Iran unleashes drone barrage on US bases

The Recording Academy is reconsidering its newly introduced Asian Pop category after K-pop superstars BTS announced that they would not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the organisation had held discussions with artists and other stakeholders following the group’s decision. He acknowledged that some musicians believe the new category does not adequately represent the music and artists it was created to recognise. Mason said the Academy’s goal is to ensure that musicians from different communities feel properly represented and heard. He added that feedback from artists in the Asian music scene had prompted the organisation to reassess the category. The review comes shortly after BTS confirmed that the group would not enter music for next year’s Grammy ceremony. BTS leader RM announced the decision last month, saying the group wanted music to be appreciated without being divided according to language or geographical region. The band has a huge international following and has played a major role in bringing K-pop to audiences around the world. Its decision not to participate in the upcoming Grammy process has therefore drawn considerable attention within the global music industry. The Recording Academy has not yet announced what changes could be made to the Asian Pop category. However, Mason indicated that the organisation’s management and board are committed to responding to concerns raised by musicians. The new category was intended to broaden recognition of Asian music within the Grammys and provide artists with a dedicated platform. The Academy’s latest review could lead to changes in how the category is structured or which styles and artists it covers. BTS’ withdrawal has also renewed discussion about how major international music awards classify artists and genres in an increasingly global music industry.

Several Bollywood celebrities have praised India’s young protesters after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid weeks of youth-led demonstrations. The resignation came after thousands of students protested over alleged irregularities in examinations. The protesters demanded major changes to the education system. They also called for greater accountability from officials. The movement was driven largely by young people and gained significant attention on social media. Demonstrations were held in New Delhi and other parts of India. Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. His decision was welcomed by protesters, who described it as a major victory for their campaign. The development also triggered a wave of reactions from Bollywood and other entertainment personalities. Actor Alia Bhatt praised Generation Z for making its voice heard. She said the younger generation had stepped forward and changed the course of events. Sara Ali Khan also reacted to the development. She shared a post highlighting the importance of democracy. Her message was accompanied by heart, folded-hands and Indian flag emojis. Ibrahim Ali Khan, the son of actor Saif Ali Khan, also celebrated the resignation. He said he was happy that the voices of young people had been heard. Sonakshi Sinha shared a video on social media in which she appeared to salute Generation Z. Her post expressed appreciation for the students who had continued their campaign. Veteran actor Prakash Raj also congratulated the young protesters. He used the phrase “Dear Cockroaches” while praising those who participated in the movement. He said the protesters had demonstrated their ability to put pressure on those in power. Priyanka Chopra also shared posts about the resignation. Her posts highlighted the length of the student campaign and the role of young protesters in pushing the issue into the national spotlight. Other celebrities, including Vaani Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Ayesha Kanga, Anjali Sivaraman and Tina Datta, also expressed support for the students. Vaani Kapoor said the moment belonged to students who had continued questioning the system and demanding change. Malaika Arora shared posts celebrating Generation Z and the date of the resignation. Tina Datta described the development as a major victory. The protests were organised around several demands. Students wanted Pradhan to leave office. They also demanded compensation for people affected by alleged examination irregularities. Another major demand was the withdrawal of legal cases against protesters. The youth-led movement also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk. His hunger strike became another important part of the campaign and drew further attention to the protesters’ demands. The Cockroach Janta Party, which was associated with the movement, later announced that its demands had been accepted following negotiations. Protesters subsequently moved towards ending demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Pradhan confirmed his resignation in a statement. He said he was deeply affected by the events surrounding the protests. He also stressed that his decision was not about personal prestige. He said India’s young population was an important strength for the country. The resignation also prompted reactions from opposition leaders. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described it as a major development. Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect students and address their concerns. He also demanded action against those accused of violence against protesters. The protests have highlighted growing concerns among young Indians over examination procedures, transparency and accountability. The strong response from celebrities has also brought wider public attention to the movement. Their social media posts helped amplify the protesters’ message among millions of followers. For the protesters, Pradhan’s resignation represents a significant achievement. For the government, the development adds pressure to address concerns surrounding examinations and the wider education system.