FictionReviewPatrick Neate on a literary freestyler with brio to burnNot so long ago, hip-hop was the first musical genre since jazz whose nomenclature could plausibly be followed by the word "culture". People talked about hip-hop cinema and fashion, politics and argot; even hip-hop literature. In so far as the last of these existed, a key book was Paul Beatty's 1996 debut, The White Boy Shuffle; a dazzling satire of the African-American urban experience, its diversity and lack thereof.

Guardian sustainable business This article is more than 6 years oldJust 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study saysThis article is more than 6 years oldA relatively small number of fossil fuel producers and their investors could hold the key to tackling climate change Just 100 companies have been the source of more than 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988, according to a new report.

Indonesia This article is more than 10 years oldLion found hanged in Indonesian zooThis article is more than 10 years oldSurabaya 'zoo of death' under investigation after several animals die of neglect, starvation and mistreatmentIndonesian officials are investigating the mysterious death of an African lion found hanged in his own cage in Indonesia's "zoo of death", where a number of animals have perished due to neglect, starvation and mistreatment in the past few years.

Mexico This article is more than 2 years oldUS lifts sanctions against Mexican drug kingpin who testified against El ChapoThis article is more than 2 years oldZambada was Sinaloa cartel’s chief accountant for 15 yearsSpeculation that ‘El Rey’ may be in witness protectionThe United States has lifted financial sanctions on a top lieutenant of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, saying Jesús “El Rey” Zambada – who gave testimony against kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán – had shown behavioral change.

Categories Nooks and crannies Yesteryear Semantic enigmas The body beautiful Red tape, white lies Speculative science This sceptred isle Root of all evil Ethical conundrums This sporting life Stage and screen Birds and the bees SEMANTIC ENIGMASWhere does the expression ''the whole nine yards'' come from?