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ABBA-tars to become virtual dancing queens

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Mamma Mia, here we go again – ABBA is alive and back after a 40 year hiatus but in the form of avatars to dazzle fans via a set of virtual concerts

The pop legends will release 10 songs in their album called Abba Voyage, teasing the new hits via a globally streamed press conference.

The first, I Still Have Faith In You, is a piano ballad that pays homage to the friendship formed by the four musicians.

ABBA’S First studio album for 40 years

“When Benny played the melody, I just knew it had to be about us,” said Bjorn Ulvaeus, a member of ABBA.

The group split in the early 1980’s and organically ended back in the studio recording together.

“At first it was just two songs, and then we said, ‘Well, maybe we should do a few others,'” said Benny Andersson.

My my! Abba avatars to take the virtual stage

The band’s new songs will be played during the band’s virtual concert, also titled Abba Voyage.

The four musicians will perform in a set of virtual concerts, where avatars of the four band members will play hits like Waterloo and dancing queen.

This virtual experience is set to open next year in a specially-built arena in east London.

The quartet who are now in their 70s, are transported back to the 1970’s.

Almost one thousand people worked to re-create Abba “in their prime” using motion capture technology that scanned “every mannerism and every motion”.

The clones of ABBA will appear in various virtual guises, from their satin-clad 1970s pomp to futuristic Tron-style space suits.

“Agnetha, Frida, Benny and Bjorn got on stage in front of 160 cameras and almost as many VFX geniuses, and they performed every song in this show, to perfection, over five weeks,” Ludvig Andersson, a producer said.

Why London? Bjorn said “London is the the best city to be in when it comes to entertainment, theatre, musicals… We have always felt that the Brits see us as their own.”

“There’s no real need for ABBA to be on TikTok because their music is all over it anyway, but it’s about making sure people connect their music with ABBA the brand, and that will feed back into other areas of the empire,” Sutherland says. 

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DOGE cuts billions as federal spending overhaul continues

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Musk-Led Department slashes DEI grants while Transportation Secretary seeks tech innovation.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has eliminated over $370 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants at the Department of Education within just 48 hours.

In a post on X, DOGE revealed that 70 DEI training grants were terminated, marking the latest move in its effort to cut federal spending.

This follows another major budget reduction last week when DOGE slashed $881 million in Department of Energy contracts, including more than $100 million allocated to DEI programs.

The sweeping cuts signal a broader initiative under the Trump administration to curb what it considers excessive government spending.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday as part of an effort to modernize U.S. air travel.

Duffy, who has been vocal about the need for infrastructure reform, stated that President Trump has tasked him with developing a world-class air traffic control system.

He has also called on American tech developers and businesses to contribute their expertise to the initiative.

With DOGE rapidly restructuring federal expenditures and the administration emphasizing private-sector partnerships in public services, the coming months could see further policy shifts.

Critics argue that these moves may reduce funding for key programs, while supporters praise them as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility.

Oz Sultan, the Chief Strategist with the Sultan Interactive Group joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Delta flight crash in Toronto, eight injuries reported

Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight; all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

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Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

In Short

A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.

The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.

Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.

One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.

Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Further details are not currently available.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.

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Trump State Department angers China by removing Taiwan phrase

China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

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China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

In Short

The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.

Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet stated that the U.S. did not support Taiwan’s independence.

This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.

The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.

Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters

Sole government

The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.

Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.

China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.

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