Latest news with #Isaac
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Indigenous author who dropped out of junior high school releases second novel
Brian Thomas Isaac's voice is quietly matter of fact when he talks about growing up poor in a home without electricity in British Columbia's Okanagan Indian Reserve. 'That was simply how it was,' he remembers. Article content Many years later, the minutiae of those childhood years would inform his late-flowering success as an acclaimed Canadian novelist whose latest work, Bones of a Giant has just been published. But at the moment he simply needs to emphasize how important it was when hydro finally did arrive. Article content Article content 'It would be a step into the future for us,' Isaac says on the phone from his home in Kelowna. 'You don't realize at the time how bad you've had it until there's a change for the better.'' Article content Article content Isaac's early memories, inextricably intertwined with his creative being, become more intense when he explains why he quit school in Grade 8. The racism he experienced as an Indigenous youth was more than he could bear. 'It was just horrible. I couldn't take it,' he says. Isaac needs to evoke the past in order to provide context for his emergence at the age of 71 — after decades of working as a bricklayer and in the Alberta oilpatch — as an award-winning Canadian writer. It took this junior-high dropout 17 years to complete his debut novel, All the Quiet Places, a coming-of-age story about life on a First Nations reserve back in the 1960s. Published four years ago, it won an Indigenous Voices Award, was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction. Article content Article content Now its successor, Bones of a Giant, has arrived on a wave of advance praise from the likes of veteran journalist Carol Off and award-winning novelist Thomas Wharton. Meanwhile, for Isaac, writing remains an ongoing learning process that's gradually getting easier. Article content 'This second novel, Bones of a Giant, took me two years. I'm now working on the third book of my trilogy — it will probably be finished within a month.' Article content Isaac writes about courage, resilience and survival in the face of racism, poverty and the antiquated tentacles of the 19th Century Indian act. But one also encounters warmth, humanity and humour in his pages — and, perhaps most significantly, a celebration of family. Article content 'When I first started writing these books, I just wanted readers to know that First Nations people are people first,' Isaac says. 'This book is not about hate — more than anything else it's about how a family survives together and what they learn. My first thought was to write in a way that would allow the reader to know more about First Nations people, by walking with them and seeing the highs and lows, and in this way give readers a sense of what it was like.'
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Cyngn Stock (CYN) Rockets 165% on Nvidia Collaboration
Cyngn (CYN) stock rocketed higher on Thursday after the autonomous vehicle solutions company announced a collaboration with Nvidia (NVDA). Cyngn has showcased how it uses Nvidia's Isaac robotics platform for self-driving vehicles in industrial applications. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Cyngn was chosen by Nvidia for this collaboration among several other companies using the Isaac platform for similar operations. CEO Lior Tal said the Nvidia collaboration 'helps reinforce our mission to build cutting-edge autonomous vehicles that deliver real-world ROI to industrial operators.' Cyngn Stock Movement Today Cyngn stock was up 166.67% in pre-market trading on Thursday, following a 20.72% rally yesterday. Today's movement comes alongside heavy trading, with more than 31 million shares traded as of this writing, compared to a three-month daily average of roughly 30,000 units. Is Cyngn Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Turning to Wall Street, there's a lack of analyst coverage for Cyngn. However, TipRanks' AI analyst Spark fills that void. Spark rates CYN stock a Neutral (41) with a $4 price target, representing a potential 20.16% downside. It cites 'considerable financial and technical challenges, with significant losses and bearish technical indicators' as reasons for this rating and price target. Today's Nvidia collaboration announcement could alter this stance.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cyngn (CYN) Skyrockets Nearly 500%--Thanks to Nvidia's Backing
