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  • Rapper Sean Kingston sentenced to 3 years for fraud scheme

    Rapper Sean Kingston sentenced to 3 years for fraud scheme

    Rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison in a million-dollar fraud scheme.

    The “Beautiful Girls” singer was convicted earlier this year, along with his mother, in a wire fraud scheme where they stole luxury items including watches, a 232-inch LED TV, a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade and furniture, exceeding $1m (£738,000).

    Prosecutors said Kingston – whose legal name is Kisean Anderson – and his mother used the rapper’s celebrity status to get victims to give them products and when payment was due would send them fake wire receipts.

    The singer apologised to the court before being sentenced and said he’d learned from his actions, according to US media.

    His mother, Janice Turner, was sentenced in July to five years in prison.

    The Jamaican-American rapper, who is also known for hits like Fire Burning, Take You There and Eenie Meenie, which featured singer Justin Bieber, was arrested in 2024 in California, where he was set to perform at an Army training base in the Mojave Desert.

    His arrest happened after authorities raided his home near Fort Lauderdale, where his mother was taken into custody.

    Federal prosecutors said Kingston reached out to victims on social media, saying he wanted to purchase luxury goods and then invited them to his various homes in South Florida.

    Kingston promised these victims to post their products on his social media and sometimes offered to refer their products to other “high profile celebrities”, federal prosecutors said.

    But when payment was due for the products, he or his mother sent them fake wire receipts that falsely showed they’d sent over the money, prosecutors said at trial.

    Authorities said most victims were never paid, though several did receive payment after law enforcement got involved or lawsuits were filed.

    A key piece of evidence shown at trial were text messages between Kingston and his mother discussing the fake payment receipts, according to CBS, the BBC’s news partner.

    “I told you to make [a] fake receipt,” he wrote in one.

    Kingston’s attorney Zeljka Bozanic said the singer was “a soft guy who grew up poor when he rose to fame overnight”. He said Kingston still had the mentality of a teenager and didn’t know how to run his bank accounts or business.

    He will begin serving his time immediately.

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  • Sebastián Muñoz, LIV Golf Indianapolis

    Sebastián Muñoz, LIV Golf Indianapolis

    WESTFIELD, Ind. – Sebastian Munoz delivered a historic performance Friday at LIV Golf Indianapolis, firing an astonishing 12-under 59 in Round 1 at The Club at Chatham Hills. The 32-year-old Colombian turned a double bogey on the fifth hole into a record-breaking masterpiece, carding eight consecutive birdies from hole Nos. 6-13 to set a new LIV Golf record for consecutive birdies in a single round. He made thirteen birdies in a fourteen-hole stretch to finish his round.

    Here’s what Muñoz used to achieve his 59:

    DRIVER
    Brand/Model: Ping G440 Max
    Loft: 9°
    Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow Proto 65 6.5

    FAIRWAY WOOD
    Brand/Model: TaylorMade Qi35 (3-Wood)
    Loft: 15°
    Shaft: Mitsubishi Denali 80-TX

    7-WOOD
    Brand/Model: Ping G425 Max
    Loft: 20.5°
    Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 80 6.5 TX

    IRONS
    Brand/Model: Ping I240 (4-9)
    Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

    PITCHING WEDGE
    Brand/Model: Ping iBlade
    Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

    WEDGES
    Brand/Model: Ping S159 (50°, 56°, 60°)
    Lofts: 50°, 56°, 60°
    Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

    PUTTER
    Brand/Model: LAB Golf DF3
    Type: Mallet

    GOLF BALL
    Brand/Model: Titleist Pro V1 2023

    (Equipment data supplied by World Tour Survey)

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  • Protein Supplements May Have Limited Benefits

    Protein Supplements May Have Limited Benefits

    • Protein supplements may help increase time to exhaustion during endurance workouts.
    • No major changes in body fat, body weight or VO2max were found from protein use.
    • The benefits of protein may vary by training level, supplement type and dietary intake.

    Protein supplements are a popular choice to help meet protein needs, especially when it’s challenging to get enough in your usual routine. Some research suggests that protein supplementation can improve endurance performance, increase lean muscle mass and enhance recovery. But more studies are needed to understand the best types of protein, timing and distribution for endurance athletes. 

