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The Presidential Pitch United States President Donald Trump has sought to reassure farmers hard-hit by tariffs and the economic fallout of the US-Israeli war with Iran during a visit to Wisconsin. Farmers Hit by Tariffs and High Prices The stop in Chippewa Falls on Friday for a farming roundtable comes months before the midterm elections in November. Trump was seeking to bolster support for Republican US Representative Derrick Van Orden, who has been targeted by Democrats hoping to take control of the chamber. Farmers have been particularly hard-hit by Trump's aggressive tariff policies, with many countries limiting imports of US products, notably soybeans, in response. The tariffs have also made importing items needed for daily operations more expensive. Economic Challenges Facing Farmers The administration has sought to offset the fallout with temporary aid packages for farmers. An April survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that 70 percent of farmers in the US reported they cannot afford all of their fertiliser needs. The average gas price of $4.04 per gallon of petrol this week was also $1.08 higher than a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association. The Impact on Midterm Elections Democrats are considered favourites to take control of the US House of Representatives, currently controlled by Republicans, in the midterms. Success for Democrats would allow the party to seriously restrict Trump's agenda in the final two years of his term. The Future Outlook Trump assured those gathered that the administration had 'largely finished' the war 'one way or the other'. He vowed fertiliser and gas prices would come 'way down'.

The Rejection of Zelenskyy's Meeting Proposal Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned down an offer for in-person talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he sees no point in such a meeting for now. Putin delivered the remarks during Russia's flagship economic forum in St Petersburg on Friday, a day after Zelenskyy shared an open letter appealing for a face-to-face meeting in which the two leaders could hash out an end to the war. Zelenskyy's Response to Putin's Rejection Zelenskyy responded later on Friday, saying Putin's rejection of his proposal showed that the Kremlin had no wish to end the war. “Unfortunately, the Russian side is once again choosing war – everyone hear the response. A weak response,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly video address. The Stalled Peace Talks Talks to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, have largely stalled due to Russia's insistence on retaining territory it has seized, which Kyiv has refused to cede. Mediation efforts have taken a further hit as the United States, which has held years of peace talks, shifts its attention toward the war in Iran. Putin's Stance on the War Putin has previously offered for Zelenskyy to come to Moscow for talks, an offer that the Ukrainian leader pointedly rejected. In his remarks on Friday, Putin reiterated his position that the conflict would only stop when Russia's goals are met. “Military actions will end someday, we assume. Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves,” he said.

Germany and France Propose 'Halfway' EU Membership for Western BalkansGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have unveiled a strategic pivot in the European Union's enlargement policy. At a summit in the Montenegrin coastal town of Tivat, the leaders proposed a new 'gradual integration' model for six Western Balkan nations. This approach aims to fast-track political and economic alignment with the EU without immediately granting full membership rights, signaling a renewed effort to stabilize the region.The Tivat Summit: A New Path to IntegrationThe summit marked a significant departure from the traditional, rigid accession process. Merz emphasized that the EU's 13-year stagnation in welcoming new members was a failure that needed to be overcome. The core of the new proposal is a 'strengthened gradual integration process,' where countries that meet specific criteria could join certain bloc formats, such as attending European Council meetings, without possessing full veto rights.Key Participants: Leaders from the EU and the six Western Balkan hopefuls (Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia).Strategic Goal: To offer a tangible path to membership to counteract the influence of Russia and instability in the region.Proposal Origin: Co-authored by France and Germany to address the backlog of candidates.Breaking the 13-Year StagnationThe proposal comes after a decade of political deadlock. While Ukraine and Moldova have recently joined the queue following Russia's 2022 invasion, the Balkan candidates have faced years of bureaucratic hurdles. The new 'halfway' model is designed to restore credibility to the enlargement process.Timeline: European Commissioner Marta Kos has set an ambitious target for Montenegro, suggesting technical negotiations could conclude by the end of 2026, leading to membership by the end of 2028.Current Status: Montenegro and Albania are emerging as frontrunners, while Serbia and Bosnia face significant domestic and reform-related delays.Support Gap: Euroscepticism remains a hurdle, particularly in Serbia, where public support for EU membership is below 50 percent.Geopolitical Imperatives and Domestic ChallengesThe push for integration is driven by urgent security concerns. Emmanuel Macron highlighted that the Western Balkans are critical for Europe's energy independence, security, and migration routes. By offering a faster, albeit partial, integration path, the EU aims to prevent these nations from drifting toward Russian influence.However, the plan faces internal challenges. The 'halfway' model—where new members might not have veto rights—has been discussed as a trade-off for faster accession. This compromise is necessary to overcome the unanimity requirement of the EU, which currently stalls progress.Montenegro as the Frontrunner and the Future of EnlargementMontenegro is positioned to be the first beneficiary of this new strategy. With Commissioner Kos lauding its progress on technical negotiations, it is likely to set the precedent for how the 'gradual integration' model functions. If successful, this approach could become the standard for other candidates, particularly Serbia, which has maintained close ties with Russia and lags in necessary reforms.The shift represents a pragmatic evolution in EU foreign policy, trading immediate full sovereignty for accelerated alignment and long-term strategic security.

