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Jack White’s ‘These Thoughts May Disappear’ Opens at Newport Street GalleryThe former White Stripes frontman debuted his first solo visual‑art show at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery on 4 June 2026. The exhibition, titled These Thoughts May Disappear, pairs White’s custom‑designed amplifiers with a series of brightly coloured installations that reference De Stijl, American folk motifs and Hirst‑style readymades.Conceptual Ambitions Meet Rock‑Star AestheticsWhite enlisted fellow high‑profile artists – Ai Weiwei inscribed an amp with the F‑word, while Hirst contributed a rotting‑cow‑head amp and a floating ping‑pong ball. The catalogue, a luxurious hardback, features an interview by renowned curator Hans Ulrich Obrist. Despite the star‑studded collaborations, critics describe the works as “glossy, decorative japes” that fail to engage the deeper musical heritage White often cites.Exhibition Metrics and Catalogue HighlightsOpening date: 4 June 2026Closing date: 13 September 2026Catalogue: hardback, includes interview with Hans Ulrich ObristKey collaborators: Damien Hirst, Ai WeiweiNotable pieces: custom amp with F‑word buttons, De Stijl‑inspired sofa prototypes, pallet installations echoing Jasper JohnsWhat the Show Signals for the Music‑Art CrossoverThe exhibition underscores a growing trend of musicians leveraging gallery space to extend their brand, yet it also highlights the risk of “art‑rock” projects that prioritize spectacle over substance. While White’s musical legacy – from the iconic Seven Nation Army riff to his $300,000 acquisition of an Elvis acetate – remains influential, the art world’s reception suggests a gap between rock credibility and contemporary curatorial standards.Looking Ahead: White’s Next Creative MoveGiven the lukewarm critical response, White may pivot back toward music‑centric experiences, perhaps integrating live performance with immersive installations. For Damien Hirst, the episode could prompt a reassessment of celebrity‑driven exhibitions at Newport Street, reinforcing the need for curatorial rigor when high‑profile collaborations are on display.

The Lead: Trump's Wartime Coal Funding InitiativePresident Donald Trump is utilizing the Defense Production Act, a cold war-era statute typically reserved for national emergencies, to allocate $700 million in grants to coal-fired power plants across the United States. This move represents the latest effort by the administration to bolster what Trump calls "clean, beautiful coal," despite scientific consensus that coal remains the dirtiest of fossil fuels and a leading contributor to climate change.The Defense Production Act: A Novel Application for CoalTrump's announcement came during a White House press conference where he detailed how the $700 million investment would protect 14 coal plants and 42 coal mines across 10 states that all voted for him in the previous election. The funds will also finance the construction of two new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia, as well as a new coal export terminal in Oakland, California, and the restart of an existing facility in Maryland."As a result of the $700m investment that I'm announcing today, we will protect 14 coal plants and 42 coalmines, a tremendous number, and build two new coal plants and one massive new export terminal," Trump stated.The administration's attempts to provide a cuddly rebranding to coal have even extended to creating a new mascot with giant eyes, called Coalie, and gushing social media posts that include an image of a lump of coal wearing sunglasses as if it were on the TV show Love Island."You're not allowed to say 'coal' within the Trump administration unless it's preceded by the words 'clean, beautiful,'" Trump said on Thursday. "Complicates our life, but it's good."Financial Implications: Cost of Coal vs. RenewablesDespite Trump's claims that the initiative will lower energy costs, energy experts maintain that coal plants are more expensive to build and operate than renewable power sources. The administration has previously doled out hundreds of millions of dollars to the coal industry, signed orders forcing ratepayers to pay extra for aging plants to remain operational, and dismantled environmental regulations limiting toxins from coal.The coal industry, however, applauded the new order, with Rich Nolan, chief executive of the National Mining Association, arguing that "coal generation shields consumers from the impacts of volatile energy prices and supply challenges" and will help meet increased electricity demand from the artificial intelligence sector.Environmental and Health ConsequencesEnvironmental groups have strongly criticized the administration's latest aid for coal, with Patrick Drupp of the Sierra Club calling it "disgusting and reprehensible" that taxpayer dollars are being given to "deadly and expensive coal plants that will make Americans sicker and drive up electricity prices even more."Scientific evidence shows coal is the most carbon-dense fossil fuel and a leading cause of the climate crisis when burned. Research has estimated that as many as 460,000 deaths in the US from 1999 to 2020 were attributable to air pollution from coal plants alone, which releases tiny toxic particles that sicken miners and trigger widespread respiratory and heart health problems.Future Outlook: Coal's Declining Market ShareDespite Trump's efforts to revive the coal industry, the sector continues to face significant headwinds. US coal production is currently less than half of what it was in 2008, with coal declining as both a fuel for electricity and as an input for manufacturing materials. The number of people working in coal has declined by more than 90% in the past century, with more people now employed at Waffle House restaurants across the US than in coal mining.Environmental advocates question the long-term viability of Trump's coal strategy, with Kit Kennedy of the Natural Resources Defense Council asking, "What's next, a taxpayer bailout to build new phone booths?" She characterized the move as "going to mean higher bills and dirtier air," calling it "a waste" of taxpayer resources.

