SAMWISE
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Sunday, June 21, 2026
TECHNICAL
Ferrari plans power unit and fuel upgrade for Austrian Grand Prix
Ferrari is set to introduce a power unit upgrade at the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, pending FIA approval, as the team looks to close the engine performance gap rivals have identified as the SF-26’s main weakness. The package centres on an enhanced steel-alloy cylinder head paired with a new Shell fuel compound engineered for higher combustion temperatures. Ferrari is expected to qualify for two ADUO development tokens, granting additional spending headroom to close on the benchmark power unit. Lewis Hamilton, 41 points off championship leader Kimi Antonelli, stands to be the primary beneficiary if the upgrade delivers its projected horsepower gains at the Red Bull Ring.
Red Bull brings second 2026 upgrade to Austria but team boss doubts it will close the gap
Red Bull is bringing its second major upgrade package of the 2026 season to the Austrian Grand Prix at the circuit the team’s energy drink brand sponsors. Team leadership has stated the package alone will not be sufficient to put Max Verstappen into genuine contention for race victories against Mercedes and Ferrari. The team has been reducing the RB22’s excess weight — it was six kilograms above the 768-kilogram FIA minimum after Miami — and a further reduction is expected at the Red Bull Ring. Verstappen has yet to win in 2026 and sits seventh in the drivers’ championship with 55 points.
Mercedes traces costly 2026 retirements to common battery module fault
Mercedes has identified a recurring fault within the same broad section of the battery module as the root cause of a series of retirements this season. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli lost second place at Barcelona to the issue, and George Russell retired while leading in Canada, both failures linked to battery components. In a team video released Saturday, a Mercedes engineer confirmed most areas of risk have been identified and that fortunes as a fleet should improve as new battery modules are phased in. Russell’s failed unit from Montreal is still in sea freight en route back to the factory for analysis.
Jak Crawford to take over Stroll’s Aston Martin for Austrian GP opening practice
Aston Martin has confirmed reserve driver Jak Crawford will drive Lance Stroll’s AMR26 in the first free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 26. The Red Bull Ring outing will be Crawford’s fourth FP1 appearance for the team and his second of the 2026 season, fulfilling one of the two mandatory rookie sessions the team must complete with each car this year. Crawford joined Aston Martin as reserve driver ahead of 2026 after finishing second in the 2025 Formula 2 standings. Stroll will return to the AMR26 for FP2 and remain in the car for the rest of the weekend.
FIA’s Tombazis calls ADUO engine safety net a worthwhile objective for Formula 1
FIA single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis has described a potential FIA-managed engine concept as a very worthwhile objective that could protect Formula 1 if the number of manufacturer participants fell too low. Speaking in an interview published Sunday, Tombazis confirmed the FIA’s primary focus remains securing involvement from major automotive manufacturers but that internal discussions are ongoing about how exactly such a fallback engine would be structured. The ADUO framework currently distributes development tokens to manufacturers running below the Red Bull benchmark, with Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi all receiving additional spending allowance ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Audi tests new ADUO-funded engine package at Neuburg ahead of Austria
Audi ran its R26 at the team’s Neuburg facility in Germany this week in what is understood to be a shakedown of the upgraded power unit it plans to introduce at the Austrian Grand Prix. Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto completed a 15-kilometre demonstration run during the test. Audi qualifies for ADUO development tokens as a manufacturer running well below the benchmark power unit, granting it additional spending to close the performance gap. The team is in its debut Formula 1 season and has scored just two championship points in 2026, both earned by Bortoleto at the Barcelona Grand Prix.
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 115 pts
3. George Russell — 106 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Lando Norris — 73 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 58 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 55 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 41 pts
9. Isack Hadjar — 34 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 28 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 16 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 6 pts
15. Alex Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pts
19. Nico Hulkenberg — 0 pts
20. Sergio Perez — 0 pts
21. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren — 131 pts
4. Red Bull — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
ROAD COURSE
Palou Takes Fifth Consecutive Pole at Road America, Matching Zanardi's 1996–97 Streak
Alex Palou put Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 10 Honda on pole position for Sunday's XPEL Grand Prix at Road America with a lap of 1:43.6615, claiming his fifth consecutive pole award and his sixth of the 2026 season. The achievement makes Palou the first NTT IndyCar Series driver to earn five straight poles since Chip Ganassi Racing legend Alex Zanardi accomplished the feat in 1996–97. Palou's car had underperformed in Saturday morning's second practice session, where he placed sixth, prompting the team to revert to his Friday chassis setup ahead of qualifying. David Malukas will start alongside Palou on the front row.
Chevy Valve Coating Issue Triggers Six-Place Grid Penalties for Ferrucci and Rossi
IndyCar officiating handed six-position grid penalties to Santino Ferrucci in the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet and Alexander Rossi in the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet ahead of Sunday's XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, after both teams made unapproved engine changes following Friday practice. Both entries had used a fifth engine this season, exceeding the rulebook allowance. Chevrolet identified a supplier issue affecting coatings on the valves, requiring engine replacements before mileage limits were reached to prevent further failures. Ferrucci dropped from seventh to 13th on the grid, while Rossi fell to 25th, the final starting position.
Malukas Lines Up Second at Road America as Penske's Complete-Package Praise Grows
David Malukas gave Team Penske a strong start to the season's second half by qualifying second at Road America, setting a lap 0.2927 seconds slower than pole-sitter Alex Palou. In his first full campaign with Penske, Malukas has been one of IndyCar's standout performers in 2026, and a Saturday RACER feature described him as becoming the complete package at one of the series' most prestigious organisations. Malukas sits third in the drivers' championship with 274 points, 68 behind Palou heading into Sunday. Marcus Armstrong and Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing completed the second row, with Marcus Ericsson and Scott McLaughlin rounding out the top six.
