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The Discovery of Tool Use in Bees Bumblebees can use tools to solve a problem, according to experiments that demonstrate their remarkably advanced cognitive abilities. The bees were given an adapted version of an experiment that, 100 years ago, first demonstrated chimpanzees could work out how to retrieve an out-of-reach banana by stacking boxes. The Experiment and Its Findings In the latest research, bees were shown to be able to roll a polystyrene ball to a specific location and climb on to it in order to access an artificial flower on a low ceiling. The findings challenge the longstanding assumption that insects operate purely on instinct and mindless trial-and-error learning. The Implications of Bee Intelligence “Most people think insects are reflex-based machines,” said Dr Olli Loukola, a behavioural ecologist at the University of Oulu, Finland, and senior author. “That they can’t have any emotional states or feel pain. Some people don’t even realise that they have brains. I hope that these results change the worldview about that.” The Complexity of the Challenge The bees, which were only a couple of weeks old, were first trained to associate a blue artificial flower with a reward of sugar water. During the test, the flower was moved to the ceiling of a transparent petri dish-style chamber whose ceiling was too high for them to reach, but with insufficient space for them to hover. A ball was also introduced into the chamber. To reach the flower, the bee had to roll the ball under it and climb on top – a behavioural sequence they had never previously encountered or been trained to perform. The Results and Their Significance In the most basic version of the test, 75% of the bees were successful in reaching the flower. “This is essentially an insect version of the classic ‘box-and-banana’ problem,” said Loukola. “The animal must realise that an object can be repositioned and then used as a tool to reach an otherwise inaccessible goal. What stands out about the result is that this kind of spontaneous problem solving is now demonstrated in an insect.” The Future of Bee Research “We are not claiming that bees think like humans,” said Loukola. “But our findings show that miniature brains can generate flexible solutions to novel problems in ways we are only beginning to understand.”

The LeadFormer President Donald Trump has insisted that a deal with Iran is close at hand, despite recent military strikes in the region. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.Trump's Position on Iran NegotiationsTrump's assertion about the Iran deal being close suggests an attempt to maintain relevance in foreign policy discussions. His statement appears aimed at positioning himself as a capable negotiator regarding Iran, one of the signature foreign policy issues of his presidency.Regional ContextThe mention of strikes in the region indicates that despite diplomatic overtures, military actions continue to complicate U.S.-Iran relations. These strikes, while not detailed in the report, represent the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.Political SignificanceTrump's statement carries political significance as it positions him as a potential future foreign policy architect. By claiming proximity to a deal, he may be attempting to contrast his administration's approach with current diplomatic efforts.Future DevelopmentsThe coming weeks will likely reveal whether Trump's claims about an imminent Iran deal have merit. If a deal does materialize, it could significantly reshape U.S.-Iran relations and become a major talking point in future political discourse.

The Lead Wigan Warriors secured their record-extending Challenge Cup victory at Wembley Stadium, but the historic occasion was marred by concerning attendance figures that have sparked debate about rugby league's future relationship with the iconic venue. Declining Attendance at Wembley Just 56,383 spectators attended this year's final, which, excluding the two Covid-affected finals of 2020 and 2021, represents the lowest attendance for a Wembley Challenge Cup final since 1946. This continues a worrying trend of declining attendance, with the first final at the new Wembley in 2007 drawing 82,421 spectators. The last time a final attracted more than 70,000 was a decade ago, highlighting the significant drop in interest over time. The Financial Implications The dwindling attendance figures carry significant financial implications for rugby league. The Challenge Cup final represents one of the sport's most lucrative events, and lower attendance directly impacts revenue. Additionally, the cost of traveling to Wembley presents economic challenges for supporters, particularly when other major events like the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford and Magic Weekend offer compelling alternatives. Wembley's Role in Rugby League History Rugby league's relationship with Wembley dates back to 1929, when Wigan won their second cup. The stadium has hosted countless memorable moments in the sport's history and remains a "bucket list" destination for players. The Challenge Cup final at Wembley provides rugby league with national exposure that other events cannot match, as evidenced by healthy BBC viewing figures that far exceed those for regular Super League games. Alternative Venues Considered With the current Wembley deal set to expire, rugby league is considering alternatives. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted the 2021 final, while Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium will stage Super League's Magic Weekend. These venues are closer to rugby league's traditional heartlands and have received positive reviews. However, moving away from Wembley would mean sacrificing the national exposure and prestige associated with London's most iconic sporting venue. The Path Forward Rugby league leadership must take collective action to address attendance concerns rather than simply moving to a smaller venue. Potential strategies include adjusting the timing of events like Magic Weekend to allow supporters more time to plan and afford trips, avoiding scheduling conflicts that diminish attendance, and giving community clubs weekends off to encourage more neutral supporters to attend. As Wigan CEO Kris Radlinski emphasized, "I would much rather see a Challenge Cup final with a sell-out crowd, but the idea was to sell Wembley out every year. For that to happen, the sport needs to make a concerted effort."

