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When future generations examine television trends, they might be surprised by the glut of dramatisations about famous men caught in sex scandals. Jimmy Savile and Prince Andrew have both received multiple treatments, and now, with almost crushing inevitability, comes Channel 5's Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards.Edwards, the high-profile BBC newsreader who resigned in 2024 before being charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, remains defensive. Prior to the broadcast, he released a statement claiming the drama is unlikely to convey reality while asserting: I am repelled by the idea that some people enjoy viewing indecent images of children.The drama earns its title by portraying a powerful man utilizing a queasy power dynamic to manipulate a teenage boy into fulfilling his sexual desires. While not the pinnacle of drama, the film succeeds in capturing a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach.The main draw comes from its casting. Martin Clunes, known for roles that rely on his innate likability, creates an impressively accurate Edwards. He captures the fascinating mix of swagger and vulnerability, along with Edwards' distinctive accent and diction. Even during disturbing scenes, his performance never wavers.For much of the film, Edwards remains a figure of distant menace. Instead, this is really the story of Ryan (Osian Morgan), a teenage boy who finds himself being groomed by Edwards. The drama is constructed around first-hand interviews with Ryan (using a pseudonym to protect his identity), showing how Edwards validated his desire for connection before making the relationship transactional.Most powerfully, the film depicts the effect on Ryan's parents, as their dismay at his increasing waywardness first becomes anger directed at Edwards and then fear that they had become the bad guys.Still, the producers face challenges with a story that isn't visually interesting. Much of the relationship happened over text, meaning excessive time is spent watching people type or narrate messages. The film makes odd stylistic choices, including framing everything around the Queen's death and ending with Edwards reporting on his own charges.Edwards has promised to tell his side of the story, but as the reviewer notes, few will have the stomach to hear it when that day arrives.

The final season of Netflix's Heartbreak High has concluded, but its farewell has left much to be desired. The show, a remake of the 1990s Australian series, had potential with its fresh-faced cast and energetic tone. However, it ultimately succumbed to a polished but contrived approach, straying far from the gritty realism that made its predecessor compelling.The original Heartbreak High was praised for its near-verite realism and diverse cast, tackling tough issues with fearlessness and courage. In contrast, the new series opted for a blinged-out U-turn, adopting a jokey tone and pat writing. While it still addressed important issues like abortion, mental health, and racial tensions, it did so without the same level of authenticity.The final season follows the gang's last year at Hartley High, kicking off with a chaotic muck-up day prank. However, even this moment felt painfully contrived, lacking the realism that once defined the series. The show's approach to emotional moments was similarly forced, designed to generate feeling rather than earn it.Creator Hannah Carroll Chapman may have aimed for a show akin to Sex Education, but Heartbreak High fell short. Its colourful but contrived approach rarely achieved a strong emotional pull, instead favouring sentiment over subtlety in its conclusion.Despite its shortcomings, Heartbreak High still explored complex relationships and character aspirations. However, the show's failure to balance humour and drama, coupled with its contrived emotional moments, left this reviewer underwhelmed.

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has sparked concerns about the motivations behind Donald Trump's continued military actions. Kenneth Roth, a Guardian US columnist and former executive director of Human Rights Watch, draws a striking parallel between Trump's approach and that of Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War. Nixon's quest for 'peace with honor' in Vietnam led to years of devastation, resulting in over 20,000 American soldiers killed and a significantly higher toll among Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian civilians. Similarly, Trump's conflict with Iran appears to be driven by a desire to assert dominance and protect his political reputation, rather than a clear military objective. The article questions the rationale behind Trump's continued bombing of Iran, citing claims that Iran's ballistic missile capacity has been functionally destroyed and its nuclear program 'obliterated.' With 7,000 Iranian protesters killed in January, the Trump administration's call for regime change seems unlikely to succeed. The current fixation on Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of the world's oil and gas, has led to soaring petroleum prices. Trump's threat to destroy Iran's electrical infrastructure by the end of the week, unless Tehran agrees to allow the strait to reopen, raises concerns about war crimes and humanitarian consequences. Roth suggests that a de facto ceasefire, where Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu stop bombing, could be a more fruitful path to deescalation. However, Trump's desire for 'unconditional surrender' and the Iranian regime's insistence on lifting sanctions and affirming its right to nuclear enrichment complicate negotiations. The article concludes that Trump's pursuit of 'honor' and 'victory' in the conflict may come at a significant cost to the people of Iran, the global economy, and the United States itself, echoing the lessons of the Vietnam War.

