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‘Harry Potter’ actor Michael Gambon dies aged 82

Celebrated British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, renowned for portraying Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” series, has passed away at 82. With a rich career spanning television, film, radio, and theatre, Gambon received numerous awards and accolades.

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12 months ago

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Celebrated British-Irish actor Michael Gambon, best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films, has died in hospital aged 82, his family announced Thursday, prompting a flood of tributes.

Gambon won four television BAFTAs and Olivier awards during an acclaimed decades-spanning acting career across television, film, radio and theatre. It was capped by his beloved role as the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts in the Potter series.

“We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon,” a statement issued on behalf of his family said.

“Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.”

Once described by fellow acting legend the late Ralph Richardson as “The Great Gambon”, he earned a reputation as one of British theatre’s leading lights while enjoying sustained success on the small and big screen.

Born in Ireland, he began his acting career on stage, making his first appearance in a production of “Othello” at the Gates Theatre in Dublin in 1962.

Reacting to the news of his passing, the country’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, called him simply “a great actor”.

“Whether performing in Beckett, Dennis Potter or Harry Potter, he gave his all to every performance,” the Irish PM said on X, formerly Twitter.

Memorable roles

Gambon became a household name in Britain for his 1986 role as Philip Marlow in screenwriter Dennis Potter’s “The Singing Detective” and in the 1990s played Georges Simenon’s famous French police detective in the ITV series “Maigret”.

By then, he was already an established theatre star, having appeared in Alan Ayckbourn’s “The Norman Conquests” and “The Life Of Galileo”, among other leading stage roles.

He was nominated for a Tony in 1997 for a part in dramatist David Hare’s “Skylight”.

He also won plaudits for Nicholas Hytner’s National Theatre productions of “Henry IV”. Gambon last appeared on stage in 2012 in a London production of Samuel Beckett’s play “All That Fall”.

Meanwhile, he put in a memorable screen performances in the BBC’s 2015 adaptation of JK Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy”, and period dramas such as “The King’s Speech”, portraying King George V, father of the stammering King George VI.

He earned Emmy award nominations for his role as Mr Woodhouse in the 2010 adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma”, and for playing President Lyndon B. Johnson in “Path to War” in 2002.

But it was his performances as Dumbledore in the popular “Harry Potter” films that won him global acclaim, after replacing Richard Harris as the Hogwarts headmaster following the latter’s death in 2002.

Gambon was knighted for his contribution to the entertainment industry in 1998.

‘Magnificent trickster’

Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death.

“With the loss of Michael Gambon the world just became considerably less fun,” Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe said.

“Michael Gambon was one of the most brilliant, effortless actors I’ve ever had the privilege of working with, but despite his immense talent, the thing I will remember most about him is how much fun he had doing his job.

“He was silly, irreverent and hilarious. He loved his job, but never seemed defined by it.”

Radcliffe’s co-star Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the series, praised Gambon for “showing us what it looks like to wear greatness lightly”.

“You never took it too seriously, but somehow delivered the most serious moments with all the gravitas,” she wrote on Instagram.

Fiona Shaw, who played Petunia Dursley in the Potter films, praised the variety of roles he undertook.

“He varied his career remarkably, and never judged what he was doing, he just played,” she told BBC Radio.

“With text, there was nothing like him. He could do anything,” she added, describing Gambon as “just a brilliant, magnificent trickster”.

Longstanding friend and actress Eileen Atkins lauded his ability to captivate stage audiences.

“He just had to walk on stage, and he commanded the whole audience immediately,” she also told BBC Radio.

And former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson recalled that Gambon had been such a “tremendous guest” he had a corner named after him on the BBC show’s racetrack.

“He was hugely amusing,” he said on social media.

— AFP

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International

Singaporeans to require Electronic Travel Authorisation for UK travel from 8 January 2025

From 8 January 2025, Singaporeans must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. The digital permit costs £10 (S$17), is valid for two years, and allows multiple visits of up to six months.

