Taylor Swift purchased master recordings of her first six albums, music videos, concert films, and unreleased songs after Scooter Braun bought them from Big Machine Records for $300m, later selling to Shamrock Capital for $360m. Swift's "Taylor's Version" re-recordings devalued originals while fueling her Eras tour. Her fight parallels her Ticketmaster criticism challenging Live Nation monopoly, inspiring artists to negotiate ownership in contracts.
Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1938-2023), first East African published novelist, died Wednesday at 87. He advocated against Western dominance, renounced Christianity, and wrote in Gikuyu. Detained after his play "Ngaahika Ndeenda," he wrote "Devil on the Cross" on toilet paper. His "Wizard of the Crow" gained acclaim, and "The Perfect Nine" became an International Booker Prize nominee. After 22 years in exile, he taught at US universities. He had nine children.
Hailey Bieber's Rhode, launched in 2022 with TikTok viral products like $18 peptide lip treatments, is being acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion ($800 million cash/stock, $200 million potential earnout). The brand, leveraging Bieber's social media influence with $212 million sales, will expand from website/pop-up stores to Sephora in US, Canada and UK. Deal closes Q2 fiscal 2026 with Bieber continuing as founder/strategic adviser.
German-based Haribo recalled cannabis-contaminated Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands Thursday. The complete batch recall affects 1-kilogram packages with January 2026 BBD and code L341-4002307906, offering refunds. NVWA spokesperson Saida Ahyad warned against consumption after police reported children and adults experiencing dizziness. Marketing VP Patrick Tax told AFP consumer safety remains priority during investigation.
Gary Lineker, 64, BBC's £1.3 million presenter, exits all roles including Match of the Day and World Cup coverage after sharing a Palestine Lobby post titled 'Zionism explained in two minutes' with antisemitic rat imagery. BBC chief Tim Davie confirmed his departure following the controversy, despite Lineker's apology.
Faizan Zaki won the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee, earning over $50,000. The competition began in 1925, with Faizan becoming the 110th champion due to past ties including an eight-way tie in 2019 and several two-way ties. Nine students ages 11-14 who qualified through local and regional bees competed, narrowing to Sarv Dharavane, Sarvadnya Kadam, and Faizan, who won by spelling éclaircissement.
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, former Peru missionary, became first American pope at Vatican installation before 200,000. Attendees included VP Vance, Chancellor Merz, King Felipe, Queen Letizia. Meeting Zelenskyy, he backed Ukraine-Russia talks, addressed Gaza crisis, pledged non-autocratic leadership of 1.4B Catholics, emphasizing unity and Christian heritage.
Judge Burroughs temporarily blocked Trump's revocation of Harvard's foreign student enrollment, scheduling May 27-29 hearings. President Garber called it retaliation against academic independence. Student Leo Gerden called it a "first step" against "tyranny." Noem accused Harvard of antisemitism and Chinese coordination. Unlike Columbia's concessions after losing $400 million, Harvard defends First Amendment rights. International students (27%), including Princess Elisabeth, impact Harvard's $8.2 billion debt-financed operations.
Harvard, founded before America, celebrated commencement Thursday amid Trump administration threats: canceled $100 million contracts, $2.6 billion grants, halted visa interviews, and demanded international enrollment reduction from 25% to 15%. Trump requires leadership changes, admissions policy revisions, and faculty audits, claiming antisemitic activism. Harvard's $53 billion endowment funds legal defenses. Post-pandemic students who faced Gaza protests heard speakers emphasize maintaining diversity.
On May 1, 2025, Trump cut NPR/PBS funding, calling them "woke propaganda." Courts restored VOA funding after 1,000+ employees were suspended, with non-Americans risking imprisonment if deported. Trump banned AP over "Gulf of America" terminology, sued CBS for Harris interview editing, and Des Moines Register for unfavorable polls. NPR's Folkenflik and Free Press warn these attacks threaten democracy by controlling narratives and spreading disinformation, particularly affecting VOA's service to Iran, Russia, and North Korea.
Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret Houlihan on M*A*S*H, died at 87 in New York City of natural causes. She was a foil to Alan Alda's "Hawkeye" Pierce in the CBS series (1972-1983) adapted from Altman's Oscar-winning 1970 film. Produced by Gelbart and Reynolds, it depicted "meatball surgery" at the 4077th MASH with anti-establishment ethos addressing racism, sexism and PTSD.
Bristol artist Alison Larkman's Mirrorbox visits Troopers Hill, Ashton Court, and Glastonbury Tor in June. This mirrored box plays messages from ME and long Covid patients, including oxygen-dependent individuals limited to three-hour awake windows. The West Country installation reveals chronic fatigue syndrome's invisible suffering: memory problems, joint pain, light/sound sensitivity. Visitors write postcards after experiencing 'I would be here if I could' at Victoria Station and other meaningful locations.
The 2025 American Music Awards, the largest fan-voted show, is underway at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Kendrick Lamar leads with 10 nominations, followed by Post Malone with 8. Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey each have 7. Taylor Swift, with 40 previous wins, received 6 nominations but didn't attend. Jennifer Lopez hosts with performers including Benson Boone, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson (Icon Award), and Rod Stewart (Lifetime Achievement). Available on Paramount+ Essential Tuesday.
Lucy Ash's "The Baton and The Cross" examines the Russian Orthodox Church from pagans to Putin. Patriarch Kirill supports Russia's Ukraine "Holy War" where 39 priests were executed. Gerontiy Chudnevich's church-repairing ex-thieves were snubbed by Kirill. Sister Vassa witnessed ROCOR's reunification with Moscow, facilitated by Archbishop Mark, Boris Jordan and Peter Holodny. The church profited from cigarette imports ($476 million) while maintaining KGB/FSB connections. Putin revived Orthodoxy as a patriotic tool.
Four British climbers summited Everest's 8,849-meter peak Wednesday after flying London-Kathmandu May 16. Guide Lukas Furtenbach has developed speed-climbing methods over five years. Preparation included hypoxia tents and xenon gas treatment in Germany, protecting against altitude sickness in low-pressure, low-oxygen environments. Typically, climbers spend weeks acclimatizing at base camp. The $11,000 permits last 90 days. Season ends late May when monsoon begins and ropes and ladders are removed. Hundreds received permits; half have succeeded.
Meditation provides seniors stress reduction, improved sleep, reduced anxiety, enhanced focus, and cognitive benefits through mindfulness, seated meditation, breathing exercises, and guided visualization. Beginner-friendly techniques accommodate physical limitations, starting with 5-10 minutes daily. Community classes and meditation apps offer support. These accessible approaches address aging-specific needs, improving quality of life regardless of mobility or experience.
RedBird Capital Partners has agreed to buy Telegraph Media Group, publisher of the 170-year-old Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, for 500 million pounds ($674 million). Gerry Cardinale plans to expand the conservative-leaning brand internationally. The Barclay family sold the publications, including weekly newsmagazine The Spectator, which align with Britain's Conservative Party. RedBird IMI's earlier bid, backed by Sheikh Mansour of UAE, was withdrawn after UK government introduced legislation against foreign state ownership. CEO Anna Jones welcomed RedBird's plans.
Iranian dissident Jafar Panahi won Cannes' Palme d'Or for "It Was Just an Accident," inspired by his imprisonment and torture. Neon studio secured its sixth consecutive win. Joachim Trier's film won second prize, while Jury president Juliette Binoche awarded Wagner Moura best actor. Hasan Hadi's "The President's Cake" became Iraq's first Cannes winner. The festival faced controversies including Gerard Depardieu's sentencing and a suspicious power outage.
Disney's Lilo & Stitch remake premiered at El Capitan theatre, earning $304.2-million globally ($145.5-million domestic) while Christopher McQuarrie's Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt collected $190-million ($63-million domestic), setting $262-million domestic record. The $494.2-million Memorial Day haul marks 21% increase from 2023, though 29% below pre-pandemic levels. Upcoming blockbusters include John Wick spinoff Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon remake, and new Alien installment, revitalizing the $2.6-billion franchise.
