Milan Fashion Week’s Best Looks

The top moments from the Italian brands.

Fendi, Gucci, Prada: so many vowels, so many good looks to choose from. BAZAAR does the hard work for you, distilling the shows down to their essence with several standout looks from each of the major collections. See what's happening on the runways of Milan this week.

Gucci

Gucci

Alessandro Michele is full of surprises. The designer has reconfigured the Gucci show calendar so it falls off the regular lineup—with the Aria collection showing last April, and the brand's latest, Love Parade, walking last night in Los Angeles. While there are certainly logistical reasons for the changes, from an editorial perspective, it allows a label to really make a splash. And splash Gucci did.

The surprise we're referring to isn't a simple shift in timing, it's a peek into the creative mind of Michele and the life and times that built him. "Mum worked in the film industry as an assistant in a production company. I remember all the stories she told me, and the details and the sparkles, about that dream factory," he explains in the show notes.

"There was the alabaster paleness of Marilyn Monroe...There were the black satin gloves of Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake’s velvet hair, as well as the bewitching allure of Rock Hudson and Kim Novak’s dizzying transformative power." That move star mystique translated directly onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where models, Jared Leto, and Macaulay Culkin stomped under street lights in front of a star-stacked audience. A modern fascination with social media and paparazzi photos has brought the idea of celebrity back down to earth, but Michele is more interested in the concept of actor as deity.

"Hollywood is, after all, a Greek temple populated by pagan divinities... Here actors and actresses are acknowledged as heroes of the myth: hybrid creatures with the power to hold divine transcendence and mortal existence at the same time." A place where stars shine on red carpets and we never see them as mere mortals getting Starbucks. A place where there are no sweatpants and yoga leggings, just diaphanous gowns, pink satin tuxes, sequins that can burn your retinas, and coats as big as egos. Welcome to Hollywood by way of Gucci.

Gucci

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta

For round three of Bottega Veneta's salon shows, following stops in London and Berlin, Daniel Lee showed up in the Motor City to showcase his latest—and many notable names followed him there. Mary J Blige, Lil Kim, Burna Boy, Kehlani, Selah Marley, Zazie Beetz, Slick Woods, and Sasha Lane were just some of the major players in attendance.

Set to techno club music at the Michigan Building (a gilded former theatre), the runway was also star-studded, with Lourdes Leon (offspring of one Madonna) casually taking a stroll down the catwalk. The palette was mostly black and white with hits of orange and Bottega green (a color so synonymous with Lee's Bottega it is now being referenced this way).

The look is street sporty—think parkas and denim sets—against 90s influenced halter necks and sparkly little dresses and shirt and skirt sets. Bodycon, a look that was pervasive all season, also showed up on this runway on one shoulder and short dresses. In other words, these are 'fits that are made to dance the night away to some techno beats.

If you find yourself in Detroit, Bottega's reign isn't ending with one runway show. The brand set up Bottega Firehouse on 1201 Bagley Street. It will be open until January and features a reading room by Asmaa Walton, design works by Chris Schanck and Aratani Fay, Underground Music Academy, Substudio textiles, Donut Shop furnishings, Hamtramck Ceramck ceramics, relief sculptures by Sophie Eisner and printed matter curated by Ruben Cardenas.

Bottega Veneta

Versace by Fendi

Versace by Fendi

Stop everything: We are officially living in a parallel fashion universe. Donatella Versace, Kim Jones, and Silvia Venturini Fendi switched places for an epic fashion event that was something far fresher than the industry’s collaborations of yore. Fendace, a 50-look Frankenstein collection composed of Jones’s and Venturini Fendi’s riff on Versace and Versace’s take on Fendi, was conceived as a “celebration of Italian fashion and a to-hell-with-it disruption of the established order of things.” This merging of competitors, particularly two iconic houses not under the same ownership, just “isn’t done” in fashion—until now.

