Category: 5. Entertainment

Featured photograph by Stephi Matsushima

World Lion Day, celebrated annually on August 10, is an opportunity to highlight the increasing threats that one of the planet’s most iconic species faces with each passing year. For Matthew Smith Becker, a National Geographic Explorer, lion conservationist and CEO of the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), the fate of lion populations has been a lifelong focus. “The current state of African lions is not good. They’ve disappeared from most of their historical range. And in the areas that they remain in, they’re subject to a whole array of negative human impacts.”

Beyond their grand status as “kings of the jungle,” lions serve a critical ecological purpose. As apex predators, they shape ecosystems, regulate herbivore populations and maintain balance among other carnivores. Their presence determines broader ecosystem health. As Becker explains, “they’re an umbrella species: By conserving them, you conserve a whole lot of other species and a whole lot of habitat.”

To protect and eventually replenish lion populations, Becker and his team at the Zambian Carnivore Programme, with support from the National Geographic Society, have implemented a number of innovative approaches, including an anti-snaring program. (Snaring is a method of trapping game that both depletes lions’ natural prey and ensnares lions.)

“We have been dealing with bushmeat trade, specifically the impact of snaring, for many years. We developed what we call the Field-Based Protection, or the halo approach.” This method combines intensive monitoring of prides, de-snaring them with field-based vet teams, and sharing information about lions’ whereabouts with law enforcement partners to target areas of high use and high risk. Since 2008, they’ve removed over 50 snares from lions, saving hundreds of cubs in the process. “If we hadn’t desnared all the lions we’d desnared, the population would have gone from stable to declining.”

Human activity is at the core of the lions’ population decline. As human populations grow and expand into wildlife habitats, pressures on natural resources increase, with practices like bushmeat trading causing additional strain. According to Becker, this creates a multi-pronged problem. When natural prey becomes scarce or habitats shrink, lions turn to livestock as a food source. In response, community members often feel compelled to protect their livelihoods, which can lead to human-lion conflict.

But coexistence between humans and lions is possible, and Zambia provides a promising example of what it looks like. In South Luangwa, where there are no fences separating people from the wildlife, Becker has seen firsthand how communities can live alongside big cats. “I think one of the most amazing things about working in Zambia is there’s a lot of coexistence already. We have a coexistence program, but it’s in no small part built upon the coexistence that’s already happening — and has happened for a long time in Zambia.”

These successful lion conflict mitigation programs are led by local conservationists, typically from these same communities, and trained through long-term, grassroots initiatives. Having that field-based presence, according to Becker, has ensured that his team has been ready to adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities of lion conservation.

Another major challenge to lion conservation is funding, as wildlife protection carries a hefty price tag. Protecting just a single pride means funding anti-poaching patrols, veterinary teams, community outreach and ecological monitoring. The Society has played a long-term role in sponsoring and promoting ZCP’s conservation efforts. “The Society has enabled us, given us support, helped us develop as an organization, and empowered some of Zambia’s bright stars. I think there’s a lot of really outstanding people that are up-and-coming in Zambia and on the continent, and National Geographic is a real leader in making that happen.”

Despite the challenges, Becker remains hopeful, especially when he sees young conservationists taking the reins. “A mentor of mine said, ‘It’s not what you do, it’s who you train,’” he reflects. Through training programs supported by the Society, his team now numbers over 100 and mentors 35 to 55 trainees per year, including Women in Wildlife Conservation Training Program participants and students in veterinary school. With some of Africa’s largest and longest-running lion conservation projects, this is an ideal training ground, and ZCP has now begun leveraging this work to help train lion conservationists on emerging projects across the continent.

A lion rests on a tree branch in Kafue National Park, Zambia.

Photograph by Anna Kusler

“I think at heart, we’re optimistic,” Becker says. “There’s a lot of promising work going on with lions.”

For those who care but feel powerless, Becker has a simple message: You can make a difference.

“Nothing is going to change unless we do it. Be informed and involved. Stay optimistic. Spread the word,” he says. Whether by donating or raising awareness, your support helps keep lions from disappearing into memory.

