BACKGROUND The first same-sex weddings have taken place after gay marriage became legal in England and Wales at midnight on Friday. Politicians from the main parties have hailed the change in the law. David Cameron said the move sent a message that people were now equal "whether gay or straight", but some religious groups remain opposed. Read more >>
THE CARTOON The cartoon by Morten Morland from The Times shows a gay couple driving away from their wedding in their car. Confetti fills the air and someone has tied tin cans to the back of the newlyweds' car - a custom which supposedly recalls the ancient tradition of making a loud noise to frighten away evil spirits. However, the usual 'JUST MARRIED' sign on the back of the car reads 'JUSTLY MARRIED'.
EXPLANATION The cartoonist plays on the words 'just' and 'justly'. 'Just married' means that the couple has just got married, whereas 'justly married' means that they have been married "according to what is morally right or fair" - a reference to the change in the law.
A musical based on the TV talent show has opened in London's West End ''I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical'', backed by music mogul Simon Cowell. Media reports have said there have been disappointing ticket sales in advance. It comes after a couple of other high profile shows closed early. Joanna Partridge looks at the risky business of putting on a musical.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: Life imitating art - or is it art imitating life? Music mogul Simon Cowell attending the new West End show "I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical". Not only is Cowell its financial backer, he's also portrayed in the latest show to hit London's theatreland. Director Simon Foley is hoping for success. 'I CAN'T SING!' DIRECTOR, SIMON FOLEY, SAYING: "We don't even know if it is going to be a success. I mean that is really up to the public to decide. I mean, essentially, any show you put on is really down to them the audience - do they like it?" REPORTER: Despite its celebrity backers and cast, "I Can't Sing" has already been plagued by production problems. Two early previews were cancelled due to technical issues. There've also been media reports of disappointing ticket sales - with seats available at short-notice for the opening week. Alistair Smith is Acting Editor of The Stage. ALISTAIR SMITH, ACTING EDITOR, THE STAGE: "It's a good show, I think you need to know The X Factor at least in part to get the jokes, but you probably don't want to love The X Factor too much otherwise you might not laugh with them. And I don't think it's a show necessarily for a traditional musical theatre audience." REPORTER: Theatre-goers aren't short of choice in London's West End, and the city's theatres saw another record box office year in 2013, even if not all shows are as successful as Mamma Mia. Critics say a key to popularity is appealing to tourists and locals. Several other high-profile shows have recently found it hard to make a splash with audiences. The Spice Girls musical Viva Forever flopped. Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest show, Stephen Ward, is closing early at the end of March. His former partner Tim Rice's From Here To Eternity is also due to shut after five months. ALISTAIR SMITH, ACTING EDITOR, THE STAGE: "There were specific reasons why all those shows didn't do well, but I'm not sure it's part of a wider trend, other than the kind of ongoing thing which is that most musicals don't succeed. I think the general rule of thumb is that out of every 10 shows, 6 or 7 lose money, a couple break even and then one will make a profit. But it's a bit like start-ups." REPORTER: I Can't Sing cost a rumoured 6 million pounds to bring to the West End - above the presumed average of around 3 million for some other musicals. It's estimated it will have to run for at least a year to recoup the costs.
IDIOMS 1. To make a splash is to become suddenly very successful or very well known. • Jodie Foster made quite a splash in the film 'Taxi Driver'. 2. A rule of thumb is a practical and approximate way of doing or measuring something. A good rule of thumb is that a portion of rice is two handfuls.
The number of women over 50 who are having babies has more than doubled in five years. Every week around three children are born to a mother in her fifties, the latest figures show. The dramatic increase in births to older women will deepen fears over the health of both the mothers and their babies. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A birth is the time when a baby is born or the process of being born. • The baby weighed three kilos at birth. • John was present at the birth of both his children.
BACKGROUND Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked Western lifestyles for causing climate change that is “pushing the environment towards crisis”. Writing in The Telegraph, Dr Williams says that the “appalling” floods and storms that devastated parts of Britain this winter were a demonstration of “what we can expect” in the future. Full story >>
THE CARTOON The cartoon by Bob from The Sunday Telegraph takes the form of a spoof poster for the new blockbuster movie Noah, in which Russell Crowe plays the eponymous biblical hero. In Bob's version, Noah is played by Rowan Williams and the tagline is "The End of the World ... Is All Your Fault" - a reference to the ex-Archbishop's comments. The tagline on the actual movie poster is "The End of the World ... Is Just the Beginning."
