In other news

Thousands marched in Bogotá’s Pride parade, celebrating LGBTQ identity while protesting ongoing violence against the community. The event served as both a festive demonstration of visibility and a defiant stand against discrimination and attacks in Colombia.

CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen reports from Tehran’s “Hosseini Infants Ceremony,” where hundreds of mothers lift their babies to signify willingness to offer them to God and Imam Hossein. The mass ritual, rooted in Shia tradition commemorating Imam Hossein and his martyred infant Ali Asghar, is held on the first Friday of the Islamic month. The segment situates the ceremony amid broader regional tensions and Iranian mourning for recent conflict casualties.

A federal judge, Randolph Moss, blocked a Trump administration policy that barred migrants who crossed the US-Mexico border from seeking asylum, ruling the president cannot override asylum protections set by Congress. The decision, stayed for 14 days and likely to be appealed, found neither the Immigration and Nationality Act nor the Constitution grants the president authority to unilaterally deny asylum to people already in the US. Immigrant rights groups, including the ACLU, hailed the ruling as a major victory. The administration condemned the decision, arguing it undermines border security and conflicts with recent Supreme Court guidance on nationwide injunctions. The case tests the limits of presidential power over immigration amid historically low reported border crossings.

A new study suggests the prolonged lethal heat after the Permian “Great Dying” mass extinction was driven by the collapse of tropical forests, not just volcanism and ocean changes. Using an extensive Chinese fossil archive, researchers reconstructed global vegetation before and after the event and found that widespread plant die-off crippled carbon storage and silicate weathering, leaving CO2 elevated for ~5 million years. The findings indicate a climate tipping point: once forests collapse, carbon cycles are suppressed and warming can persist or intensify even after emissions stop. While modern rainforests may be more heat-tolerant than Permian flora, the study warns that pushing tropical forests past their limits could trigger long-lasting, self-sustaining warming.

CNN reports that President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he developed with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Everglades. The segment, reported by CNN’s Isabel Rosales, comes amid broader coverage of Trump’s ongoing policy agenda, including immigration enforcement, a proposed tax bill that could raise energy costs, foreign policy stances on Russia and Iran, and recent Supreme Court decisions affecting his administration’s powers and social policy.

CNN reports that President Donald Trump is promoting a new line of men’s and women’s fragrances featuring his name and image, with packaging that includes a gold statue of himself. The video segment highlights the branding-heavy launch and places it amid broader political coverage of Trump’s agenda and controversies.

Former USAID administrator Samantha Power warned on CNN that proposed deep cuts to the agency’s budget would “devastate” life-saving programs worldwide, risking millions of deaths. She emphasized that USAID’s work in global health, food security, and crisis response prevents famine and disease outbreaks, and argued that gutting the agency would undermine U.S. leadership and stability efforts abroad.

Steve Goncalves, father of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves, spoke with CNN after suspect Bryan Kohberger accepted a plea deal. He expressed frustration and sorrow over the agreement, emphasized his family’s pursuit of justice for Kaylee, and called for accountability while acknowledging the emotional toll the case continues to take on the victims’ families.

A bystander’s video shows plainclothes immigration agents chasing a woman who had been selling food outside a Home Depot in West Los Angeles; she clings to a tree to avoid detention as onlookers record. The incident, part of heightened immigration enforcement this year, has sparked attention online and renewed debate over ICE tactics and community impacts.

CNN examines the 25-year drought since an American man last won Wimbledon, noting Pete Sampras’ 2000 title as the most recent. With the Big Four dominating from 2003–2023, US contenders like Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton have yet to break through, and none have won a major since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open. Journalist Matt Futterman argues the era’s exceptional champions and the US sports landscape—where elite athletes often choose the NFL or NBA—help explain the shortfall. While Alcaraz and Sinner now lead men’s tennis, Futterman pegs Americans’ title chances at under 2%. Despite some promising grass results and players insisting they’re “peaking,” early Wimbledon rounds brought mixed outcomes, and the wait for a US men’s champion is likely to continue.

Australian authorities have urged testing for about 1,200 children after Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, 26, was charged with 70 offences including child rape and sexual assault. Police allege he abused eight children under two at a single centre between April 2022 and January 2023; he worked at 20 centres since 2017. Brown, remanded in custody and due in court in September, is also accused of producing and transmitting child abuse material. Health officials contacted around 2,600 families, recommending screenings for infectious diseases as a precaution; any potential infections are treatable with antibiotics. Police say he had a valid working-with-children check, acted alone, and that offending occurred only in Victoria. Authorities publicly named him to alert parents, and the state has launched a support website.

Denmark has expanded conscription to include women via a lottery starting at age 18, ending their previous voluntary-only participation. Both men and women must register, with volunteers taken first and remaining slots filled by lottery. The service period increases from four to 11 months. The change, aimed at boosting military capacity amid heightened European security concerns, is expected to raise annual conscripts from about 4,700 to 6,500 by 2033. It aligns Denmark with Sweden and Norway’s policies and accompanies a planned 40.5bn Danish kroner defense spending increase to meet NATO goals. Military officials cite the need for greater combat readiness; some female volunteers support the move as an equal contribution.

