The settlers would do the same to the natives of North America. And practically everyone would practise the technique on the races of Africa.But this century has seen something of a turnabout: the revenge of the Stage Irishman. But less than 100 years later, when the famine-devastated Irish were pressing for independence, it was business [...]

As it was, she achieved the double whammy of singing catchy songs about sex and finding a place on many a cultural theorist’s reading list. Had Madonna, that siren of the semiotic age, really had her wits about her, she’d have told us to get metaphysical because we’re living in a culturally material world. For [...]

Mann, playing surprisingly effectively at stand-off against his old club, sent Hall striding away and his fellow New Zealander confirmed the good impression he has made since arriving from Bradford last month, declining to pass to Schofield or Marvin Golden in support and going alone from 50 yards to score.Gibbs had a try disallowed before [...]

“It was simply lack of concentration on Mika’s part,” Pulli said in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, yesterday.
Laitinen was in a “satisfactory condition” after breaking his left collarbone and seven ribs in a fall in practice on Sunday. His goal-kicking has been good for Bristol – but that’s in front of 7,000 not 50,000 He has quick hands, [...]

Technically, King Fahd could return to power, once he has recovered, leading to fresh uncertainty. The Crown Prince’s fitness to rule might yet be contested by rival relatives. At 71, he is hardly younger than the King: he may not enjoy power for long. Not least significant, Saudi Arabia is the location of a quarter [...]

Their amiable jokes and gentle put-downs were noted and treasured. And, looking back at that footage, they were weirdly, improbably nice. Their work was nice – as Paul pointed out, they only ever said that all you need is love, without attempting to rip up families, distort psyches or detonate society – and their personalities [...]