40 Times Celebrities Dressed Exactly Like Royals

Sometimes the best style inspiration comes from the royal family.

The ladies of the royal family have served style inspiration for as long as they've held the throne. Even celebrities have taken note—and we have proof. From Lady Diana's revenge dress to Meghan Markle's polished style to the Queen's colorful wardrobe, we tracked down the best royals-inspired celebrity fashion moments (plus a few times the royals have been inspired by celebs!) over the years.

Princess Diana and Emily Ratajkowski

Bike shorts are back with a vengeance and nothing makes that more clear than Emily Ratajkowski's nod to Princess Diana's casual workout outfit in 1995. The model mimicked Diana's look, pairing a cropped sweatshirt with black spandex and white sneakers to walk her dog in New York City in 2019.

Meghan Markle and Amanda Peet

During her 2019 royal visit to Morocco, Meghan Markle stunned in a blue patterned Carolina Herrera gown for her private audience with King Mohammed VI. Only a few months later, actress Amanda Peet wore the same dress to the Game of Thrones season 8 premiere in New York City.

Kate Middleton and Lisa Vanderpump

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a purple bow blouse and navy slacks for a visit to the Henry Fawcett Children's Centre. The polished business casual look reminded us of a style often worn by reality star Lisa Vanderpump.

Princess Diana and Jennifer Lawrence

We were drooling over the Chopard back necklace Jennifer Lawrence paired with her blush Christian Dior gown at the 2013 Oscars. However, it seems the Academy Award winner borrowed the styling tip from the Princess of Wales, who first draped a strand of pearls down back while wearing a backless red velvet Catherine Walker gown at the Back to the Future premiere in 1985.

Meghan Markle and Glenn Close

Fans freaked out when the Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a $120 Everlane jumpsuit during her royal tour in South Africa in 2019. Earlier that year, Hollywood royalty Glenn Close sported a similar belted black jumpsuit at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Princess Diana and Mandy Moore

Red and pink recently made a major comeback on the red carpet. But even if the trend is everywhere, it's hard not to compare Princess Diana's Catherine Walker suit and hat look in Kuwait on a royal tour in 1989 with Mandy Moore's Brandon Maxwell gown on the Emmys red carpet in 2019.

Meghan Markle and Priyanka Chopra

With Priyanka Chopra and Meghan Markle being such good friends, it's hard to tell who was inspired by who with these burgundy monochrome looks. The Baywatch actress coordinated her leather pencil skirt with a matching blouse in New York City in 2018, while Markle arrived at a Queen's Commonwealth Trust event in 2019 in a similar look.

Kate Middleton and Drew Barrymore

The multi-colored Tory Burch gown paired perfectly with Kate Middleton's bright orange shawl at a dinner during her Bhutan royal visit in 2016. Drew Barrymore styled the same dress with a bright red lip for the ASPCA Bergh Ball in 2016.

Princess Diana and Lili Reinhart

There's no doubt about it, silver lamé is a show-stopping fabric. From the texture to the eye-catching color, Princess Diana and Lili Reinhart prove that it's chic no matter what decade you're in.

Queen Elizabeth and Blake Lively

The Queen is known for her classic style, which often includes bright monochrome looks, but the neon green coat she wore to a garden party in 2018 was one of her boldest outfits to date. Clearly, Blake Lively got the memo, as she stepped out in New York City a few months later dressed in a head-turning neon green suit.

Meghan Markle and Nicky Hilton

Meghan Markel made a statement when she wore a red cape gown by Safiyaa to the Royal Albert Hall in March 2020. Nicky Hilton wore a similar dress to the amfAR gala in New York City in 2015.

Meghan Markle and Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner looked like royalty when she accepted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018—especially since only a few months earlier the Duchess of Sussex wore the same Roland Mouret dress the night before her wedding to Prince Harry.

Kate Middleton and Reese Witherspoon

Kate Middleton was not only festive in a black sweater, a red plaid pleated skirt, and boots for a Christmas party in 2018, she was also on trend. Only a few days after the Duchess rocked this look, Reese Witherspoon was spotted out and about in Los Angeles wearing a nearly identical ensemble.

Meghan Markle and Julianne Moore

There were so many things we loved about Meghan Markle's style during the Commonwealth Day celebrations in March 2020, but we were particularly drawn to her emerald Emilia Wickstead cape dress, which was strikingly similar to the Dior gown Julianne Moore wore to the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.

