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The Week's Must-See Cinema ReleasesThis week's film offerings range from action thrillers to historical dramas. Normal, directed by Ben Wheatley, stars Bob Odenkirk as an interim sheriff in a small Minnesota town with unexpected secrets involving the yakuza. Also starring Henry Winkler and Lena Headey, this crime thriller promises plenty of intrigue.For horror fans, Obsession offers a literal 'be careful what you wish for' storyline about a music store employee who makes a magical wish for his coworker to love him unconditionally, leading to extreme consequences. Orphan provides a historical drama set in post-revolution Budapest, following a teenager raised on stories of his missing father, while The Christophers is an art world caper from director Steven Soderbergh featuring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel.Live Music Highlights: From Pop to OperaDoja Cat kicks off her European tour in Dublin, bringing her signature style of 27 songs, high-cut leopard print leotards, and performances inspired by 80s superstars like Prince and Janet Jackson. While her latest album 'Vie' may not have reached the commercial heights of previous work, her live shows remain spectacular.In Sheffield, the Get Together festival features Southend goth overlords the Horrors alongside Welsh-Cornish artist Gwenno and Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor. Other highlights include 'wonk pop' practitioners Lime Garden and London-based noise merchants Factory Floor.For classical music enthusiasts, Glyndebourne opens its summer season with Puccini's Tosca, staged by US director Ted Huffman in the festival's intimate theater. Soprano Caitlin Gotimer leads two rising-star casts under conductor Robin Ticciati.Contemporary Art ExhibitionsIn Colchester, Godfried Donkor presents an exhibition at Firstsite that travels from Colchester to West Africa and the Caribbean. The London-based Ghanaian artist weaves together stories of resistance from Boudicca to Yaa Asantewaa, using collage, painting, and textile to explore how identity, power, and trade shape our world.At the Barbican in London, Colombian installation artist Delcy Morelos presents a major exhibition through July, featuring large-scale muddy installations that challenge perceptions of space and materiality.Stage Performances and Cultural EventsLeeds jazz festival celebrates its fifth year with genre-fluid performances from pianist-organist Kit Downes and sax star Emma Rawicz. The 16-year-old Submotion Orchestra brings their fusion of electronica, jazz, and soulful ambience to the opening night, promising a memorable start to the festival.

The Transformative Night in Blackpool Bronzed, with winged tips and doused in Le Male, I clamped the baby pink GHDs to my hair until they sizzled and singed it. Emerging from a cloud of cheap hairspray, I was ready for the dancefloor. I was 18 and had grown up in Blackpool, a place synonymous with hedonism and fun. I came out in high school at the age of 14 and from 16 I studied performing arts at a local college. Underage, I was smuggled into clubs and in my spare time I watched shows in our many beautiful theatres. The bright lights of the illuminations, the showgirls, the feathers, sequins and rhinestones were intoxicating. Blackpool really was – and still is – extraordinary. When the bar closed, a new adventure would begin. One night, as the sun was coming up (and as was I), a drag queen took me back to her place. I didn't know the significance of what I was about to experience, but I was to receive an education no university course could ever match. The drag queen was a Liza Minnelli tribute act. She knew every beat of every Liza film, every concert, every move of choreography. She performed as Liza in all the bars around town. Now I was ordained by being welcomed into her home. This moment could be the plot of a movie with Blackpool as a beautiful backdrop to my coming out/coming-of-age fantasy The Muppet Show That Changed Everything Was I ready to be indoctrinated? Very. She led me to the living room for a VHS screening of what I was told was one of Liza's finest performances. I was expecting Cabaret, the winner of eight Academy Awards, but not on this occasion. She sat me on the sofa and played Episode 414 of The Muppet Show from 1979, with special guest the one and only Liza Minnelli. The premise works so beautifully for exactly the same reason that The Muppet Christmas Carol is so beloved. In that film, Michael Caine gives the performance of his life in a movie almost entirely populated by felt characters, and in her guest episode Liza matches him in commitment. Take the musical number Copacabana she performs: the curtain goes up and Liza is smoking. She is the narrator, the storyteller, in a Funny Face-esque black polo neck that gives a real sense of gravitas to those Barry Manilow lyrics. Moments later, she is Lola, dancing with human-sized muppets. Or in another scene Liza holds Kermit while they sing A Quiet Thing together. Their connection is pure and tender, a thing of simplicity and gentleness. A Career Born from Inspiration As I reflect on this story nearly 20 years later, I am now 10 years sober and while life might well be a cabaret, the decadence of my early youth is firmly in the past. But I think back to this moment, which could be the plot of a movie with Blackpool as a beautiful cinematic backdrop to my coming out/coming-of-age Technicolor fantasy. I didn't know at the time, but this incident set me on the path to my current profession. Four years later, in 2011, I started making cabaret performances in south London at the famed Royal Vauxhall Tavern at nights such as Duckie, where my turns were packed full of wigs and jockstraps, fake blood and mascot costumes. In 2015, I joined the international circuit when I became part of big touring pieces of variety and circus spectacle, showing off in the US, Australia, New Zealand and London's glittering West End. I once performed a 107-hour durational piece in drag at Glastonbury and at the Adelaide fringe, as a teenage girl who wouldn't leave her bedroom. A Lifelong Dedication to Liza's Legacy Ever since that fateful night back in Blackpool in the 2000s, Liza has been a hero of mine. I saw her live in concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2013. I have a Liza tattoo on my right thigh. Back in 2019, I did an eight-hour performance in an old deconsecrated church in Brighton, dressed as Liza Minnelli, performing her album Results in full, emulating through endurance art Liza's beautiful commitment to performance. Pet Shop Boys, who produced Liza's Results album, even heard about what I was up to and said my performance sounded great. The Enduring Impact of a Single Performance And if you ever see one of my shows, please understand that the technical foundation of my performances isn't drama school training or Stanislavski; it's Liza on The Muppets. Truth be told, I don't know where the drag queen in the story is now. I hope she's OK, but if I did see her I'd say: "Thank you for changing my life." Harry Clayton-Wright's show Mr Blackpool is at the Grand theatre, Blackpool, 20 May.