The Lead As the UK marks the 10-year anniversary of the Brexit referendum, it's clear that the event has had a profound impact on British politics and society. The leave campaign's use of lies and disinformation has contributed to a coarsening of the national conversation and a rise in division and hatred. The Brexit Referendum: A Turning Point The Brexit referendum, held on June 23, 2016, was a pivotal moment in British history. The leave campaign, led by figures like Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, used tactics like fear-mongering and misinformation to sway voters. The remain campaign, on the other hand, was criticized for being too focused on the economic costs of Brexit. The Economic Impact of Brexit The article highlights the significant economic impact of Brexit, including a decline in GDP of between 6% and 8%, and a 15% reduction in trade. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that trade is on course to be 15% less than it would have been if the UK had remained in the EU. The Cultural and Social Consequences The article also explores the cultural and social consequences of Brexit, including the rise of a far-right movement and increased division and hatred. The author argues that Brexit has contributed to a coarsening of the national conversation and a decline in respect for facts and truth. The Future of Brexit Despite the challenges, the author remains hopeful that the UK can learn from its mistakes and move forward. A recent poll found that 56% of Britons now support rejoining the EU, compared to 35% who oppose it. The author argues that it may take 20 years to overturn the verdict of 2016, but that progress is already being made.

The Impact of Marjane Satrapi's Work On the morning of June 4, when I heard the news of Marjane Satrapi's death, I was stunned. I simply could not believe it. Although I had met her only a handful of times in person – despite having lived in Paris for 16 years and having contributed to her book Woman, Life, Freedom – I felt a deep connection to her work and legacy. Marjane's Gift for Visual Storytelling Our collaboration on that book took place mostly through email correspondence, but I always held her in the highest regard. I admired her intelligence, her extraordinary sense of humour and, above all, her remarkable gift for visual storytelling. What she achieved through drawings that appeared simple was, in reality, extraordinarily difficult. The black-and-white spaces of her pages, the economy of her lines, the apparent simplicity of her compositions – it all served to convey profoundly human emotions with a clarity that few artists ever attain. As a cartoonist myself, I know how difficult it is to reach that level of expressive precision while making it look effortless. Paving the Way for a Generation Marjane opened the door not only for me, but for many Iranian comic book artists, such as Parsua Bashi, Mansoureh Kamari, Majid Bita and Shaghayegh Moazzami, among others. More broadly, she opened a path for artists from smaller and less visible countries across the world of comics – artists who had personal stories to tell but whose voices were often overlooked. With Persepolis, she gave western publishers the confidence to invest in our work. Many of us owe a part of our careers to the space she created. A Lasting Legacy Once I had absorbed the news of her death, my thoughts turned to Chicken With Plums, my favourite among her books. I remembered its protagonist, Nasser Ali Khan, whose beloved instrument is broken and who decides to remain in bed until death comes for him. In his final days, he even refuses his favourite dish, chicken with plums. Looking back now, the character feels almost like an extension of the author’s own sensitive spirit, perhaps even an unconscious premonition. I find myself thinking of Marjane, of her final days, and of whatever instrument may have been broken within her. And each time I do, my eyes fill with tears.

The Appointment of Martin O'Neill Celtic are expected to confirm the appointment of Martin O’Neill as the club’s permanent manager after the 74-year-old agreed a one-year contract to remain in Glasgow. O’Neill led Celtic to the domestic double during the second of two interim spells he undertook this season. The Backlash Against Robbie Keane Robbie Keane had been prominent in the thoughts of the Celtic hierarchy and held talks with Dermot Desmond, the club’s principal shareholder, earlier this week. But the potential appointment of Keane was met with a furious backlash by an element of the Celtic support, who objected to his managerial spell in Israel. Keane was in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv before switching to Hungary and Ferencvaros, from whom he resigned at the end of May. The Details of O'Neill's Contract O’Neill had sought time to consider his position after the Scottish Cup final win over Dunfermline. However, the sense always was that the Northern Irishman would be keen on the role on a longer-term basis. It is understood his deal will include the option for a second year. Remarkably, it comes 26 years after Desmond first coaxed O’Neill to Celtic from Leicester. That first spell proved hugely successful, with Celtic winning three Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups under the former midfielder, as well as reaching the 2003 Uefa Cup final, which they lost to José Mourinho’s Porto. O'Neill's Previous Stints at Celtic O’Neill stepped in on a short-term basis after Brendan Rodgers resigned last October. Wilfried Nancy duly replaced O’Neill, with the Frenchman’s disastrous tenure lasting a mere eight games. O’Neill returned to successfully defend Celtic’s Premiership title.

