Latest news with #Gracie
The Print
6 days ago
- The Print
Kuki woman killed in ‘crossfire' in Manipur chose to stay back even at peak of conflict, says niece
A farmer and wife of the village chief Khaikhogin Haokip, she was found dead in a forested area approximately 500 metres from the village, and about 50 metres from the road, a senior district police officer told ThePrint. On Thursday, Haokip was shot in 'crossfire' between security forces and 'unknown armed miscreants'. The incident took place in Langchingmanbi village, near the buffer zone dividing areas dominated by the Kuki-Zo community from areas dominated by Meiteis. New Delhi: Having witnessed extreme violence through 2023 and 2024, Hoikholhing Haokip finally felt safe in her village in Churachandpur, after President's Rule was imposed in strife-torn Manipur in February this year. 'Even when the conflict was at its peak in 2023, and most villagers had fled since the village was on the frontline, she was adamant about staying,' recalled her niece Gracie, as she mourned her death. 'My uncle always told us—our forefathers gave us this land, and even if we die, we will die in our own house.' The incident has fuelled a fresh wave of tensions in the region. According to police, Haokip was killed in crossfire amid a search operation after a Meitei man in a village in Bishnupur district was injured earlier that day, when some 'unidentified assailants' opened fire. Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in the left arm around 3 pm while working in his paddy field, Manipur Police posted on X. He was taken to the district hospital, and later referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, about 30 km away. His condition is reported to be stable. 'In response, the security forces launched a search operation in and around Langchingmanbi, Heichanglok, and the western areas of Phubala village. During the course of the operation, security forces came under fire from unknown armed miscreants and the forces retaliated accordingly,' Manipur Police wrote on X. 'During the crossfire, a woman from Langchingmanbi village was found dead with a bullet injury.' Incident Report: Shooting at Phubala and Subsequent Exchange of Fire Today, at approximately 3:00 PM, one Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in his left arm by an unknown armed miscreant while working in his paddy field at Phubala… — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2025 Local police arranged to transport the body to Churachandpur District Hospital for necessary legal formalities. According to a document shared by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) battalion admitted to its role in the act that led to the death of Haokip. Following this admission, the JKLI agreed to resolve the matter under customary law and offered Rs 11 lakh as compensation to her family. Gracie, her niece, confirmed that the arrangement has been made. After Haokip's death, ITLF—comprising tribal organisations like Kuki Inpi, Paite Tribe Council, Simte Tribe Council, Vaiphei People's Council, Mizo People's Convention, and others—submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla Friday, urging immediate action over the killing. It said that the incident was a direct result of the violation of the buffer zone demarcated between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. It stressed the urgent need to uphold the sanctity of these zones until a mutually agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding or a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement is in place. 'We urge the government to take firm and proactive measures to prevent future breaches and to ensure that such loss of innocent lives does not recur,' the memorandum read. According to the senior district police officer quoted above, the incident did not occur inside the designated buffer zone, but around four-five km away. The area is close to both Langchingmanbi, a Kuki-dominated village, and Phubala, which has a Meitei majority. 'Even then, the distance between the buffer zone and the place where the incident took place is more than a kilometre,' the officer clarified. The officer added that there had been a longstanding dispute over farming in the area. The assailants were believed to have come from deeper in the hills. 