    To bridge the knowledge gap, researchers aimed to take a deep dive into existing research to understand how combining endurance training with protein supplements impacts the body and performance. 

    By analyzing data from multiple high-quality studies, they evaluated how this combination affects body composition, fitness improvements (like aerobic and anaerobic capacity) and performance measures such as time trial results and how long athletes can exercise before exhaustion, and the results were published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

    How Was This Study Conducted?

    To conduct this study, researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, conducting an extensive search of scientific databases. They focused on high-quality, peer-reviewed research, specifically randomized controlled trials, to evaluate the effects of protein supplementation during endurance training. To ensure accuracy, the researchers excluded studies on isolated amino acids, very short interventions or nonhuman research. After gathering all the studies, two researchers carefully reviewed them to ensure they met the criteria, resolving any disagreements with a third researcher. 

    This evaluation included 23 high-quality studies, all of which were randomized controlled trials, with one being a crossover trial. Of these, 65% were double-blind, while the rest were single-blind or did not report blinding. Most studies included participants from 18 to 63 years old, with only two studies focusing on individuals aged 60 to 65. Participants were categorized as trained or untrained, based on their physical activity levels, and the training programs ranged from endurance-only to combined endurance and resistance training, lasting between six and 26 weeks.

    The studies used various types of protein supplements, including whey, soy, milk, casein, collagen peptides, amino acids and beef protein. 

    What Did The Study Find?

    This meta-analysis revealed that protein supplementation had no significant effect on body weight or body fat but showed a small potential benefit for increasing lean body mass. Protein supplementation also did not significantly improve aerobic capacity (VO2max) or anaerobic capacity (peak power). 

    However, when it came to performance, protein supplementation significantly improved time to exhaustion (TTE), meaning participants could exercise longer before fatigue. Other performance measures, like time trial results and sprint speed, showed no significant improvements. Subgroup and regression analyses explored factors like age, protein intake, and intervention duration but found no significant effects on outcomes like VO2max.

    When considering these results, it’s important to understand a few limitations of this study. First, while the researchers only included peer-reviewed and published research to ensure quality, this approach might still introduce some bias, as unpublished studies were not considered. Second, most studies didn’t report how much protein participants were already eating in their typical diets. This made it difficult to determine whether additional protein from supplements provided clear benefits for those doing endurance training. Lastly, the studies varied in how they reported protein supplement dosages, which limited the researcher’s ability to fully assess how the amount of protein consumed might influence the outcomes.

    How Does This Apply To Real Life?

    For endurance athletes and fitness enthusiasts, this research highlights that while taking protein supplements may not drastically change body weight or fat composition, they may help improve lean muscle mass and extend the time you can exercise before fatigue sets in. This means that if you’re training for a marathon, cycling event or any endurance activity, adding protein supplementation to your diet may help you push through longer sessions and recover more effectively. 

    However, the study also shows that the benefits might vary depending on factors like your training level, the type of protein you use and how much protein you’re already getting from your regular diet.

    The findings also emphasize the importance of tailoring your nutrition to your specific needs. For example, untrained individuals might see more noticeable improvements in aerobic capacity (VO2max) with protein supplementation compared to trained athletes. This suggests that beginners may benefit more from adding protein to their routine as they build their endurance base. But since the research didn’t pinpoint the best protein types or dosages, it’s a good idea to consult with a dietitian or healthcare professional to create a plan that works best for you. 

    Our Expert Take

    A new review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition offers insights into what protein supplementation can do for you. The data suggests that while protein supplements won’t drastically change body weight or fat levels, they may help build lean muscle and boost endurance by letting you push through longer workouts before hitting fatigue. Whether you’re gearing up for a marathon, a cycling race or just trying to level up your endurance game, adding protein via supplementation to your diet could be the key to better recovery and more effective training sessions. That said, the benefits can vary depending on your fitness level, the type of protein you choose and how much protein you’re already getting from your meals.

    Since the research didn’t pinpoint the “perfect” type or amount of protein, working with a dietitian or healthcare provider can help you craft a plan that aligns with your goals.

