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Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt have brought their talents together for a 25th-anniversary concert of Jason Robert Brown's two-hander musical, 'The Last Five Years', at the London Palladium. This poignant production explores the complexities of a disintegrating relationship through alternating solos, with one character recounting their story in reverse while the other tells it chronologically. The musical mastermind behind the production, Jason Robert Brown, directs and conducts from the piano, accompanied by a band of eight musicians. The set design by Bretta Gerecke effectively captures the urban spaces where the story unfolds, complete with central staircases and positioned windows. Rachel Zegler shines as Cathy, delivering a powerful performance that conveys the frustration and pain of a partner struggling to cope with the end of the relationship. Meanwhile, Ben Platt brings his signature energy to the role of Jamie, capturing the whirlwind of his character's rising success and its impact on their relationship. The concert format creates a jumble of joy and pain over an interval-free 90 minutes, with the band adding a sparkle to the performance. The chemistry between Zegler and Platt is undeniable, even when they're not sharing the stage, making their characters' bond convincing despite their limited time together. The production runs at the London Palladium until March 29, followed by performances at the Hollywood Bowl on April 3 and Radio City Music Hall on April 6-7.

For the first time, scientists have documented whales assisting each other during birth, a behavior previously only observed in primates. A team from Project Ceti, an international effort to understand whale communication, captured the extraordinary footage off the coast of Dominica in the Caribbean on July 8, 2023.The team observed a pod of 11 whales, including a 19-year-old female named Rounder, who was about to give birth to her second calf. Over nearly five and a half hours, the scientists documented the group's behavior, filming them with drones and recording sounds underwater. This exceptional rarity in the history of science was published in the journals Scientific Reports and Science.Out of 93 species of cetaceans, only nine have been observed giving birth in the wild. What's even rarer is that unrelated whales were helping the mother. The birth lasted 34 minutes, during which other adult females dived under Rounder's dorsal fin, often on their backs with their heads facing her genital slit.Immediately after birth, the pod's behavior changed rapidly, with all adults touching and squeezing the newborn's body with their heads, pushing it around underwater and on their bodies above the surface. This behavior is believed to help the newborn calf, which sinks after birth, prevent drowning and facilitate its first breaths.The scientists also recorded significant changes in vocalization during the birth, suggesting that the group was coordinating to support the birth or protect the newborn. Sperm whales have one of the longest pregnancies in the animal kingdom, with a gestation period of up to 16 months, and calves rely on their mother's milk for at least two years.The newborn was spotted again on July 25, 2024, with other young members of the pod, indicating that it had survived its first year, a good sign of reaching adulthood.

Roy Hodgson has made a sensational return to management at the age of 78 with Bristol City, following the sacking of Gerhard Struber by the Championship club. Hodgson, who has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in February 2024, will take charge of City for the remaining seven games of the season. They are currently 16th in the Championship.Hodgson's storied managerial career in England began at Ashton Gate in 1982, after a period at Swedish club Halmstad. In total, he has managed 17 different clubs and four different international sides, including England, from 2012-16. “I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season,” he said. “We will get straight to work and look for a positive performance [against Charlton] on Good Friday.”The appointment comes after Struber, who succeeded Liam Manning last summer, had grown frustrated at the club and voiced his disappointment at the January window, when City sold key players Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner to division rivals Ipswich and Wrexham respectively. Struber’s assistant Bernd Eibler has also departed. Results under the Austrian tailed off, with Struber winning only one of his final nine matches in all competitions.“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games,” said the Bristol City chief executive Charlie Boss. “Over the remainder of the season, he will help us set the standards and values at the club that we will need to be successful going forwards. Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved and won at the highest level.” City are in the process of recruiting an incoming sporting director who will help appoint a permanent head coach expected to replace Hodgson at the end of the season.