A rare Stradivari viola, expected to shatter the world record for a musical instrument, is displayed before its upcoming auction. Elly Park reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: You are listening to the sound of perhaps one of the finest musical instruments ever made. This viola was crafted by the legendary Italian artisan Antonio Stradivari in 1719, and is the first to be on the market in 50 years, according to Sotheby's Tim Ingles. TIM INGLES, DIRECTOR OF INGLES & HAY, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONSULTANTS TO SOTHEBY'S: "It's made by the greatest violin maker of all time. It is one of only ten violas. It is the best of all the violas, arguably the finest Strad in the world." REPORTER: The immaculately preserved instrument, known as the "MacDonald" was made during what is considered to be Stradivari's Golden Period, between 1700-1720. For the past 300 years legendary musicians have cherished Stradivaris for their rich, deep sounds, says American violist David Aaron Carter. VIOLIST DAVID AARON CARPENTER: "This instrument is kind of the pinnacle of human achievement in terms of craftsmanship and in terms of the history that's associated with this particular instrument." REPORTER: And such pedigree comes with a price tag - at least $45 million US dollars, as that is the minimum bid for its upcoming sealed sale. It is expected to easily top the current world record auction price of $15.9 million dollars for a musical instrument, set in 2011 for the 'Lady Blunt' Stradivari violin of 1721. The winning bid of this masterpiece will be announced on June 25th.
Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked Western lifestyles for causing climate change that is “pushing the environment towards crisis”. Writing in The Telegraph, Dr Williams says that the “appalling” floods and storms that devastated parts of Britain this winter were a demonstration of “what we can expect” in the future. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A lifestyle is the way in which a person or a group of people lives and works. • It was a big change in lifestyle when we moved to the country.
This cartoon by Chappatte from The International New York Times relates to President Obama's first meeting with Pope Francis, which took place at the Vatican on Thursday. The two men ask each other for their autograph. The message is that Pope Francis is now just as famous as Obama, whose star has waned somewhat since he first became President in 2008 amid a wave of euphoria and expectation. He's now considered by many (even those original supporters) to be a flawed President, just like any other. Pope Francis, on the other hand, has had a spectacular first year in office, and his plain-spoken populism has won rave reviews.
VOCABULARY An autograph is a famous person's signature, especially when somebody asks them to write it. • She was surrounded by autograph hunters outside the theatre.
Padlocks left by love-struck couples on the famed bridges of Paris prompt the launch of a campaign to stop the spread of the phenomenon. Elly Park reports.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: Is it a fix of love, or a showing of indifference? Around 700,000 padlocks are smothering the iconic bridges of Paris, left by amorous couples who symbolically seal their feelings. But too much love can be a drag, literally, as the metal locks are weighing down the bridges according to Lisa Taylor Huff, who launched the online "No love locks" petition calling for a ban. 'NO LOVE LOCKS' CAMPAIGNER LISA TAYLOR HUFF: "The bridges are actually being physically damaged by the weight of the locks, by the rust that goes, passes from the locks onto the mesh and the grillage (=fence), by the environmental damage to the river from the keys that are thrown in and rusting." REPORTER: The Pont des Arts is the most renowned bridge to suffer from the epidemic. It now holds 93 metric tons of metal, the equivalent of three large trucks parked permanently on the pedestrian-only bridge. But tourists here seem to take that excess lightly. ENGLISH TOURIST LAURENCE: "No, I think it's accepted vandalism, there are certain things that are illegal or there are things that you shouldn't do but they're accepted." TOURIST JEAN LOUIS: "I think that when it comes to pollution there are other problems with pollution to deal with than padlocks on the Pont des Arts." REPORTER: The "No Love Locks" petition has already been signed by hundreds of supporters who would rather see the burdening display of love... thrown away.
WORDPLAY 1. Heartache is a feeling of great sadness or emotional pain (when you are away from a loved one for example), but the word is also sometimes used to refer to more general problems. • The power struggle between the national team and Cricket Australia's off-field hierarchy is still causing heartache. 2. If something is a drag, it is boring or annoying. • Having to work late every day is a drag. And the padlocks are a drag (= additional weight) on the bridges.
COMMENT This would be a good topic for a classroom debate or discussion. Students could vote to keep or get rid of the love locks at the end.
THE first wreckage from the missing Malaysian airliner could be recovered today after a dramatic switch in the area of the search. Debris was spotted yesterday in the new zone, which is 700 miles from where it was thought the plane went down. The breakthrough came after new analysis of radar data suggested the doomed jet was flying faster than previously estimated. That means it would not have travelled as far over the Indian Ocean before running out of fuel and crashing into the sea. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A twist is an unexpected change or development in a story or situation. • The story has taken another twist. • The disappearance of a vital witness added a new twist to the case.
BACKGROUND President Obama and Pope Francis met for the first time Thursday in a discussion that focused on international conflict, human rights and religious freedom. Obama invited Francis to visit the U.S. next year. Read more >>
THE CARTOON This cartoon by Peter Brookes from The Times is based on the Obama's iconic 2008 "Hope" election poster designed by Shepard Fairey. However, in this version it's the Pope who is subject of the poster, and Obama can just be seen waving in the background.
COMMENTARY The cartoonist is making the point that Pope Francis is now more of a 'star' than Obama, who has lost much of his initial support and credibility in the USA and abroad following the Obamacare débacle, the NSA scandal, and various foreign policy blunders (Syria, Crimea). So the meeting with the Pope was a chance for Obama to get some of the Pope's star dust to rub off on him.
