CULTURE
Culture coverage
Today's coverage is mostly centrist. 201 stories in the last 48 hours across 615 outlet reports.
Controversial Gaza documentary Naza added to Venice Film Festival line‑up
The Venice Film Festival has added the English‑language documentary Naza, directed by Oscar‑winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, to its program only weeks before the event concludes. The film includes an interview with an Israeli Defence Forces officer and references a military code related to civilian casualties. Festival chief Alberto Barbera said the late placement was intended to keep the film from dominating the competition and turning the festival into a political battleground. A pro‑Israel cultural association has sent a formal inquiry to the Biennale asking whether procedural rules were bent to allow the entry, noting that another film was turned down for missing the deadline. The festival’s slate also features other Gaza‑related titles such as Citizen Osama and The Voice of Hind Rajab.
Trump's Kennedy Center takeover sparks funding crisis and artist exodus
After a federal judge blocked the renaming of the Kennedy Center, Donald Trump's takeover led to plummeting ticket sales, artist cancellations and a drop in donations.
Israeli culture minister calls for citizenship revocation of award-winning Naza directors
Culture Minister Miki Zohar demanded that Israeli citizenship be stripped from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the directors of the film Naza, accusing them of betraying the state after their Venice award.
King Charles issues notice labeling Harry and Meghan as private citizens
A written notice from the monarch described Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as private citizens rather than working members of the royal family, stating that any public activities would require palace approval. The notice also said their HRH style is suspended and that their engagements would be limited to personal commercial and charitable work. The couple, who have returned to the United Kingdom with their children, expressed frustration with the timing of the letter. The clarification was sent to the couple’s representatives, government departments, the armed forces and regional Lord Lieutenants.
Celine Dion prepares for Paris comeback after health battle
After years of intensive physical and vocal rehabilitation for the rare neurological disorder Stiff Person Syndrome, Celine Dion is set to stage her comeback tour. She will debut the tour on Sept. 12 at the Plenitude Arena in Paris, with an engagement that includes 26 shows—16 across September and October and an additional 10 slated for the following May. During a recent fan greeting in Paris, a member of her security team steadied her while she stood in high‑heeled boots, and she wore a £2,590 charcoal wool midi dress by Bottega Veneta. Dion has spoken about a regimen that includes 90‑minute Pilates sessions, bi‑weekly ballet classes, physical and vocal therapy, and immunotherapy to stay performance‑ready.
Brazilian Federal Police raid targets over alleged public funding of Bolsonaro biopic
Federal Police executed 49 search warrants in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and the Federal District to investigate claims that public money financed the film "Dark Horse" about former president Jair Bolsonaro, focusing on deputy Mario Frias and producer Karla Gama under a Supreme Court judge's order.
Trump shares AI-fabricated image claiming Robert De Niro now backs him
Donald Trump posted an AI-generated picture on Truth Social that depicts Robert De Niro holding a shirt that says “TRUMP IS MY PRESIDENT,” implying the actor has switched sides.
May el‑Toukhy’s ‘Woman Unknown’ Wins Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival
At the 83rd Venice Film Festival, Danish director May el‑Toukhy’s film “Woman Unknown” received the Golden Lion, marking the eighth time a woman has won the festival’s top honor. The competition jury was chaired by actress‑director Maggie Gyllenhaal. John Malkovich was awarded the best‑actor prize for his role in the CIA‑satire “Wild Horse Nine,” and Mathilde Arcel earned the best‑actress prize for her debut lead performance. Additional awards included the Silver Lion for directing and the Grand Jury Prize for Lee Chang‑dong’s “Possible Love.” The festival’s awards ceremony will conclude the event on September 12.
Lil Durk's murder‑for‑hire case concludes with jury verdict, rapper remains in custody
Prosecutors allege Grammy‑winning rapper Lil Durk hired a Chicago‑based hit crew to travel to Los Angeles and open fire at a gas station, killing rapper Quando Rondo's cousin Saviay'a Robinson while Rondo escaped. The feud is said to stem from a 2020 confrontation at an Atlanta nightclub that led to the killing of King Von, a close associate of Durk, after which Durk reportedly placed a bounty on Rondo. A jury delivered a verdict in the federal trial, and Durk, along with co‑accused Deandre Wilson and David Lindsey, remains in custody. The case underscores the intersection of celebrity culture and violent crime.
