From skinimalism to digital drugs, these are the major beauty and wellness trends that will dominate 2021

You'll be seeing these everywhere next year.

You'd be forgiven for wanting to skip straight to the end of this "unprecedented" (read: screwball) year and dive head-first into 2021. Before we do though, it's probably worth having a look at what the new year has in store for us. If we consider the beautysphere to be a sign of the times (which, judging from the unbrushed hair and plummeting deodorant sales, it is), the major beauty and wellness trends tipped to take off big-time are a solid barometer of the national mood.

So what's to come? Expect a scaled-down makeup bag to make way for skinimalism, a dialled-up focus on intimacy and sexploration, an open-minded approach to far-out wellness (because it's worth a shot, right?), and an even more stringent vetting process for brands that align with our ethos. In an inter-Covid era – and it's aftermath – solutions that make us feel better may well trump the ones that only make us look better. Though both helps.

These are the big 2021 beauty and wellness trends set to meet the "new needs" of our "new normal"...

Modern mystic

After a static year where we've had to press pause for far longer than we could have predicted, 2021 is about moving forward. "Manifesting is the new nesting" says Pinterest in a trend they've dubbed “Modern Mystic” in the Pinterest Predicts report. Searches for "manifestation techniques" have exploded by 105% on the online pinboard with users looking for tangible ways to make their dreams a reality.

The technique involves identifying what it is you really want and putting it out into the universe by saying it out loud. That's half the battle: knowing which direction you want to head in. Once you've planted the seed, though, you have to back it up with action. By curating your thoughts, you're bumping obstacles like fear, self-doubt and procrastination out the way to clear a path for yourself to the top. Essentially, it's cultivating your mindset. Bonkers or brilliant? Either way, it's worth a try.

Also set to gain traction in 2021 are protection crystals (which have seen a 100% uptick in Pinterest searches), fantasy map making (which is 3 times as popular now as it was a year ago), zodiac sign facts (to help glean more about our character traits and strengths) and visualisation techniques (searches for how to "visualise your highest self" are up 55%). Hence, mindfulness will be taking off in other avenues for 2021.

Emo beauty

There's always been a close link between skincare and self care, but this attachment has been galvanised in recent months. Continuing into next year, we'll be looking to our skincare to offer us sanctuary as well as efficacy. During lockdown, "our regimens took on a symbolic meaning as cleansing became the erasure of worries and masking not only replenished our skin but our energy levels," reveals Cult Beauty's founder, Alexia Inge in the Cult Beauty 2021 Trend Forecast.

Going forward we'll be looking for products that slot easily into our routines, while also offering a sense of security and stability over excessively powerful boom and bust formulas. In particular, we'll be looking for plush textures, soothing ingredients, gentle actives and calming scents. "Facials, masking, exfoliating etc are becoming more about aromatherapeutic, nostalgic, spirit-enhancing and emotionally supportive products with sensory textures and application techniques than, for example, removing dry skin," says Alexia. CBD remains a go-to ingredient and ritualistic and Ayurvedic brands such as Rituals, ESPA, Neom, Herbivore and REN will offer extra comfort-factor.

Homegirl beauty

They say our home is our castle. But this year, our homes have multi-tasked as our office, our social hub, replacement restaurants and our beauty sanctuary. Having spent so much time here (and with flexible working on the horizon for the future), we're starting to invest more into our digs.

"The home is being reinvented for maximum wellness," says Alexia. "Setting your pad up as a place of static-escape, womb-like nurture and safety is the new ‘wellterior’ trend," she adds. Home tech has spiked, with air purifiers from Dyson, Phillips and Blueair, smart thermostats from Nest and Ecobee and home fragrance diffusers from Neom and The White Company all seeing more uptake.

And, "lockdown has changed people’s perception of beauty treatment devices; how effective they are and how much they are willing to pay for them," explains Alexia. "This forced evolution of the at-home salon has created a market for £400-£2,000 devices like Theragun, DRx Spectralite FaceWare Pro and the Deesse Mask." Meanwhile, entry level tech, like face steamers (which have seen a 70% surge in searches), smart mirrors and high-tech cleansing devices from NuFace and Foreo are all making their way into more homes.

A renewed focus on our internal health has seen the at-home supplement market become more expansive, and crucially, more inclusive. "A democratisation is emerging that renders this traditionally elitist industry more approachable and playful," explains Alexia who flags brands like Hum, Solgar, Apothékary and Golde as the ones to watch.

