Latest news with #CrimeandPunishment
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- General
- Gulf Today
Bill opens the Gates to his wealth
All of us have heroes, but they keep changing. In school, it was my geography teacher. He was captivatingly anecdotal and a fantastic orator. When he spoke about the mountains, the rivers, the forests, it was as if we were being taken on a conducted tour of the world of nature. My other hero in school was my class teacher. He was a rare mix of authority and humility. He didn't believe in the power of spanking and allowed his smiles to rescue a tense moment. My last hero was our very popular football coach. He saw the lover of the game in me and encouraged me to play the game with passion. Then came college and with it new heroes. Even before I had reached the 100th page of Fyodor Dostoevsky's mind-blowing tale, Crime and Punishment, the Russian genius had become my new hero. Then pulsating youth fell for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Bronte almost took the place of Dostoevsky. The situation forced me toadmire those who worked toreduce the bitterness I felt the same after I read Albert Camus's The Outsider, D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover and Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Well, one morning I woke up to discover that it was high time fiction made way for reality to take over. And in days, I realised that it was going to be bitter. The bitterness came in the form of lack of water, food scarcity, homelessness. Shockingly, one set of human beings enjoyed glittering dwellings, heavenly cuisines and aerated water. Another set was hit by killer droughts, unending starvation and roofless homes. The situation forced me to admire those who worked to reduce the bitterness. The fight against life's inconsiderate ways threw up Mother Teresa, Abdul Sattar Edhi and Ratan Tata. They became my heroes. But I was tempted to rethink my list when I heard that Bill had decided to open the Gates to his wealth to make life somewhat less bitter for some. Bill Gates pledged he would donate 99% of his tech fortune to the Gates Foundation, which will now close in 2045, earlier than previously planned. Gates pledged to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some $200 billion via his foundation at a time when governments worldwide are slashing international aid. The pledge is among the largest philanthropic gifts ever — outpacing the historic contributions of industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie when adjusted for inflation. Only Berkshire Hathaway investor Warren Buffett's pledge to donate his fortune — currently estimated by Forbes at $160 billion — may be larger depending on stock market fluctuations. 'It's kind of thrilling to have that much to be able to put into these causes,' Gates said in an interview. Therefore, they who, almost all, stopped me from drinking Coca-Cola (Coke Zero) were not fully right because Buffett inspired Bill. They are trying to can the bitterness.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dayo Wong and Sammi Cheng to collaborate in new Jack Ng film
4 June - As rumours circulated of a sequel to his hit 2023 film, "A Guilty Conscience", it was reported that Dayo Wong will be collaborating with director Jack Ng again, though not for the sequel of the movie. As reported on Mingpao, on 2 June, Edko Films announced that filmmaker Jack Ng will be reuniting with his lead actor in a new movie, which will also star Sammi Cheng. "We can finally announce to you that Edko Films plans to start shooting a comedy film directed by Jack Ng and starring Dayo Wong and Sammi Cheng. Fans, see you at the cinema!" the company stated. This will not be the first time Dayo and Sammi worked together in a movie. The comedian has guest-starred in the singer's 2014 comedy movie, "Temporary Family", playing her ex-husband. He also was the surprise guest at Sammi's 2016 concert, where he shared an anecdote about meeting the singer for the first time. "After saying hello, we started talking about books. Sammi asked me if I had read 'Crime and Punishment' by Dostoevsky. When I said I hadn't, she told me I wouldn't understand it anyway. That was the end of it. Our relationship basically ended there," he joked. (Photo Source: Mingpao, ST Headline, Sammi IG)
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
President Zardari's ex spox unveils explosive memoirs
Former senator and spokesperson to President Asif Ali Zardari Farhatullah Babar launched his memoir "Zardari presidency - now it must be told" at the Karachi Press Club on Monday. The 500-page book chronicles key moments from Zardari's 2008-13 presidency, offering a rare insider's account of a tumultuous period in Pakistan's history. "This is not a biography of President Zardari," Babar clarified, "but a first-hand account of bizarre and dramatic events that impacted both the presidency and the nation." The memoir recounts more than 80 episodes, including the discovery of Osama Bin Laden, civil-military tensions, the Memogate scandal, and the fallout over Raymond Davis. It also sheds light on Zardari's strained ties with the judiciary and military, including a moment when troops surrounded the Presidency to pressure a defiant president. The book discloses for the first time the draft charge sheet for General Musharraf's impeachment and reveals backchannel diplomatic efforts such as a failed nuclear no-first-use proposal to India and secret talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Babar describes Zardari as a resilient but deeply political figure - misjudged, underestimated, and often vilified. "Zardari has been sinned against far more than he has sinned," he said, likening his endurance to that of Sonya in Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Babar maintained he did not seek permission from Zardari or the PPP to write the book, which he called a duty to history. "This is the account of a president walking a tightrope between allies, judges, and generals," he said, "written by someone who witnessed it all - pen in hand."
