Culture Religion & Faith

Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday in Exile

Thousands celebrated Tenzin Gyatso's 90th birthday in Dharamshala. The 14th Dalai Lama, enthroned 1937, fled 1950 Chinese troops, establishing government in exile. He announced reincarnation plans, hoping to reach 130. Leading Tibetan diaspora's autonomy struggle, he's worshipped as Chenrezig while China demands succession control over his free world successor.

Culture Media & Journalism

X CEO Linda Yaccarino Steps Down After Year

Linda Yaccarino stepped down as X CEO Wednesday morning after protecting free speech and Everything App transformation mission, departure planned for weeks. Polymarket betting shows 22% odds no successor announced, 21% for CFO Mahmoud Reza Banki, 15% for Elon Musk, 8% for Nikita Bier, including absurd candidates Grok AI, MrBeast, Jack Dorsey.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Actor Julian McMahon Dies at 56 After Cancer Battle

Julian McMahon, son of former Australian PM Sir William McMahon, died aged 56 in Clearwater, Florida Wednesday after battling cancer. Born Sydney 1968, he starred in Home and Away, Charmed, Nip/Tuck, FBI: Most Wanted, and played Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four films, earning a Golden Globe nomination. Wife Kelly Paniagua confirmed his death Friday. He was previously married to Dannii Minogue and Brooke Burns, with whom he had a daughter.

Culture Education

Columbia Bans Israeli Professor From Campus After Confrontations

Columbia banned Israeli professor Shai Davidai from campus after Oct. 7 confrontations where he harassed COO Cas Holloway about anti-Israel protesters following Hamas attack. Previously blocked during April pro-Palestinian encampment, his viral antisemitism speech defended Jewish students against threatening atmosphere from student activists. Employment status unaffected.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Oasis Reunites for World Tour After 16-Year Hiatus

Oasis, formed 1991 and among Britain's best-selling bands, launches 41-date world tour at Cardiff's Principality Stadium Friday-Saturday after 16 years, drawing astronomical demand from 14 million ticket seekers for the Gallagher brothers' reunion.

Culture Education

Helsinki Arts University Study Redefines Global Music Education

University of the Arts Helsinki's Global artistic citizenship study by Professor Nathan Riki Thomson from Sibelius Academy examined global music degree program, intercultural arts camp, refugee community project involving performances, workshops, collaborative compositions. Research recommends curriculum integration, admissions reimagining, developing cross-border collaboration skills for empathetic global citizenship.

Culture Society & Culture

Tutankhamun's Tomb Discovery Marks 102nd Anniversary Today

Howard Carter and George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon discovered Tutankhamun's tomb beneath Rameses VI tomb November 4, 1922 near Luxor in Valley of the Kings after 3,300 years hidden. Boy King, ruling from 1336 BC with father Akhenaten, left 5,000 items including solid gold coffin and nemes death mask. Ten years excavation revealed treasures, 2,000 displayed first-time in Grand Egyptian Museum.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Black Sabbath Ends 55-Year Career at Birmingham Farewell

Birmingham hosted farewell concerts at Villa Park where Ozzy Osbourne, despite Parkinson's disease, and Black Sabbath concluded their 55-year career before 40,000 fans. The original lineup reunited after 20 years, performing War Pigs, Iron Man, and Paranoid with fireworks finale. Steven Tyler, Slash, Metallica, and Dolly Parton participated. Fan Stefano di Fiore queued since Tuesday. Jeff Lynne delivered his ELO farewell at Utilita Arena despite broken hand from London taxi crash. International attendees came from Ecuador, US, Bolivia, and Canada.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

James Gunn's Superman Film Launches New DC Universe

James Gunn's Superman starring David Corenswet opens Singapore July 10, launching new DC Universe after Christopher Reeve 1978 and Henry Cavill 2013. The 58-year-old Guardians Galaxy filmmaker's Los Angeles premiere showcased mid-20s Clark Kent inspiring ordinary heroism at Daily Planet Metropolis. Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane revive 1940s comics emphasizing truth, justice, protection as original superhero endures.

