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The article argues that navigating Donald Trump’s inner circle resembles serving in a Renaissance court. Drawing on historical models like Castiglione’s ideal courtier, Machiavelli’s ruthless pragmatist, and Cromwell’s adaptable fixer, it distills rules for survival: project effortless competence and loyalty while masking ambition; flatter the prince without becoming indispensable or visible enough to threaten him; pivot quickly as whims and factions shift; deliver tangible wins, take blame lightly, and never outshine the leader. Success requires emotional attunement, stagecraft, and moral flexibility—thriving depends less on ideology than on timing, discretion, and the art of pleasing a volatile ruler.

The Economist piece examines a copyright spat over a YouTube “reaction” video that adds flatulence sound effects to another creator’s work, using it to probe when reactions are transformative enough to qualify as fair use. It situates reaction content as a huge, derivative-yet-lucrative genre and highlights how courts and copyright lawyers assess factors like commentary, parody, and the extent of original footage used. The case underscores growing tensions between creators seeking protection and reactors claiming transformative critique, with the outcome likely to influence norms for online remix culture.

The article traces the celebrity book-club trend back to Britain’s Book Society, founded in 1929, showing that star-powered reading recommendations long predate Oprah. Then, as now, famous figures used curated picks and marketing gloss to shape public taste and sell books. Today’s clubs—from Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon to Dua Lipa and Kaia Gerber—promise everything from “enlightenment” to “book joy,” echoing earlier efforts to turn literary authority into cultural influence and commercial clout. The piece argues that while the rhetoric changes, the model—celebrity endorsement driving mass readership—has been a near-century-old fixture of publishing.

Britain’s once-proud motorway era is losing its shine, symbolized by public frustration over the unprecedented daytime closure of the M25 for bridge works. The ring road around London—Britain’s busiest and among its most despised—has long embodied congestion, pollution, and frayed tempers, turning from a national achievement into a byword for irritation. The disruption highlights broader disenchantment: aging infrastructure, maintenance headaches, and shifting priorities toward safety, climate concerns, and alternative transport. The M25 still underpins the economy, but Britain’s love affair with big roads has dimmed, replaced by grudging dependence and growing pressure to rethink how the country moves.

The article argues that, unusually, London is set to receive less public investment relative to the rest of England under the government’s new spending approach. Responding to longstanding complaints from northern MPs about being “short-changed,” ministers are prioritizing funding outside the M25 to spur regional growth and address geographic imbalances. This marks a deliberate shift away from London-centric allocations, channeling cash toward northern and other non-London areas, even as the capital—normally the main beneficiary—loses out.

The Economist argues that Hollywood’s latest go-to villain is artificial intelligence, reflecting contemporary anxieties much as Soviet generals and jihadists did in earlier eras. From franchises like Mission Impossible to films such as M3GAN 2.0, screenwriters increasingly portray AI as an existential, tech-driven threat, signaling a cultural “doomer” mood about the dangers of advanced technology.

The article profiles Graham Hancock’s rise from fringe author to mainstream streaming star, showing how his Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse popularizes his claim that an advanced Ice Age civilization shaped human history far earlier than accepted. It details his confrontations with institutions (such as being denied filming at Ohio’s Serpent Mound), the appeal of his outsider narrative to audiences distrustful of academic gatekeepers, and the way social media amplifies his blend of archaeological speculation and grand conspiracy. Critics argue his theories distort evidence, erase Indigenous histories by re-dating sacred sites, and fuel anti-expert sentiment; supporters see him as challenging orthodoxy. The piece situates Hancock at the crossroads of entertainment, pseudohistory, and culture-war dynamics, explaining why he has become a favorite figure for conspiracy-minded audiences despite scholarly debunking.

The article argues that Tether (USDT), a dollar-pegged stablecoin, has become the preferred tool for global money laundering and illicit finance because it combines cash-like anonymity with instant, borderless transfer and deep liquidity. It traces how law enforcement in the UK stumbled on a major crypto-laundering network in 2021, then broadened probes that revealed Tether’s central role in scams, fraud rings, and underground markets from Europe to Asia, particularly in “pig-butchering” scams and capital flight. Criminals favor USDT on Tron for low fees and speed, using OTC brokers, mixers, and loosely regulated exchanges to convert to fiat. The piece highlights a paradox: as Tether gains mainstream acceptance, larger reserves, and closer banking ties—appearing more respectable—it simultaneously powers a vast shadow economy. Regulators are tightening controls and tracing tools have improved, but fragmented enforcement, jurisdictional arbitrage, and Tether’s scale make curbing its illicit use difficult. The article concludes that without coordinated global rules and stricter on- and off-ramp oversight, USDT will remain the de facto currency of the underground.

The article reviews a new book about the fraught World War II partnership between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, portraying their alliance as a pragmatic, often distrustful coalition held together by the overriding goal of defeating Hitler. It highlights moments like Britain’s grim decision to destroy the French fleet at Mers el-Kébir as emblematic of the ruthless choices wartime leaders made, and shows how ideological rifts, clashing personalities, and strategic disagreements coexisted with occasional camaraderie and realpolitik bargaining. The book argues that while the “Big Three” managed a functional alliance that won the war, their uneasy concord sowed the seeds of postwar tensions that hardened into the Cold War.

