Russia is positioning itself as a "third power" option for Southeast Asia amid energy supply uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries. Analysts suggest while energy may be an opening, Russia's long-term relevance in the region might not grow significantly.
The World Cup match between the US and Australia highlights a shared struggle for soccer's place in two countries dominated by other sports. Despite rivalry, the game serves as a mirror for their unusual sporting cultures and a lesson in empathy.
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.
Hollywood is producing more hockey-themed romance shows like Prime Video's 'Off Campus' and Netflix's 'Icebreaker,' but fans argue these straight-focused adaptations miss the point of the popular gay romance 'Heated Rivalry,' which drove demand for queer stories.
Toy Story 5 delves into the challenges of childhood in a screen-dominated world, as Bonnie Anderson's new tablet, Lilypad, threatens to replace her beloved toys and impact her social development.
The US Navy's Pacific Partnership 2026, its largest annual humanitarian mission, has launched with a focus on Southeast Asia. Analysts see it as an effort to rebuild confidence and project soft power amid rivalry with China.
The US has reportedly delayed adding Chinese AI startup DeepSeek to a trade blacklist, despite approval last year. DeepSeek's low-cost AI model and alleged support for military operations raised concerns among US officials and AI companies.
France and Senegal face off in a highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 opener in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match renews a historic rivalry, with star players Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané confirmed to play.
Europe's largest defense trade show, Eurosatory, highlights the continent's push for strategic autonomy, but major joint projects like the FCAS fighter jet and MGCS tank are faltering due to Franco-German competition and differing industrial interests, raising concerns about German dominance.
North Korea is strategically defending its nuclear arsenal by leveraging the global superpower rivalry, particularly between the US and China. As the Iran conflict concludes, Pyongyang anticipates renewed denuclearization pressure and seeks support from Russia and China to legitimize its weapons program and secure economic/military aid.
India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in a Women's T20 World Cup match at Edgbaston, setting a new attendance record of 18,814. Smriti Mandhana scored 68, and Deepti Sharma took 5 wickets.
North Korea is the biggest beneficiary of the "implicit rivalry" between China and Russia for influence, according to Patricia Kim of the Brookings Institution. She stated that neither Beijing nor Moscow is pressuring Pyongyang to denuclearize, which is a significant strategic win for Kim Jong-un.
India batter Jemimah Rodrigues discussed the unique pressure of an India-Pakistan match in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She highlighted fan expectations and the team's focus on winning their first title, using visualization as a key strategy.
Ice hockey romance novels and TV adaptations like 'Heated Rivalry' and 'Off Campus' are driving a significant increase in fans, particularly women, attending ice hockey games in Australia. The Australian Ice Hockey League is experiencing a surge in popularity, with teams like the Canberra Brave seeing sell-out crowds and increased media attention.
A Chinese academic argues that EU tech sovereignty in artificial intelligence may be an illusion in a world dominated by the US and China. The article says Beijing should use the current moment to make Chinese products indispensable to middle powers.
New Sevilla signing Jon Guridi inadvertently ignited a social media storm with his farewell message to Alavés, "Beti arte, Alavés," which sounds like "hasta siempre" and phonetically resembles the name of Sevilla's rival, Betis.
Canadian actor Connor Storrie, known for "Heated Rivalry," joins "Criminal Minds: Evolution" as Lance Kingston, a manipulative narcissist. Initially a one-episode guest role, his performance led to a four-episode arc in Season 19, showcasing his versatility.
Former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson advised Washington and Beijing to manage their strategic competition to prevent conflict, warning that distrust is a greater risk than trade imbalances. Speaking in Beijing, he emphasized the need for 'guard rails' amidst intense rivalry.
A gym owner was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Hansi, Haryana, on Thursday. In a separate incident, a gym in Delhi was fired upon, with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility via a social media post. Investigations are underway for both incidents.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed criticism over visa problems and high World Cup ticket prices. Meanwhile, tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova discussed their enduring rivalry and friendship, deepened by shared battles with cancer.
L'attore Hudson Williams, 25, è al centro di una tempesta mediatica per una foto del liceo con simboli razzisti, tra cui una svastica. Una fonte afferma che non era consapevole dei disegni tracciati sul suo viso durante un'evento scolastico.
Viswanathan Anand praises R Praggnanandhaa's recent win at Norway Chess 2026, suggesting D Gukesh learn from his perseverance to regain momentum before defending his world title.
The Trump-Xi summit laid groundwork for more predictable China-US relations, including on cross-strait issues, marking a turning point in managing their rivalry over Taiwan.
Bath secured a home semi-final with a hard-fought 24-22 win over Leicester in a physically intense, set-piece-dominated rugby match, with Thomas du Toit scoring a hat-trick.