O'Ward Tops Fragmented Road America Practice 2; Power Red-Flags Session
Pato O'Ward led a fragmented second practice session at Road America on Saturday morning, posting the fastest time of the weekend to that point at 1:44.002 as the only driver running the faster tyre compound. The Arrow McLaren driver was followed by Marcus Armstrong, Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas and Caio Collet in the top five. The session was interrupted by a red flag after Will Power, in his first season at Andretti Global, ran wide and ended up in the grass. O'Ward entered Sunday's race without a 2026 victory and without a podium finish through nine starts, despite six top-five results this season.
Hughes Delivers Andretti Global Its 100th Indy NXT Win at Road America
Lochie Hughes delivered Andretti Global its 100th Indy NXT victory at Road America on Saturday, making a decisive outside pass on pole-sitter Alessandro de Tullio into Turn 1 on a restart with 12 laps remaining and winning by 0.778 seconds. The Australian's victory was the third of his career and pulls him into Indy NXT title contention, lifting him to fifth in the standings, 55 points behind leader Nikita Johnson. Josh Pierson finished second for Starchive Andretti while de Tullio of AJ Foyt Racing took third. The win marked Andretti Global's 100th in Indy NXT competition.
Surprise Players Emerge as IndyCar Silly Season Heats Up at Season's Midpoint
Contract uncertainty looms over several IndyCar drivers as the 2026 season passes its halfway mark, RACER reports. Marcus Ericsson is nearing the end of his three-year deal with Andretti Global, with at least four teams mentioned in discussions about his future. At Arrow McLaren, Nolan Siegel is expected to leave the No. 6 Chevrolet entry, with the team focusing on retaining Christian Lundgaard alongside Pato O'Ward for 2027. Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing have strengthened their renewal cases with strong first-half performances but have no publicly announced contracts beyond this season. Team Penske has all of its drivers signed through at least 2027.
Drivers' Championship
1. Alex Palou — 342 pts
2. Kyle Kirkwood — 293 pts
3. David Malukas — 274 pts
4. Christian Lundgaard — 246 pts
5. Pato O'Ward — 239 pts
6. Josef Newgarden — 238 pts
7. Scott McLaughlin — 222 pts
8. Felix Rosenqvist — 221 pts
9. Marcus Ericsson — 196 pts
10. Marcus Armstrong — 196 pts
11. Graham Rahal — 193 pts
12. Scott Dixon — 192 pts
13. Rinus VeeKay — 175 pts
14. Alexander Rossi — 152 pts
15. Kyffin Simpson — 147 pts
16. Santino Ferrucci — 146 pts
17. Will Power — 145 pts
18. Dennis Hauger — 133 pts
19. Louis Foster — 131 pts
20. Romain Grosjean — 117 pts
21. Nolan Siegel — 116 pts
22. Christian Rasmussen — 112 pts
23. Caio Collet — 99 pts
24. Sting Ray Robb — 89 pts
25. Mick Schumacher — 89 pts
26. Conor Daly — 24 pts
27. Takuma Sato — 20 pts
28. Jack Harvey — 8 pts
29. Jacob Abel — 6 pts
30. Hélio Castroneves — 5 pts
31. Ed Carpenter — 5 pts
32. Ryan Hunter-Reay — 5 pts
33. Katherine Legge — 5 pts
Teams' Championship
1. Team Penske — 591 pts
2. Chip Ganassi Racing — 576 pts
3. Andretti Global — 509 pts
4. Arrow McLaren — 507 pts
5. Meyer Shank Racing — 417 pts
6. Rahal Letterman Lanigan — 351 pts
7. ECR — 264 pts
=. Juncos Hollinger Racing — 264 pts
9. Dale Coyne Racing — 250 pts
10. A.J. Foyt Enterprises — 245 pts
11. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing — 32 pts
12. Abel Motorsports — 6 pts
13. HMD Motorsports — 5 pts
GT WORLD CHALLENGE
CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa: Stage Set for Spectacular 2026 Edition with Temerario Debut and New Qualifying Format
With action beginning in three days at Spa-Francorchamps, the 2026 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa shapes up as one of the most formidable GT3 endurance showdowns in years. Seventy cars from ten manufacturers—Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche—will contest the Belgian classic from June 24–28. Defending champion Lamborghini debuts its new Temerario GT3 in a 24-hour race for the first time. A new knockout Superpole qualifying format will crown the pole-sitter through successive elimination rounds. Jules Gounon, a two-time winner, lines up under Verstappen Racing colours alongside Valentino Rossi, Arthur Leclerc, and the four-driver Nürburgring 24 Hours winning crew.
Conway Reportedly Edging Toward Toyota WEC Exit After 11-Year Partnership
Mike Conway appears increasingly likely to leave Toyota Racing at the end of the 2026 FIA WEC season, according to Sportscar365. The 42-year-old has been a Toyota fixture since 2015, claiming the 2019/20 and 2021 WEC titles and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021. He also won this year’s Le Mans alongside Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries. When asked about his future in the lead-up to Le Mans, Conway told Sportscar365: “I can’t quite say yet. I have my plans of things I’m going to do, but I can’t reveal anything until later in the year.” Ford and McLaren are named as potential destinations for the Irishman.
