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Armenia’s mysterious ‘dragon stones’ linked to ancient water cult
An international research team has finally cracked the 6,000-year mystery surrounding Armenia's enigmatic "dragon stones," revealing that these…
- International researchers led by Vahe Gurzadyan and Arsen Bobokhyan of Yerevan State University have solved the mystery of Armenia's ancient "dragon stones" or vishaps, revealing they were centerpieces of a prehistoric water cult dating to 4200-4000 BC
archaeology+1. - The comprehensive study analyzed 115 stone monuments across Armenia, finding they were deliberately positioned near springs, streams, and irrigation systems at two distinct elevations - approximately 6,200 and 8,800 feet above sea level
archaeology+1. - These massive basalt sculptures, ranging from 3 to 18 feet tall and weighing several tons, feature fish carvings and required extraordinary communal effort to construct and transport to high-altitude locations
gbnews+1. - The Tirinkatar site on Mount Aragats represents the world's largest concentration of vishaps, with radiocarbon dating placing their construction during the Chalcolithic period when prehistoric communities organized spiritual practices around water resources
archaeology+1. - The monuments' enduring cultural significance spans millennia, with some bearing Urartian inscriptions and medieval Armenian script, suggesting they may have influenced later Christian traditions like khachkars
mirrorspectator.
Mark Ronson to score Greta Gerwig’s Netflix Narnia film
Mark Ronson is set to reunite with director Greta Gerwig to compose the score for her highly anticipated…
- Mark Ronson is set to reunite with director Greta Gerwig to score her Netflix adaptation of "Chronicles of Narnia," following their successful collaboration on the blockbuster "Barbie"
imdb+1. - The fantasy adventure film will adapt "The Magician's Nephew," the sixth novel in C.S. Lewis's series, featuring an all-star cast including Meryl Streep voicing Aslan, Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, Emma Mackey as the White Witch, and Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke
imdb+2. - Principal photography began in August 2025 in London and Shepperton Studios, with Gerwig shifting the setting from the original Victorian era to post-war 1950s London
worldofreel+1. - The film is scheduled for an ambitious release strategy, debuting exclusively in IMAX theaters globally on November 26, 2026, before streaming on Netflix on Christmas Day 2026
imdb+2. - Ronson's previous work on "Barbie" as executive music producer earned Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominations, setting high expectations for his Narnia score
imdb+1.
Kojima Productions teams with Niantic to develop AR game
Kojima Productions has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Niantic Spatial to develop an augmented reality game that promises…
- Hideo Kojima's Kojima Productions announced a groundbreaking partnership with Niantic Spatial during their 10th anniversary "Beyond the Strand" livestream to develop a new augmented reality experience that aims to "redefine immersive entertainment"
ign+1.
- The collaboration will create an AR game described by Kojima as "like the real Death Stranding in the real world," allowing players to connect with people and environments in their actual cities while climbing mountains or exploring real locations
ign+1.
- Niantic Spatial is the new name for the Pokémon Go creator, which has pivoted to focus on geospatial AI technology and AR applications after selling its gaming division
ign+1.
- The project promises to move "beyond the screen" by using smartphones and AR technology to overlay digital storytelling onto real-world locations, leveraging Niantic's mapping capabilities and Visual Positioning System
beebom+1.
- John Hanke, Niantic Spatial's boss, emphasized the partnership's goal of creating experiences that "bring people together" through storytelling and technology, though no release date has been announced for the project
ign+1.
Japan’s sacred Ise shrine begins 63rd reconstruction cycle
Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine has officially entered its 63rd cycle of reconstruction, marking the continuation of a…
- Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine, Ise Jingu, has begun its 63rd reconstruction cycle, continuing a remarkable 1,300-year tradition of complete rebuilding every 20 years
washingtonpost+2. - The massive $390 million project will demolish and rebuild all 125 shrine buildings over nine years, requiring Japan's finest craftsmen to create structures destined for demolition from the moment work begins
washingtonpost+2. - Sacred ceremonies launched the process, including ritual tree-cutting where woodsmen in ceremonial white felled 300-year-old cypress trees with coordinated axe strikes, followed by transporting the logs through the Isuzu River
washingtonpost+1. - The tradition centers on Amaterasu, the sun goddess, with 33 festivals and ceremonies culminating in a 2033 ritual transferring the deity to the new shrine, embodying Shinto beliefs in renewal and impermanence
washingtonpost+2. - This ancient cycle has been interrupted only twice—during 15th-16th century civil wars and after World War II—making it unique among Japan's shrines as rural depopulation threatens other Shinto sites
washingtonpost+1.
