The “Roar” singer is currently on her Lifetimes tour down under, where she got the chance to meet a quokka—a famously smiley little furball.
And in her June 27 Instagram carousel, Katy smiled widely alongside one of the animals, captioning the post, “Mood: Quokka.”
Elsewhere in the carousel, Katy danced on a beach to classical music in one clip and played off the name of the Australian island she was currently visiting, Rottnest Island, in another. As she said while on a boat ride with friends, “Lifetimes tour on Rottnest Island! Where our brain rot runs free!”
Also joining the 40-year-old was her and Orlando’s 4-year-old daughter Daisy Dove, who could be seen sitting in the captain’s seat of the boat and riding behind her mom in a wagon as Katy pulled her on a bike and said, “We are on Rottnest Island with Daisy Dove.”
Labour’s original plan to reform the welfare system was a hasty effort to try to make billions of pounds of cuts to a rapidly growing bill in order to help the chancellor meet her self-imposed rules on government borrowing.
But this latest U-turn raises significant questions about just how stability and credibility-enhancing it really is to tweak financial plans every six months to hit budget targets that change frequently due to a variety of reasons, including things such as the cost of borrowing which the government cannot control.
The latest deal suggests the welfare reforms will only save £2bn a year rather than the £5bn they were expected to save by 29-30
The planned cut to disability personal independent payment (Pip) eligibility was set to raise the bulk of this saving, £4.5bn.
But now the changes will apply only to new claimants from November 2026, sparing 370,000 current claimants out of the 800,000 identified by the DWP impact assessment.
Another change announced in March, which now only applies to new claimants, involves how Pip applicants are assessed.
Pip assessments involve questions about tasks like preparing and eating food, washing and getting dressed. Each is scored from zero – for no difficulty – to 12 – for the most severe.
For example, needing help to wash your hair, or your body below the waist, would be awarded two points, but needing help to wash between the shoulders and waist would equate to four points.
Under the new system people will need to score at least four points for one activity, instead of qualifying for support across a broad range of tasks.
Rebel leader Meg Hillier and ministers have jointly stressed that the new four-point threshold will be a so-called “co-production”.
This means they will be drawn up together with disability charities, so how the scoring will be applied is still unclear and suggests the changes may not save as much money as expected.
There will also be a knock-on impact for Carer’s Allowance. It seems plausible that this part will cost about £2bn.
The original universal credit health changes – freezing the health element until 2029-30, and halving it then freezing it for new claimants from next April – would have raised £3bn in 2029-30.
Now 2.25 million existing recipients will see a rise in line with inflation, and the most severe cases out of 730,000 new claimants will no longer see this halved.
This would cost several hundred million, perhaps £1bn.
In addition, the government has promised to pull forward investment in employment, health and skills support in order to frontload support to get those on health benefits back into work.
This was only due to hit next year and be seen at its full £1bn level by 2029. This helps the coherence of the package as a piece of reform rather than cost-cutting.
There are many moving parts here, and it is worth noting that the original costings were highly uncertain and subject to assumptions about changed behaviours. For example, critically, the number of claimants who would successfully say that they were now above the new four-point threshold.
However, it seems likely that the total cost of the overnight deal is more than half of the original £5bn saving – a £2.5-3bn deal.
All will be revealed at the Budget by the government’s financial watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility.
But this is in addition to the £1.25bn cost of the winter fuel payment U-turn, and would either have to come from higher taxes or cuts elsewhere, given the chancellor’s “non-negotiable” borrowing rules.
The Senate parliamentarian has rejected a Republican attempt to exempt a small number of religious schools, including Hillsdale College — where many graduates go on to careers in conservative politics —— from an income tax on college endowments.
The GOP bill would substantially raise the tax on the returns of wealthy college endowments but it exempted Hillsdale, a Christian liberal arts school in Michigan, which hired a team of lobbyists to avoid getting hit by the tax.
Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has also ruled against a section of the bill that removes regulations pertaining to gun silencers and easily concealable firearms under the National Firearms Act.
The provisions were tucked into the massive budget reconciliation package that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) hopes to pass by July 4.
The loosening of restrictions on gun silencers, or suppressors, as they are also known, is a top priority of the gun industry and many firearms enthusiasts.
The GOP proposal passed by the House would eliminate the $200 Tax Stamp and enhanced background checks required to own a suppressor.
“We have been successful in removing parts of this bill that hurt families and workers, but the process is not over, and Democrats are continuing to make the case against every provision in this Big, Beautiful Betrayal of a bill that violates Senate rules,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee.
