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Lead: Two High‑Stakes Matchdays ConvergeWest Ham host Arsenal in a Premier League clash that could shape the top‑half scramble, while Kylian Mbappé is confirmed out of Real Madrid's squad for the El Clásico against Barcelona. Simultaneously, the Czech title decider between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague was abandoned after a fan‑instigated pitch invasion.Team News: West Ham v Arsenal Line‑ups and Tactical AnglesWest Ham are expected to line up with a 4‑2‑3‑1, relying on Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio for attacking thrust.Arsenal will likely field a 4‑3‑3, with Martin Ødegaard orchestrating play and Gabriel Jesus leading the line.Both managers have hinted at late‑game substitutions to preserve stamina for upcoming European fixtures.Mbappé Out: Real Madrid’s Forward Options for the El ClásicoReal Madrid announced that Kylian Mbappé will not be named in the squad for the match against Barcelona, citing ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury. The French forward trained on Friday but remains unavailable.Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García, Brahim Díaz and Franco Mastantuono are named among the forwards.The absence forces Carlo Ancelotti to adjust his attacking shape, potentially shifting to a more fluid front three.Czech Derby Chaos: What the Abandoned Match Means for the Title RaceThe derby at Fortuna Stadium was halted when Slavia led 3‑2 and fans stormed the pitch, igniting flares and targeting Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovcik. Police intervened, and criminal proceedings for rioting have been launched.Slavia were seconds away from clinching the league; the abandonment could trigger disciplinary points and venue restrictions.Sparta’s safety concerns may lead to a replay or forfeiture, reshaping the championship outlook.Impact Analysis: Ripple Effects Across EuropeWest Ham’s result will influence their mid‑table positioning, while Arsenal’s performance could tighten the race for European spots. In Spain, Mbappé’s sidelining may give Barcelona a tactical edge, potentially affecting La Liga standings and Champions League seeding.In the Czech Republic, the incident raises questions about fan security protocols and could see UEFA impose sanctions that affect future continental qualifications.Outlook: What to Watch in the Coming DaysWatch for post‑match reactions from David Moyes and Mikel Arteta on squad rotation ahead of upcoming cup ties.Real Madrid’s next training session will reveal whether any further forwards are being considered to replace Mbappé.The Czech Football Association is expected to issue a formal decision on the abandoned match within 48 hours, which could alter the league table dramatically.

The Premise of Legends Imagine The A-Team but instead of a band of wrongfully convicted US army commandos who become soldiers of fortune, it's a group of dissatisfied baggage searchers and VAT investigators who have taken their ties off. This is the premise of Legends, a six-part thriller by Neil Forsyth based on the true story of a group of ordinary men and women recruited from the rank and file of Her Majesty's Customs in the early 90s, given three weeks' training and sent undercover to infiltrate and bring down two massive drug cartels that were filling Britain's streets with heroin. The Main Characters and Plot Steve Coogan stars as former undercover police officer Don Clarke. He puts the team together for the home secretary and HMC's director of investigations Angus Blake. The team includes Guy, a 'lone wolf' operator played by Tom Burke; Kate, a hardbitten, hotheaded Essex native played by Hayley Squires; Bailey, a more thoughtful, tentative character played by Aml Ameen; and Erin, a backroom data hound extraordinaire played by Jasmine Blackborow. The Challenge of Bringing the Story to Life The energy spent keeping things serious prevents the series catching fire. But it remains a brilliant story, here well told. The article concludes that Forsyth mostly, if sometimes very, very narrowly avoids falling into the ever yawning trap that a story about customs officers becoming the A-Team inevitably faces, which is the potential for bathos, if not outright risibility. Where to Watch Legends is on Netflix.

