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Killing Eve's Harriet Walter: 'Male writers and producers have their fantasy of what an awful woman is'

The actor has joined Phoebe Waller-Bridge's acclaimed spy thriller for its third season. She talks to Alexandra Pollard about the joy of not wearing a corset, the limitations of Shakespeare's heroines and why she thinks people should think carefully before changing their pronouns




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Last Dance viewers left 'emotional' as Kobe Bryant raves about 'big brother' Michael Jordan

Archive footage shows Jordan tell Bryant 'I'll see you down the road' after first match together




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Have I Got News For You: David Tennant jokes that Eamonn Holmes lives in a 'tin foil bungalow'

Holmes came under fire for giving validity to a conspiracy theory linking 5G to coronavirus




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Normal People's Paul Mescal was once in an advert for sausages, and fans have only just found out

The 'Normal People' star played an Irish teenager whose sausage inspires him to travel the world




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Tony Allen: the Afrobeat maverick who blazed a trail across the globe

The Nigerian musician was a restless creator who embraced the physicality of drumming and innovated until the end

Few musicians can claim to have invented a revolutionary rhythm, but then few are quite like the late Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen. Brian Eno called him “the greatest drummer that ever lived”, citing his style alongside James Brown’s funk breakbeat and the constant pulse of German band Neu! as the “three great beats of the 1970s”. Allen’s swirl of jazz, Yoruba and highlife was unlike anything the world had ever heard: a full-body polyrhythmic workout that would give most drummers sore wrists just thinking of it.

Allen came to prominence in Lagos alongside Fela Kuti. He started drumming in the late 50s while working at a radio station, looking to jazz icons such as Art Blakey and Max Roach for inspiration as he taught himself to play. In 1964 he met Kuti and they spent the next half-decade fine-tuning their fusion of west African party music and American funk and jazz, in the bands Koola Lobitos and, by 1969, Africa ’70. While Kuti, who died in 1997, is more well-known than his musical soulmate, he said that “without Tony Allen there would be no Afrobeat”.

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Dave Greenfield: putting beauty at the rotten heart of the Stranglers

The keyboardist, who has died aged 71 of coronavirus, upended the rules of punk with organ arpeggios and a moustache – and pointed the way to post-punk

Music writer Pete Paphides’ recent memoir, Broken Greek, contains a vivid description of its seven-year-old author encountering the Stranglers for the first time, during a 1977 Top of the Pops appearance. “They landed in the living room while I was totally unsupervised,” he writes, “and scared the shit [out] of me. By now I would have seen images of punk rockers … but they looked like circus entertainers compared to [the Stranglers]. They looked too old to be punk. They looked like the sort of people you pass in the street and your mother puts her arm round you, stares at the pavement and doubles her walking speed … The point at which it all got too much was when the camera cut to Dave Greenfield – who has died from Covid-19 aged 71 – jabbing his keyboard while looking straight ahead with what seemed, beyond doubt, to be the eyes of a murderer, an effect somehow compounded by the army-surplus boiler suit he had decided to wear. Just like that, my list of phobias had got a little longer: worms, biting into mushrooms, insects, the fibreglass King Kong which stood next to a ring road in Birmingham city centre and, now, Dave Greenfield from the Stranglers.”

It’s funny writing, but it’s also very incisive about the Stranglers: in real life Greenfield was, by all accounts, the band’s most approachable and charming member, but otherwise Paphides has it spot-on. The Stranglers complained relentlessly about not being accepted by the punk cognoscenti, but what did they expect? They didn’t look like punks, particularly Greenfield, who defiantly sported that least punk of facial accoutrements, a moustache. They were old, at least by the standards of the day, old enough to have the kind of musical pasts it was wise to keep your mouth shut about in the scorched-earth environment created by the Sex Pistols: Hugh Cornwell had played bass in a band with Richard Thompson, later of Fairport Convention; Greenfield had been in a prog rock band called Rusty Butler.

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Kelly Lee Owens: ‘I still have to fight to not be seen as ‘just the singer’’

The Welsh nurse-turned-indie rocker is now one of electronic music’s best exponents. She talks proving herself, the NHS and climate-crisis bangers

Kelly Lee Owens is showing me her crumpled bed, pixelated on the screen. It is five weeks into quarantine and this has quickly become the norm: an interview with an artist in their close quarters; ambivalent levels of grooming. Neither of us is wearing makeup, and neither of us care. “You know what I read?” begins the electronic musician, incredulously. “This is bullshit. There’s a [Daily Mail] headline saying that women’s breasts will be sagging because they’re not going to be wearing bras during this lockdown. So what?! Leave me to my saggy breasts.”

