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Russian forces have launched deadly strikes on two Ukrainian cities, killing at least four people and wounding over a dozen others. The attacks, which hit Odesa and Kryvyi Rih, damaged residential areas, a maternity hospital, and an industrial site.In Odesa, one person died in hospital from injuries sustained in the strikes, according to Serhiy Lysak, head of the city's military administration. He reported that 11 people were wounded, including a child, and that the strikes caused damage to a maternity hospital roof, high-rise buildings, and homes in several districts.In Kryvyi Rih, two men were killed and two wounded in a morning strike that hit an industrial site, said Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipro regional administration. He reported that fires erupted at the facility.The latest deadly strikes come as diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and reach a ceasefire deal remain entangled, dimming hopes of a quick resolution. There are currently no talks underway between Russia and Ukraine.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying about US demands, and voiced openness to diverting weapons to Kyiv to support the joint US-Israel attack on Iran. Zelenskyy had claimed that the US is pressing Ukraine to give up the eastern Donbas region to Russia before finalizing any post-war security guarantees to Kyiv.Rubio denied these claims, stating that security guarantees are not going to kick in until there's an end to the war, and that there was no condition attached to giving up territory.

Ukraine has announced a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a mutually beneficial arrangement. The deal, which lays the groundwork for future contracts and technological cooperation, was made ahead of a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Zelenskyy stated that the agreement will facilitate technological cooperation and investment between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed the pact.The partnership comes at a time when Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are under attack by Iran. Since the US and Israel began their military campaign against Tehran on February 28, Riyadh has intercepted hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. On Friday, the Saudi defence ministry reported that at least six missiles were intercepted.Ukraine, which has long battled Russian drones, is well-positioned to assist Gulf countries in countering Iranian attacks. Kyiv has become a major producer of cheap but efficient interceptor drones to counter Moscow's waves of drone attacks. In one of Russia's largest wartime aerial attacks on Ukraine, it launched 948 drones within 24 hours, killing two people.“This winter alone, Russia launched over 19,000 drones into Ukraine, just to give some perspective on how much experience they do have in shooting down drones,” said Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to assist in the defence against Iranian attacks.

Kimberly Belflower's revisionist take on Arthur Miller's classic The Crucible re-spins the witch-hunts for the #MeToo generation. Set in 2018, the play follows a classroom of teenagers—mostly girls—as they attempt to establish a feminist club, an effort seemingly sparked by contemporary news headlines. This original approach addresses adolescent girlhood in the direct aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, though the production takes time to build momentum.The narrative centers on Beth (Holly Howden Gilchrist), the class academic; Ivy (Clare Hughes), whose father faces workplace misconduct allegations; Nell (Lauryn Ajufo), the new student; and Raelynn (Miya James), a pastor's daughter dealing with relationship betrayal. Shelby (Sadie Soverall), though absent for much of the play, plays a crucial role in the unfolding drama.Set in a small-town Georgia high school, the feminist club concept initially proves controversial until a charismatic teacher, Carter Smith (Dónal Finn), suggests expanding it to include boys. Directed by Danya Taymor and performed continuously in under two hours, the script pivots around the students' study of Miller's play alongside their developing understanding of intersectional feminism.The production captures the girls' internalization of societal micro-aggressions with humor and pathos, incorporating pop music tributes to artists like Lorde, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé. While the dialogue authentically portrays adolescent female relationships, the review notes these connections are sometimes flattened by their cuteness rather than reflecting the sharp edges typical of this transitional life stage.A significant parallel emerges between Miller's John Proctor—a morally complex character who ultimately maintains his principles—and the predatory male figure in the contemporary narrative. The review suggests a false equivalence between these characters, as the modern figure is portrayed as a serial abuser rather than a morally conflicted individual.The play concludes with an emotional climax as students reinterpret scenes from The Crucible through interpretive dance, symbolizing their liberation while acknowledging that the predator remains in their midst. This ending, while thematically resonant, is described as feeling neat and easy despite its powerful emotional impact.Despite these criticisms, the production effectively captures the zeitgeist of 2018 for a generation of girls coming of age in the shadow of the Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo movement, raising questions about the movement's lasting impact and current relevance.

