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The Discovery of a Lost Musical MasterpieceThe discovery of a new work by Ralph Vaughan Williams has set the world alight this week. In a box in the archives of London's Morley College, Elaine Andrews came across a previously unknown Vaughan Williams song titled "Before the Mirror," which sets a Swinburne poem inspired by a Whistler painting. The manuscript's workings, its crossings-out and corrections, offer a fascinating insight into Vaughan Williams's creative process, revealing music of surprising tonal adventure and expressive ambiguity written shortly after his marriage in 1897.The Vast Landscape of Lost Musical WorksBut a single song pales into comparison compared to the musical riches that may be lying dormant in libraries, archives and lofts all over the world. One of the most significant musical finds of all time was the treasure-trove of manuscripts by Florence Price found in a derelict house in Illinois in 2009, which included her two violin concertos, Fourth Symphony and dozens of other pieces. This discovery revealed not only wonderful music, but also pointed to the priorities – and prejudices – of music historians.The Systematic Erasure of Female ComposersThat discovery revealed not only wonderful music, but also pointed to the priorities – and prejudices – of music historians. The discovery of previous unknown manuscripts by the most familiar composers – a single page of Mozart, an exercise by Beethoven, a sketch by Haydn – often happen because historians know where to look for ephemera of lives whose every artefact has been combed over for centuries. But that had not been the case for Price, or for other composers who have been musicologically marginalised. Their work is supposed to be "lost" simply because no one had been looking for it.Rediscovering Forgotten Female VoicesThat's why some of the deepest holes in musical history – works that we know composers wrote and that were performed in their lifetimes, but which their biographies say are now "lost" – are by female composers. Francesca Caccini wrote more than 13 stage works in her lifetime in 17th-century Italy, but only one survives today. Caccini's dozen other operas may currently be "lost," but have researchers been looking for them as assiduously as they search for a page by Bruckner or a letter by Mahler?The Case of Joseph BologneThe same goes for at least three complete operas by Joseph Bologne, who lived an extraordinary life in 18th-century France, as composer, violinist, orchestral leader, fencer and soldier, becoming a colonel in the revolution's only all-black regiment. But Bologne's legacy suffered the prejudices of a culture that reinstated slavery and which erased his contribution to the revolution and to musical society after his death in 1799. Now that Bologne's work is at last finding its place there must be renewed focus on recovering these vital "lost" operas from the oblivion that they never deserved.Legendary Lost Works We Can Only Dream OfMind you, there is also lost music whose absence has been known of for centuries – we can only dream of what could be. Bach's St Mark Passion and scores of his cantatas, Monteverdi's Arianna and other stage works, the dozens of quartets and sonatas that Brahms threw out as unworthy, or Sibelius's Eighth Symphony, likely consigned to the flames by Sibelius himself.New Leadership in Classical MusicIn other classical music news, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra has announced that Lithuanian conductor Giedrė Šlekytė is to be their next music director, succeeding Thomas Søndergård from the 2027 season. The appointment comes after just two projects: a well-received week of Mahler's First Symphony, and a subsequent recording session. As the RSNO's chief executive Alistair Mackie said: "When she joined us last year, her musical ideas and the way she works with players spoke for themselves. Giedrė gives the orchestra room to breathe and to play."

