History

• Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin artist to headline a UK stadium, performing for approximately 50,000 fans in Tottenham. • The concert served as a massive celebration of Central and South American culture, communities, and environmental issues. • This milestone highlights the growing global influence of Latin music and Bad Bunny's status as a premier international superstar.

• Indian athletes achieved multiple historic milestones, highlighted by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty winning the Singapore Open men's doubles championship. • The badminton duo secured the title by overcoming an initial game loss to defeat Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Fikri with a final score of 18-21, 21-17, 21-16. • In athletics, Pooja Singh set a new national record by clearing 1.93 metres to win the gold medal at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong.

• The United States is reflecting on the evolution of voting rights as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. • Current political debates center on the implementation of voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements to prevent election fraud. • Former President Donald Trump has urged Congress to establish these specific requirements on a nationwide scale to protect election integrity.

Arabic’s rich history of poetry lends itself well to ‘beautiful commentary that … sounds like a love letter to football’Even before Cristiano Ronaldo’s close-range shot had hit the back of net, the commentator had begun shouting. “Allllllllaaaaaaah!!!!” exclaimed Amer al-Khudhiri, an Omani football announcer for BeIN Sports, as the Portugal star scored his first goal of the 2026 World Cup against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.He took a deep breath and then began his soliloquy. “I knew you were coming for revenge. I knew you would answer everyone, the world, the World Cup, the doubters, those who have lost their memory,” al-Khudhiri said. “Oh history, put Ronaldo here as Portgual’s all-time top scorer, through all its history. Allah, Allah, Allah!” Continue reading...

This week marked 10 years since the UK chose to leave the EU. In a series of interviews with key players from both sides, Kiran Stacey looks back on the Brexit vote that changed the country foreverRead the Guardian’s full article on Brexit here Continue reading...

• Princeton University professor and author Eddie Glaude has released a new book examining the historical connection between political turmoil and Fourth of July celebrations. • The text illustrates how tensions surrounding the nation's founding have historically reached a boiling point during independence day festivities. • This analysis is particularly timely as the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th birthday, a milestone Glaude suggests coincides with a period of significant national instability.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden investigated stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths, and babies or mothers who suffered brain damage and other injuries‘Truly horrific’: five stories from the NHS maternity scandalThe report of the largest maternity inquiry in the history of the NHS is due to be published today and is expected to outline widespread failings in the care provided to women in Nottingham.As previously reported by the Guardian, the report will reveal a catalogue of appalling behaviour over many years by staff at the city’s two hospitals – Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham city hospital – including racism towards mothers. Continue reading...

• Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup knockout stages after defeating Austria 2-0 in their opening match on Monday. • Lionel Messi scored both goals in the victory, setting a new all-time record for the most goals scored in World Cup history with 17. • Despite widespread criticism from fans, players, and staff, FIFA has confirmed that hydration breaks will be implemented in every game this summer.

How five months in 2016 that encompassed Boris Johnson siding with Vote Leave, Jo Cox’s murder and David Cameron’s resignation shaped the UK’s futureDavid Cameron, having promised in 2013 that a future Conservative government would offer a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, announces the date of the vote: 23 June 2016. The next day, Boris Johnson, then the mayor of London, says he will campaign for leave. Continue reading...

• Argentina and Austria will face off in a World Cup group stage match held in Arlington, Texas. • Both nations enter the contest with winning records following their opening matches of the tournament. • Lionel Messi is pursuing the all-time World Cup goal-scoring record after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's first game.

• India secured its first cricket World Cup victory on June 25, 1983, by defending a total of 183 runs against the West Indies at Lord's. • Captain Kapil Dev played a pivotal role in the win, highlighted by his iconic running catch to dismiss Viv Richards. • This historic triumph is credited with transforming cricket in India, establishing the nation as a global commercial and cultural powerhouse for the sport.

• The Netherlands equaled their record for the most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup match, netting five goals for the fourth time in their history. • This performance marks the most goals the Dutch have scored in a World Cup game since their 5-1 victory over Spain in 2014. • Sweden became the first team since Türkiye in 1954 to win by four or more goals (5-1 vs Tunisia) and subsequently lose by four or more in the same tournament.

• Jimmy Kimmel is departing for his annual summer break, leaving his late-night talk show to be managed by a series of guest hosts. • The selection of guest hosts is drawing significant attention due to Kimmel's recent shift toward frequent political commentary and open criticism of Donald Trump. • This transition highlights the intersection of entertainment and politics, as the show continues to address major American political developments during the host's absence.

