Six great reads: sports bros, London's most rock'n'roll hotel and Tetris-like architecture
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A new architectural guidebook was written as a love letter to the Ukrainian city – then Russia started bombing it. How will this home to Tetris-like offices and daring curved cinemas be rebuilt, asked the Guardian's architecture critic, Oliver Wainwright.
If you liked this piece, you might also be interested in Charlotte Higgins's feature on the ghost museums of Ukraine.
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One of the giants of British media, Street-Porter is a regular on Loose Women, a former TV executive, newspaper editor and author – and about to launch a one-woman stage show. Before she dashed out of the restaurant where they met for lunch, she told Simon Hattenstone about love, regrets and her fury with her late mother.
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Nearly seven years ago, Emmanuel Carrère travelled on the presidential plane with Emmanuel Macron, to profile him for the Guardian. It was at the start of his first term in office, and everything seemed to be going well for him. Now, Carrère wrote on Tuesday, hating Macron is a national sport in France. For the long read, Carrère travelled once more with the French president, this time to Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, for the recent G7 conference most notable for Donald Trump's abrupt departure: 'With [Trump] gone, the tension subsided. We could breathe again but there was no denying that the game had lost some of its appeal. Even though the second day was no more than a half day it dragged on, which was all the crueller given that its star was Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Invited by the G7, he had travelled more than 3,000 miles just to see Trump and beg him once again not to completely abandon Ukraine, and Trump once again humiliated him, this time by leaving just before he arrived.'
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On Monday, Marten and Gordon were found guilty of the manslaughter of their newborn daughter, who died after they took her to live in a tent in freezing wintry conditions to evade social services. Their story – of a woman born into extraordinary aristocratic privilege and her life with a violent convicted rapist – grimly fascinated Britain. For an extraordinary long read, Sophie Elmhirst spent months attending their retrial and chronicled the chaotic scenes as Gordon chose to defend himself and Marten pushed the patience of the presiding judge to its limits.
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The Columbia hotel in west London was known for its cheap rooms, its bar's flexible opening hours, and its look-the-other-way attitude. It became a go-to spot for musicians in the 1980s and, in the 90s, became the place to descend on. In this fun history, Daniel Dylan-Wray spoke to those who remember (or perhaps don't) its hedonistic glory days.
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Metro
a minute ago
- Metro
Bizarre theory around Trisha Paytas' superhero-inspired name of third baby
What do Queen Elizabeth II and Ozzy Osbourne have in common? One wore the Crown, the other was the Prince of Darkness, and both have been reincarnated as the children of Trisha Paytas – according to the internet. In September 2022, a social media theory took off, suggesting that Trisha Paytas, 37 – a YouTube vlogger with 5million subscribers on the platform -had given birth to the reincarnation of Queen Elizabeth II. If you're unfamiliar with Trisha, a short list of the things she's known for includes tearfully declaring she identifies as a chicken nugget, asking with perfect sincerity if Jesus paid taxes, and filming dozens of emotional breakdowns on her kitchen floor to ever-increasing viewership. What does this have to do with the Queen or the beloved lead singer of Black Sabbath? Well, the reincarnation concept was fueled by (divine) timing: Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, and Trisha gave birth to her daughter, Malibu Barbie Paytas-Hacmon, just six days later. So, of course, it follows that Trisha's next baby would contain the cosmic spark of another British icon, albeit on the opposite end of the spectrum. As a result, yesterday, when she announced the birth of her third child, Aquaman Moses Paytas-Hacmon (no, seriously, that's what she named her human baby), on the same day that the news broke that Ozzy Osbourne died at 76, people just about snapped their thumbs rushing to reshare the baby announcement with the caption: 'Welcome back Ozzy Osbourne.' Adding another layer to the melee, Trisha named her new baby Aquaman – a direct nod to the DC superhero portrayed by Jason Momoa in the 2018 film. In a surreal twist of pop culture synchronicity, Momoa hosted Ozzy Osbourne's Black Sabbath farewell concert just 16 days before Osbourne's death was announced. The coincidences have been far too much for some people to handle rationally, some of whom now seem earnestly convinced that Trisha Paytas' womb is a portal of reincarnation. A few are even arguing that Trisha's second child, Elvis, is a reincarnation of Pope Francis (despite there being nearly a year between the child's birth and the leader of the Catholic church's death, but why let logic get in the way of a good time?). As silly as the meme is, for many fans, it's a playful way to mourn Ozzy, with the comforting idea that maybe – somehow, someway – he's still with us in spirit. Trisha, for her part, has yet to comment on the Aquaman-Ozzy theory (as it will no doubt be short-handed in academia for years to come), but, knowing her, she will have something to say, and it'll only fuel the gleeful chaos and meme-making. Some people are even wondering: Did Trisha choose to announce the birth of her baby on the same day as Ozzy's death, fully aware of the meme renaissance it would spark. Did she pick Aquaman as her son's name as a subtle connection to the rocker? Could anyone be that calculated? Part of Trisha's appeal as an entertainer is that its impossible to determine whether she's in on the joke of her own persona – which, if intentional, would make her one of the most profoundly subversive and insightful performance artists of this or any generation (Marina Abromivic could never make the Chicken Nugget video, but Trisha Paytas could totally have made Rhythm 0). The other option? Trisha is genuinely oblivious to the surreal absurdity she embodies, making her a tragic and poignant anthropological study of how the digital performance of self subsumes authentic personhood in the internet age (or something like that; you get the vibe). Meaning…she earnestly named her newborn Aquaman Moses, and