Book of the day: Our Beautiful Boys by Sameer Pandya
If Jonathan Franzen attempted to write an American version of Brannavan Gnanalingam's Ockham-shortlisted Sprigs, I imagine the outcome would be similar to Sameer Pandya's sophomore novel. Our Beautiful Boys is a captivating examination of contemporary Californian families shocked by a brutal act of violence.
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A world from above: View the best images from the Aerial Photography Awards
The inaugural International Aerial Photography Awards have been announced this week with the overall prize for an outstanding portfolio going to American photographer Joanna Steidle. Based in The Hamptons, New York, Steidle has won numerous awards over the past decade, building a reputation for breathtaking aerial art photography. 'Aerial photography
Otago Daily Times
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Spanish playgroup takes root in Wānaka
Ana Estefania Kim is Korean by blood, was born and raised in Buenos Aires, completed her studies in Los Angeles and is now raising her daughters in Wānaka. Her journey is proof that cultural identity is fluid and cannot be confined to a single restrictive label, a sentiment she aims to pass down to young children in Wānaka through a Spanish playgroup she recently helped start. Her diverse story began even before she was born. The aftermath of the 1950s Korean War pushed Ms Kim's grandparents to Argentina during a time when South America was seeking rural workers. Her parents, both Korean, met in Argentina and started a family in Buenos Aires. Ms Kim grew up speaking Spanish at school and Korean at home, which was only the beginning of a life enriched with diversity. During the early 2000s, life in Argentina became more difficult and Ms Kim's parents searched for a better future. At 18, Ms Kim immigrated for the first time to Los Angeles when her mother got a job in the fashion industry. Adjusting to American life was not the only culture shock that awaited Ms Kim as she soon discovered a large Korean community in the city. "All of a sudden I was more Korean than Argentinian," she said, explaining that the move became an unexpected opportunity for her family to reconnect with their roots. The exposure to such a wide spectrum of cultural experiences ignited an interest in indigenous cultures for Ms Kim as she went on to study social anthropology. "I was hungry for belonging, I wanted to learn what makes indigenous cultures unique instead of mainstream." Her work led her to travel and explore cultures including a trip to Ecuador where she worked as an archaeologist and also happened to meet her future husband, who had grown up in New Zealand. The couple eventually made the decision to move first to Wellington and then to Wānaka when Ms Kim's partner got a job a few years ago. Not long after moving to town Ms Kim began to connect with the Latino community that grows more vibrant every day. She felt thrilled to once again reconnect with a special and fundamental part of her upbringing. As a child of immigration and multi-culturalism, Ms Kim felt her background could at times act as a social superpower. "I'm very adaptable and flexible," she said. "I can also move in different cultural spaces because I have access to languages." However, this strength did not come without the cost of having to summarise her multi-layered identity into a single label. "Sometimes I have to constantly justify my identity. It just gets tiring ... people want to put you in boxes." Although she had navigated this experience her entire life, as a mother to daughters who would also grow up being from a diverse background, she felt compelled to ensure their world views were as broad as possible. This led to the creation of the Spanish playgroup in the Upper Clutha. "I want my kids to be exposed to all the cultures I grew up with ... The idea is everything is immersive and everything is in Spanish." The group has already met twice with around 15 families joining in to do activities such as baking, sport and dancing while incorporating Spanish words and phrases into the fun. Ms Kim has already seen a growing support for the parent-led group as more families share the same desire to pass down their culture to their children in an interactive and social way.
1News
a day ago
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Joey Chestnut reclaims Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest title
Famed competitive eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut reclaimed his title overnight at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest after skipping last year's gastronomic battle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt. Chestnut, 41, consumed 70-and-a-half hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, falling short of his 2021 record of 76 wieners and buns. It marked the 17th win in 20 appearances for the Westfield, Indiana, eater at the internationally televised competition, which he missed last year over a contract dispute. "I wish I ate a couple more. Sorry guys," a smiling Chestnut told the crowd, many chanting his name. "I'll be back next year." Defending champion in the women's division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, besting a dozen competitors. Last year, she ate a record 51 links. She also was apologetic for her performance. Competitive eater Miki Sudo raises a champion belt as she arrives at the 2025 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. (Source: Associated Press) ADVERTISEMENT "I feel like I let the fans down a little bit. I heard people in the crowd saying, 'Go for 52'," Sudo told ESPN. "Obviously, I'm always setting my goals high, but the hot dogs weren't cooperating. For some reason, the buns felt larger today." A large crowd, peppered with foam hot dog hats, turned out to witness the annual eat-a-thon, held outside the original Nathan's Famous restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn, since 1972. Many fans showed up to see Chestnut's much-awaited return to an event he has called 'a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life." People wait for the 2025 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in the Coney Island section of the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Source: Associated Press) Chestnut bested 14 fellow competitors from across the US and the world, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England and Brazil. Last year's winner, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, came in second place after gobbling up 46 and a half hot dogs and buns, falling short of the 58 he ate to earn the 2024 men's title. "I love being here," Chestnut told ESPN after his win. "As soon as I found out I was coming, my body — it was easy to train. I love doing it. And love pushing myself and beating the heck out of people." Last year, Major League Eating event organizer George Shea said Chestnut would not be participating in the contest due to a contract dispute. Chestnut had struck a deal with a competing brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods. Competitive eater Joey Chestnut eats hot dogs during the 2025 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. (Source: Associated Press) ADVERTISEMENT Chestnut told The Associated Press last month that he had never appeared in any commercials for the company's vegan hot dogs and that Nathan's is the only hot dog company he has worked with. But Chestnut acknowledged he "should have made that more clear with Nathan's". Last year, Chestnut ate 57 dogs — in only five minutes — in an exhibition with soldiers, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He said that event was "amazing" and that he was pleased to still have a chance to eat hot dogs — a lot of them — on July Fourth. "I'm happy I did that, but I'm really happy to be back at Coney Island," he said.
