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The Documentary’s Long Road to CannesIn 1972 William Greaves filmed a four‑hour cocktail party at Duke Ellington’s Harlem townhouse, gathering the last surviving figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Though the footage was intended for a feature titled From These Roots, it remained unfinished for 50 years. The project finally resurfaced when Greaves’ son David and granddaughter Liani completed the edit, earning a spot in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight in 2026. Restoring 60,000 Feet of 16mm FilmOriginal shoot: 60,000 feet of 16mm film captured.Restoration: Digitisation and colour correction undertaken by David and Liani Greaves.Archival work: Material passed from William to his widow Louise Greaves, then to the next generation after her death in 2023. Voices of the Harlem Renaissance ResurfaceThe film features painters, poets, musicians and activists such as Aaron Douglas, Richard Bruce Nugent, Arna Bontemps, Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, James Van Der Zee and Ida Mae Cullen. Their conversations drift from jazz’s revolutionary impact to debates over terminology—whether to use “Negro” or “Afro‑American”—mirroring discussions that persist today. Contemporary Resonance: Race, Memory, and Global PoliticsDavid Greaves draws parallels between historic footage of Haile Selassie’s 1936 appeal to the League of Nations and modern leaders like Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The documentary also confronts America’s ongoing racial violence, juxtaposing archival anti‑lynching poetry with present‑day activism, underscoring how three generations are still voting on the same struggle. Looking Ahead: Release Plans and Cultural LegacyFollowing its Cannes debut, the team aims to release the full film ahead of William Greaves’ centenary in October 2026, with retrospectives slated for New York and the Barbican in London. Critics such as Richard Brody have already hailed it as “one of the greatest talking pictures,” positioning the documentary to cement Greaves’ reputation as a chronicler of African‑American history.

Robert Lewandowski has confirmed he will leave Barcelona this summer at the end of his contract, stating that his mission with the club is complete after four seasons that yielded three league titles and a Copa del Rey.Lewandowski’s Four‑Year Tenure and Trophy HaulThe 37‑year‑old forward arrived from Bayern Munich in 2022 when the Catalan side was struggling financially and on the pitch. Over the next four campaigns he helped Barcelona reclaim the Spanish throne and re‑establish themselves as a European contender.Goals, Appearances and Titles – The Numbers Behind Lewandowski’s Barcelona Spell119 goals in 191 official matches across all competitions.Three La Liga championships (including the 2025‑26 title).One Copa del Rey triumph in 2025.Consistent scoring rate of roughly 0.62 goals per game.What Lewandowski’s Exit Means for Barcelona and La LigaHis departure creates a vacuum in a side that has relied on his experience and finishing ability. Financially, Barcelona will lose a high‑value asset but also free up a substantial wage bill, giving the club flexibility to invest in younger talent. For La Liga, the exit underscores the league’s growing ability to attract and retain world‑class players, while also highlighting the transient nature of star signings in a competitive market.Possible Next Steps for the Polish Striker and Barcelona’s Forward PlanningLewandowski hinted that his next move will be decided after the season ends, with speculation pointing to a return to a top‑five league or a final stint in a less demanding environment. Barcelona, meanwhile, will need to identify a long‑term replacement—either through the academy or the transfer market—to sustain the momentum built over the past four years.

