Latest news with #Nono
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Hades Thrift builds community through kindness
In a cosy corner of Ferndale, a small shop with a big heart is making a difference. Hades Thrift Shop, co-founded by Ardele Fernandes and her business partner Nono Tau, is not your average second-hand store. It's a space built on friendship, hope, and a shared dream to give back to the community, both human and animal. Read more: Local thrift shop facilitates learning to earn The two women met through their partners after both had been retrenched and struggled to find new jobs. 'We were both looking for something meaningful to do,' said Fernandes. 'I had been involved in animal rescue for many years and wanted to start a charity shop. It just happened to become a coffee shop too, thanks to Nono, who is a brilliant chef.' Their backgrounds may be different, but their values are the same. 'We've worked hard to create a family vibe in the shop,' Fernandes added. 'We want everyone who walks in to feel welcome.' The shop is named after one of Fernandes' beloved boxer dogs, Hades, who spent his puppy days in the space that is now the store. Hades was more than just a pet; he was an ambassador for Boxer Rescue South Africa, and once visited a nursery school to teach children how to treat animals with kindness and respect. Hades Thrift supports a 'pay-it-forward' model. 'We try to help others by selling donated goods on their behalf, especially people who are battling. One of the artworks in the shop was created by a cleaner. We want to give others a chance.' Running the shop hasn't been easy. 'We've battled and still do. We'd love support from big companies. But we won't give up. We'll keep pushing forward.' On Mandela Day, July 18, the team used their platform to give back. They collected donations for local animal rescuers and underprivileged community members. 'The goal was to support people who speak for the voiceless.' Nono added, 'Mandela was a great inspiration to our country. Not many people know this, but he had a dog too, a Rhodesian ridgeback named Gompo. I think Mandela Day should be every day.' Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of her sister last year, Fernandes has found strength in the shop and her partnership with Nono. 'I met Nono on the day we opened. I truly believe she was sent to me at the right time.' Although the shop remains quiet in terms of foot traffic, it has already established lasting connections. 'Some of our customers have become dear friends.' Looking ahead, Hades Thrift hopes to improve its online presence. 'We're not great with technology. But we do have a WhatsApp group and are trying our best.' Through it all, one thing is clear: Hades Thrift Shop is more than a business. It's a space for healing, community, and compassion where every item sold helps build a better tomorrow. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Israeli strikes kill 54 in Gaza as ceasefire talks resume in Doha
Listen to article At least 54 people have been killed across Gaza since dawn on Saturday amid intense Israeli bombardment, with 26 of the fatalities reported in the northern region of the enclave, according to local health authorities. Among the dead were four children whose bodies were pulled from the rubble following a strike in Jabalia. The latest escalation in violence came as Arab leaders convened in Baghdad for an Arab League summit, where the war in Gaza dominated the agenda. Meanwhile, a fresh round of ceasefire negotiations is underway in Doha, Qatar, between Hamas and Israeli representatives. Speaking to Reuters, Hamas official Taher al-Nono confirmed that talks had resumed and were being conducted without preconditions. 'Hamas is keen to exert all the effort needed to support mediators in making these negotiations successful,' Nono said, though he noted that 'no certain offer is currently on the table.' The resumption of talks comes amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza. Israeli officials say they are aiming to establish "operational control" in several areas of the territory, despite mounting international pressure to de-escalate. The renewed diplomatic effort also follows the conclusion of US President Donald Trump's Middle East tour on Friday. The visit ended with no apparent breakthrough toward a ceasefire, though Trump acknowledged the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the urgent need for aid deliveries. As efforts to broker peace continue, the toll on civilians rises, with both sides under scrutiny from the international community for the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Taiwanese comedian Nono jailed 2½ years for attempted rape
TAIPEI: Taiwanese comedian-host Nono has been found guilty of one charge of attempted rape and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail. The Straits Times reported yesterday that the 54-year-old, who was facing a total of seven charges, was found not guilty of the other six charges. Nono, whose real name is Chen Hsuan-Yu, was one of the male celebrities embroiled in Taiwan's MeToo movement in June 2023. His career was put on hold after he was accused of sexual harassment by at least 20 women. He was indicted in May 2024 with seven charges – three charges of rape, two charges of attempted rape and two charges of indecent assault involving a total of six victims. The attemped rape took place in February 2011. The prosecution said Chen used his status as a senior in the entertainment industry to send the victim home late at night after recording a TV show. He parked the car at a riverside park and attempted to rape her. The court's judgment said the victim did not dare to speak out after the incident due to the fear of being criticised by the public and jeopardising her job in the entertainment industry. She eventually opened up in June 2023 after other women came forward to recount similar experiences. The judgment said that the court accepted the victim's account, as she had told her friends and family what had happened after the incident. Her friends and family added that her emotional state has been deeply affected after the incident. The court sentenced Chen according to the law, as he did not show remorse and claimed he did not know the victim. The artiste also did not apologise and did not seek reconciliation with the victim. Chen rose to fame after co-hosting variety shows such as Jacky Go Go Go (2000 to 2008) with Taiwanese TV host Jacky Wu.
CNA
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Taiwanese comedian Nono guilty of attempted rape, sentenced to 2 and a half years
Taiwanese comedian-host Nono was found guilty of attempted rape on Tuesday (May 13) and sentenced to two and a half years in jail. The 54-year-old, whose real name is Chen Hsuan-yu, faced seven charges in total but was found not guilty of the other six – three counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and two counts of forcible indecency involving six women – due to insufficient evidence. Chen was sentenced in connection to a 2011 incident involving a woman he met during the filming of a television programme. The Shilin District Court in Taiwan heard that the TV personality persistently offered to drive the victim home after the shoot. But instead of taking her home, he drove her to a riverside carpark in Taipei's Dadaocheng, where he attempted to rape her. The ruling said that the victim did not report the assault at the time as she feared public backlash and that Chen's status in the entertainment industry would protect him. However, inspired by Taiwan's MeToo movement in June 2023 which saw other victims speaking out, she decided to come forward. The court ruled that the victim's statement was credible as the testimonies from her relatives and friends supported her account. They also testified that the victim underwent noticeable changes in her emotional state after the incident. The court also described the crime as serious and malicious, criticising Chen's continued denial of the allegations, lack of remorse and refusal to offer an apology or compensation.
Malay Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Taiwan comedian Nono sentenced to 2.5 years for 2011 attempted rape in #MeToo case
TAIPEI, May 14 — Veteran Taiwanese entertainer Nono, whose real name is Chen Hsuan-yu, was yesterday sentenced to two years and six months in prison for attempted rape, more than a decade after the incident took place. AsiaOne reported that the 54-year-old comedian and television host was found guilty by the Taiwan Shilin District Court over an incident dating back to February 2011. According to the court, Nono forced himself on a woman in his car after driving her home from a filming session near Taipei's Dadaocheng area. He stopped only after she resisted and fell into the car's backseat. The woman, who did not file a police report at the time, came forward during Taiwan's #MeToo movement in 2023. She testified that she had feared Nono's influence in the entertainment industry. The court found her account credible, supported by the testimonies of her friend and family members, who said her emotional state had deteriorated after the encounter. While Nono was cleared of six other charges — including three counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and two counts of forcible indecent assault — the court cited insufficient evidence for those allegations. Prosecutors had pushed for a heavier sentence, pointing to Nono's consistent denial of knowing the victim, his failure to reach a settlement, and the long-term psychological impact on the woman. Nono rose to fame in the early 2000s as a sidekick to Jacky Wu and later moved into business. He is married to singer Angel Chu, a Golden Melody Award winner, and the couple have one daughter. The verdict is subject to appeal.
