Latest news with #Casanova
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did You Know? Mohanlal owns a sky-high apartment in Dubai's Burj Khalifa
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is known for his towering presence on screen, but did you know he also owns a piece of the tallest building in the world? As reported by NDTV, The veteran actor earlier purchased a one-bedroom apartment on the 29th floor of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Spread across 940 sq ft, the apartment offers a breathtaking view of the Dubai Fountain and the bustling city below. Estimated at around Rs 3.5 crore (roughly 2.8 million dirhams), the property is registered in the name of his wife, Suchitra Mohanlal. A decision made on the spot According to the reports, the decision to buy the Burj Khalifa apartment wasn't pre-planned. It happened spontaneously during one of Mohanlal's visits to Dubai — a city he often frequents for both work and leisure. This isn't his only home in the UAE either. The actor also owns a villa in the posh Arabian Ranches neighbourhood and a spacious three-bedroom apartment in PR Heights Residence. Interestingly, the Burj Khalifa featured prominently in one of Mohanlal's earlier films, Casanova, which was shot in Dubai. Meanwhile, back home in Kerala… While Mohanlal enjoys a luxurious lifestyle abroad, his films continue to draw massive crowds in Kerala. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The recent re-release of his 2007 hit 'Chotta Mumbai' has brought fans back to theatres in droves. Packed shows, cheers, and celebration prove one thing: whether on the 29th floor in Dubai or on the big screen in Fort Kochi, Mohanlal still reigns supreme. Mohanlal also made his grand comeback with Tharun Moorthy's film 'Thudarum' which earned a solid 3 star out of 5 from ETimes with our official review reading, 'Jakes Bejoy's music elevates the scenes, making a real impact in the storytelling. Shaji Kumar's cinematography is excellent and it is perfectly coordinated with the edits by Shafeeque VB and Nishadh Yusuf. Their collective work lay the ground for the mood of the film. Tharun, whose last film Saudi Vellakka won a National Awards, could have done better to have created a more subtle story; this very much has an '80s-'90s feel. For Mohanlal fans, his raw magnetism might be exciting, but with its loud and overwritten scenes, the acting lacks nuance all around.'
India Today
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- India Today
The real Casanova: The spy, alchemist and librarian behind the lover's legend
In 1755, Giacomo Casanova, locked away in the attic prison of Venice's Doge's Palace, stared at the wooden ceiling above him. Imprisoned for "public outrages against the holy religion" -- possibly linked to his dealings in occultism and freemasonry -- his future looked Piombi, named for its lead-covered roof, was infamous for its unbearable heat and isolation, and he was sentenced without trial to five years in the attic prison. But this was Casanova -- charming, clever, and impossibly hard to contain. He refused to sit the next 15 months, battling illness and despair, he quietly chipped away at his cell's roof with a smuggled iron bar. After months of sawing, hiding tools in a Bible, and teaming up with another inmate, Father Marino Balbi, on the night of October 31, 1756, he climbed out through the roof. He slipped into a hallway, broke into an office, and dressed as an official and full of confidence, he simply walked out the front daring escape became one of history's most legendary jailbreaks and is recounted in his Histoire de ma vie, and backed up by records from the Doge's the same man known for his flings also pulled off one of Europe's most unbelievable prison breaks. And that's just the beginning. advertisement EARLY LIFE OF A RUNAWAY PRIESTBorn in Venice on April 2, 1725, Casanova was the son of actors. Or possibly a Venetian nobleman -- he speculated in his memoirs but could never confirm. His father died when he was young, and he was sent off to study became a priest briefly as well, but let's just say temptation won. He abandoned the church for gambling, travelling, and chasing stories across even pursued law at the University of Padua but soon found the allure of adventure more compelling than legal studies. His life was a tapestry of diverse roles: soldier, violinist, gambler, spy, and even intelligence and charm opened doors to Europe's elite circles, where he engaged with some of the era's most prominent his own account, he had affairs with more than 120 women, but his memoirs are filled with more than