Poem of the week: To a Sparrow by Francis Ledwidge

 Posted on April 12, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  683 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Carol Rumens's poem of the weekPoetryThis brightly observed study of a ‘sweetly impudent’ bird carries with it a distinct political edge To a Sparrow Because you have no fear to mingle Wings with those of greater part, So like me, with song I single Your sweet impudence of heart. And when prouder feathers go where Summer holds her leafy show, You still come to us from nowhere Like grey leaves across the snow. [Read More]

Police and far-right protesters clash near Cenotaph video | UK news

 Posted on April 12, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  136 words  |  Valentine Belue

London Police and far-right protesters clash near Cenotaph – video Clashes broke out in central London on Saturday as rightwing protesters attempted to reach the Cenotaph war memorial. Protesters could be heard chanting 'You're not English any more' at the police as they pushed against metal barriers in Whitehall. The clashes happened moments before the Armistice Day two-minute silence, when people across the UK commemorate the end of the first world war. [Read More]

A Grotesque Head, Leonardo Da Vinci (1504) | Culture

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  653 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Portrait of the weekCultureA Grotesque Head, Leonardo Da Vinci (1504)· View the work online Artist: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was revered by Renaissance contemporaries as a genius, yet also pitied as somehow frustrated: "unstable" as the 16th-century biographer Vasari bluntly put it, constantly having brilliant ideas that he lacked the will to execute. This image of Leonardo the mental gadabout dissipated in the 19th century, when the sheer scale and precociousness of the Tuscan artist's research were recognised by scholars, who analysed his manuscript notes and were startled by the systematic nature of his anatomical, meteorological, engineering and art theories. [Read More]

Carer charged with assaulting IM Pei in Manhattan home | US news

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  225 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

US news This article is more than 8 years oldCarer charged with assaulting IM Pei in Manhattan homeThis article is more than 8 years oldEter Nikolaishvili, 28, arrested on suspicion of assaulting 98-year-old architect after he was taken to hospital with bleeding lacerations and bruises A carer for the architect IM Pei, whose work includes the renovation of the Louvre in Paris and Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, has been charged with assaulting the 98-year-old in his Manhattan townhouse. [Read More]

Dahi murg yoghurt chicken curry recipe by Chetna Makan

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  291 words  |  Valentine Belue

Dahi murg – yoghurt chicken curry. Photograph: PRDahi murg – yoghurt chicken curry. Photograph: PRObserver Food Monthly's 20 best recipesFoodA foolproof curry that works every single time and one of the most delicious ways to cook chicken The 20 best easy dinner recipes – in full This is one of the most delicious ways to cook chicken – and it’s my kids’ favourite. I have to admit that I usually make this with chicken on the bone, as the bones add flavour to the curry. [Read More]

Frances grief for Hamass victims is right its suspicion of French Muslims is not | Rokhaya

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1387 words  |  Kary Bruening

OpinionFrance This article is more than 3 months oldFrance’s grief for Hamas’s victims is right – its suspicion of French Muslims is notThis article is more than 3 months oldRokhaya DialloEvents in Israel have inspired renewed public questioning about our true ‘Frenchness’ – even that of beloved football stars France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations. Inevitably, what is happening in the Middle East has a particular resonance here. [Read More]

From pirates hideout to Dals bolthole: Cadaqus, star of Spains Costa Brava

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1311 words  |  Aldo Pusey

One road in, one road out … a view of Cadaqués in Catalonia. Photograph: Don Tremain/AlamyOne road in, one road out … a view of Cadaqués in Catalonia. Photograph: Don Tremain/AlamySpain holidaysThis hidden cove has drawn artists for generations but the ex-hippy seaside town has maintained its independent character Cadaqués is a bit of a tease. It’s the most inaccessible town on Catalonia’s Costa Brava but also its most seductively beautiful. [Read More]

Swing time for Hitler: how the Nazis fought the allies with jazz

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  977 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

TheatreJazz was verboten in the Third Reich – until its propaganda value became clear. Andrew Dickson on the surreal songs of Charlie and His Orchestra The trumpet solo is mellifluous, the horns rich and full. The rhythm section swings with the aristocratic confidence of Ellington in his pomp. It’s only when the lead singer comes in that things go a little strange. “Another war,” he croons, “another profit. Another Jewish business trick. [Read More]

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre review the astonishing story of a cold war superspy

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1433 words  |  Kary Bruening

Book of the weekBiography booksReviewThe double life of a KGB insider recruited by MI6 features microfilm, Soviet secrets and a daring escape Oleg Gordievsky was the most significant British agent of the cold war. For 11 years, he spied for MI6. That he managed to deceive his KGB colleagues during this time was remarkable. Even more astounding was that in summer 1985 – after Gordievsky was hastily recalled from London to Moscow by his suspicious bosses – British intelligence officers helped him to escape. [Read More]

The timeless wonder of candlelight, a glimmer of love in our dark world | Art and design

 Posted on April 11, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  716 words  |  Aldo Pusey

Jonathan Jones on artArt and design This article is more than 7 years oldThe timeless wonder of candlelight, a glimmer of love in our dark worldThis article is more than 7 years oldJonathan JonesThe evocative image of a flickering candle, celebrated by Joseph Wright and El Greco, is charged with spiritual power – we need it now more than ever Why is candlelight so beautiful? At this time of the year candles burn brightly to celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas, casting a subtle, ever changing light into the long, dark midwinter nights. [Read More]