36 million Italians are expected to take holidays in summer 2026, with a strong preference for domestic destinations due to international conflicts and rising costs. The average vacation will last around 10 days, with the sea being the most popular destination.
Jessie J, Jessica Cornish, is finding success in China's music market, performing on the show "Singer" and adapting lyrics to local cities. The Chinese market, strengthened by copyright laws and post-Covid industry growth, is lucrative for Western artists like Westlife and Charli XCX, who adapt to local preferences for melody and vocal technique, despite challenges like censorship and tattoo visibility rules.
Thousands of Australians are descending on Vancouver for the World Cup, drawn by the city's resemblance to home and a significant expat community. From fan festivals to local businesses, Australian culture is making its mark on the Canadian city.
Brazilian footballer Rodrygo reflects on his journey to the World Cup, overcoming a serious knee injury sustained in March. Despite missing the tournament, he plans to support the Seleção from the US, drawing strength from family, club, and national team support.
SpaceX's IPO has propelled its valuation past $2 trillion, making founder Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. Musk stated the company's ambition is to make space travel accessible to everyone, enabling journeys to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Two young Australian friends, Fletcher Crowley and Lachie Bennett, are "piggybacking the world" to make travel accessible for people with disabilities. Fletcher, who is paraplegic, is carried by Lachie to overcome accessibility barriers, sharing their adventures on social media to inspire others.
Japan's distinct approach to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including maintaining contact with Moscow and seeking energy imports, has been noted by European governments and NATO nations. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi defended Tokyo's outreach, emphasizing the importance of dialogue during conflict. A politician from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been attempting to arrange a meeting between the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers. Japan is also reportedly close to an agreement with the US to continue importing energy from Russia's Sakhalin 2 project.
Ed Sheeran's recent Instagram post praising Allan Taylor's 1978 album 'The Traveller,' discovered in a New York record store, has brought unexpected attention to the 80-year-old folk singer. The album is now available on Spotify, and the two artists have spoken, with Taylor finding Sheeran 'down-to-earth' and 'interesting.'
Iran's World Cup team faces political challenges as they compete in the US amid ongoing hostilities. The team's participation is complicated by visa issues, ideological disputes, and protests against the Iranian regime.
South Korea's justice ministry has imposed a travel ban on Roh Tae-ak, former head of the National Election Commission (NEC), and other officials. This action follows a probe into ballot shortages during recent local elections, which temporarily halted voting at 26 polling stations nationwide.
Philippine President Marcos is set to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan from June 17-18, marking his first visit to Russia since taking office. The trip will be closely monitored by Washington and Beijing for potential outcomes on energy, sanctions-sensitive sectors, and broader strategic cooperation with Moscow.
BTS's global fanbase, ARMY, is expected to contribute significantly to South Korea's economy through tourism and spending, with predictions of up to 0.35% annual GDP contribution by 2040, despite risks from geopolitics and fan behavior unpredictability.
Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay missed the team bus to their Boston hotel due to an upset stomach, traveling separately with a doctor as a precaution ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti on Saturday.
Mexico opened the World Cup with a win against South Africa, fueled by a passionate home crowd at the Azteca stadium despite logistical challenges. Shakira headlined the opening ceremony, and the team's strong start suggests they could pose a challenge in later rounds.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has given his players significant time off before the World Cup, trusting them not to abuse the freedom. He also revealed Jude Bellingham could be used as a No. 9 during the tournament.
Germany's World Cup squad is covering bus travel costs for 600 fans to attend their match against Ecuador in New Jersey, due to a sharp increase in transportation prices. The team's captain, Joshua Kimmich, and his teammates will fund the initiative.
German World Cup players are covering bus travel costs for 600 fans to attend their match against Ecuador in New Jersey, after sharp increases in public transport fares sparked fan outrage.
Pool, a new app, uses AI to organize screenshots saved on phones, turning digital clutter into categorized 'pools.' It helps users rediscover saved content like products or recipes and find original links, aiming to make personal data sets more accessible for AI.
Hopes for a significant boost to US travel and tourism from the World Cup have not materialized, with hotels seeing lower-than-expected bookings and a drop in air travel due to high ticket prices. Analysts attribute this to weaker enthusiasm compared to previous tournaments, increased costs, visa difficulties, and logistical challenges.
Pet dogs can once again travel from the U.S. to Mexico after a brief ban due to concerns over the New World screwworm parasite. The USDA updated guidance, allowing previously established procedures to resume.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, will officiate the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on August 12. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated the decision aims to honor Artan's skills and connect people through football.
The 2026 World Cup begins with Mexico vs. South Africa, facing 80% rain probability. Meanwhile, Ivorian fans are denied US visas, and a Somali referee, banned from the US, is appointed for the European Super Cup.
Etihad Airways has launched new seasonal routes to Krakow, Palma de Mallorca, and Zanzibar, and restarted flights to Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, Nice, and Al Alamein. Passengers on inaugural flights receive a limited-edition travel kit.
A signalling equipment failure near Po Lam station on Hong Kong's Tseung Kwan O line caused travel delays of 10-15 minutes during Thursday's evening rush hour. Normal service gradually resumed after the fault was fixed between 5:57 PM and 7:11 PM.