Lifestyle Travel

St Moritz Trademarks 'St Summer' to Boost Tourism

St Moritz registered "St Summer" word-image trademark through Swiss Federal Institute, investing five-figure sum. Tourism boss Marijana Jakic strengthens summer campaigns for the Graubünden resort, brand pioneer since 1987 under Hans Peter Danuser. Despite 140,000 summer versus 110,000 winter guests, stays average three versus five days respectively.

Culture Society & Culture

Texas Camp Floods Kill Over Two Dozen

Floods killed over two dozen at Camp Mystic in Texas Hill Country. Austin, Deen, Henry DeHart recommend evaluating emergency coordination, buddy checks, severe weather protocols for hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms. Camps reached out to families as tragedies are felt everywhere. Despite risks, camps develop independence, lifelong friendships, communication skills through nature immersion.

Lifestyle Food & Dining

Chef Creates Wedding-Inspired Spicy Summer Salad Collection

Ravinder Bhogal creates spicy summer salads inspired by her niece's 400-guest wedding with bhangra dancing and Thailand-Indonesia honeymoon featuring crystalline beaches, including summer vegetable salad with roasted peanut sauce, crab and mango rice noodle salad, pork larb nachos with tortilla chips, pickled cabbage, avocado crema, tomato tamarind salsa, lettuce leaves, prawn crackers alternatives.

Lifestyle Health & Fitness

Four Strength Training Methods Recommended by Exercise Experts

Four strength training options include free weights (dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, medicine balls), weight machines, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises (pushups, pullups). Internationally recognized experts and former competitive weightlifters Dr. Rafael Escamilla (biomechanist, physical therapist, Sacramento State University) and Dr. Stone (East Tennessee State University) recommend training two to three times per week, augmented with aerobic exercises like walking. Experts suggest medical checks and trainer guidance for beginners across all settings.

Culture Education

Trump Administration Cancels Harvard's $100 Million Federal Contracts

Trump administration canceled Harvard's $100 million federal contracts, threatens $3 billion additional cuts and tax-exempt status revocation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked F-1/J-1 visas for 6,800 international students facing deportation. Judge Burroughs hears Boston court case.

Culture Religion & Faith

Karachi Youth Unite Across Faiths During Ashura Observance

In Karachi, youngsters gather bricks and wood, stirring Haleem cauldrons overnight along procession routes during 9th-10th Muharram and Ashura. Sunnis cook this slow-cooked stew for Shia brothers through Niaz distribution, symbolizing interfaith unity.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Comedian Ed Night Roasts Modern Trends in New Show

Ed Night delivers scolding hot takes on astrology, unhinged customs, small plates, mullets, plane clapping in Overrated or Underrated, promoting 'The Plunge' tour and August Edinburgh Fringe show.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

National Gallery Faces 40-Year Rubens Attribution Battle

London's National Gallery Room 15 displays disputed Rubens Samson and Delilah painting (catalog NG6461). Art historian Doxiadis leads international critics in 40-year authorship battle, publishing March 2025 book analyzing brushstrokes, applying skepticism to challenge museum's attribution.

Lifestyle Wellness & Mental Health

Gaza Veteran Commits Suicide After Nova Festival Cleanup

Eliran Mizrahi, Ma'aleh Adumim father of four, cleared Nova festival bodies after October 7 Hamas massacre, then served seven months as Gaza combat engineer despite being twice wounded. Discharged April, he committed suicide Wednesday. Defense Minister Gallant and Chief Halevi reversed Mount Herzl burial denial amid 10,000 reservists seeking mental health support through Nifgashim.

Culture Religion & Faith

Pope Francis Dies After 12-Year Papacy

Pope Francis died after 12 years leading the Catholic Church. 135 cardinals from 60 countries gather in Sistine Chapel conclave requiring 90 votes. White smoke signals success, black smoke failure, with 30 rounds maximum. Francis reduced Italy's dominance, increased Africa-Asia representation; 27% appointed recently, average age 69.

