Month: July 2025

The most precious thing a war can take is a loved one. Sometimes, the violence is even more brutal when it offers no closure: no corpse to pray over, no grave to visit. When someone you love goes missing, and after years of not knowing and not hearing from them, you still hope for a reunion, it becomes a slow, painful wait.

But what happens when it has been over a decade of waiting, and your memories feel like the only proof that they ever existed? What do you do when there is no proof of life?

Reported and scripted by Sabiqah Bello

Voice acting by Rukayya Saeed and Azara Tswanya

Multimedia editor is Anthony Asemota

Executive producer is Ahmad Salkida

Alex Cooper appeared to thoroughly enjoy herself during her seventh-inning stretch performance Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Not everyone on hand for the Chicago Cubs’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to feel the same way about the “Call Her Daddy” podcast host’s throaty, off-key and completely tongue-in-cheek rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

The MLB tradition of singing the classic tune between the top and bottom of the seventh inning was popularized by the legendary late Chicago White Sox and Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, whose vocals weren’t close to pristine but were unquestionably earnest.

Cooper was cheered as she was announced over the loudspeaker as the latest guest to lead the stadium in the tradition.

“All right, Daddy Gang and Cubs fans, are you ready? You’ve never seen something like this,” Cooper said with a laugh before launching into the song with the intro made famous by Caray: “Ah one! Ah two! Ah three!”

For many fans in attendance, the performance went downhill from there. Cooper belted out the song in an unnaturally low key and overly dramatic fashion, laughing often as she and two companions attempted to accompany the vocal performance with a few dance moves.

For what might have been intended as a big finish, the backup dancers attempted to hoist Cooper onto their shoulders.

Cooper was clearly having a blast. And to be clear, a number of folks at the stadium could be heard singing along as they would during any seventh-inning stretch. But as this clip from the performance shows, there were many others who expressed their displeasure with Cooper’s intentionally bizarre performance.

Cooper’s appearance at Wrigley was part of the “Big Al’s Takeover” promotion, with fans who purchased a special ticket package receiving a commemorative Cubs jersey with Cooper’s Unwell branding on the back.

“You don’t want to miss Alex lead the crowd in ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ during the seventh-inning stretch,” an article on the Cubs website had promised.

A number of fans seem to wish that they had.

TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump might look to take a victory lap on Monday after their recent joint strikes on Iran, hailed by both as an unmitigated success.

But as they meet for the third time this year, the outwardly triumphant visit will be dogged by Israel’s 21-month war against Hamas in Gaza and questions over how hard Trump will push for an end to the conflict.

Trump has made clear that following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, he would like to see the Gaza conflict end soon. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu could give new urgency to a U.S. ceasefire proposal being discussed by Israel and Hamas, but whether it leads to a deal that ends the war is unclear.

“The optics will be very positive,” said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington. “But behind the victory lap are going to be some very serious questions.”

Before departing for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu praised the cooperation with the U.S. for bringing a “huge victory over our shared enemy.” He struck a positive note on a ceasefire for Gaza, saying he was working “to achieve the deal under discussion, on the terms we agreed to.”

“I think that the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance that result, which all of us hope for,” Netanyahu said.

‘It changes from day to day’

Israel and Hamas appear to be inching toward a new ceasefire agreement that would bring about a 60-day pause in the fighting, send aid flooding into Gaza and free at least some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory.

But a perennial sticking point is whether the ceasefire will end the war altogether. Hamas has said it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile — something it refuses to do.

Trump has made it clear that he wants to be known as a peacemaker. He has repeatedly trumpeted recent peace deals that his administration facilitated between India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and Israel and Iran, and for years has made little secret of the fact that he covets a Nobel Peace Prize.

He has been pressuring Israel and Hamas to wrap up their own conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, ravaged Gaza, deepened Israel’s international isolation and made any resolution to the broader conflict between Israel and the Palestinians more distant than ever.

But the precise details of the deal, and whether it can lead to an end to the war, are still in flux. In the days before Netanyahu’s visit, Trump seemed to downplay the chances for a breakthrough.

Asked on Friday how confident he was a ceasefire deal would come together, Trump told reporters: “I’m very optimistic — but you know, look, it changes from day to day.”

On Sunday evening, he seemed to narrow his expectation, telling reporters that he thought an agreement related to the remaining hostages would be reached in the coming week.

Leaders are more in sync than ever

Those mood swings also have embodied Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu.

After Trump’s decision to get involved in Israel’s war in Iran with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the two leaders are more in sync than ever. But that’s not always been the case.

As recently as Netanyahu’s last visit to Washington in April, the tone was markedly different.

Trump used the photo-op with Netanyahu to announce that the U.S. was entering into negotiations with Iran over its nuclear deal — appearing to catch the Israeli leader off guard and at the time, slamming the brakes on any Israeli military plan.

He also praised Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a fierce critic of Israel’s, in front of Netanyahu, and the two made no apparent progress on a trade deal at the height of Trump’s tariff expansion.

Trump, whose policies have largely aligned with Israel’s own priorities, pledged last week to be “very firm” with Netanyahu on ending the war, without saying what that would entail. Pressure by Trump has worked on Netanyahu in the past, with a ceasefire deal having been reached right as the president was taking office again.

Netanyahu has to balance the demands of his American ally with the far-right parties in his governing coalition who hold the key to his political survival and oppose ending the war.

But given the strong U.S. support in Israel’s war against Iran, highlighted by joint airstrikes on a fortified underground Iranian nuclear site, Netanyahu may have a tough time saying no.

On Sunday evening, Trump said one of the matters he expected to discuss with Netanyahu “is probably a permanent deal with Iran.”

Trump also may expect something in return for his recent calls for Netanyahu’s corruption trial to be canceled — a significant interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state.

“Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him,” said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel affairs at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. “And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war In Gaza, then that is what he will need to do.”

Trump’s regional vision

The two men will likely discuss the ceasefire with Iran and how to respond to any perceived violations.

But beyond Iran is Trump’s grand vision for a new Middle East, where he hopes that additional countries will join the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Arab countries and Israel brokered during Trump’s first term.

Netanyahu and Trump are likely to discuss how to bring Syria into the fold. The country, a longtime enemy of Israel’s, has new leadership after the fall of President Bashar Assad, and experts say conditions might be ripe for some kind of nonbelligerency agreement.

But Trump’s ultimate goal is to include regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis, whose clout could open the door for other Arab or Muslim countries to join, have expressed interest in normalizing ties with Israel but only if it is accompanied by serious steps toward resolving Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians. For starters, that would seem to require action in Gaza.

“The most important thing [for Trump] is to end the war in Gaza,” Gilboa said. “That is the key to all the regional peace in the Middle East.”

Goldenberg and Price write for the Associated Press. Price reported from Washington.

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic battled back from a sluggish start to overcome an inspired Alex de Minaur and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

With longtime rival Roger Federer watching on from the Royal Box, Serbia’s Djokovic put in a error-strewn opener and had to fight back from 4-1 down in the fourth set to win 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The 38-year-old endured an uncomfortable three hours and 18 minutes on Centre Court against Australian 11th seed De Minaur but he is now within three wins of another piece of history.

