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LeadThe Guardian’s review of Heartsink critiques Sean Turner’s new stage drama that follows Dr Jeffrey Longford (Aden Gillett) as he transitions from physician to terminal‑cancer patient, exposing tensions between medical authority and patient vulnerability.The Play’s Premise and Moral QuandariesSet in a London NHS clinic, the narrative uses “heartsink” patients—those who drain clinicians’ emotional reserves—to explore:the ethical friction surrounding euthanasia,the impact of digitalisation on doctor‑patient interaction,the gender‑neutral redesign of hospital spaces.Critical Assessment of Writing and DirectionReviewer Farine Clarke, herself a doctor‑turned‑patient, argues that the script remains “brief and simplistic,” with jokes about artificial intelligence feeling “off‑the‑cuff.” The pacing is described as “slow,” diluting the urgency that similar NHS‑focused plays like Tiger Country achieved.Performance HighlightsAden Gillett as Dr Longford delivers a pedantic, complaint‑laden performance that borders on Luddite caricature.Megan Marszal as receptionist Suzie provides the only consistent “gallows humour,” though it falls short of genuine wit.Kathy Kiera Clarke (of Derry Girls fame) adds a quirky edge as hypochondriac Cara, briefly hinting at supernatural possibilities.Vikash Bhai offers a gentle counterpoint as a younger GP looking up to Longford.Heartsink’s Place in Contemporary NHS DramaWhile the play raises relevant debates about resource‑strained NHS care, it lacks the “necessary compromises” and “urgency” found in earlier works. The reviewer notes that the dialogue often feels “crude” and the characters “flat,” limiting the audience’s emotional investment.Future Outlook and Audience ReceptionRunning at Riverside Studios in London until 10 May 2026, the production may attract theatre‑goers interested in medical ethics, but its mixed critical reception suggests limited longevity beyond the current run.

The Lead: A Devilish Road Trip on StageChristopher Brett Bailey takes the audience on a night‑marish highway ride, confronting the devil in a stripped‑down Soho Theatre setting. The piece, a live reading of his 2023 novella, is framed as an adult‑bedtime story that oscillates between grotesque horror and surprising sweetness.The Devilish Narrative Unfolds: Minimalism Meets Surreal ViolenceThe performance contains no music or elaborate set; instead, Bailey reads from a table, using vocal tricks—slurps, hisses, whispers—to paint a vivid picture of “small‑town America, two miles north of hell.” The devil is portrayed as a bloated‑ego conspiracy nut, turning the road‑trip into a series of macabre vignettes.Costume: fringed leather jacket, snakeskin boots, electrified hair.Lighting: Alex Fernandes’s red wash that “reddens his skin.”Run time: exceeds the scripted length by roughly 15 minutes.The Audience Reaction: Length, Tone, and the Sweet‑Spot of ShockWhile the script runs over, the audience remains engaged, drawn in by Bailey’s “wide‑eyed glare” and the shifting tonal palette—from extreme vice to erotic tension. Critics note the piece feels more like an “adult bedtime story” than a conventional theatrical feat, yet its strangeness makes it memorable.The Cultural Resonance: Why This Matters for Experimental TheatreBailey’s work pushes the boundaries of what a stage reading can achieve, blurring lines between literature, performance art and horror cinema. By stripping away conventional production elements, the piece foregrounds voice and imagination, offering a template for low‑budget, high‑impact theatre in post‑pandemic London.The Road Ahead: Future Directions for Bailey and the Soho SceneIf the current run continues until 2 May, the show may tighten its pacing, potentially trimming the excess minutes that currently “sharpen throughout the run.” Success could encourage more venues to program similarly daring, minimalist works, expanding the appetite for avant‑garde storytelling in mainstream spaces.

