Latest news with #Tony
The Herald Scotland
15 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Monty Python's Eric Idle says Nigel Farage being ‘taken seriously is appalling'
Claiming Brexit rules limited his options, he told PA: 'Eight years ago, we could go and live in any country in Europe we wanted to and work, and I wasn't even allowed to vote (in the EU referendum) because I lived here (in the US). 'I mean, (Brexit) was just a terrible con, it was a real con, and (the fact) that Nigel Farago (Farage) still exists anywhere and is taken seriously is appalling to me. 'I was with somebody… she said, 'I hope I never see him in a room, because I want to punch him'.' Idle said he was only able to spend three months a year at the home he built in Provence as a result of Brexit, in a recent interview with The Guardian. He told PA: 'I've applied for a talent visa in France, they have a little talent visa, and I feel I'm due one, because last year Spamalot won the Moliere, which is the equivalent of their Tony from Paris. 'And they love their Monty Python here (in France), we won that, we won the Jury Prize for The Meaning Of Life at the Cannes Film Festival, so they do know Python. Eric Idle will head out on a UK tour in September (Eric Idle/Note by Note Media) 'So I'm hopeful that I'll get a little bit of an extension so I don't have to get kicked out, because I was kicked out two years ago, I had to leave, and I couldn't go and see the opening in Paris because I didn't have another day. 'I wrote to Monsieur Macron, and offered him a ticket if he'd let me in, and I said, 'only one ticket, because I don't want to be accused of bribery', but I never heard back.' Spamalot is the stage adaptation of the Monty Python film Holy Grail (1975), which has previously seen acclaimed productions on Broadway and London's West End. Idle now lives in Los Angeles in the US and thinks he could also be made to leave that country if he jokes about US President Donald Trump. He said: 'I think it's quite likely – I'm only a green card holder – that I will be given the boot.' The comedian will return to the UK in September for a solo tour, which will see him perform at venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Glasgow's Armadillo. He is best known for his appearances in the Monty Python's Flying Circus TV series alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, and its spin-off films Holy Grail, Life Of Brian (1979) and The Meaning Of Life (1983). Idle also created The Rutles with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's Neil Innes, a parody band of The Beatles, which featured in two mockumentaries in All You Need Is Cash (1978) and The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003). Mr Farage's Reform UK party have been contacted for comment.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Kingsville says no to municipal accommodation tax
A municipal accommodation tax (MAT) will not be coming to Kingsville, for now at least. Administration presented a report to council Monday night, recommending the town inform Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) that they would not be moving forward with a MAT. Over the course of the spring, TWEPI visited each municipality pitching the idea of implementing a MAT on short-term rentals (STRs) and hotels. The revenue, brought in by visitors, would be split 50/50 between the municipality and TWEPI. Currently, Windsor charges a MAT at six per cent. In their report, Kingsville administration cited concerns over unknown factors, such as the full cost of administering the program, enforcement responsibilities, and lack of clarity surrounding how TWEPI will use the funds for the town. TWEPI suggested that the City of Windsor administer the program, however administration was concerned that there was no certainty on the fees that Windsor would charge for the service, and no confirmation about who would take enforcement action against STRs that do not remit the tax revenue. Resident Tony spoke at the meeting and said he rents out his cottage and was against the implementation of the MAT. 'Let's not add to the problem, more costs to the tourism industry, particularly in the form of a new MAT will only drive visitors to more affordable areas,' he said. Resident Les said he previously lived in Banff for 22 years and served on a tourism council. He said he saw firsthand how a MAT could be beneficial and asked council to reconsider at a later date. 'When tourism numbers are down, there's never been a more important time to consider finding other streams of revenue to try to help us promote Kingsville as a destination,' he said. Council heard that public consultations were held and sentiment was overwhelmingly opposed to implementing a MAT. Administration said it does not believe the revenue-share model proposed by TWEPI is the only option, or perhaps the best option, for Kingsville. Councillor Sheri Lowrie joined other councillors who weren't completely against the tax but wanted to explore it at a later time. 'There's just too many unknowns, too many unanswered questions, so again I just come back to at this time,' Lowrie said. 'I hope to see something come back in the future when we're possibly ready, but we have to let the short-term rentals roll out, let's let that happen, let's grow tourism, and then see if there's an appetite for this later.' LaSalle, Tecumseh , Essex , Amherstburg , Lakeshore and Leamington have not yet decided if they will implement a MAT as they await reports from their staff. TWEPI is asking to be informed of decisions by Aug. 31, 2025. - Written by Dustin Coffman/AM800 News.
