The Enduring Magic of The Beatles
Another year brings another meticulously restored treasure from The Beatles' seemingly bottomless archives. This time, it's the landmark 1995 documentary series, The Beatles Anthology, receiving a comprehensive spit and polish. Why, one might ask, does a band that disbanded over five decades ago continue to command such fervent attention and analysis?
Stuart Maconie investigates the celebrated 'four narratives' theory, a concept that helps explain the group's perpetual relevance. This framework suggests that the constant reinterpretation of their story through different lenses—the initial beatlemania, their studio experimentation, the solo years, and the ongoing historical analysis—keeps their legacy fresh for new generations.
The ultimate chronicler of this saga is arguably Mark Lewisohn, whose biographical work since the 1980s has been so thorough that one of the four narratives bears his name. He is currently labouring on part two of a monumental three-volume biography, a race against time to document the truth while key players are still alive. His mission is clear: "To get at the truth if I can and let the rest fall away."
A Tragic Trek in Torres del Paine
The beauty of Chilean Patagonia turned deadly earlier this month when a brutal blizzard struck the famous O circuit trail in Torres del Paine national park. With winds reaching a terrifying 190km/h and temperatures plunging to -5C, five hikers lost their lives in what survivors have labelled a "terrible, avoidable tragedy."
Caitlin Cassidy reports from the perspective of Australian hikers who were among a group of approximately 30 people attempting a desperate, hours-long rescue effort. The tragedy was compounded by significant communication failures. Crucially, there were no park rangers stationed in the area that day due to mandatory voting for Chile's presidential election. As a result, police and additional backup did not arrive on the scene until roughly 24 hours after the initial SOS call was issued.
Buddhist Extremism and a Monk's Mission
In Sri Lanka, the serene image of Buddhist monastic life is being challenged by the rise of figures like Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara. The controversial monk, who believes his duty is to act against any perceived threat to Buddhism, has declared that "attaining nirvana can wait." In his homeland, the primary 'enemy within' is often identified as Islam.
Sonia Faleiro secured a rare audience with the spiritual leader turned politician, uncovering how his anti-Muslim rhetoric has frequently been followed by mob violence in towns where he speaks. His influence is such that a leader of the country's largest Muslim political party stated resignedly, "The yellow robes are untouchable." While Gnanasara claims his monastic journey began in cave-like dwellings, a very different story about his past circulates in the capital city of Colombo.
When a School WhatsApp Group Spirals Out of Control
For parents Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine, complaints about their local primary school's governance, shared in a WhatsApp group they created and on social media, led to an unimaginable outcome: six uniformed police officers arriving at their doorstep. The school, located north-west of London, was bombarded with derogatory posts and subsequently filed a complaint with the police.
Alexandra Topping speaks with members of the original WhatsApp group, for whom the controversy remains so raw they agreed to be interviewed only under pseudonyms. One member, 'Sarah', revealed the atmosphere of suspicion the incident created: "You're looking at other people, like, was it her? Who's screenshotting our messages? And that itself was awful." The case sparked a global conversation about free speech and policing, drawing commentary from figures as prominent as Elon Musk.
Unlocking the Secrets of Your Body's 'Internal Wetsuit'
For office workers who find their bodies less than fluid during exercise, the culprit might be your fascia. This continuous, all-encompassing network of connective tissue wraps around and links everything within the body. Joel Snape consults experts on how we can use this understanding to our advantage.
If you've ever carved a joint of meat, you've seen fascia—it's the thin, silvery layer enveloping the muscle. To maintain healthy, supple fascia, experts recommend regularly stretching your limbs in different directions, a simple practice that can counteract the tightening effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
