Latest news with #LAB
Entrepreneur
13-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur UK's London 100: Lux Afrique Boutique
Industry: eCommerce Lux Afrique Boutique (LAB) is a London-based, online luxury goods platform created by serial entrepreneur, Alexander Amosu. LAB was born out of the growing demand for luxury goods in Africa, where the only option for consumers was to travel to Europe to make purchases from stores that were not available locally. Additionally, most renowned luxury online e-commerce platforms did not cater to African customers, neither accepting payments nor offering delivery to the continent. Enter LAB, the ultimate destination where you can now purchase your desired luxury brands from our e-commerce store, conveniently from your home, anywhere in Africa. With an impressive line-up of over 60 luxury brands already onboard, including esteemed names like Franck Muller, Bang & Olufsen, Clive Christian, David Morris, Verdi, Wolf, Eichholtz, Fabergé, Stephen Webster, Fragrance du bois, Ulysse Nardin to name a few. Their personal shoppers can source items from other renowned department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, and many others. Thanks to LAB, shopping across all 54 African countries has never been more convenient. They are now focused on expanding their reach by opening franchises throughout Africa, with South Africa being the first to successfully launch. Their vision is clear: to establish themselves as the largest luxury e-commerce platform on the continent, providing unrivaled access to the world of luxury for discerning customers throughout Africa.
Spectator
11-06-2025
- Spectator
Wine Club: a summer selection from Tanners of Shrewsbury
I've been in Vienna, drinking Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch like a fish. It's thirsty work being a lush and I also patronised the fabled Loos American Bar rather more often than I should have. It's such a seductive spot, LAB, and their Corn 'n' Oils are very fine, and I can never resist a very fine Corn 'n' Oil. Heck, I can't even resist a bad one. I should grow up. It's been a rich diet and, much as I love Austria and its increasingly tasty wines, it was a relief to sample such a wide-ranging non-Austrian selection for this offer from Tanners of Shrewsbury, with the successful seven wines chosen with summer in mind. The 2022 Hain Piesporter GoldtröpfchenRiesling Kabinett (1) from the Mosel is so lovely and, if like me you spurn hot drinks, you'll find it an ideal mid-morning hydrator. Oh, come on! It's only 8 per cent vol and is so fresh, so easy-going and so full of juicy, off-dry apple and herbs that it's perfect. I'd choose this over Earl Grey any time. £14.50 down from £15.50. The 2023 Tanners White Burgundy (2) has been on Tanners' list for yonks, so beloved is it. Made by the excellent Cave de Viré cooperative near Mâcon, it's soft, smooth and elegant, with subtle touches of butter encircling the white stone fruit and apple. It's so classic and so good. You could pay half as much again for a better-known name and get half the pleasure. £14.50 down from £15.90. If you prefer your Chardonnay sans any oak (not that the wine above has much), the 2022 House of Certain Views Unwooded Chardonnay (3) will be right up your street. From the celebrated Andrew Margan in Australia's Hunter Valley (he learned his trade in Bordeaux and then with Tyrell's), it's cool fermented in stainless steel allowing the fresh lemony, melony flavours which finish crisp and dry to really shine. It's a class act. £14.50 down from £15.60. The 2022 Gouguenheim Malbec Reserve (4) also boasts an exhilarating freshness so typical of the high-altitude wines grown and made in Mendoza, Argentina. With violets on the nose and wonderful, rich, ripe hedgerow fruit in the mouth, finishing with hints of both chocolate and beef tea, it's a cracking wine that begs to be brought out with the barbecue. £14.50 down from £16.20. Seven wines from Tanners of Shrewsbury chosen with summer in mind The 2023 Saint Antonin 'Les Jardins' Faugères (5) is my wine of the offer. It's impeccably made and has everything I love about reds from the Languedoc. An organic blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, it's full of rich, almost sweet dark berry fruit, hints of herbs, liquorice and spice, and although the tannins are soft as anything I found myself almost chewing it in the mouth. Gosh it's good. £14.50 down from £15.50. The 2022 Castillo Monjardín Pinot Noir (6) is that rarity, a Pinot Noir from Spain, of all places specifically from the foothills of the Pyrenees in Navarra. I wasn't expecting much but, goodness, one sip and I was all over it. Produced from vines skirting the Camino de Santiago, it's crammed with ripe cherry fruit cloaked in the gentlest of tannins. It's rich and juicy and very drinkable. £14.50 down from £15.80. Finally, just because I enjoyed it so much and because it's brand new to Tanners' list, we've the Tanners Traditional Method English Sparkling (7), made expressly for them in the south of England by… well, they're very coy about this and won't say. The label credits Rolling Green Hills, a mysterious producer who make a number of other fizzes too. But it matters not who it is because it's a gorgeous sparkler – apple-fresh with touches of toast and cream – made in the Champagne Method from the champagne grapes and with Mrs Ray away visiting her mother, I delighted in seeing off the bottle on my tod with ease. £25 down from £27.50. Wines 1-6 are offered in any combination you wish (8). All said wines have club prices of £14.50, so whatever its composition, the mixed case will be £174. Wine 7 is offered in pairs and as an addition to any mixed dozen of the still wines at the online checkout. Delivery, as ever, is free to UK mainland. Order online today or download an order form. To find out more about our Winemaker Lunches, Masterclasses and Wine Tours, visit
