Please note that the poems and essays on this site are copyright and may not be reproduced without the author's permission.


Thursday 12 May 2016

Victory Day

.
World in focus — best photos for May 11, 2016

A Syrian woman cooks at a refugee camp on the northern Greek border point of Idomeni
: photo by Petros Giannakouris / AP, 11 May 2016


The feeling that life is essentially inadequate to the human spirit, and yet that a good life must avoid saying so, is naturally at home with most versions of pastoral; in pastoral you take a limited life and pretend it is the full and normal one, and a suggestion that one must do this with all life, because the normal is itself limited, is easily put into the trick though not necessary to its power. Conversely any expression of the idea that all life is limited may be regarded as only a trick of pastoral, perhaps chiefly intended to hold all our attention and sympathy for some limited life, though again this is not necessary to it either on grounds of truth or beauty; in fact the suggestion of pastoral may be only a protection for the idea which must at last be taken alone.

William Empson: from Some Versions of the Pastoral, 1935

William Empson: Let It Go

It is this deep blankness is the real thing strange.
The more things happen to you the more you can't
Tell or remember even what they were.

The contradictions cover such a range.
The talk would talk and go so far aslant.
You don't want madhouse and the whole thing there.


William Empson (1906-1984), Let It Go, from Collected Poems (1949)

World in focus — best photos for May 11, 2016

Dancers take part in a parade in Pyongyang a day after North Korea’s ruling party wrapped up its first congress in 36 years: photo by Damir Sagolj / Reuters, 11 May 2016

World in focus — best photos for May 11, 2016

A Palestinian family sit next to their luggage as they wait to enter Egypt through the Rafah border crossing
: photo by Khalil Hamra / AP Photo, 11 May 2016


Mideast Israel Palestinians Israeli strikes...epa05291303 A picture made available on 06 May 2016 shows Palestinian children sitting at the window of their family house in the east of Al Shejaeiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City near the border between the Gaza strip and Israel, 05 May 2016. Israeli air strikes hit four Hamas sites in the east of Gaza City overnight. According to media reports, the airstrikes were conducted as retaliation for mortar attacks on Israeli Defense Force personnel along the border region.  EPA/MOHAMMED SABER

Palestinian children sit at the window of their family house in the east of Al Shejaeiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City near the border between the Gaza strip and Israel: photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA, 6 May 2016

Mideast Israel Palestinians Israeli strikes...epa05291303 A picture made available on 06 May 2016 shows Palestinian children sitting at the window of their family house in the east of Al Shejaeiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City near the border between the Gaza strip and Israel, 05 May 2016. Israeli air strikes hit four Hamas sites in the east of Gaza City overnight. According to media reports, the airstrikes were conducted as retaliation for mortar attacks on Israeli Defense Force personnel along the border region.  EPA/MOHAMMED SABER

Palestinian children sit at the window of their family house in the east of Al Shejaeiya neighborhood, east of Gaza City near the border between the Gaza strip and Israel: photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA, 6 May 2016

This Thursday, May 5, 2016 photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, shows the concert at the UNESCO world heritage site of Palmyra, the central city of Homs, where renowned conductor Valery Gergiev leads a performance by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra from St. Petersburg, Syria. The renowned Russian conductor led a triumphant concert Thursday in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, once terrorized by the Islamic State group, even as an airstrike on a refugee camp in the north left dozens of people dead and dozens wounded, including many children. (Olga Balashova/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
The renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev led a triumphant concert performed by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, once terrorized by the Islamic State group, even as an airstrike on a refugee camp in the north left dozens of people dead and dozens wounded, including many children: photo by Olga Balashova/AP, 6 May 2016

This Thursday, May 5, 2016 photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, shows the concert at the UNESCO world heritage site of Palmyra, the central city of Homs, where renowned conductor Valery Gergiev leads a performance by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra from St. Petersburg, Syria. The renowned Russian conductor led a triumphant concert Thursday in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, once terrorized by the Islamic State group, even as an airstrike on a refugee camp in the north left dozens of people dead and dozens wounded, including many children. (Olga Balashova/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

The renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev led a triumphant concert performed by the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra in the ruins of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, once terrorized by the Islamic State group, even as an airstrike on a refugee camp in the north left dozens of people dead and dozens wounded, including many children: photo by Olga Balashova/AP, 6 May 2016


Russia's Mariinsky Theatre performs at the amphitheater of the Syrian city of Palmyra, Syria in this picture provided by SANA: photo by SANA/Reuters, 5 May 2016


