Since I started the This Week series, I’m always so intrigued by the amount of stories that reveal our interest in discovering or reconciling with our ancient past.
As for the stories making headlines that tell us about our present, they are one half harrowing - with Palestinian artists being killed or detained - while the other half is reserved for our constant navigation of how to best shape our future, from climate change awareness and understanding how to work with AI.
So, from my DMs to yours, here are the culture stories that made major headlines around the world between March 18 – 25, 2025.
Art
Palestinian Artist Dorgham Quraiqi Killed in Israeli Airstrikes
Dorgham Quraiqi, a Palestinian artist working with the UK charity Hope and Play, was killed in Israeli airstrikes on March 18, 2025, alongside his wife and brothers. Quraiqi, 28, was known for his figurative oil paintings and his efforts to help children in Gaza express themselves through art amid the conflict. His death, following the loss of his sister, has deeply impacted both his community and the art world. Despite the destruction of his home and artworks, Quraiqi remained hopeful, believing that art could preserve memory and humanity amidst violence.
Source: The Art Newspaper
Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablets Discovered in Iraq Revealing Early Bureaucracy and Women’s Roles
Archaeologists from the British Museum and Iraq's State Board of Antiquities have unearthed hundreds of administrative cuneiform tablets and seals at Girsu, an ancient Sumerian city in southern Iraq. These artifacts, dating to 2300–2150 BC during the Akkad dynasty, provide the first concrete evidence of the world's earliest empire. The detailed records document state affairs, deliveries, and expenditures, highlighting a sophisticated bureaucracy. Notably, they reveal that women held significant positions, including high priestesses. Currently, the tablets are undergoing cleaning and transcription at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad.
Source: Artnews, The Guardian
Art Adviser Lisa Schiff Sentenced to 30 Months for Defrauding Clients Out of $6.5 Million
Former art adviser Lisa Schiff who counted Leonardo DiCaprio as a patron, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for defrauding clients out of $6.5 million. Over five years, Schiff misappropriated funds intended for art purchases, using the money for personal luxuries such as a $25,000-a-month apartment, luxury vacations, and shopping sprees. She also sold clients' artworks without their knowledge, diverting the proceeds for her own use. In addition to her prison term, Schiff was ordered to forfeit nearly $6.5 million and pay over $9 million in restitution.
Netherlands Returns Sacred Drum and Artefacts to U.S. Native Tribe in Historic Restitution
The Netherlands has returned seven cultural objects, including the sacred Pohwith winter drum, to the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Native American tribe, marking the first restitution of its kind to the U.S. The 350-year-old drum, originally taken by Dutch collector Herman F.C. Ten Kate in 1882, holds spiritual significance for the tribe.
Source: The Art Newspaper
Literature
Climate Fiction Prize Announces Shortlist
The Climate Fiction Prize has announced its inaugural shortlist, celebrating novels that explore the climate crisis. The shortlist novels are: And So I Roar by Abi Daré, Orbital by Samantha Harvey, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen, The Morningside by Téa Obreht. The prize, supported by Climate Spring, global organisation dedicated to transforming how the climate crisis is represented in film, TV, mainstream entertainment and popular culture, aims to recognise impactful narratives on climate change. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in May 2025 and will receive £10,000.
Source: Literary Hub, Climate Fiction Prize
Meta Faces Lawsuit Over Use of Pirated Books
Meta Platforms allegedly utilised pirated books from Library Genesis (LibGen), a database containing works by authors like Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei, to train its AI models, including Llama 3. LibGen hosts over 7.5 million books and 81 million research papers, many without proper authorization. This practice has led to a copyright infringement lawsuit involving several authors. Meta contends that its actions fall under "fair use" provisions.
Michael Sheen’s Hopes Children’s Book Aims to Raises Awareness for Homelessness
Actor Michael Sheen has authored A Home for Spark the Dragon, a children's picture book addressing homelessness. The story follows Spark, a young dragon who loses his home and embarks on a quest to find a new one. Co-written with Jess Webb and illustrated by Sarah Massini, the book will be published by Puffin Books on June 5, 2025. Proceeds from sales will benefit the homelessness charity Shelter.
Source: BBC, Nation CYMRU
Sharjah to Host 4th International Booksellers Conference in April 2025
Sharjah will host the fourth International Booksellers Conference on April 7–8, 2025, at Expo Centre Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the event aims to bring together booksellers, distributors, and publishers from around the world. The conference will feature keynote speakers, interactive round-table workshops, and quick-fire presentations, providing delegates with opportunities for inspiration, knowledge sharing, and networking. The gathering underscores Sharjah's commitment to fostering global connections within the book industry
Source: Gulf News
French Government Cancels Beauty and the Beast Book Over Controversial Illustrations
The French government has been accused of censorship after cancelling an order for 800,000 copies of a free an illustrated Beauty and the Beast book intended for children. Education Minister Elisabeth Borne cited age-inappropriate themes like alcohol and illegal trading in the illustrations. However, illustrator Julien Berjeaut, known as Jul, argued the real issue was the book's portrayal of darker-skinned characters. Despite this, Berjeaut’s book will still be published privately.
Source: BBC
Entertainment
Oscar-Winning Director Hamdan Ballal Attacked by Israeli Settlers in West Bank Village
Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Susiya. The settlers destroyed property and assaulted Ballal, leading to his detention by Israeli forces. The film, co-directed by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, depicts the struggles of Masafer Yatta residents against potential demolitions by the Israeli military.
