In other news

Over 100 top high school performers are in New York for the 2025 Jimmy Awards, the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, where they rehearse for 10 days at Juilliard before a Broadway showcase at the Minskoff Theatre. Selected from an initial pool of about 150,000 students nationwide, nominees describe the intense 12-hour rehearsal days and the thrill of seeing their faces on a Times Square billboard. The program, which has launched careers of artists like Eva Noblezada and Renee Rapp, names best actor and actress honors after Jimmy Nederlander. Executive director Rachel Reiner highlights the impact on students’ careers. Josh Groban will host the livestreamed ceremony Monday at 7:30 p.m. on the Jimmy Awards website.

NPR’s Tiny Desk celebrates Black Music Month with a long-awaited in-office performance by R&B singer Alex Isley, following her acclaimed 2020 Tiny Desk (home) set. Keeping her voice fresh by staying silent pre-show, Isley delivers soft, airy vocals enhanced by tight harmonies from Nelson Beato, Muhsinah, and Astyn Turr, and refined arrangements by music director DeShaun Allen. The set nods to her lineage with opener “Mic On” (a wink to her father, Ernie Isley), features a crowd-lifting cameo from Masego on “Good & Plenty,” and closes with “Thank You for a Lovely Time” from her EP WHEN. The set list spans fan favorites like “About Him,” “Love Again,” and “La Brea,” showcasing poised musicianship and fresh arrangements that honor the originals.

NPR reports on a Beverly Hills estate auction of 450 items from the late filmmaker David Lynch, which felt like a “mirthful wake” blending the surreal and everyday—very Lynchian. While most bidding happened online, a small in-person crowd of filmmakers, craftspeople, and devoted fans attended, drawn to objects tied to Lynch’s creative process: coffee and espresso machines, camera and lighting gear, his self-designed furniture, and woodshop tools still dusted with sawdust. Top lots included Lynch’s copies of the Lost Highway screenplay and unfinished Ronnie Rocket scripts, each fetching $195,000; his director’s chair sold for $91,000. Attendees emphasized connection over celebrity: craftspeople bought his tools to continue making work in his spirit, with moments of generosity and community arising among bidders. Commentators noted the slightly “ghoulish” timing so soon after Lynch’s death, but said the event reflected his blend of the mundane and macabre and the deep, emotional devotion his work inspires—less fandom than reverence for the things that fed his art.

A large global study of 125,000 people found that hotter nights significantly worsen sleep apnea. When temperatures are 80°F or higher, overall apnea risk rises by nearly 50% versus nights in the 50s, and severe events increase by about 40%. The effect is strongest in regions with less air conditioning, such as Europe and Russia. As climate change drives nighttime temperatures higher, health impacts and sleep disruptions are expected to grow, affecting both people with apnea and the general population. Cooling bedrooms (fans/AC) can help, but many lack access, underscoring the need to limit warming and improve cooling options.

Democratic Sens. John Hickenlooper, Elizabeth Warren, Jacky Rosen, Brian Schatz, and Tammy Baldwin rented the Kennedy Center’s REACH Justice Forum to host a last-minute Pride show, “Love Is Love,” on Monday, directed by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley with songs celebrating gay culture. Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, who helped organize the event after Hickenlooper’s call for “guerrilla theater,” framed it as standing up for the arts, LGBTQ progress, and democracy. The Kennedy Center is not programming the event and did not comment. Tensions follow Seller and Lin-Manuel Miranda canceling Hamilton’s 2026 Kennedy Center run after President Trump’s takeover and staffing/event purges, which current Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell called a publicity stunt. Meanwhile, the White House has proposed nearly $257 million in federal funding for Kennedy Center repairs and security, even as other cultural institutions face cuts.

Since January, the Trump administration has sent about 500 migrants to Guantánamo Bay, far short of the stated goal of up to 30,000. At any given time the site holds around 87 to 200 people, with several hundred unused tents erected. The operation cost over $40 million in its first two months (excluding transport), with per-person daily costs around $100,000 compared to $165 in U.S. ICE detention. Migrants have been flown via military and costly charter planes, sometimes to Guantánamo for days before being returned to the U.S. or deported elsewhere. The administration describes the site as a staging area for final removal; critics, including the ACLU and some lawmakers, argue it’s wasteful and intended to intimidate migrants into self-deporting.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez plan a multiday, multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice in late June, sparking protests over overtourism, privatization of public space, and environmental impact. Activists under the “No Space for Bezos” banner, joined by Greenpeace, have staged actions across the city, accusing officials of prioritizing VIP events over residents’ needs and calling for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy. Venice authorities and the event organizers deny claims of city disruption, saying about 200 guests are expected and local services won’t be monopolized. Details of the venue remain uncertain, with reports ranging from Bezos’ yacht Koru to San Giorgio Maggiore or Scuola Grande della Misericordia. Supporters argue the event could boost the local economy; opponents counter that Venice needs housing and public services, not more high-profile tourism.

