it, according to Yahoo Finance. 

The lawsuit accuses GameStop's board of repeatedly changing the voting process in ways that could tilt the outcome toward management. Among the disputed changes are whether Cohen can vote his own sizable stake and how non-votes are treated when tallying results.

At the center of the fight is a compensation plan that could make Cohen one of the highest-paid executives in history—assuming GameStop reaches a series of extremely ambitious financial targets. Critics say the bigger issue isn't the payout itself, but the company's shifting explanations of how the vote will work.



The complaint alleges GameStop initially suggested independent shareholders would effectively decide the proposal, only to later adopt a framework that gives insiders far more influence over the result. According to the plaintiff, that could allow the package to pass even if most ordinary investors aren't on board.

The complaint says: "GameStop's audacious attempts to reduce the power of its disinterested shareholders — in contrast to its prior public statements and in disregard of its Certificate of Incorporation — must stop. Cohen may want $35 billion. That does not allow him and his board to disenfranchise stockholders and violate Delaware law along the way."

"I obviously want to build something much larger, but I don't benefit unless shareholders benefit," Cohen had said in a recent CNBC interview. 

In other words, shareholders are being asked to sign off on a potentially record-setting payday while still trying to figure out which rules apply—a situation the lawsuit argues is no accident.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 06:55

ZeroHedge News
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Trump And Iran Sign MOU Deal Ahead Of Schedule
Trump And Iran Sign MOU Deal Ahead Of Schedule

Summary:

The US and Iran have remotely signed their memorandum of understanding to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz ahead of schedule, and the agreement is now in effect, Axios reports.
Trump admits energy stockpiles "run out in about four weeks" 
MoU signing could be As Early As Today 
Trump Says Will "Drop Bombs" If Bad Final Deal 
14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Released, Set For Friday Signing
Trump Signs Iran Deal Remotely Ahead Of Schedule

Confirming earlier speculation, Axios reports that the U.S. and Iran have remotely signed their memorandum of understanding to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, and the agreement is now in effect. The signing - which took place electronically between Trump, Vance and Ghalibaf - reportedly took place at dinner in France alongside President Emmanuel Macron. 

The signing was supposed to happen in Switzerland on Friday, but a diplomat from a mediating country and a second source familiar told Axios earlier on Wednesday that there had been discussions about signing and implementing it earlier

The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue. Another factor may have been the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU, which it sitll hasn't done officially. The source familiar with the discussions claimed it was Iran that demanded the text not be published until the formal signing, and denied the White House was responding to political pressure.

The only "public release" so far consisted of a senior administration official reading the agreement to reporters in a briefing call on Wednesday, after days of confusion about what was in it.

Ahead of the signing, Iran's foreign ministry said the sides had agreed that the MOU should be signed electronically by both presidents. For Iran, the signing represents a major victory as it now stands to receive billions in unfrozen (and other) funds from the US and Gulf sources.

While it's now just a formality, the meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations headed by Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is still expected to take place as planned on Friday in Switzerland. They are expected to discuss the launching of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

The signing took place after this remarkable press conference earlier in the day in which Trump tried to justify conceding to Iran's terms:

As BBC's Siavash Ardalan writes, Trump's responses to the reporters' questions to justify the agreement with Iran were bizarre and unprecedented in their own way:

They asked him how he could allow $300 billion in investment in Iran. He said, "We've already inflicted $2 trillion in damage on Iran; $300 billion is nothing in comparison."

They asked why he's giving Iran tens of billions of dollars. He said, "If we don't return their own money to them, other countries will be afraid to put their money in our banks, and then the dollar's position will weaken."

They asked why the missile issue isn't in the agreement. He said, "We've already destroyed 85% of their missiles anyway; the rest are buried underground, and besides, we sell air defense systems to the countries in the region so they won't worry about Iran's missiles."

They asked if he's not worried that Iran will say, "We're only producing nuclear energy for civilian purposes." He said, "You can't tell everyone else to produce electricity with nuclear power while only Iran can't."

Finally, he said, "If we continue sanctioning Iran, 91 million Iranians will die of hunger—what's the point of that, really?"

Oh, and he joked that "If [the Iran deal] works out, I'm going to take the credit; if it doesn't work out, I'm blaming [Vance]."




Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the signing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon would be regarded as a breach of commitments, and adds that the US is responsible to force Israel to abide by the deal; the official also said the 60-day period starts today.

Trump Admits

President Trump's comment at the tail end of the G7 press conference about rapidly depleting crude reserves may have been the clearest admission yet of what is really driving the urgent push for an MoU with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"We run out of reserves in about four weeks," Trump told reporters.


Trump said the world would have run out of oil reserves in 4 weeks, put pressure for a peace agreement.
Says it would have been "bedlam" pic.twitter.com/k45MTI8sNs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 17, 2026
View data here.


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
With global SPRs being aggressively tapped to offset lost Gulf energy production while the Strait of Hormuz remains shuttered, the clock is ticking closer and closer to midnight to fully reopen the waterway to restart the normalization process of tanker transits, which may take months.

The longer Hormuz stays closed, the faster emergency stockpiles are drained, raising the risk of an energy cliff, then a much worse energy shock. That urgency appears to be the real force behind the race to secure an interim agreement with Tehran.

Talk of Accelerated MoU Signing Timeline

Axios reports that US, Iranian, and mediator officials are discussing an accelerated timeline for signing the memorandum of understanding, moving it from Friday to as early as Wednesday, potentially via electronic signature.

More from Axios:

The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait of Hormuz sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue.
Another factor could be the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU.
The source familiar with the discussions claimed it was Iran that demanded the text not be published until the formal signing, and denied the White House was responding to political pressure.
Even if the electronic signing occurs early, Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf are still expected to meet on Friday in Switzerland to launch multi-month talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The takeaway here is that both sides appear aligned on quickly reopening the Hormuz chokepoint, as the world faces an energy cliff.

Watch Trump 

President Trump is set to hold a very important press conference at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France.



Trump Tells Reporters At G7: We'll "Go Back To Dropping Bombs" if he Doesn't Like Final Deal 

President Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France that the pending U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is "not final" and warned that if he "doesn't like it ... we'll go back to shooting at them."

"If I don't like it [MoU], we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head," Trump said.

Trump repeated: "If they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head."

He added, "Because they misbehaved for 47 years. But nobody could've made this deal. The Obama-era JCPOA handed them $1.7 billion and gave them hundreds of millions of dollars in a Boeing 757. He tried to bribe his way out. I did not do that."


BREAKING: "If I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head."
President Trump warns Iran that any change to the peace agreement or failure to comply could bring an immediate military response.
"If they don't behave, we'll go right back to… pic.twitter.com/67JRcDptYS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 17, 2026
The proposed deal, expected to be signed on Friday in Geneva, would extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for 60 days and create a framework for negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. 

14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Set For Friday Signing

With US and Iranian officials preparing to formally sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, the conflict is entering the much-needed diplomatic phase to avert a potentially disastrous energy cliff. The MoU would open a 60-day negotiating window aimed at ending the war, restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and hammering out the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Bloomberg published the text of the 14-point draft MoU, offering the clearest look yet at the proposed trade: de-escalation and sanctions relief for Iran, in exchange for a ceasefire across all fronts, commitments on shipping access, and a broader nuclear deal to be finalized by the end of summer.



But Iran's Tasnim news agency cited an unnamed official earlier today, saying some of the MoU published by Bloomberg is inaccurate. The report did not specify the discrepancies. Bloomberg noted that some of the wording could be different between the English and Persian versions.

Below is the text of the 14-point draft MoU:

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles

2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs

3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent

4. Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States Lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement

5. Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.

6. The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, While ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.

7. The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran's nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.

9. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.

10. The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.

11. The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.

12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.

13. Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.

14. The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council

Based on the text above, the first take of the MoU appears to be front-loaded economic relief for Tehran in exchange for a ceasefire, a nuclear freeze, and commitments to negotiate hard topics, such as the nuclear program, at a later date.

Who Stands To Benefit:

Tehran benefits most directly because it gets economic oxygen, oil waivers, frozen funds, sanctions relief language, and reduced US military pressure in the region.

Hezbollah and Iran-aligned actors also benefit if "all fronts, including Lebanon" locks in a ceasefire that constrains Israeli operations.

And, of course, the global economy because global shippers benefit if Hormuz reopens and war risk premiums in crude oil collapse.

The Gulf states benefit if the conflict ends because energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz will resume. A report on Tuesday said that QatarEnergy was planning to ramp up LNG production in the coming months.

Where is Leverage Lost:

The US loses some coercive leverage once the Hormuz blockade ends, oil waivers are granted, and asset-release mechanisms begin.

Israel loses freedom of action if the agreement binds the Lebanon front and limits further strikes.

Sanctions and hawks lose leverage because the draft moves quickly toward broad sanctions dismantlement.

The urgency behind the MoU and locking in peace talks for 60 days, with a formal signing event at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland on Friday, stems mainly from the world being headed for an energy cliff, as SPRs globally were being drained to offset the loss of Gulf production with the Hormuz chokepoint shuttered. Brent crude futures edged down overnight, trading around $79 a barrel on Wednesday morning.



One of the biggest uncertainties remains the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump stated that the critical waterway will reopen permanently and be toll-free, but the MoU suggests the toll-free arrangement may only last through the 60-day negotiation period. Another major uncertainty is Tehran's compliance.

Most Important Overnight Headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Deal Framework

• The US and Iran plan to formally sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Switzerland, paving the way for 60 days of talks aimed at ending the war and limiting Iran's nuclear program

• Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the tentative deal is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement

• Iran is set to receive broad financial incentives including the right to sell oil immediately, access to a $300 billion development fund, and eventual access to frozen assets

• The US would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war under the accord Web Content - US 6:43 AM

• The memorandum states only that Iran's stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium be 'adequately addressed,' leaving unresolved the fate of enough material to fuel multiple weapons

International Reactions

• Senate Republicans are pressing the Trump administration for details on the deal and signaled Congress will ultimately vote on the final agreement

• European officials are wary of committing naval ships to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz because of confusion about how the work would be done and Trump's strict end-of-week timeline

• China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for greater international support for the next phase of Iran-US peace talks on Tuesday, cautioning that the interim agreement marks only the beginning of a longer peace process

• European allies disagree with Trump's optimism that trade can resume by week's end and have practical questions about what was agreed before committing to de-mining missions

Shipping and Energy Markets

• A third fully-loaded crude tanker, the Suezmax Sonia I capable of hauling about 1 million barrels, left the Iranian port of Chabahar on Tuesday night and crossed the US blockade line heading toward Singapore

• Two oil tankers heading toward Africa U-turned in the Indian Ocean this week, switching destinations to the Middle East as shipowners race to re-position vessels ahead of the possible Strait of Hormuz reopening

• Qatar is beginning to bring some of its LNG tankers back to the Middle East, with at least four empty vessels recently heading toward the region after being idle or heading in a different direction

• Brent oil fell below $80 a barrel on Tuesday for the first time in more than three months as the US-Iran deal boosted expectations for a revival in supply

• The prediction market Kalshi assigns a 51% probability that Strait of Hormuz traffic will return to normal before August 1 and a 68% probability before September 1

Oil Market Impact

• The IEA said world oil consumption will slump by 1.1 million barrels a day this year, the biggest drop since the Covid pandemic in 2020, as higher fuel prices and disruptions curb buying

• The IEA previously expected a decline of about 420,000 barrels a day, making the revised forecast much deeper than anticipated

• A potential peace deal paves the way for a renewed supply glut in 2027, according to the IEA

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 07:10

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Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia
Hormuz Normalization Begins As Saudi Supertankers Exit And A Flood Of Persian Gulf Oil Heads For Asia

Energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz are beginning to restart on Thursday after the interim U.S.-Iran peace deal, with several Saudi-controlled supertankers transiting the critical waterway and exiting the Persian Gulf.

There is a massive backlog of crude and LNG tankers in the Persian Gulf, preparing to exit the Hormuz chokepoint bound for Asia. Bloomberg says 31 supertankers, carrying about 62 million barrels of crude, could soon exit.  

The actual number of crude and LNG tankers preparing to exit could be much higher, as some tankers may turn off their transponders. Once exited, many of those tankers are slated for ports in East Asia and will take roughly three weeks to arrive.

One of the key developments overnight was that three Saudi-controlled supertankers, including Bahri-controlled Saudi VLCCs Shaden, Jaham, and Awtad, switched on their transponders and began exiting the Persian Gulf.

Maritime traffic remains far below normal levels and could take many months to return to normal.

"There are certain practical steps that we believe are necessary before the vessels that have been stranded in the Gulf for the last 110 days can resume transiting the Strait of Hormuz," Sheila Cameron, CEO, and Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation at the Lloyd's Market Association, told Bloomberg in a statement.

Cameron continued, "The main requirement for recovery is stability and certainty for shipowners and insurers. The road to recovery in the Gulf will be a long and complicated one. It will take months for some sort of normality to return to international shipping with vessels in the wrong place and supply chains distorted."

Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs' co-head of Global Commodities Research, told clients, "We now assume that Persian Gulf exports normalize to pre- war levels by the end of July."

On Thursday morning, Brent crude futures fell below $78, while West Texas Intermediate was near $74. Traders are already pricing in the coming flood of seaborne crude.



Dubai and Murban crude futures curves have flipped into contango, Oman crude is trading at a discount to Dubai, and some diesel cargoes are trading below benchmark levels after commanding lofty premiums.

The first signs of normalization are already visible, following President Trump's acknowledgment on Wednesday at the G7 Summit that the interim peace deal with Iran to reopen Hormuz was signed as the U.S. was nearing the point of "running out of reserves in about four weeks."


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
Struyven noted that even if the expected "normalization" occurs by the end of next month, flows may recover to only 70% of pre-war levels ...



Latest overnight headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Peace Deal

• President Trump signed an interim peace deal with Iran on Wednesday evening at the Palace of Versailles, following the G7 summit

• The deal is now in effect and was signed electronically by both presidents, according to US and Iranian officials

• The memorandum of understanding opens the way for 60 days of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and other issues

• Iran will receive sanctions waivers allowing it to sell oil immediately and gain access to a $300 billion economic development program

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US can reimpose an ironclad blockade if Iran doesn't comply with the deal

Strait of Hormuz Reopening

• Three Saudi supertankers carrying about six million barrels of oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the first Saudi-owned crude tankers to cross since the war began

• A laden LNG carrier and an empty products tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Thursday, sailing along a route approved by Tehran for safe passages

• Qatar brought an empty LNG tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began on Thursday

• Goldman Sachs estimates oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz may recover to only about 70% of pre-war levels, with normalization potentially completed by the end of next month

Economic Impact

• US gasoline prices fell below $4 a gallon on Thursday for the first time since March, down from a May peak above $4.50

Deal Criticism and Complications

• Trump faced pushback from Republicans who object to the deal and the billions of dollars set to flow to Tehran

• Trump brushed aside several red lines on Wednesday, suggesting Iran should have the right to enrich uranium, develop ballistic missiles and access frozen funds

• Israel rejected a US request to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, citing continued presence of Hezbollah, threatening to complicate broader peace efforts

Iran Leadership Investigation

• The US Justice Department is conducting a probe into how Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, examining allegations of money laundering and corruption

Related Legal Developments

• A federal judge allowed the Justice Department to drop a criminal case against Turkish state-owned Halkbank on Wednesday for allegedly helping Iran evade US sanctions

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 07:20

ZeroHedge News
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Massive Ukrainian Drone Swarm Attack On Moscow Hits Refinery
Massive Ukrainian Drone Swarm Attack On Moscow Hits Refinery

While attention this week has been fixed on the lower part of Eurasia, where the U.S. and Iran have finally signed an interim peace deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin normalizing tanker flows through the critical waterway, the other major conflict area in Eurasia is flashing new warning signs.

Overnight developments in the Russia-Ukraine war suggest the fighting continues to grind on with no near-term off-ramp, as critical energy infrastructure remains in the crosshairs.

Bloomberg reports that Ukraine launched its largest suicide drone barrage against Moscow to date, including strikes reaching the Moscow Oil Refinery.

The drone swarm attack disrupted operations across the capital on Thursday. All four civilian airports in Moscow suspended flights, Sheremetyevo evacuated passengers to shelters, and local authorities shuttered several major highways.

A major refinery owned by Gazprom Neft was hit again after an earlier strike this week set parts of the facility ablaze.

Footage on X shows the drone swarm attack.  


Ukrainian strike on a Russian fuel depot sends a tank airborne from the rooftop blast. pic.twitter.com/z7arERuEJZ
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 18, 2026

Incredible videos coming out of Moscow today.
Wave after wave of Ukrainian suicide drones striking the Moscow Oil Refinery. pic.twitter.com/7KardN2QIx
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 18, 2026

HOLY SMOKES! Moscow right now 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Oxz4pLHIwQ
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) June 18, 2026
Russia's Defense Ministry said air defense systems downed 555 Ukrainian drones across 17 regions and occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian forces said they shot down four of seven Russian ballistic missiles and 212 of 239 drones targeting Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Sumy.

The escalation by both sides comes as President Trump kicked off the G7 summit in France earlier this week, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other G7 leaders.

"We had a very good meeting," Trump told reporters after the meeting. "Russia should make a deal. Russia has lost tremendous amounts of people and so has Ukraine."

With a temporary peace now holding in the Middle East as U.S. and Iranian negotiators begin nuclear talks, the White House's geopolitical focus may be shifting back toward Eastern Europe.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 07:45

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"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs
"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs

Up until now, Americans primarily hated the flood of data centers popping up around the country like mushrooms (at least those that haven't been canceled or delayed due to regulatory pushback, lack of electricity or outright hostility) because of surging electricity prices and the rising tide of unemployment as chabots gradually make America's white collar workers obsolete. Now they can add surging consumer price inflation to the list of reasons to hate data centers, whose ravenous demand for memory has sent prices to record highs.

According to the WSJ, Apple plans to raise prices on its products to offset the surging costs of memory and storage chips, CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

“Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable,” he said. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.”

Cook declined to offer details on the timing or scale of the planned price increases, nor which products would be affected. Apple’s next major product launch is likely to be in September when it releases the iPhone 18 lineup, expected to include a new foldable iPhone. 

Price increases, especially for Macs and iPads, could come sooner. Apple - which is only the first major consumer electronics company to succumb to surging input prices and pass them through to consumers - raised the starting price of the Mac Mini last month in between launch events.

Skyrocketing demand for memory and storage chips from artificial-intelligence companies has pushed up their cost so much that Apple would have to raise device prices substantially to maintain its profit margins. Passing the higher cost on to consumers while maintaining its profit margin would add about $270 to the price of the next iPhone Pro model, or a price increase of more than 20% estimates research firm TechInsights.

While Apple doesn’t report the gross profit margins on individual products, the TechInsights research suggests the margin on the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro was a tidy 47%. To maintain that profit margin for the iPhone 18 Pro, based on estimated costs, the company would have to charge $1,371. Because the company likes standardized pricing, the starting price tag would more likely be $1,299, yielding a 44% gross profit. 

And this calculation doesn’t account for a potential new camera system that will also cost Apple about 50% more than previous models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In that case, following the same math, Apple could set the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,399—or higher.

A full breakdown of the math behind the increase can be found in this WSJ article. 
Source: WSJ

While chips have emerged as the key bottlenecks for agentic-focused data centers, even more so than GPUs/CPUs, the resulting price surge has prompted manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix to focus production on high end HBM products, while shrinking supply for more modest DRAM products which however are used in virtually every modern product; chips for memory and storage are key components inside most computing devices, including smartphones, laptops, game consoles, medical equipment and even cars. But with AI servers gobbling up rapidly increasing volumes of those chips - with little to none price discrimination since it is the latest batch of bondholders who ends up footing the bill - even a company as rich and powerful as Apple is struggling to secure supply.

Since last year, when Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon began announcing big increases in their capital spending budgets, the prices for memory and storage chips have both quadrupled. TechInsights expects both prices to continue increasing into 2027, unless a flood of Chinese chips hits the market .

Memory, also called DRAM, and storage, also called NAND, are like elements of a mid-20th-century office: The memory is a desk that holds all the papers a worker needs to perform a task, while storage is the filing cabinet that holds everything else. Smartphones use DRAM memory to run apps currently in use; they use NAND storage to file away photos and videos, for example. And since both products were (and are) a pure commodity, there were are substitute makers in the Western world besides the big memory companies. 

Cook said prices for memory and storage are both issues for the company, though he focused on the DRAM market in particular, calling out the increased allocations going to so-called high-bandwidth memory that is used for AI servers.

“There’s less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases,” said Cook. “We definitely need memory pricing and supply to return to reasonable levels for consumer products. That’s the bottom line.”

Three companies dominate the market for DRAM memory: Samsung and SK Hynix in South Korea, and Micron in the U.S. Makers of NAND storage include those three companies as well as Kioxia and Sandisk. Their stock prices, along with their profits, have exploded over the past twelve months: Micron and SK Hynix shares have risen more than 800% while Kioxia and Sandisk have risen 4,600%.

Seeing the unprecedented demand, memory companies are building more factories: Morgan Stanley forecasts that production capacity for DRAM wafers, the silicon discs on which chips are patterned, will grow 30% by 2027. Yet as suppliers prioritize the specialized AI memory, wafers for consumer tech will fall up to 15% short of demand, Morgan Stanley estimates, although the bank may be conflicted due to its substantial exposure to various companies in the AI ecosystem, which would be terribly vexed if Morgan Stanley were to reach a different conclusion (like, for example, that China - that great commodity crushed - is coming online with massive output in the coming months which will send prices for at least baselines DRAM and NAND sharply lower).

While China has national champion companies in memory and storage, but due to national-security rules, American companies would likely require licenses to work with them. When asked if those restrictions should be loosened, Cook said: “I think everything needs to be on the table,” adding, “I think we should look at all supply.”

He is right: as we showed recently, chips and memory have emerged as one of the biggest drivers of wholesale inflation, and now that it is being passed on to consumers, it is only a matter of time before the inflation-averse White House starts making very loud noises, demanding an artificial limit on how high memory prices can rise.

Apple is late to the party: Companies that make PCs, game consoles, smartphones and more have already raised prices, including Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Nintendo. A consortium of industry associations recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick complaining about the overallocation of memory to AI buyers and asking for help to increase supply.

Morgan Stanley estimates a 15% bump for prices of smartphones and PCs in the U.S. this year. This price hike will have a limited impact on the consumer price index, which has only a small weighting for such devices. Yet any price increase on the popular iPhone will immediately grab Washington’s attention. 

Compounding the issue is Apple’s need for additional DRAM to support more AI features, including a rebooted Siri announced last week. And the company has long used NAND storage upgrades to boost profits, charging $100 to $200 for extra increments that cost it just a fraction of that.

In the interview, Cook said Apple stands ready to use its cash reserves to boost memory supply. “We’re willing to use our balance sheet to help be a part of the solution,” he said but added that “obviously, more capacity is needed.” 

Cook declined to offer specifics. It is unclear how Apple could match, let alone beat, the deal terms that AI hyperscalers are offering to lock up supply, and how much of a hit to the company's profits such a move would be. Those companies are signing three-to-five year agreements with huge cash prepayments that Apple is unlikely willing to match, given its long history of disciplined spending.

Cook said Apple wouldn’t use its cash and silicon expertise to build its own memory and storage factories. “We can’t do everything,” said Cook. “We know what we’re good at.”

Apple spends in the low tens of billions of dollars per year on memory and storage, according to people familiar with its costs, making it one of the largest customers in the world. Historically it has used its heft to wring the lowest prices out of suppliers, playing them off each other and leaving them little profit. As AI companies have stormed into the market, suddenly Apple has to wait in line.

Cook said during his time working in the electronics supply chain, from IBM to Compaq to Apple, he had never seen a commodity price swing like the one from the past six months. “This is a hundred-year flood,” said Cook. “I’ve never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years.”

Luckily, every flood comes with a drain, and as usual it is made in China. A few weeks ago, we reported that "China Begins Flooding The Market With DRAM And NAND Memory Chips", and followed up with a report yesterday that China's DRAM giant CXMT has gotten a final node for the largest mainland IPO since 2022 (as has YMTC, China’s leading NAND flash maker, #4 globally). In short, CHina is preparing to do to this commodity market what it has done to every other one in recent years: unleash massive price cuts to steal market share, and leave the incumbents in the trash heap (just look at Europe's imploding auto manufacturing sector).

Sure enough, we are now getting reports that none other than Google is evaluating procuring DRAM from Chinese vendors.

And once Google can do it, so will everyone else, at which point sit back and watch as the epic memory bubble crashes and burns. 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:01

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Congress Reaches Deal On Housing Bill With CBDC Ban Until 2030
Congress Reaches Deal On Housing Bill With CBDC Ban Until 2030

Authored by Jesse Coghlan via Cointelegraph, reviewed by Felix Ng.

The US House and Senate have reached a deal to move forward with a housing bill that includes a ban on the Federal Reserve creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) until 2030.



A bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders released an updated version of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act on Tuesday, which aims to address housing affordability and bans institutional investors from buying existing single-family homes to rent out.

The bill has included a CBDC ban since the Senate passed it in March. The House also passed its version of the bill with strong support in May, but the House and Senate disagreed on some aspects. The Senate has now added further amendments that will be put before the House for a final vote.

The bill is likely to pass quickly and would hand a win to Republicans who have tried to pass a CBDC ban for years, as earlier standalone bills had stalled in Congress. Crypto advocates have long criticized CBDCs, which they see as an attempt by governments to repurpose crypto technology to a centrally-controlled asset.



The deal also means Congress can focus on passing other legislation before the August recess and the November midterm elections, in particular, the crypto-regulating CLARITY Act that many lawmakers have been pushing to advance.

House Republican leaders plan to put the bill up for a vote after the House returns from recess on June 23, two people familiar with the plan told Politico.

The housing bill includes language that says the Federal Reserve may not, directly or indirectly, “issue or create a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency.”

It adds the clause will expire on Dec. 31, 2030, and creates a carveout for crypto stablecoins, or “dollar-denominated currency that is open, permissionless, and private.”

The clause revives much of the language from Republican Representative Tom Emmer’s Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which was introduced in June 2025, passed by the House the next month, but was never picked up in the Senate.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 banning federal agencies from all work related to CBDCs, saying they threatened “the stability of the financial system, individual privacy, and the sovereignty of the United States.”

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:05

ZeroHedge News
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Speculation About A SpaceX–Tesla Merger Is Already Growing
Speculation About A SpaceX–Tesla Merger Is Already Growing

SpaceX’s record-breaking IPO has fueled speculation that Elon Musk could take an even bigger step: merging SpaceX with Tesla to create a roughly $4 trillion technology conglomerate spanning rockets, AI, satellites, electric vehicles, robotics, energy, and social media, according to a new report from the New York Times. 

The idea has gained traction among investors, analysts, and even SpaceX executives. Tesla and SpaceX already share personnel, collaborate on major projects, and have business ties through AI development, data centers, batteries, and vehicle sales.

Because Musk controls SpaceX and is Tesla’s largest shareholder, any merger would effectively be a deal with himself, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and shareholder lawsuits. However, legal experts say Texas corporate law—where both companies are now incorporated—makes such challenges difficult. Shareholders generally need to own at least 3% of a company’s stock to sue, a threshold that would require roughly $45 billion in Tesla shares.

The Times notes that approval would still require support from two-thirds of Tesla shareholders. Musk controls about 20% of Tesla’s voting power, and many investors have historically backed his initiatives. Tesla’s board has also frequently aligned with Musk, while SpaceX recently added longtime Musk associate Roelof Botha to its board.



Supporters argue a merger could unlock significant synergies. Tesla’s expertise in chips, AI, and data-center construction could complement SpaceX’s ambitions in orbital infrastructure, satellite communications, and space-based computing. Ark Invest, which owns shares in both companies, has said the combination makes strategic sense, though it would prefer Tesla’s self-driving taxi business to mature first.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell has acknowledged potential benefits, saying a merger could simplify Musk’s responsibilities and noting clear overlaps between the companies’ futures: “There’s no question that there are synergies between Tesla and SpaceX in our futures.”

Opponents could challenge the deal through securities-fraud claims, antitrust scrutiny, or national-security concerns, particularly given the companies’ combined presence in AI, robotics, communications, and space technology. Still, experts believe regulators would face significant hurdles, especially if the combined company continued to perform well.

“As long as he keeps running the business well and the stock price keeps going up, that is a pretty good bar to bringing a securities fraud suit,” said James Spindler, a professor of corporate law at the University of Texas School of Law.

Ultimately, the greatest obstacle may be financial rather than legal. As one corporate-governance expert noted, investors tend to support ambitious deals when markets are rising and shareholders are making money.

Charles Elson, the founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware told The New York Times that Musk “has got this cheering section who will follow him to the gates of Hades or gates of heaven, wherever he leads them.” 

“Basically he’s gotten to the point where he can do almost anything he wishes...” 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:15

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Futures Rise, Oil Drops As Market Prices In Iran Deal For Yet Another Day
Futures Rise, Oil Drops As Market Prices In Iran Deal For Yet Another Day

Futures rebounded from the post-FOMC selloff, and oil prices fell as Trump signed the Iran MOU two days early to end the war in the Middle East (in the symbolic Palace of Versailles of all place) and some energy shipments began to transit the Strait of Hormuz. As usual, tech led the parade higher. As of 8:00am ET, S&P futures were up 0.6%, but off overnight session highs, partly unwinding a more than 1% decline after Kevin Warsh signaled the Fed may have to raise interest rates this year to contain inflation; Nasdaq gained 1.3%; pre-market all Mag 7 are higher led by AMZN (+1.2%), META (+1.1%) and NVDA (+1.1%), reversing some of yesterday’s losses. Intel shares jumped more than 8% in premarket trading after Trump said the firm struck a chipmaking deal with Apple (a rehash of previous news but to this Pavolvian market, everything seems to be brand new). Overnight, the biggest headline was that the US/Iran MOU was officially in effect (final deal within 60 days, waiver for Iran to export oil, a $300bn reconstruction fund, terminating all types of sanction, per Axios). Bond yields are lower led by the long-end of the curve as 2y is still anchored by Fed commentary yesterday; 2y and 10y are -1bp and -4bp lower, respectively, the 10Y trading at 4.46%. The USD continues to climb with the DXY adding 53bp this morning. Brent slid 1.4% to around $78.50 a barrel and touched its lowest level since the start of the war while WTI fell -2.6% to $74.78; precious metals are largely flat this morning. US economic data calendar includes weekly jobless claims, June Philadelphia Fed business outlook (8:30am), May Leading Index (10am) and April TIC flows (4pm)



In premarket trading Mag 7 stocks are mostly higher (Nvidia +1%, Meta +0.5%, Tesla +0.3%, Amazon +0.2%, Microsoft -0.2%, Alphabet -0.5%).

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is up 0.6% after CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal that the iPhone maker plans to raise prices on its products to offset the increasing costs of memory and storage chips.
SpaceX (SPCX) falls 1.7%, set to extend the previous session’s drop, as it wraps up its first week as a public company following a record-breaking listing.
Accenture (ACN) tumbles 11% after the IT services company gave a revenue forecast for the fourth quarter that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations.
Albemarle Corp. (ALB) is up 1.8% after Citi raised its recommendation to buy from neutral on expected higher lithium prices.
Enphase Energy (ENPH) rises 4.1% after Barclays raised the recommendation on the company to equal-weight from underweight, citing its push into selling solid-state transformers to data centers.
Hive (HIVE) is up 15% after its subsidiary BUZZ High Performance Computing announced a partnership with Bell Canada, Cohere and Hypertec to build AI infrastructure in Canada.
Iren Ltd. (IREN) gains 3.3% as Jefferies initiated coverage of the Bitcoin miner and data center operator with a recommendation of buy on artificial intelligence data center demand.
Pfizer (PFE) is down 1.6% after the drugmaker said Chief Financial Officer Dave Denton will step down and leave the company on Aug. 15 for a professional opportunity in consumer goods outside the pharmaceutical industry.
Rumble (RUM) jumps 15% after the online video network platform said it plans to operate two core business units: video platform Rumble and cloud and AI-infrastructure business Quake AI, formerly Northern Data.
Four big June events are now in the rear view mirror — the first FOMC of the Warsh era, an Iran deal, the SpaceX’s IPO, and the first CPI print over 4% in 3 years. And yet, nothing appears able to dent the ongoing market meltup which is driven entirely by massive debt-funded capex spending into a handful of chip stocks.  

Ahead of the last trading day of the week for US markets, the peace deal is reducing the risk of further energy-supply disruptions. Stocks have largely shrugged off the turmoil and continued to notch record highs on the back of relentless enthusiasm for AI. Equity markets have come through the tests posed by the debut of SpaceX, Kevin Warsh’s first meeting as Fed chair and the US-Iran peace deal fairly unscathed, said Raphael Thuin, head of capital market strategies at Tikehau.

“With the MOU now signed, there’s reason to believe that we may be close to or past peak inflation,” Thuin said. “The market will be able to concentrate on earnings again, like for Micron next week.”

Bond investors, however, face the prospect of lingering risks that may keep the higher-for-longer rates narrative intact. Even though US gasoline prices have dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time since March, energy costs have only been one factor in keeping inflation stubbornly above the Fed’s target.

US gasoline prices dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time since March, providing relief to consumers after global supply disruption sent fuel costs soaring. In contrast, inflation pressures are likely to hit people in the pocket if they want to buy a new iPhone later this year, with Apple’s Tim Cook telling the Wall Street Journal that the company plans to raise prices to offset surging memory and storage chip costs

Despite lower oil prices, front-end Treasury yields remained at their highest level since February 2025, with traders cementing bets for a September US rate hike. In the UK, the yield on two-year gilts jumped six basis points to 4.2%, while the Bank of England kept guidance that it “stands ready to act” on inflation and left its key rate unchanged. The dollar extended gains.

A quick look back at the Fed decision: Wednesday’s Fed decision marked the fourth consecutive meeting in which policymakers left rates unchanged. Officials described economic growth as “solid” and highlighted strong productivity gains and capital investment, while making clear that inflation has become a greater concern than labor-market weakness. Warsh has been critical of over-communication and poor forecasting by the Fed, and the new regime is moving away from explicit forward guidance - investors can no longer rely on central bank signals and will have to price in policy uncertainty. The S&P 500 has historically faced challenges following changes in leadership at the Fed.  

“Half the committee is expecting rate hikes this year, which is a real shot across the bow at the market,” said Bob Michele, chief investment officer and global head of fixed income at JPMorgan Asset Management. “I think they’re getting ready for rate hikes.”

As for SpaceX, the company is seemingly sucking retail investors back into equities, flows into US equity ETFs have risen rapidly, notching the second highest-ever monthly flow, Bloomberg notes. Based on the price target of an initiation of coverage by Arete analyst Andrew Beale, SpaceX gets an implied $5.3 trillion valuation by end of 2027.

European stocks are missing out on the rally, with the Stoxx 600 down by 0.4%, dragged lower by the mining and autos sectors. Here are the biggest movers Thursday:

Edenred shares soar as much 18%, hitting their highest level since early November, after the payment solutions firm confirmed it has been approached by investment funds in the wake of a report of takeover interest from BC Partners
Generali shares rose as much as 3.3%, the most in 14 months, after newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore reported that UniCredit has informally proposed exchanging a 10% stake held by the Del Vecchio family holding Delfin in the insurer with its own shares
Oxford Instruments rises as much as 4.4% as Peel Hunt upgrades to buy from add and installs a new Street-high price target, based on durability of growth and scope for further operating leverage
Man Group shares rise as much as 3.4% to the highest since 2011 as BNP Paribas analysts upgrade their rating on the hedge fund manager to outperform from neutral and raise their target price
Informa shares rise as much as 3% as Morgan Stanley said the company has navigated the first five months of its financial year well, with strong results from its Live B2B Events and Academic Markets units
SSP advances as much as 5.1%, to the highest in eight weeks, after Davy initiates on the airport-focused food and beverage outlet operator with an outperform recommendation and 225p price target
Skistar climbs as much as 11%, the most since March 2025, after reporting third-quarter results which DNB Carnegie says show good cost mitigation and decent future pre-bookings
Tesco shares fall as much as 3.7% to their lowest level in two weeks after the UK’s biggest supermarket reported earnings which missed analyst expectations for like-for-like sales
Carrefour drops as much as 6.6% as JPMorgan places the French supermarket operator on a negative catalyst watch, saying first-half results on July 23 “might turn out to be a downgrade event”
Earlier in the session, Asian stocks rose as oil prices eased after President Donald Trump signed an interim peace deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed as much as 0.8% to set an intraday record, boosted by gains in tech names including SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. South Korea led advances in the region, with shares also rising in Taiwan and Japan. Crude prices continued to fall after Trump said a memorandum of understanding with Iran has taken effect, helping to ease inflation concerns for energy importing countries and offsetting hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve. A gauge of tech shares in Asia rose to a new high.Elsewhere in Asia, central banks in Indonesia and the Philippines — two economies hit hard by the sharp increase in global oil prices following the Iran war — both hiked their policy rates on Thursday. Indonesian stocks held losses, while Philippine shares pared gains.

In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index reverses an earlier decline, sending the euro below $1.15. The BOE, Switzerland, and Norway’s central banks all held rates. 

In rates, treasuries curve-flattening sparked by Wednesday’s hawkish Fed meeting extends as 2-year rises back toward highest levels since February 2025 — and within 25bp of the 10-year — while 30-year is more than 6bp lower on the day. Treasury 2-year is more than 2bps cheaper on the day while 10-year is nearly 3bp richer near 4.46% after touching 4.44% during London morning. US 2s10s and 5s30s spreads are 5bp and 6bp tighter respectively, after narrowing 8bp and 11bp to multi-month lows Wednesday. UK front-end underperforms, holding losses after Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% as it said the recent fall in oil prices was “encouraging.” UK 2-year, 6bp cheaper on the day, had muted reaction to Bank of England policy announcement decided by 7-2 vote.

In commodities, WTI crude oil futures are down 2%, off session lows after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released details on the text of the memorandum of understanding ending US attacks. Brent slid 1.4% to around $78.50 a barrel and touched its lowest level since the start of the war as three laden oil vessels controlled by Saudi Arabia’s state tanker giant switched on their signals in the Gulf of Oman after being stuck inside the Persian Gulf since the conflict began. 

US economic data calendar includes weekly jobless claims, June Philadelphia Fed business outlook (8:30am), May Leading Index (10am) and April TIC flows (4pm)

Market Snapshot



Top Overnight News

An impending wave of oil that’s been trapped inside the Strait of Hormuz is set to be unleashed on Asia, suddenly swamping a region that had managed to make up for lost supply in recent weeks. BBG
The average price of U.S. gasoline fell below $4 a gallon on Thursday for the first time in months, after Iran and the United States signed a preliminary agreement to cease hostilities for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell to a fraction of a penny below $4, down from $4.03 the day before, according to the AAA motor club. NYT
The MSCI China Index is on the cusp of a bear market, pressured by weakness in tech and consumer stocks. Alibaba and Tencent were the biggest drags on the day. BBG
The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% as it said the recent fall in oil prices was “encouraging.” Two of the nine policymakers voted for an immediate quarter-point hike over concerns of persistent inflation: BBG
The SNB left its key rate at zero as expected and said it retained its heightened readiness to sell the franc. Separately, the Swiss government trimmed its growth predictions for 2026 and next year, while slightly raising its inflation outlook. BBG
Brussels has opened communication channels with the Kremlin in recent weeks to scope out the potential for talks to end the war in Ukraine, as European capitals debate whether to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. FT
Norges Bank left its policy rate unchanged at 4.25%, as expected, but said it would likely be necessary to hike at one of the forthcoming meetings. Norges Bank
The U.K.’s unemployment rate inched down in the three months through April while wage growth remained flat, with continued weakness in the labor market reinforcing expectations that the Bank of England will keep interest rates on hold. WSJ
Microsoft Corp. has built a big business selling AI models to Chinese companies despite the growing rivalry between the US and China over artificial intelligence. ByteDance Ltd. has generally been Microsoft’s biggest AI customer in recent years, largely using OpenAI models, and is on track to spend more than $1 billion a year on Microsoft AI and cloud services. BBG
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Thursday that Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and manufacture its ‌chips in the United States. RTRS
Iran Headlines

Technical talks between the US and Iran will be held in Zurich on Friday, Al Hadath reported citing sources. Talks will include the legal aspects related to lifting Iranian sanctions, the issue of frozen funds and the Iranian nuclear file. Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia will also attend the talks. An unannounced negotiation session will discuss issues related to Lebanon and Hezbollah.
The fifth round of US-Iran negotiations will discuss Israel's withdrawal along with a timetable for the experimental zone, Al Hadath reported citing a Lebanese source. The source added that the US-Iranian agreement will intensify pressure on Israel to gradually withdraw and that there will be no retreat from restricting weapons to the state and deploying the army in the south. Lebanon is proceeding with direct negotiations with Israel.
Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed that the US and Iran will meet on Friday for initial talks on MoU execution.
The Swiss government, following the Iranian commentary, said the plan as it stands is still for the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar to meet on Friday in Switzerland to commence talks.
US War Secretary Hegseth said they are to review where the right place for basing is, when the Strait of Hormuz opens and are prepared to resume strikes and blockade if Iran does not comply with MoU.
US official said the Iran MoU was signed digitally on Sunday by US VP Vance and Iranian Speaker Ghalibaf, which was witnessed by US President Trump, while the US official said Iran MoU was signed on Wednesday by US President Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian.
US official says that Iran is to arrange safe, no-charge passage through Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, according to CNBC.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said the MoU between the US and Iran was decided to be signed digitally, while the plan for negotiating teams in Geneva remains in place, but there will be no signing ceremony in Switzerland. Baghaei stated that the 60-day period had started and that Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon would be regarded as a breach of commitments, while he also commented that the US has begun lifting the blockade on Iranian ships and that no enriched nuclear material will be sent abroad, and the dilution of nuclear material remains an option. Furthermore, he said Iran will reciprocate if the US fails to honour commitments, and that Iran is to charge fees for Strait of Hormuz safety services, as well as stated that Iran and Oman are to manage the Strait of Hormuz security, and noted that Switzerland talks with the US are not yet certain.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon would be regarded as a breach of commitments. The spokesman also said that the 60-day period starts today, according to the text.
Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions, but this does not mean acting against international laws or maritime navigation, while he added that payment for services through the Strait of Hormuz has been established in the MoU and that USD 300bln has been allocated to be invested in Iran, part of which will be spent on reconstruction. Furthermore, he said Iran's action is contingent on US compliance, with Iran to pursue action-for-action policy, as well as separately commented that Tehran can target ships entering Hormuz if needed, and that Tehran has sovereign rights to charge Hormuz tolls.
Source on Telegram posted that several IRGC boats were engaged in unspecified activity in the Strait of Hormuz, and that a US ship broadcast a warning message in Persian to tell them to cease operations and return to port, or else the US Navy would attack them.
An Israeli official said Israel has no intention of backing down on its positions and are holding stubborn negotiations with the US over its presence in southern Lebanon.
Israeli military operations reportedly continue in Lebanon despite the MoU, while Israel opposes Lebanon ceasefire terms in the US-Iran agreement, according to Al Jazeera.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk

APAC stocks traded mixed as the region reflected on recent key events, including the hawkish FOMC and Fed chair Warsh's first presser, in which the Fed kept rates unchanged, removed forward guidance, emphasised price stability, and provided hawkish dot plots. This triggered selling in stocks, treasuries and gold, while it boosted the dollar and yields, with money markets now fully pricing in an October hike. Nonetheless, some of the moves have since been pared, to varying degrees, as oil prices gradually declined following the announcement that the US and Iran have signed the MoU for ending the war, which is now in effect, but with the planned talks on Friday in Switzerland, said to not yet be certain. ASX 200 was subdued with most sectors in the red and the declines were led by tech and miners.
Nikkei 225 extended on record highs to surpass the 71,000 level as manufacturers benefited from lower oil prices and optimism of the reopening of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. KOSPI rallied and breached the 9,000 level for the first time amid strength in Samsung and SK Hynix. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were lower with underperformance in Hong Kong as the hawkish FOMC and increased prospects of a rate hike this year, pressured the local benchmark, given that any rate hike in the US would force the HKMA to move in lockstep with the Fed to defend the USD/HKD peg.

Top Asian News

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Kihara said the Japanese government is monitoring FX markets closely and will respond to FX moves as needed.
European bourses (STOXX 600 -0.5%) start Thursday's session on a mixed footing despite the US and Iranian presidents digitally signing the MoU. Germany's DAX 40 (+0.1%) is the clear outperformer, while the FTSE 100 (-0.8%) is the laggard as multiple companies trade ex-dividends. European sectors highlight a negative bias. Technology (+0.3%), Industrial Goods & Services (+0.6%) and Telecoms (+0.1%) are the only sectors in the green. To the bottom lies Optimised Personal Care (-1.8%), Basic Resources (-1.9%), and Autos (-1.3%).

Top European News

Germany's Ifo cut its German economic growth forecast for 2027 to 0.8% (prev. exp. 1.2%). Inflation expected at 2.9% this year and 2.7% in 2027.
Swiss Government cuts its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 0.9% (prev. 1.0%) and 2027 GDP growth forecast to 1.6% (prev. 1.7%, long-term avg. 1.8%).
FX

G10s were initially mixed against a lacklustre USD. However, as the morning progressed, the Dollar found some strength and surpassed the highs made post-FOMC; today’s peak is at 100.63. USD/JPY aggressively sold off earlier in the session from 160.80 to 160.48 but has since pared entirely.
GBP was initially flat, but now posts modest losses against the USD. The BoE announcement is due today, where the MPC is widely expected to keep rates on hold in a 7-2/8-1 vote split as recent data and energy moderation support the narrative that bank rate is restrictive. With markets assigning a 95% probability of no-change today, attention will be on the vote split. While consensus is for 7-2/8-1, hawkish dissent from Chief Economist Pill and potentially one or two more policymakers remains possible, and would likely spur a hawkish reaction. In addition to the BoE, GBP will also digest results of the Makerfield by-election which will likely see Labour candidate Burnham emerge as the winner, and challenge incumbent Starmer.
Norges Bank was broadly as expected with a fleeting kneejerk lower in NOK, the unwinding of tightening bets by c. 15% of market participants. The 2026 core CPI view was maintained and the 2027 one was trimmed modestly, as expected, while forecasts and commentary still show that inflation is “too high” and the Governor outlined that new information shows “inflation pressures are slightly stronger than we had anticipated earlier”. As such, the Norges Bank points to tightening ahead, roughly in line with market expectations. EUR/NOK +0.3%.
SNB kept rates unchanged in a mostly as-expected meeting. EUR/CHF is firmer today, potentially surrounding the fact that commentary around energy/raw materials suggests that the new forecasts do not account for the moderation in energy seen recently; over the medium term, sparking a return to concerns around inflation being too low in Switzerland. As such, EUR/CHF -0.2%.
Fixed Income

Global fixed benchmarks are trading on either side of the unchanged mark, with price action lacklustre since the European cash open. It appears that fixed benchmarks are taking a breather following this week’s hefty declines in yields, which comes amidst sustained pressure in the energy complex. On the geopolitical front, US-Iran have signed the MoU, which means the Strait of Hormuz is theoretically open for ships to pass through, whilst the US blockade will also be lifted.
USTs (-2 ticks) trades within a 109-09+ to 109-20+ range, and well off the lows seen overnight, which stemmed from a hawkish Fed on Wednesday. A full recap can be found on the headline feed, but in brief, the unchanged policy was accompanied by hawkish dot plots and the removal of the easing bias. From a yield perspective, the US 2s10s curve is flatter post-Fed, and currently holding around 27.5bps, a level not seen since Liberation Day (2nd Apr 2025). This has unsurprisingly been led by the short-end, following the hawkish Fed. However, should inflation begin to ease later this year, there is some chance that the spread begins to widen once again, with short-end yields reflecting a less hawkish Fed. The long end may also be affected, with focus on Chair Warsh announcing a dedicated task force to review the Bank’s balance sheet. Any hints of an acceleration of the roll-off would undoubtedly lead to a considerably steeper curve.
Bunds (-9 ticks) and Gilts (U/C) trade in line with peers. Focusing on UK paper, traders will await the BoE this afternoon and then the start of the Makerfield by-election. In brief, the BoE is expected to keep rates on hold at 3.75%, with a mixed vote split. Some see in a range of 8-1 to 6-3. Thereafter, attention shifts to domestic politics, whereby a Burnham victory could see him launch a leadership challenge; for reference, he is viewed as the worst candidate for Gilts. There is a full preview in the Research Suite for those interested.
France sells EUR 13.999bln vs exp. EUR 12-14bln 2.40% 2029, 3.25% 2032, 2.00% 2032 and 3.00% 2034 OAT.
Spain sells EUR 5.83bln vs exp. EUR 5-6bln 3.00% 2033, 3.40% 2036 and 4.90% 2040 Bono.
Commodities

Crude futures are softer, with WTI Aug'26 slipping below the USD 75/bbl mark (USD 73.42-75.75/bbl range) while Brent Aug'26 oscillates around a USD 78/bbl handle (USD 77.10-79.06/bbl band). US and Iranian leaders signed the MoU digitally, which has weighed on the energy complex. The deal allows for the immediate resumption of Iranian oil exports and possible access to a USD 300bln development programme, backed by sanctions waivers and unfreezing overseas funds. In exchange, Iran will never produce nuclear weapons. The MoU also confirmed earlier reporting that Iran's nuclear file will be deferred to talks for 60 days.
More recently, reporting by Al Hadath noted technical talks between the US and Iran will begin in Zurich on Friday, in which the legal aspects related to lifting Iranian sanctions, the issue of frozen funds and the Iranian nuclear file will be discussed. Attention remains on whether Israel will back away from fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. An Israeli official said that Israel has no intention of backing down on its positions and is holding stubborn negotiations with the US over its presence in southern Lebanon. However, energy benchmarks were unreactive following those comments.
Spot gold has slightly pared back Wednesday's losses which were driven by a hawkish Fed meeting. After dipping to a trough of USD 4219/oz yesterday, the yellow metal ventured higher throughout the Asia-Pac session and reached USD 4330/oz at best this morning.
3M LME Copper gapped lower and fell to a trough of USD 13.67k/t post-FOMC. In brief, the Fed held rates unchanged at 3.50-3.75%, however, the SEP highlighted a hawkish bias. 3M LME Copper has since traded rangebound, holding in a USD 13.67k-13.78k/t band.
Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries CEO said 89% of damaged petrochemical units returned to production, and the process of redesigning and strengthening production capacity is underway, ISNA reported.
Three Saudi Arabian-flagged supertankers laden with a combined 6mln barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to shipping data.
China's State Planner said effective at midnight June 18th, domestic gasoline and diesel prices will be cut by CNY 515/t and CNY 495/t, respectively.
Central Banks

The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75%, as expected, as it said the recent fall in oil prices was “encouraging,” Two of the nine policymakers voted for an immediate quarter-point hike over concerns of persistent inflation. The committee lowered its estimate of peak inflation to 3.25% in the fourth quarter of this year, below the 3.6% it had projected in April.
The SNB held rates unchanged at 0.00%, as expected. The Bank stated that the readiness to intervene in FX is higher and that monetary policy is appropriate to keep inflation within the range consistent with price stability. On inflation, the Bank stated that medium-term inflationary pressure, however, is virtually unchanged compared with the last monetary policy assessment.
SNB Chairman Schlegel said that monetary policy continues to have an expansionary effect. Geopolitical uncertainty remains, risks of strong upward pressure on the CHF remains. "If necessary, we therefore have an increased willingness to intervene..." in FX.
The Norges Bank held rates unchanged at 4.25%, as expected. The Bank stated that it will likely be necessary to raise the policy rate further at one of the forthcoming monetary policy meetings. Governor Bache stated in the release that inflation is too high and that new information indicates that inflation pressures are slightly stronger than we had anticipated earlier. The Bank's MPR was also revised higher, forecasting just above 4.5% at the end of 2026.
Ukraine geopol

Russia's Defence Ministry said 555 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russian areas overnight, according to IFX.
Russia attacked Kyiv with missiles and explosions heard in the capital, while it was separately reported that several Moscow airports have halted flights and Moscow's mayor announced that drones hit an oil refinery in a massive attack, according to TASS.
US Event Calendar

8:30 am: Jun 13 Initial Jobless Claims, est. 225k, prior 229k
8:30 am: Jun Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook, est. 10, prior -0.4
8:30 am: Jun 6 Continuing Claims, est. 1789k, prior 1795k
10:00 am: May Leading Index, est. 0.1%, prior 0.1%
4:00 pm: Apr Total Net TIC Flows, prior 150.7b
4:00 pm: Apr Net Long-term TIC Flows, prior 81.3b
DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap

Kevin Warsh’s first appearance as Fed Chair yesterday proved to be a momentous one, with a hawkish dot plot and Warsh’s inflation-fighting rhetoric leaving a sense that rate hikes are firmly under consideration. This shift led investors to fully price in a Fed hike by October, with the repricing weighing on risk assets and sending the S&P 500 -1.21% lower. However, futures are erasing most of this decline overnight following news yesterday evening that US and Iranian leaders signed an MoU to end the war.

Starting with the Fed, while the FOMC held rates steady for the fourth meeting in a row, the updated dot plot saw nine of eighteen participants pencil in at least one hike by year-end, and six expecting two hikes or more. A much-shortened post-meeting statement not only dropped the earlier dovish-leaning forward guidance but also included an unambiguous commitment to “deliver price stability”. Warsh then focused on inflation-fighting credibility in his press conference. At the outset he acknowledged the now 5-year-long upside miss on inflation, before repeatedly noting the importance of the Fed delivering on its “price stability” mandate. So, while the new Chair eschewed any policy guidance, including by not submitting his own forecast to the dot plot, he did not push back against the hawkish dot plot signal and did not lean into any potential dovish arguments. Separately, Warsh announced the establishment of task forces in five areas, including communications and the Fed balance sheet.

In all, the meeting left an undeniably more hawkish Fed tone. While our US economists maintain their baseline view that the Fed is likely to keep rates steady, they note that a Fed that does not rely on forward guidance might prove to be nimbler, setting up the potential for earlier rate hikes than anticipated. 

That shifting Fed rhetoric led to a dramatic fed funds repricing, with chances of a September hike rising from 36% to 80% by yesterday’s close and 38bps of hikes being priced in by year-end (+17.2bps on the day). In turn, 2yr Treasury yields (+13.1bps) saw their largest increase in over a year to a 15-month high of 4.19%. However, the 10yr yield was up by a more moderate +4.9bps while 30yr yields actually ended the day -1.2bps lower. That marked the sharpest daily flattening in the Treasury curve since April 9 last year, when Trump paused the Liberation Day tariffs following a sell-off in Treasuries.

The sharp Fed repricing weighed on risk assets, with the S&P 500 (-1.21%) and the NASDAQ (-1.34%) sliding, having been little changed pre-FOMC. The Mag-7 (-2.82%) led the decline, but the losses were broad as the S&P 500 saw the most daily decliners (429) so far this year. The aggregate decline would have been even worse were it not for the Philly semiconductor index (+1.38%) recovering after Wednesday’s losses. The rates repricing also weighed on assets such as gold (-1.71%) and Bitcoin (-2.15%). On the other hand, the dollar (+0.55%) gained against all G10 currencies.

However, this sell off has partially reversed overnight following news shortly after the US close that the Presidents of the US and Iran had electronically signed an interim deal to end hostilities, with this MoU coming into effect. The signing had initially been expected on Friday, but Axios reported earlier yesterday that this may be brought forward. According to reports, the 14-point MoU foresees a rapid re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, with an extendable 60-day period to negotiate a final deal that would cover nuclear issues and broad sanctions relief. The deal also envisages a $300bn fund for the "reconstruction and economic development" of Iran, though Trump stressed yesterday that the US will not be investing in Iran and that Iran would benefit only if it “behaves”. Following the MoU signing, Brent crude is -1.85% lower at $78.08/bbl as I type, more than reversing a +0.75% rise yesterday.

This has led to a positive backdrop for major Asian markets this morning. The Nikkei (+1.82%) and the KOSPI (+1.87%) are leading the gains and pushing to new highs, supported by strong advances in semiconductor stocks. Elsewhere, China’s CSI (+0.12%) and Shanghai Composite (-0.37%) are mixed, while the Hang Seng (-1.70%) is underperforming. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (-0.51%) is trading a little lower. Outside Asia, futures on the S&P 500 (+0.70%) and Nasdaq (+1.09%) are recovering most of Wednesday’s losses, but those on the STOXX 50 (-0.60%) are catching down to the earlier decline on Wall Street. Meanwhile, 10yr Treasury yields are down -3.9bps to 4.45% as I type.
In other corners of the market, the Japanese yen is largely unchanged, after falling -0.14% yesterday to a post-2024 low of 160.65 against the dollar. However, that decline was smaller than for other G10 currencies, with the restrained moves coming as the yen reached levels that triggered FX intervention back in late April.

Earlier yesterday, European equities advanced for a second day amidst optimism over the US-Iran deal. The Stoxx 600 (+0.52%) and Italy’s FTSE MIB (+0.31%) reached fresh highs, while the DAX (+0.10%) and FTSE 100 (+0.14%) made smaller advances. European bonds were mixed, with 10yr yields on bunds (-0.2bps), OATs (+0.3bps), BTPs (-0.7bps) little changed, while front-end yields moved slightly higher, with those on 2yr bunds up +2.1bps. Investors priced 32bps of ECB hikes by year end (+0.7bps yesterday), with ECB’s Simkus saying he expects “at least one more” rate hike by the ECB and that it’s important to cap inflation expectations.

Gilts were the notable outperformer in the rates space as investors looked forward to today’s Makerfield by-election, with the 10yr yield down -3.7bps to 4.7%. Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham is standing for the governing Labour Party and is widely expected to win, with results of the by-election expected in the early hours UK time tomorrow. This election could have important implications for markets as Burnham has said he'd stand in a leadership contest to replace incumbent UK Prime Minster Keir Starmer, with Polymarket now pricing a 77% likelihood of Burnham becoming PM by year-end. Burnham has said in the past that Britain shouldn't be "in hock" to the bond markets and suggested looser fiscal policies. However, Burnham has since committed to keeping the fiscal rules of the current government, leading investors to reduce the risk premium that had emerged in gilts and pound sterling.

Otherwise in the UK, the other main event today will be the BoE decision. Investors widely except the central bank to keep rates unchanged, with attention more focused on the vote split (our economists expect 7-2), and any evolution in guidance. This has come against a backdrop of still-sticky inflation, although yesterday’s dovish inflation print for May should boost the MPC’s confidence to buy more time. The print saw headline (+2.8% y/y vs +3.0% y/y expected) and core CPI (+2.6% y/y vs +2.7% y/y) miss expectations, though services (+3.7% y/y vs +3.6% y/y) fell in line with forecasts.

Reviewing yesterday’s other data, we saw a beat for US retail sales in May, with headline retail sales up +0.9% m/m (vs +0.6% m/m expected) and with retail control rising +0.7% m/m (vs +0.4% expected). With core goods CPI having eased in May, the beat for retail control was a real one rather than just due to higher prices.

Finally, rounding off yesterday’s central bank news, Sweden’s Riksbank left its policy rate unchanged at 1.75% as expected, but raised its policy rate forecast for year-end up 5bps to 1.82%.

To the day ahead now, in addition to the BoE, the SNB and Norges Bank will also hold their policy decisions. A slate of second-tier data releases includes the US June Philadelphia Fed business outlook, May leading index, initial jobless claims, UK unemployment rate, Italy April current account balance and Eurozone April construction output. Finally, today will see the start of the European Council summit (through June 19). 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:28

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Continuing Jobless Claims Hit 3-Month-Highs
Continuing Jobless Claims Hit 3-Month-Highs

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time fell from 230k (4 month highs) to 226k (vs 225k exp) last week - elevated but still within the range of the last four years...



Source: Bloomberg

Pennsylvania and Oregon saw the largest rise in initial claims last week while Ohio and Illinois saw the biggest decline...



Meanwhile, continuing jobless claims rose back above 1.8 million Americans - the highest print in 3 months - but still well off cycle highs near 2 million in Q4 2025...



Source: Bloomberg

The bottom line is that while initial claims are rising, they remain low by historical standards and continue to run below year-ago levels, reinforcing the more hawkish 'labor market is resilient' framework introduced yesterday.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 08:36

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Energy Cliff, Supply Chain Shock: The Toxic Cocktail Behind The Urgent Push For An Iran Deal
Energy Cliff, Supply Chain Shock: The Toxic Cocktail Behind The Urgent Push For An Iran Deal

The U.S.-Iran interim peace deal has been signed, and the normalization of the Strait of Hormuz is now beginning. Tanker traffic through the critical waterway is slowly resuming, though a full return to pre-war or near-pre-war energy flows could take months.

But behind the urgency to get the memorandum of understanding deal across the finish line were two uncomfortable realities.

First, President Trump recently met with oil and gas executives, who likely informed the administration that the conflict and the shuttered Hormuz maritime chokepoint were leading to an energy cliff that would materialize by mid-summer.

On Wednesday at the G7 Summit in France, Trump acknowledged the uncomfortable truth that SPRs used to offset lost Gulf energy production were being drained at an alarming rate.

"We run out of reserves in about four weeks," Trump told reporters.


Trump said the world would have run out of oil reserves in 4 weeks, put pressure for a peace agreement.
Says it would have been "bedlam" pic.twitter.com/k45MTI8sNs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 17, 2026
The latest Department of Energy data showed Cushing, Oklahoma, stockpiles declined for the eighth straight week, taking inventories to just above 20 million barrels. That's the lowest inventories have been at the storage hub since October 2014, and takes us to what are considered essentially 'tank-bottoms', the point at which the hub is unable to fully operate.


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
Second, the physical disruption in global supply chains had begun spreading beyond energy flows and into shipping costs, threatening to transmit the Hormuz crisis into broader goods inflation.

Last month, UBS analyst Pierre Lafourcade warned, "Supply chain stress is rising at its fastest pace since the early pandemic." This prompted Lafourcade to re-launch the Global Supply Chain Stress Index.

Earlier this morning, Lafourcade warned in a new note that "supply chain stress spreads to shipping cost" and that "continues to rise."

He continued:


Our Global Supply Chain Stress Index has continued to deteriorate, despite the recent decline in energy prices. In our update mid-May (here), we noted that the index had worsened by roughly 1.2 standard deviations since the onset of the Middle East conflict. Figure 1 below shows the latest June reading, based on weekly data up to last Friday (with missing observations proxied by the prior month's values). The median of the 23 component series (blue line) now stands at 2.9 standard deviations—an increase of around 2½ standard deviations since the conflict began—and marks the highest level since May 2022. This reading predates the geopolitical developments of the past few days and so may well end up being a high watermark. But we suspect a sustained improvement across many indicators will likely require a tangible normalization in the flow of global energy shipments, not just a decline in prices driven by expectations of resolution alone.



Our Global Supply Chain Stress Index has After a slow reaction to the conflict, shipping costs are now accelerating The indicator is constructed as the cross‑sectional average of z-scored series—a first-order approximation to the data's first principal component. Figure 2 overleaf shows the contributions over the past four months. The indicator most directly capturing the supply-shock nature of the Hormuz bottleneck is our measure of seaborne oil and gas flows (shown on the right of the figure, with the sign flipped to indicate rising stress). All other components reflect the shock more indirectly. Oil and gas shipping volumes have dropped even more from the immediate post-closure lows, while the volume of other cargo shipping has bounced back somewhat from earlier lows (see here for our latest read on global tracking). Delivery times and air-freight costs deteriorated primarily in March and April, with little additional movement since. Initially, supply chain stress appeared relatively contained and concentrated in these indicators. However, shipping costs now seem to be responding with a lag: after little change in March and April, prices have ramped up noticeably in May and June to date, across all major reporters (Baltic, Harper Petersen, Drewry, and Freightos).ntinued to deteriorate, despite the recent decline in energy prices. In our update mid-May (here), we noted that the index had worsened by roughly 1.2 standard deviations since the onset of the Middle East conflict. Figure 1 below shows the latest June reading, based on weekly data up to last Friday (with missing observations proxied by the prior month's values). The median of the 23 component series (blue line) now stands at 2.9 standard deviations—an increase of around 2½ standard deviations since the conflict began—and marks the highest level since May 2022.



This reading predates the geopolitical developments of the past few days and so may well end up being a high watermark. But we suspect a sustained improvement across many indicators will likely require a tangible normalization in the flow of global energy shipments, not just a decline in prices driven by expectations of resolution alone.


If SPRs are drained and supply chain stress keeps rising, the global economy moves from a manageable disruption to a stagflationary shock. That would send energy prices higher, create weaker fuel demand, lead to margin compression for companies, and eventually risk a recession.

The sequence of disasters that could've unfolded:

1. Energy prices reprice violently higher

2. Shipping costs feed into goods inflation

3. Corporate margins get squeezed

4. Consumers get hit

5. Central banks face the stagflation trap

6. Emerging markets falter

7. Global equities shift into recession pricing

These two pressures help explain why the Trump administration moved urgently to secure an MoU with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The immediate goal was to normalize tanker flows and avert an energy cliff as SPR buffers came under pressure. The second objective is to stop the Hormuz disruption from spilling deeper into global supply chains, where rising shipping costs, longer transit times, and tighter effective vessel capacity were beginning to transmit the shock beyond energy markets and into the broader global economy.

Professional subscribers can read more about the global supply chain and the Strait of Hormuz on our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:00

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I discovered my ideal Android Auto setup by tweaking these 4 default settings
Take a moment to toggle these settings, and your driving experience will improve immediately. You won't regret it.

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Samsung's rolling 4K monitor is nearly 30% off - and it doubles as a TV
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The latest KDE Plasma 6.7 surprised me with features I didn't expect from a point release
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45 of the Best Movies on Netflix You Should Stream Now
Check out some old classics and great new releases on Netflix now.

CNET News
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Adobe Says Its Expanded AI Agents Are There to 'Guide You Down the Happy Path'
You are the creative orchestrator with the new AI assistants coming to Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Illustrator.

BBC UK News
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Teacher who murdered and abused adopted baby jailed for whole life term
Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Jamie Varley.

The Guardian (UK)
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Amber heat warnings issued across southern England over weekend
Temperatures expected to hit 30C on Friday and remain high until Tuesday as second heatwave in three weeks approachesAmber heat warnings have been issued across southern England as a second heatwave in the space of three weeks approaches.Temperatures are expected to climb to 30C (86F) on Friday, rising to 32C on Sunday and 34C on Monday. In May the UK’s temperature record for that month was broken with highs of 35C. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Olivia Miles: the goggled wonder woman pulverizing WNBA opponents in her rookie season
The Minnesota Lynx point guard’s creativity has made an impact in her first pro season and has fans racing to watch her highlight reelsSign up to get WNBA 30 in your inbox every TuesdayFor dedicated WNBA fans, every morning begins with the same question: what did Olivia Miles do this time? A no-look pass through three defenders? A crossover that sends another grown woman staggering out of frame? Statue of Liberty layups launched from angles that flout Euclidean geometry? You just never know with this wonder woman. The rush she gives fans makes a double espresso feel like a nightcap.No player in the WNBA has brought more joy to the season’s opening month than Miles, who has quickly emerged as one of the league’s most compelling talents. Fifteen games into her professional career, the 23-year-old North Jersey native has already established herself as the engine of the Minnesota Lynx offense, pacing the team in average scoring (19.0) and assists (5.7) while sinking more than half her shot attempts. In a 99-83 road win against a short-handed Los Angeles Sparks team on Wednesday night, Miles poured in a season-best 31 points on a blistering 80% percent shooting in just 26 minutes. Continue reading...

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OL Lyonnes and Scotland’s Caroline Weir: ‘I would love to be competing for the Champions League’
Midfielder is chasing a trophy-laden spell in France and hopes a dream can be fulfilled by playing in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in BrazilJune 2026 is a month Caroline Weir is unlikely to forget. She scored seven goals in two Scotland games as they clinched top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, watched on with joy at 2am as Scotland’s men secured their first World Cup finals win for 36 years and then her move to OL Lyonnes was confirmed by the eight-time European champions.The Scotland captain says the lure of playing for Europe’s most decorated women’s club made the transfer an easy decision after four happy years playing for Real Madrid. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump’s ‘Department of War’ may soon become official. What would that mean? | Norman Solomon
In US statecraft and warcraft, the president and Pete Hegseth are now saying previously quiet parts out loudThe Department of Defense will soon officially become the Department of War, if Republicans get their way. Key committees in the House and Senate have approved the name change, and Donald Trump is eager to sign it into law. The rebranding is candid and ominous, offering a future of heightened zeal for killing, maiming and destroying.Christened in 1949, the Department of Defense unified the military branches with the Pentagon as their headquarters. Since then, presidents have routinely promoted each new war as vital for the defense of the United States and its values, a pretense that has pervaded mainstream media and political discourse.Norman Solomon is an American journalist, media critic, left-leaning progressive activist, and former US Congress candidate Continue reading...

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Soul classics and stepmother celebrations: Alicia Keys’ 20 best songs – ranked!
Twenty-five years after she released her debut album, we pick the best of an artist pairing Chopin-inspired piano with pop, soul and powerful emotionTwo different takes on the same album – one traditional, the other more beat-heavy – packaged together, Keys was an experiment that didn’t quite work, but Skydive, co-written with Raphael Saadiq, is a fine song: both versions are great but Mike WiLL Made-It’s bumping rework wins by a fraction. Continue reading...

Wired Top Stories
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Waymo Recalls Robotaxis Over Risk They'll Drive at Speed Into Freeway Construction Zones
The company's latest recall of 3,871 vehicles follows incidents of its autonomous cars prioritizing other hazards or failing to recognize closed construction zones altogether.

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'He was playing so well' - Duckett run out as NZ make breakthrough
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Teacher who murdered adopted baby son Preston Davey given whole life prison sentence
Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Jamie Varley.

The Hill
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US, Iran deal took 'immediate effect' after both sides signed, official says
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Can AI do Congress's work for it?
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The Hill
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Live updates: Vance set to brief at White House as Trump's MOU with Iran comes under fire
Vice President Vance will brief the media at 11 a.m. from the White House as President Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran comes under fire from Republicans. Trump signed the MOU Iran while dining late Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron. He's set to return to the United States this...

The Hill
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Hegseth announces review of US forces in Europe, rips NATO allies
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday ripped into NATO allies while announcing a new six-month review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe, accusing the alliance of being a "paper tiger." Hegseth told defense ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels that the review will ensure the alliance moves "fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading,"...