Asian Le Mans Series Could Move Entire 2026–27 Season to Europe Amid Middle East Uncertainty
The 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series faces a potential wholesale relocation to Europe after championship director Frederic Lequien disclosed at Le Mans that the series may be unable to secure its traditional Middle East venues. Lequien set a mid-summer deadline to confirm whether the planned doubleheader weekends in the United Arab Emirates and a season finale at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit will proceed. If the Middle East venues cannot be arranged, the entire season would be moved to Europe. Separately, LMP3 is being phased out of the series for the upcoming campaign and replaced with a new Asian Le Mans Cup support category, marking a significant structural change to the programme.
Michelin 12 Hours of Nürburgring Draws 33-Car Grid for Inaugural Running in July
The inaugural Michelin 12 Hours of Nürburgring has attracted a 33-car field as the Michelin 24H European Series approaches its penultimate round of 2026, scheduled for July 3–5 at the legendary German circuit. The event marks the first time the Creventic-operated series has staged a 12-hour race at the Nürburgring, bringing its multi-class format—spanning GT3 and prototype categories—to a venue renowned for endurance racing. Thirty-three cars will contest the race across the series’ standard class structure. The Nürburgring event falls the week after the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, delivering back-to-back major European endurance weekends through early July.
WEC Hypercar — Drivers
1. Kobayashi / Conway / de Vries — 75 pts
2. Rast / Frijns — 71 pts
3. van der Linde — 61 pts
4. Hartley / Hirakawa / Buemi — 56 pts
5. Pier Guidi / Giovinazzi / Calado — 39 pts
1. Toyota — 132 pts
2. BMW — 96 pts
3. Ferrari — 62 pts
4. Alpine — 38 pts
5. Cadillac — 32 pts
6. Aston Martin — 26 pts
7. Peugeot — 15 pts
8. Genesis — 6 pts
IMSA GTP — Drivers
1. Jack Aitken — 1,760 pts
2. Laurin Heinrich — 1,616 pts
3. Julien Andlauer — 1,606 pts
4. Felipe Nasr — 1,606 pts
1. Cadillac — 1,797 pts
2. Porsche — 1,772 pts
3. Acura — 1,676 pts
PLAYOFFS
Raleigh Turns Out Record 150,000 Fans for Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Championship Celebration
An estimated 150,000 fans filled downtown Raleigh on Saturday to celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup championship, the largest parade in the city’s history. The procession wound from Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets through downtown to Davie Street, followed by a rally at City Plaza, with overflow crowds stretching down Fayetteville Street. Captain Jordan Staal, rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi, and teammates including Sebastian Aho addressed cheering fans alongside coach Rod Brind’Amour. The Hurricanes captured their second franchise title on June 14, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3–0 in Game 6. Carolina last won the Stanley Cup in 2006.
By the Numbers: Hurricanes’ 16–3 Playoff Run Among Most Dominant Since 1988
As Carolina celebrated its championship parade Saturday, the numbers from the Hurricanes’ postseason run tell a historic story. Carolina finished the 2026 playoffs at 16–3 — the fewest losses by a Stanley Cup champion since the 1987–88 Edmonton Oilers went 16–2. The Hurricanes swept Ottawa in Round 1, then swept Philadelphia, before eliminating Montreal in five games in the Eastern Conference Final. The Cup Final concluded June 14 with a 3–0 shutout by rookie Brandon Bussi, who became only the third goaltender in NHL history to record a Cup-clinching shutout in his first NHL season, joining Earl Robertson (1937) and Andy Aitkenhead (1933).
Hockey Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026 on Monday — Bergeron, Price Lead Candidates
The Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee meets Monday in Toronto to announce the Class of 2026, with the selection broadcast live at 3 p.m. ET on TSN. Patrice Bergeron headlines the candidates in his first year of eligibility — the Boston Bruins center holds the NHL record with six Selke Trophy wins and was a finalist for twelve consecutive seasons. Goaltender Carey Price is eligible for the second consecutive year and remains a strong contender after missing the call in 2025. Rod Brind’Amour, who won the Stanley Cup as both captain and head coach of Carolina, is also among this year’s notable candidates.
NHL Draft Opens in Five Days: Maple Leafs to Take McKenna First Overall in Buffalo
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft opens at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Friday, June 26, with Round 1 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the first overall pick and have confirmed to Penn State forward Gavin McKenna that he is their selection. McKenna, 18, recorded 51 points in 35 games at Penn State and projects as an elite offensive playmaker. The San Jose Sharks select second overall, with Frölunda forward Ivar Stenberg and Brantford center Caleb Malhotra projected among the top five choices. Rounds 2–7 follow Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. ET.
Panthers Make Formal Offer for Larkin: Lundell, Ninth Pick, and Cossa on the Table
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request took a significant step forward this week, with the Florida Panthers emerging as the frontrunner ahead of the June 26 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Panthers have submitted a formal offer to Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman. According to NHL Trade Rumors, the framework centers on forward Anton Lundell, Florida’s ninth overall pick, a 2026 second-round selection, and goaltender Sebastian Cossa. Larkin, 29, carries an $8.7 million annual cap hit through 2030–31 and holds a full no-trade clause. Florida, Vegas, and Minnesota remain the three preferred destinations on his initial list.
Captain Forever: Jonathan Toews Retires After 16 NHL Seasons and Three Stanley Cups
Jonathan Toews, one of the most decorated captains in NHL history, announced his retirement Friday at the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex in Winnipeg, the city where he grew up. The 38-year-old finished his career with three Stanley Cup championships — all with the Chicago Blackhawks — and 921 points in 1,149 NHL games. After missing two full seasons managing Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and Long COVID, Toews signed with the Winnipeg Jets for one final campaign, recording 29 points in 82 games in 2025–26. He won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014, and led Canada to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey title.
