3 h. ago The Hunger Games: On Stage review – thundering fight to the death in a dazzling dystopia

Troubadour Canary Wharf theatre, LondonEye-popping visuals and a strong lead performance energise Matthew Dunster’s production – but the emotion gets lost amid the actionA luminous bow hovers in the darkness as if suspended in the sky while the arena-like stage is filled with smoke. A figure emerges: Katniss Everdeen, the girl from District 12 in Suzanne Collins’ post-apocalyptic universe, played by Jennifer Lawrence in the film franchise. With her appearance, the 74th Hunger Games begin – and no special effect is spared.Closely following the plot of Collins’ first book in the young adult series, and the Lionsgate film of 2012, Matthew Dunster’s production is a grand-scale manifestation of dystopian Panem. It is a place in which the haves and have-nots are divided into districts, and in which children are pitted against each other as “Tributes” in a deadly TV gameshow, forced to kill for prime-time entertainment. The last one standing wins the prize of survival. Continue reading...

Sport

6 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council thanks tenants, staff and partners for successful annual tenants’ conference

The event, which took place at Chryston Community Hub, saw tenants from across the area come together to share their views, take part in question and answer sessions and hear about the difference they are making.

Politics

33 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council backs national campaign aiming to highlight ways parents, carers, and teachers can work together

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth unveiled the initiative, which considers the root causes of absences, and identifies ways to approach conversations about wellbeing that may help pupils to improve their attendance.

Society

42 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council's housing service continues strong performance

Latest independent Scottish Housing Regulator’s Landlord Report highlights positive service delivery in homes and rents, tenant satisfaction, quality and maintenance of homes, neighbourhoods and value for money categories.

Politics

61 h. ago North Lanarkshire Council reports strong progress in reducing homelessness and improving housing outcomes

Latest Homelessness Action Plan update shows a two per cent fall in homelessness applications and a 21 per cent reduction in repeat homelessness during 2024–25.

Politics

62 h. ago WSL talking points: time for VAR and Shaw masterclass sends City top

The dramatic top-of-the table encounter between Arsenal and Chelsea was marred by poor officiating while Manchester City benefit from ‘mentality shift’There were many interesting talking points from the dramatic stalemate between Arsenal and Chelsea – Alyssa Thompson’s stunning goal for the Blues, the impressive defensive performance of Lotte Wubben-Moy, the 56,537-strong crowd, Chelsea’s choice of a back four over a back five, Arsenal’s decision not to play with a natural No 6 – but, disappointingly, it is the quality of the officiating that has and will dominate. Both Renée Slegers and Sonia Bompastor said afterwards that they think the introduction of video assistant referees would be a positive step in helping eliminate the most obvious of errors, such as Blackstenius’s goal being ruled out for a nonexistent handball, and in assisting with the more marginal calls: whether Alessia Russo was offside for her goal or Frida Maanum was offside when her effort was ruled out.‘We need ju...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump voters for Mamdani and a new left coalition: the biggest surprises from New York’s election

Political analyst Michael Lange, a born and raised New Yorker who predicted Zohran Mamdani would win, discusses election night’s trends and surprisesUS politics live – latest updatesTwo days before the New York mayoral election, Michael Lange made a big electoral prediction – not just of who would win overall, or in each borough or neighborhood, but block by block. Lange, a political analyst born and raised in New York City, has spent over a decade in progressive politics and has become something of a local celebrity this year for his deep dives into city data and polling.He published his highly detailed prediction map – which correctly forecast that Zohran Mamdani would win although failed to predict Andrew Cuomo’s strong performance – on his Substack, the Narrative War. Lange has a flair for witty coinages. He highlighted, for instance, the divide between the “commie corridor”, stretching from Park Slope to Bushwick to Astoria, where he predicted (accurately) that Mamdani would wi...

Politics

9 d. ago Airdrie Central representative shortlisted for Young Councillor of the Year accolade at 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards

Chris Costello, of Scottish Labour, was elected to North Lanarkshire Council three years ago and works tirelessly to help residents with their problems and improve the community.

