Latest news with #Voice
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tom Jones spoke about strange health treatment before cancelling gig due to infection
Sir Tom Jones apologised to fans in Germany after he was forced to cancel a show at the 11th hour due to infection and the legendary singer previously opened up about his unusual health regime Sir Tom Jones cancelled a gig hours before he was due to perform on stage after suffering a health scare. The She's A Lady superstar, 85, was supposed to play in Bremen, Germany, for his latest tour before informing fans he was 'very sorry' after suddenly axing the performance. In a statement, the Welshman said: 'Hello to all the fans in Bremen. Unfortunately, I must postpone my show this evening, as I've contracted an upper respiratory infection that needs treatment and rest. I know this is really disappointing and will cause inconvenience to you all, and I'm very sorry about that. But the show will now go ahead on Monday 28th July, so I look forward to seeing you then. All tickets will remain valid for the re-scheduled date. Until then, thank you for your understanding. Love, Tom." The Voice judge is currently at the midway point of his UK and European summer tour which began on June 13 at Hampton Court Place in Surrey and is due to end in Cardiff Castle at the end of August. Tom has often been open about his health battles and he once spoke about an unusual remedy that he implemented into his regime. Knowing his 90th birthday will be in 2030, he stressed how crucial it is to 'take care of yourself'. Speaking to The Sun, he revealed that hanging upside down like a bat for 'inversion therapy' worked wonders for him, and how it was the secret to him being in such good condition. Explaining in his own words, he said: 'In 2030 I am going to be 90-years-old. I hang upside down. You know on one of those frames. It's great. You put your feet in the thing and you flip and you hang.' People who suffer from lower back pain, poor circulation, sciatica and scoliosis often opt for inversion therapy which shifts the body's gravity – and as a result eases pressure on the back and spine. Experts at Healthline said: 'Practicing inversion therapy may also translate to better flexibility. 'Inversion therapy is also thought to improve posture. This might be especially helpful if you work at a desk.' He started the unusual treatment after he was forced to cancel shows in 2018 when he suffered a bacterial infection. He also cancelled a US tour in 2017 because of medical concerns. Since then, as well as inversion therapy, he started boxing and worked with a personal trainer to stay in shape, and he added: 'I've got a trainer who comes to see me. 'A lot of stretching and boxing thrown in. It's a good cardiovascular workout. Just wine with dinner – a pint of beer once in a while. I try to watch my diet too. 'I've got a 12-pack. But health is very important and that's a lot of luck. 'You've got to take care of yourself.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese won a thumping majority. He should use it for all Australians
For both major sides of Australia politics, the opening of the 48th Parliament on Tuesday represents a time of great expectations and Herculean tasks. The outcome of the federal election has created challenges and opportunities, with the result that the returned Labor government is under renewed pressure to use its massive majority for meaningful reform after a relative milquetoast first-term agenda, especially after the failure of the Voice to parliament referendum. Meanwhile, the Coalition has to balance struggling to hold the Albanese government accountable and rebuilding from the near ruins of its electoral rout. The Herald 's latest Resolve Political Monitor illustrates the daunting job facing Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, with the first post-federal election opinion poll showing Coalition support has fallen to a near-record low of 29 per cent, down from the 31.8 per cent in the May election, with much of the ebb going to One Nation. Yet, Ley's dire predicament has not resulted in a surge of personal support for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, even though voters believe Labor is better able to deal with issues that once were the Coalition's ace cards – Albanese's overall support as preferred prime minister has slipped seven points since April to 40 per cent. Once the Parliament House formalities are over and the new members sworn in, Labor will mark its successful return to the government benches with plans to introduce several bills over the next fortnight, including the cutting of student debt by 20 per cent and early action to cement in penalty rates. Recent abuse scandals sweeping the childcare industry has also prompted the government to prepare a bill to strip funding from childcare centres that don't meet safety standards. But it won't take long for the new government to be reminded of the immediate economic problems it faces with unemployment climbing, US President Donald Trump's tariff miasma and the runaway housing crisis showing little signs of abating. The resumption of Parliament will also lay the ground for the government's August 19-21 productivity roundtable, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers' decision to call it an 'economic reform roundtable' a clear indication of where the government is heading with its massive majority. Albanese has led Labor to an historic victory, winning 94 seats in the House of Representatives after trouncing the Coalition 55-45 on a two-party preferred basis. When he first won government in 2022, we cautioned him to resist the temptation to constantly blame the previous government for problems it faces. Voters wanted solutions, not blame shifting. After a term in power, blaming the Coalition is no longer an option. The Coalition will be busy enough redressing the loss of the Liberal heartland, attracting women to return to the fold and stamping out the factionalism that brought the party to such a historic low.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Propaganda Siren: Silencing The Voice Of America