'They are not locals and do not appear to be connected to the communities farming in the immediate vicinity.' A video clip of a man, who was with the Meitei man shot in the paddy field, being heavily circulated, shows him describing the incident. 'They came down, crossed the high canal, and opened fire. The firing happened so close we could see their faces,' he can be heard saying. 'I had to roll over and lie flat. If I had been standing, I wouldn't be alive.' The Kuki civil society organisations then called for the indefinite shutdown in hill areas in protest. 'Mrs Hoikholhing fell victim to the ongoing campaign of state-sponsored ethnic cleansing directed against the Kuki minority. Her assassination is a chilling reminder of the deliberate and relentless violence that has engulfed our people, abetted by the inaction and at times, complicity of the state apparatus,' read the joint press release by the organisations. The shutdown ended Saturday. The 'shutdown' which was imposed earlier in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts passed off without any untoward incidents and normalcy has been restored in the districts. — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 21, 2025 Five days ago, there was a similar flare-up in the Pukhao Leitanpokpi area of Manipur's Imphal East district, following a clash between members of the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over an alleged farmland dispute. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: 'Manipur shows double-engine sarkar has failed. Kuki-Meitei don't trust govt' says GK Pillai
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Paul Mescal spotted on date with Gracie Abrams ahead of her Glastonbury set next week
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT seems that actor Paul Mescal and singer Gracie Abrams are enjoying some low-key dates before heading to Glastonbury Festival next week. I can reveal that the pair have been making the most of the heatwave in London by having picnics in North London's Highbury Fields this week. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Paul and Gracie have been spotted making the most of the heatwave in London Credit: Sun On Sunday 4 The couple were spotted on a picnic in a park in London Credit: Sun On Sunday 4 Gracie will play Glastonbury next week Credit: Getty An onlooker said: 'Paul and Gracie were definitely making the most of the warm weather by hanging out with pals in the park. 'Paul was bounding around the park and clearly loving the long summer nights. 'But it was a bit awkward when Paul forgot his bottle opener and had to ask a nearby group if he could use one to open his drink. 'They looked super loved-up and Paul couldn't resist taking a picture of the sunset on his phone to capture the moment.' More on Paul Mescal PAUL'S CROWN & OUT Emma Corrin stuns in sheer dress at VIP dinner with star Paul Mescal Gracie is set to play the Other Stage at Glasto next week - and it looks like her No1 supporter will be her boyfriend Paul. The couple were first linked in June 2024 when they were snapped having a romantic dinner date at celebrity haunt BRAT Restaurant in London. Their picnics and drinks in the park come after Paul was ordered to lose some muscle and put on some fat for his next role. Paul will play Sir Paul McCartney in the upcoming Beatles biopic - and The Sun recently revealed the hunky Gladiator II star has been told to go on a Normal People diet. An insider said: "Obviously there weren't really gyms around in the Sixties. 'The Beatles weren't dead-lifting between gigs. The New Beatles Biopic Movies: Star-Studded Cast Revealed 'Macca was always pretty lean and flexible — he has always been really into yoga — but this is a very different aesthetic to that of a burly gladiator, and Paul has been keeping his body pretty ripped, even after filming stopped. 'Sir Paul McCartney is also famously a vegetarian, whereas Paul mainly lives on a high protein steak, chicken and eggs diet. 'There also weren't whey protein shakes back in the Beatles' day."
