CultureThe 'bizarre' story of the world's first LSD tripDr Albert Hoffman accidentally discovered the hallucinatory effects of LSD in April 1943. In 1986, he told the BBC about a "terrifying" bicycle ride home from the laboratory.Hollywood stars unite to oppose Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery mergerStars like Emma Thompson and Ben Stiller signed an open letter against the deal, which Paramount said will ensure creators "have more avenues for their work, not fewer".Jorginho withdraws criticism of Chappell RoanFormer Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho issues a statement saying pop singer Chappell Roan was not involved in an incident in which a security guard reduced his daughter to tears.Euphoria is back with more shock and scandal, but mixed reviewsMany critics say the third season of the hit HBO drama doesn't live up to its previous heights.Britney Spears goes into rehab after driving under the influence arrestThe singer voluntarily checks herself into a treatment facility, three weeks before her court date.DocumentariesDisco: Soundtrack of a RevolutionBecoming Frida KahloLost Temples of CambodiaTales from the Royal BedchamberThe Real Mo FarahRome: What Lies BeneathABBA: Against the OddsIn Search of the BrontësItaly's Invisible CitiesChina: 1000 Years of HistoryA History of BritainMichela's Tuscan KitchenPicasso: The Beauty and the BeastDavid Harewood on Blackface: The Hidden History of MinstrelsyEntertainment news Oasis among record number of Brits entering Rock & Roll Hall of FameOlivier Awards 2026: Rachel Zegler's heroes, Bryan Cranston's nap schedule and more moments from the nightPaddington musical dominates Olivier AwardsDan Walker to appear at tribunal as ex co-host brings bullying claimDesert Island DiscsDesert Island DiscsProfessor Stephen Westaby, surgeon and writerSaveDesert Island DiscsJessie Buckley, actorSaveDesert Island DiscsDwayne Fields, explorerSaveDesert Island DiscsRoula Khalaf, journalistSaveDesert Island DiscsRichard Young, photographerSaveDesert Island DiscsTahra Zafar, costume and effects designerSaveDesert Island DiscsProfessor Michele Dougherty, scientistSaveDesert Island DiscsKemi Badenoch MP, leader of the oppositionSaveDesert Island DiscsAdeel Akhtar, actorSaveDesert Island DiscsJesse Armstrong, writerSaveWatch listThe eight best films of 2026 so farBBC film critics Caryn James and Nicholas Barber pick their cinema highlights of the year so far – from a touching sci-fi blockbuster to a provocative comedy-drama starring Zendaya.10 of the best TV shows of 2026 so farFrom a Ryan Murphy body horror to an ingenious James Bond-themed comedy-drama and the latest Game of Thrones prequel, we pick the year's greatest programmes to stream right now.From our Culture editorsWhy this 16th-Century painting isn't what it seemsOverpainted images hidden inside Raphael's 16th-Century Portrait of a Young Woman with a Unicorn show how the image of the ideal woman has been carefully controlled by men.Euphoria has 'lost its zeitgeisty edge' ★★☆☆☆Four years on, the provocative HBO drama is back, with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney all returning. Unfortunately, though, "it has become a series with very little to say".The scientist who developed the polio vaccineOn 12 April 1955, Dr Jonas Salk announced that his vaccine was safe and effective – but he refused to profit from it.Why Chow Yun-Fat is cinema's greatest action heroThe Hong Kong actor made a series of films with director John Woo that revolutionised the action genre – and key to them was his beguiling mixture of toughness and tenderness.The genius of The Sopranos' most shocking episodeIn 2006, The Sopranos' season six opener gave viewers two of the most startling scenes in television history. Twenty years on, here's why it's time to reconsider Members Only.The centuries-old origins of current fairy fictionThe fairies in erotic "fae" romantasy are not cute or benevolent. They are dangerous, shape-shifting beings, exactly what they were in historic folklore, according to a new book.In HistoryHow the Unabomber was unmasked by his own writingThe Unabomber's campaign of violence had baffled investigators for almost two decades. The BBC reported on his arrest 30 years ago, when he "laid a trail to his own front door".How a WW2 general outwitted his arch-rivalField Marshal Bernard Montgomery died 50 years ago. In 1968, he told the BBC about the Battle of El Alamein, and his German counterpart Erwin Rommel.The shocking kidnap of a teenage newspaper heiressPatty Hearst was abducted by a revolutionary group in 1974, as reported by the BBC. But 50 years ago, on 20 March 1976, she was found guilty of siding with her captors.The suburban spies who sold secrets to the USSRThe Portland spy