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The Guardian’s latest photo feature offers a vivid look at Steve McQueen’s exhibition titled “Grenada”, a work that intertwines art and history through a series of compelling images.Central to the visual narrative are flowers that have “witnessed horrific things”, serving as silent witnesses to the island’s turbulent past. The photographs juxtapose the natural beauty of the flora with the lingering shadows of colonial trauma, inviting viewers to contemplate the complex legacy of Grenada.Each picture is carefully composed to highlight the contrast between the bountiful landscape and the weight of historical memory, underscoring McQueen’s intent to provoke reflection on how beauty can coexist with suffering.By presenting the exhibition in a picture‑rich format, the article allows readers to experience the emotional depth of the work without leaving the page, emphasizing the power of visual storytelling in contemporary art.

The documentary Kinaesthesia delves into the dreamlike qualities of early cinema, showcasing a treasure trove of visions from the 1910s and 1920s. Director Gerald Fox draws on the theories of late Harvard film studies professor Vlada Petrić, who posited that early cinema pioneers employed techniques to activate the brain similar to those experienced during dreams.Luis Buñuel's Un Chien Andalou, co-written with Salvador Dalí and inspired by their dreams, is a seminal work featured in the documentary. Its surreal images, including a razor slicing through an eyeball and rotting donkeys strapped to grand pianos, continue to shock and disturb nearly a century later.The film is a greatest hits collection of experimental early cinema, featuring works by FW Murnau, Fritz Lang, Sergei Eisenstein, and Oleksandr Dovzhenko. Notably, it includes Teinosuke Kinugasa's A Page of Madness, a 1926 film set in a psychiatric hospital that was long believed lost but later found in a sake barrel.The documentary also highlights the contributions of avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren, with a dedicated section showcasing her brilliance. While the narration by Fox can be somewhat hammy and the dramatic sections featuring Goran Kostic as Professor Petrić add little value, the film remains required viewing for anyone interested in the history of cinema.Kinaesthesia is set to release in UK and Irish cinemas from April 17, 2026.

Moya Brennan, the celebrated voice behind Irish folk ensemble Clannad, passed away at the age of 73 in her native County Donegal, surrounded by family. The 73‑year‑old had been living with pulmonary fibrosis and was awaiting a possible double‑lung transplant when she died peacefully. Born 4 August 1952 in Dublin as Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin, she grew up in a large musical family that performed in their local pub. She later honed her craft at the Royal Irish Academy of Music before co‑founding Clannad in 1970 with her brothers and two uncles. Clann2’s early breakthrough came at the Slógadh Youth Festival, where a prize‑winning performance secured a Polydor contract—though the band members were too young to sign. Their commitment to singing in the Irish language set them apart; as Brennan recalled in 2022, they felt they were “letting the language down” but fell in love with its melodies. The group’s commercial breakthrough arrived in 1983 with the album Magical Ring and its hit single “Theme from Harry’s Game.”strong> The track reached No. 5 on the UK Top 40, earned Clannad a historic appearance on Top of the Pops as the first act to perform in Irish, and paved the way for a BAFTA‑winning score for the ITV series Robin of Sherwood. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Brennan earned the moniker “first lady of Celtic music,” garnering praise from peers such as Bono of U2 and contributing vocals to major film soundtracks including Titanic and King Arthur. Her sister Eithne, later known as Enya, also emerged from Clannad before launching a wildly successful solo career. Beyond her musical achievements, Brennan’s personal journey was marked by hardship. She publicly discussed a 1972 abortion in England, subsequent substance use, an 18‑month marriage to fellow musician Pat Farrell, a miscarriage in 1987, and a brief relationship with U2’s Adam Clayton. A deepening Christian faith after the miscarriage helped her overcome addiction, and she later married photographer Tim Jarvis in 1990, a partnership she credited with ending her drug use. Her solo discography began with the critically acclaimed album Máire in 1992 and continued through 2024’s Voices & Harps IV with Cormac de Barra. Brennan also devoted considerable energy to philanthropy, working with Christian Blind Mission Ireland on projects across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Brazil, and Tanzania, and supporting programs for those battling drug and alcohol dependency. In 2002 she officially adopted the stage name Moya Brennan, formalising the change by deed poll in 2009. Over the years she collaborated with a diverse roster of artists, from Shane MacGowan and Robert Plant to Bruce Hornsb​y, the Doobie Brothers, and Ronan Keating. Brennan is survived by her husband Tim Jarvis and their two children. In a 2022 interview she attributed her resilience in the face of her lung disease to her Christian faith, stating, “I know God is with me… that’s where my strength comes from.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its list of 2026 inductees, showcasing a diverse range of artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry. Phil Collins, known for hits like 'In the Air Tonight' and 'One More Night', will be inducted, despite already being part of the hall as a member of Genesis. Collins has earned eight Grammys, including album of the year in 1985 for 'No Jacket Required'.Oasis, the iconic Britpop band, will also be inducted, marking a significant recognition of their impact on the music scene. Sade, the soul-jazz vocalist, is another notable inductee, known for songs like 'Smooth Operator' and 'The Sweetest Taboo'. This will be her second nomination, following her first in 2024.The Wu-Tang Clan will be recognized as rap innovators, having released their game-changing debut album 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' in 1993. Other inductees include Iron Maiden, who helped power the new wave of British heavy metal, and Luther Vandross, who sold over 25m albums and inspired artists like Kendrick Lamar and SZA.The induction ceremony will take place on November 14 at the Peacock theater in Los Angeles. In addition to the performer category, the Hall of Fame will also celebrate contributions across three special categories: early influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award.This year's early influence category will honor Queen Latifah, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons. The musical excellence category will recognize songwriter Linda Creed and producers Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin. The Ahmet Ertegun non-performer award will go to Ed Sullivan, the legendary host of the eponymous TV show that launched many musical icons of the 1950s and 1960s.

