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The Unlikely Miss America Suzette Charles, a 63-year-old singer from Philadelphia, is about to release her self-titled debut album 33 years after it was initially shelved. Charles, who was crowned the first biracial Miss America in 1984, has had a lifetime of adversity, including a distressing tour with Bill Cosby and mistreatment by record labels. Early Life and Career Charles started performing at a young age, singing in commercials for Colgate and Coca-Cola, and appearing on Sesame Street and The Electric Company. At 15, she sang on the soundtrack to the film version of Hair and narrowly missed out on the role of Coco Hernandez in Fame. The Miss America Controversy Charles competed in Miss America 1984 as Miss New Jersey and came first runner-up, but was crowned winner after Vanessa Williams, the original winner, was forced to resign due to a nude photoshoot. Charles says the pageant organisers' reaction was not justifiable and that the contest is a relic of the past. Confronting Bill Cosby Charles was invited to sing on tour with Bill Cosby, but rumours of his vile behaviour were rife even back then. She kept her distance during the tour, refusing late-night requests from Cosby to discuss notes on her show alone. Charles says she was shocked when Cosby's abuse was finally uncovered. The Debut Album Charles had been working on her debut album with Stock Aitken Waterman, but it was shelved when the songwriters split up. She has now reunited with Mike Stock to finally finish the project. Stock says Charles is a talented singer who deserves to be in the same bracket as Paul McCartney and Donna Summer. A New Chapter Charles says she had to start living for herself and that her debut album is a new chapter in her life. She hopes her story will inspire others to pursue their dreams, despite adversity.

The LeadRenowned actress Linda Bassett reflects on her distinguished career spanning decades of theatre work, her celebrated collaboration with playwright Caryl Churchill, and her upcoming role in Alexander Zeldin's "Care" at the Young Vic. Known for her understated yet powerful performances, Bassett shares insights into her approach to acting and the profound impact of theatre on her life.The Career JourneyBassett's path to acting wasn't conventional. Despite coming from a non-theatrical family, she discovered her passion at age four when she was unexpectedly thrust into a Sunday school Easter play. "I was in bliss," she recalls. Her formative years included ushering at the Old Vic during Laurence Olivier's legendary tenure, where she witnessed groundbreaking performances and even sold ice creams during intermissions.After briefly studying English at Leeds University, where she focused on drama rather than academics, Bassett began creating devised work in Leeds and Coventry. This experience, she suggests, "made me a bit gobby," developing her confidence to make suggestions as an actor, though she admits she sometimes oversteps when working with certain playwrights.The Churchill ConnectionBassett's most significant artistic relationship has been with playwright Caryl Churchill, beginning with "Fen" in 1983 and continuing through to "What If If Only" in 2021. She describes auditioning for Churchill as "enormous" because it launched her on a particular trajectory. Her disconcerting clarity has made her a peerless interpreter of Churchill's work, which some audiences find forbidding."They're not hard to watch," Bassett protests of Churchill's plays. She recalls her iconic monologue in "Escaped Alone" where the phrase "terrible rage" is repeated 25 times in succession. "It was the only thing to say at that point. The words fed the feeling, and it was the audience who felt it, not me, which is ideal." Churchill's writing, she notes, is "so distilled, no excess baggage," requiring actors to find "the one way" to play them.From Call the Midwife to CareDespite notable film roles including "East Is East" and "Calendar Girls," many audiences know Bassett as stern nurse Phyllis in the BBC's "Call the Midwife." "Complete strangers come up and say, I love you. My wife loves you, my mother loves you. It's extraordinary," she remarks of the public's connection to the character. Despite playing Phyllis for over a decade, she found fresh aspects to explore, learning "how to be" more matter-of-fact and practical than her natural disposition.Currently rehearsing Alexander Zeldin's "Care" at the Young Vic, Bassett plays Joan, a woman who after caring for her family begins showing signs of dementia and needs care herself. "She's convinced, as many people are, that she's just in for respite. She never loses the idea that she's going home," Bassett explains. The role draws from personal experience; after a heart attack, she spent two weeks recuperating in a care home, giving her "an insight into what it's like when you become helpless."The Actor's Philosophy"Every part is an education," Bassett states. "That's the glory of being an actor. You learn about human feelings and frailty and rottenness. The writer puts their soul on the page, and you inhabit that. I've always felt I was a writer's actor." This philosophy has guided her selective approach to roles, resulting in a "remarkably free of crap" CV despite turning down numerous opportunities.Though she hasn't performed as many classics as she might have hoped—"I think I'm seen as a working-class actress"—Bassett values the authenticity she brings to her roles. With Zeldin directing "Care," she appreciates his desire for "absolute truthfulness," which "suits me down to the ground." As she prepares for this new challenge, she acknowledges the nerves: "Every new part you're starting again. It's a bit scary, but I think we'll be all right."The Future of TheatreAs a veteran performer who has witnessed theatre's evolution, Bassett remains committed to the medium's power. She recalls the impact of Ronald Pickup's messenger speech in Peter Brook's production of Seneca's "Oedipus": "People fainted every night. You didn't see anything, his voice was enough. That's the power of theatre, isn't it?"Looking ahead, Bassett continues to seek roles that challenge her and explore the human condition. Whether through her meticulous interpretation of complex playwrights like Churchill or her willingness to portray the vulnerability of aging in "Care," she remains dedicated to the craft that has defined her life. "Every part is an education," she reiterates, and with each new role, Linda Bassett continues to learn, grow, and enrich the theatrical landscape.

