Culture news Explained: What's the ‘Panama Playlists’ leak and what does it expose? Offshore bank accounts again? No – “onshore vibes” this time. An anonymous sleuth claims they have been ‘scraping’ Spotify accounts of celebrities, politicians and journalists since the summer of 2024. The results may surprise you. 31/07/2025
Culture news Russian soprano’s discrimination case against Met to proceed The Met Opera previously dropped Russian soprano Anna Netrebko after she refused to repudiate President Vladimir Putin over Russia's campaign against Ukraine. Her discrimination case will now proceed. 31/07/2025
Culture news Messi and his wife steal the show on Coldplay’s notorious kiss cam After the viral Astronomer "Coldplaygate" moment, the Argentinian footballing superstar showed everyone how it’s done - sharing a sweet moment with his wife on the now-notorious kiss cam. 30/07/2025
Culture news In Pictures: Birmingham honours Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne Huge crowds gathered in Birmingham, UK, this afternoon as fans paid their respects to Ozzy Osbourne. His funeral cortege made its way through the city and his family were visibly moved. 30/07/2025
Voices from Central Asia How Kazakh artist M’Dee is helping shape Central Asia’s musical future In partnership with MDQ Reviving legends, producing new voices, and filling concert halls – M’Dee’s journey from self-produced beats to national stages is helping define a new chapter for music in Central Asia. 30/07/2025
Culture news Artists revolt against Spotify over CEO’s investment in AI warfare Several artists, including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and Xiu Xiu, are pulling their music from Spotify in protest of CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in an AI-powered military tech firm. 30/07/2025
Culture news Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral cortege to make final trip through Birmingham Huge crowds are expected to gather in Birmingham, UK, this afternoon as fans will pay their respects to Ozzy Osbourne. His funeral cortege will make its way through the city. "We're going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham,” said the city’s mayor. 30/07/2025
Culture news Older brother of Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher charged with rape Paul Gallagher, the older brother of Oasis stars Noel and Liam, has been charged with multiple offences including rape. The charges come as Oasis continue their headline-grabbing reunion tour. 29/07/2025
Culture news Why is Donald Trump demanding that Beyoncé be prosecuted? Donald Trump's feud with A-list celebrities continues. The US president is alleging that Kamala Harris spent campaign money on celebrity endorsements in 2024 – despite an investigation finding this claim to be false - and is demanding that Queen B be prosecuted. Here's everything you need to know. 28/07/2025
Culture news Coldplay kiss cam scandal: How best to handle a PR crisis No such thing as bad press? Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has become the temporary spokesperson for the tech firm at heart of Coldplay CEO “kiss cam” scandal. The company’s new, tongue-in-cheek promo video has gone viral and is a masterclass in how to handle a PR crisis. Here is who’s behind it. 28/07/2025
Culture news Celebrated musical satirist Tom Lehrer dies aged 97 The mathematician and satirical songwriter was best known for his songs 'The Elements', 'The Masochism Tango' and the Cold War track 'We Will All Go Together When We Go'. 28/07/2025
Culture news Inside Poland's Soviet-era festival that's now a thriving music hub Jarocin festival in the 1980s was both a musical and socio-political phenomenon, offering a subversive voice for Polish youth during and after martial law. Nowadays. its popularity has soared as its become an enormous platform for underground and alternative music. 26/07/2025
Culture news Irish rap band Kneecap banned from Hungary's Sziget festival Hungarian authorities have banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country and from taking part in the annual Sziget music festival, over accusations of anti-Semitic hate speech and public praise of Hamas and Hezbollah. 24/07/2025
Culture news Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham to reissue ‘Buckingham Nicks’ Nicks and Buckingham teased the announcement in a series of cryptic social media posts last week, initially sparking rumours that Fleetwood Mac could be reuniting. 24/07/2025
Culture news Portuguese artists call on EU for more protection and AI regulation Almost 20 Portuguese artists have joined the international #StayTrueToTheAct movement demanding that the European Union regulate Artificial Intelligence and protect copyright. 23/07/2025
Culture news Music legends pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following singer's death Music legends including Elton John, AC/DC and Rod Stewart have paid tribute to the 'Prince of Darkness', following his death at the age of 76. 23/07/2025
Culture news Brazilian singer and feminist activist Preta Gil dies aged 50 The 50-year-old Brazilian artist and activist, who has died of cancer, was the daughter of singer and former culture minister Gilberto Gil. 21/07/2025
Culture news CEO caught on 'kiss-cam' placed on leave by tech company Astronomer The footage of a CEO embracing an employee went viral earlier this week after the pair appeared on a large screen at a Coldplay concert. 19/07/2025
Culture news Police drop Glastonbury criminal probe into Belfast rap group Kneecap Avon and Somerset Police say they will be taking “no further action” after reviewing video and audio footage from Kneecap’s set at Glastonbury. 18/07/2025
Culture news Cryptic posts and song lyrics: Is a Fleetwood Mac reunion happening? Did anyone have this on their 2025 bingo card? A series of cryptic online posts have led to specualtion that Fleetwood Mac could be reuniting... How likely is this to happen? 18/07/2025