Latest news with #1997
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I worked the night shift and spent it chatting with a guy in the UK. He flew to the US to meet me, and we've been together for 27 years.
Back in 1997, I was working the night shift when I met a man online who lived in the UK. We started chatting every night for hours, and after six months, he flew to the US to meet me. After dating for three months, we got engaged, and we've been together ever since. In 1997, I met my husband thanks to an obnoxious coworker. I was a 27-year-old data entry clerk at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. My coworkers were other recent graduates making ends meet. We were friends — all of us except one. This particular coworker, as she liked to remind us, came from a wealthy family. She didn't talk to us often — that is, except when she felt like bragging, as she did the day she trounced into the office to announce her brother had won a radio. My coworkers and I decided we, too, would win something. And our prize would be cool because it would be won online. (Remember, in 1997, the internet was a shiny new toy.) Unfortunately, I was the only one with a computer, as very few people had personal computers then. So, every night, I entered all of us into a plethora of competitions. I got in the habit and kept at it even after I got a much better-paying job, working the night shift at a publishing plant. In the process, I discovered a site that paid virtual coins for clicking on other webpages. One of the sites it paid me to visit was American Singles, a simple and slightly boring bulletin board. As I was about to log out, I met a 26-year-old guy calling himself Dionysus. We immediately hit it off, and I stayed logged on. We chatted every night for 6 months He was finishing his degree, and though he was in the UK, because I was working the night shift, it was basically like we were in the same time zone. We talked about everything, for about six hours each night for six months. I told him things I hadn't shared with anyone else. In fact, I got so wrapped up in talking to him that I completely forgot to keep entering contests. I chatted with abandon, completely unaware that he was paying for the internet by the minute. When his bill came, he decided it would be cheaper to fly to the US to meet me in California. He asked if that would be OK, and I said yes. Then, he came to the US to visit me I was both anxious and excited, and those co-workers, with whom I was still friends, didn't help. They asked how I knew the man I was talking to wasn't a 60-year-old grandmother. I didn't; I'd only learned three months into chatting that his real name was Adrian. His timing was also unfortunate. At the time, there was a story all over the news about a stalker using the internet to prey on a young girl. So, when I told my mom a guy I met online was coming, she panicked. "He's an ax murderer, I'm driving down," she said. I begged her not to come, but our conversation did nothing to alleviate the apprehension that had been building. A stranger from another country would soon be staying in my apartment. Was this a good idea? It was a bit awkward at first, but we got through it When we finally met, we discovered a few cultural differences. Though English people generally don't tend to have a flair for the dramatic, picking up stakes and coming to a new country just to meet someone you've been chatting with online is pretty bold. So, Adrian tried to compensate during our first visit by making his surroundings a bit more English. On his first night in the US, we had pizza. I opened the box and took a slice. He sat staring at it. "Do you have a knife and fork?" he inquired. I assured him I did. "Can I have them?" I gaped, and watched with amusement as he attempted to eat a pizza with utensils. After a while, he gave up and ate with his hands. (When we went to the UK to meet his family, I understood. You can't eat British pizza any other way.) Since pizza was not an unalloyed success, I decided to take him to Starbucks, thinking, who doesn't know about Starbucks? It turned out, the British. (The chain's first store opened in London in 1998, and Adrian had never been to one before. He asked me if it was named after Battlestar Galactica.) Welcome to America. But we persevered and, over time, learned one another's routines, insecurities, and quirks. When it got serious, I took him to meet my mom. She really liked him — possibly because he passed the test of not hacking me to death. We dated for about three months after he came to the US. During that time, we toured San Francisco and camped on the beach in Monterey. Then, he asked me to go to the UK for two weeks to meet his family. His family was incredibly welcoming, and one of his friends took a week out of his life to show me their corner of England. I loved it, and I loved his family. When we got back to my apartment in Davis, we settled down to watch a documentary about mummification. As the narrator described the process, Adrian asked me to marry him. I said yes, and we eloped in 1999. It's been 27 years since we met in person. We are now 54 and 53 years old, and of course, we are still chatting. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Mint
7 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Trai wants more enforcement teeth to rein in telcos, may ask govt to amend rules
