controversy

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NYT Sues Pete Hegseth Over 'Press-Restrictive Scheme'

Pentagon has banned reporting without official approval; press corps revolts

(Newser) - The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, challenging a controversial Pentagon policy that bars journalists from reporting any information—even unclassified material—unless it has been formally cleared by defense officials. The newspaper says the rule, put in place...

Tarantino Disses 'Weak' There Will Be Blood Star

Fans, Hollywood insiders slam director for his harsh critique of 'weak sauce' actor Paul Dano

(Newser) - Quentin Tarantino sparked backlash this week after calling Paul Dano the "weakest f---ing actor in SAG" during an appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Deadline reports. Tarantino criticized Dano's performance in There Will Be Blood, in which Dano played opposite Daniel Day-Lewis, as "weak sauce."...

Prof Suspended After Giving Student a Zero on Gender Paper

U of Oklahoma instructor failed student's essay that called idea of multiple genders 'demonic'

(Newser) - A University of Oklahoma instructor has been placed on leave after giving a student a zero on an essay that cited the Bible and called the idea of multiple genders "demonic," reports the New York Times . The controversy began when psychology major Samantha Fulnecky, 20, submitted a reaction...

Pavarotti Statue Encased in Ice Rink Prompts an Apology

Skaters invited to 'high-five' the opera legend, angering widow

(Newser) - A mayor in Italy has issued an apology after a bronze statue honoring Luciano Pavarotti, the celebrated tenor, ended up encased in the middle of a temporary Christmas ice rink, with skaters encouraged to "give [him] a high-five"—a move that his widow says "ridiculed" the opera...

Mall Cops With Assault Rifles: Minneapolis' New Reality

Ex-military contractor brings controversial war-zone mindset to Minnesota shopping center

(Newser) - Former military contractor Nathan Seabrook brought battlefield tactics to Minneapolis in 2021, turning a local mall into a flashpoint for questions about private security, police violence, and the legacy of America's forever wars, as detailed in a piece by Eamon Whalen for Mother Jones . After George Floyd's murder...

Architect Balks at Trump's Ballroom Plans: Report

Plans for $300M expansion still lack public review or oversight

(Newser) - President Trump has found himself at odds with architect James McCrery II, his own pick to design a massive White House ballroom, sources tell the Washington Post . The central issue is size: Trump is pushing for a 90,000-square-foot addition—one that would eclipse the White House's current 55,...

Nurses Outraged as Trump Bill Dumps Them From 'Pro' List

Nursing students, those in other jobs not deemed 'professional' face lower student-loan caps

(Newser) - A Trump administration proposal to exclude nursing from the list of professional degrees eligible for higher student loan limits is facing backlash from nursing advocates, who warn it could worsen the nation's nurse shortage by restricting access to education. The new policy, part of the GOP-backed law known as...

Country Star on Being 2 Months Sober: 'I Feel Whole'

Zach Bryan says he sought therapy after panic attacks, and a year of public turmoil

(Newser) - Zach Bryan is opening up about his mental health struggles and decision to get sober, saying he hopes his story will reassure others who feel isolated or overwhelmed. In a candid message posted to social media , the singer described a year marked by personal upheaval, public scrutiny, and high-profile controversies—...

Miss Universe Judge Quits, Says Contest Is Rigged

A 2nd judge then abruptly resigns

(Newser) - Two of eight Miss Universe judges have abruptly resigned just days before a winner is to be crowned, with one alleging the contest is rigged. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced on Instagram that he was quitting the panel, claiming an "impromptu jury" made up of people with personal relationships...

Seth Meyers Gets a Taste of the Jimmy Kimmel Treatment

FCC chair reposts Trump's call for NBC to fire Late Night host

(Newser) - President Trump publicly called for NBC to fire Seth Meyers on Saturday, with the message later amplified by the head of the FCC. Trump, posting on Truth Social , again claimed Meyers' anti-Trump jokes are "probably illegal." He accused Meyers of suffering from "an incurable case of Trump...

