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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
People make 'haunting' discovery about Humpty Dumpty and grim story behind nursery rhyme
The lyrics of the popular nursery rhyme never actually mention an egg - but Humpty Dumpty has been depicted as one in illustrations for centuries. If you've always regarded dear old Humpty Dumpty as a benign egg, you may wish to avert your gaze now. Similarly, if you treasure a beloved collection of illustrated nursery rhymes from your youth, consider this your gentle warning. It transpires that Humpty Dumpty isn't actually an egg - and people have been left stunned by the revelation. As one of the most cherished children's nursery rhymes ever penned, Humpty Dumpty has traditionally been depicted as a guileless egg. Countless illustrations showcasing his shell have been found, dating back to his inaugural egg-like debut in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland follow-up Through the Looking Glass, reports the Mirror. Yet the verse itself contains no reference to an egg whatsoever. Should you require a refresher, here's the rhyme: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the king's horses and all the king's men, Couldn't put Humpty together again. So what's behind his persistent portrayal as an egg? It's an intriguing query that author Holly Bourne raised on X, formerly Twitter, back in 2023. Posting on social media, she said: "Who decided Humpty Dumpty was an egg? Its not in the lyrics, and deciding he's a giant egg is quite a random leap for someone to make, and everyone else being like, 'yeah, a giant egg on a wall. Of course." And she was far from alone in her bewilderment. One person commented: "This has been haunting me for years." Another added: "This has bugged me for a long time!!" Meanwhile, several other individuals who had just come to the realisation were eager to find out the truth. "This is genuinely the first time I've realised he's not explicitly an egg," one Twitter user confessed. Another queried: "Oh my goodness how did I not realise this?". Fortunately, those with knowledge on the subject were quick to enlighten the curious. Jane Etheridge, Vice Chair of Federation of Children's Book Groups, responded: "It's believed to be Roundhead propaganda about a Royalist cannon. First appearance as an egg was in Through the Looking Glass." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There is even a grave attributed to Humpty Dumpty the cannon at St Mary's Church in Whitby, though it is shaped like an egg. Additional theories suggest that Humpty Dumpty is actually a narrative about King Richard III and his fall at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. So there you have it. Despite their varied hypotheses, historians concur that Humpty Dumpty's origins are not as an egg but potentially something far more sombre. In different weird news, chocolate fans were left stunned after learning the "correct" way to eat a popular confection. Toblerone is world famous and instantly recognisable for its triangular segment shape and many indulge in the treat during special moments such as Christmas or snag one from Duty Free while jet-setting. It can also be known to be tough to break off a piece, but one culinary enthusiast uncovered the optimal strategy to claim a segment. Demonstrating on social media, he shared: "So apparently this is how you're supposed to break your Toblerone."
Metro
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix fans have days left to binge 'the greatest TV series of all time'
Netflix users in the UK only have a matter of days left to binge a show many have described as 'the greatest TV series of all time.' First airing in 2004, Lost helped to revolutionise dramatic television as we know it. Following a group of passengers stranded on a mysterious island after a catastrophic plane crash, it left viewers fascinated, frustrated and infatuated, in equal measure. Following its history-making first season, the show went on to accumulate five more series before coming to an end in May 2010. Since then, viewers have continued to unpack the island's many mysteries, with the show experiencing a resurgence when it was first added to Netflix last August. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. But time is now running out for Netflix users to catch up or finish off, with Lost set to leave Netflix on August 15. While its divisive ending may have sent Lost off on a somewhat sour note, it remains well-regarded by fans and critics alike. Its collective six seasons boast an impressive 86% Fresh score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience score sits at an even healthier 89%, with some viewers still holding it up as one of – if not the greatest – TV shows of all time. 'The greatest TV show ever made. Not even close to be honest,' wrote Rotten Tomatoes user Derek R. 'Absolutely amazing, acting was incredible. I will never stop praising/recommending this show 15 years since after its ending,' said Noah P. Boopi H commented: 'One of the most mysterious, magical shows ever presented. nearly every episode came up with new, often mind blowing, twist that left me totally transfixed & begging for more. hated seeing it end.' 'No other show has ever hooked me like LOST did,' said Ray. Over the course of its six seasons, viewers followed the simmering love triangle of tortured surgeon Jack Shepherd (Matthew Fox), criminal Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly) and conman Sawyer (Josh Holloway). The three stars led an enormous cast, which also included the mysterious Locke (Terry O'Quinn), loveable Hurley (Jorge Garcia) and creepy Ben Linus (Michael Emerson). While it may have struggled under the weight of its own impenetrable mysteries, the show consistently put out what many have declared some of the best episodes of TV – including the mind-bending season 4 episode The Constant, and season 3's devastating two-part finale, Through the Looking Glass. Its successes may have been overshadowed by a divisive (and arguably oft-misunderstood) ending, but it never Lost (heh) sight of its characters, all of whom still resonate today. Given the show's iconic status, it's inevitable, then, that audiences have been holding out for a reboot or sequel series. Earlier this year, co-executive producer Drew Goddard (who came aboard during its third season) weighed in on the chances of a return to the island, telling Variety: 'This question comes up on various shows that I've done, and I always feel strongly that I don't want to just do karaoke of the show I used to do. 