Princess Diana and Meryl Streep

The most underrated trend of the '80s was cropped and collared jackets. We first saw it on Meryl Streep's Oscar dress in 1980, and later Princess Diana wore a stunning Catherine Walker pearl encrusted jacket and evening gown to a state dinner in Hong Kong in 1989.

Meghan Markle and Jenna Coleman

Jenna Coleman (a.k.a. Prince Harry's ex) made headlines when she wore the same Emilia Wickstead dress his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, wore in October 2018. However, Coleman opted for a more summery take on the frock by picking up the dress in white.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle

Before her days as a member of the royal family, the Suits actress wore a short version of the ever so popular Diane Von Furstenberg "Zarita" dress. Then, in 2017, Kate Middleton wore a longer version of the dress in black to a gala in London.

Meghan Markle and Sharon Stone

Showing off her bump in a minimalist black skirt and white button-down, Meghan Markle looked stunning at the Endeavour Fund Awards in 2019. The look reminded us of Sharon Stones's chic satin skirt and button-down at the Academy Awards in 1998.

Kate Middleton and Abigail Spencer

We first saw this Alessandra Rich polka dot dress at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 2018 wedding, but it wasn't on the Duchess of Cambridge. Markle's long-time friend, actress Abigail Spencer, wore the look, and Kate Middleton wore it later for a family portrait in 2019.

Princess Diana and Sonam Kapoor

When Princess Diana stepped out at the Cannes Film Festival in a light blue Catherine Walker chiffon gown, people immediately drew similarities to a gown worn by Grace Kelly decades before. But in 2014, actress Sonam Kapoor's similar ballgown was reminiscent of the late Lady Di.

Kate Middleton and Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore wore the blue version of the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi tea-length dress Kate Middleton wore during her 2016 royal tour of Canada. Of course, the Duchess added a few royal touches, like her diamond maple leaf broach.

The Duchess of Sussex and Victoria Beckham

Fans of Meghan Markle's bridle print dress that the royal wore to Commonwealth Day in 2019 were thrilled when they realized they could purchase the frock for themselves—albeit, for a hefty price tag. Victoria Beckham wore the same dress a few months later to a wedding in Spain.

Kate Middleton and Rita Ora

As a royal, Kate Middleton attends many functions where the dress code strictly calls for a hat. As a loophole, the Duchess has revived the headband trend, which have been dubbed "hatbands." It's a trend that even celebrities have joined in on, as seen here on Rita Ora at the Fashion Awards in 2018.

Queen Elizabeth and Priyanka Chopra

Another Queen Elizabeth ensemble, another colorful monochrome set. This time, it's a daring head-to-toe mustard look. Despite the Queen originally wearing the yellow look in 1965 on a trip to Germany, Priyanka Chopra proved that it still works, wearing something similar in London in 2019.

Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie

From the Peter Pan collar to the belted waist, the pale blue Catherine Walker outfit Kate Middleton wore for a visit to the Netherlands looks strikingly similar to what Angelina Jolie wore during her visit to Buckingham Palace.

Meghan Markle and Cariad Lloyd

While attending the Invictus Games reception in 2018, Meghan Markle hid the cold-shoulder style of this green printed Self-Portrait dress under a black blazer. Fans were given a closer look at the dress's details when the very next day it was worn to the British Academy Television Awards by actress Cariad Lloyd.

Kate Middleton and Bee Shaffer

The Alexander McQueen floral printed gown that Kate Middleton wore to the National Portrait Gallery in 2019 comes in numerous variations. Not only did the Duchess wear a different style of the same dress to the BAFTA's in 2017, but Anna Wintour's daughter, Bee Shaffer, sported a shorter version at a benefit in New York City in 2015.

Princess Diana and Jennifer Aniston

During her first public appearance after getting engaged to Prince Charles in 1981, Diana's David and Elizabeth Emanuel dress made headlines for its revealing décolletage. Jennifer Aniston's Golden Globes gown was designed by Dior, but channels a similar look.

Kate Middleton and Sandra Bernhard

Kate Middleton looked feminine and sophisticated, pairing her black floral Leith x Orla Kiely dress with simple nude accessories in 2018. Comedian Sandra Bernhard had already put her unique spin on the dress, wearing it to an event in 2017 with eye-catching velvet booties.

