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Taylor Swift reveals in emotional letter she bought back masters to her first 6 albums; says this about Rep TV
Taylor Swift reveals in emotional letter she bought back masters to her first 6 albums; says this about Rep TV

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Entertainment
  • Hindustan Times

Taylor Swift reveals in emotional letter she bought back masters to her first 6 albums; says this about Rep TV

Singer Taylor Swift has some happy news for fans – she finally owns the master records of her first six albums from Scooter Braun. The Grammy winner made the announcement in an emotional, handwritten letter to fans on her website. She also posted pictures of her sitting with the records of her albums on X (formerly Twitter). (Also Read: Did Taylor Swift win anything at AMAs 2025? Here's who won album, tour and pop female artist) Taylor made the announcement by writing on X, 'You belong with me. (coloured heart emojis) Letter on my site :)' She started off her letter with, 'I'm trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is just a slideshow. A flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and prayed away for a chance to get to tell you this news. All the times I was thisssss close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through. I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that's all in the past now. I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening. I really get to say these words: All of the music I've ever made… now belongs to me.' Fans were overjoyed to hear the news of how 'mother' Taylor had finally gained back control of her music. She explained further that she also owned all her music videos, concert films, album art, photography, unreleased songs – basically her 'entire life's work' now. She then gave fans credit where due, adding, 'To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty casual about it. To my fans, you know how important this has been to me — so much so that I meticulously re-recorded and released four albums, calling them Taylor's Versions. The passionate support you showed those albums and the success you found giving The Eras Tour into why I was able to buy back my music. I can't thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but never owned until now. All I've ever wanted was the opportunity to work hard enough to be able to one day purchase my music outright.' Taylor then addressed if she will continue re-recording and making Taylor's Versions to her song, like she did most recently for The Handmaid's Tale. She wrote, 'I know, I know. What about Rep TV? Full transparency: I haven't even re-recorded a quarter of it. The Reputation album was so specific to that time in my life, and I kept hitting a stopping point when I tried to remake it. All that defiance, that longing to be understood while feeling purposely misunderstood, that desperate hope, that shame-born snarl and mischief. To be perfectly honest, it's The First of That Time that I thought wouldn't be improved upon by re-recording it. Not the music, photos, or videos. So I kept putting it off.' She also teased that there will be unreleased Vault tracks soon, writing, 'There will be a time (if you're into the idea!) for the unreleased Vault tracks from that album too. I've already completely re-recorded an entire album, and I really love how it sounds now. Those two albums can still have their moments to re-emerge when the time is right, it will be something you guys would be excited about. But if it happens, won't be from a place of sadness and longing for what I wish I could have. It will just be a celebration now.'

Taylor Swift announces she has acquired the rights to all of her music
Taylor Swift announces she has acquired the rights to all of her music