Putin justified Ukraine invasion at Russian schools implementing Education Ministry's "important conversations" promoting Kremlin's worldview, patriotism, and "dying for motherland." Students learn about Yuri Gagarin while mandatory flag ceremonies occur weekly. Under censorship laws, critics face 15-year imprisonment. Navalny-linked Teachers Alliance urged boycotting these sessions. Lawyer Mikhail Benyash called it "brainwashing." Some teachers plan to quietly modify content while fearing job loss.
Sesame Street, with 200+ Emmys across 150+ countries, launches Netflix-PBS partnership. Producer Sal Perez introduces character-focused 11-minute stories emphasizing emotional well-being at 123 Sesame Street. Iconic characters like Big Bird and Cookie Monster join Netflix's Kids lineup (15% of viewing). Show maintains PBS access while HBO Max content continues through 2027.
Yury Grigorovich, born in Leningrad to ballet dancers, died at 98 after ruling Bolshoi Theater with an iron fist for three decades. His career spanned from Mariinsky to choreographing the 1980 Moscow Olympics and judging the Benois de la Danse "ballet Oscars." He staged Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Stone Flower to Prokofiev's music. He left amid artistic stagnation criticism in 1995, returning in 2008. Rodkin and Tsiskaridze praised his genius.
Walking effectively burns belly fat through simple tips for busy people. Walking after meals boosts metabolism, while micro walks fit easily into routines. Zone 2 technique maintains moderate intensity for optimal fat burning optimization. Making walking a system ensures consistency. These methods help busy individuals incorporate regular exercise, increasing fitness accessibility without disrupting schedules.
Russians battle for free speech, artistic freedoms and human rights despite Putin's wartime crackdown. Independent journalists operate underground using pseudonyms and self-censorship. Journalists interviewed reveal immense challenges facing independent media. A "new generation" has emerged, including 21-year-old Vera from Belgorod, who reports on Ukraine war consequences in her hometown despite repression and jail risks.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige discusses The Fantastic Four - First Steps, a 2025 MCU reboot directed by Matt Shakman starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The film adaptation featuring Galactus marks the perfect time to launch the iconic superhero team into a new era, representing a significant milestone for the franchise.
CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon (2021-2023) resigns amid Paramount-Skydance merger and Trump's $20 billion lawsuit over 60 Minutes' Kamala Harris Middle East interview editing. Filed under consumer protection law in Trump-appointee judge's Texas court, case enters mediation. Bill Owens exits 60 Minutes, FCC investigates distortion claims, which CBS firmly denies. Leadership disagreements prompt departure.
Egyptian archaeologists discovered three New Kingdom (1550-1070 B.C.) tombs in Luxor's Dra Abu al-Naga necropolis. Minister Sherif Fathi called it significant for tourism. Tombs belonged to Ramesside-era Amum-em-Ipet, grain supervisor Baki, and "S" (Temple of Amun supervisor). Mohamed Ismail Khaled of Supreme Council of Antiquities announced the find preceding Grand Egyptian Museum's summer opening and January's 3,600-year-old discoveries.
Black Country, New Road's Forever Howlong showcases the UK septet's evolution after frontman Isaac Wood's 2022 departure following chart-topping Ants from Up There. Vocalists Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw create harmonies amid Canterbury prog influences. Singles Happy Birthday and Socks balance whimsical Englishness with darker themes. After debuting material at Bush Hall, they crafted an album featuring recorders, tempo-shifting Salem Sisters, and luscious melodies.
Four women activists across continents use catchy hashtags and digital platforms to share visions of a better world. A Ugandan runs AfricanFeminism.com connecting like-minded women. Latin America's #NiUnaMenos fights femicides. Masih Alinejad, requiring constant security against Iranian regime abduction fears, created #Whitewednesdays. A Nigerian promotes #ActOnLakeChad. Despite being pushed to personal limits by gender-targeted abuse (33% of young women vs 11% of men), these activists persist.
Oasis, the Britpop band known for "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger," announced their reunion for a 14-date 2025 tour across UK and Ireland, starting July 4-5 in Cardiff and ending August 17 in Dublin. Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher reconcile after their 2009 split when Noel quit before a Paris concert. Performances include Wembley stadium, with tickets available Saturday at 9am. "This is happening," the band declared.