The Omitted XIWith every squad for the World Cup 2026 now finalised, we take a look at the star players who have been snubbed. Meet the Star Players Watching from the SofaThe reactions to the omissions were fascinating, with some players expressing their disappointment on social media.Lucas Chevalier (France): The goalkeeper had a brutal season after a €40m move from Lille to PSG.Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands): The right-back suffered from being played out of position by Arne Slot at Liverpool.António Silva (Portugal): The 22-year-old centre-back fell out of favour for club and country at the worst possible time.Dean Huijsen (Spain): The Dutch-born defender's decision to switch allegiance after a youth career with the Netherlands looks to be a gaffe.Alejandro Balde (Spain): The left-back can feel unlucky to miss out with 42 appearances in all competitions for La Liga champions Barcelona.The Midfield SnubsAdam Wharton (England): The central midfielder was surprisingly left out of the England squad.Eduardo Camavinga (France): The 23-year-old is another Madrid casualty, with France's squad being stacked.Diego Luna (USA): The central midfielder was informed via email by Mauricio Pochettino that he was out, despite seven goal involvements in 16 internationals.The Forwards Left OutMika Godts (Belgium): The wonderkid can play off both flanks but his versatility and goal contributions for Ajax were not enough.Morgan Gibbs-White (England): The left wing player was arguably the best player in the Premier League in 2026.João Pedro (Brazil): The striker was player of the year for a mid-table Premier League side but didn't make it to the Brazil squad.

White House Unveils Alien.gov to Centralize UAP InformationThe administration announced the launch of alien.gov, a dedicated online hub for all publicly releasable information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The site arrives after years of congressional hearings and public demand for greater openness about the government’s investigations into UFO sightings.Purpose and Structure of the New Alien.gov PortalProvides a searchable database of de‑classified UAP reports.Offers explanatory material on the scientific and security frameworks used to assess sightings.Includes a FAQ section to address common public questions.Features a contact form for citizens to submit new sightings or request further details.Funding and Resource Allocation for the InitiativeThe White House has not disclosed a specific budget for alien.gov, stating only that the site is supported by existing resources within the Office of the Press Secretary and the Department of Defense’s UAP task force. No additional appropriations have been announced at this stage.Implications for Government Transparency and Public TrustBy consolidating UAP data in a single, publicly accessible platform, the administration aims to:Demonstrate responsiveness to bipartisan congressional inquiries.Reduce speculation and misinformation surrounding UFO reports.Strengthen public confidence in the government’s handling of national‑security‑related anomalies.Critics note that the site’s reliance on de‑classified material may still leave many high‑profile cases out of public view.Future Steps: Expected Updates and Legislative OversightOfficials indicated that alien.gov will be updated regularly as new reports are cleared for release. Ongoing oversight by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform is expected to shape the site’s content and ensure compliance with transparency standards. The administration has signaled that further legislative action could provide dedicated funding and expand the portal’s capabilities.

The Proposal for a Permanent UFC Arena Donald Trump has floated the idea of permanently keeping the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) arena that is being constructed on the White House South Lawn for a series of fights later this month. Comparing the UFC Arena to the Eiffel Tower In a video posted on his official TikTok account on Tuesday, the president likened the structure to the Eiffel Tower, saying, "People don’t know that in Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889 it was built. It was supposed to be taken down immediately after the world’s fair, and then they said, ‘You know we sort of like it, let’s leave it up a little bit longer’, and then they said, ‘Let’s leave it up longer and longer and longer." The Event Details “Well, they never took it down, and you know we’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people. It’s going to have the big UFC fight on 14 June, and I’m looking at it and maybe we’ll never ever take it down.” The Financial Investment The UFC is covering the cost of construction. Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group Holdings, UFC’s parent company, has said that the production of the card – including construction, fighter pay and fan gatherings – is likely to cost at least $60m and that the event will not turn a profit. UFC president Dana White added that his organization will spend an estimated $700,000 to restore the grass on the South Lawn after the event. The Impact on the White House Trump told reporters last month that the arena will be able to hold 4,500 spectators for the event – most of them military members with no public tickets available. An additional 75,000 to 100,000 people will be able to watch on screens from the Ellipsis near the White House. The Future of the UFC Arena The Freedom 250 card, which has received a lukewarm reception from fighters and fans, will feature two title fights: Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje for the lightweight belt and Alex Pereira v Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title.

