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The Book Review It's difficult in 2026 to talk about Iran without confronting a lot of crude certainty. The average non-Iranian gets their information in snippets, filtered by algorithms. The Iranian diaspora is too fractured and traumatised to educate everyone. And the regime has muffled the voices inside its borders, responding to every major uprising with internet blackouts that hide both the people's rage and its own violent response. The History of Iran's Recent Past Bozorgmehr Sharafedin and Yeganeh Torbati's powerful history of the Islamic republic is a badly needed corrective because it is at once an engrossing story and a balanced, meticulously researched primer on modern Iran (the clearest I've ever read). And it is dramatic, personal and often heartbreaking, told through six lives lived at the forefront of the Iranian people's almost five-decade struggle with a corrupt regime that has stolen their freedoms, votes and many thousands of their lives. The 1979 Revolution and Its Aftermath In the 1979 revolution that toppled the Shah, the clerics united Iran's many unhappy factions by promising independence from western influence and economic prosperity (the first supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, 'declared that 'no one must remain without a dwelling in this country' and promised to ensure free electricity and water for the poor'). But, in the place of the monarchy, Khomeini and his acolytes built a mafia state that instituted gender apartheid, worsened every social injustice, killed the arts, decimated living standards, and isolated Iranians from the global culture and economy. The Rise of the Hardliners As they slowly push the reformists out, the hardliners stop pretending to be running a democracy. High-level bureaucrats flaunt their wealth more boldly. The clerics empower 'the [Revolutionary] Guards to enrich themselves', turning a military police force into a business empire that competes for government contracts and runs smuggling networks to overcome sanctions. The Future of Iran These movements are homegrown and deep-rooted, each building on the lessons and mistakes of previous generations. In present-day Iran, it's no longer religious minorities or women or young liberals protesting: it is Muslims, old men, parents, the poor. Stolen Revolution is a careful and unwavering account of the regime's absurdities and crimes. It should be required reading for anyone who cares about human rights or justice in the Middle East.

The Uncharted Territory of Women's Pornography Just as there is a lack of pornography made by women, there is a lack of books about making pornography written by women. Recent nonfiction titles such as Polly Barton’s Porn: An Oral History and Fiona Vera-Gray’s Women on Porn have sought to address the silence and moral confusion, while Rufi Thorpe’s novel Margo’s Got Money Troubles imagined a student mum paying her way with OnlyFans. Into the Neon-Lit Underworld of 80s LA Allie Rowbottom, author of a memoir, Jell-O Girls, and a novel, Aesthetica, braves the dicey terrain in her sleazy, cinematic second novel. Published into a contemporary landscape where algorithms promote increasingly extreme content, Lovers XXX takes us to the so-called golden age of the Los Angeles porn industry, through the eyes of two teenage runaways who trade troubled homes for big-city dreams. The Dark Side of Desire and Power The obvious preoccupations of any porn industry narrative are: how do you get into it? What is it like? And how do you get out? Rowbottom answers these questions and more in a hurtling trip through LA’s early 1980s underworld. It’s a neon-lit, tobacco-stained scene as dusted with cocaine and packed with toupeed men touting “modelling” work as your wildest Boogie Nights fantasies might conjure; a place where desire is shaped by men, for men, yet which runs on an endless supply of disposable women. A Mirrored Structure and Divergent Journeys The novel uses a mirroring structure, the first half opening with Jude searching for Winnie and the second with Winnie, 30 years later, on a mission to discover what happened to Jude, who vanishes in 1984. As Winnie retraces Jude’s steps, she must confront the industry she has struggled to outrun. A Reckless Joyride into Youthful Longing and Hedonism Lovers XXX is a reckless joyride into youthful longing and hedonism, and their bruising flipside. In its humane, heady portrayal of lives on the margins, and its evocative sense of place, it recalls the films of Sean Baker and the novels of Emma Cline – and is presided over by the ghost of Eve Babitz.

