Sex Pistols vs. Les Misérables for Jubilee
And other stories from the stranger side of life
A tenor who starred in Les Misérables has told the Sex Pistols that his version of the national anthem, released to mark the Platinum Jubilee, will “wipe the floor” with a punk reissue of God Save the Queen. Alfie Boe said the ageing punks “don’t stand a chance” after he teamed up with Sarah Brightman, the soprano, to release the national anthem in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. The Times said many retailers are refusing to stock the reissue of the Pistols’ version, whose lyrics referred to a “fascist regime”.
Agency offers refunds for Bermuda Triangle cruise
A cruise bound for the Bermuda Triangle has promised passengers a full refund if the ship disappears, NDTV reported. Dozens of ships and flights are believed by some to have mysteriously disappeared in the region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean. The travel agency, the Ancient Mysteries Cruise, told prospective passengers: “Don’t worry about disappearing on this Bermuda Triangle tour. The tour has a 100% return rate and your money will be refunded in the rare chance you disappear.”
Diplomat slams ‘crappiest fountain’
The husband of New Zealand’s British high commissioner has revealed his verdict on the Wellington bucket fountain, a “polarising water feature that graces the centre of the nation’s capital”, The Guardian reported. Toby Fisher, husband of British commissioner Laura Clarke, tweeted: “After 4 years in Wellington, it’s time to be straight with you all, this is the crappiest fountain ever.” This is a milder verdict than that of Elijah Wood, who once urinated in the fountain while in New Zealand filming The Lord of the Rings.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Should Labour break manifesto pledge and raise taxes?Today's Big Question There are ‘powerful’ fiscal arguments for an income tax rise but it could mean ‘game over’ for the government
-
Nigerian Modernism: an ‘entrancing, enlightening exhibition’The Week Recommends Tate Modern’s ‘revelatory’ show includes 250 works examining Nigerian art pre- and post independence
-
To the point: the gender divide over exclamation marksTalking Point 'Men harbouring urges to be more exclamative' can finally take a breath – this is what using the punctuation really conveys
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago