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The Renaissance of Monteverdi on the Chiltern StageLightning strikes twice in the Chiltern Hills as director John Caird and conductor Laurence Cummings reunite for a highly anticipated revival of Monteverdi's *Il Ritorno d'Ulisse*. This production, running until 25 July at Garsington Opera, serves as a testament to the enduring power of baroque music theatre, successfully translating the 17th-century masterpiece into a contemporary sensory experience.Visual Opulence and Musical IngenuityThe production distinguishes itself through a striking visual narrative. Robert Jones has repurposed elements of the set design from the 2022 *Orfeo*, creating a verdant terrace environment surrounded by crumbling frescoes. The aesthetic is a unique fusion of Elizabethan ruffs and shimmering robes for the gods, juxtaposed with the Edwardian elegance of the mortal characters. This creates a "golden aura" that enhances the magical realism of the performance.Set Design: Repurposed terraces and frescoed walls.Atmosphere: Opulent costumes and golden lighting.Ensemble: The English Concert provides a polished performance using period instruments like the lirone, harp, and sackbuts.Cast Dynamics and Performance MetricsThe success of the production rests heavily on its vocal performances. Ed Lyon delivers a rugged and flexible tenor as Ulysses, effectively capturing the character's journey from shipwrecked mariner to triumphant king. Cecelia Hall offers a sympathetic portrayal of Penelope, balancing political pragmatism with emotional depth. The supporting cast, including James Gilchrist as the shepherd Eumete and Benjamin Hulett as Anfinomo, adds layers of character nuance to the narrative.Looking Ahead to 2028While the first half of the performance is noted for being dramatically sluggish, the overall pacing is assured. The production concludes with a promise of future artistic endeavors, setting the stage for a 2028 revival of Monteverdi's *L'incoronazione di Poppea*, further cementing Garsington Opera's commitment to baroque excellence.

The Lead: A Saxophone MasterpieceLegendary saxophonist Joe Lovano releases Paramount Quartet, a masterful album showcasing his bebop roots and free-improvisation skills alongside guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Asante Santi Debriano, and drummer Will Calhoun. The album represents a late-career triumph for the tireless saxophone maestro.The Event Details: Paramount Quartet's Musical JourneyLovano's Paramount Quartet glows with all the saxophone's pliable eloquence in a master's hands, alongside comparably free-spirited guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Asante Santi Debriano and sometime Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun. Lovano is a brilliant bebop player, but also an inspired free-improviser, creatively inhabiting the sound worlds of classic jazz, global music and more texture-based European approaches. He played Charlie Haden's First Song with Bill Frisell long ago, and here it returns on a lyrical solo guitar intro from Lage and an exquisite sax theme, spinning into long improv over vaporous guitar chords and soft, sleek runs.On the faintly Ornettish Amsterdam (featuring the tonally rich G mezzo soprano sax), symmetrical ascents and descents swell into fast improv-swapping sax/guitar improv as Calhoun's rattling percussion intensifies; Fanfare for Unity is a percussive disguised-funk dance, Wayne Shorter's Lady Day is entrancing, and Congregation summons up the communal vibe of its title.The Impact Analysis: Lovano's Legacy in JazzThe saxophone's 19th-century inventor, the Belgian Adolphe Sax, imagined hybrid horns that could combine the speed and fluency of woodwinds with the volume and punch of brass. Sneered at by traditionalists for decades, the sax was sidelined to parade bands and purring strings mimicry in dance orchestras – until jazz musicians from Sidney Bechet in the 1920s to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter and scores more contemporary originals, all the way to Joe Lovano today, put it centre stage as jazz's radiantly expressive equivalent of the classical violin.The Prediction: Future of the Paramount QuartetAs a late-career triumph from a tireless maestro of the saxophone, the Paramount Quartet album solidifies Lovano's position as one of jazz's most expressive and versatile instrumentalists. With the quartet's unique blend of traditional bebop and innovative improvisation, listeners can anticipate future collaborations and performances that continue to push the boundaries of jazz expression while honoring its rich heritage.Also Noteworthy: Contemporary Jazz ReleasesSaxophonist Joshua Redman's recent collaborations with California-born vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa have confirmed this newcomer's shrewd musicality, intelligence and heart. On Diavola (Blue Note), Redman and guitarist Jeff Parker guest on Cavassa's originals and audacious remakes, including an intimate Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, a capricious To Say Goodbye and a private, hypnotic Could It Be Magic. Tehran-born, Vienna-based guitarist Mahan Mirarab unveils a unique sound palette on Unspoken (ACT), playing a double-necked instrument with both fretted and fretless fingerboards to mingle east and west on a fascinating mix of traditional themes and covers including the Joe Zawinul/Miles Davis classic In a Silent Way. And long-running UK ensemble Empirical release Like Lambs: To the Slaughter (Whirlwind), with guests Ivo Neame on piano and David Preston on guitar, joining regulars Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (bass), and Shaney Forbes (drums/composition). Yoruba traditions, European chamber music, post-bop and free-improv mingle on this engaging trip across Empirical's ever-inviting ballpark.

