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Lonely lives, falling between the gaps, are at the heart of this 1935 psychological thriller by Rodney Ackland, adapted from Hugh Walpole's novel. It's an atmospheric period piece, but isn't entirely a stretch to reflect on our own concerns about solitude in an ageing population.The three ladies in an English cathedral town are without partners, families or much of an income. They eke out their genteel poverty in a rickety boarding house. They weren't raised to work; Miss Beringer, in desperate need of a job, can only imagine becoming a paid companion or, possibly, flower arranging.In Brigid Larmour's finely etched production, irritable passions ferment beneath the frowsty knits and beads. The characters are prey to spite and greed, nerves and night terrors. Voices are tremulous; eyes glance at a fearful future.Beringer is the new lodger: Catherine Cusack, whittled by anxiety, timidly nibbles on a scallop-edged biscuit. She is welcomed by Julia Watson's Mrs Amorest, flustered but keeping up appearances. Down to her last £10, she writes into the void to a long-absent son.The third lady is Agatha. Fruitily overblown in the novel, that's how Edith Evans played her in 1935. Abigail Thaw makes her disconcertingly eccentric: forbidding in jet black, she mocks and snaps at quivering Miss Beringer. She covets Beringer's one cherished possession – a translucent chunk of amber from a beloved female friend.It's a play of cross-hatched conversations and melodramatic plotting. Larmour's design team help turn the screw: the dank-toned house and clothes in tones of moth and cobweb, a bitter wind blowing.Ackland's plays about rackety lives are increasingly revived. He, Walpole and John Gielgud, the play's original director, were all queer artists, and it's tempting to imagine them drawn to these lives on the margins of British society. Though these ladies don't so much rage against the dying of the light as wait, fearfully, to be snuffed out.

A massive 40,000lbs of extra-firm tofu was spilled in an accident near Jerome, Missouri, leaving the town with an 'unforgettable' odor. The incident occurred on March 1, when a tractor-trailer crashed off a local highway and into a ravine.The cleanup efforts, humorously referred to as the 'Great Battle of the Jerome Tofu Monster', began immediately. However, the entire cargo was left to ripen and rot for three weeks due to a dispute over insurance. This allowed the tofu to spread into a local creek, exacerbating the smell.Local officials described the odor as 'like a dead animal, but worse'. Fire chief Brandon Williams noted it was 'probably one of the worst smells I've smelled in my life'. The Doolittle rural fire protection district stated that while the main threat has been contained, cleanup and remediation efforts are still ongoing downstream.In a bizarre coincidence, this incident follows another 40,000-lb food-related traffic disaster in the region last year, where a truck carrying ribeye steaks burst into flames. The 'Jerome Tofu Monster' has left a lasting impact on the community, with authorities cautiously referring to a 'tofu-affected area' due to runoff and debris.

Demonstrators took to the streets of cities across the United States for the first 'No Kings' protest since the joint US and Israeli war against Iran began one month ago. The protests, which mark the third round of nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations, saw over 3,300 events planned across all 50 states, with large crowds expected in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.The main event was scheduled for the Minneapolis-St Paul area in Minnesota, known as the Twin Cities, which became a focal point for Trump's hardline immigration crackdown in December. More than 3,000 federal immigration agents descended on the Twin Cities, leading to accusations of excessive force during deportation raids.In January, agents shot and killed two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, prompting nationwide outrage and calls for reform. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed as a result of the operation, which was wound down in February.Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders addressed attendees, and rock icon Bruce Springsteen performed at the event, along with folk singer Joan Baez. Actor Robert De Niro told the crowd in Minnesota in a pre-recorded address, 'You've shown bravery in the face of armed attack by government thugs, and you stood together and ran them out of town'.The previous two 'No Kings' marches took place in June and October and drew millions of people. Trump responded to the October protest by posting an AI-generated video depicting himself dumping faeces on the protesters. The US is currently in the midst of campaigns for its pivotal midterm elections in November, which will see Trump's Republican Party seek to defend its majorities in both chambers of Congress.Democrats are hoping to gain seats as Trump's popularity droops. Sanders was among the speakers who reminded protest attendees of the importance of the upcoming vote, saying, 'We will not allow this country to descend into authoritarianism or oligarchy. In America, we the people will rule'.

A pensioner's financial struggles were eased thanks to the kindness of an online stranger. The pensioner had been experiencing issues with his recently purchased second-hand car, which began overheating. Despite visiting multiple mechanics, the problem persisted. The pensioner turned to an online car forum for help, where several users suggested replacing the radiator as a potential solution. However, the carmaker quoted $1,200 for a replacement, which was unaffordable for the pensioner. One forum user, known only by their online handle, recommended purchasing a different type of radiator from an online marketplace for about $150. When the pensioner expressed concerns about buying online, the stranger offered to pay for and ship the new radiator to him. A week later, the radiator arrived, and with the help of a friend, the pensioner was able to install it successfully. The kindness of the stranger not only repaired his car but also restored his faith in humanity. Inspired by the act, the pensioner paid it forward when his town flooded later that year, helping another pensioner fix their water-damaged car. The radiator has continued to run perfectly, and the pensioner's finances have started to recover. The Guardian invites readers to share their own experiences of kindness from strangers, providing a form for submissions on their website.

