Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern is the first major interrogation of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s legacy in London for 25 years. It already has more advance sales than any exhibition in Tate history.

The title puts the visitor on first name terms with someone who died in 1954. Yet despite the many privileged glimpses into Kahlo’s life, from photographs, to objects, and – of course – her work, the show is more about ubiquity than intimacy.

The opening sections of the show are brilliant. Immediately to the left of the entrance are two photographs taken by Kahlo’s father when the painter was 18. In one, she is seated in ¾ profile, wearing a dress and holding a book, if not withdrawn, thoughtful. In the other she is pictured with her sisters and their cousins. She stands, slightly taller, in the centre, dressed in one of her father’s suits, one hand in her pocket. She stares out of the picture, with an outwardly directed intensity.

The photographs were taken just months after Kahlo was involved in a bus accident that resulted in a life of periodic surgery. This trauma, among others, is a motif in her work. The seated Kahlo tucks her damaged right leg behind the other; the standing Kahlo holds a walking stick in her right hand. These two images contain the promise of the show: suffering, introversion, defiance, self-presentation, representation and our understanding of these acts today.

Here there are several self-portraits that chart the development of Kahlo’s artistic voice. Her first, Self-Portrait (in a Velvet Dress) (1926) shows a debt to European influence, a synthesis of Italian Mannerism and Art Nouveau. Much more direct and disturbing is the charismatic Self-Portrait with Loose Hair (1947). The background is a slab of the volcanic rock of her homeland. This has the effect of dramatically compressing the implicit space between the image and the viewer: it’s a powerfully psychological presentation of her own creation.

But Frida: The Making of an Icon is not really an exhibition of Kahlo’s work. It is a cataloguing of her legacy. There are only 30 or so works by the artist herself, but very many more by her contemporaries and her successors. It is rich and rewarding to see her work in the context of her Mexican contemporaries, among them Olga Costa and the melancholy Manuel Rodríguez Lozano. It helps to ground Kahlo’s work, showing it, as it were, in its first moment.

À lire aussi :
How Tate Modern is serving up Frida Kahlo – from canvas to cuisine

There is a similarly rewarding collection of her Surrealist contemporaries: the sparkling canvas by Jacqueline Lamba, Untitled (For Frida) of 1944 is a joy.

As the show demonstrates, Kahlo’s work has been adopted by an astonishingly heterodox group of marginalised people. She is a symbol of the power of self-invention on one’s own terms, even – or especially – in adversity.

Later sections are given to her influence on art and activism, from feminist, to queer and disabled practice. By showing Kahlo alongside artists like Berenice Olmedo, whose work uses prosthetics to reframe the human as “an open process of self-construction”, as Olmedo puts it in the catalogue, or Martine Gutierrez’s exploration of trans identity, or Las Yeguas del Apocalipsis, whose 1989 restaging of Kahlo’s Las dos Fridas exercised queer visibility at the height of the Aids epidemic, the curators show how salient Kahlo’s example is to other artists – artists whose work might otherwise not be seen by a gallery-going public.

Agency and the afterlife

The development of bodily and artistic autonomy is a thread running through the show. But it is not uncomplicated. Even in the first part of the exhibition, there’s a sequence of photographs by her friend, the dealer Julien Levy, that strike an off-note. These expose Kahlo naked from the waist up, un-tressing her hair. The photographs feel voyeuristic, strikingly not self-composed, vulnerable and not on her own terms. She appears to have little agency here – she has either given it to him, or he’s taken it from her.

As I made my way through the later, post-mortem parts of the exhibition, given over to documenting the many homages, quotations and reinterpretations of her work, my mind came back to these photographs.

With laudable scholarly thoroughness, the curators map the many empowering gifts that Kahlo’s legacy provides. But there is another side to this exchange. Toward the end of the show, I felt that Kahlo was not being honoured, but bleached. Post-mortem, what agency can Kahlo exercise, as her image is endlessly remade?

