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Insider Trading Allegations Against a Google EngineerMichele Spagnuolo, a Google software engineer, has been charged with commodities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly using confidential “Year in Search” data to place bets on the prediction‑market platform Polymarket.Financial Scale of the Alleged SchemeTotal bets placed: $2.75 millionProfits claimed: over $1.2 millionKey successful prediction: indie pop musician d4vd topping the most‑searched person listRepercussions for Google and Prediction MarketsGoogle says the conduct breaches company policy and has placed Spagnuolo on leave while cooperating with law enforcement. Polymarket highlighted its cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, noting it is the first platform to see insider‑trading charges in the United States.Regulatory and Legal OutlookU.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized that corporate insiders cannot profit from confidential information, signaling continued aggressive prosecution. The case may prompt tighter internal data controls at tech firms and closer scrutiny of prediction‑market platforms.What Comes Next for the Industry?Analysts expect heightened compliance programs at large tech companies and possible legislative interest in regulating prediction markets to prevent similar abuses.

The Complete Entertainment LandscapeThis week offers a diverse range of entertainment options across cinema, music, art, and more. Whether you're looking to head out or stay in, there's something for every cultural enthusiast.New Cinema ReleasesBackrooms - Out now: This A24 horror film capitalizes on the internet phenomenon of Backrooms, featuring an infinite empty limbo where characters wander hoping not to encounter Entities. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass.Power Ballad - Out now: A feelgood drama about a wedding singer (Paul Rudd) who befriends a down-on-his-luck boyband star (Nick Jonas), leading to a hit single and subsequent resentment. Directed by John Carney.Tuner - Out now: A piano tuner with heightened hearing who also becomes a world-class safe cracker, leading to chaos. Stars Leo Woodall.Leonora in the Morning Light - Out now: A drama about surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, featuring encounters with Salvador Dalí, André Breton and Max Ernst. Based on the book by Elena Poniatowska.Live Music PerformancesCallum Au Big Band - Kings Place, London, 30 May: Composer-arranger and trombonist Callum Au showcases his mastery of styles from swing to salsa, funk and postbop jazz, launching his new album Sing Seven Seas.Twice - The O2, London, 3 & 4 June: The nine-piece K-pop girlband's world tour in support of their album "This Is For" features their shiny, genre-hopping discography plus solo work.Lany - 2 to 6 June; tour starts Glasgow: The LA soft-rock duo celebrates their discography with lyrically introspective songs like Super Far and Malibu Nights.Handel's Orlando - Longborough Festival Opera, Moreton-in-Marsh, 30 May to 7 June: The festival kicks off with Handel's chivalric tale directed by Sinéad O'Neill, featuring rising stars and the Academy of Ancient Music.Art ExhibitionsCamille Henrot - The Perimeter, London to 25 July: This French artist's exhibition focuses on her drawings, known for being dense, complex, and hyper-conceptual.

