Month: July 2025

Which global companies are benefitting from the genocide in Gaza? | Gaza News

UN expert calls out global companies for being ‘complicit in genocide and profiting from occupation’ in Palestine.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur says some of the world’s largest companies are complicit in and profiting from Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Francesca Albanese’s landmark report identified Microsoft, Amazon and Google as just some of the major United States tech firms helping Israel sustain its genocide in Gaza.

But UN reports like this have no legal power. And Israel has rejected Albanese’s findings as “groundless”, saying it would “join the dustbin of history”.

So, will big companies, despite their financial interests, start to question their ties with Israel?

And will consumers around the world bring commercial pressure on those implicated firms?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:

Omar Barghouti – Cofounder of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement

Vaniya Agrawal – Former software engineer at Microsoft, who resigned earlier this year

Michael Lynk – Human rights lawyer and a former UN special rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory

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Don’t rely on Medicaid? Tax bill will drive up costs to your healthcare too | Tax News

United States President Donald Trump’s signature piece of budget legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, will likely raise healthcare costs, experts have said. While the Medicaid cuts will directly impact those who depend on the programme, the consequences will extend to others as well.

The 869-page bill, which includes roughly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid over the next decade, passed in the House along party lines, with only two Republicans – Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania – breaking ranks. It will be signed into law by Trump on Friday.

In addition to patients, Medicaid funds also help financially strapped hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and the cuts could lead to their closures.

Apart from this, almost 12 million people could lose health insurance by 2034 due to reductions to both Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Experts warn the new law will drive up costs elsewhere in the system. Patients may face higher out-of-pocket expenses, while hospitals could be forced to lower the quality of care, raise prices, or close entirely due to the financial strain.

“There is the mistaken belief that cuts in Medicaid will only affect those on Medicaid. Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organisations depend on Medicaid funding for their operations. Therefore, cuts in Medicaid can adversely affect the types and quality of services they provide,” Bruce Y Lee, professor of health policy at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, told Al Jazeera.

“In fact, a number of healthcare organisations depend so heavily on Medicaid funding that they could go out of business with significant cuts.”

The cuts would hit rural hospitals hard, according to an analysis from the National Rural Hospital Association (NRHA). About 20 percent of the US population lives in rural areas, where Medicaid covers one in four adults, a higher share than in urban areas, and plays a large part in financing healthcare services.

The cuts are expected to result in a 20 percent reduction in funding for rural hospitals in half of all states.

That will hurt patients like Martha Previte and her partner Jim Earl, who live in rural Maine. Both have type 1 diabetes and rely on regular hospital visits for a range of procedures, including blood tests and kidney treatment.

“I fear that these cuts are going to close hospitals that we rely on to get care, and we’re not going to have anywhere to go,” Previte told Al Jazeera.

This bill could result in as many as 338 hospitals closing around the US. There are already nearly 800 hospitals that are facing financial hardship.

“Our goal is to help ensure hospitals can remain open for their communities, and people can get the care they need when they need it. Our nation’s health and economic future depend on it,” the American Hospital Association said in a statement condemning the bill’s passage and calling it “an extremely disappointing and very difficult day for health care in America”.

Those that stay open could result in cuts to essential care like chemotherapy and behavioural health services.

The bill does include $50bn for rural hospitals to offset the additional financial strain they will face. But because of cuts to Medicaid, that funding will not make enough of a dent to keep healthcare costs from rising and healthcare facilities from shuttering.

Analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Medicaid cuts would still lead to a drop of $155bn in federal Medicaid spending on rural hospitals over the next 10 years.

“While the President promised to lower costs for Americans, this bill is set to spike premiums and other healthcare costs,” Elizabeth Pancotti, managing director of policy and advocacy at the Groundwork Collaborative, told Al Jazeera.

Rural hospitals in the state of Missouri will be the hardest hit and are expected to lose an average of 29 percent of Medicaid funding. While Missouri’s Senator Josh Hawley, in a May op-ed in the New York Times, said cuts to Medicaid would be “politically suicidal”, he and his fellow Missouri senator, Republican Eric Schmitt, voted in support of the bill before it moved to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The cuts are also expected to affect nursing homes disproportionately in urban areas, according to an analysis from Brown University School of Public Health, which forecast that 579 nursing homes could shutter. Those at highest risk have a Medicaid payer share greater than 85 percent. It was found that the Medicaid cuts overwhelmingly affected nursing homes in California, Georgia, Illinois and Texas.

Looming Medicare changes

Medicaid is not the only healthcare programme seeing cuts. While Medicaid is intended for those who are low-income, Medicare covers healthcare for those 65 and older, as well as some others who have disabilities. Some patients, like Previte, receive both.

“Medicare is my primary insurer, and Medicaid picks up what Medicare does not cover. I am a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic of 41 years with serious complications. Medicare covered my recent hospitalisation and upcoming outpatient procedures,” Previte told Al Jazeera.

The Republican bill could also indirectly lead to cuts in Medicare services because of the statutory Pay‑As‑You‑Go Act of 2010. Under this, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget is required to keep a “scorecard” to track net increases to the deficit, with a goal to “eliminate the overage”.

Because of that, the programme may not get all of the money allocated to it, a potential $490bn loss in access to funds over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office, affecting coverage for people who rely on Medicare.

“The whole thing [the tax bill] is a stark abandonment of human social responsibility,” Previte’s partner Earl said.

Affordable Care Act changes

The upcoming law also makes significant changes to the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. It shortens the annual enrollment period for healthcare coverage by about a month and drives up premium costs for those who need it.

According to analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, insurance premium prices could increase on average by $1,296 a year.

Those who get their healthcare coverage through the exchange will also need to annually update their personal information, which includes income and immigration status, rather than being enrolled automatically.

The changes will cause a strain on the small business economy. Last year, as many as 3.3 million self-employed individuals and small business owners relied on the marketplace for health insurance.

“If you’re a young business owner, already stretched thin by housing costs, child care bills, and health premiums, this bill just made your future harder,” Richard Trent, executive director of Main Street Alliance, an advocacy group for small businesses, said in a statement.

Former President Barack Obama, in a post on X, weighed in as the bill strips parts of his signature policy, a key part of his legacy.

“It will increase costs and hurt working class families for generations to come,” the former president said in a post before the bill’s passage.

“This will be another branch of a limb of a disastrous tree. I’m concerned about what this means for our future care. The thing with diabetes, like many ailments, they’re livable if they’re treated properly. You can live a long, happy, healthy life, but when you’re deprived of healthcare, maintenance-of-health care, and things like that, then a whole Pandora’s box of disasters can happen to your health,” Earl added.

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Love Island Casa Amor return chaos as Harry’s ex joins ITV2 show as bombshell

Love Island fans do not have long left to wait as Casa Amor has been confirmed

Love Island 2025 viewers are convinced they know the first name to be confirmed for this year's Casa Amor
Casa Amor is returning sooner than you think(Image: ITV)

The wait is almost over for Love Island fans, as the notorious Casa Amor has been confirmed to make a comeback, and it’s sooner than you think.

Ever since this season of the beloved reality dating show kicked off, viewers have been hit with an onslaught of brutal new twists – from unexpected dumpings to plenty of bombshells that are stirring serious drama.

Recent episodes brought in the Sleepover Villa, earlier dubbed a “mini casa”, ramping up the pressure and love triangles brewing on screen. But now, Casa Amor is returning very soon with a jaw dropping twist.

In a teaser revealed at the end of Friday’s (July 4) episode, expectant fans learned that Casa Amor’s grand return is set for Sunday, (July 6), as the preview showed before rolling credits sparked excitement.

Harry Cooksley
Harry could be in trouble over the weekend as his ex enters the villa(Image: ITV)

Sign up to get the gossip from inside the villa through our free Love Island newsletter Factor 50

The sneak peek dropped a bombshell as six glamorous girls made their entrance into the villa, taking their positions on the terrace, while presenter Iain confirmed Casa Amor’s return, reports OK!.

Meg was the one to break the news as she read out the girls’ names – Yaz, Lauren, Andrada, Lucy, Rheo and Emma.

A shell-shocked Harry was caught uttering “that’s my ex”, causing everyone to look up at the six newcomers, and leaving Harry’s partner Helena looking gobsmacked.

Casa Amor, hailed as the greatest challenge for the islanders, sees them separated from their partners, coming face to face with tempting new singles. After an exhilarating week, the islanders will be forced to decide – will they choose to recouple or remain loyal?