And as our homes take on this new position as wellness sanctuary, brands are responding with new digital tools and services. "Phygital escapism is taking on a new meaning," confirms the Future Forecast 2021 report by The Future Laboratory. "From phygital spas to virtual hot springs, traditional wellness spaces are being rethought to combine ancient wellbeing practices with digital advancements," they say. ASMR has been utilised by brands as a sensory tool to induce calm and ease anxiety via millennial and Gen Z heartlands like Instagram and TikTok. Milk Makeup's ASMR audio-video clips of product swatches have gone viral.

"Tech innovations are also emerging that enable people to virtually experience the benefits of far-flung spa destinations. Arima Onsen in Japan has launched a virtual reality tour that carries viewers into its calming surroundings – even if they are soaking in their own bathtub wearing a VR headset," says the Future Forecast.

Bath time (or shower time), in general, has ascended into a sacred act of self care – and possibly the only time we can escape our other halves. Ritual baths are the new spa day with more people carving out the time for an upgraded bath experience. Pinterest has seen searches for "spiritual cleansing bath" increase by 180%, "full moon bath ritual" is up by 90%, "bath tea recipe" is up 60% and "deep soaking bath" by 145%.

All this means we can access the beauty experiences we seek without leaving our home.

Digital drugs

Following supplements, is the disruptive concept of digital nutrition, digital drugs and digital dosing. But rather than tackling physical issues, this targets issues of mental health. If you think about it, social media is a drug in itself.

It's addictive, it can directly impact our mood and science has shown how validation (or lack of it) on social platforms can play with our sense of self-worth. In exceptional cases we can medicate against the mental health impact of social media, but digital drugs questions whether there might be a better way forward, by dosing the digital content we consume.

"The drug business can be as virtual as it is real," Michael Moskowitz, founder of digital health innovator, AeBeZe Labs told The Future Laboratory in its Future Forecast 2021 Report. "It's not just powders and pills, it's powerful reactions with your brain," he adds. "On average, consuming digital content now accounts for more than half of the hours in our day – more time than we spend eating, drinking and sleeping combined.

Why do we have no authoritative method to measure, track or reveal what we're self administering or consuming?," says Michael. "Why don't we take an automated approach and algorithmically determine what we should hear, see or experience, and then self-dose with digital 'treatments' that can improve unwanted mood states when they crop up?" This could be things like automated counselling or mood-boosting videos designed to induce calm.

"One of the things we're developing is a Chrome-based plug-in so you can begin to track and monitor all of your exposure and grain precious insights into how your browsing is affecting your brain. It's not just tracking screen time, it will reveal a meaningful profile so you can map and monitor your digital behaviour directly," says Michael.

Cleanical skincare

The clean movement has successfully tapped into a millennial desire for sustainable and natural beauty routines. But amplifying alongside it has been the rise of anti-bacterial beauty. This year has made us seek safety from terms like "medical grade", "sterilised" and "clinically approved". The cleanical trend has emerged as a reassuring marriage of "clean" products created in clinical environments.

In fact, cleanical brands are taking the (as yet legally undefined and unregulated) clean message, and using technology to create plant-based formulas that overcome issues such as deforestation and over-farming. By taking single plant cells and re-growing them in the lab, brands like Biossance and One Ocean Beauty are able to create skincare that's incredibly effective and safe without harming the environment. And science-backed brands like Codex and REN are setting new industry standards for testing by proving the efficacy of their natural complexes with rigorous clinical trials.

"Marry the 'formulated without' philosophies of the 'clean beauty' movement, layer in the anti-contamination innovations and you have clinically led, concsiously formulated, lab-grown beauty for a new era and a new reinvention of 'clean,' confirms Cult Beauty's Alexia Inge.

Skinimalism

Chances are, you're already on this train. With lots of us working from home and speaking to colleagues over the phone rather than face to face, our makeup routine has dwindled as a nation. Instead of heavy foundation and tons of contouring; tactical concealer and lightweight tinted moisturisers have gained popularity.

Pinterest has seen four times as many users looking for "naturally glowing skin" and a 180% surge in users searching for "natural everyday makeup". Rather than wanting to look flawless, we've become comfortable with Natural Glam, the laid back beauty trend set to dominate 2021. Think full, fluttery lashes (we still love you mascara), and experimental eye makeup (the only thing on show thanks to face masks), paired with a base that lets freckles and minor blemishes do their thang.

