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Stephen Fry opened his appearance on ITV’s The Assembly with a startling question: “You tried to kill yourself a couple of times. Are you happy to be alive now?” The boldness set the tone for a conversation that veered far from the usual celebrity‑friendly script.The programme distinguishes itself by placing a well‑known guest in front of a panel of young adults with neurodivergence or learning disabilities. Free from the conventional safeguards of mainstream talk shows, the panel asks questions that are simultaneously unconventional and deeply human, prompting guests to respond without the usual rehearsed veneer.For Fry, the format proved liberating. Known for translating complex ideas into accessible language, he used the platform to discuss suicidal ideation, likening the experience to the lingering memory of a broken limb—painful yet now distant. This candidness allowed him to reaffirm why he remains a cultural touchstone.One of the most memorable moments came when a participant asked, “I read that you are bipolar. One of my family has that. How can I help them?” Fry responded with a vivid analogy, describing bipolar disorder as a “rainstorm raging inside you—eventually the sun returns, and it’s the weather, not the person, that changes.” This explanation resonated as both compassionate and educational.The interview oscillated between gravitas and levity. Fry fielded whimsical queries such as “Can you help me meet Céline Dion?” and “How much have you spent on cocaine?” alongside the probing “Are you a top or a bottom?” The juxtaposition amplified the emotional weight of the serious topics.At one point, a young panelist named Luca chose not to ask a question, instead performing William Wordsworth’s poem “The World Is Too Much With Us” with theatrical flair—a rare blend of poetry and performance that underscored the show’s experimental spirit.Another highlight involved Jacob, a panel member who brandished a list of Fry’s past advertising gigs—Heineken, Twinings, Honda, and more—before delivering the punchline, “Is there anything you wouldn’t do for money?” The extended joke built a collective laugh that softened the subsequent, more probing inquiries.Critics have likened the show’s tone to a hybrid of Radio 4’s In the Psychiatrist’s Chair and the cheeky, irreverent style of classic British comedy interviews such as those with Dame Edna Everage or Mrs Merton, creating a unique space where vulnerability and humor coexist.The episode concluded with Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” playing as Fry reflected on his experiences with antisemitism and bipolar disorder. Moved by the music, he rose and danced, offering a visual testament to the therapeutic power of the format.The Assembly aired on ITV1 and is now available for streaming on ITVX.

In the spring of 2002, the modest Free Butt pub on Brighton’s seafront buzzed with a restless energy. Future stars such as Natasha Khan, then a university art student, danced atop the bar while the Yeah Yeah Yeahs thundered through their first UK dates. Behind the scenes, band frontmen like Guy McKnight of Eighties Matchbox B‑Line Disaster served pints, and budding engineers like Steve Ansell of Cat on Form fine‑tuned the sound. The atmosphere felt like a rite of passage, where any performer could slip from a cramped stage to national attention.Unlike the neatly branded scenes of New York’s garage‑rock revival or London’s Libertines‑driven hype, Brighton’s early‑2000s scene resisted a single aesthetic. Rock groups emerged from rehearsal rooms and tiny clubs with wildly different looks and sounds, creating a cultural mosaic rather than a monolithic movement.Electrelane’s guitarist recalls recording their debut Rock It to the Moon in a studio once owned by the Levellers, and crafting their sophomore effort inside a former public toilet. These unconventional spaces proved surprisingly fertile, underscoring the city’s DIY spirit.By the turn of the millennium, the big‑beat dominance of Fatboy Slim and Skint Records had faded, making way for a grassroots rock surge. Sea Power relocated from Reading to Brighton, drawn by the city’s “dilapidated charm and fresh sea air”. Their self‑organized Club Sea Power nights at the Lift offered a chaotic yet liberating platform that eventually caught Rough Trade’s attention.Women played a pivotal role in shaping the scene’s infrastructure. Promoters Lisa Lout and Anna Moulson, both still active, booked seminal shows—including the Strokes’ first UK gig at the Lift in 2001—and helped launch the Great Escape festival. Their efforts ensured that bands such as the Pipettes, Electrelane and Bat for Lashes could share stages and media coverage.Artists recall the city’s palpable sense of belonging. Rose Dougall of the Pipettes describes a landscape where “alternative culture was on every street, from vintage shops to the colour of the houses,” and where “small venues made it feel attainable to launch a project.” Similarly, Brakes frontman Eamon Hamilton contrasts Brighton’s walk‑able, collaborative vibe with London’s darker, more competitive energy.Music journalism mirrored the scene’s intensity. Everett True and photographer Steve Gullick launched Careless Talk Costs Lives in 2002, a deliberately short‑run magazine that championed female writers and bands at a time when the industry was still heavily male‑dominated.As rents surged through the 2010s, many of the cheap flats, rehearsal rooms and iconic venues that underpinned the scene vanished. The Free Butt closed, independent record stores shuttered, and the once‑abundant low‑cost infrastructure dwindled, prompting a migration of creative energy down the coast to places like Margate, Ramsgate, Folkestone and Shoreham.Nevertheless, the remnants of Brighton’s network continue to nurture new talent, from the Kooks to Dream Wife and Gazelle Twin. The city’s strength lies not in a singular sound but in its capacity to host a “constant collision of wildly dissimilar bands,” allowing artists to develop authentically and fearlessly.

