Latest news with #Residency
News.com.au
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
'A legend': Bad Bunny brings Puerto Rican pride to epic show
Bad Bunny's sweeping first concert of his three-month Puerto Rico residency was a night of palpable emotion for the megastar whose latest smash artistic endeavor brings his global stardom back to his roots. The marathon show in San Juan late Friday was flush with styles -- from club beats and high-octane salsa to folkloric dance and soulful acoustics. At one point, the enormously popular Bad Bunny -- born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio -- appeared to pause to soak in the moment, breaking into a heartfelt smile as he gazed out at his thousands of ecstatic compatriots. Savoring the present and honoring the past is a lesson taken from the 31-year-old's sixth album "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" ("I Should Have Taken More Photos") and a theme the residency is celebrating, with a full-throated ode to Puerto Rican heritage. The ambitious setlist included many of Bad Bunny's most recent tracks that underscore injustices in the US Caribbean island territory, but the evening was one of celebration: a lens on Puerto Rico that focuses on its resistance, pride and joy. The first song was previously unreleased, and there were no details on whether the track will eventually have an official drop. Some fans online speculated that perhaps he'll keep it exclusive to the residency. That would be a fitting move for the artist who, after a blazing burst to global fame that saw him briefly move to Los Angeles, has returned home and intensified his efforts to make music about Puerto Ricans, for Puerto Ricans. The first nine shows of his 30-concert stretch, which will take over San Juan's Coliseo for consecutive three-day weekends into September, are only open to Puerto Rican residents -- and the odd celebrity like LeBron James, who attended Friday night. - 'A legend' - The night paid homage to Puerto Rican culture and history -- including with percussive plena music and bomba-infused rhythms -- but it was also a career retrospective of sorts, showcasing the immense range that Bad Bunny has exhibited since his major breakthrough less than a decade ago. The show featured the heavy Latin trap of his 2018 hit "La Romana" and the 2020 club smash "Yo Perreo Sola" -- shining examples of his earlier work in reggaeton that catapulted him to stardom. "His reggaeton never fails," student John Hernandez Ramirez said ahead of the concert. The 21-year-old said he was drawn to Bad Bunny for the heart-pounding beats. But more recently, he said he has been inspired by the artist's lyrical evolution. Hailing from a rural area of Puerto Rico, Hernandez Ramirez said he found particular resonance in "Lo Que Paso a Hawaii" -- Bad Bunny's exploration of gentrification, detrimental tourism and the colonization of both the state and his homeland. Bad Bunny highlighted those issues in the lead-up to the concert, projecting historical facts onto a big screen over the lush, tropical set on which chickens roamed freely. Many of the sentiments drew enormous cheers from spectators as they filed in. "Puerto Rico has been a colony since Christopher Columbus 'discovered' the island during his second voyage to the New World in 1493," one read, with a parenthetical explaining that "the Taino tribe already inhabited the island." Part of Bad Bunny's stage design included a house built in the island's typical style, which had featured in a short film he made starring legendary Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales -- clips of which also appeared on the big screen. From atop the structure, Bad Bunny delivered some of his most iconic songs, including the recent "Nuevayol" along with "Titi me pregunto." He then returned to the main stage for a hip-swiveling salsa sequence, wearing a 1970s-style tailored suit in the style of the genre's icons who preceded him. Streamers in the colors of the Puerto Rican flag burst from the ceiling as he led fans in a mesmerizing medley that included "Baile Inolvidable," accompanied by a full band. The show clocked in at three hours but fans -- many adorned in flag attire and others sporting baseball jerseys of the Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente -- couldn't get enough. Marta Cuellar, a 61-year-old Colombian and longtime Puerto Rican resident, told AFP that the series of concerts is a great way to celebrate the island -- and a gift to Latin American culture more generally.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
'A legend': Bad Bunny brings Puerto Rican pride to epic show
