Independent State in Polynesia, Pacific
Six nations teams start the Nations Championship by facing off against southern teams in July, with Scotland playing Argentina in Córdoba and a slate of matchups that will define the tournament’s early tone. The inaugural event will be broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, with daily live coverage.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has opened in Glasgow, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending. The event features a time-travel Tardis entrance, a garden stage, 74 nations parading, and a rotation of Scottish cultural moments amid budget constraints.
Pacific territories warn they were not consulted as the US considers auctioning seabed areas for mining. Officials say local communities fear ecological damage and food-security risks while governments push for clarity and consultations. The move comes amid broader debates over environmental safeguards and national sovereignty.
New documents obtained by AP and The Guardian contradict Kennedy's congressional testimony about his 2019 Samoa visit, showing he asked to study MMR vaccines and used