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An inquest found that 12-year-old Chinese boy Zhihan Zhao died after slipping in a puddle near the edge of Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher on 23 July 2023. Witness Marion Tourgon saw him lose footing, try to grasp grass, and fall silently over the edge. A multi-agency search located his body five days later. The coroner ruled accidental death due to multiple traumatic injuries and offered condolences to his mother, who had been searching for him after he walked ahead on the trail. The incident was the second fatal fall at the cliffs within three months, prompting partial trail closures for safety.

A former girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs, testifying under the pseudonym “Jane,” told a New York court she felt pressured to participate in drug-fueled “hotel nights” or “freak-offs” with male escorts while Combs watched, despite expressing discomfort. She alleged Combs’ staff helped procure drugs and that she once transported ecstasy at a staffer’s direction. Jane described financial leverage, including a $10,000 monthly rent and a “love contract” promising a $10,000 allowance, which she said Combs used to pressure her to continue the encounters. She reported frequent infections and pelvic pain afterward and said she used drugs to make the encounters feel less real. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors aim to show a criminal enterprise; the defense argues the government is mischaracterizing consensual adult sex. The trial, now in its fifth week, has also included testimony from R&B singer Cassie Ventura describing similar experiences.

Israel struck Hezbollah-linked sites in southern Beirut on the eve of Eid al-Adha, saying it targeted an underground unit producing thousands of drones funded by Iran. The attacks followed evacuation warnings and caused panic but no immediate injuries were reported. Lebanon’s prime minister and president condemned the strikes as violations of international accords and the ceasefire in place since late 2023, while the UN urged diplomacy to avoid escalation. Israel’s defense minister praised the operation and held Lebanon responsible for preventing ceasefire breaches. The Lebanese army threatened to partially suspend cooperation with the ceasefire monitoring committee. The strikes are the latest in a series of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets since the truce, amid ongoing tensions rooted in the 2023–24 conflict.

North Korea has refloated a 5,000-ton warship that capsized during a failed launch about two weeks ago, an incident that prompted harsh criticism from Kim Jong Un and arrests of at least four officials. State media said the ship “safely entered the water vertically” on Thursday and is now moored, with full repairs expected before an upcoming key meeting. Satellite imagery showed workers using tethers and barrage balloons to right the vessel. Analysts say Kim’s unusually severe response underscores the regime’s priority on naval modernization and preserving his authority, following the recent unveiling of a similar warship touted as a breakthrough.

A Norwegian court sentenced former GP Arne Bye to 21 years in prison for 70 counts of rape and sexual assault and 82 counts of abusing his position as a doctor, mostly during patient exams in Frosta over nearly two decades. He is banned from practicing medicine and must pay compensation. The case, involving 94 women and girls aged 14–67, was uncovered after authorities reviewed hidden camera footage from his office. Bye admitted to some charges and was acquitted of others. The judge called his actions a grave breach of trust that undermined confidence in healthcare. Prosecutors and defense are reviewing potential appeals.

Five former Proud Boys leaders—Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola—have filed a $100 million lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging their constitutional rights were violated during prosecutions related to the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. They claim FBI agents and prosecutors acted with political bias, accusing them of evidence tampering and witness intimidation. The men were convicted on charges including seditious conspiracy and received prison sentences, but were later pardoned by President Donald Trump in January, who issued widespread pardons for Jan 6 defendants. The lawsuit targets the Department of Justice, now led by Attorney General Pam Bondi under the Trump administration. The DOJ has charged about 1,583 people in connection with the riot, with more than 600 accused of assaulting or obstructing law enforcement. Critics, including Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, have condemned the pardons as an attempt to rewrite history. The DOJ has not commented.

Arnold Schwarzenegger told the BBC that people should stop complaining about US President Donald Trump’s climate stance and focus on taking action themselves. Speaking at the Austrian World Summit, which he founded, he said the president isn’t a barrier to progress. The Republican former governor, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the last election, also discussed the American dream and his son Patrick.

