Latest news with #Deluxe
CNBC
5 hours ago
- Health
- CNBC
Why travel insurance is a must for seniors
Travel insurance can be a huge help to anyone, especially older travelers who may have a greater risk of health issues or unexpected travel disruptions and greater concerns about protecting their finances. CNBC Select explores why travel insurance is so important for seniors and the policies to consider if you're over 65. Whether you have private insurance or Medicare, your U.S. health care plan probably isn't valid abroad. That's where your travel insurance policy's medical coverage is invaluable. It will cover the cost of doctor's visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and more. If you need to be flown somewhere for treatment or get back home, a good policy will also cover the cost of medical evacuation. We recommend buying a policy with at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $250,0000 in evacuation coverage. If you're visiting far-flung locales or are particularly concerned about your health, however, look at policies with higher limits. Travel Insured International has some of the highest limits we've seen. Plans cover up to $250,000 in emergency medical expenses and $1 million for evacuation or repatriation. Single-trip and multi-trip/annual policies and cruise insurance. Add-ons include Cancel for Any Reason coverage and a travel inconvenience benefit Add-on to Worldwide Trip Protector Deluxe or Platinum plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable costs when purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment Available if policy is purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit. A standard travel insurance policy won't cover pre-existing conditions if they force you to change your plans or seek medical treatment. A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness or chronic condition that requires treatment or medication, including diabetes, arthritis, cardiac disease or COPD. If you file a claim, your provider will typically look back 60 to 180 days before you enrolled to see if there were any changes in your medical status. You can get a pre-existing condition waiver, however, which prevents your insurer from reviewing your records when processing a claim. Many companies offer waivers but require travelers to be medically able to travel and to buy their policy within two weeks of booking. We like Nationwide for its more generous 21-day window in which you can buy coverage and still receive a waiver. Single- and multi-trip plans and cruise insurance, plus add-ons like CFAR and rental car coverage. Add-on to Prime plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 21 days of booking (Not available in New York or Washington state) Available with single-trip plan purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit (14 days for cruise insurance) Even if you don't have a medical issue on your trip, you might have to cancel your plans because of a health condition, death in the family or other emergency. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage are among the best reasons to get travel insurance. A comprehensive plan will reimburse up to 100% of your nonrefundable costs if you need to cancel and up to 150% if you need to cut your trip your policy's terms to see what events are covered, but common scenarios include: If you're concerned about your situation being covered or don't want to have to submit proof, a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy will refund a portion of your expenses, regardless of why you scraped your plans. Most CFAR plans limit you to 50% to 75% of your nonrefundable costs, but Allianz reimburses 80% of expenses. Single-trip and multi-trip/annual policies and a rental car plan. OneTrip Prime and Premier plans include coverage for one child 17 or younger when accompanying a covered adult. Reimburses 80% of nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure. Included if policy is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit Read our review of Allianz Travel Insurance Cruises are particularly popular with retirees, who enjoy the convenience, entertainment and relaxing atmosphere, and have the funds and free time to devote to an extended excursion. Viking, Holland America and Cunard all market cruises aimed at older come with specific risks, though, including the ship breaking down or you missing your connection. We love Seven Corners' cruise insurance policies, which include up to $250 a day for missed connections, $5,000 for an itinerary change and $250 each time the ship is disabled or misses a port of call. Plus, Seven Corners gives you 20 days to buy a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver and covers travelers up to age 99. The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote Policies provide missed and delayed tour/cruise connection coverage. Cancel for any reason coverage and pre-existing conditions waiver are also available if you buy your plan within the specified time. ***CFAR and IFAR are subject to certain eligibility criteria and are not available in all states Yes Many travel insurance companies put age restrictions on