Despite China's men's team not participating, a World Cup betting frenzy has gripped mainland China, with sales of Football Lottery tickets reaching $950 million last week. Shops report a surge in business, with customers, many young, studying odds and placing bets on various match outcomes.
Russia's crude oil and petroleum product exports reached 7.35 million barrels per day in May 2026, a 0.14% increase from April, despite a 3.26% revenue drop to $20.79 billion due to lower energy prices.
Leaked financial documents reveal OpenAI's revenue surged from $3.7B in 2024 to $13.07B in 2025, but expenses, particularly R&D, grew even faster, leading to significant operating losses. The company aims for profitability by 2030.
Kuwait has launched a new 15-year residency program for eligible foreign investors, business owners, and senior executives to attract global capital and talent. The initiative aims to boost FDI, create jobs, and diversify the economy away from oil, aligning with regional trends like the UAE's Golden Visa.
President Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wines and champagnes in response to France's 3% digital services tax on tech giants. He urged President Macron to abolish the tax to avoid the tariffs.
Wes Streeting is preparing a Labour leadership bid focused on attracting global talent through a "global talent programme" and using North Sea oil and gas tax revenues to cut energy bills. He criticizes the US for deterring scientists and AI experts, vowing to welcome them to Britain.
Russia's budget revenues reached over 37 trillion rubles in 2025, with non-oil and gas revenues comprising more than three-quarters of the total, according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
France's tax revenue from alcohol and tobacco fell by 25% in the first quarter of 2026, totaling €3 billion compared to €4 billion in the same period last year. This significant drop, despite a 2% increase in other tax revenues, is attributed to a combination of factors including a calendar effect and a 6% decline in tobacco taxes and 10% in alcohol taxes.
ITV anticipates the World Cup will be its most profitable sports broadcast, projecting advertising revenues 30% higher than Euro 2024. The expanded tournament offers six weeks of high viewership, attracting a diverse range of advertisers, including tech giants and new entrants to TV advertising.
ITV anticipates the World Cup will be its most profitable sports broadcast, projecting significant advertising revenue. The expanded tournament offers a "six-week summer Super Bowl moment" for advertisers, attracting new brands and premium ad slots.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed Somali referee Omar Artan's denied entry to the US for the World Cup, stating FIFA cannot overrule government decisions. He also defended high ticket prices, arguing they prevent scalping, and expressed confidence in FIFA's legal standing regarding state investigations.
Tech companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok cite the US-Australia free trade agreement and threaten retaliation to oppose Australia's proposal forcing them to pay news outlets for content, arguing it's discriminatory and violates trade rules.
Saudi General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Al-Sheikh revealed new revenue figures for the film '7DOGS,' which leads the Egyptian market. Meanwhile, Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan claims his film 'Asad' is facing conspiracies, despite audience ratings placing it first.
Tottenham Hotspur secured their Premier League status on the final day, avoiding relegation after a tense match. Manager Roberto De Zerbi's arrival has brought a sense of optimism, with fans hoping this close call signals a new, more successful chapter for the club.
Tottenham Hotspur secured Premier League survival on the final day, avoiding relegation despite a poor season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi's arrival offers hope for a "new history" for the club, with a focus on rebuilding and European qualification next season.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey has urged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to disclose details about a £5m gift from businessman Christopher Harborne, specifically questioning its potential links to Russia-connected profits and the impact of geopolitical events on Harborne's company, AML Global.
Ukrainian drones struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia, over 800km inside the country, causing a fire and killing two people. President Zelenskyy stated this is part of a broader plan targeting Russian oil revenues amid escalating attacks.
Two sisters from Hamburg, Katharina Decker and Daniela Sichting, have built a successful business with their "Super Streusel" brand, generating multi-million euro revenues from colorful sprinkle mixes and baking decorations. They compete against larger companies like Dr. Oetker and a local competitor, "Happy Sprinkles," by focusing on community building, Instagram marketing, and unique product offerings.
Nvidia reported strong quarterly results, exceeding Wall Street expectations with net income of $58.32bn and revenue of $81.62bn, driven by high demand for its AI chips. The company also announced an $80bn share buyback program.
Truecaller has launched eSIM services for travelers in 29 countries, aiming to diversify revenue streams beyond advertising. The move leverages its existing user base of over 500 million to acquire new customers for the travel eSIM product, which offers plans ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB. India is notably absent due to strict regulations. This launch follows recent job cuts and disappointing Q1 2026 financial results, with net sales dropping 27% and ad revenues declining 44%.
Top tennis players will protest prize money at the French Open by limiting media appearances, demanding a larger share of tournament revenues. A 15-minute press conference walkout and refusal of additional interviews highlight their dispute with the Grand Slams.
Pakistan plans to increase its defense budget by PKR 100 billion for the next fiscal year, reaching PKR 2.665 trillion, as part of an IMF-backed reform program. The budget also projects a significant rise in federal revenues and combined government spending.
Alibaba and Tencent are increasing capital expenditure on AI, focusing on Chinese-made chips to alleviate supply chain issues, with Alibaba targeting cloud services and Tencent prioritizing internal demand.
South Korea's presidential office denies reviewing the distribution of 'public dividends' from excess tax revenues generated by the semiconductor industry's AI-driven boom.
