Latest news with #VoiceoftheVoiceless
Scotsman
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Watch: I spoke to Jamie Webster - a highlight of day one at TRNSMT
Acts including 50 Cent, The Script, Confidence Man, Twin Atlantic, Calum Bowie, Bemz and Indoor Foxes dazzled on day one of Scotland's biggest music festival. We sat down with Jamie Webster who delivered one of the best sets of the day. 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... Further highlights from day one included James Bay declaring his love for the Scottish crowd's energy and enthusiasm - declaring to the TRNSMT crowd, 'when you sing, it sounds beautiful, that's the TRNSMT festival I know, yes.'Scottish singer Calum Bowie had a full circle moment as he made his debut on the main stage, having previously played The King Tut's stage just two years ago. The Edinburgh-based artist opened the festival in a moment he admitted was a 'dream come true' as he performed hits such as 'Call Me Back' and 'Time That I Can Borrow'. Liverpool artist Jamie Webster also had a pinch me moment as he shared his love for the day's headliner 50 Cent. The 31-year-old beamed 'I can't believe I'm on the same stage as 50 Cent' before he launched into hit 'Voice of the Voiceless'.The American artist Schooboy Q played to a pumped-up afternoon crowd with hits such as 'Man Of The Year', alongside samples of hip hop classics. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Closing the show to huge fanfare was 50 Cent, who led with crowd-pleasers 'Many Men', 'In Da Club' and '21 Questions', capping off a big day of music at Glasgow Green. At the Smirnoff Presents King Tut's stage, other highlights included Confidence Man, along with The Royston Club, Good Neighbours, and Tanner Adell. UK Eurovision entrants 'Remember Monday' kicked things off with a punchy opener including their 2025 entry 'What The Hell Just Happened'. Confidence Man, who recently collaborated with Jade - who plays the festival this Sunday - closed the stage to a packed-out crowd, with fans dancing non-stop to their infectious electro-pop grooves.
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Singer Jamie Webster reveals he is a fan of this huge TRNSMT act
The charismatic star revealed he will be watching the headliner tonight before joking, 'I'll be out there somewhere, you can find me in da club.' He then beamed: 'I can't believe I'm on the same stage as 50 Cent.' READ NEXT: Singer James Bay tells his Scottish fans THIS during his TRNSMT set READ NEXT: LIVE updates from TRNSMT 2025 as James Bay and Calum Bowie perform (Image: Jamie Webster at TRNSMT 2025. Picture by Gordon The 31-year-old folk star earlier ran onto the main stage, gesturing with c'mon before he launched into Voice of the Voiceless. The crowd is always big for Webster at TRNSMT and today was no different as thousands turned out to the Main Stage to soak in the 2022 track Days Unknown. (Image: Jamie Webster at TRNSMT 2025. Picture by Gordon He then said with a smile, 'Thank you everyone for turning up to see little old me this year again.' Referencing the heatwave, he laughed: 'It gets hotter every year.' We Get By, new single Across the River and Looking Good delighted fans during the set. While he reflected on his hometown as he played This Place and told the crowd: 'This song is about being proud where you come from.'
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Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Dalai Lama nears 90th birthday: Who will choose the next Buddhist leader?
