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Thames Water lenders preparing legal challenge to potential nationalisation

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Thames Water lenders preparing legal challenge to potential nationalisation


The lenders to Thames Water are preparing a legal challenge in case a Burnham-led government attempts to nationalise the UK’s biggest water company.

Burnham – who takes over as PM on Monday – has previously said he wants to see “greater public control” of the water and energy sectors and has called for Thames Water to be nationalised.

Thames Water is about £20bn in debt.

Its lenders had proposed a deal to write off nearly half of that and inject new cash in return for some leniency from future pollution fines, but this deal has previously been rejected by the government as being “weak” and bad for consumers and the environment.

Sources close to the creditors have told the BBC that in the event of full nationalisation, they would pursue payment in full of the outstanding debts as has happened in previous cases, which could leave the government with a multi-billion-pound bill.

Fears first emerged three years ago that Thames Water could collapse and on Thursday, the firm warned it has enough cash to last until the end of this year.

Creditors insisted on Sunday that they were still working with officials and regulators to reach an agreement to rescue the company.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government was “prepared for any eventuality”.

“Thames Water customers have been let down for far too long, with 15 years of under-performance, increasing serious pollution, and customers left to pick up the bill,” the spokesperson said.

“The secretary of state has written to Ofwat to outline her early views that she is not convinced London and Valley Water’s proposal is good enough for consumers or the environment.”

The lenders have offered to write off £9.4bn of Thames Water’s near £20bn debt pile and put £3.35bn of cash into the company, but in return they want leniency from future pollution fines in order to turn the firm’s fortune’s around.

Objecting to the proposal, Emma Reynolds said in June that she did not want a scenario where Thames Water customers had to “pick up the bill for the company’s failures”.

At the time, she told reporters that the government “stands ready for all eventualities”, including temporary nationalisation.

When asked in a Sky News interview on Sunday whether a Burnham government would nationalise Thames Water, Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell said: “Let’s see”.

“This has been an ongoing issue and concern in government,” she said.

“The government has powers to to bring a distressed water company under special measures, and let’s see if the government needs to, wants to use those powers.”

Powell added that “the privatisation of water hasn’t worked”.

“It’s not created competition. What you’ve seen is bills going up and up and up over years and years and years. Investment not being being made … and then now these companies are in are in real distress,” she said.

There is a halfway house, in which Thames would be placed into a so called “special administration regime”, or SAR, which is usually a temporary situation until another private sector buyer can be found.

The existing lenders have made it clear that they would be prepared to join the bidders for Thames in that scenario.

However, comments from the incoming prime minister Andy Burnham that key utilities should be under increased “public control” make it hard to imagine that the government will have much political appetite to find a new set of private sector owners for a company that serves 16 million people which means that a temporary nationalisation might become permanent.

But under either a SAR or full nationalisation, Thames ongoing problems could then leave taxpayers footing the bill for Thames cash shortfalls – a figure that Thames Water management puts at £2bn by the end of next year.

Whatever happens, its customers’ taps and loos will still function, but the future of Thames Water is a key policy test for the new administration.



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Ryan Fox denies Cameron Young, Sam Burns at The Open Championship as American golf takes another hit

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Ryan Fox denies Cameron Young, Sam Burns at The Open Championship as American golf takes another hit


America 250: Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and became one of the greatest amateur golfers in history. As a teenager, he reached the third round of the U.S. Amateur at age 14, showing early promise. He went on to win 13 major championships, all as an amateur, a record that still stands. In 1930, Jones achieved the

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Ryan Fox failed to birdie the easiest hole at Royal Birkdale while trying to win The Open Championship. But, when it mattered most, he birdied the hardest hole on the course to capture the Claret Jug.

Tied with clubhouse leader Cameron Young at 9-under, the 39-year-old New Zealander needed a birdie on No. 18 to win the tournament after failing to birdie the par-5 17th hole.

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After pounding his drive down the final fairway, Fox hit his approach to just inside 12 feet and then dripped his birdie putt into the edge of the cup to win the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He finished at 10-under, one shot ahead of Young and two clear of 54-hole leader Sam Burns.

Ryan Fox celebrates after making birdie on 18 to win The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. (Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

But his win might mean more for international golf than anything else.