Artistic legacies are always collaborative. The work an artist leaves behind is kept vital through reinterpretation, critical study, homage, collection and display. There are few artists who have given the world such a recognisable image and such an open proposition. It is now more than 70 years since Kahlo’s death, and the show’s centre of gravity is not in Kahlo’s work – but rather in what happened next.

As the visitor moves toward the final room, a display of folk art adoptions of her image and somewhat tasteless merch, they are primed to exercise their wallet in the gift shop. The show fulfils its stated purpose, mapping the artist’s evolution from person, to icon, to global brand. By the end, her image is fully detached from her person – a hollow sign into which we might read anything we want.

Frida: The Making of an Icon is at Tate Modern from June 25 to January 3 2027

The incidents, all believed to have been started deliberately, occurred between January and June this year, while County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) confirmed it had recorded a total of 3,103 arsons in the whole of 2025.

Billy McAloon, station manager at CDDFRS, said: “During the school holidays and when the weather is nice, we typically see a spike in the number of deliberate incidents we attend.

“We want to remind young people and members of the public that setting fire to things like grass or bins is not a game.

“What may start as a moment of mischief can quickly escalate into a serious incident, putting lives, homes, businesses and the environment at risk.”

The warning comes ahead of Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week, which runs from June 29 to July 5.

It also comes as warm, dry weather increases the risk of wildfires spreading quickly.

Mr McAloon said: “When firefighters are called to extinguish preventable fires, it can delay their ability to respond to other emergencies, including house fires, road traffic collisions and incidents where lives may be at immediate risk.”

Firefighters have visited more than 70 schools so far this year to educate young people about the dangers of arson.

They have also worked with police and other partners to carry out walkabouts in hotspot areas for deliberate fires.

As part of ASB Awareness Week, residents can meet fire crews at Darlington Fire Station on Monday, June 29 between 1pm and 3pm, and at South Park on Wednesday, July 1 from 10am to 12pm.

Mr McAloon urged parents to talk to children about the risks, warning that arson is a criminal offence that could impact future education and job prospects.

David Gray, Durham County Council’s health and safety compliance manager, said: “What may seem like a bit of fun or a harmless game, can quickly put lives at risk.

“It’s important that young people are aware of the dangers of setting fires, no matter how small they may be.

“During this hot and dry weather, these can quickly spiral out of control and lead to serious incidents.”

A 22-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of another man who was initially found injured on a street.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man died “despite the best efforts of paramedics” called to Church Street, Welshpool, Powys, in the early hours.

“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” said the force.

“There will be an additional police presence in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues.”

Another man remains in custody while investigations continue.

Church Street has been closed while officers carry out inquiries in the area.

The force has yet to reveal any further details.

Monica Lennon, who lost her seat at last month’s Holyrood election, has previously called for Scottish Labour to break away from the UK party.

Andy Burnham should not be viewed as a “messiah” who can instantly change Scottish Labour’s fortunes after another Holyrood election “disaster”, a former MSP has said.

Monica Lennon suggested the party north of the Border needed “more control over our own destiny” after it suffered a fifth consecutive defeat in a Scottish Parliament poll to the SNP.

Burnham is now widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as the new UK Labour leader next month, with the PM last week announcing his intention to quit Downing Street.

Lennon, who was one of several Labour MSPs to lose their seats in May, blamed Starmer for the SNP’s victory and claimed “the Scottish election disaster was made in Downing Street”.

She recently campaigned on Burnham’s behalf in the Makerfield by-election, which saw the former Manchester mayor romp to victory ahead of Reform UK.

Lennon said: “On the doors, it felt like people had a connection with Andy Burnham. He’s been on a journey, and he has perhaps evolved his views, but I think his values have remained constant.

“His skills, which differ from Keir Starmer, are that Andy Burnahm is comfortable being a politician, is comfortable listening to people, and letting people know why he’s changed his mind. Perhaps it is a new era for the Labour party.

“Sadly for Keir Starmer, he is ending his time in Government as a deeply unpopular Prime Minister. I don’t think anyone in the Labour movement takes any joy from that. But the party will have to move on.