The recent developments in the conflict between the US and Iran have left global markets reeling. President Donald Trump's threat to attack Iran's civilian power infrastructure led to a surge in oil prices, a plummet in stock futures, and a climb in bond yields. However, the president quickly walked back his statement, announcing that talks with Iran were going well. This move, dubbed 'Taco' (Trump Always Chickens Out), was first seen during the tariffs crisis last year. The immediate market reaction was significant, with bonds and stocks recovering rapidly after Trump's statement. The S&P; 500 stock index jumped 1.5% by 9:30 am in New York, defying earlier futures contracts that signaled a 1% daily decline. However, Iran's response has shown that Trump's tactic may be losing steam. Iranian officials denied the 'productive conversations' Trump claimed had taken place, and launched missile attacks on Israel, Iraq, and other American allies in the Gulf. This has led to renewed market volatility, with oil prices rebounding and stocks giving up their gains. The article suggests that Trump no longer has control of events in Iran and that the conflict's outcome will likely be decided by Tehran. The Iranian regime has little incentive to back down, having already suffered significant losses but still capable of imposing enormous costs on the world by throttling the Strait of Hormuz and depriving the global economy of 12.5 million barrels of oil and 11.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day. As markets continue to react to the situation, it appears that Trump's 'Persian Tacos' may not be enough to calm investor nerves. The S&P; index lost 1.78% on Thursday, closing at a new low for the year, and the price of Brent crude hovered around $108.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come under fire for its new guidelines on transgender athletes, which have been criticized by over 100 human rights, sports, and scientific groups. The guidelines, announced on Friday, mandate genetic sex tests for all athletes competing in women's categories and impose blanket bans on people who identify as transgender, intersex, or with sex differences.The new policy has been deemed 'a blunt and discriminatory response that is not supported by science and violates international human rights law.' Professor Paula Gerber, an international human rights lawyer at Monash University, stated that 'mandatory genetic sex testing and rigid biological criteria as a condition for participation in the women's category violates fundamental and universal human rights … including the right to equality, non-discrimination, dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy.'The guidelines have also been criticized for their potential impact on intersex athletes and women of color, who may be disproportionately targeted due to their appearance. Dr. Ada Cheung, a professor of endocrinology at the University of Melbourne, noted that 'the best available data … shows that transgender women receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy are not meaningfully different from cisgender women in key performance-related measures.'The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has expressed support for the new guidelines, with president Ian Chesterman stating that they provide 'clarity for elite female athletes who compete at the highest level and demonstrates a commitment to fairness, safety and integrity in Olympic competition.' However, Nikki Dryden, a human rights lawyer and former Olympic swimmer, argued that the guidelines 'will be unlawful in Australia' and 'create a culture where someone like a coach, an official, or even another parent, feels entitled to question whether your daughter 'looks female enough' to belong.'

Fears of economic strain are mounting across Europe as the United States-Israel conflict with Iran approaches its one-month anniversary. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has described the situation as an economic 'catastrophe' for global economies, with impacts already becoming evident.Speaking during a meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Pistorius emphasized Germany's willingness to contribute to peace efforts. He stated that Germany is 'ready to secure any peace' and would discuss operations to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire were implemented.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has further exacerbated concerns by revising global growth projections. The international body cut its 2026 forecast for British economic growth by half a percentage point to just 0.7 percent, while downgrading the eurozone by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, the US received a 0.3 percentage point upgrade to its growth forecast.Addressing reporters in Canberra, Pistorius criticized the lack of consultation with Germany before the commencement of hostilities. 'Nobody asked us before. It's not our war, and therefore we don't want to get sucked into that war,' he stated, adding that there is no clear strategy, objective, or exit plan from the conflict.The economic repercussions are particularly severe in energy markets. Natural gas prices in the European Union have surged by more than 30 percent since the conflict began, with prices spiking following Israel's attack on Iran's critical South Pars gasfield and subsequent Iranian retaliation against Qatar's Ras Laffan facility.European leaders are increasingly vocal about the economic dangers. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has called for negotiations with Iran and an end to hostilities, while urging member states to accelerate preparations for meeting winter gas storage targets. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has described the situation as 'far worse' than the 2003 Iraq invasion, warning of broader and deeper potential impacts.The economic consequences extend beyond Europe, with the OECD noting that the global economy, previously on a path toward growth, has now veered from that trajectory. Planned fiscal tightening and higher energy prices are expected to keep growth subdued in the United Kingdom, though somewhat mitigated by lower policy rates anticipated for the following year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, a team once considered vulnerable, has surged ahead in the Western Conference with 12 wins in their last 13 games. Their recent performance has sparked discussions about their character and vibes, both on and off the court.At the heart of the Thunder's success is star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his mechanically brilliant gameplay and deadly midrange jumper. This season, he's added a step-back three-pointer to his arsenal, producing more viscerally awesome moments than ever before. A notable example was his game-winning three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets on March 9, showcasing his clutch performance.Gilgeous-Alexander's personality, though sometimes quirky, has endeared him to fans. His love for fashion is evident in his game-day attire, from a mustard-colored leather suit to a fur coat. The Thunder's team dynamic is also characterized by their tendency to conduct on-court interviews in groups, showcasing their camaraderie.While some critics have labeled the Thunder as 'nerdy' and 'authentic,' these traits have become a breath of fresh air in the NBA. Their decision to decline a visit to the White House, citing a 'timing issue,' and their refusal to engage in certain political discussions, have also sparked conversation.Compared to other top NBA teams, the Thunder's quirks are a refreshing change. Unlike the Boston Celtics' reliance on three-pointers or Victor Wembanyama's sanctimonious views on the Spurs' playing style, the Thunder's approach is seen as more genuine. Even their defensive strategy, fueled by effort and creativity, as seen when Alex Caruso tried to block a shot with his shoe, has garnered admiration.As the Thunder continue to excel, their authenticity and team spirit are likely to win over more fans. Despite potential animosity from other teams, the Thunder's unique blend of personality and performance is set to make them a beloved team in the NBA.

