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Big Mood returns for a second season on Channel 4, aiming to blend a serious look at bipolar disorder with broad‑scale comedy. Lead actress Nicola Coughlan reprises Maggie, now emerging from a harrowing episode of lithium poisoning that left her hallucinating and confused. The debut series introduced Maggie in the throes of a manic episode, followed by a depressive crash after she stopped her medication to protect her creative output. While the first season earned praise for its insightful depiction of mental illness, the new installment quickly pivots toward slapstick scenarios – from a militant maid of honour to a secret‑husband extortion plot – that dilute the original emotional weight. Central to the drama is Maggie’s strained bond with best friend Eddie, played by Lydia West. Their friendship, already intense in season one, becomes increasingly implausible as Eddie abandons London for California without explanation. In season two, Eddie resurfaces under the control of a dubious wellness guru named Whitney, who has siphoned her finances and seeks to erase any lingering connection with Maggie. Rather than deepening the exploration of mental health, the series now focuses on a far‑cical showdown between the two women. Maggie, now in a “stable girl” routine of retinol and Hello Fresh meals, obsessively attempts to expose Whitney as a fraud, enlisting Eddie’s friend Will – a character described as “incorrigibly nice” yet treated with contempt by both protagonists. The tonal shift raises questions about the show’s core ambition. While Coughlan delivers an empathetic performance that captures Maggie’s inner turmoil, the surrounding plotlines feel disjointed and at times toxic, especially in the portrayal of the once‑intoxicating platonic romance that now appears more destructive than supportive. Humor, inherently subjective, may still resonate with viewers who appreciate the series’ millennial‑centric chaos. However, the blend of “knockabout farce” with moments of genuine drama feels uneven, suggesting that the show’s initial promise of a heartfelt, realistic bipolar narrative has been eclipsed by over‑reaching comedic contrivances. In conclusion, Big Mood season two struggles to reconcile its dual aims. The ambitious premise that once offered a nuanced look at mental illness now feels buried beneath a barrage of gimmicks, leaving audiences to wonder whether it’s time for the characters – and perhaps the series itself – to move on.

LIV Golf, a breakaway tour backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), is facing an uncertain future as the fund is expected to withdraw its support in 2026. This development has significant implications for the careers of several leading golfers who made lucrative switches to LIV. The PIF's expected withdrawal could leave many golfers in career limbo, with some, such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, potentially having a pathway back to the PGA Tour. However, the future for others who joined LIV is far more uncertain. The tour's executives recently attended a summit with the PIF in New York, where the financial impact of the Middle East crisis was discussed. LIV's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, has attempted to reassure staff and players that the tour's season will continue as planned, but the lack of commitment beyond 2026 has fueled speculation and concern. Since its inception in 2021, LIV is understood to have burned through more than $5bn of PIF money. Despite this, the tour has made strides towards becoming more commercially viable, attracting blue-chip sponsors such as Rolex and HSBC. The PGA Tour has smoothed a path for some LIV golfers to return, including Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. However, the scenario for others is far less obvious, particularly for those who lack the pull to return to the PGA Tour. The DP World Tour, formerly European Tour, may benefit from LIV's potential demise, given its willingness to re-engage with LIV players. The uncertainty surrounding LIV's future also has implications for women's golf in Europe, with the PIF Saudi Ladies International and other events potentially being affected if the kingdom diverts attention away from the sport.

Warner Bros' new take on The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, has been met with criticism for its grandiose approach and lackluster execution. The film's attempt to distance itself from Universal's upcoming return to the franchise and capitalize on the current trend of auteur-driven horror films has been seen as unearned and indulgent. Cronin, an Irish filmmaker with only two previous films under his belt, has been praised for his visual talent, but his Mummy has been criticized for being absurdly overlong at 134 minutes and tonally unsure. The film's attempt to blend elements of classic monster movies with modern horror tropes has resulted in a messy and unoriginal product. The film's plot, which revolves around a creepy kid who returns from the dead with a malevolent presence, has been compared to other horror films such as The Exorcist and The Omen. However, the execution falls short, with rubbery prosthetics and an exhaustingly loud finale that fails to deliver scares. Despite its bold ambition and stunning visuals, the film ultimately feels like a lesser imitation of other horror films. The lack of character development, suspense, and logic makes it difficult to become invested in the story. The Mummy is set to release in Australian cinemas on April 16 and in the US and UK on April 17.

