Latest news with #Cabaret
Novaya Gazeta Europe
3 days ago
- Business
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Wolf at the door. Europe must now show that it can follow through on its pledges to boost military spending and step up its support for Ukraine — Novaya Gazeta Europe
'Money makes the world go around,' sings the showgirl Sally Bowles in Cabaret, the iconic musical set against the backdrop of the Weimar Republic's decadence. Money will certainly shape Europe's future, as political leaders across the continent are forced to make painful decisions about how to allocate public funds in an increasingly unstable world. Carl Bildt Former Swedish prime minister and foreign minister Three urgent priorities are set to strain Europe's public finances over the next few years. The first — and most obvious — is defence. The push to boost military spending is primarily a response to Vladimir Putin's aggression, compounded by US President Donald Trump's relentless criticism of America's NATO allies. Together, these pressures have made strengthening Europe's defence posture a strategic necessity. The second, and arguably more urgent, priority is to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. If Ukraine's defences were to collapse, a revanchist Russia would likely go on a rampage. Ensuring that Ukraine can continue to defend itself will require European governments to go beyond their existing defence-spending commitments. And lastly, there is the lengthy process of producing the European Union's next multiyear budget, which will cover the period from 2028 to 2034. The European Commission has already presented its proposal, but the real challenge lies ahead, as member states and the European Parliament must go through internal negotiations before agreeing on the final numbers. Supporting Ukraine through the war and the country's eventual reconstruction will also require a substantial financial commitment. The commission's proposal includes increased funding for security, global commitments, and competitiveness, as well as additional support for Ukraine. Although these priorities have been widely supported, the reallocation of resources needed to fund them has been the subject of fierce debate. It is safe to say the commission is headed for a bruising political showdown before a consensus is reached. Despite the intensity of these budgetary battles, the commission's proposed budget amounts to just 1.26% of the combined gross national income (GNI) of the EU's 27 member states. While that is up from 1.13% today, the net increase is relatively modest once debt-servicing costs from the bloc's post-pandeemic borrowing spree are factored in. When it comes to defence, however, the numbers are far more significant. Across Europe, defence budgets have grown by roughly one third in recent years, with most of NATO's European members spending around 2% of their GDP or nearing that benchmark. But even that is no longer enough. At the June NATO summit in The Hague, members pledged to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for loosely defined defence- and security-related investments. The extra 1.5% appears designed to appease Trump, who has repeatedly called for European allies to boost military spending to 5% of GDP. Much of this additional spending is expected to rely on creative accounting rather than actual new funding. Supporting Ukraine through the war and the country's eventual reconstruction will also require a substantial financial commitment. While estimates vary, $100 billion per year, for example, would amount to just over 0.4% of the combined GDP of the EU and the United Kingdom — significant but far from unmanageable. At some point within the 2028-35 budget window, the cost of rebuilding Ukraine will need to be addressed. Some studies have estimated the cost of reconstruction at around $500 billion, though this figure includes areas that may remain under Russian control for the foreseeable future. Much will also depend on whether security guarantees and the prospect of Ukraine's EU accession can foster an environment conducive to large-scale private investment. Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a glide bomb strike in Kharkiv, northern Ukraine, 25 July 2025. Photo: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV Of course, new demands may emerge, placing additional strain on Europe's finances. Several European governments, for example, have already slashed development aid or diverted part of it to support Ukraine. While this may have been a necessary short-term response to Russia's invasion, its long-term consequences remain unclear. Currently, only Norway, Sweden, and Denmark meet the United Nations target of allocating 0.7% of GNI to development assistance. Following the Trump administration's dramatic foreign-aid cuts and the shutdown of the US Agency for International Development, there is a strong case for Europe to fill the void. A more desperate world will be more volatile and less secure, making development a strategic imperative as well as