The News Diet

In this episode, we break down the latest French municipal elections and what the results mean for France's future and Europe. We also explore the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, rising prices across the country, and what Brits are choosing as their essential items (hummus?!) Plus, we couldn't go a week without diving into the growing conversation around AI bias and the patriarchy - examining how gender inequality is shaping the technology we use every day.

Links:The Epstein Files and the architecture of elite protection: what media coverage reveals about power, by Ruhi Khan | https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/medialse/2026/02/18/the-epstein-files-and-the-architecture-of-elite-protection-what-media-coverage-reveals-about-power/The TikTok girlies conquering Antarctica, by Arielle Domb for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/style/features/article/the-tiktok-girlies-conquering-antarcticaInstagram and TikTok: @newsdietpod

In this week's episode we explore the biggest breakup of the year: Starmer and Trump...(since recording, a British base in Iraq was struck). Also on the menu is King's College London's report about Gen Z attitudes towards women and the mysterious blue vs red wars. Oh and not forgetting Timothée Chalamet calling opera and ballet not relevant (eek).Links:How the 'red v blue school wars' exposed the social media gap between children and parentshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4wgzdydkeoWhat do teenage boys see on TikTok?https://observer.co.uk/news/opinion-and-ideas/article/what-do-teenage-boys-see-on-tiktokTiktok: @newsdietpodInsta: @newsdietpod

LinksHow That Jim Carrey Clone Conspiracy Theory Spiraled Out of Control, by James Hibberd for the Hollywood Reporter | https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jim-carrey-clone-1236519514/Missiles Over Dubai: I’m watching the influencer bubble burst in real time, by Sasha Maine for The Independent | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/dubai-missiles-iran-us-israel-war-influencer-b2930691.html

This week we discuss that moment at the BAFTAs and why the BBC is once again in the spotlight. We’ll of course be chatting about Andrew and what his arrest means for the Royal Family before finishing up with a healthy dose of Trump and his very (very) long State of the Union speech. LinksIt’s the public reaction to the Bafta N-word incident that’s the real problem - https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/baftas-n-word-tourettes-john-davidson-sinners-b2927037.html‘I felt betrayed, naked’: did a prize-winning novelist steal a woman’s life story?https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/17/did-a-prize-winning-novelist-steal-a-woman-life-story-kamel-daoudDon’t forget to follow us for more hot takes on Instagram and Tiktok @newsdietpodCatch you next week dieters xoxo

Ok guys, we need to address the great big royal elephant in the room... the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest happened after we recorded! But fear not, we have already deployed some reacts over on our socials (@newsdietpod) and you betcha we will be getting into it next week! Anyhoo, we've got plenty of content covered in today's ep, including the return of America's Next Top Model, Victoria Derbyshire's incredibly moving interview with Gisèle Pelicot, TikTok putting women off the pill and Nigel Farage's Reform UK lineup. Catch you next week ❤️‍🔥Links:Still composed, always candid, Gisèle Pelicot is the strongest woman I have ever met, by Victoria Derbyshire for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/news/opinion-and-ideas/article/still-composed-always-candid-gisele-pelicot-is-the-strongest-woman-i-have-ever-metTyra Banks Isn’t Sorry Enough in Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, by Louis Staples for The Cut | https://www.thecut.com/article/tyra-banks-netflix-reality-check-inside-americas-next-top-model-review.html*Correction: Shia LaBeouf has not been charged. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting two men. The News Diet has approached LaBeouf's team for comment.

Talk about a long Christmas break… Happy belated new year everyone! After a (we think well deserved) rest we’re back baby!In this week’s episode, we discuss THE Wuthering Heights promo and whether celebrities should use their platforms to discuss politics. We then dig into the Epstein files and student loans.Longs readsThe more delulu the better? The Wuthering Heights press tour is off to an intense starthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/wuthering-heights-margot-robbie-jacob-elordi-press-tour-b2909878.htmlDemocrats must ignore the witterings of Billie Eilishhttps://www.spectator.com.au/2026/02/democrats-must-ignore-the-witterings-of-billie-eilish/TikTok @newsdietpodInsta @newsdietpod

We're WFH today (yes, we're at it too!). We're sinking our teeth into the highest and lowest of bros today, all the way from getting grossed out by Will Ferrell gorging on chocolate-covered spaghetti to Australia cracking down on social media usage for under-16s. Links:Netflix and Paramount are battling for more than Warner Bros, The Economist | https://www.economist.com/business/2025/12/09/netflix-and-paramount-are-battling-for-more-than-warner-brosThe greatest Christmas films of all time (and the five worst), The Telegraph | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/best-christmas-movies-watch-all-time-classic-films/