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  • Adagrasib Boosts PFS, Responses vs Docetaxel in KRAS G12C+ NSCLC

    Adagrasib Boosts PFS, Responses vs Docetaxel in KRAS G12C+ NSCLC

    “Despite the current absence of overall survival data, these results reinforce adagrasib as an efficacious treatment option for patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC after disease progression on previous chemotherapy and immunotherapy,” according to the study authors.

    Treatment with adagrasib (Krazati) significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and improved responses compared with docetaxel among patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to findings from the phase 3 KRYSTAL-12 trial (NCT04685135) published in The Lancet.1

    After a median follow-up of 7.2 months (95% CI, 5.8-8.7), data showed a median PFS of 5.5 months (95% CI, 4.5-6.7) with adagrasib vs 3.8 months (95% CI, 2.7-4.7) with docetaxel based on blinded independent central review (BICR; HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45-0.76; P <.0001). Adagrasib improved PFS across all patient subgroups, which included those with brain metastases at baseline.

    The objective response rate (ORR) was 32% (95% CI, 26.7%-37.5%) in the adagrasib arm vs 9% (95% CI, 5.1%-15.0%) in the docetaxel arm (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 2.56-8.56; P <.0001), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 78% vs 59% in each arm. The median duration of response (DOR) was 8.3 months (95% CI, 6.1-10.4) with adagrasib vs 5.4 months (95% CI, 2.9-8.5) with docetaxel.

    Among patients with measurable or non-measurable baseline brain metastases in the adagrasib arm (n = 78) and docetaxel arm (n = 36), the intracranial ORRs were 24% (95% CI, 15.3%-35.4%) vs 11% (95% CI, 3.1%-26.1%), respectively. Additionally, intracranial disease control occurred in 82% and 56% of patients in each arm. The median intracranial time to progression was 18.6 months (95% CI, 9.6-not evaluable [NE]) with adagrasib and NE (95% CI, 4.2-NE) with docetaxel (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.26-1.40). Data showed an HR of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.50-1.73) for intracranial PFS.

    “[A]dagrasib significantly improved [PFS] and [ORR] compared with docetaxel, confirming the initial results from KRYSTAL-1 [NCT03785249] that supported the accelerated or conditional approval of adagrasib for patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC,” lead study author Fabrice Barlesi, MD, PhD, a professor from Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, and Paris Saclay University in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France, wrote with coauthors in the publication.1,2 “The safety profile of adagrasib was manageable and consistent with previous reports. Despite the current absence of overall survival [OS] data, these results reinforce adagrasib as an efficacious treatment option for patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC after disease progression on previous chemotherapy and immunotherapy.”

    The FDA previously granted accelerated approval to adagrasib as a treatment for this NSCLC population in December 2022 based on data from the single-arm phase 2 KRYSTAL-1 trial.2 At the time of the approval, adagrasib demonstrated a confirmed ORR of 43% (95% CI, 34%-53%) and a median DOR of 8.5 months (95% CI, 6.2-13.8) among 112 evaluable patients.

    In the open-label KRYSTAL-12 trial, 453 patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive adagrasib at 600 mg orally twice a day (n = 301) or docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks intravenously (n = 152).

    The trial’s primary end point was PFS per BICR across the intent-to-treat population. Secondary end points included ORR per RECIST v1.1 criteria, DOR, OS, 1-year OS rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety.

    Patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harboring a KRAS G12C mutation, prior treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen plus an anti–PD-(L)1 agent, measurable lesions per RECIST v1.1 guidelines, and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 were eligible for study entry. Those with active brain metastases were ineligible to enroll.

    The median age was 64.0 years (IQR, 59.0-69.0) in the adagrasib arm and 65.0 years (IQR, 59.0-69.5) in the docetaxel arm, and most patients in each arm were male (64% vs 72%) and White (45% vs 53%). Additionally, most patients in each respective group had an ECOG performance status of 1 (68% vs 68%), metastatic disease (94% vs 95%), adenocarcinoma (94% vs 97%), current or former smoking status (94% vs 93%), and 1 prior line of treatment in the advanced or metastatic setting (68% vs 72%).

    Based on the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS), patients who received adagrasib experienced a longer median time to deterioration at 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.7-4.1) vs 1.5 months (95% CI, 1.3-1.9) in the docetaxel arm (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.74).

