Latest news with #Moriarty
RTHK
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
HK Disneyland donates for child patients' experiences
HK Disneyland donates for child patients' experiences Tuen Mun Hospital pioneered the initiative in early July with immersive Disney murals and a mobile movie theatre. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland has pledged over HK$5 million to support young patients and youth development initiatives across the city. More than half of the proceeds will fund the transformation of certain areas in eight public hospitals, while the remainder supports broader youth development programmes. At Tuen Mun Hospital, a beneficiary, Managing Director Michael Moriarty said on Saturday the multi-phase project would elevate the in-hospital experience for child patients. Tuen Mun Hospital pioneered the initiative in early July with immersive Disney murals and a mobile movie theatre. "This marks a meaningful new chapter in our journey, growing our legacy of care, bringing comfort to young patients and creating moments of joy where they're needed the most," Moriarty said. "I'd like to thank the committed staff here at Tuen Mun Hospital, our passionate volunteers and cast members, and everyone who supports being behind the scenes to make a dream like this come true." "Every small act counts and when you see the smiles on the faces of these children it's worth all the effort that goes into bringing these ideas to life." Hospital Authority Chairman Henry Fan highlighted the initiative's alignment with patient-centred care, stating that the revitalised environments would ease anxiety for young patients and their families during waiting times, enhancing their overall experience. The impact resonated with 12-year-old anemia patient, An Yu, who expressed excitement after seeing the brand-new hospital environment for the first time. "I visited the hospital every few months for follow-up since I was a child. I used to be nervous while waiting. The refurbished waiting area is now totally different. The whole place is so colourful with murals of many Disney characters. It made me so happy and relaxed," she said.
RTHK
5 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
HK Disneyland 'to be debt-free by end-2025'
HK Disneyland 'to be debt-free by end-2025' Michael Moriarty said the upcoming two expansions will be "game-changers" for Hong Kong Disneyland. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong Disneyland will be debt-free by the end of this year, its managing director declared, after fully paying off loan terms from the SAR government and its parent Walt Disney Company. After a record year which saw both park attendance and revenue soar to new highs, the resort is looking to lure more visitors by building two more attractions and rolling out discount bundle packages. Disneyland revealed in its 2024 business review that it had repaid 40 percent of the term loans at the end of the fiscal year ending 28 September. In a media interview, managing director Michael Moriarty confirmed the rest will be settled within this year. "We're going to be debt-free and our cash balance is continuing to grow, which is going to afford us the opportunity to invest in new expansion through the joint venture, with no need for additional cash injections from either shareholder," he said, referring to the SAR government and the Walt Disney Company. "We're going to take a look at all of those things as we continue to grow and do it prudently and do it in a way that's going to provide consistent year-over-year growth." Meanwhile, two new projects have broken ground, marking the first time the resort is building a pair of attractions simultaneously since 2011. A Pixar Entertainment experience will open to the public first, followed by a Marvel-themed expansion. Moriarty described the expansions as "game-changers", but said he was not ready yet to reveal the launch date. "The Marvel expansion is going to be very, very exciting. The creative is almost complete and we are working with the studios at Marvel to make it even more special for Hong Kong," he said. Moriarty also said the park is hoping on ride on the success of Kai Tak Sports Park. Disneyland is partnering with travel companies to roll out packages for visitors to visit the theme park and attend upcoming concerts by South Korean pop star G-Dragon and girl group Blackpink. He said park attendance has been strong from fly-in markets such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, adding figures would be revealed later. Moriarty said another focus is the Greater Bay Area market, citing the multiple-entry permits for Shenzhen residents and the upcoming Southbound Travel Scheme for Guangdong motorists. "What is really happening is that Hong Kong and maybe an hour or two's drive is really becoming a larger living circle for the region," he said. "These parking spaces that are being proposed for Lantau are very interesting and a way of making it more friction-free for travellers to come to Hong Kong. We are actively working with the government on this project."