The Global Landscape of Conscientious ObjectionAcross the world, individuals who refuse to participate in military service based on moral, religious, or ethical beliefs face varying consequences depending on their country's legal framework and cultural attitudes toward military service.Legal Frameworks and ProtectionsInternational law recognizes conscientious objection as a human right, but implementation varies significantly. Some countries provide alternative civilian service, while others impose prison sentences or social penalties for those who refuse military duty.Case Studies from Different RegionsThis article examines how different nations handle conscientious objection, from countries with robust protections to those where refusal can result in severe punishment.The Evolution of Conscientious Objection RightsHistorically, the recognition of conscientious objection has evolved alongside changing attitudes toward military service, particularly following major conflicts and peace movements.Future Outlook for Conscientious ObjectorsAs global conflicts continue and military technologies advance, the rights and protections for conscientious objectors remain a contentious issue in international human rights discourse.

Mike Banks stepped down as head of the United States Border Patrol on Thursday, citing personal reasons and claiming credit for a recent decline in illegal border crossings since the start of President Donald Trump's second term.The Sudden Resignation of Border Patrol Chief Mike BanksThe announcement, made to Fox News, described the timing as "just time" for Banks to leave. In his statement, he praised his tenure, saying he had turned the border from "the least secure, disastrous, chaotic" to "the most secure border this country has ever seen." The resignation follows a wave of departures within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including former DHS secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE head Todd Lyons.Numbers Behind the Border NarrativeTenure: approximately 1 year and 4 months as Border Patrol chief.Border crossings: Banks highlighted a decline since the start of the second Trump term, though exact figures were not disclosed.Recent DHS turnover: Kristi Noem fired in March; Todd Lyons announced departure in April; Markwayne Mullin confirmed as Homeland Security secretary on March 24.Ripple Effects Across Trump’s Immigration Enforcement TeamThe resignation underscores ongoing turbulence within Trump’s immigration apparatus. DHS, which oversees Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has seen multiple leadership changes, raising questions about policy continuity. Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security amplified the moment by resurfacing allegations of misconduct against Banks, which CBP officials say have been investigated and closed.What Comes Next for the Border Patrol Leadership?It remains unclear who will succeed Mike Banks. The administration recently appointed David Venturella, a former Geo Group executive, as acting director of ICE, indicating a continued preference for leaders with strong enforcement backgrounds. Observers expect the next Border Patrol chief to align closely with Trump’s hard‑line immigration agenda while navigating the internal scrutiny sparked by recent allegations.