    Treatment-related adverse effects (TRAEs) of any grade affected 94% of the adagrasib arm vs 86% of the docetaxel arm; 47% and 46% in each arm experienced grade 3 or higher toxicities. In the adagrasib and docetaxel arms, respectively, TRAEs led to dose reduction in 48% vs 24%, dose interruption in 59% vs 19%, and treatment discontinuation in 8% vs 14%.

    The most common grade 3 or higher TRAEs in the adagrasib arm included increased alanine aminotransferase (8%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (6%), and diarrhea (5%). Four patients in the adagrasib arm experienced treatment-related deaths, including 1 instance each due to epilepsy, hepatic failure, hepatic ischemia, and an unknown cause.

    References

    1. Barlesi F, Yao W, Duruisseaux M, et al. Adagrasib versus docetaxel in KRASG12C-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (KRYSTAL-12): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2025;406(10503):615-626. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00866-9
    2. FDA grants accelerated approval to adagrasib for KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC. News release. FDA. December 12, 2022. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://bit.ly/3UUVphS

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  • Jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie thought job offer from Spike Lee ‘was spam’

    Jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie thought job offer from Spike Lee ‘was spam’

    Fergus McCreadie A group of five men, arms around each other, smile for the camera while standing in front of several postersFergus McCreadie

    Fergus and his band travelled to New York to work on the soundtrack for Higher 2 Lower

    A Scottish jazz pianist was left stunned after celebrated film director Spike Lee phoned him up to ask if he would work on a new film.

    Fergus McCreadie thought the initial calls and messages from the Do The Right Thing and Black KKKlansman director could be a scam.

    However he soon found himself flying to New York to work on the crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, alongside his band.

    The pianist – who won the Scottish Album of the Year in 2022 – told BBC Scotland News the whole experience, which included Lee visiting Edinburgh to watch him play a gig – was surreal.

    The film score uses Fergus’s track Stony Gate throughout, incorporating it into the main score composed by Howard Dressin.

    Fergus explained: “I got a call from a New York number in July last year. I just assumed it was spam, and then I got an email from someone saying it was Spike Lee – I thought that was spam too.

    “Eventually I think my manager was like ‘maybe we should just check in case it is real’ and it turned out it was real.

    “After that he flew to Edinburgh that week to come and see a gig I was doing and then the rest is history I suppose.”

    Fergus McCreadie Four men standing in a recording studio. They are holding a scarf saying Queen's Park Football Club on it.Fergus McCreadie

    The group persuaded Spike Lee to raise a Queen’s Park scarf

    Joined by the other members of his jazz trio – bassist David Bowden and drummer Stephen Henderson – Fergus travelled to New York, where he found himself attending a NBA game featuring the director’s beloved New York Knicks.

    He also managed to persuade Lee, who won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay in 2019, to pose with a scarf of Glasgow football team Queen’s Park.

    Once in the studio, it was a case of playing through Stony Gate, with Lee showing the musicians the scene the track was accompanying, in order to whip up the right emotion.

    Fergus, originally from Dollar but now living in Glasgow, said: “It was more of a playing gig rather than a composing gig in a way. Spike really wanted to incorporate Stony Gate into the score so Howard orchestrated that, and then we just came and played the music.

    “I think, generally, especially in orchestra sessions, they usually just barrel through really quickly. But Spike shows everyone the scene as it is, with demo music.

    “He really seemed to care a lot about people really understanding what the point of the music was and matching it to the emotion of the scene.”

    Fergus McCreadie A man laughing as he sits at the piano in a recording studio, with sheet music in front of himFergus McCreadie

    Fergus McCreadie hopes to work on movie soundtracks in future

    Fergus, a Mercury Music Prize nominee in 2022, told BBC Scotland being involved in film music had previously felt like it was a pipe dream.

    However he now hoped to have further opportunities to work on soundtracks.

    He added: “It’s so surreal, it still feels like a weird sort of fever dream. It doesn’t really feel like it happened.

    “It’s honestly crazy, but but it’s also a real honour to be amongst all the musicians that made this soundtrack happen.”

    The film has been released in the USA, and is due to stream on Apple TV+ in September.

