A decade after Britain voted to leave the European Union, many business leaders who once stood on opposite sides of the Brexit debate say they are disappointed with the outcome. Simon Boyd, who runs a company producing prefabricated steel structures on England’s south coast, and Mike Hawes, head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, both believe Brexit has brought more difficulties than expected. Supporters of Brexit had promised that leaving the EU would allow Britain to regain control over its laws, borders and economy, creating a stronger and more independent future. However, critics argue that the reality has been far different, with slower economic growth, higher taxes, pressure on public services and continued challenges with immigration.
Boyd, whose company REIDSteel exports products worldwide, still supports Brexit but says the benefits have not appeared because political leaders failed to properly deliver on the promises made during the campaign. He also points to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and international conflicts as factors that affected Britain’s progress. Economists argue that leaving the EU’s single market created lasting economic problems. New trade rules increased costs and made business with European countries more complicated. Research suggests Brexit has negatively affected Britain’s economy, reducing GDP, investment and productivity compared with what might have happened if the country had remained in the EU.
The automotive sector has been among the industries most affected. British car manufacturers warned before Brexit that additional paperwork and trade barriers would hurt an industry deeply connected with European supply chains. Hawes said companies have adapted but face higher costs and increased pressure. Although Brexit allowed Britain to create its own trade agreements with countries around the world, the EU remains a major trading partner, accounting for a significant share of the country’s imports and exports.
The end of free movement of workers also created problems for some industries. Restaurant owners, especially those relying on overseas workers, say they struggled after many European employees left and new visa rules made hiring more difficult. Some business groups feel they were misled by promises that Brexit would make it easier to bring in skilled workers from countries such as India and Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has started discussions with the EU to improve relations and support economic recovery. Recent polling indicates that public dissatisfaction with Brexit has increased, with more people saying the outcome has been worse than they expected. Despite the criticism, Brexit supporters like Boyd continue to believe Britain can succeed outside the EU. They argue that the country has not fully benefited because the agreement negotiated after Brexit kept too many links with Europe and limited Britain’s ability to operate independently. They insist that returning to the EU is not the solution and that the country must move forward with its current path.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar arrived in Mongolia on Monday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between India and Mongolia. The visit, taking place from June 22 to 23, marks the first leg of his four-day diplomatic tour that will also include the Republic of Korea.
Upon his arrival in Mongolia, Jaishankar was welcomed by State Secretary Munktushig Ilkhanajav. Expressing his appreciation for the warm reception, the minister shared a message on X, stating that he looked forward to engaging in meaningful discussions that would help advance the special partnership between the two countries.
“Pleased to arrive in Mongolia today. Thank State Secretary Munktushig Ilkhanajav for the warm welcome. Look forward to fruitful engagements to advance our special partnership,” Jaishankar wrote. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar’s official visit to Mongolia and South Korea will run from June 22 to 25. During the tour, he is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with political leaders and foreign ministers of both nations to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
In Mongolia, Jaishankar will meet members of the country’s leadership and hold talks with Foreign Minister B Battsetseg. The discussions are expected to focus on further enhancing ties between the two countries across various sectors, including economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and strategic engagement.
Following his Mongolia visit, Jaishankar will travel to the Republic of Korea on June 24 and 25. There, he is set to hold discussions with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on bilateral relations and regional developments. The External Affairs Minister will also participate in the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on June 25. The event is regarded as a significant platform for dialogue on peace, security, and international cooperation, bringing together policymakers and experts from around the world.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.
Thousands of residents in Hyderabad are facing a worsening water shortage that has disrupted everyday life and affected industrial operations. The prolonged crisis has left many communities struggling to access basic water supplies, especially during a period of increased demand due to religious events.
Residents from areas such as Phuleli, Pretabad, Liaquat Colony, and parts of Latifabad have reported that water supplies are either unavailable for several days or provided only for short periods. Many families and organisers of Muharram gatherings have been forced to depend on private filtration plants and purchased water to meet their needs.
Public frustration with the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation (HWSC) is growing, with citizens accusing the authority of failing to manage the situation despite rising demand. Residents claim that while officials remain visible through online platforms and public statements, effective solutions have not reached affected neighbourhoods.
Complaints about unresolved pipeline leaks, delayed repairs, and poor maintenance have added to concerns over administrative negligence. Some residents in the Heerabad Jail Road area have also alleged illegal water connections and repeated nighttime road excavations, further increasing public anger.
