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President Donald Trump's 2027 budget proposal has drawn sharp criticism for its stark prioritization of military spending over healthcare and social welfare programs, despite the US facing a crisis of deaths from avoidable causes. The budget proposes a $1.5 trillion military expenditure, a significant increase from previous years, while cutting the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget by 12%.The US faces a grim reality in healthcare, with deaths from treatable conditions nearly twice the rate of countries like Spain, France, Japan, and Australia. Many Americans struggle to access healthcare due to cost, with the US having the highest out-of-pocket expenses for medical services among its peers. The proposed budget cuts to HHS and other non-defense programs will likely exacerbate these issues.Trump's budget plan also slashes funding for programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, potentially leaving 15 million Americans without health insurance, according to analysts. The administration's justification for these cuts includes claims of corruption and wasteful spending in certain programs.The budget proposal has been seen as a betrayal by many Americans who supported Trump based on his promises to help working-class individuals. The data suggests that if Trump continues to ignore the needs of his base, he may soon lose their support. American men and women are dying, and these individuals are also Trump's voters.The Pentagon's recent spending on conflicts, such as the war against Iran, has been substantial, with estimates suggesting $12.7 billion in the first six days and $28 billion in just over five weeks. The budget proposal's focus on military spending raises concerns about the impact on the US economy and society.

Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King of boxing, has once again called out Anthony Joshua for a highly anticipated superfight, but the question remains: will it ever happen? The two British boxing legends have been talking about facing each other for over 10 years, but the bout has been plagued by delays, postponements, and cancellations. Following his dominant victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury expressed his desire to fight Joshua next, stating, "I've no idea" if the fight will happen. Despite Joshua's presence ringside, he refused to give a definitive answer, citing the need for time to recover from a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Fury, who has been chasing Joshua for a decade, sounded perplexed by Joshua's evasive response. "He didn't give an answer," Fury said. "In my opinion, he didn't want no smoke. He didn't look like he wanted it. He was shell-shocked." Fury emphasized that he has given Joshua the respect and space he deserves, especially after his recent personal tragedy. Joshua, on the other hand, appeared dismissive, stating "Contracts are being sent over and you’ll probably see us in the ring next, more than likely." When asked if he needed a warm-up fight, Joshua quipped, "Good question. That [Fury] could be a warmup fight, based on what I saw tonight." Fury dismissed the suggestion that Joshua needed a proper test against a real boxer before stepping into the ring with him. "It’s another stumbling block. He’s just knocked a man spark out," Fury said. "I’ve just come off a win. Let’s get it on. He’s 36. I’m 37. What’s the holdup?" The two fighters have had a long and complicated history, with Fury noting, "If it ain’t Anthony Joshua next I’m not interested in boxing. I’ll eat a thousand Easter eggs, go up to 35 stone. I’m out. It’s either him or I’m gone again. I’m not interested in up-and-comers. I’m not interested in someone trying to prove a point over me. I don’t care about rankings or belts. I only care now about AJ. That’s the defining fight for British boxing."

Wout van Aert broke a ten‑year drought at the Paris‑Roubaix on Sunday, out‑sprinting world champion Tadej Pogacar in one of cycling’s toughest cobbled classics. Both Van Aert and Pogacar suffered punctures during the race, as did their fellow Belgian rival Mathieu van der Poel, who endured two mechanical issues and was unable to contest the final sprint. Van Aert’s victory secured his second Monument title, following his 2020 Milan‑San Remo win. After neutralising Pogacar’s repeated attacks on the cobbles, Van Aert unleashed a decisive burst of speed on the Roubaix Velodrome, crossing the line ahead of the world champion. Jasper Stuyven completed the podium, finishing 13 seconds behind the winner. Van der Poel, who was chasing a fourth consecutive Paris‑Roubaix triumph, fell to fourth place after a mechanical problem on a treacherous sector cost him more than two minutes. “It’s everything to me, it’s been a goal since I first did this race. I stopped believing a lot of times but I would start believing again the next day,” Van Aert said, reflecting on the personal significance of the win after years of bad luck in the “Queen of the Classics.” The Visma‑Lease a Bike rider dedicated his victory to former teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically died after a cardiac arrest in the 2018 edition of the race. “Arriving for a final sprint with the world champion and beating him in a sprint is very special,” he added. Pogacar entered the race after clinching the first two Monument classics of the season – the Milan‑San Remo and the Tour of Flanders – and was aiming to become the first Tour de France champion to win Paris‑Roubaix since Bernard Hinault in 1981.