U.S. President Donald Trump is confronting a shrinking set of diplomatic and military choices as the fragile cease‑fire with Iran shows signs of unraveling.Escalating Tensions as the US‑Iran Ceasefire StallsOptimism for a new peace proposal evaporated this week, with both sides digging in and demanding the other concede first. Trump has described the April 8 cease‑fire as being on “life support,” while senior officials hint at a possible resumption of hostilities. Tehran’s demands – an end to fighting on all fronts, lifted sanctions, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz – have been dismissed by Trump as “garbage.”Polls and Market Numbers Reveal Growing Domestic PressureTwo‑thirds of Americans surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos say Trump has not provided a clear rationale for the war.Gas, oil and fertilizer prices are climbing, amplifying public discontent.Trump’s approval rating sits at 36%, down from 47% a year ago.The cease‑fire, in place since April 8, remains fragile, with recent missile and drone attacks on the UAE testing its limits.Strategic Consequences for the Middle East and US Global PostureA renewed US‑Israel bombing campaign could strain Washington’s ammunition stockpiles and divert attention from the Indo‑Pacific, where China remains a primary concern. The Center for Strategic and International Studies warns that the Iran conflict has already eroded US readiness for other confrontations. Moreover, Iran’s hardened stance and resilient military posture suggest that further escalation may not force the concessions Washington seeks.What Path Might Trump Take Next?Analysts argue Trump will have to prioritize either a nuclear‑deal concession or control of the Strait of Hormuz, likely favoring the former to protect energy markets. Any escalation risks a broader regional war and could become a decisive liability in the upcoming mid‑term elections. The most plausible scenario is a negotiated settlement that limits Iran’s nuclear program while leaving the Hormuz issue unresolved, allowing Trump to claim a diplomatic win while managing domestic political fallout.

French officials have locked down a cruise ship carrying over 1,700 people in Bordeaux following the death of a 90‑year‑old passenger from suspected norovirus, with roughly 50 others reporting symptoms.Mass Quarantine Imposed on Ambassador Cruise Line VesselThe Ambassador Cruise Line ship arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday with 1,233 passengers, the majority of whom are British or Irish. Authorities ordered the vessel to remain docked while health teams conduct containment and testing.Location: Bordeaux, FranceShip operator: Ambassador Cruise LineTotal people confined: >1,700 (passengers + crew)Casualties and Symptom Count Reveal Outbreak ScaleOne passenger, aged 90, has died. Approximately 50 individuals have exhibited typical norovirus symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, prompting the large‑scale quarantine.Deaths: 1 (90‑year‑old passenger)Symptomatic cases: ~50Passengers on board: 1,233Operational and Financial Ripples for the Cruise OperatorThe sudden confinement disrupts the ship’s itinerary, likely leading to compensation claims, itinerary re‑booking costs, and potential revenue loss for the Ambassador Cruise Line. While exact figures are unavailable, similar incidents have resulted in multi‑million‑euro impacts for cruise lines.Regulatory Scrutiny and Future Health SafeguardsFrench health authorities are expected to review the incident, which could tighten European Union cruise‑ship health protocols. Enhanced sanitation measures, pre‑embarkation health screenings, and stricter isolation procedures may become mandatory to prevent recurrence.

The Investigation into Nigel Farage Nigel Farage is facing a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The Gift and Its Disclosure The Reform UK leader received the money weeks before announcing he would stand as a candidate in the 2024 general election. Farage has said the gift, first revealed by the Guardian, was intended to cover his personal security costs and therefore did not need to be declared. The Rules and Potential Consequences However, Labour and other parties argue that MPs are required to declare any potentially relevant gifts or donations received in the 12 months before entering parliament, and that the money from the Thailand-based Harborne falls within these rules. If the investigation finds Farage committed a particularly serious breach of parliamentary declaration rules, he could be suspended from the Commons. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing him to fight again for his Clacton seat.