    It is a reimaging of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 release High and Low, with Denzel Washington in the leading role.

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  • Egypt 2025: Schedule released for the final day

    Egypt 2025: Schedule released for the final day

    The International Handball Federation (IHF) has officially released the schedule for last day of the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship.

    Only eight teams will feature in the Cairo Stadium – Hall 1, with the day starting at 12:30 EEST (CEST +1), with the Placement Match 7/8, between Norway and Hungary, followed by the Placement Match 5/6, at 14:45 EEST, where Egypt face Iceland.

    The bronze medal match is scheduled for 17:00 EEST and will see Sweden and Denmark fight for the last place on the podium, with the final between Spain and Germany starting at 19:30 EEST.

     

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  • Three years after his death, cricketer Shane Warne's legacy lives on with heart health checks – Manistee News Advocate

    1. Three years after his death, cricketer Shane Warne’s legacy lives on with heart health checks  Manistee News Advocate
    2. Shane Warne’s legacy lives on: Heart health screenings reveal nearly 70 per cent of Australians checked are at risk  Monash University
    3. Large community health checks can identify heart disease risk  Medical Xpress
    4. ‘Bittersweet’: Warne legacy lives on three years after shock death  Nine
    5. Shane Warne heart tests bowl up ‘bittersweet’ results  The Canberra Times

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  • Facing past trauma and ADHD after becoming homeless

    Facing past trauma and ADHD after becoming homeless

    Stephanie Williams Stephanie is wearing her blue hair in pigtails, is in a festival field and is wearing a black t-shirt that says 'proud everyday'. There are people in the background, but they are blurred. She is in focus in the picture. Stephanie Williams

    Stephanie became homeless in December after her marriage broke down

    The Wallich Stephanie is sitting on a chair with a group of people and laughing. She has long blonde hair and a pink t-shirt on. She is wearing a graduation cap. There are two other people in the photo, you cannot see their face but the back of their heads. The guy on the right has a grey cap and blue shirt. And the one on the left, you can just see his dark brown hair. The Wallich

    Stephanie was recently diagnosed with ADHD and is being tested for autism

    “It can happen to just anybody, a lot of us are actually only three pay checks away from being homeless ourselves… especially if you haven’t got savings behind you,” she said.

    Experts have said neurodivergent people appear to have a higher risk of becoming homeless as they may have fewer friends and family they can turn to for support and find it hard to stay on top of the things they need to to keep their housing, such as bill-paying and paperwork.

    Stephanie said through her life she had struggled to maintain relationships.

    “I’ve lost quite a lot of people through them not understanding how I’ve meant something or if they’ve said something I’ve taken it very, very literally,” she added.

    “When you’ve got autism or ADHD, a lot of the time you’re looking at how other people are in a situation, you’re mimicking but it creates this massive distance between you because you’re trying to fit into something that you’re really not understanding what it is that you’re trying to fit into.”

    Stephanie Williams Stephanie has long blue hair is smiling at the camera and wearing a grey bucket hat, pink top and light dungarees. There is a building behind her and bushes to the left. Stephanie Williams

    Steph is no longer homeless and is working on past traumas through therapy

    She said she had never understood how other people were able to make friends and maintain friendships.

    Initially after moving out of the home she had rented with her wife she was able to stay on a friend’s sofa.

    After a few weeks she contacted Citizen’s Advice and was moved into a hotel that was being used to house others experiencing homeless.

    She now has a permanent home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, is a Scout leader, volunteers with homelessness charity The Wallich and plans to start her training to become a support worker next month.

    She was only recently diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication for that, she still sees a psychiatrist and is about to start psychodynamic therapy, to explore traumas she has faced in her life, including being “outed” as gay when she was growing up.

    The Wallich Rob has dark hair tied back in a pony tail and a beard. He is wearing a purple shirt which is open at the collar, a black waistcoat and a large silver pendant necklace. He is standing in front of three canvasses of the night sky. It is a head and shoulders shot of him. The Wallich

    Psychotherapist Rob Thomas works with people experiencing homeless after finding himself homeless in his 20s

    Rob Thomas is a private practice clinical psychotherapist and counsellor in Swansea, who works with people experiencing homelessness.