Fendi, Versace, and Jones are friends and colleagues, and after a tough year, they crossed party lines to have a little fun. The creative directors invited one another into their family archives for inspiration and crafted their take on the other’s DNA, honoring the work of Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld in turn. Versace for Fendi melded the Fendi double-F monogram with its own Grecian key motif, while Fendi for Versace used the brand’s signature safety pins and sexiness with more of a punk rock edge. The event of Milan Fashion Week was, refreshingly, about fashion for style’s sake: “It’s about the need for sincerity in fashion today rather than strategy.”

Versace by Fendi

Versace

Versace

Versace is all about new interpretations of signature codes, whether it be the new Grecian key motif, La Greca—launched last season—or the brand’s signature Medusa emblem. For spring 2022, Versace began with its foulard, a silk scarf that can be worn as a headscarf, knotted into a top, constructed into a bustier dress, or worn freely as a pajama-esque set. How, you may wonder, does a simple silk scarf lead you to Dua Lipa, Emrata, Lourdes Leon, a neon color palette, and some of the sexiest looks of the season?

That would be the magic of Donatella Versace. From Dua Lipa’s opening look of a slashed, tailored suit-cum-party dress to the prints, bold fluorescent shades, and all the way to the pop star’s hot-pink, two-piece sequined set for the finale, Versace’s vision for spring 2022 was part red carpet, part Internet sensation, and a great night out in Miami and Milan—all in one.

Versace

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

After a year of laying low, fashion lovers are finally turning their attention to post-lockdown glam—which couldn’t be better news for maximalists Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The duo has never stopped being inspired by a more-is-more aesthetic. This collection was packed with the brand’s sexy energy, cheeky touches, and signature whimsy, but it was also decidedly more edgy and youthful than ever before—keeping Gen Z in mind. The designers dove into the past to look forward, studying their collections from the year 2000, when Y2K mania ushered in all things over-the-top.

The result? Lace, camo, leopard prints, and crystal covered everything. After a spectacle after the Venice Film Festival for Alta Moda and a collaboration with Harris Reed and Iman on the Met Gala red carpet, Dolce & Gabbana just proved once more that they have no issue keeping their clothes focused on the future—targeting a younger customer than ever before while still giving their hardcore fanbase what they crave.

Dolce & Gabbana

Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci

Many people can spot a Pucci print from across the room—or the beach. That’s what the design team was musing on when they went back to the resort-forward way of thinking exemplified by founder Emilio Pucci for spring 2022. The spirit of kaleidoscopic beachwear goes hand in hand with a certain sort of bold freedom, especially when those signature swirls come embroidered. Also on the label’s mind? The iconic shape of the silk scarf, which has become synonymous with Pucci for decades.

We saw its core shape reappear in the form of halter-neck cutout dresses and maxi gowns constructed of wide swaths of flowing fabric. The difference between the Pucci of your mother’s closet and today, however, is a newly sharpened and structured impact that’s graphically intriguing. Patterned minidresses may seem like they’re for maximalists only, but when they’re cut so cleanly, they have a wide appeal even for the print-averse minimalist.

Emilio Pucci

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo offered for spring 2022 what the Florentine label called an “Italianate rainbow,” which translated to soothing shades of ochre, rust, mustard, cream, and peony, rather than the traditional ROYGBIV spectrum the founder once famously put on a pair of suede platforms he designed for Judy Garland.

The excitement came through unexpected details and styling, like a dramatic asymmetrical side cutout on a Grecian dress or a double-breasted blazer tucked into high waisted shorts. A repurposed 1970s Ferragamo floral foulard overprinted on a loose-yarn, tiger-striped jacquard created in collaboration with Parisian artist Julien Colombier was another key motif.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Tod's

Tod's

Quality, utilitarianism, and craftsmanship all come to mind immediately when thinking of Tod’s—so bold uses of color, platform loafers, and crop tops are a fresh take. The spring 2022 collection wasn’t short on luxe, wearable pieces, but the lightness evoked by the bright, new elements was intended to recall the world of sports and suggest an airiness intended to help us all forget the troubles of the past year and look toward a brighter future.