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Paul Mescal spotted on date with Gracie Abrams ahead of her Glastonbury set next week
IT seems that actor Paul Mescal and singer Gracie Abrams are enjoying some low-key dates before heading to Glastonbury Festival next week. I can reveal that the pair have been making the most of the heatwave in London by having picnics in North London's Highbury Fields this week. 4 Paul and Gracie have been spotted making the most of the heatwave in London Credit: Sun On Sunday 4 The couple were spotted on a picnic in a park in London Credit: Sun On Sunday 4 Gracie will play Glastonbury next week Credit: Getty An onlooker said: 'Paul and Gracie were definitely making the most of the warm weather by hanging out with pals in the park. 'Paul was bounding around the park and clearly loving the long summer nights. 'But it was a bit awkward when Paul forgot his bottle opener and had to ask a nearby group if he could use one to open his drink. 'They looked super loved-up and Paul couldn't resist taking a picture of the sunset on his phone to capture the moment.' More on Paul Mescal Their picnics and drinks in the park come after Most read in Celebrity An insider said: "Obviously there weren't really gyms around in the Sixties. 'The Beatles weren't dead-lifting between gigs. The New Beatles Biopic Movies: Star-Studded Cast Revealed 'Macca was always pretty lean and flexible — he has always been really into yoga — but this is a very different aesthetic to that of a burly gladiator, and Paul has been keeping his body pretty ripped, even after filming stopped. 'Sir Paul McCartney is also famously a vegetarian, whereas Paul mainly lives on a high protein steak, chicken and eggs diet. 'There also weren't whey protein shakes back in the Beatles' day." 4 Paul is also preparing for a huge gig after being cast as Sir Paul McCartney Credit: Alamy
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire College student takes short course to success at award winning spa
Gracie Wilson secured a spa attendant role at the Gailes Hotel's spa. A combination of industry training, hard work and enthusiasm is paying off for spa attendant Gracie Wilson who has taken her love for skincare into an exciting career in the beauty industry. Gracie is a valued member of the Si! Spa at The Gailes team, where she was recognised as Outstanding Performer of the Year at this year's SimpsInns 'Oscars', a celebration of excellence across the SimpsInns group. The ambitious 18-year-old from Saltcoats began working as a member of The Gailes Hotel & Spa's events team on a part-time basis after leaving Auchenharvie Academy. She was interested in the beauty industry and a career advisor suggested signing up for Ayrshire College's accredited short beauty courses. This appealed to Gracie as the courses offer industry standard practical training, combining studying on campus and online. The 18-week full-time courses are accredited by the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTAC) and most students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive full funding. Gracie decided to begin with the Body Massage Technician short course and this helped her to secure a spa attendant role at The Gailes Hotel's award-winning Si! Spa. As part of her in-house training programme, she then went on to complete a Facial Therapy Technician short course, also at Ayrshire College, alongside bespoke training on ishga and ESPA treatments. The spa attendant's role involves practical tasks like clearing lockers, laundry and assisting therapists with room turn-arounds, all of which are geared to teach junior members of the team about the operations of the spa from the ground up. Attendants also assist at reception and with show-arounds, which allows them to gain a working knowledge of products and treatment lists by answering enquiries from customers. Gracie said: "I moved from the hotel to working at Si! Spa last April and I've already completed all my ishga training - including advanced treatments like pre-natal and deep tissue massage - as well as my ESPA Essentials training. "The courses I did at Ayrshire College were a great way to learn the basics and helped a lot with what I was doing at the spa. I also got introduced to Abbie [Malone, who began working as a spa attendant in March 2024] when we were at college and we became friends when we both started working here. "I love working in the spa and getting to personalise each guest's experience when they come here. My sisters live in Melbourne in Australia and I've been lucky enough to visit them a few times. I would like to follow them out there one day and work in a spa there." Angela Sheridan, Head of Learning & Skills: Hair, Beauty, Complementary Therapies and Make-Up Artistry, said: "At Ayrshire College, we are constantly evaluating and evolving the type of courses we offer to best meet our students' needs. Recently we've been seeing learners move away from traditional, longer HNC/HND courses, towards more flexible, skills-focused hair and beauty short courses. "We have a great relationship with Si! Spa and this partnership has been integral to the success of our short courses programme, which bridges the gap between education and employment. These courses give learners the chance to earn while they learn and build real-world industry experience, in this case, at one of the top spas in Ayrshire. "Gracie's journey illustrates how well our students develop job-ready skills to meet their own career aspirations alongside the recruitment needs of the spa industry." Alyson Shaw, Spa Manager at Si! Spa, oversees Spa therapist and team development and is a certified Train the Trainer for ishga, ESPA, The Light Salon and Mii. She said: "There is so much to learn due to the wide range of treatments that we