Author: admin@primenews

Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88, his family has confirmed. His TV career spanned seven decades, and he interviewed the world’s biggest stars on his long-running chat show. A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. “The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.” Sir Michael’s high-profile guests included Sir Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Madonna and Dame Helen Mirren. The presenter revealed he was receiving radiotherapy treatment for prostate…

Ukraine’s students are getting used to disruption. Outside Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, a university here in the country’s capital, a group of student volunteers are helping new applicants to enrol. Anna explains that some of the current students have never attended a class here in person. “They were accepted during the Covid [pandemic], and then Russia’s full-scale invasion happened, so they were never really in class offline. It’s a little bit sad.” But she and her fellow volunteers explain that things are different now, with students returning to in-person lectures this year, despite the ongoing war. That means parents have even more…

Canada has been left out as China lifted a restrictions on group tours to multiple countries, including the US and the UK. It suggests a deterioration of relations following Canada’s recent accusations that Beijing meddled in its politics. Chinese officials said Canada was excluded over the foreign interference claims. It could have a significant impact on Canada’s tourism industry. Chinese tourists were estimated to have injected over C$1bn (£580m;$740m) into the Canadian economy annually in years prior to the Covid pandemic. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism regulates which countries Chinese tour operators can visit, saying it’s done to safeguard…

The family of Leonard Bernstein have defended actor Bradley Cooper in a row over his biopic of the late composer. The first trailer for Maestro, which Cooper both directs and stars in, was released earlier this week. It attracted some criticism over the size of Cooper’s nose, which some social media users said played up to offensive Jewish stereotypes. But Bernstein’s family said they were “perfectly fine” with Cooper using make-up to “amplify” his appearance. There has also been criticism that a Jewish actor was not cast to play the West Side Story composer. “It breaks our hearts to see any…

Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston has been found not guilty of concealing the crimes of his paedophile father. Australian prosecutors had argued Brian Houston tried to cover up his father’s sexual abuse of a child in the 1970s. The Church founder learned of the abuse only decades later and said he did not report it because the victim, by then an adult, did not want police involved. Frank Houston, who died in 2004, is believed to have used his position as a pastor to abuse as many as nine boys. Victim Brett Sengstock – who has waived his right to…

Singapore police have seized about S$1bn ($735m; £578m) – including luxury homes, cars and cash – in one of its biggest anti-money laundering probes. Among the items seized in the raid were luxury cars, designer handbags and $17m (£13.3m) in cash. Police arrested ten people in the operation, all of whom held foreign passports. Raids of this size are rare in Singapore, which has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The Singapore Police Force said in a statement that simultaneous raids were held across the city-state on Tuesday. It added that 94 homes, including houses in some of…

It is perhaps testament to Australia’s World Cup performances that they were “disappointed” to miss out on the final but, in their pursuit of glory, the Matildas have won over a nation. England beat the co-hosts 3-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final to deny them a first World Cup final on home soil. But Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson said it is “just the beginning” for the Matildas. “I hate to lose, but this is bigger than 90 minutes of football,” he said. En route to reaching the last four for the first time, the Matildas have captivated Australia, winning over fans across the…

Thousands of Muslims in a city in Pakistan have set fire to churches and vandalised homes belonging to Christians over claims that two men had desecrated the Quran, police say. The attacks took place in Jaranwala in the province of eastern Punjab. Police said at least four churches had been set on fire, while residents said up to a dozen buildings connected to churches had been damaged. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan. No-one has ever been executed for it, but dozens have previously been killed by mobs after being accused of the crime. The Muslim community is believed…

More than 60 people are feared dead after a boat carrying migrants was found off Cape Verde in West Africa. Thirty-eight people, including children, were rescued, with footage showing them being helped ashore, some on stretchers, on the island of Sal. Almost all those on board the boat, which was at sea for over a month, are thought to have been from Senegal. Cape Verde officials have called for global action on migration to help prevent further loss of life. The vessel was first spotted on Monday, police told the AFP news agency. Initial reports suggested the boat had sunk…

Friends, family and figures from the entertainment world have paid tribute to an Essex-born actor who has died aged 36. Darren Kent appeared in shows such as Game of Thrones, EastEnders and the BBC adaptation of Les Misérables. Mr Kent, who lived in Southend-on-Sea, was also a patron for Equal People Performing Arts, a charity promoting inclusion in the performing arts. Fellow patron Lee Mead said the actor, who died on Friday, was “so special”. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Mead described Mr Kent as a “fine actor”. He said Mr Kent was “always giving of his…