Monthly Archive 21/10/2024

The Hollywood star’s fourth food book starts well enough but quickly descends into bland anecdote, leaving his endearing charm and wit to season an empty plate
Rachel CookeTue 15 Oct 2024 02.00 EDTShareI must admit that I was slightly surprised by the appearance of Stanley Tucci’s latest book. If I were to write on such a theme, the result would be the size of Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa or a Victorian family Bible, fit only to be wheeled around on a small trolley. His effort, though, has an outwardly quite sensible girth, and when you open it, white space abounds. Add to this the advisory subtitle “And Related Thoughts” (ah, so there’s some general pontificating involved, as well as musings on breakfast, lunch and dinner) and, even before you start reading, the buffet is beginning to seem a touch decimated.
What I Ate in One Year takes the form of a diary. When it opens in January 2023, Tucci, a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor, has just arrived in Rome to film Conclave, a papal thriller based on the novel by Robert Harris. Already missing his wife and children, he finds himself in a not-very-hospitable apartment hotel – an experience that is, alas, an integral part of life on the movie-making road (though someone from production has at least stocked his kitchen with pasta, tinned tomatoes and new knives). But never mind. On the plus side, there are his co-stars. One is Isabella Rossellini, who takes him to a restaurant her mother, Ingrid Bergman, loved, where a superfluity of nuns sings hymns to diners as they eat. Another is Ralph Fiennes, with whom Tucci shares a preference for – these sensitive guys – the softer, less tannic red wines of the Italian north.
For any book, this would be a goodish start. Isabella Rossellini! Ralph Fiennes! And immediately, too, the reader is reminded of Tucci’s particular charm, which has to do not only with his modesty and wit, but with the fact that he so smoothly and wisely balances fame and normality (many well-known actors, if not most, are unable – or unwilling – to pull off this trick). He likes to travel by train; he eats in restaurants alone; he doesn’t expect special treatment from waiters. It’s endearing to know he always takes his own food on set, in the expectation the catering will be dispiritingly bad, and his tastes are mostly simple. Among the longings he describes in What I Ate in One Year is for a salad of dandelion leaves, a dish that reminds him of his childhood, when the Italian immigrants of Westchester, New York, would collect them from along the parkways that led to Manhattan (while Tucci now lives in west London, his American parents are of Italian descent).
Isabella Rossellini takes him to a restaurant her mother, Ingrid Bergman, loved But after this, we’re on a sharply downward slide. Tucci has already written three bestselling food books, and my feeling at this point is that he has little left to say – at least on this subject. How many times must we hear how much he loves marinara sauce? Or artichokes? Or aubergine? There are only so many ways to say something is delicious. A lot of space is devoted in this volume to the food in the lounges of airports and the (I assume) business class cabins of planes, and while these passages are very boring indeed, even they’re not so yawn-inducing as the bits about security checks and delayed flights (personally, I would only be inclined to read a five-and-a-half page account of a round trip by air to Aspen if it were by a bona fide genius such as Craig Brown or Geoff Dyer – and I’d still pour a drink first). Tucci has designed a range of cookware, which is fine by me, even if I’m not in the market for a celebrity colander. But when he writes about it here, it seems shabby, whatever his intentions.
‘It’s all I think about’: Stanley Tucci on love, grief and pastaRead moreOccasionally, there are mentions of famous friends such as Jamie Dornan, Saoirse Ronan and Harry Styles (who likes the poet Rilke, apparently), all of whom come for dinner; Tucci and his brother-in-law, the actor John Krasinski, have an away day at Guy Ritchie’s country house, and it’s like something out of Ritchie’s (dire) Netflix series, The Gentlemen. But he’s ever clam-like about other people. In June, he has dinner at the River Cafe in London with Colin Firth and Tom Ford. “What we talked about is none of your business,” he writes, which strikes me as a somewhat bracing approach to reader relations. If you’re unwilling to invade anyone’s privacy, why bother to publish a diary at all? Naturally, I think I know the answer to this question (and so do you, too, probably). But as someone who has written for her entire living for more than two decades, I must squeeze a little lemon here. The impulses involved in this book on all sides feel depressingly cynical to me, for it’s thinner than freshly rolled fettuccine.
What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci is published by Fig Tree (£20). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

Hundreds of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria have kicked against what they described as an attempt by the Federal Government to disrespect the Nigerian Constitution and destroy the principles of federalism, using what it described as illegally constituted anti-graft agencies.
The CSOs, numbering about 200, said the attempt by the Federal Government to frustrate the hearing of the case instituted by 19 state governments, challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others, was an indication that government was aware of the illegality of the anti-graft agencies and was trying to put pressure on the Supreme Court.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, President, Campaign for Democracy; and Dr. Dapo Oluwole of the Transparency and Accountability Network, TAN, the activists faulted the Federal Government’s alleged pressure on the Supreme Court to dismiss a valid case, noting that they were fully in support of the fight against corruption but would not support the shenanigans of agencies working against the success of anti-graft efforts.
To them, the objections raised by the Attorney-General of the Federation in its application had no bearing with the case at hand because it did not address the issue at stake – constitutionality.
They called on the Judiciary to ignore harassment and intimidation by the Executive at the centre, saying a situation where successive administrations perceived the EFCC, in particular, as a tool for intimidation must stop in the interest of true Federalism.
According to them, this is the reason corruption has continued to fester rather than reduce.
The statement reads: “We, as a group of Civil Society Organizations across Nigeria, have deemed it fit to also intervene in the current debate and litigations regarding the constitutionality or otherwise of the establishment of the EFCC, NFIU, ICPC, etc.
“When it comes to constitutional matters, all issues of concern must be properly and thoroughly interrogated and resolved by the judiciary without any attempts by the Federal Government to throw its weight around. In a federation such as ours, the Federal Government is not superior to the federating units and cannot always breath down their necks especially on matters of concurrent jurisdiction.
“This is not to suggest that we are opposed to the establishment of anti-graft agencies. As a matter of fact, Nigeria needs effective anticorruption agencies to arrest the dangerous trends of the epidemic of corruption in Nigeria’s public and private spaces. Corruption is holding this country down. It is killing us and it must be terminated or, at least, subdued.
“However, you cannot fight a legal battle with an illegal body. To do so is to stand the very principle of justice on its head. If it is now discovered that the establishment of our anti-graft agencies was outside of the constitutional processes as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, then there is an urgent need for that aberration to be treated and healed before we proceed from here. Otherwise, all the actions of the anti-graft agencies would eventually amount to a nullity on the long run.
“In fact, this will be to the advantage of the Federal Government which can now operationalise the anti-graft agencies without let or hindrance. This is why it becomes so strange that the Federal Government is raising objections against something they should take a full advantage of.
“We see a deliberate design to force a fait accompli down the throat of the Judiciary in this matter by the Federal Government and this is not only unacceptable but will be resisted by all legal means, including public actions by CSOs. What exactly is the Federal Government afraid of? Why would you come against answers being demanded on constitutional questions?
“All the Federal Government needs do is to organize its best legal minds to engage this matter in court to its logical conclusion without this overly agitated attempt to shoot it down or frustrate it.
“The preliminary objection countersuit by the Federal Government is unnecessary, unwarranted, and fundamentally gratuitous. A student who has performed well should never be afraid of his or her paper to pass through reexamination. There are many constitutional issues that have been resolved by the judiciary and this will continue to happen.
“Why should anyone be opposed to this one? It is corruption to say that the constitutional issues surrounding anti-corruption agencies should not be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. It is ridiculous to argue that the highest court in the land lacks jurisdiction over a constitutional issue. Which court can then entertain it?
“States or organizations or, even, individuals, as bona-fide citizens of this country, have a right to question the legality or constitutionality, as the case may be, of an activity or agency of government and they have a right to be heard. To stifle that right by legal subterfuge as the Federal Government is now attempting to do is absolutely reprehensible.
“We, as civil society organizations, are interested in finally resolving all constitutional issues regarding the establishment and operations of all government agencies, including the antigraft commissions.
“This should be allowed to run its course without complications.”

