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The Lead: Carla Simón's Unique Approach to Family DramaFamily reunions in European arthouse cinema are almost always unhappy events, on a scale of strife that ranges from simmering resentment to spectacular score-settling. Carla Simón, however, has a rare gift: she makes you leave the cinema with renewed faith that having relatives and keeping in touch with them may actually be a wonderful thing.No film-maker working in Europe now is as capable of turning birthday gatherings, garden parties or poolside barbecues into thrillingly sprawling canvases of human virtue and vice as this 39-year-old rising star. From a riotous water fight in the Berlinale Golden Bear-winning farming drama Alcarràs to a foul-mouthed dinner table singalong in her new film Romería, Simón directs kinship meetings with the attention to detail that other film-makers may invest in action sequences or dance routines.The Event Details: Romería and the Journey to Self-DiscoveryAmong the tricks Simón employs, she explains, is to ensure her actors only read the script once before the camera starts rolling, so they have to improvise to fill the gaps. She takes her casts to parties, for walks and on shopping trips, and if there are disagreements on the way, so much the better. The ultimate secret sauce, though, is to ignore WC Fields's notorious advice and always work with children and animals."I never get bored of working with kids," she says. "When you are only working with adult actors, shooting becomes more like executing an idea that you have in your mind, and I think that is not interesting. With children, you always have this feeling that that things are going to happen in front of the camera by chance. It keeps things alive."Her new film Romería, meaning "pilgrimage" in Spanish, dives deeper into the story of the biological parents she barely got to know. Eighteen-year-old Marina travels to her relatives in Vigo, in north-western Galicia, purportedly to find the death certificate of her biological father, which she needs to study film-making in Barcelona. The initial reaction is warm, but family is a room with dark corners and locked closets.The Personal Journey: Aids, Loss and Family SecretsSimón's fascination with freewheeling scenes of family life was undoubtedly honed through her own biography. Born in Barcelona in 1986, her father died when she was three and her mother when she was six. Both of them succumbed to Aids. She was 12 when her adoptive mother told her that her parents had been infected with the autoimmune disease through their use of drugs.All of her first three films have been strongly autobiographical: Summer 1993 tells the story of a six-year-old girl who moves to an unspecified location countryside to live with her aunt after the death of her mother, while 2022's Alcarràs is specifically set in the Catalan peach-growing community of her adoptive family.In the film, a cache of letters written by her late mother opens up a portal to the time when her parents met and discovered love – for each other, the Atlantic Ocean and drugs. The letters, Simón explains, are real. "She wrote to her friends and family while she lived in Vigo. Her Catalan is full of mistakes, because teaching Catalan was banned under the Franco regime. But they are the most important thing that I have from my mother, because suddenly I can hear her talking."The Impact Analysis: Spanish Cinema and the Legacy of AidsSpanish cinema has a track record in making films where child actors take centre stage: Ana Torrent's spell-binding turn as a young girl obsessed with the Frankenstein tale in Víctor Erice's 1973 film The Spirit of the Beehive is considered an all-time great performance by a minor, and Simón describes it as "a very, very important film for me".During the transition period after Franco's rule, Madrid gave birth to la movida, a countercultural movement that celebrated lifestyles that had been banned under military rule. "All these kids who were raised under Franco and religious oppression, suddenly freedom arrived and they embraced it", Simón says. "They didn't think much about the future or the consequences of what they were experimenting with. And then the drugs came in."When we talk about this generation in Spain, people sometimes use words like shame and blame, but I feel that's really unfair: people like my parents just had bad luck.The Future Direction: Beyond Family in Simón's Next ProjectHalfway through Romería there is a stylistic shift, from the Eurorealism she favoured in her previous works toward something more magical-realist: there is a mysterious cat you might expect to encounter in a Miyazaki film, and an unforgettable dance number set to Vigo punk rocker's Siniestro Total's song Bailaré Sobre Tu Tumba ("I'll Dance on Your Grave")."These three films I've made are kind of a cycle, because they all talk about my family, adoptive and biological. But since I became a mother a few years ago, I feel that my place in the family changed. When you have kids you feel it's a new period in your life, so I feel like maybe doing something that has nothing to do with my family."Her next film, she confides, is going to be a flamenco musical.