Entering the final round, everyone at Royal Birkdale was chasing American Sam Burns, who was searching for his first major championship victory.

Burns, at 10-under, led Fox and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim by two shots. American Ryan Gerard and Australian Lucas Herbert were three shots back, while big names like Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Åberg sat several shots back but were lurking.

RORY MCILROY BLASTS BRYSON DECHAMBEAU FOR HOLDING THE OPEN ‘HOSTAGE’ OVER PENALTY CHAOS: ‘IT IS PERFORMATIVE’

Burns earned that advantage with one of the best two-round stretches in major championship history.

After opening the tournament with a three-over 73, Burns tied the men’s major record with an eight-under 62 on Friday. He followed that with a five-under 65 in the third round, giving him a 127 total over 36 holes, the lowest score across consecutive rounds in men’s major championship history.

And Burns wasn’t alone in going historically low.

Herbert also shot 62 on Friday, while Fox matched the number on Saturday to rocket 50 spots up the leaderboard and earn a spot alongside Burns in Sunday’s final pairing. Three players had tied the major championship scoring record over a span of two days at Royal Birkdale.

Burns also knew better than most how quickly a promising major-championship Sunday could turn into heartbreak.

Sam Burns misses a putt on the green at Royal Birkdale.

Sam Burns came close again, but fell just short at another major championship. (David Davies/PA Images)

He held the 54-hole lead at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont before shooting a final-round 78 and falling into a tie for seventh. One year later, Burns nearly completed a furious Sunday comeback at Shinnecock Hills, but his birdie putt on the 72nd hole stopped inches short and left him one shot behind eventual champion Wyndham Clark.

Now, Burns had another opportunity.

And he initially appeared ready to take control of the tournament.

The 29-year-old American birdied the second hole to reach 11-under and extend his advantage.

Then everything changed.

Burns made three consecutive bogeys at Nos. 4, 5 and 6, coughing up his entire lead in a span of three holes. The player who began Sunday with a two-shot lead suddenly found himself scrambling to remain in contention.

And while Burns stumbled, another American came charging from the middle of the pack.

Cam Young, like Burns, was already familiar with major championship heartbreak. He finished one shot behind Cameron Smith at the 2022 Open Championship despite shooting a final-round 65 and making eagle on the 72nd hole.

Young began the final round seven shots off the lead, seemingly out of contention, but immediately turned himself into a factor with a spectacular front-nine 29. He made four birdies over his first five holes and eventually reached 10-under with another birdie at the 17th.

Then came trouble.

Young drove into a fairway bunker on the final hole and failed to clear its steep face with his second shot. He eventually escaped with a bogey, but still posted an incredible six-under 64 to take the clubhouse lead at nine-under.

But then Ryan Fox came charging.

Fox birdied the 13th and 14th holes to catch Young at nine-under. The New Zealander caught a terrible break with his tee shot at the newly redesigned par-3 15th and couldn’t save par. However, he bounced right back with a birdie at No. 16 to tie Young again.

Young found himself in the unenviable position of sitting around and just waiting to see if his score was good enough.

Cameron Young stands with caddie Kyle Sterbinsky on the 10th tee.

Cameron Young and his caddie, Kyle Sterbinsky, look on during the final round of The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour)

Fox caught another bad break on the par-5 17th hole. He elected to hit an iron off the tee to avoid the fairway bunkers, but his ball managed to creep into one of those bunkers after rolling out to over 320 yards. He still managed to give himself a good birdie look, but missed to stay tied.

Burns also failed to make birdie on No. 17, the hole that played the easiest during Sunday’s final round. That meant that Fox was tied with Young and Burns was one shot back with the hardest hole on the course, the par-4 18th, looming.

Fox made it look anything but difficult, blasting his tee shot down the middle of the fairway before sticking an iron to inside 12 feet and giving himself a birdie putt to win the Open.

Burns played the hole well, too, but not well enough. His approach came to rest just inside 30 feet from the cup and the American couldn’t convert, adding another close call to his major championship résumé.

That set the stage for Fox. Make the putt, win The Open. Miss and go to a playoff against Cam Young.

And he buried it to deliver another heartbreak for Young and another heartbreak to American golf.

Because Sunday’s final round was about much more than whether Burns, Young or another contender would walk away with the Claret Jug.

