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Esther Gonzalez Faces Backlash After Joining Saudi Women’s Club

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Spain forward Esther Gonzalez has faced criticism after signing for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Qadsiah. The 33-year-old left NWSL champions Gotham FC in July after mutually terminating her contract, with the club saying she was stepping away temporarily for personal reasons. Al Qadsiah later announced her signing, prompting backlash from Gotham supporters and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The criticism comes amid concerns over Saudi Arabia’s laws, where same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal. Fans on social media have questioned Gonzalez’s decision and expressed concerns about her safety, while Gotham supporters have also criticised the circumstances surrounding her departure and the club’s loss of a potential transfer fee. Reports in Spanish media also claim Gonzalez removed photos featuring her wife and child from her social media accounts following the move.

Gonzalez is a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and was part of Spain’s squad that finished runners-up at Euro 2025. She previously enjoyed a successful spell with Gotham FC, winning two NWSL titles, the NWSL Challenge Cup and the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Her move follows similar controversy surrounding footballers who have transferred to Saudi Arabia, including former England midfielder Jordan Henderson.

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SoftBank Eyes Majority Stake in 1X at $6B Valuation

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SoftBank is in talks to acquire a majority stake in OpenAI-backed humanoid robot developer 1X Technologies, in a deal that could value the startup at around $6 billion, according to a report by The Information citing people familiar with the matter. The talks are ongoing, and terms could still change.

The potential investment would strengthen SoftBank’s growing focus on robotics and artificial intelligence. OpenAI invested in 1X in 2023 through its startup fund, alongside Tiger Global and Norway-based investors. OpenAI and 1X had also discussed the possibility of an acquisition last year.

The move follows SoftBank’s broader expansion into the robotics sector. Last year, the Japanese conglomerate agreed to acquire Swiss engineering group ABB’s robotics business for about $5.4 billion, highlighting its ambition to build a stronger position in the rapidly developing robotics industry.

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Alibaba Shares Slide After $10.2 Billion AI Share Sale

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Alibaba shares fell sharply in Hong Kong on Monday after the Chinese technology giant launched a $10.2 billion share sale to fund its expanding AI ambitions. The company priced 710 million new shares at HK$112.70 each, an 8.4% discount to Friday’s closing price, raising concerns over shareholder dilution and the risks involved in its heavy AI spending.

Despite the discount, the offering attracted strong investor demand, with orders reportedly reaching $28 billion. Around 40% of the shares are expected to go to long-term and sovereign investors. Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai and CEO Eddie Wu also bought shares in the company, signaling confidence in its AI strategy.

Alibaba is increasingly shifting its focus toward AI as e-commerce growth slows. The company has committed nearly half of its 380 billion yuan three-year capital spending plan, while its AI-related spending contributed to a 75% year-on-year drop in quarterly net profit. The company expects its AI investments to break even within about three years as it develops proprietary chips and AI models.

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Coach Carrying German Students Crashes in Netherlands, 16 Injured

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A coach carrying more than 50 high-school students from Germany crashed in the eastern Netherlands early Monday, injuring 16 people, Dutch police said. The accident occurred near Wezep, about 100 km east of Amsterdam, at around 4 a.m. local time.

Eight people sustained severe injuries, while the remaining eight suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital. The coach was registered in Austria, according to a police spokesperson. The driver of a delivery van involved in the collision was also among those injured.

The crash caused the A28 motorway to be closed in both directions as emergency services responded at the scene. Police said the accident followed a collision between the coach and the delivery van. Further details about the cause of the crash were not immediately available.

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France Links Sharp Rise in Drownings to Heatwaves

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France has recorded 301 drowning deaths since 19 June, a 14% increase from the same period last year, according to Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari. She linked the rise to prolonged heatwaves that have pushed people toward rivers, canals and other bodies of water to cool down.

Ferrari warned that many fatal incidents occurred in areas without authorised or supervised swimming facilities. She also said some drownings, particularly among older people, happened in private pools. Sudden immersion in cold water after extreme heat can cause shock, while swimmers may also overestimate their physical abilities.

The increase comes as France and other parts of Europe experience increasingly intense heatwaves, wildfires and extreme temperatures. France has also recorded about 7,300 excess deaths between late May and 22 July, according to provisional public health figures, highlighting the wider health impact of the extreme summer heat.

