I first picked up The Iliad because the cloth-bound red cover, stamped with gold flames, was simply gorgeous. So much for not judging a book by its cover. The Penguin Classics edition sat on my shelf for months before I finally opened it. For years, the text had felt inaccessible, surrounded by a kind of academic gate-keeping that suggested it belonged more to specialists than to ordinary readers.

What I discovered, reading Peter Jones’s 2003 revision of E.V. Rieu’s translation, was something entirely different. The Iliad felt less like a distant monument and more like an experience uncannily close to the way we consume content today.

This is not an argument about how The Iliad was originally composed or performed. It is about what it feels like to read it now, as a modern reader shaped by the rhythms of TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Read this way, the poem resembles an infinite scroll, a relentless sequence of high-intensity scenes, each vivid, self-contained and quickly replaced by the next.

Much of The Iliad does not unfold as a smooth, continuous narrative. Instead, it advances through a succession of micro-episodes. Around 5,500 of its roughly 15,000 lines are devoted to battle scenes, amounting to some 300 warrior encounters. In a typical sequence, a warrior, Greek or Trojan, enters the battlefield, delivers a blow, either kills his opponent or is killed, only for another to take his place.

The pattern repeats consistently throughout the poem. The sustained psychological development, or even the outcome of the battle isn’t what’s important, but the immediate impact of each moment. In phrasing that is highly repetitive, the spears either hit or miss: “his spear did not leave his hand for nothing” or “leaves the hand for nothing”.

This article is part of Rethinking the Classics. The stories in this series offer insightful new ways to think about and interpret classic books and artworks. This is the canon – with a twist.

What ultimately sustains this rhythm is the similes. There are more than 300 in The Iliad and they transform even the most mundane actions into moments of heightened intensity. Consider an action as simple as Achilles arming for battle and picking up his shield:

Then he took up the great, heavy shield, whose brightness flashed into the distance like the moon’s. Like the gleam that sailors catch at sea from a fire burning on a lonely upland farm, when the winds drive them unwillingly from home over the teeming seas, such was the gleam that went up into the sky from Achilles’ ornamental shield.

Achilles’ action itself is simple. The simile expands it, slows it and transforms it into something immersive. It does not rush us into the following scene but tells us how to intensely experience what is happening.

For a modern reader, these similes function almost like the audio and editing layer in short-form video. Think of the typical short vertical videos that appear one after the other as you scroll through your social media feed.

Take a fan edit from the TV show Peaky Blinders, for example. The protagonist Thomas Shelby places his cap on his head and lights a cigarette. The movement slows. The image freezes into a high-contrast still. It flickers into black and white for a beat, then snaps back into motion. The edit lingers a fraction longer than expected. All the while, The Arctic Monkeys song Do I Wanna Know? plays in the background. The gesture itself is simple, but the layering of sound and visual effects makes it feel charged, larger than it is.

Homer’s similes do something comparable. The action itself takes only a moment. The simile expands it, slows it, gives it weight. It does not tell us what happens next, but how to dwell in what has just happened. Then, just as quickly, the poem returns to the rush of battle.

Each scene, then, becomes an affective unit, a self contained segment organised around a dominant emotion. Rage, humiliation, triumph and grief follow one another in rapid succession. When Achilles returns to battle, the violence escalates sharply. When Hector dies, the tone shifts into grief. Yet even these larger moments are embedded within a broader rhythm of constant turnover.

The poem sustains engagement through a sequence of emotional intensities rather than through a single, steadily developing storyline.

Why translation matters

The translation reinforces this effect. Peter Jones’s revision of E.V Rieu’s translation is notable for its bluntness. Gods and mortals alike speak in direct, sometimes shockingly modern terms.

Zeus, disgruntled at Hera’s inclination to support the Greeks over the Trojans, tells her: “No one is more of a bitch than you are.”

Helen, feeling guilty because of the destruction of war that happened because of her, says: “What a cold, evil-minded slut I am!” These lines carry a force that feels unmistakably contemporary. They function almost like the shock beats of short-form video, moments designed to seize attention before the narrative moves on.

These insults are not buffered by politeness or distance. They feel immediate and sometimes uncomfortable. Because they appear within scenes that move quickly and relentlessly, they act as emotional spikes, intensifying the rhythm of impact and reset that structures the poem.