Mental health treatment seekers face insurance denials or higher premiums due to discriminatory application questions. Alberta researcher Asante Haughton delivers culturally responsive first-aid training for Ottawa's Black community. A stabbing at Lynn's apartment building injuring seven people exemplifies problematic police handling of mental health calls. These issues reveal systemic barriers in insurance, need for specialized community support, and critical gaps between justice and healthcare systems.
After 48 years, the 1977 theatrical cut of Star Wars screens this summer. George Lucas, inspired by Kurosawa films and Flash Gordon comics, insists the 1997 Special Edition with gratuitous Tatooine dinosaurs is superior. Viewers under 30 or those who watched ITV's 1982 premiere may have different memories. This cinematic holy grail without CGI Jabbas or Greedo shooting first awaits BFI audience validation before Disney's wider release.
Shweta Tiwari lost 10kgs in her 40s through simple daily changes. This real mother's struggle, not a glamorous beginning, featured homemade, honest, and hugely effective diet with smartly consistent exercise. Mental fitness became the most underestimated part of her journey. Family support and showing up for herself enabled sustainable lifestyle adjustments, demonstrating how gradual changes yield a significant achievement.
Tanzania government reaffirms commitment to promoting Kiswahili globally as a symbol of unity, national asset, and cultural export. Deputy Secretary Ntonda from Ministry of Information, at CHALUFAKITA's 10th Anniversary, emphasized advancing the language through regional integration, academic collaboration, and economic innovation. UNESCO's recognition strengthens Tanzania's cultural preservation and linguistic empowerment. Youth involvement is critical for Kiswahili as Africa's global voice.
Climate change increasingly affects mental health, causing eco-anxiety and emotional fatigue as psychological responses. The article explores coping mechanisms and strategies for building emotional resilience. It examines climate change as a trauma impacting wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of understanding relationships between environmental changes and psychological health. Bridging the awareness gap requires both individual and collective action to address this growing societal challenge affecting communities worldwide.
Prof. Yair Bar-Haim's Tel Aviv University study reveals Israel's mental health emergency following the October 7 attack. Using DSM-5 criteria, PTSD among 579 tracked infantry soldiers rose from 0.5% at enlistment to 12% during the Israel-Hamas War. Combat-exposed reservists show burnout with duty attendance dropping to 75-85%. The Defense Ministry rehabilitation department faces overwhelming caseloads, necessitating specialized trauma clinics for veterans spanning decades ahead.
Mission Impossible - Final Reckoning debuts July 12, with Cruise's Hunt racing to stop Entity AI from destroying mankind. Guardian deems it "wildly entertaining" (5 stars), Loughrey "adores" it (4 stars), while Rooney finds it "disappointing." Empire's Nugent promises thrills as 62-year-old Cruise performs helicopter stunts in this action spectacle.
Faster hair growth requires internal nutrition through diet and supplements, plus external protection from heat and chemicals. Scalp stimulation increases blood flow to follicles, enhancing their health. Regular trimming removes split ends while growing out hair. Protecting hair while sleeping reduces friction damage. These methods create optimal conditions by addressing nutrition, stimulation, damage prevention, and maintenance for sustained growth.
Economist-turned-photojournalist Sebastião Salgado fled Brazil in 1969, winning the W. Eugene Smith Grant and twice Photographer of the Year. Starting photography in 1973, his books document global poverty through a seven-year trek across 35 countries. Born 1940 in Montevideo, Eduardo Galeano edited La Marcha and Epocha before being imprisoned in Uruguay. His works exposing oppression won the Lannan Prize for Cultural Freedom. Both spoke at College of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Katell Quillévéré's grandmother-inspired film follows Madeleine (Anaïs Demoustier), head-shaved for bearing Daniel with a German officer who died on the eastern front. She marries François, a closeted gay man pursuing academia. From 1950s-60s, they become a bourgeois family with a daughter. Madeleine runs a bar while they briefly entangle with American GI Jimmy. The eventful, erotic period piece explores François's self-hatred and Daniel's paternal obsession.
