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The Comeback That Never MaterializedJust over a year ago, Lizzo appeared on Saturday Night Live, announcing a new album called Love in Real Life in grandstanding style. Wielding an electric guitar, clad in a Trump-baiting T-shirt that read Tariffied, she performed its title track and two other new songs, Still Bad and Don't Make Me Love U. As with her appearance earlier the same week on a late night talkshow – during which she ran into the audience to high-five fans who were yelling "we love you Lizzo!" – it looked very much like a defiant comeback, fit to drag her out of the controversy that erupted at the end of her hugely successful 2023 world tour. Three former backing dancers and a costume designer filed lawsuits against the singer alleging harassment and discrimination: damaging claims given how Lizzo's songs have preached a message of inclusivity, body positivity and self-confidence. Some of the allegations were dismissed by a judge but others are ongoing; Lizzo has refused to settle out of court, saying: "I'm fighting the case because I know that it's not true."The Album That Never WasBut the Love in Real Life single, a pivot towards rock that owed a little to Tom Petty's American Girls – or the Strokes' American Girls-indebted Last Nite if you prefer – failed to make the charts, a far cry from the period between 2018 and 2022 when Lizzo's singles seemed to go multi-platinum as a matter of course. The same fate befell Still Bad, a track much more in the vein of her big hits, prompting a rethink. The album was pulled, Lizzo apparently taking control of her own destiny – "I need to do shit my way". A mixtape that returned her more-or-less to where she started, before pop stardom came calling – punchy hip-hop, albeit tricked out with guest appearances from Doja Cat and SZA – appeared in its place: My Face Hurts from Smiling received mixed reviews and underwhelming streaming figures.A Career at a CrossroadsAll of which means that Bitch, her fifth album proper, lands at a deeply peculiar juncture in Lizzo's career. Given that the public apparently don't want her going rock, nor rapping in the style of her 2013 debut Lizzobangers, nor indeed making the kind of music they were buying in their millions three years ago, the question of what they actually do want has presumably hung heavy over its making.Musical Identity CrisisLizzo hasn't come up with a definitive answer. Bitch tries a bit of everything, from pastiching Tame Impala on Happy 2 Be to making clipped new-wave rock decorated with Cure-like guitars on She Stole My Man; Sexy Ladies is a girls-night-out-soundtracking reiteration of the old body positivity message. This scatter-gun approach makes Bitch a disjointed listen.The Subdued ToneMoreover, there's something oddly subdued about its tone, whether it's dabbling in 80s retro – Don't Make Me Love U brings to mind the arena-rousing keyboard hook from Tina Turner's The Best, but renders it into a distant, affectless backing vocal – or delving into jazzy R&B; on Too Nice. The vibraphone-heavy beat on the latter is fantastic, rich in small-hours atmosphere, but the actual song feels nondescript: it only really comes to life in its dying moments, when Lizzo stops singing and starts playing a flute solo. The title track interpolates the chorus from Meredith Brooks' 1997 pop-grunge hit of the same name, but somehow flattens it in the process. Crooned over smooth, G-funky R&B;, it feels stripped of its fiery power, less of a snarl and more of a shrug.Equivocal LyricsThe lyrics often seem similarly equivocal. You don't want for apparent references to Lizzo's recent woes – "I hope it makes you happy to hurt somebody else", "the thing about depression, you think your life is over", "you'd still be working at the mall if it wasn't for me" – but they ultimately feel neither pugilistic nor racked, just confused and sore: "I have feelings too," she sings on piano ballad A Toast.Highlights Amidst the StruggleNot everything here is underwhelming: Whose Hair Is This is a great southern soul pastiche, home to an impressively raw vocal and a snappy plot twist at the end of the lyrics; That Grrrl employs an old-school Chicago house bassline to energising effect. But what's definitely lacking is an unequivocal pop smash, the kind of thing that Lizzo once seemed to be able to write to order.A Changing Cultural LandscapePerhaps that's inevitable. One of the reasons Lizzo hit so big in the first place was that she made pop music that perfectly captured a zeitgeist, and that zeitgeist has moved on: the era of body positivity has been displaced by the era of Ozempic and Mounjaro; the kind of post-pandemic, post-Trump optimism embodied on 2022's About Damn Time now sounds like a transmission from a distant lost age. We're living in a different world now, and Bitch suggests Lizzo has yet to work out how to respond to it: "I'm doing my best," she sings on A Toast, which feels like the most telling lyric of all.

