Latest news with #Breakfast
1News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Ryan Tedder on One Republic's enduring appeal, writing hits for the stars
Ryan Tedder's won three Grammy Awards and written hit songs for Adele, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift — among many others. But the One Republic vocalist doesn't know if he's currently got a massive hit single hidden away among a collection of thousands of songs written over the years that have never seen the light of day. "In an average week I do, I would say, about two songs a day in some form or fashion," he told Breakfast. "I have a Miley Cyrus song that comes out this Friday that's been on my hard-drive for three years. "It got reproduced, cleaned up, and changed. But it's just now coming out called Easy Lover. ADVERTISEMENT "The process for that took years." The prolific song-writer – behind Beyoncé's Halo and Adele's Rumour Has it – says people would be shocked to know how many times a hit record has come out of a random moment that jogs his memory. "I'll be in Thailand on vacation and hear a song in a tuk-tuk that reminds me of a song I did six years ago with Adele or whoever. "And I'll go [to my team] 'send me that song now!' And they'll go and find it, then I'll go: 'I'm gonna pitch that song right now!'" The 45-year-old was set to return to New Zealand with One Republic in February next year – and was still "amused and grateful" at the band's enduring appeal. "Our goal when we sat down and wrote our goals on a napkin in 2005 was to be able to play arenas in every city in the world, every major city that we can legally go to I want to be able to sell out the arena. "The fact that we are still able to pull off a hit song every now and again… I'm absolutely grateful for it."
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
One year after landmark 2024 elections, South Africans still waiting for change - GNU stability an illusion
The members of the seventh administration in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Image: Picture: X / South African Government May 29, 2025 marks exactly one year since South Africa's landmark 2024 general elections—an electoral moment that shattered the African National Congress's post-apartheid dominance and ushered in a new era of coalition politics. Though the Government of National Unity (GNU) was only formed weeks later, the anniversary of the vote stands as a powerful symbol of shifting political tides in the country and across the continent, analysts say. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, political analyst and academic, described the 2024 elections as "symbolic and deeply significant," highlighting the end of one-party dominance. 'For the first time, the ANC could not govern alone. That was unprecedented—and unless a major shakeup occurs, I don't see the ANC recovering its former strength.' Breakfast links this shift to a broader generational and continental trend. 'The majority of eligible voters are young. Power is moving from rural strongholds to urban centres, and young voters want accountability, not loyalty,' he said. He cited political shifts in countries like Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe as signs of a regional transformation. On whether the GNU has made meaningful progress in its first year, Breakfast strikes a cautious tone. 'It's still early days. Frankly, I expected the GNU to collapse after the budget rejection—but it has survived, managing internal contradictions for now.' Yet, he warned that symbolic stability has not translated into substantive delivery. 'There's competition within the GNU—parties are more interested in branding their wins than delivering results. The DA takes credit when things go right; the ANC is blamed when they go wrong. 'But on the ground, poverty, inequality, and unemployment persist. Economic indicators haven't improved. People vote to change their lives—not for political theatre.' Echoing that scepticism, political commentator Professor Sipho Seepe delivered a scathing assessment: The current administration has achieved nothing. It has proven to be a marriage of inconvenience. The only party that has won is the DA. It has exposed the ANC's political bankruptcy. 'If anything, the ANC is proving to be an embarrassment. At a time when poverty is deepening and unemployment increases, uncontrollably, ANC members spend inordinate amounts of time rallying around an incompetent leader,' he said. One year on, South Africans are still waiting for tangible improvements in service delivery, infrastructure, and economic opportunity. The MK Party described the GNU as a failed system, saying service delivery was not possible in many areas. 'Service delivery, a basic expectation of any functioning government, continues to falter under the so-called GNU. Communities across South Africa still grapple with unreliable electricity, inadequate housing and crumbling infrastructure. 'The water crisis in regions like Gauteng and the Eastern Cape underscores the GNU's inability to prioritise the well-being of citizens. 'Healthcare and education systems remain underfunded and inaccessible to the poor, deepening inequalities inherited from apartheid and colonialism,' the party said. The ANC has not responded to IOL's calls. Gauteng residents told IOL that although the government is new, it has tried to improve service delivery, crime and corruption while others differed. Bethuel Masasa, a resident of Ivory Park, said electricity has become increasingly available though there are load reductions in the area. 'Yes, we have a lot of challenges but things are getting better because we would be without electricity for the longest time. We now have water shortages but I hope it will come alright,' he said. Getty Mafafa, also in Ivory Park, said it was still new to judge the GNU because there have been squabbles between the DA and ANC. The fight between these two parties is not promising that they will succeed in this coalition. 'I mean these people are fighting, the DA is threatening the ANC with many things. The DA is against every policy that the ANC is signing. 'We can't have it because it is wrong and it is dividing the people,' she said. [email protected] IOL Politics