A long-exposure photograph captures a Russian serviceman as he takes part in a rehearsal for th Victory Day parade to mark the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in Red Square in Moscow, Russia: photo by Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters, 5 May 2016

A boy sit on a tank on display at the Armored Corps memorial, before a ceremony marking the annual Memorial Day for soldiers and civilians killed in more than a century of conflict between Jews and Arabs, in Latrun near Jerusalem, Israel, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Israel came to a standstill on Wednesday as sirens wailed across the country on its annual Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
A boy sits on a tank on display at the Armored Corps memorial, before a ceremony marking the annual Memorial Day for soldiers and civilians killed in more than a century of conflict between Jews and Arabs, in Latrun near Jerusalem, Israel: photo by Ariel Schalit/AP, 11 May 2016

A boy sit on a tank on display at the Armored Corps memorial, before a ceremony marking the annual Memorial Day for soldiers and civilians killed in more than a century of conflict between Jews and Arabs, in Latrun near Jerusalem, Israel, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Israel came to a standstill on Wednesday as sirens wailed across the country on its annual Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

A boy sits on a tank on display at the Armored Corps memorial, before a ceremony marking the annual Memorial Day for soldiers and civilians killed in more than a century of conflict between Jews and Arabs, in Latrun near Jerusalem, Israel: photo by Ariel Schalit/AP, 11 May 2016

U.S. servicemen wait for an opening ceremony of U.S. led joint military exercise "Noble Partner 2016" in Vaziani, Georgia, May 11, 2016. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
U.S. servicemen wait for an opening ceremony of U.S. led joint military exercise “Noble Partner 2016″ in Vaziani, Georgia: photo by David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters, 11 May 2016 

U.S. servicemen wait for an opening ceremony of U.S. led joint military exercise "Noble Partner 2016" in Vaziani, Georgia, May 11, 2016. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili 

U.S. servicemen wait for an opening ceremony of U.S. led joint military exercise “Noble Partner 2016″ in Vaziani, Georgia: photo by David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters, 11 May 2016

World in focus — best photos for April 19, 2016

Indian policemen try to detain supporters of the Indian Kashmir politician, Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, during a protest in Srinagar
: photo by Farooq Khan / EPA, 19 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 15, 2016

Women gather at the base of the Tower of Juche Idea listening to songs in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea is marking the ‘Day of the Sun’, celebrating the day of birth of the country’s founder, Kim Il-sung. The Day of the Sun is a national holiday.
: photo by Franck Robichon/EPA, 15 April 2016
 
World in focus — best photos for May 6, 2016
 

The portraits of the late North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are illuminated on the side of a building in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea on Friday opened the first full congress of its ruling party since 1980.: photo by  Wong Maye-e / AP, 6 May 2016

World in focus — best photos for May 6, 2016
 

Russian cadets share jokes as they wait for the start of a commemorative action ahead of Victory Day in the Victory Park Memorial complex at the Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow: photo by Yuri Kochetkov / EPA, 6 May 2016

Russian cadets attend a commemorative action ahead of the Victory Day...epaselect epa05291755 Russsian WWII veterans lay flowers at the Eternal Fire in the Victory Park Memorial complex at the Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, Russia, 06 May 2016, on the day of memory of Saint Georges the Victorious, the heavenly patron of Moscow and warriors. Russia will celebrate the 71st anniversary of the victory over the nazi Germany in the World War II on 09 May 2016.  EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

Russian WWII veterans lay flowers at the Eternal Fire in the Victory Park Memorial complex at the Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, Russia on the day of memory of Saint Georges the Victorious, the heavenly patron of Moscow and warriors: photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA, 6 May 2016

Russian cadets attend a commemorative action ahead of the Victory Day...epaselect epa05291755 Russsian WWII veterans lay flowers at the Eternal Fire in the Victory Park Memorial complex at the Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, Russia, 06 May 2016, on the day of memory of Saint Georges the Victorious, the heavenly patron of Moscow and warriors. Russia will celebrate the 71st anniversary of the victory over the nazi Germany in the World War II on 09 May 2016.  EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

Russian WWII veterans lay flowers at the Eternal Fire in the Victory Park Memorial complex at the Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, Russia on the day of memory of Saint Georges the Victorious, the heavenly patron of Moscow and warriors: photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA, 6 May 2016

Bulgarian veterans from World War II  attend a military parade at the Alexander Batemberg Square in Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgarian veterans from World War II attend a military parade at the Alexander Batemberg Square in Sofia, Bulgaria to celebrate Day of Bravery commemorations: photo by Vassil Donev/EPA, 6 May 2016

