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Boy George pulls out of Jesus Christ Superstar after releasing pro-Israel song
Boy George has withdrawn from a forthcoming London Palladium production of Jesus Christ Superstar after releasing a song supporting Israel’s military action in Palestine, which prompted widespread criticism and planned protests. His manager said the decision was intended to allow the production to remain the focus while respecting those involved. The song, We Will Dance…
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The $55bn private acquisition of Electronic Arts is expected to go ahead
Electronic Arts says it has obtained all regulatory approvals for its proposed $55bn private acquisition and expects the deal to complete on 4 August, subject to standard final conditions. If completed, it would be a record leveraged buyout, placing greater pressure on EA to generate strong returns because much of the purchase is financed with…
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Jacqueline Crooks: ‘Toni Morrison’s voice made me want to find my own’
Novelist Jacqueline Crooks reflects on the books and writers that have shaped her reading life and her own work, from childhood experiences of displacement to a commitment to centring marginalised voices. She says Toni Morrison’s imaginative, Black-centred fiction particularly encouraged her to develop her own voice, while writers including Dickens, Brontë and Shakespeare influenced her…
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My family is coming apart – so it’s time for one last video game session | Dominik Diamond
Dominik Diamond reflects on his family’s final games night before its members move into separate homes, ending two decades of living together. Despite frequent conflict, illness and mental-health difficulties, video games have provided a shared space for humour, conversation and reconciliation, making the occasion emotionally significant. He chooses Quiplash, a phone-controlled comedy party game that…
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Can We Kick It?: new doc is timely take on Black history, pay-to-play and future of US soccer
Can We Kick It?, directed by Akbar Majeed, examines why football has struggled to connect with Black American communities despite their long-standing role in the sport’s history. The documentary is especially timely after the United States’ disappointing 2026 World Cup exit, which Majeed believes risked reinforcing scepticism about the game at a moment of unprecedented…
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From Felix the Cat to MTV: MoMA explores a century of animation
MoMA’s new exhibition, It’s Alive!, traces the development of animation over the century before digital technology transformed the medium. It argues that animation moved beyond familiar cartoon characters towards more experimental, socially engaged and artistically ambitious work, particularly after director John Hubley’s 1946 call for a “new language”. The show begins with early figures including…
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New solar panels in Great Britain at 15-year high as fossil fuel costs soar
Great Britain installed 142,536 solar systems in the first half of 2026, its strongest six-month period since 2011, as high fossil-fuel prices prompted more households to seek cheaper, self-generated electricity. The increase matters because it could surpass last year’s record for new solar additions and signals growing consumer interest in reducing exposure to volatile energy…
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The World Is Too Hot. El Niño Is Partly to Blame
Record-breaking heat is affecting parts of Europe, the western United States and Asia, with dangerous temperatures, wildfires and unusually hot nights intensifying the risks. The article says the conditions result from a combination of natural weather patterns, including El Niño and heat domes, and human-driven climate change, which has warmed the atmosphere and oceans. Western…
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Sony generated $3.12B from recorded music and publishing in calendar Q2 2026, up 12.7% YoY
Sony’s recorded music and publishing businesses generated an estimated $3.12 billion in the April-to-June 2026 quarter, up 12.7% year on year and marking a third consecutive quarter above $3 billion. The growth was driven by increased streaming income, alongside stronger live events, merchandising and licensing revenues, underlining the value of Sony’s broader music operations beyond…
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The Durutti Column – Renascent
The Durutti Column’s first album for 16 years, Renascent, is warmly reviewed by Clash as a convincing return for the influential Manchester group. The review argues that Vini Reilly avoids simply relying on the band’s legacy, instead reviving its spacious, echoing sound with renewed purpose and his distinctive fluid guitar playing. Released through London Records,…