Latest news with #TheObserver
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE May Begin Holding Two WrestleMania Events In One Year: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE's biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, could be going international in a huge way. A new report suggests that there is a significant push for the event to take place in Saudi Arabia, a move that could potentially lead to two WrestleMania events in a single year. According to a report in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, officials in Saudi Arabia are operating under the belief that they will host a WrestleMania in 2027. The report also notes they have a specific headliner in mind for the monumental show. WWE WrestleMania In Saudi Arabia? The Observer's report states that not only is there a belief that WrestleMania will come to the Kingdom in 2027, but there is a strong push for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to headline the event. The idea of two WrestleManias in one year has reportedly been discussed as a way to make this happen without moving the traditional North American event. This would be a monumental step in the long-term partnership between WWE and Saudi Arabia. It would take their business relationship to an entirely new level. A Lucrative WWE Partnership Since 2018, WWE has had a highly profitable 10-year partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to produce two large-scale premium live events in the country each year. These events, such as Crown Jewel and King & Queen of the Ring, have become a major part of the WWE calendar and have featured some of the company's biggest matches. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Digital screens display WrestleMania logos during the Undisputed WWE Championship match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Digital screens display WrestleMania logos during the Undisputed WWE Championship match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MoreMore news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match While the partnership has been a source of controversy at times, it is an undeniable financial success for WWE's parent company, TKO Group Holdings. For Saudi Arabia, hosting WrestleMania, WWE's "Super Bowl," would be a massive global prestige event. Global WWE Expansion The idea of an international WrestleMania aligns perfectly with WWE's aggressive global expansion strategy. In recent years, the company has taken its premium live events to major stadiums in Puerto Rico, France, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Taking their flagship brand, WrestleMania, to an international stage is the next logical step in that strategy. The Rock is the perfect person to headline such an event. As one of the biggest movie stars in the world and a member of the TKO Board of Directors, he is the ultimate global ambassador for the company. His return to the ring as "The Final Boss" earlier this year was a massive ratings and box office success, proving he is still one of the biggest draws in wrestling history. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Michelle Gomez addresses concerns over joining new Harry Potter audiobook series
Michelle Gomez has issued a statement in response to criticism following her casting in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, produced by Pottermore Publishing and Audible. The Scottish actor, known for Doctor Who, will voice Professor McGonagall in the new recordings of J.K. Rowling's seven original books. The announcement has drawn backlash online due to ongoing controversy surrounding Rowling's public comments on transgender issues. Posting on Instagram, Gomez addressed 'my LGBTQ+ fans, and especially the trans community,' stating: 'I hear you, and I understand why this is painful for many. I want to be clear that I stand with trans people, and I support trans rights — fully and without hesitation.' She explained that she accepted the role as someone who had 'always loved the stories and what they meant to so many, especially those who found comfort and identity in that world.' She added that she now understood 'how deeply complicated and hurtful this association can feel,' and emphasised her commitment to listening and taking accountability. The series will feature over 200 actors, with Hugh Laurie voicing Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, and Cush Jumbo as narrator. Two sets of younger and older actors will portray Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger across the seven books. The first audiobook, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, will be released on November 4 2025, with subsequent titles arriving monthly. Other cast members have also addressed the controversy. Nick Frost, playing Rubeus Hagrid, told The Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form.' The full cast list will be revealed in the coming months as production continues.
