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The Plan Belgium's head coach, Rudi Garcia, is well aware that the Red Devils' strength lies in attack. Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku can each make a difference in their own way. The defence is, except for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the weak point after the golden generation of Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, and Jan Vertonghen gradually retired. The Coach Rudi Garcia is a national coach for the first time in his career and so will be making his World Cup debut in North America. The 62-year-old succeeded Domenico Tedesco in January 2025 and has plenty of experience, having been in charge at Lille, Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al Nassr, and Napoli among others. Star Player Jérémy Doku is the most popular player in the squad. The 24-year-old Manchester City attacker is still making giant steps in his development. Having relied solely on his impressive speed, he has developed his crossing ability of late and scored some important goals in the closing stages of the Premier League season. One to Watch Matias Fernandez-Pardo was not in Garcia’s plans until early May. The 21-year-old Lille striker, who holds Spanish and Belgian passports, had declared he would choose Spain. When the Belgian FA sounded him out again due to the doubts surrounding Lukaku and the decline of Loïs Openda at Juventus, he changed his mind. Unsung Hero Maxim De Cuyper, the 25-year-old Brighton left-back, is of great value to the Red Devils with his attacking contributions and, in the absence of Lukaku, has developed into a regular goalscorer for the national team.

The Expanded Partnership Lovable and Google announced an expanded multiyear collaboration on Wednesday. Lovable, the fast-growing Stockholm vibe-coding startup, has long been a Google Cloud user. Under the new agreement, it will be a much bigger one. The Deal Details While the companies did not disclose the dollar figure, a person with knowledge of the deal tells TechCrunch it involves a fivefold increase in Lovable’s footprint on Google Cloud, including AI usage. As part of the deal, this individual tells us, Lovable will gain expanded access to both Anthropic’s Claude — the AI model widely used for coding tasks — and Google’s own Gemini models. The Financial Impact Google invested $10 billion in Anthropic in cash and compute credits in April, promising another $30 billion if Anthropic hits certain performance targets. Lovable crossed $400 million in annualized revenue in February, having added $100 million in a single month with just 146 employees. The Strategic Implications The deal also plugs Lovable into several other parts of Google’s ecosystem. Lovable’s new agent will be available through Google Cloud’s enterprise agent marketplace, the Gemini Enterprise Agent Gallery — an arrangement the two companies first telegraphed at Google’s major U.S. cloud conference in April. And to help secure the code that both humans and agents write, Lovable will integrate with Wiz, Google’s biggest ever acquisition at $32 billion, which officially closed in March. The Future Outlook The calculus for Google is simple enough. If it can keep both Lovable and Anthropic growing by attracting deep-pocketed enterprises, the revenue helps fund the $180 billion to $190 billion in capital expenditures Google plans to spend this year.

A New Lease on Life for Stage Four PatientsThe landscape of terminal cancer treatment is witnessing a potential turning point following the success of a pioneering smart drug. Pat Brogan, a 68-year-old from Cowdenbeath, Scotland, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2021, has seen his tumors shrink by almost a third after joining a clinical trial in 2025. The breakthrough offers a stark contrast to his initial prognosis, allowing him to anticipate major life milestones previously thought impossible.The Mechanism Behind GRWD5769The core of this clinical breakthrough lies in the smart drug GRWD5769. Traditional immunotherapies sometimes fail because cancer cells develop an invisibility cloak, effectively hiding from the body's immune defenses. GRWD5769 disrupts this camouflage. By disabling the cloaking mechanism, the drug clears the path for standard immunotherapy to locate, target, and eradicate the disease cells. This combination approach was recently highlighted at the world’s largest oncology conference in Chicago.Measurable Tumor Reduction and Patient OutcomesThe clinical data translates directly into profound quality-of-life improvements for patients like Brogan. Prior to the trial, Brogan had undergone three years of chemotherapy and immunotherapy before his tumors began growing again. The introduction of GRWD5769 yielded rapid, tangible results:Almost 33% reduction in overall tumor size.Restored ability to live a relatively normal life despite a stage four diagnosis.Capacity to resume daily activities, including daily walks and international travel.Brogan, who previously prepared to say his goodbyes, is now planning a trip to Spain and preparing to walk his daughter down the aisle in June.Shifting the Paradigm in Immunotherapy ResistanceBrogan's case represents a critical victory in the ongoing battle against treatment-resistant cancers. When standard immunotherapy fails, patients are often left with highly toxic, intensive chemotherapy alternatives with low success rates. The success of GRWD5769 demonstrates that overcoming cellular resistance—rather than just bombarding the body with harsh chemicals—can yield better survival rates and vastly superior patient quality of life. The work led by Prof Stefan Symeonides and his team in Edinburgh underscores the value of targeted clinical research contributing to global oncological advancements.The Future of Targeted Oncology TrialsAs the medical community digests the findings presented in Chicago, the focus will inevitably shift toward expanding the trial parameters for GRWD5769. If larger cohorts mimic Brogan's success, this mechanism of stripping away a tumor's invisibility could become a standard adjunct to immunotherapy across various cancer types. For patients who have exhausted conventional options, these smart drugs represent the next vital frontier in extending both life expectancy and quality of life.

