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The Star
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Granny spends big in lavish livestream shopping spree
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE , and R. ARAVINTHAN A 70-YEAR-OLD woman from Henan province, China dedicated nearly all her waking hours to watching livestreamers, resulting in an extravagant expenditure of 200,000 yuan (RM118,726) on jade jewellery, porcelain and health supplements in just three months. Her daughter suspected that the livestreamers had marketed their products to the elderly, China Press reported. The daughter, known only by her surname Wang, decided to check out these livestreams. She discovered that these sellers claimed their goods were being sold below market price. Her mother ignored her advice to not make such purchases. 'When they appreciate in value, I will leave all of them to you someday,' the mother said. Authorities have since taken Wang's report and launched an investigation into online sellers. > Singaporean singer JJ Lin shocked fans when he revealed that he has a heart condition and that he will be taking a break, the daily also reported. Lin, 44, made the announcement during his concert on July 13 in Beijing – the final stop of his JJ20 Final Lap World Tour. He had been diagnosed with heart disease in April last year and was taking medication. 'For the first time, I feel the sands of time flowing faster. How much longer can I sing? I told myself that even if my heartbeat becomes irregular, I will continue to work hard,' he said. Fans pointed out that Lin appeared to be in pain during the show and was seen clutching his abdomen during his performance of No Turning Back that evening. In spite of his condition, Lin completed all 103 concerts in his world tour. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Akshay Kumar once revealed why his marriage with Twinkle Khanna works so well: 'We think in two opposite directions... It works very weirdly'
Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna have a long marriage. They have different backgrounds. Akshay comes from a simple background. Twinkle grew up in Bollywood. Akshay said their differences strengthen their bond. They respect each other's work. They don't interfere unless asked. Akshay values work-life balance. He learned from a farmer's simple life. He believes true happiness lies in simplicity. Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna 's enduring relationship stands as a rare example of love that flourishes through contrast. With over two decades of marriage, two children, and wildly different upbringings—his rooted in simplicity and hers in stardom—the couple continues to strike a balance between individuality and togetherness. In an old conversation, the actor opened up about how these differences have strengthened their bond, offering insights into their partnership, parenting, and personal philosophies. In an old chat with ANI, Akshay spoke about the stark contrast between his and Twinkle Khanna's backgrounds. While he comes from a modest upbringing and describes himself as a simple man from a small town, Twinkle was raised in a polished South Mumbai environment, being the daughter of film legends Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia . Despite thinking and functioning in very different ways, Akshay shared that their relationship thrives because of these differences, not in spite of them. The Khiladi star shared that he and Twinkle Khanna maintain clear boundaries when it comes to work. They don't interfere in each other's professional lives unless asked. If Twinkle seeks his opinion on a column, he reads it and offers honest feedback—but only when invited to do so. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Likewise, he respects her space and expects the same in return, allowing each other the freedom to grow individually. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Reflecting on a recent visit to a village during a shoot, he recalled stopping by a farmer's modest home for tea. Despite the simplicity of their lifestyle, he was struck by the sense of peace and joy that surrounded the family—something he felt often gets lost in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of city life. Their grounded routine, free from stress, served as a reminder that true happiness often lies in balance and simplicity.
