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The Rise of the Dark Horses Every World Cup needs a dark horse: the team that nobody quite planned for that disrupts the natural order and is remembered more vividly than the finalists. Morocco did it in 2022, beating Spain and Portugal on their way to becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. Croatia produced a fairytale run to the final in 2018. Costa Rica topped a group that featured three former champions – England, Italy and Uruguay – in 2014 before eventually losing to the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals. And South Korea, who had never won a match at a World Cup, went all the way to the semi-finals in 2002. Ecuador's Strong Defense A defence featuring two Champions League finalists, a 15-game unbeaten streak, and second place in South American qualifying. Ecuador have a great chance to go further than ever before at the World Cup – their last-16 exit at the 2006 tournament in Germany. A new generation of players – led by Moisés Caicedo, Piero Hincapié and Willian Pacho, under the guidance of manager Sebastián Beccacece – have turned Ecuador into one of the hardest teams to break down in world football. Japan's Growing Belief The round of 16 has haunted Japan at World Cups. Four times they have reached the knockout stages and four times their journey has ended there. Japan hold the record for most World Cup matches played without ever reaching the quarter-finals (25). However, this team has been refined over years. Thirteen players from the squad that topped a group featuring Spain, Germany and Costa Rica in 2022 are back, bringing experience and a shared understanding of what it takes to compete on the big stage. Norway's Formidable Attack When Norway last played at a World Cup, in 1998, only nine of the 26 players in this squad had been born. The current generation have ended the country’s long wait and they are not just making up the numbers. Headlined by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, Norway arrive in North America with wind in their sails. Ståle Solbakken’s side stormed through qualifying, becoming one of only two European teams – alongside England – to win every match.

Lead: A New Kind of Gaming ShowcaseThe Summer Game Fest turned the summer weekend into a nonstop parade of video‑game reveals, filling the void left by the cancelled Los Angeles E3. Over dozens of pre‑recorded streams—from the flagship PlayStation and Xbox shows to niche indie showcases—34 highlights were distilled for readers, exposing the themes that will likely dominate the market in the coming year.A Marathon of Livestreams Replaces E3Instead of a single physical expo, the fest comprised multiple two‑hour broadcasts:PlayStation and Xbox flagship streamsThe main stage hosted by Geoff Keighley and Lucy JamesFuture Games Show and PC Gaming ShowIndie spotlights such as Cosy Games, Female‑Led Games, Black Voices in Gaming, and Day of the DevsAll content was pre‑recorded, eliminating live audience reactions and creating a sterile viewing experience.Numbers That Define the Fest34 game highlights selected from hundreds of announcementsEach major stream ran for 2 hours, totaling over 12 hours of curated footageMore than 20 new titles mentioned across categories (single‑player, horror, Y2K retro, Chinese action, etc.)What the Trends Signal for the Gaming LandscapeSingle‑player resurgence: High‑budget narrative titles like God of War: Laufey, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Persona 6 dominate, while live‑service shooters are scarce.Horror everywhere: A flood of new horror IPs—from Silent Hill: Townfall to rhythm‑horror Wicked Delights—suggests studios are betting on fear‑driven engagement.Y2K nostalgia: Retro aesthetics shift from early‑90s pixel art to early‑2000s 3D, reviving franchises like Crazy Taxi, Rayman, and Spyro.Rise of Chinese action games: Post‑Black Myth: Wukong success fuels polished titles such as Dinghai: The Ocean Pillar and Blood Message.Xbox re‑embraces exclusives: New first‑party titles like the upcoming Gears of War sequel and Clockwork Revolution indicate a strategic pivot.Micro‑trends: Even niche genres like horror‑themed fishing games (Last Harbor, Dread Moor) surface, reflecting experimental indie pipelines.Audience‑free presentations: The lack of live crowds removes spontaneous hype moments, raising questions about future event formats.Looking Ahead: How These Shifts May Shape 2027 and BeyondIf the single‑player focus holds, publishers may allocate larger budgets to narrative‑driven projects, potentially raising game prices and extending development cycles. The horror boom could inspire more cross‑media collaborations, feeding both streaming services and game studios. Y2K nostalgia may drive a wave of remasters and reboots, offering low‑risk revenue streams. Finally, the success of Chinese‑produced action titles hints at a more globalized development landscape, where East‑Asian studios compete directly with Western powerhouses for marquee releases.

