Latest news with #Whale
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
James Whale records final ever interview with 'weeks left to live'
James Whale has been branded a 'legend and a friend' by one of his colleagues and a 'warrior to the end' after recording his last ever interview for TalkTV. The radio and TV host, 74, is best known for hosting The James Whale Radio Show, as well as for his work for talkSPORT and talkRADIO down the years. He was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in the year 2000 and in 2006 launched the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer to fund research and spread awareness. After losing wife, Melinda Maxted, to lung cancer in 2018, Whale revealed in 2020 that his own cancer had returned and spread to his brain, spine, kidney, and lungs. Five years on from that announcement, he revealed on his show in June that he had just 'weeks' left to live after receiving the news from his oncologist. And he's marked his final few weeks by conducting his last ever interview, with Clacton-on-Sea MP, and Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage. In a photograph shared on X, Whale and the controversial politician were snapped sitting in a garden, with the former reaching out to place a hand on Farage's elbow. Wearing a white shirt and a sun hat, Whale's legs were covered by a yellow blanket – the photo, bruises could be seen on his hands, and bandages were visible on his feet. Chuck Thomas, a producer on TalkTV, took several photographs of the occasion, calling Whale 'the bravest man I know', as well as 'a legend and a friend'. Speaking about the interview, which will be broadcast on TalkTV in the future, Thomas added: 'After 50 years in broadcasting, Whaley delivers one of the most compelling and profound conversations of his career.' He described the interview as 'a masterclass in asking the right questions' and invited Whale's followers to celebrate his life and career up to this point. @AndrewKNevett called the broadcaster 'a warrior to the end' while @British_Enjoyer said: 'Poor bloke. Never stopped. I'm sure lots of people will watch it.' Elsewhere, @MartP132 said: 'I've loved [Whale] since first hearing him on Radio Aire in the 80s. He is a brilliant broadcaster and I am so sad he is in this situation. Much love and strength to him and his family.' Whale revealed earlier this year that, through most of his recent cancer battle, days had been 'quite normal' for him – until things took a downturn quite suddenly. 'Until very recently, everything was quite normal for me. Everything was fine, and then you do get to a stage like I am now, with things getting to be very, very difficult. More Trending 'To anybody else who is in the final stages of cancer, you have my sympathy. I know exactly what you're going through; I do know. I look basically OK, I get told, 'You look alright' – it's all makeup.' In May, on his birthday, James revealed that he doesn't have high expectations of seeing Christmas 2025, having already come to terms with his devastating prognosis. 'As people know, I'm not about to die. Well, you never know, do you? I've had all my treatment.' Insisting that he doesn't want sympathy, he added: 'I don't want anybody feeling sorry. I'm just giving you a lowdown on it. If I make it to Christmas, I will be exceptionally lucky. Sometimes I think it will be easier just to have a heart attack and go.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Three in five Brits 'wouldn't even trust Starmer or Farage to watch their bag' MORE: Sir Rod Stewart sparks outrage after saying 'give Farage a chance' MORE: Keir Starmer feels pressure after poll shows Reform would win election today
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Whale fights tears in heart-shattering video amid 'final weeks of life'
Broadcaster James Whale shared an emotional birthday message to his grandson as he faces the final weeks of his terminal cancer battle TalkTV presenter James Whale has shared an emotional message as he enters the final stages of terminal cancer. Posting a heartfelt video on X, the 74-year-old paid tribute to his grandson on his birthday. Fighting back tears as he said: 'I'm not terribly well in the final stages of cancer, but I just want to tell my grandson how proud I am of him." He praised his grandson's achievement in joining the Royal Marines, adding: 'He's a Royal Marine and he's been a Royal Marine for over six months, nearly a year now, he got through all his training, and I am so, so proud, you have no idea.' Marking the Royal Marines' 360th anniversary, Whale continued: 'Happy Birthday, mate. Happy Birthday to all of you who have put your lives where you have… Happy Birthday to you all.' Addressing his fans, he offered reassurance about his condition and career: 'It's alright, I'm an old git, [I'm] 74. I'm still on the TV and radio but not for much longer. I love you all, guys.' Whale was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had a kidney removed. In 2020, he revealed the disease had spread to his spine, brain, and lungs. The veteran broadcaster has faced a tumultuous journey ever since. After a stint in intensive care last year, Whale's challenges mounted when his TalkTV show, which he co-hosted with Ash Gould, his former producer from their TalkSPORT days, was axed. In a recent poignant update, Whale disclosed that his health had deteriorated further, leading doctors to cease treatment and warn him that making it to Christmas would be fortunate. During