In March this year, the Trump administration effectively shuttered the Voice of America, a broadcasting vehicle for the selective promotion of US policy and culture for over eight decades. Nearly all of its 1,300 staff of producers, journalists and assistants, including those working at the US Agency for Global Media, were placed on administrative leave. Kari Lake, President Donald Trump's appointment to lead the Voice, was unflattering about that 'giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer.' Last month, Lake confirmed that layoff notices had been sent to 639 employees. The motivations for attacking VOA were hardly budgetary. The White House cited a number of sources to back the claim that the organisation had become an outlet of 'radical propaganda.' VOA veteran Dan Robinson features, calling it 'a hubris-filled rogue operation often reflecting leftist bias aligned with partisan national media.' The Daily Caller moaningly remarks that VOA reporters had 'repeatedly posted anti-Trump comments on their professional Twitter accounts, despite a social media policy requiring employee impartiality on social media platforms.' The Voice, not aligned with MAGA, had to be silenced. The measure by Trump drew its inevitable disapproval. VOA director, Michael Abramowitz, stuck to the customary line that his organisation 'promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America's story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny.' Reporters Without Borders condemned the order 'as a departure from the US's historic role as a defender of free information and calls on the US government to restore VOA and urges Congress and the international community to take action against his unprecedented move.' As with much criticism of Trump's seemingly impulsive actions, these sentimental views proved misguided and disingenuous. Trump is on uncontentious ground to see the Voice as one dedicated to propaganda. However, he misunderstands most nuttily that the propaganda in question overwhelmingly favours US policies and programs. His quibble is that they are not favourable enough. Prohibited from broadcasting in the United States, VOA's propaganda role was always a full-fledged one, promoting the US as a spanking, virtuous brand of democratic good living in the face of garden variety tyrants, usually of the political left. Blemishes were left unmentioned, the role of the US imperium in intervening in the affairs of other countries considered cautiously. Loath to adequately fund domestic public service providers like National Public Radio (NPR), the US Congress was content to fork out for what was effectively an information arm of government sloganeering for Freedom's Land. The VOA Charter, drafted in 1960 and signed into law as Public Law 94-350 by President Gerald Ford on July 12, 1976, expressed the view that 'The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners.' It stipulated various aspirational and at times unattainable aims: be reliable on the news, have authoritative standing, pursue accuracy, objectivity and be comprehensive. America was to be represented in whole and not as any single segment of society, with the VOA representing 'a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.' US policies would be presented 'clearly and effectively' as would 'responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.' The aims of the charter were always subordinate to the original purpose of the radio outlet. The Voice was born in the propaganda maelstrom of World War II, keen to win over audiences in Nazi Germany and its occupied territories. Authorised to continue operating by the Smith-Mundt Act of 1946, it continued its work during the Cold War, its primary task that of fending off any appeal communism might have. Till October 1948, program content was governed under contract with the NBC and CBS radio networks. This troubled some members of Congress, notably regarding broadcasts to Latin America. The US State Department then assumed control, authority of which passed on to the newly created United States Information Agency (USIA). In such arrangements, the objective of fair dissemination of information was always subject to the dictates of US foreign policy. What mattered most, according to R. Peter Straus, who assumed the directorship of VOA in 1977, was to gather 'a highly professional group of people and trying to excite them about making the freest democracy in the world understandable to the rest of the world – not necessarily loved by, nor even necessarily liked by but understood by the rest of the world.' The State Department left an enduring legacy in that regard, with the amalgamation of its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with the USIA in 1978 during the Carter administration. Furthermore, prominent positions at the Voice tended to be filled by career members of the diplomatic corps. Given that role, it was rather rich to have the likes of Republican Congresswoman Young Kim of California question Trump's executive order, worried that closing the Voice would effectively silence a body dedicated to the selfless distribution of accurate information. Accuracy in that sense, alloyed by US interests, would always walk to the dictates of power. Kim errs in assuming that reporting via such outlets, emanating from a 'free' society, must therefore be more truthful than authoritarian rivals. 'For a long time now, our reporting has not been blocked by adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea,' she claimed in March. 'Now, we are ourselves shutting off the ability to get the information into those oppressed regimes to the people that are dying for the real truth and information.' As such truth and information is curated by an adjunct of the State Department, such people would be advised to be a tad sceptical. The falling out of favour with Trump, not just of the Voice, but such anti-communist creations of the Cold War like Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, is a loss for the propagandists. Arguments that stress the value of their continued existence as organs of veracity in news and accuracy, correctives to the disinformation and misinformation of adversaries, are deludedly slanted. All forms of disinformation and misinformation should be battled and neither the Voice's critics, nor its fans, seem to understand what they are. VOA and its sister stations could never be relied upon to subject US foreign and domestic policy to rigorous critique. Empires are not in the business of truth but power and effect. Radio stations created in their name must always be viewed with that in mind.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Going to sue his a** off': Trump vs Rupert Murdoch over 'birthday note' to Epstein. What does the alleged letter contain?
