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Lead: Musk’s courtroom confession on AI distillationElon Musk told a federal judge that xAI had used distillation techniques on OpenAI models to help train its new chatbot Grok. The partial "yes" came during a high‑stakes lawsuit accusing OpenAI founders of betraying the nonprofit mission that originally guided the company.Musk’s courtroom admission on AI distillation practicesDuring Thursday's testimony, the judge asked whether xAI had employed systematic querying of OpenAI’s publicly available APIs to extract model behavior. Musk answered that such "distillation" is a "general practice among AI companies" and qualified his response with "Partly." The exchange underscores that the once‑rumored practice is now openly acknowledged in a legal setting.Distillation: prompting a model repeatedly to infer its internal weights and replicate its capabilities.Legal context: Musk is suing OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and co‑founder Greg Brockman for allegedly abandoning the nonprofit charter.Scale and rankings of AI playersWhile xAI remains a relatively small outfit—"just a few hundred employees"—Musk positioned it among the world’s top AI providers:1️⃣ Anthropic (ranked top by Musk)2️⃣ OpenAI3️⃣ Google4️⃣ Chinese open‑source modelsFounded in 2023, xAI’s rapid ascent to a contender in the market illustrates how distillation can accelerate capability development without the massive compute investments of larger rivals.Distillation’s threat to incumbents and industry responseThe practice erodes the advantage built by firms that have poured billions into custom silicon and data pipelines. By extracting knowledge from existing models, smaller labs can produce near‑equivalent performance at a fraction of the cost. In response, leading labs—including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google—have launched a collaborative effort through the Frontier Model Forum to share defensive tactics, such as rate‑limiting suspicious query patterns and tightening terms of service.Future outlook: legal battles and the evolution of model trainingWith Musk’s admission on the record, the lawsuit may set precedents for how intellectual property and service‑agreement violations are judged in the AI space. Expect tighter API usage policies, increased monitoring of query volumes, and possibly new regulatory guidance on model‑copying techniques. Meanwhile, firms that can master distillation without breaching contracts could reshape the competitive landscape, forcing incumbents to innovate beyond sheer compute power.

Petition Filed to Secure Immediate Release of 14 Gaza DoctorsPhysicians for Human Rights‑Israel (PHRI) submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday, 2026‑04‑30 after the military’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir failed to respond to repeated requests for release. The group of detainees includes paediatricians, orthopaedic specialists and surgeons who have been held without charge for over a year.14 doctors detained since December 2024Detention periods range from 12 to 18 monthsPetition seeks unconditional release and compensation for health harmsHumanitarian Toll: Health System Degradation and Doctor DetentionsThe continued incarceration of medical professionals is hampering efforts to rebuild Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, already devastated by systematic attacks. PHRI warns that the loss of specialist staff will delay critical surgeries and paediatric care for an estimated 2 million residents.Quantifying the Crisis: Detention Lengths, Weight Loss, and Systemic DamageAmong the detainees, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, has lost 40 kg (88 lb) and suffered four fractured ribs during an 18‑month confinement. UN experts have labeled his treatment as “severe torture,” while Amnesty International links the pattern of arrests to a broader strategy of dismantling Gaza’s health services.Weight loss: 40 kg (88 lb)Physical injuries: 4 fractured ribs + unspecified ailmentsDetention without charge: >12 months for each doctorRegional and International Implications of Targeting Medical PersonnelThe petition amplifies calls from aid groups and international bodies for Israel to cease actions that undermine medical neutrality. The United Nations, Amnesty International, and multiple NGOs argue that such practices violate international humanitarian law and risk further isolation of Israel on the diplomatic stage.Prospects for Judicial Intervention and Healthcare Recovery in GazaIf the Supreme Court orders release, it could set a precedent for protecting medical workers in conflict zones and accelerate the influx of specialist care needed for Gaza’s reconstruction. Conversely, a denial may embolden continued restrictions, prolonging the humanitarian crisis and complicating post‑war recovery efforts.