Police in Washington state are searching for Travis Decker, 32, accused of kidnapping and murdering his three daughters, ages 9, 8, and 5. The girls were found suffocated at a remote campground on 2 June after their mother reported them missing on 30 May. Decker’s phone and truck were found nearby, but he remains at large. Authorities say he is an experienced outdoorsman who may be hiding in remote, mountainous areas and could have pre-staged supplies. The FBI and US Marshals are assisting; a $20,000 reward is offered. Forest areas have been closed during the search. Police have not disclosed a motive and urge Decker to surrender.

The Wagner Group says it is withdrawing from Mali after “completing its main mission,” claiming to have killed thousands of militants since partnering with the Malian military in 2021. The announcement coincides with a surge in jihadist attacks, including deadly assaults on bases in Boulikessi, Timbuktu, and Mahou, and a reported strategic withdrawal of Malian troops from Boulikessi. While Wagner exits, Russia will maintain a presence through the Africa Corps, reflecting Moscow’s growing influence in the region. The statement did not address Wagner’s status in the Central African Republic.

A magnitude-6.4 earthquake struck Chile’s northern city of Copiapó during a live TV interview with presidential candidate Carolina Tohá. As the studio shook, the broadcast was cut and Tohá and two journalists quickly evacuated while equipment fell around them.

A federal judge granted final approval to the House v. NCAA settlement, ushering in a 10-year model that allows Division I schools to directly share roughly $20.5 million per year in NIL-related revenue with athletes starting July 1, 2025. The NCAA and Power 5 conferences will also pay nearly $2.8 billion over 10 years to athletes denied NIL rights since 2016, with most funds going to former power-conference football and men’s basketball players. The deal replaces scholarship limits with sport-specific roster caps but, after objections, includes a voluntary “grandfathering” provision to protect athletes who lost spots during transition. The settlement creates a clearinghouse for outside NIL deals over $600, an enforcement arm to police the $20.5 million cap, and a new College Sports Commission to shift oversight from the NCAA to power conferences. It marks a historic shift from amateurism while leaving other legal challenges to the NCAA unresolved.

Hong Kong is trying to revive its tourism economy by shifting from a shopping hub to an events-driven destination, aiming to attract higher-spending visitors amid a surge of frugal, short-stay “special forces” tourists from mainland China. The city has opened a $4 billion Kai Tak Sports Park, hosted major events like Rugby Sevens and Coldplay concerts, and launched subsidies through a Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund, while backing marquee soccer matches. Despite progress, visitor numbers from most regions remain below 2018 levels, challenged by competition from Singapore and Bangkok and reputational damage tied to China’s national security law. Officials are targeting Southeast Asia and the Middle East and deepening ties with nearby Chinese cities as Hong Kong residents increasingly travel to the mainland for cheaper leisure. Private operators are testing higher-priced attractions, like a Cirque du Soleil run, to gauge mainland demand and boost per-visitor spending.

Russia’s FSB is analyzing data from China’s WeChat to monitor suspected contacts with Chinese intelligence, according to a leaked document. Using tools called Skopishche and Laretz, the agency processes WeChat logins, contact lists, and chat archives—often taken from seized phones—to map networks and identify potential spies. The effort reflects rising Russian concern over Chinese espionage even as Moscow grows more reliant on Beijing. WeChat’s lack of end-to-end encryption and its compliance with Russian data localization laws make it particularly vulnerable to foreign interception. The extent of FSB access and effectiveness is unclear, but a Western intelligence service said the document aligns with known Russian penetration of Chinese communications.

The New York Times obtained secret Russian intelligence documents through a cybercrime group called Ares Leaks, which advertised the stolen documents on Telegram. The group provided sample documents, including a complete F.S.B. counterintelligence document about China, which appeared authentic to Times reporters and six Western intelligence agencies. The document revealed Russia's concerns about Chinese espionage and a secret program to analyze data from WeChat. The Times verified some details from the document and confirmed its authenticity. Ares Leaks acquired the documents through unclear means, possibly through hacking or an insider, and offered the entire cache for up to $120,000.

