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Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
TikTok users can't get enough of Kate Middleton and Prince William as the 2000s' ‘It Couple'
TikTok users can't get enough of Kate Middleton and Prince William as the 2000s' 'It Couple'; watch viral video A viral video on the social media platform TikTok has sparked public interest in one of the longest-running love affairs of contemporary royalty. The video, which hails Prince William and Kate Middleton as the "it couple" of the 2000s, has gained more than 390,000 views and 40,000 likes since Sunday. With its retro montage of highlights in their relationship, the clip has reawakened widespread admiration for the couple, particularly among young web users viewing their tale for the first time. The video begins with scenes from the University of St Andrews in 2005, where William and Kate initially met as university students. From academy gowns to uniformed military attire, the clip follows them from student days to high-ranking royals, featuring scenes from RAF Cranwell, Sandhurst, and other public engagements. The comment section was inundated by TikTok users showering them with praise, terming their relationship timeless and characterising their relationship as one that was built on mutual respect and love. The film is more than just a visual obituary. It marks how an alliance previously under the spotlight and pursued relentlessly by the media ended up being a contemporary royal fairytale. As duty-bound public figures who juggle work and domestic life, William and Kate have attracted attention not through spectacle but through reliability, dependability, and a normative visibility. William and Kate's 'royal romance' began in a Scottish lecture hall by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Update Your PC's Security Today McAfee Learn More Undo Prince William and Kate Middleton initially met in 2001 at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Both were studying art history before William changed to geography. Their first friendship slowly evolved into a relationship, with many early memories created behind closed doors, within the university's ancient grounds and shared houses. According to the BBC, it was in 2003 that the media started gossiping about their romance, although the couple managed to keep things pretty much under wraps throughout their course of study. It was at their graduation in 2005 that one of the first public achievements was caught on camera. In the going-viral TikTok clip, the moment when "William Wales" is summoned to claim his degree is a central visual image of academic achievement and development. Kate walked beside William long before the royal wedding After university, Prince William went for military training, and Kate was frequently observed supporting him from the sidelines. William attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2006, ultimately receiving his commission as an officer. Kate witnessed the Sovereign's Parade in 2007, during which William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, officiated. Another turning point was in 2008 when William was awarded his RAF wings at Royal Air Force Cranwell. Kate accompanied him to the ceremony, walking with him down the corridors of the Central Flying School. These photos are included in the viral collection, highlighting Kate's presence not only at social functions but also at sombre moments in William's initial career. Robert Jobson, writing in his biography Catherine, said that while she was not protected from all problems by these privileges, Kate revelled in the perks of dating a prince, such as security escorts and access to the upper echelons of social life, but remained humble and respectful in her demeanour. Jobson wrote that she was "unfazed by the trappings of royalty" and concentrated on her relationship with William, not on the royal label that came with it. Life in the public eye: Coping with public scrutiny With their relationship intensifying, so did the paparazzi. Kate was followed everywhere by paparazzi, snapped on her way to work and on her private outings. There were increasing tensions among royal aides regarding the amount of intrusion into her affairs, according to The Guardian. William's protective nature came out, and he allegedly made a formal appeal to the press for respect of Kate's privacy. In spite of this scrutiny, Kate was able to keep her calm and steer clear of tabloid controversy. Her dignity in the face of adversity served to further cement her public image as a suitable candidate for royal life. Her role in William's life became ever more formalised, and by 2010, the world was anticipating a proposal. A royal wedding and public acclaim On 16th November 2010, the couple revealed they were engaged, and a few months later, on 29th April 2011, the world witnessed them getting married at Westminster Abbey. Their wedding attracted millions of viewers worldwide with coverage across the continents and languages. The couple in the subsequent years became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Their union is not only recalled for its glory, but also for its symbolism. It heralded the start of a new era for the monarchy - an era that focused on youth, accessibility, and calm partnership. In a 2011 YouGov survey, it was found that William and Kate's popularity eclipsed other senior royals, securing them in the hearts of the public. Parenthood and public roles William and Kate grew their family over the years, having Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis in 2018. Every birth was accompanied by a frenzy of media