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
DPP will not prosecute case over claims of voter fraud in Kerry
No prosecution is set to be taken against claims of voter irregularity in Kerry, gardaí have confirmed. A case on 'potential criminal wrongdoing' followed allegations that, ahead of the May 2019 local elections, a Garda officer in the Killarney electoral area stamped hundreds of supplementary voter registration forms without the applicants being present, which is a legal requirement. In the Seanad last week, Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly pushed for an update on the investigation, which was launched into the matter in 2019. Mr Kennelly said: 'An Garda Síochána launched a formal investigation led by a superintendent from outside Kerry, and a file was prepared. No prosecution is set to be taken against claims of voter irregularity in Kerry, gardaí have confirmed. Pic: KarlM Photography/Shutterstock 'As of April 2024, GSOC [the Garda ombudsman] forwarded a file to the DPP, with a decision still pending. This is over six years ago. When will we see this case brought to a conclusion?' Large numbers of forms, involving up to 200 additional voters, or voters who were changing address, were allegedly stamped by a garda without the presence of the voters. The Garda ombudsman opened what it described as 'a public interest investigation'. Several calls, including a council motion, were made for the matter to be brought to a conclusion for the sake of clarity and confidence in the electoral system. After inquiries by both Fiosrú – which replaced GSOC – and An Garda Síochana confirmed the DPP had decided not to proceed with the case. After inquiries by both Fiosrú – which replaced GSOC – and An Garda Síochana confirmed the DPP had decided not to proceed with the case. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos A Garda spokesman said: 'In 2019, gardaí reported an allegation relating to Killarney Garda Station to GSOC (now Fiosrú). This office is aware that GSOC (Fiosrú) subsequently submitted an investigation file to the Office of the DPP and the DPP directed no prosecution in the matter.' A spokeswoman for Fiosrú said: 'The file was forwarded to the DPP on July 13, 2023. 'The DPP advised no prosecution on June 11, 2024, and the case closed and all parties notified on June 18, 2024.' Gardaí last week also confirmed they were not following up on a case where a man admitted to voter impersonation. Gardaí successfully brought a case against David Moriarty in Kerry this month, but admitted in court they did not ask the man where he'd obtained his polling card and if that related to the Killarney case. Mr Moriarty pleaded guilty to fraudulently putting in a ballot box a paper other than what he was authorised by law to put in, at a polling booth in Kenmare during last year's local and European elections. Pic: Getty Images Mr Moriarty pleaded guilty to fraudulently putting in a ballot box a paper other than what he was authorised by law to put in, at a polling booth in Kenmare during last year's local and European elections. He was ordered to pay €1,000 to charity, but it emerged gardaí had not asked him who told him to do this, or who gave him the polling card. Pressed by on whether they would follow up on where Mr Moriarty got the polling card, a Garda spokesman said court copy noted the name of the person was 'unknown'. 'There is no further investigation at this time,' they added. Mr Kennelly claimed the man was working for the Healy-Rae Plant Hire company. He said it was 'extraordinary to learn, as every dog and divil in Kerry knows', the defendant works for this firm. Pic: Sasko Lazarov / Mr Kennelly claimed the man was working for the Healy-Rae Plant Hire company. He said it was 'extraordinary to learn, as every dog and divil in Kerry knows', the defendant works for this firm. However, Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae said on RTÉ Radio 1 last week: 'My absolute knowledge of that is that he does not work for Healy-Rae Plant Hire.' Asked if they would be investigating the matter further, a Garda spokesman said their role 'is to prosecute a case in the District Court', adding: 'In general there would be no reason for An Garda Síochána to make reference to a defendant's employment in open court unless specifically asked a question by the judge.' The offence in this case falls under Section 138 Electoral Act 1992 as amended. The maximum penalty for such an offence is two years in prison. In accordance with statute, this is not an arrestable offence nor is there any power of detention. As such, An Garda Síochána had no power upon which to question the defendant in relation to the offence.
