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NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
For Panthers, clinching a 3rd consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final didn't lead to celebrating
SUNRISE, Fla. — Bill Zito didn't do any significant celebrating after the Florida Panthers clinched their third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. He got some food and went back to work. At this point, no one around the team would expect anything different. The franchise that could not win a playoff series for a quarter-century now is in the midst of a back-to-back-to-back run to the NHL's championship round. Florida won 25 playoff games in its first 28 seasons combined; the Panthers have won 41 playoff games — and counting — in their most recent three seasons. The novelty of winning at this time of year hasn't worn off, but the Panthers simply have become used to it now. The main thing — the Cup — is the main thing. That's why after the most recent win, beating Carolina to finish off the Eastern Conference title in five games, there were no helmets being thrown in the air, no raucous beer-spraying locker room scene, no thick wafts of cigar smoke. A few handshakes, something to eat, and that was it. 'I think everybody likes it right when people are kind to you and say things that are nice,' Zito, the team's hockey operations president and general manager, said before the Panthers flew home from Carolina. 'But we learned. The journey isn't over and there's work to do and we have to be focused on that and keep your eye on the goal. Don't let success get in your way.' To be fair, for the Panthers, this is unprecedented levels of success. They have now played 11 playoff series since the start of the 2023 postseason — their first one with Matthew Tkachuk in a Florida sweater. They have won 10 of those series, only falling in the 2023 final to Vegas. They're 41-21 in playoff games under coach Paul Maurice and actually have a better road record in those games (23-10) than they do at home (18-11). 'I didn't even think about it,' Tkachuk said after the Carolina series ended. 'Just reacted how I reacted. I mean, I think it was different a few years ago. I remember a few years ago it felt like such an accomplishment from where we were at one point. I know we talked about it last year. It's part of the journey. And same way with this year. It's all business, and we've got a bigger goal in mind.' When the East title series ended, Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour paid the Panthers — who won their first Cup last season — the ultimate compliment. 'They're the standard now,' Brind'Amour said. It has been a long time since the league has seen a run like this. Tampa Bay made three straight finals from 2020 through 2022 (with two of those seasons shortened by COVID), but no team — until now — has navigated three consecutive full regular seasons and gotten to the Stanley Cup Final in each of those years since Edmonton from 1983 through 1985. By the time this year's title series is over, the Panthers will have played more games in a three-year span than any team in NHL history. It's an accomplishment, for certain. Zito wasn't thinking about any of that after the Carolina series. There were travel plans to put together, reports to look at, somewhere between four and seven more games left in this season to think about. 'I don't think that the elation or the appreciation for the moment diminishes,' Zito said. 'I think perhaps the way it manifests itself, it's just channeled differently. ... That level of respect and appreciation for where you are, in tandem with the hunger, you want to do it again. You want to do it again. What can we start doing now? Don't stop. Don't get content. And those guys, they woke up with 100 texts each from everyone telling them how great they are. Everyone did. And it's not over.'
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Netizens mock Mumbai's luxury homes as the city turns into a ‘seasonal aquatic adventure' during rains
As Mumbai braces for the monsoon, frustrated residents - both homebuyers and renters - have taken to social media to voice their concerns over recurring waterlogging, flooding, and fallen trees, despite living in some of the city's most expensive neighbourhoods. "Paying ₹25,000 per sq ft just to experience submerged roads every monsoon," quipped one user on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiment of many who pay monthly rents ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh, only to find waterlogged streets right outside their doorsteps. The issue has also sparked conversations on Reddit, where users are actively debating which areas in Mumbai offer relatively hassle-free living during the rains. Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan expands real estate portfolio in Ayodhya with 25,000 sq ft land purchase worth nearly ₹40 crore As heavy rains once again brought parts of Mumbai to a standstill, including upscale neighbourhoods like Peddar Road and Malabar Hill, frustrated residents turned to social media to vent, with equal parts sarcasm and despair. One Reddit user summed up the monsoon misery with biting humour: 'The Mumbai real estate market isn't just about owning a home—it's an investment in seasonal aquatic adventures.' Another quipped, 'Why settle for a boring, dry city when you can enjoy complimentary lake views (on the road), car-to-boat career transition, surprise foot spas at every pothole, urban snorkelling—no gear needed, premium real estate, zero drainage.' Mocking real estate marketing clichés, one post joked, 'Can't wait for next year's builder brochure to say: 'Now launching Atlantis Residency – where luxury meets high tide.'' Also Read: Mahindra Lifespaces to exit affordable housing by FY30, shifts focus to premium segment: CEO Despite paying monthly rents between ₹40,000 and ₹1 lakh, several residents in prime locations continue to face severe waterlogging during the monsoon, sparking conversations on Reddit about which localities remain relatively flood-free. One user asked, 'If you live in an area where monsoons don't disrupt your daily routine much, please share your experience. Which locality would you recommend and why? Specific examples and timestamps would be helpful.' The recurring problem of waterlogging in areas such as Gandhi Market in Sion, Hindmata in Dadar, and Milan Subway in Vile Parle not only disrupts daily life but also dampens buyer sentiment. Real estate consultants say site visits dip during peak monsoon months, causing a temporary lull in transactions, even though demand remains steady. Also Read: Mumbai Rains: How waterlogging and flooding impact the financial capital's property market According to market experts, properties in flood-prone areas often see a 10–20% decline in both capital and rental values compared to better-drained neighbourhoods. As monsoon becomes a seasonal ordeal, real estate buyers and renters alike are factoring in flood risk as a key criterion in their housing choices.