Bulgarian veterans from World War II  attend a military parade at the Alexander Batemberg Square in Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgarian veterans from World War II attend a military parade at the Alexander Batemberg Square in Sofia, Bulgaria to celebrate Day of Bravery commemorations: photo by Vassil Donev/EPA, 6 May 2016

World in focus — best photos for May 11, 2016 

A Macedonian police officer guards the Public Revenue Office in Skopje after it was targeted by protesters with water guns filled with paint, during a protest dubbed the ‘Colourful Revolution’: photo by Georgi Licovski / EPA, 11 May 2016
 

 A doll of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is seen in the back pocket of a person as he waits for her to make a campaign stop at the Douglass Park Gymnasium in Indianapolis, Indiana: photo by Joe Raedle, 1 May 2016
 

Iraqi women walk past a damaged car following a twin suicide-bombing attack, claimed by ISIS, in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah: photo by Haidar Hamdani / AFP, 1 May 2016

 
Catholics participate in festivities in honor of the day of the Holy Cross, in Santiago Nonualco, 48 kilometers south of San Salvador. The inhabitants of Santiago Nonualco offer fruits to the Holy Cross in gratitude for the harvest obtained in the year and the beginning of the rainy season.: photo by Marvin Recinos / AFP, 3 May 2016


 Marzuki, a sulfur miner, carries baskets of sulfur as he climbs up from the crater of Mount Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. Mount Ijen draws tourists by day and hundreds of sulfur miners by night. More than 9,000 feet above sea level, the men descend into the volcano's crater to dig out slabs of bright yellow sulfur, enduring toxic fumes, and back-breaking loads to earn $10 a day delivering a substance used to bleach sugar and vulcanize rubber.: photo by Binsar Bakkara / AP, 6 May 2016


 Christopher Chin blows vapor from an e-cigarette at Gone With the Smoke Vapor Lounge in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced new federal regulations on electronic cigarettes that will be the same as traditional tobacco cigarettes and chewing tobacco.: photo by Justin Sullivan, 5 May 2016
 

A woman is carried away on a stretcher by medics after she was rescued from six days of being trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building, in the Huruma area of Nairobi, Kenya. After discovering the woman alive and conscious, rescuers administered an IV and oxygen but then had to work for a number of hours to free her from the rubble before taking her away to a hospital.: photo by Ben Curtis / AP, 5 May 2016 


Uh Laremy Tunsil just tweeted then deleted this: image via The REAL OG @oscargambler, 28 April 2016
  

Laremy Tunsil still waits in the green room: image via NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL, 28 April 2016



Laremy Tunsil Posts Weird Gas Mask Pipe Smoking Twitter Video: image via Black Sports Online @BSO, 28 April 2016
 

[Untitled]: image via Pardon My Take @PardonMyTake, 28 April 2016


"I just know I got hacked. We're tying to find out who did it." Laremy Tunsil on video posted to Twitter account.: image via Sports Center @SportsCenter, 28 April 2016

World in focus — best photos for April 19, 2016

Lutz Bachmann, a co-founder of the right-wing Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA), arrives in court in Dresden, Germany with his wife, Vicky
: photo by Jens Meyer / Reuters, 19 April 2016



An Indian woman tries to collect drinking water after climbing down a dried up well at Bhakrecha Pada in Thane district in Maharashtra state, India. Much of India is reeling under a weeks-long heat wave and severe drought conditions that have decimated crops, killed livestock, and left at least 330 million Indians without enough water for their daily needs.: photo by Rajanish Kakade / AP, 4 May 2016

Kashmiri Muslims pray as an unseen custodian displays a holy relic, believed to be a hair from the Prophet Muhammad's beard, during celebrations for Miraj-Ul-Alam (ascension to heaven) at Kashmir's main Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar on May 5, 2016.  Thousands of Muslims converge annually for celebrations at the shrine near the summer capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmiri Muslims pray as an unseen custodian displays a holy relic, believed to be a hair from the Prophet Muhammad’s beard, during celebrations for Miraj-Ul-Alam (ascension to heaven) at Kashmir’s main Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar this morning: photo by Tauseef Mustafa, 5 May 2016
 
World in focus — best photos for May 5, 2016

Kashmiri Muslims pray as an unseen custodian displays a holy relic, believed to be a hair from the Prophet Mohammed’s beard, during celebrations for Israa wal Miraj at Kashmir’s main Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar
: photo by Tauseef Mustafa / AFP, 5 May 2016


