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The Misguided Debate Over Defence and Welfare The present day 'guns v butter' debate has morphed into a warfare/welfare zero-sum. Al Carns, former armed forces minister, repeated the tired phrase, suggesting that it's about finding a balance between defence and welfare spending. The Ministry of Defence's Wastefulness The public accounts committee has repeatedly criticised the Ministry of Defence for wild overspending and delays. The National Audit Office refused to fully verify Ministry of Defence accounts last year, citing issues with the £6bn Ajax armoured vehicle project, which was eight years late and faulty. The Data Analysis: Defence Spending vs Welfare Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, challenges the common narrative that welfare spending is out of control. She finds that non-pensioner welfare spending is now about the level of the mid-90s. However, pensioner welfare spending, particularly the triple lock, is where the real issue lies. The Impact Analysis: The Real Issue Lies Elsewhere The real issue lies not in welfare spending, but in the Ministry of Defence's wastefulness and the pensioner triple lock. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that if the triple lock were reformed to keep pace with average earnings, it would cost £12.6bn less by 2029. The Prediction: A New Approach to Defence and Welfare Rather than pitting defence against welfare, the UK should consider a new approach that prioritises both. This could include a defence levy, such as low-interest patriotic defence bonds, to fund defence spending without taking from those with the least.

Ian McKellen's Mar-a-Lago Moment Sir Ian McKellen recently shared an amusing anecdote about his experience filming Avengers: Doomsday. During a screening in Rome, McKellen revealed that he was once asked to imagine destroying Mar-a-Lago for a scene in the film. The Event Details McKellen, 87, described how the directors, Anthony and Joe Russo, instructed him to look furious while destroying a set. In a moment of improvisation, McKellen shouted 'Mar-a-Lago!' Rising from his seat, he re-enacted the scene, demonstrating his character's intense anger. The Film's Background Avengers: Doomsday is set to release in December 2026. The film is a sequel to Avengers: Endgame (2019), which grossed $2.8 billion. McKellen reprises his role as Gandalf in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. The Impact Analysis McKellen's return to the big screen comes after a successful year, following his injury in 2024. Recent projects include The Christophers and an innovative video stage installation in New York. This resurgence in his career highlights his enduring appeal in the entertainment industry. The Prediction As Avengers: Doomsday prepares for its release, fans are eager to see McKellen's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With his character's history and the film's anticipated success, McKellen's involvement is expected to generate significant excitement among audiences worldwide.

The Match PreviewThere have never been more brilliant footballers in the world than there are now – one reason it's so hard to pick a winner of this competition. Knockout ties often come down to which individual delivers – or fails to deliver – at the crucial moment and, with so many countries boasting numerous individuals able to turn a game and humans being inherently unreliable, we can't know which of them will be grooved – or heartbreakingly, hilariously inept – when the time comes.Spain's Evolving StrategyBut it remains the case that Spain, though not obvious champions, are the hardest team to beat. Things have changed since they won three consecutive competitions 2008-12 – you can't dominate possession to the same absurd extent once you no longer have Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta – club's football's greatest midfield – plus Xabi Alonso, plus another midfielder or two in lieu of strikers.Yet Rodri and Pedri are pretty handy replacements and, though the control they bring isn't the same, it's been replaced with the thrust their champion sides lacked. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams – both expected to be absent today, a precautionary move as they recover from injury – give them a threat in behind and on the outside, while Mikel Oyarzabal, likely to play in between them, is in sensational form at both club and international level.Cape Verde's Historic DebutAll of which makes this a tricky – but inspiring – assignment for Cape Verde, making their tournament debut. They qualified top of their group, finishing above a Cameroon side featuring Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba among others, with only one player – Villarreal defender Logan Costa – playing in one of Europe's top five leagues. This tells us they're a settled, organised side and, while they're better at the back than up front, they'll be a threat on the counter. As Dailon Livramento, their star attacker said, "We got ourselves into the World Cup, now it's time to have fun together."Team Lineups and Key AbsencesSpain (4-3-3): Simón; Llorente, Laporte, Cubarsí, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Torres, Oyarzabal, Gavi. Subs: Baena, García E, García J, Grimaldo, Iglesias, Merino, Muñoz, Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Pino, Pubill, Raya, Williams, Zubimendi.Cape Verde (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Borges, Lopes, Cabral S; Pina K, Duarte L; Mendes, Monteiro, Cabral J; Livramento. Subs: Dos Santos, Benschimol, Rosa, Pina W, Costa, Arcanjo, Rodrigues, Paulo, Varela, Semedo W, Semedo Y, Pires, Duarte D, Da Costa, Stopira.Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh (Jordan)As for Cape Verde, Logan Costa is missing, presumably because he's still feeling his way back after rupturing his ACL in pre-season. I wonder if the rationale goes that, whatever he does, his team are struggling for a result here, whereas against Saudi and Uruguay, they've a better chances of nabbing a result.Spain, then, line up pretty much as expected. I can't say I don't wonder if, at some point Luis de la Fuente regrets preferring Unai Simon to David Raya in goal, but it was never a debate – in his mind, at least. Otherwise, Ferran Torres and Gavi are given Lamine and Williams' spots, with Oyarzabal in between, as expected.Match Significance and Potential UpsetsThat attitude makes them a danger even if a comfortable Spain win remains the likeliest outcome here. When, in years to come, we look back on this competition, one of its eternal, affirming memories will be Curaçao's goal against Germany and Cape Verde are more than capable of delivering us another moment of emotional intensity the like of which only World Cup football can. And really, that's why we're here: we can worry about who wins the thing later.Kick-off: 3pm local, 5pm BST, 12p EDT, 2am AEST.

