Latest news with #J.K.Rowling
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen Fry slams J.K. Rowling for 'inflammatory and contemptuous' transphobic rhetoric
Stephen Fry is changing his tune when it comes to J.K. Rowling. The comedian recently spoke about his (former?) friend during a live recording of The Show People Podcast in London, expressing a far different sentiment from one that left people divided several years earlier. "She has been radicalised, I fear," he said. "And it may be because she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her." Back in 2022, Fry caused waves when he admitted he didn't want to get involved in the debate between Rowling, who he considered a friend, and trans activists, while lamenting that "each side looks on the other as an enemy." "[Rowling's] a friend of mine, and I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her," he said at the time. "That's a circle I have to square personally. I'm not going to abandon my friends." It's unclear whether more has happened to come between him and Rowling since he first made that statement, or if he's simply dismayed with her online behavior and constant attacks against the trans community. During The Show People Podcast recording, he did reiterate that he doesn't think criticizing Rowling for her views will do anything but "continue to harden her," but acknowledged that she deserves to be called out for saying "things that are really cruel, wrong, and mocking." — (@) "She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people," he said. "When it comes to the transphobia issue, it is right to remind people that trans people are here and that they are hurting. They are being abominably treated. There's a great deal of bullying, violence, suicide and genuine agony in the trans community." "I am sorry because I always liked her company,' Fry added. 'I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now." This article originally appeared on Pride: Stephen Fry slams J.K. Rowling for 'inflammatory and contemptuous' transphobic rhetoric Stephen Fry (@stephenfryactually) • Instagram photos and videos Stephen Fry - Wikipedia 34 same-sex couples who don't mind the age gap 'Harry Potter' star Tom Felton's pathetic take on JK Rowling's transphobia is peak cis privilege J.K. Rowling slammed over latest pathetic dig at 'Harry Potter' actors J.K. Rowling's nasty reaction to learning asexuals exist has the internet roasting These are the 'Harry Potter' actors defending (or criticizing) JK Rowling
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
HBO's ‘Harry Potter' Casts 9 More Roles, Including Draco Malfoy
HBO has cast several more key roles its Harry Potter TV series — including the Malfoys and the Dursleys. The TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's fantasy series has announced nine actors playing key roles for its first season tackling Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. More from The Hollywood Reporter Trump's Trade War Will Loom Large Over the Banff World Media Fest 'Maxton Hall: The World Between Us' Renewed for Season 3 at Prime Video Stephen Curry, Nicola Coughlan, Patton Oswalt Lead All-Star Voice Cast of Sony's 'GOAT' The cast includes (from left to right in the photo below) Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge. In keeping with the show's commitment to have its characters closer to the ages in the books, the actors playing Harry's muggle aunt and uncle look a bit younger — at least, when out of character — than the Vernon and Petunia in the Warner Bros. films (who were played by Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw). In the books, the duo are in their mid-thirties when the story begins with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The nine join many previously announced castmembers, which include Emmy winner John Lithgow (Conclave) as Hogwarts' wise and warm Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Oscar nominee Janet McTeer (Ozark) as stern Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu (Black Mirror) will take on the role of the sneering Potions Professor Severus Snape, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) will play the lumbering Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid. In addition, stage actor Luke Thallon will play Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Quirinus Quirrel and Paul Whitehouse (Harry & Paul) has been cast as the curmudgeonly caretaker Argus Filch. They join the previously announced kids' cast: Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton is Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout is the new Ron Weasley. HBO's plan is to adapt each of Rowling's seven novels into a season of television. HBO has also rereleased a statement about the adaptation and its place in the Harry Potter universe: 'The series will be a faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series by author and executive producer J.K. Rowling and will feature an exciting and talented cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail and much-loved characters Harry Potter fans have adored for over 25 years. Exploring every corner of the wizarding world, each season will bring Harry Potter and its incredible adventures to new and existing audiences and will stream exclusively on Max where it's available globally, including upcoming markets such as Turkey, the U.K., Germany and Italy, among others. The original, classic and cherished films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch around the world.' Francesca Gardiner is showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod is the director of multiple episodes and executive producer. The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Mint
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Mint
FAMOUS FACES, SIMPLE LIVES
J.K. Rowling, despite her immense wealth from the Harry Potter series, leads a relatively simple life. She lives in a modest Edinburgh home and prefers spending on family and friends over luxury items. Credit : PINTEREST Page 2
