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David Mouriquand

Culture news

Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin the Turtle vs Trump administration

Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle are disavowing the Trump administration’s use of their music and imagery to support its agenda.

Culture news

Apple Replay 2025: What is the most played song of the year?

Apple announced this year's Apple Music Replay, its answer to Spotify’s popular Wrapped feature. Here are the most played songs of 2025...

Cinema

The British public has spoken: 'Die Hard' is not a Christmas movie

The annual debate on whether 'Die Hard' is a Christmas movie or not has finally been resolved. A new poll reveals only 38 per cent of UK public think the Bruce Willis actioner is a festive classic...

Culture news

Director Jafar Panahi sentenced to prison by Iran Revolutionary Court

Iran has sentenced acclaimed filmmaker and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi to one year in prison and imposed a travel ban for allegedly engaging in “propaganda activities” against the state. The verdict, delivered in absentia, was confirmed by his lawyer Mostafa Nili.

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Cinema

Who is the new favourite to play James Bond?

Callum Turner has become the bookies favourite for next 007, the latest name in consideration for taking over the role from Daniel Craig.

Cinema

Lilly Wachowski on right-wing misinterpretations of ‘The Matrix’

What was originally a transgender allegory has been hijacked over the years by various extremist groups. Now, 'The Matrix' co-director Lilly Wachowski has addressed the “crazy, mutant” misinterpretations of the sci-fi classic. "Right-wing ideology appropriates absolutely everything," she says.

Art

Long-lost Rubens painting sells for €2.3m in Versailles

The long-lost painting "Crucifixion of Jesus Christ" by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, which was hidden for more than four centuries, was sold at auction this weekend in Versailles.

Culture news

Oxford’s Word of the Year 2025 is...

“Rage bait” triumphed over “biohack” and “aura farming” to become Oxford's Word of the Year 2025. The two-syllable open-compound word refers to an attention-seeking form of online behavior that leads nowhere good.

Culture news

New Netflix Christmas movie watched 20 million times in a week

‘Tis the season to be Grinchy. Netflix has released an early festive favourite... Worth watching?

Art

Louvre to hike ticket prices for non-EU visitors by 45% next year

The Louvre museum said it will raise ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Union, requiring tourists from the UK, the US and China to pay €32. The 45% increase is expected to lift annual revenue by up to €20 million to fund structural upgrades after last month’s brazen daylight theft.

Culture news

The Trump administration will no longer mark World AIDS Day

The US State Department has announced it will no longer commemorate World AIDS Day with public messaging. This ends a decades-long tradition of raising awareness on 1 December.

Culture news

Why is Johnny Cash's estate suing Coca-Cola?

“Stealing the voice of an artist is theft.” The estate of Johnny Cash is suing Coca-Cola for illegally hiring a tribute act to impersonate the late US country singer in an advertisement.

Culture news

Donald Trump calls female reporter ‘ugly’ after recent ‘piggy’ insult

In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump lashed out at New York Times journalist Katie Rogers after an article questioned whether he was showing signs of fatigue. He responded by calling the reporter “ugly” - only days after backlash regarding his “piggy” insult, aimed towards another female reporter.

Culture news

Kevin Spacey set to face civil sex assault claims in court in 2026

Actor Kevin Spacey is set to face civil trials at the High Court in London next October, over separate lawsuits filed by three men who have accused him of sexual assault.

Cinema

James Cameron wants Netflix films out of Oscar consideration

Oscar winner James Cameron says that only films made for a theatrical release should be eligible for Academy Awards, excluding movies released primarily on streaming platforms like Netflix.

Culture news

'AI slop' crowned Word of the Year 2025 by Macquarie Dictionary

Macquarie Dictionary, considered the standard reference on Australian English, has announced that 'AI slop' has been chosen by its committee and voted by the public as the Word of the Year for 2025.

Culture news

The Vatican praises Rosalía for her spiritual new album ‘LUX’

The global Spanish pop star has blown fans and critics away with her radical shift in sound on 'LUX', released earlier this month. Now, the clergy are sharing how ecstatic they are about Rosalía's new album.

Culture news

‘The IT Crowd’ creator cleared of harassing transgender activist

The IT Crowd and Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone.

Cinema

Donald Trump reportedly wants to revive his favourite film franchise

Donald Trump is reportedly pressuring Paramount studios for a fourth instalment of his favorite film franchise... And it could be yet another sign of the president trying to tighten his grip on what he wants culture to be.

Cinema

Scarlett Johansson to star in ‘radical’ new ‘Exorcist’ film

Following the box office and critical flop of 2023's 'The Exorcist: Believer', Universal has announced an A-list casting coup for their new Exorcist film, one which has makes us cautiously optimistic.

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