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Bern Young
Bern Young presents Breakfast on Friday and Saturday at ABC Gold Coast. Bern grew up on the south side of Brisbane but every summer, and many weekends in between, the Gold Coast was her playground - camping at Tallebudgera Creek, day trips to Burleigh, the prerequisite childhood photos with hungry rainbow lorikeets and performing dolphins. In 1997, after five years of working in and around regional Queensland as a TV reporter, Bern moved to the Gold Coast. She worked for Nine Gold Coast News as a journalist before being poached by Channel 7 and becoming their only Gold Coast Bureau reporter. But being on-call 24/7 reporting on car chases didn't give her any job satisfaction and when three of her favourite things were demolished (The Playroom, the old Burleigh Catholic Church and her house!) she decided to head to Sydney and see if she could finally get a break in the industry she dreamed of working in - ABC Radio. She landed in Sydney just in time to take advantage of Olympics fever. She worked for ABC TV as a producer, reporter, chief-of-staff, anything they needed her to do or be. After a few shifts on the TV Foreign Desk she managed to convince a radio boss to give her a chance and that was all she needed. After freelancing as a journalist for news and as a producer for 702 ABC Sydney she became a permanent member of the triple j news team the following year. She loved every moment of it, combining two of her favourite things in life - good music and information. In 2004 she spread her wings and became the Mornings Presenter for ABC Radio in Alice Springs. It was only for 10 months but the Red Centre has left an indelible mark on her. For 6 years Bern was the Afternoons presenter in Perth as well as occasionally filling in on national programs for Tony Delroy and James O'Loghlin. She interviewed the famous and not-so-famous but her most important interview was with a Perth musician, Fletch. Now Bern, Fletch and their two children call the Gold Coast home. Good music and information are still two of her favourite things and she'll give you plenty of both every Friday and Saturday morning.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Duncan James feared coming out so much he faked relationship with Spice Girl
EXCLUSIVE: Blue singer Duncan James has opened up about coming out as gay, admitting he used to feign relationships with Geri Halliwell and Martine McCutcheon Blue icon Duncan James has opened up about the years he spent concealing his sexuality, even going so far as to feign relationships with celebrity friends like Geri Halliwell and Martine McCutcheon. Yet over the last three years, Duncan has embraced his true self as he performed at Pride events around Britain in makeup and suspenders. The 47-year-old singer has credited his finding his true sense of self to the support from his partner of six years Rodrigo Reis, as well as his close friendship with Denise van Outen. Duncan previously reflected on the past with candour: "It has taken me a long time to feel completely comfortable." Recalling the intense scrutiny during his time with Blue, he says, "I remember when I was in Blue the first time around, there were all these rumours I was dating my friends Geri, Martine and Tara [Palmer- Tomkinson] and I used to feel relieved." Despite performing at Pride festivals with Blue, Duncan felt like a fraud: "I was playing Pride with Blue and feeling such a hypocrite because everyone was celebrating their sexuality and I was still in the closet," reports the Mirror. But now, things have changed for the better. In 2022, he said proudly: "Now I'm performing Blue hits and songs from musical theatre in full drag. I love it." Embracing the freedom that comes with drag, Duncan says, "Doing drag is so liberating. It's like wearing a very camp Superman costume – you feel so empowered." He lauds ex-Big Breakfast host Denise, 50, who he appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox with, as an icon and perfect ally. Speaking fondly of Denise, Duncan emphasises, "Denise is the ultimate gay icon and ally. Not only is she a strong, independent woman, she's also loyal and never judges you. She is the kind of friend you can tell anything to. She is the kind of girl best mate every gay guy needs." After struggling with his identity for so long, Duncan expresses his contentment with life: "After years of feeling guilty about my sexuality, I am happy at last." Opening up about his personal life, Duncan shared: "It wasn't until I met Rodrigo that I really felt comfortable about my sexuality." He