The Unexpected Leftward Walking Bias UncoveredScientists observed that, when asked to start walking in an empty or everyday space, most people drift counter‑clockwise. The phenomenon was first noticed during pandemic‑era crowd‑density experiments and has since been confirmed in controlled laboratory settings.Laboratory and Real‑World Experiments Reveal Counter‑Clockwise TendencyDr Iñaki Echeverría Huarte at the University of Navarra led a series of tests where individual pedestrians and small groups moved around enclosed areas. The same left‑turn bias emerged when the team collaborated with Dr Claudio Feliciani at the University of Tokyo, replicating the effect in Japan.Observed in museums, supermarkets, and empty rooms.Consistent across right‑handed, right‑footed, and right‑eye‑dominant participants.More pronounced in children than adults.Quantifying the Bias Across Age and CultureWhile the study did not publish exact percentages, the researchers noted that the bias appeared in the majority of trials across both Spanish and Japanese cohorts. The effect persisted regardless of gender and remained after accounting for dominant side preferences.Implications for Crowd Management, Architecture, and SportsThe discovery suggests that current crowd‑evacuation simulations may underestimate natural rotation patterns, potentially affecting the design of public spaces such as museums, supermarkets, train stations, and stadiums. In athletics, the historic shift to anticlockwise running tracks may reflect the same underlying human asymmetry.Future Research Directions and Potential ApplicationsFurther work will explore virtual‑reality scenarios, simulated injuries (e.g., pretending a leg is broken), and possible biomechanical or neurological origins. Understanding the bias could improve safety protocols, inform architectural layout, and inspire new studies on lateral preferences in other species, such as the left‑turn bias observed in rock ants.

County Cricket: Surrey v Hampshire, Day Four Live UpdateThe final day of this one-off match is underway, with the game drifting towards a draw, especially if the weather intervenes again. Hampshire have had a tumultuous season, and the match is set to start at 11am.The Match UpdateThe fallout from previous drinking sessions at the White Horse pub and Rex Rooms continues to drift. There are related articles about Ben Stokes being left out of the England squad for the second New Zealand Test.The Key Events6 minutes ago: Preamble - The final day's play is about to begin.

The Lead The Indian state of West Bengal, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has begun a crackdown on undocumented Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, sparking fears of religious persecution and straining diplomatic relations between the two countries. West Bengal's Deportation Drive West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered the deportation of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants, a move that has already resulted in the deportation of nearly 5,000 people. The state's BJP government has established holding centers to detain and eventually deport those who are deemed to be illegally residing in India. The Data Analysis According to police officers, around 250-300 undocumented refugees and migrants have been arriving daily at the Hakimpur border checkpoint, where authorities are verifying their citizenship and recording their biometric details. Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Shama Obaid has stated that India has sent '12 to 13 letters' regarding the issue, and that Dhaka has warned that the crackdown could affect relations between the two countries. The Impact Analysis The deportation of mainly Muslim Bangladeshi migrants is stoking religious tensions in West Bengal, where 27 percent of the population is Muslim. Human rights groups have termed India's move as 'completely unethical' and have expressed concerns about the treatment of detainees. The BJP's targeting of Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants has been criticized as part of a larger policy of marginalizing and persecuting India's 200 million Muslims. The Prediction The ongoing crackdown is likely to continue to strain diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, with Dhaka calling for an adherence to established procedures to verify the nationality of undocumented migrants. The situation may also lead to increased tensions between the two countries, potentially affecting the rights and well-being of Muslim migrants and Indian Muslims alike.

The Knicks' Championship QuestAs a lifelong Knicks fan who remembers the team's last championship in 1973, I've been waiting 53 years for another title. This 2026 Knicks team is different and very special to me. The NBA started in cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston, with the Knicks being one of the original franchises. While they've had periods of success, including multiple finals appearances in the 1950s and 1970s, the team has also endured long droughts.In the 1970s, the Knicks resembled the United Nations with diverse players who all got along and played selflessly. My first basketball superhero was Willis Reed – The Captain – alongside Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Earl the Pearl and Jerry Lucas. They represented New York's melting pot, showing that different people could work together and win.A Legacy of DeterminationHistory matters because it keeps the present from being a mystery. When it comes to the current Knicks, we're talking about the same city, the same team, the same colors, playing in the same building on 7th and 34th. How can we not think about the past? How can you not think about time?When you talk about Victor Wembanyama, I remember seeing Lew Alcindor in his first year and hearing similar things about him. But if the Knicks win this championship, it would be the biggest celebration in New York since the Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series in 1955. That victory was remembered forever, and this one would be too.The Spurs' Youthful ChallengeThe San Antonio Spurs represent a different kind of team – younger and less experienced. The Knicks went up 2-0 in San Antonio, but then lost Game 3 at home at Madison Square Garden. Now it's time to bounce back.For me, a championship this season would be a culmination of a 10-year climb with the pandemic in the middle. There was 2016-2020, then the pandemic, followed by 2020-2026. Every year, the Knicks have gained a little – adding guys like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and KAT. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script.Desperation vs. EnergyI don't believe a young veteran team like New York will lose to a team that's really green like the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks have players who look like they're playing as if the other team is trying to take food away from them.The Knicks have players who are at the pinnacle, making names for themselves – Mitch Robinson, Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet. Landry's probably looking to get his first big paycheck. When you're 28, 29, you're fighting for your life. And when you get all those vets on the same page, it's hard to beat.The Final ChapterEven if the Knicks do lose, the story continues. You don't know what the story is until you arrive at the end. But I think it is time to close this chapter. For the Knicks, the opportunity is right here.The Spurs may be able to match the energy but not the desperation. We'll see in Game 4 and beyond whether this 53-year drought finally comes to an end in New York's favor.

