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Shortlist Revealed for the 2026 Jarman AwardsThe Film London Jarman Awards have narrowed the field to four artists competing for a £10,000 prize. The shortlist showcases a range of subjects—from silent carnivals and asbestos‑related illness to the South Asian sport of kabaddi—demonstrating how contemporary British moving‑image practice draws on historical references to imagine the future.Sadia Pineda Hameed – Anak Where Did We Stay?, a five‑channel work that blends family camcorder footage with archive material about migration, Beatlemania and 1960s political protests.Ilona Sagar – The Body Blow (2022), a two‑channel film investigating asbestos and mesothelioma in Barking and Dagenham, echoing a 1962 radio ballad.Rhea Storr – New Territories (Spectacle Is King) (2025), a silent exploration of UK carnivals that references Isaac Julien’s 1984 documentary.Alia Syed – Ka Ba Ddi – a Breath, a Move, a Game (2025), marking 40 years of experimental film work and reflecting on personal and Welsh connections.£10,000 Prize Underscores Support for Emerging Moving‑Image TalentThe award’s monetary value, £10,000, provides crucial funding for artists whose practice spans installation, multi‑channel video and archival research. While the amount is modest compared with larger arts grants, it signals sustained institutional backing for experimental moving‑image work in the UK.Why the Shortlist Matters for Britain’s Moving‑Image LandscapeBy foregrounding themes such as migration, industrial disease and cultural rituals, the shortlist reflects a broader shift toward socially engaged, historically informed art. The inclusion of diverse backgrounds—Filipino‑Pakistani, Welsh, Bahamian‑British—highlights the increasing multicultural fabric of Britain’s contemporary art scene.Looking Ahead: What the 2026 Jarman Awards Could SignalIf the shortlisted works resonate with audiences and critics, they may encourage more funding bodies to champion interdisciplinary, research‑driven video practice. The visibility of these artists could also inspire emerging creators to experiment with multi‑channel formats and archival storytelling, reinforcing the UK’s reputation as a hub for innovative moving‑image art.

Lead: Summer VAT Cut Triggers Creative Kids MenusFrom 25 June to 1 September, the UK government reduced VAT on children’s meals from 20% to 5%. Hospitality operators have quickly responded, with venues like The Blue Stoops unveiling a £25 “Tax Break Tart” menu featuring exotic items such as wild Burgundy snail salad.Enterprising Menus Aim to Capture the VAT ReliefVenue operators are experimenting with “enterprising” schemes to stretch the discount. Chris Jowsey, chief executive of Admiral Taverns, dismissed the measure as a “joke”, while Clement Ogbonnaya of the Prince of Peckham pub called it a “token gesture”. The Blue Stoops’ menu includes:Wild Burgundy snail salad with baconAnchovy butter toastBeef and oyster pieNon‑alcoholic beer to qualify for the reduced VAT“Tax Break Tart” dessertRestaurants are not required to verify a diner’s age, opening the door to potential “ID‑faking” tactics.Fiscal Impact: Treasury Cost vs. Industry SavingsEstimated annual cost to the Treasury: £10.5 bn–£13 bn.Petition for a broader VAT cut on hospitality has gathered > 200,000 signatures.Current UK VAT on hospitality: 20%; EU average: 12.8% (France, Spain, Italy at 10%; Germany at 7%).Industry Reaction and Calls for Deeper ReformHospitality leaders at the UK Hospitality conference urged a reduction of the standard VAT rate to 10%. Prominent chefs such as Tom Kerridge and Yotam Ottolenghi have voiced support, and potential Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham backs the policy. Critics argue that the temporary cut does little to offset rising energy costs, higher minimum wage, and increased business rates.Future Outlook: Political Pressure and Possible Policy ExtensionsIf the petition momentum continues, the Labour government may face pressure to make the reduced VAT rate permanent or expand it to other hospitality services. Opposition parties could leverage the scheme’s mixed reception in upcoming elections, while the industry watches for any sign of a longer‑term tax relief package.