As for the accessories, sandals and sneakers were meant for pounding the pavement, although they had a chunkier, cool-kid energy. Boots and loafers came with a heftier, higher platform and sat in contrast to daintier kitten heels and the label’s signature asset: super-luxe handbags.

Tod's

MM6 Maison Margiela

MM6 Maison Margiela

You know that saying, "He's playing chess, and they're playing checkers?" The latest collection from MM6 Maison Margiela kind of did both. On the surface, a checkerboard motif took literal riffs on pizzeria tablecloths, The Queen's Gambit, and the commedia dell'arte costumes of the Italian Renaissance.

But look a few moves ahead, and the slouchy slacks, layered suiting, and high-contrast color pops weren't just here for a good time—they will remain in your wardrobe for the long haul. As for the kooky spiderweb worn as a tank top? I mean ... we're knot mad about it.

MM6 Maison Margiela

Missoni

Missoni

Well, that's new! Missoni's latest show marks Alberto Caliri's design debut, and a true change of the guard. Gone are the stretchy zig-zag clings with long sleeves and maxi hems that covered everything except the wearer's excellent taste. Now that same iconic fabric has been slashed and stretched into bodycon cut-outs, neo-Britney triangle tops, and a real reverence for underboob. Some fashion shakers wondered, for a female-power-and-ease brand like Missoni, what's bare flesh got to do with it? Others (including our own Nikki Ogunnaike) loved the vixen vibes, and the idea that TikTok teens can covet the same textiles as their '70s idols. (The DIY potential here is also off the charts, especially for all that Missoni x Target lurking on Depop just begging to be slashed and re-sewn.) Meanwhile, purists can skip ahead to the final looks: metallic maxi gowns for everyone.

Missoni

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Seafoam green, oceanic blue, and calming shades of cloudy white: These are just a few of the hues Giorgio Armani delved into for the spring 2022 show. As a fixture of the Italian fashion world for decades, the label has become known for its singular shapes and streamlined aesthetic. Set against the backdrop of an endless ocean with a runway that mimicked the color of a sandy beach, the label showed all the signatures of its household codes, from oversized suiting to immaculately tailored, embellished gowns in frothy fabrics that seemed to float down the catwalk. Armani’s most surprising takeaway this season? Harem pants are back. But this time around, they come in delicious silk and chiffon fabrications, with dreamlike prints in jewel tones.

Giorgio Armani

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

We can always count on Philosophy for a few things each season: an unbridled dedication to romanticism, a heavy dose of femininity, and an unwavering and unexpected punch of prep. For spring 2022, creative director Lorenzo Serafini took us on a trip to the '70s, as he envisioned it.

Models wore plush leather fringed jackets in shades of periwinkle and cognac, alongside flared floral sets, lamé button-down dresses, and easy deep-neck tops with simple bikinis peeking out. Vibrant hues like carnelian, emerald, and royal purple were a nod to the loud and individualistic style of the '70s, but for the dedicated Philosophy fan, there was no shortage of ruffled dresses, romantic frills and all, in subtle shades of lacy white. —Kristen Bateman

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Prada

Prada

Leave to Prada to make sex intellectual. Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’s spring 2022 collection may be titled Seduction, Stripped Down, but there were none of the bra tops and naked dresses seen on other runways in this show simulcast from Milan and Shanghai. In the Prada-verse, the heels are always kitten height, and sex appeal is all about suggestion.

The co-creative directors reduced tropes of classical femininity like lingerie and corsetry to their purest forms and re-contextualized them. So the curve of an underwire was applied to a polo-collar sweater, while graphic tees and jackets came embellished with corset laces. Many of the aforementioned looks trailed anomalous strips of couture silk, which the show notes poetically called “the memory of a train.”

