National guard

By Shaimaa Khalil Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Olivia Newton-John was a UK-born, Australian-raised recording artist who shot to superstardom in the US. It's no wonder that Hollywood is mourning her and that tributes have come from her star friends from Britain as well. But Australia has and will always claim her as its "darling" and "sweetheart". Obituary: Olivia Newton-John This is where she started her musical career, even though she grew up wanting to be a vet and then a policewoman. Newton-John formed a girl group with three other school friends at 14 and started performing in a café run by her sister's boyfriend. Australians grew up with a young Olivia Newton-John on their screens. She appeared on many talent shows. She sang Summertime aged 15 on a televised talent competition and landed a role on the TV … [Read more...] about Olivia Newton-John: Australia mourns a national sweetheart

Published 21 May 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing McDonald's is to review the height of a 12m-high sign at a proposed new restaurant after a complaint it would "interrupt" views of the Brecon Beacons. The sign would be detrimental to the character of the area, according to Brecon Beacons National Park. It added it would create an "intrusive feature" on the skyline. The new fast food outlet would be built in Llanfoist, just off the A465 Heads of the Valleys road, creating 65 jobs. But Brecon Beacons National Park is concerned the 24-hour illumination of the 12m-high (39ft) sign would be detrimental to the park's "special qualities". The application has also attracted dozens of letters of objection and a petition of more than 400 names. Concerns include the site's close proximity to Llanfoist Primary School, increased traffic and litter problems. … [Read more...] about National park’s concern over 12m-high McDonald’s sign

Product-savvy ramraiders are increasingly stealing to order, including possibly for expectant mums, a retail leader says. Recent Hamilton targets include a boutique babywear and accessories shop, and a fashion boutique. Little Mash Boutique in Barton St, in the centre of Hamilton, was the target of a ramraid in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A police spokesperson said a vehicle was reported driving into a building about 12.50am. READ MORE: Put ankle bracelets on youth ramraiders, says exasperated bottle shop owner Patrolling cops nab Auckland ramraider at Thames jewellery store 'Shopping is like therapy': Why people are stepping back inside the stores “Two offenders have entered the premises and left with items from the store.” Three racks of children’s clothing and a till was stolen. Owner Renata Lardelli said the shop could have been targeted because one of the offenders may have been expecting a baby. Lardelli was made aware of the burglary at … [Read more...] about Ramraid for onesies – baby clothes heist sparks theft-to-order warning

Lady Gaga kick-started the North American tour of her Chromatica Ball with a strong message. The pop star took a moment out to voice her support for abortion rights and gay marriage during her concert in Washington, D.C., on Monday night. Addressing her more than 40,000 fans, the Shallow singer told the audience, “I would like to dedicate this song to every woman in America. To every woman who now has to worry about her body if she gets pregnant. I pray that this country will speak up, that we will stick together, and that we will not stop until it’s right! For every woman.” She further added, “I didn’t mean to be, like, a downer, but there’s some [expletive] that’s more important than show business.” Gaga’s response came after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, nearly 25 states have moved to enact laws barring citizens from safe access to abortion. During her concert, the House of Gucci star dedicated Born This Way song to the LGBTQ+ community. … [Read more...] about Lady Gaga defends abortion rights and gay marriage at Chromatica Ball

At right, Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, and Mary Rodgers at the Rodgers-Guettel Christmas party in 1965. Photo: Courtesy of the Rodgers-Beaty-Guettel family In the four years between her explosive separation from Jerry Beaty in 1957 and her Mexican wedding to Henry Guettel in 1961, Mary Rodgers (1931–2014) composed the music for Once Upon a Mattress, ushered the show to Broadway and London, assisted Leonard Bernstein on his Young People’s Concerts, and wrote songs for everyone from Bing Crosby to Captain Kangaroo. All this while raising three young children and juggling many unlikely husband prospects, including the producer Hal Prince; a married editor she called Boston Jack; her Mattress lyricist, Marshall Barer, who was gay; and a CIA operative named Cord Meyer. Finally, there was the man she had met and fallen hard for at Oscar Hammerstein’s farm when she was barely a teenager: Stephen Sondheim. Would their affection take the turn they’d described in a song they … [Read more...] about A Trial Marriage to Stephen Sondheim

