Source: Fox News

“New historical research suggests that one of the most legendary cities in history did not start out as a conquering warrior state — poking a hole in its founding myth. The study, which centered around Sparta, was recently published by historian Hans Beck in The Annual of the British School at Athens, Cover Media reported. Sparta emerged in the 9th century B.C. and dominated much of the Peloponnese between roughly 700 and 371 B.C. … Though Sparta is often remembered as a warrior society forged through conquest, the historical picture appears to be far more complex. Using archaeological discoveries at a site called Aghios Vasileios, Beck argues that Sparta emerged from an older Lakedaimonian cultural landscape, rather than being created from scratch by conquering warriors.” (06/08/26)

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/ancient-palace-discovery-challenges-myth-behind-spartas-rise-power

Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]

“Road closures, no watch parties, bag bans and a gauntlet of security measures will greet fans when they arrive at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, as United States President Donald Trump descends on the heart of Manhattan to ⁠watch the New York Knicks play the San Antonio Spurs at home. The Knicks have defied the odds to build a 2-0 head start in the best-of-seven series before their first home game of the finals on Monday. … ‘Attendees should anticipate hard street closures in the immediate area surrounding Madison Square Garden,’ Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said. ‘A strict no-bag policy will be enforced, and we want to communicate that early and broadly so fans can plan accordingly. Attendees should also expect Secret Service-level security screening, similar to airport screening procedures.'” (06/08/26)

https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/6/8/secret-service-level-security-for-nba-finals-with-trump-attending-game-3

Source: BBC News [UK State Media]

“Women desperate to become parents are being harassed for sex and offered cheap, illegal sperm samples online. Some of those unable to access fertility treatment are seeking out options on social media sites, which is driving a growing unregulated market – with some even turning to ‘Tinder for sperm’ websites. A BBC Wales investigation paid £100 for a next-day delivery sample from a man who advertised his ‘baby batter’ online and sent it in a box with a frozen carton of tomato passata. The UK’s regulator for fertility warned women were at risk of ‘exploitation by predatory donors’. Wales Investigates used an alias to order sperm from Joe Donor, here’s what was delivered. … One online advert [says] [I] can ‘rely’ on a man called Joe Donor for a delivery in the post. He’s a prolific donor who claims to have 180 children around the world conceived through sex and artificial insemination.” (06/08/26)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j2349j8zjo

Source: SFGate

“At the end of 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom framed it as a matter of principle when under his administration, California became the first state in the nation to pay for undocumented immigrants to use Medicaid. … now Newsom and fellow Democrats in Sacramento are walking back on their promise to provide healthcare access to all. Lawmakers have slashed the program in a series of cuts over the last year with more expected to come. In January, the state froze any new undocumented adults from applying for the program. Dental benefits for undocumented people are set to expire in July. And Newsom’s latest budget proposal, released in May, calls for increasing premiums from a planned $30 to $50 for undocumented people starting in July next year.” (06/08/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/newsom-healthcare-undocumented-immigrants-22292838.php