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  • Boeing drivers team up for gold medal support of Special Olympics

    Boeing drivers team up for gold medal support of Special Olympics

    Boeing employee Kandy Paulson says volunteering for the Special Olympics is a “life-changing experience.” Each year, she and her fellow Boeing drivers — those who operate cars, vans, buses and trucks for the company — come together to support the athletes.

    • “When I see an athlete come off the field holding a medal, that hits me deep in my heart,” Paulson said.

    Paulson was one of about a dozen Boeing drivers who volunteered to support the week-long Special Olympics Washington Spring Games in June. The team delivered equipment, supplies and food for of the athletes, who competed soccer, track and field and other events.

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  • Your MacBook is getting a big upgrade for free. 5 features I can’t wait to try on MacOS 26

    Your MacBook is getting a big upgrade for free. 5 features I can’t wait to try on MacOS 26

    Kerry Wan/ZDNET

    Apple last month announced its latest update for MacOS 26, codenamed “Tahoe.” It’s full of new visual design elements like Apple’s Liquid Glass design theme, better integration with the iPhone, and a more robust Spotlight feature that’s better integrated with Shortcuts. 

    The theme of all of Apple’s updates this year is streamlining both the visual UI and feature sets across Apple devices, while making more apps and features available on them, punctuated by Apple Intelligence. 

    Also: The best MacBooks of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

    Following the same trajectory as the last few years, Apple’s announcement of MacOS 26 comes during WWDC, with a developer beta opening up now, and a public beta likely sometime this month. The full release of MacOS 26 won’t be out until this fall, however. 

    Let’s take a look at the biggest announcements Apple made for MacOS. 

    1. The Phone app on Mac

    screenshot-2025-06-09-143718.png

    Apple

    The Phone app has finally arrived on MacOS, allowing for a more streamlined user experience between your iPhone and computer. Users can now access recent calls and contacts synced from your iPhone, and make calls with a single click in the same way. What’s more, the Phone app will include the new features added in iOS 26, including Hold Assist and Call Screening. 

    Also: New to MacOS? 8 beginner tips and tricks to try first – and why

    In addition to calls and contacts, live activities from the iPhone will be visible on your Mac, such as tracking an Uber or a delivery from Seamless. Clicking on the live activity will open up iPhone Mirroring, which will allow you to take action directly from your Mac. 

    2. Liquid Glass and visual consistency

    screenshot-2025-06-09-144027.png

    Apple

    Apple dropped a major visual overhaul for iOS with its Liquid Glass design theme, and many of those updates are filtering over to MacOS, streamlining the user experience across devices. 

    The dock, sidebars, and toolbars have been redesigned in the same translucent aesthetic that’s intended to show more content on screen without UI clutter. In addition, the rounded elements and added dimensionality look a lot more like what you’d see on the iPhone. Customization also allows you to adjust the control center in the same way as the iPhone

    Also: What is Liquid Glass? Here’s everything we know about Apple’s major UI overhaul at WWDC

    Just like the iPhone, Macs will support additional personalization options, including dark or light mode, an all-clear icon, and dock theme, as well as customized color tones. This customization extends to folder icons themselves, with colors, themes, and even emojis. 

    3. Shortcuts and Spotlight get smarter 

    MacOS Tahoe 26

    Apple

    MacOS 26 adds a handful of smart integrations for the Spotlight feature. Instead of just being a simple search bar, Apple’s updates to Spotlight make it into a more powerful control panel that works with Shortcuts and can take app-specific actions, while powered by Apple Intelligence. 

    For example, during the WWDC keynote, we saw a demo in a photo editing app, with the user adjusting the color tone by searching for that function in the Spotlight. In a complex app like Photoshop, for example, if you can’t find a specific function, Spotlight could step in to act as a top-level search function. 

    Also: Apple’s secret sauce is exactly what AI is missing

    In supporting additional productivity features, Spotlight will also contain clipboard history and allow you to create automations in conjunction with Apple Intelligence to make complex actions like summarizing text or creating images. You can access Apple Intelligence models on your device or ChatGPT. 

    Spotlight will also support a handful of shortcut Quick keys, such as “sm” for “send message,” for example. That opens a thread where you can send a message directly from the Spotlight app itself, without swapping to Messages. 

    4. Apple Intelligence, of course 

    Some of the Apple Intelligence features that debuted on the iPhone will now be available in MacOS, including a more robust, personalized Siri, and a smarter Shortcuts app. 