• The USMNT has made 12 appearances in the FIFA World Cup, establishing a historical record of tournament performance. • Key highlights of Team USA's history include various notable wins and a surprising fourth-place finish in a previous tournament. • This data serves as a comprehensive guide to the team's all-time record, best finishes, and top goal scorers.

• Portugal and DR Congo played to a draw in their Group K World Cup opener held at NRG Stadium in Houston. • Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to impact the match, continuing a trend of poor form at major tournaments despite his prolific scoring for Al Nassr and in qualification. • The result is historic for DR Congo, marking a significant milestone for the team in their World Cup campaign.

John Ray, 17th-century botanist who coined words petal and pollen, was a tutor at Cambridge when he created his first gardenHe coined the terms petal and pollen, helped to lay the foundations of modern biology and is widely regarded as the greatest English naturalist of the 17th century.But it was while he was a young college tutor at Cambridge in the 1650s that the botanist John Ray – also known as “the father of natural history” – created his first known garden and began to systematically study plants for the first time. Continue reading...

• Tokyo made history as the first Asian city to host the Billboard Global Power Players 2026 Awards Ceremony, held as part of the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 WEEK. • The event gathered elite music industry leaders, including Naoshi Fujikura (Universal Music Japan), Lo Ting-Fai (Warner Music APAC), and Dickon Stainer (UMG UK and Ireland). • This landmark gathering signifies the growing global influence of the Asian music market and fosters strategic networking between international executives and regional power players.

The closures, so employees can watch a recorded lecture, will cost the company an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in salesStarbucks Korea will simultaneously close all its stores for a mandatory history lesson, after a disastrous promotion that evoked memories of a pro-democracy massacre sparked public and political backlash.More than 2,000 stores will temporarily close at 3pm on 22 June, the company said, so staff can watch recorded lectures on modern Korean history and engage in “social sensitivity” training. The half-day closures will cost Starbucks an estimated 2.1bn won ($1.4m) in lost sales, according to data firm IGAWorks. Continue reading...

• Mexico will host South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup today at 3 p.m. ET. • The matchup serves as a rematch of the 2010 tournament opener, which featured the same two nations and a famous goal by Siphiwe Tshabalala. • This event marks the start of the tournament 2,921 days after the United States, Canada, and Mexico successfully bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

• Taylor Swift has made history as the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. • During her acceptance speech, the singer tearfully thanked her family for their support throughout her career. • This achievement follows her record-breaking success as the first performer to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year four times.

Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversitySchool pupils will learn how to plant a wildflower-friendly garden, according to long-awaited plans announced on Thursday for a natural history GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Campaigners have for more than a decade called for the study of biodiversity loss and global heating to be introduced as a dedicated subject in classrooms across the country, but despite a curriculum being previously drawn up, its launch has faced repeated delays. Continue reading...

• North America is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is projected to be the largest edition in the tournament's history. • The event will feature an expanded format with 48 participating nations, ranging from the smallest to the biggest footballing countries. • This edition is expected to break previous records in sports entertainment, though fans face challenges such as all-time high ticket prices.

• The author argues that for the United States under the Trump administration, hosting the World Cup is less about soccer and more about "security theater." • The piece claims that the traditional goals of international unity and peaceful celebration are being discarded in favor of border security theatrics. • This shift matters as it suggests the event is being leveraged as a political tool to project strength and control over national borders.

• Europe is seeking increased regulatory control over global AI services, sparking a debate on technology protectionism between the EU and the United States. • The U.S. has cautioned Europe against these restrictive measures, citing historical failures like Brazil’s "market reserve policy" from the 1970s. • Brazil's previous "Brazil-first" approach attempted to shield domestic industry from foreign competition but ultimately hindered technological growth and innovation.

• An analysis by The Athletic identifies five teams—Spain, France, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands—as the most likely winners of the 2026 World Cup based on historical trends. • Spain and France are currently the top betting favorites, while Argentina enters as the defending champion and Germany is noted for its ability to win across different eras. • The Netherlands is highlighted as a strong contender despite never winning a title, having previously lost finals in 1974, 1978, and 2010.

• Saud Abdulhamid has made sports history by becoming the first Saudi player to win the French Cup. • After moving to Europe in the summer of 2024, Abdulhamid previously became the first Saudi athlete to compete in both Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1. • This achievement is significant as it underscores his pioneering role in opening doors for other Saudi footballers to pursue professional careers in top European leagues.

Chi Leung Wai and Chung Biu Yuen convicted over surveillance of dissidents in ‘shadow policing’ operationA UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official based in London have been found guilty of spying for China and surveilling dissidents through a “shadow policing” operation.Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 65, also known as Bill, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service, making them the first people in British history to be convicted of spying for China. Continue reading...