Latest news with #TheSea
India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Not just Trump, Bill Clinton also among 50 who wrote letters to Epstein: Report
A resurfaced leather-bound birthday book belonging to Jeffrey Epstein has once again dragged high-profile individuals into the spotlight, with The Wall Street Journal now reporting that former US President Bill Clinton's name appeared among dozens of celebrity 50th birthday album — meticulously organised with a table of contents and divided into sections such as 'Friends', 'Business', and 'Family' — also listed President Donald Trump, Wall Street billionaire Leon Black, designer Vera Wang, media mogul Mort Zuckerman and former Victoria's Secret boss Leslie to the Journal, Epstein's former girlfriend and convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell allegedly curated the album to include powerful friends as a lavish present. Clinton's handwritten message, described as a single paragraph in his "distinctive scrawl", read: "It's reassuring isn't it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends". A spokesperson for Clinton reiterated to The Wall Street Journal that the former president severed ties with Epstein over a decade before Epstein's 2019 arrest and was unaware of his criminal activities. Clinton, who served two terms from 1993 to 2001, had been photographed with Epstein and Maxwell at the White House in 1993 and reportedly socialised with Epstein in the early 2000s. Clinton's team had earlier confirmed that he took four trips on Epstein's private jet and visited his Manhattan townhouse once — each time accompanied by Secret Service agents and in connection with the Clinton Foundation's Wall Street Journal had previously reported that President Trump's name appeared in the same album, alongside a bizarre fictional dialogue: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret", ending with a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman. Trump swiftly sued The Wall Street Journal, its reporters, and its publisher Dow Jones, calling the note 'fake' and 'nonexistent'. Dow Jones has defended its reporting, stating it stands by the rigor and accuracy of its messages in the resurfaced birthday book ranged from the suggestive to the absurd. Leon Black penned a risqu poem, two lines of which read "Blonde, Red or Brunette, spread out geographically / With this net of fish, Jeff's now The Old Man and The Sea". Vera Wang jokingly suggested Epstein should appear on The Bachelor and invited him on a shopping spree. Leslie Wexner's note contained a crude drawing of a woman's breasts. Both declined to General Pam Bondi reportedly informed President Trump in May that his name surfaced in the files linked to Epstein, according to the Journal's recent report. While digital copies of the book have been reviewed by Justice Department officials in earlier Epstein-Maxwell probes, it remains unclear whether these pages feature in the Trump administration's recent review of Epstein case this month, the Justice Department stated there was no incriminating "client list" nor any evidence that Epstein blackmailed influential figures. Epstein, once a financier and convicted sex offender, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of assisting Epstein's trafficking network and is serving a 20-year prison term.- Ends
Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Concert review: SSO scales majestic An Alpine Symphony, soars with Korngold Violin Concerto
An Alpine Symphony In Images + Korngold Violin Concerto Singapore Symphony Orchestra Esplanade Concert Hall July 18, 7.30pm The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) performing music with the accompaniment of projected visuals is not something novel. Back in 2010, the orchestra under Shui Lan's direction played Claude Debussy's La Mer (The Sea) against stunning imagery of marine life provided by SSO first violinist William Tan, who is well-known as a diving photographer. Romantic German composer Richard Strauss' tone poem Eine Alpensinfonie or An Alpine Symphony (1915), at almost 50 minutes, is double the length of Debussy. Sometimes criticised for bombast and self-indulgence, the work has weathered well in concerts and on record. Now add some 400 photographic stills on-screen by German photographer and film-maker Tobias Melle, himself a professional cellist, and the overall experienced is enhanced. A resident of Munich, his views of the Bavarian Alps near Berchtesgaden, heard alongside music director Hans Graf's taut direction of the orchestra, made for a visual and aural spectacle. The hall was cloaked in darkness for the opening of this dawn-to-dusk experience in the mountains. The moon, sunlight creeping over the crags and panoramic vistas defined the transition from Night to Sunrise. This early climax matched Strauss' ambition, if not quite as memorable as the corresponding sequence in his earlier Also Sprach Zarathustra. The music follows a group of mountaineers from their ascent, through the terrain of woods, waterfalls, meadows (with cows aplenty) and glaciers, encountering risks and doubts before reaching the summit for the work's biggest climax. If there were a composer who could vividly illustrate all this musically, Strauss was the man. The subsequent thunderstorm, safe descent and sunset with a return to darkness was no less enthralling. The orchestra responded magnificently, with special mention going to the brass, for its overtime efforts both onstage and offstage. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Asia Cool photo spots, viral food videos: Malaysia plans to woo Chinese tourists via social media Asia From propaganda to passion: N. Korean TV show mimics K-drama to fend off banned media from the South Singapore New auto pet wash service in Buona Vista draws flak, but firm stands by its safety Singapore 314 suicides reported in Singapore in 2024, remains leading cause of youth deaths Asia 'Guardian angels': Taiwan's dementia-friendly village promotes ageing in place Life US tech firm launches probe into Coldplay 'kiss cam' couple after clip goes viral The concert's cinematic arc began much earlier with Austrian composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto (1947) which began SSO's season opener. One of the most popular 20th-century violin concertos, it was famously premiered by great Lithuania-born virtuoso Jascha Heifetz with music drawn from four of Korngold's Hollywood movie scores. Violinist Daniel Lozakovich (left) performing the Korngold Violin Concerto with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. PHOTO: CHRIS P. LIM It did not matter whether these films - Another Dawn (1937), Juarez (1939), Anthony Adverse (1936) and The Prince And The Pauper (1937) – have more or less been forgotten, as the music lives on in this masterpiece. The sumptuous melodies and lush scoring through its three movements was well realised by the orchestra and young Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich. His is not a fire-breathing virtuosity which gets in your face, but one more intimate and subtle. As such, there were moments in the first and third movements where he risked being overwhelmed, despite the restrained accompaniment kept on a tight leash. There were no worries, however, in the slow movement's Romance, where his refined and sweet tone clearly shone through. As if to make up for an earlier reticence, his generous and no-holds-barred encore of Johann Sebastian Bach's Fugue from the unaccompanied Violin Sonata No.1 in G minor (BWV.1001) showed where his sympathies truly lay.