    Apple is also opening up MacOS 26 so third-party developers can start creating apps that actually integrate with Apple Intelligence. It’s a smart move, allowing some breathing room to further innovate on its own AI features (which some say have fallen behind competitors’) while allowing external developers to bring useful AI functions to the Mac. 

    5. Apple Games 

    games-app-macos26

    Apple

    Coinciding with the launch of the Games app on the iPhone, we’re also seeing Games come to MacOS 26 as a dedicated store, launcher, and leaderboard. The Games app also brings an overlay showing system settings like low power mode, as well as online friends and communications.

    Metal 4 comes to MacOS 26 as well, offering higher quality graphics with MetalFX Frame Interpolation and MetalFX Denoising for smoother visuals and faster frame rates.

    Let’s talk compatibility 

    All of these updates sound great, but not every Mac will be compatible with MacOS 26 Tahoe. Older Macs with Intel processors, unfortunately, will not support the new OS version. This means any Mac with an M1 processor or later will run MacOS 26, but most devices from before the 2020 mark will not. 

    Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features in WatchOS 26

    This move all but seals the deal on phasing out older Intel-based models, something we’ve been expecting from Apple for a while. If you do have a Mac computer with an Intel processor, you can still run the previous MacOS, Sequoia, or its predecessor, Sonoma, depending on how old your device is. 

    Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.


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  • Thai opposition to hold off on no-confidence vote against government – Reuters

    1. Thai opposition to hold off on no-confidence vote against government  Reuters
    2. Blow for Thailand’s government as court suspends PM from duty  Dawn
    3. Thai constitutional court suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra amid ethics probe  Ptv.com.pk
    4. Thailand appoints another acting prime minister amid political turmoil  Al Jazeera
    5. Protesters rally in Bangkok to demand Thai prime minister’s resignation over leaked Cambodia call  AP News

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  • Military also behind Iran-Israel ceasefire: Mohsin Naqvi – Samaa TV

    1. Military also behind Iran-Israel ceasefire: Mohsin Naqvi  Samaa TV
    2. PM Shehbaz played key role in Iran-Israel ceasefire: interior minister  Geo.tv
    3. Mohsin interacts with religious scholars for ensuring sectarian harmony during Muharram  Abb Takk News
    4. Ulema’s role is vital as of agencies in maintaining peace, says interior minister  24 News HD
    5. Military behind Iran-Israel ceasefire also: Mohsin Naqvi  Samaa TV

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  • Wiese thrilled to be back with Boks along with his brother

    Wiese thrilled to be back with Boks along with his brother

    Wiese, who will earn his 35th Test cap when he packs down at the back of the scrum against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in the opening match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series on Saturday, was pleased with his recovery and rehabilitation and said he was ready to return to the field in green and gold.

    “My injury wasn’t that serious; there were two discs that had to recover in my neck, so I was only out for three months,” said Wiese. “I’m very excited to be back here. It’s a massive privilege.”

    Commenting on his brother being in the squad with him after earning his first Springbok call-up this season, the tough-as-nails loose forward said: “We’ve never had the opportunity to play together, and it doesn’t get better than being able to do so for the national team, so I hope he gets a run.

    “I’m very happy for him because he has always dreamed of it. Over and above that, he’s had a good season, and it’s fantastic to see how he has flourished at the Vodacom Bulls.”

    Looking forward to Saturday’s encounter against Italy, Wiese expected a physical onslaught from the visitors, and said: “They are a very passionate side and they know how to get themselves up for a game. They are also strong up front and will want to try to dominate there this weekend.”

    On a personal note, he was excited about moving from the UK to Japan, where he currently plays for the Urayasu D-Rocks, and said the biggest change was having to adapt to the vastly different style of rugby they play.

    “In Japan, they play a different rugby to that which I experienced in the four or five years I was in the UK, so I’ve learned to run a lot because of the fast-paced style of rugby they play.”

    The match kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

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  • Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Returns With 473bhp and AWD

    Porsche has reintroduced the Carrera 4S to the 911 lineup for the 2026 model year. Available as a coupe, cabriolet or the open-roof Targa, the 4S is back with more power, more kit and, predictably, more grip.

    Almost half of all 911 S buyers in the US opt for all-wheel drive, and this one should be no exception. It utilises a modified version of the same three-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine, mounted at the rear, with enhanced intercooling. Power is now up by 30bhp to 473bhp, with torque rated at 529Nm.

