The Guardian view on Trump’s MMR executive order: endangering the children he claims to care about The president’s empty advice that children should receive separate jabs against measles, mumps and rubella will only lead to less take-up by parents. Nobody wants to hurt a child. The howl of pain, the tears, the look of betrayed shock all make it very hard to deliver a cherished small person to the needle-wielding nurse. But that’s part of being a responsible parent. It becomes a lot tougher if mum or dad is being fed mixed and erroneous messages about the benefits and harms of vaccination. Parents have to make a lot of decisions about what’s right for their child, from the school they should go to and the food they should eat to the hours they should spend on the phone or watching TV. In the US, Donald Trump wants them to add another: do they choose to give their children separate jabs against measles, mumps and rubella, involving six visits to the clinic, or should they opt for the combined MMR vaccine, which does the job in two? For decades, the vast majority of families have been taking the advice of doctors, accepting their assurance that the MMR vaccine is safe and very effective. But what are they to think when a US president announces that the triple jab could be “quite lethal” and signs an executive order advising states to offer separate vaccines? For the moment, what Mr Trump is proposing is an empty choice. The individual vaccines are not available. They have not been widely used in decades. In the US and in the UK, they don’t have a licence, and to get one, pharma companies such as GSK and Merck & Co would probably have to run new clinical trials to prove that they work and are safe, which would take years.#donald_trump #robert_f_kennedy_jr #the_guardian #merck_co #gsk
Hunger, Poverty Drive Afghan Families to Marry Off Young Daughters, Report Reveals Afghanistan is facing a surge in child marriages and underage pregnancies as families, grappling with deepening poverty and Taliban-imposed restrictions, resort to marrying off young daughters to settle debts and survive. A joint report by Zan Times and The Guardian highlights the grim reality of the situation, detailing how desperation has pushed thousands of families to exchange their daughters for financial relief or to secure their future. The report includes harrowing accounts of girls as young as two months old being promised in marriage, with families pledging to hand them over when they reach ages seven to nine. One such case is Sima, a 13-year-old girl who was forced to marry her cousin after her father pressured her following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Sima, who had completed only sixth grade, was subjected to intense emotional and physical coercion. “After the Taliban entered the country, I had just finished the sixth grade and was supposed to start the seventh. But two months later, my father pressured me immensely to marry my cousin. After being beaten by my father several times, I was forced to accept,” she recounted. Now 18, Sima has given birth four times in five years, with one child dying before reaching one year old. She now spends her days fetching water, tending cattle, and caring for her children while battling chronic illness. “I always have a headache. My kidneys ache. I feel like a 70-year-old person,” she said. Medical professionals interviewed for the report noted a sharp rise in teenage pregnancies, with one public hospital in northern Afghanistan reporting 42 girls under 18 giving birth during the first five months of 2026.#afghanistan #the_guardian #shabnam #zam_times #sim_a
Bruno Fernandes Falls Victim to Deepfake Betting Scam A deepfake scam targeting footballer Bruno Fernandes has exposed the vulnerabilities of unlicensed betting operators operating through offshore jurisdictions. The incident, detailed by The Guardian, highlights how illegal gambling platforms exploit the anonymity of their owners and the lack of regulatory oversight to deceive fans and users. The scam involved a fabricated story attributed to the BBC, which falsely claimed Fernandes had launched a betting app called “Bellingham Bet,” a reference to Jude Bellingham, another Premier League player. The fake app, which bore a stylized signature of Fernandes used by his sponsor Adidas, was promoted through Instagram ads and led users to a gambling platform with no connection to the footballer. The operator behind the scheme, a company named Nightwin, operates without a license in the United Kingdom. While it is licensed in Curaçao, an offshore jurisdiction known for hosting dubious financial and gambling entities, the platform remains unregistered with the UK’s Gambling Commission. Nightwin is part of Flybergom B.V., a company incorporated in Curaçao in May 2024, which acquired its gaming license there in September 2025. Flybergom also operates other brands, including DK88 (or Dashking88), targeting illegal markets in Malaysia and Singapore. The company’s registered address in Willemstad, Curaçao, is linked to corporate service providers that manage thousands of opaque businesses, making it difficult to trace the ultimate beneficial owners of such operations. The scam was short-lived. The “Bellingham Bet” Instagram ads disappeared within days, leaving only screenshots as evidence.#bruno_fernandes #the_guardian #curaao #nightwin #flybergom_bv