The controversy over US President Donald Trump's handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation took a new turn after Wall Street Journal published a story about an alleged off-color letter written by him to late disgraced financier that featured a drawing of a naked woman. The letter revealed by WSJ was reportedly collected by British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein. The letter bearing Trump's name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the newspaper. The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Product Management Public Policy CXO Data Science PGDM Finance MBA healthcare Digital Marketing Data Analytics Leadership Degree Project Management Design Thinking Data Science Technology Healthcare Artificial Intelligence others Others Management MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details ALSO READ: Coldplay fan who 'exposed' Astronomer CEO and co-worker's affair breaks silence after 50 million video views by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They were so beautiful before; look at them now; number 10 will Surprise you Undo What does the letter contain? According to the WSJ, Trump's letter contained multiple lines of typewritten text surrounded by what looked to be a hand-drawn outline of a naked lady. The Journal claims that the outline featured details intended to show the woman's breast. Trump's signature, which was intended to resemble pubic hair, was made over the woman's waist. 'A pair of small arcs denotes the woman's breasts, and the future president's signature is a squiggly 'Donald' below her waist, mimicking pubic hair," the Journal report says. Live Events The note is allegedly styled as an imaginary third-person conversation between Trump and Epstein. It ends with the line: 'A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.' The origins of the letter is yet to be known and it is not known how the version bearing Trump's signature was produced, the WSJ said in its report. ALSO READ: Stimulus payments worth $300 to $1,700 to hit bank accounts of Americans in days. Check eligibility and key dates 'Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,' it states. Donald: Yes, there is, but I won't tell you what it is. Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is. Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey. Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it. Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that? Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you. Trump: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret. Trump to sue WSJ? President Trump has threatened to sue WSJ over its report on a letter allegedly bearing his signature in Jeffrey Epstein's 2003 birthday album, calling the document 'fake.' 'I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn't print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I'm going to sue his ass off, and that of his third rate newspaper,' Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday night. ALSO READ: Did CBS cancel Stephen Colbert's show over Trump's $16million win over '60 Minutes' lawsuit? Check details He followed up on Friday morning and said 'I look forward to getting Rupert Murdoch to testify in my lawsuit against him and his 'pile of garbage' newspaper, the WSJ.' Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the figure. 'This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story,' he said. 'I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language. It's not my words.' He also expressed his frustration with WSJ on Truth Social and attacked the Editor in a post, saying: 'The Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Emma Tucker, was told directly by Karoline Leavitt, and by President Trump, that the letter was a FAKE, but Emma Tucker didn't want to hear that. Instead, they are going with a false, malicious, and defamatory story anyway.' The commander-in-chief seemed very sure of suing WSJ. "President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly. The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don't even exist," he said. ALSO READ: Health crisis in Florida? 'Dangerous' flesh-eating bacteria kills 4 as Vibrio vulnificus infections rise. Check symptoms Jeffery Epstein row The Republican president is already facing a firestorm over his past relationship with Epstein, and claims that his administration is covering up lurid details of Epstein's crimes to protect rich and powerful figures. Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 -- during Trump's first term -- after being charged with sex trafficking in a scheme where he allegedly groomed young and underage women for sexual abuse by the rich and powerful. Trump supporters expected the Republican to answer their questions on his return to office this January but now find themselves being told the conspiracy theories are false. Trump in recent days has berated as 'weaklings' supporters vying for more records from the Epstein probe. The Justice Department and FBI said in a memo made public earlier this month there is no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a "client list" or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his suicide, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe.