The marathon show in San Juan late Friday was flush with styles -- from club beats and high-octane salsa to folkloric dance and soulful acoustics. At one point, the enormously popular Bad Bunny -- born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio -- appeared to pause to soak in the moment, breaking into a heartfelt smile as he gazed out at his thousands of ecstatic compatriots. Savoring the present and honoring the past is a lesson taken from the 31-year-old's sixth album "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" ("I Should Have Taken More Photos") and a theme the residency is celebrating, with a full-throated ode to Puerto Rican heritage. The ambitious setlist included many of Bad Bunny's most recent tracks that underscore injustices in the US Caribbean island territory, but the evening was one of celebration: a lens on Puerto Rico that focuses on its resistance, pride and joy. The first song was previously unreleased, and there were no details on whether the track will eventually have an official drop. Some fans online speculated that perhaps he'll keep it exclusive to the residency. That would be a fitting move for the artist who, after a blazing burst to global fame that saw him briefly move to Los Angeles, has returned home and intensified his efforts to make music about Puerto Ricans, for Puerto Ricans. The first nine shows of his 30-concert stretch, which will take over San Juan's Coliseo for consecutive three-day weekends into September, are only open to Puerto Rican residents -- and the odd celebrity like LeBron James, who attended Friday night. 'A legend' The night paid homage to Puerto Rican culture and history -- including with percussive plena music and bomba-infused rhythms -- but it was also a career retrospective of sorts, showcasing the immense range that Bad Bunny has exhibited since his major breakthrough less than a decade ago. The show featured the heavy Latin trap of his 2018 hit "La Romana" and the 2020 club smash "Yo Perreo Sola" -- shining examples of his earlier work in reggaeton that catapulted him to stardom. "His reggaeton never fails," student John Hernandez Ramirez said ahead of the concert. The 21-year-old said he was drawn to Bad Bunny for the heart-pounding beats. But more recently, he said he has been inspired by the artist's lyrical evolution. Hailing from a rural area of Puerto Rico, Hernandez Ramirez said he found particular resonance in "Lo Que Paso a Hawaii" -- Bad Bunny's exploration of gentrification, detrimental tourism and the colonization of both the state and his homeland. Bad Bunny highlighted those issues in the lead-up to the concert, projecting historical facts onto a big screen over the lush, tropical set on which chickens roamed freely. Many of the sentiments drew enormous cheers from spectators as they filed in. "Puerto Rico has been a colony since Christopher Columbus 'discovered' the island during his second voyage to the New World in 1493," one read, with a parenthetical explaining that "the Taino tribe already inhabited the island." Part of Bad Bunny's stage design included a house built in the island's typical style, which had featured in a short film he made starring legendary Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales -- clips of which also appeared on the big screen. From atop the structure, Bad Bunny delivered some of his most iconic songs, including the recent "Nuevayol" along with "Titi me pregunto." He then returned to the main stage for a hip-swiveling salsa sequence, wearing a 1970s-style tailored suit in the style of the genre's icons who preceded him. Streamers in the colors of the Puerto Rican flag burst from the ceiling as he led fans in a mesmerizing medley that included "Baile Inolvidable," accompanied by a full band. The show clocked in at three hours but fans -- many adorned in flag attire and others sporting baseball jerseys of the Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente -- couldn't get enough. Marta Cuellar, a 61-year-old Colombian and longtime Puerto Rican resident, told AFP that the series of concerts is a great way to celebrate the island -- and a gift to Latin American culture more generally. "Bad Bunny," she said, "is going to be a legend." © 2025 AFP
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Bad Bunny makes a ‘political statement' as Puerto Rico residency begins
Bad Bunny performs during the iHeartRadio Music Awards, on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP via CNN Newsource) A sense of excitement has permeated Puerto Rico as homegrown artist Bad Bunny, one of the world's biggest music stars, begins his long-awaited residency on Friday. Stores are selling out memorabilia, restaurants are creating themed menu items and local news stations are devoting special coverage to what residents are calling 'Bad Bunny mania.' Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, is performing a series of 30 concerts that fans say are meant to galvanize Puerto Rico's unique sense of pride and resilience against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, gentrification, and the long-lasting impact of colonialism. The first nine shows of his residency will be performed exclusively for Puerto Rican residents, while the rest will invite fans from around the world in a larger effort to promote the island's rich culture. All 30 shows, which will take place at the 18,500-seat arena Coliseo de Puerto Rico, have been sold out. Prioritizing Puerto Ricans for the residency 'signals that Benito is speaking personally to Puerto Ricans first and foremost,' said Jorell Meléndez-Badillo, historian of Puerto Rico. The shows are also considered a powerful symbol of Puerto Rican self-reliance and the belief that the U.S. territory can stand tall on its own, says Javier J. Hernández Acosta, dean of the School of Arts, Design and Creative Industries at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan. He views the concerts as a chance to show off the island's creative arts, which he says are Puerto Rico's 'best resource to build a future of economic, social and political development.' Ahead of the first show on Friday, the atmosphere outside the arena was festive, with music blaring and vendors selling food and merchandise as fans lined up to enter the arena. '(I'm) excited, super excited, super happy to see Bad Bunny live here in Puerto Rico, which is a unique experience that can only be had in Puerto Rico. Seeing Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico isn't the same as seeing him in another part of the world,' said Gilda Santos. 