National Geographic Explorer Matthew Smith Becker is a conservation biologist and the CEO and Programme Director of the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), a science-based conservation organization that conducts long-term conservation work on large carnivores across Zambia.

This World Lion Day, let’s help Explorers like Matthew ensure a peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. Your generous contribution to the National Geographic Society will directly support vital conservation efforts that help protect the wonder of our world. Donate before August 31 to make an impact.

Princess, a collared female lion of the Shumba pride found in Kafue National Park’s Busanga Plains, and her cub seek shade after eating.

Photograph by Johane Njobvu

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ABOUT THE WRITER

Melat Kanja is the summer 2025 Engagement & Marketing Strategy Intern at the Society. Being born and raised in Kenya inspired her love for big cats. She has a passion for storytelling and its ability to create positive change, and is pursuing a degree in Public Policy with a concentration in communications at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

The craze for a toothy, fluffy, mischievous monster doll and all its viral spinoffs is escalating into a potential crime wave.

A group of burglars has broken into a Los Angeles store, taking thousands of dollars worth of Labubu dolls, which have surged in popularity this year among both children and adults, including celebrities.

“There was a lot taken, maybe like around $30,000 or more of inventory,” Joanna Avendano, co-owner of One Stop Sales, told ABC News Local 7 in California. “We worked so hard to get to this point, and for them to just come in and, like nothing, take it all away, it’s really bad.”

Avendano said the burglars bypassed other merchandise at the store, targeting the Labubus, and she alleged the break-in was planned.

She said a suspicious truck was parked outside the store on Tuesday night and she suspected the burglars were monitoring the store’s social media account, as they had just announced a restock in Labubus, which are being sold quickly.

The store in La Puente, in eastern Los Angeles county, posted a security video of the break-in showing four individuals stealing the sought-after inventory.

The Los Angeles county sheriff’s department said it responded to a burglary at the store at 1.29am local time on Wednesday and that the incident is being investigated.

“Several boxes of Labubu dolls were stolen, valued at approximately seven thousand dollars,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement, reported NBC News. It wasn’t clear how many dolls were stolen. The estimated value of the dolls can vary greatly depending on how they are sold or resold.

The sheriff’s department said the burglars used a Toyota Tacoma, which was found abandoned shortly after the burglary.

According to the store’s website, the Labubu dolls were priced as high as $500 each. High demand for Labubus have incited significant price hikes by resellers for thousands of dollars each and the rise of a black market of fake Labubus.

The Labubu dolls are exclusively made and sold by Pop Mart and have risen in popularity as celebrities including Rihanna and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink were photographed earlier this year with them. Many fans like to attach them to handbags or backpacks as a quirky fashion statement.

CLEARING, the New York–based gallery known for championing artists like Marguerite Humeau, Korakrit Arunanondchai, and Harold Ancart, will close its Manhattan and Los Angeles galleries.

In an Instagram post, founder Olivier Babin said there was “no viable path forward” for the business. The closure ends the gallery’s 14-year run, which began in 2011 in Brooklyn.

CLEARING is the fourth major gallery to announce its closure in the past month, following BLUM, Venus Over Manhattan, and Kasmin.. In an interview with The Art Newspaper, Babin said the gallery was “crushed by the overheads,” pointing to rising costs for rent, shipping, and art fairs alongside declining revenues.

The gallery opened at a time when the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn was home to a vibrant network of arts spaces, such as Luhring Augustine’s project space and Signal. The year after it opened, the gallery expanded to Brussels. In its early years, it mounted shows for artists like Lili Reynaud-Dewar and Huma Bhabha, among several other luminaries. In recent years, the gallery made significant moves to expand its presence, opening a location in Los Angeles in 2020 and moving from Brooklyn to a three-story space in the Bowery in 2023.

In 2024, the gallery announced a restructuring in which CLEARING would split its U.S. and European entities. The Brussels location is now operated independently by former CLEARING director Lodovico Corsini under his namesake.

