Le Journal

Christopher M Anthony’s drama about a self-destructive slugger features Jordan Bolger prepping to fight the champ – but distrustful of those around himTypically, boxing films are all about the flashbulb-popping, rope-a-dope climactic confrontation capping them off. So here, debut director Christopher M Anthony proves himself a contender by coming up with a new take: a pugilism flick that charts, in real time, the behind-the-scenes buildup to the showdown. Jordan Bolger plays “Diamond” Derek Douglas, drafted in on a wildcard to fight the current champ. But his preparations are jolted when his camp learns that Derek’s former training partner Cain (Osy Ikhile) has thrown his lot – and his insider knowledge – in with the enemy.The boxing-movie genre is hardly short on self-destructive sluggers, but Anthony cranks up this exploration of mental fragility by hemming Derek into the locker room for the film’s duration. He suspects stalwart trainer Adam (Nicholas Pinnock) of being in cahoots with Cain and begins compulsively dialling his brother, a former fighter who once blew his own big shot. Punching a mirror in frustration isn’t exactly the stuff winners are made of, forcing Adam to conceal Derek’s injured hand. But, with camera crews, celebrities and firebrand promoter Freddie (Jason Isaacs) hovering, the underdog has to make like it’s no big thing. Continue reading...

Coconut bars with matcha, a nutty rubble for soups, sandwiches or toast, and super-simple almond butter flapjacksI love a Bounty, although I call them paradise bars. I also love matcha (and not only for its health-supporting benefits). Though my partner doesn’t enjoy drinking matcha tea, when I mix it into the sweetness of the coconut filling, even he’s on board. Then, a very munchable and grabbable savoury granola, and flapjacks that you can throw together in minutes for a week’s worth of on-the-go snacks. Continue reading...

Regime appears to have turned to digital currency issued by Tether in the face of sanctionsIran’s central bank appears to have been using vast quantities of a cryptocurrency championed by Nigel Farage, according to a new report.Elliptic, a crypto analytics company, said it had traced at least $507m (£377m) of cryptocurrency issued by Tether – a company touted by the Reform UK leader – passing through accounts that appear to be controlled by Iran’s central bank. Continue reading...

Briton falls to disappointing 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to Austrian world No 5528th seed’s struggles with same issues as opening matches of seasonEmma Raducanu crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round with a poor 7-6 (3), 6-2 loss to Anastasia Potapova after a tepid, error-strewn performance in Melbourne.Having only lost to grand slam champions inside the top 10 at the grand slams last year – Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek twice – defeat to world No 55 Potapova is Raducanu’s worst first-week result by ranking since the 2024 Australian Open, which was her comeback major from an eight-month layoff. Continue reading...

It was a contender for shock result of the season. Nobody had given Tottenham any hope after the Premier League disaster here against West Ham on Saturday, one which came coated in vitriol for Thomas Frank. The fans had demanded his immediate removal as the manager, only for him to stagger on.The execution was stayed. But here were Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga’s second-placed team, who had lost only three games all season, to apply the final cut. Continue reading...