Latest news with #Centaur
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
'Sleep No More' producers owe McKittrick Hotel millions in back rent: courts
The long-running, immersive theatrical spectacle 'Sleep No More' may have taken its final bow at the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea in January — but the drama's not over. Known for its enchanting, noir-style adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the show had been a fixture in the city's theater scene since 2011. While slated to close in 2024, popular demand kept the production around another year. Advertisement 6 'Sleep No More,' the long-running immersive theater experience inspired by Macbeth, has lost its legal battle with landlord Centaur Properties and is supposedly on the hook for roughly $5 million in unpaid rent and legal fees. Matteo Prandoni/BFA / Shutterstock And while the curtain has finally fallen, producers Arthur Karpati and Jonathan Hochwald apparently still owe millions to the venue. A New York judge ruled last week that the pair are liable for approximately $5 million in unpaid rent and legal fees — siding entirely with the show's landlord, Centaur Properties. Advertisement The decision follows more than a year of increasingly bitter legal entanglements between the two parties, culminating in four separate lawsuits and a courtroom showdown. 'This was not an eviction case, because they left about a month ago — voluntarily left, without tendering the rent,' Terrence Oved, attorney and co-founding partner at Oved & Oved LLP, which represented Centaur, told The Post. 'We didn't ask for an eviction. It wasn't necessary. They left already. We're just chasing them for the approximately $5 million that was owed.' 6 'Sleep No More' producers Arthur Karpati (L) and Jonathan Hochwald (R). Matteo Prandoni/BFA / Shutterstock Advertisement According to court filings, Centaur Properties apparently forgave more than $5 million in rent during the COVID-19 pandemic — in an effort to give the show financial breathing room. But after the theatrical experience resumed and reportedly became profitable again, Centaur alleges the production once again defaulted in 2023, accruing an additional $4.5 million in rent arrears before closing the show for good. 6 The show famously ran for 14 years at the hotel. Matteo Prandoni/BFA / Shutterstock 6 The show originally planned to end production in early 2024, but due to popular demand, extended its performances for another year — before finally closing the curtain in 2025. Matteo Prandoni/BFA / Shutterstock Advertisement The legal battle began in February 2024 — when Centaur sued Karpati and Hochwald as personal guarantors of the lease. In response, the duo countersued Centaur and several of its representatives, claiming they were fraudulently coerced into signing the lease amendment that had previously wiped the slate clean. The tenant's complaint alleged a range of wrongdoing — but the court rejected these claims. 6 'Sleep No More' has been a fixture in the hotel scene since 2011. William Farrington 6 Centaur's attorneys, Darren (L) and Terrence Oved (R) of Oved & Oved LLP. 'This dispute is not about principle but about principal,' brothers Terrence and Darren Oved said in an earlier statement. 'PDNYC's [who the show's producers operate under] complaint is a baseless, misguided and transparent attempt to avoid its obligation to pay over $4 million in past due rent.' Advertisement In its ruling, issued Friday, May 16, the court dismissed all counterclaims brought by Karpati and Hochwald and found them jointly liable for the amounts owed under the lease, including attorney's fees. 'We are grateful for the court's swift and sound dismissal of the baseless allegations against our clients,' the attorneys said in a statement following the decision. 'Harlan Berger and Centaur have acted with utmost integrity throughout this drama. 'Sleep No More' will find neither sleep nor slumber until its substantial financial obligations to our client have been fulfilled.' According to Oved, the decision to vacate the premises was a strategic one, likely made to limit further damage. Advertisement 'They started realizing that it was closing in on them more,' he said. 'And we told them that the longer they stay there, the longer our damages are gonna be accruing. So they left in a desperate attempt to try to shut their damages.' The show's producers have not responded to requests for comment.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Decatur ULA rocket launches Amazon internet satellites into space