Babin said that CLEARING’s Bowery space, which came with higher rent, coincided with a slowdown in the art market and proved financially unsustainable.

CLEARING’s final exhibitions were solo painting shows by Coco Young in New York and Henry Curchod in Los Angeles, both of which closed earlier this summer. In June, the gallery staged “Maison Clearing,” a pop-up group exhibition in Basel featuring 46 artists.

“CLEARING was, first and foremost, a shared endeavor, and any success we encountered belongs to all of you,” Babin wrote. “Serving at the head of CLEARING has been the great honor of my life.”

The Batman Part II is set to begin filming this spring, with its theatrical release scheduled for October 1, 2027. The news was confirmed in a letter from Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to shareholders, where he also emphasized the company’s long-term plans for the DC Universe.

Zaslav noted that DC Studios’ 10-year roadmap includes upcoming shows like The Penguin, which ties into The Batman universe. Meanwhile, DC Studios co-head James Gunn is “already preparing to write the next installment in the Super family,” sparking fresh speculation about future Superman-related projects.

While The Batman Part II moves ahead under director Matt Reeves, Gunn is expected to build on the foundation of Superman and the upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The connected universe is likely to feature returning stars including David Corenswet, Milly Alcock, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Krypto the Superdog.

According to Jeff Sneider a well-placed source familiar with The Batman Part II described the newly completed script as “worth the wait,” calling it a “big swing” for Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin. The sequel is expected to maintain the dark, grounded tone of the 2022 film, which grossed $772 million worldwide, while taking bold creative risks.

Most notably, the character of Robin is said to appear in the script—an addition sure to capture attention throughout Hollywood. The source added that everyone at DC Studios is enthusiastic about the direction the film is heading now that the script has been turned in.

As production ramps up, fans can expect more news about casting and plot developments in the coming months, as Warner Bros. and DC Studios continue to expand their ambitious cinematic universe.

Shocking confessions, dazzling premieres, and gossip hotter than your morning chai—the entertainment world is buzzing. From Kapil Sharma’s cafe being targeted allegedly due to Salman Khan, Huma Qureshi’s cousin being stabbed and killed in Delhi to Suhana Khan getting spotted with rumoured boyfriend Agastya Nanda at an event; here are the top 5 stories lighting up the headlines today.

Kapil Sharma’s cafe targeted due to Salman Khan?

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café, Kap’s Cafe in Surrey, has been fired upon twice in under a month. A member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed the attacks were triggered by Sharma inviting Salman Khan to the café’s launch—a move that upset the gang, which allegedly issued chilling threats against anyone associated with the Bollywood star.

Huma Qureshi’s cousin stabbed and killed in Delhi

Huma Qureshi’s cousin, Asif Qureshi, was fatally stabbed in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area following a parking dispute. After asking two youths to move their scooter, they left and returned armed, fatally injuring him. The accused—aged 18 and 19—have been arrested and the weapon seized; investigations continue.

Swara SLAMS troll for calling Fahad ‘street vendor’

Huma Qureshi’s cousin, Asif Qureshi, was fatally stabbed in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area following a late-night parking dispute. The argument escalated quickly, resulting in his death. Authorities arrested two suspects and recovered the murder weapon, while his wife alleged the killing was deliberate, not accidental.

Suhana Khan spotted with rumoured boyfriend Agastya Nanda at an event

Suhana Khan and Agastya Nanda, who co-starred in The Archies, were recently seen together at a Mumbai event, reigniting dating rumours. The two were observed chatting with friends, though neither has confirmed a relationship. Their appearance together adds to the speculation that continues to intrigue fans.

Salman Khan features in ad with Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan and others

Salman Khan has launched a heartwarming family-centric ad featuring his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail Khan, along with his niece Alizeh Agnihotri and other relatives. The campaign has been celebrated as a true reunion, with fans calling the display of unity, joy, and style truly inspirational.

