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Senegal's Prime Minister Defends Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly defended the nation's newly enacted anti-LGBTQ laws, delivering a strong rebuke of Western influence while addressing the National Assembly. The speech comes amid international condemnation of legislation that significantly criminalizes same-sex relationships in the West African nation. New Laws Criminalize Same-Sex Relationships with Harsher Penalties The legislation, which came into effect in late March, doubles the prison sentence for same-sex sexual acts from five years to ten years. The law also criminalizes the financing of same-sex relationships, as well as what it describes as the "glorification of unnatural acts," a provision that includes the promotion of, or engagement in, homosexual acts. In February, 12 males were arrested in the capital, Dakar, for so-called "acts against nature," highlighting the increased enforcement of these laws. International Condemnation of Senegal's Crackdown United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk had urged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye not to enact the legislation, describing it as "deeply worrying." "This law exposes people to hate crimes, abuse, arbitrary arrests, blackmail and widespread discrimination in education, health, employment and housing. Furthermore, it restricts the legitimate work of human rights defenders, the media and freedom of expression of everyone in Senegal," Turk said at the time. Following the arrests in Dakar, Human Rights Watch called on the government to protect LGBTQ rights and release those detained, also demanding the repeal of what they termed "discriminatory and homophobic laws." Global Context of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation Senegal is one of many African nations to adopt harsher anti-LGBTQ laws in recent years, reflecting a broader trend across the continent. According to international data, 65 countries worldwide criminalize same-sex relations, with more than half of these nations located in Africa. This places Senegal within a significant global movement toward restricting LGBTQ rights, particularly in regions with strong conservative religious and cultural influences. Future Outlook for LGBTQ Rights in West Africa The stance taken by Senegal's leadership signals continued challenges for LGBTQ advocacy in West Africa, where cultural and religious conservatism often intersects with political positioning against Western influence. As neighboring nations observe Senegal's approach, the region may see either a hardening of anti-LGBTQ policies or, potentially, increased international pressure to reconsider such legislation. The international community, including human rights organizations and Western governments, faces the delicate balance of respecting national sovereignty while advocating for universal human rights standards in an increasingly polarized global environment.

The Disco Legend Returns to the SpotlightLost in Music, He's the Greatest Dancer, Thinking of You and We Are Family – many artists would long for just one of these songs at any time in their career, but for Sister Sledge they all appeared on a single side of one of their albums. As she brings these and the rest of the disco group's still-sensational catalogue to the Electric Paradise festival this summer, Kathy Sledge will be joining us to answer your questions.The Rise of Sister SledgeKathy is one of four Sledge sisters along with Debbie, Joni and Kim, who formed the group as children in the mid-1960s, picking up gigs at churches and local events in their home city of Philadelphia as the Sledge Sisters. After flipping the name around, they got a record deal and their first chart success came in the UK in 1973, with the Top 20 hit Mama Never Told Me.The Chic Collaboration That Defined an EraFurther commercial success eluded them for a few years – though that's no reflection on the quality of early disco material such as Pain Reliever – until their label paired them with Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Sister Sledge's poise and charisma shone from the aforementioned hits the pair wrote for them, collected on the album We Are Family. The title track reached No 2 in the US and it, along with the others, endure as pinnacles of the disco era.Chart Success Through the DecadesRemixed versions of those songs came back around in 1984 and 1993, each to great success particularly in the UK, though the group's only UK No 1 single was in a very different style in 1985, with the swaying neo-60s pop of Frankie.A Solo Career and Continued PerformancesKathy took the lead vocal on some of their biggest hits, and after Sister Sledge went on hiatus in 1987, she had a solo career interspersed with occasional Sister Sledge reunions, and later – amid some legal wrangles with her sisters – solo tours of Sister Sledge material. Next up she'll perform at Electric Paradise in Milton Keynes, on 8 August, alongside other legends of the era such as Grace Jones, Candi Staton, Kool and the Gang and more.Your Questions for the Disco IconNow 67, Kathy has been in countless nightclubs and recording studios around the world across her multi-decade career, so there's plenty to ask her. Post your questions in the comments below before 6pm GMT on Wednesday, and we'll publish her answers later in the week.

