Sean 'Diddy' Combs' high-profile trial concludes with acquittals on top sex trafficking and racketeering charges, although he was found guilty of transporting prostitutes and awaits sentencing, prompting reactions from an alternate juror and discussions on the lingering testimony of his former girlfriends.

• Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Winning Defense: He’s Abusive, but He’s Not a Racketeer — New York Times Music -
• Alternate Juror at the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial: ‘I Understand’ the Verdict — New York Times Music -
• Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Nine Lives — New York Times Music -

• Reacting to the Sean Combs Verdict — New York Times Music -
• After Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Verdict, the Testimony of Cassie and ‘Jane’ Lingers — New York Times Music -
• What’s Next in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial? — New York Times Music -
• Sean Combs Acquitted on Top Charges, but Awaits Sentencing for Transporting Prostitutes — New York Times Music -
• Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Acquitted of Sex Trafficking but Found Guilty on Lesser Charges — New York Times Music -

America's 250th birthday preparations face political hurdles, while New York City offers various cultural activities for July, including a review of 'The Matchmaker' play, insights into artist Lisa Laurén's unique animal heads, a Vermeer exhibition revealing secret love letters, and a William Kentridge exhibition exploring art and identity.

• Will Politics Derail America’s 250th Birthday Bash? — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Matchmaker’ Review: Before ‘Hello, Dolly!’ She Was Just Dolly — New York Times Arts -
• How Lisa Laurén’s Artsy Childhood Inspires Her Sought-After Animal Heads — New York Times Music -

• Fun Things to Do in NYC in July 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• Secret Love Letters Remain Sealed in Vermeer Show — New York Times Arts -
• In ‘A Natural History of the Studio,’ Many William Kentridges Add Up to One — New York Times Arts -

Crumbl's Benson Boone-inspired Moonbeam Ice Cream cookies are a hit, critics share their favorite classical music selections, prominent musicians pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, and a centennial reflection on the enigmatic composer Satie is presented.

• Crumbl’s Benson Boone ‘Moonbeam Ice Cream’ Cookies Are a Hit — New York Times Music -
• The Classical Music Our Critics Can’t Stop Thinking About — New York Times Music -
• Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Judas Priest Members on Ozzy Osbourne — New York Times Music -

• 100 Years After His Death, Will We Ever Understand Satie? — New York Times Music -

Reviews for 'The Old Guard 2', pitting Uma Thurman against Charlize Theron, highlight the action sequel, alongside a perky, ghostly dramedy Netflix series 'Bet Your Life', with Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman discussing their film's injuries and action sequences.

• ‘The Old Guard 2’ Review: Uma Thurman vs. Charlize Theron — New York Times Movies -
• ‘Bet Your Life’ Is a Perky, Ghostly Dramedy — New York Times Arts -
• Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman on Injuries, Action and ‘The Old Guard 2’ — New York Times Movies -

This week's editors' picks for new books are highlighted, alongside a discussion on the perceived decline of the straight white man's novel, and an interview with 'How to Train Your Dragon' creator Cressida Cowell about her favorite books.

• 9 New Books Our Editors Loved This Week — New York Times Books -
• The Death and Life of the Straight White Man’s Novel — New York Times Arts -
• Interview: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Creator Cressida Cowell on Her Favorite Books — New York Times Books -

The entertainment world mourns the passing of actor Michael Madsen, known for his roles in 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Kill Bill', and war correspondent Sandy Gall, a ubiquitous figure on British television for decades.

• Michael Madsen, Actor Known for ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill,’ Dies at 67 — New York Times Movies -
• Sandy Gall, War Correspondent Without Swagger, Dies at 97 — New York Times Books -

Sydney Jo Robinson's popular TikTok series 'The Group Chat' is returning for its third season, significantly impacting her life.

• Sydney Jo Robinson’s ‘The Group Chat’ TikTok Series Returns for Season 3 — New York Times Arts -