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Bohemians brilliant in derby but 'tweaking' can push them on
David McMillan believes a few more tweaks to Bohemians' squad during this summer window are necessary to push them on further after an outstanding display in the Dublin derby victory over Shamrock Rovers on Monday night. Second-placed Bohs came into the game off the back of a damaging defeat at Waterford on Friday but harried and pressed Rovers in the first half at Dalymount Park three days later on route to a 2-0 win. The result puts Alan Reynolds' side nine points behind their derby rivals with two games in hand in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division to give a glimmer of hope to neutrals that a title race might still be a possibility. But looking at the Gypsies' squad, former Dundalk striker McMillan told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast that areas of the squad still need strengthening in spite of their decent run of form in recent weeks, capped by Monday's outstanding display on and off the ball. "Huge credit to Bohemians and the disappointment from (Alan) Reynolds' point of view is that they've lost so many games as well when they can perform as well as that," he said of a team that has remarkably not drawn a single game in the league this season. "I think if they can get a couple of reinforcements in, particularly in defensive areas... particularly with (Seán) Grehan gone, the fact that they've spent most of the season playing centre-mids at full back will tell me still that - and I thought this at the end of last season and I still think it - there's a bit of tweaking needed to that squad, even if it's just bringing in full backs and centre backs to allow those other midfielders to move into midfield. "I don't think they're a million miles away. I thought that at the end of last season and I still think a couple of good signings and they can improve and push on. "Whether they're close enough to challenge Rovers I think is very debatable but certainly from their perspective from where they were earlier in the season, from where Alan Reynolds was at half time in the game in Tallaght a couple of months ago to where he is now, it's brilliant from a Bohs perspective." Reynolds was under huge pressure from the Bohs fanbase at the time that they fell 2-0 down to Rovers in April but their comeback to win that game sparked a strong run which has lifted them up to second. Reynolds was able to enjoy the praise from the fans after Monday's game after being pushed towards the front of the stand by his in-form midfielder Ross Tierney and even indulged in some uncharacteristic Jurgen Klopp-like fist-pumping. His former team-mate Alan Cawley, also speaking on the podcast, expressed delight at the turnaround for the former Waterford boss and ex-Republic of Ireland Under-21 assistant coach. "I'm delighted because I think he has the makings of a really good team but being a really good manager as well. A lot of people know him as a coach," he said. "But I'm delighted to see things working out for him as well and they were brilliant (against Rovers), and if they can carry on that form from now till the end of the season, and they don't have the distraction Shamrock Rovers will have with Europe as well, that might help them also. "So they're in a really good place and if they can just maintain that form, they have a really good chance. But they were brilliant (on Monday night)."
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish economy boost as key figures prove worth the wait
Those questions were answered early last week with publication of EY's overall 2024 FDI figures for Scotland. And, for those who like to see Scotland performing well in what are undoubtedly tough economic times in the UK and indeed internationally, these numbers were worth the wait. The figures published on June 9 had shown Scotland was second only to London as a destination for financial services FDI in the UK last year, achieving a decade-high for the number of projects won. Scotland attracted 11 financial services FDI projects in 2024, up from nine in the previous year, the EY figures showed. And this advance was achieved in spite of a sharp fall in overall financial services FDI into the UK last year by project numbers. The overall FDI figures for Scotland, when they landed last week, showed the nation increased its share of inward investment projects in the UK again last year. EY Scotland managing partner Ally Scott got straight to the point. He declared: 'Put simply, Scotland continues to punch above its weight with inward investment.' Scotland in 2024 remained second only to London in the league table of the UK's top locations for FDI, securing 135 such projects last year, EY's overall figures for inward investment wins revealed last week. Although down by 4.9% on Scotland's all-time high annual number of 142 FDI projects won, in 2023, the figure for 2024 was the second-highest on record. Scotland's share of UK FDI projects was 15.8% last year, up from 14.4% in 2023 and significantly higher than the average of 11.5% over the last decade. The UK recorded 853 FDI projects in 2024, a 13% decline from 2023, making it Europe's second-top country for attracting inward investment, behind France. Contemplating the Scottish position, Mr Scott observed: 'While project numbers slipped back slightly in 2024 from their record high the previous year, a much sharper fall in projects into the UK overall saw Scotland's share increase for the sixth year running.' EY's figures show Scotland has been second only to London in terms of the number of FDI projects won in every year since 2015. Scotland was also second only to London in 2010 and 2012. This is impressive indeed, as is Scotland having increased its share of UK FDI projects for six consecutive years. Read more Scottish cities figured strongly in a UK context in the latest FDI figures, which was also highly encouraging. Glasgow, with 