New balls, please. ⚽ 🎾

With no other sporting events happening yesterday, all eyes were drawn to Wimbledon. Watching Alcaraz win the final had us all wondering the same thing. Why does everybody keep checking their balls? It turns out, it’s all down to hair.

New tennis balls have smoothed hair, making them more aerodynamic and faster through the air - ideal for a feisty first serve. Rules state that players may inspect up to three balls per point, hence the constant examining and discarding. Usually, the player will use the smooth first and pocket a fluffier ball in case of a second serve - the fluffier ball (hairs less smooth from being whacked around) moves more slowly through the air but is easier to control, thus reducing the chance of a double fault. So, now you know!

MARKETS

Data: Google Finance, 7-day Market Close

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ECONOMY & FINANCE

If you weren’t taking the climate crisis seriously, it’s time to start.
It’s a national emergency, folks. Our beloved tea might soon break the bank. Thanks to India’s horrendous heatwave and floods, we’re staring down a potential 20% hike in tea prices. The only storm in a teacup here is weather-related and it's wreaking havoc on tea plantations in Assam and Kerala.

India’s Tea Board warns that production could drop by a staggering 100 million kilograms this year. Given that we’re the sixth-largest tea importer globally, with a tea habit largely satisfied by Indian exports, don’t be surprised if your next box leaves you short of a fiver.

The weather’s not the only culprit. A ban on 20 pesticides by the Indian government in December last year hasn’t done tea leaf yields any favours. May saw production plummet more than 30% compared to the previous year, making it the worst May in a decade. Assam, producing over half of India’s tea, saw over two million people grappling with severe river flooding this July.

Average prices have already jumped nearly 20% by late June, bringing a cheeky small box of tea bags from £2.38 to £2.64 in just twelve months. The Office for National Statistics data doesn’t lie, unlike your neighbour who swears that the budget brews taste the same as the posh stuff.

Sterling does well in Europe (no, not Raheem).
Pound sterling has touched a three-week high against the euro after an election result in France left the country politically hung like a parliament full of cats. The pound nudged up 0.1%, making the euro feel about as valuable as a soggy baguette—closing at €1.1824 on Monday, its lowest since mid-June.

Half a million millionaires to walk by 2028.
In a plot twist that Charles Dickens couldn't have concocted, that the UK is on track to lose nearly half a million millionaires by 2028, according to UBS’s 2024 Global Wealth Report. What the economy deserves and what it gets is about as aligned as the weather forecast and reality.

The report indicates that the UK had over three million millionaires last year. But hold onto your monocles, because UBS predicts this number will plummet by 17%, leaving just 2.54 million millionaire souls to endure British weather and the thought of another general election.

POLITICS

The Conservative Party is licking its wounds after a catastrophic defeat that left it more bruised than a banana in a toddler's lunchbox. Young Tories are wondering if their party can claw its way back from the political wilderness. With only 8% of under-25s voting Conservative, it’s clear the party's message resonates with the youth as well as a dial-up modem in the age of fibre.

Political violence is on the rise, with UK politicians reacting in shock to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack, while Nigel Farage, never one to miss a dramatic soundbite, lamented the toxic political climate he claims liberals have fostered. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox, echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for civil discourse. Lord Walney, the UK government's adviser on political violence, called for an urgent review of the security threats facing MPs, highlighting the dangerous trend of intimidation and aggression in politics.

In a rare spot of good news, Keir Starmer hinted at a potential extra bank holiday if England wins the Euros. However, he was cautious not to jinx the team’s chances, recalling the heartbreak of past tournaments - worked a treat Kier. As the nation held its breath, the clouds gathered to inevitably rain all over Gareth Southgate's parade.

In the aftermath of the general election, former MPs are grappling with life after politics. Peter Aldous, once a Conservative MP, is unsure about his next steps at the age of 62. The House of Commons offers a “transition” service to help departing MPs with career planning and mental health support, but the abrupt loss of a £91,000 salary is a tough pill to swallow.