offer at Si! Spa, where we are continuously upskilling our team on new techniques and protocols. We deliver training for all levels of experience within the industry. "For our trainee therapists, I offer a mentorship style training, allowing us to drip-feed product information alongside their spa attendant role and their treatment training. I deliver the training in bite-sized chunks, catered to each employee's learning style and at a pace that suit them. Doing this way creates a more inclusive learning environment for our trainees." Si! Spa, which currently employs 23 therapists and 2 senior therapists, works closely with Ayrshire College to support its ongoing recruitment needs, this includes attending events, facilitating work placements and student visits. Recruitment will also commence soon for the new Si! Spa at The Waterside, a luxury seafront spa opening at The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride later this year. Rebecca Simpson, Spa & Leisure Manager at Si! Spa, added: "We have a great working relationship with Ayrshire College and some of our most recent recruits have come from connections we have made there. We participated in the Beyond the Surface recruitment event at their Kilmarnock campus, which was showcasing the different pathways their courses can lead to. The students were keen and engaged which led to two new recruits and three joining us on a student work placement. "Abbie was recruited from student placement the previous year, and another recruit Lauren Lynch had already qualified in facials via a short course at Ayrshire College and was due to start the massage course when we took her on. We gained funding through Ayrshire Growth Deal to support Lauren with the massage technician course. "Gracie is keen, willing to learn and has a genuine passion for the industry. She's the perfect example of what we look for in Si! Spa therapists. We are lucky to have her as part of our team and we can't wait to see her progression in the industry."
Black America Web
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Gracie's Corner Is Going On Tour With Live Nation
Source: Courtesy / Live Nation Beloved YouTube sensation Gracie's Corner is stepping off the screen and onto the stage for the first time ever with its debut live tour, Gracie's Corner Live: Gracie's Global Adventure . The award-winning educational series will embark on a vibrant, music-filled journey across the U.S. this summer, in partnership with Live Nation. Read more and get access to tickets inside. The tour kicks off August 9 in Atlanta, GA, with two shows at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, before making stops in major cities like Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. Families across the country will get the chance to sing, dance, and learn alongside Gracie and her colorful cast of friends in an interactive show designed to celebrate culture, education, and community. Created by Drs. Javoris and Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth and voiced by their daughter, Graceyn 'Gracie' Hollingsworth, Gracie's Corner has become a cultural staple for families looking for fun, educational content that reflects diverse backgrounds and experiences. Since its debut, the show has amassed millions of fans and earned critical acclaim—including multiple NAACP Image Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award, and a 2025 BET Awards nomination for Graceyn. The live tour promises a high-energy experience that brings the show's favorite songs and messages to life. Produced by Timeline Touring, a Live Nation company specializing in unique live experiences, the tour is designed to reach audiences outside traditional concertgoers—focusing on the families who've made Gracie's Corner a household name. VIP experiences will also be available for superfans, offering meet-and-greets, photo ops with the characters, exclusive merchandise, and more. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Friday, June 20 at 10 AM local time via the Live Nation website here, with a special Citi cardmember presale beginning Tuesday, June 17. From catchy songs that teach ABCs to new collabs like the recent single 'Have a Good Time' featuring Charlie Wilson, Gracie's Corner has always brought joy and learning to families everywhere. Now, with Gracie's Global Adventure , that magic is hitting the road—making it one of the most anticipated family-friendly events of the summer. So grab your little learners, your dancing shoes, and get ready to sing along—Gracie's coming to a city near you. Sat Aug 09 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (Morning Show) Sat Aug 09 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (Afternoon Show) Sun Aug 10 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte (Morning Show) Sun Aug 10 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte (Afternoon Show) Fri Aug 15 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas Sun Aug 17 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center (Morning Show) Sun Aug 17 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center (Afternoon Show) Fri Aug 22 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre Sun Aug 24 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit (Morning Show) Sun Aug 24 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit (Afternoon Show) Sat Aug 30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia (Morning Show) Sat Aug 30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia (Afternoon Show) Sun Aug 31 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount (Morning Show) Sun Aug 31 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount (Afternoon Show) SEE ALSO Gracie's Corner Is Going On Tour With Live Nation was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