Irish Independent

timean hour ago

  • Entertainment
  • Irish Independent

Taylor Swift announces she has acquired the rights to all of her music

The 35-year-old confirmed she will release Taylor's Version re-recordings of her self-titled and Reputation albums, and also announced she has purchased the rights to all of her concert films, music videos, album art and photography, as well as unreleased songs, in an announcement on her website on Friday. In the announcement, the singer said: 'I'm trying to gather my thoughts into something coherent, but right now my mind is just a slideshow. A flashback sequence of all the times I daydreamed about, wished for, and pined away for a chance to get to tell you this news. 'All the times I was this close, reaching out for it, only for it to fall through. I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen, after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. But that's all in the past now. 'I've been bursting into tears of joy at random intervals ever since I found out that this is really happening. I really get to say these words, all of the music I've ever made now belongs to me. 'And all my music videos, all the concert films, the album art and photography, the unreleased songs, the memories, the magic, the madness, every single era, my entire life's work. 'To say this is my greatest dream come true is actually being pretty reserved about it. 'To my fans, you know how important this has been to me – so much so that I meticulously re-recorded and released four of my albums, calling them Taylor's Version. 'The passionate support you showed those albums and the success story you turned The Eras Tour into is why I was able to buy back my music. 'I can't thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never my owned until now.' The singer added that the process of gaining ownership of her work was 'honest, fair, and respectful' and said she was 'endlessly thankful' to private equity firm Shamrock Capital, which offered her the deal. Swift also spoke about plans to release re-recordings Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version), her debut originally released in 2006, and Reputation (Taylor's Version), which was originally released in 2017. The singer announced plans to re-record all her songs in 2019 following a dispute with retired talent manager Scooter Braun after he acquired the recordings of her first six studio albums when he bought her former label. Though the masters changed hands again after a deal with Shamrock Capital, Swift continued with a bid to regain ownership of the music by creating new versions of the songs. She has been re-recording of all of her albums, re-releasing them as 'Taylor's Version'. To date Swift has released new versions of her previous albums Fearless (2008), Red (2012), Speak Now (2010) and 1989 (2014). She has released other albums including Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), Evermore (2020), Midnights (2022) and The Tortured Poets Department (2024). Braun gained ownership of some of Swift's back catalogue in 2019 when his holding company, Ithaca Holdings, acquired her former label, Big Machine Label Group. Swift signed with Big Machine, founded by former Universal executive Scott Borchetta, in 2005 and moved to Universal Music Group in November 2018 in a deal ensuring she maintained the rights to her work. When Braun acquired her masters, Swift said she was 'sad' and 'grossed out' and accused the 43-year-old of being behind 'incessant, manipulative bullying'. Braun sold the recordings to Shamrock Capital in 2020 and reports in the US suggested the deal was worth more than 300 million dollars. Swift said before negotiations could start, Braun's team wanted her to sign an 'ironclad NDA stating I would never say another word' about him 'unless it was positive'. She said at the time: 'So I would have to sign a document that would silence me forever before I could even have a chance to bid on my own work. My legal team said that this is absolutely NOT normal, and they've never seen an NDA like this presented unless it was to silence an assault accuser by paying them off.' It was at this stage she confirmed she had begun the process of re-recording her old music, in a bid to gain control, saying 'it has already proven to be both exciting and creatively fulfilling'. A master recording is the original recording of a song and whoever owns it earns revenue through avenues including streaming and use in TV, film and adverts. Swift is known for hits including Bad Blood, Love Story and Anti-Hero and has had four number one singles in the UK chart and 13 number one albums – meaning she draws level with Elvis Presley as the international artist with most UK chart-topping albums. In December 2024 Swift finished her world wide Eras Tour with one last performance at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. She started her mammoth string of dates in March 2023 and travelled to UK cities including Liverpool, Cardiff and London, where she made history as the first solo artist to perform at Wembley Stadium eight times on a single tour. Also in 2024 she became the most decorated artist in Billboard Music Awards history, with an overall haul of 49 awards, and released chart-topping album, The Tortured Poets Department. Earlier in the year, she was crowned the global recording artist of the year for a fifth time by the IFPI – which represents the recorded music industry worldwide – after breaking records, selling out arenas and topping charts the year prior.

Gondola relocation plan a slap in the face for the people of Rostrevor, says protest group
Gondola relocation plan a slap in the face for the people of Rostrevor, says protest group

Belfast Telegraph

time12 hours ago

  • Business
  • Belfast Telegraph

Gondola relocation plan a slap in the face for the people of Rostrevor, says protest group

