Latest news with #United Kingdom
ABC News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman and reality TV star, dies aged 76
Iconic singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76. Described as one of the founders of heavy metal music, John Michael Osbourne, or the "Prince of Darkness", was known for his incredible voice, charisma and wild lifestyle. He is outlived by his wife Sharon and his five children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. Through the television show The Osbournes, Ozzy and his family became some of the first reality TV stars across the globe. He has sold over 100 million albums through his solo work and Black Sabbath releases. The singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame first as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and then again as a solo artist in 2024. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ozzy lived a life that not many could. It was filled with drugs, booze and rock 'n' roll. And if you had forgotten: in 1982, at a concert in Des Moines, Iowa, he bit the head off a bat. In an interview with Esquire magazine in 2008, Osbourne said he knew what would be on his tombstone: "Here lies Ozzy Osbourne, the ex-Black Sabbath singer who bit the head off a bat." A memorable moment, no doubt. But Ozzy Osbourne will be remembered for so much more. Ozzy was born at Maternity Hospital in Marston Green in the United Kingdom on December 3, 1948 and grew up in the Aston area of Birmingham. His parents, John and Lilian Osbourne, had six kids — Jean, Iris, Gillian, John (Ozzy), Paul and Tony. He picked up the nickname "Ozzy" as a youngster and it stuck. Growing up in Aston in the 1950's, Ozzy said his childhood was spent "right at the poverty line". "It was pandemonium," he said in his 2010 autobiography I am Ozzy. "I was the kind of kid who always wanted to have fun, and there wasn't much fun to be had in Aston," he said. As an 11-year-old, Ozzy was sexually abused by bullies at his school in Birmingham, he recounted in a 2003 interview. "I was afraid to tell my father or mother and it completely f'ed me up," he said. School life ended at 15 for Ozzy as he left to pursue work as a construction site labourer, trainee plumber, car factory horn-tuner and slaughterhouse worker. He remembered his father saying to him when he was a youngster: "I've got a feeling about you, John Michael Osbourne. You're either going to do something special or you're going to go to prison." "He was right, my old man, I was in prison before my 18th birthday," Ozzy said. At the age of 17, Ozzy was convicted of robbing a clothes shop. As neither he nor his family were able to afford the fine, he spent six weeks in Winson Green Prison. Soon after he joined up with future Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler in 1967 for his first vocalist gig in music. Butler and Ozzy's first attempt at a band, Rare Breed, lasted only two shows. But after recruiting guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward, and a name change, the group shifted to become Black Sabbath. The band's first show as Black Sabbath was in August 1969 in Workington, England and it was there the Prince of Darkness was born. Despite being untrained as a singer, Ozzy had a voice that stood out and he had the energy and wildness to make him a top-level frontman. "Nobody else in the world f***ing sounds like me," he said when looking back on his career in 2008. Rarely does one band pave the way for an entire genre, but Black Sabbath did just that and their influence remains just as strong today as it did in the 70's. Ozzy's vocal range and incredible skill was a crucial part of what made the band so successful. But his antics led to the band's undoing. The relationship between Ozzy and the rest of Black Sabbath deteriorated and on April 27, 1979, he was ejected from the band. His bandmates told him he was unreliable and had excessive substance abuse issues. After leaving the band, Ozzy, at his own admission, began a months-long party filled with drugs and alcohol. But once he got done with that, he launched a solo career that spanned four decades. His first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, was released in 1980 and has since been certified four times platinum. Some debut. Ozzy released a total of 13 albums in his hall-of-fame-achieving solo music career, alongside many other escapades. He credits his success in his solo career, and his survival in general, to his wife, Sharon. The world knew Ozzy as a wild rock star but when The Osbournes premiered in March 2002, the world saw a new side to him. Far from centre stage, the show revealed a softer side to Ozzy — a husband and a dad. Of course, there was still glimpses of his life as a then-aging rockstar, or clips of him struggling with sobriety, and plenty of disagreements within the family. But it was television gold. Fifty four episodes were broadcast across four seasons of the show, which featured Ozzy alongside wife Sharon and two of their children, Kelly and Jack. There are so many highlights, particularly from Ozzy. He was once again the frontman, or the "burrito man" as he referred to himself in the show. That was because he was eating two burritos a day. Other memorable moments from Ozzy include him calling his dog a terrorist for peeing on the carpet and him reminding Sharon he was the Prince of Darkness when they got a bubble machine for a show he was performing. One of the producers of the show, Jeff Stilson, said Ozzy was a comedic genius whether he meant it or not. "I've worked with really great comedians, but Ozzy, I put up there as one of the funniest people I've ever worked with," he said. What the show did really well, though, was show the real issues the family dealt with. Viewers were right there with the family as they endured Sharon's battle with cancer, the aftermath of an ATV accident that could have killed Ozzy and family members' substance abuse issues. What you saw was what you got. Another producer, R Greg Johnston, said Ozzy