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Apple may finally unveil a foldable iPhone this fall, after researchers uncovered fold‑state references in the iOS 27 beta. The discovery points to software ready to manage multiple displays and variable hinge angles, suggesting a hardware debut could align with the September product event. iOS 27 Beta Reveals Foldable‑Ready Code The beta contains API calls such as foldState, mechanicalAngleDegrees, angleDegrees and MGGetLogicalDeviceDisplayCount. These identifiers imply the OS can detect whether a device is folded, measure the opening angle, and count active screens—core capabilities for a foldable smartphone. Thickness Comparison Shows Apple Could Lead Thin‑Foldables iPhone Air thickness: 5.6 mm (≈ four stacked dimes) Projected dual‑screen depth: 11.2 mm Current Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 thickness: slightly above 11.2 mm At 11.2 mm, an Apple foldable would be thinner than most existing models, positioning it as the slimmest premium foldable on the market. Foldable Market Faces New Apple Challenger While Samsung and Huawei have led foldable development for over five years, Apple’s entry would raise consumer expectations for build quality, software integration, and pocketability. The emphasis on minimal thickness could shift the market focus from sheer screen size to true portability. Potential September Launch Could Redefine Premium Smartphone Segment If Apple aligns the hardware release with the upcoming September event, the company would launch the device on the same timeline as its traditional iPhone refresh, leveraging the hype from the WWDC keynote where iOS 27 was announced. Analysts anticipate that a successful foldable could capture a significant share of the high‑end segment, prompting competitors to accelerate thin‑design innovations.

The Whimsical World of 'Allegra' Maureen Lipman takes center stage in Peter Quilter's new play 'Allegra', a whimsical tale of a woman who can't stop singing. Lipman's character, Allegra, breaks into song at the most unexpected places, much to the dismay of those around her. Lipman's Performance Shines Lipman knows how to land a joke, and there are some good ones in the play. Her character's singing is a form of self-expression that she can't control, and Lipman brings a sense of joy and abandon to the role. The Struggle for Self-Expression The play explores themes of self-expression and societal expectations. Allegra's singing is deemed inappropriate by those around her, and she faces pressure to conform. The play asks questions about the importance of being true to oneself and the consequences of not fitting in. A Familiar Theme This is not the first time Lipman has played a character who defies societal norms. Twenty years ago, she starred in Quilter's play 'Glorious!' about Florence Foster Jenkins, the New York socialite deemed opera's worst ever singer. There are clear parallels between the two plays, both exploring the tension between individuality and conformity. What's Next? 'Allegra' is set to tour until July 4 and then run at the Harold Pinter theatre in London from July 8 to August 8. The play is a delightful and thought-provoking exploration of self-expression and societal expectations, and Lipman's performance is not to be missed.

Raducanu's Strong Start at Queen's Emma Raducanu believes her dominant start to the grass-court season can be the launchpad for success over the coming month as she reached the second round at Queen's with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Anna Blinkova, a qualifier. Key Factors in Raducanu's Victory Raducanu was competing for the first time since her straight sets loss to Solana Sierra in the first round of the French Open two weeks ago. The world No 42 had been sidelined for more than two months due to post-viral illness, only returning to competition less than a week before the French Open. Raducanu played clear-minded, offensive tennis, taking the ball early and cleanly redirecting off both wings while trying to dominate with her forehand from on top of the baseline. “We have been working day in, day out, since I started training again, and even throughout the clay season we have been working and putting good shifts in each day,” said Raducanu. Other Notable Results Katie Boulter also advanced to the second round, recovering from a set and a break down at 3-6, 3-4 to register an excellent 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 win over the eighth seed, Leylah Fernandez. Challenges for Other Players Elsewhere, Jack Draper's injury troubles continued as he was forced to withdraw from the Queen's ATP event, which begins next week. Draper has not competed since hurting his knee two months ago at the start of the clay-court season. “Recovery going in the right direction, but I'm going to give myself one more week and aim to return at Eastbourne. Very hard to miss one of my favourite events of the year,” said Draper in a statement. Raducanu's Future Outlook Raducanu expressed her enjoyment of the match and her desire to continue performing well throughout the grass-court season. “It was a really good stepping stone, and the way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package, not necessarily the tennis, just how I kind of was acting on the court, I really enjoyed it,” she said.