RECAP
Bryce Harper Hits for the Cycle, Schwarber Slugs Three HRs as Phillies Rout Mets 15-3
Kyle Schwarber homered three times and Bryce Harper hit for the first cycle of his career as the Philadelphia Phillies routed the New York Mets 15-3 Saturday night. Harper collected a solo home run in the first inning, a double and single in the third, then a two-run triple to left-center in the fifth to complete the cycle. Schwarber crushed a 456-foot shot in the third, added a second blast off reliever Cionel Perez in the same inning, then deposited his MLB-leading 28th home run in the seventh, finishing with four hits and six RBIs. New York starter Freddy Peralta allowed 10 hits and 10 earned runs in 2⅔ innings.
Trevor Rogers Tosses 7-Hitter, Orioles Edge Dodgers 3-2 as Ohtani Homers in Return
Trevor Rogers allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 Saturday night. Rogers’ only blemish was a bloop single to center by Tommy Edman in the fifth. The left-hander struck out six, walked two, and earned just his second win in 11 starts. Blaze Alexander’s two-run double in the fourth provided the margin, with Samuel Basallo and Leody Taveras each collecting two hits. Shohei Ohtani — back after missing Friday’s game for the birth of his second child — led off the ninth with a home run, but Kyle Tucker struck out against Yennier Cano, who earned his first save.
Sal Stewart’s Six-RBI Night Leads Reds to 10-2 Rout of Struggling Yankees
Sal Stewart tied a career high with six RBIs as the Cincinnati Reds routed the New York Yankees 10-2 on Saturday, the Yankees’ most lopsided loss of the season. Stewart gave Cincinnati the lead with a two-run double off Will Warren in the third, added a sacrifice fly during a four-run fifth, then capped his day with a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Spencer Steer hit a three-run homer and Edwin Arroyo had four hits. Starter Andrew Abbott allowed one run over five-plus innings. New York went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and has now gone 10-6 since Aaron Judge fractured a right rib.
Byron Buxton Grand Slam Caps 10-Run Inning as Twins Demolish D-backs 16-8
Byron Buxton slugged a grand slam during a 10-run fifth inning as the Minnesota Twins clobbered the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-8 Saturday night. Buxton’s grand slam — his 24th home run of the season — gave Minnesota a 12-0 lead and tied him with Houston’s Yordan Alvarez atop the American League home run race. It was the third career grand slam for Buxton. The Twins sent 14 batters to the plate in the fifth inning, with Brooks Lee, Victor Caratini, Luke Keaschall, and Ryan Kreidler each recording two hits during the outburst.
Rookie Travis Bazzana Sets Career Highs with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in Guardians’ 8-1 Win
Travis Bazzana set career highs with four hits, two home runs, five RBIs, and three runs scored Saturday night as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Houston Astros 8-1. The 2024 first overall pick — who made his Major League debut April 28 — took Spencer Arrighetti deep on the first pitch of the game for his second leadoff home run of the season, then hit a three-run shot off Arrighetti in the fifth. Bazzana added an RBI single in the seventh. Kyle Manzardo chipped in a two-run home run in the third and an RBI single in the seventh, with Patrick Bailey adding three hits and two runs scored.
Blue Jays Score 8 Unanswered to Rally Past Cubs 8-6; Varsho Returns with Home Run
The Toronto Blue Jays rallied from a five-run deficit to beat the Chicago Cubs 8-6 Saturday at Wrigley Field, scoring eight unanswered runs to win for the fourth time in five games. Daulton Varsho, returning from the 10-day injured list, hit a three-run home run, and Kazuma Okamoto capped a five-run eighth inning with a three-run homer. Chicago’s Jacob Webb (1-2) entered with two on in the eighth and allowed consecutive RBI singles to Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to tie the game at 5. Jeff Hoffman (5-4) pitched one inning of relief and Louis Varland earned his 15th save.
De La Cruz and Johnson Begin Triple-A Rehab; Woodruff Set to Return to Brewers’ Rotation Monday
Two notable roster developments emerged Saturday around the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz and pitcher Pierce Johnson both began Triple-A rehab assignments Friday, with the Reds expecting to activate both players within days. De La Cruz has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain on May 31, while Johnson has been on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Separately, Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed that Brandon Woodruff will return to the starting rotation during the team’s upcoming series with the Reds beginning Monday, a significant development for Milwaukee as the NL Central leaders look to stay atop the division.
American League
1. New York Yankees — 43-27, —
2. Tampa Bay Rays — 41-28, 1.5
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 34-38, 10.0
4. Baltimore Orioles — 34-39, 10.5
5. Boston Red Sox — 29-40, 13.5
1. Chi. White Sox — 38-32, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 39-33, E
3. Minnesota Twins — 34-40, 6.0
4. Detroit Tigers — 30-42, 9.0
5. Kansas City Royals — 29-44, 10.5
1. Seattle Mariners — 37-36, —
2. Athletics — 36-36, 0.5
3. Texas Rangers — 35-37, 1.5
4. Houston Astros — 33-41, 4.5
5. Los Angeles Angels — 29-44, 8.0
National League
1. Atlanta Braves — 46-25, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 39-33, 7.5
3. Washington Nationals — 38-35, 9.0
4. Miami Marlins — 36-37, 11.0
5. New York Mets — 32-40, 14.5
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 43-26, —
2. St. Louis Cardinals — 39-31, 4.5
3. Chicago Cubs — 38-35, 7.0
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 36-37, 9.0
5. Cincinnati Reds — 33-37, 10.5
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 46-27, —
2. San Diego Padres — 37-34, 8.0
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 37-35, 8.5
4. San Francisco Giants — 29-43, 16.5
5. Colorado Rockies — 27-46, 19.0
RESEARCH
Transformer Co-Inventor Noam Shazeer Leaves Google DeepMind to Join OpenAI
Noam Shazeer, co-inventor of the transformer neural network architecture that underpins virtually every large language model today, announced he is leaving Google to join OpenAI. Shazeer posted on X: “I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining OpenAI.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded publicly: “noam is one of the people I have most wanted to work with since the very beginning of openai. only took 10 years.” Shazeer had returned to Google in 2024 following an earlier stint at Character.AI. His arrival at OpenAI comes as the company prepares for its initial public offering.