Grosvenor Square, long dubbed “Little America” for its deep U.S. ties, is shedding its Cold War-era identity as the former U.S. Embassy becomes the Chancery Rosewood, a luxury hotel owned by Qatari investors, with suites starting around £1,400 a night. The building, once a fortified Saarinen-designed chancery, has been reimagined by architect David Chipperfield with an atrium and high-end amenities while preserving iconic elements like the gilded eagle and statues of Eisenhower and Reagan. The square itself is closing for a 13-month overhaul by Grosvenor Property to add biodiversity-focused landscaping and sinuous paths, retaining memorials to F.D.R. and 9/11 victims but replacing its austere, security-driven design. The transformation reflects shifting geopolitics and a cooler moment in U.S.-U.K. relations: American prominence is being played down as Middle Eastern capital and contemporary luxury reshape a historic symbol of the trans-Atlantic relationship.

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on June 15, signaling European resistance to President Trump’s push to bring the island under U.S. control. Invited by Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen, Macron will discuss North Atlantic and Arctic security, climate change, energy transition, and critical mineral supplies. The trip, en route to the G7 in Canada, underscores Macron’s drive for European strategic autonomy and highlights Greenland’s strategic and mineral importance. Denmark rebuffed an earlier French offer to send troops, and polls show most Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S., though many favor eventual independence. The visit is likely to heighten tensions with Trump and bolster Macron domestically and in Europe.

An internal F.S.B. document obtained by Ares Leaks and assessed as authentic by multiple Western agencies shows Russia’s domestic security service views China as a major espionage threat despite the public “no-limits” partnership between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The memo, likely from late 2023–early 2024, outlines a secret F.S.B. program, “Entente-4,” launched just before the 2022 Ukraine invasion to counter Chinese spying. It alleges Beijing is recruiting Russian officials and scientists, targeting users via WeChat, probing Russian military operations in Ukraine, and using academic and commercial fronts—including in the Arctic—to obtain sensitive tech and intelligence. The F.S.B. orders heightened monitoring, phone hacking, and warnings to Russians engaged with China, while avoiding public friction to protect bilateral ties. The document underscores deep mistrust within Russia’s security apparatus even as Putin presses ahead with strategic reliance on China, fueling debate over whether Moscow can be pried away from Beijing or is committed to the partnership despite recognized risks.

The Trump administration has launched a new phase of its immigration crackdown by targeting workplaces across multiple states, leading to volatile raids and mass arrests in industries heavily reliant on undocumented labor. With pressure to boost deportations, daily arrests reportedly jumped to 2,000, aided by coordination with other federal agencies. Officials say worksite enforcement will expand to deter unauthorized employment, especially after a Supreme Court decision ended temporary work authorization for hundreds of thousands. Business leaders and experts warn the strategy could disrupt sectors like construction, agriculture, and hospitality, where undocumented workers make up significant shares. Historically, workplace raids have yielded many arrests but rarely led to serious employer penalties, as companies often claim plausible deniability. The pivot marks a departure from earlier focuses on criminal offenders and student visas, raising fears among migrants and employers about labor shortages and community instability.

The Trump administration moved to terminate $4 billion in federal grants for California’s high-speed rail, a blow that could delay even limited Central Valley service by up to a decade. With most of its 2008 bond funds spent and only about $4 billion in cash remaining—largely from cap-and-trade—the project faces a “starvation diet,” jeopardizing the 171-mile Merced–Bakersfield segment and making inflation-driven cost increases more likely. Federal officials cited missed deadlines, extensive change orders, and unrealistic ridership forecasts, saying there’s no viable path to meet a 2033 deadline; California disputes the findings and plans to continue with state funding and to challenge the cut in court. The full LA–SF system, once slated to cost $33 billion by 2020, now could reach $128 billion if ever completed, while the Central Valley segment alone is up to $35 billion and still short roughly $7 billion even without the cut. Supporters argue the project’s mobility and climate benefits; critics call it a boondoggle unlikely to be profitable.

In rural South Korea, bull-on-bull fighting persists as a legal “folk game” exempt from the Animal Protection Act, drawing crowds and gamblers to venues like Cheongdo’s 12,000-seat stadium. Matches end when one bull retreats, and owners emphasize care and training regimens, while critics call the spectacle abusive and push to close the legal loophole and cut public funding. Deeply rooted in Korean tradition and local pride, the sport features rigorous training, sanitized pre-fight measures, and betting, with bouts ranging from seconds to half an hour. Its future hinges on whether Parliament removes the folk-game exemption.