The Plan Colombia's national football team, Selección Colombia, still has a core of players remembered fondly from the Brazil and Russia World Cup finals tournaments in 2014 and 2018 respectively. A few of them are taking part in their third tournament, led by James Rodríguez, still a key figure in a side whose 4-2-3-1 formation is built around his No 10 position. The Coach In the fifth World Cup of his career, Néstor Lorenzo will lead a team as head coach for the first time. He played for Argentina in 1990 and was assistant to José Pekerman with Argentina in 2006, and again with Colombia in 2014 and 2018. Star Player Luis Díaz arrived on the scene after the 2018 World Cup and had to wait to become Colombia’s most important player. He became a household name at the 2021 Copa América in Brazil, firing Colombia to the semi-finals with a tournament-best goal haul of four. One to Watch Andrés Gómez has played only a handful of games for Colombia but he has hit the ground running. On his first cap in December 2023 he scored the winning goal against Mexico and subsequently struck a late equaliser away at Uruguay in a game that Colombia ended up losing. Unsung Hero The man who brings balance to Colombia is Jefferson Lerma, who did not come through the system at any of the big domestic clubs. He earned his move to Europe from the modest Atlético Huila and was a surprise pick in José Pekerman’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Probable Starting XI What to expect from fans at games? Colombia’s supporters are among the most loyal in the world. They filled stadiums in Brazil and even Russia. The fact that there are lots of Colombian immigrants in Mexico and the US, although less so in Canada, guarantees a sizable presence of “yellow fever” at this World Cup.

Gout Gout’s First Senior Diamond League Appearance in Oslo Gout Gout, the 18‑year‑old Australian sprinter who became the fastest teenager over 200 m in April, raced his inaugural senior Diamond League 200 m final in Oslo on 9 June 2026. The event marked his transition from viral teenage phenomenon to a contender against established world‑class athletes. Breaking Records: From Under‑20 World Record to 200m Senior Challenge The Oslo meet featured a stacked field, including Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo and three other men who have broken the 19.80‑second barrier. Gout entered with a personal best of 19.67 seconds, already faster than Usain Bolt’s 19.79 seconds Bislett stadium record set in 2013. If conditions cooperate, he could eclipse that historic mark. Previous under‑20 world record (formally ratified): 19.66 seconds. Senior debut time goal: sub‑19.70 seconds. Key rivals: Letsile Tebogo (Olympic 200 m champion), three athletes with ≤19.80 seconds. Numbers That Matter: Times, Contracts and Market Value Beyond the stopwatch, Gout’s commercial footprint is already significant: £4 million Adidas sponsorship lasting through the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Family home purchase: six‑bedroom property in Brisbane, funded by his earnings. Media exposure: 13‑minute feature on U.S. “60 Minutes”. Current personal best: 19.67 seconds for 200 m. Why Gout Gout’s Rise Could Redefine Sprinting Dynamics Gout’s blend of elite speed, academic discipline (straight‑A student) and relatable teenage lifestyle challenges the traditional athlete archetype. His calm demeanor and “cadence‑driven” ground force, noted by coach Di Sheppard, suggest a new model where technical precision outweighs raw power alone. Training regimen: four track days + gym sessions on Mon, Wed, Fri. Super‑power cited by coach: exceptional elasticity and cadence. Psychological edge: high emotional intelligence, described as “super calm”. Looking Ahead: Olympic Prospects and Commercial Trajectory If Gout improves on his Oslo performance, he could realistically target Usain Bolt’s 200 m world record (19.19 seconds) and position himself as a medal favourite for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. His marketability, already proven by the Adidas deal and global media spots, is likely to attract further endorsements, especially as he continues to dominate the senior circuit. Short‑term goal: win the Oslo Diamond League 200 m. Mid‑term goal: break the 19.50 second barrier before the 2028 World Championships. Long‑term goal: Olympic gold in Brisbane 2032.

