Nicole Scherzinger on Broadway debut: It’s God’s divine plan for meBy Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment ReporterNicole Scherzinger has said that her Broadway debut playing the failing Hollywood star Norma Desmond “was God’s divine plan for me all along”. The reimagined musical has moved to Broadway, with Scherzinger having her opening night at the St James Theatre in New York on Sunday. On Instagram, the 46-year-old wrote: “I believe God has a plan for all of us — a plan and a purpose. “I see now that this show, and telling Norma’s story, was God’s divine plan for me all along. She also wrote: “It’s funny how God brings you back to your roots and the initial desire he placed on your heart.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists he will maintain his ‘aggressive’ philosophyBy Gavin McCafferty, PABrendan Rodgers feels Celtic can be more compact in their latest Champions League encounter, but he insisted he would never change his approach. Rodgers hopes they can learn lessons from their German trip and be tighter in certain moments, but his commitment to front-foot football remains firm. “Listen, I started coaching many, many years ago, over 25 years ago, and from the very beginning my coaching has always been aggressive. And until the day I finish it will be aggressive, and that’s how it will be,” said Rodgers, who will again be without injured defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor. “My idea is to have an attacking philosophy, which is about defending well, and defending when you haven’t got the ball, and being really aggressive and really strong in closing spaces.

Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund determined to put injury problems behind himBy Simon Peach, PA Chief Football WriterRasmus Hojlund feels fit, fortunate and fired up after the Manchester United striker secured Saturday’s victory against Brentford as he continues to put an injury-disrupted start to the season behind him. Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring against Brentford (Martin Rickett/PA) Photo by Martin Rickett“I’m playing for Manchester United and having the number nine on the back for Manchester United. Ruud van Nistelrooy is back at Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA) Photo by Martin Rickett“Yes, obviously, he’s helping us every day, but he’s also helping the defence and the midfield. “He’s a very good assistant coach, but obviously he’s a great striker. “Obviously every time you win and the forwards score goals, it gives a lot of confidence to the team,” Hojlund added.

The late broadcaster Michael Reade (58), who died this week following a terminal cancer diagnosis, has revealed he was a victim of child sexual abuse in an interview aired after his death. It was his wish that LMFM, where he worked for more than two decades, aired the interview posthumously, as he wanted to share his thanks with the station and his listeners. If that is the case and you think that is too morbid, please turn the radio off now and don’t listen any more. "I say this as somebody who has never said it on the public airwaves before, but as someone who was sexually abused and raped from the age of seven. Mr Reade said he began speaking about his experience privately “a long time ago”, describing it as “coming to terms with my demons”.

Dominik Szoboszlai knows the importance of his ‘dirty job’ with LiverpoolBy Ian Parker, PA, LeipzigDominik Szoboszlai is working hard to improve his goalscoring return but insisted it was more important that he is doing a “dirty job” for Arne Slot’s Liverpool side. When asked if he was happy with his form ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai said he was not. We are top of league and if I don’t score goals that’s the most important for me. It will take time but I will get there.”Wednesday night will see Liverpool and Szoboszlai come up against his former club RB Leipzig in the Champions League. They also have a maximum six points from their opening two Champions League games but Slot still sees much he wants to change about his side.

Appointment made to new role of Film Resource Officer at Offaly County CouncilOffaly County Council has today (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Darren Lee to the position of Film Resource Officer based within the Council's Arts Office. The FilmOffaly Development Resource Officer is a temporary post to deliver a project co-funded by the Government and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme. The aims of the role are to grow and diversify the film sector in Offaly, as well as adding cultural and economic value to the local community. "We hope to create a thriving community of local artists, raising the profile of film in the county," he said. If it's distinctive, or has a bit of character, we'd love to hear from you.”Dr Sally O'Leary, Arts Officer, Offaly County Council, said: "The funding provided by the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027, that has enabled the appointment of a film resource officer for the term of the project, is hugely welcomed for the Arts and Film in County Offaly.

Aer Lingus assessing European route cuts as Dublin Airport cap bitesMove will facilitate expansion of US network, after new Indianapolis service announcedAer Lingus was among the airlines granted leave by the High Court to challenge the IAA decision for summer 2025. Photo: BloombergJohn Mulligan Yesterday at 03:30Aer Lingus is assessing which European services it will have to cut or reduce next year from the capital in order to facilitate launches of new transatlantic routes while Dublin Airport operates under the constraints of a controversial passenger cap.

