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Business Wire
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
FORTÉ to Host Exclusive Webinar on Transforming Microsoft Support
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FORTÉ, a global leader in communication and collaboration solutions, along with leaders from its Microsoft Solutions business (formerly Magenium), will host an exclusive webinar on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 1 p.m. Central Time. Titled ' Revolutionize Microsoft Support with Premier Services+,' the 45-minute session will explore how organizations can streamline their Microsoft support strategy with faster response times, deeper technical expertise, and transparent pricing. 'This webinar will highlight how organizations can leverage the capabilities of Premier Services+ to gain reliability, cost transparency, and the technical expertise they require to keep the business operating smoothly.' - Kevin Nickell Share Hosted by Jason Moulden, Managing Director of the Microsoft Solutions business at FORTÉ, and Kevin Nickell, Director of Business Development of Premier Services+ at FORTÉ, attendees will discover how Premier Services+ can: Accelerate issue resolution with direct access to Microsoft-certified engineers Deliver proactive and reactive support across Microsoft 365, Azure, and other platforms Offer flexible service allowances and predictable, fixed-cost pricing Improve the support experience through designated account management 'Today's IT teams need more than break/fix support, they need a partner who can keep pace with their evolving Microsoft environment,' said Nickell. 'This webinar will highlight how organizations can leverage the capabilities of Premier Services+ to gain reliability, cost transparency, and the technical expertise they require to keep the business operating smoothly.' Who Should Attend: CIOs, CTOs, and IT Directors Microsoft 365 and Azure Administrators Professionals managing Microsoft environments and support strategies Click here to register for the webinar. ABOUT FORTÉ FORTÉ is a leading provider of innovative communication and collaboration solutions and service, dedicated to transforming workplaces in corporate, education and government agencies. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and reliability, FORTÉ helps organizations create connected, productive environments where people, spaces, and technology work together effortlessly. FORTÉ empowers organizations with secure, future-ready systems that enhance every employee touchpoint. For more information, visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drake Cancels Manchester Show Due to ‘Travel Logistics'
Drake has called off his concert in Manchester, England, citing an 'unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics.' The rapper was scheduled to perform at Co-op Live tonight, July 28, as part of a series of three concerts at the venue. The venue shared the news on their website last night, writing, 'Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow's performance in Manchester on July 28th has been rescheduled. The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and it's set to be an unforgettable night. All tickets remain valid for the new date—we can't wait to see you there!' More from Rolling Stone Tyler, the Creator, Drake, Lola Young, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week Drake Enlists Central Cee for 'Which One' Single Drake Honors Ozzy Osbourne at Birmingham Concert Drake performed the first two concerts at Co-op Live on Friday and Saturday nights. He will also play the venue on Aug. 4. The rapper's current European tour also include stops in Amsterdam, Zurich, Stockholm, and Milan. It is unclear what ferry schedule the statement is referring to as Drake was already in Manchester before Monday's show. Last week, Drake dropped a new song, 'Which One,' featuring Central Cee. He premiered the new track on July 25 during episode two of his Iceman livestream before officially releasing the song. His last single, 'What Did I Miss?,' was similarly dropped via livestream. On that one, he drove around Toronto in a van called The Iceman, leaving many fans to speculate that his next album will be titled Iceman. He had previewed another song called 'Supermax' during the stream as well. 'What Did I Mis?' debuted at Number Two on the Hot 100. It directly addressed the aftermath of his feud with Kendrick Lamar, including the success of Lamar's diss song 'Not Like Us.' Iceman would be Drake's first solo album since 2023's For All the Dogs. It follows up his collaborative album with PartyNextDoor titled Some Sexy Songs 4 U, which came out earlier this year. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How a Dolly Parton duet became the 'unhinged' heart of 'Oh, Hi!'