Health‑service workers have voiced strong unease after it emerged that engineers from the controversial US tech firm Palantir were issued NHS.net email accounts. Those accounts unlock a directory containing contact details for as many as 1.5 million NHS staff members, as well as access to SharePoint file‑sharing and Microsoft Teams groups used by the service. Palantir’s engineers are supporting the rollout of the Federated Data Platform (FDP), a £300 million contract awarded in 2023 to link patient records across disparate NHS systems. The government touts FDP as a cornerstone of its plan to "reinvent the NHS" by moving from analogue to digital, promising faster diagnoses, better appointment allocation and more personalised treatment. While the use of NHS email accounts by external suppliers is not unprecedented, Palantir’s reputation for AI‑driven surveillance and military‑grade technology has amplified staff, patient and human‑rights concerns. Rory Gibson, a resident doctor, warned that his personal contact details should not be accessible to a company that also works on drone‑strike systems. The Guardian has identified at least six Palantir engineers who have been given NHS.net credentials. In response, a Palantir spokesperson argued that such access is "normal practice for government suppliers" and cited official guidance that government systems are more secure than external alternatives. Palantir claims its software has already yielded measurable benefits: 110,000 additional operations, a 15.3% reduction in discharge delays and a 6.8% rise in cancer diagnoses within 28 days of referral. The company stresses that it merely provides software, with data usage remaining under NHS control and subject to strict contractual confidentiality. David Rowland, director of the Centre for Health and the Public Interest, acknowledged that granting NHS email addresses may not breach rules but highlighted the "deep ethical concerns" that Palantir’s profit‑driven model clashes with NHS values. He called for a comprehensive review of which private firms receive public‑sector funding. Some NHS staff reported being placed in virtual Teams meetings with Palantir personnel who joined using NHS credentials, without any disclosure of their employer – a practice that further eroded trust. Under the NHSmail access policy, "independent sector organisations" delivering health and social‑care services nationally may use NHSmail. An unrestricted NHS.net account can reveal staff roles, locations, workplace details and even grant access to commercial "Blue Light" discounts. Palantir’s technology is already deployed by UK police forces and the Ministry of Defence, prompting critics to warn that its "drag‑and‑drop" interoperability could facilitate state overreach, including a potential British analogue of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The firm’s founders include US businessman and former Trump supporter Peter Thiel and CEO Alex Karp, both known for advocating aggressive surveillance tools. Its UK arm is led by Louis Mosley, grandson of historic British fascist leader Oswald Mosley. An NHS spokesperson reiterated that all suppliers, including Palantir, operate strictly under NHS instruction, with data access governed by robust contractual confidentiality obligations.

Britain’s unusually sunny spring has propelled the national grid to unprecedented levels of solar generation, with 14.1 GW of low‑carbon electricity recorded at midday on Monday and a new high of 14.4 GW on Tuesday afternoon.The surge coincided with the electricity system operator’s confirmation that the government has approved the Springwell solar farm in Lincolnshire, the country’s largest solar project to date. When operating at full capacity, the farm is expected to supply enough power for roughly 180,000 homes each year.Springwell marks the 25th large‑scale clean‑energy scheme approved by the Labour administration since it took office in 2024. Collectively, these projects could generate electricity equivalent to powering up to 12.5 million homes, dramatically expanding the UK’s renewable portfolio.Solar’s record run follows a recent wind‑power milestone, when wind farms delivered a peak of 23.9 GW, enough for about 23 million homes. At that moment, gas‑fired generation fell to just 2.3 % of total output, underscoring the government’s ambition to operate a virtually carbon‑free grid by 2030. Operators are reportedly preparing for short‑term periods this summer when the grid could run entirely without gas.Energy Minister Michael Shanks emphasized the strategic importance of the shift: “Solar is one of the cheapest forms of power and the key to breaking free from volatile fossil‑fuel markets, securing energy independence and lowering bills for the British people.”In parallel with the Springwell approval, the government has streamlined the “plug‑in solar” initiative and will amend building regulations to require solar panels on all new homes from 2028, further cementing the nation’s transition to domestically generated clean energy.

UK house prices experienced a decline in March, as the housing market lost momentum due to uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on the economy and interest rates. Figures from Halifax showed a 0.5% dip in property prices compared to the previous month. As a result, the average price of a home slipped back below £300,000 to £299,677, after initially crossing the £300,000 milestone in January. The pace of annual property price growth also eased to 0.8%, down from 1.2% the previous month. Halifax cited uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East as a factor that has dampened the initial momentum in the market seen at the start of the year. Concerns about higher energy prices have pushed up inflation expectations, leading to a rise in mortgage rates. Expectations that the Bank of England could raise interest rates several times this year have driven up the cost of fixed-rate mortgages. However, City traders adjusted their forecasts for rate rises after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire. The choice of mortgage deals has shrunk in recent weeks, with hundreds of mortgage products pulled from the market. The average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate moved upwards to 5.84% by the end of March, the highest since July 2024. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, noted that the effect on house prices will largely depend on how long-lasting these pressures prove to be and the wider implications for the economy and unemployment. She emphasized that mortgage rates are a key factor for buyers, particularly those getting on the ladder for the first time.

