Leaked draft of $1bn memorandum of understanding reveals mandatory targets, sharing of data, and reported access to mining concessions The US has been accused of “shameless exploitation” over a health financing agreement with Zambia worth more than $1bn (£740m), amid warnings that the country is getting a raw deal from the Trump administration. A leaked draft of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, seen by the Guardian, reveals that Zambia may accept terms worse than health financing agreements the US has reached with 16 other African countries. Continue reading…
News & Trending
Politics
‘A devastating force’: how recent storms turned to tragedies across the western Mediterranean
Atmospheric machine-gun has fired storm after deadly storm at the region this year, leaving a trail of widespread destruction For Andrés Sánchez Barea, in Spain, it was the fear that arose when water started to spurt from plug sockets. For Nelson Duarte, in Portugal, it was the helplessness that hit as violent winds smacked down trees and tore tiles from roofs. For Amal Essuide, in Morocco, it was the reality that dawned when a corpse was pulled onboard a boat in the flooded medina. Each moment of horror is a fragment of the destruction wrought by an atmospheric machine-gun that...
Two women arrested in Uganda for allegedly kissing in public could face life sentence
Wendy Faith and Alesi Diana Denise were taken into custody under laws that have outraged LGBTQ+ community and rights activists Two women have been arrested and detained in Uganda after allegedly kissing in public, an act of “same-sex activity” which can lead to a life sentence in the east African country. Wendy Faith, a 22-year-old musician known as Torrero Bae, and Alesi Diana Denise, 21, were taken into custody after police raided their rented room in Uganda’s north-west Arua City last week. Continue reading…
Hollywood’s top films were less diverse in 2025: ‘Studios have relapsed into a colorblind complacency’
The percentage of women and people of color holding lead roles in Hollywood’s top movies dropped in 2025, according to a new UCLA study.
Meet LITRO: The tokenized crude project to start pilot testing soon for 2027 debut
LITRO aims to modernize the $6 trillion oil market by replacing slow, paper-based settlement with 24/7, on-chain trading and redemption.
Where Was ‘Sinners’ Filmed? Hannah Beachler on Filming the Southern Gothic in the Louisiana Bayou
Hannah Beachler, Academy Award-winning production designer, lets us in on the film’s Southern Gothic vibe.
Oil prices edge higher against backdrop of historic reserves release
400mn barrels of crude made available as governments race to tackle energy shock
Why the IEA’s largest-ever release of oil reserves is pushing up crude prices
The largest-ever release of oil from the International Energy Agency’s emergency stockpiles lifted prices for the commodity up by nearly 5% on Wednesday.
Essay: As American democracy is in peril, Brazilian films offer perspective
Oscar-nominated film ‘The Secret Agent’ shows how history is an essential tool for resisting authoritarianism.
Coinbase-backed AI payments protocol wants to fix micropayment but demand is just not there yet
Agentic commerce holds promise, but data shows that x402 is still in the trial phase
Why International Flight Tickets Could Get More Expensive Soon
As the conflict in Iran drives up aviation fuel costs, travelers could get stuck with higher ticket costs. Here’s what to know.
Daily Updates
New Music Spotlight: Why Sushmita Srivastava’s “Aa Sama Le” Deserves a Place on Your Playlist
In an era where music listeners are constantly searching for authenticity, emotional depth, and meaningful lyrics, Sushmita Srivastava’s latest release, “Aa Sama Le,” arrives as a refreshing and heartfelt addition to the independent music landscape. The newly released track combines soulful vocals, reflective lyrics, and cinematic musical arrangements to create an experience that feels both personal and universally relatable. Rather than focusing on conventional romantic themes, the song explores the emotions that often remain after important moments have passed—memories, longing, reflection, and emotional connection. One of the strongest aspects of “Aa Sama Le” is its ability to create an atmosphere....