The Marine Heatwave's Persistence and ExpansionAn enormous marine heatwave off the US west coast is ringing alarm bells among ocean and atmospheric scientists as new data shows its ecological and environmental effects are intensifying. The unusual area of warm water has persisted since peaking in size during September 2025 and still stretches thousands of miles from the California coastline – more than halfway across the Pacific – affecting a vast triangle-shaped region of oceanic habitats from Hawaii to British Columbia and southward to Mexico.The Event DetailsAs recently as early April, marine scientists had hoped that the heatwave might diminish and the worst of its effects may be avoided. However, new projections released last week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) show it is now expected to expand and strengthen in the months to come.The Data AnalysisScientists say the effects may already be far reaching. A surge in the marine heatwave would accompany the formation of El Niño in the tropical Pacific – resulting in an atmospheric and oceanic mélange that could influence everything from record-breaking temperatures on land to disrupted marine food chains.The Impact AnalysisAdditional data acquired in recent weeks has left climate scientists gobsmacked and re-examining their assumptions of how the complex interplay between the ocean and the atmosphere could accelerate the effects of human-caused climate crisis. Climate scientists said the persistent marine heatwave has contributed to shockingly extreme temperatures downstream across most of the United States.The Prediction“There’s real concern right now that even if this marine heatwave didn’t persist, we’re heading into a bad wildfire season with poor water supply conditions,” said Larry O’Neill, an Oregon State University climatologist. “Our summer is going to be much warmer than normal.”

The Breaking Point in International AidAs the UK government-sponsored Global Partnerships conference convened in London this week, against a backdrop of high living costs, reduced aid budgets and oil tankers stranded in the strait of Hormuz, it is increasingly clear that the aid sector is nearing breaking point. The international charity network that props up the broken aid system is both under strain and part of the problem – unable to adapt to the times and increasingly unfit for purpose.The Structural Contradiction in Aid OrganizationsFor years, large international charities have championed localisation of aid, expressing their collective commitment to transformation and decolonisation. But they have not achieved it. Despite being some of the strongest voices calling for change, internally they remain structurally resistant to evolution. Not necessarily from bad intent, but because large institutions are designed to sustain themselves.The Financial Reality of Modern AidPower, funding and decision-making remain concentrated in the hands of staff and boards far removed from the grassroots. This creates a fundamental contradiction. The very organisations advocating for change are often the least able to deliver. For instance, is it morally right that a large charity based in the UK spends £120m a year on fundraising primarily on the business of generating and supporting jobs in the UK, instead of giving to organisations working in Sudan, Bangladesh and Myanmar that are under national leadership to resolve their own development challenges?The Shifting Landscape of Global DevelopmentAs resources shrink, more is absorbed by the overcrowded intermediary system formed by leading international charities, and less support reaches frontline communities. If we are serious about shifting power, we must stop defaulting to structures intent on hoarding it. Not all these organisations should continue to play the same role they do today. Some may transition, merge, shrink or step aside. Others could demonstrate real change and remain relevant. But the system cannot be preserved in its current form.The Future of Locally-Led DevelopmentWhat is needed is not just better aid charities, but a new model of giving, one that channels resources directly to local and national actors, builds trust and solidarity rather than control-heavy compliance and redefines accountability around communities, not intermediaries. Our big aid charities need to learn to let go and accept that those closest to a problem are often best placed to act towards effective resolution. The question is no longer whether change is needed, it is whether we are prepared to let go of the structures that prevent it.

The End of an EraPep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade in charge, the club has confirmed, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in English football and one of the most influential managerial reigns of all time.The departure of the 55-year-old Catalan coach will close the book on a remarkable chapter that has seen City transform into a footballing juggernaut. Guardiola had arrived in Manchester with a resume already stuffed with silverware from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini in July 2016.The Trophy-Laden ReignGuardiola, who took charge of City in 2016, has won six Premier League titles – including four in a row – three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League, but his side have not won the league in two years.Although City sealed the domestic cup double this season, Guardiola saw his dreams of a seventh Premier League crown dashed when they drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday to hand Arsenal the title, with City set to finish second. His final game in charge is Sunday's home fixture against Aston Villa.The Tactical RevolutionAfter inheriting a successful club financed by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Guardiola will walk away having built a footballing empire after overseeing a paradigm shift in Premier League tactics. As Guardiola faced the challenge of adapting to England's famously fast-paced and physical league, possession became an art form and a defensive tool at City as his teams craved complete control.The result was not just utter dominance – evidenced by record-breaking campaigns like the 100-point 2017-18 season with 106 goals scored – but also relentless consistency year after year, including a record four league titles in a row. Guardiola's squads set new standards, forcing other teams to evolve, while City's financial muscle, combined with shrewd signings such as the much-sought-after striker Erling Haaland helped deliver the treble in 2022-23.The Changing LandscapeHowever, the spectre of the 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules looms large over his tenure at the club. His rivalry with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp raised the bar in the Premier League so high that even 97 points proved insufficient for the Anfield side to claim the title in 2018-19.More recently, Guardiola has faced a challenge from his protege and former coaching assistant Mikel Arteta, who took charge at Arsenal and finished second behind City twice before ultimately winning the trophy this season.The Guardiola LegacyGuardiola looked back fondly at his time in Manchester, remembering how the city came together after the Manchester Arena attack while also describing how the club helped him through a tough period when he lost his mother to COVID."The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most," he added. "Players don't forget – every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don't know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.""Don't ask me the reasons I'm leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it's my time," Guardiola said in a statement on Friday. "Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City."

