31 May, 2024

Hello. From Sydney Sweeney's wonderfully creepy horror movie Immaculate to the fun and imaginative indie crime thriller Love Lies Bleeding, 2024 has already been a stellar year for new films. In our feature below, our film critics highlight eight of the best releases so far. Also in this edition is a long-read on the legal battle being fought over butter chicken, plus we share some rather nerve-racking footage from the UK's annual cheese rolling competition. We'll be back in your inbox on Tuesday.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES The eight best films of the year so far BBC Culture film critics Nicholas Barber and Caryn James's picks include a vision of a war-torn America, a wonderfully creepy nun horror and an outrageous Kristen Stewart crime thriller. Read more

The violent last painting that sums up Caravaggio The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula is a neat distillation of everything that made the Italian artist such a fascinating figure. ‌ Read more >‌ Why butter chicken is such a contentious curry The dish beloved around the world is now at the heart of a legal battle being waged by two of India's oldest restaurants. ‌ Read more >‌ A 220km trek to the roof of the world The Lower Dolpo Circuit is a great way to experience one of Asia's oldest religions and search for an elusive animal. ‌ Read more >‌ When the BBC banned the Sex Pistols With its provocative title and controversial lyrics, here's how the 1977 record God Save the Queen managed to spark outrage. ‌ Read more >‌

ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS Ukraine's children are having to adapt to survive  Right across the country, young people have experienced loss, fear and anxiety since Russia invaded in 2022. ‌ Read more >‌ The satellites that can peer almost everywhere SAR allows satellites to bounce radar  signals off the ground and interpret the echo, and it can even peer through clouds. ‌ Read more >‌ How the British Museum theft was exposed In 2020, a Danish antiquities dealer began to suspect an eBay seller was a thief who was stealing from the London institution. ‌ Read more >‌

ESSENTIAL WATCHLIST How everyday items could help keep older people safe AI linked to items like kettles could send an alert if an elderly person has diverted from their normal routine. Watch now > Why do women sleep worse than men? According to a recent study, biological sex can affect how well a person sleeps at night.  Watch now > Highlights from the UK's annual cheese rolling competition  There was laughter, cheering and a whole lot of bruises at this year's cheese rolling event. Watch now >

ESSENTIAL LISTENING  The recognition of a Palestinian state Spain, Ireland and Norway have recognised a Palestinian state. Katya Adler asks the BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale what this acknowledgment of statehood could mean for Palestinians. Listen here