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The Artist's Monument to Forgotten WorkersAn air of civilisational wipeout hangs over the Gehrenseestrasse complex, an abandoned housing estate on the north-eastern outskirts of Berlin, where the city still looks shabby without the chic. The insides of the nine prefabricated blocks have long been gutted; six floors of empty window frames stare hollow-eyed over multi-lane carriageways. In the courtyard, paintballers have left behind wooden barricades from when they played at World War III.Yet in one of the second-floor rooms of Berlin's largest ruin, artist Sung Tieu is waltzing across the concrete floor and reliving scenes from her childhood. "Here was the single bed I shared with my mother for three years," she says, pointing into a corner of the small room. "Two metres by 90cm, can you believe it?" There in the corridor is where her neighbours used to make bánh bao dumplings on camping stoves, for lack of private kitchens. "I still remember the smell." Here was the door through which she used to entertain her best friend when his mother locked him in during working hours. "We played cards through the gaps," she recalls with glee.But she also still remembers where neo-Nazis tried to throw molotov cocktails into the building: "They eventually set up a net because the windows kept on getting smashed".The Mosaic Recreation of a Lost CommunityThese days, few people have heard of the Gehrenseestrasse complex, whose last tenants left in 2002. But if Tieu had her say, it would be as essential a stop on the tourist trail as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag or Checkpoint Charlie. There is, in her view, no place that better tells the story of the Vertragsarbeiter generation – the oft-forgotten workers who were hired on fixed-term contracts from socialist "brother states" in Vietnam, Mozambique, Angola or Cuba to boost the East German economy. "To me, this place is a monument," says Tieu.By the end of this summer, many more people in Germany – and art enthusiasts around the globe – will know about her childhood home. For this year's Venice Biennale, Tieu has clad the German pavilion with a like-for-like replica of the complex's facade, recreating the grey concrete and smudges of graffiti with three million mosaic stones made in Ravenna. She conceived the pavilion in tandem with the artist Henrike Naumann, who died in February from cancer aged only 41.Bureaucracy as Artistic MediumThe woman I meet at a Vietnamese restaurant in Berlin's Lichtenberg district is the antithesis of that exoticised cliche: modest, dressed all in black, analytical in her answers to my questions. She talks me dispassionately through the more experimental food options on the menu, but comes alive when explaining bilateral treaties and labour regulation."I really try to avoid the pure post-migrant diaspora narratives. By focusing on individual experience you can lose sight of the bigger picture. Contracts, state treaties, floorplans – that's what I am interested in. There has to be a certain formal toughness."Looking through her catalogue raisonné you are reminded of Marcel Duchamp. You see an artist dedicating her career to seeking ever more minimalist ways to express the same idea, from Cubist painting to readymade to annotations of chess moves. And in Tieu's case, that big idea is bureaucracy. In 2015, she reprogrammed the scrolling LED displays at a shop inside the Dong Xuan Centre, Berlin's largest Asian market, to display the texts of immigration treaties. For a group show at Berlin's Haus der Kulturen der Welt in 2024, she transcribed by hand documents from the national archives on the East German porcelain industry, authenticating them with her own ornamental stamp. Her website, fittingly, is just a long index of file names and a deadpan biography section: "Sung Tieu is an artist."Childhood Trauma and Artistic Vision"I think it's also a childhood trauma," she says when I ask her where her interest in bureaucracy comes from. "I've had to fill out forms for my mother since I was five, since she didn't speak any German. And by the time I was seven my German was better than hers. Bureaucracy was part of my childhood – I studied politics and administration because I wanted to understand it."Born in 1987 in Hai Duong, northern Vietnam, Tieu moved with her mother to what was by then the formerly socialist East German regions in 1992. They were joining up with her father, who had moved to the GDR five years earlier via a bilateral agreement for factory workers from the socialist republic.Initially announced in the romantic spirit of ideological solidarity, the treaty between the two states soon became a more hard-nosed deal, addressing ongoing labour shortages in East Germany while helping to rebuild a war-ravaged Vietnam, which took a...The Legacy of Forgotten WorkersTechnically there was no racism in the GDR, because it wasn't documented. But of course it always existed. This is the uncomfortable truth that Tieu's installation confronts – the erasure of immigrant experiences in official narratives, even as these workers were essential to East Germany's economy.Through her art, Tieu transforms personal memory into collective history, giving voice to the thousands of contract workers who built East Germany but were never fully acknowledged as part of its society. The Venice Biennale installation, with its meticulous recreation of a housing complex that many would prefer to forget, serves as both memorial and critique – a reminder that the stories of immigrants are integral to understanding modern Germany.The Future of Migration Narratives in ArtAs Europe continues to grapple with questions of migration and identity, artists like Sung Tieu are pioneering new forms of expression that move beyond personal stories to examine the structures and systems that shape immigrant experiences. By focusing on bureaucracy, architecture, and official documents, Tieu creates art that is both deeply personal and universally relevant.The Venice Biennale platform ensures that these often-overlooked histories reach a global audience, challenging visitors to reconsider their understanding of migration, labor, and belonging. As Tieu continues her exploration of these themes, we can expect more installations that transform bureaucratic systems into powerful artistic statements, creating spaces where the voices of the marginalized can be heard and remembered.