Refinery29
5 days ago
- Politics
- Refinery29
Diane Abbott & The Unspoken Rules Of Talking About Race In Britain
When news broke that Diane Abbott had been suspended again by the Labour Party for doubling down on her comments about Irish, Jewish and Traveller communities not experiencing racism, I wasn't surprised. Frustrated? Sure. But surprised? Not really. We've seen this playbook before, especially when it comes to Black women who dare to speak boldly and unapologetically. For context, in 2023, Abbott wrote in a letter to The Observer that while Irish, Jewish and Traveller communities experience prejudice, they don't experience racism in the same way as Black people. The backlash she faced was immediate, with the Labour Party suspending her and Keir Starmer labelling her comments as antisemitic. Eventually, she apologised, withdrew her remarks, and was reinstated just in time to stand as a Labour candidate in last year's general election. Recently, when she was asked if she regretted her comments in a BBC radio interview broadcast two weeks ago, she said, 'No, not at all," adding: 'Clearly, there must be a difference between racism which is about colour and other types of racism, because you can see a Traveller or a Jewish person walking down the street, you don't know.' It was these remarks that led to her being suspended once again. Let's be clear: what Diane Abbott originally said the first time around was poorly worded, lacked the nuance required, and, legally, was false. While Jewish and Traveller communities are not necessarily racial groups, they are ethnic groups, because they have a collective identity based on shared history, culture and ancestral ties. And under UK law — specifically, the Equality Act 2010 — these ethnic groups are protected as 'races' to prevent them from becoming subject to discrimination. So, although these communities may not constitute as races, they can still, by law, experience racism — making Diane Abbott's claim partly wrong, but not wholly wrong. Ultimately, how we define race can get messy. What really is 'race', anyway? Quite frankly, it's an obsolete term that was created by European scientists during the Enlightenment period to ascribe varying levels of 'intelligence' to people of different skin colours. The very concept of race, therefore, is rooted in prejudice towards people of colour. It has always been weaponised against us and used as a tool to justify white supremacy, the myth of Black inferiority, and atrocities such as slavery and colonialism. This is why there was a very valid truth in what Diane Abbott said, and the backlash she faced tells us more about Britain's discomfort with conversations on race than it does about any single line in her letter. After all, if race as a social construct was created to legitimise the dehumanisation and commodification of Black and brown bodies, then is it wholly wrong to claim that people of colour have a monopoly over the experience of racism? For Black and brown people, racial prejudice plays out differently because we don't get to hide the difference in our identity. We can't take off our skin and put it back on as we please, in the same way a Jewish man can with a kippah or a Roma woman can with a dikhlo headscarf. We have no choice but to wear the very thing that subjects us to hostility and violence everywhere we go. ' Diane Abbott's comments warranted some correction, yes. But they also deserve context. Because if we can't have difficult conversations about the clear differences in how racism operates — in how it shows up depending on who you are and what you look like — then we're not fighting racism. ' I'll never forget when I was refused entry into a club in France while studying abroad. There I was, dressed up, standing outside the club while the white girls I was with were all waved through with ease just minutes earlier. Even after explaining I was with them, and one of them vouched for me, he refused to budge — then let in more white girls after me. Not much needed to be said. His cold glare spoke a thousand words. I wasn't good enough to enter the club because I was Black. It was humiliating. That's what racism rooted in skin colour does. It denies you your humanity before you've even opened your mouth. Just by laying their eyes on you, people decide, 'You don't belong here'. The socioeconomic impact of this is striking. According to the McGregor-Smith Review, people of colour in the UK are less likely to be hired and routinely face hiring discrimination based on their names, racial disparities which cost the UK economy £24 billion annually. We're also less likely to receive business investment or approval for bank loans. In the criminal justice system, we're more likely to be stopped, searched and arrested, and Black defendants are 40% more likely to be jailed than white defendants for the same offences. These aren't just perceptions. They're real-life consequences of institutional racism. And beyond the material impact is the psychological toll of constantly seeing Black bodies brutalised in headlines, on social media, and in the streets we walk every day. I grew up hearing about my male friends getting roughed up by the police for no reason other than the fact that they were teenage Black boys. We were just kids, but society had already decided we were threats. That feeling of constantly being 'othered' simply because of the colour of your skin does something to you. It wears you down. It's a feeling that Diane Abbott is all too familiar with. After all, she was the first Black woman ever to be elected to Parliament and has endured constant racist and sexist abuse throughout her political career. According to Amnesty International, she received almost half of all abusive tweets directed at female MPs in the 2017 election. So when she tried to draw a line between racism faced by people of colour and prejudice faced by other minority communities, she was speaking from her lived experience. I got what she meant. So did most people of colour. It's not that one experience of hostility is worse than another; it's that they're not the same. That difference deserves interrogation, not silencing. But instead of engaging with nuance, Labour weaponised her words – and her apology – against her. It's hard to ignore the fact that this all happened under the leadership of Keir Starmer — a man who called Black Lives Matter 'a moment', and delivered a speech that claimed that further immigration would risk making the UK an 'island of strangers'. Besides, Starmer has been unequivocally vocal about denouncing the 'stain' of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, promising to 'tear out this poison by its roots'. But if suspending Diane Abbott is part of his attempt to do just this, then he is barking up the wrong bush. As Abbott rightly said, any rational, 'fair-minded person' should be able to accept that there is a distinction between racism towards people of colour and discrimination towards white people who have their own ethnic subculture. To pretend this is not the case is simply disingenuous, and, in some way, can be seen as invalidating the reality of racism and its scientific roots. In a statement reacting to her suspension, Abbott said, 'It is obvious this Labour leadership wants me out.' She is probably right. This whole scandal isn't about standards or values. It's about punishing a Black woman for making white people uncomfortable, and doing it loudly and unapologetically. Diane Abbott's comments warranted some correction, yes. But they also deserve context. Because if we can't have difficult conversations about the clear differences in how racism operates — in how it shows up depending on who you are and what you look like — then we're not fighting racism. We're oversimplifying it and protecting white feelings. And that helps no one.