The Hindu
7 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
What educational institutions need to do for better learning of English among students
Language teaching must be distinct from the teaching of subjects such as Maths, Physics, or Economics. Yet, current practices rarely reflect any such distinction, especially at school level. Language syllabuses outline ambitious objectives and learning outcomes such as to enable learners to become fluent and flawless users and to empower them to be 'autonomous' by mastering the language. They also aim to equip them to employ the language effectively and naturally in both formal and informal contexts. However, at the initial stages (Levels 1 and 2) the basic objective is imparting foundational skills and, by level 3, learners are expected to have acquired the core linguistic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (LSRW). Reality today However, today's teaching-learning ecosystem tells us a different story, raising certain poignant questions: if learners have acquired the basic skills, why do teachers continue to reteach them at higher levels? Why aren't they letting learners expand on their own to refine the acquired skills? Isn't the classroom engagement stifling their cognitive development by overemphasising teacher-led instructions? Why do teachers, even at the advanced stages, read texts aloud and explicate them, instead of guiding learners to explore on their own? Shouldn't class-time be devoted to acquainting learners with diverse reading texts and strategies to optimise their efforts? To materialise the stated objectives of teaching-learning of English, overhauling of curriculum is a necessity. The first two of Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing (LSRW) are innate human abilities, while the remaining are acquired skills with reading typically preceding writing. As literacy fundamentally begins with reading, it demands prioritised attention. Instead of labelling classes generically as 'English', timetables should specify the skills being dealt with. Signaling the shift, on each day, a period should be earmarked for a particular skill. Of the five periods in a week, two should be dedicated for Reading, as it is the 'mother of all skills', and one each can be dedicated to Listening, Speaking and Writing. Moreover, reading classes must break free from the dated teacher-centric models. Learners should actively engage in varied activities to turn the grandiose plan of learner-centric and learner-driven approaches a reality. This approach will foster learner 'independence' by shifting them away from teacher dependence. The role of a teacher should be restricted to organising 'tasks' – designing and organising activities in diverse formats such as individual, in pairs, triads, and small groups — ensuring inclusive participation of all. Wide range J.K. Rowling once remarked, 'If you are not interested in reading, you have not found the right book'. In a class of 30 or 40 students, no single text can appeal to all; hence, various kinds must be utilised. This requires an alternative syllabus construction, i.e., inclusion of 'seen' and 'unseen' texts. The 'seen' could be prescribed, but the 'unseen' should be identified by teachers and anchored on students' interests and needs, a practice adopted in progressive institutions. Texts can span both fiction and non-fiction across multiple genres. Fiction, for instance, holds romance, mystery, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and thrillers; similarly, non-fiction ranges from autobiographies, biographies, self-help, and travelogues, spiritual to scientific writings. Familiarity with this wide variety can facilitate learners to choose whatever interests them. Adults in their 40s and 50s confess that they may have read about 500 books, mostly during their school and college days. This establishes the criticality of student days, for what they were to become later in their lives. Reading, after all, is not just decoding but also involves comprehension, reflection and imagination, which enables them to be thinkers. So, to maximise their efforts, besides the text types, they must be introduced to strategies such as skimming, scanning, previewing, predicting, questioning, and inferencing. Mastery of these will accelerate the reading of more books with less time. For slogans such as 'job-ready', 'future-ready', or prepare for 'non-existent jobs', reading skills are the true foundation. 'Read to lead, and lead to read' is the maxim. As language is for communicative purposes, 'noisy classes' are the norm. So, the cliched ideal of 'pin-drop silence' must be militated against. The censure of inability to acquire English is not owing to learners' incapacity, but systemic shortcomings. The question remains: Are we truly ready to handle English courses differently? Subjects can be learnt through textbooks, but language demands efforts beyond textbooks, beyond teacher and classroom. The more one reads, the better they become. The writer is a retired Professor of English and Chief Executive Chair of the English Language Teachers' Association of India
Euronews
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Foraging forever: Eating magic from Isle of Man forest floor
