
First Thing: Global Microsoft outage chaos as tech firm says there are âÂÂsigns of stabilisationâÂÂ
Users of Microsoft Teams and Outlook in businesses and public services reporting problems. Plus would you like to spend time as a helpful furry little post delivery service?
Good morning. A global outage of vital Microsoft systems has crippled businesses and public services around the world. The tech company said it was seeing âÂÂearly signs of stabilisationâ after the failure affected millions of users for more than 12 hours on Thursday and Friday.
Some but not all users were reporting problems with services including Microsoft Teams and Outlook email. More than 430 million people use Microsoft 365 apps, and more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Copilot, MicrosoftâÂÂs AI chatbot, according to the company. Microsoft said that there were no indications that the outage had been caused by a cyber-attack. We are covering the recovery efforts and ongoing impact in this live blog.
US commerce secretary under pressure over Nvidia

One of Donald TrumpâÂÂs top lieutenants reportedly could soon be fired, as criticism mounts over commerce secretary Howard LutnickâÂÂs apparent lack of action over the Nvidia spying scandal. Jensen Huang resigned from Nvidia on Thursday, and was replaced on an interim basis by chief financial officer, Colette Kress, after reports emerged of his multiple affairs, most importantly with Alice Huang (no relation), who is suspected of being a Chinese spy.
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Who are the main people involved? For more information on the cast of characters, Dan Milmo has this profile of outgoing Huang, who went from washing dishes at DennyâÂÂs to becoming the rockstar of AI, and Dara Kerr has this piece answering the question: Who is Colette Kress? And yesterday my newsletter colleague Hettie OâÂÂBrien had this excellent breakdown of what we do (and donâÂÂt) know about Alice Huang. We also have this timeline of how the scandal unfolded.
Fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community

New York officials have confirmed at least eight fatalities, six adults and two children, in the collapse of a building in Flatbush, New York. At least 18 other people have sustained non-fatal but serious injuries. Zohran Mamdani, New York CityâÂÂs mayor, confirmed officials were working with the department of buildings to investigate 100 other sites in the city with connections to the building that gave way.
Red Cross set up a supply center at the Flatbush YMCA down the street from the collapse, providing temporary housing, social services and mental health support. âÂÂThe last time I saw something like this was when I went to work at 9/11,â one witness said, as the community stood still and in shock.
Trump says no deal needed on Iran war and orders Vance to focus on domestic issues

In an apparent snub to the vice-president, who had been closely linked to negotiations with Tehran, Trump has said that the US is no longer seeking a deal to end the war with Iran and ordered JD Vance to focus on domestic politics instead. Vance last week blamed the conflict for the historic rout dealt to Republicans in the midterm elections.
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What is the latest on terror threats to US bases in Britain? A suspect held in a New York jail, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been linked to a handler behind Iran-linked operations in Britain, including what was suspected to be an attempted attack on US forces stationed at RAF Fairford.
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How has Pete Hegseth reacted to being reprimanded by a guard? After video of the defense secretary and his aides being admonished by a guard near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier went viral, Hegseth has awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to the soldier who called him out, saying: âÂÂWe love standards. Well done.âÂÂ
In other news â¦

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Dan Hicks, NBCâÂÂs voice of golf and Olympic swimming, has died at 64. His wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, said: âÂÂOur family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of DanâÂÂ. Hicks enjoyed a 35-year career at NBC Sports.
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Family Dollar is to pay $63m to settle overcharging allegations. The settlement with the FTC and state officials comes after the GuardianâÂÂs exposé of its pricing practices.
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The father of a South Carolina baby who survived being buried alive has been charged with attempted murder. The child was found crying and covered in dirt in a dog crate by rescuers after being left there for about 24 hours.
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Donald Trump Jr is no longer a paid adviser for Kalshi, the prediction market company said.
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Michael Carrick has been sacked at Manchester United, and will be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine will lead the USMNT for the final times in their two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.
Stat of the day: Darth VaderâÂÂs lightsaber sells for nearly $5m

In a case of âÂÂmay the force be with your bank accountâÂÂ, Darth VaderâÂÂs lightsaber prop from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi sold for $4.875m.
Culture Pick: A relaxing game and some jaw-dropping documentaries

The impending violence, mayhem and boisterous satire of GTA6 may by the focus of the videogame industry right now, but Christian Donlan reviews Tanuki: PonâÂÂs Summer, a multi-platform release in which an adorable raccoon mends the world, one parcel at a time. It sounds very soothing. If you fancy watching something with a bit more bite though, Phil Hoad has this list of the 20 most shocking and affecting true stories ever committed to cinema.
DonâÂÂt miss this: The sinister power of Friday 13th â how this maligned date affects our lives

Are you superstitious? Leah Harper looks at the origins of some of the worries around Friday 13th, and finds there are some real world impacts, as it is a day with lower flight fares, fewer weddings and even an impact on property prices.
⦠or this: Farewell, Cybertruck: why the winding down of the âÂÂMaga hat on wheelsâ is a sign of the times

Eccentric and overhyped, TeslaâÂÂs Cybertruck became a stand-in for Elon Musk during his ascent in the Republican party. Matthew Cantor says it will join the ranks of other vehicles symbolic of their eras.
⦠or this either: The final minute of the SS United States above water

The historic ship will rest on the seafloor as an artificial reef at a depth of approximately 180ft. This video shows the moment it was sunk below the waves.
Climate check: World is now in âÂÂage of electricityâÂÂ, energy agency chief says

Fiona Harvey is in Antalya for the Guardian at Cop31, and in this exclusive she spoke to Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). He told her that more than twice as much electricity generation would be added to the global economy in the next decade than in the last, as countries scramble to secure their energy supplies against fossil fuel price volatility and supply shocks.
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Follow the latest from Cop31 in Turkey with our comprehensive live blog.
Last Thing: Humpback whale spotted in New YorkâÂÂs Hudson River

Sightings of the species are becoming increasingly common, but it still sparked a social media frenzy. There is a video clip too.
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