Jerrys 7th annual self portrait contest

India is on a “transformational path” and its quest for “self-reliance” does not mean “isolation” but creating capabilities that can help the entire humanity, President Ram Nath Kovind has said, urging the Indian diaspora in this Caribbean country to take advantage of the government’s policies and participate in the country’s growth story. Addressing the Indian community in Jamaica on Monday, President Kovind, the first Indian President to visit the island nation, said new India offers immense opportunities for all to participate in its progress and prosperity. “We seek your support to this new India that promises to light up millions of homes with progress and prosperity; an India that cares for one and all,” he said. “India is on a transformational path. Atmanirbhar Bharat or Self-reliant India is a major initiative taken by the Indian Government,” Mr. Kovind said. “India’s quest for self-reliance does not mean isolation. Rather it seeks to create capabilities that can help … [Read more...] about India’s quest for ‘self-reliance’ doesn’t mean ‘isolation’: President Kovind to diaspora in Jamaica

Veteran television presenter Song Hae [JOONGANG ILBO] Song Hae, a 95-year-old veteran television presenter, has asked to step down as the host of KBS's "National Singing Contest" after helming the show for 34 years, according to the broadcaster on Tuesday. "Song Hae revealed that he wanted to leave 'National Singing Contest'," said a staff member from KBS. "We are discussing our plans for the future and will release an official statement soon." The staff member said that Song cited his health, which worsened after he contracted Covid-19 in March, as the reason for wanting to leave the show. "He said that he was no longer confident hosting the show and that time has come for him to step down," said the staff member. Song took a break from hosting “National Singing Contest” in March when he tested positive for Covid-19. He also took a break in January for different health issues. "National Singing Contest" aired its first episode on November 9, 1980. The program is a singing … [Read more...] about Song Hae to retire as host of KBS’s ‘National Singing Contest’

If Dish Network co-founder Charlie Ergen could turn back time and give his much-younger self advice, he would tell himself to use sandbags to stabilize a trailer that delivered the first giant satellite dish to a Pagosa Springs customer in 1980. But had he done that, Ergen wouldn’t have one of the better stories of any entrepreneur to share with Denver Startup Week attendees Tuesday night when Ergen made a rare public appearance alongside Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Boulder venture capitalist Brad Feld. “It was about 4 a.m. near Walsenburg, and there was a gust of wind and I did, in fact, say, ‘Oh, (poop)!’ because the dish went into the median. We only had two dishes. I lost half the assets of the company,” said Ergen, CEO of the Douglas County satellite TV service. “It was almost the first day of the company, and honest to God, that (starting up) was the hardest part of the business. I found at the time that I had partners who would live with me even though I nearly … [Read more...] about Self-made billionaires Mark Cuban and Charlie Ergen share jabs, startup stories at Denver Startup Week

LAGUNA WOODS, Calif. — A gunman motivated by hatred against Taiwan chained shut the doors of a California church and hid firebombs before shooting at a gathering of mostly elderly Taiwanese parishioners, killing a man who tackled him, authorities said. David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas — a U.S. citizen whom authorities say grew up in Taiwan — drove to Orange County on Saturday and the next day attended a lunch held by Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, which worships at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the community of Laguna Woods. Though he knew no one there, he spent about an hour mingling with about 40 attendees and then executed his plot, authorities said at a news conference. He chained the doors and put super glue in the keyholes. He had two 9 mm handguns — legally purchased years ago in Las Vegas — and three bags, containing among other things four Molotov-cocktail-type incendiary devices and extra ammunition. He opened fire and in the ensuing chaos Dr. John Cheng, 52, tackled … [Read more...] about Dr. John Cheng, man killed in California church shooting, called a hero

The Duke of Sussex said he hopes his children “never have to experience the online world as it exists now” as he criticised social media companies that make “unimaginable money” from people’s time, attention and information. Harry spoke at the launch of the 5Rights Foundation’s Global Child Online Safety Toolkit over video link from his home in California on Monday. The duke hailed 5Rights’ “ground-breaking work” in calling for a safer digital world for young people. He joined representatives from the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union as well as young people between the ages of 13 and 21, from countries across the world, including South Africa, the UK, Canada and Malaysia. Speaking at the opening of the event, Harry criticised the internet business model as well as social media companies that make “unimaginable money” from people’s attention and information. Recommended Coleen Rooney to resume evidence in Rebekah Vardy … [Read more...] about Harry hopes his children ‘never experience the online world as it exists now’