Business Times
20-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
US dollar weakness drives UK fund out of Treasuries and into gilts
A depreciating US dollar has driven one UK asset manager to reallocate money out of inflation-protected Treasuries and into equivalent British bonds. Across three multi-asset funds worth a total of £1.8 billion (S$3.1 billion), London-based CG Asset Management (CGAM) has switched around £100 million out of US Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (Tips) and into UK inflation-linked government bonds since the end of March. The move to skirt currency risk comes as the US dollar has slumped 7 per cent against the pound this year, with US President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff policies and a widening deficit dragging on the greenback's appeal. That depreciation now 'weighs a bit on any kind of long unhedged allocation to Tips or US conventional government bonds', portfolio manager Emma Moriarty said in an interview. She has now paused the reallocation as 70 per cent of the portfolios' exposure is sterling, a level 'at the very high end for where this would normally be'. Within CGAM's largest multi-asset fund, the Capital Gearing Trust, the gilt linker portfolio returned 1 per cent over the second quarter whereas the Tips portfolio lost 6 per cent. Since April, Moriarty has grown holdings in UK index-linked bonds from 9 per cent to 15 per cent. While longer maturity gilts have struggled this year given doubts about the UK's finances, Moriarty said so-called linkers have been closing the gap in performance with their American counterparts in their own right. Most linkers have gone from 'uninvestable' to 'good value', Moriarty said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'In relative terms, the UK is now in a much better position in that UK real yields are now quite elevated,' she added. Still, in both markets, CGAM has shifted out of the short end of the curve after heightened short-term inflation expectations, and also out of the long-end given concerns of an economic slowdown and fiscal risks. Moriarty currently favours maturities between five and 10 years. Historically, CGAM had favoured the US as the 'number one' most valuable inflation market as its outlook for outright real yields was 'really positive' due to expectations that they would track the relatively rapid growth rate of the US economy. But concerns over tariffs and the US dollar have changed that. Moriarty has shrunk holdings in Tips from 28 per cent to 22 per cent in the last three months, with inflation-linked bonds hit particularly hard in April's market turbulence. The reallocation chimes with other investors also shifting money out of US dollar assets and into Europe. 'The biggest threat to the US dollar is actually just this rotation away from US assets,' Moriarty said. BLOOMBERG
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
13 new paperbacks for your reading list
In Whitaker's best-selling fourth novel, set in Missouri in 1975, a one-eyed boy named Patch saves the daughter of a wealthy family from the grasp of a serial killer. The bleak repercussions of that incident reverberate for decades, threatening to upend the lives of everyone involved. In Whitaker's best-selling fourth novel, set in Missouri in 1975, a one-eyed boy named Patch saves the daughter of a wealthy family from the grasp of a serial killer. The bleak repercussions of that incident reverberate for decades, threatening to upend the lives of everyone involved. The latest by Moriarty (author of 'Big Little Lies,' 'Nine Perfect Strangers' and other bestsellers) opens onboard a delayed flight from Tasmania to Sydney. Suddenly, an unremarkable woman stands up and begins methodically telling each passenger and crew member when and how they will die. 'In the end, the puzzle — will the predictions come true or won't they? — becomes less interesting than the myriad ways people react when confronted with their ephemerality,' Stephanie Merry wrote in Book World. The latest by Moriarty (author of 'Big Little Lies,' 'Nine Perfect Strangers' and other bestsellers) opens onboard a delayed flight from Tasmania to Sydney. Suddenly, an unremarkable woman stands up and begins methodically telling each passenger and crew member when and how they will die. 'In the end, the puzzle — will the predictions come true or won't they? — becomes less interesting than the myriad ways people react when confronted with their ephemerality,' Stephanie Merry wrote in Book World. Senna's shrewd comic novel, named one of The Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2024, is about a biracial woman named Jane Gibson who is working on a second novel that has grown a bit too epic for its own good. So she swallows her pride and approaches Hollywood, pitching a sitcom about a mixed-race family. 'What's most rewarding' about the novel, Ron Charles wrote in Book World, 'is how effortlessly Senna keeps the wings of this plot from getting clotted with bits of didactic wisdom or social reproof. … The way Senna keeps this wry story aloft may be the closest paper can come to levitation.' Senna's shrewd comic novel, named one of The Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2024, is about a biracial woman named Jane Gibson who is working on a second novel that has grown a bit too epic for its own good. So she swallows her pride and approaches Hollywood, pitching a sitcom about a mixed-race family. 