A father jumped into the ocean to rescue his young daughter after she fell from the fourth deck of the Disney Dream cruise ship en route from the Bahamas to Florida. Witnesses said she slipped while being photographed near a railing. The ship issued a man-overboard alert, slowed, turned around, and deployed a tender that retrieved both after about 10 minutes in the water. Disney commended the crew’s swift actions. Both were safely returned to the ship, which completed its voyage to Fort Lauderdale. Such overboard incidents are rare and often not survivable, according to industry data.

Ghanaian police say 76 Ghanaians, mostly young men, were rescued in Nigeria after being trafficked through a fraudulent scheme promising football contracts, overseas jobs, or visa help. On arrival, their documents and phones were seized; they were kept in overcrowded “holding camps,” pressured to extort about $1,000 from relatives, and coerced to recruit others. Seven Ghanaian suspects were arrested; the operation involved Interpol and Nigerian authorities, with rescues occurring between 19 May and 27 June. Victims have yet to be repatriated. Authorities warned families to verify offers abroad. QNET, previously banned in Ghana over alleged Ponzi activities, has denied involvement. Police say efforts continue to dismantle the network.

Jihadist fighters mounted coordinated attacks on military posts in seven towns across Mali, the third major assault on the army in a month. The Malian army said it repelled the raids, claiming to have killed over 80 militants and seized weapons and vehicles, while al-Qaeda-linked JNIM said it captured three barracks. Recent JNIM operations include strikes on Timbuktu’s army camp and airport (2 June) and a raid that killed at least 30 soldiers a day earlier. The surge underscores escalating insecurity in Mali and the wider Sahel, amid U.S. warnings that Islamist groups are seeking access to West Africa’s coast to expand smuggling and arms trafficking.

Qantas says a cyberattack on a third-party customer service platform may have exposed data for up to six million people, including names, contact details, birth dates, and frequent flyer numbers. The breach, detected on 30 June, did not include passports, credit cards, or account passwords/PINs. Qantas contained the incident, is investigating, and has notified Australian authorities; operations and flight safety are unaffected. The attack follows warnings about airline sector targeting, with recent similar incidents at Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet, and comes amid a broader rise in Australian data breaches.

A Ukrainian soldier, Serhiy Melnyk, survived a life-threatening heart injury from drone shrapnel thanks to a magnet-based extractor developed by volunteers and frontline medics. The minimally invasive device, championed by volunteer Oleh Bykov and used by surgeons like Dr. Serhiy Maksymenko, allows doctors to locate and remove metal fragments with small incisions, speeding care and reducing bleeding. With shrapnel injuries now comprising up to 80% of battlefield trauma due to increased drone warfare, around 3,000 of these uncertified tools have been distributed across Ukraine under wartime allowances. Praised by war surgeon David Nott as a potential game changer, the technology has enabled over 70 successful heart operations and is seen as applicable in other conflict zones. Melnyk’s family credits the innovation with saving his life.

President Trump signed a memorandum tightening U.S. policy on Cuba, reversing some Biden-era easing. The White House will more strictly enforce the ban on U.S. tourism, require audits and five-year record-keeping for permitted travel, and bar business with GAESA, the Cuban military’s conglomerate. It will also oppose international efforts to end the U.S. embargo and continue measures like redesignating Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism. The administration says the goal is to support a “free and democratic” Cuba, while Havana condemns the move as strengthening the economic blockade that harms the Cuban people. Tourism—vital for Cuba’s hard currency—has already declined amid shortages and power cuts.

- Turkish authorities arrested four staff members of satirical magazine LeMan—its editor-in-chief, graphic designer, institutional director, and a cartoonist—over a cartoon alleged to depict the Prophet Muhammad. - Interior and justice ministers condemned the image; prosecutors launched an investigation for “publicly insulting religious values,” and additional arrest warrants were issued for senior managers. - Protests erupted outside LeMan’s Istanbul offices, with police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. - LeMan denied the cartoon depicts Muhammad, stating it portrays a Muslim victim killed by Israel and apologizing to readers who felt hurt while rejecting claims of blasphemy. - The editor-in-chief, speaking from Paris, said the work was misinterpreted and compared the backlash to the Charlie Hebdo controversy, calling it intentional and worrying.

Authorities in Sinaloa, Mexico found 20 bodies—several decapitated—near a highway bridge amid intensified infighting between rival Sinaloa cartel factions. Four headless corpses were by the roadside, 16 bodies were in an abandoned vehicle, and five heads were in a bag; all victims had gunshot wounds. A cartel note was left at the scene. Violence has surged since the 2024 U.S. capture of cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, fueling clashes between his allies and the “Chapitos,” sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The conflict has reportedly caused over 1,200 deaths in Sinaloa, with gruesome displays becoming symbolic markers of factional warfare. Officials condemned the killings and vowed coordinated military-police action as Mexico’s broader drug-related violence since 2006 has claimed about 480,000 lives and left over 120,000 missing.

Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed and recent French Open champion, was upset in Wimbledon’s first round by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 7-6 (3), 6-1. Gauff struggled with 29 unforced errors and nine double-faults, citing mental fatigue from the quick turnaround after Paris. The loss makes her just the third woman in the Open era to fall in Wimbledon’s first round immediately after winning Roland-Garros. Wimbledon has been Gauff’s least successful major, and she has now exited in the first round twice in three years. Yastremska, ranked No. 42, capitalized with 16 winners and said recent grass-court form boosted her confidence.