The comparison between The Iliad and modern short-form video content shows that the patterns we associate with contemporary media, like fragmentation, rapid turnover and the constant demand for attention, are not entirely new. They reflect something more fundamental about how humans process narrative and emotion.

While The Iliad remains one of the most foundational works of western literature, shaping mythology, culture and education for centuries, it need not be reduced to a museum piece, admired at a distance simply because of that status. It can and must also be read as a book of the present, one that moves with our habits of attention rather than standing outside them.

Beyond the canon

As part of the Rethinking the Classics series, we’re asking our experts to recommend a book or artwork that tackles similar themes to the canonical work in question, but isn’t (yet) considered a classic itself. Here is Harsh Trivedi’s suggestion:

I would recommend Quand Vient la Horde by Aurélie Luong. Set in an imagined medieval Korea that has become a Russian colony, the novel follows Ivan, an idealistic peasant abducted by the feared White Horde, a band of mercenaries led by the enigmatic Putain Blanche.

Like the Iliad, it is an absolute page-turner, full of twists, reversals and startling transformations. Homer’s characters are often reshaped by divine intervention, as gods guide, deceive or strengthen them. Luong’s characters are likewise altered by violence, revenge and societal forces larger than themselves. Both works unfold in imagined versions of the past, where war exposes the instability of identity and loyalty.

Dark fantasy at its very best, Quand Vient la Horde deserves a much wider readership beyond the Francophone world. If any translators from French into English are reading this, consider this a not-so-subtle hint. And if Aurélie Luong is reading this, I’d be happy to volunteer…

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It’s no surprise, then, that one of its most popular routes has been named the best walk in the North West.

The National Park remains a favourite destination for many people in Bolton, whether for a day trip or a week-long getaway.

Now, one standout trail has earned special recognition, cementing its place as a must-visit walk for outdoor enthusiasts.

Buttermere circular path has been named as the winning entry from the North West England category in a competition to crown Britain’s Favourite Path.

Buttermere Circular Path (Image: The Ramblers)

Earlier this year, people from every corner of Britain shared the paths that hold a special place in their hearts, submitting stunning photographs and personal stories about the routes that have shaped memories, supported wellbeing, inspired adventures and connected them with nature.

Stephen Ward nominated the path saying “This is the path that circumscribes the lake of Buttermere.  I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world; and can understand why Alfred Wainwright did too. It’s a place to go when your mind is racing, to let the rugged beauty overwhelm your senses, and calm you down. And, at just over four miles, it is a relatively easy route.”

The Buttermere Circular says the National Trust is one of the best round-the-lake walks in the Lake District.

Buttermere (Image: Mark Hetherington)

It states: “The lakeshore path circles the lake for 4.5 miles (7km) with one very short stretch on the road and one ‘rock step’ (short scramble) where you may have to use your hands. We recommend that you allow three hours to stop and drink in the views along the way. The walk is relatively easy and level with a great ‘reward for effort’ ratio.”

Woodland near Buttermere lake, located in the Lake District, UK. Popular tourist attraction in Lakeland, offering footpath running round the lake and walks to the summits of surrounding mountains. (Image: Irina Belcikova)

Now in its third year, Britain’s Favourite Path celebrates the local paths that mean the most to the people who walk them. From coastal trails and countryside tracks to urban greenways and hidden gems, the competition shines a spotlight on the incredible network of paths that help us explore, unwind and reconnect with the world around us.

A panel of judges, including presenter and Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson, singer and presenter JB Gill, and the Ramblers President Amar Latif, faced the difficult task of narrowing hundreds of nominations down to just eight finalists. Each shortlisted path represents one of eight geographical areas across Britain and has been selected not only for its beauty, but for the powerful stories behind it.

 Postcode Lottery Ambassador, Matt Johnson, stepped up to help judge this year’s entries.

Matt said “It was really, really difficult to narrow it down, to be honest. These are all incredible examples of how beautiful the paths across our wonderful countries are. And now I’m a proud owner of a substantial list of paths to explore and tick off for the rest of my life!” 

JB Gill, who also formed part of the judging panel, added “I have loved seeing people’s favourite paths in postcodes across the UK, and after lots of deliberation, we’ve whittled it down to the final eight. So now it’s over to the public to cast their votes!”