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Decatur's United Launch Alliance rocket helped Amazon satellites be launched into orbit Monday. The inaugural launch of Amazon's Project Kuiper used a ULA Atlas V rocket to deliver the first satellites of the constellation. Project Kuiper is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite broadband network. ULA said the goal of the satellites is to provide fast, reliable internet to customers around the world, including those in unserved and underserved communities, using a constellation of more than 3,200 LEO satellites. The rocket launched Monday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. 'This launch begins a new chapter in the commercial launch industry as Amazon partners with ULA to deliver a majority of its satellites into orbit. The Kuiper 1 mission is the first of 46 launches by ULA for the Kuiper constellation using eight Atlas V and 38 Vulcan rockets,' ULA said. ULA in Decatur began preparations for the Kuiper 1 launch on Feb. 24 when the company stood up the Atlas V first stage aboard the mobile launch platform. In the days following, five side-mounted solid rocket boosters were fixed to the rocket to provide 'maximum launch performance.' The company said the Centaur upper stage was lifted into the Vertical Integration Facility on March 14. Kuiper 1 marks the 250th Centaur launch on an Atlas rocket and the 275th flight overall for the upper stage, according to ULA. While the rocket was being stacked in the VIF, Amazon technicians worked to install the satellites going into orbit onto a special dispenser system inside Project Kuiper's satellite processing facility at the Kennedy Space Center. On March 31, ULA transported Kuiper 1 from the satellite processing facility to the VIF. ULA said it became one of the heaviest payloads ever lifted on an Atlas rocket. Because of this, ULA had to make modifications and design changes to accommodate the mass and size of the payload. This included enhancements to the ground handling equipment and the hardware used to hoist the payload onto the Atlas V for connection. The rocket itself stood at 205 feet tall. The full put-together Atlas V rocket features a longer length payload fairing than standard to carry as many satellites as possible. ULA said this launch was only the ninth time in 102 launches of Atlas V to use the larger fairing. 'The Atlas V 551, weighing 1.3 million pounds (589,000 kg) once fueled for launch, generates a combined thrust of 2.7 million pounds (12 megaNewtons) from its main engine and five SRBs. The rocket will embark on a northeasterly trajectory and onboard guidance will target a near-circular LEO of approximately 280 miles (450 km) and 51.9 degrees inclination.' ULA Below is a photo gallery of the rocket and the liftoff, provided by ULA. The original launch window was scheduled for April 9, but because of weather conditions, the launch was then delayed until April 28. You can learn more about the ULA partnership with Amazon here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
A Day in Pahalgam Before Terror Struck
As my plane descended on the runway at Srinagar, my memory took me back to 35 years ago when I had gone to cover Kashmir as a cub reporter. Kashmir then was burning. Many people speculated that days were not far when Kashmir would not be part of the country. I took a taxi to go to Centaur hotel. When I realised that I was one of the two guests staying in that hotel, I was petrified and very next day I decided to leave and stay in Ahdoos near Lal Chowk, which was not fully occupied but had enough travellers, mostly journalists, to give me comfort. I walked through the narrow streets of Srinagar and could see only BSF pickets at every 500 meters and an armed jawan at every hundred meters. Srinagar then was literally a ghost town. Defiance and rebelliousness were etched prominently on their faces. Yet, not once was I abused or threatened. After spending a week there, I returned to write a story for Saptahik Hindustan: "Lamhon ne khata ki, sadiyon ne saza paayi" (centuries of punishment for moments of sin) Last week, when I arrived at the hotel with my wife, I was pleasantly surprised by the vibrancy of the city. In Srinagar, the roads were bustling with people. Tourists like me were greeted with traffic jams and slow-moving vehicles. While security measures were present, they were neither overt nor intrusive. This was in stark contrast to my visit in 1990-91, when buses and taxis were stopped every kilometre or two for thorough security checks. Kashmiris were subjected to full-body frisking, often with two or three jawans pointing guns at travellers. This time, however, I could walk freely, and taxis moved across the city with minimal security interruptions. The atmosphere was cheerful, people seemed happy, tourists were savouring every moment of their stay, and markets were thriving. Shops, restaurants, and cafes were packed, and tourists were everywhere. Srinagar felt like a joyous town. I also covered the Kashmir assembly elections in 1996, during Narasimha Rao's tenure as prime minister. At that time, the political process in Kashmir had resumed after nearly a decade, but the tension in the air was palpable. Conversations were hushed, and the city felt dangerous. We were advised to return to our hotels before sunset and avoid unnecessary risks. This