NPR’s Morning Edition reports that potential deep budget cuts and ongoing staff shortages at the National Park Service are straining parks as peak season begins, with Joshua Tree as a case study. Local businesses reliant on park tourism, like the Mojave Sands Motel, are seeing fewer international visitors amid uncertainty and poor communication. A Joshua Tree ranger, speaking anonymously, describes low morale, silencing of staff, and departures that reduce capacity for visitor safety and ecosystem protection. Fewer rangers increase risks from desert heat, wildfires, and neglected conservation work, threatening wildlife and cultural resources. Advocates note parks deliver major economic returns despite a tiny share of federal spending and warn that cuts imperil both local economies and the parks’ long-term health. The Park Service says staffing needs fluctuate and urges visitors to plan for heat safety.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and pro-Palestinian protest leader, was released on bail after 104 days in ICE detention in Louisiana, where he says he endured harsh conditions, was denied media access, and missed the birth of his son. A legal permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen, Khalil alleges the Trump administration targeted him to chill speech and weaponized immigration law—including a 1952 statute—without presenting evidence of claims that he supported Hamas or engaged in antisemitism. He describes his arrest as akin to kidnapping, says he was kept in cold, crowded conditions with inedible food, and frames his release—ordered by a federal judge—as a rejection of executive overreach. The administration has appealed his release; Khalil vows to continue his legal fight, arguing his detention was retaliation for protected speech and seeking accountability for officials involved.

Journalist Carter Sherman’s book The Second Coming argues Gen Z is having less sex than previous generations due to a convergence of political, cultural, and technological forces. She cites the post-Roe landscape, pandemic-era disruptions to sex education, the dominance of abstinence-focused curricula, and the pervasive influence of internet porn, which many young people say distorts expectations and normalizes rough sex. The #MeToo movement increased awareness of harassment and assault but delivered limited institutional reforms, leaving many young women anxious about safety. Meanwhile, some young men feel unfairly demonized, contributing to a rightward political shift. Sherman contends that sex norms are increasingly shaped by institutions and technology, and calls for comprehensive, forward-looking sex education that addresses consent, pleasure, and digital realities.

Tick bites are surging in the U.S., with May ER visits at their highest since 2019. Ticks transmit a range of pathogens—most commonly Lyme disease—which affects an estimated 470,000 people annually. Risk varies by region: the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest have the highest tick bite rates and Lyme risk (deer ticks often carry Borrelia burgdorferi); the South sees more ehrlichiosis, spotted fever rickettsioses, and Alpha-gal syndrome; the West has fewer bites but cases of Lyme, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever occur. Prevention focuses on prompt tick checks and removal, staying on clear trails, treating clothing with permethrin, and using EPA-registered repellents (DEET, picaridin, etc.). If bitten, remove the tick quickly, identify type and feeding duration (photos can help), and seek care promptly if in high-Lyme areas—single-dose antibiotics may be recommended after high-risk deer tick bites. Testing the tick itself is generally not useful; monitor for symptoms and get medical care if they develop.

The Trump administration announced it will rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which restricts roadbuilding and logging on about 58 million acres of national forests. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rollback aligns with directives to increase logging and thinning to address wildfire risks and reduce regulatory barriers. Environmental groups argue roadless protections reduce fire risks and safeguard ecosystems, vowing to sue to block the change. The rule, enacted at the end of the Clinton administration, has long been opposed by some Republican-led states and industry groups who argue it overstepped congressional authority.

Ford will complete its $3 billion LFP battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, even if Republicans and President Trump strip Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for facilities using Chinese technology. The plant, licensed from China’s CATL, is slated to open next year, create 1,700 jobs, and could have had about a quarter of its cost offset by credits. Ford says losing incentives would materially affect finances but vows to proceed; tariffs are already raising costs on incoming Chinese machinery. A GOP bill would bar credits for projects tied to China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia, potentially hitting Ford more than competitors using Korean or Japanese tech. The U.A.W. warns gutting EV credits could cut EV sales by up to 40% by 2030 and threaten plants and jobs. Ford says IRA incentives kept the plant in the U.S., and that scaling back now would jeopardize jobs.

The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that Republicans cannot include a provision in their budget-protected megabill that would limit preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders against Trump’s executive actions by requiring plaintiffs to post bonds. The measure was deemed ineligible under reconciliation rules because it doesn’t directly affect federal spending. Democrats criticized the proposal as an attack on judicial checks and balances. MacDonough also allowed a 10-year federal preemption of state AI regulation but rejected a plan shifting some SNAP costs to states, forcing Republicans to revise their bill. Her ongoing review could require further removals; failure to comply would expose the bill to a 60-vote threshold that would likely sink it.