a moral one. Meeting all of these commitments will not be easy, especially for governments already grappling with high deficits and rising public debt. My guess is that northern European countries will reach NATO's 3.5%-of-GDP defence spending target well before 2035, while southern European countries — with the exception of Greece — will likely fail to meet it. With France, Italy, and Spain all heading for elections by 2027, the political appetite for the spending cuts needed to increase defence budgets will likely remain limited. There is a stark contrast between NATO's swift approval of large spending pledges and the EU's wrangling over far smaller amounts. This trend is already evident in the distribution of aid to Ukraine. In the first four months of 2025, the Nordic countries contributed $6.8 billion, the UK provided $5.3 billion, and Germany put up $760 million, while Spain and Italy gave only a fraction of those amounts. The irony is that the EU member states often labelled as 'frugal' are the ones actually willing to provide funding to advance the bloc's agreed-upon priorities. Meanwhile, the less frugal countries prefer to call for more borrowing, even though they have limited room to do so themselves. These tensions are now driving the intensifying battle over Europe's finances. There is a stark contrast between NATO's swift approval of large spending pledges and the EU's wrangling over far smaller amounts. Whatever the outcome, the coming fiscal fight will test how able and willing Europe's leaders are to confront the serious security challenges ahead. This article was first published by Project Syndicate. Views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the position of Novaya Gazeta Europe
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
TV star Billy Porter blasted over 'replaced the Jews' line while promoting new musical
Award-winning actor Billy Porter has sparked controversy during a recent appearance on CBS Mornings, where he remarked that 'black people have replaced the Jews' while discussing his new leading role on Broadway. The 55-year-old actor and singer appeared on the network's morning segment on Monday to promote his role as the Emcee in the Broadway revival of the 1966 musical Cabaret. Cabaret is a dark, provocative classic set in 1930s Berlin that explores the fate of a seedy nightclub and its patrons as the shadow of Nazism begins to fall over the city. However, for the first time, this new revival will feature three Black actors in its leading roles - a historic casting choice Porter confirmed on Monday. 'This is the first time in the 60-year history that all three of those characters have been African-American in a commercial production,' he said. 'And with what's going on in the world right now, black people have replaced the Jews in this sort of configuration of what we're going through.' His comment quickly sparked a wave of backlash across the internet, including from Broadway influencer Ben Lebofsky, who has a significant following on TikTok. Lebofsky, who has 23.2K followers under the handle @broadwayben, posted a video on Tuesday accusing Porter of downplaying antisemitism. Specifically, the influencer argued that Porter's remark implied that 'Jews no longer face discrimination,' a statement that ignited significant concern and debate among viewers who felt it overlooked the persistence of anti-Jewish prejudice. 'As we all know, antisemitism is alive and well, and to me, it feels like Billy's comments here is dismissing,' Lebofsky said in the video. 'Which becomes even more problematic when you consider that he is about to step into a musical that is first and foremost about Jewish trauma,' he added. Though Lebofsky took issue with Porter's wording, he also recognized that the parallels drawn between the experiences of Jewish and black Americans are not without merit - reflecting complex and shared histories of oppression. 'I think what he is trying to say is that, in today's day and age, black people face a lot of discrimination, and you can draw a lot of parallels to the discrimination that black people face and the discrimination that Jewish people face, which I think is a true statement,' Lebofsky added. The comments beneath Lebofsky's video largely echoed his concerns, with many viewers expressing anger and frustration over Porter's remarks. 'Not to mention the huge population of black Jews he is just ignoring. Jewish doesn't equal white,' one comment read. A second added: 'Genuinely what would possess him to say that while playing the Emcee.' Often seen as the symbolic heart of Cabaret, the Emcee (right) embodies the seductive excess and creeping decay of Weimar-era Berlin - ultimately offering a haunting mirror to an unraveling society as the Nazi regime rises to power 'It's like you can hear the exact moment that the Cabaret PR team started to have a panic attack,' another viewer wrote. A fourth concurred, accompanied by a sad-face emoji: 'Clearly Billy Porter doesn't know the plot of Cabaret.' 