Every 10 years is called

The Isle Of Wight Festival has announced it will go ahead this year, but is moving from June to September following the government's roadmap out of lockdown announcement. It was originally due to run from 17 to 20 June, just ahead of the date of 21 June given by Boris Johnson as the earliest possible to lift all COVID-19 restrictions in England. There are fears many festivals planned even for after that date will still be forced to cancel due to the uncertainty over dates and large-scale events, and on Monday, organisers for rock festival Download announced they were calling it off for a second year. But Isle Of Wight organisers have decided to postpone instead, announcing on Tuesday: "The Isle of Wight Festival is a summer staple and two years without being together on the island is too long. "That's why we're so excited to announce that we're moving the festival to 16 to 19 September 2021. Advertisement "We're thrilled to be able to … [Read more...] about Isle Of Wight Festival confirms it will go ahead – but moves from June to September after lockdown roadmap announcement

A group of Virgin Active landlords are exploring moves to end their relationship with the health and fitness chain as it tries to thrash out a rescue deal that could involve steep haircuts for creditors. Sky News has learnt that the owners of a handful of Virgin Active's UK sites have appointed Coffer Corporate Leisure to canvas interest from potential alternative tenants. The five gyms include its clubs in Notting Hill and Wandsworth in London, Northampton and Nottingham - equating to around 10% of its operations in Britain. One industry source said the landlords were preparing contingency plans in the event that they could not agree revised terms with Virgin Active, which is trying to shore up its balance sheet after being hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The identities of the relevant landlords was unclear on Tuesday. Advertisement Negotiations have been taking place for weeks between the company's shareholders, who include Sir Richard Branson's … [Read more...] about Virgin Active landlords plot exit amid talks over new funds

Austria and Denmark are to stop relying solely on the European Union for coronavirus vaccines and begin a partnership with Israel. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he will visit Israel with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday. They are expected to discuss cooperating on vaccine production and research with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It could be described as "unilateral action", Ms Frederiksen said. Mr Kurz said the two countries would "no longer rely" on Brussels. Advertisement Israel has already inoculated a large proportion of its population, while the EU has faced heavy criticism for the slowness of its rollout. So far, about 5.5% of the Austrian population has been immunised. More from Covid-19 Isle Of Wight Festival confirms it will go ahead - but moves from June to September after lockdown roadmap announcement COVID-19: Hunt for mystery person infected with Brazil variant narrows to … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Austria and Denmark to partner with Israel on vaccines and stop relying solely on ‘too slow’ EU

An amateur jockey has apologised after a video of him climbing on a dead horse was posted on social media. Rob James has confirmed he was the person in the video which began circulating online , in which he was seen straddling the dead horse while others watched and laughed. The apology from James follows one of the country's leading trainers, Gordon Elliott, being banned from entering runners in British races because of similar conduct in a photo that was also circulated online. James, who rode an Elliott-trained winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year, said his actions were "wholly inappropriate and disrespectful" and that he was "heartbroken by the damage" he has caused. James told The Irish Field newspaper: "I would just like to apologise for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely five-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, 30 April, 2016. … [Read more...] about Jockey apologises after video of him climbing on a dead horse appears on social media

FRENCH actor Gérard Depardieu has spoken for the first time about being charged with raping and sexual abusing a young actress, saying: "I am innocent." The 72-year-old film star broke his silence on Thursday after Paris prosecutors confirmed he faced trial and prison for the attacks allegedly carried out at his £45million mansion in 2018 . "There is no proof, there is nothing against me and therefore I am very serene," Depardieu said in an interview in Italy’s La Repubblica. "I can only reject all the accusations as clearly as possible, as I’ve already done in front of the investigators." Depardieu noted that the accusations made by the 22-year-old complainant, who cannot be named because of legal reasons, were originally thrown out by examining magistrates following nine months of enquiries. He said: "For me, the investigation was closed for lack of evidence. In court, I will reaffirm my innocence. I am innocent and I have nothing to fear." The actor, who is … [Read more...] about Actor Gerard Depardieu, 72, breaks his silence after being charged with rape and says ‘I am innocent’