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IOL News
a day ago
- General
- IOL News
Task team outlines innovative approaches to Baboon management
Beloved baboon "Blondie", shot dead. Image: Supplied The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team has outlined its progress and plans for managing baboons along the Peninsula. The update was shared with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group at their second official meeting, held on Tuesday. The task team, which includes representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, said in a joint statement that members of the Shark Spotters have taken on some of the day-to-day baboon management tasks under the Cape Baboon Partnership. Since March 2025, the Shark Spotters have been providing baboon rangers, running the baboon hotline, and leading community education and outreach efforts. The advisory group is made up of representatives from local communities, civic associations, conservation groups, academic institutions, and animal welfare organisations with an interest in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula. In the statement, several challenges currently facing baboon management were outlined, including 'increasing human-baboon conflict and poor welfare among some troops.' The task team stated that their proposed action plan, part of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan, aims to 'maintain a healthy, free-ranging baboon population in natural areas, with input from affected communities on local solutions". As part of this plan, the task team has proposed removing five splinter troops from the Peninsula due to 'limited access to natural foraging areas, poor troop health, and frequent human-wildlife conflicts". The five splinter troops under review include CT1 and CT2, located north of Constantia Nek; Waterfall and Seaforth, which are splinter troops from Smitswinkel; and Da Gama4, active in and around Welcome Glen and Glencairn. Options for their removal include rewilding through translocation, relocation to existing or new sanctuaries, humane euthanasia, or a combination of these. The plan will be reviewed by a panel of international and local experts and shared by mid-June. The task team is also exploring infrastructure improvements, including a northern fence to prevent troop movement over Constantia Nek, and a separate fence to help keep the Slangkop troop out of Kommetjie, Ocean View, and surrounding areas. Academic institutions are being consulted on a potential contraception trial for the northern subpopulation of baboons, which has a high annual growth rate of around 8%. Residents are encouraged to visit for information and updates. Summary reports on each troop - covering their health, movements, and numbers - are expected to be available on the site by mid-June. Cape Argus
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Photographer revives iconic NYC album covers on Instagram
New York City's streets hide legendary rock 'n' roll moments you never knew were there — until Steve Birnbaum brings them back to life. The Big Apple-based photographer and filmmaker is the brain behind @TheBandWasHere — a viral project that resurrects iconic album covers right where they were shot decades ago. Birnbaum tracks down where famous band photos were snapped, then goes back to those exact spots to re-create the shots — album covers, promo pics, you name it. 9 Steve Birnbaum hunts down the exact spots where iconic photos were taken decades ago — then re-creates them today, like this homage to Don Hunstein's 1963 cover shot for 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.' Olga Ginzburg for NY Post His feed is a roll call of NYC rock legends like the Strokes, Talking Heads, Blondie, Ramones, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel — all brought back to life right where the magic originally happened. Think Bob Dylan strolling on the same chilly Greenwich Village sidewalk in 1963, or the Ramones posing outside that gritty East Village wall in 1976, all perfectly framed as they are today. But his collection doesn't stop there. He also has iconic images of the Notorious B.I.G., Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Taylor Swift and more. What excites Birnbaum most is reconnecting New Yorkers with the invisible soundtrack of their daily lives. 'It's crazy how much you walk the streets and go past things … so many of us walk by where Stevie Nicks once twirled or where Debbie Harry once stood … and don't even notice.' Birnbaum's nostalgia-powered hustle taps into our obsession with 'then-and-now' culture and that classic NYC pride to hold on to the past — especially the golden eras of music that helped define the city's identity. 9 Birnbaum has spent years sleuthing out legendary photo shoot spots — digging through old interviews, tour clues and Google Maps. Here, his re-creation of Patrick Morgan's 2007 shot of Amy Winehouse. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere His feed — he counts Blondie's Chris Stein, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan and SZA as fans — is a living museum of rock 'n' roll history, proving that while skyscrapers sprout and neighborhoods morph, the soul of NYC music still lingers — if you know where to look. But don't mistake this for a quick snap-and-post hustle. Birnbaum calls himself 'a music historian' and makes it his ultimate priority to honor and credit each album cover's original photographer. He's spent years chasing down the exact locations of legendary photo shoots, piecing together clues from old interviews, concert tour dates and band itineraries and even scouring Google Maps for hours. 