The story of Eva Dumani, a 20-year-old Albanian woman who was kidnapped at the age of nine and held in a Syrian camp for 12 years, has shed light on the plight of thousands of foreign nationals still detained in similar conditions. Dumani's emotional reunion with her uncle, Xhetan Ndregjoni, after escaping from the al-Hawl camp, has highlighted the urgent need for governments to repatriate their citizens held in these camps. The collapse of al-Hawl camp and the uncertainty over the future of the smaller al-Roj facility have raised concerns about the security and well-being of those left behind, including women and children from over 40 countries with alleged ties to Islamic State. According to Devorah Margolin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, governments can no longer ignore the issue and must take proactive steps to repatriate their citizens and provide them with trauma-informed care and reintegration support. The humanitarian crisis in these camps has been well-documented, with Human Rights Watch describing the conditions as “inhuman, degrading, and life-threatening”. Many women and children have been held without charge or trial for years, and there are concerns about their vulnerability to exploitation and recruitment by extremist groups. In a recent development, Belgium has arrested a woman charged in absentia for IS membership upon her return from Syria, while Australian authorities are working to repatriate over 30 Australians who attempted to leave the al-Roj camp. The Albanian government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with Ndregjoni calling on the government to bring back home the remaining Albanians still trapped in northern Syria.

Malina Lee, a 31‑year‑old wedding baker from San Antonio, joined TikTok in 2020 to pass the lockdown‑induced boredom and promote her business. Four years later, an anonymous commenter called “PickleFart” noticed an asymmetrical neck in one of her videos and suggested she check for a goiter.The tip proved accurate: doctors confirmed thyroid cancer. Lee received prompt treatment and, within a year, was declared cancer‑free. She told the outlet that her oncologist was amazed at how early the disease was caught, crediting the TikTok comment as the catalyst.Lee’s experience is part of a growing trend where TikTok’s hyper‑targeted algorithm surfaces health‑related content that resonates with users’ unnoticed symptoms. In several cases, community members have flagged potential conditions that clinicians initially missed.The “PickleFart” persona belongs to Billie Jean Tuomi, who calls herself the “thyroid avenger.” A thyroid‑cancer survivor herself (diagnosed in 2012), Tuomi now scans videos for neck asymmetry and gently advises creators to seek a thyroid panel—a blood test measuring hormone levels and antibodies. The American Thyroid Association recommends adults start routine thyroid testing at age 35, or annually for high‑risk individuals.Tuomi estimates she has flagged dozens of videos, with at least four confirmed serious thyroid issues, including Lee’s. She stresses she does not claim to diagnose, merely urges viewers to consult a physician. After a viral comment, she received a flood of private messages with neck photos, prompting her to change her username.Lee, inspired by Tuomi’s intervention, has begun commenting on other users’ videos, helping one individual discover an enlarged thyroid that required removal. She describes the process as a “domino effect” of community‑driven health awareness.Medical professionals acknowledge the double‑edged nature of this phenomenon. Craig Mittleman, director of emergency services at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, notes a rise in patients arriving with self‑diagnoses sourced from social media. While this can empower patients to ask informed questions, it also burdens clinicians with debunking misinformation.Gender disparities amplify the issue: research shows women are more likely to seek health information online, often after feeling dismissed by traditional providers. TikTok user Tori Mosser, a 23‑year‑old filmmaker, credits a direct message suggesting chronic appendicitis for prompting surgery that resolved her chronic vomiting episodes.Both Lee and Mosser emphasize the therapeutic value of finding a supportive community on TikTok, especially for invisible or chronic illnesses that are frequently minimized in clinical settings.

The latest analysis by HR consultancy Hamilton Nash shows that 54 employment tribunals in England, Scotland and Wales cited remote‑working issues in 2025 – a 13% decline from the previous year and the first drop since the pandemic began.This marks the end of a six‑year upward trend during which tribunal filings related to remote work surged tenfold from the pre‑COVID baseline of 2019. The number of cases peaked at 62 in 2024 but fell sharply to just six in 2025.According to the Office for National Statistics, 28% of working‑age adults in Great Britain now operate in a hybrid model, splitting time between a traditional office and another location such as home. Yet many large employers, notably financial giants Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, have intensified return‑to‑office mandates, with some demanding five days a week on site.Employment experts attribute the unexpected dip to broader labour‑market dynamics. The UK unemployment rate rose to a near five‑year high of 5.2% in Q4 2025, while job vacancies have continued to fall, shifting bargaining power back toward employers. As Jim Moore, employee‑relations partner at Hamilton Nash, explains, “Top talent did vote with their feet for a while, but that has changed because of wider issues in the labour market and people saying: ‘I am going to stay put and keep my head down.’”Legislative changes may also be curbing tribunal filings. The amended Employment Relations Act, which introduced a right to request flexible working from day one of a new job in April 2024, appears to encourage employees to resolve disputes internally rather than through the courts.Moore warns that tribunal numbers represent “the tip of the iceberg,” noting that much workplace conflict never reaches a public hearing. Adding to employer confidence, a 2024 tribunal decision rejected a senior manager’s claim against the Financial Conduct Authority for the right to work entirely from home, a ruling that, according to Hill Dickinson partner Padma Tadi‑Booth, “may give some encouragement to employers” to tighten office‑attendance policies.Consequently, some firms are already planning to raise on‑site requirements, moving from two to three days a week or mandating a higher percentage of total working hours in the office.Nevertheless, the backlog of employment tribunals remains a significant hurdle. Over 500,000 cases were pending last year, and claimants can expect waits of up to three years for a hearing, potentially deterring future filings.