The LeadThe recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, resulting in three fatalities, has sparked international concern and brought back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. While health authorities emphasize this is a different virus altogether, the incident has underscored the fragility of public trust in health safety measures following the global pandemic.The Event DetailsThe hantavirus outbreak occurred aboard a cruise ship, where three passengers tragically lost their lives. Hantavirus is a family of viruses spread by rodents, particularly through their urine, droppings, or saliva. Unlike COVID-19, which primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, hantavirus is typically contracted through inhaling aerosolized particles from rodent waste or direct contact with rodents.Symptoms of hantavirus infection can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues, with some strains leading to severe respiratory problems or kidney failure. The incubation period typically ranges from one to five weeks after exposure.The Impact AnalysisThis outbreak comes at a particularly sensitive time when global health systems are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The incident has triggered renewed discussions about cruise ship safety protocols and the adequacy of health screening measures for passengers and crew.Health experts note that while hantavirus is not as contagious as COVID-19, the enclosed environment of a cruise ship can facilitate transmission if proper sanitation and rodent control measures are not in place. The cruise industry, already significantly impacted by the pandemic, now faces additional scrutiny regarding health and safety standards.The PredictionIn the immediate aftermath, we can expect increased health screenings at ports and enhanced rodent control measures on cruise ships worldwide. Health authorities will likely issue updated guidelines for travelers to regions where hantavirus is endemic.Long-term, this incident may lead to more comprehensive health protocols for cruise ships and other enclosed travel environments. The global health community will likely use this opportunity to improve public communication about different types of viruses and their transmission methods, helping to prevent unnecessary panic while ensuring appropriate precautions are taken.

The Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Health officials have raised the alarm over an outbreak of the Ebola virus in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the continent’s top public health body, said on Friday that it has recorded 246 suspected Ebola cases and 65 deaths in the Ituri province in the northeast of the country. Challenges in Controlling the Outbreak Concern is high regarding the potential spread of the virus, with efforts to control it complicated by a precarious security situation in the affected area, which sits on the border with Uganda and South Sudan. The DRC government struggles to secure the east of the country due to activity by armed groups seeking control of valuable mineral deposits. Laboratory Results and Response Efforts Preliminary laboratory results have reportedly detected the Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested. The outbreak comes about five months after the DRC’s last Ebola bout was declared to be over, leaving 43 people dead. Africa CDC expressed concern over the risk that the new outbreak could spread rapidly due to intense population movement, the poor security situation in affected areas, and control challenges. Immediate Priorities and Future Outlook The agency said it is convening an urgent high-level meeting with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with key partners, including UN agencies and other countries, to reinforce cross-border surveillance, preparedness and response efforts. “The meeting will focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border coordination, surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, risk communication, safe and dignified burials, and resource mobilization,” it added in its statement.