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has warned flight prices could rise by nearly 10% this summer due to soaring demand for European holidays. He said holidaymakers should brace for prices to rise by a “high single-digit per cent” over the peak season as demand for breaks on European beach resorts rebounds thanks to the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions. The budget airline’s chief executive also said there were likely to be ongoing delays at airports, blaming staff shortages. Mr O’Leary said there are “pinch-points” in particular at Heathrow and Manchester , where he claimed “too many people” have been sacked. Recommended Coleen Rooney to resume evidence in Rebekah Vardy court battle - live ‘Putin likely to have lost third of troops in Ukraine’ – follow live He added he hoped to see the worst of the delays ease off in time for the busy summer season, but stressed it would still be a “challenge” for passengers getting through UK … [Read more...] about Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warns of holiday price hikes

The price cap on household energy bills could be reviewed every three months under new plans mooted by Ofgem on Monday. The energy regulator said that it might insert two new reviews a year, one in January and another in July. It would help pass on savings from a potential fall in gas prices to customers more rapidly, Ofgem said, and also protect under-pressure energy suppliers from being damaged by the cap. The regulator is also consulting on plans that could add between £40 and £80 to customers’ bills from this October. Around 23 million households in Great Britain have their energy prices decided by the energy price cap, so any change will have a huge impact on wallets across the country. Recommended Coleen Rooney to resume evidence in Rebekah Vardy court battle - live ‘Putin likely to have lost third of troops in Ukraine’ – follow live “Today’s proposed change would mean the price cap is more reflective of current market prices … [Read more...] about Cap on energy bills could be reviewed four times a year under Ofgem plans

Vodafone slightly beat analyst expectations as it reported its annual results days after gaining a major investor from the Middle East. The business said its revenue totalled 45.6 billion euros (£38.4 billion) over the year to the end of March. Experts had expected it to reach 45.4 billion euros (£38.2 billion). It was down to growth in Europe and Africa , the business told shareholders on Tuesday. “We delivered a good financial performance in the year with growth in revenues, profits and cash flows, in line with our medium-term financial ambitions,” chief executive Nick Read said. Pre-tax profit rose from 4 billion euros (£3.37 billion) to 4.4 billion (£3.7 billion. Recommended Coleen Rooney to resume evidence in Rebekah Vardy court battle - live ‘Putin likely to have lost third of troops in Ukraine’ – follow live But worse is to come for the telecoms giant, which warned of a hit during the current financial year, not least … [Read more...] about Vodafone ahead of expectations but warns of inflation hit

House prices have risen faster in rural areas than in urban locations over the past five years, analysis by a building society has found. Property values in areas which are mainly rural have risen by 29% over the past five years, while those in predominantly urban areas have increased by 18%, Nationwide Building Society said. The coronavirus pandemic and more flexible working opportunities have prompted some people to relocate to more rural areas in recent years. In general, rural detached properties have seen the strongest rates of price growth, while urban flats have recorded the weakest price increases, according to Nationwide. Between December 2016 and December 2021, rural detached properties increased in price by 32% on average, while urban flats typically added 6% on to their value. Recommended Moscow makes fresh warning of retaliation against Finland over Nato ‘Computer says no’: Sunak blames ageing IT for not hiking benefits … [Read more...] about House price growth in rural areas ‘has outperformed urban locations’

Savers scouring the market for a cash Isa will find the biggest month-on-month jump in the rates on offer in a decade, according to analysis. The average easy access Isa rate in April is 0.38% – up from 0.30% in March – Moneyfacts.co.uk found. The financial information website said the 0.08 percentage point increase is the biggest monthly rise for this type of account since April 2012. Someone saving £5,000 into an easy access cash Isa could typically make £15 in interest over a year if they do not dip into the pot based on March’s average annual rate, increasing to £19 based on April’s average rate. The average easy access cash Isa rate is the best it has been since June 2020, when it was 0.45%, Moneyfacts said. Recommended Bitcoin price crash – live UK has ‘no choice’ but to act on NI protocol, says Truss - follow live Rebekah Vardy news: Latest from Wagatha Christie trial The average one-year fixed Isa meanwhile recorded … [Read more...] about Biggest jump in average cash Isa rates in a decade