one of his last broadcasts from home, Whale bravely told listeners: "I'm actually in my last couple of weeks. Last time I saw my oncologist, he said I probably have only got weeks to go." Reflecting on his remarkable five-decade career, he said: "Over the 50 years, I have interviewed and chatted to some of the most amazing people. It may have been you. Maybe we'll catch up for the last time." While conversing with a caller named Paula, an emotional Whale confessed: "And I spend a lot of time crying. And it really, it's a bit embarrassing, Paula, to be quite honest with you. "I'm heading into the sunset and I talk about it regularly on the show and you know it's interesting because now everybody talks about it. Not me, not mine, but their own, you know, they don't feel that they're doing it quite right without having a cancer to talk about. "We do do, Nadine, my wife, or Lady W, as she's better known, and I do a podcast every week called Tales of the Whales. And if you're in a similar situation, I'm the one with it, she's the one who's got to put up with it." Many users flocked to social media to express their sadness at the news about the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant. One said: "Wishing you peace, you're a brave man. Best wishes to you and your family." Another shared: "Thank you for your service and may you live out the rest of your days free of pain and in comfort of knowing you'll leave behind a tremendous legacy. I take my hat off to you and salute you sir." And a third commented: "We disagree on my political issues James but I have always been grateful for your support on animal protection issues and have enjoyed our interviews over the years. You have dealt with your terminal illness with fortitude and dignity and a determination to squeeze the very most out of life. I wish you all the best in the days ahead my friend." The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Volvo targets double-digit growth with new XC90, S90
Swedish automaker Volvo Cars vowed to sell 2,500 units of the new XC90 sport utility vehicle and S90 sedan, its flagship premium offerings, in South Korea this year, leveraging its competitive pricing strategies and advanced consumer-centric infotainment services. 'The first half of this year was extremely challenging for us, aggravated by Tesla's aggressive pricing (in Korea), resulting in a 5 percent drop in sales as of June from the previous year,' said Volvo Cars Korea CEO Lee Yun-mo, during a press conference held Wednesday in Seoul. 'However, we anticipate double-digit growth this year, led by the XC90 and S90. Our goal is to sell 2,500 units of these models and close the year with approximately 16,000 units in total sales.' Lee stressed that the XC90, praised for being one of the safest luxury family cars, has already received over 1,300 preorders, surpassing the allocated sales volume for the July–December period. The Korean unit plans to secure more than 200 vehicles from Volvo. For the S90, the company is considering increasing its sales target to 1,200 units from the originally planned 1,000 units, as it is gaining positive consumer feedback. Along with the S90 sedan, the SUV is two of the most well-received models in Korea, accounting for 25 percent of domestic sales last year. To boost sales of the XC90, a 7-seater SUV, Volvo Cars Korea negotiated the lowest price of won ($99.9 million) for the vehicle with the Swedish headquarters despite pressures of a drop in sales margins due to the increase in exchange rates. The same model is sold at $107.3 million and $143.9 million in the US and the UK, respectively. 'In the same segment, the XC90 stands out as the only car priced under 100 million won, despite including the costly air suspension feature as a standard offering,' noted Lee. The air suspension, integrating with active chassis technology, continuously monitors driving conditions in real-time, optimizing both vehicle height and damping to ensure smooth and stable driving. According to Kim Jung-su, head of the APAC R&D ConX at Volvo, Volvo is the first among foreign car brands to collaborate with Naver Whale in Korea, offering an enhanced user experience for its infotainment system in the XC90 and S90. Scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter, the Whale browser will offer a tablet-like experience, allowing access to a wide range of applications, including OTT, SNS, search portals and music. Notably, the company invested more than 7 billion won to provide free upgrades to include Naver Whale through Over The Air updates for approximately 60,000 customers who purchased Volvo cars in Korea from 2021. Another noticeable upgrade for the two models is the enhanced connectivity through the new Volvo Car UX, developed with TMAP Mobility exclusively for the Korean market, Kim said. Powered by Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, it is approximately twice as responsive and offers ten times faster graphics generation than its predecessor, reducing driver distraction by intuitively displaying information such as navigation and calls. The 11.2-inch center display also offers 21 percent improved pixel density for greater clarity and convenience. In addition to the XC90 and S90, and the EX30, which launched in March, Volvo Cars Korea plans to roll out the XC60 SUV and ES30 Cross Country in the second half of this year. For 2026, the company will debut the new ES90 and EX60, introducing a full electric vehicle lineup across all segments at Volvo Cars.