Netflix raises subscription fees in Austria and Germany across all plans
Netflix announced price hikes for its basic, standard and premium tiers in Austria and Germany, with the ad-supported plan also becoming more expensive in both markets.
Elon Musk slams Alex Gibney documentary as a boring hit piece
Elon Musk denounced the four-hour documentary about his life, calling director Alex Gibney a “bitter old man” with no integrity.
White House pulls ‘Build the Wall’ arcade game amid backlash
The administration rolled out an online arcade featuring retro‑style games that promote its policy agenda, including a Tetris‑inspired title that tasks players with constructing a border wall. The launch sparked mixed reactions online, with critics decrying the gamification of immigration issues and supporters praising the digital outreach. After the games went live, the White House removed the “Build the Wall” title, offering no public explanation. The episode highlights tensions between political messaging and public perception of government‑produced media.
Sydney Sweeney stars nude in provocative ad for Novig prediction market
Sydney Sweeney appears mostly nude in a new commercial promoting Novig, a sports prediction platform linked to the New York Mets.
Bin Laden's nieces and son lead divergent lives decades after 9/11
Noor Bin Laden, raised in Switzerland, publicly backed Donald Trump and criticized radical Islam in interviews since 2020. Her older sister Wafah Dufour, a former law graduate and model, now fronts the band Deep Tan in London, distancing herself from her uncle’s legacy. Their brother Omar, who once painted in France, attracted attention in 2023 when French officials said his social-media comments glorified terrorism, prompting him to leave the country. Omar later married British citizen Zaina Mohamed Al-Sabah and now resides in Qatar, focusing on his artwork. The family’s varied paths illustrate a stark contrast to their infamous relative.
Brian Hickerson meets DEA as investigation into Hayden Panettiere's overdose continues
Brian Hickerson was seen speaking with DEA agents while authorities pursue a possible drug dealer linked to Hayden Panettiere’s fatal overdose.
2026 Primetime Emmy Awards: Date, Host, Top Contenders and Viewing Options
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 14 in Los Angeles, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, with major nominations led by The Pitt, Hacks and Widow's Bay.
Jeremy Clarkson celebrates NTA win while describing prostate cancer battle as "annoying"
Jeremy Clarkson accepted the National Television Award for Best Reality Docuseries and said his recent prostate cancer diagnosis was merely an annoyance, noting he only missed two weeks of farming work.
Fans criticize Harry Styles ticket design for NYC show near 9/11 anniversary
A ticket for Harry Styles' Sept. 9 Madison Square Garden concert features a car flying past the Empire State Building, sparking outrage for its timing near the 9/11 anniversary.
Conservative TV Turns to the Sex Appeal of Progressive Leaders This Summer
Right-wing commentators are increasingly highlighting the attractiveness of progressive figures such as Hasan Piker, Abdul El-Sayed and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, turning political debate into a discussion of looks.
Monty Don Announces Final Gardeners' World Series, Fans React with Heartbreak
Monty Don announced via Instagram that this season will be his last on Gardeners' World, sparking an emotional response from viewers.
Blizzard unveils open-world StarCraft shooter slated for 2030 release
Blizzard Entertainment announced a new open-world shooter titled “StarCraft,” scheduled for launch in 2030, during BlizzCon 2026 in Anaheim.
Victim’s family urges death penalty for singer accused of killing and dismembering teen
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez have publicly asked that singer David Burke receive the death penalty for her murder, as prosecutors decide between capital punishment and life imprisonment.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim charms India with Kishore Kumar song at BRICS summit
During the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim performed Kishore Kumar’s classic “Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat,” sparking widespread praise on social media.
Meghan and Harry share countryside fun with kids in new Instagram clip
Meghan and Harry posted an Instagram video showing their children playing in mud, riding a bike near deer and fishing with their Labrador, Pula.