OpenAI has engaged external counsel to assess a breach‑of‑contract claim against Apple over a lackluster ChatGPT integration that was expected to drive billions in new subscriptions. The move, reported by Bloomberg, comes as the AI firm navigates ongoing litigation with Elon Musk and growing tension with its biggest backer, Microsoft. OpenAI’s Frustration with Apple’s ChatGPT Integration The partnership, announced at Apple’s WWDC in June 2024, embedded ChatGPT into Siri and the iPhone’s Visual Intelligence feature, allowing users to snap photos and query the model. OpenAI executives say the feature was buried in the UI, hard to discover, and far below projected revenue, prompting the company to consider a formal breach notice. Financial Stakes and Missed Revenue Projections Industry watchers had anticipated the tie‑up could funnel billions of dollars in subscriptions to OpenAI and secure premium placement on one of the world’s most‑used mobile platforms. Instead, Bloomberg notes that actual earnings are “nowhere close” to expectations. By contrast, Apple’s recent AI partnership with Google commands roughly $1 billion a year, and the European Commission fined Apple €1.8 billion in March 2024 for App Store practices, underscoring the high financial stakes of platform deals. What Apple’s Partner Policies Mean for the Ecosystem The dispute adds to a long list of strained relationships Apple has had with partners—from Google Maps’ removal in 2012 to Adobe’s Flash ban in 2010 and Spotify’s App Store grievances that led to the EU fine. Apple’s control over its ecosystem means third‑party developers are effectively guests, and any perceived overreach—such as OpenAI’s hardware ambitions led by former Apple design chief Jony Ive—can trigger pushback. Possible Legal Paths and Future Scenarios OpenAI’s counsel may issue a breach‑of‑contract notice without filing a full lawsuit, likely waiting until the Musk trial concludes. If litigation proceeds, outcomes could include renegotiated revenue shares, mandated UI prominence for AI features, or broader industry pressure on Apple to adopt more partner‑friendly policies. Conversely, a settlement could preserve the integration while granting OpenAI clearer performance metrics.

The Heat Risk at the 2026 World Cup Climate experts have challenged FIFA after a warning that one in four World Cup games could be played in very hot conditions because global warming has increased the extreme heat risk since the US last hosted the tournament in 1994. Details of the Heat Warning Overheating concerns had already prompted FIFA to mandate a cooling break during each half of World Cup matches. They will be played in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. 26 of the 104 matches could be played where temperatures reach at least 26C in the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. 17 matches will be played in stadiums with cooling systems, reducing risks for players and fans. Five games are expected to be played in conditions of 28C WBGT or higher, a level that FIFPRO says should lead to the delay or postponement of matches. The Impact of Climate Change “Players and fans face a much higher risk of gruelling heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament on the same continent,” said World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists. “It’s dangerous for players, but of course there are also the fans who might gather outdoors, and they are at even more risk because they will not be taken care of by a lot of medical doctors,” said Friederike Otto, WWA co-founder and climate science professor at Imperial College London. FIFA's Response and Future Outlook FIFA has outlined preventive measures, including monitoring conditions in real time and applying contingency protocols if extreme weather events occur. The executive secretary of UN Climate Change, Simon Stiell, lent his voice to the warning, saying “The risk of dangerous heat has doubled” since 1994, which will put “players and fans at risk”.

The Final Plea for Reading as a RightFrank Cottrell-Boyce has urged policymakers to treat children's reading as a "right" rather than a parental duty, warning that Britain is failing to understand the emotional and social value of reading, as new research shows a sharp decline in daily shared reading at home.Speaking at the Royal Institution in his final laureate lecture, The Kids Are Not Alright, the children's laureate linked falling shared reading rates to poverty, housing insecurity and social media.The Laureate's Final Lecture and National Reading Initiative"Our children have been at the sharp end of two great crises: Covid, and just as damagingly, austerity," Cottrell-Boyce said in his lecture. "We can talk all we like about [the importance of] bedtime stories … but what does that mean to a child with no bed? Or no space for a bed?"He said that this "furniture poverty", alongside housing insecurity, means that children are unable to build stable routines around reading. "You're not going to Narnia because you haven't got a wardrobe," he said "Your clothes are stored in bin bags ready for the next move."The UK is celebrating the National Year of Reading, a government-led initiative supported by the National Literacy Trust to combat declining reading-for-pleasure rates. The campaign includes launching the first Children's Booker prize, with a judging panel chaired by Cottrell-Boyce. Three children aged 8-12 will be recruited to help adjudicate. The campaign also involves distributing 72,000 books to children in need, and fostering a "national mission" to make reading a daily habit.Declining Shared Reading StatisticsNew figures from BookTrust, released to coincide with the lecture, show that daily shared reading among families with children aged eight and under has fallen from 60% in 2021 to 49% in 2025. Yet the proportion of children who "like or love reading" has risen from 66% to 80% over the same period, suggesting that enthusiasm for books remains strong.Social and Economic Barriers to ReadingAlongside economic pressures, Cottrell-Boyce told the Guardian about the impact of screens and social media on children's attention. He said concerns about "addictive" tech platforms were now unavoidable, arguing that children's attention is being captured by systems designed to maximise engagement."These kids are working for big tech," he said. "We all are. But you're working for someone who doesn't love you, who is not going to pay you and doesn't care how many hours you work. It's a shocking situation we've got ourselves into."Referring to the growing legal and political scrutiny of technology companies, he added: "These platforms should bear total responsibility. I think these trials are a bit like the big tobacco moment."Reframing Reading's Value and Future OutlookHe added that we have failed to communicate what reading offers beyond literacy outcomes. "Reading has become so bound up with attainment and literacy, that we've failed to get across the emotional benefits, the fact that it is fun and should be done for pleasure," he said.Despite the scale of the challenges, Cottrell-Boyce said he remains optimistic about children's reading habits and the work already being done in communities. "Pessimism is a luxury that we can't afford," he said. "I do feel optimistic. I've met amazing people and seen amazing practice that costs next to nothing."Cottrell-Boyce has used his two-year tenure as children's laureate to promote his Reading Rights campaign, which argues that shared reading should be embedded in early years support, from health visitors to family hubs. The new children's laureate will be announced in July.