The Trial Continues Elon Musk's court case against Sam Altman continues on Thursday, after a day of contentious exchanges during OpenAI's cross-examination of the Tesla CEO. Musk will face another round of questioning before his lawyer calls more witnesses, including OpenAI's president, Greg Brockman. The Dispute Over OpenAI's Founding Witness testimony and evidence has revealed formerly private emails, text messages and diary entries surrounding the formation of OpenAI, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the tech behemoth was created. Many of the tech industry's most powerful players are named as witnesses and will give their account on the origins of Musk and Altman's bitter feud. Altman is set to testify later in the trial, which will last three weeks. Musk's Allegations Against OpenAI Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, is arguing that Altman, Brockman and OpenAI broke a foundational agreement when they shifted the company from a non-profit intent on bettering humanity into a for-profit structure. Musk claims that Altman and Brockman unjustly enriched themselves and should be removed from the company. He is also seeking the undoing of the for-profit conversion and $134bn in damages to be redirected to OpenAI's non-profit arm. OpenAI's Response OpenAI rejects Musk's allegations and is attempting to show that he was always aware of plans for creating a for-profit entity. The AI firm's attorneys have stated Musk is "motivated by jealousy" of OpenAI's success after he left the company in 2018 after a failed attempt to take control. OpenAI has emphasized that it is still overseen by a non-profit. The Implications of the Trial The trial, which began on Monday with jury selection at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, has already produced dramatic moments and bold accusations. Musk and OpenAI's lead attorney William Savitt spent most of Wednesday in a heated back and forth, with the world's richest person becoming noticeably frustrated and saying that Savitt's questions "are designed to trick me". The Future of OpenAI Silicon Valley is intently watching the trial for both its blockbuster testimony and the potential effects it will have on the AI industry. OpenAI is intending to go public later this year at around a $1tn valuation, but if Musk succeeds in this case, it could greatly complicate that effort – an outcome that would also benefit Musk's own xAI artificial intelligence firm.

Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Voting Rights LandscapeThe United States Supreme Court has voided a key provision of a landmark civil rights law by ruling that the electoral map of Louisiana had been drawn up unconstitutionally to create two Black-majority districts. The decision represents a major reinterpretation of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 – in particular, its provision designed to protect minority voters from having their political power diluted.Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling is seen as a major win for Louisiana Republicans and President Donald Trump's administration and is expected to make it harder for minorities to challenge electoral maps as racially discriminatory under the 1965 law. It is unclear how much of that provision – Section 2 of the act – remains in force following this decision.The Louisiana Redistricting RulingThe court held that a map that created two Black-majority congressional districts in Louisiana was unconstitutional. The 6-3 ruling by justices blocks an electoral map that had given Louisiana a second Black-majority US congressional district.The court's conservative majority found that the Louisiana district represented by Democrat Cleo Fields relied too heavily on race. Chief Justice John Roberts described the 6th Congressional District as a "snake" that stretches more than 320km (200 miles) to link parts of Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.The ruling was authored by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by his five fellow conservative justices. The dissenting justices are liberals."That map is an unconstitutional gerrymander," Alito wrote on behalf of the six conservatives.Understanding the Voting Rights ActThe Voting Rights Act was a piece of follow-up legislation to the Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B Johnson in 1964. It bans discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex or national origin.The 1965 law primarily ended common discriminatory practices against Black voters that were prevalent in many states, including literacy tests, that were designed to prevent them from voting.Section 2 of the act prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, colour or membership of a language-minority group. The section has long been understood to bar electoral maps that dilute the voting strength of minority communities, even when there is no direct evidence of racist intent.How the Court Weakened the Voting Rights ActSection 2 of the act was amended by Congress in 1982 to prohibit electoral maps that would result in undermining the clout of minority voters, even without direct proof of racist intent.For more than four decades, plaintiffs could win a Section 2 claim by showing that a voting map had a racially discriminatory impact under this legal standard, known as the "results