News

Nintendo will begin a phased rollout of Switch 2 consoles featuring removable batteries in Europe starting in the summer of 2026. The hardware adjustments ensure compliance with new European battery regulations scheduled to take effect in mid-February 2027.

The company announced the transition will begin with updated Joy-Con controllers. A revised Nintendo Switch 2 console bundled with the new removable-battery Joy-Con 2 units will launch in the autumn. Standalone versions of the updated Joy-Con 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will reach retailers in the winter.

The design changes will marginally alter the hardware’s specifications. The removable...

Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16.

Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in stoppage time to secure the victory for Spain in the Iberian derby. Cameras captured the 41-year-old Portugal captain crying immediately after the final whistle, with the footage quickly circulating across social media platforms.

The match marked Ronaldo’s final appearance at the tournament. He confirmed before the competition began that the 2026 edition would be his last World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo fights back tears after Portugal's...

Prosecutors have begun laying out their case against Tyler Robinson, the man charged with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during a preliminary hearing in Utah.

Erika Kirk sat with her late husband’s parents and friends on Monday as the court reviewed evidence from the September 2025 attack. Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and felony use of a firearm. The prosecution intends to seek the death penalty.

The current proceedings will determine whether sufficient probable cause exists to send the case to trial. The family temporarily left the room to avoid viewing graphic...

The United States crashed out of the World Cup on Monday following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16.

Charles De Ketelaere scored twice in a match overshadowed by FIFA’s unprecedented decision to suspend a ban for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun following an intervention from President Donald Trump.

Despite his clearance to play after receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun had minimal impact on the pitch. The 25-year-old did secure the free kick that resulted in Tillman’s first-half equaliser.

Belgium midfielder Nicolas Raskin, who assisted De Ketelaere’s opening goal, suggested the controversy surrounding Balogun’s...

Artificial intelligence could dramatically increase the risk of a future pandemic if terrorists exploit the technology to create dangerous pathogens, according to biosecurity experts who are calling for stricter regulation of synthetic DNA.

The warning comes as AI tools become increasingly capable of assisting biological research, making it easier to analyse genetic information and design new proteins or viruses. While these advances hold enormous promise for medicine and vaccine development, experts caution that they could also lower the barriers for malicious actors seeking to develop biological weapons.

The UK government is reportedly considering tighter controls on the sale and screening...

Taylor Swift has found herself at the centre of an online controversy after confusion over the identity of a guest at her wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce sparked criticism across social media.

The backlash began after posts on X claimed that Steven J. Demetriou, executive chair of engineering company Amentum, attended the ceremony. Amentum has faced scrutiny because it holds U.S. government contracts related to immigration detention facilities, prompting some users to criticise Swift and accuse her of associating with figures connected to the industry.

However, the situation quickly became muddled as conflicting reports emerged about which...

Meta has come under renewed scrutiny after an investigation alleged the company orchestrated a covert programme in which hundreds of contractors posed as teenagers to test the safety mechanisms of competing artificial intelligence chatbots.

According to WIRED, the project, reportedly codenamed “Cannes”, was managed through outsourcing company Covalen and targeted several of the world’s leading AI platforms, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Character.AI. Workers were instructed to create burner accounts registered as underage users and submit thousands of sensitive prompts designed to probe whether the systems would violate their own safety rules.

The programme reportedly remained unknown...

Pioneering co-ed K-pop quartet KARD are set to part ways after a remarkable ten-year run in the music industry. DSP Media, the group’s management agency, confirmed on Monday that the four-piece will officially dissolve their partnership once they wrap up their forthcoming world tour and release their final studio album.

The group’s swansong project, a full-length record titled “Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE”, is scheduled to drop on July 28. Following this highly anticipated release, the members will hit the road for a global tour to bid a final farewell to their dedicated global audience.

In an official public...

Olivia Wilde has weighed in on the growing online debate about modern relationships, saying that having a boyfriend is “no longer required” and describing the shift as “a good evolution” for women.