Resala Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Resala Post
Delving into 'Vergando' The Heartbeat of Latin American Culture
In the vast, colorful, and passionately expressive landscape of Latin American culture, certain words and expressions emerge that do more than merely convey meaning — they embody identity, emotion, and heritage. One such word, rich with texture and regional resonance, is 'Vergando.' Though not commonly found in formal linguistic references or textbooks, 'Vergando' has, in various regions and cultural contexts, become an organic representation of transformation, endurance, and expressive defiance — values deeply embedded in Latin America's history and soul. To understand 'Vergando' is to embark on a journey into the nuanced heart of Latin American culture. It is to listen to the whispered folklore in rural villages, feel the resistance in street art and protest songs, and decode the soul of a continent that has long embraced both the beauty and pain of life with unflinching grace. This exploration will uncover the linguistic roots, cultural manifestations, artistic representations, and social significance of 'Vergando' — a term that, while elusive in formal dictionaries, pulses through Latin American life as a true cultural heartbeat. I. The Etymological Roots of 'Vergando' At first glance, 'Vergando' appears to be a gerund form of the Spanish verb 'vergar.' Traditionally, vergar means 'to bend' or 'to yield.' In Spanish grammar, the suffix -ando signifies an action in progress — thus, vergando translates literally to 'bending' or 'yielding.' But in the cultural context of Latin America, 'Vergando' has evolved into something more profound than a verb. It implies not just a physical act, but a philosophical and emotional posture — the way people, communities, and cultures bend without breaking, adapting to hardship while retaining spirit and dignity. This interpretation finds its roots not only in the Spanish language but also in the shared experiences of colonization, resistance, adaptation, and renewal that characterize Latin American history. II. Vergando as a Metaphor for Cultural Resilience Throughout centuries of upheaval — from European colonization to dictatorship, economic crises, and social inequality — Latin America has had to bend, often painfully, under the weight of external pressures. Yet it has not broken. In this way, 'Vergando' becomes a metaphor for the spirit of survival. Just as a tree in a storm bends to avoid snapping, Latin American societies have endured by adapting: preserving indigenous traditions under colonial rule, developing syncretic religions blending Catholic and native beliefs, and expressing dissent through coded artistic forms. This cultural elasticity, this creative and dignified yielding, is at the core of what it means to be 'vergando.' III. Artistic Representations of 'Vergando' 1. Literature In Latin American literature, themes of resistance and transformation — the essence of 'Vergando' — are omnipresent. Works like One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, or The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes, depict individuals and societies bending under the pressure of time, politics, and personal guilt. Poets like Pablo Neruda and César Vallejo write about pain and revolution with words that, though not explicitly saying 'vergando,' evoke its spirit: an aching resilience that refuses to surrender completely. 2. Music From the poignant ballads of Mercedes Sosa to the fiery salsa of Rubén Blades, Latin American music is suffused with the rhythms of 'Vergando.' Take Sosa's interpretation of 'Solo le pido a Dios' — a prayer of hope and resistance sung in the soft yet defiant voice of someone who has bent under grief but still sings. Reggaeton and hip-hop artists in urban Latin America also embody 'Vergando' in their lyrics, often narrating life in neighborhoods marred by violence or poverty, yet pulsing with pride and creativity. 3. Visual Arts The murals of Diego Rivera or the surreal pain of Frida Kahlo's paintings are vivid visual representations of 'Vergando.' They show bodies and communities that have endured oppression, disease, and heartbreak, yet persist through expression. Street art across Latin American cities — from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to the alleys of Buenos Aires — is perhaps the most raw and immediate display of this concept. Each mural or graffiti tag is a declaration: 'We are here. We are enduring. We are creating.' IV. 