Readers reply: should we turn the internet off?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions ponders the online world – from what’s despicable to what’s indispensable
World ‘may not have time’ to prepare for AI safety risks, says leading researcher
AI safety expert David Dalrymple said rapid advances could outpace efforts to control powerful systems
The cost of AI slop could cause a rethink that shakes the global economy in 2026
Revenues may be rising rapidly, but not by nearly enough to cover the wild levels of investment under way
Belgian PM’s cat Maximus is social media star with ‘subliminal political message’
Maximus Textoris Pulcher, an official resident at Rue de la Loi 16, shows a warmer side of Bart De Wever
From K-pop and The Traitors to Dune and the return of Madge: Your A-Z of the biggest culture of 2026
With 2025 but a distant memory, it’s time to get stuck into a huge year of entertainment. To help with this daunting task, we’ve provided a handy, alphabetised guide to the big releases and trends coming in the next 12 months, from AI’s continued rise to a whole lot of Zendaya
Digital wallet fraud: how your bank card can be stolen without it leaving your wallet
Fraudsters use phishing to steal card details, which fund a spending spree using Apple Pay or Google Pay
Sex object, animal rights activist, racist: the paradox that was Brigitte Bardot
A fantasy figure for men and women, a victim of press intrusion, a defender of animals … the French actor was also a mouthpiece for racial hatred whose views grew uglier over time
The hill I will die on: Films and TV shows are better if you read the spoilers first
Please note, this piece absolutely includes spoilers for Cruel Intentions, a film made 26 years ago. Do read on, says assistant Opinion editor Jason Okundaye
Miranda Otto: ‘It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way’
The stage and screen actor on turning gaffes into gifts, the impact of Eowyn, and the stew scene that Lord of the Rings fans won’t stop asking about
‘I’d try to hide it as best I could’: a UK man on his struggle with porn addiction
Ben Lennard talks about how his pornography use began to interfere with his life – and gradually get out of control
What happened after Tesla opened a diner in Los Angeles?
The novelty of eating at a diner owned by the richest person in the world seems to have worn off in just a few months
‘Just an unbelievable amount of pollution’: how big a threat is AI to the climate?
Defenders say AI can do good to fight the climate crisis. But spiralling energy and water costs leave experts worried
Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen Z
Platform is now Britain’s fourth most visited social media site as users seek out human-generated content
The Guide #224: Bondage Bronte, to more comeback tours – what will be 2026’s big cultural hitters ?
This first newsletter of the new year looks at some of the big questions we hope will be answered in the next 12 months, across film, TV, music and games
The Traitors to Dry Cleaning: the week in rave reviews
Claudia Winkleman returns with the regular version of the hit gameshow, while the left-field indie quartet spread their wings. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews