Politics

Rishi Sunak has refused to confirm he will scrap the northern leg of the HS2 line despite widespread expectation that he will axe the project due to “enormous” costs.

The Prime Minister said the price of the scheme had gone “far beyond” what was originally planned but declined to publicly say he would save billions by cancelling the Birmingham to Manchester leg. Mr Sunak, in Manchester for the Conservative Party conference, could use his set-piece speech on Wednesday to announce the decision but is likely to soften the blow by spending on other projects for the north.

Pamela Anderson’s Dramatic New Look

She's in her fresh-faced era

After stepping out at several spring/summer 2024 fashion shows this week in Paris, the 56-year-old seems to have done a complete U-turn in terms of make-up. Gone is the full throttle glam she’s become synonymous with, and in its place, an altogether more pared back, natural look. For The Row Pam opted for fresh, glossy skin that oozed luminosity – no foundation in sight. The only hint of make-up was a subtle slick of rose-toned lip-gloss – a far cry from her previous penchant for intense, velvety lip colours. At Isabel Marant too, the actress and author wore minimal make-up once more. The brief was the same; skin was radiant with visible freckles, eyes (and eyebrows) were unadorned, and lips boasted a light wash of gloss. Conclusion : we can't not make up the time.

Liz Truss backs GB News: ‘Challenging the orthodoxy – long may it continue!’

The former Prime Minister called for "more GB News" and "challenging the orthodoxy" while speaking at the event in Manchester. Truss was introduced by Liam Halligan, who received a loud round of applause after he introduced himself as the economics and business correspondent for GB News. She told the audience: “We need more GB News, challenging the orthodoxy, broadcasting common sense and transforming our media landscape. So long may it continue.”

Tube strikes

Tube strikes The RMT has announced two Tube strike dates – one of which is on the same day as a planned train strike. Tube station staff will take strike action on London Underground on Wednesday, October 4 (same day as the planned Aslef train strike) and Friday, October 6, over job losses and safety concerns.

What ?

Michael Gove has blasted suggestions that GB News should be shut down, describing the People’s Channel as a “valuable addition” to the UK’s broadcasting ecology. The Levelling Up Secretary told GB News: ”We shouldn't be in the business of saying close down free speech. ”

Nine boats carrying 537 people intercepted crossing English Channel

Nine boats have been intercepted carrying a total of 537 migrants crossing the English Channel, according to the latest Home Office figures. The crossings on Saturday bring the total for the year to 24,830, which is down on last year’s figures which by this time in 2022 had reached 33,001.

But the numbers are still up on 2021, when 17,085 had made the dangerous crossing by September 30, and it was 7,000 by the same point in 2020.

Vivienne Westwood's own wardrobe raided to be used in Paris catwalk show

The partner of Dame Vivienne Westwood has unveiled a new collection at Paris Fashion Week that gives a glimpse into the late fashion designer's own wardrobe.

Andreas Kronthaler and iconic British fashion designer Dame Vivienne, who died last year, were a fashion powerhouse designing together under the Westwood brand. The pair married in 1992. This is Kronthaler's second collection after Dame Vivienne's death.

Song for Monday

Too warm inside the paradise ?

Clima revolution / protest on streets Climate performance of Romeo and Juliet at Sadler’s Wells theatre last night, demanding an end to its partnership with Barclays. Five protesters ran onto the stage during Matthew Bourne’s ballet adaptation of the Shakespeare classic and unfurled a banner saying: “Drop Barclays sponsorship".

Up to next West End

Theatre

Plaza Suite Real-life Hollywood couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker star in hilarious Neil Simon comedy Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre, London. This witty and insightful look at love and marriage played to sell-out audiences on Broadway and will mark the first time that Broderick and Parker have performed together on the West End stage. Karen and Sam have a long-term marriage that may be on the rocks. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who find themselves together again. Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride who must find away to get their daughter our of her bathroom on her big day. All of these characters are played by Broderick and Parker, under the skilled direction of Tony Award-winner John Benjamin Hickey. Plaza Suite is set to be one of the most sought-after shows on the West End in 2024 and a rare chance to see two major Hollywood stars together on stage. Show Times Booking From15 January 2024Booking Until31 March 2024 Running Time Running time is TBC. Age Restrictions Age recommendations are TBC.