The Trump administration halted nearly all federal research funding to Harvard, terminating over 900 grants worth $2.6 billion and jeopardizing projects across medicine, public health, basic science, education, and defense. The cuts, part of a broader campaign against certain universities and lines of inquiry, disrupt long-running studies like the 116,000-participant Women’s Health Study, neuroscience training, opioid treatment via telemedicine, salamander limb regeneration, and innovations with potential military applications (e.g., oxygen extraction from seawater). Researchers stress that federal grants fund the nation’s research agenda—especially high-risk, long-term basic science that industry won’t support—powering breakthroughs from gene regulation to sleep-deprivation biomarkers and informing public policy (e.g., trans fat bans). With negotiations ongoing and a lawsuit pending, the halt exposes the fragility of the U.S. model where government funds university-led science, with no clear alternative to sustain the scale and impact of this work.

A federal judge, Barbara D. Holmes, ordered Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia released from criminal custody pending trial on human smuggling charges, rebuking the Justice Department’s portrayal of him as dangerous and tied to MS-13. Holmes found he is neither a flight risk nor a community threat, emphasized the legal distinction between smuggling and trafficking, and questioned the credibility of government cooperators and gang allegations. Despite the ruling, Abrego Garcia is likely to remain in immigration custody. The decision follows his wrongful deportation to El Salvador and return to the U.S., and comes amid a separate contempt inquiry into the government’s handling of his case. Prosecutors sought to pause his release.

French officials said 145 people across France, including 13 in Paris, reported being jabbed with needles during the Fête de la Musique festival, leading to 12 arrests. Authorities provided no details on suspects or substances; some victims underwent toxicology tests. The incidents echo recent years’ reports of needle spiking in crowded venues, though experts and officials urged caution, noting confirmed drug injections are rare and panic can drive reports. A 2022 U.K. report documented over 1,000 suspected needle spiking cases but found limited evidence to gauge prevalence. Experts emphasized that alcohol- or drug-related vulnerability remains a far greater risk than needle spiking.

The New York Times gathered ballots from over 500 industry figures and published 121+ individual lists from prominent filmmakers, actors, writers, and producers—among them Pedro Almodóvar, Sofia Coppola, Bong Joon Ho, Barry Jenkins, Ava DuVernay, Mel Brooks, Julianne Moore, and more—highlighting their picks for the best movies of the 21st century. The feature showcases who voted and spotlights their careers, offering a star-studded snapshot of contemporary cinema tastes that informed the paper’s master list of the century’s top films.

The Phoenix Suns are trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-rounders. Durant, 36 with one year left at $54.7 million and eligible for a two-year extension, joins his fifth franchise to boost Houston’s half-court offense alongside Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet. For Phoenix, the move aligns with owner Mat Ishbia’s push for toughness and a reset after missing the playoffs; Green adds scoring and durability, Brooks brings defense and edge, and the No. 10 pick plus No. 29 offers roster-building flexibility. Durant’s Phoenix tenure ends after one playoff series win, with the Suns now planning to build around Devin Booker while exploring options for Bradley Beal.

The New York Times polled over 500 filmmakers, actors, and industry figures worldwide to rank the 100 best films released since Jan. 1, 2000, creating a cumulative list unveiled in batches over a week. Participants include prominent directors like Pedro Almodóvar, Sofia Coppola, Barry Jenkins, and Guillermo del Toro, and actors such as Julianne Moore and John Turturro. The project highlights how cinema has evolved amid streaming and blockbuster dominance while identifying works deemed most enduring. Each entry features context, recommendations for similar films, critical links, and where to watch, with titles spanning global cinema and genres—from “Superbad” and “Black Panther” to “Memories of Murder,” “Gravity,” “The Worst Person in the World,” “Minority Report,” and “Michael Clayton.” Readers can see individual ballots and submit their own top 10.

China’s once-rapid upward mobility is fading as growth slows, jobs shrink, and wages stagnate, deepening inequality and entrenching privilege. Despite massive past gains—hundreds of millions lifted from poverty and a vast new middle class—many young people from working-class and rural backgrounds now find education and hard work insufficient without elite family connections. Personal accounts describe unpaid trials, political vetting, and hiring bias favoring pedigree over merit, alongside collapsing sectors like real estate pushing earlier strivers backward. Online backlash against nepotism (“pindie,” “county Brahmins”) reflects rising anger as state-owned enterprise jobs and elite networks become gatekept. The result is growing disillusionment and social risk: for many, the “Chinese Dream” feels out of reach, with fairness seen as essential to stability.