The Lead Cal Flyn's book, The Savage Landscape, is a wondrous personal journey to locate and understand wilderness. It's a work of extraordinary physical and narrative movement that takes us from the depths of the ocean to volcanoes and icebergs, but is also a journey into our own psyches, and the stories we tell ourselves about “wild” landscapes. Exploring the Human Connection to Wilderness Off the coast of California, two miles down, there exist geothermal nurseries: gatherings of tens of thousands of small violet octopuses, each the size of a grapefruit. Known as pearl octopuses (Muusoctopus robustus), they congregate around hydrothermal springs which warm their eggs, allowing them to hatch in less than two years (in cold water it can take 10 years). When I want to calm my mind, I think of these gatherings, this factory of octopuses powered by the Earth’s energy that exists quietly away from our gaze, and might easily never have been discovered. How many more such worlds exist? The Fiction of Untouched Wilderness The notion of untouched wilderness is a fiction, and Flyn continually pulls the rug from under our assumptions about purity, wildness and isolation. At the Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite, in Egypt’s eastern desert, she talks with a coptic monk who has dedicated himself to a life of isolation and prayer, and yet continually checks his smartphone. Aboard a cruise ship in the Southern Ocean, Flyn admires icebergs crashing down, “a silent display of staggering sublimity”, only to reflect on the clutter left behind by tourists and scientific researchers on the Antarctic landmass; according to one group of researchers, only 31% of Antarctica can now be considered “inviolate”. The Impact of Human Activity on Wilderness In Transylvania, home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe, she explores painful stories of people and wildlife in conflict. Bears and wolves fared well in Europe until the destruction of their habitat in the middle ages brought them into direct contact with local populations. These creatures can be savage, and Flyn spares little detail in her evocation of the damage they can wreak to human flesh, but the most terrifying creature in the chapter is not ursine or lupine: it is a local’s sheepdog, a domesticated animal whose snarl is “a white noise of pure violence”. The Future of Wilderness and Conservation Flyn sees in the Bon a kind of inspiration: “Sacred landscapes of the kind found in Dolpo,” she writes, “effectively comprise the world’s oldest conservation projects, and there is a lot that we can learn from their longevity.” I don’t know how the beliefs and practices of the Dolpo might be applied at the bottom of the sea, but surely Flyn is right: if we are to escape the course of ecological destruction, we will need more stories, like hers, that can reignite a sense of awe and respect for the worlds we know, and others yet undiscovered.

On 11 May 2026, renewed clashes erupted in eastern DR Congo, raising fresh doubts about the durability of the cease‑fire signed earlier this year between the government and the M23 rebel group. International mediators warned that the surge in violence could unravel months of diplomatic work aimed at stabilising the region. The Escalation of Violence Threatening the Recent Truce Fighting broke out in the North Kivu province, the same area where the May 2026 truce was brokered. Both sides exchanged artillery fire, and reports indicated displacement of civilians into nearby camps. UN peacekeepers were placed on heightened alert, urging both parties to respect the cease‑fire. Human Toll and Economic Disruption: What the Numbers Reveal Preliminary casualty figures remain unverified, but local NGOs estimate dozens injured. Displacement numbers are expected to rise, adding pressure to already strained humanitarian resources. Mining operations, a key revenue source for the government, have been temporarily halted in the conflict zone. Regional Stability at Risk: Implications for Central Africa The violence threatens to spill over into neighboring Rwanda and Uganda, countries that host large numbers of Congolese refugees. The African Union and the United Nations have called for an emergency summit to reaffirm commitment to the peace process. Continued instability could deter foreign investment and exacerbate poverty in the Great Lakes region. What Comes Next? Prospects for Renewed Negotiations Diplomats are pushing for a rapid cease‑fire verification mission by UN forces. Both the Congolese government and M23 have signaled willingness to return to talks, contingent on security guarantees. Long‑term peace will likely depend on inclusive dialogue that addresses underlying grievances over land and resource control.

