Bolshoi Theater music director and chief conductor Tugan Sokhiev announced his resignation on Sunday, saying he felt pressured by calls to take a stand on the conflict in Ukraine.

The Russian said in a statement that he was resigning “with immediate effect” from his post at the Moscow theater as well as his equivalent post at the Orchester national du Capitole de Toulouse in France.

Sokhiev was appointed by the Bolshoi in 2014. He was hired as part of measures to improve the theater’s image after scandals including the 2013 acid attack on its then artistic director, Sergey Filin.

He hails from the same North Ossetia region of Russia as star chef Valery Gergiev and is considered his protege.

Kremlin loyalist Gergiev was removed from his post at the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra for failing to speak out against Russia’s actions.

Sokhiev said in a lengthy statement that “a lot of people were waiting for me to speak out and hear my position on what’s going on right now,” referring to Russia’s military action in Ukraine.

He said he decided to quit after “being forced to face the impossible option of choosing between my beloved Russian musicians and my beloved French musicians”.

He cited Toulouse authorities’ opposition to his plan to hold a Franco-Russian music festival there, saying they “want me to speak out for peace”.

Sokhiev became musical director of the Toulouse Orchestra in 2008 and continued to work with the orchestra after joining the Bolshoi.

Sokhiev did not explicitly say whether he supports or opposes Russia’s actions in Ukraine as he said ‘I have never supported and will always be against any conflict in any form’ .

He said musicians were becoming “victims of the so-called ‘cancel culture’” and suggested that Russian music could be under threat.

“I will soon be asked to choose between Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy,” he warns.

Bolshoi director general Vladimir Urin told state news agency TASS he was saddened by Sokhiev’s decision.

“I’m really sorry. His departure is a serious problem for the Bolshoi Theatre. It’s unclear how the situation will develop from now on.”

At first glance, UK vaccination rates are comparable to those in countries currently in the throes of a brutal ‘fourth wave’ of Covid.

Figures show that 68 percent of our population has now suffered a double blow compared to 67 percent in Germany and 64 percent in Austria.

But beneath these broadly similar general statistics hides the reassuring fact that many more of our seniors are fully protected against Covid.

Only around four per cent of the over 60s in the UK have not had their second chance, which represents some 650,000 people.

Almost two-thirds have recently suffered a recall.

On the other hand, the vaccination coverage of German and Austrian retirees is much more unequal.

Both countries were chased by slow vaccination campaigns at the start of the year due to the European Union’s reluctance to get the vaccine approved.

They were also slower than the UK in green light recall jabs.

An island between Australia and Antarctica was rocked by a magnitude 6.6 earthquake.

A tremor 10 km underground was recorded west of Macquarie Island in the South Pacific Ocean just before 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said there was no threat of a tsunami for Australia.

No aftershock has been recorded so far.

No one lives within 100 km of the impact of the earthquake.

Located 1,600 km southeast of Tasmania, Macquarie Island is home to the Australian Antarctic Division station, which is manned year round.

It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

The island experienced an 8.2 magnitude earthquake in 1989, the largest intra-oceanic earthquake of the 20th century, and also recorded an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in 2004.

Professor of Marine Geophysicist Mike Coffin of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania recently called for plans to modernize Australia’s Antarctic Division station to be delayed until the risk of a tsunami. be better understood.

He expressed concern that the tsunami risk for the station due to submarine landslides is “unrated†despite the island’s “highly active tectonic environmentâ€.

Professor Coffin, “the elevation of a modernized scientific research station” should be “confirmed or adjusted” so that it is appropriate to “mitigate the risks of tsunami and the risks resulting from both the waste of submarine mass and earthquakes “.

“They have tsunami warning systems on the island against earthquakes, but landslides are not necessarily triggered by earthquakes, landslides can just happen on their own.” , he told the ABC.

“So an earthquake monitor might not tell you when a tsunami is going to occur on the island.”

Bondi Vet star and emergency vet Dr Gerardo Poli was hospitalized last week with suspected neurological disease.

Partner and co-star, 39, Dr Alex Hynes, confirmed the news on Monday, after noticing he had “acted strangely” a week earlier.

“About a week ago he started behaving strangely. His speech was slow and he was confusing words, ” Dr Hynes, 44, who works with Dr Poli at Brisbane’s Animal Emergency Service (AES) as a senior veterinarian, wrote on Instagram.

“He dropped his phone several times on the floor, tripped over his own feet and hit the edges of the doors. The scariest part was that he was not aware that something was wrong, â€she continued.

“On Thursday, he sat down at his computer and realized he couldn’t type on the keyboard. For some reason, this is the thing that crossed his consciousness and allowed me to give him the help he needed.

