Swedish audio streaming leader
This week has seen a string of new and updated cars: Skoda has launched the Epiq, its smallest electric SUV from £24,950; Mercedes has introduced a seven‑seat electric GLB with an 85kWh battery and up to 379 miles claimed range; Bentley has previewed the Torcal EV and a lighter Supersports coupe; Rivian has rolled out a smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki and Volvo have updated compact models and added full‑EV versions; Chinese brands Leapmotor and Toyota have new affordable EVs. Reviews highlight trade‑offs in range, ride and interior packaging.
Ofcom has found 26% of UK viewers now turn to Netflix first when choosing what to watch, narrowly ahead of the BBC on 25%, while ITV is first for 15%. YouTube viewing has surged: TV viewing of YouTube has doubled since 2022 to 19 minutes a day and total daily YouTube time is 41 minutes. Traditional broadcasters’ weekly reach has fallen to 70%.
A roundup of how AI openness debates, OpenAI leadership views, and the legal battles over social media's impact on youth are shaping tech policy and the public conversation.
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
Google has revamped its search paradigm around artificial intelligence, signaling a move away from the open web that underpins the internet. The company says billions of clicks remain, but critics warn that the ecosystem for publishers and creators is being constricted as AI-driven answers keep users inside a closed environment.
Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles to identify John Does who hacked collaborators’ accounts, leaking 45 unreleased songs in 2023 and claiming ongoing theft and disruption to her career.
Yope has closed a $12.3 million seed round led by Northzone and is launching an AI-native social platform centered on private micro-communities. The app emphasizes privacy, no advertising, and a subscription model while offering AI-powered mini-games and real-world meetups.
Prosecutors have presented evidence in a Los Angeles preliminary hearing that could move D4vd—real name David Burke—toward trial on murder, sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation charges related to Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Defense questions DNA handling and possible alternate suspects as the hearing proceeds.
The Strokes have released Reality Awaits, blending their classic minimalist sound with Casablancas' experimental edge. The album features new textures and lively live performances, while Casablancas balances Voidz hauteur with Strokes pop. The band is touring this summer, including Sea.Hear.Now and a New York date.
Three articles provided cover music copyright, streaming impersonation scams, and a Japanese electronic duo. They show a blend of copyright debates, digital manipulation, and collaborative innovation in a pandemic-era workflow. The latest updates highlight ongoing accuracy concerns and evolving platform safeguards.
Holly Willoughby has launched Holly Willoughby Together (With Voy) on YouTube to relaunch her career after This Morning’s fallout. The show features a lifestyle format with guests and products, aiming to be relatable but faces critique over its tonal shift, production style, and Willoughby’s ability to anchor the format.
Filming for Sam Mendes’s four-film Beatles biopic is underway near Abbey Road, recreating the iconic crossing with cast members in period attire. Fans and residents have been drawn to the disruption as studios confirm the project’s 2028 release window, with actors adopting the Beatles’ image for promotional sequences.
UK music charts have seen Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extend its lead as the longest-running No. 1 in UK history, spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top. Reports from The Guardian, Reuters, Independent and BBC Business confirm the track’s record and discuss cultural implications amid streaming-driven fragmentation.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
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.
The prime minister has accelerated plans to make subscription cancellations easier and to curb deceptive discounts as part of a wider cost‑of‑living package. The government is bringing these changes forward to January 2027 and is planning consultations on banning misleading “was” prices.
The US market now allows installation of third-party app stores in Google Play, following a ruling connected to the Epic Games suit. Aptoide is the first such store available in Play Store, with broader catalog access promised later. Other regions will follow, though initial access remains limited.
Spotify has announced it will add an "AI Persona" badge to artist profiles from mid‑September to flag identities that do not represent real people. The badge will appear on profiles, search and track rows; such artists will be excluded from editorial and personalized recommendations by default, and can self‑disclose or appeal Spotify's decision.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner have agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter in a transaction valuing the franchise at about $12.5 billion. The sale has been announced this week, requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors and is subject to due diligence and Kushners divestment of a Miami Heat stake.
