Latest news with #WeDidn'tStarttheFire
CNBC
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
CNBC Daily Open: Keeping a cool head paid off for investors
What a first half of the year it has been. In the first six months, the world saw a (not so) new U.S. president in the Oval Office, said president upend the global trade landscape, and a president in South Korea removed from office. Conflicts also broke out between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel and Iran (along with a U.S. airstrike thrown into the mix.) Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made its debut, stealing ChatGPT's thunder for a while, and elections took place around the world, including in Germany, Australia, and even right here in sunny Singapore. We might just have to call Billy Joel and get him to write a whole new version of "We Didn't Start the Fire." Despite such a rollercoaster ride so far, market investors, in response to most developments, seem to have adopted the U.K.'s mantra as it prepared for war in 1939: Keep calm and carry on. If we take a longer-term view, markets have delivered a respectable performance despite a volatile first half. Just a few stats: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at fresh all-time highs Monday and are up about 5% year to date. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 is up 6.7%, and in Asia, most major markets are in positive territory, with Hong Kong and South Korea posting a whopping 20% gain year to date. Keep calm and carry on into the second half of the year, investors. S&P and Nasdaq touch fresh highs. On Monday, the S&P 500 gained 0.52% and posted another record close, ending at 6,204.95, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.47% and reached a fresh all-time high of 20,369.73. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 retreating from an 11-month high. White House claims Canada 'caves' on trade. The White House said that Canada "caved" to President Donald Trump by hastily rescinding its digital services tax after the president threatened to shut down trade negotiations between the two major trading partners. China's June factory activity unexpectedly expands. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at 50.4, higher than the Reuters estimate of 49. It also diverged from China's official PMI report, which samples more companies, mostly in upstream sectors. Elon Musk calls Trump bill "DEBT SLAVERY." The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is doubling down on his criticisms to kill Trump's signature megabill. Musk also called for a "new political party," and vowed that any fiscal conservative who votes for the bill will "lose their primary next year." [PRO] Beneficiaries of NATO defense spending. With NATO members committing to a much higher defense spending target, certain companies are expected to see huge boosts to their bottom lines – particularly those headquartered in Europe. As nations build 'sovereign AI,' open-source models and cloud computing can help As artificial intelligence becomes more democratized, it is important for emerging economies to build their own "sovereign AI," panelists told CNBC's East Tech West conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. In general, sovereign AI refers to a nation's ability to control its own AI technologies, data and related infrastructure, ensuring strategic autonomy while meeting its unique priorities and security needs.
CNBC
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
CNBC Daily Open: Keep calm and carry on, investors
What a first half of the year it has been. In the first six months, the world saw a (not so) new U.S. president in the Oval Office, said president upend the global trade landscape, and a president in South Korea removed from office. Conflicts also broke out between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel and Iran (along with a U.S. airstrike thrown into the mix.) Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made its debut, stealing ChatGPT's thunder for a while, and elections took place around the world, including in Germany, Australia, and even right here in sunny Singapore. We might just have to call Billy Joel and get him to write a whole new version of "We Didn't Start the Fire." Despite such a rollercoaster ride so far, market investors, in response to most developments, seem to have adopted the U.K.'s mantra as it prepared for war in 1939: Keep calm and carry on. If we take a longer-term view, markets have delivered a respectable performance despite a volatile first half. Just a few stats: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at fresh all-time highs Monday and are up about 5% year to date. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 is up 6.7%, and in Asia, most major markets are in positive territory, with Hong Kong and South Korea posting a whopping 20% gain year to date. Keep calm and carry on into the second half of the year, investors. S&P and Nasdaq touch fresh highs. On Monday, the S&P 500 gained 0.52% and posted another record close, ending at 6,204.95, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.47% and reached a fresh all-time high of 20,369.73. The Stoxx Europe 600 slipped 0.42%, walking back some of last week's gains. White House claims Canada 'caves' on trade. The White House said that Canada "caved" to President Donald Trump by hastily rescinding its digital services tax after the president threatened to shut down trade negotiations between the two major trading partners. Meta shares notch record high. Shares of tech giant Meta climbed to a record intraday of $747.90 as investors took notice of the company's newly created Superintelligence Labs that will be led by artificial intelligence luminaries hired by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Elon Musk calls Trump bill "DEBT