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UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has publicly denounced Kanye West's antisemitic remarks, emphasizing that there is 'no place for that kind of hatred, bigotry or antisemitism' in the UK. Her comments come after West was announced as the headline act for all three nights of the Wireless festival in London's Finsbury Park.West has faced intense criticism for his antisemitic remarks, including voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler and releasing a song titled 'Heil Hitler.' These actions have led to calls from various UK ministers, organizations, and Jewish groups to ban him from performing at the festival and even from entering the country.Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has expressed deep concern over West's booking at the festival, citing his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has also urged the government to take action, highlighting West's track titled 'Heil Hitler' and his history of antisemitic behavior.In response to the backlash, several sponsors, including Pepsi and Diageo, have withdrawn their sponsorship from the festival. Additionally, PayPal will not appear in any future promotional materials for the event.The controversy surrounding West's performance has sparked a broader conversation about antisemitism in the UK. Recent incidents, such as the firebombing of Jewish community-run ambulances in Golders Green and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, have raised concerns about growing antisemitism in the country.

The transition from live piano accompaniment in silent cinemas to recorded soundtracks marked a turning point for movie‑goers; the Vitaphone disc system of 1926 and the optical Movietone process that followed gave films a reliable, repeatable musical identity.Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) was the first feature to have its music and sound effects printed directly onto the film strip, allowing audiences to hear orchestrated pieces by Chopin and Gounod in perfect sync with the picture.King Kong (1933) showcased Max Steiner’s pioneering use of the orchestra to drive narrative, mood and scene transitions, laying the groundwork for the symphonic Hollywood score that dominated the mid‑20th century.Citizen Kane (1941) gave Bernard Herrmann a platform to break from the lush, “Hollywood” sound, delivering a stark, atmospheric score that emphasized psychological tension and set a new standard for dramatic underscoring.Blackboard Jungle (1955) introduced Bill Haley’s Rock Around the Clock as the film’s musical spine, proving that popular rock could boost a movie’s commercial appeal and ushering in the era of song‑driven soundtracks.Forbidden Planet (1956) featured the first entirely electronic score, created by Louis and Bebe Barron using magnetic‑tape techniques; the pioneering use of the theremin and other electronic textures opened a fresh sonic frontier for sci‑fi cinema.Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) highlighted Henry Mancini’s “symphonic pop” style, marrying a timeless hit – Moon River – with a jazzy, contemporary score that demonstrated how pop sensibilities could coexist with traditional orchestration.2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is remembered more for its curated classical pieces than Alex North’s original score, yet the film’s bold juxtaposition of Ligeti, Strauss and Khachaturian proved that pre‑existing music could become an integral narrative force.American Graffiti (1973) assembled over 40 period songs, weaving them into the story’s fabric and proving that a soundtrack could function as a cultural time‑capsule, influencing countless later productions.Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) revived the full‑orchestra tradition when John Williams delivered a heroic, leitmotif‑rich score that re‑ignited audience love for symphonic film music and set a template for blockbuster scoring.Crimson Tide (1995) marked Hans Zimmer’s breakthrough, blending aggressive electronic pulses with a powerful orchestral choir to create the modern, hybrid sound that now defines many high‑budget action films.These ten milestones illustrate how film music has continually evolved— from live accompaniment to electronic experimentation—while retaining a core purpose: to deepen storytelling and shape audience emotion. The legacy of these scores is celebrated each April at the London Soundtrack Festival, underscoring their lasting influence on both cinema and popular culture.

