BIRDS AND THE BEESWhy aren't there any killer sharks in the Mediterranean? THE QUESTIONER has obviously never been to a carpet shop on the Turkish coastline. Ian Neill, Istanbul. I HAVE no idea, but I think I ran into one the other day on Bay Street. I don't know if he was from the Mediterranean but he had a tan and he wore sunglasses (mirrored). His name was Bryce.
Is there a secret law that says that in order to achieve significant international distribution, a European film must point up a central relationship involving a cutie-pie kid and a wise older man? The Czech hit Kolya had one, as did Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winner Life is Beautiful; and who could forget the godfather of them all, Cinema Paradiso?Butterfly's Tongue, from Spanish director Jose Luis Cuerda, is the latest incarnation of the breed and uses its charming double act as a way into broaching the difficult subject of the Spanish civil war.
Children's booksChildren's booksCinder by Marissa Meyer - review‘I’m not usually a fan of forbidden romance but I didn’t find myself wanting to hurl into a bucket, so that was a good sign’ So, I’ll be the first to admit that I was never really a fan of Cinderella growing up. It was just the classic tale I’d heard over and over again – poor girl meets prince, they fall in love, good triumphs over evil, blah, blah, blah.
Global developmentExposure to the heavy metal from spice powders and car batteries is affecting child health across the subcontinent An outbreak of a mystery illness over two days in early December in the south Indian city of Eluru saw more than 560 people hospitalised, most of them children, and baffled doctors. Symptoms were described as being similar to epilepsy, with convulsions and vomiting accompanied by burning eyes and loss of consciousness.
Most people can only dream of a good night’s sleep. Photograph: AF archive/Alamy Stock PhotoMost people can only dream of a good night’s sleep. Photograph: AF archive/Alamy Stock PhotoSleepArianna Huffington espouses the virtues of eight hours and luxury products promise rejuvenating rest, but who can really afford to sleep safe and sound? The Guardian’s product and service reviews are independent and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.