Culture

Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced legislation that would prohibit private equity firms from owning medical practices. The bill targets concerns that investor ownership drives up healthcare costs, cuts staffing, and prioritizes profits over patient care. Supporters see it as a push to keep medicine in the hands of clinicians, while critics are expected to argue it limits capital investment in healthcare practices.

YouTube and Meta have reversed course on running paid advertisements for a documentary about Elon Musk, withdrawing from the promotional campaign. The platforms have not fully explained the decision, which comes as the film draws attention for its portrayal of the world's richest man. The backtracking raises questions about how ad platforms handle content tied to polarising public figures.

Filmmaker Jon Watts has been set to direct the next Star Wars movie, according to Variety. Watts is known for directing the recent Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland, and his move to the Star Wars franchise marks a major step into another of Disney's flagship series. Details of the film's plot and release date have not yet been announced.

Ukrainian forces have destroyed a Russian ammunition depot using loitering munitions, according to footage circulating with reports from the war in Ukraine. The strike shows drones carrying out precision attacks on the depot, which detonates in a large secondary explosion. Such depot strikes have become a regular feature of the war, as both sides target ammunition storage to degrade each other's artillery capacity along the front lines.

Piers Morgan says he has insider information about how the Royal Family is responding to a new book about Princess Diana described as a bombshell. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he claimed the royals are unsettled by revelations touching on Diana's legacy, and viewers are debating both the book's claims and whether Morgan's palace sources can be trusted.

Director Jon Watts is set to helm the next Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Watts, best known for directing Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy with Tom Holland, takes on one of the most high-profile jobs in franchise filmmaking. Fans are speculating about what story the film will tell and when it might reach cinemas, as Lucasfilm continues reshaping its slate of big-screen projects.

Advertising platforms have reportedly refused to run ads promoting a documentary about Elon Musk, according to circulating reports. The rejections have sparked debate over advertising policies, political sensitivity around Musk, and whether the refusals reflect brand-safety concerns or editorial pressure. Commenters are divided on whether the decision sets a troubling precedent for documentary distributors.

Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, has apologised to broadcaster Piers Morgan after factual errors were found in his new book about her life. Spencer acknowledged the mistakes, which had drawn criticism from Morgan, and offered a public correction. The exchange has attracted wide attention as it touches on competing accounts of Diana's story and the accuracy of claims made in books about her.

A group of British celebrities has successfully lobbied against proposals that would have allowed AI companies to freely use their creative work for training. The campaign succeeded in the UK, and the celebrities are now warning Australia not to adopt similar rules as it considers its own approach to AI and copyright. The case is being watched closely by artists and tech firms worldwide.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are underway, with live coverage focusing on the red carpet and celebrity outfits. Outlets including Page Six are providing real-time updates on arrivals and fashion moments, and searches for the event are climbing in the US and Canada as fans follow the show and its standout looks.

The Guardian has published a letter responding to its obituary of Tim Curry, the British actor best known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show and his stage and screen career. The letter, printed in the paper's correspondence section, offers readers' reflections on his life and work following his death.

A former CIA officer has published a novel alleging serious dysfunction within the agency's deep-cover operations. The book, covered by The Washington Post, draws on the author's insider perspective to portray problems in how undercover work is handled. Readers and commentators are weighing how much of the fiction reflects real shortcomings at the intelligence agency.

Apple Music is set to open a concert venue at Battersea Power Station in London, adding a live-music space to the landmark Grade II-listed site. The move puts Apple in direct competition with established promoters and signals the company's growing push into live entertainment beyond streaming.

A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is claimed to have been revealed, according to circulating reports. Nintendo has not been confirmed as the source, and no official details on platforms, developers or a release date have been verified. Fans are reacting to the prospect of the classic Nintendo 64 title receiving a modern remake.

A Bloomberg report describes a paradoxical trend: people who became dependent on nicotine through vaping are switching back to conventional cigarettes as a way to quit. Because cigarettes feel less palatable than sweet-flavoured vapes, some ex-smokers hope the return to tobacco will wean them off nicotine entirely. Commenters are debating whether the approach reflects the failure of vaping as a quitting tool or simply nicotine addiction finding a new outlet, and what it says about regulation of e-cigarettes.

In March 2025, the University of Oxford announced a partnership with OpenAI to digitize public-domain books from the Bodleian Library. According to the announcement, the digitized works will become searchable and more widely accessible. The collaboration has drawn attention among librarians, researchers and open-access advocates discussing the role of AI companies in digitizing cultural heritage collections.

Lucasfilm is reportedly seeking Jon Watts to direct the next installment of the Star Wars Skywalker saga. Watts, known for directing the recent Spider-Man films for Marvel, has been a frequently mentioned name in Star Wars development circles. The report suggests the studio is moving forward with plans for a new chapter in the main saga, though no official deal or project details have been confirmed.

The winners of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have been published, with outlets circulating the full list of honorees from this year's ceremony. Music fans and entertainment media are going through the results, comparing winners across the major categories and reacting to who took home the top prizes.

Used bookstores in Japan are reporting a fivefold surge in sales as bulk buyers purchase books by the ton. One single order of 50 tons was sent to the United States, where the books are believed to be scanned for AI training data and then destroyed. Numerous suspicious bulk purchases are thought to end up in similar foreign scan-and-shred facilities.