Manchester United’s Champions League qualification has intensified the need for a deeper, more versatile squad. With Casemiro confirmed to leave and several fringe players on short‑term contracts, the club faces a critical summer overhaul to balance ambition with financial prudence. Departures on the Horizon Casemiro – confirmed exit, freeing a senior midfield slot. Tyrell Malacia – contract expires in June, limited impact over four seasons. Joshua Zirkzee – 5 goals in 54 league games, unlikely to secure a role. Altay Bayındır – second‑choice goalkeeper, probable return to Turkey. Marcus Rashford – on loan at Barcelona, future at Old Trafford uncertain. Jadon Sancho – out of contract, no renewal plans. André Onana – unlikely to stay after losing the starting spot. Rasmus Højlund – expected to remain with Napoli. Manuel Ugarte – £50 million price tag, underperformed in England. Core Squad Members United Must Retain Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha – immediate impact signings. Benjamin Sesko – integral centre‑back. Bruno Fernandes – midfield engine and leader. Harry Maguire – experience alongside Fernandes. Luke Shaw – fitness resurgence, key full‑back. Tom Heaton – home‑grown goalkeeper, valuable squad depth. Amad Diallo, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu – promising youth. Lisandro Martínez – fit and ready to contribute. Target Areas and Potential Signings United’s transfer agenda centres on adding depth and quality across the spine of the team. Central Midfield – Elliot Anderson (high priority, but likely to stay at City), Ederson (Atalanta), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) are on the radar. Centre‑Back – Julián Murillo (Forest) and Micky van de Ven (Spurs) identified as sensible options. Full‑Backs – Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot under review; El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham) a potential left‑back target. Goalkeeper – Radek Vitek expected back from Bristol City, possibly freeing funds for an additional keeper. Forward – With Zirkzee out, United may pursue a traditional No 9 like Andreas Sesko style striker or a versatile option such as Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad). Financial Stakes and Transfer Budget Considerations The summer window will test United’s ability to balance wage bills with transfer outlays. The £50 million tag on Manuel Ugarte exemplifies the premium attached to midfield reinforcements, while the departure of high‑earners such as Casemiro and Altay Bayındır could free up significant salary space. Potential signings like Elliot Anderson or Aurélien Tchouaméni would command fees well above £50 million, meaning United must prioritise targets that deliver value relative to cost. Implications for United’s Champions League Ambitions Depth across two elite competitions will be decisive. Retaining a core of experienced players while injecting fresh talent in midfield, defence and attack should enable United to rotate without sacrificing quality. Failure to address the identified gaps could see the squad stretched thin, jeopardising progress beyond the group stage. Conversely, smart acquisitions—especially a dynamic midfielder and a reliable centre‑back—could provide the platform for a deeper European run and a stronger challenge for the Premier League title.

The Lead: From Flyover Country to World StageFor travelers, it's easy to literally look down on Kansas City, Missouri. In the heart of the United States Midwest, it represents the definition of flyover country for those on their way to more famous locales. That perspective is about to change as this summer, the attention of the sporting world lands on Kansas City, along with hundreds of thousands of football fans.The Strategic Bid: How Kansas City Overcame the OddsArrowhead Stadium, the 76,000 capacity home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, will host six World Cup matches, including a possible Argentina-Portugal quarterfinal, anticipated as a Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo showdown. Kansas City overcame major odds to become one of 11 US venues for the biggest World Cup ever, a 39-day tournament stretching from Mexico City to Vancouver, Canada.While Kansas City is the 37th most populous city in the US, according to the 2020 census, most of the other hosting cities are in the top 10 in terms of population. That's a significant gap that Kansas City had to overcome in its bid.The Economic Impact: Beyond the GameThe initial bid list in 2017 included 37 stadiums in 34 cities, including four – Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, and Washington, DC – that played host to the '94 World Cup. They all fell by the wayside, and when the announcement was made on June 16, 2022, Kansas City became a World Cup city.Go back to 2013, when Kansas City declared itself the 'Soccer Capital of America', a registered trademark. They invested in stadiums and training facilities, more than $650m worth. The World Cup was a long shot, but that did not stop the local organizing committee from pulling out all the stops.The Global Transformation: How Kansas City Changed Its ImageKansas City turned negatives into positives. Nowheresville became a 'central location,' facilitating air travel. Long distances on roads, sure, but zero traffic jams. 'Our transportation ranking was dead last. We flipped that on its head in every way,' said Jake Reid, vice president of the local organizing committee and Sporting KC president.A city with the US's then 32nd-ranked Designated Marketing Area translated as 'small market, big region,' Reid said. Kansas City's population is listed at 508,000 and the metropolitan area at 2.2 million. Like the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals baseball team, the World Cup can expect fans to come from within a three-hour drive.The Future Legacy: Beyond 2026Just getting the World Cup would satisfy most municipalities, but not these Kansas Citians. After the final draw last year, they pulled off another coup via base camps, as Argentina, England and the Netherlands chose Kansas City, and Algeria picked the nearby city of Lawrence.For decades, football was left in the dust by other sports, until the 1966 World Cup, which inspired investment in professional teams in several US cities. The Kansas City Spurs had a three-season run, starting in 1968, when they played against Santos and Pele (ending in a 4-1 loss for the hosts) in front of 19,296 at Municipal Stadium.When the '94 World Cup came along, Lamar Hunt proposed Arrowhead Stadium as a venue, hoping to use the tournament to launch MLS. FIFA passed Kansas City by, but Hunt went ahead with the KC Wizards, originally named the Wiz, and won the 2000 MLS Cup. The team rebranded as Sporting Kansas City, opened a football-specific stadium (capacity 21,000) in 2011, and won the 2013 MLS Cup title. The Kansas City Current women's team was founded in 2021 and play at the CPKC Stadium (11,500).