June 26 - Cyngn (NASDAQ:CYN) shares soared as much as 500% Thursday morning after the industrial automation company revealed a partnership with Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) to feature its autonomous vehicles at Automatica 2025. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with CYN. The vehicles, powered by Nvidia's Isaac robotics platform and Cyngn's in-house DriveMod software, are designed to support automation in sectors like logistics and manufacturing. The collaboration aims to improve operational safety and efficiency across commercial sites. Cyngn was one of several robotics firms chosen to demonstrate Nvidia-powered technologies at the global event. Automatica 2025 is viewed as a key venue for showcasing AI-driven systems in real-world industrial environments. The stock's sharp move comes after a challenging 12 months, during which Cyngn lost nearly all its market value. The company faced delisting risks due to prolonged share price weakness and missed earnings expectations across four consecutive quarters. Cyngn regained Nasdaq compliance in March 2025. Nvidia shares were up about 1% in the same session. While it remains to be seen whether the partnership will translate into broader adoption, Thursday's rally reflects investor optimism over Cyngn's tech alignment with a major AI player. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
A big ask: Popping the question is serious business
When it comes to performative romance, marriage proposals are like Valentine's Day on steroids. For the proposer, it's a chance to flex confidence, but it's also a show of vulnerability: What if it leads to rejection? For the proposee, it can be anything from a dream come true to a cringey sneak attack. In one proposal on TikTok posted in May and liked over 201,000 times, a couple embraces, barefoot on the sand of a Miami beach in front of a giant heart made of red roses. She squeals and jumps into his arms, shouting that she loves it, looking at the ring. Maybe viral proposal videos all started in 2012 with the famous Isaac's Live Lip-Dub shot in Portland, Oregon. Advertisement 5 Don't just wing it: There's a lot of prep involved for the perfect proposal. TheOne Studio The girl sits in the trunk of a Honda listening to 'Marry You' by Bruno Mars, while her friends and family dance behind the moving vehicle in increasingly ludicrous and joyful fashion. The beach proposal mentioned above was planned by a Miami business called TheOne Studio, which specializes in setting up flowers, lights and cameras for semi-spontaneous marriage proposals. They are quickies, by Bruno Mars standards, more suited to the TikTok span, but still manage to capture all the feels. Advertisement 5 TheOne Studio in Miami can prepare an elaborate, Instagram-worthy backdrop for your proposal. OneStudio TheOne Studio will set up flowers, tea lights and a MARRY ME neon sign in a park for an hour (the Heartbeat Proposal) for $700, or something similar on a heart-shaped pier beside a pond with swans (the Mystic Heart Pier proposal) for $1,299. Or for $400, they'll fill your hotel room with mylar balloons. As Olya TK of TheOne Studio told The Post, 'Many men prepare a personal speech, often writing it in the Notes app on their phones, or, for a more sentimental touch, on paper. It's a meaningful and trending gesture.' She added, 'Surprisingly, the size or cost of the ring is not what matters most. Time after time, it's not the carat but the significance of the ring and the shift in status, from girlfriend to fiancée, that brings true joy to the bride-to-be.' Advertisement 5 This one ended well. OneStudio Her partner Hanna stresses on TheOne blog that women usually prefer nature, including real flowers over artificial, and men's grand gestures may be less touching than catering to the preferences of one's beloved. 'Women often appreciate attention to detail and personalized touches that make the moment intimate and heartfelt.' Talk to her first. Custom jewelers Glamira looked into marriage proposal trends and found California was the top spot for Instagram proposal posts. Top places included Southern California beaches, plus Napa Valley vineyards and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. In second place came New York with locations like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and upscale Manhattan restaurants. Advertisement Hawaii was the third most popular state, with Instagram posts showing beaches at sunset or the Road to Hana in Maui. The Aloha State had the highest score on Google Trends overall, showing lots of people are looking for proposal ideas. 5 Beach proposals are all the rage, TheOne Studio Hawaii and Washington, both famous for their natural beauty, had a very high number of Instagram posts compared to their population size. Google Trends data also revealed that 'sustainable proposal ideas' and 'eco-friendly proposal' are increasingly popular searches, which might go with proposals in nature. Keep it simple. Like, 'I want to build a future together with you…' or 'You bring out the best version of me…,' capped by 'Will you marry me?' Yeliz Misirli, jewelry expert at Glamira, has a hint for those traveling to pop the question: 'Hide a ring box inside a pair of socks or sunglasses case. If you're flying, try to stand in a different security queue from your partner.' The American Gem Society suggests picking a location special to you and your partner, such as a mountain, restaurant or concert. 