The Hill
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Trump Jr.: Cruz 'lying thru his teeth'
Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday slammed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for criticizing the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) for investing in Iran's reconstruction.  Trump Jr. said Cruz was “lying thru his teeth” in a post on the social platform X, accusing the senator of not being aligned with MAGA initiatives.  “The only problem with this...

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Obama Presidential Center opens Thursday: Here's what to know
The Obama Presidential Center will open its doors on Friday, June 17th, with a star-studded ceremony featuring The Roots, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Common, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2's Bono and The Edge, and Marsai Martin.

The Hill
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The FDA's data on mifepristone can't be trusted — here's why
For the review to withstand the necessary scrutiny it will face upon publication, the FDA must prioritize robust, real-world data sources.

The Hill
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Trump: Apple partnering with Intel on chip design, production in US
President Trump announced early Thursday Apple will partner with semiconductor manufacturer Intel to design and produce chips in America as the White House pushes to reshore manufacturing to the U.S. Trump, in an overnight Truth Social post, said U.S. companies "design everything" but "need to build it here," including the production of semiconductor chips used...

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O'Reilly on Trump Iran deal: 'Plan B is underway'
Political commentator Bill O’Reilly said Wednesday the Trump administration reaching a deal with Iran is “plan B” after the war did not turn out as President Trump and his team intended. “This is plan B,” O’Reilly told host Chris Cuomo on NewsNation’s “Cuomo.” “So plan A didn't work. Plan A was kill the leadership and...

The Hill
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Vance to brief the press following Iran MOU signing
Vice President Vance will brief reporters in the White House briefing room on Thursday following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran.  The briefing will mark Vance's second time at the briefing podium since press secretary Karoline Leavitt went on maternity leave earlier this year. The vice president will...

Mac Rumours
Open 
Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs
Apple is raising its prices to offset the high cost of memory and storage, CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal. Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased prices and will need to pass some of the cost on to consumers.





"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook. "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."



Cook did not say which products will get price increases or how much pricing will go up. The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max coming in September could be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. Prices on iPads and Macs could go up in the near future.



Apple already raised the price of the Mac mini from $599 to $799 by eliminating its lowest-tier model. Apple has also eliminated several higher-tier ‌Mac mini‌ and Mac Studio options.



Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies has led to chip shortages and higher costs. The Wall Street Journal suggests Apple will need to increase device costs "substantially" to maintain its current profit margins given the cost of memory chips and SSDs. Research firm TechInsights claims Apple will need to make the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ around $270 more expensive to keep its existing profit margin.



Apple is struggling more with memory chips, but storage chips are also an issue. "There's less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases," Cook told The ‌Wall Street Journal‌. Cook said Apple will use its cash to increase memory supply, but he did not give details on what that means.



Apple does not plan to create its own memory and storage factories. "We can't do everything," Cook said. "We know what we're good at."



While memory chip makers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are increasing production capacity, much of that added capacity will prioritize server chips. Demand for consumer-device chips is expected to continue to outpace supply. At the same time, Apple needs to increase the DRAM in its devices to support new AI features. Cook likened the memory shortages to a hundred-year flood. "I've never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years," he said.



Apple is one of the largest purchasers of memory and storage worldwide, but it is likely reluctant to make the same deals AI companies do. Those deals involve signing multi-year agreements with a large cash prepayment.



Multiple companies have already raised their prices, including Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell.

Tag: Tim CookThis article, 'Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
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BREAKING: Ringleader of UFC White House terror plot is an Obama DACA illegal
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Mail Online
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'The King wants reconciliation': Charles WILL meet with Harry, Meghan and their children 'in private' when the whole family make rare visit to UK next month, royal experts say
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Sky News Home
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AI nose uses 'Smell Language Model' to sniff out signs of disease
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Coronation Street's Tina O'Brien locks lips with TikTok star Rory Martin in steamy street clinch - seven months after splitting from millionaire boyfriend
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Mail Online
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The Guardian (UK)
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Amber heat warnings issued for parts of southern England
Temperatures expected to hit 30C on Friday and remain high over weekend as second heatwave in three weeks approaches Amber heat warnings have been issued for parts of southern England as a second heatwave in the space of three weeks approaches.Temperatures are expected to climb to 30C (86F) on Friday, rising to 32C on Sunday and 34C on Monday. In May the UK’s temperature record for that month was broken with highs of 35C. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf under way after two-hour weather delay on day one – live
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The Guardian (UK)
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‘Mistreatment became normality,’ inquiry into Muckamore Abbey hospital abuse finds
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Deutsche Welle
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Deutsche Welle
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Do any of Thomas Tuchel's England side start ahead of Sven-Goran Eriksson's golden generation? Pick your combined XI after Three Lions' emphatic win over Croatia
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Chatham House
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Can cities and states lead the shift to climate resilience?
Can cities and states lead the shift to climate resilience?
24
June 2026 — 17:00 TO 18:00 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
4 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
Hear from mayors, governors and regional leaders driving climate action and resilience from the ground up.
Hear from mayors, governors and regional leaders driving climate action and resilience from the ground up.














Cities, local and regional governments are playing an increasingly decisive role in delivering practical solutions on climate action. Their proximity to communities, infrastructure systems and local economies enables faster, more targeted responses to flooding, heat, energy insecurity and economic disruption.But subnational leadership is not only about implementation. Local government and regions often control the policy levers, regulatory frameworks and long-term planning needed to scale resilience and accelerate the transition to clean energy systems. Together with cities, they are shaping new models of climate governance that are more connected to economic delivery, public services and regional development.This event will discuss:Why are cities, local government and regions delivering climate action more effectively than national governments?What powers and advantages do subnational governments hold?What barriers limit climate action in under-resourced jurisdictions, particularly in emerging economies?How are subnational leaders balancing immediate resilience needs with long-term transition goals?What does effective multilevel governance look like in an era of geopolitical fragmentation and fiscal pressure?

Chatham House
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The Open Centre: Reimagining Europe’s offer to a fractured world
The Open Centre: Reimagining Europe’s offer to a fractured world
The World Today
iallan.drupal
8 June 2026

Europe must resist the temptation to become a fortress in a closed West. Instead, amid America and China’s geopolitical struggle, it has the history and values to be the place where the rest of the world finds common cause, writes Grégoire Roos.















Introducing ‘The World Tomorrow’The international order by which much of the world, for better or for worse, has lived for nearly eight decades is eroding. What might succeed it? To try to answer that question and the many others that come with it, we are introducing ‘The World Tomorrow’, a strand for fresh ideas about the direction of global order. To start, Grégoire Roos presents his vision of a new role for Europe – we hope you enjoy it and the occasional essays, interviews and conversations that will follow.Visitors to the recent exhibitions in Germany commemorating the 250th anniversary of the painter Caspar David Friedrich would have been struck by the peculiar, almost mystical, posture of his solitary figures on the edge of the void. So intent are they on the world dissolving into mist before them that they seem almost to overlook the first light gathering beyond it. Neither simply melancholic nor entirely despairful, those are figures of hesitation – poised between what is fading and what is beginning.






Carney’s speech said what many European leaders hesitate to say aloud: we are living through a definite rupture, not a passing disturbance.






Friedrich’s wanderers offer a fitting metaphor for Europe’s predicament today: a civilization pressed to decide whether it wishes merely to remember the world it once shaped, or to help mould the world now coming into view. That question is no longer aesthetic or philosophical alone. It has become brutally strategic for the whole continent. In this regard, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney’s speech at Davos earlier this year was striking not because it told us anything entirely new, but because it said plainly what many European leaders still hesitate to say aloud: we are living through a definite rupture, not a passing disturbance.Finnish president Alexander Stubb, for his part, has moved from describing a ‘triangle of power’, that is, a world order structured around three geopolitical blocs: the Global North, led by the United States and Europe, the Global East, led by China and the Global South, with no leading power. He now admits that it looks more like a ‘rectangle’, since the old transatlantic reflex can no longer be taken for granted given the accelerating split between the United States and Europe. And hovering over both is the bracing admonition of S. Jaishankar, India’s minister of external affairs, that Europe must outgrow the habit of thinking that ‘Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.’Together, these interventions amount to a strategic summons. Europe can afford neither nostalgia nor delusion. The temptation is to respond to this moment in one of two familiar and equally sterile ways. The first is melancholy: to speak as if the answer lay in restoring the vanished certainties of the post‑1945 or post‑1989 order. The second is mimicry: to conclude that, since the age is one of hard power, Europe must simply become colder, harsher, more transactional. Both instincts miss the point. Europe’s opportunity to recover relevance and purpose lies elsewhere.A wider European grammarBy Europe, what is meant here is not only the European Union but a wider civilizational basin encompassing all European societies that belong to the continent’s historical argument even when they do not sit within the same institutions. There are already faint signs of such a wider European grammar: the European Political Community, for all its looseness, convenes nearly the whole continent around a language of common stability and prosperity that reaches well beyond the EU’s formal borders.






At its best, Europe has not abolished conflict; it has somehow civilized it.






That opportunity is to become what one might call the centre that holds. The phrase matters. Europe has long been haunted by the fear that ‘the centre cannot hold’, W.B. Yeats’s 1919 description of post‑First World War Europe, where ‘mere anarchy is loosed upon the world’. Today’s fear is that pluralism dissolves into chaos, that compromise decays into weakness, and that openness ends in fragmentation.Yet, for the centre to hold, it cannot close itself against plurality. It must remain open. This is not civilization as enclosure, still less as the closed‑West idiom now favoured in Washington. It is civilization in a radically different sense: not walls, but, in the words of Pope Leo XIV, ‘bridges through dialogue and encounter’. A centre holds not by suppressing difference, but by giving it form – by accommodating plurality without surrendering coherence.Europe’s deepest historical achievement has never been domination as such. It has been the difficult art of giving form to plurality; of building institutions in which rival powers, rival classes, rival memories and rival truths can coexist without tearing the political fabric apart. At its best, Europe has not abolished conflict; it has somehow civilized it.








— Caspar David Friedrich’s Wanderer above the Sea of Fog. Photo: DeAgostini / Getty Images.



This is not a claim of innocence. Europe knows too much of empire, hierarchy, hypocrisy and violence to indulge in moral self‑worship. It has preached universalism while practising exclusion; it has spoken in the language of law while often living by exceptions. Precisely for that reason, any serious European project for the 21st century must begin not in self‑congratulation but in humility.An ‘open centre’ is not a closed fortress with better manners. It is not a sanctimonious core issuing instructions to a wayward periphery. It is not the centre to which everyone must return, but the point at which differences can still be held in balance, and a common direction can still be forged. In that sense, it is not an exclusive point of reference, but it has the potential to act as a force for measure and equilibrium in a world of excess and instability.Jaishankar’s witty provocation should be heard in Europe not as an insult but as a moral reality check. Asia, the Persian Gulf, Africa and Latin America do not organize their priorities around Europe’s anxieties. Their concerns lie elsewhere: development, debt, technology, borders, food security, urbanization, energy access and sovereign room for manoeuvre. If Europe wishes to matter in such a world, it must first accept that it is no longer the measure of all things. And, paradoxically, that act of decentring is a moral necessity as well as a geopolitical one.Europe’s ‘fourth way’French philosopher Paul Ricœur understood early that the true test of universality in a plural world is whether it can be translated without turning imperial. His idea of ‘linguistic hospitality’ offers a clue: Europe will recover credibility not by renouncing universality, but by learning to translate it. Europe will matter more, not less, once it stops mistaking its own experience for the measure of the world.






Europe will matter more, not less, once it stops mistaking its own experience for the measure of the world.






But accepting that the world is no longer Europe‑centric does not mean renouncing the European vocation altogether. It means redefining it. In the emerging configuration sketched by Carney and Stubb, Europe’s ‘fourth way’ would not be a nostalgic third way warmed over for a harsher age, but a path between American volatility, Chinese‑style authoritarian capitalism, and a wider world increasingly tempted by transactional hedging. Europe’s offer would be neither hegemonic nor passive, neither imperial nor merely procedural, but something rarer: a power of reconciliation.It would be the proposition that liberty can be married to protection, innovation to conscience, prosperity to social cohesion, sovereignty to cooperation, and identity to openness. Carney’s phrase – actually borrowed from Stubb – for this is ‘value‑based realism’. The term is useful precisely because it refuses both sentimental idealism and crude simplification.Yet, such a project cannot be proclaimed abroad before it is built at home. World order – or order abroad – rests on order at home. This is the point on which too much Brussels rhetoric and too much national politics across the continent still founders. Europe’s external incoherence is not only the result of institutional complexity. It is the outward symptom of an inward crisis: distrust in politics, social atomization, cultural pessimism, waning prosperity, exhausted public services, generational frustration and, perhaps worst of all, the growing sense that democratic governments are failing not only in action, but also in imagination.



58%
of respondents across 10 countries in Europe were dissatisfied with how democracy was working, according to a Pew study.





The malaise is measurable. In 2025, Pew found a median 58 per cent across 23 countries dissatisfied with how democracy was working, with satisfaction in Europe ranging from 75 per cent in Sweden to just 19 per cent in Greece. No society will sustain ambition abroad for long if its citizens experience only drift at home.Politics depends on the existence of what Hannah Arendt aptly called a ‘common world’ in which citizens still feel they have a stake, a voice and a future. Once that world frays, public life gives way to resentment, passivity or tribal retreat. Foreign policy follows the same rule. A society unsure of its own future cannot sustain ambition abroad for long. A Europe that doubts itself will oscillate between sermon and retreat, proclamation and paralysis. Arendt, writing in the aftermath of Europe’s totalitarian collapse, understood as much.Domestic renewalSo, the first chapter of any credible European playbook for the new world order is domestic renewal. Not as a preface to geopolitics. But as geopolitics’ very condition of possibility. Europe needs a new civic and material bargain with its own citizens.It needs to prove, in visible ways, that democracy can still build, protect and inspire. That means affordable and reliable energy, yes, but also housing in which the least privileged can imagine living with a sense of pride and dignity; transport and digital infrastructures that reduce distance rather than reproduce fractures; universities and research ecosystems capable of attracting not only the best minds unsettled by America’s academic crackdown, but also talent from Africa, Latin America and Asia; culture and the arts made accessible to everyone; manufacturing strength in the sectors that will define technological sovereignty; public institutions that are competent enough to be trusted and simple enough to be legible.





























The World Today












Related work

The decline of the West and the rise of ‘the Rest’ will lead to a new world order












Recent efforts to present Europe as a haven for research freedom suggest that some have begun to grasp the stakes, even if slogans still fall well short of strategy. Yet in this age, power requires more than capability. It requires promise. Europe’s greatest strategic deficit is not merely military or fiscal; it is narrative. It does not sufficiently know how to speak of itself except as a market, a rulebook or a risk‑averse peace project.None of that is irrelevant. But none of it is enough. Europe must relearn how to talk about greatness without drifting into a new form of megalomanic expansionism; about ambition without arrogance; about civilization without exclusion. It must once again sound like a place that knows where it wants to go.If it succeeds in doing so at home, then its external projection becomes clearer. The open centre would not present itself to the wider world as a tutor. It would act as a partner of choice in solving concrete problems: scaling research cooperation, widening access to education and training, financing infrastructure that is sustainable rather than extractive, designing AI and digital standards that protect human dignity and fair competition, building resilient supply chains without demanding ideological conformity or falling into moral lectures, and strengthening multilateral rules while accepting that those rules must better reflect non‑European realities. The open centre does not merely invite others into institutions Europe built yesterday; it is willing to reshape those institutions so that others can recognize themselves within them tomorrow.Inclusion is not charityThat principle matters particularly in global governance. Europe cannot go on invoking the legitimacy of multilateralism while resisting any meaningful redistribution of voice within it. If the world’s demographic, economic and political gravity is shifting south and east, then institutional authority must begin to follow. That would start with Africa and greater Asia gaining a seat at the table of the permanent members of the UN Security Council – even if that alone would obviously not save the United Nations. A Europe serious about being an open centre would do the same more broadly: not out of self‑denial, but out of strategic intelligence. Inclusion is not charity. It is the condition under which legitimacy survives.Such openness also means taking science and risk seriously. A centre that holds in the 21st century cannot be merely juridical or diplomatic; it must be epistemic. It must be able to absorb uncertainty, marshal expertise and govern frontier technologies without either naivety or paralysis.






A centre that holds is that in which citizens will see their dignity as human beings equally recognized and enshrined.






Europe should not accept the false choice between hyper‑regulation and techno‑anarchy. It can be the place where innovation scales without shrinking the individual, and where technology remains bounded by dignity, judgment and purpose. A centre that holds is that in which citizens will see their dignity as human beings equally recognized and enshrined.The real point, then, is not that Europe should seek to become ‘No.1’. That would be to mistake yesterday’s grammar of power for tomorrow’s. Europe’s ambition should be more original than that. It should aim at becoming the indispensable organizer of cooperation among powers that do not fully trust one another but cannot flourish alone. It should become the arena in which compatibility is made possible: between markets and morals, states and societies, science and politics, plurality and cohesion. That is what an open centre is for.The virtue of steadinessThis would also answer a deeper moral question. In a fragmented world, the highest political virtue is no longer purity; it is steadiness. For the centre to hold, it cannot impose uniformity as a citadel of self‑reference. It must remain open; what Édouard Glissant called a space of relation – an ‘initiation to totality without renouncing the particular’.It is to prevent disintegration. It is to create enough trust, enough credibility, enough competence and enough shared aspiration that differences do not become fatal. Having spent the past 12 centuries wrestling with plurality in a confined space, Europe is unusually equipped for that task. It has learned, often painfully, that coexistence is a political achievement, not a natural state. The world may yet find that capability useful.






Viktor Orbán’s defeat may point to a wider truth: a politics of fortress nostalgia is unlikely to prevail indefinitely.






None of this will happen through managerialism alone. The preliminary conclusion is therefore also an opening: Europe now needs political leadership driven by substance, steadiness and the audacity to dream. Substance, because rhetoric without delivery will deepen the contempt already stalking democratic politics. Steadiness, because the coming years will reward those who can sustain direction amid shocks. And audacity to dream, because no great political community has ever renewed itself by balance sheets alone. ‘Dream’ is not the opposite of ‘resolve’. In world politics, it is often its truest companion. Hungary’s recent turn after Viktor Orbán’s defeat may, in this respect, point to a wider truth: a politics of fortress nostalgia is unlikely to prevail indefinitely. Fear can mobilize; only a dream can awaken.That is why the next cycle of major European elections matters so much, beginning with France’s presidential contest in 2027. The question in those campaigns will not simply be who governs. It will be whether Europe continues to be narrated as a civilization in decline, oscillating between fear and nostalgia, or whether it rediscovers the ambition to shape the age in its own register. The continent does not need leaders who promise a return to the 19th century with better apps. It needs leaders willing to state, calmly and convincingly, that Europe can still be a maker of order because it is willing first to become a maker of confidence, possibility and purpose at home.

Chatham House
Open 
Brexit 10 years on: Michel Barnier and the future of UK-EU relations
Brexit 10 years on: Michel Barnier and the future of UK-EU relations
22
June 2026 — 10:00 TO 11:00 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
10 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
Join a fascinating discussion with the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator to assess a decade of change and the future of EU-UK relations.
Join a fascinating discussion with the EU’s former chief Brexit negotiator to assess a decade of change and the future of EU-UK relations.














A decade after the Brexit vote, UK-EU relations are entering a new phase marked by friendly yet cautious engagement. Ongoing disputes over trade, regulation and mobility continue to test progress. These pressures frame efforts to rebuild cooperation, while domestic politics and wider European shifts influence the direction of the relationship.Join us as Michel Barnier, former Prime Minister of France, discusses the challenges framing efforts to reset cooperation between London and Brussels. From a potentially pivotal 2027 presidential election in France, to wider issues facing Europe and the UK, Mr Barnier will outline potential solutions to overcome these challenges.This event discusses:What priorities shape the UK-EU relationship after Brexit, and where do key tensions remain?How do domestic politics in the UK, France and the EU affect cooperation?How could political change in France next year influence European policy?What outcomes are realistic in the near term?

Chatham House
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Making the case for COP in a fractured geopolitical environment
Making the case for COP in a fractured geopolitical environment
22
June 2026 — 17:00 TO 18:00 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
16 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
Leaders of the world’s foremost climate conference - COP - set out how environmental diplomacy can still deliver.
Leaders of the world’s foremost climate conference - COP - set out how environmental diplomacy can still deliver.














The COP global climate talks have anchored international action for three decades, but geopolitical tensions are testing their effectiveness. These pressures raise questions about what COP can still deliver. This event looks at climate leadership, and the role of diplomacy in sustaining progress.Key questions:What role does COP play in global climate action?What outcomes would define success at COP31 in Antalya this November?What priorities should shape COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027?How can climate diplomacy adapt to geopolitical pressure?What needs to happen outside COP to sustain progress?

Chatham House
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The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse
The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
17 June 2026

Even if Trump’s deal holds, Iran retains the ability to close Hormuz again. If the Houthis were to simultaneously disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the consequences would be disastrous.















Earlier this week, the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal that includes plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While the deal promises a removal of the US blockade within 30 days and a restoration of pre-war shipping traffic, the future of the Strait remains uncertain.The memorandum of understanding states that ‘the traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start.’ But it also acknowledges the need for Iran to remove mines and obstacles in the Strait, which it says it will begin within 30 days of the agreement. This demining process will be slow and costly. It may also require external confirmation and support. And mine clearing will have to be paired with the removal of undetonated ordnance that fell into the sea during the war.Even then, without an internationally recognized traffic separation scheme or other security measures, ships will face navigational risks that undermine their abilities to transit.






The Strait of Hormuz is therefore not open, nor is it close to opening.






There is also uncertainty over the future administration of the Strait. Although President Trump has said passage through the Strait will be ‘permanently toll-free’, the deal allows Iran to work with Oman in conversation with other littoral states to ‘define the future administration and maritime services’ in the Strait. Iranian officials had previously said ‘fees will be charged’ for unspecified ‘services’ going forward. So far, insurance companies have not significantly reduced maritime insurance premiums, which will be necessary for shipping to flow again. Insurance and shipping companies will likely require more evidence of commitment from both the US and Iran.The Strait of Hormuz is therefore not open, nor is it close to opening. The process will take time, confidence-building and numerous security assurances. Yet in the meantime, the risk of an even worse chokepoint crisis remains.Future chokepoint crisesEven if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, Iran will still retain the ability to close it again. The threat of closure alone may be enough to deter shipping and create significant disruption without significant cost to Tehran. In a future conflict, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen may also seek to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another major maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.Signs of this potential strategy were already emerging before the ceasefire deal. On 8 June, the Houthis threatened to block Israeli and Israeli-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea. On 10 June, a small vessel operating off Yemen’s coast reportedly harassed a commercial ship close to Bab al-Mandab.





























The World Today












Related work

The maritime chokepoints that could be worse than Hormuz












Shipping in the Red Sea has faced disruption before. Between 2024 and 2025, the Houthis attacked over 190 commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing major disruption to global trade. Despite the attacks ending with a May 2025 US-Houthi ceasefire, the Houthis have retained the ability to threaten maritime traffic at any time. Today, with Hormuz effectively closed, ships have been forced to seek alternative routes. Some of the remaining workarounds depend on access to the Red Sea, including transporting oil by land to Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast. Renewed insecurity in Bab al-Mandab therefore threatens some of the existing alternatives to Hormuz. This also has a knock-on effect on another chokepoint: the Suez Canal. The Bab al-Mandab Strait serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Amid Houthi attacks, vessel traffic through the Suez Canal dropped by 90 per cent in 2024. Even the threat of attacks alone is enough to disrupt shipping due to elevated insurance premiums and crew safety concerns.The consequences of more closuresDisruption in one or more maritime chokepoints frequently generates ripple effects across the wider global shipping network. In this case, the immediate impact would be felt through rising transportation costs. Insurance premiums would rise as ships enter higher-risk operating environments. Longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope would increase fuel consumption and vessel operating expenses. Congestion at alternative ports and transit routes creates additional delays. Disruption to the Bab al-Mandab Strait would also put additional pressure on energy markets. Reduced access to Gulf exports and longer shipping routes would likely increase oil and gas prices, generating inflationary effects across a wide range of industries. For import-dependent economies, especially those already facing fiscal stress, higher transportation and commodity costs could reduce access to food, fuel and essential goods.






Governments and industry will need to move beyond reactive responses.






The consequences would not be distributed evenly. Smaller economies and vulnerable importers would bear disproportionate costs, exacerbating existing humanitarian crises. Economic and humanitarian pressure would potentially push countries to negotiate transit rights with Iran and the Houthis. During the war, countries like India, Pakistan, and Malaysia sought to negotiate passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Tehran on an ad hoc basis. Private companies have also pursued individual deals for safe transit with Tehran. Over time, countries facing severe economic disruption may conclude that bilateral transit agreements are preferable to absorbing the costs of prolonged supply-chain disruption.Existing initiatives and their limits A range of international initiatives aimed at protecting shipping already operate in the Red Sea area. These include European naval missions, the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Security Transit Corridor, and regional frameworks such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct. Several countries maintain a naval presence in the region and periodically provide escorts and convoy protection for commercial shipping.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Stunningly beautiful' blue sea creatures appear on Welsh beaches
Velella velella, or by-the-wind sailors, have been spotted on beaches at Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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First Russian shadow fleet tanker enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding
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Mail Online
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Moment McLaren owner wakes to find random stranger STOMPING on his £73,000 supercar
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Mail Online
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Famous British actress Emaa Hussen is accused of trying to smuggle almost $300million worth of METH into Australia
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Mail Online
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Fitness influencer, 36, dies just three months after revealing cancer diagnosis
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Mail Online
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'The King wants reconciliation': Charles WILL meet with Harry, Meghan and their children 'in private' when the whole family make rare visit to UK next month, royal experts say
King Charles monarch would likely keep any reunion private, on a royal property, if the family do all visit the UK together in mid-July.

Mail Online
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Gissa job, Andy! Host of Labour big beasts including Rayner descend on Makerfield for by-election day - with Burnham poised to stage coup against Starmer if he wins
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The Guardian (UK)
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Reading in Rome and a palace tour: photos of the day – Thursday
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The Guardian (UK)
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Whole-life order given to UK teacher who sexually abused and murdered adopted baby
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BBC UK News
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EuroMillions winner suffered brain injury in crash
Police are treating Anthony Canty's death as a suspected hit-and-run.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Jill Biden reveals how she really felt about Joe Biden’s health whilst he was president
And Trump wants to give America’s top legal job to his former personal lawyer

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Starmer’s Warning To Andy Burnham
PM warns Burnham against immediate leadership challenge if he wins by-election.

Mail Online
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I drank almost every day for two decades. Seven years after getting sober, I received a shocking diagnosis. I knew it was my fault... I'd left it too late: CORRINE BARRACLOUGH
At 41, I threw in the towel with booze. I decided on a total abstinence approach; it was the hardest thing I'd ever done but also the most rewarding. Then, seven years later, my world fell apart.

Mail Online
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For years, Jelly Roll and Bunnie sold fans on what they jokingly called their 'white-trash' love story - a messy, unconventional romance between a self-described 'hooker and a convict'.

Mail Online
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Vanessa Feltz 'blindsided' by Channel 5 bosses as her daytime chat show is axed after just one year on air
The seasoned presenter, 64, was brought into a meeting this week and told the news by Channel 5 bosses, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Mail Online
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Fashion designer behind some of Princess Diana's most iconic looks died after falling down the stairs, inquest hears
Paul Costelloe passed away in hospital on November 21, 2025, two weeks after losing balance and stumbling at his home in Putney, southwest London.

Mail Online
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Annabel Croft, 59, 'bursting with pride' as she announces the birth of her first granddaughter and reveals she has been honoured with a sweet tribute in baby girl's name
Annabel Croft is 'bursting with pride' after welcoming her first granddaughter - three years after the heartbreaking death of her husband, Mel Coleman.

Mail Online
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Baked beans: From fry up favourite to fitness food, why the humble tins are finally getting a health makeover
The old rhyme tells us that 'beans, beans, are good for your heart' - and, as it turns out, that is true. But they pack even more of a nutritional punch beyond protecting our cardiovascular health.

Mail Online
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Do any of Thomas Tuchel's England side start ahead of Sven Goran-Erikkson's golden generation? Pick your combined XI after Three Lions' emphatic win over Croatia
Which players make your combined XI between Tuchel's current crop and Sven Goran-Eriksson's star-studded line-up? Play our game and make your picks!

Mail Online
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Heatwave fashion: I'm a fashion writer, these are 15 essential buys to keep you cool for under £50
As temperatures now threaten to hit 30C in the coming days it's essential I get some order or my already mad mornings will suffer further.

Mail Online
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'Arguments are off the scale and the police have been involved. It's extremely messy': KATIE HIND reveals how Freddy Brazier's relationship with his girlfriend is in 'major chaos' just months after the birth of their daughter... and dad Jeff's intervention
When Freddy Brazier learned he was to become a father, there were tears of joy. For the 21-year-old, it was particularly poignant given that he lost his mother, reality star Jade Goody, when he was four.

Mail Online
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Tourist is shot dead at end of South Africa safari tour when guide's gun accidentally goes off
A Canadian man has been shot dead while on safari in South Africa after a park ranger's gun accidentally went off. 

Digital Trends
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Honor’s new Watch 6 brings battery life Apple Watch users dream about
Honor Watch 6 is launching globally with a 35-day battery claim, bright display, wet touch controls, and dedicated football and badminton tracking modes.

TechRadar News
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Fortinet firewalls hit by huge password-stealing attack — around 75,000 users possibly affected

TechRadar News
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GTA 6 hype has reached 'unprecedented' levels as one company schedules a temporary 'operational pause' for its release — and I can't tell if it's a joke

TechRadar News
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Which Blink home security camera should I buy? Here's what you need to know to help you pick the right model

The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court to release opinions with several high-stakes rulings to come including birthright citizenship – US politics live
Trump’s immigration agenda is on the supreme court docket with rulings still to come on birthright citizenship and TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrantsSign up for the Breaking News US emailIn case you missed it, last night Donald Trump signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming it delivered a “major win” for the United States – even as it made significant political and financial concessions to Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz and prevent a “worldwide depression”.In extraordinary remarks yesterday, Trump went from threatening Iran with a new wave of attacks to suggesting the country had basic rights to enrich uranium for civilian use, that he would not pressure Tehran to abandon its ballistic missiles programme and the US was “going to have to give back” billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets.The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Fewer than half of commuters in Great Britain think train fare value for money
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The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf suspended due to poor visibility on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidGood news! “Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will resume at 9:05 a.m. ET.” So says the official tweet. That’s just over 15 minutes away.Weather delay in the golf but they’re playing at the Oval. Should be the other way round surely? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as Iran conflict weighs on economy
Two MPC members vote for a quarter-point rise but Bank argues rapid reaction risks creating volatilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of England has left interest rates on hold, arguing that reacting too quickly to inflation threats risks creating “undesirable volatility”, as the Iran war drags on the UK economy.Seven of the nine-person monetary policy committee voted to keep rates at 3.75% as the MPC weighed the threat of higher inflation against the prospect of an economic slowdown. Continue reading...

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Warsh wants to listen to markets more. Morgan Stanley says markets may regret it.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh says he wants to listen to the signal from markets more. Strategists at Morgan Stanley say markets may regret being in charge.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Two key things that need to happen before Strait of Hormuz traffic can return to prewar levels
The U.S. and Iran agreed to a framework for a peace deal that extends their cease-fire for another 60 days. Now, a series of practical steps are needed for traffic to pick back up through the shipping chokepoint.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Micron’s stock is on the rise. Even Apple isn’t safe from ballooning memory-chip costs.
Demand for memory chips will continue to outpace supply in the near term despite efforts to add manufacturing capacity, an analyst says.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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‘I’ll probably be working until I die’: I’m 60, work as a restaurant server and have $2,000 in an IRA. Who can help me?
“Last year, I had to buy a used car because my previous one died. I also have $4,400 in credit-card debt.”

Telegraph
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Royal Ascot tips: Our expert’s predictions for every race of the 2026 festival
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Mail Online
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Revealed: The popular UK pet foods that contain the most microplastics - so, is your dog or cat at risk?
Researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of Sussex tested 38 foods from the 19 biggest brands for traces of tiny plastic particles.

Gizmodo
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Making ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Live Up to ‘Infinity War’ Was a Trial, Says Robert Downey Jr.
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Gizmodo
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Mike Myers Confirms a Fourth ‘Austin Powers’ Movie
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The Verge
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This Ghost in the Shell keyboard makes me want to activate the hundred spidery robot fingers inside my regular fingers
Anime collaborations are everywhere, from Gundam watches and Naruto nights at Major League ballparks to just about anything Evangelion. But these Ghost in the Shell keyboards from Iqunix are some of the coolest examples I've seen of anime-inspired everyday tech. They look sick and they type and play great. At $249 they're a hefty upcharge […]

Computer Weekly
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What are the cyber threats to the 2026 Fifa World Cup?
Dig deeper on some of the security issues facing the 2026 World Cup as the tournament faces unprecedented threat levels and challenges

Computer Weekly
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Emerging tech is top growth priority for UK finance firms
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Russia Today News
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US planning war-ready weapons stockpile in Australia – AFP

UK Government News
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UKHSA issues amber and yellow heat-health alerts across England
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UK Government News
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Warning on promoting newly licensed prescription-only medicines and unlicensed medicines for weight management
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The Aviationist
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Guam’s RQ-4B Global Hawks Permanently Relocate to Yokota Air Base
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Russia Today News
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EU member criticizes bloc’s latest Russia sanctions proposal

Mail Online
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Well-meaning environmentalist barrister who cleaned up rubbish-infested river is probed by busybody officials and told he needs a licence
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ZDNet News
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AI agents are getting their own search engine
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CNET News
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Best Meat Thermometers of 2026 for Grill Master Dads
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CNET News
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This Hidden Apple Setting Helped Me Take Back Control of My iPhone Camera
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CNET News
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HP OmniBook Ultra 14 Review: Stunning Design, Strong Performance Make It a MacBook Killer
Windows users get a true MacBook Pro alternative with HP's top-end consumer laptop.

The Guardian (UK)
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Post your questions for Minions supremo Pierre Coffin
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The Guardian (UK)
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Supreme court to release opinions with several high-stakes rulings to come including birthright citizenship – US politics live
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The Guardian (UK)
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Amber heat warnings issued for parts of southern England
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The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf suspended due to poor visibility on day one – live
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The Guardian (UK)
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Wired Top Stories
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Amazon’s Fire Tablets, Tested, So You Don’t Have To (2026)
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Wired Top Stories
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Samsung The Frame Pro 2026 Review: Pricey But Worth It
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The Hill
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House members flailing in primaries for higher office
House members who opted to run for higher office rather than seek reelection have had a poor track record this year and could end up with a higher rate of primary losses than in recent years. Those losses have come despite members having the perks of a national profile and network, suggesting that congressional experience...

The Hill
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Republicans actually do have a healthcare plan, and it's a good one
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The Hill
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China says 'spy turtles' are snooping in its waters
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The Hill
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Meghan Markle returning to the UK with Prince Harry and children
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The Hill
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Here's how Luigi Mangione's manifesto could play into psychiatric defense
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The Hill
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The Hill
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On the Ballot: Black lawmakers on track to lose record gains in representation next year
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The Hill
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Why nonpartisan redistricting is not enough
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Techdirt
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Trump DOJ Trying To Protect Musk From Lawsuit Over Memphis AI Data Center Pollution
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Mail Online
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'Moscow will burn', Zelensky vows as Russia's capital is blanketed in toxic smoke following huge Ukraine drone attack
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BBC UK News
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Gasps and tears in court as six more sentenced over Ely riots
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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Men jailed over work for Chinese intelligence in UK
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The Register
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Welcome to your new telco job – here's sudo access to a database with full customer info stored in the clear
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The Register
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India blocks Telegram ahead of scandal-hit medical school entrance exam
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The Register
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Microsoft once used its own brand of 'Lego' to optimize Windows
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Mail Online
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Home Office official and former Hong Kong policeman jailed for combined 18 years for running Chinese spy ring in UK
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Mail Online
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Britain will swelter in week-long heatwave: Amber alert issued as European 'heat dome' is set to push temperatures to near record 34C in parts of southern England
The second heatwave of 2026 has begun as the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) upgraded heat health alerts for four regions from 'yellow' to 'amber'.

Mail Online
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Wetherspoon pub plagued by greedy seagulls divides opinion over warning stolen food will not be refunded
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Mail Online
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Council suspends contract with enforcement firm after 'thugs in uniform' threatened to rip out man's teeth
The two 'thugs in uniform', named as Joseph Fernandes (right), 38, and Umar Siddiq (left), 30, were filmed telling a member of the public 'I'm going to knock you the f*** out.'

Sky News Home
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Amber heat health alert issued for parts of England
An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England from this afternoon, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

The Guardian (UK)
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Fuelling up: the best foods to eat before a workout
From flavoured porridge to omelette pancakes, these meals provide slow-release energy without weighing you downSign up here for our weekly food newsletter, FeastWhile I adore almost everything about June, there is a brief window, round about now, where I get flashbacks to my childhood PE lessons. That’s right, folks: it is sports day season. And while I love cheering on my own kids (and trying to calm my inner Julia from Motherland), as a kid I hated it with a passion. I was not remotely sporty, but I have tried to quieten those hangups and encourage my girls as best I can. And the one thing I can do, confidently, is give them a nutritious breakfast.Which leads me on to one of the big food topics on everyone’s lips, whatever your age: what are we eating before we work out? If social media is anything to go by (and it really shouldn’t be, or with caution at least), we should all max out on protein. But what’s the workout rule of thumb: carbs before and protein after? And what is high-energy food anyway? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf suspended due to poor visibility on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidWhile we wait, have a read of this Shinnecock scene setter from Bryan Armen Graham.Official update: There’ll be another update shortly. That will tell us when the next update is. Basically, the USGA are posting updates every 15 minutes to tell us another update is 15 minutes away. Nothing they can do really. At least we’re being informed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionIscoBusquet asks: My first full marathon was a disastrous go at the Bristol to Bath which left me with terrible plantar fasciitis. What are the best ways to mitigate the foot pain?Sarah: Sorry to hear this. Without knowing your training block, if you got this after a full marathon, I am wondering whether you did too much too soon? One of the most common causes of this sort of pain is a large increase in running load. Regardless, with any more runs it’s worth trying to build up more slowly. Reduce the running volume and also look at getting a pair of trainers that support your feet. You can also do some specific stretches for plantar fasciitis and use certain massage techniques that can help.Sarah: For chafing I think fit matters more than brand. I always think you need to go smaller on sizing for running leggings or shorts, because a snug fit is often better – snug but not restrictive. For shorts I am a big fan of Lululemon or Sweaty Betty shorts. I am afraid I don’t have any triathlon experience so cannot offer anything more specific on that.Kieran: I swear by an anti-chafe roll-on oil called 2Toms Sportshield. It’s been my go-to for 15 years and I’ve relied on it for some big adventures like the Marathon Des Sables, my 67-day run across Europe, and for every marathon since 2015. It’s easy to apply (to all the nooks and crannies), I find one application lasts all day and protects all your soft bits. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ivory Coast's Wahi denied entry to Canada
The Ivory Coast football federation have announced their forward Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for their next World Cup game.

Mail Online
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'Arguments are off the scale and the police have been involved. It's extremely messy': KATE HIND reveals how Freddy Brazier's relationship with his girlfriend is in 'major chaos' just months after the birth of their daughter... and dad Jeff's intervention
When Freddy Brazier learned he was to become a father, there were tears of joy. For the 21-year-old, it was particularly poignant given that he lost his mother, reality star Jade Goody, when he was four.

Mail Online
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Is this why Roberto Martinez won't bench Cristiano Ronaldo? New report claims Portugal boss is in talks over joining 41-year-old's Saudi club Al Nassr amid his 'embarrassing' refusal to sub him against DR Congo
Al Nassr are on the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with Jorge Jesus, who led the club to its 11th Saudi Pro League title this season.

Deutsche Welle
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Niger security forces battle gunmen at airport
Niger's security forces engaged in an hours-long shootout with gunmen at the nation's main international airport. No one has taken responsibility but Islamists are suspected of being behind the attack.

Mail Online
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Is duty-free shopping done? Warning to Brits heading to airport this summer as duty-free shelves set to look 'bare'
Duty-free shopping at airports could be changing for travellers this summer, as falling demand and reduced footfall force retailers to cut stock and rethink pricing.

The Guardian (UK)
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Why corner shop wines are not to be sniffed at
Whether making a last-minute panic buy or you simply can’t be bothered to stray far from home, the dusty shelves of your local store often boast their share of trusted, dependable bottlesThere was a time in my life when Campo Viejo Tempranillo was as essential as milk or bread; my flatmates and I designated it our “house wine”’. The year was 2011, we wore a lot of elasticated statement belts and lived opposite a corner shop by Brixton prison. Like us, the wine was young, fruity and there for a good time.Campo Viejo remains one of the more obvious choices for a last-minute bottle of red. Even better is Muriel Tempranillo Rioja at the Co-op, which has all the dark red fruit and vanilla you might expect from young rioja. These days, I’d freshen up either of them with a blast in the fridge, or mix with lemonade for that emblematic Spanish summer cocktail, tinto de verano. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Women’s World Cup playoffs: England land Greece, Scotland get Czechia in first round
England to play Ukraine or Slovakia if they beat GreeceScotland probably face Sweden if they win first gameEngland will need to overcome Greece and either Slovakia or Ukraine to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Scotland were handed a significantly tougher draw and will probably need to beat Sweden, if they first beat Czechia, to head to Brazil.Thursday’s playoff draw brought Wales a potential reunion with their former manager Gemma Grainger in a tricky tie against Norway. Northern Ireland’s path to a first World Cup could bring them a game against League A’s Iceland. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf suspended due to poor visibility on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidExactly an hour since play was suspended. Still looks pretty foggy.Official US Open weather update: “Round 1 remains suspended. Next update: 8:00am. ET.” That’s 1pm UK so we’ll know more in around five minutes. Players currently in the practice areas, working on some chipping and putting. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump’s ‘Department of War’ may soon become official. What would that mean? | Normon Solomon
In US statecraft and warcraft, the president and Pete Hegseth are now saying previously quiet parts out loudThe Department of Defense will soon officially become the Department of War, if Republicans get their way. Key committees in the House and Senate have approved the name change, and Donald Trump is eager to sign it into law. The rebranding is candid and ominous, offering a future of heightened zeal for killing, maiming and destroying.Christened in 1949, the Department of Defense unified the military branches with the Pentagon as their headquarters. Since then, presidents have routinely promoted each new war as vital for the defense of the United States and its values, a pretense that has pervaded mainstream media and political discourse.Norman Solomon is an American journalist, media critic, left-leaning progressive activist, and former US Congress candidate Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Côte d’Ivoire’s Wahi denied Canada visa for World Cup match amid fixing allegation
Striker will miss match against Germany in TorontoWas arrested over alleged ‘organised fraud’ in Ligue 1The Côte d’Ivoire striker Elye Wahi, who is being investigated for alleged fixing, has not been authorised to travel to Canada for his team’s World Cup match against Germany, the Côte d’Ivoire football federation (FIF) said on Thursday.FIF said Wahi would not be able to travel with the squad for Saturday’s game in Toronto because “the necessary administrative authorisations for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionFranglais asks: Which running shorts for women would you recommend to eliminate chafing? Also (a bit off topic) any recommendations for what to wear for a first sprint triathlon, which involves a sea swim? Again worried about chafing especially with salt water in the mix!Sarah: For chafing I think fit matters more than brand. I always think you need to go smaller on sizing for running leggings or shorts, because a snug fit is often better – snug but not restrictive. For shorts I am a big fan of Lululemon or Sweaty Betty shorts. I am afraid I don’t have any triathlon experience so cannot offer anything more specific on that.Kieran: I swear by an anti-chafe roll-on oil called 2Toms Sportshield. It’s been my go-to for 15 years and I’ve relied on it for some big adventures like the Marathon Des Sables, my 67-day run across Europe, and for every marathon since 2015. It’s easy to apply (to all the nooks and crannies), I find one application lasts all day and protects all your soft bits.Kieran: Wow, that’s a big question. I hope that running’s popularity continues to boom. It’s been great watching clubs and communities spring up all over the place, helping people to find a running tribe or community that reflects their needs and gets them out running. Whether that’s parkrun, online-only running clubs or a Friday night run club rave (those are a thing by the way).Technology will also continue to inspire and empower with AI and AI-powered apps providing the tools – and with it the confidence – to get started without the cost of a coach. But I also wonder if we’ll move away from the obsession with tracking and stats, to a more simple approach to running. A bit of a backlash to the Strava generation where we tune into our bodies rather than judge everything based on what a watch might say. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘Mistreatment became normality,’ inquiry into Muckamore Abbey hospital abuse finds
Vulnerable adults suffered broken bones and severe neglect in Northern Irish hospital at centre of major police investigationA major inquiry into the abuse of vulnerable adults at Muckamore Abbey hospital, in Northern Ireland, has found “mistreatment became a normality” and patients suffered black eyes, broken bones and severe neglect.The hospital is at the centre of the UK’s largest police investigation into the alleged abuse of vulnerable adults, with 124 people having been referred by police for prosecution. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Most shots? Best dribbler? World Cup so far in numbers
Now every team has played once, BBC Sport take a look at who has been the best and worst players so far according to the stats.

Northern Ireland Office
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Our most important duty is to keep the public safe: Benn announces 4m to support PSNI following public disorder
The UK Government has today announced a 4 million financial intervention in response to last weeks public disorder. | Northern Ireland Office.

Mail Online
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Harry Styles alludes to One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death as he muses over 'how beautiful, difficult and fragile life can be' during record-breaking London residency
Harry Styles alluded to the tragic death of his bandmate Liam Payne in an emotional address to fans in Wembley on Wednesday night. 

Mail Online
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Instant karma for fly-tipper who dumped bags of rubbish outside neighbour's house - as refuse is then re-delivered back to his own doorstep
Dean Gauci, 38, was tending to a block of flats he manages in Cardiff last Friday when he noticed seven bags filled with household waste had been dumped in his car park.

BBC World News
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British man dies in paragliding accident in Spain
Authorities in Catalonia confirmed that the 63-year-old died in the Palau de Noguera area on Wednesday.

BBC UK News
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Jury sent out to consider verdicts in Jeffrey Donaldson's sex abuse trial
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.

BBC UK News
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PSNI to get £4m in emergency funding after violent disorder
The money will be drawn from government reserves as a one-off uplift to additional security funding directly to the PSNI.

The Guardian (UK)
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US Open 2026: golf updates on day one – live
️ Updates from the opening round at Shinnecock Hills️ Preview | Follow us on Instagram | Mail DavidThe very early starters did get a couple of holes in at least. No-one is under par though with the eight-way tie for the lead on evens including Jackson Suber and amateur Ethan Fang. Last June, American Fang won the 130th Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s. Both have played just a single hole. Fellow Americans James Nicholas and Caleb Surratt occupy the top two slots on the leaderboard after both managed to par the first two holes.Let’s go! Oh, maybe not. The weather on Long Island isn’t behaving and play is currently suspended. Players were taken off at 12.05pm UK time due to fog. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionBadAtCrosswords asks: Do you listen to anything while you run? If so, do you have any recommendations for headphones/earphones?Sarah: I am a 1990s kid so I love running to Eminem or something that can motivate me with lyrics!Kieran: My running playlists lurch from cheesy house music to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. I love the new Shokz OpenFit Air. They’re lightweight, clip on, open-ear style headphones that let you hear some of the world around, won’t drop out your ears and have a good battery life. If you prefer in-ear style buds, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are also excellent.Kieran: The first 15 minutes of every run is always the worst. So I never judge a run based on how I feel. I just tell myself that if I still hate it after 15 minutes, it’s ok to go home, happy that you tried. I also think it’s ok to be bored. In fact, in a world of hyper connected, always on, boredom is a muscle we need to flex more often. I also love turning those early moments into a little challenge, adventure or giving yourself a reward. Run until you’ve seen 15 red cars, arrange to meet a friend 15 minutes away, on a brand new route or to a lovely cafe.Sarah: I’d suggest trying to run with a friend. I used to run with a neighbour and we spent the whole time chatting/ gossipping/ laughing – it was a great way to catch up. Either that or find a juicy true crime podcast (if that’s your jam). Another option is to make the run functional, so if you need to get to another part of London then run instead of getting on the tube. It’s going to be just as boring (if not more) sitting down underground – and then you know your run has a specific purpose. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerThe trial of two Russian-linked arsonists who targeted property connected to Keir Starmer shows that the UK is under attack from bad actors who want to “exploit division” and “destabilise our democracy”, the prime minister has said.Roman Lavrynovych, 22, from Ukraine, and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, from Romania, were found guilty on Monday of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property linked to the prime minister, and appear to have operated under the instruction of an online handler with links to Russia. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as Iran conflict weighs on economy
Two MPC members vote for a quarter-point rise but Bank argues rapid reaction risks creating volatilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe Bank of England has left interest rates on hold, arguing that reacting too quickly to inflation threats risked creating “undesirable volatility”, as the Iran war weighs on the UK economy.Seven of the nine-person monetary policy committee voted to keep rates at 3.75% as the MPC weighed the threat of higher inflation against the prospect of an economic slowdown. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Kyiv says attack, which also forced evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport, was in response to strike on historic monastery Europe live – latest updatesUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the attack as a response to Russia’s striking of a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Whole life order given to UK teacher who sexually abused and murdered adopted baby
Jamie Varley jailed for life and partner John McGowan-Fazakerley jailed for 25 years over death of Preston DaveyA secondary school teacher has been jailed for life for sexually abusing and murdering the baby boy he was adopting with his partner.Jamie Varley, 37, was sentenced to a whole life order by a judge on Thursday for abusing and killing 13-month-old Preston Davey. It means he will stay in prison for the rest of his life and never be eligible for parole, Mr Justice Turner said. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
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MIT experts just made a special memory. When humans forget, robots will just fetch the lost item
MIT researchers have developed an AI memory system that lets robots remember objects, locations, and details from real-world environments over time.

Digital Trends
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AI vision is getting too hungry, and this method puts it on a diet
KAIST’s Upsample Anything tackles the memory problem behind sharper on-device AI vision, restoring high-resolution visual features from compressed image data without forcing smartphones to process everything at full resolution first.

TechRadar News
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Looking to upgrade your Mac? You might want to do it soon — Tim Cook just warned that 'price increases are unavoidable' for Apple products

TechRadar News
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The Jaye Band is 'the world’s most discreet minimalist smartwatch' and wants to save you from your smartphone addiction

TechRadar News
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The voice of 007 First Light's Greenway thinks players should watch On Her Majesty's Secret Service after finishing the game — 'Until Daniel Craig, it was a unique telling of a Bond adventure'

TechRadar News
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007 First Light's Q says teaching Bond to tie a bow tie was a 'very little special relationship moment' for the characters

TechRadar News
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Kindle Prime Day deals have already started — I see the Kindle, Paperwhite, and Colorsoft all on sale with up to 33% off, with one small catch

TechRadar News
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The Facebook app is down for many — here's what we know about the outage

Slashdot
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Brian Johnson, Special Effects Artist Behind 'Space: 1999,' Dies At 86
Special-effects designer Brian Johnson, known for his groundbreaking work on Space: 1999, The Empire Strikes Back, Alien, and Aliens, has died at the age of 86. Johnson began his career creating models and explosions for Gerry and Sylvia Anderson productions, later designed the iconic Eagle Transporter, and became one of science fiction cinema's most influential behind-the-scenes artists. Longtime Slashdot reader sandbagger remembers the SFX legend, writing: "The Space: 1999 Eagle is one of the great space ships of science fiction."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Gasoline prices just fell below $4 per gallon — by the smallest possible amount
It’s official — gasoline prices are no longer above $4 per gallon. Barely.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Is the stock market open on Juneteenth? Will the post office deliver mail tomorrow?
The June 19 federal holiday falls on a Friday this year. Here’s how trading hours and other services are affected.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The next two weeks could be a bumpy ride for U.S. stocks. Buy any dip, this strategist says.
Citadel Securities strategist Scott Rubner says one of the most important two weeks of the year is here, and that could open buying opportunities for stocks.

Mail Online
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British 'trad wife' who refuses to argue with her husband charges women £25,000 for courses on how to 'remove modern feminist thinking from their marriages'
Laura Zachary, 37, from Hampshire, believes that she was 'naturally designed' to stay at home and support her husband, Zion, 34, while he serves as the breadwinner.

Mail Online
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How 'retirement-maxing' could free up enough cash to help you live a luxurious lifestyle: Meet the pensioners who made it work for them
As we live longer and remain active, for many, retirement is as much a time for new adventures as it is for slowing down. Cruises, long-haul trips or even sky diving are all amongst bucket-list plans.

Mail Online
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Who are the best and worst dressed royals and celebrities at Ascot? Cast YOUR vote - and tell us which regular racegoer you think outshines the famous faces
The first two days of Royal Ascot has served up summer sartorial splendor, with the royals leading from the front. Vote for your favourite so far here...

Mail Online
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Teacher who murdered and sexually abused 13-month-old Preston Davey after adopting him with his boyfriend is given whole life term - as baby's mother tells court 'I'll never forgive you'
Jamie Varley, 37, will die in jail for the killing of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023.

Gizmodo
Open 
Jeff Bezos Called Washington Post His Worst Investment and Staff He Laid Off ‘Terrible’ People
The Amazon founder complained to Trump over dinner that nobody there listened to him before slashing staff, according to excerpts from a forthcoming book.

Gizmodo
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The Young Star of ‘Widow’s Bay’ Hopes Evan Faces More Horror in Season 2
Kingston Rumi Southwick's character took a major turn in the finale, and the actor is excited to see what happens next on Apple TV's breakout hit.

Mail Online
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Furious South Korea vow to stop all media duties over 'hot-mic' jibes about Son Heung-min's exemption from military service... and they're ready to take out their anger in showdown with Mexico
'Beware Son Heung-min' were the first serious words Mexico's manager spoke to his team in the Azteca Stadium dressing room, once the celebrations abated after victory over South Africa.

Mail Online
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Do-gooder environmentalist barrister who cleaned up rubbish-infested river is probed by busybody officials and told he needs a licence
Paul Powlesland, 40, is under investigation after clearing a section of the River Roding in Barking, east London, alongside a group of volunteers.

Mail Online
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Teacher who murdered and sexually abused 13-month-old Preston Davey after adopting him with his boyfriend is given whole life term - as baby's mother tells court 'I'll never forgive you'
Jamie Varley, 37, will be sentenced today for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023.

The Verge
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Epic wants to let you bring your Fortnite skins to other games
Epic Games has been touting the potential of an interoperable metaverse for years, though that vision hasn't yet become a reality. But with Unreal Engine 6, the next major version of its game development engine, Epic plans to take a big step toward that theoretical future: It will let developers make games that can use […]

Cabinet Office
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Ambition to end era of outsourcing by default as government looks to bring cleaners and security staff in-house
The government has published new guidance to provide a route for bringing key services back in-house and get the absolute best results for taxpayers. | Cabinet Office.

Nature
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Brexit tore apart European science — now the research rifts are healing

Nature
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Clues to the sloth’s sloth found in its genome

Sky News Home
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Vulnerable adults 'zombified' and suffered 'systematic abuse', inquiry finds
A public inquiry has uncovered "systematic abuse" and a "profound catalogue of failures" that left some of Northern Ireland's most vulnerable adults exposed to harm.

Ian Visits
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Stranger Things meets South Bank in Anish Kapoor’s new exhibition
Stranger Things seems to have broken into London as monumentally ugly sculptures of blood and gore are filling the Hayward Gallery at the moment.Read more ›

UK Government News
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Ambition to end era of ‘outsourcing by default’ as government looks to bring cleaners and security staff in-house
The government has published new guidance to provide a route for bringing key services back in-house and get the absolute best results for taxpayers.

UK Government News
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“Our most important duty is to keep the public safe”: Benn announces £4m to support PSNI following public disorder
The UK Government has today announced a £4 million financial intervention in response to last week’s public disorder.

UK Government News
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Norfolk heath restored after decade of nature recovery work
Rare butterflies, birds, and wildflowers benefit from 1,200 acres of new, species-rich grassland, equivalent to around 680 football pitches

UK Government News
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IAA launches training video series to support advisers
Five training videos are now available, with a further five to be released covering additional key areas of immigration advice and practice.

UK Government News
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Students turn sustainability learning into real opportunities
University students benefit from a collaborative partnership enabling them to apply their academic learning to a live sustainability case study.

UK Government News
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UK recognises positive development through European Long Range Strike Approach
Cooperation with our NATO partners on the development of enhanced strike capabilities within the Alliance is crucial to maintaining our collective security.

Cycling UK
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Pedalling our wares at Y Farchnad
A new government, a new opportunity for active travel in Wales? Gwenda Owen, Cycling UK’s Wales Advocacy and Development Lead, looks forward to working with parties across the political spectrum

Mail Online
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Cruz Beckham takes a subtle swipe at Brooklyn as he pays tribute to dad David's iconic England '7' shirt while partying with Jackie Apostel and an A-list crowd at star-studded World Cup bash
Cruz Beckham took a subtle swipe at his brother Brooklyn as he paid tribute to his father's David's iconic England '7' shirt while partying with Jackie Apostel.

Mail Online
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The retirees RENTING in their 70s: Boomers are downsizing to lock up and leave apartments to fund 'a nice lifestyle' and beat inheritance tax. Here's what you need to know before calling the estate agent
As we live longer and remain active, for many, retirement is as much a time for new adventures as it is for slowing down. Cruises, long-haul trips or even sky diving are all amongst bucket-list plans.

Mail Online
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How German fury inspired England to World Cup turnaround: Fired-up Thomas Tuchel was angry from the start, gave Jordan Pickford and Noni Madueke a rollicking - and his Scouse sidekick had to calm him down!
The German manager's mixture of fiery rage and cold calculation amped up the Three Lions and saw them win their first World Cup match 4-2 - after being level at 2-2 at half-time.

The Guardian (UK)
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Dazzling, delightful – and unfairly dismissed: Stephen Hough on the art of the transcription
Bach, Beethoven and Brahms did it. Liszt took it to such virtuosic heights that the entire genre almost collapsed. Ahead of his own album of transcriptions, the pianist and composer looks at the history of reworking existing musicThey have long been the norm in the world of jazz clubs and hotel lounges, but transcriptions in the classical world were for many years a bit of a naughty word – or at least a guilty pleasure. To arrange someone else’s music in a way they hadn’t originally intended, often with extravagant decoration, is still regarded in some quarters as displaying a lack of seriousness, a lapse of taste – or even as sacrilege.Listen to Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the hands of Liszt. The venerated 18th-century opera underwent a metamorphosis, becoming a blisteringly virtuoso potpourri, its melodies serving as mere launch pads for the most exaggerated form of showing off. Our jaws may drop with astonished delight but is it serious or tasteful? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Drax cleared after investigation into sourcing of wood pellets
Generator’s shares rise as regulator finds no evidence of misleading statements about fuel’s sustainabilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe City watchdog has closed an investigation into the owner of the Drax power plant after an almost 10-month review into whether the company’s sustainability claims mislead shareholders.The Financial Conduct Authority said it had “reviewed thousands of pages” of “complex material” relating to the company’s sourcing of wood pellets for the Drax power plant in Selby, North Yorkshire, but “did not find evidence that justified any further action”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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OL Lyonnes and Scotland’s Caroline Weir: ‘I would love to be competing for the Champions League’
Midfielder is chasing a trophy-laden spell in France and hopes a dream can be fulfilled by playing in the 2027 Women’s World Cup in BrazilJune 2026 is a month Caroline Weir is unlikely to forget. She scored seven goals in two Scotland games as they clinched top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, watched on with joy at 2am as Scotland’s men secured their first World Cup win for 36 years and then her move to OL Lyonnes was confirmed by the eight-time European champions.The Scotland captain says the lure of playing for Europe’s most decorated women’s club made the transfer an easy decision after four happy years playing for Real Madrid. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: news, tips and more on Gold Cup day – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail TonyOddschecker market moversTrawlerman - 9/4 from 3/1Cannes - 4/1 from 7/1Gilded Prize - 7/2 from 9/2 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionRad_Mobile asks: I find I’m completely bored after about five mins of running, although I do force myself to push it to 10 minutes which usually gets me to about 1.5k. How can I overcome this to run further?Kieran: The first 15 minutes of every run is always the worst. So I never judge a run based on how I feel. I just tell myself that if I still hate it after 15 minutes, it’s ok to go home, happy that you tried. I also think it’s ok to be bored. In fact, in a world of hyper connected, always on, boredom is a muscle we need to flex more often. I also love turning those early moments into a little challenge, adventure or giving yourself a reward. Run until you’ve seen 15 red cars, arrange to meet a friend 15 minutes away, on a brand new route or to a lovely cafe.Sarah: I’d suggest trying to run with a friend. I used to run with a neighbour and we spent the whole time chatting/ gossipping/ laughing – it was a great way to catch up. Either that or find a juicy true crime podcast (if that’s your jam). Another option is to make the run functional, so if you need to get to another part of London then run instead of getting on the tube. It’s going to be just as boring (if not more) sitting down underground – and then you know your run has a specific purpose.Kieran: There are a lot of signals being sent when you see a politician running: strength, motivation, energy, verve and vitality. It says: “I care about my health and fitness”. Running is arguably perceived as a more accessible activity that’s normal, simple, affordable. I also think they love being seen moving on foot, through their local neighbourhood, suggesting they’re connected, one of the people, doing what the people do.Running has also become hugely popular so plenty of celebrities of all stripes love a running photo op, too. But when you see Boris running in big baggy tees and shorts, and Andy Burnham in his Everton shirt, it does make runners question the authenticity. I’ve seen lots of people on social suggest a ‘real runner’ probably wouldn’t wear that. As for female politicians, Liz Truss loved a running photo op – say no more. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Choppy waters ahead as Iceland gets ready for its own EU referendum
In this week’s newsletter: After Trump’s interventions over Greenland, there are many in Iceland who believe they would be stronger in the EU. But will its recent history of independence win out?• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereAs the UK marks the tenth anniversary of its fateful Brexit referendum next Tuesday, Iceland is fast approaching its moment of truth about the EU – albeit from the opposite direction.On 29 August, Icelanders will be asked whether or not to they want to come back to the table with Brussels for negotiations about joining the EU. Iceland originally applied in 2009 after the financial crash, but pulled out of talks in 2013 saying it couldn’t go any further without a referendum. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Attack, which Kyiv said was in response to strike on historic monastery, also forces evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport Europe live – latest updatesUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the attack as a response to Russia’s striking of a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: Bellingham playing with ‘chip on shoulder’, Côte d’Ivoire’s Wahi barred over alleged fixing – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usA fresh England line hot off the wires coming right up …If by some bizarre chance you missed it, here’s a gallery of some of the best images from England 4-2 Croatia: Continue reading...

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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth has offered his view on the relationship with the UK, after meeting Britain’s new defence minister Dan Jarvis.His predecessor resigned in protest against low government spending on defence. Continue reading...

Ministry of Defence
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UK recognises positive development through European Long Range Strike Approach
Cooperation with our NATO partners on the development of enhanced strike capabilities within the Alliance is crucial to maintaining our collective security. | Ministry of Defence.

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This HP OmniBook is the first Windows laptop I'd seriously consider as a MacBook Neo rival
HP's OmniBook 3 combines decent hardware and exceptional battery life, making it one of the best-value laptops I've tested this year.

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Is Bundling Your Streaming Services Really Worth It? Our Expert Chimes In
Bundling may be a money-saver as subscription prices skyrocket. Our expert chimes in on whether they're worth it.

CNET News
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Think Your Subscriptions Are Cheap? They Could Be Costing You $1,300 Per Year, CNET Survey Finds
Last year, US adults spent an average of $204 on unused subscriptions. Now, we're wasting even more money.

CNET News
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Here’s What Actually Happens When Antivirus Software Scans Your PC
Your antivirus software does a lot more than sit in your system tray looking busy.

CNET News
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If You’re a PC Gamer, It’s Time to Upgrade to Magnetic Keyboard Switches
While they have a few downsides, if you're a competitive gamer (or hope to be), HE and TMR magnetic switches can make a huge performance difference.

Wired Top Stories
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How to Watch the Knicks Parade on NYC Traffic Surveillance Cameras
Artist Morry Kolman will be livestreaming feeds of the NBA champions’ ticker-tape parade from NYC’s traffic cameras—and this time, the city’s Department of Transportation isn’t demanding he stop.

Wired Top Stories
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13 Best Essential Oil Diffusers 2026: Tested and Reviewed
I tested over a dozen top home diffusers for scent strength, longevity, special features, and more. The Urpower Aroma is my favorite option for most people.

The Hill
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Putin's reign begins to crumble
President Vladimir Putin’s Russian Federation is taking on water. Like the Titanic, it has struck an immovable object — in this case Ukraine — and it is sinking fast. The last couple of weeks have been pretty bad for the Russian dictator, his generals at the Kremlin and his soldiers, trying to evade the onslaught of Ukrainian...

The Hill
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GOP critics aren’t buying Trump's Iran sales pitch 
In today’s issue: President Trump’s initial efforts to sell his deal with Iran to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz did not win over many Republicans on Wednesday. Trump administration officials yesterday read out the text of the 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a call with reporters. It was signed electronically earlier this week and then again by Trump last night during dinner...

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Inside England's set-piece playbook that has opponents terrified: The 'four and two' trick that gives Harry Kane free headers, how they get around the crackdown on grappling and a genius who wrote an essay on 16,000 throw-ins
There is this sense of NFL expectation within these American stadiums when Declan Rice stands over a corner ready to produce devilish deliveries with a routine plucked from a playbook.

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Revealed: The new 'Hotel Hall of Fame' list - with a luxury UK property making the list
Esquire's new Hotel Hall of Fame includes 21 of the world's most glamorous properties - and you can book them all yourself.

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Is this what Father's Day will look like for Prince Harry? Meghan shares how to say 'thanks to Dad' while plugging her As Ever products - including spreads, sprinkles and candles
On Sunday, Montecito-based Meghan, 44, shared her top tips for celebrating the holiday in an email sent to As Ever's subscribers titled 'Breakfast for Him'.

Mail Online
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The retirees RENTING in their 70s: Boomers are downsizing to lock up and leave apartments to fund 'a nice lifestyle' and beat inheritance tax. Here's what you need to know before calling the estate agent
As we live longer and remain active, for many, retirement is as much a time for new adventures as it is for slowing down. Cruises, long-haul trips or even sky diving are all amongst bucket-list plans

BBC World News
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First Russian shadow fleet vessel enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding
Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship which left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening.

The Register
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FreeBSD 15.1 lands, but desktop dabblers still have to draw their own GUI
Better laptop sleep and Wi-Fi support make the beastie more portable-friendly, but getting beyond the shell remains a DIY job

The Guardian (UK)
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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales review – a playable love letter to Zelda
PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, PC; Team Asano/Square EnixUpbeat, charmingly retro RPG full of treasure-hunting, temple-roaming, monster-slaying and princess-saving is an absolute blast to playYou can’t help but wonder if developer Team Asano is in a private competition with itself to come up with the most ridiculous name for a video game. Following Project Triangle Strategy and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy we have this mouthful: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. It’s a playable love letter to the Zelda adventures of yesteryear rendered in the studio’s trademark glorious 2D-HD art style, melding evocative pixel sprites with modern visual effects.From west Philabieldia, born and raised, our hero is adventurer Elliot. The antagonist making trouble in the neighbourhood is a king’s dastardly aide intent on summoning an ancient evil. The story is pure after-school-TV schlock, fully voice-acted but still unafraid to make you sit through reams and reams of text, and the action comprises treasure-hunting, temple-roaming and dispatching monsters. It’s part Chrono Trigger, part Oracle of Seasons as our almost obnoxiously upbeat hero journeys through the ages in order to solve puzzles, tip his fedora and of course, save a princess. Continue reading...

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Teenager dies after being thrown from horse-drawn carriage in Central Park
New York police department say teenager thrown to the ground when horse bolted away from its driverA teenager thrown to the ground Wednesday when a Central Park carriage horse bolted away from its driver has died, according to police.The 18-year-old was riding in the horse-drawn carriage with three other passengers when the accident happened just before 3pm, according to the New York police department. At least two passengers were sent flying out of the careening cab. Continue reading...

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Olivia Miles: the goggled wonder woman pulverizing WNBA opponents in her rookie season
The Minnesota Lynx point guard’s creativity has made an impact in her first pro season and has fans racing to watch her highlight reelsFor dedicated WNBA fans, every morning begins with the same question: what did Olivia Miles do this time? A no-look pass through three defenders? A crossover that sends another grown woman staggering out of frame? Statue of Liberty layups launched from angles that flout Euclidean geometry? You just never know with this wonder woman. The rush she gives fans makes a double espresso feel like a nightcap.No player in the WNBA has brought more joy to the season’s opening month than Miles, who has quickly emerged as one of the league’s most compelling talents. Fifteen games into her professional career, the 23-year-old North Jersey native has already established herself as the engine of the Minnesota Lynx offense, pacing the team in average scoring (19.0) and assists (5.7) while sinking more than half her shot attempts. In a 99-83 road win against a short-handed Los Angeles Sparks team on Wednesday night, Miles poured in a season-best 31 points on a blistering 80% percent shooting in just 26 minutes. Continue reading...

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Women’s World Cup playoffs: England land Greece, Scotland get Czechia in first round
England to play Ukraine or Slovakia if they beat GreeceScotland probably face Sweden if they win first gameEngland will need to overcome Greece and either Slovakia or Ukraine to qualify for 2027’s Women’s World Cup, while Scotland were handed a significantly tougher-looking draw and will probably need to beat Sweden, one of women’s football’s most successful nations, if they first beat Czechia, to qualify for next year’s finals in Brazil.Thursday’s playoff draw brought Wales a potential reunion with their former manager Gemma Grainger’s Norway side in another tricky draw. Northern Ireland’s path to a first World Cup next summer could bring them a game against the League A team Iceland. Continue reading...