It was also about whether American golf had truly started to take back control of the sport.

Not long ago, that control appeared absolute.

Beginning with Brooks Koepka’s victory at the 2023 PGA Championship, Americans won seven consecutive men’s majors. Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau all followed Koepka during a run that ended with Schauffele completing an American sweep of the 2024 majors at Royal Troon.

Rory McIlroy finally ended the streak with his dramatic breakthrough at the 2025 Masters.

Even then, it hardly felt like the balance of power had changed.

Scheffler won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. J.J. Spaun captured the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Scheffler then dominated The Open at Royal Portrush.

Americans had won 10 of 11 major championships.

It wasn’t a rivalry at that point. It was domination.

Then the tide turned.

Tommy Fleetwood finally earned his first PGA Tour victory by winning the 2025 Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.

One month later, Europe embarrassed the United States on American soil at the Ryder Cup.

The final score, 15-13, made the competition appear far closer than it actually was. Europe entered Sunday singles with an 11½-4½ advantage and had already reduced the final session to little more than a desperate American attempt to avoid complete humiliation.

Rory McIlroy holds Ryder Cup

European players celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Things didn’t improve when the calendar flipped to 2026.

McIlroy successfully defended his Masters title, and England’s Aaron Rai followed with his first major championship victory at the PGA Championship. European golfers had won the first two majors of the year.

Wyndham Clark finally stopped the bleeding by winning his second U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

WYNDHAM CLARK HANDLED HIS U.S. OPEN WIN WITH THE PERFECT ATTITUDE TO WIN BACK GOLF FANS

An American victory at Royal Birkdale would give U.S. golfers the final two major championships of the season and provide real evidence that the momentum had begun shifting back.

A non-American victory would leave Clark as the only U.S. major champion of 2026, marking the first time since 2014 that Americans won just one of the four men’s majors.

And the latter is what happened when Ryan Fox became just the second New Zealander to win The Open and the third New Zealander to win a men’s major golf championship.

Clark’s U.S. Open victory stands as the only American major championship win of the season, the first time since 2014 that American men failed to win at least two major tournaments.

Europe embarrassed the United States at Bethpage. Fleetwood took the FedEx Cup. European players captured the Masters and PGA Championship. And a non-American ended the season by lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale.

It added up to the roughest major championship season for American golf in 12 years.

And the next Ryder Cup is being played at Adare Manor in Ireland, where the United States will attempt to win on European soil for the first time since 1993.

Based on the past year, there’s little reason to believe that drought is about to end.

Dan Zaksheske is a reporter at OutKick.



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The Open Championship 2026: Ryan Fox best shots from final round

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The Open Championship 2026: Ryan Fox best shots from final round



Enjoy the best moments from Ryan Fox’s final round at the 2026 Open Championship as the New Zealander wins the first major of his career at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.



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Dr Oz reveals the healthy retirement habit that could make America $1 trillion richer

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Dr Oz reveals the healthy retirement habit that could make America trillion richer


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WASHINGTON, DC – The key to improving Americans’ health is reducing healthcare costs while helping people stay active and productive for longer, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz told Fox News Digital.

In an exclusive interview at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., Oz shared the biggest lessons he’s learned about improving Americans’ health while serving in the Trump administration.

“You sit with lots of really smart people and you learn something pretty quickly: The most expensive thing we do in healthcare is give bad quality care,” he told Fox News Digital.

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“Because you’re paying someone who’s not qualified to do a bad job, and you’ve got to pay somebody to fix that job – they’re going to charge you – and you’ve got to fix all the downstream complications,” he added.

Dr. Mehmet Oz sat down with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on July 6, 2026. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)

When it comes to helping Americans stay healthy, Oz said his focus at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is on “quality, quality, quality.”

That includes everything from preventing disease to encouraging healthy behaviors at home, such as preparing healthy meals.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“The second big thing we’ve got to do is make sure that every interaction we have in the health system is based on value,” Oz said. “We don’t just pay a doctor to do something to you, we want to pay a doctor to take care of you.”

The doctor said new healthcare technologies are making it easier to deliver high-quality care by “meeting you where you are.”

Close-up of doctor in white coat listening to breathing of senior man

Fewer than half of Medicare beneficiaries take advantage of the program’s free annual wellness visits, according to Oz. (iStock)

“It’s one of the reasons I do want to embrace AI, if used safely and correctly,” he said. “As we get better and better with innovative medications, screening techniques and the ability to get people to think differently about their role, their job, when it comes to staying healthy, we’re going to prosper as a nation.”

According to the CMS administrator, every Medicare patient is issued a free annual wellness exam, but fewer than half of patients take advantage of it.

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Those who skip the annual wellness visit often assume they’re healthy when underlying problems may go undetected, Oz said, leading to more costly treatments later.

“They’re lying to themselves,” he said. “Ignorance is bliss, [but] not in healthcare.”

Female entrepreneur drinks water while working on a computer in an office.

“We can get the average American to feel so vital, so with it, so healthy, that they want to work one more year,” the doctor said. (iStock)

In taking these steps to improve the health of Americans, Oz projected that the country could make major gains in wealth and vitality.

“We can get the average American to feel so vital, so with it, so healthy, that they want to work one more year,” he said. “The value to our nation is $1 trillion.”

“Think about that: $1 trillion of value to GDP, our nation, all the taxes, all the benefits, the social programs, all the extra revenue to help get our country to go full speed. If only we make our people so healthy they want one extra year.”

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Oz said most Americans do want to work as they get older, but may start to feel less physically equipped.

“They start to feel that they’re not in the game anymore. They’re not as strong,” he said. “So, let’s focus on health in America. We’ll spend less. We’ll also make more.”

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.



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What happened to the Jewish left?

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What happened to the Jewish left?


Marc Lamont Hill speaks to Molly Crabapple about the Jewish Bund, anti-Zionism and the Jewish left today.

Founded in 1897 in the Russian Empire, the General Jewish Labour Bund was a revolutionary socialist movement that organised Jewish workers and championed Yiddish culture and democracy while standing against Zionism.

But what remains of its memory? And is its vision finding new life in the Jewish left today?

This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks to Emmy Award-winning artist and author Molly Crabapple.

Published On 19 Jul 2026



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Quote of the Day by Aristotle, “The main aim of men who are wise is not just to secure pleasure in life but to try and stay away from…”

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Quote of the Day by Aristotle, “The main aim of men who are wise is not just to secure pleasure in life but to try and stay away from…”