A light-up C-3PO head used in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back has fetched more than $1 million at an auction. The prop was part of a collection of film and TV memorabilia that went under the hammer on Wednesday as part of the Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at Propstore auction house in Los Angeles.It is the only known example of the fictional droid’s head to appear on the collector market and sold for $1,058,400 (£790,440 or A$1,519,259), having received a pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $700,000.The C-3PO head was the top lot at the auction, which also saw the harpoon gun used by the actor Robert Shaw in Jaws, accompanied by its original case, fetch $327,600.Elsewhere, a Wilson volleyball used by Tom Hanks in 2000’s Cast Away sold for $189,000 after receiving a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $300,000.The auction also featured broken pieces of a sword used in The Lord Of The Rings, which sold for $252,000.The first day of the auction fetched $6.5 million and also included items such as a golden ticket from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, said: “We’ve seen a strong start to the auction, with competitive bidding right from the outset.“At Propstore, Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors and the C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back was a real highlight of the day.“The Jaws collection also delivered an impressive overall result, coming just after the film’s 50th anniversary and reflecting its enduring appeal with collectors.“With such a diverse lineup of material still to come, we’re excited to see how the rest of the auction unfolds.”The final day of bidding, 27 March, will be dedicated to animation, with more than 200 lots celebrating the artistry of animation in film and television.

As Israeli settlers intensify violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, often while Israeli forces stand by, a notable shift is occurring in US political circles. Even staunch supporters of Israel within the Democratic party are now publicly denouncing the escalating violence.In recent days, dozens of settlers have engaged in apparently coordinated attacks, torching homes and vehicles while targeting Palestinian civilians. Since the beginning of the month, Israeli settlers and police have killed at least 10 Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory, including two young brothers and their parents who were returning from a Ramadan shopping trip.Among the voices breaking ranks is Ritchie Torres, a New York Democratic representative and one of Israel's most ardent supporters in Congress. In a statement this week, he declared that "the crisis of extremist settler violence in the West Bank must be confronted, and the perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." He called for "zero tolerance for violent extremism, no matter what form it takes."Another pro-Israel Democrat, Daniel Goldman of New York, condemned the violence as an "outrage" and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring to vote proposed legislation seeking to impose sanctions against those "undermining prospects for a two-state solution by committing illegal violent acts." He also criticized the Trump administration for rescinding sanctions against violent settlers that had been issued under the Biden administration.Several other Aipac-backed politicians have joined the condemnation, including Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, who called on the Israeli government to "stop being complicit," and Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, who labeled the attacks "acts of terrorism." Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Shontel Brown accused Trump of "green-lighting settler violence," while Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen stated that "violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank is a national security threat to Israel and must be treated as such."The political shift comes as US public support for Israel has plummeted. An NBC News poll found that two-thirds of Democrats now say their sympathies lie with Palestinians over Israelis—a dramatic reversal with significant implications for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, 68% of Republicans continue to express stronger support for Israel.A Guardian analysis revealed that Israel has not prosecuted any of its citizens for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank since the start of the decade. The UN has warned that the Israeli government has accelerated illegal settlement expansion, forcibly displacing approximately 36,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past year.Political analysts suggest these pro-Israel Democrats are "trapped between the money they've relied on to make their campaigns work and the voters they actually need to win," with condemnation of settler violence offering a way to express discontent without challenging the Israeli state itself.