The 'Closing the Chapter' ProposalA sweeping overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) is on the horizon, with a panel appointed by Donald Trump recommending that the agency effectively close its doors on its current form. The 12-member Fema Review Council, co-chaired by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has delivered a final report urging a fundamental shift in the nation's disaster response doctrine. The core philosophy of the proposed changes is the maxim: “Disaster response should be locally executed, state or tribally managed, and federally supported.”Reduced Federal Role: The report casts Fema into a more supportive role rather than a primary responder.Higher Thresholds: States would face stricter requirements to qualify for federal disaster declarations.Cost Capping: Payouts to homeowners and renters would be severely limited.The Financial Fallout and Stock SurgeThe proposal comes at a critical financial moment for the nation's disaster infrastructure. According to data from Dr Adam Smith, the first half of 2025 saw weather and climate disasters totaling over $101bn in damage, marking the most costly first half on record since 1980. Despite these escalating costs, the council's recommendations focus on cutting federal spending rather than increasing resilience.The financial implications extend beyond government budgets into the private sector. The proposal to privatize parts of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which carries over $20bn in debt, has already impacted the market. Neptune Flood, an insurance company advocating for private sector involvement, saw its stock surge 22% following the report's release.The Climate Blind Spot and Staffing CrisisExperts argue that the proposed reforms are dangerously out of step with the reality of the climate crisis. The 74-page report contains only a single mention of the word “climate,” failing to address how supercharged extreme weather events are straining the system. Furthermore, the council’s composition has been criticized for lacking diversity; the panel consists largely of officials from Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Virginia, with limited representation from minority communities that disproportionately bear the brunt of disasters.The administration's actions are also degrading the agency's internal capacity. Before Trump took office, federal analysis advised investing in the disaster workforce to curb burnout. Instead, the administration cut hundreds of millions in national preparedness funding and lost roughly one-third of Fema's full-time staff to firings, retirements, and resignations last year.The Future of US ResilienceThe shift in policy suggests a future where local governments are forced to shoulder the burden of catastrophic events without adequate federal support. With small municipalities often lacking dedicated emergency management departments, the reliance on federal expertise is expected to diminish, potentially leaving vulnerable communities without the resources needed for recovery. The move to cap payouts and limit federal oversight signals a transition toward a system where individual responsibility and private market solutions are prioritized over federal safety nets.

The Guardian released a new podcast episode titled The AI jailbreakers, where journalist Jamie Bartlett sits down with researcher Annie Kelly to dissect the underground movement that tests the boundaries of today’s most advanced chatbots.Podcast Uncovers the Tactics Behind AI JailbreaksIn the hour‑long conversation, Bartlett and Kelly map out how actors exploit prompts, system messages, and external tools to coax models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok and Claude into producing prohibited content. They highlight three core techniques:Prompt engineering: chaining innocuous queries to bypass safety filters.Context injection: feeding the model with fabricated system instructions that override its guardrails.Tool‑assisted loops: using APIs or browser extensions to automate repeated jailbreak attempts.Scale of Jailbreak Attempts and Model VulnerabilitiesWhile exact numbers are scarce, the hosts cite recent research indicating:Over 10,000 distinct jailbreak prompts have been catalogued across major LLMs in the past year.Success rates vary by model, with open‑source variants showing 30‑40% higher breach rates than proprietary systems.Each successful breach can expose hundreds of megabytes of filtered training data or generate disallowed content at scale.Why Jailbreaks Threaten Trust in Generative AIThe discussion moves beyond technical tricks to the broader societal stakes. Unchecked jailbreaks can:Facilitate the spread of hate speech, extremist propaganda, or illegal instructions.Erode user confidence, prompting regulators to impose stricter compliance regimes.Accelerate an arms race between jailbreakers and AI developers, diverting resources from innovation to defense.Future of AI Safety: Anticipating the Next Wave of Jailbreak DefensesBoth guests agree that the next phase will involve layered defenses:Dynamic safety layers: real‑time monitoring that adapts to emerging jailbreak patterns.Transparency dashboards: public logs of attempted breaches to inform policy and research.Collaborative bounty programs: incentivizing ethical hackers to report vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.As AI systems become more embedded in daily life, understanding the mindset of jailbreakers will be crucial for building resilient, trustworthy models.