SLAVERY." The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is doubling down on his critisisms to kill Trump's signature megabill. Musk also called for a "new political party," and vowed that any fiscal conservatives who vote for the bill will "lose their primary next year." [PRO] Can Europe's rally continue? European shares surged in the first half of the year, massively outperforming stocks on Wall Street — but market watchers are divided on the potential for the trend to continue. Trump takes aim at AT&T service weeks after Trump Mobile licensing deal announced President Donald Trump criticized AT&T in consecutive Truth Social posts Monday, writing that the country's third-largest wireless carrier "ought to get its act together." The president wrote that he was trying to hold a conference call with "faith leaders," but that "AT&T is totally unable to make their equipment work properly." The back-to-back posts came two weeks after the Trump Organization announced it had licensed the Trump name to a new wireless phone service, Trump Mobile, that also sells a $499 smartphone.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Billy Joel's tragic past - car crashes, addiction battle and suicide attempt
Billy Joel, also known as the Piano Man, is one of the most respected entertainers in the world - but the famous singer has faced his fair share of tragedy over the years Billy Joel, affectionately known as the Piano Man, has been a beacon in the music world for more than 20 years, selling millions of records and mesmerising listeners far and wide. Yet despite his monumental success, the famed rocker has grappled with numerous personal tragedies. The 76-year-old, who hails from The Bronx, New York, paved the way for music during the 1970s and 80s, becoming one of the most successful artists with hits like Uptown Girl, Piano Man, and We Didn't Start the Fire. Offering the chance to look back on his best performances and moments over the years, 'Billy Joel at the BBC ' will air tonight at 8.40pm, honouring the talented musician. But away from fame and success, Billy has been involved in several car crashes, confronted addiction demons, endured mental health issues, and eventually decided to step back from songwriting. When reflecting on what he cherishes most about his journey, Joel once remarked: "My ability to move on with life. I've had difficulties in my life, but it never stopped me from continuing." He added: "Troubles with business didn't stop me from doing business. I have no bitterness about anything, even people who rip me off, I let it go. I'm content with that I'm happy. I'm having a happy ending." The legendary 'Vienna' singer hasn't had an easy ride, literally – he's encountered alarmingly frequent mishaps behind the wheel, causing concern among his supporters over the years. Joel found himself embroiled in three separate motoring incidents in the early 2000s. His most recent scrape occurred in 2004, when he accidentally propelled his vehicle into a house in Long Island. Thankfully, there were no other victims, and the star emerged with nothing worse than a nick on his finger. In January 2003, Joel had a car crash in Sag Harbor, driving his Mercedes -Benz into a tree and sustaining minor head injuries, with paramedics whisking him off to hospital. Fast forward to June 2004, and the singer was involved in another prang in East Hampton, this time hitting a fire hydrant and post, again suffering minor injuries and declining medical help. Opening up about his battles with alcoholism, Joel admitted that his substance abuse issues, particularly with alcohol, were an obstacle to achieving his full potential. In a candid chat with he confessed: "If I couldn't be as good as I wanted to be, I'd just drown it with booze. I know I've got a reputation that I'm this depressed guy. I'm not - I'm a happy guy. I was in rehab twice." He remarked: "It was one of the best things I ever did." Joel also revealed to Howard Stern his forays into drug experimentation, noting that heroin was the drug that frightened him the most due to its addictive nature. This fear, he explained, fuelled the creation of his track Scandinavian Skies. The artist opened up about his mental health battles, including a suicide attempt detailed in his autobiography, which occurred during career struggles in his 20s. Despite the hurdles, Joel emerged as a musical legend, boasting 13 studio albums and an impressive repertoire of over 121 songs that resonated through generations. Yet, the hitmaker confided to the LA Times that he hung up his hat on creating new tunes, finding the process "excruciating". Joel elaborated: "I didn't have the same motivation anymore. You need inspiration to create good new music, and if you don't have it, don't bother. Get off the treadmill, for Christ's sake." Then last month, the iconic singer cancelled his gigs after he was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) - a condition that leads to fluid accumulation in the brain. In a social media update, Billy explained to fans that it causes issues with hearing, vision and balance. In a further update this week, his close friend and radio host Howard Stern, 71, revealed that the Piano Man singer is "doing fine" as he relayed a message from the star. Speaking on his Sirius XM show, The Howard Stern Show, Howard said: "He does have issues, but he said, 'Yeah, you can tell people, I'm not dying'. He wants people to know that." Howard and Joel recently enjoyed a dinner together a few weeks before, and the radio presenter said: "He's got to deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful." He added to co-host Robin Quivers that he had a "great conversation" with Billy and that the singer "brought out a guitar" while celebrating Billy's birthday in early May.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Reveals He Has a Rare Brain Disorder. Here's What It Means for His Tour and Future