'I'd only be interested if we felt like we could do something special and new within the construct of the show. 'And then some of it just comes down to time and appetite. So there's no plan for it today. But never say never.' Lost may be leaving Netflix in the coming weeks, but UK viewers won't have to look far to find its new home. More Trending All six seasons are now available on the streaming platform ITVX, meaning that those who didn't make it to the end still have their chance to see how it all finishes. And what of those of us who already got Lost the first time around? As a great man once said, we have to go back! View More » Lost is streaming on Netflix UK until August 15, and on ITVX now. 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: 'Spicy' revenge thriller tops Netflix chart after being binged for 56,900,000 hours MORE: My Chemical Romance fans are 'freaking out' after they tease UK tour MORE: I know Freakier Friday is an unnecessary sequel – but it makes good choices
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Public Security Bill: Vague and dangerous for civil liberties
'When I use a word,' says Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carol's Through the Looking Glass, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.' However, when words are used in a piece of legislation, they cannot mean what the party in power wants them to. After all, vagueness is a legitimate ground for striking down a piece of legislation if it violates equality before the law and equal protection. Consider this: In the new Maharashtra Public Security Bill, an unlawful activity, defined under Section 2(f), targets a wide range of activities. They include, 'acts which constitute a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquility; or (an act) which interferes or tends to interfere with maintenance of public order; or interferes or tends to interfere with the administration of law or its established institutions and personnel, which is designed to overawe by criminal force or show of criminal force or otherwise to any public servant including the Forces of the State Government or the Central Government in exercise of the lawful powers of such public servant and Forces; or of indulging in or propagating, acts of violence, vandalism or other acts generating fear and apprehension in the public, or indulging in or encouraging, the use of firearms, explosives or other devices or disrupting communications by rail, road, air or water; or of encouraging or preaching disobedience to established law and its institutions; of collecting money or goods to carry out any one or more of the unlawful activities mentioned above'. In another piece of criminal legislation, the same term is defined 'as an act (whether by committing an act or by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation or otherwise) which is intended, or supports any claim, to bring about, on any ground whatsoever, the cession of a part of the territory of India or the secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union, or which incites any individual or group of individuals to bring about such cession or secession; or which disclaims, questions, disrupts or is intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India; or which causes or is intended to cause disaffection against India'. We now have an interesting conundrum. The term, 'unlawful activity', for the purposes of criminal law, therefore, has two different meanings under two different statutes. But the definition of an unlawful activity is so vague and broad that any person who chooses to oppose, for whatsoever reason or motivation, any act of the government can be jailed. Under the law, for example, Mahatma Gandhi could be jailed for carrying out the Salt Satyagraha. So can the participants of the Swadeshi Movement. B R Ambedkar could be jailed for burning the Manusmriti. Under the same law, peaceful protests could be criminalised, and protestors jailed for years without trial. The definition of an unlawful act has several vague terms designed for misuse and to strike at the core of liberty of the citizen to oppose and protest state action. For example, instead of the word 'abetting', which is commonly used in criminal law, the new law uses the word encouraging. What amounts to abetting a crime is well-known and settled jurisprudence. However, the word 'encouraging' is alien to criminal law and thus susceptible to widespread misuse. In the Assembly, the Chief Minister assured the state that he will not allow for misuse of the law while he himself has, in the past, claimed that Urban Naxals joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In the Chief Minister's view, therefore, jailing the members of the Bharat Jodo Yatra would not amount to a misuse of the law, and thus, make all of them liable criminally under this new law. For far too long, the ghost of another term, 'Urban Naxal' has continued to haunt activists like Stan Swamy and Rona Wilson, academics like Shoma Sen, lawyers like Surendra Gadling. Indeed, the blatant misuse of the UAPA against civilians began in Maharashtra in 2018 by imprisoning 16 academics, out of whom eight are out on bail, and Stan Swamy in jail. Some like Mahesh Raut continue to languish in jail. What this Bill provides us with is a Faustian bargain of security at the cost of liberty. Ultimately, as we well know with UAPA, we will be left with neither. As citizens, we must be resolute that a free people can never be truly secure without the unwavering protection of their fundamental rights. The writer is a lawyer practicing in Delhi who has appeared for some of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon case
