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In an interview with Finn Beames about his debut production, *Quiet Songs*, currently showing at the Barbican in London, the writer, director, and composer discussed the intricacies of his semi-autobiographical tale. Starring the Oscar-nominated Ruth Negga as the Boy, the play explores the challenges of a queer adolescent grappling with identity and acceptance in a rigid educational environment.

Beames described the show’s opening scene, which features a string quartet in school uniforms using their bows to scrape against swords while the Boy recounts his anxieties about school bullies who taunt him for his changing voice. “It’s a slight but strange undertaking, capturing that uncomfortable transition from childhood to adolescence,” he noted. Negga’s performance straddles the line between youthful awkwardness and teenage self-awareness, as she gracefully navigates the bare stage, revealing the struggles of a character torn between societal norms and personal truths.

At the heart of *Quiet Songs* lies a straightforward narrative, adorned with layers of complexity. Beames explained how the Boy feels isolated at his regressive school due to the sound of his voice. “There’s this underlying wish to bypass the awkward phase of change to blend in and keep his emerging desires under wraps,” he emphasized. “But taking control of his narrative leads to unintended consequences.”

The production, while ambitious, has moments that some might find distracting. Beames acknowledged that the use of swords—both as props and symbols—along with elaborate choreographed movements, can momentarily divert attention from the core storyline. The lighting, designed by Bethany Gupwell, shifts dramatically from the starkness of a classroom to complete darkness, which at times obscures Negga’s performance.

However, Beames remarked on the moments when the quartet plays in harmony with Negga’s character, creating an almost hypnotic experience. “There’s a poignant sequence where the underscoring enhances the Boy’s narration of a crush, cycling through excitement to longing, and then to painful humiliation,” he said. “These moments resurrect the raw, tumultuous feelings of adolescence and highlight the potential dangers that accompany unfulfilled desires.”

Despite its flaws, Beames expressed hope that *Quiet Songs* resonates with audiences, presenting a heartfelt narrative that may sometimes feel unsteady, but captures the essence of a significant coming-of-age journey. The show runs at the Barbican until November 2nd.

Recently, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced a new initiative titled “Empowering Rural Areas through Architect and Engineer Engagement.” The program aims to mobilize over 10,000 architects and engineers over the next two years to provide professional services in towns and villages, cultivating a talented workforce knowledgeable in rural construction practices, equipped with multidisciplinary skills, and deeply connected to local communities to enhance rural construction and management standards.

By the end of 2024, the goal is to achieve a contract signing rate of over 50% between administrative villages and architects or engineers. A robust mechanism for engaging these professionals in rural areas is expected to take shape. By the end of 2025, this signing rate is projected to exceed 60%, establishing a high-quality talent pool led by architects and engineers dedicated to rural development. The initiative also seeks to produce high-quality rural construction outcomes and share successful experiences that can be replicated.

In terms of developing high-quality talent, Zhejiang plans to engage skilled architects and engineers from surveying, design, cost estimation, and supervision firms to lead rural service efforts. Local enterprises will be encouraged to partner with towns and villages and leverage the exemplary role of党员建筑师和工程师 (党员 means a member of the Communist Party of China), in promoting and guiding these efforts. Additionally, there will be a public recruitment campaign for volunteers willing to work in rural areas.

Participating architects and engineers will be expected to provide mentoring and training to local construction managers, craftsmen, and residents, helping to build local expertise in rural construction.

Regarding technical support, architects and engineers in rural areas can operate alone or in teams, effectively distinguishing between volunteer and fee-based services. General consulting, training, and advisory services will be offered free of charge, while more specialized services will require a mutual agreement on fees outlined in a formal contract, ensuring compliance with legal procurement procedures.

Moreover, these professionals will need to take a holistic approach in integrating rural construction and development, using their expertise to enhance housing, infrastructure, and public service facilities. This alignment aims to meet the evolving needs of villagers and expand opportunities for agricultural development, ultimately contributing to rural revitalization.

To sustain this initiative, the notice mandates that housing and urban-rural development departments consolidate resources, enhance coordination, and address challenges faced by architects and engineers engaged in rural service. Towns and villages are encouraged to actively involve these professionals in all aspects of rural development and to ensure necessary support for their projects. Enterprises are also urged to back their architects and engineers in delivering comprehensive service.

Additionally, architects and engineers who receive positive evaluations for their rural service will be given preferential treatment in professional title assessments and continuing education credits. Specifically, those who have served for more than a year with excellent reviews may earn additional points toward ethical evaluations, while those providing over 20 workdays of on-site service within a year can be credited with 60 hours of continuing education.