test".The Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday, however, has in effect applied an "intent test" to Section 2, experts said. In the ruling, Alito wrote that the focus of Section 2 must now be to enforce the US Constitution's prohibition on intentional racial discrimination under its 15th Amendment.Interpreting Section 2 to "outlaw a map solely because it fails to provide a sufficient number of majority-minority districts would create a right that the amendment does not protect", Alito concluded.Political Power Shifts in CongressThe effect of the ruling may be felt more strongly in 2028 because most filing deadlines for this year's congressional races have already passed. Louisiana, though, may have to redraw its congressional districts now to comply with the decision.Republicans currently hold 217 seats in the House while Democrats hold 212. There is one independent and five vacancies in the House. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats hold 45. Two independents caucus with the Democrats.The state has primary elections set for May 16. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry told Republican candidates for the House of Representatives that he planned to suspend next month's primary elections to allow state lawmakers time to approve a new congressional map.Erosion of Civil Rights ProtectionsReactions to the ruling have been sharply divided along political lines."I love it," Trump told reporters after hearing of the decision, adding that he believes Republican-led states will now want to reconfigure their voting maps. In a social media post, Trump praised Alito as "brilliant" and called the ruling "a BIG WIN for Equal Protection under the Law, as it returns the Voting Rights Act to its Original Intent, which was to protect against intentional Racial Discrimination".Former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, warned that the ruling will free state legislatures to reconfigure electoral districts to "systematically dilute and weaken the voting power of racial minorities – so long as they do it under the guise of 'partisanship' rather than explicit 'racial bias'"."This is a devastating and profound step backwards for American Democracy," Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock wrote on social media.Justice Elena Kagan, in a dissent joined by the two other liberal justices on the Supreme Court, said the ruling rendered the Voting Rights Act "all but a dead letter" and predicted "grave" consequences.Redistricting Battles Ahead of 2026 MidtermsWith November's congressional elections looming, the court's decision could prompt Republican-led states to seek to redraw electoral maps to weaken US House seats considered safely Democratic.The ruling comes during a wider battle over congressional redistricting before midterm elections in November. The Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African American US lawmakers, condemned the ruling."Without the protections of the VRA [Voting Rights Act], Republicans now have the ability to move forward with a nationwide scheme to rig congressional maps in their favor – to manufacture more districts for themselves by eliminating majority-Black districts, while stripping away the ability to challenge those racist, anti-Black maps in court," it said in a statement.Warnock, a member of the caucus, said the ruling gutted the protections that civil rights champion Martin Luther King Jr "marched for [and] the protections made possible by civil rights protesters who spilled blood in pursuit of a more perfect union".

The Champions League Semi-Final SpectacleFootball's role as a leading hot-take commodity was taken to the nth degree after Tuesday's nine-goal slugfest between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Paris. The debate over whether this was the competition's best ever semi-final will continue until next Wednesday's second leg in Munich, with PSG coach Luis Enrique calling it "the best match I have ever coached," though he omitted to mention previous contenders like Barcelona's La Remontada of 2017 or last season's 7-6 semi-final double-header between Inter and Barcelona.As widely predicted, a 1-1 draw between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal on Wednesday night in Madrid did not match the previous evening for entertainment. Those who value defence over attack got their fill until Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez grew in influence in the second half. The night was marked by penalty decisions and video assistant referee interventions, with Arsenal supporters raging over a decision that changed the course of the game.Tactical Approaches and Managerial ChessThe PSG-Bayern Munich encounter showcased the attacking luxury that France and Germany's dominant clubs enjoy, not being challenged in their domestic leagues so they can keep their powder dry for the latter stages of the Champions League. Bayern's approach, even when 5-2 down, revealed Vincent Kompany's philosophy as a coach – a stark contrast to his reputation as one of the finest defenders of his era.Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone demonstrated his tactical acumen by shifting his team's formation at half-time, lifting what had previously been a moribund contest. His involvement extended to the touchline, where he orchestrated both the crowd and the officials according to some observers, including former Arsenal player Martin Keown. Simeone's approach represents one way to navigate the Champions League, contrasting with Arteta's more measured style.Statistical Highlights and Individual PerformancesThe PSG-Bayern match set records with the most goals of any 90-minute match in the Champions League last-four, reaching an incredible nine goals. This offensive showcase featured attackers at their absolute best, with Bayern Munich's Luis Díaz completing the scoring to make it 5-4. His coolness and perfectly timed run capped off a night that may prove to be the most crucial goal of the nine in Paris.Atlético Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, potentially playing his last Champions League home game, showcased the class that has many wondering if his move to MLS is premature. Meanwhile, Arsenal's attack struggled for verve, with their starting front three of Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke not creating enough danger against Atléti, despite Gyökeres at least making a pest of himself and taking his penalty well.Defensive Philosophies and Refereeing ImpactThe contrasting approaches to defending were highlighted by former Birmingham City player Kenny Cunningham, who led the defensive puritans in criticizing the high-scoring match. Speaking on Irish channel Premier Sports, he compared Tuesday's thriller unfavourably to the Juventus v Milan European Cup final at Old Trafford in 2003, widely regarded as the dullest of the Champions League era.Refereeing decisions became a central talking point, particularly in the Atlético Madrid-Arsenal match. The award – and rescinding – of what initially seemed a penalty when Dávid Hancko caught Eberechi Eze in the 78th minute had Arsenal supporters raging. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration, stating: "No clear and obvious error [on the initial decision], and this changes the course of the game. And at this level, I'm sorry but this cannot happen."Looking Ahead to the Second LegsAchraf Hakimi, arguably the best attacking full-back in world football, will miss the second leg due to a hamstring injury, meaning PSG's right flank will be manned by Lucas Hernández, who won the Champions League with Bayern when they beat PSG in the 2020 final. This absence could prove crucial in determining which French side advances to the final.Arsenal's attacking concerns continue, with Bukayo Saka able to play only some part and substitute Eze lifting those around him. The unfortunate Kai Havertz is unlikely to feature in the second leg. Atlético's Julián Alvarez, recently linked with Arsenal, would be an upgrade should the Gunners fall short. Questions would then be raised about the recruitment policy of their sporting director, Andrea Berta, who once held the same role at Atlético.Bayern's Vincent Kompany has set expectations high for the second leg, declaring: "More. Even more. We're at home. We'll have 75,000 people in that stadium. The city will live it for an entire week." His refusal to apologize for his team's approach, even when 5-2 down, reveals the confidence he has in his team's ability to overturn the deficit.

The Bizarre Premise Behind One Night Only For the most part, the trailer for the upcoming film One Night Only looks like the sweetest possible version of a romcom. A handsome, sensitive-looking man (played by Callum Turner) flirts relentlessly with a big-eyed oddball in a sexy dress (played by Monica Barbaro). They bump into each other, nudge each other, roll their eyes at each other. As a YouTube comment underneath the trailer (that has been liked more than 3,000 times) says: "Romantic comedies are back." A Government-Mandated Night of Passion However, tucked away in this adorable little trailer is a premise that might just be the most confusing in living memory. As Turner's character walks lovelorn through the streets of New York City, his voiceover says: "Finding love is hard enough. Try doing it on the one night of the year single people are legally allowed to have sex." The trailer then hurries along to another procession of meet-cutes and prolonged eye contact. But that doesn't really matter, because you're left thinking: "Wait, the one night of the year where single people are legally allowed to have sex? What the hell?" This, apparently, is the movie. Two cuties meet by chance, and are separated, and have to race across the city to find each other before the sun comes up so that they can enjoy a bout of government-mandated sexual intercourse. It's a tale as old as time. The Practical Implications of a Legal Sex Night Clearly, this raises far more questions than it answers. Is One Night Only basically The Purge, but with all the terror of violence replaced by an increased risk of contracting chlamydia? More importantly, if there really is only one night a year where single people can have sex with impunity, how the hell is this even governed? Judging by the state of the trailer, it seems to mean that everyone just claps eyes on someone and then starts banging them wherever they happen to be, whether that's a restaurant or just in the street like a pair of horny rats. Why is this? Why don't people just go back to their houses and then have sex? Does Sex Night also happen to fall upon a citywide taxi strike? Also, how is this even enforced? Is there a government department that spends its days working out, with precise