Apple TV’s Twisty New Thriller “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” Sparks Early Praise The highly anticipated thriller-comedy Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed premiered on Apple TV this week, marking another strong addition to the streaming service’s lineup. The series, starring Tatiana Maslany, has already drawn positive reviews from critics and fans, with many calling it a standout entry in Apple TV’s growing catalog of original content. The show follows Paula, a newly divorced mother portrayed by Maslany, as she becomes entangled in a dangerous web of blackmail, murder, and the cutthroat world of youth soccer. The first two episodes debuted on Wednesday, May 20, with weekly releases continuing through July 15. Viewers can access the series as early as Tuesday, May 19, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET, though the official premiere date is set for May 20. Critics have praised the series for its engaging narrative and stellar performances. The Guardian described the show as “implausible yet enjoyably twisty,” highlighting Maslany’s compelling portrayal of Paula and the equally strong performances of her antagonists. The review also commended the show’s ability to balance dark humor with suspense, making it a refreshing blend of genres. Supporting the cast are notable actors such as Jake Johnson (New Girl), Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus), Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), and Dolly De Leon (Nine Perfect Strangers). Their contributions have been praised for adding depth and complexity to the story, which explores themes of betrayal, power dynamics, and personal redemption. The series has also received acclaim from the podcast TV Is Good, which features TV critics Alan Sepinwall and Kathryn VanArendonk.#apple_tv #the_guardian #tatiana_maslany #jake_johnson #murray_bartlett
Ticketmaster quietly adds new hidden charges to cover crackdown on ‘junk fees,’ report says Months after U.S. regulators banned surprise fees that appear while purchasing tickets, Ticketmaster raised the cost of other fees to “offset the revenue loss,” according to a report. The company had previously vowed to display all-in ticket pricing upfront after a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ban on so-called “junk fees” took effect in May 2025. While Ticketmaster stopped charging small amounts it tacked on at checkout to comply with the rules, it increased the price of other fees to make up for the loss, documents obtained by The Guardian revealed. In an email to the Findlay Toyota Center in Arizona last year, Ticketmaster stated, “To account for the loss of order processing revenue, we must adjust fees to offset the revenue loss.” The venue had eliminated its $6 order processing fee but raised its service fee by $2 per ticket. The Guardian obtained copies of Ticketmaster’s contracts with 26 venues nationwide, most of which included an order processing fee similar to the one mentioned in the email. However, such fees are no longer allowed under FTC rules. At least eight venues amended their contracts to raise other fees following the all-in pricing rules, according to the report. Grouping an illegal fee with another charge could violate the FTC’s rule against misrepresenting fees, which took effect in May 2025. John Newman, a former economist at the FTC, warned that Ticketmaster may effectively still be charging the fee by disguising it as something else. “That type of behavior can run afoul of the FTC rule,” he said. The Independent has contacted Ticketmaster for comment. In a statement to The Guardian, the company said, “Since May 2025, tickets on Ticketmaster.#ticketmaster #live_nation_entertainment #ftc #the_guardian #findlay_toyota_center
Gen Z Men Embrace 'Boy Kibble' for Quick Nutrition The viral meal trend known as "boy kibble" is gaining popularity among health-conscious Gen Z men. This easy-to-prepare dish typically includes ground beef, rice, and occasionally a vegetable or fat, making it a convenient option for those seeking to fuel their workouts. According to The Guardian, gym enthusiasts praise the meal for its simplicity and nutritional benefits, particularly its combination of carbohydrates and protein. Nutrition experts highlight that while the concept of "boy kibble" represents a modern rebranding of traditional bodybuilding meals, it can be a reasonable choice when balanced with healthy fats and fiber. Jim White, a registered dietitian nutritionist, notes that the meal’s appeal lies in its straightforward preparation, which can be advantageous for individuals, especially those who may struggle with executive function. However, some dietitians caution against overreliance on this meal. Scott Keatley warns that a diet dominated by "boy kibble" could lead to nutrient deficiencies, as it often lacks the variety needed for optimal health. Abbey Sharp adds that repeated consumption of the same meal might trigger disordered eating patterns, particularly for individuals with a history of such issues. Experts recommend diversifying meal options to include alternatives like salmon with rice, Greek yogurt with fruit, or stir-fry with tofu and vegetables. They argue that while "boy kibble" can be part of a healthy diet, it should not be the sole focus. Balancing it with a variety of foods is essential to meet overall nutritional needs.#gen_z #the_guardian #jim_white #scott_keatley #abbey_sharp
