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Mary Beth Hurt died on 28 March 2026 at the age of 79, closing a four‑decade career that blended intellectual cinema with acclaimed stage work. Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, she entered the film world with Woody Allen’s experimental drama Interiors (1978), earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer alongside Christopher Reeve.Although Interiors was a modest critical success, it proved financially profitable, grossing $10 million on a $3 million budget. Hurt’s portrayal of the directionless Joey marked the start of a career defined by thoughtful, understated performances.Her next high‑profile role came as Helen Holm, the college‑professor wife of Robin Williams’s titular character in The World According to Garp (1982). The film’s daring tonal shifts – including a shocking car‑crash scene – earned Oscar nominations for John Lithgow and Glenn Close, while giving Hurt a rare chance to play a fully sexual woman.Early setbacks included losing the lead in Joan Micklin Silver’s Head Over Heels (1979) to Jamie Lee Curtis and a troubled turn in the melodrama A Change of Seasons (1980), which suffered from production turmoil and poor box‑office returns.On stage, Hurt distinguished herself with three Tony nominations: for Pinero’s Trelawny of the ‘Wells’ (1976) opposite a debuting Meryl Streep, for a 1982 revival of Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart, and for Michael Frayn’s Benefactors (1986). She debuted on Broadway in 1974’s revival of William Congreve’s Love For Love opposite Glenn Close.Her personal life intersected with her professional world. She married fellow actor William Hurt in 1971, divorcing in December 1982, and later wed director Paul Schrader in August 1983. Collaborations with Schrader included Light Sleeper (1992), Affliction (1997) and The Walker (2007).Later film work featured a supporting turn in Karen Moncrieff’s feminist thriller The Dead Girl (2006), which earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and a cameo in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993). Her final screen appearance was in the small‑town drama Change in the Air (2018), filmed before a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.Reflecting on her craft, Hurt once said, "I never felt very beautiful or incredibly smart or witty, so I was always looking for something about the role that intrigued me… more fascinating than the gold‑medal moments."She is survived by husband Paul Schrader and their two children, Molly and Sam.

A recent performance at the Royal Festival Hall by the renowned Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich and her Korean mentee Dong-Hyek Lim left the audience in awe. The duo's setlist included Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major K448 and Ravel's two-piano arrangement of La Valse, as well as a surprise encore of Schubert's Fantasia in F minor D940.The performance was marked by a sense of gentle anarchy, with Argerich and Lim chatting and occasionally bowing between works. Their onstage negotiations about swapping pianos and furious looks at page-turners added to the charm. The audience was treated to moments of astonishing pianistic ventriloquism, particularly in the second movement of the Mozart sonata, where Lim imitated Argerich's gossamer touch in a breathtaking sotto voce passage.Argerich, widely regarded as the greatest pianist alive today, brought her unique touch to the performance, conjuring 50 shades of grey in the Schubert and veiled, suspended-animation pianissimo in portions of the Rachmaninov. Lim, on the other hand, favoured bright attack and primary colours. The Ravel arrangement was deliciously muddy, with the work's intoxicating pulse gradually rising from the depths as the two pianists exchanged bass detonations.The encore, a monumental 20-minute rendition of Schubert's Fantasia, was a testament to the duo's exceptional chemistry and skill. Argerich pushed forwards, ever-faster, her hands barely skimming the keyboard, as Lim scrambled to keep up, the waltz teetering on the brink of catastrophe in a high-wire act that couldn't have been more thrilling.

Arsenal’s loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final has haunted manager Mikel Arteta ever since the 2‑0 defeat at Wembley, where Nico O’Reilly scored both goals to crush the Gunners’ quadruple hopes.Artura described the aftermath as “a ball of poison in my stomach”, saying the feeling could linger for “the next 30 years” unless he channels it into improvement.He emphasized that the pain must be converted into motivation to secure silverware before the season ends, insisting the sting of the loss will remain a driving force for weeks, months and years to come.In the wake of the final, Arteta faced criticism for keeping Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal despite the keeper’s error that led to the first goal. The manager defended his choice, stating, “I never judge a player solely on an error; attitude and behaviour matter 100%.” He added that Arrizabalaga’s experience makes him ready for the upcoming FA Cup sixth‑round clash with Southampton.Artura also hinted at his selection criteria for the Southampton match, joking that the goalkeeper would be “European, under 32, right‑footed and speaks at least two languages.” While David Raya started the Carabao Cup final, the Spaniard is expected to feature again in the FA Cup run.Regarding squad availability, Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice is operating at only 70% fitness, a condition that has persisted for some time, and noted that Piero Hincapié and Noni Madueke will miss the Southampton game. He left open the possibility that Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber could feature.Addressing criticism over the number of international withdrawals, Artura said, “It’s part of the narrative, but we’ve dealt with similar situations before; we’ll see who is available tomorrow and adjust accordingly.”