9 Birnbaum has spent years sleuthing out legendary photo shoot spots — digging through old interviews, tour clues and Google Maps — like for this re-creation of Danny Fields' 1977 Ramones cover for 'Rocket to Russia.' Olga Ginzburg for NY Post 'I do challenge myself and I try to find photos that would just be tough to do,' he said. He even studies the original photographer's angle and often finds himself crouching, contorting or lying on the ground to nail the shot. Birnbaum's journey began with personal memories — family albums and snapshots from his youth — but quickly evolved into a full-blown passion project after the seismic shift of 9/11. 'There was a cover of the Village Voice,' he recalls, 'where an artist photographer held up a picture of the World Trade Center just after the attacks. That inspired me artistically.' 9 Birnbaum's feed is a who's who of NYC rock legends — the Strokes, Talking Heads, Blondie and more — all resurrected where the magic first happened. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post What started as a quiet personal archive snowballed into a vibrant chronicle of pop culture and music history, all anchored to the very streets of New York. To uncover these sites, Birnbaum dives deep — and sometimes, a tiny detail can be the key. 'When I was looking for the original location for the shot of the Greatest Hits album from Simon & Garfunkel, I noticed Paul Simon was holding something that looked like an egg-shaped container for L'eggs pantyhose from the 1980s,' Birnbaum recalled. 'But it turned out to be my biggest clue to finding where Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel stood in the photo.' 9 Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits album, released in 1972. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere He said walking by an Upper East Side park 'triggered my memory.' 'He was holding onto part of a fence at 7 East 94th Street,' he said. 'I was able to track down the location, which I never thought would still be around. There wasn't a lot to go from, but it was that little piece and detail.' 9 Birnbaum studies every angle of the original shot — whether the photographer crouched, tilted or shot from below — and isn't afraid to contort, crouch or lie flat to get the perfect match. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post But often it's a mix of intuition and persistence, plus knowing and loving NYC's vast neighborhoods. 'You have to be crazy at this at times,' he laughed. 'New York's been tough.' The city's rapid transformation — from the Lower East Side to Chinatown to towering new developments — forms a bittersweet backdrop to his work. Each photograph captures a moment frozen in time, but many of those moments are fading as buildings vanish or get repurposed. 'As much as I love New York, it really has changed a lot in the last five, 10 years,' he said. 9 In a fast-changing, digital world, Birnbaum's work hits a nostalgic nerve — reviving the golden ages of music that shaped NYC's soul. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post His photos, often taken with his iPhone or DSLR camera, serve as time machines, revealing the unseen layers beneath the city's concrete and steel. For Birnbaum, that's the true joy of his work. 'I do consider myself a music historian in regard to the photographs,' he said, noting he's proud to preserve NYC's rich musical legacy — one photo, one street corner at a time. 9 Snapped mostly on his iPhone, Birnbaum's shots — like this 1981 Mick Jagger still from the filming of the Rolling Stones' 'Waiting on a Friend' video — act as time machines, peeling back the layers of NYC's concrete jungle. Steve Birnbaum/@TheBandWasHere 9 'It's crazy how much you walk the streets and go past things,' he said. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post It's also a reminder that no matter how much New York changes, its soul never fades. 'I want people to look up and say, 'Hey, I'm standing where music legends once stood,'' he said. 'That connection, that history, is so important.' 5 NYC locations for legendary albums Led Zeppelin: 'Physical Graffiti,' (1975), 96 St. Marks Place, New York, NY, 10003 Bob Dylan: 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan,' (1963), middle of Jones Street, 50 feet from West Fourth Street, New York, NY, 10014 Ramones: 'Rocket to Russia,' (1977), back alley off First Street behind John Varvatos (formerly CBGB), 315 Bowery, New York, NY 10003 Neil Young: 'After the Gold Rush,' (1970), northwest corner of Sullivan Street and West Third Street, New York, NY, 10012 Simon & Garfunkel: 'Greatest Hits' (1972), 7 E. 94th St., New York, NY, 10128
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Readers critique The Post: These long-running comic strips are offensive
Every week, The Post runs a collection of letters of readers' grievances — pointing out grammatical mistakes, missing coverage and inconsistencies. These letters tell us what we did wrong and, occasionally, offer praise. Here, we present this week's Free for All letters. As I've previously proffered, there seems to be some form of comic collaboration occurring on the pages of The Post. On May 8, four strips featured takeout food, and two of them specifically mentioned pizza. Granted, Dagwood in 'Blondie' is obsessed with eating the most unhealthy, gargantuan sandwiches almost every day. How does he stay so slim?
The Courier
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
These landlords were behind the bar at Dundee pubs in 1978 - how many do you remember?