The Road to the French Open Final Alexander Zverev moved to within one match of a long-awaited first grand slam title as he defeated the Czech 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the French Open final for the second time in his career. Zverev's Journey to the Final Zverev, the second seed and ATP No 3, will contest his fourth career grand slam final on Sunday. The German player lost his first grand slam final at the 2020 US Open in a fifth set tie-break against Dominic Thiem having led by two sets and served for the match in the fifth. He was then defeated by Carlos Alcaraz here in 2024 and Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final. The Match Against Mensik Mensik is a generational talent who will likely compete in the latter rounds of grand slam draws for many years to come. Alongside one of the most destructive serves in the game, the Czech has an impressively complete game; he is an excellent mover with great feel, net play and a sweet two-handed backhand. The Impact of the Win From the moment Sinner, the No 1 and heavy favourite, and the 24-time champion Novak Djokovic were bounced out of this tournament, all eyes shifted to Zverev. He has won titles at all other levels, including Masters 1000 titles, the ATP Finals and an Olympic gold medal, but in the most important moments of the majors has often been punished for his lack of courage. The Future Outlook At the same time that the men’s draw has been a site of total carnage, top seeds falling in the early rounds and the remaining players battling through energy-sapping marathon matches just to hang on, Zverev has used his wealth of experience to take care of business and maintain his momentum. His focus has rarely wavered over the past 12 days. He knows more than anyone that this is an opportunity he cannot afford to miss, one that may never come again, and it seems increasingly likely that he will take it.

The Road to the Final Alexander Zverev moved to the verge of a long-awaited first Grand Slam title as the second seed saw off Jakub Mensik in four sets to reach his second French Open final. The German will face either 10th seed Flavio Cobolli or his fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi on Sunday after securing a 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Mensik on Friday. Zverev's Journey to Success Zverev has endured several near misses at major tournaments, with three previous final defeats, including against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros two years ago. “This is a Grand Slam, it’s best of five, things are going to happen, opponents are going to play better. I managed it,” said Zverev. “I hope to play another great match on Sunday.” The Match Analysis The world number three was playing in his 11th Grand Slam semi-final and his experience showed against Czech youngster Mensik. The 20-year-old, in the last four of a major for the first time, tired as the match went on as his previous exertions in Paris, including two five-set matches, took their toll. The Impact of Experience Zverev has dealt well with the pressure of being the tournament favourite since the early exits of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, in the second and third rounds respectively. He will face one last test of his mental strength on Court Philippe Chatrier in two days’ time, but should at least be fresh physically after reaching the final having only lost two sets in six matches. The Future Outlook “Pure emptiness, there’s absolutely nothing in my head,” insisted a smiling Zverev in his on-court interview. “We’re athletes, very few of us have anything in our heads. Sometimes it’s easier to be stupid and not to think too much.”

Saturday's Sports Highlights 11am-7pm (BST): Matchday live for football, including updates on the managerial merry-go-round and transfer news. 11am: England v New Zealand live (cricket) - Day three of the Test match at Lord's. 11:30am: Derby day (horse racing) at Epsom. 2pm: French Open women's singles final - Mirra Andreeva vs Maja Chwalinska. 3pm: Monaco Grand Prix qualifying live. 9pm: Bolivia v Scotland live (football friendly). 9pm: England v New Zealand live (football friendly). Sunday's Sports Highlights 11am: Surrey v Hampshire live (cricket) - County Championship derby clash. 11am: England v New Zealand live (cricket) - Day four of the Test match at Lord's. 1pm: Monaco Grand Prix live. The French Open Women's Singles Final The French Open women's singles final will see Mirra Andreeva face Maja Chwalinska. Andreeva, the Russian eighth seed, has had an impressive run, while Chwalinska, a Polish qualifier, has been in sensational form, rolling through nine consecutive victories. The Monaco Grand Prix The Monaco Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc looking to end Mercedes' domination on his home streets. Leclerc has a strong connection with the Monte Carlo layout, having driven for Ferrari since 2019 and achieving pole position three times in the past five years. England and Scotland Friendlies England and Scotland are preparing for the World Cup with friendlies against New Zealand and Bolivia, respectively. These matches will be crucial for both teams as they fine-tune their strategies and squads before the tournament.