
Telegraph style book: Qq
Qantas: Australian national airline
QE2: The retired ocean liner
Qom (Pilgrimage centre in Iran) No 'u'. Do not call it a 'holy city'. It is a seat of Islamic learning.
Quango lower case (it stands for quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation).
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Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How the ABC bungled a $4billion payday - as Aussie show among the biggest in the world makes major move
The ABC has been left red-faced after the UK channel that airs Bluey announced it is set to make even more money off one of Australia's most successful cultural exports. This week, the BBC revealed plans to transform Bluey into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, marking another major commercial leap for the animated juggernaut. Alongside the expansion of its already booming merchandise empire, a Bluey feature film is now in the works, set to be released in 2027 and distributed globally by Disney. In just 2024 alone, Bluey was the driving force behind a bumper $4billion in commercial profits for BBC Studios through global licensing, product deals, and themed experiences. That staggering haul is more than four times the annual budget of the ABC, which is funded by the federal government and Australian taxpayers. The ABC was among the original co-commissioners of Bluey, which first aired in 2018, but failed to secure any significant merchandising deals. Despite being developed and produced in Brisbane by Ludo Studio, most of the benefits of show's commercial success has flowed offshore. Since its debut, Bluey has become a global sensation, celebrated for its heartwarming storytelling, gentle humour, and uniquely Australian character. Bluey-branded merchandise ranges from plush toys and puzzles to camping gear, clothing, and even nappies. In 2024, a large-scale Bluey-themed attraction, Bluey's World, opened in Brisbane, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 'World's Greatest Places' for 2025. In the same year, Bluey was the number one most viewed show in the United States, recording more than 55billion minutes of viewing time on Disney+. 'From a retail sales standpoint, we are generating about £2.7bn in global retail sales across our entire portfolio and Bluey is a really, really big chunk of that,' Suzy Raia, who heads global consumer products at BBC Studios, told The Guardian. Yet despite its deep Australian roots, the ABC has reaped little financial reward from Bluey's explosive global success. As reported by The Courier-Mail in February, the ABC made no attempt to secure merchandising rights during the show's early development. Then-managing director David Anderson was present at the meeting where Bluey was first pitched to the network. 'We don't make money out of Bluey,' Anderson told the ABC in 2023. 'What Bluey does is provide joy to children and families all over the country and now all over the world. And that would be priceless.' In 2024, ABC Chair Kim Williams addressed the Australian Press Club, warning of declining public funding for the broadcaster and calling for greater government support. Just a few months later in June, the ABC slashed at least 50 jobs in a round of budget cuts, under the new leadership of Managing Director Hugh Marks. Among the casualties was the long-running current affairs program Q&A, once a flagship forum for national political and cultural debate. In an email sent to ABC staff, Marks justified the changes were part of the ABC stepping back from 'areas that no longer align with our priorities'.


The Independent
18 hours ago
- The Independent
These Gulf countries will be easier to travel to with new Schengen-style visa
A new Schengen-style visa for travelling around six Gulf nations is set to be launched this year, making it easier for tourists to explore the countries. The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the GCC Unified Visa, will allow non-Gulf nationals to visit one or all six Gulf nations under one visa. This is similar to the Schengen Area, which allows people to travel freely between certain European countries without the need for strict border checks. The visa was approved in 2023 by the Gulf Cooperation Council, an alliance between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to allow travellers to flow between the six countries and to promote tourism across the region. The UAE is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Gulf due to its ultra-modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with glitzy skyscrapers sitting on the sandy coastline. The country, like many other Gulf nations, also attracts thousands of expats, lured by hot weather, luxury lifestyle and financial benefits. It is estimated that some 30 million of foreign nationals live across the region. Visa-free travel is already available to citizens of these countries, but the new visa will benefit foreign nationals. To be eligible, the purpose of a trip must be tourism, a short-term stay, or seeing family and friends – not employment. While the validity period has not been finalised, it is expected to offer a duration from 30 to 90 days. The visa is anticipated to be launched this year, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed. The aim GCC states that the aim of the visa is to boost tourism and increase spending within the region, which will in turn create jobs. Once launched, the visa will be available to apply for online, with the council saying the unified visa will be more cost-effective than the current visas. The price of the visa has yet to be outlined. To apply, a visitor will need to provide their passport, and may need to supply additional documents such as proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, insurance, proof of financial means and their return or onward ticket.


Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mike Tindall reveals what it's really like to join the Royal Family - as the Rugby World Cup hero dusts off his boots for surprise return to the pitch during Aussie getaway with his wife Zara
Rugby World Cup hero Mike Tindall has opened up on what it was like becoming a member of the Royal Family, as the former England superstar made his return to the footy pitch on Thursday night. Tindall, who retired back in 2014, starred in the British and Irish Lions Legends Match, as a group of home nations icons took on a Classic Wallabies XV at the AAMI Stadium in Melbourne. It was a hugely entertaining game that hilariously also saw Scotland legend Ryan Wilson dump-tackle the Lions' mascot prior to kick-off. Several big names from the world of rugby lined up on both sides, with Andy Powell, Tom May and Alex Cuthbert all starting for the Lions. But it was the Wallabies who would claim the bragging rights, with their star-studded backline - that featured Australian legends including Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell - spurring the hosts on to a 41-31 victory. Tindall, meanwhile, has been touring around Australia over the past month alongside his wife Zara. The pair, who were married back in 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, have been enjoying some rest and relaxation while Down Under, notably spending a couple of days last week on Hamilton Island, which is situated just off the Queensland coast. They have shared a few snaps from their trip to the island on Instagram, with the pair being seen embracing while standing on a yacht in front of the stunning clear blue water that surrounds the island. 'It's our first time being out on the water in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park too and it really was unreal,' Tindall wrote on Instagram. 'Queensland definitely has it all. Made some incredible memories. What an unforgettable way to spend some downtime.' Zara, an Olympic equestrian superstar, is the daughter of Princess Anne and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II. She won silver in Eventing at the 2012 Olympic Games, and was notably presented with her medal by her mother. Earlier this month, the couple turned out to support Billy Slater's Queensland side during their State of Origin victory against New South Wales at the Accor Stadium. Zara donned a Maroons scarf while Mike sported a Queensland hat as the pair were invited back into the dressing room to celebrate with the team and coach Slater, who they are known to be good friends with. It comes as the former England centre also appeared in an interview with Sky Sports Golf presenter Wayne 'Radar' Riley on Wednesday. The pair took to the golf course as part of the Australian broadcaster's 'A Round with Radar' series, which is published on PING's YouTube channel. A funny moment took place before the match as Scotland legend Ryan Wilson was seen dump-tackling the Lions mascot As the pair made their way around the course, Radar quizzed Tindall on his life in sport and his marriage to Zara. 'As a family, they [the Royals] are sport-loving,' Tindall said when asked what it was like to be welcomed into the Royal Family. 'With Princess Anne being the patron of Scottish rugby now as well and the Prince and Princess of Wales being England patrons and Wales respectively, I was very fortunate that they knew a lot about rugby and had that sports side to it.' 'So you cruised into it there?' Radar replied. 'I wouldn't say I cruised into it...' Tindall responded. 'It's a journey you never plan for but they were just so good and so open.' Zara has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who competed at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, by pursuing a career in equestrian sports. Alongside her Olympic achievements, the 44-year-old also won the Eventing World Championship in 2006 and was later voted BBC Sports Personality of the year, 35 years after her mother won the same accolade. Radar then questioned the rugby union star on what it was like to be married to a fellow athlete. 'I think it's sort of something that has worked for us,' he replied. 'Especially, me being in a team sport and her being predominantly in an individual sport but has an element of a team when you get to the Olympics or a World Championships. Mike explained that their lives in sport have 'helped us understand each other' and added that their different sporting disciplines have 'benefitted them' Tindall enjoyed a glittering career in rugby union, making 108 appearances for Premiership sides Bath and 181 for Gloucester. He'd also go on to win 75 caps for England, but interestingly never played for the British and Irish Lions due to injuries. He did, though, play against the Lions during their 2013 tour of Australia, coming off the bench for the Barbarians, during their warm-up match in Hong Kong. He added: 'It helps us understand each other. You can recognise what framework we're in and understand people's routines and how to be supportive of each other at the right times. 'You know when to leave her alone because she's concentrating on cross country or whatever. 'Because her sport is very dangerous, ours is dangerous as well, but her sport is very dangerous. 'It's worked really well for us, just that understanding of each other and being able to plug gaps where some people might not understand what it's like to play professional sport. It has benefitted us to help us relax when things aren't going so well.'