The much-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, has partially opened to the public. After more than two decades of anticipation, visitors can now explore parts of this 120-acre museum, located near the iconic pyramids of Giza.

Though King Tutankhamun’s famous collection has yet to be unveiled, the galleries now open display a variety of remarkable artefacts. These range from colossal pharaonic statues to intricately designed sarcophagi and well-preserved mummified remains, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Egypt’s ancient past.

Originally planned for a 2012 debut, the museum faced numerous setbacks, including political unrest and the global pandemic, resulting in prolonged delays. The cost of the project has surpassed $1 billion, reflecting its scale and significance.

This partial opening is seen as a trial run ahead of the full launch, which is yet to be officially scheduled. The museum’s main hall and grand staircase were inaugurated last year, and this step forward brings Egypt closer to fully revealing its monumental cultural project.

Chris Brown’s upcoming concert in South Africa has ignited a heated conversation about the country’s high levels of gender-based violence (GBV) and the message his performance might send. The Grammy-winning R&B star quickly sold out tickets for his show at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, Africa’s largest venue, with a second date added to meet the overwhelming demand.

However, not everyone is celebrating. Many are concerned about Brown’s history of violence, particularly against women, and question whether hosting his concert sends the wrong signal in a nation grappling with some of the highest rates of femicide and GBV in the world.

Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, expressed her disappointment over Brown’s visit, stating, “I was shocked and deeply disappointed.” The advocacy group has started a petition against his performance, which has already garnered over 20,000 signatures. Walter emphasized that allowing Brown to perform in a country where gender-based violence is rampant “sends a damaging message—that fame and power outweigh accountability.”

South Africa’s GBV crisis is staggering, with a rape reported every 12 minutes, though experts believe many incidents go unreported. Campaigners argue that Brown’s presence could undermine the country’s ongoing battle to address this issue.

In contrast, some public figures, like former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, have defended their decision to attend the concert. Phakeng shared that she condemns GBV but does not believe attending the show is synonymous with endorsing the artist’s past actions. “To suggest that enjoying a concert aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic and, at worst, intellectually dishonest,” she said.

As the concert dates approach, the debate continues, with both sides voicing their perspectives on the complex intersection of art, accountability, and activism in South Africa.

Coldplay’s latest album, Moon Music, has made a historic impact, debuting at number one on the UK charts and selling more copies than the entire Top 40 combined. The band’s 10th studio album shifted an impressive 237,000 chart units—factoring in streams, downloads, and physical sales—over the past week, according to the Official Charts Company.

This achievement marks the biggest opening week for a British album since Adele’s 30 in 2021. With this success, Coldplay now joins the ranks of music legends ABBA, Michael Jackson, and Queen, each boasting 10 number-one albums. Only The Beatles remain ahead with a record 16 number-one albums.

In a heartfelt message to fans, the band expressed their gratitude: “Thank you to everyone who supported the release of Moon Music. It truly means the world.”

Coldplay’s enduring popularity and ability to connect with audiences across generations is a testament to their evolving sound and passionate fanbase, marking another milestone in their storied career.