'Vergando' in Ritual and Tradition The cultural rituals of Latin America, many inherited through generations, often embody the act of 'Vergando.' Consider: The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) in Mexico: A celebration of life in the face of death, honoring ancestors with altars, marigolds, and skull-shaped candies. It's an annual act of remembering and bending grief into joy. Candomblé and Santería , Afro-Latin religions in Brazil and the Caribbean, which merge Catholic saints with African deities. These religions are literal examples of spiritual vergando , merging identities while preserving essence. Carnival, with its explosive costumes, dances, and masks, reflects communities yielding to the chaos of life through controlled release, honoring freedom through structure. V. The Role of Language: Code-Switching and Oral Histories In Latin America, language is fluid. Spanish and Portuguese dominate, but indigenous languages — Quechua, Aymara, Guaraní, Nahuatl, and others — persist, woven into everyday speech in rural and urban areas alike. This multilingual dynamic itself is an act of 'Vergando.' Communities adjust to dominant tongues for survival, but still whisper their truths in ancestral languages, refusing complete erasure. Oral storytelling, a powerful cultural practice in many regions, also embodies 'Vergando.' These stories are living, evolving — bent by time, adjusted for new audiences, but grounded in cultural truth. VI. Social Movements: Vergando as Strategy and Strength Social and political movements in Latin America often reflect the dynamic of 'Vergando.' Whether it's the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, feminist movements like Ni Una Menos , or indigenous land-rights protests in the Amazon, these movements demonstrate strategic flexibility in the face of oppressive systems. 'Vergando' here becomes tactical: adapting methods, using digital platforms for resistance, or embracing international solidarity while preserving local identity. Unlike brute confrontation, 'Vergando' allows for continuity. It is resilience without rigidity, activism with cultural intelligence. VII. Migration: Carrying 'Vergando' Across Borders Millions of Latin Americans have migrated — voluntarily or by necessity — carrying their culture across continents. In these diaspora communities, 'Vergando' is visible in the preservation of food, festivals, and language even while adapting to new homelands. Latino communities in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere create hybrid identities that reflect both yielding to new contexts and holding firm to old traditions. Children of migrants, often raised bilingually, may straddle identities, speaking Spanglish or Portuñol, eating tacos alongside burgers, celebrating Christmas with both Santa and El Niño Dios . This is 'Vergando' as survival and celebration. VIII. Modern Media and the Digital Vergando In the age of social media and globalization, 'Vergando' takes new forms. TikTok creators, YouTubers, and Instagram influencers across Latin America create content that blends global aesthetics with regional culture. From viral dances rooted in traditional forms to cooking videos that show abuelita's recipes with a modern twist, digital Latin America is 'vergando' before our eyes: absorbing trends, bending formats, but never losing soul. This generational evolution preserves cultural identity while allowing innovation — a perfect embodiment of modern 'Vergando.' IX. Critiques and Controversies: The Limits of Vergando While 'Vergando' is often framed positively as adaptability, it's worth noting that constant bending can come at a cost. There is a growing discourse among Latin American intellectuals and activists that resilience — when romanticized — can lead to exploitation. Some argue that societies shouldn't always have to adapt; systems must also change. For example, praising communities for 'making do' in poverty can overlook structural injustice. The question becomes: when does bending become enabling? How do we balance cultural endurance with demands for change? This tension, too, is part of 'Vergando' — a living, contested practice. Conclusion: The Legacy and Future of 'Vergando' 'Vergando' is not just a word; it is a worldview. It is the soft power of a culture that has endured — through invasion, slavery, revolution, and neoliberalism — and continues to dance, sing, protest, and create. It teaches us that there is strength in yielding when necessary, in adapting without losing oneself. It reminds us that culture is not static but alive, bending toward the future while rooted in the past. As Latin America continues to evolve — facing climate crises, political shifts, and technological disruption — the spirit of 'Vergando' will remain central. It will manifest in how stories are told, how traditions are preserved, and how new generations rise, rooted but not rigid. So next time you see a mural in Medellín, hear a protest song in Santiago, taste mole in Oaxaca, or watch a TikTok remixing cumbia and reggaeton — remember: you are witnessing 'Vergando.'
