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The LeadNumerous Football Associations have been hit by increased prices when buying World Cup tickets for their players' family and friends, with teams competing at the tournament affected by Fifa's dynamic pricing model.The FIFA Dynamic Pricing ModelWhile Fifa offered all national associations that have qualified for the World Cup a six-week window to buy tickets at a fixed price after the draw in December, any requests for tickets from the end of January have been subject to what Fifa describes as "adaptive pricing", with the cost rising for most matches.The Financial Impact on Football AssociationsAn executive at one national association said they had requested hundreds of additional tickets in recent weeks and have been surprised at the size of the bill. An executive at another association claimed the average cost of securing attendance at matches for their players' family and their guests has risen to about $3,000 (£2,200) a ticket after extra purchases, a significant additional cost that will eat into their tournament funding.Industry Response and ConcernsMany national associations have privately expressed surprise by the price increases, although Fifa sources insist the terms and conditions of sale were made clear at the outset and that FAs who responded to their deadlines on time should not have experienced price rises. There are concerns that smaller countries with the lowest budgets will be worst affected by the price rises.Future Outlook for World Cup TicketingOutside Fifa's marketplace, ticket prices on other resale platforms appear to be falling. According to TicketData.com, which tracks prices from a number of resellers, including StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats, the cheapest available ticket for 87 of the 91 matches in the US and Canada has fallen over the past 14 days.

Two more passengers – a French woman and an American man – have tested positive for hantavirus, bringing the total confirmed cases on the Dutch‑flagged cruise ship MV Hondius to 10. Health ministries in France, the United States and the World Health Organization are coordinating repatriation flights and a 42‑day quarantine as the vessel remains anchored off Tenerife.New Positive Cases Highlight Ongoing Hantavirus Threat on MV HondiusFrench Health Minister Stephanie Rist confirmed the French case on Monday, noting the patient’s condition was deteriorating. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported an American passenger testing “mildly positive” and another with mild symptoms, both travelling in biocontainment units. Authorities have identified 22 contact cases and four additional French passengers have tested negative so far.Case Count, Fatalities, and Quarantine Metrics Reveal Growing Health BurdenTotal confirmed cases: 10Deaths confirmed by WHO: 2 (plus one probable)Hospitalised patients: 4 (one in intensive care in South Africa)Quarantine recommendation: 42 days for all passengersFatality rate of the Andes strain: up to 40‑50% for elderly patientsInternational Repatriation Efforts and Public Health Responses Shape Outbreak ManagementRepatriation flights are scheduled for Monday: a six‑passenger flight to Australia and an eighteen‑passenger flight to the Netherlands, also carrying passengers from other nations. The WHO and national health agencies stress that hantavirus is far less transmissible than COVID‑19, with Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency, describing public risk as “extremely low”.Projected Timeline for Complete Evacuation and Containment MeasuresAll 17 MV Hondius passengers are expected to undergo clinical assessment upon arrival in their home countries. With the 42‑day quarantine in place, health officials anticipate the evacuation to be completed by early next week, followed by monitoring of contact cases for the virus’s incubation period of one to eight weeks.

