Latest news with #S.S
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Coconut prices double in Chennai amid low supply, retail rates touch Rs 80 per kg
Chennai: Coconut prices have surged sharply across Chennai, with retail rates touching as high as Rs 80 per kg, driven by dwindling supplies and high demand. In the wholesale market, coconuts are selling for Rs 58–60 per kg, while semi-wholesale rates range between Rs 65–70 per kg, according to Koyambedu Semi-Wholesalers Association President S.S. Muthukumar. Much of Chennai's coconut supply comes from Pollachi, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Thanjavur, and Udumalpet. However, the supply crunch has worsened following Cyclone Gaja in 2020, which devastated thousands of hectares of coconut plantations along Tamil Nadu's coast. According to the state Agriculture Department, the cyclone affected nearly 45,117 hectares of coconut groves and damaged around 63 lakh coconut trees in eight districts. "The government must intervene and fix affordable prices. Otherwise, there is a chance of another price hike of Rs 5–10 in the city markets. Chennai alone needs over three lakh coconuts every day," coconut farmer Saravanakumar said. N. Thangavel, a farmer from Pollachi, said the drop in production was not only due to cyclone-related damage but also because of increasing crop diseases like leaf blight and stem bleeding, which have become widespread in Tamil Nadu over the past two years. Rising prices have also hit small eateries across Chennai, many of which have started replacing coconut chutneys with mint chutneys to manage costs. Tender coconuts, too, have become more expensive. In parts of Chennai, tender coconuts are now sold for Rs 50–60 each. Muthuraman, a wholesale dealer, said supply from Pattukkottai and Thanjavur has declined since Cyclone Gaja, pushing traders to source from Puducherry and Cuddalore, where prices are higher. Dealers note that tender coconut procurement costs have risen by at least Rs 5 compared to last year, with transportation adding another Rs 3 per coconut. Sellers often stockpile coconuts in bulk to maintain a steady supply. "Tender coconuts are always in demand as they are natural and free of additives," retailer T. Raji said. Another seller, P.M. Murugan, added: "Despite fluctuations in daily demand, sales remain steady because customers trust their quality."
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Is this the new golden age of video games?
Gamers are nostalgic people. Often, if you get chatting with someone about their favourites, you'll time-travel ten or twenty years in a single conversation, back to an era of cartridges, discs and dial-up internet. I'm no stranger to this. The very sight of a pixelated Pokémon sprite, and I can hear the S.S. Anne's theme ringing in my ears. When I see the modern Lara Croft, I'm transported back to the 90s, when you'd pass a PlayStation 1 controller between friends and take turns trying to keep the polygonal heroine alive in a death-trap tomb. I remember those massive raids in the original World of Warcraft on snail-speed internet, or how, even though I replayed Final Fantasy VII hundreds of times, I was always hunting for something new in a playthrough. My point is that when we think of the best games and experiences, we're often looking backwards. Rarely do we look around. Over time, you tend to assume that modern games are merely a flashier repeat of a successful formula. Especially as we're just moving on from a long-winded period of remakes and remasters, you convince yourself that we'll never return to those all-important watercooler moments. And yet, recent games are changing the script in a big way. As we approach the halfway point of 2025, with record-breaking sales, widespread critical acclaim, several spin-offs and adaptations in the works, and soundtracks charting across the world, is it safe to say we are witnessing the birth of a new age of creative glory with video games? Absolutely. A new wave of reinvention – narrative-rich games go from strength to strength Video games are now unmistakably at the epicentre of art and culture. That is a brave statement to make, but a true one at that. Without even needing to go near a console, they are everywhere. And you don't have to be a gamer to be influenced (and entertained) by them, either. Think about it. Turn on your TV, and there's no escaping the latest adaptation dominating the most-watched lists. The biggest blockbuster hits in recent memory? Most are, you guessed it, based on games. Musicians now pen chart-topping songs inspired by games, while orchestras recreate our favourite soundtracks inside packed arenas. World-class writers craft engrossing characters and worlds, while artists, designers and developers bring them to life in untold, magical ways in our homes. It's one of the few entertainment industries that draws on a rich array of extremely talented people under one mission. And this is why I believe we're on the cusp of a new golden era in gaming. The titles you are playing now are most likely going to be the movies, TV shows, novels, and concerts you and your family will enjoy in the next few years. Except for gamers, we don't have to wait for Hollywood to catch up. We can enjoy them now. This year. A prime example of this is Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Released under relative obscurity back in April, it is now ranked as one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made. Selling over 3.3 million copies in 3 months, it's already been greenlit for a movie adaptation, to the surprise of no one. Set in a Belle Époque-inspired fantasy world, the game tells the heartbreaking story of a team of young adults journeying into the unknown to try and defy their fate. Enchanting French music, powerhouse performances, and blending traditional gameplay mechanics with a modern flair were all the ingredients needed for critical acclaim and the title of a masterpiece. The game quickly won the hearts of millions of fans, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who posted on social media that the game was "a shining example of French audacity and creativity." Months later, the game continues to inspire the world through its story. And this is just one example from this year alone. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was one of the first major releases of the year and has enjoyed equal acclaim and love from gamers. It sold over 2 million copies in just two weeks, capitalising on the world's thirst for all things historical fiction. Set in the 15th century, you play as Henry of Skalitz, whose journey from a humble blacksmith forge to the court of Kings is one of the most transformative and immersive experiences you can get. And if you're looking to get absolutely lost in an open world, you'll find a home here. No one can deny the sheer freedom this game allows you. With an estimated script of over 2.2 million words (most likely more), it's safe to say that a strong narrative is at the core of this Medieval adventure's success. The idea that the gaming industry has run out of stories to tell, or things to say, is simply untrue. The best interactive medium in the world One of the most exciting things about video games is how they tell their stories. The gameplay that takes you from A to B, keeps you guessing, keeps you immersed, and takes advantage of the rapid speed at which technology is evolving. With the right design, even the simplest idea can take on a completely new life. How the environment is presented or the colours used, how the music plays (and when), and who you get to play it with all contribute to games making a lasting impression. In March of this year, Split Fiction was released to universal acclaim, selling over 4 million copies to date. It's an action-adventure cooperative game that sees you and a friend assume the roles of aspiring writers, Mio and Zoe, who become trapped in life-like simulations of their stories. As well as a gripping story that covers everything from love and joy to grief and loneliness, the true magic of the game lies in how you play it and with whom. Together with a friend online, you'll explore this game in split-screen, and every couple of minutes, a brand new mechanic is introduced to keep both of you transfixed. In one instance, you're parkouring across a Medieval city of ogres; the next, you're trying to escape an exploding sci-fi world on motorbikes. And then, in a flash, you're raising dragons in a fantasy realm before transforming into magical pigs to solve puzzles. Several times, I was rendered speechless from sheer laughter at what the game allowed (and expected) me to do. Pigs fly when Split Fiction launches on PS5 March 6 🌈 Hands-on report dives into the imaginative co-op adventure: — PlayStation (@PlayStation) February 14, 2025 It's modern experiences like these that hark back to those golden-era, nostalgic vibes of passing the controller around the room so everyone has a turn. Of linking your Game Boy together with a cable in person just to trade something. Now? Now, you can jump online with friends thousands of miles away and experience something magical together in real-time. Modern games break down distance and barriers in a truly unique way, something I think we often take for granted. Backwards compatibility also means that the games we grew up loving can be re-experienced in new ways on modern systems. So, whether it's through cooperative gameplay, a multiplayer mode, VR technology, or some new technology yet to be unveiled, games will always find new ways to entertain and bring us all together. The challenges that lie ahead Video games are not without their challenges. And we can't look at all the recent magic and success of the year through rose-tinted glasses. Widespread layoffs across the sector (including over 14,000 in 2024 alone) are still a major threat to the safety, security and well-being of the industry, which has no doubt robbed us of some amazing projects and creatives. Failed games like Suicide Squad or Concord from last year continue to haunt the airwaves, causing a ripple effect that sinks other promising projects still stranded in development. The rising cost of development, along with concerns over microtransactions and the reliance on live-service platforms, could also be seen as crippling creativity. Listen: Today With Cliare Byrne Show on Sony's gaming flop Concord But then, we can return to the games of 2025, and there's some silver lining. Clair Obscur Expedition 33, for example, is an indie title developed in a fraction of the time its peers took, and with a significantly smaller team to boot. Or Split Fiction, whose generous friend's pass means an owner can invite a friend to play across any platform for free, halving its sales potential but doubling the fun we can all expect from it. While the future remains uncertain, the present is clear: great games continue to be made. And great studios are finding ways to tell their stories, defying the odds and limitations. I'm confident that there will be waves of future gamers looking back on this decade (and this year), with the fondest of memories. And we've still six months left to enjoy! Who knows what the next new games of 2025 will have in store for us? But one thing is for sure - you no longer need to look back in time to experience a masterpiece.
Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HCBS Developments Receives 'Most Trusted Real Estate Brand of the Year' at ET Now Realty Conclave & Awards-2025
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 18: HCBS Developments, Gurugram's real estate developers, has been awarded the prestigious title of 'Most Trusted Real Estate Brand of the Year' at the ET Now Realty Conclave & Awards-2025. The event, held under the theme 'Shaping Tomorrow's Real Estate Landscape', brought together the biggest names in the industry to celebrate innovation, sustainability, and leadership in Indian real estate. The award reflects HCBS Developments' commitment to quality, timely delivery, and customer-centric practices that have earned them the trust of thousands of homebuyers, particularly in the luxury housing segments. The group continues to set benchmarks in real estate development with a focus on accessibility, innovation, and sustainable community living. Speaking on the recognition, Mr. Saurabh Saharan, Group Managing Director, HCBS Developments, expressed, "Being named the 'Most Trusted Real Estate Brand of the Year' is not just an honour, but a responsibility -- one we have upheld in every delivery so far. This reflects our core philosophy of delivering not just homes, but the promises that come with them. We are delighted to receive this award and are motivated to remain committed to our ethos. We thank our customers, partners, and teams who are integral to this journey." Col. S.S. Kadyan, Director, HCBS Developments, who received the awards on behalf of the organisation, added, "Receiving this award is a huge encouragement for us. Our upcoming project on the Dwarka Expressway is an endeavour we're committed to nurturing with utmost care and responsibility, and we're determined to deliver something truly exceptional. This corridor offers immense potential, and we're excited to bring premium, well-planned developments to this location. Trust is the foundation of everything we do, and as India urbanises rapidly, we remain focused on responsible growth and housing solutions that reflect the country's evolving aspirations." The ET Now Realty Conclave & Awards-2025 serves as a premier platform for recognizing excellence in the real estate sector. By bringing together developers, policymakers, and thought leaders, it fosters collaboration and encourages forward-thinking strategies to shape the future of Indian real estate. Website- (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Toronto Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
GRETA'S GAZA GETAWAY! Wacky voyage of the S.S. Thunberg
Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox ARGHHH! Shiver me timbers, the kidnappers are giving Greta Thunberg a pastrami sandwich. IDF Where were the Skipper and Gilligan on board Admiral Greta Thunberg's 'Freedom Flotilla'? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Sadly, we'll never know as the good ship Madleen ran into headwinds by way of the IDF about 200 km from its final destination, from Gaza. Survivors of the wreck of the S.S. Minnow in the 1960s TV sitcom were a lot more likable and less prone to melodrama and virtuous antics. Gilligan and the Skipper also failed in their voyage. CBS On Monday, Thunberg declared that her rag-tag crew of activists had been 'kidnapped!' by the IDF. Still, few kidnappers sort you out with pastrami sandwiches and water. After realizing there was boffo bucks in protesting against Israel, the Swedish actor-vist ditched whales, rivers, mountains and almost every other creature on the planet. Unless you live in Gaza, you are now passe. The elfin 22-year-old's latest escapade was setting sail on the Madleen with other activists looking for adventure and social media plaudits. Their goal: 'Break the siege' and deliver aid to Gaza. The sailboat (oddly, they only appeared to be using the diesel engines) was bringing 'aid,' really a 'symbolic' amount but never mind that … Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. LAND HO! The Israeli Navy ended the voyage. IDF Of course, aid is flooding into the besieged seaside city. Terror cult Hamas is just not letting suffering inhabitants have it. Here's your cheat sheet to Greta's seafaring social justice activists. Greta Thunberg speaks with the crew of the ship Madleen, headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid on June 1, 2025 in Catania, Italy. Photo by Fabrizio Villa / Getty Images Europe GRETA THUNBERG 411: The pixie-like protester ditched the earth and doubled down on Gaza, becoming a frequent flier at anti-Israel protests in Europe, complete with keffiyeh and combat jacket. Now, the Swedish scold has been photographed wearing a sou'wester. GAME OF DRONES: Actor Liam Cunningham. HBO LIAM CUNNINGHAM 411: The Irish actor is best known for playing the wise Davos Seaworth in the HBO epic Game of Thrones . Will Greta become his Red Queen? Does he know that his role as Davos was fictional? Greta Thunberg and terror fanboy Thiago Avila. INSTAGRAM THIAGO AVILA 411: The Brazilian is a big-time terrorist fanboy. When Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah was iced, Avila attended his funeral in February. He called the fanatic a 'beloved' leader and 'martyr.' Avila said he was 'very honoured' and 'very happy' to attend the send-off. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yasmin Acar. INSTAGRAM YASEMIN ACAR 411: Veteran hater and resident of Berlin, Acar is known for her antisemitic rants. When Iran launched missiles into Israel, Acar danced with joy, Bild reported. At one demo, she screeched: 'You're a white person, you shouldn't tell us what to do.' RIMA HASSAN. INSTAGRAM RIMA HASSAN 411: French politician and certified nutter, Hassan has accused Israel of being the culprit in the Oct. 7, 2023, kidnappings and murders of wee Kfir and Ariel Bibas and their mother Shira. She reportedly tweeted: 'Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri Bibas were killed by an Israeli attack.' At a demo in Jordan, the PC politician called for the destruction of Israel and joined a chant shouting: 'We die for jihad.' HOMER: Al Jazeera journalist OMAR FAIAD. IDF OMAR FAIAD 411: French 'journalist' employed by Al-Jazeera (go figure) has scoffed at the Holocaust and compared the IDF to Nazis. He tweeted: 'The Israeli army resembles the Nazi army.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Setting sail for fun and adventure. INSTAGRAM OTHERS 411: Pascal Maurieras — French activist; Yanis Mhamdi — French reporter; Suayb Ordu — Turkish activist; Sergio Toribio — Spanish activist; Marco van Rennes — Dutch activist; Reva Viard — French activist, and Baptiste Andre — French Physician. Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. Photo by Salvatore Cavalli / AP CAPTAIN'S LOG 411: Israel has warned that despite the crew's faculty lounge bravado, they weren't getting anywhere near Gaza. The Madleen departed Catania, Italy, on Sunday for the journey. They also claimed to have picked up two migrants floating in the Mediterranean. DRONES AHOY! Thunberg and Co. claimed they're being followed by — what they presume — are Israeli drones, poised to turn the activists into fish food. Greta Thunberg speaks with the crew of the ship Madleen, headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid on June 1, 2025 in Catania, Italy. Photo by Fabrizio Villa / Getty Images Europe SAILIN' SELFIES Despite the stress and perilous waters, the silly sailors (but mostly Thunberg) found time to post selfies on social media. Of course, no 2025 activist selfie is complete without a Palestinian flag and the pinnacle of what was once called cultural appropriation, a keffiyeh scarf. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. WHINE WITH THAT CHEESE The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organized the voyage, claimed the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory. QUOTE 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies' — Freedom Flotilla. ISRAEL SAYS It's a publicity stunt, and they called the ship a 'selfie yacht.' Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is arrested during a climate march against fossil subsidies near the highway A12 in the Hague, on April 6, 2024. Dozens of police officers, some on horseback, blocked protesters from reaching the A12 arterial highway into the Dutch seaside city, the scene of previous actions organised by the Extinction Rebellion (XR) group. Photo by RAMON VAN FLYMEN / ANP/AFP via Getty Images Read More HOW DARE YOU Greta moaned in a prerecorded message: 'I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.' SWEDEN SAYS Sweden has advised against travel to Gaza for a decade. Activists who disregard the warning are taking matters into their own hands. The foreign minister noted that no one is in danger, so no consular support. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Olympics Columnists Olympics Canada Celebrity
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Relying on teamwork, Naval Academy plebes conquer a 75-year tradition
May 14 (UPI) -- A lard-covered obelisk is more than a slippery slope for U.S. Naval Academy plebes, who view it as a rite of passage that changes them into midshipmen. Dozens of freshmen who are called "plebes" were tasked with climbing the 21-foot-tall Herndon Monument on Wednesday, with the mission being to replace a cap placed on top to mark the end of their first year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. They accomplished the feat in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 31 seconds by using the kind of teamwork that is required to effectively operate vessels on the high seas like the U.S. Navy has done for almost 250 years, and as it today carries out missions on land and in the air, as well. The annual climb is a 75-year tradition that started in 1950 and scales the monument to Commander William Lewis Herndon, who went down with his ship when a hurricane sank it in 1857. The climb requires Naval Academy plebes to scale the obelisk after it has been covered with 200 pounds of lard, remove a "Dixie cup" placed on top and replace it with the hat of an upperclassman. The Dixie cup is not a reference to the paper cup that often is used at water dispensers. Instead, it is a reference to the "low-rolled brim, high-domed item constructed of canvas" cap that was created in 1886 and has represented the U.S. Navy throughout the 20th century and beyond. The Dixie cup cap is featured in the iconic photo of a sailor kissing a nurse in New York City's Times Square on Victory over Japan Day in 1945. It also was featured in many classic films and was worn by the S.S. Minnow's first mate Gilligan on television's "Gilligan's Island." Members of the Naval Academy's class of 2028 successfully undertook the task of replacing the Dixie Cup with the upperclassman's hat. The 2028 class has about 1,187 plebes, who now are referred to as "midshipmen" upon their completion of the annual rite of passage.