The Ambitious Plan The Chinese car company BYD has said it aims to be the world’s biggest automaker within the next five years. Targeting Toyota’s long-held top spot, BYD’s founder and chair, Wang Chuanfu said he was confident it could overtake global rivals through rapid advances in battery technology, fast charging advances and growing production overseas, including Europe. Global Expansion and Production “BYD will truly become the number one automaker globally in terms of ​scale in five years,” he said at the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Shenzhen. Overnight the company announced plans to spend nearly £1.8bn in Europe to develop infrastructure for five-minute “flash charging” of its cars. The company, based in southern China, overtook Tesla last year as the world’s biggest EV maker by sales. Sales and Market Performance In May it sold more than 160,000 vehicles abroad, up 80% from the year before. It aims to sell 1.5m vehicles overseas this year, up more than 40% from last year’s 1.05m. In 2025, Toyota retained its crown as the world’s top-selling carmaker with 11.3m vehicles, while BYD sold 4.8m last year. European Production and Challenges Separately the company’s top international executive, Stella Li, told reporters in London that the company will start assembling cars at its new plant in Hungary in the fourth quarter of this year. She also said BYD had paused work on a plant ‌in Turkey while it focuses on production in the EU, where locally assembled cars will help it beat tariffs Brussels introduced on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) two years ago. “Hungary is the number one priority right now,” she told Reuters. “The ​second priority will be to focus on finding a second [production] ⁠facility in Europe.” Challenges and Controversies BYD in Hungary recently faced allegations that EU employment laws were being breached as it races to build its first European factory using Chinese migrant workers. It is also the subject of claims that excavated soil from the site of the factory in the Hungarian city of Szeged was dumped on to surrounding farmland, potentially contaminating it; local authorities ordered the destruction of affected crops. Earlier this week a spokesperson for Csongrád-Csanád county confirmed that authorities have sanctioned three companies involved in the factory’s construction and imposed a fine on at least one of them. However, the findings of the investigation have not yet been made public, said China Labour Watch, which conducted the investigation into workers. BYD is also facing pressure in the US where the Pentagon overnight added it to a list of “Chinese military companies” deemed a national security risk to the US. Many of these businesses are competing directly with big US companies. China responded on Wednesday by saying it believed its addition to the US list “lacks factual basis”.

The Global Backlash Over Unauthorized Character ImageryJapanese anime and manga fans are urging Donald Trump to stop using their favorite characters in his social media posts without permission. The controversy has escalated to the point where approximately 20,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org entitled "Protect Japanese Manga," protesting against the official White House X account posting videos featuring unauthorised use of imagery from popular series.White House Posts Spark International Copyright ConcernsThe controversy began when the White House posted a video that combined footage of US strikes on Iran with anime scenes from popular franchises. This was followed by an image posted on Truth Social over the weekend depicting Trump as the ninja Naruto Uzumaki from the Naruto franchise. The official Yu-Gi-Oh! account on X issued a statement clarifying that "The original creators and anime staff were not involved in any way, and no permission was given for the use of the intellectual property in question."Fan-Led Petition Gains International TractionThe petition, created in March and submitted to the Japanese government, expresses fans' "very mixed feelings" about a "video featuring military actions, released on an official US government social media account [that] incorporated footage from Japanese manga and anime works." Fans have taken to social media to voice their concerns, with one fan stating: "If you respect the creators and those involved and have obtained their permission, I think that's fine. Otherwise, you're just showing yourself to be someone who can't follow the rules and who disregards culture."Intellectual Property Rights Under ScrutinyThe controversy has raised important questions about copyright law and international intellectual property rights. Fans are questioning what legal recourse exists, with one asking: "I wonder what the copyright situation is with this? Shouldn't [the publisher] Shueisha and [Naruto's creator] Masashi Kishimoto complain about it?" Shueisha, which published the original Naruto manga from 1999 to 2014, has clarified that the copyright for the anime images used in Trump's post is held by the film production committee.Diplomatic and Cultural Implications EmergeThe situation has prompted diplomatic intervention, with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs making a formal request to the US embassy in Japan regarding the unauthorised use of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Nintendo games on the official White House X account. This incident highlights the growing importance of cultural sensitivity in international relations and the increasing global influence of Japanese pop culture. As one fan noted: "They're the ones who chose [Trump]." The criticism may ultimately reflect not just on Trump, but on Americans more broadly in the eyes of international manga and anime enthusiasts.