Helena
Helena was left gobsmacked in latest preview clips

As per Casa Amor drama, fans are on tenterhooks to see who will stick and who will switch. Rumours have already started with Casa Amor additions, with whispers suggesting early exits Poppy and Caprice might return.

If islanders choose to stay loyal, a joyful reunion awaits. However, if one opts for a new partner, they return to the villa while their prior mate is left single.

The episode on July 4 had emotions escalating as Shakira confronted Harry about his feelings for Helena post-Superman challenge gossip from Meg, who suggested Harry’s words weren’t matching his actions.

Love Island Casa Amor
Six new girls will enter the villa on Sunday(Image: ITV)

Shakira pressed him: “You said you’ve fully ended it with Helena, [and that] there’s nothing there with her. Then all of a sudden Meg stands up, who’s Helena’s best friend, and says that you’re telling two different girls two different things. Something’s not adding up there.”

Nonetheless, Harry insisted on his sincerity, even though later footage saw him heading to the hideaway with Helena.

In a twist that left viewers gobsmacked, an unexpected new couple emerged during the latest recoupling. As the girls lined up at the Firepit, one lad stepped forward, choosing his partner with the words: “I don’t really know her as well as I should and I think this is a good opportunity to get to know her fully… I find her attractive and over the last few days she’s really changed my opinion of her.”

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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Abandoned UK island with white beaches abandoned decades ago for key reason

A stunning island that could easily compete with the likes of the Maldives has been left to rot for more than 70 years, after all of its residents abandoned their homes

caption: Faray, Orkney, Long Sand, situated on the western side of the island, facing Rapness Sound
This abandoned island will look completely different in the next decade(Image: Wiki Commons)

With sugar-like sands, cobalt waters, and lush greenery, this tiny island feels like paradise – but one thing is missing.

From the outside, the island of Faray might look like something straight out of a postcard, but look closer and you’ll realise it’s been left to rot for more than 70 years. Situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland, in the Orkney archipelago, this tiny isle once had a flourishing community – boasting a population of 83 people back in 1871.

A metalled road ran the entire length of the island, meaning travelling across the land and visiting your neighbour was a breeze. Locals opted for this piece of infrastructure over building a jetty for receiving or sending goods – which meant if you arrived by boat you’d have to do a pretty big leap to reach the sand.

READ MORE: Abandoned UK island with only one road running through it loved by the Beckhams

caption: Faray, Orkney

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faray
Faray looks like a holiday hotspot, but it was once home to 80 residents

Faray, pronounced Fair-ee, even had its own school – providing free education for children and teens. However, in 1946, the school closed – which ultimately led to its demise.

“[The school’s closure] made the island untenable for young families, particularly as no mention is made in any source of there being a regular visit from a doctor or midwife,” explains the Institute for Northern Studies. “Many inhabitants settled in Eday or Westray, and between 1972-2009 the island was rented by first one family from Westray, and then another from Eday in order to raise sheep.”

Faray
The school’s closure meant living on Faray wasn’t sustainable for families

It is believed Faray attempted to advertise its empty properties to those living nearby, but the campaign flopped and no interest was shown. In 1947, the last family residing on the island left, citing ‘the lack of regular boat service enabling them to maintain regular contact with the outside world’. Ruins of dwelling houses and the former school still remain on the island – acting as an omen of what once was.

Faray, along with other uninhabited islands including Holm and Red Holm, are now Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation due to their important breeding sites for grey seals. This is what has made Faray a popular destination for divers and tourists alike – who may also spot otters seabirds if they’re lucky.

Faray beach
Faray is now a popular place to spot seals

The island was bought by Orkney Islands Council back in 2019 for its ‘strategic development potential’. Proposals to build a huge wind farm consisting of six wind turbines were later approved by the Scottish Government in December 2022, despite concerns from environmentalists. It wipes out the chance for Faray to reestablish itself as a desirable community, but prevents the island from becoming completely forgotten.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured

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Saturday 5 July Constitution Day in Armenia

Having gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia was still using the old 1978 Soviet constitution.

A new constitution was required. While a first draft was presented in 1992, internal political struggles in Armenia meant that the new constitution was not put to a national referendum until July 5th 1995.

The constitution established Armenia as a democratic, sovereign, social, and constitutional state with Yerevan defined as the state’s capital.

Since 1995, the constitution has been amended twice following national referendums in 2005 and 2015.

In 2018, a Velvet Revolution took place in Armenia with a younger generation, headed by Nikol Pashinyan, coming to power. The plan was to change the constitution again. A national referendum was planned for April 2020, though that is now on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2017, after an amendment made to the Law on Holidays and Memorial Days, July 5th is also the Day of State Symbols. The state symbols are the flag, the emblem and the anthem.

West Indies v Australia: Tourists hold narrow lead after day two

Australia won the first Test in Barbados by 159 runs on day three, in a game where neither team passed 200 in the first three innings, and this match also looks set to be heading to an early conclusion as batters on both teams continue to struggle.

Teenage opener Konstas has now failed to make it into double figures in three of his four outings in the series, and veteran partner Khawaja hasn’t passed 20 in three innings.

Jayden Seales, who took six wickets in the first Test and one in the first innings in Grenada, blew away the two openers inside three overs as Australia failed to navigate a short spell prior to close of play.

The West Indies have a struggling opener of their own, with former captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who made four in both innings in Barbados, caught and bowled by Hazlewood in the second over of the day.

Keacy Carty was then removed for six by Cummins with the same method of dismissal, but King warded off a collapse, adding steady runs alongside Campbell, Roston Chase and Shai Hope.

Having made his maiden Test half-century in his second game in the format, he was dismissed between Chase and Justin Greaves in a flurry of wickets that left West Indies at 174-7 and at risk of a significant first innings deficit.

But the two Josephs frustrated the Australian bowlers with their stand for the eighth wicket, before Seales caused chaos in the final overs of the evening session.

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Joey Chestnut reigns again with 17th Nathan’s hot dog-eating title

July 4 (UPI) — Joey Chestnut is back as the top dog in Nathan’s annual event at Coney Island in New York, consuming 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes on Independence Day on Friday.

In ideal outdoor conditions, Chestnut, 41, of Westfield, Ind., won his 17th title in the 109th Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut didn’t compete last year because he had a sponsorship with a rival hot dog company.

Earlier Friday, Miki Sudo, 39, of Tampa, Fla., and previously New York, earned the women’s title for the 11th time, eating 33 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Last year, she broke the women’s world record with 51 franks.

Chestnut, whose nickname is “Jaws,” failed to surpass his record of 76 in 2023 though he consumed 50% more than his second-place finisher.

“Man, I wish I ate a couple more,” Chestnut said on ESPN about his performance which was his second best in 20 Nathan’s competitions. “I will be back next year.”

Early on he was on a record pace for the first three minutes, starting out with 10 after 60 seconds. After five minutes, he consumed 46.

The last minute he ate five hot dogs.

“I was nervous early on,” Chestnut said. “I was fumbling a bit. I had a pretty good rhythm. My goal was 70 to 77.”

Patrick Bertoletti, 27, of Chicago, who won the event last year, chowed down 46.5 dogs to finish second. In 2024, he consumed 58 hot dogs and buns to win the yellow mustard belt.

James Webb, 36, of Sydney, Australia, was third with 45.5.

In Chestnut’s last appearance on Coney Island, he ate 62 hot dogs.

This past July 4, Chestnut didn’t compete in the contest over his sponsorship of Impossible Foods, a producer of meatless products and a rival beef wiener brand.

Instead, he competed against a team of four soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, eating 57 hot dogs in five minutes.

Last year, Chestnut competed in Netflix’ Labor Day event at the Luxor in Las Vegas. He ate a record 83 hot dogs, beating rival Takeru Kobayashi, 46 at the time, of Japan, who consumed 67.

In 2008 in New York, Chestnut dethroned Kobayashi, who had won six titles in a row. The margin was 66-63.

Chestnut began eating at Nathan’s in 2005, finishing third with 32, then second the next year with 52.

He won his first title in 2007 when the contest lasted 12 minutes. The next year 2 minutes were shaved from the event.

Kobayashi announced his retirement from competitive eating due to health concerns.

Chestnut’s only loss since 2007 was to Matt Stonie in 2016.

