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Concert by Putin ally Gergiev cancelled in Italy

Concert by Putin ally Gergiev cancelled in Italy

Yahoo2 days ago
The organisers of a music festival in Italy have cancelled a concert featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev after days of criticism from Kremlin critics and human rights campaigners.
Gergiev, an ally of President Putin, was due to lead an Italian orchestra and soloists from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre in a performance at a former royal palace near Naples later this month.
The 72 year old has been barred from Western stages since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which he has refused to condemn.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said the cancellation by the organisers of the Un'Estate da RE festival was "common sense" and protected the "values of the free world".
Putin's friend Gergiev set for concert as Italy breaks ban on pro-Kremlin artists
The Royal Palace of Caserta gave no official reason for cancelling the concert on 27 July, which was being staged as part of the wider music programme.
Ukraine on Sunday had urged organisers to drop Gergiev's performance, calling him "Putin's mouthpiece" who should not be welcomed anywhere "as long as Russian forces continue to commit atrocities".
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, welcomed the cancellation, describing it as "good news", in a post on X.
"No artist who supports the current dictatorship in Russia should be welcomed in Europe," she said.
But Moscow's ambassador to Italy said the decision was a "scandalous situation" and part of a "policy of 'cancelling' Russian culture".
Gergiev, the director of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Russian state theatres, regularly played in leading Western venues before the invasion of Ukraine.
Institutions, including Milan's La Scala, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and New York's Carnegie Hall later severed ties with him.
The controversy over Gergiev's appearance emerged last week when Italy was hosting heads of state from all over Europe to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and discuss how to rebuild the country once the war is over.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been a strong and consistent critic of Vladimir Putin from the start. But her culture ministry was one of the backers of the Un'Estate da RE festival.
Putin's favourite conductor to run Bolshoi
Russian conductor resigns Edinburgh Festival post
Russian conductor dropped by Munich orchestra
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EU Diplomats See Progress Toward US Trade Deal With 15% Tariffs
EU Diplomats See Progress Toward US Trade Deal With 15% Tariffs

Yahoo

time21 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

EU Diplomats See Progress Toward US Trade Deal With 15% Tariffs

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THE BUCCANEERS Recap: (S02E06) Every Single Piece of My Heart
THE BUCCANEERS Recap: (S02E06) Every Single Piece of My Heart

