Politics

This month, Sao Paulo’s main street was packed with thousands of people dressed in the yellow and green of the Brazilian flag, drawn by a towering figure on a trailer equipped with loudspeakers. From above, it might have looked like any other political rallies held by former President Jair Bolsonaro, who famously declared that he could never love a gay son. (Although the huge rainbow flag might have been a clue.) In fact, it was one of the largest Pride parades in the world, and the person in the van with the sound was Phabullo Rodrigues da Silva, 30, the…

The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured the future of their franchise by signing Evan Mobley to a lucrative five-year, $224 million contract extension. The deal, which could potentially reach $269 million, solidifies the young forward as a mainstay of the team. Mobley, a 2021-22 All-Rookie and 2022-23 All-Defensive selection, quickly established himself as a defensive force and versatile offensive contributor. Despite being limited to 50 games last season due to injuries, he averaged an impressive 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Selected third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Mobley joins star Donovan Mitchell, who signed a long-term…

London – HSBC Holdings Plc today announced the appointment of Georges Elhedery as its next Group Chief Executive, effective September 2. Elhedery, currently the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, will take over the reins from outgoing CEO Noel Quinn. Quinn’s departure, announced in April, marks the end of a nearly five-year tenure guiding the bank through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical complexities. He will officially step down on April 30, 2025, after a 12-month gardening leave. Elhedery, who joined HSBC in 2023, brings with him extensive experience in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The bank’s Board of Directors expressed confidence…

Having lived in central Paris for six years, I have learned a lot about the ups and downs of being a Parisian. I would go back in a heartbeat. But I also empathize with international visitors who arrive with a romantic vision of perfection, only to face a severe shock, known as "Paris syndrome," when reality doesn't match their expectations. Don't let this discourage you from visiting. Just make sure you know what to expect before you go. Where are the Parisians? At the end of July, many Parisians leave for their summer homes, forcing bakeries to close and restaurants…

Alec Baldwin's complicated legal battle over the fatal shooting on the set of the movie "Rust" will go to trial this week in New Mexico. A jury will determine whether his involvement in the death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, amounts to manslaughter. The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, when a gun Baldwin was handling fired a live round, killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza. The gun was supposed to be loaded with inactive rounds that could not be fired. The initial news of Baldwin’s criminal charges shocked Hollywood, where many industry professionals believe that on-set…

A Russian military court has sentenced playwright Svetlana Petriychuk and theater director Yevgenia Berkovich to six years in prison, accusing them of “justifying terrorism.” Critics say the case exemplifies the crackdown on free speech since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Petriychuk, 44, and Berkovich, 39, have been in custody since May 2023. In addition to their prison sentences, both are banned from operating websites for three years after release. The work at the center of the controversy, "Finist the Brave Falcon," written by Petriychuk and directed by Berkovich, adapts a classic fairy tale by integrating narratives of women…

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded former lottery pick Ziaire Williams and a 2030 second-round draft pick (originally taken by the Dallas Mavericks) to the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, the Grizzlies will receive forward Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic, the teams announced Friday. Mamadi Diakite, who stands 6 feet, 9 inches, has played for five different teams since finishing his college career at Virginia in 2020. Most notably, he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster during their 2021 championship run. Ziaire Williams, 6-foot-4, has played 150 games for the Grizzlies over the past three seasons.…