it was just a coincidence that the timing of her children's births aligned with the deaths of global icons. To put it more simply: No one knows if they're laughing with or at Trisha Paytas and the reincarnation theory – they just know they're laughing. She's a glittering car crash of modern internet identity worthy of an entire graduate-level course in a media studies department – and we'll probably never truly know if she's behind her latest bout of internet mega fame. @trishlikefish88 ♬ original sound – trishapaytas The YouTuber did respond to the original Queen Elizabeth theory in 2022, saying with deadpan earnestness that just fed into the joke: 'I still don't get the correlation between the two. But I did not have my baby and there is no reincarnation of the Queen in my baby.' More Trending Now, as yet another chapter in the Trisha Paytas Reincarnation Extended Universe unfolds, all we can do is brace ourselves – and maybe start placing bets. Will her fourth child arrive the same day as Paul McCartney's eventual departure? David Attenborough? Peppa Pig?! One thing's certain: if the internet is a religion, Trisha Paytas might just be its high priestess, its sacred fool, and its glitching oracle – all rolled into one and crying on the kitchen floor. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Unfiltered and charmingly chaotic': How The Osbournes redefined reality TV forever MORE: Ozzy Osbourne predicted his epitaph would be about bats – this one isn't MORE: Inside Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's 43-year marriage as the rock star dies aged 76
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Oleksandr Usyk, Muhammad Ali: The remarkable similarities between two heavyweight icons
Oleksandr Usyk enters his fight with Daniel Dubois on Saturday night as the best heavyweight on the planet. In an era where giant heavyweights have largely dominated, Usyk has proved that it is not all about size in boxing 's blue-riband division. Over half a century ago, Muhammad Ali did the same thing. He was not the biggest or the hardest-punching heavyweight, but his skill and heart allowed him to become the very best. The heavyweight division has not seen anyone like Ali before or since, but there are a number of similarities between the 'The Greatest' and Usyk. Let's assess how they stack up against each other physically and in terms of achievements. Born on the same day Let's start with something purely coincidental – Ali and Usyk were born on the same day. Ali came into the world on January 17, 1942 and Usyk was born on the same date 45 years later. That specific date appears to be a special one for elite athletes as former female fighter Ann Wolfe was also born on January 17. Wolfe is widely regarded as one of the best women's boxers ever after holding world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously during her glittering career. Same height, reach and weight Usyk and Ali's physical attributes are also very comparable. At his peak, Ali stood at 6ft 3in tall, had a 78in reach and weighed around 220lbs. Usyk is the same height and has an identical reach. He has also resisted the temptation to bulk up too much since moving to heavyweight. The Ukrainian great has stayed around the 220lbs mark for most of his recent fights, giving up weight to his opponents. The likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois have all outweighed Usyk, but his skillset and boxing brain has got his hand raised time and time again. Olympic champions Ali went to the Rome Olympics in 1960 when he was only 18 years old. The teenager had still not finished growing at the time and competed in the light-heavyweight division. He came away with a gold medal after outclassing his opponents and turned professional shortly afterwards. Usyk also got to stand on the top step of the podium after claiming heavyweight gold at the 2012 Olympics in London. He was one division below Anthony Joshua who won gold at super-heavyweight. Usyk switched over to the professional ranks the following year where he started off at cruiserweight – a weight class that did not exist when Ali started boxing. Heavyweight kings Ali became heavyweight champion for the first time when he stunned Sonny Liston in February 1964 and he won their rematch in even more dominant fashion the following year. Ali had to relinquish his titles are refusing to sign up for the US army, but came back to regain them when he beat George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle'. As he moved into the final years of his career, Ali was no longer the same force, but he still had enough left in the tank to win his titles back from Leon Spinks to achieve three-time champion status. Similarly to Ali, Usyk was also written off when he first challenged for heavyweight gold. Usyk had looked unconvincing in beating Derek Chisora and many expected Anthony Joshua to deal with him. But Usyk delivered a classy display to outpoint Joshua and then repeated the feat a year later. He has since seen off Dubois and Tyson Fury twice, and will be looking to beat Dubois again on Saturday night at Wembley. It will be another huge occasion, the type of which Ali used to rise to every time. Usyk has done exactly the same throughout his career, and will expect to put on another masterclass to become undisputed champion once more.
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
MasterChef series filmed last year to be broadcast in August, BBC confirms
An upcoming series of MasterChef which was filmed last year before allegations against Gregg Wallace and John Torode were upheld will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6. A decision on airing the celebrity series and Christmas special has not been decided, with plans to be confirmed later in the year, the BBC said. A BBC spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. 'At this stage we have not taken a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year, and we will confirm our plans later in the year. 'Most importantly MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual. There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.' The statement followed news last week that John Torode's contract on MasterChef would not be renewed, as confirmed by the BBC and production company Banijay UK. Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter Gregg Wallace. Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. In November 2024, the show's production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace issued an apology saying he is 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' in the wake of a report that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld. Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005.