Princess Diana and Anne Hathaway

The Christian Dior slip dress Princess Diana wore to the 1996 Met Gala will forever be iconic, despite the royal almost not even wearing the revealing piece. Decades later, Anne Hathaway took a cue from the Princess, baring all in a slinky navy slip dress for the premiere of Interstellar.

Kate Middleton and Dakota Fanning

From the one-shoulder style to the A-line silhouette, Dakota Fanning looked every bit as royal as the Duchess of Cambridge when she wore this Miu Miu gown to the Met Gala in 2018.

Princess Diana and Kitty Spencer

Princess Diana's black off-the-shoulder mini dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, is known as "The Revenge Dress." Decades later, her niece, Lady Kitty Spencer, wore a similar style—statement jewels included—to a London charity function in 2017.

Meghan Markle and Blake Lively

Meghan Markle is no stranger to the red carpet, so it's not a huge coincidence that the same Black Halo dress she wore to a Women's Empowerment reception in 2018 was also worn by Blake Lively to a CW event in 2007. Is this stylish belted dress, dare we say, a pre-royal clothing item?

Kate Middleton and Alicia Vikander

Kate Middleton is a big fan of her white off-the-shoulder dress by Barbara Casasola—she loves it so much that she's wore it multiple times! And the knit maxi dress proved popular with more than just the royal, as numerous celebrities, including Alicia Vikander, have sported it on the red carpet.

Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt

For her debut in Edinburgh, Meghan Markle wore an appropriate tartan plaid jacket made by Burberry. The entire look, from head to toe, was similar to one that Emily Blunt sported for an appearance in New York City.

Kate Middleton and Penelope Cruz

Actress Penelope Cruz added a little bit of flair to her simple black gown at the premiere of The Pirates of the Caribbean in 2011. From the updo to the glamorous earrings, the actress looked almost identical to Kate Middleton in her long black lace evening gown.

Princess Diana and Emily Ratajkowski

It seems like Emily Ratajkowski drew inspiration from Princess Diana once again. In 2018, the model was seen strolling around New York City in a casual pinstripe blazer that was strikingly similar to the one Diana wore to a charity event in 1996.

Kate Middleton and Serena Williams

Did Serena Williams base her royal wedding look on the Duchess of Cambridge's matron of honor Alexander McQueen dress? We may never know, but the blush sheath dresses and delicate side fascinators are awfully similar.

Meghan Markle and Sophia Bush

It was the dress heard around the world when Meghan Markle was accused of breaking royal protocol in this Judith & Charles mini tuxedo dress in 2018. Actress Sophia Bush wore a similar style to the Hollywood Foreign Press Awards.

Kate Middleton and Elisabeth Moss

Kate Middleton ignited the internet when she donned this Vampire's Wife ruffled emerald lamé dress during her 2020 visit to Ireland. The dress is known as a favorite among influencers and the fashion set and was even worn by Elisabeth Moss a few years earlier at a press event.

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Severe Heatwave Drives Dangerous Ground-Level Ozone Pollution Across Two Thirds of European Union

Record-breaking June temperatures catalyzed chemical reactions that exposed nearly three hundred million people to toxic smog levels, intensifying public health strains.

An unprecedented early-summer heatwave across Western Europe has triggered extensive ground-level ozone pollution, exposing approximately two thirds of the European Union population to toxic atmospheric conditions.

Ground-level ozone, a primary component of industrial smog, forms when high temperatures and intense sunlight accelerate chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides from vehicular traffic and human-driven methane emissions.

What is confirmed by regional atmospheric modeling and census data is that nearly three hundred million individuals, including an estimated one hundred million highly vulnerable children and elderly citizens, breathed air exceeding the European Union recommended maximum daily threshold of one hundred and twenty micrograms per cubic meter between June twenty-first and June twenty-eighth.

The scale of the pollution represents an immediate public health crisis, as ground-level ozone causes severe respiratory inflammation, damages lung tissue, and triggers acute asthma attacks.

The European Environment Agency previously attributed over sixty-three thousand annual deaths and billions of euros in agricultural crop damage to this specific pollutant.