Elle
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Sarah Snook and Dave Lawson's Friendship Turned Into a Whirlwind Romance During the Pandemic
Succession star Sarah Snook recently added to her collection of awards with her Tony win for The Picture of Dorian Gray. The dynamic actress is a powerhouse onstage and on-screen. Her private life seems to match her success in public, with a loving marriage of almost four years with actor Dave Lawson. Here's everything to know about Lawson and his connection to Snook so far. David Lawson is originally from Melbourne and is an actor, just like Snook. He grew up in Victoria, then went to private school Haileybury College. He studied advertising and marketing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, according to his LinkedIn profile. His first big role was as the host of Saturday Nick Television on Nickelodeon Australia. 'I never set out to be a kid show host. That was never on the cards. But then, you know, you get through one audition, then you get to another and then you start getting excited and go, 'I actually really want to do this now,'' he said on the Funny In Failure podcast. He also shared how his parents felt about the career pivot: 'I said to Dad, 'I want to really, really want to try acting,' and he said, 'Well, all right, you should give it a go then for a bit but give yourself a cut off time.' But he was supportive as well because he said, 'You know 99 percent of actors are out of work but that also means that 1 percent are in work.' That was great.' Lawson has acted as well as hosted, with credits in Bruce, Utopia, Peter Rabbit, Wentworth, Blue Heelers, The Crew's Ship, and more. In 2020, Snook was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Siobhan Roy in Succession, but the public ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19. Lawson made Snook an Emmy out of tinfoil, which she later shared a photo of after she lost the official award. In 2025, when Snook won her Tony Award for The Picture of Dorian Gray for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, she said in her speech, 'An exceptional thank you to my husband, my soulmate. You are so brilliant holding the fort down and keeping our family together.' The pair met and became friends in 2014 but did not date for years. But everything changed in 2020. 'At the beginning of the pandemic last year, I got locked down in Melbourne with one of my best mates, and we fell in love,' Snook told Vogue Australia in 2021. 'We've been friends since 2014, lived together, traveled together, always excited to see each other, but totally platonic.'She added, 'We've just never been single at the same time. It's been a ride. There's so much heartache and sadness in the world, but on a micro personal level, I've been very fortunate.' Once they knew there was romantic potential, things moved quickly. Snook proposed to Lawson on Halloween that same year, and they were married just a few months later in their Brooklyn backyard. 'We fell in love, I proposed, got married, and had a baby all in a short space of time. It's not too big a word to say 'soulmate,'' she revealed on The Graham Norton Show in 2023. Their first child arrived in May 2023 and Snook shared a cute snap of her baby's head as they watched the season finale of Succession together. Snook first announced she was pregnant at the March 2023 Succession season 4 premiere. At the 2024 Golden Globes, Snook revealed the couple welcomed a girl, saying of motherhood, 'I love it, she's the best.' She added, 'She's standing. Not walking yet, but she's standing supported. She's great. I love her.' Lawson also shared on the Funny in Failure podcast that he has a son from a previous relationship, saying, 'I can't have regrets because I wouldn't have [my son]. It's that problem, if you go back in time and change one thing. A lot of it comes back to being a dad. If I change one thing…I wouldn't want to risk undoing that.'