The Denver Summit made history on Saturday by drawing a crowd of 63,004 fans to their match against the Washington Spirit at Mile High Stadium, shattering the previous National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) attendance record of 40,091.The previous record was set last season at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, during a match between Bay FC and the Spirit. This significant milestone highlights the growing popularity of women's soccer, with fans like Karmryn Eversole expressing their enthusiasm: 'This is a big deal, and it’s very important… We want more women’s sports, and we’re here supporting it.'The Denver Summit, established as the 16th NWSL franchise in January 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110m, played their first home game in Colorado after starting the season with three away matches, going 1-1-1. The match against the Spirit ended in a scoreless draw.Fan Nicole DeLue emphasized the significance of having a professional women's soccer team in Denver: 'If you look at the amount of Denver women’s players that have gone to the World Cup, made the national team… So to finally have a home base here is just incredible.'The Summit will play future home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and later move to a temporary stadium while awaiting the completion of a new women's soccer stadium in downtown Denver, expected to be finished by the 2028 season.

Harrogate Town's hopes of retaining their Football League status are dwindling as they struggle to find form in League Two. The team, managed by Simon Weaver, has had a dismal season so far, scoring just 29 goals in 40 games and conceding the most shots in the league. Despite a recent upturn in results, including an unbeaten five-game spell in February that yielded nine points, Harrogate still find themselves in 23rd place, only a point from a safe position. The team's home form has been particularly poor, with only three home victories all season. The club's struggles are compounded by the fact that they have not changed their manager this season, with Weaver being the longest-serving manager in the current EFL clubs, having been in the job since 2009. Weaver's father, Irving, is the club's chairman, which has led to a unique family dynamic in the club's decision-making process. Weaver has had to navigate a difficult season, with 19 new signings arriving since the end of last season and 36 players being used across the league campaign. The team has also suffered an injury crisis, with 12 senior players out for the long term at one point. Despite these challenges, Weaver remains optimistic about the team's chances of staying up, citing the 32% increase in home support over the past three years and the club's recent application for planning permission for a new training ground. However, with tough fixtures ahead, including matches against Bristol Rovers and Colchester, Harrogate will need to win their next few games to keep their pride intact and stay in the league.

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.

Ipswich Town chairman and chief executive, Mark Ashton, has issued a public apology for the distress and hurt caused by Nigel Farage's visit to Portman Road earlier this week. The visit, which included Farage holding up an Ipswich No 10 shirt with his name on it, was widely criticized by fans on social media.The club has stated that it remains 'apolitical' and that the visit was not endorsed by the club. However, fans described the visit as 'shameful' and 'embarrassing', leading to a significant backlash on social media.In a statement, Ashton said: 'I unreservedly apologise for any hurt, pain or distress that's been caused'. He acknowledged that mistakes were made and that the club would reconsider its approach to engaging with local politicians and political parties.The controversy has come at a critical time for Ipswich Town, who are currently third in the Championship table and fighting for a return to the Premier League. The unwanted distraction has added pressure to the team's promotion bid, with eight games remaining in the season.Ashton emphasized the importance of moving forward together, stating: 'We are better when we move together as one and there is lots to fight for on and off the pitch'. The club will now review its policy on engaging with politicians and political parties to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Iran's national football team made a poignant statement before a friendly match against Nigeria in Turkey on Friday. As their anthem played, the players held up school bags and wore black armbands, a powerful gesture of protest against the killing of schoolgirls in a recent US-Israeli strike.The friendly match, held in the resort town of Belek, comes as Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada hangs in the balance due to the ongoing conflict. The team's actions were a clear reference to the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school, which Tehran claims resulted in the deaths of over 175 people, including children and teachers, on the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes.An Iranian team spokesperson confirmed that "the players are holding the school bags close to their heart in remembrance of the 165 girls the Americans killed in an Iranian school." This dramatic gesture underscores the team's stance on the issue and highlights the human cost of the conflict.The incident has sparked significant controversy, with some members of Iran's women's football team refraining from singing the national anthem during an Asian Cup match earlier this month. State TV in Tehran responded by labeling them "traitors."Iran's football federation had sought to have their national team's World Cup games relocated from the US to Mexico, but this request was rejected by Fifa. The team, which lost Friday's game 2-1 to Nigeria, is set to play Costa Rica in another friendly match in Turkey on Tuesday.