According to the official results, Alessandro Georgiou received 2,047 votes, while Alara Ayyildiz won 1,858 votes.

With these results, both Conservative Party candidates earned the right to represent Cockfosters Ward on Enfield Borough Council.

The vote totals for the other candidates were as follows:

Arzu Aydemir (Labour Party): 466 votes
Mutlu Beyzade (Liberal Democrat): 217 votes
Felicity Aoibhinn Brown (Reform UK): 456 votes
Brian Cronk (Liberal Democrat): 237 votes
Samuel Norris (Reform UK): 465 votes
Caley Elizabeth Powell-Mitchell-Dolby (Green Party): 580 votes
Paul Shaverin (Labour Party): 422 votes

Officials also confirmed that voter turnout reached 47.1 percent. A total of 12 ballot papers were rejected for various reasons.

The results were officially declared by Deputy Returning Officer Perry Scott on behalf of Enfield Borough Council.

Turkey’s Strategic Positioning: From Medical Tourism to Market Power

Turkey is rapidly evolving from a cost-driven medical tourism destination into a global command center for aesthetic medicine and longevity services.

The scale is no longer marginal:

• Over 1.5 million international patients annually

• More than $2 billion in sector revenue

• Consistently high global rankings in aesthetic procedures (ISAPS)

• Rapid inflow of patients from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond

But the real shift is not volume—it is market positioning.

Turkey is no longer competing for patients. It is competing for category ownership.

How Turkey is Quietly Cornering the Market

The country’s rise is not accidental. It is structural—and built on four compounding advantages:

1. The cost-quality arbitrage no longer exists as a “discount story”

Turkey has broken the old narrative of “cheap alternative healthcare.” Instead, it now offers high-skill, high-volume clinical performance at structurally lower cost bases—a combination few markets can replicate.

2. Industrial-scale medical expertise

High patient throughput has created something rare in Europe: procedural intensity at scale, accelerating surgical specialization and operational precision across leading institutions.

3. Geographic convergence advantage

Istanbul sits at the intersection of three major regions—Europe, the Middle East, and Asia—functioning as a natural funnel for cross-border medical demand.

4. The emergence of “health + hospitality + longevity” hybrids

Turkey is no longer selling procedures. It is selling end-to-end health experiences—where surgery, recovery, hospitality, and wellness are fused into a single commercial ecosystem.

This is where the model begins to resemble a new category entirely: luxury longevity infrastructure.

Why This Sector Doesn’t Behave Like a Normal Market

Unlike traditional luxury goods or discretionary travel, health and aesthetic spending is increasingly treated as non-deferrable self-investment.

Even under economic pressure, consumers continue to prioritize:

• physical appearance

• perceived social value

• long-term wellness outcomes

• preventive aging strategies

In other words: this is a sector where demand does not collapse with sentiment cycles—it reallocates.

Case Study: Esteworld and the Institutionalization of Experience-Based Medicine

Within Turkey’s expanding ecosystem, Esteworld Health Group represents a defining example of the sector’s evolution.

Beyond clinical performance, the group is actively building a full-spectrum patient experience model, integrating medical treatment with recovery environments and lifestyle design.

Its emerging Wellworld concept signals a further shift: from aesthetic medicine toward structured longevity ecosystems, where healthcare becomes continuous rather than episodic.

The Bigger Picture: A Silent Redistribution of a Global Market

What is unfolding is not simply Turkey’s growth in medical tourism. It is something more strategic:

A gradual redistribution of global health and longevity demand toward new geographic hubs that can combine clinical capability, cost efficiency, and lifestyle integration.

Turkey is not just participating in this shift. It is actively shaping it.

It is positioning itself to capture a disproportionate share of one of the fastest-growing segments of global healthcare.

Market Context & Data Sources

The global expansion of the health, aesthetic medicine, and longevity sector is supported by several leading institutional datasets and industry reports.

According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the global wellness economy reached approximately $5.6 trillion in 2023, highlighting the scale and continued expansion of the sector.

Research from McKinsey & Company indicates a structural shift in consumer behavior, where wellness and personal care expenditures are increasingly prioritized and reframed as “self-investment” rather than discretionary spending.

On the medical tourism side, data from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and USHAŞ (International Health Services Inc.) shows that Turkey receives over 1.5 million international patients annually, with total sector revenue exceeding $2 billion.

In addition, findings from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) consistently place Turkey among the leading global destinations for aesthetic procedures, reflecting both high procedural volume and accumulated clinical expertise.

ESTEWORLD HEALTH GROUP – FACT SHEET (Editorial Brief)

Founded: 1994
Sector: Aesthetic Medicine, Plastic Surgery, Medical Tourism, Longevity & Wellness

Overview

Esteworld Health Group is one of Turkey’s established private healthcare organizations, operating since 1994 and playing a long-standing role in the development of the country’s international medical tourism ecosystem.

The group represents a hybrid model of clinical medicine and experience-based healthcare delivery, integrating surgical care with patient journey design, recovery services, and cross-border medical tourism operations.

Scale & Operations

• 5 hospitals (including one upcoming facility)

• 1,200 employees

• 70 physicians and medical specialists

As of 2024, Esteworld serves approximately:

• 28,000 – 30,000 patients annually

Total annual service volume exceeds approximately:

• £24 – 26 million GBP (approx.)