Prada

Sportmax

Sportmax

For every instance of cottagecore romance spotted on the Sportmax runway, there was a dose of unapologetic, here-to-take-up-space attitude for counterbalance. Corsetry, scooped-out necklines, raw-edged tulle, and dainty florals were the stuff of sublime sweetness—and best taken in small doses.

The presence of that tougher stuff added interest and intrigue, making one wonder what the woman behind the clothes is all about. Wide-leg trousers and oversized jackets were ready to work, but in a slouchy way that didn't impersonate menswear. Rather, it was sensual and soft, clearly for her and not stolen from the boys.

Sportmax

Blumarine

Blumarine

The Y2K style renaissance was out in full force for Blumarine’s spring 2022 collection. Butterfly motifs emerged on necklaces, supersize belts, and tie-on tops, while a symphony of pastels took the form of gossamer-thin V-cut gowns in buttercup yellow and bubblegum-pink halter-neck dresses printed with roses. Nicola Brognano’s creations looked a lot like something the pop stars of the early '00s would easily gravitate to—Britney and J.Lo included—but we think Gen Z would be equally enchanted by a pair of chiffon low-waist cargo pants and a baby crop top.

You only have to scroll through TikTok to see that. With the transparent oversized glasses, silk head scarves, big hoop earrings, and low-slung belts against patchwork denim and shrunken bomber jackets, there was proof, too, that styling has a lot to do with Blumarine’s early-aughts aesthetic. Lotta Volkova, the stylist behind Vetements' fast rise, was behind it. Slap on one of the brand’s bedazzled logo belts and consider it a celebration of more is more.

Blumarine

Max Mara

Max Mara

We didn’t quite get a “revenge summer” of carefree travel to far-flung holiday destinations thanks to Delta, and what next summer will look like is anyone’s guess at this point.

But Max Mara made a very chic case for escape being a state of mind. The brand took cues from author Françoise Sagan’s uniform of workwear classics like fisherman smocks, laborers jackets, mechanics overalls, and carpenter pants, which were given the runway treatment in gabardine, canvas, poplin, and indigo denim with contrast top stitching.

You may recall her novel Bonjour Tristesse from college French, but did you know that Sagan wrote the existentialist masterpiece as a 17-year-old forced to spend the summer of 1953 at home in Paris while her family went away on holiday, after failing her year-end exams? Time to start preparing our writer’s wardrobe for summer 2022.

Max Mara

Etro

Etro

Say “magic carpet ride” and you either get Disney’s Aladdin (1992) or Steppenwolf’s hit song (1968). Both applied to Etro’s newest collection, which sewed its signature textile mix onto hippie-approved rainbow crochet and rave-worthy vinyl jackets alike. Veronica Etro did some denim-and-track pant fusions, too, which will hopefully inspire DIY fashion fans worldwide to remix their old clothes instead of chucking them entirely.

A whole new world? Not exactly. Etro stuck pretty close to its DNA. And with both runway newbies and megastars like Joan Smalls on the catwalk, the brand made the case that boho chic isn’t going anywhere, and that it’s just as appropriate on a new mom (we see you, Grace Elizabeth!) as a teen starlet whose wish is every fashion brand’s command.

Etro

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Lucie and Luke Meier are designing clothing that women want to wear—intellectual women, chic women, choose your elevated adjective. The palette for spring 2022 was soft, as if filtered: pale greens, peach, buttercup yellow, ivory. There were strong jackets layered over trousers or jeans, oversized pieces, nipped and tailored pieces, a perfect sweetheart-neckline white dress, knitted separates, and a crochet series.

Blouses were wrapped and textural—nothing was as expected. To wit, there was even a zebra print and some sequins. In accessories, the brand’s new Cannolo bag was cylindrical, mirroring jewelry that leveraged circles in gold and geometric patterns. Mule boots will be a winner this season; they look cool and are easy to wear. The message was this: What appears simple probably isn't. Still waters run deep, as they say.