Quote of the Day by Aristotle

Aristotle was one of the greatest philosophers in the history of humankind. His ideas have impacted almost every field of life from philosophy, science, politics, ethics, education to modern logic. Philosophers were often concerned with just abstract theories, but Aristotle thought that wisdom should be used to help people live better lives. More than 2,300 years later, his teachings still influence schools, universities, governments and scientific thought. Aristotle was born in the Greek northern city of Stagira in 384 BC. His father Nicomachus was physician to the Macedonian royal family. Aristotle came from a medical family and was exposed to observation, biology and scientific inquiry from an early age. These early influences later led him to study nature closely, instead of relying on speculation alone.At the age of seventeen he went to Athens, the intellectual capital of the Greek world, and joined Plato’s Academy. Plato, a student of Socrates, was already one of the great philosophers of Greece. Aristotle stayed for nearly twenty years, becoming one of Plato’s most brilliant pupils. Aristotle greatly respected his teacher , but frequently disagreed with Plato ‘s ideas . Plato was interested in perfect forms and abstract realities . Aristotle thought that knowledge should start with observations of the real world . After Plato’s death, Aristotle left Athens and spent several years travelling and conducting research. King Philip II of Macedonia invited him to tutor his son, the future Alexander the Great, which he accepted c. 343 BCE. By teaching the young prince, Aristotle achieved influence over one of the greatest military leaders in history.Aristotle returned to Athens after Alexander’s ascension to the throne and founded his own school, the Lyceum. Unlike many of the schools before it, the Lyceum did not concentrate on philosophical debate, but promoted systematic study of subjects ranging from biology and astronomy to politics, literature, ethics and logic. Aristotle and his students collected plants, animals, constitutions and scientific observations, making the Lyceum one of the first research institutes in the history of the world. Anti-Macedonian feeling rose in Athens after Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE. Afraid of political persecution, Aristotle left the city, reportedly remarking that he would not allow Athens to “sin twice against philosophy,” a reference to the earlier execution of Socrates. There he moved to the island of Euboea where he died in 322 BCE at the age of sixty-two.His philosophy Aristotle believed that all men, by nature, desire to be happy, but he took happiness much deeper than pleasure or comfort. He spoke of eudaimonia, a Greek word often rendered as “human flourishing” or “living well.” Aristotle thought leading a life of virtue, wisdom, responsibility and purpose is the key to true happiness. One of his most famous philosophical concepts is the Golden Mean. Aristotle claimed that virtue generally lies between two harmful extremes. Courage, for example, is between cowardice and recklessness. Generosity is a mean between selfishness and wastefulness. Confidence is a place between insecurity and arrogance. A wise man is never too much or too little.Aristotle also emphasised practical wisdom that he called phronesis. Intelligence was insufficient. A truly wise man can make the right decision in everyday life combining reason and experience with a sense of moral character. Many philosophers considered mind and body as separate, but Aristotle viewed human beings as social creatures who achieve their full potential only through engagement in family, friendship and community. He is famous for calling people “political animals” which means that people naturally live and thrive in society.For about 2000 years his work on logic gave the basis for rational thinking. His systems of deductive reasoning became central to philosophy, mathematics and scientific inquiry. His work in biology was also revolutionary, as he studied hundreds of animal species with great care and tried to classify living organisms.Aristotle’s legacy in the worldFew thinkers have had as much influence on human civilisation as Aristotle. His writings influenced the ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, mediaeval Europe, the Islamic Golden Age, and the Renaissance. His ideas were central to ethics, political theory and metaphysics in philosophy. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas and other scholars combined Aristotle’s philosophy with Christian theology, and so his works became the foundation of European intellectual life.Islamic scholars, such as Avicenna and Averroes, translated, preserved, and expanded the works of Aristotle, allowing his ideas to live on into the Middle Ages. His influence reaches into science as well. Although many of his scientific conclusions were revised by modern research, his insistence on observation, classification and logical reasoning became the foundation of scientific methodology. Political scientists today still study Aristotle’s analyses of constitutions , citizenship and good governance . He believes in education that builds knowledge and moral character, a notion educators admire. His moral lessons are still used to provoke discussion on leadership, responsibility and personal growth.Quote of the DayOne of the most iconic quotes of Aristotle with a profound meaning is, “The main aim of men who are wise is not just to secure pleasure in life but to try and stay away from things that can cause pain.” This quote reflects Aristotle’s pragmatic view of happiness. This might initially seem surprising, because so many people assume that happiness comes from the pursuit of pleasure. Aristotle did not concur. Instead, Aristotle says, wise people think ahead. They avoid the habits, decisions and behaviours that lead to pain in the end. This pain can be physical, emotional, financial, moral or social.For instance, an individual may love to spend recklessly today but later financial problems bring stress and hardship. Another may like unhealthy eating but bad health comes years later. The student may prefer to enjoy himself now rather than study, but then later he faces academic challenges. And always, temporary pleasure is the mother of lasting pain. The point Aristotle makes is not that pleasure is bad. He never said people should reject enjoyment altogether. Pleasure, he thought, should come naturally from living a virtuous, balanced life. This philosophy is still very relevant today. In our world today, we are always tempted by social media, online shopping, fast food, gambling and entertainment to seek instant gratification. Most of these activities provide instant gratification, but too much of any of them can cause anxiety, debt, addiction, ill health or damaged relationships. Aristotle would advise people to ask one simple question before making important decisions: Will this choice make my life better in the long run, or will it cause problems later? That habit of reflection, of thoughtfulness, is what separates wisdom from impulse. His quote also reminds us that part of being happy is being resilient. Life is a rollercoaster. Wisdom does not remove all pain. It helps people to not cause unnecessary suffering to themselves through bad decisions. With moderation, self-discipline and good judgement, people are capable of creating more stable, meaningful and fulfilling lives.Aristotle was more than just a philosopher. He was a scientist, a teacher, a researcher and one of the great intellectual pioneers of history. His thinking about ethics, logic, politics, education and science still influences the modern world. Aristotle was not like those thinkers who only wanted abstract theories. He wanted to help people live well, using reason, virtue, and practical wisdom.