The Development in the Strait of Hormuz US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that ships are starting to move through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for international oil shipments, following an agreement between the US and Iran. Details of the Agreement The US and Iran have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict. While no official text has been released, both sides have indicated that the initial deal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and halting fighting on all fronts. The Impact on Shipping and Oil Markets International oil markets have rebounded following the positive signals towards a deal. However, it is expected to take months for operations to return to normal if the strait were to be fully reopened. About 500 ships are waiting to pass through the strait, with around 20,000 stranded crew members. Challenges and Future Negotiations More entrenched issues, such as Iran's nuclear program, its support for proxies in the region, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and the lifting of sanctions, are expected to be addressed during a 60-day negotiation period. The issue of de-mining efforts will be discussed during the G7 Summit. The Future of the Strait of Hormuz There are still unanswered questions about the plan to open the strait and its future administration. Experts have warned that the conflict has reinforced the strait's significance as a key point of leverage for Iran. The US and Iran are expected to discuss technical details, including whether the passage will be toll-free.

Israeli forces shot and killed three‑year‑old Rayan Abu al‑Ajeen while his father carried him on a family farm outside the Yellow Line in Deir el‑Balah, Gaza, on 15 June 2026. The family says the father was also wounded and the boy’s body was taken to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.Details of the Shooting and Family TestimonyThe incident occurred in the Wadi al‑Salqa area of Deir el‑Balah governorate. According to the family:Rayan was shot in the head; the bullet entered and exited through his eye.His father, Bahaa, was hit in the leg and remained in the hospital with a serious condition.The family was traveling outside the Israeli‑controlled “Yellow Line” toward their greenhouses when the gunfire erupted.Grandfather Jaber Abu al‑Ajeen reported that the father and another relative were targeted before the child was killed.Casualty Figures Since the October CeasefireIsraeli attacks in Gaza have continued after the October 2023 ceasefire, resulting in:Nearly 1,000 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire was announced.A cumulative death toll of more than 73,000 Palestinians since the war began in October 2023.The Israeli military has not commented on this specific shooting.Implications for Civilian Safety Near the Yellow LineThe Abu al‑Ajeen family’s farm lies just outside the “Yellow Line,” an area Israel has repeatedly expanded despite ceasefire stipulations. Their experience highlights:Increased vulnerability of civilians living and working near the contested border.Challenges for humanitarian access when victims are left untreated for hours, as reported by the family.Potential escalation of tensions as Israeli forces continue operations in proximity to civilian agricultural zones.Outlook for Gaza’s Civilian PopulationWith the death toll rising and incidents like this underscoring the precariousness of life near the Yellow Line, the following trends are likely:Further displacement of farming families seeking safety away from the frontline.Heightened international scrutiny of civilian casualties and calls for stricter enforcement of ceasefire terms.Continued humanitarian strain on Gaza’s medical facilities, already burdened by high casualty numbers.

Sarvam's Rise to Unicorn Status Sarvam, a Bengaluru-based company, has raised $234 million at a $1.5 billion valuation, becoming India's newest AI unicorn. The funding round was led by HCLTech, the IT subsidiary of Indian conglomerate HCL Group, with $150 million invested. Other participants included Bessemer Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, and Peak XV Partners. The Significance of Sovereign AI Capabilities The investment reflects a broader push by countries and companies to develop sovereign AI capabilities amid growing concerns over access to advanced models and computing infrastructure. Sarvam aims to build a full-stack AI business, spanning model development, inference infrastructure, and enterprise applications. Strategic Partnership with HCLTech HCLTech's investment gives Sarvam a deep-pocketed strategic partner to commercialize its technology. The plan is to combine Sarvam's AI models with HCLTech's enterprise relationships, engineering workforce, and software assets to build AI products for businesses and governments. India's Growing Importance in AI India is cementing its position as one of the world's most important AI markets, with both OpenAI and Anthropic describing India as their second-largest market after the U.S. Despite its scale as an AI consumer, India has produced few serious contenders in the race to develop frontier AI models. Future Plans and Growth With the fresh investment, Sarvam plans to fund research into its next-generation AI models focused on agentic, coding, and cybersecurity applications. The company will also expand access to computing infrastructure as it scales deployments across industries. Sarvam's conversational AI platform now handles over 2 million interactions a day, while its inference platform processes roughly 10 million API calls daily.

