3 d. ago 'Rage bait’ named Oxford University Press word of year as outrage fuels social media traffic in 2025

Oxford University Press has named “rage bait’’ as its word of the year, capturing the internet zeitgeist of 2025

Politics

3 d. ago The top 100 photos of 2025 from The Associated Press: Images that defined the year

Years come and go, sometimes before we even realize that time has passed. Events blur and run together. The news is overwhelming, and even those who follow it closely can feel a sense of unremitting vertigo. Such is 21st-century life on a connected and chaotic planet.

Culture

1 week ago Celebrity crib sheet: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are back on the red carpet – here are seven things you need to know

As Wicked: For Good premieres in the UK, find out just how close its costars are, why so many of the cast are vegan and the truth about Grande’s move away from popIt doesn’t matter if you’ve never seen the musical, have no interest in the film or are left cold by red carpets: Wicked season is here again, and you will be made to pay attention. After last year’s chaotic press tour for the first instalment, giving rise to some of 2025’s biggest and most bizarre pop culture moments, all eyes are now on the rollout of the sequel Wicked: For Good and the theatre-kid capers of its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Here’s what you need to know.1. They are still ‘holding space’ for one another Last year’s Wicked press tour was an infamous love-in for Grande and Erivo. Such was the intensity of their connection and mutual affection, both were frequently moved to tears in interviews. The enduring image was of Erivo stroking Grande’s index finger in response to a journalist’s unintelligib...

Politics

1 week ago Fascinating Historical Photographs Show The ‘Lost’ London of 100 Years Ago

Fascinating Historical Photographs Show The ‘Lost’ London of 100 Years Ago  Time Out Worldwide

Culture

2 w. ago Ariana Grande contracts Covid during Wicked: For Good press tour

Oscar-nominated star of two-part musical forced to cancel press stops as film is predicted to deliver year’s biggest box office openingAriana Grande has tested positive for Covid amid the whirlwind press tour for Wicked: For Good, precluding some promotional appearances in New York.The Grammy award winner and Oscar nominee posted an Instagram story on Thursday captioned “moments before Covid” along with a photo from her appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon from earlier this week. Grande, who plays Galinda/Glinda in the second part of Jon M Chu’s film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, will reportedly miss a few upcoming press appearances, including a slot on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Samoa PM suspends country’s only daily newspaper from press briefings amid dispute over coverage

Prime minister has accused the Samoa Observer of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New ZealandSamoa’s only daily newspaper has been banned from attending press conferences with the Samoan prime minister, in a move that critics say threatens the democratic integrity of the Pacific nation.Relations between La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and the Samoa Observer have deteriorated in recent weeks, with the prime minister accusing the newspaper of inaccurate reporting during his eight-week medical stay in New Zealand. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘I found it 35 years later and dissolved into tears’: readers’ favourite photo booth moments

As the photo booth turns 100, people share their best snapshots – including a private kiss and a chaotic proposal100 years ago, Anatol Marco Josepho, a Russian immigrant to the US, invented the world’s first fully automated, coin-operated photo booth. When it opened its doors near Times Square in New York City, the “photomaton” – which produced pictures from a carefully orchestrated mechanical darkroom inside – was an instant hit. A reported 280,000 people lined up to use it in the first six months.To mark 100 years, nine writers shared their favourite photo booth pictures, and we asked Guardian readers to show us their favourites and tell us what they mean to them. Here are some of their stories. Continue reading...

Culture