The House of Cards of Modern Longevity In his debut book 'Morbid,' Oxford research fellow Saul Justin Newman launches a scathing attack on the anti-aging industry, arguing that the pursuit of eternal youth is built on a foundation of misleading claims and outright fraud. Newman contends that the fear of mortality has created a lucrative market for medical grifters, ranging from unqualified physicians selling elixirs to tech-bro biohackers selling 'longevity insights.' The review highlights that the current state of longevity research is not merely flawed, but fundamentally compromised by a lack of rigorous data verification. Unmasking the 'Oldest' People Newman’s investigation centers on the veracity of the world's oldest recorded individuals. He challenges the legitimacy of figures like Jiroemon Kimura, pointing out inconsistencies in their documented histories. The most damning evidence comes from the case of Sogen Kato, an official age 111 who was discovered to be a mummified husk lying dead in his home for at least 30 years. This revelation suggests a systemic failure in age verification that extends beyond individual cases. Population-Level Age Inflation The fraud is not limited to isolated individuals but appears to be a widespread phenomenon at the population level. Following the Sogen Kato scandal, Japan’s Ministry of Justice investigated the elderly population and found that 82% of those officially listed as over 100 were actually dead or missing. Similarly, in Greece, a government cleanup revealed that over 9,000 people listed as centenarians were deceased, with survivors existing only on paper to facilitate pension fraud. This systematic inflation of age statistics undermines the entire premise of 'supercentenarian' studies. The Commodification of Death Newman critiques the 'Blue Zones' phenomenon, arguing that the marketing of longevity secrets by entrepreneurs like Dan Buettner is a precursor to the biohacking movement. He specifically targets figures like Bryan Johnson, who spends exorbitant amounts on experimental treatments and sells 'longevity insights' for $365 a year. The review suggests that these commercialized approaches prioritize profit over scientific validity, turning the fear of death into a subscription service. From Snake Oil to Science The author concludes that the future of genuine longevity research must shift away from the 'snake oil' tactics currently dominating the market. Newman advocates for a return to reproducible basic research and simple, proven health interventions—such as not smoking and moving more—rather than chasing expensive, unproven elixirs. As the industry faces increased scrutiny in an era of online grifting, the call is for a rigorous adherence to the scientific method to separate genuine progress from the sordid house of cards.

Capturing the Pulse of Montreux: A Visual JourneyThe Guardian released a striking picture series that puts faces—musicians, fans, and staff—at the centre of the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the world’s most revered music gatherings. The caption “It’s stronger than a drug!” frames the collection, suggesting that the emotional intensity of the festival transcends the music itself.Portraits Reveal the Festival’s Emotional CoreEach portrait is a study in contrast: bright stage lights against weathered skin, quiet contemplation amid roaring applause. Photographers focused on candid moments—an exhausted saxophonist after a marathon set, a teenager lost in a bass line, an elder audience member swaying with decades of memories. The series demonstrates how visual media can convey the intangible energy that defines Montreux.Audience Reach and Economic FootprintWhile the gallery does not disclose exact attendance, the Montreux Jazz Festival consistently draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.The event contributes significantly to the local economy of Switzerland, supporting hospitality, transport, and ancillary cultural activities.The Guardian’s coverage amplifies the festival’s global profile, attracting new audiences and potential sponsors.Why These Images Resonate Beyond the MusicThe photographs do more than document; they humanise a large‑scale event, turning a multi‑day concert series into a series of personal stories. By highlighting the faces behind the sound, the gallery invites readers to experience the festival’s atmosphere without being physically present, reinforcing Montreux’s reputation as a cultural touchstone.Future of Festival Photography in the Digital AgeAs social media and immersive technologies evolve, festivals are likely to integrate real‑time visual storytelling into their branding. The Guardian’s curated approach—high‑resolution, editorially framed images—sets a benchmark for how traditional media can complement user‑generated content, ensuring that iconic moments retain artistic integrity while reaching broader audiences.