Asha Bhosle, the iconic voice of Bollywood, passed away at age 92 after being hospitalized in Mumbai with severe exhaustion and a chest infection, her family confirmed.Her son, Anand Bhosle, told reporters that his mother died on Sunday and that her last rites would be performed the following day at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.Over a career that stretched across nearly eight decades, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs, pioneering cabaret and Western‑influenced styles that broadened the sonic palette of Indian cinema.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, noting that her "extraordinary musical journey" enriched the nation’s cultural heritage and will continue to inspire future generations.Born on 8 September 1933 into a musical family, she was the younger sister of the celebrated vocalist Lata Mangeshkar, often referred to as “India’s nightingale.” While comparisons were inevitable, Bhosle forged a distinct path, embracing genres from pop to folk.Her early years were marked by hardship, including a turbulent marriage at the age of 16, yet she rose to become one of Indian cinema’s most versatile singers, earning the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and receiving two Grammy nominations.Even in her later years, Bhosle remained artistically active, collaborating with the British virtual band Gorillaz on their album The Mountain, demonstrating her enduring global appeal.Beyond music, she pursued a passion for cuisine, establishing the Asha’s restaurant chain in Dubai and the United Kingdom, further cementing her status as a cultural entrepreneur.Agence France‑Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report.

Texas is expanding its global reach with the launch of a new office in London, aimed at attracting UK businesses and investment to the low-tax Lone Star State. The office, led by James Taylor, one of the founders of the Austin-based lobbying and public relations firm Vianovo, is part of Texas's efforts to lure corporate heavyweights across its borders.The new site adds to a growing list of international offices from which Texas can try to draw businesses. Texas charges neither corporation nor income tax, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to relocate or expand.Lobbyists working in the London office will court UK bosses with incentives including new, fast-track business courts and multimillion-dollar subsidies. Their targets are expected to include the City's banks and investment houses, as the state aims to build on Dallas's financial-sector boom.The ambitions have caught the attention of the City of London Corporation, with the City's mayor, Susan Langley, discussing how London could tap into excitement over the launch later this year of the state's first dedicated stock market, the TXSE. “With the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange, new dual-listing opportunities could connect British and Texan firms to fresh capital,” she said.The news comes as London tries to reverse a trend where businesses have been abandoning the UK stock market, choosing either to go private or shift their listings to hubs overseas, including New York.Texas has already had success luring jobs and investment from rival US states, including California, Delaware, and New York. Texas has overtaken California in having the largest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters of any American state, with companies like Oracle, Tesla, X Corp, and SpaceX having moved to the state in recent years.A spokesperson for Governor Greg Abbott's office said: “Texas has long had a global presence, with offices in Mexico and most recently in Taiwan designed to attract foreign direct investment and job creation into Texas, while also helping Texas companies export worldwide.”

Ali Majed Hamadneh, 23, was killed after Israeli settlers opened fire during a raid on the West Bank village of Deir Jarir, north‑east of Ramallah, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported on Saturday. He was transported to the Palestine Medical Complex in critical condition and later succumbed to his gunshot wounds.The Palestinian news agency Wafa described the attack as carried out by "armed colonists, under the protection of Israeli forces," who entered the village from its western entrance and fired on residents. The Israeli military has not issued an immediate comment.This raid occurs just two days after Israel approved 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move denounced by the Palestinian Presidency, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union as a breach of international law.Since assuming office in 2022, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right‑wing government has sanctioned at least 102 settlements, a marked increase compared with previous administrations. All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.Violence in the West Bank has escalated sharply since Israel's war in Gaza began in October 2023, and a further spike in deadly settler attacks has been reported since the United States‑Israel conflict with Iran started at the end of February, according to Palestinian authorities and the United Nations.While settler assaults have persisted for years, the recent surge has drawn criticism from influential rabbis, settler leaders, and Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir, who labeled the attacks "morally and ethically unacceptable."