During the late June climate anomaly, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed as the hottest June on record for Western Europe, more than seventy-two million people were subjected to extreme ozone concentrations exceeding one hundred and fifty micrograms per cubic meter, with peak levels reaching two hundred and thirty-three point seven micrograms in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Controlling this invisible atmospheric threat remains a complex regulatory challenge because ground-level ozone relies heavily on volatile organic compounds like methane, which accounts for one third of its formation.

While the European Union has successfully curbed urban nitrogen dioxide emissions over recent decades, the trading bloc currently lacks legally binding targets to reduce methane emissions stemming from its agricultural sector.

Environmental researchers note that the compounding pressure of high humidity, extreme temperatures, and elevated ozone creates a severe cumulative strain on human cardiovascular systems.

To mitigate immediate physiological risk during these escalating heat events, public health officials are advising citizens to restrict outdoor activities and avoid physical exercise during peak daylight hours as a critical safety measure.

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Bangkok Prepares to Host InfoComm Asia Twenty Twenty-Six Technology Exhibition

Thailand's Aviation Recovery Gains Momentum With Expanding International Routes

Nestlé Expands Local Agricultural Sourcing Through Smart Factory Investment

Fulltech Fiber Glass Invests in Specialty Materials Production for Electronics Industry

Thailand Strengthens Oversight of Data Center Energy Requirements

Regional Semiconductor Investment Continues to Strengthen Thailand's Manufacturing Base

Thai AirAsia and Tourism Authority Expand Community Tourism Initiative in Songkhla

Bangkok Launches Pilot Program for Card Payments on Tuk-Tuks

Lomrak Green Energy Expands Wind Power Capacity With New Lopburi Projects

South Korea's Doosan Electro-Materials Expands Printed Circuit Board Materials Production in Thailand

Taiwan Union Technology Expands Thailand Production for Artificial Intelligence Server Components

Japan's Datasection to Build High-Performance Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure in Bangkok

Thai Airways Wins Approval for Fleet Expansion to Support International Growth

Asian Development Bank Lowers Developing Asia Growth Forecast on Energy Market Uncertainty

Nestlé Invests Six Hundred Eighty-Eight Million Dollars in Smart Manufacturing Hub in Thailand

Thailand and Malaysia Open New Border Link to Strengthen Trade and Regional Connectivity

Thailand Approves Nearly Two Billion Dollars in High-Tech Investment Across Artificial Intelligence, Electronics and Clean Energy

Flight Instructor Jumped to His Death — Student Landed the Plane: "You Know What You Need to Do"

An experienced flight instructor in Argentina died after jumping from a training aircraft during a lesson, leaving his twenty-two-year-old student to land the plane alone. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Authorities in Argentina are reporting an extraordinarily rare and tragic incident in which a flight instructor jumped to his death during a training flight, leaving his stunned student to land the aircraft by herself.

According to reports from the South American country, Leandro Bertazzo, forty-two, jumped from a Cessna C-150 light aircraft on July 4 after taking off with his twenty-two-year-old student, whose identity has not been released, from an airport near the city of Córdoba.

The student told investigators that, moments before jumping, Bertazzo said to her, "You know what you need to do.

Keep going." He then removed his headset, unfastened his seat belt, opened the aircraft door, and leapt from the plane.

His body was found about twenty minutes later in the area where the student had informed authorities he had likely fallen.

Eduardo Álvarez, director of the flight school in Córdoba where Bertazzo had worked as an instructor for the past four years, said the student was deeply shaken but remained composed throughout the emergency.

"She was extremely distressed, but with complete professionalism she flew the aircraft back to the airport and executed a perfect landing," Álvarez said.

"She maintained an exceptionally high level of professionalism."

According to the reports, Bertazzo was an experienced pilot who had previously worked as a flight instructor in Chile.

Earlier on the day of his death, he had also conducted another training flight with a different student.

Álvarez described him as a highly professional instructor who "was always smiling" and was well liked by his students.

"He was a wonderful person with a big smile," he said.

However, he added that Bertazzo had been struggling with mental health issues and had received counseling at a psychiatric hospital during the week before his death.

According to Álvarez, Bertazzo's father said his son had been going through "a difficult period." Reports also stated that he had no children and had been living with his parents in Córdoba.

Álvarez emphasized that neither he nor anyone at the flight school had noticed any warning signs that might have prevented the tragedy.

"He made this tragic decision while aboard an aircraft with another person beside him," he said.

"It's impossible to comprehend or make sense of it, but the human mind is an extraordinarily complex thing."