North Wales Live
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Visitors will 'never get bored' at Butlins with up to 40% off family breaks this summer
Butlin's has pulled out all the stops for staycationers this summer with the grand opening of its biggest-ever indoor Soft Play centre and a brand-new Puppet Theatre. The new additions at its Bognor Regis resort are already making waves with families across the UK, with thousands more expected to visit during the school holidays. Spanning 3,000 square feet over four floors, the new soft play centre can now welcome up to 200 energetic little adventurers at a time, doubling the capacity of its previous space. Entrance to the play space is included in the price of a family break and day passes. Designed for children of all ages, the Skyline Soft Play is split into three zones, each inspired by the colourful characters of the popular Butlin's Skyline member has a devoted section, jam-packed with slides, climbing challenges, log ramps, cargo nets and more, plus a spacious multi-sensory area for babies. To keep parents amused while the children play, there is also a comfy new 100-seat café area where they can relax with a cuppa while the kids burn off some energy. The new soft play centre ramps up the fun following the opening of the £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE - a 50,000 square feet state-of-the-art immersive gaming attraction - last year. The West Sussex resort has another new opening alongside its soft play centre. The new Puppet Theatre showcases magical, family-friendly string puppet shows. New shows likeUnder The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle and Christmouse are just a taste of what's in store for guests this year. Helping to keep costs down for families, the puppet shows are free for families on Butlin's breaks and day visits. The entertainment team promises guests string-pulling fun, laugh-out-loud characters, and plenty of "oohs" and "aahs" from the little ones. This £1.8 million investment is the latest in a string of new developments across Butlin's three seaside resorts. The £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE at Bognor Regis offers nine immersive gaming experiences including laser tag, a VR games arcade, escape rooms and more. A second £2.5 million SKYPARK opened in Minehead, an inclusive and interactive playground for children of all abilities. Last year also saw a £12 million investment in new Premium Lodges at the Maple Walk village in Skegness, 128 contemporary-designed lodges located at the heart of the Lincolnshire resort. Holiday Parks are very much a Great British institution, with millions of families joining in the fun year after year. If Butlin's isn't quite right, there are others to choose from. Haven Holidays, for example, is known for its scenic coastal settings and caravan options. Great for nature lovers and seaside fun, Butlins still leads the pack when it comes to immersive family entertainment and themed experiences. Alternatively, Parkdean Resorts offer a similar experience with 66 parks in popular coastal locations across the UK. Much like Haven, they feature swimming pools, on-site restaurants and a variety of family-friendly activities by the seaside. Center Parcs is also a firm favourite among holidaymakers, offering a wide range of activities across multiple forest locations in the UK. Loved by many, the only downside is the high price tag which can get very expensive, especially during school holidays. Guests who have already enjoyed a stay at Butlins Bognor Regis have left over 3,900 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: "We had a lovely Easter break M-F at Butlins Bognor. Top quality entertainment, engaging and friendly staff, and we had the weather too. Such good fun for young and old alike. Very impressed with the new soft play, the Splash water park was fabulous and from start to finish we received nothing but exceptional customer service." Another said: "This was our third visit to Butlins within two years, needless to say we absolutely love brand new soft play and play experience are brilliant, soft play has very generous opening hours and the staff are really observant, looks like a much better replacement from the arena soft play. One family said: "We had a fun-filled tots week, busy all day, every day. Playxperience was a new 1 for us and we all enjoyed neo games- 4yr old right up to 60s." Not every visitor was quite so impressed. A disappointed reviewer said: "Decided to give Butlins a go for half term. Overall, for us adults, everything was a bit meh except for the entertainment, which was awesome." Another added: "Lots to do, great entertainment and things to do. The chalets are quite run down though - bedding is frayed and beds aren't that great." Summing it up, another five-star review added: " Always things to do, never get bored. Very clean apartment. New playxperience building is very good, packed with new, fun experiences. Had great fun in laser tag. Brilliant and helpful staff." Butlins is currently offering 40% off stays for 2025. These include Midweek Showtime breaks at Bognor Regis from £69 in June, Summer Holidays Feat Stephen Mulhern 3-night breaks from £352 and Justin Fletcher Tots Breaks from £79 in September.