This reflects combined demand from both domestic and international patient segments.

International Reach

Esteworld has developed a diversified international patient base across 35 countries, with a strong concentration in:

• Europe (core market)

• United Kingdom (strategic priority market)

• United States

• Canada

• Australia

• Selected Asian markets

Key European source markets include:

• Netherlands

• France

• Germany

• Italy

The UK remains one of the group’s most consistent and strategically important inbound markets.

Position in Medical Tourism Ecosystem

Esteworld operates within one of the fastest-growing segments of global healthcare: cross-border aesthetic medicine and medical tourism.

The group is positioned within a broader structural shift where healthcare is increasingly defined not only by clinical outcomes, but also by:

• patient experience

• end-to-end service design

• hospitality integration

• recovery and lifestyle components

Strategic Relevance

Esteworld is part of a new generation of healthcare providers contributing to Turkey’s emergence as a global hub in aesthetic medicine and longevity-focused healthcare services.

The organization’s scale, patient diversity, and long operational history position it as a relevant case study in the evolution of:

healthcare → experience-based medicine → longevity ecosystems

Note on Market Context

Turkey’s healthcare and aesthetic medicine sector continues to benefit from structural global trends, including rising demand for self-funded medical travel, increasing prioritization of wellness-related spending, and the convergence of healthcare with luxury hospitality models.Within this context, Esteworld represents a mature institutional player in a rapidly expanding global category.

Bringing together representatives from the media, public institutions, academia, and civil society, the event further solidified its role as an important platform for journalism across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The ceremony stood out for its international participation and was organized under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Prime Minister’s Office Department for Information and Publishing, and the Ministry of Culture’s CUG.

During the event, numerous journalists from national and international media organizations were honored for their professional achievements, independence, and commitment to high-quality journalism.

The most emotional moment of the evening was the presentation of the “Memorial Award” dedicated to the late veteran journalist Alessandro Tiberti. The award was received by his children, Lavinia and Gabriela.

Founded by journalist Dündar Kesaplı, the award aims to promote accurate and responsible journalism while strengthening international dialogue.

2026 Award Winners and Roles

• Alberto Barachini – State Secretary for Information and Publishing, Italian Prime Minister’s Office
• Emilio Carelli – Director, L’Espresso
• Alessia Lautone – Director, LaPresse
• Angela Mariella – Editorial Director, RAI
• Soledad Alvarez – Rome Director, EFE Agency (Spain)
• Tiziano Carmellini – Il Tempo
• Stefano Chioffi – Corriere dello Sport
• Gianluca Perino – Il Messaggero
• Eva Murati – Albania
• Marina Perna – ANSA / ANSAmed (Foreign News)
• Emanuele Rizzi – Adnkronos
• Barış Seçkin – Anadolu Agency (Türkiye)
• Andrea Bonini – Sky TG24
• Stefania Cavallaro – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, TG4 News
• Romano Bolković – Zagreb, Croatia
• Alberto Rimedio – Rai Sport
• Francesca Benvenuti – SportMediaset
• Gianfranco Coppola – President, USSI / AIPS Europe
• Herman Grech – Malta
• Trevisa Tufa – Albania
• Mahdi El Nemr – Egypt
• Zouhir Louassini – Morocco
• Emine Kavasoğlu – Türkiye
• Marco Lollobrigida – Special Award for “Sports Commentary” (USSI), Director, Rai Sport
• Alessandro Tiberti – RAI (Memorial Award)
• Luigi Crippa – Head of Sports Communications, Inter
• Roberto Coramusi – Press Office Head, Italian Football Federation

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Transport for London (TfL) has introduced even more features to the free TfL Go app, designed to provide mobile-friendly and accessible travel information to customers travelling across London.

The latest updates to the app, mean that anyone using pay as you go with contactless who has reached the daily or weekly cap can now see this clearly in their journey history using the app.

App users can also now opt-in to gain further insights into which maximum daily cap might apply to their regular daily travel, based upon their recent journey history. This will help further raise awareness of TfL’s daily caps and help reiterate that they will pay no more than a set amount based on their travel.

Launched in 2020, TfL Go provides real-time arrival times and information in a mobile-friendly and accessible way to customers travelling on Tube, bus, tram, and rail services across London. It also suggests alternative routes, and walking and cycling options, and provides information about which stations have toilets and where they are located.

The TfL Go app is free to download and available on both iOS and Android devices at www.tfl.gov.uk/go

Voters across the capital went to the polls on Thursday, with elections held in all 32 boroughs and more than 1,800 council seats contested. Early results suggest a more fragmented political landscape, with losses for Labour and gains for smaller parties reshaping control in key areas.

The Green Party’s victory in Hackney marks a notable breakthrough in one of Labour’s traditional strongholds, signalling growing support for alternative parties in inner London. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s win in Havering represents a historic moment for the party, giving it its first foothold in London local government.

The Conservatives have also made important gains. They have regained control of Westminster from Labour, held onto Kensington and Chelsea and Bexley, and emerged as the largest party in Wandsworth, which now falls into no overall control. These results indicate a partial recovery for the party in parts of the রাজধান.

