Johnny Logan: ‘There is only so often you can go to a place and have a glass of wine at 6.30 or 7am before you realise this is not normal'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
China's Gen Z women embrace centuries-old script
At a studio in central China's Hunan province, a teacher grips an ink brush, gently writing characters of a secret script created by women centuries ago and now being embraced by a new generation. Nushu, meaning "women's script", emerged around 400 years ago. Barred from attending school, the women secretly learned Chinese characters and adapted them into Nushu, using the script to communicate with each other through letters, song and embroidery. Passed down through generations of women in the remote and idyllic county of Jiangyong, it is now gaining popularity nationwide among Chinese women who view it as a symbol of strength. Student Pan Shengwen said Nushu offered a safe way for women to communicate with each other. "It essentially creates a sanctuary for us," the 21-year-old told AFP. "We can express our thoughts, confide in our sisters and talk about anything." Compared to Chinese characters, Nushu words are less boxy, more slender and shaped like willow leaves. "When writing... your breathing must be calm, and only then can your brush be steady," Pan said. On Instagram-like Xiaohongshu, the hashtag "Nushu" has beenviewedover 73.5 million times -- mostly featuring young women sharing tattoos and other modern work incorporating the old script. Student He Jingying told AFP she had been enrolled in a Nushu class by her mother and that writing it brought her "a deep sense of calm". "It feels like when the brush touches the paper, a kind of strength flows into you." - Against 'injustice' - Nushu is more than just a writing system -- it represents the lived experiences of rural women from the county, Zhao Liming, a professor at Beijing's Tsinghua University, told AFP. "It was a society dominated by men," said Zhao, who has been studying Nushu for four decades. "Their works cried out against this injustice," she said. The words are read in the local dialect, making it challenging for native Chinese speakers not from the region to learn it. Teacher He Yuejuan said the writing is drawing more attention because of its elegance and rarity. "It seems to be quite highly regarded, especially among many students in the arts," He told AFP outside her gallery, which sells colourful merchandise, including earrings and shawls with Nushu prints. As a Jiangyong native, He said Nushu was "part of everyday life" growing up. After passing strict exams, she became one of 12 government-designated "inheritors" of Nushu and is now qualified to teach it. - 'Really special' - An hour's drive away, around a hundred Nushu learners packed into a hotel room to attend a week-long workshop organised by local authorities trying to promote the script. Zou Kexin, one of the many participants, told AFP she had read about Nushu online and wanted to "experience it in person". "It's a unique writing system belonging to women, which makes it really special," said Zou, 22, who attends a university in southwestern Sichuan province. Animation student Tao Yuxi, 23, one of the handful of men attending the workshop, told AFP he was learning Nushu to gain inspiration for his creative work. He said his aunt was initially confused about why he was learning Nushu, as it is not typically associated with men. As it represents part of China's cultural heritage, Nushu has to be passed down, he said. "It's something that everyone should work to preserve -- regardless of whether they are women or men." isk/oho/djw/lb
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Australia will recognize Palestine as a state, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia will recognize Palestine as a state, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Future of town's Pride event ‘hangs in balance' amid rising costs and donations drop
The future of a North Yorkshire town's Pride event 'hangs in the balance' due to spiralling operating costs and a drop in donations, organisers have said. Scarborough's celebration of the town's LGBT+ community is at risk of closure, with organisers now launching a fundraising campaign aiming to secure it long-term. George Wakely, chair of the Scarborough Pride charity, said its flagship event on the North Yorkshire coast has 'blossomed into a joyous, defiant, and inclusive celebration of identity, love, and equality', adding: 'It's a lifeline for many – a beacon of visibility, solidarity, and support.' But Mr Wakely said a drop in donations means the charity 'can't pay for the minimum we need to put the event on before we factor in performers'. McCain Foods has sponsored previous Scarborough Prides but the volunteer run charity said donations have 'traditionally underpinned the event'. Read next: 'We just want to exist in peace': Thousands turn out for York Pride 2025 These donations, however, have 'dropped significantly in recent months', a charity spokesperson said. They added: 'Without a strong financial backbone, Scarborough Pride may not return next year.' Mr Wakley has called on the local community to support the future of the event. 'Scarborough Pride has always been about community, about showing up for each other, being visible, and celebrating freedom in all its forms,' the charity spokesperson said. 'Today, the community needs to show up for Pride.' To support Scarborough Pride, visit its JustGiving Page titled 'Scarborough Pride'.