Culture Education

Monkey Trial's Evolution Debate Still Echoes Today

The Monkey Trial featured courthouse showdown between agnostic defense attorney and fundamentalist Christian politician defending Bible. John T. Scopes' Butler Act conviction for teaching evolution sparked culture wars over Ten Commandments laws in schools, say Vanderbilt's Hudnut-Beumler and George Washington University's Tuttle.

Lifestyle Travel

Merrion Hotel Crowned Dublin's Top Luxury Destination 2025

The Merrion Hotel on Merrion Street Upper tops Dublin's 2025 luxury hotels, featuring plush rooms with marble bathrooms overlooking government buildings, two Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud restaurant, basement spa with Grecian-tiled pool, steam room, Biologique Recherche and ESPA treatments, Drawing Rooms serving artistic masterpiece pastries for afternoon tea.

Culture Society & Culture

Coal, Canada's Famous Political Cat, Dies at 17

Coal, last Parliament Hill cat colony resident until 2013 closure, lived with Danny Taurozzi in Ottawa. The ebony-furred, blue-tie-wearing 17-year-old campaigned for prime minister in 2015, volunteered at care homes, protected sister Valerie. Cancer diagnosed March 2024, health declined Canada Day, died July 8 via veterinarian-assisted death with cat-brother Winston present.

Culture Society & Culture

Seine River Reopens for Swimming After Century-Long Ban

River Seine opened for public swimming after 100-year ban since 1923 due to water quality. Three areas opened Saturday at 8 a.m., 100 people entered 70-meter site. Water reached 20 degrees Celsius from scorching heat. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo promoted free swimming, climate change adaptation following Olympics triathlon cleanup.

Lifestyle Travel

Canadian Travel Boycott Slashes U.S. Flight Prices

Trade war tensions sparked Canadian travel boycott, slashing U.S. flight prices per Kayak data. San Diego dropped 37% to $433, Tampa 35% to $305, Fort Myers $311, Seattle $494, Los Angeles $351. Flight Centre's Amra Durakovic reports 53% fewer U.S. bookings as Canadians choose Mexico, Southeast Asia, Paris, Dublin, London. Domestic flights rose 25%.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Coldplay Returns to Rogers Stadium Despite Opening Night Issues

Rogers Stadium near Downsview Park hosts Coldplay tonight for first of four British rock band shows. Live Nation Canada addresses two-hour exits, warm water problems after inaugural Sunday concert. James Pasternak, Northcrest Developments held Wednesday meeting about summer concerts. Ticketmaster warns about cellular reception issues.

Culture Media & Journalism

Israeli Forces Arrest Veteran Palestinian Journalist in Bethlehem

Israeli forces arrested veteran journalist Dr Nasser al-Lahham, Ma'an News Agency editor, in Bethlehem's al-Duha village. Since October 7 2023, 228 Gaza journalists died, Al Jazeera was banned, while 22 of 55 imprisoned Palestinian journalists face administrative detention and torture.

Culture Society & Culture

Teen Surfer Rescued After Night Stranded on Island

Darcy Deefholts, 19-year-old Australian surfer, was rescued Thursday from North Solitary Island, seven miles off Wooli Beach, 300 miles north of Sydney. Concerned family contacted New South Wales police after Wednesday departure. Father Terry called it 'one in a million miracle' per Daily Telegraph. He received medical treatment.

Culture Society & Culture

Russian LGBTQ+ Activists Operate Underground Despite Crackdown

Russia's repressive laws and wartime crackdown hide LGBTQ+ community, but activists persist. Max, trans man in Rostov-on-Don, opposes Ukraine war. Margarita, gay woman in Yekaterinburg, runs underground organization helping LGBTQ+ people. NGOs operate with staff abroad.