France has enacted stricter anti-smoking laws banning smoking in most public outdoor areas frequented by children—such as beaches, parks, bus shelters, and near libraries, pools, and schools—with fines from €135 to €700. Authorities expect an initial grace period as the rules roll out. The move aims to “denormalize” smoking amid high smoking rates (over 30% of adults; 15% of 17-year-olds) and significant health impacts (75,000 deaths annually). Smoking has been banned indoors since 2007–08 and taxes have made packs over €12, but café terraces largely remain exempt, sparking debate between public health advocates and those defending personal freedom and café culture.

Ryland Headley, 92, was convicted of raping and murdering 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Bristol in 1967, resolving one of the U.K.’s longest-running cold cases. He received a life sentence with a 20-year minimum and was told he will die in prison. The breakthrough came in 2023 when DNA from Dunne’s preserved skirt matched Headley, whose DNA entered the national database in 2012; a palm print from the scene also matched him. At the time, police had taken 19,000 prints without success. Headley had prior convictions for raping two elderly women in the late 1970s. With most witnesses deceased, the trial relied on historic statements as hearsay. Authorities are reviewing whether Headley is linked to other unsolved offenses.

The Justice Department charged multiple individuals and seized assets in a nationwide crackdown on a North Korean scheme that placed thousands of remote IT workers—using stolen or fake U.S. identities—inside American companies, including Fortune 500 firms, to generate revenue for Pyongyang’s sanctioned weapons programs. Prosecutors announced the arrest of U.S. national Zhenxing “Danny” Wang and charges against six Chinese and two Taiwanese nationals for a multi-year operation that netted over $5 million, using shell companies, fake websites, and U.S.-based facilitators to mask workers’ locations and access. Some workers allegedly accessed and stole sensitive military-related data. A separate Georgia case charges four North Korean IT workers with stealing cryptocurrency from employers. The action follows prior DOJ cases targeting similar schemes that have collectively siphoned millions from hundreds of U.S. companies.

Australian police urged about 1,200 children to undergo infectious disease screening after charging Melbourne child care worker Joshua Brown, 26, with more than 70 offenses, including child rape, attempted rape, and possession of child abuse material. The charges currently involve eight alleged victims at a Point Cook center between April 2022 and January 2023, but authorities are investigating potential additional offenses, including at an Essendon center. Brown worked at over 20 child care centers from 2017 until his May 2025 arrest. Around 2,600 families have been contacted; health officials say the disease risk is low but recommend testing as a precaution. Police believe Brown acted alone within Victoria. He remains in custody and is due in court September 15.

Three former senior leaders at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England, where nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies, have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The arrests are part of an investigation into potential corporate manslaughter at the hospital, launched after Letby's conviction in October 2023. Letby is serving 15 consecutive life sentences, but her lawyer has filed for a formal review of the case, citing concerns over the evidence used in her trial. The investigation is ongoing, and the three arrested former leaders have been released on bail.

Turkish authorities detained four employees of the satirical magazine LeMan, including the cartoonist and senior staff, over a controversial cartoon interpreted by some as depicting the Prophet Muhammad and Moses. The magazine denies it portrayed the Prophet, saying the image shows a Muslim man named Muhammad to highlight Muslim suffering, particularly in the context of Israel’s bombardments. The arrests followed government condemnation, an investigation for “insulting religious values,” and protests that turned violent outside LeMan’s Istanbul office. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared videos of forcible arrests and vowed legal accountability. LeMan apologized for any offense but defended the work as misinterpreted, accused officials and media of a smear campaign, and called for protection of free expression. The case has stirred fears about press freedom, with LeMan’s editor calling the response an “act of annihilation.”

President Trump signed an executive order ending the U.S. sanctions program on Syria while keeping sanctions on former president Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, individuals tied to chemical weapons, ISIS and affiliates, and Iranian proxies. The move follows Trump’s May pledge after meeting Syria’s new transitional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose forces toppled the Assad regime. Treasury has already eased restrictions on banks, airlines, and certain transactions to spur investment, though some sanctions still require congressional action. The transitional government and regional allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia have pushed for relief to aid reconstruction and stabilize the economy after the 13-year civil war. Syria has faced U.S. sanctions in various forms since 1979, with major expansions over Assad-era abuses and support for terrorist groups.

Alibaba Cloud is expanding its AI infrastructure in Southeast Asia, launching a third data centre in Malaysia and planning a second in the Philippines by October. The moves, part of a broader push that includes new sites in Thailand, Mexico and South Korea, support Alibaba’s commitment to invest at least US$53 billion in AI infrastructure over the next three years. Southeast Asia remains a strategic market amid US-China tech rivalry, even as Alibaba closed data centres in Sydney and Mumbai last year. The company aims to help customers leverage digital, AI and cloud technologies to drive innovation and efficiency.

China’s economy proved resilient in the first half of 2025 despite volatile US trade policy, and analysts still see Beijing meeting its “around 5%” growth target. Forecasts vary—Fitch lifted its 2025 outlook to 4.2% while Barclays stays at 4%—but most agree headwinds will intensify in the second half: softer exports after front-loaded orders, continued property-sector weakness, tepid domestic demand, and labor-market inefficiencies. While trade diversification partly offset falling US shipments, Barclays expects export growth to stall to zero and China Galaxy Securities sees a contraction, with full-year export growth near 1.5%. Overall, the second half is viewed as an uphill climb despite a steady first-half performance.