As the Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6, the question of who will succeed him is gaining urgency, not only for Tibetan Buddhists but also for global leaders and devotees. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, forming a six-century-old spiritual lineage rooted in reincarnation. The 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935 in Tibet, was identified at age two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. Recognised through traditional signs and rituals, he was enthroned at just four-and-a-half. Traditionally, high-ranking monks identify the next Dalai Lama based on visions, signs, and a child's ability to recognise the previous Dalai Lama's belongings. The current Dalai Lama was found using this method in eastern Tibet and was officially recognised after correctly identifying several items. However, more recently, the traditional process for identifying the next Dalai Lama seems to now be entangled in political agendas. How is the Dalai Lama chosen? The traditional process is spiritual and symbolic. It involves: Prophetic dreams or visions by senior lamas Signs in nature, such as the direction of smoke from a cremation Oracles and rituals at sacred lakes A search party sent to regions where signs point Testing of young children, looking for one who can recognise the possessions of the previous Dalai Lama China insists on picking a successor Despite the traditions dating back 600 years, the Chinese government insists it has the authority to control this process. Since its occupation of Tibet in 1950, China has claimed the final say in selecting Tibetan religious leaders. These claims have been strongly rejected by the Buddhist community. In 2017, the Dalai Lama said that to choose his successor, the Chinese government would first need to embrace the concept of rebirth, which goes against the country's atheist leadership. He added that no one can predict where or when the next Dalai Lama will appear. However, in his recently published book 'Voice of the Voiceless', the spiritual leader shared with certainty that the 15th Dalai Lama would be born in the "free world" and not China. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, the soul of a lama is reincarnated into a child after death, a sacred tradition that remains outside the purview of political authority. In 1995, Beijing rejected the Dalai Lama's choice for the Panchen Lama, another high-ranking reincarnated lama whose role traditionally includes recognising the Dalai Lama's next incarnation, and installed its own candidate. The child chosen by the Dalai Lama disappeared from public view shortly after and is believed to be held under Chinese custody. A successor outside of China? In response to the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama has said the institution might end altogether if people no longer see it as useful. He's also suggested he could name his reincarnation before his death or that the next Dalai Lama could be born outside Chinese control. He's even floated the idea of a female Dalai Lama, though controversially joked she should be 'very attractive'. India's role, US stance India currently hosts the Tibetan government-in-exile and thousands of Tibetan refugees, which has become a point of tension in its already strained relationship with China. The United States, meanwhile, has passed laws stating it will not recognise any Dalai Lama chosen by the Chinese government and has called on Beijing to restart talks with Tibetan leaders. Dalai Lama to offer clarity on succession As his 90th birthday nears, the Dalai Lama has said he will offer more clarity about the succession. Behind the scenes, his foundation, senior monks, and the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibet's government-in-exile) are expected to help guide the process, whether it follows tradition, adapts it, or breaks it entirely.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Punk develops a new rivalry with WWE champion
Photo via WWE CM Punk gets a new nemesis. In the latest episode of Monday Night Raw, Punk appeared to confront Seth Rollins . After a brief brawl, Rollins managed to escape. But in the process, Punk created a new rivalry. World heavyweight champion Gunther was present inside the ring. The champion tried to stop Punk after the brawl. Instead, he had to face Punk's aggression following Rollin's escape. CM Punk initiates a feud with World Heavyweight Champion Gunther WWE Raw star CM Punk initiates a brawl with Gunther. Initially, Punk rushed to confront Seth Rollins. After a brief moment of landing punches on each other, Rollins managed to escape. Punk stayed back inside the ring. The stadium was filled with cheers for the Voice of the Voiceless. The rivalry between the wrestlers started long ago. It escalated more with Punk's return to WWE in 2023. As Punk prepared to leave the ring, he was stopped by Gunther. The heavyweight champion was already present there. He was having a word with Rollins about the Money in the Bank contract. However, the conversation was cut short with Punk's appearance. After the brawl, Gunther tried to stop Punk. The Best in the World pushed the champion to the ground. The situation got tense. Spectators believed that this might be the start of a new rivalry. CM Punk shares a tense moment with LA Knight CM Punk had a brief argument with LA Knight in a backstage segment. LA Knight attacked Seth Rollins after the latter escaped from Punk. In the backstage segment, Punk asked Knight to wait for his turn to confront Rollins. Knight replied, 'If you want Seth, you can have him 6 days a week as far as I am concerned. If you are talking about back of the line, Saturday Night's main event, it's just been announced. It's me, It's Seth Rollins. You know what that means? It's that I am the line.' Seth Rollins and LA Knight have been booked for the Saturday Night's Main Event 40. The event has been scheduled for July 12, 2025. Another exciting card from the event is Gunther taking on Goldberg in a heavyweight title defense match. Also Read: Multiple matches added for Evolution 2025 on WWE RAW Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