Rare 12,000-year-old human statue found in wall of world’s oldest temple
Archaeologists have uncovered a rare 12,000-year-old human statue embedded horizontally within a wall at Göbekli Tepe, the world's…
- Archaeologists have discovered a rare 12,000-year-old human statue embedded horizontally within a wall at Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known temple complex in southeastern Turkey
newarab+2 - The statue was found between Structures B and D at the UNESCO World Heritage site and is believed to have been deliberately placed as a votive offering, providing unprecedented insights into Neolithic ritual practices
newarab+2 - Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the discovery during a ceremony with Japan's Princess Akiko of Mikasa, emphasizing its significance for understanding Neolithic worldviews and belief systems
anatolianarchaeology+2 - Human representations are exceptionally rare at Göbekli Tepe, which is renowned for its massive T-shaped limestone pillars decorated with animal carvings and dates to approximately 9600-8000 BCE, predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years
newarab+2 - The discovery comes amid extensive restoration work and the Taş Tepeler Project, involving 36 international institutions and over 220 experts conducting excavations at 10 regional sites, with a new visitor center planned for 2025
anatolianarchaeology+2
Spotify launches global project documenting Afrobeats evolution
Spotify has launched "Afrobeats: Culture in Motion," a comprehensive global project documenting the genre's remarkable evolution over the…
- Spotify launched "Afrobeats: Culture in Motion," a comprehensive global project featuring a documentary and microsite documenting the genre's evolution over the past five years
theeagleonline+1 - The project reveals how Afrobeats transformed from a regional sound into a global cultural force, generating over 240 million discoveries on Spotify worldwide in the last 12 months alone
theeagleonline+1 - Female artists like Tems and Ayra Starr are leading the genre's global expansion, with Tems becoming the first African female artist to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams for a single track
theeagleonline+1 - Latin America has become a major growth market for Afrobeats, with Brazil seeing 500% growth in streams since 2020 and Colombia streaming 25 million hours of the genre in 2025
newsroom.spotify+1 - The pandemic accelerated Afrobeats' emotional evolution, with introspective and emotionally charged vocals now accounting for 38% of global streams as online communities became new discovery hubs
theeagleonline+1
Danny Boyle’s ’28 Years Later’ hits No. 1 on Netflix
Danny Boyle's post-apocalyptic horror sequel "28 Years Later" has quickly become a streaming sensation on Netflix, climbing to…
- Danny Boyle's post-apocalyptic horror sequel 28 Years Later has quickly become a streaming sensation on Netflix, climbing to the number one spot on the platform's U.S. movie charts just one day after its September 20 debut on the service
cbr+1. - The film has outpaced previous chart-toppers including "Ice Road: Vengeance" and "KPop Demon Hunters" to claim the top position, according to Flix Patrol data as of September 22, 2025
cbr+1. - This rapid ascent to the streaming charts comes after the movie had already proven its commercial appeal during its theatrical run, grossing over $150 million worldwide against a $60 million budget
cbr+1. - The film's streaming success appears to be bolstered by strong critical reception, with 28 Years Later earning an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and praise as one of the best horror movies of the year
cbr+1. - The streaming success comes at a crucial time for the franchise, as Sony Pictures has already filmed the sequel "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," set for theatrical release in January 2026, with the strong performance providing confidence for the planned trilogy
cbr.