China’s top leadership, led by President Xi Jinping, vowed to curb “disorderly low-price competition” at a key economic meeting, signaling a sharper focus on regulating price wars that erode innovation and efficiency. Xi called for legal measures to rein in undercutting, push firms to improve quality, and facilitate the orderly exit of outdated capacity. The move reframes officials’ earlier, vaguer concern over “involutionary competition” into a targeted focus on market behavior and predatory pricing. The stance echoes past crackdowns on “disorderly” capital expansion in tech and underscores Beijing’s aim to stabilize markets and upgrade industry.

Super Star Seafood Restaurant, a 36-year-old Hong Kong dining chain, abruptly closed its last remaining branch at the Moko shopping centre in Mong Kok, citing a deteriorating business environment, weak local consumption, and shifting tourist spending patterns. Attempts to negotiate rent relief with landlords failed. About 50 employees are seeking more than HK$5 million in unpaid wages, severance, untaken leave pay, and wages in lieu of notice, with some long-serving staff owed HK$200,000–HK$300,000. The Federation of Trade Unions is assisting workers in filing claims with the Labour Department.

China is intensifying efforts to secure copper from Africa to support its green energy transition, as copper becomes as vital as lithium and cobalt for EVs, solar, and grid upgrades. With Western restrictions—especially Canada’s 2022 curbs on Chinese acquisitions—Beijing is deepening investments in mining and processing across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and increasingly Botswana. Analysts stress copper’s indispensability to the energy shift. Despite geopolitical headwinds, Chinese firms are striking aggressive deals, exemplified by JCHX Mining’s acquisition of an 80% stake in Zambia’s Lubambe Copper Mine for a nominal sum, paired with plans to invest up to US$800 million to revive and expand production, underscoring copper’s strategic priority for China.

Taiwan will run its 41st Han Kuang exercise July 9–18 under continuous 24/7 live fire for the first time, merging traditional military war games with large-scale urban survival drills. The drills will test joint military readiness and a “whole-of-society resilience” model promoted by President William Lai, including air-raid alerts, mass evacuations, and protection of critical infrastructure across regions. Framed as preparation for scenarios from grey-zone pressure to coastal landings and prolonged urban warfare by the PLA, the exercise marks a strategic shift toward integrating civil defense and national mobilization, with officials stressing readiness as essential to deterrence and peace.

Despite hopes for a reset amid US political shifts, EU-China relations remain stuck. Brussels sees Beijing’s outreach as superficial, with no progress on core disputes: trade imbalances and China’s support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. As a series of high-level meetings begins, EU officials say the relationship hasn’t fundamentally changed, and Europe faces simultaneous US tariff pressures and renewed friction with China.

A US congressional report has proposed assessing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage hub at the former Subic Bay naval base in the Philippines to address Indo-Pacific logistics gaps. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. tentatively welcomed the idea for its potential economic, employment, and tech-transfer benefits. However, experts and critics warn it could deepen Philippine military dependence on the US, weaken Manila’s strategic ambiguity, risk making Subic Bay a target in a US-China conflict, and invite Chinese retaliation or economic pressure. The plan remains exploratory with no formal proposal yet.

The article examines how U.S. budget disputes are shaping the race for sixth-generation fighter jets and the implications for a potential Taiwan conflict. China has flight-tested a next-gen fighter prototype, intensifying pressure on the U.S. to advance its Air Force-led NGAD program, now branded as the F-47 under President Trump. However, Congress is pushing back on Pentagon plans that prioritize the Air Force’s NGAD over the Navy’s future carrier-based fighter, reflecting interservice competition and constrained resources. These funding choices could determine which U.S. capabilities mature first—long-range, stealthy air dominance and collaborative drones for penetrating strikes, or naval air power suited to Pacific operations. The outcome will influence deterrence and warfighting options in the Taiwan Strait, where gaining and sustaining air superiority across vast distances against advanced Chinese air defenses and aviation will be pivotal.

Ringo Starr, turning 85, remains an energetic, beloved musician who never retired, recently releasing a Nashville-recorded country album and touring with his All-Starr Band. Friends and peers, including Paul McCartney and Max Weinberg, praise his singular drumming feel and wit—his “Ringo-isms”—that can’t be replicated. Starr credits his longevity to sobriety since 1988, love of playing, and a lifelong buoyancy that began in Liverpool despite early hardships. Still playful and collaborative with younger artists, he embodies his “peace and love” mantra while proving his stamina onstage—jumping jacks at rehearsals included. As McCartney puts it: “He’s Ringo. And nobody else is.”

