Xi, Trump and the Thucydides trap
A summit of low expectations did at least restore some stability
The main event
Worth reading
Not the busiest stories. The pieces most likely to sharpen the mental model.
A cold peace between the US and China is good enough
Rather than trying to engineer a grand bargain, this is a moment to prevent deterioration
Prepare for a reckoning if Ukraine war ends
Selected from The Times as an argument-led read.
We’re entering a sectarian age — playing to extremes wins votes
Selected from The Times as an argument-led read.
Mothers and Daughters: Two Stories
Responses to a guest essay by Molly Jong-Fast, “I Tried to Become My Mother and Ended Up Becoming Myself.” Also: President Trump in China; a gift to Big Tobacco.
More headlines
Financial Times
UK government will ‘grind to a halt’ amid leadership race, say ministers
Key initiatives at risk of being disrupted as Burnham seeks to replace Starmer in contest that could last months
Financial Times
Labour approves Andy Burnham as potential by-election candidate
Greater Manchester mayor expected to be confirmed as party’s choice in Makerfield next week
Financial Times
Gilts fall as traders brace for Burnham to challenge Starmer
Greater Manchester mayor is lightning rod for concerns over possible loosening of UK’s self-imposed borrowing limits
Financial Times
Brand Burnham strong in Makerfield as voters prepare for ‘hinge moment’
Greater Manchester mayor’s reputation gives Labour a chance of luring back residents from Reform UK
BBC News
Burnham cleared to run for selection in pivotal by-election
If the Greater Manchester mayor goes on to the win the by-election, he would be able to launch a leadership challenge against the PM.
BBC News
How Rayner, Streeting and Burnham weakened PM in 12 hours of political drama
Three interventions by three senior Labour politicians made for an unforgettable day in British politics.
BBC News
Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China's Xi
The US president says he wants Beijing and Taipei to "cool down" tensions over the self-governing island.
BBC News
Judge declares another mistrial in Harvey Weinstein New York rape case
It marks the third time a New York jury has considered the case against the 74-year-old disgraced film mogul.
BBC News
Electric motorbike teen detained for killing a grandmother on zebra crossing
Billy Stokoe is detained for causing the death by dangerous driving of Gloria Stephenson.
The Economist
Who can save the Labour Party?
The Economist
Sir Keir Starmer has failed abjectly. He should go
NYT Europe
André Cerdini, Judge in Trial of Nazi Klaus Barbie, Dies at 96
He calmly presided over the historic 1987 trial in which a French court, for the first time, convicted a Nazi official of...
NYT Europe
German Chancellor, After Iran Spat With Trump, Reports ‘Good’ Phone Call
The call, initiated by Friedrich Merz, came soon after he told young people, “I am a great admirer of America. My admiration...
The Telegraph
Bristol concede 94 points to merciless Northampton to put Pat Lam’s future in doubt
Bristol concede 94 points to merciless Northampton to put Pat Lam’s future in doubt
The Telegraph
The best spa hotels in Cornwall
These spots all have wellness at the forefront – the fact that most are a pebble's throw from a pretty Cornish beach is a lovely bonus
Wales
BBC Wales
Man who threw 'fatal and sickening' punch outside Wetherspoons pub jailed
Kyle O'Callaghan punched Marcus Carpenter so hard he caused his head to "snap backwards".
BBC Wales
Coffee chain sorry for banning teens revising for school exams
Coffi Lab says pupils were not making purchases and bringing food from other vendors.
BBC Wales
First minister spent election result night at Premier Inn after forgetting his keys
After declaring a "new dawn" for Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth spent the night at the budget hotel chain.
BBC Wales
James Corden names 'very, very, very bad' Gavin and Stacey episode
The plot involved a phone call-related misunderstanding between the titular characters.
Sport
BBC Sport · Football
Celtic & Hearts set for titanic title duel
A remarkable Scottish Premiership campaign concludes with Hearts and Celtic going head-to-head for the title on Saturday.
BBC Sport
Guardiola insists he has 'one more year' on Man City deal
Manager Pep Guardiola insists he has "one more year" remaining on his contract at Manchester City as speculation continues...
BBC Sport · Football
Man charged after referee Beaton and family put under police surveillance
The SFA say referee John Beaton and his family were put "under police surveillance" in the wake of a recent penalty...
BBC Sport · Rugby Union
Northampton humiliate Bristol in record-breaking game
Northampton score 14 tries to humiliate Bristol at Franklin's Gardens and confirm their place in the Prem semi-finals.
The Race
Alpine creates new role for its ex-FIA signing
The FIA's former head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville has begun his new role at Alpine's F1 team following an enforced period...
The Race · F1
The unusual Red Bull F1 design that's legal - for now
Red Bull's F1 car upgrade package features a "smart and innovative" design that exploits a concession in the rules considered...