Messi’s Contract Extension Doubles Base SalaryLionel Messi remains the highest‑paid player in Major League Soccer after his base salary was increased from $12.5 million to $25 million. The extension, signed in October and running through the 2028 season, guarantees him $28.3 million in total compensation.Financial Scale of MLS Salaries After Messi’s DealNext‑highest salary: Son Heung‑min – base $10.36 million, total $11.2 million.Inter Miami payroll: $54.6 million, up from $46.8 million last season.League‑wide guaranteed compensation: $631 million total, average $688,816 (8.9% YoY rise).LAFC payroll: $32.7 million; Philadelphia lowest at $11.7 million.How Messi’s Pay Reshapes MLS Market and Club StrategiesThe disparity between Messi’s earnings and the rest of the league underscores the growing commercial pull of marquee talent. Miami’s payroll now exceeds the second‑largest club by more than $20 million, giving the franchise a financial edge in attracting additional stars and sponsors. The deal also highlights the value of ownership stakes, as Messi’s contract includes an option to acquire equity in the Beckham‑co‑owned club.What This Means for MLS Growth and Player CompensationAnalysts expect Messi’s salary to act as a catalyst for higher wage benchmarks across MLS, especially as clubs vie for global names. The league’s total compensation rise suggests expanding revenue streams, but smaller‑market teams may face pressure to close the gap or risk talent drain. Continued investment in star players could accelerate MLS’s push toward parity with top European leagues, while also testing the sustainability of salary growth.

A new large‑scale randomized trial presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul indicates that the oral GLP‑1 antagonist orforglipron can help patients retain the majority of weight lost with injectable therapies such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy).Trial Shows Oral Orforglipron Preserves Most Weight After Switching from InjectablesThe study, funded by Eli Lilly, followed 376 US patients who had been on tirzepatide or semaglutide injections for 72 weeks and then randomized them to a daily orforglipron tablet or placebo for an additional year.Participants were previously on weekly GLP‑1 jabs that typically produce 15‑20% body‑weight loss.After the injection phase, subjects were switched to oral therapy or placebo for 12 months.Primary endpoint: proportion of weight loss retained at 12 months.Quantitative Outcomes: 75% vs 49% Retention for Tirzepatide Users, 80% vs 38% for Semaglutide UsersWeight‑loss maintenance differed markedly between the pill and placebo groups:Tirzepatide cohort: 75% of lost weight retained with orforglipron vs 49% with placebo.Semaglutide cohort: 80% retained with the pill vs 38% with placebo.Secondary benefits—blood pressure, cholesterol, and glycaemic control—were also sustained in the pill arm.Implications for Obesity Management and Healthcare CostsExperts highlighted the broader significance:Dr Louis Aronne (Weill Cornell Medicine) emphasized that treating obesity directly can simultaneously improve glucose, lipid, and blood‑pressure metrics.Dr Marie Spreckley (University of Cambridge) noted patient preference for oral therapy due to convenience, storage, and lower cost.Dr Simon Cork (Anglia Ruskin University) warned that injectable GLP‑1 drugs, while highly effective, are expensive and limit long‑term accessibility for both private payers and the NHS.The findings suggest a potential shift toward oral agents that maintain efficacy while reducing financial and logistical burdens.Future Outlook: Oral GLP‑1 Therapies Could Redefine Chronic Obesity CareIf further trials confirm these results, orforglipron could become a cornerstone of chronic obesity management, enabling earlier intervention (BMI 25‑27) and possibly preventing progression to severe obesity.Regulators and payers will likely scrutinize cost‑effectiveness models, but the prospect of a cheap, daily tablet that sustains weight loss may reshape treatment algorithms worldwide.

