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The Philippine government has formally committed to surrendering fugitive Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa to the International Criminal Court (ICC) following a dramatic confrontation at the Senate building that ended in gunfire and his escape.Senate Standoff and ICC Warrant UnsealedJustice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed on Friday that Manila has received the ICC’s arrest warrant for Senator Ronald dela Rosa, 64, and considers it valid. The former national police chief, instrumental in President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, fortified himself in the Senate building after law enforcement agents attempted to arrest him on Monday.The situation escalated rapidly, with more than a dozen gunshots ringing out as armed soldiers charged the legislative building two days later. Although it remains unclear who fired the shots, the Senate president confirmed by Thursday that dela Rosa was no longer inside the building. With his whereabouts unknown, authorities have warned that any attempt to help him flee the country would be treated as a "mockery of justice."The Scale of the Alleged CrimesDela Rosa faces charges of crimes against humanity, similar to those against Duterte, who has been held in ICC custody in The Hague since March 2025. The former police chief is named as one of eight co-perpetrators in the case and is accused of serving as Duterte's top enforcer.The ICC estimates that the former president's "war on drugs" campaign, which ran from 2016 to 2019, resulted in the deaths of between 12,000 and 30,000 people through extrajudicial killings.A Test of Judicial SovereigntyThis incident marks a significant test of the Philippines' relationship with international justice. While Vida stated that the government will "definitely submit" to the ICC's request, the process is contingent on the Philippine Supreme Court resolving the senator's petition against the warrant's legality.The standoff highlights the deep political divisions within the nation, as dela Rosa attempted to cast a deciding vote in a leadership contest that would have handed power to a Duterte ally. His disappearance has effectively paralyzed a key legislative vote, raising questions about the stability of the current administration.The Path to ExtraditionIn an interview aired on Thursday, dela Rosa pledged to "exhaust all available remedies" to block his transfer to the ICC. The immediate future now hinges on the Supreme Court's ruling. If the court rules against the warrant, dela Rosa may remain free; however, if the court upholds the ICC's authority, extradition proceedings are likely to begin immediately, bringing a controversial chapter of Philippine history to a head.

Roberto Martinez told Reuters in Lisbon that age is "only a number" and that Cristiano Ronaldo will be judged on the same day‑to‑day standards as every other player ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The coach’s comments come as Portugal finalises a squad that could feature the 41‑year‑old striker in a tournament that begins in less than a month.Ronaldo’s Form‑Based Evaluation Ahead of World Cup 2026Martinez stressed that his selection process focuses on training performance, tactical fit, and immediate impact rather than past accolades. He said, "We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure." This signals a shift from the symbolic "monument to past glory" narrative that has surrounded the captain.Portugal will have five substitutions per match, allowing a more fluid rotation of players.Martinez views the squad as a "starting team and a finishing team" with interchangeable roles.Numbers Behind the Narrative: Goals, Appearances, and Substitution RulesKey statistics highlighted by the coach include:143 international goals – the all‑time record for a male player.25 goals in 30 appearances under Martinez, a goals‑per‑game ratio of 0.83, higher than under any previous Portugal coach.At 41 years old, Ronaldo could become the first player to feature in a sixth World Cup.The new five‑substitution rule gives Martinez tactical leeway to deploy Ronaldo in specific moments, such as late‑game attacks or set‑piece situations, without requiring him to start every match.Implications for Portugal’s Tactical Flexibility and Squad MoraleBy anchoring selection to form, Martinez aims to preserve squad harmony and avoid the "noise" that surrounds the captain’s presence. He noted that Ronaldo’s "elite brain" and daily pursuit of improvement make him valuable beyond raw statistics, contributing to space creation and defensive discipline.Enhanced squad morale: players understand that merit, not reputation, dictates playing time.Tactical adaptability: the coach can switch between a "starting" and "finishing" lineup, using Ronaldo’s experience in high‑pressure moments.What Lies Ahead: Potential Scenarios for Ronaldo in North AmericaLooking forward, Martinez outlined three realistic pathways:Full‑starter role if training metrics and match fitness remain elite.Impact substitute leveraging the five‑sub rule to introduce Ronaldo late in games where a goal is needed.Mentorship focus where his presence influences younger attackers, even if minutes are limited.Regardless of the scenario, the coach affirmed that "the players are always on the pitch on merit," and that the final squad will reflect the evidence gathered in the days leading up to the tournament.

