Better Man: Robbie Williams biopic is a Christmas must-watch December 24, 2024 Think about Jamie Foxx studying Ray Charles for 2004 Oscar winner Ray, or Rami Malek transforming into Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody: there are some excellent musical biopics. But for Better Man, the story of Robbie Williams, the singer took a different route, eschewing a lookalike for a CGI ape. Yes, you read that correctly. [...]
Faith has a place in politics December 24, 2024 Many political arguments are about values and religion lies at the heart of many moral arguments – whether we realise it or not, says Bartek Staniszewski “May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power,” prays the Speaker’s Chaplain – with questionable efficacy – as the House of Commons begins to sit each [...]
Thoroughbred aftercare programme launched by The Howden Way December 23, 2024 THOROUGHBRED Aftercare Programme’s (TAP) launch at the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse is the latest evolution in the significant investment made into eventing by David Howden. Further to the launch of The Howden Way in May 2022, which offers training and opportunities to riders of all ages and abilities, TAP has a clear [...]
Christmas travel chaos: Train strikes, wind warnings and congestion December 23, 2024 Brits have been warned of significant travel disruption over the Christmas and New Year getaway as record numbers hit the roads.
Shop staff ‘facing Christmas crime wave’ with more shoplifting cases unsolved December 23, 2024 Shop staff are facing a “Christmas crime wave”, an MP has warned as new figures revealed an average of more than 650 shoplifting offences a day went unsolved in the past year. In the year to March 2024, 245,500 investigations were closed without a suspect being identified – an average of 672 a day – [...]
Harry Potter’s wizarding world is an authoritarian dystopia December 23, 2024 Secret police, slavery and mass indoctrination of children – Harry Potter’s wizarding world is a greatest hits of repressive regimes, says Sam Fowles Here’s a fun Christmas party game: name your favourite fictional authoritarian state. Is it George Orwell’s “Airstrip 1”? Margaret Atwood’s New England? Or perhaps (whisper it) JK Rowling’s “wizarding world”? It’s better [...]
75mph gusts forecast as Christmas getaway disruption continues December 22, 2024 Winds of up to 75mph have been forecast for parts of the UK as the Christmas getaway period continues to see disruption caused by bad weather. Heathrow Airport has confirmed around 100 flights have been cancelled on Sunday and passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling. It comes as the Met Office [...]
Hit or miss? The best and worst football club Christmas adverts December 22, 2024 Creative type Steve Howell casts his critical eye over Christmas adverts produced by Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and Celtic. Think of a Christmas advert and your mind may conjure memories of “A dog is for life…” or any number of classic John Lewis commercials that have become synonymous with this time of year. Whatever brand [...]
US Senate passes government funding bill to avoid shutdown December 21, 2024 The US Senate has rushed through the final passage of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid. Facing a government shutdown deadline, the restructured bill dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. House Speaker Mike Johnson had insisted Congress would “meet our obligations” [...]
What to expect from sports law in 2025: Man City, Saudi and the ‘unlikely MVP’ December 21, 2024 What will the big talking points be in sports law in 2025? We asked the experts at one of the industry’s top firms. This year will be remembered as one in which key sporting decisions were made in the courtroom rather than the boardroom. With the Football Governance Bill, ongoing financial regulatory disputes, and the [...]