Illustrator Stanley Chow discusses the creation and viral spread of his iconic drawing of Andy Burnham. Initially created during the pandemic, the image was adopted by Burnham, then widely memed, including by Reform UK, leading Chow to take legal action against them.
Despite recent China-US summits, great-power rivalry persists, fragmenting global flows. China's 15th five-year plan emphasizes high-quality development, tech self-reliance, and domestic consumption. Hong Kong, under "one country, two systems," can leverage its position as a "superconnector" and global hub for finance, tech, and culture.
US President Donald Trump signed a controversial MoU at Versailles to finance Iran's reconstruction with $300 billion. Critics denounced it as a 'surrender document' and a 'national-security blunder,' while Trump defended it, citing market upticks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
A US-Iran memorandum of understanding aims to end a costly war and reopen sea lanes, but faces significant challenges, particularly from Israel, which has not signed on and could derail the fragile peace deal.
Harry Kane scored twice against Croatia, including a retaken penalty and a header, to reach 10 World Cup goals, matching Gary Lineker's 36-year-old England record. Kane achieved this milestone in his third World Cup, while Lineker set his record across 1986 and 1990.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the "abolition" of parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement, transferring Palestinian municipal powers over planning and construction in Hebron. Palestinians decry the move as annexation and a violation of agreements, while Israeli officials cite non-cooperation.
Prediction markets are seeing increased institutional adoption for hedging risks like tariffs, with trading volume doubling. However, issues with liquidity depth and dispute resolution, particularly concerning token-weighted votes and contract wording, pose significant challenges for large-scale adoption.
Iran's national football team secured a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but faced significant logistical and security challenges. Players and coaches complained about restrictive movements, immediate flights after matches, and intrusive security checks, contrasting with positive experiences in Mexico.
Iran's national football team secured a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but faced severe logistical issues, including immediate departure post-match. Players and other teams complained about oppressive security and restrictive movements, contrasting with positive reception in Mexico.
England's head coach Thomas Tuchel believes the pressure of their World Cup opener against Croatia will inspire his team to perform at their highest level. Despite a mixed record against top opposition, Tuchel is confident England will adopt a competitive mindset, drawing energy from the occasion and their fans.
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has reached its lowest point since 1983, with officials releasing 8.9 million barrels in the past week. The current level of 340.3 million barrels is a result of ongoing draws to mitigate economic impacts from global conflicts, raising concerns about operational capacity and hurricane season vulnerability.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that ambassadors from the UK, Germany, and France offered no new proposals during a recent meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding Ukraine. Lavrov characterized their stance as an attempt to remain involved in negotiations, despite what he described as misguided European assumptions about Russia's position.
Brazil's 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening Fifa World Cup match has ignited a fierce debate on Chinese social media, with fans divided over whether the result is a failure for the five-time champions.
Australia's national ice hockey league, the AIHL, is experiencing a significant rise in fan attendance and global media attention, driven by the sport's speed, intensity, and increased exposure through TV shows and the Olympics.
A political journalist finds solace and a sense of collective optimism in the New York Knicks' recent success, using sports as an escape from the constant barrage of stressful news and the politicization of everyday life.
A Dutch court artist, Petra Urban, has received damages from PVV MP Maikel Boon after he used her drawing of two brothers jailed for murder without permission and manipulated it with AI to appear more menacing. Urban cited copyright and moral rights violations, emphasizing the need for neutrality in journalistic work.
Canada's national soccer team is poised to make a statement in its World Cup opener, with hopes of capitalizing on hosting the tournament to boost the sport's popularity. Despite key injuries, players express immense pride in representing the country, aiming to solidify Canada's status as a soccer nation.
SpaceX's IPO is set to be the largest ever, with new NASDAQ rule changes significantly increasing demand for its stock. These changes reduce the waiting period for new companies to join the NASDAQ 100 and artificially inflate the weighting of companies like SpaceX by tripling their 'free float' for index calculations.
A new study mapped vast underground fungal networks, finding they could stretch 750 million times the Earth-Sun distance. These networks are vital for plant life and climate regulation but are threatened by agriculture, with cropland densities 47.3% lower than in wild ecosystems.
Legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja's mortal remains were brought to his hometown Theni, India, for his funeral. Dignitaries including Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay and actor Pawan Kalyan paid tribute. The funeral is scheduled with full state honors.
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum revises exhibit language under civic group pressure, describing Imperial Japan's actions in China as 'invasion' and 'aggression', and controversially renaming the Nanjing Massacre as an 'incident'
Multiple critics analyze Steven Spielberg's filmography, highlighting his impact, style, and notable works across genres.
Andy Burnham said he intends to seek the highest office if he wins support, publicly signalling an ambition to challenge Keir Starmer. Starmer responded that he would not walk away from his mandate.
Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel 'Persepolis' uses seemingly naive black-and-white drawings to depict the brutal reality of life in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. An episode illustrates "virtue terror" as a system, showing a man chased to his death by police for attending a party with women.
