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Mint
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Cricket West Indies echoes Prime Minister Mottleys call for regional unity and purpose to overcome challenges and return to glory
Saint John's [Antigua and Barbuda], July 12 (ANI): Cricket West Indies (CWI) stood in full alignment with the powerful call to action issued by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, during her stirring address at the CWI and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) Awards Gala held in Barbados, an official statement from the CWI said. Her message to the region was clear: the time has come to confront longstanding challenges in governance, investment, and purpose, and to reignite the fighting spirit that once made West Indies cricket the envy of the world. Drawing a direct comparison between the current landscape of West Indies cricket and the heroic triumph of the 1975 World Cup team - the members of which were honoured during the ceremony - Prime Minister Mottley called on the region to summon that same determination to rise again. "Just as every mountain peak has valleys, we can find the peak again," she said. "As sure that the joy of that 1975 team spread through the region then, it will spread through this region again." Quoting the words of legendary Victorian Poet, Rudyard Kipling, author of the poem "IF" she said "'If we can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters the same', that will define us, not just on the field, but in all that we do." The Barbadian leader referenced this piece of writing as a great lesson in how to approach life, citing additional exerts - "'If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings - nor loose the common you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it in on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss'. What I am really saying is that we have a responsibility as leaders, as people of the Caribbean, to ensure that those who walk the path to bring honour and glory to us, are given every opportunity to be the best that they can be." She underscored the importance of grassroots development and the urgent need to harness the full breadth of regional talent. "In test cricket, only New Zealand has a population approximate to us, all the other nations have a bigger pool from which to draw their talent. So, if we have a small population and are not maximizing it to the extent where we dig deep into our communities to draw out the talent, then something must be fundamentally wrong with us." she asserted. Speaking then as Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister Mottley pledged regional support for the continued representation of West Indies cricket on the global stage, particularly regarding cricket's re-entry into the 2028 Olympic Games. "We have already been made a victim of too many instances of poor negotiating. We have now to summon the will to pull the best that we can muster regionally, to make the case for defending our right to retain the integrity of West Indian cricket, which will celebrate 100 years in 2028" she said. "Let us remind the world why these people in these islands continue to rally, and rally, and rally." In speaking directly to the players in attendance, as well as those across the region, she issued a challenge for them to take the lead. "I want the players, male and female, to know that it is not where you stand, but it is always how you rise when adversity hits you, and the way you get up and play the next shot. If you can do that for us, then I believe honestly, that we will rise to the top again." Cricket West Indies remains committed to honouring the legacy of the past while actively working toward a vibrant and united future for West Indies cricket--one driven by purpose, guided by governance, and powered by the resilient spirit of our people.(ANI)
Business Insider
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A coconut-water maker's stock soared at its IPO, defying China's consumer spending slump
Stock of a China -focused coconut-water beverage surged on its first day of trade, showing that niche consumer brands can still capture attention and money in a sluggish Chinese economy. On Monday, shares of Thai coconut water maker IFBH leaped as much as 67% on their debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. IFBH's initial public offering was priced at 27.80 Hong Kong dollars a share, or $3.54. The shares surged as much as HK$46.50 minutes shortly the opening bell and closed at HK$39.50. Investor enthusiasm for IFBH was clear even before trading began. The offering was 2,682 times oversubscribed. Cornerstone investors included UBS Asset Management and ICBC Wealth Management. The strong debut comes despite a broader slump in Chinese consumer spending that has hit luxury sales in the country. However, some sectors, like sports and lifestyle, are still raking in the big bucks. IFBH, which makes the IF range of coconut water, has been the top coconut water brand in China for five straight years, according to research firm Baiguan in a post earlier this month. In 2023, IF held a one-third share of the market. Once seen as a niche hydration product for athletes, coconut water is now a fast-growing category. It's being served in mainstream dining venues like restaurants and cafés, Jason Yu, the managing director for Greater China at the UK-based consumer research group Kantar Worldpanel, told Business Insider. "Coconut water is seen to have multiple benefits that are good for consumers and for sports without being sugary," Yu said. "Like yogurt drinks, it's seen as a good alternative to soda and other sweetened beverages when dining. Coconut water also pairs very well with hot and spicy food," he added. Baiguan analyst Nina Chen credited IFBH's success in part to the popularity of Luckin Coffee's coconut latte and brand collaborations, including tie-ups with Labubu-maker Pop Mart and celebrity endorsements. "IF exploited a unique market gap: high Chinese demand for a product (coconut water) the country couldn't easily produce," wrote Chen. Driven by rising demand in China, IFBH revenue hit $157.6 million in 2024, up 80% from the year before, according to its IPO prospectus. The company plans to use the proceeds to invest in product development, marketing, and expansion into new markets, including the Americas and Australia. Despite the intense competition in the sector, Yu said the market for coconut water is likely to continue growing as it's still an emerging market. "Chinese consumers today are more than ever willing to spend on their health and well-being," he said.
