Latest news with #JamesBlake
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Show Picks: Concerts by Siti Nurhaliza, James Blake and Cakra Khan
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Malaysian pop star Siti Nurhaliza makes a return to the Singapore Indoor Stadium after two decades. The Next Wave: Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live In Singapore Siti Nurhaliza's upcoming concert comes two decades after the singer, one of Malaysia's biggest music stars, last performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The artiste – known for pop hits such as Aku Cinta Padamu (I Love You, 1997), Purnama Merindu (Lonely Moon, 1998) and Bukan Cinta Biasa (No Ordinary Love, 2003) – will be backed by an orchestra. In an interview with The Straits Times, she revealed that fans who attend the concert will hear her debut a new song. The show is part of a series of events, including an exhibition at shopping centre Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, that kicked off in March to celebrate the 46-year-old's three decades in music. The Pahang-born music star was awarded the Biduanita Negara (National Songstress) accolade in November 2024 and was the most-streamed local artiste among Spotify listeners in Malaysia that year. The Singapore show will also feature guest singer Hael Husaini, the 37-year-old Malaysian known for pop and R&B hits such as Jampi (Incantation, 2017). Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk MRT: Stadium When: July 26, 8pm Admission: $98 to $288 via Sistic (go to or call 6348-5555) Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road Singapore Bicycle wheel-inspired care model used to improve trauma outcomes in central S'pore Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events Singapore Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it's time to raise the alarm James Blake – Live In Singapore British singer-songwriter James Blake will stage his first solo concert in Singapore. PHOTO: NOW/LIVE British singer, songwriter and producer James Blake made his name with cutting-edge works that span soul, R&B and electronic music. This upcoming gig will be his first full solo concert here. The last time he played in Singapore, the multi-award-winning artiste was one of the acts at the local edition of Laneway Festival in 2014. The show is part of a series of gigs in Asia that also includes stops in Japan and South Korea. Blake released his eponymous debut in 2011, and his sixth and most recent album, Playing Robots Into Heaven, in 2023. His second album, Overgrown (2013), won the Mercury Prize, one of the top music awards in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He is also known for producing for acclaimed US acts such as rapper Kendrick Lamar, R&B singer Frank Ocean and pop star Beyonce. Where: The Star Theatre, 04-01 The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green MRT: Buona Vista When: July 22, 8pm Admission: From $98 to $168 via Sistic (go to or call 6348-5555) Cakra Khan Divine Concert – Singapore Indonesian singer Cakra Khan's show at The Star Theatre is his first solo concert in Singapore. PHOTO: More than a decade after he released his self-titled debut album in 2013, Indonesian singer Cakra Khan is finally staging his solo concert in Singapore. His track Setelah Kau Tiada (After You Are Gone, 2013) won Best Song at the 2014 edition of regional Malay music awards show Anugerah Planet Muzik, held in Singapore. The singer, who hails from West Java, is also known for hits such as Harus Terpisah (Must Be Separated, 2013). The 33-year-old's previous appearances here include a performance at Konsert Galau, a concert in 2023 that featured acts from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the same year, he appeared as a contestant in the 18th season of United States reality television show America's Got Talent, but did not make it through to the semi-finals. The concert is named after his 2024 album Divine, which features songs in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
13-07-2025
- Sport
Big showdown to come between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannick Sinner
James Blake, ESPN analyst and former tennis professional, previews the Wimbledon men's final between rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannick Sinner. Plus, a look ahead to the U.S. Open.
06-07-2025
- Sport
Will Americans make it to the Grand Slam at Wimbledon?