    As ever, Porsche lets the numbers speak for themselves. With the optional Sport Chrono package, launch control engaged, and probably a light breakfast, the Carrera 4S coupe does 0-100kmph in just 3.1 seconds. Flat out, it’ll hit 307kmph.

    Drive goes to all four wheels via Porsche’s eight-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox and a clever AWD system. Most of the time, it sends power to the rear wheels, but it can also transfer torque to the front via an electronically controlled clutch and a water-cooled front differential when grip is lost. There’s also rear-axle steering for extra nimbleness.

    Brakes now come from the old GTS model, so you’re looking at 408mm discs up front and 308mm at the rear. The dampers are new as well, designed to deliver a sharper yet smoother ride. Porsche’s Torque Vectoring Plus stays standard. If you want carbon ceramics or stiffer PASM sport suspension, you’ll still have to tick a few boxes.

    Visually, the car rides on the familiar 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloys, while a silver-tipped sports exhaust is now standard.

    Inside, there’s more cow. Leather now wraps the seats, dash, door tops and rear bench. Wireless phone charging and matrix LED headlights are included at no extra cost. The rear seats remain standard, though you can delete them if you’re feeling ascetic.

    Deliveries for the new Carrera 4S will begin internationally this autumn. In the US, prices start from approximately ₹1.29 crore (USD 155,000) and stretch to about ₹1.41 crore (USD 170,000) for the Targa. India-specific launch timelines are yet to be announced, but if tradition is anything to go by, it won’t be far behind.

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  • US-India trade relations: Gold, defence stocks still vital hedges in 2025 bull market landscape: Ed Yardeni

    US-India trade relations: Gold, defence stocks still vital hedges in 2025 bull market landscape: Ed Yardeni

    “India certainly is in discussions with the United States. It is going to be in the interest of the United States to make sure that a deal is worked out and that it benefits both sides. India is a very important counter point for geopolitical purposes to China. And so, the United States is going to be somewhat easier on India than it has been on some of the other countries,” says Ed Yardeni, Yardeni Research.

    Several developments overnight, one with respect to tariff where US has gone ahead and now probably announced a deal with Vietnam. Tell us what does this mean for several other countries and do you expect US to sign deals with other countries as well ahead of that July 9 tariff deadline?
    Ed Yardeni: We will hear about a few more deals, but I do not think we are going to have all of the deals and maybe not even half the deals. Looks like they are happening, but rather slowly. So, on July 9th the president may just impose some tariffs, negotiations continue to go on, and maybe by doing that the negotiations will speed it up.

    Now, let us stay with the tariff deadline that we were talking about. I wanted to understand what is your view on India’s position in this global investment landscape, especially the kind of defence developments that we have had. How do you see India placed versus the other emerging markets given that tariff deadline is looming on July 9th?
    Ed Yardeni: Well, India certainly is in discussions with the United States. It is going to be in the interest of the United States to make sure that a deal is worked out and that it benefits both sides. India is a very important counter point for geopolitical purposes to China. And so, the United States is going to be somewhat easier on India than it has been on some of the other countries.But also wanted your thoughts on the kind of impact tariff could have on inflation and consequently its impact on the bond market. How do you assess the situation as of now?
    Ed Yardeni: Well, at this point we have all been surprised that we have not seen much of any impact of tariffs on inflation. Looking at the latest numbers through May, inflation has been remarkably moderate. The Fed Chairman Powell has said that he does not anticipate that there could be inflation showing up at summer months, in other words, the data for June, July, August.

    And I agree with that. We will see some upward pressure on inflation. And, of course, we also have the very weak dollar. Though very weak dollars also going to put some upward pressure on inflation. But I would point out at the same time that there is a lot of deflation coming out of China.
    China just continues to produce more than they can consume and they are dumping it in global markets everywhere and that is keeping a lid on a lot of inflation around the world. So, I do not think inflation is going to be a serious problem. I think it will be a problem for the next few months. It is probably one of the reasons that the Fed will hold off on any easing move anytime soon.
    Now I want to talk about the markets. Now you had some time ago said that the geopolitical crisis are 2025’s dominant bull market and that one could look to rotate into safe heaven assets like gold and defence stocks. But do you still hold that view given the kind of rally we have seen in the US benchmark indices, especially driven by tech stocks?
    Ed Yardeni: Well, I have been bullish on this market since November of 2022. The bull market started in the United States in October of 2022. And back then I was recommending and still recommend overweighting information technology, overweighting communication services, industrials, and financials.