The Welsh pop icon Bonnie Tyler has died aged 75 in Portugal. A funeral service is held at Swansea Minster with a private cortege through her hometown of Skewen, following public tributes in Mumbles. Family and friends celebrate her life, reflecting on a career that produced Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out For A Hero.
Harry and Meghan have returned to Britain after more than six years away, announcing plans to live outside London with their children enrolled in British schools. The couple’s UK comeback follows a high-profile departure and ongoing public tensions with the royal family, including Harry’s security debate and Charles’s health status.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have planned a move from California to a private, non-royal home outside London later this month and have enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools for September. King Charles has been told and has welcomed the chance to see his grandchildren; the couple will remain non-working royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to settle at a private, non-royal residence outside London. The King has been informed and is welcoming more time with his grandchildren. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, are pursuing private life in Britain while maintaining their U.S. presence.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated from California to Britain for an extended period with their children, Archie and Lilibet. They will not reside in a royal residence and will remain non-working royals, pursuing private ventures while their children attend a new school in September.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Britain with their children, reasserting ties with the royal family while preserving their non-royal status. They plan to live at a private residence outside London and will continue to leverage their UK-based charitable work and commercial ventures.
AVROTROS has announced it will not participate in Eurovision 2027, saying the contest can no longer be considered neutral because a participating country remains involved in a large-scale military conflict. The broadcaster has returned responsibility for Dutch participation to NPO, which could decide whether another Dutch channel will step in.
Australia's ARIA has rules that require tracks to be substantially human-made to qualify for official charts, allowing AI-assisted work but banning wholly AI-generated songs. The move aligns with IFPI guidelines and mirrors prior actions in Sweden. The policy includes retrospective adjustments and requires disclosure of AI use.
Bill Simmons’s disclosure that a proxy bet was placed for him in Massachusetts has sparked scrutiny of online sports betting rules. Regulators are reviewing the practice, and FanDuel has voided the bets and reported the matter. The case highlights how location and account rules shape betting activity.
The Jay-Z 30 tour has brought a masterclass in live hip‑hop, with a 50,000‑strong London crowd. The show features Idris Elba’s opening, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean joining for Fugees classics, and Git the atmosphere buzzing with a catalog that spans three decades. Beyonce marks her birthday with a spotlight and fireworks as the star hits two stadium dates.
The King has stated that Harry and Meghan remain private citizens after their return to Britain, with the couple continuing their charitable work in a private capacity. Officials say there is no change to their royal status, while security and duties decisions remain under government review as the Sussexes settle their family back in the UK.
Meta has launched Muse, an AI agent that can autonomously send emails, book travel and act across apps. The tool is available in the U.S. via a Muse app and WhatsApp, with free and paid tiers. Internal testers have reported mixed results and security concerns even as Meta highlights virtual-machine safeguards and opt-out training options.
A round-up of recent dance performances highlights Julia Cheng’s Entress and Crystal Pite’s Emergence, with other contemporary works. Cheng probes groupthink and transformation; Emergence, a monumental ensemble piece, portrays a hive-like unity. The programme also features diverse voices and a bold reimagining of classical forms.
Prince Harry and Meghan have moved back to the UK with Archie (7) and Lilibet (5). The children have switched schools due to security concerns tied to their daily commute. A government security panel is reviewing whether taxpayer-funded protection will continue now that the family resides in Britain.
Meta has rolled out new paid tiers for its AI tools across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, expanding access to Muse AI capabilities for power users, businesses and creators. Core and Premium consumer plans boost AI usage and add features like AI-generated media tools, Restyle editing, and more extensive analytics and team access for businesses. Early data suggest rising revenue from existing Plus subscriptions, while analysts forecast further revenue growth by 2028-2030.
Two UK legal cases unfold: a Liverpool man connected to an Elbit attack raid has been convicted of criminal damage, while eight Palestine Action defendants face trial for a Bristol arson-related incident. One suspect remains at large after bail was lifted for a wedding trip.