If there’s one thing X is good at, it’s starting a funny conversations and showing us that Pakistanis have top-tier senses of humour. Pakistani X is currently talking about the Urdu word for grief, or the supposed lack thereof.

It all started with a tweet, as most funny stories do. This tweet was posted by a user who was quite adamant that there was no Urdu word for grief.

People were quick to rush to the replies with their translations.

People soon took issue with the fact that no word seemed to be good enough for her

They’re kind of right though, because she turned down a lot of people’s suggestions.

Some people took to quoting Faiz to illustrate their point.

But then others realised there’s no Urdu words for lots of things and shenanigans ensued.

Some people were pretty sure she was gaslighting them.

What’s the Urdu word for Labubu?

Are Urdu speakers not cute, was one very valid question.

Cue ‘Loverbomber Baby’.

Is there a word for rizz in Urdu?

One person had the response for situationship.

But no one had one for jam, which is slightly concerning.

People then started to get a little musical.

Hit us with your best Urdu words for grief — or the English words you don’t have an Urdu translation for.

There’s a saying among ARMY – BTS’s famously loyal fandom – that the Korean supergroup’s songs find you when you need them the most. Feeling a bit melancholy? “Spring Day” is here to put things into perspective. Need something to pep up your spirit? “Dynamite” understands. 

The solo careers of the band’s seven members have produced many similarly beloved moments. RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook have all been incredibly prolific, with each creating his own artistic profile and unique discography. 

In 2022, Jin became the first BTS member to enlist in the South Korean army – a requirement for all able-bodied South Korean men. That year, Rolling Stone published The 100 Best BTS songs. By June 2025, the rest of the group had completed their military requirements and reunited back in Seoul. As the band enters into a new chapter of its career, we felt now was the perfect time to make this ranking of every BTS solo song so far.

With a subject this vast, we need to establish a few ground rules before jumping into the list: 

This is not a list of every single thing each member of this band has ever done throughout their entire lives. This is a list of songs by the members of BTS released after the formation of BTS. We are not including any songs released before BTS debuted in June 2013, which means songs like 14-year-old RM’s “Collabo” and “Fuck Cockroachez” were not eligible. 

We are only counting songs in which a member of BTS is credited or co-credited as the main artist on the track. Features do not count, but duets or any other kind of collaboration where the BTS member gets equal billing as the main artist on the track do count. So, “Stop the Rain”  by Tablo and RM made the list, while “That That” by PSY, which is credited as “(prod. & feat. Suga of BTS),” did not. 

Solo versions of songs that had already appeared on BTS albums or had been previously recorded by the group were not eligible. But, of course, all songs on their mixtapes and solo albums were included.

BTS has made many television appearances where they performed one-off songs as subunits. They also made an iconic guest appearance at the legendary Seo Taiji’s 25th anniversary concert, where he proclaimed BTS as his musical successors. As great as they were, those appearances aren’t included. Songs released on social media are not included.  Covers that were released as singles or uploaded onto BTS’s official channels are included. 

Since their 2013 debut, some of the members – particularly RM and Suga – have gone by different stage names. For clarity’s sake, we are sticking to the names they currently use within BTS: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook.

The BTS universe is vast and rich and unlike anything else in the history of pop music. The seven musicians are prolific as a group and as individuals, creating smart, fun music that encourages listeners to think and dance, laugh and cry, bliss out and emit primal screams. While these artists mesh together beautifully as BTS, there’s something really special about what they are creating separately. This list is a celebration of that story.

A zoo has issued an appeal for help after one of its barn owls flew off during a birds of prey display.

Dudley Zoo said Echo flew away from the castle courtyard on Wednesday.

Keepers had managed to track her movements over the next day but have now lost sight of her.

“She may still be on the zoo site but as we haven’t seen her for a little while, we have to consider she may now be in the local area,” a spokesperson said.

The zoo added: “We need the power of social media to help us. Please help us get her back.”

Barn owls have a distinctive heart-shaped white face, white chest and a mottled grey and golden back and wings.

Echo is wearing a blue identification ring on her left leg.