The LeadApple has implemented a significant policy change that could result in the removal of certain apps from the App Store if they fail to attract users or demonstrate meaningful improvements. This move comes as part of Apple's ongoing efforts to enhance app discovery and reduce clutter in its digital marketplace.The Policy Shift in App Store GuidelinesIn its newly refreshed App Review Guidelines released this week, Apple announced that it may begin removing apps in certain well-established categories if they're not "updated, improved, or attracting customers." This represents a departure from the previous policy, which only warned against copycat apps or those in saturated categories.The updated text specifically warns developers against "opportunistically creating variants of existing app categories or popular apps." The list now includes wallpaper apps, simple timers, and sound effects, in addition to previously mentioned categories like dating apps, flashlight apps, and fortune-telling apps.Apple clarified that these apps are "well established on the App Store," and submissions will no longer be accepted unless they offer a "meaningfully different or improved" experience.Targeting Low-Quality and Saturated CategoriesThe earlier version of Apple's guidelines had included a somewhat humorous line: "The App Store has enough fart, burp, flashlight, fortune telling, dating, drinking games, and Kama Sutra apps, etc. already. We will reject these apps unless they provide a unique, high-quality experience."Apple has now explicitly categorized apps like drinking games, Kama Sutra, fart and burp apps as "low-quality," "mediocre," and "low-effort." The company warned that developers who repeatedly submit such apps may lose access to the Apple Developer Program entirely.This policy change coincides with Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company introduced personalized app recommendations and merchandising tools to help developers grow their businesses and re-engage existing users.Impact on App Discovery and Developer EcosystemThe removal of low-quality apps is intended to help the App Store reduce clutter, making it easier for developers who are putting in the effort to have their apps discovered. By filtering out apps that don't add value, Apple aims to create a more curated experience for users.Apple has emphasized that it offers developers notice through its App Store Improvements process when their apps are out of date or not being downloaded, allowing them to improve their apps before risking removal. This approach provides a grace period for developers to enhance their offerings.The policy change reflects Apple's broader strategy to maintain quality standards in the App Store while supporting developers who create innovative and valuable applications. It represents a balance between fostering a diverse developer ecosystem and ensuring a high-quality user experience.Future Outlook for the App StoreAs Apple continues to refine its App Store policies, we can expect further emphasis on quality and user experience. The company's focus on personalized recommendations and improved discovery mechanisms suggests a future where high-quality apps are more prominently featured, while low-quality or redundant applications face greater scrutiny.Developers will likely need to invest more in creating unique, valuable experiences to maintain their presence on the App Store. This may lead to increased innovation in app development as developers strive to differentiate their offerings in an increasingly competitive marketplace.For users, these changes promise a more streamlined and valuable App Store experience, with better discovery of apps that truly meet their needs. As Apple implements these policies, the digital landscape for both developers and users is poised to evolve significantly.

The LeadIn 1987, Japanese game designer Hironobu Sakaguchi created Final Fantasy as his last attempt to make a hit game, unknowingly launching a franchise that would span 40 years and 16 core titles. Twenty-five years later, his directorial debut in film, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, is being reevaluated not as a box office failure but as an exquisite digital relic that pushed the boundaries of CGI animation.The Technical BreakthroughFinal Fantasy: The Spirits Within represents a milestone in digital animation history. Released in 2001, the film featured groundbreaking CGI technology that was astonishing for its time. The character Aki alone had 60,000 individually rendered hair strands, and the film's photorealistic approach to character design set new standards for digital animation. Despite these technical achievements, the film sometimes feels like a YouTube compilation of cutscenes from a game you can't afford, with dream sequences highlighting the limitations of the then-revolutionary technology.The Financial ImpactThe Spirits Within was a commercial failure that had significant financial consequences. With an enormous production budget estimated at $137 million, the film grossed only $85 million worldwide, resulting in substantial losses for Square Pictures. This financial failure marked the end of Sakaguchi's ambitions for Aki Ross to become a recurring digital actor across multiple projects. The setback was particularly painful as the film was ambitiously conceived by Sakaguchi and even bore his late mother's name.The Cultural LegacyOver time, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within has gained recognition as a cult classic and a major influence on subsequent works, particularly the Mass Effect game series. The film's unique take on the Gaia hypothesis, positing that Earth is a living organism where all lifeforms carry spirits, has resonated with environmental themes in gaming and film. Despite its dense sci-fi exposition, the film's philosophical underpinnings and environmental message echo the themes of Final Fantasy VII, the franchise's most popular entry.The Future of Digital PreservationTwenty-five years after its release, The Spirits Within stands as an important artifact in the evolution of digital animation. As AI technology rekindles similar ambitions for digital actors—exemplified by the controversial "Tilly Norwood" touted as the first AI actor—the film serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale. The rise of AI in entertainment has renewed interest in Sakaguchi's original vision for Aki, suggesting that the film's legacy may continue to evolve as technology advances. The film's availability on streaming platforms ensures that future generations can appreciate this digital relic and its place in animation history.

