Latest news with #Fletcher
Glasgow Times
42 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Alan Fletcher, ex-Neighbours star, set for Glasgow gig
Alan Fletcher's new tour across the UK and Ireland, which will stop at the Centre for Contemporary Arts on September 24, is his "most ambitious and far-reaching." The singer is also set to release his latest single Back to School on July 3. (Image: Supplied) Mr Fletcher said: "My 2025 tour of the UK and Ireland is my most ambitious and far-reaching. "Last year's tour sold out and, for the first time, I had a real sense that people came to hear the music, not to just meet my alter-ego Dr Karl. Read more: Glasgow man stabbed nephew after he took his kebab sauce Serie A side eyeing move for Celtic winger "I got that sense from seeing people singing my lyrics back to me and from incredible support for my recorded music. "I suspect this tour is going to be a ripper and I cannot wait to share my new music with Brit and Irish fans everywhere." Mr Fletcher became a household name during his 30-year tenure on the Australian soap Neighbours, best known for his role as Dr Karl Kennedy. In 2020, he decided to move away from rock music and pursue a solo career in Americana, alt-country, and folk music. His recent projects include the album The Point and single Tell 'Em, a country music duet with his partner of 35 years and fellow bandmate, Jennifer Hansen. The singer has also been hinting at what fans can expect from his new track, Back to School. He said: "I have been a student of love all my life and the most valuable lesson I ever had was from English philosopher Alain de Botton. "Alain reminds us that, while it is easy to fall in love, staying in love takes work. "We have to learn how to love so, perhaps, the secret to staying in love is to go... back to school (cue song)."
DW
15 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
DRC-Rwanda peace deal: what you need to know – DW – 06/27/2025
A treaty between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo comes as the United States tries to reassert its role as a global mediator under President Donald Trump. But it leaves many unanswered questions. Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba and her Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe, are due to sign a peace agreement in the presence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington this Friday. Reportedly, a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House is set to follow. Trump has already referred to the agreement as a "wonderful treaty" even before its final signing, but some critical voices doubt whether the deal is far-reaching enough. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Thousands of people have died and millions displaced in a conflict that reignited in 2021 when M23 rebels launched its most recent offensive in the DRC. The fighting quickly escalated as allegations of Rwanda propping up M23 insurgents from across the border were broadly circulated and later confirmed by various international bodies, including the US government. Rwanda has repeatedly denied those claims but has nonetheless agreed to commit to the peace deal. "This agreement marks a very important step towards establishing peace in the African Great Lakes region," says Yvon Muya, a political analyst focused on African Affairs at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. "But nobody knows yet whether it will hold. That will depend primarily on the two parties concerned, i.e. the Congolese and Rwandan authorities." There's a great deal of hope resting on the agreement, which could potentially bring an end to 30 years of unrest in the eastern DRC. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told DW however that in the absence of any external controls to guarantee peace on the ground, it was "very important to ensure that everyone sticks to this peace process." "I hope it will help stabilize the situation here. Life is very difficult for these communities," Fletcher said. "The world is distracted by Europe, Israel, Iran and so on. I'm here to remind people that we must not forget about the Congo," Fletcher said. The city of Goma, which is on the border with Rwanda, bore witness to the brunt of atrocities and fighting. "I was truly shocked to see the rate of violence against women," Fletcher said. "Although this peace process will deliver a different life for these communities, we need to strengthen international law, and protect people. We have to ask: Will this peace help protect them against sexual crimes, sexual violence?" The UN says rape has historically and systematically been used as a weapon of war in the DRC by M23 rebels and other groups fighting to expand their influence. But the peace deal, which was brokered by American andQatari diplomats, does not address sexual violence directly nor any measures for justice and restitution. Rather, it stipulates the future will be built on "respect for territorial integrity and a prohibition of all hostilities," and that it will also include a clause on the disarmament of all "non-state armed groups." "There is also mention of integrating the armed groups, but only under strict conditions," Muya meanwhile told DW. "This suggests that the mediators for the region have perhaps learned a lesson from previous efforts. They clearly remember how in the past, the Congolese army was infiltrated by other armed or criminal groups and also by questionable figures." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Previous attempts at disarming and integrating rebel groups have typically delivered mixed results at best. The US-brokered deal has especially been subject to criticism for not paying close enough attention to this particular aspect of the conflict in the final draft of the document. In fact, with M23 representatives walking out on previous peace talks, the peace deal might come across as more of a truce. While the agreement focuses on disarmament on the DRC side of the border, it makes no reference to Rwandan forces, which have long been suspected of participating in the conflict. The peace deal seems to rely on economic cooperation intended to benefit both countries. According to a press statement, the agreement focuses on the creation of a "regional economic integration framework" without however going into further detail. "The two countries have at least committed themselves to ceasing all forms of hostility. In this sense, [the peace deal] is chiefly a process to restore trust," Muya told DW, expressing hope in this transactional approach to peace. But Muya adds that the "human aspect seems to be overlooked" in the agreement, such as the return of refugees and displaced people. Fletcher also points out "communities have been displaced and destabilized several times." "We really need to support the refugees, the displaced with whatever they need," he told DW, adding that securing funds rebuild the region was likely going to be difficult. "[T]he world has become less generous, less kind, in fact. And so it's our job to convince [the international community] to provide the necessary support," he said, as the UN faces major funding shortfalls due to cuts. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some analysts fear an exploitative dimension to the peace deal. The wording on economic cooperation between the DRC, Rwanda and US has been criticized as being too weak considering the abundant mineral wealth of the region. Previously, this resource wealth has been a catalyst for regional hostilities. The Trump administration has suggested it wants to expand its influence in Africa and compete with China. The deal also leaves out key African players who have recently tried to mediate and stabilize the region. The East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) are completely left out of the agreement after, in some instances, withdrawing their troops from the region recently.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2025: Ricky Ponting turns waterboy for son as he braves heat in the nets session
Image credit: Washington Freedom The cricketing world was treated to a nostalgic glimpse of Ricky Ponting 's brilliance — not from the man himself, but through the bat of his son, Fletcher William Ponting. During a net session with Washington Freedom in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) season, young Fletcher turned heads with his graceful strokeplay, sparking immediate comparisons to his legendary father. A video posted by Washington Freedom's official handle captured Fletcher effortlessly unfurling elegant pull shots and textbook drives — shots reminiscent of Ricky Ponting's classic repertoire. Glenn Maxwell, who bowled to him during the session, looked visibly impressed as the youngster timed his strokes with remarkable ease. In the same clip, Fletcher is seen engaging with his father, receiving batting tips in a warm yet focused exchange. The similarities in technique, body language, and shot selection between father and son left fans both impressed and nostalgic — and reignited hopes that the Ponting legacy may yet find its next chapter on the international stage. WATCH: While it remains to be seen if Fletcher will pursue cricket professionally, early glimpses of his talent suggest a bright future could be on the horizon. Meanwhile, Washington Freedom continued their strong run in the MLC with a thrilling five-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders in a last-ball nail-biter in Dallas. With this victory, Freedom moved closer to securing a playoffs berth and climbed to second place on the points table, overtaking the Texas Super Kings in the race for a top-two finish. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
DR Congo: Conflict's Survivors Have Been Through Hell, Says UN Aid Chief