Jury members taste a dish during the European Final of Bocuse d’Or cuisine contest in Budapest, Hungary
Jury members taste a dish during the European Final of Bocuse d'Or cuisine contest in Budapest, Hungary: photo by Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP, 11 May 2016

Jury members taste a dish during the European Final of Bocuse d’Or cuisine contest in Budapest, Hungary

Jury members taste a dish during the European Final of Bocuse d'Or cuisine contest in Budapest, Hungary: photo by Tamas Kovacs/MTI/AP, 11 May 2016

A participant in the ''Bread Procession of the Saint'' takes part in a ceremony in honor of Domingo de La Calzada Saint (1019-1109), in Santo Domingo de La Calzada, northern Spain, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Every year during spring season, ''Las Doncellas'' (White Virgins), hold a basket on their head covered with white cloth while they walk along this old village in honor of the saint.
A participant in the ”Bread Procession of the Saint” takes part in a ceremony in honour of Domingo de La Calzada Saint (1019-1109), in Santo Domingo de La Calzada, Spain. Every year during spring season, ”Las Doncellas” (White Virgins), hold a basket on their head covered with white cloth while they walk along this old village in honor of the saint.: photo by Alvaro Barrientos/AP, 11 May 2016

A participant in the ''Bread Procession of the Saint'' takes part in a ceremony in honor of Domingo de La Calzada Saint (1019-1109), in Santo Domingo de La Calzada, northern Spain, Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Every year during spring season, ''Las Doncellas'' (White Virgins), hold a basket on their head covered with white cloth while they walk along this old village in honor of the saint.

A participant in the ”Bread Procession of the Saint” takes part in a ceremony in honour of Domingo de La Calzada Saint (1019-1109), in Santo Domingo de La Calzada, Spain. Every year during spring season, ”Las Doncellas” (White Virgins), hold a basket on their head covered with white cloth while they walk along this old village in honor of the saint.: photo by Alvaro Barrientos/AP, 11 May 2016 

Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and fellow Vote Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart MP enjoy an ice cream while in Charlestown, Cornwall, during a Vote Leave campaign visit
Boris Johnson and fellow Vote Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart MP enjoy an ice cream while in Charlestown, Cornwall, during a Vote Leave campaign visit: photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA, 11 May 2016

Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and fellow Vote Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart MP enjoy an ice cream while in Charlestown, Cornwall, during a Vote Leave campaign visit

Boris Johnson and fellow Vote Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart MP enjoy an ice cream while in Charlestown, Cornwall, during a Vote Leave campaign visit: photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA, 11 May 2016
 
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari list...Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari listens at the start of a conference to tackle corruption at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on May 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
Nigerian Presiden Muhammadu Buhari listens at the start of a conference to tackle corruption at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London: photo by Leon Neal/AFP, 11 May 2016  

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari list...Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari listens at the start of a conference to tackle corruption at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on May 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

Nigerian Presiden Muhammadu Buhari listens at the start of a conference to tackle corruption at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London: photo by Leon Neal/AFP, 11 May 2016 
 
Right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of Donald Trump in New Delhi...epa05298860 Indian activists from the right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of US Republicans presidential candidate Donald Trump in New Delhi, India, 11 May 2016. Right-wing organisation Hindu Sena activists prayed to the Hindu gods and performed rituals to ensure the victory of Donald Trump in US Presidential elections and urged the Indian origin people living in USA to vote and support him.  EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
Indian activists from the right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of US Republicans presidential candidate Donald Trump in New Delhi, India: photo by Rajat Gupta/EPA, 11 May 2016 

Right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of Donald Trump in New Delhi...epa05298860 Indian activists from the right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of US Republicans presidential candidate Donald Trump in New Delhi, India, 11 May 2016. Right-wing organisation Hindu Sena activists prayed to the Hindu gods and performed rituals to ensure the victory of Donald Trump in US Presidential elections and urged the Indian origin people living in USA to vote and support him.  EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
 
Indian activists from the right-wing organisation Hindu Sena perform Hindu fire rituals in support of US Republicans presidential candidate Donald Trump in New Delhi, India: photo by Rajat Gupta/EPA, 11 May 2016

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Holds Kentucky Campaign Rally...An attendee wears campaign buttons before the start of an event for Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, not pictured, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Clinton said she sees "a great role" for Bernie Sanders and his supporters in a "unified party," even as she said she welcomed Republicans who are not supporting presumptive nominee Donald Trump. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg

An attendee wears campaign buttons before the start of an event for Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, in Louisville, Kentucky: photo by Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg, 11 May 2016
 

Actress Anna Kendrick, a self-described lifelong RBF sufferer: photo by Jason Merritt via The Washington Post, 25 April 2016


Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick hit the star-studded red carpet for #Cannes Opening Gala: image via JustJared dot com Verified account @JustJared, 11 May 2016


Kristen Stewart of “Twilight” fame, often considered the poster girl for RBF: photo via The Washington Post, 25 April 2016



Kristen Stewart was one gentle breeze away from a red carpet nip slip at #Cannes: image via ELLE Magazine (US) Verified acccount @ELLEmagazine, 11 May 2016 


#Cannes 2016 le clic-clac du jour de #KristenStewart #CafeSociety #WoodyAllen #photocall: image via Yan Bernard-Guilbaud @_yan_bg, 11 May 2016


Première photo de la journée @CarltonCannes Woody Allen et Kristen Stewart lounge VIP Madame Monsieur #cannes2016: image via Cannes69 @cannes69, 11 May 2016


serious case of womencrushwedesday! #cannes: image via Maria Estefanía Bello @estefaniabello, 11 May 2016

   

 Swooning over these #redcarpet looks. #Cannes never disappoints. #Cannes2016 #france #glitz #glamour #fashion: image via


Swooning over these #redcarpet looks. #Cannes never disappoints. #Cannes2016 #france #glitz #glamour #fashion: image via


The cast and director of CAFE SOCIETY on the top of the red carpet earlier this evening #Cannes2016: image via Cannes Film Coverage @CannesCoverage, 11 May 2016 


 @RonanFarrow pens blistering essay about dad Woody Allen and the media for THR: image via Hollywood Reporter @THR, 11 May 2016 
 

Cannes: Woody Allen Gets Modest Standing Ovation at 'Cafe Society' Premiere: image via Hollywood Reporter @THR, 11 May 2016


 #photographe #shooting #photo #studio #seancephoto #seancephotohomme #monaco #nice #cannes: image via Graphic Emotions @EmotionsGraphic, 2 May 2016

This artist's concept depicts select planetary discoveries made to date by NASA's Kepler space telescope in this image released May 10, 2016.  Courtesy W. Stenzel/NASA/Handout via REUTERS    ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY
This artist’s concept depicts select planetary discoveries made to date by NASA’s Kepler space telescope: photo by W. Stenzel/NASA/Reuters, 11 May 2016

This artist's concept depicts select planetary discoveries made to date by NASA's Kepler space telescope in this image released May 10, 2016.  Courtesy W. Stenzel/NASA/Handout via REUTERS    ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

This artist’s concept depicts select planetary discoveries made to date by NASA’s Kepler space telescope: photo by W. Stenzel/NASA/Reuters, 11 May 2016

3 comments:

STEPHEN RATCLIFFE said...

Great photos Tom, who can say what's going on at Cannes -- in light of everything else that's going on elsewhere . . .

vazambam (Vassilis Zambaras) said...

Woody's Twilight Saga, that's what.

TC said...

It was hard to select from among the wondrous photographic homages flowing forth from Cannes. I thought to stick with the RBF sufferers. That one who's featured in the new woody... it was always going to be a collision of irresistible force with immovable object, when RBF hit the red carpet. Oh the sunshine smiles then, chasing off the RBF pout for a day!!

Final score: Paparazzi 27,198, RBF, 0. It is this deep blankness which is the real thing strange.

Woody of course is still the adorable romantic fool and all that, as he so helpfully and repeatedly explains in every one of these bought interview situations... The Hollywood Reporter hired his only biological child to report on the festival, and published the report synchronous with the lovable glowing woody premiere. The son wrote that woody is a child abuser reigning over a gang of obedient journalistic ballwashers. The "press" was then regaled briefly with the woody's royal presence and warned in advance not to ask questions about THAT subject. The bogus bilge world of The Movies needs an eminent and honourable senior figure so badly it has created one out of... THIS guy?

And the forever inconvenient Polanski, who unlike woody may once have actually made an interesting film... meanwhile totally non grata.

But you've got to hand it to those world leaders. The Anti-Corruption conference, quite a shindig, featuring the Nigerian President and David Cameron, he of the notorious offshore portfolio. Seems there was a bit of a flap when a microphone was left on... and captured "private" remarks in which Cameron declares that the two most corrupt places in the world are Afghanistan... and Nigeria.