The recent developments in the Iran-US conflict have sparked concerns about the potential for a prolonged and devastating war. Iranian barrages have targeted Israel, Gulf Arab states, and northern Iraq, while Israeli and US warplanes have struck across Iran. The US has considered deploying troops on the ground, further escalating tensions.British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the conflict may endure, and the economic risks are already crystallizing. Business activity growth in Britain has slowed, manufacturers' input costs have seen their sharpest rise since 1992, and home loans are becoming dearer as the war feeds into energy and inflation fears.The UK government is drawing up contingency plans, such as lowering speed limits to cut fuel use. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out universal household support for any 'Trumpflation' and insists help will remain within her 'iron-clad' fiscal rules. This approach has raised concerns about the government's ability to mitigate the economic impact of the conflict.The conflict has significant implications for global energy markets. Disruptions to oil and gas flows could lead to a structural shift in global energy use, with Europe potentially accelerating its green energy transition and Asia opting for increased coal use. The UK's clean energy transition may be impacted, with higher costs and disrupted supply posing challenges.In conclusion, the Iran-US conflict poses significant risks to global economic stability and energy markets. The UK government must navigate these challenges carefully, balancing the need for economic support with the imperative of maintaining fiscal discipline.

The UK defence industry is in a state of crisis as a long-delayed military spending plan has left firms 'bleeding cash' and in 'paralysis'. The six-month delay to the defence investment plan (DIP) has resulted in some companies going bust, while others are struggling to stay afloat.Industry groups have warned that the delay has left the UK behind Germany and the US in attracting investment from global investors. The DIP, originally expected last autumn, has been repeatedly postponed amid warnings that the military faces a £28bn funding gap over the next four years.Samira Braund, the defence director of the ADS Group trade body, described the situation as 'paralysis', stating that the government has not put effective mitigation plans in place. The boss of BAE Systems, Europe's biggest defence contractor, has urged ministers to publish the plan, while some smaller firms have been forced out of business.One such company was MTE Heat Treatment, a Yorkshire-based manufacturer with just over 30 employees that helped make turbine blades for jet engines. It fell into administration in February. Andrew Kinniburgh, the head of the trade body Make UK's defence arm, warned that the delay risks deterring investment in the UK at a time when the US and Europe are also raising military spending.The DIP will show how the government plans to fund its strategic defence review, the blueprint for transforming the military amid growing threats from Russia, rising commitments to Nato and against the backdrop of the US-Israel war on Iran. Ministers accepted all the review's recommendations when it was published last June, but the head of the military, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, told MPs in January that defence cuts would be needed without more funding.

Handel's mid-career novelty, Imeneo, is a comedy of duty and desire that defies conventions. Unlike Mozart's Così fan tutte, Imeneo eschews cynicism and cruelty, instead opting for a lighthearted, meta-theatrical approach.Director Guido Martin-Brandis and the Cambridge Handel Opera Company bring this operetta to life with a delightful staging that captures its knowing, self-referential charm. The set design, featuring a row of Ionic columns and an 18th-century fantasy of topiary and trellis, perfectly complements the opera's playful nature.The story follows Imeneo (played by Timothy Nelson), who rescues the city's marriageable young virgins from pirate-kidnappers. The conflict revolves around Rosmene (played by Ellie Neate), who must choose between gratitude and fidelity. Handel's music, conducted by Julian Perkins from the harpsichord, is a precise cocktail of artifice and sincerity, beautifully balanced by the cast.The cast delivers outstanding performances, with Neate's Rosmene growing in power throughout the final scene, and Lisa Dafydd's Clomiri captivating audiences with her sweet singing. Bethany Horak-Hallett's mezzo and Nelson's baritone are evenly matched, while Trevor Eliot Bowes brings comic relief as the patriarch Argenio.This production of Imeneo is a must-see, with its witty and careful handling of Handel's music and libretto. Don't miss it, running until March 28.

