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The Sound of a City in Transition: Emmy the Great’s Cantopop JourneySinger-songwriter Emma-Lee Moss, known professionally as Emmy the Great, has returned to Hong Kong to write her fourth album, driven by a deep personal and historical inquiry into the city's musical heritage. Born to an English father and a Hongkonger mother, Moss left the city at age 11 before the 1997 handover, a pivotal moment that shaped her understanding of displacement and belonging. Her new memoir, My Cantopop Nights, serves as a bridge between her mixed heritage and the city's history, using the genre of Cantopop to decode the emotional and political landscape of Hong Kong.A Personal History Through MelodyMoss’s narrative is not just a music review but a memoir woven through specific tracks that defined eras of her life. Her connection to the music is visceral and personal, often tied to rites of passage. For instance, the haircut she received in 1995 after hearing Aaron Kwok’s 'Love You Endlessly' became a symbol of her transition from a world where Kwok was a 'god' to one where he was unknown. Similarly, Faye Wong’s cover of 'Dream Person' introduced Moss to a subculture of punk and DIY bands during a childhood sleepover, fundamentally altering her teenage identity.Aaron Kwok – 'Love You Endlessly': A career-launching anthem that defined a hairstyle and a generation’s transition.Faye Wong – 'Dream Person': Introduced Moss to Western rock influences and punk culture.The Wynners – 'You're Free': Revealed a family secret where Moss’s father wrote English lyrics for the band.Beyond – 'Boundless Ocean, Vast Skies': A mourning anthem for the band's late singer, Wong Ka Kui, representing underground rock.Sam Hui – 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels': A working-class anthem that resonated with Moss during a period of political fragility in 2017.The Evolution of Cantopop: From Western Covers to Cantonese AnthemsThe article highlights the genre's evolution from a Western-influenced bubble to a distinctively Cantonese art form. The story begins with the Beatles playing in Hong Kong in 1964, sparking a wave of English-language covers. However, Sam Hui is credited with pioneering the shift to Cantonese originals, blending classical Chinese elements with pop sensibilities. Moss notes that Hui’s music, particularly the humorous yet poignant 'Half a Catty, Eight Taels,' offers a critique of the working class similar to Dolly Parton’s '9 to 5,' but grounded in the specific socio-economic context of 1970s Hong Kong.Music as a Mirror of Hong Kong’s Political LandscapeCantopop is portrayed not merely as entertainment but as a historical record of the city's resilience and fragility. Moss observed a surge in music and art in 2017 and 2019 as young people born after the handover sought to understand their identity amidst political insecurity. Songs like Beyond’s 'Boundless Ocean, Vast Skies' became anthems of mourning and underground resistance. Moss argues that the 'story of Hong Kong is the sound of it,' suggesting that the city's history is best understood through its auditory landscape rather than just its street signs or history books.The Enduring Legacy of Cantopop in a Globalized WorldAs Moss reconnects with her roots, she realizes that her independent musical style is deeply rooted in the Cantopop tradition. The genre has proven to be a powerful tool for cultural preservation, allowing the diaspora to maintain a connection to their heritage. By documenting these songs, Moss ensures that the emotional and political nuances of Hong Kong’s past are not lost. The genre continues to serve as a vessel for collective memory, proving that even in a rapidly changing globalized world, the local soundscape remains a vital anchor for identity and history.