Culture Media & Journalism

Former CBC Host Resigns, Alleges Editorial Independence Erosion

Former CBC News host Travis Dhanraj resigned citing editorial independence erosion, tokenism, and workplace retaliation after seeking conservative guests and diverse political views. Internal booking protocols created structural barriers favoring Ottawa-based journalists. Lawyer Kathryn Marshall confirms lawsuit and Canadian Human Rights Commission complaint plans. CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly categorically rejects forced resignation allegations.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Russian Curator Creates Virtual Museum in Belgrade Exile

Following Ukraine invasion 2022, St. Petersburg curator Ulyana Dolmatova relocated to Belgrade, creating virtual Museum of Unforgotten Things featuring generational heirlooms, serving 200,000 Russians in Serbian capital among 600,000-1 million total exodus, hoping for bricks-and-mortar healing space.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Metro In Dino Nears Rs 25 Crore Milestone

Metro... In Dino starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, and Neena Gupta nears Rs 25 crore box office collection on day 6, maintaining steady theatrical performance in Indian cinema.

Lifestyle Wellness & Mental Health

Berlin Therapist's Anti-Diet Video Goes Viral Worldwide

Berlin therapist Lucie Vallée's April 25 Instagram video "Who are you trying to be skinny for?" reached 90,000 views. The 31-year-old French gestalt specialist treating eating disorders identified hypervigilance, anxiety, shame symptoms from beauty pressures, criticizing Skinnytok influencers promoting unhealthy heroin chic standards.

Culture Society & Culture

Global Fertility Rates Plummet as Climate Fears Deter Parenthood

Birth Gauge analysis confirms 2025 global fertility decline continues as UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people, finding one in five lack desired children due to young people worries about climate change, economic instability, rising global conflicts, expecting worse outcomes than parents. United States fertility rate 1.58, Lithuania -12.8 percent, Latvia -11.5 percent, Slovakia -11.5 percent, Czechia -10.9 percent, Poland -10.5 percent births declined, creating aging populations crisis with fewer working-age people supporting elderly across multiple nations worldwide.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Korean Entertainment Achieves Global Dominance Across Multiple Platforms

Korean cultural supremacy intensifies as Squid Game 3 dominates Netflix in 93 countries, KPop Demon Hunters tops Billboard, BTS V and IU lead ArirangTV's 94-country survey. Maybe Happy Ending wins six Tony Awards on Broadway. Rookie AHOF achieves debut-week success while Blackpink draws 78,000 fans to Goyang concert. Culture Ministry doubles short-form drama investment, planning 5 trillion won culture-tech funding by 2027. Jason Bechervaise analyzes government strategies establishing Korea's entertainment powerhouse through sustained international appeal.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Wednesday Season 2 Trailer Sparks Fan Fears

Wednesday season 2 trailer shows Jenna Ortega fighting to save a main character's life, causing fans to worry about the fate of two characters in the upcoming Netflix series.

Culture Society & Culture

Viral Video Helps Shelter Dog Find Forever Home

Volunteer Kayla Lyman filmed Pony, a 5-year-old dog, reluctantly returning to West Valley Animal Services kennel after peanut butter treat session. Successfully adopted after viral video highlighted 2024's shelter crisis affecting 7 million animals.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Michael Douglas Premieres Economic Documentary with Family

Michael Douglas, 79, attended America's Burning documentary premiere July 10 at DGA New York Theater with children Dylan, 23, Carys, 21, from wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. The Wall Street actor narrated and executive produced David Smick's economic divide documentary, releasing July 12.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

AI Threatens 90% of Animation Jobs Despite Record Success

The highest-grossing animated film earned $1.63 billion, ranking 10th overall, topping Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay. DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg warned AI will eliminate 90% animation jobs within three years. Minions merchandise dominates keychains, badges, folders, phone cases while studios continue hiring despite teleworking challenges since 2020, with seventh movie planned 2027.

Culture Fashion & Style

Princess of Wales Honors French Fashion at Macron Visit

Princess of Wales wore £3,400 Christian Dior jacket welcoming Macron at Windsor, then dark red creponne Givenchy gown by Sarah Burton at Tuesday night state banquet with lily of valley embroidered clutch, Lover's Knot tiara, honoring French fashion.