The Genesis of Meridian Ventures Meridian Ventures was born out of a shared experience: deferred MBAs. Now, founders Devon Gethers and Karlton Haney have raised a $35 million fund to back pre-seed and seed-stage companies started by people like them. Founders' Backgrounds and the Idea Gethers, 29, and Haney, 28, met in Harvard’s MBA deferred admission program in 2020. Gethers grew up in poverty in Washington State, while Haney grew up on a farm in Arkansas. They came together in 2023 with the idea of launching a firm that backed people with MBAs, with a tilt toward those who had deferred. Investment Thesis and Strategy The duo's thesis is to go against the common rhetoric in Silicon Valley that MBAs don’t make good founders. To prove this, they raised a $2.5 million proof-of-concept fund to back 45 companies. They then raised an oversubscribed $35 million fund from LPs, including publicly traded banks, family offices, and Fortune 500 executives. The New Fund's Focus and Investment Details The new fund will back founders building enterprise technology in the United States. Meridian is agnostic across sectors, with investments in fintech, logistics, healthcare, and AI. The average check size will be $500,000 for pre-seed and $750,000 for seed. The capital hopes to be deployed over the next three years. The Impact and Future Outlook Gethers noted, “We saw an expanding gap between ambitious founders building frontier technologies and the capital required to help carry those ambitions forward. With this $35 million fund, our goal is to seal that gap.”

The LeadPunk, intellectual, feminist, theorist, brave as hell, vulnerable, funny—Valie Export was a hero to many women. Since the 1960s, she was driven by a fierce conviction that art and media would play an essential role in women's liberation: that women must picture their own reality in the name of social progress. In Women's Art: A Manifesto (1972), she wrote that women must "use art as a means of expression, so as to influence the consciousness of all of us". What she demanded was revolution.The Revolutionary Art of Valie ExportI keep returning to her work. Can't stay away. Her work was heavy with explicit threat and pain, and she made evident the violence of forcing women's bodies to inhabit structures that were not designed for them. For the 1973 performance Hyperbulia she crept naked through a corridor of electrified wires, exposing herself voluntarily to shocks. Her 1976 photocollage The Birth Madonna shows a woman positioned like a Renaissance Madonna seated on a drying machine from which spews a bloody towel—it still provokes shock.Challenging Societal ConstraintsExport spoke with tremendous clarity about her work and the ideas underpinning it. Her father died during the war, and she was sent to a convent with her two sisters while their mother worked as a primary school teacher. The first of her many expulsions came aged 10 when she was discovered exploring the nun's living quarters. Her experience of girlhood was of constraint—of having little or no control over her own life.In 1967, aged 27, she swapped her married name Waltraud Höllinger for the moniker VALIE EXPORT. A play on a cigarette brand, written in capital letters, it was a decisive rejection of patriarchal structures. She would be known neither by her father's name, nor by her ex-husband's.The Power of PerformanceHer work was intended to explode the structures containing her—in cinema, in art and in the wider society. In Action Pants: Genital Panic (1969) she walked along the rows of a Munich art cinema with her exposed pubic region level with punters' faces, and plastered the walls of Vienna with posters of herself in crotchless trousers holding a gun.For Tap and Touch Cinema in 1968, she constructed a theatre in a box strapped to her chest, with people on the street invited to reach into the darkness and touch her breasts while she watched them. Documentary of the performance exposes the shifting power dynamic between Export and the men who accept the invitation. It was brilliantly subversive and unsettling.More recently, her 1968 performance From the Portfolio of Doggedness has drawn attention—during which she led Peter Weibel crawling through the streets of Vienna by a dog lead. Weibel was dressed in a business suit, a disturbing echo of the commuters milling around him.A Lasting Feminist LegacyHer 1972 manifesto described how the spark kindled by women's art might ignite far-reaching social change. It concludes by stating the importance of documenting and honouring the life and work of those who had come before, as we must now do hers. "The future of women will be the history of woman."I grieve her in the most selfish way: there were so many things I wanted to ask her about. Having survived decades in which women's art was marginalised and ignored, she had so much to tell us. Like a fool, I kept delaying a planned interview. Now it's too late.