The Anachronistic Workflow Behind *Red Sheet*At 78, James Ellroy is a literary anomaly in the age of the internet. His latest book, Red Sheet, published on June 9, is a sprawling historical noir set in 1962 during the height of the Cold War. However, the method used to create this complex narrative is strictly analog. Ellroy does not own a computer, nor has he ever owned a mobile phone. His workflow is a throwback to a bygone era: he dictates responses to printed emails and employs a retired FBI couple in southern France to type his handwritten manuscripts.Publication Date: June 9, 2022Setting: October 1962 (Cuban Missile Crisis era)Key Protagonist: Freddy Otash, a corrupt private investigatorThe Methodology of ObsessionEllroy describes his approach as 'reckless verisimilitude,' blending historical fact with subjective fantasy to uncover deeper truths. His rejection of Google and digital research is compensated by a dedicated researcher who summarizes books and sends physical pages. This physical, tactile process allows him to maintain a hyper-focused, almost obsessive creative state that is difficult to replicate in a digital environment.The Cultural Relevance of a Tech-Free IconIn an industry increasingly driven by social media engagement and digital distribution, Ellroy's stance is a powerful statement on the nature of focus. By removing the distractions of constant connectivity, he preserves a 'mad dog' intensity that fuels his writing. His latest work challenges the conventional narrative of the Hollywood Ten and the Red Scare, offering a contrarian view that the figures who refused to testify were complicit in a criminal conspiracy.A Niche for Analog AuthenticityEllroy's continued success suggests that there is enduring value in high-intensity, analog craftsmanship. While the publishing industry moves toward digital-first models, his ability to produce complex historical fiction without modern tools proves that for certain genres, the human-centric process of creation remains paramount. His future outlook remains as sharp and defiant as ever, continuing to challenge liberal sacred cows and redefine the boundaries of crime fiction.

The Lead The new reality show 'The Vardys' has been panned as very bad and very boring, disappointing fans of Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and those interested in the 'Wagatha Christie' libel case. The Reality Check The three-part reality show, which aired on ITV1 and is now available on ITVX, follows the lives of Jamie Vardy and his wife Rebekah Vardy as they move to Italy. However, the show fails to deliver on its promises, instead focusing on mundane tasks like packing up a house and moving to Italy. The Content Critique For fans of Jamie Vardy, the show doesn't provide much insight into his life as a footballer. Leicester fans won't get much of Jamie or any footage they haven't seen before. And much of what is shown in the first two episodes is to do with the troughs of his early days at the Italian club Cremonese – injury, stress, failing to dazzle in his debut, failing to score many goals thereafter – rather than his glory days at home. The Wagatha Christie Factor For fans of the 2022 legal case (also known as “The Scousetrap”, for Coleen is Liverpudlian, and “Roodunnit?” because the whole thing played out in private, then on social media and then in court like the neatest mystery novel you ever read), here is pretty much everything Rebekah has to say about the private, public and court verdict that she did exactly what she was claiming Rooney had wrongly accused her of: “Never, ever, ever will I apologise for something I didn’t do. Hell will freeze over before I do that. “I’m not going to carry on living in the past. I’m so fucking tired of it,” says Rebekah, on a show almost certainly commissioned because of what happened in the past and in the hope that she would discuss it in great detail. The Verdict The show is a slow, slow grind through the minutiae of packing up a house and moving a family to Italy once Jamie takes his leave of Leicester City and signs with the then Serie A Cremonese. Watching people move house, try to find school places for five children (the oldest of the Vardys’ six is staying in England), moan about getting visas and finding a house to rent is about as interesting as listening to people describe their dreams.

The Escalation of a Local Dispute into National PolicyA local conflict over swimmers and swans at Hampstead Heath has rapidly evolved into a significant policy issue. The incident, which occurred during a period of extreme heat, involved crowds of people ignoring "no swimming" signs in a wildlife pond, disturbing nesting birds and clambering over protected habitats. This behavior was captured on video, sparking widespread public outrage and media condemnation.Government Intervention Over Wildlife DisturbanceIn response to the viral footage and public outcry, Environment ministers have intervened. Over the weekend, they wrote to the City of London Corporation, which oversees the heath, expressing "deeply concerned" views regarding the footage of crowds in the water. This marks a shift from local enforcement to a potential national-level scrutiny of how public spaces are managed during climate emergencies.Key Event: Viral video of revellers in a wildlife pond disturbing nesting birds.Official Response: Environment ministers wrote to the City of London Corporation expressing concern.Public Reaction: Headlines labeled the swimmers "selfish" and "appalling".The High Cost of a Heatwave: Safety and MortalityBeyond the immediate ecological damage, the context of the heatwave highlights a critical human safety crisis. The article notes that the water-related death toll during the recent heatwave was 16, with many victims being teenagers. This statistic underscores the intense pressure on urban populations to find relief from rising temperatures, often leading to risky behavior in open water.The Privatization of Nature and Access to WaterThe author argues that the debate extends beyond simple selfishness. There is a growing sentiment that natural water is being "monetized" and fenced off. While the well-known bathing ponds operate on an honesty system (now with queues and potential costs), the wildlife pond remains off-limits, creating a sense of exclusion. The piece suggests that the public feels a sense of entitlement to natural spaces that are increasingly being restricted or commercialized.Future Outlook: Designated Spaces and EducationAs climate change drives temperatures higher, the demand for accessible swimming spots will only increase. The article predicts a future where the focus must shift from punitive fines to education and infrastructure. There is a call for clearer signage explaining the risks and benefits of swimming, as well as the creation of more designated swimming locations to manage demand and protect wildlife.

