Billboard Hot 100: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps ruling the chart, extending a record 15-week No. 1 run and spotlighting country’s current mainstream surge. AI in music: Empire Of The Sun’s Luke Steele says he uses AI “of course,” calling it a tool—while Spotify expands its fan-made covers/remix add-on by adding Merlin’s independent label members. Industry expansion: Yash Raj Films launches Raah Records, an incubator for India’s independent artists, with Aman’s “Jaadugari” as the first release. Global culture & heritage: Lucky Dube’s legacy grows beyond the stage with a new school in Mpumalanga, and India’s Bhajan Jamming 2026 brings devotional music to Fiji. Live music & community: Van Morrison adds 10 more UK dates; Medfield’s “A Funny Kind of Recovery” pairs musicians and comedians to back a new recovery-themed musical. Tech-meets-music science: South Korean researchers report a method to reconstruct melodies from brain activity. Local headlines: Police arrest a suspect after video shows alleged security assault at Seaton Carew’s Open Jar Tribute Festival.