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Always feel guilty while relaxing? These 5 mindset shifts can help you truly rest

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Always feel guilty while relaxing? These 5 mindset shifts can help you truly rest


There is something strange about the way many of us have learned to rest. We finally sit down after a long day, put our phones aside, make ourselves a cup of tea, or simply stare out of the window. Within minutes, a familiar thought appears.“I should be doing something productive.”Instead of feeling refreshed, we begin mentally listing unfinished tasks, unread emails, laundry waiting to be folded, or goals we have not yet achieved. Relaxation slowly turns into another source of stress.The truth is, guilt has quietly become part of rest for many people. We celebrate being busy, praise ourselves for pushing harder, and often treat relaxation as something that has to be earned. But real rest is not a reward. It is a basic emotional need.If you often struggle to switch off without feeling guilty, these small mindset shifts may help.

Stop treating rest like a prize you have to earn

Many people unknowingly create invisible conditions before allowing themselves to relax.“I’ll rest after I finish everything.”The problem is that “everything” rarely gets finished. There is always another email, another chore, another responsibility.Instead of making relaxation the final item on an endless to-do list, try seeing it as something that helps you do everything else better. Rest is not a luxury reserved for people who have completed every task. It is what gives you the energy to return to those tasks with a clearer mind.Sometimes, doing nothing for a while is also doing something important.

Notice where your guilt actually comes from

The guilt you feel while relaxing may not even belong to you.Many of us grew up hearing phrases like “Don’t waste time,” “Successful people are always working,” or “You can relax later.” Over time, these messages become internal rules that keep playing in the background.The next time guilt appears while you’re resting, pause and ask yourself one simple question:“Is this my belief, or is it something I learned from someone else?”Often, simply becoming aware of that inner voice is enough to loosen its grip.

Replace the idea of productivity with the idea of presence

Not every moment has to produce something.Some of the most meaningful experiences in life happen when nothing measurable is achieved. Watching rain fall, listening to your favourite music, sitting quietly with someone you love, reading a few pages of a novel, or taking an unhurried walk may not improve your résumé, but they can quietly restore your emotional energy.A life filled only with achievements can still feel empty if it has no moments of presence.Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is fully experience the moment you are in.

Remember that your worth is bigger than your output

It is easy to tie your identity to what you accomplish.When work goes well, you feel valuable. When you are resting, you may feel as though you are falling behind.But your value as a person has never depended on how many boxes you tick in a day.You deserve kindness, peace, and moments of stillness simply because you are human, not because you have worked hard enough to deserve them.The more you separate your self-worth from your productivity, the easier it becomes to relax without carrying guilt alongside you.

Create small rituals that tell your mind the day is over

Our minds often stay in “work mode” long after work has ended. That is why simply sitting on the couch may not feel relaxing.Instead, create a small ritual that signals a shift.It could be changing into comfortable clothes, lighting a candle, watering your plants, making herbal tea, stretching for five minutes, or stepping onto your balcony before dinner.These tiny habits gently remind your brain that it is safe to slow down.Rest becomes easier when your mind recognizes that this part of the day has a different purpose.Thumb image- Canva



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Ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sinks off Guyana coast

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Ferry carrying 133 passengers and crew sinks off Guyana coast


Sixty-seven people have so far been rescued after a ferry carrying 116 passengers and 17 crew sunk off the coast of Guyana, local officials have said.

Fifteen children are among those to have been recovered after the MV Barima capsized near Iron Punt on Saturday. Dozens of people are still missing.

A distress call was received at 23:01 local time (03:01 GMT Sunday) triggering a search operation involving state and private boats, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said in a statement.

“We’re hopeful we’ll be able to account for all that were on board,” he told reporters as emergency teams continued their search for survivors on Sunday afternoon.

Both passengers and crew are among those rescued so far, Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips earlier told AFP.

The names of those onboard will be released once rescue operations and medical checks are complete, he said on Facebook. Assistance centres have been set up for relatives of those rescued and passengers still missing.

The MV Barima was travelling from the capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma when it capsized.

Edghill said it was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life crafts and six inflatable life crafts.

It was built in 1939 and is 40m (131ft) long, according to a listing on VesselFinder.