New research from the International Data Center Association (IDCA) reveals that datacentres are now responsible for roughly 6% of electricity consumption in the United Kingdom and the United States, intensifying public and political scrutiny over the sector’s rapid energy growth.Datacentre Power Demand Hits 6% of UK and US GridsThe study notes a 15% worldwide increase in datacentre electricity use over the past two years, driven by the surge in AI workloads and internet traffic. Annual global investment in new facilities is approaching $1tn (£740bn), equivalent to nearly 1% of the global economy. In the UK, datacentre electricity share has risen to 5.9%, while the US sits at 6%, far above the global average of 2%. Smaller nations such as Singapore and Lithuania face even higher pressures, with datacentres consuming 19% and 11% of their national grids respectively.Financial and Energy Metrics Highlight Rapid GrowthGlobal investment: ~$1tn in 2025UK grid‑connection queue: grew 460% in H1 2025US “zombie” services: account for 13% of datacentre load, equating to over 3 GW of wasted powerProjected UK demand: could quadruple by 2030These figures align with the International Energy Agency’s estimate that global energy use by datacentres rose 17% in 2025, outpacing overall electricity demand growth of 3%.Community Pushback and Policy Implications Across NationsThe IDCA warns that once a country’s datacentre footprint reaches the 5%‑6% threshold, “significant community and political pushback” becomes inevitable. In the UK, activists and groups such as Greenpeace UK have warned of an “unchecked AI boom” leading to higher energy bills, water‑stress, and renewed reliance on fossil fuels. The report calls for:Greater transparency from tech firms on future datacentre plansMandatory environmental impact assessmentsA ban on new polluting power plants dedicated to AI workloadsAdditionally, the study highlights emerging security concerns, noting that recent attacks on datacentres in the Middle East have underscored the need for integrated cyber‑physical protection strategies.Outlook: Regulation, Transparency, and Security Challenges AheadLooking forward, the IDCA predicts that pressure will mount for:Stricter national grid connection policies to curb the 460% surge in pending requestsIndustry‑wide standards to eliminate “zombie” services and improve energy efficiencyCoordinated security frameworks that address both cyber threats and physical vulnerabilitiesIf policymakers act swiftly, the sector could mitigate its environmental footprint while sustaining the growth of AI and cloud services. Failure to do so may trigger broader societal resistance and accelerate regulatory clampdowns.

The Unlikely Hero of Normal Bob Odenkirk continues his new career as the everyguy action hero in this cynically bleak gonzo actionfest, co-written by Odenkirk himself with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad. The director is Ben Wheatley, who shows the same kind of gunplay that was exhibited in his single-location mayhem spectacular Free Fire from 2017. A Town of Deception The setting is a place of Fargo-esque wholesomeness: a little town in Minnesota called Normal where Ulysses, played by Odenkirk, shows up as the interim sheriff, a decent guy just filling in after the previous sheriff was found dead in the snow in strange circumstances. Ulysses is depressed and battling a drinking problem after an unexplained violent end to his last job, which caused him to separate from his wife. The Dark Secret Unfolds Yet something is very wrong: when a bank robbery happens in this one-horse town, events are set in train which reveal to Ulysses that everything about Normal, like the blandly prosperous law practice in Sydney Pollack’s film The Firm, rests on a single, awful secret that he is about to uncover. It’s entertaining and bizarre chaos, anchored by Odenkirk’s hangdog air of gloomy resignation to the violent mess which he has to clean up. The Film's Release Normal is in UK and Irish cinemas from 15 May.

The Plight of Lollipop People Lollipop people in Britain are facing a crisis of abuse and aggression from drivers. Despite their crucial role in ensuring the safety of schoolchildren, they are often subjected to intimidation, swearing, and even physical threats. A Growing Problem The issue is not limited to Ipswich, where a 61-year-old lollipop person, Lynne Gorrara, has been working for 10 years. She and her colleagues have reported instances of drivers speeding towards them at 50mph, and some have even waved as they pass. The problem is part of a larger trend of rising road rage and aggressive driving in the UK. Statistics Reveal a Worrying Trend More than 3.5m motoring offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in 2024, the highest figure since records began. The number of crimes committed in the UK that mentioned "road rage" or "aggressive driving" in police logs increased by 34% in three years. There were 42m vehicles on Britain's roads in 2025, a rise of more than 5m in a decade. The Human Impact The abuse and aggression faced by lollipop people can have a profound impact on their well-being. Gorrara and her colleagues have reported feeling scared, anxious, and even traumatized by their experiences. Some have even received death threats. A Call to Action The issue of abuse and aggression towards lollipop people is a reflection of a broader societal problem. It highlights the need for greater awareness and education about road safety and the importance of respecting those who work to keep our roads safe. Suffolk county council's introduction of body-worn cameras is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of this problem. The Future Outlook As the number of vehicles on Britain's roads continues to rise, it is likely that the problem of abuse and aggression towards lollipop people will only worsen. It is essential that councils, police, and the public work together to create a safer and more respectful environment for those who work to keep our roads safe.