The winners of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, drawing attention from music fans and media worldwide. Coverage is focused on which artists took home the night's top honors, including the Video of the Year category, and how the results compare with expectations heading into the ceremony.

The Mighty Sparrow, the Trinidadian singer widely regarded as the greatest figure in calypso history, has died at the age of 91. Known as the 'Calypso King of the World', he shaped the genre for decades with hits and sharp social commentary, and tributes from across the Caribbean music world are pouring in.

Forbes reports that the original 2009 'Avatar' earned more in profits than 'Avatar: The Way of Water' and the upcoming third instalment combined. The claim highlights how the first film's massive box office success on a relatively modest budget remains unmatched within the franchise, even as the sequels generated substantial but smaller relative returns.

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 are taking place, with the full list of winners being updated live as categories are announced. Fans and media are following along in real time to see which artists take home the night's top honors, including Video of the Year and Best New Artist.

Mathematician Terence Tao has announced the formation of an Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, sharing the news on his blog. The group is expected to advise on how AI is reshaping mathematical research and how mathematicians can guide AI development. The announcement has drawn wide attention from the research community, where Tao's views on AI and proof assistants carry significant weight.

Deutsche DW is highlighting 'From Evin, with Love', a collection of artwork made by women held in Tehran's Evin prison. The pieces, created in detention, are drawing attention to the conditions and experiences of female political prisoners in Iran, with the exhibition framed as a form of resistance and testimony emerging from one of the country's most notorious facilities.

A new exhibition in Britain is examining what the British government knew about the Holocaust while it was happening during the Second World War. The show confronts the uncomfortable truth that officials received evidence of Nazi persecution and mass murder as it unfolded, prompting reflection on why more was not done and how Britain remembers that history today.

Rolling Stone has published an essay addressing the backlash around 'Choosin' Texas', examining why the song and its reception have become a flashpoint. The piece is drawing attention as readers debate the criticism surrounding the track and what it says about audience expectations, with reactions playing out across social media.

Breaking Bad has been named the best television series of the 21st century in a new ranking published by The New York Times. The list of top shows has prompted widespread discussion among viewers and critics about whether the Bryan Cranston-led drama deserved the top spot, and which other series ranked highly.

Jon Watts has been hired to direct a new Star Wars film, according to American media reports. Watts, best known for directing the three Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland, will helm the first part of a planned series. The announcement is drawing attention from film fans curious about the director's take on the franchise.

Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against individuals accused of hacking her accounts and leaking unreleased music. The pop star is pursuing legal action to stop further distribution of stolen material and hold the alleged hackers accountable. The case highlights growing concerns among major artists about unauthorized leaks of unfinished songs and private recordings.

YouTube Music is rolling out new features that let users ask questions about a song or artist and get answers directly within the app. The tools are aimed at helping listeners learn more about what they are hearing without leaving the platform. The announcement was reported by Mashable, which highlighted the convenience for music fans curious about lyrics, backgrounds, and artist details.

Jon Watts, director of the recent Spider-Man films, has been announced as the director of a new Star Wars movie for Lucasfilm. The project is reported to have the potential to continue the Skywalker Saga. Details on plot, cast and release timing have not yet been revealed, and fans are speculating about how the film might connect to the existing story.

The Wall Street Journal reports on a debut novel that earned wide literary acclaim but is now under scrutiny over whether it was actually generated by artificial intelligence. The question has sparked debate in publishing circles about authenticity, authorship and how far AI tools may already be reaching into celebrated fiction.

Rolling Stone has published a feature on "Choosin' Texas", putting the title in front of a wide readership and prompting conversation about what it refers to and why it matters now. Details of the piece and its subject are limited, but the magazine's attention has made the phrase a talking point among readers sharing and debating the story.

Jon Watts is reported to be in line to direct the next Star Wars movie, with speculation that the project could be Episode X, a continuation of the main Skywalker saga. The report, picked up by film outlets, has fuelled fan debate about what direction the franchise will take after the sequel trilogy and who will shape its big-screen future.

Lucasfilm has reportedly chosen a director for the next film in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga. The news comes from Polygon, though no further details about the filmmaker or the project's plot, timeline, or release date are available. Fans of the franchise are discussing what the choice could mean for the future of the long-running space saga.

A newly published book about how evolution has shaped men's and women's minds is drawing criticism for presenting a story that researchers say is outdated. A review argues that the book relies on claims about evolved psychological differences between the sexes that modern science has moved past, reigniting long-running debate over evolutionary explanations of gender differences.

The latest weekend box office figures are out, showing which new releases and holdovers drew moviegoers over the past few days. Commenters online are comparing performances, weighing which titles over- or under-performed, and debating what the numbers signal for upcoming releases and the wider theatrical market.

'Avengers: Endgame' has returned to the top of the box office charts, reclaiming the number one spot. Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson is credited with driving strong ticket sales for the film 'Primetime'. The Marvel blockbuster's renewed dominance and Pattinson's drawing power are the main talking points among film fans and industry watchers.

Robert Pattinson says it would be "tough" for his version of Batman to interact with other characters in James Gunn's DC Universe. The comment fuels ongoing questions about how Matt Reeves' darker, standalone Batman films relate to Gunn's broader interconnected DC slate. Fans are debating whether Pattinson's Dark Knight could ever cross over with the wider franchise.