George Polk Award-winner Theo Baker’s portrait of Standford and his gripping account of how a tip turned into a history-making investigation that brought down Stanford’s president, and a revelatory and gripping account of Silicon Valley hubris. Slush funds, Shell companies. Yacht parties. This is life for Silicon Valley’s favoured teenagers. Seventeen-year-old Theo Baker showed up for freshman year at Stanford University as a tech-obsessed coder. It seemed like paradise. There were Rodin Sculptures next to nuclear laboratories and inventors lounging with Olympians. But Baker soon discovered a culture that embraced corner-cutting, that vested infinite excess and access in the hands … Continue reading Inventors lounging with Olympians

Predictions are powerplays in disguise, obfuscating accountability. Not only do modern predictions made by the companies advise on war, industry and marriages, but artificial intelligence also now determines whether we can get a loan, a job, an apartment, or an organ transplant. And when we cede ground to these predictions, we lose control of our own lives. Drawing on history’s cautionary tales and modern-day tech companies’ malfeasance- from surveillance and biased algorithms to a startling lack of accountability – Carissa Véliz demonstrates that big tech’s prophecies are just as shallow, dangerous and unjust as their ancient counterparts’. Véliz uncovers in … Continue reading Predictions are Powerplays in disguise

The 2nd Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) commences in just one week. Running 2-5 July at Odeon Luxe West End, MIFF presents a programme of acclaimed films from the UK and across the world including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Algeria and Palestine, with topics ranging from racial profiling to celebrating the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj, altogether showcasing the breadth and intricacies of Muslim storytelling. Festival director Sajid Varda says why a festival like MIFF is so important right now, and what audiences can expect.  RETURNING FOR 2nd EDITION:MUSLIM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REFLECTS THE BREADTH AND INTRICACIES OF MUSLIM STORYTELLING Opening gala HIJRA, closing gala HUMAN TIDE, plus … Continue reading Muslim International Film Festival

As Trump is blowing up political order making it an explosive world, Xi Jinping is scrambling the economy and Putin is redrawing the map of Europe. At a time when every crisis bleeds into the next- from pandemics and wars to climate shocks and AI revolutions – the old rules of global order are collapsing. Mark Leonard reveals how geopolitics is being rewritten in an age of “Un-Order”, where no one agrees on the rules, and even the concept of order itself us up for debate. Drawing on years of conversations with leaders and thinkers form Beijing to Washington, Leonard … Continue reading Age of “Un-Order” where no one agrees on the rules in tomorrow’s world

“TOKYO NIGHTFALL“RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. VUE CINEMA LOWER REGENT STREET. FESTIVAL UNTIL 26 JUNE INCLUSIVE OF THAT DATE. Google for performance times. 79 Minutes . Nominated by Raindance for Best International Feature of this festival Due to be released across Japan on 31 July the film covers a lonely delivery rider Anemashi who is trying to come to terms with his sister’s suicide. Directed by Yuto Shimozo and with a large cast, its screening at Raindance is a World Premiere. It is a dark film with a moving and negative philosophy about life and death and gives an eery off beat … Continue reading The 34th Raindance Film Festival

Why “soaps” on the silver screen appeal to us as much as sci fi and special XF. BORN TO LOSE. RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Up to and including June 26 Vue Cinema Lower Regent Street London. 112 Minutes. USA Biker drama 2026. Writers – Pierce Csurgo, Eric J Kinsey, Joseph Zentil. Director Joseph Zentil. Stars include ;- Dylan Arnold, James Le Gros, Amber Chylders, Sarah Pigeon. If you like stories with bikers, strippers, boozy bars, dudes popping pills and lots of country music then you’re in for a treat with this saga. Crime is included and the perhaps familiar theme of a gangster style … Continue reading Bikers, Strippers, boozy bars, dudes popping pills amid country music