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A concerning trend is emerging in the UK, where four in 10 parents are struggling to afford essential items for their newborn babies. This is according to a recent survey conducted by the charity Barnardo's, which polled 2,000 parents with children under the age of five.The study found that 49% of parents felt their child had missed out on opportunities to learn or play due to the cost of living, while 44% reported that financial pressures had impacted their child's development, including speech, socializing, and physical play.In response to these findings, Barnardo's is advocating for the nationwide rollout of baby boxes, a scheme already implemented in Scotland. Since its launch in 2017, over 360,000 baby boxes have been distributed in Scotland, providing essential items such as clothes, books, and a changing mat.The charity's chief executive, Lynn Perry, emphasized the importance of such support, stating that it allows parents to focus on bonding with their baby rather than worrying about providing for them. Seven in 10 parents surveyed expressed support for making baby boxes universally available.The issue of poverty is a pressing concern in the UK, with an estimated 4 million children (27%) living in poverty. Despite the government's efforts to address this issue, including the scrapping of the two-child benefit policy, Barnardo's is calling for a greater focus on tackling poverty in the early years of life.

Semyon Bychkov's Czech Philharmonic Mahler cycle, released as a box set by Pentatone, has been gaining attention since 2022. The latest addition, featuring symphonies 6, 7, 8, and 9, solidifies its place in the pantheon of great Mahler recordings.The Sixth Symphony is notable for its relentless tread, which Bychkov tames with a considered approach. The 'Alma theme' shines with inner fire, and the slow movement is a serene, shimmering piece.The Seventh Symphony, often considered problematic, is remarkably convincing under Bychkov's meticulous direction. The tempi and transitions in the long opening movement feel natural, and the nocturnal movements are rich with imaginative detail.The Eighth Symphony stands out as one of the finest in the catalogue, with a superbly recorded and strongly cast performance. A highlight is the moment at the end of the first movement where the eight choral lines soar in unison.The Ninth Symphony showcases the architectural arc of the piece, with the catastrophic collapses in the opening movement resolved in the spiritual release of the finale. The Czech Philharmonic's playing, especially the woodwind, is impeccable throughout.

Argentina's congress has approved a bill promoted by President Javier Milei that authorizes mining in ecologically sensitive areas of glaciers and permafrost, sparking widespread environmental protests. The bill, which was already approved by the senate in February, will make it easier to mine for metals such as copper, lithium, and silver in frozen parts of the Andes mountains.The chamber of deputies approved the amendment with 137 votes in favor, 111 against, and three abstentions after nearly 12 hours of debate. Environmentalists argue that the legislative changes will weaken protections for crucial water sources, with thousands protesting outside parliament, holding banners with slogans such as “Water is more precious than gold!” and “A glacier destroyed cannot be restored!”Seven Greenpeace activists were arrested earlier in the day after scaling a statue outside parliament and unfurling a banner urging lawmakers “not to betray the Argentine people”. The passage of the amendment is a new coup for Milei, who pushed through looser labor laws in February despite repeated street protests.Environmental activists, such as Flavia Broffoni, argue that there is no possibility of creating a 'sustainable mine' in a periglacial environment. Argentina has nearly 17,000 glaciers or rock glaciers, with glacial reserves in the north-west shrinking by 17% in the last decade due to climate change.Milei, a free-market radical who does not believe in human-made climate change, says the bill is necessary to attract large-scale mining projects. The Central Bank of Argentina estimates that the country could triple its mining exports by 2030. Supporters argue that the bill will provide legal certainty and clear definitions, while critics, such as Enrique Viale, warn that it threatens the water supply for 70% of Argentinians.

Labour leader Ed Miliband is facing a dilemma over whether to support new oil and gas licences in the North Sea, a move that could undermine the party's commitment to renewable energy and climate action. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is pushing for the licences as a way to cut fuel bills, and some trade unions are also expressing support.However, Labour's green-friendly manifesto and Miliband's long-standing commitment to combating climate change make it difficult for the party to backtrack on its opposition to fossil fuel extraction. The issue has become a battleground between Labour and Reform UK, with Farage framing it as a fight between the 'common man' and the 'elites'. The North Sea oil and gas industry is in decline, and even if new licences were granted, it would take five to seven years for the wells to become productive. Moreover, the global energy market is driven by fossil fuel prices, so extracting more oil from the North Sea would have a minimal impact on UK energy prices.Instead of succumbing to pressure from the right, Labour should focus on investing in renewable energy and breaking the energy market into clean power and fossil power. This approach would not only help combat climate change but also provide a more sustainable and resilient energy supply.The article concludes that Labour must stay committed to its green agenda and not give in to the 'nostalgic fantasy' of North Sea drilling, which would only serve to benefit Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

