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The recent video of McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski sampling the chain's new 'Big Arch burger' sparked widespread ridicule. This incident highlights a growing trend: CEOs and corporate leaders increasingly seeking to center themselves in the spotlight. This phenomenon, which can be termed 'CEOism,' raises important questions about the motivations behind it and its impact on consumers.Examples of CEOism abound. During the Super Bowl, the founder of Ring featured in the company's ad, only to face backlash for the dystopian undertones of the doorbell technology being promoted. In the sporting world, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has taken to inserting himself into high-profile events, including interrupting the start of the World Cup to give a welcoming address and unveiling the official sticker album.The reasons behind CEOism are complex and multifaceted. On one hand, companies are seeking to be seen as more relatable and approachable, which may explain why CEOs want to center themselves in advertising. On the other hand, the current cultural and political climate appears to have emboldened corporate leaders, who now seem more willing to express their opinions and insert themselves into public discourse.The article's author, Larry Ryan, expresses skepticism about the trend, suggesting that CEOs are mistaking interest in their products with interest in the people themselves. He longs for a time when CEOs focused on financial performance rather than seeking to be in the spotlight.However, some argue that audiences want to hear from the people behind brands and that 'CEOism' can be an effective marketing strategy. The success of podcasts like 'The Diary of a CEO' and social media influencers suggests that people may indeed be interested in hearing from corporate leaders.

Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, continuing Mercedes' dominant start to the new Formula One season. Antonelli's impressive lap time of 1 minute 28.778 seconds edged out his teammate George Russell by just under three-tenths of a second.The result marks Mercedes' third consecutive front-row lockout, with their nearest competitor, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, over three-tenths of a second behind. Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton qualified in sixth.The performance is a significant boost for Antonelli, who currently trails Russell by just four points in the drivers' championship. His consistent pace and confidence in the car have made him a strong contender in the title fight this season.In a surprising turn of events, Max Verstappen was knocked out in Q2, managing only 11th place with his teammate Isack Hadjar qualifying in eighth. Verstappen's struggles with the Red Bull car were evident, with him describing it as 'completely undriveable' during qualifying.Antonelli's pole position sets him up for a strong challenge in the Japanese Grand Prix, but he can expect competition from the fast-starting Ferraris of Hamilton and Leclerc.

Nepal's new prime minister, Balen Shah, has taken office after a landslide win in the recent elections. Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which is expected to have a two-thirds majority in parliament. This mandate comes with high expectations from young Nepalis who drove the 2025 Gen Z protests against corruption, poor governance, and lack of accountability.The RSP, barely four years old, and Shah, with no prior political experience except as mayor of Kathmandu, have a historic opportunity to deliver on the aspirations of young Nepalis. However, analysts and voters warn that with this opportunity comes significant risks. Political analyst Bishnu Sapkota notes that expectations are enormous, and it may be unrealistic for Shah to fully meet them.One of Shah's immediate challenges will be implementing the findings of the Karki Commission, which investigated the killings and property damage during the Gen Z movement. The commission's report, submitted on March 8, 2026, is expected to be made public and implemented quickly. This will require careful management of political reactions and potentially difficult decisions.Another challenge Shah faces is the relationship between him and Rabi Lamichhane, the founder of the RSP. Lamichhane faces allegations of fraud, organized crime, and money laundering, and has previously served jail sentences. Experts describe their alliance as a 'marriage of convenience' and note that differences could emerge later.Shah's popularity was the main factor behind the RSP's success, and analysts suggest that he may end up having a stronger grip on the party than its president. RSP leader Shishir Khanal emphasizes that Shah will lead the government, while Lamichhane will lead the party, and both will have to face challenges and manage expectations on their own respective fronts.In the first 100 days, the RSP plans to prioritize anti-corruption measures, including investigations into the wealth of senior officials and politicians since 1990. These steps respond directly to the demands of last year's Gen Z protests. Gen Z activist Yujan Rajbhandari notes that the new government must prioritize good governance and protect civic freedoms, or face pushback from the same movement that enabled its rise.Shah's critics have questioned his diplomatic skills, citing past social media posts attacking Nepal's neighbors, including India and China. However, analyst Sapkota argues that Shah's lack of political baggage could allow Nepal to pursue a more independent diplomacy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already signaled a willingness to work with Nepal's new leadership, and Shah has emphasized the importance of maintaining close relations with India.