The Crisis of Entry: Youth Unemployment at the London Job ShowThe recent London Job Show at Westfield White City served as a stark microcosm of the broader economic stagnation facing young professionals in the UK. While the event attracted hundreds of job seekers, the atmosphere was defined less by opportunity and more by the sheer volume of applicants competing for a shrinking pool of roles. This gathering highlighted a critical disconnect between the government's ambitious employment targets and the daily reality of young people struggling to secure their first foothold in the workforce.The London Job Show as a Barometer for Recruitment StrugglesThe event, which hosts employers ranging from the Metropolitan police to car valet services, underscores the desperation of the current job market. For many attendees, the fair represents a rare chance to bypass the digital noise of online applications and present themselves in person. However, the presence of hundreds of hopefuls at a single venue illustrates the saturation of the market, where even those with degrees and qualifications are finding themselves locked out of sectors they are qualified for.Demi Trowsdale (24) has been unemployed for four months despite sending 170 applications.Angel Simpson (18) noted that qualifications are often insufficient against the "experience" barrier.Harvey Barns (21) highlighted the issue of "ghost jobs" and the struggle to afford living costs on minimum wage.The Statistics of StagnationThe despair on the floor of Westfield White City is backed by alarming data regarding the UK's employment landscape. The crisis is disproportionately affecting the younger demographic, with 713,000 young people currently unemployed. This represents a youth unemployment rate of 15.8%, significantly outpacing the general unemployment rate of 4.9%. In London specifically, the rates are even more acute, reaching 24.6%, making the capital the hardest place in the UK for young jobseekers to find work.The Dehumanisation of RecruitmentA significant factor contributing to the frustration is the shift toward automated recruitment processes. Young jobseekers like Demi Trowsdale have expressed feeling "dehumanised" by the lack of individual feedback, noting that applications are often met with blanket rejections rather than constructive criticism. The reliance on AI screening tools means that candidates are often judged by buzzwords rather than potential, leaving them feeling invisible in a system that prioritizes efficiency over human connection.Beyond the £1bn Pledge: The Need for Structural ChangeWhile the UK government has pledged £1bn to create 200,000 new jobs for young people, experts argue that funding alone will not resolve the structural barriers. Laura-Jane Rawlings of Youth Employment UK emphasized that successful delivery requires high-quality support, paid work experience, and apprenticeships. She also pointed out that in London, specific barriers such as transport costs, housing pressures, and digital exclusion must be addressed to truly unlock employment opportunities for the next generation.

The Lead: Scotland's World Cup AnthemThe lyrics came to Stuart Murdoch in the hazy aftermath of Scotland's dramatic qualification for the World Cup. The Belle and Sebastian frontman had watched his side's playoff victory over Denmark through his fingers before deciding to write his own anthem to a team he has followed for more than 50 years. "Most people recognised instantly the next day that they'd witnessed the most important Scottish game ever," says Murdoch. "That was our magic moment."The Anthem Creation: It Only Takes One Lion"It Only Takes One Lion" starts by hinting at the travails of the team ("You gave us hope, you gave us despair"), turns into a bombastic four-on-the-floor singalong with self-deprecating lyrics ("This is Scotland, where everybody knows you start with nothing"), and nods to the Tartan Army ("you can join an army that's for peace"). The song's danceable beat was inspired by the team's current anthem, Baccara's 1977 hit, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which has been blasted out at Hampden Park after recent Scotland victories. "I like the