1949–present Billy Joel has canceled all upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. The Grammy-winning singer announced on May 23 that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus, an uncommon condition characterized by fluid buildup inside or around the brain. According to a statement posted on Joel's Instagram, the disorder 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' Joel is undergoing physical therapy to help treat his condition and will refrain from performing while he recovers. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' he wrote. The 76-year-old previously postponed his tour in March after having surgery for an undisclosed medical condition. It's unclear if his surgery was related to his newly disclosed diagnosis. The brain disorder affects memory, movement, and concentration, and can even lead to vision changes and hearing loss. Treatment typically includes surgical intervention and physical therapy. Five-time Grammy-winning musician Billy Joel is best known for the songs 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' 'Piano Man,' and 'Just The Way You Are,' as well as his acclaimed 1978 album 52nd Street. The native New Yorker's first album from 1971 disappointed, but he bounced back with a string of successful records later in the decade including Piano Man, The Stranger, and 52nd Street, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The Piano Man continued topping charts in the '80s and '90s with the albums Glass Houses, Storm Front, and River of Dreams. By 1999, his worldwide song sales had topped $100 million, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. FULL NAME: William Martin JoelBORN: May 9, 1949BIRTHPLACE: New York, New YorkSPOUSES: Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982), Christie Brinkley (1985–1994), Katie Lee (2004–2009), and Alexis Roderick (2015–present)CHILDREN: Alexa, Della, and RemyASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus William Martin Joel, best known as Billy Joel, was born in New York City's Bronx borough on May 9, 1949, to Howard and Rosalind Joel. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to a section of America's famous 'first suburb,' Levittown on Long Island. Although his father was an accomplished classical pianist, it was Joel's mother who pushed the young boy to study piano. He began playing at the age of 4 and showed an immediate aptitude for the instrument. By the time he was 16, Billy was already a pro, having joined his third band before he could drive. It wasn't long before the artist, inspired by the Beatles' iconic Ed Sullivan Show performance, committed heart and soul to a life in music. He dropped out of high school to pursue a performing career. Joel devoted himself to creating his first solo album Cold Spring Harbor, which was released in November 1971 when he was 22. The terms of Joel's contract with Family Productions turned out to be onerous, and the artist was unhappy with the quality of the album they released. It wasn't a commercial success. Disillusioned with trying to make it as a rock star, Joel moved to Los Angeles to fly under the radar for a while. In early 1972, he got a gig working as a lounge pianist under the pseudonym Bill Martin. His time playing at The Executive Room on Wilshire Boulevard would later be immortalized in his song 'Piano Man,' which describes a no-name lounge's down-and-out patrons. By late 1972, an underground recording of Joel's 'Captain Jack' had been released on the East Coast and was garnering positive attention. Executives from Columbia Records sought out the lounge player and gave Joel a second chance to become a rock star. With the momentum of a Top 25 single—'Piano Man'—to his name, Joel began recording new music, coming out with the Piano Man album in November 1973 and Streetlife Serenade in October 1974. Many of his songs related to a growing frustration with the music industry and Hollywood, foreshadowing his exit from Los Angeles in 1976. As the years passed, Joel's style began to evolve, showing his range from pop to the bluesy-jazz stylings that are now closely associated with his name. The Stranger (1977) was Joel's first major commercial breakthrough, landing him three songs in the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100. Among those was 'Just The Way You Are,' which netted Joel his first Grammy Awards in 1979. It won the coveted categories Song of the Year and Record of the Year. His next album would be an even bigger hit. In October 1978, Joel's sixth studio album arrived in 52nd Street. By mid-November, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking the musician's first chart-topping album. 'Big Shot,' 'Honesty,' and especially 'My Life' continued to rise on the mainstream singles chart in 1979, then Joel scored two more Grammys the following year as 52nd Street was named Album of the Year and its title track won for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. 'Honesty' was nominated for but didn't win Song of the Year. 'Glass Houses' secured Joel's fifth Grammy in three years when it won Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1981. Through the decade, Joel was crowned a hit-maker with smashes such as 'Tell Her About It,' 'Uptown Girl,' 'Innocent Man,' and 'The Longest Time.' He released two volumes of Greatest Hits and become the first American performer to unleash a full-scale rock production in the Soviet Union. While churning out hits, Joel also frequented the benefit circuit, performing with stars such as Cyndi Lauper and John Mellencamp to raise money for various causes. Notable nominations also continued to rack up for the musician. Glass Houses (1980), The Nylon Curtain (1982), and An Innocent Man (1983) were also in the running for Album of the Year at the Grammys. In 1989, on the heels of the successful single 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' Joel was presented with the Grammy Legend Award. His professional success continued unabated into the early 1990s, although his personal life became somewhat dramatic. After the release of River of Dreams in 1993 (another Grammy nominee for Album of the Year), Joel slowed his studio recordings but continued to tour alone and in combination with fellow artists such as Elton John. In 1999, the worldwide sales of his songs passed the $100 million mark. Also that year, Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his idol, Ray Charles. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. In the early 2000s, Joel found himself in and out of rehab, struggling with an ongoing alcohol addiction. In 2007, Joel released the single 'All My Life,' his first song with original lyrics in 13 years. In 2015, 'Piano Man' was inducted into the National Recording Registry. Although semi-retired in terms of recording new songs, Joel has continued to tour and branch out as an artist. He has composed a number of classical songs and even reworked older ballads with an orchestral backing. Throughout the years, Joel's songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that 'meant something during the time in which I lived... and transcended that time.' When Joel's residency at Madison Square Garden was announced in 2013, his devoted fans proved how much the singer's music resonated with them. As the first music franchise in MSG's history, Joel broke records; his monthly concerts sold out every time, grossing over $480 million in sales. The final concert of the long-running residency was on July 25, 2024. Still, Joel kept up his performance schedule. In March 2025, he underwent surgery for an unnamed medical issue that forced a five-month pause in his shows. Before his Billy Joel in Concert Tour could resume, however, the musician revealed in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a rare disorder that causes spinal fluid to build up in or around the brain. Joel cancelled his remaining tour dates to focus on his recovery, which includes physical therapy. Joel has been married to Alexis Roderick, his fourth wife, for nearly a decade. The couple dated for roughly six years before tying the knot at their annual Fourth of July party on Long Island in 2015. Andrew Cuomo, then the New York governor, presided over the nuptials. Before getting married, Joel and Roderick announced they were expecting their first child together. They now share two daughters: Della, born in August 2015, and Remy, born in October 2017. Joel's eldest child is his daughter Alexa, whom he had with his second wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley. Alexa was born in December 1985, the year after her parents were married. Her middle name is Ray after Joel's idol Ray Charles. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1993 after nine years together. The musician's other marriages were with Elizabeth Weber Small, from 1973 to 1982, and TV personality and journalist Katie Lee, from 2004 to 2009. As of March 2025, Joel has an estimated net worth of $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. [Music is] an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Hype Malaysia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
'Piano Man' Billy Joel Steps Back From Touring After Surprising Brain Disorder Diagnosis
Billy Joel is a legendary star in the music industry, known for his songs 'Piano Man,' 'Uptown Girl,' 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' and countless other iconic works. Earlier this year, he began his tour across the US and was planning to continue spreading his musical talent in June after a small hiatus. However, on 24th May (Saturday), the singer revealed on an Instagram post that he has a brain disorder that can be critical if not treated carefully. So, on behalf of his doctor's orders, he was told to take a break from his performance to focus on his recovery. The artist will be undergoing specific physical therapy that will treat his condition and give him a chance at performing again. According to the official statement, Billy was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain's ventricles, causing them to enlarge. If left untreated, it can lead to symptoms such as difficulty walking and cognitive issues, including memory loss or confusion, making it unsafe for the legendary musician to perform as he normally would. With over 150 million records sold, the icon is among the best-selling music artists in history, so it's no surprise that many of his fans were eagerly anticipating his concerts this year, but sadly, their dreams of seeing him perform live on stage may have to wait a little longer. The 76-year-old expressed his apologies to fans, writing in his post: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' Although saddened by the news, fans have continued to show their love and support for the Grammy winner, wishing him a speedy recovery and reassuring him that they'll be waiting when he returns. His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, expressed her gratitude to the public for their kindness and patience towards her father, also offering insight into Billy's dedication to physical therapy as he works to get back into shape and perform again. Christie Brinkley, Billy's ex-wife, posted a reel on her Instagram wishing him a speedy recovery while also highlighting how kind and wonderful of a man he is, even behind the screen; 'We all want you back in that white hot spotlight, you're OUR piano man,' she wrote in her post. We would also like to extend our best wishes to Billy Joel and hope to see him make a grand return to the stage once he has fully recovered. Here's his full statement: His ex-wife's Reel after hearing the news: Sources: Instagram (1)(2)(3), CNN Zaima Humaria contributed to this article
