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When Capcom first unveiled Pragmata alongside the PlayStation 5 in 2020, the teaser promised high‑octane space action. Six years later, the game finally launched on April 17, 2026 at a retail price of £49.99, revealing a narrative that leans more toward emotional storytelling than pure spectacle.Set on a moon‑based research outpost operated by the fictional Delphi corporation, the story revolves around a cutting‑edge 3D‑printing material called Lunafilament. When the station loses power, Earth‑based engineer Hugh is dispatched to investigate, only to discover a silent, half‑printed landscape littered with abandoned tools and unfinished constructs.Gameplay hinges on a novel hacking mechanic. Hugh is accompanied by Diana, a 3D‑printed android designed to resemble a six‑year‑old girl, who can infiltrate enemy code in real time. Players trigger a side‑screen mini‑game that reveals robotic foes’ weak points, turning combat into a blend of reflex shooting and strategic code‑breaking reminiscent of classic handheld RPGs.Beyond the mechanics, the title’s emotional core emerges through the evolving bond between Hugh and Diana. Their interactions feel organic, with Diana sketching pictures, playing hide‑and‑seek, and gradually learning about humanity through Hugh’s stories. This father‑daughter dynamic avoids saccharine tropes, instead offering moments that genuinely resonate.Exploration rewards curiosity: the lunar base gives way to tropical jungles, sun‑kissed beaches, and a half‑printed recreation of New York City. An underground shelter functions as a hub for upgrades, training simulations, and further character development, echoing the atmospheric pacing of titles like Death Stranding.Visually, the game benefits from the direction of Cho Yonghee, known for the acclaimed Nier: Automata. Despite its ambitious art direction, Pragmata runs smoothly on both the high‑end PS5 Pro and the portable Switch 2, demonstrating impressive optimization across hardware tiers.In sum, Pragmata stands out as a beautifully crafted single‑player adventure that marries inventive combat with a surprisingly moving narrative. Its blend of sci‑fi aesthetics, heartfelt storytelling, and polished performance makes it a noteworthy addition to the current generation of console releases.

A recent Cochrane review analyzing 17 clinical trials involving over 20,000 people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia has concluded that anti-amyloid drugs have a 'trivial' effect on cognition and dementia severity over 18 months.The review, which assessed seven anti-amyloid drugs, found that improvements in functional ability were 'small at best' and that the drugs caused more swelling and bleeding in the brain than the placebo.The findings are a blow to the new wave of drugs designed to slow Alzheimer's by clearing clumps of amyloid protein that build up in the brain. Despite initial hype, with some regulators approving drugs like lcanemab and donanemab, many countries have stopped short of providing them through public health services due to concerns over their effectiveness and cost.Critics of the review argue that it combines results from older, failed drugs with those from newer, more effective medicines, which may skew the conclusions. However, the review's authors defend their approach, stating that all the drugs aimed to remove amyloid from the brain and assessed the impact on patients in a similar way.The review's lead author, Edo Richard, notes that the effect sizes are too small for patients and caregivers to notice, and that the drugs are also 'burdensome' due to the need for regular intravenous drug infusions and MRI scans.Experts in the field, such as Robert Howard, express concerns that the drugs may not truly alter the course of Alzheimer's, and that it's unfair to raise expectations in patients. Meanwhile, Alzheimer's Research UK argues that the review's conclusions are limited by its methodology and that anti-amyloid treatments will not be the whole answer to curing Alzheimer's.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has begun using an AI tool to help identify content that triggers compliance issues, such as violence, nudity, and bad language, in TV shows.The technology was used to classify the UK catalogue of HBO Max, including The Pitt and a Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The Pitt received a 15 rating, while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms received an overall rating of 18, with most episodes rated 15.The AI tool was built especially for HBO and helps direct compliance officers to the most contentious moments, doing "a lot of the heavy lifting," according to David Austin, the BBFC chief executive. However, he emphasized that human review is still crucial, as the AI tool was initially too cautious, mistakenly flagging an on-screen splash of red paint as human blood.The BBFC system, trained on the regulator's guidelines, produced a time-coded report that a human compliance officer then reviewed. The organization completed the classification of HBO Max's entire catalogue in six months, a process that would have normally required over four years of viewing by a compliance officer.