The Fraying of the Trump-Netanyahu AllianceThe latest flare-up in hostilities between Israel and Iran has exposed what some observers say is the most significant crack yet in the relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump, revealing increasingly divergent interests between the two leaders.The pair once appeared politically inseparable, with Netanyahu describing Trump as the "greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House." Trump returned the praise. During a 2025 appearance in Israel, he joked, "He's not easy – not the easiest guy to deal with – but that's what makes him great."Trump is no longer joking. Last week, he reportedly called Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" during a phone call, accused him of undermining US diplomacy and warned that Israel's military escalation risked derailing peace talks with Iran.The tensions became apparent when Iran launched a volley of missiles towards northern Israel on Sunday, following an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 7 – despite US assurances just days before that this would not happen. The missile attack, the first by Iran since a fragile, Pakistan-brokered ceasefire reached two months earlier between the US and Iran, threatened to unravel months of negotiations."He will have no choice," Trump told the Financial Times when asked about the likelihood of Netanyahu approving a possible peace agreement with Iran. "I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn't call the shots."Diverging Political Interests in the Iran ConflictUltimately, observers say, the two leaders are driven by their own political interests which are on a collision course. In the US, the war with Iran is deeply unpopular, so Trump needs to reach a deal with Iran to end the war. Netanyahu, on the other hand, could benefit politically at home if it were to continue.In fact, as soon as Trump and Netanyahu jointly launched missile strikes on Iran at the end of February, their objectives began to drift apart.Israel's leadership had suggested the conflict could deliver a rapid victory, potentially weakening or even toppling Iran's government while crippling its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.But Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East analyst at Chatham House, said any such assumptions underpinning the campaign quickly collapsed. "The war didn't go the way they wanted it to go," he told Al Jazeera."The biggest failure was assuming it would be nice and quick and would achieve its objectives. They thought it would bring regime change and that, by extension, it would end Iran's nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme. Obviously, that was a complete failure."The conflict also created economic consequences that threatened Trump's own domestic political interests. When Iran effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are shipped during peacetime, global energy markets were rattled and oil prices surged.The Strategic and Economic CalculusMekelberg said Washington had appeared unprepared for a scenario many analysts had long warned was inevitable. "The United States didn't appear to think strategically about how it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open. It shows an inability to think strategically in this administration."With fuel prices soaring and Democrats eyeing gains in November's mid-term congressional elections, Trump has a strong incentive to secure a quick deal, and has little appetite for a prolonged Middle East crisis while preparing to host football's World Cup.Ultimately, despite the longstanding relationship between Israel and the US, Trump's relationship with Netanyahu remains fundamentally transactional, said Mekelberg."Trump is egotistical and self-absorbed," he said. "It's a transactional relationship. It depends on how good the transaction is, and when it doesn't work for you – as we see with Trump, this is his method. 'I'm your friend' until it no longer serves his interests."But, on a deeper level, there is a serious issue, which is that they have unravelled the Middle East. Now, because their interests diverge, and because each side is pursuing its own interests, they clash in a very asymmetric way."US Military Aid and Diplomatic LeverageAs Israel becomes increasingly isolated internationally over its conduct in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region, the US remains its most important diplomatic protector and its main military supplier and financial backer. This has become increasingly important as Israel's traditional European allies have begun distancing themselves from Netanyahu's government.Washington provides Israel with at least $3.8bn annually under a 10-year military assistance agreement running from 2019 to 2028. That package includes $3.3bn through the Foreign Military Financing programme and another $500m for joint missile-defence programmes.An Al Jazeera investigation recently found that 42 percent of weapons entering Israel originated from the United States.Gideon Levy, the Israeli journalist and author, told Al Jazeera that dependence on the US leaves Netanyahu with little room to manoeuvre. "Israel is not in a position to say no to Donald Trump, and Netanyahu is not in a position to say no," Levy said. "Israeli dependence on the US right now has reached an unprecedented stage, and Israel cannot take on Iran without the United States."The reality on the ground is that whatever Trump tells Netanyahu, he will have to do exactly as Trump phrased it."Netanyahu's Domestic Political PredicamentTrump's push for a ceasefire collides