Instagram users generate 1980s-style portraits with ChatGPT prompts
Instagram users are using ChatGPT to turn modern photos into retro 1980s-looking images and sharing them via Stories and the “Add Yours” sticker.
TIFF spotlights taxidermy musical, disability-rights drama and studio market push
The 51st Toronto International Film Festival is underway, featuring a macabre musical, a disability-rights biopic and a new studio market initiative.
Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' continues box-office dominance in South Korea
Nolan's film 'Odyssey' has held the top spot at the Korean box office for a month and is on track for a major audience milestone this weekend.
Spider‑Man: Brand New Day draws strong box‑office returns in UK and Turkey amid critical acclaim
The latest Spider‑Man installment is continuing to dominate international box‑office markets. In the United Kingdom, August box‑office results were the strongest since 2018, with the film and "The Odyssey" accounting for the bulk of revenue and helping lift overall cinema attendance. In Turkey, box‑office data show the movie attracted the largest audience of the year, generating TL 690.1 million and topping the 2026 list. Critics have called it the best Spider‑Man outing in over two decades, underscoring the franchise’s commercial appeal.
Ana Navarro Discloses Using Mounjaro Injectable for Her Weight Loss
During the show's opening episode, Navarro joked about her pre-Mounjaro appearance and confirmed the medication aided her weight loss. Mounjaro, also marketed as Zepbound for obesity, is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist originally prescribed for type-2 diabetes. She did not reveal the amount of weight lost or when treatment began. The revelation follows earlier speculation about her using similar GLP-1 drugs and joins comments from fellow co-hosts about their own use of such medications.
Renowned British Indie Producer Jeremy Thomas Dies at Age 77
Jeremy Thomas, the celebrated independent film producer behind more than 80 movies, has died at 77.
Venture Capitalist Peter Levin Predicts Pokémon Cards Could Become Post-Apocalypse Currency
Peter Levin, a venture investor and avid card collector, says Pokémon cards are poised to serve as currency after a global catastrophe.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s attempt to pitch civil discourse on The Daily Show falls flat
Governor Spencer Cox appeared on The Daily Show to promote his book and a “disagree better” message, but host Jon Stewart challenged his premise, arguing that some contempt is necessary.
Alan Ritchson and Catherine Ritchson announce divorce after two decades together
Actor Alan Ritchson and his wife Catherine have filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage, emphasizing co-parenting their three sons.
Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' earns Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at Venice
South Korean director Lee Chang-dong's film 'Possible Love' won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
Swedish rapper Haval Khalil to be transferred to Sweden after Romanian arrest
Romanian authorities will hand over rapper Haval Khalil to Swedish officials on Friday following his detention by DIICOT and Europol.
Macklemore's pro-Palestine remarks at Ed Sheeran concert spark IAC backlash
Rapper Macklemore called for a free Palestine and accused Israel of genocide while opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium, prompting the Israeli-American Council to demand his removal from the tour.
New Evidence Raises Questions in George Mazonakis Death Investigation
Investigators have uncovered contradictions in the statements of the two doctors arrested over singer George Mazonakis' fatal procedure, and they are set to appear before a prosecutor on Friday.
High-profile figures penalized for skirting rules of U.S. prediction markets
Former congressman George Santos was barred from Kalshi and ordered to forfeit $17,000 plus $80,000 in fines, while commentator Bill Simmons admitted to using a proxy to place illegal bets on FanDuel.
Lanterns Episode 5 Ends with Zoe's Death and John Rejecting the Green Lantern Ring
In the latest Lanterns episode, John Stewart kills Manhunter Zoe and briefly dons the Green Lantern ring before discarding it.
Bipartisan leaders back renaming Nashville airport after Dolly Parton
Republican and Democratic officials in Nashville voted unanimously to start renaming the airport for Dolly Parton, despite ongoing disputes over airport control.
Princess Diana's iconic 1994 'revenge dress' slated for New York auction
The black silk gown Diana wore in 1994 will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York, with estimates up to £220,000.