NEW YORK − As Sophie Brooks was trying to get funding for her new movie 'Oh, Hi!,' she made a playlist to give potential producers the film's vibe. That playlist was emblazoned with a picture of Kathy Bates holding a knife in Stephen King's 1990 thriller 'Misery,' about a murderous ex-nurse named Annie Wilkes who holds her favorite author (James Caan) hostage. That image was apropos for the twisted rom-com 'Oh, Hi!' (in theaters now), which follows a young woman named Iris (Molly Gordon) who handcuffs her new beau, Isaac (Logan Lerman), to the bed during a remote romantic getaway after he says they're not exclusive. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox To be clear, Annie and Iris are 'very different degrees of crazy,' Brooks says in a recent sitdown with her longtime friend Gordon, who co-conceived the story. Rather, this movie is 'a little wish fulfillment. If a girl could lean into her most unhinged, intrusive thoughts, would you end up tying a man to a bed to convince him to love you?' Gordon rewatched 'Misery' before 'Oh, Hi!" premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January, and was reminded that there are nearly no movies 'where women get to be that bold and free and funny,' she says. 'It sucks that there still aren't that many of those types of roles for women, but Sophie wanted to give me the space to get to be wild.' Molly Gordon, Sophie Brooks break down the 'Oh, Hi!' soundtrack One of the unexpected pleasures of 'Oh, Hi!' is its eclectic soundtrack, which features memorable needle drops from Clairo, Julia Jacklin and Marie Owens. Blake Mills' woozy 'Breakthrough Moon' underscores an early bondage sequence, as Iris handcuffs Isaac to the bed for a night of passion. ('It's hard to find a song for a sex scene that's the perfect level of sexiness without being too over the top,' Gordon says.) And then there's Molly Burch's lilting 'Made of Glass,' which perfectly captures Iris' state of mind with lyrics about looking for something special and no longer wanting to waste time in unfulfilling relationships. ('Her music really speaks to the modern-day female experience,' Brooks says.) For millennials, a nostalgic highlight is sure to be Mario's 2004 R&B hit 'Let Me Love You.' Iris dances to the song while Isaac is chained to the bedposts, in a desperately misguided attempt to win him over. On the set, 'it was actually choreographed to a different song, but it wasn't as funny as it could be,' Brooks recalls. 'Let Me Love You' was added 'really late in the game, right before Sundance. Our music supervisor, Jillian Ennis, suggested it. As soon as we put it in, we were like, 'OK, thank God, this is working.' It was so organic and really fun.' How Dolly Parton's 'Islands in the Stream' became a 'siren song' The most recognizable song is undoubtedly 'Islands in the Stream,' the smooth 1983 duet between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Iris and Isaac harmonize on the dulcet chart-topper as they drive through upstate New York at the start of the film. Initially, 'we considered a Lana Del Rey song, but we really loved the idea of it being a duet,' Brooks says. 'Also, Dolly Parton is such an incredible feminist icon, and really plays with femininity and desire and ambition in a way that I really relate to. It just felt right.' Gordon notes that it's a song that couples often will sing at karaoke together: 'We wanted to kind of make fun of the annoyance of new love, like, we're going to sing 'Islands in the Stream' together!' she says with a laugh. 'But also, how exciting it is when you have someone to do that with.' The song reappears later in the movie during a dream sequence, as Isaac imagines walking outside his mountaintop prison and finding Iris crooning it to him. 'It becomes this almost haunting thing for him and turns into this siren song,' Gordon says. That moment was always in the script from the get-go: 'That's just what happens when you work with your best friend. Sophie was like, 'I want you to be able to show all the parts of yourself that you haven't gotten to as an artist. You're going to dance silly because you're an insane person, and then you're going to sing, too.'' Gordon was admittedly anxious about covering such an iconic tune, which she recorded at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. 'I had been naughty,' Gordon says. 'I had just done a movie in England and was smoking cigarettes stupidly, and I feel like I had this rasp. I was scared because I didn't have a voice that day, but I think it actually makes the song have a cooler vibe because I have a very annoying voice a lot of the time. And we only had an hour to record, so it was like, I don't have time to be nervous!' Ultimately, 'it was very pinch-me.'
