The Guardian · 4 Jul, 06:00
Severn Trent has doubled its long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for its new CEO, James Jesic, to as much as £3.1m, despite criticism over water company pay and environmental performance. Jesic's total pay packet could reach £4.8m in a single year.
Severn Trent, a FTSE 100 water company, has increased the size of its long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for its new CEO, James Jesic, from 200% of his base salary to 400%. This change, revealed in the company's annual report, could see Jesic receive as much as £3.1m through the LTIP. Jesic's base salary is £775,000, and his total pay packet, including salary, bonuses, benefits, and pension contributions, could reach £4.8m in a single year. This increase comes despite criticism over water company pay and environmental performance, particularly regarding sewage spills into Britain's rivers and seas.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it comes at a time when water company pay is under intense scrutiny, and there is public anger over the environmental performance of these companies. The increase in Jesic's potential pay packet is likely to be controversial, especially given that Severn Trent has faced criticism for its own environmental record, including around 36,000 sewage spills in 2025. The issue highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between rewarding executives and holding them accountable for environmental performance.
£3.1m: the potential value of the long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for Severn Trent's CEO, James Jesic; £4.8m: Jesic's theoretical maximum pay packet for a single year; 400%: the increased size of the LTIP as a percentage of Jesic's base salary; 36,000: the number of sewage spills recorded by Severn Trent in 2025; 200,000 hours: the total duration of sewage spills by Severn Trent in 2025; £775,000: Jesic's base salary; £740,000: Jesic's pro rata salary and bonuses for the first three months of 2026; 41%: the reduction in sewage spills by Severn Trent last year
The public will rightly question whether any chief executive should receive a multimillion-pound pay package when the company they were responsible for recorded around 36,000 sewage spills lasting more than 200,000 hours in 2025. - James Wallace, chief executive of the River Action campaign group
The Guardian · 4 Jul, 05:30
US President Donald Trump launched America's 250th birthday celebrations with a partisan speech at Mount Rushmore, attacking progressive Democrats as 'communists' and framing them as a threat to American identity and liberty.
On Friday night, Donald Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota to kick off America's 250th birthday celebrations. He praised the four presidents whose faces are carved into the mountain and asserted that US exceptionalism is rooted in its constitution, culture, and identity. Trump then launched a partisan attack on progressive Democrats, casting them as 'communists' who pose an existential threat to America. He also tied his anti-communist rhetoric to his anti-immigrant theme.
Why it matters: This speech is significant because it highlights the deepening partisan divisions in the US and Trump's efforts to mobilize his base ahead of the midterm elections. Trump's rhetoric has been widely criticized for being divisive and for weaponizing the semiquincentennial to promote a narrative focused on white Christian men while neglecting to acknowledge the complexities of American history.
250 (America's birthday), 1776 (year of US declaration of independence), 1877 (year US government seized Black Hills from Sioux Nation), 2001 (year of September 11 terrorist attacks)
You can be loyal to Karl Marx or you can be loyal to America. You can be a communist or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both.
The Guardian · 4 Jul, 05:00
Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute are sequencing the genomes of tardigrades, microscopic animals known for their indestructibility, as part of a larger effort to sequence the DNA of all life on Earth.
Researchers Witek Morek and Prof Mark Blaxter are collecting and sequencing the genomes of tardigrades, also known as 'moss piglets', at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. They are using advanced sequencing technology to analyze the DNA of these microscopic animals, which are famous for their ability to survive extreme conditions. The institute's Tree of Life programme has already sequenced 2,600 genomes, mostly of British and Irish species, and is now focusing on tardigrades. About 1,500 species of tardigrades have been identified worldwide, and the researchers have collected about 20 of the 50 species on the British list.
Why it matters: Sequencing the genomes of tardigrades and other species can help scientists better understand their biology and evolution, and may lead to the discovery of new medicines and compounds. The data can also provide insights into how species are related to each other and how they have evolved over time. Additionally, studying the genetic basis of tardigrades' remarkable survival abilities may have practical applications, such as developing new technologies for preserving biological materials.
1,500 (number of identified tardigrade species), 2,600 (number of genomes sequenced by the Tree of Life programme), 50 (number of tardigrade species on the British list), 200-500 picograms (amount of DNA in a single tardigrade), 30 (number of times tardigrade genomes are smaller than the human genome)
“These genomes will in turn open up new ideas and opportunities in biomedicine and biotechnology,” says Blaxter.