Jil Sander

Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli

Today was a big one for the Roberto Cavalli label—it marked the first runway collection under the creative direction of Fausto Puglisi. Puglisi is a dream fit for the brand—an Italian designer who embraces sensuality in clothing and clearly appreciates an animal print.

He dug into the extensive Cavalli archives and came up with many references to the ’70s—dresses were slim and cut on the bias, with cutouts and single shoulders. All ripe for after dark. If the Cavalli girl needs a break from the dance floor, boxy suits looked just as cool. As the show notes said, the collection, “shouts ‘I’m the party.’” There's never been a better time to bring back some fun and remember you had it in you all the time.

Roberto Cavalli

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli

For many women, the current vibe is “love thy loungewear as thyself.” Brunello Cucinelli is cool with that—but he’s going to give you a major upgrade. The Italian label went into full slouch mode with its latest collection, which mixes slinky metallic knitwear and silky pleated separates that feel like pj's, but look like you’ve consulted a famous Italian tailor. (Maybe because one made these clothes ...) And though some models did wear sweatbands and tube socks as part of their looks, these pieces are made to be so easily cool, you can get dressed for work without breaking a sweat. Pay special attention to the suiting and square-toed ballet flats, along with a red embroidered varsity sweater that’s truly game for anything.

Brunello Cucinelli

Fendi

Fendi

Kim Jones had nearly zero ramp-up to creating his own Fendi ethos. His Fendi woman has been unabashedly glamorous and achingly cool since he debuted his first collection in the depths of the pandemic. While she has an appreciation for the past, she most certainly doesn’t live there. That throwback mentality showed up for spring 2022 with a collaboration with the estate of illustrators Antonio Lopez and Juan Ramos.

The ’70s have been enjoying a bit of a renaissance, so Studio 54-worthy dresses that leveraged Lopez's iconic drawings felt right on time. “While I’ve been looking at Karl’s legacy at the house, I’ve also been looking around him, at his contemporaries—at who he was interested in,” Jones explained. “Lopez was a friend of Karl’s and has always been someone who inspired me. He was forward thinking, inclusive, looked up to by everyone from Andy Warhol to Steven Meisel and David Hockney.

I wanted to introduce him to a new generation.” In keeping with the era (through a modern lens), there were also fringe dresses, suiting with bikini-inspired tops layered underneath, bold-patterned furs with matching bags, and sheer black lace gowns. It was smart dressing that made a statement—and it was the perfect start to a week in Milano.

Fendi

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UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law

International Court of Justice rules that failure to act on climate change may breach legal duties and entitle affected nations to reparations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a unanimous advisory opinion stating that countries may be violating international law if they fail to take adequate measures to address climate change.

The ruling, delivered on July 24 at The Hague, declared that a "clean, healthy and sustainable environment" constitutes a human right under international law.

The opinion, supported by all fifteen ICJ judges, found that a state's inaction on climate protection could amount to an "internationally wrongful act" and that countries harmed by the effects of climate change may be entitled to reparations.

The court emphasized that nations have legal obligations to take measures to prevent environmental harm, including from greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity.

The case was initiated by Vanuatu and supported by over one hundred and thirty countries, including major greenhouse gas emitters.

The ICJ was tasked with addressing two central questions: the legal responsibilities of states under international law to mitigate climate change and the legal consequences for harm caused by inaction or insufficient measures.

During the hearing, ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa described climate change as "an existential problem of planetary proportions." The court’s opinion further affirmed that international legal instruments, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, oblige states to act in line with scientific consensus to limit global warming and environmental degradation.

The ruling builds upon a series of legal developments.

It follows earlier decisions by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, which recognized the duty of states to protect populations from environmental harm.

In 2019, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands ruled that the government had a legal duty to safeguard its citizens from the effects of climate change.

Sea level rise and warming trends continue to affect low-lying nations.