Largest private Rembrandt collection to go public in 2026
Kaplan's vision extends beyond traditional art ownership, drawing inspiration from the NFT boom of the early 2020s. The…
- Thomas Kaplan, the billionaire collector behind the world's largest private collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, plans to fractionalise the Leiden Collection and launch it as an IPO in the first half of 2026
theartnewspaper. - The collection includes 17 Rembrandts and the only privately held Vermeer painting among its 220+ masterpieces, with shares potentially tradeable on exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange
theartnewspaper. - Dubbed "Project Minerva" after Rembrandt's 1635 painting in the collection, the initiative would allow millions of ordinary investors to own fractional shares in history's greatest art masterpieces
theartnewspaper. - The announcement coincides with the collection's largest U.S. exhibition opening October 25, 2025, at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, displaying 76 paintings through March 2026
theartnewspaper. - Kaplan sees the fractionalisation as both a succession solution for his uninterested children and a way to "evangelise for Rembrandt" by democratizing access to Old Master paintings
theartnewspaper.
Lucasfilm unveils first trailer for ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’
Lucasfilm has released the first official trailer for "The Mandalorian and Grogu," marking the long-awaited return of Star…
- Disney and Lucasfilm unveiled the first trailer for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" on Monday, marking Star Wars' return to theaters after six years since "The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019
forbes+2. - The film stars Pedro Pascal reprising his role as Din Djarin alongside Grogu (Baby Yoda), with new cast members including Sigourney Weaver as Colonel Ward and Jeremy Allen White voicing Rotta the Hutt, Jabba's son
forbes+2. - Director Jon Favreau, who created the hit Disney+ series, returns to helm the theatrical continuation with co-writer Dave Filoni, featuring classic Star Wars action including AT-AT walkers and speeder chases
screencrush+2. - Set after the Empire's fall, the story follows Mando and Grogu working with the New Republic to combat scattered Imperial warlords, with the film scheduled for release on May 22, 2026
screencrush+2. - The movie represents a crucial test for Lucasfilm's big-screen future, with Pedro Pascal calling it "one of the greatest adventure movies in the canon of all of cinema" and Ludwig Göransson returning to compose the score
people+1.
Sweden’s cultural budget hits 26-year low despite increase
Sweden's cultural sector has reached a critical juncture as the government allocates 9.6 billion kronor to culture in…
- Sweden allocated 9.6 billion kronor to culture in its 2026 budget, representing just 0.62% of total government spending - the lowest proportion in 26 years despite a nominal increase from the previous year
swedenherald+1.
- Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand defended the budget as making "enormous investments" in culture, announcing initiatives including abolishing cost rent for five major institutions like Dramaten and the Opera, and reducing dance band tax from 25% to 6%
swedenherald+1.
- Cultural organizations responded with fierce criticism, with union DIK chairman Anna Troberg calling the increase "coffee money" and labeling the budget a "scandal," warning of fewer exhibitions and reduced opening hours especially outside major cities
swedenherald+1.
- The cultural funding debate occurs within Sweden's massive 80 billion kronor spending package prioritizing defense (26.6 billion kronor increase to reach 2.8% of GDP) and household tax cuts (47.6 billion kronor) ahead of September 2026 elections
reuters+1.
- Cultural sector leaders like Gunnar Ardelius of Sweden's Museums expressed concern about insufficient support for county museums nationwide, calling for "more offensive cultural policy" as the government makes major investments in other areas
swedenherald.
Bad Bunny finale breaks Amazon Music viewership record
Bad Bunny's residency finale on Saturday night shattered Amazon Music's viewership record for a solo artist performance, drawing…
- Bad Bunny's residency finale "Una Más" on Saturday night shattered Amazon Music's viewership record for a solo artist performance, drawing over 340,000 viewers on Twitch alone and marking the most-watched single-artist concert in the platform's history
rollingstone+1. - The Puerto Rican superstar concluded his historic 31-night "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" residency at San Juan's El Choli with an emotional four-hour show that was livestreamed globally on Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Twitch
rollingstone+1. - The finale featured a star-studded lineup including a surprise duet with Marc Anthony performing "Preciosa," a classic Puerto Rican anthem that Anthony hadn't performed publicly in nearly 20 years
rollingstone+1. - The concert coincided with the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria and launched a multi-year partnership between Amazon and Bad Bunny's Good Bunny Foundation to support Puerto Rico's development in education, technology, agriculture, and economic sectors
rollingstone+1. - Bad Bunny's entire residency attracted roughly half a million people and generated an estimated $733 million for Puerto Rico's economy, before he embarks on his global "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" world tour starting in November
latimes+1.
