Latest news with #Aby
The South African
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Furry Fun Fact: How smart are Abyssinian cats?
Welcome, fellow pet enthusiasts, to the Furry Fun Fact of the Day! Pets can do all sorts of crazy – and wonderful – things, can't they? We bet you discover new things about them daily. Have you ever heard of a singing dog for example? Join The South African website as we set out to learn fascinating – and often humourous – fun facts that set our pets apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. Discover things about these bundles of joy that will leave you chuckling and wondering if they're not little humans in disguise! Abyssinians are among the most intelligent and energetic cat breeds, often described as the 'border collies of the cat world' for their high level of trainability and curiosity. These cats thrive on interaction and are quick to pick up new tricks, such as fetching toys or responding to simple commands. Many owners have even successfully trained their Abyssinians to walk on a leash, allowing them to safely explore the outdoors. They also excel at solving puzzle toys and interactive feeders, which tap into their problem-solving instincts and prevent boredom. Without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can become mischievous—so keeping their minds busy is key to a happy, well-behaved Aby. Stay healthy and keep those furry friends happy! Do you know any furry fun facts you'd like to share? If so, email info@ or a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 and we'll publish the ones that fascinate us! You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest facts. While you're here, enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos, and lots more on The South African YouTube page. Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos – and lots more! For more stories like this, view our pets category. Your pet surely deserves a new toy🙂 Now that you've enjoyed the furry fun facts, tackle a variety of quizzes and competitions on The South African website. There's a quiz with a cash prize that has your pet's name on it. Good luck! Artificial Intelligence assisted in compiling this article.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Meet the 'metalhead' of Kochi
Fire and sweat — these are the two constants in the life of Aby Joe Mathew, a young boy from Vallarpadam in Kochi, who, in his pastime, wills unyielding metals into shapes that both shock and delight. Aby's affinity with the craft began at 18, when he was working at a firm that dealt with stage lighting and sound. One day, whilst tending to some repair works on set, he noticed that industrial glue had fallen on two nuts that he was working with. Though he tried hard, he couldn't separate them. 'I was scared of being scolded, but this was quickly dispelled by the growing fascination of seeing shapes in the now-joined nuts,' Aby recalls. It stayed with him, and later, after returning home, the youngster took some metal parts and used similar glue to make even more shapes. 'Soon, I was making miniature pieces, especially vehicles like Harley-Davidson motorcycles,' he explains. This love for automobiles is not spontaneous. The youngster started drawing in his school days. Initially, these were all on the end pages of his notebooks. Soon, he graduated to drawing lab records for his friends. He filled one whole notebook with body designs of automobiles, especially cars. 'Those days, I thought I would be working in some field that deals with cars, like automobile engineering or something,' Aby says. But after his father's death, the youngster had no choice but to find a job, and that too as soon as possible. So, he decided to join an Industrial Training Institute. By 18, he had finished an electrical and electronics course and started working. 'During Covid, I lost my job as events and stage programmes came to a standstill. Briefly, I worked as a medical representative. Then, just last year, I worked as an art teacher in a school,' he adds. Throughout all, he was also helping out in his family's small bakery that functions in front of their home. In his short life, he has gone through many changes, in between completing Plus Two and even joining a Bachelor's course in IGNOU. 'But the one constant in my life is art.' It's rare to find Aby without his sketchbook. In the bakery, there is a desk and chair and in the corner, where Aby is either drawing or tinkering with tiny metal parts. During his medical representative days, he used to draw while waiting for an appointment with doctors. Every night after work, like a routine, he transforms those drawings into miniature art. He also found an old cycle from a workshop — an old Hercules Roadster model. And he repaired it, rebuilt it and painted it with Warliart. 'It represents things I love in my life, the tale of how I found the cycle, things I'm passionate about, all in tiny figures. That cycle is my companion now,' he says. 'That's how I deal with everything. Be it sadness, depressive mood, I start making art. By the time I finish, I have come out of that funk.' And his cycle, the many artworks kept in his home, 'which is now a mini gallery,' the drawings that hung on the walls and his bakery... All are testaments to his dedication and passion. In his hand, metal bends like anything. Boats, tractors, motorcycles, guns, spiders, butterflies... There is no dearth of subjects for him. Sometimes shapes are abstract, too. 'Well, I like it. This search for new forms, shapes and textures. The way the metals stick together and become something. It's like finding animals among the clouds,' he smiles. He collects scrap metal for all his art from the various automobile workshops and junkyards in the city. Sometimes, he leaves the rust as it is. 'There is an unvarnished beauty to the rusty surfaces. Art doesn't always have to be polished,' he says. Aby also found out and then joined Urban Sketchers a couple of years ago. A collective that loves art just like Aby. 'Every Sunday, we meet and paint in the many corners of the city,' he says. Just two weeks after joining, he became part of the admin group of the collective, his enthusiasm was palpable. Now, at 24, he has decided to spread his love for art and metal to others. 'I'm organising workshops at my home. People can register and come to the location to learn tinkering with metals. This inspiration came with my teaching stint. I realised I love it when others learn what I know and make their own art,' he says. He accepts only six people per session. And inspire them to find shapes amid the hard metals. He doesn't tell them what to make, he makes sure they all make something that they like. ' It's fascinating to watch.' Aby is now working on a model of a car, a vintage image is already formed in his mind. 'It might take two to three weeks to finish, but soon it will be complete,' he signs off.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah building fire: Friends of man who jumped to death recall how he helped them escape
