Culture news MAGA blames ‘South Park’ for Charlie Kirk death – episode pulled Some social media users are making connections between the satirical show's August 6 episode and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The South Park episode has been removed from cable re-reruns following the shooting, but it is still available to stream on Paramount+. 12/09/2025
Culture news Eurovision 2026 in crisis: Ireland to withdraw if Israel participates “Unconscionable given the loss of lives in Gaza”: Ireland will not take part in Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, Irish broadcaster RTE announces. 12/09/2025
Art Banksy mural of judge beating protester erased after just 48 hours HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has taken the decision to remove a new Banksy mural due to the building being listed and therefore legally protected. However, some feel that they are “silencing a work of art about silencing protest”... 10/09/2025
Culture news Why is Donald Trump taking shots at Tom Hanks? Tom Hanks was scheduled to receive the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award later this month, but the US Military Academy’s alumni association has unexpectedly cancelled the ceremony. This has prompted Trump to gloat by taking shots at the celebrated actor. 09/09/2025
World News French journalists accused of political collusion are suspended Journalists Thomas Legrand and Patrick Cohen are accused of collusion amid a controversial video with leaders of the Socialist Party against the far-right. 06/09/2025
Cinema Too sexy? Why the 'Wuthering Heights' trailer is dividing the internet Literary betrayal? Whitewashing? Too gratuitous? Soft porn for ticket sales? The trailer for Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 classic has received quite a bit of backlash. Here's why. 05/09/2025
Culture news BDS movement call for boycott of Radiohead’s 2025 tour The pro-Palestine campaign group BDS has said Radiohead “continues with its complicit silence” and has criticised the band's guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, for his recent performances with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa. They are calling for a boycott of the band’s recently announced UK and EU tour. 04/09/2025
Culture news South Park ups the ante in new episode with shocking Trump twist South Park continues to go viral, with each new episode resonating with audiences and the TV show continuing to beat viewership records. This week's episode has (crudely) doubled down by confirming a certain relationship... But that's not all. 04/09/2025
Culture news UK Met Police chief calls for law change after arrest of comedy writer Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has responded to the controversial arrest of Graham Linehan earlier this week, saying that police "should not be policing toxic culture war debates." Linehan's arrrest over anti-trans posts has sparked heated debate in the UK over freedom of speech. 04/09/2025
Culture news IKEA but no ABBA? Sweden publishes polemical cultural heritage list Critics argue that the “shared map” of Swedish culture, which snubs anything since 1975, is “exclusionary” and a “nationalist education project”. Here's why. 03/09/2025
Culture news Arrest of comedy writer over transgender posts sparks outcry in UK The Irish comedy writer and creator of celebrated shows like The IT Crowd and Father Ted was arrested this week at Heathrow Airport over a series of anti-trans posts. The arrest has sparked fury and free speech outcry in the UK, with Elon Musk describing Britain as a "police state". 03/09/2025
Art Why is this vulva-reminiscent banana the hit of 2025’s Enter Art Fair? A new banana-centric artwork by Danish artist Thyra Hilden has been exhibited and sold at Copenhagen’s Enter Art Fair. Here's why it has been one of the standouts of this year's edition. 02/09/2025
Culture news Margaret Atwood comments on 'The Handmaid's Tale' Alberta book ban Margaret Atwood is taking aim at Alberta’s new rules on school libraries and has even posted a new short story which satirizes the censorship at play. 02/09/2025
Culture news Will Smith responds to backlash for AI concert video with AI cat clip You've gotta be kitten me... Will Smith has responded to the backlash for his AI-generated video of audience members with a new clip, which pokes fun at his detractors. However, the new clip - while humorous - fails to take into consideration the existential threat AI poses to the music industry. 02/09/2025
Cinema Original Harry Potter director on reboot series: ‘What’s the point?’ "It’s all going to be the same.” Chris Columbus has shared his views on the controversial Harry Potter TV series adaptation, questioning the need to replicate the original films. The new show will hit small screens in 2027. 29/08/2025
Culture news Donald Trump vs Taylor Swift: A Bad Blood timeline Everyone’s talking about pop culture’s most famous couple getting engaged. Even Donald Trump, who wished described Taylor Swift as a “terrific person” and labelled three-time Super Bowl-winning star Travis Kelce “a great player.” Considering Trump's seemingly never-ending Swift bashing, what gives? 27/08/2025
Lifestyle How Gavin Newsom has started a viral merch battle against Donald Trump Governor of California Gavin Newsom is playing Donald Trump at his own game, with the increased use of memes and digs that define the president's online style. Now, he's mimicked Trump's merchandise scheme - and gone so far as to redefine 'MAGA'. Here's everything you need to know. 26/08/2025
Culture news Snoop Dogg backlash over LGBTQ+ representation comments in Disney film The rapper said he went to see the 2022 animated film 'Lightyear' with his grandchildren, which resulted in them asking him several questions about same-sex couples. He's apparently "scared to go to the movies" now... 26/08/2025
Culture news Kneecap cancel US tour due to ‘close proximity of next court hearing’ The Irish rap trio, who performed in Paris on Sunday night despite pro-Israel supporters attempting to disrupt their performance, confirmed the cancellation of their upcoming US tour - but that they have a surprise in store... 26/08/2025
Cinema Woody Allen responds to backlash over Russian film festival appearance Allen reportedly praised Russian cinema during his virtual appearance at this year's Moscow International Film Week, and said he would like to make a movie in Russia if he had an opportunity. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned his participation. Now, the filmmaker has issued a response. 26/08/2025