Dentist and lecturer Liz Crake has been added to England’s bench for the Six Nations grand‑slam decider against France after injuries forced multiple changes to the starting XV. Dentist‑turned‑prop Liz Crake Joins England’s Grand Slam Bench Crake, 31, earned her second cap this season and was called up after Kelsey Clifford suffered a leg injury against Italy and Hannah Botterman missed the tournament with an ankle problem. With John Mitchell having to make 20 player changes across the campaign due to pregnancy and injury, the squad’s depth is being tested. Contract Landscape and Player Statistics England currently hold 32 full‑time contracts for Red Roses players. Non‑contracted players receive camp allowances and a match‑day fee. Crake has 2 caps for England; she previously held a contract for the 2024‑25 season. Captain Meg Jones remains the tournament’s top try‑scorer with 7 tries. Other part‑time professionals include Christiana Balogun, a recruitment consultant who also featured off the bench. What Crake’s Inclusion Says About England’s Squad Depth The selection underscores the Red Roses’ reliance on part‑time professionals who balance full‑time careers with elite sport. Coach Mitchell’s willingness to rotate players like Crake and Balogun reflects a broader strategy to maintain performance levels despite a limited pool of full‑time talent. England’s Chances in the Grand Slam Decider With returning stars Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion and Maddie Feaunati added to the lineup, Mitchell has reshaped the starting XV for the Bordeaux clash. The changes aim to preserve the momentum that has carried England to a potential eighth consecutive Six Nations title, but the loss of seasoned front‑row players could test the team’s cohesion against a strong French side.

The Prisoner Exchange Agreement Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthi group have signed a United Nations-backed agreement in Jordan to exchange more than 1,600 detainees, marking the largest prisoner exchange since the country's civil war began in September 2014. Details of the Agreement Under the accord, the Houthis will release 580 prisoners, including seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese, while the government will release 1,100 Houthi prisoners, Houthi official Abdulqader al-Mortada said in a post on social media on Thursday. The Houthis will release 580 prisoners. The government will release 1,100 Houthi prisoners. The Data Analysis Nearly 1,728 detainees from both sides will be released as part of what Yahya Kazman, the deputy head of the government negotiating team, called the “largest” agreement of its kind. The Impact Analysis The deal follows more than three months of negotiations held in the Jordanian capital Amman in line with an agreement reached by both parties in December after UN-facilitated consultations in the Omani capital Muscat. The two sides agreed to hold further talks on additional releases and allow mutual visits to detention facilities. They also agreed on an implementation plan with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to move forward with the release operation. The Prediction “The agreement includes the release of a number of coalition forces personnel, members of the armed forces and security services, fighters from various military formations and the popular resistance, as well as politicians and journalists who spent years in Houthi detention,” Kazman said on social media. The ICRC also said it “welcomed” the agreement between the two parties, saying in a statement that it “represents a crucial step forward”.