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Jon Stewart asks whether ‘The Daily Show’ is like high-sugar food giving US ‘political diabetes’
Jon Stewart told Michelle Obama that he is unsure whether political comedy programmes such as The Daily Show ultimately help or harm US public life. He said they can offer catharsis and aim to operate in good faith, but questioned whether they encourage passive political engagement or distort audiences’ understanding of events. Speaking on Obama’s…
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Anthony Albanese to slash annual refugee intake – as it promises not to change UK backpacker rule
Australia’s Labor government plans to reduce its annual humanitarian refugee intake from 20,000 to 13,750 by 2027–28, as part of broader efforts to lower net overseas migration. The move matters because it marks a significant retreat from the higher refugee target adopted under Labor and comes amid political pressure over migration policy and resettlement capacity.…
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‘If you started running, they shot you’ – inside Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis
Armed gangs known locally as bandits are intensifying attacks and kidnappings in north-western Nigeria, forcing many people from their homes and deepening a humanitarian crisis. Fatima, a displaced resident of Zamfara state, says an attack on her village killed her husband and six of his siblings, illustrating the severe danger facing rural communities. She says…
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Stevie Nicks recalls Nashville sessions with Dolly Parton
Stevie Nicks has paid tribute to Dolly Parton following Parton’s death, recalling their Nashville recording sessions as the “best week ever”. Nicks said the time spent with Parton felt like a masterclass, praising her as a generous teacher and remembering her determination to broaden her rock repertoire. The pair recorded “What Has Rock and Roll…
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On the Charts 17 Years Ago Today, Reba McEntire Made Country Music History When She Broke This Record Previously Held by Loretta Lynn
On 26 August 2009, Reba McEntire’s album Keep On Loving You topped both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart, making country music history. The achievement gave her more chart-topping albums than any other female country artist, surpassing a record previously held by Loretta Lynn, and underscored McEntire’s longevity after overcoming early barriers for…
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Why Dolly Parton could bring together Americans who agree on almost nothing
The article argues that Dolly Parton’s broad appeal reflects more than her talent, success or philanthropy: the author sees her as someone who treated others with warmth and dignity across political, religious and social divides. It presents her public persona as a rare unifying force in a polarised United States and suggests that her example…
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ARIA bars fully AI-generated music from Australian charts
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) will exclude music made wholly by artificial intelligence from Australia’s official charts from Friday. The move also makes such tracks ineligible for ARIA Awards, reflecting the industry’s effort to protect human artists and prevent unlicensed AI-generated material being rewarded. Songs that use generative AI as a supporting tool can…