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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: news, tips and more on Gold Cup day – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail Tony4.15 GOLD CUP previewThe staying division is currently missing a truly “public” horse like the three-time winner, Stradivarius, but Trawlerman, last year’s winner, will be a stern test for the posse of four-year-olds in this year’s Gold Cup field that could conceivably run up a sequence over the next few years if all goes well. The list is headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia, last year’s St Leger winner, who arrives in Berkshire looking for a sixth straight success, while Rahiebb and Carmers, second and fifth at Doncaster, are also looking to establish themselves as Cup horses with a win in the most prestigious staying event of them all. Other live runners include Al Riffa, last season’s Irish St Leger winner, for the Joseph O’Brien stable, and George Scott’s Caballo De Mar, a Group One winner over two miles in France last time out. My idea of the best bet in the race, though, is Carmers, on the basis that Trawlerman missed his intended prep race in May and may be slightly short of his best, while Paddy Twomey’s runner – who beat both Scandinavia and Rahiebb in the Queen’s Vase here last summer – has as much chance as either of his fellow four-year-olds of finding the necessary improvement stepping up to two-and-a-half miles. Continue reading...

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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionFromey asks: What is it with politicians and running photo ops? Boris, Obama, and recently Andy Burnham. And I wonder why female politicians aren’t often seen out running in this way?Kieran: There are a lot of signals being sent when you see a politician running: strength, motivation, energy, verve and vitality. It says: “I care about my health and fitness”. Running is arguably perceived as a more accessible activity that’s normal, simple, affordable. I also think they love being seen moving on foot, through their local neighbourhood, suggesting they’re connected, one of the people, doing what the people do.Running has also become hugely popular so plenty of celebrities of all stripes love a running photo op, too. But when you see Boris running in big baggy tees and shorts, and Andy Burnham in his Everton shirt, it does make runners question the authenticity. I’ve seen lots of people on social suggest a ‘real runner’ probably wouldn’t wear that. As for female politicians, Liz Truss loved a running photo op – say no more.Sarah: If you’re heavier it’s always worth building up a bit more slowly to longer runs and also taking the pace down. Joints and bones can take months to build up a tolerance that might come more quickly from a cardio perspective. I’d suggest slowing down more than you think – make sure you can hold a conversation while running – as well as using run-walk intervals to gradually get the distance up. This is definitely acceptable!Strength training is also key for heavier runners – think squats, lunges, step ups, glute bridges and core work. Another tip is to choose forgiving surfaces like dirt tracks or gravel paths – even heading to an athletics track. Finally, shorten your stride and think shorter and quicker steps, landing under the body rather than foot out in front. This reduces braking forces and stress on the knees. It’s also worth looking at what shoes you’re running in and making sure they have enough cushioning. Continue reading...

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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerMeanwhile, Wes Streeting has said his plan to ban “private equity sharks” from the social care sector was removed from the Labour manifesto, as he accused the government of “overcautiousness” in reforming the industry.In a Fabian Society report on how to create a national care service, Streeting said overhauling social care was “one of the defining challenges of our age” but an “absence of good political leadership” was holding back change. Continue reading...

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Layla Wright investigates Rachel Fulstow's life sentence
Layla Wright’s investigation into the conviction of a ‘killer couple'.

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Dr Ellie: A patient of mine has been taking the unlicensed 'Godzilla' of fat jabs. This is exactly what it's done to her body - and why people will keep taking 'Reta' regardless of the risks
When you've been a GP for over 20 years, you start to feel like you've seen it all. But a few months ago, I had an experience with a patient that left me shaken.

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RICHARD EDEN: After Harry and Meghan lost their lucrative TV and podcast deals, I was shocked when the prince announced a staggering £1m donation to Children in Need. Now I've found out where it REALLY came from... and it isn't his own pocket
When the Duke of Sussex returned to Britain for public engagements last September, he seemed to be on a public relations offensive after a string of negative stories about him and his wife.

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The retirees RENTING in their 70s: Boomers are downsizing to lock-up and leave apartments to fund 'a nice lifestyle' and beat inheritance tax. Here's what you need to know before calling the estate agent
As we live longer and remain active, for many, retirement is as much a time for new adventures as it is for slowing down. Cruises, long-haul trips or even sky diving are all amongst bucket-list plans

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Moment innocent black 16-year-old is arrested for attempted murder after his suicidal mother threw herself off block of flats - as he wins £130,000 payout from Met Police for discrimination
Daryl McLune sued the force for race discrimination and false imprisonment after he was handcuffed and kept in custody for almost 24 hours - despite being at his grandmother's.

BBC World News
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First shadow fleet vessel enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding
Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship which left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Calvin Harris & Commonwealths force Monday start to Celtic's title defence
Celtic open the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership season at home to Dundee on 3 August, with the champions saying they are disappointed to be starting on a Monday evening.

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Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan enjoys a day out with her kids at Royal Ascot after he revealed 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis
Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan enjoyed a day out at Royal Ascot after the star revealed his 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis.

Chatham House
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Even Hormuz reopening will not resolve Europe’s key energy vulnerability
Even Hormuz reopening will not resolve Europe’s key energy vulnerability
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
18 June 2026

Europe remains over reliant on insecure and persistently expensive natural gas. It should focus efforts on reducing demand.















European governments, most of which rely on oil and gas imports to fuel their economies, have been nervously watching prices climb and storage levels fall in the weeks since the US-Israeli attack on Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.They could be forgiven for being relieved by this week’s news of a US-Iran framework agreement that promises to enable ships to transit the Strait, through which approximately one-fifth of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flowed before the war.This would be premature, however. Even in the event of a lasting deal, it will take months for shipping flows to fully resume. Logistically, it will take time to reschedule routes efficiently as ships struggle to transit the strait and supply chains are disrupted. Crucially, insurance and shipping firms must be convinced of safe passage in the long term, which remains uncertain. More importantly, the war has reconfigured the global LNG market, on which Europe increasingly depends, in ways that are unfavourable to its energy security. This reconfiguration will continue to weigh on Europe, irrespective of any deal. SupplySince the dramatic reduction in pipeline flows to Europe from Russia in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine, Europe has imported growing quantities of LNG from the US. In 2021, 28 per cent of Europe’s LNG was sourced from the US; by 2025, this had grown to 58 per cent. Data from the first quarter of 2026 indicates it had reached 63 per cent. Europe was expected to increasingly turn to Qatar as a major provider of its LNG. Before the war, the Gulf nation was aiming to double its LNG export capacity by 2030 (based on its 2025 levels); this would have cemented Qatar as the second largest exporter of LNG globally, behind only the US. For Europe, this would have provided much-needed diversity of supply in its highly concentrated gas supply mix. But severe damage inflicted by Iranian missiles during the war has taken out roughly a sixth of Qatar’s export capacity.




































Related work

The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse












Although a concrete deal would allow Qatar to restart exports in the coming months, the damaged capacity may take several years to come back online, while export capacity expansion is set to be delayed. Some planned projects may not materialize at all: LNG from the Gulf will henceforth likely carry a geopolitical risk premium that takes into account any potential closures or conflict in the Strait.Europe’s reliance on US LNG may therefore be expected to increase and extend further into the future, especially considering the decision of the EU27 to ban all Russian gas imports before the end of 2027. Accounting for both pipeline and LNG flows, it is possible that in 2026 the US will overtake Norway to become Europe’s largest overall supplier of gas, just as Russia was before 2022.This dependency exposes Europe to potential coercion by the US, which has made clear its intention to use energy exports for geopolitical leverage. It also diminishes the continent’s ability to set terms. This can be seen in the anticipated watering down of EU rules, under US pressure, aiming to reduce methane emissions associated with LNG production.PriceWhile market optimism around the provisional US-Iran agreement has caused headline oil and gas prices to fall, the European gas price is unlikely to return to pre-war levels, compounding the stubbornly higher prices that have plagued the continent since the 2022 gas crisis linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Gas storage across Europe remains low at 45 per cent, compared to a seasonal average of 55 per cent. The need to refill storage before the cold winter months will drive demand up through the summer and autumn.






There are no quick fixes on the supply side.






LNG relies on specialized infrastructure which restricts its supply to a greater extent than with oil. Pre-war, most Qatari LNG went to Asia. With Qatari supply curtailed, Asian and European buyers have been competing more fiercely for the same limited supply, and this bidding war is pushing up prices. Looking ahead, Asian demand is likely to be even higher than usual due to El Niño weather patterns, increasing demand for air-conditioning.So far, US natural gas prices have remained low as export infrastructure capacity has limited exports, while production has increased as a by-product of increased oil drilling. But the US plans to boost LNG exports by nearly 30 per cent next year, and more than double them by 2029, with a massive buildout of new LNG export infrastructure. This will likely place upwards pressure on US prices and deepen the link between US prices and higher European and Asian prices.

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Who are the best dressed royals, celebrities and racegoers at Ascot? Vote for the spectator YOU think is the most fashionable
The first two days of Royal Ascot has served up summer sartorial splendor, with the royals leading from the front. Vote for your favourite so far here...

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'Cristiano Ronaldo isn't the same... he's older now': DR Congo star brutally lays bare Portugal's glaring issue - Now Roberto Martinez must fix it or risk a nightmare World Cup
IAN HERBERT: It was a statement of fact from one of the young Congolese midfielders and while not intended to insult, still a brutal assessment.

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Furious South Korea vow to stop all media duties over jibes about Son Heung-min's exemption from military service... and they're ready to take out their anger in showdown with Mexico
'Beware Son Heung-min' were the first serious words Mexico's manager spoke to his team in the Azteca Stadium dressing room, once the celebrations abated after victory over South Africa.

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Bank of England HOLDS rates at 3.75 per cent - as steady inflation slashes chances of a hike later this year
The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75 per cent today despite other central banks raising rates following the inflation shock caused by the Iran war.

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POLL OF THE DAY: Will Prince Harry heal his rift with King Charles?
Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, have not seen their grandfather King Charles III since their last trip to Britain in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

Mail Online
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Innocent black 16-year-old arrested for attempted murder after his suicidal mother threw herself off block of flats wins £130,000 payout from Met Police
Daryl McLune sued the force for race discrimination and false imprisonment after he was handcuffed and kept in custody for almost 24 hours - despite being at his grandmother's.

Mail Online
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Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%: What it means for your mortgage and savings
While rates were previously expected to fall this year, worries about an inflation spike caused by the conflict in Iran have led the Bank to behave cautiously.

BBC UK News
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Crime boss Steven Lyons loses bid to block extradition to Spain
A court in Amsterdam rules Lyons must face charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering and violent crime in Spain.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Lionesses will face Greece in World Cup play-offs
England will face Greece in round one of the 2027 Women's World Cup play-offs, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales also learning their opponents.

The Guardian (UK)
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Tell us: how do you interact with the UK native wild birds in your local area?
We’d like to hear from people in the UK about how their local bird populations are faring, and what they mean to themWe’d like to find out about your experience of wild native birds where you live and whether there have been any changes over time.Do you notice the same number of birds or less? What type of birds do you come into contact with? How has the soundscape changed? Do you ever use apps like Merlin to identify birds? Continue reading...

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Girls Like Girls review – Sapphic teen romance is a precious and predictable yawn-a-thon
Singer Hayley Kiyoko misses the mark in a meandering directorial debut packed with groan-inducing dialogue On 26 June 2015, the US supreme court finally declared gay marriage legal nationwide. Two days later, singer-songwriter and former Disney Channel alum Hayley Kiyoko effectively came out to the world with her debut single, Girls Like Girls. “Girls like girls like boys do, nothing new,” she sang with triumphant bluntness. Its accompanying music video, featuring a Sapphic teen romance, spread fast and wild across Tumblr, a website defined by its intensely nostalgic aesthetics, where style and identity formation merged for many queer teens. Today, the music video has 163m views on YouTube.Kiyoko, now engaged to former The Bachelor contestant Becca Tilley, has since been hailed the “lesbian Jesus” by fans. Queer expressions in pop music, from King Princess to Chappell Roan to Reneé Rapp, have become far more common in the decade since the music video was released, but Kiyoko still seems to inspire one of the most dedicated, and specifically Sapphic, audience in queer pop music today. Continue reading...

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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: news, tips and more on Gold Cup day – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail TonyAndrew is innocent!I know you would miss the regular royal spot ahead of the Royal Procession list announcement at noon if we didn’t share some and today’s concerns Lady Victoria Hervey who has arrived at the races today. For those unawarer she’s a British socialite and former model who dated Prince Andrew (now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) briefly in 1999. Throughout the fallout from his associations with Jeffrey Epstein, she has remained one of the prince’s most vocal defenders. In an interview with LBC in February, not only did she admit to being named in the Epstein files herself, but branded anyone who wasn’t as a “loser”. With friends like this … Continue reading...

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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything – live now
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? Running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh are online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionRupes_manuva asks: I am living in the south of Spain. I do plenty of running (and have spent plenty on kit over the years). When the temperature starts going up, my motivation seriously declines - I find running the heat particularly unpleasant. What one piece of killer kit would you recommend that really helps when running in the heat?Sarah: Running in the heat raises your heart rate as the body works to cool itself. So running at paces you’d usually find easy feel more effortful. That can be a big demotivator. There’s not really one killer piece of kit to make hot-weather runs more enjoyable. Lightweight, sweat-wicking technical running gear works to a point, and when I ran the length of the Danube, often covering more 30 miles in 35 degrees, I used a combination of a hydration vest, electrolytes and salt tablets (Precision Fuel and Hydration products are excellent) to ensure I was well hydrated.I’d also run holding ice to help bring down my core temperature. But for me, heat training preparation is really the secret weapon. I spend time in saunas and take hot baths so that when the time comes to face the heat, my body is more acclimated to the conditions and I’m more resilient to higher temperatures. Continue reading...

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‘It’s so camp!’ The queer Doctor Who cabaret with dancing drag daleks
Latex aliens, screaming fans and an ‘LGBTQ+ARDIS’ … the big sellout crowds of Gallifrey Cabaret are keeping the fantasy TV show alive – even if its future on the BBC is in the balanceThe atmosphere backstage at the Doctor Who-themed queer, adults-only cabaret night is every bit as chaotic as you might imagine. Hairspray clouds air already thick with overlapping conversations between drag kings and queens, singers and burlesque artists. In its midst, Reece Connolly adjusts his ruffled shirt and rhinestoned bow tie, and turns to his fellow performers. “This is a genuine question: do you think these are too tight?” he asks, gesturing to his black trousers. “No, they’re hot,” replies cabaret all-rounder Mariana Trench. The other acts agree, encouraging Connolly to “give [the audience] what they want”. He nods, and looks to me with mock sincerity: “This is community. This is what community looks like.”Being a fly-on-the-dressing-room-wall backstage at the Wales Millennium Centre is a heady, exhilarating and slightly overwhelming experience. But for the stars of Gallifrey Cabaret, this scene of “gorgeous chaos” (as red-headed, red-moustached drag queen Carrot describes it) is business as usual. The show, which tours the UK with a mixed bill of drag, burlesque, live music, comedy, aerial performance and dance, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month with an extra-special extravaganza at the Clapham Grand in London, and keeps getting bigger and better. Even fire acts and a dog have been given the Time Lord twist – albeit not at the same time. Continue reading...

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Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war
Attack, which Kyiv said was in response to strike on historic monastery, also forces evacuation at Russia’s biggest airport Europe live – latest updatesUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow in Kyiv’s biggest air raid on the city since the start of the full-scale invasion, setting a major ⁠oil refinery on fire and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the attack as a response to Russia’s striking of a historic Kyiv monastery complex earlier this week. Continue reading...

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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerAn election that could shape the future of UK politics for years to come is taking place on Thursday. But it is only happening in one small part of north-west England, with little more than 70,000 people eligible to vote.Why? It is a question with a number of answers, some connected to the structure of the British political system, others much more topical. Continue reading...

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Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as Iran conflict weighs on economy
Higher energy costs due to the closure of strait of Hormuz are expected to boost inflation and slow UK growthBusiness live – latest updatesBank of England policymakers have left interest rates on hold at 3.75%, as they continue to weigh the impact of the Iran conflict on the economy.The decision had been widely expected, even before Wednesday’s inflation figure undershot forecasts to remain at 2.8% in May. Continue reading...

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Myles Smith: My Mess, My Heart, My Life review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week
(RCA)He can write a decent rousing chorus, but the Stargazing hitmaker’s influences couldn’t be more obvious if he tried – right down to a ghastly Galway Girl sequelYou know what you’re getting with Myles Smith, an artist who set his musical stall out early on. Before he was the winner of the rising star award at the 2025 Brits, he started out at open mic nights, performing selections from the oeuvres of Mumford & Sons, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, still his avowed biggest influences today. The last in particular proved so impactful on the Luton-born singer that he even plays one of those funny small-scale acoustic guitars that have long been Sheeran’s trademark.You could therefore deride Smith as someone who is intent on piloting his way to the middle of the road – and who is also a little passe. In 2026, even the world of the nice-guy pop-folk singer-songwriter seems to have moved on a bit, its big names either a touch grittier and more obviously rooted in Americana (Noah Kahan, Jelly Roll), or more flamboyant and knowing (Benson Boone), or, at the very least, bolstered by a traumatic backstory that underpins their lyrics (Alex Warren). But if Smith’s approach is a callback to a past era, nobody seems to have informed the public. His 2024 breakthrough, Stargazing, went platinum in 16 countries; it’s still in the UK Top 100 nearly two years after its release, and the follow-up Nice to Meet You is also a platinum seller. A Minute, a Moment – Smith’s 2025 EP that lasted as long as most albums – sold half a million copies in the US alone. Continue reading...

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England take the handbrake off but Ronaldo is stuck in park – World Cup Daily
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames, Lucy Ward and Jacob Steinberg as England start their World Cup in styleRate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.On the podcast today: England 4-2 Croatia. Thomas Tuchel’s men pressed high and attacked with pace and purpose, especially in a very impressive second half. How carried away should anyone get after the first game? Continue reading...

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We must be alive to the dangers of a UK social media ban – and the way to really help young people | Rosie Parkyn
A ban alone will have limited impact and could make things worse. A good strategy needs more educational content – and more moneyAs a parent, I understand the appeal of the announcement on Monday by the prime minister that would prevent children under 16 from using social media. Right now, you are in constant battle with the infinite scroll for your child’s attention, while their impetus to explore the real world is subdued by endless entertainment always within reach. At best, their rapidly developing brains are rotted by a diet of the synthetic, sensationalist and shallow – humanity’s least impressive creative output catering to its lousiest instincts. At worst, they are being preyed upon by forces intent on manipulating, exploiting or recruiting them. You look around and wonder where they are, even as they are right under your nose. You worry they will never experience the boredom that leads to creativity and propels us forward.The desire to protect children from an often hostile environment makes sense, and the ban sends a signal of what we deem acceptable, and maybe even opens up the possibility of a behavioural shift in how we use social media. But evidence from Australia, where similar legislation was enacted last December, is not encouraging. According to one study, two-thirds of young people retained their accounts, while 51% of those most affected by the ban now see less news. The fact is that this demographic get most of its news from social media feeds, consumed incidentally amid footage of fights, diet tips and dance crazes and conveyed by influencers whose shtick is authenticity not accuracy. But it is encountered nonetheless. If we remove access, we need to create alternative routes to news and information. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Celtic begin title defence at home to Dundee
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England's brutally frank boss Thomas Tuchel is the 'German with the wrong passport' who refuses to accept big egos and sends endless late-night WhatsApps - now he's fired up his team to win the World Cup
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Katie Price revealed she's finally getting the bumps in her surgically enhanced lips fixed. 

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Marks Electrical ordered to refund 40,000 customers following probe by competition watchdog
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Paul Powlesland, 40, is under investigation after clearing a section of the River Roding in Barking, east London, alongside a group of volunteers.

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Revealed: The popular UK pet foods that contain the most microplastics - so, is your dog or cat at risk?
Researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of Surrey tested 38 foods from the 19 biggest brands for traces of tiny plastic particles.

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NatWest boss Paul Thwaite becomes latest bank chief to admit that some jobs in the industry will be taken by AI
NatWest boss Paul Thwaite has become the latest banking chief to admit that artificial intelligence (AI) will take over some jobs in the sector.

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Holly Willoughby oozes elegance in a white skirt suit and hat as she and regal Georgia Toffolo lead the celeb glamour at Royal Ascot ladies' day
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Jon Snow's wife recalls the broadcaster's early Alzheimer's warning signs and says he was 'written off' by people after his diagnosis
Dr Lunga, who is a neuroscientist, said that Jon suffered with depression after retiring as a journalist in 2021, which can increase the risk of dementia.

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Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan enjoys a day out at Royal Ascot after he revealed 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis
Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan enjoyed a day out at Royal Ascot after the star revealed his 'aggressive' prostate cancer diagnosis.

Mail Online
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Venezuela Fury's husband Noah Price is accused of being 'disrespectful' to dad Tyson as he declares the influencer is 'my wife now'
Venezuela Fury's husband Noah Price has been accused of being 'disrespectful' by fans in a recent live video. 

BBC UK News
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Interest rates kept on hold at 3.75%
The Bank last cut interest rates in December but upheaval in the Middle East has stalled any further reductions.

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Extension of appointments to the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has today, 18 June, announced the extension of appointments to the Independent Reporting Commission | Northern Ireland Office.

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Berlin summit brings out private equity protesters
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UK must face an inconvenient truth. Russia is already at war with Britain - and has been for four years
While in Norway, I spent some time reading about the country's experience during the Second World War. When Nazi troops arrived, Norway simply did not have the means to repulse them.

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Britain will swelter in week-long heatwave: Amber alert issued as European 'heat dome' is set to push temperatures to near record 33C in parts of southern England
The second heatwave of 2026 has begun as the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) upgraded heat health alerts for four regions from 'yellow' to 'amber'.

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When I drank, every hangover used to leave me wretched and sobbing. Now, I've finally learned to enjoy a night out again. If you're looking to cut back on alcohol, these are the 6 things you must do: DAISY BUCHANAN
During the summer of 2021, I watched a lot of football, and I drank a lot of rosé. I watched every single game, but I remember very little about them - apart from the hangovers.

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Will Putin change tactics after Ukrainian drone attacks?
Steve Rosenberg explains what Russia's next steps may be after frequent Ukrainian drone attacks.

Autosport F1
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Will Mercedes stop its drivers fighting now with Hamilton chasing?
Toto Wolff has hinted that Mercedes may reconsider its approach of letting George Russell and Kimi Antonelli race each other after the Barcelona Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton emerging as a genuine championship threat.Mercedes enjoyed a very strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, winning the first six grands prix, but the streak was stopped by Hamilton and Ferrari. Antonelli still leads ...Keep reading

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Scottish 'mafia boss' can be extradited to Spain, Dutch court rules
Scottish 'mafia boss' Steven Lyons can be extradited to Spain, a court in Amsterdam ruled.

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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: news, tips and more on Gold Cup day – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail Tony3.40 RIBBLESDALE STAKES previewSound the stat klaxon, it’s time for the one about Oaks runners in the Ribblesdale as Legacy Link attempts to win Ascot’s Group Two for three-year-old fillies having run in the Epsom Classic last time out. A total of 33 fillies have lined up for this race after running in the Oaks since 2010 and just two have won, with the list of beaten runners including three favourites and seven more that set off at 5-1 or shorter. It is a big ask, in other words, and Legacy Link, the Epsom runner-up behind impressive winner Thundering On, will deserve huge credit if she can pull it off on what will be her third start in just over a month. Earth Shot and French challenger Gilded Prize are the likeliest opponents to give her something to think about, and while neither managed to win last time out, both look sure to blossom over this trip. And there is a royal runner to look out for too, although Golden Orbit, a home-bred daughter of Sea The Stars who was a beaten favourite last time, is friendless in the market at 33-1 and the first-time blinkers will need to spark serious improvement. Continue reading...

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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerThose who don’t pay much attention to politics could be forgiven for not being fully on top of this, but the UK could have a new prime minister soon – potentially within weeks.So how quickly could Andy Burnham replace Keir Starmer, if Burnham wins Thursday’s Makerfield byelection? Actually, quite quickly, but only if events go in a particular way. And there are plenty of alternate outcomes. Continue reading...

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Middle East crisis live: US will restart military action if Iran does not uphold deal, says Hegseth
Pete Hegseth said the US is prepared to reimpose a blockade against Iran if it fail to fulfil its commitments under the agreementReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop blowing up buildings” during a phone call about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.The newspaper cited sources who overheard the phone conversation between the two leaders, whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile as the war raged on. Continue reading...

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An Interview with Michael Morton About E-Commerce in the Age of AI
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A harmless-looking ChatGPT prompt opened the door to gruesome AI images
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A strange little electric nose may be the missing piece for smart fridges
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Think you know Pikachu’s world? Prove it by acing our 30-question Pokémon quiz to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary

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Amazon devices plummet by up to 80% ahead of Prime Day — these are the best 16 deals on Fire TV, Blink, and Ring that I'd buy now

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I tested these superb ANC headphones then forgot to ever stop using them… and they're on sale in a sweet early Prime Day deal

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The role of CSPs in natural disaster recovery

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Clarkson's Farm season 5 fans left reeling after 'brutal to watch' final episodes — and they're not just saying that for the obvious reason

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Poland: Arrest after Russian artist and Putin critic killed
Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Lublin police arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of the Russian national and critical artist known as Semyon Skrepetsky. He said investigators were still seeking a "mastermind."

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Warsh wants to listen to markets more. Morgan Stanley says markets may regret it.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh says he wants to listen to the signal from markets more. Strategists at Morgan Stanley say markets may regret being in charge.

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The next two weeks could bring a bumpy ride for U.S. stocks. Buy any dip, says this strategist.
Citadel strategist Scott Rubner says one of the most important two weeks of the year is here, and that could open buying opportunities for stocks.

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Archbishop of Canterbury says 'shame is ours' as she apologises for forced adoptions
The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised for the "pain, trauma and stigma" caused by the Church of England's role in historical forced adoptions.

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UK rapper thanks Linkin Park for 'changing my life' with freestyle shoutout
Mike Shinoda from the band says he spotted Megan Da Savage's rap on an independent music platform.

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Jeff Bezos Called Washington Post His Worst Investment and Staff He Laid Off ‘Terrible’ People
The Amazon founder complained to Trump over dinner that nobody there listens to him soon before slashing staff, according to excerpts from a forthcoming book.

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'I'll never forgive you': Mother of murdered baby Preston Davey tells court 'part of me died with him' as adoptive fathers are sentenced
Jamie Varley, 37, will be sentenced today for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023.

Nature
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Cell transplant across the tree of life hints at how animals emerged

ZeroHedge News
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Ferrari Reportedly Tells Buyers To Buy Unpopular Luce To Move Up On Wait List
Ferrari Reportedly Tells Buyers To Buy Unpopular Luce To Move Up On Wait List

Ferrari is reportedly using its first-ever EV, the Luce, a €550,000 model that looks more like a cross between a Tesla and a Kia, as a loyalty test inside its highly coveted allocation system.

Ferrari's allocation system is a notoriously exclusive, invitation-only process managed directly by the factory in Maranello. Rather than using waitlists, Ferrari curates ownership by evaluating a buyer's loyalty to the brand, requiring customers to build a multi-million-dollar history of ownership, participate in factory events, and retain cars in order to qualify to buy hypercars right off the production line.

Bloomberg sources say Ferrari is dangling the Luce to buyers in its allocation program, not only to offload the widely unpopular EV but also to give clients a path to move up in the allocation system.

"It is like a restaurant where it is impossible to get a table," Max Girardo, founder of collector-car advisory firm Girardo & Co. and a former RM Sotheby's auctioneer and motor-car specialist, told the outlet in an interview.



Girardo noted, "If you go every week, eventually they find you one. With Ferrari, the more you buy, the more you are treated as an important client."

Here's more detail on what Ferrari is telling clients in their allocation system:


Bloomberg spoke with more than half a dozen investors and collectors from Italy to China to gather details about how Ferrari communicated with clients following the Luce’s presentation.

One buyer said Ferrari made clear to him that taking the car mattered if he wanted to keep his place among top clients.

Another collector said the company is signaling to many clients, especially potential new buyers, that access to a future one-off model may first depend on buying the Luce or cheaper entry-level models.


Ferrari has long preserved its pricing power by intentionally keeping production below market demand, with output capped at roughly 14,000 vehicles last year. That scarcity drives the brand's exclusivity and fuels its coveted allocation system.

The Luce will likely still be purchased by clients looking to leapfrog in the allocation system, especially if it helps secure access to more desirable future releases.

Related: 

Ferrari Vs Tesla: $640K Luce EV Loses Key Speed And Range Battles To Model S Plaid
Our view is that the Luce risks becoming a modern repeat of the Mondial, the less-loved Ferrari produced in the 1980s and early 1990s that has been shunned by collectors.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 05:45

UK Government News
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First large-scale study finds Members’ Voluntary Liquidations are working effectively
The study is the first large scale analysis of Members’ Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs) outcomes in England and Wales.

Deutsche Welle
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NATO: US lashes out, alliance head says everything's fine
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Mail Online
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Traffic warden in crackdown on misuse of disabled badges sacked - for using dead mother's one to go shopping
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Mail Online
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Drug driver, 24, was waiting to have his licence revoked when he killed father-of-three in head-on crash while high on cannabis
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UK Legislation
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Act of Sederunt (Fees of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers) 2026
This Act of Sederunt consolidates and revokes the Act of Sederunt (Fees of Messengers-at-Arms) (No. 2) 2002, the Act of Sederunt (Fees of Sheriff Officers) (No. 2) 2002 and the Acts of Sederunt which have amended these instruments.

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Oxfordshire council seeks injunction over flags tied to lamp-posts across county
Council says it has so far spent £15,000 removing flags put up under campaign linked to anti-immigration protestsOxfordshire county council is seeking an injunction against the Raise the Colours campaign group after England flags were tied to lamp-posts across the county.The campaign has been putting up flags across the country since August last year, and there is a particular proliferation of them in and around Oxford. Though the campaign has said it is motivated by pride and patriotism, the flag raising has been linked to anti-immigration protests. Continue reading...

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Royal Ascot 2026, day three: news, tips and more on Gold Cup day – live
All the latest from the royal meeting Thursday’s previews and tips | Mail TonyGood morning. It was overcast this morning but no precipitation so the going for day three of Royal Ascot is: Good to Firm and there’s very little between the different sides of the track.GoingStick readings at 8.30am: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mexico military brings down drone near South Korea World Cup training camp
South Korea say tactics would not have been seen Drones have also been near stadium security zonesMexican military forces intercepted and brought down a drone that flew near the South Korea team’s training camp as they prepared for their World match against the co-hosts. Military forces used specialised equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the camp, prompting them to “neutralise” it, a Mexican federal agent said.Mexico won their opening Group A match at the World Cup last week while South Korea beat Czechia the same day. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Farage trying to block ‘Britcoin’ plans that could be costly for billionaire donor
Reform UK leader used private meeting at Bank of England to urge governor to drop plans for state-run cryptocurrencyNigel Farage has been trying to block a Bank of England cryptocurrency plan that could be costly for the billionaire bankrolling his party.The Reform UK leader has said Christopher Harborne wants nothing in exchange for the millions he has donated to the party and the undeclared £5m personal gift to Farage that the Guardian revealed in April. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Middle East crisis live: Trump calls critics of Iran deal ‘jealous, bad people, or stupid’; Tehran says it will charge toll in strait of Hormuz after 60 days
The US president responded to critics of his deal with Tehran; chief Iranian negotiator says key waterway will ‘not return to prewar conditions’ after 60-day windowReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “stop blowing up buildings” during a phone call about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.The newspaper cited sources who overheard the phone conversation between the two leaders, whose relationship has grown increasingly hostile as the war raged on. Continue reading...

ZDNet News
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ZDNet News
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CNET News
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Wired Top Stories
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Wired Top Stories
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The Hill
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Senate Republicans raise alarm over Trump’s deal with Iran
President Trump’s deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting sanctions on Iran is getting strong pushback from Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill who warn that giving Iran’s theocratic regime access to billions of dollars in economic relief would be a major “blunder.” Some Republicans are warning that the likely outcome of...

The Hill
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Republican senators are growing tired of the White House throwing curveballs into things they want to get done. For example, many Republican senators want a now-lapsed surveillance law that allows intelligence agencies to spy on foreign threats to be reauthorized. The problem? They need Democratic support to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. President Trump...

The Hill
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Newsom brushes off DOJ probe, as Democrats worry it could hurt him in 2028
The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations involving California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, could pose a challenge for him should the governor decide to mount a presidential bid in 2028.  While the probes are in their early stages, some Democrats are already wondering whether they could tarnish Newsom's image even before...

The Hill
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House members flailing in primaries for higher office
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Mac Rumours
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Apple to Make Chips in US With Intel, Trump Says
Apple has agreed to work with Intel to manufacture some of its chips in the United States, U.S. president Trump said on Thursday.





Intel's stock rose 9 percent in premarket trading following Trump's comments, which appeared in a social media post. Apple was up 0.6 percent in premarket trading.



Neither Apple nor Intel have officially commented on the deal, but The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Apple and Intel had established a preliminary agreement that would see Intel manufacturing processors for Apple devices.



Intel would make chips based on Apple chip designs in the same way that TSMC currently does. Prior rumors on Intel's Apple talks have suggested Intel could make some of the lower-end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest-end M-series chip used in select iPad and Mac models.



Before Apple adopted Apple silicon, it used Intel-designed chips for its Macs, but there were continual chip delays. Today, Apple designs its own Arm-based chips and has TSMC manufacture them, giving it the freedom to roll out updates on a more predictable schedule.



Apple hasn't looked to Intel as a supplier before, both because the chipmaker has trailed rivals like TSMC and Samsung and because of the rocky history between the two companies.



That picture may be shifting under Lip-Bu Tan, who took over as Intel CEO last year after the company ousted Pat Gelsinger, and has since pushed to turn around its struggling chip manufacturing arm. Tan's efforts appear to be having the desired impact – the company's stock has surged 464 percent in the past 12 months, with the company hitting a market cap of $608.7 billion. The U.S. government also took a 10 percent stake in Intel last year, converting $8.9 billion in unpaid Chips Act grants into equity.



Apple has been trying to broaden its supply chain, since TSMC – based in Taiwan – is its only Apple silicon manufacturer at the moment. On Apple's most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said iPhone 17 supply had been constrained during the quarter because the company couldn't secure enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.



With the AI boom driving massive demand for AI servers, TSMC has less capacity to spare for consumer-device chips. That's left Apple with a weaker hand when it comes to securing production slots.Tag: IntelThis article, 'Apple to Make Chips in US With Intel, Trump Says' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Deutsche Welle
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Berlin summit brings out private equity protesters
Activists gathered to protest the SuperReturn private equity summit in Berlin, accusing the industry of driving inequality, job cuts and rising costs as investors representing trillions gather to seek high returns.

Mail Online
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Trump says 'fools who think I haven't been tough enough on Iran' are 'jealous or stupid' after signing widely-criticised deal that includes giving Tehran $300billion
Donald Trump has hit back at critics who said he had not been tough enough with Iran after signing a peace deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Mail Online
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Ancient oak tree linked to Robin Hood legend dies after 1,200 years thanks to heatwaves and huge number of tourists
The Major Oak, located in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, is thought to have died after its first spring with no leaves, according to wildlife charity the RSPB.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Rachel Stevens was spotted puffing a cigarette while sitting in the street - years after revealing her battle with quitting the habit. 

Mail Online
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Moment British tourist is attacked and wounded by sword-wielding martial arts instructor 'following road rage rampage' in Thailand
The holidaymaker reportedly went on a rampage following a road rage incident with a motorcyclist on the resort island of Phuket on June 13.

Mail Online
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Fake fat jab crisis: A quarter of GPs have treated patients needing hospital treatment after taking illegal weight-loss meds
As demand for appetite-suppressing drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro continues to soar, fears are growing that counterfeit 'black market' medication is putting patients at risk.

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Nigel Farage warned that the by-election taking place today will be 'tight' and 'no-one knows what will happen'.

Mail Online
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Mail Online
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Fury as Zack Polanski is cleared by London Assembly sleaze probe over council tax row on grounds he wasn't acting in a 'official capacity'
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Mail Online
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Mail Online
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'I'll never forgive you': Mother of murdered baby Preston Davey  tells court 'part of me died with him' as adoptive fathers are sentenced
Jamie Varley, 37, will be sentenced today for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023.

Mail Online
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Royal Ascot heats up! The sun shines on day three of the festival as revellers bring the glamour in white crisp outfits and statement headwear - amid the UK's six-day heatwave
Bright summer dresses, vibrant frocks and extravagant headpieces were all on display as thousands of revellers descended on the Berkshire racecourse this morning.

BBC World News
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Lawyer in high-profile Ugandan treason case charged with related offence
Uganda's military chief had boasted of "the hurt and pain" he would inflict on Erias Lukwago, who was arrested earlier this week.

The Register
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Transport for London keeps Capita behind wheel of road charging ops in £912M extension
Replacement deal now expected in mid-2029 as body says safe transition will take at least five years

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Fallston Group Chief Executive Rob Weinhold joined FOX45 Morning's Tom Rodgers to discuss ongoing concerns about the safety of Boeing Aircraft amid yet another alarming incident yesterday.

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A330 neo planes could be very good option for Indian aviation market
The Indian aviation market will continue to grow strongly, and Airbus' A330 neo aircraft, which has a level of economics comparable to the wide-body A350 planes, could be a very good option for the country, according to a senior company executive

Mail Online
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Prince William jokes with fellow Aston Villa fan at Royal Ascot about his beloved team's 'good season' - as onlookers praise 'down to earth' royal
As the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled in the carriage procession for the second day of races yesterday, a jovial William, 43, appeared in high spirits.

The Guardian (UK)
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The best LED face masks in the UK, tested: 11 light therapy devices that are worth the hype
They claim to fix fine lines, blemishes and redness – but which stand up to scrutiny? We asked dermatologists and put them to the test to find out• The best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatmentsLED face masks are booming in popularity – despite being one of the most expensive at-home beauty products to hit the market. They claim to either reduce the appearance of fine lines, stop spots or calm redness, with some even combining different types of light to enhance the benefits.However, it’s wise to be sceptical about new treatments that are costly and non-invasive, and to do your research before you buy. With this in mind, I interviewed doctors and dermatologists to find out whether these light therapy devices work.Best LED face mask overall:CurrentBody Series 2Best budget LED face mask:Silk’n LED face mask 100 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Weather more important to sales than World Cup, says Tesco as growth slows
Strong sales of canned cocktails and Irn-Bru help retailer beat forecasts – and sunshine made people spendBusiness live – latest updatesThe weather will have more impact on grocery sales than home nation World Cup wins, according to the boss of Tesco, as it said UK sales growth more than halved during a rainy spring and the Middle East conflict.Ken Murphy, the chief executive of the UK’s biggest retailer, said the rainy conditions for much of this spring – compared with a long spell of sunshine last year – had a larger effect on spending habits than the football or the Iran war, despite the latter creating “ongoing uncertainty for many households”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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OL Lyonnes and Scotland’s Caroline Weir: ‘I would love to be competing for the Champions League’
Midfielder is hopeful for trophy-laden spell after bidding farewell to Madrid and challenges Scotland to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in BrazilJune 2026 is a month Caroline Weir is unlikely to forget. She scored seven goals in two Scotland games as the team clinched top spot in their World Cup qualifying group, watched on with joy at 2am as Scotland’s men secured their first World Cup win for 36 years, and then her move to OL Lyonnes was announced by the eight-time European champions.The Scotland captain says the lure of playing for Europe’s most decorated women’s club made the transfer an easy decision after four happy years playing for Real Madrid. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day two – live
Updates from the second day’s play at the Oval Day one report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail Taha80th over: New Zealand 318-7 (Jamieson 16, Phillips 59) Jamieson slaps Baker through the off-side, then makes room for a mighty smack … he edges away over Rew for four more. The big man is here to have fun as he launches to deep midwicket … and Ben Duckett, backpedalling, drops it! That should have been snaffled; Baker was already celebrating. To make matters worse for the debutant, Phillips pulls away for another boundary, the third of the over. A very tidy start to the day for New Zealand.79th over: New Zealand 305-7 (Jamieson 7, Phillips 55) It’s Josh Tongue to bound in from the Pavilion End – he goes short and Phillips offers no shot, the ball smashing into his belly button. Ouch. England are going full bumper mode, with three men on the leg-side boundary, and midwicket just a few yards in front of the rope. And is Jamieson gone, gloving the ball high, with Rew collecting? Nah, off the helmet. And a no ball, too. Jamieson will get checked out by the doc. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Irish parliament votes to remove three-day abortion wait
Waiting period before receiving medication was included in draft law to gain support for abortion ban in 2018 referendumIreland’s parliament has voted to remove a mandatory three-day wait for abortion during early pregnancy after campaigners said the rule was an unnecessary restriction.The Dáil passed the bill on Wednesday night, clearing a path for the legislation to go to a parliamentary committee and become law later this, or next, year. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: England’s Bellingham playing with ‘chip on shoulder’, Liverpool to sign Spain’s Muñoz for £34.5m – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usA fresh England line hot off the wires coming right up …If by some bizarre chance you missed it, here’s a gallery of some of the best images from England 4-2 Croatia: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerIn our opening post, I did promise you some dogs at polling stations.And reader, pictures of our four-legged friends exercising their democratic right have been flooding in from the various news agencies. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Bostonians bemused as Scotland fans decorate city's statues with traffic cones
The practice is familiar to anyone from Glasgow, where the Duke of Wellington statue has been wearing a jaunty orange hat since the 1980s.

Mail Online
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Economic case for an EV is getting stronger - but only for those who can charge at home
The AA president said that while higher fuel prices had made more drivers consider going electric, 'Not every driver is ready to switch tomorrow.'

Mail Online
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Britain for sale: Intertek agrees £10.7bn takeover by Swedish firm EQT
Intertek now becomes the latest British firm to fall into foreign hands, amid a takeover frenzy that has seen predators scouring the London stock market for firms they can snap up cheaply.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Lisa Nandy 'not satisfied' with Channel 4 response on Married at First Sight UK
BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two cast members, allegations the men involved have denied.

Chatham House
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Europe after Nord Stream: The limits of energy security
Europe after Nord Stream: The limits of energy security
23
June 2026 — 12:00 TO 13:00 BST
Anonymous (not verified)
15 June 2026

Chatham House and Online
As the debate continues in Brussels over how to defend infrastructure and strengthen energy independence, hear from experts on how Europe is facing up to this ongoing risk.
As the debate continues in Brussels over how to defend infrastructure and strengthen energy independence, hear from experts on how Europe is facing up to this ongoing risk.

The sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline in 2022 exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s energy system and wider infrastructure. It also highlighted risks linked to Russia’s grey-zone warfare and the vulnerability of undersea networks. It has driven efforts to strengthen resilience and raised urgent questions about Europe’s readiness to deter and respond to future threats.This session discusses:What do we know about who was behind the Nord Stream sabotage?Has Europe learned the lessons from Nord Stream?What progress has Europe made on achieving energy independence?How exposed is Europe’s critical infrastructure to future attacks?What has Europe done to strengthen the protection of undersea networks?

Chatham House
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Will Colombia elect a far-right president?
Will Colombia elect a far-right president?
Expert comment
LToremark
17 June 2026

Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella represent opposite ends of the political spectrum. But neither appear to have the solutions to Colombia’s problems.















The second round of Colombia’s presidential election will be held on 21 June, revealing a country deeply divided between two candidates with entirely different political visions. Iván Cepeda, leader of the left-wing coalition Pacto Histórico, is the government-backed candidate endorsed by current president Gustavo Petro. He aims to combat the economic elites and political forces that have dominated Colombia for over a century. To do so, he wants to reform the state and the tax system, reduce inequality through social agreements and increased access to new technologies, protect nature, and strengthen peace and multilateralism. His opponent, Abelardo de la Espriella, is a businessman and lawyer with no political experience who is endorsed by US President Donald Trump – and currently leading the polls. Nicknamed ‘El Tigre’ (The Tiger) for his aggressive approach, he blends the characteristics of Donald Trump, Argentina’s Javier Milei and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele. De la Espriella presents himself as a staunch opponent of communism and advocates a tough stance against the authoritarianism of the left, organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking and illicit economies. Two very different visions for Colombia




































Related work

Trump and Petro’s unpredictable meeting could be pivotal for Latin America












The differences between the two candidates and their visions for Colombia could not be greater. Cepeda is a senator who has spent his entire adult life fighting against the state’s collusion with the far-right paramilitary groups that murdered his father, senator and lawyer Manuel Cepeda Vargas, in 1994. He wants to tackle three key problems in Colombia: inequality, violence and the lack of state control of 40 per cent of the national territory – which creates the perfect environment for armed groups to operate freely. In Gustavo Petro’s current government, Cepeda led the Paz Total (Total Peace) initiative to reach agreements with non-state political and criminal armed groups. The aim was to get them to lay down their arms and cease their illicit activities by offering reduced sentences and the retention of part of their wealth. He also attempted to reach a peace agreement with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group. Both projects failed, and he is accused of indirectly having helped the armed groups gain ground. De la Espriella, meanwhile, became famous as a lawyer for defending individuals linked to organized crime and paramilitarism. His clients include Alex Saab, an alleged organized crime operator who was a key ally of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s government as well as an alleged collaborator of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As a politician, he now takes a very hardline approach to organized crime and drugs. If elected, he would use massive force against armed criminal or political groups and strengthen security by building maximum-security prisons. He would also seek to dismantle the 2016 Peace Agreement between the Juan Manuel Santos government and FARC Marxist guerrilla, particularly the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) established by the agreement to implement transitional justice. De la Espriella wants to reduce the size of the state, eliminate regulations, promote mining and energy exploitation, cut taxes on businesses and large fortunes, and force banks to provide cheap loans for home purchases. He also wants to withdraw Colombia from the United Nations and the Organization of American States. A new right and new alignmentsThe Colombian business community, most of the media, the international financial sector, and part of the armed forces officers would support a potential De la Espriella victory. In diplomatic circles, however, some feel it would be a lack of prestige for Colombia to have a president linked to organized crime and the paramilitaries.But it is a price they might consider worth paying to be on good terms with the US, which has always been their political and economic benchmark. And currently occupying the White House is a president for whom the lines between personal and political interests are blurred.




































Related work

The ‘Trump Corollary’ in the US security strategy brings a new focus on Latin America – but it is a disordered plan












De la Espriella’s approach fits in with Trump’s national security strategy, which seeks to have like-minded governments in the region that cooperate in the war on crime and grant him access to their mineral and energy resources. By contrast, if Cepeda wins, the Trump administration may try to exert direct and indirect pressure through their regional allies to limit his reforms, particularly tax reforms and attempts to impose regulations on US mining and oil companies operating in Colombia.This election is part of the wider trend towards the far right across Latin America. In elections across the region, traditional right-wing parties – as well as those on the left and in the centre – have been taken by surprise by populist, non-political outsiders who have won over a large proportion of their voters by focusing on issues such as crime and nationalism versus multilateralism. Although Cepeda has focused his campaign on denouncing De la Espriella for his links to the paramilitaries, he has misunderstood the new right which his opponent represents. De la Espriella has presented himself as a representative of a new, pragmatic right, which is devoid of values and instead focused on seeing immediate results. As Hernando Gómez Buendía, director of Razón Pública, points out: ’The right-wing did not disappear. It changed hands’.This election highlights the link between the erosion of democracy and the consequent rise of the far right in Latin America on the one hand, and Trump’s hemispheric policy of supporting allied governments in the region on the other. This support is either direct or channelled through local allies, as seen in Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s explicit backing of De la Espriella, which led to accusations of ‘deliberate interference’ in the election.

Deutsche Welle
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Protests target private equity industry at Berlin summit
Activists gathered to protest the SuperReturn private equity summit in Berlin, accusing the industry of driving inequality, job cuts and rising costs as investors representing trillions gather to seek high returns.

Mail Online
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Ryanair boss hits out at 'gobbledygook' new EU cabin baggage pricing - warning 'bureaucratic bunkum' will mislead passengers
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has criticised new EU cabin baggage rules, warning they will push up advertised fares and make it harder for passengers.

Mail Online
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Baked beans: Why eating more of them can boost your heart health and give your digestion a serious boost
The old rhyme tells us that 'beans, beans, are good for your heart' - and, as it turns out, that is true. But they pack even more of a nutritional punch beyond protecting our cardiovascular health.

Mail Online
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'It's a disaster and very, very cringe': Insiders tell CODIE BULLEN how Cole Palmer, England's one-time great hope, is now a laughing stock as he cavorts in Ibiza
As England kick off their World Cup campaign tonight, one of the most notable names not to grace even the subs bench at the Dallas Stadium is Cole Palmer.

The Guardian (UK)
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Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions
Church ‘profoundly sorry’ for pain caused to mothers and children separated at birth between 1940s and 1980sThe Church of England has made a long-awaited apology for its role in forced adoptions after the second world war.Hundreds of thousands of children were forcibly separated from their mothers in the UK between the 1940s and the 1980s. Survivors testify to suffering abuse, neglect and lifelong trauma. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Liverpool beat Newcastle to £34.5m Víctor Muñoz in first signing of Iraola era
Club triggered £34.5m release clause for Osasuna forwardHead coach keen on player’s versatility and paceThe Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz will become the first signing of Andoni Iraola’s reign at Liverpool after the club triggered a £34.5m release clause, beating Newcastle to his signature. Muñoz will sign a six-year contract after undergoing a medical on Wednesday in Atlanta, where he is part of the Spain squad at the World Cup.Liverpool have been following Muñoz’s progress for an extensive period and sped up the deal after Iraola’s appointment because the head coach was eager to add his compatriot. Iraola spent most of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao, continues to closely monitor La Liga and Muñoz has impressed him. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day two – live
Updates from the second day’s play at the Oval Day one report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail Taha78th over: New Zealand 300-7 (Jamieson 6, Phillips 54) The sun has poked through at the Oval … as Baker goes short, the ball loose and swinging away to the ropes for byes. Short again with the next delivery – and Phillips gets something on it, top-edging as the ball flies over James Rew, evading the fingertips. And that’ll be his fifty too. Baker, in the high-80s, continues to angle the ball into Phillips, who gets a single to keep the strike.Right then, it’ll be Sonny Baker to get us going, with Glenn Phillips on strike. Let’s play! Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Office workers of the world unite: it’s time to revive the three-martini lunch | Andrea Javor
The three-martini lunch allowed us to mix business and pleasure, a phenomenon that is missing during the AI boomAs a 46-year-old executive who now has both people and AI agents reporting to me on the org chart, I think corporate America needs to revive a much-mocked relic of mid-century American business life: the three-martini lunch.In 1978, Gerald Ford called the ritual “the epitome of American efficiency”, asking: “Where else can you get an earful, a bellyful and a snootful at the same time?” He meant it as a joke, but in 2026, I think it should be our strategic plan. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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I have decided to stop using a mirror – and I know it will change my life | Polly Hudson
It never occurred to me that I could opt out of checking my reflection, but a conversation I heard this week was a total revelationRats in labs eventually work out which behaviour stops the electric shocks, but I had to be taught by a podcast. Comedian Hannah Berner was a recent guest on Armchair Expert, and revealed she hardly ever looks in the mirror.“It has information you don’t need about you,” she explained. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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There is a path to peace for Starmer and Burnham – even as their backers prepare for battle | Tom Baldwin
If Burnham wins the Makerfield byelection, many are predicting an immediate and stormy showdown. But that could be bad for both menOne of the many problems with our politics now is that only the loudest or most discordant voices seem to get heard. And there’s certainly no shortage of people from rival Labour camps mouthing off about what happens next if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield byelection today. An apparently well-placed source in his team says they are preparing to launch an “immediate leadership challenge” against Keir Starmer on Friday morning, while another briefs that Burnham will hold off – but only for 72 hours because they dare not risk losing momentum. At the very least, there will be a steady escalation of threats and ultimatums.Meanwhile, the prime minister is said to be barricading himself into Downing Street, where he remains determined to contest a challenge and, according to some reports, will insist any member of the cabinet backing his rival must quit. For instance, some of his aides have been operating on the assumption that Ed Miliband, who has done little to conceal his desire for Starmer to go, will resign over the next week. Although this is vigorously denied by the energy secretary, along with claims that he is “ghosting” the prime minister’s calls, it has not stopped some hardline loyalists expressing unnecessary relish at the prospect of a more enforced cabinet departure for Miliband.Tom Baldwin is a former adviser to Ed Miliband and the author of Keir Starmer: The Biography Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? At 12pm BST on Thursday, running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh will be online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionThe Filter’s running expert, Kieran Alger, and the Guardian’s consumer affair correspondent, Sarah Marsh (and personal trainer/runner), will be answering all your running questions on Thursday 18 June at midday BST.No question is too detailed or too silly – from how to recover from a race to kit you don’t need to waste your money on. Or perhaps you’d like to know about how to manage post-partum running; which politician is the best photo-op jogger; or which, if any, AI training programmes are the best to set you up for success. Post your questions below now. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills amid fears of anti-Muslim attacks
Exclusive: Muslim Council of Britain national guidance also urges mosques to strengthen police ties and improve CCTVMosques are being advised to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen ties with police and improve CCTV coverage under national guidance published amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks.The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) released a new security and preparedness framework for mosques, trustees and volunteers, warning that places of worship and community centres faced an increasing threat from vandalism, intimidation, threats and targeted hostility. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK vacancies fall to lowest for five years as wages grow faster than expected
Employers wary of hiring permanent staff but unemployment eased to 4.9% in the three months to AprilBusiness live – latest updatesThe number of UK job vacancies fell to its lowest level for five years as businesses cut back on recruitment, official figures show, despite signs the labour market has been more resilient to the Iran war than feared.The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed unemployment eased to 4.9% in the three months to April, from 5% in the three months to March. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerAndy Burnham’s campaign has been forced to talk ministers out of resigning as early as this weekend to avoid Keir Starmer’s government descending into chaos amid fallout from the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian can reveal.As they prepare for a potential change of leader in the event he beats Reform on Thursday, Burnham’s team is increasingly concerned a rapid collapse of Starmer’s administration would mean further instability for the country. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Konate to join Real Madrid on four-year deal
Real Madrid agree a deal to sign Ibrahima Konate on a four-year contract when the France centre-back leaves Liverpool at the end of June.

Mail Online
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Carole Middleton takes Ascot! Kate's giggling mother steals the spotlight as she puts on an animated display while enjoying a day out at the races in the Royal Box
All eyes were on Kate's 71-year-old mother as she arrived for day two of the prestigious British racing event on Wednesday alongside her rarely-pictured daughter-in-law, Alizee Thevenet.

Mail Online
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IG is paying up to £3,000 in free shares when you open an account - but there's a big catch
The latest deal from IG offers an eye-catching amount in free shares, but as ever the devil is in the detail. Find out how the deal stacks up.

Mail Online
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Khloe Kardashian is branded 'arm inspo' as she sends fans - and momager Kris Jenner - wild while showing off her very muscular triceps
Khloe Kardashian sent her fans wild as she flaunted her incredibly toned arms in a series of new photos posted to her Instagram page on Wednesday.

Mail Online
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Nigel Farage posts a picture of himself enjoying England match in the pub - only for critics to reveal it was from two years ago
As England's World Cup campaign got off to a thunderous start in Dallas last night, back in Westminster, politicians were keen to make their support for the side known on social media.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions
Thousands of unmarried women were pressured to give up their babies between 1949 and 1976.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11910 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - CLWAL-Walworth (New)
Our supplier is carrying out planned maintenance affecting the listed exchange. Customers will lose connectivity for 1 hour during the maintenance window.

Start: Wed, 29th Jul 2026 00:01

End: Wed, 29th Jul 2026 05:59

Update: Wed, 29th Jul 2026 05:59

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 10:44

Status: Outage

Maintenance: Planned

Mail Online
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Expats beware! These are the least-welcoming countries for Brits to move to
A new study has ranked the countries where expats could face the biggest challenges when it comes to finding work, securing visas and settling in.

Propublica
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Before SpaceX IPO, Investors in China Secretly Acquired Stakes
The post Before SpaceX IPO, Investors in China Secretly Acquired Stakes appeared first on ProPublica.

Digital Trends
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Fitness trackers and smartphone apps help heart disease patients stay active, study finds
A new American Heart Association review found that smartphone apps and wearable trackers helped heart disease patients walk more and increase daily activity.

Digital Trends
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Google Photos’ AI image editor expands to more regions, but only for Android users
Google has expanded Edit with Ask Photos, its AI-powered conversational editing tool, to five new markets. The feature is rolling out for Android users in Germany, the UK, France, Spain, and Italy, but iOS support has not been confirmed for the new regions.

TechRadar News
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The enemy within: how to stop a simple Teams message taking down your business

TechRadar News
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Why Australia’s data center boom is becoming a balancing act

TechRadar News
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Tesco dumps thousands of servers off VMware, blames 'abusive conduct' from Broadcom

Mail Online
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The Prince of Ales! William donates £1,000 to campaign battling to save local pub - saying he is looking forward to pulling a pint when they win
Prince William has donated a thousand pounds to help rescue a local pub in danger of closing forever - and said he was looking forward to pulling a pint there.

BBC World News
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Moscow hit by largest Ukrainian attack since start of Russia's full-scale war
A refinery and a shopping centre were burning after almost 200 Ukrainian drones struck an area to the south-east of the Russian capital.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Tactical analysis: England look exciting but how can they tighten up?
England produced some exciting attacking football while beating Croatia 4-2 but why did they look so shaky defensively?

MarketWatch Top Stories
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My two sons will inherit a $30,000 annuity from their grandmother. What should I do with the money?
“My understanding is that they have five years to withdraw the money.”

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Intel shares rally as Trump says company will build chips for Apple in the U.S.
Intel shares jumped in premarket trade on Thursday as President Donald Trump said the foundry will produce chips for Apple in the U.S.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Here’s the link between Apple’s ‘unavoidable’ price hikes and all-time highs for emerging markets
Just hours after Apple CEO Tim Cook said price hikes would be needed to cover the cost of microchips, the producers of those semiconductors pushed markets in South Korea and Taiwan to record highs.

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? At 12pm BST on Thursday, running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh will be online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionThe Filter’s running expert, Kieran Alger, and the Guardian’s consumer affair correspondent, Sarah Marsh (and personal trainer/runner), will be answering all your running questions on Thursday 18 June at midday BST.No question is too detailed or too silly – from how to recover from a race to kit you don’t need to waste your money on. Or perhaps you’d like to know about how to manage post-partum running, which politician is the best photo-op jogger and which, if any, AI training programmes are the best to set you up for success. Post your questions below now. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Polls open in historic byelection in Makerfield that could determine Keir Starmer’s future – UK politics live
Andy Burnham hopes a successful byelection will mean he can encourage Keir Starmer to step aside as prime ministerUp to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps. Continue reading...

HM Treasury
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Changes made to The Crown Estate Board
Dan Labbad has been reappointed as Chief Executive and Second Commissioner of The Crown Estate. Anne Kavanagh and Clare Shine have also been reappointed as Board Members of The Crown Estate Board. | HM Treasury.

Deutsche Welle
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Nathaniel Brown: The left back Germany have been waiting for
A strong option at left back is overdue for Germany. Nathaniel Brown is quickly becoming a star at the World Cup.

Mail Online
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Trump says 'fools who think I haven't been tough enough on Iran' are 'jealous or stupid' after signing widely-criticised deal
Donald Trump has hit back at critics who said he had not been tough enough with Iran after signing a peace deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

BBC UK News
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New UK defence secretary meets Nato allies without investment plan in place
Nato members have been urged to present "clear, concrete and credible plans" for raising defence spending.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Why a Gen Z Londoner can graze sheep on land in the Welsh valleys
Caleb Tutt travelled from Lambeth to a hilltop in Llantrisant to claim his ancient birthright.

Ian Visits
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London Underground roundel unveiled on Japan’s Tokyo Metro
A specially designed Tube roundel has been unveiled at Tokyo's Ueno Station, celebrating the London inspiration behind Japan's first subway ahead of its 100th anniversary.Read more ›

Ian Visits
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London Museum confirms November opening date for its new Smithfield home
The London Museum (formerly the Museum of London) has confirmed its delayed reopening date will be later this year, on 28th November 2026.Read more ›

ZeroHedge News
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Iran 'MOU' Deal Triggers Traders To Use 'Semis-Energy' Barbell As 'Source Of Funds'
Iran 'MOU' Deal Triggers Traders To Use 'Semis-Energy' Barbell As 'Source Of Funds'

Via Remix News,

Sweden has passed a new migration law that will allow residence permits to be refused or revoked if foreign nationals are deemed not to have lived in an orderly manner, marking another major tightening of the country’s immigration system.



The Swedish Parliament adopted the government’s amendments to existing immigration laws on Monday by 302 votes to 44, with the Left Party and the Green Party voting against the measure. The changes will mainly come into force next month.

Under the new rules, a foreign national’s conduct will carry greater weight when authorities decide whether to grant, extend, or revoke a residence permit. The law does not set out an exhaustive list of behaviors that will be treated as unacceptable, leaving the Migration Agency to assess cases individually. It means that an immigrant who may not hold a criminal record but has acted in a disorderly manner in other ways could be told to leave.

Decisions can be appealed to a migration court.

Government representatives and investigators have cited several examples of conduct that may count against an applicant, including failing to follow Swedish laws and regulations, ignoring decisions by public authorities, systematically avoiding debts or fines, working illegally, failing to pay taxes, criminality, and links to extremist organizations.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the proposal when it was presented in March, saying Sweden should demand more from those seeking to remain in the country.

“Anyone who doesn’t make the effort to do the right thing shouldn’t be able to count on staying,” Forssell said.

The measure forms part of a broader shift in Swedish migration policy under the current government, which has moved to make residence, citizenship and asylum rules more restrictive.

Earlier this month, Parliament also approved the removal of permanent residence permits for several asylum-related categories, including people granted protection, long-term residents in Sweden, and their family members.


Sverigedemokraterna levererar på våra vallöften! I dag har riksdagen röstat ja till dubbla straff för gängkriminella, ett återinfört tjänstemannaansvar och vandelskrav för uppehållstillstånd. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/MNxX5n4Tf9
— Sverigedemokraterna (@sdriks) June 15, 2026
Hailing the move, the right-wing Sweden Democrats wrote on X, “The Sweden Democrats are delivering on our election promises! Today, the Swedish parliament voted yes to double penalties for gang criminals, the reintroduction of official liability, and character requirements for residence permits.”

While the party is not in government, it props up the current administration on the proviso that restrictive immigration reforms continue to be implemented.

Earlier this year, Sweden also passed a strengthened return package giving police and migration authorities more tools to enforce deportation decisions. Several public authorities will be required to share information with police if they suspect a foreign national has no right to remain in the country. The package also expands the use of fingerprints, photographs, and checks of mobile phones in migration cases.

Other recent changes include stricter work-permit rules, including a salary threshold of at least 90 percent of the Swedish median salary for most applicants, and tougher citizenship rules.

The ordinary residence requirement for citizenship recently rose from five to eight years, alongside tougher requirements on self-sufficiency, conduct and knowledge of the Swedish language and society.

The government also increased voluntary repatriation grants at the start of the year, allowing eligible adults with protection-related residence permits to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor if they return permanently to their country of origin.

Read more here...

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 03:30

ZeroHedge News
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Barnacle Scrapers Cash In As Persian Gulf Shipping Bottleneck Eases
Barnacle Scrapers Cash In As Persian Gulf Shipping Bottleneck Eases

Demand for commercial divers who clean ship hulls has surged as vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf prepare to leave following a tentative US-Iran peace agreement reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg.

According to Captain Manandeep Singh Kukreja of Prominence Shipping Services, requests for hull-cleaning crews have increased more than 30-fold since the announcement. Fees for cleaning a single vessel could rise up to 60%, from about $5,000 to $8,000.

Bloomberg reports that around 600 ships remain stuck in the Gulf after more than three months of disruption. Many have accumulated algae, slime, and barnacles, which can prevent entry into ports due to invasive-species concerns.



“The next 30 days, it’s going to be like striking gold for diving companies,” Kukreja said. “Everyone wants to get out of Hormuz and get back to earning money.”

“They’re going to make the best out of this opportunity. It’s a no-brainer that they will hike their prices.”

Cleaning needs vary by vessel. Some ships require only light slime removal, while others need extensive barnacle scraping after months in the warm Gulf waters.

The surge in demand for hull-cleaning crews reflects the broader disruption caused by months of conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy chokepoints.

Since fighting erupted in late February, hundreds of vessels have been stranded in the Persian Gulf, disrupting oil shipments, driving up shipping and insurance costs, and creating the largest interruption to global energy flows in decades. As a tentative peace deal raises hopes that traffic can resume, shipowners are racing to prepare vessels for departure, underscoring the scale of the operational and financial fallout from more than three months of turmoil in the region.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 04:15

ZeroHedge News
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Too Young For TikTok, Old Enough To Vote?
Too Young For TikTok, Old Enough To Vote?

Authored by Clive Pinder via DailySceptic.org,

There are few sights more comic than a modern minister pretending to be the stern parent of the nation.



We know the routine. The concerned expression. The voice lowered half an octave. The carefully arranged background of flags, earnest young people and laminated safeguarding jargon. Then comes the announcement. The government is going to protect children online.

At which point every parent in the country is expected to breathe a sigh of relief, put down the gin and thank the Department for Being Sensible on Our Behalf.

This would be comic enough at any time. It is even better when the Government now proposing to supervise teenagers online gives the impression of being unable to supervise itself. Sir Keir Starmer wants to childproof the internet while presiding over a state that cannot produce a defence policy that convinces its own side, let alone our allies or enemies.

Still, never mind the Russian threat. Has anyone thought about Chloe scrolling Instagram?

To be fair, there is a problem. Social media is not exactly a moral health spa. Much of it resembles a Victorian freak show redesigned by behavioural psychologists and funded by advertising executives. It is addictive, vain, cruel, stupid and often deranging. The idea that a 14 year-old girl with a smartphone is simply exercising ‘choice’ while being stalked by an algorithm designed to exploit insecurity is absurd.

So no, this is not a libertarian hymn to TikTok.

The problem is not that politicians worry about the effect of social media on young people. The problem is that they worry about it selectively.

The same political class that increasingly tells us young people must be protected from online manipulation is also very keen to tell us that those same young people are mature enough to vote.

This is where the argument begins to wobble like a drunk on a paddleboard.

Apparently, a teenager may not have the judgement to scroll through Instagram without state supervision, but does have the judgement to help choose the next government.

This is not a principle. It is a convenience.

Defenders of the idea will say social media and voting are entirely different activities. One involves psychological harm. The other involves civic empowerment.

Up to a point. But both depend on the same basic faculties. Judgement, emotional maturity, resistance to manipulation, the ability to process information and some capacity to distinguish truth from nonsense.

These are precisely the faculties politicians tell us young people lack when the topic is social media. Yet they mysteriously reappear when the topic is extending the franchise.

If a 16 year-old is too impressionable to cope with Andrew Tate videos, dieting influencers or Chinese-owned dopamine dispensers, why is he or she suddenly immune to political propaganda?

Modern electioneering is not a seminar in constitutional philosophy. It is organised emotional manipulation. It uses fear, flattery, identity, resentment, slogans and carefully tested nonsense. It promises free things that are not free. It manufactures panic. It tells voters that unless they vote correctly, the planet will boil, fascism will return, public services will collapse and everyone decent will suffer.

But this, apparently, is citizenship.

The difference is not that social media manipulates while politics enlightens. The difference is that one form of manipulation sits outside the control of approved institutions. The other benefits them.

That is the real story.

The modern state has developed an elastic theory of childhood. Young people are treated as children when the state wants more power over families, technology, schools or speech. They are treated as adults when the state wants their votes, their assent or their moral authority.

Too young to smoke. Too young to drink. Too young to rent a car. Too young, increasingly, to open an app without the digital equivalent of a permission slip.

Yet old enough to help determine who runs the country.

Parents have been quietly demoted in this arrangement. A mother and father may apparently lack the wisdom to decide how their child uses a phone. Yet that same child, guided by teachers, activists, celebrities and taxpayer-funded campaigns, is expected to make profound democratic choices.

The absurdity is not hard to spot. It merely requires the increasingly unfashionable skill of noticing.

This is not an argument that teenagers are stupid. Many are thoughtful, curious and better informed than adults who spend their evenings shouting at the television. Nor is it an argument that all social media regulation is wrong. Some of it may be necessary, particularly where very young children are concerned.

It is an argument for coherence.

Parliament cannot say young people need protection from algorithms then invite them to swim in the sewage works of political campaigning and call it citizenship.

It cannot claim to defend autonomy while constantly transferring authority from families to bureaucracies.

This is the contradiction at the heart modern government. It does not want young people to grow up. It wants them managed, mobilised and morally useful.

So by all means let us have a serious debate about children, screens and harm. Let us talk about addiction, anxiety, pornography, bullying, parental responsibility and the tech companies that have turned childhood attention into a commodity.

But let us also drop the pretence.

A government that does not trust teenagers or their parents to navigate social media cannot then turn around and declare those same teenagers mature enough to help govern the nation.

That is not democracy.

It is babysitting with a ballot box.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 05:00

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End: Wed, 29th Jul 2026 05:59

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Maintenance: Planned

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12 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro
We're only three months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.





One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a two-phase rollout starting with the iPhone 18 series. That means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone ("iPhone Ultra") will be released in September 2026, followed by the iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.



Overall Design

iPhone 17 Pro Style

Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely retain the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro models. Most rumors suggest the rear camera system will look identical to the current generation, featuring a raised "plateau" with three lenses arranged in a triangle – although recent dummies indicate a possible thickening of the plateau and the protrusion of individual lenses. Display sizes are also expected to remain unchanged, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max continuing to use 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch panels, respectively (the same dimensions introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro series). iPhone 18 Pro models could drop the current two-tone look of the rear casing found on the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more seamless aesthetic, while Apple has apparently updated the back-glass "replacement process" to minimize the color difference between the Ceramic Shield 2 glass and the aluminum frame, resulting in a more unified appearance.



Next-Level Battery Life

Thicker Chassis

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, claims a Chinese leaker. The Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. (The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the biggest ‌iPhone‌ battery to date at 5,088 mAh. Apple says it has a battery life of up to 39 hours.) According to another rumor, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, raising the device's weight to around 243 grams. That would make the iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced. A larger battery is the most likely cause.



Smaller Dynamic Island

Under-Screen Face ID?

Rumors continue to circulate about whether the iPhone 18 Pro models will introduce under-display Face ID, but reports remain divided on when the technology will actually arrive. The feature would move the TrueDepth camera system beneath the display, eliminating the need for the current Dynamic Island cutout.