The Lead: John Lewis's Vote of Confidence in Glasgow Retail John Lewis is to spend £20m on a revamp of its Glasgow store in the city centre's Buchanan Galleries, demonstrating a significant vote of confidence in the shopping mall that was recently scheduled for demolition. This investment represents the largest cash injection within a wider plan to spend £50m this financial year on refreshing its shops, with department stores in Reading, Cambridge, Leicester and Liverpool all earmarked for upgrades. The Glasgow Transformation: Expanding the Retail Experience The Glasgow project includes expanding the beauty hall with a fragrance hall and gift emporium. The company announced that every corner of the 28,000 sq metre store would be upgraded, featuring a new John Lewis Platter in-house cafe-restaurant and additional women's and men's fashion labels. The lower ground floor will be the first to be completed, with a technology and sports floor due to be in place by late September. Notably, the store will remain open throughout the refurbishment process, with completion expected early next year. The Financial Impact: £800m Reboot Program John Lewis's £50m outlay is the latest phase of the 161-year-old retailer's program to spend £800m by 2029 on rebooting its 36 branches. This investment comes as the company reports positive financial results, with sales at John Lewis's department stores increasing by 3% to £4.9bn in the year to 31 January, and underlying profit up 29% to £58m. These strong results have enabled the parent group, the John Lewis Partnership, which also owns Waitrose, to pay a bonus to staff for the first time in four years. The Industry Shift: Department Store Revival Strategy The investment is part of broader attempts to revive the department store model as rivals such as Debenhams and Beales have disappeared from high streets, while House of Fraser has more than halved in size. John Lewis has been introducing new brands with cross-generational appeal, from Topshop and Carhartt in fashion to Charlotte Tilbury in beauty, to Waterstones bookshops. Peter Ruis, the managing director of the employee-owned chain, emphasized the strategic shift away from traditional department stores, stating he was "getting rid of the old stuffy department store and replacing it with something more experiential." The Future Outlook: Glasgow's Retail Renaissance The refurbishment of Buchanan Galleries' flagship tenant occurs after the mall's owner, LandSec, won planning permission for a major overhaul of the 1990s shopping center, having abandoned demolition plans. This investment in Glasgow comes as the city seeks to revive its retail center, which has been impacted by online shopping and the decline of some historical buildings. The timing coincides with Glasgow's efforts to leverage its 850th anniversary to revitalize the city center, with other developments including the conversion of the former Watt Brothers department store into a hotel. Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow city council, welcomed the investment as "a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow's retail sector" that will ensure John Lewis remains a key shopping attraction for decades to come.

The Lead: Dandelions Re‑Enter the Global Rubber Supply ChainAmid a widening natural‑rubber deficit, researchers are turning back to the Russian dandelion, Taraxacum koksaghyz, a plant once used in World War II to supplement rubber supplies.Biotech Partnership in Norwich Develops High‑Yield Russian DandelionA collaboration in Norwich is engineering a fast‑growing, high‑yield variety of the dandelion. The plants are cultivated in glasshouses using a soil‑free mist system, targeting large, rapid‑growth roots that produce latex suitable for rubber extraction.Projected Output of 3,000 Tonnes Highlights ScaleAnnual production goal: 3,000 tonnes of natural rubber.Compared with traditional Hevea brasiliensis plantations, the dandelion requires far less water and no pesticides.German manufacturers have already produced bicycle tyres from dandelion‑derived rubber.Environmental and Supply Benefits of a Soil‑Free Dandelion CropThe new crop offers several advantages: it thrives in temperate climates, reduces deforestation pressure on tropical rubber forests, and is resilient to the fungal diseases and extreme weather linked to the climate crisis.Future Outlook: Expansion of Dandelion Rubber Across EuropeIf the Norwich project meets its target, the model could be replicated in other temperate regions, providing a sustainable, locally sourced rubber alternative and easing the global supply bottleneck.

Lead: The National Library of Scotland unveils a multi‑disciplinary exhibition that puts Scotland’s legendary rain at the heart of culture, science and everyday life, inviting visitors to explore everything from James Hutton’s 1784 rain formula to the rain‑proof Mackintosh coat. James Hutton’s 18th‑Century Theory of Rain Takes Centre Stage In 1784, the father of modern geology, James Hutton, sketched a formula for the “condensation of aqueous vapour contained in the air”. The exhibition showcases his original calculations, linking the nation’s scientific heritage to today’s climate curiosity. Quantifying Scotland’s Deluge: 100‑160 bn m³ of Annual Rainfall Scotland receives between 100 bn and 160 bn cubic metres of rain each year – a staggering volume that the show visualises through historic rain maps, including a 1912 chart summarising 25 years of data. Literary Heroes, Fashion Innovations and Witchcraft Lore The display pairs beloved characters such as Minnie the Minx and poet Robert Burns with tartan samples of the rain‑proof Macintosh fabric invented by Glasgow chemist Charles Macintosh in 1823. Rare items include a Beano copy featuring a storm‑safety cartoon, an original 1597 edition of Daemonologie – the text that inspired Shakespeare’s witches – and a manuscript of Burns’s anti‑hero Tam O’Shanter fleeing a tempest. Why Rain Shapes Scottish Identity and Tourism Director of collections Alison Stevenson notes that rain permeates Scotland’s manuscripts, maps, poetry, newspapers and film. The exhibition underscores how the weather influences daily life, from clothing choices to cultural narratives, and even positions Edinburgh as one of the UK’s drier capitals despite the nation’s overall wet reputation. Future of Weather‑Centric Cultural Programming By situating scientific theory alongside popular culture, the exhibition sets a precedent for future museum projects that blend climate data with storytelling. As climate awareness grows, such interdisciplinary showcases are likely to become a staple of cultural tourism, drawing both locals and visitors eager to understand the forces that shape their environment.