Afghanistan’s leading OB-GYN, Dr. Najmussama Shefajo, warns the country faces a worsening maternal health crisis under Taliban policies that ban women from nursing and midwifery training and restrict girls’ education past age 12. Her Kabul clinic is overwhelmed as existing female providers age out with no pipeline to replace them, while rules limiting women’s access to male doctors further endanger care. To circumvent the bans, Shefajo employs and informally trains former students, but says deaths will rise without reinstating women’s health education. She urges the Taliban to reverse these policies to safeguard women’s lives and the nation’s future.

A Ryanair flight from Berlin to Milan made an emergency landing in Memmingen, Germany, after severe turbulence from storms injured nine people (eight passengers, one crew). Three were hospitalized; others were treated and released. The plane was not allowed to continue, and passengers were bused to Milan. The incident follows other turbulence-related events, including the deadly Singapore Airlines case in 2023. Authorities warned of ongoing severe weather in southern Germany, where storms also damaged homes, possibly from a small tornado, and caused fallen trees and flooding. Passengers are urged to heed seatbelt signs to reduce injury risk.

A Maltese jury convicted Robert Agius, 41, and Jamie Vella, 42, of supplying the military-grade explosives used to kill investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in a 2017 car bombing. Prosecutors seek life sentences; sentencing is expected next week. Three hitmen—George and Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat—were previously convicted, with Muscat testifying against Agius and Vella. The murder, which exposed Malta’s “climate of impunity,” sparked mass protests and led to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s 2019 resignation. Businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of masterminding the assassination, is out on bail awaiting trial. Galizia’s family called the verdicts a step toward justice but said systemic failures remain unaddressed.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned six alleged drug traffickers—four from Guyana (Paul Daby Jr., Randolph Duncan, Mark Cromwell, Himnauth Sawh) and two from Colombia (Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo, Manuel Salazar Gutierrez)—for moving tons of cocaine to the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean using semi-submersible “narco subs,” airstrips, and corrupt facilitation. Daby Jr. and Duncan are accused of running Guyana’s largest trafficking network; Cromwell, a former police officer, is wanted in an abduction case; Sawh, an active officer, allegedly ensured safe passage for traffickers; Sanchez and Salazar allegedly oversee smuggling airstrips. All U.S.-linked assets are blocked. Officials highlight Guyana’s strategic location and corruption enabling narco-subs and aircraft to evade detection, amid recent large cocaine seizures and warnings that semi-submersibles can carry up to three tons and cross to Europe.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 launched at midnight worldwide, drawing long lines and high demand after a chaotic U.S. preorder phase and a lottery system in Japan with 2.2 million applications. The upgraded console features a larger, higher-resolution screen, improved processing, a new “C” button for GameChat (requiring a Switch Online subscription), and a built-in microphone for voice chat and screen sharing. Priced at $449.99 in the U.S., it debuts alongside $80 first-party titles like Mario Kart World. Nintendo targets 15 million units sold by March 2026 and plans major software releases (Zelda, Pokémon, Kirby) and brand expansions, including a new San Francisco store and Super Nintendo World Orlando, amid potential tariff uncertainties.

Oscar Pistorius, the former Olympic and Paralympic runner convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, competed in his first race since the 2013 killing, participating in the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 in Durban. Now 38 and on parole since January 2024, he finished in 5:56:39, placing 555th overall and third in the physically challenged category. Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner,” was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months for Steenkamp’s murder and will remain on parole until 2029. He currently lives at his uncle’s home in Pretoria.

Mexican band Los Tucanes de Tijuana was fined over $36,000 by authorities in Chihuahua for performing multiple “narcocorridos” that glorify drug traffickers. The group has a history of controversy, including a long ban from performing in Tijuana. While several Mexican states restrict such songs, President Claudia Sheinbaum opposes bans and favors pro-peace cultural initiatives. U.S. authorities have also penalized artists tied to cartel imagery, revoking visas in some cases. The issue intersects with violence against musicians, with recent murders and threats highlighting the risks tied to cartel culture in Mexico’s music scene.