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Cat in the Hat TikTok Hoax Sparks Fear Among Teenagers

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A viral TikTok trend featuring the Cat in the Hat has sparked both amusement and genuine fear among teenagers in the UK and Ireland. Fake videos, AI-generated images and people wearing the famous Dr Seuss character’s costume have led some viewers to believe that a life-sized Cat in the Hat is roaming the streets at night. Police forces in Ireland and the UK have confirmed that the alleged sightings are fake.

The trend gained momentum after images of the original costume from the 2003 film starring Mike Myers went viral online. AI-generated clips and misleading posts have since added locations, threats and fake claims of attacks, while some users have even promoted supposed meet-and-greets in isolated areas. Authorities have warned people not to believe or share unverified posts and to check official police accounts for accurate information.

While many videos are clearly intended as jokes, the trend has raised concerns about how online hoaxes can create real-world fear and potentially put teenagers at risk. Police and parents are urging young people to verify information before sharing it and, most importantly, avoid meeting strangers at night or in isolated locations based on social media posts.

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Romania Destroys Marine Drone Near Major Black Sea Gas Project

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Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets to destroy a marine drone spotted just a few hundred metres from the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea, Defence Minister Radu Miruta said on Thursday. The drone was later destroyed completely by a Romanian vessel after being hit by the fighter jets.

Miruta said the drone contained explosives and was destroyed to protect hundreds of workers and safeguard the country’s critical energy infrastructure. Ukraine confirmed that the drone did not belong to its forces, while Romania did not identify its origin.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia for what he described as a growing series of irresponsible incidents. The development comes as security concerns increase around Black Sea energy and shipping routes, with Neptun Deep expected to help make Romania the European Union’s largest gas producer when production begins in 2027.

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Academic Who Raised Plagiarism Allegations Against Jason Arday Suspended

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Nathan Cofnas, the U.S. academic who raised plagiarism concerns about late Cambridge professor Jason Arday, said on Thursday that he had been suspended by Ghent University in Belgium and was under investigation for discrimination. The university confirmed that Cofnas had been suspended as a precautionary measure while a preliminary disciplinary investigation is carried out.

Arday, who was once described as Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, was found dead in London last week at the age of 41, days after resigning from his position. He had denied plagiarism allegations but acknowledged making mistakes. The allegations attracted widespread media attention and led to scrutiny of other claims surrounding his career and personal life.

Cofnas said he had been contacted by a source at Cambridge University in July about the plagiarism accusations involving Arday. His suspension comes amid wider controversy surrounding his own academic career, including disputes with Cambridge’s Emmanuel College over blog posts that students had raised concerns about. Arday’s family has said he was subjected to misinformation and harassment, while thousands of people attended a vigil in London following his death.

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Norway Expands Arctic Brigade as NATO Strengthens Northern Defences

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Norway expanded its Finnmark Brigade on Thursday as the NATO member strengthens its military presence in the Arctic following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The brigade, established last year as Norway’s second military brigade and the first created since the end of the Cold War, is headquartered in the country’s northern Arctic region.

The expansion adds an artillery battalion, an air defence battery and a communications company to the brigade. These capabilities will allow Norwegian forces to strike targets on land at longer distances and coordinate operations with Norwegian and NATO aircraft and naval forces. The brigade has also been responsible for monitoring and patrolling Norway’s 198-km border with Russia.

Norway has significantly increased defence spending in recent years, with NATO estimating that military expenditure will reach 3.17% of GDP in 2026, compared with 1.5% in 2014. Norwegian officials say the strengthened Arctic presence is intended to improve the country’s ability to respond to threats against Norway and NATO, while Russia has previously rejected claims that it poses a threat to the alliance.

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Giant Whales Move Into Greenland Waters as Sea Ice Disappears

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Giant whales are increasingly moving into previously inaccessible waters along Greenland’s east coast as rising temperatures cause sea ice to disappear. A decades-long study found that fin, humpback and minke whales are now feeding in ice-free coastal waters during summer, marking a major shift in the region’s marine ecosystem.

Researchers recorded a sharp rise in whale activity, with aerial surveys, satellite tracking and observations from Inuit hunters providing evidence of the change. An estimated 4,000 humpback whales, 6,000 fin whales and 6,000 minke whales visited the Greenland Sea in summer 2024. Scientists believe warmer waters and increased food availability are attracting the whales to the area.

While some whale species appear to be benefiting from the changing conditions, Arctic species such as narwhals and belugas could face growing pressure as their traditional habitat changes. Scientists say the movement represents a major ecological shift, highlighting how climate change is creating new opportunities for some marine species while threatening others.

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