was not as self-aware as you'd think. "He's a rock star but he's not contrived — what you see is what you get," he said. The show laid the groundwork for reality television, inspiring so many of the shows we have watched and continue to watch today. Once again, Ozzy had paved the way on stage, this time on the small screen. By his own admission, Ozzy misused alcohol and hard drugs for large parts of his adult life. Ozzy first took cocaine in 1971 and said "the world got a bit fuzzy after that". He spent time in and out of rehab, and even as recently as 2013 was drinking and taking drugs. Speaking in 2021 to Variety magazine, Ozzy said he began drinking and taking drugs as a form of self-medication because he never liked the way he felt. He admitted that he was very lucky to live through to old age, despite his storied drug abuse. "There's nothing special about me, I should have been dead 1,000 times," he said. Black Sabbath got back together on November 11, 2011 and played a farewell tour that fittingly finished in Birmingham. The group released a final album, 13, on June 11, 2013, and it topped both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. When asked how he would feel if this album and tour were Sabbath's final statement, Osbourne seemed comfortable with the notion. "Well, I wasn't really happy with the way it ended before, but this album went to number one and it's been received really well all over the world. Ozzy stopped performing with Black Sabbath in February 2017 and in 2023 he stopped touring Europe as a solo act due to poor health. He and Tony Iommi returned for the 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony, where he was once again adored by fans in his home city of Birmingham. In January 2025, Ozzy announced his last show at his beloved Aston Villa's football stadium, where he and Black Sabbath would both be performing. That show, on July 5, featured the band's original line-up and Osbourne sang from a black throne that rose up from the stage. A fitting end to the music career of one of the best to ever do it. Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Time Finance forays into materials handling segment with new team
UK-based specialist lender Time Finance has announced its entry into the materials handling sector with a dedicated team led by Phil Blea, who has been appointed as regional sales manager. The move is part of the company's strategy to extend its asset finance solutions to new industry segments, particularly those reliant on heavy machinery and tools such as manufacturing and material storage. Blea's role will focus on developing Time Finance's presence in this market, with an emphasis on creating finance solutions that cater to a diverse range of credit profiles, including those with more complex financial backgrounds. He brings experience in asset lending and vendor finance, having earlier worked at Close Brothers and Linde. Time Finance expects Blea to support the growth of its hard asset offerings. Blea said: 'I am very excited to be joining Time Finance at such a crucial time. I'm thrilled to be playing a part in the company's move into the materials handling sector and the role it will play as the business embarks on its new three-year growth strategy, and I'm looking forward to helping build our presence in the market.' The move into the materials handling market is consistent with Time Finance's objective to increase its lending portfolio to more than £300m over the next three years. The company registered a 'record' lending figure of £217m for the year ending 31 May 2025. Time Finance provides various funding solutions to UK businesses, facilitating access to finance for growth initiatives. In addition to asset finance, the company offers invoice finance, business loans, and asset-based lending. Time Finance asset finance managing director Steve Nichols said: 'Establishing our specialist materials handling team forms an integral part of our wider growth strategy. 'By developing innovative sector funding, we are tailoring our asset finance and multi-product solutions for key sectors and supporting businesses as they grow. Phil will play a pivotal role in helping us to build our presence, and I'm delighted he has decided to join the team.' Earlier this month, Time Finance appointed Bethan Holliday as the new head of operations for its asset finance team. "Time Finance forays into materials handling segment with new team" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Survey reveals shocking number of UK women have experienced economic abuse
Around one in seven women have had their money and economic resources controlled by another person in the past 12 months, a new survey indicates. However, two-fifths of those did not speak to anyone about their experience, according to a report from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA). The charity commissioned Ipsos UK to survey over 2,800 women across the UK in October and November 2024. The research was developed by SEA with input from victim-survivors and academic advisers. SEA also found that many women were also unaware of economic abuse. Some 55 per cent know nothing about this form of domestic abuse, and a third (33 per cent) know "a little" about it. Economic abuse is a dangerous and prevalent form of domestic abuse that takes many forms. SEA said it could include a current or ex-partner restricting access to money or bank accounts, damaging property or possessions, taking out loans or building up debt in a victim-survivor's name. The report, Counting The Cost: The Scale And Impact Of Economic Abuse In The UK, indicated that women from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled women and younger women (aged 18 to 24) were particularly likely to say they had experienced at least one form of economic abuse. Meanwhile, 28 per cent of women with children in the household had experienced economic abuse, compared with 10 per cent of UK women without children, the research indicated. The report also found that victim-survivors who had heard the term 'economic abuse' and knew something about it were more likely to seek help. Those who had heard the term were also more likely to speak to a domestic abuse charity or a bank. 