The Farewell of a Harlequins LegendAfter 18 years with Harlequins, New Zealand's Nick Evans is preparing to say farewell to the club where he has made an indelible mark as both a player and coach. The 45-year-old former All Black fly-half, who helped the club win the Premiership title in 2012 as a player and again in 2021 as a coach, admitted this week: "It's going to be really hard to let go of this club." His departure marks the end of an era for Harlequins, a club that has become his home thousands of miles from his native New Zealand.A Career Forged at the StoopEvans joined Harlequins in 2008 and quickly became an integral part of the team's fabric. As a player, he was known for his skill, creativity, and popularity, embodying the positive approach that Quins brought to the game. After transitioning to coaching, he continued to bring innovation, constantly seeking new ways to break down opposition defenses. Despite a disappointing season for the team in what would be his final year, Evans' contributions over nearly two decades have been substantial, leaving a lasting legacy at the Stoop.The Numbers Behind the LegacyDuring his playing career, Evans made over 200 appearances for Harlequins, scoring more than 1,500 points. His precision kicking and creative playmaking were instrumental in the club's 2012 Premiership victory. As a coach, he helped develop the team's attacking strategies, culminating in another title win in 2021. His influence extended beyond the field, as he mentored young players like Marcus Smith, who has emerged as one of England's most exciting fly-halves. Evans' ability to adapt and innovate has been a constant throughout his tenure, even as the team faced challenges maintaining consistency.Shaping English Rugby's IdentityEvans' time in England has given him unique insights into the national game and its relationship with traditional playing styles. He believes England has the talent to compete with the world's best at next year's World Cup, identifying them as one of five teams capable of causing trouble. However, he also sees a tension between England's traditional identity—epitomized by players like Jonny Wilkinson, George Ford, and Owen Farrell—and more instinctive players like Marcus Smith. Evans suggests that England could learn from South Africa's ability to maintain a clear DNA while adapting their style, potentially finding a middle ground that accommodates both approaches.The Future of Harlequins and English RugbyAs Evans prepares to move on, he leaves behind questions about Harlequins' future identity. The club once prided itself on the TRUE mantra—Tempo, Ruthless, Unpredictable, Enjoyment—but Evans acknowledges that this identity has been inconsistently applied. His departure creates an opportunity for the club to redefine itself, while his insights suggest that English rugby must evolve to accommodate different playing styles without losing its fundamental character. Wherever Evans goes next, his influence is likely to continue shaping the game, as he brings a unique perspective forged from nearly two decades at the highest level of both English and New Zealand rugby.

The LeadOsaurus has introduced an innovative open-source, Apple-only LLM server that allows Mac users to seamlessly switch between local and cloud AI models while maintaining data privacy on their own hardware. This development addresses growing concerns about AI token costs and security by providing a user-friendly interface that runs AI in a hardware-isolated virtual sandbox.The Evolution from Dinoki to OsaurusOsaurus evolved from the idea for a desktop AI companion called Dinoki, which Osaurus co-founder Terence Pae described as a sort of "AI-powered Clippy." Dinoki's customers had questioned why they should buy the app if they still had to pay for tokens—the usage units AI companies charge for processing prompts and generating responses. This concern led Pae to develop Osaurus as a solution that allows users to run AI locally on their Macs, accessing files, browsers, and system configurations without relying on cloud services.Technical