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Russia ‘is plotting assassinations in US and European countries supporting Ukraine’
The FBI has warned that Russian intelligence-linked networks are plotting assassinations of Russian dissidents in the United States and attacks on civilian and military infrastructure in European countries supporting Ukraine. Authorities say they disrupted a plan to kill a prominent dissident believed to be in Washington DC, highlighting concerns that Moscow’s alleged covert operations are…
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Thelma & Louise review – musical hoedown is a bland and baffling wrong turn
This musical adaptation of Thelma & Louise at London’s Young Vic is criticised as a bland and confused reinterpretation of the landmark 1991 feminist road film. Despite involvement from original screenwriter Callie Khouri and strong performances by Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox, the production lacks the film’s emotional depth, visual grandeur and sense of liberation.…
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Fences review – August Wilson’s classic family drama is as smart as paint
Leeds Playhouse and Headlong revive August Wilson’s acclaimed 1985 play *Fences*, exploring themes of family, masculinity and thwarted ambitions within an African American household in 1950s America. The production uses a domestic setting to paint national issues of race and inequality, examining how systemic racism damages personal relationships and crushes individual dreams. The play centres…
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It’s going to be a blast: why 100 tubas are heading for a garden in Haddington
The Lammermuir Festival is bringing 100 tuba players to Amisfield Walled Garden near Haddington after seeking music capable of filling the vast outdoor venue with sound. The unusual performance will draw on Anthony Braxton’s large-scale composition, offering an ambitious contemporary music event shaped by the garden’s remarkable acoustics and scale. The garden, once the kitchen…
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Why stop at Wuthering Heights: House of the Damned? Bring on Mrs Dalloway’s Rampage!
The entertainment industry is increasingly adapting public domain works into cheap horror films, exemplified by upcoming releases like Wuthering Heights: House of the Damned. This trend follows the commercial success of films such as Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and reflects a broader pattern where filmmakers exploit expired copyrights to avoid licensing fees and bring recognisable…
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Beabadoobee: Pylon review – voice of a generation’s surprisingly relatable rampage through rock star rage
Beabadoobee’s fourth album “Pylon” showcases her continued evolution as a musician who has achieved cult stardom amongst young women whilst remaining largely unknown to the broader public, exemplifying modern culture’s fragmented nature. The album blends 90s alt-rock influences with pop sensibility and explores the familiar rock star experiences of touring and navigating false friendships, yet…
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Feeling overwhelmed by the AI doom loop? Here’s the essential reading list to make sense of it all
The Guardian has compiled an essential reading list of books to help readers navigate the conflicting narratives surrounding artificial intelligence, amid rising industry revenues, widespread deployment of AI tools, and recurring warnings about existential risks. The curated list encompasses books from multiple perspectives: those documenting the industry’s development, those critiquing corporate hype and real-world harms,…
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Comp AI sets eyes on a continuously agentic future for security and compliance
Comp AI, a cybersecurity and compliance startup, announced a $34 million Series A funding round led by Roo Capital and Grand Ventures. The company is building an AI-powered platform to automate tedious security and compliance work, such as drafting security policies and collecting evidence for audits, which is becoming increasingly important as companies rapidly deploy…
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Is this world-class, free gallery Cambridge’s best-kept secret?
Murray Edwards College in Cambridge houses a free, year-round public collection of modern and contemporary art by women. Described as one of the city’s best-kept cultural secrets, it places works by major artists including Maggi Hambling, Paula Rego, Bridget Riley and Tracey Emin throughout the college, making art accessible in an informal educational setting. The…
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Thousands of Barclays staff revolt over return-to-office mandate
Thousands of Barclays employees have signed a Unite open letter opposing the bank’s plan to increase office attendance from October. The policy would require most staff to work in the office at least three days a week, while senior employees would be expected to attend four days, prompting calls for travel-cost payments and exemptions for…