Lead: Monroe’s Last‑Minute Image Rebellion Marilyn Monroe visited Lawrence Schiller after a nude pool shoot for the unfinished film Something’s Got to Give (1962), cutting up colour negatives she disliked. The episode, recounted by the now‑89‑year‑old photographer, underscores Monroe’s determination to shape her visual legacy. Behind the Pool Shoot: Creative Control in Action May 1962 – Monroe swims in a Hollywood set pool, defying director George Cukor to find better lighting. She jokes, “What if I come out with nothing on?” highlighting her willingness to push boundaries. After the session, she uses scissors to destroy negatives she found unsatisfactory, a gesture Schiller describes as “Ziiiiiip”. Schiller notes that none of the destroyed images were ones he would have published, suggesting Monroe’s edits aligned with professional standards while serving her own vision. Exhibition Data: The National Portrait Gallery Show Opening timed for Monroe’s 100th birthday (early June 2026). Curated by Rosie Broadley, the exhibition frames Monroe as an active director of her image. Features previously unseen pool photographs and commentary from photographers Richard Avedon, Milton Greene, Bert Stern, and Eve Arnold. Impact: Re‑evaluating Monroe’s Cultural Narrative The exhibition challenges the long‑standing myth of Monroe as merely a “messy” blonde bombshell. By foregrounding her “creative agency”, the show invites reassessment of how female stars negotiate studio control, media representation, and personal autonomy. Schiller’s testimony, alongside Arnold’s observations of Monroe’s “lost self”, illustrates a broader pattern: iconic women often reclaim agency through selective image‑making, influencing both contemporary celebrity culture and historical scholarship. Future Outlook: Monroe’s Legacy in the Age of Image Ownership As digital platforms amplify image control, Monroe’s 1962 act of negative‑snipping resonates with modern discussions about artists’ rights and the power of self‑curation. The National Portrait Gallery’s narrative may inspire further exhibitions and academic work that position Monroe alongside today’s media‑savvy figures who dictate how they are seen.