Nobel Laureate John Jumper Leaves DeepMind After Nine Years to Join Anthropic
Nobel laureate John Jumper, the youngest chemistry prize recipient in more than 70 years, announced Friday he is leaving Google DeepMind after nearly nine years to join Anthropic. Jumper shared the 2024 Nobel with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis for AlphaFold, an AI system that predicted the three-dimensional structure of more than 200 million proteins. Jumper said he will take time to recharge before starting at the Claude maker. Anthropic has not disclosed his role, though the hire aligns with the company’s push into life sciences and computational biology. His departure follows Transformer co-inventor Noam Shazeer’s exit to OpenAI.
FERC Orders Six US Grid Operators to Justify or Revise AI Data Center Power Connection Rules
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission unanimously ordered six major US regional grid operators to justify or revise rules governing how AI data centers connect to the electric transmission system. FERC issued tailored show-cause orders to PJM Interconnection, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Southwest Power Pool, the California ISO, ISO New England, and the New York ISO — regions serving approximately 200 million Americans across more than 30 states. The commission identified five reform areas including transmission application processes, cost-allocation mechanisms, and co-location arrangements. Grid operators must submit resource adequacy reports within 30 days and respond within 60 days.
US Claims ASML’s Top EUV Chip Tool May Have Reached China; ASML Denies the Allegation
The US Commerce Department told ASML leadership that one of the Dutch chipmaker’s extreme ultraviolet lithography machines — the only tools capable of printing the world’s most advanced semiconductor patterns — may have reached China in violation of export restrictions. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick raised the concern in recent meetings with ASML’s senior leaders. ASML denied the allegation: “ASML has never shipped an EUV machine to China nor have we shipped to China any component, module or equipment specially designed to be used in an EUV machine,” a spokesperson said. US officials told Bloomberg they have evidence of the shipments but have declined to share it with ASML.
Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Launches AI Phone Call Assistant and Smart Home Services Across India
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries announced at its annual shareholder meeting in Mumbai that its Jio telecommunications unit is rolling out AI services across phone calls, mobile apps, and connected homes. The flagship offering, Jio Call Agent, is an AI assistant that can join phone calls to transcribe conversations, generate summaries, and complete tasks such as booking cabs, ordering food, and making reservations. Reliance has committed approximately $110 billion toward AI investment in India. Ambani is positioning Reliance as a national AI champion, seeking to replicate for artificial intelligence what Jio’s low-cost data plans achieved for mobile internet access beginning in 2016.
Signal’s Meredith Whittaker Warns That AI Chatbots Are ‘Not Your Friends’
Signal President Meredith Whittaker said in a Bloomberg interview that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude “are not your friends,” urging critical thinking when using AI tools. “These are not your friends. These are not conscious beings. These are not sentient interlocutors,” Whittaker said. She acknowledged using AI to format documents but said she does not pose questions to chatbots, adding: “I’m very serious about my thinking and writing, and I don’t want the process of working through an idea to be foreclosed or eclipsed by the response of a system that’s averaging what’s already out there.” TechCrunch covered her remarks on June 20.
Amazon Seeks to Sell Trainium AI Chips Externally, Taking Aim at Nvidia’s Data Center Business
Amazon is in talks to sell its homegrown Trainium AI chip to companies outside AWS in a direct challenge to Nvidia’s data center dominance. AWS AI chief Peter DeSantis confirmed the discussions to Bloomberg. Until now, Amazon has used Trainium exclusively to power its own AWS cloud instances. If run as a standalone business, Amazon’s chip division would generate an annual run rate of approximately $50 billion, CEO Andy Jassy wrote in his shareholder letter. Amazon’s second-generation Inferentia and Trainium chips can reduce computing costs by up to 80 percent compared to Nvidia’s H100 for AI inference workloads. Amazon shares rose 2.55 percent on June 18 following Bloomberg’s report.
CYBERSECURITY
Change Healthcare posts substitute HIPAA breach notice for 190-million-person data breach
Change Healthcare posted a substitute HIPAA breach notice on June 20, 2026, for the February 2024 cyberattack that exposed protected health information for more than 190 million Americans — the largest healthcare data breach in United States history. The notice fulfills a federal requirement when directly contacting every affected individual proves impractical at scale. Change Healthcare said it plans to mail written notifications to affected patients in late July 2026. The breach was first disclosed in February 2024 and forced the company to pursue substitute notification under federal HIPAA rules due to the extraordinary scale of the incident.
CMS to recalculate 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings after Clover Health court win
CMS announced June 18, 2026 that it would voluntarily recalculate 2027 Medicare Advantage quality bonus payment star ratings following a Georgia federal court ruling in May 2026 that sided with Clover Health. The agency said only plans whose scores improve under the revised methodology will receive updated ratings, limiting the practical effect largely to Clover Health itself. Analysts at TD Cowen estimated that a broader application of the recalculation would have generated approximately $500 million in additional payments for UnitedHealth Group, but CMS chose the narrower approach. The decision is expected to invite additional lawsuits from other Medicare Advantage insurers.
