Latest news with #Arches
Vogue
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Story Behind the Dress Princess Diana Wore to Her Friend Gianni Versace's Funeral
'He was killed,' wrote La Repubblica, when Gianni Versace was gunned down on the steps of his Miami mansion on July 15, 1997, 'like a prince laid low in his own blood, with one hand outstretched toward his oil paintings, his tapestries, his gold.' Though the shooting was later attributed to a rogue serial killer, when the news reached Princess Diana—a recent friend of the designer, and someone who understood the cost of fame more intimately than most—it seemed to confirm her worst instincts. 'Do you think they'll do that to me?' she said, according to her former bodyguard Lee Sansum, who claimed to have found her roaming the deck of Dodi Al Fayed's yacht on the Riviera the following morning. Gianni's death served both as her last heartbreak, and a portend to her own fatal car crash seven weeks later. The cinematic tragedies of both Gianni and Diana's deaths have functioned only to gild their legacies, and the significance of their relatively short-lived bond, in myth—and it's just one of the relationships explored in an expansive retrospective of the designer's work at the Arches in London Bridge, where, among a reconstruction of Elton John's closet (once said to contain every Versace shirt made), a shrine to Kate, Naomi, and the birth of the supermodel, an ode to Liz Hurley's safety-pin dress, and more than 450 archive pieces spanning 21 collections, are five looks the Princess wore in her final years. 'Gianni loved his London connections,' says one of the exhibition's co-curators, Sakai Lubnow. 'And, I mean, there was no higher compliment in fashion than Princess Diana wearing your clothes.' Princess Diana attended a British Red Cross event at Christie's in London in May, 1995. She wore a fall 1995 white wool skirt suit, and an identical design is exhibited in light blue. The Gianni Versace retrospective also houses the pale-pink fall 1994 skirt-suit that Diana wore to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in 1996. It all started with Atelier Versace's fall 1995 couture collection—a noted pivot from the brand's hyper-ornamented glamour and towards a more pared-back, tailored look. It was around the same time that Diana's divorce from Prince Charles was being finalized, bringing with it a loosening of the leash and an increasing embrace of international designers. 'They'd met years earlier, of course, at a 1985 gala at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan,' says Lubnow. 'But it wasn't until she was freed from royal protocol that Gianni could begin shaping her image in earnest. She needed a strong cut, and he translated her strength and purity into something sleek and modern and cool.' The hemlines and heels got higher and higher as Diana turned more and more to Gianni in those years, and she was just as taken with his Medusa-clasped 'Diana' bag as the much-written about Lady Dior. 'It was almost a semaphore of clothes to signal her state of mind,' wrote Anna Harvey, Diana's longtime stylist, in British Vogue's commemorative issue in October 1997. The shift dresses and evening columns Gianni designed for her, Harvey noted, were 'her most successful looks to date'. One such example: a pale-pink skirt suit—a look on loan from a Swiss collector for the exhibition—that Diana wore to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in 1996. It was her first public appearance since signing for divorce, and the same year she contributed the foreword to a Versace tome, Rock & Royalty, in which the designer paired the most famous people in the world with the most prestigious photographers of the time. 'Gianni Versace is an aesthete,' the Princess said in its opening pages. 'In search of the essence of beauty, which he captures with grace and ease.'