China's President ends a three day visit to France. Trade and business deals have been on the agenda. David Pollard looks at just how much China can offer a struggling France in terms of help and investment.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: Politicians call it pressing the flesh. There was plenty of it as France offered handshake after handshake to the visiting Chinese delegation. President Hollande wants closer ties to help revive foreign trade - and, perhaps, his own fortunes after a bruising for the ruling Socialists in recent local elections. FRENCH PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE: "Eighteen billion euros in contracts means employment, growth and especially prospects for growth for the years to come." REPORTER: Among contracts signed: nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas agreements. And a deal for Chinese carmaker Dongfeng to help recapitalise Peugeot, by buying a 14 percent stake. China is also signing up to buy 27 Airbus airliners and to extend a deal allowing other Airbus to be assembed there. France, says Dominic Johnson of Somerset Capital, is an old and expert hand at selling itself abroad. And despite a recent slowdown, China is a top bet. DOMINIC JOHNSON, CEO & FOUNDING PARTNER, SOMERSET CAPITAL: ''You have rising levels of consumption and power amongst a vast population and that's going to be at the core of really everything anyone does, geopolitically and globally. And so France is absolutely right to make a focus on that. We're doing the same in the UK and Germany and every other country is also going to be following suit.'' REPORTER: But Germany - next on President Xi's itinerary - accounts for nearly five percent of Chinese imports. At 1.2 percent, France has a long way to catch up - and may be too late. Recent business data has shown encouraging signs - but its economy is still stumbling under the weight of record unemployment. Michael Hewson of CMC Markets. MICHAEL HEWSON, CHIEF MARKET ANALYST AT CMC MARKETS: ''You could argue that they probably have missed the boat, but they still need to be doing something to encourage private investment into the French economy, and I think the government has a big part to play in that. They've got to do more than pay lip service to it, they've actually got to implement the reforms.'' REPORTER: France is thought to house Europe's biggest Chinese community, and considers itself an old friend. Fifty years ago, it recognised the Communist regime when others in the West were snubbing it. With the latest charm offensive to woo the Chinese President, it hopes the favour will be returned.
IDIOMS 1. Press the flesh: (of a celebrity or politician) greet people by shaking hands. 2. Follow suit: to follow an example set. 3. Miss the boat: to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act. 4. Pay lip service to something: to say that you agree with something but do nothing to support it.
Cats have passed TB to humans for the first time in an outbreak feared to have been caused by badgers. Two people from the same household are being treated for bovine tuberculosis after they caught the disease from their kitten. Two other cat owners have been infected with a dormant form of TB. Full story >>
VOCABULARY TB is an abbrevation for tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease in which swellings appear on the lungs and other parts of the body. • China has cut its rate of tuberculosis by more than half over the last 20 years, according to health officials there.
THE CARTOON The cartoon by Chappatte from The International New York Times shows Obama being greeted by European leaders (Hollande, Merkel, Cameron) holding a banner saying "Welcome back". Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is in a tank, hold a placard which adds "to the 20th century."
COMMENTARY The message is clear - Putin is still living in the 20th century, when the USSR was engaged in the Cold War with the US and its allies.
TRANSCRIPT REPORTER: Freshly baked - out of a vending machine? Seems unlikely, until now that is. The "Cupcake ATM" machine was launched by Sprinkles Cupcakes, a chain of gourmet cupcake stores. The ATM dispenses all the flavors that are sold at the adjacent store, but are available 24 hours a day. MAURA WEBER, REGIONAL MANAGER FOR SPRINKLES CUPCAKES: "And we pack them up throughout the day and hand-stock the ATM. From that point we set the ATM to go, and depending on what flavor you pick the robotic arm picks your flavor, you swipe your card, and just like that you have a cupcake." REPORTER: Cupcake hungry New Yorkers lined up to try the machine as soon as it opened. DANA PARRA, CUPCAKE LOVER: "It was awesome, so exciting. I love cupcakes and Sprinkles is my favorite. So, super exciting and I hope they open more ATMs around the city with cupcakes." RANDA ABDELHAMID AND HER DAUGHTER SALMA, CUPCAKE LOVER: "It's very nice. It's fun, she was so excited for it. And you know we've seen the announcement on Facebook so we really wanted to come and check it out. It was really fun." REPORTER: The sugar rush costs $4.25 (USD). And lucky for you, this ATM accepts all cards. Satisfying your sweet tooth has never been easier.
VOCABULARY ATM is an abbreviation for automatic teller machine (cash machine in Britain). Normally, you would get money from an ATM, but the term is apparently now being used for machines which distribute things like cupcakes.
Hard-pressed households were given a boost today as energy supplier SSE pledged to freeze prices until 2016 - putting rival companies under pressure to do the same. The move comes amid intense political lobbying on energy companies over rising bills and soaring profits at a time when household wages are being squeezed. Full story >>
VOCABULARY A bill is a piece of paper that tells you how much you must pay for something you have bought or for a service you have used. • Have you paid the electricity bill?