The finalists showcase the very best of Britain’s paths and the many ways they enrich our lives. This year’s entries highlight how walking can support physical and mental wellbeing, strengthen community connections, create lasting family memories and open the door to everyday adventures.

Now the final decision rests with the public. To discover the shortlist and vote for the path you believe deserves to be crowned Britain’s Favourite Path 2026, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/competition and cast your vote before 23:00 on 31 July. One vote per person will be counted, and the path with the most votes when polling closes will be named Britain’s Favourite Path 2026.

Durham County Council’s cabinet members backed the new Residents’ Charter for its Horden Masterplan, which includes proposals for new high-quality homes and wider improvements in the village.

The charter outlines how the authority will engage with residents and property owners as the project progresses, including providing information on support, compensation and acquisition processes where applicable.

A Horden Masterplan Residents’ Steering Group will also be created, which would bring together residents, non-resident property owners and council representatives to provide ongoing dialogue throughout the scheme.

The council’s Horden Masterplan aims to replace older terraced housing with a mix of modern homes, including family houses, flats and bungalows, to improve housing choice.

Tony Hanson, corporate director of regeneration, economy, and growth, said: “Horden remains one of the most deprived areas in the UK characterised by poor housing conditions, high levels of private rent and low property values, and residents with complex housing and support needs.” 

Phase one of the masterplan, approved in 2024, also includes proposals for improved walking and cycling routes, enhanced public spaces and improvements to key gateways into the village.

During several rounds of public consultation, residents identified concerns including poor housing conditions, anti-social behaviour, drug use and issues relating to some landlords.

Councillor Joe Quinn, the council’s cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, said: “We want the charter to help build trust, and the residents’ steering group will be a key part of this, allowing for continual conversation with people in the masterplan area.”

The council has committed £6.2 million to the scheme and has secured a further £4.5 million from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.

The draft charter will be subject to public consultation before a final version is adopted.

Jaylen Brown’s time in Boston has come to a surprising end, with the Celtics deciding to trade him to one of their most storied rivals.

Brown — the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star and the league’s fourth-leading scorer this past season — is getting traded by the Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the deal’s terms said Wednesday.

Boston is getting Paul George, along with a slew of draft capital that could become two first-round picks and two second-round picks, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade does not yet have the required league approvals.

ESPN first reported the trade agreement, and the terms were later confirmed by The Boston Globe.

Add this move to the list of blockbuster moves across the NBA so far this offseason. LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, and now this trade joins a long list of moves that involve All-Star-caliber players — like Giannis Antetokounmpo going from Milwaukee to Miami, Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Ingram headlining a swap between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, and Ja Morant getting traded to Portland by Memphis.

Now, this.

It’s a move that breaks up what has been one of the league’s most successful 1-2 punches in Brown and Jayson Tatum, who helped carry the Celtics to the 2024 NBA title.

Tatum missed most of this past season while recovering from an Achilles tear that happened during the 2025 playoffs, meaning Brown had to carry even more of the load for Boston — and he wound up with career-best averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

It seemed, though, that Brown has felt underappreciated, especially after it became known that Boston had included him in trade talks with Milwaukee when Antetokounmpo was on the market.

“Nobody has won more combined regular-season and playoff games since I entered the league 10 years ago,” Brown posted on social media over the weekend. He’s right: The Celtics have won 523 games with Brown in the lineup, including playoff contests, which is six more than Denver has won with Nikola Jokic over that span.

Brown now gets to be part of a squad in Philadelphia alongside guard Tyrese Maxey and center Joel Embiid — someone who Brown recently called a flopper on a livestream.

“Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in (expletive) basketball history,” Brown said. “Flops. He know it. This ain’t breaking news.”

Brown, Maxey (the league’s No. 5 scorer this past season) and Embiid (a two-time NBA scoring champion) could become a positively frightening trio in Philadelphia, and the Celtics deciding to play a role in creating such a triumvirate only adds to the intrigue surrounding why they wanted to trade Brown in the first place.

The trade ends a tremendously disappointing two-year stint for George, who was traded with two years left on a four-year, $212 million free-agent contract. The 36-year-old George never approached his nine-time All-Star form in Philadelphia and his tenure was marred by a 25-game suspension last season for flunking a drug test.