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Stomach-churning moment fast food worker is caught SPITTING in burger at McDonald's knock-off in covert video
THIS is the stomach-churning moment a fast-food worker is caught spitting into a burger at a McDonald's knock-off chain in Russia. Footage secretly filmed at a Tasty Dot drive-thru in Rostov shows the disgruntled employee preparing two quarter-pounders before the disgusting move. 5 Employee Nikita checks if nobody's watching before spitting onto the customer's burger Credit: Clipzilla/NX 5 The employee spread the saliva on the meat after spitting on it Credit: Clipzilla/NX 5 Tasty Dot took over McDonald's branches after the fast-food giant pulled out of Russia when the Ukraine war began Credit: Shutterstock He is seen glancing around to check the coast is clear before leaning in, hawking spit onto one of the patties and spreading it over the meat. The worker - named only as Nikita - then tops the burger with a slice of cheese to hide his saliva surprise, before boxing up the food and passing it through the window. The vile hack came after the customer who ordered the burgers had a heated exchange with Nikita while placing his order on Monday. Suspicious of the worker's behaviour, the diner decided to film his order being prepared, and ended up exposing the grim act in full. Read more on the Ukraine war Local media reports that Nikita was immediately fired by the Tasty Dot branch. The copycat chain took over all of Russia's McDonald's branches after the global fast-food giant pulled out of the country The incident has sparked fury across Russian social media, with users slamming the former employee and raising concerns about hygiene standards at the new chain. Speaking out after the footage went viral, Nikita attempted to defend his actions. Most read in The US Sun He claimed: "Some of them shouted, insulted me and ordered me to hurry up. Then they promised to get out of the car and hit me." Tasty Dot confirmed his sacking, saying: "His actions did not live up to our values." McDonald's to PERMANENTLY leave Russia and will sell all 850 stores after 30 years in response to Ukraine war Out of Russia Tasty Dot was born out of one of the biggest corporate exits from Russia in modern history. McDonald's officially quit the country in 2022, permanently shutting its 847 stores after Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine. The move ended a 30-year era that began in 1990, when the first McDonald's opened in Moscow's Pushkin Square and 30,000 curious customers queued up to try a Big Mac. At the time, it was seen as a symbol of the West arriving in the crumbling Soviet Union. But after the invasion, McDonald's said the "unpredictable operating environment" and "humanitarian crisis Chief executive Chris Kempczinski said at the time: "We have a commitment to our global community and must remain steadfast in our values. "And our commitment to our values means that we can no longer keep the Arches shining there." The company promised to sell all Russian branches to a local buyer and ensure workers would keep their jobs, but made it clear the restaurants would no longer use McDonald's branding or menu. Tasty Dot, the replacement brand, kept most of the same layout and look — minus the Golden Arches — and was meant to represent business as usual under new ownership. But now, this revolting spitting scandal risks tarnishing the replacement chain's image just as it attempts to gain public trust. One disgusted social media user wrote: 'Bring back McDonald's. At least they didn't serve up burgers with DNA toppings.' 5 McDonald's is selling its restaurants in Russia 5 The company has 847 branches in Russia, employing 62,000 people
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Travel + Leisure
11-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
What to Know Before Visiting U.S. National Parks This Summer Amid Staffing Cuts and Record Visitor Numbers
Last month, I embarked on the adventure virtually every travel advisor warns against: planning a last-minute national parks road trip during the peak summer season. From reservations to closures due to staffing shortages, it's been quite the odyssey. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Service has lost nearly one-quarter of its permanent staff since the Trump administration took office in January. This is a record low for staff numbers over the past two decades, and it comes at a trying time. National park interest is soaring, with 331.9 million recreation visitors in 2024—that's an uptick of 6.36 million visits since 2023, per the NPS. 'Summer is peak season, and current data and on-the-ground reports confirm high-season travel to U.S. national parks in mid-2025 has been unusually crowded,' says Bogdana Hart, North America regional operations manager for G Adventures, which runs group trips across these public lands. 