Trending
the day's top 10 · june 12th
storyflo · daily
Jun 12, 2026 · 23 min listen
Listen · storyflo · daily
the day's top 10 · june 12th
0:00-23:26
Live · Kokoro-82M
Former president Donald Trump sparked controversy after a recent interview in which he expressed enthusiasm for the current inflationary environment, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism as grocery prices climb for many American families. He argued that rising prices signal a strong economy and that consumers will ultimately benefit from higher wages and increased purchasing power, a view that clashes with the lived experience of households struggling to stretch limited budgets.
Economists warned that the rhetoric ignores the reality that inflation is eroding real incomes, especially for low‑ and middle‑income earners who spend a larger share of their earnings on food and essentials. Recent data show grocery prices have risen at their fastest pace in a decade, pushing food‑insecurity rates higher and prompting calls for targeted relief measures. Consumer sentiment surveys indicate growing anxiety about the ability to afford basic necessities, with many respondents citing grocery costs as a primary concern.
Political opponents seized on Trump’s comments, framing them as tone‑deaf and out of touch with ordinary Americans. Critics highlighted the disconnect between his optimistic portrayal of inflation and the tightening financial squeeze on families, suggesting the remarks could backfire for the Republican Party ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Some analysts speculated that the statement might be an attempt to rally his base by portraying inflation as a sign of economic vigor, even as broader public opinion turns increasingly negative toward rising prices.
The episode underscores a broader debate over how policymakers and public figures address inflation’s impact on everyday life. While some argue that temporary price spikes are a normal part of a growing economy, others contend that sustained high inflation demands concrete policy action to protect vulnerable consumers. As the cost of groceries continues to rise, the conversation is likely to remain a focal point in the political and economic discourse leading into the next election cycle.
Archaeologists have long struggled to piece together Iron Age burial customs in Britain because few skeletons survive, but the damp climate of northwest Scotland preserves bone better than most of the island. A recent study of a burial cairn at Loch Borralie, uncovered after erosion exposed a skull in 2000, offers fresh insight. The site contained the remains of two people—a adult woman and a younger individual whose sex could not be determined—both dated to between 50 BCE and 70 CE through radiocarbon analysis of molar teeth.
Detailed osteological, isotopic and ancient‑DNA testing revealed that the younger person’s cranium had been deliberately altered after death. The researchers identified a clean break at the base of the skull that does not match typical trauma patterns from accidents or violence, suggesting a targeted impact possibly intended to open the head. Similar perimortem fractures were found on both scapulae, hinting at a ritualized handling of the body.
Perhaps the most striking find is evidence that the brain was removed postmortem. The break appears to have been made while soft tissue was still present, allowing the brain to be extracted. This aligns with earlier hints of Iron Age mummification practices in the region, where bodies were sometimes treated to preserve or display them.
The study also noted that several limb bones had been sharpened, likely repurposed as tools or decorative items. Such modification of human bones for functional use is rare but has been recorded elsewhere in prehistoric Europe, suggesting a symbolic or practical role for the dead’s remains within the community.
Together, these observations paint a picture of a complex funerary ritual in Iron Age Scotland that involved deliberate skull opening, brain removal, and the transformation of bones into implements—practices far more elaborate than previously documented for the period.
Very little is known about funerary practices in Iron Age Britain, since few human remains have survived. However, the environment in northwest Scotland is more conducive to preserving bone from that period. Archaeologists have previously noted evidence of postmortem manipulation of human remains, such as mummification, and of modifying human bones into tools or decorative artifacts. Now a new paper published in the journal Antiquity describes evidence of postmortem brain removal in remains from that region, as well as sharpened limb bones, possibly for use as tools. The remains in question were found in 2000 at a burial cairn in Loch Borralie, near the most northwest tip of the Scottish mainland, after erosion revealed a human cranium. The excavated remains belonged to two individuals: one an adult female and the other a juvenile of (at the time) indeterminate sex; the cranium belonged to the latter. The authors of the new paper conducted a fresh osteoarchaeological analysis as well as multi-isotope and ancient DNA analysis. Radiocarbon dating of molar teeth from both sets of remains placed their deaths as occurring between 50 BCE and 70 CE. In the case of the female individual, the authors noted an unusual break at the base of the cranium that likely occurred near the time of death. It's the kind of fracture that one gets from high-velocity impacts, including vehicular collisions, sporting accidents, falls, assaults, or even long-drop hanging. But the known forensic patterns observed in the aforementioned scenarios don't exactly match the pattern of the Iron Age cranium, leading the authors to conclude that it likely resulted from a targeted impact. They also noted perimortem fractures on both scapulae.