their policies, limiting coverage to travelers under 79 or even 65. The cost of a policy can also be much more expensive for older travelers. Seven Corners will approve coverage for travelers up to age 99 and Faye and Travelex don't have any age restrictions at all. One single-trip plan with optional add-ons for pet care, adventure sports and damage to vacation rentals Up to 75% reimbursement of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit. Available if policy is purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit. Essential, Advantage and Ultimate policies plus last-minute Travel Med Go plan and standalone plans for emergency medical and flight coverage. Upgrades include rental car, pet and adventure activities coverage Upgrade with Ultimate plan covering 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 21 days of initial deposit and 31 days of departure. Included with Ultimate plan if purchased within 21 days of initial deposit Travel insurance averages between 4% and 10% of your total nonrefundable trip expenses. Because of increased risk, seniors pay on the higher end of that range. CNBC Select gathered rate quotes for a 65-year-old traveler and a 30-year-old traveler taking the same one-week $3,000 excursion to London and looking for $250,000 in medical coverage and $1 million in evacuation coverage. While the 30-year-old's rate was about 4.4% of their nonrefundable trip expenses, the 65-year-old was quoted a rate of about 7.3%. There can be a significant difference in price among carriers, so using a travel insurance marketplace like Squaremouth can help you compare rates in minutes. SquareMouth is a travel insurance marketplace that allows you can compare top-rated providers, including Berkshire Hathaway, Nationwide, Seven Corners and Tin Leg. Yes Read our SquareMouth travel insurance review The best policy for any traveler depends on your specific needs, the length and location of your excursion and other factors. Our top picks for travel insurance for seniors includes Travel Insured International, Nationwide, Seven Corners, Allianz and Faye. Some companies allow you to buy a policy up until a day or two before your departure, although enrolling within two weeks of booking ensures you have access to a pre-existing condition waiver and other benefits. Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of your nonrefundable trip expenses. For seniors, a policy will more likely be on the higher end of that range. We found coverage for a 65-year-old on a one-week vacation in London was 7.3% of the total expense. Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
PlayStation Plus free games for June 2025 revealed: Destiny 2, NBA 2K25, and more feature in this month's catalogue
The catalogue for PlayStation Plus games for June 2025 has been revealed. The PlayStation Plus users have expressed their excitement at the list of games for the month, as it features top-rated titles from 2K, Ubisoft, and other popular game developers. The gamers had often complained that the PS Plus game catalogue lacked popular titles, and Sony has responded to the feedback in a great manner. Sony announced the return of the Days of Play event, featuring exciting offers and discounts on PS5 consoles, games, and accessories. The event also brings a plethora of fan-favourite titles to PlayStation Monthly Games. The event will commence on May 28, 2025, hence, the month of June is going to be an exciting one for PlayStation Plus users. PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for June 2025 The gaming titles coming in June have excited fans. Fan-favourite titles like Destiny 2 and Alone in the Dark will be free to access for PS5 Plus and Deluxe members. The list of games include: NBA 2K25 | PS5, PS4 (available on June 3) Alone in the Dark (2024) | PS5 (available on June 3) Bomb Rush Cyberfunk | PS5, PS4 (available on June 3) Destiny 2: The Final Shape | PS5, PS4 (available on May 28) Additionally, Sony announced that various bonus titles have been lined up for the PS Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog. Due to the commencement of the Days of Play event, PlayStation users will be able to access more titles in the regular Game Catalog. The list for the regular Game Catalog titles is yet to be announced. More games added to Game Catalog for Days of Play event PlayStation Plus and Deluxe members will be able to access the games mentioned below on the given dates for free. The additional games are: Another Crab's Treasure | PS5 (available on May 29) Skull and Bones | PS5 (available on June 2) Destiny 2: Legacy Collection | PS5, PS4 (available on June 4) Grand Theft Auto III | PS4, PS5 (available on June 10) Myst, Riven, and others are added to the Classics Catalog The games in the Classics Catalog will be available on June 5, 2025. The list includes only two titles; however, PS Plus and Deluxe members will be able to play free trials of two additional games. The free trial will commence on May 28, 2025. Myst | PS5, PS4 | June 5 Riven | PS5, PS4 | June 5 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II | PS5 | May 28 (only for PS Plus and Deluxe members) Sid Meier's Civilization VII | PS5, PS4 | May 28 (only for PS Plus and Deluxe members)
