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Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist revealed
The 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist has named 12 British and Irish albums competing for the annual award, which recognises artistic achievement across contemporary music. The selection combines major pop and rock figures with newer artists and a charity compilation. – Dave — *The Boy Who Played the Harp* – Dove Ellis — *Blizzard* – Florence…
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Chart Rewind: In 2011, Jason Aldean Added Another No. 1 ‘Anthem’
Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart on 30 July 2011, despite scepticism that its spoken, rap-influenced verses would not suit country radio. Its success reinforced Aldean’s reputation for stretching country music’s stylistic boundaries and became his sixth chart-topper at that stage of his career. The song was…
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The economy slowed a bit — but Americans continued to spend
The US economy grew at a slower annualised rate of 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, but consumer spending remained strong. The figures matter because household spending is the main driver of the economy, while persistent inflation continues to complicate the outlook for families and policymakers. Growth slowed from 2.1% in the first quarter…
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Senior detective kissed married colleague in unmarked police car they used for secret stake-outs
A senior detective was reported to have kissed a married colleague in an unmarked police car that the pair allegedly used for secret stake-outs. The case raises concerns about professional conduct and the use of police resources by senior officers. The available article text identifies the vehicle as an unmarked police car and describes the…
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Beverly Hills Hotel Partners With ALR Music for New Supper Club (EXCLUSIVE)
The Beverly Hills Hotel has appointed London- and New York-based ALR Music as the exclusive music partner for a new supper club due to open this autumn. The partnership is part of the hotel’s largest expansion of social offerings in more than 80 years, aiming to combine dining, live entertainment and its Hollywood heritage. Founded…
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Japanese Charts: Booyah! Splatoon Raiders Puts Up Some Huge Week-One Numbers
Splatoon Raiders debuted at number one in Japan’s physical games chart, selling 474,684 copies in its first week. The result reinforces Splatoon’s popularity in its home market and helped strengthen Switch 2 hardware sales, although it remains far below Splatoon 3’s record-breaking launch. Rhythm Heaven Groove fell to second with 78,355 sales, while Tomodachi Life:…
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Adorable boy, 5, died during family vacation after contracting ultra rare condition that sees sufferers’ plasma leak into their tissue
A five-year-old boy reportedly died while on a family holiday after developing Clarkson’s disease, an exceptionally rare condition in which plasma leaks from blood vessels into surrounding tissue. The case highlights the severe and rapidly escalating risks associated with the disorder, which can cause dangerous swelling, low blood pressure and organ complications. Clarkson’s disease, also…
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Senate HELP Committee advances Trump’s CDC, ASPR, Labor secretary nominees
The Senate HELP Committee advanced President Trump’s nominees to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Department of Labor. The move sends Erica Schwartz, Sean Kaufman and Keith Sonderling to the full Senate, where confirmation would place them in influential roles covering public health, emergency…
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Meta is still flinging the equivalent of a small country’s annual GDP down the Reality Labs money pit each and every quarter
Meta continues to incur very large quarterly losses through Reality Labs, its virtual and augmented reality division, with spending reportedly comparable to the annual economic output of a small country. The scale of the losses underlines the company’s continued commitment to its long-term metaverse and wearable-computing ambitions despite uncertain consumer demand and limited evidence of…
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‘Home Improvement’ Reunion: Jonathan Taylor Thomas Seen in Rare Photo With Co-Stars Patricia Richardson and Taran Noah Smith
Patricia Richardson shared a rare photograph reuniting her with former “Home Improvement” co-stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith, who played two of her on-screen sons. The image drew attention because Thomas has largely avoided public appearances since stepping back from Hollywood in the early 2000s. Thomas, now 44, played Randy Taylor in 179…