Djokovic is bidding to equal Federer’s record of eight men’s singles titles at Wimbledon, as well as a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title.

He will face Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli for a place in the semi-finals, where he could meet world number one Jannik Sinner.

More to follow.

Negotiations resume in Qatar as the Israeli leader is set to hold talks with the US president, who has said a deal could be reached this week.

Israel and Hamas are set to hold indirect talks in Qatar for a second day, aimed at securing a ceasefire and a captive deal in Gaza, ahead of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.

The latest round of negotiations on the war in Gaza began on Sunday in Doha, aiming to broker a deal on a truce and the release of captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The US president has said a deal could be reached this week.

Before departing for the US on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israeli negotiators were given clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire under conditions that Israel has accepted.

“We’ve gotten a lot of the hostages out, but pertaining to the remaining hostages, quite a few of them will be coming out,” he told journalists, adding that his meeting with Trump could “definitely help advance this” deal.

Of the 251 captives taken by Palestinian fighters during the October 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 people the Israeli military says are dead.

Netanyahu had previously said Hamas’s response to a draft US-backed ceasefire proposal, conveyed through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, contained “unacceptable” demands.

Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Jordan because Israel has banned the network from reporting in Israel and the occupied West Bank, said Netanyahu “cannot seem to be going against Trump’s wishes”, adding that the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is being set up as a “very important meeting” for Israel’s regional agenda, not just on Gaza.

“There are disagreements within the Israeli cabinet that it will find difficult to adopt, especially on the issues of redeployment and food aid distribution,” she said, stressing that Netanyahu is under pressure both from Trump and his coalition back home.

Trump is expected to meet the Israeli leader around 6:30pm local time (22:30 GMT) on Monday, the White House said, without the usual presence of journalists.

The truce talks have been revived following last month’s 12-day Israeli and US air strikes on Iran.

Ending war the sticking point

The US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire envisages a phased release of captives, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the war entirely.

Concluding the war has been the main sticking point in past rounds of talks, with Hamas demanding a full end to the conflict in return for releasing all captives, and Israel insisting it would fight on until Hamas is dismantled.

Some of Netanyahu’s hardline coalition partners oppose ending the fighting. But, with Israelis having become increasingly weary of the 21-month-old war, his government is expected to back a ceasefire.

Since Hamas’s October 2023 attack and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza, mediators have brokered two temporary halts in the fighting. They have seen captives freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Recent efforts to broker a new truce have repeatedly failed, with the primary point of contention being Israel’s rejection of Hamas’s demand for a lasting ceasefire.

Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza has killed more than 57,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities, led to a hunger crisis, displaced nearly all the population, and left most of the besieged territory in ruins.

Leaders of the BRICS bloc have sharply rebuked the United States and Israeli bombardments of Iran in June, calling them a “blatant breach of international law” while voicing strong support for the creation of a Palestinian state.

But their joint declaration on Sunday, issued at a summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, was largely silent about another major war that is now in its fourth year and in which a founding BRICS member – Russia – is the aggressor: the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, it criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil.

The carefully worded declaration, released amid escalating trade tensions with the US, condemned aggressive economic policies without directly naming US President Donald Trump. Almost all 10 members of BRICS, a bloc of emerging world economies, are currently engaged in sensitive trade talks with the US and are trying to assert their positions without provoking further tensions.

However, the BRICS statement did take aim at “unilateral tariff and non-tariff barriers” that “skew global trade and flout WTO [World Trade Organization] regulations”, a clear, though indirect critique of Trump’s protectionist agenda, before a deadline on Wednesday for new US tariffs to potentially kick in.

Trump responded to the BRICS declaration within hours, warning on his social media platform, Truth Social, that countries siding with what he termed “anti-American policies” would face added tariffs.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” he wrote.

Which countries are part of BRICS, and who attended the summit?

The first BRICS summit was held in 2009 with the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China coming together. South Africa joined in 2010, and the bloc has since become a major voice for the Global South.

Last year, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates joined the group, expanding its influence further and turning the bloc into a 10-nation entity.

There is growing interest from emerging economies to join the bloc with more than 30 nations queueing up for membership. Argentina was expected to join but withdrew its application after ultra-conservative President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, took office in December 2023.

The Rio summit was led by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Most other member countries were represented by their leaders with three exceptions: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were absent.

Xi had attended all previous BRICS summits since taking office in 2013 while Putin has avoided most international trips since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him over his role in the war on Ukraine in March 2023. Brazil is a member of the ICC and would have been required under the Rome Statute, which established the court, to arrest Putin if he visited.

Russia and Iran were represented by their foreign ministers and China by Premier Li Qiang.

This was the first summit attended by Indonesia after its induction into the bloc this year.

The BRICS statement also welcomed Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and Uzbekistan as new BRICS partner countries – a status that places them on a perch below full membership and allows the bloc to increase cooperation with them.

Condemnation of US-Israel strikes on Iran

In their declaration, member states described the recent Israeli and American attacks on Iran as a “violation of international law”, expressing “grave concern” about the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched air strikes on Iranian military, nuclear and civilian sites, killing at least 935 people, including top military and scientific leaders. Iran’s Ministry of Health reported 5,332 people were injured.

Tehran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing at least 29 people and injuring hundreds more, according to figures from Israeli authorities.

A US-brokered ceasefire came into effect on June 24 although the US had supported Israeli strikes just days earlier by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21.

The BRICS statement underscored the importance of upholding “nuclear safeguards, safety, and security. … including in armed conflicts, to protect people and the environment from harm”.

Gaza war and Palestinian statehood

As Israel’s 21-month-long war on Gaza continues, BRICS denounced the use of starvation as a weapon of war and rejected the politicisation or militarisation of humanitarian aid.

The bloc threw its support behind UNRWA, the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees, which has been banned by Israel.

In late May during its blockade on aid for Gaza, Israel allowed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US organisation, to provide food to the people in the enclave. The move has been widely criticised by global rights bodies, especially since hundreds of Palestinians seeking aid have been shot and killed while approaching the GHF’s aid distribution sites.

BRICS also reaffirmed its position, one that is widely held globally, that Gaza and the occupied West Bank are both integral parts of a future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On October 7, 2023, nearly 1,200 people were killed in Israel in Hamas attacks, during which Palestinian fighters also took more than 240 people captive. Since then, Israel has waged a war on Gaza, killing more than 57,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, and destroying more than 70 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure. In that same period, Israel has also killed more than 1,000 people in the West Bank.

Opposition to unilateral sanctions

The BRICS declaration strongly condemned the imposition of “unilateral coercive measures”, such as economic sanctions, arguing that they violate international law and harm human rights.

BRICS members Iran and Russia have been targets of longstanding US sanctions.

After the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the attack on the US embassy in Tehran, Washington imposed a wide range of sanctions. Those were ramped up in the 2010s as the US under then-President Barack Obama tried to pressure Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal in exchange for sanctions relief. But two years after that deal came into effect, Trump, who succeeded Obama as president, pulled out of the agreement and slapped tough sanctions back on Iran. Since then, the US has imposed more sanctions on Iran, including a set of measures last week.