He also noted that opening the door of an aircraft in flight is extremely difficult, comparing it to trying to open the door of a car traveling at two hundred kilometers per hour.

According to the reports, the authorities' investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

If someone in your surroundings is experiencing a crisis and may be at risk of suicide, do not hesitate to speak with them, encourage them to seek professional help, and emphasize the importance of doing so.

Try to help them connect with mental health professionals or national support services, including ERAN's hotline at 1201 or via WhatsApp at 052-8451201, or through the SAHAR website or www.headspace.org.il.

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The Physical and Electronic Barriers Disrupting Domestic Wireless Networks

An analysis of electromagnetic attenuation, appliance interference, and structural limitations affecting modern home router efficiency.

The systemic architectural framework of unlicensed radio frequency allocation and the immutable physics of electromagnetic wave propagation dictate the performance limits of modern wireless local area networks, or Wi-Fi. Operating primarily within the globally saturated two-point-four gigahertz spectrum, standard domestic internet routing systems must perpetually navigate structural, electronic, and environmental impediments that weaken or alter signal integrity.

While newer protocols like Wi-Fi Six-E and Wi-Fi Seven introduce less congested five and six gigahertz bands to bypass legacy interference, the fundamental mechanics of wave attenuation, absorption, and reflection continue to present persistent challenges for consumer-grade connectivity.

Electromagnetic interference from everyday consumer electronics represents one of the most pervasive systemic disruptions within the two-point-four gigahertz frequency.

This specific slice of spectrum is legally designated for unlicensed public utility, meaning household routers directly compete with appliances that rely on identical wavelengths.

Microwave ovens are a primary culprit; despite internal metal shielding designed to confine radiation, minor degradation of door seals or structural aging frequently allows radiation leakage during operation.

What is confirmed is that this leakage introduces intense localized electromagnetic noise, overwhelming the router's transmissions and severely degrading data throughput.

Similar co-channel degradation regularly emanates from poorly shielded fluorescent light ballasts, vehicle ignition architectures, and legacy short-range wireless devices like older baby monitors or cordless telephony systems.

Beyond active electronic interference, physical structures and domestic materials induce severe signal attenuation through an effect known as shadowing.

Radio waves interact with physical matter based on atomic density and molecular composition.

Liquid volumes, such as large household aquariums, act as highly effective electromagnetic absorbers due to the dielectric properties of water molecules, which polarize and sap the kinetic energy of passing radio signals.

Similarly, structural engineering components such as reinforced concrete, brickwork, and wire-mesh stucco lath present dense physical boundaries that resist wave penetration.

A clear consequence of routing wireless signals through these dense matrices is the immediate creation of dead zones, where the amplitude of the signal falls below the threshold required for multi-link connectivity or reliable data packets.

Specular reflection further distorts signal propagation when radio waves encounter flat, highly conductive surfaces.

Because radio signals are a form of non-visible electromagnetic radiation, they mimic light when contacting reflective boundaries.

Large mirrors, which utilize thin metallic backings, do not merely obstruct the signal; they reflect waves away from their intended trajectory, causing multi-path distortion where overlapping signals arrive at receiving devices out of phase.

Large liquid crystal display panels and architectural metallic frames cause identical reflective deflection.

To resolve these spatial limitations without modifying architectural layouts, network deployment increasingly relies on hardware-level adjustments.

Integrating localized range extenders or deploying dynamic mesh network topologies with interconnected nodes effectively bypasses obstructions by routing signals via alternative physical pathways.

Environmental and meteorological extremes present the final systemic barrier to domestic and wide-area wireless infrastructure.

While internal building environments remain somewhat isolated, the macro-networks supplying data to residential routers face direct exposure to seasonal atmospheric disruption.

Severe winter storms can compromise data delivery infrastructure through thermal contraction of physical cabling or the accumulation of frozen precipitation on satellite reception hardware.

Conversely, high-temperature anomalies strain local network infrastructure and accelerate hardware degradation.

As localized grid strain and severe weather events become more frequent, telecommunications providers face growing regulatory and operational pressure to winterize infrastructure and harden regional distributions against environmental volatility.

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France and Morocco Open World Cup Quarter-Finals as Collina Defends Refereeing

France face Morocco in the opening World Cup quarter-final while FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina rejects allegations of bias, and football developments continue across the tournament and beyond.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters the quarter-final stage with France meeting Morocco in Boston in a repeat of their 2022 semi-final.