The article "Shock and Ore" by The Economist features the work of Italian artist Davide Monteleone, who captures the transformation of geological substances into economic resources through his photographs. The article takes a look at the mining of critical minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel in Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia. The images depict the vast scale of mining operations, the environmental impact, and the lives of those involved in the industry. In Chile, Monteleone's photographs show the abandoned town of Chuquicamata, the world's largest open-pit copper mine, and the strain on water resources. In the DRC, his images highlight the harsh conditions faced by artisanal cobalt miners, including child labor. In Indonesia, the photographs show the clearing of forests for nickel mines and the growth of refining capacity. Monteleone's work presents a neutral, observational view of the mining process, highlighting the relentless search for critical minerals and its effects on the environment and local communities.

The Economist reports that Oasis, the Britpop giants led by feuding brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, are reuniting on July 4th for their first performance in 16 years. Their 2009 breakup followed a notorious backstage fight and years of public sniping, but the band now says “the guns have fallen silent.” The piece frames the comeback as a long-thought-impossible moment and notes Oasis’s enduring popularity surpasses that of their Britpop peers.

The article describes how cryptocurrency has moved to the center of U.S. politics under President Trump’s second term. Key drivers include: - Trump family involvement and promotion: Donald Trump launched a $TRUMP meme coin, with perks like a presidential dinner for top holders, encouraging politically motivated buying. - Corporate and lobbying incentives: Companies like Texas-based Fr8Tech are purchasing $TRUMP as a form of political advocacy, signaling a new pay-to-play dynamic via crypto holdings. - Friendly regulatory environment: Appointed regulators and policy shifts have made the industry more welcome, boosting its influence and access. - Lavish campaign spending by crypto firms: Well-funded industry players are pouring money into elections and policy battles to shape favorable rules. Together, these trends blur lines between political fundraising, influence, and speculative assets, making crypto a tool for access and advocacy in Washington.

The article profiles Kenyan marathon star Kelvin Kiptum—his meteoric rise, the intense training culture around Iten in the Rift Valley, and the pressures, risks, and fragile support systems facing Kenya’s long-distance runners. It explores how early success, sparse oversight, dangerous roads, and predatory incentives (from agents, sponsors, and performance pressure) create a perilous environment that has seen multiple athletes meet tragic ends. Kiptum’s fatal car crash becomes a lens on systemic issues: inadequate infrastructure and athlete welfare, sporadic coaching safeguards, doping scandals that taint genuine talent, and the precarious economics of running where a single breakthrough can change a life, but little protects athletes if things go wrong. The piece argues that Kenya’s running glory masks a harsher reality—brilliance built on grit amid structural neglect—leaving even its brightest stars acutely vulnerable.

The article notes the paradox that despite cheap, fast delivery making pizza easier than ever to buy, a growing number of people are investing time and money to make it at home—spurred by the rise of portable pizza ovens. Home cooks can handle dough and toppings, but achieving restaurant-level results hinges on high, even heat that standard ovens lack; portable ovens promise that blistered crust and quick bake, turning a simple dish into a satisfying weekend project and statusy summer gadget. The trend reflects the appeal of hands-on cooking, the pursuit of authenticity, and the social cachet of mastering a deceptively simple food.

The article charts Hizbullah’s trajectory from ascendant militia-state within Lebanon to a movement facing unprecedented strain. It traces its rise through Iranian backing, battlefield legitimacy from fighting Israel and intervening in Syria, and its entrenchment in Lebanese politics and patronage. It then details the shocks since late 2024—Assad’s collapse in Syria, pressure on Iran’s regional network, Israel’s intensified confrontation, and Lebanon’s deep economic implosion—that have eroded Hizbullah’s deterrence, finances, and domestic standing. The group is depicted as internally divided between hardliners and pragmatists, struggling to balance resistance credentials with the costs of perpetual conflict to its Shia base and wider Lebanon. While Hizbullah remains militarily formidable and embedded in state structures, its once-unquestioned dominance is now contested by shifting regional dynamics, fraying alliances, and mounting local backlash, leaving its future uncertain.

The article explains why many North Koreans risk severe punishment—even death—to watch smuggled South Korean TV dramas. Glossy K-dramas, with their romantic plots, consumer abundance, and depictions of personal freedom and rule of law, starkly contrast with North Korea’s propaganda and scarcity. Despite harsh crackdowns, people share shows via underground networks using USBs and hidden devices, seeking entertainment, information about the outside world, and a sense of dignity and aspiration. The regime fears these dramas’ soft power because they subtly undermine its narrative and reveal a more prosperous Korean alternative just across the border.

A brief weekend watchlist centered on legacy: documentaries and dramas about transformative figures in tennis, culinary culture, and British rock, plus a crime-laced family saga set in a fictional North Carolina fishing town.

The article argues that while artists have every right to voice political opinions, celebrity endorsements don’t meaningfully help left-wing causes and can even backfire. Invoking moral imperatives to “speak out” (via Mill and Niemöller) doesn’t automatically make star activism noble or effective. Pop-star interventions often polarize audiences, reinforce culture-war frames, and distract from policy substance, offering little electoral benefit and sometimes mobilizing opposition. In short, celebrity support gratifies fans and garners attention but seldom translates into persuasive politics or durable gains for the left.

