LONDON – British singer George Michael has been forced to postpone the rest of his European tour due to ongoing treatment for “severe” pneumonia, his spokeswoman said yesterday.
She denied reports that the former Wham frontman was suffering from serious heart problems. “George Michael is ill with pneumonia and any other speculation regarding his illness is unfounded and untrue,” she said in a statement. “He is receiving excellent medical care.” – (Reuters)
LONDON – The immediate prospect of industrial action by BBC staff has been averted after a new agreement.
Members of the National Union of Journalists, Bectu and Unite have been voting on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action following the corporation’s plan to cut hundreds of millions of pounds in spending.
The unions said their ballots, all of which were expected to return substantial votes in favour of strikes, would be halted following a new deal on the conduct of talks. – (PA)