A research study, the first of its kind, revealed that the famous English playwright William Shakespeare was the main author of the play “Edward III,” which was likely written in collaboration with Christopher Marlowe, one of his most prominent rivals in the Elizabethan era, according to the British newspaper “The Guardian.”
For many years, academic researchers believed that Shakespeare wrote some scenes of the historical play that was first published in 1596 without mentioning the name of its author. However, new evidence indicates that his contribution was much greater than previously thought, and that Marlowe also participated in writing parts of it.
Rory Loughnan, one of the most prominent specialists involved in preparing the study, said that computer analysis of the texts confirmed “beyond any doubt” that the play was written jointly between the two writers.
The researchers relied on a computer linguistic analysis that divided the text of the play into sections, then compared it with the works of ten professional playwrights who were active between the late 1680s and the mid-1690s.
This method is based on studying the linguistic characteristics of texts, including the rates of repetition of certain words and the spaces between words within sentences, with the aim of identifying the distinctive stylistic features of each writer. An example of this is the word "martial", which is associated with war and combat, which usually appears in Marlowe's plays, but is used less frequently by other writers.
The analysis concluded that Shakespeare wrote the lion's share of the play, as 23 passages were attributed to him, compared to nine passages by Marlowe.
The results confirmed that Shakespeare wrote, among other parts, the scenes related to the Countess, while Marlowe's fingerprint appeared in the concluding scenes that deal with the capture of King Jean and Prince Charles, and the surrender of large numbers of French in the city of Calais.
Lovenan said that this discovery allows for a reconsideration of the image of the young Shakespeare, explaining that Shakespeare in the early 1690s was not yet the single literary genius that later generations painted, but rather he was an ambitious writer working to create a play that was characterized by cooperation between authors.
The findings highlight the collective nature of theatrical work in England during this period, and support a direction of research that re-examines works attributed to Shakespeare using linguistic analysis tools and modern computational techniques.
A year after rare royal jewelry was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris, the fate of the stolen pieces remains unknown, despite the arrest of a number of suspects. While investigations continue, pressure is increasing on the museum administration to address the problems of the historic building, in light of a renovation project that may cost up to one billion euros.
According to The Times, Christophe Léribault, director of the Louvre, warned that the museum may have to close its doors to the public if the next French government abandons the renovation project that President Emmanuel Macron called the “New Renaissance.” He believes that postponing repairs will only exacerbate problems associated with the building's aging, leaks and congestion.
These warnings come at a time when France faces public debts estimated at about 3.6 trillion euros, which raises questions about its ability to finance a project whose expected cost has risen from 600 million euros to about one billion euros, with an implementation period that may extend to 15 years.
Absent jewelry and unresolved questions
On October 19, 2025, thieves succeeded in stealing 8 historical pieces of jewelry, including possessions linked to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, including a crown and a brooch, along with other royal and imperial pieces.
The operation revealed security gaps in the museum, including the lack of surveillance cameras and the obsolescence of some control systems. In response, the Louvre announced the allocation of 83 million euros to address deficiencies and modernize security equipment.
Although four main suspects were arrested within 10 days of the theft, the recovery of the jewelry was not announced, and investigators are still seeking to determine who organized the operation and the path the pieces took after they left the museum.
Hypotheses range from hiding the jewelry in a place near Paris, handing it over to intermediaries specialized in disposing of stolen goods, and transporting them abroad. Experts warn that re-cutting and polishing gemstones may make identifying their source more difficult. Especially if it reaches organized criminal networks.
However, specialists do not rule out restoring the pieces in the future. Stolen art objects have returned to their owners after many years, sometimes thanks to new information, or the cooperation of one of the accused with the authorities. The jewelry is still listed in Interpol's database of stolen works of art.
Necessary renovation and high bill
The challenges facing the Louvre are not limited to the repercussions of theft. The building, whose construction began in the sixteenth century as a royal palace, before it was turned into a museum, is facing increasing difficulties in accommodating millions of visitors annually.
The “New Renaissance” plan includes creating a new entrance and allocating a separate hall to the “Mona Lisa” painting by Leonardo da Vinci, with the aim of reducing congestion and improving visitor movement. But the project faces criticism from unions who believe that the priority should be to repair facilities and upgrade security, rather than committing to huge spending that may be difficult to justify in light of financial pressures.
To ease the burden on taxpayers, the museum seeks to raise about 360 million euros in donations, targeting donors in the United States and the Middle East, in addition to reducing some expenses and potentially increasing ticket prices.
While investigations await a lead that will lead to the missing jewelry, the renovation project remains the subject of political and financial controversy. The next French administration will have to balance the cost of preserving this cultural heritage with the requirements of public spending, in a decision that will determine the features of the next stage for one of the most prominent museums in the world.
British railway companies intend to tighten measures against passengers who play music loudly on trains, with the threat of fines of up to a thousand pounds, as part of a government campaign aimed at reducing disturbing behavior on public transport, according to the British “Sky News”.
On Monday, the government will launch an awareness campaign calling on passengers to respect others and not disturb them with loud voices, under the slogan “Share the train car with others, not the noise,” with the participation of the Prime Minister.
Rail companies, including the state-owned Great British Railways, will begin placing advertisements across the train network warning that playing music at a high volume may constitute a legal violation, and urging passengers to use headphones instead of playing it through speakers.
Under the new measures, train staff will be encouraged to alert errant passengers first and ask them to use earphones. If they refuse to comply, they will be warned that they could be removed from the train at the next station, as well as being prosecuted and fined that could reach up to £1,000.
Train crews will initially deal with cases in which passengers refuse to adhere to the instructions, while the British Transport Police will undertake prosecution procedures.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that addressing the behavior of travelers who do not consider the comfort of others would make daily trips “a little better for all of us,” referring to the importance of providing a quieter and more comfortable environment for passengers.
The measures are not limited to trains, as buses are also subject to separate rules that allow police to impose on-the-spot fines of up to £100 on passengers who play music too loudly.
The campaign comes within the framework of broader government efforts to reduce anti-social behavior on public transportation and promote respect for shared spaces, especially in light of millions of Britons relying on trains and buses for their daily transportation.
