Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?

• Christopher Nolan's new film 'The Odyssey' earned $264 million at the box office during its opening weekend. • A significant portion of the revenue, totaling $6.1 million, was generated specifically from IMAX 70mm screenings.

• Billboard has released its 2026 Top Music Lawyers list, highlighting the most influential legal counselors currently operating within the music industry. • A key achievement noted is the strategic shift of the CMA Awards, which will stream on Disney+ for the first time this November alongside its ABC broadcast.

• A judge in Los Angeles will review evidence against singer D4vd regarding the killing and dismemberment of a teenager to determine if the case will proceed to trial. • Separately, Los Angeles County's chief medical examiner, Dr. Odey Ukpo, is calling for increased transparency during autopsies involving celebrity deaths.

• A new streaming guide highlights upcoming releases for the week, including 'King of the Hill' Season 15 and 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 4. • A professional dunking competition will air across six episodes, featuring global athletes judged by a panel of celebrities and TNT Sports Analytics.

• Over 1,000 illegal streaming sites were taken down in the US during the World Cup. • A similar number of sites were blocked in Colombia as part of the anti-piracy effort.

• The China Open 2026 badminton tournament is set to begin, featuring a total prize pool of $2,000,000. • Key Indian participants include PV Sindhu, who faces compatriot Unnati Hooda, and Lakshya Sen, who opens against Japan's Yushi Tanaka.

• Streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, and JioHotstar are launching a variety of new content during the final week of July. • The upcoming lineup features eight top films and web series, including titles such as "Musafir Cafe" and "Disclosure Day."

• Streaming platforms and digital media have fundamentally shifted celebrity culture over the last decade by breaking the traditional media monopoly. • Previously, public perception of actors and musicians was carefully curated through a limited number of channels, such as magazine covers, television interviews, and red-carpet events.

• Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been arrested in Miami, according to the US Marshals Service. • Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker, the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award for her 1989 role in "My Left Foot," has died at age 81.

• A variety of major films are arriving on streaming platforms this week, highlighted by the release of the newest Mortal Kombat adaptation. • The curated list identifies the five biggest movie premieres and specifies which streaming services will host each title.

• Prime Video has released a new 8-part action-comedy series titled "Ride Or Die," which has quickly become a critical success. • The show is reportedly outperforming other major new releases on the platform for 2026, gaining traction for its humor and action sequences.

• A review of the dark fantasy drama "The East Palace" was published on July 21, 2026, praising the show's thrilling narrative. • Despite the high quality of the drama, the reviewer noted that the production was hindered by "choppy graphics."