He has eaten a total 1,284.5 hot dogs in 20 career appearances at the contest.

Women’s contest

Sudo said she “let the fans down a little” because she didn’t break her own record.

“For some reason, the buns felt larger today,” she added.

Sudo, who is a dental hygienist, began competing in Coney Island in 2014.

Sudo’s husband is Nick Wehry, also a competitor.

Michelle Lesco, who won in 2021 when Sudo didn’t compete because she was pregnant, was second with 22.75 hot dogs and buns. Lesco, 41, is from Tucson, Ariz.

Domenica Dee, 33, of Westchester, N.Y., finished third with 22.5.

History

In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened a nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island with a $300 loan from two friends. It’s still there at Surf and Stillwell.

The first official contest took place in 1972 when Jason Schechter ate 14 in 3 1/2 minutes. ESPN has broadcast the event since 2004.

A separate women’s contest began in 2011. Sonya Thomas, known as the “Black Widow” and born in South Korea, became the first women’s champion.

The 2020 event took place indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contestants can dunk the buns in water. Utensils and condiments are not allowed. Vomiting, or “reversal of fortune,” results in disqualification.

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Hamas responds to US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a ‘positive spirit’ | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Palestinian group Hamas says it has given a “positive” response to a United States-brokered proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, raising hopes of a possible breakthrough in halting Israel’s deadly offensive.

US President Donald Trump earlier announced a “final proposal” for a 60-day truce in the nearly 21-month-old war, stating he anticipated a reply from the parties in the coming hours.

Hamas said late on Friday that the group had submitted its reply to Qatar and Egypt, who are mediating the talks.

“The movement [Hamas] has delivered its response to the brotherly mediators, which was characterised by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework,” a statement by the group said.

Trump said earlier this week that Israel had accepted the main conditions of a proposed 60-day truce, during which time negotiations would aim to permanently end the war. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly endorse the plan.

Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza, is expected to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.

According to Israeli media reports early on Saturday, Israeli government officials had received Hamas’s official response to the latest ceasefire proposal framework and were reviewing its contents.

Details from the proposed deal

According to a translated copy of the framework shared with Al Jazeera, the deal would include a 60-day truce, guaranteed by Trump, with a phased release of Israeli captives and increased humanitarian aid.

The proposed exchange includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli captives from the “List of 58”. Releases would occur on days one, seven, 30, 50, and 60 – beginning with eight live captives on the first day.

Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, stand in an area at a makeshift tent camp at dusk in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. [Abdel Kareem Hana/AP]
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip stand in an area at a makeshift tent camp at dusk in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 2, 2025[Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo]

Under the plan, aid would flow into Gaza immediately following Hamas’s approval, in quantities comparable to the January 2025 agreement. Distribution would be handled by agencies including the United Nations and the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

As part of the proposed Gaza ceasefire framework, all Israeli military operations would stop once the agreement takes effect, Al Jazeera has learned.

The deal includes a pause in military and surveillance flights over Gaza for 10 hours each day – or 12 hours on days when captives and prisoners are exchanged.

Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would begin on day one under the supervision of mediators. Talks would cover a full exchange of captives for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli troop withdrawal, future security arrangements, and “day-after” plans for Gaza.

‘Much-awaited response’

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said the Hamas response was “much-awaited, much-anticipated”, with anxious besieged Palestinians asking when it would come.

“We don’t know whether this response … is going to bring an end to the ongoing killings … or the presence of the [Israeli] drones,” he said.

Heavy shelling and gunfire continue near food distribution points, and uncertainty remains over whether serious negotiations will lead to relief.

“None of this is clear right now,” Mahmoud added, “but at least it’s a first step.”

Trump, speaking early on Friday, said he expected clarity from Hamas “over the next 24 hours”.

He added, “We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week. We want to get the hostages out.”

Israel pushing for side deal with Trump

Despite Hamas’s endorsement, the group has reportedly sought guarantees that the proposed truce would lead to a permanent end to Israel’s war and prevent Tel Aviv from resuming attacks at will.

According to two Israeli officials quoted by the Reuters news agency, details of the proposal are still under negotiation. Meanwhile, Israel is said to be pressing Trump for written assurances that it can resume operations if its key demands – Hamas disarmament and the exile of its leadership – are not met.

Israeli broadcaster Channel 14, citing a senior political source, reported earlier this week that the deal includes a side letter from Trump granting Israel the authority to “renew the fire” should Hamas fail to comply. The document would allow Israel to determine whether the terms had been fulfilled.

Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that any Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza must be dismantled as a precondition for peace – an issue that remains a major sticking point.

A previous two-month truce ended when Israeli strikes killed more than 400 Palestinians on March 18 and led to what UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called “the cruellest phase of a cruel war”. More than 6,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel broke the truce.

Overall, Israeli forces have killed at least 57,268 Palestinians and wounded more than 130,000 since October 7, 2023.

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‘Nobu’ review: Less about the sushi master, more about a sexy global brand

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It takes a little over an hour for “Nobu” to marinate long enough to approach a point of complexity, not exactly bitter but no longer cloyingly sweet. Nobu Matsuhisa, the celebrated sushi master, is running quality-control checks in one of his restaurants. A poor chef is sweating the test so badly, he won’t need soy sauce soon enough. His dish keeps being sent back: Chop the chives finer. Why is this pile of raw crudo smaller? Why did you paint a line of salt instead of a dot? The scene goes on, excruciatingly. A few minutes later, Robert De Niro — an early investor and co-founder — dominates a private board meeting with concerns about too-rapid growth. It’s not quite the ominous Waingro showdowns of “Heat” but in the ballpark.

Fastidiousness, precision and a kind of reputational exclusivity are at the heart of Matsuhisa’s enterprise. These are hard things to make a documentary about. But it’s also why Nobu needed to come to Beverly Hills for his concept to take root — not just any Los Angeles but the ’80s-era boomtown of power lunches and spend-to-impress dining. Spago’s Wolfgang Puck makes an appearance in director Matt Tyrnauer’s half-interesting film, fawning over his longtime friend sitting next to him but not quite articulating the essence of their revolution: high-end branding. You wish more time was spent on that conceptual idea, enabled by celebrities throwing around money on food they barely ate.

The kind of doc that “Nobu” more often resembles (as do most foodie-targeted profiles) is a gentle chronology of a humble genius and everyday guy who just happens to fly private. Matsuhisa bows to euphoric local fishmongers, does a lot of hugs and selfies with his staff, visits his roots in Japan and Peru. There are family interviews and a detour to Alaska, where, years before he had a 300-person nightly waitlist, an early restaurant of his caught fire — in the bad literal way (Tyrnauer cuts to the Anchorage newspaper headline). These false starts are somehow exhausting, lacking in suspense. He contemplated suicide, then came to California.

The food sails by: wedges of black cod with miso, delicate plates of thinly sliced fish adorned with tweezer-manipulated herbs. All of it is crazy-making and delicious. Still, apart from former Los Angeles Times food editor Ruth Reichl, who witnessed the rise of Nobu as it happened, there are few on-camera voices who speak directly to Matsuhisa’s gifts and experimentation with form. 2011’s “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” does a better job of delivering the intimate discipline of cutting and shaping. More testimony to the experience of eating at Nobu would have helped this feel less like a commercial.

“Nobu” is a film oddly unconcerned with the communal experience of dining. We hear about the way his sushi workstations are elevated (a “stage,” Matsuhisa calls them) and that’s central to the performance going on here, also the remove. Something clicks when the film heads to Nobu Malibu and visits the table of supermodel Cindy Crawford, whose “Cindy rice,” a dish he invented for her, adorns the menu. There’s a deep mutual gratitude between them that goes back years. An appreciation of the finer things? No doubt. Game recognizing game? Definitely.

‘Nobu’

In English and Japanese, with subtitles

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Playing: Laemmle Monica

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Migrants in US detention lose appeal against deportation to South Sudan | Donald Trump News

Eight migrants in United States custody have lost a last-ditch attempt to avoid deportation to South Sudan, a country facing ongoing criticism for human rights abuses.

On Friday, Judge Brian Murphy of Boston denied the eleventh-hour appeal, which has been the subject of a flurry of legal activity throughout the day.

The appeal argued that repeated efforts under President Donald Trump to deport the men to South Sudan was “impermissibly punitive”. It pointed out that the US Constitution bars “cruel and unusual punishment”.