Getty ImagesBurning household rubbish in giant incinerators to make electricity is now the dirtiest way the UK generates power, BBC analysis has found.
Nearly half of the rubbish produced in UK homes, including increasing amounts of plastic, is now being incinerated. Scientists warn it is a “disaster for the climate” – and some are calling for a ban on new incinerators.
The BBC examined five years of data from across the country, and found that burning waste produces the same amount of greenhouse gases for each unit of energy as coal power, which was abandoned by the UK last month.
The Environmental Services Association, which represents waste firms, contested our findings and said emissions from dealing with waste are “challenging to avoid”.
Nearly 15 years ago, the government became seriously concerned with the gases being produced from throwing away household rubbish in landfill and their contribution to climate change. In response, it hiked the taxes UK councils paid for burying waste.
Facing massive bills, councils turned to energy-from-waste plants – a type of incinerator that produces electricity from burning rubbish. The number of incinerators surged – in the past five years the number in England alone has risen from 38 to 52. About 3.1% of the UK’s energy comes from waste incinerators.

Devon councils burning 'majority of their waste'Government approves Portland waste incinerator

RTVEDNA samples were taken in 2003 from the bones of Columbus – known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón – and his son HernandoMore than five centuries after he re-shaped history by opening up the New World to European exploration, scientists say they are ready to reveal the truth about the origins of Christopher Columbus.
The explorer reached the Americas in 1492 with the support of the Spanish Crown.
But although mainstream history books describe him as a native of Genoa, uncertainty has surrounded his provenance and many countries and regions have claimed him as their own.
Now, after more than two decades of research, scientists say they have enough evidence to solve the argument over the birthplace of Columbus.
In 2003, José Antonio Lorente, professor of forensic medicine at Granada University, and the historian Marcial Castro, exhumed what were believed to the remains of Columbus from Seville cathedral to take DNA samples. They also took DNA from the bones of his son, Hernando, and brother, Diego.
Since then they have compared the DNA with that of historical figures from different countries and regions in order to solve the mystery, using technological advances to ensure the veracity of the results.
Getty ImagesColumbus and his expedition made landfall in 1492The answer is expected to be revealed in a documentary film due to be shown by Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE on Saturday, which is a national holiday marking Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
Ahead of the broadcast of the film, billed as “a documentary thriller”, the forensic team has revealed one result of its research: that the remains exhumed from Seville were indeed those of the explorer.
The Dominican Republic has long claimed that it is host to his body and a mausoleum is dedicated to him in the city of Santo Domingo.
In presenting this finding, Prof Lorente said that “we have been able to prove beyond all doubt, with new technology, the previously unconfirmed theory that the remains in Seville are those of Christopher Columbus”.
However, the team has said it is possible that some remains of the explorer are in the Dominican Republic, which did not co-operate with the project.
But Columbus’s birthplace is the biggest enigma.
Getty ImagesResearchers say they have definitively confirmed that the bones buried in Seville's cathedral belong to Christopher ColumbusThe widely accepted theory is that he was born in Genoa, in 1451, to a family of wool weavers.
In 1492, he led an expedition backed by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs seeking to establish a new route to the Far East.
Instead, he reached the Caribbean, marking the beginning of a period of European contact with the Americas which would lead to conquest and settlement – and the deaths of many millions of indigenous people due to diseases and war.
It is widely accepted that Columbus died in 1506 in the northern Spanish city of Valladolid.
There have been an estimated 25 or so separate claims regarding where he was born, including from Poland, Scotland, Hungary and Scandinavia.
However, Prof Lorente’s team whittled the candidates down to eight possible birthplaces, in Spain, Portugal and Italy. The process has involved comparing Columbus’s DNA with that of individuals believed to be his relatives in these locations.

In an official statement released this evening, Tata Group has confirmed the passing of its former chairman, Ratan Tata, at the age of 86.

Reflecting on his remarkable tenure that spanned over 20 years, it’s clear that Tata played a pivotal role in positioning the Tata Group on the global stage with a series of significant acquisitions. Earlier today, sources close to him disclosed that he had been undergoing critical care at a hospital in Mumbai.