Iraq has clinched a historic spot at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the final nation to qualify and ending a 40‑year absence from football’s biggest stage. The Epic Journey to Mexico and Qualification Twenty hours on a bus, a charter plane out of the Middle East, and a one‑off game carrying the expectations of 48 million people defined Iraq’s road to the tournament. After a two‑year, 21‑match qualification marathon, the Lions of Mesopotamia travelled overland to Jordan, endured a 24‑hour flight delay, and finally landed in Monterrey for the inter‑continental playoff against Bolivia. Coach Graham Arnold gave his squad three days to recover before the decisive match, insisting they “don’t use it as an excuse.” The plan worked: a 2‑1 victory, sealed by a corner‑kick goal from 24‑year‑old forward Ali Al‑Hamadi, booked Iraq’s place at the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Numbers Behind Iraq’s Historic Qualification 21 matches played over more than two years 48 million Iraqi fans cheering the campaign Travel itinerary: 20‑hour bus ride → charter plane → 24‑hour flight delay → 3‑day recovery period Playoff result: Iraq 2 – Bolivia 1 First World Cup goal scorer: Ali Al‑Hamadi (on loan at Luton Town) What Iraq’s Return Means for Middle‑East Football The qualification marks a symbolic victory for a nation scarred by decades of conflict, sanctions and political instability. Football has become a “vehicle for happiness” for Iraqis, offering a rare moment of unity and pride. The success also revives the legacy of the 2007 Asian Cup triumph, reminding the region that Iraqi football can still compete on the continental stage. Beyond national morale, the achievement may inspire investment in grassroots programs across the Middle East, encouraging other war‑torn nations to view sport as a pathway to global recognition. Looking Ahead: Iraq’s Group‑of‑Death Challenge and Prospects With only a short preparation window, the squad will train in Spain and face friendlies against Spain and Andorra before heading to the United States. Drawn in a “group of death” with France, Norway (featuring Erling Haaland) and Senegal, Iraq’s path is steep. Arnold’s experience—guiding Australia to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022—provides tactical know‑how, but success will hinge on the team’s “mindset of shocking the world.” Midfielder Aimar Sher, born in Iraq but raised in Sweden, epitomises the blend of diaspora talent and home‑grown determination that could fuel an upset. If the Lions can translate their fighting spirit into disciplined performances, they may not only spoil a party but also rewrite the narrative of Middle‑East football on the world stage.

The Lead: Knicks' Historic Finals Return Echoes Inside Rikers IslandOn 3 June 2026, as the New York Knicks stepped onto the court for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a group of roughly 30 men in tan uniforms settled into the common area of the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island to watch the same broadcast that was filling bars, living rooms, and streets across the five boroughs.Inside the George R. Vierno Center: A Prison “Honors House” Turns Into a Fan ZoneThe inmates gathered around a folding table piled with snacks, dragged plastic chairs closer to the flat‑screen televisions, and settled into a space that also houses classrooms, a recording studio, and a barbershop. The area, described by correction officials as an “honors house,” is reserved for those who have gone at least 120 days without violence or disciplinary incidents and have shown a sustained commitment to rehabilitation programs.Numbers That Frame the Moment: Capacity, Time Since Last Finals, and Inmate Eligibility850‑bed jail complex, one of eight active facilities on Rikers Island.Approximately 30 inmates watching the game.The Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, ending a 27‑year drought.Inmates qualify for the “honors house” after 120 days of good behavior; many have gone six months or longer without an infraction.Why This Matters: Sports Unity Extends Into New York’s Most Isolated InstitutionThe event turned a notoriously hidden correctional facility into a participant in a city‑wide civic ritual. Inmates like Luis Guzman, a 43‑year‑old from the Bronx, voiced the same optimism and rivalry heard on the streets, illustrating how sports can foster a sense of community and shared identity even behind razor‑wire fences.Looking Ahead: What the Knicks’ Success Could Mean for Incarcerated CommunitiesIf the Knicks capture the title, the moment may reinforce the value of “honors house” programs that reward good behavior with privileges such as extended lock‑in times and communal activities. The shared experience could encourage correctional authorities to expand similar initiatives, using major cultural events to boost morale and support rehabilitation efforts.