According to Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple is targeting a design without a Dynamic Island, replacing it with a single pinhole camera in the upper-left corner of the screen. However, other sources dispute that claim. Display analyst Ross Young believes under-display Face ID is possible for the iPhone 18 Pro, but says a smaller Dynamic Island will still be present. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has echoed this view, reporting that the new models will feature a slimmed-down Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. Apple is also said to be testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera currently located within the Dynamic Island.



The Weibo leaker "Ice Universe" has claimed the Dynamic Island cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro models will be approximately 35% narrower than it is on the iPhone 17 Pro models. Specifically, they said it will have a width of around 13.5mm, down from around 20.7mm.



Meanwhile, Chinese leaker Instant Digital has offered yet another version of events, saying the Dynamic Island will shrink in size, but that under-display Face ID and camera technology won't debut this year. The latest word on the subject is that Apple is weighing two options for the iPhone 18 Pro's Dynamic Island, and a final decision has yet to be made. One option apparently retains the existing screen mold from the iPhone 17 Pro, while the other introduces a significantly smaller "Mini ‌Dynamic Island‌" enabled by moving the Face ID receiver and transmitter components beneath the display.



Upgraded Display

LTPO+

The iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly use LTPO+ display technology, which should be more power efficient than the current LTPO technology in the iPhone 17 series. Such an upgrade could also contribute to longer battery life (see above), since LPTO+ enables finer control of OLED light emission, potentially allowing the display to optimize its operation based on environmental conditions. In other words, it will know better when to up screen brightness or reduce it, depending on surrounding light sources. The panels are reportedly being supplied by Samsung Display and LG Display.



A20 Pro Chip

2nm Process

The iPhone 18 Pro models will use Apple's A20 chip, based on TSMC's 2nm process for power and efficiency improvements. A move to 2nm fabrication increases transistor density, which will enable higher performance. The A20 series is expected to deliver roughly a 15 percent speed gain and about 30 percent better efficiency compared with the A19 series used in Apple's iPhone 17 models.



Apple's A20 chip will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, suggesting at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than sitting adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This could contribute to faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, and longer battery life from improved power efficiency.



C2 Modem

Replacing Qualcomm

Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models, according to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu. The chip will succeed the C1 modem, which debuted in the lower-cost iPhone 16e as Apple's first in-house cellular modem, and the C1X modem chip in the iPhone Air, which Apple says is up to 2× faster than the C1. The C2 is expected to bring faster speeds, improved power efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the United States – a feature missing from the C1 and C1X.



Apple's modem roadmap is part of a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on Qualcomm, which currently supplies 5G modems for the rest of the iPhone lineup. The company has been working on developing its own cellular chips for years, aiming for deeper integration and greater control over power management and performance.



New Camera Sensor

Samsung-Made

Samsung is working on a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. The sensor, referred to as PD-TR-Logic, integrates three layers of circuitry, which would improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The leak comes from a source known as "Jukanlosreve," who claims the sensor is being developed specifically for Apple's 2026 iPhone lineup. Sony has long been Apple's sole image sensor supplier, so Samsung's entry would be a big shift in the iPhone's camera supply chain.



Variable Aperture

DSLR-Style

Apple intends to equip this year's iPhone 18 Pro models with a variable aperture lens, according to reports. Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims the main rear camera – what Apple calls the 48-megapixel Fusion camera – on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, which would be a first for the iPhone. A variable-aperture system physically adjusts the lens opening, letting more light in for low-light shots or narrowing the opening for brighter scenes and deeper depth of field.



The main cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro, and 17 Pro all use a fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture, where the lens is permanently set to its widest setting. With a variable lens, the iPhone 18 Pro would allow users to manually shift the aperture, similar to on a DSLR camera. This would mean more control over depth of field, enabling sharper focus on subjects or smoother background blur. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in November 2024 that Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models will get the feature.



5G Satellite Internet

Non-Terrestrial Data

According to a report by The Information, Apple plans to add support for 5G networks that operate via satellites rather than Earth-based towers as early as next year. This advancement would allow future iPhones to gain full internet connectivity through satellite, not just limited emergency features.



If Apple meets the 2026 target, the first devices to feature 5G satellite internet would likely be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone. Apple partners with Globalstar for its iPhone satellite features, but there is currently no service that delivers full 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone. That said, Amazon and Globalstar announced in April a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire the satellite operator. Amazon's Leo satellite network will power existing iPhone features – with scope for additional feature support as part of a forthcoming infrastructure upgrade.



Simplified Camera Control

New Design

Apple is reportedly working to simplify the Camera Control button's design on iPhone 18 models in order to reduce costs. The current Camera Control button on iPhone 17 models uses both capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface. The capacitive layer detects touch gestures, while the force sensor recognizes different pressure levels for taps, presses, and swipes.



However, according to the Weibo-based account Instant Digital, Apple will remove the capacitive sensing layer and retain only pressure sensing recognition in the second iteration to achieve all Camera Control functions on the iPhone 18. The simplified version is not about reducing functionality in the button, but about saving money. The current solution is said to be very expensive for Apple and is generating costly after-sales repairs.



We don't expect Camera Control to go away anytime soon – Apple apparently sees it as a key feature, so much so that it has reportedly made deliberate engineering compromises to ensure that the first foldable iPhone features the button.



New Colors

Three in Testing

In February 2026, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is testing a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Rumors of purple and brown finishes have also circulated, but Gurman believes those are just variants of the same red idea. Since then, we've seen aligned rumors that the devices will come in light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver.



The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were previously available in Deep Purple, and Apple has never released an iPhone in a genuinely brown color. According to a Chinese leaker, Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models won't come in black this year. If the rumor is true, it will be the second consecutive year Apple has ditched what was arguably its most classic color option for the Pro lineup.



iOS 27

Smarter Siri

The iPhone 18 Pro will ship with iOS 27, which brings the biggest Siri shake-up in the assistant's history. Apple introduced Siri AI at WWDC in June – a rebuilt, more conversational version of Siri with onscreen awareness, personal context understanding, and broad world knowledge that lets it pull up-to-date answers from the web. It also gains its own standalone app for revisiting past conversations, an expanded Visual Intelligence mode, and writing tools that work across email, messages, and documents. Like the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to carry 12GB of RAM, so it should run the full range of Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features. Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProThis article, '12 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day two – live
Updates from the second day’s play at the Oval Day one report | Sign up for the Spin | Mail TahaSimon Burnton was focused on the old-new captain.Would we once again see the Root who led and often carried the team between 2017 and 2022, a new Root reshaped by four years spent working with Brendon McCullum? Or a Root who – as Stokes’s stand-in – felt obliged to attempt an impersonation?It’s increasingly hard to say what’s going on behind those shades. The man’s the Anna Wintour of the wicket. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Cuba approves economic reforms amid US pressure
Cuba's Communist Party has signed off on a package of free market reforms. One member called the changes a response to "economic war," while the party said they were not a "deviation" from the socialist project.

Mail Online
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Join Lewis Steele to debate: Thomas Tuchel must change his defence - but who should be dropped?
Tell us what YOU think: Join Daily Mail's Lewis Steele to discuss the fallout as England beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener last night.

Mail Online
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Extreme weather is Britain's new normal: Experts say 28°C is no longer considered hot in the UK - as Brits brace for yet another heatwave
Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez from the University of Reading warns temperatures around 27 or 28 degrees are now becoming the norm.

Mail Online
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Thrifty Anne strikes again! Princess Royal steps out in a 25-year-old pink skirt suit for Royal Ascot
The Princess Royal , 75, looked effortlessly glamorous in the pale pink skirt suit set, fit with a matching hat, which she last wore at Royal Ascot in 2001.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Amber heat health alerts issued with UK temperatures set to soar above 30C
Very warm weather is set to return to parts of the UK with temperatures of 30C plus expected, as Europe experiences a 'heat dome'.

Mail Online
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The Prince of Ales! William donates £1,000 to campaign battling to save local pub - saying he is looking forward to pulling a pint when they win
Prince William has donated a thousand pounds to help rescue a local pub in danger of closing forever - and said he was looking forward to pulling the first pint.

Mail Online
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Humiliation for Starmer's new defence secretary as he arrives at Nato meeting with NO plan for extra funding - while US swipes at 'free-riding'
Dan Jarvis stressed the 'challenging' international situation as he walked into Nato's HQ in Brussels.

Mail Online
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It's Ladies Day! Royal Ascot revellers bring the glamour in statement headwear and hot pink outfits as they kick off day three
Bright summer dresses, vibrant frocks and extravagant headpieces were all on display as thousands of revellers descended on the Berkshire racecourse this morning.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Young women now have 'close to zero' risk of cervical cancer death after HPV jab
A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.

The Guardian (UK)
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We would like to hear your memories of the Major oak in Sherwood Forest
Did you visit the famed tree? Did you take photos of it? Please share them with usThe Major oak, one of Europe’s oldest, largest and most celebrated ancient trees, which has grown in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England, for at least 1,000 years, has died.The huge tree failed to produce any leaves this year, after becoming stressed by a series of hot, dry summers. Footfall from visitors admiring the oak and well-intentioned historical interventions have also not helped its longevity. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘A sacred kind of sound’: inside a solar-powered journey to preserve the music of church organs
Musician Michael Cloud Duguay’s new album was born from a mission to capture the sound of the majestic yet increasingly rare instrumentsMichael Cloud Duguay and his band of collaborators were nearing the end of their pipe organ tour of Newfoundland when they encountered a hitch in Aguathuna, a town of about 400 people on a craggy peninsula that juts out from the Canadian island’s south-western edge. For the past week, they’d been showing up at old churches in remote communities like this one, preparing their solar-powered mobile studio, and recording instruments both humble and monumental, whose complex systems of keys, stops, hand cranks, foot pedals, bellows and reeds were designed to vibrate the air around them until it approximates the sound of God.This was all in service of music that was still taking shape in Duguay’s mind. It would eventually form the basis of the Ontario composer’s new album, Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go, a collection of quietly elegiac pieces that doubles as a sort of audio documentary about Newfoundland’s organs and the congregations to which they belong. The music is collaged from recordings that Duguay made on that trip in July 2024, of the organs (which the team documented and will be available as Midi instruments later this summer) but also of church leaders and ordinary congregants talking about their lives, as well as saxophones, flutes and whatever other sounds happened to go by while the tape was rolling. Listening in headphones on a spring day can be mildly hallucinatory: are the bird calls, the rustling wind and the chattering people part of the music or the world outside? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump’s war accomplished nothing – the Iran deal is proof | Kenneth Roth
A leaked version of the agreement shows the US is in a weaker position than before the warNo one gets a Nobel peace prize for ending a war he started, let alone for a pointless war of aggression that set back the causes that supposedly prompted the conflict. No amount of Donald Trump’s spin can obscure the fact that his newly announced deal with Iran is one big lesson in why this war should never have been launched.The text of the deal, a 14-point memorandum of understanding, underscores its emptiness. The tyrants of Tehran are undoubtedly celebrating. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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UK mosques advised to run lockdown drills amid fears of anti-Muslim attacks
Exclusive: Muslim Council of Britain national guidance also urges mosques to strengthen police ties and improve CCTVMosques are being advised to carry out lockdown drills, strengthen ties with local police and improve CCTV coverage under new national guidance published amid growing concerns about anti-Muslim attacks.The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has released new security and preparedness framework for mosques, trustees and volunteers, warning that places of worship and community centres face an increasing threat from vandalism, intimidation, threats and targeted hostility. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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US to review benefits of having troops in Europe with ‘era of free-riding’ over – Europe live
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that US dues to the Nato budget will be contingent on other countries meeting defence spending targetsHegseth makes it clear that the review will not be just a box-ticking exercise.“It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colours. In the end, the review is intended to both improve US force posture and basing and strengthen Nato 3.0.”“It will be designed to ensure that Nato is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe.”“Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues, contributions will go down. Nato will be a two-way street.” Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Germany news: Industrial employment falls to decade low
Employment levels in German industry have dropped to a ten-year low, according to a new study. And at the World Cup, Germany may be taking a break but German coaches are in the thick of the action. DW has more.

BBC Technology News
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Tech bosses' AI career advice for students
Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang and Jack Clark share their advice with the BBC.

Mail Online
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Robbie Williams, 52, strips to his pants as he debates wearing 'lucky clothes' for England's World Cup match with wife Ayda
Robbie Williams was a potential lucky charm for England on Wednesday night. 

Mail Online
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Man cuts off his FOOT in £220,000 insurance scam... but ends up convicted with nothing after cops realised something was afoot
A university clerk has been sentenced after arranging for his own foot to be amputated during a fake robbery in a bid to claim £220,000 in insurance payouts.

Digital Trends
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Google is giving Pixel Screenshots a cloud AI boost while keeping your data private
Google's Pixel Screenshots app is gaining cloud-based AI processing with its latest update, giving the feature more power to search and analyze your screenshots while keeping data in a hardware-secured environment.

The Guardian (UK)
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Drax cleared after investigation into sourcing of wood pellets
Generator’s shares rise as regulator finds no evidence of misleading statements about fuel’s sustainabilityBusiness live – latest updatesThe City watchdog has closed an investigation into the power generator Drax after an almost 10-month review into the sourcing of wood pellets for its biomass station.The Financial Conduct Authority said it had “reviewed thousands of pages” but that it “did not find evidence that justified any further action”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Filter Q&A: ask our running experts anything
Want to know what to look for in a pair of running shoes, or how to prepare for your first 10k – or even what underwear offers the best support? At 12pm BST on Thursday, running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh will be online to answer your questions. Post yours below the line nowSign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussionThe Filter’s running expert, Kieran Alger, and the Guardian’s consumer affair correspondent, Sarah Marsh (and personal trainer/runner), will be answering all your running questions on Thursday 18 June at midday BST.No question is too detailed or too silly – from how to recover from a race to kit you don’t need to waste your money on. Post your questions below now. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Traffic cones appear on Boston statues after Scottish fans arrive in city
The practice is familiar to anyone from Glasgow, where the Duke of Wellington statue has been wearing a jaunty orange hat since the 1980s.

Mail Online
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This is the real reason EVERYONE is divorcing in their 40s and 50s... and why your marriage is at risk without you realising it - Get this subscriber article only in the Morning Mail newsletter
One day a friend told me, almost in passing, that she was leaving her 'miserable marriage'. I didn't know there was anything especially miserable about it.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Lil Nas X says he's 'feeling better' after rehab and bipolar diagnosis
The Old Town Road star was arrested last year for attacking police officers and later entered rehab.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Number of job vacancies hits five year-low
Latest figures suggest companies are becoming more cautious about taking on new staff.

Gizmodo
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Anthropic Employees and Industry Experts Allege Trump’s Model Meddling is Targeted and Unreasonable
Following the federal government's recent ban of the AI company's Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, many are calling the move a capricious and unwarranted act of government overreach.

Computer Weekly
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Hostile states launched nearly 200 attacks on UK infrastructure in five months, says NCSC chief
Hackers will use AI-enabled cyber capabilities to exploit known vulnerabilities in legacy technology at scale by 2028, says National Cyber Security Centre CEO Richard Horne

UK Government News
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UN Human Rights Council 62: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Freedom of Expression. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

UK Government News
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Phenoxypen Water Soluble Powder, 325 mg/g Powder for Use in Drinking Water for Pigs and Chickens – SPC change
Change to the information provided in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

UK Government News
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Operational notice for Corporate Approved Inspectors Limited
Information for project owners following creditors' voluntary liquidation of Corporate Approved Inspectors Limited.

UK Government News
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Changes made to The Crown Estate Board
Dan Labbad has been reappointed as Chief Executive and Second Commissioner of The Crown Estate. Anne Kavanagh and Clare Shine have also been reappointed as Board Members of The Crown Estate Board.

Ian Visits
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Winning design chosen for Clapham railway bridge makeover
The railway bridge next to Clapham High Street and Clapham North stations is to get a makeover following an architectural competition to select a design.Read more ›

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham is mocked for including a reference to his failed nepobaby photography career in new advert as he's accused of cashing in on his family name
Brooklyn Beckham has included a reference to his failed photography career in his 'classless' new advert.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Why are Scotland fans putting traffic cones on statues in Boston?
The practice is familiar to anyone from Glasgow, where the Duke of Wellington statue has been wearing a jaunty orange hat since the 1980s.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Risk of cervical cancer death before 30 'close to zero' after HPV vaccine
A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.

Sky News Home
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Children vaccinated for HPV have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before age 30, study suggests
Children who are vaccinated for HPV at age 12-13 have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before they are 30, a study estimates.

The Guardian (UK)
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Bongeziwe Mabandla faced addiction, illness and ‘backstabbers’. How has the South African singer stayed so upbeat?
An indie star in his homeland, Mabandla’s fame is growing abroad – and his uplifting new album is full of existential insight after some of the toughest years of his lifeAs the camera pulls back from Bongeziwe Mabandla in the video for his recent single Yalwa, the true stars of the show reveal themselves: two women, dressed in a mix of crisp white and black traditional isiXhosa umbhaco garments and chic designer wear. Sure, Mabandla himself strikes a compelling figure in the centre of the frame in his own traditional apparel; the herd of cattle grazing around them are resplendent; and the forested ridges of South Africa’s Eastern Cape remain rapturous. But those stoic, confident, badass women! “Yeah, that’s my mom and aunt,” Mabandla says with a chuckle. The song, he says, is “all about heritage, going back and celebrating women in my lineage and in my family”.Keeping that connection alive has become especially important to Mabandla now that the singer-songwriter – an indie icon in Johannesburg – has been living far away from them for the first time. After years of finding particular acclaim in France (including a nomination for the prestigious Radio France Internationale award early in his career), Mabandla has been settled in Paris for six months amid bouts of touring and travelling through Europe. “I’m everywhere these days, living between two countries,” he says, laughing again. “I wanted to see what doors would open for me living in a different culture, especially in a big place like Paris. It’s been life-changing, but I’ve been very careful I don’t abandon my South African side.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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England take the handbrake off but Ronaldo is stuck in park | World Cup Daily – video
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames, Lucy Ward and Jacob Steinberg as England start their World Cup in style Continue reading...

UK Legislation
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The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026
The Bill for the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 (“the Act”) received Royal Assent on 12 May 2026. Sections 16, 21, 22, 24 and 25 of the Act came into force on the following day. These Regulations commence sections 1, 2(3), 4(3), 5, 14, 15, and 17 in Part 1 of the Act, sections 19 and 20 in Part 2 of the Act, section 23 in Part 3 of the Act and schedules 1 and 2 of the Act on 22 July 2026.

Mail Online
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Should William and Catherine visit the US for its 250th anniversary of independence celebrations next month? Have your say in the Palace Confidential poll
You've read the headlines and heard our experts' opinions - but what do YOU think?

Mail Online
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Humiliation for Starmer's new defence secretary as he arrives at Nato meeting with NO plan for extra funding - as US swipes at 'free-riding'
Dan Jarvis stressed the 'challenging' international situation as he walked into Nato's HQ in Brussels.

BBC UK News
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'Scared to go to work': Shop assistant tells of customer abuse
Finnola Tzagorakis shared her story as MPs debated tackling abuse against people in customer facing roles.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Christie chases dream on same stage as idol Messi
Making a World Cup debut was a huge thrill for midfielder Ryan Christie as the Scotland midfielder sets sights on making progress beyond the group stage.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'The team needs to score, not you' - Ronaldo struggles as rivals sparkle
Three superstars delivered for their countries at the World Cup on Tuesday. But Cristiano Ronaldo could not follow suit on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a surprise draw by DR Congo.

The Register
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RoachFest London 2026: The database as competitive asset
SPONSORED POST: Operate without fear. Build with confidence. Adapt to the AI era

Mail Online
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Every emotional moment from the Gilgo Beach killer's sentencing: Rex Heuermann's shocking first words... and the chilling exchange that silenced the room
'The words I would say have no meaning.' It was perhaps the truest words that Rex Heuermann could have spoken as he was faced by the families of the eight young women who he murdered.

Mail Online
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Maya Jama looks stunning in a white slip dress as she joins cleavage-flashing Ellie Goulding and Leomie Anderson in a tiny gold bra at the V&A Summer Party's 10th Anniversary
Maya Jama, Ellie Goulding and Leomie Anderson led the glamourous arrivals at the Victoria and Albert Museum's 10th anniversary summer party on Wednesday.

Mail Online
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Pregnant British woman who thought she had travel insurance left with £5,500 hospital bill after falling seriously ill on Greek holiday island
Jessica Walker, 28, was on holiday in Mykonos at the end of May when she suffered the ordeal - and has vowed to ensure she has travel insurance in future as a result.

The Guardian (UK)
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Gina Rinehart says Australia should give Elon Musk islands to launch satellites into space
Billionaire also tells summit land could be given to skilled Israelis to build ‘advanced war drones’, according to Hancock Prospecting notesGina Rinehart has proposed Australia should offer Elon Musk islands for free to build satellites and launch them into space in a bid to attract investment to northern Queensland.Australia’s richest woman continued her battle against government regulation and high taxes in a speech delivered at News Corp’s bush summit in Townsville on Thursday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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FCA closes investigation into Drax over biomass sourcing
Regulator launched inquiry amid concerns that firm made misleading statements about origins of wood pelletsBusiness live – latest updatesThe City watchdog has closed an investigation into the power generator Drax, after an almost 10-month review into the sourcing of wood pellets for its biomass power station.The Financial Conduct Authority said it had “reviewed thousands of pages” but that it “did not find evidence that justified any further action”. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Two goals, man of the match... but the jury's STILL out on Harry Kane, claims former Germany star - who accuses England captain of going missing in the big games
Kane, 32, spearheaded the Three Lions to a 4-2 victory against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas with a brace scored before half-time.

Mail Online
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How German fury inspired England to World Cup turnaround: Fired-up Thomas Tuchel was angry from the start, gave Jordan Pickford and Noni Madueke a rollicking - and his Scouse sidekick had to calm him down!
The German manager's mixture of fiery rage and cold calculation fired up the Three Lions and saw them win their first World Cup match 4-2 - after being level at 2-2 at half-time.

Mail Online
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'Simon's the boss... or at least he thinks he is!' LAUREN COWELL on how she's emerging from her famous fiance's shadow and how he's been her 'best friend' since long before they became a couple
The conversation was between the two women who knew Simon Cowell best: his mum Julie, and his partner Lauren, the mother of his child.

BBC UK News
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Risk of dying from cervical cancer before 30 'close to zero' after HPV vaccine rollout
A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.

Mail Online
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Dua Lipa and Callum Turner enjoy a low-key date night at a rustic trattoria as they take their 'la dolce vita' honeymoon to the Italian capital
Their wedding was anything but modest after they reportedly spent a whopping £1.5million on their three-day Sicilian wedding. 

The Guardian (UK)
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Gina Rinehart says Australia should give Elon Musk islands to launch satellites into space
Billionaire also tells summit said land could be given to skilled Israelis to build ‘advanced war drones’, according to Hancock Prospecting notesGina Rinehart has proposed Australia should offer Elon Musk islands for free to build satellites and launch them into space in a bid to attract investment to northern Queensland.Australia’s richest woman continued her battle against government regulation and high taxes in a speech delivered at News Corp’s bush summit in Townsville on Thursday. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cambridge experts recreate 336-year-old garden to commemorate ‘father of natural history’
John Ray, 17th-century botanist who coined words petal and pollen, was a tutor at Cambridge when he created his first gardenHe coined the terms petal and pollen, helped to lay the foundations of modern biology and is widely regarded as the greatest English naturalist of the 17th century.But it was while he was a young college tutor at Cambridge in the 1650s that the botanist John Ray – also known as “the father of natural history” – created his first known garden and began to systematically study plants for the first time. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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World Cup 2026: England turn on the style; Fifa denies ticketless fans breached security – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usA fresh England line hot off the wires coming right up …If by some bizarre chance you missed it, here’s a gallery of some of the best images from England 4-2 Croatia: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Gig workers are endlessly exploited. AI could make more of us share their fate
As companies integrate AI and hire fewer employees, a shift toward a ‘gig economy’ will commenceIn 2024, the buy-now-pay-later company Klarna announced that it would cut hundreds of customer service roles and begin using an artificial intelligence chatbot instead. The move was expected to save the company millions. But a year later, after customers complained about the degraded quality of customer service, Klarna began to quietly recruit human customer service agents back.At first glance, the reversal appeared to be a victory for human workers in the age of AI. The reality was more complex. Instead of bringing on full-time customer service agents, who Klarna contracts through an outside agency, it instead brought on workers in what Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski has described as “an Uber type of set-up”. Now, an AI chatbot continues to handle most of customers’ basic queries, while a growing number of gig workers handle the more advanced ones. “Just like somebody can go and drive an Uber for a while, they can actually jump on and work for Klarna’s customer service,” Siemiatkowski said on a podcast in February. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘The sea took everything away’: how Nigeria’s ‘Happy City’ is disappearing beneath the waves
More than half of Ayetoro – a Christian utopia founded in the 1940s – has been lost to the ocean, and its remaining people are running out of optionsIn the early hours of 15 February 2019, the Atlantic Ocean came for Arowo Victoria’s livelihood. The 60-year-old retired midwife was asleep when neighbours began banging on her door, shouting that the sea had started covering buildings along the nearby coastline.By the time she got to her small shop, she discovered that the Atlantic had already swept it away, destroying the business she had built with borrowed money after retirement. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Russian oil refinery on fire after barrage of Ukrainian drones strike Moscow
Scale of long range-attack catches Muscovites by surprise, prompting panicked messages on social mediaEurope live – latest updatesUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow, including setting an ⁠oil refinery on fire, sending out flames and towering plumes ⁠of smoke over the city and forcing the capital’s airports to suspend flights.The scale of the long-range attack, apparently designed to shut down operations at the key oil refinery in the Kapotno area, caught most Muscovites by surprise in a city that does not typically warn residents with air raid alarms, and prompted panicked messages on social media. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Jelly Roll felt like a 'whole different human' after 300lbs weight loss and glow-up - before ending his 10-year marriage with Bunnie Xo
The country singer, 41, has lost nearly 300 pounds, dropping from his heaviest weight of 540 pounds to around 265 pounds.

Mail Online
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ITV in World Cup sexism storm as female pundit Emma Hayes does her tactical analysis in a 'kitchen' with blackboard during England's win against Croatia
Viewers questioned why the USA women's boss, who won a record 15 trophies with Chelsea, was given a small chalkboard instead of a digital touchscreen.

Mail Online
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WAG Megan Pickford scrambles to find a last-minute outfit for the England World Cup game after airline lost her luggage
Megan Pickford revealed she wore the top she travelled in and borrowed jeans to support her husband in the first England World Cup game on Wednesday night.

Mail Online
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Moment England heroes join in with fans singing Wonderwall after World Cup triumph - as supporters back home throw pints in the air to celebrate
Three Lions supporters headed out to enjoy electric atmospheres as they watched the match on big screens at fan parks and pubs on a beautifully warm evening.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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Gunfire heard at Niger capital's airport
Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.

Mail Online
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Ancient oak tree linked to Robin Hood legend dies after 1,200 years thanks to heatwaves and huge number of tourists
The Major Oak, located in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, is thought to have died after its first spring with no leaves, according to wildlife charity RSPB.

Mail Online
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'No suitcase mishap was going to stop me supporting my husband': WAG Megan Pickford scrambles to find a last-minute outfit for the England World Cup game after airline lost her luggage
Megan Pickford revealed she wore the top she travelled in and borrowed jeans to support her husband in the first England World Cup game on Wednesday night.

Mail Online
Open 
ITV in World Cup sexism storm as pundit Emma Hayes does her tactical analysis in a 'kitchen' with blackboard during England's win against Croatia
Viewers questioned why the USA women's boss, who won a record 15 trophies with Chelsea, was given a small chalkboard instead of a digital touchscreen.

Mail Online
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Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews likes various spoof videos mocking his 'secret hair transplant' and 'kidnapping' saga after new AI 'do goes viral
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has liked a series of videos regarding his rumoured hair transplant and his 'kidnapping' trauma. 

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'I never imagined something like this' - Nadal reflects on Wimbledon 2008 win
Rafael Nadal recalls his seismic five-set victory over Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final, arguably the greatest men's match ever played.

BBC Top Stories (US)
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ChatGPT can be made to generate sexualised and violent images, researchers find
Researchers say it is still possible to trick the AI chatbot into producing graphic content.

Sky News Home
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Teenager dies in horse-drawn carriage accident in New York City
A teenager has died after being thrown to the ground in a horse-drawn carriage accident in New York City's Central Park.

Mail Online
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Tamzin Outhwaite pays tribute to trans child Flo as she wishes him 'peace and happiness' on his 18th birthday while sweet grandad says 'thank you for educating me'
Tamzin Outhwaite has paid tribute to her trans child Flo as he celebrated his 18th birthday on Wednesday. 

Mail Online
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Brooklyn Beckham is savaged by fans for yet another 'classless' swipe at his estranged family as new DoorDash ad is branded a 'giant PR mess'
Brooklyn Beckham's fresh public swipe at his parents has been savaged by fans, who have labelled Victoria and David's eldest son a 'classless bully'.

Mail Online
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Just 100 shoplifters are behind a THIRD of all shop thefts in London - but they committed at least 31 offences before any were sent to jail
Retail chiefs have said thieves have become 'more brazen, more organised and more aggressive' amid a surge in shoplifting since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mail Online
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Burnham's day of destiny? Polls open in Makerfield by-election as Labour plotting rages... with Starmer braced for challenge within days if mayor returns to Commons
Polling stations have opened as Andy Burnham attempts to return to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer.

Mail Online
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Lee Andrews likes various spoof videos mocking his 'secret hair transplant' and 'kidnapping' saga after new AI 'do goes viral
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews has liked a series of videos regarding his rumoured hair transplant and his 'kidnapping' trauma. 

Mail Online
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England fans across the country throw pints in the air as they celebrate triumphant World Cup win - and even Jude Bellingham joins in with the singing
Three Lions supporters headed out to enjoy electric atmospheres as they watched the match on big screens at fan parks and pubs on a beautifully warm evening.

Mail Online
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'Dazzling, emphatic... and contenders to win the whole thing!': World's media are wowed by England with even rivals Germany and Argentina backing their chances to win the World Cup after Jude Bellingham starred in Croatia win
It's safe to say England's statement performance and win over Croatia did not go unnoticed by their rivals. Has Thomas Tuchel awoken a sleeping giant?

Digital Trends
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A US state wants to ban smart glasses while driving, and it could open Pandora’s box
Smart glasses are rapidly evolving from niche gadgets into mainstream consumer technology. Devices from companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, and Snap are increasingly capable of displaying notifications, providing navigation, recording video, and even running AI-powered assistants directly in a user’s field of view. But one U.S. state is already asking an important question: Should […]

Digital Trends
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Two of Call of Duty’s greatest games are finally coming to modern PlayStations
Treyarch has confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are being ported to modern PlayStation consoles by Iron Galaxy. The classic shooters will include campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies, giving PlayStation players a chance to revisit two of the franchise's most beloved entries.

TechRadar News
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Harlan Coben's I Will Find You ending explained: who kidnapped Matthew, does David find his son, who dies and the truth behind the death he was framed for

TechRadar News
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How to watch US Open 2026: Live Streams, TV Channels & Preview, Round 1 tee times

Slashdot
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China's EV Price War Was Built On Cars Sold At a Loss
Longtime Slashdot reader schwit1 shares a report from Autoblog: For years, the Chinese auto industry has employed a hostile price war to kneecap global competitors. Armed with massive state subsidies, cheap raw materials, and an aggressive "scale-first" business model, Chinese automakers flooded the market with electric vehicles priced so low that legacy manufacturers stood no chance to compete. How did they do it? Simple, they couldn't. They did it anyway. Reports from CarNewsChina show that Chinese automakers have been selling vehicles at a loss until a recent law passed by the Chinese government banned below-cost sales of new vehicles. During the ongoing sales slump in China caused by rolled-back subsidies and direct government intervention banning below-cost sales, the truth behind the rapid expansion of the Chinese auto industry has been exposed. "By the first quarter of 2026, China captured 32 percent of the global auto market, with its New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) controlling an incredible 61 percent of global share," the report notes. Yet that dominance has come at a steep cost: throughout 2025, "the profit margin for China's auto industry plunged to 4.4 percent and dropped further to a historic low of 3.2 percent in early 2026."

"Gross profit, not net profit, per vehicle, plummeted to a mere $2,000. We can expect the net figure to be loss-making." Autoblog adds: "Data shows over 70 percent of Chinese car sales were loss-making. This left more than half of the country's auto industry in the red. Great Wall Motor (GWM) even saw net profits drop 17 percent despite steady revenue growth."

China's EV price war has now hit a wall. New regulations are discouraging below-cost sales, rising material costs are forcing automakers to cut discounts and raise prices, and reduced tax incentives are weakening domestic demand. To sustain growth, manufacturers are increasingly turning to exports.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Guardian (UK)
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Tell us your favourite new podcasts of 2026 so far
We would like to hear about the best new podcasts you have listened to this year so far and whyGuardian writers have compiled the best podcasts of the year so far – and we’d like to hear about yours too.Is there a podcast from this year that has you rapt? Are there any new releases that you would recommend? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tell us your favourite film of 2026 so far
We would like to hear about the best film you have seen this year so far and whyThe Guardian’s film writers have compiled their favourite films of the year so far – and we’d like to hear about yours, too.Which films have captured your imagination this year? Are there any new releases from so far in 2025 that you would recommend watching? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: England turn on the style; Fifa denies ticketless fans breached security – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usA fresh England news line hot off the wires coming right up …If by some bizarre chance you missed it, here’s a gallery of some of the best images from England 4-2 Croatia: Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Russian oil refinery on fire after barrage of Ukrainian drones strike Moscow
Scale of long range-attack catches Muscovites by surprise, prompting panicked messages on social mediaUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow, including setting an ⁠oil refinery on fire, sending out flames and towering plumes ⁠of smoke over the city and forcing the capital’s airports to suspend flights.The scale of the long-range attack, apparently designed to shut down operations at the key oil refinery in the Kapotno area, caught most Muscovites by surprise in a city that does not typically warn residents with air raid alarms, and prompted panicked messages on social media. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Moment drone blasts Russian oil depot into the sky as Ukraine hits Moscow with its largest attack in years, sparking evacuations
Unverified videos on social media purported to show large columns of black smoke over the city's skyline, while another showed drones buzzing overhead.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Poland Moves To Tax Fuel Windfalls Earned During Iran War
Poland Moves To Tax Fuel Windfalls Earned During Iran War

Authored by Michael Kern via OilPrice.com,

Poland's government has approved a one-off windfall tax on fuel companies that benefited from soaring energy prices during the U.S.-Iran-Israel war, seeking to recover part of the billions spent protecting consumers from higher fuel costs.



The proposed levy would impose a 60% tax on excess profits generated between March and December 2026, during the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Polish Finance Ministry estimates the measure will raise around 4 billion zloty $1.1 billion.

Under the proposal, excess profits would be calculated using fuel sales margins that exceed a company's average 2025 margin by more than 20%, reflecting profits from an extraordinary geopolitical supply shock instead of improved business performance.

"Exceptional economic and geopolitical conditions" created unusually high profits across parts of the fuel sector while imposing significant costs on the state budget, the Finance Ministry said in a statement carried by Polish news outlets.

State-controlled energy giant Orlen is expected to bear the largest share of the tax burden, accounting for roughly 60% of the projected tax base according to the government's impact assessment.

The proposal follows months of emergency measures introduced by Warsaw to shield households and businesses from soaring fuel prices. Poland temporarily reduced VAT and excise duties on fuels and imposed price controls designed to ensure consumers benefited from the tax cuts. According to government estimates, the fuel excise reduction and reduced VAT collections cost Poland around $435 million a month.

The measure still faces political hurdles, though. Tusk's coalition controls parliament; however, the legislation must also be signed by President Karol Nawrocki, an opposition ally who has repeatedly blocked government fiscal initiatives.

The government initially proposed a 75% windfall tax before reducing the rate to 60% following consultations with industry groups, which warned that the original proposal would have pushed the effective tax burden on some companies to nearly 94%.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 02:45

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Just 104 shoplifters behind thousands of offences
All but three of 104 repeat shoplifters continued offending after they had been charged, the Met says.

UK Legislation
Open 
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026
These Regulations are the third commencement regulations made under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26) (“the 2025 Act”).

UK Legislation
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The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring into force provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (“the 2025 Act”).

UK Legislation
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The Legal Complaints and Regulation (2016 Act) (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026
This Order brings into operation section 9 of the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 on 1st July 2026.

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Silverstone Grand Prix) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Silverstone Grand Prix) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Commonwealth Games, Glasgow) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Tottenham, London) Regulations 2026

UK Legislation
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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Aldershot, Hampshire) Regulations 2026

Mail Online
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The house on-the-spot fines built: Boss of 'thugs in uniform' who threatened to rip out man's teeth bought house in leafy Cheshire - and bulldozed it to build £3m palace with gym and sauna
Welcome to the world of multi-millionaire Terry Barton, founder and CEO of Kingdom Services Group, who reigns over the rapidly-growing - and highly profitable - world of civil enforcement.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Mexico military brings down ‘unfortunate’ drone near South Korea World Cup training camp
Unclear if drone was spying or if arrests madeSouth Korea say drone would not have spotted tacticsMexican military forces intercepted and brought down a drone that flew near the South Korea team’s training camp ahead of its World Cup match against Mexico, a federal official told the Associated Press.Military forces used specialised equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the South Korean camp, prompting them to “neutralise” it, the Mexican federal agent said. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory
Some very good things have come from Croydon, the often overlooked town in south London. The film director David Lean was born there, as was Roy Hodgson, the actor Peggy Ashcroft and the sexologist Havelock Ellis. Amy Winehouse studied in Croydon. The Bill and Peep Show were filmed there, as was the title sequence of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June. For a long time it was a centre of brewing and leather production. It was on a suburban driveway there that Pickles found the Jules Rimet trophy after it had been stolen in 1966. And on Wednesday Croydon proved the crucible of Colombia’s victory over Uzbekistan.Daniel Muñoz’s brilliant strike, created by Luis Díaz, set Colombia on heir way to a win that should never have been as edgy as it ended up being. But his Crystal Palace teammate Jefferson Lerma was a key figure in the centre of midfield, a controlling figure in Colombia’s domination of the majority of the game. “I’m living out my childhood dream of playing in a World Cup for my national team and for my country,” said a delighted Díaz after being named man of the match. “And what could be more beautiful than contributing with a goal and an assist?” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: England turn on the style; Fifa denies ticketless fans breached security – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail usWhen Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 the success was built on unflinching defensive rigour and midfield discipline. Five years on, though, Tuchel’s England displayed neither of those qualities during a dreadful first half in Dallas. They kept losing the ball in dangerous areas, struggled to maintain their shape without the ball and were rocking when Croatia stung them with a second equaliser just before half-time.The vibe could hardly have been less convincing. Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s No 2, let rip in an interview with ITV, accusing England of doing all the wrong things, of playing with “a nervous energy”, of making everything “confused and complicated” against opponents well versed in making their craft and experience in midfield count. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Moscow oil refinery on fire after ‘large-scale’ Ukrainian drone strike
Mayor of Russian capital claims ‌about 180 drones heading to the city were shot down as flames and smoke billow over outskirtsUkrainian drones have hit several locations across Moscow, including setting an ⁠oil refinery on fire, sending out flames and towering plumes ⁠of smoke over the city and forcing the capital’s airports to suspend flights.The scale of the long-range attack, apparently designed to shut down operations at the key oil refinery in the Kapotno area, caught most Muscovites by surprise in a city that does not typically warn residents with air raid alarms, and prompted panicked messages on social media. Continue reading...

TechRadar Reviews
Open 
Harlan Coben's I Will Find You is easily the weakest in Netflix's hit whodunnit franchise to date — not helped by a dreadfully huge change to the crime drama format

Ars Technica
Open 
Hulk, Punisher join Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Apple to raise prices as AI boom pushes up chip costs
The firm's outgoing boss Tim Cook did not say when prices would rise or which products would be affected.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
Harry Kane explains the strategy behind his stuttered penalty run-up
Harry Kane was able to give England the lead against Croatia from the penalty spot - but only thanks to the video assistant referee.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tesco’s UK sales growth more than halves amid Iran war uncertainty
UK’s biggest retailer reports better figures than expected by City analysts and is cheered by strong online salesBusiness live – latest updatesTesco’s UK sales growth has more than halved as it said the conflict in the Middle East had created “ongoing uncertainty for many households”.The UK’s biggest retailer said comparable sales rose 1.8% to £13.4bn in the three months to the end of May, below both the 4.2% reported in the previous quarter and the 2.3% growth City analysts had expected. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
World Cup 2026: England turn on the style; Fifa denies ticketless fans breached security – live
⚽ All the latest news from day eight of the tournament⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail us“Let’s have it off,” one excited England fan told Sky Sports News outside the stadium after England’s victory.Doesn’t he mean “Let’s have it”? Continue reading...

BBC UK News
Open 
I did it for my son, says campaigner ahead of vulnerable adults abuse report
The long-awaited final report is expected to reveal the extent of the mistreatment of patients at the hospital.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
India news: Modi, Trump 'very close' to trade deal
As the Indian and US leaders put on a friendly show on the sidelines of the G7 summit, a critical trade deal still hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the Indian air force is helping secure the NEET-UG retests. DW has more.

Mail Online
Open 
Public sector keeps growing amid bumper pay hikes - but private wages rise at slowest pace in more than five years as jobs market stutters
Official figures show the public sector continuing to grow, with central Government numbers reaching a new record high.

Mail Online
Open 
Cervical cancer deaths plummet to record lows thanks to life-saving HPV vaccination
The rate of young women dying from cervical cancer in the UK has fallen drastically since the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine, research today suggested.

Mail Online
Open 
The eight signs that you, like Jeremy Clarkson, could be at risk of prostate cancer. From piling on the pounds to a lower libido, NICK HARDING reveals when you MUST get checked
'I've got cancer.' Jeremy Clarkson's quietly spoken words were met with stunned silence, not just from his close friends on the show, Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland, but from his legions of fans.

Mail Online
Open 
The BBC and ITV's star World Cup pundits are talking nothingness around the table - but Emma Hayes is a must-watch education, writes LEWIS STEELE
LEWIS STEELE: At first it appeared as though ITV had got so bored of Spain's relentless attacks leading to nothing that they decided to have a game of noughts and crosses to pass the time.

Mail Online
Open 
The house on the spot fines built: Boss of 'thugs in uniform' who threatened to rip out man's teeth bought house in leafy Cheshire - and bulldozed it to build £3m palace with gym and sauna
Welcome to the world of multi-millionaire Terry Barton, founder and CEO of Kingdom Services Group, who reigns over the rapidly-growing - and highly profitable - world of civil enforcement.

Mail Online
Open 
Ukraine hits Moscow in its largest attack in years, sparking fires and evacuations
Unverified videos on social media purported to show large columns of black smoke over the city's skyline, while another showed drones buzzing overhead.

Sky News Home
Open 
What's in the US-Iran deal? The 14 points explained
Donald Trump has signed a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
How a Belarusian exile vanished in waters held by Russia
Former sports official Anatol Kotau was last seen boarding a private yacht in Turkey in 2025. DW and its partners investigated his journey to and disappearance in Russia-controlled "gray zone" waters in the Black Sea.

Mail Online
Open 
Impax Environmental Trust hits out at FCA for allowing Saba takeover
Impax Environmental Markets has been been seized by its largest shareholder Saba Capital, run by infamous fund manager Boaz Weinstein.

Russia Today News
Open 
Russia wants to reset Persian Gulf security – can it?

Deutsche Welle
Open 
What's in the 14-point US-Iran peace plan?
US officials have released an interim agreement that ends fighting on all fronts for 60 days and sets out provisions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
A Belarusian dissident was last seen boarding a yacht in Turkey in 2025. DW and its partners have unearthed more details about his disappearance.
Former sports official Anatol Kotau was last seen boarding a private yacht in Turkey in 2025. DW and its partners investigated his journey to and disappearance in Russia-controlled "gray zone" waters in the Black Sea.

Mail Online
Open 
Price gap between flats and houses hits 30 year high as buyers swerve leasehold properties
The gulf between the cost of a flat and a house has reached its highest level for 30 years, with buyer concerns over leasehold properties largely to blame.

Mail Online
Open 
Thomas Tuchel sparks injury fears over Declan Rice - who he would 'never normally take off' - as England star is subbed in first World Cup win
Thomas Tuchel says he would never normally substitute Declan Rice - but had concerns about an injury that England's star midfielder has admitted he's been 'nursing' for weeks.

Mail Online
Open 
Shining light Emma Hayes has left the BBC behind in the pundit stakes - she is officially the best in the business, writes LEWIS STEELE
LEWIS STEELE: At first it appeared as though ITV had got so bored of Spain's relentless attacks leading to nothing that they decided to have a game of noughts and crosses to pass the time.

Mail Online
Open 
British man is killed after getting caught in power cables while paragliding in Spain
A British man has died in a paragliding accident in north-east Spain.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Tesco’s UK sales growth more than halves amid Iran war uncertainty
UK’s biggest retailer reports better figures than expected by City analysts and is cheered by strong online salesBusiness live – latest updatesTesco’s UK sales growth has more than halved as it said the conflict in the Middle East had created “ongoing uncertainty for many households”.The UK’s biggest retailer said comparable sales rose 1.8% in the three months to the end of May, well below the 4.2% reported in the previous quarter. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Plan to ban ‘private equity sharks’ from social care dropped, Wes Streeting says
Exclusive: Ex-minister accuses Labour of ‘overcautiousness’ and says his proposal was cut from manifestoWes Streeting has said his plan to ban “private equity sharks” from the social care sector was removed from the Labour manifesto, as he accused the government of “overcautiousness” in reforming the industry.In a Fabian Society report on how to create a national care service, Streeting said overhauling social care was “one of the defining challenges of our age” but an “absence of good political leadership” was holding back change. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The World Cup viewed from afar is more like ambient noise – a far cry from working at it | Jonathan Liew
Covering a tournament, my smartwatch showed my heart rate was 10-20 beats above normal. How luxurious to half-watchI fell asleep at some point during the Netherlands v Japan game. It had been a hot and drowsy day by the shores of Lake Annecy, a square and heavy heat, where the sun and the driving and the food and the boxed wine gently squeeze all the life from your body, like air being pressed out of a juice carton.I remember Virgil van Dijk angling a header into the far corner, and when I came to it was 2-1, and everyone was heading to bed, drunk on tiredness, drunk on life, drunk on drink. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
A bonanza for fans of the natural world: the digital library sharing 64m pages of scientific knowledge with everyone
The Biodiversity Heritage Library is an invaluable online archive of historic texts on species living and lost supplied by the world’s leading museums and universities. Now its future is in doubtSome go there to read about the wood that Victorian manufacturers used to make walking sticks. Others want to see an illustration of a Tasmanian tiger or marvel at the field diary of one of the first known botanists to explore the Antarctic.Over the past 20 years, more than 64m pages have been made freely available through the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) – a digital treasure trove for fans of the natural world. More than 680 museums, universities, libraries and scientific institutions from China, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand to Europe, Africa, Mexico, Canada and the US, have contributed to the library.Manuscript on parchment from the Circa instans. Dating from about 1190, it is the oldest book in the digital library. Photograph: LuEsther T Mertz Library/New York Botanical Garden/Biodiversity Heritage Library Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘You learn how to be idiotic artists’: Gilbert & George on fame, rebellion and their mystery new collaborator
The Britart mavericks have now teamed up with an unlikely artist. Is their odd throuple an elaborate prank – or are the duo passing down their legacy?‘Hello girls,” greets 82-year-old Gilbert Prousch, one half of art duo Gilbert & George, as he shakes my hand when I arrive at his house with a very important guest in tow. He kisses his other guest on the cheek. Gilbert is Italian after all.“This way,” he says, ushering us into the four-storey, 18th-century Georgian townhouse in Fournier Street, Spitalfields, east London, where he and the other half of his duo, George Passmore, 84, have lived since the late 1960s. Back then, they rented the ground floor for £16 a month. Now, they own the whole house. I bet it costs a bit more now. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
Unemployment rate falls but private sector wage growth suffers
There has been an unexpected dip in the UK's unemployment rate in official figures also showing new recruits in payrolled work at their lowest level for five years and private sector basic pay awards struggling.

Mail Online
Open 
RICHARD EDEN reveals new stalker nightmare for TV adventurer Levison Wood
Not easily fazed having served in Afghanistan and tumbled down a Himalayan mountain, Levison Wood was left 'looking over his shoulder' after a stalker pursued him relentlessly...

Mail Online
Open 
Teenage tourist killed after carriage horse bolts from driver in Central Park as terrifying footage shows moment coach flips
An 18-year-old passenger has died after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage that overturned in Central Park when the horse bolted away from its driver on Wednesday afternoon.

Mail Online
Open 
Tax hikes and uncertainty make life in Britain less appealing to the wealthy
The migration consultancy Henley & Partners said tax reforms, fiscal uncertainty and policy changes were prompting wealthy families in Britain to 'reassess their options'.

Mail Online
Open 
England's Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Jude Bellingham share celebratory smooches with their WAGs in the stands after thrilling World Cup win against Croatia
England's WAGS made sure to pack on the PDA with their footballers as they shared celebratory smooches in the stands after they stormed to victory against Croatia.

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
'Urgent' DBS system review after BBC investigation
Kristian Parry was able to get a job in a nursery while on bail for sex offences involving children.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold; UK unemployment falls – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsWorryingly, the number of vacancies in the UK economy has dropped to a five-year low.The Office for National Statistics estimates that vacancies fell by 19,000 in March to May, to 707,000 – the lowest level since February to April 2021.“Low levels of employer demand for labour unfortunately reflect a combination of government policies which have increased the cost and risk associated with hiring employees. This is choking off work opportunities for young people in particular, as jobs continue to decline in important youth employment sectors such as accommodation and food and retail.“The cost of doing business has risen sharply in recent years, driving persistent weakness in hiring.The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.9%. Payrolled employment rose after three consecutive monthly declines (it increased by a marginal 2000 workers). Average weekly earnings growth was higher than expected.But the details still look dovish for the Bank of England. And the report is another reminder that the case for higher rates is far from the clear cut. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Moscow oil refinery on fire after ‘large-scale’ Ukrainian drone strike
Mayor of Russian capital claims ‌about 180 drones heading to the city were shot down as flames and smoke billow over outskirtsUkrainian drones hit Moscow’s ⁠oil refinery for the second time ⁠this week, sending out flames and plumes ⁠of smoke over the south-eastern district of Kapotnya on Thursday morning.“Air defence forces are continuing to repel a large-scale attack. Several drones managed to reach the [Moscow oil refinery],” said Sergei Sobyanin, the city’s mayor, adding that a shopping centre was also damaged. He claimed ‌about 180 drones heading for the capital had ‌been downed. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Harry Kane reveals half-time Tuchel pep-talk inspired England to victory over Croatia
Storming second-half display comes after coach’s speechCoach tells team to ‘show the world what we can be’Harry Kane has revealed that a half-time speech from Thomas Tuchel when he told England “to show the world what we can be” inspired victory in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.Croatia equalised twice before half-time after Kane had equalled Gary Lineker’s record for goals scored by an England player at the World Cup finals with a penalty and a header from Declan Rice’s corner. But a much-improved performance in the second half saw Jude Bellingham re-establish England’s lead before Marcus Rashford came off the bench to wrap up the victory late on. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK unemployment rate falls to 4.9% and wages grow more than expected
Drop will put pressure on Bank of England to raise interest rates despite peace deal in Iran warBusiness live – latest updatesUnemployment fell and wages increased in April, official figures showed, putting pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates despite a peace deal in the Middle East.The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed unemployment slipped to 4.9% in the three months to April from 5% in the three months to March. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
Open 
You’ll soon be able to send view-once texts on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is working on view-once text messages, according to WABetaInfo. The feature lets users send texts that become inaccessible after a single read, with the same screenshot and forwarding blocks already in place for view-once photos and videos.

Telegraph
Open 
Roberto Martinez ‘too scared’ to replace Cristiano Ronaldo
Roberto Martinez ‘too scared’ to replace Cristiano Ronaldo

The Verge
Open 
Midjourney goes from generating cat images to full-body ultrasound scans
Midjourney CEO David Holz just showed off the company's first hardware product and plans to build a San Francisco spa, which he admitted is a bit different from the "cat pictures" produced by its AI image generator. Dubbed The Midjourney Scanner, it's an ultrasound-based full-body scanner that uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical […]

BBC UK News
Open 
'Urgent' DBS system review after BBC investigation into arrested Leeds nursery worker
Kristian Parry was able to get a job in a nursery while on bail for sex offences involving children.

Mail Online
Open 
World Cup Unfiltered Poll: Which team impressed YOU the most in the opening round of the World Cup? Vote now!
Some teams have made better impressions than others. Germany's 7-1 hammering of tournament minnows Curacao has set the tone for Julian Nagelsmann's side.

Mail Online
Open 
Husband of nuclear scientist found dead fears for his safety as disappearance that captivated the country takes a dark turn
The husband of missing Los Alamos National Laboratory employee Melissa Casias has filed for a restraining order against a private investigator, claiming he fears for his family's safety.

Mail Online
Open 
Corey Feldman, 54, breaks silence after suffering health scare on flight to LA... and blames 'misdiagnosis' for sparking fan concern
The actor, 54, was aboard a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles on Monday when he began feeling ill and paramedics met him at the gate when he landed.

Mail Online
Open 
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia: Luis Diaz and Co survive scare from World Cup debutants in Mexico City
JEFF POWELL IN MEXICO CITY: Colombia have long been looked down upon as the poor cousins of South American football when it comes to World Cups.

Mail Online
Open 
Up to 50 fuming Ryanair passengers are stranded in Greece as flight to UK leaves without them due to passport control delays at Athens airport
Authorities at Athens International Airport were forced to step in after 20 to 50 travellers booked onto the flight to London Luton were left stranded on Sunday.

Sky News Home
Open 
The 14 points which make up deal to end war
Donald Trump has signed a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Germany's Anti-immigration AfD Party Jumps To Record 9-Point Lead Over CDU In Latest Poll
Germany's Anti-immigration AfD Party Jumps To Record 9-Point Lead Over CDU In Latest Poll

Via Remix News,

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to run away from its main rival, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Socialist Union (CSU) in a new poll, which shows the AfD nine points ahead.



The AfD achieved a new record in the current YouGov poll, reaching 29 percent, while the CDU/CSU and SPD have hit all-time lows. The results are expected to pile on the pressure on a governing coalition the German public increasingly despises.

In the YouGov poll, CDU/CSU achieves 20 percent of the vote and SPD earns 12 percent. The Union parties have never been worse in a YouGov poll.


BUNDESTAGSWAHL | Sonntagsfrage YouGov
AfD: 29% (+1)
Union: 20% (-2)
GRÜNE: 14% (+1)
SPD: 12% (-1)
LINKE: 12% (+1)
FDP: 5% (+1)
BSW: 4%
Sonstige: 5%
Änderungen zur letzten Umfrage vom 12. Mai 2026
Verlauf: https://t.co/f9MV7iZ8iJ#btw29 pic.twitter.com/yO2VS2jJn5
— Deutschland Wählt (@Wahlen_DE) June 16, 2026
However, the Greens at 14 percent and the Left Party at 12 percent are making slight gains.

The FDP is also gaining ground, reaching 5 percent for the first time in a year and a half after a new chairman was elected, Wolfgang Kubicki.

The results for the CDU in particular are bound to spark further turmoil in the party, with some members perhaps even eyeing a future coalition with the AfD, a move that has been soundly rejected by CDU leadership. In particular, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to never work with the party.

The conundrum for the CDU remains that the party is forced to build coalitions with predominately left-wing parties like the Greens, the SPD, and even the Left Party, through its firewall against the AfD. The resulting politics have left CDU voters increasingly unhappy with the results, but remarkably, about half of CDU voters also reject a coalition with the AfD.

Majority of Germans reject politicizing the World Cup

YouGov also found that a majority of Germans do not want the World Cup politicized. The German national team has a history of taking a “woke” stance in the last two World Cups, but the German team was eventually humiliated in each tournament, failing to advance past the preliminary round in both World Cups.

However, Germans soundly reject politics in football, with 65 percent of respondents saying they want the World Cup and politics to be strictly separated. AfD voters (82 percent) and CDU/CSU voters (74 percent) are especially in favor of this position. More than half of SPD voters at 55 percent also share this view.

However, those on the more extreme left, back politics in football, like the Left Party (41 percent) and the Greens (34 percent).

Read more here...

Tyler Durden
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 02:00

Ian Visits
Open 
London’s Pocket Parks: Sam Philp Recreation Ground, Hayes, UB3
This is a pocket park next to the M4, north of Heathrow Airport, with lots of trees planted a couple of decades ago to mitigate the noise from its noisy neighbours.Read more ›

The Aviationist
Open 
U.S. Air Force Releases Names of Fallen B-52 Crew Members
The U.S. Air Force released the names of the eight people killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards AFB. The U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing has released the names of the eight people killed in the horrific mishap on Jun. 15, 2026, which saw a B-52 Stratofortress, callsign “TORCH 11,” […]

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
People starting new jobs at lowest level in five years
The Office for National Statistics says some areas of the jobs market are weakening, as vacancies continue to fall.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Germany's foreign minister: 'European unity is decisive'
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in an interview with DW, underscores the trans-Atlantic partnership, close cooperation with Poland, continued support for Ukraine and European unity.

Mail Online
Open 
World Cup icon's disgusted reaction to his goalkeeper son goes viral after Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick past him
As the third goal flew into the back of the net, TV cameras immediately cut to the World Cup icon, who was captured sporting an expression of pure disappointment during the game.

Mail Online
Open 
Michelle Obama ignores UFC fighter's slur as she unveils tribute to late mother at husband's $850M presidential library
The former First Lady was famously close to her mother, who moved into the White House during the Obama years to help Michelle raise her daughters Sasha and Malia.

Mail Online
Open 
Nicole Kidman romantically linked to 'high profile businessman' following split with Keith Urban
Nicole Kidman has been enjoying a secret romance for months. 

Mail Online
Open 
Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet put on VERY affectionate display during NYC bike ride... as it's revealed how the relationship has 'changed' the actor
Kylie Jenner put on an affectionate display with her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet as they enjoyed a romantic afternoon outing in New York City on Wednesday.

Mail Online
Open 
Olivia Wilde reveals why eight-year marriage to Italian prince ended after she tied the knot as a teen
Olivia Wilde is looking back on the whirlwind romance that saw her marry an Italian prince after getting engaged at Burning Man when she was just 19.

Mail Online
Open 
Socceroos fans sing controversial Trump 'sex offender' chant as grudge match vs USA looms at the World Cup
Footage of hundreds of Socceroos diehards taking up the cry has been liked almost 90,000 times.

Mail Online
Open 
Cancer doctor's exercise advice could add 10 YEARS to your life expectancy
A cancer doctor has revealed how an unexpected sport could be the secret to living up to 10 years longer.

Mail Online
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Someone with same name as me ran up £4,763 EDF energy debt - now it says I have to pay the bill: CRANE ON THE CASE
EDF and debt collector LCS say I must pay the bill for a flat in London - but I live in the North East and have never been an EDF customer.

Mail Online
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Lindsay Lohan gives rare glimpse at family life in Dubai with son, two, as she celebrates husband's 40th birthday
The couple tied the knot in 2022 - eight years after she moved from Los Angeles to Dubai to escape her chaotic Hollywood lifestyle.

Mail Online
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Donald Trump and Iran sign peace deal aiming to reopen Strait of Hormuz and end the war
The initial deal to end the war takes 'immediate effect' after leaders from both countries signed it, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate the agreement said.

The Guardian (UK)
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La Cabina/El Televisor review – horror and anxiety on the air and down the line in Franco’s Spain
José Luis López Vázquez’s phone box nightmare is short and sharp but Narciso Ibáñez Serrador’s TV fever dream overplays its handTwo macabre Spanish TV plays from the 1970s are being released as a double bill: Antonio Mercero’s La Cabina (★★★★★) is a cult 1972 surreal short film lasting just 35 minutes but encompassing an entire dreamworld of anxiety. It was conceived for television in the spirit of Alfred Hitchcock Presents or Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected, but I can imagine it shown in cinemas as a curtain-raiser before Buñuel’s The Exterminating Angel.La Cabina is a black comic nightmare in which a fussy middle-aged man, played by veteran Spanish comedy actor José Luis López Vázquez, steps into a phone booth that has just appeared in a suburban sidestreet. But the phone doesn’t work and then he can’t get out; the door is jammed. What to do? There’s no mobile phone to reach for; in 1972, the phone booth was the mobile phone. He gesticulates and waves in panic through the glass, though seems mysteriously robbed of the power of speech and is clearly inhibited by how ridiculous he must look. Crowds cluster round and try ineffectually to help. A callous, carnivalesque atmosphere develops. The man sees himself reflected in a mirror that one onlooker is carrying: trapped, absurd, bourgeois homo sapiens as zoo animal. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold; UK unemployment falls – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK wage growth was stronger than expected in the three months to April, this morning’s labour market data shows.Basic pay (which excludes bonuses) rose by 3.4% year-on-year in the quarter, while total pay (including bonuses) rose by 4.4%; both measures were unchanged compared with a month earlier.“The labour market remained broadly stable in the latest quarter, with further softening evident in some measures. Payroll numbers continued to fall over this period, with new recruits at their lowest level in five years. However, overall employment was little changed, with some signs of workers moving into self‑employment.“Vacancies also continued to fall, further suggesting that firms are becoming more cautious about taking on new staff. The decline has been most persistent among lower‑paying sectors and smaller employers, although the largest fall this quarter was in professional services. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Mexico military brings down ‘unfortunate’ drone near South Korea World Cup training camp
Unclear if drone was spying on training session or if arrests madeSouth Korea coach said drone would not have spotted tacticsMexican military forces intercepted and brought down a drone that flew near the South Korea team’s training camp ahead of its World Cup match against Mexico, a federal official told the Associated Press.Military forces used specialised equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the South Korean camp, prompting them to “neutralise” it, the Mexican federal agent said. Continue reading...

Crowdfund Insider
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Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) Focuses on DeFi with Consultation Paper
On June 17, 2026, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) released a comprehensive discussion paper focused on decentralised finance (DeFi). This initiative aims to strengthen Malta’s position as a forward-thinking hub for digital financial services by gathering insights on the opportunities and hurdles presented by... Read More

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11907 Broadband (xDSL) - Exchange outage - Newcastle Under Lyme (WMNEW) - 13657 (Close)
Confirmed functioning service. Incident Closed.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 22:40

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 07:30

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 07:27

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 07:27

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Wired Top Stories
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The UK Will Scan Asylum-Seekers’ Faces for Age Checks—Despite Knowing the Tech Is Flawed
Internal Home Office tests of age-verification technology show the risks of life-altering errors. It’s moving forward anyway.

TechRadar Reviews
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Oukitel WP66 review: An extremely rugged phone that doesn't punish you for choosing durability

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Russia, Ukraine trade strikes as Zelenskyy talks with Trump
Ukraine hit Moscow's refinery while Kyiv was hit by Russian missiles. The attacks come as Zelenskyy intensified efforts to end the war.

BBC UK News
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Cervical cancer deaths fall to zero in young women given HPV vaccine
A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.

Mail Online
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Tax hikes and fiscal uncertainty mean Britain is less appealing to the wealthy
The migration consultancy Henley & Partners said tax reforms, fiscal uncertainty and policy changes were prompting wealthy families in Britain to 'reassess their options'.

Mail Online
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Restore Britain's 'unpleasant' Makerfield campaign has likely done enough to hand Andy Burnham victory, says MARTIN BECKFORD - but will this 'squeezing' of the Reform vote translate to a general election?
This same fractured right scenario could play out across the country come the next general election, Beckford predicted.

Mail Online
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World Cup Breakfast: 95th-minute winner rescues England's next opponents, emotional Luis Diaz inspires Colombia, match highlights - and what to look out for today
Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport's World Cup Breakfast from day seven at the tournament - your one-stop shop for everything you've missed overnight in North America.

Mail Online
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Thomas Tuchel sparks injury fears over Declan Rice - who he would 'never normally take off' - as girlfriend Lauren Fryer watches the England star get subbed off in first World Cup win
Thomas Tuchel says he would never normally substitute Declan Rice - but had concerns about an injury that England's star midfielder has admitted he's been 'nursing' for weeks.

The Guardian (UK)
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Fotofestiwal: the international festival of photography in Łódź – in pictures
Now in it’s 25th year, the Polish city’s Fotofestiwal opens on 18 June with a series of exhibitions reflecting on the concept of a collective experience rather than a binary world of “us” and “them” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Should my husband stop letting our kids climb over our neighbour’s fence to get their ball back?
Penelope worries this will teach her children it’s OK to trespass; Spencer sees no harm in them hopping over. No sitting on the fence – you decide who’s in the wrong• Find out how to get a disagreement settled or become a jurorIt doesn’t matter that it only takes five seconds. It’s a flagrant disregard for property rightsNo harm was done to their garden. It’s just a lawn with a few shrubs. I don’t see the problem Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Why one Gen Z Londoner is allowed to graze sheep on land in the Welsh valleys
Caleb Tutt travelled from Lambeth to a hilltop in Llantrisant to claim his ancient birthright.

Mail Online
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England's Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Jude Bellingham share celebratory kisses with their WAGs in the stands after thrilling World Cup win against Croatia
England's WAGS made sure to pack on the PDA with their footballers as they shared celebratory smooches in the stands after they stormed to victory against Croatia.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Voters head to the polls for Makerfield by-election
There are 14 candidates vying to be the Greater Manchester constituency's new MP.

Sky News Home
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Polls open in Makerfield by-election
Polls have opened in the Makerfield by-election.

The Guardian (UK)
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A Little Bit Bad by Cassandra Neyenesch review – a sparkling, subversive debut
With its echoes of Miranda July’s All Fours, this tragicomic tale of an American woman’s illicit romance is also a gripping murder mysteryThe plot of A Little Bit Bad sounds like the setup for a joke: “Like, this white lady lusting after her hot Chicano roofer?” Perdita Jungfrau, the narrator, is describing her own situation. “Yuck.”It’s 2009 and Perdita is 39 when she meets 25-year-old Nando, who is working on next door’s roof. “Burned out” after a decade as a hospital social worker, she’s a stay-at-home mother to a toddler, and pregnant again (though she doesn’t know it yet). She isn’t happy. Her husband is critical of her for quitting her job, and won’t look after the children: “Babies scare me!” Perdita is out in her San Diego backyard on the day that Nando falls from a ladder propped up against the neighbour’s house. She sees it happen, calls an ambulance and sits beside him on the grass to wait. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Here’s something London can be envious of: when New York parties, it really parties | Emma Brockes
A riot of joy and hugging and screaming followed the Knicks’ historic win. Britons can be jolly (Arsenal fans just were), but this was the gold standardThere was a moment on Sunday morning when, scrolling through pages of content celebrating the New York Knicks’ spectacular NBA championship win in the city – videos in which it seemed people of every age, race, background and zip code put aside their differences to hug and scream – I wondered how far the principle of sport-as-the-ultimate-leveller might stretch.For example: given the joy on Saturday night was so intense, could you have sent the most hated figures in the US into the ecstatic Knicks viewing parties – those gatherings of thousands who came together to watch the game projected on to the sides of buildings – and witnessed the joy of the event transform them into regular humans? Greg Bovino, say, the loathed former US border tsar in his soldier-of-fortune Halloween costume – pop a jaunty Knicks cap on his head and might he elicit high fives? What about ICE agents in Knicks jerseys? I tried to imagine Elon Musk – a man who has surely never thrown, caught or enjoyed watching a ball in flight in his life – attending a Knicks party and experiencing, possibly for the first time, a group of people who appeared genuinely pleased to see him. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Australia superpower v USA pentagon: how each team can win their World Cup clash
The Socceroos and United States both made a fast start to their campaign – here is what the Group D rivals must do to maintain momentum in SeattleBack Nestory Irankunda: the 20-year-old was expected to be an impact player at this World Cup, coming on as a substitute to affect matches against tiring opposition. A player of the match performance when starting against Turkey showed how Irankunda has become one of the Socceroos’ most important players. While still learning his wing-craft, his speed and determination without the ball are vital in a Socceroos outfit seemingly happy to give their opponents’ possession, and his ability to make the most of transition and direct opportunities – as seen for his opening goal against Turkey – can be a superpower. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Pink flamingos and shimmering lemon groves: exploring Sicily’s Vendicari nature reserve
This wetland south of Syracuse was saved from developers and preserved as an unspoilt haven for migratory birdsWe rented Il Nido because we thought other people wouldn’t like it. Small and basic, without internet, the property was supposedly beside a beautiful national park famous for its coastline and migratory birds. The online picture suggested it was pressed up against one of those concrete pillars (common around Sicily) supporting a deserted and rotting motorway flyover. I was writing a thriller with mafia connections. My partner wanted to scrape off six months of fumes from her new job in London. Our daughter needed fun.“This is a bomb,” said the hostess, opening a cupboard under the sink. “You turn it anticlockwise to go off.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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As Spielberg confirms whether ET was ‘slimy or dry’, we enter a new age of the celebrity interview
Veteran interviewees are forever trotting out the same anecdotes in response to unoriginal questions – until one fearless disruptor dared ask if ET had moist skinFor the most part, Steven Spielberg has avoided most of the indignities of the modern day press tour. He hasn’t had to subject himself to any spicy chicken wings, or summon any witticisms when presented with a cloche-covered sausage roll. Unlike many other celebrities, he hasn’t chosen to promote Disclosure Day by answering softball questions while simultaneously fashioning a Lionel Richie-style clay approximation of himself for YouTube. For this he should be applauded.Instead, Spielberg has spent this promotional cycle on something more suited to his stature. A maestro tour, if you will, on which he gets to position Disclosure Day against a body of work that is second to none. Publications have run long oral histories about his entire career. He was a guest during the prestigious final week of Stephen Colbert’s talkshow. He was interviewed by the New York Times about the exact texture of ET’s skin. Continue reading...

Mail Online
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England's Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Jude Bellingham share celebratory kisses with their WAGs in the stands after thrilling World Cup win against Croatia
England's WAGS cheered from the stands of Dallas stadium tonight as they watched Three Lions storm to victory against Croatia in a thrilling World Cup opening match.

