Arts

Exclusive: Prof Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor of Bristol University, believes her daughter’s success shows value of arts educationOne of Britain’s leading university vice-chancellors has described sweeping cuts to arts and humanities across the sector as “absolutely tragic”, citing her famous daughter as an example of the value of a creative arts education.Prof Evelyn Welch, the vice-chancellor of Bristol University and incoming chair of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, is the mother of Florence Welch, the singer-songwriter from Florence + the Machine. Continue reading...

Star Wars director calls AI technology ‘the future’ of film-making and says ‘there’s nothing you can do about it’The Star Wars director, George Lucas, has added his voice to the growing chorus of film-makers receptive to the rising use of AI tools in moviemaking.Speaking in an interview with A Rabbit’s Foot, Lucas, 82, said: “Artificial intelligence means it’s much easier for us to make movies.” Continue reading...

Divine Playhouse promoter and founder says venue faces significant operational, legal and financial challengesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former church turned arts venue at the centre of a culture war is exploring legal action after receiving a notice from its landlord that forced its organisers to close the space and cancel planned events.Divine Playhouse is facing possible eviction, with its landlord ordering the venue’s organisers, Heaps Gay Events, to stop “engaging in offensive trade”, days after religious groups protested its opening night. Continue reading...

• Major streaming releases for July include the conclusion of the "Heartstopper" series and a new album from artist Steve Lacy. • Other recommended titles selected by Associated Press journalists include "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and "The Hawk," featuring Will Ferrell as a retired golfer. • The lineup also highlights the release of the game "D-topia," offering a variety of entertainment options across music, film, and gaming.

• Marine Le Pen has announced her intention to run for the French presidency in the upcoming election next year. • This decision follows a ruling by a French court that shortened her previous ban from holding public office. • The election is viewed as a pivotal moment for Europe, carrying significant political weight similar to the impact of Brexit.

• Iran has launched strikes against U.S. military infrastructure in the Middle East following a series of American attacks. • The U.S. military targeted Iranian assets to degrade their capacity to threaten freedom of navigation within the strategic Strait of Hormuz. • This escalation highlights a struggle for political leverage, as Iran seeks to maintain control over the strait to prevent traffic from shifting toward Oman.

• Heavy rain lashed several parts of the Delhi-NCR region on Wednesday morning, causing immediate weather disruptions. • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'yellow' alert, warning of continued showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. • This weather pattern is significant as it may lead to waterlogging and traffic congestion across the national capital region.

• The 2026 BET Awards took place on June 28, 2026, broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. • The event is described as a "game-changing statement of intent" and a "future shock" in terms of its production and impact. • The ceremony aimed to reclaim BET's position at the center of Black popular culture following years of public questioning regarding the franchise's relevance.

• SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring So Ji-sub, has achieved rapid success both in South Korea and globally. • The series surpassed the 20% viewership mark within four episodes, reaching national ratings of 21.6% and a peak instantaneous rating of 25.1%. • Internationally, the show ranked number one in 20 countries as of July 4, according to FlixPatrol data, maintaining top-two positions across major Asian markets including Japan and Vietnam.

• Ernest Hemingway's classic novel about Spain's bull runs is celebrating its 100th anniversary, maintaining its enduring cultural allure. • In a separate star-studded event on Friday evening, Adam Sandler officiated a wedding attended by high-profile guests including Hugh Grant, Camila Cabello, and Gigi Hadid. • The couple wore Christian Dior Haute Couture and Cartier jewelry, though few photos or specific details of the attire have leaked as of Saturday.

• Airdrie manager John Rankin has guaranteed fans that the club will secure additional player signings this week. • These reinforcements come ahead of the club's first competitive match under Rankin, a Premier Sports Cup opener against Premiership side Dundee this Saturday. • The team recently prepared for the fixture with a 2-1 friendly defeat against Championship side Ayr United.

• Chirag Paswan and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) are expanding their political footprint from Bihar into Uttar Pradesh. • The party is eyeing all 403 seats in the state, signaling an ambitious growth strategy to increase its influence beyond its traditional stronghold. • This expansion is significant as it may complicate seat-sharing dynamics and create friction within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

• Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married in a star-studded ceremony at Madison Square Garden, with actor Adam Sandler officiating the event. • The wedding featured high-profile guests including Camila Cabello, Hugh Grant, and Gigi Hadid, with the couple wearing Christian Dior Haute Couture and Swift sporting Cartier jewelry. • The announcement, made Friday evening, sparked widespread celebration among fans and celebrities, including a public congratulatory joke from Dolly Parton.

• African markets are entering the second half of the year facing increased pressure on bank balance sheets and rising borrowing costs. • Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran have spiked global energy prices, leading households and businesses in South Africa to raise inflation expectations. • These inflationary pressures have weakened the prospects for interest-rate cuts in South Africa, the continent's largest economy.

