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The Challenge of Translating ShakespeareThe great Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, who translated William Faulkner, André Gide, Franz Kafka and Virginia Woolf into Spanish, drew the line at Shakespeare. Speaking of the moment when Hamlet asks the ghost why it returns to haunt "the glimpses of the moon", Borges commented: "I don't think it can be translated. Perhaps the words can be translated. Certainly Shakespeare cannot be translated. 'The glimpses of the moon' means exactly 'the glimpses of the moon'."All, however, is not lost. "It has been said that Shakespeare cannot be translated into any other language," Borges added. "But Shakespeare cannot be translated into English, either, since he wrote what [Robert Louis] Stevenson called 'that amazing dialect, the Shakespeare-ese'." This might not be entirely true, as the translator Daniel Hahn points out in this superbly diverting book. Recalling a hip-hop production of Romeo and Juliet he once saw, he persuades us instantly that "the phrase 'Do you kiss your teeth at me, fam?' proved to be a perfect translation of 'Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?'"Shakespeare Across LanguagesAnd if into English, then why not into Portuguese, or French, or Māori? Hahn's project is to argue that "Shakespeare with every word changed can still be great, and can remain Shakespeare", and to that end he reproduces chunks of Dutch, Russian, Welsh, Thai, Arabic, Japanese, and a dozen other languages, betting that by simply counting syllables or observing alliteration in a language one doesn't understand (as he cheerfully admits, he doesn't understand Danish), one can learn something about the quality of a translation. I wasn't convinced that wager worked much of the time, but the typesetters, as you can imagine, were certainly getting a decent workout, and the gambit does finally pay off when a long passage from Twelfth Night is annotated by boxes mentioning dozens of different translators' choices.Cultural Adaptations in TranslationWhat really illuminates the book are Hahn's conversations with his fellow translators, who can explain their choices directly. In Māori, we learn, Lady Macbeth's question to her husband, "Are you a man?", makes no sense at all, so the translator Te Haumihiata Mason renders it as something roughly meaning "Have you got balls?" – "which is," Hahn notes contentedly, "exactly what Lady M is asking." Meanwhile, Prince Hal's name means "fish" in Hungarian, which would be unhelpfully distracting, so it gets changed to Riki, short for Henrik.Hahn also offers many asides about the annoyances and pleasures of translation in general. "The word 'literal' is annoyingly overused to suggest a sort of 'neutral' translation, which cannot exist," he complains; and he shows that, in many cases, a non-literal choice would be better. When Mark Antony imagines Caesar's spirit to "cry 'Havoc'", for example, the closest Portuguese word is the rather weak-sounding "devastação"; a better choice, Hahn shows, is "matança" (killing), because it's shorter and more easily shoutable.Translating Verse and JokesEach chapter addresses a different question translators face, for example whether to translate into verse (careful: as one French translator observes, you risk making "a genius into a talented versifier"), or how to translate jokes: it's usually best, everyone agrees, to create an entirely new joke – "being faithful to the laugh", as Hahn calls it. In a German Midsummer Night's Dream, to preserve the doggerel rhymes, we are promised not that Thisbe will be in "mulberry shade" but that she will be "hiding like a newt". Translators might even embrace the possibility of a joke where none previously existed – which Hahn illustrates brightly by mentioning that the "sorting hat" in Harry Potter has become, in French, le choixpeau (the chapeau that chooses).Poetic Elements and Title AdaptationsCan you even preserve alliteration? Sometimes, if you're lucky: Love's Labour's Lost received the surely unimprovable Greek title of "Agapēs Agōnas Agonos" ("the struggles of love are barren"). But when no such fortunate tricks are available, you can simply replace one idiom with another: so, in Spanish, Much Ado About Nothing is often called "A lot of noise, not many nuts".There are quibbles to be made here and there. Hahn calls a line from Richard III "irregular" after counting syllables, but it's a perfectly regular line that begins with an anapest (da-da-dum). And when Juliet says to Romeo "You kiss by th'book", Hahn glosses this as her approvingly noting his "formal courtship", but she is surely issuing a flirtatious challenge. And – this being the publisher's rather than the author's fault – the book has been produced, inexplicably, without an index.The Value of TranslationAll may be forgiven, though, for the delight and endless curiosity displayed in these pages. "In Shakespeare, people get sad with precision," Hahn enthuses. And he is cherishably bitchy about certain literary "translators" who somehow produce new English versions of Chekhov or Ibsen without speaking the source language – the process being, as he surmises, "a sort of high-status prettying up of a so-called 'literal' translation". By the end of the book, Hahn has amply demonstrated not only the treasures of other languages, but also the rich and strange inexhaustibility of Shakespeare himself.