A Kenyan expat, BK, was among the five people who lost their lives in the recent deadly fire in Sharjah's Al Nahda area. But for his flatmates, BK will forever be remembered not as a victim, but a hero who gave them a chance to live. The deceased shared an apartment on the 44th floor with ten others. According to roommate and close friend Aby, BK was the first to notice thick black smoke seeping into their home that morning in the 52-storey high-rise residential tower. 'It was a weekend, so most of us were still asleep when the smoke started coming in,' said Aby. 'All I could hear was BK screaming, asking us to get up quickly and leave the building.' . Aby remembers the panic that followed. 'There was thick black smoke everywhere. We were coughing, gasping for breath. We couldn't see anything as the hallway was filled with smoke,' he said. 'BK stayed calm. He told everyone to stay low and cover their faces." The group tried to flee, but the smoke spread too quickly. Eventually, they were rescued by civil defence personnel. In the chaos, BK, who was in his thirties, may have spotted what he thought was a way out. According to his flatmates, maintenance cables ran from the top to the base of the building, and he tried to climb down using them. "Maybe he thought that was the only way out,' said Aby. 'He must have opened the window, seen the cables, and believed he could make it down. But he must have lost his balance and fallen." Aby said they only found out what happened after the authorities brought them down safely. 'When we reached the ground, there were people everywhere; firefighters and police did their best to help residents. I heard someone had jumped, and later, another flatmate said it was BK. We were all in shock. He was the one who woke us up, the one who made sure we moved quickly.' BK, who worked at a mall and had previously been a hairstylist, was known among his flatmates as very cheerful, and people loved talking to him because of his humour. 'He was always smiling, always asking how your day went,' said Aby. 'He didn't deserve this end.' The roommates had moved in just a few months earlier to save on rent. 'He wasn't just a flatmate; we prayed together, cooked together, and laughed every day,' said Aby, his voice breaking. 'I still can't believe he's gone.'
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Looking for a stage to perform? Check out these top live music venues in Klang Valley, recommended by local musicians
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — Malaysia's diverse cultural landscape has long nurtured a vibrant live band scene, with musicians performing everything from classic Malay tunes to Indian rhythms and Chinese melodies. As the country's social scene evolves, more venues are opening up for live bands to showcase their talents. If you're a musician looking for the right stage based on your style and genre, here's a list of recommended spots by local performers. RP Club is the venue for its deep connection to the Malay music scene. — Picture courtesy Facebook/H2O Band Malaysia RP Club, Subang For bands specialising in Malay music, RP Club at The Saujana Hotel is a top pick. Agy Idrus, 58, a seasoned musician, recommends the venue for its strong connection to the Malay music scene. 'With an 80 per cent Malay crowd, it offers an intimate setting where artists can perform for an audience that truly appreciates the genre,' he said. Tom, Dick & Harry's, Ara Damansara For those who perform in multiple languages, Tom, Dick & Harry's at Oasis Square is a great choice. Known for its lively atmosphere, the venue attracts a diverse crowd, making it a hotspot for bands playing Chinese music. Agy, who has performed with Chinese bands, said the venue embraces the genre, making it an ideal space for such performances. Last December, Malaysia comedian Douglas Lim even made a special appearance, performing alongside live band, The Amazing Line Up. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Madras (@madrasclubkl) Madras Club, Bangsar Madras Club is a well-known venue for Indian music, featuring both live bands and DJs. According to performer Aby Law, 52, the club blends heritage, culture, and entertainment, drawing a crowd passionate about Indian music. 'If your band specialises in Indian hits, this is the place to be,' Aby said. With Subang Jaya's nightlife scene expanding, Madras Club has remained a go-to spot for Indian music bands. Shuruti Box KL has seen a lot of talented performers grace the stage. — Picture courtesy Facebook/Shuruti Box KL Shuruti Box, Bangsar For a fine-dining experience with a live music vibe, Shuruti Box in Bangsar offers a unique setting for Tamil music performances. The contemporary gastrobar is known for its Indian-inspired cuisine with Western fusion, and its stage has long been a platform for Tamil bands. However, Aby noted that the venue is best suited for four-piece bands due to its stage size. 'The Majestic' are just some of the live bands that have performed in The Ship, Bukit Bintang. — Picture courtesy Facebook/ The Majestic Band The Ship, Bukit Bintang The Ship is more than just a well-known restaurant chain—it has become a go-to venue for multilingual live performances. The Bukit Bintang branch, in particular, remains a favourite among Malaysian live bands. Performers describe their experience there as 'tremendous,' with a lively crowd that appreciates both great food and live music. For bands performing in any language, this remains one of the best spots in town.