The Liberal Democrats successfully defended their positions in Richmond upon Thames and Sutton but fell short in their attempt to take Merton from Labour. Labour, despite suffering losses elsewhere, has managed to retain control of Hammersmith and Fulham as well as Ealing.

Counting has taken place overnight in several boroughs, with results from others expected later on Friday and into Saturday. Prior to the election, Labour controlled 21 boroughs, compared with five for the Conservatives, three for the Liberal Democrats, one for the Aspire Party, and two under no overall control.

As the remaining declarations come in, the full picture is still emerging. However, early outcomes point to a capital moving away from traditional two-party dominance, with voters increasingly backing a wider range of political parties.

Anniversary Medal of the Azerbaijani National Press” and its official certificate to KGK Chairman Mehmet Ali Dim in Ankara. The award was handed over by Elshad Eyvazlı, Vice Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council.

Eyvazlı: “GJC Stood Firmly with Azerbaijan”

Speaking during the ceremony, Elshad Eyvazlı emphasized that the media support provided by the Global Journalists Council to Azerbaijan should never be underestimated.

“During the Karabakh War, (GJC) stood firmly behind Azerbaijan, helping shape international public opinion in our favor. The council repeatedly brought international journalist delegations to Azerbaijan and made our rightful position on Karabakh heard across the world,” he said.

Eyvazlı also noted that (GJC) had developed strong ties with Azerbaijani media organizations and gained significant recognition among Azerbaijani journalists and officials.
“It is a great honor for me to present this prestigious state medal to (GJC) Chairman Mehmet Ali Dim on behalf of the Azerbaijani authorities, who deeply appreciate (GJC)’s contributions,” he added.

Dim: “We Are Deeply Honored”

Receiving the medal, KGK Chairman Mehmet Ali Dim described the award as a source of great pride and honor.

“Since the establishment of our council, we have always regarded brotherly Azerbaijan as special. We have always said: one nation, one media, two states,” Dim stated.
He highlighted KGK’s efforts during Azerbaijan’s justified struggle in Karabakh, noting that the council organized visits for international journalists to Azerbaijan in order to ensure accurate reporting and raise global awareness.

“We attended press conferences held by President Ilham Aliyev and met several times with Presidential Assistant Hikmet Hajiyev. We also established various forms of cooperation with Azerbaijani media organizations. Most recently, we signed a cooperation protocol with the Press Council in Alanya,” he said.
Dim stressed that the collaboration between KGK and Azerbaijani media institutions would continue to grow in the future.

“I accept this medal on behalf of all KGK members and will proudly display it in the most distinguished corner of our council. I would like to sincerely thank President Ilham Aliyev, Media Agency Chairman Ahmad Ismayilov, and Elshad Eyvazlı for personally presenting this meaningful award in Ankara,” he concluded.

The order, introduced by Enfield Council, took effect at 12:00 am on 20 December 2025 and will remain in place until 11:59 pm on 20 December 2026. It includes a power of arrest, meaning individuals who breach the ban could be detained.

The injunction aims to prevent disruptive and potentially dangerous car cruising activities, which have raised concerns around public safety, noise, and antisocial behaviour.

Residents or individuals who believe they are affected by the order are advised to seek independent legal advice. Those wishing to challenge or respond to the injunction may submit evidence no later than 4 pm on 23 October 2026.

Official documents and further details are available on the council’s website.

The first female presenter of UEFA Champions League broadcasts

Murati made history in her country as the first female presenter to host UEFA Champions League broadcasts. For more than a decade, she has been a key figure of prime-time programming on Tring TV. This success earned her the nickname “Champions Girl,” which has since evolved into a strong personal brand.

More than just a sports presenter

What sets Eva Murati apart is not only her on-screen success. With a background in law, she brings analytical depth to her communication style. Her ability to convey the atmosphere of matches, the excitement of the crowd, and the emotional rhythm of the game places her beyond traditional sports presenting, representing a modern and dynamic narrative approach.

In addition to sports broadcasting, Murati has also appeared in culture and entertainment programs, making her a symbol of a multifaceted success story for Balkan youth.

A powerful figure in the digital age

Murati’s influence extends far beyond television. With over 1.4 million followers on Instagram and a total digital reach exceeding 2 million, she stands out as a powerful figure in the new media landscape. Her social media presence reaches millions, transforming her into not just a presenter but also a regional media phenomenon.

A bridge between journalism and diplomacy

The Euro-Mediterranean Journalism Awards aim to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among countries in the region while promoting accurate and responsible journalism. In an increasingly complex global communication environment, the role of media in maintaining intercultural balance has become more critical than ever.

With numerous diplomatic representatives expected to attend, this year’s ceremony will once again highlight the strategic importance of journalism in international dialogue. The event will be hosted by RAI journalist Roberto Ammendola.

A success story from the Balkans to Europe

Eva Murati’s rise represents not only an individual career achievement but also the transformation of the Balkan media landscape. Her journey from local screens to international recognition continues to inspire a new generation of journalists. With the prestigious ceremony taking place in Rome on May 4, Murati is set to make her mark once again on the Euro-Mediterranean media stage.

If you want, I can also make it more “news agency style” (shorter, punchier) or adapt it for a specific outlet like Reuters/AP tone.

