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Germany’s far-right AfD says ‘democracy demands’ parties work with them after state election win
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has claimed a historic win in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt and is now pushing other parties to co-operate with it, arguing that “democracy demands” they do so. Preliminary results give the AfD 43.8% of the vote, leaving it three seats short of an outright majority, and it is…
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Cage The Elephant announce 2027 ‘Dying In Reverse’ UK and European tour
Cage The Elephant have confirmed their “Dying In Reverse” tour, a run of UK and European dates set for February and March 2027 that will mark the band’s first shows in the region since 2025, when they sold out two nights at London’s Brixton Academy. Frontman Matt Schultz said the band were “so excited” to…
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European Commission examines Oracle’s licensing practices following SAP inquiry
The European Commission is reportedly examining Oracle’s software licensing practices, potentially laying the groundwork for a formal investigation similar to the one it recently concluded against SAP. According to MLex, the Commission has begun seeking third-party views on Oracle’s approach, though it has stressed that no formal probe has yet been opened. The move matters…
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Spain’s recorded music market grew 11.6% in H1 2026… with subscription streaming revenues up 15.1% YoY
Spain’s recorded music industry generated wholesale revenues of €181.4 million (around $212 million) in the first half of 2026, an increase of 11.6% year-on-year, according to figures published by trade body Promusicae. The growth was driven primarily by paid subscription streaming, which now makes up two-thirds of all recorded music revenue in the country, underscoring…
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Festival Leaders Confront Growing Political Pressure at Lumiere Summit: ‘We Don’t Judge Artists by Their Passport’
Festival directors from around the world gathered at the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, for a panel on Monday addressing mounting political pressure on their events. Séries Mania’s Laurence Herszberg led calls for programming independence, insisting that artists should be judged by their work rather than their nationality, while other leaders echoed concerns that festivals…
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Smartphone makers don’t bother to comply with EU repairability requirements
More than a year after the EU’s repairability rules for smartphones and tablets took effect, over 80% of new devices still fail to provide the mandatory repair information, according to campaign group Right to Repair Europe. Manufacturers are required to publish a self-assessed repairability score along with links to spare parts pricing and repair instructions,…
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Lumière Summit establishes shared cinema standards and Korea fund
The Lumière Summit, held on 7 September 2026 at the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, concluded with countries and screen-industry bodies adopting five declarations covering artificial intelligence, piracy, gender equality, image education and environmental sustainability. Opened by President Emmanuel Macron, the gathering also launched the IRIS independent cinema initiative and announced a $1.16 billion France-Korea…
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Europe is losing battle to stop Putin’s ‘hybrid’ war, intelligence officials warn as Germany opens sabotage probe after another substation fire
Western intelligence officials have warned that Europe is failing to counter Vladimir Putin’s escalating “hybrid” war, as Germany opened a sabotage investigation after a fire damaged an electricity substation in Berlin. Defence sources quoted by the Financial Times said current measures deter conventional and nuclear threats but are inadequate against sub-Article 5 provocations, urging a…
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In the Shadows of Nuremberg review – trial-adjacent thriller aims to be Russian answer to Saving Private Ryan
The Guardian’s review of In the Shadows of Nuremberg criticises director Nikolay Lebedev’s attempt to dramatise the Soviet perspective on the Nuremberg trials, arguing that a clumsy personal subplot and an undercurrent of sentimental patriotism undermine what could have been a compelling companion piece to films such as last year’s Russell Crowe-led Nuremberg. The reviewer…
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Female-Driven, Premium Period Dramas Spearhead Latest French Fiction Revolution
French television producers are showcasing a wave of premium, female-led period dramas at this year’s Unifrance Rendez-vous in Le Havre, signalling a renewed international appetite for high-production-value historical fiction. Three flagship series lead the slate: “Alice,” about pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy; “Swapped,” a thriller set among Parisian wet nurses in the 1890s; and a new…