The plan by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was revealed on Wednesday afternoon. The local authority said it was 'exploring' the option of moving the gondola, also called the Mourne Gateway Project, to Kilbroney Forest Park. The project was originally earmarked for Newcastle, only to be axed earlier this month. Doubts were raised over the future of £30m in project funding offered through the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) after the National Trust refused to lease the council land on Slieve Donard for the project. The council said retaining the funding would require the agreement of all BRCD partners, and any proposal 'must meet the BRCD objectives to enhance the attractiveness of Northern Ireland as a world-class visitor destination'. Kilbroney Forest Park is owned and run by the council, which said the gondola had the potential to become a 'transformative visitor experience', with 'environmental sensitivity'a key part of the plan. The council added: 'The cable car route is yet to be determined, but it will not pass through the ancient oak woodland and development would be carried out in a sustainable manner that protects the park's natural assets.' The council also pointed out that the project was supported by the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce, which described it as 'a game-changer for tourism in the region'. Others in the area, however, are staunchly opposed. Bronagh Vos, from Rostrevor, started the 'Say NO to Gondola in Rostrevor' Facebook page on Wednesday evening, with more than 150 people joining the group overnight. A poll on the page shows overwhelming opposition to the project. Bronagh, who uses the park daily, said the council's decision to announce the project without community consultation showed a 'complete disregard' for the people of Rostrevor. 'The proposal to relocate the failed gondola project to Rostrevor, without any form of public consultation with the local community, existing businesses and clubs, is unacceptable and alarming,' she added. 'This decision shows a complete disregard for the people who live here, the integrity of our landscape, and the principles of transparent, community-led planning.' She said Rostrevor was not a 'dumping ground' for rejected projects, and called for the 'abandonment of any plans being advanced behind closed doors without local community input'. Independent councillor Mark Gibbons said he was notified of the plan just minutes before the announcement was made. He said the council's lack of transparency was 'demoralising' and the decision was a 'hurried mess'. 'There are many other things this money could be spent on, such as the renovation of Warrenpoint Baths, a community centre for Warrenpoint and the upgrading of Kilbroney Park pitches, to name just a few,' he added. 'The people of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor have waited long enough and have paid enough rates over the decades to warrant proper respect. 'This project seems to be a hurried mess of disrespect and squander.' Mr Gibbons warned that his confidence in the council was 'at tipping point' and described the authority's lack of notice as worrying. 'I would call for a public consultation on this matter immediately. It really should have been done before it was announced,' he said. 'There needs to be measures put in place where the community is not being kept in the dark and the council can provide us with basic information, not just hoodwink us into these ludicrous decisions. 'St Bronagh's GAA and the Rossowen soccer club have been campaigning for changing facilities for the past few years, and are getting nowhere. 'The irony of this is that if it goes ahead, the first thing people will see on their gondola ride is young children getting changed in a ditch on the side of the pitches because the money was not spent on what is needed most.' Bronagh's GAA secretary Richy Byrne said his club and Rossowen FC had been campaigning for changing facilities for the past five years. He described the announcement as a 'total shock' and said it was 'hugely frustrating' after lobbying for basic facilities for half a decade. Mr Byrne continued: 'It makes us wonder, was there any intent on behalf of the council to fulfil the needs of young kids in the area, or are they just concerned with looking elsewhere?' The clubs asked the council to 'make this project an urgent priority, to take a firm grip of the application, and bring it to planning for a decision without any further delay so that work can begin to give the local area, our members and community a facility that is fit for purpose, on par with other council lead facilities across the country, and something we can be proud of'. However, Sinn Fein's Sinead Ennis welcomed the relocation plan. The South Down MLA said: 'It is welcome news that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are doing all they can to secure the £30m BRCD investment in the area. 'This would be a game changer, helping to unlock the full tourism potential of Kilbroney Forest Park. 'Sinn Fein is ambitious for Kilbroney. We want to work with others to build on its well-established popularity and ensure it continues to thrive as a destination for locals and visitors alike. 'I believe that, with the right investment Kilbroney Park, could become the number one adventure tourism destination on the island of Ireland.' Ms Ennis added that this development, on top of the upcoming opening of Narrow Water Bridge, would draw visitors to the area. 'This ambitious project could have huge social and economic benefits for the area,' she continued. 'Protecting the environment is central to this proposal. The exact route for the cable car is still under consideration, but it will not cross the ancient oak woodland. 'Any development will follow sustainable practices to safeguard the park's natural features. 'I look forward to seeing how this project develops and the positive impact it will have on Rostrevor, Warrenpoint and the wider South Down region.' Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was asked if it would launch a public consultation. While it did not address this directly, it said: 'The Council is now actively exploring a proposal to deliver the Mourne Mountains Gateway project in Kilbroney Forest Park and looks forward to working closely with community stakeholders, environmental experts, BRCD and tourism partners to develop the Kilbroney Park proposal to ensure it reflects the shared ambition for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future.'

US pending home sales fall sharply in April
US pending home sales fall sharply in April

Reuters

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Reuters

US pending home sales fall sharply in April

WASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes fell more than expected in April as rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty weighed on demand. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Thursday its Pending Home Sales Index, based on signed contracts, dropped 6.3% to 71.3 last month. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast contracts, which become sales after a month or two, falling 1.0%. Pending home sales declined 2.5% from a year earlier. "At this critical stage of the housing market, it is all about mortgage rates," said Lawrence Yun, the NAR's chief economist. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 6.81% in April from around 6.65% in March, data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac showed.

Two St. Louis area doctors admit federal health care crimes
Two St. Louis area doctors admit federal health care crimes

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Two St. Louis area doctors admit federal health care crimes

ST. LOUIS – Two St. Louis area doctors appeared in federal court in the past two months and admitted committing health care crimes. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Dr. Asim Muhammad Ali, 54, admitted to performing health care services for Medicaid patients of Psych Care Consultants, LLC, owned and operated by psychiatrist Dr. Mohd Azfar Malik, 71. Ali said he used Malik's name Medicare billing number for these visits, which were supposed to include a cognitive function assessment, but admitted that he did not see these patients in person but instead called and asked them a series of questions. Malik admitted submitting false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers for in-person services while he was either out of the state or the country. In one incident, Dr. Ali performed an intravenous ketamine infusion while Dr. Malik was in Hawaii, while Ali was already under federal indictment and lacked proper registration allowing him to administer controlled substances. 'Devil in the Ozarks' escapes north Arkansas prison Ali pleaded guilty on May 22 to one count of conspiracy to illegally distribute controlled substances and maintain a drug-involved premises. Malik pleaded guilty in April to two counts of making false statements related to health care matters. In addition to his guilty plea, Malik agreed to surrender his registrations with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which allows him to prescribe or administer controlled substances. Last year, Ali pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to illegally distribute controlled substances, one count of illegally prescribing controlled substances, one count of paying illegal kickbacks for referrals, and one count of submitting false claims in a separate 2020 case. Ali is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25 for both cases, while Malik will be sentenced on Aug. 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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