Manila, Philippines, is experiencing a rare phenomenon - empty streets. For years, the city's transport congestion has been notorious, ranking worst globally in 2024, according to the TomTom traffic index. However, a 26km drive from the Manila airport to the Quezon City Hall now takes just 45 minutes, instead of the typical two hours, according to Google Maps.The reason behind this sudden change is the surge in fuel prices following the United States and Israel's joint military operation against Iran almost a month ago. This has resulted in a significant decrease in vehicular traffic, with fewer buses, jeepneys, and ride-hailing vehicles plying the streets.The impact is being felt by vendors and transport workers, such as Ruben, a 27-year-old parking attendant, who earned less than half his usual collection on a typical Wednesday. Emily Ruado, a 59-year-old paper napkin vendor, also reported a decline in her daily income from $10 to $5.The financial difficulties faced by individuals like Ruben and Emily reflect a bigger headache for the Philippines, as worries of a sharp increase in prices of basic goods and sudden loss of employment for thousands of people could quickly lead to a stagnating economy. The country's GDP growth rate of 5 percent is now becoming more unlikely.The surge in fuel prices has also exposed the acute insufficiency of Manila's limited railway network, with commuters swelling during rush hour at metro stations. This highlights the need for improved infrastructure and the multibillion-dollar infrastructure corruption scandal still roiling the country.

France forward Kylian Mbappe showed no signs of his recent knee injury as he scored in a 2-1 friendly victory over Brazil on Thursday. The match, a World Cup warm-up, was played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a crowd of 66,215.Mbappe broke free to score in the 32nd minute, giving France an early lead. Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead in the 65th minute. Brazil reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 78th minute through Bremer.The match was notable for Mbappe's return to action after a knee injury. He had sprained his left knee in December but played through January before missing almost a month. Mbappe confirmed on Monday that his injury was 'truly behind' him.The game also featured a mid-half 'cooling break' to allow players to rest and hydrate, a FIFA innovation for the 2026 World Cup. This break was included regardless of the temperature, which was in the mid-60s (15 degrees Celsius) on the day of the match.The victory for France came despite Dayot Upamecano being sent off in the 55th minute for a clear foul on a player with a path to the goal. The card was upgraded from yellow to red on video review.If France and Brazil both win their groups at the World Cup, they could potentially meet again in the final.

David Chase, the creative mind behind HBO's groundbreaking series The Sopranos, recently shared insights into how the show transformed both his life and television history. The 80-year-old creator revealed that his seminal work was born from personal pain, particularly stemming from his complex relationship with his mother.While in London promoting HBO Max's UK launch, Chase reflected on how The Sopranos elevated HBO from a little-known network focused on sports and standup comedy to a powerhouse of prestige television. Despite the show's monumental success, Chase remains characteristically modest, attributing much of the achievement to luck rather than his own genius."I'd been taking network notes and eating network shit for however many years, and I was done with it," Chase explained of his decision to create The Sopranos after years working on network television shows like The Rockford Files and Northern Exposure. The creative freedom offered by HBO proved transformative, with the network providing minimal notes throughout the series' run.Chase revealed that the show's central premise—a mob boss seeking therapy—was directly inspired by his own difficult family dynamics. "In 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war, my mother said to me, 'I'd rather see you dead than avoid the draft,'" he shared. "I had to create a whole TV series to get over it."The interview also touched on Chase's complex relationship with James Gandolfini, who portrayed Tony Soprano. While acknowledging their creative tensions, Chase defended Gandolfini's commitment to the role, emphasizing that the actor never refused to perform scenes despite his struggles with the character's darkness.When asked about his legacy nearly two decades after The Sopranos concluded, Chase offered a simple yet profound reflection after a long pause: "God is in the details."Looking ahead, Chase discussed his upcoming limited series about MKUltra, the CIA's experimental program that sought to weaponize LSD. The project will explore scientists Sidney Gottlieb and Jolly West, who became consumed by their research into psychedelic substances. "They all went crazy and it became like the big party drug of the 1970s," Chase noted of the scientists' descent.The creator also expressed disappointment about a previously announced project, "A Ribbon of Dreams," about early cinema, which was ultimately shelved after HBO insisted on filming in western Canada. "I thought, 'What are you talking about? I don't even want to go into this,'" Chase recalled of the network's decision.