    He experienced homelessness himself in his 20s, which he believes was in part down to living with childhood trauma and undiagnosed ADHD.

    Rob was born with a heart condition and spent long periods of time away from his family while being treated in hospital.

    “What I realise now is that I was taken away from my family and what that embedded in me was a sense of it’s just me, I’m on my own with this, so then asking for help became impossible,” he said.

    Things began unravelling after he finished his degree in biomedical science in Preston – and he found he could not ask for help.

    “My landlord wasn’t happy with me because I wasn’t maintaining the property to his satisfaction… I hadn’t paid council tax, I hadn’t been paying my electricity,” he said.

    Missed appointments at the Job Centre meant his benefits were stopped.

    The Wallich Rob has dark hair tied back in a pony tail and a beard. He is wearing a purple shirt which is open at the collar, a black waistcoat and a large silver pendant necklace. He is sitting in his office and chatting. The chair he is sat in is to the left of the image. On the right is a desk with a laptop and various paperwork. Underneath is a printer and a box, along with an extension cord with various plugs and wires. There is a window behind him and on that wall is a heater mounted. The Wallich

    Rob found himself sleeping rough when he was in his 20s

    “Someone who is neurotypical would encounter a problem and they’d go ‘all right I’ll make that phone call to the electricity company and sort that out’ but the level of anxiety that I would experience would be overwhelming, the idea of making that phone call I’d be getting sweats, I’d go into panic, I’d have problems sleeping,” he said.

    “I would not respond to letters. I wouldn’t answer the phone.”

    Rob said he found himself with nowhere to go and was forced to sleep rough, often in bus stops.

    “You’re sleeping for like an hour, two hours, and then you’re awake again. You’re constantly on guard – who’s going to come asking for money? Who’s going to try taking shoes?,” he said.

    After being on the streets for a few weeks his friend’s mother took him in.

    “She basically dragged me by the scruff of the neck, kicking and screaming to her house,” recalled Rob.

    The Wallich Rob has dark hair tied back in a pony tail and a beard. He is wearing a purple shirt which is open at the collar, a black waistcoat and a large silver pendant necklace. He is sitting in his office and chatting. He is to the right of the photo, above him is a notice board with various white notes on it. There is a coffee table in front with a white mug, which has a cup of tea in it. The Wallich

    Some of Rob’s clients are referred to him by The Wallich’s Reflections Network, which connects service users to a counsellor

    He stayed for several months before moving back to his parents’ in Wales.

    It took many years but he eventually returned to education and became a support worker for The Wallich before becoming a psychotherapist.

    But even 30 years on from losing a grip on his bills he gets a rush of panic when his phone rings.

    “Everybody’s expected to be the same but neurodiverse people are just people who think differently,” he said.

    He added systems were only set up with neurotypical people in mind.

    “If you don’t fill out the form the system doesn’t ask you ‘why didn’t you fill out the form? Is there anything we can help with?’ It’s ‘you didn’t fill out the form, you have your money stopped’ or ‘you didn’t fill out the form so we’re not giving you any more appointments’.”

    Sean Stillman, who founded Zac’s Place that provides support to the homeless in Swansea, said people often make assumptions about people who are homeless but almost everyone his project supports has experienced trauma.

    “When you truly try and engage with somebody’s story, you start to lift the lid, you discover that there are often multiple traumas,” he said.

    “You might think someone has ended up sleeping rough or they’re homeless because they’ve got an addiction but then if you ask the question why you discover there’s so many layers, there might be broken relationships, issues of abuse, you might find that they’ve fallen out of the care system but once you get caught in a destructive pattern which involves sleeping rough, your health and mental health can quickly deteriorate, and all of a sudden you end up being somebody quite different.”

    Anthony Vaughan is a trauma-informed specialist at The Wallich, which runs an in-house counselling service, the Reflections Network.

    He said the people they work with who have not dealt with their trauma found it harder to move out of homelessness.

    “We know that people don’t have ‘something’ wrong with them – they are people who’ve had ‘something happen to them’,” he said.

    “They are survivors of trauma.”