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
I miss you, mummy: Nimisha Priya's daughter seeks mercy in Yemen death row case
Thirteen-year-old Mishel, daughter of imprisoned Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, has arrived in Yemen to appeal to the authorities for her mother's release. Accompanied by her father Tomy Thomas and Global Peace Initiative founder Dr KA Paul, the teenager is seeking mercy on behalf of her mother who has been sentenced to death in the Priya, a nurse from Kerala, has been behind bars in Yemen for several years. Her daughter has not seen her in over a decade. In an emotional appeal made in both Malayalam and English, Mishel said, 'I love you, mummy. Please help bring my mother back home. I so badly want to see her. I miss you mummy.'advertisementMeanwhile, Tomy Thomas, Nimisha's husband, made a direct plea: 'Please save my wife Nimisha Priya and help her reach her hometown.' Addressing Yemeni authorities alongside Mishel and her father Thomas, evangelist Dr KA Paul expressed his gratitude to the Yemeni authorities and the Talal family, reportedly involved in the negotiations. 'Nimisha's only daughter did not see her for 10 years. Mishel is here. I want to thank the Talal family. As soon as you release Nimisha, hopefully tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, we shall be very grateful. God will bless you,' he is seen saying in the video posted by Nimisha a 'symbol of peace', Dr Paul continued, 'The nation of Yemen will bring investments and prosperity when you address the world because Nimisha has become the daughter of India and the symbol of peace. What you are doing is an amazing gesture. God bless you. Love is more powerful than hatred, you are proving your love.'Dr Paul referred to the mission as 'purely humanitarian' and urged global attention to the suffering caused by war and hatred. 'We are unfortunately in a world that's crumbling because of wars and confrontation that are extremely unnecessary. We hope and pray that this mission will be a success so that it will be an example to many parts of the world that are suffering too,' he another religious leader — Sunni Muslim 'Grand Mufti of India' Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, from Priya's native state Kerala — had intervened too. The Indian government later said that its diplomatic outreach through friendly governments had led to the suspension of Nimisha Priya's execution, which had been scheduled for July are also underway to pay blood money to the victim's family, who have so far refused the offer and instead demanded that her death sentence be carried out. Nimisha's case has drawn international attention for years. Nimisha was convicted in March 2018 for the murder of her local sponsor. She was sentenced to death by a Yemeni court in 2020. Efforts to save her intensified over the past few months after Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi approved her execution in December 2024. The matter escalated when Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat gave his approval for the same in January 2025.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Forbes
3 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Political Gridlock In Taiwan: Implications Of The Recall Vote On Cross-strait Relations
Supporters participate in a pro-recall rally in front of Presidential Hall in Taipei on July 24, ... More 2025. Two dozen Taiwanese opposition lawmakers and a mayor will face recall votes on July 26, in ballots that could shift the balance of power in the island's parliament to the ruling party. (Photo by I-Hwa CHENG / AFP) (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images) Whats at Stake? Taiwan is roughly the size of Demark or the state of Maryland, and while known for its exquisite food, night markets, and semiconductor chips is also known for its unique political ecosystem. On Saturday July 26, the Island of 23 million people voted to reject a recall vote in a closely watched spectacle marred by physical brawls by politicians, claims of outside interference by Mainland China, and a heightened social polarization of civil society. Referred to in Chinese as'726大罷免,' or 'The Great Recall,' at its core, is a radically different vision of cross-strait relations, domestic politics, and the ability of the DPP to get its agenda through the legislature. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and Party Chair of The DPP came to power in January 2024, however the Presidential election cost the DPP to lose control on its majority of the legislature. The 113-seat Legislature is made up of 52 KMT (Chinese Nationalist Party) members, 51 from the DPP, eight from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and two independents aligned with the KMT. Legislators from Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang party (L) try to push an opposition lawmaker off a ... More podium at parliament in Taipei on July 8, 2010. One Taiwanese legislator was injured on the first day of a debate on a new trade pact with China, as rival lawmakers clashed over the controversial agreement. AFP PHOTO/PATRICK LIN (Photo credit should read PATRICK LIN/AFP via Getty Images) This has huge implications as President Trump has put increased pressure on President Lai to increase Taiwan's defense spending by 3% of GDP. For the fiscal year 2025, the Cabinet had previously earmarked USD 22 billion or NT$647 billion for national defense, accounting for 2.45 percent of Taiwan's GDP. "2023 Taiwanese Political Party Views on Defense Spending": ... More measure and other core mandates to the DPP have and can be blocked in the legislature. President Lai and the DPP through a 'recall vote' were hoping to unseat 24 Chinese Nationalist members which would flip the balance of power in the Legislature. Taiwan's constitution allows for lawmakers to engage in a recall vote after their first year in office if at least 10 percent of registered voters in their constituency sign a petition. It is a system that makes recalls quite common, but this is a record number of recalls for the island. Another seven law makers are planning for a recall vote on August 23rd. Advertisement for the July 26 Recall Vote Urging The Public to Vote No to The Great Recall Vote ... More which include The Mayor of Taichung. Supporters of the recall movement have portrayed their campaign as 'anti-communist,' citing a meeting between KMT officials and Wang Huning (王滬寧), the chair of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on Saturday (April 27). A key objective is to get rid of 'pro-China' opposition KMT lawmakers they perceive as collaborators of Beijing's ruling Communist Party, which vows to 'reunify' Taiwan, by force if necessary. However KMT officials argue that President Lai along with The DPP have chosen not to engage in any dialogue with mainland Chinese officials and believe that only through open and sustained dialogue can meaningful changer occur on issues relating to cross-strait relations. Why was the recall vote rejected? TAIPEI, TAIWAN - JULY 24: People, holding placards which read 'Great Recall, Great Success' and ' ... More For love, we recall', brave the rain during a rally calling for support to recall lawmakers of the Pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 25, 2025. More than 20 legislators from the Kuomintang, or the Nationalist Party, who are considered to be close to Beijing or pro-China will face a recall voting on July 26, as people across Taiwan are set vote to decide whether they should be eliminated from the parliament. (Photo by Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images) Up until July 26, massive rallies from both DPP, KMT, TPP and other socials groups alike had seen over 50,000 people gathered to protest in Taipei and other cities. However by Saturday evening according to the Central Election Commission data, the number of voters casting a "yes" vote to recall exceeded the 25 percent of eligible voters, making it the seventh recall vote to meet the required threshold. However, the number of votes in favor of the recall still fell short of the number of votes against it. By Saturday evening TVBS Live noted that there were 94,808 votes in favor of the recall but 121,592 votes against the recall. My wife, Mother in law and Father in law going to vote at one of the 5,947 polling stations set up ... More in 9 counties and cities in Taiwan on Saturday, July 26, 2025 An important reason why the recall vote was defeated is a testament to the Taiwanese people's desire to maintain a thriving democracy and a semblance of checks and balances, but on a very practice level, saw the KMT and TPP work closely together for self-preservation. Professor Kwei-Bo Huang, former deputy secretary-general at the Kuomintang (KMT) and a professor of diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taipei argues that, 'The silent majority spoke and believes that a system of checks and balances must exist to ensure the Republic of China government can maintain democracy which is not ruled by one voice.' He also believed that seeing how the ruling DPP had gained full control over the Executive Yuan and had the ability to sway the Constitutional Court would be setting a dangerous precedent. DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) in acknowledging defeat of the recall tried to downplay the results of the 'recall vote as a win for the KMT and TPP party but rather placing emphasis on Taiwanese voters and their commitment to democracy saying, 'This was not a confrontation between parties, but a demonstration of civic power." The morning headlines of the three major newspapers in Taiwan said it all. The Liberty Times (自由时报) which is a more pro DPP newspaper made no reference at all of the 'Great Recall Vote' and instead highlighted Taiwanese athletes attending the Summer World University Games in Germany. The 联合报 （United Daily Press） in its headlines wrote '25:0 The Great Recall A Complete Failure.' The China Times wrote, 'The First Great Recall Vote: The Green Camp Defeated.' Headlines of The Major Newspapers in Taiwan According to the Central Election Commission data, the number of voters casting a "yes" vote exceeded 25 percent of eligible voters, making it the seventh recall vote to meet the required threshold. However, the number of votes in favor of the recall still fell short of the number of votes against it. According to TVBS Live news showed that 94,808 people had voted in favor of the recall vote while 121,592 people had voted against the recall vote. TVBS Live News posting the latest results of the Great Recall Saturday evening， July 26， 2025 ... More showing the number of votes who voted in favor of The Great Recall were 94,808, the number of votes against the Recall were 121,592. Broader Implications of the Recall Vote: Saturdays historic vote has no doubt emboldened and rejuvenated the base of the KMT and TPP in their ability to wield power and influence in the legislature. A key objective is to position the KMT and TPP to advance a more constructive narrative towards cross- strait relations and a check on DPP's power base and sustain this momentum until the next Presidential election. From the perspective of the DPP, the results of the recall casts doubts on President Lai and raises fundamental questions on how the DPP can pursue their agenda and get it passed through the legislature when they view the opposition parties like the KMT and TPP as undermining democratic institutions and national security by obstructing Lai's administration, strong-arming controversial laws, freezing defense spending and implementing budget cuts. President Lai also runs the risk of being viewed as a lame duck if recall votes as a tactical approach continue to be defeated. While the DPP will be under significant pressure to acquiesce to US President Trump in a more transactional relationship, having opposition parties that can balance certain interests may well serve to be more in line with Taiwan's ultimate national interest. The reality is that the DPP needs to redefine how it engages with Mainland China. Taiwan engaging with Mainland China need not be a zero-sum game. In the same way, Taiwan engaging with the US should not just be about purchasing US military equipment. This is not to say that Taiwan should not invest more in defending its economy, but rather a more wholistic engagement and strategy on trade, education, technology with the US should be pursued as well as developing and coordinating policies with countries like Japan, South Korea, Europe, Australia, India, Southeast Asia and other regional institutions, non-state actors, and entities. Having checks and balances is not just a part of a democracy, it is foundational. Special thanks to Nathaniel Schochet and Jonah Kim for gathering and sharing articles. I am also grateful to Hanah Kim for gathering and sharing images.
