Culture

More in Culture

Ian Rankin on The Heights: Why his new thriller moves crime fiction to London's ultra-rich

Ian Rankin discusses The Heights, his new thriller set in a luxury London apartment building. The novel marks his first standalone thriller in two decades and introduces detective Gillian Gish, inspired by Columbo. Rankin explains why he moved from Edinburgh to London and reflects on wealth, char...

7 min read

'Gaza is a moral wound in the world': Klein and Taylor on fascism, tech power and crisis

Philosophers Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor argue the world faces not cyclical crises but a new historical moment of "end-times fascism" shaped by authoritarian politics, tech billionaire influence, and moral collapse. In a new podcast interview, they discuss Trump's return, Gaza, and climate emerg...

4 min read

Lancashire teenager witnessed Apollo 17 launch with Neil Armstrong in 1972

A 16-year-old from Preston was selected by Nasa to witness Apollo 17's launch in 1972, where he met Neil Armstrong and later became custodian of the UK's Apollo 17 moon rock.

6 min read

Welsh Folklore Finds Unexpected Home in Chinese RPG Reverse: 1999

A Chinese role-playing game features Rhiannon, a Welsh character steeped in mythology and culture. Voice actress Rebecca Wang learned Welsh pronunciation for the role, while gaming experts highlight the untapped potential of Welsh folklore in the industry.

7 min read

Coco Rocha hails 'amazing' Irish fashion as week showcases 80+ designers

Supermodel Coco Rocha praised Ireland's fashion scene as "amazing" at the second edition of Ireland Fashion Week, which opened at Slane Castle on 7 October with over 90 designers and eight shows. The event aims to build a sustainable industry ecosystem enabling Irish creatives to thrive without r...

7 min read

Traitors murder Bella Ramsey, then banish Julie Hesmondhalgh in tense episode four

Bella Ramsey is murdered by the Traitors, then Julie Hesmondhalgh is banished after a tense roundtable. A deadly hide-and-seek game awaits four contestants in Celebrity Traitors episode four.

7 min read

Glasgow hosts record-breaking Royal National Mòd with 2,000 entries

Glasgow hosts the Royal National Mòd this week with record-breaking participation: over 2,000 entries across 200 competitions and 80 fringe events. The 194th anniversary festival celebrates Gaelic culture and marks 40 years of Gaelic-medium education in Scotland.

4 min read

The Celebrity Traitors episode three: live coverage and analysis

Live coverage of The Celebrity Traitors episode three begins at 8pm. After last week's inconclusive ending, tonight promises either a dramatic turning point or confirmation that early strategic moves have already determined the series' trajectory.

2 min read

Derry marks 40 years of Europe's biggest Halloween with record ticket demand

More than 25,000 tickets for Derry's Awakening the Walled City Trail were claimed in three days as the city prepares to celebrate 40 years of Europe's biggest Halloween festival. The ticketing system, introduced for the first time, helps manage crowds on the historic 400-year-old city walls.

4 min read

Anne Carson becomes first Canadian to win Nobel Prize in Literature

Canadian poet and translator Anne Carson, 76, has won the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first Canadian to receive the award. The Nobel committee recognised her for creating new literary forms through dialogue with classical tradition.

2 min read

How a Scientist Used Britpop to Reach Mars

Commemorative plaques honour Professor Colin Pillinger and the Beagle 2 Mars lander, Britain's first spacecraft to reach another planet. Though Pillinger died believing the mission had failed, images revealed the lander had successfully landed on Mars in 2003.

7 min read

Wonky wych elm in County Down crowned UK Tree of the Year 2026

Newcastle's "Bendy Tree", a 150-year-old wych elm in County Down, has won the UK Tree of the Year 2026 with over 30% of the public vote—the first Northern Ireland tree to claim the title since the competition began in 2014.

5 min read