Demon Slayer film becomes highest-grossing anime ever
Sony's "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" has shattered box office records to become the highest-grossing anime film of all…
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has become the highest-grossing anime film of all time with worldwide earnings exceeding $555 million, surpassing its predecessor Mugen Train's $520.7 million record
animationmagazine+1. - The film secured the top spot at the U.S. box office for a second consecutive weekend with $17.3 million, reaching a domestic total of $104.7 million and becoming the first anime to cross $100 million in North American box office history
cinemanerdz+2. - Sony's anime has dethroned Pokémon: The First Movie as the previous U.S. record-holder, which earned $85.7 million during its theatrical run
twistedvoxel. - In Japan, the movie has earned approximately $224.5 million (¥33.35 billion) over its first 63 days, making it the second-highest grossing film in Japanese box office history
koimoi. - The film's success represents a historic milestone for Japanese animation in international markets, with record-breaking openings across multiple territories including Australia, where it debuted with $5.07 million
twistedvoxel.
India selects ‘Homebound’ as Oscar entry for international film category
Director Neeraj Ghaywan's film "Homebound" has been officially selected as India's entry for the Best International Feature Film…
- Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound" has been selected as India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, chosen unanimously by a 12-member Film Federation of India committee from 24 competing films
newindianexpress+1. - The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, telling the story of two childhood friends—a Muslim and a Dalit—from a small North Indian village who pursue police jobs to gain dignity and respect long denied to them by society
newindianexpress+1. - "Homebound" has already earned international acclaim, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and featuring Martin Scorsese as executive producer alongside Karan Johar's Dharma Productions
news24online+1. - The film is based on a true story from a 2020 New York Times essay by Basharat Peer about migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, marking Ghaywan's return to directing a decade after his debut "Masaan"
filmfare+1. - "Homebound" will release in India on September 26, 2025, as the country hopes to break its challenging Oscar history with only three previous nominations in the international category
news24online+1.
Netflix’s ‘Black Rabbit’ climbs to No. 2 globally
Netflix's "Black Rabbit" has become an instant streaming sensation, claiming the second most-watched spot globally and the number…
- Netflix's crime thriller "Black Rabbit" starring Jason Bateman and Jude Law has surged to the #2 spot globally on the platform's TV charts just two days after its September 18 debut
flixpatrol+1 - The eight-episode limited series secured 584 points on Netflix's global charts, trailing only "Wednesday" Season 2 which leads with 755 points
flixpatrol+1 - "Black Rabbit" has claimed the top TV show position in the United States and achieved #1 television rankings across 25 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, and numerous European markets
flixpatrol - Despite mixed critical reviews with a 63% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has resonated strongly with audiences who praise the chemistry between Bateman and Law as troubled brothers in New York's criminal underworld
flixpatrol - The series' success demonstrates Netflix's continued dominance in original content creation, with the limited series format providing viewers confidence in a complete story resolution without relying on renewal decisions
flixpatrol+1
Centre Pompidou begins five-year closure for major renovation
Paris's Centre Pompidou will close its doors on Sunday for an unprecedented five-year renovation, marking the end of…
- Paris's Centre Pompidou closes on September 22, 2025, for a five-year renovation that will modernize the iconic 1977 building designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers
france24+1. - The €262 million technical overhaul will address critical infrastructure issues including asbestos removal, structural corrosion treatment, fire safety upgrades, and improved accessibility throughout the nearly 50-year-old structure
architecturalrecord+1. - German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans' massive retrospective exhibition concludes just before closure, marking the end of programming at the museum that has welcomed over 180 million visitors since opening
parisjetaime+1. - During the closure, the Centre Pompidou's collection will be distributed globally through the "Constellation" initiative, with exhibitions at partner institutions worldwide and a new facility opening in Massy in 2026
ara. - The renovation, led by Moreau Kusunoki Architectes and Frida Escobedo Studio, aims to preserve the building's revolutionary inside-out architectural concept while adapting it for 21st-century environmental and safety standards, with reopening scheduled for early 2030
architecturalrecord+1.