Morning Highlights: Middlesex Seals Dramatic Win Over LancashireNaavya Sharma sparked a collapse with a three‑wicket over, finishing with figures 4/17. Ryan Higgins added four wickets, while Ben Geddes hit a match‑winning 73* to guide Middlesex to a six‑wicket victory. Lancashire were bowled out for 84, their first defeat to Middlesex at Old Trafford since 1996. Key performers: Naavya Sharma (4/17), Ryan Higgins (4 wickets), Ben Geddes (73*)Final score: Middlesex 169/4 chase, Lancashire 84 all out Durham's Dominance Over WorcestershireDurham rolled past Worcestershire with a nine‑for‑38 collapse, bowing them out in a single session. Ben Stokes claimed two late‑order wickets, while Ben McKinney and Emilio Gay guided the chase of 143 with ease. Result: Durham won by nine wicketsNotable figures: Ben Stokes (2 wickets), Ben McKinney (key runs) Essex Overcomes Hampshire in a Tight ChaseMatt Critchley anchored Essex’s chase with an unbeaten 90, securing a three‑day victory over Hampshire who suffered their third straight loss. Target: 177 runsOutcome: Essex 177/?? (won) Surrey Hit by Concussion Setback at Trent BridgeDuring the Nottinghamshire vs Surrey encounter, Josh Tongue struck Gus Atkinson on the helmet twice, leading to a delayed concussion diagnosis. Atkinson will miss Surrey’s next match, with Reece Topley stepping in. Dan Lawrence responded with his third century of the spring, scoring 104. Impact: Surrey lose a frontline bowler for the upcoming fixtureScore at pause: Nottinghamshire 415 & 99/1, Surrey 449 Division One Scoreboard SnapshotNottinghamshire 415 & 99/1 vs Surrey 449Glamorgan 229 & 140/5 vs Somerset 354 & 157 (Glamorgan need 143 to win)Sussex 430 vs Leicestershire 328 & 154/4Warwickshire 147 & 553/6 vs Yorkshire 152 & 98/5 Implications for the Championship RaceThe victories lift Middlesex and Durham into strong promotion contention, while Lancashire and Worcestershire slide deeper into the relegation zone. Surrey’s concussion loss could affect their bowling depth in the crucial final round. Looking Ahead: What to Expect This WeekWith Somerset eyeing a chase at Sophia Gardens and Yorkshire trying to recover at Edgbaston, the next few fixtures will likely decide the final promotion spots. Keep an eye on Gus Atkinson's return and whether Dan Lawrence can maintain his scoring streak for Surrey.

The Discovery Jem Calder's writing career had a fairytale start. Sally Rooney emailed him, impressed with a short story he'd submitted to the literary magazine she was editing soon after Conversations with Friends came out. It was the first story he'd ever completed. Calder was already 'a huge fan' of Rooney's, so the whole thing was surreal, he tells me. 'I can't really imagine what could top that, to be honest.' The Writing Career That story ultimately ended up in Reward System, Calder's 2022 collection of six interconnected tales following a cast of sad young things living in an unnamed city. It was hailed as a book of the year; a review in this paper placed Calder among 'the most talented young writers of fiction at work today'. Now, his debut novel, I Want You to Be Happy, picks up some of the themes of the first book: the trials of modern love, millennial ennui, consumer culture, technology, political and ecological doom. The Novel's Themes The novel explores the challenges of modern relationships, with characters struggling with commitment, addiction, and the search for meaning in a dismal macroeconomic climate. Calder's characters are addicted to instant gratification – buying stuff, social media, vaping, porn – anything to ward off the world's horrors. The Author's Perspective Calder grew up in Cambridge, studied English at Leeds, and has since worked a variety of jobs alongside writing, including those of his protagonists – Joey is a barista, and Chuck is a copywriter. He says he 'truly can't relate' to authors who complain of writer's block – having to work a day job 'gives me such motivation to get back to it and force myself to deal with something difficult in my writing'. The Future Calder could be grouped with a cohort of young novelists to whom the 'voice of a generation' label can easily be applied, alongside the likes of Rooney, Oisín McKenna, Madeleine Gray – writers concerned with how a dismal macroeconomic climate impacts young lives. How does Calder feel about that badge? It 'isn't something I consciously pursue at all', he says. 'It's unavoidable not to critique capitalism in some way if you're trying to address the absurdities of how we live now, but I also don't care about putting my political views in my fiction. The goal is always to just write realistically about how life feels.'