The World's Longest Football DerbyCarlisle and Barrow will play each other next season in the Cumbrian derby in the National League. The clubs are located at opposite ends of Cumbria and the distance between the two grounds is some 78 miles by car. But this is not the greatest distance between two teams involved in a 'derby'.When considering derbies, we are looking for matches between teams that are linked based upon their proximity or geography, rather than simply historical rivalries like the 'clásico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona.UK Derbies: The Cumbrian ContenderWithin the UK, the Cumbrian derby certainly looks the furthest derby by distance. If we are staying in England, the closest we can get to 78 miles is the A49 derby between Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United, separated by 51 miles, although it should be said that the two teams have not met since the latter was dissolved in 2014.In England, thoughts immediately go to Crystal Palace and Brighton, dubbed the M23 derby, but a quick search reveals that Selhurst Park is a mere 46 miles from the Amex Stadium. It is also 46 miles that separate the stadiums of Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, the Devon derby. Just behind are Ipswich and Norwich – the East Anglian derby (AKA El Tractico or the Old Farm) – with Portman Road and Carrow Road 45 miles apart.International Long-Distance DerbiesFarther afield, we must mention the derby between Persib Bandung and Persija Jakarta, who take part in the Indonesia derby, or Laga Klasikal as it is locally known, with Persib's Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium lying 108 miles away from Persija's Jakarta International Stadium in Indonesia's capital.Italy is fertile ground for a host of famous derbies, and it is here that we find some of the longest-distance derbies. Of course there is the Derby d'Italia between Milan and Juventus, with 85 miles separating San Siro and Juve's Allianz Arena in Italy's north-west. The Derby di Sicilia between Palermo and Catania spans a whopping 134 miles across the breadth of Sicily, while the Derby delle Isole (Derby of the Islands) between Palermo and Sardinian club Cagliari goes even further – a full 250 miles across the Tyrrhenian Sea.The Champion: New Zealand's 386-Mile DerbyOur winner, though, comes from New Zealand's North Island. With Auckland FC only entering the A-League Men in 2024-25, the New Zealand derby between themselves and Wellington Phoenix is still very much in its infancy but has already blossomed into something substantial. In February, just the sixth edition of the derby, a comical own goal from Wellington goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi sparked a 5-0 thrashing by Auckland, prompting Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano to resign immediately after the defeat. With 386 miles between the two grounds, the NZD is our clear winner.The Evolution of Geographic DerbiesThe existence of such long-distance derbies challenges our traditional understanding of what constitutes a local rivalry. In an era where football has become increasingly globalized, these geographic matchups represent unique connections between communities separated by vast distances. The New Zealand derby, in particular, showcases how even in a country with a relatively small population, football can create intense rivalries across significant geographical divides.The Future of Long-Distance DerbiesAs football continues to evolve, we may see more long-distance derbies emerge, particularly in regions with expanding leagues or where new clubs are formed to serve underserved areas. The New Zealand derby between Auckland and Wellington Phoenix is a prime example of how modern football infrastructure and scheduling can create meaningful rivalries regardless of distance. With the increasing popularity of travel and fan engagement, these long-distance derbies may become even more significant in the future of football culture.Double Winners in FootballDeji Elerewe has won the title with both Bromley (League Two) and Lincoln (League One) this season. Has any other player managed the same feat?We covered this answer 10 years ago in a previous Knowledge, but regular contributor Dirk Maas has come in clutch with some additions, although he does clarify that he has limited his search to the top five leagues in Europe in this century.There are several examples of players winning titles with different teams in the same season, including:Jonas Urbig with Köln (2. Bundesliga) and Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) in 2024-25Leigh Griffiths with Celtic (Scottish Premiership) and Wolverhampton (League One) in 2013-14Urby Emanuelson with Ajax and Milan in 2010-11Daniel Amartey with Leicester City and FC Copenhagen in 2015-16Timothy Weah with Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic in 2018-19Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with Napoli and PSG in 2024-25There are also alternative cases where seasons happen at different times of year, such as David Beckham achieving this by picking up an MLS winner's medal with LA Galaxy and a Ligue 1 winner's medal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2012-13.

The Lead A draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has gained 112 co-sponsors, according to diplomatic sources. This development underscores the breadth of global concern over the closure of one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. The Event Details The resolution, tabled by Bahrain and the United States, seeks to protect international waterways, commercial shipping and energy supplies, and to ensure the safety of seafarers. It also calls for an end to Iranian attacks on its Gulf neighbours. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have joined Manama and Washington as principal sponsors, while India, Japan, South Korea, Kenya, Argentina and most member states of the European Union have also signed on. The Data Analysis “The list takes up three full pages,” said Al Jazeera’s correspondent in New York, Gabriel Elizondo. “It’s essentially being co-sponsored by two-thirds of all 193 UN member states.” This level of support indicates a significant international consensus on the need to maintain freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The Impact Analysis The diplomatic push comes as peace negotiations between Iran and the US remain deadlocked. The US is demanding that Iran dismantle its nuclear programme and lift its restrictions on the strait. Iran has countered with calls for war reparations, an end to the US naval blockade of its ports and a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where US ally Israel is fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The Prediction No date has been set for a vote on the resolution. However, with 112 co-sponsors, it is clear that there is significant international pressure on Iran to reconsider its stance on the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of the vote will depend on the positions of key players such as China and Russia, which have voiced reservations about the draft but have not yet indicated whether they will veto it.

