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Lonely lives, falling between the gaps, are at the heart of this 1935 psychological thriller by Rodney Ackland, adapted from Hugh Walpole's novel. It's an atmospheric period piece, but isn't entirely a stretch to reflect on our own concerns about solitude in an ageing population.The three ladies in an English cathedral town are without partners, families or much of an income. They eke out their genteel poverty in a rickety boarding house. They weren't raised to work; Miss Beringer, in desperate need of a job, can only imagine becoming a paid companion or, possibly, flower arranging.In Brigid Larmour's finely etched production, irritable passions ferment beneath the frowsty knits and beads. The characters are prey to spite and greed, nerves and night terrors. Voices are tremulous; eyes glance at a fearful future.Beringer is the new lodger: Catherine Cusack, whittled by anxiety, timidly nibbles on a scallop-edged biscuit. She is welcomed by Julia Watson's Mrs Amorest, flustered but keeping up appearances. Down to her last £10, she writes into the void to a long-absent son.The third lady is Agatha. Fruitily overblown in the novel, that's how Edith Evans played her in 1935. Abigail Thaw makes her disconcertingly eccentric: forbidding in jet black, she mocks and snaps at quivering Miss Beringer. She covets Beringer's one cherished possession – a translucent chunk of amber from a beloved female friend.It's a play of cross-hatched conversations and melodramatic plotting. Larmour's design team help turn the screw: the dank-toned house and clothes in tones of moth and cobweb, a bitter wind blowing.Ackland's plays about rackety lives are increasingly revived. He, Walpole and John Gielgud, the play's original director, were all queer artists, and it's tempting to imagine them drawn to these lives on the margins of British society. Though these ladies don't so much rage against the dying of the light as wait, fearfully, to be snuffed out.

The United Kingdom's prohibition on single-use vapes, implemented last June as part of efforts to address environmental concerns and curb youth vaping, is showing mixed results. 5.4 million adults in Great Britain now vape daily or occasionally, according to official figures, making these devices an inescapable part of modern British life.The ban, which carries penalties including fines up to £200 for initial violations and potential jail time for repeat offenders, was designed to tackle two significant issues: the environmental impact of millions of plastic devices with lithium-ion batteries ending up in landfills, and the rising popularity of vaping among young people.Recent data from the recycling campaign group Material Focus indicates that 6.3 million vapes and pods are still being discarded weekly, representing a nearly 25% decrease since the ban's implementation. While this suggests some impact, waste management companies report that the devices remain a major problem, with their batteries frequently causing fires in disposal facilities."It is quite a small reduction, really," said Sarah Marsh, the Guardian's consumer affairs correspondent and former vaper. "What we are hearing from Biffa and other waste companies is that they still have a massive problem with the waste, and that has not really changed. There are still fires and people still dump rechargeable vapes and the pods."Waste companies emphasize that the ban has not adequately addressed their concerns, noting that rechargeable vapes remain too inexpensive and appear disposable to many users. The lack of sufficient effort toward changing consumer behavior has limited the ban's effectiveness."If you introduce a ban like this but you don't put the support in place to achieve your goals, like making it easy for people to recycle, the ban isn't necessarily going to work," Marsh explained. "A ban in isolation is ineffective."The environmental challenges persist alongside concerns about youth vaping. The World Health Organization has warned that e-cigarettes are driving a new wave of nicotine use among children, who are nine times more likely than adults to vape. At least 15 million children vape globally according to WHO figures.While the UK government is conducting a large-scale study on vaping's impact on children, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried vaping, there is not yet clear evidence on whether the disposable vape ban has affected youth usage patterns."In short, disposables have driven the surge in youth vaping, and banning them should bring numbers down, but it won't fix everything," Marsh noted. "Big tobacco companies are already set up to adapt fast and keep the next generation using nicotine. It won't be easy."Waste management companies are calling for more comprehensive solutions, including potential deposit reward schemes and changes to vape design and pricing that would discourage disposal. The UK government maintains that the ban was necessary to address the environmental blight and youth nicotine addiction caused by single-use vapes.