The Unlikely Motivation At 56, I am running my first marathon, an old, fat, bald dad surrounded by millennials in body-hugging Lycra and smiles that look AI-generated. But I am ahead of them. For they are only competing for positions and personal bests, and I am being chased by zombies. The Event Details I started off accompanied by audiobooks, but when Ben Elton’s autobiography got a bit whiny, I remembered Zombies, Run! – an interactive running game for smartphones that came out years ago. That became my running companion. The Data Analysis I am doing the Hal Higdon Novice Marathon Training Program, involving three “short” runs during the week and a “long” run at weekends. The distances slowly increase over 18 weeks. For the first few weeks, I am doing three- or four-mile runs during the week and six- to 10-mile runs at the weekend. The Impact Analysis Unfortunately, I spent the 90s playing football on hangovers and Red Bull without stretching once. My glutes and hamstrings give me constant pain after 10km, and the story is no longer enough to distract me. Luckily, the best bit about Zombies, Run! is that you can link the game to a playlist on your phone, so you get a minute of narrative, then the music fades up for a bit before returning to the story. The Prediction I ran the first half in two hours and 10 minutes and the second half in three-and-a-half hours. Now I have to train for another one so I can try to beat five hours – because that is what dafties like me do. Luckily, Zombies, Run! is now up to season 11, and I only got as far as the end of season 2.

The Revival of Motion Gaming For a wonderful moment in the noughties, video games became a truly universal pursuit. The Nintendo Wii flew off the shelves, inspiring a wave of competitors such as the Xbox Kinect camera that encouraged people to play games by moving their bodies. But the tide turned: outside of still-niche VR gaming and the odd controller-waggler on the Switch, motion-controlled gaming has barely been seen for more than a decade. Nex Playground Enters the Scene Now, 20 years later, a new console is aiming to get the whole family flailing in front of the TV once again: the Nex Playground. Launching in the UK later this month, the first thing that struck me about this family-friendly device is just how tiny it is. The size of two and a half Rubik’s Cubes taped together, this impressively unintrusive device swaps cumbersome controllers for camera-controlled minigames, putting you and your family directly in the game. The Technology Behind Nex Playground Using a wide-angle lens and AI-powered tracking tech, the Nex Playground offers over 50 games that track players’ bodies as they leap, flail and dance about the living room. It’s not hard to see the appeal. Physically leaping through puddles in Peppa Pig: Jump and Jiggle, dancing in time to Rick Astley on Starri and slicing up watermelons with my hands in the perennial hit Fruit Ninja, I’m impressed by how seamlessly – and accurately – the tech works. Market Performance and Pricing The Playground retails at £269 ($299) – significantly less than any other games console at the moment. But it comes with just five free games. The rest of its library is locked behind an eye-watering £90 annual subscription. In the US, where it launched in 2023, the Playground has sold over a million units, even outselling Microsoft’s Xbox consoles during 2025’s Black Friday week. Safety and Future Plans Nex appears to be taking great care to earn families’ trust. None of the camera data from Nex play sessions is saved – either offline or online – meaning that families can happily embarrass themselves without worrying that an omniscient tech firm is tracking their every movement. Online multiplayer is coming to Playground soon, via parent-controlled “playdates”, and Lee hopes that this will also help older relatives stay connected with their families. The Future of Family Gaming Game publishers who’ve previously made games for Kinect and VR are already coming to Nex, Kang says. Child-focused brands such as Hasbro, DreamWorks and Mattel have already licensed games for it, perhaps seeing it as a safer alternative to social media and smartphone platforms – a view that most parents are likely to share. The most family-friendly dedicated games console currently available, Nintendo’s Switch 2, recently raised its price to £395.99, with new games at £50+ each; a lot of families are looking for a more affordable option. Nex Playground launches in the UK on 22 June.

