6 h. ago UK ‘behind curve’ on assisted dying among progressive nations, says Kim Leadbeater

Exclusive: On eve of Commons vote, MP says legislators may not get another chance to ‘do the right thing’ for 10 yearsThe UK is “behind the curve” on assisted dying among progressive nations, the bill’s sponsor Kim Leadbeater has said on the eve of one of the most consequential votes for social change in England and Wales.The Labour MP told the Guardian that the circumstances may never be right again to pass such a bill, which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for those terminally ill with less than six months to live, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel of experts. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Director of National Portrait Gallery resigns after Trump’s effort to fire her

Kim Sajet’s departure comes after the Smithsonian Institute rebuffed the president’s attempt to fire her over DEIThe director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, has resigned just two weeks after Donald Trump attempted to fire her and accused her of being “highly partisan and a strong supporter of DEI”.“We thank Kim for her service. Her decision to put the museum first is to be applauded and appreciated. I know this was not an easy decision. She put the needs of the Institution above her own, and for that we thank her,” Lonnie Bunch, the Smithsonian secretary, wrote in a Friday internal email that was obtained by multiple outlets. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria speak out against immigration raids as celebs slam Trump protests response

As tensions rise, Hollywood’s elite are using their voices to call for compassion, accountability and action, making it clear they will not stay silent

Politics

2 w. ago We in the cultural sector must stand up to Trump’s attacks – if not now, when? | Gus Casely

My former colleagues at the Smithsonian in Washington DC face unprecedented pressure. I urge them to defend their principlesGus Casely-Hayford is director of London’s V&A EastIn one of his recent Truth Social posts, Donald Trump appeared to fire Kim Sajet – the fearless and utterly brilliant director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. The president used his social media platform to claim that Sajet’s support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) made her unsuitable for her role. “Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery”, Trump wrote. “She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position. Her replacement will be named shortly.”Where to start? By now, we all know the arts has become the terrain for a brutal proxy battle for hearts and minds. A culture war 2.0, where not ...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump says he fired National Portrait Gallery chief in latest conflict with arts

President says director Kim Sajet has been fired but experts suggest president does not have legal grounds to do soDonald Trump says he is firing the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, which contained a caption that referenced the attack on the US Capitol that his supporters carried out in early 2021.The president announced the termination on Friday in a post on his social media platform that accused Sajet – born in Nigeria, raised in Australia and a citizen of the Netherlands – of being “a strong supporter” of diversity initiatives that his administration opposes as well as “highly partisan”. He cited no evidence for either claim. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Trump fires National Portrait Gallery director in latest conflict with arts

Move against Kim Sajet, gallery’s first female chief, comes as caption on Trump references impeachments and January 6Donald Trump says he is firing the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, which contained a caption that referenced the attack on the US Capitol that his supporters carried out in early 2021.The president announced the sacking Friday through a post on his social media platform that accused Sajet – born in Nigeria, raised in Australia and a citizen of the Netherlands – of being “a strong supporter” of diversity initiatives that his administration opposes as well as “highly partisan”. He cited no evidence for either claim. Continue reading...

Events