The Dutch ex-punk and Jim Jarmusch bandmate talks about his passion to free up a hidebound repertoire and make its strings ‘a real pop instrument’ Nobody can accuse Jozef Van Wissem of doing things by halves. The musician, very likely the world’s most notorious contemporary lutenist, owns a sonic arsenal of eight of the string instruments: some bespoke, and all boasting remarkable features. With t...
The Dutch ex-punk and Jim Jarmusch bandmate talks about his passion to free up a hidebound repertoire and make its strings ‘a real pop instrument’ Nobody can accuse Jozef Van Wissem of doing things by halves. The musician, very likely the world’s most notorious contemporary lutenist, owns a sonic arsenal of eight of the string instruments: some bespoke, and all boasting remarkable features. With them he has created a huge body of work, nearly 50 titles to date. Another album, This Is My Blood is released this May. Each Easter, Van Wissem settles down to compose a new record. He finds the peace of Warsaw, where everyone has “gone away for the holidays”, more amenable for work than “noisy” Rotterdam, where he also has a flat. Continue reading...
Distracted, listless and unambitious – the PM’s true form has finally emerged. But whatever comes next must end this ruinous cycle Finally, belatedly, an honest portrait of Keir Starmer has been allowed to form. It’s been a hell of a journey. At first he was sanctified as the Labour saviour, finally arrived. That gave way to pleas that he was essentially a good sort, new to politics and in need of...
Distracted, listless and unambitious – the PM’s true form has finally emerged. But whatever comes next must end this ruinous cycle Finally, belatedly, an honest portrait of Keir Starmer has been allowed to form. It’s been a hell of a journey. At first he was sanctified as the Labour saviour, finally arrived. That gave way to pleas that he was essentially a good sort, new to politics and in need of time. Now an impression is emerging that he is, in fact, quite a bad egg. To quote a brutal recent summation from a Labour insider speaking to Politico : “Lots of people think Keir Starmer is a good man who is out of his depth. Wrong. He’s an asshole who’s out of his depth.” The charges are now coming thick and fast. He cannot manage teams. He throws people under the bus to save his own skin. He cannot do the job . The whole Peter Mandelson affair, the latest instalment of which is the revelation that Mandelson failed his security vetting, and that Starmer claims not to have been told of this, has at least come with one silver lining. As his own ministers distance themselves from him and give up the ghost on live television , even loyal stalwarts can’t sustain their tedious, misguided speculation that he might be rebooted and come good. The broad conclusion is that Starmer is now beyond rehabilitation, and his fate only a matter of time. So what now? Nesrine Malik is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
Forget intimidating white spaces, forbidding barriers and draconian gallery rules – a great place for kids to experience art is outdoors (even if it might start raining) So, you want to introduce small children to art. Why not ease yourselves in? No white walls. No string barriers. No alarms. No beady-eyed gallery attendants. Just a whole lot of green space in which to charge about and come across...
Forget intimidating white spaces, forbidding barriers and draconian gallery rules – a great place for kids to experience art is outdoors (even if it might start raining) So, you want to introduce small children to art. Why not ease yourselves in? No white walls. No string barriers. No alarms. No beady-eyed gallery attendants. Just a whole lot of green space in which to charge about and come across awe-inspiring art while you’re at it. There are several outdoor sculpture parks offering free-range art exploration in the UK, but one above all beckons. That’s right, it’s time for this toddler’s first trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). Admittedly, my timing is a smidge off. When we head there, it’s mid-February, and don’t we know it. As we pull into the car park, the sky is a grisly blanket of greyish white. The drizzle starts soon after we open our doors, and doesn’t stop. As I’m pushing the buggy uphill, struggling to get a grip as my boots slip in the mud, I briefly wonder whether I should have saved this series for summer. But then I look around me at the tiny people in wellies and waders running wild around the Barbara Hepworths, and I reconsider. Continue reading...
From a disgruntled maid in the 18th century to an Iranian influencer facing snide nationalists, four stories explore what it is to be trapped and longing for more This is surely not how the German Romantic poet and philosopher Friedrich von Hardenberg (known by his pen name Novalis) would like to be remembered – by a giant poo in a chamber pot. But that is the lingering image in this absurdist com...
From a disgruntled maid in the 18th century to an Iranian influencer facing snide nationalists, four stories explore what it is to be trapped and longing for more This is surely not how the German Romantic poet and philosopher Friedrich von Hardenberg (known by his pen name Novalis) would like to be remembered – by a giant poo in a chamber pot. But that is the lingering image in this absurdist comedy-drama from Julian Radlmaier, which is mostly set in the present day, but begins in the late 18th century where a rebellious teenage maid called Lotte (Paula Schindler) is sick of cleaning up after haughty aristocrats. Inspired by the French Revolution, Lotte sticks two fingers up at up the lot of them and takes off on a Bonnie and Clyde adventure, which does not end well for her. It’s an enigmatic opening to a strange and funny film, bittersweet with visual gags and a political point to make. It’s set in the scenic German town of Sangerhausen, and features four interlocking stories about people who feel trapped in their lives, longing for more. After Lotte, we land with a bump in the 21st century where Ursula (Clara Schwinning) is working two jobs, cleaning in the mornings followed by waitressing in a cafe. It’s a case of different century, same gender and class barriers – and there is a surge of sadness as she remembers the night she got pregnant, her entire life shaped by a moment when she was 18. Schwinning’s sensitive sympathetic performance is the heart of the film. Ursula bunks off work to spend the day with a trio of classical musicians who are in town to perform at a concert. Continue reading...