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11743 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - City Fibre (Multiple Sites) (Close)
Maintenance window passed and no alarm observed

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 23:00

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:49

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:49

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11748 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - MYLOW-Lowmoor (Close)
Maintenance window passed and no alarm observed

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:49

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:49

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11749 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - LWHEN-Hendon (Close)
Maintenance window passed and no alarm observed

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:49

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:50

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11775 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - MYHLT-Leeds - Hunslet (Close)
Maintenance window passed and no alarm observed

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 00:05

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:50

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:50

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11832 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Network Maintenance - Multiple Exchange - 10704 (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 01:00

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:51

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:52

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

Zen Service Alerts (Overview)
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#11835 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Network Maintenance - Multiple Exchange - 10705 (Close)
Maintenance successfully completed.

Start: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 01:00

End: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:00

Clear: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:52

Edited: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 06:52

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

BBC Top Stories (US)
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'If we lose, we lose in our way' - how Tuchel inspired 'fearful' England
England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

The Guardian (UK)
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TV tonight: the people fighting to clear their loved ones’ names
This new series talks to the families of those who are serving prison sentences for crimes they believe they didn’t do. Plus, discover more about Britain’s first king, James I. Here’s what to watch this evening10pm, Channel 4“People are sitting in prison cells with life sentences when there is evidence that proves categorically they didn’t do it. And they call that justice.” This new series speaks to people fighting convictions they believe are miscarriages of justice. The first divisive case is that of a street fight in 2005, when Jason Moore was found guilty of murdering Robert Darby. But Moore’s family and friends are campaigning for him to be freed. Hollie Richardson Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory
Some very good things have come from Croydon, the often overlooked town in south London. The film director David Lean was born there, as was Roy Hodgon, the actor Peggy Ashcroft and the sexologist Havelock Ellis. Amy Winehouse studied in Croydon. The Bill and Peep Show were filmed there, as was the title sequence of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June. For a long time it was a centre of brewing and leather production. It was on a suburban driveway there that Pickles found the Jules Rimet trophy after it had been stolen in 1966. And on Wednesday Croydon proved the crucible of Colombia’s victory over Uzbekistan.Daniel Muñoz’s brilliant strike, created by Luis Díaz, set Colombia on heir way to a win that should never have been as edgy as it ended up being. But his Crystal Palace teammate Jefferson Lerma was a key figure in the centre of midfield, a controlling figure in Colombia’s domination of the majority of the game. “I’m living out my childhood dream of playing in a World Cup for my national team and for my country,” said a delighted Díaz after being named man of the match. “And what could be more beautiful than contributing with a goal and an assist?” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Labour campaigners fear hordes of MPs may annoy public as Makerfield votes
Up to 3,000 activists – including cabinet ministers and other MPs – descending on constituency to back Andy BurnhamUp to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
Open 
Epic Games just took a big step toward AI-built games with Unreal Engine 5.8
Unreal Engine 5.8 ships with an experimental plugin that lets developers connect any LLM to core engine systems, and Epic plans even deeper integration for Unreal Engine 6.

TechRadar News
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Got a Boots email offering 'free gift beauty sample pack'? Well, 8.8 million of us got the same thing from Romanian hackers looking to steal our credit cards (and more)

Planet PostgreSQL
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Christophe Pettus: All Your GUCs in a Row: default_transaction_isolation and default_transaction_read_only
PostgreSQL's isolation levels hold surprises: read uncommitted silently becomes read committed, repeatable read forbids phantom reads the standard permits, and…

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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I did it for my son, says campaigner ahead of Muckamore hospital abuse report
The long-awaited final report is expected to reveal the extent of the mistreatment of patients at the hospital.

Sky News Home
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UK set for another heatwave
Heatwave conditions are predicted for parts of the UK this weekend, with heat health alerts already in effect ahead of possible highs of 33C (91.4F) early next week.

Crowdfund Insider
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BNPL Fintech Klarna Teams Up with Bolt to Expand Flexible Payments Options for Urban Mobility
BNPL Fintech Klarna (NYSE:KLAR), which operates a global digital banking and payments company, has joined forces with Bolt, a European shared mobility provider. This collaboration integrates Klarna’s flexible payment solutions straight into the Bolt mobile app, enabling users in Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Norway to... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Tokenized Stocks Emerge as Crypto Ecosystem’s Fastest-Growing Sector from 2024 to 2026
CoinGecko has indicated that the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector has undergone significant fundamental expansion between early 2024 and mid-2026, with certain categories experiencing very steady growth in the number of listed tokens. According to CoinGecko’s analysis of monthly listings through May 31, 2026, decentralized finance... Read More

Wired Top Stories
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NordVPN Coupons: 75% Off, Plus 3 Months Free in June 2026
Save up to 77% on 2-year plans and get 3 free months with our NordVPN discount codes.

Mail Online
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England assistant Anthony Barry gives furious half-time interview after 'fearful and nervous' display against Croatia - before Jude Bellingham instantly restores the Three Lions' lead in second half
Barry stressed that England fallen back into 'fearful' patterns on both occasions after going ahead and that it was a subject addressed with the squad at half-time.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: England fans cheer each goal in exhilarating opener against Croatia
Supporters for both sides turned out in droves to watch England v Croatia in their opening match of the World Cup.

Deutsche Welle
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Trump, Pezeshkian sign deal to end Iran war, reopen Hormuz
US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire for another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. DW has the latest.

The Guardian (UK)
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Rachel Roddy’s recipe for focaccia sandwiches with mortadella and parmesan cream | A kitchen in Rome
A family favourite transforms TV dinners into a summery eventIt’s the time of year when the TV, balanced on the Ikea unit with castors, its feet supported by wooden splints, is wheeled between the kitchen doors so it faces out on to the terrace (flat roof). In the absence of a barbecue or outside shower, the TV is our seasonal shift; an inside object moved outside and, in the process, made (slightly) more exciting. As a result, TV dinners are also altered, as well as given another layer of soundtrack – birds shouting, people chatting in the bar below, the held-down horn of the articulated lorry that can’t reach the supermarket because a car is double parked – to the one coming out of the TV speakers. We also have a table outside, but that changes the nature of a TV dinner too much: the table is moved aside for wooden chairs, tea towels and plates on laps, with focaccia sandwiches with mortadella and parmesan cream for the meat eaters, and parmesan cream, tomato and a handful of green leaves for those who don’t.Mortadella is considered an insaccati parzialmente cotti, or partly cooked sausage. Its origin is debated, with some suggesting it derives from the object it was pounded in, il mortaio (the mortar); others say the name can be linked back, as is so often the case, to the Romans, and a sausage flavoured with myrtle berries called farcimen murtatum. The dates around when it was first made are also debated, because of a mention of something called mortadella in 12th-century cookbooks, though that was likely made of veal or donkey. The 1600s are a better place to start, when a nobleman and agronomist called Vincenzo Tanara described meat: two-thirds lean from the pork shoulder and leg, cut into large cubes, then transformed through “sharp pounding”, stuffed and cooked at a moderate temperature. Alongside instructions for production, there were strict edicts regulating the labour-intensive processes involved in making luxury products for those who could afford them. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Cry/Laugh review – did you hear the one about the town crier and the jester?
Òran Mór, Glasgow Nay Dhanak’s clownish tale follows an odd couple struggling to live up to their roles passing news from royal power to the publicWe are in a medieval world of portentous comets, fiery dragons and punitive taxes. For the average peasant, it is tough going, but even in this hierarchical society, two of them have uncommon access to power. One is the town crier, the mediator of news between monarch and serf. The other is the jester, employed by the court to tell it like it is. If anyone can quell a peasants’ revolt, it is these two.Playwright Nay Dhanak is fascinated by this imbalance of power, reflected, they suggest, in today’s mismatch between tech overlords and everyone else. Cry/Laugh, their professional debut, is a speculation about two such privileged outsiders losing their jobs. Can no news really be good news?At Òran Mór, Glasgow, until 20 June Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Dubai property sales have fallen ‘off a cliff’ since start of Middle East war
Sellers of luxury villas have wiped tens of millions of pounds off asking prices, with sales down 19% in May from the previous monthProperty sales in Dubai have fallen “off a cliff”, a leading market watcher has said, after war in the Middle East forced a dramatic slowdown in one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets.Sales in the city dropped 19% in May compared with the previous month, accelerating from a 4% drop in April, the researcher ValuStrat found. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices
Directive aimed at government workers, but reports of wider implementation spark warnings of future Afghanistan-wide prohibitionThe Taliban have ordered a sweeping ban on the use of smartphones by government officials – in what some analysts say could foreshadow broader, population-level restrictions.In a directive issued by the Taliban’s military courts and reviewed by the Guardian, the ban was to take effect this week and prohibits “high rank, low rank, general mujahideen, or service staff” from using mobile phones. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Thursday news quiz: Channel skirmishes, stolen mopeds and drum disasters
Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?Sparks have announced a new live album, which they claim was recorded on the moon. That somewhat ups the ante for other acts. Maybe Harry Styles will have to go to Mars for his next residency? Or Taylor Swift tour the asteroid belt? Regardless of all that, a lot of people have expressed the opinion that the Thursday news quiz reminds them of Uranus. Fifteen questions await you on topical news, general knowledge and pub culture. There are no prizes, but let us know how you get on in the comments. Allons-y!The Thursday news quiz, No 252 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Labour campaigners in Makerfield fear their sheer numbers may annoy voters
Up to 3,000 activists – including cabinet ministers and other MPs – descending on constituency to back Andy BurnhamUp to 3,000 Labour campaigners are expected to descend on Makerfield for Andy Burnham, prompting fears among organisers that the hordes of activists may end up overwhelming voters during Thursday’s byelection.Local hotels are fully booked and party members are expected to be dispatched to polling stations, and to leaflet people waiting at bus stops and school gates to avoid swamping residents on their doorsteps. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ten years on, we’re living with the ghosts of Brexit. Reform and Restore know that – the rest are playing catch-up | Aditya Chakrabortty
Starmer’s EU reset is aimed at the conference room. Meanwhile Farage and the hard right mine ethnic resentment on the streetsWhat story does Britain tell itself about Brexit, 10 years after the vote that transformed the country? Watch TV or read the papers and you find one of two viewpoints: from the common room or the conference room.The common room story is about chums and how they fall out. Friendships forged on hallowed playing fields and over Cotswold kitchen suppers, then dashed on the rocks of ambition. The new BBC documentary Brexit: A Very British Civil War is the latest in the genre, recounting what Dave said to Boris said to Michael said to Dom. It oohs at the deals struck over sets of tennis, and aahs at the then prime minister threatening dissenters with: “I will fuck you up for ever.” This is David Cameron as box office: the Scarface of the Bullingdon Club. And Brexit, you understand, was simply an Oxford fracas that got out of hand.Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory
Some very good things have come from Croydon, the often overlooked town in south London. The film director David Lean was born there, as was Roy Hodgon, the actor Peggy Ashcroft and the sexologist Havelock Ellis. Amy Winehouse studied in Croydon. The Bill and Peep Show were filmed there, as was the title sequence of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June. For a long time it was a centre of brewing and leather production. It was on a suburban driveway there that Pickles found the Jules Rimet trophy after it had been stolen in 1966. And on Wednesday Croydon proved the crucible of the remarkable goal that gave Colombia the lead against Uzbekistan.Daniel Muñoz’s brilliant strike, created by Jefferson Lerma, set Colombia on their way to a victory that should never have been as edgy as it ended up being. It was, in truth, a game desperately in need of something special. In Lean’s greatest film, Lawrence of Arabia undertook an arduous trek across the Nefud Desert to lead an attack on Aqaba, but even he may have baulked at the journey those travelling to the Azteca had to undertake from central Mexico City. Heavy rain led to huge puddles and numerous crashes. The verges alongside the Anillo Periférico were dotted with battered vehicles. For the final two or three miles the roads were lined with a ragged procession of fans who had abandoned their buses and taxis to walk. A trip that should have lasted just over an hour took more than four. Magnificent the Azteca may be, but it is not a modern football ground. Chaos swirls around it; nothing there really works. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The audacious plan to refreeze the Arctic – podcast
Sea ice is melting fast and worsening the climate crisis. But what if there were a way to thicken it again? Madeleine Finlay is joined by environment editor Damian Carrington to discuss a bold attempt to refreeze the Arctic which is showing early signs of success. He visited the project to find out how it will work, how much it will cost and whether it really has potential to improve the fate of the Arctic’s ice‘At first, the idea does sound crazy’: meet the scientists trying to refreeze the ArcticSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine bolsters its northern defences amid fears Belarus is being dragged into war
Kyiv is not taking any risks amid Moscow’s efforts to integrate Minsk ever more closely into its warRussian spy drones flying into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace have sharply increased since the beginning of the year, as senior officials in Kyiv express mounting concern over Belarus’s involvement in the war.Ukraine has stepped up by reinforcing fortifications on its northern border, including anti-tank ditches, concrete “dragons’ teeth” obstacles to block armoured vehicles and new areas of barbed wire. Troops operating along the border say they have noted a jump of about 20% in Russian intelligence drones since January. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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BBC made second Ashley Cain TV series despite alleged misconduct
Filming in Las Vegas was suspended and Cain replaced as presenter after he appeared to be drunk, sources sayBBC presenter Ashley Cain called women ‘slags’, ‘sluts’ and ‘bitches’Warning: this article contains sexually explicit, offensive languageThe BBC made a second documentary series fronted by the presenter Ashley Cain just months after it was informed about an incident of alleged misconduct on a separate production in Las Vegas, which caused filming to be suspended and another presenter flown out at short notice to replace him.The BBC’s decision to hire Cain, and promote him as a rare talent who could appeal to young men, is under scrutiny after the Guardian revealed his history of highly offensive and misogynistic social media posts, including jokes about hitting women and degrading sexual practices. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From one to 48 - every World Cup team ranked after first game
All 48 teams at the World Cup have now played once. BBC Sport's experts have ranked them all, from best to worst. Who is top? Not defending champions Argentina.

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The Guardian (UK)
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Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory
Some very good things have come from Croydon, the often overlooked town in south London. The film director David Lean was born there, as was the singer Amy Winehouse, the actor Peggy Ashcroft and the sexologist Havelock Ellis. Roy Hodgson comes from Croydon. The Bill and Peep Show were filmed there, as was the title sequence of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June. For a long time it was a centre of brewing and leather production. It was on a suburban driveway there that Pickles found the Jules Rimet trophy after it had been stolen in 1966. And on Wednesday Croydon proved the crucible of the remarkable goal that gave Colombia the lead against Uzbekistan.Daniel Muñoz’s brilliant strike, created by Jefferson Lerma, set Colombia on their way to a victory that should never have been as edgy as it ended up being. It was, in truth, a game desperately in need of something special. In Lean’s greatest film, Lawrence of Arabia undertook an arduous trek across the Nefud Desert to lead an attack on Aqaba, but even he may have baulked at the journey those travelling to the Azteca had to undertake from central Mexico City. Heavy rain led to huge puddles and numerous crashes. The verges alongside the Anillo Periférico were dotted with battered vehicles. For the final two or three miles the roads were lined with a ragged procession of fans who had abandoned their buses and taxis to walk. A trip that should have lasted just over an hour took more than four. Magnificent the Azteca may be, but it is not a modern football ground. Chaos swirls around it; nothing there really works. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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Warning of 'extremely dangerous' cancer care delays
Doctors have warned of "extremely dangerous" delays to cancer care due to staffing shortages.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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From one to 48 - every World Cup team ranked after one game
All 48 teams at the World Cup have now played once. BBC Sport's experts have ranked them all, from best to worst. Who is top? Not defending champions Argentina.

ZeroHedge News
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China's Alibaba Unveils AI Brains Designed To Power The Next Generation Of Robots
China's Alibaba Unveils AI Brains Designed To Power The Next Generation Of Robots

Authored by Jijo Malayil via Interesting Engineering,

Chinese firm Alibaba has launched its first embodied AI model family, which links large language models with real-world robotic actions.
The Qwen-Robot suite includes three distinct models, each targeting a different layer of physical intelligence.Unitree/YouTube

The Qwen-Robot suite was developed by Alibaba's Tongyi Lab and is undergoing pilot testing with selected Alibaba Cloud enterprise clients.

The suite comprises three models focused on navigation, manipulation, and world modeling for robots operating in physical environments.

Alibaba said the models enable machines to perceive, reason, and interact with the real world, joining a growing global push to advance embodied AI beyond traditional chatbot applications.

Robots meet reasoning

Alibaba says its Qwen family of AI models has become very good at understanding the physical world. These models can recognize objects, understand spatial relationships, follow complex visual instructions, and reason about real-world environments. For example, a model can understand a command such as, "Go to the kitchen, find the red cup, pick it up, and place it on the shelf."

However, understanding a task is different from actually performing it. While a vision-language model (VLM) can describe the steps needed to complete a task, it cannot directly control a robot's movements.

The challenge is connecting human language and visual understanding with the motor actions required to interact with the physical world.

This problem is difficult because robot training data is very different from internet data. Information collected from navigation systems, robotic arms, vehicles, and cameras comes in different formats and is expensive to gather. Simply combining all this data often creates conflicts rather than improving performance.

To address this, Alibaba developed the Qwen-Robot Suite, which includes three specialized models. Qwen-RobotNav focuses on movement and navigation. It helps robots follow instructions, navigate to locations, track targets, and support autonomous driving.

According to its website, Qwen-RobotManip focuses on physical interaction. It enables robots to grasp, move, and manipulate objects using a large training dataset collected from different robotic systems. Qwen-RobotWorld acts as a world model, predicting how environments may change and helping robots understand the likely outcomes of their actions.

Together, these models aim to enable robots to understand instructions, interact with objects, navigate environments, and make decisions in the real world.

Physical AI accelerates

Alibaba showcased Qwen-RobotNav on a Unitree Go2 quadruped powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor hardware and a single low-resolution camera. The robot successfully navigated an unfamiliar apartment, following spoken instructions across multiple rooms without preloaded maps, while maintaining an inference latency of 196 milliseconds.

The company claims that Qwen-RobotManip, its robotic manipulation model, was trained on more than 38,000 hours of open-source data covering object handling and interaction tasks. According to Alibaba, the model recently achieved the highest score in the generalist category of the RoboChallenge real-world robotics benchmark, earning a process score of 59.83 and a task success rate of 45 percent.

The company also unveiled Qwen-RobotClaw, a robotics agent framework that enables Qwen models to use the Qwen-Robot suite as physical-world tools. In one demonstration, an agent searched for a restroom, identified an out-of-order sign, and independently rerouted to another location. Alibaba further open-sourced Chat2Robot, a browser-based platform for testing embodied AI interactions.

As competition in embodied AI intensifies worldwide, Alibaba has expanded its ambitions beyond language and multimodal software with the launch of its Qwen-Robot models. The move reflects a broader industry shift toward creating AI systems capable of understanding and interacting with the physical world.

Alibaba's move comes as competition in physical AI accelerates globally. In the US, Google DeepMind is advancing Gemini Robotics, while Nvidia is expanding its robotics ecosystem through Cosmos, Isaac, and GR00T. Start-ups, including Physical Intelligence, Skild AI, and Figure AI, are also developing general-purpose robotic intelligence, according to the South China Morning Post.

China is strengthening its position by pairing its manufacturing advantages with growing investments in AI software for autonomous decision-making. The sector now spans AI developers, robotics firms, and EV makers. Companies such as Alibaba, Tencent, Unitree, AgiBot, UBTech, Galbot, Spirit AI, GigaAI, Xpeng, and Xiaomi are actively pursuing embodied AI technologies.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 23:00

ZeroHedge News
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America At 250: Survey Finds Enduring Patriotism, Growing Anxiety
America At 250: Survey Finds Enduring Patriotism, Growing Anxiety

Authored by Karlyn Bowman and Nicole Penn via RealClearPolitics,

As we approach the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations, the American Enterprise Institute released a new public opinion survey exploring Americans' views about the nation's past and present. The survey is part of AEI's America at 250 initiative, and it expands on a survey conducted 30 years ago by the Public Agenda Foundation in NYC.



Americans continue to endorse many of the ideals the founders championed, and they worry about their erosion. Nearly eight in 10 believe Americans take their freedoms for granted, while only 19% say Americans appreciate the freedom we have.

More than two-thirds of Americans believe that society has to teach kids what it means to be an American, while three in 10, 31%, believe this is something that happens naturally as they grow up. Three-quarters think high school students should be required to study the Declaration of Independence this year as part of the nation's 250th anniversary, including 61% of Gen Z-ers. Twenty-nine percent nationally say they have read the Declaration in full, while 45% have read it in part. Slightly more than a quarter, 26%, say they have not read the document. Still, 85% said they could give a good answer to what the 4th of July holiday actually celebrates, while 13% said they would be more comfortable looking it up.

Americans don't want to gloss over their history, and 65% said it was important to have public discussions of the nation's historical failures and flaws. In another question, 90% said it was very or somewhat important for high school students to learn how slavery and racial discrimination shaped the country. Forty-two percent said the public schools these days do not pay enough attention to the harm done to African Americans in U.S. history. Still, 75% in another question agreed with the statement "America is not perfect, but the country's leaders have worked hard to make it better." To this group of Americans, it was important to teach the country's failures and flaws but also its successes and strengths.

The survey revealed some significant gaps between members of the Gen Z cohort and baby boomers. Thirty percent of the Gen Z-ers strongly agreed that the Founding Fathers deserved respect for how they created the country compared to 60% of baby boomers. Two-thirds of Gen Z compared to 89% of boomers said they were very or somewhat proud to be an American. There were also big gaps between the parents surveyed in 1998 and parents today. Parents today are less likely to see the country and its history positively and also less likely to insist that schools teach positive claims about it.


Karlyn Bowman is a senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute where she studies public opinion. 



Nicole Penn is the assistant director of AEI’s Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department.


Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 23:25

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Colombia squeeze past dogged Uzbekistan to open World Cup campaign with victory
Some very good things have come from Croydon, the often overlooked town in south London. The film director David Lean was born there, as was the singer Amy Winehouse, the actor Peggy Ashcroft and the sexologist Havelock Ellis. Roy Hodgson comes from Croydon. The Bill and Peep Show were filmed there, as was the title sequence of the 1980s sitcom Terry and June. For a long time it was a centre of brewing and leather production. It was on a suburban driveway there that Pickles found the Jules Rimet trophy after it had been stolen in 1966. And on Wednesday Croydon proved the crucible of the remarkable goal that gave Colombia the lead against Uzbekistan.Daniel Muñoz’s brilliant strike, created by Jefferson Lerma, set Colombia on their way to a victory that should never have been as edgy as it ended up being. It was, in truth, a game desperately in need of something special. In Lean’s greatest film, Lawrence of Arabia undertook an arduous trek across the Nefud Desert to lead an attack on Aqaba, but even he may have baulked at the journey those travelling to the Azteca had to undertake from central Mexico City. Heavy rain led to huge puddles and numerous crashes. The verges alongside the Anillo Periférico were dotted with battered vehicles. For the final two or three miles the roads were lined with a ragged procession of fans who had abandoned their buses and taxis to walk. A trip that should have lasted just over an hour took more than four. Magnificent the Azteca
may be, but it is not a modern football ground. Chaos swirls around it; nothing there really works. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Best to worst - every World Cup team ranked after one game
All 48 teams at the World Cup have now played once. BBC Sport's experts have ranked them all, from best to worst. Who is top? Not defending champions Argentina.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: England fans cheer each goal in exhilarating opener
Supporters for both sides turned out in droves to watch England v Croatia in their opening match of the World Cup.

CNET News
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Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, June 18
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 18.

BBC Top Stories (International)
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Polls set to open in Makerfield by-election
There are 14 candidates vying to be the Greater Manchester constituency's new MP.

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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Best to worst - every World Cup team ranked after one game
Argentina are the defending world champions but their not the best side at this World Cup according to our BBC Sport experts.

Russia Today News
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Finland shreds nuclear weapons ban

The Guardian (UK)
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‘We had right of way’: when British fair play met Russian firepower off the Isle of Wight
Jane and Alan Kelvey’s holiday yacht met a warship in the Channel – at a tense time for Anglo-Russian relations“We actually had right of way,” said Jane Kelvey, a little crossly, though keeping it civil. “But we weren’t going to argue with a warship.”The dramatic standoff in the Channel on Tuesday morning between Admiral Grigorovich, a 125-metre (409ft) battle-hardened Russian frigate, and Bright Future, a 12-metre (40ft) pleasure yacht owned and helmed by Jane, 69, and her husband, Alan, 71, has rather caught the nation’s imagination. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Norway’s monarchy once seemed like a fairytale – recent crises have exposed its dark underbelly | Magnus Nome
The royals were always popular, but Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Epstein connections and her son’s rape convictions have profoundly shaken public trustThe Norwegian monarchy is in crisis. Not because its future queen is gravely ill, nor even because her son has this week been convicted of serious crimes, but because the institution’s greatest asset – public trust – has been eroded by a series of self-inflicted mistakes.Yesterday, it was announced that Norway’s crown princess, Mette-Marit, underwent a successful lung transplant after reports of a dramatic deterioration of her pulmonary fibrosis. That initial news prompted an outpouring of sympathy and even a surge in organ donor registrations. Without jumping the queue, she was matched with a compatible set of lungs less than two weeks after being placed on the list. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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From frustration to party time: Mexico ready for lift-off after steady start
The opening night against South Africa was met with mixed feelings but Thursday night’s South Korea clash promises to spark feelgood factorThe mood in Mexico City last Thursday night, after a 2-0 win over South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup, was gleeful. Fans crowded around the Angel of Independence, and Calle Río Sena was not merely rammed but carried the smell of urine and spilled beer that tends to characterise mass celebrations. The big roundabout at Insurgentes, where the night before a Beatles tribute act had entertained students, was packed with green shirts. And yet there was a sense that something was missing.This was in Roma Norte, a relatively wealthy area an hour or so north of the Azteca, and it was notable how many of the shirts seemed box-fresh. A significant proportion of those there were Mexicans who lived in the US. A persistent theme over the first few days of the tournament is how the fans who regularly go to Liga MX games have been priced out. A few minutes from the stadium, in a simple bar just off Avenida del Imán, where the tables were upturned barrels and a sweating teenager grilled burritos on a hot plate, the mood was slightly more ambivalent. Couples danced in the street outside, and there was a general sense of relief. After a group-stage exit in 2022, Mexico can at least now be relatively sure of making the last 32. And there was delight for Raúl Jiménez who, in his fourth World Cup, finally scored his first goal. But there were also two gripes. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘The beauty of the useless’: Spain’s super-thin restaurant napkins are throwaway art treasures
Forever flimsy and ineffective at cleaning greasy fingers, the servilletas of the Iberian peninsula resist the relentless ‘optimisation’ of our age. A new photo book recognises them as cultural treasures in miniatureIf you have ever eaten a meal in a bar, cafe or restaurant in Spain and grabbed a napkin from the ubiquitous small metal dispensers, you will be familiar with the most intriguing feature of the wafer-thin servilletas: how utterly functionally useless they are.Don’t bother using them to mop up spilled liquid, as they are less likely to soak up the spillage than protect it with an impermeable barrier. Never make the mistake of blowing your nose in them when you have a cold or a hay fever attack: they’ll just spread the mess to your hands. Their papery texture – originally meant to keep your hands clean while picking up oily snacks – has somehow endured despite their most common purpose being to clean your fingers and lips. For this, they are far from effective, and you end up flying through half a dozen for every croqueta. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Inside the audacious plan to refreeze the Arctic – podcast
Sea ice is melting fast and worsening the climate crisis. But what if there were a way to thicken it again? Madeleine Finlay is joined by environment editor Damian Carrington to discuss a bold attempt to refreeze the Arctic which is showing early signs of success. He visited the project to find out how it will work, how much it will cost and whether it really has potential to improve the fate of the Arctic’s ice‘At first, the idea does sound crazy’: meet the scientists trying to refreeze the ArcticSupport the Guardian: theguardian.com/sciencepod Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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‘The masturbation scene wasn’t a big deal’: Théodore Pellerin on tackling his new film Nino’s challenges
Locked out of his apartment, a cancer-stricken Parisian is caught in a race against time to freeze his sperm. The rising star who plays him explains how he tackled a very initimate questJust six months after the world rallied to defend poor Paul Dano, vulnerability may now be a hot commodity for an actor. What is “weak sauce” for Quentin Tarantino, who attacked Dano, can be mighty savoury for others. So it’s good timing that Théodore Pellerin, with his gangly frame and huge eyes, exudes that quality in the new French character study Nino. Gauche, hesitant and withholding, Pellerin is magnetic as a young Parisian locked out of his apartment for a weekend after a papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer diagnosis.Pellerin explains Nino’s predicament, his inability to be candid with his loved ones, almost down to the cellular level. “His throat cancer isn’t insignificant,” he says. “It’s the part that links the head to the body. There’s a dissociation from the body – a distancing of his emotions. And because it comes from a sexually transmitted disease, his sexuality – a strong life force – is stunted too. So his mission is to speak and to ejaculate.” Urgently in the case of the latter: Nino must freeze his sperm as his treatment will make him infertile. His odyssey around Paris is the gen Z answer to French New Wave classic Cléo de 5 à 7, which also revolved around a cancer diagnosis. Only this time, it’s about the impossibility of finding a good place to masturbate. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The malignant rise of OnlyFans managers: ‘It’s exploiting. It’s grooming. It’s predatory’
As the pornography platform has exploded in popularity, a side industry has emerged: middlemen who encourage young women into the industry, then take a large cut of their earningsMarkuss Hussle wants his online students to understand one thing: he knows how to make money. There is no subtlety involved. He gives an hour-long presentation in one video, sitting next to his silver Lamborghini. In another, he splices his money-making tips with footage of a ski weekend with his friends in Courchevel, in the French Alps, including shots of private jets, helicopters and a girlfriend in a fur coat. He claims the trip cost $100,000 (£75,000). He shows off his watches and his swimming pool and talks about how his mother worked three jobs as a cleaner until he “retired her” and bought her a home by the sea.If you were not paying close attention to the spreadsheets and presentations interspersed with the motivational lifestyle content, you might guess he was offering guidance on how to trade shares or invest in cryptocurrency. There are a lot of performance graphs and much discussion of account management, optimisation, scaling, working smart and tripling profits. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Western Europeans believe crime is rising despite fall in overall rates, poll finds
YouGov survey of six countries shows respondents think crime is increasing – though most trust their national police Western Europeans believe crime is rising in their country, according to a survey, despite long-term overall crime rates falling across the region since the mid-1990s.The YouGov poll of Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain found most countries trusted their national police, led by Denmark where 74% of respondents said they had a lot or a fair amount of confidence in police nationally. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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NHS patients face worst drug shortages on record, say pharmacists and GPs
Supply problems pose risk to health, with common painkillers, epilepsy medication and HRT affectedBritons are facing some of the “most severe” shortages of NHS medicines on record including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT, health leaders have warned, even forcing some patients with impaired digestive systems to skip meals.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a “serious risk to patient safety”. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump signs Iran peace plan, claiming deal averts ‘worldwide depression’
Details of the 14-point agreement revealed as senior US officials claim ‘major win’ despite significant concessions to TehranReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming it delivered a “major win” for the United States – even as it made significant political and financial concessions to Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz and prevent a “worldwide depression”.In extraordinary remarks on Wednesday, Donald Trump went from threatening Iran with a new wave of attacks to suggesting the country had basic rights to enrich uranium for civilian use, that he would not pressure Tehran to abandon its ballistic missiles programme and the US was “going to have to give back” billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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The Papers: US-Iran deal and England's World Cup win
The BBC, along with other broadcasters, is not allowed to report details of campaigning while the polls are open.

Sky News Home
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'Prototype' Stonehenge discovered
A 5,000-year-old structure that may have served as an early "prototype" for Stonehenge has been found just three miles away from the famous site.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ukraine war briefing: Allies give nod for Kyiv to reproduce their air-defence missiles
Proposal comes amid critical shortages of air defence ammunition; leaders at France summit hail renewed focus on pressuring Russia. What we know on day 1,576 Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live reaction
⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanFabio Cannavaro has continued with the 3-4-3 that served Uzbekistan well in qualifying. Khusanov is the only man in the starting XI to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The promising playmaker Fayzullaev is on the cusp of bigger things at İstanbul Başakşehir, where he is teammates with the proven goalscorer Shomurodov. Everyone else in the squad is drawn from clubs in Uzbekistan, Iran, or the UAE.1 Yusupov; 18 Abdullaev, 5 Ashurmatov, 2 Khusanov; 13 Nasrullaev 7 Shukurov, 6 Mozgovoy, 24 Karimov; 22 Fayzullaev, 11 Urunov, 14 Shomurodov. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Can ecosystems ‘malfunction’?
We are told the natural world is ‘breaking down’. But forests don’t work like aeroplanes or human heartsA version of this piece was originally published on Aeon as Why we need to think again about ecosystem failureThe Amazon rainforest, according to a 2021 study, is losing its capacity as a carbon sink and now emits more than it absorbs. In the tropics, marine scientists are reporting that coral reefs are in decline, threatening fish stocks. Equally concerning is research into the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (Amoc), a vast system of ocean currents that helps regulate the climate and is at risk of collapsing this century. The entire global ecosystem appears to be losing its ability to function.We find this view in newspapers, magazines, technical reports and the journals of learned societies. But thinking about the environment in terms of its functions is also how many of us tend to understand the world. We may think that forests exist to produce oxygen, wetlands to filter water and bees to pollinate our crops.Of special interest to humanity is the relationship of biodiversity to the variety of services provided by ecosystems and, in particular, to the stability of the flow of those services, such as the maintenance of the gaseous composition of the atmosphere, preservation of soils, recycling of nutrients and provision of food from the sea. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
‘I didn’t expect it to be so controversial’: the Japanese mayor who took maternity leave
Shoko Kawata’s decision to take time off to have a baby – an unprecedented step for a mayor – has sparked weeks of debate inside JapanIn many other nations, no one would blink an eye. But when Japanese mayor Shoko Kawata announced she was taking maternity leave, her decision made headline news, spawned opinion polls and sparked a national debate.And that debate is still unfolding in Japan, ever since she revealed her decision in May. On Monday, she told the assembly in the western city of Yawata she was confident her deputy could run things smoothly while she was away. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Rejoining customs union would not fix damage caused by Brexit, research finds
Exclusive: Economists find Brexit caused 12% depression in UK exports, most of which is due to leaving single marketBrexit has depressed UK exports to the EU by 12%, and rejoining the customs union would undo only a fraction of the damage, research shared with the Guardian shows.With the UK’s future relationship with the bloc likely to feature prominently in a potential Labour leadership contest, the economists John Springford and Anton Spisak, of the Centre for European Reform, provide fresh evidence of the damage caused by exiting. Continue reading...

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BBC Top Stories (UK)
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US and Iranian presidents sign deal aiming to end war
The fate of Iran's nuclear programme, a key reason cited by the US for starting the conflict, is still to be negotiated.

The Guardian (UK)
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Trump signs Iran peace plan, claiming deal averts ‘worldwide depression’
Details of the 14-point agreement revealed as senior US officials claim ‘major win’ despite significant concessions to TehranMiddle East crisis – live updatesReaction: Donald Trump’s Iran deal met with anger, relief and incredulityAnalysis: Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable warDonald Trump has signed a 14-point agreement with Iran, claiming it delivered a “major win” for the United States – even as it made significant political and financial concessions to Iran to reopen the strait of Hormuz and prevent a “worldwide depression”.In extraordinary remarks on Wednesday, Donald Trump went from threatening Iran with a new wave of attacks to suggesting the country had basic rights to enrich uranium for civilian use, that he would not pressure Tehran to abandon its ballistic missiles programme and the US was “going to have to give back” billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. Continue reading...

Digital Trends
Open 
ChatGPT’s new Scheduled page puts all your automated tasks in one place
OpenAI is rolling out a dedicated Scheduled page for ChatGPT that lets users view, manage, and monitor all active tasks from the sidebar.

Digital Trends
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Google’s updated migration tool takes the pain out of iPhone to Android switching
Google's upgraded Android Switch tool adds support for app data migration, iMessage transfers, passkeys, eSIMs, and more as it rolls out to Android 17 devices.

TechRadar News
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Some carmakers are ditching FM radios — and Rivian R2 fans aren't happy that they'll need a cellphone signal to listen to tunes in the wilderness

Slashdot
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Tesco Moving 40,000 Server Workloads Off VMware Amid Broadcom's 'Abusive Conduct'
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Tesco, a retail conglomerate headquartered in the United Kingdom, is moving 40,000 server workloads off of VMware amid "abusive conduct" from Broadcom, recent legal filings claim. Tesco filed a lawsuit in the UK's High Court against Broadcom alleging breach of contract last year. According to a September report from The Register, the lawsuit claimed that in January 2021, Tesco bought perpetual licenses for VMware's vSphere Foundation and Cloud Foundation, a subscription to VMware Tanzu, plus support services until 2026, with the option to extend support for four additional years.

But when Broadcom took over VMware in November 2023, it would not honor the deal and instead tried to get Tesco to pay "excessive and inflated prices for virtualization software for which Tesco has already paid" and would not allow it to buy support services for its perpetually licensed software without buying "duplicative subscription-based licenses for those same Software products," the initial complaint read, The Register reported at the time. Tesco, which reported 73.7 billion pounds (about $98.7 billion) in revenue in its fiscal year 2026, has since started migrating away from VMware and Broadcom's mainframe products, according to late-May court filings reported on by The Register today.

In January, Broadcom stopped supporting Tesco's VMware products, Tesco said, and Tesco has been paying for third-party support since. In its initial filing, Tesco also said that Broadcom refused to upgrade software or provide all security updates to customers without subscriptions. One of Tesco's recent filings, per The Register, reads: "Faced with Broadcom's abusive conduct, and given the criticality of virtualization and mainframe software and services to its business, Tesco has been forced to incur material costs to procure alternative solutions with reduced functionality, and to migrate to that software in a manner, and on a timeframe, that creates very significant risks to its business."

If it works "at exceptional pace," Tesco will be completely off VMware by the end of 2027 at the earliest. However, "the timeframe in which that migration must be undertaken has created and continues to create operational and commercial risk, and at material ongoing cost and disruption to the business," Tesco reportedly noted. Tesco is also dealing with migration challenges related to data security because its new, unnamed virtualization software is incompatible with the Veeam and Zerto products it uses. Tesco initially requested at least 100 million pounds (about $133.6 million) in damages each from Broadcom, VMware, and reseller Computacenter, plus interest. In its recent filings, Tesco said it turned down at least four offers from Broadcom to continue using VMware and Broadcom's mainframe tech. [...] The case is expected to go to court between November 1, 2027, and February 25, 2028, The Register reported. Afterward, it could go to trial. Further reading: HPE Tempts VMware Users, Partners With Year of Free Virtualization Software





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Gizmodo
Open 
Fans Sold at TJMaxx and Marshalls Recalled for Catching Fire
"Consumers should stop using the Hot + Cool Heating and Cooling Fan immediately and contact Merkury Innovations for a full refund."

The Verge
Open 
Midjourney Medical goes from generating ‘cat images’ to full-body ultrasound scans
Midjourney CEO David Holz just showed off the company's first hardware product and plans to build a San Francisco spa, which he admitted is a bit different from the "cat pictures" produced by its AI image generator. Dubbed The Midjourney Scanner, it's an ultrasound-based full-body scanner that uses a ring of sensors to capture vertical […]

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs
"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs

Up until now, Americans primarily hated the flood of data centers popping up around the country like mushrooms (at least those that haven't been canceled or delayed due to regulatory pushback, lack of electricity or outright hostility) because of surging electricity prices and the rising tide of unemployment as chabots gradually make America's white collar workers obsolete. Now they can add surging consumer price inflation to the list of reasons to hate data centers, whose ravenous demand for memory has sent prices to record highs.

According to the WSJ, Apple plans to raise prices on its products to offset the surging costs of memory and storage chips, CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

“Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable,” he said. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.”

Cook declined to offer details on the timing or scale of the planned price increases, nor which products would be affected. Apple’s next major product launch is likely to be in September when it releases the iPhone 18 lineup, expected to include a new foldable iPhone. 

Price increases, especially for Macs and iPads, could come sooner. Apple - which is only the first major consumer electronics company to succumb to surging input prices and pass them through to consumers - raised the starting price of the Mac Mini last month in between launch events.

Skyrocketing demand for memory and storage chips from artificial-intelligence companies has pushed up their cost so much that Apple would have to raise device prices substantially to maintain its profit margins. Passing the higher cost on to consumers while maintaining its profit margin would add about $270 to the price of the next iPhone Pro model, or a price increase of more than 20% estimates research firm TechInsights.

While Apple doesn’t report the gross profit margins on individual products, the TechInsights research suggests the margin on the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro was a tidy 47%. To maintain that profit margin for the iPhone 18 Pro, based on estimated costs, the company would have to charge $1,371. Because the company likes standardized pricing, the starting price tag would more likely be $1,299, yielding a 44% gross profit. 

And this calculation doesn’t account for a potential new camera system that will also cost Apple about 50% more than previous models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In that case, following the same math, Apple could set the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,399—or higher.

A full breakdown of the math behind the increase can be found in this WSJ article. 
Source: WSJ

While chips have emerged as the key bottlenecks for agentic-focused data centers, even more so than GPUs/CPUs, the resulting price surge has prompted manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix to focus production on high end HBM products, while shrinking supply for more modest DRAM products which however are used in virtually every modern product; chips for memory and storage are key components inside most computing devices, including smartphones, laptops, game consoles, medical equipment and even cars. But with AI servers gobbling up rapidly increasing volumes of those chips - with little to none price discrimination since it is the latest batch of bondholders who ends up footing the bill - even a company as rich and powerful as Apple is struggling to secure supply.

Since last year, when Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon began announcing big increases in their capital spending budgets, the prices for memory and storage chips have both quadrupled. TechInsights expects both prices to continue increasing into 2027, unless a flood of Chinese chips hits the market .

Memory, also called DRAM, and storage, also called NAND, are like elements of a mid-20th-century office: The memory is a desk that holds all the papers a worker needs to perform a task, while storage is the filing cabinet that holds everything else. Smartphones use DRAM memory to run apps currently in use; they use NAND storage to file away photos and videos, for example. And since both products were (and are) a pure commodity, there were are substitute makers in the Western world besides the big memory companies. 

Cook said prices for memory and storage are both issues for the company, though he focused on the DRAM market in particular, calling out the increased allocations going to so-called high-bandwidth memory that is used for AI servers.

“There’s less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases,” said Cook. “We definitely need memory pricing and supply to return to reasonable levels for consumer products. That’s the bottom line.”

Three companies dominate the market for DRAM memory: Samsung and SK Hynix in South Korea, and Micron in the U.S. Makers of NAND storage include those three companies as well as Kioxia and Sandisk. Their stock prices, along with their profits, have exploded over the past twelve months: Micron and SK Hynix shares have risen more than 800% while Kioxia and Sandisk have risen 4,600%.

Seeing the unprecedented demand, memory companies are building more factories: Morgan Stanley forecasts that production capacity for DRAM wafers, the silicon discs on which chips are patterned, will grow 30% by 2027. Yet as suppliers prioritize the specialized AI memory, wafers for consumer tech will fall up to 15% short of demand, Morgan Stanley estimates, although the bank may be conflicted due to its substantial exposure to various companies in the AI ecosystem, which would be terribly vexed if Morgan Stanley were to reach a different conclusion (like, for example, that China - that great commodity crushed - is coming online with massive output in the coming months which will send prices for at least baselines DRAM and NAND sharply lower).

While China has national champion companies in memory and storage, but due to national-security rules, American companies would likely require licenses to work with them. When asked if those restrictions should be loosened, Cook said: “I think everything needs to be on the table,” adding, “I think we should look at all supply.”

He is right: as we showed recently, chips and memory have emerged as one of the biggest drivers of wholesale inflation, and now that it is being passed on to consumers, it is only a matter of time before the inflation-averse White House starts making very loud noises, demanding an artificial limit on how high memory prices can rise.

Apple is late to the party: Companies that make PCs, game consoles, smartphones and more have already raised prices, including Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Nintendo. A consortium of industry associations recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick complaining about the overallocation of memory to AI buyers and asking for help to increase supply.

Morgan Stanley estimates a 15% bump for prices of smartphones and PCs in the U.S. this year. This price hike will have a limited impact on the consumer price index, which has only a small weighting for such devices. Yet any price increase on the popular iPhone will immediately grab Washington’s attention. 

Compounding the issue is Apple’s need for additional DRAM to support more AI features, including a rebooted Siri announced last week. And the company has long used NAND storage upgrades to boost profits, charging $100 to $200 for extra increments that cost it just a fraction of that.

In the interview, Cook said Apple stands ready to use its cash reserves to boost memory supply. “We’re willing to use our balance sheet to help be a part of the solution,” he said but added that “obviously, more capacity is needed.” 

Cook declined to offer specifics. It is unclear how Apple could match, let alone beat, the deal terms that AI hyperscalers are offering to lock up supply, and how much of a hit to the company's profits such a move would be. Those companies are signing three-to-five year agreements with huge cash prepayments that Apple is unlikely willing to match, given its long history of disciplined spending.

Cook said Apple wouldn’t use its cash and silicon expertise to build its own memory and storage factories. “We can’t do everything,” said Cook. “We know what we’re good at.”

Apple spends in the low tens of billions of dollars per year on memory and storage, according to people familiar with its costs, making it one of the largest customers in the world. Historically it has used its heft to wring the lowest prices out of suppliers, playing them off each other and leaving them little profit. As AI companies have stormed into the market, suddenly Apple has to wait in line.

Cook said during his time working in the electronics supply chain, from IBM to Compaq to Apple, he had never seen a commodity price swing like the one from the past six months. “This is a hundred-year flood,” said Cook. “I’ve never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years.”

Luckily, every flood comes with a drain, and as usual it is made in China. A few weeks ago, we reported that "China Begins Flooding The Market With DRAM And NAND Memory Chips", and followed up with a report yesterday that China's DRAM giant CXMT has gotten a final node for the largest mainland IPO since 2022 (as has YMTC, China’s leading NAND flash maker, #4 globally). In short, CHina is preparing to do to this commodity market what it has done to every other one in recent years: unleash massive price cuts to steal market share, and leave the incumbents in the trash heap (just look at Europe's imploding auto manufacturing sector).

Sure enough, we are now getting reports that none other than Google is evaluating procuring DRAM from Chinese vendors.

And once Google can do it, so will everyone else, at which point sit back and watch as the epic memory bubble crashes and burns. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 20:52

ZeroHedge News
Open 
COVID Origins, Lab-Leak Accountability, And The Next Pandemic Threat
COVID Origins, Lab-Leak Accountability, And The Next Pandemic Threat

The Hudson Institute hosted Dr. Steven Quay on Monday afternoon for a discussion on COVID-19 origins, during which he presented genetic evidence from his new book, The Code as Witness, arguing that the virus originated through gain-of-function research in a Chinese lab.

Years later, there has still been no accountability for what Quay argues was a Chinese lab leak that killed more than one million Americans and caused U.S. economic damages in excess of $18 trillion. Nor has there been a unified U.S. government consensus on the lab-leak theory, let alone on potential consequences for China or Dr. Anthony Fauci.

In the roughly one-hour discussion, which was opened by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), a leading voice for stronger oversight of high-risk biological research, Quay, a Hudson senior fellow, said features encoded in the virus's genetic material point directly to lab manipulation rather than natural zoonosis.

Quay warned that irresponsible and unregulated gain-of-function research is accelerating globally and could produce pathogens far deadlier than the one that caused COVID.

Last week, Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a set of internal intelligence slides documenting a long-running US program that has funded a global network of biolabs that handle dangerous pathogens - including dozens in Ukraine.

Returning to Quay's discussion at Hudson, he pointed to several genetic features he says are difficult to explain by natural evolution alone, making it impossible. These include the furin cleavage site, the virus's early optimization for human ACE2 receptors, the ORF8 gene, restriction-enzyme patterns, and the rapid D614-to-G614 mutation.



Hudson Senior Fellow David Asher, drawing on decades of national security and intelligence work at the State Department, spoke with Quay about the confluence of the U.S. government and scientists who censored the lab-leak theory.

Asher told Quay that, years after the pandemic, there is still no formal COVID commission that gives the American people a clear understanding of where the virus came from, who should be held responsible, or a unified government consensus on the virus.

The Quay-Asher discussion then shifted to the biosecurity policy. They spoke of the urgent need for accountability, biosafety reform, and risk reduction as gain-of-function research accelerates globally.



Even with no clear federal government consensus on COVID origins, a recent YouGov poll demonstrated sharp partisan divides among the American people: 80% of Republicans and 47% of Democrats say the virus came from a Chinese lab. Meanwhile, 66% of Republicans and 26% of Democrats think it is definitely or probably true that the virus was released on purpose.

The American people demand accountability. It is time for a COVID commission.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 21:20

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Majority Of Americans Say It Would Be Good For Society If More People Were Religious: Poll
Majority Of Americans Say It Would Be Good For Society If More People Were Religious: Poll

Authored by Victoria Friedman via The Epoch Times,

A majority of U.S. adults (65 percent) say they believe that it would be good for society if more Americans were religious, according to a poll by Gallup.
A man prays following an Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, on Feb. 22, 2023. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Gallup's Values and Beliefs survey, released on June 16, found a substantial gap between the sexes, with 70 percent of men agreeing that more religiosity would be good for the country, compared with 61 percent of women.

By age grouping, the younger generations were least likely to agree, with less than half (49 percent) of 18- to 34-year-olds saying it would be good if more Americans had a faith, compared with 66 percent of 35- to 54-year-olds and three in four (75 percent) of those aged 55 and over.

In terms of political affiliation, the vast majority of Republicans (94 percent) thought that having more religious people would be better for the United States, followed by independents (59 percent), and Democrats (51 percent).

"Nonreligious people are the only major subgroup that believes increased religiousness would be negative (55 percent) rather than positive (27 percent) for the nation," pollsters said of the findings of their survey, conducted between May 1 and 17.

Proportion Down From 2013

While nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Americans say that more religiosity would be good for the country, Gallup noted that this proportion is down from the 75 percent of U.S. adults who expressed the same opinion when asked by the polling firm in 2013.

This 10-point shift reflects changes in opinion in most key demographic and political groups, mostly dramatically among women, 18- to 34-year-olds, those with some college, and Democrats - with all those groups shifting opinion by negative 16 points.

The only exceptions were Catholics (up 5 percent), those with no religious affiliation (up 3 percent), and Republicans (also up 3 percent).

The decline mirrors the decrease in religious sentiment across the United States.

According to Gallup findings from March, less than half (47 percent) of Americans say that religion is "very important" in their lives. The reading has been gradually declining from 58 percent in 2012. In 1952, this proportion was 75 percent, and 70 percent in 1965.

Religion Increasing Influence

The latest survey also found that Americans see religion increasing its influence in life in the United States, with 39 percent of U.S. adults saying religion's influence is on the rise. This is among the highest readings in the past two decades, only lower than 41 percent in December 2025 and 40 percent in September 2006.

"The recent increase began after Republican Party victories in the 2024 elections, with the percentage climbing from 20 percent in May 2024 to 35 percent in December of that year," Gallup said.

"The past two readings, from May and December, have been even higher since the GOP has been in office and governing."

Commenting on the findings overall, Gallup said that "while Americans continue to believe a more religious society would serve the U.S. well, fewer hold this view than did in 2013.

"This shift has come as the percentage of Americans who are religious are, by nearly any measure, near historical lows."

Pollsters added that the findings come at a time when the Trump administration "has sought to elevate the role of religion in public life, including by establishing the White House Office of Faith, beginning government meetings with Christian prayers, and encouraging federal workers to express their faith in the workplace."

White House Faith Office

In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Faith Office.

The office was tasked with working alongside faith and community leaders to develop policy recommendations for combating faith-based discrimination, strengthening religious liberty, and strengthening families and marriages.

In February of this year, Trump said during the National Prayer Breakfast that there were many signs that faith was returning to the United States.

"Religion is back, now, hotter than ever before," Trump said in his speech at the Washington Hilton on Feb. 5.

"Thankfully, as we gather today, there are many signs that religion is coming back. Now, it's no longer signs.

"It's just coming back; it's coming back so strong. You know, your churches are filling up."
President Donald Trump bows his head during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington on Feb. 5, 2026. Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images
Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 21:45

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Welcome To Baltimore: Chaos, Gunfire, And Roaming Youth Mobs Transform Bar District Into Warzone
Welcome To Baltimore: Chaos, Gunfire, And Roaming Youth Mobs Transform Bar District Into Warzone

One of Baltimore City's premier bar and restaurant districts was transformed into a warzone over the weekend, with roaming gangs of underage kids, large unruly crowds, fights, and even a shootout that seemed like a scene from the crime drama The Wire. Urban decay in Baltimore is rampant and is a symptom of failed left-wing leadership, which seems more focused on city-killing progressive politics, DEI, illegal aliens, and climate change than actually providing basic law and order to taxpayers.

Fox Baltimore reports that Fells Point was flooded with hundreds of young people, mostly underage teens, overwhelming parts of the nightlife district known for its local shops, bars, and restaurants.


More from Fells Point:
Imagine wanting to go out for dinner and a few drinks on a Saturday and this is what you walk into 🤦‍♂️
Completely unacceptable pic.twitter.com/cP8lRyezM5
— QE Infinity (@StealthQE4) June 17, 2026
What came next was chaos...


In a video that has been making the rounds on social media, footage shows people running after reportedly hearing gunfire in Fells Point early Saturday morning.
🎥: @lorjuu on Instagram pic.twitter.com/n1sxFiS3SV
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) June 17, 2026
The scenes of chaos raise new concerns that the failed left-wing leadership under Mayor Brandon Scott has lost control of the city’s youth. The direct consequence will be that tourists - those still brave enough to visit a city in terminal decline - may abandon plans to come to Fells. This will impact mom-and-pop restaurants.


A large police presence filled Fells Point overnight after hundreds of young people crowded the streets, prompting multiple calls for disorderly conduct and at least one arrest.
STORY: https://t.co/EUHZOFMv1r pic.twitter.com/DoQdQQaifT
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) June 15, 2026
City leaders are unserious. 


FOX45 is pressing city leaders on how they plan to address the disorderly crowds in Fells Point seen over the weekend. https://t.co/KdJaF2jx68 pic.twitter.com/7dkBehwcU5
— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) June 16, 2026
Lawlessness is nothing new in Baltimore, which continues to suffer a population collapse, now at a 100-year low.



Related:

"Exponentially Deteriorating": Baltimore's Lawlessness Spreads Into Suburbs As Democrats Lose Control
As public safety concerns mount, quality of life deteriorates, and taxes remain ungodly high, raising a family in a city controlled by Democrats has become unbearable and dangerous - all the more reason to flee to the county or leave the state entirely for a common-sense red state.



Related:

"Marylanders Are Voting With Their Feet": Johns Hopkins Finds Blue State Exodus To Persist For Years
And it gets much worse, well, the local economy is in turmoil: 


"Billion-Dollar Ghost Town" Surrounds Under Armor Headquarters


Downtown Baltimore CRE Crash Signals Deeper Fiscal Crisis Ahead


Build It, And They Will Come? Not The Case At Baltimore's Harbor East Luxury Tower

For anyone traveling up or down the I-95 along the East Coast this summer, the Baltimore exit may be one to avoid. The wise move is to keep on driving. And if you want a taste of Baltimore, just re-watch The Wire on a streaming platform from the comfort of your sofa. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 22:10

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Drug Czar On How She Is Taking On The Cartels And China
Drug Czar On How She Is Taking On The Cartels And China

Authored by Darlene McCormick Sanchez via The Epoch Times,

The dim tunnel passage hugs narrow, winding concrete steps that lead 55 feet down, with a ceiling no higher than 4 1/2 feet, making it a claustrophobe's nightmare.

The underground passage stretching from Tijuana, Mexico, to a warehouse in California near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry known as "Buy 4 Less" is about 2,000 feet long and features reinforced walls, rail, ventilation, and electrical systems.
Sara Carter, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, at her office in Washington on June 8, 2026. Carter was sworn in to the role in January. Her office coordinates anti-narcotics policy for 19 federal agencies. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said on June 1 that the tunnel had been discovered during a Homeland Security investigation involving a suspected drug smuggling operation.

Four people were charged with conspiring to distribute more than a ton of cocaine worth $45 million. Authorities said the discovery dealt a blow to the Jalisco New Generation cartel.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars of narcotics have probably made their way through this tunnel. Imagine the national security implications of that," drug czar Sara Carter told host Jan Jekielek on a recent episode of EpochTV's "American Thought Leaders."

Power Play

Carter said federal agencies have been turning to technology to help combat cartels, although she couldn't disclose details. She said the cartels' use of tunnels to transport illicit drugs shows that they are feeling U.S. pressure along the border.

"They're having a much harder time getting their product across the border because we've shut it down," she said.

Carter attributes it to the Trump administration's whole-of-government approach to stop the flow of illicit drugs into the country, at the border and beyond.

Carter was sworn in this January as the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which coordinates anti-narcotics policy for 19 federal agencies. The office leads the Trump administration's effort to reduce illicit drug manufacturing, trafficking, drug use, and overdose deaths.

"Our Homeland Security task forces, now under President Trump, have the capability ... to do what's needed to cut off the heads of the snake," she said.

Carter attributed President Donald Trump's efforts to close the border to illegal immigrants and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations as significant factors in reducing the flow of drugs across the border, and ultimately driving overdose deaths.

Yet Carter said the cartels aren't the only problem fueling drug use in the United States - adversarial nationals are also part of the problem.

"We have adversaries that have contaminated our supply chain. We have cartels that couldn't care less," she said.

Carter acknowledged the Chinese Communist Party's involvement in the precursor chemicals to make fentanyl distributed by the cartels.

"It is unrestricted warfare," she said.

"I have already spoken with Chinese counterparts about this. I have made it very clear that we understand, and we know where these precursor chemicals are coming from, and that it will not be tolerated."

Carter said China has been put on notice to disclose such chemicals in shipments coming into the United States. Likewise, she has been talking to Mexican officials about safeguarding their own ports against the importation of illicit drugs.

At U.S. ports, the government is also working to hold private industry accountable. If cargo ships are caught with precursor chemicals, then the federal government will hold them accountable, she said.

"We're looking at all kinds of new technology, technology that was unheard of in the past," she said. "How can we implement this technology to ensure that the cargo that is coming in is clean?"

Cooperation Through Strength

Carter said that countries understand that Trump is willing to wield U.S. power to stop the drug trade, putting nations on notice around the world.

Trump's military operation in Venezuela resulted in the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who had a $50 million bounty on his head as the alleged leader of the De Los Soles cartel, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

"One of the best operations I've ever seen conducted," Carter said. "We have done what we said we were going to do. There were no more games."

She also said that the amount of cocaine and other drugs flowing from Venezuela has dropped since Maduro's capture.

Trump's projection of strength has led to unprecedented cooperation from both Mexico and China, she said.

One example is a February operation in which the United States provided Mexico with intelligence that they used to take down the Jalisco New Generation cartel's kingpin, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

Mexican officials cooperated with the United States, sending in the Mexican National Guard and special forces to confront the cartel's leader, Carter said.

"We said, 'Look, here's the information, go get them,' and they did, and we'd never seen that before, not like that, not in that same way, not with that cooperation," she said.

Likewise, China's Ministry of Public Security has been uncharacteristically cooperative, she said. FBI Director Kash Patel traveled to China in November 2025 to meet with his counterpart to discuss stopping the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals.

During Patel's visit, the Chinese regime agreed on a plan to stop fentanyl-related chemicals as part of its deal with the Trump administration to crack down on the lethal synthetic opioid.

Two milligrams of fentanyl - the size of a few grains of salt - can be fatal. The drug has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.

'Don't Give Up'

Overdose deaths have been decreasing, but Carter said there are still far too many.

She said 68,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2025, down from a high of 112,000 in 2023. Some have attributed that decrease to a reduction in the amount of fentanyl found in street drugs.

Carter said she does not consider it an overdose when a person orders what he believes to be Adderall online and then dies because the pills are laced with fentanyl.

"This is unacceptable. This is the United States of America," she said.
Members of Congress look on as President Donald Trump signs the Secure America Act in the Oval Office in Washington on June 10, 2026. The $70 billion package funds Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations through the end of Trump’s term in office in fiscal year 2029. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 22:35

Crowdfund Insider
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UK Financial Institutions Anticipate Strong AI enabled Business Expansion
UK based financial services firms are bracing for a period of technology-fueled expansion, placing artificial intelligence and other advanced tools at the core of their ongoing digital transformation strategies. According to the latest annual sentiment survey from Lloyds Banking Group, optimism is surging across the... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
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Approval Phishing : Scammers Increasingly Exploit Wallet Permissions to Steal Crypto
Chainalysis has indicated that a growing threat in the cryptocurrency space involves deceptive tactics that trick users into granting broad access to their digital wallets. Known as approval phishing, this method allows criminals to drain funds at will after victims unknowingly authorize malicious transactions. Recent... Read More

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Get him out of here': Judge sends Gilgo Beach killer to prison for rest of life
In fiery exchange, judge sentenced him to three life sentences plus 25 years to life on four other charges, all running consecutively.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Bird flu kills more than 75% of baby seals on remote Australian island, study finds
Scientists say 13,000 southern elephant seal pups on Heard Island have died of the H5N1 strain.

The Hill
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Most believe civil liberties under threat: Survey
Most Americans believe that some rights including the right to vote are facing some level of threat, according to a new poll. In the AP-NORC Center poll, 66 percent of respondents said that the right to vote is either facing a “major threat” or “minor threat” in the U.S., while 33 percent said it is...

Techdirt
Open 
RFK Jr. Insists Scientific Journal Explain Retraction Of Anti-Vaxx Article He Liked
We were just talking about how angry RFK Jr. was at a report that he’s been out to lunch on most of what HHS’ work entails, choosing instead to focus his time and attention on his own pet interests, like curtailing vaccine programs in America, chasing chemtrails, and a newfound love for snake-handling. Kennedy denied […]

FlightAware Squawks
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TSA Discovers Replica Pipe Bomb in Passenger's Carry-On
TSA officers intercepted a replica pipe bomb in a passenger's carry-on luggage, prompting a security response.

FlightAware Squawks
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More Than a Third of Air Travelers Unaware They Must Abandon Belongings in Emergency Evacuations
A new IATA survey reveals troubling gaps in passenger awareness about emergency evacuation rules, prompting calls for lockable overhead bins.

FlightAware Squawks
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Reagan National Airport to Halt All Flights After Noon on July 4th for America 250 Celebration
Reagan National Airport will ground all flights from noon to 7 p.m. on July 4, 2026, for America 250 festivities. Here's what travelers need to know.

FlightAware Squawks
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Authorities Clamp Down on Illegal Drone Activity During FIFA World Cup Events in Kansas City
A joint task force comprising the Federal Air Marshal Service, the FBI’s Kansas City field office, and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department has intensified its efforts to secure the skies over FIFA World Cup 2026 venues, resulting in a surge in drone seizures and law enforcement interventions.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Teenager dies in horse-drawn carriage accident in New York
The horse bolted and toppled over after the carriage driver stepped down to take a picture of the passengers.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Apple to raise prices as AI boom pushes up chip costs
The firm's outgoing boss Tim Cook did not say when prices will rise or which products will be affected.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Developing heatwave across Europe to send UK temperatures above 30C
Very warm weather is set to return to parts of the UK with temperatures of 30C plus expected as Europe experiences a 'heat dome' as Simon King explains.

Russia Today News
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Iran declares victory over US

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Trump and Iran's president sign initial deal aiming to end war
Iran's nuclear programme, the main reason stated by the US for the conflict, is still to be negotiated.

BBC World News
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What's in the US-Iran agreement?
The 14-paragraph memo includes an end to fighting, an agreement that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and a $300bn redevelopment package for Iran.

The Guardian (UK)
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Ghana grab vital World Cup victory over Panama after Caleb Yirenkyi’s last-gasp goal
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Musk Supports Nuremberg-Style Trials After UK Rape-Gang Inquiry Release
Musk Supports Nuremberg-Style Trials After UK Rape-Gang Inquiry Release

Via Remix News,

After Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe released the Rape Gang Inquiry Report, which documented the systemic rape and often torture of up to 250,000 young British girls at the hands of predominately Muslim rape gangs, SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk agreed with calls for Nuremberg-style trials for the perpetrators and those who enabled the heinous attacks.



One post calling for Nuremberg Trials in connection to the rape gang inquiry and executions for those who were responsible, also received a one-word response from Musk, who stated: “Yes.”


Yes
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2026
An excerpt from the report reads:


“The incidents of criminal activities listed in this report are drawn from court records, official and unofficial inquiries across the country, and witness testimony provided to the Inquiry. They confirm that this was never a series of isolated local failures. It was a coordinated, nationwide pattern of organised child sexual exploitation that repeated in town after town, city after city, from the far north to the south coast. The same ethnic and religious profile of the perpetrators was documented throughout almost all of the witnesses who contacted the Inquiry.”



The politicians who turned a blind eye to the Rape of Britain must go to prison pic.twitter.com/JFfHZSwiDc
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2026
The report further states that “the scale of the rape gang phenomenon is endemic across the entirety of Britain.”

The report cites the figure of 250,000 raped across Britain, which comes from a statement in the House of Lords by Lord Pearson of Rannoch on May 14, 2019:


“Do the Government accept that if we extrapolate nationally the Jay report on Rotherham and other reports from Telford and Oxford, there appear to have been upwards of 250,000 young white girls raped in this century, very largely by Muslim men, usually several times a day for years?”


He added that this number “is probably an underestimate.”

The report found that this number can now be supported through the data collected in the report, which scaled the data from the most thoroughly and well-documented inquiries.

The report cites:


“Rotherham (Jay Report, 2014): At least 1,400 girls abused between 1997 and 2013, with some updated estimates exceeding this. Perpetrators were overwhelmingly Pakistani Muslim men.”

“Telford Inquiry (2022): More than 1,000 children (predominantly girls) over decades, again with the same perpetrator profile.”


List of heinous crimes

The report makes for difficult reading. It found that the victims were typically between eight to 12 years old.

Children were forced to have sex with dogs and beaten with bats, which were then inserted into them anally and vaginally.

In one case, a little girl’s tongue was nailed to the wall so she could not move while she was being raped by multiple men.

It was also found that police were warning rapists that they were being reported in order to threaten the victims into stopping their reports. In other instances, police participated in the gang rapes themselves.

One girl was raped by between 30 to 80 men, most of whom were never charged by British authorities.

In another case, a little girl was told: “If you don’t come back, I’m going to rape your little sister instead.”

When one mother tried to call for help, a British police officer told her: “You should be happy your daughter is experiencing a different culture.” He then hung up on her.

Another girl was blinded by acid while trying to escape one of the rape gangs.

Widespread torture and rape across the country

The report also noted the widespread nature of the mass gang rapes, both geographically and temporally:


“Grooming gangs operate in 149 Local Authority Districts with victims numbering in the hundreds of thousands,” according to the report.

“The grooming gang model has been confirmed in dozens of towns and cities. Our independent Inquiry, led by Rupert Lowe MP, has heard evidence demonstrating coordinated operations extending to all corners of the country, in at least 149 local authority districts.”


The report notes that, “When the Rotherham/’Telford scale is applied across the documented national distribution, and multiplied by the extreme under-reporting factor accepted by official reviews, the total reaches the 250,000 threshold as a bare minimum.”

However, much of the abuse remains in the shadows and more investigation is required, not only to document this historical injustice, but to potentially hold those accountable for what occurred.


“We are far from grasping the full extent of grooming gang criminality in modern Britain. It is reasonable to assume that, since sexual abuse of all kinds tends to be under-reported, this is also true of grooming gangs. The Independent has reported that almost 19,000 children were identified as sexual exploitation victims in England in one year alone, despite the reluctance of state actors to name or tackle the problem of the rape gangs. After decades of abuse, victims must number in the hundreds of thousands. The full scale is not yet known.”


The report acknowledges that it may be impossible to ever ascertain how many victims there truly were, as much of the information was not documented or remains suppressed.


Every major review has emphasised that recorded statistics severely understate reality:


Baroness Casey National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (June 2025): The audit explicitly states that the scale, nature, and characteristics of group-based child sexual exploitation remain impossible to quantify precisely due to inconsistent data collection and historical suppression.


Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and multiple local inquiries (2022-2025): “It is simply not possible to know the scale” because ethnicity, group offending, and historical cases were routinely unrecorded or shelved to protect “community cohesion.”



Government actors presided over a cover-up

The report further notes that key players in the government were instrumental in keeping the mass rape from being investigated and revealed to the public.

The report notes:



Roger Stone (Labour council leader, Rotherham 2003-2014): Presided over local government during the cover-up documented in the Jay Report.


Multiple Rotherham Labour councillors interfered in police investigations, tipped off perpetrators, or dismissed victims as “making lifestyle choices” to protect “community relations” and votes.


While Sir Keir Starmer was the Director of Public Prosecutions, it has been reported that 13,000 suspected rape gang members and paedophiles were let off with warning letters.

As stated earlier, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan repeatedly insisted there were no grooming gangs operating in the city. He described evidence from whistleblowers as politically motivated. He told the London Assembly that child sexual exploitation in the capital is a “far more complex” matter and does not fit the grooming-style patterns on display across deprived northern towns. These statements he made despite the fact that the Metropolitan Police had in its possession reports of young girls being plied with alcohol and drugs then raped by groups of men in hotels and other locations across London. A Daily Express investigation revealed that Khan had direct access to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary documents detailing the very patterns of offending he had denied. Khan read these files yet continued to deny the existence of grooming gangs in public.

Overall, the Labour Party did not just fail to prosecute the gangs. In some cases, its own members were the abusers and in most cases its councillors, leaders, and ministers put loyalty to Pakistani Muslim blocs before child safety. No other political party has such a well-documented track record of direct involvement with and institutional protection of industrial-scale child rape. This was in large part due to Labour’s own electoral self-interest.”


Police dismiss victims as racists

In regards to the police, a huge portion of the UK police force was active in the cover-up.


Only the police took any formal action, issuing ‘harbouring notices’ to the men – official warnings stating they had no permission to associate with, contact, or house a vulnerable child. However, no further action followed. When Fiona’s mother called the police to report her daughter missing and mentioned a history of abuse by Asian men, the call handler told her: “You can’t describe them as Asian men because that’s racist. You should just be glad your child is being taught a different culture.”

