Sarah Kane’s ultra-violent Cleansed left them reeling in the stalls at the National Theatre last week. Was that a rare exception on an otherwise tame British stage?

A fundraiser organised by the Cinema for Peace Foundation set teeth on edge. But there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?

Not everyone is convinced that a Lady Gaga tribute to David Bowie is the best way for the Grammys to mark his death

A Darlington headteacher recently asked parents on the school run to stop turning up in their pyjamas – but others argue that sleepwear is the height of fashion

The actor was criticised after she chided a reporter for using his phone at Golden Globes press call, sparking fierce disagreement about modern manners

A US software developer has invented a plug-in that alerts people to their use of apologetic language, a trait often perceived to hold female employees back

After Martin Freeman admitted he didn’t like to speak out about his views, our writers discuss whether thesps should get involved in politics at all

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife have announced plans to devote 99% of their fortune to charity. Is there a downside?

Is it acceptable for a BBC news reporter or a judge to cry while doing their job?

Clive O’Connell was sacked by his law firm for branding Liverpool fans ‘scouse scum’

A Liverpool shopping centre introduced separate tracks for the dashers and the dawdlers last week. Should the rest of the UK follow suit?

Parents defying court fines have been making headlines – are they wronged by the system or just selfish?

Recent demonstrations against Air France executives and London’s Cereal Killer Café turned ugly, but past marches have achieved great things. Or have they?

Royal Court director Vicky Featherstone says audiences are less at ease with female leads than with male ones. Is she right?

Zaha Hadid and Robert De Niro recently cut short conversations with the media that weren’t to their liking – is it justifiable to pull the plug?

The new Labour leader’s apparent refusal to court political convention has caused him problems this week. Will PR help or hinder him?

XFM is relaunching as the more male-focused Radio X, complete with Chris Moyles offering blokey banter. Is this a regressive move?

The Walkie Talkie was last week awarded Building Design magazine’s Carbuncle Cup. Should we just knock it down?

Last week, two TV journalists were shot dead on air by an ex-colleague. Peter Preston and Emma Graham-Harrison debate the ethics of sharing such violent footage