How Ichi the Killer brought ultra-violence to the mainstream
Alamy Tadanobu Asano in Ichi the Killer (Credit: Alamy) Takashi Miike’s notorious 2001 film was banned in several countries for its graphic, ultra-violent scenes, while some consider it a cult classic, writes James Balmont. In November 2001, one of the most violent and notorious films to emerge from Japan premiered in the UK, at the […]
Obesity ’causes more cases of some cancers than smoking’
Getty Images Obesity now causes more cases of four common cancers in the UK than smoking, according to a charity. Cancer Research UK says bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver cancers are more likely to have been caused by being overweight than by smoking tobacco. It says millions are at risk of cancer because of their […]
The controversial music that is the sound of global youth
Nasecworld / Believe In the last decade, drill music has become ever more popular while inspiring debates over its links to violence. Now the rap sound is flourishing in many continents, writes Sam Davies. In 1965 Martin Luther King arrived in Chicago, looking to expand his civil rights campaign beyond the American South. He found […]
UKIP’s Mike Hookem quits role over Anne Marie Waters leadership bid
PA Mike Hookem said he ‘strongly disagrees’ with the views of Anne Marie Waters A senior UKIP MEP has resigned as deputy whip in the European Parliament over support within the party for an anti-Islam campaigner. Anne Marie Waters, who founded the Sharia Watch pressure group and has called Islam “evil”, has been allowed to […]
Reddit troll ban helped cut hateful speech
Reddit Reddit said it was more about “honest discussion” than free speech US scientists studied what happened on Reddit after it took action in 2015 to close down offensive chat forums. The ban led many people to close their Reddit accounts and those that stayed toned down their language, they found. However, the study suggests […]
Activists’ concern after abortion buffer zone group disbanded
BBC The working group was formed to address anti-abortion activities which take place outside clinics Pro-choice activists have raised concerns after the Scottish government disbanded a working group on abortion buffer zones. Back Off Scotland, which wants curbs on protests near clinics, accused ministers of sitting “on their hands”. A members bill proposed by Scottish […]
Would you give up a well-paid job for a short contract?
Would you give up your job to start a social enterprise? Would you give up a well-paid job for a six-month contract at living wage, with only the promise of help and mentoring to begin your own start-up with a social mission? That’s what 55 people from 19 countries have done, and by the end […]
Why Chinese mothers turned away from C-sections
China Photos Doctors and researchers have long been warning of alarmingly high Caesarean-section rates globally. Among countries with such high C-section rates, only one has managed to change – China. The story of how China succeeded where others failed is exemplary but also somewhat troubling. Less than a decade ago, China was criticised by the […]
Charlton Athletic: SE7 Partners complete takeover from Thomas Sandgaard
SE7 Partners has completed its takeover of League One club Charlton Athletic, buying the south-east London outfit from Thomas Sandgaard. Headed by former Sunderland director Charlie Methven, the company is a subsidiary of Global Football Partners. “As an ownership group, my fellow shareholders and I are excited to begin this new chapter,” Methven said., external […]
A WW2 hero and a reckoning with Japan’s past
Getty Images Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda (centre) walks from the jungle in 1974 The last Japanese soldier to formally surrender after the country’s defeat in World War Two was Hiroo Onoda. Lieutenant Onoda finally handed over his sword on March 9th 1974. He had held out in the Philippine jungle for 29 years. In interviews and […]