Note of the day

You may still be amused to hear that the singer/songwriter has officially declined to travel to Stockholm for the customary award ceremony due to “pre-existing commitments.” The official prize committee’s announcement tries sound as cheerful about it, but that last line sounds vaguely threatening: “We look forward to Bob Dylan’s Nobel Lecture, which he must give – it is the only requirement – within six months counting from December 10, 2016.” Clock’s ticking, Bob.