The Currency Rally After the US‑Iran MoUThe rial appreciated by over 15% against the US dollar following the memorandum of understanding announced on Sunday. Exchange offices in Tehran’s Ferdowsi Street reported the official rate dropping from 1.8 million rials per dollar to 1.54 million, with expectations of further declines toward 1.4 million.Pre‑war peak: 1.9 million rials per dollar (March)Rate before recent attacks: ~1.685 million rials per dollarCurrent market rate: 1.54 million rials per dollarAmir, a 35‑year‑old exchange‑office worker, said sales volumes have risen even as buyers remain cautious.Stock Market Record Gains and Exchange‑Rate ShiftsWhile the rial steadied, the Tehran Stock Exchange experienced an unprecedented surge. The main index jumped 161,000 points in one session, then added another 112,000 points the next day, breaking the psychological barrier of 5 million and closing at a historic 5.1 million.Monday gain: +161,000 pointsTuesday gain: +112,000 pointsClosing level: 5.1 million pointsInvestors, such as Saeed, a 40‑year‑old trader, poured money into energy and petrochemical stocks, betting on resumed exports. Yet Saeed warned that “the market is often driven by rumours,” recalling the 2015 nuclear‑deal rally that later collapsed.Persisting Inflation and Consumer Price PressuresDespite the currency and market gains, everyday Iranians report little change in grocery bills. Reza, a 42‑year‑old shopper, said prices for milk, cheese, oil and flour are unchanged. Shop owners Ramin and Karim explained that subsidised staples are insulated from the free‑market dollar, while imported goods like shampoo and detergent remain priced at older, higher exchange rates. They estimate a two‑week lag before lower rates affect retail prices.Outlook: Fragile Gains Amid Structural ChallengesFormer Iran Chamber of Commerce head Hossein Selahvarzi cautioned that the agreement is “not a magic wand.” The war‑induced damage to infrastructure and long‑standing sanctions‑related structural issues mean that stability, not a single diplomatic step, will determine lasting economic recovery. Experts suggest that without coordinated policy reforms, the current optimism could wane, leaving the rial’s gains and stock market highs vulnerable to reversal.

The Rise of Michael Olise Michael Olisé is probably the best creative player in the world at the moment. He racked up 26 assists for Bayern Munich last season. It was his shift into a more central role that transformed France’s game against Senegal from drab slog to impressive victory. Olise's Unique Playing Style The confidence he always had at Crystal Palace has evolved at Bayern into a graceful fluency. In a hugely talented France side, Olise is the standout, the player who it feels might carry them to the World Cup. Yet he is something of an anomaly. A Shift in French Football's History It’s not just that he was born in White City, west London, and grew up loving cricket (his father was British-Nigerian and his mother French-Algerian), or even that, like his former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze, he spends much of his spare time playing chess. It’s that, unusually in this France side, he plays with a sense of freedom and joy. He has not yet submitted fully to Didier Deschamps’s tactical yoke, nor been curdled by his own celebrity. As such, Olise represents a key faultline in history of French football. French Football's Evolution At the 1982 World Cup, France were renowned for their carré magique, the magic square of Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Bernard Genghini. They actually played as a midfield four only in the semi-final defeat by West Germany but Seville became a myth, an idea. France may have lost on penalties despite leading 3-1 in extra time, an agonising defeat in which Patrick Battiston was knocked unconscious by Toni Schumacher, but they had played with panache, and that was French football. The Future of French Football France have a four at this World Cup who could be similarly great. It’s easy to imagine the pundits of a couple of decades’ time leaning back with a warm chuckle, and shaking their heads as they remember Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Desiré Doué and Olisé, three great products of the French academy system and a bloke who started off at Hayes & Yeading, and got his big break playing for Reading (albeit he also had stints in the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City). Imagine a team with that level of attacking talent all on the pitch at once. How could any defence ever have coped with them?

The Silicon Valley AI Reality Check Tokenmaxxing was the hottest trend in Silicon Valley earlier this year, with CEOs encouraging employees to push AI usage as far as it would go. Then the bill came due. Uber reportedly blew through its annual AI budget in a few months, some companies cut Claude licenses for parts of their org, and Meta killed its internal leaderboard. Tiffany Luck's AI Investment Philosophy This tension between hype and ROI is exactly where NEA partner Tiffany Luck lives these days. She got her start convincing companies that e-commerce was the future, and now she's all in on AI, especially when it comes to the possibilities for "magic moments" in the consumer business. The Future of Personal Agents On this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Luck joins Rebecca Bellan to talk about the future of personal agents, her thoughts on this year's AI IPOs, and how startups are stepping in to help enterprises track return on AI spend. Where AI Investment is Heading As companies continue to grapple with the balance between AI innovation and practical ROI, Luck's perspective offers valuable insights into where the industry is heading and how businesses can navigate this new technological landscape.

