Plus: How your devices are changing your body ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
DuckDuckGo removed trackers from LiveIntent, and one other. More
Plus: How your devices are changing your body ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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3 July, 2026
Kate Samuelson
Hello. Ahead of America's 250th anniversary tomorrow, our story below looks at how the US's political and ideological birthplace was once part of a little-known Swedish colony. Also in this edition, senior technology journalist Thomas Germain explores whether your devices are giving you "phone body". For more on how emerging technologies are quietly, profoundly reshaping your life, sign up to our twice-weekly Tech Decoded newsletter (now written by Thomas on Fridays). Have a great weekend and, to our US-based readers, a wonderful 4 July. The Essential List will be back in your inbox on Tuesday.
ESSENTIAL FEATURES
How a secret colony played a pivotal role in the US's founding
New Sweden was the smallest, least-populated and shortest-lived colony in the US. But despite being virtually unheard of today, it helped shape the nation's birth 250 years ago.
The underwear that scandalised Wimbledon
In 1962, when a Brazilian player wore a tennis dress lined in bright pink with matching knickers, it led to outrage.
**Why the fuss? >**
Is your tech giving you 'phone body'?
Your devices are changing your body in ways you might not realise, but it's not too late to do something about it.
**Find out more >**
How Scotland changed the way it tackled violence
In the early 2000s, Scotland was the 'murder capital of Europe'. Then it started treating violence like a disease.
**Keep reading >**
The World Cup ranch craze – real or hype?
Visitors to the US are now allegedly shipping cartons of the herby salad cream back home. Are the reports true?
**BBC Travel investigates >**
ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS
How much power should a US president have?
Critics of President Donald Trump say he is pushing his power further than previous leaders have dared to try.
German population decline is exposing old divides
The country's federal statistics office says there will "in all likelihood" be fewer people by 2070. What's going on?
**InDepth explores >**
Everything we know about Taylor Swift's wedding
Are the pop icon and NFL star Travis Kelce celebrating their nuptials at Madison Square Garden this weekend?
ESSENTIAL WATCH
The world's thoughts on the US at 250
As the US marks 250 years since independence, the BBC asked people in Brazil, Egypt, India, Australia, Canada and the UK what they think of America today, revealing a mix of admiration, criticism and reflection of its place in the world.
Stream BBC News 24/7
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Is the American Dream still real?
A US green card winner shares the joys and struggles of living in America.
A global war that reshaped empires
On the 250th anniversary of American independence, examine the Revolutionary War as a vast, unpredictable global conflict.
MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS
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