The Standout PerformanceWigmore Hall is turning 125, its director John Gilhooly was being granted honorary membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society, and everyone in the audience was shouted a free drink, but there was another cause for celebration on Sunday night. With Lise Davidsen, the world's most in-demand opera singer, giving an all-Schubert recital it was a case of standing room only.Vocal Mastery and Dramatic InterpretationThe Norwegian soprano has a Rolls-Royce instrument, more than capable of filling a house the size of the Metropolitan Opera, but up close she brought other qualities to the table. Her disarming warmth in seemingly off-the-cuff spoken introductions put the audience entirely at ease. Her ability to inhabit a character, as she does on stage, ensured songs such as Gretchen am Spinnrade and Die Junge Nonne were dramatic highlights. The former opened with a throbbing intensity and built to an eruption of volcanic proportions. Her fledgling nun seethed with a scared rapture that verged on the dangerously corporeal.Technical Brilliance and Wagnerian ElementsThe big beasts – Ganymed, for example, with its sly, priapic crescendo, or a turbulent Erlkönig, taken at an RSI-inducing lick by supportive pianist James Baillieu – hit their mark. Her voice has an extraordinary amplitude and a focused core of steel, although when pressed hard in the burgeoning upper register, the odd consonant was inclined to go astray. It was impossible to find fault, however, with Die Allmacht, surely Schubert's most Wagnerian utterance. Nailing her operatic colours to the mast, Davidsen threw caution to the wind, and unleashed her inner Valkyrie.Intimate Moments and Rare GemsIt was the more intimate songs, however, several of them welcome rarities, that brought the greatest pleasure. Du Bist die Ruh, with an imposing final diminuendo, was a masterclass in breath control; the singer's unassuming honesty tapped hidden depths in Mignon's So Lasst Mich Scheinen. Baillieu, her rock throughout, brought a tender flexibility to Goethe's heart-wrenching Nur Wer die Sehnsucht Kennt. Saving the best until last, the recital concluded with a spellbinding account of the quasi-religious Am Tage Aller Seelen. Davidsen's seamless soprano barely rose above a whisper as the voice dispensed balm to the broken-hearted, every word and emotion crystal clear.

Uncovering the Sounds of Paul McCartney's Past Paul McCartney sits in his office overlooking Soho Square in London, reminiscing about his earliest memories and the sounds that have shaped his life and music. His new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, is a collection of rare and revealing glimpses into memories never-before shared. The Power of Early Memories McCartney reflects on the sounds that have stuck with him since childhood, from the white tiles and chrome instruments of his birth to the family singalongs and radio broadcasts that filled his home. He recalls listening to 'great little classical pieces' on the radio and being inspired by the likes of Ray Charles and Jack Jackson's Record Round-up on the BBC Light Programme. Influence of Bandmates and Radio The album is not just a nostalgic trip but also a testament to the influence of his bandmates, including John Lennon and George Harrison. McCartney shares stories of their time together, from bus rides to shared memories of Liverpool. He also credits radio with introducing him to new music and sparking his imagination, citing Alfred Jarry's Ubu Cocu as an example. Creating The Boys of Dungeon Lane McCartney explains that the album was an opportunity for storytelling, with the Dungeon Lane of the title referencing a birdwatching destination close to his childhood home. He emphasizes that there's 'nothing conscious' behind the decision to revisit his past, but rather a desire to share these stories and memories through music. A Legacy of Music and Memories As a songwriter and musician, McCartney's life has been extensively documented, with thousands of books, podcasts, and screen projects dedicated to his work. He remains a jovial figure, eager to share his stories and music with fans, and The Boys of Dungeon Lane is a testament to the enduring power of his memories and melodies.

Lead: A Surge of Online Abuse Targets Two Female MusiciansCMAT and Olivia Rodrigo have each become the focus of a wave of hateful comments about their bodies after high‑profile performances in 2026. The incidents reignite a long‑standing debate over who gets to decide how women should look on stage.BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Incident Highlights Persistent Body‑ShamingDuring CMAT’s set at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland, the broadcaster disabled Instagram comments because of the vitriolic remarks aimed at her size. Smaller‑bodied female performers at the same festival retained active comment sections, underscoring a double standard. CMAT described the experience as "deep sadness" and linked it to a similar episode she endured at the same festival two years earlier.Olivia Rodrigo faced a different but equally hostile reaction when she appeared in a babydoll‑style dress for her new album promotion. Critics called the outfit "pedo bait" and "Lolita," despite her history of performing in more revealing attire without similar outrage.Absence of Quantitative Data Underscores the Qualitative Nature of the OutrageNo specific comment counts or engagement metrics were released by the platforms.The Guardian article relies on anecdotal evidence and artist statements rather than hard numbers.This lack of hard data highlights that the issue is measured more by cultural impact than by statistics.Why This Signals a Wider Cultural Backlash Against Women’s Public ImageThe two cases illustrate a broader conservative retrenchment around femininity, where any deviation from a narrow, youthful ideal is quickly weaponised. Social‑media bots and coordinated campaigns appear to amplify misogynistic narratives, limiting the visual vocabulary available to female artists.Both musicians argue that their sartorial choices are intentional artistic statements—CMAT’s “countrified burlesque” and Rodrigo’s homage to 90s punk‑era “kinder‑whore” aesthetics—yet the public discourse reduces them to objects of scrutiny.What the Future May Hold for Female Artists Navigating the Male GazeIf platforms continue to silence or enable hateful commentary selectively, female performers may feel pressured to self‑censor or conform to safer visual norms. Conversely, heightened visibility of these incidents could galvanise industry allies and push social‑media firms to enforce stricter harassment policies.Ultimately, the trajectory will depend on whether the music community and audiences choose to champion artistic autonomy over entrenched misogynistic expectations.