Any possible sightings should be reported to the zoo.

(Web Desk) – Amid recent India-Pakistan tensions, Punjabi Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has faced significant criticism for collaborating with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the film *Sardar Ji 3*, leading to a ban on the film’s release in India.

A strong boycott campaign against Diljit Dosanjh has been raging on social media and continues to gain traction.

However, while Diljit has faced harsh criticism, some fans and a few fellow artists have voiced support for him, with Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor leading the charge.

Indian actor Vaani Kapoor defended Diljit Dosanjh stated that he has not broken any laws. She noted that the film was likely completed before the recent incident, involving over 100 technical crew members.

Vaani further emphasized that Diljit’s intentions were never to disrespect the country, highlighting his status as a globally renowned artist.

She added that he likely invested significantly in the film and may have incurred financial losses due to the ban.

It is worth noting that the ban on ‘Sardar Ji 3’ in India, following the Pulwama incident and India’s failed military operation, “Operation Sindoor, has led to a hardline stance against cultural exchanges with Pakistan.

While several Indian artists have opposed Diljit Dosanjh and boycotted his film, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah has also spoken in his favour, advocating for a more constructive resolution to the issue. 

Far Cry is getting a live-action series adaptation. An anthology drama inspired by the international best-selling video game franchise with more than 100M unique players since 2004, each season will be set in a new world with a different cast of characters following the video game franchise’s signature standalone storytelling format. The Far Cry games are known for thrilling stories set in remote locations, explosive and inventive combat, and memorable villains that stick with players long after credits have rolled. The anthology drama series will be produced by FX Productions, developed under Hawley’s Austin-based banner 26 Keys Productions, Mac’s More Better, and Ubisoft Film & Television.

Mac (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mythic Quest, Welcome to Wrexham) and Hawley (Fargo, Alien: Earth) are the co-creators of the Far Cry series. Hawley will also serve as showrunner, while Mac is set to star in the show. The series will be executive produced by Mac, Hawley, and Jackie Cohn for More Better Productions; Michael Garcia for 26Keys Productions; Nick Frenkel for 3Arts Entertainment; and Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin, and Austin Dill for Ubisoft Film & Television.

The Far Cry series marks Mac’s third project with Ubisoft Film & Television, following Apple TV+’s acclaimed Mythic Quest, a workplace comedy set in a fictional gaming studio responsible for creating the world’s most popular MMO. Mac co-created, executive produced and starred in Mythic Quest for four seasons, and executive produced and guest starred in the spinoff anthology series Side Quest. Through his collaboration with Ubisoft Film & Television on both series, Mac has accumulated a deep knowledge of video games and the gaming industry that he can bring to the Far Cry series.

“This collaboration is really an embarrassment of riches. Far Cry a psychological tailspin that doesn’t shy away from the darkest and most absurd parts of humanity, which aligns perfectly with FX’s bold and fearless storytelling style,” said Margaret Boykin, head of film and television content, Ubisoft Film & Television. “After working with Rob Mac on ‘Mythic Quest’ and ‘Side Quest,’ we’ve seen firsthand how he brings the perfect mix of humor, heart, and ‘WTF-ness’ to his storytelling – perfect for Far Cry. And we’ve long admired Noah’s career- in fact, we’ve often referenced his incredible work on “Fargo” as tonal comps for what we aspire to do with Far Cry in television. This team’s collective talent for character-driven world-building will shape a gripping anthology series that speaks to both gamers and general audiences alike. We can’t wait to get started!” 

Play Far Cry 6, the most recent installment in the franchise starring Giancarlo Esposito as the notorious dictator Antón Castillo, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store today. You can also play with a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription, which includes access to premiere editions of all games in the Far Cry franchise.

Keep reading Ubisoft News for the latest on the Far Cry anthology series and other projects from Ubisoft Film & Television, including the highly anticipated animated series, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (Netflix, fall 2025), the live-action film Watch Dogs (New Regency), and the live-action Assassin’s Creed (Netflix) series.