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Lights, Camera, Kathipara: Chennai's vanishing role in Tamil cinema
InSuper Deluxe, Thiagarajan Kumaraja walks us through narrow lanes of a city, with dry walls guarding frames tinged with saturated hues. As it is, there's nothing flashy that indicates it's Chennai (the film was set and shot in the city), but the filmmaker held a fascinatingly hyperreal lens on Chennai, showing an urban landscape you are most familiar with, but in a world only imagined. Cities have distinct energies, a sense of controlled chaos that only cinema comes close to simulating. How Chennai has evolved on celluloid is a storied exploration with some compelling patterns. In the 1970s, Chennai was regularly featured in anti-urban narratives that portrayed cities as pockets of debauchery, a foreign land that preys upon the ignorant newcomer. Before K Balachander critiqued the regressive norms of rural India, he made Pattina Pravesam in 1977, in which a family from the village endured extreme hardships in Chennai, forcing them to return. Though setting a serial killer story like Sigappu Rojakkal in the city points to a similar mindset from Bharathiraaja, his Nizhalgal spoke about youths moving to Chennai to fulfil their lofty dreams. Kamal Haasan's Mahanadhi (1994) also hinted that perhaps the family wouldn't have faced such unspeakable miseries had they stayed back in their village. Even comedian Vivekh, who has sung praises of the city, showed this perspective in 2002's Run, where his character gets creatively swindled of all his belongings upon landing in Chennai. The early 2000s were an interesting period in how films continued balancing these perceptions with fresher takes. Where Alaipayuthey, Enakku 20 Unakku 18, Priyamaana Thozhi, Minnale, and 7G Rainbow Colony embraced the modern urban life, Chennai became the capital of crime in films like Thirupaachi and Dhool. Similar was the case with Saran's Amarkalam and Gemini, set in North Madras, but we will come to that in a bit. The 2000s were also when more non-native residents of Chennai started to reap the benefits of the IT boom, and films began reflecting this. Autograph wasn't set in Chennai, but it spoke of a man who found prosperity in the city, looking back at his roots. Ram's Kattradhu Thamizh is arguably the loudest critique of gentrification, Western lifestyle, and the anglicisation from Silicon Valley. Kattradhu Thamizh is also a rare exception at this point, as one could notice that while Chennai factors in the backdrop of the above films, it seldom becomes a character by itself. In Ram's film, Chennai turned the protagonist into a sociopath. The city was intrinsic in how Venkat Prabhu captured the frenzy of street cricket, the carefree lives of youngsters, and how they dealt with new-age problems in Chennai 600028. That film, along with 7G Rainbow Colony — and later, Madras, Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, Kodiyil Oruvan and Maaveeran — were also films that depicted lives within housing boards and colonies. Going back to the 2000s, films weren't just painting Chennai as a city of hope; in Angadi Theru, Vasanthabalan, a staunch critic of urban life, made a persuasive case by showing the heart-wrenching ordeals that happen behind the curtains of an activity most Chennaiites must relate to — shopping in T Nagar. The rise of the Vetri Maarans and Pa Ranjiths: Angadi Theru also pointed towards the rise of an almost neo-realistic, hyperlocal approach to filmmaking in the 2010s — ushered by the likes of Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Vetri Maaran and Pa Ranjith — where the city isn't just a concrete shelter for the protagonists, but a thriving socio-political organism that houses millions. You cannot take Chennai out of Aaranya Kaandam, Madras, Metro, Vada Chennai, or Maanagaram. Most of these films, especially those of Vetri Maaran, indeed fell in line with themes that stereotyped North Madras as a land of crime — a stigma many residents know to have real-life effects. But a silver lining did emerge. These stories weren't interested in single-mindedly exposing the darkness of the underworld; they had characters, black, grey, and white, somehow interacting with the crime lords and local politicians due to circumstances or socio-economic factors. This is why you wouldn't mind climbing a water tank with Anbu from Vada Chennairather than hanging out with Kokki Kumar in Pudhupettai. Further, the likes of Oram Po, Kaakka Muttai, Sarpatta Parambarai, and Iruddhi Suttru managed to break the stereotype surrounding Chennai north of the Cooum — an ever-fascinating region rich in history, culture and art. But before we get to the current state of affairs, there's another angle to look at Chennai's representation in films — in how the city was best shown in songs rather than scenes. A musical heritage walk: The Marina breeze not only carries the scent of fish fries, filter coffee, Cooum, sambar vadai and the sound of an autorickshaw kick-starting. Chennai is a never-ending open concert enlivened by the likes of TM