France have impressed throughout the tournament despite a difficult victory over Paraguay, while Morocco arrive after eliminating the Netherlands and defeating Canada, becoming the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals.

French authorities appealed for calm ahead of the match.

Sports minister Marina Ferrari urged supporters to act responsibly, describing the occasion as a celebration, while interior minister Laurent Nunez warned that misconduct would not be tolerated following the disorder that accompanied Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League final victory.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended match officials following criticism from Egypt after Argentina's 3-2 victory in the round of 16. In an interview published by inside.fifa.com, he rejected suggestions that refereeing decisions could be influenced.

"Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport," Collina said.

"Nobody can question the integrity of the Fifa World Cup match officials ...

Nobody can claim that Fifa refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the Fifa president (Gianni Infantino)."

Egypt argued that Mostafa Zico's second-half goal had been wrongly disallowed and believed Mohamed Salah should have received a penalty shortly before Argentina scored the winner.

Collina said VAR correctly identified a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez during the attacking phase before Zico's goal.

"We believe that a foul is a foul," Collina said.

"Regardless of whether the foul appears 'obvious', if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene."

He also defended the decision not to award Egypt a penalty, saying officials considered the incident involving Salah and Julian Alvarez to be normal football contact.

Away from the pitch, reports showed the France national team has used Global Crossing Airlines for several domestic World Cup flights.

The airline has also operated more than half of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights during 2024 and 2025.

England continued preparations for their quarter-final against Norway.

Dan Burn said his side must improve on its performance against Mexico to stop Erling Haaland, while Morgan Rogers described Ezri Konsa as "one of the best centre-backs in football." Reece James remained a doubt through injury and Djed Spence was expected to replace the suspended Jarell Quansah.

Elsewhere, Steve Cherundolo was appointed head coach of the United States men's under-23 team through the 2028 Olympics.

Arsenal signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier after the expiry of his Leeds United contract, Newcastle United completed the signing of Sean Steur from Ajax and agreed a £51.5 million deal for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, while Manchester United acknowledged that plans for a proposed 100,000-capacity stadium could increase the club's debt.

The United States also expressed interest in hosting the 2029 Club World Cup following the commercial and sporting success of staging the 2026 World Cup.

Elsewhere, an inquest into the death of Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack was adjourned again after additional documents were lodged.

Campaigners also warned that increasingly divisive political rhetoric is contributing to rising levels of racism directed at footballers during the tournament.

The day's coverage also featured analysis of Norway's youth development model, previews of France against Morocco and England against Norway, transfer news, fan reaction, tournament statistics and features examining the wider political, cultural and sporting stories surrounding the World Cup.

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Vietnam Hosts Regional Talks on Occupational Safety and Health

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto Meets Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

ASEAN Secretary-General Calls for Stronger Indo-Pacific Cooperation

Thailand's Businesses Step Up Artificial Intelligence Adoption to Support SME Growth

DigiTech ASEAN Thailand and AI Connect 2026 Set for Major Bangkok Expansion

Thailand Calls on Farmers to Prepare for Intensifying Monsoon Conditions

Maritime Security Expected to Dominate ASEAN Agenda in Manila

Philippines Prepares to Host Key ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Manila

Thailand Warns of Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Risk as Southwest Monsoon Strengthens

Asian Development Bank Cuts Southeast Asia's 2026 Growth Forecast to 4.6 Percent

ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Meet Myanmar Counterpart in Bangkok for Informal Talks

Tech Pulse: The Future of AI and Screen Culture

A radio briefing on the latest developments in artificial intelligence, digital wellbeing, and the tech industry.

Welcome to today’s tech briefing.

We’re starting with a big question about the future of artificial intelligence. Experts are debating whether AI is really as smart as we think, and they’re asking what’s actually next for the field. We’re also seeing a massive surge in robotics; robots are becoming available to rent, which is a fast-moving trend, but there's still a lot of confusion about what these machines can actually do for us.

Our relationship with our screens is under the microscope, too. Some tech leaders are pushing a new vision for a world where we spend way less time looking at our phones. It’s a hot topic: is this the real solution to screen addiction, or is it just a new kind of dystopia? People are even talking about "phone body," which is a term for physical issues like weak hands and blurry vision caused by our addiction to our devices. On top of that, there’s growing alarm about the dangers of sharing photos of our children online, especially with AI abuse risks on the rise.