Between 2013 and 2023, global sea levels rose by an average of 4.3 centimeters, with some Pacific regions experiencing higher increases.

Global temperatures have risen approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times due to the continued burning of fossil fuels.

The ICJ opinion may serve as a legal foundation for future actions in both international and domestic courts.

Climate advocates have indicated that the decision could be used to press for stronger climate action at upcoming diplomatic meetings, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled for later this year in Belém, Brazil.

The advisory opinion is non-binding but may influence future legal interpretations and treaty negotiations.

While welcomed by many nations and environmental organizations, the ruling drew opposition from several major oil and gas-producing countries.

The United States, under the current administration, reiterated its focus on national energy priorities and dismissed binding international mandates on emissions reductions.

The court acknowledged that international law alone cannot fully resolve the climate crisis but emphasized the role of collective human effort and scientific advancement in addressing the global challenge.

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Thailand recalls ambassador to Cambodia amid border tensions

Gulf Development Acquires Full Ownership of Pak Lay Hydropower Project in Laos

Thailand’s Gulf Development completes $128 million takeover of 770 MW run-of-the-river plant, securing long‑term electricity supply to Thai grid

SET-listed Gulf Development has acquired the remaining sixty‑percent shareholding in the Pak Lay Hydropower Project in Laos from Sinohydro for approximately one hundred and twenty‑eight million US dollars, bringing its ownership to one hundred percent .

The Pak Lay facility, located on the Mekong River in Pak Lay district of Xayaburi province, is a run‑of‑the‑river hydropower plant with an installed capacity of seven hundred and seventy megawatts .

It is under development and slated to begin commercial operations in 2032 under a twenty‑nine‑year power purchase agreement to sell electricity exclusively to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand at an average tariff of approximately two point seven baht per kilowatt‑hour .

The project uses natural river flow without a large reservoir or water diversion, ensuring inflow equals outflow and the water volume of the Mekong remains unaffected .

The acquisition aligns with Gulf’s strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and support Thailand’s commitments to net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 .

Gulf aims for forty percent of its total power capacity from renewables by 2035 and net‑zero scope one and two emissions by 2050 .

The transaction was executed through Gulf’s wholly‑owned subsidiary, Gulf Hydropower Holdings, and includes both equity and shareholder loans .

Gulf previously held a forty percent stake in Pak Lay Power Co via a joint venture with Sinohydro, which had held the remaining sixty percent .

The Pak Lay acquisition is part of Gulf’s broader investment programme, comprising a ninety‑billion‑baht budget from 2025 to 2029, of which up to eighty percent is earmarked for renewable energy development, including solar, wind, biomass, waste‑to‑energy, and hydropower projects, as well as digital infrastructure .

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New Landmine Blast Escalates Thailand–Cambodia Border Tensions

Five Thai soldiers injured, diplomatic ties downgraded and border crossings closed amid disputed mine incidents

Thai and Cambodian relations have further deteriorated following a landmine explosion on July 23, 2025, which injured five Thai soldiers—including one who lost his right leg—during a patrol near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani province.

The incident occurred around 4:55 pm local time in a disputed border zone under Thai Second Army jurisdiction.

Four other soldiers suffered shock symptoms and concussive injuries and are receiving treatment at Nam Yuen Hospital .

In response to the explosion, the Thai government took several diplomatic and security measures.

All northeastern border crossings were closed.

Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia’s ambassador, accusing Cambodia of planting newly laid Russian-made PMN‑2 anti-personnel landmines—devices not used by the Thai military—and lodging a formal protest via its Foreign Ministry .

The Thai army activated its “Chakrapong Phuwanart” emergency plan, reinstated during the 2011 Preah Vihear temple crisis, involving both the 1st (Central Plains) and 2nd (Northeast) Army Regions .

This latest incident follows a previous landmine blast on July 16, when three soldiers stepped on PMN‑2 mines near Chong Bok in Nam Yuen district.

One lost a foot and two others were injured.