“For me, it’s not just about changing the leader in Downing Street. The Scottish election disaster was made in Downing Street, but Andy Burnham is not a messiah.”

Lennon, who unsuccessfully challenged Anas Sarwar for the Scottish Labour leadership in 2020, has previously suggested the party north of the Border should consider separating itself from the UK operation in order to end SNP accusations it is little more than a “branch office”.

She continued: “Keir Starmer was the issue. Anyone who knocked doors for Scottish Labour could not get beyond how disappointed people were. They expected better from Labour and there was a frustration the pace of change was too slow.

“But at the end of day, even if people liked our policies, they couldn’t get beyond Keir Starmer.”

Lennon said Scottish Labour was now undertaking a “big review” which would ask “searching questions” on big issues such as its position on the constitution and an IndyRef2.

She added: “It’s not for Andy Burnham, or a leader of UK Labour to decide, what we need to do within Scottish Labour is have more control over our own destiny.”

Advertisement

Asked if it meant Scottish Labour breaking away from the UK party, Lennon added: “That’s an option. Nothing is off the table. People have read my views over the years.

“But we have an opportunity over the summer for Scottish Labour to come together and make sure we don’t shy away from responsibility.”

Melanie Sykes has shared a new look with social media followers after previously revealing that her alopecia diagnosis had left her ‘two-thirds bald.’

Earlier this weekend, the former TV presenter, 55, posted a video to Instagram showing the sides of her head, where large patches of hair have disappeared as she continues to deal with ongoing health problems.

Lying on her back, Sykes slowly turned her head from side to side to reveal the areas affected by alopecia, simply captioning the clip: ‘#Liberty.’

The update came more than a year after the broadcaster first revealed she had been diagnosed with alopecia – as well as a heart condition and widespread inflammation, which she has linked to prolonged stress and PTSD.

In a follow-up to her social media, Sykes has revealed an all-new look, sharing a beaming selfie in which she is now completely bald.

She captioned the post simply ‘Loss + Gain = Life.’

Sykes’ post came accompanied with several hashtags, which included the words ‘wise,’ ’tistime,’ ‘sage,’ ‘yogi’ and ‘smile.’

Earlier this year, she told followers that only the hair on the crown of her head remained, explaining: ‘My crown is pretty much what’s left of my hair now and how healthy it is.

‘I do get cold however, hence my beanie and various headwear but I’m learning to live with “loss” and counting my blessings instead.

‘It’s not always easy to be grateful, but it is the key to happiness and takes daily, moment-to-moment practice. Practice love.’

Despite the challenges, Sykes has repeatedly spoken about focusing on her recovery and maintaining a positive outlook.

Speaking to fans towards the end of last year, she revealed she was experiencing what is known as ‘post-traumatic growth’ – the positive psychological changes that can follow periods of trauma.

‘Even the most difficult times do pass, they do,’ she said.

‘You can be suffering from PTSD but still at the same time be experiencing post-traumatic growth.

‘I’m in both camps because you can be both things at once… We can transcend all trauma, we can be changed, and I am living f******g proof of that.’

Sykes first revealed the extent of her hair loss in 2025, explaining she had lost around half of her hair as well as much of one eyebrow.

She later said the condition had progressed further, telling followers she had become ‘two-thirds bald’ while continuing to battle excessive inflammation throughout her body.

At the time, she also opened up about developing heart palpitations, which she believed were triggered by the stress surrounding allegations made against her former television colleague Gino D’Acampo, who has denied wrongdoing.

The former radio presenter, who previously revealed her experience with Gregg Wallace led her to quit TV, and has spoken out against the BBC and ITV in the past, presented ITV’s Let’s Do Lunch with Gino between 2011 and 2014.

‘I’m not well, as you know. I’ve been ill all year,’ she said in a video update earlier this year.

‘I’ve got an autoimmune condition, I am losing my hair, I keep having crazy inflammation all over and I am working on healing.’

Rather than dwelling on her diagnosis, Sykes said she has turned to meditation and spirituality as part of her recovery, even completing a meditation teacher training course.

