Today’s AJ Highlights

Good morning: Why is there a story about antitrust and attempts to break up Big Tech companies in AJ today? Because these leviathans have gotten so big and so powerful that they determine what culture gets seen and shared and by whom. And they have far too much power.

  • First Female Director Appointed at the Louvre in 230 Years Laurence des Cars has made history as the first woman to be appointed director of the Louvre in its 230-year history. Read more in Le Monde.
  • Ancient Greek Shipwreck Yields New Artifacts in the Aegean Archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of new artifacts from an ancient Greek shipwreck in the Aegean Sea, including bronze statues and ceramics, providing new insights into ancient Mediterranean trade routes. Read more in National Geographic.
  • China Overtakes the US in Box Office Revenue For the first time in history, China’s annual box office revenue has surpassed that of the United States, signaling a significant shift in the global entertainment industry. Read more in Variety.
  • Europe’s Top Art Collectors Face Backlash Over Climate Activism Some of Europe’s leading art collectors are under fire for their support of climate activism while continuing to profit from industries tied to fossil fuels. This growing controversy highlights the tension between art patronage and environmental responsibility. Read more in The Art Newspaper.
  • Controversy Surrounds New AI-Powered Art Critic A new AI-powered platform designed to critique art has sparked debates about the role of artificial intelligence in the art world. Read more in Wired.

As usual – the rest of the stories we collected are below. Share this newsletter with someone who might be interested. Have a great weekend.

Doug

Latest Stories

A Big Increase In The Number Of Books Published Last Year

The total number of books published in the U.S. in 2025 with ISBN numbers jumped 32.5% over 2024, to more than four million books, according to statistics compiled by Bowker. - Publishers Weekly

What’s The Proper Length For A Piece Of Theatre? Either Well Under Two Hours Or More Than Five

“The former is the perfect excursion. If it’s a bad show, you’re not held hostage for long; if it’s good, you can bookend the night with a meal and a drink — or go home for an early night. … Stretch longer — five hours and beyond — and...

Archaeologists Confirm Location Of The Lost City Of Ancient Alexandria

Alexandria on the Tigris (later renamed Charax Spasinou) was one of several major cities founded by the Macedonian general, the most famous of which is Alexandria in Egypt, today the country’s second largest metropolis. - ARTnews

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