Thai bomb-disposal teams recovered further devices, raising concerns that hundreds may lie buried within Thai territory.

Military officials initially believed the landmines might be remnant from decades-old conflicts, but later investigations found them to be newly planted .

Cambodia has denied responsibility, stating that Thai personnel strayed from agreed patrol routes into its territory, where unexploded ordnance remains.

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority labelled Thai accusations “baseless” and expressed regret over the incident .

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence echoed this position, attributing the explosion to an unauthorized Thai patrol incursion .

These mine incidents follow a broader escalation that began with a brief military skirmish on May 28, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.

Since then, both countries have implemented border closures, trade restrictions, and media bans.

Cambodia has halted imports of Thai agricultural produce and broadcasts, while Thailand has limited crossing points and reinforced military presence in multiple provinces .

Domestic political reactions have intensified in both countries.

In Thailand, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and the ruling Pheu Thai Party cite the blasts as grave threats to peace.

Separately, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under an ethics probe over a leaked phone call in which she criticised the military—a controversy linked to the border dispute .

In Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the activation of a conscription law in 2026—dormant since its passage in 2006—citing rising tensions with Thailand and plans to augment Cambodia’s defence capabilities, including a proposed increase in defence spending from a national budget already allocating US $739 million to the military .

The law mandates 18 months of service for citizens aged 18–30 (voluntary for women), with indications that the training period may be extended to 24 months .

Despite continued calls from both governments for de-escalation and diplomatic engagement—including Cambodia’s intention to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice—neither country has fully disengaged.

Thai military authorities have signalled their intent to escalate the issue to the United Nations under the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the deployment of anti-personnel landmines .

The border remains a sensitive flashpoint, with both nations maintaining heightened military readiness and restricted patrol protocols.

The disputed zones near Ubon Ratchathani and Preah Vihear continue to feature contested geography, contested claims and the persistent threat of unexploded or newly emplaced ordnance.

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"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking

The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year

The popular host Joe Budden recently made headlines after accidentally sharing a screenshot that revealed he earns close to $900,000 per month—and later confirmed that his podcast network is on track to generate over $20 million in revenue by 2025. Budden represents a growing trend among independent audio creators who are trying to reduce their reliance on the industry’s major players—an industry that, according to new data, now generates $7.3 billion annually.

A Billion-Dollar Boom for Podcasts

According to a recent report from research firm Owl & Co, the global podcast industry brought in $7.3 billion last year—more than double most prior estimates. This surge reveals that podcasting, still a relatively young entertainment format, is bringing in far more money than many insiders had previously realized.

Advertising accounts for the bulk of these revenues, with the rest coming from paid subscriptions. These numbers do not include live events, such as the wildly popular British political podcast The Rest is Politics, which sold out London’s O2 Arena for a live taping.

Joe Budden’s Accidental Disclosure

In this booming market, one of the most surprising success stories is that of Joe Budden, a former rapper once dubbed “the Howard Stern of hip-hop.” Last month, Budden unintentionally posted a screenshot from Patreon—a subscription platform where fans can pay creators directly. The image showed over 30 million views in 30 days.

While the revenue figures were blacked out, internet sleuths edited the image and discovered that Budden had likely earned over $900,000 in that single month, backed by more than 154,000 active subscribers. The figures quickly made headlines. Budden’s latest Patreon update and podcast episode even referenced the leak with a title that cheekily reads “Blackout the Numbers.”

On Track for $20 Million+ in 2025

According to Ian Schwartzman, CEO of the Joe Budden Network, the platform is now averaging $1.04 million per month on Patreon. “We have around 70,000 paying subscribers, with subscription tiers ranging from $5 to $50 per month. Higher tiers offer access to more content, including exclusive spin-off shows,” Schwartzman told The New York Times.