The AI ROI Conundrum Enterprises are still struggling to determine the return on investment (ROI) for their AI initiatives. This challenge was highlighted by the rapid adoption of AI usage earlier this year, which has since slowed down as companies face budget constraints and difficulties in measuring the effectiveness of their AI investments. The Hype and Reality of AI Adoption The trend of 'tokenmaxxing' was briefly popular in Silicon Valley, with CEOs pushing employees to maximize AI usage. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived, as companies like Uber reportedly exhausted their annual AI budgets in just a few months. Some organizations even cut back on their AI licenses, and Meta discontinued its internal leaderboard. Expert Insights from NEA's Tiffany Luck NEA partner Tiffany Luck, who has experience convincing companies of the potential of e-commerce, is now focused on AI, particularly in the consumer business. She believes AI can create 'magic moments' and joins Rebecca Bellan on TechCrunch's Equity podcast to discuss the future of personal agents, AI IPOs, and how startups are helping enterprises track AI ROI. The Role of Startups in AI ROI Tracking As enterprises struggle to measure the effectiveness of their AI investments, startups are stepping in to offer solutions. These startups aim to help companies track their return on AI spend, providing valuable insights and tools to optimize AI adoption. The Future of AI and Personal Agents Luck shares her thoughts on the future of AI, including the potential for personal agents and the impact of AI on the consumer business. Her insights provide valuable perspectives on the evolving AI landscape and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Need for Reliable Portable Charging Running out of battery on your smartphone, laptop, or other important gadgets can be disempowering. A power bank is a practical solution to this problem, offering a portable source of power to keep your devices charged on the go. Key Considerations for Choosing a Power Bank When selecting a power bank, it's essential to consider compatibility with your devices, power output, and connectivity options such as USB-C and USB-A. Ensuring the power bank can charge your specific devices is crucial. Top Power Bank Recommendations Best power bank overall: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20k (£79.99 at Argos) Best budget power bank: Belkin BoostCharge 10k with integrated cable (£14.99 at Amazon) Best power bank for portability: Anker Nano (£19.99 at Anker) Best power bank for smartphones: Anker Nano A1638 (£35.99 at Argos) Best power bank for speed and power: Cuktech 15 Ultra (£59.99 at Amazon) Best high-storage power bank: Ugreen Nexode 25000mAh 200W (£52.99 at Argos) Best power bank for multiple users: Belkin UltraCharge Pro laptop power bank 27K (£149.99 at Belkin) Testing Methodology The author tested 17 power banks by using them to charge various devices, including smartphones and laptops, and timed how long it took for each power bank to charge these devices by 30%. Devices Tested Honor Magic7 Lite smartphone (battery 6,600mAh) Honor Magic7 Pro smartphone (battery 5,270mAh) Honor Magic8 Lite smartphone (battery 7,500mAh) Honor Magic8 Pro (battery: 6,270mAh) Acer Aspire Vero 16 laptop (53Wh battery; requires 65W) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 laptop (52.5Wh battery; requires 65W)

Austria's Strong Comeback in the World Cup Austria marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence with a tense 3-1 win over debutants Jordan in their Group J opener on Tuesday. The Event Details Austria took the lead on 20 minutes through a Romano Schmid thunderbolt, but were pegged back five minutes after the break when striker Ali Olwan found space in the area and fired a sizzling shot inside the far post. Austria's veteran target man Marko Arnautovic slammed a low shot into the net from a goalmouth scramble in the 69th minute, but it was ruled out for handball by teammate Stefan Posch following a VAR review. Seven minutes later, though, Austria were celebrating again as Yazan Al-Arab deflected a Marcel Sabitzer corner into his own net, before Arnautovic slotted home a penalty deep into stoppage time after Saleem Obeid was penalised for handball. The Impact Analysis Victory lifted Austria to second place in Group J, behind reigning World Cup winners Argentina, who took the top spot after Lionel Messi's magical hat-trick steered them to a 3-0 win over Algeria earlier on Tuesday. Jordan sit third in the group, while Algeria are bottom. The Prediction With this strong start, Austria looks to be a contender in Group J. Their next match will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Messi's Historic Achievement Lionel Messi has made history by becoming the first man to appear at six World Cups. He marked this milestone with a brilliant hat-trick against Algeria, showcasing his exceptional skill and experience on the field. Mbappé's Magic for France France started slowly against Senegal but made a significant turnaround with a tweak in their strategy and some stern words from coach Didier Deschamps at half-time. Kylian Mbappé shone with two great goals, along with an impressive assist from Michael Olise. France already looks like a formidable team in the tournament. Haaland's Big Splash Erling Haaland made a strong impression on his World Cup debut, scoring a brace as Norway beat Iraq 4-1. This performance raises questions about Norway's potential as a dark horse in the tournament. Upcoming Matches and Questions The article also previews Wednesday's action, including England's match against Croatia, and answers listener questions.