Soundarrajan, MS Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh Ravichander and Sean Roldan, who rule the radios of bustling tea shops and the quiet concerts that happen within earphones in the metro train. So it's only befitting that we find the most memorable depiction of the city in the visuals of songs. Somehow, 'Madrasai Suthi Paaka Poren' from 1994's May Madham comes to mind instantly, but it's quite something to revisit the old Madras in older songs. It seems song sequences were a great opportunity for the characters and the audiences to get some air and respite from the studio sets, and what better place to do that than Marina Beach? It feels surreal to watch 'Nenjirukkum Engalukku' from Nenjirukkum Varai, in which Sivaji Ganesan, R Muthuraman and V Gopalakrishnan walk and dance on a Kamarajar Promenade we can no longer recognise. If you thought hitting the beach to shake away the blues is a modern trend, watch Gemini Ganesan walk and sing 'Manidhan Enbavan Mirugamagalam' in Sumaithangi. Or when he takes his squad to the beach in a car in 'Naalai Naam' from Punnagai. Songs like 'Enna Paarvai' from Kadhalikka Neramillai and 'Nee Ketal Naan Maatenendru' from Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu turned the gardens of Marina into Eden. When it comes to showing other parts of Chennai, 'Madras Nalla Madras' from Anubavi Raja Anubavi is often cited as an example. But listen to the lyrics and you will realise it is anything but a tribute. Interestingly, the song that features the maximum number of heritage sites, as pointed out by heritage activist Sriram V, is 'Azhagiya Mithilai Nagariniley' from the movie Annai. The hassles of shooting in real locations: Over the years, however, fewer and fewer songs were shot in live locations in Chennai. Managing the crowd of eager onlookers rendered shooting films featuring popular stars in real locations impossible, which is why you might find many songs, like 'Nenjam Undu Nermai Undu' and 'En Kanmani En Kadhali', have the actors perform in front of a screen. If not for this, you had to take Mr. MGR to some other desolate beach for a hassle-free experience, like in 'Kadal Oram Vangiya Kaatru' from Rickshawkaaran. The '90s and early 2000s too had films like Kadhal Kottai and Kadhal Desam that were shot in popular locations in Chennai, but in the mid-2000s, the Tamil Nadu government's restrictions in shooting films in public locations prompted filmmakers to shoot in studios or outside Chennai or move to suburban locations where getting permissions was easier. Still, even then, there were great exceptions to this, like 'O Ringa Ringa' from 7 Aum Arivu, a 2011 Suriya-starrer that was somehow even shot in the congested Ranganathan Street, T Nagar. Fascinatingly, despite these restrictions, the 2010s saw many small and mid-budget films — such as Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum, Chennaiyil Oru Naal, Goli Soda, Vadacurry, Vathikuchi, Meyaadha Maan, 8 Thottakkal, Irumbu Thirai, Sillu Karuppatti, Maanagaram and others — that were shot in real locations and had intriguing takes on the city, perhaps as a result of a certain drive towards realism among the younger crop of filmmakers who made their way to the fore from making short films or small features that couldn't afford a studio. Chennai has featured in more than a dozen Tamil films since 2023, but never as a character by itself. Films still establish the city with a shot of the Kathipara flyover or the Central station, but the city never becomes central to storytelling. Prashanth, Shaam, Attakathi Dinesh and Shakthi Vasudevan no longer climb onto MTC buses; only in Blue Star, a film set in Arakkonam, not Chennai, romance blooms in a local train. The autorickshaw drivers and passengers are now involved in discussions too different from what Rajinikanth sang about in 1995. The Central railway station we see in films no longer lets a woman find her mystery lover wearing a rose-knit sweater. Interestingly, only Bharathiraaja appears as an exception here, as he tells the story of a married man falling in love with a woman he meets on the Metro train in Modern Love: Chennai. The current crop of Tamil filmmakers has largely refrained from romanticising Chennai, but even sobering explorations of a lifestyle, community, or neighbourhoods are few and far between. Except for films like Ram's Taramani or Chennai 600028 (must one add Demonte Colony?), even films that carry a specific neighbourhood as the title — Kodambakkam, Nungambakkam, Kizhakku Kadarkarai Salai, and so on — do not tell a memorable story rooted in their milieu. And yet, you would still find youngsters romanticising the city on social media, and aspiring filmmakers in their short films. Even when listening to Ilaiyaraaja from an MTC bus hurling through rainwater is considered 'overrated,' we do it, for there is no common grammar to romanticising such momentary joys. So while this may not be the season for Chennai, on screen and in IPL, this city was never known for invincibility. This is, after all, the kingdom of Rajinikanth, an actor who became a superstar by turning the rising-from-the-ashes arc into his signature style in commercial cinema.