Real Madrid imposed €500,000 fines on midfielder Federico Valverde and French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after a heated dressing‑room clash that required Valverde to receive hospital treatment for a head wound.Training‑ground clash triggers €500,000 fines for Valverde and TchouameniThe dispute began on Wednesday during a routine training session and escalated into a physical confrontation in the locker room on Thursday. Both players later expressed remorse and apologized to the club, teammates, coaching staff, and fans.Financial penalties and injury costsFine per player: €500,000 (≈ $588,000)Injury impact: Valverde suffered a facial cut requiring stitches and will miss the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona, with an expected absence of up to two weeks.Sporting sanctions: None imposed; Tchouameni remained available for the match.Ramifications for Real Madrid’s title chaseWith Los Blancos trailing Barcelona by 11 points, the loss of Valverde for a crucial league fixture could tighten an already narrow margin. The incident also highlights growing tension within a squad that has yet to secure a major trophy this season.What’s next for the players and the club?Valverde is expected to undergo a short recovery period before rejoining training, while Tchouameni is slated to feature in the upcoming match at Camp Nou. The club’s decision to limit sanctions to financial penalties suggests a focus on maintaining squad stability ahead of the decisive stretch of the La Liga calendar.

The Race for the La Liga CrownHansi Flick’s side leads by 11 points and only needs a draw in the El Clasico to be crowned champions again. However, a victory would keep them on course to make history by matching the all-time league record of 100 points, a feat last achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2011-12 and Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona the following season.The Context of the ClasicoThis is the first El Clasico at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou in over three years. Only once before in history has the title actually been decided by the result of this specific game, as could happen again this Sunday. Barcelona’s 29 wins so far this season are the most of any side at this point, and if they win their last four games, they will break the record of 32 victories in a season.Financial and Statistical ImpactInternal Discipline: Real Madrid fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros each after a training ground clash that left Valverde needing stitches.Head-to-Head History: The two clubs have faced off 263 times; Real Madrid won 107, Barcelona won 105, and 51 ended in draws.Record Chasing: Should Barcelona beat Madrid and Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.The Crisis in MadridLos Blancos’ season has unraveled on multiple fronts. Manager Xabi Alonso was sacked midway through the campaign, and his successor Arbeloa has been unable to prevent the team from sliding towards a second successive year without a trophy. The club is facing a crisis of culture, with reports of internal fighting between players like Valverde and Tchouameni, and veteran Dani Carvajal reportedly mocking teammates. Even star Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism for his recovery process, while President Florentino Perez is reportedly weighing up a dramatic return for Jose Mourinho.The OutlookBarcelona enters the match in excellent shape, with Jules Kounde stating the team is "in great shape" and focused. In contrast, Real Madrid arrives at Camp Nou without Valverde (due to the head injury) and with Mbappe a doubt due to a hamstring issue. The internal chaos and lack of cohesion suggest that Barcelona is poised to secure the title, potentially breaking the 100-point barrier and extending their dominance over their rivals.

Kylian Mbappe will miss Real Madrid’s decisive La Liga clash with Barcelona, despite training earlier in the week, leaving the Spanish giants to reshape their attack for the match at Camp Nou.The Squad Omission: Mbappe Left Out of El Clasico Line‑upReal Madrid announced a 21‑man roster for Sunday’s night game at the Camp Nou, and the French forward’s name was conspicuously absent. Vinicius Jr will spearhead the attack, flanked by Brahim Diaz and Gonzalo Torres. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni remains on the list despite a recent on‑field clash that resulted in a 500,000‑euro fine for both him and teammate Federico Valverde. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa cited a need for “effort and sacrifice” after Mbappe’s controversial holiday in Sardinia.Financial & Competitive Numbers: Fines, Points Gap, Title StakesEach fined player: 500,000 euros (≈$589,000).Barcelona lead: 11 points over Real Madrid.Potential record: A win for Barcelona would give them a chance to finish the season with 100 points, matching the all‑time La Liga record.League title: A draw for Barcelona would secure their 29th Spanish league crown with three games remaining.Strategic Ripple Effects: How Mbappe’s Absence Reshapes the Title RaceWithout their top scorer, Madrid must rely on a more collective approach. The omission underscores Arbeloa’s emphasis on team discipline and may galvanize the squad, but it also reduces Madrid’s firepower in a match that could decide the championship. Barcelona, entering as favourites, can exploit the void left by Mbappe, especially on a home pitch where they have been dominant this season.Looking Ahead: What the Next Weeks Hold for Madrid and FranceMbappe is expected to be fully fit for France’s World Cup 2026 campaign, with friendlies against Ivory Coast (June 4) and Northern Ireland (June 8) on his schedule. Should he return to form, Madrid could benefit in the remaining league fixtures, while his international performances will be closely watched ahead of the tournament opener against Senegal on June 16. Meanwhile, Arbeloa’s handling of the squad’s discipline will be a key narrative as the title race reaches its climax.