In the business world, things are a bit of a rollercoaster. Samsung’s profits are up a huge 1,800%, largely thanks to soaring AI chip sales. On the flip side, Microsoft is going through a significant restructure, which means they’re cutting 4,800 jobs, including 1,600 roles at Xbox.

Here are a few other stories making waves today:.

Meta is facing a lot of backlash for letting users create AI images using public Instagram profile photos, with privacy campaigners calling it a "recipe for disaster".

The consumer group Which? found that online marketplaces are still selling unsafe baby products, like pillows and sleeping bags that have already been flagged for safety issues.

If you’re looking at the housing market in San Francisco, prices have hit a record high of $1.7 million, and reports suggest that wealthy AI workers are a major reason why.

Finally, on a more positive note, a UK hospital has become the first to use AI to help spot infections. The staff there say it’s been a big help because it frees up their time so they can focus on actually caring for their patients.

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Global News Briefing: Escalating Geopolitical Tensions and Corporate Shakeups

A comprehensive radio report detailing renewed US-Iran conflict, NATO defense shifts, and major developments in the global tech and financial markets.

We begin with breaking news from the Middle East, where the United States has launched a second day of strikes against Iran. This escalation comes just hours after US President Donald Trump told a NATO summit that the ceasefire with Tehran is officially "over".

The renewed conflict follows recent attacks on oil tankers and has already sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices rising sharply after Washington renewed hostilities. Analysts are warning of a dangerous, ongoing cycle of tit-for-tat strikes between the two nations.

Meanwhile, at the NATO summit, President Trump’s surprise shift on foreign policy regarding Ukraine has steadied nervous allies. As part of this defense shift, Trump has granted Ukraine a licence to produce Patriot missiles to aid in their ongoing war. Simultaneously, Ukraine is intensifying its own military operations, stepping up attacks on Russian ships in the Azov Sea.

Turning to the global economy and finance, inflation fears are mounting following Kevin Warsh’s first Federal Reserve meeting. In commodities, an exclusive report reveals that rare earth minerals from Trump-backed US mines are being sold to Asia. In corporate finance, UniCredit has secured a massive 48 percent stake in Commerzbank, while a complex M&A environment is fueling historic paydays for megadeal traders due to a rising "complexity premium".

In political news from Europe, Marine Le Pen has revived her French presidential bid, heavily echoing Donald Trump's political style. Over in the UK, political drama is unfolding as Nigel Farage was ridiculed in parliament while a controversial by-election received the official go-ahead.

Farage will face a highly unusual opponent in the race: the satirical candidate Count Binface, in what critics are calling a "farce" by-election. In technology and corporate news, Meta is pushing boundaries by testing new "super sensing" AI glasses designed to capture every moment. Meanwhile, Apple has committed to buying 30 billion dollars worth of US-made microchips from Broadcom.

However, the rapid expansion of technology is drawing scrutiny; a prominent opinion piece by Pilita Clark takes aim at "The Great AI Data Centre Cover-Up". In aerospace, Alphaville LLC has officially initiated coverage of Elon Musk’s SpaceX with a definitive "Buy" recommendation. Looking at global developments, an outspoken Chinese economist who famously doubted Beijing’s official GDP data has died. In South America, Argentinian President Javier Milei has issued a stark warning, declaring that Argentina should completely shut down the state if the national budget runs out. Finally, in banking overhauls, Santander has axed its top China banker and scrapped traditional perks across its Asian operations.

That is your global news update. Thank you for listening.

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Global News Brief: Escalating Conflicts, Public Health Crises, and World Cup Drama

A comprehensive roundup of today's top international headlines, covering breaking news, global sports, tech updates, and human interest stories.

This is your global news update.

We begin with breaking news from the Middle East, where the US has launched more strikes on Iran. Local media are reporting explosions along the south coast. This follows statements from US President Donald Trump, who warned the US would "hit them hard again" after both nations exchanged fire the previous night.

Meanwhile, at the NATO summit, the NATO chief Mark Rutte has downplayed friction, telling reporters that Trump’s recent comments are like a "family argument." Rutte insisted that the alliance is stronger than ever and expressed complete confidence in the US president’s commitment. In a separate development from the summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was gifted a gun and ammunition by the Turkish president. On the defense front, President Trump also announced that Ukraine will receive a licence to produce Patriot missiles. While highly effective against Russian ballistic missiles, officials note they come with lengthy production times.