The initiative is set to take effect on November 11.

In a recent interview, current and former staff members of the Washington Post expressed their outrage following the newspaper’s shocking announcement that it would not endorse any candidates in the upcoming US presidential election. This marks the first time in over three decades that the editorial board has refrained from making an endorsement.

Will Lewis, the publisher, revealed this unprecedented decision on Friday, igniting a wave of criticism from journalists and media professionals. Some staffers allege that Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of the Post, played a significant role in quashing a potential endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Columnist Karen Attiah described the decision as an “absolute stab in the back,” saying, “What an insult to those of us who have literally put our careers and lives on the line, to call out threats to human rights and democracy.”

The union representing the editorial staff expressed deep concern about the timing of this decision, particularly with an “immensely consequential election” just days away. They underscored the purpose of the Editorial Board: to share opinions on current events and endorse candidates to guide the readership. Reports emerged that a draft endorsement for Harris existed before the decision to withhold it was made.

The backlash has already resulted in subscription cancellations from loyal readers, with approximately 2,000 subscriptions dropped within 24 hours of the announcement. Marty Baron, the former executive editor, lamented that the decision reflects “cowardice” and compromises democracy, while David Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter at the Post, stated, “The paper I’ve loved working at for 47 years is dying in darkness.”

Former editor Robert McCartney weighed in, calling the choice “appalling,” and it has been reported that Robert Kagan, the newspaper’s editor at large, plans to resign from the editorial board as a result.

Former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, criticized the decision as “hypocritical,” referencing the newspaper’s slogan “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” which was adopted under Bezos’s ownership. She said, “This is the most hypocritical, chicken-shit move from a publication that is supposed to hold people in power to account.”

On social media, terms like “Democracy Dies in Darkness” and “WaPo” began trending, with reports indicating that the furor within the organization led the chief tech officer to restrict readers’ inquiries regarding the decision not to endorse a candidate.

The first-ever Chao Xu Multiplicity Art Festival is taking place in Guangzhou from October 11 to 13, featuring an immersive experience zone showcasing intangible cultural heritage, an exhibition of up-and-coming young artists, and a creative arts market. This festival aims to establish a collaborative platform for young artists and provide a fresh model for the production, study, and development of cultural arts, with a focus on discovering more emerging talents.

Located in Panyu, the University Town of Guangzhou hosts 12 prestigious universities and around 200,000 students and faculty, making it a vital source of innovation in the region. The festival features a “Guangzhou in Intangible Heritage” experience zone and a creative arts market where local intangible cultural heritage masters present and discuss traditions closely tied to everyday life. Attendees can also participate in hands-on workshops to deepen their appreciation for this cultural heritage.

The bustling creative arts market is entirely student-organized, featuring trendy designs alongside handcrafted items that innovate traditional crafts. It showcases the original design talents of the students themselves.

Industry insiders highlight that young artists can engage with practitioners of Southern China’s traditional techniques like Tongcao painting, paper cutting, olive stone carving, and flower pressing. This interaction is expected to spark new creative ideas and enthusiasm. By blending contemporary artistic expressions with traditional practices, the festival aims to invigorate both art forms and audiences alike, anticipating the emergence of refreshing artistic works.

A key highlight of the festival is the exhibition of internet-savvy young artists, showcasing 77 works across 12 categories, all created by students from local universities. This exhibition focuses on the theme of what art will look like in the digital age.

Among the notable pieces, one called “Tenderness” has drawn significant attention. The artist shared, “This festival not only addresses the survival challenges artists face in the internet era but also aims to explore the profound transformation of artistic forms and aesthetic tastes.”

One of the event’s organizers, the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, brings substantial academic resources, creative talent, and research capabilities to the festival. Wu Yangbo, the head of the Art Management Department at the Academy, emphasized, “We hope to enhance students’ ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical skills through various collaborations, including establishing training bases, hosting art exhibitions, and conducting creative workshops. This endeavor aims to ignite innovative thinking and creative enthusiasm among both faculty and students.”

In a recent interview regarding the political landscape in New York City, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Letitia James are being viewed as strong contenders to potentially replace Mayor Eric Adams, according to a new poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College. The poll, which surveyed 853 voters at the end of October and was released on October 26, reveals that a significant majority of New Yorkers believe it’s time for Adams to step down, with 53% in favor of his resignation.