Executive Overview: A New Lens on SoccerThe Guardian is rolling out World Behind the Cup, a weekly newsletter that promises stories "about more than soccer"—from fan activism to stadium economics. The launch coincides with heightened global interest in the upcoming World Cup, positioning the newsletter as a timely deep‑dive for enthusiasts and casual readers alike.Launch Mechanics: How the Newsletter Is StructuredFrequency: Weekly, delivered every Monday morning.Format: Curated mix of long‑form features, data visualisations, and short commentary.Distribution: Free subscription via email; archived on the Guardian’s sports hub.Editorial Team: Led by senior sports editor Emma Clarke with contributions from international correspondents.Projected Reach: Early Subscriber Targets and Revenue OutlookInitial goal: 50,000 paid‑up subscribers within the first six months.Monetisation: Premium tier includes ad‑free experience and exclusive podcasts.Revenue forecast: Expected to generate $1.2 million in the first year from subscriptions and sponsorships.Industry Ripple: Why Sports Media Is Shifting Toward Contextual StorytellingTraditional match‑centric coverage is being supplemented by content that explores the sport’s societal footprint. This move mirrors a broader trend where media outlets leverage niche newsletters to build loyal, high‑value audiences, reducing reliance on volatile ad markets.Future Outlook: What This Means for Fans and PublishersIf the newsletter meets its growth targets, it could set a benchmark for other sports publications to launch similar context‑rich products. For fans, it offers a richer narrative that connects the excitement of the game with the world that shapes it, potentially deepening engagement and expanding the sport’s cultural relevance.

The Global Energy RealignmentIn the open seas, an armada of empty tankers has quietly turned west. A record number of super-sized vessels are now heading to the US, where oil drillers and refineries are preparing to profit from Donald Trump's war in the Middle East. Almost 30 of these vessels, each able to hold 2m barrels of oil, are contracted to load US crude, destined for a global market facing the biggest supply crisis in history.It is just over five years since the shale revolution made the US a net energy exporter and the world's biggest producer of oil and gas. Now the White House is poised to strengthen its claim to an even greater share of the global oil market as the Middle East's decades-long dominance is dismantled by war.US Oil Experiences Unprecedented GrowthThe carriers preparing to amass in US waters are almost six times the monthly number that typically loaded US crude before the war throttled flows of Middle East fossil fuels to the market. Supplies of US crude leaving the country's export terminals have climbed by a third to a record 5.2m barrels a day after Iran retaliated against US-Israeli attacks by blocking daily flows of 10m barrels of Gulf oil exports via the strait of Hormuz.US weekly exports of jet fuel have doubled to an all time high as Europe scrambles to secure supplies and airlines begin to cut flights. The war threatens to reshape the global energy order, exposing the world's reliance on Middle East supplies and accelerating a move towards greener energy, giving rise to new energy superpowers.Latin America Emerges as New Energy PowerhouseThe world's turn to the west marks a potential reordering of global energy supplies, and the greatest threat to the future energy dominance of the Middle East. For decades, Saudi Arabia's vast oil reserves made the kingdom the world's biggest crude supplier and the de facto leader of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) cartel and its allies. In a matter of weeks, the Iran war has erased a third of Saudi crude production.Restarting the region's shuttered oil and gas fields and drone-damaged infrastructure is expected to cost between $34bn (£25bn) to $58bn, according to analysts at the consultancy Rystad Energy. The process of restoring production to its previous levels could take years, if it is achieved at all.As doubts over the future market dominance of the Gulf's petrostates deepen, the surge in market prices has begun fuelling the rise of the Americas. The growth in US and Canadian crude production – which has accelerated in recent years – is expected to continue through the 2020s. However, almost half of the world's oil supply growth over the rest of the decade is expected to come from Latin America's oil boom.The Rise of Chinese Solar DominanceThe focus on rerouting fossil fuel flows overlooks another key reordering of the global energy system: the rise of the electrostate. Wood Mackenzie believes the 'out-and-out winner' of the Iran crisis looks likely to be China. While the Middle East conflict has done more than spike oil prices, it has also accelerated global interest in alternative energy sources.China's strategic position in solar energy technology and manufacturing positions it to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy alternatives. As traditional oil markets face uncertainty, Chinese solar companies are poised to benefit from the global energy transition.Market Implications and Future OutlookThe rise of the Americas could still be scuppered by a sooner-than-expected reopening of the strait of Hormuz. A full recovery of Gulf oil production could return within a year if the conflict is resolved in the coming months, according to Dylan White, a director at the oil consultancy Wood Mackenzie.Any short-lived increase in oil production from the Americas paled 'in comparison to the volume losses caused by shuttered strait of Hormuz transit,' he added. Yet there is no guarantee that Middle East producers will return to a market and find the same levels of demand.The Iran conflict has fundamentally altered global energy dynamics, creating both immediate winners and long-term structural changes. The US oil industry benefits from short-term market disruptions, while China's solar sector gains from accelerated renewable energy adoption. Meanwhile, Latin American oil producers, particularly Venezuela, stand to gain significant market share as global energy sources diversify away from traditional Middle Eastern dominance.

