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BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Newport 'blown away' by Bilbao reaction to Basque refugee kit
Newport County officials have been "blown away" by the response to their new kit, commemorating Basque refugee children fleeing the Spanish Civil War.A group of 36 children from Bilbao were relocated to Caerleon in 1937 to escape the conflict, and some of their descendants still live in the town to this Tuesday night, a commemorative away kit, modelled on Athletic Bilbao's red and white stripes, was officially worn by Newport County for the first time as the Exiles sealed their place in the Carabao Cup main draw after beating Barnet on penalties."I shed a tear when I first saw it," admitted the club's creative director Neal Heard. He added that more shirts were sold abroad than in the UK when it first launched. Mr Heard, a self-confessed "history geek", first pitched the idea last year having grown up in the area and known about the Basque children's contingent sent to Caerleon were among a group of 4,000 who were relocated across the UK, as civil war raged in Spain between the Nationalists of General Franco and Republican Heard soon realised, however, that even among locals, it seemed to be a forgotten piece of history."I've been surprised how many Newportonians have said 'we never knew about it'," he said."For me, Wales forgets some of the good stuff it's done and how it connects to the world." "I love this story and thought we should bring attention to it - how can we bring it up to the modern day?"Mr Heard then contacted Athletic Bilbao - who play in Spain's top division, but have a policy of only signing Basque players - and they enthusiastically agreed to collaborate."It's a moment of history that's very, very important for the Basque country as a nation," said Dan Parry, Athletic Bilbao's International Communications Officer."It was one of the lowest ebbs in in the country's recent history, at least - and Wales responded, when the Basque country needed help."So I think it's a kit that really resonates with our fan base." That appears to have translated into sales, with a video of the kit filmed in Bilbao leading to more orders coming from Spain than the UK during the initial reaction has not surprised Christopher Evans, a Newport County fan who recently published the first English-language book on the history of Athletic Bilbao."I think the story is amazing, and it resonates with what's going on in the world," he said."I'm proud to be from Newport and live in Caerleon, and I'm proud that we took in refugees."I've seen people on social media, fans from Swansea and Cardiff saying 'I'm not a Newport fan, but I'm buying the kit'."When Neil mentioned the concept to me, straight away I thought 'this is going to fly'." One of the 36 children who found themselves at Cambrian House in Caerleon in 1937 was Andres Benavente, who was 11 at the evacuation had happened following the bombing of Guernica by Franco's forces, where hundreds of civilians were killed in the town near Bilbao."He did say that was one of the things that lived with him," said Andres' son Steven, who still lives in Caerleon. "They were affected for the rest of their lives."He said that when the children had art lessons, the first thing the kids would do was paint pictures with planes and tanks, and all the horrors that went with it." Leaving his parents behind, Andres' loneliness was compounded when his sisters were placed in Scotland, where one died before he saw her later found out that both his parents had also been killed in the conflict, with his father executed for his links to the socialists."It was a difficult time for him in many ways," said Steven. "Language was a problem, but he eventually settled."With virtually no money to pay their way, the children were cared for by Maria Fernandez - a Basque woman living in the area - and formed a dance troupe and choir to help raise funds. There was also a football team, the Basque Boys, who toured south Wales and played games at grounds including Somerton Park in Newport and Cardiff's Ninian soon made a name for themselves as one of the most formidable youth teams in the country, and two of the boys went on to play professionally after returning to was one of the few who remained in Caerleon after the end of World War II, and Steven says it was "great" that the "Children of 37" were now being remembered once more."The shirt is covered in names of people I've heard from the past, names I remember my dad speaking of," he said. Historian Hywel Davies, who has written a book on the Basque children evacuated to Wales, said locals in Caerleon were especially "supportive and welcoming" at the time."Caerleon was probably the most successful 'colony', as they called them, in Britain," he said."People gave their last penny [to help them]."It was part of a political awakening in the 1930s, in particular with the miners' union, and maybe we've forgotten that, maybe we've forgotten generosity and kindness."Their story deserves to be remembered, but it also makes people more aware of the fact that we are interlinked, and we're not going down the road of isolationism and fear of refugees."Because what went on then is something that needs to be replicated, not just remembered."
Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
The 27 best burger joints in the UK
Name me another food that has had such an exhausting series of reinventions as the burger. I think you'll struggle. When I was a teenager in the 2010s, there were just two restaurants on the high street (Byron and GBK) that served patties with a decent meat content. Elsewhere it was flavourless, often defrosted grey slabs. In the 15 years that have followed, Britain's burger scene has been through numerous makeovers. Burgers have been upscaled to comically tall stacks of patties oozing cheese, Americanised with the arrival of Five Guys and Shake Shack, and downsized to crispy, smashed versions — the latest viral preference characterised by squished patties and supremely crunchy edges. There's a whole new set of burger-related terms to remember too: do you know your 'Oklahoma' (smashed but with onions pressed into the patty) from your 'Cali' style (classic with the addition of bacon and avocado)? Yes, all these burgers are essentially still just a patty in a bun, but the ones I grew up eating didn't have hundreds of influencers queueing for hours or crowds loitering in front of restaurants, as they did in Shoreditch last month when Dumbo, the cult Parisian smashed-burger joint, opened its first London outpost. Among their fans, chefs that make burgers are treated with the same reverence as artists. When Jackson Boxer launched a burger made from 50-day aged beef at his west London restaurant, Dove, London's foodies, including Nigella Lawson, made a beeline for Notting Hill. Boxer only makes ten burgers per day. Some diners, he told me, even rearranged flights in an attempt to bag one. I've been twice and still wasn't fast enough. How did we get here? You can trace it all back to Honest Burgers, which opened in Brixton, south London, in 2011 and was one of the first restaurants to change the burger's image from fast food to top-quality dish. 'They were simplistic and homemade. They came with chips and they were all made from British meat,' says the chain's cofounder, Tom Barton. 'We knew we were doing something exciting when AA Gill came and reviewed us. He slated us and gave us two stars, but we just couldn't believe he'd come.' The latest is a hybrid burger at Heard in Borough, south London, that has been created by the Cornish chef Jordan Bailey, who helped Sat Bains secure two Michelin stars before opening his own two-star restaurant in Ireland. 'We roll the patty onto the grill rather than smash it on. It creates the crispy edges, but the centre is still thick enough that you can have it medium rare,' Bailey explains. These burgers are very good. When Heard opened this spring, I went three times in a fortnight. But they aren't my only favourite. Here are 26 others to try. • Read more restaurant reviews and recipes from our food experts NationwideThe restaurant group that changed how Britain thought about burgers with its simple, premium recipe. It has also opened its first smashed burger outlet, Smash + Grab, by Liverpool Street London, Leeds and BrightonMEATliquor was smashing burgers way before it was considered cool. And after trying its Dead Hippie (mustard-fried double beef patty, American cheese and pickles), your life won't be the Hereford, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham and BathThis restaurant group has the royal seal of approval. Well, not quite, but the Queen's son, the restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles, did visit the Cheltenham branch last year and gave its 'splendidly beefy and lusciously messy' cheeseburger four out of five stars. FalmouthThis family-run burger spot is a local favourite, using free-range Cornish beef from the award-winning butcher Philip Warren and buns from the local bakery Da Bara. Newquay and TruroThe menu here is small — just six kinds of burgers, plus milkshakes, soft-serve ice cream and fries — but everything is brilliant. Don't forget the spectacular chips, including ones that come loaded with brisket. No wonder it's known as Cornwall's best burger place. PlymouthLaunched in London then moved to Plymouth, this spot is inspired by southern Californian coastal culture. BristolHead to the Fierce & Noble brewery and you'll find these award-winning burgers. Order the Crispy Chilli Cheese. Eight