Extreme weather hits Europe as wildfires, floods and storms force thousands to evacuate

• This week's European cultural agenda features a diverse range of art and entertainment, including a focus on Norwegian portraiture and cinema. • Highlights include an exhibition of pastel portraits by Asta Nørregaard, who rose to prominence as one of Norway's most famous artists in the late 19th century.

• Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has announced its withdrawal from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. • The decision stems from the belief that the competition can no longer be considered neutral while a participating country is involved in a large-scale military conflict.

• The Busan Film Festival has selected 23 titles for its "Vision Korea" and "Vision Asia" sections for the 2026 edition. • The lineup consists of 12 independent Korean films and 11 works from emerging directors across Asia.

• The Busan International Film Festival has announced a lineup of 23 Korean and Asian independent films for its Vision section. • The Vision-Asia category features directors from 10 different countries and regions, including debut features from Japan's Kumamoto Ryohei and Hong Kong's Isabella Lam Lok-hin.

• New streaming entertainment options are arriving soon, featuring a diverse mix of music and film releases. • Key highlights include a film adaptation of "The Whisper Man," a new album from Alabama Shakes titled “I Must Be Dreaming,” and titles such as "Leanne" and "Star Wars Zero Company."

• Dancing With the Stars alumni Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy relocated from Los Angeles to Boca Raton, Florida, on June 29. • The couple moved with their three sons, joining a broader trend of celebrities leaving the "City of Angels" for other states.

• Taylor Sheridan has been accused of "stealing" the concept for the hit series *Yellowstone* from a pitch that was rejected in 2016. • The report emerged via Entertainment News Today's live updates on August 24, 2026, highlighting a potential legal or creative dispute over the show's origins.

• Sunny Deol's film "Batwara 1947" has officially crossed the ₹50 crore mark in worldwide box office collections as of August 23, 2026. • The milestone was achieved on the movie's 10th day of release, demonstrating steady performance in the global market.

• Lando Norris has secured pole position for the 2026 F1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, followed by George Russell in second and Charles Leclerc in third. • Local favorite Max Verstappen will start the race from seventh position on the grid.

• Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the 2026 National Day Rally that Singapore will allow more room for Chinese dialects while continuing to promote Mandarin. • While free-to-air broadcasts will remain primarily in Mandarin, restrictions on dialect content will be eased for cinemas and paid television services.

• AI is rapidly transforming China's microdrama industry, disrupting traditional production methods and reducing the need for physical studio spaces like Hengdian. • The shift has sparked concerns among creatives regarding the future role of human actors and artists in an increasingly automated entertainment landscape.