60 Minutes has always had a soft spot for the opera. Maybe because, like us, opera is in the storytelling business – with big, sweeping improbable tales and characters. Tonight we introduce you to one of its star storytellers – a 52-year-old tenor from Germany, named Jonas Kaufmann. Critics applaud Kaufmann's singing, range and swagger on stage. Others point to his history of high-profile cancellations. Interrupted by the pandemic, we have been following the tenor for years. Now, we finally raise the curtain, so you can hear Jonas Kaufmann make one of opera's most famous arias, his own. Even if you don't know its name, it's likely you've heard, and perhaps even hummed along to "Nessun Dorma." Jonas Kaufmann: It's very difficult to describe-- or define the magic of this song. In the first year of the pandemic, Jonas Kaufmann enchanted an audience desperate for live performances at the Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert. Jonas Kaufmann: If you look carefully at this … [Read more...] about Jonas Kaufmann: Opera’s star tenor
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Never too late: Migrants and refugees in NZ overcome obstacles to learn driving
Whatever age you are, living in a new country comes with some daunting challenges – including driving. WEI SHAO talks to several migrants about their efforts to get on the road and live a more independent life in Aotearoa. Amino Omar was told she would never learn to drive because she was “deaf and dumb”. But she knew they were wrong. Getting her driving licence has meant “independence” for the refugee from Somalia, single mum, and deaf person. READ MORE: ‘More support needed’ to keep Auckland refugee and migrant programmes running Thieves steal and crash cars from driving school for refugees and migrants English Language Partners Aoraki manager leaving after 29 years Driving school for young people, migrants and ethnic women calls for more volunteers The 34-year-old moved to New Zealand with her daughter in 2009, and worked for five years to earn her licence. “I saw my Somali friends driving around in their cars and enjoying their freedom, but I was stuck … [Read more...] about Never too late: Migrants and refugees in NZ overcome obstacles to learn driving
Who is Kris Jenner’s mom Mary Jo Campbell?
MARY Jo "MJ" Campbell is Kris Jenner's mother and grandmother to the Kardashian children. MJ is the owner of Khloe Kardashian's unedited bikini photo that went viral back in April 2021. Who is Kardashian grandma MJ? MJ Shannon is Kris Jenner's mother and a grandmother to Kris's six children. Even though she does not appear in many episodes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians , MJ is a member of the family that Kris, her children, and their children adore. She's loved by audiences for her bluntness, dry humor and kind spirit. MJ was formerly an etiquette school teacher, model, and entrepreneur. She opened up a children's boutique called Shannon & Company in 1980. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and colon cancer, but she successfully overcame the diseases both times. How old is she? MJ was born on July 26, 1934, in Arkansas, making her 87-years-old. She married her first husband when she was only 18, and then later got married a second time … [Read more...] about Who is Kris Jenner’s mom Mary Jo Campbell?
Terror suspect researched what Muslims should do if they are ‘approaching death’ on eve of stabbing, court told
A "committed and fanatical Islamist terrorist" researched what Muslims should do if they are approaching death on the eve of stabbing the veteran Conservative MP Sir David Amess to death, a court has been told. Ali Harbi Ali is accused of stabbing the politician 21 times in a "frenzied" attack at the MP's constituency surgery, having tricked his way to getting an appointment on Oct 15. In planning his attack, the Crown say he landed on a webpage that posed the question “What should a person do if they think their death is approaching?” on an Islamic question and answer forum on Oct 12. And on the day before the attack, he searched Google for Muslim burial grounds, which took him to Eternal Gardens Muslim Burial Ground in Lindon, just off the A20 in Sidcup. The jury were shown CCTV images of Ali's journey from north London to Southend, where he talked to a police officer and security guards, laughed with commuters and smiled at children and their mothers. On the opening day of … [Read more...] about Terror suspect researched what Muslims should do if they are ‘approaching death’ on eve of stabbing, court told
Stage version of The Girl On The Train engaging, despite clunky script
REVIEW: If you haven’t heard of The Girl On The Train , read the novel and/or watched the film, you have may have been living under a rock. The book, published in 2015, made first-time thriller writer Paula Hawkins a lot of money, selling more than 23 million copies worldwide and prompting a Hollywood adaptation. Central character Rachel Watson is a lonely woman in the grip of a midlife crisis, who was so drunk she can’t remember what happened the night a woman went missing – but knows she witnessed something or was somehow involved. The book centres on three first-person narratives – that of Rachel; of Anna Watson, the wife who supplanted Rachel with her ex, Tom; and Megan Hipwell, the missing woman. READ MORE: The Girl on the Train: Netflix's wild Bollywood adaptation goes off the rails Filmmakers did their best to make Emily Blunt less attractive for 'The Girl on the Train' Watch: The Girl on the Train' movie trailer It explores the meaty themes of jealousy, … [Read more...] about Stage version of The Girl On The Train engaging, despite clunky script