On one occasion, a police officer returned Fiona to the house where the abuse was occurring and told the men to “have fun with her.” On another occasion, police instructed the abusers that if they could persuade Fiona to sign herself out of care, the police would stop bothering them.


A migrant-fueled rape crisis

The report notes that these grooming gangs primarily consisted of Africans, Indians, Gypsies, Asians, and Muslims:


Researcher Peter McLoughlin in Easy Meat (2016) compiled a comprehensive list of grooming gang convictions from 1997 to 2018 (with updates in subsequent analyses), drawing from published court outcomes. His examination of names indicated that approximately 87% of those convicted bore distinctively Muslim names, which was a figure echoed in related analyses far exceeding the Muslim proportion (around 6%) of the general population of Britain.

The majority of these convicted groups consisted entirely of men from Muslim backgrounds. These groups are predominantly of Pakistani heritage, especially when the group exceeds ten or more members. The larger group size dynamic of Pakistani perpetrators is on display in major prosecutions and official reviews from locations such as Rochdale, Rotherham, Huddersfield, Oxford, Telford, and others.

Other convictions have involved groups primarily composed of Muslims from non-Pakistani origins, demonstrating that the issue is not necessarily confined to one ethnic group:

• Two Somali-origin gangs in Bristol
• A mainly African-heritage gang in Banbury
• Three Iranians in Chelmsford
• Three Syrians and one Kuwaiti in Newcastle
• Two Turkish men in Somerset
• A Romanian rape gang in Rotherham

The large Newcastle “‘Operation Sanctuary” case, involving 17 men and one woman from diverse Muslim backgrounds: Albanian, Kurdish, Bangladeshi, Indian, Turkish, Iranian, Iraqi, Pakistani, and Eastern European heritage. Nearly all published names were Islamic.


An additional expert commentary included statement from Dr. Taj Hargey, an imam at the Oxford Islamic Congregation. He noted that virtually every individual in these grooming gangs appeared to be Muslim, estimating that 95 percent of those involved are of Muslim faith.

Beyond Europe?

The grooming gangs are also operating in other countries, including France on a massive scale, but also such cases are arising in Germany. Remarkably, Musk’s calls for a Nuremberg-style trial just so happen to coincide with reports that in the city of Nuremberg itself, there are grooming gangs operating targeting underage German girls.

In a distressing scene that echoes the findings of the U.K. Rape Gang Inquiry Report, German leftists laughed in parliament when Alternative for Germany (AfD) leader Alice Weidel described young German victims being systematically raped by foreign men in Nuremberg just earlier this month. The same mentality that allowed for the rapes of tens of thousands of British girls is also present across Europe and it is embedded in the heart of European institutions.


🇩🇪Migrant gangs are being accused of turning underage German girls into sex slaves in Nuremberg.
When AfD co-leader Alice Weidel brought this topic up in parliament, Left Party MP Katrin Fey laughed, according to the official Bundestag minutes.
Despite this laughter, a report… https://t.co/UvDxUxW0xH pic.twitter.com/MyKJY4aSbz
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) June 12, 2026
For his part, Lowe says the issue is and continues to be mass immigration.

“Essentially what has happened is that the decaying political establishment has imported millions of migrants from alien cultures that are entirely incompatible with the British way of life,” stated Lowe on X.


Essentially what has happened is that the decaying political establishment has imported millions of migrants from alien cultures that are entirely incompatible with the British way of life.
Those migrants have colonised large parts of our country, and live their lives how they…
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) June 17, 2026
“Those migrants have colonised large parts of our country, and live their lives how they choose to do so because our authorities are too frightened of being called racist to challenge them. That has meant attitudes have flourished and spread which, in short, treat women and non-Muslims like shit. And yes, I do mean that.”

He said that the entire political class was to blame, including “Conservative, Labour and Reform politicians [who] are all directly responsible for this vast importation. Personally, I will never forgive anyone responsible. Vulnerable working class white girls were treated like a piece of meat. Raped, abused, tortured, murdered. It was a racial attack, and it was a coordinated attack. All across Britain. They targeted these girls because they were vulnerable, they were young, they were white. Until the political class accepts that fact, nothing will EVER change.”

Read more here...

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 19:15

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US Embassy Warns Americans Against Renting Jet Skis In The Bahamas
US Embassy Warns Americans Against Renting Jet Skis In The Bahamas

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau issued a security alert on June 15, urging American citizens to avoid renting jet skis in The Bahamas, citing security risks and a lack of safety regulation enforcement.



The warning comes amid reports of sexual assault cases involving jet ski operators and injuries linked to jet ski incidents in the country.

The alert advised U.S. citizens to be wary of solicitations from jet ski operators near the Cruise Port, Junkanoo Beach, and Arawak Cay, and the small islands east of Paradise Island.

It also reminds U.S. citizens about regulations that bar individuals under 18 from renting jet skis and prohibit jet ski operators from riding with renters in The Bahamas.

According to the embassy, at least six U.S. citizens have been hospitalized because of jet ski-related injuries since August 2024, with three requiring emergency medical evacuation to the United States.

The embassy said at least two American women reported being sexually assaulted by jet ski operators this year. Another two female U.S. citizens reported sexual assaults last year, following three similar reports in 2024.

Some of the victims alleged that jet ski operators solicited them for rides from “the small islands just east of Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Paradise Island beaches,” including areas stretching from Junkanoo Beach to Saunders Beach and Cabbage Beach, according to the embassy.

“The victims said they were assaulted on isolated islands near Nassau,” it stated.

The embassy referenced an August 2025 incident, in which a U.S. citizen riding a jet ski was killed after being struck by an unlicensed operator who was driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island.

Due to security risks arising from jet ski activities, U.S. government employees working in the Bahamas have been barred from renting or using jet skis on New Providence and Paradise islands, the embassy said.

The U.S. State Department has placed The Bahamas under a Level 2 travel advisory, meaning travelers are advised to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to the country due to violent crime like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, as well as swimming-related risks.

The advisory states that most crimes have been reported in the area of Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. It advises those traveling to The Bahamas to remain vigilant at vacation rental properties, especially those without private security.

U.S. citizens are also advised not to answer the door for unexpected visitors at a hotel or residence, to keep doors and windows locked, and not to “physically resist any robbery attempt,” according to the advisory. It also warned Americans against bringing firearms or ammunition to The Bahamas.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 19:15

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Fire Erupts At Massive Food Storage Warehouse In Southern California
Fire Erupts At Massive Food Storage Warehouse In Southern California

A large fire is ripping through a massive cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights, Southern California, a critical node in the region's cold-food supply chain.

Local outlet KTLA reports the fire at Preferred Freezer Services, Big Bear #7, located at 1400 S. Los Palos St. in Los Angeles, was first reported around 2:35 p.m. local time.



"First-arriving units reported that fire was showing from the roof of the massive single-story building, which they estimated was about 1,000 feet by 500 feet," the local outlet stated.


#BreakingNews: Firefighters are battling an explosive fire that broke out at a large storage facility in Boyle Heights on Wednesday afternoon, igniting rows of solar panels on the roof. Details in bio. pic.twitter.com/bzEdPCcvyA
— KTLA (@KTLA) June 17, 2026
More footage:


BREAKING: A major fire has erupted in an industrial area of Bobigny, a suburb northeast of Paris, sending large plumes of smoke into the sky as emergency crews respond to the scene. pic.twitter.com/ORz9QMKcCC
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 17, 2026

@OC_Scanner pic.twitter.com/45ER1UM5bR
— Barry L.A. (@plcfox1) June 17, 2026

Huge warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. pic.twitter.com/vNJjlVPlaR
— Comrade S (@AnnStory8) June 17, 2026
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but this is not just another warehouse blaze. The facility is part of a major Southern California cold-chain node.

Big Bear #7 was built as a large refrigerated warehouse near I-5 and downtown Los Angeles, with roughly 95,000 pallet positions, 32 dock doors, and capacity for about 160 million pounds of product. It was designed to consolidate frozen goods under one roof for the Los Angeles market. 



In early April, a disgruntled employee at a one-million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario, California, burned the warehouse down to the ground.

*Developing...

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 19:21

ZeroHedge News
Open 
These Are The States Starting To Panic About AI Taking Over
These Are The States Starting To Panic About AI Taking Over

Residents of Washington state are more concerned about artificial intelligence replacing jobs than workers anywhere else in the United States, according to a new report released in June 2026. The study, conducted by IP address provider Floxy, comes amid growing concerns about workplace automation after more than 54,000 American jobs were reportedly lost to AI-related workforce reductions last year.

To determine where Americans are most worried about automation, researchers analyzed all 50 states using several indicators. The study measured AI adoption rates among working-age residents, assessed how vulnerable local industries are to automation, and tracked search activity for terms such as "will AI replace my job," "AI taking jobs," and "AI layoffs." Researchers also factored in cybercrime rates, identity theft statistics, and the strength of state-level data protection laws.

Each state received an AI Panic Index score ranging from 1 to 99, with higher scores indicating greater levels of concern about AI-driven job displacement.

With an AI Panic Score of 99, Washington tops the rankings. Approximately 4,087 AI-related job displacement searches are conducted per 100,000 residents, the highest rate in the country. Researchers suggest this concern may be linked to the state's close ties to the technology sector, as both Amazon and Microsoft are headquartered there and have recently announced significant workforce reductions tied to AI initiatives. At the same time, nearly one-third of Washington's workforce already uses AI tools, giving many employees firsthand exposure to the technology's growing capabilities.



Wyoming ranks second, with more than 20,000 residents regularly searching for information about protecting their jobs from AI. Although the state lacks the large technology sector found in Washington, around one-quarter of working adults already use AI tools such as ChatGPT, potentially increasing awareness of how automation could affect future employment opportunities.

Nevada places third on the list. The state combines relatively high AI adoption with one of the nation's highest cybercrime rates, creating heightened awareness of technology-related risks. Approximately one in three Nevada workers already use AI tools, and around 55,000 residents search monthly for information about whether AI could replace their jobs.

Massachusetts ranks fourth, with roughly 160,000 residents searching each month for information related to AI-driven job losses. The state's thriving technology and biotechnology industries are advancing rapidly alongside AI innovation, contributing to concerns about automation. With about one-third of adults already using AI tools regularly, many workers are becoming increasingly aware of the technology's potential impact on their roles.

Maryland ranks fifth and records the highest AI adoption rate in the country, with 36.3% of working-age residents already using AI in the workplace. Despite widespread adoption, concerns remain high, particularly given the state's large concentration of technology and knowledge-based jobs that could be vulnerable to automation in the years ahead.

Commenting on the findings, Floxy Chief Technology Officer Aimen Hallou said concerns about AI-related job displacement are well-founded: "These concerns are not overblown. AI was directly linked to tens of thousands of job cuts in the US last year, and that's only counting companies that openly admitted it. Amazon eliminated 14,000 corporate roles, citing AI; Microsoft cut 15,000, and both were explicit about why. The broader reality is that MIT researchers estimated AI can already perform the tasks of roughly 1 in 8 American workers. That number is only going to grow as the tools get cheaper and more capable."

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 19:40

ZeroHedge News
Open 
How Deep Are The Newsoms In It?
How Deep Are The Newsoms In It?

Authored by Stephen Green via PJMedia.com,

This deep...



It seems impossible — or just too revolting — to keep up with the financial hanky-panky of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner (gag) Jennifer Siebel Newsom. But thanks to a couple of investigative reporters with stronger stomachs than I have, let's see if I can't put everything you need to know into one easily digestible column.

I love it when other people do my dirty work for me, so let's get started.

"Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list," Newsom practically boasted on Monday.

"He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime — they are simply trying to find one."

Well, let's see what Fox Business anchor Liz MacDonald and my old friend and Red State colleague Jen Van Laar have to say about that.

MacDonald said Tuesday that the DOJ probe "is about California Democrats’ modern-day machine politics," which she described as a "feedback loop of Sacramento-corporate lobbyists-governor/wife nonprofit-behested nonprofit donations-lucrative state contracts-Sacramento."

Don't bother writing all this down — there won't be a quiz at the end of today's column. You're welcome.

"The modern Sacramento machine trades corporate compliance and nonprofit funding/donations for policy access and state business," MacDonald added, and then explained how that grift (allegedly!) worked for the Newsoms:


According to IRS Form 990 disclosures, her nonprofit frequently buys from Siebel Newsom’s for-profit film company—Girls Club Entertainment LLC—writer, producer and director services and the licensing and production rights for her documentaries. Then it sells the docs to the state and public schools. 

 IRS records show that her nonprofit has paid her Girls Club Entertainment LLC roughly $1.64 million for these production and licensing rights since 2012, which includes a steady annual contracting fee of $150,000 since 2018.


TL;DR: Siebel Newsom produced unwatchable propaganda videos for children, for which Democrat-dominated schools then paid her handsomely. Or as MacDonald summed it up, "Over the past decade, Siebel Newsom has collected over $3.7 million in combined personal salary and LLC payouts funded by the nonprofit."

Then there are behested payments, which MacDonald explained are "a unique mechanism in California politics where an elected official asks a corporation, labor union, or wealthy individual to donate money to a specific charity, nonprofit, or government program." Unlike campaign donations, there are no caps.

As governor, Newsom requested a record $226 million in behested payments in one year.

"Hundreds of thousands of dollars went to the California Partners Project," MacDonald wrote, "a nonprofit founded by his wife."

"Many of the biggest donors were corporate giants (like health insurers and utility companies) actively bidding for lucrative state contracts or fighting state regulations."

One hand washes the other with filthy lucre, if you'll allow me to mix metaphors. 

Which brings us to Jen Van Laar, and her hip-deep-in-the-muck wade through the Newsoms' finances, going back years.

Way back in 2021, Jen asked, "Somebody Paid $3.7 Million Cash for CA Gov Newsom's Estate - But Who?" But couldn't come up with any satisfactory answers. That's because the Newsoms alternately claimed that "the Newsoms’ cash was used to purchase the home but was done through an LLC managed by his first cousin," or that "Newsoms obtained a loan… to purchase the home because the sale happened so quickly that they didn’t have time to obtain a mortgage."

Then, California's First Couple played similar LLC games, buying a second home for $9.1 million in ritzy Marin County. "Based on my examination of 15+ yrs of Newsom's financial disclosures, tax returns, and real estate transactions," Jenn explained in March, "they absolutely did not have $9.1M in cash."

Clearly, somebody did.

The shenanigans were so egregious that — no matter what TDS nonsense Newsom's social media team posts on X — the DOJ investigation began under the Biden administration. As I quipped on Instapundit this week, maybe Newsom needs to take a break from social media and lawyer up. 

Then there are the real-world effects, the fallout from personal corruption and statewide, one-party rule.

On Tuesday, Victor Davis Hanson wondered if California is "reaching critical mass," thanks to one-party rule creating a "neo-feudal society" that is "hardly democratic." The most egregious example was the fate of 2014's Proposition 1, a $7.12 billion water bond "designed to solve the state’s chronic water storage deficit."

Even though Prop 1 is an actual constitutional amendment, including "$2.7 billion specifically designated for new reservoirs," an alliance of bureaucracies, elected officials, and green activists still managed to block any new reservoir construction.

"Adding insult to injury," Hanson continued, "Governor Gavin Newsom instead used $250 million from the Proposition 1 fund to blow up four dams on the Klamath River."

Californians voted for more water infrastructure. Newsom's party blocked them, and Newsom himself had four dams destroyed that had "once provided storage, electrical generation, recreation, and flood control."

Tell me again about Muh Democracy™.

All of which is my long-winded way of concluding that, as corrupt as the Newsoms appear to be, they are merely a symptom of the progressive disease killing our once-greatest state. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 20:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
From Diablo Canyon Closure Fights To Record-Speed Renewals: The Nuclear Reversal 
From Diablo Canyon Closure Fights To Record-Speed Renewals: The Nuclear Reversal 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) clocked another subsequent license renewal (SLR) in under 12 months. Southern Nuclear’s application for the two-unit Edwin I. Hatch plant in Georgia cleared the finish line on June 11, extending both boiling water reactors from 60 to 80 years of operation.



Hatch-1 is now licensed through August 2054. Hatch-2 runs through June 2058. That is roughly 1.85 GWe of carbon-free baseload secured into the 2050s. The approval makes Hatch the second and third units to ride the NRC’s new streamlined SLR track that targets decisions in 12 months or less. 

Duke Energy’s Robinson Unit 2 in South Carolina was the first, cleared in what staff called the fastest-ever review earlier this spring. St. Lucie Units 1 and 2, run by Florida Power & Light, received their extensions in late April, stretching Unit 1 to March 2056 and Unit 2 to April 2063.

The NRC has moved a noticeable cluster of applications in 2025 and 2026. 



Oconee, Summer, Point Beach, Browns Ferry, and Dresden all picked up subsequent renewals last year. When the agency signed off on Diablo Canyon’s extension in April it issued its 100th renewed commercial reactor license. 

For years the California plant served as the headline example of the “all plants must close” era. Activists and state policy pushed hard for a 2025 shutdown. After legislative rescue and full federal review, the units now hold approval into the mid-2040s. 

The speed of the recent reviews stands out, as historical SLR proceedings averaged roughly two and a half years. But the NRC has now proven that the staff can reach timely calls while keeping strict safety oversight. Nine Mile Point Unit 1 and Cooper already sit in the accelerated pipeline with decisions expected in 2027, and more applications are queued for later this year and 2027.

The practical result is a growing share of the existing fleet now operating under, or heading toward, 80-year licenses. Research inside and outside the NRC is already examining materials performance and aging-management needs for operation beyond 80 years, with some policy signals pointing toward frameworks that could support century-long runs where the data justify it. 
 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 20:30

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs
"The Situation Has Become Unsustainable": Apple To Hike Prices To Offset Soaring Memory Costs

Up until now, Americans primarily hated the flood of data centers popping up around the country like mushrooms (at least those that haven't been canceled or delayed due to regulatory pushback, lack of electricity or outright hostility) because of surging electricity prices and the rising tide of unemployment as chabots gradually make America's white collar workers obsolete. Now they can add surging consumer price inflation to the list of reasons to hate data centers, whose ravenous demand for memory has sent prices to record highs.

According to the WSJ, Apple plans to raise prices on its products to offset the surging costs of memory and storage chips, CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

“Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable,” he said. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.”

Cook declined to offer details on the timing or scale of the planned price increases, nor which products would be affected. Apple’s next major product launch is likely to be in September when it releases the iPhone 18 lineup, expected to include a new foldable iPhone. 

Price increases, especially for Macs and iPads, could come sooner. Apple - which is only the first major consumer electronics company to succumb to surging input prices and pass them through to consumers - raised the starting price of the Mac Mini last month in between launch events.

Skyrocketing demand for memory and storage chips from artificial-intelligence companies has pushed up their cost so much that Apple would have to raise device prices substantially to maintain its profit margins. Passing the higher cost on to consumers while maintaining its profit margin would add about $270 to the price of the next iPhone Pro model, or a price increase of more than 20% estimates research firm TechInsights.

While Apple doesn’t report the gross profit margins on individual products, the TechInsights research suggests the margin on the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro was a tidy 47%. To maintain that profit margin for the iPhone 18 Pro, based on estimated costs, the company would have to charge $1,371. Because the company likes standardized pricing, the starting price tag would more likely be $1,299, yielding a 44% gross profit. 

And this calculation doesn’t account for a potential new camera system that will also cost Apple about 50% more than previous models, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In that case, following the same math, Apple could set the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,399—or higher.

A full breakdown of the math behind the increase can be found in this WSJ article. 



While chips have emerged as the key bottlenecks for agentic-focused data centers, even more so than GPUs/CPUs, the resulting price surge has prompted manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix to focus production on high end HBM products, while shrinking supply for more modest DRAM products which however are used in virtually every modern product; chips for memory and storage are key components inside most computing devices, including smartphones, laptops, game consoles, medical equipment and even cars. But with AI servers gobbling up rapidly increasing volumes of those chips - with little to none price discrimination since it is the latest batch of bondholders who ends up footing the bill - even a company as rich and powerful as Apple is struggling to secure supply.

Since last year, when Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon began announcing big increases in their capital spending budgets, the prices for memory and storage chips have both quadrupled. TechInsights expects both prices to continue increasing into 2027, unless a flood of Chinese chips hits the market .

Memory, also called DRAM, and storage, also called NAND, are like elements of a mid-20th-century office: The memory is a desk that holds all the papers a worker needs to perform a task, while storage is the filing cabinet that holds everything else. Smartphones use DRAM memory to run apps currently in use; they use NAND storage to file away photos and videos, for example. And since both products were (and are) a pure commodity, there were are substitute makers in the Western world besides the big memory companies. 

Cook said prices for memory and storage are both issues for the company, though he focused on the DRAM market in particular, calling out the increased allocations going to so-called high-bandwidth memory that is used for AI servers.

“There’s less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases,” said Cook. “We definitely need memory pricing and supply to return to reasonable levels for consumer products. That’s the bottom line.”

Three companies dominate the market for DRAM memory: Samsung and SK Hynix in South Korea, and Micron in the U.S. Makers of NAND storage include those three companies as well as Kioxia and Sandisk. Their stock prices, along with their profits, have exploded over the past twelve months: Micron and SK Hynix shares have risen more than 800% while Kioxia and Sandisk have risen 4,600%.

Seeing the unprecedented demand, memory companies are building more factories: Morgan Stanley forecasts that production capacity for DRAM wafers, the silicon discs on which chips are patterned, will grow 30% by 2027. Yet as suppliers prioritize the specialized AI memory, wafers for consumer tech will fall up to 15% short of demand, Morgan Stanley estimates, although the bank may be conflicted due to its substantial exposure to various companies in the AI ecosystem, which would be terribly vexed if Morgan Stanley were to reach a different conclusion (like, for example, that China - that great commodity crushed - is coming online with massive output in the coming months which will send prices for at least baselines DRAM and NAND sharply lower).

While China has national champion companies in memory and storage, but due to national-security rules, American companies would likely require licenses to work with them. When asked if those restrictions should be loosened, Cook said: “I think everything needs to be on the table,” adding, “I think we should look at all supply.”

He is right: as we showed recently, chips and memory have emerged as one of the biggest drivers of wholesale inflation, and now that it is being passed on to consumers, it is only a matter of time before the inflation-averse White House starts making very loud noises, demanding an artificial limit on how high memory prices can rise.

Apple is late to the party: Companies that make PCs, game consoles, smartphones and more have already raised prices, including Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Nintendo. A consortium of industry associations recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick complaining about the overallocation of memory to AI buyers and asking for help to increase supply.

Morgan Stanley estimates a 15% bump for prices of smartphones and PCs in the U.S. this year. This price hike will have a limited impact on the consumer price index, which has only a small weighting for such devices. Yet any price increase on the popular iPhone will immediately grab Washington’s attention. 

Compounding the issue is Apple’s need for additional DRAM to support more AI features, including a rebooted Siri announced last week. And the company has long used NAND storage upgrades to boost profits, charging $100 to $200 for extra increments that cost it just a fraction of that.

In the interview, Cook said Apple stands ready to use its cash reserves to boost memory supply. “We’re willing to use our balance sheet to help be a part of the solution,” he said but added that “obviously, more capacity is needed.” 

Cook declined to offer specifics. It is unclear how Apple could match, let alone beat, the deal terms that AI hyperscalers are offering to lock up supply, and how much of a hit to the company's profits such a move would be. Those companies are signing three-to-five year agreements with huge cash prepayments that Apple is unlikely willing to match, given its long history of disciplined spending.

Cook said Apple wouldn’t use its cash and silicon expertise to build its own memory and storage factories. “We can’t do everything,” said Cook. “We know what we’re good at.”

Apple spends in the low tens of billions of dollars per year on memory and storage, according to people familiar with its costs, making it one of the largest customers in the world. Historically it has used its heft to wring the lowest prices out of suppliers, playing them off each other and leaving them little profit. As AI companies have stormed into the market, suddenly Apple has to wait in line.

Cook said during his time working in the electronics supply chain, from IBM to Compaq to Apple, he had never seen a commodity price swing like the one from the past six months. “This is a hundred-year flood,” said Cook. “I’ve never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years.”

Luckily, every flood comes with a drain, and as usual it is made in China. A few weeks ago, we reported that "China Begins Flooding The Market With DRAM And NAND Memory Chips", and followed up with a report yesterday that China's DRAM giant CXMT has gotten a final node for the largest mainland IPO since 2022 (as has YMTC, China’s leading NAND flash maker, #4 globally). In short, CHina is preparing to do to this commodity market what it has done to every other one in recent years: unleash massive price cuts to steal market share, and leave the incumbents in the trash heap (just look at Europe's imploding auto manufacturing sector).

Sure enough, we are now getting reports that none other than Google is evaluating procuring DRAM from Chinese vendors.

And once Google can do it, so will everyone else, at which point sit back and watch as the epic memory bubble crashes and burns. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 20:52

The Aviationist
Open 
Trouble in Whitehall: UK Armed Forces Chief Warns of Operational Cutbacks Without Additional Funding
Days after the high profile resignations from the Ministry of Defence’s political leadership, the professional head of the UK’s armed forces, Sir Rich Knighton, has said that without more funding the UK will need to ‘dial back’ both its military exercises and frontline operational activities. The Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal, who has served […]

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana grab vital World Cup victory over Panama after Caleb Yirenkyi’s last-gasp goal
A late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi gave Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama as they joined England at the top of Group L. Yirenki steered in Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross in stoppage time to settle a match of few clear chances.Cecilio Waterman forced a good save from the Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the second minute as he latched on to a cross from the right, but it was a rare opening in a cagey first half in the Toronto rain. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Inspired by Ukraine, and worried by China: Taiwan teaches its citizens how to fly drones
Ordinary Taiwanese, young and old, are joining courses to learn how to fly drones amid looming China military threatIn a small, crowded room in Taipei, Pan Chien-chin is trying to keep a drone hovering steadily. Imagining himself flying a plane, he gently nudges controller joysticks to guide the insect-like device as it hums through the air.Cheers break out as Pan, who has never flown a drone before, steers it around a rectangular course marked by traffic cones without crashing. Around him are about two dozen fellow trainees, all signed up for the same course: Taiwan’s first civil defence drone training programme. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Live updates: Trump signs interim agreement to end Iran war
President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire for another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
vg-investments.com / vanguardinvestmentsuk.com (Clone of FCA authorised firm) – Financial Conduct Authority | FCA

ZDNet News
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Sennheiser just gave me a compelling reason to put away my Bose and Sony headphones for good
As audio quality reaches technological limits, brands are exploring alternative features.

ZDNet News
Open 
I programmed a $7 ESP32-S3 board to block all computer's web ads - and it took just minutes
Raspberry Pi boards have gotten expensive, so I've been looking for cheaper alternatives. I found one in a tiny ESP32-S3 board.

CNET News
Open 
New Smart Home Update Aims to Simplify Everyday Device Connections
Matter 1.6 introduces updates to device setup, smart thermostats, and connected-home technologies. Here's what you need to know.

CNET News
Open 
Google Earth's Secret Flight Simulator Is Now Free for Everyone on the Web
All you need to take to the virtual skies now is a browser.

The Hill
Open 
Strait of Hormuz reopening likely to be delayed to sweep Iranian mines
Mines placed in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war are putting a damper on plans to quickly return shipping traffic to normal under a memorandum of understanding signed this week. President Trump on Monday said the U.S. military was already “doing a little hunting for a couple of mines" — an estimated 5,000...

The Hill
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Trump signs Iran deal amid criticism
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Trump signs Iran deal amid criticism President Trump on Wednesday signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran ending the war between the two countries but drawing heavy criticism for giving Tehran major...

The Hill
Open 
Fewer in new poll say they're proud of being American
Fewer Americans say they are proud of being from their country ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, according to a new poll. In the PRRI poll, 51 percent of respondents said they are either “extremely proud” or “very proud” of their American identity. Twenty-three percent said they are “moderately proud” about their American identity, 14 percent...

The Right Scoop
Open 
UH OH REPORT: Thune secretly admits some Republicans hate Trump too much to pass SAVE America Act
The Daily Caller is reporting that Seante Leader Thune admitted behind closed doors that some Republicans in the Senate hate President Trump too much to pass the SAVE America Act. Here’s what . . .

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanFabio Cannavaro has continued with the 3-4-3 that served Uzbekistan well in qualifying. Khusanov is the only man in the starting XI to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The promising playmaker Fayzullaev is on the cusp of bigger things at İstanbul Başakşehir, where he is teammates with the proven goalscorer Shomurodov. Everyone else in the squad is drawn from clubs in Uzbekistan, Iran, or the UAE.1 Yusupov; 18 Abdullaev, 5 Ashurmatov, 2 Khusanov; 13 Nasrullaev 7 Shukurov, 6 Mozgovoy, 24 Karimov; 22 Fayzullaev, 11 Urunov, 14 Shomurodov. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana 1-0 Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Beau1 min Panama pass pointlessly, possession purloined.It’s raining a bit in Toronto as we get started. Current temperature is 20 degrees. That’s Celsius. Canada isn’t that cold. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
Open 
AI's most powerful bosses deliver message to world leaders - and it's not very reassuring
The bosses of the world's leading AI companies have a clear ask for the leaders of the G7: you have to come up with a way to govern artificial intelligence.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Fifa plays down reports that ticketless fans breached security at England World Cup game
Reports suggest fans able to evade security checks Fans report ‘huge gaps’ at the side of ticket barriersFifa has played down reports that ticketless England supporters were able to gain entry for the World Cup opener against Croatia after evading security checks at the Dallas Stadium.An unspecified number of fans without tickets are said to have made their way into the ground despite a huge security operation being put in place at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. Officials said that snipers were in place inside the stadium, with the Arlington police department deploying “highly trained personnel and specialised resources” at the venue. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanOn the topic of goalscorers, Justin Kavanagh joins in by email to discuss a striker who failed to find the back of the net earlier today. “Strange how we’ve seen a 40-year-old goalkeeper perform miracles for Cape Verde, and an aging Messi put on a masterclass for the next generation. Yet Ronaldo, for all his years of dedicated self-preservation, looks like the oldest man at this tournament. He used to be wind in Portugal’s sails, but now he looks like their anchor. Yet presumably Roberto Martínez won’t do the necessary and make him walk the plank.”I agree entirely. Extending the point somewhat, Roberto Martinez must be great in job interviews, or have a massive cache of incriminating photographs of significant football administrators. Behind a modest CV he was gifted Belgium’s greatest ever cohort and never looked like winning anything with them, now he has arguably the strongest squad at the finals under his management. At a World Cup notable for its array of superstar coaches it’s hard not to think Portugal may be handicapped by theirs and his inability to make the tough call(s). Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanThe World Cup groups have started falling into place with Uzbekistan v Colombia the last game to be played in the opening round of matches. Wondering where each team might be heading into the knockouts? Predict your team’s path to the final with Bracketology:Similar topics can be enjoyed in audio format with Max, Barry, and the rest of the podcats. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Flock of sheep brought in to tidy up graveyard are 'ramming and headbutting' mourners... but families are told the woolly creatures are 'tame' and should 'stand still and clap your hands' if they are bothering them
A flock of sheep brought in to tidy up a graveyard have been aggressively ramming and headbutting mourners. 

Digital Trends
Open 
EU won’t force publishers to keep games playable, but the Stop Killing Games fight isn’t over
top Killing Games has hit a major roadblock in Europe after the Commission rejected its proposal. Campaign founder Ross Scott says future legislation could still provide a path forward.

TechRadar News
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Where are all 28TB external hard drives? Popular Seagate Expansion drives vanish from retailers' virtual shelves as component shortages hit consumers hard

TechRadar News
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Don't wait for Prime Day! Save 47% on this 16GB Dell laptop deal, the fastest notebook you can buy under $500

TechRadar News
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A basic security flaw let a security researcher access internal FIFA systems — and the ability to control World Cup TV streams

Gizmodo
Open 
Using Grok to Bomb Iran and the Twisted Dream of Causing Death Without ‘Killing’
The Trump administration's haphazard "AI-first"approach to warfare has already killed countless innocents and is setting the stage for a world where no human is ever to blame for the deaths.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Trump says he has signed peace deal with Iran at Versailles – US politics live
President tells reporters ‘it’s signed, yeah’, as he attends dinner in honor of 250 years of American independenceSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump also denied (again) that the memorandum of understanding includes a $300bn fund for Iran, and denied that he had asked the Gulf states to commit funding.“It’s false,” Trump told reporters as he sat alongside Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “You can invest if you want. What am I going to do, say no one is ever allowed to invest? We’re not investing, we’re not putting up 10 cents and people can decide to do it. That’s up to them.”In short, what it does is it opens the strait of Hormuz immediately … It also provides a framework whereby if the Iranians give us what we need – on stopping the funding of terrorism, on no longer pursuing a nuclear weapon – then they can get some benefits, be re-invited into the world economy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanYara El-Shaboury has the latest Football Daily round-up.Yet for all the brilliance of Mbappé and Haaland, football’s greatest showman was not about to accept third billing. Hours after the younger generation had dazzled, Lionel Messi wandered on to the stage and reminded us sequels rarely outperform the original. A first World Cup hat-trick. A record-equalling 16th World Cup goal. Another entry in the ever-expanding folder labelled “proof he still has it”. Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 and Messi was involved in absolutely everything that mattered, including a raking challenge on Aissa Mandi that surely would have been a red card for mere mortals. Perhaps not inconsequentially, Gianni Infantino was in Kansas, watching on through misty eyes.Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile. Continue reading...

Deutsche Welle
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Pakistan says the interim US-Iran deal is taking 'immediate effect' after both sides have signed it
President Donald Trump has signed an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran for another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Follow the latest.

ZDNet News
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The Firefox browser for Android just got 3 useful features - including an ad block tracker
You can now arrange your tabs into organized groups, manage your settings more easily, and see which trackers Firefox has blocked.

ZDNet News
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I found 6 useful Amazon gadgets that are up to 68% off - including a $100 TV
Amazon is discounting its smart home prices ahead of Prime Day, and these deals on Echo, Ring, and other brands are actually worth your money.

The Hill
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Most US families now have 2 parents working full time: Pew
Polling released Wednesday found that most U.S. families have both parents working full-time jobs. The Pew Research Center found that, as of 2025, 52 percent of mothers and fathers in different-sex relationships with children under 18 both work full-time jobs, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. This is up from 31 percent...

The Hill
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Biden, Bush, Clinton slated to attend Obama presidential center opening
Former Presidents Biden, Clinton and Bush are set to attend the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, according to a new report. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that the three presidents intend to be at a ceremony to commemorate the center’s opening, a source familiar with the event told the outlet. Former first ladies Laura...

The Hill
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Federal Reserve holds rates steady at Warsh’s first meeting
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy   The Big Story Federal Reserve holds rates steady at Warsh’s first meeting The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday at Chair Kevin Warsh’s first rate-setting meeting since taking the reins of the central bank. © Jose Luis Magana,...

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This was an England we haven't seen for years - and it was fun
Fun to watch and full of intent - this was an England we have not seen for years, writes Phil McNulty.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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An ultra-rare Star Wars Lego collection went missing - it's sparked viral conspiracies
Bricks & Figs shops around the US have been receiving threats due to the missing Star Wars Lego set, the company says.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Ancient 'Robin Hood' tree is dead, experts say
The Major Oak is thought to have stood for more than 1,000 years in the heart of Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'I buried my parents one day after the other' - Ebola mourners learn how to grieve safely
A cemetery at the epicentre of the outbreak is rapidly filling up, however large traditional funerals have been scrapped.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Watch: Fans celebrate England's 4-2 World Cup victory over Croatia
Supporters for both sides turned out in droves to watch England v Croatia in their opening match of the World Cup.

The Register
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Smelly config files will make your agents waste tokens, researchers warn
Researchers urge developers to see that less is more when it comes to instructions

The Register
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Estonia intends to recognize AI agents with digital IDs
I am not a number! I am a free agent (that just happens to have a number)

The Guardian (UK)
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Uzbekistan v Colombia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off time: 8pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail JonathanIt’s already been a significant matchday for England, who looked like genuine contenders as they put four past Croatia.They looked like they actually wanted to take part in a game of football, that this wasn’t just an activity to be undertaken out of fear and self‑loathing. For the next 10 minutes they swarmed all over Croatia, might have scored four, and gave a glimpse not so much of patterns of play, but of a willingness to actually do this, of the muscle, speed and ruthlessness that are undeniably there in this team. Continue reading...

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America, not so great again: This war has been a waste of time
In covering Trump, the past day has been one of the wildest days.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'Chip on shoulder' may help Bellingham to best form
Jude Bellingham says the external "noise" around his place in the England team may help him find his best form during the World Cup.

Mail Online
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We need a drink after that! Harry, Jude and Marcus give England the ideal start with 4-2 triumph over Croatia in barnstorming World Cup opener... as England fans run Dallas bars dry
Three Lions fans on both sides of the Atlantic were roaring last night as England won a thrilling clash against Croatia in their opening World Cup match in Dallas.

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'If we lose, we lose in our way' - how Tuchel inspired England at half-time
England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

Russia Today News
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Trump signs memorandum of understanding with Iran (VIDEO)

Mail Online
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Trust boss hits out at City watchdog for allowing it to be taken over by US raider Saba Capital
Impax Environmental Markets has been been seized by its largest shareholder Saba Capital, run by infamous fund manager Boaz Weinstein.

Mail Online
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Cadbury-owner Mondelez defends decision to continue trading in Russia
Mondelez, led by Dirk Van de Put, pictured, has come under criticism for not following other western firms in exiting Russia after Putin's invasion in 2022..

Mail Online
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SpaceX's rocket-fuelled float runs out of steam as shares crash back down to earth after record run
Shares fell by as much as 7% during volatile trading - after they had been up by 6% earlier in the session. They eventually closed almost 5% lower.

Mail Online
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'Regime change' on hold as new Federal Reserve boss Kevin Walsh takes the reins
The US Federal Reserve yesterday left interest rates on hold in its first meeting under new boss Kevin Warsh - after he was installed by Donald Trump.

Mail Online
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Warsh heralds a new era: New Fed boss cuts the guff and proves he's no Trump lackey, says ALEX BRUMMER
The first interest rate setting meeting for new US Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh, pictured, was always going to be an arresting event.

Mail Online
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England 4-2 Croatia: Three Lions have the firepower to go far at this World Cup with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham at the forefront - however, this side needs to improve defensively and fast, writes OLIVER HOLT
OLIVER HOLT AT DALLAS STADIUM: England had started their campaign with a 4-2 win and suddenly, dreams had been unleashed.

Mail Online
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Roarsome! Harry, Jude and Marcus give England the ideal start with 4-2 triumph over Croatia in barnstorming World Cup opener... as England fans drink Dallas dry
Three Lions fans on both sides of the Atlantic were roaring last night as England won a thrilling clash against Croatia in their opening World Cup match in Dallas.

The Guardian (UK)
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Knicks to follow up Trump boos at Madison Square Garden with White House visit, says Dolan
Knicks owner Dolan is a longtime ally of US presidentNo NBA team has visited White House under TrumpNew York Knicks owner James Dolan says his team will become the first NBA champions to visit Donald Trump at the White House.“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said during an appearance on WFAN New York on Wednesday. “We still have to figure out the details … but yes, of course. Look, I invited the president to come down for [last week’s Game 3 of the NBA finals]. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.” Continue reading...

Mail Online
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Roarsome! Harry, Jude and Marcus give England the ideal start as Three Lions triumph over Croatia 4-2 in barnstorming World Cup opener
Three Lions fans on both sides of the Atlantic were roaring last night as England won a thrilling clash against Croatia in their opening World Cup match in Dallas.

Sky News Home
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A stain on America: Trump's war with Iran has been a tragic and expensive waste of time
In covering Trump, the past day has been one of the wildest days.

Sky News Home
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US and Iran sign deal aimed at ending war - here's what's in it
Donald Trump has signed a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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'If we lose, we lose in our way' - what Tuchel said at half-time
England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

Russia Today News
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Trump signs memorandum of understanding with Iran

Digital Trends
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The iPhone Air could get a second camera and a better chip in spring 2027
The next iPhone Air gets a second camera, the A20 Pro chip, and better battery life, if Gurman's sources are right.

Digital Trends
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Tim Cook says Apple price hikes are unavoidable as AI drives memory costs higher
Apple has held off major price hikes despite soaring RAM and storage costs, but Tim Cook says the AI-driven memory crunch is making that strategy increasingly difficult to maintain.

TechRadar News
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NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, June 18 (game #837)

TechRadar News
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Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, June 18 (game #1606)

TechRadar News
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NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, June 18 (game #1103)

TechRadar News
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How to watch Uzbekistan vs Colombia: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

TechRadar News
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'We have no reason to believe that our data or systems have been compromised': US lawmakers said 2.5 million VRChat users were at risk from a hack, but the company says it's a fake notice

Slashdot
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Microsoft Working To Patch 'RoguePlanet' Zero-Day
wiredmikey shares a report from SecurityWeek: Microsoft on Wednesday published an advisory acknowledging the public disclosure of a vulnerability in Defender that could lead to privilege escalation. The security defect, tracked as CVE-2026-50656 (CVSS score of 7.8), was dropped last week by security researcher Nightmare Eclipse (also known as Chaotic Eclipse). "We are working to provide a high-quality security update that addresses this vulnerability. We will provide information in this CVE when the update is available," Microsoft adds.

RoguePlanet, Nightmare Eclipse explained last week, targets a race condition in Microsoft Defender and allows attackers to gain System privileges. The researcher released a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit that demonstrates local privilege escalation (LPE) on Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems with the June 2026 patches installed. [...] On Wednesday, Nightmare Eclipse pointed out that the PoC works regardless of whether Defender's real-time protection is enabled or disabled. It may even work in passive mode, the researcher said.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
The structure consisted of two posts that lined up with the solstices 5,000 years ago.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Kevin Warsh launches his push to change how the Fed operates
The new Federal Reserve chair rolls out five task forces that will focus on the central bank’s communications, inflation frameworks and more

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Warren Buffett’s mentor said his wealth came down to luck. Is your life savings riding on a coin flip?
The illusion of investing knowledge is powerful: Why you’re probably paying a financial adviser for pure chance.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Did Warsh and Vance just open the door to higher inflation?
The U.S. government’s official 2% annual inflation target has suddenly been thrown into doubt by Kevin Warsh and J.D. Vance.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Rumble gets 22,000 Nvidia chips, but the video company’s CEO insists this isn’t a fad-like pivot
Is Rumble’s AI expansion just Allbirds 2.0 — or a move modeled after Elon Musk?

Telegraph
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England the entertainers lay down a World Cup marker
England the entertainers lay down a World Cup marker

Mail Online
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England vs Croatia - World Cup RECAP: Three Lions score FOUR goals as sub Marcus Rashford gets in on the act to add to Harry Kane double and Jude Bellingham's strike
Relive Daily Mail Sport's live blog as England finally joined the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

Gizmodo
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RIP ‘The Boroughs,’ Which Netflix Just Canceled After One Season
The Duffer Brothers produced the star-studded sci-fi show that debuted just over a month ago.

Gizmodo
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May Anime Forever Drift Through the Eternal Shadow of ‘Vampire Hunter D’
The original 'Vampire Hunter D' and its sequel 'Bloodlust' continue to inspire the medium's coolest instincts.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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I knew stuttered run-up might get keeper off line - Kane
Harry Kane was able to give England the lead against Croatia from the penalty spot - but only thanks to the video assistant referee.

BBC Top Stories (UK)
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What's in the US-Iran agreement that's now in effect
The 14-paragraph memo includes an end to fighting, an agreement that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and a $300bn redevelopment package for Iran.

Deutsche Welle
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Live updates: Trump signs interim agreement to end Iran war
President Donald Trump has signed an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire with Iran for another 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Follow the latest.

The Guardian (UK)
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Captain Root 2.0: more fun but a different kind of burden in leadership reboot | Simon Burnton
He is back in the groove as leader, but the callow nature of this team has forced a fresh approach as Stokes’s stand-inThere was a moment, late on the first day at Lord’s, of the sort that makes captaincy instantly worthwhile: Ben Stokes chose to bring Emilio Gay in at short leg, Kane Williamson immediately edged the ball into his pad and then into the air, and without even looking to see what happened next Ollie Robinson sprinted into his captain’s embrace. It is a high‑pressure role, perhaps at times unbearably so, but it is not without its rewards.The first day of the second Test had little in common, not least because the England team sheet had in the intervening period been put through a shredder. The sun shone, the pitch behaved, and as an occasion it felt – perhaps appropriately given the kind of mess England have made a habit of getting themselves into of late – a great deal more sober. Continue reading...

ZeroHedge News
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Of The Elite, By The Elite, For The Elite
Of The Elite, By The Elite, For The Elite

Authored by John C. Eastman via The American Mind,

For generations, Democrats have portrayed themselves as the party of ordinary Americans - factory workers, waitresses, truck drivers, police officers, construction workers, and middle-class families trying to get ahead. Yet one of the most striking features of modern American politics is how often Democrat leaders, activists, and media allies seem genuinely baffled by the very people they claim to represent.



The latest example comes from Washington Post columnist Monica Hesse, whose reaction to President Trump’s appearance at a packed UFC event on the White House lawn last weekend revealed a familiar pattern among America’s cultural elites. To tens of millions of Americans, UFC is simply entertainment. It is competitive, exciting, patriotic, and increasingly mainstream.

To Hesse and myriad other journalists and political commentators, however, its popularity seems to require explanation - as though they are studying the customs of a distant tribe.

That reaction says far more about elite America than it does about UFC fans, and few institutions better embody elite opinion than the modern Democrat Party.

The inability to understand ordinary Americans has become a recurring problem for Democrats. Consider one of the most famous campaign images in modern history. In 1988, Democrat presidential nominee Michael Dukakis climbed into a tank in an effort to project foreign policy credibility. Though the campaign intended the image to demonstrate Dukakis’s strength and command in order to reassure wary voters, the photograph instead became a political disaster.

To many Americans, Dukakis did not look like a commander-in-chief - he looked like Alfred E. Neuman from MAD magazine, wearing an oversized helmet and generally appearing out of his element. The embarrassing image became iconic because it captured something larger than a single campaign mistake: a cohort of American elites - consultants, strategists, and media professionals - who apparently thought the photo was a good idea.

The same kind of blindness occasionally appears among establishment Republicans as well. George H.W. Bush’s comments upon seeing a new and improved grocery store scanner became a symbol - fairly or unfairly - of a politician disconnected from everyday life. But while both parties have produced elite figures detached from ordinary concerns, the problem is far more pronounced today on the Left.

Indeed, many of the institutions that now shape Democrat politics are populated almost exclusively by people who live, work, and socialize within a remarkably narrow slice of America. They attend the same universities, read the same publications, and live in the same metropolitan areas. They follow the same social-media accounts. Their children attend the same schools, and their friends share the same political and cultural assumptions.

And increasingly, they seem unable to comprehend how other Americans think.

When Hillary Clinton dismissed millions of voters as a “basket of deplorables,” many Americans viewed the comment not as a gaffe but as a rare moment of honesty. It reflected a prevailing attitude among Democrats, and elites more broadly, that disagreement could be explained only by ignorance, prejudice, or moral deficiency.

President Biden repeatedly displayed a similar tendency. During the 2024 campaign (before he was ousted), he and his allies often portrayed concerns about illegal immigration, inflation, crime, and cultural change as either exaggerated or illegitimate, even as polling showed those issues dominating voters’ concerns. Time and again, Democrat leaders appeared surprised that Americans cared more about grocery prices and border security than about the priorities emphasized by elite institutions.

Vice President Kamala Harris often suffered from the same disconnect. Her public appearances frequently projected the impression that she was speaking to an audience of policy experts rather than to working Americans -when she was not donning fake accents, that is. Her campaign’s struggles were not merely ideological; they were cultural. Many voters simply concluded that she did not understand their lives.

The pattern extends well beyond politicians.

Millions of Americans attend NASCAR races, pack country music concerts, and watch UFC fights. Elite commentators scoff and express bewilderment in response. Millions more display American flags, fill church pews, and worry about rising crime and open borders. Too often, the response from elite circles is not curiosity but contempt.

The Democrat Party once excelled at connecting with ordinary Americans precisely because it better understood their views. Franklin Roosevelt, known as a “traitor to his class,” spoke the language of workers because he wanted them to be part of the Democrats’ coalition for generations. Harry Truman connected with voters because he shared many of their instincts. Even Bill Clinton possessed an intuitive feel for middle-class anxieties and aspirations.

Today’s Democrat coalition increasingly draws its leadership from elite universities, media organizations, nonprofits, foundations, government bureaucracies, and professional-class enclaves. These institutions exercise enormous cultural influence, but they are not representative of America as a whole.

As a result, Democrats increasingly mistake the views traded in faculty lounges, newsroom editorial meetings, and Washington policy conferences for the views held around kitchen tables. That confusion helps explain their shock at one political surprise after another, especially Trump’s victories in 2016 and 2024.

Democrat strategists express astonishment after yet another batch of election results defies their expectations. Panels of “experts” search for explanations, and reports are circulated that blame political circumstances or voters’ various “isms.” But the possibility that the Democrats have lost touch with ordinary Americans is rarely, if ever, considered.

A political movement cannot represent people it does not understand. And it cannot understand the views of many Americans, whom it increasingly views with a mixture of confusion, suspicion, and disdain. For a party that still considers itself the party of the people, that is a major problem it has yet to reckon with.

And it is also a problem for America as a whole. A healthy republic depends on officeholders who can understand - and respect - the culture and traditions of their fellow citizens, even when they do not share them. When America’s governing and cultural elites lose the ability to see the nation as it actually is, they make poorer decisions, deepen political divisions, and erode the mutual trust on which self-government depends.

A republic cannot long endure if those who wield influence come to view ordinary Americans not as fellow citizens to be understood but as strangers to be belittled and ignored.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 16:20

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Trump Invokes Defense Production Act As US Moves To Rebuild Weapons Stockpiles
Trump Invokes Defense Production Act As US Moves To Rebuild Weapons Stockpiles

The Trump administration is seeking a major increase in defense spending while simultaneously using executive authority to accelerate weapons production, reflecting growing concern over U.S. munitions inventories after the war with Iran, according to NBC.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Senate Republicans this week to rally support for a proposed $350 billion defense package, much of which would be directed toward replenishing missile and weapons stockpiles.



According to NBC, Sen. John Cornyn said the Pentagon is “running short of funding they need in order to acquire the weapons and missiles and things like that that they need to protect the nation.”

While Republicans are broadly supportive, some lawmakers have signaled they want a clearer justification for the spending, particularly as debate continues over the costs and consequences of the Iran conflict.

Behind the scenes, President Donald Trump has also moved to boost production capacity. Last week, he quietly invoked the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era law that allows the federal government to prioritize contracts and coordinate industry efforts to expand critical manufacturing.

In a June 11 memo, Trump argued that production bottlenecks and supply-chain challenges could undermine military readiness, writing, “I hereby find that conditions exist which may pose a direct threat to the national defense or its preparedness programs.”



The administration has reportedly been discussing the possibility of using the law since the early stages of the conflict.

The decision comes despite public assurances from administration officials that weapons supplies remain adequate.

Hegseth recently dismissed reports of shortages, saying, “Our stockpiles are strong and they will only get stronger in the future.”

Nevertheless, the administration’s push for both emergency production measures and additional funding suggests officials are preparing for a sustained effort to rebuild inventories and strengthen long-term defense readiness.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 16:40

ZeroHedge News
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Trucking Group Asks Federal Court To Strip New York, California Of CDL Authority
Trucking Group Asks Federal Court To Strip New York, California Of CDL Authority

Authored by Noi Mahoney via FreightWaves,

The Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) has filed a court petition seeking to force federal regulators to decertify the commercial driver’s license programs of New York and California.
The Small Business in Transportation Coalition said the U.S. Department of Transportation has failed to enforce federal law after finding states out of compliance. (Photo: Jim Alen/Freightwaves)

The petition, filed June 10, asks the court to review actions by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation and order the agencies to revoke the authority of New York and California to issue CDLs, escalating a dispute over immigration-related licensing policies and English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers.

SBTC argues that FMCSA has already determined both states were in “substantial noncompliance” with federal CDL regulations and therefore must be decertified under federal law. The organization contends that federal statutes require the transportation secretary to prohibit a state from issuing CDLs once such a determination is made.

The filing, made in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, specifically challenges FMCSA’s April 16 final determination regarding New York and also seeks relief related to a Jan. 7 determination involving California.

SBTC alleges the agency improperly failed to act on a petition it submitted in May 2025 requesting decertification orders against several states, including New York and California.

Virginia crash cited in petition

The lawsuit comes less than two weeks after a fatal bus crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia that killed five people and injured dozens more.

According to the court filing, SBTC points to the May 29 crash as evidence that stronger enforcement of federal licensing standards is needed. The organization alleges the bus driver involved held a New York-issued CDL despite concerns about English-language proficiency.

The crash involved a bus operated by E&P Travel Inc. Federal investigators are examining the company’s connections to a broader network of bus operators in the Northeast, according to CBS News. The driver, identified by CBS News as Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, New York, faces five felony involuntary manslaughter charges.

Compliance findings at center of dispute

SBTC’s petition centers on FMCSA’s nationwide review of state CDL programs following changes to federal rules governing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses.

The coalition says FMCSA’s audits initially identified 24 states and the District of Columbia as being in substantial noncompliance with federal CDL requirements. According to the filing, New York and California ultimately received final notices of substantial noncompliance after federal reviews of their handling of non-domiciled CDL and permit applications.

The petition alleges New York’s noncompliance rate exceeded 55%, while California’s was about 25% during federal audits. SBTC argues those findings legally trigger mandatory decertification orders.

FMCSA previously warned multiple states that they could face funding consequences or additional enforcement actions if they failed to comply with federal CDL standards for non-domiciled drivers.

Latest chapter in broader legal battle

The lawsuit follows a separate high-profile challenge brought by Florida against California and Washington.

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court declined Florida’s request to file an original-action lawsuit alleging California and Washington violated federal law by issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants.

The case stemmed from a fatal crash on Florida’s Turnpike involving a truck driver who reportedly held a California-issued CDL and had previously been licensed in Washington.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 17:00

ZeroHedge News
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"Chinese Empire Is Next": Townsend Warns Beijing's Energy Dominance Is Rewriting The Global Order
"Chinese Empire Is Next": Townsend Warns Beijing's Energy Dominance Is Rewriting The Global Order

Veteran energy economist Dr. Anas Alhajji said during last night’s ZeroHedge debate that Iranian crude trading activity reflects a serious peace deal sticking. Alhajji joined Jeff Currie, co-chair of Abaxx Exchange, and Erik Townsend of Macro Voices to weigh in on the Iran deal’s implications for oil prices, which he believes are poised for a significant decline. Townsend, meanwhile, thinks China will come out on top. 



Currie, unlike Alhajji, remains bullish crude due to supply constraints and, assuming Hormuz does open Friday, there is still a 6-week lag before ships begin reaching their destination. That… and there’s no telling what the Israelis will do given that hardliners are already voicing their plans to continue attacking Lebanon, violating a core component of the ceasefire.

Here were some highlights though we recommend the full discussion included at the end:

Alhajji: Iran Deal Is Serious

Alhajji argued the current ceasefire, even if tested, is likely serious.

"The question is, if this deal does not work, what is the default?" Alhajji asked. "It seems that if we have a default, basically, we are going to end up with a status quo where there is no war, no peace," he said. "I don't think we are going to revert to a war. It will be a default somehow of a status quo with attacks from time to time."

Tehran seems to credibly want a lasting peace, Alhajji said, judging by their ceasing of shadow discount sales to China.

"I'm going to tell you something that tells me that this is really serious," he said. "If we go back and study the Iranian behavior, now the market is telling us that Iranians are not able to export most of their oil because of the blockade. Well, that is not the case because if you go back to the era before the negotiations, the Iranians were able to smuggle.”

“When they are certain that there will be a solution, they look at it this way: ‘So, okay, either I sell my own oil to China at 40% discount… Or I wait just for a month or a few weeks, I'm going to get world price.’”

The fact that the Iranians are waiting for worldwide sales indicates a genuine anticipation that a peace deal is tangible.


pic.twitter.com/1Yjv1kYBe0
— ZeroHedge Debates (@zerohedgeDebate) June 17, 2026
The Chinese Century?

Host Erik Townsend argued that the current Hormuz crisis may highlight a strategic advantage China has spent decades building:

"I'm sorry, I know a lot of Americans don't want to hear this, but sometimes the truth hurts. China has by far, by far, the most advanced nuclear energy program in the world. They've done more to diversify their energy resources. They've been smarter than anyone else, including us, about planning."

Referencing Currie's recent Carlyle Group research paper called the "New Joule Order," Townsend suggested that energy strategy ultimately shapes geopolitical power.

"Who's in charge of the world really derives from military power," he said. "Military power derives from energy dominance. Energy dominance derives from energy strategy and energy policy. And China's is a hell of a lot better than anybody else's, including ours."

“We went from the British Empire to the American Empire… I think the Chinese Empire is next and I think energy policy is what takes them there."

Currie agreed that the existing global framework is reaching an inflection point, though he argued the next era will be defined by a different form of energy competition.

"I definitely think that we ran the course of Bretton Woods, which was defined by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. dollar, and the global oil trade," Currie said. "I think it's come to a head right now and we need to replace it."


pic.twitter.com/xgSNhQPV6M
— ZeroHedge Debates (@zerohedgeDebate) June 17, 2026
Watch the full debate below, on YouTube, or listen on Spotify.


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— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 16, 2026

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 17:20

ZeroHedge News
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Silt, Anchovies, And Economic Disaster
Silt, Anchovies, And Economic Disaster

Authored by Matt Badiali via DailyReckoning.com,

Silt and anchovy scales.

Sometimes the greatest scientific discoveries start with the simplest things.



Today, meteorologists are worried about a severe global event. It’s part of an atmospheric pattern that wasn’t recognized until the late 1960’s. But it has had major economic impact over the decades. And it will have an impact this year if it’s as bad as predicted.

But the story starts with marine mud and frustrated fishermen.

Geologists saw something odd in sediment cores taken off the West coast of South America. The cores looked like layer cakes. One layer of mud, another of fish scales…repeated through the core.

The layers reflect massive shifts in weather patterns. But it wasn’t understood until the late 1960’s. That’s when Jacob Bjerknes, a Norwegian American meteorologist, linked the marine sediment record with atmospheric observations. He recognized that the ocean and atmosphere acted in a feedback loop that had dramatic impacts on the land.

The formal term is the El Niño, Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. It gets its name from Peruvian fisherman. They called the warm currents that sometimes occurred around Christmas “El Niño”.

What Bjerknes described was the change in surface water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. When warm water hits Peru around Christmas, it rains. A lot. The rivers flood down from the mountains and drop an impressive amount of sediment.

The image below shows the warm Pacific from the 1998 El Niño event, compared to the cool period (called La Niña):



The Peruvian fishermen hated these warm currents, because the fishing was terrible. The warm water and strong rains disrupted the local food chain.

Normally, the cold, nutrient rich Humboldt current wells up against the coast. The nutrients feed massive schools of anchoveta and other bait fish. During these periods, the sediments become silvery layers of fish scales and biological debris.

That’s how geologists learned to track atmospheric events. It was a huge breakthrough for scientists. But it also had economic implications.

Major Impact

In modern times, two massive El Niño’s, in 1972 and again in 1982, devastated fish populations. Before 1972, Peru was the largest fishing nation in the world. In 1970, the country caught 12 million metric tons of anchoveta. Then a massive El Niño hit and crushed the fishing industry. The combination of over-fishing (to make up the catch) and the weather devastated the fishery.  In 1973, they landed 2 million metric tons. This caused a global fish-meal crisis. It drove agricultural feed up 250%.

However, the 1972 version was just a warmup. The real monster El Niño hit in 1982. This was an unprecedented weather disaster. Warm tropical waters pushed further south than ever before. The warmth stayed so long that it either killed off or forced cold water fish to migrate to other locations.

This time, the damage wasn’t limited to South America. Fishermen along the eastern side of the Pacific saw reduced catches of critical species. Tuna, smelt, mahi mahi, barracuda and other species suddenly show up in places they are never seen.

Here’s what the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration says about strong El Niño and fish populations in California:


A major consequence of an El Niño is the loss of commercially important species where they traditionally occur. A notable example is the movement of the market squid to cooler waters to the north, away from established fisheries in California. This phenomenon is also true for many rockfish species that move from nearshore areas to deeper or more northerly and cooler waters. Pacific whiting likewise shift northward from their spawning and feeding areas off California, Oregon, and Washington to the more temperate latitudes centered off Vancouver Island.


And that’s only part of the economic impact of a strong El Niño. As we mentioned earlier, El Niño brings rain to the west coast of Peru. That can disrupt mining, along with fishing. But it does more than that. Here’s a general map of weather patterns associated with El Niño (from NOAA.gov):



The international monetary fund (IMF) tracked the real impact of El Niño on GDP growth around the world. They found that countries like Australia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru, and South Africa face a short-lived fall in economic activity in response to an El Niño.

The study also noted that El Niño brings strong storms to Chile, which disrupts copper mining. Japan sees more typhoon strikes.

El Niño does have some benefits for North America. California usually gets more rain, which helps the farmers. The Northeast sees warmer winters, so it uses less energy. And the east coast sees fewer hurricanes. In fact, there are zero recorded major hurricane strikes on the East Coast of the U.S. during El Niño…except Florida.

Hurricane Andrew struck Miami as a massive category five storm in August 1992. It’s unusual to have the first named storm that late in hurricane season.

If the forecast severe El Niño comes to pass, we can expect food inflation on things grown internationally. If history is correct, coffee, palm oil, and wheat will go up in price. And we can expect some local problems from flooding and severe weather.

It’s not enough to speculate on just yet, but there could be some short-term trades from this oddball weather phenomenon. We’ll keep an eye out.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 17:40

ZeroHedge News
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Congress Moves To Boost Drone Funding As "War Unicorns" See Possible Procurement Supercycle
Congress Moves To Boost Drone Funding As "War Unicorns" See Possible Procurement Supercycle

Needham analysts see increasing congressional support for drones and counter-drone technologies as lawmakers advance the latest FY27 National Defense Authorization Act and related appropriations bills. This is bullish for defense-tech "war unicorns" specializing in drones, robotics, autonomy, and counter-UAS systems, as the Trump war economy shifts into higher gear.

Analyst Austin Bohlig launched Needham's FY27 Defense Budget Tracker, which provides clients with updates on next-generation defense technologies, especially drones, robotics, and autonomous systems.



Bohlig said the defense funding framework remains intact, with about $1.15 trillion in total defense spending and about $21 billion allocated for "defensive and offensive unmanned and autonomous systems."

"While the proposed $350B defense reconciliation package, including ~$54B for unmanned-related initiatives, remains the largest outstanding variable, we remain upbeat on the overall funding outlook and believe additional funding for unmanned and autonomous systems is likely," the analyst said, adding:

FY27 Defense Authorization and Appropriations Advance:

We believe Congress made incremental progress over the past two weeks in advancing the FY27 defense budget process. Both the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved their respective versions of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing $1.15T in defense spending and advancing the legislation to their respective chamber floors. On the funding side, the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee recently approved a defense spending bill largely consistent with the Administration's proposed FY27 budget, providing ~$1.1T in discretionary funding across the DoW. The bill is scheduled to be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee later this month, while the Senate Appropriations Committee needs to continue to draft its companion legislation in the coming months.

$21B Unmanned Budget Remains Intact as Congress Pushes for Additional Investment:

From an unmanned systems perspective, we believe the initial FY27 legislative drafts reinforce and potentially accelerate the DoW shift toward autonomy and robotic warfare. The President's FY27 discretionary budget request includes ~$21B for autonomous systems spanning UAS, USV, UUV, UGV, C-UAS and enabling autonomy technologies. In our prior FY27 Deep Dive , we identified and analyzed many of the largest known unmanned and autonomy-related programs embedded within the defense budget. That said, we believe congressional testimony and proposed legislative language suggest strong bipartisan support for expanding these investments rather than scaling them back. As a result, we have a high degree of confidence that funding for unmanned and autonomous systems will at least meet the Administration's proposed levels, with a growing possibility for upside as the legislative process continues to unfold.

Proposed $350B Incremental Defense Package Remains Up in the Air:

While the FY27 base defense budget appears to be advancing largely as expected, we believe the more important debate is the proposed $350B defense reconciliation package, which includes ~ $54B of incremental funding for autonomous systems through the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) program. This funding has become increasingly politicized over the past several months, particularly after Congress decided not to include it in the 2nd reconciliation package in May, creating uncertainty around the timing and likelihood of passage and, in our view, contributing to investor concerns across the defense sector. Although the timing remains uncertain, we remain upbeat on the ultimate funding outlook and believe there are multiple legislative pathways for the DoW to access incremental funding should the current reconciliation approach encounter delays.

Separately, Breaking Defense has reported that the defense spending bill would create a combatant command for drones, reinforcing the congressional push toward unmanned systems as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have spooked the U.S. military into the early chapters of a drone and counter-drone procurement super cycle. The modern battlefield has forever changed.

This is great news for war unicorns operating in the space, with years of tailwinds almost certainly ahead.



Related:


JPM Call With Axon Reveals Race To Fortify U.S. Data Centers Against Kamikaze Drone Swarms


Goldman Sits Down With Anduril As 'War Unicorns' Reshape Defense Tech


"Flying Beer Cooler": Pentagon's Next Kamikaze Drone Ushers In Era Of Cheap Mass-Produced Airpower

Professional subscribers can read much more on military tech at our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 18:00

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Rare Earth Stocks Pop After G7 Unveils Plan To Reduce Dependence On China For Critical Minerals
Rare Earth Stocks Pop After G7 Unveils Plan To Reduce Dependence On China For Critical Minerals

Rare earth stocks spiked on Wednesday after G7 leaders agreed to strengthen coordination on critical minerals as they seek to reduce dependence on China-dominated supply chains, according to a new report from Reuters.

Without naming China directly, the group set a goal of limiting reliance on any single external supplier of rare earths and permanent magnets to less than 60% by 2030, with a longer-term target of 50%.

Reuters reports that to support that effort, the G7 plans to align critical mineral stockpiling strategies, beginning with lithium and nickel, and establish a new platform for policy coordination, data sharing, market monitoring, and crisis response. The platform will work closely with the International Energy Agency, which will provide analysis and early warnings of supply disruptions and market distortions.



The group also pledged to support investment across the entire critical minerals supply chain—from mining and processing to manufacturing—through development finance institutions, export credit agencies, and private-sector partnerships. Since the start of 2026, governments have announced 195 related projects totaling €64 billion ($74 billion) in investment.

Neha Mukherjee, research manager at consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence commented: "The G7 statement is an important signal of intent, but the pace of diversification will ultimately depend on whether policy support translates into investment ​across the midstream and downstream parts of the value chain."

Despite the commitments, analysts note that diversification will be difficult, particularly because China controls about 90% of global processed rare earth and permanent magnet production. The G7 is also exploring measures such as joint procurement, subsidies, quotas, and price-support mechanisms, while expanding domestic stockpiles and increasing recycling capacity to make recycled materials a significant share of critical mineral consumption by 2030.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 18:00

ZeroHedge News
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Trump And Iran Sign MOU Deal Ahead Of Schedule
Trump And Iran Sign MOU Deal Ahead Of Schedule

Summary:

The US and Iran have remotely signed their memorandum of understanding to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz ahead of schedule, and the agreement is now in effect, Axios reports.
Trump admits energy stockpiles "run out in about four weeks" 
MoU signing could be As Early As Today 
Trump Says Will "Drop Bombs" If Bad Final Deal 
14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Released, Set For Friday Signing
Trump Signs Iran Deal Remotely Ahead Of Schedule

Confirming earlier speculation, Axios reports that the U.S. and Iran have remotely signed their memorandum of understanding to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, and the agreement is now in effect. The signing - which took place electronically between Trump, Vance and Ghalibaf - reportedly took place at dinner in France alongside President Emmanuel Macron. 

The signing was supposed to happen in Switzerland on Friday, but a diplomat from a mediating country and a second source familiar told Axios earlier on Wednesday that there had been discussions about signing and implementing it earlier

The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue. Another factor may have been the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU, which it sitll hasn't done officially. The source familiar with the discussions claimed it was Iran that demanded the text not be published until the formal signing, and denied the White House was responding to political pressure.

The only "public release" so far consisted of a senior administration official reading the agreement to reporters in a briefing call on Wednesday, after days of confusion about what was in it.

Ahead of the signing, Iran's foreign ministry said the sides had agreed that the MOU should be signed electronically by both presidents. For Iran, the signing represents a major victory as it now stands to receive billions in unfrozen (and other) funds from the US and Gulf sources.

While it's now just a formality, the meeting between the U.S. and Iranian delegations headed by Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is still expected to take place as planned on Friday in Switzerland. They are expected to discuss the launching of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

The signing took place after this remarkable press conference earlier in the day in which Trump tried to justify conceding to Iran's terms:

As BBC's Siavash Ardalan writes, Trump's responses to the reporters' questions to justify the agreement with Iran were bizarre and unprecedented in their own way:

They asked him how he could allow $300 billion in investment in Iran. He said, "We've already inflicted $2 trillion in damage on Iran; $300 billion is nothing in comparison."

They asked why he's giving Iran tens of billions of dollars. He said, "If we don't return their own money to them, other countries will be afraid to put their money in our banks, and then the dollar's position will weaken."

They asked why the missile issue isn't in the agreement. He said, "We've already destroyed 85% of their missiles anyway; the rest are buried underground, and besides, we sell air defense systems to the countries in the region so they won't worry about Iran's missiles."

They asked if he's not worried that Iran will say, "We're only producing nuclear energy for civilian purposes." He said, "You can't tell everyone else to produce electricity with nuclear power while only Iran can't."

Finally, he said, "If we continue sanctioning Iran, 91 million Iranians will die of hunger—what's the point of that, really?"

Oh, and he joked that "If [the Iran deal] works out, I'm going to take the credit; if it doesn't work out, I'm blaming [Vance]."




Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the signing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon would be regarded as a breach of commitments, and adds that the US is responsible to force Israel to abide by the deal; the official also said the 60-day period starts today.

Trump Admits

President Trump's comment at the tail end of the G7 press conference about rapidly depleting crude reserves may have been the clearest admission yet of what is really driving the urgent push for an MoU with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"We run out of reserves in about four weeks," Trump told reporters.


