Latest news with #Strong
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
US ambassador visits Liwa Date Festival
Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, praised the 21st Liwa Date Festival, currently taking place in Al Dhafra Region. During her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm tree. She noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local cuisine. Strong also commended the rich educational content presented by the organisers and their tremendous efforts in hosting such diverse heritage festivals. These events, she emphasised, offer an authentic window into the UAE's vibrant cultural heritage, blending the past with the present. As part of her tour, the US Ambassador viewed several pavilions in the date and fruit beauty competitions. The 2025 Liwa Date Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has welcomed 50,225 visitors during its first five days. The 21st edition of the festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, continues until 27th July in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region. The Liwa Date Festival is one of the UAE's most significant platforms celebrating palm heritage and traditional agriculture. It is an annual event eagerly awaited by farmers and the wider community due to its vital support for the agricultural sector and food security. The festival features 24 competitions with a total of 308 prizes valued at Dhs8.735 million, in addition to stage competitions designed for visitors. The event reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving and transmitting heritage across generations while celebrating the date harvest season and the palm tree, a deeply rooted cultural and social symbol in Emirati heritage. The festival also attracts visitors and tourists from across the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council, offering a traditional and interactive atmosphere that supports farmers and provides engaging experiences for families and attendees. WAM
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
US Ambassador to UAE visits Liwa Date Festival
20 July 2025 17:09 ABU DHABI (WAM) Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates, Martina Strong, praised the 21st Liwa Date Festival, currently taking place in Al Dhafra her visit to the festival, Ambassador Strong expressed her deep admiration for the distinguished event, which offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore dates and the diverse products derived from the palm noted that the experience provided her with valuable insight into traditional crafts and local also commended the rich educational content presented by the organisers and their tremendous efforts in hosting such diverse heritage festivals. These events, she emphasised, offer an authentic window into the UAE's vibrant cultural heritage, blending the past with the present. As part of her tour, the US Ambassador viewed several pavilions in the date and fruit beauty competitions.
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Andy Cohen has sold his NYC penthouse for $10.5M
Not only is Danny Strong an Emmy-winning playwright, screenwriter and actor — he's also a savvy negotiator. Strong and his partner, the actor and producer Catilin Mehner, have just closed on Bravo bigwig Andy Cohen's magnificent Manhattan penthouse duplex for $10.5 million, according to city property records filed on Tuesday. The magical 3,500-square-foot West Village co-op hit the market for $14 million in 2024. It had most recently been listed for $12 million. Advertisement It took Cohen more than two decades to assemble the smashing spread, at 2 Horatio St. — and less than a year to list it and close the deal. 10 Andy Cohen moved into another luxe residence nearby. Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images 10 Caitlin Mehner and Danny Strong now officially have a massive home for their growing family. Getty Images for Prime Video 10 A staircase connecting the levels is capped by a fabulous disco ball. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images Advertisement The stunning four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home was designed by architect Gordon Kahn with interiors by Eric Hughes. It is filled with eclectic color and comes with views of the Empire State Building. Design details of the Elle Decor cover star include a sculptural walnut, steel and glass staircase — as well as marble fireplaces and a gold tiled bar. At a time when some of the Big Apple's wealthiest residents are moving out — or at least thinking about scampering out — of Manhattan for the more tax-friendly and insulated posh 'boroughs' of Miami, Palm Beach and the Hamptons, Strong and Mehner say they are excited to stay in the city, where they are raising their adorable 9-month-old daughter, Maisie. 'We are staying in New York because it is the greatest city in the world,' Strong told Gimme Shelter on Tuesday. 'It's amazing here for all the reasons that everyone who lives here already knows. I don't think a [mayoral] primary would make me leave the most magical place where I've ever lived. It's the greatest city in the country. Everyone loves New York City,' said Strong, who took a break to speak by phone from rehearsals for 'Chess.' Advertisement Broadway's 'Chess' — starring Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher — will be in previews starting Oct. 15, with opening night on Nov. 16. The cast, Strong said, is a dream. 'All three are very special talents — amazing singers and fantastic actors. They are unicorns. I think people will be blown away,' Strong said. 10 The residence fills with light. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images Advertisement 10 Beamed ceilings complement a mod fireplace. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images 10 The gracious home has room for a bar. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images In an 'only-in-New York' situation, Cohen sold his penthouse to Strong and Mehner because he bought the penthouse at 299 W. 12th St., the building where Strong and Mehner most recently lived. 'We loved where we were [299 W. 12th St.], but once we had Maisie, we quickly realized we'd need something bigger,' said Strong. While Strong had never met Cohen before, he did spot the Bravo exec in 299's lobby, and surmised that he was buying the penthouse, which gave him hope that Cohen's 2 Horatio residence would be coming to market. 10 The kitchen dazzles with jewel tones. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images 10 A view of the layout leading into the kitchen, seen on the far right. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images 10 Cohen's stylish, and former, bedroom. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images Advertisement 10 Cohen didn't shy from a bold use of color. Eytan Stern Weber, Evan Joseph Images 'While we had never met before, he was so lovely' during the real estate talks, Strong said. Strong is also recognizable for his acting roles in hit shows, like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Mad Men.' The Horatio Street residence is also an ideal spot for Strong to find inspiration for new projects. Past work also includes the writing of two 'Hunger Games' movies, 'The Butler,' 'Recount,' and the series 'Empire' and 'Dopesick.' Advertisement The 2 Horatio St. listing brokers were Ryan Serhant and Donna Strugatz, of Serhant. Strong was represented by Douglas Elliman's Jonathan Stein, who also listed Strong and Mehner's 299 W. 12th St. residence, along with Marcy J. Bloomstein, of Sotheby's International Realty. 'Danny and Caitlin's decision to invest in the West Village speaks volumes, reflecting a deeper belief not just in the resilience of a neighborhood, but in the enduring spirit of New York City itself,' Stein told Gimme.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Human-caused wildfires are down over the past 'several decades': B.C. Wildfire Service
Wildfires caused by human activity have decreased in recent years, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. Human-caused wildfires are those started by anything other than lightning — power lines, vehicles, trains, smoking, campfires, industrial activity, light reflecting through glass, you name it; if a human directly caused the fire or something made by humans did, it counts. In an interview on CBC's Daybreak Kamloops, fire information officer Jean Strong said decades of public education campaigns around fire safety — particularly around flicking cigarette butts out the window and safely putting out campfires — have helped bring those numbers down significantly. Fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials are down 94 per cent, Strong said, while those started by campfires are down 60 per cent. "Human-caused fires have gone down overall over the past several decades of data that we have, which is great news," she said. "We're really grateful for the people who have taken those public education campaigns to heart." And while intentionally set fires, or arson, are rare, they do happen, but they're down too, Strong added. Of the 83 fires burning across B.C. on Monday morning, 62 were caused by lightning, while 17 were caused by humans, and four are undetermined. The one 'wildfire of note,' meaning it's created an increased level of interest, is the Izman Creek fire near Lytton, B.C. That fire was caused by sparks from an RCMP trailer, according to police. Strong said human-caused fires are more common during the spring and the fall because people are doing open burning, either for industry purposes or cleaning up their yards. "And then we tend to get more of those lightning-caused fires through those core summer months. But we certainly do still see human-caused fires throughout those summer months, especially as the fuels dry out more and more and become more likely to be receptive to ignition." The B.C. Wildfire Service tracks human-caused fires in about 10 categories, which are reported internally, Strong said. But on its website, it reports only whether fires are caused by humans or lightning. Sometimes the cause of fires is obvious and straightforward, in which case, Strong said the wildfire service incident commander on scene will look for the fire's origin. If it's a little more difficult to discern or the fire is larger in size, a provincial fire origin and cause expert will identify the cause. Just because human-caused fires are trending downward doesn't mean the wildfire service has stopped educating the public about fire prevention. Its website says increased human activity and development are happening near forests, creating more possibilities for wildfires to start and cause substantial damage. And if you accidentally caused a wildfire? "Please report it," Strong said. "I understand that it can be scary, and it could be hard or feel hard to admit that you've contributed to this, but the sooner that we can respond or the structural fire department can get there, whoever gets there first, the better the outcome is going to be." According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, you could face a fine of up to $1 million, and/or be given up to three years in jail, if a fire you started causes a wildfire. The Wildfire Act has laid out different fines depending on how the fire starts and spreads. Strong said while people can be fined for starting wildfires, they can also be fined for not reporting them.
Business Insider
07-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts Offer Insights on Financial Companies: ASX (OtherASXFF) and ANZ Group Holdings (OtherANZGF)
Analysts fell to the sidelines weighing in on ASX (ASXFF – Research Report) and ANZ Group Holdings (ANZGF – Research Report) with neutral ratings, indicating that the experts are neither bullish nor bearish on the stocks. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. ASX (ASXFF) In a report released today, Nigel Pittaway from Citi maintained a Hold rating on ASX, with a price target of A$71.60. The company's shares closed last Monday at $46.03, close to its 52-week high of $46.35. According to Pittaway is a 3-star analyst with an average return of 3.4% and a 56.9% success rate. Pittaway covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Insurance Australia Group Limited, QBE Insurance Group Limited, and Suncorp Group. Currently, the analyst consensus on ASX is a Hold with an average price target of $44.70, a -2.9% downside from current levels. In a report issued on June 25, Macquarie also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a A$66.00 price target. ANZ Group Holdings (ANZGF) Citi analyst Thomas Strong maintained a Hold rating on ANZ Group Holdings today and set a price target of A$27.50. The company's shares closed last Thursday at $22.14. According to Strong is a 1-star analyst with an average return of -4.8% and a 39.3% success rate. Strong covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as National Australia Bank Limited, Macquarie Group Limited, and Bendigo & Adelaide Bank. Currently, the analyst consensus on ANZ Group Holdings is a Hold with an average price target of $18.12, implying a -18.2% downside from current levels. In a report issued on June 24, Morgan Stanley also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a A$26.50 price target.