Benchmark Brent crude briefly surged nearly 7% to over $126 per barrel before retreating later in the day. The spike comes as tensions in the Iran conflict intensify and negotiations appear to have stalled.

A key factor behind the surge is the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Ongoing threats and blockades in the area have raised concerns about global energy supply.

According to reports, the US Central Command has prepared options involving targeted strikes on Iran, as well as potential efforts to regain control of parts of the waterway to resume shipping. Iran, meanwhile, has signaled it will defend the route and respond to any escalation.

Oil price volatility was also influenced by technical factors, including the expiration of June futures contracts, which contributed to a later drop in prices. More active July contracts traded lower, around $110 per barrel.

Rising crude prices are already affecting consumers. In the UK, petrol and diesel costs have increased significantly compared to pre-conflict levels, putting pressure on households and businesses.

Experts warn the impact could extend beyond fuel. Higher energy costs are expected to drive up prices for food, flights and goods, as supply chains absorb the increased expenses. Fertiliser prices have also risen, adding further pressure on global food production.

Analysts say continued escalation could keep oil prices elevated into next year, increasing uncertainty for both markets and policymakers.

This programme focuses on the arts that shape and adorn the sacred, including stained glass (vitray), woodcarving, architectural ornament, and related decorative traditions, explored through hands-on workshops, engaging talks, and live demonstrations. Participants will encounter the material language of the sacred, from carved wood surfaces and patterned glass to ornamental motifs rooted in spiritual architecture and craftsmanship. Return to London Craft Week for our ninth consecutive year. Bringing the timeless elegance and living traditions of Türkiye’s arts to the heart of London, this year’s theme—Ornamenting the Sacred: Pattern, Light, Form—invites you to explore the profound connection between craftsmanship and meaning.

Exclusive series of workshops designed to bring these living traditions to life. From plaster carving and Ottoman calligraphy to tile painting, stained glass, and wood marquetry—each session offers a deep dive into the mastery behind these time-honoured crafts.

Explore our full programme and reserve your place to learn from the best:

• Plaster Carving with Mariam Ashraf

• The Letter Waw | Ottoman Architectural Calligraphy with Gulnaz Mahboob

• Ottoman Tile Painting on Paper | Rumi & Şemse from Yeni Cami with Nagihan Seymour

• İznik Ceramic Brooch | Floral or Geometric Design with Nagihan Seymour

• Stained Glass Taster Workshop | Traditional Geometric Patterns with Demet Tokbay

• Weekend Wood Marquetry with Adam Williamson

•

Age requirement: 16+. Please check individual workshop details before booking.

For any questions or queries: https://yeelondon.org.uk/lcw2026/

But it suffered in the face of competition from cheaper, online brands such as Shein and Temu.

Changing consumer tastes also spelled the death knell for the retailer, which has struggled like many High Street firms.

Kroll said: "As of 27 April, all Claire's standalone stores in UK and Ireland have ceased trading. All store employees have been advised of redundancy."

Claire's owners Modella Capital said in January that part of the reason it had to put Claire's into administration was "alarming" low Christmas trading that left it in a "vulnerable" position.
It also blamed the climate on the High Street, which it said "remains extremely challenging", adding that government policy had caused a tough trading environment by raising staffing costs such as National Insurance Contributions.

'Juvenile'​​​​​​​

But Claire's problems are more long-term, fashion expert Priya Raj told the BBC.
"We've moved away from novelty, colourful jewellery for the most part, which is what Claire's are best known for.
"If we think about teens today, they're looking at social media for influence on what to buy, rather than their local High Street or shopping centre.
"So naturally their tastes are evolving into what's mainstream right now - minimal jewellery, sometimes chunky, sometimes with a more curated look - basically not the cutesy, juvenile look that Claire's is known for."

Claire's was not only facing competition from online - other bricks-and-mortar competitors ate into its space too.

Primark and Superdrug compete heavily with Claire's value offering, says retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth.

Plus, she added, young people had more places to spend their money, including spending on desserts, coffee, matcha and bubble tea.

"Competition has never been tougher for Gen Alpha shoppers," she said. "They are the generation of social shoppers - changing the way they buy and expecting more from the brands that they interact with.

"This age group now have so many options to spend their cash that shops just selling 'stuff' simply doesn't cut it."

Meanwhile, Claire's US arm is also struggling. It filed for bankruptcy for the second time in 2025, having previously filed for bankruptcy in 2018.

Hosted by Esteworld Health Group, the visit followed the group’s London expansion and signaled a deepening UK–Turkey connection in global healthcare.

Turkey welcomed over 1.5 million international patients annually and generated more than $2 billion in revenue, driven in large part by demand from the UK for hair transplants, dental procedures, aesthetic surgery, and preventative wellness.

The delegation toured advanced clinical facilities across Istanbul before travelling to Şile to experience next-generation longevity concepts at Wellworld, reflecting a global shift from treatment to proactive health and lifestyle optimisation.

The programme concluded over the weekend, and the delegation has since returned to London.

A.Times will be sharing the full journey as a day-by-day series, starting with the delegation’s arrival in Istanbul.

Move toward wellness and longevity positioning

Under the “Wellworld” initiative, Esteworld is seeking to align its services with growing global demand for wellness-oriented healthcare and longevity-focused lifestyle solutions. The approach reflects a broader industry trend in which aesthetic medicine providers are expanding into adjacent segments such as preventive health, recovery optimization and long-term wellbeing.