Qantas announced a fare increase and a 5% reduction in domestic capacity for May and June, responding to a rapid shift in passenger demand away from airlines that transit the conflict‑ridden Middle East. In a market update released on Tuesday, the carrier said it is redeploying aircraft from its U.S. and domestic networks to capture strong interest in Europe‑bound travel, especially to Paris and Rome. The move follows service cuts by Persian Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, which have scaled back flights amid the escalating Iran conflict. To accommodate the new focus, Qantas and its low‑cost arm Jetstar will cut capacity across their domestic networks by about 5%, trimming frequencies on key inter‑city routes and suspending several regional services. Four temporary suspensions will take effect in mid‑May: Melbourne‑Hamilton Island, Melbourne‑Coffs Harbour, Sydney‑Busselton and Darwin‑Gold Coast. In addition, the Adelaide‑Mount Gambier route will be discontinued indefinitely due to low demand and soaring fuel costs. The airline warned that its jet‑fuel expenses are set to rise sharply, projecting a second‑half 2026 fuel bill of $3.1‑$3.3 billion, up from the previously forecast $2.2 billion. This surge is driven by higher oil prices linked to the Iran conflict. To offset the cost pressure, Qantas has already raised ticket prices and signalled that “further action” – likely additional fare hikes – may be necessary. While airlines typically use hedging contracts to lock in fuel prices, the current volatility limits the effectiveness of such safeguards. Following the market update, Qantas shares slipped more than 3% in early trading before stabilising, reflecting investor concern over the combined impact of higher fares, reduced domestic capacity, and elevated fuel costs.