At least 29 Hong Kong students earned perfect 45 scores in this year’s International Baccalaureate exams despite widespread complaints about an unusually difficult mathematics section. More than 2,600 students in the city sat the May exams, up nearly 20% from 2021. St Paul’s Co-Educational College saw one perfect scorer, 17-year-old Kristen Lo, with eight classmates scoring 44. Lo likened the two-year IB to a marathon and credited peer support. Coordinators suggested math grade boundaries were likely adjusted in response to the difficulty. The results are significant for university applications.

Chinese researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences report that genetic factors significantly shape brain criticality—the balance between neural excitation and inhibition—across regions and large-scale networks. Published in PNAS, the study links criticality to cognitive performance and suggests a shared genetic basis for both. By framing brain criticality as a biological phenotype, the findings open avenues for studying its role in neurological and psychiatric disorders and for developing new therapeutic strategies.

The excerpt from Cheong Yip Seng’s book portrays Singapore’s founding leadership as a cohesive yet candid team that advanced Lee Kuan Yew’s vision by constructively challenging him. Through an anecdote about Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam delaying a meeting with Lee to finish an interview with a critical foreign correspondent, Cheong illustrates the leaders’ confidence, mutual respect, and shared mission. The story highlights their equality within the team, the priority they placed on engaging the press—even skeptics—and the trust Lee had in colleagues who exercised independent judgment while remaining aligned on national goals.

Young Chinese, especially recent high school and university graduates, are driving a surge in cruise vacations by seeking convenient, affordable, and social travel. In Shanghai and other port cities, entrepreneurs like Fudan MBA graduate Dong Wenxin organize weeklong group cruises—often to Japan—costing 3,000–10,000 yuan per person. Cruises offer structured activities and shared spaces that foster group bonding without the hassles of crowded rentals, making them an appealing alternative to road trips or hiking despite on-ship limitations. Analysts say this demographic’s preferences for group experiences and value are fuelling the cruise boom.

Japan plans to transfer six decades-old Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippines to bolster Manila’s maritime deterrence against China, according to Japan’s Yomiuri newspaper. The agreement, reportedly reached by defense ministers in June, would see Philippine inspections this summer as preparations near completion. The move deepens Japan–Philippines security cooperation amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the South and East China seas, complementing joint exercises, Japanese radar assistance, and a reciprocal access agreement enabling troop deployments on each other’s territory. Authorities in Tokyo declined comment; Manila and Beijing did not immediately respond.

China’s Communist Party has introduced new rules to standardize how top-level “party coordinative institutes” — central commissions and leading groups — plan, discuss, and review major policies. Observers say the changes suggest President Xi Jinping may be delegating more authority to deputies and formalizing decision-making processes he expanded during his tenure. Some analysts view this as an early signal of succession planning, while others see it as a rebalancing of priorities rather than a transfer of ultimate control. The Politburo reviewed the rules, which aim to streamline cross-agency coordination and oversight.

New Zealand’s revamped Active Investor Plus (AIP) “golden visa” is drawing strong interest from wealthy applicants, particularly from the US, mainland China (26 applications), and Hong Kong (24) among roughly 200 total since April. While residential property isn’t an eligible investment, successful applicants can buy homes for personal use, which analysts say could significantly impact New Zealand’s small luxury housing market as high-net-worth residents target premium suburbs and large estates. The AIP offers two paths: a growth option (~US$3 million over 3 years with 21 days’ presence) and a balanced option (~US$6 million over 5 years with 105 days’ presence). Foreign home purchases were largely restricted in 2018, with Australians and Singaporeans previously the main exceptions.

The US Secret Service is now investigating cryptocurrency scams, using digital tools and techniques to track down scammers. The agency's Global Investigative Operations Centre has seized nearly $400 million in digital assets over the last decade. Investigators use open-source tools to trace domain names, cryptocurrency payments, and IP addresses to identify scammers, often uncovering their identities through small mistakes such as VPN failures.

The article discusses a new US executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize American-made drones and streamline regulations to boost domestic production. While intended to curb China’s dominance in the global drone market, analysts and industry participants argue it may be too late to displace Chinese suppliers, who are deeply embedded in supply chains and remain market leaders. Industry voices warn that limiting Chinese drones could raise costs and strain availability, given the small number of viable non-Chinese manufacturers. The move is seen partly as a negotiation tactic, reflecting ongoing US efforts to counter China’s tech influence, but near-term substitution appears difficult.

Vietnam and the US have struck a new trade deal that removes tariffs on US goods entering Vietnam while imposing a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports to the US. Despite the imbalance, markets reacted positively, with Vietnam’s stock index hitting its highest level since April 2022, reflecting hopes for export stability. Supporters argue the measures aim to narrow Vietnam’s more than US$100 billion trade surplus with the US, and note the 20% rate is far lower than the 46% floated in April. Vietnamese business figures say the new tariff is tough but manageable, warning that rates above 25% could push the economy into crisis.