praised his younger partner's confidence, saying: "He is younger than me and so unapologetic about himself and his sexuality." Rodrigo's openness marked a turning point for Duncan: "He was the first partner I had who wasn't ashamed to hold my hand." Reflecting on past relationships, he revealed: "Other boyfriends didn't want to show any public displays of affection in case they were pictured." The singer, who is also a father, hinted at future plans with Rodrigo: "We have talked about getting married, he says, but emphasised career and financial stability post-pandemic as current priorities. Duncan has expressed a measured approach to marriage and expanding their family: "I don't feel like we need to rush it. I think we will get married when the time is right." On the topic of children, he added: "The same for kids... Rodrigo would love kids but it is not the right time." Despite societal progress, Duncan believes coming out still presents significant challenges. He candidly discussed his own struggles: "For me, there was a lot of Catholic guilt. It is drummed into you that you are wrong and a sinner." Duncan concluded with a reflection on the impact of religious teachings: "Being told as a kid you will go to hell is a lot to have to deal with." Reflecting on his journey, Duncan confessed: "Thankfully, we now live in a different world to when I came out. But even so, it is one of the scariest things you will ever have to do." He acknowledged the ongoing challenges, saying: "There is so much fear of rejection – and you don't just have to do it once, you have to do it many times before you feel out and proud." Recalling an emotional episode, he shared that he became so distressed about coming out to his mother Linda, she worried he was seriously ill. Explaining the weight of disclosure, he stated: "Even though I am so close to my mum, it was still terrifying." Duncan recounted how he initially backed out during a holiday in LA: "We were on holiday in LA and I was supposed to tell her but chickened out. She went to bed and I phoned Si [Webbe] who gave me the confidence to go tell her." The intensity of the situation was immense for him as he revealed: "I drank half the minibar. I was crying so much. She was just relieved because she thought I was going to tell her I had cancer." Understanding the importance of representation, Duncan discusses the impact of past hardships: "I was called 'f**got' and 'queer boy' because I loved drama and musical theatre." Talking about the bullying experienced at school, Duncan said: "One boy in particular used to wait for me at the school gate and beat me up." Reflecting on his reluctance to seek help, he admitted: "I used to go home crying to my mum but was too scared to tell the teachers." Embracing diversity, Duncan said: "I just wanted to be normal – but now I realise there is no normal. We are all beautifully unique." Highlighting the significance of Pride, he stressed: "That is why it is so important that Pride is so visible across the world because it shows no one has to feel alone or scared about being who they were born to be."
1News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Kororāreka marae plea to restore original name for Russell denied
A submission to change the Bay of Islands town of Russell's name to the traditional Māori name of Kororāreka has been declined. More than 1800 submissions were received — 52% in support of the name change and 48% against it. Minister for Land Information Chris Penk said he consulted with colleagues across the Government to make his decision "given the close margin and the historical weight of the decision". "Through that process, it became clear there was insufficient support to proceed with the proposal," Penk said. Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board publicly consulted on the proposal from the Kororāreka Marae Society, which lodged a name-change application in September 2021. The board considered three options: An outright change to Kororāreka; the dual name Kororāreka/Russell; or the alternative names option where both had equal standing. Kororāreka marae Society chair member Deb Rewiri expressed disappointment at the decision. "We [Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti] are frustrated and astounded at this current coalition Government and their divisive behaviour when faced with doing the right thing." Rewiri said the board supported the name restoration along with most of the submissions; however, the opposing submissions "were for dual names to be carried, and that wasn't a consideration for the Minister". "We will continue to call our village by its rightful name." Rewiri told Breakfast in July 2024 that Kororāreka was "the only town in the Far North that did not carry its original name". Kororāreka Marae Society chairperson Debra Rewiri said the historical context of the traditional name is 'really significant' for Māori in the region. (Source: Breakfast) "There's something unusual about that when Paihia is Paihia and Waitangi is Waitangi … all the traditional names that were part of our history and in terms of Russell, it wasn't there. "Even though when our people, our Māori people, [came] into the village, that's all they'd call it, Kororāreka," Rewiri said. Penk said he wanted to "acknowledge the important work of the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board and thank everyone who took the time to make a submission".