'Travelers planning national park getaways for late summer into fall 2025 should be prepared for a mix of large crowds, limited services, and more logistics than usual.' I can attest. Mapping a late July road trip that includes Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks has put my travel planning skills to the test. My biggest lesson? Visiting the national parks this summer is still possible, but it requires research, patience, and flexibility. Green rolling mountains in Shenandoah National Park. Jon Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure Slashed full-time and seasonal staff numbers mean fewer resources for park visitors. 'Ranger-led programs, tours, and visitor center hours are limited, with fewer educational activities available,' says Hart. 'Park services like restrooms, campgrounds, and shuttle systems are also strained. Some shuttles are running reduced schedules, restrooms aren't cleaned as often, and trash pickup isn't always keeping up with the volume of visitors.' The changes vary by park, so it's important to research available tours and unexpected closures before you visit. Keep an eye on the park websites or download the National Park Service app to have the calendar of guided tours handy. Consider following the parks on social media, too, as many post real-time updates and scheduling changes. If you're heading out on a hike or into the backcountry, go above and beyond with preparation. 'Staffing shortages mean fewer rangers, closed visitor centers, and minimal amenities, so self-sufficiency is key,' says Hart. 'Bring food, water, and navigation tools. Patience and flexibility are essential for a smooth trip.' As always, crowd numbers depend on which park you're visiting. In a tough-to-reach destination like Isle Royale or Lake Clark—two of the country's least-visited national parks—you may not experience throngs of travelers. But the popular parks are a different story. Getaways like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Zion are already seeing record or close-to-record visitation numbers, according to the NPCA. 'It's definitely feeling busier than usual,' says Hart, noting the team's tour leaders report that, while there is congestion, it's most noticeable in the most popular areas. 'I don't think Old Faithful will ever feel 'empty' around a summer geyser eruption, so if that's something you want to see, just be prepared to deal with some crowding, and please be patient and polite with park staff about it,' says G Adventures guide Megan Chinworth. 'Pick trails and campsites further down on the recommended lists of things to do, and don't forget about the other sites managed by the NPS that are not national parks.' Timed entries and reservations are among the many ways the NPS is tackling overcrowding. This makes impromptu park-hopping trickier for last-minute travelers like me, but, after reading the fine print, the systems aren't as cumbersome as they sound. Popular parks like Arches and Rocky Mountain have initiatives where travelers sign up to visit during certain windows to minimize congestion during peak late morning to afternoon hours. These specifications vary by park—check out this NPCA guide for tips on navigating each timed-entry program—but in most cases, the reservation solely determines when you can enter the park to avoid traffic jams and parking-lot congestion. You can nab your time slot either weeks to months in advance, as well as the day before; again, the particulars vary by park. And note that many timed entries apply specifically to peak hours. If you visit in the early morning or evening, or at night for stargazing, you can often still enjoy a last-minute park trip. (Make sure to cross-check the park's entry rules and hours before you go.) Hikers in Bryce Canyon National Park. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure To avoid hassle and missing out on your dream national park hotels, plan your summer park trips around three to six months in advance, says Hart. 'Campsites, lodging, and permits book up fast, sometimes the day they're released.' Some of the most popular park experiences, such as Angels Landing at Zion National Park, require permits. If you have your heart set on an experience, research the participation details well before your trip. And if planning your national parks visit gets too cumbersome, you can also join a multi-day group tour and have someone else handle the logistics. Overcrowding affects more than the travel experience. It can irreversibly damage our public lands. That's why it's more important than ever to minimize your footprint and follow Leave No Trace principles. This includes staying on designated trails, packing out all that you carry in, and never feeding or approaching wildlife. 'It's also important to respect park rules, including permits, timed entries, and closures, as these help safeguard fragile areas,' Hart says. Additionally, remember fire safety. 'It is very important, especially in the peak of summer when vegetation is dry, to be fire-smart and not make fires if they are not explicitly allowed,' says Hart. And, if you have a national park or NPS site in your hometown, consider joining a volunteer cleanup or trail maintenance team to do your part to protect America's best idea.