Colombian authorities arrested Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alleged mastermind of the June 7 shooting of conservative senator and 2026 presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay. Arteaga, known as “Chipi” or “Costeño,” was detained in Bogotá after Interpol issued a red notice. He faces charges including attempted aggravated homicide, illegal arms offenses, and using minors to commit crimes; three others are already in custody. Uribe was shot twice in the head and once in the knee during a public speech and remains in intensive care after multiple surgeries. The motive is under investigation. The attack, widely condemned domestically and internationally, highlights Colombia’s history of political violence.

Oasis reunited for their first concert since 2009, launching the Live ’25 tour in Cardiff, Wales, with a two-hour set focused on their landmark 1990s albums Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher shared brief onstage moments but largely kept their distance, delivering hits like Supersonic, Rock ’n’ Roll Star, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Don’t Look Back in Anger, Wonderwall, and Champagne Supernova to over 60,000 fans. The show included a tribute during Live Forever and minimal banter from Liam. The reunion tour spans 19 U.K. and Ireland dates before heading to North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, ending in São Paulo on Nov. 23. Despite ticketing controversies, no new music is planned; the tour is framed as a one-off to celebrate and cement the band’s legacy.

A multistory residential building collapsed in Karachi, Pakistan, killing at least 16 people, with rescuers continuing for a second day to search for survivors. Ten bodies were recovered overnight after six were found Friday; several injured are hospitalized. Authorities believe at least eight more people may be trapped. Rescue efforts are hampered by the building’s location on a narrow street. Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor construction standards and lax enforcement; a 2020 Karachi collapse killed 22.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele denied claims by Kilmar Abrego Garcia that he was beaten and psychologically tortured during a more than three-week detention at the country’s supermax CECOT prison, sharing photos and video to argue Abrego appeared well. In new U.S. court filings, Abrego alleges severe beatings, sleep deprivation, constant bright lights, overcrowding, lack of mattresses, and staged photos with better conditions. His account aligns with broader reports of abuses under Bukele’s state of emergency, which has led to mass detentions and documented deaths in custody. Abrego, mistakenly deported from the U.S. in March and since returned, faces a human smuggling charge in Tennessee; his wife’s lawsuit against the Trump administration continues, though the government seeks dismissal as moot.

An 11-month-old pet lion escaped from a home in Lahore, Pakistan, and attacked a woman and her two children on a busy street, injuring them but not critically. CCTV showed the lion leaping a wall and pouncing, clawing the children’s arms and faces. Police arrested three men linked to the incident after they fled with the lion; the animal was confiscated and sent to a wildlife park in good health. The case highlights ongoing issues with exotic pet ownership in Punjab, despite recent laws requiring licenses and banning big cats in residential areas following previous escapes and incidents.

A gas station in Rome’s Prenestino neighborhood exploded around 8 a.m., injuring at least 25 people, including 10 first responders. Authorities had responded to a reported gas leak when two blasts occurred, sending a massive fireball and smoke visible across the city. Quick evacuations of nearby buildings and a sports center—where dozens of children were expected—likely prevented a larger tragedy. Two civilians are in severe condition; the injured responders are not life‑threatened. The blast caused extensive damage to vehicles and buildings, and an investigation is underway, focusing on a possible LPG leak during unloading. Italy’s leaders and Pope Leo XIV expressed support and thanks to emergency workers.

Julian McMahon, the Australian-born actor known for Nip/Tuck and Charmed, died at 56 after a private battle with cancer, his wife Kelly announced. Remembered for his charisma and kindness, McMahon began his career in Australian TV before moving to the U.S., appearing on Another World and Profiler, then gaining prominence as Cole Turner on Charmed. He earned a Golden Globe nomination as Dr. Christian Troy on Nip/Tuck, later starred in FBI: Most Wanted, and appeared in films including Fantastic Four (as Dr. Doom), Premonition, RED, and 2024’s The Surfer. His final role was in Netflix’s The Residence, portraying the Australian prime minister. His family requested privacy and urged fans to continue finding joy, reflecting his outlook on life.

Paris reopened the Seine River for public swimming for the first time since 1923 after a $1.5 billion cleanup linked to the 2024 Olympics improved water quality to meet EU standards most days. On opening day, swimmers used designated, lifeguard-supervised areas near the Eiffel Tower, Île Saint-Louis, and Bercy, wearing safety buoys. Mayor Anne Hidalgo highlighted low bacteria levels; President Emmanuel Macron called it a national “pride.” While many embraced the heatwave relief, some residents remain cautious about cleanliness. Swimming outside marked zones remains banned. The spots are open through August 31.

Two male Humboldt penguins, Scampi and Flounder, are successfully raising a chick at Chester Zoo in the U.K., part of a “bumper year” with 10 chicks hatched. The zoo shared eggs between nests to boost survival, including from pair Wotsit and Peach. Same-sex penguin parenting is not uncommon. Humboldt penguins are vulnerable, with populations down about 85% in 40 years; the zoo’s colony supports a European breeding program. The chicks, nearly quadrupled in size since April, are nearing their first swims. Eight have celestial-themed names; Scampi and Flounder’s chick will be named via social media.