bedroom tales. They reveal a man hungry for experience, status, and ENEMIES, AND CHESS WITH VOLTAIRECasanova's travels brought him into contact with luminaries of the Enlightenment. In Geneva, he visited Voltaire at the Chteau de Ferney. The two reportedly played chess, but it wasn't exactly a found the philosopher arrogant; Voltaire found him entertaining. Still, they debated everything from God to logic. Casanova might've preferred wine and women, but he could hold his own in a salon full of Enlightenment thinkers. DINNER WITH CATHERINE THE GREATCasanova's journeys took him as far as Russia, where he managed a brief audience with Catherine the Great in 1765. She was one of the most powerful rulers in Europe; he, a wandering intellectual with a scandalous to accounts from that time, they talked about censorship, politics, and the freedom of thought. Casanova respected her, and the feeling -- at least diplomatically -- was ELECTRICITY, AND A SHARED VIEW ON SEDUCTIONCasanova also met Benjamin Franklin, an esteemed physicist and one of the founding fathers of America, in Paris in 1783. They spoke about electricity, revolution, the burgeoning field of aeronautics, and yes, to Casanova's memoirs, he once told Franklin that 'seduction is a science.' Franklin didn't argue. The two admired each other's cleverness, though they walked very different SWORD AND A WOMAN IN WARSAWIn Warsaw, he got into a duel over a mistress. His opponent was a Polish noble, and the ensuing duel left Casanova with a slashed hand. Ever the romantic, he considered the injury a badge of love, claiming he "bled for love."The duel made it to the local gossip and court letters -- proof that Casanova, even when embarrassed, knew how to spin a good story. HENRIETTE: THE ONE WHO GOT AWAYDespite the countless lovers he wrote about, there was one who haunted him -- Henriette, a French noblewoman. Their time together was brief, just around three months, but left him with grace and without bitterness. And he never got over her real identity remains unconfirmed, many scholars believe she was based on a real French JUST A LOVER -- ALCHEMIST, INVENTOR, AND SPYBeyond his romantic endeavors, Casanova dabbled in alchemy, freemasonry, and worked briefly as a secret agent for the Venetian Inquisitors of State and attempted to sell a lottery system to the French government. His reports, coded and clever, are stored in Venetian archives. He even designed a steam-powered machine to raise canal Paris, he dabbled in alchemy, claimed to be a Rosicrucian, and ever the showman, he wowed a rich widow by pretending to speak to her dead husband. He used chemistry and a few party tricks to convince her it was real. She sued him later, but nothing came of it -- possibly due to his influential was sometimes as a nobleman, sometimes as a priest, and once even as a violinist.A MAN OBSESSED WITH HOW HE'D BE REMEMBEREDCasanova cared deeply about his reputation -- not just as a lover, but as a thinker. He did write letters to figures like Rousseau, d'Alembert, and Goethe, though not all of these exchanges developed into lasting wanted to be taken seriously. In many ways, he was. But the tales of his bedroom still overshadow his debates with royalty, his prison escape, and his late-life reflection. advertisementTHE LIBRARIAN OF BOHEMIAEventually, the drama wore thin. In his 60s, exiled from Venice, Casanova settled into a quiet job as a librarian at Castle Dux (in today's Czech Republic). Hired by Count Joseph Karl von Waldstein, he spent his final years result? A massive 12-volume memoir, Histoire de ma vie ('Story of My Life'), filled with stories of escape, passion, betrayal, and sharp observations about the people and politics of 18th-century Europe. It remains a vital historical 2010, the Bibliothque nationale de France acquired the original manuscript of Histoire de ma vie, which had long been held in private hands in Germany. Its authenticity was already well established among scholars. You can read parts of them today -- and they're just as wild and witty as you'd June 4, 1798, Giacomo Casanova passed away quietly in Castle Dux, at the age of may be forever stamped with the label of a legendary lover, but his life was anything but one-dimensional. From debating philosophers to breaking out of a fortress prison, he lived like a man in constant pursuit of greatest seduction wasn't of women -- it was of history itself. And somehow, it worked.
India.com
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Before Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor fell in love with a famous cricketer's wife; Expressed his love on...; She is...