New Music Spotlight: Why Sushmita Srivastava’s “Aa Sama Le” Deserves a Place on Your Playlist
In an era where music listeners are constantly searching for authenticity, emotional depth, and meaningful lyrics, Sushmita Srivastava’s latest release, “Aa Sama Le,” arrives as a refreshing and heartfelt addition to the independent music landscape. The newly released track combines soulful vocals, reflective lyrics, and cinematic musical arrangements to create an experience that feels both personal and universally relatable. Rather than focusing on conventional romantic themes, the song explores the emotions that often remain after important moments have passed—memories, longing, reflection, and emotional connection. One of the strongest aspects of “Aa Sama Le” is its ability to create an atmosphere....
From Apps to Agents: Tec-Do at the Forefront of Agentic Commerce
Imagine stepping out of a meeting on a Friday afternoon, opening WeChat, and simply typing into a persistent AI prompt: ‘Order me a Starbucks, less ice latte.’ Within three seconds, a notification flashes: ‘Order placed.’ There is no tedious app-hopping, no third-party integrations to launch, and no QR codes to scan—the friction of traditional retail simply evaporates as the delivery is dispatched. This real-life scenario from WeChat’s AI Agent closed beta signals a profound shift: mobile apps are evolving from “connectors” into “operating systems.” In June 2026, the ecological battle over intelligent agents has officially begun. These movements point toward...
Week Popular & Top Categories
‘Disgraceful scenes as toxicity spills over in Old Firm cup tie’
As if the ugliness of the 120 minutes wasn’t enough there was disgrace as Rangers and Celtic fans invaded the pitch at Ibrox, writes Tom English.
‘Evil Dead’ Star Bruce Campbell Reveals He Has Cancer
Bruce Campbell has revealed he has cancer, but says it’s a type that’s treatable, though not curable. “The Evil Dead” actor shared the news Monday in a message to fans, writing, “Hi folks, these days, when someone is having a health issue, it’s…
‘It’s better to be chased’ – the mentality of a title race
The Premier League title race is set to go to the wire. BBC Sport has spoken to former winners to find out how players deal with the pressure.
‘Only one team tried to play’ – Hurzeler criticises Arsenal
Was this the evening the villains of the Premier League title race became victors? BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty assesses the ramifications of a big night in Brighton.
‘My mother refuses to turn on the heat’: Will America’s war with Iran really push up our utility bills?
“She is reading alarmist headlines about Iran in the newspapers.”
A kidnapped brute finds the tables turned in ‘Heel’
Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough anchor an off-kilter tale of abduction and vengeance, directed by Poland’s Jan Komasa, an heir to his country’s bolder filmmakers.
Bitcoin dip may not be over as whales sell into retail buying — a bearish signal
The divergence between large and small holders has historically preceded further downside, with the Crypto Fear and Greed Index dropping to 12
Bitcoin slips below $68,000 heading into the weekend as dollar posts steepest weekly gain in a year
Most majors gave back Friday’s gains, with solana down 4%, ether falling 4.4%, and 43% of bitcoin’s supply now sitting at a loss according to Glassnode data.
Bitcoin supply approaching 20 million: The final million will take another 114 years to mine
Out of a fixed maximum supply of 21 million coins, more than 95% of all bitcoin that will ever exist is now in circulation.
Bitcoin traders, alert: The rally is nearing a two-year ‘make or break’ price zone
The cryptocurrency traders near key price zone that has marked major turning points over the past two years.
Business
Business
Can Broadcom’s stock break the software curse after earnings? Here’s what Wall Street is saying.
Best known for its chip business, Broadcom has seen its stock get weighed down by concerns over exposure to software sales.
Business
Stocks and bonds tumble as widening Middle East war rattles markets
Oil briefly hit $85 a barrel as Iraqi production shuts down because so few tankers risk journey through Strait of Hormuz
Crypto
Crypto
Bitcoin supply approaching 20 million: The final million will take another 114 years to mine
Out of a fixed maximum supply of 21 million coins, more than 95% of all bitcoin that will ever exist is now in circulation.
Crypto
Ray Dalio says ‘there is only one gold’ as bitcoin outperforms gold during worst geopolitical crisis in years
The Bridgewater founder dismissed bitcoin’s safe-haven credentials on the same day gold dropped 3% while bitcoin fell less than 1%.