The article argues that Zohran Mamdani’s surprise Democratic primary win in New York City is a nationally significant moment for the American left, reshaping expectations about what’s politically possible. It highlights how a novel, energized electorate propelled him from 1 percent in the polls to a decisive victory, despite a hostile media environment and intense backlash from Republicans and some Democrats. While critics caricature his agenda as extreme, the piece notes his platform is largely incremental and rooted in precedents: modest tax increases on millionaires, aligning corporate taxes with New Jersey, rent freezes previously used under de Blasio, pilots for free buses and child care, market-friendly housing reforms, higher minimum wages, small-business deregulation, free CUNY, baby boxes, and limited city-run groceries. With politics nationalized, Mamdani becomes a focal point akin to Sanders or Ocasio-Cortez, but as an executive he would directly own outcomes in New York. The author concludes that the race exposes how fluid political narratives are, that the backlash has been hyperbolic, and that Mamdani’s potential mayoralty would serve as a high-stakes test of pragmatic progressive governance.

Paramount agreed to pay President Trump $16 million, including legal fees, to settle his lawsuit alleging deceptive editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. The payment, minus fees, will go to Trump’s future presidential library, and Paramount will release written transcripts of future 60 Minutes interviews with presidential candidates; no apology was issued. Though many legal experts believed CBS would have prevailed on First Amendment grounds, Paramount’s leadership pursued settlement amid a pending sale to Skydance requiring government approvals. The case fueled internal turmoil at CBS News, contributing to leadership departures and concerns about editorial independence. The payout, matching a prior $16 million Trump settlement with ABC News, has prompted scrutiny from lawmakers and threats of shareholder litigation over potential bribery implications. Paramount is also reshaping its board as the deal closes.

Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle President Trump’s lawsuit alleging CBS’s “60 Minutes” misled viewers by selectively editing a Kamala Harris interview, a case many legal experts called frivolous. The settlement, reached as Paramount pursues a sale to Skydance, alarmed press freedom advocates and some lawmakers, who warned it sets a dangerous precedent encouraging government pressure on newsrooms. Paramount denied any link to the Skydance deal and offered no apology, but agreed that “60 Minutes” will release transcripts of future presidential candidate interviews. The lawsuit and settlement have intensified internal strain at CBS News, contributing to leadership upheaval, added oversight of “60 Minutes,” and public criticism from veteran journalists. Critics say the payout emboldens Trump’s broader campaign against media institutions and chills editorial independence.

The University of Pennsylvania reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to limit transgender athletes’ participation in its sports programs and adopt “biology-based” definitions of male and female in line with the Trump administration’s interpretation of Title IX. The deal stems from a federal civil rights investigation into Lia Thomas’s participation on Penn’s women’s swim team, which officials said violated sex discrimination law. Penn acknowledged some athletes were disadvantaged under prior rules and updated team records to reflect current eligibility guidelines, while noting Thomas’s records were set under rules in effect at the time. The move follows executive orders and NCAA policy changes restricting transgender women’s participation, drew praise from administration officials as a victory for women and girls, and condemnation from LGBTQ advocates. It’s unclear if the agreement will lead to restoration of $175 million in suspended federal research funding.

The New York Times invited readers to vote on the best movies of the 21st century after publishing an industry-ranked list, garnering over 200,000 ballots. The reader-generated Top 100 overlaps heavily with the official list, keeping titles like Parasite and Mulholland Drive at the top, while elevating popular favorites such as Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Readers also boosted blockbusters and recent hits (Barbie, two Dune films, Oppenheimer) alongside international and arthouse picks (Drive My Car, The Handmaiden). The interactive lets users save films to a watch list and create shareable ballots, emphasizing both consensus favorites and distinct audience tastes.

The article examines why Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and host of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, has become a global crowd-pleaser. Despite a glut of travel-food TV, Rosenthal’s genuine warmth, silly humor, and unpretentious love of everything from fine dining to delis set him apart. Season 8 premiered in June, he’s launching a North American live tour, releasing a second cookbook in November, and opening Max and Helen’s, a nostalgic LA diner with Nancy Silverton, honoring his late parents. Friends and chefs say his onscreen affability is real; he mixes high-quality, Bourdain-level production values (via Zero Point Zero) with cheerful goofiness, inclusive dinners with locals, and childlike delight in simple treats like egg creams. The piece also traces his background—parents who survived Nazi-era persecution, bland home cooking that sparked his diner-fueled curiosity—showing how gratitude, empathy, and approachable joy power his unlikely rise to sold-out theaters worldwide.

The Trump administration has frozen nearly $7 billion in federally appropriated education funds—with little explanation—affecting after-school and summer programs, English-learner support, teacher training, and other services. The Education Department told states the money is under review with no release timeline, prompting legal threats and accusations of illegality from Democrats and unions, since Congress approved the funds and Trump signed them in March. The White House is considering a rescission process that could keep funds frozen until they expire. Districts nationwide warn of immediate disruptions: reduced after-school slots, staffing delays, and curtailed support for non-English-speaking families, with particular strain on low-income communities. Critics call the move catastrophic and lawless; the administration frames it as aligning spending with presidential priorities amid a broader push to shrink federal involvement in education.

A federal court ruled that Donald Trump’s proclamation declaring an “invasion” at the US‑Mexico border and suspending the right to seek asylum was unlawful, finding the president exceeded his authority under the Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act. Judge Randolph Moss’s decision, in a class-action suit brought by asylum seekers and immigrant rights groups, gives the administration 14 days to seek emergency relief; if it stands, the government must resume processing asylum claims at the southern border. Advocates hailed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and human dignity, though other restrictive measures on immigration remain in place. The case is unaffected by a recent supreme court decision limiting nationwide injunctions because it was filed as a class action.