Related: The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips

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Kim Petras's lockdown listening: 'My fans have truly kept me sane'

The cult pop star shares her self-isolation favourites, including Dua Lipa’s disco and Daft Punk’s dystopias

Isolation has definitely been a test, but I’m really lucky: I’m able to work on new music while quarantined with my best friends in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. I’ve been super active on Twitter and Instagram, and playing Animal Crossing and Mario Kart with my fans after sharing my Nintendo Switch codes online – it’s really important for me to check in on my fans as I worry about them a lot. They have truly kept me sane, so I’m keeping an eye open for anybody that needs to talk.

Related: Belle and Sebastian's lockdown listening: 'I have a dance-off with my kids every night'

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By making Florida his official residence, Trump may also have made legal mess...


By making Florida his official residence, Trump may also have made legal mess...


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USWNT may have lost the battle over equal pay but they will win the war

The US women’s team have lost their lawsuit over equal pay but they continue to make progress in the court of public opinion

This isn’t how the fight for equal pay is supposed to end for the US women’s national team.

On Friday a US district court judge rejected the USWNT’s allegations of gender discrimination and ruled in favor of the US Soccer Federation, declaring that the team have not been underpaid.

Related: Joe Biden wades into equal pay dispute between USWNT and US Soccer

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NFL tells teams to have facility reopening protocols in place by next week

  • Goodell’s memo outlines protocols for reopening team facilities
  • NFL set to release full regular-season schedule on Thursday

The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by 15 May.

In a memo sent by league commissioner Roger Goodell and obtained Wednesday night by the Associated Press, several phases of the protocols were laid out. The first phase to deal with the coronavirus pandemic would involve a limited number of non-player personnel, initially 50% of the non-player employees (up to a total of 75) on any single day, being approved to be at the facility. But state or local regulations could require a lower number.

Related: Why is it always the white NFL players who get a second chance?

Related: Eli Manning predicts 'tough' start for Tom Brady with Buccaneers

Local and state government officials must consent to reopening

The team must implement all operational guidelines set by the league to minimize the risk of virus transmission among employees

Each club must acquire adequate amounts of needed supplies as prescribed by the league

An Infection Response Team with a written plan for newly diagnosed coronavirus cases

An Infection Control Officer to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the listed guidelines

Each employee who returns to work at the club facility must receive Covid-19 safety and hygiene training prior to using the facility, and agree to report health information to the ICO

The response team must consist of a local physician with expertise in common infectious disease principles; the team physician can fill that role. Also on the response team will be the infection control officer, the team’s head athletic trainer; the team physician, if he or she is not serving as the local physician; the human resources director; the team’s chief of security; its mental health clinician or someone with equivalent clinical expertise; and a member of the club’s operations staff such as the facility manager

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Ravens' Earl Thomas held at gunpoint by wife over alleged affair, police say

The lawyer for the wife of Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas said she is being subjected to an “unfounded ongoing investigation” by Texas police after she allegedly pointed a gun at her husband’s head upon finding him in bed with another woman last month.

According to a police affidavit, Nina Thomas tracked down her husband at a short-term rental home in Austin in the early morning hours of 13 April and found him and his brother, Seth, in bed with two women.

Related: NFL 2020 schedule: Chiefs kick off title defense against Texans in season opener

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Can Mushrooms Actually Help Save the Planet?

Many people think mushrooms have the potential to be environmental game-changers by replacing some plastics, meats and even eating through landfill waste. Could these fungi really help save the planet?





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Experts agree this hurricane season will be above-average, maybe even extremely active

Hurricane season is fast approaching and it is likely to be active -- maybe even an extremely active -- season.




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Ovie Soko's new lockdown haircut leaves fans divided

Like many, Ovie Soko has staved off lockdown boredom by getting rid of his hair




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Johnny Depp joins Instagram and thanks fans for 'unwavering support'

The actor amassed more than a million followers in one hour




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James McAvoy reveals the NHS 'saved' his life as campaign for health workers' PPE continues

James McAvoy has praised the NHS for saving his life when he suffered a botched surgery.




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Singer Marianne Faithfull out of hospital after NHS 'saved her life' during coronavirus scare

Singer Marianne Faithfull has been discharged from hospital after being admitted for treatment while she displayed symptoms of coronavirus.