Escalating Violence Despite CeasefireIsraeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least four people and wounded eight others, according to Lebanese media reports. The attacks occurred despite a formal ceasefire agreement that began on April 17 and was later extended to mid-May, highlighting the fragile nature of the current truce in the region.Details of Recent AttacksThe state National News Agency (NNA) reported that two men were killed and five others injured in an air raid on the town of Ebba in Nabatieh. Additionally, a drone strike on a car in the town of Haris in Bint Jbeil district killed one man and injured his brother. Israeli warplanes also targeted the home of a former municipal chief in Sajd, with other strikes reported in Kfar Rumman and Safad al-Battikh.Notably, two medics were wounded when an air strike hit a civil defense team affiliated with the Islamic Health Society in Toul in Nabatieh, as they were responding to an earlier attack. This incident raises concerns about the targeting of emergency responders in the conflict zone.Human Cost MountsSince March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,840 people in Lebanon, injured almost 8,700 and displaced more than a million, according to Lebanese figures. These staggering numbers underscore the severe humanitarian crisis developing in southern Lebanon as the conflict continues despite diplomatic efforts.Forced Displacement and Military OperationsAhead of the attacks, the Israeli army issued a forced displacement threat for nine towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, including Rihan, Jarjou, Kfar Rumman, Nmairiyeh, Arabsalim and Harouf in Nabatieh, and Jmayjmeh, Mashghara and Qlayaa in eastern Lebanon. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents to evacuate due to what he called Hezbollah infrastructure in the towns.The Israeli military reported that a soldier was killed by a drone launched by Hezbollah near the border, while three Israeli soldiers were injured by a booby-trap drone explosion in southern Lebanon. These incidents demonstrate the continued exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah despite the ceasefire.Diplomatic Efforts Amidst TensionsThe United States is preparing to host more peace talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington on Thursday and Friday. However, Hezbollah has criticized the Lebanese government for taking part in these talks, indicating potential divisions within Lebanon regarding the peace process.The upcoming talks come at a critical juncture as the ceasefire extension approaches its deadline, raising concerns about potential escalation if diplomatic efforts fail to produce sustainable solutions to the conflict.

Lead: Revolution’s Unexpected Surge in the EastThe New England Revolution have vaulted to second place in the MLS Eastern Conference, surprising many after missing the previous two postseasons. Led by first‑year head coach Marko Mitrović, the team has turned a shaky start into a credible title push. Revolution's Rise Under First‑Year Coach MitrovićMitrović inherited a squad lacking recent playoff experience but rich in talent. Carles Gil continues to be one of the league’s premier playmakers, delivering the equaliser against Philadelphia and scoring the winning goal later in the match. Supporting him, Luca Langoni provided the decisive corner‑kick assist, while goalkeeper Matt Turner remains in fine form. Center‑back Mamadou Fofana has emerged as an early candidate for the season’s Best XI. Statistical Snapshot: Low xG, High Point Recovery13 xG through 11 games – last in the East and fourth‑worst league‑wide (American Soccer Analysis)Sixth‑to‑last in expected goal differenceRecovered 12 points from losing positions – the most in the conference Impact on the Eastern Conference LandscapeThe Revs’ ability to claw back points from behind has reshaped the mid‑table scramble. Their resurgence puts pressure on traditional powerhouses like Inter Miami and Nashville SC, while also highlighting the importance of defensive stability and creative midfield play in the MLS. Outlook: Can the Revs Sustain Momentum?With the summer transfer window approaching, the Revolution must address their low xG output to become more reliable offensively. If Mitrović can fine‑tune the attacking system and bolster depth, the team could maintain its second‑place standing and challenge for a playoff berth.