Italy's far-right, right-wing and centrist bloc is on track to win a broad majority in both houses of parliament at next month's national election, benefiting from divisions among its opponents. The conservative alliance leads opinion polls ahead of the 25 September ballot, with the far-right Fratelli d'Italia or Brothers of Italy set to be the largest single party. On the basis of its election promises of tax cuts and higher pensions, a win by the conservative alliance may strain Italy's public finances, while the bloc would also be expected to crack down on illegal immigration. A study by the Cattaneo Institute think tank, based on the latest polls, suggests the alliance could elect 245 lawmakers out of 400 at the Chamber and 127 out of 200 at the Senate. Analysis from Italy: A political crisis that nobody wanted Italy's President Mattarella dissolves parliament, new election set for 25 September The conservative bloc includes Giorgia Meloni's … [Read more...] about Right-wing coalition on course to win Italy election, says study

A woman was left "appalled" and angry after being kicked out of a Wetherspoons pub in south London. Dog owner Millie Holmes was sat on a table outside of the Richmal Crompton, in Bromley South, with her boyfriend last week and ordered food and drinks. Their five-month-old puppy was happily sat beside them - but then the "next minute a security guard comes over and tells [them] 'no dogs allowed'." Millie asked where the signage was stating the rules, before a manager walked over and handed her a "refund receipt" then explained they had to refund the meal "because of the dog". The woman was "absolutely disgusted" with her treatment and took to Facebook to rant about her experience, MyLondon reports. Millie was appalled by her experience at the south London pub ( Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images) Sign to our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories. She also alleged that the "lovely ladies" on the table next to … [Read more...] about Furious woman kicked out of Wetherspoons pub for dining with her dog

Published 10 June 2021 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing McDonald's has won a planning row with a local authority in Wales over English-language digital screens at one of its restaurants. Gwynedd council last year refused the fast food giant permission for larger screens at its Caernarfon drive-thru on grounds of Welsh language requirements. All public signs in the county are required to be in Welsh and English. However, the council has backed down after McDonald's argued the site already included bilingual signs. McDonald's said the restaurant also included self-service ordering facilities in Welsh. "Within the McDonald's restaurant are facilities for customers to order their meals in a number of different languages on the self order kiosk and are proud that this has allowed members of the public to order in Welsh," the company said. Park's concern over … [Read more...] about McDonald’s wins English-only sign row at Caernarfon drive-thru

Published 7 January 2019 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing After years at the heart of government, Mark Drakeford today starts in the top job. BBC Wales' political correspondent Daniel Davies has spoken to friends, colleagues and opponents of the Welsh Labour leader about his politics, personality and the sort of first minister he will be. Mark Drakeford's political awakening came early. Nationalist fervour swept his home town of Carmarthen when Gwynfor Evans was elected as Plaid Cymru's first MP in 1966. At grammar school, Mr Drakeford remembers groups of pupils marching around chanting political slogans. English-only road signs lay piled on the ground, torn down the night before. The political climate fired the imagination of the young Drakeford, a clarinet-playing cricket fan. Trashing road signs was, he thought, a "fantastic thing to be doing", he told me. … [Read more...] about Mark Drakeford: From Latin degree to Wales’ leader

Published 28 February 2021 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Disciplinary action has started against an NHS body's assistant director after he compared the treatment of non-Welsh speakers to "apartheid". James Moore was at Health Education and Improvement Wales when he said it was time to "stand up to oppressors" . The HEIW said he had left a secondment with them and returned to his permanent role at the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust after "internal discussions". The Welsh Ambulance Service said "appropriate" action was being taken. Mr Moore's comments were posted on social media in a discussion about plans to change a Carmarthen primary school from English to Welsh medium. Welsh is fastest growing language in UK, says Duolingo Iceland director sacked after Welsh language jibes Learning Welsh online in lockdown 'popular' The comments were … [Read more...] about Welsh NHS boss faces disciplinary after Welsh language ‘apartheid’ post