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The 6 Best Books Released Since 2020, Ranked
This Collider feature rounds up what it considers the six best novels published since 2020, arguing that literary fiction since the pandemic has had to compete with an unusually turbulent reality — isolation, political division, economic anxiety and rapid technological change. Rather than tackling these themes head-on, the author argues the standout novels used inventive…
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Liverpool may make January move for Sarr – Sunday’s gossip
BBC Sport’s transfer gossip round-up gathers reports on potential moves for the January window and unresolved deadline-day situations, led by Liverpool’s possible renewed interest in Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and Tottenham forward Richarlison’s hopes of a Saudi Pro League move after a Trabzonspor switch fell through. The piece also covers Arsenal’s progress on contract renewals…
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John Malkovich Returning to Israel With ‘The Music Critic’
John Malkovich is set to return to Israel in 2027, taking the lead role in a production of “The Music Critic” at Tel Aviv’s Charles Bronfman Auditorium on 13 April. The satirical theatrical-musical piece, created by violinist and composer Aleksey Igudesman, sees Malkovich play a scathing “evil critic” who lampoons celebrated composers such as Beethoven,…
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How Cold War’s most remarkable spy helped Britain save Iran from the Communists – after he asked MI6 to help him beat erectile dysfunction
A new book by Ben Macintyre, “Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy,” reveals how KGB major Vladimir Kuzichkin defected to Britain in 1981, ultimately helping foil a Soviet-backed plot to overthrow Iran’s revolutionary government. Kuzichkin’s decision to switch sides is notable partly because his stated motive was deeply personal rather…
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US hits three Iranian oil tankers after saying its warships were targeted
The US and Iran traded further blows at sea, escalating their six-month conflict after a week of renewed fighting following a month of relative calm. The US military said it “permanently disabled” two Iran-linked oil tankers and “completely destroyed” a third, while US Central Command said it acted after Iranian forces fired on an American…
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White House’s anti-leak polygraph tests on top brass sensationally backfire, report says
The White House ordered unprecedented polygraph tests on dozens of senior US military staff in an effort to identify who leaked details about America’s Iran war campaign to the press, but news of the secretive testing programme has itself now leaked to the media, according to the New York Times. The episode highlights growing tension…
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Liverpool look for new sporting director after Richard Hughes formally leaves
Liverpool have confirmed that Richard Hughes has formally stepped down as sporting director, making him the fourth person to leave the role in four years, with FSG president Mike Gordon now leading the search for a successor. Hughes’s exit had long been expected: he told the club of his intention to leave earlier this year…
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Dame Maureen Lipman reveals she had sleepless nights when actors quit play over her pro-Israel views but director persuaded her to stay
Dame Maureen Lipman has spoken publicly about the toll taken by a backlash over her pro-Israel views, revealing that sleepless nights led her to consider quitting the West End production of Right Before I Go after two co-stars withdrew from the show because of her casting. The 80-year-old Olivier award-winner ultimately chose to stay on…
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‘The noise was unbelievable’: the referee’s view of Mexico v England at the World Cup
Alireza Faghani, the Australian-Iranian referee who took charge of England’s fiery last-16 World Cup tie against Mexico, has described the intense conditions he faced at the Estadio Azteca, including a deafening crowd of nearly 90,000 fans and disruption caused by delayed kick-off times. His account offers a rare insider perspective on a match that England…
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Impact of War in Iran Set to Feature in Two Venice Film Festival Dramas
The Venice Film Festival is set to premiere two Iranian dramas that depict life under the ongoing war in Iran, six months after the country was struck by US and Israeli forces. Directors Ali Asgari and Mohsen Gharaei, both shot covertly inside Iran, offer a rare on-the-ground perspective on how the conflict and the country’s…