The Lead From blacklists for UK passport holders to being asked to work illegally while on holiday, the plethora of extra costs and red tape thrown up post-Brexit are restricting opportunities for British actors seeking work in the EU. Mainland Europe has always been a springboard for those in the creative industries, from gaining crucial first credits on a TV, film or theatre production to building a marketable resume and paying the bills while attempting to make it big in the UK or US. The New Barriers for UK Performers Since Brexit, new barriers that have had a devastating effect for performers include visa rules that only allow work for up to 90 out of 180 days, inclusive of any European holiday time, and myriad customs, tax and other documents that can take an inordinate amount of time and cost to get processed, and can vary between countries. The performers' union Equity cited one common example of a member being taxed on their accommodation costs because that was classified as a "benefit in kind", which had a big impact on their net wages. Spotlight pointed out that, for UK performers, social security costs are deducted in the country where they are working – anywhere from 12% to 22% of their pay. This can be reclaimed but the process can take many months, and often requires paying accountants to chase the money. The Decline in European Opportunities Between 2016 and 2023, performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m, according to the Office for National Statistics. By contrast, figures for creative industry exports to non-EU countries show an 18% increase over the same period, from £1.57bn to £1.87bn. The National Theatre halted tours to mainland Europe in 2021 and Europe's largest educational touring company, White Horse Theatre, which has provided English-language performances to schools and theatres across Europe for almost half a century, said last year that Brexit threatened its future. In evidence provided to an investigation being conducted by the culture select committee on the impact of Brexit on performers going to the EU, Spotlight said that jobs on TV commercials were now "almost completely unavailable to UK performers". The Impact on Different Segments of the Industry While performers with star status continue to have a streamlined experience, it is jobbing actors who are often finding they are no longer on the list for parts. One past regular source of work was in adverts filmed abroad, such as the long-running "Get away!" campaign for the now defunct package holiday pioneer Lunn Poly, which featured British tourists filmed in locations such as the Balearic islands. In its written evidence sourced from the experiences of its members, Spotlight said it was "aware of named holiday companies that no longer audition UK-only passport holders" to appear in adverts filmed in the bloc. The difficulty for performers also extends to the many other crew involved. One casting director said that, pre-Brexit, one TV campaign employed 45 people based in the UK but similar campaigns are now being cast from Spain or another EU country. The paperwork involved, and the quick-turnaround nature of shooting, has meant that it is simply easier to not bother auditioning UK talent. The Growing Crisis for Emerging Talent It is young UK performers, and in particular those from a working-class background, who have been most hit by the loss of the EU for work and experience. Students and new graduates would previously have typically secured summer contracts for theme parks, tours and cruises, which are now largely closed off post Brexit because of factors such as the visa changes. According to Spotlight, casting directors have seen a significant decrease in working-class actors in particular picking up jobs in the EU. Unlike actors from wealthier backgrounds, who have access to finances to cover things such as visa costs and sometimes having to wait many months for payments relating to working in mainland Europe, they simply cannot afford to accept a job in the EU. The Future Outlook for UK Performers Agents have turned to encouraging actors to check their heritage to see if they are eligible for some form of dual citizenship, an Irish passport, for example, while some businesses based in the EU now actively blacklist UK-only passport holders. However, the "most concerning" anecdotal evidence is of UK performers being asked to skip getting a legitimate work visa if the paperwork can't be finalised in time, and to lie and work while claiming to be on holiday. Spotlight calls this practice a "ticking timebomb" that could involve the use of sanctions for performers and agents caught taking this route to secure work. The agency said this would include "deportation and potential blacklisting" from future opportunities. "The simple answer is Brexit has been catastrophic for the creative industries," says Jonathan Shalit, founder of InterTalent Rights Group. "We as a country made the decision to leave Europe. This is self-inflicted. Europe don't really want us unless they have to."

