Canada Will Compete in Eurovision Song Contest - The New York Times

• New York City’s permitting office approved a "special event" application on Wednesday night for the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. • The permit details include a pre-party celebration scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with an expected guest list of 100 people.

• Paramount+ has announced its content lineup for July 2026, featuring a variety of new movies and television series. • Key highlights for the month include the premiere of 'Strange New Worlds' season 4 and the season 1 finale of 'Dutton Ranch'.

• Newsday and Associated Press entertainment journalists have highlighted a curated list of new streaming and media releases available this week. • Key entertainment options include a new album from the Rolling Stones, the streaming debut of the movie "Backrooms," and a new version of "Little House on the Prairie."

• The Los Angeles Times' "Screen Gab" column has released a curated list of nine movies and TV series recommended for viewing during the July 4 holiday weekend. • The recommendations focus on titles with American themes and recent series that explore historical perspectives to provide a closer look at the U.S. experience.

• The 2026 BET Awards, hosted by comedian and influencer Druski, achieved significant year-over-year audience growth across multiple platforms. • BET reported increased viewership and engagement across traditional television, streaming services, social media, and live event attendance.

• The 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is scheduled to take place from July 3-11, 2026, featuring a lineup of world premieres. • A highlighted selection includes "Dao," a three-hour family epic by Senegalese director Alain Gomis that previously screened at Berlinale 2026.

• Kjell Nilsson, the actor best known for portraying the villainous Lord Humungus in the film 'Mad Max', has died at the age of 76. • He passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, following a battle with kidney disease.

• The first Eurovision Song Contest Asia is scheduled to take place on November 14 in Bangkok, Thailand. • Organizers confirmed that the competition will incorporate a "Rest of the World" vote, mirroring the format of the original Eurovision Song Contest.

• Chinese entertainer and popular TV host Xie Na has had her Beijing concert canceled following intense public backlash regarding her singing ability. • Despite a successful debut tour, widespread doubts over her vocal talent forced the cancellation and the issuance of full ticket refunds to attendees.

• UNESCO and UNICEF have approved a $99 million grant dedicated to the comprehensive development of the education sector in Bangladesh. • The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Philippine counterparts and regional stakeholders to ensure stability.

• A concert by celebrity Xie Na was cancelled following an intense backlash from Chinese internet users regarding her poor singing quality. • Dr. Jian Xu of Deakin University suggests the cancellation was likely a "risk-management calculation" made by the artist's management and event organizers.