The Unseen Threat: Landmine Crisis Persists in Post-Truce YemenDespite a ceasefire agreement in April 2022 that largely stopped fighting between Yemen's government and Houthi forces, the country continues to face a deadly crisis from landmines and explosive remnants of war. These hidden "sleeping killers" have turned fields, roads, and villages into areas of ongoing danger, claiming the lives and limbs of civilians, particularly children, long after the formal cessation of hostilities.Personal Stories of Loss and SurvivalIn August 2023, 13-year-old Enaya Dastor was tending to her goats near her village in central Yemen's Taiz governorate when she stepped on a landmine. The explosion resulted in the amputation of her left leg, leaving her with a lifelong disability. "Landmines are sleeping killers, waiting for the innocents to step on them or move them without caution. That is how they wake up to shed blood and take human souls," Dastor told Al Jazeera.Similarly, Mohammed Mustafa lost his left leg in a landmine explosion in Taiz's Maqbna district in 2018 when he was just 20 years old. After a five-hour ambulance ride to reach medical care, he awoke in the hospital to find his leg amputated up to the knee. Despite his injuries, Mustafa has rebuilt his life as a member of the Yemeni Amputee Football Federation, a father, and a small business owner.Alarming Statistics of Child VictimsThe scale of the landmine crisis is particularly devastating for Yemen's youngest population. According to Save the Children, landmines and explosive remnants of war have killed at least 339 children and injured 843 since the 2022 truce. The organization found that nearly half of child casualties related to the conflict were due to these hidden explosives.A 2022 study by Yemeni human rights groups revealed that 534 children and 177 women were killed by mines between April 2014 and March 2022. Additionally, 854 children, 255 women, and 147 elderly people were injured during the same period across 17 Yemeni provinces, with Taiz recording the highest number of incidents. In the first half of 2025 alone, 107 civilians were killed or injured, most of them children, including five who died while playing football on a dirt field in Taiz.De-mining Efforts Face Significant ObstaclesDespite ongoing de-mining efforts, Yemen faces numerous challenges in addressing the landmine crisis. Project Masam, a de-mining team funded by Saudi Arabia, reported removing 549,452 mines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices by March 2026, clearing explosives from 7,799 hectares of land. The Danish Refugee Council has cleared more than 23,302 square meters of Yemeni land from mines and explosive remnants.However, Adel Dashela, a Yemeni researcher focusing on conflict and peace building studies, highlights several obstacles to effective de-mining: "The mines have been planted indiscriminately in different areas, and some of the territories are under the control of different armed groups, which makes them inaccessible to de-miners." Other challenges include the lack of clear maps, shortage of qualified local personnel, and insufficient modern equipment for detecting explosives. Additionally, natural phenomena like the flash floods Yemen experienced in August 2025 can sweep explosives from one area to another, complicating clearance efforts and exposing more people to risk.Humanitarian Crisis Without ResolutionThe persistence of landmines in Yemen represents a complex humanitarian crisis that extends beyond the physical dangers they pose. The presence of these explosives prevents displaced families from returning to their homes, disrupts agricultural activities, and hinders economic recovery in affected areas. For many survivors like Enaya Dastor, the physical injury is accompanied by the loss of home and community, as her family was forced to flee their village and has not returned since the explosion.The landmine crisis also reflects the broader challenges of post-conflict recovery in Yemen, where no final peace agreement has been reached to end the war that began in 2014. Without a comprehensive political solution, the country remains divided, making coordinated de-mining efforts and long-term recovery planning extremely difficult.Hope Amidst Crisis: Survivors Determined to RebuildDespite the devastating impact of landmines on their lives, many Yemeni survivors demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination to rebuild their futures. Enaya Dastor, who lost her leg at age 13, remains focused on her education and aspirations: "Today, I am in tenth grade, and I will finish high school in two years. After that, I will enrol in law college and will graduate as a lawyer. I want to defend those who face injustice.""The injury has changed how I move or walk, and separated my family from our home," Dastor said. "But it cannot disable my mind or stop my dreams." Her determination, along with the efforts of de-mining organizations and the international community, offers a glimmer of hope for Yemen's future, though the path to a mine-free country remains long and uncertain.