The Race
Brown escalates team alliance crusade in letter to FIA
As Mercedes' interest in an Alpine stake revives tensions over team alliances, McLaren boss Zak Brown calls on the FIA...
Formula 1 Official
How Round 8 & 9 of the Sim Racing World Championship went
It was a fascinating Round 8 and 9 of the 2026 F1 Sim Racing World Championship – here is a recap form yesterday’s action.
Formula 1 Official
Alpine name new Deputy Technical Director
Alpine have announced the appointment of Jason Somerville as their new Deputy Technical Director, in a move that further...
ESPN Cricinfo
Sanderson stars again but Price proves value to Gloucestershire
Unbeaten fifty anchors hosts before three wickets before close redresses balance on Northants' day
ESPN Cricinfo
Dawkins, Northeast thrive as Stokes suffers through the sickness
England skipper deepens Crawley gloom but endures tough day at Beckenham
Science
New Scientist
First test of CO2 removal with green sand finds no harm to marine life
Adding olivine to the ocean could remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and a pilot project in New York state found no signs of...
New Scientist
SpaceX is about to launch tallest and most powerful rocket in history
A record-breaking new version of Starship, due to launch within days, could form the basis of NASA's ambitious Artemis...
New Scientist
Cleaning up air pollution could weaken vital AMOC ocean current
Global warming already threatens to destabilise the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and new research shows that...
New Scientist
CAR T-cell therapy bolstered by stiffening up cancer cells first
CAR T-cell therapy has been hugely successful in treating certain types of tumours, and stiffening up cancer cells beforehand...
Nature
Even mild blows to the head disrupt the microbiome
Nature, Published online: 15 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01504-w Some bacterial species became less abundant in the guts...
Nature
Briefing Chat: Hantavirus — what this outbreak reveals about the disease
Nature, Published online: 15 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01575-9 Nature staff discuss some of the week's top science news.
Nature
Bespoke DNA vaccine offers hope for treatment of notorious brain cancer
Nature, Published online: 15 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01503-x The personalized treatment encourages the immune system...
Nature
Exclusive: NIH ousts infectious-disease leaders as COVID scientists face US charges
Nature, Published online: 15 May 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01558-w Eight of the top ten officials at the US National...
Technology
The Verge
Windows 11 tests an adjustable taskbar and resizable Start menu
Microsoft's latest Windows 11 test will allow you to reposition the taskbar and change the size of the Start menu. The update,...
The Verge
ArXiv will ban researchers who upload papers full of AI slop
ArXiv, a popular platform for preprint academic research, is taking a new step to attempt to reduce the volume of papers that...
The Verge
The Analogue 3D is finally getting save states
Analogue has released a new firmware update for its Analogue 3D console that adds the Memories save state feature. Memories,...
The Verge
OpenAI keeps shuffling its executives in bid to win AI agent battle
OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the...
Techcrunch
RJ Scaringe has raised more than $12 billion across three startups and investors still want more
Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has a knack for raising money. So far, his three startups have raised more than $12.3 billion.
Techcrunch
General Catalyst posted VC rage bait and it worked, especially on a16z
Compulsive X user Andreessen himself couldn't resist responding, many, many times.
Techcrunch
A hotel check-in system left a million passports and driver’s licenses open for anyone to see
The tech company that maintains the hotel check-in system set its cloud storage to public, allowing anyone to access...
Techcrunch
Silicon Valley’s vacationland needs a new energy provider just as AI is driving prices up
Lake Tahoe, Silicon Valley's favorite vacation spot, is about to get hit with higher energy prices as AI drives demand for electricity.
Wired
The Best Outdoor Deals From the REI Anniversary Sale 2026
It’s the best time of year to pick up all the outdoor gadgets, tents, sleeping bags, and other gear you’ll need for summer fun.
Wired
Tesla Reveals New Details About Robotaxi Crashes—and the Humans Involved
Remote operators (slowly) drove the automaker’s autonomous vehicles into a metal fence and a construction barricade, Tesla says.
Hacker News · 552 pts
Project Gutenberg – keeps getting better
Hacker News · 94 pts
WinCE64 – Windows CE 2.11 for N64
Hacker News · 234 pts
Mitchellh – I strongly believe there are entire companies now under AI psychosis
Hacker News · 99 pts
The Zulip Foundation
Hacker News · 293 pts
A 0-click exploit chain for the Pixel 10
Hacker News · 96 pts
Palantir has hired more than 30 senior UK Government officials
Papers
Computer science
Mixed Integer Goal Programming for Personalized Meal Optimization with User-Defined Serving Granularity
Computer science
A Two-Dimensional Framework for AI Agent Design Patterns: Cognitive Function and Execution Topology
Congenital Heart Block