Thousands attended the funeral of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old Kenyan blogger who died after being taken into police custody, galvanizing nationwide anger over police brutality and impunity. Ojwang was arrested on June 6 following a probe into his online posts and was later found dead in a Nairobi morgue with injuries consistent with assault, contradicting initial police claims of self-harm. His death sparked mass protests and the burning of the local police station where he was first held. Six men, including three police officers, have been charged with his murder. The case has intensified scrutiny of Kenya’s history of extrajudicial killings and abductions, with Ojwang’s family and supporters casting the outcome as a test of justice and accountability under President William Ruto’s government.

Australia plans to bar under-16s from social media by December, aiming to remove over a million young teens’ accounts, but key implementation details remain unsettled. The law’s scope is unclear—especially whether YouTube counts as “social media.” The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, says platforms must take “reasonable steps” to identify and remove underage users, enable reporting by parents/teachers, counter circumvention (e.g., VPNs), and measure effectiveness, with potential fines over $30 million for violations. Tech companies say they lack clear compliance benchmarks; YouTube disputes inclusion, citing its educational role. Critics argue the law focuses on age-gating rather than moderating harmful content and overlooks access without accounts. Despite uncertainties, Australia’s move could influence similar efforts in New Zealand, France, and elsewhere amid rising concern over social media’s impact on youth mental health.

The European Union is squeezed between an increasingly protectionist United States under Trump and a state-backed China, forcing Brussels into a defensive balancing act. While racing to avert broad U.S. tariffs by negotiating a limited trade deal—likely at the cost of tougher alignment against China—the EU is simultaneously confronting Beijing over surging subsidized imports, widening trade imbalances, tech transfer demands, and China’s support for Russia. Retaliatory measures are escalating, including EU curbs on Chinese medical devices and China’s threatened counteractions and rare earth export restrictions that snarl European industry. Despite deep economic interdependence, especially for Germany, Europe is tightening controls on Chinese fast-fashion imports, joining U.S.-led tech export limits, and seeking new trade ties with like-minded partners to uphold rules-based commerce. EU leaders acknowledge they can’t “decouple” from China but aim for a more transactional, “de-risked” relationship—while accepting that U.S. tariffs will likely rise and strategic pressure from both Washington and Beijing will persist.

The article reports that the U.S. murder clearance rate was 58% in 2023—meaning roughly half of killers are not arrested within a year—placing America behind other wealthy nations where clearance rates often reach 70–90%. Louisville exemplifies the problem, with chronic understaffing and many unsolved killings leaving families feeling abandoned. Experts warn low certainty and speed of punishment erode deterrence more than sentence severity, creating a vicious cycle of impunity and more violence, especially in poor, Black neighborhoods. Five main factors depress U.S. clearance rates: insufficient investigative resources and focus; widespread gun use enabling anonymous attacks; a higher share of hard-to-solve gang-related crimes; overwhelming case volumes relative to staffing; and deep community distrust that suppresses cooperation. Evidence suggests that investing in homicide investigations and procedures can raise clearance rates, improving deterrence and safety.

Thousands gathered in Birmingham, England, for “Back to the Beginning,” a 10-hour tribute culminating in what was billed as Black Sabbath’s final performance and Ozzy Osbourne’s last live appearance. Despite recent serious health issues, the 76-year-old Osbourne rose onstage atop a bat-adorned throne, performed five solo songs including Crazy Train, and interacted playfully with the crowd. Major rock acts like Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Slayer honored Black Sabbath throughout the day, with video messages from celebrities such as Dolly Parton and Elton John. The original Black Sabbath lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reunited for the first time since 2005, delivering a four-song set capped by Paranoid to a roaring, 45,000-strong audience. Fans traveled globally, visited Osbourne’s childhood home, and shared deeply personal tributes, turning the event into a communal farewell to the “Prince of Darkness.”

The Social Security Administration emailed that the new Trump-backed tax law eliminates federal taxes on most Social Security benefits, but that’s misleading. The law doesn’t directly end taxation of benefits; it creates a temporary (2025–2028) enhanced deduction for people 65+ that reduces overall taxable income, benefiting mainly middle- and upper‑middle‑income retirees. Many seniors—especially lower-income recipients and those ages 62–64—won’t benefit much or at all, and most eligible recipients will still owe some tax. While the White House says nearly 90% won’t pay federal taxes on benefits during the period, experts note the relief is temporary and does not eliminate benefit taxation. The change is also expected to weaken Social Security’s finances by reducing tax revenue flowing into its trust fund, potentially moving projected insolvency up to 2032 and slightly increasing future benefit cuts.

- London marked Pride with a huge parade, but Wimbledon, citing tradition, held no official Pride events. The All England Club hosted “Sporting Saturday” and LGBTQ+ figures in the Royal Box but displayed few rainbows. Daria Kasatkina, openly gay and now representing Australia, noted Wimbledon’s traditionalism while saying she still feels supported in London. Observers and fans suggested tennis—and Wimbledon in particular—lags other majors that host Pride Days, though the grounds felt safe and welcoming. - Belinda Bencic’s post-maternity comeback continues to impress. After returning in late 2024 via lower-tier events to build match play, she’s now into Wimbledon’s fourth round, has a 500 title (Abu Dhabi), reached the Australian Open fourth round, and is set to re-enter the top 30, with more upside if she beats Ekaterina Alexandrova. - Americans had a mixed July 4 weekend. Top seeds Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula exited early; Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe fell in round two. Madison Keys, Sofia Kenin, Danielle Collins, and Brandon Nakashima lost in round three, with Nakashima dropping a five-hour battle to Lorenzo Sonego.