NZ Autocar
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 Kia Carnival HEV Water Review
I'd read somewhere that the Kia Carnival was the best of the MPVs available at present and hadn't given it much thought. Not surprising given I don't have six kids. But if I did I might have taken more notice. Because this latest version is quite something. It goes quietly about doing everything competently, in an understated and refined way. This has room to burn, for eight people and all their gear. Many of the seven-seater SUVs have next to no space left when all seats are occupied. Not this machine; there's a 627L cave-like space behind the third-row seats that seems to extend almost down to ground level. Grab the handles on the back of the third-row seats, pull them back and then lie them flat. There's over 2000L of luggage space then. If you slide the middle row seats forward and fold them over, figure on 2827L to fill it up. Truly, a van-like space. If you're a bit serious about towing, perhaps best not to go for the HEV example you see here; it's rated to tow braked trailers of only 1000kg. The turbodiesel variants can haul up to two tonnes of braked goodness. kia And there are three diesel grades on offer, kicking off at $62,990 for the EX, $72,990 for the Deluxe and $78,990 for the Kia Carnival Premium. Ours, however, is the HEV Water model. It's the most expensive at $81,990 but then it has plenty fitted as standard. The cabin centerpiece is the curved widescreen set-up, incorporating digital instruments and a 12.3-inch IFT screen with integrated sat-nav. We like the separate controls for the dual-zone air system too. Front seat occupants have ingress and egress that's hard to beat. For the rear seat occupants, it's even easier as the side doors automatically slide open. You can then activate the lever on the outside middle-row seat and it slides forward, facilitating third-row access. No problem for an adult to pop back there either. The trio of second-row seats are on sliders so everyone can have the right amount of legroom. It's all so user-friendly for the occupants. Like every modern vehicle with a central touchscreen, there's a little learning involved before you're au fait with silencing the safety arsenal. You might want to turn off the audible overspeed warning, and the lane keeping. We had no issues with the distraction system at all. Safety should be good too; the diesel versions are five-star cars, though the HEV is yet to be rated. The actual drive is very straightforward. There's a pushbutton to start, a rotary controller for Drive and Reverse and you're underway silently in EV mode. This is a parallel hybrid system, featuring a 132kW/265Nm 1.6 turbopetrol mated to a 54kW/305Nm transmission-mounted motor. Together, they're good for 180kW and 367Nm. The motor draws power from a 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery, and the claimed combined fuel consumption figure is 6.4L/100km (rightcar agrees). Without question, this uses less fuel in stop/start traffic and urban environs where we often saw figures of 5.8-6.2L/100km. I believe the worst we saw was 7.7L/100km. With a 72L fuel tank, this has a theoretical range of around 1125km. And remember, there's no external charging to do here; it is a self-charging hybrid. That's really surprising economy for something of this size. It's just over 5.1m long and almost 2m wide, weighing in at 2288kg. The turning circle, by the by, is just under 12m so it's not so difficult to park, aided by a 360-degree parking camera. Just finding a big enough space is the trick. With both power sources going full bore you can get to 100 in under 9sec. That's quite un-van-like. Full engine torque is on tap from 1500rpm so up to 2000rpm is just fine for in town, aided by the motor when you start off. Out of town 2500-3500rpm has you keeping up with anyone else. It's refined too, the engine largely in the background. You can tell when it's EVing because the revs go to nil, and a green EV light illuminates. There are no engine modes to muss with, just three towing options depending on how much you're lugging. And on modes, you can adjust the energy recuperation using paddles behind the wheel. There are four levels, low, medium, high and off. So brakes you don't need to rely on that much, if you don't want to. They're strong and tactile when needed. What you really want in an MPV is room and ride. So you'd not really expect much on the handling front. And yet, this does a more than passable job with fully independent suspension and 235/55R19 rubber. It's certainly not corner shy. Rounding it all off is a new look following a mid-life refresh, incorporating aspects of the 'Opposites United' design language. I'd opt for this Kia Carnival over a seven-seat SUV, especially with its seven-year/150,000km warranty. Most wouldn't, of course, but your passengers will thank you for it. Go diesel if you need to tow. All too much? A base HEV model is under consideration for the local market. Kia Carnival HEV Water$81,990 / 6.4L/100km / 147g/km 0-100 km/h 8.6s Engine 1598cc, 132kW / 265Nm Motor 54kW / 304Nm Hybrid output 180kW / 367Nm Transmission 6-speed auto / FWD Weight (claimed) 2288kg
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: A bus ride
Governor Acharya Devvrat on Sunday traveled to Anand in a Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus to attend a natural farming conclave at Anand Agriculture University like a common man, bypassing the conventional VIP protocol and special traffic arrangements. As per an official release, the Governor made online booking for a non-AC Super Deluxe category bus operating on the Visnagar-Anand route. He boarded the bus from Gandhinagar depot. At Anand bus station, the Governor was welcomed by senior officials of the district administration. During the 'simple and humble journey', the Governor engaged with fellow passengers and collected feedback on the services provided by the state government. Call for Name Change Opposing Turkey's support for Pakistan during India's recent military confrontation with the neighbouring country, Surat BJP MP Mukesh Dalal has written a letter to Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal, requesting her to change the name of Turkiwad, a locality in the walled city area of Surat, with immediate effect. Dalal, in the letter, has said that the name Turkiwad was like an 'insult' to the people of Surat. A few days ago, some people from Surat had also written a letter to the SMC commissioner with the demand for a change of name for Turkiwad.