The article profiles Sean Duffy’s evolution from MTV Real World cast member to Trump’s Transportation Secretary and a leading cultural promoter of large, traditional families. Alongside his Fox News host wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and their nine children, Duffy leverages his reality-TV-honed persona to champion higher birthrates and conservative family values, framing big families as key to personal fulfillment and national renewal. His public image blends masculinity and domesticity—pancake breakfasts, a minivan, and Catholic faith—serving the administration’s broader natalist agenda. Policy-wise, he sparked controversy by directing transportation funding to regions with higher birth and marriage rates, drawing Democratic criticism as dystopian. The piece traces Duffy’s journey from a sexually provocative TV “playboy” to devout family man, highlighting how his media savvy and “Americana” aesthetics make him a potent cultural messenger for Trump-era conservatism.

The New York Times invites readers to vote for the 10 best feature-length, commercially released movies since Jan. 1, 2000. After collecting ballots from over 500 filmmakers and actors, the publication is now opening voting to the public to help create a Readers’ 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century list. Voters can define “best” however they like and may use NYT critics’ favorites from the past 25 years as inspiration. Results will be revealed next week, alongside related coverage and guides.

U.S. manufacturers face nearly 400,000 unfilled jobs as retiring baby boomers, declining interest in blue-collar work, and skills mismatches shrink the pool of qualified candidates. Employers cite persistent hiring challenges intensified by immigration crackdowns, cuts to federal training programs, and competition from service jobs with better schedules and environments. Modern factories need workers fluent in advanced equipment and software, but vocational enrollment is falling and college pathways often don’t align with shop-floor needs. Business leaders are pushing solutions like skills-based hiring, earlier outreach to high schoolers, expanded apprenticeships, and veteran training, while noting that administration policies—particularly on immigration and reduced workforce training funds—undercut efforts to staff the factories central to reviving U.S. manufacturing.

A 27-year-old bride was shot dead and her 25-year-old husband and a 13-year-old were seriously wounded when hooded attackers ambushed their car after a wedding celebration in Goult, southeastern France, around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. One assailant died at the scene; others fled on foot. Another guest was slightly injured. Prosecutors opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder by an organized criminal group, with autopsies pending. The local mayor called the attack unprecedented for the quiet village. Separately, a third person was reported killed overnight in Avignon, with no confirmed link to the wedding attack.

Several Federal Reserve officials are signaling support for interest rate cuts as soon as July, aligning with President Trump’s calls. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said inflation risks from tariffs and Middle East tensions appear limited and advocated lowering rates to protect the labor market. Fed Governor Christopher Waller also downplayed tariff-driven inflation as a one-off. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee indicated cuts are possible if tariffs don’t rekindle inflation. While the Fed has held rates steady and Chair Jerome Powell views potential energy-price spikes as likely short-lived, growing internal support suggests the central bank’s wait-and-see stance is easing despite uncertainties from Trump’s tariffs and the Israel-Iran conflict.

French police detained 12 people after 145 reports of syringe “needle spiking” during the nationwide Fête de la Musique. Cases were recorded across France, including at least 13 in Paris. Authorities have not confirmed whether date-rape drugs were used; toxicology tests are underway. Paris saw unprecedented crowds, with warnings circulating beforehand about targeting women. Paris prosecutors opened probes into several cases, including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man who felt unwell after being pricked. Police also made 371 arrests nationwide for various incidents, nearly 90 in Paris.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are expected to hold a tightly guarded, multimillion-dollar wedding in Venice this week amid potential protests. Event planners Lanza and Baucina aim to minimize disruption, sourcing about 80% of provisions locally, including pastries from historic Rosa Salva and favors by Murano designer Laguna B. About 200 high-profile guests are anticipated, with names like Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Ivanka Trump reported; President Biden or Donald Trump were speculated but unconfirmed. Logistics include reserved water taxis, gondolas, yacht berths (with Bezos’ Koru already nearby), and limited helicopter permissions. Venues reportedly on hold across multiple days to adapt to weather and protests include the Cini Foundation, the Aman hotel, Scuola Grande della Misericordia, and a gazebo near the Excelsior on the Lido. Sanchez’s dress remains secret; past choices suggest Dolce & Gabbana or Oscar de la Renta. The exact date and locations are still unconfirmed.

A growing Alberta separatist movement is drawing energy from pro-oil, anti-federal sentiment and sees U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential ally who might recognize an independent Alberta. At a Red Deer rally organized by the Alberta Prosperity Project, supporters argued Ottawa stifles Alberta’s oil industry, siphons wealth east, and ignores conservative values. Momentum has increased after Alberta’s legislature lowered the threshold to trigger an independence referendum to 177,000 signatures over four months. While about a third of Albertans support separation—and over half of the governing UCP’s base would vote to leave—Premier Danielle Smith backs greater provincial autonomy within Canada, not secession. Indigenous communities remain strong critics, prompting a bill provision safeguarding treaty rights regardless of any vote. Advocates hope Trump’s stance on energy and Canada could translate into U.S. recognition if a referendum passes, even as national unity hardens in response to U.S. tariffs and rhetoric.