Ukraine's Long-Range Retaliation Strikes Russian Gas InfrastructurePresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine has targeted gas facilities in Russia's Orenburg region, located more than 1,500km (932 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The attack represents a significant escalation in the conflict, demonstrating Ukraine's capability to strike deep within Russian territory.Zelenskyy framed the operation as symmetrical retaliation, stating: "Ukraine has said that we will act symmetrically in response to Russia." The Orenburg region is home to one of the world's largest gasfields and contains industrial infrastructure considered vital to Russia's military and economy.Russian Governor Evgeny Solntsev claimed that nine Ukrainian drones were repelled over the region, though fragments from the downed drones damaged a residential building, a school, and a kindergarten, without causing any injuries.Escalation After Failed Ceasefire: Six Dead in Russian AttacksUkraine's latest attacks on Russia came hours after Moscow launched a series of overnight assaults on Ukrainian territory, killing six people in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The violence occurred as the three-day ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump came to an end.The pause in hostilities had coincided with Russia's Victory Day celebrations, marking the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed that Kyiv had offered to extend the ceasefire, but Moscow refused.Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine had been attacked by more than 200 drones, which damaged energy facilities, apartment buildings, a kindergarten, and a civilian train. He added that drones had been intercepted across six regions.Geopolitical Shifts: Russia's Nuclear Posturing and Peace Talk DevelopmentsOn Tuesday, Russia tested its new nuclear-capable intercontinental missile, which President Vladimir Putin described as the "most powerful" nuclear missile in the world, capable of traveling more than 25,000 kilometres (15,534 miles). Putin claimed the weapon "has the ability to penetrate all existing and future anti-missile defence systems." Analysts have previously accused Putin of exaggerating Russia's military capabilities.The Kremlin has suggested the war in Ukraine, which began more than four years ago, is nearing its end. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated: "This accumulated groundwork in terms of the peace process allows us to say that the completion is indeed approaching." However, Zelenskyy disagreed, warning that Ukraine was preparing for further attacks: "Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we are, unfortunately, preparing for new attacks."European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas interpreted Putin's comments as a sign of weakness: "What his statement really shows is that he's not in a strong position. So, I think there's an opportunity for ending this war."Future Outlook: Stalemate or Breakthrough in the Conflict?Talks aimed at ending the conflict have so far failed to achieve significant breakthroughs, stalling in recent months. US President Donald Trump made ending what has become a war of attrition a key pledge during his 2024 election campaign. As he left for a trip to China, Trump told reporters: "The end of the war in Ukraine, I really think it's getting very close."The Kyiv Independent newspaper reported that Washington was attempting to negotiate another temporary ceasefire that would include sanctions relief for Russia. Ukrainian officials are reportedly concerned that the proposed agreement does not include security guarantees, which Kyiv views as essential to deterring future aggression from Moscow.

French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a €27 billion ($27 billion) investment initiative for Africa, urging a strategic reset of relations between the continent and the European Union. The package, presented at a summit in Paris on 12 May 2026, seeks to boost economic growth, deepen political cooperation, and position Europe as a leading partner in Africa’s development agenda. Macron Announces €27 Billion Multi‑Sector Investment Package for Africa The announcement covered four priority pillars: Infrastructure: €8 billion for transport corridors, ports and cross‑border rail links. Digital & Innovation: €5 billion to expand broadband, support tech hubs and foster AI research collaborations. Renewable Energy: €7 billion for solar, wind and green‑hydrogen projects across 15 African nations. Youth & Skills: €4 billion for vocational training, entrepreneurship incubators and job‑creation programmes. Macron framed the initiative as a “reset” of the EU‑Africa partnership, emphasizing mutual benefits and shared responsibility for climate goals. Financial Scale and Allocation of the €27 Billion Commitment The €27 billion commitment translates to an average of €1.8 billion per pillar, with a projected annual disbursement of €2.5 billion over the next ten years. Funding will be sourced from a mix of French state budgets, EU development funds, and private‑sector co‑investment mechanisms, including a newly created “Euro‑Africa Investment Fund”. Implications for EU‑Africa Partnership and Regional Development Analysts see three immediate effects: Strengthening of France’s geopolitical influence in key African markets, particularly in West and Central Africa. Acceleration of the EU’s strategic autonomy agenda by reducing reliance on non‑European supply chains for critical minerals and digital services. Potential boost to African GDP growth rates by 0.3‑0.5 percentage points annually, according to IMF scenario modelling. The initiative also signals a shift from aid‑centric models toward investment‑driven cooperation, aligning with the EU’s “Strategic Partnerships” framework. What the Next Five Years Could Hold for Franco‑African Cooperation Looking ahead, the following trends are likely: Increased joint ventures between French multinationals and African startups, especially in renewable energy and fintech. Enhanced regulatory harmonisation, with pilot “digital trade corridors” facilitating cross‑border data flows. Potential political friction if project implementation stalls, prompting the EU to establish a monitoring body to ensure transparency and accountability. If the rollout stays on schedule, the €27 billion package could become a benchmark for future EU‑Africa investment strategies, reshaping the continent’s development trajectory and Europe’s role as a partner rather than a donor.

