Author: News Desk

Cliff Notes Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, is under investigation for alleged embezzlement and maintaining improper relationships with women, including fathering at least one child. The Buddhist Association of China has revoked his ordination certificate amid claims of violating Buddhist principles and misappropriating temple assets. Shi previously faced similar allegations in 2015 but was exonerated in 2016; he has been a controversial figure, known for commercialising the temple. China’s Shaolin Temple’s ‘CEO monk’ under criminal investigation | World News . China’s world-renowned Shaolin Temple has announced its abbot – Shi Yongxin – is under criminal investigation for alleged…

Cliff Notes – 7 films celebrating women in sport after the Lionesses win Euro 2025 The Lionesses’ victory in Euro 2025 marks England’s first major trophy win on foreign soil, highlighting the growing prominence of women’s sports. This achievement serves as an inspiration for younger generations, emphasising the importance of female representation in athletics. A selection of films celebrating women in sports, such as Bend It Like Beckham and Million Dollar Baby, showcases the diverse narratives and achievements of female athletes. 7 films celebrating women in sport after the Lionesses win Euro 2025 It’s an incredible time for women in…

Cliff Notes – US and EU reach trade deal to avoid tariffs The US and EU have agreed on a trade deal imposing a 15% tariff on goods, averting a potential 30% tariff threatened by Trump. The agreement includes a significant energy purchase from the US by the EU, aimed at enhancing energy security and diversifying supply sources. What does the US and EU trade deal mean? Are we now dependent on the US more than ever? The United States and the European Union on Sunday reached a trade deal, ending a months-long standoff. But what does the US and…

Cliff Notes – Israel backs down and pauses onslaught in parts of Gaza Gaza latest: Israel pauses fighting in parts of Gaza to allow aid in; Trump complains he got ‘no thanks’ for sending food Close to 100 people were killed while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the enclave. It comes as Israel announced a “one-week scale-up of aid” and declared military operations in three areas of Gaza would be halted for 10 hours daily until further notice to support this. But Israel has made many promises in terms of aid distribution but…

Cliff Notes – Warming Heady’s seat – Maxwell expects opening role will be short-lived Glenn Maxwell anticipates his stint as an opener in the T20I series against West Indies will be temporary, with Travis Head expected to return for the home series against South Africa in August. Maxwell’s recent performances at the top of the order have been promising, but he acknowledges that the team’s preferred line-up will likely see Head and Mitchell Marsh as the opening pair moving forward. Warming Heady’s seat – Maxwell expects opening role will be short-lived Glenn Maxwell expects his move to open the batting…

Cliff Notes – American musician and satirist Tom Lehrer dies aged 97 Tom Lehrer, renowned for his satirical songs from the 1950s and 60s, passed away at the age of 97 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as confirmed by a friend. A Harvard-trained mathematician, Lehrer balanced a successful music career with academia, holding teaching positions at prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. His notable works included “The Masochism Tango” and “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” and he expressed a preference for anonymity over fame, stating he was uninterested in self-promotion. American musician and satirist Tom Lehrer dies aged 97 Tom Lehrer has…

Cliff Notes Firefighters are battling a significant blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres at multiple factory units in West Bromwich, leading to nearby home evacuations as a precaution. No injuries have been reported, but structural concerns have prompted the presence of a structural engineer at the scene. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with local residents advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke. Firefighters tackle huge blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres | UK News . Homes have been evacuated as firefighters tackle a huge blaze involving 20 tonnes of tyres in West Bromwich.The…

Cliff Notes – Protest against Israeli cruise ship sparks debate in Greece Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis condemned protests against Israeli tourists in Syros, affirming that antisemitism has no place in Greece and highlighting the country’s hospitality. The protests, sparked by a ship carrying Israeli tourists, featured demonstrators opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza, which led to heated debates among locals regarding racism and support for Palestine or Israel. Current opinion polls indicate a significant shift in Greek attitudes, with many residents leaning towards pro-Palestinian views over supportive sentiments for Israel amidst ongoing tensions in Gaza. Protest against Israeli cruise ship…

Cliff Notes: Suspected robber’s arrest leads police to find woman’s body in house – and officers fear two others ‘may have come to harm’ | UK News Police to find woman’s body in house in Dewsbury after a fortuitous search. A murder investigation has commenced after the arrest of a 37-year-old armed robbery suspect led police to discover a young woman’s body in a house on Norfolk Street, Batley. Officers are actively searching for two additional individuals believed to be at risk, while appealing for any relevant footage from the public. Despite the serious nature of the incident, authorities state…

Cliff Notes – Video game exclusives are dying as PlayStation plans new Xbox and Switch ports Sony is shifting its strategy towards multiformat releases, indicating a decline in the significance of exclusives for PlayStation titles. A recent job advertisement suggests Sony is focusing on expanding its games to platforms beyond PlayStation, including Xbox and Nintendo. While high-profile exclusives like God Of War remain unlikely to appear on other formats, older titles and live service games are increasingly being considered for broader distribution. Video game exclusives are dying as PlayStation plans new Xbox and Switch ports How many of these will…