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The Ultimate World Cup Bracket PredictorThe Guardian has launched an interactive World Cup bracket predictor tool, allowing fans to simulate tournament outcomes and predict their team's path to victory. This innovative "Bracketology" feature provides a comprehensive visualization of the tournament structure with customizable predictions.Interactive Tournament SimulationThe tool features a fully interactive bracket where users can:Drag and drop teams to different positions in the bracketSimulate match outcomes throughout the tournamentReset predictions to start overRandomize bracket outcomes for fun scenariosTournament Structure VisualizationThe bracket displays the complete World Cup tournament structure, including:Group stage matchups and standingsRound of 16 pairingsQuarterfinal matchupsSemifinal scenariosFinal championship matchMobile-Friendly DesignThe bracket predictor is optimized for all devices, with special considerations for mobile users including touch-friendly controls and responsive design elements that adapt to different screen sizes.Strategic Prediction FeaturesBeyond simple team selection, the tool provides insights into:Potential upsets and Cinderella storiesRegional strength analysisHistorical performance dataHead-to-head matchup historiesSharing Your PredictionsUsers can share their bracket predictions with friends through social media integration, creating engaging discussions about potential tournament outcomes and rivalries.The Future of Sports EngagementThis interactive tool represents the evolving landscape of sports journalism, combining data visualization with user engagement to create a more immersive experience for fans following the World Cup tournament.

The LeadRoman Mars, the creator of the popular podcast 99% Invisible, is launching a new podcast called A History of the United States in 100 Objects, a sequel to the series A History of the World in 100 Objects that aired on Radio 4 in 2010. The Event DetailsMars's new series, co-produced by BBC Studios, SiriusXM, and 99% Invisible, comprises 100 episodes airing across two years, each highlighting objects and designs that tell the broader story of the United States. The podcast aims to explore American history through unusual items, such as the screw thread, the Bundy Clock, a gold coin recovered from the SS Central America, and the Billy Possum. The Data AnalysisMars has been researching the series for months, reading multiple books at once and listening to audiobooks at double speed while walking his dog. He believes that the experience has been akin to "putting myself through an American Studies major". The Impact AnalysisThe podcast is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. Mars hopes to approach American history from a different perspective, using design as a lens to look at certain objects and ask what they say about America. The PredictionMars believes that his broadcasting career would not have taken off without the rise of podcasting. He notes that his voice is not a good fit for traditional radio, which prefers a clear and clipped tone. However, he has found his voice and become very relaxed behind the microphone, and he prefers to be the voice in listeners' heads rather than on video.

The HBCU Radio Preservation Project After Shaw University's WSHA radio station went on air in 1968, several other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) followed the North Carolina school's lead, launching a wave of their own. For decades, the students who worked on these channels used them to inform listeners about happenings on campus, while also playing musical selections and offering cultural programming. Preserving the Archives The HBCU Radio Preservation Project is working to ensure that the irreplaceable archives at these institutions are saved and accessible. As a result of the project's efforts, WSHA's archives are available through the American Archive of Public Broadcasting. Several other universities, including Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, have had their radio archive preserved for future generations. How the Project Works While working to preserve the archival collection of WYSO, a public radio station in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Jocelyn Robinson began wondering what collections at HBCU radio stations might include. She created a project that surveyed the radio stations to find out. Developed profiles of all the radio stations, including their founding, format, and broadcast footprint Wrote a report with recommendations for preserving radio stations in the campuses Remembering the History There is an oral history project component to the team's efforts, which is "where the storytelling becomes even more important and more apparent in the work". One of the very first oral history captures they did was with David Linton, a program director at WCOK at Clark Atlanta University, in Atlanta, Georgia, whose career started at WSHA at Shaw. Returning the History Celebrating the stations' histories helps different groups – from current students who might not be active listeners to family members of previous radio employees – understand the importance of the channels. Digitized over 1,125 hours of archival audio Visited nearly two dozen HBCU campuses Interviewed over 90 people, recording more than 140 hours of oral histories

Opening the Escher Metaverse at Somerset HouseThe new MC Escher exhibition, running from 5 June‑6 September 2026, transforms the historic London venue into a mind‑bending journey through the artist’s “metaverse” of impossible architecture and mathematical wonder.Immersive Installations Reveal the Mathematical Roots of Escher’s WorkVisitors encounter large‑scale video projections, giant metal spheres, chessboard floors and interactive sculptures that let them step inside iconic prints such as Belvedere (1958) and Waterfall (1961). The show also highlights Escher’s wartime diploma design of 1945 and his early fascination with tessellation after seeing the Alhambra.Video walls that animate the shifting staircases of RelativityMetal spheres echoing the convex‑mirror motifChessboard floor that reacts to foot trafficWhy the Exhibition Redefines the Intersection of Art and ScienceBy linking Escher’s visual paradoxes to the insights of physicist Roger Penrose and the broader pop‑culture legacy (e.g., Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma cover), the show demonstrates how mathematical concepts can inspire both fine art and popular media.What the Future Holds for Escher’s Legacy in Digital SpacesCurators suggest that the immersive format could evolve into virtual‑reality experiences, allowing global audiences to explore Escher’s impossible worlds online, keeping his “language of mathematics” alive for new generations.

