‘This scene is alive’: Abidjan art week showcases city as growing cultural hub 13. April 2026 (08:00) Late-night gallery tours and new venues signal a city staking its claim as a regional arts capitalOn a recent weekday evening, the doors of more than a dozen galleries and museums across Abidjan stayed open till midnight, several hours later than usual, as art enthusiasts went around town on a bus tour. It was the Night of the Galleries, designed for people to drop in after work and enjoy Abidjan art week to the fullest.The after-hours special showcase was first tested in January 2024 on the sidelines of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament hosted and won by Côte d’Ivoire. The tradition continued this year during the art week’s third edition, which ran from last Tuesday to Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Private firms providing services to NHS made £1.6bn profit in two years, research finds 13. April 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: MPs say profit-making levels in England are ‘scandalous’ and call for cap on amount private companies can make from NHSPrivate firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals.The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels.£2bn of the £12bn of contracts went to firms with owners based outside the UK.£533m of that £2bn went to companies owned by people living in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands.Firms, especially those owned by private equity outfits, used £353m of their £12bn NHS income to pay interest on debts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than a fifth of UK’s ‘austerity children’ scarred by poverty, study says 13. April 2026 (07:00) Researchers say hardship is a direct legacy of welfare benefit cuts imposed by Tory governments in recent years More than a fifth of all “austerity generation” British children have been scarred by poverty for at least half their childhood, a direct legacy of the welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals.The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship surged after ministers froze working age benefits levels and imposed policies such as the two-child limit, it found. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is Gout Gout faster than Usain Bolt? Australian sprinter sets sights on Jamaican great’s 200m record 13. April 2026 (06:59) Coach believes there’s no limit to 18-year-old’s talent while athlete himself says he’s ‘ready for more’Having cracked the 20-second barrier with a sizzling run over 200m – and in the process fulled comparisons with the great Usain Bolt – the question now is, how fast can Gout Gout go?“How long’s a piece of string?” said Gout’s coach and mentor, Di Sheppard, after he clocked 19.67sec at the Australian championships in Sydney on Sunday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A long hot summer of football fever is just what the doctor ordered 13. April 2026 (06:56) With plenty of late-night kick-offs, London’s beleaguered pubs and clubs are hoping to net tens of thousands in extra revenue from the Men’s World Cup, reports Jonathan Prynn (London News)
Defence chief says Australian ships ‘ready, capable’ as Albanese calls on US and Iran to reopen strait of Hormuz 13. April 2026 (06:29) Australian prime minister says it’s ‘disappointing’ that there was no resolution on freedom of movement during weekend’s talksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has called for the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz and free navigation for all countries, as the new defence chief said Australian ships were ready and capable of assisting if such a decision were made.Hours after the US president, Donald Trump, said he would institute an American blockade of the strategic waterway from Tuesday morning, Australian time, Albanese urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations in Pakistan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