The Lead: A Wake-Up Call for Urban Britain When record-breaking temperatures of 40C hit the UK in July 2022, few expected the catastrophic consequences that would unfold in Wennington, a village on the eastern edge of London. What began as a field fire rapidly escalated into a disaster that destroyed 18 homes and exposed the nation's unpreparedness for extreme climate events. This event marked a turning point in understanding how climate change is transforming the UK's wildfire risk profile, shifting from a problem associated with Mediterranean countries to an immediate threat to British communities. The Event Details: The Day London Almost Burned The Wennington fire unfolded with terrifying speed and intensity. Residents Lynn Sabberton and Terry were forced to flee their home with nothing but the clothes they were wearing as police officers kicked down their door to rescue them from the unprecedented heat. The fire had leapt from a nearby field into the heart of the village, catching everyone by surprise. In total, 70 houses were destroyed across the UK that day in 600 separate wildfires – the largest loss of British housing to fire in modern history. The London Fire Brigade (LFB), one of the world's largest firefighting organizations, found itself completely overwhelmed. All 142 fire engines were deployed, and incident commanders made desperate appeals for additional crews, hoses, and water that could not be met. Firefighters faced extreme conditions, with their protective suits becoming so sodden with perspiration that one officer described wearing them as being "a boil-in-the-bag meal where you're literally being cooked." The Data Analysis: Modeling a Catastrophe New research commissioned for the book "The Response" has revealed just how close the UK came to a far more devastating disaster. Dr. Tom Smith, an associate professor in environmental geography at the London School of Economics, used the Canadian wildfire model Prometheus to run simulations of the Wennington fire. His research explored how minor shifts in wind direction could have dramatically altered the outcome. In the worst-case simulation, the fire rapidly spread to destroy 120 homes – a result that made "my hair stand on end," according to Smith. This modeling demonstrates the terrifying potential of urban wildfires in densely populated areas where buildings are constructed close together with flammable materials. The research underscores how relatively small changes in weather conditions could transform a manageable incident into a catastrophe. The Impact Analysis: Changing Perceptions and Preparations The Wennington fire forced a fundamental shift in how the UK perceives and prepares for wildfire threats. Previously considered a problem more relevant to California or southern Europe, the event revealed the nation's vulnerability to extreme climate events. The London Fire Brigade, which had recognized that higher temperatures would increase wildfire risk but had limited experience with actual wildfires, was caught unprepared. In response, the brigade has implemented significant changes. All crews have undergone wildfire training, and a fleet of all-terrain vehicles and specialized equipment, including giant sprinklers, has been purchased. However, the brigade's commissioner has publicly acknowledged that further investment will be needed to meet future wildfire challenges effectively. The event also exposed systemic weaknesses in the UK's approach to climate resilience. Water supplies, including those needed for firefighting, remain in private hands, hampering emergency response. In Wennington, the first crew at the scene was hampered by weak pressure in the mains water supply, highlighting critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. The Prediction: The Future of Wildfires in Urban Britain Experts warn that the Wennington fire could be just the beginning of a new era of urban wildfires in the UK. Sami Goldbrom, a London Fire Brigade group commander who has led research into future threats, expressed concern that the destruction in July 2022 could have been far greater if winds had been stronger. "Think of all the houses so close together, we're so densely populated," he said. "There's nothing to say that the fire couldn't have spread all the way through and where would it stop? And we've got terraces, high-rise buildings, all that flammable cladding. It could so easily have been a second Great Fire of London." As climate change continues to drive higher temperatures and more extreme weather events, the UK must confront the growing threat of wildfires in urban areas. The lessons from Wennington provide a critical opportunity to develop more resilient infrastructure, improve emergency response capabilities, and implement land-use planning that accounts for changing climate risks. Without such measures, the nation risks facing increasingly frequent and destructive wildfires that could overwhelm emergency services and devastate communities.

The LeadFormer US President Donald Trump has labeled Iran's response as "totally unacceptable" amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The statement reflects the continuing strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran, with significant implications for Middle East stability.The Political StatementTrump's characterization of Iran's response as "totally unacceptable" comes during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. While the specific context of Iran's response remains unclear in the provided information, such strong language from a former US president indicates significant diplomatic friction. The statement underscores the ongoing challenges in US-Iran relations, which have been strained since Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.Regional ImplicationsThe exchange highlights the shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran's actions and responses are closely watched by regional allies and adversaries alike, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states. The strong language from Trump suggests that the issue may have implications beyond bilateral relations, potentially affecting regional security arrangements and energy markets.Future OutlookGiven the history of US-Iran tensions, this latest development could lead to further diplomatic isolation of Iran or potentially trigger a series of retaliatory measures. The international community, particularly European nations involved in the nuclear deal, may attempt to mediate the situation. However, without concrete policy proposals from current US administration officials, the long-term impact of Trump's statement remains uncertain.