Russia, formerly the US’s Cold War rival, has also faced repeated waves of sanctions, particularly after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump tariffs called a ‘threat’

With the global economy in turmoil over Trump’s trade policies, BRICS voiced concern over his tariffs regime.

Trump has set Wednesday as a deadline to finalise new trade agreements, after which countries failing to strike deals with Washington will face increased tariffs.

The BRICS bloc, a major force in the global economy, is projected to outpace global average gross domestic product growth in 2025.

According to April data from the International Monetary Fund, the economies of BRICS countries will collectively grow at 3.4 percent compared with a 2.8 percent global average.

The world’s top 10 economies by size include the wealthy Group of Seven nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and US – and three BRICS nations – Brazil, China and India.

The group warned that protectionist trade policies risk reducing global trade, disrupting supply chains and heightening economic uncertainty, undermining the world’s development goals.

Pahalgam attack condemned

Two months after the Pahalgam attack in India-administered Kashmir, in which gunmen killed 26 civilians, BRICS condemned the incident “in the strongest terms”.

But even with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi present, the statement did not mention Pakistan, which New Delhi has accused of supporting the attackers in April.

The two countries fought a four-day war in May after Indian strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and called for a “credible, transparent, independent” investigation.

The BRICS statement urged “zero tolerance” for “terrorism” and rejected any “double standards” in counterterrorism efforts.

Silence on Ukraine war

The lengthy statement made no direct mention of Russia’s war in Ukraine except to call for a “sustainable peace settlement”.

However, it did condemn Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure in May and June, citing civilian casualties and expressing its “strongest” opposition to such actions.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street face a huge schedule change this week as ITV continue with their sports coverage. Here’s when you’ll find Emmerdale and Coronation Street on this week

Emmerdale and Coronation Street fans face a huge shake-up this week as the soaps move times for the football. As usually happens, the soaps have been displaced this week on ITV to allow for the airing of various football matches.

Those hoping to kick off their week with some Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be sorely disappointed as both soaps won’t air on Monday due to back to back football coverage. The same will apply for Wednesday, with no soaps on.

On Tuesday, viewers will be treated to a trip to the Dales whilst on Thursday, soap fans who love the drama in the Woolpack and the chaos on the Cobbles will get two full hours of soaps – one hour from each programme.

Friday is the only day where the soaps will air as normal, with Emmerdale airing at 7.30pm and Coronation Street airing for its usual hour slot at 8pm. There will be no soaps on the weekend, despite ‘missing’ episodes.

Usually we get three hours of Coronation Street every week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and three hours of Emmerdale every week (half an hour each day and an hour on Thursday). However, this week, we will only get two hours of Emmerdale and two hours of Coronation Street across the five days.

This actually aligns more with the plans for the soaps from 2026. From next January, the soaps have been cut by half an hour each. Instead of airing at their current pattern, there will be a ‘power hour’ of soaps.

Emmerdale episodes will air at 8pm, and Coronation Street episodes will air at 8.30pm. These will air in half an hour slots from 2026, meaning the soaps will be cut down by half an hour each each week.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, said: “This new pattern is in the DNA of the soap genre – nobody else does 30 minute drama this successfully.

“It creates a soap power hour that’s consistent, and easy to find in the linear schedule, for the UK’s biggest soaps. This new commissioning pattern will mean five hours of soaps a week, rather than the current six. We are conscious this will have an impact for the people who work on the soaps team. We will support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.”

Emmerdale and Coronation Street’s full soap schedule for this week:

Monday: No soaps

Tuesday: Emmerdale 7.30pm

Wednesday: No soaps

Thursday: Emmerdale 7.30pm (hour long episode), Coronation Street 9pm

Friday: Emmerdale 7.30pm, Coronation Street 8pm

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A JOCKEY banned from racing for his role in the ‘biggest race-fixing storm ever’ was beaten by a 40-1 outsider on his first ride back in 14 years.

Greg Fairley beat William Buick to the Champion Apprentice title in 2007 and looked all set for superstardom in the saddle.

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He would go onto Group 1 glory and massive prize money earnings of £2.8million on the track over a few short years, banging in 381 winners in Britain alone.

But his career looked done and dusted in 2011 when he was hit with a colossal ban for two of the most serious rules breaches.

He was found guilty of riding a horse to lose – ‘failing to obtain the best possible placing’ – and passing on inside information for reward.

A total of 11 people were sanctioned by the BHA for what at the time was called the ‘largest race-fixing ring ever exposed in British racing history’.

Fairley and fellow jockey Paul Doe were warned off for a dozen years, while two owners were banned for 14 for betting on their horses to lose, ‘corrupting’ jockeys in the process.

Fairley last rode 14 years ago but, having served his time and been regranted a licence by the BHA, he made his comeback at Ayr on Monday.

Scottish trainer Iain Jardine gave Fairley, who in his own words ran away’ back home to Scotland to run a tree surgery business before the BHA announced his ban, the ride on 4-1 Superior Council.

The six-year-old gelding, who had finished first and second on his two most recent starts, had been backed into as short as 3-1 before drifting slightly before the off.

But despite jumping well from the stalls he found little in the 6f race and finished eighth pf 16.

Former Amo Racing jockey Kevin Stott was on the winner – two-time Grand National champ Lucinda Russell’s 40-1 South Road.

In a statement written before his return, Fairley addressed his past ban and said it’s all now behind him as he focuses on winning again.

Fairley wrote: “Fifteen years ago I chose a path that was wrong and paid a justifiably significant price for my poor decisions.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the licencing committee of the BHA for giving me a second chance.

“I would also like to thank Sandy Thomson, Iain Jardine and Charlie and Mark Johnston who have all been very supportive.”

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The Clippers have traded guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and have acquired forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz in a three-team, multi-player deal that also includes a draft pick, according to people with knowledge of the stituation not authorized to speak on the matter.

The Clippers will send a 2027 second-round pick to the Jazz and the Heat will send Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to the Jazz as part of the deal.

In Collins, the Clippers get some much-needed size for the frontcourt and youth.

Though Collins played just 40 games last season for the Jazz, including 31 starts, he averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds.

A 6-9, 226-pound power forward, Collins improved his outside shooting, making a career-best 39.9 percent of his three-pointers last season despite dealing with back and ankle injuries.

Over the course of his eight-year career, Collins has averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and shot 54.6 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line, including a career-best 84.8 percent last season.

Collins opted into his player option that pays him $26.5 million next season, his last year of that deal.

Powell was one of the Clippers top performers last season, averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game, second-best on the team. He was in the final year of a contract that was to pay him $20.4 million next season and was seeking an extension.

July 7 (UPI) — Brazil’s foothold in the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency market has grown stronger with the entry of U.S.-based trading platform Webull and crypto mining infrastructure firm Enegix.

The global rise of cryptocurrencies has presented serious regulatory challenges for governments and central banks. In that context, Brazil has emerged as a pioneer, establishing a clear, transparent and collaborative legal framework for the oversight and accounting of digital assets.