time, no such warnings were issued. We had the freedom to dine out late at night without fear. Yet, my journalistic instincts told me that the calmness in the air might be deceptive. Kashmir seemed almost too normal and peaceful to believe, though I had no reason to doubt what I was witnessing. The next day, when we visited the Tulip Garden, it was almost impossible to walk without bumping into other tourists. People of all ages-young and old, men and women, boys and girls-were capturing memories with the vibrant tulips. Young couples and newlyweds were revelling in the moment, their spirits undeterred even by the rain. A friend of mine, who has travelled to some of the world's finest destinations, remarked that he had never witnessed so much happiness in one place. Along Dal Lake, vehicles crawled at a snail's pace, turning what should have been a short journey into a half-hour ordeal. On Sunday, we visited Pahalgam, where the warm weather welcomed us. The meadows were brimming with tourists, many eager to hire ponies to explore the picturesque upper areas. At Betab Valley-named after the film Betab, which was shot there-young Kashmiri boys played cricket. Visitors posed with sheep adorned in quirky decorations, including sunglasses, while women competed to be photographed in traditional Kashmiri attire. Local photographers were thriving, their business booming. Kashmir was on full display, showcasing its heavenly beauty. I could never have imagined that within 48 hours, the same place would transform into a graveyard. Devils seemed to descend from hell, unleashing terror and killing innocent men after identifying their religion. The thought that it could have been us was terrifying. I had visited Kashmir many times during its worst phases, yet apart from the initial hours of my first visit, I was never scared or concerned about my safety. I never felt threatened or intimidated. Kashmir always welcomed me. Tourists were rarely targeted, barring a few isolated incidents. It was beyond my comprehension that terrorism in Kashmir could take such an ugly turn, claiming the lives of innocent tourists. According to a Reuters report, tourist footfall in the Kashmir Valley reached its highest in 2024, with over 3 million visitors. The numbers have been steadily rising since 2022. The tourism industry was enjoying its best season in 2025, with projections suggesting that footfall would surpass the 2024 figures. A journalist is always a journalist. Even though I wasn't there on a professional assignment, my conversations with people from all walks of life-and even with friends in the security establishment-revealed a peace that felt both intriguing and, at times, unsettling. It was difficult for me to believe that the valley could be so happy and peaceful. This question became even more compelling in the context of the abrogation of Article 370 and the transformation of the state into a union territory. After a six-year gap, Kashmir has an elected government, with over 60% voter turnout. Yet, a question kept coming: if Kashmir appeared so normal, what would happen Pakistan-sponsored terrorism? There was an answer when an old Kashmiri friend shared his perspective: "This calmness is artificial. Kashmir is a ticking bomb. It's true that local Kashmiris are not happy, but they have to survive, and tourism is their lifeline. Tourism gives them the money to live a better life in a high-pressure situation." His words resonated deeply with me. Kashmir has been living in an abnormal state since 1987, when terrorism first took root following the assembly elections. During my stay, I could sense that Kashmiris are exhausted from living in turmoil. No one knows when a bullet might claim their life or that of their loved ones. A new generation has grown up under constant tension, never having experienced peacetime. They don't know what it means to live outside a war zone. For them, a knock on the door in the dead of night is routine. It's normal to witness loved ones being dragged away by security personnel or falling victim to a terrorist's bullet. Caught in this relentless cycle, they understand that Azadi is not a possibility; breathing freely under the Indian Constitution is their only option. Terrorists, with their bullets in Pahalgam, attempted to rob them of that choice. Not surprisingly, the entire valley is simmering with anger. The bullets fired in Pahalgam could mark a significant turning point in Kashmir's history. Those responsible will undoubtedly regret their cowardice. In the end, Sheikh Abdullah's words echo in my ears: "India is our homeland; and it shall always remain so." Sheikh Abdullah reflects in his autobiography, Flames of Chinar: "We had learnt from experience that the real reason for conflict was not religion but a clash of interests between different groups." Abdullah spoke in the context of freedom movement, and the partition of the country. Yet, even after 75 years, Kashmir must not forget those words.
