Russell Brand pleads not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in London court
The British comedian and actor denied two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. Read More
Culture catch-up: Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or win and the politics of Iranian cinema
In this week’s cultural review, we focus on Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose latest film ‘It Was Just an Accident’ won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, despite being previously imprisoned…
Elusive street artist Banksy reveals new artwork – in France?
Geoguessers have speculated that the street art may be Marseille, in the south of France. Fans of the elusive artist are also scratching their heads over the meaning of this…
Dua Lipa and Benedict Cumberbatch lead group urging Keir Starmer to ‘end UK complicity’ in Gaza
More than 300 public figures are calling on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “end the UK’s complicity” in Gaza. The open letter states: “You can’t call it ‘intolerable’, yet…
David Lynch auction: More than 450 personal items go under the hammer
Fancy owning a little piece of Twin Peaks or ‘Mulholland Drive’? The auction includes Lynch’s director’s chair, rugs from Twin Peaks, plenty of coffee paraphernalia and the director’s personal 35mm…
Italian feminist designer Maria Grazia Chiuri leaves Dior
A new change of chair in the fashion world. Roman designer Maria Grazia Chiuri is leaving the artistic direction of the Parisian fashion house. Read More
Righting history’s wrong: Will France posthumously promote Alfred Dreyfus 90 years after his death?
France’s National Assembly Defense Committee has unanimously approved a bill to posthumously promote Captain Alfred Dreyfus – a symbolic step that may lead to Dreyfus’ inclusion in national necropolis the…
Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, the first Arab and African director to win Cannes Palme d’Or, dies aged 91
Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina was the oldest living recipient of the Palme d’Or. His Cannes-winning film ‘Chronicles of the Years of Fire’ remains Africa’s only Palme d’Or to this day. Read More
Celebrated Kenyan author and dissident Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o dies aged 87
Widely regarded as east Africa’s most influential writer, Ngũgĩ’s fiction and nonfiction books traced his country’s history from British imperialism to home-ruled tyranny and challenged not only the stories told…
Five arrested over pro-Palestine protests at Gal Gadot filming in UK
Five protesters have been arrested after they allegedly targeted the filming of Gal Gadot’s new movie in central London. Read More