Geek Girl Authority

time22 minutes ago

  • Geek Girl Authority

THE BUCCANEERS Recap: (S02E06) Every Single Piece of My Heart

The Buccaneers Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart,' is absolutely bonkers. So much happens . Almost too much. There's no room to breathe as the narrative chugs along at lightning speed. It feels like we're simply jumping from one plot point to the next. Admittedly, everything would flow better if the outing was split into two episodes. That said, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' is the strongest episode of the season thus far. The acting, specifically from Imogen Waterhouse and Barney Fishwick, is nuanced and compelling. I feel Richard's death is unnecessary and mostly for shock value, though. Not a fan of the series breaking up its healthiest couple. However, I'm curious to see how the story plays out for Conchita. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous episode of The Buccaneers , 'A Whole Love' The Buccaneers, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' We open with Guy (Matthew Broome) buying flowers in the breezy, bustling Italian marketplace. He spots Seadown (Barney Fishwick) from afar. In a panic, he drops the flowers and races back to his home. Guy informs Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) about Seadown. He insists they leave now. However, Jinny is well aware of Seadown's presence in their town. Even worse, she's considering going back to England with him. Jinny asserts that Seadown is a changed man. He's wonderful with Freddie. She tells Guy that she'll be different now — better. Girl, this is what that scumbag wants you to believe. Guy reminds her that abusive turds like Seadown excel in the art of manipulation. Empowered by Guy's words, Jinny starts packing, refusing to kowtow to Seadown. Unfortunately, Freddie is gone. Seadown is 100 percent the culprit. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Home Well, if Seadown absconded with Freddie to lure Jinny out of Italy, his plan worked. We see Jinny and Guy return to England, where they crash at the Brightlingsea/Marable house. Nan (Kristine Frøseth), Conchita (Alisha Boe), Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel (Josie Totah) and Honoria (Mia Threapleton) are there to embrace and comfort Jinny. Richard (Josh Dylan) and Lady Marable (Fenella Woolgar) watch the reunion from a distance. RELATED: 10 Questions We Need Answered in The Buccaneers Season 2 Then, we learn that a journalist from The Times is en route, courtesy of Theo's pull as the Duke of Tintagel. Nan reminds Jinny that, according to English law, she 'kidnapped' Seadown's baby. She's in danger of facing the might of the law. Thankfully, Nan is fighting tooth and nail to change that law. Hopefully, this journalist can get Jinny's story out there and smear Seadown's name. Next, Guy and Theo (Guy Remmers) reunite. Initially, it's awkward. However, at the end of the day, these two are BFFs. Not even falling for the same woman can change that. They hug it out. After this, Bert Clark (Iain MacRae), the journalist, arrives. Theo escorts Bert to the sitting room, where Jinny awaits him. Naturally, Bert is taken aback. Jinny is a wanted woman, after all. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Victim or Villain? That said, he's willing to listen to Jinny as she tells the truth about Seadown. Elsewhere, Lady Marable chats with Seadown, who paints a picture that casts him as the victim. In his eyes, Jinny kidnapped his child. Her friends manipulate Jinny into believing he's the villain. We learn that Seadown is currently staying in Aunt Emily's mansion outside London. He plans to bring Jinny there. RELATED: 7 Questions We'll Never Get Answered in The Great Season 4 The following morning, Bert's article is on the front page of the latest edition of The Times . He wholeheartedly supports Jinny and rehabilitates her image in the eyes of the public. This is a bit anachronistic in that it very likely didn't play out this way IRL. Women had so little power and public sway back then (not that we have much today). But I appreciate a woman getting a win over her abuser. Seadown reads the article in Aunt Emily's home and looks pissed . Later, Lizzy and Theo run into each other in the Brightlingsea/Marable house. We learn that Lizzy called off her marriage to Hector. Was it for Theo? Was it merely for herself? Regardless, Lizzy claims she doesn't regret her decision. Theo states that he misses her, but Richard breaks up the tender moment. He and Theo are heading out to search for Freddie. Lizzy's Choice After this, Hector (Jacob Ifan) arrives. Lizzy apologizes profusely for how she handled things. She tells Hector that he deserves to be with someone who truly loves him. She thanks him for doing this for them — meaning her and the titular Buccaneers. However, he's not lending a hand for her, but for Nan and Jinny. He throws Lizzy's words back in her face in a mic drop moment. As much as I love Lizzy, girl made a big mistake. RELATED: Read our Bridgerton recaps Next, Hector tells Nan and Jinny that passing the new bill and ultimately overturning that harmful law will take time. Rome wasn't built in a day. But the Home Secretary will be at the opera that evening, as will the Buccaneers. Nan might have enough pull as a duchess to sway him. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Sure enough, Nan works her magic in the opera house. She and the Home Secretary (Gary Pillai) share a box together. Nan offers the influence of House Tintagel to bolster him. Meanwhile, Guy and Theo chat at the house. Theo shares that he and Nan are under one roof, but they're not together in that way. Guy wonders what they can do about men like Seadown. Theo believes they must thank God for women. They get sh*t done. A Confrontation at the Opera Elsewhere, Lady Marable brings Jinny a dress to wear to the opera. Jinny asks her mother-in-law to disclose Freddie's location. However, Lady Marable claims ignorance, only that Jinny should try to mend fences with Seadown. That article has him in pieces, you know. Ugh. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: The Buccaneers ' Lizzy Elmsworth So, Jinny puts on the dress and heads to the opera. She decides to confront Seadown directly. At the same time, our Buccaneers are in shock as Seadown enters his box at the opera. Jinny follows hot on his heels. The scandal! The opera attendees watch with rapt attention as she demands answers from Seadown. Where's Freddie? Seadown evades her question by pivoting — he feigns fear, cowering for the audience. He grabs her wrist to make it appear she's attempting to hurt him. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Eventually, Jinny slaps Seadown (well-deserved). Seadown calls for help, claiming Jinny is out of control. Two men cart her away. Nan and the others attempt to chase them down. Nan and Guy watch as the men push Jinny into a carriage before driving away. Later, on Seadown's orders, they check Jinny into an asylum. Jinny insists she's of sound mind, claiming she's only inquiring about her son's whereabouts. Gotta love it when men in power gaslight women, writing off their legitimate concerns as hysteria. Asylum Nan and Guy track down the asylum, where the former demands to see her sister. The woman she talks to asserts that Jinny isn't allowed visitors per Seadown's request. Seadown visits Jinny the next day. He reveals how it's terrifying for him to see her 'like this,' adding that she's unwell. Of course, that's untrue. Jinny asks about Freddie. Seadown evades her question again, declaring that this isn't about their son. It's about her getting better. The attendants administer pills before Jinny rolls over. Conversation over. RELATED: Read our Dickinson recaps What transpires next is a montage of Jinny refusing to eat her food. Worries about Freddie's well-being are all-consuming. Seadown returns days later to finally give Jinny a glimpse of Freddie. We see a maid holding him outside the building. Jinny changes her methods. She thanks Seadown for taking care of her and Freddie. She acknowledges that she needs help and will accept his treatment. Ugh. So, Seadown brings Jinny home. She reunites with Freddie. Unfortunately, Seadown cuts the reunion short, insisting that Jinny must rest — for her safety and Freddie's. What a POS. Nan and Guy return to the asylum to find Jinny is gone. Guy consoles a distraught Nan. Never Again After this, we see Jinny dressed to Seadown's liking, sitting across from him for, presumably, dinner time. Seadown rattles off his overly used, meaningless catchphrase, 'Only us.' Jinny accepts her fate as his prisoner, but she'll never love him. She can't. She's only here for Freddie. Seadown abruptly ends dinner time and forces her out of her chair. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: The Buccaneers ' Conchita Marable Meanwhile, Conchita and Richard chat about Seadown and their childhood. Richard wonders if he has the capacity to be like Seadown. Conchita reassures him that he and Seadown aren't even in the same conversation. Richard is so much kinder. Lady Marable asks Richard to accompany her on a walk. She calls Seadown a 'funny fish,' now admitting that her son has f*cked up. Well, in her own words. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Lady Marable insists that Seadown only wants to impress Richard. That's always been his objective — to make his older brother proud of him. She asks Richard to pay Seadown a visit and talk sense into him. Elsewhere, Guy and Nan have a heart-to-heart. Guy apologizes for making Nan feel bad for prioritizing Jinny's well-being over his own. Nan declares that it's always been him, never Theo. She's willing to fight for Guy, and he reciprocates her declaration. Executing the Plan After this, Richard and Honoria depart for Seadown's house (well, Aunt Emily's). Everyone bids them farewell. The plan is to rescue Jinny and Freddie. Richard will distract Seadown while Honoria fetches them. The three siblings reminisce about spending their childhood here, and how 'unfortunate' Aunt Emily wouldn't let them sit on her favorite sofa. RELATED: 15 Song Covers We Want to Hear on Bridgerton Honoria offers to flag down a maid for tea while Richard and Seadown chat about women. Richard tries to appeal to Seadown's misogynistic views, even claiming that Conchita wasn't fun to be around after giving birth to Minnie. Of course, we know that he loves Conchita more than anyone and anything. Seadown claims that Jinny will never love him again. Richard casts intermittent glances toward the stairs, hoping Honoria ushers Jinny and Freddie out the door soon. Honoria finds Jinny, who's locked in her room. Jinny urges Honoria to save Freddie first. Honoria does just this, getting into the carriage with Freddie. Seadown eventually realizes what's happening. However, it's too late. Honoria and Freddie are already escaping in the carriage. A Struggle So, Richard races upstairs and kicks down the door to save Jinny. They find Seadown standing in the foyer, a gun trained on them. Richard puts Jinny behind him and attempts to reason with his younger brother. Then, Richard lunges toward the gun and the two wrestle over it. Richard yells at Jinny to run; he won't be far behind her. RELATED: Read our recaps of The Buccaneers Jinny flees, clad only in a dressing gown and barefoot. Inside the house, Richard continues trying to wrest control of the gun from Seadown. After Jinny escapes, Seadown begins sobbing. Richard comforts him and says he knows how much Seadown loves Jinny. Seadown pushes Richard away and presses the gun against his temple. Richard tries to pacify Seadown and defuse the tense situation. He asks Seadown to put the gun down. They'll figure out what comes next together. Seadown sits on the bench across from Richard, claiming the latter knows nothing about him. Seadown still has the gun pressed to his temple. Richard insists it's over; Jinny's gone. Jinny runs toward a large tree at the end of the yard. She ducks behind it and tries to catch her breath. Suddenly, she hears a gunshot emanating from the house. THE BUCCANEERS Season 2 Episode 6, 'Every Single Piece of My Heart' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ Tragedy Strikes in the Face of Victory Inside, Seadown sobs while still holding the gun. Richard lies in a pool of his own blood. Seadown apologizes over and over. Jinny sees Richard dead and runs. Then, we see her walk all the way back to London. Earlier, Honoria returned to the Brightlingsea/Marable house with Freddie. Now, they're all waiting with bated breath for Jinny and Richard. Jinny tearfully informs the group about Seadown killing Richard. Conchita sobs uncontrollably as Honoria, Mabel and Lizzy embrace her. My poor Conchita. The Buccaneers drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+. Hair and Makeup Artist Jacquetta Levon Talks Incorporating Reality and Fantasy for THE SERPENT QUEEN Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.

