Engaging review finds documentary on crypto billionaires' threat to democracy

Wales’s first minister has warned that cuts to BBC Wales risk causing an irreversible deterioration in its services. The warning highlights concerns about the impact of reduced funding on regional broadcasting and news. It matters because BBC Wales is a key source of public service and regional coverage in Wales.

A U.K. celebrity has lost a court bid to prevent publication of sexual misconduct allegations, according to reports. The individual will remain anonymous pending an appeal. The case touches on the balance between privacy and press freedom in the U.K.

Americans have wagered $1.9 billion on U.S. midterm races through prediction markets, according to Variety. The markets currently favor Democrats to win both the House and Senate. The volume highlights growing interest in election betting as a gauge of political sentiment.

Park Hoon-jung’s assassin noir “Tristes Tropiques” has been sold to distributors in North America, France, and Spain. The deals expand the international reach of the South Korean filmmaker’s latest crime thriller. The sales signal continued demand for Korean genre cinema in major markets.

The Guardian Culture reviews “Constantinople to Istanbul,” praising it as a lavish celebration of the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman imperial heritage. The review suggests the work is immersive and likely to captivate readers interested in Istanbul’s layered history.