Nico

Wired reports that nicotine, long tied to smoking and health warnings, is being rebranded by parts of the wellness movement. Advocates promote nicotine pouches and low-dose products for focus and cognitive benefits, while health experts warn the substance remains addictive and carries cardiovascular risks. The piece has sparked debate online about whether wellness culture is downplaying proven harms in pursuit of new performance-enhancing trends.

Italian diplomat Nicola Bellomo has taken up the post of Chargé d'Affaires for the European Union in Afghanistan. The appointment places him at the head of the EU's diplomatic presence in Kabul, where the bloc does not have a full embassy following the Taliban takeover. Details about the timing of the appointment or EU plans for engagement with Afghanistan remain limited.

WIRED reports that nicotine, long associated with smoking and health harm, is being rebranded and repositioned within the wellness movement. Wellness circles and product makers are promoting forms like pouches and low-dose products as cognitive enhancers or alternatives to cigarettes. The trend is drawing attention and skepticism, since nicotine remains addictive and its purported health benefits are debated by medical experts.

England face Czechia in their next fixture amid fitness concerns, with defenders Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly missing training. Head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed the double injury blow, saying he was not yet sure of their availability for the match. Fans are following the game closely as the team searches for a win.

England claimed their first UEFA Nations League win with a 2-0 away victory over Czechia, with Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane scoring the goals under manager Thomas Tuchel. Match reports credit Gordon and Kane as standouts in a comfortable performance, though Tuchel faces injury concerns after Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly missed training before the game. The result is drawing attention across Europe and beyond.

Defense Unicorns has been awarded a $350 million Department of War contract to deliver an open-source platform aimed at improving how software reaches military users. The company, which specializes in software delivery tooling for defense applications, will provide a platform designed to speed up and streamline deployment of software across defense systems, part of a broader push to modernize government software practices.

Former world champion Nico Rosberg says the 2026 Formula 1 title race could hinge on Kimi Antonelli's ability to handle the mental pressures of competing at the front, speaking before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Rosberg, who has spoken openly about the psychological toll of his own title battles against Lewis Hamilton, suggests the young Mercedes driver's composure under pressure will be decisive.

Switzerland beat Scotland in a UEFA Nations League match, with Ricardo Rodríguez and Nico Elvedi scoring after Scotland's Jack Hendry was sent off early. Swiss coach Marco Pocognoli's side secured the win despite back-to-back loss predictions, and live coverage, stats and reaction drew wide attention across the UK, Australia, Canada and the US.

England defenders Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly are fitness doubts ahead of the national team's match against the Czech Republic, according to BBC Sport. The news leaves manager Thomas Tuchel with potential defensive selection problems, with fans awaiting confirmation of whether either player will be available for the fixture.

A new analysis examines where billion-dollar startup companies remain concentrated across the United States, and argues that other regions copying the geography of these hubs tend to fail. The piece suggests the density of talent, capital and networks behind unicorn clusters is difficult to replicate, prompting debate among startup ecosystem builders elsewhere about what actually drives them.

England manager Thomas Tuchel says he is still unsure about squad availability ahead of the match against Czechia, confirming a double injury setback. Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly both missed training, casting doubt on their participation in the fixture. The news has drawn attention from French-speaking football fans as the game approaches, with questions over how Tuchel will adjust his lineup.

Switzerland defeated North Macedonia, with defender Nico Elvedi delivering a standout performance as the Swiss held their opponents at bay. The result strengthens Switzerland's position in their qualifying campaign, while North Macedonia leave with little to show despite their resistance.

During a professional golf round, a fan yelled as Nico Echavarria began his backswing, disrupting his shot. Scottie Scheffler responded by conceding the putt, allowing Echavarria to take par without completing the stroke. The sportsmanship moment between the two players is drawing attention from golf fans, who are discussing both the spectator's behavior and Scheffler's gesture.

Spain beat Croatia 4-1, with Lamine Yamal scoring twice alongside goals from Pubill and Nico. Luka Modric and Croatia endured a difficult night against a dominant Spanish side, prompting a wave of discussion about the midfielder's future at international level as interest spreads across Italy, France and Spain.

ACV Auctions, the Buffalo-based online vehicle auction platform that became western New York's first startup 'unicorn', is the subject of a behind-the-scenes account of its sale. The story traces how the company grew from a regional startup into a billion-dollar business and what its sale means for the area's tech community.

Nico Schlotterbeck has not been included in Germany's squad for their upcoming match against Greece. The Dortmund defender's absence is the main talking point for fans following the national team, who are speculating about whether the decision is down to injury, form or a tactical choice by the coaching staff. No official explanation has been given yet.

Health experts are warning that nicotine pouches, which have grown rapidly in popularity as a smokeless tobacco alternative, carry real addiction risks. Clinicians caution that the products deliver nicotine without smoking, potentially encouraging dependence, particularly among young users who may see them as harmless.

BBC 6 Music is playing Nico's 'These Days' as part of its Artist in Residence programming, highlighting the German singer's 1967 track made famous in The Royal Tenenbaums. Listeners are sharing the playlist and noting the song's enduring appeal, with the Ukrainian flag emblem used in the post drawing attention as a sign of support.