with Netanyahu's domestic ambitions. The war with Iran has proved popular inside Israel, where public support for military action remains overwhelming.Levy noted that polling shows support for the attack on Iran stands at roughly 93 percent. "Traditionally in Israel, you can much easier get consensus for a major majority by launching another war, rather than any diplomatic agreement," Levy said.With elections due before the end of October, some analysts say continued confrontation would therefore serve Netanyahu's political interests. The problem is that Washington increasingly appears committed to pursuing a diplomatic settlement with Tehran.The negotiations between the US and Iran are taking place indirectly, via Pakistani mediators, but without Israeli participation at all. Reports suggest any future agreement would leave Iran's government intact while permitting a restricted but continuing nuclear programme.Tehran has also reportedly demanded that any deal prevent Israel from launching future military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Under such a deal, an Israeli strike on Beirut could risk provoking Iranian retaliation without guaranteed US backing – a scenario Netanyahu would not be happy about."Netanyahu is in a certain deadlock," Levy said. "The project of his life was Iran and the belief that Iran can be defeated by force. This was proven false in the last two rounds in Iran."The Future of US-Israel RelationsMany analysts doubt the apparent rift between Israel and the US represents any sort of meaningful shift in relations between the two.Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, and international adviser to the activist group Jewish Voice for Peace, argued that Trump's criticism had not been matched by action."The words could be significant if they were matched by actions," she told Al Jazeera. "What we see now are a set of words – 'You better be careful; you'll find yourself acting alone' – that are not backed up by actions."Bennis noted that Washington continues to provide billions of dollars in military assistance, to shield Israel from accountability at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and ICC, and to keep weapons flowing.She compared Trump's approach to that of former US President Joe Biden during the first stages of Israel's war on Gaza."The leadership would say, 'Please stop killing so many Palestinians,'" Bennis said, "while continuing to supply weapons and funding … The words just don't mean very much."

The Osprey Cam: A Window into Wildlife BehaviorJames Cook University's innovative "Osprey cam" has provided researchers and nature enthusiasts worldwide with an unprecedented view into the daily lives of ospreys nesting atop a 55-meter crane in Queensland's Daintree Rainforest. The livestream captures the complete life cycle of these remarkable seabirds, from nest construction to raising offspring, offering valuable insights into their behavior and adaptation to unique environmental conditions.Engineering Meets Nature: The Crane Nesting SiteThe university's 47-meter tall canopy crane, designed to give researchers access to the rainforest from above, has become an ideal nesting platform for ospreys. Despite the crane's 55-meter-long jib that moves up to 110 meters from position to position, the seabirds have consistently returned to this spot for approximately 15 years. The location offers several advantages: it's close enough to the ocean for efficient fishing yet safe from ground-based predators, making it an optimal breeding ground for these daytime predators that feed almost exclusively on fish.Life Cycle Patterns: From Nest Building to ParentingOspreys at the Daintree Rainforest Observatory exhibit fascinating behavioral patterns. Unlike their European or American counterparts, Australian ospreys don't migrate, remaining near the crane year-round. Each year, the breeding pair must rebuild their nest from scratch, a process that takes only a few weeks once they begin. The birds demonstrate remarkable persistence, often losing sticks to wind before successfully constructing their home. Parenting duties are shared, with the female spending more time on eggs and chicks while the male typically brings in more fish, occasionally dropping some from the sky during transport.Scientific Value and Public EngagementThe Osprey cam serves dual purposes: advancing scientific understanding of osprey behavior while engaging the public with live wildlife content. Researchers at the observatory believe the same breeding pair has occupied the nest consistently for 15 years, with ospreys living up to 25 years in the wild. The livestream has become a significant online attraction, allowing nature lovers worldwide to observe these birds' intimate behaviors. This technology bridges the gap between scientific research and public education, fostering appreciation for wildlife conservation and the unique ecosystems of Australia's Daintree Rainforest.Future of the Osprey Research ProgramAs the current osprey pair ages—potentially reaching their maximum 25-year lifespan—the research team anticipates eventual changes in nest occupancy. When the time comes, a new pair or possibly offspring of the current birds may take over the prime nesting location. The Osprey cam will continue to document these transitions, providing valuable long-term data on osprey behavior and adaptation. This research platform exemplifies how technology can enhance our understanding of wildlife, offering insights that may inform broader conservation strategies for seabirds and their habitats in an increasingly changing environment.