The Lead: EU Fuel Supply Remains Stable Amid Regional Conflict Despite growing concerns among holidaymakers about potential fuel shortages due to the Middle East crisis, the European Union's transport commissioner has assured there are no signs of jet fuel shortages in Europe currently or in the coming months. This assurance comes as airlines continue to operate with some adjusting routes and raising prices to offset higher fuel costs. The Transport Commissioner's Assessment: Current Fuel Supply Situation European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has explicitly stated that "There is currently no jet fuel shortage in Europe. We have no signs that we will have a shortage in the coming period." This assessment comes despite the ongoing Middle East conflict and lack of progress to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for oil supplies. Tzitzikostas noted that high jet fuel prices have prompted airlines to cut uneconomic routes, explaining: "This is why we see that some airlines are choosing to cancel some of their routes that didn't make any economic sense." In May alone, airlines cut two million airline seats from their schedules, representing less than 2% of global aviation capacity. The Market Response: Airlines Adjusting to Higher Fuel Costs The aviation industry has responded to soaring fuel prices through several strategies: Route optimization and cancellation of unprofitable routes Increased ticket prices to pass on higher fuel costs Reduced demand through higher fares These measures represent a form of "demand destruction" as high energy costs naturally reduce consumption. British Airways, for example, has implemented fare increases attempting to offset a £1.7 billion fuel cost hit, demonstrating the significant financial pressure airlines face. The Future Outlook: Potential Crisis by Year-End While current fuel supplies remain stable, Tzitzikostas offered a warning about the longer-term outlook: "It's critical that the war stops and that the Strait of Hormuz opens and this needs to happen as soon as possible.... We should always keep in mind that Europe is prepared. We have the emergency stocks in our member states." The commissioner suggested that "the situation would be 'very difficult' by the end of the year if Middle Eastern supplies remained disrupted." This cautionary note comes seven weeks after the head of the International Energy Agency warned that Europe had only six weeks of jet fuel remaining before potential shortages would hit. Regional Economic Impact: Consumer Behavior and Market Stability The broader economic impact of the fuel situation extends beyond aviation. Recent data shows UK consumers returning to high streets as spring sunshine brought relief to retailers who have faced spending constraints since the US-Israel war on Iran began. Consumer confidence surveys indicate a rebound in May as shoppers adjusted to the sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices linked to the Middle East conflict that began in late February. Despite these challenges, European authorities maintain that current market conditions reflect "a certain degree of stability" with emergency stocks available if needed. The situation continues to evolve as the summer travel season approaches, with both consumers and airlines closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and global fuel markets.

Escalating El Niño Probability and UN WarningThe United Nations has warned that the world must prepare for the imminent return of El Niño, a powerful weather pattern that raises global temperatures and drives extreme weather. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported an 80% chance of El Niño forming before September and a 90% chance before November.Projected Climate Impacts Across Key Asian RegionsIndia: Expected below‑average monsoon rainfall, extending the current heatwave and threatening wheat and mustard crops.China: Anticipated 20% higher rainfall in southern regions, with some areas forecast to receive over 200 mm of rain; the Qinghai‑Tibetan plateau warned of “unpredictable and extreme” conditions.General: Intensifying heat and drought could stress agriculture, power grids, and water supplies across the continent.Sectoral Vulnerabilities: Agriculture, Power Grids, and Water SuppliesExperts highlight a “deadly combination” for India, where delayed monsoon rains could exacerbate the ongoing energy crisis and jeopardise food security. In Mumbai, the city’s seven rain‑fed lakes hold only enough water for 45 days, raising the risk of a severe water shortage if rains are delayed. In China, flood‑prone regions face heightened storm risk, while drought‑sensitive areas worry about power‑grid strain.Looking Ahead: Preparedness Measures and Uncertain OutlookNational climate agencies in both India and China are urging stockpiling of emergency supplies and issuing weather warnings. The UN stresses that El Niño’s impacts will be “super‑charged” by human‑driven climate change, making the upcoming summer and autumn seasons especially unpredictable for the region.