'What's most rewarding' about the novel, Ron Charles wrote in Book World, 'is how effortlessly Senna keeps the wings of this plot from getting clotted with bits of didactic wisdom or social reproof. … The way Senna keeps this wry story aloft may be the closest paper can come to levitation.' The latest from one of America's most intellectually curious novelists was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Sadie, a former U.S. intelligence agent, is now a freelancer in southwest France, where powerful agricultural corporations are buying up land and marring the environment. She's tasked with infiltrating a group of radical activists suspected of planning an ecoterrorist attack. Ron Charles wrote: 'The real covert operative here is Kushner, who's never felt more cunning.' The latest from one of America's most intellectually curious novelists was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Sadie, a former U.S. intelligence agent, is now a freelancer in southwest France, where powerful agricultural corporations are buying up land and marring the environment. She's tasked with infiltrating a group of radical activists suspected of planning an ecoterrorist attack. Ron Charles wrote: 'The real covert operative here is Kushner, who's never felt more cunning.' McBride's novel takes place before and during the Depression, in a ramshackle Pennsylvania neighborhood called Chicken Hill, where Jewish immigrants and African Americans cling to the deferred dream of equality in the United States. Moshe Ludlow, a wannabe impresario from Romania, is married to Chona, a polio survivor with a pronounced limp. Moshe has the radical idea to open his All-American Dance Hall and Theater to Black patrons. At the center of the novel is a sweet 12-year-old orphan nicknamed Dodo. For childless Chona, he is an answer to a prayer. In Book World, Ron Charles wrote: 'We all need — we all deserve — this vibrant, love-affirming novel that bounds over any difference that claims to separate us.' McBride's novel takes place before and during the Depression, in a ramshackle Pennsylvania neighborhood called Chicken Hill, where Jewish immigrants and African Americans cling to the deferred dream of equality in the United States. Moshe Ludlow, a wannabe impresario from Romania, is married to Chona, a polio survivor with a pronounced limp. Moshe has the radical idea to open his All-American Dance Hall and Theater to Black patrons. At the center of the novel is a sweet 12-year-old orphan nicknamed Dodo. For childless Chona, he is an answer to a prayer. In Book World, Ron Charles wrote: 'We all need — we all deserve — this vibrant, love-affirming novel that bounds over any difference that claims to separate us.' Reid follows up her hit debut, 'Such a Fun Age' (2019), with this novel set at the University of Arkansas, where a visiting professor named Agatha Paul enlists three female students to answer questions for her new work of cultural criticism about weddings. Some of the talk turns to sex, but the real complications and most intimate details involve money and the way unequal economic positions create clashing sets of values. Reid is a master plotter who has engineered a spectacular intersection of class, racism, academic politics and journalistic ethics. Reid follows up her hit debut, 'Such a Fun Age' (2019), with this novel set at the University of Arkansas, where a visiting professor named Agatha Paul enlists three female students to answer questions for her new work of cultural criticism about weddings. Some of the talk turns to sex, but the real complications and most intimate details involve money and the way unequal economic positions create clashing sets of values. Reid is a master plotter who has engineered a spectacular intersection of class, racism, academic politics and journalistic ethics. Vlautin's novel tells the tale of Al Ward, a grizzled guitarist and recovering alcoholic in his 60s looking back on his life, and of his encounter in the present day with a dying horse on an isolated mining claim in the Nevada desert. In Book World, Hamilton Cain wrote, ''The Horse' taps a wealth of influences — Hemingway, Johnny Cash, John Huston's film 'The Misfits' — but Vlautin's cadences and wit are his alone, sharp and bracing, like shots of whiskey.' Vlautin's novel tells the tale of Al Ward, a grizzled guitarist and recovering alcoholic in his 60s looking back on his life, and of his encounter in the present day with a dying horse on an isolated mining claim in the Nevada desert. In Book World, Hamilton Cain wrote, ''The Horse' taps a wealth of influences — Hemingway, Johnny Cash, John Huston's film 'The Misfits' — but Vlautin's cadences and wit are his alone, sharp and bracing, like shots of whiskey.' Over the course of Savas's novel, a married couple attempt to find an apartment in an unidentified foreign city, with the plot structured around their visits to different places that could be home. 