Latest news with #NorthSouth
New York Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Two New Picture Books About the Transformative Power of Language
'On a mild autumn morning, Oscar was doing his daily digging when he discovered a magnificent wooden chest.' Does this opening sentence raise questions in the mind of an adult reader? It certainly does. But even if you pause briefly to ask why Oscar digs every day — and whether child protective services should be alerted — the attractive picture book A CHEST FULL OF WORDS (NorthSouth, 48 pp., $19.95, ages 4 to 8), by the frequent collaborators Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger, soon sweeps you along. Because what Oscar finds in this long-buried chest is a tangled treasure of words — and they are, intriguingly, quite fancy words at that, such as bulbous, docile and featherlight. Wow. As Oscar begins to apply these adjectives to objects in his vicinity, the reader stops asking pitiful irrelevant questions and falls into the habit of pointing at an illustration and matching it to a single delightfully descriptive word. 'That lighthouse is fuchsia,' you say proudly. 'And that bear is winged.' If I were to apply adjectives to Oscar, I would describe him as practical and perhaps worryingly-adept-with-tools, but also, crucially, teachable. When he opens the chest, he is at first disappointed, as he had hoped for something cool, like a slice of pink cake or a diamond. Attempting to make the best of the situation, he extracts the word fluorescent and tries playing with it, but it's no fun at all, so he airily tosses it into a shrub and walks off. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Sky News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
UK weather: Tornado and funnel cloud could hit parts of country today, Met Office forecaster warns
A tornado could batter parts of the UK, experts are warning - as the South endured heavy rain following the driest start to spring in decades. Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said it was "not out of the question that we could see a funnel cloud, maybe even a brief tornado across parts of the South East" as southern areas face thunder, lightning and hail. He added there was a "bit of a North-South split in our weather through today". "Northern parts having a lot of fine, sunny weather, meanwhile in the South we've seen some wet weather push its way in... and there will be further showery bursts to come as we go through the rest of today," he said. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Good and bad news for Ireland from Trump's UK deal
Good morning. The Cabinet gathers at Government Buildings for its weekly meeting with the spectre of Donald Trump once again looming large over events. Tánaiste Simon Harris will brief his colleagues on initial analysis by officials of the US-UK trade deal announced last week. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that officials say that the tricky situation of differential tariff rates for North and South has been averted for now anyway; the bad news is that the agreement with the UK suggests that the US sees tariffs as an essential part of the future arrangements with the rest of the world. In other words, Harris will tell his colleagues, even if there is a trade agreement between the EU and the US in the coming months – and that's a big if – there is likely to be tariffs. This is the 'new reality', he will tell the Cabinet. And that will suppress trade and therefore growth. As we report this morning , yesterday was a good example of just how unpredictable and volatile the trade policy environment right now. The US and China announced they would set aside the recent massive tariffs for 90 days to try to create the conditions for a new agreement. 'We're not looking to hurt China,' said Donald Trump – which is a new angle for him, you'd have to say. READ MORE A couple of hours later, Trump announced a new executive order designed to cut drug prices in the US – though critics immediately said that the order didn't include any actual measures that would reduce costs, and as such amounted to a request to the pharma companies to cut their prices. Maybe they will. Give Trump a victory and then move on. That would certainly be welcomed in Dublin, fretting about the pharma companies who pay so much corporation tax here. Then again, things could change again today. Row brewing over Leaving Cert reforms Teachers could be subjected to salary deductions if they don't implement Leaving Cert forms, Carl O'Brien reports. According to proposals from the Department of Education, teachers could lose 5 per cent of their salaries – money they are being paid under pay agreements requiring workplace flexibility – if they refuse to co-operate with Leaving Cert reforms. Officials say unions will be in breach of pay deals giving them 2 per cent and 3 per cent pay rises. The ASTI is threatening not to co-operate with the plan, but Minister for Education Helen McEntee will tell the Cabinet today that she intends to push on with Leaving Cert reforms, despite the objections. Well, every minister for education has to have a row with the teachers at some stage. Martin trades barbs with Orban Taoiseach Micheál Martin has tangled with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban over plans for Ukraine to join the EU. Orban has repeatedly threatened to use Hungary's veto to block the move, which Martin described as 'outrageous' in an interview with Euronews, complaining of 'wilful abuse of the veto'. Orban hit back, complaining that Hungary 'always