Tom Felton has ignited fierce debate online after voicing support for Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling during an interview with Variety at the 2025 Tony Awards. The 37-year-old actor, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the film franchise and set to reprise the role on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, was asked about his stance on the controversy surrounding Rowling's views on transgender rights. 'I'm not really that attuned. The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world. Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful.' His comments have sparked a wave of differing reactions - while some applauded him for what they called a 'classy response,' others condemned it as 'atrocious,' 'spineless,' and 'disappointing.' 'Thank goodness someone in that franchise learned not to bite the hand that feeds him,' one user wrote on X. Another added, 'Who would have thought Draco would be the most level-headed.' However, many feel let down by his comments. 'This is what privilege looks like, and we shouldn't ignore how much harm looking the other way because things don't affect us directly does,' one declared. Another said: 'That's the problem ain't it, people not caring about issues that don't 'impact them'.' Since 2020, the once-widely celebrated J.K. Rowling has alienated and angered many fans through her contentious online comments regarding gender identity and trans rights - including her claim that trans women 'are not women' and her refusal to use people's preferred pronouns - writing that she would 'rather go to jail' than do so. Critics have labelled her a 'TERF' (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a term Rowling has since embraced publicly. Her remarks prompted the three lead actors of the original film franchise - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint - to publicly distance themselves from her. Radcliffe told The Atlantic last year that her views 'make me really sad,' adding: 'Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.' Watson has expressed her support for the trans community, saying: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are." Grint echoed this sentiment: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement." Rowling has made it clear she won't forgive the actors who publicly disagreed with her. 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights... can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,' she wrote on X. Meanwhile, the wizarding world of Harry Potter continues to expand. A new HBO reboot series is in the works, with Rowling on board as an executive producer. The casting for the central trio was announced last month, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout set to play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively. Over 30,000 children auditioned for the roles in an open casting call last year. They will join a stacked supporting cast including six-time Emmy-winning actor John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirrell, and Paul Whitehouse as caretaker Argus Filch. New additions were also revealed early this week: Johnny Flynn will portray Lucius Malfoy, with rising star Lox Pratt as Draco. The Morning Show's Bel Powley and BAFTA-winner Daniel Rigby will play Petunia and Vernon Dursley, while Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) will take on the role of Molly Weasley. Despite continued controversy around Rowling's public statements, HBO has stood by her involvement in the project: 'J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.' Foraging; middle-class pastime or a cost-of-living godsend? In recent years, in an effort to get out of the house and back to nature many people have taken up foraging - the practice of looking for edible items in the wild. It can make a fun day out and even be a good way of decorating your home. However, over foraging can also be a concern with recent pleas from wildlife organisations in the UK for the public not to pick nature clean. But what if foraging could actually benefit biodiversity? Euronews Culture has met one chef who thinks so. Pippa Lovell is a restaurateur who moved to the Isle of Man from Copenhagen in 2018. Despite early experiences blackberrying with her family, Lovell says she was turned onto foraging whilst working in the Michelin star restaurants of Scandinavia, although the award-winning chef was less than impressed by what she saw there. 'It was just so normal to use foraging ingredients but they do it for the sake of it being free and being cool and it being a thing that you do,' she says from her home in Port Erin. 'In general a Michelin restaurant might invite a lot of interns to do their foraging; that might be 10 to 15 people all going out for a full day or two or three days all going for one kind of mushroom or one flower or one seaweed. 'That many people all day doing it for a few days just to be one element of a 15 course tasting menu, to interrupt that little ecosystem and nature just for the sake of one flavour for one selfish use; I find infuriating.' After relocating to the island off the northwest coast of England to set up a new restaurant, a life-changing event made Lovell rethink her approach in the kitchen. In 2019 the chef won the Award for Social Responsibility after designing an eco-friendly dish. Shortly afterwards she opened up her restaurant Versa; as in 'vice versa' symbolising her reciprocal relationship with the land. Here she forages for 50 per cent of the ingredients she serves up to patrons, helping the local environment as she does so. 'If we're going to do something as a species that's detrimental to the environment and the community in many ways. Actually, let's flip it on its head and utilise the restaurant industry to do good. 'Why not?' The Isle of Man is part of UNESCO's network of biosphere reserves; areas which foster the harmonious integration of humans and nature for sustainable development. The list contains sites within countries like Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana and cross border areas like the Mura-Drava-Danube which spans Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia. However, the Isle of Man is the only 'entire nation' biosphere. 'I really wanted to move here because it's a biosphere,' says Lovell. 