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Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Former soap star premieres film produced in Jamaica at Miami's Black Film Fest
When actress, producer and activist Victoria Rowell talks about telling stories on her own terms and one of her latest film projects , the response she often gets is usually one of bewilderment. 'A lot of people are so surprised when I introduce them to Jamaica,' says Rowell, once one of daytime's most beloved actresses for her nearly two-decade role as the iconic Drucilla Barber Winters on the CBS soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless.' 'They are astonished at the resources I'm talking about; the camera houses, the editing, the costume design, the two casting directors I know there. All of the assets are there, the boots are all on the ground.' Indeed, Jamaica may elicit mountains and waterfalls, but these days the Caribbean nation is also trying to showcase its cinematic potential and budding film industry. One of those films, 'Love Offside,' will premiere during the 29th annual American Film Festival on Friday at O Cinema in Miami Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival, founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday and sponsored by HBO, has become a crucial launchpad for those seeking to tell stories on their own terms. Shot entirely in Jamaica, 'Love Offside,' tells the romantic story of a physical therapist developing feelings for her patient, a rugby star. Rowell served as a producer on the film and also stars as the mother of the female lead, Camille Hart, played by Judi Johnson, with whom Rowell has collaborated several times over the years. The other lead character is Mike Merrill. The production company behind the film is The Limners and Bards Limited or The LAB, which has been raising funds to support Jamaica's local film industry. LAB managing director is Kimala Bennett has been pushing to meet the needs of those seeking locally grown stories. She and Rowell have known each other for several years. 'One of the big conversations that Kimala and I always would have is I say 'Kimala the name of the game is creating your own content so you are in control of the licensing opportunities globally,'' Rowell said. 'This is the economic chasm that needs to be closed in terms of' intellectual property ownership and that takes time. Rowell has been visiting Jamaica since 1979 and considers the Caribbean nation to be a second home. She's been working with the production company in Jamaica for almost a decade. And equally important, she said, 'I just appreciate the organic nature of doing production in Jamaica.' From soap opera actress to independent filmmaker The author of the New York Times bestselling 2007 memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me' about her upbringing in foster care, Rowell gained fame in a nearly 20-year run as the feisty Drucilla, an illiterate runway teen turn who later became a glamorous model and married Neil Winters on 'The Young and the Restless.' Her character was a regular from 1990 to 2007 and was finally written off the show in 2017 after Drucilla disappeared over a cliff but her body was never found. After her daytime run, she starred in several other movies but became known for her fight for racial equality in the daytime soap industry. These days it's independent films and boutique productions that inspire her. Prior to this week's premier, Rowell starred in the stage adaptation of 'Jason's Lyric: Live in Detroit. 'I'm 66-years-old and at this point in my career, I'm looking at the next 20 years. I want to do projects that make me happy, that make me laugh that gives me a sense of fulfillment,' she said, 'working with like-minded people that want the knowledge I have if I'm asked, and being able to pass the baton, because in passing the baton and sharing knowledge that is reciprocity, it's a big thank you. So maybe it is a smaller production, and that's okay.' Rowell who creates content of her own under her own company, Days Ferry Productions, said she loves 'boutique production, as long as the script is good, the people are good.' 'I'll continue to do other projects as well, but I love independent projects,' she said. 'There's more artistic freedom, less people telling the producers what to do.' Rowell's second film screening at the ABFF is 'The Secret Between Us,' which was directed and written by Tamera Hill. Rowell stars alongside Michael Jai White and Karen Abercrombie. Rowell plays the character of Maxine, a hired private nurse who finds herself thrown into the middle of a family drama after someone knocks on the door. 'There's levity in the movie, and she has her opinions and some advice throughout the movie,' said Rowell adding that she enjoyed the script. The goal with both films is the same, Rowell said, to get a licensing or several licensing deals. 'The American Black Film Festival, which is founded by husband and wife team, Jeff and Nicole Friday, they are about, yes, screening content but connecting executives, connecting filmmakers,' she said. 'It is the largest black film festival in the nation and it offers opportunities to get your IP shown and licensed or sold.'
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
What is new in Ladakh's government job reservation policy?