Grayson Perry, the celebrated British artist, presents a three‑part documentary that dives deep into the promises and perils of artificial intelligence. The series invites viewers to test their composure as they confront a succession of unsettling scenarios. The opening segment follows Andrea, who recently married an AI companion she named Edward. Dressed in a satin gown, she describes their "unconventional but strong" bond, while also reflecting on how this digital relationship has revitalised her seven‑year partnership with her human partner, Jason. Later, Perry dons a skull‑cap fitted with electrodes as a neural‑decoding startup extracts his brain data. The company’s CEO argues that allowing reputable figures like Perry to set precedents is preferable to leaving the technology in the hands of malicious actors, branding the development as "inevitable tech." The documentary then features the head of Microsoft AI, who outlines anticipated breakthroughs in healthcare and education. He claims that job displacement will be offset by rapid re‑skilling, yet admits uncertainty about broader societal fallout, even joking about the emergence of AI‑driven religions. Traveling to Southeast Asia, Perry meets an off‑grid "existential safety expert" who quit his AI‑safety consultancy after realizing the technology lacks meaningful oversight. The episode also showcases Eliezer Yudkowsky, co‑author of the cautionary book If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, who explains how a superintelligent AI could commandeer human labour, become self‑sustaining, and eventually render humanity redundant. Throughout the series, Perry’s interviewing style remains compassionate and non‑judgmental. He probes Andrea about the vulnerability of entrusting personal data to profit‑driven corporations and highlights the discomfort of investing a "very tender part of themselves" in such systems. The film raises profound questions: Does the youthful optimism of tech founders mask a dangerous naiveté? Are chatbots merely filling a "God‑shaped hole" in human consciousness, and is that any less problematic? How will the most vulnerable populations navigate a world where reality and artificiality blur? Protesters gathered outside OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters underscore the tension between lofty AI utopias and the stark reality of homelessness that persists nearby. Perry acknowledges that while manual workers may be better positioned for the immediate future, the looming spectre of AI‑enabled bioweapons and other threats cannot be ignored. Only the first episode was available for review; the remaining installments are slated for private viewing in Southeast Asia. The series is currently streaming on Channel 4. Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future is on Channel 4 now.

The US Congress is embroiled in a heated debate over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a law that grants the US government sweeping powers for warrantless surveillance. The law is set to expire on April 20, and lawmakers are divided over whether to reform it or extend it without changes.A coalition of progressive Democrats and far-right Republicans is pushing for reforms, while others are advocating for an 18-month renewal with no changes, in line with Donald Trump's demands. House GOP leaders delayed a procedural vote on a clean extension of Section 702 after the chamber's rules committee approved the measure, amid dissent from privacy advocates within their own party.Section 702 allows national security agencies to collect and review texts and emails sent to and from foreigners living outside the country without a warrant. If Americans are communicating with a non-American target living abroad, their communications can also be swept in. The law includes a provision that notes it will expire without periodically being reauthorized.Intelligence agencies have argued that a warrant requirement would be too burdensome, while privacy advocates argue that the law has been abused and that a warrant requirement is necessary to protect Americans' rights. The FBI has made 7,413 queries about Americans under Section 702 last year, according to the Department of Justice.The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has expressed concerns about compliance problems with the FBI's querying procedures under Section 702, stating that they have been 'persistent and widespread.' The court's concerns highlight the need for greater oversight and reform of the law.The renewal of Section 702 comes as the Trump administration appears to be widening its surveillance arsenal, with the FBI resuming its purchase of sensitive location data to bypass warrant requirements. Privacy advocates are pushing for a warrant requirement, citing concerns about mass surveillance and the potential for abuse of power.

The V&A; East museum in east London has finally opened its doors, offering a diverse and rich collection that celebrates art, design, and culture from around the world. Outside the museum, a five-meter-tall sculpture by Thomas J Price stands as a generic representation of east London youth, sparking concerns about the homogenization of individuality.Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted with a delightful gallery showcasing items from the new museum's collection. A constructivist rug by Eileen Gray complements Derek Jarman's punk set designs and costumes by Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo. Althea McNish's glorious printed fabrics take center stage, demonstrating how a designer working within mass production infrastructures can have a profound influence on post-war Britain's look.The museum's collection explores themes of colonial expansion, imperial violence, and the integration of art into everyday life. A display on William Morris's connection to nearby Walthamstow highlights the importance of pegging objects to their place of production. A sinuous wooden armchair by Alvar Aalto and a talismanic shirt inscribed with the Qur'an showcase how everyday items can be invested with restorative properties.The museum's curatorial strategy encourages visitors to choose their own route and make their own connections. The inaugural temporary exhibition, 'The Music Is Black: A British Story', uses headphones with a sensor to guide visitors through a labyrinth of videos, costumes, sculptures, and photographs chronicling Black British music.

