Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

It's Valentine's Day, and while there are plenty of classic and current rom-coms out there for those wishing to immerse themselves in warm and fuzzy feelings, we're opting to celebrate in a different way: honoring Ang Lee's 2000 masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a wuxia tragic fairy tale featuring one of the most beautifully heartbreaking love stories in film at its center. It's also got stunning cinematography and tons of awe-inspiring martial arts sequences, which makes it my personal perfect date night movie.

(Spoilers below, but we will give you a heads up before the major reveals.)

The film is adapted from a 1940s novel by Wang Dulu and is set sometime during the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 through 1912. (No specific date is given.) The title is a direct translation of a line from a 6th century Chinese poem: "behind the rock in the dark probably hides a tiger, and the coiling giant root resembles a crouching dragon." It's generally interpreted as a description of legendary martial arts masters living un-noticed and/or hiding in plain sight—until someone picks a fight, that is. And some of those hidden masters are women.

Read full article

Comments

• Updates from 5.45pm (GMT) game at Villa Park

• Follow us over on Bluesky | And get in touch: email Barry

1 min: Tammy Abraham gets the ball rolling, playing it a few yards backwards to Amadou Onana. Within seconds it finds its way to the feet of Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

Not long now: Kieran Trippier and Lucas Digne skipper the sides, which are led out on to the Villa Park pitch by referee Chris Kavanagh and his team of match officials soundtracked by Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train. Kick-off is just a couple of minutes away.

• Scotland 31-20 England: Jones (2), Ritchie, White tries

• Arundell sees red as visitors lose unbeaten record

Certain wins feel bigger than others and for Scotland this result will reverberate for ages. Reclaiming the Calcutta Cup is always sweet but convincingly ending England’s 12-Test unbeaten record was a glorious bonus. For Gregor Townsend and his side, under pressure after their opening-round defeat in Rome, this was some riposte to their critics.

Ultimately, it was not even particularly close. Two tries by Huw Jones, a hard-nosed collective effort from the Scottish pack and a typically artful display from Finn Russell were simply too much for an England side who had dared to believe this week that their previous tartan traumas were behind them. Instead, they were outplayed and tactically out-thought by Townsend and his coaching staff and have now won just two of the last nine meetings between the nations.

• Updates from 8pm kickoff (GMT) at Anfield

• Follow us over on Bluesky | And get in touch: email Scott

Liverpool go into this match off the back of an impressive midweek win at Sunderland that eased the pressure building on Arne Slot. Brighton by contrast are reeling from the concession of a late, late winner at Aston Villa. Meanwhile the Reds have won four of their last five matches against the Seagulls. So.

But! Brighton created plenty of chances in their 2-0 defeat at Anfield a couple of months ago. And they’ve got form against Liverpool in the cup, having knocked Jürgen Klopp’s side out three years ago, and famously seeing off the otherwise all-conquering team of the Paisley-Fagan era in back-to-back seasons. So despite being on an underwhelming run right now – no win for Fabian Hürzeler’s men since the third-round victory at Manchester United, six matches ago – they’ll not be without hope. Could be a doozy. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Extra time and pens if necessary. It’s on!

Residents who escaped violence tell of bandits riding in on motorbikes and shooting indiscriminately

Armed assailants on motorbikes killed at least 30 people and burned houses and shops during raids on three villages in north-west Nigeria’s Niger state early on Saturday, residents who escaped the violence told Reuters.

The attacks on villages in the Borgu local government area, near the border with Benin Republic, are part of a surge in attacks blamed on “bandits” who have carried out deadly assaults, abductions for ransom, and displaced communities across northern Nigeria.

• Kennedy insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing

• World Curling says officials will clamp down on violations

The Canadian curler at the centre of a cheating row at the Winter Olympics has denied any wrongdoing, accusing the Swedish team of deliberately trying to “catch us in the act”.

On Saturday, World Curling confirmed that Canada had escaped punishment despite being accused of breaking the rules in the 8-6 victory over Sweden on Friday night. However, the sport’s governing body did warn Canada about their abusive langugage and introduced emergency spot checks on Saturday afternoon to make sure teams were not cheating when releasing the stone.

At his official installation, Archbishop Richard Moth recognised the Catholic church’s failures but insists it’s a time of ‘opportunity’

The new leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales has said the church has failed vulnerable people, urging more work to be done to address the struggle of refugees and learn from victims of abuse.

At a ceremony where he was officially installed in his new role as archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth said: “Here, I am most aware of every occasion on which members of the church, or the church as a whole, have failed – most especially when the vulnerable have been abused.

1. Iran’s crown prince says survival of Tehran government ‘sends a clear signal to every bully’  AP News
2. Son of Iran's last shah urges US military intervention in Iran  Reuters
3. Exiled son of Iran’s last shah calls on Trump to help ‘bury’ the Islamic Republic  The Times of Israel
4. Iran, US spar as diaspora organises rallies abroad calling for action  Al Jazeera
5. Thousands Rally for Iran Regime Change in Cities Around the World  The New York Times

Pep Guardiola spoke of the slog of the schedule and Manchester City performed as if dog-tired when knocking out Salford in a tie the manager pithily described as “boring”.