Authorities in Turks and Caicos found a decomposed male body near Grace Bay while searching for 51-year-old New Yorker Brian Tarrence, missing since June 25 during an anniversary trip. Police have not confirmed the identity. Tarrence was last seen on security footage leaving his Grace Bay Airbnb around 3:30 a.m. with his phone and wallet. His wife has hired a private investigator, who is seeking phone records and says the area is typically considered safe. Officials currently do not suspect foul play. The discovery comes amid heightened concern over rising violent crime noted in a recent U.S. travel advisory for the islands.

An F-16 intercepted a small civilian plane that entered temporarily restricted airspace over President Donald Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey golf club on Saturday around 2:39 p.m. NORAD said it used a “headbutt” maneuver to alert the pilot and safely escorted the aircraft out. It was the fifth unauthorized incursion that day. The White House had no immediate comment, and NORAD urged general aviation pilots to check flight restrictions before flying in the area.

A Jewish advocacy group, Stop Antisemitism, condemned New York City mayoral candidate and state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for sharing a 2015 parody music video, “Hey Hanukkah,” featuring performers in wigs dancing with dreidels and a menorah, calling it disrespectful “cosplaying” of Jewish traditions. Mamdani had posted the video during Hanukkah last year and shared a similar Geeta Brothers parody on Christmas Eve 2024. The controversy adds to broader criticism of Mamdani, including backlash over texts invoking the Oct. 7 Israel attack to promote his candidacy, his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and revelations that he identified as African American on a Columbia University application.

Former Army Ranger Brent Slough, 42, was critically injured in a hit-and-run boating incident while snorkeling about 20 feet from shore in Exuma, Bahamas, on June 30 during a family vacation. Struck by a speedboat’s propeller, he suffered severe lacerations and multiple fractures, nearly being “split in two,” according to his wife, Whitney. After what they described as inadequate care in Exuma and Nassau, he was airlifted to Miami for surgery and remains in the ICU with life-threatening infection risks. His daughter helped pull him to shore after the boat sped away. Whitney plans to assist authorities in finding the boaters, noting local laws prohibit boats within 200 feet of shore. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.

The opinion piece criticizes NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as ideologically radical but substantively weak. It targets his proposal for city-owned grocery stores as symbolic and unworkable, noting thin grocery margins, political risk, and a misreading of Chicago’s shelved feasibility study. It also accuses his team of misunderstanding funding sources by conflating private investment spurred by tax incentives with redirectable public money, likening the error to AOC’s Amazon HQ2 tax-break dispute. The article further faults Mamdani’s political strategy, citing the loss of funding for a fare-free bus pilot after he opposed the state budget, and argues his broader agenda hinges on Albany approvals he’s unlikely to secure. The author concludes that entrenched interests will overpower him and portrays him as a lightweight focused on optics over viable policy.

Australian actor Julian McMahon, known for Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and as Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films, has died aged 56 from cancer in Clearwater, Florida. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, praised his love of life, family, work, and fans. McMahon earned a Golden Globe nomination for Nip/Tuck, later starred in FBI: Most Wanted, and recently appeared in Netflix’s The Residence. Tributes poured in from colleagues including co-star Dylan Walsh and producer Dick Wolf. McMahon, the son of a former Australian prime minister, was married three times, including to Dannii Minogue.

Kenyan President William Ruto plans to build a large church within Nairobi’s State House complex, saying he will personally fund it. Designs reported by the Daily Nation show an 8,000-seat, stained-glass structure costing about $9m, sparking criticism over church-state entanglement, constitutionality, and timing amid economic hardship. The Atheists Society of Kenya is threatening legal action, and Nairobi’s Catholic archbishop has called for clarity to avoid favoring one denomination. Ruto, Kenya’s first evangelical president, defends the project as upgrading an existing makeshift chapel, insisting it will proceed. Critics question erecting such a Christian facility on state property in a religiously diverse, secular nation.

Colombian police arrested Élder José Arteaga Hernandez, alleged mastermind of the 7 June assassination attempt on conservative senator and 2026 presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, who was shot twice in the head during a Bogotá rally and remains in critical condition. Authorities say Arteaga, with a long criminal record and known by aliases “Chipi” and “Costeño,” recruited and armed a 15-year-old who has been arrested and pleaded not guilty; four others were previously detained. The motive remains unclear. The attack sparked large silent protests; Uribe, a critic of President Gustavo Petro, comes from a prominent political family.

Paris has reopened the River Seine to public swimming for the first time since 1923, a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Three designated, lifeguarded sites—near the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and in eastern Paris—are available free at scheduled times through August, with age limits depending on location. The move follows a €1.4bn cleanup effort that reduced fecal bacteria levels, though heavy rainfall had previously caused water quality setbacks before the Games. Facilities include changing rooms and showers, accommodating up to 300 people per site. The reversal fulfills a pledge first championed in 1988 by then-mayor Jacques Chirac.