The skinimalist movement has infiltrated our skincare regime too, which is where we've been focusing more of our attention during the pandemic. Skincare as a category has overtaken makeup, but the economic climate means we're still looking to be savvy about the choices we make. Multi-tasking products will help to make our skincare routine minimal but mighty. Duos like Kate Somerville's exfoliating ExfoliKate Daily Foaming Cleanser and Soleil Toujour's golden glow-bestowing Mineral Sunscreen Glow will cut down time and double-up on steps.

"It's the end of the caked-on makeup-look," predicts Pinterest. Instead, people will "embrace slow beauty and let their natural skin texture shine through." A bonus? It's chic, simple and sustainable.

Hair health

Self care for your hair will step up in 2021. You'll have already heard of scalp scrubs, but more innovation in the category and an emphasis from customers on products that nourish, mean hair will undergo a wellness evolution. "The scalp has huge wellness potential, particularly in the realm of aromatherapy – owing to how quickly essential oils applied there can hit your blood stream," explains Alexia. According to Cult Beauty's Trend Forecast, "Hair tea" infusions are a growing trend, "as the hair world is colonised by formats and ingredients traditionally associated with other forms of wellbeing, like the microbiome-boosting Scalp & Hair Serum by Gallinee or Davines Royal Jelly Superactive."

Our time going it alone while hairdressers closed mean many took the health of their hair in-house, utilising smoothing and split-end bonding products to improve the look and condition of our hair in-between cuts – a trend that will continue into 2021.

Condition-enhancing products have seen a huge uptick. Salon-led brand Olaplex, known for its reparative formulas sold 4,000 bottles at John Lewis alone from August. And Aveda has carved a niche for itself for naturally nourishing scalp-soothing, root-boosting and split-end-repairing formulas.

Plus clever hair innovations like Philip Kingsley’s Flaky Itchy Soothing Dry Shampoo (launching in January) which targets the root causes of dandruff and refreshes the scalp in-between washes and effective time-savers like Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! Spray-In Hair Mask will flourish.

Isolated intimacy

Essentially, solo sexy time is big – HUGE – for 2021. "With Covid-19 creating a crisis of closeness, new services are positioning isolation as an opportunity to re-assess the meaning of intimacy," says The Future Laboratory's Future Forecast for 2021. "While some are interacting with strangers online, others are using periods of lockdown to explore their own sexuality, whether through masturbation or less explored forms of pleasure."

Brands like Cult Beauty have seen a staggering 80% hike in interest around its female wellness category compared to last year. And sales of sex products on the website have seen an average increase of 61% since March. It’s a similar story at Singapore-based fem tech brand, Smile Makers. Revenue doubled for the brand and traffic to its site surged during lockdown.

Sexploration has hit an all-time high whether with a partner or alone. "The Wheel of Foreplay is a nascent tool from Australian technology lab Future of Sex, designed to inspire conversations and activity focused on pleasure in isolation," says The Future Laboratory's report. "The spin-the-wheel game lets users choose from categories such as ‘going solo’ and ‘long-distance dating' as individuals, couples or distanced partners."

And while we're getting down with our down-there, emerging technology is expanding to offer us at-home access to intimate healthcare. "Design studio Matter is exploring the future of smear tests with a series of design concepts that empower women to do at-home testing," reveals The Future Laboratory's Future Forecast.

"Under the project name Sukha, the three designs show how a common medical process can be simplified." Similar to inserting a tampon, the applicator is inserted into the vagina where an absorbent swab and smart device feedback information. Alongside encouraging women to check their intimate health more regularly, it overcomes issues of embarrassment or inconvenience. Clever.

Sleepcare

It's not new, but Sleepcare has seen a renewed impetus during a year in which 60% of us have experienced worse sleep thanks to anxieties around the pandemic, according to a study conducted by Kings College London. And our quest for quality sleep will continue into 2021 with audio stimuli ASMR, soothing soundtracks and unwinding rituals complemented by beauty products designed to strengthen our circadian rhythm.

Elemis' Peptide 24/7 works to get your skin in sync (triggering cell renewal at optimal points throughout the night, when your skin is in regeneration mode), while offering up a relaxing "Night Scented" oil to help you drift off. And Murad's Night Fix Enzyme Treatment repairs skin overnight with a Tri-Enzyme technology and sleep-inducing scent.

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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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