Brexit update

Press release , by Gov Uk UK government to set its own laws for its own people as Brexit Freedoms Bill introduced The government has announced that all retained EU laws will be sunset on 31 December 2023, enabling the UK to create regulations tailor-made for its people. From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and The Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP Published 22 September 2022 Brexit Freedoms Bill UK government to end the special status of all retained EU law by 31 December 2023 under new Brexit Freedoms Bill introduced today the Bill will enable the UK government to create regulations tailor-made to the UK’s own needs, cutting red tape and supporting businesses to invest, stimulating economic growth across the UK economy. Business Secretary Jacob Rees Mogg said: “The Brexit Freedoms Bill will remove needless bureaucracy that prevents businesses from investing and innovating in the UK, cementing our position as a world class place to start and grow a business”

Alanis goes again

Alanis Morissette Reacts to Morgan Wade’s Song About Her

Alanis Morissette was so touched by Morgan Wade‘s song “Alanis,” which addresses the former artist’s struggles within the music industry earlier on in her career, that she posted a special message for the young country singer on Instagram. (VIDEO BY AMERICAN SONGWRITER), courtesy by “Morgan, thank you for seeing me,” wrote Morissette, along with the cover art of Wade’s 2023 album Psychopath. “Your generosity, and your ability to so powerfully, vulnerable, and empathically articulate your deep kindness. Deeply moved. Love you.” Wade’s third album, Psychopath, features “Alanis,” which she co-wrote with Natalie Hemby and her producer, Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit guitarist Sadler Vaden. Singing How did you ever keep your sanity? Alanis / Lived out your pain through sweet profanity / Your heart, it was bleeding / When you told all your secrets / And they showed no sympathy, “Alanis” explores how Morissette dealt with fame as a young woman in a tumultuous music industry.

Sunday Quote

Life is ironic

Bill Gates Booked Entire Michelin-Star Restaurant For Two Days Just To Sip A Diet Coke And Leave Without Trying A Single Bite Of The $313 Meal – Chef Says, 'People With Money Value Things Less'.

How are you onboarding California ?

Harry to attend charity awards ceremony on UK return. The Duke of Sussex withdrew from last year’s WellChild awards due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Source : Evening Standard

Quote of the week

" She's a waterfall. " (Stone Roses)

Women on Freezer ( inside Pret )

Sandwich shop chain Pret A Manger was fined £800,000 after one of its employees became trapped in a commercial freezer for over 2 hours

Pret A Manger has been fined £800,000 after one of its workers was left fearing for her life while stuck in one of its freezers. Westminster City Council said the employee became trapped in the walk-in commercial freezer, which typically has its temperature set at -18C, for two and a half hours while working at the chain’s Victoria Coach Station shop on July 29 2021. Source: The Independent

Au revoir, Curzon ?

Save the Curzon Mayfair

The future of Curzon Mayfair is under threat. Our lease will expire next March and the landlord has threatened our residency at the site. To showcase the beautiful, Grade II-listed Curzon Mayfair, this September and October we're hosting a special programme of films that previously played to great success at the cinema, from Fellini's neorealist classic La Dolce Vita to Tarkovsky's existential sci-fi odyssey Solaris. Kicking it off on 10 September is a 4K restoration of Max Ophuls’ magical portmanteau satire La Ronde, which played an astonishing 76-week unbroken run at Curzon Mayfair from April 1951 to October 1952. Source: Curzon Cinemas

What to listen

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=mrf_zmVhACI&si=GeFqwFiIGmJLyV_c

Where to go

Poetry

so you want to be a writer? Charles Bukowski 1920 – 1994 "if it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it. unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it. if you have to sit for hours staring at your computer screen or hunched over your typewriter searching for words, don't do it. if you're doing it for money or fame, don't do it. if you're doing it because you want women in your bed, don't do it. if you have to sit there and rewrite it again and again, don't do it. if it's hard work just thinking about doing it, don't do it. if you're trying to write like somebody else, forget about it.

if you first have to read it to your wife or your girlfriend or your boyfriend or your parents or to anybody at all, you're not ready. don't be like so many writers, don't be like so many thousands of people who call themselves writers, don't be dull and boring and pretentious, don't be consumed with self- love. the libraries of the world have yawned themselves to sleep over your kind. don't add to that. don't do it. unless it comes out of your soul like a rocket, unless being still would drive you to madness or suicide or murder, don't do it. unless the sun inside you is burning your gut, don't do it. when it is truly time, and if you have been chosen, it will do it by itself and it will keep on doing it until you die or it dies in you. there is no other way. and there never was." From sifting through the madness for the Word, the line, the way by Charles Bukowski. Copyright © 2003 by the Estate of Charles Bukowski. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins. All rights reserved.