branchesLondon's most talked-about burgers since the chain's owner, Zan Kaufman, opened the first site in Spitalfields Market. Its most famous creation, the award-winning Bleecker Black (50-day aged beef and black pudding), isn't on the menu any more, so go with the equally delicious Bleecker Blue (beef patty plus blue cheese). Eight branchesAnother London favourite to tick off. The burgers are ridiculously good — try the Double Miso, above — but the sides such as the rarebit crumpet and the brisket spring rolls should not be overlooked either. Finsbury ParkTwo minutes from the Tube station you'll find this place serving the Dexter: a brilliant cheeseburger in a glistening brioche bun that is so popular in north London, it practically has its own fan club. @ • Paris's best burger is coming to London. I went to try it ShoreditchIf you like burgers and you live in London, the arrival of Dumbo from Paris won't have passed you by. Diners have been known to queue at the French original for hours. What you'll find when you get to the front of the line is just one smashed cheeseburger, a veggie burger and French fries. BoroughHeard has been quietly blowing south Londoners' minds since it opened in April. The burgers are filled with double smashed patties using British meat from regenerative farms and homemade pickles. Notting HillIf you manage to get one of the ten burgers made here each day you are in for a treat: a double-ground patty weighing 220g and made from rib caps of 50-day aged cows, aged brisket, chuck and frozen suet. HackneyGo for a lesson in how to make the perfect smashed burger by Lagom's chef-patron, Elliot Cunningham. The meat, mustard, mayo, vinegar slaw and American cheese work together in delicious harmony. @eatlagom SohoWith just two smashed burgers on the menu (plus fries and desserts), it might be hard to understand why, after two years, people still queue here. Once you've tried them, though, you instantly get GlasgowThis place on Great Western Road keeps things simple with its customisable smashed burgers. There are just three on the menu, they only make 100 a day, and they are simply delicious. @smashedwest Edinburgh and GlasgowOrder the Top Dog, made with rare-breed beef patties, bone marrow, black truffle mayo and Roquefort butter. You may need a lie-down afterwards. • Britain's best burgers — according to top chefs ManchesterWhen I ask friends in Manchester where to get the best burgers, there's a mix of answers: Broskis, Almost Famous, BUN. Burgerism, however, comes up almost every time. Six burgers, plus two fried chicken options and three plant-based patties. Outlets in Stockport and Salford too. DoncasterAs the name suggests, these are less burgers than towers of smashed patties with cheese. Order the Dirty Barbie for an explosion of American cheese, espresso and bourbon sauce, crispy onions and streaky bacon. Newcastle and LeedsFor US-style burgers, head to Meat:Stack where you have a choice of 11, seasoned with homemade sauces and sandwiched into potato buns. NewcastleThis restaurant in a car park in Byker is only open on Friday and Saturday for brunch and then burgers. It's worth the wait, though. @2kniveskitchen NewcastleOne of Newcastle's best spots for burgers like the Beef Dip (shredded brisket, steak patty and gravy) and the Flying North — three smashed patties, American cheese and bacon. LeedsAt the Northern Market, you will find arguably the best place for smashed or chicken burgers in Leeds. Try one of its bestsellers, the spicy Clucky Buffalo Volcano chicken burger. @bigbunsuk PenarthThings can get messy when you order one of these dry-aged smashed burgers, which come with their insides spilling out. And that's a good thing. Look out for monthly specials such as the chorizo and pineapple jam burger. @toms_smashed_burgers BelfastWith just four items on the menu, Bunsen keeps things simple. There are no smashed patties or trendy flavours. Instead, this Irish chain focuses on more traditional takes — and does them extremely well. Worcester and HerefordServing classic burgers and monthly specials made with top-quality, locally sourced patties of prime beef, fresh buns and scratch-made sauces. NottinghamFor chicken burger fans. Go for the fried chicken (no grease, just crunchy coating and juicy meat) and stay for the soft serve.
