2018 deaths of noteables

spaminator

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 26, 2009
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Romanian-Canadian singer Anca Pop dies after car plunges into Danube River
Associated Press
Published:
December 18, 2018
Updated:
December 18, 2018 4:09 PM EST
BUCHAREST, Romania — Anca Pop, a Romanian-Canadian singer-songwriter, has died after her car plunged into the Danube River. She was 34.
Emergency authorities identified her body after divers found her car late Monday in southwestern Romania. Her sister alerted police after she failed to arrive at the family home Sunday evening. Police said Tuesday they were investigating the death of Pop.
Pop’s style was a fusion of Balkan and mainstream pop. She had a big following in Japan.
She also collaborated with Bosnian musician Goran Bregovic on his “Champagne for Gypsies” album.
In 1987, Pop fled communist Romania with her family, crossing the Danube into then-Yugoslavia where they became political refugees. Months later, they emigrated to Canada.
After communism ended, she returned to Romania. This year she caused a stir by revealing she was in a same-sex relationship, in a society which can be intolerant of homosexuality.
She is survived by her parents and sister.
http://torontosun.com/entertainment...-pop-dies-after-car-plunges-into-danube-river
anca pop remix
 

MHz

Time Out
Mar 16, 2007
41,030
43
48
Red Deer AB
JT might be a one term wonder. Is the right thread for that news?
https://www.investmentwatchblog.com...mets-could-this-be-the-end-of-justin-trudeau/

Josh Sigurdson reports on the recent news of Trudeau’s all-time low approval rating! From a 46% approval rating last December to a 35% approval today, it doesn’t look good for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Most people cite the massive deficit and absolutely enormous taxes as the reason they do not approve of Justin Trudeau. And the best part? Only 8% of Canadians “STRONGLY support” Justin Trudeau while 39% of Canadians “STRONGLY disapprove” of the Liberal Prime Minister.
The poll was conducted by Angus Reid.
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
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Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77

BBC News
23 December 2018



Ex-Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 after a short illness, a party spokesperson has said.

The former MP for Yeovil, who "made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism", passed away on Saturday evening, a statement said.

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said Lord Ashdown had "made a real mark" on Parliament and it was "a hugely sad day".

Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October.

While his real name was Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, he was nicknamed Paddy when he moved to England, after spending his childhood years in Northern Ireland.

The longest serving leader of the Lib Dems in its history, Lord Ashdown led the party between 1988 and 1999, when it became a growing force in UK politics.

After standing down as an MP in 2001, he served as the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, helping steer the country through its post-war reconstruction.

Former Lib Dem leader and ex-deputy PM Sir Nick Clegg said Lord Ashdown was "the most heartfelt person I have known".

"Paddy was the reason I entered politics," he said.

"He was the reason I became a liberal. And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide."

'A remarkable life'


Born in Delhi in 1941, Ashdown served in the Royal Marines between 1959 and 1972

People from outside of politics also paid tribute to the politician.

Monty Python actor John Cleese tweeted that it was "really terrible" news, while scientist and TV presenter Prof Brian Cox said Lord Ashdown had lived "a remarkable life".

Comedian Matt Forde also tweeted: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Paddy Ashdown. He was one of the great politicians of my lifetime, a proper heavyweight.

"His pragmatism never got in the way of his principles. He was also a great laugh. We need more politicians like Paddy, not less. RIP."

Lord Ashdown made headlines saying he would "eat his hat" if the 2015 exit poll was right - it was.

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "Paddy Ashdown was a hero to me, he saved and revived the Liberal Democrats at our lowest ebb, and then led us to our best result for 70 years.

"As a movement, we owe him our very existence."

Sir Vince said Lord Ashdown was "a great inspiration".

"He was full of life, full of ideas," he told BBC News.

"Only three months ago he was absolutely buzzing with energy and ideas at our party conference".

Former Lib Dem leader Lord Steel said Lord Ashdown had transformed the party from one with just a handful of seats to being "a really influential party in Parliament".

Lord Steel added: "The last time I spoke to him was just two or three weeks back, it was about the books he was writing.

"He was starting to carve out a new career as a really, very interesting author on books really to do with the Second World War, located in France, where, of course, he had a holiday house."


Lord Ashdown campaigned with then-leader Nick Clegg ahead of the 2015 general election


The party's leader in the House of Lords, Dick Newby, said Lord Ashdown was "a natural leader" who "kept the Liberal Democrats alive in our early years".

Prime Minister Theresa May said Lord Ashdown "served his country with distinction" in both his military and political careers.

"He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed," she said.

Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said he admired the former Lib Dem leader "as a man and as a political visionary and leader".

He said: "He had courage, personal and political, unafraid to speak his mind yet always open to the views of others. He was one of the least tribal politicians I have ever known."