According to data from Chainalysis, Brazil accounted for more than 30% of all cryptocurrency transaction volume in Latin America in 2024 — the highest in the region.

Last week, Central Asian crypto mining firm Enegix Global announced plans to open a data center in the northeastern state of Piauí. State officials said company representatives signed a memorandum of understanding with local authorities and met with Gov. Rafael Fonteles to discuss the project.

Meanwhile, fintech firm Webull Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL) announced June 26 that it is reentering the cryptocurrency market, selecting Brazil as the first launch region in its renewed global rollout.

The company has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion and reported gross margins of 79.73%. Webull said it is targeting emerging markets with robust regulatory frameworks.

Brazil’s progress in the cryptocurrency sector is closely tied to its Virtual Assets Law, which established the foundation for regulating services involving digital assets.

The law, in effect since 2022, designates the Central Bank of Brazil as the lead regulatory authority while maintaining the oversight role of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil for crypto assets classified as securities.

The Central Bank has launched a series of key initiatives to build out the regulatory framework, addressing legal and accounting gaps that had previously left parts of the crypto market in a gray area.

Francisco Santos, a crypto trading and investment adviser, said one of the bank’s priorities is clarifying the legal and accounting treatment of widely used crypto mechanisms, such as staking and airdrops.

“Staking, which allows users to lock their cryptocurrencies to support blockchain networks in exchange for rewards, and airdrops, where cryptocurrencies are distributed for free to holders of other tokens, have often generated income that goes undeclared or is misreported. The law brings more transparency and structure,” Santos said.

Brazil’s crypto regulations aim to improve how digital asset activity is recognized in financial reporting. That includes defining how crypto-related mechanisms should be recorded in the financial statements of both companies and individuals, ensuring greater transparency and proper taxation.

The framework also supports more accurate market valuation of digital assets and improves the quality of data reported by companies operating in the crypto sector, strengthening oversight and accountability.

The Central Bank of Brazil has placed particular emphasis on licensing and supervising cryptocurrency exchanges and other virtual asset service providers, or VASPs. These entities must obtain operational licenses and meet minimum standards for security and compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules.

Another key part of Brazil’s strategy is its commitment to public participation and open dialogue with the crypto industry.

“Through public consultations and discussion forums, the Central Bank has gathered input from civil society, entrepreneurs, developers and the crypto industry itself. This collaborative model not only strengthens the regulatory process, but also enhances institutional legitimacy and supports effective implementation,” Santos said.

Not everyone shares such an optimistic view. Maria Silva Souza, an attorney specializing in investment firms, said the cryptocurrency market carries inherent risks despite government-led initiatives.

“Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile. While regulation offers investor protection, it doesn’t eliminate the risk of sharp fluctuations that can lead to significant losses — especially for less-informed retail investors,” Souza said.

She added that despite efforts to improve transparency, the crypto ecosystem remains a target for pyramid schemes, fraudulent offerings and sophisticated scams.

“Exchanges and crypto service providers are vulnerable to cyberattacks, hacks and other technological weaknesses. Regulation sets security standards, but no system is infallible. A successful attack could compromise users’ funds and data,” she said.

US President Donald Trump says a ceasefire deal on Gaza could be reached within days, but major hurdles include the status of the US- and Israeli-backed food distribution system that has been described as a ‘death trap’.

TYRANNICAL leaders in Iran have demanded citizens act as undercover informants to turn in anyone who dares oppose the regime, insiders say.

Panicked mullahs have also ordered “telecom cages” be installed around prisons as the regime wages war against its own people.

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Political prisoners – largely banished to death row on trumped-up charges – have been subject to extreme torture and a disturbing rate of executions in the face of growing tensions in the Middle East.

Insiders say their treatment is being weaponised to deter opposition.

The fight against repression has loomed large for decades in the rogue state – but the so-called 12-day war last month has made the barbaric Ayatollah more fearful than ever of being toppled.

Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, CEO and Founder of United Against Nuclear Iran, said the Ayatollah is “on his heels” and is “engaging in a purification campaign”.

He told The Sun: “The Ayatollah is incredibly weak and I think what he’s doing is out of fear that his regime is going to collapse.

“He’s looking around, most of his generals have been killed. Those that are alive, he is probably suspicious that they are spies.

“There’s no clear succession, and I think the Ayatollah is on his heels.

“He’s doing everything he can to try to find some sort of path to a succession, and the continuation of this revolutionary regime.”

With Ali Khamenei’s grip weakened by the unprecedented Israeli and US blitz, the incapacitated supreme leader has discharged fresh hell on his own people in a corrupt bid to stifle uprising.

Sources inside Iran told The Sun how a direct alert has been issued to the public, urging them to report any activity linked to resistance groups of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

Regime loyalists have been implored to act as informants – compiling detailed reports with photos, times, locations, licence plates and facial features of suspected individuals.

Orders were publicised in an official government news outlet – marking a distinct shift in the paranoid regime’s usual strategy of covert suppression.

Insiders noted it points to the regime’s growing perceived threat posed by the PMOI’s grassroots operations.

The PMOI has long fought for a secular, democratic Iran, and is understood to be gaining traction amid frustration with economic hardship, political repression, and international isolation.

Iranians have lived under the iron-fist rule of fanatics ever since the revolution in 1979 saw the country transformed into an Islamic republic.

The close-knit cadres have attempted to thwart opposition by any means necessary for 46 years – but now lie incredibly vulnerable.

Anxious mullahs forced a complete shutdown of internet access in government offices during the conflict last month to take full control of information flow.

Iran regime massacres inmates

by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital)

IRAN’S ruthless regime massacred defenceless inmates at a prison before blaming their deaths on shrapnel from airstrikes, insiders revealed.

Cold-blooded regime dictators have also ordered the arrest of hundreds after accusing them of having links to arch-foe Israel.

As Israeli missiles rained down on a nearby military site on June 16, panicked inmates at Dizel-Abad Prison in Kermanshah begged to be moved to safety.

But they were instead met with a hail of bullets from the regime’s merciless enforcers in a “deliberate and cold-blooded act”, a witness said.

The source from within the prison said: “The prisoners insisted they be moved from areas where windows had shattered and where they feared further missile strikes.

“The regime’s answer was bullets.

“The special forces opened fire directly at unarmed, defenseless inmates who were merely trying to flee a danger zone.”

Insiders said the prisoners faced live ammunition after guards began beating inmates when they tried to breach internal doors in a bid to get to safety.

At least ten people were killed and a further 30 injured.

Regime authorities are now said to be attempting to cover up the deaths.

One source said: “Officials are planning to falsely attribute the deaths to shrapnel from the airstrike, not their own gunfire.”

READ MORE HERE

Universities were mandated to create “war monitoring rooms” on every campus – which continue to put the personal social media activity of professors and students under surveillance.

Meanwhile, the Supreme National Security Council is installing “telecom cages” at prisons around the state to sever any external communications inmates have.

Jamming devices have been deployed to disrupt messages and calls being made – preventing any contact with the outside world.

It comes as execution numbers have spiralled in recent weeks – with 424 recorded since March 21, according to figures from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

In just three days during the conflict between Israel and Iran, 17 prisoners – including one woman – were executed.