The Lead At the Milken Institute Global Conference, leaders from across the AI supply chain gathered to discuss the current state and future of artificial intelligence. They touched on various challenges, including chip shortages, energy constraints, and the potential for new AI architectures. The Bottlenecks in AI Development The discussion highlighted several bottlenecks in AI development. Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, noted that despite efforts to accelerate chip manufacturing, the market will likely remain supply-limited for the next two to five years. Francis deSouza, COO of Google Cloud, pointed out the immense demand for AI infrastructure, with Google Cloud's revenue growing 63% and its backlog nearly doubling to $460 billion. The Data and Energy Constraints Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition, emphasized that the bottleneck for his company is not silicon but data gathered from the real world, which is essential for training physical AI models. The energy required to power AI infrastructure is also a significant concern. deSouza mentioned that Google is exploring data centers in space to address energy constraints, although this comes with its own set of challenges. New AI Architectures and Their Implications Eve Bodnia, founder of Logical Intelligence, discussed a different approach to AI, focusing on energy-based models (EBMs) that aim to understand the underlying rules of data, similar to human brain function. This approach could be particularly useful for applications requiring an understanding of physical rules, such as chip design and robotics. The Future of AI: Agents, Guardrails, and Trust Dmitry Shevelenko, chief business officer of Perplexity, talked about the evolution of its search product into a 'digital worker' called Perplexity Computer. This tool is designed to act as a staff that a knowledge worker can direct, raising questions about control and security. Shevelenko emphasized the importance of granularity in permissions and actions to ensure trust and security. The Geopolitical and Generational Impact The discussion also touched on the geopolitical implications of physical AI and its impact on national sovereignty. Younis noted that physical AI manifests in the real world in ways that governments can't ignore, leading to questions about safety, data collection, and control. Regarding the impact on the next generation, the panelists were optimistic, highlighting the potential for AI to help address significant problems and unleash new levels of creativity and opportunity.

The Unexpected Partnership On Wednesday, xAI and Anthropic announced a surprise partnership that has the Claude-maker buying out "all of the compute capacity at [xAI's] Colossus 1 data center," roughly 300MW that allowed Anthropic to immediately raise its usage limits. It's a huge deal for xAI, likely worth billions of dollars. More importantly, it immediately monetized one of the company's most impressive accomplishments, turning xAI from a consumer to a provider of compute. The Strategic Implications It's tempting to see the arrangement as a shot at OpenAI amid the ongoing lawsuit. But Musk's explanation on X was that xAI had already moved training to a newer data center, Colossus 2, and xAI simply didn't need them both. In the short term, there's an obvious logic at work. xAI's existing products are mostly focused on Grok, which has seen plummeting usage since the image generation debacles earlier this year. The Financial Impact xAI's partnership with Anthropic is likely worth billions of dollars. xAI was valued at $230 billion in its January funding round. CoreWeave, which oversees a comparable quantity of computing power, is worth less than a third of that. The Industry Context But beyond the short-term benefit, the Anthropic partnership sends an unusual message about where Elon Musk's priorities really lie. It suggests the company's real business may be more about building data centers than training AI models. It's rare to see a major tech company treat compute resources this way when companies like Google and Meta, which are also training models, are building more data centers. The Future Outlook By focusing on data centers (earthbound and otherwise), xAI is positioning itself more like a neocloud business: buying GPUs from Nvidia and renting them out to model developers like Anthropic. It's a far more difficult business, squeezed by both chip suppliers and the shifting cycles of demand. Musk's version of a neocloud is more ambitious, as you might expect. Some of the data centers might be in space — at least by 2035, if things go according to plan.