In a surprising turn of events, a senior North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba made headlines by defecting to South Korea alongside his wife and child. Ri Il Kyu, aged 52, previously served as a counselor at the North Korean embassy in Havana, according to reports from South Korean media outlets like Chosun Ilbo and Yonhap News Agency. This marks the highest-ranking diplomatic defection to South Korea since 2016, highlighting the ongoing tensions and shifts within North Korea's diplomatic corps.

French politics are currently in a state of flux, with President Emmanuel Macron navigating the aftermath of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's resignation amidst electoral setbacks. Attal initially offered to step down following Macron's Ensemble alliance's defeat in France's snap parliamentary election, but Macron, keen on maintaining stability, requested him to stay on temporarily. However, after eight days, Macron accepted Attal's resignation, yet tasked him to continue as caretaker until a new government is formed. This has left France in a period of political uncertainty, awaiting the appointment of a new cabinet.

Joe Manganiello's journey to fame almost took a different turn—straight into the wild world of Survivor. Before he became known for his roles on screen, including a stint as a werewolf, the actor had his sights set on the rugged challenges of the reality show circuit.

Omar Apollo has just dropped a mesmerizing new music video paying homage to some of his favorite choreographers. Released on Tuesday, the video for "Drifting," a track from his album God Said No, features stunning choreography by the renowned duo Keone and Mari Madrid.

Twisters, the latest installment in the beloved franchise co-written by Michael Crichton and produced by Amblin, is set to storm into theaters across the USA and Canada with an impressive $50 million opening weekend. This debut easily surpasses the original 1996 film, which started with $41 million.

Drake, the famous singer from Toronto, caused quite a stir on Instagram recently, though probably not the kind he hoped for. While his hometown grappled with severe floods and power outages due to heavy rains, Drake himself encountered some weather-related issues, which he candidly shared in an Instagram story.

Shohei Ohtani, the standout player for the Dodgers, has made a grand entrance at this year's All-Star Game, but it's a stark contrast without Mike Trout, absent from the All-Star lineup for the first time in his illustrious 13-season career.

A handful of Utah Jazz players have made their way to Las Vegas to catch the Summer League action firsthand. Among them are Collin Sexton, John Collins, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and Johnny Juzang, each attending at least one of the Jazz's initial two summer league games. But it's Cody Williams who's been stealing the show, drawing cheers and smiles from his teammates with his standout performances.

The rumor mill is buzzing: will someone step up and make a Godfather offer for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal? According to recent reports, at least two teams are considering it. This year, Skubal is the clear favorite for the American League Cy Young award. He dominated the first half of the season, going 10-3 with a stunning 2.41 ERA, and he’s leading nearly every statistical category.

Brandon Aiyuk, the standout wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has recently made headlines with his request for a market-rate contract extension. Unfortunately for Aiyuk, the 49ers have yet to entertain any negotiations, leaving him no choice but to request a trade. This request, however, doesn't seem to be on the 49ers' radar for fulfillment.

The Texans are making headlines with a new addition as they gear up for training camp. This week, Houston agreed to terms with Quintez Cephus, a former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. The news broke on Tuesday afternoon via social media, thanks to Cephus' agency, SportsTrust Advisors. While the contract details remain under wraps, this move certainly stirs up excitement for the Texans' fanbase.

Fresh off a heartbreaking NBA Finals loss, All-Star Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving has undergone surgery to correct a left-hand injury he sustained during a recent training session. This surgery, which was performed on his non-shooting hand, was announced in a press release by the Mavericks and revealed by Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. As of now, the Mavericks haven't provided a specific recovery timeline for the 32-year-old superstar, who shoots with his right hand.

In a landmark decision on Monday, lawmakers in the small West African nation of Gambia dealt a significant blow to efforts to overturn a ban on female genital cutting. This contentious issue, which has deeply divided the country, attracted global attention as activists and rights groups rallied against the proposed legislation. The bill's rejection marks a crucial victory for those advocating against the practice, commonly known as female genital mutilation (FGM), which involves the partial or complete removal of external female genitalia.

Romania's recent decision to cull nearly 500 bears in 2024 has sparked heated debate and drawn international attention. The move comes in response to a tragic incident where a 19-year-old hiker, Maria Diana, was fatally attacked by a bear while hiking in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains with her boyfriend. The attack, which shocked the nation, prompted Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to call an emergency session of parliament, interrupting their summer recess.

Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones forged a strong bond during their time on the hit series Normal People. The show, renowned for its poignant portrayal of emotions like grief and anxiety, catapulted both actors into the spotlight. Despite uncertainties surrounding a potential second season, their friendship continues to thrive. Post-Normal People, Mescal has taken the lead in this year's Gladiator II, while Edgar-Jones commands attention in the upcoming summer blockbuster, Twisters. Their on-screen chemistry evidently spilled over into real life, sparking a friendly rivalry during their rigorous workout routines for their respective roles.

Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, the creative minds behind CBS's hit drama "God Friended Me," are teaming up with Laura Moran, formerly of "The Neighborhood," to bring a new comedy series to the network. Titled "Area 51," this single-camera workplace comedy is being developed in collaboration with James Wan's Atomic Monster and CBS Studios, promising a fresh take on the mysterious and humorous world of one of America's most secretive locations.

Zach Gilford is eager for a reunion with his former Friday Night Lights co-star and close friend Jesse Plemons. Talking to Entertainment Weekly about his directorial debut on this week's Criminal Minds: Evolution episode, where he calls the shots behind the camera, Gilford reveals their mutual interest in collaborating again. Reflecting on a past attempt to develop a project together, he admits their busy schedules got in the way, but both actors remain enthusiastic about the idea. Gilford praises Plemons as a talented actor, emphasizing their strong friendship and expressing admiration for Plemons' recent successes.

Shannen Doherty's recent involvement in "The House of Halliwell" podcast, alongside Holly Marie Combs and others, marked a poignant moment in the world of Charmed fans. This podcast, initially launched back in 2022, took a hiatus last October but returned with renewed vigor, especially with Doherty joining the team. The actress, known for her role in Charmed among other works, passed away on July 13, leaving behind a legacy that the podcast team, and fans alike, continue to honor.

The stage is set for an electrifying showdown at Tuesday night's All-Star Game as Baltimore's Corbin Burnes takes the mound for the American League against Pittsburgh's rising star, rookie Paul Skenes.

The Tennessee Titans are gearing up for the 2024 season with a revamped roster that promises more firepower on both offense and defense compared to last year. However, the big question looming over Nashville is whether they can make a leap from the bottom of the AFC South to the very top in just one season.