Egypt's national team director, Ibrahim Hassan, has issued a warning to Mohamed Salah against making a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) when he departs Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah has been with Liverpool for nine successful years, during which he won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.Hassan expressed his preference for Salah to stay in Europe, mentioning potential offers from top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Italian league clubs. He believes a move to MLS would put Salah out of the spotlight, drawing a comparison with Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023.“I would prefer him to stay in Europe,” Hassan told On Sport. “I have heard about offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league. A move to MLS? He would be far too out of the spotlight. You won’t remember Salah any more than I remember [Lionel] Messi now; I don’t even try to watch him.”As an alternative, Hassan suggested that the Saudi Pro League could be a suitable option for Salah if he chooses not to stay in Europe, citing the presence of big names like Cristiano Ronaldo.Salah is currently sidelined by injury and away from Egypt's training camp as they prepare for the World Cup in North America. Egypt face Spain in a friendly in Barcelona on Tuesday after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Friday. The seven-times African champions are in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Iran at the World Cup.

Actor Corey Feldman, known for his role in Stand By Me, has spoken out about being omitted from the Oscars tribute to Rob Reiner earlier this month. Reiner, along with his wife Michele, was remembered during the Academy Awards' in memoriam section. Feldman expressed his feelings of being snubbed, likening it to 'a family reunion I wasn’t invited to.' He mentioned that his co-stars from Stand By Me, Jerry O'Connell and Wil Wheaton, were present at the tribute. “I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done,” Feldman said. “It was a fleeting moment, so I don’t feel like I missed much at all. Although they did a wonderful job, I would’ve liked to have heard from Wil and Jerry and a few other people up there.” Feldman also noted that plans for events to mark the 40th anniversary of Stand By Me have been scaled down following Reiner's death. “We all would’ve loved to be able to say goodbye in our own ways. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” he said. “The best way we can say goodbye is honouring him and his work … and hopefully going out there to celebrate him one last time on a big screen where it deserves to be seen.” The Reiners were found dead at their home on December 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The BBC has been plunged into a new crisis after sacking Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills over allegations about his personal conduct. Mills, who hosted Britain’s most popular radio breakfast show, was blindsided by the decision to take him off the air last Tuesday.The corporation has opted to terminate his contract after claims made against him. According to a report in the Mirror, the allegations relate to a 'historic relationship' more than 10 years ago.This dismissal is the latest crisis to hit the BBC over the alleged behaviour of one of its leading figures. The broadcaster has repeatedly said it is trying to create a culture where no one is unaccountable, after allegations against prominent presenters such as Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood.The departure took place in Tim Davie’s last week as the BBC’s director general. He announced his resignation at the end of last year after he was worn down by a series of crises including over the conduct of some BBC presenters.The BBC said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.”Replacing Mills is now likely to become one of the first big personnel decisions for Matt Brittin, the former Google executive chosen to replace Davie as director general.Mills, 53, took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in January 2025. Under his stewardship, the show’s audience increased to 6.5 million listeners, making it the UK’s most popular breakfast show.

Super League marked a major milestone on Sunday, celebrating three decades since its inception in 1996. The occasion was commemorated with a thrilling match between Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves at Headingley, one of the competition's most iconic venues. Leeds emerged victorious, edging out Warrington 26-22 in a game that could be a contender for the standout match of 2026.The Super League has consistently delivered entertainment on the field over the years, despite facing various challenges, including missed opportunities and boardroom frustrations. The competition has struggled with expansion, with several projects, such as Paris Saint-Germain and Toronto Wolfpack, failing to gain long-term traction.The Leeds Rhinos are a prime example of a club that has successfully evolved since 1996. From financial difficulties and a struggling team to becoming one of the heavyweights of the sport, Leeds has redeveloped its famous Headingley home into one of the game's best venues, attracting the biggest attendances in the competition.As Super League looks to the future, it faces the challenge of balancing the strength of its biggest clubs while finding ways to reach a wider mainstream audience. With an offer of investment from Australia's National Rugby League likely to arrive soon, the league has much to ponder about its future direction and how to capitalize on its English stars like Jake Connor, Jake Thewlis, and George Williams.

