German composer and pianist; a founding figure of Western classical music
Wynton Marsalis’s All Rise, a 12-movement symphony blending jazz and orchestra, has opened the Edinburgh Festival with a star-studded lineup. Marsalis says collaboration has shaped the work, and the festival embraces its theme of unity as performers from Jazz at Lincoln Center, RSNO, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and others come together. The piece was written to celebrate pluralism and integration.
Andy Burnham has become Labour leader following a political surge that has installed him as the UK’s prime minister-designate. The transition begins with formalities at Buckingham Palace and culminates in a Downing Street address after polling and a party mandate shaped by recent local elections.
A multi-source digest tracks how surrogacy debates in the US and Germany are unfolding, highlighting new appointments, legal clarifications, and public sentiment. The Guardian and Business Insider UK report contrasting pathways, with Germany maintaining bans while the US expands options through agency-led processes.
Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album, Petal, has sparked mixed critical reception. Critics say the record delivers a subdued, somber mood with polished production that undermines Grande’s vocal power, while others praise its restrained textures and emotional nuance. The debate centers on whether the album marks a mature move or a retreat from her signature forceful performances.