| Wine, women and snogs
The latest show from the National Theatre of Scotland is being created by some of the country's most celebrated talents. Starring Cumming and Tony Curran, both of whom have successful careers in America, the play is directed by John Tiffany, who staged the phenomenon that is Black Watch. Euripides wrote The Bacchae shortly before his death in 406BC, and it was performed the following year at the Dionysia, the Athenian drama festival, where it took first prize. The play concerns Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and theatre, whose late mother Semele was a member of the Theban ruling family and whose father Zeus is king of the Gods. As the play begins, Dionysus is returning to Thebes after seducing and converting much of what we now know as the Middle East. .
Live from . . . An ever-changing music scene
Everything changes, especially in the shifting world of live music. Last year's favorite rock haunt might no longer be around - the past few years have seen a significant number of clubs shut their doors or discontinue live music - but odds are good a new hangout has materialized to take its place. In recent months a plethora of nightspots have opened their doors, begun booking shows, or altered their musical identities. Judging from the new lay of the land, the watchwords in clubland - as in the larger music world - are diversity and accessibility. First, the bad news. Live-music casualties include the Kirkland Cafe, Tir Na Nog, and the Skybar in Somerville; Zeitgeist in Cambridge; and by the end of the month the Bulfinch Yacht Club near North Station. ZuZu in Cambridge, Common Ground in Allston, and the Baseball Tavern in the Fenway still thrive as bars but have discontinued live music.
Société Générale in danger of takeover
While the market turmoil may make bidders wary, they may see the extraordinary revelation about the alleged fraud as an unique opportunity to strike. "This will be the time we look back to and say this is when SocGen lost its independence," one source said. A senior banker added: "The rights issue has strengthened their capital, but from a sentiment point of view they are weak. Whether they survive the next three to six months will be key." SocGen's shares fell 4pc to €75.81. Traders said speculation about a takeover prevented the stock from falling further. Among the bidders for SocGen could be Barclays, which last year lost out to a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland in an attempted cross-boarder merger with Dutch bank ABN Amro. Italy's Unicredit could also be a serious contender.
Reshaped Braves aim toward spring training
Kotsay probably isn't the difference-maker that Drew was, but a healthy Kotsay is an outstanding defensive outfielder and class act who can hit .290-.300 with 12-15 homers, provide more veteran leadership, and be a terrific influence on Schafer and other young players.) By the way, Kotsay's had success in Atlanta, both in the majors (.292 average with nine extra-base hits and 12 RBIs in 106 at-bats) and the Olympics. The two-time college player of the year hit .303 (10-for-33) with four doubles, three homers, six RBIs and 10 runs for the U.S. at the '96 Atlanta Olympics. Batting order: So what will the Braves' batting order look like, assuming Kotsay is in it? I'm going to take a stab, though this could obviously change and I don't feel too certain about much more than the 3-4 slots: SS Yunel Escobar, 2.
Transcript of chat with Free Press reporter M.L. Elrick
Detroit Free Press reporter M.L. Elrick answered questions live on freep.com this afternoon about the the mayor's text message scandal. His answers are below.
Q: Shouldn't Kym Worthy recuse herself, due to having a personal friendship with the Mayor and Chief of Staff, and let the FBI conduct the investigation?
JKT
Thanks for your question -- and thanks everyone for stopping in to ask us more about this amazing story!
As we reported in today's Free Press (and at freep.com), Kym Worthy and Mayor Kilpatrick have never been very close. Their relationship is, to be kind, cool.
so i don't see an obvious conflict of interest.
Certainly there might be a concern if the Detroit police handled the investigation.
Don’t wait ’til the midnight hour
The clock is ticking for the estimated two million taxpayers who have yet to meet the January 31 deadline for handing in their self-assessment forms for the year 2006-07. There are only five days left until the cut-off point at midnight on Thursday, by which time tax returns must have reached the Revenue, along with any money due. The customary last-minute scramble could be made even more chaotic this year by the possibility of a strike by civil servants on January 31, which may result in the closure of some tax offices. In addition, some taxpayers whose homes have been blighted by last year’s floods may have lost their financial records. The Revenue has promised to do everything possible to keep offices open before and on deadline day and to assist those who have lost vital records.
Fumo defends Pa. student-loan agency's spending practices
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A state senator on the board of Pennsylvania's student loan agency criticized an ongoing state audit of the agency's spending practices Thursday, alleging that it was politically motivated. Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, D-Philadelphia, said the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's spending on business travel, entertainment and promotions have helped boost its revenues. State Auditor General Jack Wagner announced in April that his office would audit PHEAA, citing news reports of lavish spending. The audit is expected to be completed by the end of June. "The going out ... and entertaining and marketing brought this agency a ton of money," Fumo said during the board's monthly meeting. "I think the auditor general should be ashamed for trying to run a political campaign on the backs of the students of this commonwealth." Wagner is seeking re-election this year and is considered a potential candidate for governor in 2010.
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