conv.culture

Leakers piece together playable build of Valve's scrapped Portal prequel F-Stop

Three separate leaks, including source code handed out for free this week, combine into a nearly complete version of the 2007 experiment.

Juan Atkins, Techno Co-Founder, Dies at 64

The Detroit producer and Belleville Three member who pioneered techno music has died.

Phantom Blade Zero tops 4 million copies sold within 72 hours of launch

The action game's rapid commercial success sparks online debate over inflated review scores, accessible difficulty design, and East-West…

• Nov 2 12:50 AM Players debate the game's accessible difficulty design
• Nov 2 12:44 AM Commenters question whether review scores reflect hype or quality
• the whole story →

Swearing ties to national identity: Australians embrace 'C word' as cultural marker

Linguists find the profanities a nation favors reflect cultural values, with Australians reclaiming once-taboo language as identity.

‘Heat’ Director Michael Mann, 83, Shoots Himself at LA Gun Range

The filmmaker suffered a 'superficial' leg injury when his holstered gun discharged, and was treated and released from hospital.

• Nov 1 11:00 AM AP and outlets confirm hospitalization, call injury 'superficial'
• Nov 1 8:09 AM TMZ breaks news of Mann's shooting incident
• the whole story →

Michael MannMichael Mann's representative+1

Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 crosses Rs 800 crore worldwide, becomes highest-grossing Tamil film

The Nelson Dilipkumar action sequel has become the first Tamil film to breach the Rs 800 crore mark globally.

• Nov 1 12:22 AM Jailer 2 becomes 2026's second-highest Indian grosser, crosses Rs 790 crore…
• Oct 30 10:41 PM Jailer 2 collects Rs 5.50 crore on day 16, approaches Rs 800 crore milestone…
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Jeremy Saulnier: Patrick Stewart saved Green Room from shutdown

The director recalls how the late actor stepped in to rescue the 2015 thriller when financing fell through.

Tony Hawk ejected from Pershing Square during Pro Skater 3 anniversary shoot

The skateboard legend was kicked out by security while filming a 25th-anniversary tribute to the 2001 game at the real LA park that…

Legendary director accidentally shoots himself at LA gun range

A prominent film director was transported to a local hospital after an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at a shooting range.

Bradley Walsh's fake game show exposes gambling industry, aired as public education

Channel 4 broadcast a staged quiz show where Walsh presented betting as entertainment to demonstrate gambling risks.

'You Can See Everything' tops weak Halloween weekend box office

Elizabeth Holmes documentary edges DC's 'Clayface' as North American theaters face holiday slump.

Nathan FielderLance Oppenheim

My Chemical Romance claim first UK No. 1 with 20-year-old 'Black Parade' reissue

The emo band's landmark 2006 album tops the UK chart two decades after its original release, now climbing US charts as well.

Martha Stewart addresses backlash over homeless Halloween costume

The lifestyle mogul deleted a photo showing her in tattered clothing holding a sign reading "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!" and says she meant to…

Martha Stewart

Amitabh Bachchan greets fans behind bulletproof glass after bomb threat to home

The Bollywood legend appeared in a protective enclosure outside his Mumbai residence following a security incident.

Amitabh BachchanAbhishek Bachchan

Pizzagate Resurges a Decade Later, Fueled by the Epstein Files

Ten years after it began, the Pizzagate conspiracy theory is being revived and reshaped by the ongoing release of Epstein-related files…

Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley file for divorce after three years married

The musician and actress separated over the summer and formally filed for divorce, outlets reported citing sources.

• Oct 30 3:36 PM Outlets publish details of the divorce filing
• the whole story →

Jack AntonoffMargaret Qualley

Advance Local outlets run roundup: two more country stars married in 2026

A syndicated list of 2026 country-music celebrity weddings adds two newly married couples, though names are not detailed in the available…

Top 5 solo travel cities all on same continent, list reveals

A travel ranking identifies five cities for solo travelers, all located on a single continent.

Star Trek fan community mourns four actors who died within two weeks

Regional news network reports the franchise's fandom has been shaken by a cluster of four deaths among its actors in a short span.

Bhutan builds 108 stupas in 9 hours, dedicates one to PM Modi

King Wangchuk oversees record construction of Buddhist monuments for Gelephu Mindfulness City, honoring India's support.

• Oct 31 Buddhist relics from across Asia confirmed for enshrinement
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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel WangchukNarendra Modi+2

Indigenous traditions thrive across Native American communities

Six stories highlight cultural preservation efforts from Alaska to Las Vegas.

Patrick Stewart dies; Vox remembers his Picard as a model of liberal power

Following the actor's death, Vox's Ian Millhiser argues Captain Jean-Luc Picard modeled the ethical use of American power for a generation.

• Oct 31 6:00 AM Vox's Millhiser frames Picard as a liberal model of power
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Research shows African guides, not just Europeans, mapped colonial-era Africa

A historian's analysis finds African intermediaries supplied the bulk of the geographic data behind famous 19th-century European maps of…

Iconic singer dies at 84, months after leukemia diagnosis

Multiple regional outlets report the death of an unnamed "iconic" singer who had been diagnosed with leukemia in March.

Cate McHugh wins The Voice UK, blind Welsh singer crowned on Sir Tom Jones's final show

The Cardiff-born performer, registered blind since age 22, takes title and £50,000 prize on coach Sir Tom Jones's last appearance.

Bluesky users share songs with 'Lady' in the title

A casual prompt spawns a collaborative playlist of classic and contemporary tracks.

• Nov 1 9:59 AM softtail65 posts song prompt on Bluesky
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Business Insider ranks Kate Middleton's 8 best and 5 worst fashion moments of 2026

A style review of the Princess of Wales' royal engagements throughout the year, from formal gowns to casual daywear.

Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet turns 30, reshaping how teenagers encounter Shakespeare

The 1996 maximalist adaptation made Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes stars and became English teachers' gateway to the Bard.

Musicians pivot to residencies as touring costs soar

Artists are abandoning traditional tours in favor of limited-run residencies in major cities, asking fans to travel instead.

SNL’s Weekend Update finally addresses Israel on air

Michael Che and Colin Jost tackled Israel on Weekend Update after a long stretch of silence on the topic, per Variety.

• Nov 1 SNL's Weekend Update addresses Israel on air
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Joe Rogan calls poll respondents 'stupid,' dismisses survey reliability

The podcast host argues that only unmotivated people answer polls, casting doubt on their validity.

Joe Rogan

Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'In the Heights' Returns to New York in Limited Encores! Revival

Director David Mendizábal stages the landmark musical about Washington Heights as a timely celebration of Latino community amid renewed…

Glasgow museum to return mummified Egyptian remains, removing from display

Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow has removed ancient Egyptian human remains from public view and received a repatriation request, citing…

Erika Eleniak hits $1M OnlyFans pace in first year as Baywatch star

The 1989-92 lifeguard earned nearly $300K in three months on the subscription platform.

• Nov 1 9:00 AM Eleniak reportedly earned $300K in three months, on pace for $1M annually
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Erika EleniakOnlyFans

Anthony Kiedis turns 64 on his birthday

Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis celebrates his 64th birthday on November 1.

Anthony Kiedis