Trump said the world would have run out of oil reserves in 4 weeks, put pressure for a peace agreement.
Says it would have been "bedlam" pic.twitter.com/k45MTI8sNs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 17, 2026
View data here.


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
With global SPRs being aggressively tapped to offset lost Gulf energy production while the Strait of Hormuz remains shuttered, the clock is ticking closer and closer to midnight to fully reopen the waterway to restart the normalization process of tanker transits, which may take months.

The longer Hormuz stays closed, the faster emergency stockpiles are drained, raising the risk of an energy cliff, then a much worse energy shock. That urgency appears to be the real force behind the race to secure an interim agreement with Tehran.

Talk of Accelerated MoU Signing Timeline

Axios reports that US, Iranian, and mediator officials are discussing an accelerated timeline for signing the memorandum of understanding, moving it from Friday to as early as Wednesday, potentially via electronic signature.

More from Axios:

The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait of Hormuz sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue.
Another factor could be the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU.
The source familiar with the discussions claimed it was Iran that demanded the text not be published until the formal signing, and denied the White House was responding to political pressure.
Even if the electronic signing occurs early, Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf are still expected to meet on Friday in Switzerland to launch multi-month talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The takeaway here is that both sides appear aligned on quickly reopening the Hormuz chokepoint, as the world faces an energy cliff.

Watch Trump 

President Trump is set to hold a very important press conference at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France.



Trump Tells Reporters At G7: We'll "Go Back To Dropping Bombs" if he Doesn't Like Final Deal 

President Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France that the pending U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is "not final" and warned that if he "doesn't like it ... we'll go back to shooting at them."

"If I don't like it [MoU], we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head," Trump said.

Trump repeated: "If they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head."

He added, "Because they misbehaved for 47 years. But nobody could've made this deal. The Obama-era JCPOA handed them $1.7 billion and gave them hundreds of millions of dollars in a Boeing 757. He tried to bribe his way out. I did not do that."


BREAKING: "If I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head."
President Trump warns Iran that any change to the peace agreement or failure to comply could bring an immediate military response.
"If they don't behave, we'll go right back to… pic.twitter.com/67JRcDptYS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 17, 2026
The proposed deal, expected to be signed on Friday in Geneva, would extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for 60 days and create a framework for negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. 

14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Set For Friday Signing

With US and Iranian officials preparing to formally sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, the conflict is entering the much-needed diplomatic phase to avert a potentially disastrous energy cliff. The MoU would open a 60-day negotiating window aimed at ending the war, restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and hammering out the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Bloomberg published the text of the 14-point draft MoU, offering the clearest look yet at the proposed trade: de-escalation and sanctions relief for Iran, in exchange for a ceasefire across all fronts, commitments on shipping access, and a broader nuclear deal to be finalized by the end of summer.



But Iran's Tasnim news agency cited an unnamed official earlier today, saying some of the MoU published by Bloomberg is inaccurate. The report did not specify the discrepancies. Bloomberg noted that some of the wording could be different between the English and Persian versions.

Below is the text of the 14-point draft MoU:

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles

2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs

3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent

4. Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States Lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement

5. Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.

6. The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, While ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.

7. The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran's nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.

9. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.

10. The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.

11. The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.

12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.

13. Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.

14. The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council

Based on the text above, the first take of the MoU appears to be front-loaded economic relief for Tehran in exchange for a ceasefire, a nuclear freeze, and commitments to negotiate hard topics, such as the nuclear program, at a later date.

Who Stands To Benefit:

Tehran benefits most directly because it gets economic oxygen, oil waivers, frozen funds, sanctions relief language, and reduced US military pressure in the region.

Hezbollah and Iran-aligned actors also benefit if "all fronts, including Lebanon" locks in a ceasefire that constrains Israeli operations.

And, of course, the global economy because global shippers benefit if Hormuz reopens and war risk premiums in crude oil collapse.

The Gulf states benefit if the conflict ends because energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz will resume. A report on Tuesday said that QatarEnergy was planning to ramp up LNG production in the coming months.

Where is Leverage Lost:

The US loses some coercive leverage once the Hormuz blockade ends, oil waivers are granted, and asset-release mechanisms begin.

Israel loses freedom of action if the agreement binds the Lebanon front and limits further strikes.

Sanctions and hawks lose leverage because the draft moves quickly toward broad sanctions dismantlement.

The urgency behind the MoU and locking in peace talks for 60 days, with a formal signing event at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland on Friday, stems mainly from the world being headed for an energy cliff, as SPRs globally were being drained to offset the loss of Gulf production with the Hormuz chokepoint shuttered. Brent crude futures edged down overnight, trading around $79 a barrel on Wednesday morning.



One of the biggest uncertainties remains the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump stated that the critical waterway will reopen permanently and be toll-free, but the MoU suggests the toll-free arrangement may only last through the 60-day negotiation period. Another major uncertainty is Tehran's compliance.

Most Important Overnight Headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Deal Framework

• The US and Iran plan to formally sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Switzerland, paving the way for 60 days of talks aimed at ending the war and limiting Iran's nuclear program

• Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the tentative deal is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement

• Iran is set to receive broad financial incentives including the right to sell oil immediately, access to a $300 billion development fund, and eventual access to frozen assets

• The US would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war under the accord Web Content - US 6:43 AM

• The memorandum states only that Iran's stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium be 'adequately addressed,' leaving unresolved the fate of enough material to fuel multiple weapons

International Reactions

• Senate Republicans are pressing the Trump administration for details on the deal and signaled Congress will ultimately vote on the final agreement

• European officials are wary of committing naval ships to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz because of confusion about how the work would be done and Trump's strict end-of-week timeline

• China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for greater international support for the next phase of Iran-US peace talks on Tuesday, cautioning that the interim agreement marks only the beginning of a longer peace process

• European allies disagree with Trump's optimism that trade can resume by week's end and have practical questions about what was agreed before committing to de-mining missions

Shipping and Energy Markets

• A third fully-loaded crude tanker, the Suezmax Sonia I capable of hauling about 1 million barrels, left the Iranian port of Chabahar on Tuesday night and crossed the US blockade line heading toward Singapore

• Two oil tankers heading toward Africa U-turned in the Indian Ocean this week, switching destinations to the Middle East as shipowners race to re-position vessels ahead of the possible Strait of Hormuz reopening

• Qatar is beginning to bring some of its LNG tankers back to the Middle East, with at least four empty vessels recently heading toward the region after being idle or heading in a different direction

• Brent oil fell below $80 a barrel on Tuesday for the first time in more than three months as the US-Iran deal boosted expectations for a revival in supply

• The prediction market Kalshi assigns a 51% probability that Strait of Hormuz traffic will return to normal before August 1 and a 68% probability before September 1

Oil Market Impact

• The IEA said world oil consumption will slump by 1.1 million barrels a day this year, the biggest drop since the Covid pandemic in 2020, as higher fuel prices and disruptions curb buying

• The IEA previously expected a decline of about 420,000 barrels a day, making the revised forecast much deeper than anticipated

• A potential peace deal paves the way for a renewed supply glut in 2027, according to the IEA

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 18:15

ZeroHedge News
Open 
James Harden Arrested On Hypocritical Firearms Charge In Texas
James Harden Arrested On Hypocritical Firearms Charge In Texas

Via Gun Owners of America,

NBA player James Harden was arrested over the weekend in Texas for “unlawful carry of a firearm in a motor vehicle.”

But wait, how can carry in a vehicle be unlawful in a state like Texas, where constitutional carry is the law of the land?



On Saturday, June 13 at around 3am, Harden was driving a Mercedes sedan that was part of a group of five vehicles traveling through downtown Houston, Texas.

According to reports, one of the vehicles was pulled over near the 1600 block of Jefferson Street, when Harden pulled up behind it in his vehicle. During the interaction, an officer noticed a handgun sitting in the cupholder of Harden’s vehicle - for which he was arrested under a misdemeanor charge and taken to Harris County Jail after Harden indicated that the handgun was his. 

The charge? “Unlawful carrying of a weapon in a motor vehicle,” a misdemeanor under Texas state law.

But how can that be possible - isn’t Texas a constitutional carry state?

What could possibly qualify as “unlawful carry?”

Well, according to the statute, the carry of a handgun in a vehicle is illegal when:


“The handgun is in plain view, unless the person is 21 years of age or older or is licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and the handgun is carried in a holster”


Translated from legalese, this means that Texas views any handgun “in plain view” not secured in a holster by someone without a state issued permit to carry, a crime.

A carve out in Texas’s constitutional carry law, the statue says that if a handgun is visible in a vehicle, it must be in a holster.

According to sources writing on the technicalities of the law itself, a firearm not in a holster must be hidden. In a glove box, console, under the seat or in a bag — those are all perfectly legal.

Having the gun out on the seat? Go to jail.

This seems like a massive oversight for a state that by most measurements, is one of the most pro-gun states in the country.

According to reporting, Harden owns the gun legally, and there was no crime committed. While there are conflicting reports about the traffic stop as to whether Harden himself had made a traffic violation or not, the carrying of the firearm itself was legal under Texas law.

The only exception was the technicality of Texas law requiring that handguns in plain view by those without a permit be secured in a holster.

And for that, Harden had to be arrested and taken to jail.

This story got a ton of attention over the weekend because Harden is a famous basketball player, but we at GOA are left thinking, how many other law-abiding gun owners has this exact situation happened to?

Texas must change this law.

That’s why we spoke out about this situation right as it happened.


https://x.com/GunOwners/status/2065904365391454648


If there’s one message, we’d like politicians in Texas to take away from this situation it’s this:

Texas must change its law.

The glaring hypocrisy from a state that has constitutional carry, to be arresting someone for something so pedantic as not having that gun in a holster, in plain view in their own car, committing no crime, is outrageous.

While this may have happened to a celebrity - regular, every day, law-abiding gun owners in Texas are at risk of the exact same situation happening to them.

Lawmakers in Texas should not let that stand.

Change the law. Nobody should be arrested for carrying their firearm simply because of the position the firearm is observed in by law enforcement; it’s a right - not a privilege.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 18:25

ZeroHedge News
Open 
"Zero Hormuz Dependency": UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos
"Zero Hormuz Dependency": UAE Races To Rewire Energy Flows, Bypassing Chokepoint Chaos

The shuttered Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen within days, though conflicting reports suggest the US-Iran memorandum of understanding could be formally signed as early as today, Thursday, or Friday. Either way, the interim peace deal appears likely to be signed within the next 48 hours, setting the stage for energy flows through the critical maritime chokepoint to begin normalizing, a process that could take many months.

The broader takeaway is that buyers of crude, refined products, and LNG now have to rethink their sourcing stack after the US-Iran conflict effectively shut Hormuz for several months. That means diversifying supply chains and reducing exposure to single-point maritime chokepoints. For Gulf energy producers, the Hormuz disruption will accelerate a massive push toward alternative export channels that bypass Hormuz entirely, potentially reducing Tehran's ability to use the strait as a lever in future conflicts.

In the first month of the conflict, Saudi Arabia's Hormuz-bypassing East-West pipeline ramped up to its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, allowing the Kingdom to divert flows from Persian Gulf loading terminals to those at Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Separately, there has been a rush across other Gulf states to identify alternatives to Hormuz, and major plans to begin building new pipeline routes may soon be approaching.

Earlier this month, Sheikh Khaled Ahmad Al-Sabah, managing director of international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum, said Kuwait is among the countries that have reportedly held talks with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates about potential cross-border pipelines that could connect Gulf oil production to buyers without relying on tanker transits through Hormuz.

New signals from Gulf states seeking to rewire energy flows emerged on Wednesday in a new note citing a top UAE official who said the energy exporter is preparing to have "zero dependence" on Hormuz.

"We're moving toward having zero Hormuz dependency and that's regardless of whether it's open or not," UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi told Bloomberg in an interview. "It's going to open and we hope that will happen quickly, but we will not stop the new plan."

The plan includes major investments in pipelines, rail, and road links from UAE ports in the Persian Gulf to Dibba, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and at least one new harbor on the Gulf of Oman coast.



Abu Dhabi has already announced plans to fast-track a second crude pipeline to Fujairah by 2027 and is now reviewing a third petroleum pipeline, as well as ways to export petrochemicals, LNG, and other energy products without relying on Hormuz.

The UAE can reroute more crude through pipelines to eastern ports, but LNG, aluminum, container imports, and other commodities are harder to shift. Dubai's Jebel Ali remains the world's largest container hub outside Asia, and moving more cargo through eastern ports would raise inland transport costs and boost shipping times.

In recent weeks, the Iraqi cabinet approved plans to accelerate crude exports through the Kurdistan-Turkey pipeline network, which would more than triple its existing shipments from 220,000 barrels per day to 770,000.

"Iraq is in a much more complicated situation because we know that most, if not all, of its oil transits through Hormuz," Alan Lemangnen, senior economist at QuantCube, told CNBC in an interview.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that the Hormuz squeeze is rewiring the Persian Gulf's energy map. Over time, that shift could render Iran's leverage over the Hormuz chokepoint far less effective, if not obsolete.

Perhaps Tehran has already read the writing on the wall. That may help explain why Iranian officials are now willing to play ball with the Trump administration through an MoU to reopen Hormuz and eventually enter talks over the country's nuclear ambitions.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 18:50

UK Government News
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Live updates: Trump signs interim agreement to end Iran war
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The Guardian (UK)
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Goal against Croatia in his side’s World Cup opener was an angry one with a rising sense of inevitabilityAnd breathe again. For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that was a bit like watching one of those YouTube videos where an awkward and frightening Chinese robot has learned how to dance like Michael Jackson.Dogged and occasionally convincing, but the kind of spectacle that does generally end with the robot falling off the stage. England didn’t just play like machines in that first half. They played like faulty machines, scared machines, contributing almost zero free-form football to a 2-2 half-time score that included two Harry Kane set-piece goals; the first a set piece from a set piece, a penalty after a corner, set piece squared. Continue reading...

Sky News Home
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US and Iran sign deal aimed at ending war
Donald Trump has signed a deal aimed at ending the war with Iran.

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Cervical cancer deaths in England fall to zero in young women given vaccine
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But researchers say its still possible to trick the AI chatbot into producing graphic content.

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The Ring and Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35
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Interest rates expected to be held by Bank of England
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Cervical cancer deaths fall to zero in young women given vaccine
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Train crash that killed one man and injured four others could have been avoided
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Ghana v Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail Beau1 min Panama pass pointlessly, possession purloined.It’s raining a bit in Toronto as we get started. Current temperature is 20 degrees. That’s Celsius. Canada isn’t that cold. Continue reading...

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Solstice-aligned 5,000-year-old monument ‘once in a lifetime find’, say archaeologists
Wessex Archaeology suspect they have uncovered a prototype for world-famous Stonehenge site in WiltshireA 5,000-year-old monument that was aligned with the summer and winter solstices and may have served as a prototype for the later solar alignment at Stonehenge has been discovered close to the famous neolithic site, in what archaeologists have described as a “once in a lifetime” find.The structure at Bulford, 5km (3 miles) from the world heritage site in Wiltshire, has been carbon dated to around 3000BC, the same time as the earliest phase of construction at Stonehenge and 500 years before its huge trilithon stones were carefully placed to line up with the midsummer and midwinter sun. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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The Guardian (UK)
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Old Vic theatre, LondonPatrick Marber’s perplexing revival of the salesmen classic amps up the comedy and the performance of masculinity but veers into Bugsy Malone territoryThere are few more masterly portraits of 1980s caveman capitalism than David Mamet’s drama about fast-talking Chicago real estate salesmen. Mamet is arguably the premier playwright for capturing American masculinity of this era, so it is surprising to learn that the idea to stage an all-female version came from him.This new production has the same director as last year’s all-male Broadway revival, Patrick Marber. The wardrobe underlines that the female ensemble are playing at being men, pitted against each other with unequal sales leads and driven to ever more unprincipled acts in the hope to come out on top. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
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Bellingham, a man for elite moments, kicks over the console table for England’s cause | Barney Ronay
Goal against Croatia in his side’s World Cup opener was an angry one with a rising sense of inevitabilityAnd breathe again. For the opening 45 minutes under the giant Victorian train station roof at the Dallas Stadium, England produced a performance that was a bit like watching one of those YouTube videos where an awkward and frightening Chinese robot has learned how to dance like Michael Jackson.Dogged and occasionally convincing, but the kind of spectacle that does generally end with the robot falling off the stage. England didn’t just play like machines in that first half. They played like faulty machines, scared machines, contributing almost zero free-form football to a 2-2 half-time score that included two Harry Kane set-piece goals; the first a set piece from a set piece, a penalty after a corner, set piece squared. Continue reading...

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What's in the US-Iran agreement that's now in effect
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England hit four in World Cup opener against Croatia
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Israeli police rip pants off ultra-Orthodox Jews (VIDEO)

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Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, defence minister tells BBC
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Memorandum of understanding signed off on Wednesday; Tehran will charge ships after the 60-day negotiation period has ended, says chief negotiatorAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Trump also addressed media reports of a leaked US-Iran deal (see post at 11:57), denying claims it includes a $300bn reconstruction fund for Tehran.“We’re not putting up 10 cents,” he said. “We are not investing and we do not have a fund.”It’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, okay, because they’ve misbehaved for 47 years.” Continue reading...

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Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, Defence Minister Koizumi tells BBC
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How to watch Mexico vs South Korea: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time as co-hosts continue FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign

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"The father of them all' — How Europe's top-secret Barracuda drone shaped the future of combat aviation 20 years ago

Slashdot
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Smartphone Market To Shrink 15% This Year Due To Memory Crisis
CCS Insight expects global smartphone shipments to fall 15% this year as AI-driven demand pushes memory manufacturers toward higher-margin server chips. "[S]ome entry-level devices have already seen their sticker prices go up by more than 50 percent since last year," reports The Register. From the report: The firm found that the primary smartphone market (meaning new devices) contracted 4.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, despite sales channels front-loading (meaning stockpiling) product inventory, as device prices begin to rise sharply. As CCS notes, this casts an ominous shadow on the outlook for the rest of the year, and it seems things have worsened since The Register first started reporting on the smartphone memory woes.

Back in January, the forecast was for handset price rises of 6-8 percent, while the most pessimistic outlook was that the global market might contract as much as 5.2 percent. By February, analysts were expecting to see a decline in shipments of around 8 percent across the global market, and for prices to increase by about 14 percent.

The root cause of all this is the AI craze, which has seen huge demand for high-performance GPU-filled servers to process it all. Chipmakers have moved to capitalize on this by prioritizing production of high-margin memory components for those servers, rather than making the plain old DRAM and NAND needed for PCs and phones. "The memory chip crisis shows no sign of slowing down in the near future, ramping up the pressure on manufacturers and consumers. Memory components now account for more than 30 percent of a manufacturer's bill of materials in some smartphones." said CCS research analyst Ben Hatton. "The full impact has yet to be felt in many regions, but it's clear that device prices will accelerate over the rest of the year."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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The Fed just threw investors a curveball. Here’s how stocks, bonds, gold and the dollar reacted.
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Civil servants played violent video game Grand Theft Auto to learn about Britons' 'hopes and dreams'
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'Scores' of ticketless England fans breach security and attend World Cup opener against Croatia in Texas - as ticketed supporters bemoan 'ridiculous' security in place for match
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Devastating supply crunch forces Apple to raise prices on iPhones and other devices, calling the move 'unavoidable'
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Lily Allen poses in a racy white PVC dress in behind-the-scenes snaps from her Newcastle show after ex David Harbour denied her version of events from explosive revenge album
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England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 Group L player ratings
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We are aware of an outage at Newcastle Under Lyme (WMNEW), we are currently investigating and further updates will be given here as soon as available.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 22:40

Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 02:00

Edited: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 23:01

Status: Outage

Maintenance: None

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Pope welcomes US-Iran deal, hopes for strengthened 'trust, security, and stability'
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Techdirt
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Internet Age-Gates Are A Growing Global Threat
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Mac Rumours
Open 
Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs
Apple is raising its prices to offset the high cost of memory and storage, CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal. Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased prices and will need to pass some of the cost on to consumers.





"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook. "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."



Cook did not say which products will get price increases or how much pricing will go up. The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max coming in September could be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. Prices on iPads and Macs could go up in the near future.



Apple already raised the price of the Mac mini from $599 to $799 by eliminating its lowest-tier model. Apple has also eliminated several higher-tier ‌Mac mini‌ and Mac Studio options.



Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies has led to chip shortages and higher costs. The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ suggests Apple will need to increase device costs "substantially" to maintain its current profit margins given the cost of memory chips and SSDs. Research firm TechInsights claims Apple will need to make the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ around $270 more expensive to keep its existing profit margin.



Apple is struggling more with memory chips, but storage chips are also an issue. "There's less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases," Cook told The ‌Wall Street Journal‌. Cook said Apple will use its cash to increase memory supply, but he did not give details on what that means.



Apple does not plan to create its own memory and storage factories. "We can't do everything," Cook said. "We know what we're good at."



While memory chip makers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are increasing production capacity, much of that added capacity will prioritize server chips. Demand for consumer-device chips is expected to continue to outpace supply. At the same time, Apple needs to increase the DRAM in its devices to support new AI features. Cook likened the memory shortages to a hundred-year flood. "I've never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years," he said.



Apple is one of the largest purchasers of memory and storage worldwide, but it is likely reluctant to make the same deals AI companies do. Those deals involve signing multi-year agreements with a large cash prepayment.



Multiple companies have already raised their prices, including Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell.

Tag: Tim CookThis article, 'Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
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SHOCK VIDEO – CNN reveals most Democrats HATE America and the flag
CNN revealed today that most Democrats hate America and flying the American flag, via a new poll centered around generic questions about pride in America. Here’s the video: I know I called . . .

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The Register
Open 
Git good with Epic Games' new open source VCS, Lore
Got big binaries? Tired of other version control systems that treat them like inferior files? Lore might be worth a look

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Trump says he is ‘not a big fan’ of USMCA, free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada he signed – live
The US has to approve a renewal of the existing agreement by 1 July, or announce its intention to exit the pact, a process that would take 10 yearsSign up for the Breaking News US emailDonald Trump also denied (again) that the memorandum of understanding includes a $300bn fund for Iran, and denied that he had asked the Gulf states to commit funding.“It’s false,” Trump told reporters as he sat alongside Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “You can invest if you want. What am I going to do, say no one is ever allowed to invest? We’re not investing, we’re not putting up 10 cents and people can decide to do it. That’s up to them.”In short, what it does is it opens the strait of Hormuz immediately … It also provides a framework whereby if the Iranians give us what we need – on stopping the funding of terrorism, on no longer pursuing a nuclear weapon – then they can get some benefits, be re-invited into the world economy. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana v Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauA stunner in the lineup announcement: Captain Anibal Godoy is not in the XI. I haven’t seen anything about an injury. All told, five of the predicted starters in our team guide are not starting today.The starting lineup that will face Ghana is: Mosquera; Andrade, Cordoba, Ramos, Blackman; Rodriguez, Martinez, Harvey, Murillo; Waterman, Barcenas (capt.) Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England surge to thrilling opening win in World Cup cracker with Croatia
Thomas Tuchel made it plain that when the stress came with the serious business of World Cup matches, he believed his England team would thrive. What had gone before, especially the friendly matches, was little more than a distraction. Here in the Lone Star state, which tallies with what England have on their shirts, it was time to make a statement about that second star.There was a fair helping of stress against Croatia, the 11th best team in the world and the highest ranked pot two nation in the tournament – especially in the first half. It was down to defending that was simply too open and generous. A see-saw opening 45 minutes ended 2-2, Harry Kane scoring England’s goals, the first from a retaken penalty. Martin Baturina and Petar Musa replied for Croatia. England were powerful on corners. The overall sense in open play was confusion. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Baturina fires Croatia level against England
Croatia's Martin Baturina scores from outside the box to make it 1-1 against England in their group L game at the Dallas Stadium in the Fifa World Cup.

BBC UK News
Open 
Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections
Residents in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry are choosing new members of parliament.

Mail Online
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England WAGs Megan Pickford, Ellie Alderson and Ashlyn Castro cheer from the stands at thrilling World Cup game against Croatia
England's WAGS cheered from the stands of Dallas stadium tonight as they watched Three Lions storm to victory against Croatia in a thrilling World Cup opening match.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana v Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauVisa issues have hit many teams’ traveling parties as they head toward the USA, but Ghana have a curious case of a player who is welcome in the USA but not in Canada. Midfielder Thomas Partey, a longtime Arsenal player now with Villarreal, was not allowed to cross the border. Court documents show Partey had claimed he was not facing criminal charges in any country, but he is awaiting trial in London over rape and sexual assault allegations.Mohammed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu are not on the Ghanaian roster due to injury. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Middle East crisis live: US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed by both presidents, Iran state media says
Senior US officials read out MOU text to journalists, insisting down-blending is a starting point; deal says sanctions relief tied to nuclear actionAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Trump also addressed media reports of a leaked US-Iran deal (see post at 11:57), denying claims it includes a $300bn reconstruction fund for Tehran.“We’re not putting up 10 cents,” he said. “We are not investing and we do not have a fund.”It’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, okay, because they’ve misbehaved for 47 years.” Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England 4-2 Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ In pictures: England v Croatia | All-time highest scorers⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottThomas Tuchel speaks to Independent Television. “This is what we have worked for … the goal of the prep camp … to be ready for the day … I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world … so let’s go … ideal conditions … to play an intensive match … that’s our aim … we stick with the team that started so well against Costa Rica … we will not start and finish this match with 11 players … we need a strong bench … we have players who can influence and change matches from the bench … that is important … it was a 50-50 call to go with Jude [instead of Morgan Rogers] … I expected Mateo Kovacic to start so we have one slight tweak … we need to adapt our press … we are prepared for that … we are at the starting line … we let the players go and take the next steps.”… so Jude Bellingham does indeed get the nod at 10 over Morgan Rogers. Anthony Gordon has been selected ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left, while Noni Madueke patrols the other flank; Bukayo Saka, not 100 percent fit, remains wrapped up safely on the bench. Ezri Konsa starts alongside John Stones in the centre of defence. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Bellingham scores early in second half to put England 3-2 up
Jude Bellingham gives England a flying start to the second half against Croatia, scoring in the 47th minute to put Thomas Tuchel's side 3-2 ahead at the Fifa World Cup.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Who was the biggest attacking threat? England player ratings
Who was England's biggest attacking threat against Croatia? Alex Howell rates the players - plus have your say.

Russia Today News
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Trump signs memorandum of understanding with Iran – media

Mail Online
Open 
England WAGs Megan Pickford, Ellie Alderson and Ashlyn Castro cheer from the stands at thrilling World Cup game against Croatia
England's WAGS cheer from the stands of Dallas stadium tonight as they watch their Three Lions partners take on Croatia in a thrilling World Cup opening match.

Sky News Home
Open 
Trump signs deal with Iran aimed at ending war - read the 14 points agreed
The US has signed a deal with Iran that would extend the ceasefire by 60 days and see the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route reopened after effectively being closed since the start of hostilities.

Mail Online
Open 
Susanna Reid in hot water over Scotland World Cup bank holiday comments on Good Morning Britain - with hundreds of complaints
Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid has been forced to apologise after her comments about Scotland's World Cup bank holiday resulted in an avalanche of complaints.

Mail Online
Open 
Daycare owner, 54, breaks down in tears as she pleads guilty to killing baby who she forced down for a nap
Stacy Lee Snow, 54, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the 16-month-old girl, who was found unresponsive in her crib on April 8, 2025.

Mail Online
Open 
Lee Andrews 'faces a return to prison in 14 days if he fails to pay his debts as documents reveal the money woes that led to his arrest'
Katie Price's husband, 43, has been MIA for weeks after he was thrown behind bars in Al Awir Central Prison in Dubai on fraud allegations, but has insisted on he was actually jailed for espionage.

Mail Online
Open 
Kaleb Cooper breaks his silence on 'best mate' Jeremy Clarkson's prostate cancer diagnosis as he says he's been 'by his side' throughout his battle with 'aggressive' disease
Former Top Gear host Jeremy, 66, revealed he had been diagnosed with 'aggressive' prostate cancer during a recent episode of his Prime Video series Clarkson's Farm.

Mail Online
Open 
MAFS UK 'is plunged into further crisis as plans for an All Stars spin-off are shelved' after stars claimed they were sexually assaulted on the show
The E4 reality series has faced calls to be axed after claims aired by BBC Panorama that two women had been raped during filming.

Mail Online
Open 
Trump turns on the charm after extended 'alpha' handshake with Macron and kisses for Brigitte at Palace of Versailles
President Donald Trump turned on the charm Wednesday night as he arrived at the Palace of Versailles for a lavish dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte.

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions score FOUR goals as sub Marcus Rashford gets in on the act to add to Harry Kane double and Jude Bellingham's strike
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
UK inflation stays at 2.8% as slowing food prices offset rising transport costs
May’s figure confounds forecasts of an increase to 3% as Bank of England prepares to set interest ratesAnalysis: benign data signals a softer hit than fearedUK inflation unexpectedly remained at 2.8% in May, as rising energy costs caused by the Iran conflict were offset by slower increases in food prices.The unchanged reading on the consumer price index measure of inflation (CPI) confounded economists’ expectations of a 3% increase as the conflict restricted global energy flows – and raised hopes that the impact of the war on prices might be more muted than feared. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Surprisingly benign UK inflation data signals a softer Iran war hit than feared
Impact of war on UK cost of living more muted than first forecast suggesting fuel price rises have failed to spill out more widely across UK plcUK inflation stays at 2.8% as slowing food prices offset transport costsAs soon as Iran choked off oil supplies through the strait of Hormuz at the start of March, there were dire warnings about rocketing UK inflation and the drastic action the Bank of England might take to rein it in.At one point, investors were expecting as many as three quarter-point rises in interest rates before the end of the year – a sharp turnaround from earlier forecasts of rate cuts. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Yoane Wissa gives DR Congo first ever World Cup point in draw with Portugal
The clock was about to hit 83 minutes when Roberto Martínez rolled the dice one last time. His team certainly needed extra movement up front so it hardly confounded logic that Gonçalo Ramos was stripped and ready. What made less sense was that Vitinha departed while Cristiano Ronaldo, peripheral save for two earlier half-chances, remained on and slogged his way towards the end of a draw that could check Portugal’s summer ambitions.Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his No 7 shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana v Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauWhile you wait …You may be interested to learn that there’s another match in progress at the moment, and it’s quite a sight. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
'Scared to take him off' - Ronaldo struggles after fellow superstars sparkle
Three superstars delivered for their countries at the World Cup on Tuesday. But Cristiano Ronaldo could not follow suit on Wednesday as Portugal were held to a surprise draw by DR Congo.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
'Scared to take him off' - Ronaldo struggles after fellow superstars sparkle
Three football superstars delivered for their countries on the sport's biggest stage on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo could not follow suit as Portugal were held to a surprise draw by DR Congo in their World Cup opener.

Digital Trends
Open 
BMW is taking orders for the i3 way ahead of schedule, and it’s got a happy problem to blame
BMW's electric 3 Series with 440 miles of range is taking orders months early, while US buyers wait until 2027.

TechRadar News
Open 
I rounded up the best Toy Story 5 toys and merch — these are the high-tech figures, Lego sets, and apparel worth buying

TechRadar News
Open 
'A single cyber incident can lead to physical disruption, create safety hazards, or cause catastrophic downtime': Hackers target data center equipment, including critical power devices, in latest push to disrupt communities

Slashdot
Open 
Carvana Is Turning Dealerships Into 'Playgrounds,' Test-Drive Centers With Sales All Online
Carvana is testing a radically different new-car dealership model in Dallas, turning the location into a test-drive center and themed "playground" while requiring every purchase to be completed through its online platform. "Every single car that we sell, whether it's used or new, is online," said Tom Taira, Carvana president of special projects who's leading the new vehicle operations. "That's a very inherent difference. Even coming into the store, you're buying it online, and that's a big difference in how people think about it." The company hopes its no-haggle pricing, hourly employees, service operations, and national logistics network can reshape franchised auto retail. CNBC reports: Through its used vehicles sales, Carvana has become the most valuable auto retailer in the U.S. with a more than $70 billion market cap. Carvana's target with the new vehicle business is to grow its market share and customer base as well as assist used vehicle sales through trade-ins and other means, according to Taira. If the company is successful, the strategy could cause a ripple effect across the U.S. franchised dealership model, which the National Automobile Dealers Association reports includes 16,990 retailers that topped $1.3 trillion in sales last year.

[...] Carvana is using a location in Dallas as a test center for its foray into new vehicle sales. The facility looks like a traditional Stellantis dealership from the outside, but the consumer process for purchasing a vehicle and the responsibilities of its employees are unprecedented. Couches and chairs replace cubicles and sales offices. There are no finance and insurance departments, and instead of an army of commission-based employees, the facility has associates that are paid hourly to assist customers -- if they want the help.

The experience is meant to be as self-guided as a customer wants. By scanning QR codes located on 10-foot-by-10-foot screens inside the building or on vehicles and displays outside, shoppers can customize a vehicle, learn about a product's features and conduct test drives before deciding whether to purchase anything. If they do decide to buy something, it's online and not originated from a sales person, the company said.

The "playground" has roughly 50 vehicles divided by brand, with each having a theme. Jeep has an off-road display. Dodge has race tracks, including a Carvana-themed Charger pace car and part of a traditional track fence barrier. Chrysler minivans, meanwhile, have a soccer net and Ram's area is truck-centric. Carvana is not committing to expanding the exact experience to its other franchised dealer locations, but Taira told CNBC that the overall process of online sales, vehicle testing and service are expected to be consistent throughout the locations. Further reading:: Online Car Retailer Launching Nation's First Car "Vending Machine





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Want to renounce your U.S. citizenship? Here’s what it could cost you.
Before cutting legal ties to the country, consider the expenses.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
SpaceX adds a third ‘PayPal Mafia’ member to its board
Former PayPal CFO and venture capitalist Roelof Botha is joining SpaceX’s board and will serve on its audit committee.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
The Fed just threw investors a curveball. Here’s how stocks, bonds, gold and the dollar reacted.
In his first press conference as Fed chair, Kevin Warsh staked out a surprisingly aggressive stance on interest rates and inflation.

EFF
Open 
The Free and Open Web Is Under Attack at the IETF
The ability to access publicly available information using automated tools is a central value and benefit of a free and open internet. Automated access—often called crawling or scraping—powers important, useful tools for locating, preserving, and analyzing online information. For example, crawling and scraping helps journalists, researchers, and watchdog organizations report the news, find security flaws, and investigate discrimination. Crawling the web allows non-profits like the Internet Archive to preserve historical copies of websites. Tools for automated comparison shopping allow consumers to find the best deals on items they want to buy. And so on.
Yet the open internet access is increasingly under threat from publishers and Big Tech companies alike. Fearing lost advertising and licensing revenues, website operators increasingly claim that they need to lock down their sites from bots that crawl public web content to train or operate AI models. Some companies are even trying to embed their business models into internet standards by changing Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) technical standards that shape much of the internet.
Many of their economic anxieties are understandable. AI bots can strain websites’ infrastructure, in some cases, degrading site performance or taking them offline altogether. Upgrading systems costs money that some sites may not have. And AI is likely to disrupt the business models many publishers adopted in response to the rise of the internet, if users rely on AI overviews instead of visiting source websites.
However reasonable these fears may be, the answer is not to change the IETF standards from neutral protocols that encourage openness to restrictive requirements designed to monetize internet access.
The worst of these proposed standards would give websites far greater ability to automatically block legitimate, lawful scraping and crawling. For example, the AI Preferences working group is working on proposals to give publishers a way to express “preference signals” against crawling web data for AI-related purposes, including to train models, generate outputs, and help users search the web. These preference signals would be expressed through robots.txt and could potentially become legally binding in some jurisdictions.
Another working group, called Web Bot Auth, is pursuing efforts to protect sites from overly-aggressive bots that strain website resources—a positive goal that could meaningfully improve the internet in the AI era. But Web Bot Auth is simultaneously pursuing a much more dangerous path as well: standards changes that would enable sites to cryptographically identify bots so that they can more easily block anyone they wish—not just “bad” actors, but competitors, dissidents, or anyone who hasn’t paid for the right to access sites using automated tools. If sites restrict crawling to a preapproved list of cryptographically authenticated bots, they could require licensing payments from those wishing to crawl their sites. This would close off the open web to researchers, archivists, and startups without the ability to pay for automated access.  
Websites may have legitimate reasons to worry about AI’s impacts on their traffic and advertising revenue, but those reasons must be weighed against the benefits of the open web. These proposals would effectively give website operators veto power over a wide range of important uses—from the investigations and archival works described above to accessibility tools for people with disabilities, to research efforts aimed at holding governments accountable.
That is why we are fighting back against these threats to open access. EFF and our allies in the open internet community have successfully resisted some of the most dangerous IETF proposals thus far—and won’t stop working to protect the open web from efforts to manipulate internet standards to undermine the right to freely access the internet in any legal way, including with automated tools.

Boing Boing
Open 
This $45 Deal Days bundle gets you Visual Studio Pro 2026 plus free coding courses
TL;DR: Get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 plus 15 lifetime coding courses for $44.97 (reg. $1,999.99) through Deal Days — our answer to Prime Day.
Professional developers pay $499.99 for Visual Studio Pro alone. Right now, during Deal Days, you can grab Microsoft's newest IDE plus a full coding education bundle for $44.97 until June 28 at 11:59 PM. — Read the rest
The post This $45 Deal Days bundle gets you Visual Studio Pro 2026 plus free coding courses appeared first on Boing Boing.

Gizmodo
Open 
Snap’s AR Glasses Aren’t Even Out Yet, and They’re Already Getting Roasted to Death
AR glasses on the whole aren't faring much better.

Gizmodo
Open 
The Ending of ‘Scary Movie’ Changed So Much It’s Scary
The latest spoof comedy went through multiple iterations to land on its Ghostface reveal and more.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Read: US officials release 14-point initial agreement to end war with Iran
The interim agreement ends fighting on all fronts for 60 days and sets out provisions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Yoane Wissa gives DR Congo first ever World Cup point in draw with Portugal
The clock was about to hit 83 minutes when Roberto Martínez rolled the dice one last time. His team certainly needed extra movement up front so it hardly confounded logic that Gonçalo Ramos was stripped and ready. What made less sense was that Vitinha departed while Cristiano Ronaldo, peripheral save for two earlier half-chances, remained on and slogged his way towards the end of a draw that could check Portugal’s summer ambitions.Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his number seven shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ In pictures: England v Croatia | All-time highest scorers⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottThomas Tuchel speaks to Independent Television. “This is what we have worked for … the goal of the prep camp … to be ready for the day … I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world … so let’s go … ideal conditions … to play an intensive match … that’s our aim … we stick with the team that started so well against Costa Rica … we will not start and finish this match with 11 players … we need a strong bench … we have players who can influence and change matches from the bench … that is important … it was a 50-50 call to go with Jude [instead of Morgan Rogers] … I expected Mateo Kovacic to start so we have one slight tweak … we need to adapt our press … we are prepared for that … we are at the starting line … we let the players go and take the next steps.”… so Jude Bellingham does indeed get the nod at 10 over Morgan Rogers. Anthony Gordon has been selected ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left, while Noni Madueke patrols the other flank; Bukayo Saka, not 100 percent fit, remains wrapped up safely on the bench. Ezri Konsa starts alongside John Stones in the centre of defence. Continue reading...

The Verge
Open 
VSCO launches Studio Pro mobile photo editing app and plans $500 per year subscription
VSCO is taking on Adobe with a new Studio Pro editing app rolling out today on iOS and coming to macOS later this year, as Bloomberg reports. At launch, the app offers tools for batch editing, style matching from a reference image, and sharing images through VSCO Galleries. VSCO says more features are coming later, […]

Nature
Open 
Fiery data hint that controlled forest fires benefit human health

Harvard Business Review
Open 
Video Quick Take: Implementing Zero Trust in an AI-Driven Threat Landscape - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM THREATLOCKER
Sponsor content from Threatlocker.

Deutsche Welle
Open 
Read: US officials release 14-point document to end war with Iran, reopen Strait of Hormuz
The interim agreement ends fighting on all fronts for 60 days and sets out provisions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mail Online
Open 
England WAGs Megan Pickford, Ellie Alderson and Ashlyn Castro cheer from the stands at thrilling World Cup game against Croatia
England's WAGS enjoy a hydration break in the stands of Dallas stadium tonight as they watch their Three Lions partners take on Croatia in their first World Cup match.

Sky News Home
Open 
Eight men killed in B-52 bomber crash named
Military officials have identified all eight people who were killed when a B-52 bomber crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. 

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Blockchain Analytics Firm Elliptic Explains How it Scales Intelligence without Compromising on Accuracy
Blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic has indicated that in the fast-growing global ecosystem of cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology (DLT), transparency has (by design) been built into the technology itself. Elliptic explained that every transaction on public ledgers is visible and accessible via block explorers. Yet... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
US Consumers Show Resilience and Optimism Amid Rising Inflation and Cost-of-Living Challenges
TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) indicated that as the year 2026 reaches its halfway point, American consumers continue to display a positive outlook on their financial situations even as affordability strains intensify due to ongoing economic and global factors. A recent study from TransUnion reveals that optimism... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Global Payments Fragmentation Imposes Heavy Burden on Remittance Recipients : Research
A recent study underscores the severe human and economic repercussions of disjointed international payment networks. According to collaborative research by Thunes and Juniper Research, roughly one-third of individuals relying on cross-border transfers face significant hardship in covering basic needs like groceries, housing, and essential services.... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
US Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady in Unanimous Vote
The US Federal Reserve, Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), decides to hold rates steady in a unanimous vote. The FOMC meeting was the first overseen by new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh, who was selected by President Donald Trump to replace former Chair Jerome Powell. The... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
There are hundreds of power banks on the market, but this one is the fastest at recharging
ZDNET's latest Lab Award goes to the power bank that charged to 100% the fastest.

CNET News
Open 
Is the Trump T1 Just an HTC Phone Painted Gold?
CNET's review of the Trump phone found much the same thing as iFixit: It's likely a reskinned HTC phone from two years ago.

CNET News
Open 
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for June 18 #837
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 18, No. 837.

CNET News
Open 
Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for June 18, #1825
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for June 18, No. 1,825.

CNET News
Open 
Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 18, #1103
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 18, No. 1,103.

CNET News
Open 
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for June 18, #633
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 18, No. 633.

Mail Online
Open 
Thomas Tuchel spotted in heated argument with Jordan Pickford during England's World Cup opener against Croatia: 'Do as I told you!'
The Three Lions had gone ahead in Dallas through Harry Kane's retaken penalty when the dispute allegedly occurred.

Mail Online
Open 
England fans roar on the Three Lions from home: Fans flock to pubs and bars as Tuchel's men take on Croatia in opening game of the World Cup
Industry chiefs have forecast an extra 5million pints will be poured as Thomas Tuchel's men take on Croatia at 9pm British time.

Ars Technica
Open 
AI coding agents taught robots how to install GPUs and cut zip ties

Ars Technica
Open 
Tesco moving 40,000 server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's “abusive conduct”

Ars Technica
Open 
Massive breach spills credentials for thousands of sensitive networks

Ars Technica
Open 
California says AT&T lied to FCC in attempt to shut off old phone network

Ars Technica
Open 
Sooner than expected? Useful quantum error correction promised for 2028.

The Hill
Open 
Justice Department sues New York over Medicaid home healthcare 'fraud scheme'
The Justice Department is suing the New York State Department of Health, the state’s Medicaid director and a company operating a $10 billion home health program for the state. In the suit, filed Tuesday in the Eastern District of New York, the Justice Department accused Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) of making false or misleading statements about its ability to take over and run the state’s...

The Hill
Open 
Trump: 60 days not a hard deadline on Iran negotiations
President Trump told reporters on Wednesday that the 60-day timeline to negotiate with Iran once the memorandum of understanding is formally signed is not a hard deadline to reach a final agreement with Tehran. “No, I don’t. [It] could take longer,” Trump said in Paris when asked if 60 days marked a final deadline. “I...

The Hill
Open 
Cruz: 'Giving billions of dollars to lunatics' in Iran 'is not a good idea'
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Wednesday raised concerns about major concessions to Iran made in President Trump’s memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Trump is not getting good advice from his advisers. "History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a...

The Hill
Open 
Live updates: Trump defends details in MOU with Iran; Macron entertains at Palace of Versailles
President Trump on Wednesday defended the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, telling a press conference after the Group of Seven (G7) summit that the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if the Islamic Republic violates the terms. Earlier Wednesday he emphasized that point. “No, it’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and...

The Hill
Open 
Nvidia CEO: Society needs to change with advent of AI
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is emphasizing society must change with the development and increased use of artificial intelligence, urging all individuals to engage with the technology. "We need to create new social norms," Huang told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday. "I would advocate that everybody use AI. Just go engage it," he said,...

The Hill
Open 
Trump defends Iran deal amid criticism: 5 takeaways
President Trump defended a memorandum of understanding (MOU) released Wednesday that ends the war with Iran, even as he suggested it may not be “permanent” during a press conference from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.   The president noted other G7 members backed the end of the war, arguing it was...

The Hill
Open 
US moves to end Teamsters union oversight
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Teamsters union on Wednesday jointly moved to end federal oversight of the union.  The DOJ decided in 2015 to progressively move toward ending oversight of the union. In 1988, a sweeping civil racketeering lawsuit against the union stated some of its leaders were tied to the mafia and were...

The Hill
Open 
Senators look to jam Hegseth’s travel budget over boat strikes, Iran girls school bombing
Senators are looking to jam Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget until the Pentagon shares more information about the U.S. military’s strikes on alleged drug boats and the lethal bombing of an Iranian girls school at the beginning of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.  In the Senate version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act...

The Hill
Open 
Missouri AG calls on MLB not to discipline players over Pride Night protest
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway pressed MLB not to discipline San Francisco Giants players over Bible verses on their Pride Night-themed caps. In a letter posted to the social platform X on Wednesday morning addressed to Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred, Hanaway wrote that “it has come to my attention that MLB is...

The Hill
Open 
New chief Kevin Warsh says forward guidance dropped at Federal Reserve
New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Wednesday the central bank will move away from forecasting its future action under his leadership. In announcing its decision to hold interest rates steady, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opted not to include forward guidance. The panel typically provides information about the “likely future course of monetary policy.” “We've dropped...

The Hill
Open 
Oklahoma pastor drops out of runoff for Hern's House seat after Trump withdraws endorsement
Tulsa pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, who was previously endorsed by President Trump, has withdrawn from the GOP primary runoff for Oklahoma’s solid red 1st Congressional District after being exposed in a texting scandal that derailed his campaign. “After prayerful consideration with my wife, Kendra, and my team over the last twenty four hours, I’ve made the...

The Hill
Open 
DOJ uses alleged UFC plot to argue for Trump ballroom
A foiled plot to attack an outdoor UFC event at the White House over the weekend is further proof why President Trump’s proposed ballroom is needed for security reasons, a senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official told a federal appeals court Tuesday. Brett Shumate, the assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Civil Division, argued in...

The Hill
Open 
RFK Jr. announces $700M investment in addiction services, emphasizing faith-based organizations
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday announced a $700 million investment into behavioral health programs, indicating an emphasis on faith-based recovery organizations. Kennedy, a recovered heroin addict, announced a $96 million funding opportunity for the Trump administration's Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) program, along...

The Hill
Open 
Scottish World Cup fans are drinking Boston dry
Scottish soccer fans came to Boston thirsty — and drank the Sam Adams downtown taproom dry.

Mac Rumours
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iPadOS 27 Hands-On: Everything New for iPad
Like iOS 27, iPadOS 27 gains a smarter, more capable version of Siri, the ‌Siri‌ app, and new Apple Intelligence features in apps, but there are a few iPad-only standouts.



Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

‌Siri‌ AI on iPad has all of the same features as ‌Siri‌ AI on the iPhone, so it can access your personal data, search the web for answers, complete tasks in apps, and answer questions about what's on your screen. For people who write with Apple Pencil on ‌iPad‌, it can index your handwritten notes so you can search through them. You can use ‌Siri‌ to take action on your notes, whether typed or handwritten.



‌Siri‌ can summarize, rewrite, give you writing advice, check grammar, generate new text for you, and more. There's a systemwide Write with ‌Siri‌ feature for getting help no matter which app you're using.



There's a new Image Playground app that can generate images in any style, including photorealistic, and that powers the Image Wand in the Notes app. You can draw a quick sketch of something in Notes and then use ‌Image Wand‌ to turn it into a photorealistic visual aid.



Visual Intelligence used to be an iPhone-only feature, but in ‌iPadOS 27‌, it's expanding to the ‌iPad‌. You can take a screenshot and then circle what you want to know more about with a finger or the ‌Apple Pencil‌. The ‌iPad‌ supports the same ‌Visual Intelligence‌ features, like telling you the nutritional value of food and identifying plants and animals.



The Shortcuts app can use AI to automatically generate shortcuts for you, which can be especially useful on the ‌iPad‌. If you want a quick way to change how the ‌iPad‌'s windowing works when you attach a keyboard vs. when you use it without a keyboard, you can describe that in a sentence or two and get a functional shortcut just a minute later.



Safari supports automatically grouping tabs, plus there's an AI feature for generating your own extensions. Like ‌iOS 27‌, ‌iPadOS 27‌ is also more responsive thanks to performance improvements. Browsing and transferring files are quicker, AirDrop is faster, apps launch more quickly, and multitasking on ‌iPad‌ is faster.



There's a Liquid Glass slider for adjusting opacity to your taste, and Apple also made other Liquid Glass improvements to boost readability. You can also resize iPhone apps that are running on the ‌iPad‌.



‌Siri‌ AI and ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in ‌iPadOS 27‌ require an ‌iPad‌ with an M-series chip or the A17 Pro iPad mini. EU users won't get ‌Siri‌ AI on ‌iPad‌ when ‌iPadOS 27‌ launches, and it's also not available in China.



Older iPads won't get ‌Siri‌ AI or ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features, but they will get the performance improvements Apple added. Older iPads will feel faster on ‌iPadOS 27‌ than they do in iPadOS 26.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'iPadOS 27 Hands-On: Everything New for iPad' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Mac Rumours
Open 
Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs
Apple is raising its prices to offset the high cost of memory and storage, Apple CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal. Apple is no longer able to absorb the increased prices and will need to pass some of the cost on to consumers.





"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," said Cook. "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."



Cook did not say which products will get price increases, or how much pricing will go up. The iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max coming in September could be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. Prices on iPads and Macs could go up in the near future.



Apple already raised the price of the Mac mini from $599 to $799 by eliminating its lowest-tier model. Apple has also eliminated several higher-tier ‌Mac mini‌ and Mac Studio options.



Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies have led to chip shortages and higher costs. The ‌Wall Street Journal‌ suggests Apple will need to increase device costs "substantially" to maintain its current profit margins given the cost of memory chips and SSDs. Research firm TechInsights claims Apple will need to make the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ somewhere around $270 more expensive to keep its existing profit margin.



Apple is struggling more with memory chips, but storage chips are also an issue. "There's less supply at a time when consumers want devices and the memory guys are passing along huge price increases," Cook told The ‌Wall Street Journal‌. Cook said Apple will use its cash to increase memory supply, but he did not provide details on what that means.



Apple does not plan to create its own memory and storage factories. "We can't do everything," Cook said. "We know what we're good at."



While memory chip makers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are increasing production capacity, much of that production increase will prioritize server chips. Demand for chips for consumer devices is expected to continue to outpace supply. At the same time, Apple needs to increase the DRAM in its devices to support new AI features.



Apple is one of the largest purchasers of memory and storage worldwide, but AI companies sign multi-year agreements with cash prepayment.



Multiple companies have already raised their prices, including Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, and Dell.

Tag: Tim CookThis article, 'Tim Cook Says Apple Price Increases Are 'Unavoidable' Due to Memory Costs' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
Open 
Here’s the Iran deal MOU in a great summary form
Open Source Intel just posted the Iran deal Memorandum of Understanding in a great summary form, for your understanding pleasure, of course. If you prefer the long-form MOU, check here. Here ya . . .

Mail Online
Open 
The women behind Harry Kane's men: Inspirational mothers who sacrificed so much for their boys to become World Cup heroes
The nurturing influence of the current side's family upbringings has been hailed, with mothers such as Kim Kane, Susan Pickford and Stephanie Rice recognised.

Mail Online
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England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions take the lead for the third time as Jude Bellingham nets just after the break following mazy run to prove why he deserved starting spot
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Daveigh Chase, child star known for Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, dies aged 35
Los Angeles-based actor’s boyfriend said she died from meningitis and blood infection which in turn led to sepsisThe former US child actor Daveigh Chase has died at age 35.She was best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying Samara Morgan, the ghost in the 2002 horror film The Ring. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
Why was Kane's penalty retaken against Croatia?
Harry Kane was able to give England the lead against Croatia from the penalty spot - but only thanks to the video assistant referee.

Deutsche Welle
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US officials release 14-point Iran peace plan
The interim agreement ends fighting on all fronts for 60 days and sets out provisions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mail Online
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England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions concede again just before the break as scores are level at half-time after FOUR first-half goals - including a Harry Kane double
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Sonny Baker revels in ‘brilliant, awesome’ first taste of Test cricket for England
Bowler takes two key wickets on first day at the OvalBackdrop in run-up has had ‘negligible’ effect on squadBrendon McCullum has said that he believed the second Test crowd at the Oval were about to fall in love with Sonny Baker, and England’s head coach was right. The 23-year-old ­debutant, who is playing only his 14th first-class game, lit up an intriguing first day’s play.New Zealand finished on 291 for seven, and Baker had the pick of the wickets. He had Rachin ­Ravindra caught in the gully for 33 and Daryl Mitchell caught at midwicket for 44 to finish with figures of two for 63. He got a huge roar of appreciation when he walked to the boundary after both dismissals. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Yoane Wissa gives DR Congo first ever World Cup point in draw with Portugal
The clock was about to hit 83 minutes when Roberto Martínez rolled the dice one last time. His team certainly needed extra movement up front so it hardly confounded logic that Gonçalo Ramos was stripped and ready. What made less sense was that Vitinha departed while Cristiano Ronaldo, peripheral save for two earlier half-chances, remained on and slogged his way towards the end of a draw that could check Portugal’s summer ambitions.Ronaldo’s baying followers, swathes of them with local accents and wearing his number seven shirt, had done their best to cajole a meaningful contribution from their idol but ultimately they had to settle for being under the same roof. Perhaps they expected a repeat of Lionel Messi’s staggering performance the previous night but Ronaldo did little to assuage concerns that his presence, once glorious, is nowadays a dead weight. The watching Fifa president Gianni Infantino could have been forgiven for wondering whether Fifa’s contortions in freeing him from suspension for this game had been worthwhile. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ghana v Panama: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ World Cup kick-off: 7pm local/12am BST/9am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Mail BeauBeau will be here shortly. In the meantime, catch up on what you need to know about Ghana and Panama with our team guides.Ghana’s performance in a warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff gave a sense of what their new coach, Carlos Queiroz, might be up to. The first half was not surprising – a leaky, low block with poorly coordinated pressing that brought back memories of the dysfunctional team Otto Addo had left behind. The second half was markedly different: a well-coordinated mid-block with synchronised pressing and better protection for the full-backs. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Daveigh Chase, child star known for Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, dies aged 35
The Los Angeles-based actor’s boyfriend said she died from meningitis and a blood infection which in turn led to sepsisThe former US child actor Daveigh Chase has died at age 35.She was best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying Samara Morgan, the ghost in the 2002 horror film The Ring. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
England WAGs enjoy their hydration break in the stands in Dallas as they watch their men take on Croatia
England's WAGS enjoy a hydration break in the stands of Dallas stadium tonight as they watch their Three Lions partners take on Croatia in their first World Cup match.

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Rate the players in England's World Cup opener against Croatia
Rate the England and Croatia players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings.

BBC UK News
Open 
Murder accused teen expelled from school hours before girl's death, court told
A teenage boy is accused of fatally stabbing nine-year-old Aria Thorpe at her Weston-super-Mare home.

Mail Online
Open 
Belfast 'knife attack' victim is out of coma - as family say he may go completely blind
The victim of the shocking Belfast knife attack, which sparked devastating riots across the city earlier this month, is now out of a coma. 

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions concede again just before half-time as scores are level at half-time after FOUR first-half goals - including a Harry Kane double
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

Mail Online
Open 
Jude Bellingham's American girlfriend cheers on England alongside his mother - amid feud with her homeless mum
Ashlyn Reece Castro was seen alongside Jude Bellingham's parents, Mark and Denise at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA.

Mail Online
Open 
England WAGs enjoy their hydration break in the stands in Dallas as they watch their men take on Croatia
England's WAGS have taken to the stands of Dallas Stadium tonight as their Three Lions partners prepare to take on Croatia in their first World Cup match. 

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Harry Kane's second goal of the night puts Three Lions back in front just before the break after Martin Baturina levelled scoring with curling strike
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Federal Trade Commission sues leading transgender health group
Four states file alongside FTC, claiming WPath made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minorsThe Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health on Wednesday, in the latest push by Donald Trump’s administration and others to limit gender-affirming care for transgender minors.The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPath, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and that its members profited off the claims. Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas filed along with the FTC. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Burnham team tell ministers to delay resignations to avoid chaos
Exclusive: Allies of Labour’s Makerfield candidate concerned rapid collapse of Starmer government would increase instabilityHow quickly could Andy Burnham become the UK’s prime minister?Andy Burnham’s campaign has been forced to talk ministers out of resigning as early as this weekend to avoid Keir Starmer’s government descending into chaos amid fallout from the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian can reveal.As they prepare for a potential change of leader in the event he beats Reform on Thursday, Burnham’s team is increasingly concerned a rapid collapse of Starmer’s administration would mean further instability for the country. Continue reading...

Mail Online
Open 
Flock of sheep brought in to tidy up graveyard are 'ramming and headbutting' mourners - but families are told the woolly creatures are 'tame' and should 'stand still and clap your hands' if they are bothering them
A flock of sheep brought in to tidy up a graveyard have been aggressively ramming and headbutting mourners. 

Mail Online
Open 
England vs Croatia - World Cup LIVE: Harry Kane's early penalty is cancelled out as Martin Baturina's curling strike beats the diving Jordan Pickford to level scoring in Dallas
England are finally ready to join the World Cup party - and get underway with their opening game against Croatia in Group L tonight.

Digital Trends
Open 
Sony’s new LYTIA L910 camera sensor will turbocharge night shots and 4K capture on phones
Sony's new phone camera sensor promises cleaner night shots and longer 4K HDR recording without the battery drain that usually comes with it.

TechRadar News
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How to watch Ghana vs Panama: Free Streams & TV Channels for FIFA World Cup 2026

Slashdot
Open 
Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI Back Linux Foundation's Appia AI Standards Initiative
BrianFagioli writes: Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Arm, Mastercard, Siemens, and other companies have joined the newly launched Appia Foundation under the Linux Foundation. The project aims to create common specifications and assessment frameworks that organizations can use to demonstrate AI systems meet emerging safety, trust, and compliance requirements. According to the Linux Foundation, the framework is designed to allow conformity evidence to be reused across the AI supply chain, potentially reducing duplicate assessments and compliance costs. The announcement comes as governments around the world move toward enforcing AI regulations and organizations face increasing pressure to prove AI systems are trustworthy. "As international standards and legal frameworks become more established, global organizations need a consistent, practical way to verify that AI systems conform to new expectations," said Jim Zemlin, CEO of the Linux Foundation. "The Appia Foundation establishes a neutrally governed environment where the entire industry can collaborate on a common assessment framework. By building this infrastructure in the open, we are helping organizations reduce complexity, lower operational costs and build trust."

Craig Shank, Executive Director of the Appia Foundation, added: "AI systems now make decisions about people's loans, their children's schools and their jobs. People on the receiving end deserve to know those systems were built and assessed against criteria that hold up to scrutiny. The Appia Foundation was formed to do that work: creating publicly available specifications that organizations across the AI value chain use to demonstrate their systems meet those criteria. By establishing this open framework, we are building the accountability layer required to scale safe and trusted AI across major industries."





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sky News Home
Open 
In pictures: Kate returns to Royal Ascot
The Princess of Wales has returned to Royal Ascot for the first time since her cancer diagnosis.

Telegraph
Open 
England redeemed by new boys after week of scandal
England redeemed by new boys after week of scandal

Telegraph
Open 
Ronaldo left in Messi’s shadow as insipid Portugal held by DR Congo
Ronaldo left in Messi’s shadow as insipid Portugal held by DR Congo

EFF
Open 
The NO FAKES Act Could Silence Satire, Commentary, And News
The NO FAKES Act is supposed to target harmful AI-generated impersonations. But in reality, it will make it easier to suppress commentary, satire, and other lawful speech. That's why EFF has signed a letter urging the Senate Judiciary Committee not to advance the bill in its current form.
Take action
Tell Congress to Say No to NO FAKES
In the letter, EFF joins a coalition of civil society groups in pointing out that the bill would import many of the worst features of the DMCA notice-and-takedown system into an even broader range of online expression. Faced with a “heckler’s veto” over legal speech, platforms will have incentives to remove content first and ask questions later. 
The bill offers no protection for a platform’s judgment about an often difficult question—whether a particular piece of content is satire, parody, commentary, or news. Any platform that guesses wrong faces penalties of up to $750,000 per work. 
NO FAKES could also undermine the rights of the people it is supposed to protect. The new federal “likeness” right could be licensed or transferred to others, so individuals will lose control over the use of their own face and voice. That’s not theoretical—workers in the entertainment industry are routinely asked to sign broad contracts about the future use of their likenesses.
As the letter notes: 
A background actor who signs a release on set or an ordinary person who clicks through a platform's terms of service could end up with the right to their own face and voice in someone else's hands, for years, with federal enforcement behind it. 

EFF and the other signatories urge Congress to examine existing legal remedies and pursue narrowly tailored solutions to genuine harms. The last thing we need is a sweeping new intellectual property right that threatens free expression. 
In addition to EFF, the letter is signed by the Center for Democracy & Technology, the American Civil Liberties Union, Fight for the Future, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Organization for Transformative Works, Public Knowledge, the R Street Institute, The Future of Free Speech, and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. Read the full letter here. 
Take action
Tell Congress to Say No to NO FAKES

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
MI5 boss declares himself a Slow Horses fan
Sir Ken McCallum says he is a fan of the show that has been described as the anti-James Bond.

Gizmodo
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This New ‘Odyssey’ Video Is Better Than Any Trailer
Watching Christopher Nolan and his crew actually make the massive film has us even more excited than we already were.

Gizmodo
Open 
Feds’ Legal Basis for Ban on Anthropic’s Most Powerful Models Looks Increasingly Shaky
Of course, whether the administration cares about the legal basis is an open question.

Gizmodo
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Russia Might Be Ready to Give Up on Its Leaky ISS Module
The Russian space agency recently backed down from a plan to saw through a section of the space station.

The Guardian (UK)
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Even as Florida moves detainees from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, activists fight for its permanent closure
Groups cite detainee maltreatment and degradation of surrounding land as reasons to close facility permanentlySign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailAn alliance of environmental groups has welcomed reports that detainees have been moved from Florida’s notorious “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail, but have promised to press ahead with legal action to ensure its permanent closure and the restoration of the fragile Everglades wetlands where it is located.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement late on Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and authorities in Florida “have moved illegal aliens from the soft sided facility [and] transferred them to other facilities” for their safety, citing this month’s beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Continue reading...

BBC UK News
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Walkout in Senedd as Reform politician accused of racism sparks second row
Speech by Reform MS mocking Welsh students for being unable to read sparks Welsh Parliament walkout.

Nature
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The brain region that could provide a cognitive ‘reservoir’ in old age

ZeroHedge News
Open 
California Has Gay-Certification Program To Tap Into $633 Million For "LGBT" Businesses
California Has Gay-Certification Program To Tap Into $633 Million For "LGBT" Businesses

Authored by Christopher F. Rufo & Austen Hufford via City Journal,

Americans are used to handouts for favored groups. Affirmative action in university admissions, corporate “diversity” initiatives, and minority-owned contracting requirements direct opportunities, resources, and contracts to supposedly “oppressed” groups, such as women, Native Americans, blacks, and Hispanics.

In California, state Democrats have embraced another kind of favoritism: contracts for state-certified gay-owned businesses.

The scheme operates through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates privately owned utility companies. California utilities spent more than $43 billion in 2024 on contractors—fuel suppliers, surveyors, engineers, and others—whose work helps deliver water, gas, electricity, and internet service to California’s 39 million residents.



In 1986, Governor George Deukmejian signed Assembly Bill 3678, which required certain CPUC-regulated utilities to submit annual “plans” for buying goods and services from woman- and minority-owned companies. Two years later, CPUC created its “Supplier Diversity Program,” which would enforce the law and set contracting “goals” for large utilities.

Under a series of Democratic governors, the program has expanded to include gay-owned businesses. In September 2014, then-Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring CPUC to recognize “LGBT-owned businesses” as eligible for supplier-diversity benefits. Five years later, Governor Gavin Newsom expanded the program further, “encouraging” other companies involved in the energy sector to award contracts to gay-owned firms.

In the years that followed, CPUC faced activist pressure as it implemented the gay expansion. BuildOUT California, a since-rebranded LGBT building-industry organization, sent a letter to the commission arguing that “homophobia” existed within “the ranks of the utility companies.” The state’s legislative LGBTQ caucus suggested in a 2021 letter that even considering lower gay-procurement targets was “an insult to the LGBTQ+ community.”

By 2022, CPUC had fully implemented the expansion. In practice, this meant establishing a “goal” for utility companies with annual revenues exceeding $25 million to buy things from state-certified LGBT businesses: 0.5 percent of procurement in 2022; 1 percent in 2023; and 1.5 percent in 2024 and beyond. If “large” CPUC-regulated utilities met these “goals” in 2024, they would have sent roughly $633 million to LGBT-owned firms.

This scheme raises an obvious question: How does a business qualify as officially gay? Paperwork. Supplier Clearinghouse, a group that certifies firms for the CPUC program, features a list of qualifications linked on its website. Applicants can secure certification by providing a letter from an “LGBT organization” attesting to their sexual preferences; proof that a newspaper identified them as “LGBT”; or three letters from “personal contacts” written “on company letterhead” attesting to their homosexual orientation. Corporate officials who “falsely represent” their business as gay face up to a year in county jail.

Supplier Clearinghouse also accepts gay-certification letters from the National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has its own list of accepted documents, including human resources complaints or police records claiming LGBT discrimination. As NGLCC states on its website, “Certification is a journey, not a destination.”

Mary Ann Horton has experienced this “journey” firsthand. Horton, an early internet pioneer credited with helping develop the e-mail attachment, is a white male who “transitioned” and is now married to a woman. Horton’s company, Red Ace, is registered in California as a woman- and LGBT-owned business.

The application process, Horton told City Journal, required “a mess of documentation.” To prove that Red Ace was “lesbian-owned,” Horton sent Supplier Clearinghouse a domestic-partner affidavit. To establish that the business was woman-owned, Horton submitted a birth certificate, which had been reissued in Washington State post-“transition.” To prove transgender status, Horton filed a “therapist carry-letter,” a document from a medical professional certifying transgender identity.

These designations came with perks. After Red Ace secured these labels, Horton said, San Diego Gas & Electric brought the company on as a part-time cybersecurity contractor. During the hiring process, Horton told us, a company official said that being on the diversity list made the contract much easier to secure.

“If I was a straight, white male, I might be concerned I don’t have the same opportunity,” Horton said. “It worked out great for me.”

LGBT-owned companies in California play other roles. In 2022, SDG&E spent $8.6 million, or 0.36 percent of procurement, on LGBT businesses, apparently including one that produced a training video on supplier diversity. “Never fear when your Ambassador for Excellence is here,” an animated character says in the video. “I can show you exactly how to source diverse vendors.” Other certified LGBT businesses in California include a sign-language interpreter, a kombucha maker, and a “coaching” firm whose services include a “series” to help people “manage” their feelings about “[t]he latest election cycle.”

In California, preferential public contracting is technically illegal. In 1996, voters approved Proposition 209, which banned the state from granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, or ethnicity in public employment, education, and contracting. More than two decades later, in 2020, they rejected an effort to repeal the ban.

CPUC’s arm-twisting regulations violate the spirit of the law. The commission lists several specific “goals” for utilities’ contracting rates: 15 percent to minority-owned firms; 5 percent to women-owned firms; 1.5 percent to disabled-veteran-owned firms; and, most recently, 1.5 percent to LGBT-owned firms. It claims that these goals are not a “requirement” or “quota.” In practice, however, the agency cajoles utilities into compliance by requiring them to collect extensive demographic data, submit detailed annual reports, list their plans for increasing procurement from favored groups, and explain “any circumstances that may have resulted in not meeting” their procurement “goals.”

Despite the commission’s efforts, however, utilities and businesses don’t seem interested in LGBT certification. Large utilities’ procurement with LGBT-owned businesses decreased by 5 percent in 2024. Supplier Clearinghouse lists 3,750 Minority Business Enterprises, but only 451 LGBT-certified firms.

CPUC did not respond to our request for comment by deadline.

The state imposed these rules based on the view that government spending should not merely purchase goods and services, but should also engineer social outcomes. Under this framework, buying a hammer from a firm owned by a black transgender lesbian has more social value than buying the same hammer from a firm owned by a straight white man.

But Californians don’t need an energy system delivered by gay contractors; they need an energy system that works. Utility regulators should be in the business of regulating utilities, not verifying contractors’ sexual preferences. Companies should award contracts based on competence, quality, and cost—not the sexuality of the business owners.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 14:45

ZeroHedge News
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"The Kevin Warsh Era Has Arrived With A Bang": Wall Street Reacts To Warsh's First FOMC
"The Kevin Warsh Era Has Arrived With A Bang": Wall Street Reacts To Warsh's First FOMC

Below is a snapshot of several kneejerk reactions from some Wall street economists, strategists and traders:

Anna Wong, head economist at Bloomberg:


“The Kevin Warsh era has arrived with a bang – in the form of a dramatically shortened FOMC policy statement and a dot plot that didn’t contain any dot from the chairman himself. That marks a break from the eras of former chairs Jerome Powell, Janet Yellen, and Ben Bernanke. But the rest of the committee sent an equally strong signal: They want rate hikes. Half of the committee penciled in hikes this year, while the other half anticipates holding rates steady or cutting once. That means Warsh could play a key role in influencing the direction of rates. We no longer expect the FOMC to cut rates by 25 basis points later this year.”