The highly anticipated fifth season of the Cork-set comedy The Young Offenders premieres on BBC One at 9:30pm. The new season kicks off with Jock, played by Chris Walley, breaking out of a Colombian prison and reuniting with Conor, played by Alex Murphy, back in Ireland. Their adventures quickly take a turn as they find themselves in a hostage situation with an elderly couple while wearing floral dresses.Elsewhere on television, Rob Beckett brings his unique brand of humor to Sky One with his show Giraffe at 9pm. The comedian takes viewers on a stream-of-consciousness journey through topics like poshness, parenting, and pubes, often pushing the envelope with his audience.On Channel 4, The Last Leg continues its 34th series at 10pm, featuring presenters Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, and Alex Brooker. This week's guests include Josh Pugh, Lorraine Kelly, and Steve Bracknall.In addition to these shows, BBC One also airs Extraordinary Portraits With Bill Bailey at 7:30pm, highlighting the story of Eddie, the 'Iron Gran', who became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon at 72. Meanwhile, Beyond Paradise airs at 8pm, with Humphrey solving a series of burglaries in Shipton Abbott.For film enthusiasts, The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is broadcast on BBC Two at 10pm. This financial crime caper is based on the memoir of stockbroker Jordan Belfort and features memorable performances from Matthew McConaughey and Margot Robbie.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a space scientist and CEO of Science Innovation Ltd, says the one item she would take to the lunar surface is a hand‑sewn purple‑cloth alien crafted by her daughter during a GCSE textile project. The tiny creature, made on a loom, embodies her child's love and would serve as a reminder of family ties at the farthest point from Earth. Sheila Hancock, acclaimed actor and writer, would use the trip as a cultural boot‑camp. She plans to study the complete works of Shakespeare, the epic novel War and Peace, and the full symphonies of Mahler as interpreted by Claudio Abbado, hoping the immersion will "strengthen her weakening brain" and deepen her appreciation of human genius. Michael Akadiri, a stand‑up comedian and resident doctor, imagines a lighter itinerary: a stack of old birthday cards to revisit heartfelt messages, an old‑school notepad for real‑time reflections, and a handful of puff‑puff (Nigerian doughnuts) – a cheeky nod to his fitness‑obsessed friends. Michael Rosen, children’s author and broadcaster, would bring three nostalgic comforts: giant yellow Chilean raisins from W Martyn’s shop in Muswell Hill, an oval brown pebble from the alleyway of his teenage flat, and the “furry” blanket his wife gave him during his 2020 COVID‑19 ventilator stay, each item a tactile link to his past. Athena Kugblenu, writer and comedian, opts for practicality and humor. She would pack a pair of Crocs for comfort, the guidebook Contact by Carl Sagan as a potential alien‑communication manual, and a jar of shito sauce – a Ghanaian shrimp‑tomato condiment – to introduce extraterrestrials to Ghanaian flavor before they learn English profanity. Nels Abbey, writer and broadcaster, frames his selection as a morale‑boosting toolkit. He would carry excerpts from Gil Scott‑Heron’s "Whitey on the Moon" and stand‑up routines by Paul Mooney, using their cynical wit to cope with the psychological challenges of space travel. Collectively, the panel’s choices illustrate how personal history, artistic heritage and even culinary curiosity can anchor humanity during the most extraordinary voyages. Their whimsical yet heartfelt lists underscore the idea that, even beyond Earth, we remain tethered to the stories, flavors and objects that define us.

For the first time, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is creating a dedicated reparations role, appointing Prof. Keon West—a Rhodes Scholar and author of The Science of Racism—to lead the effort. West, who also serves as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and heads research at the Runnymede Trust, will begin his tenure later this month. The appointment arrives amid intensifying global calls for former colonial powers to confront historic injustices. West’s mandate is to map how enslavement, indentured labour and European imperialism fed the supply chains of Rowntree’s iconic brands such as KitKat, Fruit Pastilles and Smarties. Founded in 1904 when philanthropist Joseph Rowntree endowed the trust with profits from his chocolate and cocoa ventures, JRCT operates on Quaker principles aimed at tackling the roots of inequality. Recent research, spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement, uncovered that African and Asian workers were exploited in Rowntree’s production lines throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Historical investigations by the Rowntree Society revealed that, while the family never directly owned enslaved people, their businesses sold commodities produced by enslaved or unfree labour as far back as 1822. The company also benefitted from the indenture system, acquiring plantations in Dominica, Jamaica and Trinidad in the 1890s to grow cocoa, bananas and other crops. Further links to colonial exploitation include purchases of cocoa from Portuguese‑controlled São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as commercial interests in Nigeria, Ghana and apartheid‑era South Africa. In the early 1980s, Black workers at the South African subsidiary Wilson Rowntree faced harsh labour suppression. In 2021, JRCT issued a public apology, stating it was “deeply sorry” for its historical connections to “abhorrent practices” and acknowledging the lasting impact of these actions on systemic racism today. West will design a comprehensive reparations programme that engages directly with affected communities—“Black people, brown people and people of colour”—to develop long‑term restorative justice strategies. He said, "I am honoured to accept this role. It offers the power and the responsibility to make real, meaningful changes in the lives of those who have been exploited." JRCT chief executive Nicola Purdy expressed enthusiasm, noting that the reparations initiative aligns with the trust’s charitable purpose of promoting peace, equality, human rights and climate action. Financially, JRCT allocated £13.5 million in grants in 2025, supporting organisations that advance its core missions. In 2023, it contributed £10,000 to an all‑party parliamentary group advocating for a formal UK apology for slavery and colonisation. The Rowntree family, alongside fellow Quaker dynasties Fry and Cadbury, were central to the British confectionery trade during the colonial era. Their brand was later acquired by Nestlé in 1988, but the trust’s new reparations focus underscores a broader reckoning with the historical foundations of the industry.