“Republicans are actively attempting to rewrite major sections of this bill to advance their families lose, and billionaires win agenda, but Democrats are scrutinizing all changes to ensure the rules of reconciliation are enforced,” he added.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), an outspoken proponent of gun-control measures, including expanded background checks for firearms purchases, said getting rid of restricts on suppressors would be a bad idea.
“Silencers aren’t illegal in this country, you just have to prove that you’re a responsible gun owner and not a criminal who’s buying a silencer to commit murder,” Murphy noted. “The law has worked very well for years and there’s no reason to change it.”
The parliamentarian struck down several other provisions in the bill, including a section to create a new federal subsidy for private and religious schools and language to create a pre-certification process for demonstrating eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The provision would require individuals who claim the credit to obtain certification that their child is eligible.
Senate Democrats say that the parliamentarian has ruled against proposals in the bill that would have cut federal programs and spending by $250 billion, forcing Republicans to scramble to rewrite major parts of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
Alongside bolstering its AI research talent pool, Meta seems to be keen to flesh out its consumer-facing AI features. The company is in discussions to acquire a voice cloning startup called Play AI, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources.
The tech giant aims to buy the startup’s tech and bring on board some of its staff, the report said.
Play AI lets anyone clone different kinds of voices that they can use for AI-powered use cases, such as customer service, per its website. The startup has raised $23.5 million in total, and its investors include 500 Startups, Kindred Ventures, Race Capital, 500 Global and Soma Capital, per Crunchbase.
We’re just under two months into the WNBA season, and the Rookie of the Year race is far more competitive than initially expected.
Paige Bueckers has performed as almost everyone expected, while the Nos. 3 (Sonia Citron) and 4 (Kiki Iriafen) picks have led the Washington Mystics to a surprisingly good start. They aren’t the only first-year players making a mark in the league.
A handful of young players in this electric rookie class are having unexpected breakouts. This group includes recent college graduates and players signed from overseas. Here are ESPN’s rankings for the top eight rookies so far — plus a check-in on two more.
Just before the WNBA draft, a general manager told ESPN that Bueckers could “impact the league immediately” and “be dangerous right away.” So far, Bueckers has proven them right.
This year’s No. 1 pick has demonstrated the same three-level scoring skills, efficiency, court vision and ability to control the pace of a game she showcased on her way to winning a national title with UConn in April.
She also leads the rookies in scoring (17.7 points per game) and assists (5.8) despite having missed four games while in concussion protocol and because of an illness. In that period, Kiki Iriafen overtook her as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year, though Bueckers has since reclaimed the spot.
That said, Bueckers’ strong play hasn’t immediately led to teamwide success. The Wings are off to a 4-12 start, receiving the worst grade in ESPN’s one-month check-in. It’s hard to put an entire franchise’s success on the shoulders of a 22-year-old rookie, but Bueckers has, so far, lived up to the hype.
The No. 4 pick, Iriafen briefly catapulted to the top of the Rookie of the Year race by leading the Mystics to a 4-6 start — unexpected for a team entering a rebuilding era.
In 15 games, she’s averaging 13.3 points on nearly 50% shooting — the third-most points by a rookie and the third-best shooting percentage by a rookie playing at least 12 minutes this season.
Her physicality and rebounding set her apart from the rest of the rookie class, too: She’s grabbing 8.8 rebounds (best in the group) and has recorded five double-doubles, including four consecutive in May.
During her single season at USC, Iriafen took a backseat on scoring next to superstar JuJu Watkins. But in the W, she has displayed an ability to score in a variety of ways — whether it’s in the midrange, by forcing her way into the paint or crashing the offensive glass.
But beyond the statistics, Iriafen has helped set an identity for the Mystics. Washington coach Sydney Johnson said Iriafen has a “veteran mindset” and has stabilized the team’s frontcourt.
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Sonia Citron finds Kiki Iriafen in transition for two
Sonia Citron finds Kiki Iriafen in transition for two
Citron has been right alongside Iriafen in ushering in Washington’s new era. She has been the perfect counterpart for Iriafen, averaging 14.2 points on 47.1% shooting. She’s also a reliable multiple-position defender, with the ability to switch roles whenever her team needs.
During her four years at Notre Dame, Citron established herself as a three-level scorer, averaging 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 37% from deep. Her shooting precision extended to the midrange, and she had the ability to cut to the basket and finish at the rim. So far, it’s translated to the pros.
That scoring was something the Mystics needed when they got the third pick — and her — after trading Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky. It’s a lot to expect a rookie to match the production of a seven-year veteran, but Citron has proven she’s up to the task so far.
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Sonia Citron’s clutch OT 3 proves to be winner for Mystics
Rookie Sonia Citron drills her fourth 3-pointer of the game to give the Mystics the lead for good.