In the past, the US Department of State has accused South Sudan of “extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture and cases of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment”. It advises no American citizen to travel there due to an ongoing armed conflict.

But the US Supreme Court has twice ruled that the Trump administration could indeed deport the men to countries outside of their homelands. Its latest decision was issued on Thursday.

The US Department of Justice indicated that the eight men were set to be flown to South Sudan by 7pm US Eastern Time (23:00 GMT) on Friday. They hailed from countries like Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Sudan and Vietnam.

The last-ditch appeal was filed on Thursday night, shortly after the Supreme Court rendered its decision.

Initially, the case was assigned to US District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington, DC, who signalled he was sympathetic to the deportees’ request.

He briefly ordered the deportation to be paused until 4:30pm Eastern Time (20:30 GMT), but ultimately, he decided to transfer the case back to Murphy, the judge whose decisions helped precipitate the Supreme Court’s rulings.

Murphy had previously issued injunctions against the deportations to South Sudan, leading to successful appeals from the Trump administration. The eight men, meanwhile, had been held at a military base in Djibouti while the courts decided their fate.

Before he transferred the case back to Murphy, however, Judge Moss said it was possible the deportees could prove their case that the Trump administration intended to subject them to abuse.

“It seems to me almost self-evident that the United States government cannot take human beings and send them to circumstances in which their physical wellbeing is at risk simply either to punish them or send a signal to others,” Moss said during the hearing.

Lawyers for the Trump administration, meanwhile, argued that the deportation’s continued delay would strain relations with countries willing to accept migrants from other countries.

Murphy, who denied Friday’s request, had previously ruled in favour of the deportees, issuing an injunction against their removal to South Sudan and saying they had a right to contest the deportation based on fears for their safety.

The Supreme Court first lifted the injunction on June 23 and clarified its ruling again on Thursday, giving a subtle rebuke to Judge Murphy.

The Trump administration has been pushing for rapid removals as part of its campaign of mass deportation, one of President Trump’s signature priorities.

Opponents have accused the administration of steamrolling the human rights of undocumented people in order to achieve its aims, including the right to due process under the law.

But the Trump administration has framed undocumented migration as an “invasion” that constitutes a national security crisis, and it argued that its strong-armed efforts are needed to expel criminals.

The eight migrants slated to be sent to South Sudan, it said, were “barbaric, violent criminal illegal aliens”. It added that they had been found guilty of crimes, including first-degree murder, robbery and sexual assault.

“These sickos will be in South Sudan by Independence Day,” Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a news release on Thursday.

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Dodge rip-off resorts and unearth bargain holiday spots with our interactive map

The pound has strengthened against most currencies in the last year, giving families more spending power if they’re heading overseas. Make sure you’re heading to one that offers good deals

Nearly eight out of 10 people in a survey say they are put off holidaying in America because of tariff-triggered price rises
New York will cost you(Image: Getty)

The world’s biggest rip-off destinations and those bucketlist spots perfect for a bargain break have been revealed.

When it comes to holidays, nothing sours the poolside mojito quicker than the feeling that your cash is disappearing too quickly.

Thankfully, the Post Office has looked into where in the world the British pound delivers the most value for money this year. We’ve put the biggest bargain cities and outrageous rip-offs resorts on an interactive map, so you can book armed with all of the facts.

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, then head to the Algarve.

The Portugese coastal resort is a huge favourite with Brits, who take advantage of cheap, regular flights from across the UK to flock to the southern region en-masse each summer.

It’s basket of holiday goodies cost £58.95, 1.6 per cent less than in 2024. This is due to the rock-bottom cost of meals and drinks. The average cost of a three-course meal for two with wine in Albufeira weighed in at £40.33 – the lowest recorded across the 47 destinations surveyed (figure 9) and one third the cost in New York (£128.27).

The Algarve is one of 19 resorts or cities that got cheaper this year than last, according to Post Office research. Others to do so include Delhi, India; Phuket, Thailand; Spain’s Costa del Sol and Prague in the Czech Republic.

If you’re keen to stay in Europe, then Prague is a good bet. Far more than just stag-dos and strip clubs, the former Soviet city is enriched by a huge amount of history, art, and music.

The Czech capital’s basket of holiday goods cost £75.92 this year, a significant price fall of over 20 per cent compared to 2024.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the biggest deals can be found a little further away from the UK, although bargain-hungry holidaymakers will have to factor in the cost of getting to these destinations when choosing where to go.

An Algarve beach
The Algarve came out on top

Cape Town in South Africa is the second cheapest destination looked at this year, with a basket of essentials costing £59.84. This is a great destination for Southern Hemisphere wine buffs as a glass of grape costs just £2.07; a fifth of the price it’ll set you back in New York.

Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, has been massively popular with Brits over the past year, thanks to the very favourable exchange rate.

A glass of wine and a bottle of beer can be purchased there for the equivalent of just over a fiver.

One destination to keep an eye on is Delhi. At £69.52, prices in the Indian city have dropped 10.7 per cent. Although alcohol prices there are a little on the steep side, soft drinks, water and food won’t lighten your wallet too much.

At the other end of the scale, New York is the most expensive of 47 destinations surveyed, with a barometer total of £167.85 – a rise of 15.6 per cent year-on-year. Not only will you have to spend upwards of £7 for a beer in the Big Apple, you’ll be expected to tip generously on top of that.

The eye-watering continues in Hawaii, the second most expensive destination on the list and the home of £9.18 insect repellent, and in Nice, France. Head to the French city, and you’ll find yourself being stingy with the suncream, as a bottle costs close to £17.

Brits head to Turkey and elsewhere this summer are winners from exchange rates changes
Marmaris offered mid-tier bang for buck(Image: Getty Images)

While the world has been in turmoil since Donald Trump returned to the White House (and perhaps was before), sterling remains strong against many other currencies.

Over three-quarters of Post Office’s top 30 currencies – including the euro and most other European currencies – have

weakened since last March. This could provide holidaymakers with a big incentive to choose destinations where sterling will provide more ‘bang for their buck.

Appetite for traveling remains high and is growing. Three-in-five (60 per cent) of Brits surveyed about their holiday plans for the coming year told Post Office Travel Money that they will be travelling abroad – up from 51 per cent who were asked the same question a year ago.

Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of them will holiday in Europe and most (95 per cent) will be making a repeat journey to a European destination.

Although a big majority are planning to get away this year, most share a desire to keep things as cheap and cheerful as possible.

Travelling away from busy periods is regarded as the best way to make travelling abroad more affordable, with two-in-five holidaymakers prepared to swap peak season travel for cheaper times of the year.

More than a quarter of those questioned say they will book cheaper accommodation (27 per cent), take fewer holidays (27 per cent) or go to a destination that costs less (26 per cent).

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected]

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Dodge rip-off resorts and unearth bargain holiday spots with our interactive map

The pound has strengthened against most currencies in the last year, giving families more spending power if they’re heading overseas. Make sure you’re heading to one that offers good deals

Nearly eight out of 10 people in a survey say they are put off holidaying in America because of tariff-triggered price rises
New York will cost you(Image: Getty)

The world’s biggest rip-off destinations and those bucketlist spots perfect for a bargain break have been revealed.

When it comes to holidays, nothing sours the poolside mojito quicker than the feeling that your cash is disappearing too quickly.

Thankfully, the Post Office has looked into where in the world the British pound delivers the most value for money this year. We’ve put the biggest bargain cities and outrageous rip-offs resorts on an interactive map, so you can book armed with all of the facts.

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, then head to the Algarve.

The Portugese coastal resort is a huge favourite with Brits, who take advantage of cheap, regular flights from across the UK to flock to the southern region en-masse each summer.

It’s basket of holiday goodies cost £58.95, 1.6 per cent less than in 2024. This is due to the rock-bottom cost of meals and drinks. The average cost of a three-course meal for two with wine in Albufeira weighed in at £40.33 – the lowest recorded across the 47 destinations surveyed (figure 9) and one third the cost in New York (£128.27).

The Algarve is one of 19 resorts or cities that got cheaper this year than last, according to Post Office research. Others to do so include Delhi, India; Phuket, Thailand; Spain’s Costa del Sol and Prague in the Czech Republic.

If you’re keen to stay in Europe, then Prague is a good bet. Far more than just stag-dos and strip clubs, the former Soviet city is enriched by a huge amount of history, art, and music.