Archaeologists have long struggled to piece together Iron Age burial customs in Britain because few skeletal remains survive, but the damp climate of northwest Scotland can preserve bone much better than other regions. A recent study of a burial cairn at Loch Borralie, uncovered after erosion exposed a skull in 2000, offers fresh insight into how the dead may have been treated.
The site contained two individuals: an adult female and a juvenile whose sex could not be determined. Radiocarbon dating of molar teeth places both deaths between 50 BCE and 70 CE. Detailed osteological, isotopic and ancient DNA analyses confirmed the ages and provided a baseline for interpreting the physical modifications observed on the bones.
The juvenile’s cranium shows a distinctive break at its base that does not match typical trauma patterns from accidents, falls or violence. Researchers argue the fracture likely resulted from a deliberate, targeted impact applied around the time of death. In addition, both scapulae bear perimortem fractures, suggesting further manipulation of the body soon after death.
Perhaps the most striking evidence is the apparent removal of the brain. The skull’s interior surfaces are smoothed and show signs of deliberate cleaning, consistent with postmortem brain extraction. Complementary findings include several limb bones that have been sharpened, implying they were repurposed as tools or decorative items. Such modifications echo earlier reports of Iron Age mummification and bone-working, but this is the first clear case of brain removal in the region.
The study expands our understanding of Iron Age funerary rites in Scotland, indicating that some communities engaged in complex postmortem practices—potentially for ritual, practical, or symbolic reasons—beyond simple burial.
President Donald Trump welcomed new inflation data showing prices rising 4.2%, saying the numbers were "great." He argued higher energy costs linked to the Iran conflict were temporary and claimed US forces were moving millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the conflict began, inflation was at 2.4%, but the closure of the strait of Hormuz has affected energy prices Donald Trump said “I love the inflation” after new data showed that inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.2% in May, the third consecutive monthly increase since the start of the Iran war and a three-year high. Speaking from the White House on Wednesday, the US president said that he was not concerned about inflation because of recent developments in the conflict. Continue reading...
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief for June 11th.
Here are today's top 5 true-crime stories.
Let's get into it.
First, from CrimeReads (Literary Hub). What to Watch Now, International Edition: Parasite (2019).
Story/Mood: Parasite begins in the home of a family living in a basement hovel in Seoul. The son, Kim Ki-woo “Kevin,” gets a job tutoring the daughter of the wealthy Park family who live in a pristine minimalist home behind high walls. Kevin figures out a way to sneak in his sister as the Park son’s art therapist; the siblings then play some dirty tricks to bring their parents in as the Parks’ driver and housekeeper—getting rid of the original staff in the process. The wealthy Parks have no idea that all their staff are now related. When the Parks are away on vacation, the original housekeeper returns and that’s when what seems at first like a creepy comedy veers into drama and horror. Parasite packs a punch. Its unexpected plot twists leave you gasping. Director Bong Joon-Ho explains: “When I’m writing the script, I’m just busy thinking about the situations and the characters… A lot of people comment on how I shift tones and mix genres… but to be very honest, when I’m writing or shooting, I’m never really aware that I do that… I think if someone were to threaten me, forcing me to maintain a singular tone throughout the two hours of one film, that would actually be more difficult for me. The mixtures and shifts—that feels more natural to me.” Most importantly, the mixtures and shifts work—they’re integral to the storytelling and the emotional impact of the film. The Look: The film takes place primarily in two locations—the Kim’s basement home and the Parks’ mansion. The contrast between the two spaces and ways of life are all about money: The Kims have to steal cell phone service; their toilet overflows, spewing brown liquid all over the bathroom; they have views of people peeing in the streets; whereas the Parks’ home is pathologically clean and has views of a perfectly manicured garden. Memorable Moment: When the Parks’ young son notices that the chauffeur and housekeeper “smell the same.” In fact, smell plays a vital role in the film. It’s a powerful class marker that you can’t erase, that crosses boundaries, and lingers when you’re gone. Crew: Director Bong Joon-ho says: “In normal life, the rich and the poor don’t share the same living space. On the same plane, there are sections for rich riders and poor riders and they are separate. The only time those of different classes can smell each other is when the poor work for the rich families as tutors, housekeepers and drivers.” He goes on: “I wanted to feature the class gap in a more delicate and multi-layered manner. So the rich family couple has been depicted as well-mannered, elegant and naive sometimes. But, looking at them closely, the camera picks up their hysteric side as well. The poor family seemed to be ordinary in a way, but they are the ones who deceived people to take away others’ jobs. People are not good or bad in their entirety.” Where to Watch: Streaming on multiple platforms. Other notes: 132 minutes. In Korean with English subtitles.
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief for June 11th.
Here are today's top 9 comedy stories.
Let's get into it.
First, from The Hard Times. Concert Sponsored by Spotify Lets Premium Ticket Holders Skip Songs They Don’t Like.