thought that they just might play It Only Takes One Lion after a game, that's what I fantasise about," Murdoch says.Historical Significance: Scotland's Football JourneyFootball has been a life pursuit for Murdoch, who is an Ayr United fan, and Belle and Sebastian have broached the topic of football before, notably in the tale of Sunday league woes, Another Sunny Day. It is fair to say Scotland and Murdoch have got a bit of previous with the World Cup. The singer's earliest memories of the team at the tournament are of the 1974 edition where Scotland – despite not losing a game and only conceding one goal – were knocked out in the first round. There was more heartbreak in 1978 when a formidable Scotland team featuring Joe Jordan, Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish came back early from Argentina – despite a legendary Archie Gemmill goal.Cultural Impact: Music Meets Football PassionThe song, which the band debuted as part of an encore at an April gig at the Royal Albert Hall and is out on 2 June, coincides with Scotland preparing to play in their first World Cup tournament since 1998. Scotland will face Brazil and Morocco in the group stage, with Haiti the final team making up a tough draw. But Murdoch remains optimistic about the team avoiding any unnecessary drama. He concedes It Only Takes One Lion is a not-too-subtle dig at the auld enemy and England's anthem, Three Lions, Baddiel and Skinner's track, which celebrates its 30th birthday this summer. "It was done in a nice way," says Murdoch, who says he will support England if Scotland get knocked out early.Future Outlook: World Cup Dreams and Musical LegacyThe band's US tour finishes on the same night Scotland play Haiti in their first game, but Murdoch may try to watch a later group game, despite the eye-watering prices Fifa is charging for tickets. "We're going to play it by ear," he says. "I'm hoping the song does well and we'll get invited to a game." As Scotland prepares to make their return to the World Cup stage, "It Only Takes One Lion" stands as both a tribute to decades of football passion and a potential new soundtrack for Scottish sporting history.

The Rise of Delta Goodrem in Eurovision 2026 Delta Goodrem's performance of 'Eclipse' in Eurovision 2026's second semi-final has propelled Australia to the grand final, with her odds of winning soaring. She's now ranked second, behind Finland. Why is Australia Included in Eurovision? Australia's inclusion in Eurovision stems from its strong viewership and multicultural population. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Australia to join due to its good business case, particularly SBS's consistent high ratings for Eurovision since 1983. Australia's Eurovision watch parties were popular long before its participation in 2015. The country's multicultural broadcaster SBS had been getting good numbers for Eurovision locally. How Does Eurovision's Scoring System Work? The Eurovision winner is decided 50% by jury votes and 50% by televotes from viewers in each participating country, as well as a 'rest of the world' vote. Each country has its own jury, made up of seven music industry types. Juries use four judging criteria: vocal capacity, performance, composition, and overall impression. Countries cannot vote for themselves. Is There an Art to Winning Eurovision? According to analysis by Spotify, the perfect tempo for a Eurovision entry is 127 beats per minute. Delta Goodrem's song 'Eclipse' is 134 BPM. Carniel says there's a risk of getting too precise with a Eurovision bid. The winning song usually needs something that really connects with the audience. If Australia Wins Eurovision, Does That Mean Australia Gets to Host It? No, if Australia wins, it must 'co-host' the event with a full EBU member country within Europe. Australia is only an 'associate member'. There is a precedent: when Ukraine won in 2022, the UK hosted it due to Ukraine's inability to do so. Will the Juries Vote Against Australia Because It's Not in Europe? All signs indicate no. When Australia came second in 2016 with Dami Im, she had the most jury votes. Carniel says the EBU wants to avoid any sign that the jury system is corrupt or biased.