CPM changes tune, celebrates Malayalam rapper Vedan as Sangh goes after him
WITH KERALA in poll mode, politics is swirling around a Dalit rapper in his 30s, whose controversial arrest in a ganja case has only added to his rising popularity. Days after Vedan was the star of a show at a Left Democratic Front (LDF) event in Palakkad marking the fourth anniversary of its government, a local BJP councillor filed a formal complaint against the rapper-songwriter, accusing him of 'defaming' Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 'promoting' caste-based division through his music. The LDF's celebration of Vedan was itself a contrast from his recent arrest on what were seen to be flimsy charges, with raids carried out in full camera glare to seize 9 grams of ganja from him and others. A leopard tooth pendant he wore led to another case against him. On his release on bail, Vedan promised to 'mend his habits'. It was not the first time Vedan found himself in a controversy. In 2021, he was accused of sexual misconduct. In an apology posted on social media then, he had written: 'I feel great self-contempt and terrible regret as I look back on the lapses in my conduct towards you, my women friends and partners who came to me in trust and friendship.' At the Palakkad event, the crowd ignored the ministers and party leaders on the dais to cheer for Vedan. Hundreds swarmed the stage, clapping and singing along as he rapped in Malayalam: 'We'll stitch a palace out of sheer dreams / Where the minister and the king are both… us.' Upliftment of people from all walks of life remains the cornerstone of the LDF Govt's development vision. At today's interaction in Palakkad with representatives from the SC/ST communities, reiterated our commitment to inclusivity and heard inspiring suggestions to guide the way… — Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) May 18, 2025 As the surging mob caused damage to the venue, police had to resort to a lathicharge. The complaint against Vedan, made by V S Minimol, a BJP Councillor at the Palakkad Municipality – marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the NIA – coincided with the charge by K P Sasikala, a leader of the Sangh-affiliated Hindu Aikyavedi, also in Palakkad, that society was being 'humiliated' by Vedan's 'improperly dressed antics'. She also questioned the relevance of rap music to SC/STs. What is believed to have earned the ire of the Hindutva right-wing is the Vedan song 'Voice of the Voiceless', where he sings: 'In a land of counterfeit nationalists, where faith and caste are plagues / With no true leader, only burdens that taxes can't erase / Half the nation lies in the hands of those who wield swords / But speak a word… and they'll brand you anti-nationalist, a radical, unheard.' The editor-in-chief of the Sangh's Malayalam mouthpiece Kesari, N R Madhu, recently called Vedan a 'misguided youth' who has become 'a tool in the hands of jihadis' and was promoting 'armed uprising'. It was wrong to see him as fighting caste oppression, Madhu said. 'In the name of opposing caste oppression, he is creating rifts within society.' In a recent interview to the Malayalam news channel Reporter, Madhu said Vedan was 'being propped up by those with ulterior motives', suggesting that they were 'jihadis'. 'He is being promoted because he sings about Syria and Palestine. He wrapped himself in the Palestine flag (at a show) and got support.' Madhu has also spoken about Vedan's writings on the Rohingya and about the LTTE. 'He has written about Tigers (LTTE militants) roaming thirsty in Lanka. Doesn't this mean that he is promoting armed uprising?' said Madhu in the interview. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Vedan said Sasikala's remarks against him were an attempt to portray him as 'an extremist, separatist, or a troublemaker', and that the disparaging remarks against him showed that what he was doing was having the desired effect. On Sasikala's comment that 'rap has no connection with the SC/ST community', Vedan said it was democracy and extreme Hindutva politics of the Sangh Parivar that had no link. Sasikala's remarks reflected an attitude among people like her that SC/STs should not pursue anything different such as becoming an artiste, Vedan said. 'I don't have the voice to sing classical songs – if I did, I would. I can only sing rap,' he told reporters in Kochi. Born in Thrissur to a Sri Lankan Tamil migrant mother and a Dalit labourer father, Vedan, whose real name is Hiran Das Murali, has risen to popularity on the strength of his music that speaks of the marginalised. His lyrics, denouncing right-wing politics, derive inspiration from his mother's refugee identity and turbulent life. A senior CPI(M) minister, requesting anonymity, said Vedan's support could be a boost for the party. 'Take an average person in his 20s… why should he work for the CPI(M) or the Congress or the BJP in Kerala? We have nothing – neither leaders nor a convincing ideology to attract them. These kids are alienated, they feel their prospects are very weak. Many are those who could not go abroad. And they see a release, a voice, in Vedan.' The RSS's opposition to Vedan has also prompted the Left to try and co-opt him. Vedan writes and sings against 'right-wing, divisive politics, Islamophobia and caste oppression', a source close to him points out. 'There is enough lashing out against Savarna politics.' CPI(M) veteran P Jayarajan has criticised Sasikala's remarks against Vedan as 'caste abuse', and demanded that a case be filed against her. Vedan's associates say: 'His lyrics are about anger and dignity, not guns. But because he doesn't fit any box – Left, Right, Dalit icon or Muslim sympathiser – they're trying to corner him from all sides.' with PTI inputs