PCMA sues to block Illinois Prescription Drug Affordability Act for pharmacy benefit managers
The Pharmacy Care Management Association sued to block the Illinois Prescription Drug Affordability Act from applying to pharmacy benefit managers, Healthcare Dive reported in June 2026. PCMA, the national trade association for PBMs, filed the legal challenge against the Illinois law, which targets drug pricing practices of pharmacy benefit managers operating in the state. Illinois enacted the legislation as part of efforts to lower prescription drug costs for consumers and state health programs. The PCMA lawsuit seeks to have pharmacy benefit managers exempted from the act’s requirements. Financial and operational terms of the litigation were not detailed in the Healthcare Dive report.
Ensemble Health Partners to receive Thoreau Group investment after $32B New Mountain deal collapsed
Matt Holt’s Thoreau Group has agreed to invest in Ensemble Health Partners, a revenue cycle management company, according to a Modern Healthcare report published June 19, 2026. The deal comes three months after a planned $32 billion acquisition of Ensemble by New Mountain Capital collapsed in March 2026. Existing investors Berkshire Partners, Warburg Pincus, and Bon Secours Mercy Health will continue as backers of the company under the new arrangement. Ensemble Health Partners provides revenue cycle management services to hospitals and health systems. Financial terms of the Thoreau Group investment were not disclosed.
WHOOP and HealthEx partner to connect EHRs and biometric data within the WHOOP app
Wearable health company WHOOP announced June 17, 2026 that it has partnered with HealthEx to allow U.S. members to connect their electronic health records directly within the WHOOP app. The integration combines clinical data — including diagnoses, medications, and lab results — with WHOOP’s biometric measurements such as heart rate variability, sleep, and recovery scores to provide personalized health insights. WHOOP said the feature uses a privacy-first architecture in which members control which records they choose to share. The HealthEx connection is currently available to WHOOP members in the United States.
GAO says DoD and VA must improve cybersecurity coordination for shared federal EHR system
A Government Accountability Office report found that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs must define common goals and outcomes to ensure cybersecurity and privacy protections for their shared federal electronic health record system, Healthcare IT News reported. The GAO conducted the performance audit between June 2024 and June 2026, examining the joint EHR program operated by both agencies. The two departments share an Oracle-based federal EHR enclave that manages health records for military service members and veterans. GAO made recommendations for improving coordination between DoD and VA on cybersecurity and data privacy for the shared system.
Lumeris adds AI-powered symptom-checking tool to its population health platform
Population health management company Lumeris added an AI-powered symptom-checking tool to its platform, Fierce Healthcare reported in its weekly health technology digest on June 17, 2026. The tool brings AI-driven symptom assessment into Lumeris’s population health management suite, which serves health plans and health systems engaged in value-based care. The addition extends the capabilities of a platform already used by value-based care organizations managing large patient populations. Lumeris works with health plans and health systems on population health and care management. Technical specifications for the new AI symptom-checking tool were not provided in the roundup report.
DeepIntent rolls out agentic AI tool for healthcare advertising campaign management
Healthcare advertising technology company DeepIntent released an agentic AI tool for healthcare marketers, Fierce Healthcare reported in its weekly health technology digest on June 17, 2026. The product uses agentic artificial intelligence — a class of AI systems designed to autonomously plan and execute multi-step tasks — to help healthcare brands manage digital advertising campaigns. DeepIntent focuses on healthcare-specific digital advertising technology, serving pharmaceutical companies, health systems, and health plans. The launch adds agentic AI capabilities to DeepIntent’s existing healthcare marketing platform. Further details about the product’s specific functionality were not included in the weekly roundup.
HARDWARE
QuadRF Puts Phase-Coherent Four-Channel SDR in Makers’ Hands
The QuadRF project brings phase-coherent, four-channel software-defined radio (SDR) within reach of hackers and researchers. Built around a Lattice ECP5 FPGA and a Raspberry Pi 5, the RF board features four patch antennas covering 4.9 GHz to 6.0 GHz with switchable polarization, connected to the Pi via MIPI cables for high-speed data transfer. Multiple boards can be tiled into larger phased arrays. Compatible with GNU Radio, its standout built-in application is an RF camera scanning the full frequency range at 30 frames per second, spatially visualising detected signals. Developers demonstrated it tracking a drone in flight and distinguishing between the craft’s two separate radio transmitters.
Pine64 Launches PineVoice, a $50 RISC-V Smart Speaker for Home Assistant
Pine64 has launched the PineVoice, a $49.99 RISC-V smart speaker aimed at Home Assistant users who value local, private voice control. The device runs on the Bouffalo Lab BL606P, a RISC-V wireless MCU pairing a T-Head C906 core at 480 MHz with a T-Head E907 at 320 MHz. Onboard connectivity covers WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, backed by 32 MiB of pSRAM and 16 MiB of Flash. Hardware includes dual microphones, a speaker, USB 2.0 OTG, volume and mute controls, and four RGB LEDs. Pine64 describes it as a smart speaker devkit still in early-stage development, with wake-word detection flagged as a known performance limitation.
iFixit Teardown of Oura Ring 5 Exposes Smart Ring E-Waste Crisis
iFixit’s teardown of the Oura Ring 5 highlights the e-waste problem posed by sealed wearable devices. The $400 smart ring required extreme heat to separate its inner ring from the metal-and-epoxy outer shell, at which point its tiny 10.5 mAh LiPo battery had already popped from thermal stress. Further disassembly required damaging force, leaving the ring entirely non-functional and no longer waterproof. The teardown arrives as the EU’s February 2027 deadline for user-replaceable batteries approaches, creating pressure on manufacturers to fundamentally redesign devices like smart rings or exit the EU market. Nintendo has already produced a special Switch 2 variant for EU battery compliance.