Christopher Hodge, chief US economist at Natixis


"Thinks this is overall a hawkish move -- rates steady, easing biased removed, no dissents. The statement, much shorter than previous statements, concludes with a commitment to delivery price stability….all in all, a hawkish statement... The statement, much shorter than previous statements, concludes with a commitment to delivery price stability…. all in all, a hawkish statement.”"


Kay Haigh, Goldman Sachs Asset Management


"Today’s meeting confirms that the Fed’s recent hawkish shift was not just about higher energy prices. Despite the recent pullback in oil, half of the members of the FOMC expect rate hikes as soon as this year, reflecting strong labor market and inflation data. Our base case remains that the Fed can just about avoid hikes, but the path is narrow and there will be a high premium on the incoming inflation data.”


Ira Jersey, Bloomberg Economics


“The market is focused on the dot plot for now, with half the committee thinking there will be hikes. The bear flattening seems reasonable based on that. Those who looked for a quiet first Warsh FOMC meeting must be disappointed. Warsh’s stamp on the statement seems evident, with language moving closer to the style used before the Global Financial Crisis. The effort to make the Fed less transparent may reduce day-to-day volatility, but it risks larger jumps when the Fed’s reaction function or economic data surprise markets... “We thought Warsh might be diplomatic in taking on his post as Fed chair, and the creation of these task forces allows for shifts in the way the central bank functions, while giving everyone within the building a voice and giving him a means to express his own views while assessing the those of others.””


Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management


“Warsh turned the table over in the Eccles Building with a radical simplification of the Fed’s policy announcement. By doing this, he’s actually inviting more Fed-speak, not less. Now every Fed President will fill the gap left by the punchy policy announcement. This may backfire on Warsh.”


David Wilcox, Bloomberg Economics: 


"The committee reaffirmed its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system. That’s notable, because the statement didn’t have to address it -- and analysts had been thinking one way Warsh could slim down the Fed’s balance sheet would be to revert from ample reserves to scarce reserves,” Wilcox said. “Today’s statement suggests they’re not doing that -- at least not right off the bat.”


Marvin Loh, State Street


“The biggest initial message from Warsh is that the commutations process is changing if we look at the wholesale changes to the policy statement. Bare bones is an understatement and for a market that has become accustomed to extensive Fed communications, we may need to read between the lines more closely with less lines available. We can now wonder how long the presser will last.”


Florian Ielpo, Lombard Odier Investment Managers


“The market moves reflect a repricing of Fed credibility and independence. Inflation is clearly back at the center of the reaction function of the central bank and someone is at its helm. This reinforces a higher-for-longer real rate environment.”


Developing

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 14:48

ZeroHedge News
Open 
First Iranian Oil Moves Past US Blockade Ahead Of Deal Signing
First Iranian Oil Moves Past US Blockade Ahead Of Deal Signing

By Tsvetana Paraskova of OilPrice.com

Iran’s first observed crude oil exports in two months have moved past the US blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz in a sign that Iran is wasting no time to take advantage of the tentative deal with the United States.



Following the announcement of the deal this weekend, and ahead of a formal signing ceremony expected in Switzerland on Friday, at least three Iranian crude oil tankers have exited the Strait of Hormuz and departed from the region moving past the U.S. blockade so far this week, tanker-tracking firms have said.

TankerTrackers.com has estimated through AIS data corroborated by satellite imagery that at least two supertankers of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) have moved through the U.S. blockade. The very large crude carriers (VLCCs), named Diona and Hero2, have kade perimeter carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil between them, TankerTrackers.com said.

“These are Iran's first crude oil exports in two months,” the ship-tracking service said.


BREAKING: CRUDE OIL DEPARTS IRAN FOLLOWING A TWO MONTH LONG NAVY BLOCKADE
According to AIS data which we corroborated yesterday (2026-06-15) by satellite imagery, at least two National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) VLCC supertankers named DIONA (9569695) and HERO2 (9362073) have… pic.twitter.com/tSesQTcC6K
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) June 16, 2026
Another tanker of the National Iranian Tanker Company, the Stream, is approaching the U.S. blockade line from the exclusive economic zone of Pakistan, where she spent the past 7 weeks waiting to enter Iran, according to TankerTrackers.com.

Kpler has observed a third Iran-linked tanker carrying 1 million barrels of Iranian crude that exited the blockade line on Wednesday.

“Iran is wasting no time getting its tankers back into circulation,” said Michelle Wiese Bockmann, senior maritime intelligence analyst at Windward.

The VLCC Dan of the NITC has left the area near the Riau archipelago where it has been dark since May 23 and is now heading to Iran for loading, Bockmann added.

The Iranian oil tanker traffic is intensifying, with the deal that would launch 60-day negotiations set to be signed in Geneva on Friday. In addition, Iran is preparing to take advantage of the U.S. allowing Iranian oil sales immediately upon signing of the agreement. Under the agreement expected to formally end the war between the United States and Iran, Tehran will be allowed to immediately resume oil and fuel sales, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the details of the deal.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:05

ZeroHedge News
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Democrat Politicians Seethe After Baseball Players "Deface" Pride Night With Bible Verses
Democrat Politicians Seethe After Baseball Players "Deface" Pride Night With Bible Verses

Recently we reported on the MLB's angry response to three San Francisco Giants players who scribbled bible verses across their "Pride Night" uniforms in a silent protest.  The incident takes place in the midst of a rising tide of popular opposition to the woke movement's political authoritarianism.  Gay pride has become synonymous with the liberal "cry-bully":  Activists who try to assert social dominance over others then play the victim when people fight back.

California State Senator and rabid gay activist Scott Wiener is the epitome of a typical woke cry-bully.  He is perhaps best known as an advocate for the "kink community" and his defense of gender treatments (hormones and sex change surgeries) for children.  He is also a militant supporter of sexualized LGBT propaganda in public schools. 

Wiener has criticized medical facilities that refuse to give gender bending treatments to people under 19 years of age and supported measures to make California a "transgender safe haven".

It's therefore not surprising that Wiener is enraged by anything Christian or biblical entering his big gay domain, and he had a lot to say about the Giant's players who defiled his precious Pride Night. 


Senator Wiener on MAGA Homophobic Backlash Against Major League Baseball:
“On San Francisco Giants Pride Night — also the tenth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre — several players defaced their Pride caps with a biblical passage that has been hijacked by homophobes to…
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 16, 2026
“On San Francisco Giants Pride Night — also the tenth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre — several players defaced their Pride caps with a biblical passage that has been hijacked by homophobes to ‘take back’ the rainbow from LGBTQ people. The players could have displayed this passage any night of the year but chose to do it only on Pride Night.

The Giants, sadly, took no action in response, which is inconsistent with the Giants’ longstanding support for our LGBTQ community. Major League Baseball then warned the players that MLB rules bar defacement of uniforms. The Giants should publicly commit to enforcing rules around uniform defacement and should not effectively create a homophobia exemption to those rules..."

The state senator acts as if the players broke some kind of law.  Baseball club rules are private business arrangements, not statutes that require the the frantic complaints of a homosexual Karen.  That said, Wiener's response to this event is quite revealing. 



Biblical scripture references are not "defacement", at least not of anything sacred.  But to Wiener, the act is the same as if someone burned a Bible or a Koran.  The woke seething over such a minor thing makes it clear that the LGBT movement is not a civil rights movement; that ended decades ago.  Today, the LGBT movement is a political supremacy movement, and prominent athletes have every right to openly oppose it.  

The pride event featured a number of LGBT promotions, including 10 same-sex married couples renewing their vows before the first pitch (what this has to do with baseball is unclear).  Interestingly, the crowd turnout for Pride Night games has been crashing in the past couple years.



San Francisco Board of Supervisors member and Democrat Matt Dorsey, who is openly gay and claims to be a "person of faith", complained on social media about the bible verses.  He called the incident “disappointing in several respects” and he views the players as “problematically undisciplined".  He asserts that professional athletes’ uniforms are not a “canvas for individual self-expression - especially about politics.”   

This issue is, of course, a matter between the players and their employers, not a matter of politics.  However, the woke movement, which is now in decline, views their takeover of American sports as a particularly important coup.  The traditionally masculine industry is now a platform to spread gay Marxist gender theory.  No one would have believed it a couple decades ago, and the political left is desperate not to lose ground in this arena of the culture war. 


D-backs pitcher Ryan Thompson, who is a proclaimed Christian, spoke on the MLB warning SF Giants players who wrote Bible verses on Pride Night caps:
"I think there's a perceived negativity with this stuff. Landen Roupp wrote a verse on his hat that means he's anti something.… pic.twitter.com/SFFJARW6v6
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) June 17, 2026
At bottom, leftists view American culture as a series of platforms to be targeted and co-opted.  They were wildly successful for around a decade, but things are changing rapidly now that the general public is aware of the agenda.  Activist politicians like Wiener are angry about a bible verse on a baseball cap because, to them, this is a symbol of their shrinking power over the common discourse. 

The notion of a political movement rooted in forcing the populace to celebrate the aberrant sexual hobbies of its members is not winning the hearts and minds of anyone.  It's doing the opposite.   

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:25

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Crypto Scammers Using Couriers To Collect Cash, Avoid Detection: FBI
Crypto Scammers Using Couriers To Collect Cash, Avoid Detection: FBI

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

Crypto scammers are using couriers to pick up cash from victims in person to avoid being traced by banks, the FBI is warning.



The fraudsters first approach targets, typically seniors, with business or romantic proposals via social media, texts, or a fake cryptocurrency investment profile, the bureau said in a June 15 public service announcement alert.

“After establishing a relationship with the victim, the scammer suggests investing in cryptocurrency and instructs the victim to download specific cryptocurrency trading applications and create investment accounts.”

Typically, victims are asked to send wire transfers to various domestic and international bank accounts under the guise of deposit accounts.

They get access to websites showing fictitious returns on investment, which entices them to deposit even more money.

Legitimate financial institutions often flag such transfers as suspicious and block them. To bypass this, scammers are instructing victims to hand over money to fake investment accounts via in-person cash pickups.

The victims are led to believe the money they send will be deposited into their investment accounts.

“Once the cash pickup occurs and the courier departs, victims can see an increase in deposits in their virtual wallet displayed on their account with the scammer’s investment platform,” the FBI said.

“When the victim attempts to withdraw their perceived profits, scammers will begin the loop over by forcing the victim to pay fraudulent taxes and penalties, again using couriers for cash pickups to perpetrate the fraud.”

In 2024 the FBI issued an alert about couriers being used by scammers who had convinced their victims into liquidating their assets into cash or precious metals.

The fraudsters, posing as tech support or government officials, would insist such an action was necessary to protect the target’s funds because their financial accounts were hacked or at risk of being hacked.

In its latest alert, the FBI advised people to protect their personal information, such as banking details, and to never meet with unknown individuals to hand over cash or other valuables as part of any investment scheme.

“Beware of ‘love bombing,’ a social manipulation technique employed by online scammers and other malicious actors wherein a victim is quickly showered with praise, attention, and manipulated to feel trust and intimacy with a person prior to having their lowered guard exploited by a scam or other malicious behavior,” the agency said.

According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, published in April, the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 181,565 complaints regarding various cryptocurrency schemes last year, up 21 percent from 2024.

Losses from these complaints totaled over $11.36 billion. The average loss was $62,604, and 18,589 people lost more than $100,000 each.

The largest group of complaints filed were made by people over the age of 60. They also suffered the highest losses, totaling more than $4.43 billion.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:45

ZeroHedge News
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Fed Holds Rates Unchanged (As Expected), 'Dots' Signal Hawkish Bias As Warsh Takes Over
Fed Holds Rates Unchanged (As Expected), 'Dots' Signal Hawkish Bias As Warsh Takes Over

Tl;dr: No rate change (as expected) but a dramatically hawkish shift in The Fed's bias (9 members seeing at least one hike this year). Statement smilled down dramatically, also biases towards hawkish focus on price stability (inflation) over employment: "The Committee will deliver price stability".


“The market is focused on the dot plot for now, with half the committee thinking there will be hikes. The bear flattening seems reasonable based on that. Those who looked for a quiet first Warsh FOMC meeting must be disappointed.” - BBG rates strategist Ira Jersey


*  *  *

Since the last FOMC meeting (Jay Powell's final one as Fed Chair) on April 29th, markets have shifted sharply with oil plunging (along with weakness in gold and bitcoin) while stocks have rallied sharply (shrugging off a brief dip) with bonds unchanged and the dollar modestly stronger...



The US macro-economic data has surprised considerably to the upside since the last FOMC (with strong 'hard' and 'soft' data and the labor market showing significant resilience)...



With both Growth and Inflation signals rising (a dilemma for The Fed)...



Additionally, the market has shifted significantly more hawkish since the last FOMC (still pricing cuts) and obviously dramatically more hawkish since the start of the war...



But this Fed meeting is different as Kevin Warsh takes the mantle from Jay Powell (who remains on the board) as Fed Chair with the key risk for markets is that expectations for a dovish Warsh have become elevated.



So What Did The Fed Do?

The Fed left rates unchanged as expected:


FED HOLDS BENCHMARK RATE IN 3.5%-3.75% RANGE IN UNANIMOUS VOTE


NO DISSENTS

And the statement was dramatically shortened, entirely dropping paragraph 4:


FED REMOVES STATEMENT REFERENCE TO ADDITIONAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS

No forward guidance in the statement

Read the full red-line below:



Balance Sheet

The Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday adjusted the language of its policy implementation note to reflect that it instructs the Open Market Desk at the New York Fed to increase its purchases of Treasury bills “when appropriate.”


According to the implementation note FOMC instructed, “When appropriate, increase the System Open Market Account holdings of securities through purchases of Treasury bills and, if needed, other Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less to maintain an ample level of reserves”


That compares with the April memo, which said: “Increase the System Open Market Account holdings of securities through purchases of Treasury bills and, if needed, other Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less to maintain an ample level of reserves”

The 'Dots'

The 'Dots' are clearly signaling an end to the 'easing bias' of the prior Fed: with nine members seeing at least one rate hike this year:



2026 dot distribution changes:


3 rate-hikes: from 0 to 1


2 rate-hikes: from 0 to 5


1 rate-hike: from 0 to 3


No rate change: from 7 to 8


1 rate cut: from 7 to 1


2 rate cuts: from 2 to 0


3 rate cuts: from 2 to 0


4 rate-cuts: from 1 (Stephen Miran) to 0

Only 18 of 19 officials submitted their 'dots' with some suggesting Warsh himself did not contribute

Could this be the last time we see the 'Dots' (with Warsh's notable rejection of forward guidance)?

Economic Projections

The new inflation forecasts are really not good.

Core PCE is seen rising 3.3% this year, well above the 2.7% penciled in back in March.

That means no disinflation from right now, because the most recent core inflation reading was indeed 3.3%.

But, the median forecast of those submitting projections shows inflation slowing to 2.5% next year, but still notably up on 2.2% last time.

Growth is also seen slowing...

...but unemployment improving



All eyes now on Warsh's first press conference as Fed Chair which is likely to be the most important event risk of the meeting.

Will Trump react to the lack of a rate-cut?


Will be ironic if Trump fires Warsh before EOD after he doesn't cut
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 15:50

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Apple is working on a new iPhone Air that's expected to launch in spring 2027, reports Bloomberg. The updated ‌iPhone Air‌ could get an Ultra Wide lens in addition to the Wide lens to make it a better value for the money.





An ‌iPhone Air‌ with two camera lenses has reached the advanced testing phase. The device has the same design as the current model with the exception of the extra lens.



Apple also wants to improve battery life, either through an increased battery size or improvements to efficiency. Given that the design of the new model is similar to the current design, there may not be room for a larger battery. The device will use an A20 chip built on Apple's new 2nm process, so it could feature better efficiency.



Multiple prior rumors have suggested Apple is adding a second camera to the ‌iPhone Air‌ to address the main customer complaint about the device. The current model has a single rear lens with a Wide lens, which makes it inferior to the more affordable iPhone 17 in terms of camera quality. The ‌iPhone 17‌ has a two-camera setup, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have three cameras.



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England WAGs gather to watch their men take on Croatia... as Jordan Pickford's wife Megan salvages a last-minute outfit despite losing her luggage
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Cristiano Ronaldo fails to silence critics in anonymous World Cup display: Portugal star, 41, should have been substituted just hours after Lionel Messi's masterclass, writes IAN HERBERT
IAN HERBERT: He blew out his cheeks when first approaching the dressing room and it was the same gesture as he reached the top of the tunnel and stepped out into the World Cup.

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The Ring star who was also in Lilo & Stitch and Big Love dead at 35 after being hospitalized for malnutrition
The star played Samara Morgan in the hit 2002 film The Ring, for which she won an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. She also voiced Lilo in the hit 2002 Disney film Lilo & Stitch.

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Protesters wearing keffiyehs link arms to try to block people from attending Tommy Robinson's visit to Oxford Union - as pubs board windows and close early amid warnings of 'unrest'
Police have placed a cordon to separate far-Right supporters and far-Left campaigners from clashing outside the Oxford Union ahead of a debate featuring Tommy Robinson.

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Claude Design will now stick to your brand guidelines instead of generic AI mockups
laude Design now builds using your actual brand components, syncs directly with Claude Code, and exports straight to tools like Canva, Adobe, Wix, and Vercel.

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Jackery’s FridgeGuard is the slimmest fridge backup battery you can buy right now
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DJI Pocket 4P revealed in full — now we know exactly how the dual-lens vlogging camera compares to the Pocket 4 and Insta360 Luna Ultra, and DJI might be going hard on pricing

TechRadar News
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‘AI traffic is fundamentally changing how the Internet operates': New report claims bot traffic is growing 6.5 times faster than human users — is this the end of the useful internet as we know it?

Slashdot
Open 
Anthropic Employees Accuse Trump Administration of Targeting Them
Anthropic employees say they remain confused and increasingly convinced that the Trump administration is singling out the company after officials gave it less than 90 minutes to disable Fable 5 and Mythos 5 over alleged national security concerns. Cybersecurity experts, however, argue that the cited behavior of helping to identify vulnerabilities in software is also available in rival models and is more valuable to defenders than attackers. The New York Times reports: Inside the company, employees' private group chats immediately lit up. Managers were instructed to prepare customers for a potential service disruption to the models, called Fable 5 and Mythos 5. But the messaging kept changing, with workers initially being told that the security problem was the ability of foreign companies to gain access to the systems, and later that a major vulnerability had been discovered in the models.

In employee chats, Anthropic engineers asked one another if the company's plan to go public this year would be harmed by the White House directive. Many shared news reports that offered conflicting information about why the White House had ordered Anthropic to suspend access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all foreign nationals. "What are you telling your clients?" one employee asked in a chat viewed by The New York Times. Another said, "Does anyone know what to believe?" In another message, a worker said, "I don't understand what the issue is."

Six days later, Anthropic's roughly 3,000 employees still have few answers. The San Francisco company is continuing to grapple with internal confusion as Dario Amodei, the chief executive, and some of his lieutenants meet with the Trump administration to try and resolve the situation. But after discussions on Monday and Tuesday, there was no breakthrough over ending the U.S. order to limit access to the company's new A.I. models. In a statement on Monday, Anthropic said it would continue meeting with government officials and pledged its "ongoing commitment to working alongside the administration."

The dispute highlights how singular Anthropic has become in Washington. It was the second time in six months that the fast-growing A.I. start-up has become embroiled in a fight with the Trump administration over its powerful technologies, even as other A.I. companies offer similar models that have not received the same attention. And it has left Anthropic's employees in what they described as a holding pattern, with some wondering if they were being picked on by President Trump. "Are we being bullied based on bad vibes?" one employee asked in a chat viewed by The Times. Yesterday, TechCrunch's Zack Whittaker argued that the move sets a troubling precedent: the government can unilaterally disrupt American software products without court approval, potentially undermining trust in U.S. AI providers.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Jacob Bethell strikes twice as new-look England keep New Zealand in check
Second Test, day one: New Zealand 291-7Bethell lands late boost as Baker impresses on debutTen turbulent days after the crapshoot at Lord’s, there came some welcome and familiar Test-match rhythms south of the river. Not that it was entirely familiar, given the churn of England players that was triggered, in part, by that late night for Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson at the Rex Rooms in Chelsea.They call the Oval the People’s Ground and the people could have been forgiven for squinting at England’s team sheet, perhaps even Googling a name or two on the sly. Not since 1958 against New Zealand at Old Trafford have they followed a Test win by picking three debutants (Ted Dexter, Ray Illingworth, and Raman Subba Row). Continue reading...

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England v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 3pm local time/4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottThomas Tuchel speaks to Independent Television. “This is what we have worked for … the goal of the prep camp … to be ready for the day … I don’t want to be anywhere else in the world … so let’s go … ideal conditions … to play an intensive match … that’s our aim … we stick with the team that started so well against Costa Rica … we will not start and finish this match with 11 players … we need a strong bench … we have players who can influence and change matches from the bench … that is important … it was a 50-50 call to go with Jude [instead of Morgan Rogers] … I expected Mateo Kovacic to start so we have one slight tweak … we need to adapt our press … we are prepared for that … we are at the starting line … we let the players go and take the next steps.”… so Jude Bellingham does indeed get the nod at 10 over Morgan Rogers. Anthony Gordon has been selected ahead of Marcus Rashford on the left, while Noni Madueke patrols the other flank; Bukayo Saka, not 100 percent fit, remains wrapped up safely on the bench. Ezri Konsa starts alongside John Stones in the centre of defence. Continue reading...

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ZeroHedge News
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FBI Issues Warning For Vacant Property Owners
FBI Issues Warning For Vacant Property Owners

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

American citizens who own vacant property parcels are being targeted by criminals in an identity theft scheme.

“Criminals create fake identifications (drivers licenses and/or U.S. passports), Outlook email addresses, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) generated phone numbers and use them to impersonate landowners,” the FBI said in a June 16 public service announcement alert.
An aerial view of single family homes in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 1, 2025. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The malicious actors “can obtain property parcel owner’s personally identifiable information through county or state public websites, data brokers, stolen account information, phishing schemes, or purchased from the dark web or hackers.”

The scammers approach a local realtor or title company while posing as a legitimate parcel owner and sell the properties, according to the FBI. In one instance, a fake deed was used to convince realtors of the sale’s validity.

Once the sale is done, the fraudsters ask for the sale money to be sent to an out-of-state attorney, who is also part of the scheme.

In an August 2024 statement, the American Land Title Association revealed the results of a study showing that 28 percent of title insurance companies experienced at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in 2023.

The study “also showed that seller impersonation fraud often is caught before the real estate closing is completed. Forty-six percent of companies said identifying and preventing fraudulent transactions before closing was at least somewhat common, compared with 26 percent after closing,” the association said.

The FBI said criminals posing as legitimate sellers in these schemes often communicate only via text, email, or VoIP numbers. They avoid direct meetings, citing excuses such as illness or personal emergencies.

Other signs of such fraud include the seller having limited knowledge of the property, lacking proper documentation, and pressuring to quickly close the sale.

People who plan on buying properties should send a certified letter to the address listed on the land tax record to verify the seller’s legitimacy, the agency said.

Title Fraud

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) warned in an Oct. 22, 2025, statement that owners of vacant properties were at most risk of being targeted by real estate scammers.

Roughly six in 10 real estate experts said they saw instances of title fraud over the previous year. In title fraud, the scammer attempts to illegally transfer ownership or deed of the property. Only 12 percent of such title fraud cases in the previous year involved properties occupied by owners. An overwhelming 62 percent of fraud was related to vacant lands.

“Vacant parcels of land are a favorite target among title pirates because they are not occupied, and they are not usually closely monitored by their actual title owner, who may even be located out of state,” said attorney Victor Petrescu, partner at Levine Kellogg Lehman Schneider + Grossman LLP, according to the NAR statement.

In April, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed SB 1479 into law, which aims to tackle the issue.

The legislation requires individuals who submit property deals in person to present valid photo identification. County assessors are required to offer a system that allows property owners to opt in to receive alerts when there are changes to ownership or mailing address, according to a House of Representatives document.

In a Feb. 11 statement, Arizona state Sen. Frank Carroll, who sponsored the bill, said: “When criminals are able to forge documents, record false claims, or quietly transfer property without the rightful owner’s knowledge, it erodes trust in our entire system.

“We are enhancing identity verification, increasing penalties for offenders, improving notification systems, and ensuring that no property changes hands without proper approval.”

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:20

ZeroHedge News
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Trump Admits US Was Weeks Away From "Running Out Of Reserves" When Iran Deal Struck
Trump Admits US Was Weeks Away From "Running Out Of Reserves" When Iran Deal Struck

Summary:

Trump admits energy stockpiles "run out in about four weeks" 
MoU signing could be As Early As Today 
Trump Says Will "Drop Bombs" If Bad Final Deal 
14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Released, Set For Friday Signing
Trump Admits

President Trump's comment at the tail end of the G7 press conference about rapidly depleting crude reserves may have been the clearest admission yet of what is really driving the urgent push for an MoU with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"We run out of reserves in about four weeks," Trump told reporters.


Trump said the world would have run out of oil reserves in 4 weeks, put pressure for a peace agreement.
Says it would have been "bedlam" pic.twitter.com/k45MTI8sNs
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 17, 2026
View data here.


*Trump Says `We Run Out of Reserves in About Four Weeks'
we know, but maybe not the smartest thing to admit https://t.co/N28eXJih5e
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
With global SPRs being aggressively tapped to offset lost Gulf energy production while the Strait of Hormuz remains shuttered, the clock is ticking closer and closer to midnight to fully reopen the waterway to restart the normalization process of tanker transits, which may take months.

The longer Hormuz stays closed, the faster emergency stockpiles are drained, raising the risk of an energy cliff, then a much worse energy shock. That urgency appears to be the real force behind the race to secure an interim agreement with Tehran.

Talk of Accelerated MoU Signing Timeline

Axios reports that US, Iranian, and mediator officials are discussing an accelerated timeline for signing the memorandum of understanding, moving it from Friday to as early as Wednesday, potentially via electronic signature.

More from Axios:

The diplomatic source said the discussions around accelerating the timetable were intended to open the strait of Hormuz sooner than Friday, as both parties were in agreement on that issue.
Another factor could be the political pressure on the White House to release the text of the MOU.
The source familiar with the discussions claimed it was Iran that demanded the text not be published until the formal signing, and denied the White House was responding to political pressure.
Even if the electronic signing occurs early, Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf are still expected to meet on Friday in Switzerland to launch multi-month talks on Iran's nuclear program.

The takeaway here is that both sides appear aligned on quickly reopening the Hormuz chokepoint, as the world faces an energy cliff.

Watch Trump 

President Trump is set to hold a very important press conference at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France.



Trump Tells Reporters At G7: We'll "Go Back To Dropping Bombs" if he Doesn't Like Final Deal 

President Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France that the pending U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is "not final" and warned that if he "doesn't like it ... we'll go back to shooting at them."

"If I don't like it [MoU], we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head," Trump said.

Trump repeated: "If they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head."

He added, "Because they misbehaved for 47 years. But nobody could've made this deal. The Obama-era JCPOA handed them $1.7 billion and gave them hundreds of millions of dollars in a Boeing 757. He tried to bribe his way out. I did not do that."


BREAKING: "If I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head."
President Trump warns Iran that any change to the peace agreement or failure to comply could bring an immediate military response.
"If they don't behave, we'll go right back to… pic.twitter.com/67JRcDptYS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 17, 2026
The proposed deal, expected to be signed on Friday in Geneva, would extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for 60 days and create a framework for negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. 

14-Point US-Iran Draft Deal Set For Friday Signing

With US and Iranian officials preparing to formally sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, the conflict is entering the much-needed diplomatic phase to avert a potentially disastrous energy cliff. The MoU would open a 60-day negotiating window aimed at ending the war, restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and hammering out the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Bloomberg published the text of the 14-point draft MoU, offering the clearest look yet at the proposed trade: de-escalation and sanctions relief for Iran, in exchange for a ceasefire across all fronts, commitments on shipping access, and a broader nuclear deal to be finalized by the end of summer.



But Iran's Tasnim news agency cited an unnamed official earlier today, saying some of the MoU published by Bloomberg is inaccurate. The report did not specify the discrepancies. Bloomberg noted that some of the wording could be different between the English and Persian versions.

Below is the text of the 14-point draft MoU:

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles

2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs

3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent

4. Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States Lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement

5. Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.

6. The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, While ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.

7. The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran's nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.

9. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.

10. The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.

11. The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.

12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.

13. Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.

14. The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council

Based on the text above, the first take of the MoU appears to be front-loaded economic relief for Tehran in exchange for a ceasefire, a nuclear freeze, and commitments to negotiate hard topics, such as the nuclear program, at a later date.

Who Stands To Benefit:

Tehran benefits most directly because it gets economic oxygen, oil waivers, frozen funds, sanctions relief language, and reduced US military pressure in the region.

Hezbollah and Iran-aligned actors also benefit if "all fronts, including Lebanon" locks in a ceasefire that constrains Israeli operations.

And, of course, the global economy because global shippers benefit if Hormuz reopens and war risk premiums in crude oil collapse.

The Gulf states benefit if the conflict ends because energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz will resume. A report on Tuesday said that QatarEnergy was planning to ramp up LNG production in the coming months.

Where is Leverage Lost:

The US loses some coercive leverage once the Hormuz blockade ends, oil waivers are granted, and asset-release mechanisms begin.

Israel loses freedom of action if the agreement binds the Lebanon front and limits further strikes.

Sanctions and hawks lose leverage because the draft moves quickly toward broad sanctions dismantlement.

The urgency behind the MoU and locking in peace talks for 60 days, with a formal signing event at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland on Friday, stems mainly from the world being headed for an energy cliff, as SPRs globally were being drained to offset the loss of Gulf production with the Hormuz chokepoint shuttered. Brent crude futures edged down overnight, trading around $79 a barrel on Wednesday morning.



One of the biggest uncertainties remains the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump stated that the critical waterway will reopen permanently and be toll-free, but the MoU suggests the toll-free arrangement may only last through the 60-day negotiation period. Another major uncertainty is Tehran's compliance.

Most Important Overnight Headlines (courtesy of Bloomberg):

US-Iran Deal Framework

• The US and Iran plan to formally sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Switzerland, paving the way for 60 days of talks aimed at ending the war and limiting Iran's nuclear program

• Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the tentative deal is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement

• Iran is set to receive broad financial incentives including the right to sell oil immediately, access to a $300 billion development fund, and eventual access to frozen assets

• The US would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war under the accord Web Content - US 6:43 AM

• The memorandum states only that Iran's stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium be 'adequately addressed,' leaving unresolved the fate of enough material to fuel multiple weapons

International Reactions

• Senate Republicans are pressing the Trump administration for details on the deal and signaled Congress will ultimately vote on the final agreement

• European officials are wary of committing naval ships to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz because of confusion about how the work would be done and Trump's strict end-of-week timeline

• China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for greater international support for the next phase of Iran-US peace talks on Tuesday, cautioning that the interim agreement marks only the beginning of a longer peace process

• European allies disagree with Trump's optimism that trade can resume by week's end and have practical questions about what was agreed before committing to de-mining missions

Shipping and Energy Markets

• A third fully-loaded crude tanker, the Suezmax Sonia I capable of hauling about 1 million barrels, left the Iranian port of Chabahar on Tuesday night and crossed the US blockade line heading toward Singapore

• Two oil tankers heading toward Africa U-turned in the Indian Ocean this week, switching destinations to the Middle East as shipowners race to re-position vessels ahead of the possible Strait of Hormuz reopening

• Qatar is beginning to bring some of its LNG tankers back to the Middle East, with at least four empty vessels recently heading toward the region after being idle or heading in a different direction

• Brent oil fell below $80 a barrel on Tuesday for the first time in more than three months as the US-Iran deal boosted expectations for a revival in supply

• The prediction market Kalshi assigns a 51% probability that Strait of Hormuz traffic will return to normal before August 1 and a 68% probability before September 1

Oil Market Impact

• The IEA said world oil consumption will slump by 1.1 million barrels a day this year, the biggest drop since the Covid pandemic in 2020, as higher fuel prices and disruptions curb buying

• The IEA previously expected a decline of about 420,000 barrels a day, making the revised forecast much deeper than anticipated

• A potential peace deal paves the way for a renewed supply glut in 2027, according to the IEA

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:29

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Big Oil Tankers Abruptly U-Turn Toward Hormuz Ahead Of US-Iran Peace Deal Signing
Big Oil Tankers Abruptly U-Turn Toward Hormuz Ahead Of US-Iran Peace Deal Signing

Ahead of the formal signing of the US-Iran peace deal on Friday, Brent crude futures briefly fell below $80 a barrel, as traders priced a quicker pace of supply flows that could normalize in the Gulf area as the Strait of Hormuz moves toward reopening.



That is welcome news on the US inflation front, with lower crude prices helping ease pressure across gasoline, diesel, freight, and other input costs. Back in the Gulf region, early maritime signals suggest commercial vessels are reversing course and heading toward the Hormuz maritime chokepoint in anticipation of a reopening.

Bloomberg reports that two tankers, the Suezmax Kapodistrias 21 and the VLCC Coslucky Lake, both switched destinations and made abrupt U-turns, heading toward major energy terminals in the Gulf.



Most shipowners remain very cautious about an interim peace deal to resolve the Hormuz disruption, but early movers are trying to capitalize on high freight rates while a risk premium remains attached to any Hormuz transit.

According to Kpler data, 60 supertankers are waiting near the Gulf of Oman, up from just 36 earlier this month. There are also 150 ballasting tankers in that area.



On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that QatarEnergy is preparing to restart LNG flows at the Laffan complex, which exported almost 20% of global supply last year, at 50% capacity within one month and about 80% within two months - well ahead of earlier timelines. Still, full capacity at the LNG facility could take several years to restore due to war-related damage.

UBS energy research analyst Henri Patricot provided clients with the latest Hormuz flows (up to Sunday):

Oil & gas tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, in number of ships entering and exiting the Gulf



Oil & gas tankers exiting the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, in number of ships



Oil & gas tankers entering the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, in number of ships



Estimated oil and gas flows exiting the Gulf, based on DWT, in Mboe/d



Oil and products transit via Strait of Hormuz by destination (Mb/d)



Weekly average crude loadings in the Middle East by port location (Mb/d)



Weekly average oil flows via Hormuz + unidentified exports from Gulf of Oman (Mb/d)



Iran's crude loadings by port (Mb/d)



If the formal signing of the US-Iran peace deal occurs on Friday, tanker throughput through the Hormuz chokepoint could surge as soon as next week, if not shortly after, as shipowners reposition tankers and energy flows begin normalizing through the world's most important maritime chokepoint. However, energy flow normalization will take many months. 

Professional subscribers can read much more on the energy shock and Hormuz at our new Marketdesk.ai portal. 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 13:40

ZeroHedge News
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Fed Holds Rates Unchanged (As Expected), 'Dots' Signal Hawkish Bias As Warsh Takes Over
Fed Holds Rates Unchanged (As Expected), 'Dots' Signal Hawkish Bias As Warsh Takes Over

Tl;dr: No rate change (as expected) but a dramatically hawkish shift in The Fed's bias (9 members seeing at least one hike this year). Statement smilled down dramatically, also biases towards hawkish focus on price stability (inflation) over employment: "The Committee will deliver price stability".


“The market is focused on the dot plot for now, with half the committee thinking there will be hikes. The bear flattening seems reasonable based on that. Those who looked for a quiet first Warsh FOMC meeting must be disappointed.” - BBG rates strategist Ira Jersey


*  *  *

Since the last FOMC meeting (Jay Powell's final one as Fed Chair) on April 29th, markets have shifted sharply with oil plunging (along with weakness in gold and bitcoin) while stocks have rallied sharply (shrugging off a brief dip) with bonds unchanged and the dollar modestly stronger...



The US macro-economic data has surprised considerably to the upside since the last FOMC (with strong 'hard' and 'soft' data and the labor market showing significant resilience)...



With both Growth and Inflation signals rising (a dilemma for The Fed)...



Additionally, the market has shifted significantly more hawkish since the last FOMC (still pricing cuts) and obviously dramatically more hawkish since the start of the war...



But this Fed meeting is different as Kevin Warsh takes the mantle from Jay Powell (who remains on the board) as Fed Chair with the key risk for markets is that expectations for a dovish Warsh have become elevated.



So What Did The Fed Do?

The Fed left rates unchanged as expected:


FED HOLDS BENCHMARK RATE IN 3.5%-3.75% RANGE IN UNANIMOUS VOTE


NO DISSENTS

And the statement was dramatically shortened, entirely dropping paragraph 4:


FED REMOVES STATEMENT REFERENCE TO ADDITIONAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS

No forward guidance in the statement

Read the full red-line below:



Balance Sheet

The Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday adjusted the language of its policy implementation note to reflect that it instructs the Open Market Desk at the New York Fed to increase its purchases of Treasury bills “when appropriate.”


According to the implementation note FOMC instructed, “When appropriate, increase the System Open Market Account holdings of securities through purchases of Treasury bills and, if needed, other Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less to maintain an ample level of reserves”


That compares with the April memo, which said: “Increase the System Open Market Account holdings of securities through purchases of Treasury bills and, if needed, other Treasury securities with remaining maturities of 3 years or less to maintain an ample level of reserves”

The 'Dots'

The 'Dots' are clearly signaling an end to the 'easing bias' of the prior Fed: with nine members seeing at least one rate hike this year:



2026 dot distribution changes:


3 rate-hikes: from 0 to 1


2 rate-hikes: from 0 to 5


1 rate-hike: from 0 to 3


No rate change: from 7 to 8


1 rate cut: from 7 to 1


2 rate cuts: from 2 to 0


3 rate cuts: from 2 to 0


4 rate-cuts: from 1 (Stephen Miran) to 0

Only 18 of 19 officials submitted their 'dots' with some suggesting Warsh himself did not contribute

Could this be the last time we see the 'Dots' (with Warsh's notable rejection of forward guidance)?

Economic Projections

The new inflation forecasts are really not good.

Core PCE is seen rising 3.3% this year, well above the 2.7% penciled in back in March.

That means no disinflation from right now, because the most recent core inflation reading was indeed 3.3%.

But, the median forecast of those submitting projections shows inflation slowing to 2.5% next year, but still notably up on 2.2% last time.

Growth is also seen slowing...

...but unemployment improving



All eyes now on Warsh's first press conference as Fed Chair which is likely to be the most important event risk of the meeting.

Will Trump react to the lack of a rate-cut?


Will be ironic if Trump fires Warsh before EOD after he doesn't cut
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 17, 2026
 

Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 14:05

ZeroHedge News
Open 
Watch Live: Kevin Warsh's First Press Conference As Fed Chair
Watch Live: Kevin Warsh's First Press Conference As Fed Chair

Warsh's first press conference as Fed Chair is likely to be the most important event risk of the meeting.

With The Fed leaving rates unchanged as practically 100% expected (with no dissents), and a very hawkish signal sent from the 'Dots', the question on everyone's lips is simple: "What Will Warsh Do?" (WWWD?)


Will he shift to a cautiously hawkish path citing a resilient labor market, higher growth and soaring inflation...

...or will he reiterate the current easing bias as support for the lower leg of the 'K-shaped' economy (and what President Trump wants), looking through inflation fears (as the Iran MoU offered him a gift)?


A dovish Warsh would be the surprise with the market more than fully-pricing-in one rate-hike this year:



From a regime-change perspective, he is also expected to drop forward guidance on future Fed actions, even going so far as dropping the 'Dots' (and has been vocal about the size of the Fed balance sheet), which could raise uncertainty and this push bond vol higher.



Amid all of this Bloomberg's Michael Ball says that, from a trading perspective, the curve-flattening case is straightforward: firm growth and sticky inflation keep Fed hiking risks alive at the front end, while fading energy-tail risks and a more independent-looking Warsh should reduce term premium farther out.

A centrist, inflation-conscious Warsh is enough to flatten the curve further.

Reporters will be asking about: a 'missing dot', a drastically more hawkish 'dots', a dramatically-shortened statement, and a clear hawkish bias (seemingly more focus on the inflation side of the maNdate more than employment).

Watch Kevin Warsh's first press conference live here (due to start at 1430ET):



Tyler Durden
Wed, 06/17/2026 - 14:25

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#11897 Broadband (xDSL) - Partial Exchange Outage - Glasgow Western (WSWES ) - 13593 (Update)
We can confirm that services have been restored, if you are still having issues, kindly restart your router.

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Update: Thu, 18th Jun 2026 08:00

Edited: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 19:40

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Test

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AI Will Lead To Labor Shortages, Bezos Says In Optimistic Talk
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Artificial Intelligence will lead to labour shortages, not the replacement of humans, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicted in a highly optimistic appearance at the VivaTech technology conference in Paris on Wednesday. Bezos put forward a rosy vision of how technology will help humanity, speaking about projects including his space venture Blue Origin and his new AI startup Prometheus, which is aimed at speeding up physical manufacturing. "I know there's a lot of concern that many people have, including many smart people, that AI is going to make humans redundant and so on," Bezos said. "I totally disagree with this point of view. And I think, in fact, AI is going to create a labor shortage."

Half of Americans fear the rise of AI could put them or someone in their household out of work, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found this month. Bezos, the world's fourth-richest person with a net worth around $250 billion, argued that people have "endless" things to do, and are currently limited by barriers that he said AI would lower. One goal of space exploration is to move polluting industries off Earth, said Bezos, whose Blue Origin aims to compete with trillionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX in rockets. "If space travel gets reliable enough and inexpensive enough, and we can get materials from asteroids and near-Earth objects and the moon, then this garden planet can be returned to its pre-Industrial Revolution state," Bezos said.





Read more of this story at Slashdot.

MarketWatch Top Stories
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Inside the push to weaken Washington’s toughest financial watchdog
The SEC used to intimidate corporate wrongdoers. Now its own commissioners are gutting its leverage.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
Three powerful forces are draining family wealth — and your estate plan is completely unprepared
From Medicaid cuts to an IRA tax trap, here are the real threats to your family’s inheritance and what to do about them.

MarketWatch Top Stories
Open 
I’m 20, and I’ll be watching Kevin Warsh and the Fed today. Here’s why you should, too.
What the Fed’s interest-rate decision really means for your borrowing, savings and financial future

Telegraph
Open 
England redeemed by their new boys after week of scandal
England redeemed by their new boys after week of scandal

Boing Boing
Open 
'Mistakes are made': Grandpa Pudding Brains shrugs at school strike that killed over 100
Asked whether anyone would be held accountable for a strike on an elementary school that killed more than 100 children, Grandpa Pudding Brains said no, called it "a strange question," and shrugged: "Mistakes are made."

The children were killed in the active voice. — Read the rest
The post 'Mistakes are made': Grandpa Pudding Brains shrugs at school strike that killed over 100 appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
One of my favorite games is finally getting DLC, which means I can recommend it again guilt-free
I really, really loved Dragon's Dogma 2. Yes, even after its meme-filled moment in the sun was over. Yes, even in spite of the wholly unnecessary microtransactions that marred its reputation at release. (Incidentally, literally every Capcom game has those. — Read the rest
The post One of my favorite games is finally getting DLC, which means I can recommend it again guilt-free appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Report on AI use in business rife with AI hallucinations
The massive consulting firm KPMG had to pull a lengthy report on the use of Agentic AI after it was found to be riddled with AI-generated fabrications and mangled citations. AI detection company GPTZero analyzed the report, Total Experience: Redefining Excellence in the Age of Agentic AI, which was released in October, 2025. — Read the rest
The post Report on AI use in business rife with AI hallucinations appeared first on Boing Boing.

Boing Boing
Open 
Cat crashes Romeo and Juliet ballet in Turkey, bites Romeo mid-death scene, steals entire show
A ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet in Izmir, Turkey, was nearing its tragic conclusion when an uninvited cast member wandered onstage and quietly took over the production. This mischievous cat appeared during the final scene and began acting like it had been rehearsing with the company for weeks. — Read the rest
The post Cat crashes Romeo and Juliet ballet in Turkey, bites Romeo mid-death scene, steals entire show appeared first on Boing Boing.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v New Zealand: second men’s Test, day one – live
Sonny Baker took two wickets and Jofra Archer bowled a ferocious spell before New Zealand closed on 291-7If the blazer fits… Joe Root tosses the coin and Tom Latham calls… incorrectly. A cheer goes up around the Oval as Root confirms he’s going to unleash his green pace attack.“I want to make first use of this surface. I think it’s a great opportunity for our attack to get out there and carry on the great work we did last week” he says. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 3pm local time/4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottTime To Kill pt II. Bracketology allows you to curate your very own World Cup pipe dream. Click yon, drag hither, plot a route, reconfigure. Or if you’ve not got that much precious time to waste, hit shuffle and see what pops up. I’ve just done that and Curaçao have beaten Iraq in the final. Once again – because it’s the second time I’ve tested and trailed the shuffle feature – England didn’t get out of their group, and I’m beginning to suspect the coding for this was done in Glasgow. Anyway, it’s good fun, so get on it!Time To Kill pt I. You want preview pieces? We got preview pieces. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
French police authorised to use water cannon on asylum seekers in £660m deal with UK
Refugee charity says decision to let riot police use water cannon, which are banned in Great Britain, is ‘sickening’French riot police deployed in northern France under a £660m deal with the UK are authorised to use water cannon against asylum seekers, the Guardian has been told.Two specialist policing units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have begun working to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching small boats under the UK-France deal in time for the summer months. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Titan sub: design flaws and company groupthink central to catastrophe, report finds
Canadian officials find structural defects in material used for hull and say firm failed to fully test ‘novel’ designCanadian safety officials have issued a damning report on the catastrophic final voyage of the Titan submersible, finding that the US company behind the expedition was overcome by “groupthink” and “confirmation bias” and failed to understand the profound risks confronting their largely untested craft.The 6.7 metre (22ft) carbon fibre submersible dipped below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023 en route to the wreckage of the Titanic ocean liner. But nearly two hours after it departed with five passengers, communications went dark. The disappearance prompted a frantic international search, with Canada and the US marshalling all available resources. Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (International)
Open 
Verhoeven says appeal against loss to Usyk dismissed
Rico Verhoeven says his appeal against the result of his defeat by unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk last month has been dismissed.

Gizmodo
Open 
Scientists Are Trying to Freeze Strokes Before They Damage the Brain
In experiments with mice, monkeys, and people, chemically induced hypothermia showed promise in reducing brain injury from stroke.

Gizmodo
Open 
‘I Am Frankelda’ Is a Stop-Motion Fever Dream You’ll Never Want to Wake Up From
Cinema Fantasma’s wildly imaginative, hand‑crafted gothic fable more than lives up to its status as Mexico’s first stop‑motion feature—and it’s streaming on Netflix.

Gizmodo
Open 
Lego Announces a Fancy, Playable, Space-Themed Pinball Machine Set
You'll have to provide your own sci-fi noises, though.

Gizmodo
Open 
Human Error Caused a $4.1 Million Mishap at NASA’s Deep Space Network
A NASA investigation blamed poor training and procedures for damage to a 70-meter radio frequency antenna.

The Verge
Open 
Anthropic got hit by export rules nobody understands
Anthropic has spent much of this week fighting to get its newest AI models back online after the Trump administration abruptly ordered the company to cut access for all foreign nationals, including users inside the US and its own employees, forcing Anthropic to block access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for everyone. "To my […]

Mail Online
Open 
Glen Powell and Landman bombshell Michelle Randolph can't keep their hands off each other during cozy New York City date
The Twisters heartthrob, 37, looked utterly besotted with the blonde bombshell, 27, as the pair strolled through the Big Apple like they owned it.

Mail Online
Open 
British expat pensioner who was freed from jail in Cyprus after he admitted killing his terminally-ill wife has died
David Hunter, 78, was found guilty of manslaughter in 2023 after he suffocated Janice, 74, at their home in Tremithousa, near Paphos, in December 2021.

Mail Online
Open 
Jennifer Lopez seems to take a rare swipe at ex-husbands Marc Anthony and Ben Affleck ahead of Father's Day
The 56-year-old singer and actress said during the SmartLess podcast that she raised the kids Max and Emme (who not goes by Oskar) to age 18 and got them to graduate high school all on her own.

Sky News Home
Open 
Harry and Meghan to bring children to UK
Harry and Meghan will bring their children to the UK next month for the first time in four years, Sky News understands.

The Aviationist
Open 
U.S. Air Force Releases Names of Fallen B-52 Crew Members
The U.S. Air Force released the names of the eight people killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards AFB. The U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing has released the names of the eight people killed in the horrific mishap on Jun. 15, 2026, which saw a B-52 Stratofortress crashing shortly after […]

Mail Online
Open 
Now ANOTHER member of the review panel that cleared pilots calls for Chinook inquiry
A former MP who helped to clear the pilots blamed for the Chinook disaster has joined calls for a fresh inquiry.

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
Bitcoin (BTC) Climbs Over $64K Following Optimistic Update from Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif on Iran Peace Talks
Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, has broken through the $64,000 level once again, reflecting renewed confidence in the market tied to positive signals from international diplomacy. The move upward occurred as Pakistan’s leadership shared encouraging news about advancing negotiations aimed at resolving tensions involving Iran. The... Read More

Crowdfund Insider
Open 
European Digital Bank N26 Expands into Spanish Mobile Services with eSIM Plans 
Berlin-based digital banking platform N26 has recently introduced a fresh telecommunications service in Spain, marking its second entry into local mobile offerings following its German rollout. The new eSIM-powered plans allow customers to manage their mobile connectivity entirely through the N26 banking app, eliminating traditional... Read More

ZDNet News
Open 
Google and Apple are finally giving smartwatches the creative freedom they needed
Google's Create My Widget and Apple's new Shortcuts feature prove we're in a DIY era of automation.

ZDNet News
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The best early Prime Day smartwatch and fitness tracker deals I'd recommend to optimize my health
I'm a health and wearables editor, and these are some of the top smartwatch, smart ring, and wellness deals I've found ahead of Prime Day.

CNET News
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Best Desks of 2026: I’ve Spent Nearly 4,000 Hours Testing Desks. These Are the Ones You Want
Get one of the best desks for your office in 2026 with the help of our CNET experts.

CNET News
Open 
Best Standing Desks of 2026
Give your mind and body a standing break without interrupting your work.

Zen Service Alerts (Network)
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#11709 Broadband (xDSL) - Planned Maintenance - CMWV-Wolverhampton (Close)
Maintenance window has passed, and no alarm observed.

Start: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 08:00

End: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 16:00

Update: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 16:00

Clear: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 19:21

Edited: Wed, 17th Jun 2026 19:23

Status: Up

Maintenance: None

The Hill
Open 
Schumer: Trump 'holding our national security hostage' over delayed Clayton nomination
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that President Trump is “holding our national security hostage” by delaying the confirmation hearing for U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence.  In an early morning Wednesday post on Truth Social, Trump said Clayton’s nomination would be delayed to ensure that Federal Housing Finance...

The Hill
Open 
Trump scolds Netanyahu at G7 summit: ‘I feel bad for Lebanon'
President Trump on Wednesday aired his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, telling the Israeli leader to hold back attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon amid high-stakes negotiations with Iran. Trump, speaking at a press conference as the summit concluded, said Netanyahu “gets a little excited...

The Hill
Open 
Trump jokes he'll blame Vance if Iran deal doesn't work out
President Trump joked Wednesday that he will blame Vice President Vance if the preliminary deal with Iran falls through.  “I like that idea, sure,” Trump said when asked by Fox News's Peter Doocy if his vice president would take the fall if the deal fails. “If it works out, I’m going to take the credit....

The Hill
Open 
Cape Verde goalkeeper, mother to be reunited in time for World Cup match, Jeffries says
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday the mother of Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha has secured a visa to join her son ahead of the team’s next FIFA World Cup match. Jeffries wrote in a statement that he spoke to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and asked the State Department “to do everything in...

The Hill
Open 
Republicans more likely to celebrate upcoming US 250th anniversary: Survey
A new poll found that Americans registered as Republicans are more likely to celebrate the U.S.'s 250th birthday on the Fourth of July. Gallup and the bipartisan group With Honor, in collaboration with America250, released a poll on Wednesday showing that 88 percent of GOP voters plan to celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial. A smaller share of...

The Hill
Open 
Trump defends letting Iran maintain missile arsenal
President Trump on Wednesday defended letting Iran maintain its large arsenal of ballistic missiles when discussing the emerging deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The president said during a Group of Seven (G7) press conference in France that the U.S. will be working with Persian Gulf allies in addressing issues not related...

The Hill
Open 
Trump says oil reserves would run out in 4 weeks without Iran deal, risking 'bedlam'
President Trump said Wednesday that oil reserves could have run out in four weeks if the Strait of Hormuz were not opened. “We run out of reserves at about four weeks,” Trump said in France while at the Group of Seven summit, discussing the recent memorandum of understanding with Iran. “You know, there are reserves...

The Hill
Open 
Trump on arrival at G7 meeting: 'I'm the boss' 
President Trump elicited laughter from leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France when he walked into a meeting Wednesday morning and declared, “I’m the boss.”  The U.S. president has been meeting with the heads of France, Canada, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany this week as part of the annual conference,...

The Hill
Open 
Federal Reserve holds rates steady at Warsh’s first meeting
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday at Chair Kevin Warsh’s first rate-setting meeting since taking the reins of the central bank. In a unanimous decision, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained its baseline interest rate at a range of 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent. Warsh, whom the Senate confirmed last month, faces...

The Hill
Open 
Iran deal 'long way from accomplishing' Trump objectives: Retired general
Retired four-star Army Gen. Jack Keane on Wednesday said the tentative deal between the U.S. and Iran is a "long way from accomplishing" President Trump's objectives in the Middle Eastern country. Keane told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on the "Cats and Cosby Show" on WABC 770 AM that his "gut reaction" to the deal was "more...

The Hill
Open 
Trump on Israel: 'I do want them to use good judgment' 
President Trump on Wednesday morning cautioned Israel to “use good judgement” in its ongoing military operations against Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group backed by Iran. The president made the comment to the press during a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday amid the Group of 7 (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France,...

The Hill
Open 
Live updates: Trump downplays deal with Iran; Fed holds rates steady
President Trump on Wednesday downplayed the memorandum of understanding that the U.S. and Iran will sign Friday, telling a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) summit that the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if the Islamic Republic violates the terms. “No, it’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and...

The Hill
Open 
Georgia Republicans table redistricting ahead of special session
Republican lawmakers in Georgia have said that they won’t consider mid-decade redistricting during a special session called by GOP Gov. Brian Kemp (R) that was set to start Wednesday, “In regards to reapportionment, when the House learned that it was placed on the call for a special session, we knew it was not the right...

The Hill
Open 
House Democrats question Wiles over reported conversations about suspending habeas corpus
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee sent a Wednesday letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to inquire about reporting that says Trump administration officials discussed the possible suspension of habeas corpus last year.  Habeas corpus is a fundamental legal procedure that allows individuals who are detained or imprisoned to challenge the legality...

The Hill
Open 
Did the Reflecting Pool remodel cause the bright green algae bloom?
Donald Trump's vision was to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool a darker shade of "American flag blue" to celebrate the country's 250th birthday. But this week, it's been looking more green than blue.

Techdirt
Open 
Daily Deal: The Adobe Graphic Design Bundle
The Adobe Graphic Design Bundle has 3 courses designed to help you learn the essentials of graphic design and how to apply those skills to your projects. Courses cover Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You’ll learn all aspects of the design process. It’s on sale for $50. Note: The Techdirt Deals Store is powered and curated […]

Techdirt
Open 
Military Official Admits Boat Strike May Have Murdered Human Trafficking Victims
The US military has engaged in extrajudicial killings via drone strikes since it was first shown this tech could be used to murder people. The War on Terror has given us more than two decades of drone strikes — all of which have used war-related justifications to excuse them without the actual authorization of Congress. […]

Mac Rumours
Open 
You Can Easily Install the iOS 27 Beta For Free Right Now, Here's How
If you have not been paying close attention, you might still think that you need to be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program for $99 per year to install iOS developer betas, but that has not been the case for a few years now. In fact, anyone can install the iOS 27 developer beta on their iPhone for free, and the process is quite easy.





Even if you are not an app developer and have no current plans to release apps on the App Store, you can still install the iOS 27 developer beta on your iPhone. If you feel more comfortable with waiting for the iOS 27 public beta, though, Apple said that the first public beta of iOS 27 will be available at some point in July.





Warning: While the first iOS 27 developer beta is considered to be relatively stable, iOS betas can and do have bugs and performance issues. You may not be able to use some apps that you rely on, and issues can extend to CarPlay. Backing up your iPhone before installing beta software is highly recommended, and relying on a secondary iPhone altogether is always a good idea if possible.



How to Install the iOS 27 Developer Beta

Sign into your Apple Account from this page and accept the Apple Developer Agreement to become a registered Apple developer for free.

Open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update → Beta Updates.

Select the iOS 27 Developer Beta option (restart your iPhone if you don't see it) and follow the on-screen steps.How to Install the iOS 27 Public Beta (in July)

Sign up at beta.apple.com for free.

Open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update → Beta Updates.

Select the iOS 27 Public Beta option (restart your iPhone if you don't see it) and follow the on-screen steps.iOS 27 is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer, but Apple Intelligence features like Siri AI are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and newer.



Keep in mind that the revamped version of Siri has a waitlist. To join the waitlist, open the Settings app on iOS 27 and tap on Siri and you will find it there. It can take anywhere from hours to many days to receive access to Siri AI and the Siri app.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, 'You Can Easily Install the iOS 27 Beta For Free Right Now, Here's How' first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The Right Scoop
Open 
BREAKING VIDEO – Trump says Iran should be allowed to have SOME ballistic missiles
President Trump said in a presser that Iran should be allowed to have some ballistic missiles, countering even people who are close to him who tell him Iran shouldn’t have any. Here’s . . .

The Right Scoop
Open 
BIG BREAKING: Here’s the transcribed 14-point Iran deal just read to reporters by US officials
US officials just read the 14-point Iran deal to reporters a few minutes ago and it has also been transcribed by US officials. You can read it all below:

BBC Top Stories (US)
Open 
England make good start despite Stokes' absence
England attempt to move on from the Ben Stokes controversy with a solid opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.

Russia Today News
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Britain’s rape gangs: Here’s what’s in the report the mainstream media is ignoring

Mail Online
Open 
A beautiful friendship: Princess of Wales catches up with elegant Lady Gabriella Windsor at Royal Ascot - after supporting her in the wake of her husband Thomas Kingston's death
The daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, 45, attended the event today alongside senior members of the royals, including King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Lil Nas X shares update after getting mental health care: ‘There’s less fear in my heart’
Musician says on Instagram he is ‘doing much better’ and receiving treatment and therapy after 2025 arrestThe musician Lil Nas X posted a moving video update to his Instagram on Wednesday morning. In the nearly three-minute clip, the artist – born Montero Lamar Hill – shared that he “has been in rehab for a few months” and since then, has returned home to Atlanta, where he is from and his family lives, and Los Angeles, where he resides.The update comes in response to an event last summer in which the musician was charged with attacking Los Angeles police officers. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ombudsman dishes out decisive beating to classy Royal Ascot field
Juddmonte International the target for easy winnerVictorious backed for Guineas after Queen Mary strollThere was no room for doubt after the Prince of Wales’s Stakes here on Wednesday, and no need either for any debate about team tactics or riding instructions. Ombudsman’s sweeping charge down the outside to beat Minnie Hauk and Daryz, the winners of the Oaks and Arc respectively last season, was as decisive a winning move as favourite backers could ever hope to see, and William Buick was using only hands-and-heels through the final furlong as the 11-10 chance opened up a four-length lead at the line.For a brief moment at the top of the straight, it seemed that the pacemakers might be a source of post-race discussion for the second day running. Mississippi River and Devil’s Advocate, one frontrunner apiece for Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk and the John and Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman, tore into a long lead by halfway, and while Mississippi River was a spent force turning in, Devil’s Advocate still had a healthy lead at the two-furlong pole. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Protesters to rally against World Cup sponsor Hyundai before Mexico game
Focus on business dealings with mining company Guadalajara rally to highlight fate of ‘disappeared’Hyundai will be targeted by protesters at a rally before the Group A game between Mexico and South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday, due to the World Cup sponsor’s business dealings with the South American mining company Ternium.A 2025 report from the environmental group Mighty Earth criticised Hyundai’s involvement in what they described as a “dirty steel supply chain”, as the South Korean motor company is a major buyer of iron ore from Ternium for use in steel production. Ternium has faced repeated criticisms for its destructive environmental impact and corporate governance policies from campaign groups, as well as its alleged links to the disappearance of two Mexican activists. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
England v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live
⚽️ Kick-off: 3pm local time/4pm EDT/9pm BST/6am AEST⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email ScottIt’s day seven of the 2026 World Cup, and finally England are on their way. They are Tom’s 26. Hear the roar, of the red, white and … ah who remembers that cheesy old song anyway? Point is, after an interminable wait, England are at long last getting down to business.Whether they’d have hand-picked Croatia as their first opponents is a moot point. On the one hand, England are a young and vibrant team, the sap rising, while most of Croatia’s first choice are in their 30s and their captain and talisman Luka Modric is now into his fifth decade. But on the other, this is a team that reached the final in 2018 and the semis last time round, and all of that Croatian experience has got to count for something. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Middle East crisis live: Iran agrees to destroy enriched uranium stockpile, memorandum read out by US officials says
Senior US officials read out MOU text to journalists, insisting down-blending is a starting point; deal says sanctions relief tied to nuclear actionAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Trump also addressed media reports of a leaked US-Iran deal (see post at 11:57), denying claims it includes a $300bn reconstruction fund for Tehran.“We’re not putting up 10 cents,” he said. “We are not investing and we do not have a fund.”It’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, okay, because they’ve misbehaved for 47 years.” Continue reading...

BBC Top Stories (UK)
Open 
England made good start despite Stokes' absence
England attempt to move on from the Ben Stokes controversy with a solid opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.

Mail Online
Open 
Jordan Pickford's wife Megan salvages a last-minute outfit despite losing her luggage as she films a hilarious clip with Ollie Watkins' spouse Emily before the WAGs head to Dallas for England's first World Cup match
Jordan Pickford's wife Megan has resorted to borrowing her son's England shirt, after losing her suitcase during her journey to the Three Lions' first World Cup match.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
easyJet Flight Edinburgh-Heraklion Declares Emergency
In the last few moments, easyJet flight U23223 from Edinburgh to Heraklion has declared an emergency.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
KLM Flight from Amsterdam Suffers Tail Strike in Lisbon
Video footage has emerged of a KLM flight from Amsterdam suffering a tail strike on landing into Lisbon.

FlightAware Squawks
Open 
EU Puts Passengers First With Free Carry-On Bags And Stronger Traveler Rights
In 2027, EU air passengers will benefit from a number of changes including having carry-on luggage and personal items included as part of the ticket price.

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Ella Baron on Reform’s plan to ‘strengthen women’s rights’ – cartoon
Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Guardian view on the future of social clubs: working-class assets that deserve to be nurtured | Editorial
Member-run institutions offer a communal infrastructure to build on. Using national lottery money to boost their fortunes is money well spentRegulars at the Stubshaw Cross Community and Sports Club may be looking forward to a return to business as usual. Since late May, the venue has doubled as Andy Burnham’s centre of operations, as he seeks to plot a path to Downing Street by winning Thursday’s byelection in the Makerfield constituency. But the back bar will soon be free of visiting ministers and attendant media, and the bingo, pizza nights and quizzes will again proceed undisturbed.At their peak in the 1970s, working-class institutions such as these were an integral part of the fabric of social life in Britain. Since then, more than half have disappeared. Of the 1,800 or so that remain, a recent survey found that many were under severe financial strain. Deindustrialisation and the digital revolution have created a more atomised culture and weakened habits of association. At the same time, scholars such as the American academic Robert Putnam have diagnosed a crisis of belonging – or of not belonging – in western societies. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
The Guardian view on Britain and the EU: Ed Davey is right – a changed world changes the argument | Editorial
The Liberal Democrat leader’s call for more ambitious reintegration with Europe brings a necessary focus on economic and strategic realityMembership of the European single market was at stake when the UK voted on Brexit, but it was not the decisive question in the campaign. The leave campaign dishonestly promised a cost-free severance of ties with Britain’s largest trading partner. As immigration came to dominate the debate, the requirement to allow free movement of people as a condition of seamless integration with European markets undermined the remainers’ most compelling argument.Reluctance to advocate a liberal migration regime imposed a taboo on calls to reconsider the Brexit settlement, even as warnings about the cost of rupture were vindicated. Now, after a decade of forsaken growth, the mood is finally changing. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Starmer’s denial will not save his Labour leadership but he’ll go down fighting
Keir Starmer is a decent man but that is not enough for a party that wants a good communicator. Step forward Andy …On days like these you can’t help feeling you’re living in a parallel universe. Either I’m going mad or Keir Starmer is. The third possibility that we’re both going mad is too disturbing to contemplate.What to make of the prime minister’s Sky News interview at the G7 in Évian in which Starmer graciously offered Andy Burnham a “big role in government” if, as expected, he wins the Makerfield byelection on Thursday? Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
French police in £660m deal with UK authorised to use water cannon on asylum seekers
Refugee charity says decision to let officers request the devices as part of public order powers is ‘sickening’French riot police deployed in northern France under a £660m deal with the UK are authorised to use water cannon against asylum seekers, the Guardian has been told.Two specialist policing units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have begun working to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching small boats under the landmark UK-France deal in time for the summer months. Continue reading...

The Guardian (UK)
Open 
Middle East crisis live: Iran agrees to destroy enriched uranium stockpile, memorandum read out by US officials says
Senior US officials read out MOU text to journalists, insisting downblending is a starting point; deal says sanctions relief tied to nuclear actionTrump backs G7 leaders’ call for wider talks on Iranian missile programmeAnalysis: Where does Iran deal leave US-Israel relationship?Trump also addressed media reports of a leaked US-Iran deal (see post at 11:57), denying claims it includes a $300bn reconstruction fund for Tehran.“We’re not putting up 10 cents,” he said. “We are not investing and we do not have a fund.”It’s not final. It’s a memorandum of understanding, and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.If I don’t like it, if they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, okay, because they’ve misbehaved for 47 years.” Continue reading...

Chatham House
Open 
The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse
The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse
Expert comment
thilton.drupal
17 June 2026

Even if Trump’s deal holds, Iran retains the ability to close Hormuz again. If the Houthis were to simultaneously disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the consequences would be disastrous.















President Donald Trump recently announced that the US and Iran had reached a deal that would include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. But the memorandum of understanding has not yet been officially released, and the terms of Hormuz’s reopening remain elusive. Already, differing interpretations are emerging from each side. According to Trump, passage through the Strait will be ‘permanently toll-free’, but Tehran has said that ‘fees will be charged’ for unspecified ‘services’ going forward. The US has reportedly agreed to lift its blockade as part of the deal. But the future of Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority – established in May to assert Iranian ‘oversight’ over the Strait – hasn’t been determined. Without an internationally recognized traffic separation scheme, ships will face navigational risks that undermine their abilities to transit.






The Strait of Hormuz is therefore not open, nor is it close to opening.






So far, insurance companies have not significantly reduced maritime insurance premiums, which will be necessary for shipping to flow again. Insurance and shipping companies will likely require evidence of commitment from both the US and Iran. Reopening Hormuz also requires the removal of sea mines laid by Iran during the war. Mine clearing is slow and costly. It will require both the US and Iran to limit their use of force for at least a few months. This demining will have to be paired with the removal of undetonated ordnance that fell into the sea during the war. The Strait of Hormuz is therefore not open, nor is it close to opening. The process will take time, confidence-building and numerous security assurances. Yet in the meantime, the risk of an even worse chokepoint crisis remains.Future chokepoint crisesEven if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, Iran will still retain the ability to close it again. The threat of closure alone may be enough to deter shipping and create significant disruption without significant cost to Tehran. In a future conflict, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen may also seek to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another major maritime chokepoint that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.Signs of this potential strategy were already emerging before the ceasefire deal. On 8 June, the Houthis threatened to block Israeli and Israeli-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea. On 10 June, a small vessel operating off Yemen’s coast reportedly harassed a commercial ship close to Bab al-Mandab.





























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The maritime chokepoints that could be worse than Hormuz












Shipping in the Red Sea has faced disruption before. Between 2024 and 2025, the Houthis attacked over 190 commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing major disruption to global trade. Despite the attacks ending with a May 2025 US-Houthi ceasefire, the Houthis have retained the ability to threaten maritime traffic at any time. Today, with Hormuz effectively closed, ships have been forced to seek alternative routes. Some of the remaining workarounds depend on access to the Red Sea, including transporting oil by land to Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea coast. Renewed insecurity in Bab al-Mandab therefore threatens some of the existing alternatives to Hormuz. This also has a knock-on effect on another chokepoint: the Suez Canal. The Bab al-Mandab Strait serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Amid Houthi attacks, vessel traffic through the Suez Canal dropped by 90 per cent in 2024. Even the threat of attacks alone is enough to disrupt shipping due to elevated insurance premiums and crew safety concerns.The consequences of more closuresDisruption in one or more maritime chokepoints frequently generates ripple effects across the wider global shipping network. In this case, the immediate impact would be felt through rising transportation costs. Insurance premiums would rise as ships enter higher-risk operating environments. Longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope would increase fuel consumption and vessel operating expenses. Congestion at alternative ports and transit routes creates additional delays. Disruption to the Bab al-Mandab Strait would also put additional pressure on energy markets. Reduced access to Gulf exports and longer shipping routes would likely increase oil and gas prices, generating inflationary effects across a wide range of industries. For import-dependent economies, especially those already facing fiscal stress, higher transportation and commodity costs could reduce access to food, fuel and essential goods.






Governments and industry will need to move beyond reactive responses.






The consequences would not be distributed evenly. Smaller economies and vulnerable importers would bear disproportionate costs, exacerbating existing humanitarian crises. Economic and humanitarian pressure would potentially push countries to negotiate transit rights with Iran and the Houthis. During the war, countries like India, Pakistan, and Malaysia sought to negotiate passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Tehran on an ad hoc basis. Private companies have also pursued individual deals for safe transit with Tehran. Over time, countries facing severe economic disruption may conclude that bilateral transit agreements are preferable to absorbing the costs of prolonged supply-chain disruption.Existing initiatives and their limits A range of international initiatives aimed at protecting shipping already operate in the Red Sea area. These include European naval missions, the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Security Transit Corridor, and regional frameworks such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct. Several countries maintain a naval presence in the region and periodically provide escorts and convoy protection for commercial shipping.

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