Assam, India – Under the sweltering April sun, Akram Ali stood amid the rubble of his four‑room house, a home he had built over 45 years ago. The demolition, part of a government‑led bulldozing operation on March 14, turned his residence into a pile of debris.Bulldozers descended on Islampur, a Muslim‑majority neighbourhood on the outskirts of Guwahati, and for four hours razed homes across 177 hectares (437 acres). The sweep rendered 400 families homeless, including Ali, who now lives in a tarpaulin shanty a few kilometres from his former home.Ali, a daily‑wage worker, told Al Jazeera that despite identifying as Goriya – “son of the soil” – his house was destroyed. The Goriyas are an Assamese‑speaking Muslim community traditionally settled in the tea‑belt region. In 2022, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially recognised the Goriya, along with four other Muslim sub‑groups, as “Indigenous” to Assam.While this designation has afforded the Indigenous Muslims a degree of cultural safety, it has not shielded them from the state’s aggressive land‑clearance drives. Ali questioned the distinction, asking, “Weren’t our homes demolished because we are Muslims?”Muslims make up more than a third of Assam’s 31 million residents, according to the 2011 census. Of these, roughly 6.3 million are Bengali‑speaking “miyas,” often labelled “outsiders,” while about 4 million belong to Indigenous groups like the Goriya.The BJP, led nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been courting the Indigenous Muslim vote ahead of the April 2026 state elections, where it seeks a third consecutive term after governing since 2016. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has spearheaded the party’s crackdown on “miyas” since 2021, claims the government will “never target” Indigenous Muslims.Political analyst Bonojit Hussain explains that the BJP’s outreach serves two purposes: softening its communal image and capturing decisive vote blocks in constituencies where Indigenous Muslims and Hindus together decide the outcome. In seats such as Nalbari, where Indigenous Muslims account for over 25 % of the electorate, and Barkhetri, with roughly 80,000 Muslim voters, the community’s support can swing the result.Upper Assam, a region with a strong Assamese‑speaking identity, is especially critical. Journalist Firoz Khan notes that Indigenous Muslims influence the outcome in seven or eight of the 39 seats there, prompting the BJP to temper its overtly anti‑Muslim rhetoric in the area.Despite the party’s overtures, many Indigenous Muslims remain skeptical. Moinul Islam, spokesperson for the rights group Sadou Asom Goria Jatiya Parishad, warned that the BJP’s broader anti‑Muslim policies—evictions, voter‑list objections, and alleged deportations—are unlikely to win their votes.Earlier in 2025, similar demolition drives displaced hundreds of Goriya families in Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts, and a systematic campaign to challenge Muslim names on electoral rolls further strained relations.BJP spokesman Kishore Upadhyay dismissed the allegations as “malicious, biased and politically motivated,” but Indigenous groups argue the pattern signals an attempt to erase their cultural legacy.Recent actions by the state government reinforce this perception. Chief Minister Sarma renamed the only medical college in Barpeta—previously bearing the name of Goriya freedom fighter Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed—arguing that institutions should reflect their geographic location. Critics view the move as symbolic of a broader effort to marginalise Muslim contributions to Assam’s history.In December 2025, Sarma also proposed dropping the hyphen in “Sankar‑Azan,” a name that celebrated the syncretic legacy of 15th‑century polymath Srimanta Sankardev and 17th‑century Sufi saint Azan Peer. Communist Party member Isfaqur Rahman warned that such revisions reflect a “slow erasure of Assamese Muslim heritage.”For Ali, the demolition has hardened his political stance. “After being evicted, the chief minister called us illegal immigrants and broke our backs by destroying our homes,” he said. “We are the new miyas.”

The play's creator, Gregory Burke, was inspired by the tragic events at Camp Dogwood in Iraq and the story of three soldiers from the Black Watch regiment who were killed by an IED. Vicky Featherstone, founding artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland, commissioned Burke to write the play.The production was a collaboration between Burke, director John Tiffany, and movement director Steven Hoggett. The set, designed by Laura Hopkins, featured a pool table that transformed into a tank, symbolizing the transition from a pub to a war zone.The play's success was not limited to its initial run. It went on to tour for seven years, performing in numerous countries, including the United States. The play's impact was profound, with audience members often moved to tears and applause.Black Watch also had a significant impact on the careers of its cast members, including Emun Elliott and Brian Ferguson. The play's influence extended beyond the theatre world, with its themes and messages resonating with audiences worldwide.