Former UK cabinet secretary Simon Case labeled China’s Xi Jinping a “dictator” and warned Beijing is signaling readiness for “serious conflict” over Taiwan. Speaking at a BAE Systems–funded event, he said Donald Trump’s pressure on allies had “helpfully” spurred Europe to boost defense spending, urging the UK and EU to accelerate increases beyond current plans (UK to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, NATO aiming for 5% by 2035). He highlighted Chinese military drills around Taiwan and warned of broader Russian threats in Europe. Case, now chairing a government–industry partnership tied to BAE’s submarine hub, aligned his remarks with the UK’s strategic review that cites China as a driver of global instability.

A federal judge in Brooklyn blocked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bid to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and work permits early for about 521,000 Haitian immigrants, ruling she lacked authority and failed to follow Congress’s mandated review process. The decision halts the Trump administration’s move to cut Biden’s TPS extension short, which DHS had tried to shift from a February 2026 expiration to September 2025. Judge Brian Cogan said Haitians’ interests outweigh government claims of harm and noted the administration can still act within statutory procedures. The lawsuit, filed by Haitian TPS holders, unions, and churches, argued Noem skipped the required assessment of conditions in Haiti and was influenced by racial animus. The ruling comes as the administration pursues broader TPS rollbacks, including for Venezuelans, and amid ongoing violence and displacement in Haiti. DHS criticized the decision and plans to appeal.

Scientists have sequenced the first complete genome of an ancient Egyptian, using DNA from a man buried over 4,500 years ago in a sealed pottery vessel near Nuwayrat. Exceptional preservation—likely due to the unusual pot burial—enabled full analysis despite Egypt’s hot climate. Radiocarbon dating places him between the early dynastic period and the Old Kingdom. Genetic results indicate dark skin, brown eyes and hair, predominantly North African Neolithic ancestry with about 20% input from the Fertile Crescent, aligning with evidence of early trade links. Skeletal wear suggests a life of intense manual labor, likely as a potter or ground-based craftsman, though his high-status rock-cut tomb is unusual for such an occupation. The study, published in Nature, demonstrates which burials can yield high-quality DNA and paves the way for broader ancient Egyptian genomic research.

Haiti’s government has increasingly used weaponized first-person-view drones to strike gang targets in Port-au-Prince, helping push back criminal groups that had seized much of the capital. Since the campaign began in March, at least 300 people have been killed and nearly 400 injured, according to local rights group RNDDH. Viral videos show drones hitting armed men, vehicles, and even an evangelical seminary. The drones, reportedly inexpensive models adapted with explosives, mirror tactics seen in Ukraine. The operations may involve a government-linked private force; reports tie Erik Prince and other contractors to supplying weapons and training, though officials have not confirmed details. Despite concerns over secrecy and provenance of footage, Haitian human rights advocates broadly support the strikes as proportionate to gang firepower, crediting them with instilling fear among gangs and reducing violence. Banks and schools have begun reopening, while a UN-backed Kenyan-led security mission has struggled to make headway.

The US Department of Agriculture will mass-breed and aerially release billions of radiation-sterilized male New World screwworm flies over southern Texas and Mexico to suppress a renewed outbreak of the flesh-eating parasite. The sterile insect technique—successful in eradicating the pest across North America by 1975—prevents fertile eggs when wild females, which mate only once, pair with sterile males. With the fly detected in southern Mexico in late 2024, the USDA plans a Texas distribution center this year and a new Mexican factory by 2026, boosting capacity beyond Panama’s current 117 million flies per week to at least 400 million. The program aims to protect livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans from devastating infestations, seen as a major threat to the beef industry. While more environmentally friendly than pesticides, the effort faces logistical and safety challenges, including secure containment of fertile stock and risks in aerial release operations. Authorities have temporarily restricted imports of live animals at the southern border as a precaution.

AstraZeneca is reportedly considering moving its primary stock listing from London to the U.S., driven by frustrations with U.K. regulation on drug approvals and pricing. As the FTSE 100’s most valuable company, a move would force major index reweighting and deal a significant blow to London’s status as a global financial hub amid a broader trend of firms shifting listings or canceling London IPOs. Advocates cite deeper U.S. capital markets, higher valuations, and stronger investor support; critics warn the U.K. is losing competitiveness. While AstraZeneca has a diverse investor base and the shift could be complex, its large U.S. sales footprint and expansion plans may support the change. Industry uncertainty over potential U.S. import tariffs on pharma also looms in the background.

