Latest news with #Ester
TimesLIVE
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
James Paterson & James O. Born, Anna Stuart, Helena Echlin
Paranoia: A Michael Bennet Thriller *** James Patterson & James O Born Century The talent with which New York cop Michael Bennet juggles his career and huge family (10 adopted kids) with a new baby on the way is again put to the test in his latest. But at least he is flanked in this murder case by an intriguing former army vet who has joined the NYPD and proves to be a solid sidekick. Contemporary themes, such as corruption inside the police force and immigration into the US are tackled sensitively, while his mass of kids give glimpses into 21st century preoccupations, such as a reality TV cooking competition. Patterson is great at creating likable characters and, in a few strokes, condemning others such as the TV chef. An easy read, Paranoia will satisfy Bennet fans. — Claire Keeton The Midwife of Auschwitz **** Anna Stuart Sphere November 1939, Lodz, Poland. Ester, a young Jewish woman, is getting married to the love of her life, Filip. Jackboots fill the synagogue as Nazi officers storm in. September 1942, Ester is working as a nurse in the ghetto hospital when the Nazis come for the sick and drag them off. Soon they come for Ester's mother, Ruth, saying they are taking people who can no longer work. Distraught, Ester runs after her mother and before she knows it, she is thrown into the cattle car. She's shocked to see Ana there, a Catholic Pole arrested on suspicion of resistance to the Nazis. Ana gives Ester strength, especially after Ruth dies in the night. They arrive at Auschwitz-Birkenau, are pushed into a queue and when they reach the front Ana tells the SS doctor she is a midwife and Ester her assistant. They are assigned to their hut — a squalid place crammed with about 100 women in various stages of pregnancy. Ana notices a woman is about to give birth and she and Ester deliver a tiny baby girl. Klara, a smirking German guard, snatches the baby from its mother's arms and dunks it into a bucket of water till it is motionless, then tosses the little corpse outside. Ana and Ester will spend more than three years in the camp of horrors, birthing more than 3,000 babies — some will survive, especially the blonde ones, who are taken to childless German families to bring up. This beautifully written novel does not spare the reader any details of the madness, cruelty and absolute brutality experienced in Auschwitz. — Gabriella Bekes Clever Little Thing **** Helena Echlin Headline Echlin's new offering delivers chills in spades as a new contribution to 'mom noir' — a subgenre where domestic and psychological suspense centres on the dark, messy realities of motherhood. This eerie story centres on Charlotte, a mother who was raised by a clinically depressed and distant mother who wants desperately to do better for her daughter Stella — a complex little character who is highly intelligent and showing signs of autism at age eight. As she battles to handle Stella's emotional outbursts, rigid eating habits and difficulties with social interactions, Charlotte struggles with parenting, a newly discovered pregnancy and a largely absent husband. This intensifies when their nanny Blanka suddenly quits her job and soon after is found dead. To top it all, the disappearance of Blanka triggers disturbing new behaviours in Stella, who takes to mirroring Blanka's personality, becoming docile and agreeable. Despite having been raised vegetarian, Stella develops new cravings for Blanka's favourite Armenian meat stew. Charlotte battles to make sense of what is real and what is interpretation and where maternal instinct and mental health collide. — Gill Gifford
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I studied love for 25 years as a Harvard professor, the key to making a relationship last has nothing to do with passion
AN EXPERT on love has shared the one thing you need to make sure your relationship stands the test of time. Arthur Brooks, a social science professor at Harvard has studied the subject of love for over 25 years and found the one thing that keeps couples together. 2 Speaking on The Drive podcast with Peter Attia MD, the pair shared their insight on romantic relationships. During their chat, the pro explained that the key is finding a partner who you also see as your best friend. He explained that this bond will remain even if the initial chemistry fizzles out. Arthur: "One of the most important things for a happy life is a partnership with somebody who will be the last person who you set eyes on as you take your last dying breath, that is really, really important." "The goal of your marriage is not passion, it's friendship. This is the goal, you must be close friends, ideally best friends, with your spouse. "I'm going to be with my wife Ester until death do us part, that has to be the juice of the relationship where the love actually makes happiness and love is truly the great secret to happiness." He said that there are also a couple of indicators that a marriage may end in divorce - including people who feel lonely in their relationship. The love expert used the example of 'empty nest syndrome' which refers to parents experiencing sadness or distress when their children have grown into adults and moved out of the family home. Arthur added: "The people who suffer the most from empty nest syndrome is not the empty nest it's the fact that they are with one other bird and they don't really like that bird." He said that when two people have been together for a long time it can be normal - and even 'advisable' - that their passion levels are not as high as when they were fresh into their relationship. According to the expert, low intimacy levels are "healthy, normal and actually advisable because it's more sustainable in the long run." Even those with no intimacy can be found to be happy as they have 'very, very close personal lifelong friends,' instead. "Here is the key, if you don't have a spouse you need real friends. These are people who know your secrets, take your 2am phone call and that you talk to a lot," he explained. However, Arthur also said that it is still very important to ensure that you upkeep friendships with others even if you are in a marriage; adding that men are usually worse at keeping in touch with their pals. Signs your relationship is heading for a divorce Persistent Communication Breakdowns Constant misunderstandings, arguments, or a complete lack of meaningful conversation can signal deep-seated issues. Emotional Distance Feeling like roommates rather than partners, with a noticeable lack of intimacy or emotional connection. Frequent Criticism and Contempt Regularly criticising each other and showing contempt, such as sarcasm, eye-rolling, or mocking, can erode the relationship's foundation. Unresolved Conflicts Recurrent arguments about the same issues without any resolution can indicate deeper incompatibilities. Loss of Trust Trust is crucial in any relationship. If it's been broken and cannot be rebuilt, it may be a sign that the relationship is in trouble. Different Life Goals Significant differences in