Moroccan Fans Shell Out Up to Double Their Annual Salary for World Cup MatchFans from Morocco traveled to the New York‑New Jersey Stadium to watch their team face Brazil, spending amounts that rival or exceed the nation’s average yearly earnings.Cost Breakdown vs. Morocco’s $7,400 Average SalaryKamal Ait El Hadj, a 47‑year‑old villa builder, spent $5,000 on a round‑trip ticket despite receiving a free entry pass.Houssam Jeboni, 33, fish wholesaler, estimated $6,000 to attend all group‑stage matches.Salma Sebti and family projected at least $15,000 for three matches and related travel.Another unnamed fan from the travel industry expected up to $10,000 over ten days.The average annual salary in Morocco is estimated at $7,400, meaning each fan’s expenditure equals one to two years of typical earnings.Economic Inequality Highlights Access Gap to Global Sporting EventsOnly relatively affluent Moroccans can afford the luxury of trans‑Atlantic travel for a group‑stage game, underscoring a broader disparity where the cost of attending major tournaments far outpaces local purchasing power.Future Outlook: Rising Costs May Shape Fan Demographics for 2030 Co‑Host World CupAs Morocco prepares to co‑host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, ticket and travel prices are expected to climb, potentially limiting in‑person support to wealthier segments unless subsidised programmes are introduced.

The LeadSocceroos forward Awer Mabil has shared how Australia's multicultural identity is reflected in the national football team, explaining that Australians can 'feel and relate' to the team's diverse backgrounds. The 30-year-old refugee, born in a Kenyan camp to South Sudanese parents, has become a symbol of Australia's multicultural values through both his football achievements and his personal story.The Player's Personal JourneyMabil's emotional moment during a press conference in Oakland revealed his deep connection to Australia. When SBS commentator David Basheer asked a question, Mabil interrupted to express his gratitude: 'Sorry, David from SBS, right? I grew up watching you.' He explained that SBS provided his introduction to global football through its free programming: 'I grew up watching SBS as a kid, because it was free TV. So you doing the World Game, that's where I used to see all of my highlights from all over the world of football.'As a refugee who has found success in Australia, Mabil represents the multicultural fabric of the nation. His journey from a Kenyan refugee camp to the World Cup stage embodies the Australian dream that many migrants and refugees aspire to achieve.The Viral Impact of DiversityThe Socceroos' diversity video, which began with Mabil's words, has resonated powerfully across Australia. 'The reason why it went viral is because it was raw. It was not edited. It was just purely what the players wanted to say and all put together,' Mabil explained. 'It had an effect because individually Australians can feel and relate with it.'The video's impact was amplified when Nestory Irankunda scored against Turkey, becoming a lightning rod for positivity toward multiculturalism. This moment triggered a new wave of sharing the players' message about Australia's diverse identity. 'It was a moment to describe what Australia is, and Australia is a very multicultural country, and that's what makes it the best country in the world, in my opinion,' Mabil stated.The Mentorship RoleBeyond his on-field contributions, Mabil has embraced a mentorship role with younger players, particularly those with similar backgrounds. He has taken on the role of 'big brother' to fellow refugees Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda, who also grew up in Adelaide.'It's something that's special for me to see their growth over the last couple of years and their maturity has been amazing,' Mabil shared. 'I can just only be there, allow them to be themselves, and protect them when they need protection.' This mentorship reflects the team's commitment to supporting the next generation of Australian footballers from diverse backgrounds.The Global Message During Refugee WeekAs the world celebrates Refugee Week, Mabil has taken the opportunity to express gratitude to Australia and offer encouragement to displaced people globally. 'It's a week that I would like to say to anybody that is misplaced all over the world that we are with you,' he said. 'And we are on the world stage right now, a big tournament, and just to tell you everything is possible, so keep going.'Mabil's message extends beyond football, serving as an inspiration to refugees and migrants who aspire to contribute to Australian society. His success story demonstrates how Australia's multicultural policies can create pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive and represent the nation on the world stage.