Uncovering the Sounds of Paul McCartney's Past Paul McCartney sits in his office overlooking Soho Square in London, reminiscing about his earliest memories and the sounds that have shaped his life and music. His new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, is a collection of rare and revealing glimpses into memories never-before shared. The Power of Early Memories McCartney reflects on the sounds that have stuck with him since childhood, from the white tiles and chrome instruments of his birth to the family singalongs and radio broadcasts that filled his home. He recalls listening to 'great little classical pieces' on the radio and being inspired by the likes of Ray Charles and Jack Jackson's Record Round-up on the BBC Light Programme. Influence of Bandmates and Radio The album is not just a nostalgic trip but also a testament to the influence of his bandmates, including John Lennon and George Harrison. McCartney shares stories of their time together, from bus rides to shared memories of Liverpool. He also credits radio with introducing him to new music and sparking his imagination, citing Alfred Jarry's Ubu Cocu as an example. Creating The Boys of Dungeon Lane McCartney explains that the album was an opportunity for storytelling, with the Dungeon Lane of the title referencing a birdwatching destination close to his childhood home. He emphasizes that there's 'nothing conscious' behind the decision to revisit his past, but rather a desire to share these stories and memories through music. A Legacy of Music and Memories As a songwriter and musician, McCartney's life has been extensively documented, with thousands of books, podcasts, and screen projects dedicated to his work. He remains a jovial figure, eager to share his stories and music with fans, and The Boys of Dungeon Lane is a testament to the enduring power of his memories and melodies.

The Evolution of World Cup UpsetsThis year, the biggest ever World Cup will feature 48 teams, an increase from 32, opening up the tournament to even more upsets, shocks and surprises. The vagaries of the World Cup draw have given rise to classic underdog victories over the years, from an amateur USA team's shock defeat of the then-favourites England in 1950 onwards. But what does the data tell us about upsets in football's modern era?Starting from the launch of the Fifa men's world ranking system in 1993, we have analysed each World Cup match in which an underdog beat a higher-ranked team, along with the ranking disparity between the teams: the bigger the gap, the higher the "upset score", and the larger the circle in the graphics below. Upsets are marked in red, while matches decided on penalties are represented with a white border.USA 1994: Regional Rivalries and Bulgarian BrillianceThis World Cup was characterised by a consistent stream of upsets, particularly in the group stages, with a couple of surprise regional rivalries including Belgium (Fifa ranking 27) triumphing over the Netherlands (2) and Saudi Arabia (34), in their World Cup debut, seeing off Morocco (28).The first World Cup after the dissolution of the USSR featured the first appearance by a unified German team and arguably the tournament's most iconic underdog moment, when a header by Yordan Letchkov secured Bulgaria's (29) victory over top-ranked Germany (1) in the quarter-finals. Bulgaria enjoyed a strong competition overall, including beating Argentina (8) in the group stages and a surprise round of 16 win against Mexico (16) in a penalty shootout.France 1998: Upsets All the Way

The President's Defiant Response to New US TariffsLuiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters he could not "accept the treatment" after the United States announced a fresh round of tariffs on Brazilian goods, emphasizing Brazil’s willingness to seek other partners if necessary.Trump Administration Announces 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian ImportsOn Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the administration of Donald Trump unveiled a 25 percent duty on a range of Brazilian products, rolling back a tentative detente that had begun after a May White House meeting between the two leaders.Tariffs target specific categories while exempting beef, coffee, rare earths, other metals, energy and aircraft parts.The proposal is being processed under Section 301 of US trade policy, with a public comment period ending in early July.Trade Numbers Reveal a $420 million Surplus for the United States in MarchUS Trade Representative Jamieson Greer cited a "giant" trade deficit, yet public data for March show Brazil imported more from the US than it exported, resulting in a $420 million US trade surplus.Escalating Trade Tensions Threaten Brazil's Diplomatic Strategy Ahead of ElectionsThe tariff announcement arrives as Lula prepares for a tight re‑election race in November against Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Re‑imposing duties could push Brazil to diversify its trade relationships and strain the nascent institutional ties with Washington.Potential Shift Toward Alternative Trade Partners as Tariff Comment Period ClosesWith the comment window set to close in early July, analysts expect Brazil to accelerate talks with other markets to offset possible revenue losses, while the US may reassess its approach if domestic stakeholders raise objections.