India's nuclear program has reached a significant milestone with its prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) achieving criticality, a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, the 500 megawatt electrical (MWe) reactor is a major leap forward for India's atomic energy ambitions. The PFBR is only the second commercial fast breeder reactor in the world, following Russia's. This advanced reactor design produces more fissile material than it consumes, using a mix of uranium and plutonium as fuel. The reactor's success is a crucial step towards India's goal of significantly increasing its nuclear energy capacity. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement as 'a proud moment for India' and 'a defining step' in advancing the country's nuclear program. The reactor is designed to enable India to extract greater energy from its limited uranium reserves while paving the way for large-scale deployment of thorium-based reactors. India has more than 25 percent of the world's thorium reserves, which are four times larger than uranium reserves globally. The country's three-stage nuclear program aims to utilize thorium as a primary fuel source in the third stage, with the PFBR serving as a critical component in this process. Experts highlight that the PFBR's success could inspire other countries to adopt similar technology, but challenges remain, including high costs and technical complexities. The reactor's electricity generation is expected to be more expensive than alternatives, including solar energy. Despite these challenges, India's achievement marks a significant advancement in nuclear technology and energy security, particularly for a country with growing energy demands and a desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

England fast bowler Josh Tongue has candidly shared his journey, from making his Test debut in 2023 to overcoming injuries and achieving milestones.Tongue, 28, has been refreshingly honest about his career, including his 18 wickets in three Ashes Tests and his five-wicket haul against Australia at the MCG.He opens up about his struggles with thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that led him to consider early retirement. However, Botox injections helped him recover, and he made his Test debut for England.Tongue's laid-back and reflective personality has earned him praise from coaches Brendon McCullum and Peter Moores. His dream is to become England's opening bowler and take on top-order players like Steve Smith, whom he has successfully bowled out multiple times.Despite facing challenges, Tongue remains focused on playing cricket for England and making fans happy. A pivotal summer lies ahead, and wickets will be the currency that keeps Tongue's name on people's lips.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has raised concerns about the protection of civilians in war. Donald Trump's threats to bomb civilian infrastructure, including power stations, desalination plants, and bridges, have been widely criticized as potential war crimes. In a recent statement, Trump doubled down on his threat, saying that a whole civilization will die if his demands are not met. This rhetoric has sparked fears of a humanitarian crisis and raised questions about the US's commitment to protecting civilians in war.Historically, the protection of civilians has been a cornerstone of international law. The Geneva Conventions, established in 1949, clearly state that civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or reprisals. The US has a long tradition of upholding these principles, dating back to the Lieber Code of 1863, which established protocols for the protection of the innocent during the Civil War.The article argues that protecting civilians is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and self-discipline. It cites examples of leaders who have prioritized humanitarian concerns in times of war, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt's vision for a world united around democratic values and international organizations. In contrast, Trump's approach has been criticized for its lack of nuance and disregard for humanitarian concerns. The article notes that the US must distinguish between military targets and civilian infrastructure, and that cyber-attacks and other non-lethal methods should be used whenever possible to minimize harm to civilians.Ultimately, the article concludes that upholding American values and international law is essential to maintaining global stability and preventing humanitarian crises. By prioritizing the protection of civilians, the US can demonstrate its commitment to humanitarian principles and show that it is capable of fighting wars with greater purpose and a plan for peace.

The recent Artemis II mission, which sent astronauts to the far side of the moon, has sparked reflection on the dual implications of space travel. US astronaut Christina Koch encapsulated the profound appreciation for Earth that comes from experiencing it from space, echoing sentiments expressed by earlier space travellers.The Earthrise photograph from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968 is often credited with galvanizing the environmental movement. Similarly, journeys like Artemis II are hoped to foster global cooperation and a deeper appreciation for life. However, the current landscape of space exploration is complicated by the involvement of tech billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk and the emerging post-terrestrial geopolitical battle between the US and China.There is a growing concern that the £100bn Artemis programme could divert attention and resources away from solving pressing environmental issues on Earth. This concern is particularly pertinent given that the US withdrew from the Paris climate agreement in the same year as the mission. The pursuit of space exploration must be balanced with the imperative to address ecological limits and protect the planet we currently inhabit.Despite these challenges, the unquenchable human curiosity and scientific value of space travel should not be dismissed. The Artemis II launch was made possible by a rare display of bipartisan support for NASA in Congress. The achievements of the scientists, astronauts, and support teams are a testament to the positive aspects of space exploration.The mission to the moon's dark side, while not a solution to the world's problems, represents a significant scientific and exploratory milestone. The crew has seen more of the moon and travelled further from Earth than anyone before them. As the world watches their return and landing in the Pacific Ocean, it's clear that space exploration continues to captivate and inspire, even as it poses complex questions about our priorities and responsibilities.