FeminismTo commemorate The Simpsons 20th anniversary, Marge is to appear naked on the cover of US Playboy. For some, it's a bold satirical move from a cartoon used to raising issues of female empowerment, but to others, its a betrayal of the show's feminist idealsPlayboy has a new cover girl – or make that cover woman: none other than Marge Simpson will strip to her lingerie for the November issue of the original lad's mag, complete with a three-page pictorial spread, pullout, and an interview entitled The Devil in Marge Simpson.
US news This article is more than 10 years oldNorth Carolina state fair: five injured during 'Vortex' ride accidentThis article is more than 10 years oldAuthorities investigating what caused contracted spinning ride to begin moving while passengers were disembarkingFive people were injured on a carnival ride known for its wild twirls and flips at the North Carolina state fair, and officials were trying to determine Friday exactly what caused the accident.
Book of the dayFictionReviewThis is a bravura reimagining of the real-life relationship between Bram Stoker and two stars of the Victorian theatreThe Irish writer Joseph O’Connor is still best known for his 2002 novel, Star of the Sea, but in 2016 he wrote a radio play, Vampyre Man, about the real-life relationship between Bram Stoker and the two greatest stars of Victorian theatre, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry. It is easy to imagine these three magnificent characters refusing to be abandoned on the airwaves, and O’Connor has given them an appropriately grand stage in the breathtaking Shadowplay.
BangladeshBangladesh election: Sheikh Hasina expected to win fourth term amid opposition boycottThe election has been branded a ‘sham’ designed to cement Hasina’s rule by exiled opposition leader Tarique Rahman
An opposition boycott looks set to usher prime minister Sheikh Hasina to a fourth straight term in the Bangladesh election this weekend.
The election has been described as a “sham” designed to cement Hasina’s rule by exiled opposition leader Tarique Rahman.
‘You assume everyone knows how TV works, but they don’t. Why should they?’: Emily Maitlis shot at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park. Styling by Kara Kyne. Hair and makeup by Laura Szydlowski using Charlotte Tilbury. Emily is wearing Listen Up Jumper by Bella Freud. Photograph: Alex Lake/The Observer‘You assume everyone knows how TV works, but they don’t. Why should they?’: Emily Maitlis shot at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hyde Park.