7 d. ago Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones by Robert Ross review – portrait of a Python

An affectionate biography of the polymath includes details of never-produced gems such as Monty Python’s Third World WarTerry Jones was a Python, a historian, a bestselling children’s author and a very naughty boy. He loved to play women in drag, started a magazine about countryside ecology (Vole), founded his own real-ale brewery and was even once a columnist for this newspaper, beginning one piece in 2011 like this: “In the 14th century there were two pandemics. One was the Black Death, the other was the commercialisation of warfare.” He even used to write jokes for Cliff Richard.It would be tempting in view of all this to call him a renaissance man, except that Jones rather despised the highfalutin Renaissance, preferring the earthiness of medieval times: his first published book was a scholarly reinterpretation of Chaucer’s Knight’s Tale, arguing that the hero’s fighting and pillaging was being presented satirically by the poet as something deplorable. Later he raided the Norse ...

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1 week ago ‘What’s wrong with me?’ – Conor Benn reveals trauma of attending school that ‘thought I had demons in me’

CONOR BENN opened up on the trauma of attending a religious school who believed he was possessed by demons. Benn's family moved to Majorca in 2002 after his dad - ex-world champion Nigel - needed a fresh start. The British boxing legend battled sex addiction and substance abuse - leading to a suicide attempt -...

Events

1 week ago Rangers 3 Celtic Women 2 RECAP as Glasgow giants play out a five goal thriller at Ibrox

Mia McAulay strikes late to win the second Old Firm of the season and close the gap to leaders Glasgow City.

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2 w. ago Andrea Riseborough: ‘Psychologically, acting is no picnic for me’

The Newcastle-born star of ‘Birdman’, ‘Mandy’ and ‘To Leslie’ speaks to Adam White about her new suburban thriller ‘Dragonfly’, her eagerness to play women on the fringes of society, and her continued surprise over her shock 2023 Oscar nomination

Science

2 w. ago Elena Rybakina snubs photo with WTA chief after winning record $5.25m

Rybakina appeared to refuse a photo with WTA Tour CEO Portia Archer after her victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Tour Finals

Culture

2 w. ago Tennis LIVE: ATP Finals day two as Jannik Sinner begins title defence in Carlos Alcaraz hunt

The latest news from across the tennis tours with updates from the ATP Finals featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to claim victory in the WTA Finals

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2 w. ago Wimbledon champion blasted by tennis legend for conduct after winning £4million title

Elena Rybakina has been slammed for what she did after beating Aryna Sabalenka to a £4million payday at the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.

Economics

2 w. ago Man United are ready to 'write their future' ahead of historic Champions League tie

Manchester United Women will play at Old Trafford for the first time in the Champions League on Wednesday night vs PSG

Sport

2 w. ago WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka beaten ahead of 'Battle of the Sexes' as Elena Rybakina claims title

Former Wimbledon champion dominated in the Middle East

Events

2 w. ago DR ELLIE CANNON: The question women will ask... Did HRT play a role in Davina McCall's breast cancer?

Her outlook is good: treatment for the disease, which affects 55,000 women a year in the UK, is now excellent and catching it early gives her the best possible chance of beating it fast.

Science

2 w. ago Aryna Sabalenka in tears after missing out on biggest payday in women’s tennis history

Despite her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final, Sabalenka set a new WTA record for season earnings at just over $15m

Events

2 w. ago Elena Rybakina sinks Aryna Sabalenka to claim WTA Finals and record prize

Former Wimbledon champion wins 6-3, 7-6 (0)Unbeaten Rybakina takes home £3.98mElena Rybakina re-established herself as one of the significant players in women’s tennis as she closed out a week of devastating performances against the best in the world by completely overpowering Aryna Sabalenka to capture one of the biggest titles of her career at the WTA Finals in Riyadh with a 6-3, 7-6 (0) win.Having finished the season-ending tournament unbeaten in her five matches, Rybakina is now $5.235m (£3.98m) richer, earning the greatest prize money haul in the history of women’s sports. The victory marks the 26-year-old’s fourth big title after wins at Wimbledon in 2022, and Indian Wells and the Italian Open a year later. This is her third title of the season and her 11th title on the WTA Tour overall. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago WTA Finals tennis: Elena Rybakina rocks Aryna Sabalenka to claim title – live

Game-by-game updates from the final in RiyadhSign up for The Recap newsletter | Email TahaSabalenka 2-3 Rybakina* (* denotes server): At 15-30, Sabalenka has an opening. Rybakina advances to the net and is so very nearly beaten by a backhand pass but she gets the ball to drop and level up at 30-all. A whippy forehand moves Sabalenka to break point. She can’t convert before Rybakina delivers a second-serve ace, surprising her opponent with the wide hit. Then comes another delicious serve.*Sabalenka 2-2 Rybakina (* denotes server): Rybakina’s forehand return goes wild as Sabalenka holds to love. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina in the final – live

Game-by-game updates from the final in RiyadhSign up for The Recap newsletter | Email TahaSabalenka 0-1 Rybakina* (* denotes server): Here we go. It’s Rybakina to unleash her monster serve it’s a thumping backhand that gives her the first point. A forehand down the line takes her to 40-15 but she then goes long twice to keep Sabalenka in the hunt. At deuce comes a terrific serve out wide and Rybakina ensures there’s no early slip-up.Laura Robson is backing Rybakina; Tim Henman says it’s Sabalenka’s. The world No 1 has never won this comp, finishing as runner-up in 2022 to Caroline Garcia. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago WTA Finals live: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina latest score and updates from big

Sabalenka and Rybakina are attempting to win the WTA Finals for a first time and will compete for the $5.23m prize

Sport

2 w. ago Sabalenka to face Rybakina in WTA Finals decider after holding off Anisimova

World No 1 triumphs 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in epic semi-finalRybakina battles back to defeat Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-3Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to close out one of the greatest seasons of her career by winning the WTA Finals for the first time as she rekindles her rivalry with Elena Rybakina in the final of the season-ending championships.In the final stages of a tournament that has spectacularly produced both drama and quality, semi-final day in Riyadh further underscored the fierce competition at the top of women’s tennis today with two excellent three-set contests. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka beats Amanda Anisimova in semi

Sabalenka will face Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago WTA Finals tennis: Aryna Sabalenka v Amanda Anisimova in semi

Winner faces Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s finalGet in touch! Send your thoughts to NiallFirst set: Pegula 2-2* Rybakina (*denotes next server) Rybakina had started the stronger but lost her way in that last service game. Can Pegula back up the break? An early double fault doesn’t help matters, and Rybakina outlasts her in a rally to earn break point. From the middle of the court, Rybakina lands an inside-out forehand on the line, and we’re back on serve.Cam Norrie is playing in the Metz semi-finals; he’s trailing Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 0-1. In Athens, Novak Djokovic is facing Yannick Hanfmann; it’s on serve in their semi-final. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Elena Rybakina fights back against Jessica Pegula to book place in WTA Finals title clash

Rybakina will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Amanda Anisimova for a shot at her first season-ending crown

Sport

2 w. ago Coco Gauff lands enormous payday despite WTA Finals defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka is into the WTA Finals semi-finals at the expense of defending champion Coco Gauff – but that hasn't stopped the American from landing herself a huge payday

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