City were abject and half-paced and in danger of being forced into extra time, at least, until Marc Guéhi’s 80th-minute close-range strike doubled the lead. It was the defender’s first goal for the club he joined last month.

Speaking with progressive YouTuber, former US president stressed ‘unprecedented nature’ of agency’s actions

Barack Obama publicly gave his support to demonstrators in Minneapolis for standing up to the “unprecedented nature” of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minnesota.

Speaking in an interview with progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen on Saturday, the former president discussed the power that US citizens hold when standing up for the values they believe in and his hopes for the next generation of American leaders.

Mansfield gave blood and sweat to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in more than 50 years and reduced a desperate Burnley to tears. A stunning Louis Reed free-kick completed a hard-fought turnaround for the League One side against their labouring Premier League opponents.

There is little doubt that Burnley are getting relegated, leaving the Cup as their only hope of salvaging a desperate season, but they lacked quality from start to finish on another dispiriting day for Scott Parker. Mansfield were not necessarily the better side but Nigel Clough’s men worked harder, leaving the fans and players celebrating long after the game was over.

• Ireland 20-13 Italy

• Azzurri led at half-time for first time in Dublin

After what felt like 40 days and 40 nights of darkness and rain, the sun came out in Dublin. Cold, yes, and a grey day by kick-off, but bright enough to throw light on an Ireland side scrambling for their footing, and a bullish Italy one looking to break new ground.

Neither quite worked out. Never having won a Six Nations game in Dublin might be the sort of statistic to weigh you down but the Azzurri carried it here like a backpack with only a couple of bits and bobs. What they achieved was to give the Championship a highly competitive performance that was heartening, but not worthy of a note in history.

Senators said repeal was ‘particularly troubling’ and was counter to EPA’s mandate to protect human health

More than three dozen Democratic senators have begun an independent inquiry into the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following a huge change in how the agency measures the health benefits of reducing air pollution that is widely seen as a major setback to US efforts to combat the climate crisis.

In a regulatory impact analysis, the EPA said it would stop assigning a monetary value to the health benefits associated with regulations on fine particulate matter and ozone. The agency argued that the estimates contain too much uncertainty.

The U.S. military says the strikes were carried out in retaliation of the December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.

(Image credit: Lolita Baldor)

1. Padres, Nick Castellanos Agree To Contract  MLB Trade Rumors
2. Phillies manager 'proud' of Castellanos' admission about beer  ESPN
3. Nick Castellanos, Padres agree on one-year deal two days after Phillies release veteran outfielder, per report  CBS Sports
4. Recently released Castellanos agrees to deal with Padres (source)  MLB.com
5. How the Phillies’ $100 million marriage with Nick Castellanos ended in divorce - The Athletic  The New York Times

Social media account for Palmerston, who retired in 2020, announces death of ‘Diplocat extraordinaire’

Palmerston, a rescue cat who became the chief mouser of the Foreign Office, has died in Bermuda.

The cat, adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, retired in 2020 after four years of service in Whitehall.

1. Trump officials condemned Don Lemon. He’s bigger than ever after arrest.  The Washington Post
2. Don Lemon indictment: Video appears to contradict key claims  The Washington Post
3. Don Lemon pleads not guilty to federal charges stemming from church protest  CNN
4. Don Lemon Hires Federal Prosecutor Who Quit Over Immigration Crackdown  The New York Times
5. Don Lemon, Nekima Levy Armstrong plead not guilty in church protest  Star Tribune

HMRC figures show 11% rise in young million-pound earners, with influencers and tech pay cited as key

Their generation is often derided for being work-shy, self-centred and overly sensitive. But when it comes to making money, people under 30 are proving they are something else entirely: successful.

A record 1,000 taxpayers under 30 earned more than £1m last year, an 11% increase on the year before, HMRC records show.

1. Russia killed opposition leader Alexei Navalny using toxin from dart frog, UK says  BBC
2. Russia’s Alexey Navalny killed by dart frog poison, European nations allege  Al Jazeera
3. Navalny Was Poisoned With Frog Toxin, European Governments Say  The New York Times
4. Russian opposition figure Navalny killed by toxin found in poison dart frogs, Europeans say  CNN
5. Russia killed Alexei Navalny with dart frog poison, UK and allies say  Sky News

Militant group’s infrastructure and weapons storage facilities were hit, as Washington praised Damascus for fresh coalition role

The US military conducted 10 strikes on more than 30 Islamic State targets in Syria between 3 and 12 February as part of a campaign against the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.

US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement on Saturday that the US had struck IS infrastructure and weapons storage targets.