3,000-year-old Egyptian bracelet stolen, melted for scrap
A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to King Amenemope has been stolen from Cairo's Egyptian Museum and melted down…
- A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to King Amenemope of Egypt's 21st Dynasty was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo by a restoration specialist on September 9 and subsequently melted down for scrap metal
newarab+2. - The theft was executed by a female restoration specialist who removed the priceless artifact from a secure metal safe in the museum's conservation laboratory during her shift, then contacted accomplices to facilitate its sale
newarab+2. - The bracelet was sold through a chain of dealers in Cairo's gold district for approximately $4,000 - first to a gold dealer for $3,735, then to a foundry worker for $4,025, where it was melted down with other scrap gold
newarab+2. - Egyptian police arrested all four suspects involved in the theft and sale, who confessed to the crime, though the scientifically significant artifact that survived three millennia is now lost forever
newarab+2. - The theft was discovered during preparations to ship artifacts to Rome for the "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition and occurred just weeks before the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza
newarab+2.
Frida Kahlo self-portrait could break female artist record
A rare self-portrait by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo could shatter auction records when it goes under the hammer…
- A rare 1940 self-portrait by Frida Kahlo titled "El Sueño (La Cama)" will be auctioned at Sotheby's in November with estimates of $40-60 million, potentially breaking the record for any work by a female artist
abcnews.go+1. - The surrealist painting depicts Kahlo lying in a floating bed surrounded by vines with a skeleton holding dynamite and flowers above the canopy, reflecting the artist's real-life practice of keeping a papier-mâché skeleton named "Juda" on her bed
abcnews.go+1. - The work is part of the prestigious Nesuhi and Selma Ertegun collection, featuring over 80 Surrealist masterpieces by artists including Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst, being sold after Selma's death in December 2024
theartnewspaper+1. - The current record for a female artist is $44.4 million for Georgia O'Keeffe's "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1" sold in 2014, while Kahlo's existing auction record stands at $34.9 million for "Diego and I" sold in 2021
abcnews.go+1. - The painting represents one of the few Kahlo works outside of Mexico and not in a museum collection, coming to market during a period of strong performance for Surrealist art despite broader art market challenges
abcnews.go+1.
Jaden Smith named Christian Louboutin’s first Men’s Creative Director
Jaden Smith, the 27-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been named Christian Louboutin's first-ever…
- Jaden Smith, the 27-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been appointed as Christian Louboutin's first-ever Men's Creative Director, making him only the second person to hold creative leadership at the luxury house since its 1991 founding
hypebeast+1. - Smith will relocate to Paris and oversee four annual collections of men's shoes, leather goods, and accessories, with his debut collection set to premiere during Paris Fashion Week in January 2026
blackenterprise+1. - The appointment stems from a relationship that began in 2019, with Louboutin praising Smith's "rich and multidimensional world" and natural creative synergy with the brand's vision
blackenterprise+1. - Louboutin hopes to leverage Smith's celebrity status and nearly 20 million Instagram followers to revitalize the men's division, which represents 24% of business but has been experiencing declines
sacobserver+1. - The hiring has sparked intense debate about nepotism in fashion, with critics questioning Smith's qualifications while supporters point to his existing fashion credentials including collaborations with New Balance and his MSFTSrep streetwear brand
thesun.
Macron reopens Notre Dame’s twin towers after 6-year restoration
French President Emmanuel Macron officially reopened Notre Dame Cathedral's twin towers on Friday, September 19, 2025, marking the…
- French President Emmanuel Macron officially reopened Notre Dame Cathedral's twin towers on Friday, September 19, 2025, marking the completion of one of the final phases in the restoration following the devastating 2019 fire
lemonde+1. - The towers will welcome the public on Saturday, coinciding with European Heritage Days, offering visitors a 45-minute experience climbing 424 stone steps to panoramic views of Paris and close encounters with the cathedral's iconic gargoyles
lemonde+2. - The restoration cost approximately 700 million euros, funded entirely through donations from 340,000 contributors across 150 countries, and required 1,200 oak trees felled from forests across France to rebuild the cathedral's framework
news.yahoo+3. - Tower access requires advance online reservations at 16 euros per adult, with tickets for the inaugural weekend selling out in just 24 minutes, demonstrating enormous public interest in the restored monument
news.yahoo. - The reopening provides Macron with a rare political success story, allowing him to claim fulfillment of his ambitious pledge to complete the restoration within five years of the catastrophe amid current domestic political challenges
news.yahoo+1.