ESP32-S3 Brings Smart Lighting Sync to Bambu Lab P1S via MQTT
A maker has added a smart external LED light strip to the Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer using an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, synchronising it with the printer’s internal chamber light via MQTT over the local network. When the P1S chamber light activates during a print, the ESP32-S3 listens for the MQTT message and triggers the external strip, providing matched ambient illumination for time-lapses or monitoring. The project is a clean example of extending a closed commercial 3D printer’s behaviour through its network interface rather than physical modification, requiring only the ESP32-S3 module, the LED strip, and access to the printer’s local MQTT broker.
Ghost Edge AI Sticker Puts nRF54L15 SoC into Paper-Thin Sensor Node
The Ghost Edge AI Sticker is a paper-thin, flexible sensor node built around Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54L15 wireless SoC, designed as an unobtrusive, sticker-mounted edge AI platform. The form factor is closer to a label than a traditional PCB, yet the nRF54L15 provides wireless connectivity and sufficient on-device compute for local inference tasks. The project targets applications where conventional rigid PCB sensor nodes would be intrusive or impractical, including smart packaging, structural health monitoring, and wearable sensing at scale. The nRF54L15 handles Bluetooth Low Energy communication and on-device processing without external cloud dependency, keeping data processing entirely at the edge.
Edgeberry Zero Carrier Board Gives Raspberry Pi Zero a Field-Ready IoT Foundation
The Edgeberry Zero tackles a recurring frustration for Pi Zero IoT builds: fragile connectors and inadequate power handling. The carrier board mates with a Raspberry Pi Zero and provides a robust power supply alongside a purpose-built interface connector designed for reliable field deployment. The goal is to give the bare Pi Zero a stable hardware foundation for IoT edge applications without requiring builders to source and assemble power regulation and connector circuitry from scratch. The project addresses the gap between the Pi Zero’s capable compute and its bare-board form factor, which lacks the ruggedised support components many real-world deployment scenarios require.
Inside a Cooked 10 Gbit SFP+ Module: What Kills These Network Transceivers
A maker performed a detailed autopsy of 10 Gbit SFP+ networking modules that began dropping frames after extended operation, running at 40 degrees Celsius even while idle. The teardown examined the internal circuitry of these small form-factor pluggable transceivers and investigated the thermal and electrical failure modes responsible for degraded performance. The analysis is useful for network tinkerers who rely on SFP+ modules in home labs or small-scale infrastructure, where heat buildup inside dense switch chassis can quietly degrade 10 GbE link quality long before a module fully fails. The hands-on disassembly applies the right-to-repair lens to networking hardware.
LAYOFFS
Google DeepMind CEO: Copycat Layoffs, Not AI, Are Eliminating Tech Jobs
Nobel Prize winner and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis pushed back against the prevailing narrative on AI-driven workforce cuts this week, telling HR Executive that companies eliminating workers to fund AI initiatives show a “lack of imagination.” HR analyst Josh Bersin echoed the critique, arguing firms are miscalculating by optimizing for cost reduction rather than performance gains. Wharton professor Peter Cappelli added that most companies are using AI as a pretext for layoffs driven by financial pressure and data center spending. IBM’s CHRO Nickle LaMoreaux offered a counter-model: early-career HR staff now train and work alongside the company’s Ask HR chatbot rather than being displaced by it.
Doomjobbing: Mass AI-Assisted Applications Are Overwhelming Recruiters and Burning Out Job Seekers
A pattern HR professionals are calling “doomjobbing” is straining hiring pipelines in 2026. More than four in ten job seekers now apply to four or more positions per session, with 16 percent spending under 30 seconds reviewing a posting before submitting. Nearly half of applicants admit they apply without reading the full job description. AI-generated resumes are flooding pipelines already strained by extremely low response rates—online applications receive a reply just 0.1 to 2 percent of the time. The average 2026 job search now stretches five to six months, leaving hiring teams facing unsustainable review workloads while candidates burn out from mass-applying with little return.
SpaceX IPO Creates 4,400 Tech Millionaires as OpenAI and Anthropic Eye Public Markets
SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut on June 12 minted Elon Musk as the world’s first trillionaire and left more than 4,400 employees holding stock worth over $1 million each, with 400 employees holding over $100 million. With xAI merged into SpaceX before the listing, the IPO reshapes AI talent retention dynamics just as OpenAI targets a September 2026 public offering and Anthropic filed for an IPO in June at a roughly $965 billion valuation. A survey of more than 1,500 AI specialists found the top motivators beyond pay include intellectual autonomy, ethical alignment, and meaningful data access—and that 42 percent have rejected job offers due to outdated technology stacks.
California Court Shields Workday’s AI Bias-Testing Data in Landmark Hiring Discrimination Case
A California federal court issued a significant ruling on May 29, 2026 in the class action lawsuit against Workday, denying plaintiffs’ motion to compel production of the company’s AI bias-testing data, finding it protected by attorney-client privilege. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler did order Workday to produce EEO-1 filings and OFCCP documentation, finding those records relevant to the alleged disparate impact claims. The case remains in active discovery as a certified class action and carries major implications for all employers using algorithmic hiring tools—establishing what internal AI performance evaluations may be shielded from disclosure in future employment discrimination litigation.