The Czech capital’s basket of holiday goods cost £75.92 this year, a significant price fall of over 20 per cent compared to 2024.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the biggest deals can be found a little further away from the UK, although bargain-hungry holidaymakers will have to factor in the cost of getting to these destinations when choosing where to go.

An Algarve beach
The Algarve came out on top

Cape Town in South Africa is the second cheapest destination looked at this year, with a basket of essentials costing £59.84. This is a great destination for Southern Hemisphere wine buffs as a glass of grape costs just £2.07; a fifth of the price it’ll set you back in New York.

Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, has been massively popular with Brits over the past year, thanks to the very favourable exchange rate.

A glass of wine and a bottle of beer can be purchased there for the equivalent of just over a fiver.

One destination to keep an eye on is Delhi. At £69.52, prices in the Indian city have dropped 10.7 per cent. Although alcohol prices there are a little on the steep side, soft drinks, water and food won’t lighten your wallet too much.

At the other end of the scale, New York is the most expensive of 47 destinations surveyed, with a barometer total of £167.85 – a rise of 15.6 per cent year-on-year. Not only will you have to spend upwards of £7 for a beer in the Big Apple, you’ll be expected to tip generously on top of that.

The eye-watering continues in Hawaii, the second most expensive destination on the list and the home of £9.18 insect repellent, and in Nice, France. Head to the French city, and you’ll find yourself being stingy with the suncream, as a bottle costs close to £17.

Brits head to Turkey and elsewhere this summer are winners from exchange rates changes
Marmaris offered mid-tier bang for buck(Image: Getty Images)

While the world has been in turmoil since Donald Trump returned to the White House (and perhaps was before), sterling remains strong against many other currencies.

Over three-quarters of Post Office’s top 30 currencies – including the euro and most other European currencies – have

weakened since last March. This could provide holidaymakers with a big incentive to choose destinations where sterling will provide more ‘bang for their buck.

Appetite for traveling remains high and is growing. Three-in-five (60 per cent) of Brits surveyed about their holiday plans for the coming year told Post Office Travel Money that they will be travelling abroad – up from 51 per cent who were asked the same question a year ago.

Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of them will holiday in Europe and most (95 per cent) will be making a repeat journey to a European destination.

Although a big majority are planning to get away this year, most share a desire to keep things as cheap and cheerful as possible.

Travelling away from busy periods is regarded as the best way to make travelling abroad more affordable, with two-in-five holidaymakers prepared to swap peak season travel for cheaper times of the year.

More than a quarter of those questioned say they will book cheaper accommodation (27 per cent), take fewer holidays (27 per cent) or go to a destination that costs less (26 per cent).

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected]

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Wimbledon 2025: Andrey Rublev wants to win or lose ‘in the right way’

Rublev has never gone beyond a quarter-final of a Grand Slam, losing 10 times at this stage.

But in the context of his mental battles, this time last year at the All England Club marked a particular low point. He went out in the first round and made headlines for repeatedly smashing his racquet into his leg in frustration.

That was just one incident of many like it.

Last year he was disqualified from the Dubai Tennis Championships for screaming in the face of a line judge following a disputed call in the semi-final against Alexander Bublik, losing all his prize money and ranking points for the week.

That decision was later overturned with points and money reinstated, but the persistent outbursts sparked concern among peers and fans.

At the Paris Masters he drew blood again from smashing his racquet into his knee.

Rublev has cited last year’s SW19 moment when he knew things needed to change and has since opened up about his mental health struggles.

“I would say it was not dealing with the issue of losing or not losing, it was not the issue even of tennis,” he revealed.

“I was just dealing with myself, just to face myself, to stop running away from myself and I was just dealing with that. What’s happening inside of me, why I feel this, why I feel that, why I am doing this?”

Away from the court, Rublev is a popular character on the Tour. He has frequently expressed his opposition to the war in Ukraine, while he also set up a clothing brand, which he wears for his matches, where all profits are used to help children with critical illnesses.

But being kinder to himself has been an issue and working more frequently with a psychologist, combined with the addition of Safin to his coaching set-up, proved crucial.

“Marat is a huge help to me. He has given some advice and said some things, but he does it not in a soft way,” explained Rublev.

“He’s super strict – he gives you the heavy truth.”

Safin, a former world number one and winner of the US Open and Australian Open, was notorious for his temper, estimating he smashed 700 racquets in his career.

That level of passion, and sheer yearning to succeed, which the two share is never going to be stamped out all together.

But while Rublev has yet to win a Tour title this season, he showed improved control over his emotions at the Doha Open by winning three consecutive three-set matches, despite dropping the second set in all three and winning dramatic final-set tie-breaks in two of them.

“I know that everything is connected. If you feel some problems with yourself, it will affect everything,” he added.

“Sooner or later you will have problems with your family, with relationships, with work, everywhere. When you have peace with yourself, then the rest takes cares of itself.”

But Rublev has learned to understand it doesn’t have to all be about winning. For now at least, that is enough.

“There are two options,” he said. “Try to go deeper. Or if I lose, to lose it in a mature, adult way.

“That would be success as well, to lose it in the right way.”

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Trump signs ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ during Military Family Picnic

July 4 (UPI) — President Donald Trump signed into law House Resolution 1, which he called “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” while hosting a Military Family Picnic event at the White House on Friday evening.

The bill signing included a flyover of a pair of F-35 fighters escorting a B-2 Spirit bomber, which is the same type that dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21.

Some 150 airmen and airwomen from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri were among the military members and their families who attended the picnic and bill signing.

“The American people gave us a historic mandate in November,” Trump said of his election victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris.

A triumph of democracy

Trump called the bill’s passage a “triumph of democracy on the birthday of democracy,” and said it is “the most popular bill ever signed in the history of our country.”

It includes the single largest tax cut, the largest spending cut and the largest border security investment in U.S. history, the president said.

He said the measure modernizes the military, funds the creation of a” golden dome” national air defense system and drives economic growth.

“This bill will fuel massive economic growth and lift up the hardworking citizens who make this country run — the factory workers, farmers, mechanics, waiters, waitresses, police officers, firefighters, coal miners [and] truck drivers,” Trump said.

The bill makes tax cuts permanent, including no tax on tips, overtime and Social Security, the president said.

It also makes the child tax credit permanent, creates a tax deduction on the interest paid on the purchase of new U.S.-made vehicles and eliminates the estate tax on family farms and small businesses.

The ‘Golden Age’ of America

Trump said the bill cuts taxes on new businesses and existing ones that build and expand their operations.

“We have hundreds of factories, including car plants and [artificial intelligence], coming into our country at levels we have never seen,” he told the audience.

“Not only will we have the strongest economy on Earth, we also will have the strongest borders,” Trump said, adding that there were no recorded illegal border crossings into the United States in June.

“We are creating an economy that delivers wealth for the middle class, a border that is sovereign and secure, and a military that is unmatched[and] unequaled anywhere in the world,” Trump said.

“The Golden Age of America is upon us,” the president said. “It’s going to be a period of time, the likes of which … the country has never experienced before.”

Lawmakers were thanked ahead of signing

Trump thanked House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other Republican lawmakers who were among those in attendance for delivering the bill for signing on Independence Day.

The controversial measure provides funding for the federal government for fiscal year 2026, which begins on Oct. 1, but adds an estimated $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years.

Trump said it reduces spending by $1.7 trillion while also delivering the “largest tax cut” in the nation’s history.

Trump delivered the 25-minute speech from the south portico of the White House and signed the bill into law from a small desk placed outside, while surrounded by supporters at 5:45 p.m. EDT

Johnson then presented the gavel used when the House passed the bill on Thursday.

Trump accepted the gavel and banged it several times on the small desk to conclude the signing and end the bill’s legislative journey on Capitol Hill.

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Emma Raducanu: Wimbledon exit ‘hard to take’ but British number one draws confidence from defeat

It is the positive manner of her defeat that sets Raducanu up for what comes next in her career.

The qualifier who stunned the world with her triumph in New York four years ago has proven that she thrives on the biggest stages.

She was not overawed by this occasion, carrying the weight of the British number one tag at Wimbledon amid an electric atmosphere, with the crowd eager to celebrate her every success.

She did not shrink when the tough moments inevitably arrived, withstanding seven set points in the first set and showing the resolve to go again in the second, each further proof that she is moving in the right direction.

In the years since her fairytale US Open triumph, she has had wrist and ankle operations, endured injury setbacks, contended with increased expectations and tried to compete despite consistent changes to her coaching set up.