Capabilities and Model SupportOsaurus can flexibly connect with locally hosted AI models or cloud providers like OpenAI and Anthropic, allowing users to choose which AI models best fit their needs. The platform supports various models including MiniMax M2.5, Gemma 4, Qwen3.6, GPT-OSS, Llama, and DeepSeek V4. It also supports Apple's on-device foundation models, Liquid AI's LFM family of on-device models, and cloud connections to OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, xAI/Grok, Venice AI, OpenRouter, Ollama, and LM Studio. As a full MCP (Model Context Protocol) server, it provides access to tools for MCP-compatible clients and ships with over 20 native plugins for Mail, Calendar, Vision, macOS Use, XLSX, PPTX, Browser, Music, Git, Filesystem, Search, Fetch, and more. Recent updates have also added voice capabilities.User Adoption and Market PositionSince launching nearly a year ago, Osaurus has been downloaded over 112,000 times according to its website. The platform distinguishes itself from similar tools like OpenClaw or Hermes by offering an easy-to-use interface for consumers rather than developers, while addressing security concerns through a hardware-isolated, virtual sandbox that limits the AI's scope and keeps users' computers and data safe. Currently, Osaurus' founders, including co-founder Sam Yoo, are participating in the New York-based startup accelerator Alliance.The Future of Local AI and Business ApplicationsOsaurus' founders are exploring potential business applications, particularly in sectors like legal services and healthcare where running local LLMs could address privacy concerns. The team believes that as local AI models become more powerful, they could reduce demand for AI data centers. Pae noted that "the intelligence per wattage—which is like the metric for local AI—has been going up significantly," with local AI evolving from barely being able to finish sentences last year to now being able to run tools, write code, access browsers, and perform various tasks. The vision is for businesses to deploy Mac Studios on-premise, using substantially less power than traditional data centers while maintaining cloud-like capabilities.

United Arab Emirates announced a fast‑track plan for a second oil pipeline that will route crude around the Strait of Hormuz, targeting first oil flow by 2027. The move follows the UAE’s recent departure from OPEC and aims to safeguard export volumes amid ongoing regional tensions. Fast‑Tracking a New Bypass Pipeline to Fujairah Directed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the state oil company will accelerate construction of a previously undisclosed line that will carry oil from the interior to the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. The project is designed to operate alongside the existing Habshan‑Fujairah corridor. Doubling Export Capacity: Numbers and Projections Existing Habshan‑Fujairah pipeline: up to 1.8 million barrels per day New pipeline expected to double capacity, potentially reaching 3.6 million barrels per day Current Strait of Hormuz blockage has halted roughly 20 % of global oil and seaborne gas UAE is the third‑largest OPEC producer, poised to exceed future OPEC quotas once the new line is online Strategic Implications for Gulf Oil Markets and OPEC Relations The bypass reduces reliance on the narrow waterway that Iran can disrupt, giving the UAE a strategic edge over rivals that still depend on Hormuz. It also highlights the growing rift between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, whose production‑quota‑driven strategy contrasts with the UAE’s push for higher export volumes after leaving OPEC. Future Outlook: UAE Oil Strategy After the Pipeline Completion With the pipeline slated for completion by 2027, the UAE can sustain or increase crude shipments even if the Hormuz conflict persists, positioning itself closer to Saudi export levels of roughly 7 million barrels per day. Analysts expect the enhanced capacity to attract long‑term contracts and reinforce the UAE’s role as a reliable oil supplier in a volatile region.