ring trial began on 13 March 1961. The BBC reported on a Cold War tale of espionage, adultery, exorcism – and a deceptively ordinary-looking bungalow.The Churchill speech that launched the Cold WarIn 1946, less than a year after the end of World War Two, Britain's wartime leader sounded an urgent warning about the Soviet threat to the West.'An enormous inner desolation': The darkness behind LS Lowry's city scenesIn 1957, the painter showed the BBC how he built up his pictures of industrial urban life from his imagination, and described the loneliness that informed them.WatchJacob Elordi turned an insult into an Oscar nominationJacob Elordi jokes about an early career review calling him so wooden he could only play Frankenstein's monster.Film & TVTop Oscars picks chosen by BBC correspondentsFrom the "achingly beautiful" cinema of Iran to a "stress‑busting" horror film – these are the top Oscars picks of the year, as chosen by BBC correspondents.Film & TVFixing fashion's erratic sizing problemTech Now meets a startup trying to fix one of the fashion industry's biggest blind spots: inconsistent sizing.Tech NowMargot Robbie's accent was 'too Australian' for NeighboursThe actress reveals that she had a dialect coach when she was on the series because her accent was so strong.Film & TVRachel McAdams has many fans on the sofaChris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and John Bishop tell Rachel McAdams why they love her films.Film & TVIdris Elba used his waxwork figure to unlock his phoneThe actor's Madame Tussauds waxwork is so lifelike that it was able to unlock his phone with Face ID.Film & TVArnold Schwarzenegger goes big on ChristmasChris Pratt talks about this year's unique present from Arnold Schwarzenegger that will be hard to re-gift.Film & TVDissident Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi speaks to the BBCAcclaimed director Jafar Panahi tells the BBC he sees his films as a historical memory of the realities in Iran.Film & TVHow Tom Hiddleston's dad became his biggest cheerleaderInitially sceptical of his career, the actor recalls his father’s reaction to one of his early roles.Film & TVOlsen and Teller talk British phrases they don't understandThe two actors talk to Radio 1's Ali Plumb about the complexities of the British vernacular.Film & TVMore culture13 hrs ago'Mercy killing' couple's story to be dramatised Dame Penelope Wilton and Sir Jonathan Pryce are set to star in the four-part TV series.13 hrs ago16 hrs agoMourners sing Asha Bhosle hit as iconic Indian singer crematedThe singer, who died at the age of 92, will be cremated with full state honours on Monday.16 hrs ago16 hrs agoArt teachers' work recognised by MPsDetails of the Arts Connect programme are shared at the Houses of Parliament.16 hrs ago16 hrs agoRapper Offset hits Coachella stage days after being shotAfter his performance, the former Migos rapper was described by his mum as a "miracle walking".16 hrs ago17 hrs agoCelebrities and fans pay tributes to Asha BhosleAsha Bhosle died in Mumbai on Sunday after being admitted to the hospital following a heart attack.17 hrs ago22 hrs agoArt loan collection available to see onlineMore than 300 pieces in the Isle of Man Arts Council's modern and contemporary artworks are digitised.22 hrs ago23 hrs agoFree museum exhibition to celebrate equine artThe new exhibition is being held at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket.23 hrs ago23 hrs agoVenue to provide beds for musicians thanks to levyBen Street says, "It's up in the armpit of East Anglia," but he has already had US bands booked in.23 hrs ago1 day agoHundreds turn out for drum and bass bike rave in cityDom Whiting's Drum & Bass On The Bike started from the Clarendon Building on Broad Street.1 day ago1 day agoAsha Bhosle: The sound of Bollywood dies aged 92Her infectious voice got fans dancing and singing, becoming the soundtrack for generations of Indians.1 day ago1 day agoLabrinth not involved in Euphoria's third seasonThe London singer shaped the music for the first two series but has since said he is "done" with it.1 day ago2 days agoJustin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled setThe star spent much of the gig singing along to YouTube videos of early hits like Baby and Never say Never.2 days ago2 days ago'This gives us the chance to see the Sun close up'The sculpture by artist Luke Jerram will be on display at Grimsby Minster until 4 May.2 days ago2 days agoSnazaroo: A story of love, loss and successThe deeply personal story of a globally-known face paint brand inspires a new New York play.2 days ago2 days agoFloating studio aims to get youngsters into artThe boat is due to moor up in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, Wolverhampton and Coventry.2 days ago...