Speaking while promoting her new comedy The Invite, Wilde said relationships should be a choice rather than a social expectation. She argued that many people remain in unhappy partnerships because they fear being single, adding that sacrificing one’s identity to preserve a relationship is far more damaging than being alone.

“Relationships don’t have to be embarrassing. But they’re no longer required. A...

Hundreds of masked members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front marched through Washington, DC, on 4 July, coinciding with celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Wearing matching blue shirts, khaki trousers and white face coverings, demonstrators carried Patriot Front and Confederate flags while chanting slogans including “Reclaim America.”

The group gathered near Union Station before marching towards the U.S. Capitol and later leaving the city via the Metro system. Washington’s Metropolitan Police monitored the demonstration and said no arrests or major incidents were reported, stressing that authorities remained committed to protecting public safety while respecting...

European football’s top administrators have issued a blistering critique following a controversial ruling that allows Folarin Balogun to dodge an immediate red card suspension.

By opting to put the standard one-game ban on ice in favour of a 12-month probationary period, officials have crossed what UEFA describes as a clear and dangerous line.

At the heart of the game lies a firm framework of regulations designed to guarantee fairness, transparency and honesty across all competitions. While certain on-pitch incidents naturally spark debate and subjective interpretation, UEFA insists that the baseline punishment for a sending-off is completely non-negotiable.

An automatic...

Tens of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday as Iran held the funeral procession for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with crowds chanting calls for revenge against the United States and President Donald Trump.

State-organised ceremonies saw mourners accompany coffins carrying Khamenei and several members of his family. Many participants waved Iranian flags, burned U.S. and British flags, and displayed banners blaming Washington and Israel for the assassination of the country’s longtime leader. Chants demanding retaliation echoed throughout the procession.

The funeral marks the latest stage of Iran’s week-long national mourning following Khamenei’s...

England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 has triggered an emotional response across Mexico, ending the hosts’ hopes of a historic run and bringing an immediate end to Javier Aguirre‘s tenure as national team coach.

The match at the iconic Estadio Azteca saw England survive with 10 men after a controversial red card before holding off a fierce Mexican comeback to book a quarter-final against Norway. Jude Bellingham scored twice, while Harry Kane converted the decisive penalty as Thomas Tuchel‘s side secured one of their most memorable World Cup victories.

Mexican newspapers reacted...

Tottenham Hotspur have successfully secured the services of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in a club-record transfer that could ultimately reach £100 mln. The 26-year-old makes the move to the capital after spending three seasons with the Magpies.

Newcastle previously rejected an opening offer of roughly £80 mln from the north London club. However the two Premier League sides eventually compromised on a lucrative package that guarantees an upfront payment of £92.5 mln with an additional £7.5 mln tied to performance add-ons.

This blockbuster arrival follows swiftly on the heels of another major midfield investment. Spurs recently recruited Mateus...

Uzbekistan’s automotive sector experienced a notable expansion during the first five months of 2026, with the assembly of passenger cars reaching 190,500 units. According to the latest report from the National Committee for Statistics, this represents an increase of 19,300 vehicles compared to the same period last year.

The Chevrolet Cobalt firmly maintains its position as the country’s most heavily manufactured vehicle. By the beginning of June this year, domestic factories had turned out more than 69,300 Cobalts, a substantial jump from the 58,900 units recorded during the corresponding timeframe in 2025.

However, this upward trend was not reflected...

According to Reuters the death toll following a devastating series of earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 3,300. The natural disaster has left approximately 16,500 individuals injured and rendered 17,300 people homeless. Furthermore more than 38,600 people currently remain unaccounted for.

Emergency crews are still working to clear rubble from collapsed structures in hard-hit areas such as the city of Caraballeda in the coastal state of La Guaira.

Despite these rescue efforts public dissatisfaction with the official response is mounting across the country. Local residents and government critics have condemned the relief operation as both delayed and inadequate.

In defence...

Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing is facing unprecedented scrutiny following a chaotic race weekend at Silverstone. Reports suggest a severe breakdown in communication between the reigning world champion and team management, sparking widespread rumours of a potential exit.