'The Anthropologists' has received widespread praise since it was published, landing on Barack Obama's list of his favorite books of 2024 and the National Book Critics Circle's fiction longlist. Savas also has a new collection of short stories, 'Long Distance,' out in hardcover this month. Over the course of Savas's novel, a married couple attempt to find an apartment in an unidentified foreign city, with the plot structured around their visits to different places that could be home. 'The Anthropologists' has received widespread praise since it was published, landing on Barack Obama's list of his favorite books of 2024 and the National Book Critics Circle's fiction longlist. Savas also has a new collection of short stories, 'Long Distance,' out in hardcover this month. 'The summer Momma and I share pregnancies, the cottonmouths come crawling out of the marshes.' This opening sentence from one story captures much that is remarkable about Moore's book: intense focus on family ties, vivid Southern setting and confident narrative voice. A reviewer in Kirkus wrote, 'It's likely you'd have to go all the way back to 'Hue and Cry' by James Alan McPherson (1968) to find a debut collection of short stories by a young Black writer as prodigiously humane and finely wrought as this.' 'The summer Momma and I share pregnancies, the cottonmouths come crawling out of the marshes.' This opening sentence from one story captures much that is remarkable about Moore's book: intense focus on family ties, vivid Southern setting and confident narrative voice. A reviewer in Kirkus wrote, 'It's likely you'd have to go all the way back to 'Hue and Cry' by James Alan McPherson (1968) to find a debut collection of short stories by a young Black writer as prodigiously humane and finely wrought as this.' Grossman, best-selling author of the Magicians Trilogy, takes up the Arthurian legend in his marvelous new fantasy. 'Grossman affects a breezy 21st-century style that still allows plenty of room for magic,' Elizabeth Hand wrote in Book World. 'He excels at colorful characterizations and vibrant action scenes, which are legion.' Grossman, best-selling author of the Magicians Trilogy, takes up the Arthurian legend in his marvelous new fantasy. 'Grossman affects a breezy 21st-century style that still allows plenty of room for magic,' Elizabeth Hand wrote in Book World. 'He excels at colorful characterizations and vibrant action scenes, which are legion.' In this history of reality television, Nussbaum shines a light on the people who have made some of the most beloved and most controversial shows, from the executives who green-lit (and turned down) 'Survivor' to the field producers and editors who questioned and defended the ethics of their jobs. Along the way, Maura Judkis wrote in Book World, the book captures some of the interplay of naiveté and sadism that has long characterized reality programming. In this history of reality television, Nussbaum shines a light on the people who have made some of the most beloved and most controversial shows, from the executives who green-lit (and turned down) 'Survivor' to the field producers and editors who questioned and defended the ethics of their jobs. Along the way, Maura Judkis wrote in Book World, the book captures some of the interplay of naiveté and sadism that has long characterized reality programming. In her assiduously researched and impeccably constructed book, Cook grapples with the personal ramifications of the QAnon conspiracy theory for many of its devotees and the people who care about them. 'Cook contributes a vital piece to the vexing QAnon puzzle, chronicling the profound effects on those otherwise average people who have fallen into its grasp and the collateral damage done to those around them,' Jonathan Russell Clark wrote in Book World. In her assiduously researched and impeccably constructed book, Cook grapples with the personal ramifications of the QAnon conspiracy theory for many of its devotees and the people who care about them. 'Cook contributes a vital piece to the vexing QAnon puzzle, chronicling the profound effects on those otherwise average people who have fallen into its grasp and the collateral damage done to those around them,' Jonathan Russell Clark wrote in Book World. In 1985, two White police officers in San Diego pulled over a pickup truck carrying Black men whom the officers wrongly suspected of gang affiliation. The driver of the truck, Sagon Penn, was an expert martial artist who, after a confrontation that quickly escalated, ended up shooting the officers, killing one of them. The ensuing trial and Penn's acquittal exposed — and changed — the police department's relationship with communities of color. In 1985, two White police officers in San Diego pulled over a pickup truck carrying Black men whom the officers wrongly suspected of gang affiliation. The driver of the truck, Sagon Penn, was an expert martial artist who, after a confrontation that quickly escalated, ended up shooting the officers, killing one of them. The ensuing trial and Penn's acquittal exposed — and changed — the police department's relationship with communities of color.
