Composer John Williams says he ‘never liked film music very much’

Exclusive: The creator of some of cinema’s most memorable music says it pales in comparison to the great works

As one of the greatest composers in film, John Williams has written some of the most memorable music in cinema for masterpieces such as Jaws, Jurassic Park and Star Wars.

But despite winning five Oscars, the 93-year-old believes that, as an art form, film music pales in comparison to history’s great works.

Continue reading...

Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir Frankly taps into SNP discontent over party’s future

Her critics have reacted with fury but some in party feel nostalgia and ‘sense of loss for independence movement’

Nicola Sturgeon’s month-long promotional tour for her memoir Frankly comes to an end this Friday at the Southbank Centre in London, the city, according to one of many carefully placed publication interviews, where she is considering moving to escape the “goldfish bowl scrutiny” of Scotland.

The former first minister’s political memoir has generated a blizzard of headlines since its launch on 12 August. Some were diverting but ultimately inconsequential, like her choice of future base, others rubbed salt in raw wounds, reprising two of the most divisive episodes in the SNP’s recent history – the Scottish government’s investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against her predecessor Alex Salmond, and her flagship gender recognition law changes.

Continue reading...

Heatwave that fuelled deadly wildfires was Spain’s ‘most intense on record’

Country’s weather agency says 10-day period from 8-17 August was hottest since at least 1950, as fires still rage

A 16-day heatwave Spain suffered this month was “the most intense on record”, the country’s state meteorological agency (AEMET) has said.

Provisional readings for the 3-18 August heatwave exceeded the last record, set in July 2022, and showed an average temperature 4.6C higher than for previous such phenomena, the agency said on X.

Continue reading...

Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire at Novatek’s Ust-Luga terminal – Reuters

  1. Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire at Novatek's Ust-Luga terminal  Reuters
  2. Russia says Ukrainian drones hit nuclear power plant during Independence Day strikes  Fox News
  3. Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking nuclear plant, causing a fire  Al Jazeera
  4. Russia Says Novatek Fuel Terminal At Ust-Luga Port Catches Fire  Bloomberg.com
  5. Ukraine: Canada's Carney rules out Russian say on guarantees  dw.com
Posted in Uncategorized

Ukraine and Russia trade drone strikes on Kyiv’s independence day – politico.eu

  1. Ukraine and Russia trade drone strikes on Kyiv’s independence day  politico.eu
  2. Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire at Novatek's Ust-Luga terminal  Reuters
  3. Moscow says Kyiv has struck a nuclear power plant as Ukraine marks Independence Day  AP News
  4. Russia hits Ukraine with drones as Kyiv celebrates independence day  ABC News
  5. Russia accuses Ukraine of strike on nuclear plant in wave of drone attacks  The Guardian
Posted in Uncategorized

Ukraine war live: Kyiv bombards Russia with major drone attack on Ukraine’s Flag Day – The Independent

  1. Ukraine war live: Kyiv bombards Russia with major drone attack on Ukraine’s Flag Day  The Independent
  2. Russia blames nuclear site attack on Ukraine as Kyiv marks independence day  BBC
  3. Moscow says Kyiv has struck a nuclear power plant as Ukraine marks independence day  AP News
  4. Ukraine Strikes Russian Nuclear Power Plant, Moscow says  Newsweek
  5. Aug. 23: One arrested at Tel Aviv anti-war protest for leading ‘inflammatory’ chant  The Times of Israel
Posted in Uncategorized