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Amber Heard Returns To Acting: Opinion
Last month, social media user @LeaveHeardAlone collected fan messages and money for flowers to send to Amber Heard. Around 350 people wound up sending messages. The flowers were a gift for Heard to celebrate the opening of the new play Spirit of the People by Slave Play writer Jeremy O. Harris at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. It's her first major acting role since the 2022 Depp v. Heard trial, and a rare spot of good news. Lest you need a refresher, Heard was found guilty by a jury of defaming her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, in an op-ed titled 'I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change." In it, she doesn't mention Depp by name, but she refers to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." This was despite a judge in the UK ruling two years earlier that a tabloid calling Depp a "wife beater" was "substantially true," adding, "I have found that the great majority of alleged assaults of Ms Heard by Mr Depp have been proved to the civil standard.' There's been ample speculation about the difference in outcomes in the trials, including that jury members were not sequestered and were allowed to keep their phones, while social media raged against Heard. One juror was even texted by his wife, "Amber is psychotic." It was later found that much of the anti-Heard sentiment online was driven by bots. It was, plainly, a shit time to be a victim of sexual violence with an internet connection, as I am. It still is, given how other men are attempting to use the Depp playbook in court and public opinion. But watching the trial play out as a form of perverse entertainment in real-time felt like a nightmare, seeing friends and family members parrot myths about survivors that they'd unwittingly not realize also applied to me. It seemed like Heard would likely stay in Madrid for some time after the trial, out of the public eye, and who could blame her? But, with Spirit of the People, she's slowly making a return. Photos of her are in Vogue. She's posting on Instagram more frequently. It's hard for me not to see these images and feel a glimmer of hope. To feel inspired by her resilience. Yes, I know that photos aren't a real snapshot of someone's life. But, at the same time, I know I'm not the only one to feel this way. When comments are open, they are remarkably positive. Maybe the bots are gone, or maybe there's been a genuine shift in public opinion, I can't say. Maybe I can exhale, just a little. We've been told endlessly about how accusations ruin men's lives, but the comeback playbook for men accused of wrongdoing feels well-trodden at this point. Depp's out there ranting about #MeToo and conveniently filming his new movie Day Drinker with Penélope Cruz in Madrid. In my opinion, it was Amber whose acting career was ruined simply by being a victim. Against all that darkness, it may not be over yet. I probably won't write another article like this again. I know that mentioning someone's worst moments at every single turn grows into its own kind of cage. Perhaps Depp's most devout fans will be activated like sleeper agents to this piece. It'll be bad another day. But, on July 20, Amber got her flowers. She appeared visibly emotional in her Instagram story as she said, "Thank you so much for these beautiful flowers, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world."
Mint
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Inside Amber Heard, Elon Musk's tumultuous romance: New book reveals details about their relationship, breakup
A forthcoming book promises an explosive look inside the whirlwind romance between actress Amber Heard and tech billionaire Elon Musk, shedding new light on a relationship that reportedly began before her divorce from Johnny Depp was finalised and left Musk emotionally shaken. According to The Daily Mail, the still-untitled biography includes first-hand accounts from individuals close to the couple, offering a detailed narrative of their highly scrutinised affair. One of Heard's doormen revealed that Musk had access to her Los Angeles penthouse in June 2016, shortly after she filed a restraining order against Depp. The same doorman recounted Musk sending Heard a floral arrangement, accompanied by a personal note: 'I had a wonderful weekend with you – E.' Later that month, Heard surprised Musk on his birthday with an impromptu visit to Tesla's warehouse in California, reportedly hiding in the trunk of a car with a bouquet of flowers in hand. Musk was said to have found the gesture 'incredibly romantic,' marking the early days of what would become a widely publicised — and reportedly turbulent — relationship. The pair were soon seen together publicly, including at a SpaceX launch at Cape Canaveral, and during Heard's filming of 'Aquaman' in Australia, where Musk allegedly rented a property to be near her. However, the book suggests that the relationship took a toll on Musk's professional life. 'It would be a Tuesday night, and she would keep him up all night. There was a blatant disregard for the fact that he had tens of thousands of employees and he had responsibilities,' said one unnamed source. Despite Musk's clear devotion, Heard reportedly had lingering doubts about him. 