Confirmation of Shergar’s Fate After Four Decades In a recent interview with the Telegraph, Princess Zahra Aga Khan disclosed that the five‑year‑old stallion was shot within two days of his February 1983 kidnapping by an armed IRA gang at Ballymany Stud, County Kildare. She described the killing as “very unprofessional” and lamented the loss of a national symbol of Irish breeding. Key Numbers Behind Shergar’s Legendary Career 10‑length winning margin in the 1981 Derby – the all‑time record. Timeform rating of 140, placing him joint‑seventh on the all‑time European flat list. Syndication of 40 shares at £250k each, totalling a record £10 million valuation for a stallion at the time. Only one top‑level progeny, Authaal, who won the 1986 Irish St Leger. How Shergar’s Story Reshapes the Racing Narrative The confirmation of his death brings closure to a saga that has haunted the sport for over four decades. It reinforces the cultural weight of the Aga Khan breeding operation, which continues to produce elite performers such as Daryz, the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner. The tragedy also highlights the vulnerability of high‑profile equine assets to political violence, prompting renewed security discussions within the industry. Royal Ascot: A Stage for Tribute and Renewal With the king and queen expected to field runners across the four‑day meeting, the Aga Khan colours—green and red—are likely to feature prominently, especially in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes where Daryz is a leading contender. Fans view the race as a poignant homage to Shergar, linking past glory with present success. Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future Prospects While Shergar’s stud career was cut short, the Aga Khan’s breeding programme remains a powerhouse, suggesting that future Royal Ascot cards will continue to showcase their horses. The emotional resonance of Shergar’s story may also inspire broader initiatives to preserve racing heritage and improve protection for valuable thoroughbreds.

The Lead The risk that a traveller infected with Ebola could arrive in the United States during the 2026 World Cup tournament is low but not zero, and if that happens, US hospitals are ready to respond, according to infectious disease experts. This represents a significant improvement in preparedness compared to the 2014 Ebola outbreak when a Liberian patient was initially turned away from a Dallas hospital. Preparedness Improvements Since 2014 Following the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak, the US invested $260 million in Ebola preparedness training and response capabilities, establishing 13 specialized treatment centers nationwide. These resources were developed to help hospitals identify, isolate, and safely care for suspected Ebola patients. Thousands of healthcare workers have been trained to recognize and treat patients with Ebola and other serious pathogens. The Current Ebola Situation in DRC The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has infected more than 675 people and killed more than 135 remains a concern. While public health officials have described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, experts emphasize that the risk won't be zero until the outbreak is stopped at its source in DRC. Prevention Measures at World Cup Venues The US, Mexico, and Canada have implemented airport screening and travel bans restricting the entry of non-citizens who have recently travelled to countries affected by the outbreak. The DRC national football team, for example, left the country in May and trained in Belgium before travelling to the US to comply with US restrictions. In each host city, FIFA, local public health officials, and hospital systems have formed medical committees conducting Ebola and other infectious disease threat assessments. Monitoring and Response Systems Preparedness experts have conducted nationwide training exercises simulating potential outbreaks at the games. Some areas are considering supplying disease-specific treatments or protective gear to venues, while using surveillance tools including wastewater monitoring, air quality data, and electronic medical records to detect unusual illness clusters. Georgetown University has established an independent Health Security Operations Center in collaboration with more than 30 public and private sector entities, with over 700 state and local health authorities and 60 federal partners, including FIFA and the CDC, receiving daily reports. Challenges to Current Preparedness Despite improvements, experts note challenges including staff cuts at the CDC, the US departure from WHO, and strain on state and local health departments that have been battling the biggest US measles outbreak in decades. Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director, expressed concern about whether a CDC that has lost thousands of staff has the capacity, support, and mandate to respond quickly to potential outbreaks both domestically and in DRC.

The LeadRuben Amorim is poised to return to management after agreeing to become Milan's head coach, a move that will make Manchester United a significant saving on his compensation package, the club having dismissed him in January.The Financial Impact of Amorim's DepartureOnce Amorim is back in work, United will no longer be liable to pay the full £16.7m compensation package the 41-year-old and his coaching staff were due in the severance deal. This financial relief comes at a crucial time for the club as they continue to navigate economic challenges in the football landscape.Milan's Management OverhaulMilan cleared out a number of senior members of staff after they failed to qualify for the Champions League. The sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada departed alongside Allegri, with Nottingham Forest's chief scout, Pedro Ferreira, being targeted to join his Portuguese compatriot Amorim as part of a major restructuring.United's Documentary WindfallUnited's finances have been further boosted by the announcement that they will be the subject of an Amazon All or Nothing documentary next season. The club will receive an access fee bigger than any paid for previous documentaries in the genre, with cameras following the men's team under Michael Carrick, as well as the women's and academy setups.Future Outlook for Both ClubsFor Milan, the appointment of Amorim represents a significant gamble as they look to return to the Champions League, while United can focus on their transition period with financial stability. The documentary will provide unprecedented access to the club's operations, potentially enhancing their global brand value in the competitive football market.