After her sister died, Victoria Bennett left Cumbria for the remote Scottish archipelago, where she learned to go with the ebb and flow of life It was during her first winter in Orkney that the nature writer Victoria Bennett experienced the joy of baying into the sea during a storm. “There’s something very physically releasing about howling,” she says. “It’s quite animalistic and powerful.” On a s...
After her sister died, Victoria Bennett left Cumbria for the remote Scottish archipelago, where she learned to go with the ebb and flow of life It was during her first winter in Orkney that the nature writer Victoria Bennett experienced the joy of baying into the sea during a storm. “There’s something very physically releasing about howling,” she says. “It’s quite animalistic and powerful.” On a stormy beach, when waves are crashing on the rocks, “you can really let rip”, she says. “The sound just disappears.” Until that moment, Bennett had been struggling with her decision to move to the remote archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. “I was beginning to feel like I was in a fight against the sea, and against the weather.” Continue reading...
Candle-making kits and rubber toys among products recalled after revelation about play sand sold by Hobbycraft More than 30 children’s toys have been recalled in the UK after the Guardian revealed that play sand sold by Hobbycraft was contaminated with asbestos. Over the past three months, other children’s products ranging from candle-making kits to stretchy rubber toys have been recalled by retai...
Candle-making kits and rubber toys among products recalled after revelation about play sand sold by Hobbycraft More than 30 children’s toys have been recalled in the UK after the Guardian revealed that play sand sold by Hobbycraft was contaminated with asbestos. Over the past three months, other children’s products ranging from candle-making kits to stretchy rubber toys have been recalled by retailers including Tesco, Primark, Matalan and M&S after being found to contain the substance. Continue reading...
Half of respondents to RCN poll said patients ‘frequently come to harm’ because caseloads are too high Mental health patients in the UK are routinely coming to harm because of high caseloads, understaffing and overwhelming administrative work, according to a poll that found only a fifth of specialist nurses felt their workload was manageable. Prof Nicola Ranger, the general secretary of the Royal ...
Half of respondents to RCN poll said patients ‘frequently come to harm’ because caseloads are too high Mental health patients in the UK are routinely coming to harm because of high caseloads, understaffing and overwhelming administrative work, according to a poll that found only a fifth of specialist nurses felt their workload was manageable. Prof Nicola Ranger, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said mental health nurses were caught in a “perfect storm” and unable to keep up with rising demand, with patients paying the price by missing out on crucial care. Continue reading...
A pasta bake combining tender chicken and hearty chickpeas, and a Middle Eastern spring salad layered with spices, refreshing herbs and sweet peas My ideal way of entertaining is completely fuss-free, with everything prepared ahead of time so I can enjoy being with my guests rather than worrying about cooking. I like to put big, generous dishes in the middle of the table, such as this one-tray chi...
A pasta bake combining tender chicken and hearty chickpeas, and a Middle Eastern spring salad layered with spices, refreshing herbs and sweet peas My ideal way of entertaining is completely fuss-free, with everything prepared ahead of time so I can enjoy being with my guests rather than worrying about cooking. I like to put big, generous dishes in the middle of the table, such as this one-tray chicken, pasta and chickpea bake, alongside a fresh salad, so everyone can serve themselves and share a simple, delicious meal. Continue reading...
Francine Lacqua sits down with Emma Grede — the power behind Good American and a founding partner of Skims — to unpack what it really takes to build a billion-dollar brand. Grede goes beyond the headlines, revealing the chaos behind her $1 million launch day and the mindset that helped her push through challenges. From "radical honesty" in leadership to bold views on work, ambition and success, sh...
Francine Lacqua sits down with Emma Grede — the power behind Good American and a founding partner of Skims — to unpack what it really takes to build a billion-dollar brand. Grede goes beyond the headlines, revealing the chaos behind her $1 million launch day and the mindset that helped her push through challenges. From "radical honesty" in leadership to bold views on work, ambition and success, she reveals the principles that have shaped her rise — and why she’s now stepping into the spotlight to help others do the same. (Source: Bloomberg)
Emma Grede, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Good American jeans, said her businesses are being changed by artificial intelligence, though there are some areas that are off limits. “You have to safeguard everything that requires a human touch: creativity, innovation, design,” Grede said in the latest episode of Leaders With Francine Lacqua. “Those things should be done by people that ...
