English

David Mouriquand

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.

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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.

Culture news

Rare Superman comic becomes most expensive ever sold at auction

It's a bird! It’s a plane! It’s... the world’s most expensive comic book.

Culture news

TikTok scrolling can cause 'brain rot' according to new study

The American Psychological Association's verdict is clear: short-form video is measurably bad for mental health.

Culture news

Jamaican reggae legend Jimmy Cliff dies aged 81

Singer and actor Jimmy Cliff, known for hits like ‘Many Rivers To Cross’, ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ and his cover of ‘I Can See Clearly Now’, turned reggae into a global phenomenon.

Culture news

Nicolas Sarkozy to publish prison memoir on his 20 days behind bars

That was a fast turnaround... Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is set to publish a book next month called “A Prisoner’s Diary”, detailing his 20 days in jail. He was released from La Santé prison on 10 November.

Culture news

What are Eurovision's new rules after Israel 'interference’ claims?

Eurovision is changing its voting system, following allegations of "interference" by Israel's government this year. Key changes include a cap on audience voting, the return of professional juries to the semi-finals, clearer rules around promotion of artists, and enhanced security safeguards.

Culture news

German acting legend Udo Kier dies aged 81

The actor who starred in more than 250 films including memorable roles in 'Suspiria', 'My Own Private Idaho' and the films of Lars Von Trier, has died aged 81.

Cinema

Film of the Week: 'The Thing With Feathers' - Grief with clipped wings

Despite a committed central performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, 'The Thing With Feathers' doesn’t do justice to Max Porter's powerful novella.

Culture news

‘Quiet, piggy’: Donald Trump outburst at female journalist goes viral

While hardly surprising coming from a man who has a documented history of making personal attacks on female journalists, one recent outburst from Donald Trump has been trending online...

Art

Gustav Klimt portrait breaks modern art record at auction

Klimt's “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” helped save the life of its Jewish subject during the Holocaust. It broke a record at auction previously set by an Andy Warhol potrait of Marilyn Monroe.

Cinema

Who leads the nominations for the 2026 European Film Awards?

Three Cannes-premiering (and winning) films - Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value,' Óliver Laxe's 'Sirāt' and Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' - are among the nominees for Europe's top film prize.

Culture news

New Zealand book award disqualifies two authors for AI artwork

The New Zealand Book Awards Trust introduced a new rule this year stating that any book submitted for the Ockham awards must not contain AI material of any kind.

Culture news

Why is a UK school seeking to ban 'KPop Demon Hunters' songs?

A school in England is seeking to protect “Christian ethos” by banning songs from the hit Netflix animated movie ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, explaining to parents that demons are associated with "spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness."

Culture news

Cambridge Dictionary unveils its ‘unhealthy’ Word of the Year for 2025

Feel connected to a celebrity you’ve never met in person? "Parasocial" has been crowned Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year, highlighting the rise in “unhealthy” and “one-sided” relationships with celebrities, influencers and even AI chatbots.

Cinema

Tom Cruise has finally been awarded an Oscar

Tom Cruise remains one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars, and a competitive Oscar has eluded him - despite being nominated four times. Now, the leading man finally got to hold his own Academy Award on a Hollywood stage...

Culture news

Massive backlash as Disney CEO says company to embrace generative AI

Recent comments made by Disney CEO Bob Iger have resulted in calls to boycott the streaming service.

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