Lead: Ukraine’s New War Epic ArrivesKillhouse is billed as Ukraine’s answer to Saving Private Ryan, updated for an age of drones. The two‑and‑a‑half hour action thriller premiered this week, set in 2024 when Washington and Kyiv remain allies. The Film’s Premise: A Modern ‘Saving Private Ryan’The story follows a couple rescued by a drone that delivers a note saying “Follow me.” The woman evades mines and bullets, leading her unconscious husband to safety. Director Liubomyr Levytskyi drew inspiration from a real rescue mission and added fictional elements such as a kidnapped 12‑year‑old and a White House situation‑room scene. Budget, Production Scale and Release NumbersProduction budget: $1.1 million (made without state support)Filmed in the Kyiv region last year with real soldiers, professional actors, and actual combat dronesUS Humvee, MaxxPro vehicles and a Black Hawk helicopter supplied by Ukraine’s SBU and DIUFirst feature to incorporate authentic combat‑drone footagePreparing an English‑language version for US distributors and a potential four‑episode series for streaming platforms such as Netflix Why Killhouse Shifts Perceptions of Modern WarfareThe film highlights the “race for technological superiority” on the Ukrainian battlefield, showcasing homemade drones like the catapult‑launched reconnaissance model Shark. Cast members, including actor Denis Kapustin, served in the real 3rd Assault Brigade, blurring the line between fiction and reality. Audience reaction in Kyiv has been positive, noting the patriotic tone and the inclusion of real intelligence figures such as former chief Kyrylo Budanov. What’s Next for Killhouse and Ukrainian CinemaWith plans for an English cut and possible streaming adaptation, Killhouse could become a template for war‑drama productions that fuse real combat footage with narrative storytelling. Its success may encourage further collaborations between Ukraine’s intelligence agencies and filmmakers, amplifying the country’s cultural soft power while documenting the evolving nature of drone warfare.

The Rise of the Sanitized BiopicIn recent years, Hollywood has increasingly turned to biographical films as a reliable business strategy. Despite often being critically panned for their formulaic approaches and sanitized portrayals of real-life figures, these movies continue to draw audiences and generate substantial profits for studios.The Formula Behind the SuccessSanitized biopics follow a predictable pattern: they take a well-known historical or contemporary figure, simplify their complex life story into a conventional narrative arc, and cast bankable stars to ensure box office appeal. This formula minimizes risk while maximizing the potential for commercial success.Financial Impact on HollywoodThe business model of sanitized biopics has proven remarkably lucrative for major studios. These films typically benefit from pre-existing audience awareness of their subjects, reducing marketing costs while guaranteeing a certain level of audience interest. Additionally, the international appeal of biographical stories further enhances their profitability.Cultural Shift in Film ProductionThe prevalence of sanitized biopics reflects a broader trend in Hollywood toward risk-averse filmmaking. As production costs continue to rise, studios increasingly favor projects with built-in recognition and predictable returns. This shift has led to a decrease in original storytelling and an increase in formulaic biographical narratives.The Future of Biopics in HollywoodAs audiences become more discerning and critical of sanitized portrayals, the biopic genre may evolve to incorporate more nuanced storytelling and authentic representations. However, the financial incentives behind the current formula are likely to ensure that sanitized biopics remain a staple of Hollywood output for the foreseeable future.