The crisis has now extended beyond households, impacting Hyderabad’s industrial sector as well. Zubair Ghanghra, chairman of the Hyderabad Site Association of Trade and Industry (HSATI), warned that insufficient water availability is disrupting production and threatening thousands of jobs. Industries including textiles, food processing, packaging, edible oil, rice, and chemical manufacturing are increasingly relying on expensive private tanker services to maintain operations, highlighting the broader economic impact of the city’s ongoing water crisis.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Three teenage students lost their lives and seven others were injured after two armed minors allegedly opened fire at a high school in the central Philippines on Monday morning, according to authorities cited by state media. Police confirmed that both suspects have been taken into custody. The shooting occurred at around 9 am local time at the government-run San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, located in Leyte province. Police said classes were in progress when the suspects reportedly entered the school campus and began firing.
Authorities from the Tacloban City Police Office said a Grade 9 student was arrested shortly after the attack, while another student of the same grade level was captured several hours later with help from residents in a nearby community. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full investigation into the incident and called for authorities to ensure accountability. Security measures have been strengthened, while officials urged the public to remain calm as the investigation continues.
The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed deep concern over the violence and said it is coordinating with government agencies to provide emergency medical support and psychological assistance to affected students, teachers, and school staff. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said Marcos was deeply saddened by the incident, adding that such an attack would bring immense grief and fear, especially for the victims’ families. She said authorities were working on measures to improve safety in public areas, including educational institutions.
The incident has renewed discussions about security in schools across the Philippines. A similar shooting in 2022 at Ateneo de Manila University, where three people including a former mayor were killed before a graduation event, was later linked to personal motives, according to reports.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
India’s temporary restriction on Telegram over alleged NEET-UG fraud concerns led to a sharp rise in VPN app downloads as users looked for ways to bypass the block and continue accessing the platform. According to Appfigures data cited by Moneycontrol, the top 100 VPN apps in India recorded around 919,000 downloads on June 17, the highest single-day figure since early 2025. Sensor Tower also reported a 10% day-on-day increase in VPN downloads. Popular services such as Proton VPN and Turbo VPN saw major growth, with Proton VPN climbing significantly in app store rankings. Alternative messaging apps like Signal and Viber also gained users as people searched for backup communication options. The restriction was imposed after concerns from the National Testing Agency (NTA) that Telegram was being used to spread fake NEET-UG exam materials. Telegram challenged the move in the Delhi High Court, arguing that specific content should be targeted instead of blocking the entire platform. The incident highlighted a broader trend: restricting digital platforms often pushes users toward VPNs, privacy tools, and alternative services rather than reducing demand. Telegram continues to face regulatory scrutiny in India over issues including scams, piracy, and exam-related fraud, but its large communities and content-sharing features keep it widely used.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Keir Starmer has revealed that he will step down as prime minister less than two years after securing an election win, setting off a contest to choose the next Labour leader. As Labour MPs grow increasingly concerned about the rising influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform party, attention has turned to Andy Burnham, the politician nicknamed the “King of the North.” His strong performance in a local by-election last weekend has fuelled speculation that he could be a future occupant of No. 10. Reged Ahmad speaks with North of England editor Josh Halliday about Burnham’s growing political momentum, why he is being viewed as a potential next British prime minister, and why the coming week could shape the future direction of UK politics.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames, Lucy Ward, and Jacob Steinberg as England kick off their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion. The episode invites listeners to rate, review, and share on Apple Podcasts, and to join the discussion via email. Today’s focus is England’s 4–2 win over Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s side pressing aggressively and playing with real tempo and attacking intent, particularly in a strong second half. The panel debates how much significance should be attached to such a convincing opening performance. Elsewhere in the group, Ghana’s 1–0 win over Panama receives only brief attention before moving on to DR Congo, who earned a well-deserved draw against a disappointing Portugal side. This naturally leads to growing discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the team going forward. The episode also previews the next set of fixtures, includes Nick Ames reporting from the GOP convention on his day off, revisits the ongoing “apples” segment, and wraps up with listener questions. Listeners are encouraged to support The Guardian and follow Football Weekly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Elon Musk has reportedly become the world’s first trillionaire, driven largely by SpaceX, whose massive IPO has pushed its valuation above $2 trillion. At the same time, huge investments in artificial intelligence are lifting other major tech companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, both of which are expected to go public with valuations nearing a trillion dollars. According to The Guardian’s US tech editor Blake Montgomery in conversation with Kai Wright, these IPOs mean that the global financial system is becoming increasingly tied to the success of AI—and potentially exposed to significant risk if it fails.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson, and Pablo Maurer as the USA kick off their World Cup campaign. They discuss the US team’s dominant opening win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, suggesting they might actually be a strong side, with praise for Christian Pulisic. Elsewhere, Canada rescue a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Jesse Marsch’s triple substitution helping turn the game around, though Bosnia’s defending nearly held firm. They also preview upcoming fixtures such as Haiti vs Scotland, answer listener questions, and share some light moments from the studio.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