The Lead: Lero Lero’s Debut Rewrites Sicily’s Folk NarrativeThe trio Lero Lero—singer‑songwriter Alessio Bondì, synth player Donato Di Trapani and guitarist‑producer Fabio Rizzo—has launched a debut album that transforms lost Sicilian labour songs, carters’ cries and lullabies into a contemporary soundscape, positioning the project as a cultural counter‑offensive to the island’s stereotyped image. Unearthing Archival Songs: The Project’s Method and Musical VisionDrawing on 20th‑century field recordings, the group decodes obscure lyrics and re‑assembles fragments of oral verse forms such as ottave siciliane. Their process is less about faithful reproduction and more about entering the generative logic of oral tradition, using micro‑tonal guitars, synths and rhythmic structures that echo traditional Settimana Santa polyphonies.Tracks like “Com’haiu a Fari” reinterpret a washerwoman’s lament.“Salinai” reworks salt‑workers’ chant, exposing hidden hardship.“Cuori ri Canna” transforms a canto di sdegno into an uplifting release. Financial Footprint: Independent Labels and Market ReachThe album is released jointly on Black Sweat Records, Panta Records and Shhh/Peaceful, reflecting a DIY distribution model that bypasses major label gate‑keeping. While streaming figures are not disclosed, the niche positioning targets folk‑enthusiast audiences in Italy and abroad, leveraging Bandcamp’s direct‑to‑fan infrastructure to sustain modest but sustainable revenue streams. Reframing Sicily: Cultural Impact and the Challenge to StereotypesBy foregrounding the island’s “submerged history” rather than its postcard imagery, Lero Lero confronts the romanticised narratives perpetuated by fashion houses and television series. Their work invites listeners to hear Sicily as a living archive of labour, loss and resilience, potentially reshaping how Southern Italian culture is represented in media and tourism. Future Horizons: How Lero Lero May Shape Italian Folk RevivalWith a focus on micro‑tonal instrumentation and archival reconstruction, the collective sets a template for other artists seeking to revive regional folk traditions without resorting to pastiche. If their approach gains traction, we may see a broader movement of “archival‑first” music projects that blend scholarship with contemporary production, redefining the Italian folk scene for the next decade.

The government‑backed Pensions Commission has issued an interim report warning that millions of Britons are on track for a severe "cliff‑edge" in retirement, highlighting urgent gaps in saving behaviour and calling for a major reform of the pension framework.Scale of the Retirement Savings Shortfall15 million currently not saving adequately; could rise to 19 million if trends continue.45% of working‑age adults have no pension contributions at all, despite being employed.Low‑ and middle‑income earners are most exposed, with roughly half only meeting the auto‑enrolment minimum.Financial Implications of Under‑SavingAuto‑enrolment mandates a minimum of 8% of earnings (worker 5%, employer 3%).Only 4% of wholly self‑employed workers are saving for retirement.About 30% of private pension pots are accessed at the earliest opportunity; half of those withdrawals are spent on large expenses such as cars, holidays or home renovations.Gender gap: median pension wealth is £81,000 for women versus £156,000 for men.Systemic Risks to the UK Economy and Welfare StateThe commission warns that the savings deficit could push millions into greater reliance on state support, straining public finances and undermining the sustainability of the welfare system. Torsten Bell, pensions minister, noted that while the "pension saving habit" has improved, the job is only half done.Potential Policy Reforms and Future OutlookLed by Jeannie Drake (with commissioners Ian Cheshire and Nick Pearce), the interim report recommends a "renewed national settlement on pensions" to close the gender savings gap and boost overall contributions. A final report with detailed recommendations is slated for next year, signalling a likely shake‑up of auto‑enrolment rules and broader pension policy.

