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The Life and Times of Ol' Blue Eyes A new musical about Frank Sinatra's explosive rise to fame has opened in London, giving audiences a chance to experience the life and times of the legendary singer. The Story Behind the Music The musical, which has been making waves in the theatre scene, takes a deep dive into Sinatra's journey from his early days as a young singer to his rise as a global superstar. A Star-Studded Affair With a talented cast and crew, the show promises to bring the energy and excitement of Sinatra's performances to life on stage. A Look at the Man Behind the Music Through a combination of music, dance, and drama, the musical aims to give audiences a glimpse into the life of the man behind the music, exploring his relationships, struggles, and triumphs. The Verdict As the curtains open on this new production, audiences and critics alike are eager to see how this musical will pay tribute to the legacy of Frank Sinatra.

The Lead Bedouine (Azniv Korkejian) has released her fourth album "Neon Summer Skin," a deeply personal work that explores themes of displacement, identity, and security. The musician, whose family fled conflict in the Middle East, discusses how her experiences of leaving Syria and Saudi Arabia have shaped her latest musical offering. The Musical Journey of Displacement The title track to "Neon Summer Skin" recreates a perfect day from Korkejian's childhood, painting a picture of safety that contrasts with the reality of growing up in regions affected by conflict. "I wanted to paint a picture of what it's like to feel safe," she explains. "So much of the record is about not having the luxury to not consider your own safety." A Family's Flight from Conflict Korkejian's family, of Armenian descent, lived in Syria before moving to a US compound in Saudi Arabia. In 1995, unnerved by the proximity of the Gulf War, they successfully applied for the green card lottery and relocated to the US. "And thank God, because we would eventually have had to return to Syria," Korkejian reflects. "I don't know what would have happened to us then." The Emotional Landscape of Exile Despite escaping the violence that would later engulf Syria, Korkejian describes the "long tail of sadness" that comes with displacement. "You can escape the slaughter, but still there's this long tail of sadness, to be parted from people and places that mean so much to you," she says. The album captures this complex emotional landscape through songs like "On My Own" and "Canopies." Artistic Evolution and Personal Expression While her earlier records felt intimate and conspiratorial, "Neon Summer Skin" represents a departure in style. Korkejian embraced a "middle of the road" approach inspired by artists like Carole King and Elton John, aiming for "more emotional expression, more melodic movement, more crooning." This evolution coincided with her parents' second displacement, as they moved from Saudi Arabia to Armenia after retirement. Humanizing the Middle Eastern Experience In promoting the album, Korkejian plans to exhibit her parents' old photos from their time in Syria and Lebanon. "People from the Middle East are often perceived as violent and horrible, and there's pity, too," she explains. "I want to humanise them." Through both her music and these visual artifacts, she seeks to present a more nuanced view of Middle Eastern life and identity.

The Voice of the Moment Marco da Silva Ferreira, a Portuguese choreographer, has emerged as a voice of the moment in the dance world. His work, 'F*cking Future', is a testament to his unique approach, blending protest and partying, activism and choreographic collectivism. The Event Details Last year, Ferreira was a finalist for the Rose international dance prize, competing for £40,000. Although he didn't win, his work left a lasting impression. 'F*cking Future' is a dance piece that features eight dancers in unison, performing a series of small, repeated movements that gradually shift and morph. The Performance The dancers, dressed in shiny trousers and chainmail vests with red makeup smeared under their eyes, create a mesmerizing spectacle. The piece builds slowly, with the dancers chanting a song of resistance: 'We are the ghosts you tried to kill!' The performance is a feat of intense concentration and aerobic fitness, leaving the dancers in a state of ecstatic exhaustion. The Impact Analysis Ferreira's dance is a departure from the typical 'show-us-everything-you-can-do' style of dance. Instead, it's an exercise in anti-instant gratification, slowly building energy and momentum. The piece raises questions about the politics of resistance and the role of the choreographer in shaping the energy in the room. The Prediction 'F*cking Future' is set to run at Sadler's Wells East, London, until June 6th. As Ferreira's star continues to rise, it's likely that his unique voice will be heard for years to come, inspiring a new generation of dancers and choreographers to experiment with protest and partying as a form of artistic expression.

The Vision for Planetary Survival Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival, the Guardian reported last week. In an age of ecological dread, that is a bracingly hopeful claim. The optimism came courtesy of the Global Justice Report, produced by Thomas Piketty’s World Inequality Lab. The Challenges to Progress The report identifies the blocks to progress: plutocracy, US power and timid climate politics that leave elites largely untouched. Its strength is to name the forces capable of change – trade unions, citizen movements and coalitions of countries – and to insist that a green transition must be built through democratic means, not technocratic fiat. The Path to a Richer Life One of the report’s key aims is to bring every country to today’s rich-country level of €5,000 per person per month in purchasing-power terms. The figure for sub-Saharan Africa is €290. The report proposes a new global fiscal and monetary architecture: taxes on the very rich would build the public realm, while a Keynesian “clearing union” and new international currency would ease the external constraints that limit poorer countries’ state spending. Rethinking Abundance The standard of living at which the report wants the world to converge is not one of endless private consumption, but of secure public services, increased leisure and climate stability. The report imagines this as a very high standard of life – and potentially a happier one – better in many respects than that experienced by the majority in today’s developed nations. The Future Outlook Critics will say that the report is a utopian dream. But that is perhaps its power. The political resistance to the ideas would be enormous. Many people in rich countries see their consumption not as “excess” but as compensation for insecurity, long hours, unaffordable housing and alienation. So the report’s offer has to be understood not as “less for you”, but as less waste, less work, less rent extraction, more security, more leisure time and more public luxury.

