20 h. ago Lorde secret set at Glastonbury review – new album playthrough is bold but a little foolhardy

WoodsiesLorde resembled Patti Smith as she introduced her entire new album, but the lack of well-known hits let the energy dropIt would be misleading to call Lorde’s performance at Glastonbury a “secret set”. Though listed on the schedule only as the mysterious “TBA”, playing the Woodsie stage for an hour shortly after the festival’s kick-off on Friday morning, the anonymous artist’s identity was seemingly widely known weeks before. Ella Yelich-O’Connor herself had not been exactly subtle, meaningfully flashing her eyes at Radio 1’s Greg James when he pointed out that the release of her fourth album, Virgin, coincided with Glastonbury’s first day. On Thursday, ahead of Virgin’s release, she provided confirmation by posting an aerial photo of the Woodsies tent on Instagram. It’s a bold move, to debut a new album to a crowd who won’t yet have had a chance to listen to it, let alone form any impressions – but Lorde has that kind of clout. Since her precocious debut, Pure Heroine, she h...

Politics

20 h. ago Lorde at Glastonbury review – new album playthrough is bold but a little foolhardy

WoodsiesLorde resembles Patti Smith as she introduces her entire new album, Virgin, but the lack of well-known hits lets the energy dropIt would be misleading to call Lorde’s performance at Glastonbury a “secret set”. Though listed on the schedule only as the mysterious “TBA”, playing the Woodsie stage for an hour shortly after the festival’s kick-off on Friday morning, the anonymous artist’s identity was seemingly widely known weeks before. Ella Yelich-O’Connor herself had not been exactly subtle, meaningfully flashing her eyes at Radio 1’s Greg James when he pointed out that the release of her fourth album, Virgin, coincided with Glastonbury’s first day. On Thursday, ahead of Virgin’s release, she provided confirmation by posting an aerial photo of the Woodsies tent on Instagram. It’s a bold move, to debut a new album to a crowd who won’t yet have had a chance to listen to it, let alone form any impressions – but Lorde has that kind of clout. Since her precocious debut, Pure Heroi...

Politics

27 h. ago Lessons for Young Artists by David Gentleman review – secrets from the studio

The much-loved painter, designer of stamps and creator of anti-war posters shares tips from a 90-year careerYou know the art of David Gentleman even if you don’t know you know it. Anyone who’s passed through London’s Charing Cross tube station has seen his life-filled black-and-white mural of medieval people, enlarged from his woodcuts, digging, hammering, chiselling to construct the Eleanor Cross that once stood nearby. His graphic art has graced everything from stamps to book covers to Stop the War posters in a career spanning seven decades. He says he’s been making art for 90 years, since he was five.His parents were also artists, and in his latest book he reproduces a Shell poster by his father to show he follows in a modern British tradition of well-drawn, well-observed popular art. Perhaps it is because he learned from his parents as naturally as learning to speak – “Seeing them drawing tempted me to draw” – that Gentleman dislikes pedagogy. He’s proud that...

Politics

64 h. ago Member of RFK Jr’s new vaccine panel withdraws over conflict of interest

Dr Michael Ross was involved in multiple private healthcare firms and withdrew after a review of financial holdingsA member of the health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s newly overhauled federal vaccine advisory panel withdrew after a conflict of interest review, a spokesperson has told the Guardian.Dr Michael Ross, who was involved in multiple private healthcare companies, withdrew after review of his financial holdings. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago ‘Disgraceful’ to suggest police wipe records of trans criminals – Constance

The Justice Secretary asked police to launch a review after a newspaper reported a transgender killer had their record ‘wiped’.

Events

1 week ago Grooming gangs review to be unveiled as PM’s inquiry plan gets mixed reaction

The Home Secretary is set to address Parliament over the review as the Prime Minister has committed to a national inquiry.

Events

2 w. ago Cops for the chop? Forces may have reduce number of officers as Rachel Reeves rejects Yvette Cooper's pleas for more cash in Spending Review

The Chancellor is said to have 'imposed' a funding settlement on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper yesterday ahead of Wednesday's Spending Review, after reaching an impasse in negotiations.

Economics

3 w. ago What is Operation Stork Speed? RFK Jr’s plan to take on the baby formula industry

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ordered a review of the ingredients in infant formula

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer turns to submarines and nuclear warheads to fight new cold war with Russia

Prime minister to unveil highly anticipated review, which defence secretary John Healey said would send ‘a message to Moscow’

Events

3 w. ago UK plans to build six weapons factories to bolster military readiness

Plans for £1.5bn investment in munitions manufacturing response to government’s defence review’s call to boost stockpilesThe UK will spend £1.5bn on building six munitions and energetics factories to “better deter our adversaries” as part of its long-awaited strategic defence review.John Healey, the defence secretary, said the funds formed part of plans for an “always-on” weapons pipeline and would support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. Continue reading...

Events