The price of oil has surged to $116 a barrel after Donald Trump's comments on seizing Iranian oil, sparking concerns over a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose by 2% in early trading on Monday.Trump told the Financial Times that his 'favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran,' which led to a significant increase in oil prices and a drop in Asian stock markets. Japan's Nikkei fell by 3%, while the South Korean Kospi dropped 3.4%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shed about 1%.The conflict in the Middle East has escalated with the arrival of 3,500 US troops and Houthi rebels in Yemen firing ballistic missiles at Israeli sites. This has led to concerns over a potential disruption in oil supplies, causing natural gas prices to increase in Europe.Analysts warn that if the conflict doesn't end quickly, crude could rise to $150 or even $200 per barrel, which could lead to a global recession. The UK's Keir Starmer is set to hold talks with bosses from Shell, BP, and Equinor to discuss emergency measures to contain the crisis.The war in the Middle East has driven Brent crude to its biggest monthly gain ever, up by 59% since the start of March. Industry figures have warned of potential temporary shortages at petrol pumps in the UK due to the conflict.

A recent survey conducted by the Football Supporters' Association has revealed that 91% of football fans believe the game is better off without Video Assistant Referees (VAR). The survey, which polled over 7,000 fans, found that the vast majority of respondents are dissatisfied with the VAR system, which has been in use for over eight years.The survey results show that only 2% of fans agree that VAR makes football more enjoyable, while 3% said it improves the experience of attending a match. In contrast, 81% of fans prefer watching matches without video technology. The survey also found that 96% of fans disagree with the statement that VAR decisions are generally resolved in a reasonable amount of time.While some fans approve of the introduction of in-stadium communication from referees to explain VAR decisions, other extensions of the VAR protocol were largely unpopular. For example, only 21% of fans agreed that VAR should adjudicate on whether corner kicks are awarded, a system set to be trialled at this summer's World Cup.The survey results may not necessarily influence the game's decision-makers, as competition organisers and big clubs are committed to the use of VAR. However, the International Football Association Board (Ifab) has announced a two-year review into the system's performance, which may lead to changes in how VAR is used.

Recent air strikes on Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) have resulted in the deaths of three PMF fighters and two Iraqi police officers. The attacks, which occurred near northern Iraq's Kirkuk Airport, also left two fighters wounded and six Iraqi soldiers injured.An Iraqi security source revealed that the double-bombing was part of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which has been spilling over into Iraq's eastern border. The PMF, a coalition now integrated into the regular Iraqi army, accused the US and Israel of a 'treacherous Zionist-American' attack.In a separate incident, Reuters reported that two members of the Iraqi police were killed in an air strike targeting the PMF in Mosul, approximately 105 miles northwest of Kirkuk. This development has contributed to the escalating tensions in the region.Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reported from Baghdad that Iraq is becoming an 'expanding battleground' in the crisis. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and now threatens to engulf the region in a protracted conflict.The PMF, formed in 2014 to fight ISIL (ISIS), has been targeted by pro-Iran armed groups within the coalition. These groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and beyond.Haque noted that the PMF takes its orders from Baghdad, but some factions are loyal to Tehran. This complex dynamic makes it challenging for Baghdad to manage the different factions effectively.Iraq finds itself 'on a tightrope' between the US and Iran, said Haque, due to its economic and security ties with both countries. The government must balance its relationships with its biggest neighbor, Iran, and the United States.In related incidents, two drones targeted an airbase serving as a hub for US and coalition forces near Erbil airport in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The US C-RAM air defence system successfully intercepted the drones.French President Emmanuel Macron described the increased attacks in Iraq as a 'worrying development' after speaking to Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdish region.