The Tata Group expressed their deep sorrow in a heartfelt statement, saying, “With deep sadness, we bid farewell to Mr. Tata, a truly extraordinary leader whose immeasurable contributions shaped not only the Tata Group but also the broader fabric of our nation.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, characterizing Tata as “a visionary business leader with a compassionate soul, truly an extraordinary individual.”

As reported by the BBC, Ratan Tata was among India’s most globally recognized business personalities, leading the Tata Group—one of the country’s largest enterprises—with annual revenues surpassing $100 billion.

On the afternoon of October 9th, an All Nippon Airways flight faced an unexpected turn of events shortly after takeoff. Originally set to depart from Narita International Airport in Tokyo for Taoyuan International Airport, the flight was compelled to make an emergency return due to a tail wing issue.

Can you tell us more about the specifics of the incident? Reports from JX News Agency and FlightAware indicate that Japan Airlines flight JL8663 took off at 11:50 AM. However, the crew noticed signs of a tail wing anomaly, leading them to make the decision to return to Narita.

What can you share about the timing of the return? The aircraft is anticipated to land back at Narita around 1:55 PM local time, which is 12:55 PM in Taiwan. It’s worth noting that this particular flight was operated on a Boeing 737-800.

Amid rising concerns from France, Germany, and the Netherlands, the rollout of the EU’s entry-exit system (EES), initially set to launch on November 10, has been delayed for the third time. What exactly is causing this setback?

The EES was intended to require non-EU citizens to provide fingerprints or photographs prior to entering the Schengen area. Originally slated for last summer, the system faced pushback from France, which raised alarms about its potential disruptions to significant events like the Rugby World Cup and the upcoming Olympics. After several postponements, a new launch date was set for October 6 of this year, but it has now been delayed once more due to concerns over the impact on school trips to the EU.

What are EU diplomats saying about this ongoing situation? Sources indicate that it’s highly unlikely any version of the EES will be operational in just four weeks, despite the European Commission announcing a launch date last month.

This Thursday, EU home affairs ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss alternative plans. What options are being considered? One possibility is a phased rollout of the system, gradually introducing it at ports and airports over several months, potentially extending up to a year. Another idea is an “EES Lite” approach that might be implemented next year, enabling passport data uploads to a central database, while fingerprinting and facial recognition could occur later at various locations.

What additional challenges are being encountered? A significant concern at places like Dover port involves delays that occur when passengers have to exit their vehicles or buses to provide fingerprints. A proposed alternative could involve amending EU rules to allow tourists and others to upload biometric data via an app or at secure locations outside the ports and airports.

As noted by one informed source, the situation appears to be rather chaotic, with EU leaders struggling to find a path forward without losing credibility. France, Germany, and the Netherlands make up approximately 40% of all inbound traffic to the EU via major airports like Charles de Gaulle, Schiphol, and Frankfurt, and have raised specific issues about capacity at smaller airports such as Cologne and Munich.

Back in early September, these three nations communicated to the European Commission that they could not assure their readiness for the EES. France also expressed concerns about holiday traffic from Dover during Christmas and the February school breaks. However, despite ongoing discussions, no resolution has been reached thus far.

Regarding truck traffic, what does the data reveal? Reports indicate that up to 90% of drivers transporting vehicles across the Channel hold EU passports, suggesting that truck traffic isn’t a primary issue. Nevertheless, there are concerns that delays with passenger vehicles and tour buses could result in significant backups in Dover and on nearby motorways.

So, what’s really causing these delays? The complications stem from each country’s ability to connect with eu-Lisa, the agency responsible for managing the technology and databases associated with free movement, security, and justice within the EU.

As one diplomat familiar with the situation remarked, “eu-Lisa doesn’t seem to be ready yet. That’s the problem, and the Commission will need to devise solutions to expedite the process and get this functioning by November 10. But I’m skeptical.” They emphasized, “The issue doesn’t lie on our end; it lies with them.”

During a recent flight from Sydney to Tokyo, passengers encountered an unexpected predicament when the in-flight entertainment system malfunctioned. Instead of choosing popular films like *The Fall Guy* or *Inside Out 2*, they found themselves gravitating toward a movie that primarily features Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn engaged in conversations inside a taxi.

