Plus: 10 of the best TV shows to watch this July ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
DuckDuckGo removed trackers from LiveIntent, and one other. More
Plus: 10 of the best TV shows to watch this July ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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26 June, 2026
Kate Samuelson
Hello. Our lead story below explores the layered and deep-rooted "gay icon" status of Saint Sebastian, killed for his religious beliefs in AD288. We look at why this historical figure, whom we know very little about, has been painted by artists and embraced by queer thinkers for centuries. Also in this edition is a research-backed guide to exercising safely in hot weather, plus our culture team rounds up the best TV shows to watch and stream in July. Have a lovely weekend and we'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday!
ESSENTIAL FEATURES
How a brutally tortured 3rd-Century saint became a gay icon
A Roman soldier who was killed for his Christian beliefs, Saint Sebastian has been a hero for gay men over the centuries – from Oscar Wilde to Keith Haring.
The sinkholes caused by Turkey's thirst for water
Turkey has been seized by ongoing drought and farmers are illegally tapping into the groundwater to compensate.
You should never do these things in a hotel
A British etiquette expert reveals the hotel habits that horrify him most, from noisy corridors to toiletry thieves.
How to exercise safely in hot weather
Staying active is vital for safeguarding long-term health. Here are some research-backed tips for exercising in the heat.
The best TV shows to watch this July
From a Will Ferrell golfing comedy to a Legally Blonde prequel, these are the 10 best new series to watch and stream.
ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS
Venezuela earthquakes in maps and graphics
Two strong earthquakes have caused enormous damage to homes and buildings in several parts of the country.
Brexit's economic impact, 10 years on
Studies suggest Brexit has contributed to weaker UK trade and investment, while services have grown, writes Faisal Islam.
Grand Theft Auto 6: All you need to know
The latest instalment in Rockstar's blockbuster franchise is set to be the biggest games launch of the year.
ESSENTIAL WATCH
John le Carré and his con-man father
The bestselling spy novelist's childhood was rocked by bankruptcy and deceit. In 2008, John le Carré – who died in December 2020 at the age of 89 – spoke to the BBC about his "hectic background" and how it trained him to be an author... and a spy.
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The growing business of Doomsday prepping
Preparing for the worst might sound a little paranoid, but more people are embracing the "prepper" mindset.
The queens who wielded extraordinary power
So much of history is dominated by men. But some queens ruled in ways that far surpassed their male counterparts.
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