In a forceful statement released on Monday, a panel of 13 United Nations experts demanded that Israel halt all attacks on displaced Palestinians sheltering in Gaza and cease the accelerating forced‑displacement campaign in the occupied West Bank. Israeli air strikes in March set fire to tents housing Gaza’s internally displaced people, causing numerous fatalities, the experts noted, describing the tactic as part of a broader strategy to make life untenable for Palestinians. “This cycle of displacement, terror, and targeted attacks serves an ultimate purpose: to make life unbearable for Palestinians and permanently force them from their land,” the panel declared, underscoring the systematic nature of the violence. The experts warned that the targeting of makeshift shelters violates international humanitarian law and amounts to a grave breach, given that the majority of Gaza’s population has already endured multiple forced transfers. Beyond the immediate danger of bombardment, civilians living in tents face severe health threats—including hunger, exposure to freezing temperatures, flooding, and a lack of basic services. Women and children, the panel stressed, bear a disproportionate share of deprivation. Turning to the West Bank, the panel condemned what it described as a “sharp escalation in forced displacement” driven by the Israeli army and “state‑backed settler terrorism.” Daily attacks have resulted in killings, injuries, and the widespread destruction of homes, farmland, and livelihoods. According to a 2025 report from the UN Human Rights Office, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced amid the expansion of illegal settlements, a figure the experts say illustrates a broader policy of ethnic cleansing across the occupied Palestinian territory. The panel urged Israel to end all forced‑displacement activities in the West Bank and to facilitate the safe return of those uprooted. It also called on the international community to uphold its legal obligations, launch independent investigations, and refrain from providing assistance that could enable the continuation of the occupation. The 13‑member panel includes UN special rapporteurs such as Francesca Albanese (occupied Palestinian territory), Paula Gaviria Betancur (rights of internally displaced persons), Michael Fakhri (right to food), and Reem Alsalem (violence against women and girls).

Benin’s presidential contest is tilting decisively toward the incumbent government’s nominee, Romuald Wadagni, after his only challenger, Paul Hounkpe of the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party, publicly acknowledged defeat on national television. Hounkpe’s concession, aired on Monday, included a call for “republican congratulations” and a reminder that democratic health depends on mutual respect across partisan lines, as reported by AFP. Currently serving as foreign minister, Wadagni is the designated successor of President Patrice Talon, who is stepping down after two consecutive five‑year terms. The election follows a turbulent period marked by a foiled coup in late 2025, which was suppressed with the aid of Nigerian forces. Out of an electorate of nearly 8 million eligible voters, early voting proceeded at a modest pace, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Ahmed Idris reporting from Cotonou. Hounkpe’s campaign highlighted that despite a robust 7.5% GDP growth in 2024, the benefits have not sufficiently improved living standards, pointing to persistent poverty rates exceeding 30% and limited trickle‑down of economic gains. In contrast, Wadagni pledged to focus on essential services such as water access, expanded social security, and improved healthcare, positioning himself as a continuity candidate for the ruling coalition. The finance minister, who previously led the polls, was widely expected to prevail after the main opposition party, the Democrats, failed to nominate a candidate and declined to endorse Hounkpe. The Democrats also fell short of the 20% threshold needed for parliamentary representation in the January 2026 elections, securing only about 16% of the vote. Security concerns loom large for the incoming administration. The northern region continues to grapple with insurgent activity from the al‑Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin (JNIM), which has inflicted heavy casualties on the military, including an attack last year that killed 54 soldiers and another incident in March that claimed 15 lives. These challenges are compounded by broader instability across the Sahel, where a succession of coups in neighboring states such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali has heightened regional volatility. While Wadagni’s ascent promises policy continuity, the new president will need to address both the security vacuum in the north and the socioeconomic gap that leaves a third of Benin’s population in poverty despite recent economic growth.

Match details: Atletico Madrid will meet Barcelona on Tuesday at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT) in the Metropolitano Stadium for the Champions League quarter‑final second leg. The fixture decides which side advances to the semi‑finals. After a 2‑0 first‑leg triumph at Camp Nou, Atletico enter the tie as favourites despite trailing Barcelona in the La Liga table. Their advantage stems from goals by Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sörloth, who capitalised on a red card for Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Barcelona, the reigning Spanish champions, are desperate to overturn the deficit. They bolstered their domestic campaign with a 4‑1 win over Espanyol, extending their lead over Real Madrid to nine points. Ferran Torres netted a brace, assisted by teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, while Marcus Rashford added the fourth. Atletico’s weekend league performance was less convincing, suffering a 2‑1 loss to Sevilla after heavy rotation by Diego Simeone. The loss left them fourth in La Liga with 57 points, four behind Villarreal. Historical context: The two clubs have met 251 times, with Barcelona winning 115 matches, Atletico 79 and 57 draws. Their recent knockout encounters include Atletico’s victories in the 2014 and 2016 quarter‑finals, both decided over two legs. Team news: Atletico will miss Marc Pubill (suspension) and have Jose Giménez, Pablo Barrios and David Hancko listed as doubtful. Barcelona’s defender Pau Cubarsi is suspended, replaced by Ronald Araujo. Injuries rule out Marc Bernal, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen. Predicted line‑ups: Atletico – Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Llorente, Koke; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez.Barcelona – Joan Garcia; Koundé, Araujo, Martín, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski. Managerial insights: Simeone stressed the need to stay focused on the objective of advancing, while Barcelona coach Hansi Flick highlighted the quality of his squad and the importance of collective effort. With a slim margin separating the sides, the second leg promises a tactical battle that could see either club secure a coveted place in the Champions League semi‑finals.