Stuart Heritage, a journalist, described the scenario as a “perfect storm,” a term used to describe a situation where multiple factors come together to create chaos. He even proposed a new term, “Daddio,” to encapsulate this unique occurrence, particularly highlighting the puzzling decision to screen a film with explicit content on a packed airplane.

On flight QF59, a technical issue prevented passengers from selecting their own movies, prompting the crew to gather opinions from those on board. To everyone’s surprise, the clear favorite was “Daddio,” a drama that includes some risqué scenes that are decidedly not family-friendly. Passengers had no choice but to watch this film, unable to pause or change the channel on their individual screens, while the film’s explicit content, which featured sexting exchanges, made matters even more uncomfortable.

While Qantas eventually replaced “Daddio” with a kids’ film, Heritage couldn’t help but reflect on the absurdity of the situation. He recalled a school incident where a teacher mistakenly played an inappropriate film, a blunder that feels oddly relatable in this context.

The more pressing question, however, is why passengers would choose “Daddio” over more mainstream and entertaining offerings. Despite its explicit nature, the film has been largely criticized for its dullness, with most of the action confined to a taxi and lengthy discussions.

Heritage shared his confusion over the group’s collective choice, speculating about the mindset of those who preferred to endure 101 minutes of somber dialogue instead of opting for more entertaining alternatives. This brings forth a troubling question about the shared psychology of a crowd that would select such a film during their flight. In his opinion, that choice might warrant even more examination than the film’s explicit content itself.

At a press conference held on October 8th for the 16th China Jiangbei Water City · Two Rivers Pearl (Liaocheng) Gourd Culture and Arts Festival, Xue Zhaoli, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Liaocheng Municipal Party Committee, shared some exciting news: “We are committed to deepening the integration of canal cuisine with gourd-themed banquets, enhancing what the gourd cultural festival has to offer.” This year’s festival will showcase the development, promotion, tasting, and display of canal gourd cultural cuisine.

Gourds have a profound cultural significance in China, symbolizing good fortune thanks to their unique shapes and the associated meanings of prosperity and happiness. Xue emphasized that the gourd industry stands out as one of Liaocheng’s representative sectors, covering more than 30,000 acres, commanding 75% of the national market share, and generating an annual comprehensive benefit of 1.6 billion yuan.

Highlighting the artistry involved, Xue pointed out that the Dongchang gourd carving technique has a rich history of over 500 years and has been designated as a “national intangible cultural heritage.” The Dongchangfu District is recognized as the largest hub for gourd trade in the country, earning it the title of “Hometown of Gourd Carving Culture and Arts in China.”

Liu Jiqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Dongchangfu District Committee and Vice District Mayor, elaborated on the craftsmanship involved. “Gourd artisans use techniques like bending, tying, and shaping during the gourd’s growth to create artistic items such as teapots, snuff bottles, and decorative lamps. These pieces not only enrich the cultural significance of gourds but also enhance their market value.” He also noted that artisans are blending gourd craftsmanship with local techniques, like paper cutting and dough modeling, allowing for the creation of both functional and artistic items, thereby evolving the gourd industry from traditional craftsmanship to a focus on cultural creativity.

Liu further highlighted that in recent years, the Dongchangfu District has prioritized the protection, inheritance, and innovation of gourd carving, bringing attention to gourd culture. A high-quality Gourd Culture Park has been developed, focusing on immersive experiences that integrate regional culture, culinary elements, and local accommodations. The park aims to become a unique destination for rural customs and leisure tourism. The district has also unveiled tourism routes such as “Fortune and Prosperity Dongchangfu: Gourd Culture Tour” and “Cultural Depth Dongchangfu: Intangible Heritage Inheritance Tour,” allowing visitors to explore gourd planting and processing facilities, and shifting the industry’s growth from a quantity-driven model to one focused on quality.

According to Hu Ruiheng, a member of the Dongchangfu District Government Party Group and Vice District Mayor, a specialized cooperative has been established to ensure a cohesive operation across the gourd supply chain. Currently, Dongchangfu boasts over 4,500 gourd growers and more than 1,500 processing businesses, cultivating over 30 varieties of gourds across 13,000 acres, with growing bases set in Xinjiang, Shaanxi, and Shanxi.