1. Researcher skeptical of ‘Havana syndrome’ tested secret weapon on himself  The Washington Post
2. CIA, Pentagon reviewed secret 'Havana syndrome' device in Norway, Washington Post reports  Reuters
3. CIA and the Pentagon conducted tests of a secret device causing the “Havana syndrome” in Norway  Букви
4. Havana Syndrome, CIA and Pentagon launch investigations after mysterious test in Norway  Telegrafi
5. CIA and Pentagon's Secret Investigation into Havana Syndrome  Global Banking & Finance Review®

• Norwegian-born skier storms to historic slalom gold

• ‘Your difference is your superpower,’ says 25-year-old

As the snow fell in Bormio, and the fog settled in, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by becoming the first South American to win a Winter Olympic medal. Then, as the realisation that he had won gold for Brazil in the men’s giant slalom, he collapsed to the floor and allowed the tears to flow.

“I just hope that Brazilians look at this and truly understand that your difference is your superpower,” he said, still sobbing away. “It may show up in your skin or in the way you dress. But I hope this inspires every kid out there who feels a bit different to trust who you are.”

• Group C: England, 155-5, bt Scotland 152 all out, by 5 wkts

• Banton hits seven boundaries in unbeaten 63

In the city where a few handfuls of rupees were melted down to make the original Calcutta Cup, it was Scotland who lost their shape when the heat started to rise and the pressure to build. England won by five wickets and, though it was ultimately emphatic, it was not exactly a rediscovery of peak form, even if Tom Banton located his with the 41-ball 63 that powered his team to victory.

“We haven’t made it as easy as we would have liked so far but hopefully we can have a slightly easier run starting with Italy on Monday,” the captain Harry Brook said. “We haven’t played our best cricket yet but we’re in a strong position. World Cups aren’t always smooth sailing. We’d rather not start amazing and finish amazing than start amazing and finish bad.”

1. The Goldilocks economy, if you don't look too close  Axios
2. U.S. economy suddenly seems on track for fabled soft landing: 2% inflation without a recession  MarketWatch
3. The ‘one-legged stools’ holding up a fragile economy  The Washington Post
4. What Redefined U.S. Economic Resilience in Just One Quarter  Fortune Herald
5. Financial expert weighs economy outlook, cautious investors and cryptocurrency's latest  WJLA

Cases among younger people are rising – such as with actor James Van Der Beek, who died on 11 February at age 48

Actor James Van Der Beek died on 11 February, aged 48; he had been diagnosed in 2023 with colorectal cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While rates are declining overall, cases among younger people are rising.

Bouquets imported to Europe found to be heavily contaminated, often with chemicals banned in EU and UK

Stay away from roses this Valentine’s Day, environmental campaigners have warned after testing revealed them to be heavily contaminated with pesticides.

Laboratory testing on bouquets in the Netherlands, Europe’s flower import hub, found roses had the highest residues of neurological and reproductive toxins compared with other flowers.

Museum’s revitalised galleries bring together 250 objects to show how design shapes modern life

What do the first ever baby monitor, Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup kit, an 80s boombox, the smashed parts of Edward Snowden’s computer, a “Please offer me a seat” badge and a Labubu have in common? They are all included in the V&A’s Design 1990-Now galleries, which reopen to the public this week.

The galleries, which run across two rooms on the upper floors of the museum, also house a collection of antique books. The displays cover six different themes including housing and living, crisis and conflict, and consumption and identity, rather than in a strict chronological order.

1. 5 ways losing love affects you and what an expert says you can do to start feeling better  CNN
2. Doctors warn of ‘broken heart syndrome’ spike around Valentine’s Day  WWLP
3. Can you die from a broken heart? Louisville doctor explains the warning signs  WDRB
4. Heartache isn’t just emotional  The Desert Review
5. Orlando health cardiologist explains realities of 'broken heart syndrome'  WESH

1. Apple Presidents' Day sales: Get the Apple Watch Series 11 for $299, plus more deals to shop this weekend  Engadget
2. Save $100 on Apple Watch Series 11, plus 28 other Apple Presidents Day deals  CNN
3. If You Own Apple Everything, These Presidents Day Deals Are A Must-See  HuffPost
4. Amazon's Presidents' Day Apple sale offers price cuts of up to $400 off  AppleInsider
5. The Apple Watch Series 11 is more of the same, but that's not a bad thing. Here's why it's our favorite smartwatch.  Business Insider

Co-author George Cottrell is close aide to party leader Nigel Farage and served several months in US prison

As a choice for a book title, How to Launder Money certainly caught the eye. But then again, its co-author George Cottrell claims to know what he’s talking about.

A close aide to Nigel Farage, Cottrell served several months in a US prison after being convicted there in 2017 for wire fraud – a chapter in his life he referred to at his book launch party on Thursday night.

Intelligence agencies say deadly toxin in skin of Ecuador dart frogs found in Navalny’s body and highly likely resulted in his death

• Munich Security Conference – live updates

Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, was killed by dart frog poison administered by the Russian state two years ago, a multi-intelligence agency inquiry has found, according to a statement released by five countries, the UK, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The US was not one of the intelligence agencies making the claim.