'Awareness is critical because those who are aware are more likely to get the help they need,' Sam Smethers, chief executive of Surviving Economic Abuse, said. 'Many are trapped in dangerous situations with an abuser or left with mountains of debt, homeless and experiencing this form of coercive control long after the relationship has ended.' She said economic abuse is devastating for all victim-survivors, but the charity's data 'shows the impact of this abuse is felt particularly strongly by younger women, mothers, black and minoritised women and disabled women'. The charity quoted one woman saying of her former partner: 'He used money as a weapon – even after the relationship ended. I had to sell our home, live with the consequences of the bad credit he'd forced me into, and over 20 years later, I'm still in housing insecurity. 'Knowing this was economic abuse would have made such a difference. It's not just 'what happens' after divorce – it's abuse, and people need to know that. That's why I tell anyone going through this to contact SEA, and to speak to their bank – there is help, and you're not alone.' Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said: 'No woman should ever be trapped in an abusive relationship because of the suffering they will face if they try to leave, whether that is the threat of physical violence or the prospect of being plunged into poverty and homelessness. 'Tackling economic abuse – a true hidden crime – will be integral to achieving our ambition of halving violence against women and girls in a decade.' The charity said 'systemic change' must be driven across the public and private sectors, turning good practice into common practice, to transform the lives of victim-survivors. It is also calling for the public to join its mission to raise awareness of economic abuse, to help people spot the signs and access support. Surviving Economic Abuse highlighted some potential signs of economic abuse people can look out for: 1. Are they short of money or unable to buy inexpensive items even if they work? Have they asked to borrow money to pay bills or for essential items? 2. Do they say their partner deals with all money matters? Are their wages or benefits paid directly into their partner's account? Are they counting the pennies, or seeking their partner's permission before making any purchases? 3. Have they left their work when they liked their job? 4. Do they make excuses not to join friends for coffee and meals out? 5. Do they wear ill-fitting or worn-out clothing? Do they not have the money to go to the hairdresser or buy personal items? The charity said people can support victim-survivors of economic abuse by telling them help is available and they are not alone. It said people can also offer practical support, such as by offering a spare room or providing essential items such as food, clothing, and toiletries, as well as having information about domestic abuse services to hand.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Record Numbers Of U.S. Students Are Applying To Colleges In The U.K.
The University of St Andrews in Scotland is one of the most popular destinations for U.S. ... More undergraduates studying in the U.K. A record number of American students are applying to colleges in the United Kindgom, this year, according to new data released last week. That surge in interest comes as the Trump administration continues its highly publicized campaign against many aspects of higher education in this country, including attacks on international students, cutbacks in research funding, pressure on university presidents, crackdowns on elite institutions, and challenges to various components of the curricula – particularly those having to do with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. One apparent effect of these tactics is a marked increase in the number of American undergraduate students looking to U.K. institutions to continue their post-secondary education. New figures from the Universities and Colleges Admission Service show that by the June 30 deadline, 7,930 applications had been received from American students for the fall 2025 semester. That represents an almost 14% increase over the previous year, and it's the highest total since these data began to be collected in 2006. The UCAS is a shared or unified admissions system employed in the U.K. Similar to the Common App in the United States, it's used by many — but not all — American students applying to British and other U.K. institutions so it likely underestimates the total number of applicants from the U.S. In addition, because it deals only with undergraduate admissions, it does not capture the outflow of U.S. graduate students that also appears to be underway. The number of international students applying for undergraduate studies at U.K. universities and colleges through UCAS increased overall by 2.2%. The increase was driven by a record number of applicants from China, up 10%, in addition to year-over-year increases in applicants from Ireland (+15%), Nigeria (+23%) and the U.S.(+14%). Not only did applications increase, the number of offers made by U.K. institutions to international students also saw a substantial jump — up more than 9% over the prior year. Meanwhile, U.S. institutions are expecting international student enrollment to decrease this year. As examples: In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 1.1 million international college students were enrolled in the U.S, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report. That number marked an all-time high, representing about 6% of all college students in the nation. Since the pandemic in 2020-21, when the number of international students declined by a record 15%, enrollments have increased by a total of 200,000 students over the past three years. However, the tide appears to be turning against the U.S. as a preferred destination for international students in the Trump era, and institutions in Europe, Australia and Asia are taking advantage and gaining market share. That shift is now being accompanied by an increasing number of American students deciding to look abroad to continue their education, with the U.K. becoming a major beneficiary of these decisions.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK Penny Stock Highlights: Diaceutics And 2 Compelling Options