Netflix hires BBC’s Irtizaali to lead UK unscripted series
Netflix has recruited Syeda Irtizaali, the former interim director of unscripted programming at the BBC, to spearhead its…
- Netflix has hired Syeda Irtizaali, the BBC's former interim director of unscripted programming, to lead its UK and Ireland unscripted series slate
imdb+1. - Irtizaali will join Vice President of Content Anne Mensah's commissioning team, filling the role left vacant since Ben Kelly's departure in May after six years at the streaming giant
imdb+1. - At the BBC, Irtizaali oversaw entertainment, documentaries, factual entertainment, specialist factual, arts, daytime and Storyville, managing hit series including the British version of "The Traitors" and "Destination X"
imdb+1. - Her appointment comes as Netflix continues expanding its unscripted programming worldwide, with shows like "Too Hot to Handle" and "Love is Blind: UK" proving successful in the region
imdb+1. - The hire represents Netflix's ongoing strategy to recruit top British talent as it competes for UK viewers and content creators in the crowded streaming market
deadline.
Scorsese to direct DiCaprio and Lawrence in ghost story for Apple
Martin Scorsese has officially committed to directing his next film, announcing a seventh collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio alongside…
- Martin Scorsese has officially committed to directing his next film "What Happens at Night," a ghost story adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence
bloody-disgusting+1. - Apple Original Films is in talks to finance and produce the project alongside Studiocanal, with production targeting a January 2026 start date
bloody-disgusting+1. - The film adapts Peter Cameron's 2020 horror mystery novel about an American couple who travel to a snowy European town to adopt a baby and encounter mysterious characters in a nearly deserted hotel
bloody-disgusting+1. - This marks the seventh feature film collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio, following their acclaimed partnerships in "Gangs of New York," "The Departed," and "Killers of the Flower Moon"
bloody-disgusting+1. - The screenplay is written by Patrick Marber, known for "Notes on a Scandal," and the story has drawn comparisons to "The Shining" and "Twin Peaks" for its psychological, dreamlike narrative
bloody-disgusting+1.
Unseen Picasso portrait of Dora Maar heads to auction in Paris
An 80-year-old mystery returned to the spotlight Thursday as auction house Drouot in Paris unveiled a previously unknown…
- A previously unknown Pablo Picasso portrait of his muse Dora Maar, titled "Bust of a Woman with a Flowery Hat," was unveiled at Paris's Hotel Drouot auction house after remaining hidden in a private French collection for 80 years
lemonde+1.
- The colorful oil painting, measuring 80 x 60 centimeters, was created on July 11, 1943 during the German occupation of Paris and depicts Maar with a melancholy but harmonious expression, painted near the end of their tumultuous nine-year relationship
lemonde+1.
- The work carries an estimated value of around €8 million ($9.5 million) and will go to auction on October 24, with experts calling it "a milestone in the history of art" and noting it was previously known only through a 1944 black-and-white photograph in Picasso's studio
lemonde+1.
- Dora Maar, a French photographer, painter and poet who was Picasso's companion from 1936, was an accomplished Surrealist artist who documented the creation of his masterpiece "Guernica" and taught him photography techniques
lemonde+1.
- The discovery comes as the Picasso market has struggled, with sales totaling $223 million in 2024 compared to $597 million in 2023, though masterpiece-quality works continue to command substantial prices when they appear at auction
lemonde.
