Hard Numbers: Expensive beer in Qatar, EU asylum-seeker backlog, DRC fighting, China’s chain-smoking Marathon Man

Belgium fan kisses World Cup insignia on his plastic glass of beer before a match at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Belgium fan kisses World Cup insignia on his plastic glass of beer before a match at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
REUTERS/Carl Recine

14: Expect to cough up some serious cash if you're itching for a cold one at the upcoming soccer World Cup in Qatar. A half-liter of official sponsor Budweiser, the only beer allowed to be sold to ticketed fans before and after matches but not inside stadiums, will cost almost $14 — about double what a larger pint of Bud would set you back in expensive NYC.

117: That's how many asylum-seekers the EU has been able to transfer across the bloc since its much-touted relocation system was launched in June. Out of how many applications? 8,000.

20: Kenya's former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived on Tuesday in Goma, the capital of war-torn North Kivu province in the eastern DRC, to mediate peace talks between M23 rebels and the government. Goma is only 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) away from where the two sides are fighting amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

3.28: A 50-year-old Chinese man finished a marathon in a pretty impressive three hours and 28 minutes ... while chain-smoking cigarettes. Uncle Chen, as he's popularly known, reportedly only lights up when he runs.


This was featured in Signal, the daily politics newsletter of GZERO Media. For smart coverage of global affairs that normal people can understand, subscribe here.

More from GZERO Media

Open Call is the heart of Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to US manufacturing, supporting products made, grown or assembled in America. The pitch event represents a unique opportunity for selected entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with Walmart merchants and earn a chance to get their products on store shelves nationwide. Last year, finalists from across the country represented 48 states, with entrepreneurs from over half these states receiving deals. It’s all a part of Walmart’s investment in American jobs and communities. Learn more about Walmart’s annual Open Call.

Last week, Microsoft released its 2025 Responsible AI Transparency Report, demonstrating the company’s sustained commitment to earning trust at a pace that matches AI innovation. The report outlines new developments in how we build and deploy AI systems responsibly, how we support our customers, and how we learn, evolve, and grow. It highlights our strengthened incident response processes, enhanced risk assessments and mitigations, and proactive regulatory alignment. It also covers new tools and practices we offer our customers to support their AI risk governance efforts, as well as how we work with stakeholders around the world to work towards governance approaches that build trust. You can read the report here.

Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo, left, shakes hands with Zohran Mamdani, center, as Whitney Tilson reacts after participating in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, on June 4, 2025, in New York City.
AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, Pool

New York City residents head to the polls today to vote in the Democratic primary election for mayor.

US President Donald Trump says that both Israel and Iran “don't know what the fuck they are doing” after violations of the ceasefire take place. Trump makes these remarks to the press as he boards Marine One for a trip to the NATO Summit on June 24, 2025.
Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto

The Iran-Israel ceasefire that US President Donald Trump announced yesterday evening is hanging by a thread this morning.