Source: AP
Disney’s Snow White Tops Box Office but Falls Short Amid Controversy
Disney’s live-action Snow White topped the North American box office with $87.3 million globally but fell short of expectations for its $270 million budget. The film has faced controversies over casting, political statements by lead actors, and the portrayal of dwarfs. It underperformed in China, earning under $1 million. Reviews were mixed, with a 44% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called it a “mash-up” with CGI issues and an uneven tone.
Source: BBC
New Gulliver’s Travels TV Series in the Works with Director Uberto Pasolini
Uberto Pasolini is set to direct a new TV adaptation of Gulliver's Travels, aiming to offer a contemporary take on Jonathan Swift's classic novel. The series will explore themes of human nature and society through Gulliver's diverse adventures. Produced by Red Arrow Studios International and Moonriver TV, the project is currently in development, with casting and release details forthcoming. Pasolini intends to blend adventure and satire to resonate with modern audiences.
Source: Variety
Selena Gomez Releases New Album with Fiancé Benny Blanco
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, now engaged, have released their collaborative album I Said I Love You First. The 14-track album delves into themes of love and vulnerability, chronicling their journey from meeting to falling in love. Notable tracks include Younger and Hotter Than Me which fans believe references a Taylor Swift lyric, and You Said You Were Sorry, speculated to address Gomez's past relationship with Justin Bieber.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Conan O'Brien Honored with Mark Twain Prize Amid Kennedy Center Turmoil
Conan O'Brien accepted the Mark Twain Prize ceremony for a lifetime achievement in comedy amid uncertainty surrounding the Kennedy Center’s future. Three weeks earlier President Donald Trump upended the Kennedy Center by ousting longtime president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein. O’Brien thanked Rutter and Rubenstein during his speech and reflected on author Twain’s legacy, highlighting his opposition to bullies and empathy for the weak.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Fashion
Bad Bunny is the new face of Calvin Klein
Rapper and singer Bad Bunny is the new face of Calvin Klein’s spring 2025 underwear campaign. The campaign video features his track EoO from his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos which is greatly influenced by his Puerto Rican heritage. The campaign was shot by Italian photographer Mario Sorrenti and has amassed more than 3.7 million likes across Instagram and TikTok with the videos accumulating more than 56 million views.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez named creative directors at Loewe
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the co-founders of Proenza Schouler, have been appointed as the new creative directors of Loewe. The duo are replacing Jonathan Anderson, who led the brand since 2013. McCollough and Hernandez will bring their vision to the Spanish luxury label, which is undergoing a new phase after Anderson's tenure. They will continue working closely with Loewe's parent company, LVMH, and bring their innovative designs to the global fashion scene.
Source: AP
Merrachi Fashion Ad Featuring Eiffel Tower Hijab Sparks Controversy in France
Merrachi, a Dutch fashion brand, sparked controversy in France with an Instagram ad featuring the Eiffel Tower draped in a hijab. French politicians have condemned the ad. France has banned hijabs in schools since 2004, followed by a 2010 prohibition on burqas, niqabs, and face-covering masks and helmets in public spaces.
Source: The Times, Business Standard
Pop Culture
Beyonce and Jay-Z are ‘discussing’ taking legal action against Kanye West
Beyonce and Jay-Z are considering legal action against Kanye West after he posted offensive remarks about their children on X. West attacked their 7-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir, questioning their mental capacity. Despite deleting the posts, West later reposted them. The couple is discussing how to handle the situation, while Kim Kardashian, West's ex-wife, according to a source, also condemned his language, stressing children should be off-limits.
Source: Page Six
Eva Longoria Gushes Over Family Connection with Meryl Streep
Eva Longoria and Meryl Streep discovered they are distant cousins, a connection revealed during Longoria's appearance in the 2010 documentary Faces of America. Longoria shared the news during a Tonight Show interview, recalling a backstage moment at the Golden Globes where Streep greeted her warmly and calling her “Cousin! Cousin!”
Source: InStyle, The Tonight Show
Meghan Markle Responds to Podcaster Amanda Hirsch Concerns
Meghan Markle sent a handwritten note to podcaster Amanda Hirsch, host of Not Skinny But Not Fat. Hirsch had posted the trailer of Markle’s show With Love, Meghan leading up to its release on Netflix with the caption: “You guys I’m scared for Meghan.” Markle responded with a letter reassured Hirsch, saying, “Dear Amanda, I heard you are feeling scared. Don’t be. This is the fun part — let’s enjoy it.” Hirsch was thrilled, sharing the note on Instagram.
Source: Independent
Jaime King Loses Custody of Sons Amid Rehab Struggles
Actress Jaime King has lost custody of her two sons to ex-husband Kyle Newman after failing to complete a court-ordered six-month rehab program. Newman was awarded sole physical custody, while the two share legal custody, with Newman having final decision-making authority. King has supervised visitation rights but can only see her sons three times a week. Newman previously accused King of substance abuse, claiming their son was born addicted to opiates.
Source: Page Six
Hilaria Baldwin Snaps at Alec on Red Carpet for Interrupting
During a red carpet interview at Planet Hollywood's reopening in New York City, Hilaria Baldwin was visibly frustrated with her husband, Alec Baldwin. After interrupting her when they were asked about their TLC reality series, The Baldwins, she reprimanded him stating, "when I'm talking, you're not talking." The exchange has gained significant attention online. In response, the couple have since posted a playful Instagram video addressing the incident, introducing the term "manterrupting" to describe unnecessary male interruptions.
Source: People
Love having this roundup of stories all in one place! And didn’t know about the Booksellers Conference in Sharjah - away to read more