The Return of Mira Murati to the Public StageMira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI and current CEO of Thinking Machines Lab, has made her first major media appearance in approximately 18 months, sitting down with Bloomberg in San Francisco. This rare public appearance comes as Murati's company, which has been operating largely in the background, seeks to establish its presence in an increasingly competitive AI landscape.Thinking Machines' New Approach: Interaction ModelsDuring the interview, Murati previewed what Thinking Machines is calling "interaction models," described as a fundamentally different kind of AI interface. Unlike the traditional turn-based, prompt-and-response dynamic common in most AI products today, the company's models are designed to process continuous streams of audio, text, and video in 200-millisecond intervals. This approach aims to capture the nuances of human communication—including interruptions, mid-thought corrections, and pauses—in something closer to real time.Murati emphasized that this approach aligns with her lab's core thesis that the path to powerful AI runs through closer human collaboration, not around it. She was careful to frame it as a first step rather than a finished product, declining to specify a release date.The Competitive AI LandscapeThe timing of Murati's public return is strategic. While Thinking Machines has spent the past year and a half operating in the background—raising capital, hiring researchers, and shipping one product, Tinker (an API for fine-tuning open-source AI models)—its competitors have grown more omnipresent. OpenAI, where Murati spent six years as CTO, remains constantly in the news cycle. Anthropic has gained significant momentum, and Elon Musk's xAI has been folded into SpaceX ahead of what is expected to be a massive public offering.In this environment, Murati acknowledged that staying heads down has diminishing returns, and at some point, a company must make noise to remind the market it exists.Reflections on OpenAI's Leadership CrisisMurati also addressed the chaotic week in November 2023 when OpenAI's board fired Sam Altman, and she became interim CEO—an event referred to internally as "the blip." She expressed clarity about her decisions during that period, stating that protecting the mission and team guided her choices even as the situation appeared to be unraveling externally. Murati claimed the company would have "imploded" without her involvement during those five days and their immediate aftermath.In retrospect, she acknowledged she would have pushed harder for more information, a better transition plan, and more transparency. When asked if she still trusts her former boss, she sidestepped the question, instead focusing on her broader concern about the concentration of consequential decisions in too few hands across the industry.Talent Challenges and Compensation CultureChang pressed Murati on the departures of several high-profile researchers from Thinking Machines in recent months, a subject Murati has largely avoided in public. She explained that building a frontier AI lab from scratch compresses years of normal organizational volatility into months. Regarding compensation—the nine-figure packages that have become standard in the AI talent war—Murati suggested it isn't usually the whole story behind talent decisions."When I wake up in the morning, I am not thinking about how to kill the competitor," Murati quipped, drawing audience laughter and highlighting her competitive approach to building rather than destroying.The Future of AI and Human AgencyWhen asked about the future of AI and its impact on humanity, Murati pushed back on both inevitable dystopia and inevitable utopia scenarios. She argued that neither outcome is predetermined and that the current period will determine which direction things go. However, she warned that if humans "take their hands off the wheel too soon," the future will look very different, and not better.Born in Albania and speaking with a slight Eastern European accent, Murati emphasized the importance of maintaining human agency in AI development, reflecting on concerns about mass job displacement and potential misuse of AI for harmful purposes like creating chemical weapons.