Dr Hynes said his partner was admitted to the neurology department at Mater Hospital on September 30 and praised the “amazing medical team” working on a diagnosis.

The trip to the hospital came just six months after the couple welcomed a daughter, Lorelai.

“At this point, all we know is that he’s suffering from some form of brain inflammation-encephalitis. [It’s] probably autoimmune in nature but probably triggered by a recent respiratory virus that he had fought, â€she added.

On the same day, Dr Poli thanked his friends, family and fans for their wishes on social media, and also posted a photo of him cuddling Lorelai.

“It doesn’t take much to forget what’s important to you,†he wrote.

“I’m not at death’s door by any means, but being there for Lorelai (aka Potato) when she needs me, teaching her all the bad things and making her laugh are the things I treasure the most.

“I have a great team here at @materprivate… and I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on. As always, there is my biggest supporter and advocate @dralexhynes – without her I wouldn’t be where I am.

‘Thank you for all the messages of love and concern. Don’t worry, I still have a lot to do in this world. So, before long, I’ll be back on my feet. I love you all. Gx. ‘

In 2017, Dr Hynes was one of the vets chosen to appear on Bondi Vet: Coast to Coast, after former Dr Chris Brown, former “Bondi Vet”, left the show.

Dr Poli, who is a director at AES alongside his partner, joined the series later.

The couple recently launched a YouTube show called Bondi Vet: ER.

Dr Hynes has a 12-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. She and Dr Poli welcomed their daughter, Lorelai, in April this year.

Brian Williams, who remade his career as an MSNBC host after losing his job as an NBC Nightly News presenter for making false statements about a war story, is leaving the network after 28 years.

Williams said in a note to colleagues that “after a lot of thought” he decided to step down at the end of his contract in December.

“It’s the end of one chapter and the start of another,” Williams wrote. “There are a lot of things I want to do and I will come back somewhere. “

Willliams, 62, said he would take a few months off to spend time with his family.

Williams was the main presenter of NBC News from 2004 to 2015, when he was suspended for falsely claiming he was in a helicopter hit by enemy fire during the Iraq war.

A subsequent investigation revealed that he had made further inaccurate statements about his experiences covering events, and he lost his job.

He later received the 11pm time on MSNBC, which he turned into an entertaining and fast-paced newscast summarizing the day’s news.

“Over the next few months, I will be with my family, the people I love the most and the people who have made my career a reality. I’ll think about how kind people have shown me, and I’ll pay it off to the next, â€Williams said in the statement.

Williams began airing his current show, The 11th Hour, shortly before the 2016 presidential election. His current contract will expire at the end of 2021.

Story in development, more to follow.

Meshel Laurie is one of Australia’s funniest comedians and most popular podcasters.

And on Friday night, she surprised fans by sharing a refined photo of herself after a live show in Melbourne.

It was one of the first photos of herself the 47-year-old had posted on social media all year, so fans were shocked at her new appearance.

Posting on Instagram, Meshel shared a photo alongside her podcast co-host Emily, donning an all-black ensemble and showing off her slender new figure.

‘Great show last night at Ringwood. Emily and I will be talking about True Crime again on September 10 at the Yarraville Club.

‘Link for tix in my bio. As you can see, we are two women who are very happy to get dressed and come out of the house, â€she captioned the photo.

Meanwhile, fans have flocked to the post to share kind words to celebrate her healthy new look.

“Meshel, you look amazing – I love your look and you are absolutely radiant,†one wrote.

“Regardless of your body size, you always seem happier doing what you love and it’s GREAT to watch,†added a second.

One fan went so far as to say the star was almost unrecognizable, commenting “I don’t mean to sound anything but endearing, but are you on the right?”

Earlier this year, Meshel left his post at Wollongong Radio Station.

She is best known for appearing on The Project over the years, voicing radio, and selling comedy shows.

She now hosts the popular podcast, Australian True Crime.

In 2017, she called AFL WAG Rebecca Judd in a live chat with co-host Matt Tilley.

At the time, she joked, “There is no picture of me holding my newborn twins in a bikini” before stating, “God, her body is driving me crazy.”

Bec, who is married to AFL star Chris Judd, posted a snap of her slender post-baby bikini body five weeks after welcoming her twins in September 2016.

The image seemed to leave Meshel furious.

“You know I love Bec Judd as a person, but I’m mad at his body. She’s so funny and crazy and awesome, but god her body is driving me crazy, â€Meshel laughed.

“She’s so funny and weird that she really should be a fat chick.” She has the personality of a fantastic fat chick. She should be an honorary fat chick.

An AFLW star has hit back at trolls who shamed him after his team fell horribly short over the weekend.

Gold Coast Suns striker Sarah Perkins took to Twitter on Monday to apologize to fans for the team’s three-point loss to St Kilda, before being insulted by vile trolls.