Adding to the urgency, 52% of respondents expressed concerns about Adams facing federal bribery and fraud allegations. Only 26% of voters expressed satisfaction with his performance as mayor.

Adams’ unpopularity has been apparent for some time, but these latest findings intensify worries within the Democratic Party regarding his re-election prospects. The poll indicates that a mere 12% of Democratic voters support him, while Cuomo and James command 22% and 19% support, respectively.

As the second African American mayor in New York City’s history, Adams also struggles with support from African American voters, only 15% of whom say they would back him again.

In response to the calls for his resignation, Adams has firmly stated his intention to remain in office and promised to address the allegations against him. On October 23, during an appearance on News 12’s “Ask the Mayor,” he said, “I always adhere to legal standards and look forward to responding to the questions in the investigation.” When pressed about whether he would resign if convicted, Adams declined to answer, noting, “I work every day to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me by the voters.”

This marks the second detrimental poll for Adams in recent weeks; a previous Marist Poll showed that following his indictment, 69% of New Yorkers supported his resignation. However, only 47% of voters wanted Governor Kathy Hochul to take steps to remove him from office.

While Cuomo and James have yet to formally announce their candidacies, their polling numbers significantly surpass Adams’, particularly among African American voters. Cuomo enjoys a 26% favorability within this demographic, while James follows closely with 21%.

In addition to the pressure from federal investigations, Adams faces an increasing number of challengers. Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor on October 22, becoming the fifth Democratic challenger to Adams. Other declared candidates include City Comptroller Brad Lander, former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, and State Assemblywoman Jessica Ramos.

In a recent inspection of 114 cruise ships, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has released a list of the ten dirtiest vessels. Have you been on any of these?

According to the latest version of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, cruise ships are rated on a scale from 0 to 100 based on cleanliness, with ten ships scoring below 89. The CDC designates scores of 86 or higher as “satisfactory,” while anything below that is deemed unsatisfactory.

The worst-performing cruise ship this year was the Hanseatic Inspiration operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which scored just 62. Following closely, the second dirtiest ship identified by the CDC was Bahama Mama from Balearia Caribbean, with a score of 69. The Safari Endeavour, operated by Un-Cruise Adventures, came in third with a score of 79.

The remaining seven ships on the CDC’s list, although scoring above the “satisfactory” threshold, still exhibited poor performance. These include AIDAaura, Caribbean Princess, Carnival Breeze, Evrima, Kydon, MSC Magnifica, and the National Geographic Sea Lion.

While the scores provide some insight, the report highlighted alarming violations aboard some of these ships. These included dirty beer taps, live or dead insects found in kitchens and pool bars, a barbecue grill housing a maggot-infested rotten bird, missing pool hair filtration disinfection records, and improper food storage and cooling practices. Following the report’s release, several cruise operators stated they would investigate these issues.

Interestingly, the report also pointed out over 20 cruise ships that achieved perfect scores of 100. These include Carnival Spirit, Zuiderdam, Viking Orion, Seabourn Odyssey, Norwegian Jewel, Oceania Regatta, Radiance of the Seas, MSC Meraviglia, Norwegian Bliss, MSC Seashore, Norwegian Sky, Brilliance of the Seas, Viking Polaris, Celebrity Equinox, Norwegian Escape, Explora I, Disney Fantasy, Celebrity Ascent, Viking Sky, Celebrity Beyond, Voyager of the Seas, and Carnival Panorama.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program conducts annual inspections of cruise ship operations to ensure they maintain hygiene standards and to prevent and control the spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses that may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.

In a recent interview, I spoke with Adrian Horton about his thoughts on the controversial film *The Apprentice*, which chronicles Donald Trump’s rise in New York during the 1970s and 80s. Despite its struggles to gain traction in the U.S., the film has found a more receptive audience abroad.

“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t eager to watch *The Apprentice*,” Horton confessed. “Like many in my liberal circles, I just thought, ‘Why would I spend two hours watching this?’ The portrayal of a younger, somewhat altered Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as his controversial mentor Roy Cohn felt unnecessary, given the numerous narratives surrounding Trump that I wish to move past.”

However, Horton noted that the film, written by Gabriel Sherman and directed by Ali Abbasi, surprised him with its straightforward approach. “While it covers familiar territory, it attempts to offer an honest portrayal of a deeply polarizing figure. Despite the backlash from politically aligned audiences and Trump’s own criticisms—calling it a ‘politically disgusting hatchet job’—I found it sincere in its intent. Sherman expressed a hope that viewers would engage with it independently of their political biases.”