Russian state media says American Joseph Tater, 46—arrested in Moscow in August 2024 after an altercation with hotel staff and later forcibly committed for psychiatric treatment without trial—has been discharged from a Moscow psychiatric facility after more than a month and has left Russia. He had also been investigated for allegedly assaulting a police officer, a charge carrying up to five years in prison. Tater claimed persecution by the CIA and sought asylum in Russia. His lawyer says she doesn’t know his current whereabouts. The report comes amid broader U.S.-Russia tensions and multiple cases of Americans jailed in Russia, some of whom have been freed in prisoner swaps.

The Trump administration sanctioned four International Criminal Court judges, accusing the ICC of politicization after rulings that authorized arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and enabled an investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. Judges Reine Alapini Gansou and Beti Hohler were tied to the Netanyahu warrants, while Solomy Balungi Bossa and Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza were linked to the Afghanistan probe. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued the ICC illegitimately targets the U.S. and allies; the ICC condemned the sanctions as an attempt to undermine judicial independence. The move echoes earlier Trump-era sanctions on ICC officials and comes amid broader tensions, including the ICC’s warrant for Vladimir Putin and the recent suspension of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over a UN-led misconduct probe. Neither the U.S. nor Israel is party to the ICC’s founding treaty.

Measles outbreaks across the Americas have turned deadly, with at least four deaths in Mexico, three in the US, and an infant death in Ontario, Canada, linked to a maternal infection in an unvaccinated mother. Mexico has reported about 1,520 cases, Canada at least 2,755 (more than the previous 27 years combined), and the US 1,168, largely tied to an outbreak centered in West Texas spreading to nearby states and possibly Canada. While early spread involved Mennonite communities with historically low vaccination rates, most cases are now in the general population. The WHO and PAHO warn of high regional risk driven by low vaccination coverage. Health authorities urge two-dose MMR vaccination, especially for travelers and those who may become pregnant.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta (June 15–17), and Modi accepted despite tense Canada-India relations over the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Carney, as G7 chair, cited India’s economic importance and ongoing law enforcement dialogue, while declining to comment on Modi’s potential involvement in the case. The World Sikh Organization condemned the invitation, calling it a betrayal, especially as the summit coincides with the second anniversary of Nijjar’s assassination. Four Indian nationals in Canada have been charged; the U.S. has separately alleged an Indian-directed plot against a Sikh separatist in New York. Modi welcomed renewed engagement, emphasizing shared democratic ties.

Israel’s military and Shin Bet recovered the body of Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta, 35, from southern Gaza, saying he was likely killed in the early months of captivity after being abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Israeli leaders offered condolences, and Thailand’s Foreign Ministry confirmed he was the last Thai hostage. The IDF said Pinta was abducted by the Mujahideen group, which it also links to the Bibas family killings. The recovery follows the retrieval of Israeli-American hostages Judy and Gadi Haggai’s bodies. Amid ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza, at least 38 Palestinians were reported killed Friday, and four Israeli soldiers died in an explosion in Khan Younis. Israel says 55 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed alive.

Climate change is making mountain regions far more unstable and deadly. Thawing permafrost and rapidly melting glaciers are loosening the “glue” that holds peaks together, driving more frequent and larger rockfalls, avalanches, and glacial collapses—like the catastrophic Birch Glacier failure that destroyed the Swiss village of Blatten in May 2025. As glaciers retreat, they expose rock faces and form unstable lakes prone to sudden outburst floods, with deadly events recorded from the Alps to the Himalayas and Alaska. Intensifying extreme rainfall—more likely to fall as rain than snow—further heightens risks of landslides and floods, especially in mountainous “hotspots” of the Northern Hemisphere. Monitoring tools can predict some failures, but rapidly changing landscapes and limited resources, particularly in developing regions, make comprehensive warning systems difficult. Even with immediate emissions cuts, many impacts are locked in and glaciers will continue to shrink, increasing hazards as more people live in and visit mountain areas.

A planned Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange collapsed Saturday amid mutual accusations. Moscow said Kyiv postponed at the last minute, claiming over 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies and lists of wounded POWs were ready at the border. Ukraine rejected this, saying bodies and POW exchanges are separate, no date was set for remains, and accused Russia of manipulation and obstructing the living-prisoner swap agreed during recent Istanbul talks. Russian officials threatened to publish names of the dead and alleged Kyiv was concealing losses. The dispute highlights deep mistrust in the peace process and followed a Russian strike on Kharkiv that killed three people.