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Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague accused of 'breaking lockdown rules' after travelling back to Manchester

The pair were previously spending the lockdown period at Hague's family home




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Kim Kardashian-West offers fan chance to have lunch with her as she joins All-In Challenge

Kim Kardashian-West has revealed she is offering a lucky fan the chance to have lunch with her and her famous sisters as part of the All-In Challenge.




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Amanda Holden releases debut single in honour of NHS heroes who 'saved her life'

Amanda Holden has released her debut single, a cover of Over The Rainbow, in honour of NHS heroes she said saved her life.




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Dave Greenfield dead: Stranglers keyboard player dies after contracting coronavirus

The musician was 71 years old




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Amanda Holden: I have to constantly put myself out there to be judged

The Britain's Got Talent judge tells Standard Online why she likes to "keep surprising people"




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12 awesome tech hacks to save you money and time

Looking to get the most out of your tech? Here are a dozen software or hardware tips, tricks and shortcuts that might save you money, time and aggravation.

      




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Can you spare a few minutes? It will save you money with Lyft

In our tests, Lyft savings ranged from $3 to as much as $8 depending upon how long the ride was.

      




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Glossier is launching its first-ever hand cream next week and hospital workers have been the first to receive it

Glossier's helping hands




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EasyJet could keep middle seats empty once travel restrictions ease

The CEO has said a free middle seat is 'one' of the options being explored




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Skyscanner launches travel-inspired Spotify playlists for a much-needed dose of escapism

Perfect for the armchair traveller




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Nearly half of all UK insurance companies stop selling travel insurance amid coronavirus crisis

Many insurers either no longer sell travel insurance or have amended existing policies, a Which? report has found




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Vietnam suspends visa-free travel for UK and seven other European countries amid coronavirus fears

Visa-free entry for travellers from UK, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden halted until further notice




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Is it safe to travel to Spain? Latest Foreign Office advice regarding coronavirus

Coronavirus: The symptoms




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Travel is hardwired into our souls — this virus won't stop us for long

There's a nerdy website that I sometimes look at when I'm bored. It's called routesonline.com, and in staccato sentences it lists every schedule change by almost every airline around the world. "Air Senegal adds London to Freetown Service from late June 2020" — that sort of thing.




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30 wanderlust-worthy travel Instagram accounts to follow

Take a virtual vacation by scrolling through these dreamy Instagram feeds




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Clever tech to help you save money during Covid-19

From smart car insurance to virtual credit cards, these little tech tricks add up over time




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What to do if you have a dental emergency during lockdown

One of London's top dentists shares her tips on how to manage a dental crisis during the lockdown




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When is the Queen's birthday 2019? Why does she have an official and unofficial celebration?

There's nothing like a good birthday. Luckily for HRH, she's got two of them to look forward to this year




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On the airwaves: Ira Glass on lockdown life and his podcast empire

'People like stories' says New York-based Glass




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How to make a no-sew DIY face mask using what you already have at home

Covid protection, but make it fashion




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Travel experts on the first place they'll be heading to once the crisis is over

From Corsica to Cornwall, New Orleans to Namibia... our favourite globetrotters share the destinations they'll be making a beeline for when the world is open again




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What date is Ramadan and what impact will coronavirus have on celebrations this year?

Coronavirus: The symptoms




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Coronavirus travel: Expert advice on how to deal with refunds and booking cancellations

Holidays have been ruined, future bookings hang in the balance and Brits are still stranded overseas. We asked Holly Rubenstein, host of The Travel Diaries podcast, for help...




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Best travel podcasts: virtually escape with the help of these series

From celebrity travel anecdotes to gap year tales




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Best travel podcasts: Plan your next trip with the help of these series

From celebrity travel anecdotes to gap year tales




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Karlie Kloss, Usain Bolt and Eminem have all donated items to this raffle for Covid-19

Nab yourself some one-of-a-kind pieces




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How to have 35 days off next year using just 15 days annual leave

We're already dreaming about our 2021 holidays




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Covid-19 leaves news and entertainment industries reeling

TV and news website audiences are sky-high but, with few ads or new shows, future looks fraught

From TV channels running out of shows, to newspapers facing the threat of closure, the British media industry is facing a financial shock that will permanently reshape how we consume news and entertainment.

Media analysts and insiders warn the pandemic will have a long-lasting impact on the country’s cultural life, predicting that changes in consumer behaviour expected to take more than five years may have happened in five weeks, with many people unlikely to entirely return to their pre-lockdown habits.

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