Visual Survey of Oceania’s Remaining GlaciersThe Guardian released a striking collection of images that map the handful of glaciers still extant in Oceania. The series focuses on the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the sub‑Antarctic islands such as Heard and Macquarie, and the isolated peaks of Papua New Guinea, providing a geographic snapshot of where ice persists in the Pacific realm.Satellite Evidence of Ongoing Ice LossAccompanying the photographs, satellite data confirm that these glaciers are shrinking at a measurable pace. Recent observations show consistent retreat of glacier termini by several metres each year, a trend that mirrors broader patterns of warming in the Southern Hemisphere.Why the Decline Matters for the RegionGlaciers in Oceania serve as critical freshwater reservoirs, feeding rivers that support agriculture, hydroelectric power, and local ecosystems. Their loss threatens water security for downstream communities and diminishes the natural heritage that underpins tourism in areas like New Zealand’s alpine valleys.Looking Ahead: The Future of Oceania’s IceIf current temperature trajectories continue, the remaining glaciers could disappear within decades. Scientists warn that accelerated melt will exacerbate sea‑level rise and alter regional climate patterns, making early monitoring and mitigation essential.

The Lead Deep within the Natural History Museum, the skeleton of a 23ft plesiosaur serves as a chilling reminder of the terrifying power that once inhabited the prehistoric seas. This immense marine reptile, capable of snatching prey before its body could create a disturbance, is a centerpiece of the museum's latest immersive display. Unveiling the Jurassic Oceans Exhibition The exhibition 'Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep' brings to life the marine ecosystems that existed while dinosaurs roamed the land. Featuring fossils, casts, and 3D-printed sculptures, the display highlights creatures such as ammonites, colossal squid tentacles, and ancient crocodile-like reptiles that dominated the deep blue. Scientific Context & Metrics The exhibition provides a detailed look at the environmental conditions of the Jurassic era. Marc Jones, the science lead, explains that while the sun was slightly dimmer, the planet was much warmer due to high CO2 levels. This resulted in higher sea levels and the absence of permanent ice caps. Key metrics include: 23ft length of the plesiosaur on display. 2% reduction in solar power during the Jurassic era. 2,000 gigatons of CO2 added to the atmosphere in recent history. Evolutionary Adaptations & Ecosystem Shifts The display illustrates how ancient marine life evolved to survive in a stagnant, warm ocean. Ichthyosaurs, for instance, possessed the largest eyes of any vertebrate, indicating a highly developed sense of vision for hunting. The exhibition also notes a shift in predator hierarchies: sharks were once middle predators but were later hunted by marine reptiles. Furthermore, the concept of convergent evolution is demonstrated by the similarity between the body shapes of ichthyosaurs and modern bottlenose dolphins. Modern Parallels & Future Outlook The most striking insight from the exhibition is the link between prehistoric and modern oceans. Just as squid relatives thrived in the warm, stagnant waters of the Jurassic, modern squids are currently experiencing record numbers, particularly off England's south coast. This suggests that as modern oceans continue to warm, the dominance of marine ecosystems may shift once again, favoring cephalopods and other adaptable species.