VoteSmart is an aid that gives voters insight into how their views align with candidatesThe Irish Independent is launching a new election tool that will help voters better understand how their views align with candidates. Today, we are inviting non-party election candidates to engage with the project, which is called VoteSmart. In recent weeks, we have engaged the main political parties and now we want to give independent candidates the opportunity to feature in our online tool before it goes live in the coming weeks. It shows participants which parties or Independent candidates are closest to their positions on key policy statements and which are furthest from them. Cormac Bourke, the editor-in-chief of Mediahuis Ireland, said: “The primary aim of the election test is educational – participants learn more about themselves and about the policies of political parties and Independents.

Stock photoA company has agreed, pending further order of the High Court, not to engage experts to try to analyse what a chemist says is his invention of the world's first cement free product for use in the construction industry. Mr Vickers said while Mr McCann was not a director he was in effective control of the company. Mr McCann agreed to invest more than €1m while Mr Vickers agreed to invest €250,000 which he says rose to €420,000. Mr Vickers and his own company, Ashtec IP Services Ltd, say however that Creekmount now is trying to assert ownership over his formulation. Mr Vickers says while working to open up the Creekmount business - which was he says only for the production of cement based products - he was also separately working on a cement free formulation.

The battle against inflation is almost won, chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas has said, with geopolitical tensions, potential new trade wars and falling migration into developed countries now among the key risks facing the world economy. It added that inflation, which has largely been tamed, will slow to 4.3% next year from 5.8% in 2024. "There is geopolitical risk, with the potential for escalation of regional conflicts,” that could affect commodity markets, Mr Gourinchas said. Britain's long-suffering growth outlook got a boost of 0.4% for 2024 as falling inflation and lower interest rates are expected to stoke consumer demand. Social unrest was also listed as a key risk by the IMF, noting rises in protests, riots and major demonstrations.

Womenswear brand Sosandar has trimmed annual sales guidance as it refocuses on returning to profitability after building out its physical store estate. Guidance: Cheshire-based womenswear brand Sosandar has cut its annual sales outlookHowever, the firm's prioritisation on boosting margins and reducing costs helped cut its pre-tax losses from £1.3million to around £700,000. Sosandar recently opened its first-ever physical stores in the UK; they are located in Marlow, Chelmsford, and Gateshead's Metrocentre. The AIM-listed company said it chose these sites because they are 'affluent, thriving locations where Sosandar customers over-index'. Matthew McEachran, analyst at Singer Capital Markets, said: 'Markets have been underwhelmed thus far by Sosandar’s transition to becoming a full-price multi-channel brand.

GP Jennifer Grant answers your medical queriesQuestion: My kids have colds. ​​Dr Grant replies: Every year, we see a seasonal variation in the incidence of viral infections. After three days, if they have been fever-free for 48 hours, they can return to school and other normal activities. For any given healthy adult or child, it is normal to experience four or five viral infections per year. It’s the basics that will get you through this tough phase of raising young kids, and remember, it won’t last forever.

Intercontinental Hotel Group's growth rate halved during the third quarter amid continued struggles in the Chinese market. The Holiday Inn owner reported that revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by only 1.5 per cent year-on-year in the three months ending September, compared to 3.2 per cent in the previous quarter. Hainan island - often nicknamed China's Hawaii - was hit by super typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year. Elie Maalouf, chief executive of IHG, said: 'We are pleased with the latest trading performance and another strong period of development activity.' IHG has rebounded strongly since the loosening of pandemic-related restrictions that caused substantial financial damage to the global tourism industry.

Speaking on his way into cabinet this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it is "common sense" that there are penalties for those on jobseekers allowance who do not engage in employment services. "The Minister for Social Protection will take legislation to the Seanad, the Social Welfare Bill, and included in that is again a common sense measure to make sure that our social welfare system is compassionate but also that people have to play ball," the Taoiseach said. Ms Humphreys introduced the ­significant change in welfare policy in the Social Welfare Bill which was voted through the Dáil by coalition TDs. This year, around 4,000 people had their payments reduced for failing to properly engage with state employment services. Reduced rates are only applied if a jobseeker does not engage with the State’s employment services.

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