A children’s writer’s macabre vision

A new biography looks at the appeal of Edward Gorey. Why have so many directors and writers been drawn to his peculiar vision, asks Cath Pound. From the Gashlycrumb Tinies to The Doubtful Guest, Edward Gorey?s morbidly funny little books are gothic surrealist masterpieces. Drawing on sources as varied as the novels of Agatha Christie … Continue reading A children’s writer’s macabre vision

Blockchain platform goes live for North Sea crude oil trading

LONDON (Reuters) – Oil majors and trading firms can start finalizing crude oil deals on a live blockchain-based platform for the first time, in a move that could revolutionize the market. Commodities trading firms have piloted similar schemes in recent years as blockchain technology has the potential to drastically cut costs in an environment of … Continue reading Blockchain platform goes live for North Sea crude oil trading

Copa Libertadores cup final called off

No-one really knows when South America’s premier club competition, the Copa Libertadores, will stage its final this year. It was due to take place on Saturday, but after an initial two-hour delay for the kick-off, the match was postponed until Sunday. Now it’s been postponed indefinitely. It all came down to an attack on Boca … Continue reading Copa Libertadores cup final called off

The juvenile joke hidden in a portrait

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it: a hazy hint of adolescent humour in the background of Andrea Odoni (1527), among the stand-out paintings on display at the National Gallery in London in an engrossing new exhibition devoted to the pioneering portraits of the 16th-Century Italian artist Lorenzo Lotto. Just behind the sitter’s left … Continue reading The juvenile joke hidden in a portrait

Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford, from the cornfield to the C-suite

Beth Ford’s first job paid $2 an hour. Early in the morning, she climbed on the school bus to go detassel corn, joining other kids in Sioux City, Iowa, who did it as a summer job. “Back then, two dollars an hour, that was real money,” Ford tells CNN’s Poppy Harlow in the latest episode … Continue reading Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford, from the cornfield to the C-suite

Eminem Name-Checks Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Reese Witherspoon and More in ‘Kick Off’ Freestyle

Eminem performs during the 2018 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 9, 2018 in Manchester, Tenn. Eminem has a long history of calling out a few famous folk in disturbing capacities across his discography, and he’s just added a few more to the list in his most recent freestyle. The rapper dropped the 11-minute … Continue reading Eminem Name-Checks Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Reese Witherspoon and More in ‘Kick Off’ Freestyle

Billiard sports lobby to join Olympics

Some of the world’s top billiard players gathered in Paris on Friday to lobby for their sport to be included in the Olympics held in the French capital in 2024. The cue sports players had organised a showcase for the International Olympic Commitee at the Eiffel Tower. Former World Champion Shaun Murphy dismissed that billiard … Continue reading Billiard sports lobby to join Olympics

Matt Bellamy confirms Muse will play the West Country in 2019

They are heading to the birth home of J.K. Rowling, Portishead, Banksy and, of course, Noel Edmonds. Matt Bellamy has confirmed that Muse will play Bristol in 2019, after fans feared their tour dates were limited to London and Manchester. The band initially listed Bristol among the cities that they were planning to visit when … Continue reading Matt Bellamy confirms Muse will play the West Country in 2019

Manchester United are lacking in “mad dogs” in midfield

Manchester United are lacking in “mad dogs” in midfield, manager Jose Mourinho said after his side recovered from a terrible start but were still held to a disappointing draw at struggling Southampton. Mourinho’s side were facing an embarrassing defeat early on as the Saints went into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes. Marcus … Continue reading Manchester United are lacking in “mad dogs” in midfield