Former Tory PM John Major and ex-Labour PM Tony Blair have paid tribute to Lord Ashdown

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46662546
 

Curious Cdn

Hall of Fame Member
Feb 22, 2015
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Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77
BBC News
23 December 2018

Ex-Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 after a short illness, a party spokesperson has said.
The former MP for Yeovil, who "made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism", passed away on Saturday evening, a statement said.
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said Lord Ashdown had "made a real mark" on Parliament and it was "a hugely sad day".
Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October.
While his real name was Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, he was nicknamed Paddy when he moved to England, after spending his childhood years in Northern Ireland.
The longest serving leader of the Lib Dems in its history, Lord Ashdown led the party between 1988 and 1999, when it became a growing force in UK politics.
After standing down as an MP in 2001, he served as the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, helping steer the country through its post-war reconstruction.
Former Lib Dem leader and ex-deputy PM Sir Nick Clegg said Lord Ashdown was "the most heartfelt person I have known".
"Paddy was the reason I entered politics," he said.
"He was the reason I became a liberal. And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide."
'A remarkable life'

Born in Delhi in 1941, Ashdown served in the Royal Marines between 1959 and 1972
People from outside of politics also paid tribute to the politician.
Monty Python actor John Cleese tweeted that it was "really terrible" news, while scientist and TV presenter Prof Brian Cox said Lord Ashdown had lived "a remarkable life".
Comedian Matt Forde also tweeted: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Paddy Ashdown. He was one of the great politicians of my lifetime, a proper heavyweight.
"His pragmatism never got in the way of his principles. He was also a great laugh. We need more politicians like Paddy, not less. RIP."
Lord Ashdown made headlines saying he would "eat his hat" if the 2015 exit poll was right - it was.
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "Paddy Ashdown was a hero to me, he saved and revived the Liberal Democrats at our lowest ebb, and then led us to our best result for 70 years.
"As a movement, we owe him our very existence."
Sir Vince said Lord Ashdown was "a great inspiration".
"He was full of life, full of ideas," he told BBC News.
"Only three months ago he was absolutely buzzing with energy and ideas at our party conference".
Former Lib Dem leader Lord Steel said Lord Ashdown had transformed the party from one with just a handful of seats to being "a really influential party in Parliament".
Lord Steel added: "The last time I spoke to him was just two or three weeks back, it was about the books he was writing.
"He was starting to carve out a new career as a really, very interesting author on books really to do with the Second World War, located in France, where, of course, he had a holiday house."

Lord Ashdown campaigned with then-leader Nick Clegg ahead of the 2015 general election

The party's leader in the House of Lords, Dick Newby, said Lord Ashdown was "a natural leader" who "kept the Liberal Democrats alive in our early years".
Prime Minister Theresa May said Lord Ashdown "served his country with distinction" in both his military and political careers.
"He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed," she said.
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said he admired the former Lib Dem leader "as a man and as a political visionary and leader".
He said: "He had courage, personal and political, unafraid to speak his mind yet always open to the views of others. He was one of the least tribal politicians I have ever known."

Former Tory PM John Major and ex-Labour PM Tony Blair have paid tribute to Lord Ashdown
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46662546

The Brits would rather have a knob like Tony Blair as their Prime minister rather than a competent human being like Paddy Ashton.
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
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The Brits would rather have a knob like Tony Blair as their Prime minister rather than a competent human being like Paddy Ashton.

There's no way Blair would get anywhere near office now. It was different, though, back in 1997 after 18 years of Tory rule and the Labour leader was a young, handsome ladies' man leading a rejuventated party that was no longer the Far Left socialist party of the 1970s and early 80s because it had been transformed into a far more desirable centre-right party.

As for the Liberal Democrats, they were created in 1988 through the merger of the old Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Ashdown was their first leader. But there's no way they will be elected to form a government on their own. Too loony lefty to be electable. The only time they've been in government was in a coalition with the Tories between 2010 and 2015 when their then leader Nick Clegg was Deputy PM.
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
48,430
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June Whitfield, star of Absolutely Fabulous, dies aged 93

BBC News
30 December 2018



Dame June Whitfield - celebrated for her comic roles in BBC sitcom Terry and June and cult favourite Absolutely Fabulous - has died aged 93.

The London-born actress was a regular fixture on TV and radio for six decades, starring in Carry On films, Hancock's Half Hour, and even Friends.

At 89, she appeared in EastEnders as Sister Ruth, a nun with a secret about Kat Moon. At 92, she was made a dame.

Her agent said she died peacefully on Friday night.

Tributes to her long and successful career in comedy are being made on Twitter.

Julia Sawalha, who played her strait-laced granddaughter in Absolutely Fabulous, said Whitfield had been a "great source of inspiration" to her as a young actress but was "far too humble to accept my adoration".

Fellow Ab Fab actress Joanna Lumley told ITV news she was "heartbroken to lose such a darling friend", who would "always have a most special place in my heart".

She said she would never forget "her sensational talent, humour and her generosity".
Jane Horrocks, who played the ditzy character Bubble in the comedy, said her former co-star was a "wonderful lady", who was "versatile, funny and generous".

Impressionist Rory Bremner called Whitfield the "go-to comedy actress for three generations".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46712694
 
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Walter

Hall of Fame Member
Jan 28, 2007
34,844
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Yep, he's sort of our Mascot...……………...necessary just to even things up! (Tolerance isn't a bad trait to keep in mind for the New Year)
Progs can’t be tolerant.