The documentary 'Keir Starmer: Where Did It All Go Wrong?' presents a critical analysis of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, highlighting his historically low approval ratings and the public's perception of him as 'incompetent', 'useless', and 'weak'. The program, presented by political broadcaster Lewis Goodall, explores the reasons behind Starmer's unpopularity, including his lack of clear political strategy and vision.According to the documentary, Starmer's promise of change was a key factor in his election campaign, but little has changed for ordinary citizens. A survey conducted for the program revealed that a majority of respondents believe Starmer should resign, citing his slow pace of change and lack of a clear plan. The documentary also examines Starmer's shift to the right during his leadership campaign, which may have opened up space for the Greens to attract progressive voters.The program features interviews with various politicians, including Alan Johnson and Bridget Phillipson, who defend Starmer, while John McDonnell and Kim Johnson offer a more critical perspective. The documentary concludes by questioning whether Starmer can find the qualities needed to turn his leadership around and restore public trust.However, the article suggests that the documentary may be avoiding a deeper analysis of Starmer's ideology and the potential reasons behind his actions, including the possibility that he may be intentionally maintaining the status quo. The article also notes that Starmer's dealings with Donald Trump and his stance on Iran have been presented as positive aspects of his leadership.

Saracens host Northampton Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a crucial Premiership Rugby match, with Saracens' director of rugby Mark McCall stressing that defeat is not an option for his team to stay in contention for the playoffs.The match pits two top coaches against each other, with McCall's Saracens, currently sixth in the table, eight points behind fourth-placed Exeter, looking to bounce back from a 62-15 thrashing by Bath last weekend. Northampton, table-topping and on a five-match winning streak, aims to maintain their lead.Maro Itoje and Rhys Carré return to Saracens' starting lineup, while Elliot Daly makes his 100th appearance. Northampton's director of rugby, Phil Dowson, has his team well-prepared, with players like Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Pollock in the starting XV.Dowson praised his team's heart and passion in their recent win against Newcastle, achieved without some key players. He emphasized the importance of team spirit and togetherness as they look to continue their momentum.McCall expressed confidence in his team's character to respond to the previous defeat, highlighting Itoje's great form and the need to manage his workload carefully. The match promises to be an intense and crucial encounter in the Premiership Rugby title race.

Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt have brought their talents together for a 25th-anniversary concert of Jason Robert Brown's two-hander musical, 'The Last Five Years', at the London Palladium. This poignant production explores the complexities of a disintegrating relationship through alternating solos, with one character recounting their story in reverse while the other tells it chronologically. The musical mastermind behind the production, Jason Robert Brown, directs and conducts from the piano, accompanied by a band of eight musicians. The set design by Bretta Gerecke effectively captures the urban spaces where the story unfolds, complete with central staircases and positioned windows. Rachel Zegler shines as Cathy, delivering a powerful performance that conveys the frustration and pain of a partner struggling to cope with the end of the relationship. Meanwhile, Ben Platt brings his signature energy to the role of Jamie, capturing the whirlwind of his character's rising success and its impact on their relationship. The concert format creates a jumble of joy and pain over an interval-free 90 minutes, with the band adding a sparkle to the performance. The chemistry between Zegler and Platt is undeniable, even when they're not sharing the stage, making their characters' bond convincing despite their limited time together. The production runs at the London Palladium until March 29, followed by performances at the Hollywood Bowl on April 3 and Radio City Music Hall on April 6-7.