Budapest’s Budaörs Airport, Hungary’s first international airport, has operated since 1937 and remains a living time capsule of early modern aviation. Its protected Bauhaus terminal—designed by Virgil Bierbauer and László Králik—retains original features like a circular hall, glass roof, and functionalist layout. While long-distance traffic shifted to Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport after WWII, Budaörs evolved into one of Hungary’s busiest small-aircraft hubs, serving hobby pilots, private planes, and helicopters. Operator FlyCoop runs air taxis, helicopter transfers (notably for Formula 1 events), and pilot training, plus quick, personalized sightseeing flights over Budapest and nearby landmarks. The airport can arrange on-demand customs and immigration for non-Schengen flights. It also houses airworthy vintage aircraft maintained by the Goldtimer Foundation, including a rare Soviet-era Lisunov Li-2—the last of its type still flying—underscoring the site’s blend of active aviation and preserved history.

A sudden, severe storm swept over Lake Tahoe on a sunny day, rapidly creating dangerous conditions that capsized at least one boat and led to a tragedy, according to CNN video coverage by Mackenzie Happe. The brief clip highlights how quickly the weather shifted and its deadly impact on people on the water.

BBC presenter Martine Croxall corrected the term “pregnant people” to “women” live on air during a segment about heat-related health risks, adding an eye roll. The moment went viral, drawing widespread support, including praise from J.K. Rowling. Croxall later thanked new followers, joked about potential repercussions, and confirmed the clip wasn’t AI-generated. She has worked at the BBC for over 30 years.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and numerous upstate counties as a dangerous heatwave and severe storms hit the state. Temperatures are forecast to approach or exceed 100°F early in the week, potentially breaking 125-year-old records in NYC, while high humidity will worsen conditions. Upstate storms have already caused deadly damage, including at least three fatalities in Oneida County, widespread tree damage, flash flooding risks, and about 50,000 power outages. State resources are being deployed for recovery and heat-related safety, with continued rain and flooding threats expected in Central New York, the Southern Tier, and the North Country.

The New York Post opinion piece criticizes mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani as ideologically extreme and harmful to New York’s interests. It argues his priorities—such as proposing $65 million for gender-affirming care for minors, creating an LGBTQIA+ office, and investigating hospitals—reflect activism over practical governance. The article condemns his plans to freeze rents (predicting more vacant units and higher costs for others), launch government-run groceries (likely inefficient and costly), and raise taxes on the wealthy (risking an exodus that could undermine revenue and jobs). It also faults his refusal to commit to increasing NYPD staffing and highlights his pro-Palestinian activism, including defending “globalize the intifada” protesters. The author contends that while affordability is a real issue, Mamdani’s proposals are radical, unworkable, and would worsen the city’s problems.

A new Emerson College/Pix 11/The Hill poll shows Zohran Mamdani overtaking Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary under ranked-choice voting. While Cuomo leads the initial round 35% to 32% (Brad Lander at 13%), Mamdani wins in the eighth ranked-choice round, 51.8% to 48.2%, largely due to Lander’s supporters shifting to him. Early voters favor Mamdani 41%–31%, while Election Day voters lean toward Cuomo 36%–31%. Demographic splits show Mamdani leading among voters under 50, white and Asian voters, and college-educated voters; Cuomo leads among Black and Hispanic voters, older voters, women, and those without a four-year degree. The poll of 729 likely Democrats (June 18–20) has a 3.6-point margin of error, indicating a volatile race.

Simone Biles deactivated her X account weeks after a heated exchange with former swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines over a transgender high school softball player’s championship performance. Biles had criticized Gaines’ comments, suggesting inclusive solutions like a separate transgender category, then apologized for getting personal. Following backlash from figures including Danica Patrick and former teammate MyKayla Skinner, Biles left X while keeping other social accounts active. Gaines responded by calling Biles’ retreat “sad” and claiming her stance was unpopular and indefensible. The exact reason for only deleting X remains unclear.

The article criticizes Sabrina Carpenter’s new album cover for “Man’s Best Friend,” depicting her kneeling while a suited man pulls her hair, as promoting regressive, submissive imagery to a largely young, impressionable audience. It argues her hypersexual lyrics and onstage acts—like miming oral sex and explicit choreography—model self-objectification, despite defenders framing it as empowerment or playful subversion. While acknowledging Carpenter’s right as an adult to express her sexuality and parents’ role in setting boundaries, the piece contends that packaging sexual submission as empowerment misleads young fans and reflects a broader “pornified” culture that normalizes female degradation under the guise of choice.