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), set up in 1997 to regulate telecom services, tariffs and promote fair competition, wants stringent financial punitive powers to ensure that companies under its oversight strictly play by the rules. According to three government officials aware of the matter, the telecom regulator is working on a plan to get the decades-old Trai Act, 1997 amended and give itself more teeth. To be sure, Trai has sufficient powers to regulate telecom service quality, resolve disputes via TDSAT, and protect consumer interests, but lacks adequate enforcement powers. 'Trai cannot impose strong penalties, attach bank accounts or properties in case of violation, and ask for bank guarantees," the first of three officials cited earlier said, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. This official said that the gaps in the Trai Act make it difficult for the regulator to effectively enforce rules and ensure compliance in the telecom sector. The officials A key demand from the regulator is to have the powers to seek bank guarantees from telecom operators. The bank guarantee will bring seriousness in compliance from telecom operators and can be invoked in case they fail to pay penalties imposed by the regulator, the first official said. Also Read: Tata Communications renews private 5G push In fact, the issue of giving more powers to Trai also came up at a recent meeting of Trai officials with the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, a second official said. This official added that the proposal, which is in the works, will be sent to the department of telecommunications (DoT), under the Union communications ministry. Queries emailed to Trai did not elicit any response till press time. Why Trai can't act tough on telcos As per the Trai Act, 1997, its powers are primarily regulatory, advisory, and enforcement-focused through directions. This is different from other regulators. For example, the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) can pass binding orders independently. However, for Trai, the power to enforce orders is limited. The telecom regulator, for instance, relies on the department of telecommunications for licence actions. One of the key issues is also the enforcement of financial disincentives or penalties, which Trai does not have powers on. 'Trai can enforce a limited penalty but they don't have the power to recover that penalty," said Satya N. Gupta, a former principal advisor at Trai. According to Gupta, the telecom regulator should have the powers to grant licence and implement policy, whereas the government should just make policies. 'In almost every country, the regulator has licensing power. In India, the government has kept both licensing and policy making," Gupta said, adding that Trai has control over a few things such as quality of service orders and tariffs (which is now under forbearance). A key reason for Trai to seek more powers also stems from the financial disincentives worth over ₹140 crore imposed on telecom operators for failing to curb spams, which the operators refused to pay and sought an interim stay in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The case is scheduled to be next heard on 8 August. Also Read: Reliance Jio Q1 results: 5G, home broadband milestones boost growth 'It is not illegal for telcos to challenge such orders by Trai but it delays enforcement. Often, operators do not take such orders seriously and also delay compliance with the regulator's request on sharing of certain data for research and investigation," the third official said, adding that Trai can impose some penalties, but not enough to hold companies fully accountable for serious violations. It lacks the teeth to enforce bigger actions — that's the problem, the official added. Call for binding powers, guarantees 'Trai should be empowered to directly issue, amend, or revoke telecom licences, rather than leaving this authority solely with the Department of Telecommunications. This would allow Trai to hold service providers more directly accountable," said Murtuza Kachwala, managing director at business consulting firm Protiviti Member Firm for India. 'Its recommendations—on tariffs, service quality, and consumer protection—should carry more weight by being made binding, rather than just advisory, so operators are obligated to follow them unless a legal challenge overturns them," Kachwala said. According to Kachwala, Trai's enforcement powers should be upgraded so it can independently impose penalties, fines, or other sanctions on operators that violate regulations—similar to the powers Sebi holds in the financial sector. Currently, if telecom operators do not comply with Trai's order on financial disincentives, the best route for Trai to recover the same is through the chief metropolitan magistrate. The Trai Act gives the regulator powers to file a complaint with the magistrate to initiate criminal proceedings if a telecom operator is in violation of Trai's directions or regulations, and fails to comply. However, the process is cumbersome and Trai has not exercised the powers in the last many years, the third official said. In February, the regulator also recommended to DoT that the authorization regime for licence holders such as telecom operators should include a provision for a bank guarantee. This guarantee would cover financial dues and ensure compliance with Trai's regulations, orders, and directions issued from time to time. Also Read: Bharti Airtel slashes pay hikes for employees, including top brass Trai made these comments in its recommendations on the terms and conditions of network authorizations under the Telecommunications. Trai had said that compliance with its orders and regulations is a critical component of the efficient performance of authorized entities (telecom service providers). The DoT, however, has not accepted the recommendations. Bank guarantees are required to secure telcos' payments towards licence fees, performance fees and penalties. When guarantees are invoked, the bank is supposed to pay that much to the institution to which it was provided and the borrower has to immediately repay the bank.