The Lead: This Week's Entertainment HighlightsThis week's entertainment landscape offers a diverse array of critically acclaimed shows and films, from hilarious comedies to chilling horror. Channel 4's "Make That Movie" stands out as one of the funniest shows of the year, while Netflix's "The Four Seasons" returns with a brilliant second season. Horror fans can explore the disturbing world of "Backrooms," while Marvel offers a stylish take with "Spider-Noir."TV Comedy Gold: Make That MovieChannel 4Summed up in a sentence Last One Laughing finalist delivers one of the funniest shows of the year, with this mockumentary about a director who makes awful films.What our reviewer said "So ostentatiously silly that it deserves to be paraded around the streets." Stuart HeritageRead the full reviewFurther reading "People are like: you're a crackpot": how Sam Campbell became comedy's oddball superstarNetflix Triumph: The Four Seasons ReturnsNetflixSummed up in a sentence Tina Fey triumphs again with the return of this comedy about a group of middle-aged friends who reunite during holidays throughout the year.What our reviewer said "Even more perspicacious, poignant and hilarious than the first." Chitra RamaswamyRead the full reviewMarvel's Stylish Take: Spider-NoirPrime VideoSummed up in a sentence In Marvel's witty homage to the hard-boiled films and fictions of the 40s – which can be watched in colour or black-and-white – Nicolas Cage plays Ben Reilly, who gave up being superhero "the Spider" five years ago.What our reviewer said "Everything is shot with style and confidence." Lucy ManganRead the full reviewFurther reading The life of PIs: the strange case of 2026's resurgence of hard-boiled detectivesHidden Gem: PoniesNow/Sky AtlanticSummed up in a sentence Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson have heaps of fun as two widows who become cold war spies in this espionage comedy-drama.What our reviewer said "It's a mashup of genres and tropes, but it is its own thing too – and an unexpected treat at that." Lucy ManganRead the full reviewHorror Innovation: BackroomsIn cinemas nowSummed up in a sentence A debut from 20-year-old director Kane Parsons that examines memory, reality and fear in an icily disturbing horror, in which Chiwetel Ejiofor accesses an infinite series of hidden rooms that all feel creepily askew.What our reviewer said "Backrooms progressively raises its game towards the big finish with jump scares, squirm scares and tiny shiver scares. There is real fascination in exploring this vast, invisible city state of fear." Peter BradshawRead the full reviewFurther reading Are you sitting uncomfortably? How Backrooms upended the horror movieMusic and Bromance: Power BalladIn cinemas nowSummed up in a sentence Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd star in a comedy of bromance and betrayal from Irish writer-director John Carney that brilliantly brings together Rudd's washed-up wedding singer and Jonas's insecure ex-boyband superstar.What our reviewer said "Power Ballad is about making it and dreaming big, about every busker never giving up on hopes of one day being mega. But as so often with Carney, it's about something else, usually left unacknowledged in movies about music or any sort of show business: the terrible binary of success and failure." Peter BradshawRead the full reviewUnexpected Pairing: TunerIn cinemas nowSummed up in a sentence Playing a piano tuner with super-sensitive hearing, Leo Woodall's relationship with Dustin Hoffman is a tender highlight in this safe-cracking thriller.What our reviewer said "What a pair they are; they are a real pleasure to watch in an easy, unforced drama that mixes romcom moments with a relaxed crime thriller. It's like the Safdie brothers in chill-out mode." Cath Clarke

The New Era of the Los Angeles Philharmonic The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced Daniel Harding as its next music director, effective 2027. This move marks a significant shift in the orchestra's direction, with Harding bringing his unique blend of risk-taking, rigour, and radicalism to the role. Harding's Musical Approach Daniel Harding, at 50, has established himself as a conductor who does not take the easy or conventional route. His early recordings with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, which he co-founded in 1997, showcase a simultaneous rigour and radicalism. His approach to classical music is characterized by forensic attention to detail and musical adventure. Comparison with Elim Chan In a similar vein, Elim Chan, who will lead the San Francisco Symphony from 2027, brings a youthful energy and innovative spirit to her role. At under 40, Chan has already gained extensive experience, including conducting the First Night of the Proms in 2024 and leading the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. The Future of Classical Music Both Harding and Chan's appointments signal a commitment to the future of classical music in California. Their bold and innovative approaches will likely shape the direction of their respective orchestras and the classical music scene as a whole. Other Musical Highlights Other notable musical events include a two-week festival celebrating Wigmore Hall's 125th anniversary, featuring stars such as pianist Yunchan Lim and soprano Lise Davidsen. The festival will also showcase new repertoire and collaborations, highlighting Wigmore Hall's continued commitment to classical music innovation.