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Regal to offer $1 family movie tickets this summer. Here's what to know
Regal Cinemas is offering $1 tickets on family-friendly movies all summer long. Starting Tuesday, June 10, moviegoers can snag discounted tickets on select family films every Tuesday and Wednesday as part of its Summer Movie Express, the theater chain said. More than 400 participating theaters will screen two PG-rated movies each week until Aug. 6, offering $1 tickets for the first show of the day, according to a news release. 'Once again, we are excited to bring back this highly anticipated summer program of crowd-pleasing entertainment for groups of all sizes at an incredibly affordable price,' Brooks LeBoeuf, senior vice president of U.S. Content for Regal, said in the release. Family movies playing this summer include 'Sing 2,' 'IF,' 'PAW Patrol, The Movie,' and more. Customers can also grab discounted concessions, including a $5 snack pack that comes with a small drink, snack-sized popcorn and fruit snacks, according to the movie theater's website. The summer months are usually the busiest for most theaters, and 'foot traffic is everything,' The Hollywood Reporter reported in May 2024. Citing industry experts and data, the outlet reported that the profit margin on single tickets is around 33% and jumps to '56 percent on a concession.' Rival AMC Theaters is also looking to woo moviegoers with half-priced tickets for Stubs Rewards members every Wednesday this summer, McClatchy News reported. The discount launches July 9 and will be available in addition to the Tuesday ticket discount currently offered to the chain's rewards members. Find your nearest Regal theater here.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: The dining experience at Krasota Dubai transcends the physical
Imagine a meal that transcends the physical, transporting guests through the realms of human evolution. Krasota hosts a series of different 'shows' for lack of a better word; I feel as though a show alludes to a passive experience, whereas at Krasota, each of the 20 guests in attendance is an active participant. Krasota defines itself as a visionary and innovative dining concept that embraces hedonism and elevates gastronomy to an art form, and this experience was no exaggeration. Each of the five senses was stimulated in a symphony of tastes, physical textures, aromas, sounds, and colours, all of which united the mind with the palate. The 'show' we attended was titled IF, or Imaginary Future, and it began in space. The circular room, which seats 20 keen diners, is encircled by screens that took us straight to the Milky Way. The visual art on the walls, table, and every inch that the eye could see displayed a futuristic exploration of humans in space and how visionaries will eventually explore the cosmos to escape Earth's limitations. The futuristic dish that accompanied the galactic journey had two crisp 'space bread' cuboids, one of which was topped with caviar and the other with tuna, accompanied by a sea urchin miso soup. The second course was titled Chimera, which showcased human life's ongoing quest to reverse the damage it has done here on earth and how we aim to reconnect with nature through science and synthetic biology. The dish, entangled amid the scenes of vibrant plants and sounds of birds and bugs, was a plant-based 'meat' taco, with mushrooms and natural Coca-Cola. Following this was Apocalypse — perhaps my favourite course. This thought-provoking element of the evening, following on from the previous courses, showcased the consequences facing humanity for violating the earth. Served alongside a completely vegan, decadent eggplant miso were scenes depicting how, through unconventional means, humans can find a way back to each other through the most dire of disconnections. The journey then took us underwater, offering guests a delicious, perfectly cooked scallop served with sea urchin and sea grapes, accompanied by imagery of the vast ocean floor and telling a story of how universal seabeds can be a solution to the planet's population and resourcing issues. The final three courses took an exciting turn, with the vibe shifting from thought-provoking and moving to upbeat, exciting, and — if at all possible — even more engaging of the senses. As we