Sky News AU
17-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
A plan too grand: The massive tactical mistakes the Liberal Party made on its landmark nuclear policy that led to crushing election defeat
Peter Dutton's crushing defeat at the election dramatically changed the composition of the parliament, but it didn't change the laws of physics. The Liberal Party cannot walk away from its commitment to nuclear unless it is willing to make the case for keeping coal. The objective facts remain. The engineering challenge of powering a grid on weather-dependent energy sources is overwhelming. Batteries and pumped hydro are band-aid solutions to the problem of intermittency, but they are storage devices, not generators. The finances don't stack up without subsidies and favourable regulations. New power lines are expensive, ugly and storm prone. Wind and solar plants require vast areas of land and damage ecosystems. A renewable energy-only policy would be a sour joke unless the Coalition can solve these and other challenges. It would ignore the experience around the world where policymakers are realising that engineering challenges cannot be wished away. Spain's recent blackout shows what happens when a grid without conventional inertia suffers a fault. A system dominated by solar and wind is complex to restart, so it took longer to restore power in Spain than in Portugal, which has abundant hydro generation and a large amount of gas. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has approved the construction of ten nuclear power stations as part of its aggressive clean energy expansion over the next 15 years. On Tuesday, the Danish Energy Minister Lars Aagaard told the newspaper Politiken that the centrist coalition was considering lifting a 40-year-old ban on nuclear power. The Norwegian government has established a commission to examine nuclear power. Serbia lifted its ban on nuclear power last November, and a feasibility study for building the country's first reactors is almost complete. Israel is considering a proposal to build the country's first commercial nuclear power station 40 km southwest of Beersheba in the Negev Desert. Google has signed an agreement with Elementl Power, a developer of nuclear power projects, to commit funding for three nuclear generators, each with 600 MW of generation capacity. Nuclear technology is developing quickly. Last week, the Ontario Power Group received approval for the country's first small modular reactor, and a test plant is being built in Finland. A transportable micro-reactor is being developed in Canada. What a contrast to Australia, where the government's favourite future technology, green hydrogen, is no nearer to commercial development than it was three years ago. In post-truth politics, facts from abroad don't always register at home. Today, as Humpty Dumpty says in Through the Looking Glass: "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean". It is not easy to be a conviction politician in an era where energy policy is shaped by focus groups and getting through the next election is all that seems to matter. Mr Dutton thought differently. As he told viewers in the final leaders' debate: "I haven't committed to nuclear energy for votes. I committed to it because it's in the best interests of our country." Mr Dutton could not find the pub-ready arguments for nuclear energy, but his successor must. Otherwise, the Party risks surrendering to the post-truth tide of emotional narratives and manipulated facts. The Energy Minister's claim that baseload power can be supplied by low-density, intermittent renewables like wind and solar is environmental happy talk. There is no empirical evidence to support it. Yet the Liberal Party is urged to follow this untested path by abandoning the only proven clean energy technology. The weight of evidence in nuclear's favour makes the Coalition's failure to win the policy debate all the more bemusing. We can bellyache about Labor's lies, but the bottom line is that the Coalition arrived at the election without persuasive, put-ready arguments. Shadow Energy Minister Ted O'Brien has spent the last three years researching nuclear power in great detail. He undoubtedly outperformed Energy Minister Chris Bowen in one-on-one policy debates and more than held his own in hostile forums like ABC's Q and A. With hindsight, however, the Dutton Opposition made four tactical mistakes. Its attempt to present a grand national plan for seven nuclear generators magnified the challenges and allowed opponents to magnify the cost. The revised nuclear proposal that should be presented at the next election must focus on overcoming the first hurdle: removing the moratorium. The case should be inarguable. What objection can there be to a level playing field on which nuclear energy will compete with other sources? A technology-agnostic policy in a competitive market will allow engineers and capital markets to decide if nuclear energy stacks up. Second, the Liberals were hesitant about costs. It was unprepared to do what Labor did and pick a figure out of the air, knowing that accurate forecasts are impossible to make. The solution was to spread the risk. A utility market must always be regulated, but that doesn't mean the government has to do everything. Various forms of private-public partnerships have been successful in Finland, the US and elsewhere. The Coalition's third tactical mistake was to play it safe on renewable energy. It failed to expose the flaws in the government's policy, including the cost. The arguments for nuclear should have begun by establishing the need for a plan B. The singular focus on nuclear energy conveyed the strong impression that nuclear energy is the cure