'As a forager and a chef who considers herself an activist…it just seemed apparent that it was a really good place to use to talk about my values and ethos. It really supports everything I believe in here.' Lovell's method is to use invasive species in her dishes to help the Isle of Man's biodiversity. Whereas some restaurants forage for rare ingredients to impress their patrons, Versa uses ones which are plentiful so that searching for them won't disrupt local ecosystems. A good example would be Lovell's use of Alexanders, originally brought to the British Isles by the Romans. Known as 'the pot herb of Alexandria' this plant soon escaped the kitchen and went feral. It now blocks up hedgerows on the Isle of Man where Lovell uses its leaves as a replacement for parsley, the stem as a replacement for celery, and the seeds as black pepper. 'Using the seeds stops it from spreading,' she says. 'It stops the footprint of other ingredients and there's more flavour so you need less, you're helping the hedgerows, and there's more nutrients. 'Ideally I'm looking for an ingredient that helps the environment by picking it.' Despite her experience Lovell has no formal training as a chef. All her skill at cooking she's picked up organically during her career along with her knowledge of foraging which she says comes from a mixture of books, social media inspiration and perseverance. 'You just need good public liability insurance,' she laughs. The chef resolutely refuses to use recipes at Versa, instead putting together tasting menus with her six-strong staff of local youths using roughly half foraged ingredients and half locally grown. Foraging missions have a spontaneous feel to them, taking place on her morning dog walks or between midday and evening sittings. While the seasons dictate the menu a big part of Versa's operation is also fermenting and preserving fresh ingredients. 'In the summer it could be a 20 courser that's 80 per cent foraged. At this time of year I'm probably going to do eight or nine courses…and half is foraged and that is halved between fresh and preserved,' she says. Lovell is so committed to her local produce ethos that she doesn't even serve alcohol as it contains items which are imported, and she never runs short of inspiration in the woods, beaches and glens within walking distance of her restaurant. 'It's a lifestyle working at Versa,' she says. 'That's the good thing about the biosphere. There's an abundance everywhere.' Early on Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted and seized a boat called the Madleen, which was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in what activists said was a protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip. A group of activists, including Greta Thunberg, will be returned to their home countries after the Gaza-bound boat they were travelling on was seized, Israeli authorities said. Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel." Thunberg shared news of the campaign in a video update on 2 June that saw her wear a Fontaines D.C. charity jersey and raise awareness for the 'Freedom Flotilla' trip, with the boat departing from Italy. The group has claimed that authorities had 'forcibly intercepted' the boat and acted with 'total impunity.' Une publication partagée par Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@gazafreedomflotilla) Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser, shared: 'Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade - their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.' Thunberg accused Israel of "kidnapping" her and reached out for global support. In a statement, she said: 'I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible'. The entertainment world has responded to the interception of the boat. Legendary rock band Garbage reshared a post that called for 'the release of all involved immediately,' and before posting an update with the caption: 'All eyes on the @gazafreedomflotilla . Let aid in. What is happening to the Palestinians is monstrous. How many more dead children do we have to see before the world acts?!?' Singer-songwriter Cat Power shared an update on Instagram pushing for the release of Thunberg and the activists. 'We demand the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,' the singer shared in the caption, before listing out the names of those who were onboard the Madleen. 'THE WORLD MUST ACT NOW. THIS IS A CRISIS.' Une publication partagée par CAT POWER (@catpowerofficial) Norwegian singer Aurora shared an update that claimed the Israeli government offered Thunberg the option to 'attack, arrest, or turn back', while Irish rap group Kneecap shared an earlier update that said: 'Solidarity with Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones actor) and all on the 'freedom flotilla' to Gaza'. British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah also shared a video made by an activist on the Madleen, which said: 'This is not the world you want to leave behind to your children. When you look into the faces of your children, know there are children in Gaza, the same age, and they have the same rights. They have the right to live in dignity, they have the right to live free. They have the right to just live. Do everything in your power, keep your eyes on us and remember why we are here. You need to do the real work, and that is to stop your government from sending weapons to Israel to commit these war crimes and atrocities.' Une publication partagée par Nadine Shah (@nadineshah) Bambie Thug, last year's Eurovision entry for Ireland, also reposted an update that read: 'We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed', while author Matt Haig shared the following regarding Greta Thunberg and the criticism aimed at the young activist: 'Like her. Don't like her. But she is the opposite of 'performative'. She is literally heading into a genocide with a target on her back.' Une publication partagée par Matt Haig (@mattzhaig) After an almost three-month blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month. Humanitarian workers and experts say it is not enough and have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive. An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta, organisers said. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.
