A novelist and BBC presenter discusses the widespread decline in reading habits, attributing it to smartphone use and likening it to a public health crisis. Citing an OECD report on declining literacy, the author proposes an 8-week 'couch to 5k' style reading program to help individuals regain focus and intellectual health.
Gamers plan to boycott PlayStation in August's last week to protest Sony's shift to digital games, citing concerns over ownership and control, despite physical game sales being in decline.
HBO Max launches a TikTok-like vertical video feed called 'Shorts' and an experimental AI conversational search to enhance content discovery, following trends set by Netflix, Disney+, and Peacock.
Government schools in India have significantly improved internet connectivity, rising from 46.2% in 2023-24 to 63.1% in 2025-26, narrowing the gap with private schools. Smart classroom adoption also increased, though still lags behind. Goa leads with full coverage, while West Bengal remains at the bottom.
J&K police arrested three publishers on Sunday in connection with two books allegedly glorifying separatists and anti-national elements. The books were supplied to government school libraries before being withdrawn. The probe has widened, with potential for more arrests.
Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation game production in 2028 has sparked backlash. Gamers criticize the loss of choice, inability to share or resell games, and the disenfranchisement of superfans, contrasting with Sony's past support for physical media.
Bad Girl Books, the UK's first dedicated romantasy bookshop, has opened in Oxford, drawing large queues of predominantly female fans. The genre, blending fantasy and romance, has seen massive commercial success, driven by online communities and authors like Sarah J Maas, despite facing stigma.
Sony will remove 551 StudioCanal movie and show titles from UK PlayStation Store libraries as of September 1 due to expiring licensing agreements, affecting previously purchased content.
The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), a digital archive of natural world literature, has made over 64 million pages freely available. Despite its crucial role in scientific research and understanding biodiversity crises, BHL faces funding cuts and may cease operations by 2027.
Presidential libraries, starting with FDR's, have evolved into vital hubs for research and public engagement. While managed by NARA, private donors influence museum content, leading to varied portrayals of presidencies, from sanitized achievements to more transparent historical accounts.
Presidential libraries, starting with FDR's, have evolved into vital hubs for research and public engagement. While managed by NARA, private donors influence museum content, leading to varied portrayals of presidencies, from highlighting achievements to downplaying failures. The new Obama Center opens June 19.
Reform-led councils across England are banning Pride flags and events in libraries and public spaces, citing a focus on national symbols. LGBTQ+ advocates express shock and concern over the "Orwellian" decisions, reporting increased anxiety and hate incidents within the community.
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a $850m complex, is analyzed for its design, symbolism, and community impact. While intended as a beacon of hope and a hub for change-makers, its monumental architecture and location on public parkland have sparked controversy, raising concerns about gentrification and displacement of low-income residents.
Over 500,000 students in Moscow visited historical exhibitions, with 110,000 participating in 'A Day at the Museum' program. Additionally, 130,000 youths engaged in the 'Museums. Parks. Sites' Olympiad across 300 locations.
A Swedish-born author living in Norway, Anna Fiske, faced death threats for her children's book on reproduction, yet Norway's literary scene actively embraces taboo subjects, promoting open discussion and artistic expression for children.
A columnist expresses "Mamdani Mayoral Envy" for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, praising his progressive policies and actions, contrasting him with perceived ineffective leadership elsewhere, particularly in Philadelphia.
Die Foreign Function & Memory API bietet in Java einen deutlich einfacheren Zugang zu Funktionen in C-Libraries als das veraltete JNI.
The American Library Association documented 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025 – the second-highest year on record, with 2023 holding the top spot at 4,240. The ALA's list of 11 most frequently challenged books includes titles like 'Gender Queer' and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower.' Forty percent of challenged materials featured LGBTQ+ representations or people of color. Ninety-two percent of challenges came from pressure groups and government officials, while only 2.7% originated with parents.
The American Library Association documented 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025 – the second-highest year on record, with 2023 holding the record at 4,240. The ALA's annual list of most challenged books includes titles like Sold, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Gender Queer. Forty percent of challenged materials featured LGBTQ+ representation or people of color. Ninety-two percent of challenges came from pressure groups and government officials, while only 2.7% originated with parents.