travelled into Cyberpunk, the lively music, neon imagery, and tantalising foie gras burger all roused the senses in harmony. The Artificial Intelligence course allowed guests to experience 'the Matrix', capturing humanity's recent hyper-attention towards technology and thus, our reliance on it. During this part of the show, we were served the 'AI quail pie'. This concept led nicely into the final course — Eternal Life. This course is envisioned as a cathartic counterpoint to AI, predicting humanity's sublime equilibrium between technology, nature, and personal essence. With this concept, we were given a texturally unique matcha ice cream, served with mango and feijoa. When heading into this experience, the concept of 'escapism dining' was something alien to me — dining out is meant to be something that enriches the existing tapestry of life. Yet, this felt like a wild dream, worlds away from my day-to-day — in an amazing way. I would strongly urge everyone to try it once.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shia LaBeouf Shares Alleged Private Emails with Timothée Chalamet to Prove They're 'Good'
Shia LaBeouf insists he and Timothée Chalamet are "good" On May 12, LaBeouf shared what appeared to be a friendly October 2023 conversation he and Chalamet conducted over email "Timothée Chalamet is doing better work than anyone alive," LaBeouf wroteShia LaBeouf wants fans to know he and Timothée Chalamet are on good terms. On Monday, May 12, LaBeouf, 38, shared an alleged email exchange between him and Chalamet, 29, on X that was dated from October 2023. "If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools," LaBeouf wrote in quotations on his post, quoting Rudyard Kipling's poem "IF." "Timothée Chalamet is doing better work than anyone alive - we been good," he added of the Oscar nominee days after he called Chalamet's February SAG Awards speech "cute." In the email exchange, Chalamet appeared to reach out to LaBeouf after seeing him in the play Henry Jones. "Absolutely blown away by your work the other night. Totally electric, totally present at every turn, king of your kingdom even if that kingdom is a miserable 4x4 prison cell," Chalamet wrote, per the alleged email. "What a fantastic play. I hope you guys take it to New York. And I hope this is the beginning of your work on stage and not an anomaly !!" LaBeouf responded to Chalamet's message the following day by writing, "Thank you doggy / Every blessing to you / Fun watching you evolve / Take ownership / Bang bang." Representatives for Chalamet did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 'If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools'Timothée Chalamet is doing better work than anyone alive - we been good — Shia LaBeouf (@thecampaignbook) May 12, 2025 In LaBeouf's May 8 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Honey Boy actor referred to Chalamet's SAG Awards speech while discussing his own turn toward Catholicism in recent years. "It changes the way you work, for sure," LaBeouf said in that interview, after detailing a former feud he and Alec Baldwin had while they worked on the 2013 Broadway production of Orphans. "Me and Alec would never have these problems now. But I was in an island. Then I hear Timothée Chalamet get up and he says something like, 'I want to be great,' " LaBeouf added. "I so know the feeling. On him, it's cute. On me, it wasn't cute. You know what I'm saying?" In his speech after winning Best Actor for A Complete Unknown at the 2025 SAG Awards, Chalamet said, "I know we're in a subjective business, but the truth is I'm really in pursuit of greatness," he said. "I know people don't usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. LaBeouf has been mired in controversy in recent years over a lawsuit from ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs that she filed in December 2020, alleging he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship in 2018 and 2019. That lawsuit is expected to go to trial later this year. LaBeouf has denied "each and every allegation" made against him by Twigs, whose real name is Tahliah Barnett. LaBeouf was confirmed into the Catholic Church in December 2023. He mentioned Chalamet's SAG Awards speech when THR asked how his spiritual life has been going. Read the original article on People
