Stacey Solomon's reality show is triggering my feminist rage
We're a wildly pro-Stacey Solomon house. As insufferable people do with, say, Radiohead, we always make it clear we were into her early stuff: from her 2009 audition for The X Factor. Nineteen, and singing the hell out of What a Wonderful World, she was giggly and self-deprecating, yet quietly smarter and funnier than everyone else too. And she was just loveable. A teenage single mum from Dagenham shooting her shot, in the sunniest way possible. She had us as she laughed, 'Hiya!' to Simon Cowell.
'That girl is a star,' Pete and I said to each other, like we were showbiz experts, making an official statement to a waiting crowd. 'A girl that cheerful will go far.'
Sixteen years later and,
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South Wales Guardian
19 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Israeli forces halt aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and detain activists
The activists had set out to protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, both of which have put the territory of some two million Palestinians at risk of famine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies —confiscated,' it said in a statement. Israel's Foreign Ministry cast the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that 'the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel'. It said the passengers would return to their home countries and the aid would be delivered to Gaza through established channels. It later circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing orange life vests. Thunberg, a climate campaigner, was among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily a week ago. Along the way, it had stopped on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to avoid being detained by the Libyan coast guard. 'I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible,' Thunberg said in a pre-recorded message released after the ship was halted. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, was also among the volunteers on board. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. After a two-and-a-half-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers and experts have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive. An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship. Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population. Israel sealed Gaza off from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, but later relented under US pressure. In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages, more than half of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas is still holding 55 hostages, more than half of them believed to be dead. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up most of the dead. It does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the territory's population, leaving people there almost completely dependent on international aid. Efforts to broker another truce have been deadlocked for months. Hamas says it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the captives are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and exiled.
AsiaOne
19 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
7 designs, 41 artists: NDP 2025 packs to feature artworks by people with disabilities, Singapore News
What's the National Day Parade (NDP) without the classic NDP packs? Spectators attending this year's parade, preview shows and National Education shows can look forward to receiving one of seven artwork-adorned totes illustrated by 41 artists with disabilities from the ages of 10 to 73. Three of the featured artworks, titled Care, Contribute and Future, are drawn by 20 students from Special Education (Sped) schools and envisions Singapore's shared future. Meanwhile, the other four pieces, named Multiculturalism, Resilience, Openness and Boldness, are inspired by history and the creation of 21 artists from non-profit organisation ART:DIS, which supports persons with disabilities through arts. The seven illustrations will be featured in a National Day stamp set produced by the Singapore Post as well. One of the artists is ART:DIS participant Sage Tan, who co-created the artwork Multiculturalism with four other artists. The 20-year-old, who has an intellectual disability, experimented with printmaking technique linocut for the first time and designed a mooncake and mandarin orange. He told AsiaOne he is happy to be part of this project, especially since the linocut print design is different from the other bags. "(At) NDP, a lot of people will receive my bag, which (makes me) very happy... and you can see a lot of artists' works here." Another ART:DIS participant Tay Bee Lian, who has a physical disability, co-created the artwork Openness, which features the phrase "How are you?" in different languages. The 73-year-old calligraphed the phrase in Chinese, and said she feels honoured to be part of the project. "The previous years, I thought it was great that students from Sped schools could participate in the NDP pack design, and this year I can," she added. Unveiling the pack designs at a media event to on Monday (June 9), Chairman of the NDP 2025 Pack Committee Major (MAJ) Desmond Lim said the collaboration with SG Enable and ART:DIS seeks to recognise the artists' talents and share their vision for Singapore. He said the committee has extended its partnership scope this year to feature a more diverse range of artists, including professionals, artists in training, as well as emerging artists. "(Through) this collaboration, we hope to be committed to take positive actions on disability inclusion (and) work towards building a more inclusive Singapore." Executive director of ART:DIS Angela Tan said it is the first time the organisation is working with NDP in this manner to contribute artworks for the NDP packs. "I think it's wonderful that the National Day celebrations include persons with disability in such a meaningful way, not just as attendees, but contributing significantly to the parade, to the NDP packs," she told AsiaOne. "And, (the packs have) become something that people also take home as a memory of the celebration." Tan also pointed out the sign language featured in the artwork Openness: "We hope that this work reminds us that each of us in society cares for each other... that people who might not be from the same race or speak the same language or background are all part of one community." Lee May Gee, CEO of SG Enable, told AsiaOne the agency is glad to partner with the NDP executive committee for the sixth consecutive year to feature artworks by persons with disabilities on the NDP packs. Describing the art pieces as a "heartfelt gift" from the student artists to the nation, Lee said this year's NDP carries an "added significance" as Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday. "Through this collaboration, we hope that as Singaporeans reflect on what makes Singapore strong and unique, we can reaffirm our commitment to building a more caring, a more inclusive Singapore where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive and to live meaningful and dignified lives." The NDP packs, which are made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, will include "staple" items such as snacks as well as interactive items like flags and placards, said MAJ Lim. It will also be given to those who have registered to visit celebration sites at five heartland locations and the Bay area or those who participate in the "Pledge Events" initiative. More details will be announced later. [[nid:718369]]
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Eden Gardens to now host 1st Test against South Africa in November. Check India's updated home season
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made some venue changes for the upcoming home season on Monday. The Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which was earlier slated to host the second Test between India and West Indies in October 2025, will now host the first Test between India and South Africa in November. The second Test between India and West Indies will now be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. 'The 2nd Test against West Indies, originally slated for Kolkata, will now be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the 1st Test against South Africa, starting November 14, 2025, has been shifted from New Delhi to Eden Gardens in Kolkata,' the BCCI said in an official release. The outfield and the pitches are also being revamped at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Hence the upcoming ODI series between India and Australia Women has been moved out of Chennai. The first two ODIs will now take place at the New PCA stadium in New Chandigarh, while the third and final ODI will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The three one-day games between India A and South Africa A have also been moved from M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The BCCI has not provided a specific reason for this. 1st ODI - September 14 - New Chandigarh 2nd ODI - September 17 - New Chandigarh 3rd ODI - September 20 - New Delhi 1st Multi-Day Game - September 16-19 - Lucknow 2nd Multi-Day Game - September 23-26 - Lucknow 1st One-Day - September 30 - Kanpur 2nd One-Day - October 3 - Kanpur 3rd One-Day - October 5 - Kanpur 1st Test - October 2-6 - Ahmedabad 2nd Test - October 10-14 - New Delhi 1st Multi-Day Game - October 30--November 2 - BCCI COE, Bengaluru 2nd Multi-Day Game - November 6-9 - BCCI COE, Bengaluru 1st One-Day - 13 November - Rajkot 2nd One-Day - 16 November - Rajkot 3rd One-Day - 19 November - Rajkot 1st Test - November 14-18 - Kolkata 2nd Test - November 22-26 - Guwahati 1st ODI - November 30 - Ranchi 2nd ODI - December 3 - Raipur 3rd ODI - December 6 - Vizag 1st T20I - December 9 - Cuttack 2nd T20I - December 11 - New Chandigarh 3rd T20I - December 14 - Dharamsala 4th T20I - December 17 - Lucknow 5th T20I - December 19 - Ahmedabad