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42 mins ago

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13 September 2024

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From 8 January 2025, Singaporeans travelling to the United Kingdom will need to apply for and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before their trip.

According to a UK government press release, tourists from Canada, the United States, and 47 other countries and territories will be required to obtain an ETA before entering the UK.

This new requirement is part of the UK’s border security measures aimed at enhancing security and deterring illegal immigration.

The ETA application costs £10 (S$17), and Singaporean travellers can submit their applications starting from 27 November 2024 via the official UK government website or mobile app.

Once approved, the ETA will be digitally linked to the applicant’s passport and will remain valid for two years, allowing multiple short stays of up to six months per visit.

Applications generally take about three days to process, and applicants will be notified by email if their request has been approved or rejected.

The ETA is mandatory for all modes of transport, including air, sea, and land, such as via the rail tunnel between Britain and France. It is also required for transit passengers who are changing planes at UK airports.

However, the UK ETA does not grant entry to the Republic of Ireland or other European nations.

By April 2025, this requirement will apply to all visitors who are currently able to travel to the UK without a visa, covering over 80 jurisdictions globally.

According to the UK ETA website, the introduction of this system aims to strengthen border security by preventing illegal immigration, combatting organised crime, and identifying potential threats to national security.

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Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for U.S. President, calls for calm leadership

Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president, calling her a “steady-handed, gifted leader.” In an Instagram post to her 283 million followers, Swift urged fans to research candidates’ stances and expressed concerns over AI-generated misinformation falsely linking her to Trump.

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2 days ago

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11 September 2024

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In a bold statement shared on her Instagram account, Taylor Swift has endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the upcoming 2024 election. The post, published shortly after the U.S. presidential debate on Tuesday night, positioned Harris as the candidate who would champion the rights and causes Swift holds dear.

“As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can,” Swift wrote to her 283 million followers, adding: “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election.”

Swift emphasized her support for Harris, describing her as a “steady-handed, gifted leader” capable of steering the country with calmness, in contrast to the “chaos” she associates with other candidates.

Swift’s post also featured an image of her with her beloved cat, Benjamin Button, nodding to comments made by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, who had previously mocked senior Democratic leaders as “childless cat ladies.” Swift embraced the label, signing off her statement with “Childless cat lady.”

Swift’s endorsement didn’t come without addressing misinformation. She referred to AI-generated images, circulated by former President Donald Trump’s campaign in August, falsely depicting her and her fans endorsing Trump. Swift expressed her concerns over AI’s potential for spreading falsehoods, calling it a key reason for her public clarification of her voting intentions.

“I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift said, urging her followers to research candidates’ positions on issues that matter to them.

In response to Swift’s endorsement, the Trump campaign dismissed her support as further evidence of the Democratic Party’s alignment with “wealthy elites,” with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stating, “There’s many Swifties for Trump out there in America.” Republican congressman Matt Gaetz also commented on Swift’s political stance, remarking, “I love her songs, but I want to live in a world where liberals make my art and conservatives make my laws and policies.”

However, Swift’s backing of Harris has garnered significant attention among her fanbase, with some already mobilizing in support of the Democratic candidate. The Swifties for Kamala Coalition, launched in August, has raised over $138,000 for the Harris campaign, further bolstering the vice president’s candidacy.

Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, expressed his gratitude to Swift during an MSNBC interview, stating, “Her endorsement took courage, and that’s the kind of courage we need in America.”

Historically, celebrity endorsements have had measurable impacts on elections. A study from Northwestern University and the University of Maryland estimated that Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama ahead of the 2008 Democratic primary earned him around one million votes. Whether Swift’s massive following, particularly among Gen Z and women, will have a similar effect remains to be seen.

Swift’s endorsement marks a significant moment in the 2024 election, highlighting the intersection of pop culture and politics. As the election approaches, her influence may yet play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome, particularly among younger voters and those concerned with women’s rights.

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