Russia says it is sending trains with more Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies to the border after a planned prisoner swap fell through, accusing Kyiv of failing to collect remains already delivered to an exchange point in Belarus. Moscow claims over 6,000 bodies are slated for transfer and that it provided lists for a large swap of wounded and young prisoners. Ukraine rejects the accusations as disinformation, saying it is adhering to Istanbul agreements, that repatriation of bodies was scheduled for next week, and that prisoner exchanges and body transfers are separate processes. The dispute follows stalled peace talks where the swap was the only concrete outcome.

President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests sparked by recent immigration raids, marking the first federalization of Guard troops for civil unrest in LA since the 1992 riots. The move drew sharp criticism from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, civil rights groups, and some law enforcement officials, who called it inflammatory and an overreaction likely to escalate tensions. LAPD declared unlawful assemblies and used tear gas and less-lethal munitions to disperse crowds. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert for possible deployment, a prospect analysts labeled extreme. Trump attacked Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass online, framing the crackdown as restoring “law and order.”

After inheriting her childhood home in Wisconsin in 2015, 36-year-old Ashley Kaye left an 80–100 hour/week healthcare consulting career to travel full time. Inspired by a traveler she met on a scuba trip, she saved about $37,000, struggled initially after quitting, but embraced long-term travel during the pandemic. When her aunt fell ill, she returned home, decided she didn’t want to stay in Wisconsin, and sold her house in March 2023 for $320,000. Aiming for overland travel with her dog and photography gear, she bought a Toyota Tacoma for $42,934, established residency in South Dakota, and invested over $50,000 in upgrades (camper, solar, suspension, tires, bed replacement, bumper, electric cooler). She’s since driven much of the Pan-American Highway, visiting Mexico, all of Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and parts of Argentina, typically staying the full 90-day visas. Kaye says the lifestyle is demanding but rewarding, credits her late father’s encouragement for her confidence, and doesn’t plan to move back to the U.S., preferring walkable towns and lower costs abroad.

Jim Cramer’s latest Lightning Round backed several stocks: He’s bullish on Disney, urging investors to hold or add as he sees more upside. He’s cautious on Peloton’s growth and suggests Spotify instead for a subscription play. He expects Walmart to keep gaining momentum and break higher. He calls Reddit a winner amid a breakout. He’s positive on Kinder Morgan, saying the company has gotten its act together. CNBC Investing Club holds Disney shares.

Global spirits makers like Rémy Cointreau, Diageo, and Pernod Ricard are facing a downturn driven by U.S.-China tariffs, brand boycotts, and shifting consumer habits. Rémy withdrew long-term sales targets after a sharp drop in cognac sales, citing weak U.S. demand and complex conditions in China—pressures also seen at LVMH’s Hennessy. Spirits are especially vulnerable to trade barriers due to local production rules, with Remy estimating a €65 million tariff hit and Diageo warning that a quarter of its business is exposed. Meanwhile, beer makers with local production, such as AB InBev, have held guidance. Post-pandemic, the industry’s premiumization trend has stalled as consumers downtrade and shift to cheaper ready-to-drink options, particularly affecting vodka and rum, while premium whisky, tequila, and gin hold up better. Health and wellness trends, plus the rise of weight-loss drugs, are adding structural pressure. Analysts see the slump as a mix of cyclical and structural factors, with long-term U.S. spirits growth likely 1–2 percentage points below historical 4–5% rates once cyclical headwinds ease.

Jim Cramer says Vail Resorts has long-term potential but he’s not ready to “pound the table” after a mixed quarter (revenue miss, earnings beat) and a stock slide. He cites challenges including weak snowfall, softer pass sales, an employee strike, and aggressive price hikes without unit growth. He notes possible tariff-related timing effects on pass sales and “modest” financial improvements despite fewer skiers. The return of former CEO Rob Katz is a positive, and the stock looks cheap at under 20x this year’s earnings. Cramer suggests a small starter position but wants clearer business momentum and pricing changes before getting more bullish.