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario Green Party leader drumming up support for foodbelt bill over the summer
The summer BBQ circuit finds Guelph MPP and Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner out drumming up support for a bill that would protect farmland. Schreiner and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, the independent MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk, introduced a private member's bill at Queen's Park in May. The bill looks to establish a committee led by members of the industry to develop a 'foodbelt' to protect farmland in Ontario. The committee would consist of farmers, farm organizations, and experts in soil, land planning and agriculture. Schreiner told The Observer that the 319 acres of farmland that are lost in the province every day were a major 'motivation behind this bill.' 'That's the equivalent of nine family farms every week. When we think of the threats to our economy and our sovereignty currently, I think it's just essential to protect the land that feeds us in terms of maintaining our food sovereignty and security – the land that is the foundation of the $50-billion food and farming economy that employs over 875,000 people in Ontario, which is the largest employer in the province.' While Ontario is large, covering more than 892,000 square kilometres, just five per cent of it is usable farmland, and only 0.1 per cent is prime farmland, he noted. 'I think it's just essential that we have a plan to protect it, especially because the rate of farmland loss is been going up so rapidly in recent years.' This bill comes on the heels of the controversial Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act (Bill 5), which gave Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet members the ability to assign special economic zones. This would essentially allow developers and their organization on this site the ability to bypass other provincial and municipal rules. Though Schreiner said that he and Brady have been working on this type of farm protection well before the controversial Bill 5, the introduction of the bill, 'accelerated our desire to get this bill introduced and through first reading.' 'I think farmland protection needs to be a part of the conversation around Bill five, because there's nothing in Bill 5 that would prevent the premier's cabinet from declaring substantial acreage of farmland a special economic zone,' added Schreiner. Since its initial proposal, the bill has received support from all parties and all different parts of the political spectrum, he said He has also spoken to Minister of Agriculture Trevor Jones and Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well. 'I've had certain members of the Conservative caucus reach out to me, especially those who represent ridings where farming is a big part of the local economy.' With the legislature on summer break, Schreiner will be travelling around Ontario talking about this bill and other issues. He has met many people who have expressed support for this new bill and also seen support from environmental groups and the province's agriculture organizations. All of this support and discourse about the Protect Our Food Act might come from the fact that this bill touches on many different political perspectives all at once. Schreiner noted that it specifically comes from three different perspectives. The first of those is the economy, which he notes is the agri-food sector, the largest employer in the province. 'I think people recognize the economic implications,' added Schreiner. The second perspective is environmental, and it plays a very important role in protecting the environment. The third important perspective that the bill follows is social justice and food sovereignty. 'There are issues around food security and hunger, social justice, where people are saying, 'We want people in Ontario to be able to have access to local food,'' noted Schreiner. 'Ontario's 49,000 plus farmers produce over 200 different crops and livestock, which is one of the most diverse availabilities of food anywhere in the world.' Given the major weather incidents and conflicts around the globe, protecting the places that produce food is particularly important just now, he stressed. 'That has real economic and financial implications for people's lives and their ability to be able to afford to feed themselves and their families. So protecting agricultural land in Ontario ensures that we have secure access to affordable, healthy, local food,' he added. 'I think it is critically important because it touches a lot of people's lives in different ways. And I think that's one of the reasons you've seen support for the bill.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Metro