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Shopify CEO Letter On AI Means For Staffing And Talent Platforms
At Shopify, AI readiness is no longer optional, it's a mandate We've just crossed a tipping point. Yesterday, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke published a letter that may go down as one of the first truly bold declarations from a major tech leader about the future of work in the age of AI. In it, he called for a radical reimagining of Shopify's workforce, one where human employees partner deeply with AI systems to unlock new levels of creativity, productivity, and scale. But he didn't stop at vision. Lütke anchored this future in action, tying it directly to hiring, performance reviews, and day-to-day operations. At Shopify, AI readiness is no longer optional; it's a mandate. Lütke's letter isn't just a company memo. It's a wake-up call for every executive, talent platform, and staffing firm: evolve now, or risk irrelevance. For years, we've discussed the future of work in abstract terms. Now, thanks to AI's explosive capabilities, the future is here, and the terminology is starting to take shape. Borrowing from chess grandmasters who learned to outperform computers and humans by partnering with AI, we're entering the age of Centaur and Cyborg workers. This concept, as outlined in recent research by Karim Lakhani at Harvard Business School, Ethan Mollick at Wharton, and a community of researchers, isn't science fiction—it's strategy. Centaurs use AI as a tool to extend their human capabilities. Cyborgs go one step further: they integrate AI into their workflows so tightly that humans and machines become indistinguishable from the outside. In both cases, the result is an exponential leap in performance. Lütke's bet is that these workers will be the foundation of Shopify's next era of growth. But here's the thing: these new archetypes aren't just going to show up on your doorstep. They have to be trained, cultivated, and deployed. That's where staffing firms and talent platforms come in. We are entering an era where platforms and firms can no longer match resumes to job descriptions. The new mandate is capability-building. Talent platforms must become not only connectors but enablers. They must become trainers of Centaurs, builders of Cyborgs. This is the moment to ask: Who will be the first CEO of a staffing firm or platform to publish their bold AI letter? Who will take the leap and reimagine their business not just as a pipeline for talent, but as a crucible where the next generation of AI-powered workers is forged? The opportunity is vast. Most companies are not Shopify. They don't have in-house AI research teams or cultures built for rapid transformation. These organizations are looking outward for help. They will turn to platforms and partners that can guide them through the transition. The first platform that cracks this, offering not just access to workers but also AI-ready teams, trained and augmented, will own a disproportionate share of the future. To step into this future, staffing firms must pivot in three key ways: We're in the early innings, but the game is accelerating. As Lütke's letter clarifies, the CEOs who embrace this future won't wait for a slow evolution. They'll re-architect their orgs now. So the question is: Which staffing and talent platform will do the same?
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Strands hints today: Clues and answers on Monday, April 7 2025
Strands hints today: Clues and answers on Monday, April 7 2025 WARNING: THERE ARE STRANDS SPOILERS AHEAD! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT THE APRIL 7, 2025 STRANDS ANSWER SPOILED FOR YOU. Ready? OK! Have you been playing Strands, the super fun game from the New York Times, the makers of Connections and other brain-teasers like Wordle in which you have to do a search in a jumble of letters and find words based on a theme? It's pretty fun and sometimes very challenging, so we're here to help you out with some clues and the answers, including the "Spangram" that connects all the words. Let's start with the clue: Half-and-half. If you want our help? Think about something that's a combination of two things. As for the answers, scroll below the photo below: Griffin, Centaur, Merman, Satyr, Jackalope The Spangram is ... HYBRID CREATURE. Play more word games Looking for more word games?
