Latest news with #Dame
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Harry Kane-backed SeatUnique to score with £10m funding
A premium ticketing platform backed by the England football captain Harry Kane is raising a further £10m in funding to take advantage of the fast-growing 'experience economy'. Sky News has learnt that SeatUnique, which is run by co-founder Robin Sherry, is in talks to secure the new capital in an extension of its recent Series A round. The funding is expected to be committed entirely by existing investors, led by Nickleby Capital, which has backed a string of technology unicorns. Money latest: SeatUnique has deals with venues such as Wembley Stadium, Manchester's Co-op Live arena and the 16 racecourses operated by Arena Racing. A number of additional contracts are said to be under negotiation. Ben Stokes, the England men's Test cricket captain, and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, the 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion, are also backers of SeatUnique. One source close to the situation said the new funding was likely to be followed by a much larger Series B fundraising next year. The company is chaired by Richard Flint, the former SkyBet chief who also chairs the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. It markets original ticketing inventory, unlike secondary platforms which have come under growing political pressure for their treatment of consumers. SeatUnique declined to comment on its Series A extension.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dem lambasted for saying ‘we're not going to have anyone around to wipe our a--es' without more immigration
Vermont's sole U.S. House member was lambasted on Tuesday after video surfaced of her warning Vermonters that unless the feds increase immigration to the U.S., "we're not going to have anyone around to wipe our a--es." Vermont Republican Party Chairman Paul Dame said Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., should apologize for her remarks both because of the "crude choice of words" and "disturbing sentiment" that the primary reason for allowing immigrants in is to "perform labor that she deems beneath the dignity of others." "It seems that every month Vermonters are subjected to coarse and vulgar language from our federal representatives," Dame lamented. "At the heart of these remarks is an opinion so offensive and so profoundly out of touch that it reveals a fundamental lack of respect for those who come to this country – abiding by the rules – in pursuit of freedom, opportunity, and a better life." Vermont Gop Pushes For Penalties Against Dems Accused Of Disrupting De-trans Event At Capitol Dame noted Vermont has welcomed foreigners to work at a microchip factory in Essex Junction and as well-trained physicians in the state's hospitals. Read On The Fox News App Mark Coester is a small business owner, fishmonger and craftman running as a Republican to oppose Balint in 2026. He criticized the congresswoman's comments and shared a headline reporting ICE arrested 10 construction workers one day later in the same town where she spoke. "Pack em up, fly em out," Coester wrote on X, in response to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., condemning the "dragnet raid." "Only an entitled Vermont Democrat would say such a thing," added former Vermont state Senate candidate Paul Bean, going on to warn tradesmen that the lawmaker purportedly "thinks you are basically a--wipers." Rnc Files Lawsuit Over Noncitizen Voting Rights In Vermont's Largest City Speaking in Newport, near the Canadian border, Balint said she used to have her middle school students take the official U.S. citizenship test as a classroom exercise. "And then they would take it home and have their parents take it. It was scary… We have to solve the immigration problem," she said. "I feel like in this moment we've forgotten that we actually can have an orderly immigration system that allows people, whether it's to come here legally to work, we all know our ag system in Vermont would collapse without labor," she said, calling the issue "existential." "If we don't have avenues for people to come here legally to work or to build a home here, I'm going to be really crude right now, we're not going to have anyone around to wipe our asses – because we don't have enough people in our country now to fill the jobs that we have right now, but we have to make sure those folks are getting a decent wage and making sure that their rights are protected…" Balint added that supporting secure borders is "not xenophobic" but that there is "lawlessness" from the Trump administration's ICE and Homeland Security apparatuses. Balint told Fox News Digital later Tuesday that in the last four months, the Trump administration "has repeatedly wrongfully detained, deported, and disappeared people — an immoral violation of fundamental human rights." "He has made immigrants, regardless of status, feel unsafe and targeted all around the country. As Vermonters, we're so proud that we are seen as a safe place to land. I'm unwavering in my position that immigrants and refugees are welcome in Vermont and that every worker in every job deserves dignity and fair wages — from doctors and scientists to carpenters and farmworkers." "I've relentlessly condemned the Trump administration's cruel practices targeting and separating immigrant families, and I will continue to stand up for the rights of every person in this country," Balint article source: Dem lambasted for saying 'we're not going to have anyone around to wipe our a--es' without more immigration