Islamabad transformed into a security zone on Saturday as the city imposed a lockdown, sealing roads, establishing checkpoints, and deploying over 10,000 security personnel ahead of the anticipated US‑Iran ceasefire talks. The Iranian delegation arrived quietly late on Friday night, traveling through Balochistan before a Pakistani Air Force aircraft switched off its call sign. By the next afternoon, the American team touched down at Nur Khan Air Base, a site India once claimed was damaged during last year’s brief conflict. On the tarmac, three distinctive tail fins—one American, two Iranian—caught the eye, a subtle reminder of the region’s reliance on symbolism. Both delegations were escorted along pre‑cleared routes to the Serena Hotel, which had been emptied and secured days earlier, turning the former luxury venue into a tightly controlled diplomatic arena. This marked the first direct, high‑level engagement between post‑revolution Iran and the United States on foreign soil. Clashing worldviews in the negotiation room Inside, the talks juxtaposed an American “peace through strength” stance with Iran’s “resistance with dignity” perspective. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif warned the night before that the meeting was a make‑or‑break moment for lasting peace. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, set pre‑conditions: any dialogue required progress on a Lebanon ceasefire—where Israel’s campaign has killed over 2,000 people—and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad, which have crippled Tehran’s economy. Within hours of arrival, bilateral side‑talks began, offering a tentative thaw for Pakistani officials facilitating the process. Although previous rounds in Muscat, Vienna, Geneva and Abu Dhabi suffered from deep mistrust, this was the first occasion that the United States’ vice‑president JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf faced each other face‑to‑face. Pakistan’s strategic mediating role Pakistan leveraged its unique position—close ties to Gulf states, a shared border with Iran, proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, and a strategic partnership with China—while not hosting US military bases. This allowed Islamabad to engage all parties without overt alignment. The marathon 21‑hour session Officials described the talks as continuous yet uneven. The first session lasted under two hours, followed by a brief procedural pause during which dinner was served but informal discussions continued. Subsequent rounds involved multiple draft exchanges and rapid redrawing of red lines, with constant communication to Washington—including President Donald Trump—and Tehran. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief Asim Munir, worked around the clock, aiming not for a final pact but for a framework to prevent further escalation. Why the talks stalled As the session entered its final phase, the United States signaled an abrupt end. JD Vance summed up the outcome: “We had substantive discussions, but no agreement.” He emphasized the US demand for an affirmative, long‑term commitment from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, describing Washington’s proposal as its “final and best offer.” Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad framed the meeting as “not an event, but a process,” claiming it laid groundwork for future dialogue, while state‑affiliated outlets criticized the US stance as overly demanding. A senior Iranian foreign‑ministry spokesperson noted that, for Tehran, diplomacy is a continuation of its broader struggle, and any progress hinges on the other side’s “seriousness and good faith.” Pakistan’s cautious post‑talk posture Finance Minister Dar thanked both sides and pledged continued facilitation, avoiding any claim of victory or admission of failure. Behind the scenes, officials acknowledged pressure from multiple fronts—including Israel, whose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is perceived by some sources as a major obstacle to peace. Aftermath in Islamabad The city did not immediately revert to normal; security checkpoints and traffic diversions persisted, and the Serena Hotel remained under tight control. Journalists reported a disciplined environment with limited leaks, suggesting a deliberate effort to contain information. As the delegations departed, the door on diplomatic engagement remained open, albeit without a concrete agreement. The talks, though inconclusive, demonstrated that high‑level US‑Iran dialogue is possible under Pakistan’s mediation, preserving a channel that could prove pivotal in future regional negotiations.