Culture news Human Rights Watch reject donations from Saudi festival comedians The two-week entertainment event has been criticised due to the Saudi government's alleged human rights abuses. Several comedians who attended have offered to donate part of their performance fees from the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Here's everything you need to know. 15/10/2025
Culture news Explained: Why the Taylor Swift backlash is already in full swing “Can’t you just be nice to your fans for once? Haven’t you got enough of their money yet?” Here's why even some of the most dedicated Taylor Swift fans have had enough... 07/10/2025
Cinema Gunless 007? Amazon U-turn over James Bond firearm censorship backlash The streamer has caused fan outrage after scrubbing 007's weapons from the original James Bond movie posters. They have quietly reversed their decision... Still, fans of the beloved spy franchise see this as a worrying sign for the series going forward under the tutelage of Amazon. 07/10/2025
Culture news German chancellor threatens to boycott Eurovision if Israel excluded Chancellor Friedrich Merz says that if Israel is excluded from Eurovision 2026, Germany will not take part. 06/10/2025
Cinema For Your Consideration: Meet the AI actress sparking controversy Meet the AI ‘talent’ who is reportedly getting agency representation very soon. Until then, many are speaking out on how Tilly Norwood is deeply misguided and devalues human artistry – despite her creator’s calls to “welcome AI as part of the wider artistic family.” 01/10/2025
Culture news Are artist protests responsible for Spotify's leadership shake-up? Daniel Ek stepping down as CEO of the company he founded comes during much backlash aimed at Spotify, ranging from issues regarding artist payment and Ek’s investments in weapons. 01/10/2025
Culture news British court throws out terror-related charge against Kneecap member The Kneecap band member, who performs under the name Mo Chara, appeared in court for the third time on terror charges today. The UK court has ruled that these charges cannot continue. 26/09/2025
Culture news Eurovision 2026: Broadcasters to vote on excluding Israel in November Amid growing pressure from European nations calling for Israel to be excluded due to the war in Gaza, the EBU has announced an extraordinary meeting will take place in November, during which an online vote will decide whether Israel gets to go to Eurovision 2026. 26/09/2025
Culture news Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden’s White House portrait with autopen The Trump administration has turned a conspiracy theory into a framed shady dig, and The White House called attention to the portrait change on its social media accounts. 26/09/2025
Culture news UN 'EscalatorGate' escalates and goes viral as MAGA call out sabotage Donald Trump has called it a “REAL DISGRACE”. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt says the US Secret Service are looking into it. MAGA supporters are up in arms. Why? Because of the minor inconvenience caused by an escalator breaking down at the UN. Here's why #EscalatorGate is trending. 25/09/2025
Culture news Trump's plans backfire: Jimmy Kimmel's return breaks viewership record Jimmy Kimmel Live! has tripled its average ratings - despite about a quarter of ABC stations in the US not airing the show's return. 25/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel returns: DeNiro cameos as Disney decides to up its prices Jimmy Kimmel returned last night and delivered an opening monologue that earned him several standing ovations. He even had Robert DeNiro cameo for a skit about freedom of speech. Amid the suspension fallout, Disney announced a price hike of its streaming services. Talk about poor timing... 24/09/2025
Culture news Suspension over: Jimmy Kimmel to return after controversial axing Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show will return to ABC tonight, following a nearly week-long suspension over the host’s comments about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. 23/09/2025
Culture news Intervision 2025: Russia's answer to Eurovision names inaugural winner Created by presidential decree in February after Russia’s exclusion from the Eurovision contest three years ago, Intervision has named its inaugural winner. And despite what high-level Russian politicians say, the show saw politics merge with music. 22/09/2025
Lifestyle Peak nepotism? Jaden Smith appointed Louboutin's creative director Jaden Smith has been named Christian Louboutin’s first-ever creative director, in a newly created role for the luxury house. And the internet is perplexed - to put it politely. 19/09/2025
Culture news How have US late-night TV hosts defended Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension? Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, John Stewart, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have all voiced support for Jimmy Kimmel following the controversial suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. 19/09/2025
Culture news Trump is reshaping the US media landscape: After Kimmel, who’s next? Critics fear crackdowns on free speech as Donald Trump escalating his campaign to reshaping the American media landscape. After late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, will media companies manage to protect other media personalities expressing their First Amendment rights? 19/09/2025
Culture news Eurovision 2026: France and Australia confirm participation France and Australia have signalled that they will not withdraw over Israel’s possible presence at next year's Eurovision Song Contest, even as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to intensify. 18/09/2025
Lifestyle Make America Fashionable Again? Melania Trump's dress proves divisive Melania Trump’s fashion choices during her UK trip have attracted scrutiny - and mixed public reactions. 18/09/2025
Culture news Jimmy Kimmel axed: Hollywood and political world denounce censorship First Stephen Colbert, now Jimmy Kimmel. ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its network “indefinitely” has sent shockwaves through the media industry, Hollywood and the political world. Many are criticizing the decision – which was applauded by Donald Trump – as an act of censorship. 18/09/2025