Sir Elton John has revealed that his upcoming album is on hold due to ongoing struggles with his eyesight following an infection in July. The legendary singer shared on ABC’s Good Morning America that he has been unable to see out of his right eye for four months, while vision in his left eye has also been impaired.

Discussing the challenges, he explained, “I can do something like this [interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”

Elton expressed frustration, saying, “It kind of floored me… I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”

While he admitted he’s currently “stuck” and hasn’t worked on the album recently, he remains hopeful about his recovery. He shared that ongoing treatments have brought “hope and encouragement” that his condition will improve.

For now, the 76-year-old icon is focusing on his health, with optimism that his creative endeavors will soon resume.

Drake has initiated legal proceedings against Universal Music Group and Spotify, alleging that the success of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us was inflated through artificial streaming tactics. Filed by his company, Frozen Moments LLC, in New York, the claim accuses the companies of employing bots, payola, and other means to amplify the song’s reach.

• Drake’s legal team claims Universal orchestrated a campaign to manipulate streaming data, ensuring Not Like Us dominated platforms like Spotify.
• It is alleged that Universal slashed royalty rates for the track by 30% in return for enhanced Spotify recommendations.
• A purported whistleblower claimed on a podcast they were paid $2,500 to set up bots to stream the track repeatedly.

The diss track achieved remarkable milestones, amassing 96 million streams in a week, topping the U.S. charts, and becoming a top 10 radio hit—success that Drake’s lawyers argue was not organic.

Universal Music called the allegations “offensive and untrue,” emphasizing that fans independently choose their music preferences. Neither Spotify nor Kendrick Lamar has publicly commented on the lawsuit.

The filing is a “pre-action petition,” a legal step allowing Drake’s team to request the preservation of documents and evidence before pursuing a formal lawsuit.

The petition also references online user complaints that Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, played Not Like Us when prompted to stream Drake’s album Certified Loverboy. Drake’s lawyers argue this could be part of a wider scheme to overshadow his work.

Barbara Taylor Bradford, the celebrated novelist whose works captivated millions worldwide, has died at the age of 91. Known for her sweeping epic novels, Bradford’s career-defining debut, A Woman of Substance (1979), sold 30 million copies, inspired seven sequels, and was adapted into a TV mini-series that became Channel 4’s most-watched program in 1985.

Over her illustrious career, Bradford wrote 40 novels, including beloved series like Ravenscar, Cavendon, and House of Falconer. Her storytelling, often centered on ambitious and resilient women, resonated deeply with readers.

Charlie Redmayne, CEO of HarperCollins, described Bradford as “a truly exceptional writer whose first book, the international bestseller A Woman of Substance, changed the lives of so many who read it—and still does to this day.”

Lynne Drew, her editor and publisher, praised Bradford’s work ethic and enduring curiosity, saying, “She epitomized the woman of substance she created and was an inspiration for millions of readers and countless writers.”

Bradford’s debut novel, A Woman of Substance, tells the rags-to-riches story of Emma Harte, a maid who rises to become the owner of a major department store. The book’s themes of ambition, perseverance, and empowerment struck a chord, leading to a successful TV adaptation that earned two Emmy nominations and an enduring place in pop culture.

Born in Leeds, England, Barbara Taylor Bradford began her career as a journalist before transitioning to fiction writing. Her novels, characterized by their generational sagas and complex characters, have been translated into over 40 languages and sold more than 90 million copies worldwide.

Bradford’s influence extended beyond literature; she was a beacon of inspiration for women aspiring to break barriers. Her stories of ambition and resilience remain a testament to her belief in the power of determination.