Olivia's third album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love dropped Friday (June 12), and the lead single "Stupid Song" is an absolute banger — sharp, self aware, and as melodically ruthless as anything she's done. The album marks a shift from teenage heartbreak into the tangled emotional territory of early adulthood.
ESA Member States met in Tenerife (10–11 June) and approved major decisions: extending existing missions and adopting the next fast-class mission, Arrakihs. The community-driven Science Programme continues to push European space science forward under Director Prof. Carole Mundell.
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano has been officially assigned as pilot for NASA's Artemis III mission — humanity's return to the lunar surface. The announcement marks the first time a European astronaut will serve as pilot on a Moon mission.
ESA's Proba-3 mission is ready for more science after completing recovery operations, resuming its artificial solar eclipse demonstrations that enable unprecedented observations of the Sun's corona.
Look west after sunset. Venus and Jupiter are putting on a show in a close conjunction, with Mercury joining the lineup from 11–15 June. The Moon occults Venus for some locations on 17 June. Summer Triangle rising late makes for prime deep-sky viewing.
President Trump signed new National Security Presidential Memoranda (NSPM-11 and NSPM-12) focused on "Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security." The orders emphasise America First cybersecurity, slashing prior AI regulation bureaucracy, and accelerating responsible AI adoption across government and industry.
SpaceX went public on the Nasdaq under ticker SPCX on Friday (June 12), raising ~$75 billion and immediately becoming one of the world's biggest listed companies. Shares closed up 19% on day one at $160.95, valuing the company above $2 trillion. CEO Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire. The company is doubling down on AI alongside its launch and Starlink businesses.
The USDA's June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) was neutral for corn and soybeans but slightly positive for wheat. All wheat production projected at 1,543 million bushels (down 18m from May). Season-average farm price for wheat revised down to $6.00/bushel. Corn and soybean projections largely unchanged.
The USDA is restructuring its research arm, aiming to bring agricultural science closer to producers and improve resource delivery. Less Beltway, more fieldwork.
Flesh-eating screwworm has arrived in the US, triggering border closures with Mexico. Feeder cattle prices remain at record highs due to constrained supply and strong demand.
Individual farmer payment limits rise from $125,000 to $155,000, and income caps are eliminated for those deriving 75%+ of income from agriculture.
Reform has suspended Chris Parry, its candidate for the first Hampshire and Solent mayoral election, pending investigation. Parry made comments on social media appearing to describe members of a Jewish voluntary patrol service (Shomrim) as "cosplayers" after an arson attack destroyed four ambulances run by Hatzola, a Jewish charity ambulance service. Nigel Farage called the comments "hurtful and wrong." Counter-terror police are investigating the arson as an antisemitic hate crime.
In May's local elections, Reform UK surged to 26% projected vote share (gaining nearly 1,500 seats), while Labour dropped to 17% (losing nearly 1,500 seats). The Green Party also made significant gains at 18%. A general election is widely expected in July.
Labour MP Jess Phillips has resigned as safeguarding minister, in a move that has added to government turbulence ahead of the expected general election.
PM Mark Carney announced Canada's first-ever National Food Security Strategy on 11 June, investing $3 billion over 10 years to boost grocery competition, domestic food production, year-round fruit & veg growing, and cut agricultural red tape.
The FDA is investigating a listeria outbreak linked to Clover Hill Dairy requeson cheese. Nelson & Isa Lacteos recalled 1-lb packages sold in New York retail locations. Listeria was detected in a sample with sell-by date 14 June 2026.
June 14 also celebrates National Strawberry Shortcake Day and National Bourbon Day in the US. The Summer Fancy Food Show is coming up 28–30 June in NYC.
Q: Why did the AI cross the road?
😐 A: I'm sorry, I can't answer that question — it's outside my safety guidelines.
(Alternatively: To optimise its probability of reaching the other side within acceptable risk parameters.)
Today (14 June) Switzerland votes on the "Sustainability Initiative" — a proposal to cap the permanent resident population at 10 million by 2050. Put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), a 'yes' vote could force Switzerland to terminate its free movement agreement with the EU. CNN calls it a potential "Brexit moment" for the Alpine nation.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off 11 June across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Today's Group Stage matches include Czechia vs South Africa (Atlanta), Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (LA), Canada vs Qatar (Vancouver), and Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Mexico City). England vs Croatia coming up 17 June.
As covered in Tech — SpaceX's $75B IPO on Friday was the largest in history, with a day-one valuation above $2 trillion. Elon Musk is now the world's first trillionaire.
The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer officially begins.
Don't forget! (Says the person reminding you a week early so you've got no excuse.)
The Moon passes in front of Venus in the daytime sky for some locations. Worth a look if you're in the right spot.
The 70th edition of the specialty food industry's premier event.
First spacecraft from Quantum Space, demonstrating remote proximity targeting for national security missions.
All signs point to a snap general election in July as Labour's poll numbers crater and Reform UK surges in the local elections.