Hollywood
Duran Duran’s new album ‘Paper Gods’ to release in September
MUMBAI: Multi-platinum superstars Duran Duran’s new studio album titled Paper Gods is all set to release in the US on 18 September and in the rest of the world on 11 September.
Paper Gods features special guests Janelle Monáe (on the first single Pressure Off), CHIC co-founder Nile Rodgers (also on Pressure Off), former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante (on What Are The Chances, Butterfly Girl, The Universe Alone, and Northern Lights), Canadian Juno-Award winning singer Kiesza (on Last Night in the City), British singer/songwriter/producer Mr Hudson (on Paper Gods), Mew vocalist Jonas Bjerre (on Change The Skyline), violinist Davidé Rossi (on Face For Today and Pressure Off), and actress Lindsay Lohan, who provides a spoken-word vocal on Danceophobia.
Duran Duran have placed 14 singles in the top 10 of the UK singles chart and 21 in the Billboard Hot 100, and sold more than 70 million records till date.
Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