Amid all this turmoil, one thing remains certain: the road ahead for British politics is as unpredictable as ever. Whether it's young Tories plotting a revival, politicians facing unprecedented threats, or football fans daring to dream, the drama continues unabated.

ACROSS THE POND

Trump assassination attempt.
Another day in America, and our UK pre-election political tension now looks like child’s play. Former President Donald Trump had a dramatic brush with death at a Pennsylvania rally, after a would-be assassin fired shots, piercing the top right ear of Trump. The incident left one spectator dead and two others critically injured.

Shots were fired towards the stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, causing chaos among the crowd. Trump was swiftly moved off stage by Secret Service agents, a visible injury and defiant fist-pump marking his exit. The shooter was shot dead by security personnel.

The attacker, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, had a clear line of sight from an elevated position outside the rally’s secure perimeter. Trump took to Truth Social, his own platform, to announce he'd been struck by a bullet that had pierced his right ear. With its hints of both drama and defiance, the event has yet again thrust Trump into the spotlight amidst an already volatile political landscape.

Beryl takes on Texas.
Hurricane Beryl has torn through the heart of the US energy industry, leaving no stone unturned—and no price unspiked. As if petrol wasn't already expensive enough, brace yourselves for a potential price hike on home shores.

With interconnected global markets, any significant disruption in the US invariably sends shockwaves across the pond. Don't be surprised if you find yourself shelling out more at the petrol station.

The fallout is especially severe for American energy companies, many of whom have facilities directly in the storm’s path. The disruption to refinery operations is expected to cause a ripple effect, with some experts warning of potential fuel shortages.

Pressure mounts on Biden.
To start the week, Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney, perhaps using his charm for good, has publicly called for Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming presidential election. In a heartfelt but gut-wrenching op-ed in the New York Times, Clooney declared that while his affection for Biden remains unwavering, their recent interaction at a $30 million fundraiser left him convinced that Biden's debate fumble was not a one-off.

During the week, following Biden’s debate debacle with Trump, Joe Biden was under pressure to hold a gaffe-free, headline-avoiding, NATO summit. Biden failed to deliver in spectacular fashion, primarily by introducing Volodymyr Zelenskyy as ‘Vladimir Putin, the president of Ukraine’. Confusing Zelenskyy and Putin, in the same week your political rival stands defiantly after an assassination attempt… oh dear, Joe.

TECH

First off, Elon Musk’s social media playground, X (formerly known as Twitter, in case you’ve been living under a rock), is back in the EU’s bad books. The European Commission wagged its finger at X for its deceptive blue tick system, which, instead of denoting trustworthy sources, now means you’ve got eight euros to spare. Musk’s retort? “We look forward to a very public battle in court.” Grab your popcorn, folks – this showdown promises more drama than a season finale of Love Island.

OpenAI is under scrutiny from whistleblowers who claim the company’s NDAs are so restrictive that staff need permission to report to regulators. It seems the AI overlords at OpenAI are more concerned with controlling leaks than their technology running amok.

The world of AI video manipulation tech is evergrowing, see this section’s image for reference. It has also given us a not-so-genteel version of Gareth Southgate, with AI-generated clips of the England manager swearing like a sailor after the semi-final victory. These digital doppelgangers have gone viral, much to the delight and confusion of fans. Just remember, if you see Southgate on TikTok shouting expletives, it’s probably not him, which we think is a publicist’s easiest get-out clause.

On the greener side of things, our relentless pursuit of clean energy has hit a toxic snag. Research reveals that those essential lithium-ion batteries, the heroes of our clean energy revolution, are laced with PFAS "forever chemicals". These pesky pollutants are showing up everywhere – from landfill leachate to remote corners of the globe. It’s a classic case of ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ – save the planet but pollute it in the process.

In tech acquisitions, the UK's AI chip darling Graphcore has been snapped up by Japan's SoftBank. Once valued at £2bn, the firm sold for a fraction of that. It’s a bittersweet moment – on one hand, it’s a nod to British innovation; on the other, it’s a reminder that our tech titans often end up in foreign hands.