The Paradox of Growth: Datacentres, GDP, and ClimateThe latest March GDP figures reveal a troubling disconnect between economic expansion and environmental reality. While the economy grew by 0.3% in the quarter, the primary driver of this growth is a boom in datacentre investment. This creates a scenario where economic success is being achieved at the expense of the climate and long-term employment stability.The Datacentre-Driven GDP SurgeThe core of this economic shift lies in the massive private investment in machinery and equipment, which actually exceeded total GDP growth. This surge is largely attributed to the information technology and communications industry, specifically the construction of datacentres.Net Trade Deficit: Australia's net trade went backwards, with imports of datacentre equipment outpacing exports.Jobless Growth: Unlike traditional infrastructure, datacentres are designed to minimize human labor, meaning the construction boom does not translate into a sustainable jobs boom.Investment Shift: Without datacentre investment, non-mining investment would have actually contracted in March.The Hidden Cost of Household SpendingWhile the headline GDP number looks positive, the underlying data for households tells a different story. The rise in household spending was largely artificial, driven by a jump in electricity and gas bills following the end of government rebates.Per Capita Decline: When accounting for population growth, average household spending actually fell.RBA Impact: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised rates, contributing to a 0.7% drop in real per capita disposable income.Living Standards: Nearly half of the income decline was due to increased interest rate payments.Why GDP Metrics Fail to Reflect RealityThe Climate Council warns that the datacentre boom will drastically increase Australia's electricity consumption. Currently accounting for 2% of national electricity use, this sector is projected to jump to 6% by 2030 and 12% by 2050.This growth threatens to derail progress on climate goals. As electricity emissions are currently the main reason for falling greenhouse gas levels, the rapid expansion of datacentres—requiring massive amounts of power—could effectively destroy the nation's ability to reach net zero targets.The Future of Energy and EmploymentThe current economic trajectory suggests a future where growth is decoupled from both job creation and environmental sustainability. To avoid a climate catastrophe, Australia must urgently integrate massive renewable energy capacity and battery storage to power these datacentres without relying on polluting coal or gas.