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Electric Picnic reveals more acts for August line-up
The Electric Picnic has revealed over 40 acts that will be joining the previously announced Hozier, Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim, and Kings of Leon at the festival in Stradbally, Co Laois from 29 to 31 August. Hozier and Chappell Roan are Friday's headliners; Sam Fender and Fatboy Slim are top of the bill on Saturday night, and Kings of Leon and the newly announced Becky Hill will close out the festival on Sunday. Joining Hill on the bill this year are: Amble, Barry Can't Swim (Live), Conan Gray, Confidence Man, Kingfishr, Lord Huron, Marc Rebillet, Maribou State, Montell Fish, Self Esteem, Suki Waterhouse, The Kooks, Viagra Boys, Alessi Rose, and Bell X1. Black Country, New Road, For Those I Love, Joost, Just Mustard, KhakiKid, Maverick Sabre, Tommy Cash, Mundy, Orla Gartland, The Academic, Biig Piig, Arthur Hill, Blair Davie, Esmeralda Road, Hilltop Hoods, Luvcat, NOFUN!, Sunday (1994), and Aaron Rowe have also been announced. Over in the festival's Terminus section, AZYR, DJ Heartstring, Ewan McVicar, Girls Don't Sync, Holy Priest, Horsegiirl, Juicy Romance, Mark Blair, Pretty Girl, Sim0ne, and Puzzy Wrangler are on the bill.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
South Korean conservative party moves to switch presidential candidates as election turmoil deepens
Kim Moon Soo and Han Duck-soo (AP) SEOUL: South Korea's embattled conservative party has taken the unprecedented step of nullifying its primary and replacing presidential candidate Kim Moon Soo with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo just one week after Kim's selection, deepening internal turmoil ahead of the June 3 presidential by-election. Saturday's move by the People Power Party 's leadership, which Kim denounced as an "overnight political coup," underscores the desperation and disarray within the party following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated attempt to impose martial law in December. Kim, a staunch conservative and former labor minister under Yoon, was named the PPP's presidential candidate on May 3 after winning 56.3% of the primary vote, defeating a reformist rival who had criticized Yoon's martial law. But the PPP's leadership, dominated by Yoon loyalists, has spent the past week pressuring Kim to step aside and back Han, whom they believe stands a stronger chance against liberal Democratic Party frontrunner Lee Jae-myung . Operation Sindoor India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases Han served as acting president after Yoon was impeached by the legislature in December and officially removed by the Constitutional Court in April. He resigned from office May 2 to pursue a presidential bid, arguing his long public service career qualifies him to lead the country amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and trade challenges intensified by the policies of US President Donald Trump. After failed talks between Han and Kim to unify their candidacies, the PPP's emergency committee canceled Kim's nomination in the early hours of Saturday and officially registered Han as a party member and its new presidential candidate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The replacement still requires confirmation through an all-party vote Saturday and approval by the party's national committee Sunday, which is the deadline for candidates to register with the election authorities. Han in a message issued through the party, claimed, "if we unite, we can surely win." Speaking at a news conference, Kim lamented "democracy in our party died" and vowed to take unspecified legal and political steps, but it remained unclear whether any realistic path existed to restore his candidacy without the party's cooperation. Kim had opposed the legislature's impeachment of Yoon on Dec. 14, though he said he disagreed with Yoon's decision to declare martial law on Dec. 3. Kim had gained popularity among hardline PPP supporters after he solely defied a Dec. 11 demand by an opposition lawmaker that all Cabinet members stand and bow in a gesture of apology for Yoon's martial law enactment at the Assembly. Han and Kim have lagged well behind Lee in recent opinion polls. Lee, who spearheaded the Democrats' efforts to oust Yoon, ridiculed the PPP efforts to switch candidacies, telling reporters Thursday, "I have heard of forced marriages but never heard of forced unity." Lee has long cultivated an image as an anti-establishment figure capable of tackling South Korea's entrenched inequality and corruption. However, critics view him as a populist who fuels division and vilifies opponents, warning that his leadership could further polarize the country. He currently faces five trials for corruption and other criminal charges. If he becomes president, those trials likely will stop because of special presidential immunity from most criminal charges.