Yet, Horton recognized that this sentiment would likely resonate poorly with American audiences, especially in an election year. “As I watched Stan effectively embody Trump’s nuances and Strong capture Cohn’s eerie demeanor, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Americans, weary of political narratives, wouldn’t embrace the film. It might resonate better with international viewers who don’t face Trump’s presence daily or grasp the nuances of his celebrity as we do.”

The film’s domestic performance reflects this sentiment. During its opening weekend, it grossed only $1.6 million across 1,740 theaters—far from the expected box-office success for an awards contender. “It seems to have found its audience primarily in liberal cities like New York and Los Angeles. In contrast, it has performed better internationally, earning $835,000 in the UK and over $623,000 in France,” Horton explained.

He attributed the film’s lackluster launch in America to various challenges, including distribution hurdles tied to Trump’s influence. “The film faced significant obstacles after its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. Reports indicated that its principal financier had concerns about a scene depicting an alleged incident involving Trump and Ivana. This led to backlash from Trump’s legal team and thus stalled distribution efforts, with major companies turning it down.”

Horton added that the film only reached theaters thanks to a Kickstarter campaign and last-minute support from the independent label Briarcliff Entertainment. “They had a mere five weeks to market the film, and many U.S. networks refused to air promotional spots during political coverage, further complicating its release.”

Ultimately, Horton described *The Apprentice* as an outsider’s view of Trump, created largely by a cast and crew from outside the U.S. “That perspective, while important, can be a tough sell here. Overall, the film is well-crafted and earnest in its depiction of Trump’s extensive reporting. Yet, it doesn’t offer many new insights. Trump has long been consistent in his persona, and one could argue there’s little left to uncover about him.”

Still, he articulated an understanding of the filmmakers’ desire for viewers to remain open-minded. “It’s about challenging the social dynamics at play in American society, which extend beyond Trump. As Abbasi noted, it may not provide new knowledge, but it could evoke different feelings—like discomfort or provoke thoughts on our own fatigue with the subject.”

Despite these intentions, Horton recognizes the barriers the film faces in connecting with American audiences. “While the filmmakers hope for a fair viewing, it’s clear that their message isn’t gaining traction here in the U.S.”

On October 25th, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) held a promotion ceremony at the Queens Police Academy, honoring nearly 200 officers. Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon presented each officer with their new ranks and certificates, including over a dozen Asian American officers. Among them, Chinese American Captains Ronald Cheng and Sam Zheng were promoted to Deputy Inspectors.

The ceremony recognized a total of 172 officers across various ranks, including 13 Asian Americans who received promotions to positions such as Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Notably, the highest-ranking Asian American officers promoted that day were Ronald Cheng and Sam Zheng. Cheng began his career with the NYPD in July 2005 and has served nearly 20 years in the Patrol Services Bureau and the Housing Bureau.

Earlier in his career, Cheng patrolled the 122nd precinct for five years and then served as a Sergeant at the 71st precinct for four years. After his promotion to Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 77th precinct for special assignments. In his past three years as an officer, Cheng has held the position of deputy inspector in the fourth, fifth, and sixth housing precincts. He currently leads the fourth housing precinct, overseeing all government housing in the Manhattan lower downtown area, which includes a significant number of Chinese residents.

A proud graduate of SUNY Stony Brook with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Cheng is fluent in Cantonese. He expressed that his promotion is a recognition of the hard work he has put into his career. Reflecting on his position as the first Chinese American commanding officer in the fourth housing precinct, he shared that his journey began after he became a victim of crime at a young age, inspiring him to join the NYPD. While attending college, he experienced a street attack, which fueled his desire to help the community and ensure others wouldn’t go through what he did.

At 42 years old, Cheng described his background, noting that his parents immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1970s, with his father hailing from Hong Kong. Many family members attended the ceremony to support him. As is customary following promotions, he may soon be reassigned; however, he indicated he will continue to fulfill his current role until directed otherwise. Cheng encouraged fellow Asian Americans with a motivational message: “Work hard; we have many opportunities. If you keep putting in the effort, you will see results.”

Also present at the ceremony was Mo Hu, the founding president of the Asian American Police Officers Association (AAPEX), who emphasized the significance of Cheng and Zheng’s promotions. He noted that one was born in New York while the other immigrated at the age of 14, highlighting the contributions made by immigrants and their children through hard work and determination. Since 2019, the association has supported the professional development of Asian American officers, and currently, 25 out of 61 members have reached the rank of Deputy Inspector or higher, with 19 having been promoted in the last three years.