Guy Singh-Watson, founder of organic veg box company Riverford, has expressed deep regret for the decades he spent confined by traditional masculinity. On International Women's Day, he found himself in a crowd of mostly women, listening to his wife discuss her experiences. This encounter made him realize that many issues discussed on IWD relate to male behavior, and men should be paying attention. Challenging Traditional Masculinity: Singh-Watson notes that success in farming and most businesses depends on building and maintaining relationships. He recalls that when Riverford first measured its gender pay gap in 2017, women earned an average of 91p an hour compared to their male colleagues' £1. Despite efforts to address the issue, progress was slow until a new, younger female farm manager, Maddie, took charge and transformed the workplace culture. Under Maddie's leadership, Riverford became one of the few veg farms with a waiting list for pickers. The company achieved this by creating a fun, emotionally safe, and fulfilling work environment. Singh-Watson acknowledges that he and other men in leadership roles often struggle with sensitive issues and tend to turn to women for resolution. A Shift Towards Inclusivity: The cultural shift at Riverford began with its transition to employee ownership in 2018. This process required introspection and evaluation of decision-making processes. With the help of a business change coach and the company's head of HR, a genuinely inclusive culture was built. As a result, Riverford now has a negative gender pay gap, with women earning 1.56% more per hour than men. Singh-Watson emphasizes that men can change and that embracing emotional literacy – kindness, openness, empathy, and compassion – makes them stronger. He encourages men to cast off limiting beliefs around what it means to be a man and to support each other and the women in their lives. Ultimately, inclusivity benefits everyone, and men must take responsibility for creating a more equitable and compassionate work environment.

Al Jazeera reports that the armed wing of Hamas has rejected any proposal to disarm, reaffirming its commitment to continue armed resistance. At the same time, Israeli forces have maintained their series of attacks, indicating that the current cycle of violence shows no sign of abating.The refusal underscores the deepening stalemate between the two sides, with each side entrenched in its respective position. Analysts note that without a credible pathway to disarmament, the prospect of a de‑escalation remains limited, potentially prolonging the humanitarian and security challenges in the region.

In Lebanon, Christian families who have been forced to leave their homes are gathering to celebrate Easter, underscoring the perseverance of displaced communities despite ongoing hardships.While the nation grapples with a protracted displacement crisis, these families have managed to organize modest religious observances, reflecting both cultural continuity and the deep personal significance of the holiday.Celebrating Easter under such conditions illustrates the determination of Lebanon's Christian diaspora to maintain traditions even when faced with uncertainty and limited resources.Humanitarian groups continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing the need for sustained support to ensure that displaced families can safely observe religious and cultural practices while seeking stable shelter.

John Mearsheimer has warned that the current US‑Israel war over Iran shows no signs of a rapid conclusion. The scholar’s assessment underscores the deepening complexities in the Middle East and suggests that diplomatic pathways remain limited at this stage. While specific details of the conflict’s trajectory were not disclosed, Mearsheimer’s observation points to a prolonged period of tension, with potential ramifications for regional stability and international diplomatic efforts. Analysts note that such a stance may influence policy deliberations in Washington and Jerusalem, as both nations grapple with strategic calculations amid escalating hostilities.