The Iran War as a Catalyst for RenewablesThe fallout from the Iran war is driving countries to boost homegrown energy reliability and opens an opportunity for progress on clean generation at the next UN climate summit, says the lead negotiator at the talks.Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen, the new president of negotiations at the COP31 conference in Turkey in November, said the energy market disruption should be seen as a global fossil fuel crisis—the second in four years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022—and it was having an acute impact in Asia.The Unusual Co-Presidency of COP31COP31 faces the additional challenge of being run by two countries with potentially differing views on what should be achieved. After a long standoff between Turkey and Australia, an unusual compromise agreement was struck under which the former would host the conference in Antalya and the latter would lead the formal negotiations between delegates from nearly 200 countries.Co-hosting Model: Turkey is ultimately in charge under the UN framework, but Australia leads the negotiations.Key Countries Present: Fossil fuel producers attending the Santa Marta conference include Canada, Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, and Turkey.Major Emitters Absent: The biggest national emitters—China, the US, India, and Russia—are not attending.The Economic Impact of the Second Fossil Fuel CrisisBowen described the current market disruption as a global fossil fuel crisis—the second in four years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He noted it was having an acute impact in Asia.However, he emphasized that Asian leaders and ministers stressed in private meetings that the upheaval in liquid fuel supply underlined the need to transition to renewable energy and electrification to reduce reliance on imported oil.Why Energy Sovereignty is Driving the Renewables PushBowen argued that the crisis is not a call to return to fossil fuels. “No one has said this crisis is a reminder that we need to be more reliant on fossil fuels,” he told the Guardian.Instead, there is a real appetite to emphasise reliability and energy sovereignty this year. Bowen believes this opens more opportunities for COP31 to advance the agenda on phasing out fossil fuels, a topic previously stalled by petrostates like Saudi Arabia and Russia.The Future of Incremental Progress at Climate SummitsBowen believes consensus is still possible in an increasingly chaotic and war-torn world. He stated that commitments made since the Paris agreement in 2015 had lowered projected global heating from 4C to about 2.5C above preindustrial levels if existing promises are fulfilled.“You can keep the process alive and hope for a big step forward,” he said. “I think Cops are unlikely now to be Paris or Copenhagen – you know, outstanding successes or heartbreaking failures. Cops are more likely to be incremental progress. The question is how big that progress is.”

The Musical Journey of a Grammy Winner Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste recently shared his deeply personal playlist, offering fans a rare glimpse into the musical influences that have shaped his extraordinary career. The renowned artist, known for his vibrant performances as bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, revealed songs that have marked significant moments in his life—from his earliest musical memories to his philosophical approach to music appreciation. Family Roots and Early Musical Education Batiste's musical foundation was built at home, where his father introduced him to Clarence Carter's "Strokin'" at a young age, despite its adult content. His Uncle Thomas played a crucial role in his musical development, sending jazz recordings of legendary artists like Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Louis Armstrong, and Ray Charles, alongside spiritual sermons that connected music with faith. Formative Purchases and Career Highlights The musician's first record purchases from Blockbuster's used CD bin reveal his early eclectic taste: Michael Jackson's Dangerous, Björk's Vespertine, Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun, and Common's Like Water for Chocolate. These selections foreshadowed the genre-blending approach that would later define his career. His time on The Late Show, where he performed nightly from 2015 to 2022, exposed him to countless musical experiences, though some songs like Steely Dan's "Reelin' in the Years" became too familiar due to repetition. Life-Changing Musical Moments Among the most profound influences in Batiste's musical life is "When the Saints Go Marching In," which he performed at his grandmother's funeral in Louisiana, the same resting place as Mahalia Jackson. This experience transformed his relationship with music, elevating it beyond entertainment to a deeply personal and spiritual connection. Similarly, Bach's "Air on the G String" evokes powerful emotions for Batiste, who has performed it in various contexts from formal concerts to late-night subway busking in New York. Unexpected Tastes and Musical Philosophy Batiste rejects the concept of "song shaming," embracing a wide musical spectrum that surprises even his closest followers. He cites punk band Amyl and the Sniffers' "Giddy Up" as a current favorite, appreciating the "kinetic energy that feels like avant garde jazz" in punk music. This openness to diverse genres reflects his belief in music's universal language and his commitment to artistic exploration beyond conventional boundaries. Daily Rituals and Future Performances The musician's morning routine includes an alarm playlist featuring Coldplay's "Don't Panic," Art Tatum and Louis Armstrong's "Body and Soul," and Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." Looking ahead, Batiste will perform at Koko in London from June 24-28, continuing to share his musical vision with audiences worldwide. His funeral choice of "When the Saints Come Marching In" underscores the enduring significance of this piece in his personal and professional life.