Tesla’s vice president overseeing the Optimus humanoid robotics program, Milan Kovac, announced his departure after joining the company in 2016 and leading Optimus since 2022. Elon Musk thanked him publicly. Tesla says it remains on track to begin pilot builds of Optimus in Fremont in 2025, with broader factory deployment to follow. Musk recently said Optimus is learning basic tasks and has touted robots as a major long-term value driver. Tesla did not comment on the leadership change; competitors include Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Apptronik, 1X, and Figure.

ER and longevity physician Poonam Desai aims for 30–40 grams of fiber daily—about double the average American intake. She prioritizes fiber-rich foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Her go-tos include a tablespoon of chia seeds in 30 ounces of water, large daily bowls of mixed fruits (apples, oranges, kiwi, berries) and raw vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage), and at least one serving of lentils or beans per day. As a vegetarian, plant-based proteins help her meet fiber goals while supporting overall longevity-focused habits.

China’s Ministry of Science and Technology’s official newspaper criticized universities’ growing use of “AI content detectors” to police theses, calling the practice “technological superstition.” With some schools setting strict AI-generated content thresholds that can determine graduation, the editorial warned detectors frequently misclassify human writing as AI, citing cases where students’ original work was flagged and a famous century-old Chinese essay was judged over 60% AI-generated. The piece cautions that reliance on unreliable tools could lead to unfair outcomes and unintended side effects in academia, despite legitimate concerns about misconduct enabled by generative AI.

South Korea’s snap presidential election delivered a victory for Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, sparking jubilation among his supporters and anger from far-right opponents who alleged rigging outside the People Power Party headquarters. The starkly contrasting scenes underscore a deep national polarization that extends into families, workplaces, and online spaces. While Lee has pledged to be a unifying “president for all,” his critics fear unchecked power, and his backers hope for justice and rebuilding. The social and regional divides—such as conservative strongholds like Busan—highlight the difficult path ahead for reconciliation and governance.

The article argues that despite Beijing portraying Hong Kong and Shanghai as twin financial engines, policy and market realities favor Hong Kong as China’s primary global finance hub. Entrepreneurs like AICT’s Yan Jun increasingly choose Hong Kong over mainland exchanges due to its deeper international capital access, stronger global connectivity, and role as a launchpad for overseas expansion. Geopolitical tensions, notably deteriorating US-China relations reducing New York’s appeal, further concentrate Chinese listings and fundraising in Hong Kong. As mainland firms seek international investors and liquidity, Hong Kong’s market size, openness, and regulatory alignment with global standards consolidate its status at Shanghai’s expense.

Hong Kong faces rising water leaks and periodic main bursts as many pipes reach 50 years old, particularly in dense New Territories estates. A major 2000–2015 replacement program upgraded 3,000 km of the city’s 5,700 km mains at HK$23.6 billion, cutting annual ruptures from over 2,500 to 27 by 2024. However, building-level leakage has climbed from 10.3% (2022) to 11.6% (2024). Experts and lawmakers say further upgrades are hampered by limited resources and public resistance to traffic and water-supply disruptions caused by works. The Water Services Department aims to reduce leakage to 10% by 2030 via digitalisation and expanding an “intelligent network” to monitor flow and pressure.

Israel’s defense minister said the Israeli military recovered the body of Thai hostage Nattapong Pinta from Rafah in southern Gaza. Pinta, an agricultural worker abducted alive from Nir Oz during the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, was held by the Mujahideen Brigades and killed by his captors, according to the IDF. His family in Thailand has been notified. The recovery follows the retrieval of the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages. Of the 251 people taken hostage on 7 October, 55 remain in Gaza and about 20 are believed alive. Israel’s subsequent campaign in Gaza has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, jailed for over four years, has been hit with new national security charges for alleged conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, including working with exiled activist Nathan Law to seek sanctions and disrupt policymaking. He did not apply for bail and could face a life sentence if convicted. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, condemned the charges as arbitrary and aimed at prolonging his imprisonment, highlighting the broad use of Hong Kong’s 2020 national security law to suppress dissent. Wong is currently serving protest-related sentences, including a 56-month term linked to the “Hong Kong 47” case, and had been due for release in January 2027.