The Record-Breaking Summit A 52-year-old British climber, Kenton Cool, has set a new record as he summited Mount Everest for a 20th time. Cool became the first non-Nepali climber to conquer the world’s highest peak 20 times before dawn on Friday. Cool's Achievement and Its Significance Cool is expected to reach the base camp over the weekend after his latest summit. In a statement carried by the Reuters news agency, he said climbing Mount Everest never gets “any easier or any less frightening. It’s the tallest mountain in the world and with it comes an incredible sense of majesty. “I rely on every bit of experience ⁠I have to move safely in this environment. Standing on the summit for the twentieth time is incredibly special.” The Data Behind the Record Kenton Cool's 20th Everest summit First non-Nepali climber to achieve this feat Cool's first Everest summit was in 2004 He has taken an expedition almost every year since then The Impact on Everest Climbing Cool’s achievement follows on the heels of another record. On Wednesday, more than 270 climbers ascended via Nepal’s southern route, the most in a single day. That came amid calls for action to prevent overcrowding and improve safety. Two Indian climbers were reported on Friday to have reached the peak, but to have died during their descent after they “fell ill”, Nivesh Karki, director at Pioneer Adventure, told the AFP news agency. Authorities are trying to bring the bodies down from the summit. Officials said the incident brings the death toll during this Everest season to five. The Future of Everest Climbing Kami Rita Sherpa, or “Everest Man” climbed the summit for the 32nd time – extending the world record – on Sunday. He expressed concern about the experience of climbers, saying, “The government should regulate this a bit. They should let in only climbers of quality; there should be a limit.”

President Donald Trump announced that the administration will not sign the pending AI executive order, saying it could impede the United States' strategic advantage over China in the emerging artificial‑intelligence race. Executive Order on AI Put on Hold Over China Rivalry The draft order would have established a voluntary framework requiring AI developers to engage with the federal government before releasing advanced models. Sources familiar with the document told Reuters that the administration halted the plan after objections from the president and a lobbying push from Elon Musk and other tech leaders. Political and Strategic Context Behind the Delay Trump's China visit: The postponement comes shortly after the president’s first U.S. presidential trip to China in nearly a decade, where he described the meeting with Xi Jinping as “very successful.” Domestic pressure: House Republicans recently canceled a vote on a war‑powers resolution related to Iran, highlighting the administration’s focus on foreign‑policy priorities. Tech industry influence: Elon Musk publicly denied knowledge of the order’s contents and labeled related reports as false, indicating ongoing tension between the White House and Silicon Valley. Potential Implications for U.S. AI Policy and Industry Delaying the order preserves the status quo, allowing AI firms to continue development without a formal coordination mechanism. This could accelerate the rollout of powerful models but also raises concerns about oversight, safety, and export controls, especially as the U.S. and China vie for dominance in AI research and deployment. What May Come Next for U.S. AI Regulation Analysts expect the administration to revisit the framework once it can reconcile national‑security objectives with industry interests. Future steps may include targeted legislation, tighter export restrictions, or a revised voluntary program that addresses the president’s lead‑over‑China concerns while still providing a channel for government‑industry collaboration.