Cathy Tie, the self‑styled “Biotech Barbie,” used her 30th‑birthday concert at Carnegie Hall as a launchpad for a new gene‑editing company that seeks to eradicate inherited diseases by editing embryos. Backed by high‑profile venture capitalists, her move spotlights a rapidly growing, yet heavily regulated, frontier in human biotechnology.Cathy Tie's Grand Carnegie Hall Birthday and the Birth of a New Gene‑Editing VentureOn a Friday evening in late April 2026, Tie performed Saint‑Saëns’ Piano Concerto No 2 in a pink tulle gown, then turned the spotlight to her entrepreneurial ambition: a startup—initially called Manhattan Project, now operating under Origin Genomics—focused on germline editing to prevent conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and hereditary cancers.Location: Carnegie Hall, New York CityEvent: 30th birthday celebration and public announcement of the ventureGoal: Open, regulator‑approved editing of human embryos for disease preventionFunding Landscape: Billionaire Backers and Emerging Start‑upsSince Tie’s arrival in New York (August 2025), a wave of ultra‑wealthy investors has poured capital into the human‑genetics arena.Preventive launched in October 2025 with a mission to “prevent disease before birth.”Investors include Sam Altman (OpenAI), Oliver Mulherin, and Brian Armstrong (Coinbase CEO).Armstrong coined the term “Gattaca stack,” highlighting a suite of technologies—gene editing, pre‑implantation genetic testing (PGT), and embryo selection—that could become routine.Regulatory Roadblocks and Ethical Storms Around Germline EditingDespite the influx of private money, germline editing for reproductive purposes remains banned in the UK, US, and China. International consensus discourages research that could produce viable babies, citing the irreversible impact on future generations.Current bans prohibit implantation of edited embryos that could develop to term.He Jiankui’s 2018 experiment—editing twins for HIV resistance—resulted in a three‑year prison sentence and a fine of 3 million yuan.China’s recent draft regulations (September 2026) aim to accelerate biotech R&D, hinting at a possible softening of the stance.What Lies Ahead for Human Germline EngineeringTie argues that secrecy will only drive rogue actors underground; she advocates for transparent, regulator‑approved research. The trajectory of the field will likely hinge on three factors:Regulatory evolution: Any relaxation of bans could unlock commercial pathways.Public acceptance: Wider societal dialogue is needed to balance benefits against ethical concerns.Competitive pressure: Billionaire‑backed rivals and state‑driven programs may accelerate breakthroughs, intensifying a “biological arms race.”If these dynamics align, germline editing could move from experimental labs to clinical trials within the next decade, reshaping concepts of disease, inheritance, and even what it means to be human.

The Digital Dilemma I recently learned through Apple's Screen Time app that I was spending about eight hours a week on my phone browsing Reddit and Instagram. That's 17.3 days a year spent consuming entertaining but ultimately pointless fluff. The warning signs are if your phone is the first thing you look at in the morning and the last thing you look at in bed, says Prof Marcantonio Spada, emeritus professor of addictive behaviours and mental health at London South Bank University. The Psychology of Phone Addiction Too many of us have "outsourced our brain to California," Spada says, but that's not completely our fault: "There are behavioural scientists and neuroscientists who are working daily to ensure that it's outsourced. I know some of them really well." Phones also suck our time. "We all complain: 'I don't have time to exercise, cook healthy food or read novels,'" says Hilda Burke, psychotherapist and author of The Phone Addiction Workbook. "But then we look at how much time we spend on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram – we find there is time to do those things." The Turning Point Changing habits can be daunting, she says, but, like Spada, she insists that the rewards are worth any early discomfort. "Initially there's that twitchiness, but I guess what happened [for me] was a kind of a positive reinforcement where I was like: 'Actually, this is quite nice.'" The point of using any of the techniques outlined in the piece is to see what we're missing, he says, not just to act on a puritanical urge to purge technology from our lives for the sake of it. "I'm generation X, so I had the benefit of access to the real world, real emotions, the heart racing in anticipation of meeting somebody, which has been numbed by virtual existence," he says. "Stay there [in the real world] long enough, and you can get massive rewards." The Solution That Worked The trick that worked best for me was Brick, a small, grey, magnetic square you stick to a metal surface – in my case, the front door, because it's reinforced with metal. It'll set you back £54, which is undoubtedly a big ask for something so simple, but if time is indeed money, you can make a case that it will quickly justify the outlay. Touch your phone to it, and apps that rely on you opening them without thinking can't be tapped. To regain access, you have to physically get up and unlock your problem apps with another touch – which is just enough of a pain to make you reassess your priorities. Implementing Change You can choose what to lock down, and I've been quite conservative. WhatsApp is a social lifeline for those of us who work from home, for example, and Gmail is essential for work. Podcasts expand the mind, and even Netflix is something I only use in the gym, so it's a wellbeing positive overall. But Reddit, Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook? I have them locked all day except when I leave the house (what else am I going to do on the tube?). I'm especially vigilant at bedtime, so there's no temptation to doomscroll in bed or delay getting up in the morning. The Results The friction that Brick adds has made all the difference, and I'm already feeling the benefit. I feel more focused, and my brain feels calmer. I still check in on social sites on my desktop work PC, but these are easily closeable tabs rather than full-screen, infinitely scrolling apps. It's genuinely a quick break – after all, who wants to sit at their desk any longer than they have to? By my earlier back-of-an-envelope sums, I've already lost about three days of 2026 to mindless scrolling. But I'm excited about what I'm going to do with the recovered 15.