The UK market has recently faced challenges, with the FTSE 100 index experiencing declines due to weak trade data from China, highlighting global economic interdependencies. For investors exploring opportunities beyond established names, penny stocks—typically smaller or newer companies—can offer intriguing prospects despite their somewhat outdated moniker. These stocks may present surprising value and potential stability when backed by solid financial health; in this article, we examine three such penny stocks that could offer compelling investment opportunities. Top 10 Penny Stocks In The United Kingdom Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating FRP Advisory Group (AIM:FRP) £1.215 £301.38M ★★★★★☆ Foresight Group Holdings (LSE:FSG) £4.535 £508.81M ★★★★★★ Warpaint London (AIM:W7L) £4.30 £347.39M ★★★★★★ Van Elle Holdings (AIM:VANL) £0.395 £42.74M ★★★★★★ System1 Group (AIM:SYS1) £4.25 £53.93M ★★★★★★ LSL Property Services (LSE:LSL) £3.04 £313.01M ★★★★★☆ Begbies Traynor Group (AIM:BEG) £1.245 £198.48M ★★★★★★ Croma Security Solutions Group (AIM:CSSG) £0.82 £11.29M ★★★★★★ Braemar (LSE:BMS) £2.26 £69.82M ★★★★★★ ME Group International (LSE:MEGP) £2.17 £819.53M ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 296 stocks from our UK Penny Stocks screener. Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener. Diaceutics Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Diaceutics PLC is a diagnostic commercialization company that offers data, data analytics, and implementation services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, with a market cap of £108.64 million. Operations: The company generates revenue from its Medical Labs & Research segment, totaling £32.16 million. Market Cap: £108.64M Diaceutics PLC, with a market cap of £108.64 million and revenue of £32.16 million, is navigating the challenges typical for smaller stocks in its sector. Despite being unprofitable, the company maintains a strong cash position with short-term assets exceeding liabilities and no debt burden. However, the board's limited experience and recent insider selling may raise concerns among investors. Analysts anticipate significant stock price appreciation, suggesting potential upside if growth forecasts materialize. The company's stable weekly volatility and absence of shareholder dilution over the past year provide some reassurance amidst its current financial struggles. Dive into the specifics of Diaceutics here with our thorough balance sheet health report. Review our growth performance report to gain insights into Diaceutics' future. Ashmore Group Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Ashmore Group plc is a publicly owned investment manager with a market cap of £1.13 billion. Operations: Ashmore Group does not report specific revenue segments. Market Cap: £1.13B Ashmore Group plc, with a market cap of £1.13 billion, presents a mixed picture for investors interested in penny stocks. Despite being debt-free and having short-term assets significantly exceeding liabilities, the company's earnings have declined by 25.1% annually over the past five years and are forecast to decline further. Recent board changes, including Anna Sweeney's appointment as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, may enhance governance but do not offset concerns about negative earnings growth and significant insider selling in recent months. The dividend yield is high at 9.84%, though not well covered by earnings or cash flows. Get an in-depth perspective on Ashmore Group's performance by reading our balance sheet health report here. Examine Ashmore Group's earnings growth report to understand how analysts expect it to perform. Watches of Switzerland Group Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Watches of Switzerland Group PLC is a retailer specializing in luxury watches and jewelry across the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, with a market cap of £863.05 million. Operations: The company's revenue is derived from two main geographical segments: £785.60 million from the US and £865.90 million from the UK & Europe. Market Cap: £863.05M Watches of Switzerland Group, with a market cap of £863.05 million, offers potential for penny stock investors despite some challenges. The company reported full-year sales of £1.65 billion but experienced a decline in net income to £53.8 million due to a significant one-off loss of £57.9 million. While earnings growth was negative last year, the company has demonstrated consistent profit growth over five years and forecasts suggest earnings could grow by 20.94% annually moving forward. Its debt levels are well managed, with operating cash flow covering 95.3% of its debt, though short-term assets fall slightly short in covering long-term liabilities. Navigate through the intricacies of Watches of Switzerland Group with our comprehensive balance sheet health report here. Evaluate Watches of Switzerland Group's prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. Seize The Opportunity Jump into our full catalog of 296 UK Penny Stocks here. Seeking Other Investments? Rare earth metals are an input to most high-tech devices, military and defence systems and electric vehicles. The global race is on to secure supply of these critical minerals. Beat the pack to uncover the 26 best rare earth metal stocks of the very few that mine this essential strategic resource. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include AIM:DXRX LSE:ASHM and LSE:WOSG. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