Budden’s Patreon offers four subscription levels:

Homies ($5/month) – Ad-free episodes and bonus content.
Family ($10/month)
Friend of the Show ($25/month)
Part of the Show ($50/month) – Includes a chance to appear on-air and have your name in the credits.

These subscription revenues alone could exceed $12 million in 2025, making Budden one of the highest-earning creators on Patreon—a claim that a Patreon spokesperson has confirmed.

Advertising Still Adds Millions

But subscriptions aren’t Budden’s only income stream. Advertising also contributes millions in additional revenue, said Schwartzman. Notably, Budden’s team sells their own ads directly, instead of partnering with major networks like iHeart, Wondery, or SiriusXM, which often take a cut of ad revenues.

From $500 a Week to Industry Powerhouse

Budden’s journey hasn’t always been lucrative. Back in 2017, when he co-hosted a show on the media platform Complex, Schwartzman recalls that they were struggling to break even. Budden himself has said he was surviving on a $500-per-week stipend at the time.

From 2018 to 2020, The Joe Budden Podcast had an exclusive licensing deal with Spotify, which paid under $2 million per year and didn’t include ad revenue or equity.

Leaving Spotify: A Strategic Reboot

After a tense split with Spotify, Budden and Schwartzman began shopping for new distribution deals. But negotiations often broke down over exclusivity clauses. In one case, a potential $44 million deal was rejected because it required removing all content from YouTube.

“As the money goes up, so do the demands,” said Schwartzman. “We wanted someone who saw our value and would let us stay in the game.”

In 2021, they found their fit in Patreon—no guaranteed check, but equity in the company and advisory roles for both Budden and Schwartzman. “Joe is in a league of his own,” said Patreon CEO Jack Conte. “Earning $1 million a month on Patreon is extremely rare.”

A New Model for Creator Power

Since hitting that revenue milestone in November, the Joe Budden Network hasn’t slowed down. Conte credits Patreon’s creator-first model, noting: “Artists today have more leverage and control than ever before in the history of the arts.”

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Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines

The U.S. President disclosed new trade deals that include reduced tariffs and investment pledges from key Asian economies, with Japan committing $550 billion in U.S.-based projects

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a series of new trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, detailing what he described as transformative developments for the American economy.

According to statements released on his social media platform, Japan has pledged to invest $550 billion in the United States, with 90% of profits reportedly expected to remain within the country.

The trade agreement with Japan includes significant tariff adjustments, with Japanese imports to the U.S. subject to duties ranging between 15% and 19%.

In return, the Japanese market will open further to U.S. goods, including automobiles, trucks, rice, and other agricultural products.

Trump stated that the investment deal would generate hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Following the announcement, Tokyo’s stock exchange experienced a 3.5% surge, marking the highest closing since July 2024.

Additionally, Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose by 9 basis points to 1.60%.

The agreement with Indonesia entails the removal of 99% of tariffs on American industrial, technological, and agricultural products entering the Indonesian market.

In contrast, Indonesian exports to the U.S. will be subject to a 19% import tariff.

The deal includes commitments by Indonesia to supply critical minerals to the United States and purchase American goods, including Boeing aircraft, agricultural exports, and energy products, in contracts valued in the tens of billions of dollars.

A similar framework has been established with the Philippines, where American products will be exported tariff-free, while Philippine goods entering the U.S. market will face a 19% tariff.

During a state visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Washington, the two countries signed a trade agreement that also includes military cooperation initiatives.

These agreements come two weeks after Trump previously announced plans to impose higher tariffs on several Asian nations—32% on Indonesia, 30% on Japan, and 25% on the Philippines—due to the expiration of a moratorium on his proposed trade measures.

The recent negotiations have led to revised terms and apparent withdrawal from those earlier tariff levels.

Japanese and regional media outlets have prominently covered the announcement, with front pages in Tokyo highlighting the scale of the trade and investment commitments.

The agreements mark a shift in bilateral economic relations between the United States and several Asian partners, following extended negotiations involving trade liberalization and strategic collaboration.

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