Finally off work

Before the pandemic, Simon Cowell was the epitome of a workaholic, known for working into the early hours. But as he prepares for the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent, the 62-year-old is a changed man, looking fitter and more refreshed. Sitting on a sofa in his London home, Simon insists life is no longer all about work and says he now puts son Eric and fiancee Lauren first. Though he would later say he’d happily take on an X Factor reboot, he tells me: “I do think I have got the work/life balance right, particularly with Eric because he’s eight now. “The only good thing about the coronavirus was that during the lockdown we spent a lot of time together – and I love his company. “Once we came out of lockdown, I had to make a decision, which was do I go back to what I was doing before? Or do I do a little bit less and I’m able to spend more time with him? That’s what I decided to do. Simon is focusing on his family ( Image: PA) He has been getting … [Read more...] about Simon Cowell reveals why he cut back on work and if there will be X Factor revival

If the pandemic had a partner in crime, it must be the global chip shortage. The duo has hit established economic systems world-wide, and made several organisations scale back production and rework their manufacturing and supply chain processes. Toyota Corporation on Tuesday apologised to its suppliers and customers a third time in less than two months for delaying making new vehicles and changing production plans for the June ending quarter. On March 17, the Japanese automaker said it is pressing the brakes on production targets to rework a plan that will not max out factory capacity, push employees to their limits, and make do through overtime work. A month later, the Japanese automaker cut its global production target for the period between April and June by 1,00,000 to 7,50,000 vehicles in May. And then again, on May 24, it said ,“Due to the impact of semiconductor shortages, we have adjusted our production plan by tens of thousands of units globally from the number provided to … [Read more...] about Knotty supply chains deepen global chip shortage

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and his top lawyers privately watched a key video of Black motorist Ronald Greene drawing his final breaths in his deadly 2019 arrest six months before prosecutors even knew the footage existed. While the Democratic governor has distanced himself from allegations of a cover-up in the explosive case by contending evidence was promptly turned over to authorities, an Associated Press investigation found that neither Edwards, his staff nor the state police he oversees acted urgently to get the crucial footage into the hands of those with the power to charge the white troopers seen stunning, punching and dragging Greene. The video shows a bruised and bloody Greene going limp and drawing his final breaths — critical moments and audio that are absent from other footage turned over. It wouldn't reach prosecutors until nearly two years after Greene’s May 10, 2019, death on a rural roadside near Monroe. Now three years have passed and still no … [Read more...] about Governor saw deadly arrest video months before prosecutors

Johnny Depp's high-profile court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard is set to come to an end on Friday, after several weeks of testimonies placed an often uncomfortable spotlight on their tumultuous relationship. Depp, 58, has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard, 36, over an op-ed published by The Washington Post in 2018, in which she stated that she was a domestic abuse survivor. Heard did not name Depp in the article, but his lawyers have argued that it was obvious she was referring to the actor. Heard is countersuing for $100 million. As each star took the stand at Virginia's Fairfax County Circuit Court, they made a host of allegations against one another, including drug and alcohol use , explosive confrontations, and even a claim that Heard defecated on the couple's bed. Depp and Heard, whose divorce was finalized in 2017, have also accused one another of domestic abuse . Both have denied the allegations made against them. Since the trial began last month, a … [Read more...] about Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard: What to expect during closing statements

In a historic moment, Geetanjali Shree became the first Indian author to get her work shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The Hindi novel, Ret Samadhi has been translated into English as Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell. Shree is no stranger to literary stardom. Her previous novels such as Mai and Khali Jagah have been translated into different languages as well. In an interview with News18, the 64-year-old talks about the importance of languages in a person’s consciousness and why she finds it abhorring when one is pitted against the other. Excerpts: Congratulations on making it to the shortlist! This is a tremendous achievement. How important do you think this moment is when one thinks of Hindi post-colonial literature? It is hugely important because in shedding light on one Hindi work, it also lights up the larger canvas of Hindi Literature. It indicates clearly that there is much lying here which is hitherto unknown and encourages the endeavour to explore these … [Read more...] about Only a Narrow Self and Mind Would Want a Shrunken Monolingual Existence: International Booker Shortlisted Author Geetanjali Shree

Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan has been give a ‘clean chit’ in the high-profile Mumbai cruise drugs case, seven months after he was released from jail on bail. He was granted bail on October 28 and released from Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail two days later. Aryan Khan, along with his friends Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on October 3. His bail came after his earlier petitions seeking bail were rejected, first by sessions court and then by the special NDPS court. The Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, roped in a battery of lawyers, including former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, to get Aryan Khan out of jail and was finally released from jail days before his father’s birthday. Here is a quick timeline of events The NCB arrested these three – along with 20 others (who were arrested on different dates) – on October 3 after a raid conducted by the agency on a cruise ship off the coast of Mumbai. – On October 7, … [Read more...] about Aryan Khan Gets Clean Chit in Mumbai Cruise Drugs Case: Timeline of Events from Oct 3 to May 27

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said he will not be silenced by the far right after a "vile racist" was found guilty of sending the MP a death threat. Glenn Broadbent sent the Labour Tottenham MP a Twitter message that said: "Are you hanging off a tree monkey boy? You will hang from a lamppost if you're not careful." The 62-year-old, of Greenside Road, Leeds, was convicted on Tuesday and given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He has been given a restraining order banning him from contacting Mr Lammy. Broadbent, who used a different name on Twitter, was also fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 and costs of £85. Advertisement On Friday, Mr Lammy said: "Pleased to report a vile racist who sent me this death threat using a pseudonym has finally been convicted, given a suspended sentence and fined thanks to @WestYorksPolice. "The far right will never silence me or stop me standing up for justice." … [Read more...] about David Lammy: ‘Vile racist’ found guilty of sending leading Labour MP death threat

"You crouch down, mummy, and balance on the toilet seat, then be as quiet as a mouse. "That way the shooter might not find you." So many things floored me about that conversation, not least that my wee boy used the word "shooter". My son - we call him the middle one - was nine at the time, when he came home from his third week at a US elementary school and burst through the door. He'd made new friends, they'd asked him if he knew David Beckham and why he pronounced "water" weird. A British Army family, we'd been posted at short notice to Kansas in mid-west USA, from a small Wiltshire village. There, the primary school had around 100 children, was opposite the church, and doubled as the village hall for fetes, yoga and book club. More on Texas School Shooting Texas school shooting: State hosts weapons convention promising '14 acres of guns' just days after massacre Texas school shooting: Girl survived by 'smearing blood on herself and playing dead' … [Read more...] about Lone shooter drill lessons from my nine-year-old – and why handguns became humdrum

: Sameer Verma is all excited at the prospects of sharing a few thoughts with someone like Olympic gold medallist Carolina Marin when he teams up with her for Hyderabad Hunters in the high-profile Badminton Premier League starting on January 1. Back at the Gopi Chand Academy and training rigorously to take his game to next level, the 22-year-old Sameer says these are the kind of experiences which any player would love to feel especially when dreaming big in the circuit. “I am grateful to Hunters (owned by Agile Security Force Ltd) for picking me in their squad in the first instance. Since, I am targeting to break into the top 10 at the earliest and make an impact in the next year’s World championship, I would love to share a few thoughts on the game with Marin and find a way to what it makes to be a better player under pressure,” Sameer explained in an exclusive chat with The Hindu . Huge platform Sameer believes that unlike the major international events where the meetings … [Read more...] about ‘Would like to share thoughts on the game with Marin’

i Vaishnavi Phalke was named captain with Mumtaz Khan being assigned her deputy’s role as Hockey India on May 25 announced a 20-member Indian junior women’s team at the U-23 Five Nations tournament to be held in Dublin, Ireland from June 19 to 26. The junior women’s team is scheduled to play against Netherlands, Ireland, USA and Ukraine during the tournament. It will also feature in FIH Hockey 5s, scheduled to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland on June 4 and 5th. “We’ve got a very talented group of players, who have been working hard to learn and improve each and every day. It’s a well-balanced side, some of them performed really well at the Junior World Cup recently, while some of them will take part in their first major international outing,” Coach Erik Wonink said. “The U-23 Five Nations Tournament in Ireland will give them a good learning exposure and they are looking forward to make the most out of this opportunity.” India will play their opening match against the hosts … [Read more...] about Vaishnavi Phalke to lead 20-member Indian junior women’s hockey team at U-23 meet in Ireland