Ajay Devgn's action thriller Raid 2, released March 15, has crossed Rs 163 crore by day 27. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, this sequel to the 2018 original (which earned Rs 103.07 crore) features Devgn as an income tax officer alongside Ileana D'Cruz, Riteish Deshmukh, Sunny Singh, and Vaani Kapoor.
An antiziganism study reveals Sinti and Roma discrimination in German education. Guillermo Ruiz documents bullying causing psychological damage, physical attacks, and Holocaust denial including a soap fabrication claim. Schools denied admission based on prejudice. Ruiz advocates for teacher training programs (implemented in Saarland), psychologists in schools, an inclusive school teaching Sinti history, effective complaint mechanisms, and consequences for discrimination to create safe spaces for affected children.
Since making aliyah to Jerusalem in 2022, the author finds Jewish holidays painfully relevant: Purim parallels Hamas's antisemitic multi-front battle; Passover's slavery narrative resonates while 59 hostages remain captive. Ron Benjamin's photo at their Seder preceded IDF recovering his body May 16, 2024. Holocaust Remembrance Day's six million victims echo October 7's massacre. Independence Day and Shavuot lack joy without a unified Jewish nation, though resilience endures.
Anime final battles transcend physical combat, emphasizing emotional stakes and character development through ideological conflicts. These iconic showdowns provide narrative payoff and thematic significance, featuring moral dilemmas, philosophical questions, and symbolic imagery. Character transformations reach their apex as relationship resolutions occur. These confrontations showcase protagonists' complete journeys, offering viewer catharsis as long-running tensions resolve, making these conflicts meaningful beyond their spectacular visual presentation.
Mukul Dev, 54-year-old former Bollywood and television actor-model and fitness enthusiast, has passed away from unspecified causes. Making his 1990s debut, Mukul worked alongside brother Rahul Dev in Indian entertainment before departing the industry. He modeled for prominent designers and took on various action roles throughout his career. His death prompted tributes from industry colleagues who remembered his contributions.
Fashion icon Aishwarya Rai's unseen lavender pantsuit look at the Cannes film festival broke the internet, generating massive online popularity. This viral celebrity fashion moment sparked widespread social media reaction. The elegant outfit created a powerful style statement during her glamorous appearance, resonating with fashion enthusiasts and becoming one of her most appreciated ensembles.
At the 69th Eurovision, Yuval Raphael's "New Day Will Rise" earned 297 audience votes and 60 jury points (357 total), finishing second behind Austria's JJ's "Wasted Love" (258 jury, 178 audience points). Despite 70 former participants demanding Raphael's ban and Spain broadcasting "Peace for Palestine" during the Gaza-Hamas war, Israel received "douze points" from seven countries. This continues a three-year pattern where Eden Golan's "Hurricane" faced similar jury-audience disparity.
Raynor Winn from Melton Mowbray lost her dream home in Wales in 2013 due to a financial dispute while Moth, her husband, was diagnosed with incurable Corticobasal Degeneration. Facing bailiffs and homelessness, they embarked on a 630-mile South West Coastal Path trek from Somerset to Dorset. Her memoir "The Salt Path" was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize. Filming began in 2023 with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs creating a sparse-dialogue, emotion-rich adaptation.
FRANCE 24 and RFI lead 25 French media outlets demanding evacuation of named Palestinian journalists from Gaza, where 200+ colleagues died since October 7, 2023. Brown University research shows Gaza journalist deaths exceed World Wars combined. These reporters document humanitarian crisis affecting 2 million Gazans facing famine amid destroyed health system. Netanyahu's government blocks international press while journalists suffer injuries and home destruction. Macron condemned the "intolerable suffering."
Nina Badzin and Max Dickins address men's friendship problem in "Billy No-Mates." Robert Waldinger's Harvard Study emphasizes curiosity about friends' lives. Michelle Elman advocates "clarity is kindness" when discussing friendship evolution. Ten reconnection questions cover: absence causes, expressing missing someone, scheduling dates, establishing activities, understanding communication preferences, recognizing complementary friendship skills, defining "showing up," and navigating mutual disclosure through different life stages.