ENTERTAINMENT

• The European Film Academy has announced a new group of emerging members for 2026, including filmmakers such as Lukas Dhont from Belgium and Zofia Kujawska from Poland. • New members represent a diverse range of nations, including Armenia, France, Germany, Greenland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, and the UK. • These appointments are significant as members are eligible to register and vote for the annual European Film Awards, helping determine the nominations and winners.

• Several studio audience members on "The View" refused to applaud as Vice President JD Vance entered the set for an on-air interview. • The silent reception occurred as Vance walked out to be interviewed by host Whoopi Goldberg. • The incident highlights the deep political polarization and the controversial nature of Vance's public image among certain demographics.

• Rod Stewart faced backlash from fans after canceling a scheduled concert in California just hours before the performance, citing illness. • The controversy grew when the singer was spotted the following day in Boston, attending a FIFA World Cup match to support Switzerland. • Disappointed ticket holders expressed anger over the perceived inconsistency between his health claims and his ability to travel for sports.

• Broadcaster Tina Daheley is leaving the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after seven years on the program. • Daheley originally joined the station in 2019 to cover Zoe Ball's breakfast stint, eventually becoming a mainstay of the morning slot. • Her departure marks a transition period for the show as it prepares for the debut of presenter Sara Cox.

• EastEnders actor Lacey Turner, known for her long-running role as Stacey Slater, has been announced as the first celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. • The upcoming series is expected to mark a "new era" for the BBC show following a major structural overhaul of the program. • Turner brings a high profile to the competition, having won multiple awards for her television work and appearing in the BBC series Our Girl.

• Musician Oliver Tree, known for the hit "When I'm Down," died at age 32 following a helicopter crash. • Shortly before the accident, Tree revealed the specific details of his will, stating that his family would not receive any of his inheritance. • The revelation highlights a significant familial rift and ensures his estate will be distributed according to his specific wishes rather than to his relatives.

• Paris Hilton has returned to a "troubled teen" facility in Utah to provide support for individuals who allege they were mistreated during their time there. • In Tokyo, 9-year-old DJ Rinoka is gaining recognition as a child prodigy in the techno scene after starting her musical journey via YouTube at age 4. • These stories highlight a contrast between Hilton's advocacy for survivors of institutional abuse and the rise of youth talent in the global electronic music industry.

• The Asia-Pacific screen economy is rapidly expanding toward a $200 billion valuation, driven by a potential AI dividend of up to $15 billion annually according to Media Partners Asia. • Despite this growth, the region faces a significant "monetization gap" compared to the U.S., which is identified as the defining challenge for the decade. • Content bundling has evolved into a critical structural pillar to acquire millions of new users in India, Indonesia, and Thailand, while helping platforms in Japan, Korea, and Australia retain subscribers.

• The APOS 2026 media summit has commenced, bringing together top executives from global streaming giants including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. • Key agenda items include the impact of AI on human creativity, featuring insights from Andy Serkis, and the economic viability of the emerging microdrama format. • The event will focus heavily on the Indian media landscape, specifically the operations of industry giant JioStar and startups aiming to reduce production costs and timelines.

• A helicopter collision in Brazil resulted in six fatalities, with singer Oliver Tree listed as a passenger on one of the aircraft. • In a separate retrospective, the Associated Press examines how Americans celebrated the 1976 bicentennial through events like the Freedom Train and fireworks. • The 200th anniversary celebrations occurred during a period of national ambivalence following the trauma of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.

• A curated list of top K-dramas for 2026 has been released, highlighting must-watch series including *The Scarecrow* and *We Are All Trying Here*. • The romance series *Can This Love Be Translated?* has become a consistent top-ten performer since its January 2026 debut, featuring strong chemistry between leads Kim and Go. • This specific production stands out for its high production value, with filming locations spanning South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Canada.

• Pop artist Charlie Puth will bring his “Whatever’s Clever!” tour to Asia from October 11–21, 2026, performing hits like "Attention" and "See You Again." • Puth's tour schedule includes multiple stops across Seoul, Manila, Yokohama, Taoyuan, and Hong Kong. • Hard rock legends Guns N' Roses are also scheduled to perform a major live show in Singapore on November 25, 2026.

• 'Peaky Blinders' writer Steven Knight testified before the UK parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sports Committee on June 16th regarding the financial state of the domestic film industry. • Knight expressed support for a proposed "streamer levy," which would require US-based streaming giants to provide financial contributions to support UK production. • The proposal aims to address funding gaps in the local industry by leveraging the massive profits generated by global platforms operating within the UK.

• The European Film Academy has released the list of new members for 2026, featuring a diverse group of industry professionals from Norway. • New inductees include director Joachim Trier, director Håvard Bustnes, and various producers, editors, and actors such as Hege Hauff Hvattum and Janne Hjeltnes. • This expansion of membership strengthens the Academy's representation of European cinematic talent ahead of the 34th European Film Awards in Berlin.

• The Karlovy Vary Film Festival has announced the selected Central European projects for its Central Stage showcase and the Book-to-Screen program. • Featured projects include Tomáš Hodan’s “The Stones Are Rolling to Prague,” focusing on the 1990 Rolling Stones concert, and Tomáš Pavlíček’s comedy “A Few Branches Off,” which explores Czech cottage culture. • The selection highlights regional talent and cinematic adaptations, including work from filmmakers previously recognized at the Berlinale, Cannes, and Tallinn Black Nights.

• Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday. • The sentencing follows a trial where Høiby was found guilty of two counts of rape and acquitted of two other charges. • The charges involved the sexual assault of four women who were asleep or unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.

• Linkin Park delivered a triumphant headline performance at the Download Festival, successfully ignoring external noise and criticism. • The rock and metal event also featured high-profile headlining sets from Limp Bizkit and Guns N' Roses. • Ginger, described as the epitome of the festival, received a rapturous response from the crowd while emphasizing a celebration of life.

• Former 'America's Next Top Model' contestants Angelea Preston and Adrianne Curry have publicly criticized Tyra Banks following her lawsuit against Netflix. • Banks is suing the streaming platform over the editing of a docuseries, alleging that the production created a false narrative about her. • Preston told EW that Banks is finally experiencing the same frustration the contestants felt regarding how they were portrayed through selective editing.