BFI to invest £150M in UK film industry from 2026
The British Film Institute has announced its most ambitious funding strategy yet, securing £150 million ($204 million) from…
- The British Film Institute announced a £150 million National Lottery funding plan for 2026-2029, representing a 10% increase from the previous three-year allocation of £136.3 million
bfi+1. - The funding will be distributed across six key areas, with the largest allocation of £61 million going to filmmaking and talent development, followed by £35.55 million for skills and workforce development
bfi+1. - Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the economic importance of the UK's film and TV industry, which contributed £124.6 billion to the economy in 2022 and employed 2.4 million people
business+1. - The plan includes expansion of the successful Open Cinemas fund, which brought free screenings to independent theaters with 82% of participants reporting increased appreciation for independent film
bfi. - BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts said the strategy aims to nurture filmmakers, develop the UK's workforce, and connect audiences to diverse screen culture while addressing market failures affecting independent productions
bfi+1.
Massive Attack pulls music from Spotify over Gaza, AI weapons
British electronic duo Massive Attack announced on September 18, 2025, that they are removing their entire catalog from…
- Massive Attack announced they are pulling their entire catalog from Spotify globally, joining the "No Music for Genocide" campaign alongside over 400 other artists protesting Israel's actions in Gaza
billboard. - The British trip-hop duo cited two separate reasons: participation in the boycott movement against Israeli streaming platforms and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's investments in military AI technology company Helsing through his investment firm Prima Materia
billboard. - Helsing, which received a €600 million funding round led by Ek in June 2025, develops AI software for military applications including drone technology and fighter aircraft systems, with Ek serving as the company's chairman
musicbusinessworldwide. - The "No Music for Genocide" campaign launched September 17, 2025, with notable participants including Arca, MIKE, Japanese Breakfast, Faye Webster, and King Krule, asking artists to geo-block their music from Israeli streaming services
theneedledrop+2. - Massive Attack has asked Universal Music Group to remove their music from Spotify, with their catalog including landmark albums like "Blue Lines" and "Mezzanine" still accessible on the platform pending the label's response
billboard.
Machu Picchu faces removal from Seven Wonders list
Peru's iconic Machu Picchu faces an unprecedented threat to its status as one of the New Seven Wonders…
- Machu Picchu faces potential removal from the New Seven Wonders of the World list after the New7Wonders Foundation issued an unprecedented formal warning citing mismanagement, overtourism, and persistent social conflicts
intellinews. - Violent protests over bus service concessions have stranded at least 900 tourists in Aguas Calientes, with train operator PeruRail suspending services after protesters blocked railway tracks with rocks
cnn+1. - The Cusco Chamber of Commerce estimates losses of $15.8 million in 2025 alone, with each day of unrest costing the region up to $3 million as foreign tour operators begin removing Peru from travel packages
intellinews. - Peru's Ministry of Culture has downplayed the threat, emphasizing that only UNESCO has authority over heritage designations, despite the New7Wonders title being central to Peru's tourism marketing since 2007
intellinews. - The crisis stems from the expiration of Consettur's 30-year bus service concession, with local residents demanding transparency in selecting a replacement operator and fair distribution of tourism revenues
intellinews+2.
Spotify secures direct licensing deal with Sony Music
Spotify and Sony Music Group have reached a new multi-year global licensing agreement that encompasses both recorded music…
- Spotify and Sony Music Group announced a multi-year global licensing agreement covering both recorded music and publishing, completing Spotify's deals with all three major music labels following agreements with Universal and Warner earlier this year
variety+1.
- The deal includes a groundbreaking direct licensing arrangement for Sony Music Publishing in the U.S., moving away from traditional Copyright Royalty Board rates and promising that songwriters will "share more directly in the growth of streaming"
variety+1.
- This shift to direct licensing follows controversy over Spotify's audiobook bundling strategy, which the National Music Publishers Association claims cost songwriters and publishers $230 million in reduced mechanical royalties during its first year
billboard+1.
- Despite winning a lawsuit from The Mechanical Licensing Collective over the bundling practice, with a judge ruling that 15 hours of monthly audiobook streaming has "more than token value," Spotify appears to be addressing publisher concerns through these new direct deals
musicrow.
- The partnership promises new product offerings including enhanced audio and visual formats, with Daniel Ek calling it "a catalyst for building a more dynamic and prosperous music ecosystem" while Rob Stringer emphasized ensuring appropriate compensation for artists and songwriters
variety+1.
