- Reuters
Brazil soy output at top farm state may drop 15% amid torrential rains
The outlook for soy production in one of Brazil's biggest farm states is deteriorating quickly after heavy rains disrupted harvesting with about a quarter of fields left to reap from in Rio Grande do Sul. The situation has dampened farmer sentiment in Brazil's southernmost state, where soy production was at one point in the 2023/24 season expected to be a record after at least two years of drought slashed output in the region. Leandro da Silva, who manages a grains unit at farm cooperative Cotrisal in the town of Sarandi, said on Friday the impact of the downpours, which left entire cities under water and flooded grain fields in lower areas, could slash production in Rio Grande do Sul to between 19 million metric tons and 20 million metric tons.
- The Telegraph
How the feud between JK Rowling and her Harry Potter stars turned ugly
If it was another instalment in JK Rowling’s world-conquering book series, it might be entitled Harry Potter and the Ugly Fallout. What began as a magical collaboration between the mega-successful author and the young actors who shot to stardom when they landed lead roles in the wizarding movie franchise has, over the years, turned increasingly nasty, as Rowling and the actors have publicly disagreed on hot-button topics such as trans rights.
- The Telegraph
Gyles Brandreth: my role in the deaths of Rod Hull and other comedy legends
Gyles Brandreth has said he blames himself for the death of Rod Hull after encouraging him to climb on to his roof on a stormy night.