Vancouver Sun
18 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Condo Smarts: Strata repair projects don't require multiple bids
Dear Tony: Our Burnaby condo is proceeding with long-needed roof repairs. The council have decided to retain the roofing company that has been keeping our roofs on life support without looking for other proposals or bids. A meeting is planned for early August to approve a levy that has owners contributing on average $25,000 a unit, with the roofing to be completed before the end of the year. We are quite concerned because there are few details about the scope of construction, it seems to be an open-ended contract and other than the council president, no one knows how the project will be managed. This is a $2-million project. Don't we require at least three bids? Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. — Darren W. Dear Darren: There is no provision or requirement in either the Strata Property Act or Regulations that require a minimum of three bids. There are large strata corporations with significant purchasing cycles that have imposed specific buying practises in their bylaws, but this is rare. In Metro Vancouver, we have a sufficient supply of competitors. Competitive bidding requires a detailed scope of specifications, fixed rates to address unknown conditions such as a damage, rot, design or code upgrades, and the business relationship and site conditions of the successful bidder. I had two recent experiences with strata corporations that raise concerns for strata owners. The first was a contractor who openly informed the council he would not do the work, which was over $150,000, if he had to comply with the Builder's Lien Hold Back Act, which is required by law for projects of $100,000 or greater. The second was a contractor who refused to participate if he had to bid on a competitive project. The strata corporations in both situations chose to retain consultants for roofing and balcony repairs to set specifications and conduct a formal bidding process. The addition of time and cost for the consultant to detail the design, specify construction materials and installation methods, inspection and progress cycles throughout the projects, and site management were both well worth the effort to see the projects complete on time and on the planned budgets. We don't always have the luxury of time or location. Many rural and remote communities often have the choice of only one contractor, but don't assume this requires your community to abandon the ability to negotiate terms, conditions, and specifications for a project. Written confirmation of all details is still essential. If the conditions require immediate repairs, there is still time for a consultant to specify the scope of repairs for a roofing project. While you may still use the same contractor, you will have a written detail of the project and deliverables. Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association . Email tony@ .
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Experts warn against viral hacks to keep pests out of homes this summer
Many popular methods might not be as effective as many believe. Following on from last weekend's heatwave, temperatures in Scotland are continuing to warm up. However, with hot weather comes unwanted visitors. During the summer months many households grapple with the nuisance of pests invading their homes. If ant, fly or even rat infestations go untreated, they can lead to health hazards, including E. coli and Salmonella. While there are many hacks to control pests ourselves, not all of them are effective. Experts are nowdebunking some of the common DIY pest control 'myths' to help you banish the bugs for good. Tony King, owner of pest control company The Pied Piper, said: "Prevention is your most valuable do-it-yourself method. I always stress how important it is to seal up crevices and holes, as mice can slip into dime-sized holes and rats can slip into holes that are the size of a 20p coin. Steel wool combined with caulk or foam sealant is great to work with when sealing these gaps up, like around pipes on sinks, in utility closets, or in the basement. It's also a good idea to store all of your food from the pantry in air-tight containers, like rice, pasta, cereal, and even pet food. Eliminating the food sources is merely half the battle.' Pest Control Hacks that don't work Using Peppermint or Eucalyptus Oil to repel insects or rodents Article continues below If you're out of mouse traps or don't want to call an expert, you might be tempted to use peppermint or eucalyptus oil to keep mice away. While it's true that some pests don't like strong smells, natural oils aren't a long-term solution, and they'll often just find another way into your home. Using bucket traps or sticky boards to kill rodents Tony said: "With mice, do-it-yourself traps like bucket traps or sticky boards are a tempting option. But if you're not able to catch a single mouse, such methods barely scratch the surface. "Rats are clever, typically suspicious of foreign objects, and sticky traps can result in prolonged suffering without addressing the root issue. An outbreak of full scale requires exclusion work, sealing entry points, and careful baiting methods that most do-it-yourself kits cannot offer.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Using white vinegar or a mixture of lemon juice and water to keep ants away While it's true that acidic chemicals such as vinegar and lemon juice will kill or deter ant pheromone trails, this won't affect their nests or colonies as they often linger in walls or under building foundations. Spraying vinegar on countertops or windows and hanging bags of water to repel flies Flies often buzz around food and our kitchen bins, and fruit flies love food scraps in drains. Some people try spraying white vinegar on the counter in an attempt to attract and then trap flies, but it isn't enough. Another common hack is hanging bags of water to repel flies, but there are no proven beneficial effects of this. Sprinkling baking soda on mattresses or rubbing alcohol on a bedframe to repel bed bugs If you're experiencing a bedbug infestation, you might be tempted to use common DIY tricks like sprinkling baking soda on mattresses to dehydrate them or using rubbing alcohol, but these are not reliable solutions. While baking soda's dehydrating properties could kill a bedbug, it won't affect the colony, nor will rubbing alcohol. Josh Clarke, from the London waste removal experts Clear It Waste, said adequately securing garbage is key if you have a pest infestation or suspect one.