Former professional tennis player and ESPN analyst James Blake breaks down all the action at Wimbledon as the Grand Slam event heads into its final week. July 6, 2025
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Generation Green 2: A landmark success connecting young people with nature
Young people on a Generation Green school trip A generation of young people, including local youngsters has rediscovered the power of the outdoors thanks to the 12-month Generation Green 2 project. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The initiative has enabled 26,663 young people from some of the most socially disadvantaged areas to explore National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, often for the first time. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the landmark £4.5 million programme has transformed access to nature for thousands across England at a time when young people need it the most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the newly released Generation Green 2 Celebration Report, the impact has been profound. Eight in ten participants said they would not have had the chance to experience the outdoors without the programme's support. For over a third of participants, it marked their first-ever visit to the countryside. Delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition, which includes YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding, Scouts, nine National Park Authorities and eight National Landscapes in England, the programme provided life-changing outdoor experiences - from day trips to residentials - designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and environmental awareness. 'This isn't just about fun and fresh air,' said James Blake, Chair of Access Unlimited and Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales). 'It's about equity, opportunity, and giving every young person the chance to thrive in and care for the world around them. However, further funding is needed if we are to keep the momentum going.' Rebuilding Connections Lost to the Pandemic The report comes amid mounting evidence that outdoor and nature-based learning is being squeezed out of children's lives. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research from The Sutton Trust recently revealed that 53 per cent of senior school leaders have been forced to divert Pupil Premium funding, away from outdoor learning to cover shortfalls in core budgets. Originally launched in 2021, Generation Green has played a vital role in helping young people rebuild connections with nature that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, one million children missed out on school residentials. Many of these outdoor learning opportunities have yet to return, with some activity centres closing permanently. In the immediate aftermath of Covid, the first Generation Green programme - lasting 18 months - provided essential access to green space at a time when children's mental health and connection to the environment were under increasing strain. Subsequent funding for Generation Green was granted by Defra in March last year for a further 12-month programme. Generation Green 2 focused on nights under the stars, a key recommendation in the Government's Landscapes Review, which argued that every child should have the opportunity to experience a night in nature if they are to become future custodians of our green spaces. A Proven Model for a More Equitable Future Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Participants came from some of the most deprived parts of the country, including Croxteth in Liverpool, Blackburn and other low-income areas. The programme created safe, supported, and inspiring spaces for young people to grow, connect, and learn outdoors. 'We know that time in nature can be life-changing,' said Blake. 'We want to do more, and we're ready to do more. But we need long-term support and policy commitment to ensure no child is left behind.' With Generation Green 2 now at an end, its delivery partners are highlighting the urgent need to build on its success and connect more young people to nature and heritage. Access Unlimited Partners celebrate success Speaking of the impact Generation Green has made in the lives of young people and the continuation of the programme, CEOs for Access Unlimited commented in the Celebration Report: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our National Parks and other protected landscapes are where we go to experience and engage with nature, to rest and recreate, and to learn about our landscapes. Every child should have the opportunity to experience this vital part of our national fabric, but sadly not everyone does. Generation Green 2 takes us a step closer to a society where everyone feels engaged with the outdoors, the countryside and nature. That should be everyone's right, but it's also what we need if we want to foster a culture that can respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis in the future.' - Jayne Butler, National Parks England 'In 2023 our Girls' Attitudes Survey revealed 81% of UK girls aged 7-21 found being outdoors and in nature helps them feel happy. The funding from Generation Green 2 has allowed us to give even more girls the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have a trip away, to build their confidence and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing and we're very appreciative to have been involved in Generation Green.' - Angela Salt OBE, chief executive, Girlguiding 'Generation Green 2 hasn't just opened the door to the outdoors, it's thrown it wide open. Tens of thousands of young people, many from Britain's most disadvantaged communities, have climbed mountains, camped under the stars, and found their confidence in the wild. And in doing so, they've built resilience, connection, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. This project proves what we've always known at Outward Bound: When you give young people meaningful experiences in nature, they don't just grow, they thrive. The legacy of Generation Green 