attention and national celebration. Despite the spotlight, however, the couple have tried to provide their children with a down-to-earth upbringing, tending to select schools and pursuits based on their values more than royal custom. They have also assumed additional senior royal responsibilities. William, now the Prince of Wales, has concentrated on mental health, the environment, and homelessness, whereas Kate, the Princess of Wales, advocates for early childhood development and mental health education. They make their public appearances together often enough, and their relationship remains a popular favourite to watch. Why William and Kate's viral video resonated in 2025 The viral video uploaded in June 2025 is riding a wave of nostalgia and appreciation for William and Kate's early years. The montage has garnered more than 390,000 views on TikTok and thousands of comments and reminded audiences about the simplicity and strength that defined their relationship since day one. The caption of the video, "POV: you both were the IT couple in the 2000s," is the cultural attitude toward William and Kate during those times. Their narrative provides an alternative to all-too-brief celebrity romance, in which royal couples can mature in the face of pressure and scrutiny. The commenters on the video also shared this view. One commenter posted, "William made the best decision of his life when he married Kate," and another said, "They are meant to be, so happy she's the future queen." The reaction indicates sustained emotional commitment to their saga, even though the royal family overall is under greater pressure in the contemporary era. Also read | Sundar Pichai's IIT batchmate Gauranga Das who turned 'monk' looks younger than him; his reason: 'You deal with Google, I deal with God'
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Munster crematoriums report €750,000 in profits
The firm that operates the Shannon Crematorium in Co Clare last year recorded post-tax profits of €526,543. New accounts show Anput Ltd recorded the average weekly post tax profits of €10,125 from the crematorium, located near Illaunmanagh cemetery in Shannon, in the 12 months to the end of June last. The €526,543 post-tax profit for last year followed post-tax profits of €499,700 in 2023 and €394,943 in 2022. During the year under review, the remains of legendary singer Shane MacGowan were taken in December 2023 for cremation to Shannon Crematorium before they were scattered on the River Shannon. At the end of June last, Anput Ltd's accumulated profits totalled €1.7m. The firm's shareholder funds amounted to €2.56m after called-up share capital of €859,202 is taken into account. The company is controlled by James Cranwell Snr, with other Cranwell family members also having a shareholding. The accounts show the amount owed by the firm to Mr Cranwell during the year reduced from €966,152 to €1,152. Shannon Crematorium opened in June 2017 and the Shannon-based enterprise enjoyed an increase in profits as greater numbers continue to opt for cremation. The increase in profits also coincides with a slight decrease in the number of deaths registered nationally last year, at 35,173 which was, according to CSO figures, 286 fewer than the 2023 total of 35,459. Cash funds at the firm last year almost halved from €891,741 to €480,883. The 2024 profits take account of non-cash depreciation costs of €42,816. Directors' remuneration last year totalled €48,500, which was a slight increase on the directors' pay of €48,360 for 2023. Built at a cost of €2.4m, Shannon Crematorium was completed after a nine-year planning process. The building includes a chapel, which can seat 140 people, with video screens where tributes can be played. Separate accounts lodged for Island Crematorium Ltd which operates a crematorium at Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, Cork, show it recorded post-tax profits of €224,650 in 2023. This followed post-tax profits of €251,643 in 2022. At the end of December 2023, the company's accumulated profits totalled €736,094. The company's cash pile increased from €709,064 to €1.16m. The firm employed six during 2023, where staff costs totalled €247,742. The company recorded pre-tax profits of €297,088, and incurred a corporation tax charge of €72,438. Read More Cork adventure company Zipit opens fourth location in latest expansion
BBC News
05-05-2025
- BBC News
Stagecoach East Midlands offers free VE Day travel for military
Serving military personnel, veterans and cadets will be given access to free bus travel on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) East Midlands, which runs in Hull, East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, is scrapping fares on 8 May for those wearing uniform, carrying a military ID, a veteran's badge or said the free travel would allow those eligible to attend events and Cranwell, managing director of the bus company, said it would be a "privilege to recognise the bravery and dedication of our armed forces, cadets and veterans". He added: "Offering free travel on VE 80 Day is a small gesture of appreciation for the enormous contribution made by our service men and women, past and present."Events are being held across the country to mark the day Allied forces accepted Germany's surrender in World War Two on 8 May national celebrations will start with a military procession in central London from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace on the 5 May bank landmarks will be illuminated to mark the occasion and installation of 30,000 ceramic poppies will be displayed in the Tower of London, which was bombed during the Blitz. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Forbes