‘2 of 2 tonight…anyone else dude/fake account want to comment on my height, body shape, athleticism?’ she posted on social media.

“I’m more than happy to hear feedback on my skills/abilities in football, but sadly not everyone can fit a size 6!”

Perkins initially issued an apology to Suns fans after the team suffered another loss, now two spots from the final positions.

“Yesterday hurt a lot but the sun came up this morning and I’m ready for a big week on the track and in front of goal,” she tweeted.

“Sorry GC Suns fans, but stick with us.”

The post was met with a series of ugly comments criticizing the striker’s weight.

“Cutting edge athletics,” one man wrote, before an AFLW star told him to “jog.”

‘Do you feel better about yourself for that comment? Run,” Collingwood co-captain Steph Chiocci replied.

“I think she should look for a job,” replied another man in Pies’ midfield.

Chiocci, who also works as a high school teacher, then penned another message of support for Perkins.

‘People are just jealous that they never achieved anything worth publishing. I still have your back,’

I can’t wait to see you hitting more snags from 50m and laying down tackles like a boss.

The AFL Players’ Association said there was “no room” for abuse in sport.

She began her illustrious modeling career 25 years ago.

And Miranda Kerr always looked at the stunning model on Tuesday as she attended the 2021 InStyle Awards in Los Angeles.

The 38-year-old Sydney-born beauty turned heads in an ornate bodycon black dress as she posed on the red carpet.

On her feet, the brunette beauty wore a pair of strappy gold heels, adding more inches to her 5-foot-9 frame.

Miranda’s makeup was done by Andre Sarmiento, while her hair was styled by Ericka Verrett.

This year’s InStyle Awards mark the return of the iconic show after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the show to take a hiatus last year.

The awards show will recognize “the greatest talents and icons in fashion, beauty and pop culture and will be held” with a range of star award winners, according to the site.

Melissa McCarthy will receive the Icon Award, Simone Biles will be honored with The Original, Michael Kors will be honored with Designer, Jason Bolden will receive Voice Of Style, Lona Vigi the hairstylist, Nina Park the makeup artist, Samantha McMillen the fashion stylist, the Congressman Katie Porter the badass woman and Anifa Mvuemba the future of fashion.

The show is sure to be celebrity with big names expected to present awards as well.

Hannah Einbinder, Elle Fanning, Amanda Gorman, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, Christian Louboutin, Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon will all present awards.

Aston Villa has finalized Philippe Coutinho’s sensational loan from Barcelona.

In what will be one of the most exciting moves in the entire window, the Brazilian star has agreed to return to the Premier League until the end of the season.

The deal, which Villa said on Friday is subject to completion of a medical examination and obtaining a work permit, includes a purchase option and sees Coutinho reunite with former Liverpool teammate Steve Gerrard.

Indeed, Villa boss Gerrard was the key factor in Coutinho’s decision to sign for Villa given his close relationship with the Anfield legend.

Following talks with Gerrard, attacking midfielder Coutinho was completely convinced that a move to Villa Park was the right decision for him.

And there is massive confidence in Villa that Coutinho will hit the ground to become one of the stars in the second half of the season.

Sportsmail revealed Villa’s efforts to sign Coutinho on Wednesday afternoon and the deal has evolved rapidly since then.

A number of Premier League and European clubs were keen on Coutinho, but Gerrard’s influence was key to choosing the 29-year-old Villa.

Villa is 13th in the Premier League table but has made a promising start to life under Gerrard, who replaced Dean Smith as manager in November.

Coutinho has played 16 times for Barcelona so far this season, with two goals to his name.

His departure from Camp Nou will cut payrolls and help Xavi save Ferran Torres after arriving from Manchester City.

Villa is in action against Manchester United in the FA Cup this weekend and returns to the Premier League on January 15, also against United.

Barcelona signed Coutinho for £ 145million in January 2018 from Liverpool. Coutinho spent five years at Anfield, with Brendan Rodgers signing him from Inter Milan in the winter transfer window in 2013.

Westfield Woden Shopping Center in Canberra was evacuated Monday afternoon after police were alerted when a caller made an ominous “threat”.

ACT police revealed that they were informed of a phone call threatening a store in the mall at around 1:10 p.m.

“The mall was evacuated as a precaution,” police said on their Facebook page.

“The store was searched and nothing suspicious was identified. An investigation into the incident is underway.

They added: “ACT Policing reminds the community that it is an offense to utter false threats and that every effort will be made to identify those responsible.”

“The offense carries heavy penalties.

Five years ago, bomb squad experts were called to the mall after a suspicious package was discovered in one of the mall’s toilets.

The package was found to be harmless and had been left by accident.