Emma Grede, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Good American jeans, said her businesses are being changed by artificial intelligence, though there are some areas that are off limits. “You have to safeguard everything that requires a human touch: creativity, innovation, design,” Grede said in the latest episode of Leaders With Francine Lacqua. “Those things should be done by people that understand other people’s needs. And the rest ought to be AI.” Industries from technology to consumer goods and entertainment are being transformed by AI, holding out the promise of faster growth even as its rapid development and deployment puts countless jobs at risk. Grede said it’s changing how Good American handles business planning, including inventory and customer-data management. “AI is able to get into those systems and read quicker than we’ve ever been able to,” she said.
The investment community should have a favorable view toward companies that can handle whatever gets thrown their way. Whether it's geopolitical tension, inflation, recessionary fears, or the threat of technological disruption, certain businesses continue to operate at a high level. At a minimum, these should be on your watchlist. Here's a financial stock that belongs in this category. It seems to...
The investment community should have a favorable view toward companies that can handle whatever gets thrown their way. Whether it's geopolitical tension, inflation, recessionary fears, or the threat of technological disruption, certain businesses continue to operate at a high level. At a minimum, these should be on your watchlist. Here's a financial stock that belongs in this category. It seems to keep growing revenue no matter what happens. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
U.S. stocks are on an impressive run heading into this week’s slate of earnings, with an index of semiconductor names notching its longest winning streak on record, the Magnificent Seven tech giants rising nearly 20% since late March, and the broader notching a series of record highs last week that pegs the benchmark well north of the 7000-point mark. “We believe renewed focus on the AI space has ...
U.S. stocks are on an impressive run heading into this week’s slate of earnings, with an index of semiconductor names notching its longest winning streak on record, the Magnificent Seven tech giants rising nearly 20% since late March, and the broader notching a series of record highs last week that pegs the benchmark well north of the 7000-point mark. “We believe renewed focus on the AI space has been a clear driver of the recent lift in stocks, with compute deals, hyperscaler capital expenditure commitments, and early semiconductor earnings reinforcing confidence in the theme’s structural growth durability ahead of key Mag Seven earnings,” says Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise.
Cn0ra 10:30 AM Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey tracks factory activity in Texas on a monthly basis. Firms are asked whether output, employment, orders, prices and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged over the previous month. More on S&P 500 Index S&P 500: I'm Chasing This Rally (Technical Analysis) 5 Signs The Markets Are Increasingly Disc...
Cn0ra 10:30 AM Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey tracks factory activity in Texas on a monthly basis. Firms are asked whether output, employment, orders, prices and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged over the previous month. More on S&P 500 Index S&P 500: I'm Chasing This Rally (Technical Analysis) 5 Signs The Markets Are Increasingly Disconnected From Reality A Massive Change Likely Coming To The Fed And Markets May Not Like It As stocks surge, Wall Street looks to hedges against oil, rate risks Big Tech earnings face high-stakes test after driving market rally
China’s central bank is taking a further step to rein in a liquidity glut in its financial system by reducing the amount of medium-term funds it lends out to banks. The People’s Bank of China is set to withdraw a net 200 billion yuan ($29.3 billion) via its one-year medium-term lending facility in April. That would mark the first withdrawal under this tool since February 2025, according to Bloombe...
China’s central bank is taking a further step to rein in a liquidity glut in its financial system by reducing the amount of medium-term funds it lends out to banks. The People’s Bank of China is set to withdraw a net 200 billion yuan ($29.3 billion) via its one-year medium-term lending facility in April. That would mark the first withdrawal under this tool since February 2025, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the operation plan released late on Friday. The net drain reflects an operation size that was smaller than the amount of maturing loans. The move is another indication that the central bank is dialing back on some of its medium- to long-term liquidity support, while keeping short-term funding conditions stable via daily open-market operations . That’s after its continued cash injections and weak credit demand led to surplus liquidity in the interbank market, driving borrowing costs to multi-year lows and fueling a bond rally . The central bank is likely re-balancing liquidity by removing some long-term funds and offering some short-term ones, said Zhaopeng Xing , senior China strategist at ANZ Bank China Co., noting the PBOC’s cash injection via seven-day reverse repurchase agreements on Monday. Meanwhile, the net reduction via the MLF follows similar PBOC operations in three- and six-month outright reverse repurchase agreements, which saw the first net drain in almost a year in March. In April, withdrawals under outright reverse repos increased to 400 billion yuan from 300 billion a month earlier. China’s overnight interbank repo rate was little changed at 1.23%, near a three-year low of 1.2% touched earlier in April. Cost on one-year negotiable certificate of deposits, a popular funding tool issued by banks, hit a record low of 1.44% last week. That’s below than the 1.5% cost of the PBOC’s one-year MLF reported in January. “Rather than reflecting a proactive tightening, the fund withdrawals are more relevant to insufficient demand for liquidity in...