It’s often said that watching Elvis Presley was a religious experience. He sent women into fits and presided over his disciples, singing gospel and gently blessing them with silk scarves. I’m not a religious person but in 2016 – 39 years after Elvis died – I saw the neon light. This was also, not coincidentally, the year I gained sympathy for journalists who pursue stories about cults which they then end up joining. I travelled to country New South Wales to cover the Parkes Elvis festival for the pop culture website Junkee. This rural town (population 11,000) hosts an annual celebration with more than 25,000 Elvis fans, impersonators and tribute artists. The best among them compete for the title and glory of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. I went in thinking it would be a funny and novel story. Elvis was good, sure, but who are these people dressing up and singing in the streets? I left as one of them. Over the past four years I’ve desperately tried to … [Read more...] about I thought the Elvis fan festival would be funny. It cracked me open and changed my life
Scotland’s lowering of drink-drive limit has had little impact on pub trade
A tougher drink-drive limit in Scotland has had little long-term financial impact on pub trade profits, according to new research.The study by Stirling University says both landlords and customers have adapted to the change, with less after-work drinking and more people leaving the pub earlier on weekdays.The Scottish government introduced legislation in 2014 to reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.The tighter restrictions have also led to changes in pubs, with bars offsetting losses by introducing a greater range of food and selling drinks with no or little alcohol.Owners have also changed the presentation of drinks, with one admitting to making a sparkling water "look like a gin and tonic". Advertisement Stirling University associate professor Niamh Fitzgerald, who led the study, said: "The findings are of international relevance as lower drink-drive limits are being considered in other countries, with debates including … [Read more...] about Scotland’s lowering of drink-drive limit has had little impact on pub trade
Delhi factory fire: More than 40 dead in India blaze
A large fire has swept through a bag factory in the Indian capital Delhi, killing 43 workers, officials say. The blaze broke out at the four-storey building in the city's congested old quarter early on Sunday morning.At least 100 people were sleeping inside the factory, which mainly makes school bags, when the fire started. More than 60 have been rescued.Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the fire "horrific" and sent his condolences. A local fire chief told BBC Hindi the building did not have a proper fire licence and was operating illegally as a factory.Local media reported that the owner of the factory, named as Rehan, had been arrested.One firefighter, Rajesh Shukla, was hailed as a "hero" for saving 11 people - despite suffering injuries himself.'Cries and shouts for help'Delhi's firefighters received the first call about the fire at 05:22 local time on Sunday (23:52 GMT Saturday). The fire began on the lower storeys, spreading rapidly to the third floor where workers were … [Read more...] about Delhi factory fire: More than 40 dead in India blaze
General election 2019: What was England like at the last December poll?
The 2019 General Election will be the first to be held in December since 1923. What was England like back then and how did the election turn out?It was the year the Flying Scotsman was built and Wembley first hosted the FA Cup final. George V was halfway through his 26-year reign as king and the British empire covered one fifth of the world's land including Canada, swathes of Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand.Domestically, it was a time of turmoil with the effects of World War One still being keenly felt four years after the conflict, which had killed about 700,000 Brits, ended.Britain was paying £34m a year in repayments for the war loans it had taken out (these were not finally cleared until 2015) while its traditional industries such as steel, coal and iron were failing to compete with the cheaper manufacturers from abroad."Britain was the first country in the world to have an industrial revolution," says Harry Bennett, associate professor of history at Plymouth … [Read more...] about General election 2019: What was England like at the last December poll?
Jenna Dewan is ‘working on a Sunday’ as she does a dance move while showing off her baby bump in a black dress
Her dance show, Flirty Dancing, is set to premiere on December 29. And with just three weeks until the show's debut, Jenna Dewan is working up a storm. The mother-of-two took to Instagram to share a selfie video from her day on set on Sunday. 'She's flirty she's dancing and she's bumpin along': On Sunday, Jenna Dewan took to Instagram to share a selfie video from her day on set of Flirty Dancing 'She's flirty she's dancing and she's bumpin along,' wrote the star in her post's caption. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Jonathan Scott EXCLUSIVE: The star confesses he and Zooey... Kate Hudson shows of her Sunday style in a layered look as... Share this article Share In the video, Jenna did a simple dance move as she stepped to one side, while drawing attention to her bump. The fit mom was styled in a black body-con dress, paired with a simple pair of strappy heels. On Display: In the video, Jenna did a simple dance move as she … [Read more...] about Jenna Dewan is ‘working on a Sunday’ as she does a dance move while showing off her baby bump in a black dress