NEW YORK — Spotify debuted a live concert concept where premium ticket holders can skip the songs they don’t like, sources confirmed. “We’re taking the classic Spotify experience out of the digital and into this season’s hottest live shows. We’re taking the power of skips away from the band and giving it to the people. We’re democratizing the setlist—specifically, for those who pay for it,” said Alex Norström, one of the co-CEOs of Spotify. “It’s simple. At any point in the concert, a premium customer opens the Spotify app, proposes a skip, moderates a discussion with other premium customers, and spends one of their skip tokens on a vote. If the skip gets enough votes, the band stops playing and moves on to another song. Of course, additional skip tokens are available for a modest fee. If the band receives enough skips, they’re quickly escorted off stage and replaced by a second band identified by our matching algorithm. You’re going to love it.” Premium ticket holders are already leaving rave reviews. “I got such a rush from watching the poors cry when I voted to skip ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ at the Green Day show. I love that song, but I love ruining the show for my ex even more,” said Ainsley Calhoun, one of 1,763 premium customers at the Green Day concert. “Every third song or so, everyone who wasn’t premium had to turn around, cover their ears, and watch five minutes of ads on a giant screen at the back of the venue. Meanwhile, I bought enough skip tokens to outvote everyone so I could hear ‘Nightlife.’ God, I’ve never been more aroused.” Bands questioned whether the model is sustainable. “Spotify promised to pay us double for each skip. I should’ve asked what was being doubled, because we still only made 43 cents from the entire show,” said Tré Cool, drummer for Green Day. “I called Spotify personally to tell them this will bankrupt our tour. They said the money is nothing compared to the exposure that will bring people to our live shows. What live shows? We’re doing live shows right now!” As of press time, a Hellbastard show ended in a riot after enough skips brought Lee Greenwood to the stage. The post Concert Sponsored by Spotify Lets Premium Ticket Holders Skip Songs They Don’t Like appeared first on HARDTIMES.
Next.
Second, from The Hard Times. Grandpa Opening Up to Family for First Time Written Off as Senile.
Donald Trump abruptly backed away from his controversial new spy chief amid widespread grumbling on Capitol Hill. Is his notoriously tight grip on his party finally loosening? President Donald Trump’s second term has seen far less of the motion-sickness-inducing staff rotation that characterized his first term. But lately, as he lurches toward official lame duck status amid rising gasoline prices and an unpopular war, his team must be getting that old feeling again. Just look at the chaos surrounding the top post of America’s spy apparatus, where a lawmaker mutiny forced Trump to back down from an utterly unqualified pick. Trump shocked the intelligence community and Capitol Hill last week by choosing housing czar Bill “Little Trump” Pulte — a famously aggressive political attack dog with no national security experience whatsoever — as his temporary nominee to oversee America’s sprawling intelligence apparatus as director of national intelligence. But today, Trump announced a less controversial pick to take the job permanently: the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, Jay Clayton. It’s worth stepping back and considering how Trump got to this moment — his latest defeat at the hands of Congress. Pulte had built a reputation as an enforcer. He was unafraid to spark investigations of Trump’s political enemies on dubious fraud claims, or nearly throw down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during cocktail hour at a private club. His unwavering loyalty to the president was the major reason why this zero-experience guy almost scored one of the top national security jobs in the country. Congress was outraged. Democrats threatened to tank a key part of Trump’s agenda if Pulte wasn’t pulled from the position. American spies rely on a federal law — Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — to intercept foreign communications. The findings inform the president’s daily briefing and have been credited with stopping terror attacks. The issue has taken on increased urgency with the start of the World Cup and America 250 events. The law could lapse this Saturday, largely thanks to Trump’s previous refusal to replace Pulte. Clayton’s nomination is a step in the right direction for Democrats. But it still may not be enough to convince them to extend the spy powers, because Pulte is still expected to become acting director on June 19. “If there was a way that Tulsi Gabbard will stay in her position until we could get [Clayton] confirmed, that could be a way out,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “I’ve known and respected Jay Clayton for decades,” tweeted Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. “Had this nomination been made a week ago, lots of pain might have been avoided.” The drama and bad vibes inside the White House reflect Trump’s sea of troubles as he heads into the second half of his last term. Tulsi Gabbard (who is still the director of national intelligence, by the way) was stunned when she received a phone call two days ago from her successor. “Today is your last day,” Pulte told her, according to Axios. But Gabbard planned to leave her post at the end of the month. So, she dialed the president to double-check. “What day works best for you?” Trump asked her. She replied: June 19. The entire debacle sparked discontent inside the White House, according to a MAGA operative. “Knives are out in some capacity. I mean, people are stabbing people,” the operative told Politico. “Like, it’s chaos. The chaos is like creeping back.” The White House wasn’t prepared for the fallout from the Pulte misstep, an administration official told Axios. “Nobody seems to know what the fuck is going on.” Another senior official, however, disputed that characterization to the outlet. “This admin official is a dumb fuck [who] clearly is not in the loop.” Who’s the dumb one now? Sounds like that first official was right! Donald Trump backed off threats to strike Iran “VERY HARD” tonight, claiming once again that a peace deal is at hand. “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran, and we’re going to be subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days,” Trump told reporters… although there’s no particular reason to believe he’s finally right on the 39th time he’s made this announcement. A federal judge warned the Trump administration against reviving its $1.8 billion slush fund to pay victims of “weaponization” by the Biden administration. “Don’t play possum with this court,” District Judge Richard J. Leon said. Bad news, your honor: Trump’s team is still committed to paying out allies eventually, according to The Atlantic. Do you need a pardon? You’re better off going through influencers and operatives close to the White House, rather than the century-old process via the Department of Justice, according to more than 80 people familiar with Trump’s pardon process interviewed by Reuters.