Argentina aims for historic back‑to‑back World Cup titlesDefending champions Argentina enter the 2026 tournament with the ambition to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy. With a FIFA ranking of 3 and a legacy of three titles (1978, 1986, 2022), the team leans on both experience and a new generation of players. Messi’s evolving role as the tournament’s focal pointAt 39 years old, Lionel Messi is expected to start the opening match against Algeria on June 16. A minor hamstring issue may limit his minutes, shifting his contribution from pure goal‑scoring to leadership, set‑piece threat, and psychological presence. Opening game: Argentina vs Algeria – Kansas City, Missouri – 9 pm ET (01:00 GMT, June 17)Group matches: vs Austria (June 22, 1 pm ET) and vs Jordan (June 27, 10 pm ET) Squad composition and age profile: numbers that matterThe 26‑man roster features a blend of seasoned winners and youthful prospects: Veterans: 17 of the 26 players who lifted the 2022 trophyTop scorer in Serie A: Lautaro Martínez (17 goals)Messi’s records: 13 World Cup goals, 26 appearances – all‑time Argentine leaderEmerging talent: Nico Paz (Como), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg) Strategic implications for Argentina and global footballScaloni’s stability since 2018 has given Argentina a clear identity. The mix of world‑class midfielders (Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul) and a goalkeeper with a strong penalty‑shootout pedigree (Emiliano Martínez) provides tactical flexibility. However, the group presents challenges: Algeria (ranked 28) and Austria (ranked 24) are capable of upsets, echoing the Saudi surprise in 2022. Outlook: Can Scaloni repeat history?Al Jazeera predicts a semifinal run, noting that Argentina’s quality can carry them deep even if Messi’s impact wanes. Success would make Lionel Scaloni the first manager since Vittorio Pozzo (1934‑38) to win consecutive World Cups, cementing his legacy alongside Messi’s final international chapter.

Protest Flashpoint: Knife Attack Sparks Citywide UnrestOn Tuesday evening, 10 June 2026, anti‑immigration protesters ignited a bus, several cars and a building on the edge of Belfast's city centre, prompting police helicopters to patrol the sky and shops to close early.Details of the Night‑time DemonstrationsHundreds of masked demonstrators gathered at multiple locations across Belfast.A bus and several private vehicles were set alight.A residential building caught fire, forcing the evacuation of its occupants.Police deployed aerial surveillance via helicopters to monitor the situation.Scale of the DisorderWhile exact casualty figures were not released, the incident involved:Hundreds of participants.Destruction of at least one bus and multiple cars.Fire damage to a residential structure.Political Reverberations Across the United KingdomBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the preceding knife attack as “sickening”. The unrest follows a series of high‑profile incidents that have heightened immigration debates, including the murder of a student who died while handcuffed to police. Populist parties such as Reform UK and Restore Britain have leveraged these events to boost poll numbers, while Northern Ireland’s political leaders and the chief constable urged calm and warned against hate‑driven incitement.Potential Trajectory of Anti‑immigration SentimentIf the current climate persists, anti‑immigration rhetoric may continue to shape electoral dynamics in the UK, especially in regions like Northern Ireland where past protests have already occurred. Authorities are likely to increase security measures ahead of any forthcoming elections, and policymakers may face pressure to revisit asylum and immigration legislation.

The Incident A Spidercam, a type of aerial camera used to capture footage from above sports events, crashed onto the pitch during a match in Hungary. The incident occurred on June 10, 2026, and was reported by Al Jazeera. Disruption to the Game The crash caused a disruption to the game, although the extent of the damage and any potential injuries are not yet clear. Spidercams are commonly used in sports broadcasting to provide unique angles and perspectives, but this incident highlights the risks involved in using such technology. Safety Concerns The incident raises concerns about the safety of players, officials, and spectators at sports events. Investigations into the cause of the crash are likely to be conducted to prevent similar incidents in the future. Future Implications The crash may lead to a re-evaluation of the use of Spidercams and other aerial technology in sports broadcasting. This could result in changes to safety protocols and regulations governing the use of such equipment.