The Transformative Night in Blackpool Bronzed, with winged tips and doused in Le Male, I clamped the baby pink GHDs to my hair until they sizzled and singed it. Emerging from a cloud of cheap hairspray, I was ready for the dancefloor. I was 18 and had grown up in Blackpool, a place synonymous with hedonism and fun. I came out in high school at the age of 14 and from 16 I studied performing arts at a local college. Underage, I was smuggled into clubs and in my spare time I watched shows in our many beautiful theatres. The bright lights of the illuminations, the showgirls, the feathers, sequins and rhinestones were intoxicating. Blackpool really was – and still is – extraordinary. When the bar closed, a new adventure would begin. One night, as the sun was coming up (and as was I), a drag queen took me back to her place. I didn't know the significance of what I was about to experience, but I was to receive an education no university course could ever match. The drag queen was a Liza Minnelli tribute act. She knew every beat of every Liza film, every concert, every move of choreography. She performed as Liza in all the bars around town. Now I was ordained by being welcomed into her home. This moment could be the plot of a movie with Blackpool as a beautiful backdrop to my coming out/coming-of-age fantasy The Muppet Show That Changed Everything Was I ready to be indoctrinated? Very. She led me to the living room for a VHS screening of what I was told was one of Liza's finest performances. I was expecting Cabaret, the winner of eight Academy Awards, but not on this occasion. She sat me on the sofa and played Episode 414 of The Muppet Show from 1979, with special guest the one and only Liza Minnelli. The premise works so beautifully for exactly the same reason that The Muppet Christmas Carol is so beloved. In that film, Michael Caine gives the performance of his life in a movie almost entirely populated by felt characters, and in her guest episode Liza matches him in commitment. Take the musical number Copacabana she performs: the curtain goes up and Liza is smoking. She is the narrator, the storyteller, in a Funny Face-esque black polo neck that gives a real sense of gravitas to those Barry Manilow lyrics. Moments later, she is Lola, dancing with human-sized muppets. Or in another scene Liza holds Kermit while they sing A Quiet Thing together. Their connection is pure and tender, a thing of simplicity and gentleness. A Career Born from Inspiration As I reflect on this story nearly 20 years later, I am now 10 years sober and while life might well be a cabaret, the decadence of my early youth is firmly in the past. But I think back to this moment, which could be the plot of a movie with Blackpool as a beautiful cinematic backdrop to my coming out/coming-of-age Technicolor fantasy. I didn't know at the time, but this incident set me on the path to my current profession. Four years later, in 2011, I started making cabaret performances in south London at the famed Royal Vauxhall Tavern at nights such as Duckie, where my turns were packed full of wigs and jockstraps, fake blood and mascot costumes. In 2015, I joined the international circuit when I became part of big touring pieces of variety and circus spectacle, showing off in the US, Australia, New Zealand and London's glittering West End. I once performed a 107-hour durational piece in drag at Glastonbury and at the Adelaide fringe, as a teenage girl who wouldn't leave her bedroom. A Lifelong Dedication to Liza's Legacy Ever since that fateful night back in Blackpool in the 2000s, Liza has been a hero of mine. I saw her live in concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2013. I have a Liza tattoo on my right thigh. Back in 2019, I did an eight-hour performance in an old deconsecrated church in Brighton, dressed as Liza Minnelli, performing her album Results in full, emulating through endurance art Liza's beautiful commitment to performance. Pet Shop Boys, who produced Liza's Results album, even heard about what I was up to and said my performance sounded great. The Enduring Impact of a Single Performance And if you ever see one of my shows, please understand that the technical foundation of my performances isn't drama school training or Stanislavski; it's Liza on The Muppets. Truth be told, I don't know where the drag queen in the story is now. I hope she's OK, but if I did see her I'd say: "Thank you for changing my life." Harry Clayton-Wright's show Mr Blackpool is at the Grand theatre, Blackpool, 20 May.

The Fatal EncounterA man has died from his injuries after being attacked by a great white shark in western Australia, authorities confirmed. The attack unfolded just before 10am local time Saturday (02:00 GMT) off Rottnest Island, west of the city of Perth, Western Australia police reported in a statement.Australia's ABC News reported that the 38-year-old victim was taken by boat to Geordie Bay Jetty, where paramedics and police performed CPR. He died at the scene despite emergency efforts. Images published by the outlet show ambulance and rescue crews gathered at the popular diving and fishing spot, Horseshoe Reef.The Shark's IdentityThe Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed that the shark measured four metres (13 feet) and was identified as a long great white. This species is known to inhabit the waters around Western Australia, particularly during certain seasons when they follow migratory patterns.Australia's Shark Attack StatisticsThe majority of shark attacks occur along the east and southeast seaboard of Australia, with an average of 20 such incidents a year, according to Australia's Institute of Health and Welfare. While fatal attacks are relatively rare, they have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years, prompting concerns from both authorities and beachgoers.Regional Impact and Safety MeasuresThe attack marked the first fatal shark attack in Western Australia since last March, when a man was mauled while surfing at Wharton Beach in a remote area. A string of attacks along the country's eastern coast earlier this year triggered the closure of several New South Wales beaches. Last September, a rare fatal attack unfolded off a Sydney beach, killing an experienced surfer in his 50s.Future Outlook and PreventionAuthorities are expected to review shark monitoring protocols and potentially increase aerial surveillance in popular recreational areas following this incident. Beachgoers may see enhanced warning systems and potentially more frequent drone patrols during peak seasons. Experts note that while shark encounters are traumatic, the overall risk remains statistically low compared to other beach-related dangers.