Turning to public health and environmental disasters in Asia, a severe healthcare crisis is unfolding in Bangladesh, where more than 120,000 suspected and confirmed measles cases have been reported. Hospitals are completely overwhelmed in a country that had previously made huge progress against the disease. Tragedies continue in the region as heavy monsoon rains batter Bangladesh's south-eastern coast, causing a devastating landslide that hit a girls' school, killing eight people. In neighboring India, motorists are expressing widespread unhappiness over the government adding biofuels to petrol. Drivers claim the E-20 fuel blend has significantly reduced vehicle fuel efficiency and will lead to higher maintenance costs. In Pakistan, the Airports Authority reports that five crew members remain missing after the wreckage of a private cargo plane was located.

Over in China, extreme weather is causing chaos as a typhoon triggers severe floods and rare tornadoes. Stranded villagers have told reporters they are struggling to get basic food and emergency help. In a major legal development out of China, a high-ranking official has been sentenced to death after being convicted of taking 325 million dollars in bribes.

In the United States, a staggering medical mystery is making headlines. An Arizona toddler who was declared dead from drowning was miraculously found alive inside a hospital morgue. In the US legal system, a 67-year-old former US judge has been spared prison time after being arrested for helping an undocumented migrant evade federal immigration agents by ushering them out of a courtroom side door.

Looking at European news, Russian fuel shortages are beginning to bite, with authorities even in Moscow unable to guarantee supplies. This leaves experts wondering if mounting economic pressure will force President Vladimir Putin to change tack in the Ukraine war or lead to further escalation. In Germany, a doctor has been jailed for the murder of 15 patients and is currently suspected of more. And in the UK, a historic legal milestone has been reached as a conditional pardon has been granted for Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the United Kingdom.

Now to the business and technology desk. Meta is facing a massive public outcry after revealing that it is allowing users to generate AI images using public Instagram profile pictures. While the tech giant states users can opt out, privacy campaigners have labeled the move a "recipe for disaster." Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has taken center stage in Australian labor relations, as dock workers call for a 28-hour work week during AI automation talks, stating that port workers are firmly in the crosshairs of automation.

In UK politics, questions are being raised about an upcoming by-election. Following the announcement that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will quit his Clacton constituency to stand in a by-election, serial election candidate Count Binface posted online, "Game on, Nige."

In entertainment, the Emmy nominations are out. Drama series The Pitt is leading the pack, though fan-favorite Stranger Things was completely snubbed in the top categories. Also trending, DJ Greg James spilled details on Taylor Swift's star-studded wedding in New York City, describing multiple cakes and stolen keepsakes.

Finally, we turn to sports and the 2026 World Cup, where fans and players have experienced three weeks of joy and despair at the biggest World Cup in history. Drama is brewing off the pitch as Egypt has alleged bias and favoritism toward Argentina and their star player, Lionel Messi. On the pitch, England is preparing to meet Norway in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash, a fixture reviving memories of historic football rivalries. Co-hosting duties have officially come to an end for a "forgotten" host, Canada, following an eventful journey for their national team. Meanwhile, in Gaza, hundreds of football fans were seen watching the tournament and cheering for neighboring Egypt from atop the rubble of destroyed buildings.

The tournament's closing festivities are also locked in, as Justin Bieber is set to join Madonna, Shakira, and BTS for a Super Bowl-style FIFA World Cup final half-time show, marking the Canadian singer's latest massive performance following his Coachella comeback. Meanwhile, the race for the Golden Boot is shaping up to be one for the ages.

In other sports news, Great Britain's most-decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, has announced her retirement from international competition with immediate effect. In tennis, Wimbledon witnessed an extraordinary day on Centre Court as British wildcard Arthur Fery defied the odds to reach the semi-finals. In women's football, London City Lionesses have pulled off one of the biggest signings in WSL history by persuading Alexia Putellas to move from Barcelona to Bromley. However, England batter Tammy Beaumont has announced her retirement, stating she has lost the fire to regain her spot in the new-look side. And in mixed martial arts, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has publicly called on the UFC to offer better healthcare and transition support for retired fighters.

That is your latest world news update.

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