for all our energy woes, which it is not. Its final tactical mistake was not to hammer home the vital role of gas, without which our energy system cannot survive in its current form, saturated with intermittent energy. Gas is far from ideal as a source of baseload power, but generators are relatively quick to build, and Australia has gas in abundance. A committed government would fast-track gas projects right now and incentivise investors by including gas in the capacity market. The incoming Labor government, meanwhile, seems set to amplify its first-term mistakes by increasing its emissions reduction target for 2035, even though there is little hope it can meet its 2030 target. Consumers and businesses should prepare for a rough ride. However unfit for purpose our energy system is now, we know it will be much worse by 2028. By then the arguments for nuclear power will write themselves. Nick Cater is senior fellow at Menzies Research Centre and a regular contributor to Sky News Australia
News18
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
A Decade of Dazzle: Revisiting 10 Years Of Iconic Met Gala Themes And Unforgettable Fashion Moments
The Met Gala, known as 'fashion's biggest night,' is an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Widely regarded as 'fashion's biggest night,' the Met Gala is an annual gala held to benefit the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event unites the most influential figures from fashion, entertainment, and culture under one roof, where creativity meets couture. Each year, the gala revolves around a carefully curated theme, encouraging attendees to showcase daring, imaginative, and unforgettable interpretations on the red carpet. While Hollywood's elite often dominate the spotlight, Bollywood stars have also left a remarkable impression at the prestigious affair, adding a unique cultural richness to the global celebration of style. Let's revisit the themes of the past ten Met Galas and the standout fashion moments that defined them. 2015 – China: Through the Looking Glass Rihanna completely changed the Met Gala after wearing this. People only started taking the met gala seriously after 2015 because of Rihanna's yellow grown — chu (@THEHORRORGOTH) May 6, 2024 The 2015 theme explored China's impact on Western fashion. The night's most talked-about look came from Rihanna, who stunned in a grand yellow fur-trimmed cape designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, instantly becoming a pop culture sensation. This theme focused on the blend between traditional craftsmanship and modern machine-made fashion. Celebrities embraced futuristic designs—Katy Perry channelled a dark, tech-inspired aesthetic, while Emma Watson made a sustainable statement in an outfit crafted from recycled plastic bottles. 2017 – Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between Honoring the visionary Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo, this edition embraced avant-garde fashion. Stars either wore Kawakubo's own experimental designs or interpreted her distinctive style. Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams co-chaired the event, emphasizing the boundary-pushing nature of the theme. 2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination Priyanka Chopra killing it on the red carpet wearing RalphLauren at the Met Gala 2018 — . (@desixslays) May 8, 2018 Drawing inspiration from Catholic art and iconography, this theme saw the Met partner with the Vatican to exhibit rare religious garments. Priyanka Chopra embraced the divine aesthetic in a deep burgundy velvet Ralph Lauren gown topped with an ornate bejewelled hood, epitomising celestial elegance. 2019 – Camp: Notes on Fashion lady gaga at the met gala 2019 giving high fashion barbie — pop culture gal (@allurequinn) August 6, 2023 Defined by extravagance and theatrical flair, 2019's theme encouraged over-the-top glamour. Lady Gaga delivered a dramatic red carpet performance with multiple outfit reveals, while Deepika Padukone enchanted in a voluminous pink gown, channelling a life-sized Barbie dream. 2021 – In America: A Lexicon of Fashion Billie Eilish, Met Gala 2021. 🤎 — billie eilish source (@billiesource) September 1, 2024 Marking the Met Gala's return after the COVID-19 hiatus, this theme celebrated American identity through fashion. Billie Eilish brought old Hollywood glam to life in a sweeping peach tulle gown, while Zoë Kravitz turned heads with her bold, sheer crystal-embellished dress. 2022 – In America: An Anthology of Fashion The follow-up to 2021's theme delved deeper into American fashion history and its most iconic designers. Natasha Poonawalla stood out in a daring look that fused tradition and couture, combining a classic Sabyasachi saree with a gold sculptural Schiaparelli bustier. 2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty This year paid homage to the late fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld. Attendees celebrated his signature monochrome aesthetic, with many paying tribute to his legacy through Chanel-inspired ensembles. 2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion alia bhatt for the 2024 met gala ✨ — hourly Alia (@AliaHourly) May 7, 2024 Inspired by archival fashion and forgotten masterpieces, this theme asked guests to evoke The Garden of Time. Alia Bhatt embraced the vision in a delicate pastel Sabyasachi saree, exuding timeless grace and subtle drama on the red carpet. top videos View all 2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Set to unfold on May 5, the 2025 Met Gala will spotlight Black style and sartorial storytelling, inspired by the aesthetics of dandyism and the tailoring tradition. The theme, Tailored for You, invites personal interpretations of fashion excellence. Co-chaired by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams—alongside Anna Wintour and honorary chair LeBron James—the evening promises to celebrate individuality, identity, and craftsmanship in striking new ways. First Published:
