American actress and singer, 21st-century pop phenom
Sainsbury’s has agreed to sell Argos and the Habitat brand to Swift Partners, a new vehicle led by Richard Pennycook and supported by Trevor Strain and Matt Truman. The deal will see Argos, including its standalone stores and in-store outlets, transferred to Swift, enabling Sainsbury’s to concentrate on its food business. Completion is expected in February 2027 with full separation by 2029.
The Independent and The Guardian report that Taylor Swift’s songs have been removed from Team Trump and White House videos after copyright issues. The TikTok posts, which mocked Swift and referenced August, no longer have sound. Swift has not commented publicly amid long-standing feuds with Donald Trump.
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed headliners for 2027 and has ruled out Madonna, while speculation continues about Swift, Styles and Oasis headline talk. The festival returns in June 2027 after a fallow year.
Tributes have poured in for Dolly Parton following her death after a short illness.姪les and colleagues recall her kindness and business acumen, while fans and peers celebrate her legacy in music, literacy philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.
Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America in the US; critics say the move echoes past rebrand efforts and ignores bilateral tensions with Canada amid tariffs and a stalled Iran conflict. The change applies to US government materials, with unclear uptake by businesses and states.
Glastonbury organisers have announced next year’s line-up progress, with three headliners confirmed and Madonna ruled out. Rumours point to Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Oasis as contenders for 2027, with bookies’ odds reflecting growing certainty around major acts while other names circulate.
The Independent and other outlets have revealed the full celebrity cast for Dancing with the Stars Season 35, with premieres on Sept. 15–16. Returning hosts and judges are set, including Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. New and returning contestants include Julia Stiles, Guillermo Rodriguez, Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, and more.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
Glastonbury has confirmed tickets for 2027 will go on sale in October, with weekend passes priced at £408 including a £5 booking fee. Coach-tickets bundles go live on 1 October and general admission on 4 October. Registration remains mandatory to curb touts as fans anticipate headliners and the return after a fallow year.
Gloria Steinem has passed away at 92, leaving a legacy that reshaped American feminism. Through Ms. Magazine, the Women’s Media Center and Talking Circles, her leadership expanded opportunities for countless women. Contemporary leaders acknowledge the impact of her work and the ongoing fight for gender parity continues.
Oasis has revealed a 2027 tour spanning the UK, Europe and the US, with 11 Manchester shows, five Celtic Park dates in Glasgow, and four at Knebworth. Richard Ashcroft will headline all dates. The tour follows their 2025 reunion and weeks of teaser posts and a drone reveal in Manchester.
Oasis has announced a new set of tour dates including Manchester, Glasgow and Celtic Park, with fixed prices and a structured ticketing process after a previous controversy over pricing. Registrations are open for official sale windows to ensure fair access.
A roundup of continuing festival talk across Scotland and the UK. Belladrum in the Highlands has named Fatboy Slim, James and Amy Macdonald as headliners for 2027, with Reading/Leeds, Glastonbury, Download and TRNSMT still shaping up. Primavera Sound 2027 and TRNSMT remain unresolved as organisers weigh acts and schedules.
Retailers have rolled out deeper early-Black Friday discounts on headphones and earbuds this week. Budget models such as Nothing's CMF Buds 2 Plus ($59) and Shokz OpenFit 2 ($140) have held low prices; Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 3 are widely discounted; Bose QuietComfort Ultra models and Sony WH-1000XM6 have midrange cuts; Samsung will start selling its clip-on Galaxy Buds On on Nov. 6.
The rise of AI-generated music has prompted major platforms to act. Spotify and other services are removing AI-slop from recommendations, while Deezer offers a toggle to exclude AI-created tracks. Artists vary in stance, with Grimes and A$AP Rocky embracing some AI use but urging human credit. The debate centers on labeling, user choice, and the future of music charts.
A curated look at recent film and TV reviews, highlighting mixed receptions and notable performances. Reviews suggest ambition but uneven coherence, with questions about tone and storytelling that linger after watching.
Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright-infringement lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee for playing Rockin’ in the Free World at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio. The suit follows a 2020 action that the artist settled, promising not to use the song without a license. Multiple outlets report on the incident and the ongoing dispute.