The Guardian
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Beyond Nostalgia and Dreams: capturing immigrant identities in personal objects
With his new show, Yusuf Ahmed is challenging traditional expectations of who belongs in the narrative of American history. Beyond Nostalgia and Dreams showcases Ahmed's breathtaking photographs that explore the identities of young Black, brown and queer adults through the use of objects of their choosing that represent their personal history and resilience. It's a direct act of defiance against efforts by Donald Trump's administration to erase marginalized communities from history through the banning of DEI and Black history in the federal workplace. 'We're looking at an administration that's trying to distort history, suppress the archives, and remove any display or representation of our identities,' Ahmed says. 'I think it's important, especially here in the US, to continue pushing [the] message forward that we exist, that our lives are expansive, and that we hold so many different identities.' Ahmed has embodied many identities. He was born in Ethiopia and later moved to Kenya between the ages of five and10. After living in Kenya, his family came to the United States, where he grew up in Ohio, and he now resides in Harlem, New York. Migrating from one place to another, Ahmed has learned to assess which belongings to keep and which to leave behind. During his journeys, one item he never went without was his archive of the more than 300 images he made of his sister when he was 11. When he moved to the US, Ahmed bought a disposable camera and photographed his sister, his first encounter with photographs. But it wasn't until years later, in a photography class in college, that he realized his passion for images. The importance of his sister's pictures inspired Beyond Nostalgia and Dreams and Ahmed hopes the exhibit will evoke a sense of nostalgia for viewers to forge a deeper connection with its subjects through the sentimental aesthetic of medium-format film. Aby, one of Ahmed's subjects, is photographed with a family photo album he carried when he left Ethiopia after being adopted by a French family. The album, which included an image of his mom who died, became the only object he had to validate his childhood in Ethiopia. Growing up, Aby's adopted family refused to teach him about his family and heritage in Ethiopia, telling him he was too young to remember his time there and that he had made up his memories of home. Ahmed says: 'Having that album for him was powerful because it validated that what he imagined was, in fact, true.' Ahmed's quiet, poetic image reshapes history for Aby, serving as a tool to resist his adopted family's attempt to erase his story. Ahmed's picture brings the viewer into a personal moment of reflection for Aby whose story reminds Ahmed of how people have used photography to deny Black and brown people their personhood by portraying them in public forums and schools in dehumanizing ways. Aby's story is an example of how Ahmed has used photos to create portraits rooted in love that become living records of his subjects' existence. The series also sheds light on the daily struggles of queer people in Africa, experiences often overlooked in mainstream conversations. Maroodi, a transgender woman, is photographed with a charm she wore to rebel against the Muslim men's culture that prevented her from wearing jewelry in Kenya. Before she transitioned and moved to Ohio, she often hid her jewelry under her shirt whenever she went outside. In Ahmed's simplistic yet striking image of Maroodi, she sits on her bed with the charm on her arm below her tattoo of a woman's body. Through the shadowy lighting of her body, the photograph encapsulates the darkness she experienced and the hope she has now. With the photo, Ahmed aims to place queer African people in the everyday conversations they are often left out of. 'People erase queer Africans out of the narrative,' he says. 'It's critical for the archives to include the complexity of our lives.' When imagining his self-portrait in the series, Ahmed says he would photograph himself surrounded by the images he made during his childhood of his sister because the photos serve as a reminder of the importance of documenting ourselves. 'History hasn't been great or kind to so many of us, and it's important to romanticize and remember the parts of history that so many people hold dear to themselves,' he notes. Yusuf Ahmed - Between Nostalgia and Dreams is now on show at The Africa Center in New York through 27 April