Among those promoted to probationary Sergeants that day were Qiang Chen and Eric Liang, along with other officers such as Karyn B. Kim, Sonia C. Yi, Vincent Ching, Edward Lam, Jack Deng, Nicholas Hom, and Monica Chong.

On October 19th and 20th, Hainan’s provincial government will hold a simultaneous autumn campus recruitment event titled “Gathering Hainan: Four Cities, One Event” across 16 universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan.

Themed “Attracting Talent from All Directions to Build a Free Trade Port Together,” this initiative combines a large-scale recruitment fair with targeted campus engagement, aligning with Hainan’s “4+3+3” modern industrial system development. The focus will be on attracting specialized talent in the new quality productivity sector, promoted under the “Five Priorities for Strengthening Development” initiative.

The recruitment activities will kick off with ceremonies at Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, South China University of Technology, and Wuhan University. Based on talent and project requirements, recruitment teams will also be deployed to select universities, including Peking University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, facilitating direct, face-to-face discussions and targeted recruitment efforts. Additionally, there will be dedicated presentations for selected candidates.

At the recruitment venues, attendees can expect a variety of specialized areas, including exhibition booths from companies, a job overview section, a talent policy showcase, assessment zones, regional displays from cities and counties, interview and negotiation spaces, direct hiring and signing areas, as well as a “live-streaming for jobs” section. Participants will have access to job information through QR codes linking to an online recruitment platform and policy brochures, allowing both on-site and remote students to submit their resumes.

According to officials from Hainan’s Talent Development Bureau, this recruitment initiative sends a strong signal of the Free Trade Port’s respect for and demand for talent. Currently, a total of 593 enterprises and institutions have registered to participate, offering 14,479 quality job opportunities.

On October 23, China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs held a press conference titled “Civil Affairs in the Past Five Years.” During this event, Zhu Yujun, Deputy Director-General and Senior Inspector of the Social Affairs Department, shared that as of the end of September 2024, a total of 416,000 couples have benefited from the cross-province marriage registration service.

Zhu highlighted that over the past five years, the Ministry has fully implemented the decisions and policies of the Central Committee and the State Council, focusing on the needs and expectations of the public. With a spirit of innovation and reform, the Ministry has made significant progress in various areas of social affairs.

One of the key achievements mentioned was the enhancement of marriage management services. The Ministry has concentrated on the public’s desire for better marriages and families, optimizing marriage registration services and introducing more beneficial measures to promote harmonious families. The initiative to allow marriage registration across provincial lines has gained momentum, with 21 provinces now participating, covering 78.5% of the national population. By September 2024, 416,000 couples had registered their marriages through this cross-province service. Additionally, over 1,800 wedding custom reform pilot units have been established to encourage innovative and culturally relevant marriage practices, catering to younger generations’ preferences for “simple yet sophisticated, romantic yet sustainable” wedding ceremonies. The establishment of over 270 park-based marriage registration sites further enhances the quality of service and setting.

Zhu also emphasized advancements in welfare for people with disabilities. The Ministry has prioritized establishing a more comprehensive social welfare system, leading to significant improvements in services for disabled individuals. The enhancement of the two subsidy systems for people with disabilities has expanded coverage to 11.89 million disadvantaged individuals and 16.11 million with severe disabilities. Ongoing projects targeting mental health facilities and community rehabilitation services for individuals with mental disorders have also been implemented, alongside the introduction of a national innovation pilot for rehabilitation equipment.

Furthermore, Zhu discussed progress in funeral services. The Ministry has been focused on developing regulations that prioritize public welfare in the funeral industry. Recent policies on ecological burial practices and funeral service reforms have strengthened management standards. Approximately 178 billion yuan has been invested in constructing around 16,800 public cemeteries and over 3,350 public columbariums to support beneficiary burial services across all provinces.

Lastly, Zhu talked about improvements in the disaster relief management system. The Ministry has worked to reinforce the mechanisms for providing aid, contributing to over 4.35 million temporary assistance cases and helping over 70,000 individuals reunite with their families. Special relief actions are conducted annually to support individuals facing difficulties during extreme weather, and efforts to optimize care services at relief stations have also been emphasized.

As the Ministry continues to enhance its services and policies, it aims to cultivate a supportive and compassionate society for all citizens.