One source said: “This surge is a deliberate tactic to instill fear and crush resistance.”

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Wallace, who served as the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the regime has ramped up its “vicious clampdown” to prevent “people pouring out in opposition in the streets”.

The ex-diplomat added: “You see real Iranians suffering every day in those streets, and we cannot forget about them.

“The only path ultimately for the regime to fall is solely in the control of the Iranian people.

“Sadly, the Iranian people will suffer, and many will likely have to die for that to happen, and they’re being persecuted as we speak today.

“I’m sure there are people being imprisoned and likely will meet their death because of the crackdown of that state security apparatus.

“It’s really essential that we do not forget the people of Iran that are the victims of this regime.”

The NCRI has warned how four political prisoners are facing severe torture as regime enforcers try to extract forced confessions to try and link them to the deaths of two notorious regime judges.

Arghavan Fallahi, Bijan Kazemi, and father and son Mohammad and Amirhossein Akbari Monfared have been subjected to prolonged interrogation and could face the death penalty.

Despite this, defiant campaigners have continued their “No to Execution Tuesdays” movement – uniting activists and the families of inmates.

Zolal Habibi, of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Sun: “Even in the midst of war, the clerical regime in Iran has not paused its machinery of executions and repression for a single day.

“This chilling reality underscores a deeper truth: the primary war in Iran is not external, but internal — a war between the Iranian people and their organised resistance on one side, and the ruling religious dictatorship on the other.

“Yet amid this brutality, the resilience of the Iranian people shines through.

“Last Tuesday, political prisoners across 47 prisons -the most tightly controlled spaces in the country – continued their campaign against the death penalty for the 74th consecutive week.

“Their defiance is a source of pride for every Iranian who dreams of freedom.”

Sofia, also known as sofiasttravels, recently shared how she booked a seat on “Ryanair’s cheapest flight” for a day out and was amazed by how much she spent on the adventure

We’ve all had those moments where we just want to jump on a plane and soak up some much-needed sunshine, but one woman recently took this travel dream to new heights. Sofia, who goes by the handle sofiasttravels on TikTok, confessed that she booked herself onto “Ryanair‘s cheapest flight” for a day trip, and was left gobsmacked by how little it cost to spend a day gallivanting in a different country.

In a recent video, Sofia shared her “extreme day trip” adventure – an experiment to see what would happen if she simply hopped on the most affordable flight available. After a bit of digging, she found that the cheapest ticket was for a flight to Pescara in Italy on the day she wanted to travel.

She revealed that this set her back a mere £42 for a return journey from London Stansted Airport. Eager to discover what awaited them, Sofia and a friend jetted off to Italy where they enjoyed breakfast for a bargain €6.20 each, roughly £5.34.

Greeted by a balmy 23°C, they strolled along the beach before indulging in cocktails and snacks, which totalled €7.00 (£6.03). Next on the agenda was lunch, costing them €23.00 per person, approximately £19.82. In a surprising twist, they ended up joining a “stranger’s 18th birthday party”, seemingly having a whale of a time.

Later, they treated themselves to some gelato at €2.50 (£2.15) per serving. Along with browsing the local shops and savouring delicious food, they squeezed in another Aperol spritz before heading home.

After a day packed with excitement, they hopped on their flight back and Sofia declared it was “such a great day out.” It’s truly remarkable what can be achieved within the span of 24 hours.

The video has left scores of viewers astonished since its release, prompting a flurry of questions. One viewer even expressed intentions to embark on a similar adventure soon.

A seasoned traveller shared: “Cheapest flight I’ve taken with Ryanair was a £4 return back in uni. Skipped lectures for a day trip to Dublin.”

Someone else recounted: “Did this once to Copenhagen. It was so tiring, but had the best day.” Another responded: “Wow – looks amazing.”

In another comment, someone mentioned: “I’m flying to Amsterdam and back on the same day. I got a ticket to see the Anne Frank house and I’ll do a boat trip.”

For those unaware, with proper planning, you can explore over 200 destinations across 34 countries on a budget with Ryanair. Daily checks for the lowest fares on European flights make it possible to spontaneously jet off to a variety of places.

Whether for work or leisure, there are countless reasons to book a spur-of-the-moment trip. All it takes is some savvy searching to snag the best deals for your intended travel dates.

The Ryanair website says: “We understand that flexibility is important to our travellers, so we make it easy to compare low cost flights with our Fare Finder. Take advantage of the Ryanair app for a friendly mobile experience and special offers, so you can conveniently plan trips throughout Europe and find important information related to your flight.

“You can plan the logistics of your trip right in one place. Find a hotel, car hire and vacation packages on the official Ryanair site while searching, booking and checking-in for flights.”

Flavio Cobolli, one of tennis’ most exciting prospects, reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final with a hard-fought victory over veteran Marin Cilic at Wimbledon.

In his most difficult challenge of this year’s tournament, Cobolli was pushed hard in a 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) win to set up a potential meeting with his idol Novak Djokovic.

The Italian 22nd seed has impressed with his shot variety and entertaining style during his SW19 run.

The 23-year-old was composed against Cilic, a former Wimbledon finalist and the 2014 US Open champion, but dropped his first set of the competition in an absorbing encounter.

After a breakthrough 2024, when he rose from outside the world’s top 100 to the top 30, Cobolli is now enjoying his best Grand Slam performance, having previously never gone beyond the third round.

His victory kicks off what could be a historic day for Italy, with Cobolli, Lorenzo Sonego and Jannik Sinner all featuring in the last 16.

Should they all win, it would be the first time three Italian men have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.

Sonego faces American 10th seed Ben Shelton while Sinner takes on Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov later on Monday.

July 7 (UPI) — Three people were hospitalized and 21 more were injured after being attacked by a swarm of bees in the French town of Aurillac, authorities said.

This occurred at around 10 a.m. local time on Sunday as passers-by were stung over the span of 30 minutes in the town.

According to the mayor and the prefecture, the bees came from hives nearby on the roof of the town’s large Bordeaux hotel.

Emergency services treated the three victims before being admitted to the hospital after allergic reactions to being sung. One elder suffered a cardiac arrest but he was able to be resuscitated.

According to the fire brigade, the victims’ conditions have been stabilized by Sunday afternoon.

The mayor of Aurillac, Pierre Mathonier, believed that this incident was linked to the invasion of Asian hornets in Europe, which potentially causes honey bees to be aggressive.

“It raises questions about the presence of hives in the city center,” said Mathonier as he had “never experienced such behavior” from the hotel bees.

After this incident, the mayor said he was considering banning beehives in his municipality.

According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, there are between two to nine deaths from bee or wasp stings in the U.K. every year.

Florence has been named the most walkable city in the world, and it’s not hard to see why when you take a closer look at the five key attractions that are all within a 10-minute walk of each other

Florence has been crowned the ultimate city break for its outstanding beauty and walkability, with tourists flocking to the heart of Tuscany to stroll through its historic streets. According to newly released data, what makes Florence a magnet for visitors is not only its status as regional capital but also its compact nature, with five major attractions nestled within just half a mile of one another.