'She said he was following her,' a friend of Heard claimed, indicating tensions and mistrust in their dynamic. The final rupture came in 2017, during a trip to Rio de Janeiro, where Heard allegedly locked herself in a bathroom and accused Musk of taking her passport. Around that time, Musk publicly opened up about the breakup in an interview with Rolling Stone. 'I've been in severe emotional pain for the last few weeks. Severe,' he admitted. 'It took every ounce of will to be able to do the Model 3 event and not look like the most depressed guy around.' Despite the intense nature of their split, the pair released a composed joint statement post-breakup, asserting mutual respect. 'It would be troubling if anyone had the impression that we thought otherwise,' it read. 'This is just a normal relationship with a giant magnifying glass applied.' They were spotted together again briefly after the breakup, with both reportedly suggesting the relationship ended on amicable terms.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Elon Musk faced 'similar drama' with Amber Heard as Johnny Depp, new book claims
A recently released book has claimed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk faced "similar drama" with Amber Heard as Johnny Depp did. The book named 'Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and the Celebrity Exploitation Machine', written by Kelly Loudenberg and Makiko Whole, was released in June. This book has revealed that the world's richest man's relationship with Heard was also marked by turbulence and toxicity. The book, which details the marriage between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, also suggested that Heard "broke Elon Musk's heart" a decade ago. Initially, their romance appeared smooth; however, the book reportedly revealed that Heard and Musk's relationship was plagued by fighting, jealousy, and dramatic accusations. According to the book (as seen by Daily Mail), individuals within Elon Musk's inner circle later made strikingly similar observations about Amber Heard's character as those expressed by people close to Johnny Depp. How was Elon Musk's relationship with Amber Heard: A walkthrough as detailed by the new book As detailed in the book, shortly after a restraining order was granted to Heard against Depp in May 2016, a large plant was delivered to Amber's Los Angeles apartment. The card attached read: "I had a wonderful weekend with you – E." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The TV show spiralled out of control. Undo A concierge later testified in court under oath that Elon already had his own key fob for the penthouse garage and had been visiting Amber regularly for over a year—usually late at night, during Depp's absence, the book claims. In June 2016, Heard flew to the Tesla factory in Fremont, California, to surprise Musk on his birthday. On her way, she picked wildflowers, and upon arrival, his security team helped her hide in the back of a Tesla, the book noted. Later on, in July 2016, Amber and Elon were seen together in Miami. Amber was accompanied by her sister, Whitney. The three stayed in poolside villas at the Delano Hotel, and Elon later flew the sisters to Cape Canaveral to attend a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, the book highlighted. Heard described the experience to biographer Walter Isaacson as "the most interesting date" she'd ever had. Their relationship, though just beginning, started gaining momentum. However, their relationship had its challenges, which were marked by arguments, jealousy, and serious allegations, the book mentioned. Those close to Musk would later share observations about Amber's behaviour that echoed what Depp's associates had said. Soon after Heard returned to Australia to shoot Aquaman, but this time she was accompanied by Musk instead of Depp. As per the book, concerns reportedly grew within Tesla and SpaceX. At that time, Musk had rented Heard a house, and those around him felt he was becoming increasingly distracted, the book alleged. A source claimed Heard would keep him up all night, showing little regard for his professional responsibilities. 'She did more to slow the advancement of electric cars than the CEO of Exxon Mobil,' the source said to the book writers. Musk later referred to the relationship as his most emotionally painful, calling it 'brutal.' Despite his difficulty with emotional expression, he admitted being deeply affected. In a Rolling Stone interview shortly after their breakup, he said, 'I was really in love and it hurt bad,' noting he had struggled to stay composed during the Tesla Model 3 launch just a day earlier. Though they continued seeing each other on and off in 2017, things grew more turbulent. A friend of Heard's recalled her describing Musk as controlling and paranoid, claiming he installed cameras and bugged her car. However, Heard's friend was sceptical and compared the claims to similar ones she had made about Depp, the book noted Their relationship finally ended during a December trip to Rio in 2017, following a confrontation in their hotel. Heard accused Musk of taking her passport and said she feared being harmed, though others present assured her she was safe and free to leave. After their final split, Heard messaged her agent expressing sadness. He replied, reminding her she had repeatedly said she wasn't truly in love with Musk and was just trying to fill a void. Google Pixel 10 Series Launch: Everything Coming on August 20 AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