'Bad Bunny has been unique, unique, in carrying the name of Puerto Rico high. And now with this residency, we are here, so that they know that Puerto Rico is the island of enchantment,' said Jackeline Carrasquillo, a fan from Río Grande. Affirming Puerto Rican culture As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico does not have statehood status, although its residents are American citizens. As residents of a territory rather than a state, Puerto Ricans can't vote for president in the U.S. general election. The territory has a nonvoting delegate in Congress, called a resident commissioner. The King of Latin Trap has often sought to amplify the often-marginalized voices of the U.S. territory and to highlight the struggles his fellow Boricuas and other Latinos have faced and overcome. The concerts will feature songs from his latest album, 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' (I Should Have Taken More Photos), which explores themes of injustice, including displacement, gentrification and American colonialism. The track 'Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii' (What Happened to Hawaii), for example, expresses concern that displacement could cause Puerto Rico to lose its identity. In a melancholy tone, he sings, 'They want to take away the river and the beach. They want my neighborhood and Grandma to leave. No, don't let go of the flag or forget the lelolai. I don't want them to do to you what happened to Hawaii.' Hawaii only became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, more than 60 years after the U.S. government overthrew its monarchy. The song 'Nuevayol,' meanwhile, celebrates the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York and the contributions Latinos have made to the United States. More than 5 million Puerto Ricans are estimated to be living in the U.S. mainland, according to the Pew Research Center. Many have left the island in recent years due to rising living costs, natural disasters, an energy crisis and other hardships. 'The theme and the ethos of this record is sort of affirming that Puerto Rican culture in the face of cultural and physical displacement of Puerto Ricans,' said Meléndez-Badillo, who teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is attending one of the concerts this weekend. Some of those topics are also amplified in the music visualizers that accompany the songs. They display informative text about Puerto Rico's history and were written by Meléndez-Badillo himself at the request of Bad Bunny's team. A world tour without the U.S. The Puerto Rico residency will be followed by a larger world tour that notably leaves out the biggest market for musicians: the United States mainland – a choice that Meléndez-Badillo says is likely a 'political statement.' Fans have speculated that his decision to skip the U.S. could be connected to Bad Bunny's recent criticism of U.S. policies, such as the mass immigration crackdown under U.S. President Donald Trump, which has largely targeted Latinos. Earlier this year, he posted an Instagram story of what appeared to be a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid, where he reportedly called agents 'sons of b*tches' for targeting people trying to work. Asked by Variety magazine why he wouldn't be performing in the U.S., Bad Bunny simply replied: 'It's unnecessary,' pointing out that fans in the U.S. have had many opportunities to see him perform. The star is essentially telling the U.S., 'You are not the center of the world,' according to Hernández Acosta, and that Puerto Ricans 'are the ones who set the priorities here.' Above everything else, he continued, the performances are also a chance for Puerto Ricans to celebrate and have fun after years of hardship, including recovering from the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017. 'We have to celebrate things,' he said. 'That's what life is for.' By Michael Rios.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (Green Card): Benefits, eligibility, fees, all you need to know
The Premium Residency allows expatriates to live, work, invest, and own property in Saudi Arabia without a local sponsor, with a path to permanent residency/ Image generated using AI for creative and illustrative purposes TL;DR No Sponsor Needed: Live, work, own property, and invest in Saudi Arabia without a kafeel (local sponsor). 7 Residency Options: Tailored for investors, entrepreneurs, talents, property owners, and more. Family Included: Spouse, kids under 25, and parents can live with you. Tax-Free Income: No personal income tax on salaries and wages. Permanent Residency Available: Some tracks lead directly or eventually to lifetime residency. Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency Program, launched in 2019, is one of the most ambitious residency frameworks in the region. As part of Vision 2030, it aims to diversify the economy away from oil, attract global talent, and turn the Kingdom into a world-class destination for investment, innovation, and culture. Unlike traditional visas, the Premium Residency eliminates the need for a local sponsor (kafeel), granting expatriates and their families full freedom to live, work, invest, and own property in the Kingdom, with the added possibility of obtaining permanent residency. Here's everything you need to know about the new Premium Residency products available in 2025, including benefits, eligibility requirements, application fees, and more. Overview of the Saudi Premium Residency Program Administered by the Saudi Premium Residency Center, the program includes seven distinct residency products, each tailored to specific profiles: investors, entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, creatives, and property owners. Each product comes with its own eligibility criteria, benefits, residency duration, and one-time application fee. Key Shared Benefits Across All Premium Residency Products Live in Saudi Arabia with family members, including spouse, children under 25, and parents. Freedom to work in the private sector and move between establishments. Exemption from expat fees (applicable to the holder and dependents). Unrestricted entry and exit without needing visas for the holder and family. Right to own and usufruct real estate. Access to visa services for visiting relatives. Use of fast-track airport lanes dedicated to Saudi and GCC citizens. Conduct business in accordance with The Investment Law. Permission to apply for visit visas for other relatives. No personal income tax on salaries and wages, offering significant tax advantages for residents. Saudi Premium Residency products and eligibility The Saudi Premium Residency Program offers multiple pathways to residency tailored to professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and property owners. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Each product has specific eligibility, benefits, and duration criteria. 1. Special Talent Residency Target Group: Executives, researchers, healthcare, and scientific professionals Special Benefits: Eligibility for permanent residency upon meeting conditions Exemption from the Nitaqat (Saudization) program Eligibility: A. Researchers: Contract with a whitelisted entity in a priority specialization Minimum salary: SAR 14,000 (~USD 3,730/month) Bachelor's degree or higher ≥ 3 years of related experience ≥ 3 peer-reviewed publications Employer recommendation Meet minimum score in points system B. Healthcare/Scientific Professionals: Contract with a whitelisted entity in a priority specialization Minimum salary: SAR 35,000 (~USD 9,330/month) Bachelor's degree or higher ≥ 3 years of related experience Employer recommendation Meet minimum score in points system C. Executives: Contracted in an executive role at Level 1 or 2 Minimum salary: SAR 80,000 (~USD 21,330/month) Employer recommendation Residency Duration: 5-year fixed term, renewable once Permanent residency available after 30 months of residence within 5 years One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) 2. Gifted Residency Target Group: Talents in arts, culture, and sports Special Benefits: Potential for permanent residency with ministry endorsement Exemption from the Nitaqat (Saudization) program Eligibility: First Category: Recipient or nominee of a recognized prestigious award Recommendation from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports Proof of financial sustainability Second Category: Meet ministry-approved eligibility standards Recommendation from relevant Ministry Proof of financial sustainability Residency Duration: 5-year fixed term, renewable once Permanent residency possible after 30 months in 5 years, with ministry endorsement One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) 3. Investor Residency Target Group: High-net-worth individuals investing in Saudi businesses Special Benefits: Direct path to permanent residency upon fulfilling conditions Eligibility: Valid investment license from Ministry of Investment Minimum equity investment: SAR 7 million (~USD 1.87 million) Valid Commercial Registration Memorandum of Association indicating investor shares Residency Duration: Permanent residency granted upon: Investing SAR 7 million within first 2 years Creating at least 10 jobs within that same period One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) 4. Entrepreneur Residency Target Group: Startup founders and innovation-driven entrepreneurs Special Benefits: Ability to nominate two employees for Special Talent Residency without meeting its eligibility criteria Exemption from Nitaqat for the first 3 years Direct permanent residency pathway for high-performing entrepreneurs (2nd category) Eligibility: First Category: Entrepreneur license from Ministry of Investment Raised ≥ SAR 400,000 (~USD 106,500) from an accredited investor ≥ 20% equity ownership Investor recommendation Second Category: Entrepreneur license from Ministry of Investment Raised ≥ SAR 15 million (~USD 4 million) from an accredited investor ≥ 10% equity ownership Create 10 jobs in Year 1 and 10 more in Year 2 Investor recommendation Residency Duration: First Category: 5-year fixed term, renewable once Second Category: Permanent residency, upon job creation fulfillment One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) 5. Real Estate Owner Residency Target Group: Owners of high-value residential properties Special Benefits: Residency directly tied to continued ownership of qualifying real estate Eligibility: Own or hold usufruct of residential property worth ≥ SAR 4 million (~USD 1.07 million) Property must: Be developed and residential Be free of existing or future mortgages Be appraised by accredited valuers (Taqeem) Residency Duration: Valid as long as property continues to meet eligibility criteria One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) 6. Limited Duration Premium Residency Target Group: Individuals seeking temporary, renewable residency (business, trial living, etc.) Special Benefits: Flexible, short- to medium-term residency with full access to Premium Residency benefits Eligibility: Proof of financial capability Valid passport with ≥ 6 months remaining Compliance with general residency criteria Residency Duration: 1 to 5 years, fixed term Renewable annually Fee: SAR 100,000/year (~USD 26,660/year) 7. Unlimited Duration Premium Residency Target Group: Individuals seeking lifetime residency in Saudi Arabia Special Benefits: Permanent residency with no renewal requirement Eligibility: Proof of financial capability Valid passport with ≥ 6 months remaining Compliance with general residency criteria Residency Duration: Permanent (lifetime) One-time Fee: SAR 800,000 (~USD 213,300) Living in Saudi Arabia as a Premium Residency Holder As a Premium Residency holder, you gain full access to Saudi Arabia's growing network of modern amenities and infrastructure. You can live in secure gated communities, luxury residences, or city-center apartments, with the legal right to own or usufruct property. International schools with globally recognized curricula cater to families, while advanced public and private healthcare facilities offer affordable, high-quality medical services. Major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam feature global retail outlets, fine dining, and comprehensive transport networks. Residents benefit from exclusive airport lanes, visa-free re-entry, and streamlined mobility within the Kingdom. For leisure, the country hosts large-scale events like Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season, alongside access to Red Sea beaches, desert excursions, and cultural heritage sites. The cost of living remains competitive, and with no personal income tax, residents enjoy stronger savings potential. Premium Residency offers not just legal stability, but full access to a high-comfort, globally connected lifestyle. FAQs: Q. Who can apply for Premium Residency? Anyone meeting the financial, professional, or investment criteria, including businesspeople, skilled professionals, and property owners. Q. Do I need a job offer or Saudi sponsor? No, Premium Residency removes the need for a local sponsor or employer. Q. Can I bring my family? Yes, your spouse, children under 25, and parents can all live with you in Saudi Arabia. Q. How much does it cost? Fees range from SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) for most products to SAR 800,000 (~USD 213,300) for lifetime residency. Q. Can I become a permanent resident? Yes, several residency types lead to permanent residency if you meet certain conditions (like investment, job creation, or ministry endorsement).
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Adityanath joins mass yoga session in Gorakhpur
Lucknow: Yoga not only gives us a healthy body but also a healthy mind, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday, as he participated in a mass yoga session at the Mahant Digvijay Nath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhpur. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath participates in mass yoga session at the Mahant Digvijay Nath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhpur on Saturday. (Hindustan Times) Celebrating the 11th International Yoga Day theme — Yoga for One Earth, One Health — Yogi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting yoga international recognition. 'Yoga is one such mantra of the Rishi tradition of India, which gives us not only a healthy body but also a healthy mind,' the CM wrote on X. A live stream of PM Modi leading the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was played at the event. Addressing the gathering, Yogi Adityanath said, 'Yoga is a unique gift of Indian wisdom. By making yoga a medium of public welfare, India paved the way for world welfare. This is the reason why today on the 11th International Yoga Day, not only India but around 190 countries of the world are feeling proud by associating with the heritage of Indian yoga.' Yogi Adityanath said, 'Yoga is a unique gift of Indian wisdom. By making yoga a medium of public welfare, India paved the way for world welfare.' (UP CM office) 'Attainment of all the four aims of human life that is Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha is possible only with a healthy body. A healthy body is the medium of worldly progress and spiritual advancement. Be it public welfare, fulfillment of desires or the path to salvation, a healthy body is the medium for all these,' he added. Several ministers attended mass yoga sessions in different districts. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak attended a session at the Residency in Lucknow, while deputy CM Keshav Maurya participated at an event in Ghaziabad.