Earlier this year, financial pundits at Insider Monkey unveiled their list of the world’s most walkable cities, drawing from sources like Tourlane and WalkScore while also considering factors such as air quality and safety levels.

READ MORE: ‘Life-saving’ menopause product inspired by menopausal 25-year-old sells out 3 times

With rave reviews for being “a city that offers Renaissance history and timeless architecture with each step”, Florence’s appeal lies in a historic centre that doubles as a UNESCO-listed haven, boasting such marvels as the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – all conveniently close for a leisurely 10-minute amble.

Florence, the first European city to pave all its streets back in 1339, is a walker’s paradise. With its meandering village roads and hidden nooks, you can uncover the city’s treasures without hopping on a bus or tram.

TripAdvisor is brimming with top-rated walking tours, including the highly recommended Florence Sunset Walking Tour with Food and Wine tasting.

This three to four-hour journey delves into Florence’s rich heritage, offering both culinary and cultural delights. The tour has been hailed as a “wonderful touring, eating, drinking adventure” by satisfied travellers, reports the Express.

One review highlighted the picturesque riverside path along the Arno River, which flows from the lofty Apennine mountains into the heart of Florence.

For those with a penchant for culture and history, the Florence in a Day tour comes highly praised. Tourists have called it “a wonderful way to see some key sites in Florence” packed with “a wealth of information” provided by knowledgeable guides.

And if you’re on the hunt for hidden gems, Piazza della Passera offers a tranquil alternative to the bustling Piazza Signoria. Celebrated for its “very genuine local atmosphere” by Love From Tuscany, it’s an ideal spot for a leisurely break.

For the best view, the terrace on top of La Rinascente department store offers a stunning view over the city’s rooftops and the Duomo, serving light refreshments including coffee.

Alternatively, you can visit the Santarosa gardens in the Oltrarno for a comfortable meal or cocktail outdoors.

Flight deals to Florence are readily available via Skyscanner with Iberia, Vueling, or British Airways. October is by far the most affordable month to visit with prices starting at £48 from London direct to Florence.

The UK is home to some stunning scenery, including forests, rivers and charming villages, but one lake has been named the most beautiful in the country

The UK boasts some truly breathtaking landscapes. From forests and rivers to quaint villages and lakes, we’re spoilt for choice. But new research suggests one lake in particular outshines the rest with its stunning beauty.

According to Go Outdoors, the crown for the most picturesque spot in the UK goes to Loch Lomond in Scotland, a vast lake complete with a nearby National Park and even an ancient village ripe for exploration. Tucked away in southern Scotland, Loch Lomond is the UK’s most scenic lake, boasting over 600,000 social media posts.

This 22-mile-long expanse of water, the largest by surface area in Britain, is nestled amongst hills in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, making it the ideal location for that Instagram-worthy snap.

Visitors can maximise their experience by scaling the nearby Ben Lomond mountain for even more jaw-dropping vistas.

The colossal loch is peppered with a staggering 22 islands. To get a glimpse of these islands, hopping on a boat tour is your best bet, reports the Express.

Inchcailloch is one of the most accessible islands of Loch Lomond, with a ferry service running from Balmaha. It’s part of the Nature Reserve and is home to otters, deer and a plethora of bird species.

The largest island, Inchmurrin, is also reachable by ferry, with a service departing from the jetty at Arden. This island is steeped in history and hosts several intriguing ruins, including Lennox Castle and a 7th-century monastery.

Nestled on the western banks of the lake, you’ll find the enchanting village of Luss, a settlement steeped in history dating back to the 11th century.

Luss is a picturesque haven of quaint stone cottages, blooming gardens and offers stunning vistas across the loch.

Beyond its medieval allure, Luss boasts an array of independent boutiques ideal for securing mementoes of your visit, along with a wealth of cafes, restaurants and pubs where you can unwind while soaking up the breathtaking scenery.

While Luss tends to draw crowds during the summer season, an early arrival can help you sidestep the throngs and fully savour your day trip.

There’s a reason Nate Jackson’s debut Netflix special arrives during barbecue season. Perched on a stool under the spotlight at his shows, the comedian spends most of the evening delivering hospital-worthy third-degree burns to crowd members who want the smoke. If you lock eyes with him in the first five rows, chances are you even paid extra to be his next victim by sitting in “the roast zone.”

During a recent pair of packed, back-to-back gigs at the Wiltern last month, the Tacoma-bred comic made full use of his flame-throwing abilities to torch his highest-paying L.A. fans over their questionable fashion choices, weird haircuts and bad teeth. As the evening progresses he dives deeper, extracting more information and grilling them about their personal lives and romantic relationships with a camera zoomed in on them, broadcasting their faces on a jumbo screen if they were at a Dodger game. When everything works right, Jackson finds a way to weave the stories of his random burn victims together in a way that makes the whole show feel pre-planned. Meanwhile, even as Jackson is busy making fans the butt of his comedic freestyle, the person laughing the hardest is usually the roastee. It’s the mark of good crowd work that’s not simply well done but more importantly done well.

This ride of the unpredictable twists and turns is given the same spotlight and attention in his special as his pre-written jokes in a way that keeps the pace engaging while making his audience the stars of the show. It makes his debut “Nate Jackson: Super Funny” a testament to the style and the brand of comedy he’s grown from a weekly comedy night to a brick-and-mortar comedy club and now a Netflix special that bears the same name.

Speaking of names … no, he didn’t interview himself for this story. But a journalist and the comedian swapping professions for a day or two could be funny. Whaddaya think, Nate?

Recently Nate Jackson spoke to Nate Jackson about his career coming up in the Tacoma comedy scene, refining his ability to improv on shows like MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out” and using his crowd work skills to go viral on TikTok.

This conversation was edited for length and clarity.

Well, well … Nate Jackson.

Nate Jackson.

I heard about you, man.

When I Google me … we come up. What is the likelihood of that?

It’s been my whole career — searching “our name.”

Then there’s a random guy [another Nate Jackson] playing a guitar and then all of the sudden, a third-string Denver Bronco [also named Nate Jackson] wants to write a book about playing football while high, and then he takes over the front three pages of our name.

No worries, us doing this interview together will definitely help us both surge in Google rankings.

So you’re Nate Jackson. I’m Nate Jackson Jr., and my dad is [also named] Nate Jackson. So this is a lot of Nate Jackson.

Some Nate-ception going on!

[Laughs] Bars!

Congrats on your latest special, “Nate Jackson: Super Funny.”

What’d you think?

I thought that it was a great balance of what everyone’s seeing on you on their phones [via TikTok] recently, and it also shows people what you spent your entire career doing in comedy before social media. You’re able to convey the level of crowd work you do in a live setting really well. I know a lot of people say, “Oh, crowd work is so easy to do,” but is it actually really hard?

Oh no, it’s easy to do. It’s hard to do right.

“Organic [humor] wins almost every single time when you’re writing material. One of the main challenges is making it so that it’s consumable by the masses,” Jackson said. “You want to write about things that people can relate to.”

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

How did it start for you with the crowd work becoming a central part of your act?