The group continues to operate within hair transplantation, dental aesthetics and plastic surgery, but is increasingly framing these services within a wider wellness ecosystem rather than standalone procedures.

Shift in healthcare consumption

Industry observers note that demand for aesthetic and elective healthcare services is increasingly linked to lifestyle, self-perception and long-term wellness goals, rather than purely cosmetic outcomes.

In this context, providers are moving toward more integrated models that combine medical expertise with hospitality, recovery environments and wellness-oriented experiences.

Strategic positioning

Esteworld’s expansion into wellness and longevity reflects a broader repositioning within Turkey’s private healthcare sector, where providers are increasingly competing not only on clinical capability, but also on patient experience and end-to-end service design.

The company’s strategy signals an attempt to bridge aesthetic medicine with the growing global longevity and wellness economy, where health, appearance and lifestyle are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Book a free consultation with London Team Contact : T: 020 3337 6262 W: +44 7717 096567

Address: Covent Garden, London UK

Email: hello@esteworld.com
Social Media-Instagram: @esteworld_gb

The legal action targets Avara Foods and Welsh Water. Claimants argue that the companies have played a role in the long-term degradation of waterways along the England–Wales border.

At the centre of the case is the River Wye, once known for its natural beauty. Residents and environmental groups say the river has deteriorated in recent years, often turning green during the summer months and developing foul smells and a slimy texture.

They attribute much of this damage to intensive poultry farming in the surrounding region, where roughly 24 million chickens are raised at any given time—around a quarter of the UK’s total production. According to the claim, large quantities of chicken waste are spread on nearby farmland and later washed into rivers by rainfall. This runoff increases levels of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which in turn fuel excessive algae growth, especially in warmer weather.

Sewage discharges are also cited as a contributing factor to the pollution.

Environmental assessments have reinforced these concerns. In 2023, Natural England classified the River Wye as being in “unfavourable – declining” condition. A subsequent action plan highlighted agricultural pollution, wastewater releases, climate pressures, and reduced summer river flows as key issues affecting the ecosystem.

The lawsuit, led by the law firm Leigh Day under a “no win, no fee” arrangement, includes allegations of negligence as well as claims of environmental harm such as nuisance and trespass. The claimants are seeking financial compensation alongside measures to restore the health of the rivers.

Both companies have denied the accusations. Avara Foods described the claims as “misconceived,” while Welsh Water said the case is “misguided” and pointed to its ongoing investments aimed at reducing pollution.

World Premiere of Es Devlin and Nico Muhly’s choral installation 360 Vessels

New art installations by AI pioneers Refik Anadol and Anna Ridler

500-seat Sohmen Concert Hall to be inaugurated by the Scottish Ensemble

250-seat theatre opens with performance by ZooNation

2026 programme includes Cynthia Erivo, Nitin Sawhney, Lil Buck, Edmund de Waal, Sigur Rós, Aurora Orchestra, Headlong Theatre, Brian Eno & Kae Tempest

Installation View of Refik Anadol, Archive Dreaming: Large Nature Model — Oxford, Schwarzman Centre, University of Oxford.

The cultural programme, directed by John Fulljames, places experimentation and co-creation at its heart. The free, day-long Open House festival on Saturday 25 April includes the launch of the new 500-seat Sohmen Concert Hall, with performances by the Scottish Ensemble. Audiences can see the world premiere of 360 Vessels by artist Es Devlin and composer Nico Muhly with chamber choir Schola Cantorum, to be performed beneath the glass dome of the Great Hall. Artists and AI pioneers Refik Anadol and Anna Ridler each present new digital works that have been created using AI and an excerpt of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party by ZooNation will be staged in the new 250-seat theatre.

The festival will also include pop up performances throughout the day in the Great Hall with Professor Jieun Kiaer exploring the cultural world behind the story of KPop Demon Hunters, award-winning poet Yomi Ṣode will curate a series of live spoken word performances, and Head over Wheels, Justice in Motion, Body Politic YOUTH and The Cocoa Butter Club will perform special extracts, while Richard Curtis’s bespoke sketch for the Schwarzman Centre What have the humanities ever done for us? will be performed by the actor Tim McInnerny.

The Schwarzman Centre’s inaugural programme for 2026 spans visual arts, theatre, dance, music, literature and talks, with a range of free and ticketed events. Audiences will have the opportunity to see a host of internationally renowned artists and performers including Cynthia Erivo, Nitin Sawhney, Lil Buck, Edmund de Waal, Brian Eno and Kae Tempest.

Central to the programme are the Schwarzman Centre Cultural Fellows, a group of outstanding artists from around the world who are collaborating with Oxford’s leading academics to create pioneering new work. The initial cohort of Schwarzman Centre Cultural Fellows are: Refik Anadol; Lil Buck; Anna Clyne; Bryce Dessner; Rhiannon Giddens; Sarah Jones; Taylor Mac; Sir Wayne McGregor; Suzan-Lori Parks; Anoushka Shankar; Dan Smith; Kae Tempest; Nitin Sawhney; and Bloomberg-Oxford Fellows Es Devlin, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Marshmallow Laser Feast.