Hu pointed out the district’s active engagement with the rapid development of the internet and e-commerce. “There are over 2,000 gourd e-commerce operators in the area, broadening customer bases and sales channels.” Tangle Village in Tangyi Town, known as “China’s First Gourd Village,” has adopted an “Internet + E-commerce” model, with every household engaged in gourd cultivation and online sales. The village hosts over 300 online stores on platforms such as Taobao, Douyin, and Kuaishou, achieving annual sales of 7 million crafted gourds, with significant markets in Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Southeast Asia.

“Every year from September to October, numerous merchants from other regions come to Dongchangfu to purchase gourd products directly from our markets and production bases,” Hu commented. The district is leveraging its rich resources to innovate its gourd planting, processing, and sales models, driving a transformation in the traditional gourd industry. They aim to strengthen integrated production and sales mechanisms, shaping a green, circular, full industrial chain that encompasses “seed research and development – gourd cultivation – gourd cultural and creative processing – all-ecological tourism.” This initiative seeks to boost the economic potential of the gourd industry while empowering rural revitalization.

The 16th China Jiangbei Water City · Two Rivers Pearl (Liaocheng) Gourd Culture and Arts Festival is scheduled for October 12 to 14. This year’s festival will embrace the theme “Discover the Extraordinary Gourd” and will feature a variety of activities including a National Gourd Exhibition, a Gourd Craft Competition, a Gourd Culture Innovative Design Contest, a Planting Skills Contest, discussions on high-quality industry development, and showcases of canal gourd cultural banquets.

In Tampa, Florida, residents are following evacuation orders as Hurricane Milton approaches, creating a dramatic increase in traffic out of the city. Originally weakened to a Category 4 storm, Milton regained strength and was classified as a Category 5 on the afternoon of October 8, with landfall projected for the Tampa Bay area on the evening of October 9. The state has issued mandatory evacuation orders for 11 counties, impacting around 5.9 million people.

President Biden has made an urgent appeal to those in the storm’s path, stating, “evacuate now,” and underscoring the critical nature of this action as a “matter of life and death.”

This impending storm poses a historic threat to the Tampa Bay area, marking the first direct hit from a significant hurricane since 1921. In light of the hurricane’s approach, airlines, utility companies, and major attractions such as Universal Studios have paused operations to prepare. Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S., announced it would stop operations at 8 AM on October 9, while Tampa International Airport closed its doors a day earlier.

Biden described Hurricane Milton as possibly the most severe storm to strike Florida in over a century. After receiving updates from disaster response officials, he revealed that he spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis the previous evening and provided his personal contact information to ensure the state has ample federal support.

Before the hurricane makes landfall, Biden approved an emergency declaration for Florida and urged airlines to prioritize evacuations without excessive fare increases. He stressed the importance of residents following evacuation guidance from state officials. To manage the government’s disaster response, Biden has postponed diplomatic visits to Germany and Angola, originally scheduled for October 10 to 15.

As of the afternoon of October 8, over 2,000 flights had been disrupted, with 1,311 delays and 701 cancellations reported by FlightAware, and these numbers are likely to escalate.

Amid the storm’s approach, local residents began to panic buy, creating long lines at gas stations, many of which quickly ran out of fuel. Energy companies in Tampa have begun shutting down pipelines and fuel distribution centers, with reports confirming that Kinder Morgan’s Central Florida Pipeline system is now closed.

With Hurricane Milton set to make a potentially catastrophic impact, residents in the Tampa Bay area are evacuating, spurred by increasing anxiety. Local officials are working tirelessly to safeguard furniture and appliances, and Craig Fugate, former FEMA head and a veteran of Florida’s emergency management, remarked, “Today is the last day to be prepared.”

It’s worth noting that just weeks ago, Florida’s densely populated west coast experienced severe destruction from Hurricane Helene. After making landfall, Hurricane Milton is anticipated to remain a dangerous storm, capable of inflicting massive damage and extended power outages.