The Artist's Journey Through Love and LossFalling in and then out of love is a universal experience that often brings sadness, grief and heartbreak, and with time, hope and healing. Photographer Diana Markosian used her camera lens to document these complex feelings in her new project, Replaced.She brings the viewer on her journey of having, losing and reclaiming love, in a project that blurs documentary and fiction. "[The moments] no longer existed in the way they had, and I wanted to reclaim them," she says. "I wanted to feel that I could exist in my own story again."Recreating Intimate Moments Through ArtTo document their relationship, Markosian and her team worked with an actor to play her ex-partner. Each intimate image from the series, taken over three months, is a replica of an exact moment once shared with her ex and now shared between her and the actor. Her connection to him deliberately led to his being cast as her partner in the series so that the experience would feel as real as possible.With the actor, she visited Miami, Paris, Naples, Capri and Nice, all places she had once traveled to with her ex-partner. "These locations carry an existing weight of romantic myth," she says. "They are already shaped by cultural narratives of love, desire and idealized experience."The Emotional Toll of ReenactmentShe stayed at the same hotels and did the activities they had once done together, describing the experience as painful but cathartic. "It hurts so much, watching myself be replaced, watching those memories erased, and I didn't want to live in this any more," she says. "I'm so grateful that the project happened quickly."One of the most tender moments she recreates with the model appears in an image of them seated in a bathtub, holding one another with a red light glowing around them. Their vulnerability allows the viewer to reflect on a delicate moment between two people whose past love no longer exists, fostering empathy and prompting the audience to reflect on their own past relationships.Art as a Tool for Processing EmotionsCreating these intimate photographs enabled her to contemplate her journey. "I wanted to acknowledge how these same spaces can be reoccupied," she says, before adding: "If anything, [the project] just showed me how much I loved this person."For the past 16 years, Markosian has not let go of her camera, often using it to reach back and understand her past. "Art has given me a way of processing. I was studying writing, and suddenly found myself holding a camera and not wanting to let go of it; it became just a friend in my life," she says.A Career Built on Memory and ReconnectionShe first picked up a camera at 20, during graduate school at Columbia University. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she wanted to see the world, so she moved back to Moscow, Russia, where she was born. There she taught herself how to use the camera.Today, her lens serves as a tool for reconnecting with her past life and reclaiming it as her own. In her previous, highly regarded photo monograph Inventing My Father, she demonstrates her unique ability to reveal the unseen past through her images. Working on the book for 10 years, she depicts her journey of finding her father after 15 years of no contact, following her move to California in 1996 from Armenia, where he lives."Father, my previous work of the past decade, it's all rooted in memory, and I think what's beautiful about memory, there's a blend of fiction, interpretation, and it's very subjective," she says. "So I think I love existing in that territory because none of it is really real."

The Passing of a TrailblazerJason Collins, the first openly gay active player in the National Basketball Association (NBA), has died at the age of 47 after battling cancer. His family confirmed the news in a statement, describing his fight against glioblastoma as "valiant." Collins revealed his diagnosis in September 2025, disclosing he had stage four glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.A Career in Professional BasketballThe 7-foot center (2.13 meters) played 13 seasons in the NBA, making significant contributions to several teams. Selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 draft, he was traded to the New Jersey Nets on draft night. Collins also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washington Wizards.Collins helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 alongside teammates Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, showcasing his value as a professional athlete.A Historic Moment in SportsIn April 2013, Collins made headlines when he became the first active male athlete in one of North America's four major professional sports leagues to publicly come out as gay. His decision was announced in a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated, which received widespread support across the sports world.Former United States President Barack Obama publicly praised Collins' courage, stating that he "couldn't be prouder" of Collins for taking this step. His coming out represented a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports.Enduring Legacy and Impact"Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar," his family said in their statement. "Our family will miss him dearly."Arn Tellem, Collins' former agent and current vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons, emphasized the lasting impact of his decision to come out: "Jason's legacy stands as a beacon for tolerance, dignity, respect, inclusion, compassion, and understanding. He left this world better than he found it."The Future of LGBTQ+ Representation in SportsCollins' passing comes at a time when LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports continues to evolve. His courageous decision to come out in 2013 paved the way for other athletes to be open about their identities without fear of professional repercussions. As sports organizations continue to promote diversity and inclusion, Collins' legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence future generations of athletes.