She has also encouraged fans not to worry about her, insisting she has learned to prioritise her own wellbeing after stepping away from television.

Sykes, who rose to fame in the iconic Boddingtons Bitter adverts before fronting shows including The Big Breakfast, Today with Des and Mel and Let’s Do Lunch with Gino & Mel, left the entertainment industry after receiving an autism diagnosis in 2021.

‘My late diagnosis of autism has changed my life for the better,’ she previously said. ‘For once, I come first.’

MORE: Melanie Sykes reveals photo of extreme alopecia after going ‘two-thirds bald’

People are only now learning there’s a difference between Elmlea and real cream. It seems the topic is something that has caused confusion for many years among food lovers

Elmlea is a product that most people have had sitting in their fridge at one time or another; yet an unexpected number are unaware that it is not actually cream. You may well have been dolloping it over puddings and desserts for years under the assumption that it was, without ever stopping to consider what you were genuinely adding to your food.

The subject previously surfaced on Reddit when one user admitted they had never realised it isn’t cream, and the revelation left them utterly gobsmacked. The thread subsequently went viral, as people simply couldn’t believe they had been consuming it for years without knowing what it actually is, having always assumed it was simply cream.

It is far from the first time such a discovery has caused a stir, either. Previously, one person claimed “life would never be the same” after finding out it is in fact a substitute.

The social media user said: “Today I discovered Elmlea isn’t actually cream. My whole life I’ve spent thinking the Elmlea single and double products sat in the fridge are cream.

“I was staring at the container this morning and read palm oil and ‘alternative to cream’. This sent me down a rabbit hole and I’m now questioning my entire culinary beliefs.

“Now I’m starting to question if I’ve ever actually eaten real cream. My whole life is crumbling. Have I ever eaten real butter? Who knows? I feel like a fraud.

“Was everyone else aware of this and am I just blissfully ignorant? Please tell me I’m not the only one.”

The post sparked considerable discussion, with people sharing a variety of reactions. It appears many of them were previously unaware of this culinary fact.

One responded: “I know a lot of people here are saying this is obvious, but I absolutely never knew this either.”

Another added: “Me neither, though I don’t buy it. It sits next to the cream and looks like cream, why would I think it was anything other than cream?”

A third wrote: “Many, many of my customers are absolutely ASTONISHED to learn that Elmlea isn’t real cream. ‘So why do you sell it with the cream?’ they ask. I’ve always known that this isn’t cream.”

Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Haha, yep. Spent my entire life with the same false belief until my uncle gave me a light-hearted dressing down after I returned from the shops with Elmlea having been sent there for cream. I was 23 at the time.”

Another also remarked: “Whaaaaaaattttt?? These past few years have been a lie!”

While some acknowledged they were already aware, it transpired that many weren’t. However, you may now be wondering what Elmlea is actually made from.

What is the difference?

You may not realise that Elmlea isn’t actually cream. Elmlea is a well-known brand of cream alternatives produced from a combination of buttermilk and vegetable oils.

It’s particularly noted for its impressive shelf life, and this versatile fridge essential can be used for pouring, cooking and whipping in both sweet and savoury dishes. In contrast, cream is a dairy product composed of the high-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization.

The main ingredient is milkfat, and this determines the cream’s richness and texture. It also contains water, proteins (like casein), naturally occurring milk sugars (lactose) and vitamins.

Cream typically lasts for seven to 10 days once opened, but it can last up to three weeks unopened. Shelf life varies by the fat content and whether it is fresh or ultra-pasteurized, so it’s always important to check the label.

A product description for Elmlea Single on the website states: “Elmlea stays fresher for longer, over the double the shelf life of dairy cream (before and after opening). Pour over pudding, swirl into soup or add a splash to your scrambled eggs.”

Raj Tandoori, nestled in the historic Pudding Chare, Newcastle, has appeared on the market for £299,950.

The family-run establishment has been serving traditional Indian cuisine since 1994, making it one of the city’s longest-running Indian restaurants.

