The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak review fun playing with form
Children and teenagersReviewThis American bestseller, which forces the reader to say very silly things, certainly engages children – but it lacks charm as well as imagesThe Book With No Pictures became a No 1 New York Times bestseller in a matter of weeks. Written by BJ Novak, who is – among other things – an actor and standup comedian, it’s a book with few words and no pictures in a picturebook format, designed to be read by an adult to a child.
'Rolling and rolling and rolling': the first detailed account of great white shark sex
There are thought to be around 750 great white sharks in Australia and New Zealand. Very little is known about how they mate. Photograph: Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty ImagesThere are thought to be around 750 great white sharks in Australia and New Zealand. Very little is known about how they mate. Photograph: Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty ImagesSharksAstonishing testimony by New Zealand fisherman Dick Ledgerwood sheds light on mysterious and elusive ritual
It has been described as the “holy grail” of marine biology, an act that is crucial to the survival of apex predators but has never been documented in detail: the mating of great white sharks.
Donald Fisher obituary | Retail industry
Retail industryObituaryDonald Fisher obituaryFounder of the Gap clothing empireDonald Fisher, who has died of cancer, aged 81, was the co-founder of the US clothing retailer Gap. Starting out with one store in his home city of San Francisco in 1969, he went on to build an iconic clothing brand with more than 3,000 outlets worldwide – including 134 shops in the UK – and annual sales of nearly $15bn.
It was almost an accidental achieve-ment for Fisher, who had started his professional life as a property developer with his father's company.
It didn't start with Trump: how America came to undervalue teachers
EducationThe 1983 report, A Nation at Risk, spoke of a school system in ‘the grip of a crisis’ – kicking off cycles of shortcomings for American schools
‘My classroom has asbestos and bats’” a message from Betsy DeVos
At 4.20pm on 26 April 1983, in the state dining room at the White House, then president Ronald Reagan accepted a report from a panel of the country’s leading educators, offered a couple of lighthearted quips and spoke of a school system in “the grip of a crisis”.
Man who killed pregnant woman in M66 crash has jail term increased | Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester This article is more than 3 months oldMan who killed pregnant woman in M66 crash has jail term increasedThis article is more than 3 months oldAdil Iqbal’s sentence extended to 15 years after he hit Frankie Jules-Hough’s car while driving at up to 123mph
A man who killed a pregnant woman when he hit her car while filming himself driving at up to 123mph on a motorway has had his sentence increased.
Patricia Hodge: I wish I could say sorry to my husband | Life and style
The Q&ALife and styleInterviewPatricia Hodge: ‘I wish I could say sorry to my husband’Rosanna GreenstreetThe actor on dementia, red hair and the importance of manners
Born in Lincolnshire, Patricia Hodge, 71, trained as a teacher before studying at Lamda. Her television credits include Rumpole of the Bailey, Miranda and Downton Abbey. In 2000 she won an Olivier award for her performance in Money at the National Theatre. She is currently starring in the 20th anniversary revival of Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen at Chichester Festival theatre.
Why are suicide doors on old cars called suicide doors? | Notes and Queries
Categories Nooks and crannies Yesteryear Semantic enigmas The body beautiful Red tape, white lies Speculative science This sceptred isle Root of all evil Ethical conundrums This sporting life Stage and screen Birds and the bees SEMANTIC ENIGMASWhy are suicide doors on old cars called suicide doors?
'Denim is rubbish for keeping you warm': experts' tips for cold-weather dressing
FashionAvoid thick socks with tight shoes, try a neck buff and invest in a rechargeable waistcoat – top tips for dressing warm from a groundsman, a National Trust ranger and a cold-water swimmer
Spending time outdoors was fine in June when it might have involved beer, picnic dressing and socially distanced picnic rugs in the local park. And the outdoors remains vital to life right now, whether that is for a sanity-restoring walk or – depending on where you are in the UK – a meet-up with five friends.
Elon Musks SpaceX launches first phone service satellites | SpaceX
SpaceXElon Musk’s SpaceX launches first phone service satellitesStarlink satellites, carried on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, can beam signals directly to smartphones from space
SpaceX launched a rocket on Tuesday carrying the first set of Starlink satellites that can beam signals directly to smartphones from space.
Elon Musk’s space business struck a deal in August 2022 with wireless carriers to provide phone users in “dead zones” with network access via its Starlink satellites.
From bricklaying to Bells Beach: Australian surfer Jackson Baker plots return to the WSL
Jackson Baker’s surfing is eye-catching not only for his big turns but also the bright pink board beneath his feet, a tribute to his mum who died of breast cancer. Photograph: Brydie Piaf/The GuardianJackson Baker’s surfing is eye-catching not only for his big turns but also the bright pink board beneath his feet, a tribute to his mum who died of breast cancer. Photograph: Brydie Piaf/The GuardianSurfingSince being cut after a narrow loss, the 26-year-old is determined to win back his spot – for himself and in memory of his mum