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UK: Swatch Shuts UK Stores as Royal Pop Launch Triggers Fights and Police Response

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the world ahead of launch of the Royal Pop, a collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet on Saturday, May 16. Swatch closed stores across the UK after massive queues formed outside branches over the launch, with fights and disturbances breaking out and police called to the scene, prompting the company to cite safety concerns for customers and staff.

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US: Long Lines and Chaos Hit Swatch Stores Over Royal Pop Launch 2

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the globe ahead of Saturday's launch of the Royal Pop, a $400–420 pocket watch collaboration with high-end Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet. At least 19 U.S. locations were affected, including the SoHo store in New York City. New York emerged as one of the worst flashpoints: at Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island, cops appeared to break out pepper spray to push back surging crowds, while hundreds of shoppers stormed Times Square and SoHo locations, leading to at least one arrest, according to the NYPD. Swatch eventually shut the stores down over public safety concerns.

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US: Long Lines and Chaos Hit Swatch Stores Over Royal Pop Launch

Long lines formed outside Swatch stores across the world ahead of launch of the Royal Pop, a collaboration between Swatch and Audemars Piguet on Saturday, May 16. At least 19 US locations, including the SoHo store in New York City, were forced to close after crowds became unruly, but crowds lined up outside stores again.

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US: Shoppers Camp Out for Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” Drop in New York

Dozens of people are camped out outside of the Times Square Swatch store ahead of the May 16 in-store-only release of the Audemars Piguet x Swatch "Royal Pop." Lines started to form on Sunday, six days ahead of the watch’s official release.

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China: Dog Heads Pop In and Out of Wall in Playful Display

On March 31, 2026, in Henan, located in central China, a video recorded a tall brick wall filled with openings. From those holes, numerous dog heads stretched outward one after another. The dogs looked around curiously at the world beyond the wall. Some moved from one hole to another, disappearing from one opening and then reappearing at a different one a moment later. Their repeated switching created the effect of a playful display wall made entirely of dog faces. Each dog seemed alert and interested, using the openings like windows to watch whatever was happening outside.

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China: Manhole Covers Pop and Dance on Flooded Street After Heavy Rain in Hubei

On March 29, 2026, in Hubei, China, manhole covers repeatedly bounced up and down on a flooded street as surging rainwater built pressure in the drainage system below, drawing laughs from curious onlookers.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

Members of K-pop band BTS perform onstage during their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

A drone show is held in Seoul on March 20, 2026, ahead of K-pop band BTS' first full-group concert the next day since all members completed their mandatory military service.

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BTS comeback concert in Seoul

A drone show is held in Seoul on March 20, 2026, ahead of K-pop band BTS' first full-group concert the next day since all members completed their mandatory military service.

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US: Blockchain Platform Polymarket Opens “The Polymarket” Free Grocery Pop-Up in NYC

Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market platform, opened a five-day pop-up store called "The Polymarket" in New York City’s West Village on Thursday, February 12. Hundreds of residents lined up to fill tote bags with free groceries.

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