British singer and songwriter
The Rolling Stones have released Foreign Tongues, continuing Hackney Diamonds-era momentum. The album blends blues, disco and rock with sharp political edges, including references to Musk and US politics, while Mick Jagger’s voice remains a defining force at 82.
A licensing change at Reading Festival could allow main-stage music on Thursdays and extend alcohol hours from 2027, amid ongoing festival format tweaks and high-profile headliners for Reading and Leeds.
The Mercury Prize shortlist includes big names like Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, Raye, and Florence + the Machine, while Lily Allen’s West End Girl is absent, prompting questions about the prize’s choices. The Independent notes the album’s critical acclaim and chart success, and the Guardian highlights the lineup’s blend of legacy acts and rising stars as the ceremony nears in Newcastle.
European Pride celebrations are unfolding in a climate of heightened security and renewed calls for rights, unity, and continued vigilance after a Berlin attack tied to LGBT+ events. London and Brighton hosts push for WorldPride 2032, highlighting historic progress and ongoing battles against homophobia.
Ministers are pushing a safety drive at major festivals and backing a nationwide effort to cut violence against women and girls. Leaders say halving VAWG is a government priority, while new policing and court measures aim to shield victims. The coverage contrasts with criticism of a home‑office booklet on migrants, which critics say distracts from urgent gender protections.
The IPPR study has found that 11- to 24-year-olds in England are increasingly lonely, with one in 20 reporting no close friends. Doomscrolling, housing costs, debt, and austerity contribute to a widening social break, while experts warn that weak social ties hinder development and well-being.