Hello. After an apparent Israeli strike on Iran, James Landale describes the atmosphere on Jerusalem's streets - and in its corridors of power. Your newsletter also features the lowdown on Quentin Tarantino's aborted final film, the emotional stories of women trafficked across continents as children and a very special surfing feat. As usual, my colleague Sofia beat my score (4/7) in this week's quiz, scoring five. See if you can do better.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Nine down, still one more to go...

Tarantino has said he will stop directing after 10 films in order to leave people wanting more. Credit: Getty Images

Influential director Quentin Tarantino has always maintained he would quit after making his 10th film. So, reports he had scrapped what was due to be his final project caused quite a stir. Here's what to know about Tarantino 10.

What was the scrapped film going to be about?

It was titled The Movie Critic and said to be partly autobiographical. Speaking to Deadline’s Baz Bamigboye last year, Tarantino said the film would be set in late 1970s California and based on an adult magazine’s movie critic he had enjoyed reading when loading vending machines for money as a teen. Tarantino described the critic as "very funny, rude and cynical”, adding: "He wrote like he was 55 but he was only in his early to mid-30s. He died in his late 30s."

Which stars were lined up?

It was rumoured the director had again enlisted Brad Pitt for the lead role (in what would be their third full partnership after Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood). But he later said nobody had officially been cast, and he'd decided to look for someone closer to 35 years old to play the titular character.

Why was it dropped?

In short, it seems Tarantino was unhappy with the script, even after reportedly rewriting it - and has gone back to the drawing board for his apparent swansong.

• His previous film: 2019's Once Upon A Time in Hollywood was a box-office hit. But was it any good? Here's Nicholas Barber's verdict.

• Pulp Fiction: It's almost 30 years since Tarantino reinvented the gangster movie. This piece, from BBC Culture's archives, remembers how a phenomenon was born.

• 'Reservoir Dogs v M3gan': Gory horror-comedy Abigail, which topped BBC Culture's list of this month's unmissable movies, has gone on general release. See the full rundown.

THE BIG PICTURE

Trafficked war babies seeking their truths

Aged five, Flor Wolman was flown to Boston, in the US, to be introduced to her new family. Credit: BBC

During El Salvador’s brutal civil war, hundreds of children were separated from their families. Some were seized by soldiers during operations against left-wing rebels, and ended up with new families in Europe and North America. Three decades on, Mike Lanchin follows the dramatic stories of two women trying to find their birth relatives - hearing of a happy ending for one.

And finally... in Portugal

German surfer Sebastian Steudtner has been filmed riding a wave measured at 28.57m (93ft 8in) in the town of Nazare. That's an unofficial world record - breaking his previous mark, set in 2022. While he awaits confirmation, you can check out his spectacular effort and hear how it felt.