Executive Overview of the Mid‑Year Film LandscapeThe Guardian’s latest interactive feature curates the most acclaimed films released in the first half of 2026, offering readers a snapshot of the year’s cinematic highlights.How the List Was Compiled and What It RevealsAlthough the underlying data is presented as an interactive module, the curation appears to blend critical acclaim, audience reception, and cultural impact, signalling a move away from purely box‑office‑driven rankings.Box‑Office and Streaming Metrics Shaping 2026Early‑year releases have shown a tighter convergence between theatrical grosses and streaming viewership, with several titles achieving simultaneous platform debuts. This hybrid model is reshaping revenue calculations and award‑season eligibility.Implications for Studios and AudiencesThe emphasis on diverse narratives and international co‑productions in the list underscores a growing appetite for global stories, prompting studios to invest more in cross‑border collaborations.Looking Ahead: What to Expect for the Rest of 2026With major festivals slated for the autumn, the second half of the year is poised to introduce contenders that could redefine the year’s “best‑of” conversation, especially as streaming giants continue to fund high‑budget original films.

The Enduring Legacy of Peter Asher Peter Asher, a name synonymous with the evolution of popular music, has led a life that reads like a history book of rock 'n' roll. From his early days as part of the duo Peter and Gordon to his influential work as a producer for iconic artists like James Taylor and Carole King, Asher's contributions to music have been profound. Early Life and Career Born into a family of intellectuals and creatives, Asher's journey into music was almost predestined. His mother, an accomplished oboe player, and his father, an endocrinologist, instilled in him a love for music and a logical approach to life. This blend of artistic inclination and analytical thinking would later define his approach to music production. The Asher Family's Connection to The Beatles The Asher family had a unique connection to The Beatles, with George Martin, the band's producer, taking oboe lessons from Asher's mother. Paul McCartney, in particular, had a close relationship with the family, often seeking refuge in their home and writing songs like 'Yesterday' there. This connection played a pivotal role in launching Asher's career in music. Rise to Fame with Peter and Gordon Asher's music career began in earnest when he formed a duo with Gordon Waller, known as Peter and Gordon. Their No 1 hit 'A World Without Love,' penned by Paul McCartney, catapulted them to fame in 1964. This success allowed Asher to quit school and pursue a career in music, much to his parents' initial dismay. Venturing into Production Asher's transition into music production was marked by his work on Paul Jones's debut solo album in 1966. However, it was his signing of James Taylor to Apple Records and producing Taylor's self-titled album that truly showcased his talent. Though the album's orchestration overshadowed Taylor's intimate style, it cemented Asher's role as a producer. The Impact on Music History Asher's influence on music history extends beyond his productions. He played a crucial role in shaping the 'LA sound' and elevating the status of session musicians. His work with artists like Carole King and James Taylor not only produced iconic music but also helped define the soft rock genre of the 1970s. A Lasting Legacy Today, Asher's legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and producers. His story, as told in the documentary 'Everywhere Man,' is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and a passion for music. Asher's contributions to the music industry have been invaluable, making him an 'Everywhere Man' in the truest sense.

The LeadIn today's digital age, phone addiction and inconsiderate public behavior have become increasingly common. Experts weigh in on the essential rules for phone etiquette. When to Switch Off Your PhoneAccording to William Hanson, an etiquette expert, phones should be switched off in places where they might disturb others, such as theaters, cinemas, and restaurants. This allows individuals to focus on the human beings around them. Phone Etiquette in RestaurantsMyka Meier, author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy, emphasizes the importance of being aware of others when using your phone. This includes keeping your phone off the table and out of sight, and switching it off to avoid distractions. Waiting for an Urgent CallIf you're expecting an important call, Meier suggests informing the person you're with and taking the call outside if it comes in. Phone Calls on LoudspeakerHanson and Meier agree that making calls on loudspeaker in public places is not acceptable, as it can disturb those around you. Ringtones and Keypad BleepsUnless you rely on your phone's sounds due to vision or hearing loss, Mariah Humbert, an etiquette expert, recommends switching off ringtones and keypad bleeps in public. Wearing HeadphonesHumbert emphasizes that wearing headphones is a must when listening to something on your phone in a public place, but should be removed during interactions with others. Additional Tips Be mindful of disabled people who may rely on their phones for assistance. Avoid texting in theaters or cinemas. Keep your phone on silent mode in public places. The Impact of Poor Phone EtiquettePoor phone etiquette can lead to frustration and discomfort for those around you. By following these simple rules, individuals can contribute to a more considerate and respectful public environment. The Future of Phone EtiquetteAs technology continues to evolve, it's essential to adapt and refine our understanding of phone etiquette. By being mindful of our phone use and its impact on others, we can create a more harmonious and respectful society.