The Labor Market Shift Amid Geopolitical Tensions The UK labor market has taken a significant turn for the worse as unemployment unexpectedly increased to 5% in the three months to March, up from 4.9% in February. This development comes as businesses face mounting pressure from the Iran war, which has driven energy prices higher and created widespread economic uncertainty. The Office for National Statistics reported that regular wages, excluding bonuses, rose by just 3.4% year-on-year in the three months to March, down from 3.6% in February, and after accounting for inflation, real wage growth was minimal at just 0.3%. Sharp Decline in Payroll Employment The labor market deterioration is most evident in the payroll data, which showed a dramatic 100,000 drop in April—the largest monthly decline since the early days of the pandemic in May 2020. Excluding the Covid period, this represents the biggest monthly fall since records began in 2014. Martin Beck, chief economist at WPI Strategy, noted that this decline has left total headcounts 210,000 lower than a year earlier. The reduction in payrolls indicates that businesses are actively responding to economic pressures by reducing their workforce rather than freezing hiring. The Generational Divide in Employment The labor market slowdown is not affecting all workers equally. Since payroll employment peaked in October 2024, the number of employees aged 34 and under has fallen by 296,000, while employment among those aged 35 and over has actually risen by over 18,000. This generational divide suggests that younger workers are bearing the brunt of the economic uncertainty, potentially facing longer-term career impacts as they enter the workforce during a period of contraction. Employer Caution and Shifting Labor Market Dynamics Employers are clearly becoming more cautious in their hiring practices, with vacancies falling to 705,000 in April—a five-year low. This represents a 28,000 decrease from the previous quarter and brings vacancies to around 15% below their pre-pandemic level. The number of unemployed people per vacancy has risen to among the highest levels since 2020, indicating a significant shift in the balance of power in the labor market away from workers and toward employers. This trend is likely to continue as businesses scale back hiring plans in response to economic uncertainty. Central Bank Monitoring and Future Economic Outlook The Bank of England is closely monitoring these labor market developments, particularly wage growth, to assess the extent to which higher consumer prices are feeding through the economy. Several central bank policymakers believe the slowdown in wage growth since early 2025 is likely to continue due to the Iran war's impact on hiring and the wider economy. This moderation in wage growth could potentially influence the Bank's monetary policy decisions, though the current inflationary pressures from energy costs remain a significant concern. The labor market deterioration suggests the UK economy may face a more challenging period ahead as geopolitical tensions continue to impact business confidence and investment decisions.

The Unexpected Rise in UK UnemploymentUK unemployment has unexpectedly risen to 5% while wage growth has slowed, according to official figures, in the first snapshot of how companies are reacting to the impact of the Iran war. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the rate of unemployment increased in the three months to March, from 4.9% in February, a rate that City economists had expected to remain stable.Employment Data Shows Sharp DeclineMore up-to-date tax data revealed that the number of payrolled employees dropped sharply in April, falling by 100,000, after a 28,000 decline in March. This indicates that employers are already responding to economic pressures stemming from the Middle East conflict.Wage Growth Slows Amid Economic PressureExcluding bonuses, wage growth was 3.4% year on year in the three months to March, down from 3.6% in February. While this matched economists' expectations, it was still the slowest growth since the three months to October 2020. After accounting for inflation, wages grew by just 0.3%, indicating a significant decline in purchasing power for workers.When including bonuses, wages increased by 4.1%, up from a rise of 3.8% in the previous quarter, suggesting that employers are using bonus payments to compensate for base wage stagnation.Iran War's Impact on UK EconomyThe Iran war, which began on February 28, has caused global oil and gas prices to rise sharply due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This has created a mixed economic picture for the UK since the conflict began.Surveys indicate consumers are fearful of rising inflation and are cutting back on discretionary spending, while businesses report sharp increases in input costs. However, the UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.3% in March and by 0.6% over the first quarter, leading the International Monetary Fund to increase its UK growth forecast for 2026 from 0.8% to 1%.Future Economic OutlookThe Bank of England expects unemployment to continue rising, projecting it will hit 5.1% by the middle of 2026 and then increase to between 5.5% and 5.6% by the summer of 2027. These forecasts are based on current estimates of how the Iran war might affect the UK economy, suggesting that the full impact of the conflict may not yet be reflected in current data.