Low-budget biopic 'Hanuman Ansh' nears Rs 210 crore despite new releases
The Neem Karoli Baba biopic 'Hanuman Ansh' has amassed roughly Rs 210 crore in India, continuing strong earnings even as 'Mirzapur: The Movie' and 'Haiwaan' hit theaters.
True-Crime Fans Help Drive HBO Documentary on Decades-Long Double Murder Case
Amateur investigators Eileen and Keen Umbehr spent twenty years pushing for a new trial in the 2002 Topeka double homicide, a story now chronicled in HBO’s three-part series “A Killer Story.”
Ms. Rachel accuses celebrities of racial bias for staying silent on Gaza children
Children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel charged public figures with racism for not speaking out about Palestinian child deaths in Gaza.
Director of new British Raj series urges UK to pay India trillions in reparations
Nikkhil Advani, director of the Amazon Prime drama The Revolutionaries, says the United Kingdom should compensate India for centuries of colonial rule.
Memphis' Overton Park Shell Marks 90 Years of Free and Ticketed Concerts
The historic Overton Park Shell in Memphis, built in 1936, is celebrating its 90th anniversary with an expanded season of free and ticketed performances.
Masked gunmen open fire on Punjabi singer Gulab Sidhu's home in Barnala
Three masked men fired several shots at the gate of singer Gulab Sidhu's residence in Pharwahi village early Sunday, while he was abroad.
Judge Judy to retire from TV and launch son’s courtroom series
Judy Sheindlin announced she will quit on-screen judging after “Judy Justice” ends in October and will produce a new syndicated show starring her son Adam Levy.
Chicago drill rapper Mikquale Cooper killed in early-morning Fuller Park ambush
Rapper Mikquale Cooper, known as BloodHound Q50, was fatally shot by a group of gunmen at a Fuller Park gas station in Chicago early Sunday.
Lady Gaga welcomes first child with fiancé Michael Polanski
Pop icon Lady Gaga, 40, has given birth to her first child with fiancé Michael Polanski, 42.
Critics Slam 60 Minutes for Softball Interview with Defense Secretary Hegseth
The season premiere of 60 Minutes drew heavy online backlash for a lenient interview with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about a rescue mission in Iran.
Former gang member Duane Davis convicted in Tupac Shakur murder case
A Las Vegas jury found ex-gangster Duane Davis guilty of killing rapper Tupac Shakur thirty years after the shooting.
International Booker winner Deepa Bhasthi stresses cultural soul in translation, dismisses AI
International Booker-winning translator Deepa Bhasthi told a Kathmandu workshop that preserving a language’s musicality is essential and that AI cannot yet handle literary fiction.
Riize announces spring 2027 album and upcoming prologue single
K-pop group Riize will issue its second full-length album in spring 2027, with a prologue single slated for release on Oct. 26.
Benny Andersson pledges support for Social Democratic candidate Magdalena
Benny Andersson said he will help the Social Democratic campaign for Magdalena, despite usually avoiding political endorsements.
Elon Musk’s daughter stars in Desigual ad condemning AI and family ties
Vivian Wilson, Elon Musk’s 22-year-old transgender daughter, appears in Desigual’s “Born to Disobey” video that criticises AI reliance and hints at their strained relationship.
Trump and Congress mull tax credit to boost U.S. film production
President Trump and members of Congress are debating a federal tax credit designed to keep movies and TV shows filmed in the United States rather than overseas.
Hollywood’s Flood of Same-Story Content Raises Questions About Audience Overlap
Industry insiders note a surge in multiple adaptations of the same true-crime and documentary material across TV, podcasts and streaming, sparking debate over whether they split or expand audiences.
DMK accuses Tamil Nadu chief minister of mixing official UK trip with friend's race
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam says Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay turned an investment-focused visit to the UK into a personal outing to watch actor-racer Ajith Kumar at Silverstone.
Brazilcore sparks global craze, boosting tourism and cultural influence
The Brazilcore trend, featuring the national colors and vibrant styles, has drawn millions of tourists and propelled Brazilian culture onto the world stage.