Gaza City, Gaza – While Easter traditionally celebrates resurrection and renewal, Gaza’s dwindling Christian population spent the holiday in quiet reflection, confronting displacement, scarcity and the trauma of a conflict the United Nations has described as genocide. The enclave is home to fewer than 1,000 Christians, a community already small before the war that has suffered heavy casualties; more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began on 7 October 2023. Inside the remaining churches, prayers and modest services carried profound meaning as families clung to hope for survival and peace. Yet basic necessities—electricity, water and food—remain in short supply, and even traditional Easter items such as eggs are virtually unavailable. Fouad Ayad, a bio‑energy trainer displaced from near al‑Rantisi Children’s Hospital, described searching the markets of Gaza City for eggs without success. “We decorate eggs for the children, and sometimes Muslim children visit us for colourful eggs,” he told Al Jazeera, highlighting the inter‑communal bonds that persist despite the siege. Shortages have also erased the customary communal lunch. “Meat is scarce and extremely expensive,” Ayad lamented, recalling how families once gathered to share meals, colour eggs and visit elderly neighbours of all faiths. The Church of the Holy Family, which Ayad once attended, has been struck multiple times. “Three of my relatives were killed in one attack, and another strike killed more than 20 Christians,” he recounted, illustrating the direct targeting of places of worship. Attendance at Easter services in Gaza’s sole Catholic church has dwindled as many believers have fled the Strip. Yet, as one worshipper put it, “We only performed the prayers, refusing to celebrate because of our martyrs,” affirming their resolve to remain rooted in the land despite the devastation. Israeli restrictions have prevented Christians from traveling to the Old City of East Jerusalem to attend the Holy Sepulchre for the past two years. Recent attempts by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to enter the site were initially blocked, only to be reversed after international outcry. Elias al‑Jelda, a 60‑year‑old Orthodox council member, recounted sheltering in the Church of the Holy Family after his home was destroyed. “I lost friends, neighbours and relatives, many killed while staying close to their homes and faith,” he said, underscoring the personal toll of the conflict. Traditional Easter treats—coloured eggs, kahk, maamoul and Eidiya gifts—are largely absent this year. “There are no eggs anywhere in the Strip,” reported 74‑year‑old Amal al‑Masri, who recalled pre‑war celebrations filled with shared meals and festive sweets. Power outages compound the hardship. “Electricity continues to be a major problem, and the soaring cost of diesel and generator oil makes it worse,” al‑Jelda warned, highlighting the broader infrastructure collapse affecting all Gazans. Despite the bleak circumstances, the remaining Christians affirm their identity and solidarity with the broader Palestinian population. “No matter what your political agenda or religion is, all of us Palestinians are targeted by the occupation,” a worshipper declared, encapsulating the collective sense of victimhood and resilience.

NASA announced that the Artemis II crew has now traversed the halfway mark between Earth and the Moon, and the agency released the first photographs of our planet taken from within the Orion capsule.After completing the fourth day of a ten‑day voyage, the astronauts settled in for a brief rest while the spacecraft hovered roughly 322,000 km (200,000 miles) from Earth and about 132,000 km (82,000 miles) from the lunar surface, according to NASA’s live mission dashboard.The newly published images showcase Earth as a luminous blue sphere wrapped in swirling cloud patterns, offering a striking perspective from deep space.Looking ahead, the four‑person team is slated to perform a swing‑by of the Moon’s far side early next week – a maneuver that has not been attempted by a crewed vehicle in more than five decades.The next critical checkpoint arrives overnight from Sunday into Monday (U.S. time), when Orion is expected to enter the “lunar sphere of influence,” the point where the Moon’s gravity overtakes Earth’s pull on the spacecraft.If the trajectory proceeds as planned, the mission will place the astronauts at a greater distance from Earth than any human has ever traveled, setting a new record for deep‑space human flight.Artemis II forms a cornerstone of NASA’s broader strategy to re‑establish a regular human presence on the Moon, ultimately building a permanent base that could serve as a launchpad for future missions to Mars and beyond.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, threatening to unleash a severe attack on its civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by his stated deadline of Monday.In a profanity-laden social media post on Sunday, Trump repeated previous threats to target vital infrastructure across Iran, saying 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****** Strait, you crazy b*******, or you'll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!'The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for the global energy market, has been closed since the US and Israel first attacked Iran on February 28. Trump set a 10-day deadline for Iran to reopen the strait on March 26.Iranian officials have strongly condemned Trump's threats, with Iran's mission to the United Nations stating that 'the international community and all states have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes. They must act now. Tomorrow is too late.'Iran's deputy for communications, Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, dismissed Trump's threats as 'a sign of desperation and anger' and stated that the strait would only be reopened following the payment of reparations for damages caused by the war.The conflict has already seen US-Israeli strikes target civilian infrastructure, including bridges, schools, healthcare facilities, and universities. Experts have warned that some of these strikes could constitute war crimes.Trump has also confirmed that a US airman from an F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran on Friday has been rescued from deep inside the mountains of Iran, describing the operation as 'an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!'