National Post
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Summer 2025 reading list: Top picks from Canadian authors
Article content With the arrival of warmer weather, that means it's time to start planning your summer reading list. And for those who love supporting home-grown talent, why not add a few titles from Canadian authors to the list? Article content Both Indigo and Amazon have a dedicated Canadian landing page, making it easy to add some Canadian spirit to your summer bookshelf. You'll find a range of bestsellers, new releases and prize-winning books to choose from, many of which are on sale right now. Article content Article content Fans of Carley Fortune's Meet Me By The Lake will be thrilled to revisit familiar characters in what's sure to be one of summer 2025's hottest new releases. Perfect for romance lovers, One Golden Summer is another heartfelt homage to cottage country and is an ideal beach read. Article content Article content Author Liann Zhang's debut novel is full of twists and turns as the mystery surrounding influencer Chloe VanHuusen's death unfolds. When her long-lost identical twin, Julie, steps into Chloe's glamorous world, she learns that there's more to social media stardom than meets the eye. Article content Article content Article content In this unique work of fiction, 'The Sea' is a mysterious enclave where migrants from across the ages gather. Here, a girl named Lina cares for her ailing father and learns how connected we all are as she comes to know her neighbours and fellow migrants of The Sea. Article content Article content This thrilling mystery follows Bryden and Sam, who appear to have the 'perfect life': a beautiful daughter, chic condo and supportive friends. But when she disappears out of the blue, their community is left wondering what exactly happened to the picture-perfect Bryden. Article content
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A girl and her father wash up in mysterious shelter by the sea, where they meet a trio of philosophers
Over the next few years, Lina's timeless neighbors become a chosen family. From their home in Foshan, Lina's father has brought only three volumes of a 90-book series named 'The Great Lives of Voyagers.' The books tell the life stories of historian Hannah Arendt, best known for her work ' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up With a setting as fascinating and surreal as The Sea, it's slightly disappointing that the alternating biographies of Arendt, Spinoza, and Du dominate the book. Lina's narration takes a distant backseat to the philosophers' trials, tribulations, and travels. These biographies are supposed to be instructive to Lina's quest to learn why she and her father have come to The Sea without her mother and brother. But this plotline feels largely inert because while readers are reminded of the dangers of totalitarianism and the tragic toll of forced migration and exile, Lina is like us: a passive receiver of familiar messages. Advertisement Arendt and Spinoza, in particular, take center stage. We follow Arendt through the formative traumas of her life, including her imprisonment by the Gestapo for researching antisemitism, and eventually, her perilous escape from Nazi-controlled France into Spain. Once in Spain, she travels to Lisbon and boards a ship to America, where she eventually settled and became renowned as an author and thinker. Spinoza's life story follows a similar arc. His pantheistic opinions lead to his expulsion from the Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam. Spinoza's philosophies cross over into Arendt's storyline, because her work was strongly influenced by his. The backstory of Lina's father's involvement in the creation of The Sea is delivered to the reader whole, via flashback, again without Lina having to do very much. This revelatory section happens in a futuristic China where hundreds have died in a Tiananmen Square-like 'catastrophe.' Lina's father finds himself working for a company named Days and Months Technology Corp Ltd., and with a name like that, it's easy to tell that this firm is up to no good. Advertisement Lina's father's backstory only makes The Sea more fascinating, and this reader wanted to understand the mechanics of its construction. The payoff, however, stops well short of explaining the science fiction, and Lina's father's betrayal will feel expected for anyone familiar with the Cultural Revolution. The Lina storyline, already hampered by a lack of movement, gets bogged down by repetition and a penchant for mysterious philosophical statements from her neighbors that, unfortunately, recall the musings of Yoda. 'You must let go of your fear ,' Du Fu's father tells himself at one point. Meanwhile, one of the scholars instrumental to the design of the Sea says, 'The deeper you fall into the architecture of the system…the closer you come to reality.' It's a sentiment Bento and Lina will repeat. 'Time never goes missing,' Bento proclaims. 'I think the structure of reality can be no other way.' While the musicality of such sentences is pleasing, their meanings remain elusive. Fans of books like Mohsin Hamid's ' Though one can't help but admire the breadth of Thien's imagination, it's the child's story by the sea that this reader wanted more of. Advertisement Leland Cheuk is an award-winning author of three books of fiction, most recently ' THE BOOK OF RECORDS By Madeleine Thien Norton, 368 pages, $28.99
