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Disney+ and Hulu experienced a significant surge in subscription cancellations in September, coinciding with the temporary suspension of comedian and TV host Jimmy Kimmel. According to data from analytics firm Antenna, Disney+’s churn rate—the percentage of subscribers who cancel each month—doubled from 4% to 8%, equating to approximately three million cancellations. Similarly, Hulu’s churn rate rose to 10%, representing over four million cancellations. This spike in cancellations suggests that Kimmel’s suspension may have negatively impacted Disney’s financial performance. Kimmel was briefly taken off air following controversial remarks he made about the shooting of Charlie Kirk, which drew pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The suspension sparked widespread debates on free speech and led to protests in California, with critics accusing Disney of censorship. Despite the backlash, ABC, which airs ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ reinstated him within a week. The incident also prompted calls for boycotts of Disney’s streaming services, with critics urging economic pressure on the entertainment giant. While Kimmel’s suspension appears to have contributed to the subscriber exodus, it remains unclear whether it was the sole factor. Disney also announced previously planned price increases for its streaming services in September, which may have further influenced cancellations. Despite the losses, both Disney+ and Hulu saw an increase in new sign-ups, partially offsetting the impact. Disney declined to comment on the matter, and Hulu has yet to respond.

The second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi, set to launch in November 2025, promises to transform the emirate into a breathtaking open-air gallery of light installations and large-scale sculptures. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the exhibition will feature works from 15 artists and collectives across 10 countries, united under the theme ‘The Light Compass.’ This theme explores the profound role of light in guiding human journeys, both physical and spiritual. For the first time, the exhibition will extend to Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where eight installations will illuminate the Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oasis Trails. Visitors can experience new works by Emirati artists Maitha Hamdan, Ammar Al Attar, and designer Khalid Shafar, whose creations respond to the heritage and natural environment of the historic oases. At Souq Al Mina, global art icon KAWS will unveil a luminous COMPANION sculpture—a reclining figure holding a glowing moon—marking the American artist’s first major work in the UAE. The monumental piece, positioned against Abu Dhabi’s city skyline, creates a contemporary scene linked to maritime memory. Five Emirati artists will feature prominently this year, joining an international lineup that includes DRIFT from the Netherlands, Montreal-based studio Iregular, Spanish digital artist Six N. Five, and Malaysian sculptor Pamela Poh. Artistic Director Khai Hori emphasized that Manar Abu Dhabi continues to celebrate the dialogue between Emirati creativity and global innovation. On Jubail Island, Dutch studio DRIFT will create immersive experiences where visitors’ biometric data transforms into ephemeral digital flowers and soundscapes inside a dome-like structure. Outside, hundreds of choreographed drones will move across the island’s mangroves in synchronised motion, evoking growth and renewal. Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou will present a 30-metre circular installation that transforms as water crystallizes into salt, creating an ephemeral landmark amid the mangroves. In Al Ain’s palm-dense Jimi Oasis, Maitha Hamdan’s sensor-activated illuminated ropes will cascade from a six-meter acacia tree, responding to visitors’ movements. Nearby, Ammar Al Attar will transform a historic house courtyard with photographic self-portraits captured while cycling in circles, presented sequentially in lightboxes. Khalid Shafar will reinterpret traditional Sadu weaving into a 70-metre pixelated pattern of light and bricks stretching through a historic building along the Al Qattara Oasis Trail. Canadian-Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will present poems by contemporary Emirati poets as slow streams of letters along the trail, alongside a hovering light canopy that pulses in rhythm with visitors’ heartbeats. The exhibition emphasizes accessible public art experiences across Abu Dhabi’s diverse landscapes, part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Public Art initiative. Manar Abu Dhabi aims to enhance the emirate’s cultural fabric while fostering creativity through large-scale installations that engage both residents and visitors. The exhibition will run from November 1, 2025, to January 4, 2026 in Al Ain, and November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026 in Abu Dhabi. Entry is free, with accompanying talks, performances, and workshops to be announced soon.

In his newly released memoir, *You Thought You Knew*, Kevin Federline, the ex-husband of pop icon Britney Spears, unveils startling details about their tumultuous relationship. Federline, a former backup dancer who married Spears in 2004, paints a troubling portrait of her alleged erratic behavior as a wife and mother. The memoir, set for publication on Tuesday, has already sparked controversy, with Spears vehemently denying its claims and accusing Federline of exploiting their past for financial gain. Federline alleges that Spears engaged in unhealthy behaviors, including drinking during pregnancy and using cocaine while breastfeeding their two sons, Preston and Jayden, now 20 and 19 respectively. He also recounts unsettling incidents, such as Spears allegedly standing in their sons’ doorway at night with a knife in hand. Federline expresses deep concern for Spears’ well-being, stating that the situation feels like it’s heading toward an irreversible crisis. He also reveals his support for the conservatorship that controlled Spears’ life for over a decade, a stance that contrasts sharply with the Free Britney movement. The couple’s relationship, which began in 2004, quickly deteriorated, culminating in a highly publicized divorce in 2007. Federline was granted sole custody of their sons, a decision that followed a series of high-profile incidents involving Spears, including shaving her head and attacking a photographer’s car with an umbrella. These events raised concerns about her mental health, leading to the establishment of a conservatorship in 2008, which lasted until 2021. Spears has since accused Federline of attacking her character in his memoir, describing its contents as ‘extremely hurtful and exhausting.’ She has defended her relationship with her sons, emphasizing her enduring love and commitment to their well-being. Federline, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, claims he wrote the book to provide his children with the truth about their family history. The memoir has reignited public interest in the couple’s past, with Spears’ spokesperson criticizing Federline for profiting from her story.