Rare books
Franklin-founded Philadelphia library receives 1,500 books on sexuality
The Library Company of Philadelphia has been given volumes dating back to the 17th century, according to a report cited in the source bundle
Culture news
Read the latest verified Culture news on BetaVoices, with related events, figures, and place-driven context.
This section currently has 82 approved stories, with the latest update on Jun 23, 2026.
Abbott Elementary
Abuse allegations
Afghanistan War
Aging
Album releases
Albums
Alesha Dixon
Amadeus
Amazon MGM Studios
American Independence 250
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Decades
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Chipping Norton
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Stream
- Consumer protection StubHub UK customers to get refunds over hidden ticket fees The UK competition regulator fined StubHub International £900,000 after finding unavoidable charges were added late in some ticket purchases
- Theater Jim Parsons says Rose’s mom role drew him to ‘Titaníque In a CBS News segment, Parsons discussed the Celine Dion-driven Titanic parody, its LGBTQ+ resonance and the cast behind it
- Classical Music New Mozart Notebook Includes Seven Previously Unknown Works A report says the find documents the composer’s lessons with a student and adds seven compositions to the known Mozart record
Welsh cinema
Welsh-language film Effi o Blaenau reaches UK cinemas after early acclaim
Marc Evans’ adaptation of Iphigenia in Splott moves the story from Cardiff to Blaenau Ffestiniog, following a young woman facing unemployment and isolation
Music
Jack Savoretti says new album leans into ‘the afternoon of life
Twenty years after his debut, the singer says family, grief and moving to Oxfordshire shaped a record that reached No. 2 in the UK albums chart
Reader callout
Taylor Swift Fans Asked to Share What Her Wedding Means to Them
The New York Times Arts desk is seeking reflections from fans about the years they have spent following Swift and their feelings about her big day
Midyear TV
A quieter TV year still has standouts at the halfway mark
A midyear critics’ roundup points to fewer breakout hits, with “Widow’s Bay” emerging as a surprise and “The Comeback” among the returning favorites
Streaming theater
Jessie Buckley, Liza Minnelli Tribute Lead Theater Streaming Picks
A new theater-streaming roundup highlights a National Theater staging of Shakespeare, Matthew López’s “The Inheritance” and a tribute to Liza Minnelli
Obituary
Investigative journalist Roger Cook dies aged 83
The New Zealand-born broadcaster, best known for ITV’s The Cook Report, was remembered for a confrontational style that shaped television investigations
Music reunion
Mis-Teeq reunite for Wembley show marking 25 years of debut album
The UK garage-era trio will play London’s Wembley Arena in September, with Alesha Dixon saying the comeback began in the group chat
France
Patrick Bruel placed under formal investigation for rape
The French singer and actor denies the allegations and was released under judicial supervision after two days in custody in Nanterre
Strictly Come Dancing
Dani Dyer to return to Strictly after ankle injury forced exit
The TV personality is the second celebrity named for the show’s 24th series, which is expected to begin in September
Celebrity news
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater split after nearly three years
The Wicked co-stars reportedly separated quietly several months ago, with a source telling People the decision was amicable
Theater
Emma Dante’s Theater Turns to Sicily, Grief and Family
A New York Times Arts report highlights how the Italian playwright and director has drawn on her mother’s death, Sicilian roots and the contradictions of family life
Idris Elba: 'Don't try to make James Bond woke'
The British star also said some audiences would not accept a black male actor playing 007.