It never was a thing I wanted to go to as a central part of my act. I fought against that concept. If you work on a joke for three months, you want that to work more than the thing you just walked out [on stage] and said, “Look at that light flickering.” But you can’t control what is going to hit harder. Organic [humor] wins almost every single time when you’re writing material. One of the main challenges is making it so that it’s consumable by the masses. You want to write about things that people can relate to. You want to be relatable, right? Well, what’s more relatable than, “It’s hot in here, and we can all feel it.”

How did you get started in the Tacoma comedy scene?

I started because I had a room in Tacoma, Washington. I had a lot of rooms in Washington, and I consolidated them into a Thursday night, and it was the “Super Funny Comedy Show,” which is now the “Super Funny Comedy Club.” But it was every Thursday, and I was young enough in my career that I was like, I need to produce a show that would pack this place out, and I don’t have the skill set to be the [driving force] yet. But I can host; I can add a live band. I need my headliners coming from somewhere else. So that’s why we had [big names like] Lil Rel, Tiffany Haddish, Leslie Jones, Deon Cole. So Tacoma was spoiled by the lineups that came and did [my] Thursday night.

In doing that, every week I could write, but I could not keep up with the pacing of having a monologue every Thursday. [I was] a new comic without my voice. So I abandoned that. Sometimes I would make a joke and then say, “Now I’m just gonna mess with who’s in front of me.” And that [crowd work] muscle started to pulsate. Then I added a little improv to it. Then it I said, “All right, this next [set] I’m gonna go up with [no material]. I’m gonna go up naked and I’m coming off with a ‘W.’” It got to where people are like, “Yo, I kind of like it when you just freestyle.”

So doing improv on stage led to you freestyle roasting people?

It didn’t necessarily need to be a roast. I could be [a joke on] something I saw on the news that day. They just want to see me create — to just pick up the newspaper and then go off that. I’m like, “Guys, that’s a slap in the face to when I’m putting three, four hours in at Starbucks, working on the writing and making sure the punch lines are all there.” But it’s the same thing I’m doing with the crowd work content. I don’t just mess with people for the sake of messing with them. I am getting information to then plug into a setup. Now we’re in a comedy structure where it’s act out and mix up a set up, a punch line, etc. I want to make it worth slowing down the pacing that I would have if I was the only one talking and dictating the energy.

When I go to somebody, it is now at their pacing. They can take four minutes on the answer, and people are now fidgeting in the crowd. I’m like, “Come on now, hey, come on.” You got to keep it moving; that’s the rule to what’s happening onstage. It can go slow, but we need to feel like we’re going from point A in a story or an interaction to point B. Sometimes maybe I’m going from point A to point C, and I hit you with some misdirection in there, then, wham to point C and all connects. People are like, “Wait, so the last 10 minutes was a setup?!” That’s what I pride myself on. So you, how do just say, “Oh, that’s crowd work” — is it?

“I think that what I’m doing it is the evolution of stand-up,” Jackson said. “You [can’t] go on stage and just do your set the same way — the way you practice it in your mirror — in front of a blinding light, where you can’t even see [the crowd].”

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

It’s definitely more than what people ascribe to it as a part of a show. It turns the fans into the show in a way that they can walk away feeling good about — even if they’ve been roasted.

And that’s on me, because I could just be malicious and leave it bad. But I always, I try to uplift. I’m a “Que,” a member of Omega Psi Phi [fraternity]. It’s one of our principles, “to uplift.” I don’t want you to leave the show being like, “Man, I’ll never watch a show again.” No, it should be like, “Okay, [he roasted me], but we had fun.” I’m not trying to beat up on people.

I wanted to talk about the role TikTok played in your recent glow-up in comedy over the last few years. How did it help you develop as a comedian?

I just started showing [my skills]. Once you start showing it, you’re not a secret anymore. Comics would come to Tacoma — which is off the beaten path — and then be like, “There’s a guy up there that even as a host you need to have, you need to be ready to follow, because he’s just — he’s literally just up there winging it, and he’s on fire.” Everyone in comedy knows the guy or the girl, and that was kind of what the stigma became. I was one of comedy’s best-kept secrets. People would come up [to my comedy shows], they would see my razzle-dazzle, they would take little bits of my recipe and add it to their stuff. And so I would watch people years later and be like, “Really … really?!” Don’t come up here and take my sauce and then, because you got more shine than me, use it. It takes a lot to just be the person that can handle that and not develop a chip on the shoulder. But if I’m the creator, if I’m their origin and I’m the source of [my style of comedy], then I have no issue continuing to create.

People were just like, “You need to get online!” I was like, “I am! I have every app and I’m tired now. How many things I gotta manage?” And it just got to the point where I was like, “Alright, let me get on. Let me do TikTok. That’s the app where people are following.” I saw friends that were having wild success on there, and I was like, alright, I’ll try it. And sure enough, within six or seven clips — the seventh [clip] hit. It wasn’t mega viral or anything, but it did more than my average video was doing over on on Instagram. I said, there’s something to this. And I stayed on it. And then things kept it [growing]. And so I was watching, and the needle was moving. And so here we are.

How often would you post clips on TikTok when you started using it?

I was posting at least once a day. That is not easy, because you got to get your sound right, your video needs to be quality, and then you got to pull it, edit it, and caption the words that are on the screen. There’s AI now, but all of us who were doing this [before AI] would laugh about it and be like,“When do you caption?” We’ll watch a movie and literally just be captioning. For a five-minute video, a four-minute video, I’m talking about exhaustion … Now, you plug that thing in [with AI] and the whole thing is done. Thank God, or thank computer. I don’t know who [I] was supposed to thank in that scenario, but it streamlined the process so much more content can come out now. What took me all night long to get one clip out — now we do three a day. Or two a day now, at the very least.

We talk about how AI can be a threat to original entertainment, including comedy. But are there ways AI and social media have changed the art form for the better?

Yes, and we can do so much more. We can now edit a whole podcast in two minutes. You would think it’s getting rid of jobs, and in theory it should be, but it should make one person be able to do so much more. Instead of someone losing the job, we have the capacity to put out way more content. So let’s keep all of our employees, but let’s now do 180% times more work. Also as far as AI goes, I’m okay if we stop right now for two years. Let’s just stop right now … before we legitimately are in a plot of “Terminator.”

With the type of show you’re doing now, where do you see the future of comedy going?

“Live your life to the fullest. Love hard, play hard,” Jackson said. “We only got one shot at this. I left it all out on the stage. That’s exactly how we should live every day.”

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

I think that what I’m doing it is the evolution of stand-up. You [can’t] go on stage and just do your set the same way — the way you practice it in your mirror — in front of a blinding light, where you can’t even see [the crowd]. What’s the difference between being in front of seven people or 70,000 people? It feels exactly the same. I think there’s a detachment between the person and the people. We’ve seen the guys that are such glitzy superstars — that just being there to watch it, that’s the presence you want to be in. But with human interaction, every show is different. You have to be malleable and loose. You can’t do your set, 1-2-3-4-5 — you gotta be able to go 5-3-2-1-4, with different segues on the fly.