He averaged just 16.7 points in his two seasons in Philadelphia after topping the 20-point mark in nine straight seasons with Indiana, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Brown is the latest big name brought in to team with All-Stars and franchise cornerstones Embiid and Maxey. Brown can try and lead the Sixers to their first title since 1983; a feat a steady string of stars from Ben Simmons to James Harden to George failed to do when paired with Embiid and Maxey to make a Big Three.

George cited mental health reasons as to why he failed a drug test and was suspended in late January for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program. His first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.

George averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, easily his lowest scoring average in a full season since he averaged 12.1 points for Indiana in his second NBA season. He then had surgery in July on his left knee after he was injured during a workout and missed the first 12 games of this past season.

This was the first blockbuster pulled off under new team president Mike Gansey, who replaced the fired Daryl Morey.

Morey was fired after the Sixers failed to advance out of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in his tenure and they were swept by the eventual NBA champion Knicks in the second round last season — but only after erasing a 3-1 deficit to oust Boston in Round 1.

“Philadelphia is a good basketball team,” Brown said after the Game 7 loss to the 76ers, surely not knowing at that time that he would be joining them a couple months later.

His job now will be to make that good basketball team even better.

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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Mexico have an exceptional record at their home fortress – winning 70 and losing only two of their 89 previous competitive games at the venue, with the last defeat coming back in September 2013 – and are riding a wave at this World Cup, where they have won all four games so far, scoring eight goals and conceding none.

Canadians are feeling a renewed sense of patriotism after President Donald Trump threatened to make their country the 51st state and slapped tariffs on their exports.

Those in Canada reported significantly higher levels of national pride than those in several European countries, including the UK and France, in a new Politico poll.

The poll, conducted by Public First, found that 52 percent of Canadians are very proud of their nationality — a stark contrast to public sentiment less than two years ago.

Canada’s Angus Reid Institute reported in December 2024 that the percentage of Canadians who say they are “very proud” of their nationality dropped from 78 percent to 34 percent since 1985.

“For progressive leaders around the world, Canada may show that there is a way to capture a message of national pride that does not alienate key voters,” Seb Wride, principal at Public First, told Politico.

“But it also shows the challenge in doing so, if what it takes is a geographical neighbor dramatically turning up the temperature as much as Canadians feel Trump has.”

Trump had been floating the idea of acquiring Canada — and other sovereign territories — since before returning to office.

“Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in December 2024.

When he began his second term a month later, a more imminent threat loomed — a trade war.

In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada. Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced tariffs on more than $100 billion of US goods in response.

Trump imposed the 25 percent tariffs against Canada under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A year later, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed under this 1977 law, ruling that they were unconstitutional.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade pact that Trump negotiated during his first term, went up for renewal Wednesday.

Months-long negotiations between the three countries are likely to ensue as the US pushes for changes to reduce its trade deficits with Canada and Mexico, the Associated Press reported.

While Canada seems to feel a collective sense of pride amid Trump’s aggressive tactics, a majority of Canadians in Politico’s poll note that the country is still divided.

Thirty-nine percent viewed the friction as worse than they can remember, while 27 percent believed the country experienced deeper rifts in the past.

By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER and DANIEL MATTHEWS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STADIUM

Updated: 00:25 BST, 2 July 2026

Taylor’s 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped in October 2025, with a flurry of lovestruck lyrics about her now fiancé.

She reminisced about date nights spent on ferris wheels, and dreamt of raising kids in a house with “a driveway with a basketball hoop”. There’s also an entire song about his, ahem, manhood.

On the promo trail, she was peppered with questions about the wedding, but gave away very little, except to tell the BBC’s Graham Norton it wouldn’t be a small affair.

Since those interviews, Team Taylor has gone quiet.

A rumoured wedding date of 13 June 2026 passed without incident. A few days later, a flurry of activity at Swift’s Rhode Island mansion had fans speculating that a bachelorette party was in full swing.

Then the New York Times reported that Swift had hired the entirety of Madison Square Gardens for a mega event just before Independence Day weekend.

According to officials with knowledge of the booking, the plans involve an intimate gathering of about 100 people on Thursday 2 July, followed by a more extravagant celebration with about 1,000 guests the next day.