The story so far: On June 3, President Droupadi Murmu notified four Regulations for the Union Territory (U.T.) of Ladakh, defining new policies on reservation, languages, domiciles, and composition of hill councils for Ladakh, which became a Union Territory in 2019. The notified regulations were The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, 2025; The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025; The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2025; and The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025. What did the policies entail? The Regulations pave the way for 85% reservation for resident Ladakhis in government jobs. The Rules notified empowered the tehsildar to issue the domicile certificates. To be considered 'domiciles' and thus eligible for the 5% quota in government jobs in the U.T., non-local residents must prove a continuous 15-year stay in the U.T. starting from October 31, 2019. Added with the 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections, the total government job reservation in the U.T. now stands at 95%, one of the highest in the country. According to the 2011 Census, Ladakh's population is 2,74,289, and nearly 80% are tribals. The U.T. has a majority Buddhist population in Leh and a sizeable Muslim population in Kargil. Another recently notified policy said that at least one-third of the seats in the hill councils of Leh will be reserved for women, on a rotational basis across jurisdictions, and the official languages of the U.T. will be English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi. Why were the policies notified? After the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was read down on August 5, 2019, the former State was split into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh, the latter without a legislative Assembly. After initial euphoria, the Ladakhi civil society groups began protests demanding protection of land, resources, and employment. Concerns arising out of big businesses and outsiders acquiring land and jobs led people to protest and observe shutdowns. Cutting across party lines, locals and a former BJP MP demanded restoration of protection as granted under Article 35A of the Constitution, which was revoked with Article 370 in 2019. Article 35A lets the J&K legislature decide the 'permanent residents' in the former State, prohibits a non-J&K resident from buying property, and ensures job reservation for its residents. In 2020, the People's Movement for Constitutional Safeguard or the Leh Apex Body (LAB) was formed, backed by the powerful Ladakh Buddhist Association. In 2021, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance came together to fight for constitutional safeguards for the region. Together, they came up with four key demands: inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (giving tribal status and autonomy over land), Statehood, separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, and filling of existing government vacancies. What was the government's reaction? On January 2, 2023, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a high-powered committee (HPC) chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai for talks with civil society groups. The committee was rejected by the groups as the latter suspected it of having only pro-government members. The committee was reconstituted on November 30, 2023. Even as the committee met, the talks broke down in March 2024. On October 6, 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk sat on an indefinite fast in Delhi to draw the government's attention to their demands, following which the Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to resume the talks. The HPC, including leaders from Leh and Kargil, met on December 3, 2024, followed by another meeting on January 15, 2025. The committee met again on May 27, where the contours of the domicile and reservation policy were hammered out. What is next? Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, the president of Ladakh Buddhist Association and co-convenor of the LAB, who is also part of the HCP, said that they will continue to demand Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. 'Only one chapter, that of government jobs, is closed. The talks with the government will continue over issues such as the protection of land and constitutional safeguards. So far, we have not raised the issue of land with the government,' Mr. Lakruk said. Before the policies were notified, the high-powered committee members were invited by Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a tea party at the latter's residence. 'The Home Minister assured us that all other issues will remain under discussion,' Mr. Lakruk said.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ladakh: Satisfied, but statehood main issue, says Buddhist association
President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and former minister, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, on Wednesday largely expressed satisfaction over Centre's notifications on domicile law and job reservations for locals. However, he said that statehood and constitutional safeguards enshrined under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the strategic Himalayan region still remain the main agenda for the people of Ladakh, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). 'The Centre's notifications on domicile law prescribing 15-year residency with prospective effect and 85% reservation to locals in jobs have been accepted by us,' he said. 'However, conditions like having studied for seven years and appeared in class 10 and 12 exams were not discussed by the Union ministry of home affairs with us. We will take up these clauses with the government,' he added. The former minister, who is also a member of the LAB, admitted that the LAB and KDA had arrived at a unanimous consensus for either taking 1989 as a cut-off year or 30-year prospective residency for the domicile law. 'But the government (Centre) didn't agree upon 1989 as the cut-off year. On 30-year prospective residency, the Centre told us that it will be a time consuming exercise involving law ministry and other allied departments. Though the Centre has assured us to do it, we also realised that we could not waste further time. We have already waited for six years and the career of our youth is at stake. For the past over six years, not a single gazetted job has been given in Ladakh,' he added. The LBA chief elaborated that 15 year prospective residency will come into effect from October 31, 2019. On public service commision in Ladakh, he informed that the Centre has given them three options of UPSC directly conducting Ladakh's exams, Ladakh having its own PSC or J&K PSC conducting exams for Ladakh. 'We have conveyed that any of the three options deemed appropriate by the Centre is acceptable to us,' he said. However, the veteran leader amply made it clear that statehood and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution remain the core agenda for Ladakh people. 'Talks are yet to take place on statehood and Sixth Schedule. We also want an additional Lok Sabha constituency for the region, but that's not possible before 2026 because of a rider imposed by the Supreme Court,' he said. Ladakh as of date has only one parliamentary constituency. In 2023, the Union home ministry had formed a high-powered committee under minister of state Nityanand Rai to discuss ways to protect Ladakh's unique culture.