NPR News · 4 Jul, 04:00
The United States is preparing to celebrate its 250th Independence Day, with events ranging from public parades to personal reflections on its history. People across America are marking the semiquincentennial with various plans.
The United States is set to celebrate its 250th Independence Day. The nation's capital is expected to be a focal point of the celebrations, but people across the country have various plans to mark the occasion. These plans include public parades and personal reflections on American history. NPR member station reporters gathered thoughts from people across the U.S. on what the semiquincentennial means to them.
Why it matters: The 250th Independence Day is significant as it marks a major milestone in American history. It provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their country's past and its impact on their lives. The celebrations will likely foster a sense of national pride and unity.
250 (years since Independence Day)
NPR News · 4 Jul, 05:44
Cape Verde's historic World Cup debut ended with a loss to Argentina in the round of 32, despite pushing them to the brink. The African team's impressive run was marked by not winning a single match.
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, lost to Argentina in the round of 32. Despite not winning any matches, they made a significant impact with their performance. The team was pushed to the limit by Argentina, showcasing their determination and skill. The match took place on July 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Why it matters: Cape Verde's impressive World Cup debut is significant as it marks a milestone for African football. Their performance, despite not winning any matches, has earned them recognition and praise. The team's determination and skill have set a high standard for future African teams in the World Cup.
July 3, 2026
NPR News · 4 Jul, 05:04
Iran has started a multi-day funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the age of 86.
Iran began a dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in an airstrike at the start of a war, although the article does not specify which war. He was 86 years old at the time of his death. The funeral ceremonies are being held at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran.
Why it matters: The death of a Supreme Leader is a significant event in Iran, given the leader's role in the country's political and religious structure. The funeral's duration and location indicate the importance of the event.
86 (age of Ayatollah Khamenei at the time of death), July 4, 2026 (date of funeral start)
Ars Technica · 3 Jul, 13:55
A Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket successfully launched the Swift Boost Mission, a commercial mission to reboost the orbit of NASA's Swift astronomy satellite. The mission was initially delayed due to bad weather and a technical issue.
The Swift Boost Mission, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, launched on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from a modified L-1011 jetliner over the Pacific Ocean. The mission aims to reboost the orbit of NASA's Swift astronomy satellite. Two earlier launch attempts were cancelled due to poor weather and a technical issue with the launch vehicle. The successful launch occurred on a day when previous attempts had been thwarted.
Why it matters: This mission is significant as it demonstrates the capability for commercial servicing of satellites in orbit. The success of the Swift Boost Mission could pave the way for more commercial satellite servicing missions in the future.
Ars Technica · 3 Jul, 11:03
The article discusses the game Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom and its use of full-motion video (FMV) technology, which was seen as a promising future for the gaming industry in the 1990s.
The article reminisces about the 1990s, specifically the years 1996 and 1997, and how the gaming industry was expected to evolve with the 'Silliwood revolution', a blend of Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom, released during this time, was a prime example of this expected evolution, featuring big-name actors, big-budget sets, and huge special effects. The game used full-motion video (FMV) technology to create an interactive movie-like experience.
Why it matters: The article highlights the significance of Wing Commander IV as a representation of the gaming industry's aspirations in the 1990s. The game's use of FMV technology was seen as a promising direction for the future of gaming, but it ultimately did not become the standard for the industry.
Ars Technica · 3 Jul, 12:00
The Summer of Ludd, a weeklong festival, has begun in New York City's Tompkins Square Park, featuring talks and activities aimed at helping people disconnect from technology and reconnect with their community. The festival draws inspiration from the Luddite movement, a group of workers who resisted the adoption of machines during the Industrial Revolution.
The Summer of Ludd festival kicked off with a performance called 'Luddite Recreations,' which tells the story of the Luddite movement, a group of artisans and textile workers who resisted the adoption of machines in early 19th-century England. The festival includes various events, such as workshops on how to flirt and date offline, mending, and fighting against data centers. The events aim to encourage people to put down their phones and engage with their community.
Why it matters: This festival is significant because it taps into the growing sentiment among Gen Z to push back against the influence of Big Tech and social media on their lives. By drawing parallels between the Luddite movement and contemporary concerns about technology, the festival offers a platform for people to explore alternative ways of living and interacting with technology.