The Birth of a Classic The Mekons and Gang of Four emerged from the same fine art course at Leeds University. After being inspired by the Clash and the Sex Pistols, the Mekons formed and recorded their first single, 'Never Been in a Riot', on a two-track tape recorder in a living room. The Making of 'Where Were You?' For their song 'Where Were You?', Bob Last from the Fast Product label helped them record at Spaceward in Cambridge. The song came together quickly with Kevin Lycett strumming two chords, Tom playing a choppy counter-melody, and Jon on drums. Mark White wrote the lyrics, and Andy Corrigan sang them. The Impact of 'Where Were You?' 'Where Were You?' became a huge success, selling over 27,000 copies and receiving significant airplay from John Peel. The song gained even more popularity when David Bowie compared the Mekons to T. Rex on a Radio 1 programme. The Legacy of 'Where Were You?' The song has remained a classic, with the Mekons still playing it live almost 50 years later. The song's lyrics, influenced by Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley, deal with themes of loneliness and feminism. The Mekons' decision to include women in the band and their anti-macho approach to music set them apart from other rock bands at the time. The Song's Enduring Influence 'Where Were You?' continues to have an impact, with the song being used in an advert for Honda's Acura cars and generating a substantial amount of money for the band. The Mekons' story serves as a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance in the music industry.

The Struggle of Working-Class Artists The Tara Clerkin Trio, consisting of Tara Clerkin, Sunny Joe Paradisos, and Pat Benjamin, has been making waves in the underground music scene with their eclectic sound, which blends elements of minimalist jazz, avant-pop, and trip-hop. Despite their growing success, the band members, who are all working-class artists, share their struggles in the UK's music industry. The Band's Unique Sound Their music is characterized by happy accidents and incidental noises, which they incorporate into their tracks. The band's sound is shaped by their use of loop pedals, sampling, and a variety of instruments, some of which they don't play properly. This unique approach has charmed fans across the music spectrum, including jazz enthusiasts. The Challenges of Making Music The band members discuss the difficulties of making a living as working-class artists in the UK. They highlight the struggle to balance touring, working, and making music, often having to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. The situation is further complicated by the fact that touring three times a year doesn't pay enough to support their living expenses. The New Album: Somewhere Good Their second album, 'Somewhere Good', is their most pop-oriented record yet, featuring more structured songwriting and storytelling. The album was written and recorded in precarious circumstances, with the band members working and touring simultaneously. Despite the challenges, the album captures a sense of optimism and positivity, with songs that address themes of loss, grief, and gentrification. The Future of Independent Music The Tara Clerkin Trio's experience reflects the broader challenges faced by working-class artists in the UK. They chose to release their album on the in-house label of east London record shop World of Echo, rather than signing with a bigger label, to maintain creative control and avoid giving away their rights. As they continue to make music, they hope to inspire others to do the same, despite the difficulties.

The Legacy of the White Hotel The White Hotel, a Salford venue housed in a former MOT garage, has been a generator for underground culture in the north-west for over a decade. Its programme has spanned classical music ensemble the Manchester Collective, a celebration of Bertolt Brecht, and Andy Weatherall's last ever DJ set. The Event Details The White Hotel will shut up shop in January due to its location in a flood-risk zone. The venue's artistic director, Austin Collings, and caretaker, Ben Ward, decided it was better to close on their own terms rather than risk becoming a museum. The Data Analysis The White Hotel has hosted sold-out gigs from notable acts such as Damo Suzuki and William Basinski. The venue has a 300-capacity space that was overwhelmed by a 2015 gig with Detroit legend DJ Stingray. The Impact Analysis The White Hotel's closure will erase a rare club built from the ground up, fueled by a spirit of experimentation and collaboration, disregarding the profit motive. However, its spirit will mutate, and the team behind the venue are celebrating its legacy with a new three-day festival, the Black Lights, in venues around Blackpool. The Prediction The team behind the White Hotel are launching a film production company, with Collings' directorial debut, a short titled Wild Bodies, set to go on the festival circuit with a soundtrack by the Coral. The future of the Black Lights festival is dependent on ticket sales, but it aims to continue the White Hotel's legacy of experimental and underground culture.