When I began writing tonight’s Tel Aviv Diary entry, it looked as though we would once again be going to sleep not knowing whether we would be awakened in the middle of the night. The question hanging over everything was whether Iran would respond to the American attacks by firing missiles at Israel. I listened today to several well-known commentators who argued that we cannot “normalize” this situation. They are right. However accustomed we may become to living this way, there is nothing normal about ending the day uncertain whether sirens will send millions of people rushing to shelters before dawn. We are approaching three years in which various parts of this country have been subjected to waves of air raid sirens and warnings of missile attacks. Those living closer to the Lebanese border have experienced far more of them than those of us in Tel Aviv, but we have had our share as well. Not once, not twice, and certainly not just a handful of times. The danger may ebb and flow, but it never entirely disappears. Yesterday I heard David Makovsky, the well-known, veteran analyst and commentator on Israeli affairs, speaking on NPR. Makovsky, who works at a Washington, D.C., think tank and is currently visiting Israel, has devoted much of his career to studying and writing about the country. Having also lived here for a number of years, he is both a close observer of Israel and, generally speaking, a sympathetic one. During the interview, Makovsky spoke about how “Israelis have become accustomed to running back and forth to shelters.” Listening to him, I found myself thinking that he was missing something important. Yes, we have adapted to this reality. We have learned how to live with running back and forth to shelters because we have no alternative. But adaptation is not acceptance. However, no one I know wants to live this way. Nor should we have to. Nearly three years into the longest war in Israel’s history, millions of Israelis still go to sleep wondering whether they will be awakened by sirens before morning. Whatever resilience we have developed, that is not normal. Nor is there any clear path toward bringing it to an end. Wars rarely end on the battlefield. They end at negotiating tables. Military force can shape the outcome, weaken an adversary, and alter the balance of power, but sooner or later the fighting stops only when political leaders reach an agreement. The battlefield can determine the terms under which negotiations take place, but it cannot substitute for the negotiations themselves. Earlier today, President Trump announced that the United States plans to launch additional large-scale strikes against targets across Iran tonight. According to Trump, the attacks would be far more extensive than those carried out last night. Iran responded to yesterday’s strikes by firing missiles at American bases in Jordan and Kuwait. America’s stated objective has been to increase pressure on Tehran to agree to a deal. Iranian officials, however, insist that they will not be intimidated by U.S. military action. Just hours after signaling that additional strikes were imminent, President Trump announced tonight, Israel time, that he was canceling the attacks. Trump posted: Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening. Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly. DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The obvious question is: what has changed? Is there really an agreement, or is Trump simply trying to calm the markets? Just two hours ago, the conventional wisdom was that the gap between the American and Iranian positions was too wide to bridge. Now we are suddenly being told that an agreement is at hand. At this point, it is impossible to evaluate the significance of Trump’s announcement because we do not know what, if anything, has actually been agreed to. Until the details become clear, any serious analysis will have to wait. Israeli officials, meanwhile, say they are unaware of any new agreement to which Israel has given its approval. Just before publishing Trump said its a great agreement and that it would be signed in Europe this weekend. He said he spoke to Bibi. LIKUD TAKES AIM AT EISENKOT Likud operatives appear to be focusing increasing attention on Gadi Eisenkot, a sign that they may have concluded he represents their most serious political threat.
Send this story to anyone — or drop the embed into a blog post, Substack, Notion page. Every play sends rev-share back to storyflo · daily.
We’ve simplified responses to 👍 / 👎. Past comments are archived but no longer visible.
Next.
Second, from CrimeReads (Literary Hub). Darby Bozeman on the Allure of Toxic Female Friendships.