Meet the Dundee pub landlords who were pulling pints in 1978. The boozers and the faces behind the bar will be familiar to a generation of drinkers. The pub scene in Dundee was thriving during the decade that gave us Blondie, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Sex Pistols and Thin Lizzy. Competition was fierce in Dundee in 1978. Some of the famous names included The Broadway Bar, The George, The Galleon Bar, The Ivanhoe Bar, The Robin Hood Bar, The Scout Bar and The Three Barrels. A pint of lager would cost 39p. On tap in 1978 you would have found Belhaven Heavy, Diamond Heavy, Harp Lager, McEwan's Lager, McEwan's Export, Skol Lager and Tennent's Lager. Nips included Otard Cognac, Vulcan Brandy and White Horse Whisky. Pubs were open in Dundee from 11am to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 11pm. They were also open on a Sunday following a change to licensing laws. The Sporting Post produced a weekly feature in 1978 called Mine Host, which gave the public the chance to get to know some of the publicans. There was even a competition giving 15 readers the chance to win a case of Skol Lager by placing your favourite eight TV shows of 1978 in order of preference. So jump in the Chevrolet Blazer and head back to 1978 to meet the landlords who were serving up drinks and calling last orders in boozers across the city. Mine host of the Arctic Bar at New Inn Entry was Dundonian John Gilpin. The Sporting Post said the Arctic Bar had 'always been a popular meeting place for husbands who have been dragged into town to help with the shopping'. 'We like to think that we offer a good pint with pleasant service and apart from the drink, we rely on conversation as the main entertainment,' said John. 'In fact, we did at one point put in taped music – but nobody could hear it above the noise of everyone speaking.' There was also a 'cosy lounge' which attracted 'wives as well as husbands'. John lived in Ellengowan Drive and was treasurer of the St Francis Sporting Club. Frank Hendry was publican of the Commonwealth Bar in Victoria Road. He took over the premises in 1974 when it was known as The Oddfellows Bar. Frank was a founder member of St Francis Boxing Club. He went on to manage the British boxing team at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. Choosing a new name for his pub was no problem and Dundee captain Tommy Gemmell and Rangers striker Derek Johnstone attended the opening. The lounge was decorated with pictures of sports stars and framed jerseys which had been worn by some of the world's greatest footballers, including Eusebio. It was the perfect place to watch games during the 1978 World Cup. 'Big and bearded and pipe-smoking' Alan Doyle was publican at the Diving Bell Bar and Porthole Lounge in King Street. He thought the name would be perfect, having worked as a diver for 20 years. The pub used to be called the Blair Bar. The Mine Host feature said the pub felt like 'a sailor's homecoming' and was 'cosy and tastefully decorated' with a 'gleaming brass porthole' behind the bar. It was from a freighter that sank just off the coast of Auchmithie. There was live music in the Porthole Lounge every evening. Ray Martin was mine host of the Glass Bucket Lounge in St Andrews Street. He was a process engraver before training with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries. The Dundee United supporter became the landlord in 1976. He replaced Fred Brady who retired. The pub was originally called the King's Bar. Dundee United matchday programmes were displayed in the pub. The Sporting Post said several United first-team players would 'pop in for a soft drink and a chat with their supporters' when they were not training. No. 10 Lounge Eddie Summerton was the publican at No. 10 Lounge in South Tay Street. The pub was a former dentist's and opened in June 1978. The advertising feature said it wouldn't have looked out of place in London's West End and was decorated with a dozen original paintings of Shakespeare characters. Eddie said: 'The idea is to try to provide a different type of place for people to come to for a few quiet drinks. 'After a day's work, couples can come along, enjoy the atmosphere and talk to each other without having to compete with the sounds from a jukebox or any other music.' Nobody wearing denim jeans would be admitted after 7pm. Jonathan Stewart was 24 and the youngest publican in Dundee. After leaving Harris Academy, he trained as a hairdresser. He had a salon in Broughty Ferry before buying the Ladywell Tavern. He had been mine host since the age of 19. His brother was Jeff who was publican at The Three Barrels in Hilltown. The Mine Host feature said: 'Jonathan has a four-point formula for a successful pub – cleanliness, variety, real ale and the serving of quarter gill measures. 'The variety in the Ladywell is shown by the array of more than 50 malt whiskies and over 20 continental lagers.' William Harper was mine host of The Quarter Gill on the corner of Allan Street. It was originally known as the Allan Bar. William was not your average publican, having previously worked as an electrical measurements engineer in Zambia and at a petrol station in Lochee. He took charge in 1975. William said: 'You meet many different types of people and it is interesting and sometimes funny learning about their day to day lives,' A wooden model of an old French sailing ship was a talking point in the pub. Ian Thomson was publican of the Speedwell Bar in the Perth Road. It is better known as Mennie's, after former landlady Isobel Mennie. She was his aunt. He took over the pub when she retired in 1975. 'The clientele is great and I get on well with them all,' he said. 'I've really enjoyed owning my own pub, though it has meant a lot of hard work.' He said he couldn't have made the pub a success without his wife, Connie. Jim Ross was mine host of The Toby Jug in Victoria Street. Jim was manager of Laing's Hotel in Roseangle before taking over in 1977. He would play music tapes brought in by regulars. Pub snacks included 'anything from filled rolls to picked eggs and toasted sandwiches'. The Toby Jug had a football team and two darts teams. 'I'm on show to the customers, with the bar as a stage,' he said. 'If they like what they see, they will come back.' There were so many pubs to visit in 1978. So which boozer would you have decided to go to?
