Author: News Desk

Cliff Notes Government borrowing surged to £20.684 billion in June, marking the second-highest level since records began in 1993, driven by rising debt interest payments. The increase in borrowing exceeded economists’ expectations by nearly £4 billion, surpassing last year’s figures by over £6 billion. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces pressure to increase taxes to bridge the gap between spending and income, as her fiscal commitment aims to reduce government debt by 2030. Government borrowing soars to second-highest level on record | Money News . Government borrowing rose significantly more than expected last month as debt interest payments soared.Official figures show the…

Cliff Notes – Billy Joel shares fear that boozing caused his brain condition Billy Joel has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and speculates that his past heavy drinking may have contributed to the condition, although he no longer consumes alcohol. Despite his diagnosis, Joel reassured fans that he is feeling “good,” although he experiences balance issues and has had to cancel all scheduled concerts. The singer emphasised that while his condition is serious, he is not in immediate danger, stating, “I’m not dying,” and remains optimistic about his recovery. Billy Joel, 76, shares fear that drinking ‘must’ have…

Bortoleto’s F1 Journey: Max Verstappen’s Valuable Guidance Gabriel Bortoleto, the rising star of Sauber, has creditably attributed part of his successful entry into Formula 1 to valuable support from reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Their burgeoning relationship, marked by shared interests and mutual respect, underscores the unique camaraderie in the motorsport community, as Bortoleto adapts to the elite level of racing. In the run-up to the Australian Grand Prix, Bortoleto received crucial advice from Verstappen to start the race on intermediate tyres — a decision that proved pivotal. Beyond race strategy, Verstappen has been instrumental in providing Bortoleto with vital…

Cliff Notes Orwoll, a proponent of the far-right movement, expresses a desire for the US to return to an entirely white nation, citing personal comfort in such a demographic. He subscribes to the conspiracy theory of “white genocide”, claiming that cultural indoctrination and immigration threaten the survival of white identity. Orwoll aims to establish networks and communities across the US and internationally, advocating for more “fortresses” dedicated to his ideology. Inside the whites-only settlement in Arkansas: The group building a ‘Fortress for the White Race’ A fortress for the white race. It’s my last day at RTTL and Orwoll is…

Roughly five years after several It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episodes were plucked from streaming platforms for blackface, redface, brownface and other offensive jokes, fans have found a way to watch them anyways — venturing to their public libraries in pursuit of the pulled installments. “Looking for banned episodes? Head to your local library!” one Redditor captioned a photo of their haul, which consisted of Seasons Eight, Nine and Fourteen, featuring three of the five removed episodes. Apparently fascinated by the prospects of checking out Always Sunny’s banned instalments, several fans flocked to the comments to express their envy, share links…

Cliff Notes – White House cuts WSJ from Scotland trip over Epstein story The White House excluded The Wall Street Journal from the press pool accompanying President Trump to Scotland due to allegations of “fake and defamatory conduct” linked to a report about a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s lawsuit against the WSJ seeks $10 billion in damages, claiming the publication has caused significant financial and reputational harm through its allegations. This incident marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s controversial press policies, with past exclusions raising concerns over freedom of the press and government retaliatory actions against media…

Cliff Notes – Visit Saudi, ‘Doraemon’ collaborate on culture at Expo 2025 The construction industry is undergoing a significant digitisation revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) now embedded in various construction processes, enhancing safety and productivity. viAct, a Hong Kong-based AI firm, is spearheading this transformation by offering an innovative platform that goes beyond traditional surveillance, providing real-time analytics to improve site safety and operational efficiency without human supervision. As Saudi Arabia embarks on extensive mega-projects under Vision 2030, viAct aims to enter the market with a focus on integrating ethical AI solutions while ensuring compliance with local regulations, facilitating safer…

Cliff Notes Former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for excessive force during the 2020 raid that resulted in Breonna Taylor’s death. Hankison’s gunfire did not injure anyone, making him the only officer charged in connection with Taylor’s death amid a backdrop of systemic police misconduct discussions. The judge deemed immediate imprisonment necessary to honour the jury’s verdict, countering the US Department of Justice’s recommendation against incarceration. Former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison sentenced to three years in prison over Breonna Taylor death | US News . A former Kentucky police officer has…

Cliff Notes – Will there ever be a new Mass Effect game? BioWare’s Future at Stake: With the disappointing performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare faces immense pressure to ensure that Mass Effect 4 is a success, especially with no gameplay or release date revealed yet. Changing Demographics: The gaming landscape is shifting, as younger audiences show less interest in traditional console games, favouring mobile and PC gaming instead, which may threaten the franchise’s legacy. Potential for Revival: The upcoming Amazon TV adaptation could serve as a catalyst for revitalising interest in the Mass Effect series, potentially drawing in…

Cliff Notes – Ex-officer sentenced to prison over Breonna Taylor raid A former Kentucky police officer was sentenced to 33 months for violating Breonna Taylor’s rights during a deadly raid in March 2020, which used a controversial no-knock warrant. Taylor’s family welcomed the sentence but expressed disappointment that it did not reflect the full severity of her death; they noted it was more than what the Department of Justice had sought. The judge expressed concern that more people were not injured by the officer’s reckless firing of ten rounds during the incident, while the Trump administration had previously recommended a…