The Schwarzman Centre’s 2026 programme presents two major focus themed seasons: Unfinished Revolutions (May to June) explores the legacy of the 1776 US Declaration of Independence, featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant, Taylor Mac, Anna Clyne and American street dance superstar Lil Buck. Utopia Now! (October – November) invites audiences to be inspired by Utopian thinking and imagines bold futures with highlights including a new commission by Nitin Sawhney and a History of Utopia, led by Brian Eno and Kim Stanley Robinson.

Other keynote performances throughout the year include a talk with Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo; an evening with Kae Tempest; ROBOTA, a new staging of Karel Capek’s R.U.R. by Headlong Theatre; a day-long exploration of the psalms curated by Edmund de Waal, in collaboration with Oxford scholars, the Aurora Orchestra and the Colin Currie Group. Sigur Rós will collaborate with spatial sound specialists Loss><Gain to create and present a new immersive 360-degree spatial audio experience. Local collaborations include the Leys Festival, as well as dance company Body Politic, Oxford International Song Festival and early music specialists Instruments of Time and Truth. Oxford alumna Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster, will chair a series of conversations exploring topics including AI and creativity, music, democracy and representation on stage and screen.
Alexandra Vincent MBE, Managing Director of Schwarzman Centre, University of Oxford, said: “We are thrilled to welcome audiences into the Schwarzman Centre to experience the building alongside students and academics of the University. Our incredible performance spaces will create a stage like no other to present our rich and varied cultural programme, drawing inspiration from the work of our world-leading academics, and welcoming audiences of all ages and backgrounds to the Centre throughout the year.”

John Fulljames, Director of the Cultural Programme, Schwarzman Centre, University of Oxford, said: “I’m delighted to see audiences engaging with such a breadth of work by internationally renowned artists. At the Schwarzman Centre, we bring together researchers, artists, and public communities to spark new collaborations that open up and deepen the University’s research, and help us explore what it means to be human today.”
Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor, University of Oxford, said: “This extraordinary investment by Stephen A. Schwarzman represents an enormous vote of confidence in the humanities. The launch of the Schwarzman Centre comes at a time when the perspectives of humanities experts have never been more important in confronting the big challenges facing the world, including AI, human rights and the environment. The benefits of bringing together outstanding students and researchers from so many disciplines in a state-of-the-art building will be felt for generations to come.”

Stephen A. Schwarzman, Patron, The Schwarzman Centre; and Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Blackstone, said: “I’m deeply proud to see students and faculty from across disciplines bring this incredible Centre to life. Its impact will further grow with the launch of the cultural programme next year, creating more opportunities for the public to engage with Oxford. When announcing this gift in 2019, I shared my belief that the study of the Humanities and Ethics were critical to addressing some of the most fundamental questions society faced, including the impacts of AI. The pace of change since then has only made those questions more urgent and reinforced the importance of Oxford’s global leadership in navigating today’s dynamic world.”

The Schwarzman Centre is not only an exemplary new architectural landmark for Oxford, but also an outstanding example of the highest standards of environmental sustainability as the largest Passivhaus certified university building in Europe.

The public performance spaces include: the 500-seat Sohmen Concert Hall, the world’s first Passivhaus concert hall complete with state-of-the-art flexible acoustics; a 250-seat theatre; a black box immersive performance space and a white box exhibition gallery; a dance studio; cinema; the Great Hall, a museum for the display of the renowned Bate Collection of historic musical instruments; a café and bar, all set in landscaped gardens.

The state-of-the-art spaces co-locates seven of Oxford University’s internationally recognised Humanities faculties for the first time: Music, English Language and Literature, History, Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics, Medieval and Modern Languages, Philosophy, and Theology and Religion. The Centre will also house the Institute for Ethics in AI, created in 2019 as part of the announcement of the Centre, the Oxford Internet Institute and the new Bodleian Humanities Library.

The Schwarzman Centre’s new collaboration with Bloomberg Connects, which supports the sharing of new and historical perspectives from the cultural programme’s renowned artists, writers, and thinkers, enables visitors to access exclusive content via the Connects app to add to their experience.

www.schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk


LISTINGS INFORMATION: OPEN HOUSE LAUNCH
SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2026

Open House Launch: 25 April 2026

This free-entry celebration brings the Schwarzman Centre to life with pop-up performances and events, from chamber choir Schola Cantorum with Nico Muhly and Es Devlin, poetry and spoken word from Alice Oswald and Yomi Ṣode,and more, taking place across the building.

Scottish Ensemble: Rising Sound with The Choir of Keble College, Oxford
25 April 2026: 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm
Sohmen Concert Hall
Free, ticket required
The Scottish Ensemble perform music for strings from memory, including an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s much-loved Serenade for Strings. The Choir of Keble College join Scottish Ensemble for Caroline Shaw’s And the swallow which explores antiphonal textures and imitative effects. From moments of despair to euphoria, this music embraces the full spectrum of human emotions.