The Revival of Motion Gaming For a wonderful moment in the noughties, video games became a truly universal pursuit. The Nintendo Wii flew off the shelves, inspiring a wave of competitors such as the Xbox Kinect camera that encouraged people to play games by moving their bodies. But the tide turned: outside of still-niche VR gaming and the odd controller-waggler on the Switch, motion-controlled gaming has barely been seen for more than a decade. Nex Playground Enters the Scene Now, 20 years later, a new console is aiming to get the whole family flailing in front of the TV once again: the Nex Playground. Launching in the UK later this month, the first thing that struck me about this family-friendly device is just how tiny it is. The size of two and a half Rubik’s Cubes taped together, this impressively unintrusive device swaps cumbersome controllers for camera-controlled minigames, putting you and your family directly in the game. The Technology Behind Nex Playground Using a wide-angle lens and AI-powered tracking tech, the Nex Playground offers over 50 games that track players’ bodies as they leap, flail and dance about the living room. It’s not hard to see the appeal. Physically leaping through puddles in Peppa Pig: Jump and Jiggle, dancing in time to Rick Astley on Starri and slicing up watermelons with my hands in the perennial hit Fruit Ninja, I’m impressed by how seamlessly – and accurately – the tech works. Market Performance and Pricing The Playground retails at £269 ($299) – significantly less than any other games console at the moment. But it comes with just five free games. The rest of its library is locked behind an eye-watering £90 annual subscription. In the US, where it launched in 2023, the Playground has sold over a million units, even outselling Microsoft’s Xbox consoles during 2025’s Black Friday week. Safety and Future Plans Nex appears to be taking great care to earn families’ trust. None of the camera data from Nex play sessions is saved – either offline or online – meaning that families can happily embarrass themselves without worrying that an omniscient tech firm is tracking their every movement. Online multiplayer is coming to Playground soon, via parent-controlled “playdates”, and Lee hopes that this will also help older relatives stay connected with their families. The Future of Family Gaming Game publishers who’ve previously made games for Kinect and VR are already coming to Nex, Kang says. Child-focused brands such as Hasbro, DreamWorks and Mattel have already licensed games for it, perhaps seeing it as a safer alternative to social media and smartphone platforms – a view that most parents are likely to share. The most family-friendly dedicated games console currently available, Nintendo’s Switch 2, recently raised its price to £395.99, with new games at £50+ each; a lot of families are looking for a more affordable option. Nex Playground launches in the UK on 22 June.

The Lead In a revealing interview, Mark Williams, beloved for his portrayal of Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films, shares candid insights about his experiences on set, his relationships with fellow cast members, and the enduring impact of his iconic roles on both his career and public recognition. On-Set Memories and Fellow Actors Williams reflects on the challenges and joys of filming the Harry Potter series, noting that the worst part was "being away from home and the long hours," while the best was "the work and talking to the other actors." He recalls the legendary storytelling abilities of his co-stars, particularly Michael Gambon and Richard Griffiths, whose backstage anecdotes were "brilliant, and completely unpublishable." One of the more unusual on-set activities involved browsing agricultural equipment magazines with Robbie Coltrane. "With Robbie Coltrane I used to like going through Plant Trader, which was a sales magazine for big stuff: cranes, tractors, earthmoving equipment. We never purchased anything, but we came close," Williams reveals. The Unexpected Recognition Williams shares an amusing anecdote about recognizing someone unexpected on the Harry Potter set. While filming in the Ministry of Magic, he spotted his accountant among the extras. "When we'd stopped shooting I went over and said: 'Harry? What are you doing?' He said: 'Oh, it's a group of us. We just come and do supporting artist extra work for a laugh. That guy over there is a high court judge, and he's a contract law specialist.'" This experience taught him to "never underestimate the extras," highlighting the diverse backgrounds of people working in the film industry. Career Highlights and Collaborations When asked about his favorite collaborations, Williams cites two distinct areas: working with Hugh Laurie in films like "101 Dalmatians" and "The Borrowers," and his relationships with costume departments. He recalls a particularly memorable meeting with costume designer Bunny Christie on "Shakespeare in Love," who looked him up and down and declared, "Hmm, a make, I think," making him feel like he'd "arrived" in the industry. Williams also discusses his role as Brian Williams in "Doctor Who," describing his character as "the sort of antihero," and expresses his fondness for the maritime culture of the British Isles, which he'd love to explore in a potential documentary series. Iconic Catchphrases and Public Perception The interview touches on Williams' most famous catchphrases from "The Fast Show," including "Suits you, sir" and "Nice." While he doesn't find himself frequently quoting these lines in everyday life, he reveals that his mother used to say "Which was nice" without acknowledging its origin. When asked if he's tired of hearing his catchphrases, Williams responds with characteristic humor: "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." When asked which catchphrase he wishes was his, Williams singles out Catherine Tate's "How very dare you?" as "a work of genius," noting its political undertones and versatility. Life Beyond Harry Potter Williams discusses his current role as Father Brown, revealing his love for the "Britishness" of music hall traditions and the "lunacy, the madness of it." While he has an excellent voice and can perform an uncanny George Formby impression, he hasn't pursued a singing career, though he has played Doctor Dolittle on tour. He also shares his thoughts on the Harry Potter studio tour, particularly fond of "Fluffy's paw," describing it as "a giant animatronic hand" that reminds him of Ray Harryhausen's work, noting that such creations are unique to films.