Aging brings natural declines in muscle, bone density, flexibility, and reaction time, but consistent, tailored exercise preserves fitness at every stage. In your teens/20s, find enjoyable, social activities and build gradually toward 150 minutes of moderate exercise plus two strength sessions weekly, varying routines to prevent injury. In your 30s/40s, balance life demands by adding short movement breaks, standing more, and doing regular warmups/cooldowns; include two weekly strength or aerobic sessions to curb “weekend warrior” injuries, fuel properly, and consider a cardiac checkup after 35. In your 50s, prioritize aerobic and strength training to counter muscle and flexibility loss; avoid high-impact work if painful, progress slowly, stretch diligently, and ensure adequate protein and calories—women in peri/menopause should emphasize resistance and weight-bearing work for bone health. In your 60s+, focus on strength, resistance, and balance training to prevent falls, support heart and bone health, and choose social activities like pickleball or golf to sustain engagement and well-being.

China should develop and regulate yuan-backed stablecoins quickly to avoid ceding ground to US dollar-backed tokens, according to a Securities Times article under People’s Daily. The piece argues stablecoins can lower costs and speed up cross-border payments, offering a “golden opportunity” to advance yuan internationalization if paired with clear legislation. It warns that unregulated growth could threaten financial stability, but inaction risks missing strategic benefits. While Hong Kong has approved a licensing regime for HKD-pegged stablecoins effective in August, cryptocurrency trading remains banned on the mainland. Analysts say proactive, well-regulated yuan stablecoins could enhance China’s global financial influence.

Four suspected gangland shootings in eight days have rattled Kuala Lumpur and the wider Klang Valley, heightening public fear and undermining police assurances of safety. Masked gunmen carried out brazen attacks in busy areas, including a daylight killing in Klang and a double homicide in a Cheras shopping centre car park. Another fatal shooting occurred in Brickfields, with police saying the Cheras and Brickfields incidents may be linked to gang violence. The spate of attacks in areas known for organized crime has intensified concern over public security.

Chinese researchers found direct evidence that cosmic rays disrupt superconducting quantum computers by causing correlated errors across multiple qubits. Monitoring chips alongside muons (from cosmic rays) and gamma ray–induced quasiparticle bursts, they isolated the effects of muons and gamma rays and showed that quasiparticle bursts drive these linked errors. The results, published in Nature Communications, suggest current error-correction methods lose effectiveness at larger scales due to these correlated events, informing the design of more fault-tolerant quantum processors. The detection approach may also aid cosmic ray and dark matter studies.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee urged greater collaboration with European companies on the Northern Metropolis megaproject, highlighting EU firms’ expertise in green development and climate solutions. Speaking at the EU-backed Greenway 2025 event, he framed the project—spanning 30,000 hectares with plans for 2.5 million residents and 650,000 jobs, including the San Tin Technopole—as a new growth engine focused on sustainability. His remarks followed Beijing official Xia Baolong’s call to expedite the project by removing barriers. Both Hong Kong and the EU aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.

A new video circulating on Chinese social media appears to show a six-axle launcher carrying two large missile canisters, likely the unacknowledged HQ-29 ballistic missile defense system. Observers speculate it may debut at a military parade in Beijing on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The HQ-29 is believed to be a more advanced layer in China’s multi-tiered missile defense, potentially surpassing the HQ-19 (often compared to the U.S. THAAD). Similar vehicles were spotted in March, and the latest footage has revived discussion that HQ-29 could fill the “top layer” gap in China’s missile shield.

AIIB president Jin Liqun reflects on the bank’s first decade as a complementary multilateral lender focused on sustainable development and infrastructure. Launched with 57 founding members, AIIB has financed over US$60 billion in projects, including Covid-19 health support, while emphasizing climate-aligned physical and digital infrastructure. Jin stresses that Asia’s annual infrastructure needs—estimated at US$3–4 trillion—far exceed any single MDB’s capacity, underscoring AIIB’s role in filling gaps alongside existing institutions as his tenure nears its end.

Interest in China’s military academies is rising among young people, driven by high youth unemployment, growing patriotism amid US-China rivalry, and incentives like subsidized tuition. The Defence Ministry announced three new academies—in Hefei, Wuhan, and Chongqing—but said overall recruitment numbers will remain roughly unchanged, as the institutions result from mergers to streamline the military education system. Reforms aim to build higher-quality talent for “war preparation,” including allowing academy graduates to pursue commander-track postgraduate exams immediately, removing a prior three-year work experience requirement. Social media reaction has been strong, with millions viewing the announcement and many expressing enthusiasm to serve.

Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, was unexpectedly freed after five years in harsh solitary confinement and exiled to Lithuania along with 13 other political prisoners. At an emotional press conference, he described inhuman prison conditions and urged Donald Trump to use his influence to secure the release of over 1,000 remaining political prisoners in Belarus. The releases coincided with a rare visit to Minsk by US envoy Keith Kellogg, which Tikhanovskaya said was the only concession offered to Alexander Lukashenko, who seeks relief from US sanctions. Tikhanovsky affirmed his wife’s leadership of the opposition, called on Belarusians to resist the regime, and said his release likely saved his life.

Colombia’s military says 57 soldiers were kidnapped over the weekend by more than 200 civilians in the Micay Canyon, a key cocaine production and trafficking area in the southwest. Authorities allege the civilians acted under pressure from Farc dissidents, likely the EMC group, though the EMC has not commented. The seized group includes four non-commissioned officers and 53 soldiers, and the military has labeled the incident a kidnapping. The region remains a hotspot in Colombia’s ongoing conflict despite the 2016 peace deal with Farc.

A 27-year-old bride was shot dead and her 25-year-old groom seriously wounded when masked gunmen opened fire as they left their wedding party in Goult, near Avignon, around 04:30 local time. A 13-year-old child was also seriously injured, and one suspected attacker was killed in an exchange of fire. Several attackers fled on foot; a large manhunt is underway. Authorities are investigating for murder and attempted murder, with French media suggesting possible drug-related motives. The attack shocked the small village, where 28 people had been at the celebration.

At least eight people were killed and 13 injured after a hot air balloon carrying 21 people caught fire and crashed near Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil. According to police, a fire ignited in the basket; the pilot attempted an emergency descent and told passengers to jump, but some could not before the balloon rose again and later fell. Victims include two couples, a mother and daughter, an ophthalmologist, and a figure skater. The operator, Sobrevoar Serviços Turísticos, suspended operations and said it had followed regulations. Brazil’s civil aviation agency opened an investigation. State and federal authorities expressed condolences and support for victims and families.

China has made electric vehicles mainstream through long-term state planning, massive subsidies, and control of the battery supply chain. Beginning in the 2000s, policymakers led by figures like Wan Gang shifted strategy from competing in combustion engines to prioritizing EVs, pouring an estimated $231bn into the sector since 2009. Support spans consumers, carmakers, charging infrastructure, and battery firms, enabling domestic champions like BYD (now the world’s top EV seller), CATL (global battery leader), and startups such as XPeng to scale rapidly and compete on price and tech. Extensive urban charging networks, incentives like tax breaks, cheaper energy, free green number plates, and innovations such as Nio’s battery swapping have made EVs notably cheaper to run than petrol cars, driving mass adoption—nearly half of new cars sold in China in 2023 were electric. While China’s model—often labeled state capitalism—has triggered tariffs from the US, Canada, and the EU, Chinese brands are pushing exports to markets like the UK. The result is a fiercely competitive domestic ecosystem delivering low-cost, feature-rich EVs and a global lead that rivals may struggle to match.

Three MC Alger fans died and dozens were injured after a security barrier collapsed at Algiers’ 5 July Stadium, causing spectators to fall from the upper stand as fans surged to celebrate a league-title-clinching match. Over 70 people were treated in hospitals, most later released; MC Alger players and staff donated blood. The trophy presentation was postponed, and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered condolences. MC Alger retained the league title with a 0-0 draw against NC Magra.

Belarus released opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky and at least 13 other political prisoners after a visit by U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg and an appeal credited to President Trump. Tikhanovsky, jailed since 2020 and sentenced to long terms, was reunited with his wife, opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who thanked Trump. The freed detainees, including journalists and a Swedish-Belarusian citizen, were transferred to Lithuania for care. European leaders welcomed the move but urged the release of remaining political prisoners, with rights groups saying Belarus still holds over 1,000. The releases follow recent U.S.-Belarus contacts amid efforts to normalize ties despite Belarus’s authoritarian rule under Alexander Lukashenko.

Masked gunmen attacked a wedding party in Goult, southeastern France, killing the 27-year-old bride and injuring three people, including the 25-year-old groom and a 13-year-old believed to be their son. One assailant also died, reportedly after being struck “in return” during the assault; attackers fled on foot after arriving by car with multiple weapons. Authorities are investigating as organized gang murder/attempted murder, with a possible link to drug-related score-settling. About 28 people were present; police and a helicopter are searching for the gunmen. The incident has shocked the small village near Marseille, an area affected by drug violence.