ZooNation: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
25 April 2026: 11.30am, 1.15pm, 4pm, 5.45pm
Theatre
Free, ticket required
Step into the enchanting world of ZooNation’s The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a high-energy, 20-minute adaptation of the acclaimed production. Highlights of its original, hip-hop inspired numbers include “Wonderland”, “M.A.D”, “Hatter’s House” and “Funk It Up”. This vibrant remix of Alice in Wonderland reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic with the Queen of Hearts battling anger issues, Alice navigating her ever-changing size, and the Mad Hatter lost in an endless tea-time frenzy. Created by ZooNation’s Founder and Artistic Director, Kate Prince, this family-friendly showcase celebrates individuality through electrifying choreography and original music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde.

Great Hall Stage
25 April: 12pm
Great Hall
Schwarzman Centre
Featuring pop up performances throughout the day, the Great Hall Stage is at the heart of Open House. Professor Jieun Kiaer will explore the cultural world behind the story of KPop Demon Hunters, while award-winning poet Yomi Ṣode curates a series of live spoken word performances. Throughout the day, Head over Wheels, Justice in Motion, Body Politic YOUTH and The Cocoa Butter Club will perform special extracts, marking a display of culture, creativity and shared experience.

Is there such a thing as ethical AI?
25 April 2026: 4pm
Cinema
Schwarzman Centre
The Institute for Ethics in AI brings together leading voices to explore what ethical AI mean in practice, inviting visitors to engage with one of the most pressing questions shaping technology and society. The panel includes Kenneth Cukier (Deputy Executive Editor, The Economist), Ray Eitel-Porter (Senior Research Associate for Responsible AI, Intellectual Forum, University of Cambridge), Edward Harcourt (Director (Interim), Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford), Philipp Koralus (McCord Professor of Philosophy and AI, Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford), Amanda Stent (Head of AI Strategy and Research, Bloomberg).

Scottish Ensemble: Impulse, Music in Motion
25 April 2026: 5pm
Sohmen Concert Hall
Free, ticket required
The Scottish Ensemble perform music for strings from memory, Tchaikovsky’s much-loved Serenade for Strings and Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, in a unique, personal, and deeply human performance. Playing from memory, the musicians are unleashed through choreographed movements, devised in collaboration with choreographer Örjan Andersson. The emotional power of the music and the expressive gestures of the musicians will create an exhilarating experience that will make you see and hear these two iconic works afresh.

Es Devlin in Conversation
25 April 2026: 7.15pm
Sohmen Concert Hall
Free, ticket required
As part of 360 Vessels – A Choral Installation, artist Es Devlin convened a day-long studio encounter with leaders across technology, academia, media, culture and policy. In this conversation Es Devlin reflects on the ideas and provocations that emerged from working hands-on with earth and clay, exploring the ethical and creative questions of what remains uniquely human in the act of creation amidst the rise of artificial intelligence.

Es Devlin and Nico Muhly with Schola Cantorum: 360 Vessels – A Choral Installation
25 April 2026: 8.30pm
Great Hall
Free, Ticket Required
Artist Es Devlin, who is a Bloomberg-Oxford Fellow, and composer Nico Muhly join forces for 360 Vessels, a new choral installation created for the Schwarzman Centre’s launch day. Beneath the Great Hall’s glass dome, 360 hand-made clay vessels will form a circular landscape amidst the audience as Schola Cantorum, the Oxford University Chamber Choir, conducted by Stephen Grahl, perform a specially commissioned choral work by American composer Nico Muhly. The texts within Muhly’s choral work are drawn from the Dominican roots on which the study of humanities at Oxford University is founded, as well as the words of Thomas Traherne, 17th century theologian and poet who graduated from Brasenose College in April 1652. The vessels were shaped in a series of workshops developed by Es Devlin in collaboration with the Institute for Ethics in AI as part of her Bloomberg-Oxford Fellowship.

Anna Ridler: A Perfect Language of Images
25 April – 25 May 2026
Open daily
Great Hall
For nearly a decade, Anna Ridler has explored the creative and societal possibilities of artificial intelligence, building her own datasets to ask questions about how knowledge is made and shared. For her latest commission, Ridler draws on cutting-edge scientific research happening at Oxford to create a new screen-based work for the Great Hall, continuing her exploration of natural history, science, and society. An Oxford University alumna, her work has been shown at major institutions worldwide, from the V&A to the Centre Pompidou, and she has been recognised by Ars Electronica and by Artnet as one of nine “pioneering artists” exploring AI’s creative potential.

Refik Anadol: Archive Dreaming: Large Nature Model — Oxford
25 April – 6 June 2026
Open daily
White Box
Archive Dreaming: Large Nature Model — Oxford is an immersive fusion of data and machine intelligence. This installation transforms a vast digital archive into a dynamic, dream-like experience, using AI algorithms to reimagine millions of documents in real time. As viewers enter the space, they are surrounded by a flow of visuals, constantly shifting patterns, text, and images that evoke the sensation of walking through a living, thinking mind. The work uses Refik Anadol Studio’s Large Nature Model, the first generative AI model dedicated entirely to nature, and reflects on how archives are no longer static repositories, but living entities that can be explored and visualised through technology. Anadol’s use of machine learning turns raw data into a poetic experience, challenging the boundaries between human memory and artificial intelligence. Refik Anadol is a Schwarzman Centre Cultural Fellow.

Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities
University of Oxford
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Oxford OX2 6AH
schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk

Fans once again responded in massive numbers, reaffirming the immense global anticipation for European basketball’s premier event. The speed at which each sales phase sold out highlights the unmatched appeal of the Final Four, as fans from across Europe and beyond secured their place in Athens for the season’s ultimate showdown.