11-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
This ‘Frog From Hell' Had The Bite Of A Wolf And Likely Ate Dinosaurs — A Biologist Explains
Before frogs were cute, Beelzebufo ampinga, or the 'frog from hell,' may have lurked in Madagascar's ... More shadows with a skull built for bone-crunching — and possibly dinosaur-snacking. In the Cretaceous forests of ancient Madagascar, one frog earned its fearsome name the hard way. Beelzebufo ampinga — sometimes called the 'frog from hell' — wasn't large by dinosaur standards, but among amphibians, it was a standout. Measuring up to 40 cm long, this extinct frog likely relied on ambush tactics and sheer jaw force to take down prey. Today, its closest living relatives are the much smaller horned frogs of South America, raising questions about deep evolutionary ties — and just how far amphibian predation can go. Today, its closest known relatives may be the much smaller horned frogs of South America — a relationship still debated among scientists. Their potential connection raises intriguing questions about deep evolutionary ties, and just how far amphibian predation can go. For most frogs, the jaws are an afterthought. Soft-bodied, bug-catching specialists, they rely more on sticky tongues than strength. But Beelzebufo ampinga and its modern relatives of the Ceratophrys genus are noteworthy exceptions. Cranwell's horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli), with its round body and capacious mouth, packs an outsized bite. A September 2017 study published in Scientific Reports revealed that even a horned frog with a modest 4.5 cm head is capable of producing a bite force of up to 32.9 newtons. This would be comparable to balancing three kilograms on a fingertip. For a large Ceratophrys aurita, the bite force is estimated at nearly 500 newtons, a level typically reserved for reptiles and small carnivorous mammals. Using this scaling, researchers estimated that Beelzebufo ampinga — a Late Cretaceous predator with a head over 15 cm wide — could exert up to 2,200 newtons of bite force. That puts it in the same league as wolves and female tigers. The frog's skeletal structure supports this with rigid skulls, strong jaw-adductor muscles, fused mandibular joints and recurved teeth optimized for puncture and grip. Beelzebufo may not have had venom (like Bruno's casque-headed frog) or speed, but it had a singular advantage in the prehistoric arms race — raw, compressive power. Roughly the size of a beach ball, Beelzebufo ampinga was fundamentally more formidable than its modern cousins. With an estimated skull width of up to 15 cm and a body length around 40 cm, the largest individuals likely exceeded 4.5 kilograms in mass. For comparison, that's heavier than the modern Goliath frog. The frog's fossilized bones, unearthed from northwestern Madagascar and dating to around 70 to 66 million years ago, paint a picture of an animal with an exceptionally broad, flat skull armored with bony ridges, and teeth that were sharp and surprisingly numerous. Alongside robust jaw joints and strong cranial sutures, they suggest a sit-and-wait ambush predator built to tackle prey nearly its own size. Beelzebufo shared its environment with a cast of now-extinct reptiles and dinosaurs far too large to trouble, but whose juveniles may not have been so lucky. And while it may no longer have direct descendants on the island it once ruled, its living relatives still prowl the subtropical forests and grasslands of South America. The horned frogs of the Ceratophrys genus — known to hobbyists as 'Pac-Man frogs' for their gaping mouths — share not just an evolutionary lineage, but the same toothy appetite and pugnacious attitude. What the fossil record leaves us with is a glimpse into a niche so specialized it barely exists today. A frog that ate like a reptile, defended itself like an armored tank and lived alongside the last of the non-avian dinosaurs. Not bad for an amphibian. If you're curious how well you connect with your pet, take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to find out now.
Bahrain News Gazette
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Bahrain News Gazette
Bahrain's Key Role in Global Peace and Coexistence Highlighted
Manama: Bahraini daily newspapers today focused on local events that happened over the past 24 hours. The coverage included significant events and meetings that underscore Bahrain's role in promoting global peace and tolerance. According to Bahrain News Agency, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's graduation from RAF Cranwell was one of the highlighted events. His achievement was celebrated across the nation and marked as a notable addition to Bahrain's representation in international institutions. In other developments, the KHGC Chairman and the Foreign Minister both emphasized Bahrain's global role in promoting peaceful coexistence. Their statements reiterated the country's commitment to fostering an environment of peace and mutual respect on the international stage. Further, the Speaker of Bahrain's parliament met with the IPU President, and the Shura Chairman underscored Bahrain's ongoing efforts towards global peace and tolerance. These meetings reflect Bahrain's active engagement in international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation. Additionally, Bahrain's parliamentary division participated in a GCC legislative meeting in Uzbekistan, and its parliamentary delegation took part in an Arab Group meeting at the IPU in Tashkent. These participations highlight Bahrain's dedication to regional cooperation and legislative collaboration.