Why This Week Is Ideal for Spotting VirgoDuring the northern spring months, the Virgo constellation rises high enough for comfortable naked‑eye observation, making it the perfect target for casual stargazers and seasoned astronomers alike.Virgo’s Position in the Spring Night SkyVirgo sits between the bright Leo to the west and the similarly faint Libra to the east. A sky chart for London at 2300 BST on Monday shows the same view throughout the week, with the constellation appearing due south.Visibility Timings and Observational DataPrime viewing hour: 2300 BST (London) – same window all week.Southern‑hemisphere observers see Virgo high in the eastern sky during the early evening.Location: Between the ecliptic line followed by the Sun, Moon and planets, classifying Virgo as a zodiacal constellation.Historical and Mythological Roots of VirgoVirgo appears in Ptolemy’s 2nd‑century catalogue of 48 constellations, though its origins trace back to 10th‑century BCE Babylonian astronomy. The Babylonians identified it with the goddess Shala, while the Greeks linked it to Demeter, the harvest deity. Its brightest star, Spica, is traditionally visualized as an ear of wheat held by the maiden.Occasionally, Virgo is depicted holding the scales of the neighboring constellation Libra, symbolizing justice.What Skywatchers Can Expect in the Coming WeeksVirgo will remain well‑placed throughout the spring, gradually moving westward as the season progresses. By early summer, the constellation will set earlier each night, giving observers a shrinking window before it dips below the horizon. Enthusiasts planning longer sessions should aim for the current week’s 2300 BST slot for the clearest view.

Lead: Knicks Deliver Historic Sweep in PhiladelphiaThe New York Knicks wrapped up a 144‑114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers to close out a 4‑0 series sweep, highlighted by an NBA postseason record of 11 three‑pointers in the opening quarter.Knicks Set NBA Postseason Record with 11 Threes in First QuarterIn Game 4, the Knicks erupted early, converting 11 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc – a mark that ties the league’s best for a single quarter. Deuce McBride spearheaded the barrage, hitting four consecutive threes to spark a 20‑6 run and becoming the first Knick since 1997 to make four threes in the first quarter of a playoff game.Jalen Brunson added two threes in the quarter, contributing to the Knicks’ 11‑of‑13 shooting display.Josh Hart and Karl‑Anthony Towns each tallied 17 points.The Knicks finished the half with 54 points from 18 threes.Statistical Breakdown: 25 Threes, 144 Points, 30‑Point VictoryDeuce McBride finished with 25 points and tied the NBA postseason record by draining 25 three‑pointers. The team’s shooting efficiency translated into a 30‑point margin, the widest in a series‑closing game this postseason.Total threes: Knicks 25 (tied record), 76ers 13First‑half lead: Knicks 81‑57Series sweep: Knicks’ first best‑of‑seven sweep since the 1999 East semifinals.What the Sweep Means for the Eastern Conference LandscapeThe dominant performance not only propels the Knicks into the Eastern Conference finals for a second consecutive year but also signals a shift in fan dynamics. Thousands of Knicks supporters filled the Wells Fargo Center, waving “Always Knicks” towels and even raising brooms to mock the home crowd, underscoring the team’s growing national brand.For the 76ers, the loss extends a franchise‑wide drought: they have not advanced past the second round since 2001. Despite Joel Embiid scoring 24 points and Tyrese Maxey adding 17, the series highlighted Philadelphia’s defensive vulnerabilities against high‑volume three‑point shooting.Looking Ahead: Knicks’ Path to the Conference Finals and BeyondNew York now awaits the winner of the Cleveland‑Detroit series, a matchup currently led by the Pistons 2‑1. Coach Mike Brown, who replaced Tom Thibodeau last season, has already guided the Knicks to seven straight playoff wins.Key challenge: Containing the Eastern powerhouse that emerges from the Cleveland‑Detroit clash.Potential storyline: Whether the Knicks can sustain their three‑point firepower against a defensively disciplined opponent.Long‑term implication: A deep playoff run could cement the Knicks’ resurgence after a 25‑year conference‑final drought.