After going undrafted in 2022 and spending the past three years playing in Australia, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Sweden, Held has emerged as one of the brightest WNBA newcomers. Teammate Satou Sabally even suggested Held could make a case for rookie of the year.
Despite not starting a game for Phoenix (yet), Held was crucial for the team while Kahleah Copper missed the first 11 games of the season with a knee injury. During that span, Held averaged 9.5 points in 21.5 minutes, making her the team’s third-leading scorer behind Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. On the season, she has the fourth-best defensive rating among rookies who play at least 12 minutes per game, at 92.4.
Last week, after finishing with 16 points, 3 assists and 3 steals in a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, Held scored a career-high 24 points in a win against the Golden State Valkyries on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from deep. She also proved her value in clutch situations, hitting a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer to give Phoenix a one-point lead with just over a minute left in the game.
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Lexi Held gets the bucket right before halftime
Lexi Held gets the bucket right before halftime
Akoa Makani has become one of the best long-distance shooters in the rookie class, going 44.7% from 3 — good for top 5 among all rookies. She is also shooting 100% from the free throw line on 18 attempts.
Averaging 20.5 minutes a game, Akoa Makani was first inserted into the Mercury’s starting lineup as they navigated an injury-plagued start to the season. Even now with a healthy roster, she has not given up her spot. Her shooting ability (8.3 PPG) has given Phoenix supplementary scoring, an area of concern heading into the season. She also has the team’s fifth-best plus-minus rating (plus-4.4).
Salaun has had an abbreviated time in Golden State: She missed training camp, the preseason and the first regular-season game, and has recently stepped away to represent France at EuroBasket. But in the eight games she has played, she has left her mark.
She’s fourth among rookies in scoring (11.8 PPG) behind Bueckers, Iriafen and Citron. Salaun was also playing the third-most minutes (28.4) and grabbing the second-most rebounds per game (5.9).
She went undrafted in 2023 but is still just 23 years old and carries more experience than is traditional for a WNBA rookie. She won a silver medal with France in the Paris Olympics last summer and also led Beretta Famila Schio to the Italian League title — where she also won Finals MVP.
At 29 years old, Westbeld is tied for the second-oldest rookie in this year’s class. She spent most of the past seven years playing in Spain, Puerto Rico, Australia, France, Italy and Hungary, with a brief six-month stint as an account executive with Total Quality Logistics in West Chester, Ohio, from January to July in 2021. This year, she has cemented herself in the Mercury’s starting rotation.
Like her rookie teammates, she was first inserted into the starting lineup amid Phoenix’s injury-riddled beginning. And like Akoa Makani, she hasn’t relinquished her spot, logging the fifth-most minutes on the team (23.1 per game).
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Kathryn Westbeld sinks a triple
Kathryn Westbeld is given too much space and knocks down a 3-pointer for the Mercury.
Paopao was a reliable shooter in college, going 40% from beyond the arc. Her dip during her senior year at South Carolina — where she averaged a career-low 9.4 points — may have been a factor in dropping her into the second round of this year’s draft..
Yet, the No. 18 pick has been able to play both on and off of the ball for Atlanta and has also been crucial for the Dream in the clutch.
While her stats aren’t as eye-catching as those of the names above, Paopao’s impact has been undeniable. Her plus-16 net rating and 112.2 offensive rating are the best among rookies who have played at least five games, and she leads the class in 3-point shooting at 54.3%. On Sunday against Chicago, she erupted for five 3s on six attempts.
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Te-Hina Paopao nets a triple
Te-Hina Paopao with the shot made, 06/22/2025
Two more to watch
Malonga was one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft class, and her ceiling is still projected to be one of the highest among the group. Through the first month and a half of the season, Malonga showed some of that potential, but her talent is still extremely raw.
One reason she hasn’t been able to refine her game in the WNBA might be a lack of minutes, a problem the other rookies on this list haven’t had to deal with. She’s averaging 8.7 minutes a game, but she’s also playing behind one of the best centers in the league in Nneka Ogwumike.
It might take some time for Malonga — who has been playing international basketball since 2021 and was the youngest member of the French national team at the 2024 Olympics — to get a chance to make an impact on the Storm, but she remains one of the most interesting newcomers to watch.
When Courtney Vandersloot went down with an ACL tear on June 8, Van Lith looked poised to fill the veteran’s shoes. The No. 11 draft pick is still coming off the bench, but her minutes load has steadily increased over the past two weeks and she even played three consecutive 20-minute stints against the Sun, Mystics and Mercury last week. She should continue to grow as she gets more playing opportunities.
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Looking for the best Amazon products trending this month? You’re in the right place. From top-rated beauty must-haves to viral home essentials, these are the Amazon finds shoppers (and even celebs) can’t stop adding to cart.
