#fowles

A small Greek island, its wooded hills woven with timeless secrets, would make a welcome contrast to the carnage of first world war trenches. But if 1917 director Sir Sam Mendes now has a holiday isle near Athens in his sights, it is as the location of his next project, and not as a sunny destination before he is feted at Bafta and Oscar ceremonies next month.

Mendes and his partners at Neal Street Productions are to make a major television adaptation of The Magus, the mysterious and much-loved novel by John Fowles. “Like many people, I read and loved it as a teenager,” Mendes said this weekend, as he unveiled his latest plans to the Observer.

The director believes the twisting, layered plot of the 1965 bestseller will be suited to television. Fowles wrote the book, which was made into a film in 1968, after teaching English at a school on Spetses, and it tells the story of the enigmatic and reclusive resident of an island villa who controls the lives of those who come into his orbit. “There are lots of modern classics like this one which were compressed into movies in the past and perhaps lost something by squeezing them, instead of telling them over several hours,” said Mendes.

Key Highlights Bills sign Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to a one-year deal. Flannigan-Fowles last played for the Giants in 2025, appearing in 10 games and starting three. The ILB spent five years with the 49ers, making seven starts and recording 96 tackles. Bills make room for this move by releasing Max Tomczak. Buffalo’s Defensive Depth Expansion The Bills have always been about depth. Demetrius…

[attributed to] Joseph Fowles (1809-78) England/ New South Wales

Colonel James Nunn, Australian Mounted Infantry (c1840) oil on canvas

collection: Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW

James Winniett Nunn, of the NSW Mounted Police, was allegedly responsible, as officer in charge, for the massacre of Aboriginal people at Waterloo Creek, south-west of Moree, on 26 January 1838.

In December 1837, it was reported that Aboriginal warriors had attacked and killed stockmen on properties in the Namoi River district. Nunn was dispatched with two sergeants and 20 troopers.

On 26 January, near the Gwydir River, Nunn’s party was attacked and a corporal wounded. The troopers opened fire, killing a number of Aboriginal people; and more deaths occurred when the survivors were then pursued by mounted police.

The number of deaths is contentious. Some reports suggest about eight, others put the figure at 40 to 50, while Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld estimated that 200 to 300 died. sl.nsw.gov.au

Nunn was in many ways typical of military careerists during the great period of opportunity in the expanding British empire. Fowles painted Nunn in a classical pose - pointing to the lands behind him he'd had a hand in conquering. It is no coincidence they are grazing lands nestled in a range of hills. This connected his role as an officer of the mounted police with settling Aboriginal land as part of empire. Stephen Gapps (2025), Uprising: War in the Colony of NSW 1838-1844

Carmelo Anthony learned tough lessons coming of age while playing basketball on playgrounds in Brooklyn and Baltimore. It culminated with him becoming one of the sport’s purest scorers and most decorated players ever. Walking onto the stage for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday to chants of “Melo! Melo,” Anthony took his place alongside basketball’s…