The Lead Addie E Citchens's debut novel Dominion has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize, offering a scathing critique of patriarchy through the lens of a prominent Black church family in Mississippi. The Event Details The novel, set in the fictional town of Dominion, Mississippi, revolves around the Winfrey family, particularly Rev Sabre Winfrey Jr and his wife Priscilla. The story explores the exercise of dominion through violence, charisma, piety, and male entitlement. The Character Analysis The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Priscilla and Diamond, Wonderboy's teenage girlfriend. Both women become tragically bound to Wonderboy, with Priscilla having helped create and enable him, and Diamond experiencing the cruelties that flourish under his indulgence. The Impact Analysis Citchens astutely interrogates the ways religious performance can become a theatre for power, highlighting the hypocrisy of public holiness masking private cruelty. The novel reveals itself to be a tale about inheritance: the inherited scripts of masculinity, the inherited submission of women, and the inherited sadness of towns built atop generations of grief. The Prediction Dominion has been praised for its bruising, funny, and deeply intelligent exploration of the ways women’s lives are warped by the whims and cruelty of men. The novel offers a powerful portrayal of what becomes possible when women begin to imagine lives larger than those who diminish them.

The Unlikely Revival of Mr Blobby Margaret Thatcher wasn’t to blame for the closure of Britain’s coalmines. Mr Blobby was. A harrowing spoof documentary exposed this horrific truth during the finale of Saturday Night Live UK’s debut season. Back in 1992, drilling activity at Nottinghamshire’s Grumthorpe Colliery awoke an evil entity buried underground. Mr Blobby promptly went on an unstoppable murderous rampage, ripping off miners’ limbs and becoming “an atom bomb made flesh”. The Event Details Mr Blobby being disinterred is an apt metaphor. Recent months have seen the pink-and-yellow agent of chaos unearthed and on the comeback trail. He has appeared on primetime TV shows, duetted with popstars, and convinced nostalgic punters to part with a surprising amount of cash to get their hands on Blobby-themed merchandise. What has prompted the comeback of a character once considered irredeemably naff? The Data Analysis Blobby costumes change hands for thousands of pounds on eBay. In Scotland, the Blobby-shaped iced biscuits at Bayne’s bakers (“made with natural colouring”) have become a cult bestseller to rival Gregg’s sausage rolls. The Impact Analysis For cultural historian Dr Matthew Sweet, his revival is a sign of idiotic times. “Mr Blobby is a creation of breathtaking stupidity,” he says. “His stupid name, his stupid appearance, his stupid voice and its ceaseless repetition of his own stupid name are unimaginative to the point of atavism. Somehow, his dumb relentlessness has allowed him to push through into some other territory. Maybe his blundering, lobotomised qualities strike a chord in a world that’s commonly said to be getting more stupid.” The Prediction With renewed interest and rumours afoot of further Blobby antics, don’t be surprised to see more pink-and-yellow chaos coming our way. After all, 2026 is the year of the Blobaissance. Resistance is futile. We might as well say it: blobby, blobby, blobby.

Visual Overview of the Biennial’s Core NarrativeThe Guardian’s picture‑rich report presents a snapshot of the Upstate Photography Biennial, emphasizing three intersecting motifs: lesbian rebels challenging gender norms, exotic dancing as a form of bodily expression, and domestic scenes that foreground everyday intimacy.Exploring the Three Narrative ThreadsLesbian rebels: Photographs showcase queer subjects asserting agency through bold poses and activist symbolism.Exotic dancing: Images capture kinetic performances that blur the line between art and ritual, highlighting movement as narrative.Domesticity: Intimate home settings reveal the quiet power of routine, contrasting the overt rebellion of the other themes.Why These Themes Resonate in Contemporary PhotographyBy juxtaposing radical queer visibility with sensual performance and ordinary life, the Biennial reflects a broader cultural appetite for nuanced representation. The curatorial choice underscores a move away from singular aesthetic statements toward layered, socially aware storytelling.Implications for Regional Art PlatformsHighlighting such diverse subject matter positions Upstate New York as a fertile ground for experimental photography, potentially attracting wider curatorial interest and funding. The exhibition may encourage other regional festivals to adopt similarly inclusive programming.Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for the BiennialFuture editions are likely to build on this momentum, inviting more artists who explore identity, performance and the private sphere. Continued media coverage, like the Guardian’s visual essay, will be crucial in amplifying the Biennial’s impact beyond its geographic locale.