Chelsea's Coaching Conundrum Chelsea FC is optimistic about luring Xabi Alonso as their new head coach, but they are also eyeing Andoni Iraola as an alternative option. The club has held encouraging discussions with Alonso's camp and is closely monitoring Iraola's situation. The Alonso Factor The 44-year-old Alonso, who announced himself as one of the best young managers in Europe when he won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid earlier this season and has been on Chelsea's radar for at least three years. There is a feeling inside Chelsea that Alonso's style of play would make him suited to their young squad. Iraola as an Alternative Chelsea have also met with Iraola to talk to him about the role. There is respect for the Spaniard's work with Bournemouth and a sense that he is more than capable of taking on a big job. Iraola has responded to Bournemouth losing a number of key players in defence and attack during the past year by putting them in contention for Champions League qualification. Chelsea's Coaching Search Chelsea, who made Calum McFarlane interim head coach until the end of the season after firing Liam Rosenior last month, have also looked at Fulham's Marco Silva, Crystal Palace's Olivier Glasner and the former Flamengo manager Filipe Luís. Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and Glasner will leave Palace after the Conference League final later this month.

The Historic CooperationSerbia and NATO have launched their first-ever joint military exercise, a landmark cooperation between the Balkan country and the alliance that bombed its capital less than 30 years ago. The two-week-long drills, which began on May 12 and run until May 23, involve about 600 troops from Serbia, Italy, Romania and Turkiye. Military planners and observers from France, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States are also participating.Photographs released on Tuesday showed Serbian and NATO soldiers standing side by side at a military training ground near Bujanovac in southern Serbia, alongside armoured vehicles from both forces. "The cooperation is aimed at preserving peace and stability in the region," Serbia's Ministry of Defence said.The Regional ImplicationsThe tactical exercise falls under NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, which Serbia has been part of for nearly 20 years. The country regularly participates in drills with NATO members, though this marks the first exercise conducted directly with the alliance. This development comes at a time when the Balkans remain a sensitive region with unresolved territorial disputes, particularly regarding Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 and is not recognized by Serbia.A NATO-led peacekeeping force has been stationed in Kosovo since the 1999 war ended, and Serbia has never recognised its former province's declaration of independence. The exercise takes place against this backdrop of historical tensions but signals a new chapter in regional security cooperation.The Balancing ActSerbia remains one of the few Balkan countries not in the alliance, maintaining a policy of neutrality while balancing close ties with both NATO and Russia. The country has significantly bolstered its military capabilities over the past 10 years, buying arms from NATO member countries alongside purchases from Russia and China."The planning of this exercise has been an important part of this joint endeavour. Both NATO and the Serbian Armed Forces have a long track record of major international exercise planning, so the teams were able to collaborate and deliver in a seamless way, sharing ideas and experience," Royal Navy Commander Ian Kewley said in the news release.The Future OutlookA NATO official told the AFP news agency that the exercise is conducted "in full respect of Serbia's stated policy of military neutrality." This statement underscores the delicate nature of the cooperation and suggests that while Serbia is engaging with NATO, it has no immediate plans to join the alliance.This historic joint exercise could pave the way for increased security cooperation in the region while respecting Serbia's neutral status. As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, particularly with Russia's influence in the Balkans, Serbia's relationship with NATO may continue to develop, potentially reshaping security dynamics in Southeastern Europe.