Boston U Student Faces Backlash for ICE Tip Claim

Raid at car wash near campus that led to detention of 9 sparks online uproar

(Newser) - A Boston University student is facing online backlash after claiming he'd alerted immigration authorities about workers at a local car wash, leading to a federal raid. Zac Segal, a junior at the school and president of the BU College Republicans, wrote on social media earlier this month that he'...

New Japan PM's 3am Staff Meeting Does Not Go Over Well

Sanae Takaichi's 3am 'study session' with aides is drawing criticism

(Newser) - Japan's new prime minister , Sanae Takaichi, is facing criticism after holding a staff meeting at 3am ahead of a budget appearance in the nation's parliament. Takaichi, known for her relentless work ethic and disdain for talk of work-life balance, convened what local media is calling a "study...

Groping of Claudia Sheinbaum Sparks Backlash

Incident with Mexican leader strikes a chord: 'All of us women can be assaulted at any moment'

(Newser) - The public groping of Mexico's first female president has provoked widespread outrage in the nation, particularly among women. The incident , which occurred Tuesday as Claudia Sheinbaum walked through a crowd, was captured on video . It shows a man attempting to kiss her neck and grope her from behind. The...

Artist Says Auschwitz Arch on Parade Float Was a Mistake

It appeared on Catholic's school float in Halloween parade in Pennsylvania

(Newser) - A Halloween parade float made for a Catholic school in Pennsylvania sparked outrage after it featured a replica of the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" arch from Auschwitz, prompting swift apologies from both the artist behind the project and church officials. Artist Galen Shelly, tasked with creating a float for...

Boebert Takes Heat Over Halloween Costume

Outfit and sign mocked Mexicans over ICE raids

(Newser) - Lauren Boebert's choice of Halloween costume hasn't landed well with Latino groups. A photo of the Colorado congresswoman surfaced online showing her in a Mexican-themed outfit, complete with sombrero, reports the Denver Post . But the kicker came with the sign she was holding, which made reference to the...

Jamie Lee Curtis Talks Fallout Over Charlie Kirk Discussion
Jamie Lee Curtis Talks Fallout
Over Charlie Kirk Discussion
in case you missed it
Nov 1, 2025 5:50 AM CDT

Jamie Lee Curtis Talks Fallout Over Charlie Kirk Discussion

In today's world, 'you cannot hold 2 ideas at the same time'

(Newser) - Jamie Lee Curtis has spent nearly five decades in the spotlight, but her latest headlines haven't been for her acting—they've been for her surprising reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a new interview with Variety , Curtis reflects on the backlash she received after expressing empathy...

Jodi Picoult Play Yanked From School Right Before Showtime

Indiana students, parents, author protest decision to pull musical based on novel Between the Lines

(Newser) - An Indiana high school abruptly canceled its production of a musical based on a Jodi Picoult novel, sparking accusations of censorship from the author and disappointment among students and parents. Students at Mississinewa High School in Gas City, Indiana, were set to perform an adaptation of Between the Lines , a...

Kid Rock Faces Backlash Over Use of the R-Word

Special Olympics would really like him to stop

(Newser) - The Special Olympics has publicly urged Kid Rock to renounce the use of the "R-word" after the musician used the slur during a recent appearance on Fox News. The comment came during Friday's episode of Jesse Watters Primetime, when Kid Rock—real name Robert Ritchie—joked that he...

Southwest's New Snack Plan Raises Allergy Anger

Worried travelers warn pistachios served in premium seats could trigger severe reactions

(Newser) - Southwest Airlines is facing criticism after announcing it will serve pistachios in premium seats next year, alarming passengers with tree nut allergies and parents of kids with such allergies. The announcement, made via Instagram in mid-October, drew hundreds of concerned comments, with many questioning why the airline would introduce a...

Critics Slam Bataclan Series for Being 'Indecent'

They don't love that TV drama was filmed at site of terror attack, though some survivors are OK with it

(Newser) - The director behind a new TV drama re-creating the 2015 Bataclan terror attack is pushing back against claims that filming inside the Paris concert hall was "indecent." Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who took home an Oscar for best documentary feature in 2002 for Murder on a Sunday Morning, argues...

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