(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)

The eatery has gained a strong reputation for its traditional, no-frills approach and value-for-money dishes, drawing a loyal customer base.

It has been praised for its food quality and friendly service, boasting a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor.

Recent reviews have highlighted the restaurant’s large servings, friendly staff, and good value for money.

(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)

One patron said: “The pickle trays are huge. Now my go-to Indian restaurant when I’m in ‘Toon’.”

Another Tripadvisor reviewer added: “Fantastic food, the dupiaza was the best I have ever tasted. Friendly and warm service, relaxed, no rush. I will be back very soon.”

(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)

The restaurant and its building are now being marketed by specialist agents as an “exceptional opportunity” for potential buyers.

The restaurant is close to the Bigg Market and has seating for 70 people.

It is being sold either as the trading restaurant or simply as the building.

Tourists have been cautioned to change a simple phone setting to avoid facing a “big problem” at airports.

Advertisement

When travelling abroad, there’s a multitude of factors to think about, but one that probably doesn’t spring to mind is using your mobile safely while on the move. Yet it warrants serious consideration, as there are numerous vital precautions to take to remain secure.

While it mightn’t be top of your list, it absolutely should be a priority on your travel agenda, as seemingly harmless mistakes can end up costing you dearly while you’re on your holidays. We all instinctively grab our phones at airports, but what many don’t appreciate is that certain usage habits can expose you to substantial danger.

This isn’t the first occasion such warnings have been issued to globetrotters either. In the past, additional hidden mobile hazards have been brought to light to assist those venturing abroad.

Complimentary airport Wi-Fi may appear a convenient perk while you’re killing time before departure. Nevertheless, William Thackray, an IT specialist at AGT Computer Services, cautions it’s among the riskiest things you can do on your handset, reports the Irish Mirror.

What you need to know

William explained: “The biggest threat isn’t the airport’s actual network. It’s the fake ones sitting right next to it.

“Criminals can set up a hotspot called something like ‘Heathrow Free Wi-Fi’ or ‘Gatwick Passenger Network’ that looks completely legitimate. The moment you connect, they can intercept your data including passwords, emails, anything you’re sending or receiving.”

A growing cyber threat known as an “evil twin” attack is becoming increasingly common in busy public spaces and airports, where thousands of unsuspecting travellers searching for a connection make for easy prey.

Many people are unaware that connecting to airport Wi-Fi can leave personal data exposed to cybercriminals within seconds. Fraudsters are able to set up counterfeit networks that are virtually impossible to distinguish from genuine ones.

Airport Wi-Fi is rarely considered completely safe. While it’s generally fine for browsing the news or checking your flight status, public networks leave you vulnerable to hackers, phishing attempts and bogus “evil twin” hotspots.

It’s advisable to avoid online banking or entering passwords without proper safeguards in place — which is precisely why this guidance is so vital.

Fortunately, one simple phone setting can keep you protected without costing you a penny, and it’s straightforward to set up once you know what to do.

How to avoid a problem

The fix is straightforward. Before heading to the airport, go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and turn off “Auto-Join” or “Auto-Connect” for public networks.

On iPhone, you can also go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle off “Ask to Join Networks”.

This stops your phone from automatically seeking out a signal without your knowledge. “Better still, use your mobile data if you have it,” added William.

“It costs a little more, but it’s your own private connection. If you do need to use airport Wi-Fi, avoid logging into anything sensitive like banking, work email, anything with a password – until you’re somewhere you trust.”

The overarching rule of thumb is straightforward: if you didn’t set up the network yourself, treat it with suspicion. This is advice well worth taking on board, as disregarding it could leave you facing some serious consequences.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.

The Labour Party is united behind Andy Burnham as its next leader, two senior party figures have told the BBC.

The party set out a timeline for a leadership contest following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation earlier this week, but there is scant evidence of support for any contenders other than Burnham.

Former defence minister Al Carns has said a speech on Monday, in which Burnham will set out his economic policy, will decide whether he challenges him for the Labour leadership.

Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who had stayed loyal to Sir Keir, both said that Labour MPs were backing a coronation of Burnham, rather than a contest.