DW
6 days ago
- Politics
- DW
All change or small change? Ukrainian government reshuffle – DW – 07/17/2025
A day after the Ukrainian prime minister stepped down, he was appointed defense minister. His deputy Yulia Svyrydenko, who played a part in closing a minerals deal with the US, is Ukraine's new prime minister Rumors of a government reshuffle had been circulating in Ukraine for the past three years and now they have become reality. On Thursday, the Ukrainian parliament approved the nomination of Yulia Svyrydenko as prime minister. Svyrydenko is a former economy minister who was already deputy prime minister. On Wednesday, parliament had also approved the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. As a result, the cabinet was automatically dissolved. Shmyhal had been in office for more than five years — longer than any other Ukrainian prime minister before him. Svyrydenko, 39, had gained prominence during weeks of talks with the US about a minerals deal that was signed in Washington at the end of April. She had proven herself to be a tough negotiator. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was necessary to rearrange the executive branch in Ukraine to implement agreements reached with international partners. Under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held while martial law is in place. Article 10 of the rules on martial law states that while it is in force, "the authority of the Supreme Council of Ukraine […], ministries, other central and local executive agencies, […] may not be terminated." Representatives of the opposition expressed their doubts about the legitimacy of the government reshuffle. "Parliament recently extended martial law and could now violate Article 10, even though everyone agrees that the legislation would first have to be clarified or amended," explained Yaroslav Zheleznyak from the opposition Holos ("Voice") faction. Zelenskyy was also criticized for offering Svyrydenko the post of prime minister in public and thus violating the existing order, whereby a head of government can only be appointed by the president on the parliament's recommendation, which in turn must be preceded by a proposal by the governing coalition. Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party currently has a majority in parliament. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ahead of the vote on Thursday, Oleg Saakyan, a political scientist and co-founder of the National Platform for Resilience and Social Cohesion, predicted parliament would approve the nomination of a new prime minister for reasons of political expediency. The reshuffle was long overdue and had actually been planned for 2024. The main reasons for this were the ongoing tensions within the government and "a number of obvious management problems" in various areas, from the defense sector to infrastructure and social policy. "The government wants to defuse some of these tensions publicly. It wants to gain some new credibility," Saakyan argued. However, Volodymyr Fesenko, a political scientist and head of Penta, a political think tank in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, doubted that the change of prime minister would trigger any major domestic changes. "The key political decisions will continue to be made by the president's office and Svyrydenko will implement them, as will the government," he suggested. Svyrydenko, who once served as the deputy head of the office of the president of Ukraine under Andriy Yermak, is a Zelenskyy confidante and considered to be a young and dynamic politician who can potentially bring new approaches to the table. Fesenko pointed out that she had the necessary "experience working in war conditions and dealing with international institutions." Petro Oleshchuk, a political scientist at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, told DW that despite a number of high-level corruption scandals, Zelenskyy wanted to demonstrate confidence in his team by reshuffling rather than changing ministers completely. "Shmyhal's transfer to another position within the government is intended to show that there is no internal conflict. These are merely personnel changes within a team,' Oleshchuk said. Saakyan thinks that the fact that the government reshuffle had not been extensive was actually a sign that there was an acute shortage of qualified and trustworthy candidates. He said that the new government would be forced to deliver quick results but remained skeptical about the future. "This is an adrenaline shot for the current government. But its quality will not change fundamentally," he predicted. Zelenskyy has already outlined the new government's key priorities, which include increasing domestic arms production, developing defense projects and deregulating the economy.