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Quarter of deaths in 2023 ‘avoidable', statistics show
Just over a quarter of those who died in Scotland during 2023 had an 'avoidable death', National Records of Scotland (NRS) has said. Defined as being a death which is 'considered preventable or treatable', 16,548 (26%) deaths in 2023 were classed as avoidable. The rate of avoidable deaths remained broadly steady from 2022, the NRS figures show. The leading cause of avoidable mortality in 2023 remained cancer, followed by circulatory diseases. Nearly one in six avoidable deaths was alcohol or drug-related, research from NRS found. Those in the 20% most deprived areas of the country were four times more likely to have an avoidable death in 2023 than those in the 20% least deprived, it said. Stefania Sechi, assistant statistician at NRS, said: 'The rate of avoidable deaths decreased over most years from 2001. 'They increased suddenly during the pandemic. They came back down afterwards, but the rate of avoidable mortality is still higher than before the coronavirus pandemic. 'Alcohol and drug-related avoidable deaths are at their third highest level since 2001. 'These causes are more likely in deprived areas and more likely in males. These deaths are all classed as avoidable.' Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'This heartbreaking report shows far too many Scots are still having their lives cut short needlessly. 'These are the worst consequences of government incompetence and the SNP Government cannot escape the fact it has missed its cancer treatment time targets time and time again, failed to deal with the growing crisis of drug and alcohol deaths, and let chaos engulf our NHS. 'As is so often the case, it is the poorest people in Scotland paying the harshest price for these failures.' Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'I am determined to address the causes of ill health and prevent it from occurring in the first place. 'We will continue to build on our track record of strong public health interventions to prevent cancers where possible. These include measures to reduce smoking prevalence – including ensuring children born after January 1, 2009 can never legally buy tobacco as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. 'Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading minimum unit price policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions, and contributed to tackling health inequalities. 'As well as opening the UK's first safer drug consumption facility pilot, we're working towards a drug-checking pilot which would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends, and widening access to life-saving naloxone, treatment and residential rehabilitation.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: World of Miniatures Fair brings cinematic charm and tiny treasures to Westville
THE biggest little show in KZN did not disappoint as vendors displayed scale models, fairy gardens, teddy bears, fairy houses, model trains, bonsai and doll houses. With the theme, 'Cinematography' the public were in for a treat as some of the displays were from films, TV series and theatre shows such as Minions, Jaws, Shrek, Phantom of the Opera, Star Wars, Mamma Mia, Little Shop of Horrors and My Fair Lady. The World of Miniatures Fair hosted by The Durban Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (Dame) was held on Saturday at the Westville Country Club. Radio presenter Dave Guselli was a special guest for the day. Dame is made up of a small group of creative miniaturists who are passionate about promoting the craft of building and creating miniatures. Also read: Step back in time: Durban's Old House Museum brings history to life Although making miniatures comes with a lots of challenges, for many members whether they create miniatures as a hobby or a career, 'it is a wonderful escape from all the challenges faced by the world today – it is a way to nurture that often-neglected 'inner child',' said one of the members. Every year the financial proceeds obtained through fees, collections and raffles go towards a worthy cause. This year proceeds will go to Reach for Recovery. The organisation has been active in SA since 1967. They have supported breast cancer patients for almost 60 years. Their aim is to provide practical and emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families throughout South Africa. One of the organisers, Priscilla Kleyntjies, thanked everyone who came through on Saturday to support the fair. 'We would also like to thank all our vendors that are non-club members. Everyone made the day special. Kleyntjies also thanked their sponsors for their generosity. 'To the committee members and Dame Club members, we are grateful for the unwavering commitment and hard work.' For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Column: Jazz singer Elaine Dame takes a new road with ‘Reminiscing'