'Make the setting an important part of a great memory.' The assist: If it's an elaborate setup in public with rose petals and candles, get at least two friends to help build and protect it from curious locals and peeing dogs while the couple makes their entrance. Have someone with a steady hand film the moment, because a redo won't look natural. Advertisement Keep it simple. Like, 'I want to build a future together with you…' or 'You bring out the best version of me…,' capped by 'Will you marry me?' To follow up, aside from editing and distributing your video to family, friends and the multiverse, there's the little issue of living happily ever after. Talk to your partner about that stuff too, before you hit 'accept all.' 5 Women prefer real flowers instead over artificial ones, TheOne blog stresses. TheOne Studio Advertisement Just don't: When not to propose During someone else's big event It's disrespectful to steal someone's thunder at their wedding, engagement, birthday or graduation. Your proposal moment should be about just you two. At a funeral Advertisement If a close loved one has died recently, put the proposal off. Emotions are heightened then, and you won't 'cheer them up' even with the best-laid life plans. Similarly, don't propose when one of you is stressed about job insecurity, deep health issues or life changes such as relocation. Think mellow. When your partner is unprepared Surprises are only good if you are pretty sure of the answer. Have the big talks first — jobs, kids, money, location and sports team.
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
SEDC chairman, wife given Kelabit names, signifying honour from community
Isaac puts the Kelabit traditional vest, 'Sapa Arit', on Abdul Aziz, after the presentation of Kelabit name certificate to the latter, witnessed by Nur Ashima (right) and others on stage. KUCHING (June 22): The Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) held a private ceremony today to officially declare the Kelabit name for Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain. According to RKS president Dato Isaac Lugun @ Maran Tadun, the formal conferment of the traditional Kelabit name 'Raja Buren', was made in recognition of Abdul Aziz's longstanding support for, and connection to, the Kelabit community. In Kelabit tongue, 'Raja' means 'king' and 'Buren' means praiseworthy. Moreover, Abdul Aziz's wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Nur Ashima Aziz was also presented with the certificate bearing her Kelabit name, 'Sinah Raja Buren' – acknowledging her grace, strength, and support as a partner in service, in keeping with the tradition of recognising both individuals in such a conferment. 'The conferment of a Kelabit name is a time-honoured tradition that reflects the community's respect and recognition for individuals who have maintained meaningful ties with the Kelabit people, and who are regarded as embodying the spirit of community, wisdom, and service — qualities exemplified by 'Tan Sri Raja Buren' (Abdul Aziz) and 'Sinah Raja Buren' (Nur Ashima). 'This gesture reflects the Kelabit community's appreciation of individuals who have stood in solidarity with us over the years,' explained Isaac. Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz, in his speech, said he was deeply moved by the honour accorded upon him by the Kelabit community. 'The name 'Raja Buren' will be with me, guide me, and keep me anchored in this meaningful relationship. 'It is also a promise that I will continue to support, to uphold, and honour the aspirations of the Kelabit people in any way I can,' he said. Abdul Aziz (seventh right) and Nur Ashima (seventh left) in a group photo with Isaac (fourth right) and other guests, including Dr Chan (sixth right) and Lorna (fifth right), taken after the ceremony. The event was also attended by former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and wife Dato Lorna Enan Muloon. The programme included a reflection on the significance of the Kelabit name by RKS advisor Datu Ose Murang @ Tadun Bala, and remarks by Pemanca Caleena Lallang Sakai @ Ribed Inan, who spoke on behalf of the community. In his speech, Ose spoke about an occasion in 2006 when Abdul Aziz, who was then the state secretary, visited Bario to officiate at several events including a dialogue with the Kelabit community there. 'During that visit, he (Abdul Aziz) also climbed up the 2,424m Mount Murud, the highest mountain in Sarawak,' he said.