Ozzy Osbourne gave a farewell performance in Birmingham, reuniting on stage for the first time in 20 years with original Black Sabbath members Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi. Performing seated due to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne closed with “Paranoid” and also played classics like “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and “War Pigs,” alongside solo hits including “Crazy Train.” Hosted by Jason Momoa, the Back to the Beginning mega-concert featured acts such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer and Alice in Chains, with special appearances by Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Travis Barker and Steven Tyler. Proceeds benefited Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, are Hall of Fame inductees and two-time Grammy winners.

Suriname’s parliament elected Jennifer Simons as the country’s first female president, following a near tie in the May 25 elections that led to a six-party coalition deal. Simons’ opposition National Democratic Party won 18 seats to incumbent Chan Santokhi’s 17, with smaller parties taking 16. Chosen by parliamentary vote requiring a two-thirds majority, the 71-year-old former parliamentary speaker vowed to govern for all Surinamese, with a focus on youth and the disadvantaged. Her inauguration is set for July 16, with NPS leader Gregory Rusland as vice president. The new government takes office as Suriname anticipates major oil revenues from TotalEnergies’ Gran Morgu project, expected to start production in 2028. Simons leads the NDP founded by the late former president Desi Bouterse. Santokhi conceded, accepted responsibility for shortcomings, and will remain in parliament.

Christine Brennan recounts how a routine media scrum between WNBA playoff games escalated into a league-wide controversy. After viral clips showed Connecticut Sun’s DiJonai Carrington appearing to hit Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark in the eye and later laughing with a teammate, Brennan asked Carrington directly if the contact was intentional and about the post-play reactions. Carrington denied intent and said she hadn’t realized she made contact; Clark separately told another reporter the hit wasn’t intentional. Despite this, the WNBPA publicly condemned Brennan’s questions as unethical and harmful, urging USA Today to review its ethics and the league to protect players. USA Today defended Brennan as an experienced, unbiased journalist. The episode highlights tensions over media scrutiny, social media-fueled narratives, and the delicate player-press relationship amid the WNBA’s surging visibility.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that countries failing to finalize trade agreements with the U.S. by August 1 will see their tariffs revert to the higher levels set on April 2. He framed the deadline as a final warning, saying rates will “boomerang back” if deals aren’t reached.

A funeral for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car crash in Spain, was held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar near Porto. Family, friends, and prominent football figures attended, including Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk (carrying a wreath with Jota’s number 20) and Andrew Robertson (with a 30 for Andre), captain Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, manager Arne Slot, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Federico Chiesa, as well as Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva. Large crowds gathered outside the church and at Anfield, where fans paid tribute with flowers and memorials. Coffins were carried into the church as mourners lined up to pay their respects.

Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, two days after dying in a car crash in Spain. A packed church and crowds outside marked a solemn farewell, with tributes from family, community, and the football world. Liverpool players, including Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, and former teammate João Moutinho attended with floral tributes reflecting the brothers’ shirt numbers. The Bishop of Porto offered condolences to Jota’s widow and children, and mourners emphasized remembering the brothers for their lives and humility, not the circumstances of their deaths.

The UK has restored diplomatic relations with Syria, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy making the first ministerial visit to Damascus in 14 years. He met interim president Ahmed al Sharaa—who also leads rebel group HTS—and the foreign minister, signaling support for Syria’s transitional government after Bashar al Assad’s ouster in December. The UK announced a £94.5m package for humanitarian aid and long-term recovery and has lifted several sanctions since April. While HTS remains a proscribed terrorist group, the UK has indicated it could reconsider that status. The move aligns with a broader Western shift, including a U.S. pledge to lift sanctions and normalize ties. Lammy framed re-engagement as advancing stability, security, and prosperity in Syria.

France beat England 2-1 at the Women’s Euros, with England’s Ella Toone featuring but unable to prevent the defeat.

Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican and chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, announced he will resign from Congress effective July 20 to start a business aimed at helping the U.S. compete with China, though he offered no specifics. His departure temporarily reduces the GOP House majority to 219-212, tightening Speaker Mike Johnson’s margin as Republicans struggle to unify around President Trump’s legislative agenda. Green, first elected in 2018, had signaled plans to step back and joins a recent wave of Republican departures. A special election will fill his solidly red seat.

CEOs are shifting from a win-at-all-costs mindset to one centered on resilience, agility, and continuous improvement amid heightened volatility. McLaren’s Zak Brown emphasizes learning from losses, urgency, and daily incremental gains to sustain momentum. CEO turnover hit records in 2024 and remains high in 2025 as leaders face economic, geopolitical, and organizational pressures. Nissan’s Ivan Espinosa underscores optimism, rapid restructuring, team alignment, and flexibility; UniCredit’s Andrea Orcel highlights growing political and regulatory influence on strategic decisions. Boards are pressing CEOs to lead AI-driven transformation, build agile, resource-efficient organizations, and deliver growth with fewer resources. The new CEO playbook: adapt fast, align teams, navigate politics, and embed AI—because what worked yesterday won’t suffice tomorrow.