Alexander Skarsgård addresses fan theories that 'this' Taylor Swift song is about him
Alexander Skarsgård addresses fan theories that 'this' Taylor Swift song is about him

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Alexander Skarsgård addresses fan theories that 'this' Taylor Swift song is about him

"I'm going to be honest. I wrote the lyrics of that song myself, and sent it to Taylor," he joked. "He's so tall, and handsome as hell" – but is he Alexander Skarsgård? For years, one of the favorite Swiftie fan theories has purported that Taylor Swift's steamy song "Wildest Dreams" from her 1989 album was written about the Swedish actor, with whom she briefly worked on the 2014 film The Giver. Dax Shepard attempted to get Skarsgård to speak on the matter in a new episode of his Armchair Expert podcast. Shepard told his guest that for years, he has tried convincing his two young daughters, who are big fans of Swift's music, that the song is actually about him. He recalled how he continued the bit when he took his 12-year-old daughter, Lincoln, to an Eras Tour concert in Lisbon, Portugal, and Swift played the song during the 1989 portion of her set. "And then in my f---ing research today, I read that the song is about you," Shepard told Skarsgård, who laughed and then tried to pin it back on Shepard. "Wait, she saw you in the audience, and she's like, 'I'm gonna sing this song' — maybe it is about you," Skarsgård joked of Shepard, adding, "I wasn't in the crowd in Lisbon, so it was clearly about you." Shepard then asked his guest if he, too, had "the same fear to either acknowledge or deny that that could be true because the power of the Swifties is so strong that you just don't wanna talk about it." The Murderbot actor laughed and admitted, 'Yeah.' Shepard then remarked that he couldn't believe he'd been making that joke with his kids for six years. Skarsgård added, "It's about Brad Pitt, guys, let's be honest." The actor didn't confirm or deny that the song is about him, but he did eventually joke, "I'm going to be honest. I wrote the lyrics of that song myself and sent it to Taylor. 'Taylor, here's what you should say.'" Jokes aside, when the topic of being a fan of Swift's music came up, Skarsgård sweetly said, "We're all Swifties." The theory goes like this: Because the "Wildest Dreams" music video depicts a short-lived fling between two film costars, and because the video was shot in South Africa like The Giver, and because Swift dons a dark-haired wig in both the video and the film, the song could be about Skarsgård. The song itself doesn't provide many clues to the love interest's identity other than the aforementioned lyrics that he is "so tall" and "handsome as hell," but that hasn't stopped Swifties from speculating. For her part, Swift never confirms who her songs are about (if anyone), and "Wildest Dreams" is no different. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly Solve the daily Crossword

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