Globe and Mail
23-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
What Makes Chevron's Gulf of America Oil Bet So Compelling
Chevron Corporation CVX is leaning heavily on the Gulf of America (GOA) to fuel its next wave of production growth. In April 2025, the company brought first oil online at Ballymore, a key asset expected to produce around 75,000 barrels per day once all three initial wells ramp up. Just months earlier, production began at Whale — another major deepwater project designed for 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) at peak. With multiple phases still ahead, these developments represent the core of Chevron's plan to reach 300,000 net BOE/d from the GOA by 2026 — a 50% jump from the 2020 levels. Behind the numbers is a broader strategic shift. Chevron is combining decades of operational experience with new technologies to unlock deepwater resources more efficiently. Whale, for example, leverages a simplified facility design and energy-efficient systems to reduce emissions and cost per barrel. Similarly, the high-pressure Anchor platform — operational since August 2024 — is built to handle extreme conditions, with a resource base estimated at 440 million barrels of oil-equivalent. Together, these assets represent some of Chevron's highest-margin, lowest-carbon barrels globally. This push isn't just about drilling more — it's about drilling smarter. Chevron's updated project models are helping it reduce costs, increase efficiency, and extend the life of its fields. For instance, the Tahiti platform, which has been producing since 2009, has since crossed 500 million barrels and could continue operating into the 2040s. Backed by more efficient designs and low-carbon intensity output, Chevron's Gulf operations are positioned to remain a strong, high-margin part of its portfolio. Some Other Supermajors Active in the GoA Europe's largest energy major Shell plc SHEL is the largest operator in the GoA, known for pioneering deepwater oil and gas production. Its operations — like Perdido, Vito, Whale, and the upcoming Sparta — showcase advanced, cost-efficient technology. With lower-than-average emissions and a 40% cut in methane since 2016, Shell is pairing innovation with sustainability in one of the world's most challenging offshore environments. Shell continues to lead with standardized designs, robotics and efficient subsea systems, keeping safety and environmental performance at the core of its offshore strategy. Continental rival BP plc BP is also one of the top oil producers in the GoA, operating major hubs, including Atlantis, Mad Dog and Thunder Horse. With $7 billion in investments through 2025, BP aims to exceed 400,000 BOE/d in production from the region by the end of the decade. BP is also unlocking deep resources through projects like Kaskida, using smart, replicable platform designs for future expansion. CVX's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of Chevron have lost more than 6% in the past year. From a valuation standpoint, Chevron's forward 12-month P/E multiple stands at over 19X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 EPS has moved up 4% and 1%, respectively, in the past 30 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double" Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest. This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Click to get this free report BP p.l.c. (BP): Free Stock Analysis Report Chevron Corporation (CVX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
James Whale 'cries every day' amid 'last weeks of life' with terminal cancer
Broadcaster James Whale has said he has just 'weeks' left to live as he continues to battle terminal cancer and has admitted that he cries every day Radio icon James Whale has made the heart-wrenching confession that he's in the final weeks of his life. The veteran broadcaster, 74, who first shared news of his stage four kidney cancer diagnosis in 2020, has faced a tumultuous journey since. After a stint in intensive care last year, Whale's challenges mounted when his TalkTV show, which he co-hosted with Ash Gould, his former producer from their TalkSPORT days, was axed. In a recent poignant update, Whale disclosed that his health had deteriorated further, leading doctors to cease treatment and warn him that making it to Christmas would be fortunate. During one of his last broadcasts from home, Whale bravely told listeners: "I'm actually in my last couple of weeks. Last time I saw my oncologist, he said I probably have only got weeks to go." Reflecting on his remarkable five-decade career, he mused, "Over the 50 years, I have interviewed and chatted to some of the most amazing people. It may have been you. Maybe we'll catch up for the last time." While conversing with a caller named Paula, an emotional Whale confessed: "And I spend a lot of time crying. And it really, it's a bit embarrassing, Paula, to be quite honest with you. "I'm heading into the sunset and I talk about it regularly on the show and you know it's interesting because now everybody talks about it. Not me, not mine, but their own, you know, they don't feel that they're doing it quite right without having a cancer to talk about. "We do do, Nadine, my wife, or Lady W, as she's better known, and I do a podcast every week called Tales of the Whales. And if you're in a similar situation, I'm the one with it, she's the one who's got to put up with it." Many users flocked to social media to express their sadness at the news about the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant. One said: "Wishing you peace, you're a brave man. Best wishes to you and your family." Another shared: "Thank you for your service and may you live out the rest of your days free of pain and in comfort of knowing you'll leave behind a tremendous legacy. I take my hat off to you and salute you sir." And a third commented: "We disagree on my political issues James but I have always been grateful for your support on animal protection issues and have enjoyed our interviews over the years. You have dealt with your terminal illness with fortitude and dignity and a determination to squeeze the very most out of life. I wish you all the best in the days ahead my friend."
