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Beckham paid £39m as World Cup campaigns fuel record profits
David Beckham received about $51m (£39m) in dividends from his commercial empire, as World Cup-related advertising partnerships helped drive record profits. His appearances in roughly 12 campaigns for brands including Lenovo, McDonald’s, Bank of America, Verizon and Lay’s contributed to a 20% rise in revenue, highlighting the continuing commercial strength of his global profile. DRJB…
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Tales Of Syria’s Disappeared; Lebanese Wartime Adoption & Palestinian Mental Health Set For Cinemed-Aflamuna Project Incubator
The Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival and Beirut-based Aflamuna have selected seven Arab film projects for their fifth joint incubator, to be held during Cinemed in October. The programme highlights stories involving Syria’s disappeared, Palestinian mental health and family trauma, while helping filmmakers connect with European producers, institutions and potential partners. Among the projects is Anas…
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Pochettino regrets limited role in Balogun’s controversial World Cup return
Mauricio Pochettino has expressed regret at not being more directly involved in the controversial decision to reinstate US striker Folarin Balogun for the World Cup match against Belgium. Balogun had received a red card in the preceding match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. However, following lobbying by the US Soccer Federation…
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British climber dies after 200ft fall near Torrecerredo summit
A 28-year-old British climber fell to his death on Thursday whilst ascending Torrecerredo, the highest peak in the Spanish Picos de Europa at 8,690 feet above sea level. The tragedy occurred when the climber was merely 65 feet from the summit, plunging approximately 200 feet during the accident. Emergency services received an alert at around…
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Trump uses autopen display to mock Biden during Xi visit
Donald Trump showed Chinese President Xi Jinping a mocking display featuring an autopen in place of Joe Biden’s portrait during Xi’s visit to Washington. Xi laughed at the joke as Trump used the encounter to highlight his criticism of Biden, while also making a highly personal effort to cultivate goodwill through a runway welcome, a…
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Trump and Xi showcase warmth while disputes over Iran and Taiwan persist
President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a lavish White House State Dinner, presenting their relationship as warm and constructive despite persistent US-China tensions. Their discussions covered Iran, trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan, showing that diplomatic pageantry had not resolved major strategic disagreements. Trump urged China to use its influence with Iran to…
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‘Halima,’ First Finnish Pic Ever by Black Female Filmmaker, Bags Fiction Project Prize, ‘Sauna Diplomacy’ Named Best Genre Project at Finnish Film Affair
Naima Mohamud’s warm comedy “Halima”, about a 10-year-old Somali girl adapting to life in 1998 Finland, won the Best Fiction Project prize at Helsinki’s Finnish Film Affair. The project marks a milestone as the first Finnish feature directed by a black woman, highlighting a previously underrepresented perspective in Finnish cinema. Produced by It’s Alive Films,…
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Labour figures urge Burnham to call early election next spring
Downing Street advisers and some Labour MPs are reportedly urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to call an early general election next spring, believing it could give Labour the best chance of retaining power. Government opinion is divided, however, and supporters of the plan say it would depend on the Middle East crisis easing, the cost-of-living…
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Trump and Xi project warmer ties despite limited progress
US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a lavish White House state dinner, where both leaders presented their relationship as entering a more positive phase. Xi said the US and China must act as responsible major powers, while Trump praised their friendship and raised hopes of harmony, peace and stability. However, experts…