A*STAR

Blake Lively has issued a public statement following a court ruling in her ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, with a trial between the two still ahead. The case between the 'It Ends With Us' co-stars has drawn widespread attention, and Lively's comments mark her latest public response as proceedings move forward.

Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against alleged hackers responsible for leaking her unreleased music, according to ABC News. The legal action targets those accused of obtaining and distributing songs that were never officially released. Fans and music industry watchers are following the case closely, as leaks of unfinished material have become a recurring problem for major artists and their labels.

New political polling in Italy shows the centre-right under pressure, with the Lega and Forza Italia both losing ground. General Roberto Vannacci, courted by right-wing circles as a draw, is reportedly not enough to reverse the trend. On the centre-left, the PD has fallen to 21.1 percent while the Five Star Movement rises to 12.9 percent, raising questions ahead of potential PD primaries.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is reportedly unhappy with Sunrisers Hyderabad and wants to leave the franchise ahead of the IPL 2027 season, according to a News18 report. The news has quickly drawn attention in both India and the United States, with fans debating his future at the club and where he might go next if he moves.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are underway, with live coverage following stars down the red carpet ahead of the ceremony. AP Entertainment is streaming the arrivals as fans follow for first looks at nominees, performers and fashion. The event is one of music's biggest annual award nights, drawing heavy online attention as winners are announced through the evening.

India begin a one-day series against the West Indies as part of their build-up toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, missing Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Reports highlight India's new-ball bowling puzzle, with young pacers given a chance to stake a claim, while West Indies captain Shai Hope says his side are wary of the India challenge. The series is trending across India, the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala is taking on Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej in the Round of 16 of the tennis tournament at the 2026 Asian Games. The match is drawing wide attention, with large audiences following live coverage and commentary as Eala continues her bid for a medal in Japan-hosted continental competition.

Reports are circulating about the IPL 2027 transfer window, with a list of confirmed player swaps emerging alongside trade speculation. The biggest name in the rumours is Hardik Pandya, who is being linked with moves to Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Fans are debating which deals are realistic as franchises reshuffle squads ahead of future seasons.

Search interest in the phrase 'hockey player' has surged in Russia, topping trending queries with more than 200 engagements recorded. The single-word trend offers no specific name or event, leaving unclear which player or incident is driving attention. Russian hockey fans are known to follow national stars closely, and sudden spikes of this kind usually point to a notable performance, transfer report or news story breaking in the sports press.

The Las Vegas Aces have eliminated the Indiana Fever from the WNBA playoffs, closing out the series in Game 3. Caitlin Clark had kept Indiana's season alive with a historic performance earlier in the series, but the Aces, led by A'ja Wilson, proved too strong. Coverage has focused on Clark's blunt comments after the loss, Wilson playing through a back issue, and a heated moment when Wilson confronted a fan following a Sophie Cunningham foul.

India begin a one-day series against the West Indies as part of their build-up towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are absent, giving young pacers a chance to press their claims in the new-ball rotation. West Indies captain Shai Hope says his side are wary of the India challenge despite the missing stars, with fans in India, the UK, Canada and Australia following closely.

WNBA officials have decided there will be no penalty for A'nya Wilson following an incident involving a fan during Game 2 of the playoffs, according to theScore. The league's decision is drawing attention as the series continues, with fans and commentators weighing in on how the situation was handled.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is reportedly unhappy with Sunrisers Hyderabad and wants to leave the franchise ahead of IPL 2027, according to News18. The report comes as Sharma features for India at the Asian Games 2026, where the team beat Sri Lanka in the T20 semi-final and is set to face Pakistan in the final for gold. Fans are debating whether he could enter the IPL auction.

France are taking on Italy this Friday evening, with sports outlets telling fans what time the match kicks off and which channel will broadcast it. French media refer to the team as the Bleus of Zinédine Zidane, linking the former star to the side. Coverage focuses on how and when to watch the fixture.

Grace Hayden, a sports presenter and daughter of former cricketer Matthew Hayden, is trending after a glamorous photoshoot in which she teased a braless look. The Daily Star piece also referenced her joking that her eyes were 'saved' from her father's infamous naked strip, and readers are reacting to the combination of glamour and the family anecdote.

Actress Erika Sawajiri is the top trending search topic in Japan. The former star, whose career stalled after her 2019 arrest for drug possession, is once again drawing widespread public attention and discussion. Details of what prompted the renewed interest have not been confirmed.

Taylor Swift has debuted a new curly, shoulder-length lob, cutting her blonde hair even shorter with added layers. The style change is drawing widespread attention from fans and entertainment outlets, with many discussing how the look departs from her recent long-haired era and speculating about whether it signals a new chapter in her music or public image.

The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's thriller 'Verity' is tracking a $55 million-plus worldwide opening, according to box office projections. Anne Hathaway, who is pregnant, and Dakota Johnson have drawn extra attention at premieres and in interviews, discussing an improvised intimate scene and behind-the-scenes moments. The movie is drawing buzz in both the US and UK ahead of its release.

Japanese actress Kasumi Arimaki appears alongside Shinichi Tsutsumi, Kento Kaku and Fuuka Koshiba in a new commercial for Kirin Ichiban Shibori beer. The announcement coincided with a launch event marking a renewed recipe for the brand, and coverage of the campaign and the four actors is drawing attention in Japan.

India opener Abhishek Sharma is reported to be unhappy with Sunrisers Hyderabad and wants to leave the franchise ahead of IPL 2027, according to a News18 report. The claim has spread quickly among cricket fans in India and abroad, with many debating whether the left-hander could attract interest from other IPL teams if he moves. No official confirmation has come from the player or the franchise.

Nathan MacKinnon dropped the gloves with Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke in a game between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings, marking the first fight in four years for the Avalanche star. The unlikely scrap between the reigning MVP and the young blueliner drew heavy attention from hockey fans across North America, with Sportsnet highlighting the moment as one of the night's biggest talking points.

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is drawing attention as teams finalise their squads for the ILT20 Season 5 player auction in the UAE. Gulf Giants coach Simon Helmot has expressed satisfaction with the franchise's auction picks, while coverage in India has focused on the auction's big names, remaining purses and the only Indian player included among the hundreds of cricketers available for selection.

Richard E. Grant has been revealed as a Traitor on the BBC's 'Celebrity Traitors', confirming his role in the reality competition. The reveal has drawn wide attention as viewers follow the celebrity edition of the popular deception game show, with fans debating the fallout of his unmasking and what it means for the remaining contestants.

Kathleen Turner has responded after Michael Douglas claimed the two had a secret romance while filming 'Romancing the Stone'. According to Entertainment Weekly, the actress addressed Douglas's revelation about an on-set affair in the 1984 adventure film, prompting widespread attention as her name trends across the US, UK and Netherlands.

Michael Douglas has reportedly acknowledged a secret relationship with his 'Romancing the Stone' co-star Kathleen Turner, reversing a denial he maintained for roughly four decades. The claim, reported by Page Six, has drawn fresh attention to the pair's famous on-screen chemistry and their long-running working relationship, prompting widespread discussion of the actor's admission in both the UK and the US.