'Billy has always played the Oppression Olympics. The only pain he's interested in discussing is his own,' wrote another. The latest revival of Cabaret debuted last year with Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne captivating audiences as the Emcee. Now, Billy Porter will step into the spotlight, bringing his own bold interpretation to the iconic role as the production heads toward its final curtain this October. Porter's role as the Emcee - the flamboyant, enigmatic master of ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club, where much of the story unfolds - places him at the center of the musical's unsettling world. Often seen as the symbolic heart of Cabaret, the Emcee embodies the seductive excess and creeping decay of Weimar-era Berlin - ultimately offering a haunting mirror to an unraveling society as the Nazi regime rises to power. Back in April, Porter participated in a photo project titled Borrowed Spotlight, which paired Holocaust survivors with prominent celebrities to amplify their stories and ensure their experiences continue to be seen and heard. 'I was honored to meet fellow New Yorker Bella Rosenberg for a photoshoot with @brycethompson and the @borrowedspotlight project,' Porter wrote in an Instagram post regarding his experience.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Broadway actor says 'Black people have replaced the Jews' in Nazi Germany-era play
Actor Billy Porter defended lead roles in WWII play being played by Black actors in the musical "Cabaret" as a political act, on "CBS Mornings."
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Adam Lambert sells his dangerously stylish Beverly Hills home for $6.2M. See it
Singer and actor Adam Lambert has waved goodbye to his super chic Beverly Hills, California, estate for $6.2 million and is passing it on to new owners who too will fawn over its epic views. 'Hollywood Hills perfection,' the description on Zillow said of the four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 5,028-square-foot property. 'This gated Sunset Strip stunner is sited on an expansive lot complete with a drive on motor court and a glorious large yard with swimming pool, spa, outdoor kitchen and firepit,' the listing says. Built in 1952, the home has clearly been updated to reflect modern decor and style, which includes four bedroom suites, a workout room and an open floor plan that includes moving glass walls in the living room, the listing says. Other features, per the listing, include: Chef's kitchen'Seductive' primary suiteSwimming poolDramatic views The listing was held by Greg Holcomb of Carolwood Estates. The buyers were represented by Dennis DeWalt and Brandon Meneses of The Beverly Hills Estates. Lambert is best known for being a contestant on 'American Idol' and most recently taking on Broadway in 'Cabaret.' Next, he's starring opposite 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo in 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' Variety reported.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Broadway star Billy Porter says 'Black people have replaced the Jews' while promoting revival of 'Cabaret'
Actor Billy Porter said "Black people have replaced the Jews" in today's world during an interview on Monday about his revival of the musical "Cabaret" with actors of color. In the play, Porter plays "Emcee," an American fleeing the Jim Crow South in the 1930s who ends up in a concentration camp in Europe. He told "CBS Mornings" this was the first time three Black actors had played the lead roles in the musical, and compared how Black people are being treated today to how Jews were treated during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. "This is the first time in the 60-year history that all three of those characters have been African-American in a commercial production," he said. "And with what's going on in the world right now, Black people have replaced the Jews in this sort of configuration of what we're going through." Cabaret's original plot portrays a nightclub in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and has several prominent Jewish characters. Porter described the production as "a call to action" for audiences. "I hope this piece is when you come to see it, you know, it lights a fire under booties, so that we can remind ourselves that love always wins, and all we have to do is get out in the streets and do our work," he continued. "CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King agreed, remarking, "We need that reminder." The clip was first flagged by TikTok influencer Ben Lebofsky on X. "I'm sorry- Black people have WHAT??" he wrote in response to the clip. His post reached over one million views in 48 hours. Porter also told CBS that he was turned down from auditioning for the role in the late 1990s but feels like getting the part now is timely. "With the state of the world right now and with art as my activism, as my resistance, I'm right where I'm supposed to be for this piece," he said. A spokesperson for Porter did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