26 June 2025 Speaking from the Goma region, whose main city was overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher explained that people had suffered 'decades of trauma'. The last few months have been 'particularly horrific for so many', he added, referring to the lawless fall-out from heavy fighting this year between the rebel fighters and the regular DRC army that has been linked to serious human rights abuses, including potential war crimes. 'Most striking today and yesterday has been the stories of sexual violence, and sitting with women who tell horrific stories which are too horrific for me to tell here and who are trying to find the courage to rebuild their lives,' the UN relief chief said. ' We're there providing that support to them, trying to help them rebuild, but they have been through hell.' Peace call All those newly displaced by the M23 rebel advance are in addition to thefive million people already living in displacement campsin eastern DRC. Today, more than 20 million people need relief assistance. ' They are desperate for this conflict to end, ' Mr. Fletcher continued. A day after NATO Member States agreed to a five per cent increase in funding for their collective defence, investment in the humanitarian work of the UN and its partners is at rock bottom. In DRC, a full 70 per cent of UN aid programmes was historically funded by the United States – 'amazing generosity over decades' – Mr. Fletcher noted. But today 'we're seeing most of that disappearing', he insisted, forcing the humanitarian community to make 'brutal choices, life-and-death choices' about who receives help. 'For these women - the survivors of sexual violence, for the kids who told me they needed water, for the communities that told me they needed shelter, medicine, these cuts are real right now and people are dying because of the cuts,' the top UN official explained. Aid teams haven't stopped Despite the difficulties linked to the protracted nature of the conflict in DRC and the massive needs, UN aid teams and their partners are 'working hard to get access to those communities,' Mr. Fletcher insisted - 'trying to get the airport back open, trying to get roads open, trying to unblock checkpoints that are impeding our aid from getting through'. In an attempt to square the circle of the steadily diminishing amount of aid funding provided globally, Mr. Fletcher recently announced a 'hyper-prioritized' plan to save 114 million lives this year. But that is dependent on receiving the necessary funding. ' All we're asking for to do that is one per cent of what the world spent on defence last year,' he continued. After visiting and connecting with communities impacted time and again by the fighting, the top UN official insisted that they should not be forgotten. 'They are the frontlines of the humanitarian effort,' he said. Communities on front line 'I suppose the glimmer of hope in all of this is, yes, we can work in that more efficient and prioritized way and will do that; but also, the communities here who are - basically – they've come through so much and they are determined to support each other.' And despite rising antipathy in some countries towards international cooperation including the work and peace-promoting efforts of the United Nations, Mr. Fletcher insisted that reasons for optimism remain. 'I really strongly believe there is a movement out there that will back this work, that will support this work,' he told UN News. 'We've got to find them. We've got to enlist them, and we've got to show them that we can deliver for them. 'And, you know, I have not given up on human kindness and human solidarity. I have not given up on the UN Charter for a second. And this work is at the heart of it.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Royal Navy commander facing six months in jail for drunken assault on a comrade
A ROYAL Navy commander faces six months in jail and the sack after drunkenly battering a comrade at a nuclear missile base. Lieutenant Commander Gary Fletcher, who works HMNB Clyde in Faslane, was convicted of 'misconduct through alcohol or drugs' and battery. 1 A Royal Navy commander faces six months in jail and the sack after drunkenly battering a comrade Credit: PA It comes after A fourth sub commander is due to stand trial for over claims of a drug-fuelled sex assault on a junior. And the former Lt Cdr Fletcher served as a logistics officer at the doomsday submarine base home to the UK's nuclear deterrent. READ MORE ON NAVY He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday. It is the latest scandal to rock the silent service after Whistleblower Sophie Brook revealed comrades had made 'crush depth rape lists' of comrades they would assault of their submarine was doomed. Her captain punched her in the kidneys, licked her ear and blew on her neck, an investigation found. Most read in The Sun In a separate case, Lt Cdr John Cursiter, 46, was charged with possessing illegal drugs, sexual assault and false imprisonment. The former executive officer of HMS Vanguard, a doomsday missile sub, could face up to five years in prison. The UK has four Vanguard class submarines armed with doomsday nuclear missiles and one is always on patrol. It is known as the Continuous At Sea Deterrent and always ready to strike back in the event of nuclear war A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "The Royal Navy holds its personnel to the highest standards of conduct. Any allegations of unacceptable or criminal behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences. 'It would be inappropriate to provide further comment while legal proceedings are taking place'.