GMB union organisers are making a historic push for recognition at Amazon's Coventry warehouse. Despite Amazon’s notorious anti-union stance, the ballot might just give workers a seat at the negotiating table. If successful, it’ll be a milestone for labour rights in the UK. Jeff Bezos might have to come up with a new plan – perhaps space is the final frontier for dodging unions.

On the gadget front, the England football team turned to tech in an effort to edge out Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Players have been sporting £300 Oura rings to track their sleep and stress levels. These rings, popular with celebs like Prince Harry, might just be the secret sauce for success on the pitch - if only someone thought to wear two!

And finally, Glastonbury has once again proven it’s more than just a mud-fest with some tunes. Vodafone broke data records at this year’s festival, with revellers streaming to keep Instagram in business for a decade. Coldplay’s set topped the most uploaded, now that’s a lot of Chris Martin for anyone’s feed.

WORLD

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is brewing, posing a silent yet deadly threat. Recent spills have unleashed untreated sewage, creating a breeding ground for drug-resistant superbugs. It’s labelled this a "global antibiotic emergency", with the United Nations predicting up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if left unchecked. Universities around the world are urging a global cleanup of our waterways to stave off this impending disaster.

In Africa, elite athletes are battling more than just their opponents. With air pollution on the rise due to urbanisation and industrial activity, training in cities like Nairobi has become a health hazard. Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge notes the oppressive impact of polluted air on performance. In response, air quality sensors have been deployed across sports facilities in six African countries. These sensors provide critical data to help athletes and coaches adapt their training schedules, highlighting the urgent need for cleaner air as they prepare for major competitions like the Paris Olympics and the 2026 Youth Olympics in Senegal.

In a dramatic twist of international intrigue, an Australian soldier and her husband have been charged with espionage for Russia. Kira Korolev, an information services technician in the army, and her husband Igor allegedly passed sensitive Australian Defence Force material to Russian authorities. This marks the first use of Australia's stricter foreign interference laws introduced in 2018. The couple, both Russian-born Australian citizens, face up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

In a tale almost too bizarre to believe, Chinese customs officials caught a man trying to smuggle 104 slithering snakes in his undergarments at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border. This incident highlights the ongoing battle against wildlife trafficking in China, one of the world's largest hubs for such illegal activitiesss.

From superbugs in our waters to the air we breathe, the threats we face are as diverse as they are dangerous. As we navigate these challenges, one thing is clear: our environment, health, and security are deeply interconnected, demanding comprehensive and coordinated responses on all fronts. For now, feet up and kettle on - it’s only two more years until the World Cup when football definitely comes home.

Cuppa Chat Cheat Sheet

🎥🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 New Star Wars series "The Acolyte" was partly filmed in Wales, featuring scenes from locations like Bannau Brycheiniog and Merthyr Tydfil. The show, starring Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae, brings sci-fi action to the Welsh countryside, now streaming on Disney+.

🧗‍♂️🌍 Chris Horan climbed the equivalent height of Mount Everest to raise awareness for climate change, gathering over £1,700 for Friends of the Earth. The 44-year-old from Dorset completed the 8,849m challenge in 140 days, combining indoor and outdoor climbs.

💧🌱 In drought-prone Oaxaca, indigenous women are reviving ancient water techniques to cultivate crops and ensure their community's sustainability. With support from non-profits, they are using ferro-cement tanks and vermicomposting to overcome harsh climate challenges and improve their livelihoods.

🎥📈 Netflix's "America's Sweethearts" reveals the intense world of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, highlighting their gruelling training and low pay amidst growing popularity. The series has spotlighted the team's mental health struggles and the financial disparities faced by its members.

🎵🎧 Eminem's 12th album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), has been released to mixed reviews, with critics divided on its conceptual execution and lyrical content. The album features 19 tracks, including singles Tobey and Houdini, as well as a sequel to 1999’s Guilty Conscience.

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