The Looming Fuel Crisis Demands Immediate Action Leading climate and transport organizations are calling on the UK government to implement pre-emptive measures to address an impending fuel supply crisis. The coalition, including Greenpeace and Transport and Environment, warns that ministers must not "sleepwalk into a crisis" that could lead to severe shortages of jet fuel and spiralling petrol prices in the coming months. Proposed Measures to Reduce Fuel Demand The campaign group has outlined several key measures to lower demand for oil in a fair and orderly way: Banning private jets and short-haul flights that can be covered by train in under six hours Reducing the speed limit on UK motorways to 60mph Implementing a levy on ultra-frequent flyers Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, emphasized that these measures would cause minimal inconvenience now while avoiding more painful decisions later. "By getting ahead of the problem, ministers can not only soften the blow for UK drivers and passengers – they can also cut climate emissions and put fairness at the heart of this crisis response," he stated. Quantifying Potential Fuel Savings According to Greenpeace analysis, the proposed measures could have a significant impact on fuel consumption: A ban on private jets combined with measures on frequent flyers and short-haul flights could save nearly a million tonnes of jet fuel annually, representing 8% of the UK's total jet fuel consumption Reducing motorway speed limits by 10mph could save nearly half a million tonnes of fuel, equivalent to 1.5% of the UK's road transport fuel use UK's Vulnerability to Fuel Shortages The UK is particularly exposed to the looming jet fuel shortage, with analysts warning of a real risk of rationing as supplies fall to "critically low levels" just before the busy summer holiday season. This vulnerability stems from the country's dependence on imported oil and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the US-led war in Iran. International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol has warned that the conflict in Iran would have an impact similar to the combined effect of the 1970s oil shocks and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Many governments worldwide have already introduced measures ranging from fuel rationing to limiting car journeys and increasing renewable energy investments. Political Response and Future Outlook Green party leader Zack Polanski backed the call for banning private jets, highlighting the contrast between ordinary families facing canceled holidays and the "super rich" continuing to use private jets for unnecessary trips. "The government should act now: put in place a temporary ban on non-essential private jet travel to save the summer holiday for the families who have worked hard to save for it," he urged. Anna Krajinska, UK director at Transport and Environment, emphasized that the crisis exposes the UK's dangerous dependence on volatile fossil fuels. "The long-term solution is clear, the UK must accelerate the shift to new technologies, from electric vehicles to zero-emission aviation. Breaking free from fossil fuels won't just cut emissions, it will deliver a more resilient, secure and prosperous future," she stated. A UK government spokesperson responded that while airlines are not currently seeing fuel shortages, contingency plans include options for fuel prioritization if needed. The government is not planning to change motorway speed limits, noting that private aviation accounts for a small proportion of total fuel use.

RMT Union Reaches Out for Talks Amid Strike ThreatHopes have been raised that next week's strikes by London Underground drivers could yet be averted, after sources said the RMT union had put out feelers for talks. The RMT members, almost half of London's Tube drivers, are due to strike for two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday, closing some lines entirely and bringing widespread travel disruption to the capital until the weekend.Background of the DisputeThe action follows a similar wave of strikes in April, with more planned for June in the dispute over a planned four-day week working pattern. No talks have yet taken place and with neither Transport for London (TfL) nor the union apparently willing to alter course, further strikes had appeared inevitable. TfL has warned passengers that many services will not operate next week.Union's Position and Opportunity for ResolutionHowever, a source close to the dispute said that union representatives had now reached out to seek a deal, giving TfL a "window of opportunity" to prevent further strikes. They said that tube drivers were prepared for a long strike campaign of disruption, adding: "It is clear TfL needs to move from its uncompromising position and make some new proposals that do not impose new working conditions that tube drivers will not accept. An opportunity exists for the employer to do the right thing by Londoners and make a reasonable offer to the union."Expected Impact on London's Transport NetworkWith the strike still expected to take place, TfL has urged customers to plan ahead expect significant disruption, with early closures of services on Tuesday and Thursday and late starts on Wednesday and Friday. No trains at all will run on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, and in Zone 1 on the Metropolitan line and the Central line. However, TfL stressed that Londoners and visitors would still be able to travel around the city, with other rail lines and transport modes running, and even some Tube trains during the two 24-hour strike periods.Alternative Transport Usage During Previous StrikesThe Elizabeth line, London Overground and DLR will run as normal, as well as buses, although increased demand and traffic is likely to slow some services. Data from the last strikes in April showed that people continued to travel with patronage across the entire TfL network down only 13-14% overall on most strike days, and approaching normal levels on the Friday. The bike hire firm Lime reported about 20% more trips than average on strike days, while rival Forest said rush hour hires were up between 35% and 50%. Tap-ins to the tube were down between 42% and 48% from Tuesday to Thursday but only 31% on Friday, when travel on TfL services was down 6% overall.TfL's Response and Future OutlookTfL said it was not too late for the RMT to withdraw its planned strike action, and said the objections the union has raised would be resolved with further, more detailed work. The Aslef union, which represents a slight majority of London Underground drivers, has backed the TfL proposals for a four-day week. Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "It is disappointing that the RMT is planning this strike action despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute. We have been clear that our proposals for a four-day week are designed to improve work-life balance and are entirely voluntary."