The Nuclear Buildup in Eastern Europe Earlier this week, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for the first time took part in the "rehearsal" of Russia's use of tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. Between Tuesday and Thursday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over joint military drills covering the area from Eastern Europe to the Pacific, involving hundreds of Russian missile launchers, warplanes, warships and nuclear submarines. "We threaten absolutely no one," said Lukashenko, who has helmed Belarus since 1994. "But we have such weapons, and we're ready in every possible way to defend our common fatherland from [the western Belarusian city of] Brest to [Russia's Pacific port of] Vladivostok." Russia's Nuclear Drills and Capabilities "It's important to further boost the level of readiness of strategic and tactical nuclear forces," Putin stated during the exercises. Both leaders ordered the launch of the intercontinental, hypersonic Yars missile capable of carrying three independently targetable nuclear missiles, which flew 5,750km (3,573 miles) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia to the Pacific Kamchatka Peninsula in less than 20 minutes. As part of the drills, Moscow supplied Minsk with modified Su-25 fighter jets and Iskander-M ballistic missiles with a range of up to 500km (310 miles). Nuclear weapons are reportedly stored at the Asipovichi military range, less than 200km (124 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. Geopolitical Implications The drills come amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that if Moscow uses nuclear weapons against Ukraine, the alliance's response would be "devastating." The exercises are clearly timed to a summit of NATO foreign ministers in Sweden's Helsingborg, a venue symbolic as Sweden joined the alliance after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "The events develop suddenly, seemingly without any external reasons," noted Nikolay Mitrokhin, a researcher with Germany's Bremen University. "Something big is taking place, something that will be significant for international politics in general, and for mass media, including the very supply of nuclear arms." Belarus's Calculus While Belarus enjoys economic preferences and cheap hydrocarbons from Russia, Lukashenko has resisted Putin's attempts to merge Belarus with Russia as part of "union state" deals dating back to the 1990s. In recent months, ties between Belarus and the United States have also warmed, with Lukashenko joining United States President Donald Trump's Board of Peace. "We're not going to get sucked into the war in Ukraine. There's no need for it, neither civil nor military," Lukashenko stated, signaling his readiness to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. "If [Zelenskyy] wants to discuss something, seek advice, or anything else, he's welcome. I'm ready to meet him anywhere in Ukraine or Belarus." Future Scenarios Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has warned that the drills may be part of Moscow's preparations to launch a new offensive against northern Ukraine and Kyiv after Russian troops failed to capture sizeable areas in eastern and southern Ukraine this year. However, the current concentration of Russian forces in Belarus is "insufficient" for a new offensive, according to the head of the Kyiv-based Penta think tank. "Attacking Ukraine with Belarusian forces alone may end very badly for Lukashenko," said Volodymyr Fesenko. "For him, involving Belarus in the war is too big a risk." Despite this, analysts acknowledge that "unfortunately, there is such a risk" of Belarus becoming more directly involved in the conflict, though most believe Lukashenko will avoid such a development.

The Performance We know that Aeneas is going to sail away. We know it before he arrives, before he declares his love to Dido, and certainly before the Sorceress and her witchy acolytes get all eye-of-newt about it. But when your opera house is the great hall under the Cutty Sark, and the clipper’s 200ft copper hull is rearing up over your head, it’s impossible to forget the tragedy that Purcell’s compact drama has in store. The Staging So you have to wonder why Andrew Staples, director of the Monteverdi Choir’s semi-staging, felt the need to work quite so hard? The space is the staging. You can try to ignore it (no mean feat when the museum’s collection of antique figureheads flanks the stage in a surreal guard of honour: Florence Nightingale rubbing painted wooden shoulders with Disraeli, Sir Lancelot and a selection of buxom lovelies), but you can’t work against it; you simply won’t win. The Musical Performance Close your eyes, though, and this was a rich account. Conductor Jonathan Sells rode every darting, eddying current in the score, the English Baroque Soloists a colourful, abandoned force in celebration, infinitely restrained elsewhere. Best of all were unaccompanied choral moments – “With drooping wings”, or the two interpolated Funeral Sentences – where movement and time stilled together, voices absolutely unified in their inflection, carving the music’s emotions with devastating clarity. The Vocal Performances The space’s natural resonance allied to some big voices made for an exciting central drama. German-Egyptian mezzo Karima el Demerdasch (definitely one to watch) was a voluptuous-voiced Dido, her suicidal queen still coming into focus. Johanna Wallroth’s radiant, exuberantly ornamented Belinda and Bethany Horak-Hallett’s sumptuous Sorceress supplied the rival musical poles, tugging us from good to ill and back again. And what a treat to have a properly baritonal Aeneas in Hubert Zapiór – a worthy lover and sparring partner for Demerdasch, a hero almost worth dying for. The Future of the Performance Next month the show travels to Norway for the Bergen festival. Cut loose from its nautical anchor, I suspect it’ll pick up several dramatic knots.