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  • Resetting the Arc: The Strategic Reawakening of U.S.–Pakistan Relations in 2025

    Resetting the Arc: The Strategic Reawakening of U.S.–Pakistan Relations in 2025

    Pakistan-US bilateral relations have taken a surprising turn in 2025, with a strategic shift in outlook of the United States towards South Asia. The year has been marked with thriving foreign policy of Pakistan and a robust strategic posture. The shift in complex South Asian dynamics can be felt vividly while Pakistan recalibrates its relationships on multiple fronts, especially with the United States. As Islamabad seeks to regain strategic relevance after years of diplomatic struggles, it is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of its foreign policy. This transformation extends well beyond transactional agreements and points to Pakistan’s renewed quest for resilience, regional stability and global engagement.

    From the Shadows of Conflict to Diplomatic Engagement

    The May 2025 standoff was a sobering reminder of the fragile stability in South Asia. The conflict underscored long-standing unresolved, particularly regarding the Kashmir dispute and the persistent mistrust between India and Pakistan. However, the international response, especially from the United States, marked a subtle yet significant shift. Washington’s rapid mediation efforts brokering a ceasefire between the two countries, prevented unconventional escalation and put Kashmir dispute on discussion table once again. This move opened diplomatic avenues for Pakistan and United States bilateral ties.

    In the months that followed, Pakistan’s leadership seized the diplomatic opening by adopting a more assertive but constructive tone. Islamabad publicly acknowledged and praised the U.S. role in de-escalation, signaling a willingness to engage Washington on multiple fronts including security, economic cooperation and regional diplomacy. This marked a departure from earlier years characterized by suspicion and disengagement, particularly after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 that had left Pakistan in deep waters to deal with terrorism and growing regional insecurity alone.

    Recalibrating Pakistan–U.S. Relations: Beyond Old Paradigms

    Historically, Pakistan–U.S. relations have been transactional due to increasing multilateralism and Pakistan’s obvious leaning towards China. However, 2025 has transformed the relationship giving it a fresh start. Prior to Pakistan- India standoff in May 2025, US had been appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts in counter-terrorism. In March 2025, Pakistan and US, in a collaborative operation caught a high-value target Sharifullah alias Jafar, member of ISIS- Khorasan and mastermind of Abbey Gate attack on US forces in Afghanistan in 2021. US President, Mr. Donald Trump’s response to counter terrorism efforts of Pakistan marked beginning of a new era in bi-lateral relations, which continues to prosper with multiple high level diplomatic and strategic visits between Washington and Islamabad, including that of Army Chief of Pakistan, Field Marshall Asim Munir and US CENTCOM Commander General Micheal Kurilla. 

    The post-standoff rapprochement reflects a broader U.S. strategic interest in maintaining stability in South Asia amid great power competition. For Pakistan, re-engagement with the U.S. offers an avenue to diversify its diplomatic portfolio, emerging as a balancing agent between US and China while curtailing India’s regional dominance. This recalibration is not simply about trade or aid; it is a multi-dimensional realignment involving security engagement to combat terrorism more effectively, economic cooperation aimed at fostering sustainable development and investment and strategic diplomacy to position Pakistan as a key player in South Asian peace efforts.

    Strategic Implications of Pakistan–U.S. Realignment Post-2025

    The strategic pivot in Pakistan – US relations is not merely about restoring ties rather signals Pakistan’s reintegration into global diplomacy through a more nuanced engagement with Washington. The renewed partnership is grounded in shared interests, particularly in counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic cooperation. For Pakistan, this realignment carries multidimensional implications that could help redefine its strategic trajectory in South Asia and beyond.

    First, the revival of structured security cooperation with the U.S. enables Pakistan to once again become part of broader counterterrorism frameworks. Pakistan demonstrated its capacity and willingness to act against transnational threats. In return, the United States has shown renewed interest in intelligence sharing, security assistance, and operational coordination. In a post-Afghanistan context, this re-engagement with U.S. security structures is particularly important, as it rehabilitates Pakistan’s image from that of a problematic ally to a capable regional partner.

    Secondly, the U.S. role in mediating the May 2025 India – Pakistan stand-off and Pakistan’s willingness to accept that mediation has bolstered Islamabad’s diplomatic leverage in the region. Pakistan’s close ties with Washington challenge India’s strategic monopoly in U.S. policymaking circles. It gives Pakistan a platform to advocate its positions more effectively.