27 projects, became Scotland's leading city for FDI for the first time in five years - a position that Edinburgh held between 2020 and 2023. And Glasgow was the second-most popular UK city outside London for FDI, after Manchester. Scotland's 'three major cities are once again in the UK top 10 cities', EY observed, with Edinburgh having secured 24 projects and Aberdeen 12 projects in 2024. Aberdeen has not had its troubles to seek in recent years, and faces plenty of challenges in the energy transition, so it was heartening to see the Granite City's success, as well as the healthy numbers of project wins for Glasgow and Edinburgh. And, within the encouragingly broad range of sectors in which Scotland enjoyed FDI success last year, it was great to see the nation was the UK leader in FDI in oil and gas, with seven projects. Scotland was also the UK leader in inward investment in the utility supply, electronics, and machinery and equipment sectors last year. The top FDI sectors for Scotland in 2024 were machinery and equipment, with 19 projects; software and information technology, with 15 projects; and agri-food and utility supply, in joint-third place with 14 projects. The US remains Scotland's top source of FDI projects, the EY figures showed. Scotland attracted 37 FDI projects from US players in 2024 - a rise of 37% on 2023 and bringing the total over the last decade to 356. The US accounted for 27.4% of Scotland's total number of FDI projects during 2024. This was a higher proportion than the 23.7% of UK FDI projects originating from the US. Kathryn Porter, United States Consul General in Edinburgh, highlighted the US's 'strong and enduring economic ties' with Scotland. She said: 'It's fantastic to see the United States once again emerge…as the leading source of foreign direct investment into Scotland, building on our strong and enduring economic ties. 'The United States is committed to fostering a robust trade and investment relationship with Scotland, creating jobs, and driving innovation on both sides of the Atlantic. We look forward to taking our partnership to new heights.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'Given the geopolitical uncertainties clearly affecting investor confidence across the world, this is an incredible endorsement of Scotland's proposition as a destination for global investment. 'A huge amount of work, across both the private and public sectors, goes into securing these projects.' We will now need to wait nearly a year for the next annual FDI figures for Scotland. Hopefully, these will show continuing strong trends. In the meantime, we should celebrate the 2024 success, while not for a second losing sight of the importance of public and private sector players continuing to do their utmost to bang the drum for Scotland and attract more overseas investors.
Mint
18-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Sebi mandates top personnel to hold shares in Demat form ahead of IPO — Key takeaways from regulator's board meeting
India's capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), approved a series of proposals on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, to ease and clarify market regulations for investors and corporates. 1. Demat mandate: Sebi approved the mandate that select shareholders, including directors and key managerial personnel, hold their shares in the company in Demat form before filing for an initial public offering (IPO). Earlier, Sebi proposed this new mandate to reduce the inefficiencies and risks associated with physical share certificates, including loss, theft, forgery, and delays in transfer and settlement. 'In spite of several regulatory mandates and facilitation mechanisms being in place, there remains a significant volume of holding of physical shares even among critical pre-IPO shareholders, such as directors, Key Managerial Personnel (KMPs), senior management, selling shareholders, and even Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs). This leaves a regulatory gap that allows a good volume of physical shares to continue existing post-listing,' reported Mint earlier, citing the Sebi consultation paper. Before the new mandate, Sebi rules required specific securities owned by the promoters to be in dematerialised form before the company filed its draft papers for an IPO. 2. ESOPs for founders: Sebi allowed startup founders to retain Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOPs) even after the company is listed post an IPO. Before this new update, founders were converted into promoters, hence making them ineligible for the ESOPs. Sebi aims to recognise the role of founders through this step, and also directed that in order to avoid a misuse of this grant, there will be a one-year cooling period between ESOP grants and IPO draft papers filing. 3. Delisting of PSUs: Sebi also approved that PSUs can now voluntarily delist themselves in line with the Indian government's disinvestment agenda. This grants the companies the ease in operations as compared to earlier. According to another Mint report, the government has been planning strategic exits as part of its broader economic agenda; hence, the new delisting norms will improve the efficiency of the disinvestment process of listed PSU firms. 4. AIF co-investments: The markets regulator also approved a new mandate which offers Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) co-investment opportunities to access high-quality deals. The new mandate will give AIF investors an opportunity to make additional investments in the same unlisted companies where the AIF has invested. 5. Simplified framework for FPIs: Sebi, on 18 June 2025, also simplified the framework for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) who are investing in Indian bonds. This move is likely to make India more attractive to long-term global capital due to the lower-risk nature of sovereign debt and the easing of registration and compliance regulations.