The Broadway adaptation of The Fear of 13, a play by Lindsey Ferrentino, has been described as sturdy and dependable, but ultimately unremarkable. The play tells the true story of Nick Yarris, who spent 22 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.Based on Yarris's memoir and documentary, the play follows his journey from a troubled youth to his wrongful conviction and eventual exoneration through DNA evidence. Despite its powerful subject matter, the play's execution feels safe and conventional, lacking the depth and inventiveness needed to make a lasting impact.The cast, featuring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, delivers solid performances, with Thompson bringing warmth and understatement to her role as Jacki, Yarris's love interest. However, the play's structure has been criticized for being lopsided, with too much focus on setting up the story and not enough on the emotional depth of the characters.Ferrentino's writing is crisp and propulsive at times, but falters when attempting more lyrical moments, such as the play's final monologue, which falls into vagueness and cliché. The play's themes of hope, perseverance, and the beauty of everyday life are worthy, but not particularly new or insightful.Overall, while The Fear of 13 is a well-crafted and engaging play, it ultimately feels like a fleeting experience that fails to leave a lasting impact on the audience.

President Donald Trump announced on Fox Business that he will dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should the governor refuse to leave his post when his term concludes on May 15. The statement, made during an interview with Maria Bartiromo, underscored the president’s willingness to act, saying he “has wanted to fire him, but I hate to be controversial… he will be fired.” Legal scholars and policy analysts quickly cautioned that the president’s threat is not grounded in statutory authority. Skanda Amarnath, executive director of the think‑tank Employ America, told Al Jazeera that the administration is already losing a court battle over an attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and would likely face the same outcome if it pursued Powell’s removal. The controversy emerges as the Senate Banking Committee prepares to consider Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to succeed Powell. Warsh’s hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, but his confirmation remains uncertain. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has pledged to block the nomination until the ongoing federal criminal probe into Powell’s conduct concludes. If the Senate fails to confirm a new chair, Powell would remain at the helm until a successor is appointed, extending the period of tension between the White House and the central bank. Trump also referenced a separate investigation into a costly Fed building renovation, noting that U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has not indicated any change in the probe’s direction. However, a federal prosecutor later reported that the investigation uncovered no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Critics argue that Trump’s broader agenda seeks to increase political control over the Fed’s seven‑member board, aiming to install members who share his economic outlook. Currently, the president has appointed three board members, and one seat—held by Governor Stephen Miran—has technically expired, which would need to be vacated for Warsh to join. Powell has framed the investigation as a pretext to undermine the Fed’s independence in setting monetary policy, a charge that resonates with concerns about preserving the central bank’s autonomy amid political pressure. Overall, the standoff highlights a clash between executive ambition and the institutional safeguards designed to keep monetary policy decisions insulated from short‑term political influence.

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate voted 47‑52 to reject a resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump’s power to wage war against Iran, marking the fourth defeat of the measure despite weekly attempts by lawmakers. The vote follows a two‑week ceasefire agreed upon last week, though subsequent negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a longer‑term deal. Both sides have indicated openness to a second round of talks. President Trump’s earlier threats, including a statement on April 7 that a “whole civilisation will die tonight,” intensified congressional calls for constraints on his war‑making authority. Party lines largely dictated the outcome: Republican Rand Paul voted in favor, while Democrat John Fetterman broke with his party to oppose the resolution. Supporters argue that Trump acted beyond constitutional limits when he joined Israel in launching the February 28 offensive. The U.S. Constitution reserves the declaration of war for Congress, allowing presidents to act unilaterally only in cases of immediate self‑defence. Senator Chris Murphy, speaking before the vote, described the conflict as a “bungled, mismanaged war” that has failed to meet the administration’s objectives. He criticized the lack of transparency and oversight, noting that the war is costing “billions of dollars every week,” has claimed “over a dozen American lives,” and is destabilising economies worldwide. Republican Senator Jim Risch defended Trump’s actions, dismissing the resolution as “same old, same old” and asserting that the president has both the right and duty to act. The House of Representatives is slated to consider its own war‑powers resolution this week, with a higher likelihood of passage given growing wariness among some Republicans. Even if both chambers approved the measure, Trump could veto it, requiring a two‑thirds supermajority to override. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must either authorize the military action or approve a 30‑day extension when the conflict reaches its 60‑day mark at the end of April. Failure to do so would legally compel the president to begin withdrawing forces. U.S. blockade updates: U.S. Central Command reported that no vessels have successfully breached the blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours, with nine ships complying with orders to turn back. The U.S. Navy warned that vessels attempting to transit will be boarded for interdiction and seizure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a forthcoming set of financial measures described as the “financial equivalent” of military attacks, while noting that some sanctions had been lifted to ease soaring global energy prices. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration has not formally requested an extension of the ceasefire, which is set to expire next week, but expressed optimism about a second round of talks in Islamabad. Iran’s state‑run television reported that a high‑level Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran to coordinate new negotiations. Meanwhile, Major‑General Ali Abdollahi of the IRGC warned that the ongoing naval blockade could jeopardise the fragile ceasefire, describing it as a “prelude to a violation of the ceasefire.”