The New Zealand national football team, the All Whites, have secured a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ranked 85th, they face a daunting Group G line‑up of Belgium, Egypt and Iran, but a professional‑era squad and a seasoned coach give them a realistic shot at reaching the knockout stage for the first time. All Whites' Road to the 2026 World Cup After winning Oceania’s sole qualifying spot, New Zealand entered the tournament with a markedly different profile from the part‑time side that appeared in South Africa 2010. Coach Darren Bazeley emphasises possession‑based football, a style that served them well in qualifiers but will be tested against higher‑rated opponents. Group G fixtures: 15 June vs Iran (Los Angeles), 21 June vs Egypt (Vancouver), 26 June vs Belgium (Vancouver). Recent warm‑up results: 2‑0 loss to Finland, 4‑1 victory over Chile – the latter marking New Zealand’s first win against a South American nation. Key squad notes: Chris Wood (captain, 89 caps, 45 goals) returning from a serious knee injury; Eli Just (26‑year‑old attacking midfielder) highlighted as a breakout talent. Key Numbers Shaping New Zealand's Chances FIFA ranking: New Zealand 85th – the lowest among qualifiers. Opponents' rankings: Belgium 9th, Egypt 29th, Iran 21st. Recent form: 10 friendlies since qualification – 1 draw, 7 losses, 2 wins (including the Chile win). Defensive record in OFC qualifiers: 14 wins, 1 draw, 4 goals conceded, 64 goals scored. Chris Wood: 45 international goals; his fitness is a decisive factor according to commentator Paul Ifill. What Qualification Means for New Zealand Football Qualifying for a third World Cup marks the culmination of a decade‑long professionalisation drive. The tournament offers a platform to showcase the growing depth of New Zealand talent, attract higher‑profile overseas contracts, and inspire grassroots participation across the country. Success would also narrow the historic gap between New Zealand and other Oceania nations, reinforcing the All Whites as the region’s benchmark. Projected Path Through Group G and Beyond Analysts suggest that a disciplined defensive setup combined with swift counter‑attacks could earn New Zealand a point against Iran and a potential upset versus Egypt. A win or draw against Belgium appears unlikely, but a narrow loss would still leave the team in contention for a third‑place finish and a possible advancement on goal difference. Best‑case scenario: 1 win (vs Iran), 1 draw (vs Egypt), finish 3rd, advance on goal difference. Most‑likely scenario: 1 point (draw vs Iran), finish 4th, exit at group stage. Key variables: Wood’s fitness, midfield cohesion (Joe Bell, Eli Just), and Bazeley’s tactical flexibility. Regardless of the outcome, the All Whites’ participation will be a milestone for New Zealand football, offering valuable experience that could fuel future World Cup cycles.

Anthropic Files Confidential IPO Amid $65 B FundraiseAt the Bloomberg Tech conference, co‑founder Daniela Amodei confirmed that Anthropic has submitted a confidential registration statement to go public, following a $65 billion financing round that valued the company at $965 billion.Revenue Explosion and Compute Spend Highlight Growth TrajectoryAnnualized revenue reached $47 billion in May 2026, up from roughly $9 billion at the end of 2025.The partnership with xAI adds compute capacity costing Anthropic about $1.25 billion per month.Fundraise: $65 billion at a $965 billion valuation.Capital Needs Drive Public‑Market StrategyAmodei emphasized that the “big upfront cost” of training and serving large models makes public capital essential. She contrasted Anthropic’s measured compute‑capacity approach with rivals that are building their own data centers.Market Implications for AI Spending and Corporate AdoptionWhile some firms such as Uber question AI ROI, Amodei argues that AI use cases—coding, finance, legal, health care—remain primary efficiency drivers. The IPO could signal confidence that corporate AI budgets will stay robust despite short‑term skepticism.Future Outlook: IPO Timing, Valuation Pressure, and Sector GrowthAnalysts expect Anthropic’s IPO to occur later in 2026, with valuation pressure from peers like OpenAI and xAI. If AI spending stabilizes, the company’s “little more demand than supply” philosophy may sustain its growth, while a slowdown in corporate AI budgets could temper the market’s enthusiasm.

Manchester City's Historic Double Manchester City's women's team has achieved a historic domestic double after a commanding 4-0 win over Brighton in the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley. The Final Performance The panel discusses City's ruthless performance, with Bunny Shaw playing a starring role after signing a new long-term contract. They also analyze whether Andrée Jeglertz's side can now build a period of dominance with Champions League football returning next season. Brighton's Progress Meanwhile, Brighton falls short in their first major final but continues to earn plaudits for their progress under Dario Vidosic. The panel discusses what they need in the summer to turn cup runs into consistent top-end WSL contention. International Break and World Cup Qualifier Attention then turns to the international break as England prepares for another huge meeting with Spain in Mallorca. The panel previews the decisive World Cup qualifier, discusses Leah Williamson's injury absence, and asks whether Sarina Wiegman's side can finish top of the group. Jill Scott's Sport Relief Challenge Plus, Tom reports back from the latest World Sevens tournament, and Jill Scott joins the pod to talk about her extraordinary 400-mile Sport Relief challenge from Wembley to Sunderland.