This time last year, she was ranked 135th as she continued to rebuild her career, climbing back from outside the top 300 to return to the top 50.

Ultimately, the next step on her road back to the top of the sport is competing with, and overcoming, opponents like Sabalenka.

Raducanu fell to former world number one Iga Swiatek at both the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year – winning just four games across as many sets – to highlight the gulf that exists.

But this was the acid test of Raducanu 2.0’s progress – and the results were encouraging.

“I think when I look back at my career, I’m really going to remember that match because you play for those moments, to really be competing toe-to-toe with anyone, but especially with the very best,” Raducanu said.

“I think I did make good progress in the last few months, 100%, with the consistency and the work I’ve been doing.

“I need to still keep doing more of the same.”

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‘I brought my husband to a date with another woman on TV and this is how it went’

Emily, Sophie and Ricki made history on Channel 4’s First Dates.

A throuple on First Dates has reflected on making history on the Channel 4 programme.

The reality series has seen plenty of hopefuls come and go through the First Dates restaurant doors, greeted by I’m A Celebrity star and maître d’ Fred Sirieix and barman Merlin Griffiths.

But in tonight’s programme, launching the new series, one woman was surprised to hear that she was being set up with not one but two people.

Mum-of-three Sophie had never dated a woman before and was hoping to find someone alternative, authentic and open-minded, which her date with Emily certainly was.

The pair hit it off quickly, with Sophie overcoming her nerves to finally reveal to Emily that she was married, and her husband Ricki was sitting at the bar, waiting to join them.

The couple, who have been together for 10 years and wed in 2018, were looking to open up their marriage and find someone to join them.

Sophie and Ricki on First Dates
Sophie and Ricki were looking to open up their marriage(Image: Channel 4)

“We were curious to explore new connections together, and thought, why not? It felt like the right time to do something bold and go for it,” Sophie later told The Mirror in an exclusive interview.

“It was exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time.”

She and Ricki had considered opening their relationship up two years after meeting and once attempted a “lifestyle club” where they were welcomed with “open arms,” but now they wanted to take things further.

“We’ve always been very private, and never really spoken to other people about our relationship and never had the chance to open it up. We’ve had a couple of experiences with friends but nothing has ever developed from that,” she said.

Two years ago, Sophie told Ricki she was bisexual, and wanted to potentially explore that, which he was open to. Having not found the right person to date, First Dates became their first encounter with another person.

First Dates: Sophie and Emily on a date, joined by Ricki and Fred Sirieix
Emily was on a date with Sophie when Ricki joined(Image: Channel 4)

“I was quite nervous walking in, I feel like the idea of having a blind date – especially when you haven’t dated for a long time – was very nerve-wracking to me. But as soon as I walked in, I felt really welcomed and those nerves went away fairly quickly,” she recalled.

Ricki, meanwhile, wasn’t “too nervous” but just excited and hopeful after failing to find what they were looking for on dating apps. “There aren’t many dating apps for couples looking for singles,” he said. “And if there are, it’s purely (within our experiences) just for sexual encounters, and that’s not what we were looking for.”

Both Sophie and Ricki appeared to instantly connect with Emily, who also shared her “amazing” experience in an interview.

She said: “It was an exciting opportunity, and obviously, for me, I didn’t know what I was going into in terms of who the date was going to be. I’m very pansexual, I’ve dated all the genders, all the colours of the rainbow, and I didn’t know if it was going to be a guy or a girl, someone in between, or a couple because I definitely expressed that was an interest of mine as well. The way the date played out was amazing.”

Emily on First Dates
Emily called the date a ‘nice surprise’(Image: Channel 4)

Like Ricki, Emily hadn’t had success on dating apps and wanted to try First Dates to meet new people.

“I love dating and I love meeting new people, I think meeting new people is the meaning of life to be honest, making new connections, and so I thought what a fun and interesting way to meet some cool people,” she said.

The massage therapist went on: “I’ve dated couples before and really enjoyed it in the past, [but] it’s quite hard to find the right dynamic. Obviously dating is hard enough just trying to find two people that match, so to find a dynamic where all three people are all compatible is harder sometimes.”

As soon as Emily saw Sophie, she felt “really happy” and a “wave of relief,” confessing, “I had a huge crush on Sophie.”

While Ricki wasn’t necessarily her usual type, Emily admitted that within five minutes of meeting him, she could feel his “warmth and humour”.

Sophie on First Dates
Sophie admitted she was excited but nervous beforehand(Image: Channel 4)

She added, “We all got on really well, and to be honest, energy and personality tend to be the driver of who I end up with.”

Despite not initially being aware that she would be dating both Sophie and Ricki, Emily shared that she wasn’t “shocked” but rather “nicely surprised.”

“I would have been very happy with just dating Sophie alone, but it was a nice little surprise for me; I wasn’t worried at all,” she said.

Emily, Sophie, and Ricki not only found luck with their dates, but they also all shared how proud they are to have been a part of an empowering message on First Dates.

Emily, Ricki and Sophie on First Dates
Things seemed to go well for the trio(Image: Channel 4)

“I feel really honoured that I was part of First Dates’ first three-way date because it hasn’t been done before and I think it does break down a lot of stigma,” Emily, who has previously appeared on Channel 4’s Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, said.

“With Open House, it’s all very raunchy and risky and a lot of things go wrong but with First Dates I hope it comes across that for me, it was really amazing, we had a great connection, and actually these things aren’t really taboo at all.

“It’s just three people who really get along, having a nice time. And I think that people make it a lot deeper than it needs to be, it’s really just not that deep.”

Sophie also said: “I really like the fact that we’ve had this opportunity to be able to be the first people to do it, it’s exciting for us, we love that. Hopefully it does provide an empowering message to other couples that may be wanting to explore those sorts of connections too.”

First Dates airs Fridays at 10pm on Channel 4.

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Trump claims victory as he signs controversial budget and tax bill into law | Donald Trump News

Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has signed his signature tax and spending bill, capping a months-long push to codify his top policy priorities into law.

The sweeping bill has prompted controversy among both Democrats and members of Trump’s own Republican Party for its deep cuts to social safety programmes and the hefty sum its tax cuts and spending are expected to add to the national debt.

Recent polls have also shown tanking public support for the legislation – which Trump calls the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – as many of its provisions come to light.

Still, Trump on Friday took nothing short of a victory lap, hosting a White House signing ceremony aligned with the Independence Day celebrations in Washington, DC.

The address began with a flyover from a B-2 Spirit bomber, the same jet used in US strikes on Iran last month.

“The last two weeks, there has never been anything like it as far as winning, winning, winning,” Trump said from the White House balcony.

“I want to tell you that I’ve never seen people so happy in our country, because so many different groups of people are being taken care of.”

He also took a moment to revisit his victory in the 2024 election and reiterate his belief that voters gave him an ironclad mandate to carry out his policy agenda. He signed the bill flanked by Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Steve Scalise.

“The American people gave us a historic mandate in November,” Trump said. “This is a triumph of democracy on the birthday of democracy.”

Opponents, meanwhile, used the occasion to again condemn the bill, with the top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, again saying that the sweeping legislation is “betraying” US citizens.

“This bill isn’t freedom. This bill isn’t independence. This bill is betrayal,” Schumer wrote on the social media platform X.

A months-long journey

The legislation represents the most substantial salvo yet in Trump’s policy blitz, in which he has mostly relied on more presidential orders than on congressional action.

The passage of his mega-bill underscores the president’s deep hold on the Republican Party, which has largely been remade in his likeness since his first term from 2017 to 2021. The party currently controls both chambers of Congress.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is set to add an estimated $3.3 trillion to the national debt, an increase that might once have been considered a sacrilege for the party’s fiscal hawks.

It also tightens eligibility for the low-income healthcare programme Medicaid and the food assistance programme SNAP, in a move that could hurt Republicans facing tough re-election campaigns.

Still, in the end, only three Republicans in the Senate and two in the House were willing to break from Trump, in both cases leaving opponents just short of the votes needed to scuttle the bill.

B2 bomber
A B-2 bomber and two F-22 fighters conduct a flyover during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House [File: Evan Vucci/AP Photo]

For their part, Democrats were unified in their opposition.

In a last-ditch and largely symbolic effort on Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries embarked on a record-breaking speech to delay any voting on the bill.