- Xpeng delivered 34,611 cars in June, its eighth consecutive month above 30,000, sustaining momentum amid China’s intensifying EV price war. It didn’t break out deliveries by its ADAS-equipped models or lower-priced Mona brand. - Rivals’ June results were mixed: Zeekr 16,702 (down month-on-month and year-on-year), Nio 24,925 (slight rise across Nio, Onvo, Firefly), Li Auto 36,279 (down m/m but Q2 at 111,074, topping lowered guidance after sales system changes). Xiaomi delivered 25,000+ and reported 240,000+ locked-in orders for its cheaper-than-Model Y YU7 SUV, though delivery times have stretched and scalper demand is suspected. - Tesla faces pressure from new Chinese models; estimated Q2 China sales ~128,000 (down ~12% YoY). Tesla raised the Model 3 LR price by 10,000 yuan. It remains fifth in China’s NEV market by share through May. - Other players: Leapmotor hit a record 48,006 June deliveries; Aito delivered 44,685. - BYD remains dominant with 377,628 June passenger sales (over half BEVs), totaling 2.1 million in H1. H1 deliveries: Leapmotor and Li Auto 200,000+ each; Xpeng ~197,189; Xiaomi 150,000+. - Government has criticized “low-price, disorderly competition,” signaling tighter oversight. Industry watchers expect consolidation, with BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely seen as likely survivors; Nio viewed at risk due to finances despite strong products.

Germany’s defense industry is surging amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with 2024 military exports reaching €13.2 billion—more than double 2020—and defense stocks soaring (Rheinmetall up 260%, Hensoldt up 168%). In Q1 2025, 80% of exports went to “close partner countries” (EU states plus Japan, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and Ukraine); 20% went to other countries, notably Qatar and Israel. From 2020–2024, Germany was the fifth-largest arms exporter, with top markets Ukraine (19%), Egypt (19%), and Israel (11%). Major export categories were ships (41%), armored vehicles (16%), missiles (11%), and engines (9.5%). Company snapshots: - Rheinmetall: One-third of sales in Germany; 46.6% elsewhere in Europe; Asia/Middle East 9.6%; Americas 7.7%; other regions (notably Australia) 5.8%. - MTU Aero Engines: Military growth driven by EJ200 engines for Eurofighter users (Europe, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia); overall 2024 revenues mostly from North America (70%), then Germany; military focus centered on Germany/Europe. - Hensoldt: Strong demand led by Germany/Europe (87.8% of revenue), with smaller shares in Middle East, APAC, North America, and Africa. - Renk: Supplies gearboxes to 70+ land forces and 40+ navies; 2024 revenue €1.14 billion; sales by country—Germany 27%, U.S. 20%, South Korea 11%. - Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: Sales split among Germany/DACH (~30%), Western Europe (~30%), South America (18%), Middle East/Africa (15%). Political debates focus on exports to Israel amid Gaza-related human rights concerns and to Ukraine amid the ongoing war; the government signals continued sales to Israel despite calls for review, while support for Ukraine faces opposition from both far-left and far-right parties.

Santander will buy U.K. lender TSB from Spain’s Sabadell for £2.65 billion in cash, reaffirming its commitment to the British market and aiming to lift its U.K. return on tangible equity from 11% to 16% by 2028. The move follows weak U.K. profits and branch cuts that had fueled exit rumors, which Santander denies, calling the U.K. a core, low-risk, hard-currency market. The deal complicates Spain’s banking consolidation drama: Sabadell is fending off a hostile €14 billion bid from BBVA, which faces new Spanish government conditions requiring separate operations for at least three years post-merger. Analysts see the TSB sale as a tactic to sway Sabadell shareholders against BBVA’s offer, while Santander says it’s neutral and focused on shareholder value. Santander’s CFO also noted Spain’s banking competition is among the toughest in Europe.

- The UK has seen a sharp exodus of wealthy residents after Chancellor Rachel Reeves scrapped the inheritance tax exemption for offshore trusts, making global assets of former “non-doms” potentially subject to a 40% levy. - This follows the prior abolition of non-dom status announced in 2024; Reeves’ tougher move turned the UK from a magnet for the rich into one of the most expensive places to die. - Indicators of flight include a 36% drop in prime London property transactions, over 4,400 company directors leaving, and high-profile departures such as Goldman Sachs vice chair Richard Gnodde, billionaire Nassef Sawiris, and shipping magnate John Fredriksen; Lakshmi Mittal is reportedly considering leaving. - Estimates vary: Henley & Partners/New World Wealth project a net outflow of 16,500 millionaires in 2025 (after 10,800 in 2024), while skeptics note methodology issues. Oxford Economics suggests up to 32% of non-doms could leave, risking a net fiscal loss given non-doms paid £8.9 billion in 2022–23. - Competing jurisdictions like Italy and the UAE are actively courting the rich with favorable regimes, intensifying the UK’s problem. - Beyond tax receipts, the UK risks losing jobs and philanthropy tied to high-net-worth residents across luxury retail, hospitality, legal services, culture, and sport. - The Office for Budget Responsibility still forecasts £2.7 billion in annual revenue by 2028–29, but that assumes lower departure rates than emerging evidence suggests. - The government recognizes the risk but may be too late to reverse departures already triggered by the trust change, VAT on school fees, and inheritance tax relief changes; restoring some exemptions is floated as the most effective way to stem further outflows.

UK Jewish leaders condemned BBC-broadcast chants of “Death to the IDF” by rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, calling it evidence of normalized antisemitism and media bias. Advocacy groups cite record antisemitic incidents in 2023–2024 and surveys showing many British Jews feel unwelcome, hide their identity, and doubt authorities’ response, with the BBC seen as a major contributor through its coverage. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the hate speech and asked the BBC to explain the broadcast. The Board of Deputies and Campaign Against Antisemitism demanded accountability from the BBC and festival organizers, arguing the episode reflects a broader societal problem.

