Problems

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged on Sunday that Iran is facing "many problems" and is effectively in a "full-scale war" due to mounting economic and social pressures. • The crisis is exacerbated by looming US sanctions designed to further isolate the Iranian regime and cripple its financial capabilities. • This admission highlights the severe instability within the country as the government struggles to manage domestic unrest and international diplomatic isolation.

• The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade and financial dealings with Iran following reports of an Iranian missile attack targeting UAE ships. • This escalation occurs as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens an "economic campaign" against Iran to increase pressure on the regime. • Iran has dismissed Trump's economic threats as a "diversion" intended to distract from the United States' own internal domestic problems.

Review by paediatricians links child vaping with poor respiratory health such as coughing, wheezing and asthmaYoung people who start vaping risk developing breathing problems and going on to smoke cigarettes, children’s doctors have warned.Child vaping is consistently linked with poor respiratory health, such as coughing, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms and asthma exacerbations, while vapes have been shown to act as a gateway to smoking cigarettes, according to one of the most comprehensive reviews of the available evidence so far undertaken by the Royal College of Child and Paediatrics Health. Continue reading...

• Ariana Grande has commenced a UK tour, beginning with the first of 10 scheduled performance dates in London. • The singer intends to "step back" from her public life and take a hiatus following the conclusion of these shows. • This tour marks a significant professional commitment for the star as she navigates personal challenges away from the spotlight.

• Ariana Grande has commenced her UK tour, beginning with the first of 10 scheduled concert dates in London. • The singer is reportedly focusing on her professional commitments despite facing personal problems at home. • This tour represents a significant final push for the artist before she intends to "step back" from public life.

Council leaders say crumbling infrastructure and lack of water are jeopardising government’s plans for new homesThe government’s housebuilding agenda is hitting the stark reality of a lack of water and crumbling infrastructure across the east and south-east of England.Half the country was declared to be in serious drought this week, for the second consecutive year, with the Environment Agency warning of dire consequences for the economy, environment and wildlife. Continue reading...

• A new report indicates that American and European companies are increasingly replacing high-end US AI models with more affordable Chinese alternatives to reduce operational costs. • Major global brands, including Silicon Valley startups like DoorDash and Airbnb, as well as the German engineering firm Siemens, have reportedly adopted these Chinese AI tools. • This shift highlights a critical economic challenge for US AI labs, as the high cost of running sophisticated models is driving businesses toward cheaper competitors.

• Big Tech giants including Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Oracle issued a combined $159 billion in debt during the first five months of the year to fund expansive AI projects. • According to Bank of America, Big Tech's share of the total US corporate bond market reached a record high of over 8% by the end of May. • This surge in borrowing is driven by the massive capital requirements of AI infrastructure, with SemiAnalysis estimating the AI debt market could swell to $7 trillion by 2029.

• The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) issued a warning in its 2026 report regarding a potential AI bubble burst and escalating risks within private credit markets. • The report highlights concerns over the rapid growth of debt-funded capital expenditures (capex) used to build AI infrastructure. • This trend is significant as it could trigger a systemic credit event, potentially fueling inflation and exacerbating existing fiscal instabilities.

Official statement offers the most detailed official account yet of the highly unusual and fatal incident in BeijingChinese authorities said the man who flew a small plane into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper last week was a 66-year-old who had mental health problems.The statement published on Thursday offered the most detailed official account yet of the highly unusual incident that occurred in Beijing’s central business district on the evening of 26 June. Continue reading...

• New Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin M. Warsh has pledged to restore price stability to combat ongoing U.S. inflation problems. • Internal divisions have emerged within the central bank regarding whether achieving this stability will necessitate higher borrowing costs. • Warsh is currently opposing the practice of sending explicit signals to the public about the future path of monetary policy.

• Margarida Ramos argues that the EU's push for "Made in Europe" AI risks incurring unsustainable costs for public budgets, workers, and the environment. • European companies like Mistral are lobbying for "Buy European AI" procurement preferences, tax incentives, and deregulation to drive demand for homegrown systems. • Mistral frames the development of domestic AI as a "collective duty" necessary to ensure technology reflects European values and wins the global AI race.

Soaring cost of building materials, lack of affordability and planning bottlenecks are some of the obstacles thwarting housing targetAt South and City College in Birmingham, dozens of young people clad in hi-vis vests and hard hats are building mini-walls and plastering half-formed rooms.Some weave in and out of stacks of bricks with wheelbarrows, while others use spirit levels to check the walls are straight and flat. In a few days time, these walls will be demolished and the plastering scraped away, for a new class to come in and try their hands. Continue reading...

Prime minister says ban would come into force next year and calls for united action across European UnionGreece has announced a social media ban for under-15s from 1 January, with the country’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems and the addictive design of online platforms – although he acknowledged it may incur the wrath of some children.“We have decided to go ahead with a difficult but necessary measure: ban access to social media for children under 15 years old,” he said in a TikTok video intended to address a young audience. Continue reading...

Research finds cockapoo, cavapoo and labradoodle dogs display more undesirable behaviours than breeds they derive fromThe UK has oodles of doodles but a study might offer paws for thought: researchers have found some of these designer crossbreed dogs show more behavioural problems than the pure breeds from which they derive.Crosses between poodles and other dog breeds have become increasingly popular in the UK, with research suggesting the trend is – at least in part – driven by the expectation such dogs will be hypoallergenic, healthy and good with children. Continue reading...