I want Ireland to win the Rugby World Cup, but they’ll run out of steam March 24, 2023 I really do hope that Ireland win the World Cup this year, but so many bones in my body are telling me they’ll blow it in France later this year. They haven’t lost since last summer – in the first Test of their 2-1 series win against New Zealand down in the land of the [...]
Newcastle United doc from makers of All Or Nothing to put focus on business March 24, 2023 Newcastle United’s transformation under Saudi ownership will be the subject of a new documentary series on Amazon’s Prime Video platform, it has been confirmed. The four-part series will focus on the business side of running the club, through interviews with co-owner Amanda Staveley and other club chiefs as well as behind-the-scenes footage. The show, set [...]
Russia’s athletics doping suspension is OVER, but ban remains due to Ukraine invasion March 23, 2023 World Athletics president Seb Coe has said that Russia’s seven-year doping ban has been lifted, but restrictions due to the Ukraine invasion remain. An investigation uncovered widespread state-sponsored doping was present across many disciplines in Russia and the country was banned from having athletes compete under the Russian flag unless they were categorically, in no [...]
Turandot at the ROH: Stunning production can’t mask a problematic opera March 23, 2023 The operatic canon offers many examples of the spectacular being mingled with the problematic. In this respect, Puccini is a regular offender. Despite many of his operas representing the very pinnacle of classical music, there is no denying the blatant orientalism present in the heart-breaking Madam Butterfly. This even tarnishes his last opera, the magnificently [...]
John Wick Chapter 4 review: More of the same bubblegum violence March 23, 2023 You could make a strong case for John Wick being a satire. The first movie took the tropes of an action movie – a relentless, taciturn hero reluctantly dragged back into the underworld, motivated by his love for a dead/kidnapped family member – and reduced them to absurdity by making the trigger for his triple-figure [...]
How Succession became the must-watch TV show of the decade March 23, 2023 The first episode of Succession, aired all the way back in June 2018, only hints at the Shakespearian epic that would follow. On first watch it seemed a little goofy: Kendall rapping along to the Beastie Boys in the back of his car; cousin Greg puking from behind the eyes of a fairground mascot. It’s [...]
Activist investor Elliott ramps up Manchester United interest with bid for minority stake March 23, 2023 Elliott Investment Management has upped its interest in Manchester United by offering to buy a small stake in the Premier League club. The activist investor had previously offered finance to any other party bidding for United, who were put for sale by the Glazer family in November. That offer remains, but after visiting Old Trafford [...]
Manchester United bidders fear Glazers want £6.5bn or will walk away from sale March 23, 2023 Manchester United’s suitors fear that the Glazer family will reverse their decision to sell the club unless they receive a bid of £6.5bn. The latest twists in the sale process have been interpreted in some quarters as evidence that United’s owners are not serious about relinquishing control at Old Trafford. Bidders were due to lodge [...]
Putin the boot in: Vladimir takes swipe at Britain over Russian sport ban lobbying March 23, 2023 Vladimir Putin has accused Russia’s critics including the UK of “using sports for unseemly purposes”. Putin said calls, led by Britain, for Russian athletes to remain banned from international sport were politically motivated. “Western countries are trying to use sports for unseemly purposes as a tool of pressure,” the Russian president told news agency TASS. [...]
Miami Open tennis: Murray seventh Brit out before second round in Sunshine State March 23, 2023 Andy Murray became the seventh Brit to crash out of the Miami Open before the second round in Florida yesterday after losing in the first round in the Sunshine State. The Scot fell 6-4 7-5 in straight sets to Serbian Dusan Lajovic in Miami on Wednesday evening having reached the third round of Indian Wells [...]