    Economically, this strategic realignment is likely to yield long-term dividends for Pakistan. The renewed interest of the U.S. in Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors, including potential investment in Reko Diq and broader infrastructure development suggests a reorientation of economic engagement grounded in strategic rather than purely commercial logic. Pakistan is diversifying its foreign economic partnerships and balancing China and Gulf economies. This form of strategic economic interdependence is more sustainable than aid-driven relationships of the past, allowing Pakistan to build resilience.

    The events of 2025, including Pakistan’s measured conduct during the conflict showing restraint before response and cooperation in counterterrorism offer a chance to shift previous narratives. Recasting itself as a peace-seeking, reform-driven, and globally engaged actor can yield reputational dividends. Pakistan is writing its own story, one of resilience, responsibility and regional leadership with access to American media, think tanks, and academia. This narrative shift is not only vital for foreign investment and diplomacy but also for national self-confidence, offering the Pakistani state and society a renewed sense of purpose on the world stage.

    Realignment as a Strategic Opportunity

    Pakistan–U.S. relations in 2025 have taken a surprising and constructive turn, marked by renewed bilateral cooperation and strategic coordination. This positive shift in what had long been a strained relationship has begun to yield mutual benefits. Joint efforts in counterterrorism, coupled with Pakistan’s assertive yet responsible conduct during the May 2025 Pakistan–India standoff have positioned Islamabad as a credible regional player at a table once dominated by unilateral narratives. Strengthening this realignment is now essential. For Pakistan, the task lies in institutionalizing this partnership through long-term foreign policy planning. For the United States, it requires moving beyond outdated perceptions and recognizing Pakistan’s emerging role as a capable middle power in South Asia. As the Field Marshal Asim Munir embarks on yet another visit to the U.S. to attend the change of command at CENTCOM, it send a clear message to the world that Pakistan has re-integrated its significance in the international arena.

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  • iPhone 17 Pro Max rumor says it’ll have the ‘most powerful telephoto’ camera yet

    iPhone 17 Pro Max rumor says it’ll have the ‘most powerful telephoto’ camera yet

    (Credit: Kevin Lee / The Shortcut)

    • 📱 Apple is reportedly giving the iPhone 17 Pro Max a serious camera upgrade

    • 🔭 A new rumor says it’ll have the “most powerful telephoto” camera yet

    • 📸 Previous reports suggest the device could get an 8x telephoto lens

    • 👀 It’ll be able to physically shift between 5x and 8x

    • 📅 Apple is rumored to announce the iPhone 17 Pro on September 9

    Apple is giving the iPhone 17 Pro Max the “most powerful telephoto” camera the smartphone market has ever seen, according to a new leak from Instant Digital on Weibo. The camera has been in the rumor mill for quite some time, with leaks and reports hinting that it could be a major upgrade not just for the iPhone, but for smartphones in general.

    The rumors suggest that Apple will add a new 48MP telephoto camera to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, equipped with physically moving focal lengths that allow you to switch between 5x and 8x without using any digital cropping. This would be the first time a smartphone has been able to change its camera’s focal length this way. It would also be able to zoom in closer than any other smartphone, although it’s unclear if Apple will replicate features like Samsung’s 100x Space Zoom (as seen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra) with the new sensor.

    Every iPhone with a telephoto camera has either supported 3x or 5x optical zoom in the past, so the inclusion of 8x zoom would be a big upgrade in and of itself. The ability to physically zoom in to 8x is another story; moving parts in smartphone cameras are always tricky and take up a lot of room, so it’s interesting to hear that Apple might’ve been able to figure it out for this year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. Notably, we don’t expect this camera to be included on the smaller iPhone 17 Pro.

    The iPhone 17 Pro camera is also expected to get a new 48MP ultra-wide lens, in addition to more granular control in the Camera app for professional-quality photos. We could also see 8K video recording, a new 24MP selfie camera, and dual-capture mode for recording with both the front and rear cameras at the same time.

    Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series at a rumored event on September 9. As we get closer to the end of August, we expect to officially find out when the event will actually occur. Stay tuned.

    Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.


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