Culture

Documentary distributor Bleecker Street says YouTube, TikTok and Meta have all rejected paid ads for Alex Gibney's 'Musk', set for release on Oct. 9, citing their policies on political content. X, owned by Elon Musk, has reportedly refused even to respond to the distributor's inquiries. Bleecker Street is appealing the rejections as the film's premiere approaches.

Saturday Night Live aired a new episode parodying the warm public exchanges between Donald Trump and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, playing up their unlikely rapport after their recent White House meeting. The show also mocked Natalie Harp, a Trump aide, in the same episode. Clips and reactions from the sketches have been circulating widely across news and social media, with viewers weighing in on the portrayals.

The next Godzilla film, 'Godzilla Minus Zero', is making history within the long-running monster franchise, with those involved saying it aims to genuinely shock audiences. The announcement has drawn attention from fans of the series, which was recently revived by the acclaimed 'Godzilla Minus One'. Details about the plot remain scarce, adding to anticipation.

News that Jon Watts, best known for directing Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy with Tom Holland, is attached to direct a Star Wars project is circulating widely. Fans are debating whether his blockbuster, franchise-friendly style is a good fit for the galaxy far, far away, while others point to his existing work on the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew as proof he is already part of that universe.

Major social media platforms have declined to run paid advertising for a documentary about Elon Musk. Mashable reports the ad rejections, which complicate the film's promotional push ahead of its release. The refusals have drawn attention because the subject of the documentary is himself the owner of one of the platforms reportedly declining the ads, raising questions about how the film will reach audiences.

The MTV Video Music Awards take place with Taylor Swift in position to make VMA history and Madonna among the most-nominated artists of the night. Coverage focuses on how to watch the ceremony, with Swift expected to break records if she wins and Madonna's multiple nods drawing attention to her enduring chart presence.

Reports are circulating that Jon Watts, known for directing Marvel's Spider-Man films, may be attached to a new Star Wars movie. Coverage so far focuses on what has and has not been confirmed, with fans speculating about what the project could be and where it fits in Lucasfilm's slate. Neither Watts nor Lucasfilm appears to have offered detailed comment.

NBC's sports coverage is delaying the start of Saturday Night Live's new season premiere, pushing the show's start time later than scheduled. Viewers following the show have been discussing the overlap, with many noting that live sports broadcasts frequently run long and disrupt primetime programming on the network.

A new Godzilla film titled 'Godzilla Minus Zero' has been announced, prompting questions about how it relates to the 2023 Oscar-winning hit 'Godzilla Minus One'. Fans and entertainment outlets are debating whether the new movie is a direct sequel or a separate story, with coverage explaining what is known so far about the project and its connection to the previous film.

A documentary critical of Elon Musk has reportedly been subjected to censorship, according to reporting by The Daily Beast. Details about who is blocking or restricting the film, and how, remain limited, but the report is drawing attention to Musk's ongoing controversies and debates over the suppression of unflattering coverage about the billionaire.

UFC fighter Raoni Barcelos has been hospitalized following his bout against Raul Rosas Jr., according to reports. Updates on his condition are being followed by MMA fans and news outlets, with concern over his health after the fight. Details about the severity of his injuries and expected recovery have not yet been fully disclosed.

The finale of Discovery Channel's 'Deadliest Catch' revealed the final phone call deckhand Todd Meadows made home before his death, airing the emotional moment for viewers. The episode shed light on the crew member's last conversation with family, prompting an outpouring of sympathy from fans of the long-running crab fishing series as they reflected on the dangers crews face at sea.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced legislation that would prohibit private equity firms from owning medical practices. The bill aims to curb Wall Street ownership of doctor's offices and clinics, a trend critics say drives up costs and reduces patient care quality. The proposal is drawing attention in debates over healthcare consolidation and corporate influence in medicine.

Advertising sales for a documentary about Elon Musk are reportedly being turned down by multiple media platforms, with ad space for the project refused by major outlets. The story is drawing attention because of Musk's high public profile and the sensitivity around content tied to him. Details on which platforms refused the ads, and why, remain limited to the claim itself.

New York Times editorial writer Jesse Wegman argues in his new book that Americans must reclaim ownership of the Constitution from the nine Supreme Court justices. In 'Supremacy: How Rule by the Court Replaced Government by the People,' he contends that judicial supremacy has displaced government by the people, and that the founding charter belongs to citizens rather than the courts alone.

Used bookstores across Japan are reporting a fivefold surge in sales as bulk buyers purchase books by the ton, including one order of 50 tons shipped to the United States. The buyers are believed to be feeding the books into scanning facilities for AI training data, after which the physical copies are destroyed.

Apple Music is set to open a new concert venue at Battersea Power Station in London. The venue would give the tech giant a physical space for live performances and events, adding to the landmark building's growing mix of shops, offices and entertainment. Details on capacity and opening date were not immediately given, and reaction is still forming.

Mathematician Terence Tao has written about the creation of an Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, a body intended to advise on how AI intersects with mathematical research. The announcement is drawing attention in the tech and mathematics communities, where Tao is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices on AI's role in science.

Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, has issued an apology to Piers Morgan after factual errors were identified in his book about the princess. Sky News reports the correction and the apology, drawing wide attention as it touches on the ongoing public debate over Morgan's long-standing coverage of Diana and the accuracy of accounts about her life.

Some people who became dependent on nicotine through vaping are switching back to traditional cigarettes as a way to quit, according to a Bloomberg report. The reversal highlights how vaping, marketed as a safer alternative, has created a new generation of nicotine users struggling to stop, with some viewing cigarettes as easier to give up than e-cigarettes.

Piers Morgan says he will take legal action against Earl Charles Spencer over claims made in his book about his sister, Princess Diana, dismissing the allegations as, in his words, all nonsense. The announcement came in an exclusive interview with the broadcaster, drawing large public attention and sparking debate over the disputed claims about Diana's life and the Spencer family's accounts.

Montreal's city council has adopted a bylaw prohibiting insults directed at police officers and municipal employees. The measure is intended to protect frontline city workers from verbal abuse while performing their duties. The rule is already drawing debate, with some welcoming protections for staff and others questioning how restrictions on insulting language will be defined and enforced.

An art museum is returning a painting to the heirs of its Jewish owner, decades after the work was seized by the Nazis. The restitution is part of ongoing efforts by museums to address artworks looted during the Nazi era and restore them to the families from whom they were taken. Further details about the museum, the painting and the original owner were not immediately available.

OpenAI has announced the creation of an Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence. The initiative brings together experts to examine how AI systems relate to mathematical research and reasoning, and how the two fields can inform each other. The announcement is drawing attention among technologists debating AI's growing role in scientific and mathematical work.

Richard Manoogian, the longtime Masco Corporation executive known for his business leadership, philanthropy and major art collection, has died at the age of 90. The Detroit News reported his death, and tributes are highlighting his role in Michigan business and his support of the arts and charitable causes.

Disney has hired Jon Watts, director of Marvel's Spider-Man films, to helm the first movie in a new Star Wars trilogy set in the Skywalker saga era. Watts becomes the latest high-profile filmmaker brought in to expand the franchise, and the news is drawing attention as fans speculate about the story and characters the new trilogy will follow.

Director James Gray, promoting his new film 'Paper Tiger', said he does not want to preach politics to audiences, arguing that 'art is not Sunday school'. His comments frame the film as a work that explores themes without delivering moral or political lessons, a stance that resonates in ongoing debates about whether filmmakers should openly advocate political views through their work.

Used bookstores in Japan are seeing a surge in bulk purchase orders, with roughly 50 tons of secondhand books shipped to buyers in the United States, according to Nippon TV. The report highlights growing overseas demand for Japanese used books, though it does not specify who the buyers are or what kinds of books are being purchased.

Award-winning journalist Robert Kolker spoke about his book 'The Vanishing Family' in an interview with NPR, discussing its themes and reporting. The book examines American family life and the forces reshaping it. The conversation has drawn attention from readers interested in his acclaimed narrative journalism and the timely subject of how families are changing.

With arts educators in short supply across California, general classroom teachers are increasingly integrating visual arts, music and drama into core academic subjects like math, reading and science. The approach aims to keep arts education alive for students despite staffing gaps, with teachers taking on creative instruction outside their formal training. The trend highlights broader concerns about sustaining well-rounded education amid persistent teacher shortages statewide.

A study published in JAMA finds that pilots and flight attendants have the highest radiation-related cancer mortality among workers exposed to ionizing radiation on the job. The findings point to prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation at altitude as a significant occupational health risk for cabin crews, renewing discussion about monitoring and protection for airline staff.

Reports say the best-selling video game in history is preparing its most significant update in more than ten years. Details of the change remain limited in early coverage, but the story is spreading quickly across gaming news outlets, with players speculating about what the update could mean for the game's future and its massive global player base.

Taylor Swift's new music video 'Patient Zero' is drawing analysis over whether it could strengthen her chances at the Academy Awards. Industry commentary suggests the short film-style video may factor into the Oscars' live-action short or music-related categories, though observers note its impact on her awards prospects could be limited. Fans are debating how seriously the Academy will consider the project.

Breaking Bad has taken the top spot on a newly published list of the 100 best television shows of all time. The ranking puts the Bryan Cranston-led crime drama above other acclaimed series, a placement likely to fuel the ongoing debate among viewers about which show truly deserves the title of greatest ever made.

Kentucky's governor suggested he could launch a bid for the White House in 2028 while promoting his book at an event in Washington. The comments, made during a stop on his book tour, are being read as the clearest signal yet that he is weighing a national campaign. Political watchers will be looking for next steps as the 2028 field begins to take shape.

News outlets are publishing year-end memoriam features honoring notable public figures who died in 2026. These retrospectives typically cover celebrities, politicians, athletes, artists and other prominent personalities lost over the year, prompting readers to share tributes and memories of those they admired.