Events

9 d. ago Renfrewshire councillors congratulate education establishments on strong inspection performances

Rashielea Primary School in Erskine and Jennyswell Nursery in Paisley received the plaudits on Thursday.

Politics

1 week ago North Lanarkshire councillors formally approve purchase of 18 new minibuses

North Lanarkshire Council’s environment and climate change committee acknowledged the purchase of the 32-seat vehicles from Woodall-Nicholson Limited, which trades as Mellor Bus Limited, at a cost of £2.6 million.

Politics

2 w. ago SFA ‘to SCRAP performance school network’ which helped develop the likes of Scotland hero Billy Gilmour

THE SFA are to pull the plug on the seven-strong network of performance schools which helped develop Scotland heroes such as Billy Gilmour, it's being reported. Specialist partnerships between schools and Scotland's governing body across Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Motherwell have been operating since 2012 to support the development of talented youngsters between the S1 and S4...

Economics

2 w. ago Martin Clunes' 'fantastic' gang thriller is now available to watch for free

Out There, which is available to watch on ITVX, tells the story of a family impacted by county lines drug dealing and has been praised for its strong performances and gripping plot

Events

2 w. ago Moment wobbly plane aborts landing on Heathrow runway as Storm Benjamin's 75mph winds batter Britain

Dramatic footage shows the plane travelling from New York, unable to perform its landing at the London airport due to the strong gusts.

Events

3 w. ago Christy review: 'Sydney Sweeney is strong but the film pulls its punches'

Shown at the BFI London Film Festival, Christy features a strong central performance by Sydney Sweeney but this biopic could’ve been so much more

Politics

3 w. ago Senne Lammens opens up on life at Man United and Liverpool win

Senne Lammens delivered another strong performance as Man Utd beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League.

Politics

3 w. ago Florian Wirtz suggestion for Arne Slot as Liverpool vs Man Utd agreement is reached

Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday as top-tier domestic football returns from the October international break, and Florian Wirtz needs a strong performance

Politics

3 w. ago North Lanarkshire Council grants permission in principle for three detached houses to be built near Wishaw Main Street

The committee unanimously agreed with recommendations to grant the application, despite 17 objections having been received.

Politics

3 w. ago Celebrity Traitors star Tameka Empson takes hilarious dig at 'over

Celebrity Traitors star Tameka Empson has shared her strong opinions on Kate Garraway's performance on the BBC show, giving a hilariously savage take on her 'over-the-top' nature

Politics

3 w. ago UK economy expands as GDP rises by 0.1% in August ahead of crucial budget

Manufacturing and health sectors boost growth but ONS revises down figures for JulyExclusive: says higher taxes on wealthy ‘part of budget story’Business live – updatesThe UK economy expanded by 0.1% in August, according to official figures, giving a lift to Rachel Reeves ahead of next month’s crucial budget.A boost from the manufacturing sector helped the economy improve along with a strong performance by the health sector. Continue reading...

Economics

4 w. ago Murdaugh: Death in the Family review – Patricia Arquette is fantastic in this obscene true

The acting may be brilliant in the horrible real-life story of a family whose sordid tale ends in a double murder. But when everything about the subjects is so rotten, why on Earth would you want to watch?How fascinatingly horrible were the Murdaugh family? Very, according to how much true-crime content they’ve generated. There’s already been a hit podcast about them, untangling a narrative that began in enviable luxury and ended with a sordid double murder. There’s already been a TV documentary. Now the Murdaughs complete the set with Murdaugh: Death in the Family, the plush fictionalised drama retelling the same awful tale.At its heart is a trio of strong performances, primed for awards season. Jason Clarke – also currently excellent as a different kind of alpha male in The Last Frontier on Apple TV+ – is Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh, a powerhouse personal injury attorney and member of a South Carolina dynasty whose men have been the biggest beasts in the courtroom for genera...

Events