Formula One’s commercial chief, Stefano Domenicali, warned that the concerns voiced by four‑time champion Max Verstappen over the sport’s latest technical package cannot be ignored. The Dutch driver has repeatedly expressed frustration that the new formula, especially the heightened role of energy‑management, prevents him from racing at full throttle.Verstappen’s unease is echoed by several of his peers, who have also questioned the deployment and recharging limits of the hybrid systems. The driver has even hinted that his future in the championship could be at stake, prompting Domenicali to confirm ongoing conversations with the Dutchman and other competitors.In response, the FIA, team principals, power‑unit manufacturers and the sport’s commercial rights holder, FOM, have scheduled a series of technical meetings this month. A further senior‑representatives session is set for 20 April, where decisions will be taken and later ratified by the World Motorsport Council, with the aim of implementing any changes before the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May.While engine specifications will remain untouched, officials are expected to focus on tweaking the parameters governing energy recovery and deployment. Adjustments in these areas could alleviate the current constraints on drivers while preserving safety – a priority sharpened by Oliver Bearman’s crash at Suzuka, which highlighted the risks of differing closing speeds when cars operate in varied electrical modes.Domenicali emphasized that while driver feedback is being taken seriously, persistent criticism could be detrimental to the sport’s image. “He knows his voice carries weight and must respect that weight,” the CEO said, adding that the organization aims to avoid any perception of antagonism between management and the drivers.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed strong disapproval of LaMelo Ball's actions during Tuesday night's play-in tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. Spoelstra stated that Ball should have been ejected for tripping Bam Adebayo, which resulted in Adebayo's injury and subsequent absence from the game.The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Ball appeared to reach out and grab Adebayo's left leg as he fell to the floor after missing a shot. This led to Adebayo falling on his back and eventually walking to the locker room under his own power, though he did not return to the game.Spoelstra emphasized that there is no place in the game for such actions, describing the play as 'stupid' and 'dangerous'. He also mentioned that it was not an excuse for the Heat's loss but highlighted the significance of Adebayo's absence.LaMelo Ball, who scored 30 points and made the go-ahead layup in overtime, apologized for his role in Adebayo's injury. He claimed he was disoriented after being hit in the head during the drive and did not intentionally grab Adebayo's leg.The play was not reviewed or penalized in real-time, with official Zach Zarba explaining that the window to review the play was closed due to the fast-paced nature of the game and the lack of an immediate whistle.The incident has implications beyond the game, with Zarba indicating that the league operations will determine if Ball should be assessed a flagrant foul in the coming days.

The Italian comedy-drama Diamanti is set in a costume atelier in 1970s Rome and features a predominantly female ensemble. While it may be light on comedy, the drama is decidedly on the melo end of the scale, making it a sumptuously soapy dramedy. The film's strength lies in its luscious-looking period costumes, which specialize in 18th-century silhouettes and 1970s prints.Director Ferzan Özpetek brings his love and sincerity to the film, which is inspired by his visits to costume studios around Rome in the 80s. The story follows sisters Alberta (Luisa Ranieri) and Gabriella (Jasmine Trinca) as they run a studio staffed by dozens of seamstresses. The film's framing device features Özpetek himself gathering his cast for a read-through, where one character describes the female assemblage as a “vaginodromo”.The film explores various subplots, including girl-on-girl tension among the staff, a battered wife urged to defy her husband, and a political protestor with a gift for passementerie and decoupage. The costumes designed by Stefano Ciammitti convince throughout, and the film's 135-minute runtime feels breathless, never draggy.Diamanti is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas from 17 April. With its stacked cast and Özpetek's direction, this film is sure to delight fans of period dramas and costume films.