Art

White House Claps Back at Noah Kahan for Criticizing Trump’s Use of His Song

• Kahan criticised Trump's use of his song "American Cars" online.
• White House official mocked him, citing "Northern Attitude" lyric.
• Kahan joins a long list of artists opposing Trump's unauthorised song use.

The White House publicly mocked singer-songwriter Noah Kahan after he objected to the Trump administration using his song "American Cars" in a video posted to the POTUS and White House Instagram and TikTok accounts. Kahan commented that he would "never approve" of his music being used to support…

Judiciary Committee cancels vote on Blanche AG nomination

• Committee vote delayed amid Republican concerns over a proposed compensation fund.
• Cornyn and Tillis hold decisive votes on Blanche’s nomination.
• Blanche’s confirmation timetable is now uncertain.

The Senate Judiciary Committee cancelled a planned vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to become US attorney general after two Republican senators withheld their support. The delay matters because the committee’s narrow party balance means opposition from either John Cornyn or Thom Tillis could prevent the nomination from reaching…

Sam Smith Reveals Engagement & How Romance Inspired Their New Album

• Sam Smith is engaged to designer Christian Cowan
• New album Hazel Eyes inspired by the relationship, out 21 August
• Smith reflects on love, happiness and writing queer love songs

Sam Smith has revealed they are engaged to fashion designer Christian Cowan, sharing the news in a New York Times interview alongside details about their forthcoming fifth studio album, Hazel Eyes. The Grammy-winning singer disclosed the engagement just days after releasing the single "Oh Mother" featuring The TwoCity…

Grammy boss says he is saddened by BTS’s Grammy withdrawal

• BTS will not submit for the 2027 Grammys.
• Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr respects the decision.
• Academy says Asian Pop category expands recognition.

Grammy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr said he was saddened but respected BTS’s decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. He said the Recording Academy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was intended to broaden recognition for artists from Asian markets, not to separate…

Cartoon Network’s Most Iconic Shows Officially Find a New Free Streaming Home After HBO Max Exit

• Tubi adds more classic Cartoon Network shows free from 1 August 2026
• Titles include Billy & Mandy, Freakazoid!, Beetlejuice and Green Lantern
• Move follows HBO Max removing much of its Cartoon Network library

Tubi is continuing to build out its free streaming library of classic Cartoon Network shows, adding a fresh batch of titles from 1 August 2026 as older ones cycle off the platform. This follows HBO Max's removal of most Cartoon Network content in recent years, with the ad-supported…

Man found guilty in federal terrorism prosecution tied to Salman Rushdie stabbing

I don't have web search access in this session, and the article page returned a JavaScript-blocked error rather than actual content, so I can't retrieve the story to summarise. Based on general knowledge of the case, however, I know Hadi Matar was already convicted in a New York…

Arlene Smith, Lead Singer and Co-Founder of The Chantels, Dies at 84

• Chantels co-founder and "Maybe" lead singer Arlene Smith dies at 84
• Died of natural causes in New York City on Wednesday
• Group's 1957 hit "Maybe" was a landmark R&B success

Arlene Smith, the co-founder and lead singer of The Chantels who wrote and sang lead on the group's 1957 hit "Maybe," has died aged 84. She died on Wednesday of natural causes at a rehabilitation centre in her native New York City, having been in and out of…

Watch: Japanese mall explodes after magnitude 6.8 earthquake

• Magnitude 6.8 quake hits Kumamoto, Japan, causing mall explosion
• Aeon mall's second floor partially collapsed after blast
• Evacuation occurred before explosion; searches for survivors continue

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto prefecture on Japan's Kyushu island, triggering an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall that caused part of the building to collapse. The blast happened after staff and customers had already evacuated, though search teams are continuing to look for survivors amid concerns…

Kanye West Settles Sexual Assault and Wrongful Termination Lawsuit With Ex-Staffer

• Kanye West settles lawsuit from ex-assistant Lauren Pisciotta over sexual assault claims
• Settlement reached 23 July 2026; terms undisclosed, dismissal due within 45 days
• Part of a wider wave of lawsuits against West since 2022

Kanye West has settled a lawsuit brought by his former personal assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who accused him of sexual assault, sex trafficking and wrongful termination. The case, filed in June 2024, was one of several legal actions West has faced since 2022, and its resolution avoids a trial…