According to journalist Erik van Haren, who is closely associated with the Verstappen camp, the atmosphere behind the scenes in England was fraught with tension. Verstappen was reportedly adamant that the team completely ignored his feedback during the British Grand Prix weekend.

This off-track friction has been heavily compounded by persistent technical gremlins. Verstappen has once again been...

American technology entrepreneur and prominent longevity campaigner Bryan Johnson has disclosed his diagnosis with an incurable autoimmune disorder.

The 48-year-old, famous globally for his rigorous, multi-million-dollar anti-ageing endeavour known as Project Blueprint, confirmed he has autoimmune gastritis (AIG). This rare condition causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of the stomach.

Taking to the social media platforms, Johnson detailed his situation to his followers:

“Bad news #1: I have an autoimmune disease. My stomach is eating itself. Bad news #2: 2–5% of people have this too. Likely more because it hides.”

England’s historic 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday night was marred by a serious wrist injury to Jordan Henderson during the post-match celebrations.

The Three Lions secured the memorable win thanks to a Jude Bellingham brace and a Harry Kane penalty. Thomas Tuchel‘s men were forced to play the majority of the second half with ten men after Jarell Quansah was dismissed following a VAR review. Despite the numerical disadvantage England successfully absorbed relentless Mexican pressure for the final 30 minutes.

Following the final whistle the squad approached the travelling supporters behind the...

A major Chinese drink retailer must hand over 10.3 mln yuan (£1.1m) in compensation following a high-profile legal defeat against luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton. A judge determined that the Shenzhen-based enterprise, Molly Tea, unlawfully appropriated the French fashion house’s signature four-petal monogram for its own branding.

The ruling from a Suzhou court in Jiangsu province mandates that the beverage company must immediately drop the offending emblem, issue a formal public apology and financially compensate the designer label.

According to the state-owned outlet China Daily, the drinks firm had already faced significant hurdles with the China National Intellectual Property Administration...

Hundreds of BTS fans have taken to the streets of Santiago to protest the Chilean government’s decision to suspend the K-pop group’s upcoming stadium concerts over pitch damage concerns.

Hundreds of devoted BTS fans took to the streets of Chile on Sunday in a vibrant protest against the government’s move to suspend the K-pop sensations’ upcoming October shows.
Supporters from the band’s dedicated fanbase known as Army marched through Santiago wearing purple outfits, waving matching balloons and holding picket signs. They were rallying against the sudden suspension of three highly anticipated gigs that formed part of the group’s “Arirang” world...

Uzbek footballer Abbosbek Fayzullaev tied the knot on July 4 this year. Videos featuring the venue, the guests and the newlyweds quickly went viral across the Uzbek segment of Instagram.

The wedding festivities were held at the Zomin to’yxona premium restaurant located in the city of Gulistan within the Syrdarya region.

According to a report by Sports.kz, the athlete hosted an engagement ceremony earlier in May. While details...

Charles Leclerc claimed a dramatic victory at the 2026 British Grand Prix as a late Safety Car secured his first win of the season for Ferrari. In a race defined by fluctuating fortunes, strategic battles and late heartbreak, the Monegasque driver held his nerve to cross the line ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and teammate Lewis Hamilton.

A chaotic start at Silverstone

Polesitter Kimi Antonelli suffered immediate heartbreak as wheelspin off the line dropped the Italian teenager down to third. Leclerc capitalised instantly to take the lead with Hamilton slotting into second.

What a start...

Following a sensational victory in the morning’s Sprint, Kimi Antonelli continued his phenomenal weekend by storming to pole position for the 2026 British Grand Prix. The Mercedes teenager mastered the gusty conditions at Silverstone to beat Charles Leclerc and home favourite Lewis Hamilton in a tense qualifying session.

Wind wreaks havoc in Q1

While the track temperature remained warm, a dramatic increase in wind speed, particularly a heavy tailwind down the Hangar Straight, made the 25-degree afternoon incredibly challenging for the drivers.

The treacherous conditions caught out several big names early on. George Russell suffered a massive...