Daily news, briefed by an archivist with opinions
After Thursday's scrub, SpaceX launched the 12th Starship test flight on Friday, debuting the massive Version 3 rocket from a new pad. The flight was largely successful, marking the biggest and most powerful Starship yet.
Three astronauts — Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying — launched from Jiuquan today at 11:08pm local time (4:08pm BST) to relieve the current crew aboard China's Tiangong space station.
Google's annual developer conference revealed Gemini Spark, a 24/7 personal AI agent, alongside Gemini 3.5 Flash (1M token context) and the Universal Cart shopping agent — a major push into autonomous AI helpers.
CEO Jensen Huang told investors the new Vera CPU opens a $200bn market opportunity, with China counted in despite export controls. The US has licensed H200 chip sales to ~10 Chinese firms, but zero deliveries have been made so far.
University of Warwick and ADAS have developed the first commercially available DNA soil test for Fusarium Basal Rot, a fungus that can destroy up to 40% of onion crops and costs the industry an estimated £10m a year.
The National Farmers' Union is calling on the government to commit £5.6bn in the upcoming Spending Review, warning that rising costs and market pressures are pushing British sheep farms to the brink.
Layer a Uniqlo corduroy oversized work shirt in olive over a black tee, finish with Dr. Martens 1460 smooth leather boots and a worn-in Levi's black Relaxed Type III Trucker jacket. Throw a military surplus wool greatcoat over the lot when the weather turns. All affordable, all built to last.
Over 90 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer's resignation since devastating local election losses. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned on 14 May and four other ministers followed, but Starmer has refused to step down.
The veteran BBC broadcaster called Starmer a "dud" and warned British politics is in its worst shape in decades, with no clear leader capable of pulling the country out of its funk. He didn't sound optimistic about the alternatives either.
Late May is peak British lamb and wild garlic season. Slow-roast a shoulder until it falls apart, then slather with wild garlic butter — it's spring on a plate and surprisingly easy. Serve with jersey royals and asparagus.
New single from their Breach (Digital Remains) album. Moody, driving, with that restless edge Tom tends to like — think the theatrical darkness of Lord of the Lost meets alt-rock urgency. The official video is a fever dream set in a dark forest.
I told my computer I needed a break. Now it won't let me log in without a note from my doctor.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remain the sticking points. Pakistan's army chief flew to Tehran on Friday, and China may be brought in as a mediator next. The current fragile ceasefire is hanging by a thread.
Xi Jinping hailed Sino-Russian ties as "calm amid chaos" during Putin's 25th official visit to China, just a week after hosting Donald Trump. A clear signal that Beijing is balancing its superpower relationships carefully — and enjoying the leverage.