future aspirations, such as career goals, lifestyle choices, or family planning, can create insurmountable divides. Avoidance Preferring to spend time apart rather than together, whether through work, hobbies, or social activities, can indicate a desire to escape the relationship. Lack of Support Feeling unsupported, whether emotionally, financially, or practically, can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment. Financial Disagreements Constantly arguing about money, spending habits, or financial priorities can strain the relationship. Infidelity Whether physical or emotional, infidelity can be a major breach of trust and a sign of deeper issues in the relationship. Changes in Affection A noticeable decrease in affection, physical touch, or romantic gestures can indicate a loss of connection. "That is one of the reasons why men do so poorly when they lose their wives because a lot of them don't have real friendships," he added. And there was one major red flag your relationship was doomed. The expert said: "One of the greatest predictors of divorce is partners who are lonely while living together and this [means] that the only thing you have in common is your kids. "[When] that one point of commonality disappears and you're sitting across the table blinking at each other during dinner and not talking because you literally have nothing to talk about." To prevent this fate, Arthur said that it is important for married couples to partake in activities together, whether that is reading the same book, playing the same sports or even practicing the same religion to keep their bond strong and allow them to have things in common.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes Premiere ‘Caravan' Sparks Push for ‘More Open,' ‘Attentive,' ‘Inclusive' Society for Czechs With Disabilities
When Czech filmmaker Zuzana Kirchnerová began working on the script for her feature debut, 'Caravan,' which premiered in the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section, she says she never intended to start a movement. A deeply personal and emotional story inspired by her own experiences raising a son with an intellectual disability, the film's Riviera premiere struck a chord in the Czech Republic — and also sparked a broader conversation around accessibility and visibility for people with disabilities. 'My main aim was to make a film,' Kirchnerová tells Variety. 'I didn't aim to change the system.' More from Variety Despite Big Wins at Festivals, Female Crew Members Are Still Underrepresented in French Film Industry, Study Says 'Brand New Landscape' Review: An Architect Has No Design for Family Life in a Quietly Affecting Japanese Drama 'A Magnificent Life' Review: A Treat for Marcel Pagnol Fans, Sylvain Chomet's Animated Biopic Seems Unlikely to Win Over the Uninitiated 'Caravan' follows Ester (Anna Geislerová), a woman in her forties who is emotionally and physically worn out after years of sole caregiving for a son with autism and Down syndrome. Overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, she steals an aging caravan and sets off on a road trip across southern Italy with her son David (David Vodstrčil) by her side, embarking together on a life-altering journey. The film — the first majority Czech production to play in the Cannes festival's official selection in more than 30 years — marked an emotional bookend to Kirchnerová's last trip to the Croisette, where her graduation short film 'Bába' won the top prize in Cannes' Cinéfondation in 2009. Speaking to Variety a day after returning to her home in Prague, the director opened up about the difficult balancing act for a single mother raising a child with disabilities while also pursuing a career in film. 'When my son was born, I was told that I would ruin my life if I don't abandon him, or that I would never film again,' she says. Kirchnerová concedes 'it has been a difficult journey,' though she recalls the triumphant moment when her 'Caravan' star, Vodstrčil — an actor with Down syndrome — took her by the arm to accompany her up the stairs of Cannes' Lumière Theater. 'I was in a trance,' she says, comparing the dapper, black tie-clad leading man to James Bond. The tears didn't arrive until later that night. Kirchnerová and producer Dagmar Sedláčková are now launching a campaign in the Czech Republic to raise awareness for people with disabilities, centered on her film. 'I really hope that this will help to change the life of my son, but also of other disabled people,' the director says, adding that she wants to urge others 'to try and be more open and attentive and inclusive.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas death row inmate dies in prison of unknown causes
Arkansas death row inmate Latavious Johnson died of unknown causes at the Varner SuperMax prison on Friday afternoon, according to the state's department of corrections. He was in his 40s. The Arkansas Department of Corrections did not provide Johnson's cause of death and declined to comment further. Johnson had received a life sentence for the murder of his father, Johnnie Johnson, in 2000. Johnson was sentenced to death for the 2012 murder of a prison guard, Barbara Ester. Johnson had fatally stabbed Ester with a shank three times and punctured her heart, court records show. She had been investigating whether he had obtained a pair of unauthorized gym shoes in the prison. Johnson expressed remorse for his actions in a statement his lawyers provided to police, court records show. 'I should have just gave the shoes up, just said to hell with it, asked someone to send me some money and order me some more,' Johnson told a police investigator in an interview after the killing, according to court records. 'It's too late for all that now.' A corrections facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas is named after Ester. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Arkansas death row inmate dies in prison of unknown causes
Arkansas death row inmate Latavious Johnson died of unknown causes at the Varner SuperMax prison on Friday afternoon, according to the state's department of corrections. He was in his 40s. The Arkansas Department of Corrections did not provide Johnson's cause of death and did not immediately respond to request for comment. Johnson had received a life sentence for the murder of his father, Johnnie Johnson, in 2000. Johnson was sentenced to death for the 2012 murder of a prison guard, Barbara Ester. Johnson had fatally stabbed Ester with a shank three times and punctured her heart, court records show. She had been investigating whether he had obtained a pair of unauthorized gym shoes in the prison. Johnson expressed remorse for his actions in a statement his lawyers provided to police, court records show. 'I should have just gave the shoes up, just said to hell with it, asked someone to send me some money and order me some more,' Johnson told a police investigator in an interview after the killing, according to court records. 'It's too late for all that now.' A corrections facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas is named after Ester. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