Lifestyle Health & Fitness

Personality Traits Predict Your Ideal Workout, Study Finds

New study shows personality traits determine workout preferences, exercise consistency, and fitness routine adherence. Research reveals different traits respond uniquely to physical activity programs, with individual characteristics significantly influencing participant outcomes and long-term success.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Love Island USA Contestants Exit After Racist Content Resurfaces

Love Island USA contestants Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar left after racist content resurfaced. Ortega's 2015 Botox video contained Chinese slurs; Escobar's 2021 podcast featured racial language. Both received death threats and cruel messages, with parents running social media, issuing apologies emphasizing growth, accountability, and humility.

Culture Education

Gender Gaps in Academic Performance Widen in Equal Countries

Marco Balducci's University of Turku doctoral dissertation analyzed PISA data 2006-2018, revealing girls' reading strengths and boys' science strengths intensify in gender-equal countries. Individual traits challenge social explanations as women remain underrepresented in STEM, requiring nuanced policy responses in egalitarian societies.

Lifestyle Relationships & Family

Traditional Marriage Sparks Debate Over Modern Gender Roles

University dropout struggled with drugs, drinking before husband rescued her from spiked-drink party incident. After three months together, they married. Fifteen years later, he cooks, books holidays, sends January trips while she doesn't work. Friends tease her trad marriage; advice columnist suggests managing expectations.

Culture Media & Journalism

Putin's Wartime Crackdown Silences Russian Independent Media

Putin's wartime crackdown targets Russians fighting free speech, artistic freedoms and human rights. Independent journalists use pseudonyms, self-censorship amid repression. Vera, 21-year-old Belgorod reporter, covers Ukraine war consequences locally.

Lifestyle Food & Dining

Food Waste Recipe Turns Vegetable Scraps Into Rainbow Dips

Recipe transforms vegetable scraps into four rainbow dips using dates cranberries, cashew pumpkin seeds: red pepper trimmings with smoked paprika, squash skins carrot tops with turmeric, broad bean pods coriander stalks with cardamom, beetroot peelings. Steam five minutes, blend with white beans, olive oil, lemon juice. Store airtight container five days refrigeration.

Culture Entertainment & Arts

Glastonbury Artist Faces Police Investigation Over Gaza Chants

Bobby Vylan led Death to the IDF chants at Glastonbury Festival amid Gaza assault killing 56,412 people, prompting UK PM Keir Starmer's no excuse hate speech condemnation, festival organisers' crossed-line statement, BBC on-demand removal, and Avon Somerset Police investigation using UN reliable figures.

Culture Education

Ontario Colleges Cut 10,000 Jobs Amid International Student Cap

Ontario Public Service Employees Union reports nearly 10,000 job losses and 600+ program cancellations including nursing, environmental technologies programs. Federal international student cap caused 48% enrollment decline September 2023-2024 at 23 of 24 colleges. Hornick cites chronically underfunded post-secondary education amid trade wars.

Lifestyle Home & Living

Teacher Transforms 581 Sq Ft Condo in One Month

A teacher renovated her 581 sq ft two-bedroom Tampines condominium for $50,000 in one month, moving December 2023. Carmen Tang from Wolf Woof created mid-century modern design featuring galley kitchen, walnut finishes, sage green, muted tiles, hairpin legs, breeze blocks, wooden slats, recessed handles, wall-mounted storage, bedside tables accommodating parents' visits.

Culture Media & Journalism

Singapore Stories Preserved in Year-Long ST180 Celebration Series

Your Singapore Story, a special series celebrating lives, memories, dreams in every corner of country, features resilience tales and quiet morning kopi moments. These year-long ST180 initiatives preserve your stories for generations.

Culture Society & Culture

Bookstores Become Sacred Spaces for Modern Book Lovers

Book-lined spaces serve as secular temples for bookworms, from favourite red-brick National Library building on Stamford Road and red-hued MPH Bookstores to London's floral-scented Hatchards and bad gym stink Forbidden Planet on Tottenham Court Road.