With demand consistently exceeding supply throughout all four sales phases, the 2026 edition is set to be one of the most sought-after Final Fours in EuroLeague history.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to official EuroLeague channels for any further updates or information regarding the event.

This special recital offers audiences a cross-cultural journey through a rich and diverse repertoire, featuring works by Özkan Manav, Ahmed Adnan Saygun, Béla Bartók, Manuel de Falla, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Robert Schumann, and Claude Debussy. Spanning Türkiye, Hungary, Spain, England, France, and Germany, the programme highlights how composers have drawn on folk music to create distinctive and deeply expressive musical languages.

Throughout the evening, audiences will be guided by brief spoken introductions, offering insight into the origins of the works and the composers’ engagement with traditional music. Particular focus will be given to the pioneering fieldwork of Ahmed Adnan Saygun and Béla Bartók in Anatolia, illuminating shared cultural threads and musical heritage.

The concert will last approximately 90 minutes, in two parts, plus a 20-minute interval.

Taking place on 23 April, the performance also marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a celebration of culture, heritage, and future generations.

Performers

Pınar Çelik Warsi (piano)
Born in Istanbul, Pınar Çelik Warsi studied at Istanbul University State Conservatory before continuing her training at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. An award-winning pianist, she has performed internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician, appearing in major venues across Europe and collaborating with leading orchestras.

Ben Tarlton (cello)
London-based cellist Ben Tarlton has performed at renowned venues including Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, and the Barbican. A graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he enjoys a varied career as a performer, teacher, and festival director. He will join the Mithras Trio in 2026 and performs on a William Forster cello.

Event Details

Date: 23 April 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: World Heart Beat, 3 Ponton Road, London SW11 7BD

Tickets & Information:
https://worldheartbeat.org/whats-on/event/from-anatolia-to-europe-folk-echoes-for-cello-and-piano/

About Yunus Emre Institute

Yunus Emre Institute in London is dedicated to promoting Turkish culture, arts, and language in the UK. Through concerts, exhibitions, talks, and educational programmes, the Institute fosters cultural exchange and dialogue between Türkiye and the UK.

About World Heart Beat

World Heart Beat is a music academy in London offering lessons, performance opportunities, and industry training, helping young people from all backgrounds develop their talent and creativity.

In statements to the European press, Musa described himself as “a London-born Turkish Cypriot strength athlete,” emphasizing that his achievement carries great personal meaning as well as significance for his community.

90-day continuous strength challenge

Musa’s record-breaking program was as follows:

• Days 1–60: 300 kg farmer’s walk every day
• Days 61–90: 220 kg squat every day
• Total: 90 consecutive days with no rest days

The athlete described the process as “a continuous and extremely intense test of strength,” saying he constantly pushed himself beyond his limits.

Musa stated:

“With this major strength challenge I recently completed, I achieved a world record. The challenge had such a big impact that the Islington Tribune covered it.”

“As a Turkish Cypriot athlete, it is a great honour for me to represent the Turkish community in London.”

Strongman career

Musa, who began strength sports six years ago, says he has been involved in sports since childhood and was raised by a father with a professional boxing background. He is currently taking a break from his career to prepare for professional strongman competitions.

Musa’s story is being seen as a notable achievement in both endurance sports and for Turkish Cypriot diaspora athletes.

ACI Europe’s director general, Olivier Jankovec, warned that a disruption in fuel supply would significantly impact airport operations and air connectivity, potentially causing severe economic consequences across Europe. He added that if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen in a stable manner within three weeks, a widespread jet fuel shortage in the EU could become unavoidable.

Airlines have already begun reducing flight schedules and increasing ticket prices due to fuel supply worries. European jet fuel prices recently reached a record high of $1,838 per tonne, nearly double the level seen before the war began.

Jankovec called on the European Union to take immediate action, arguing that market forces alone would not be sufficient to manage the crisis. He also criticized the lack of coordinated EU monitoring of jet fuel supply and production.

ACI Europe has proposed joint EU fuel purchasing and temporary easing of certain import restrictions. The group also highlighted the need to support the production and affordability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), noting that conventional jet fuel prices are expected to stay high in the long term.

According to the letter dated April 9 and reported by the Financial Times, airports handling fewer than one million passengers annually are already under financial strain, even before considering fuel shortages. Jankovec warned that the situation could further weaken regional airports and negatively affect local communities across Europe.

Press conference held at 10.00am in Aldgate Stoke White LLP. Prosecutor faces unfounded and irresponsible last-minute intervention from Israeli NGO. UN has already found Mavi Marmara and Gaza Freedom Flotilla attack by Israeli forces disproportionate; Pre-trial chamber at ICC also recommends Prosecutor to reconsider opening an investigation. First time British victims have come together to call for non-interference in ICC investigation.Victims see smear campaign to paint them as violent and terrorists as abhorrent. A last-minute intervention by an Israeli NGO to halt investigations into the alleged crimes that led to 10 deaths and injured many more aboard the Mavi Marmara. The victims – 37 different nationalities - continue to seek justice through the ICC. Some, including the victims attending tomorrow’s press conference, have received life-changing bullet-wound injuries.