We’re talking skincare that actually works, like a face lift cream with glowing reviews, and a celeb-approved hair oil that delivers glossy, healthy locks. There are also clever cleaning products and practical gadgets that make everyday tasks way easier—and yes, they’re going viral for a reason.
Whether you’re refreshing your beauty routine to be more like Jennifer Aniston or hunting for new skincare finds, these top Amazon picks are the buzziest buys of the month. If it’s trending, you’ll find it here—because staying in the loop never looked so good.
Ready to see what all the hype’s about? Scroll on to shop the best Amazon finds everyone’s talking about right now. Your cart (and routine) will thank you.
BBC Radio Leicester’s Foxes commentator Owynn Palmer-Atkin:
The agreement between Leicester City and Ruud van Nistelrooy to terminate his deal at the club should not come as a surprise to many.
This always felt like a case of when, not if.
Relegation from the Premier League, five wins from 27 games in all competitions and record runs without a goal at home – it doesn’t scream success for the Dutchman.
However, the timing and behaviour around the decision have to be questioned at the very highest level.
It’s been over a month since the end of the season and double that since relegation back to the Championship was confirmed. In every press conference, Van Nistelrooy told the media that no conversations about his future had started. I think he knew his fate.
But that does not make it acceptable.
Fans have a right to question the timing, too. Leicester City are clearly grappling with financial issues; they may well have been waiting for the new Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) financial year on July 1.
But the agreement underpinning this agreement can always have a date in July. Which begs the question, why was this decision not made earlier? The fans deserve an explanation for that.
This is another critical moment for the club. The search for a fourth manager in 12 months, the pre-season beginning on Monday and the Championship opener six weeks from this weekend.
Support for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the theoretical 2028 presidential horserace has dropped in new polling as she weighs her next political steps.
A new Emerson College Polling survey found Harris in second place among a field of potential 2028 Democrats, with 13 percent of Democratic primary voters. She lagged slightly behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was at 16 percent.
The biggest share of Democratic voters, 23 percent, said they were still undecided. Just a hair behind Harris was term-limited California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), with 12 percent. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) rounded out the top five possible contenders, with 7 percent each.
The latest numbers are significantly different from Emerson’s November survey, when respondents were asked to write in their preferred 2028 candidate. Taken a couple weeks after the 2024 election, Harris received 37 percent support, followed by Newsom with 7 percent, Buttigieg with 4 percent and Shapiro with 3 percent. Another 35 percent were undecided.
On the heels of her loss in the 2024 presidential race, speculation is swirling about Harris’s next moves.
She’s reportedly giving serious consideration to a run for governor in California, which she previously represented in the Senate and served as state Attorney General. The suspense has had a freezing effect on the gubernatorial field, and she’s said to have given herself an end-of-summer deadline to decide whether to jump in.
At the same time, early 2028 polling has repeatedly shown Harris as a Democratic frontrunner if she were to lodge another bid for the White House. A run for the Golden State governor’s mansion could take a 2028 presidential campaign off the table, but she’s reportedly considering all her options.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Harris said at a leadership summit for Black women in California this spring.
Across the aisle, the poll found Vice President Vance with a clear lead among potential Republican contenders for 2028, with 46 percent support from GOP primary voters. Just 17 percent were undecided.
Next up were Secretary of State Marco Rubio with 12 percent and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who ran against Trump in 2024, with 9 percent.
On a generic 2028 presidential ballot, voters were split between the two major parties, with 42 percent each backing the generic Democratic candidate and the generic Republican. Another 16 percent were undecided.
Independents broke for the generic Democrat 37 percent to 29 percent, with 34 percent undecided.
Conducted June 24-25, the poll surveyed 1,000 U.S. active registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Bunge Global SA (BG) and Glencore-back Viterra Merger Receives Conditional Approval from China
wk1003mike/Shutterstock.com
The merger between Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) and Glencore-backed Viterra received a conditional approval from China on June 16, 2025. The approval follows two years of regulatory investigation, due to concerns over competition in the soybean and rapeseed import markets in China. However, China has set conditions on the merger, requiring Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) to report quarterly on its activities and ensure the uninterrupted supply of critical crops to Chinese customers.
Following this deal, Bunge is now positioned to compete with global giants like Cargill and ADM in commodity trading, processing, and logistics. Through this merger, the company is set to enhance its reach and leverage across global agri-input markets, strengthening its role in upstream food and fertilizer supply.
Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) operates four segments through its integrated operations in oilseed processing and crop handling, supporting fertilizer-related agricultural markets. It is one of the best fertilizer stocks to buy right now.
While we acknowledge the potential of BG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