South Africa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a seasoned negotiator who played a crucial role in ending white minority rule in the 1990s, as its next ambassador to the United States. This move is seen as an attempt to strengthen ties with Washington following a challenging year in bilateral relations.Meyer's appointment comes at a time when South Africa has been without diplomatic representation in Washington, DC, since March 2025, when US President Donald Trump expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool over criticism of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Trump's administration had also frozen most foreign assistance to South Africa and launched a refugee program for white South Africans, citing alleged persecution.Meyer, 78, is a well-known figure in South African politics, having served as a minister under the apartheid Nationalist Party government. He was a key negotiator in the talks that led to the country's first democratic elections in 1994. Meyer later joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 2006 and has a history of working with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was then an ANC negotiator.The new ambassador is set to take up his post in Washington, DC, once all protocols are complete. His appointment is viewed as a strategic move to improve relations with the US and marks a significant development in South Africa's diplomatic efforts.

The US military has announced that its blockade of Iranian ports has been 'fully implemented,' resulting in a complete halt to economic trade entering and leaving Iran by sea. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations 'entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran.'In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that an estimated 90% of Iran's economy is fueled by international trade by sea. He noted that within 36 hours of the blockade's implementation, US forces had completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea. The operation involves over 10,000 sailors, Marines, and US Air Force personnel.In the first 24 hours, six merchant ships complied with US orders to turn around and re-enter an Iranian port. Additionally, a US Navy destroyer interdicted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran, instructing them to turn around. The blockade, which went into effect on Monday at 10am in Washington, DC (14:00 GMT), has had a significant impact on global oil prices, which jumped above $100 per barrel before easing on hopes of further talks between the US and Iran.The blockade is seen as a move by US President Donald Trump to force officials in Tehran to accept Washington's terms for ending the conflict. However, Tehran considers the blockade a violation of the ceasefire, which could complicate the situation. Analysts suggest that the US may be hinting at renewed peace talks to ease the shock of the blockade on the global oil market.

Haiti has entered a period of national mourning following a tragic stampede at the historic Citadelle Laferriere in the northern part of the country. At least 25 people lost their lives in the chaos that erupted at the entrance of the citadel on Saturday, as a mix of visitors attempted to exit and enter the site.The Ministry of Culture and Communication has taken swift action, firing two government officials in the aftermath of the disaster. One, a director at the Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage, was accused of 'serious negligence,' while the other, a Ministry employee, was criticized for 'biased passivity.'The government has stated that it believes the tragedy was the result of administrative negligence and has vowed to 'fully assume its responsibilities.' The event has sparked widespread outrage and highlights the multiple crises facing the Haitian government ahead of its general elections later this year.The stampede was exacerbated by stormy weather conditions, with heavy rain battering northern Haiti and prompting event participants to seek shelter. The inclement weather also caused flooding in other parts of the country, resulting in approximately 12 additional deaths and 900 homes being inundated.This tragedy is the latest challenge for Haiti, which has been grappling with gang violence and political instability, particularly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The situation has led to 16,000 deaths and 1.5 million displaced since 2022, according to UN reports.