Mexican authorities, with FBI cooperation, arrested three people—an American woman and a Mexican-American dual national with a U.S. drug-dealing warrant—after a vehicle chase in Ciudad Juárez, seizing 110,000 fentanyl pills packaged in 10 plastic bags. The operation, based on U.S.-Mexico intelligence, is part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s priority to combat illegal drug distribution amid a series of major fentanyl seizures. The suspects and pills were handed to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Economist warns that Japan’s era of ultra-cheap government borrowing is ending, turning a long-time fiscal outlier into a cautionary tale. With net public debt among the world’s highest and interest rates no longer near zero, debt-servicing costs are rising sharply. Yet politicians continue to promise handouts and avoid credible fiscal consolidation. The piece argues this combination—higher rates, mounting interest burdens, and political reluctance to tighten—risks destabilizing Japan’s government bond market and could force harsher adjustments later.

The article argues that advertising’s long history of adapting to disruptive media—radio, TV, and digital—offers a blueprint for navigating AI. At Cannes, industry leaders signal that survival won’t come from resisting AI but from integrating it to augment creativity, speed production, and personalize at scale. Agencies that blend human insight with AI tools, rethink business models, and reskill talent can endure—just as they have through past “extinction-level” shifts. The message: treat AI as a creative copilot, not a replacement, and the ad industry’s “cockroaches” will thrive again.

The Economist argues that MAGA-aligned pro-natalist plans—such as Trump’s push to make IVF cheaper and proposals for cash handouts or tax breaks for new parents—are misguided. International experience shows pro-natalist policies rarely boost birth rates meaningfully and can be extremely costly. Despite political enthusiasm in the U.S. and similar calls in the U.K., such measures tend to deliver poor results relative to their fiscal burden, making them an inefficient response to demographic challenges.

Major U.S. insurers, including CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, Elevance, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, will voluntarily speed up and reduce prior authorizations across commercial and some Medicare/Medicaid plans, affecting 257 million Americans. By 2027, they’ll adopt a common electronic standard, with at least 80% of fully documented electronic requests approved in real time, and will cut the types of services requiring prior auth by 2026. The move follows widespread criticism of delays and burdens from prior auth and aims to reduce administrative load and improve patient access to care.

Prosus CEO Fabricio Bloisi said India is poised to produce a $100 billion—and potentially $500 billion—tech company, as the firm ramps up its $10 billion portfolio in the country across PayU, Meesho, and a nearly 25% stake in Swiggy. He expects five Prosus-backed Indian firms to IPO this year, arguing strong local capital markets will be key to India’s tech growth. Prosus aims to replicate Tencent-style ecosystem plays across geographies, with food delivery and payments as a foundation, expanding into e-commerce and travel. Beyond India and Latin America, Prosus has moved to acquire Just Eat Takeaway for €4.1 billion and has begun seeking EU approval, with Bloisi optimistic on a swift clearance.

A 27-year-old bride was shot dead on her wedding day in Goult, near Avignon, France, after hooded attackers ambushed the couple’s car as they left the celebration with a 13-year-old child. Prosecutors opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder by an organized gang. One attacker died after being struck by the fleeing car. The groom, his sister, and the child were injured. The village mayor said the attack appeared targeted and expressed shock and anger.

Sky News explains why Israel is widely believed to have a long-standing, undeclared nuclear weapons program. Experts and historical evidence suggest Israel began developing nuclear arms in the early 1960s amid acute security fears, maintaining a policy of “nuclear opacity” and not signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu’s 1980s revelations and declassified materials bolstered external estimates that Israel possesses a clandestine arsenal. SIPRI assesses Israel likely has around 90 plutonium-based warheads, potentially deliverable via aircraft (e.g., F-16, F-35), Jericho ballistic missiles, and possibly Dolphin-class submarines—suggesting a de facto nuclear triad. While Israeli leaders have avoided explicit confirmation, retired officials have hinted at the program. The article highlights regional and global debates over perceived double standards, noting calls for a Middle East WMD-free zone, especially in light of Israel’s criticism of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Barbados poet laureate Esther Phillips, who grew up near the infamous Drax Hall slave plantation, has shifted her poetry to confront the realities of slavery after a transformative lecture eight years ago. She aims to achieve justice for enslaved people by using poetry to evoke emotion and reconnect contemporary audiences with buried histories, especially the experiences of enslaved women whose children were sold away. Phillips advocates for reparations, challenging descendants of colonizers like Richard Drax, and argues that those benefiting from wealth built on slavery bear responsibility. Her work, including the poem Hard Love, seeks to give voice to the voiceless and press for restitution for centuries of exploitation.

Ukraine’s intelligence service spent 18 months developing “Operation Spiderweb,” building custom long-range drones hidden inside prefabricated mobile homes and moving them across borders to strike deep inside Russia. The operation targeted strategic air bases, damaging multiple long-range bombers and demonstrating a novel method of covert drone deployment that Ukraine says has reshaped drone warfare tactics. Intelligence chief Vasyl Maliuk disclosed the planning and execution details, highlighting Russia’s air-defense vulnerabilities exposed by the strikes.