The Lead: Nature's Weekly WondersThis week's wildlife roundup brings us extraordinary moments from across the animal kingdom. From a sea lion's leisurely day to the delicate beginnings of osprey chicks and the remarkable birth of rare lemur quadruplets, nature continues to surprise and delight observers worldwide.A Sea Lion's Leisurely LifestyleMarine biologists have documented a particularly relaxed sea lion off the coast of California, spending an unusual amount of time basking in the sun rather than hunting. This behavior, while seemingly lazy, may actually be an energy conservation strategy during warmer months. The sea lion, affectionately named Leo by researchers, has become a local attraction as visitors gather to watch his peaceful existence.The New Generation of OspreysIn a remote nesting platform overlooking a pristine lake, a pair of osprey parents have successfully hatched three chicks. These young raptors represent hope for the species, which has faced challenges due to habitat loss and environmental changes. Wildlife cameras have captured the tender moments as the parents tirelessly hunt to feed their growing family, showcasing the dedication required to raise the next generation of these magnificent birds of prey.Rare Lemur Quadruplets Bring HopeIn a conservation breakthrough in Madagascar, a critically endangered species of lemur has given birth to quadruplets—a rare event that has brought new hope to preservation efforts. The lemurs, part of a breeding program aimed at saving the species from extinction, are receiving specialized care from veterinarians and researchers. This extraordinary birth represents a significant achievement in primate conservation and underscores the importance of dedicated breeding programs for endangered species.Conservation ImplicationsThese diverse wildlife stories, while captivating individually, collectively highlight the importance of conservation efforts worldwide. The sea lion's relaxed existence reminds us of the delicate balance in marine ecosystems, the osprey chicks demonstrate the resilience of nature when given proper habitat, and the lemur quadruplets show how dedicated conservation programs can make a difference for endangered species.Looking Ahead: Wildlife in a Changing WorldAs climate change and human development continue to impact natural habitats, wildlife stories like these become increasingly important. They not only showcase the beauty and diversity of life on Earth but also serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Conservationists worldwide are working to create more protected areas and implement sustainable practices to ensure future generations can continue to experience these natural wonders.

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Uganda’s “prompt and capable” actions as the country helps contain the third‑largest Ebola outbreak in history, which began on May 15 in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Uganda’s coordinated response to the DRC Ebola outbreakUganda deployed border screening, intensified surveillance, testing and case‑management systems, and confirmed 19 cases – 14 linked to travel from the DRC – with two deaths reported.Case numbers and mortality ratesDRC confirmed cases: 544DRC deaths: 88Uganda confirmed cases: 19Uganda deaths: 2Strain: Bundibugyo (no approved treatment or vaccine)Economic and humanitarian ripple effectsUganda closed its border with the DRC two weeks after the outbreak was declared, disrupting trade and prompting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to monitor potential economic fallout for the DRC, Uganda and neighboring South Sudan.The closure also raises concerns about worsening food insecurity in the DRC, where nearly 27 million people face acute hunger.Outlook and WHO recommendationsTedros urged Ugandan authorities to “reconsider” border restrictions, emphasizing that “there is no need for restrictions since they affect the economy” and that addressing the epicentre remains the solution.The WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to support surveillance and vaccination efforts as the region works to contain the outbreak.

The Hero's WelcomeOmar Artan was celebrated as a national hero in Somalia following the country's failure to qualify for the World Cup. Despite the dashed dreams of representing Somalia on the world's biggest football stage, Artan received an overwhelming welcome from fans and officials alike.The Journey of Somali FootballSomalia has faced numerous challenges in developing its football program, including political instability, lack of infrastructure, and limited resources. Despite these obstacles, the country has produced talented players like Omar Artan who have managed to gain recognition in international competitions.The Impact of Artan's AchievementArtan's individual success has brought attention to Somali football on the global stage. His achievements serve as inspiration for young athletes in the country and demonstrate that Somali players can compete at the highest levels of international football.The Future of Somali FootballWith Artan as a role model, there is renewed hope for the development of football in Somalia. The country's football federation may benefit from increased investment and attention, potentially leading to improved performance in future international competitions.