The Lead: PSG's Champions Victory and Liverpool's Managerial ChangeIn a dramatic week for European football, Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious in the Champions League final against Arsenal on penalties, securing their second consecutive title. Meanwhile, Liverpool stunned the football world by parting ways with manager Arne Slot just twelve months after their Premier League triumph.The Event Details: Champions League Final Drama and Liverpool's DecisionThe Champions League final lived up to its billing as a tactical battle between Arsenal's defensive approach and PSG's formidable attacking prowess. The match ended in a penalty shootout after a tightly contested encounter, with Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes missing the crucial spot-kick that would have given his team the advantage.At Liverpool, the decision to sack Arne Slot came amid reports that he had lost the dressing room. The move, while surprising, was reportedly influenced by the availability of Andoni Iraola, with Liverpool opting for a change in leadership despite Slot's recent success.The Impact Analysis: Reactions to Major Football DevelopmentsPSG's back-to-back Champions League victories solidify their position as Europe's dominant force, raising questions about the balance of power in European football. Arsenal's defensive approach, described by some as 'bus-parking of the highest order,' has sparked debate about tactics against elite opposition.Liverpool's decision to sack Slot reflects the ruthless nature of modern football management, where even recent success doesn't guarantee job security. The timing of the move, with potential replacements already identified, suggests a long-term strategy rather than a reaction to short-term results.The Prediction: Future Implications for Teams InvolvedFor PSG, this Champions League victory could mark the beginning of a new era of dominance, with their core squad potentially remaining intact for future campaigns. Arsenal, meanwhile, may need to address their approach in big matches if they are to bridge the gap to Europe's elite.Liverpool's search for a new manager will intensify, with Andoni Iraola emerging as a leading candidate. The club will be keen to maintain their competitive edge while implementing a new philosophy, ensuring they remain contenders in both domestic and European competitions.

Sport in Focus NewsletterThe Guardian is offering a newsletter called Sport in Focus, which provides a weekly look at sports in photos.How to Sign UpTo sign up for the Sport in Focus newsletter, users can visit the Guardian's website and follow the registration process.What's IncludedThe newsletter will feature a selection of sports photos from around the world, providing a visual recap of the week's sporting action.

The Lead This week, several podcasts have caught attention, particularly those involving popular TV personalities and thought-provoking themes. Judgemental: Anton and Craig's Strong Opinions The freshly announced Strictly Come Dancing hosts, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, have been generating huge online chatter. Their podcast, Judgemental, ensures that they prove they have strong opinions on more than just dance performances. They trade verdicts on everything from pop culture to sartorial dilemmas to listeners' workplace dramas. The Data Analysis Judgemental: Widely available, episodes weekly from Tuesday 9 June Manosphere Messiahs: Widely available, episodes weekly Who's With Me? With W Kamau Bell: Widely available, episodes weekly Love What You've Done With the Place: Widely available, episodes weekly from Wednesday 3 June Fighting Crime: Audible, episodes weekly The Impact Analysis These podcasts cover a range of topics from toxic masculinity to interior design and crime prevention. They showcase the diversity of themes and issues being discussed in the podcasting world. The Prediction As podcasting continues to grow, we can expect to see more niche topics and popular personalities entering the space. Shows like 'Judgemental' and 'Who's With Me? With W Kamau Bell' are likely to attract large audiences and set trends for future podcasts.

The Week's Wildlife HighlightsThis week brings us fascinating stories from the animal kingdom, showcasing the diversity and wonder of wildlife across the globe. From endangered species making headlines to unexpected animal behaviors, these stories remind us of the importance of conservation efforts and the delicate balance of our ecosystems.A Baby Pangolin's DebutConservationists celebrate the arrival of a baby pangolin, one of the world's most trafficked mammals. The tiny pangolin, born to parents at a wildlife sanctuary, represents hope for this endangered species. Pangolins are unique creatures covered in keratin scales and primarily feed on ants and termites. Their birth comes amid ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect natural habitats.The Gorilla Super-MumIn a remarkable display of maternal care, a gorilla at a wildlife reserve has been recognized for her exceptional parenting skills. The gorilla, who has successfully raised multiple offspring, demonstrates extraordinary patience and nurturing behavior. Her dedication to her young provides valuable insights into gorilla social structures and family dynamics, which are crucial for conservation programs aimed at protecting these endangered primates.Formula One Connection with GeeseIn an unexpected twist, geese have made headlines in the world of Formula One racing. The high-speed sport has implemented new measures to protect local goose populations during races, highlighting the intersection of human activities and wildlife conservation. This unique partnership demonstrates how even in fast-paced industries, environmental considerations are increasingly becoming a priority.Conservation ImplicationsThese diverse wildlife stories underscore the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. Each case—from the vulnerable pangolin to the intelligent gorilla and adaptable geese—illustrates different aspects of wildlife preservation. Conservationists emphasize that protecting these species requires comprehensive approaches that address habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change.Looking AheadAs we continue to document and share these wildlife encounters, they serve as both educational tools and calls to action. The coming weeks will likely bring more stories of animal behavior, conservation successes, and challenges ahead. By staying informed about these developments, individuals can contribute to global wildlife protection efforts in meaningful ways.