“I’m pleased that actually what it looks like is we’re probably going to have just the one candidate in Andy Burnham,” Powell told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

“How refreshing that would be – that the whole Labour Party is agreed on the new leader and we don’t have to go through a contest that could be damaging at this point in time.

“Now we’ve all got to get behind that leader and stop the kind of infighting and chitter chatter from the background.”

Reed agreed the party was “going to move very swiftly to uniting behind Andy Burnham” without “turning inwards”, which he described as absolutely essential.

While a general election is not necessary to replace a prime minister, calling one is seen as a test of a new prime minister’s support among the public.

Powell was among then-opposition figures to call for a general election when the Conservatives forced Liz Truss out of office as prime minister in 2022.

But she denied that it was hypocritical that she did not want one to test a new Labour leader.

“I think we were in very particular times after Liz Truss crashed the economy,” she said, adding: “People want us to get on with the job and deliver the change they want to see.”

Reed, too, said this time was very different as the Tories had repeatedly changed leader while in government.

He said he was backing Burnham, but insisted Labour owed a debt of gratitude to Sir Keir.

Demi Leigh Davies, 17, was a passenger in Leon Callaghan’s car when she was killed on the M65 motorway

The life of a Lancashire teenager described as beautiful, funny, caring and selfless, was cruelly cut short when the car she was a passenger in crashed on the M65.

Demi Leigh Davies, 17, was a passenger in the car Leon Callaghan was driving when she was killed. Callaghan, now 19, was driving at speeds of up to 113mph when he lost control of his Seat Ibiza near Junction 9 of the M65 in the early hours of October 2, 2024.

Lancashire Police said Callaghan was driving in a dedicated exit lane when he carried out a late manoeuvre to rejoin the main carriageway.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

The car hit a bullnose point and lost control, crossing all three lanes, hitting the central reservation, and rebounding back towards the hard shoulder. The car then struck the barrier and rolled several times before coming to rest on the embankment.

Tragically, Demi Leigh, from Darwen, suffered multiple injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the hospital. Two other passengers, girls aged 17 and 19, also suffered serious injuries but have since recovered. Callaghan was also seriously injured.

Callaghan, of Harwood Street, Darwen, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at a hearing earlier this year. This week, he appeared before Preston Crown Court on Friday, June 26, where he was jailed for five years and three months.

When questioned later, Callaghan claimed he had blacked out at the start of his manoeuvre, did not remember driving at over 100mph and that his foot must have got stuck between the pedals, causing the excessive speed, said Lancashire Police.

‘Her future was taken from her’

Demi had just been offered her first job in a care home, a role her mum said she would be perfect for, given her caring nature.

In a victim personal statement read to the court on behalf of the family, Demi’s mum, Gemma, said continuing to live when Demi wasn’t there was the most difficult and heartbreaking struggle she had ever had to go through.

She added: “There are no words that can truly describe the pain of losing a child. Every day I wake up with the reality that my daughter is gone.

“Every day I am reminded that I will never hear her voice again, never hear her laugh again, never be able to hold her again or hear her call me mum.

“As a family, we will never see Demi become the woman she was meant to be. We will never see her progress in the career she had just begun. We will never see her achieve her dreams, fall in love, get married, or have children of her own.

“We will never know what her future would have looked like because it was taken from her before she had the chance to live it.

“Demi was only beginning her journey into adulthood. She had her whole future ahead of her. That future was stolen from her, and our family has been left to live with that loss every single day.

“Nothing can undo the pain and suffering that her death has caused. We have been given a life sentence of grief, and we will carry that burden for the rest of our lives.”

Detective Constable Olivia Maidment, of Lancashire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Demi Leigh was clearly a much loved young woman with her whole life ahead of her and my thoughts today are with all of her loved ones.

“Nothing can ever compensate for the loss of a life, but I hope at least that this sentence gives Demi Leigh’s family some sense that justice has been done.”

Callaghan will also be banned from driving for seven years after his release and have to take an extended test before he can get behind the wheel again.