The Masterpiece of John Woo The title of this 1990 John Woo extravaganza might lead the uninitiated to expect a chillingly focused, targeted assassination. Actually, there are innumerable bullets and innumerable heads in this over-the-top gonzo spectacle. It is a crime thriller, a wartime action film set in Vietnam, but it offers something other than the usual Hollywood perspective; it is a parable of greed comparable to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and even a kind of romantic melodrama. The Symbolic Bullet There is, however, one key bullet in a head, a literal bullet lodged in the skull of someone who achieves a macabre zombie-like semi-survival, the bullet being symbolic of the way violence takes root in the brain, dehumanising its victim. The final “boardroom” scene disclosing this image is toweringly mad and strange. Yet in this movie, as in so many other Woo films, we can see how the director counterintuitively uses sad music – harmonica, woodwind – over grisly, brutal action sequences, as if what he wants us to register is not the violence or the shock but just how poignantly futile and pathetic it all is. The Plot Unfolds The setting is – initially – late 60s Hong Kong; Tony Leung plays Ben, a young guy getting married to his sweetheart Jane (Fennie Yuen), and on hand are his buddies Frank (Jacky Cheung) and Paul (Waise Lee). This trio are involved in a gang war with a rival mob who corner Frank when he has gone to get cash from the local moneylender to pay for the wedding. The confrontation ends in violence and, simply to get away and avoid the heat – Woo has a cameo as a police inspector – the three guys accept a crooked job from a local gang boss smuggling contraband pharmaceuticals in Vietnam. The Climax In Saigon, all their plans explode in pure anarchy; they are at first arrested under suspicion of working for the Vietcong, then upgrade their strategy to cynical arms smuggling for the North Vietnamese, and stealing the gold belonging to the local wiseguy who was supposed to be distributing their drugs. They make contact with a worldly fixer called Luke (Simon Yam), who has a Catherine Deneuve poster in his apartment, and also gallantly undertake to rescue a Hong Kong singer Sally (Yolinda Yam), who has been trafficked to Vietnam to sell sex. They end up on the spectacular field of battle itself (with helicopters, explosions, burning villages), where Paul, increasingly obsessed with the gold, finds himself at a key moment at mortal risk of detection if he cannot keep the wounded Frank quiet, whose cries of pain might alert the enemy to their position. The Legacy It’s an extraordinary, uninhibited barnstormer from Woo, who takes us from regular, domestic crime to military chaos with confidence and sweep. One moment, in which someone stands in front of a tank, even appears to echo the Tiananmen Square protests. No one else could have made it. The Release Bullet in the Head is in UK cinemas from 1 June, and on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from 22 June.

The Return of a Shakespearean Legend Kenneth Branagh is said to have played 35 Shakespearean parts, and his return to the Royal Shakespeare Company after more than 30 years is an event in itself. In this production of The Tempest, Branagh takes on the role of Prospero, Shakespeare's magician, deposed duke, and tyrant occupier. A Stormy Beginning Branagh's Prospero initially follows in the vein of his fast and feverish King Lear, performed in the West End in 2023. He seems to be speeding through the part rather than inhabiting it, too puckish, almost larky, rather underwhelming. However, the show itself casts its spell through its enchanting sights, sounds, and ensemble accomplishments. A Visual and Musical Feast Richard Eyre, directing his first Shakespeare play at Stratford, does a stupendous job of bringing an overt sense of performance to the production. The set design by Bob Crowley is enthralling, almost Disney-like with its sparkly, floaty elements, casting spells over the audience with its visual thrills and beautifully choreographed movement. A Strong Ensemble Cast The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, with Amara Okereke as Ariel being a delight, with her beautiful movement and song. The scenes featuring Caliban (Ashley Zhangazha), Stephano (Guy Henry), and Trinculo (Keir Charles) as they plot rebellion, wink toward a music hall comedy sketch. A Deeper Exploration As Branagh slows down, the production takes on deeper, more plaintive shades, and the audience feels the emotional hit when Prospero declares that the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance. Caliban is wordlessly habilitated back into his rightful role as ruler of the island in this ending, giving power to Prospero's transformation. A Must-See Production The production runs at the Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until 20 June. It is a must-see for fans of Shakespeare, theatre, and Kenneth Branagh, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.