Over the next eight hours and 45 minutes, Jeffries condemned Republicans for rushing to meet Trump’s July 4 deadline, accusing them of fast-tracking a bill that many conservatives had publicly voiced discomfort towards.

“We don’t work for Donald Trump. We work for the American people,” he said at one point. “That’s why we’re right here now, on the floor of the House of Representatives, standing up for the American people.”

He maintained Republicans would be punished at the ballot box over the bill during the midterm elections in 2026.

A wide-ranging bill

The legislation covers a range of issues, from immigration to tax reforms. For example, it extends sweeping tax cuts passed in 2017 during Trump’s first term, amounting to a total of $4.5 trillion in tax reductions.

It also allows taxpayers to deduct income earned from tips and overtime, as well as interest paid on loans for buying cars made in the US, while raising exemptions on estate taxes. It also extends a child tax credit.

The administration has hailed the cuts as a victory for working-class Americans, although several analyses have found that wealthier taxpayers are most likely to benefit.

Gains for lower-income taxpayers are likely to be offset by healthcare and food assistance cuts, according to Yale University’s Budget Lab.

All told, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, about 11.8 million more Americans will be uninsured over the next 10 years due to the Medicaid cuts, with another 4.2 million to lose health insurance due to cuts to pandemic-era subsidies.

The legislation also peels back green energy and electric vehicle tax incentives, part of Trump’s wider push to pivot away from clean energy and towards the influential fossil fuel industry.

It allocates $170bn for immigration and border enforcement funding, in what the American Immigration Council calls the “largest investment in detention and deportation in US history”.

Nonpartisan analysts have said the increase in the national debt from the spending has the potential to slow economic growth, raise borrowing costs and crowd out other government spending in the years ahead.

But on Friday, Trump dismissed the criticism.

“They [Democrats] have developed a standard line: ‘We can’t let them get away with it. It’s dangerous. Everybody’s going to die,’” Trump said. “It’s actually just the opposite. Everybody’s going to live.”

“After this kicks in, our country is going to be a rocket ship, economically.”

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Hundreds rally against immigration raids, budget bill in downtown L.A.

Lawrence Herrera started carrying a folded-up copy of his birth certificate in his wallet last week. He also saved a picture of his passport on his phone’s camera roll.

For the 67-year-old Atwater Village resident who was born and raised here, the precaution felt silly. But he’s not taking any chances.

“I started hearing, ‘He’s taking anyone and everyone,’” Herrara said, referrring to President Trump’s immigration crackdown. “I thought, ‘You know what? That could be me.’”

Herrera was one of hundreds of protesters who spent Fourth of July in downtown Los Angeles to rally against the immigration raids that have roiled the region and the surge in federal funding approved this week to keep them going. Many on the street said they were skipping the barbecues and fireworks this year. Instead, they showed up at City Hall, some in costumes or wrapped in flags. A 15-foot balloon of Trump in a Russian military uniform sat in Grand Park.

Erica Ortiz, 49, was dressed as Lady Liberty in shackles. Herrera wore a Revolutionary War outfit covered in anti-Trump pins that he said was appropriate for the occasion.

“Guess what? We have no independence right now,” he said. “That’s why we’re out here.”

1

Elizabeth Natividad wears a dress made by Maria Flores representing Lady Justice on the steps of LA City Hall

2

Nancy Gonzalez poses in an outfit showing her Mexican heritageon the steps of City Hall.

3

a protester wearing a dress representing Lady Liberty stands on the steps of LA City Hall

1. Elizabeth Natividad wears a dress representing Lady Justice on the steps of City Hall . 2. Nancy Gonzalez poses in an outfit showing her Mexican heritageon the steps of City Hall. 3. A protester wearing a dress representing Lady Liberty holds her fist in the air on the steps of City Hall at a rally against the ongoing ICE raids taking place in the city on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.

They marched through Olvera Street and outside the Federal Building, which houses the immigration court, waving signs. Several police officers were monitoring the protest but kept their distance during the gathering, which lasted a few hours.

“No more occupation! No more deportation!” the protesters chanted.

At the Federal Building, military personnel members lined up shoulder-to-shoulder guarding the property with shields and guns.

Jacob Moreno, a high school English teacher from Rialto, held a sign that called the day a “funeral for the freedom we pretend” still exists. He said the mood felt more solemn than the “No Kings” demonstration last month, which he attributed to the passage of Trump’s budget bill. The so-called Big Beautiful Bill adds roughly $150 billion to carry out mass deportations and fund border enforcement.

“This situation, this occupation is only going to get worse,” Moreno said. The 50-year-old said some of his students and their family members are undocumented. He and his daughter, a 16-year-old student, are helping set up a program to provide school supplies and hygiene items to students whose parents may be too afraid to go to work.

“I’m here to support my students, my community, and ultimately to stand on the right side of history,” he said.

Cristina Muñoz Brown, of North Hollywood, shared a similar sentiment.

“I’m desperate for my people, I’m desperate to show up,” she said. Since the raids began, she said, the Fashion District where she works in the costume industry is a “ghost town.”

an American flag passes by marines standing guard

An American flag passes by marines standing guard during a rally against the ongoing ICE raids taking place in the city at the Federal Building on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.

officers stand guard during a rally

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stand guard during a rally against the ongoing ICE raids taking place in the city at the Federal Building on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) addressed the crowd outside City Hall, calling the budget bill the “Big Beautiful Scam.”

“Immigration spending in this country is now more than the military spending of 165 countries around the world. ICE has more money than the city of Los Angeles 10 times over,” he said as the crowd booed. “That’s not what we want our tax dollars going toward.”

The city is still reeling from weeks of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the Southland and the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to respond to the protests that followed.

There have been sweeps targeting day laborers at local car washes and Home Depot parking lots.

“There’s too many things to protest right now,” said Hunter Dunn of the 50501 Movement, which organized the July 4 rally. Many immigrants, he said, are “afraid to go to work, afraid to go to school.”

Federal agents, often shielding their identities with face masks and sometimes driving unmarked cars, have been carrying out aggressive raids since early June, triggering widespread protests.

Trump sent more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the L.A. area to protect federal buildings and workers during the unrest, which garnered pushback from state and local officials who complained that the military presence exacerbated the situation. Earlier this week, about 150 Guard members were released from the protest assignment.

The immigration enforcement actions in L.A. have heightened tensions between city and state leaders and the Trump administration. The public sparring has played out on social media and in court.

Protesters march in the streets of downtown Los Angeles

Angelenos march near Los Angeles City Hall on the Fourth of July in a demonstration against the ongoing ICE raids taking place in the city.

Mayor Karen Bass renewed her calls this week for Trump to end the ICE raids, saying in a post on X that his administration is “causing the fear and terror so many in L.A. are feeling.”

“They came for our neighbors in unmarked vans. Raided workplaces. Ripped apart families. Even U.S. citizens. This is not law enforcement — it’s political theater with human costs,” she wrote in another post.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is battling the Trump administration in court over the deployment of Guard troops without his consent. And this week, the Trump administration sued the city of L.A., Bass and City Council members, saying the city’s sanctuary law is illegal. The law generally prohibits city employees or city property to be used to investigate or detain anyone for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

On Wednesday, immigrants rights groups including the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and Public Counsel sued the Trump administration in federal court seeking to block what the suit describes as the administration’s “ongoing pattern and practice of flouting the Constitution and federal law” during immigration raids in the L.A. area.

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Kuhn to Como ‘great business’ for Celtic – Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is poised to join Serie A side Como, with the manager calling it “great business all round”.

The 25-year-old, capped by Germany up to under-20 level, joined the Scottish champions from Rapid Vienna in January last year.

He made 41 starts and 10 substitute appearances for Celtic last season, scoring 21 goals.

“We’ve virtually agreed between the club and Como so it looks at this point that he’ll be on his way, but we just have to wait for confirmation,” said Rodgers after a 1-0 friendly win over Queen’s Park.

Celtic paid a fee in the region of £3m for Kuhn, with reports suggesting Como will pay more than five times that amount.

“I think it’s very clear, the model of Celtic,” added Rodgers. “In the 18 months he’s done absolutely fantastic for us. He was aware of interest towards the end of last season and that sort of followed through.

“Other teams have joined in that interest over the summer and that’s why a lot of the young players come. It’s a wonderful, brilliant club to come to develop and improve.

“If he does end up going and signing for Como, then it’s great business all round.”

