World Cup Shock: Cape Verde’s “Blue Sharks” held Spain to a historic 0-0 draw in their World Cup debut, powered by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha’s seven saves as Spain dominated possession but couldn’t break through. Football & Identity: The result is sparking huge celebrations back home and turning Vozinha into a global social media sensation, with the island nation framed as a symbol of resilience. EU Accession Watch: Ukraine opened the first phase of EU membership talks in a “Rubicon” moment, starting negotiations on the “fundamentals” cluster after Hungary lifted its veto. EU Policy & Tech: The European Parliament is set to endorse an AI regulatory “brake” package aimed at easing implementation burdens while tightening rules around harmful AI content. Culture & Science: France marked the 100th birthday of geneticist Jérôme Lejeune, recalling his Down syndrome discovery and his life’s moral stance on human dignity. Arts & Heritage: A rare sealed clay tablet is on display after imaging helped decode its text without opening the casing, highlighting new ways to read ancient history. Local Life: France’s mandatory e-billing rollout is pressuring small businesses to register and use invoicing platforms on tight deadlines. Sports & Society: Britain’s independent pubs face renewed pressure as a Bristol break-in reignites debate about homelessness, support gaps, and hospitality policy. Cycling: Host venues for the 2026 Tour of Britain were announced, with stages across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders. Music & Community: Edinburgh’s book festival is expanding into genre-bending musical events, including Noh theatre staged at Greyfriars Kirk.