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How to keep wildfire smoke out of your home – especially if you don’t have central AC

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How to keep wildfire smoke out of your home – especially if you don’t have central AC


While the sight of an orange sun piercing through dense wildfire smoke can be unsettling, the most significant threat posed by the haze is often invisible.

Experts warn that microscopic airborne particles carry the potential for a spectrum of health problems, ranging from acute symptoms to long-term chronic conditions.

Such smoke plumes can linger over urban areas for extended periods, with Canadian wildfires currently casting a hazardous blanket of air across millions in multiple US states.

In response, health authorities are urging residents to remain indoors and implement measures to ensure clean indoor air quality.

How to safely run your AC

If you have central air conditioning, it should clean the air in your home.

The US Capitol, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial are seen through haze caused by wildfire smoke from Canada from the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia on July 17, 2026 (AFP via Getty Images)

Make sure filters are replaced on schedule and are of the highest level of filtration your system can handle. Filters rated MERV 13 or higher are ideal. Set the air to recirculate and close any vents that pull air from outside if you can. The University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice recommends running the system’s fan through the entire smoke event, not just when cooling.

If you buy a portable air filter, look for a HEPA air filter or one that says it traps small particles of pollution. Ensure it does not generate ozone, another harmful air pollutant.

If you can only afford one portable air filter, use it to create a “clean room” in your house where you can spend most of your time.

“The basic message is that something is better than nothing,” said Amy Kalkbrenner, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The science behind DIY air filters

There’s good evidence that DIY filters made by duct-taping furnace air filters to a box fan work.

They’re simple, relatively affordable and scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency have found they are just as good at removing fine particles of pollution from the air as a small commercial air purifier.

“The good news is they really work,” said Kalkbrenner.

The Detroit skyline as smoke from the Canadian wildfires settles in the city on July 16, 2026
The Detroit skyline as smoke from the Canadian wildfires settles in the city on July 16, 2026 (Getty Images)

All you need to have to make one is: four 20-by-20-inch (50.8-by-50.8-centimeters) furnace air filters rated MERV 13 or higher, a box fan, cardboard and duct tape.

The EPA’s website shows how you can modify the design to only use one or two filters. The fan should blow out, and the arrows on the filters should point in. Make sure everything is taped up air-tight.

Using your window AC and cooling your air safely

Many window air conditioners, mini-split heat exchangers and portable air conditioners don’t have the filters needed to remove fine pollution particles. But heat can also be dangerous.

“When smoke and heat occur together, the impacts on your health are even greater than when they occur by themselves,” said Jess Downey, a researcher at the University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice

Downey said the ideal scenario is running the AC unit and using an air purifier or a DIY box fan filter to clean the air. Make sure your AC is well-sealed in your window frame, she added.

Make sure the window units are set to recirculate air. Portable units with a single hose should be used sparingly, according to the University of Oregon wildfire smoke center.

City officials encouraged people to stay inside as the air quality index was rated ‘very unhealthy’
City officials encouraged people to stay inside as the air quality index was rated ‘very unhealthy’ (Getty Images)

If you don’t have AC, any reprieve from hot, smoky air is important. Head to the library, shopping mall or other space with clean, cool air.

Ways to seal up a home to keep hazardous air out

Whether it’s a towel, some tape, or something else — plug areas where air could enter from outside.

“Being from Chicago, I think you can liken it to trying to keep the cold air out,” said Dr. Khalilah Gates, a lung doctor with Northwestern Medicine. “Any areas in which air can come in, consider sealing up those areas to reduce the amount that’s coming into the home.”

When smoke levels are high, experts recommend avoiding anything that burns — candles, fireplaces, even gas stoves — so plan ahead with some meal prep.

How wildfire smoke affects the body

Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches, and a burning sensation in the nose and eyes.

“When you ever start to feel those symptoms and they’re not severe, it’s important to acknowledge, ‘Oh, my body is responding to this. I need to move away from it. I need to move inside,’” Gates said.

If you’re wheezing, can’t catch your breath or are in distress, get to the emergency room immediately, she said.



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Who is IShowSpeed and why is he famous?

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abdulwadud
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Who is IShowSpeed and why is he famous?