2 will live on in every young person who now sees the outdoors not as something distant, but as a part of who they are.' - Martin Davidson, CEO, The Outward Bound Trust 'Generation Green 2 has again demonstrated the big impact that high quality outdoor learning can have on so many aspects of a young person's life. For many it was completely new, for some it will be life changing and Field Studies Council is proud to have played our part in that. We saw improvements in mental health, confidence, a love of learning, classroom subjects sparking into life and a renewed sense of joy in running around and being a child. The project also showed us the need for more such opportunities to ensure that no child misses out.' - Mark Castle, CEO of Field Studies Council Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Generation Green 2 has been a powerful reminder of the impact that time spent in nature can have on young people. We're incredibly proud to have worked with our partners to deliver such inspiring experiences across our National Landscapes — from day visits and farm walks to life-changing residentials. This project has not only opened doors for thousands of young people but has also strengthened our collective commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.' - John Watkins, Chief Executive, National Landscapes Association 'Generation Green has been a powerful catalyst in helping over 3,700 young people, many from underrepresented backgrounds - connect with nature through meaningful outdoor experiences. By removing barriers, we've widened young people's access to protected landscapes and sparked deeper connections to the environment - supporting wellbeing, resilience and an appreciation for the natural world.' - Aidan Jones, Chief Executive, Scouts 'If we want the environment and nature to be looked after, we need to inspire the next generation. Generation Green 2 has proven how government funding and civil society delivery can work together to extend this inspiration, and the personal development it provides, to many more young people. Through a true partnership approach, Generation Green has connected more than 26,000 disadvantaged young people with the natural world, encouraging the environmentalists of the future, promoting green jobs and setting young people up for lifetimes of enriching adventure through activities in protected landscapes.' – James Blake, CEO, YHA (England & Wales) Why We Need Generation Green 3 Generation Green offers a proven blueprint for change, bringing nature into the lives of young people who need it most. 1 in 5 children aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). 18% of children in the most deprived areas never visit any kind of natural space. never visit any kind of natural space. Half of the country's most deprived areas are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. Almost 30% of children in England live in poverty, affecting their access to safe outdoor experiences. Read the Generation Green 2 Celebration Report at
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Generation Green 2: A landmark success connecting young people with nature
Young people on a Generation Green school trip A generation of young people, including local youngsters has rediscovered the power of the outdoors thanks to the 12-month Generation Green 2 project. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The initiative has enabled 26,663 young people from some of the most socially disadvantaged areas to explore National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, often for the first time. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the landmark £4.5 million programme has transformed access to nature for thousands across England at a time when young people need it the most. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the newly released Generation Green 2 Celebration Report, the impact has been profound. Eight in ten participants said they would not have had the chance to experience the outdoors without the programme's support. For over a third of participants, it marked their first-ever visit to the countryside. Delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition, which includes YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding, Scouts, nine National Park Authorities and eight National Landscapes in England, the programme provided life-changing outdoor experiences - from day trips to residentials - designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and environmental awareness. 'This isn't just about fun and fresh air,' said James Blake, Chair of Access Unlimited and Chief Executive of YHA (England & Wales). 'It's about equity, opportunity, and giving every young person the chance to thrive in and care for the world around them. However, further funding is needed if we are to keep the momentum going.' Rebuilding Connections Lost to the Pandemic The report comes amid mounting evidence that outdoor and nature-based learning is being squeezed out of children's lives. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research from The Sutton Trust recently revealed that 53 per cent of senior school leaders have been forced to divert Pupil Premium funding, away from outdoor learning to cover shortfalls in core budgets. Originally launched in 2021, Generation Green has played a vital role in helping young people rebuild connections with nature that were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, one million children missed out on school residentials. Many of these outdoor learning opportunities have yet to return, with some activity centres closing permanently. In the immediate aftermath of Covid, the first Generation Green programme - lasting 18 months - provided essential access to green space at a time when children's mental health and connection to the environment were under increasing strain. Subsequent funding for Generation Green was granted by Defra in March last year for a further 12-month programme. Generation Green 2 focused on nights under the stars, a key recommendation in the Government's Landscapes Review, which argued that every child should have the opportunity to experience a night in nature if they are to become future custodians of our green spaces. A Proven Model for a More Equitable Future Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Participants came from some of the most deprived parts of the country, including Croxteth in Liverpool, Blackburn and other low-income areas. The programme created safe, supported, and inspiring spaces for young people to grow, connect, and learn outdoors. 