TV watch
Every Year After’ leads this week’s TV watchlist
The Carley Fortune adaptation is among the week’s highlighted arrivals, alongside the return of “Below Deck Mediterranean
Arts
Frida Kahlo Trove Goes on View in Restored Mexico City Museum
Dolores Olmedo, a major patron of Diego Rivera who reportedly saw Kahlo as a rival, bought 26 of Kahlo’s artworks — described as the largest such collection
Culture Brief
New York Hip-Hop Rallies Around the Knicks’ Finals Moment
A New York Times Arts report frames the team’s N.B.A. Finals run as a citywide music-and-basketball moment, stretching from veteran voices to newer artists
Music tributes
Stormzy among stars mourning Talay Riley after London stabbing
The 35-year-old Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, whose real name was Mark Orabiyi, died after a double stabbing in Silvertown as police continue to appeal for footage
Film
Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ Turn YouTube Horror Into Box-Office Force
Young directors Kane Parsons and Curry Barker brought online fan bases to theatres, giving Hollywood a fresh test case for low-cost horror and Gen Z moviegoing
Tourette’s awareness
John Davidson cuts work hours after Tourette’s film brings global attention
The Galashiels campaigner says the Bafta-winning film I Swear has prompted hundreds of people worldwide to contact him about Tourette’s syndrome
Tony Awards
Pink Hosts as ‘Schmigadoon!’ and ‘Death of a Salesman’ Lead the 2026 Tonys
The Radio City Music Hall ceremony delivered major wins for “Schmigadoon!,” “Liberation,” “Ragtime” and “Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman,’ plus standout musical and comic moments
Employment tribunal
Sacked BBC journalist Sean McGinty loses tribunal case
The former BBC Radio Lancashire presenter and producer challenged his dismissal over X posts, arguing his conduct was linked to ADHD and severe anxiety
Entertainment
Owain Rhys Davies, Twin Peaks actor, dies at 44
The Cardiff-born performer, known for playing Agent Wilson in the 2017 Twin Peaks revival, was remembered by family and Welsh arts figures
Television
Hoyt Richards discusses HBO’s ‘Bring Me the Beauties’ and leaving a cult
The former model is tied to a new three-part HBO docuseries, “Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult,” that centers the subject of cult escape
Honours
Idris Elba, Torvill and Dean honoured at Windsor Castle
King Charles presented honours to figures from screen, sport and comedy, including Dame Meera Syal and Chuckle Brothers performer Paul Elliott
Movies
Shannon Elizabeth Looks Back at Her Y2K ‘Hot Girl’ Image
A New York Times Arts profile frames the actor’s early fame through films including “American Pie” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Books
Philippa Perry turns to cosy crime with South Downs mystery
The psychotherapist and author has set her debut crime novel, Shrink Solves Murder, around the landscape she has called home for more than 25 years
Culture Watch
New ‘Amadeus’ Adaptation Revives Composer Biopic Tradition
A New York Times Arts guide frames Peter Shaffer’s classic alongside a lineage of fantastical, extravagant movies about composers
Pop culture
How viral dance routines became part of pop’s rollout
Choreographers behind routines for PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson say the dances that travel fastest often feel simple, communal and unforced
British LGBT Awards
Boy George receives lifetime achievement honour at LGBT Awards
Jean Paul Gaultier surprised the Culture Club singer with the award at a central London ceremony, where Boy George also won music artist of the year
Late night TV
Byron Allen’s ‘Comics Unleashed’ takes over CBS late-night slot
The nearly 20-year-old comedy show will air two episodes weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET after “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” ends
Reality TV welfare
MAFS UK faces new scrutiny as insiders allege ‘toxic’ culture
Former workers told the BBC that producers focused heavily on contestants’ sex lives and engineered conflict, claims the production company disputes as Channel 4 reviews welfare standards
Film review
NYT Review Calls ‘Pressure’ a Dull D-Day Weather Drama
The World War II film is described as focusing on competing forecasts in the tense period before the Allied invasion
Reality TV
Judd Winick revisits ‘The Real World: San Francisco’ in CBS interview
The former MTV cast member spoke with CBS Mornings’ Vladimir Duthiers about appearing on the 1994 reality series and its audition process
Television
Race Across the World’s Jo and Kush brace for ‘very tense’ finale
The Liverpool childhood friends, the youngest pair in the BBC series, have become viewer favourites as the 12,000km race heads for its final leg in Mongolia
Copyright lawsuit
Peanuts’ music owner sues Interior Department, companies over song use
Lee Mendelson Film Productions says Vince Guaraldi’s famous music was used without permission in social posts and a 2025 video game
Television
BBC names Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as new Strictly hosts
The trio will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, making the next series the first with three permanent presenters
Opera
Washington National Opera Plans Five-Opera Season Across the Region
The company’s next season will feature full-length productions at houses around the Washington area, according to a brief report summarizing the announcement