Kenya has ordered tea factories to suspend Rainforest Alliance certification, arguing the costs fall on smallholders without sufficient benefits and should be borne by buyers. The move follows concerns that most Kenyan tea workers earn below a basic living level and that Western buyers demand certification without paying a premium, despite low retail tea prices. Rainforest Alliance says certifications remain valid until expiry and is seeking a resolution with Kenya’s agriculture department. The government is considering a local certification model with similar standards but lower costs. Industry groups warn certification is vital for fair treatment and hope the suspension is brief.

Freedom of information documents show that in 2014, then–immigration minister Scott Morrison sought advice on preventing pregnant asylum seekers on Nauru from being transferred to Australia for abortions before 20 weeks’ gestation, and directed that any transfers be to Brisbane only, not Victoria, South Australia, or the Northern Territory. In at least one case, he overrode medical advice recommending transfer to Victoria, sending the woman to Brisbane where an ethics panel review was required. Advocates say the moves reflected an “extreme deterrence” policy aimed at limiting medical transfers that could allow asylum seekers to challenge returns to offshore detention. Abortion is largely illegal on Nauru, and delays and barriers reportedly made access to terminations and other medical care extremely difficult. The revelations come amid broader findings of violence and abuse in offshore detention and follow the brief 2019 medevac law, later repealed by the Morrison government, which had shifted medical transfer decisions to doctors.

France is scrutinizing the Muslim Brotherhood after a confidential government-commissioned report concluded the group poses a long-term threat to secular values and republican institutions by influencing local governments, schools, and mosques. While not alleging violence, the report warns of societal damage and identifies “Muslims of France” as the Brotherhood’s national branch, a claim the group denies. Analysts say the Brotherhood’s mix of open and clandestine activity complicates assessment of its reach and may fuel sectarianization. In the U.S., Sen. Ted Cruz plans to reintroduce a bill to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Several countries, including Egypt, the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have banned or restricted the group.

Western powers are preparing a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to declare Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations amid fragile nuclear talks. The draft resolution is expected to be introduced next week, marking the first time in two decades that Western nations bring such a motion against Iran at the IAEA. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the move a "strategic mistake" and warned of a strong reaction. Meanwhile, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned 35 individuals involved in laundering money for Iran. Iranian citizens are skeptical about the negotiations, fearing that any deal may only tighten the Islamic Republic's grip on power, and are concerned that the regime will not abide by any agreement.

Gaza marked the start of Eid al Adha with outdoor prayers amid widespread destruction, severe food shortages, and mass displacement. Israel warned of new intensive military operations in northern Gaza following rocket fire, while limited aid has recently trickled in but remains largely undistributed due to insecurity and movement restrictions. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack, has left around 54,000 Palestinians dead according to Gaza’s health ministry and displaced about 90% of the population. Hamas is believed to still hold 56 hostages, with roughly a third thought to be alive. Muslims in Gaza remain unable to perform the Hajj for a second year.

Three Iranian nationals—Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55—appeared at the Old Bailey charged under the UK National Security Act with assisting Iran’s foreign intelligence service between August 2024 and February 2025. They allegedly targeted journalists at London-based Iran International and entered the UK irregularly between 2016 and 2022. Sepahvand faces an additional charge of conducting surveillance and research with intent to commit serious violence; Manesh and Noori face related surveillance charges with intent that others would commit serious violence. They appeared via video link with a Farsi interpreter. A plea hearing is set for 26 September, with a provisional trial date of 5 October 2026. The UK summoned Iran’s ambassador after their 3 May arrests; separate arrests of five other Iranian nationals occurred the same day in an unrelated probe, with four held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. MI5 has previously warned of multiple Iran-linked plots in the UK since 2022.

Local Ocean Conservation, a small NGO in Watamu, Kenya, has rescued about 24,000 sea turtles over nearly three decades from threats including poaching, fishing nets, plastic pollution, and rising sea levels. Working with over 1,000 fishermen—whom they modestly compensate—the group rehabilitates injured turtles at a clinic, treating issues like broken bones, tumors (fibropapillomatosis), barnacle infestations, and plastic ingestion that causes “floating” turtles. They tag and release recovered turtles and relocate nests at risk from encroaching tides, helping safeguard key nesting sites. Despite long odds—only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings reaches adulthood—the NGO’s education campaigns and hands-on interventions are shifting local perceptions and bolstering survival for Kenya’s turtles.