Ranbir Kapoor was once known for his playboy/Casanova image. He dated Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone. At one point, Rishi Kapoor addressed his son's playboy image in the media and admitted that Ranbir was dating four girls at the same time. Later, Ranbir dated Alia Bhatt and eventually married her. But do you know there is one actress who friend-zoned Ranbir? Before dating Alia, when Ranbir was single, he asked out his co-star but was rejected. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil hit theatres in 2016, and the camaraderie between its lead stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma was the main highlight of the film's promotions. Their fun banter in several interviews stole the show, and some of those clips are still going viral on social media several years later. During one such interview, the two actors had a playful exchange, but Ranbir took the conversation to a whole new level by making a shocking revelation. He jokingly called Anushka the champion of friend-zoning people and revealed how she easily keeps her male friends in the platonic zone. He further shared that one of Anushka's male fans had fallen in love with her—and that he, too, shared the surname Kapoor. Anushka was shocked by Ranbir's public confession of love for his co-star, while the audience and the rest of their co-stars burst out laughing. Ranbir explained the situation humorously, saying, 'Well, I know this one guy who, in a good friendship, fell in love with her. And he said, 'No yaar, nothing like that, I'm just a friend.' I'll just say that his surname is also Kapoor.' Anushka immediately clarified and responded, 'I grew up in a military family, where my father was employed in the armed forces,' and added that she naturally connected with people regardless of gender. 'I have had male friends too – it's not like only girls were my friends. For me, it was natural to bond with both boys and girls. I never looked at friendship through the prism of gender. We used to play with kitchen sets — but it wasn't like that. We also used to play with boys… I mean, with boys!' Talking about her personal life, Anushka Sharma married Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in Italy in December 2017. They had been dating for a few years before getting married. In January 2021, they welcomed their daughter Vamika, and in February 2024, they welcomed their son, Akay Kohli. On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor is married to actress Alia Bhatt and they have a daughter named Raha Kapoor.
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Trump's Mass Deportations Are Pushing US Farms to Breaking Point
President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans are pushing American farms to a "breaking point," experts warned. Martin Casanova, founder of THX, a program that connects consumers with farmworkers, told Newsweek. "We are dangerously close to a breaking point. In 2022, an estimated 15 million tons of produce were left unharvested in the U.S.—enough for 30 billion daily servings." A key aspect of Trump's immigration agenda is the removal of millions of undocumented immigrants, with a focus on the immediate deportation of individuals who were in the U.S. illegally, especially those with criminal records. However, the president's flagship policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the economy. Business leaders are advocating for a more balanced approach that supports businesses while preserving the essential workforce crucial to their survival. Agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion if Trump's flagship policy is carried out, according to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC). The crisis facing U.S. agriculture is not just a political issue but an economic one. Labor shortages in the sector are already contributing to rising food prices. Farms are struggling to find enough workers to harvest crops, which results in lower yields, a tight supply, and higher costs for consumers. Perishable crops, such as fruits and vegetables, are particularly vulnerable. "Labor shortages are a significant factor in rising food prices," said Casanova. "When farms can't find enough workers to harvest crops on time, yields drop, supply tightens, and prices increase." Casanova added that restrictive immigration policies exacerbate these shortages, while expanding legal entry programs could help ease the crisis. "Immigration policy plays a critical role: restrictive policies worsen labor shortages while expanding and streamlining legal entry programs would help ease the crisis," he said. This reliance on immigrant labor has been growing, as domestic workers show less interest in agricultural jobs, and an aging farmworker population struggles to meet labor demands. About 40 percent of crop farmworkers in the U.S. are undocumented, according to the Department of Agriculture. Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "Livestock producers in Kansas have not seen a significant impact on their workforce yet. Enforcement actions and the potential of collateral effects has created uncertainty and unease in some communities. The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade organization that advocates for 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory matters. The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that approximately 1.2 million undocumented immigrants reside in Kansas. "We need a secure border, a process for the current workforce to earn legal status, and an effective, efficient guest worker program that fits the needs of livestock producers," Teagarden said. The H-2B visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa that permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal or short-term nonagricultural jobs when there is a shortage of American workers. The American Immigration Council estimates that the mass removal policy could result in a one-time cost of $315 billion. Additionally, deporting 1 million individuals annually could lead to yearly expenses of up to $88 billion. In April, Trump proposed that undocumented immigrants employed in sectors such as agriculture could self-deport and return legally if their employers vouched for them. Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "I have had reports of employees expressing fear and uncertainty because of the increase in enforcement activity." Martin Casanova, founder of THX, told Newsweek: Limiting legal immigration directly undermines the labor supply U.S. farms rely on. The H-2A guest worker program, which supplies temporary visas for agricultural labor, has experienced slow growth due to rising costs and bureaucratic delays. In fiscal year 2024, certified H-2A positions grew by less than 2 percent for the second year in a row." President Donald Trump said: "We're going to work with them right from the beginning on, trying to get them back in legally. So it gives you real incentive. Otherwise they never come back. They'll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days." Business leaders have made it clear that they will advocate for comprehensive immigration reform to secure the workforce needed in vital sectors. The Trump administration remains firm on its stance regarding deportation, but with the agricultural industry facing immense pressure, it's clear that any comprehensive solution will need to address labor shortages in key sectors, ensuring that U.S. farms and businesses can survive. Related Articles Judge Rules Against Trump Admin and Eric Adams on Rikers Island ICE OfficeTrump Admin Cuts Time for Migrants to File Deportation Appeal In HalfFlorida Police Are Joining ICE on Deportation RaidsTrump Admin Sends Judge Paula Xinis Files After Sharp Rebuke 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Trump's Mass Deportations Are Pushing US Farms to Breaking Point
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans are pushing American farms to a "breaking point," experts warned. Martin Casanova, founder of THX, a program that connects consumers with farmworkers, told Newsweek. "We are dangerously close to a breaking point. In 2022, an estimated 15 million tons of produce were left unharvested in the U.S.—enough for 30 billion daily servings." Why It Matters A key aspect of Trump's immigration agenda is the removal of millions of undocumented immigrants, with a focus on the immediate deportation of individuals who were in the U.S. illegally, especially those with criminal records. However, the president's flagship policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the economy. Business leaders are advocating for a more balanced approach that supports businesses while preserving the essential workforce crucial to their survival. Agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion if Trump's flagship policy is carried out, according to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC). A farmworker harvests Ranunculus bulbs at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. A farmworker harvests Ranunculus bulbs at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. Sandy Huffaker/Getty What To Know The crisis facing U.S. agriculture is not just a political issue but an economic one. Labor shortages in the sector are already contributing to rising food prices. Farms are struggling to find enough workers to harvest crops, which results in lower yields, a tight supply, and higher costs for consumers. Perishable crops, such as fruits and vegetables, are particularly vulnerable. "Labor shortages are a significant factor in rising food prices," said Casanova. "When farms can't find enough workers to harvest crops on time, yields drop, supply tightens, and prices increase." Casanova added that restrictive immigration policies exacerbate these shortages, while expanding legal entry programs could help ease the crisis. "Immigration policy plays a critical role: restrictive policies worsen labor shortages while expanding and streamlining legal entry programs would help ease the crisis," he said. This reliance on immigrant labor has been growing, as domestic workers show less interest in agricultural jobs, and an aging farmworker population struggles to meet labor demands. About 40 percent of crop farmworkers in the U.S. are undocumented, according to the Department of Agriculture. Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "Livestock producers in Kansas have not seen a significant impact on their workforce yet. Enforcement actions and the potential of collateral effects has created uncertainty and unease in some communities. The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade organization that advocates for 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory matters. The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that approximately 1.2 million undocumented immigrants reside in Kansas. "We need a secure border, a process for the current workforce to earn legal status, and an effective, efficient guest worker program that fits the needs of livestock producers," Teagarden said. The H-2B visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant visa that permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal or short-term nonagricultural jobs when there is a shortage of American workers. The American Immigration Council estimates that the mass removal policy could result in a one-time cost of $315 billion. Additionally, deporting 1 million individuals annually could lead to yearly expenses of up to $88 billion. In April, Trump proposed that undocumented immigrants employed in sectors such as agriculture could self-deport and return legally if their employers vouched for them. What People Are Saying Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association, told Newsweek: "I have had reports of employees expressing fear and uncertainty because of the increase in enforcement activity." Martin Casanova, founder of THX, told Newsweek: Limiting legal immigration directly undermines the labor supply U.S. farms rely on. The H-2A guest worker program, which supplies temporary visas for agricultural labor, has experienced slow growth due to rising costs and bureaucratic delays. In fiscal year 2024, certified H-2A positions grew by less than 2 percent for the second year in a row." President Donald Trump said: "We're going to work with them right from the beginning on, trying to get them back in legally. So it gives you real incentive. Otherwise they never come back. They'll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days." What Happens Next Business leaders have made it clear that they will advocate for comprehensive immigration reform to secure the workforce needed in vital sectors. The Trump administration remains firm on its stance regarding deportation, but with the agricultural industry facing immense pressure, it's clear that any comprehensive solution will need to address labor shortages in key sectors, ensuring that U.S. farms and businesses can survive.