The Life of a Multifaceted ArtistRay Burgoyne, a painter, carpenter and musician from Essex, has died aged 80. He first exhibited his paintings in the late 1980s and spent the next 30 years organizing countless exhibitions across the Essex and Suffolk coastline. Burgoyne was self-taught and arrived in the art world with a seemingly fully realised, studied vision.An Artistic Journey of Abstract ExpressionThe extensive body of work Burgoyne produced mirrored the abstract ballad that was his life – romantic, unpredictable, filled with both childlike simplicity and dark complexity. His paintings featured carnivalesque characters, forgotten landscapes, and were painted in pure, deep colors. When viewing his more abstract paintings, typically characterised by thick oil application and conjured shapes, he was often confronted with the question: "So, what is it actually meant to be?" to which he would reply with that unmistakable Ray smile, "It's whatever you think it is."Early Life and Musical RootsBorn in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Ray was the youngest of two children of Joseph Burgoyne, a greengrocer, and Dolly (nee Nash). His early life was characterised by fierce independence, spent trying to ride on the back of his pet pig, Rosie, pretending to be one of Alan Ladd's cowboys, fishing at the end of the pier and drinking in seafront dance halls to the soundtrack of the Shirelles.The Mod Scene and Musical CareerBy the early 60s, Ray was at the heart of the emerging mod scene in Southend as a founding member and drummer for the Flowerpots, a local rhythm and blues band who opened for the Animals and the Who. He stayed in the band until 1966, demonstrating his early artistic expression through music before transitioning to visual arts.Carpentry and Family LifeRay dreamed of going to art school, but after leaving Wentworth high school for boys, aged 14, was sent to work at a cabinet maker's as an apprentice carpenter. He continued to work as a carpenter throughout his life, at a boat-building yard in Leigh-on-Sea, doing shop fitting and antique restoration around Essex, and installing shows for the Design Centre in central London. In the mid-70s, he became master carpenter at the Palace theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea, building and constructing sets for repertory productions.Personal Relationships and Later YearsIn 1968 he married Sylvia, and they had four children, Claire, Paul, Helen and Sam. Ray and Sylvia divorced in 1986, and Ray married Gilly, a student nurse, later that same year. They had two children, Phelan and the author of this obituary. After the family moved to the village of Friston, in Suffolk, in 1999, Ray finally became a full-time artist.Artistic LegacyRay exhibited both solo and in groups, primarily in the nearby seaside town of Aldeburgh, with established and fledgling artists. He is survived by Gilly, his six children and 15 grandchildren. His artistic legacy continues through his extensive body of work that captured the romantic, unpredictable nature of his life through abstract expressionism and deep, pure colors.

The Defiant Sound of Queer ResistanceFor queer Malaysian punk band Shh … Diam!, every live gig is a small miracle. Their name translates as "Shut up!", a powerful and defiant cry in a country rife with homophobia. Favouring distorted riffs, heavy drums and swaggering lyrics, the band's powerful sound seeks to drown out the noise of prejudice and discrimination. Their courage, as well as their simple joie de vivre, thrum through Yihwen Chen's documentary portrait. Shot over six years, the film charts the monumental changes undergone by the band members and their home nation.Voices of the MarginalizedAlways ready with a joke, lead singer and guitarist Faris is a proud trans man. Rejected by his own family, the charismatic performer finds a safe haven with his bandmates Yon and Yoyo, and their audience. Their songs turn up the volume on issues faced by the queer community, and also bristle with an anarchic sense of humour. One particularly tongue-in-cheek tune is titled Lonely Lesbian; a title taken from a hostile rightwing article citing ways to spot a lesbian, its playful and defiant lyrics reconfigure homophobic ideology into satire, an act of rebellious subversion cloaked in irony.Music as ActivismThe band's activism extends from the stage on to the streets, as the members join in pro-democracy and queer rights protests. Faris is filled with optimism when, for the first time in 60 years, the conservative Barisan Nasional was defeated in 2018, but joy would later turn to anger when the party returned to power as part of a coalition in 2022. Despite the pessimism triggered by the cycles of electoral politics, Chen's film prioritises hope, foregrounding moments of personal triumph, such as Faris's top surgery and Yoyo's beautiful wedding to her girlfriend. Political parties might come and go, but people's power seems to rock on.Cultural Impact and RepresentationQueer as Punk offers a rare glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia, a country where queer identities remain largely marginalized. The documentary not only captures the band's musical journey but also serves as a testament to resilience and community building in the face of systemic discrimination. By amplifying voices that are often silenced, the film contributes to a broader global conversation about queer rights and representation in media.The Future of Queer CinemaAs Queer as Punk makes its way to UK cinemas from May 15, it arrives at a time when queer stories are gaining more visibility in mainstream cinema. The film's focus on punk music as a vehicle for social commentary highlights the intersection of music, activism, and identity. For audiences, particularly those unfamiliar with Malaysia's cultural landscape, the documentary offers both education and entertainment, demonstrating how art can be a powerful tool for social change.