regarded Irish patriots as champions of freedom and national independence', and accusing Martin of siding with 'an empire'. Best reads Irish Times chess columnist JJ Walsh retires after 70 years and – get this – nearly 16,000 puzzles. Nice piece by Ronan McGreevy. Work on the BusConnects corridors will start in the autumn . Expect there to be blue murder. If the cycle tracks are anything to go by, they should be finished by about 2100. A collapsed Victorian cottage in Ranelagh is owned by . . . the Construction Industry Federation. London Correspondent Mark Paul on Labour's tough new stance on immigration in the UK. Donald Trump offers to join the Russia-Ukraine talks. On Monday's Inside Politics podcast , Simon Harris answered questions on housing, the Occupied Territories Bill and more. Playbook Cabinet meets at Government Buildings this morning – Jack Horgan-Jones has a preview of some of the agenda items , including a plan to poach US academics and researchers. The Dáil resumes at 2pm with Leaders' Questions, followed by the Order of Business and Taoiseach's questions. There's statements on higher education, Sinn Féin Private Members' business and health questions. Quiet day in the Seanad and there's little meaningful business yet at the committees. Read the full Oireachtas schedule here . Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Inside Politics newsletter to get our politics team's take direct to your inbox.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sheffield DocFest Sets Films on Ukraine War Field Medics, Agency Matching North and South Koreans
Billy Idol, female war field medics on the frontlines in Ukraine, a marriage agency matching North Korean women and South Korean men, a whistleblower in Vladimir Putin's Russia, the aftermath of Brexit, and Indian sex workers who begin making short films – those are just some of the topics to be featured in documntaries screening during the 32nd edition of Sheffield DocFest next month. Overall, the festival in the north of England will screen 116 films, 82 features and 34 shorts. It will feature 51 world premieres, 16 international premieres, eight European premieres, and 39 U.K. premieres from 68 countries of production. More from The Hollywood Reporter Among big names, Billy Porter will attend as executive producer of I Was Born This Way, Sam Pollard and Daniel Junge's celebration of the life of Carl Bean, from a tough childhood through to his musical success and queer rights advocacy. It will feature in the Sheffield fest's Rhythms section, along with the likes of Jonas Åkerlund's Billy Idol Should Be Dead, in which the rock icon, his family, friends, and collaborators reflect on 'his tumultuous career, personal life and lasting impact on global popular culture.' Of course, political themes and conflicts will also be in focus, for example in the festival's People & Community strand where Amber Fares' Coexistence, My Ass! will screen. 'Comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi turns satire into resistance, employing humor to expose hard truths about the relationship between Israel and Palestine – where coexistence feels like a bad joke,' reads a synopsis of the film. 'Cuba & Alaska' And the Rebellions section will include David Borenstein's Mr. Nobody Against Putin. 'A primary school teacher in Russia becomes an unlikely whistleblower as he goes undercover to document propaganda and militarization inside Russia's school system,' according to its description. 'At Sheffield DocFest, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change and create an alternate future,' said Mimi Poskitt, Sheffield DocFest's managing director. 'And this is what DocFest 2025's program is all about: coming together to learn and be inspired to take action. In planning this year's edition, we reflected deeply on where we can make a real difference — how, in an environment where filmmakers are facing ever greater challenges, our festival can be a place where documentaries thrive.' Added Raul Niño Zambrano, Sheffield DocFest's creative director: 'This year, we've brought together some of the most powerful shorts, documentary features, series, podcasts, talks, and immersive works from across the globe to transform the city of Sheffield into a truly unique space where perspectives meet, just as our tagline proudly proclaims. Our 2025 program delves into urgent, creative, and cutting-edge stories — from activism and climate justice, to queer perspectives and powerful journeys through archival treasures.' The 32nd edition of the Sheffield DocFest takes place June 18-23. 'North South Man Woman' Check out the lineup for its international competition and its international first feature competition below. International Competition Cuba & Alaska – Yegor Troyanovsky – Ukraine, France, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) Two female medics in Ukraine's army, whose lives are captured via phone and body-cam footage, navigate the chaos of war with bravery, humour and friendship. Factory (Gong Chang) – Hao Zhou – Macau, 2025 (World Premiere) Acclaimed director Hao Zhou journeys into one of China's vast factories around the time of the pandemic to detail the impact of global supply chains and coercive business practices on workers' lives. The Gas Station Attendant – Karla Murthy – USA, 2025 (World Premiere) A daughter reflects on her South Asian father's life, his never-ending pursuit of the American dream, and the human capacity to love and survive. North South Man Woman – Morten Traavik, Sun Kim – Norway, Latvia, South Korea, 2025 (World Premiere) North