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Zohran Mamdani’s New York primary win sparks the ire of Modi’s supporters | Human Rights News

If he wins the general election in November, Zohran Mamdani could become New York City’s first South Asian mayor and the first of Indian origin.

But the same identity that makes him a trailblazer in United States politics has also exposed him to public outcry in India and within its diaspora.

Ever since Mamdani achieved a thumping win in the Democratic mayoral primary on June 24, his campaign has weathered a flood of vitriol – some of it coming from the Hindu right.

Experts say the attacks are a reflection of the tensions that have arisen between supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and critics of the human rights abuses under his leadership, particularly against religious minorities.

A number of those attacks have fixated on Mamdani’s religion: The 33-year-old is Muslim. Some commenters have accused the mayoral hopeful of being a “jihadi” and “Islamist”. Others have called him anti-Hindu and anti-India.

Kayla Bassett, the director of research at the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), a Washington-based think tank, believes the attacks against Mamdani are a vehicle to attack the Muslim community more broadly.

“This isn’t just about one individual,” she said. “It’s about promoting a narrative that casts Muslims as inherently suspect or un-American.”

Narendra Modi speaks at a podium. Behind him is a screen projecting his picture and an Indian flag.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faced criticism for the treatment of religious minorities in India [Jermaine Cruickshank/AP Photo]

Backlash from Modi’s party

That narrative could potentially have consequences for Mamdani’s campaign, as he works to increase his support among New York voters.

Mamdani will face competition in November from more established names in politics. He is expected to face incumbent mayor Eric Adams in the final vote. His rival in the Democratic primary, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has also not yet ruled out an independent run.

The mayoral hopeful has vocally denounced human rights abuses, including in places like Gaza and India.

That unabashed stance has not only earned him criticism from his rival candidates but also from overseas.

Members of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for example, have been among the voices slamming Mamdani’s remarks and questioning his fitness for the mayor’s seat.

BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut posted on social media, for example, that Mamdani “sounds more Pakistani than Indian”.

“Whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline,” she asked, pointing to the Hindu roots of his mother, director Mira Nair. “Now he is ready to wipe out Hinduism.”

Soon after Mamdani’s primary win, a prominent pro-BJP news channel in India, Aaj Tak, also aired a segment claiming that he had received funding from organisations that promote an “anti-India” agenda.

It also warned of a growing Muslim population in New York City, an assertion it coupled with footage of women wearing hijabs.

But some of the backlash has come from sources closer to home.

A New Jersey-based group named Indian Americans for Cuomo spent $3,570 for a plane to fly a banner over New York City with the message: “Save NYC from Global Intifada. Reject Mamdani.”

Andrew Cuomo, Michael Blake, Zohran Mamdani and Whitney Tilsen stand behind glass podiums at a debate
Mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, Michael Blake, Zohran Mamdani and Whitney Tilson participate in a Democratic mayoral primary debate on June 4 in New York [Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo]

A critic of human rights abuses

Much of the pushback can be linked to Mamdani’s vocal criticism of Hindu nationalism and Modi in particular.

In 2020, Mamdani participated in a Times Square demonstration against a temple built on the site of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya that was destroyed by Hindu extremists in 1992. He called out the BJP’s participation in and normalisation of that violence.

“I am here today to protest against the BJP government in India and the demolition of the Babri masjid,” he said.

Then, in 2023, Mamdani read aloud notes from an imprisoned Indian activist ahead of Modi’s visit to New York City.

That activist, Umar Khalid, has been imprisoned since 2020 without trial on terrorism charges after making speeches criticising Modi’s government.

More recently, during a town hall for mayoral candidates in May, Mamdani was asked if he would meet with Modi if the prime minister were to visit the city again. Mamdani said he wouldn’t.

“This is a war criminal,” he replied.

Mamdani pointed to Modi’s leadership in the Indian state of Gujarat during a period of religious riots in 2002. Modi has been criticised for turning a blind eye to the violence, which killed more than a thousand people, many of them Muslim.

In the aftermath, Modi was denied a US visa for “severe violations of religious freedom”.

“Narendra Modi helped to orchestrate what was a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat, to the extent that we don’t even believe that there are Gujarati Muslims any more,” Mamdani told the town hall. “When I tell someone that I am, it’s a shock to them that that’s even the case.”

Protesters in Gujarat sit on the ground with protest signs that read "We demand punishment for the killers of 2002"
Protesters in 2014 gather to mark the anniversary of the violence in the Indian state of Gujarat [File: Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]

Barriers of class and religion

It’s that “fearless” and consistent criticism of Modi that has made Mamdani the target of outrage from the Hindu right, according to Rohit Chopra, a communications professor at Santa Clara University.

“Among the Hindu right, there is a project of the political management of the memory of 2002. There’s this silence around Modi being denied a visa to enter the US,” said Chopra.

The professor also said class fragmentation among Hindu Americans may also fuel scepticism towards Mamdani.

Hindu Americans are a relatively privileged minority in terms of socioeconomic status: The Pew Research Center estimates that 44 percent Asian American Hindus enjoy a family income of more than $150,000, and six in 10 have obtained postgraduate degrees.

That relative prosperity, Chopra said, can translate into social barriers.

“They don’t necessarily even identify with other Hindu Americans who may come from very different kinds of class backgrounds – people who might be working as cab drivers, or dishwashers, or other blue-collar jobs,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Suchitra Vijayan, a New York City-based writer and the founder of the digital magazine Polis Project, has noticed that many lines of attack against Mamdani centre on his identity.

“Mamdani is an elected leader who is unabashedly Muslim,” she said.

She pointed out that other Muslim politicians, including US Congress members Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, have sparked similar backlash for reproaching Modi over the Gujarat violence.

But Mamdani’s family ties to the region make the scrutiny all the more intense.

“In Mamdani’s case, he’s Muslim, he’s African, but also his father is of Gujarati descent and has openly spoken about the pogrom in Gujarat,” Vijayan said.

Zoran Mamdani waves as he leaves an event, surrounded by media cameras.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani waves to supporters at an event on July 2 [David ‘Dee’ Delgado/Reuters]

A ‘seismic’ victory

Despite the online backlash, experts and local organisers believe Mamdani’s campaign can mobilise Indian American voters and other members of the South Asian diaspora who traditionally lean Democratic.

The Pew Research Center estimates that there are 710,000 Indians and Indian Americans living in the New York City area, the most of any metropolitan centre in the US.

Preliminary results from June’s mayoral primary show that Mamdani scored big in neighbourhoods with strong Asian populations, like Little Bangladesh, Jackson Heights and Parkchester.

A final tally of the ranked-choice ballots was released earlier this week, on July 1, showing Mamdani trounced his closest rival, Cuomo, 56 percent to 44.

“I’ve heard his win described as ‘seismic’,” said Arvind Rajagopal, a professor of media studies at New York University. “He can speak not only Spanish but Hindi, Urdu, and passable Bangla. A candidate with this level of depth and breadth is rare in recent times.”

Rajagopal added that Mamdani’s decision to own his Muslim identity became an asset for him on the campaign trail, particularly in the current political climate.

With President Donald Trump in office for a second term, many voters are bracing for the anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies that accompanied his first four years in the White House.

Back then, Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States”, saying they represented an “influx of hatred” and “danger”.

“The moment of Trump is something that Mamdani answers perfectly,” Rajagopal said. He called Mamdani’s success “a big reality check for the Hindu right”.

Whatever backlash Mamdani is facing from Hindu groups, Jagpreet Singh is sceptical about its influence over New York City.

“I can assure you – it’s not coming from within the city,” said Singh, the political director of DRUM Beats, a sister organisation to the social justice organisation Desis Rising Up and Moving.

That group was among the first in the city to endorse Mamdani’s candidacy for mayor.

Since early in his campaign, Singh pointed out that Mamdani has reached out to Hindu working-class communities “in an authentic way”.

This included visiting the Durga Temple and Nepalese Cultural Center in Ridgewood and speaking at events in the Guyanese and Trinidadian Hindu communities, Singh pointed out. During his time as a state assembly member, Mamdani also pushed for legislation that would recognise Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights – as a state holiday.

At a Diwali celebration last year, Singh said Mamdani “took part in lighting of the diyas, spoke on stage, and talked about his mother’s background as being somebody who is of Hindu faith”.

To Singh, the message was clear. South Asian groups in New York City, including Hindu Americans, “have adopted him as their own”.

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