North Korean state media aired footage of Kim Jong Un tearfully mourning over a flag-draped coffin, depicting North Korean soldiers reportedly killed while fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine. The images, shown during a cultural event marking one year of a North Korea–Russia “comprehensive strategic partnership,” included photos of North Korean troops with Russian forces and a bloodstained battlefield notebook praising Kim. Russia’s culture minister attended and appeared emotional. A South Korean analyst said the presentation aimed to craft a “victory narrative” about joint operations in Ukraine.

Mexican authorities found 20 bodies in Culiacan, Sinaloa, including four decapitated and hung from a bridge with their heads in a nearby bag, and 16 more with gunshot wounds inside a van, one also decapitated. A note believed to be from a cartel was found but not disclosed. The city is embroiled in a violent struggle between Sinaloa cartel factions Los Chapitos and La Mayiza. Officials vowed to restore order, while residents doubt authorities’ control. The U.S. recently sanctioned Los Chapitos as a terrorist organization for fentanyl trafficking.

The Pope and the U.S. State Department condemned a massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, Nigeria, where Islamist militants reportedly killed up to 200 people—mostly Christians, including many sheltering at a Catholic mission—by burning homes and shooting victims. The State Department linked the violence to extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, urged Nigeria to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable, and noted rising attacks on predominantly Christian communities. Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians, with 69% of global Christian killings last year occurring there. Amid ongoing threats, a Nigerian bishop who testified to Congress about persecution has gone into hiding. President Bola Tinubu visited Benue calling for a framework for peace, though further killings were reported the same day.

Sergei Torop, a former traffic policeman known as “Vissarion” who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus and founded the Church of the Last Testament in Siberia in 1991, was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian maximum-security prison for psychologically and financially exploiting followers and causing harm to their health. Two aides were also convicted: Vladimir Vedernikov received 12 years and Vadim Redkin 11 years. Arrested in a 2020 helicopter raid, the group allegedly pressured followers to give money and imposed strict lifestyle rules. Investigators cited moral harm to 16 people and physical harm to several others; Vedernikov also faced fraud charges.

Thirty-year-old Olorato Mongale was lured to a first date in Johannesburg and later found beaten to death, exposing a robbery syndicate that allegedly targeted women through dating setups. Police recovered a blood-stained car linked to the crime, shot dead one suspect (Philangenkosi Sibongokuhle Makanya), and are pursuing another (Bongani Mthimkhulu). After the killing, authorities received 94 calls from women identifying the men as assailants in similar gunpoint robberies. The case highlights South Africa’s femicide crisis—over 5,500 women were killed last year amid rising gender-based violence—and concerns about police responsiveness, as friends played a key role in tracing Olorato’s last movements. Survivors report identical tactics and deepening fear, while advocacy groups urge faster, more effective policing and systemic action.

Conor McGregor’s legal team withdrew a bid to introduce new evidence in his appeal of a civil verdict that found him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in 2018, for which she was awarded €248,603.60 in damages. The withdrawn evidence reportedly involved testimony from two of Hand’s former neighbors about alleged prior assaults by a partner. The Court of Appeal criticized the late withdrawal but allowed it. McGregor’s appeal now proceeds on four remaining grounds, mainly challenging how his “no comment” garda interviews were used and the cross-examination framing of his cooperation. Hand’s counsel objected to the late change, citing potential perjury issues and the strain on his client. Separate proceedings continue regarding co-defendant James Lawrence’s costs appeal.

A Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Brisbane was delayed two hours after a 60cm green tree snake was discovered in the cargo hold during boarding. Snake catcher Mark Pelley initially feared it was venomous and warned the plane might need evacuation if it slipped into the panels, but he captured it on the first attempt. Believed to have traveled in a passenger’s luggage from Brisbane, the protected species can’t be released for quarantine reasons and was handed to a Melbourne vet to be rehomed with a licensed keeper.

A Lancet study warns that cuts to USAID under the Trump administration could cause up to 14 million deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children under five, by reversing gains against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases. USAID programs have historically prevented over 91 million deaths and driven major health improvements in low- and middle-income countries. Following a rapid review, over 80% of USAID schemes were closed, despite the U.S. being the world’s largest aid donor. Researchers say the abrupt funding reductions risk undoing decades of progress in global health and development.

- The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 runs 2–27 July in Switzerland across eight venues, with the final in Basel. - 16 teams qualified: hosts Switzerland plus England, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, and Wales. - Groups: A) Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland; B) Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy; C) Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden; D) France, England, Wales, Netherlands. - England and Wales fixtures: Wales vs Netherlands on 5 July (5pm UK, Lucerne); England vs France on 5 July (8pm UK, Zurich); England vs Wales on 13 July (8pm UK, St Gallen). - England defend their 2022 title but face a tough Group D; key absences include Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, and Millie Bright. Wales make their first major tournament, captained by Angharad James, with veterans Jess Fishlock, Hayley Ladd, and Sophie Ingle included. - Prize money totals €41m; max winners’ payout is €5.1m if perfect in groups. - Broadcast: All 31 matches live across BBC and ITV (final on both). Watch parties at TOCA Social (The O2), Westfield White City, and Birmingham’s Bullring. - Heat concerns have been raised over player welfare in hot, humid conditions.