TV cameras have captured trucks unloading drapes, lights, food and even a “40-inch mirror ball”.

Tabloids are speculating about wedding performers and bridesmaids. – but we’ll only know for sure, when Taylor decides it’s time.

And given that she’s recently been spotted at New York’s Electric Lady recording studios, there’s even speculation that confirmation could come in the form of a wedding song.

Watch this space.

And, of course, not to forget a paddle in the sea and an ice-cream!

All these summer moments have been captured by members of our Press Camera Club.

This month they were tasked with taking photos that summed up summer for our monthly prize competition.

Poppy in a patch of poppies and wildflowers – long hot summer – photo by Jenny Molloy

We had some wonderful entries and are sharing our favourite five here.

Our winner – who will receive a £50 cash prize – is Sarah Gabbatiss for a beautiful photo of her daughter running through a field of flowers.

Sarah Gabbatiss took this photo of her daughter picking wildflowers at The Petal Patch near Selby

Well done Sarah and all our runners-up.

Join our club

WOULD you like to see your photographs in The Press and online?

More than 2,500 readers have joined The Press Camera Club, which launched in June 2017 and brings together talented photographers from across York and North and East Yorkshire to share their work, swap tips and take part in themed monthly prize competitions.

Summer by the river means one thing – ice cream. Photo by Lisa Young

To join the free club, simply search for ‘The Press Camera Club’ on Facebook – we’d love to see what our region looks like through your lens.

We will feature pictures from our camera club in The Press and online regularly.

If you like seeing photos of York, please follow us on Instagram too @york.press.

Recommended reading:

Paddling by the sea at Saltburn – photo by Christine Hainsworth

New competition theme:

The new competition theme for July will be #Holidays26 – please use this hashtag when posting your images on Facebook and also please provide a short caption.

The deadline will be the end of July and we will announce the winner in early August.

Good luck!

Redcar and Cleveland was recently named the North East’s “coffee capital” in a study conducted by Manchester marketing agency Dark Horse, and it’s easy to understand why.

A wave of independent coffee shops are turning areas like Middlesbrough and Redcar into must-visit destinations for coffee lovers, and we have compiled a list of five Teesside cafe’s you need to try.

1. Off The Ground Coffee, Middlesbrough

Off the Ground Coffee, Middlesbrough. (Image: Tees Valley Combined Authority)

A speciality coffee shop on Grange Road, Off The Ground has built its reputation on expertly made, ethically sourced coffee and a rotating selection of baked goods. It feels more like a coffee bar than a café‑restaurant, making it ideal for people who care about the brew itself.

2. Café Etch, Middlesbrough

Café Etch, Middlesbrough. (Image: Cafe Etch)

Tucked away on Gilkes Street, Café Etch is an independent spot where the focus is firmly on drinks and cake. Reviewers praise the quality of the coffee, the homemade bakes and the relaxed, creative décor, making it a natural stop for a mid‑morning or afternoon pick‑me‑up.

3. De Melo, Middlesbrough

De Melo, Middlesbrough. (Image: De Melo)

On Linthorpe Road, De Melo is a family‑run venue that locals know for coffee, ice‑cream and desserts. Customer reviews frequently highlight it as a go‑to for a latte and something sweet with a range of treats on offer.

4. Cacau Brazilian Patisserie, Redcar

Cacau Brazilian Patisserie, Redcar. (Image: Tees Valley Combined Authority)

Cacau is an independently run patisserie in Redcar, consistently ranked among the town’s best cafés. It specialises in Brazilian‑inspired cakes and pastries, paired with good coffee, and is regularly recommended to visitors looking for somewhere a bit different for their sweet fix.

5. Route 1 Coffee House, Redcar

Route 1 Coffee House, Redcar. (Image: Route 1 Coffee House)

Route 1 Coffee House offers a modern, relaxed setting for locals and visitors of the seaside town. It features near the top of local “best coffee” lists, with customers praising the friendly service and quality of the drinks.

An honourable mention goes to Headland Espresso, a newer spot on the Stray between Marske and Redcar that’s fast earning a reputation for speciality coffee paired with an unbeatable sea view.

Independent coffee shops and cafés are quietly putting the North East on the map as a friendly, down‑to‑earth destination for people who care about an authentic brew and a freshly baked slice of cake.