Culture news Ireland asks Eurovision for discussion over Israel’s involvement Irish national broadcaster RTÉ director general said he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East and by the horrific impact on civilians in Gaza, and the fate of Israeli hostages." 08/05/2025
Design In Pictures: Final designs for Queen Elizabeth II memorial unveiled A final shortlist of designs for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled. The competition has been hailed as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history. The final design is expected to be revealed in 2026. 08/05/2025
Culture news Broadwalk Empire star charged with sexual abuse and assault Pitt is accused of sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, choking her, and attacking her with a cinder block and a piece of lumber at his New York City home. 08/05/2025
Cinema Cardinals reportedly consulted ‘Conclave’ film before real-life vote Some Cardinals and Clerics have reportedly consulted the acclaimed 2024 film and described ‘Conclave’ as "remarkably accurate" and "a helpful research tool." 08/05/2025
Culture news Behind the memeification of the conclave and the viral ‘Tagle core’ Hold onto your miters - this conclave is getting the meme treatment online, and Gen Z seem to have picked their favourite: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle... But some traditionalists aren't happy. 07/05/2025
Culture news Is Trump already softening his plans for 100% movie tariffs? “I’m not looking to hurt the industry," says Trump. "So we’re going to meet with the industry. I want to make sure they’re happy with it because we’re all about jobs.” In the meantime, confusion reigns and actor Jon Voight seems to have some responsibility for this newest set of damaging tariffs. 07/05/2025
Culture news Foiled terrorist plot against Lady Gaga gets sinister 'satanist' twist Brazilian authorities have shared new details, reporting that a suspect had been planning to execute a “satanist ritual by killing a child or baby”, as the suspect reportedly believes Lady Gaga is a Satanist. 07/05/2025
Culture news American music legend accused of sexual assault and rape The Motown legend has been accused by four of his former employees of sexual assault and rape, which the women say took place between 2007 and 2024. 07/05/2025
Culture news Former Eurovision acts call for Israel to be banned from 2025 contest More than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter demanding Israel and its national broadcaster KAN to be banned from this year’s contest, which is due to take place next week. 06/05/2025
Culture news Radiohead and Israeli musicians call out 'censorship' after gigs axed June concerts featuring Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Israel-born Dudu Tassa have been cancelled after "credible threats". Greenwood has stated: "Intimidating venues into pulling our shows won't help achieve the peace and justice everyone in the Middle East deserves" 06/05/2025
Culture news Pulitzer Prize 2025: Who are this year's winners? Acclaimed novelist Percival Everett, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and composer Susie Ibarra have won Pulitzer Prizes this year in the arts, while the Washington Post wins for coverage of Donald Trump's shooting. Here are the winners in full. 06/05/2025
Culture news How an AI Star Wars image has backfired on Trump and the White House Imagine watching Star Wars and thinking that the ones with the red lightsabers are the good guys... 05/05/2025
Cinema Does Trump have the authority to impose 100% movie tariffs? Donald Trump has said he will target films made outside of the US as part of his ongoing tariff war. He posted that Hollywood and other areas are "being devastated" due to "a concerted effort by other Nations," which constitutes a "National Security threat." 05/05/2025
Cinema Film of the Week: 'Thunderbolts*' - Florence Pugh to the MCU's rescue The 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a step up from recent MCU offerings. But is it enough to renew faith in an ongoing saga that’s been on a downward trajectory? (And yes, that confounding asterisk in the title is explained.) 02/05/2025
Art Nigerian autistic teen sets world painting record A young autistic boy in Nigeria has broken the record for the world's largest art canvas - officially recognised by Guinness World Records. His canvas aims to highlight the challenges that people like him face amid stigma and grim depictions of autism. 02/05/2025
Culture news Jill Sobule, known for LGBTQ+ anthem 'I Kissed a Girl,' dies in fire Jill Sobule, the singer-songwriter whose witty writing first attracted widespread attention with the gay-themed song 'I Kissed a Girl', has died in a house fire. Her 1995 hit is widely regarded as the first song with an openly gay-theme to break into the Billboard top 20 charts. 02/05/2025
Culture news Gruffalo set to return next year with first book in more than 20 years British writer Julia Donaldson and German illustrator Axel Scheffler have announced they are working on a new outing for the monster in the deep dark wood... 01/05/2025
Culture news Artists support Kneecap as UK police confirm investigation London’s Metropolitan Police force has issued a statement saying that further investigation is needed regarding two controversial videos. Politicians are putting pressure on festivals to axe Kneecap from their line-ups, while an open letter has been signed by various artists to support the trio. 01/05/2025
Cinema Martin Scorsese producing new documentary made with Pope Francis Martin Scorsese is a producing a documentary made with Pope Francis that will chronicle the late pontiff's work with cinema in the global educational movement he founded before his death. 01/05/2025
Lifestyle World’s oldest person dies aged 116 – British woman now holds record Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, the oldest person in the world, died on Wednesday 30 April in Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the age of 116 years and 326 days. Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom is now the oldest person in the world. 01/05/2025