The Growing Concern Over AI's Economic ImpactOne in three university students in Great Britain believe that artificial intelligence will eliminate jobs so rapidly that it will trigger civil unrest, according to a new survey by King's College London (KCL). This significant finding highlights the deep concerns among educated young people about the potential societal consequences of rapid technological advancement.The poll, conducted by the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the KCL Policy Institute, represents the first major tracking study of attitudes toward AI across different segments of British society. It compares responses from university students, young people aged 16 to 29, employers, and the general public.Student Usage Patterns and PessimismUniversity students emerge as among the heaviest users of AI technology, with 77% reporting using it at least a few times a month—substantially higher than the 46% of workers who do so. Additionally, 27% of students use AI daily or almost daily, indicating deep integration of these tools into academic life.Despite their familiarity with AI, students express significant pessimism about its economic consequences. More than half are convinced that job losses resulting from AI will be more severe than those in a typical recession. This pessimism is particularly notable given that students generally hold more positive views about AI's overall impact on humanity compared to the general public.Key Statistics from the AI Attitudes Survey34% of university students believe AI will eliminate jobs fast enough to cause civil unrest (compared to 22% of the general public)77% of university students use AI at least a few times a month (compared to 46% of workers)27% of university students use AI daily or almost daily52% of male university students believe AI is positive for humanity (compared to 24% of the general public)9 out of 10 university students have encountered problems with AI, most commonly factual errors (37%) and made-up sources (31%)78% of students would still choose to attend university, though 30% would have selected a different subjectImplications for Education and the WorkforceThe survey reveals a significant gap between students' perceptions of their preparedness for an AI-shaped job market and their actual experiences. While 60% believe universities are capable of preparing them for this future, only 36% report actually receiving adequate preparation.This disconnect suggests that educational institutions may be struggling to adapt curricula and teaching methods to address the rapidly evolving technological landscape. The findings also highlight gender differences in how students perceive AI's impact on their cognitive abilities, with male students more likely to believe AI enhances their thinking skills while female students tend to hold the opposite view.Divergent Views on AI's FutureThe poll captures contrasting perspectives on AI's potential impact. Bobby Duffy, director of the KCL Policy Institute, emphasizes the widespread concern about AI's effect on employment, particularly at entry-level positions, and its broader implications for young people and the economy.In contrast, Bouke Klein Teeselink, a lecturer in philosophy, politics, and economics at KCL, offers a more optimistic outlook. He suggests that with appropriate training, policies, and institutional support, AI could lead to increased productivity, expanded opportunities, higher incomes, and accelerated scientific progress.These divergent views reflect the broader societal debate about artificial intelligence—balancing legitimate concerns about displacement and inequality against the potential benefits of technological advancement.

Parents who try to use the UK government’s tax‑free childcare often encounter a maze of quarterly top‑ups, login requirements and confusing eligibility rules, despite the scheme’s promise of up to £2,000 a year per child.Why the Tax‑Free Childcare Scheme Stumbles for ParentsThe programme adds £2 for every £8 spent on eligible childcare, but families must first set up a dedicated account that they and the state fund. Payments are released in £500 instalments every three months and cannot be rolled over, meaning irregular earners or seasonal businesses may miss out when they need support most. Each child has a separate portal, and the system requires a quarterly sign‑in to keep the benefit active.Numbers Reveal Low Uptake and Stagnant SupportOnly 580,000 families are using the scheme out of roughly 800,000 eligible households.The maximum entitlement remains £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for a disabled child), unchanged since the scheme launched in 2017.Quarterly disbursements of £500 limit flexibility for families with fluctuating incomes.Average nursery costs for a child under two in England are about £148 per week – roughly £10,000 a year – meaning families must spend at least that amount to unlock the full benefit.Households with an adjusted net income above £100,000 are excluded, and those just over the threshold face a “double whammy” of higher effective tax rates and loss of childcare support.Consequences for Working Families and the Wider EconomyThe scheme’s complexity discourages uptake, leaving many low‑ and middle‑income families to shoulder rising childcare costs. For recipients of universal credit, the inability to combine the two supports can reduce overall benefit entitlement, creating a disincentive to increase earnings. Administrative burdens also increase the hidden cost of compliance for parents and providers, while high‑earning households miss out entirely, widening the gap between income groups.Potential Reforms and Future Outlook for Childcare SupportHMRC acknowledges the issues and has pledged to modernise the service over the coming years. Experts from charities such as Turn2us urge clearer guidance on how the scheme interacts with other benefits and suggest moving to a more flexible, possibly monthly, top‑up model. If the government raises the cap or aligns the benefit with current nursery prices, the scheme could become a more effective lever for supporting working families and boosting labour‑force participation.