• Tottenham Hotspur have signed midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in a club-record transfer deal worth £85 million. • The Portuguese international previously played for Sporting Lisbon and Southampton, though both of his most recent clubs suffered relegation. • This high-profile move signals a significant investment by Spurs to strengthen their squad with top-tier talent.

• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other business deals in the Asia Pacific region have exceeded $750 billion in 2026. • This surge in investment occurs despite significant global disruptions and instability in various parts of the world. • The data highlights the region's continued economic resilience and its ability to attract high-volume capital regardless of geopolitical mayhem.

• The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has launched an unprecedented survey of the southern sky to map the solar system and the broader universe. • The project utilizes the largest camera ever constructed to capture high-resolution data on the Milky Way galaxy and distant celestial objects. • This initiative matters as it provides the most detailed survey of the universe to date, allowing astronomers to peer deeper into space than previously possible.

• AI-driven indexes achieved some of their best quarters on record during Q2, fueled by a massive rally in hardware and semiconductor stocks. • Key gains were seen in Taiwan and South Korea, with Samsung surging 436% and SK Hynix climbing nearly 230% as the "picks-and-shovels" trade intensified. • The surge is driven by sustained, high capital expenditure spending from major AI labs and hyperscalers, indicating no immediate slowdown in infrastructure investment.

• Bitcoin's market performance in 2026 has been primarily driven by macroeconomic factors and global inflation trends rather than crypto-specific technical charts. • Inflation across OECD nations remains stubbornly above central bank targets, preventing the rapid global monetary easing that investors had anticipated. • This persistent price growth forces a reassessment of financial strategies, as high inflation typically influences investor appetite for risk assets like cryptocurrency.

Avi Loeb’s White House panel has asked the Pentagon for videos and files on unexplained aerial sightingsA controversial Harvard University cosmologist who has suggested alien lifeforms could be sailing into the solar system disguised as meteors is leading the Trump administration’s secretive new scientific advisory panel on security risks posed by UFOs.Avi Loeb and his hand-picked committee have already begun looking into the origins of mysterious flying craft, now known as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and last month asked the Pentagon for dozens of videos, images and documents of reported encounters and incidents, the Associated Press reports. Continue reading...

• Chronogram Magazine has announced the winners of its 2026 Readers' Choice Awards specifically for the arts and entertainment sectors. • The awards recognize top-rated local entities across various categories, including bands, radio shows, art and dance classes, and annual events. • These awards highlight the most popular cultural contributors and creative services within the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions.

Barney Glover, head of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, says he will provide advice about degree funding to the government next yearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe man tasked with reforming the controversial Job-ready Graduates (JRG) program says he will not recommend any interim measures to reduce the $50,000 cost of arts degrees, despite calling the scheme a failure.Under the scheme introduced by the Morrison government, costs for science and maths courses were slashed to encourage students to take up Stem subjects, while arts and humanities fees rose sharply. The change led to university enrolments of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds falling in some arts subjects, with critics warning of a “segregated” higher education system. Continue reading...

• South Korea captain Son Heung-min issued a public apology on Instagram following the national team's disappointing group-stage exit from the World Cup. • Son expressed being "indescribably hurt" by the result and vowed to work toward winning back the hearts of South Korean fans. • The team's poor performance triggered harsh criticism from the country's president and led to the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo.

• Derek McInnes has initiated his recruitment drive at Ibrox by securing the return of Ross McCrorie from Bristol City. • Reports indicate the club is now targeting England international Ben Godfrey on a loan deal to strengthen the squad. • Additional interest has been shown in former Italy U21 international Desplanches as part of the ongoing transfer window.

• South Korea will transition its won trading market to a 24-hour schedule, with a trial period beginning June 29 and a full launch on July 6. • The shift includes new reforms such as offshore won settlement and updated overdraft policies designed to prevent liquidity gaps. • The move comes as the currency faces significant pressure, currently languishing near a 17-year low against the U.S. dollar.

• A federal judge struck down key portions of an executive order issued by President Trump that aimed to restrict mail-in voting procedures. • The ruling, issued on Thursday, explicitly stated that the U.S. Constitution does not grant the President specific powers to alter federal election procedures. • This decision is significant as it prevents the administration from unilaterally changing how voters cast ballots via mail, preserving existing access.

• A severe heatwave is sweeping across Europe, with the UK recording a new June temperature record of 35.8C in West Sussex, surpassing the previous high set in 1976. • In France, temperatures have reached 40C, prompting authorities to extend a red weather alert to 72 of the country's 96 mainland departments. • The extreme heat is creating hazardous conditions across the continent, impacting livestock and public safety in regions including western Switzerland.

• Comedian Carlos Mencia has pleaded not guilty to 12 felony charges related to the failure to pay taxes. • An influential music industry figure, known as the "man with the golden ears," passed away Monday at the age of 94. • The deceased executive played a pivotal role in launching or reviving the careers of legendary artists, including Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, and Carlos Santana.