Rian Brazil's Sonic Journey Rian Brazil, a Brighton-born producer, has had his track played by Björk while DJing at the Venice Biennale. His music masterfully blends earworms from the UK underground with deeply vulnerable vocals. The Engine Heartbreak EP Brazil's forthcoming Engine Heartbreak EP features a range of sounds, from drum’n’bass love-songs to gospel-inflected tracks and glitchy electronica. His real name, Brazil, weaves a sonic world that's both addictively online and yearning for real-life connection. This Week's Best New Tracks Jorja Smith – What’s Done Is Done: A song-of-the-summer contender with a heavily bassy beat and UKG influences. Helado Tropical – Tocando: A sweet guitar and lo-fi fuzz track about a slipping relationship. Show Me the Body​ – No God: A brutally funky, danceable hardcore punk track rejecting religion. The Avalanches – Together (ft Nikki Nair, Jessy Lanza and Prentiss): An electro-pop candyland track with a camera shutter beat. Overmono – Lockup: A masterful inversion of bass-driven tech-house with chaotic detail. Alys(alys)alys – Effervescence: A perilous, bassy track with splintered vocals and overwhelming drums. Ivy Knight – Beacon: A beautifully produced track with crisp acoustic guitar and amorphous bass. Playlist and Subscription Subscribe to the Guardian's rolling Add to Playlist selections on Spotify or transfer it to Apple, Tidal or other services.

Early signs point to the United States and China moving towards a relationship focused on pragmatic areas of common interest following President Donald Trump's trip to China, according to analysts, setting aside the turmoil that marked 2025. Business‑First Agenda Sets the Tone at the Beijing Summit The three‑day summit in Beijing brought together Donald Trump and Xi Jinping alongside a delegation of top American CEOs, including the heads of Apple, Nvidia, BlackRock and Goldman Sachs. The White House readout highlighted "ways to enhance economic cooperation" and "expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into our industries". Notably, the statement omitted any reference to China’s rare‑earth export controls, a strategic lever in the tech and defence sectors. Financial Stakes: $14 bn Taiwan Arms Deal and Market Access Promises $14 bn arms deal for Taiwan reportedly in the works, pending Trump’s sign‑off. Potential expansion of market access for U.S. firms in sectors ranging from semiconductors to finance. Chinese interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Geopolitical Ripple Effects: From Taiwan to the Strait of Hormuz Both leaders sidestepped several flashpoints. While Xi called Taiwan the "most important issue" in the bilateral relationship, neither side mentioned concrete steps on the island or on future arms sales. The summit also touched on the Strait of Hormuz, with both leaders agreeing it must remain open for global energy flows, despite ongoing conflict in the region. What Comes Next: Potential Shifts in Trade, Security and Energy Cooperation Analysts such as William Yang (Crisis Group) and Chucheng Feng (Hutong Research) view the summit as an attempt to lay a "floor" for the relationship, establishing guardrails while leaving item‑by‑item disagreements secondary. The next months will test whether the business‑first rhetoric translates into tangible policy – from the fate of the Taiwan arms package to renewed Chinese investment in U.S. industries and coordinated efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

The Return of a Championship PartnershipEmma Raducanu has rehired Andrew Richardson, the coach who helped guide her to her sensational US Open triumph in 2021, on a formal basis as she prepares to return to competition next week in Strasbourg in the buildup to the French Open.Richardson will accompany Raducanu at the WTA 500 event as she competes for the first time in two months after being sidelined by post-viral illness. During the early days of her return to the courts, Raducanu travelled to Richardson's base at the Ferrer Academy in La Nucía, Spain, near Benidorm, for a clay-court training block that doubled as a trial period for a potential formal partnership.In a statement, Raducanu said: "Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time."A Historic Collaboration RenewedRaducanu and Richardson have a long history, with the pair first working together during her youth. Raducanu had been working with Nigel Sears at the beginning of her breakthrough summer in 2021, before joining forces with Richardson in July. Their partnership yielded one of the biggest surprises in tennis history as Raducanu won the US Open that year as a qualifier without dropping a set.Less than two weeks later, Raducanu controversially chose not to extend her coaching partnership with Richardson, which had begun on a short-term interim basis. This decision generated significant discussion, with many suggesting it would have been beneficial for Raducanu to continue with a familiar face who had worked so successfully with her at a time when so much of her life had instantly changed.A Pattern of Coaching ChangesThe decision not to continue with Richardson marked one of the first of many coaching changes for Raducanu, who has since struggled to find the right person to guide her on a permanent basis. Raducanu last worked with Francisco Roig for six months before the pair parted ways in February. Roig now coaches the six-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek.Raducanu travelled to her most recent tournament, Indian Wells in March, with the LTA coach Alexis Canter. Considering how much scrutiny her life and career still generate, Raducanu has constantly sought out familiar faces she knew before her breakthrough in 2021.Quest for StabilityHer longest coaching stint was with Nick Cavaday, another of her childhood coaches, with whom she worked for more than a year until he stepped away because of personal health matters. Her return to the top 30 last year was a result of her partnership with Mark Petchey, another person with whom she worked before her breakthrough, whose tennis broadcast work meant they could work together only on an ad-hoc, informal basis.Now she has returned to the coach who helped her to her greatest achievement, suggesting a renewed focus on stability and proven results as she continues her career in the highly competitive world of professional tennis.