Four Ways CHROs Must Reinvent HR’s Role as AI Reshapes the Workforce
HR Executive and Gartner research identify four strategic imperatives for CHROs navigating AI-driven workforce transformation. First: accelerate talent supply speed to match competitive landscape shifts faster than traditional hiring cycles. Second: establish governance over human-machine work allocation decisions, which increasingly occur without HR oversight. Third: optimize workflow design, because AI tools consistently underdeliver when layered onto existing roles rather than redesigned processes. Fourth: transform HR service delivery through AI agent platforms that remove administrative work. The analysis warns CHROs focused solely on headcount efficiency risk missing the governance and workflow redesign challenges AI is now exposing at the enterprise level.
Trump AI Export Controls Block Anthropic’s Foreign-Born Researchers From Models They Built
The U.S. government imposed unprecedented AI export controls on Anthropic in June 2026 after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy raised security concerns with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 potentially enabling cyberattacks. Within days of the models’ launch, President Trump signed off on a global freeze barring foreign governments, companies, and individuals from accessing both models. Anthropic disclosed a direct workforce impact: many of its researchers are foreign-born, meaning the controls effectively prevented employees from working on the models they were hired to build. The company dispatched senior staff to Washington this week seeking a reversal of the order.
2026 Tech Layoffs Hit 185,894 Workers Across 267 Events as AI-Cited Cuts Accelerate
The technology sector has shed 185,894 jobs across 267 layoff events through June 19, 2026, according to combined tracking from Crunchbase News and skillsyncer.com—an average of 1,093 positions eliminated per day. Oracle’s 30,000-person reduction is the single largest event of the year. Notably, 56 percent of all layoff events—covering roughly 156,270 affected workers—explicitly cite artificial intelligence or automation as a contributing factor. Separate tracking by TrueUp, using a different methodology, records 399 events affecting 153,608 workers at 909 positions per day, illustrating the broad scope of ongoing tech workforce restructuring as companies redeploy labor costs toward AI infrastructure.
BOX OFFICE
Toy Story 5 Eyes Franchise Record With $165 Million Domestic Opening
Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 claimed Friday’s domestic box office crown with $71 million from 4,425 North American theaters, propelling the franchise sequel toward a record-smashing $165 million opening weekend . That figure represents the biggest domestic launch of 2026 and the second-highest animated opening ever recorded, trailing only Incredibles 2’s $182.6 million debut in 2018. Globally, the film collected $129 million from overseas markets on opening day, pushing the worldwide bow toward $275 million. The weekend eclipses the franchise’s previous domestic record of $120 million , set by Toy Story 4.
Obsession Crosses $300 Million Worldwide; Backrooms Overtakes Mandalorian and Grogu
Horror breakout Obsession crossed $300 million worldwide this week, cementing its position as Focus Features ’ highest-grossing release of all time. Writer-director Curry Barker’s debut feature, shot for just $750,000, has strung together four consecutive weekends larger than its own $17 million opening weekend—a rare Hollywood feat. In a parallel milestone, A24’s Backrooms overtook Disney’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu at the domestic cumulative, a milestone for Kane Parsons ’ also-micro-budget horror debut. The twin milestones cap a summer in which genre films have consistently outperformed expensive franchise tentpoles.
Focus Features Plans Full-Court Oscar Campaign for Horror Breakout Obsession
Focus Features is planning a full-court Oscar campaign for director Curry Barker ’s horror breakthrough Obsession , with studio sources telling Variety the campaign is in active development. The film’s case rests on multiple pillars: a once-in-a-generation origin story from a YouTube creator who made the film for $750,000, and a breakout performance by Inde Navarrette . Horror took a victory lap at the 98th Academy Awards, winning eight prizes—the most in the genre’s history at a single ceremony—but the Obsession campaign still faces an uphill battle, with industry skepticism toward box office hits and YouTube-born directors unlikely to subside easily.
Scary Movie Reboot’s International Breakdown Reveals Scale of Franchise Comeback
Scary Movie , the comedy reboot from Paramount and Miramax, has crossed $173 million globally in three weeks of release, with a breakdown of its international run revealing the extent of the franchise’s resurgence. The opening weekend overseas haul of $50.5 million across 53 territories was 75 percent above the franchise’s previous international opening record, set by Scary Movie 3 in 2003. The reboot, reuniting original creators Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans for the first time since Scary Movie 2, is tracking toward a final global run of $210–$220 million.
Robin Hood and Leviticus Post Modest Opens Against Toy Story 5
Two films attempting to carve out adult audiences against Toy Story 5’s dominant opening posted modest debut numbers this weekend. A24’s The Death of Robin Hood , directed by Michael Sarnoski and starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer in a revisionist take on the outlaw legend, opened to an estimated $2.5 million domestically with a C+ CinemaScore and a 38 percent definite recommend from audiences. Neon’s Sundance acquisition Leviticus , a supernatural horror film about conversion therapy, launched to an estimated $3 million in 1,076 theaters, drawing 79 percent of its audience from the 18–34 demographic.
Brands Embrace Vertical Microdramas as Cannes Lions Opens
Brands are pouring into short-form vertical video series as Cannes Lions gets underway in France this week, with a microseries costing between $100,000 and $300,000 for 60 episodes—a fraction of a Super Bowl ad budget. Range Media Partners announced a partnership with Google’s 100 Zeros to produce a fall 2026 slate of microdramas, with projects from The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss and American Idol creator Simon Fuller already in development. P&G has debuted “The Golden Pear Affair,” a 50-episode microsoap, illustrating how brands can use integrated storytelling to replace traditional ad buys.
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