Lead: A Burst of Colour Over ManhattanThe Guardian’s latest photo gallery reveals New York drenched in vivid spray‑paint hues, turning ordinary streets into a living canvas. The collection documents a coordinated burst of colour that has temporarily redefined the city’s visual landscape.A Citywide Spray‑Paint Spectacle Captured in Colorful FramesLocation: Various neighborhoods across New York CityDate: Photographed in May 2026Medium: Large‑scale spray‑paint installationsPublisher: The GuardianThe images show walls, sidewalks and even transit hubs covered in bold, saturated pigments. While the specific artists are not named, the coordinated effort suggests an organized public‑art initiative rather than isolated graffiti.Financial Footprint Remains UnclearThe article does not disclose any budgetary figures, sponsorship details, or economic impact metrics. Consequently, the direct financial contribution of the colour‑splash project to the city’s economy cannot be quantified at this time.How Vibrant Street Art Is Re‑shaping Urban IdentityBeyond aesthetics, the colour surge underscores a broader shift toward experiential public spaces. Such installations can:Boost foot traffic for local businessesEnhance community pride and engagementAttract tourists seeking Instagram‑ready backdropsCity officials have historically leveraged street art to revitalize neighborhoods, and this latest wave reinforces that strategy.Future of Public Colour Installations in MetropolisesGiven the positive visual response, similar spray‑paint projects are likely to appear in other major cities. Stakeholders may explore:Formal partnerships between municipalities and artist collectivesFunding models that balance public benefit with fiscal responsibilityRegulatory frameworks to manage environmental and safety concernsAs urban dwellers increasingly seek immersive, shareable experiences, colour‑heavy public art could become a staple of city planning.

The Forbidden Love Story of 'Falling'9pm, Channel 4"May I see your cabbages?" Catholic priest David (Paapa Essiedu) asks devoted nun Anna (Keeley Hawes). "Only if you get me really drunk," she chuckles. And with that, a forbidden love story starts to unfold. This is Jack Thorne's new slow-burn drama about the relationship between two people committed to the church and their communities. In the opening episode, when Anna admits her "immortal thoughts of lust" to David, she doesn't get the response she expected – but it will force her to reconsider her whole life. Does she really want to start again outside the convent? And are her feelings for Hot Priest 2.0 definitely one-sided? Jason Watkins and Niamh Cusack also star.Murder Mystery at the Grand Canal9pm, ITV1In 2015, two friends living on a houseboat in London's Little Venice heard a thud. Then they saw a suitcase in the water that contained a body. Police launched a murder investigation, which is replayed here – with the insight of forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd and detectives who worked on the case – and led to the identification of Marta Ligman. But who was the perpetrator?Interior Design Masters in Leeds8pm, BBC OneLeeds's financial district may not scream creative freedom – but it's where the contestants are let loose. They need to transform studio apartments, with one designer hanging up a very distracting "froufrou thing". Will Michelle Ogundehin and former winner Lynsey Ford be impressed?Summer BBQ with Jamie Oliver8pm, Channel 4The final bite of the chef's summer-ready series is a smoke-kissed sesame chicken burger, served with crunchy slaw and a Korean sauce. Add baba ganoush, minty courgettes and a surf'n'turf mixed grill, and we're stuffed – in the very best way.Machine Gun Kelly Goes Wild with Bear Grylls9pm, Sky One"I can't wait to go off this cliff!" Heavily inked US pop-punker Colson Baker, AKA Machine Gun Kelly (or just MGK these days), turns out to be a self-effacing sweetheart as Bear Grylls drags him around a remote Norwegian forest. Slippery abseiling, chomping on water beetles and celebrating the Grease soundtrack are all on the menu.Male Trauma Explored in 'Half Man'10.40pm, BBC OneAfter that explosively disquieting beginning, Richard Gadd's story of male trauma and violence has become bogged down in its characters' unfathomable motivations. Niall, now the adult version played by Jamie Bell, hears that his old nemesis Ruben (Gadd) is out of prison. Against all discernible reason, he becomes obsessed with a reunion.