Geek Tyrant
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Charming Trailer for MAGNETOSPHERE Highlights a Girl with Synesthesia — GeekTyrant
Freestyle Digital Media has just released the official trailer for Magnetosphere , a quirky indie coming-of-age comedy directed by Nicola Rose. Set in 1997, Magnetosphere introduces us to 13-year-old Maggie Campion, played by Shayelin Martin, who has synesthesia, a rare condition that causes her senses to blend in extraordinary ways. Maggie can see sounds and hear colors, but she's kept her unusual abilities to herself until life forces her to embrace them. As she navigates new experiences in a new town, including first love, school struggles, and a chaotic community theater production, Maggie starts to discover that her 'weirdness' might be her greatest strength. 'Maggie's world turns upside down when her family relocates, bringing with it a quirky new environment filled with oddball characters. Her theatrical dad (played by Patrick McKenna) is busy staging a hilariously unpolished production of The Pirates of Penzance , while Maggie meets her first best friend, her first crush, and a teacher who sees the potential in her. "Along with these new relationships, Maggie's path crosses with Gil, the family's eccentric handyman and exterminator, who might just have a surprising talent of his own.' It's this motley crew of characters that helps Maggie finally understand her condition and come to terms with her unique abilities. 'Maggie begins to realize her so-called 'weirdness' might just be her greatest gift.' The film looks like a charming, heartfelt exploration of adolescence, self-acceptance, and the strange beauty of synesthesia. It will be released on VOD on July 22, 2025. This charming indie promises to be a must-watch for anyone who's ever felt like they see the world a little differently.
Eyewitness News
17-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
Two women linked to fatal Wynberg court shooting denied bail
CAPE TOWN - Two women linked to the brazen fatal shooting at Wynberg Magistrate's Court have been denied bail. Shireen Matthews, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Dingalomoya Chintso, and alleged gun smuggler, Wanay Farao, appeared in front of a magistrate on Thursday. They are the only accused, out of five, who chose to apply for bail in this matter. ALSO READ: • Wynberg court shooting: NPA to oppose bail for 5 accused • Wynberg court shooting: Police confident they've arrested both gunmen Chintso, a taxi operator from Vrygrond, was shot and killed inside the courthouse after appearing in court for a murder case. Delivering judgment at the Wynberg Magistrate Court, the magistrate agreed with the prosecution that, if granted bail, the pair would attempt to flee trial. The court heard that both accused were on the run and evading police after the 8 April shooting. The magistrate also ruled that lawyers for the two accused did not provide the court with exceptional circumstances to permit their release on bail. "In other words, both applicants have not discharged the onus set upon them in terms of section 60 (11a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997. In the result, the bail applications of both first and second applicant is denied." All five accused will remain behind bars, and the case has been postponed to 19 September for further investigation.
The South African
17-07-2025
- The South African
Two women linked to Wynberg Magistrate's Court shooting denied bail
Two women accused of orchestrating and facilitating a deadly shooting inside the Wynberg Magistrate's Court have been denied bail, following a courtroom appearance on Thursday. The accused, Shireen Matthews, allegedly the mastermind behind the killing, and Wanay Farao, believed to be a gun smuggler, face serious charges linked to the murder of taxi operator Dingalomoya Chintso. Chintso was shot and killed inside the courtroom on 8 April 2025, shortly after appearing in a separate murder case. The incident sparked outrage over lax security in South Africa's courtrooms and raised alarm bells about escalating violence in the taxi industry. Magistrates at the Wynberg court ruled that Matthews and Farao posed a flight risk and had evaded police after the killing. Both women had been on the run, and their legal teams failed to convince the court that they should be released. 'In other words, both applicants have not discharged the onus set upon them in terms of section 60 (11a) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997. In the result, the bail applications of both first and second applicant are denied,' the magistrate stated. The ruling came after prosecutors argued that releasing the suspects would undermine public trust and obstruct the ongoing investigation. Chintso, from Vrygrond, was well-known in Cape Town's competitive taxi industry. His assassination inside a court building shocked many and drew widespread media attention. Investigators believe the killing was part of an orchestrated hit, with suspected connections to gang and taxi violence. Police have arrested a total of five suspects in connection with the incident. Only Matthews and Farao applied for bail. All five will remain in custody while the case has been postponed to 19 September for further investigation. The case has once again placed a spotlight on security concerns in South Africa's justice system, with critics calling for urgent reforms to prevent weapons from entering court premises and to curb the influence of organised crime networks within public institutions. The Department of Justice is yet to issue a statement on enhanced safety measures at court facilities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