The Sevastopol Museum Strike Ukrainian drones have struck a historic museum in Russia-annexed Sevastopol in Crimea, igniting a roof fire, as Russian authorities slashed nighttime train schedules amid intensifying air attacks across the peninsula and deep into Russia. Damage and Response Sevastopol’s Russian-installed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, announced the damage on Telegram early on Wednesday. The museum commemorates Russia’s 1853-1856 Crimean War struggle against a coalition including the Ottoman Empire. The UAV damaged the building of the Panorama ‘Defense of Sevastopol 1854-1855’ [painting], the roof is on fire. This building is not just a museum, it is a symbol of resilience, which has repeatedly taken the blows of the enemy. Impact on Russian Oil Refineries Russian Defence Ministry officials reported overnight that air defence systems destroyed 326 Ukrainian drones over Russia, with more than a dozen heading towards Moscow. In Novokuibyshevsk in Russia’s Samara oil hub region, hosting Rosneft refineries, regional governors said authorities repelled drone attacks while urging one million residents to seek shelter. The Kuibyshevsk oil refinery was burning after at least 29 drones attacked. In Russia’s Rostov region bordering Ukraine, falling debris from a drone triggered a fire in a fuel tank at a civilian site. Escalating Conflict Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week proposed face-to-page talks with Putin, which the Russian leader rejected. After the train incident, the Kremlin said Ukraine was undermining peaceful resolution efforts.

The PlanThe team’s transformation under Sébastien Desabre can perhaps be summed up by one sentence the coach said to Leopardsfoot in an interview: “Discipline must begin on the pitch.” The Frenchman has imposed structure on a national team long associated with chaos and inconsistency. More than a traditional coach, Desabre operates almost like a manager in the English sense of the term, obsessing over details ranging from defensive positioning to the federation’s communication strategy. So far, it has worked.The CoachSometimes nicknamed “Tatu Seba” by Congolese fans (“Papa Seba”), Sébastien Desabre arrived in 2022 carrying years of African football experience gained in Uganda, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon. The former Chamois Niortais coach left Ligue 2 to take on one of the continent’s most talented, and structurally complicated, football nations. “DR Congo is a true football country,” he told Afrik-Foot after qualification. “People love their national team and are proud of it.” Pragmatic by nature, Desabre believes in continuity and stability above all else. The veteran striker Cédric Bakambu credits him with finally giving the Leopards “a framework”. More importantly, he has built a united squad around a clear collective identity, something the DRC had lacked for years.Star PlayerAfter missing the Africa Cup of Nations in order to regain sharpness following a knee injury, Yoane Wissa arrives at the World Cup carrying huge expectations. Nicknamed “Kovo” (“the bald one”) by Congolese supporters, the Newcastle forward became the first player from the DRC to score more than 10 Premier League goals in a season during his time at Brentford. Deployed usually from the left in the national team, Wissa combines pace with intelligent movement and relentless pressing. His first season at Newcastle was disrupted by injuries, but when fully fit he remains the Leopards’ most dangerous attacking weapon and their biggest international star.One to WatchThere is something unusually elegant about the way Ngal’ayel Mukau plays football. Tall, technically refined and blessed with a decent left foot, the Lille midfielder glides through games with a calmness that is rare for a 21-year-old. He can recover possession, escape pressure, progress with the ball and speed up attacks. Belgium tried hard to keep him but instead Mukau committed early to the DRC, becoming one of several highly rated Belgian-Congolese youngsters helping to reshape the future of the national team. Already linked with clubs such as Barcelona, Mukau could emerge from this tournament as one of Africa’s breakout midfielders.