Thriller

• Beijing-based Z.ai recently released the GLM-5.2 AI model, which has earned praise from Silicon Valley for its ability to handle complex tasks with minimal prompts. • The model is noted for rivaling US counterparts while operating at a fraction of the cost, drawing comparisons to the "DeepSeek moment" of January 2025. • This development occurs despite stringent US export controls designed to prevent China from accessing the advanced hardware and inputs necessary for AI development.

• Germany and Sweden secured dominant victories in their respective World Cup matches on Sunday. • Japan and the Netherlands engaged in a high-scoring thriller, while Ivory Coast narrowly defeated Ecuador. • These results shape the group standings and momentum as teams compete for advancement in the tournament.

• Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Malaysia's Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in a three-game thriller at the Singapore Open 2026 quarter-finals. • The fourth-seeded Indian pair secured their victory with a final score of 19-21, 21-17, 21-13, overcoming an early deficit to advance. • This result levels the international head-to-head record between the two pairs at 1-1, marking a critical win for the Indian duo in the tournament.

• Singaporean shuttler Loh Kean Yew defeated Japan's Watanabe Koki in a semi-final thriller on Saturday, May 30, to advance to the BWF Singapore Open final. • This victory marks the first time in 24 years that a home player has reached the men's singles final of the tournament. • In the other semi-final, a French player secured a spot in the final by defeating Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in straight sets (21-14, 21-11) in 41 minutes.

What began as a tiny space above the founder’s stables became the beating heart of the city’s performing arts. Its leader Jimmy Fay reflects on recent hits and reveals what audiences can expect from the theatre’s anniversary year‘The Lyric gives voice to everyone in Northern Ireland,” says the theatre’s boss, Jimmy Fay. “It’s a beacon.” Fay views the 2026 programme, celebrating 75 years of the Lyric, as an opportunity to showcase current creative talent, as well as honouring the theatre’s past.One of the plays from the repertoire that Fay was keen to revive is Christina Reid’s Tea in a China Cup, from 1983. With a cast including Marie Jones, the new production – which runs in May – is directed by Dan Gordon, who performed in the original. Reid’s play traces the daily lives of Protestant working-class women in Belfast across three decades, from the second world war to the Troubles, with humour and poignancy. Continue reading...

Killhouse is based on real-life story of civilian couple saved from battlefield by Ukrainian drone operatorsIt is being billed as Ukraine’s answer to Saving Private Ryan, updated for an age of drones.The war movie Killhouse is an action thriller which shows off the latest in battlefield technology. Released this week, it features cameos by figures well known in Ukraine, including the nation’s former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. One missing person is Donald Trump. The film is conveniently set in 2024, when Washington and Kyiv were allies. Continue reading...

• No. 13 Oklahoma defeated No. 11 Vanderbilt 13-11 in a high-scoring college softball matchup on April 11, 2026. • Camden Johnson led the Sooners with two home runs and seven RBI, while Deiten LaChance hit a homer and drove in four runs. • The win strengthens Oklahoma's position in national rankings amid a competitive season for top softball programs.

• UConn defeated top-seeded Duke 73-72 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament with Braylon Mullins' desperation 3-pointer at 0.4 seconds left, rallying from a 19-point first-half deficit to advance to the Final Four. • Silas Demary Jr. made one of two free throws with 10 seconds remaining to tie the game at three points down before Mullins' shot; Duke led by three entering the final moments. • This marks the second straight season Duke suffers a huge collapse in the tournament as the top overall seed, while UConn now boasts a 54-game winning streak heading into the Final Four.

• American actress Victoria Pedretti celebrates her 31st birthday on March 23, 2026, continuing her career in psychological thrillers and acclaimed television work. • Pedretti gained widespread attention for her roles in popular Netflix series, where she anchors narratives with raw emotional intensity and has earned critical praise and a dedicated fanbase. • The actress was diagnosed with ADHD at age seven and expressed early interest in musical theatre before pursuing her successful acting career.

Audiences draw parallels between the abduction plot of Feels Like Home and Viktor Orbán’s 16-year reignIt’s seven o’clock on a Tuesday night, and one of the most popular movie theatres in Budapest is full, not an empty seat in sight. The audience is not here for a Hollywood blockbuster, but a Hungarian film that barely had the budget to be made.Feels Like Home (Itt Érzem Magam Otthon) has captured moviegoers not only with its striking visuals but also with its timing – its release coming before Hungary’s pivotal parliamentary elections on 12 April. Continue reading...

The actor led the starry book deals, while publishers assessed whether US-style bans are spreading to the UKThe annual London book fair wrapped on Thursday, marking the end of three days that saw 33,000 people connected to the book industry – agents, publishers, authors, among others – gather at Olympia to make deals and discuss the state of the publishing world, and its future. Here’s our roundup of the biggest deals, trends and takeaways from the fair.The starriest book deal of the week was a new thriller series co-authored by Idris Elba, featuring an MI6 field operative who gets deployed to Mauritius to investigate an attempted murder. Elsewhere, rights were scooped for Alex Ferguson’s first autobiography in 13 years, broadcaster Mishal Husain’s debut children’s book, and the story of designer Paul Smith’s life. Continue reading...

Cornell Big Red narrowly defeated Yale Bulldogs in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal on March 14, aired on ESPNU from Ithaca, N.Y. The close contest advances Cornell toward the championship game and a potential NCAA bid. Yale fought valiantly but fell short in the tight matchup. The winner gains crucial momentum heading into Selection Sunday.

Cornell beat Yale 69-66 in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals on Saturday in Ithaca, New York, with sophomore guard Isaiah Gray hitting the game-winning three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left. The Big Red rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit, forcing 15 Bulldog turnovers. This win sends Cornell to the Ivy final against Princeton or Harvard on Sunday, positioning them for their first NCAA bid since 2010. Coach Brian Earl praised Gray's poise: 'He’s our clutch performer.'

Amazon Prime Video debuted the horror thriller *The Home*, drawing early buzz for its chilling narrative in the competitive streaming market. The release coincides with heightened demand for genre content amid awards season distractions. Critics note its potential to capture viewers seeking scares post-Oscars. Availability is immediate for Prime subscribers across the US.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-112 on Friday night, with Jaylen Brown scoring 32 points including crucial free throws in the final seconds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 38 points, but Boston's 16 three-pointers proved decisive in the game highlighted by strong defense from Derrick White. This win improves Boston's record to 52-15, maintaining their lead in the Eastern Conference. OKC, with the NBA's best record entering at 55-12, now faces a critical road trip ahead.