Netflix premieres crime thriller ‘Black Rabbit’ with Law, Bateman
Netflix premiered its highly anticipated crime thriller "Black Rabbit" on September 18, 2025, featuring A-list stars Jude Law…
- Netflix premiered its crime thriller "Black Rabbit" on September 18, 2025, starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman as co-dependent brothers caught in New York City's dangerous underworld
screenrant+2.
- The eight-episode limited series follows Jake Friedkin (Law), who owns an upscale Manhattan restaurant called Black Rabbit, whose life spirals when his heroin-addicted brother Vince (Bateman) returns with dangerous gambling debts
screenrant+1.
- Oscar winner Troy Kotsur delivers a standout performance as deaf mob boss Joe Mancuso, a role specifically written for him, marking his transformation from heartwarming roles to playing a menacing villain
screenrant+2.
- The series reunited Ozark alumni with Bateman directing two episodes and Laura Linney also directing two episodes, while creators Zach Baylin and Kate Susman crafted what critics call potentially Netflix's best crime thriller
screenrant+1.
- Early reviews praise the series as superior to Ozark, with Screen Rant calling Bateman's performance "a career best" and Vulture highlighting the "mercurial" performances of the lead actors
screenrant+1.
Thieves steal €600,000 in gold from Paris Natural History Museum
Professional thieves broke into Paris's Natural History Museum on Tuesday morning, making off with rare native gold specimens…
- Professional thieves broke into Paris's Natural History Museum Tuesday morning, stealing native gold specimens worth €600,000 using angle grinders and blowtorches to force entry into the mineralogy gallery
arabnews+1. - The heist exploited security vulnerabilities created by a massive cyberattack in July that had disabled the museum's alarm and surveillance systems, with the perpetrators apparently aware of these weaknesses
arabnews+1. - Museum director Emmanuel Skoulios described the thieves as "an extremely professional team" who knew exactly where to go and brought professional equipment, targeting specimens with immeasurable heritage value beyond their monetary worth
arabnews+1. - This theft is the latest in a wave of high-profile museum robberies across France, including the September theft of €6.5 million in Chinese porcelain from Limoges and November 2024 attacks on Paris's Cognacq-Jay Museum and a Saône-et-Loire museum
arabnews+2. - Officials suspect organized crime networks may be fulfilling orders from collectors, with Limoges mayor suggesting "collectors are giving orders to steal these items and are turning to high-level criminals"
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Apple TV+ greenlights Stiller-Chastain series ‘The Off Weeks’
Apple TV+ has officially greenlit "The Off Weeks," an eight-episode limited series starring Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain,…
- Apple TV+ has greenlit "The Off Weeks," an eight-episode limited series starring Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain, with both actors also serving as executive producers
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- The series follows recently divorced professor Gus Adler (Stiller) who struggles during custody weeks with his children while falling dangerously in love with mysterious Stella West (Chastain) during his off weeks
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- Michael Showalter will direct the series through his Semi-Formal Productions, with Alissa Nutting ("Made for Love") serving as showrunner
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- The announcement comes just days after Apple secured its best-ever Emmy performance with 22 wins, including record-breaking victories for "The Studio" and "Severance"
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- Apple Studios and Wiip will produce the series, marking Stiller's latest collaboration with Apple TV+ following his Emmy-winning work on "Severance," which became the platform's most-watched series ever
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South Park delays episode for second time in 28 years
Just hours before its scheduled airtime, South Park announced a rare production delay, pushing back Episode 5 of…
- South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced a rare production delay, pushing Episode 5 of Season 27 from September 17 to September 24, marking only the second missed deadline in the show's 28-year history
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- The delay comes just one week after Comedy Central pulled reruns of a South Park episode that had mocked conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10
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- Some MAGA supporters blamed South Park for contributing to hostility toward Kirk after the show's August 6 episode featured Eric Cartman mimicking Kirk's debate style on college campuses
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- Season 27 has shifted to a bi-weekly release schedule to allow more production time for its politically charged content, particularly its ongoing satirical coverage of President Donald Trump
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- The show will continue its bi-weekly schedule through December 10, with Parker and Stone taking full responsibility for the delay, stating "Apparently when you do everything at the last minute sometimes you don't get it done"
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