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“He said he did these big gigs to make money, but what he enjoyed best was playing in churches and castles with his missus.” Russ Ballard’s wild tales of Ritchie Blackmore, The Beatles, Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne and more
The piece appears to be a feature built around Russ Ballard recounting memories from his long career and his encounters with major rock figures including Ritchie Blackmore, The Beatles, Robert Plant and Ozzy Osbourne. Its main point is less about a single news event than Ballard’s perspective on fame and music-making, especially the contrast between…
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End of the Keir show: Starmer takes final PMQs as Andy Burnham is nominated successor by 92% of Labour MPs in Stalin-style landslide
The article reports that Sir Keir Starmer is due to take his final Prime Minister’s Questions before stepping aside as Labour leader, with Andy Burnham emerging as the overwhelming choice among Labour MPs to succeed him. It presents Burnham’s backing as a decisive show of party unity and suggests the leadership handover could shape Labour’s…
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“I’ve fought longer for justice than they’ve served”: CSE survivors’ agony as abusers could be released early
A survivor of child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham has said she feels failed by the justice system after learning that her abuser could be released early under the government’s emergency prison overcrowding measures. The article focuses on Miriam Lake, who said she spent longer pursuing justice than her abuser may spend in custody,…
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First new-style bigger blue bins delivered to Sheffield households
The article reports that the first Sheffield households have begun receiving new-style larger blue bins, marking the start of a wider change to the city’s household recycling service. This matters because bin size and collection arrangements directly affect how residents manage recycling at home, and the rollout signals a practical shift in Sheffield’s waste and…
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China grows at one of lowest rates on record; Thames Water has funds to survive to year end – business live
China’s economy grew by 4.3% in the second quarter, one of its weakest rates in years, missing forecasts and slipping below Beijing’s target range as weak domestic demand offset strong exports. That matters because slower Chinese growth can affect global trade, investment and market confidence. At the same time, Thames Water said it has enough…
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Rhayuela’s Next Gen Takes Over
Prominent Colombian shingle Rhayuela, known for such memorable pics as Cannes 2015 Un Certain Regard title “Alias María,” “El Páramo” and “Rebellion,” is shuffling its leadership although its six original partners remain on board. Among them, Federico Duran has formed his own company, El Sol Ermitaño, but retains a stake in the 30-plus year old…
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Slasher Terror, Cartel Nightmares and a British Folk Monster Join Black Mandala’s New Horror Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
New Zealand sales company Black Mandala has added five horror films to its international sales slate, spanning slasher, survival, anthology, giallo and British folk-creature horror. The announcement matters because it strengthens the company’s position in the genre market and gives buyers a clearer view of the kinds of horror projects it is backing across different…
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The First House by Avni Doshi review – an intense portrait of marriage and freedom
This review discusses Avni Doshi’s second novel, *The First House*, which follows an unnamed woman in suburban America after her husband suddenly leaves her. The reviewer presents the book as an intense study of marriage, control and selfhood, showing how the narrator’s attempt to free herself from her husband also exposes other forms of dependence…
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Lucky review – Anya Taylor-Joy’s daft thriller is classic summer viewing
The Guardian’s review describes Apple TV’s *Lucky* as a fast, silly and entertaining thriller led by Anya Taylor-Joy as a conwoman on the run across the United States. Based on Marissa Stapley’s novel, the series follows Lucky after her boyfriend disappears with the proceeds of a major heist, leaving her hunted by both the FBI…
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The Day She Returns review – another round of slow, reflective boozing really hits the spot
This review argues that Hong Sang-soo’s The Day She Returns revisits many of the Korean director’s familiar habits, including static black-and-white compositions, long restaurant conversations and conspicuous daytime drinking, but does so with unusual emotional force. The film centres on Jeong-su, a well-known actor returning to work after a break shaped by motherhood and divorce,…