Korean women meet South Korean men in a fascinating and often surprising look at love, business and geopolitics. Shards of Light – Mila Teshaieva, Marcus Lenz – Germany, Ukraine, 2025 (World Premiere) War has ravaged the Ukrainian city of Bucha, whose residents have endured unimaginable hostility and suffering. If hope remains a faint glimmer, the will to survive still shines through in this powerful and unflinching film. Still Pushing Pineapples – Kim Hopkins – United Kingdom, 2025 (World Premiere) A melancholic yet heartfelt story of the former singer of pop band Black Lace and his journey on the road with his aging mother and his partner, as he aims for a comeback. Welded Together – Anastasya Mirashnichenko, Anastasiya Zinovieva – France, Netherlands, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) A young welder confronts her fractured past to protect her sister, forging a future from sacrifice, resilience and the spark of second chances. Yanuni – Richard Ladkani – Austria, Brazil, USA, Canada, Germany, 2025 (International Premiere) In this love story and urgent call to action, an Indigenous couple risk everything to defend the Amazon and their unborn child's future. International First Feature Competition (supported by Netflix) Blue Has No Borders – Jessi Gutch – United Kingdom, 2025 (World Premiere) A young filmmaker is determined to know her neighbours in the port town of Folkestone. But in the aftermath of Brexit, building new relationships isn't easy. The Broken R (Rotacismo) – Ricardo Ruales Eguiguren – Ecuador, Italy, 2025 (World Premiere) This intimate journey about self-acceptance follows Ricardo, a 24-year-old man born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, who has struggled to pronounce the letter R since birth. Carmela and the Walkers (Carmela y los Caminantes) – Luis Herrera, Esteban Coloma – Ecuador, 2025 (World Premiere) As the world appears increasingly intolerant of 'outsiders,' an Ecuadorian woman welcoming Venezuelan migrants into her home is a moving reminder of our capacity for warmth and humanity. Comparsa – Vickie Curtis, Doug Anderson – Guatemala, USA, 2025 (World Premiere) In a Guatemalan town, two fiery sisters channel their grief and anger into a local street performance to protest against gender-based violence in the country. December (Grudzień) – Grzegorz Paprzycki – Poland, Lithuania, Qatar, 2025 (World Premiere) Amid December's festive glow, refugees remain hidden in forests along the Poland-Belarus border. This powerful documentary gives voice to their silent cries. A Little Gray Wolf Will Come (Dolazi mali sivi vuk) – Zhanna Agalakova – Croatia, Netherlands, France, 2025 (World Premiere) On the eve of the war in Ukraine, a Russian journalist from pro-Kremlin TV channel brings her rebellious and Westernized teenage daughter on a journey through Putin's Russia. Lullaby For The Mountains (Օրոր Լեռների Համար) – Hayk Matevosyan – Armenia, USA, 2025 (World Premiere) In this hypnotic odyssey, the ancient monasteries of Armenia's highlands bear traces of epochs past. Landscapes give way to soundscapes, and the shadowy depths within. Redlight to Limelight – Bipuljit Basu – India, Finland, Latvia, 2025 (World Premiere) A high-spirited group of Indian sex workers and their families begin making short films to transform their own lives and inspire others. International Short Film Competition Alboroque – Sabrina Fernández Casas – Switzerland, Spain, 2025 (World Premiere) To protect their villages and restore biodiversity to the landscape of Galicia, a unique collective unites to fight invasive plants and municipal neglect. Animal Eye – Carlo Nasisse – USA, Costa Rica, 2024 (International Premiere) Scientists and philosophers confront the limits of their own vision through the eyes of animals. A Colour I Named Blue (色をこえて青を見る) – Sybilla Patrizia – Japan, 2025 (European Premiere) Two Japanese indigo dyers embark on an inner journey: one finding his own shade of blue, the other discovering new meaning through his color blindness. The Dam (La Presa) – Manuel Ojeda, Cuba, 2025 (World Premiere) A mysterious fish, rumoured to be three metres long, swims behind a dam. Tingo is obsessed with catching this shadowy creature and proving everyone wrong. Faith (La Fede) – Antonio Napoli – Italy, 2025 (World Premiere) According to an ancient Neapolitan proverb, 'More things happen in a day than in an entire century'. For the city of Naples, that day is today. From The Mountain We See The Mountain (Desde La Montaña Vemos La Montaña) – Julián García Long – Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) In the mist of the Patagonian Andes, an indigenous forest is recovering from a fire, with animals and humans emerging from a landscape scarred by colonisation. In A Whisper (Dans un Souffle) – Catarina Gonçalves – Portugal, Hungary, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) A breath caught on ice … This film traces the commitment and quiet resilience behind the graceful façade, as figure skater Nina Pinzarrone prepares to perform. My Name Is Oil – Igor Smola – Azerbaijan, Singapore, 2025 (World Premiere) On a platform in the middle of the sea, the industrial machinery of an oil rig attempts to send out a warning of an impending catastrophe. Oscurana – Violeta Mora – Honduras, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, 2025 (World Premiere) When darkness falls, the walking begins in this vital, visceral evocation of the experience of migrants undertaking a hazardous journey on foot across the US border. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