clarity, the point at which someone stops becoming single, and is therefore allowed to have as much sex as they want on any day of the year? Is it marriage? Is it the first time someone declares their love? If you wanted to be particularly Scandinavian about it, you might argue that sex itself is an act of union, and therefore any moment of penetration instantaneously suspends the notion of singledom. And if that's the case, then surely everyone can just have sex whenever and there's nothing illegal about it. And what about all the unexpected pregnancies this will cause. Should there be a sequel set nine months to the day after One Night Only, full of people mournfully staring into the eyes of all the newborn infants whose sheer existence causes a permanent sense of regret to weigh down their souls? Will this even be addressed in One Night Only? Is anyone going to answer me? Possible Metaphors in Contemporary Society Clearly this has to be a metaphor for something, but clearly the current level of evidence isn't giving much away. Through one lens, you could suppose that it's possible that One Night Only is a clever satire on the US right's crackdown on reproductive rights, and the whole thing is an important and timely statement about the looming threat of a post-Roe worldview that may soon devour the country. But at the same time, maybe this is about Covid? There's something quite pandemicky about the notion that people would have to keep their primal urges at bay in a wholly unnatural way for an extended period of time. Remember how giddily we threw ourselves at each other once restrictions were lifted? Perhaps this is all just an allegory for that. Or both. Or more. Maybe One Night Only is really about capitalism, or ChatGPT or the climate crisis. Maybe it's none of them. Maybe it's just the manifestation of a screenwriter who wished that, just once a year, people would be slightly more inclined to have sex with them. It's honestly hard to say. The Future of "The Purge, but X" Movies Nevertheless, if One Night Only is successful, then it's bound to start an avalanche of "The Purge, but X" movies. What if there was only one night a year when you could have surgery? What if there was only one night a year where you could get a haircut? What if there was only one night a year where you could eat spaghetti with your bare hands? Because, if we're already doing sex, then clearly there are no limits to the Purgiverse's silliness. One Night Only is out in Australian cinemas on 6 August, US cinemas on 7 August and in the UK on 28 August

Western Feminist Inaction Amid Iran’s Crackdown Despite a surge in international attention to Iran’s systematic repression of women—ranging from mandatory hijab enforcement to the imprisonment of activists—major Western feminist organizations have offered limited public commentary. This silence raises questions about the alignment of feminist solidarity with geopolitical realities. The Context: Iran’s Escalating Campaign Against Women Since April 2026, Iranian authorities have intensified a series of measures targeting women’s public presence: Expanded police powers to detain women for “improper dress” in public spaces. Closure of women‑only cultural centers in Tehran and Mashhad. New criminal code provisions that increase penalties for women who protest gender‑based laws. Human rights groups estimate that over 1,200 women have been arrested in the past six months alone. Numbers Highlighting the Scale of Repression Quantitative data underscores the depth of the crisis: 1,200+ women detained since January 2026. 35% rise in reported harassment cases against female journalists compared with the same period in 2025. International NGOs have documented 78 instances of forced dress‑code inspections in public venues. These figures contrast sharply with the limited statements issued by Western feminist coalitions, many of which have released only generic condemnations without concrete calls to action. Consequences for Global Feminist Solidarity The lack of a coordinated response threatens to erode the credibility of transnational feminist networks. Analysts point to three core impacts: Strategic disengagement: Organizations fear that overt criticism could jeopardize diplomatic channels used to negotiate the release of detained activists. Ideological fragmentation: Divergent views on whether to prioritize Western political interests over grassroots Iranian feminist agendas. Reputational risk: Perceived indifference may alienate younger activists who demand intersectional solidarity. Potential Shifts in International Advocacy Looking ahead, several scenarios could reshape the landscape: Policy‑driven pressure: If European parliaments adopt targeted sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for gender‑based repression, feminist groups may find a clearer mandate to speak out. Grassroots amplification: Digital platforms could enable Iranian women to bypass traditional media, forcing Western feminists to respond to a louder, decentralized narrative. Coalition realignment: Emerging alliances between human‑rights NGOs and feminist bodies may produce joint statements that balance political pragmatism with moral urgency. In any case, the next few months will test whether Western feminist movements can reconcile their strategic caution with the imperative to stand unequivocally with Iranian women.