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Ditch your weekend plans to binge 'unpredictable' Keeley Hawes Amazon thriller
If you have weekend plans, cancel them – Amazon Prime Video has just dropped all six episodes of a new thriller series starring Keeley Hawes. The Assassin, written by The Missing creators Harry and Jack Williams, stars Spooks actress Keeley, 49, alongside Charlie and the Chocolate factory star Freddie Highmore. An original series, The Assassin follows Keeley as Julie, a retired former assassin living in Greece – her life is turned upside down when her estranged son turns up looking for answers. From that point on, it's revealed that Julie's past is mysterious and full of secrets, and that her old relationship was similarly filled with darkness that her son Edward wants to know more about. However, what time they have for any confessional family reunions is ultimately cut short when their lives are plunged into danger after Julie's past comes back to haunt her. All six episodes were made available to stream on July 25, which gives fans the chance to binge the entire series before going back to work on Monday. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Metro's TV Editor Sabrina Barr shares her thoughts after watching three out of six episodes before the series launch. The new Amazon Prime series created by The Tourist's Harry and Jack Williams isn't just packed with gripping twists and stunt choreography that'll have you on the edge of your seat. It's also funny. And not just enough to spark a light chuckle. It's funny in a quintessentially British fashion, with humour that's dry and relatable. I was sucked in straight away. It's mind-boggling to me that Freddie, 33, and Keeley, 49, haven't worked together before when their on-screen chemistry is this dynamic. Metro had the opportunity to attend an early screening of the first episode of The Assassin, followed by a Q&A session with the writers and actors. The Assassin begins all guns blazing – literally – with a flashback to Julie's past, when she's still in full swing as a highly-trained assassin in her younger years (played by Georgina Bitmead). Fast-forward three decades, and her days as an unstoppable killing machine are behind her. Or so it would seem. It's Mamma Mia combined with Taken, with a dash of Black Doves thrown in for good measure. Having only seen the first three episodes out of six so far, I feel as though the series still has room to grow to give me the level of TV-watching satisfaction that I crave as an avid fan of the genre. I can't predict how the show will end – but I'm firmly strapped in. Read Sabrina's full thoughts here. Speaking to The Observer about being a 'perimenopausal James Bond', Keeley revealed that she actually laughed out loud when she first read The Assassin's script. 'When I saw that line in the script, I howled with laughter. You even glimpse her popping HRT pills. I don't think I've ever seen that in a drama before – [my character] can't go on the run without her HRT. '[The Assassin] is an action caper that's very funny. It's the TV equivalent of a summer blockbuster. And we spent five months filming it in Athens. What's not to love?' Keeley also revealed that she did her own stunts for the series, explaining: 'I threw a guy over a car and did virtually a whole fight sequence in a kitchen. That's really me using a cheese fork and a blowtorch as weapons.' She continued: 'I'm basically the new Tom Cruise! No, I don't think Tom needs to worry, but I can see why he enjoys doing stunts so much. I had weapons training. There's a scene where I assemble a sniper rifle in a slick way. It's worryingly easy, actually.' One fan posting on X was excited about the series, with @KeeleyHawesNews saying: 'Honestly? It'll be a miracle if we make it out alive after watching Keeley Hawes in The Assassin'. More Trending Under the trailer on YouTube, @MachiavellisThePrince joked: 'This series seeks to answer the question, 'Why aren't there more middle-aged women action stars?'' As well as Keeley and Jack, who serve as executive producers, the series also stars Riverdale's Gina Gershon, Baby Reindeer star Shalome Brune-Franklin, and Pirates of the Caribbean actor Jack Davenport. The series also features Irish actor Ricard Dormer – who played Beric Dondarrion in Game of Thrones – and No Time to Die actor David Dencik. View More » Watch The Assassin on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Best crime thriller of 2025' tops Netflix charts with nearly 25,000,000 views MORE: Amazon Prime adds 'addictive' TV drama that viewers can't stop watching MORE: 9 deliciously bleak films and where to stream them after 'soul-crushing' new horror