- July 9 is the deadline for U.S.–EU trade talks, with the EU aiming for an “agreement in principle” to avoid potential 50% U.S. tariffs on EU exports; a full deal is seen as impossible by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. - Signals may emerge from EU finance ministers’ meetings in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday. - Oil markets focus on the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an OPEC+ meeting this weekend where another output hike is widely expected amid volatile crude prices. - Energy CEOs, including BP’s Murray Auchincloss and Shell’s Wael Sawan, will attend, with markets watching for any hints on strategic moves despite denials of takeover talk.

Fox News reports that critics are condemning the United Nations for adding four senior posts—worth an estimated $530,000 to $704,000 in salaries—to its controversial Commission of Inquiry on the Palestinian Territories amid a severe UN budget crisis. Anne Bayefsky and other opponents argue the COI is biased against Israel and fuels antisemitism, citing recent reports they say downplay Hamas abuses while accusing Israel of “extermination” and systemic sexual violence. The commission, chaired by Navi Pillay, has long drawn bipartisan U.S. criticism; Congress cut U.S. funding for the COI in 2024. The UN Human Rights Council faces resource shortfalls for other mandates, prompting questions about why the COI is expanding staff. The UN Human Rights Office declined direct comment on the COI’s findings.

UN officials warn that violent gangs now control about 90% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and are expanding into previously calmer regions, including southern areas and key eastern border crossings like Belladere and Malpasse. The UN says the situation is pushing the country toward possible state collapse in the capital without greater international action. Gangs have strengthened since President Jovenel Moïse’s 2021 assassination, exploiting political turmoil, corruption, and a disorganized security response. A UN report says some attacks are backed by actors seeking to derail the political transition. The U.S. has maintained a “do not travel” advisory and designated major Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as foreign terrorist organizations.

An unarmed North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified DMZ into South Korea late Thursday, where South Korean troops tracked and guided him through minefields before taking him into custody. Authorities have not said if he intended to defect, and no unusual North Korean military activity was observed. The incident comes as South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, scales back pressure tactics—halting loudspeaker broadcasts and moving to ban activist leaflet balloons—drawing criticism that the softer stance weakens deterrence. Border incidents have recently increased, and such direct crossings are rare compared to defection routes through China. U.S.–North Korea talks remain stalled since 2019 as Pyongyang expands its nuclear arsenal.

The U.S. Justice Department has begun turning over previously unreleased audio recordings of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena’s 1985 torture and murder to the legal team of Mexican cartel founder Rafael Caro Quintero, who is being prosecuted in New York on drug charges and is accused of involvement in Camarena’s killing. The tapes, long shrouded in controversy and partially transcribed in 1988, may shed light on allegations that a former CIA officer participated in Camarena’s interrogation—claims the CIA and the named officer deny. The handover comes as prosecutors and defense discuss whether the U.S. will seek the death penalty, a possibility because Caro Quintero was expelled to the U.S. rather than formally extradited. The DOJ is also providing discovery related to other murders and seized firearms from the era. Camarena’s murder spurred “Operation Leyenda,” leading to dozens of indictments and the dismantling of the Guadalajara cartel, from which the Sinaloa cartel later emerged.

The family of Kenyan police officer Benedict Kuria, missing in Haiti since a March ambush by suspected gang members, is demanding clear information from Kenyan authorities amid conflicting reports about his fate. Haitian media reported he was killed, but Kenya’s police say the search continues. Kuria’s relatives have filed a court petition to compel disclosure from officials and are seeking an expedited hearing. His case has intensified scrutiny of Kenya’s leadership of the UN- and US-backed security mission in Haiti, which has struggled against rampant gang control despite high hopes at deployment. Kuria, 33, joined for the extra pay to support his family and was due home this year. His wife and relatives say the uncertainty is agonizing and are pleading for closure.

The article describes how Russia is courting Western conservatives by promoting itself as a refuge from “decadent” or “woke” Western values, spotlighting an American family that received asylum in Moscow after leaving Texas. Russian authorities and pro-Kremlin media are using such cases to market new visas and policies framed around “traditional family values,” while downplaying the country’s authoritarianism and wartime repression. Critics note the irony of Westerners seeking freedom in Russia, and suggest the campaign is largely propagandistic—aimed at scoring ideological points and attracting a small but symbolic stream of migrants rather than large-scale resettlement.

Shiite neighborhoods in Damascus marked Ashoura with unusually subdued, mostly private observances following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, a sharp contrast to the large, highly visible processions and banners that once filled areas around the Sayyida Zeinab shrine. Traditional mourning rituals in husseiniyas continued on a smaller scale, but the typically bustling inflow of pilgrims from Syria and abroad was greatly reduced, reflecting heightened uncertainty and security sensitivities in the post-Assad environment.

NPR’s panel examines what makes women-centered road trip films distinctive and how they’ve evolved. Starting with It Happened One Night, through Thelma & Louise and Crossroads, to Nomadland, they argue these stories use the open road to explore women’s freedom from societal constraints, framing escape and self-determination as central themes. While male road films often read as carefree adventures, women leaving “hearth and home” has historically felt transgressive, giving these movies extra cultural charge. Recent entries like Nomadland emphasize emotional realism and internal journeys—building community, redefining home, and tracing personal transformation—showing the genre’s shift from shock value toward nuanced, character-driven storytelling.