Plus: 10 of the best films to watch this July ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
DuckDuckGo removed trackers from LiveIntent, and one other. More
Plus: 10 of the best films to watch this July ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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30 June, 2026
Esther Hurst
Hello. Football fans have been descending on North America this month for the Fifa World Cup. In the US, away from the host cities where matches are being played, travellers are exploring lesser-known aspects of the country. They've taken to social media to document everything from the mundane (trying ranch dressing) to the awe-inspiring (visiting national parks). And, in the process, they're helping Americans fall back in love with their country. More on that below. Plus: why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un never talks about his mother.
ESSENTIAL FEATURES
World Cup visitors' surprising embrace of the US
From roadside convenience stores to lonely landscapes, football fans are discovering little-known slices of Americana away from the host cities.
10 of the best films to watch this July
Here are the films worth watching this month, including two big releases starring Tom Holland and Zendaya.
The Viking word behind American independence
The iconic words used in the Declaration of Independence have a rich history and originate from distant cultures.
Why people are painting windows with chalk
A simple remedy that may help cool homes is proving popular in France. Here's the science behind the DIY hack.
How The Odyssey became so controversial
Chrisopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's Ancient Greek epic is the most anticipated film of 2026 – but also the most contested.
ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS
Why Kim Jong Un never talks about his mother
Very few North Koreans know about their leader's mother, as her origin could threaten the regime's legitimacy.
How much trouble is Canada's economy in?
These five charts help illustrate the state of Canada's economy – and its performance compared to other wealthy nations.
Quitting the West for Russia's traditional values
The BBC asks Westerners who moved to Russia for its traditional values whether life there lives up to expectations.
ESSENTIAL WATCH
Who decides if you slept well last night?
Smartwatches have exploded in popularity in recent years. More than a third of Americans now say they've used a device to track their sleep – but are they helping, or just stressing us out? Katty Kay speaks to Dr Kelly Glazer Baron about how chasing a perfect sleep score can make you more anxious.
Stream BBC News 24/7
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Is tech ruining football?
The Interface podcast looks at whether World Cup tech is improving the sport – or taking the human magic out of football.
The story behind Brexit
Delve into the political battles, debates and division that culminated in the consequential 2016 Brexit referendum.
MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS
Your daily guide to the World Cup
Follow along with Football Extra, delivered to your inbox daily during the tournament.
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