The Dominance of Adolescence The Netflix drama Adolescence, which won universal acclaim for its chilling portrayal of violence by disaffected teenage boys, has dominated the Bafta TV awards. The four-part series, where each episode was filmed in a single take, won the award for best limited drama, while Stephen Graham, who co-created the show, took the best leading actor prize. The Winners' Circle Graham, who had been nominated eight times before, talked about being inspired by the TV show Scully as a child. “For any other young kid, no matter where you’re from, anything is possible.” “We’re not saving lives,” he said. “But we have the opportunity to tell the human condition. And we have the obligation to tell beautiful stories.” Owen Cooper, who became a household name for his performance as 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for murdering a girl at his school, also bagged the best supporting actor award. Other Notable Wins Other winners on the night included the crime series Code of Silence for best drama and Narges Rashidi for best leading actress in Prisoner 951, the true story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the Briton imprisoned for six years in Iran. The documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack took the spoils in the current affairs category. The Impact of the Awards The Bafta TV awards have once again highlighted the best in British television, with a range of genres and shows being recognized. The dominance of Adolescence and the wins by other notable shows and actors demonstrate the high quality of television being produced in the UK. The Future of British Television As the television industry continues to evolve, the Bafta TV awards will remain a key event in showcasing the best of British television. With shows like Adolescence and Code of Silence pushing the boundaries of storytelling and performance, the future of British television looks bright.

Monroe’s Home Becomes a Legal FlashpointThe iconic Spanish‑style bungalow that Marilyn Monroe bought in February 1962 has been thrust into a courtroom showdown after the Los Angeles City Council designated it a cultural‑historical monument in 2024. The designation halted the owners' demolition plans and sparked a lawsuit alleging a violation of constitutional property rights.Owners’ $8.35 Million Purchase and Demolition PlansBrinah Milstein, a real‑estate heiress, and her husband Roy Bank, a reality‑TV producer, acquired the property for $8.35 million in 2023. Their intent was to raze the original structure and fold the half‑acre lot into their adjoining estate, a plan initially approved through a demolition permit.Financial Stakes: Purchase Price and Potential CompensationPurchase price: $8.35 million (2023)Potential compensation sought: unspecified multimillion‑dollar claim for loss of investmentLegal fees and court costs expected to run into six‑figures for both partiesThe federal judge’s dismissal leaves the plaintiffs the option to file an amended complaint, meaning the financial exposure could increase if the case proceeds to trial.Implications for Historic Preservation and Property Rights in Los AngelesThe dispute highlights a tension between private property owners and the city’s historic‑preservation authority. While the designation does not require public access, it obliges owners to maintain the structure, effectively turning a private residence into a public monument at the owners’ expense. The case could set a precedent for how “demolition through neglect” is addressed and whether cities can enforce costly upkeep on designated properties.What the Courts May Decide and Future of the PropertyLegal analysts anticipate three possible outcomes: (1) the court reinstates the demolition permit, allowing the owners to proceed; (2) the city’s preservation order is upheld, forcing the owners to preserve the house and potentially seek compensation; or (3) a settlement that includes partial demolition of non‑character‑defining elements while preserving key historic features. Regardless of the verdict, the saga will likely influence future landmark designations and real‑estate transactions in Los Angeles.

The Injury Blow Spain appear to have taken another blow before the World Cup when midfielder Nico Williams departed Athletic Club's La Liga game with an apparent hamstring injury. Williams sustained the injury before half-time in Athletic Bilbao's 1-0 loss to Valencia at home on Sunday, prompting concerns for European champions Spain as the countdown to the global tournament hits the one-month mark. The Extent of the Injury The 23-year-old went off with a distraught look on his face and was later seen on the bench with a pad on his left hamstring. He had already been sidelined for several weeks earlier this year because of another injury. Williams has scored six goals in 30 appearances with Spain's national team since 2022. He has six goals with seven assists in 32 games for Athletic Club this season. Impact on Spain's World Cup Campaign His injury has compounded Spain's worries as they were already sweating over star forward Lamine Yamal's fitness. Yamal went down with a torn hamstring last month while playing for Barcelona. Spain are in Group H at the World Cup in North America. They will play their first two games in Atlanta, Georgia, facing Cape Verde on June 15 and Saudi Arabia on June 21. The final group game for the 2010 champions is on June 26 against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Road Ahead “He was limping a lot. He hadn't felt that type of pain before,” Williams's Athletic teammate Inaki Williams said. “It's concerning, considering the moment we are in right now. Let's wait and hope for the best possible scenario.” Athletic did not immediately release details about Williams's injury. Spain coach Luis de La Fuente is to announce a 55-name preliminary squad for the World Cup this week.