Germans and sex: It’s complicated
Regine Thoeren ran Cologne's only erotic store for women for 25 years. At the end of 2019, the now 65-year-old closed "Lady's Toys" for good — the competition from the internet just became too intense. DW's Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart had a chat with her to find out more about the Germans' sex life. DW: Ms. Thoeren, over the past couple of years, the Germans have spent a lot of time with their loved ones at home — inevitably due to the coronavirus pandemic. How do you think that has affected their sex life ? Regine Thoeren:Unfortunately, it was too often not in a good way... Studies show that there is more violence against women , as well as more violence against children. People are living crammed together in spaces that are often too small. Unfortunately, I have nothing better to report. There is certainly a number of people who have flourished by spending time in close quarters, but it is a minority. Watch video 05:36 Love, dating and … [Read more...] about Germans and sex: It’s complicated
Vertical farms: A rising form of agriculture
It's not an art installation; it's rotisserie lettuce plants, going around and around inside a vertical farm, in the middle of downtown Jackson, Wyoming. This little tenth-of-an-acre plot produces 100,000 pounds of produce a year. Architect Nona Yehia is one of the founders of Vertical Harvest, which opened in 2016. She said, "Jackson has a four-month growing season, and so we really wanted to extend that. What we had was this plot of land, 30 feet wide by 150 feet long. So, we decided, 'Well, what if we go up? Could we make more food?'" And not just lettuce: "There's snow outside on the mountain, and we're still producing tomatoes for our community," she told correspondent Martha Teichner. And all kinds of microgreens, including samples for their edible flower program: "This is kind of a little bit of our Willy Wonka part of the tour where you never know what you're going to get!" Vertical farming is possible because LED lighting has gotten cheaper and more efficient. The … [Read more...] about Vertical farms: A rising form of agriculture
The one lesson I’ve learned from life: Actor Bonnie Wright, 31, says perfection is the enemy of action
London-born Bonnie Wright, 31, is an actor, director, climate advocate and author who rose to fame as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Andrew. I’ve always been self-driven. I was nine years old when I auditioned for Harry Potter. My older brother, Lewis, had read the first few books and said, ‘you could be Ginny Weasley’. It was on the news that they were holding auditions, so when my parents came home I asked if I could go. I never expected to get it — I just thought: let’s go along and see what the audition is like. I was that kid who put themselves forward for everything. Actor Bonnie Wright, 31, (pictured) refers to herself as a 'recovering perfectionist'. She says that as a teenager she had to balance schoolwork with filming I was exposed to incredibly talented people from such a young age. It inspired me to go to film school and become a director, which I wouldn’t have done otherwise. A set feels like home to me. … [Read more...] about The one lesson I’ve learned from life: Actor Bonnie Wright, 31, says perfection is the enemy of action
Missouri could soon become the only U.S. state without a single abortion clinic
A legal battle unfolding in Missouri could soon make the Show Me State the only one in America without a single medical abortion clinic. On Monday, a state arbiter will hear arguments from both sides in Planned Parenthood's fight to stop state officials from shutting down its abortion clinic in St. Louis, Missouri. The facility is currently the only medical abortion clinic still operating in the state. However, earlier this year, Missouri health officials refused to renew its license, asserting that the clinic had failed to meet state standards. According to Reuters, officials had made the determination after conducting mandatory interviews with several physicians who were involved in what the health department deemed to be "life-threatening" abortions performed at the clinic. Planned Parenthood has shot down that argument, however, asserting that the state did not have the right to force the clinic's staff to give interviews in the first place. In June, the women's … [Read more...] about Missouri could soon become the only U.S. state without a single abortion clinic
Emmerdale theory: Dingle family discover secret fortune as they become millionaires
Lorraine: Sally Dexter discusses Faith Dingle’s health Sign up for the big storylines FIRST , star interviews and exclusive access SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Sam Dingle (James Hooton) and his wife Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) have been particularly struggling with money in recent weeks on Emmerdale . This has led the father of one to steal pheasants from the grounds of Home Farm so his family could have something to eat, which didn't go down too well with Kim Tate (Claire King) when she found out what was going on. However, after striking a deal with Faith Dingle (Sally Dexter) earlier this week on the ITV soap, the ruthless businesswoman gave the hapless Dingle a job. However, this isn't how he and his loved ones could … [Read more...] about Emmerdale theory: Dingle family discover secret fortune as they become millionaires