The star-studded lineup for the 2026 Fifa World Cup Final’s closing ceremony has been announced, featuring famous performers like Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger and Post Malone — but one name on the list might come as a surprise.

IShowSpeed, a 21-year-old influencer from Cincinnati, Ohio, will take the stage ahead of the final match Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium alongside Scherzinger, Malone, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, while Cruise is slated to make a special appearance.

But while the other headliners are known performers with experience in the entertainment industry, Speed is mostly famous for his online presence and viral videos.

The contrast raises some questions about the internet personality’s background, as well as his plans for the massive show, which is estimated to bring in 1.5 billion viewers globally.

Read on for answers to your questions about IShowSpeed.

IShowSpeed is slated to perform at Sunday’s World Cup closing ceremony (Getty Images)

Who is IShowSpeed?

Born Darren Watkins Jr., Speed is an online streamer known for his high-energy personality, viral stunts and gaming content. If you don’t recognize him from reaction memes or clips on TikTok, you might know him from his music career, his frequent celebrity collaborations or his WWE Wrestlemania debut earlier this year.

Before the brand deals and fame, Speed got his start as a hyper preteen in the midwest. He was given the nickname Speed because he was fast, he told Dazed magazine in June 2024. He decided to use it as his gamertag at the age of 12.

He registered the YouTube channel IShowSpeed in 2016 and only occasionally posted gaming content. He began livestreaming regularly at the age of 15, often broadcasting games like NBA 2K and Fortnite.

It wasn’t until 2021 that Speed began to grow a following after clips of his outbursts — often aggressive and chaotic — during livestreams went viral as memes on TikTok.

At the time of writing, Speed has more than 57 million subscribers on YouTube, 53 million followers on TikTok, 52 million followers on Instagram and 5 million followers on Twitch. He won the 2022 Streamy Award for Breakout Streamer and the 2023 Streamy for Variety Streamer.

His massive platform has sparked various side quests for Speed, including livestream tours on five continents last year, wrestling in WWE events and meeting his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has also released several songs in his budding music career, including two songs dedicated to the World Cup: the 2022 single “World Cup” and 2026 hit “World Cup (Champions).” The latter has a music video that garnered more than 90 million views within just one month of its release.

What will IShowSpeed do during the closing ceremony?

IShowSpeed said in a livestream Tuesday that Fifa called him up and asked him to perform “World Cup (Champions)” at the closing ceremony.

“They told me they heard the song and wanted me to perform at the World Cup final,” he said during the stream, adding, “At first I thought it was a prank call.”

He told his viewers, “I think out of everything I’ve done, I think me performing at the World Cup final is probably one of my most craziest achievements.”

After the song was released June 1, Speed publicly tagged Fifa on social media and asked them to consider making the song the Cup’s official anthem, to which the organization responded, “We will be in touch.”

The reply went viral and two days later, the song was added to the World Cup’s official track list for the Fifa World Cup 2026 Official Album.

Details about Speed’s performance of his song, which begins by calling out all 48 teams that played in this year’s tournament, remain a mystery — though fans can be almost certain that the streamer will land one of his signature moves by doing a backflip.

How has IShowSpeed already been involved in the World Cup?

Speed, a known soccer fan, started a series of livestreams from various locations at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in June. He also partnered with Fifa, Fox Sports and YouTube to host live broadcasts of certain games for viewers in the U.S.

While Speed was livestreaming the July 3 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, an Argentina fan was caught on camera making a racist comment toward the streamer, which prompted an investigation by Fifa.

“Fifa strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society,” FIFA said in a statement July 7. “Fifa was made aware of an incident involving a supporter and IShowSpeed at Miami Stadium during the Argentina vs Cabo Verde match on 3 July 2026 and immediately initiated an investigation.

IShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., is a big soccer fan who has livestreamed multiple World Cup matches
IShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., is a big soccer fan who has livestreamed multiple World Cup matches (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

“The Fifa World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect. It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world, and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.”

Speed has not commented on the investigation.

How do I watch IShowSpeed’s performance?

Speed will perform at the closing ceremony, which starts at 1:30 p.m. local time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Fifa encouraged ticketholders to arrive early, promising that fans “will have an active role to play in the show.”

Sunday’s final will also bring the tournament’s first halftime show, which will feature Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS.



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