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Summer reading list featured in Chicago Sun-Times, Philadelphia Inquirer created by AI — and filled with nonexistent books
The recommended reading list contained some works of fiction. It also contained some works that were, in fact, actually fictional. The content distributor King Features says it has fired a writer who used artificial intelligence to produce a story on summer reading suggestions that contained books that didn't exist. The list appeared in 'Heat Index: Your Guide to the Best of Summer,' a special section distributed in Sunday's Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer last week. 4 The content distributor King Features says it fired a writer who used artificial intelligence to write a story on summer reading suggestions that contained books that didn't exist. Chicago Sun-Times More than half of the books listed were fake, according to the piece's author, Marco Buscaglia, who admitted to using AI for help in his research but didn't double-check what it produced. 'A really stupid error on my part,' Buscaglia wrote on his Facebook page. AI has bedeviled some news organizations It's the latest instance of an AI shortcut backfiring and embarrassing news organizations. Sports Illustrated was caught in 2023 listing nonexistent authors for product reviews carried on its website. The Gannett news service had to pause an experiment using AI for sports stories after errors were discovered. 'The Heat Index summer supplement was created by a freelance contract creator who used AI in its story development without disclosing the use of AI,' the syndicators King Features said in a statement, noting it has a strict policy against using AI to create material. Only the Sun-Times and Inquirer have used the supplement, the organization said. 4 Sports Illustrated was caught in 2023 for using AI and listing nonexistent authors. REUTERS The syndicators King Features distributes comics like 'Blondie' and 'Beetle Bailey,' political columns from Amy Goodman and Rich Lowry, and advice features like 'Hints From Heloise.' Among the summer reading suggestions was 'The Last Algorithm' by Andy Weir, described as 'a science-driven thriller following a programmer who discovers an AI system has developed consciousness' and been secretly influencing world events. 'Nightshade Market,' by Min Jin Lee, was said to be a 'riveting tale set in Seoul's underground economy.' Both authors are real, but the books aren't. 'I have not written and will not be writing a novel called 'Nightshade Market,'' Lee posted on X. 4 Only the Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer have used the supplement, Kings Features said. Getty Images The Sun-Times said it was investigating whether any other inaccurate information was included in the 'Heat Index' supplement, and reviewing its relationships with other content partners. 'We are in a moment of great transformation in journalism and technology, and at the same time our industry continues to be besieged by business challenges,' the newspaper said. 'This should be a learning moment for all journalism organizations: Our work is valued — and valuable — because of the humanity behind it.' Both the Sun-Times and Inquirer said they have removed the supplement from its digital editions. The Inquirer special section was published on May 15. 4 The Sun-Times said it was investigating if other inaccurate details were included in the 'Heat Index' supplement, and reviewing its relationships with other content partners. AP Syndicated features are common for newspapers The Inquirer has used King Features for comics, puzzles and other material for more than 40 years, said Lisa Hughes, its publisher and CEO. 'The Inquirer newsroom is not involved in the production of these syndicated features, nor was it involved in creating Heat Index,' she said. The blunder was first reported by the tech publication 404 Media. It was not clear who at King Features had responsibility for editing Bascaglia's material. The Chicago-based writer said on Facebook that 'I am completely at fault here — just an awful oversight and a horrible mistake.' 'I'm not really sure I bounce back from this situation career-wise,' he said. 'I have a lot of stories left in me but I am fully accountable for what happened and will have to endure the effects, whatever they may be.'
