Actress Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad sparked controversy due to a "genes/jeans" pun, with critics linking it to eugenics rhetoric. Despite American Eagle's defense, the debate intensified when reports surfaced that Sweeney is a registered Republican. Former President Donald Trump then publicly praised Sweeney and her "HOTTEST ad," explicitly citing her political affiliation, further politicizing the issue. Sweeney has remained silent on her politics, having previously avoided such discussions. Crucially, following Trump's endorsement, American Eagle's stock skyrocketed by up to 20%, demonstrating the significant, often unpredictable, marketing value of viral controversy in the digital age, as noted by industry...

Newspaper headlines reveal a politically charged landscape, dominated by Nigel Farage's controversial call for police to release the immigration status of suspects in the Warwickshire alleged rape case, leading to accusations of "fanning the flames" and exposing tensions between the prime minister and police. Sports news highlights Chris Woakes as England's "one-armed warrior" despite a cricket loss. Economically, wealthy parents paid £500m in advance fees to avoid a 20% VAT raid on private schools, while Tesla's board approved a $30bn share award for Elon Musk. The UK rail network is "crumbling" due to dry soil, causing service reductions. High-profile crime...

The article provides expert tips for winning Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2025-26, drawing insights from BBC Sport's FPL analysts and a world-ranked player. Key advice includes prioritizing long-term planning over short-term gains, strategically balancing premium players, and exercising strict transfer discipline by avoiding early moves and point-deducting hits. Experts offer contrasting views on data versus intuition, with some advocating for xG analysis and others for trusting gut instinct and the 'eye test' from watching live matches. Crucially, managers are advised to focus on reliable players (minutes, set-pieces), adapt to new rules like defensive contribution points, and maintain psychological resilience by...

The article argues that England's Ashes hopes in Australia hinge entirely on Ben Stokes, portraying a series victory as his "greatest miracle." England faces a daunting historical record Down Under, having won none of their last 15 Tests there, and the squad largely lacks Australian experience. Stokes is deemed England's indispensable beating heart, providing all-round brilliance, tactical leadership, and a history of clutch performances, despite recent injury concerns. While England's batting looks strong, Australia's formidable bowling attack (Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon) and home advantage make them favorites. The contest is framed as England's batting against Australia's bowling, with the ultimate...

Gareth Ward, an Australian politician and convicted rapist, is fighting from jail to retain his seat in the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament. Found guilty of sexually assaulting two young men and currently in custody awaiting sentencing, Ward faces expulsion from the NSW House of Representatives. However, his lawyers plan to seek a Supreme Court injunction to block this, as Ward intends to appeal his conviction. Both NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman have vehemently called for Ward's resignation, citing the "unconscionable situation" of a jailed, convicted individual remaining paid as an MP and the burden...

The world faces a severe plastic pollution crisis, with nearly 200 trillion pieces in oceans, projected to triple. Despite two years of negotiations, countries have failed to agree on a legally binding global treaty to curb this escalating problem. Plastic's rapid proliferation has led to devastating environmental impacts on wildlife and poses a grave danger to human health, with an estimated annual cost of $1.5 trillion. Key disagreements in UN talks center on whether to limit plastic production—advocated by many nations including the UK—or solely focus on increasing recycling, a stance favored by oil-producing countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia...

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking four of Arkansas' largest school districts from enforcing a new state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The judge, Timothy L. Brooks, ruled the law is "obviously unconstitutional" and violates the separation of church and state, calling it part of a "coordinated strategy" to inject Christian doctrine into schools. While the ruling's immediate impact is limited to a few districts, it marks a significant win for civil liberties groups like the ACLU, who filed the lawsuit. This development is part of a broader trend in...

The article previews a crucial discussion regarding England's squad selection for the upcoming five-match Ashes series in Australia. BBC Sport has assembled an expert panel of former England cricketers – Isa Guha, Michael Vaughan, and Phil Tufnell – to offer their insights on who should be included in the touring party. The selection is paramount given the historical challenges of touring Australia and the intense rivalry of the Ashes. A key point of debate, highlighted by the article's title, will undoubtedly be the management and inclusion of star all-rounder Ben Stokes, whose fitness and form are vital to England's chances....

Over £100 million in Premium Bond prizes remains unclaimed across 2.5 million winners, including 11 x £100,000 prizes, leading to significant criticism of NS&I (National Savings and Investments). Critics argue the government-owned bank is not doing enough to find winners, citing difficulties in tracing accounts for those with paper records or gifted bonds. Reasons for unclaimed prizes include outdated contact details, unawareness of holdings, and lack of original certificates. NS&I defends its record, stating 99% of prizes have been paid and offering online tracing services, but acknowledges challenges with pre-digitisation bonds. Experts and consumer groups are calling for fundamental reforms...

Archaeologists and cave explorers have unearthed the remains of an extinct Bronze Age auroch and a Neolithic human burial site in a cave near Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales. This significant discovery, part of the Ingleborough Cave Archaeology Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, sheds light on prehistoric human and animal life in the region. The project highlights the crucial role of cavers in accessing these remote sites and aims to officially document such finds. Beyond archaeology, the initiative also engages modern farmers in sustainable land management and seeks to preserve "commoning" traditions, which date back to the...