Police body‑camera video obtained by the Guardian reveals the moment Tiger Woods was handcuffed following a rollover collision in Martin County, Florida. Deputy Tatiana Levenar told the 50‑year‑old golfer that his faculties appeared impaired and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. When Woods asked, “I’m being arrested?,” the deputy replied succinctly, “Yes, sir.” The footage also captures officers discovering a pill bottle in his pocket, which Woods identified as “a Norco,” a brand name for the prescription opioid hydrocodone used to manage his chronic back pain. Woods explained that he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio when his Land Rover struck a truck and rolled onto its side. He described the incident to deputies as “looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden – boom.” He later denied consuming alcohol, noting a negative breath test, though he refused a urine analysis. During the encounter, Woods mentioned having just spoken with “the president” on his phone, a reference that remains ambiguous. He has been linked to Vanessa Trump, former daughter‑in‑law of former President Donald Trump, who awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019. Trump, speaking to the New York Post, emphasized Woods’ ongoing physical struggles, stating, “He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain.” He highlighted the golfer’s extensive injury history, including multiple back surgeries and a ruptured Achilles tendon. According to Deputy Levenar’s arrest report, Woods was hiccuping and required prompting to keep his head still during field‑sobriety tests. She concluded that his observed impairment rendered him unfit to operate a vehicle safely. After a breath test showed no alcohol, Woods was released on bail eight hours later. His next court appearance is set for 5 May, where a readiness‑for‑trial hearing will be held. In a statement released on Tuesday, Woods announced he is stepping away from competitive golf to seek treatment and prioritize his health. He has not played on the PGA Tour since July 2024, though he appeared recently in the TGL indoor league he co‑founded with Rory McIlroy.

The Unicorn Theatre's production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a playful and punchy adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, made accessible to a young audience. Co-directors Rachel Bagshaw and Robin Belfield have trimmed down the original language while incorporating slapstick comedy and playful captions.The production feels like the start of a brilliant venture, still finding its feet. The editing is smart, but could have been more radical. The framing story in Athens has been cut down but not excised, making it harder to understand.The magical elements are kept low-key and gently engaging, with Titania's fairies conjured up using childlike voiceovers, Holly Khan's delicate soundscape, and Will Monks' entrancing word projections. Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman's Puck is an impish schoolkid who climbs up balconies, jumps on tyre swings, and causes mischief.The standout star is Emmy Stonelake as Bottom, a natural comic and talented Shakespearean who raises big laughs without compromising the language. When Bottom is turned into a donkey, Stonelake cries out: “This is to make an ass of me!” and is met with big laughs and heavy sighs.The most lucid and enjoyable scenes are those with the rude mechanicals as they rehearse their (terrible) play. There's a whiff of the CBeebies panto to these encounters, with the actors dressed in neon costumes and delivering their gags with gusto. The hard-working ensemble jump from playing heartsick lovers to hammy actors with real aplomb.At the Unicorn theatre, London, until 10 May.

A writer decided to hand over his dating life to AI for six weeks, using it to write his dating profile and generate conversation prompts. He matched with a woman, A, who was fine with his experiment, and they arranged a daytime cinema trip. The AI advised him to wear a turtleneck, dark jeans, and boots or minimal trainers, and helped him craft messages, including "Morning! Still on for Marty Supreme? Are you more of a trailers-lover or a trailers-hater?". However, A ignored the question and simply confirmed she was coming. During the date, the writer used AI-generated lines, such as "That hair has pure A24 energy", which A found confusing. The AI also suggested complimenting her hair, which he did, but A seemed unimpressed. As the date progressed, A began to notice that the writer's messages sounded "emotionally intelligent, yet something's off about them". She eventually discovered that he was using AI to generate his lines and told him that if someone had sent those messages without her knowing about the experiment, she wouldn't have come on the date. The writer concluded that "AI is great at choosing date ideas. Relying on it for conversation, though, comes at a price of not trusting yourself – your own curiosity, ability to listen, and what you have to offer". He realized that the artificial confidence of AI-generated lines can make them worse than someone who is honestly nervous.