'We know that time in nature can be life-changing,' said Blake. 'We want to do more, and we're ready to do more. But we need long-term support and policy commitment to ensure no child is left behind.' With Generation Green 2 now at an end, its delivery partners are highlighting the urgent need to build on its success and connect more young people to nature and heritage. Access Unlimited Partners celebrate success Speaking of the impact Generation Green has made in the lives of young people and the continuation of the programme, CEOs for Access Unlimited commented in the Celebration Report: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our National Parks and other protected landscapes are where we go to experience and engage with nature, to rest and recreate, and to learn about our landscapes. Every child should have the opportunity to experience this vital part of our national fabric, but sadly not everyone does. Generation Green 2 takes us a step closer to a society where everyone feels engaged with the outdoors, the countryside and nature. That should be everyone's right, but it's also what we need if we want to foster a culture that can respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis in the future.' - Jayne Butler, National Parks England 'In 2023 our Girls' Attitudes Survey revealed 81% of UK girls aged 7-21 found being outdoors and in nature helps them feel happy. The funding from Generation Green 2 has allowed us to give even more girls the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and have a trip away, to build their confidence and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing and we're very appreciative to have been involved in Generation Green.' - Angela Salt OBE, chief executive, Girlguiding 'Generation Green 2 hasn't just opened the door to the outdoors, it's thrown it wide open. Tens of thousands of young people, many from Britain's most disadvantaged communities, have climbed mountains, camped under the stars, and found their confidence in the wild. And in doing so, they've built resilience, connection, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. This project proves what we've always known at Outward Bound: When you give young people meaningful experiences in nature, they don't just grow, they thrive. The legacy of Generation Green 2 will live on in every young person who now sees the outdoors not as something distant, but as a part of who they are.' - Martin Davidson, CEO, The Outward Bound Trust 'Generation Green 2 has again demonstrated the big impact that high quality outdoor learning can have on so many aspects of a young person's life. For many it was completely new, for some it will be life changing and Field Studies Council is proud to have played our part in that. We saw improvements in mental health, confidence, a love of learning, classroom subjects sparking into life and a renewed sense of joy in running around and being a child. The project also showed us the need for more such opportunities to ensure that no child misses out.' - Mark Castle, CEO of Field Studies Council Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Generation Green 2 has been a powerful reminder of the impact that time spent in nature can have on young people. We're incredibly proud to have worked with our partners to deliver such inspiring experiences across our National Landscapes — from day visits and farm walks to life-changing residentials. This project has not only opened doors for thousands of young people but has also strengthened our collective commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.' - John Watkins, Chief Executive, National Landscapes Association 'Generation Green has been a powerful catalyst in helping over 3,700 young people, many from underrepresented backgrounds - connect with nature through meaningful outdoor experiences. By removing barriers, we've widened young people's access to protected landscapes and sparked deeper connections to the environment - supporting wellbeing, resilience and an appreciation for the natural world.' - Aidan Jones, Chief Executive, Scouts 'If we want the environment and nature to be looked after, we need to inspire the next generation. Generation Green 2 has proven how government funding and civil society delivery can work together to extend this inspiration, and the personal development it provides, to many more young people. Through a true partnership approach, Generation Green has connected more than 26,000 disadvantaged young people with the natural world, encouraging the environmentalists of the future, promoting green jobs and setting young people up for lifetimes of enriching adventure through activities in protected landscapes.' – James Blake, CEO, YHA (England & Wales) Why We Need Generation Green 3 Generation Green offers a proven blueprint for change, bringing nature into the lives of young people who need it most. 1 in 5 children aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). aged 10 - 15 has a probable mental health disorder (NHS England, 2023). 18% of children in the most deprived areas never visit any kind of natural space. never visit any kind of natural space. Half of the country's most deprived areas are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. are more than 15 miles from a protected landscape. People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. make up 14% of the population but just 1% of visitors to National Parks. Almost 30% of children in England live in poverty, affecting their access to safe outdoor experiences.
