Paralympian Mohammad Barrangi hopes his work will help people think of human stories behind headlines about migrationA decade ago, the artist Mohammad Barrangi was representing Iran as a Paralympic sprinter and was ridiculously speedy. “My best time for the 100 metres was 10.72 seconds, in Tunisia,” he says with understandable pride. “I have friends...

Oscar-winner is first Australian actor to receive honour as Meryl Streep says it is ‘impossible not to be in awe of her’Nicole Kidman has been honoured with an American Film Institute life achievement award at a ceremony in which stars shared stories of “quite simply one of the greatest actresses”.The Oscar-winner became the first Australian actor to...

The lives of two east London teenagers become fatally entwined in an assured debut novel addressing themes of masculinity and marginalisationEver wondered what you’d do if your musical hero got cancelled? This crushing scenario is brought to life in an impressive first novel by Nicolas Padamsee (one of the Observer’s best 2024 debut novelists). A nuanced...

DeBose plays a research scientist caught between increasingly at odds astronauts and cosmonauts in Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s credulity-stretching sci-fi dramaFast-tracked through the space programme, rising star research scientist Dr Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose) finally makes it to the International Space Station. There, she is welcomed by her new colleagues:...

Paralympian Mohammad Barrangi hopes his work will help people think of human stories behind headlines about migrationA decade ago the artist Mohammad Barrangi was representing Iran as an elite Paralympic sprinter and was ridiculously speedy.“My best time for the 100 metres was 10.72 seconds, in Tunisia,” he says with understandable pride. “I have friends...

Usher Hall, Edinburgh The indie artist deploys her songs like controlled explosions as she turns the stage into a cabaret, a circus, a cageA curtain hangs centre stage, as if set for a magician’s disappearing act. Mitski, barely visible in a black dress and tights, gazes at it longingly before ducking behind it. Her silhouette is thrown on to the drapes,...