The advance estimate shows US economic activity accelerating to 2% in the first quarter of 2026, a sharp turn from the 0.5% growth recorded at the end of 2025. The rebound is driven by a resurgence in government spending and domestic investment, even as consumer sentiment weakens under the shadow of the Iran war. GDP Growth Rebounds 2% in Q1 2026 After a contraction in the fourth quarter of 2025, the economy posted a 2% annualized increase, marking the first positive reading of the year. Government employment has fallen by 355,000 workers (or 11.8%) since October 2024, but fiscal outlays jumped 10% from the previous quarter, shifting from a 5.4% contraction to a 4.4% increase. Numbers Behind the Rebound Q1 2026 GDP growth: 2% (annualized) Q4 2025 GDP growth: 0.5% Federal workforce reduction: 355,000 jobs (11.8%) Government spending change: +10% quarter‑on‑quarter Domestic investment growth: 6.4% Oil price peak: $126 per barrel, up 13% in 24 hours Inflation expectations: 3.8% in March → 4.7% in April Annualized inflation (March): 3.3% (up ~1%) War cost to US government (to date): $25bn Requested additional defense budget: $1.5tn War‑Driven Energy Shock and Consumer Sentiment The conflict with Iran has throttled oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one‑fifth of global supply. Prices surged to a wartime high of $126 a barrel, feeding a jump in inflation expectations from 3.8% to 4.7%—the steepest one‑month rise since April 2025. Consumer spending growth slowed by 0.3% compared with the previous quarter, reflecting heightened uncertainty and eroding purchasing power. What the Fed and Policy Makers Face Next Outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated a “hold and wait” stance, arguing that premature rate cuts could exacerbate price pressures amid the war and new tariff measures. At the same time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the war has already cost the Treasury $25bn and that a further $1.5tn in military spending is being sought. The Federal Reserve must balance inflation containment with the political push from the Trump administration for lower rates, while monitoring the longer‑term impact of elevated energy costs on the broader economy.

The Aftermath of Tragedy: A Powerful Theatrical EncounterFran Kranz's 2021 film Mass, featuring two sets of parents whose sons have died in a high-school massacre, was originally written as a play. Restored as such, in Carrie Cracknell's production, it takes place in the backroom of a church where their across-the-table encounter encapsulates a pained instance of restorative justice.Character Portrayals: Navigating Complex EmotionsGail (Lyndsey Marshal) and Jay (Adeel Akhtar) are the parents of Evan, one of 10 children murdered by the teenage shooter, Hayden, the son of Richard (Paul Hilton) and Linda (Monica Dolan), who then killed himself. Evan's parents want to understand why Hayden committed such violence but there is also an unspoken sense of blame buzzing around them. Hayden's parents address this first: we blame ourselves, they say, again and again, yet in one dangerous moment, they posit the notion of separating who their son was, and what he did.Stage Design and Emotional ImpactThe stark, unflinching treatment of this subject matter is well realised on Anna Yates's set, where two office-style storeys stretch across the stage, and it does not sugarcoat the emotionally messy nature of the process. Both sides are explored. One terrible instance of maternal anguish comes from Linda when she speaks about a threatening memory of her son and for this charged moment, the play enters the emotional territory of Lionel Shriver's We Need To Talk About Kevin.Performances: A Masterclass in Emotional DepthIt is hard to beat the force and sensitive performances of Kranz's film but Hilton is masterfully brittle, his entire being sunken with apology, while Dolan is whey-faced and shaky. The always brilliant Akhtar is angrier and edgier than his film counterpart and Marshal brings a moving softness.Theatrical vs. Cinematic ExperienceLike the film, it takes time to build in intensity, with the awkward arrangements of the opening and the small talk. There is not the same reflective space of the film, which pulls away from the claustobia and pain in the room at key moments. Here, there is no looking away.Forgiveness and Polarization: Dual ThemesThe play works on two levels: as a drama of forgiveness and of polarisation. What would happen if any of us sat down with those at the furthest ideological extreme from our own, however unpalatable their views? Listening is the pathway towards empathy for these characters, even if there is desire for vengeance or vindication along the way. By the end, they are all parents who have lost sons, grieving over this tragedy in different ways.Where to Experience This Powerful ProductionAt Donmar Warehouse, London, until 6 June