Metro
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders' Kojo makes a huge admission as Harry is rocked to the core
EastEnders' Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) takes drastic action after finding himself caught in the middle of a dangerous situation next week. The much-loved character, who recently started working at The Arches, makes an admission that rocks his co-worker and Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) to the core, after they become embroiled in Ravi Gulati's (Aaron Thiara) latest scheme. After finding out Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) embezzled his family's businesses out of thousands of pounds, Ravi is feeling the pressure to fix the financial damage in forthcoming scenes. Desperate to also keep his promises to daughter Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) about her 16th birthday party, Ravi returns to the world of drugs to bring in some much-needed cash. He calls on his former associate and local club owner Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), who links him up with a dealer called Okie. After the two men meet to discuss 'business', Ravi is forced to hide his car when the police arrive. But after Harry agrees to let him keep it at The Arches, he and Kojo are later stunned when they find a huge stash of drugs in the boot. While Harry frantically tries to contact Ravi, Kojo refuses to return to work, unwilling to get tied up in the mess they've dragged them into. Things spiral further when Harry lies to Arches owner Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) about the car's presence, only for Harry's mum Nicola to notice the rising tension and sneak into the garage in search of answers. More Trending Harry then makes the shock discovery that the drugs are gone and quickly accuses Nicola of stealing them. But Harry is then horrified when Kojo makes a startling admission… Whatever Kojo's bombshell may be, Harry is determined to protect his friend – and there are tense scenes when Ravi and Okie later come in search of the missing drugs. What has Kojo done? View More » EastEnders airs these scenes from Wednesday 9 July at 7.30pm on BBC Two or stream on iPlayer. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: All 53 EastEnders pictures for next week as parents fear for missing children MORE: EastEnders star confirms Harry's 'love' for Kojo as major new storyline kicks off MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as cheating scandal explodes
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vireo Growth Inc. Announces Closing of Proper Brands Acquisition in Missouri
MINNEAPOLIS , June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vireo Growth Inc. ('Vireo' or the 'Company') (CSE: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF), today announced that it has closed its previously-announced transaction to acquire Missouri-based Proper Brands ('Proper') through the acquisition of NGH Investments, Inc. and Proper Holdings Management, Inc., subsidiaries of Proper Holdings, LLC, a management company providing services to Proper's portfolio of 11 retail dispensaries in Missouri. Proper was founded in 2022 and is currently one of the largest independent operators in Missouri's adult-use, recreational cannabis market. The company has a total retail footprint of 11 retail dispensaries, with one undeveloped retail license. All stores are in the St. Louis area except for one in Kansas City. The company operates a cultivation and manufacturing facility in excess of 100,000 square feet, and is in the process of implementing the Arches technology platform across its home delivery business. Total consideration for the transactions was $102.0 million, paid in the form of 196.2 million Subordinate Voting Shares of Vireo at a reference price per share of $0.52. The purchase price of the Proper transaction represents a multiple of 4.175x 2024 'Closing EBITDA' of $31 million. The transaction is subject to clawback provisions if 2026 EBITDA is below Closing EBITDA as of December 31, 2026. The shares issued in the transaction are subject to lock-up provisions, with tranches of shares received in connection with the closing unlocking over a 33-month period. About Vireo Growth Inc. Vireo was founded as a pioneer in medical cannabis in 2014 and we are fueled by an entrepreneurial drive that sustains our ongoing commitment to serve and delight our key stakeholders, most notably our customers, our employees, our shareholders, our industry collaborators, and the communities in which we live and operate. We work every day to get better and our team prioritizes 1) empowering and supporting strong local market leaders and 2) strategic, prudent capital and human resource allocation. For more information, please visit Contact Information Joe DuxburyChief Accounting Officerinvestor@ 314-8995 Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as 'should,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'would,' 'looking forward,' 'may,' 'continue,' 'expect,' 'expected,' 'will,' 'likely,' 'subject to,' 'transformation,' and 'pending,' variations of such words and phrases, or any statements or clauses containing verbs in any future tense and includes, but may not be limited to, statements regarding the Merger Transactions, including the timeline for the closing of the Merger Transactions; shareholder approval of the Merger Transactions; and the regulatory approvals required for the Merger Transactions. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward-looking information includes both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, believed but not certain to be reasonable, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions, and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatoryenvironment, and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, the reader should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks related to the shareholder approval of the Merger Transactions; risks related to regulatory approval of the Merger Transactions; and risk factors set out in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the Company's information statement regarding the Merger Transactions, both of which are available on EDGAR with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such pour accéder à votre portefeuille