BBC Two’s three‑part series ‘Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy’ attempts to map the arc of the King of Pop from a Midwestern child prodigy to a global phenomenon whose legacy is still contested. Released ahead of the family‑approved biopic Michael, the documentary does not promise fresh revelations; instead, it seeks to place the singer’s meteoric fame, legal controversies and post‑mortem financial empire within a single narrative. The first episode, titled Fame, foregrounds Jackson’s musical genius while also exposing the fraught dynamics of his family life. Interviews with siblings and childhood acquaintances depict a household where “six bunk beds in one room” were the norm, and where fear of their father, Joe Jackson, loomed large. La Toyia Jackson’s recollection that “Michael had a fear of my father – we all did” underscores the pressure that shaped his early years. In The Reckoning, the series shifts to the period of criminal investigations and media scrutiny. Former spiritual adviser Rabbi Shmuley Boteach describes the tragedy as a man who, despite unparalleled attention, remained “utterly lonely.” Prosecutor Ron Zonen argues that the sheer scale of the Jackson enterprise eclipsed the pursuit of justice, noting the obviousness of the abuse allegations in his view. The episode also revisits the 2003 Martin Bashir documentary, which Boteach recalls as a “shock” that contributed to the star’s eventual downfall. The final installment, The Resurrection, examines the attempts to revive Jackson’s career, his sudden death, and the ripple effects of the 2019 Leaving Neverland documentary. The review notes that the allegations have reshaped public perception to the point where many, including the reviewer, find it difficult to engage with his music. The series concludes that the ongoing legal battles—seven alleged victims are currently suing the estate—represent “the most extraordinary effort to uncancel someone in history.” While the documentary assembles an extensive roster of interviewees—family members, former managers, record executives, and even Donald Trump—it occasionally suffers from an overly broad brushstroke that blurs moral clarity. The reviewer acknowledges the valiant effort to strike a middle ground but questions whether such balance is sufficient for a story marked by “wild extremes.” Overall, the series provides a comprehensive, if not groundbreaking, overview of Jackson’s complex narrative, serving as a timely companion piece to the upcoming biopic and a reminder that the conversation around his legacy remains far from settled. Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy is currently streaming on iPlayer.

Ballon d’Or prospects are wider than ever after more than a decade dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. This season’s Champions League quarter‑finals could tip the balance as the 103‑day run‑in to the World Cup final approaches. Harry Kane leads the conversation, having netted 54 goals across club and country – a tally that includes Bayern Munich’s recent 2‑1 win over Real Madrid. A Champions League triumph with Bayern and a World Cup victory with England would make him the first English Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001. Other candidates include Kylian Mbappé, currently the top scorer in both the Champions League and La Liga, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose creativity for Barcelona and Spain adds a different flavour to the race. The field remains open enough that a surprise performer – perhaps an Arsenal double‑winner or a PSG‑Portugal combo – could leapfrog the traditional favourites. Folarin Balogun’s USMNT future is under scrutiny. The 24‑year‑old Monaco striker has scored in five consecutive Ligue 1 matches, highlighted by a spectacular chip against Marseille that showcased his peak form. Yet head coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to start Christian Pulisic at centre‑forward in the final warm‑up against Portugal, limiting Balogun’s chance to cement his role. While Pulisic displayed moments of flair, his hold‑up play was described as “more like a winger than a No 9”, underscoring the coach’s dilemma. Balogun’s club form, however, argues that the United States already possess a striker capable of leading the line. Roberto De Zerbi faces a seven‑game deadline at Tottenham Hotspur. Signed on a five‑year deal, the Italian tactician inherits a side that struggled to adapt to his possession‑based philosophy under previous managers. Tottenham rank 12th for touches inside the opposition box and 14th for big chances created (Opta), indicating a lack of the creative outlets De Zerbi favours. He achieved his first win at Brighton after six games and impressed at Marseille with four wins in five, but both successes came after a full pre‑season and targeted transfers – luxuries Tottenham lack at the moment. The upcoming Sunderland clash will be his first real test of whether his style can be implemented quickly enough to steer the club away from relegation danger. In summary, the next three months will decide not only who lifts the 2026 Ballon d’Or, but also whether Balogun can secure a starring role for the USMNT and if De Zerbi can reverse Tottenham’s fortunes before his contract’s short‑term clause expires.

Major League Baseball has handed down seven-game suspensions to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López after a heated brawl during a game between the two teams. The suspensions, announced by MLB's senior vice-president for on-field operations, Michael Hill, also come with undisclosed fines. Both players are appealing their suspensions, which were set to begin on Wednesday but are currently on hold.The incident occurred on Tuesday night when Soler homered off López in the first inning, and later was hit by a 96mph fastball from López. The situation escalated when López threw a high-and-inside wild pitch, prompting Soler to charge the mound. The two players began throwing punches, leading to a brawl that involved players and coaches from both teams.Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss described the situation as a 'big man' on a 'warpath,' saying he had to intervene to prevent Soler from hurting someone. Soler and López were teammates during the second half of the 2024 season with the Braves.The Braves went on to win the game 7-2, with Soler's two-run shot in the first inning contributing to the victory. Soler has impressive stats against López, going 14 for 23 with five homers and three doubles.Both players expressed regret over the incident, with López stating there was 'never any intent to hit him' and Soler criticizing López for missing 'way too high and close to my head.'