The singer Elaine Dame has had an interesting life, so far. She was telling me about its latest chapter earlier this month. It was a few days before her performance at Winter's Jazz Club and she said, 'There will be songs that I have performed for years, but also a great deal of material from my new CD. It's called 'Reminiscing' and, well, it's something different.' Before we get to that, know that Dame grew up in Stevensville, Michigan, where she was introduced to music by her parents, especially her mother, who was a flutist and singer. Her grandparents were also influential, with one grandmother often taking her to concerts and plays and a grandfather who was a Protestant minister. She took piano and flute lessons and was so talented that she earned a scholarship to Pepperdine University in California, where she studied classical flute, singing and theater. She moved to nearby California State University to participate in the school's inaugural theater repertory program and then spent nearly a decade attempting to craft a life and career in theater in Los Angeles, which, I've heard, doesn't have much of a theater scene. And so she came home in 1992. The Chicago theater scene proved kinder and livelier than that of LA but after a few years she began feeling unfulfilled. And then she read a book titled 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron, who was once married to film director Martin Scorsese but also once wrote articles for the Tribune, before the unlikely success of her book — first distributed as photocopies in stores before selling millions in book form — took her to self-help superstardom. Some of the book's lessons and advice on 'recovering your creative self' and unleashing 'your own inner artist' convinced Dame it was music and not theater that was her calling. 'Her book is very powerful and put me in such a positive mood,' Dame says. She dove boldly into music again and the local scene, finding, she says, 'A very nurturing place and one filled with understanding people. The members of the jazz community support one another because we know how hard it is out there.' She started working with a pianist, refining her skills and, in time, success began at a steady pace. She performed at jazz festivals, at New York City's Rainbow Room and Michael Feinstein's 54 Below, at most of the city's clubs and others across the country. She recorded two acclaimed CDs, 'Comes Love' (2005) and 'You're My Thrill' (2014). Like many artists, notably musicians, she also taught, in her case classical flute, piano and singing at her home in the East Lakeview neighborhood, saying, 'There are some students who have been with me for more than 10 years and they have run in age from 7 to 72.' One of the advantages of the internet is that it enables one to view and listen to performers, though I feel it is always preferable to see them in person. You can hear some of her music at and also read what critics have had to say. Few have written more about Dame than local critic Neil Tesser. He has written the liner notes for all of Dame's CDs, and here is a bit of what he has written in the past: 'The Dame stands straight up at a microphone, like she owns it — or rather, like she co-owns it with her onstage collaborators. She sings with confidence and craft, letting her upper register swell open with a cocky confidence, but she doesn't overdo it; same thing with that vibrato, now slight, now thrilling, perched between jazz and Broadway — between Ella Fitzgerald and Ethel Merman.' And now, comes Dame's new chapter, featuring 'Reminiscing.' It took some time to get here, tragically delayed by the death of her parents and the pains of the pandemic. But, released in February, it is a flat-out delight. 'It was not just my desire to do something new but, as much as my first two CDs are devoted to the American Songbook tradition, I love '70s music and this is it,' she said. It is a gathering of nine songs, arranged by Dame and saxophonist Chris Madsen. Here's Tesser again: 'On 'Reminiscing,' Elaine does more than just cover her teenage soundtrack; with a blend of nostalgia and adventure, she claims these songs as her own and adds them to the ever-expanding American Songbook. She isn't the first to do this, but on Reminiscing, she shows she's among the best. And she comes at them with the perspective of a woman artist in an era of change.' It is now, then, time for you to have a listen. rkogan@ 7 p.m. May 30 at CityGate Grille, 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville; Then 6 p.m. June 5 at The Chicago Firehouse, 1401 S. Michigan Ave.;