USA Today
19-05-2025
- USA Today
What is nihilistic? FBI says fertility clinic bomb suspect had 'nihilistic ideations'
What is nihilistic? FBI says fertility clinic bomb suspect had 'nihilistic ideations' Show Caption Hide Caption Explosion near Palm Springs fertility clinic rattles area First responders were on the scene after an explosion near a reproductive center in Palm Springs, CA. Officials investigating a fatal weekend explosion at a desert California fertility clinic that killed one and injured several others said the suspect "had nihilistic ideations" and believed it was better to die than to live. The FBI reported Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, detonated an explosive device in his car the morning of May 18 outside the American Reproductive Centers clinic in Palm Springs. The city is more than 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The incident was initially reported as a car explosion near the facility on North Indian Canyon Drive in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County. The late morning blast rattled homes and startled the desert city just before 11 local time, The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. One person was killed and at least four were injured in the blast. The FBI called the bombing a targeted attack on the IVF facility, an "intentional act of terrorism" and said the suspect "had nihilistic ideations" and anti-natalist views. What does nihilistic mean? What is does anti-natalist mean? Here's what to know about the terms. Live: FBI says Palm Springs bombing suspect had 'pro-mortalist' and anti-natalist views What does nihilistic mean? Nihilism is defined in Webster's Dictionary as a "viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that "existence is senseless and useless." The view rejects religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the late German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is among a group of late modern thinkers including Karl Marx associated with nihilistic believes. "Crime and Punishment" author Fyodor Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist, has also been linked to nihilism. FBI on California blast: Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing suspect had 'nihilistic' ideas What is anti-natalism? Anti-natalism is defined in Webster as a philosophical view deeming procreation to be "unethical or unjustifiable." Based on various reasons, including environmental concerns or the belief that life itself is inherently suffering, those with the belief disapprove of human population growth. 'Strongest in the broken places': Biden thanks supporters after cancer diagnosis Fertility clinic suspect believed to have died in blast Akil Davis, assistant director of the Los Angeles FBI field office, described as "one of the largest bombing investigations we've had in Southern California." Davis said the FBI believes Bartkus died in the blast, and had tried to livestream the attack. A body presumed to be his was discovered near the vehicle - a 2010 silver Ford Fusion. Through an autopsy, a coroner will identity the body and determine the person's cause and manner of death. The blast damaged several nearby buildings, officials said but the fertility clinic reported on social media its staff were safe, and no eggs or embryos were damaged. According to the fertility clinic's Facebook page, it is open from 7-11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Officials said embryos stored inside the clinic were not damaged by the blast. Investigators raided a home allegedly belonging to Bartkus in Twentynine Palms and, according to Reuters, a website contained messages apparently linked to the suspect, in which "he laid out a loose argument against human life." According to the FBI, officials are tracking "a possible manifesto" in the investigation. "Basically, I'm a pro-mortalist," part of the message reads, the Los Angeles Times reported. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, Reuters and Jennifer Cortez, Christopher Damien, and Paul Albani-Burg, USA TODAY. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- USA Today
FBI says fertility clinic bomb suspect had 'nihilistic ideations.' What does that mean?
FBI says fertility clinic bomb suspect had 'nihilistic ideations.' What does that mean? Show Caption Hide Caption Explosion near Palm Springs fertility clinic rattles area First responders were on the scene after an explosion near a reproductive center in Palm Springs, CA. Officials investigating a fatal weekend explosion at a desert California fertility clinic that killed one and injured several others said the suspect "had nihilistic ideations" and believed it was better to die than to live. The FBI reported Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, detonated an explosive device in his car the morning of May 18 outside the American Reproductive Centers clinic in Palm Springs. The city is more than 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The incident was initially reported as a car explosion near the facility on North Indian Canyon Drive in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County. The late morning blast rattled homes and startled the desert city just before 11 local time, The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. One person was killed and at least four were injured in the blast. The FBI called the May 18 bombing a targeted attack on the IVF facility, an "intentional act of terrorism" and said the suspect "had nihilistic ideations" and anti-natalist views. What does nihilistic mean? What is does anti-natalist mean? Here's what to know about the terms. Live: FBI says Palm Springs bombing suspect had 'pro-mortalist' and anti-natalist views What does nihilistic mean? Nihilism is defined in Webster's Dictionary as a "viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that "existence is senseless and useless." The view rejects religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the late German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is among a group of late modern thinkers including Karl Marx associated with nihilistic believes. "Crime and Punishment" author Fyodor Dostoevsky, a Russian novelist, has also been linked to nihilism. FBI on California blast: Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing suspect had 'nihilistic' ideas What is anti-natalism? Anti-natalism is defined in Webster as a philosophical view deeming procreation to be "unethical or unjustifiable." Based on various reasons, including environmental concerns or the belief that life itself is inherently suffering, those with the belief disapprove of human population growth. 'Strongest in the broken places': Biden thanks supporters after cancer diagnosis Fertility clinic suspect believed to have died in blast Akil Davis, assistant director of the Los Angeles FBI field office, described as "one of the largest bombing investigations we've had in Southern California." Davis said the FBI believes Bartkus died in the blast, and had tried to livestream the attack. A body presumed to be his was discovered near the vehicle - a 2010 silver Ford Fusion. Through an autopsy, a coroner will identity the body and determine the person's cause and manner of death. The blast damaged several nearby buildings, officials said but the fertility clinic reported on social media its staff were safe, and no eggs or embryos were damaged. According to the fertility clinic's Facebook page, it is open from 7-11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Officials said embryos stored inside the clinic were not damaged by the blast. Investigators raided a home allegedly belonging to Bartkus in Twentynine Palms and, according to Reuters, a website contained messages apparently linked to the suspect, in which "he laid out a loose argument against human life." According to the FBI, officials are tracking "a possible manifesto" in the investigation. "Basically, I'm a pro-mortalist," part of the message reads, the Los Angeles Times reported. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, Reuters and Jennifer Cortez, Christopher Damien, and Paul Albani-Burg, USA TODAY. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