A high-stakes diplomatic effort is underway as a delegation of Russian officials has arrived in the United States for meetings with their American counterparts. This visit, which began on Thursday, marks a significant development in the strained relations between Moscow and Washington, particularly over Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed optimism about the talks, stating, 'We hope that these first tentative steps will, of course, make their contribution to the further revival of our bilateral engagement.' President Vladimir Putin has set the main directives for the trip and will be thoroughly briefed on the meeting.The visit occurs against the backdrop of US-brokered talks to end the war in Ukraine, which are currently in a state of limbo. Despite several rounds of negotiations since US President Joe Biden's administration took office, a deadlock persists, with the Kremlin ruling out compromises to halt its military campaign.Russia, a key ally of Iran, has been accused by Western intelligence officials of supporting the Iranian government as it faces a war launched by the US and Israel. A recent report alleged that Russia was close to completing a shipment of drones to Iran, which Moscow has vehemently denied, calling such claims 'lies being spread by the media.'In a related development, Russia has intensified its military actions in Ukraine, carrying out one of the largest aerial attacks since the start of the war, launching 948 drones in 24 hours. This escalation has prompted Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to appeal for air defence munitions from allies, warning of a potential deficit in missiles while Washington focuses on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Paris Saint-Germain's highly anticipated visit to Lens in Ligue 1 has been postponed to May 13, allowing the team more time to focus on their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. The match, initially scheduled for April 11, could have significant implications for the Ligue 1 title race, with PSG currently leading Lens by a single point.The decision to reschedule the match has been met with some resistance from Lens, who expressed concerns that the French league is being treated as an adjustment variable to accommodate the European imperatives of certain teams. The Ligue de Football Professionnel justified the move by citing the strategic goal of helping France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which would secure four places in the Champions League.PSG is set to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final on April 8 at the Parc de Princes, with the second leg taking place at Anfield six days later. This extra time could prove crucial for PSG as they look to advance in the competition.In addition to the PSG-Lens match, Strasbourg's visit to Brest on April 12 has also been rescheduled to May 13, as Strasbourg prepares for their Europa Conference League last-eight games against Mainz.

Russia has carried out one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, launching 948 drones in a 24-hour period as it moves troops and equipment to the front line in what appears to be the start of its new offensive.The attacks have resulted in civilian casualties, with two people killed in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk and one person killed in the region of Vinnytsia. The city of Lviv has also been targeted, with footage showing a drone crashing into an old building next to a church in the historic centre.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a new appeal for allies to supply Kyiv with air defence munitions, warning that Kyiv will face a deficit of missiles while Washington is focused on the US-Israeli war on Iran.The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that Russia has moved heavy equipment and more troops to the front line, with General Oleksandr Syrskii, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, saying Russian troops have made simultaneous attempts to break through defensive lines in several strategic areas.Russia's new offensive is seen as an escalation of its war of attrition, which has been unable to capture cities but has made incremental gains across rural areas.

The stage adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island' has been brought to life with gravitas, speaking to our current era with startling clarity. The story, which begins over a century ago and culminates with the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, explores themes of racism, immigration, and identity.Director Matthew Xia's production allows the story to exist in its period, without forcing a contemporary lens over the narrative. The result is a powerful exploration of the Windrush legacy, with themes that echo all too recognisably today. Fear of foreign men, distrust of dark-skinned strangers, and casual racism are all present in the play, making it a necessary history play that feels all too contemporary.The cast delivers stellar performances, with Anna Crichlow as Hortense and Bronté Barbé as Queenie standing out. The play's climax offers a note of optimism, reminding us that the promise of new life can overcome even the darkest of attitudes. As Gilbert (played by Daniel Ward) so eloquently puts it, "that is all" - a powerful reminder that our skin colour is just that, and nothing more.The production is set to tour to Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, and Nottingham Playhouse.