The Deadly Hotel Fire At least 21 people have been killed, including 18 foreign nationals, as a fire ripped through a hotel in New Delhi, police said, in one of the deadliest blazes in the Indian capital in years. Foreign Nationals Among Victims The dead included people from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Liberia, CNN-News18 said. Many of them had come to the city for medical treatment, the Indian Express and other local media reported. Fire Details and Rescue Efforts The fire took place on Wednesday in a building in the Malviya Nagar neighborhood in the southern part of the city, which has a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. The blaze was extinguished with the help of eight fire engines, and more than 40 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, Delhi police said in a statement. Cause of the Blaze and Aftermath The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, but building fires are relatively common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and frequent disregard for safety regulations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the loss of lives was tragic and extended his heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Energy Advantage In the race against China for AI supremacy, the United States dominates when it comes to access to the most cutting-edge semiconductors. But when it comes to powering the huge data centres that run on AI chips, China holds the clear advantage. That's because data centres, the sprawling computing facilities needed to train and run AI models, require vast amounts of energy. A typical data centre can consume as much electricity as 100,000 households, while next-generation “hyperscale” facilities can gobble up as much power as two million homes, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). China's Renewable Energy Boom China already generates more than twice as much electricity as the US, a lead that is expected to widen amid an aggressive state-led investment in the country’s energy grid. BloombergNEF, a research provider, estimates that China will add more than six times as much electricity generation capacity as the US over the next five years. Much of that extra capacity will be in the form of renewables such as solar and wind. In 2025 alone, China increased its wind and solar power capacity by more than 430 gigawatts, accounting for more than half of the additional capacity in the renewables added globally that year. The Impact on Data Centres A key element of China’s AI strategy involves integrating its data centres into its rapidly expanding renewables sector. Under the “East Data, West Computing” initiative, China’s government is concentrating the construction of new data centres in the country’s sparsely populated interior, where land and renewable energy sources are abundant compared with the heavily built-up eastern seaboard. Earlier this month, Beijing announced the start of operations at the country’s first “large-scale” renewable energy project to be linked directly to a data centre. Narrowing the Gap For now, the US still has the largest data centre footprint by a wide margin. According to Stanford University’s AI Index, the US had an estimated 5,427 data centres in 2025, compared with 449 in China. But as China constructs data centres at a blistering pace – its number of data centre racks grew 30 percent annually from 2016 to 2023, according to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology – the gap between the superpowers is rapidly narrowing. The Future Outlook “In the long run, the country that can provide cheap, stable, low-carbon electricity will have a major advantage in AI infrastructure,” Qiyang Xiong, a PhD candidate at Renmin University of China who specialises in AI and energy policy, told Al Jazeera. “China is a global leader in solar, wind and ultra-high-voltage transmission,” Xiong said. “This gives it an advantage in supplying western data centre clusters with large volumes of relatively cheap, clean electricity.”

Urgent Alert from Iraq’s Interior MinistryThe ministry has issued a nationwide warning after Datura (jimsonweed) began proliferating beyond its typical desert niches, endangering crops, livestock, and human safety.Datura’s Surge Across Iraqi FarmlandsOriginally native to Central America, Datura was introduced to Europe in the 15th century and has since become a global invader. In Iraq, nitrogen‑rich riverbank soils and a hot, semi‑arid climate provide an "ideal environment" for the plant to establish dense stands, according to Mohamed Elhagarey, professor at the Egyptian Desert Research Center.Scale of Global Datura Distribution and Iraqi HotspotsMore than 124,000 sightings recorded worldwide.Approximately 7,444 documented locations of the species.57% of these sites are in cold environments, showing the plant’s adaptability.Only 1% of suitable global habitats remain uninvaded.In Iraq, the plant exploits abandoned fertile soils left by conflict‑related agricultural decline, accelerating its spread.Risks to Iraqi Agriculture and Public HealthDatura contains tropane alkaloids—atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine—that are lethal in uncontrolled doses. The Ministry warns that these compounds can damage the nervous systems of humans, animals, and even neighboring crops.While the plant has historic medicinal uses, its uncontrolled presence poses:Potential crop loss and reduced yields.Increased poisoning incidents among farmworkers and livestock.Challenges for food security in a region already strained by conflict.Future Trajectory and Control StrategiesAuthorities are deploying a multi‑pronged response: biological control agents, targeted pesticide spraying, and public awareness campaigns. However, experts note that Datura’s "latent capacity for immediate adaptation" means it can quickly colonise new plots once seeds contact soil.Given the plant’s ability to thrive in both cold and warm zones, researchers predict continued expansion into other warm regions of Iraq unless eradication measures are intensified and sustained.

The Aerial Display A stunning display of drones illuminated Taipei's night sky as part of the Computex trade show, highlighting the city's embrace of technology and innovation. The Event Details The drone display was a key attraction at Computex, one of the world's leading technology trade shows. The event drew in thousands of attendees from around the globe, all eager to witness the latest advancements in tech. The Impact Analysis The use of drones for display purposes showcases the growing importance of technology in various industries, including entertainment and marketing. This trend is expected to continue, with more businesses and organizations incorporating drones into their events and campaigns. The Future Outlook As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of drones in the future. From enhanced event experiences to practical applications in industries like logistics and surveillance, the possibilities are endless.