The Strategic Pivot from Design to IntelligenceApple has officially confirmed the dates for WWDC 2026, signaling a decisive shift in its product roadmap. The event, running from June 8 to June 12, moves away from the aesthetic focus of previous years toward a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence.June 8-12, 2026: The conference will take place both online and at Apple Park in Cupertino.Global Streaming: Access will be available via the Apple Developer app, website, and YouTube channel, with a specific stream for the Chinese market on Bilibili.Platform Updates: Expect major overhauls to iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, alongside new developer tools.The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: AI IntegrationLast year's "Liquid Glass" reveal was a visual triumph but lacked the AI depth expected from the tech giant. This year, the narrative changes. Apple is expected to unveil a significantly upgraded Siri, moving beyond simple commands to a system capable of on-screen awareness and deep personal context.Redefining the Siri EcosystemThe integration of Google's Gemini into Apple's ecosystem marks a pivotal moment. This partnership suggests Apple is prioritizing breadth of capability over exclusivity. Furthermore, the continued expansion of AI tools within Xcode—including Anthropic's Claude Agent and OpenAI's Codex—indicates a commitment to empowering developers to build the next generation of intelligent applications.The Future of Apple's Silicon StackAnalysts predict that the Foundation Model framework will receive critical updates. The ability to run advanced models offline will likely be a key talking point, bridging the gap between cloud processing and local device privacy.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has taken a significant turn, with oil prices skyrocketing to unprecedented levels. Analysts are now warning that prices could reach $150 or even $200 per barrel, a scenario that was previously considered far-fetched.The global benchmark, Brent crude, has hit nearly $120 per barrel and has remained above $100 since March 13. The recent Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gasfield and subsequent Iranian attacks on oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have further pushed crude prices up to over $108 per barrel.The Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about one-fifth of global oil supplies, has been effectively closed since Iran declared it shut early in the conflict. Only a handful of ships, mostly Indian, Pakistani, Turkish, and Chinese-flagged vessels, have been allowed to pass through in recent days.Market watchers agree that prices have room to move much higher if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, notes that benchmark Middle Eastern crudes have already crossed the $150 threshold, making $200 a possibility.The International Monetary Fund estimates that every 10% rise in oil prices would correspond with a 0.4% increase in global inflation and a 0.15% reduction in economic growth. Oil prices at $150 or higher would weigh heavily on the global economy.Adi Imsirovic, an energy expert at the University of Oxford, warns that oil at $200 per barrel would be a major handbrake to the world economy, impacting inflation, growth, employment, and potentially causing shortages of fuel and materials.

Cuba has extended an invitation to Cuban Americans and other exiles living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, effectively opening its doors to a community that has traditionally agitated for harsh economic sanctions against the Communist government. The move is part of a broader effort to revive Cuba's collapsed economy, which has been exacerbated by a US-imposed oil blockade and sanctions leading to extended blackouts and shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga stated that there are no limitations for Cubans living abroad to participate in the country's development, including investing in larger projects, particularly in agriculture. This policy shift comes as Cuba has begun talks with the US, and US officials have indicated a desire for an economic opening as part of any bilateral agreement. The issue of allowing emigrants to invest in island businesses is sensitive, given the often-hostile stance of some exile communities towards the Cuban government. Economist Paolo Spadoni described the policy shift as 'pragmatic' but noted that Cuba should have initiated it years ago. He added that this change could be a catalyst for deeper US-Cuba economic ties, creating significant opportunities for US companies. With over 1 million Cubans having emigrated since 2021, this move represents a potential source of investment still largely untapped. The policy change occurs against the backdrop of strained US-Cuba relations, with US President Donald Trump having cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatening tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba.