We can all agree that I'd look fantastic on a £5 note

Self-Employment Is Rising. Here’s How Entrepreneurs Are Reducing The Risk As job security declines, more workers are choosing self-employment. Here’s how today’s entrepreneurs are reducing risk and building smarter, more stable businesses.

Self-Employment Is Rising. Here’s How Entrepreneurs Are Reducing The Risk

I regularly see people wondering how it's possible that there are so many musicians and writers and film makers and artists from a tiny nation like Iceland.

And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.

Thames right now

'Landmark' basic income for artists scheme confirmed - Arts Professional The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in Ireland has confirmed the successor scheme to a pilot initiative that saw some 2,000 artists receiving a

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in Ireland has confirmed the successor scheme to a pilot initiative that saw some 2,000 artists receiving a weekly payment of €325.

River Thames this morning

Drama at the opera as Royal Opera chief steps in for sick tenor Richard Hetherington forced to play Prince Calàf in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after French tenor Roberto Alagna taken ill In terms of drama at the opera, it will be difficult to surpass Tuesday’s performance of Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot after a tenor became unwell leading to a surprise substitution. A Royal Opera House chief, dressed in a jumper, chinos and trainers, deputised in the lead role after French tenor Roberto Alagna, playing Prince Calàf, became ill after the second act. Continue reading...

Drama at the opera as Royal Opera chief steps in for sick tenor

‘I wasn’t going to be diverted,’ says King Charles about campaign on the environment Monarch says he has remained focused despite early criticisms of his beliefs, in new film, ‘Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision’ King Charles has revealed he “wasn’t going to be diverted” from his environmental campaigning despite criticism in the past in a new documentary showcasing his philosophy of “Harmony”. Continue reading...

‘I wasn’t going to be diverted,’ says King Charles about campaign on the environment

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio) YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free

50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.

After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.

Art could save your life! Five creative ways to make 2026 happier, healthier and more hopeful Engaging in creativity can reduce depression, improve immunity and delay ageing – all while you’re having fun

Art could save your life! Five creative ways to make 2026 happier, healthier and more hopeful

Important point: university isn't just for posh kids; Erasmus+ gives non-posh kids same chance as posh kids to study abroad, which they otherwise wdn't have; & covers vocational & other non-university training & education exchanges. And if more students come to the UK, that increases UK soft power.

Things Left Unsung: Essays on Opera 2021-2025 Buy Things Left Unsung: Essays on Opera 2021-2025 by Jones, Paul Carey (ISBN: 9798275127300) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Still time to order for pre-Christmas delivery, and help knock Russell Watson's autobiography off the top of the opera book sales charts.

amzn.eu/d/dgiy3nq

New York, this moment belongs to you. Please join us for the Inauguration of a New Era on January 1, 2026.

Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle Not all of the problems of Britain’s cultural sector come down to funding, but an awful lot do. That’s where leadership comes in, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle

Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle

This chart is about tactical voting, but looking at it from the perspective of ‘would it be easier for labour to get voters back from Reform, or from literally anyone else’ is quite revealing

🔥 Highly recommended that you all sign and share.

Link to the petition—> petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

The Big Picture: How We Got Into This Mess, And How We Get Out of It | Robert Reich Robert Reich

I’ve been in or around politics for over a half-century now.

I’ve watched as corporations and the super-rich flooded D.C. with campaign cash and ransacked our system.

It won't be easy, but here’s how we break the corporate oligarchy and return power to the people.

45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.

Germany to classify date rape drugs as weapons to ensure justice for survivors Classification plan will create basis for ‘significantly stricter’ prosecutions, says interior minister Germany plans to treat the use of date rape drugs like the use of weapons in prosecutions as part of measures to ensure justice for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. “We classify date rape drugs, which are increasingly used as a widespread tool in crimes, as weapons. This creates the basis for significantly stricter prosecutions,” Alexander Dobrindt, the interior minister, said on Friday. “We are committed to clear consequences and consistent enforcement. Women should feel safe and be able to move freely everywhere.” Continue reading...

Germany to classify date rape drugs as weapons to ensure justice for survivors

We need to follow the money. YouTube video by Senator Elizabeth Warren

We need to follow the money.

JP Morgan CEO Jaime Dimon and those Wall Street bankers must testify under oath about their financing of Jeffrey Epstein.

The song that got me into Baroque music 🎶 YouTube video by Brandon Acker

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PptQ...

Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Germany 🇩🇪

A Masterpiece of Baroque theater architecture, where the auditorium and stage form a single unit.

#art #architecture #opera #theater

16 seconds peaceful Tuolumne River sound for you.

Two people playing a keyboard at Powell Street BART

I was running early to an event so I got off BART a stop early at Powell Street for an extra walk.

Instead I sat and listened to a wonderful pianist play for 20 minutes. At one point another person came up and asked if they could play together, and they did.

I love music on transit ❤️🎶

Happy World Opera Day! 🎭✨

Today we celebrate the artistry, emotion, and timeless beauty of opera, as well as the artists, musicians, and audiences who keep this magnificent art form alive.

#WorldOperaDay #Opera #PerformingArts #Culture #Music

Thank you for sharing this Tim. All of us going through this need to hear these words.

Had a wander around the web, looking for something concise on how one might feel when a loved one dies after a long time with dementia. Thought this (c/o griefline.co.uk) was the best. Maybe worth passing on to others if you know anyone in that situation - or you, like me, are facing it right now.

The first time Charlie Chaplin used his voice in a film, he wielded it to forcefully condemn the rising forces of fascism around the globe. Will we listen to his words today?