The Ambitious Vision Behind 'Of Earth and Wires'Dua Saleh's sophomore album "Of Earth and Wires" represents a bold artistic statement that attempts to weave together spoken-word poetry, screamo rap, acoustic guitar, and falsetto vocals into a cohesive narrative about global catastrophe. The Sudanese-American musician, known for collaborations with Travis Scott and their role as Cal in Netflix's "Sex Education," draws inspiration from fears of climate collapse, AI dominance, and the civil war in Sudan to create what might be described as a post-apocalyptic sequel to their debut record.Musical Diversity Meets Narrative CautionThe album opens with "5 Days," a track that showcases Saleh's impressive vocal range and genre-blending capabilities, transitioning from Perfume Genius-like tremulous vocals to a screamed frustration that promises an exhilarating journey. However, the album quickly reveals itself to be more restrained than its urgent themes would suggest. Tracks like "I Do, I Do" incorporate Sudanese proverbs and oud instrumentation, while "Flood" features a falsetto exchange with Bon Iver around themes of biblical rebirth and climate extremes. "Firestorm," a love song set against the LA fires, lacks the emotional heat its premise promises, with references to burnt-tyre fumes feeling like mere set dressing rather than integral to the narrative.The Album's Place in Contemporary Music Landscape"Of Earth and Wires" arrives at a time when artists increasingly feel compelled to address global crises in their work. Saleh's unique position as a Sudanese-American queer artist gives them a distinctive perspective on these issues, yet the album's cautious approach prevents it from fully capitalizing on this potential. While the warm, earthy production values create an inviting atmosphere, they sometimes soften the edges of the difficult subjects being addressed, resulting in a collection of tracks that are pleasant but not as impactful as they could have been.The Future of Dua Saleh's Artistic JourneyDespite its shortcomings, "Of Earth and Wires" demonstrates Saleh's unique artistic voice and their ability to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive whole. The album's choral closer "All Is Love," while not landing as forcefully as intended, suggests a willingness to explore emotional vulnerability that could be developed further in future work. As Saleh continues to refine their craft, there's reason to be optimistic that they will find the balance between ambitious themes and the bold execution that this album sometimes lacks.

The annual Jerusalem Day parade turned violent as Israeli ultranationalists chanted hostile slogans such as “Death to Arabs” and “May your villages burn”, prompting widespread shop closures and confrontations with Palestinian residents and volunteers protecting them. Racist Chants Echo Through Jerusalem’s Old City Thousands of participants—many teenagers and young adults—marched through the Old City, celebrating the 1967 “reunification” of Jerusalem. The route passed densely populated Palestinian neighborhoods where many shopkeepers shut their doors, while some volunteers from Standing Together kept a few stores open under protection. Scale of Participation and Business Closures Tens of thousands of Israelis took part in the march. Most Palestinian shopkeepers removed metal shutters and vacated narrow alleyways by late morning. A small number of shops remained open, guarded by volunteers led by co‑director Rula Daoud. Journalists reported being shoved and blocked from filming by march participants. Escalating Sectarian Tensions Amid Ongoing Conflict The chant‑filled march occurred against the backdrop of Israel’s broader war with Iran and a fragile “ceasefire” in Gaza, marked by frequent violations. International bodies, including the United Nations, continue to deem Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem illegal under international law, a point underscored by the overtly racist rhetoric on the streets. Potential Fallout and Calls for International Scrutiny Human‑rights observers and local activists warn that the increasing violence each year could draw renewed international criticism and pressure on Israeli authorities to enforce stricter policing of hate speech. If unchecked, the pattern may embolden further attacks on Palestinian businesses and journalists, deepening mistrust between communities and complicating any diplomatic efforts toward a lasting ceasefire.