What’s a better mechanic, the one that does the same 14 diagnostic steps no matter what car comes in, or the one that opens the hood and listens and goes, “[Your car needs a] timing belt, gimme a timing belt”? Let’s say you have five jokes — your hot five. Three [jokes] are about your cat, one’s about your mom and one is about a motorcycle. And you walk out on stage and there’s a motorcycle club in the front four rows. Do you get off of your normal order and establish rapport with the audience by moving your motorcycle joke to the front, or do you set yourself up for failure by talking about your new cat for three jokes to a motorcycle gang? They’ll listen to you if they like you. So get what will establish that first — be malleable.

A lot of new fans of yours may not know, but you’ve had experience with improv years ago in the “Wild ‘N Out” days [on MTV during Season 8, circa 2016]. What’s it like taking those skills you learned on TV and moving it to your own specials, podcasts and social media in this new era?

It’s all “yes, and …” We take the current situation and go, “What else can we add?” We’re just building … the real talent, the expertise comes in when they build, and it’s also a pivot, like the segue you just did right now to get into this topic. So kudos to “Wild ‘N Out” to being able to procure and find all of us and put us together. But all of us obviously had something, otherwise how do you catch the eye of a network showrunner? Shout out to Nile Evans and everybody that’s a part of procuring the talent that ends up being the stars of tomorrow. We can be like, “Oh, it’s a little urban hip-hop show.” Or we can be real about the fact that Katt Williams and Kevin Hart and all these people have come down the halls of that show. I would argue “Wild ‘N Out’s” alumni that have hit are as decorated or more than “In Living Color.”

This special feels like just a big culmination of your career right now. What’s something you would want people to take away from it after watching?

Live your life to the fullest. Love hard, play hard. We only got one shot at this. I left it all out on the stage. That’s exactly how we should live every day. Bert Kreischer said [my new special] made him miss doing stand-up … that is so powerful. The best comics make you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?” or, “God, I gotta write!” He didn’t watch it and go, “You know who you remind me of?” I think that’s not flattering. He watched and said, “I gotta get down on my stuff.” I don’t know if it’s like, “Oh, this kid’s coming,” or if it’s just a, “I respect what you do, I appreciate it, and it made me want to get back on my stuff.” I feel like it’s more the latter, but there’s going to be some of that “OK, this kid’s coming.” There’s going to be nothing you can do because I’m coming, whether you like this special or not.

The international legal order loses its effectiveness when faced with the unilateralism of hegemonic powers as well as acts that flout universally accepted norms. If such practices remain unaddressed, there is a risk that the order will lose its foundational purpose: the protection of justice, peace, and the sovereignty of nations.

The attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, including the targeted killings of scientists and intellectuals, bombing of IAEA-approved nuclear facilities, and strikes against residential, medical, media, and public infrastructure, is a prime example of illegal, unilateral action that must not remain unaddressed. It is a wrongful act and a clear violation of fundamental norms of international law.

In this context, the principle of state responsibility, which dictates that states are held accountable for wrongful acts, must be applied. This principle was codified by the International Law Commission ILC in its 2001 Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, which have since been widely recognised and cited by international courts and tribunals.

Per their provisions, the commission of a wrongful act – such as the unlawful use of force – constitutes a violation of an international obligation and imposes a binding duty on the responsible state to provide full and effective reparation for the harm caused.

In the case of the illegal acts committed by the United States and Israel, the scope of legal responsibility goes far beyond ordinary violations. These acts not only contravened customary international law, but also breached peremptory norms, the highest-ranking norms within the international legal hierarchy. Among these, the principle of the prohibition of aggression is a core and universally binding rule. No state is permitted to derogate from this norm, and violations trigger obligations, requiring all members of the international community to respond collectively to uphold the law.

There are at least two relevant legal precedents that can guide the application of the principle of state responsibility and the obligation for reparations in the case of Iran.

In 1981, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 487 in response to Israel’s attack on Iraq’s nuclear facilities. It unequivocally characterised this act of aggression as a “serious threat to the entire safeguard regime of the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA]”, which is the foundation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The resolution also fully recognised the inalienable sovereign right of all states to establish programmes of technological and nuclear development to develop their economy and industry for peaceful purposes.

Article 6 stipulates that “Iraq is entitled to appropriate redress for the destruction it has suffered, responsibility for which has been acknowledged by Israel”. By mandating that the aggressor compensate the victim for the resulting damages, the resolution provides a clear legal precedent for pursuing redress in similar cases.

Thus, given the fact that the attacks by the US and Israel were carried out with public declarations confirming the operations and are well-documented, the application of the principles and provisions of Resolution 487 to the Iranian case is not only appropriate and necessary but also firmly grounded in international law.

Another relevant document is UN Security Council Resolution 692, which was adopted in 1991 and established the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The commission was tasked with processing claims for compensation of losses and damages incurred as a result of the invasion.

The creation of UNCC demonstrated the capacity of international mechanisms to identify victims, evaluate damage, and implement practical compensation – setting a clear model for state responsibility in cases of unlawful aggression.

This precedent provides a strong legal and institutional basis for asserting the rights of the Iranian people. It is therefore both appropriate and necessary for the UN to establish a rule-based mechanism, such as an international commission on compensation, to redress Iran.

Such a commission, initiated and endorsed by the UN General Assembly or other competent UN bodies, should undertake a comprehensive assessment of the damages inflicted by the unlawful and aggressive acts of the US and the Zionist regime against Iran.

The establishment of reparative mechanisms – whether through independent commissions, fact-finding bodies, or compensation funds operating under international oversight – would contribute meaningfully to restoring trust in the global legal system and provide a principled response to the ongoing normalisation of impunity.

Iran also has another avenue for pursuing justice for the illegal attacks it was subjected to. In the lead-up to them, the IAEA published biased and politically motivated reports about the Iranian nuclear programme, which facilitated the commission of aggression by the US and Israel and breached the principle of neutrality.

This places Iran in a position to seek redress and claim damages from the agency under Article 17 of the IAEA Safeguards Agreement. As a state harmed by the agency’s manifest negligence, Iran is entitled to full reparation for all material and moral damages inflicted upon its peaceful nuclear facilities and scientific personnel.

In this context, pursuing accountability for the IAEA, alongside the aggressor states, is a vital element of Iran’s broader strategy to uphold accountability within the international legal order. By relying on recognised, legitimate, and binding international mechanisms, Iran will steadfastly defend the rights of its people at every forum.

Ultimately, responsibility for the recent crimes of this war of aggression does not lie solely with the direct perpetrators, the US and Israel, and those who aided them, the IAEA. All states and international organisations bear an undeniable obligation to implement effective legal measures to prevent such crimes.

The international community as a whole must respond decisively. Silence, delay, or any form of complicity in the face of aggression and atrocities would reduce the principle of state accountability under international law to an empty slogan.

In its pursuit of accountability, Iran will exhaust all available resources and will not relent until the rights of its people are fully recognised and they receive adequate redress. It will continue to seek the prosecution and accountability of those responsible for these crimes, both domestically and internationally, until justice is fully achieved.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.