    Those have all worked out very well. It was painful, of course, during the correction because they fell most sharply but they have also come back most quickly. I also came up with the idea of overweighting energy, but so far that has not worked out and I have kind of scaled back on that recommendation.

    And on a global asset basis, gold has been excellent way to a portfolio against the risk that tariffs represent, against the geopolitical risk especially. Defence stocks still look very good to me on a global basis. So, there is still plenty of opportunities in this market which is still very much a bull market here and by the way in India too.

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  • Charlize Theron shares rare personal insights in new podcast appearance

    Charlize Theron shares rare personal insights in new podcast appearance

    Charlize Theron shared personal reflections on dating and relationships during her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

    In a moment of openness, the 49-year-old actress spoke about having a recent one-night stand with a 26-year-old, calling it “really f—— amazing.”

    “I think I’ve had three one-night stands in my life,” she said. “It’s not my thing, but this one was just… I was in a different place.”

    She also spoke about dating in her forties, describing it as the first time in her life she’s felt truly comfortable being single. According to Theron, age has brought a new level of confidence and clarity around her wants and boundaries.

    On dating apps, she called the exclusive platform Raya “a f—— clown show,” and advised men to avoid clichés like Burning Man photos, pictures with exes, or vague job titles.

    Theron reiterated her long-standing stance on marriage, stating she has no interest in getting married and values the freedom to leave a relationship when it no longer serves her.

    She also briefly revisited a sexual harassment experience involving an unnamed director, revealing he had later sent her a letter, though she chose not to name him.

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  • Islamabad makes helmets mandatory for all motorcycle riders, passengers

    Islamabad makes helmets mandatory for all motorcycle riders, passengers

    The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has made it mandatory for both riders and passengers on motorcycles to wear helmets, irrespective of gender.

    The announcement was made by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Zeeshan Haider, who emphasized that the rule will be enforced following a two-week awareness campaign aimed at educating the public on road safety. “This decision applies to everyone male or female riding or accompanying on a motorcycle,” said Haider.

    He explained that the two-week grace period will focus on raising awareness about the lifesaving benefits of helmets. After this phase, strict enforcement will begin, and violators will face fines for non-compliance with the “double-helmet” rule.

    The CTO highlighted that helmet usage can significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries or fatalities in road accidents. “Our priority is to ensure public safety. Wearing helmets is a proven measure that saves lives,” he added.

    The move is part of ITP’s broader efforts to improve traffic discipline and reduce road accident casualties in the capital.


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  • PM played key role in Iran-Israel ceasefire, says Interior Minister Naqvi – Pakistan

    PM played key role in Iran-Israel ceasefire, says Interior Minister Naqvi – Pakistan

    Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has credited the Prime Minister with playing an important role in facilitating a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stating that “even behind the Iran-Israel ceasefire, there is the uniform,” in reference to the military’s involvement.

    Addressing a gathering alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, where religious scholars from all schools of thought were briefed on Muharram security arrangements, Naqvi thanked the clerics for their continued cooperation in maintaining peace.

    He noted that the Chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee consistently includes all sects in decision-making.

    Naqvi emphasized the importance of religious harmony during Muharram, saying, “Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) belongs to everyone. Promoting unity is essential.”

    Speaking on regional tensions, he commented that Pakistan made efforts to avoid civilian casualties during conflict with India. “One of our missiles struck an Indian oil depot but spared civilian areas. India ultimately suffered four times greater losses. With Allah’s help, we achieved victory, and this year we are celebrating Independence Day with four times more enthusiasm.”

    Regarding the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi stressed that counterterrorism requires engagement with local communities and scholars, as their support is critical to eradicating militancy.

    Echoing his remarks, Talal Chaudhry praised the scholars’ role in countering extremism and called for even greater involvement. He said security forces remain steadfast in fighting terrorism and urged the public to reject hatred, sectarianism, and the enemy’s agenda.

    Chairman of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad also spoke on the occasion, highlighting Pakistan’s contributions to religious tolerance.

    He stated that the country successfully countered Indian aggression during Operation Banyan al-Marsous and responded resolutely.

    “Our friendly nation Iran responded forcefully to Israel, and Pakistan’s role in the Iran-Israel conflict has been significant,” he added. “Allah has blessed us with great successes.”

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